Clearless color image forming apparatus

Abstract

A color image forming apparatus, with image forming units configured as cleanerless, whereby the printing speed and the size reduction can be enhanced while maintaining a high image quality, and characteristics with respect to the environment are improved. The color image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units serially arranged in a straight line. Each image forming unit includes an image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, and a developing device for forming a toner image by applying toner to the electrostatic latent image. The color image forming apparatus further includes an intermediate transfer member to which the toner images from the plurality of image forming units are sequentially transferred in a superimposed fashion, and a transferring device for transferring the superimposed toner images from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium. At least one of the image forming units is configured as a cleanerless image forming unit, having a developing device of a jumping development system. The cleanerless image forming unit includes a toner holding device for temporarily holding residual toner that remains on the image carrier after transfer of the toner image to the intermediate transfer member, and discharging the held residual toner at a predetermined timing.