Transfer device with a ribbed guiding member

Claim 1

An image forming apparatus comprising: (A) an image bearing member having a relatively large curvature; (B) transferring means for electrostatically transferring a toner image formed on said image bearing member onto a receiving substrate, said receiving substrate being detachable from said image bearing member by virtue of its stiffness and its own weight; (C) an insulating member disposed on a downstream side of said transferring means in a feed direction of said receiving substrate, said insulating member having a downstream edge, (D) a plurality of ribs formed of material which has a surface resistivity that is greater than that of a conductive material, said ribs being provided on said insulating member for guiding said receiving substrate, said ribs having spaces therebetween, and said ribs having downstream portions which project downstream with respect to said insulating member, beyond said downstream edge thereof; and (E) charge removing means for attracting charges on a rear surface of said receiving substrate when it is detached from said image bearing member, said charge removing means being formed of said conductive material and being disposed in close vicinity to said downstream portions of said ribs, whereby charge removing action of said charge removing means spreads over said spaces between said ribs and charges on said rear surface of said receiving substrate are removed when said receiving substrate is being guided by said ribs.