Patent ID: 7302217

Claim:
A transfer apparatus employing one or more endless belts, the transfer apparatus comprising: one or more transfer mechanisms in which image information is developed on one or more electrostatic latent bearing members through use of developer, application of an electric field to one or more electrically conductive components from one or more backs of at least one of the endless belt or belts causing developer embodying at least a portion of the image information that has been developed to be transferred to paper clinging to and transported by at least one of the endless belt or belts; wherein at least one of the electrically conductive component or components is formed so as to be roller-shaped, either end in a width direction of which is formed from one or more fibrous electrically conductive components, and at least one central region in the width direction of which is formed from at least one species selected from among the group consisting of at least one elastic rubber material, at least one foamed component, and at least one metal roller-like structure possessing electrical conductivity, wherein at least one dimension in the width direction of at least one of the fibrous electrically conductive components disposed at either end of at least one of the electrically conductive component or components is chosen so as to be not less than a dimension satisfying the following formula: (dimension in the width direction of at least one of the endless belt or belts)≦(dimension in the width direction of at least one of the central region or regions of at least one of the electrically conductive component or components)+2×(dimension in the width direction of at least one of the fibrous electrically conductive components).