JP3812605B2 - Intermediate transfer member and intermediate transfer device - Google Patents

Description

【００４４】
塗膜層（単層構造、膜厚２０μｍ）
▲１▼配合
ウレタン変性アクリル樹脂 １００重量部
イソシアネート化合物 ３０重量部
フッ素樹脂粉末 １００重量部
▲２▼物性
体積固有抵抗率：３×１０¹²Ω・ｃｍ
【００４５】
この中間転写部材を図１と同様の機構からなるカラープリンタに、中間転写ベルト１として装着し、画像出しを行ったところ、プリント初期１０枚のうち紙詰まりを生じることはなかった。また、３０００枚プリントを繰り返しても良好な画像が得られた。更に、テスト後中間転写部材を取り出し、その表面を目視により観察したところ、表面にトナーの付着は全く見られなかった。
【００４６】
［実施例２］
塗膜層を下記の２層構造としたこと以外は、実施例１と同様のベルト状中間転写部材を作製した。
【００４７】
塗膜層（２層構造）
▲１▼配合（上塗り、膜厚５μｍ）
ウレタン変性アクリル樹脂 １００重量部
イソシアネート化合物 ３０重量部
フッ素樹脂粉末 １００重量部
▲２▼配合（下塗り、膜厚４０μｍ）
ウレタン樹脂 １００重量部
イソシアネート化合物 １０重量部
▲３▼物性

【００４８】
この中間転写部材を用い、実施例１と同様に画像出しテストを行ったところ、プリント初期１０枚のうち紙詰まりを生じることはなかった。また、３０００枚プリントを繰り返しても良好な画像が得られた。更に、テスト後中間転写部材を取り出し、その表面を目視により観察したところ、表面にトナーの付着は全く見られなかった。
【００４９】
［実施例３］
弾性層上に下記組成の樹脂層を形成し、その表面にフッ素樹脂粉末の４０重量％トルエン溶液をスプレーして１２０℃で３０分乾燥させて、実施例１と同様のベルト状中間転写部材を作製した。
【００５０】
樹脂層（厚さ２０μｍ）
▲１▼配合（上塗り、膜厚５μｍ）
可溶性フッ素樹脂 １００重量部
イソシアネート化合物 ４０重量部
▲３▼物性
体積固有抵抗率：２×１０¹³Ω・ｃｍ
【００５１】
この中間転写部材を用い、実施例１と同様に画像出しテストを行ったところ、プリント初期１０枚のうち紙詰まりを生じることはなかった。また、３０００枚プリントを繰り返しても良好な画像が得られた。更に、テスト後中間転写部材を取り出し、その表面を目視により観察したところ、表面にトナーの付着は全く見られなかった。
【００５２】
［比較例１］
塗膜層を下記のものとしたこと以外は、実施例１と同様のベルト状中間転写部材を作製した。
【００５３】
塗膜層（単層構造、膜厚２０μｍ）
▲１▼配合
可溶性フッ素樹脂 １００重量部
イソシアネート化合物 ４０重量部
▲２▼物性
体積固有抵抗率：２×１０¹³Ω・ｃｍ
【００５４】
この中間転写部材を用い、実施例１と同様に画像出しテストを行ったところ３０００枚プリントを繰り返しても良好な画像が得られ、またテスト後中間転写部材を取り出し、その表面を目視により観察したところ、表面にトナーの付着は全く見られなかったが、プリント初期１０枚のうち３枚に紙詰まりを生じた。
【００５５】
［比較例２］
塗膜層を下記のものとしたこと以外は、実施例１と同様のベルト状中間転写部材を作製した。
【００５６】
塗膜層（単層構造、膜厚４０μｍ）
▲１▼配合
ウレタン樹脂 １００％
▲２▼物性
体積固有抵抗率：１×１０¹⁴Ω・ｃｍ
【００５７】
この中間転写部材を用い、実施例１と同様に画像出しテストを行ったところ、プリント初期１０枚のうちすべてに紙詰まりが生じた。また、得られた画像には、かすれ、色ずれ等が発生しており、３０００枚プリント後に中間転写部材を取り出し、その表面を目視により観察したところ、表面にトナーの付着が見られた。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の中間転写部材を用いた中間転写装置の一例を示す概略図である。
【図２】同中間転写部材を示す図２のＡ−Ａ線に沿った拡大断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 中間転写部材
１１ 弾性層
１２ 帆布層
１２ａ 帆布材
１２ｂ ゴム含浸部
２ａ〜２ｄ 画像形成体（感光ドラム（潜像保持体））
３ 記録媒体
４ａ〜４ｄ 現像装置
５ 駆動ローラ
６ 紙送りローラ
７ 記録媒体搬送装置
８ 定着装置
９ 電源装置（電圧印加手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention supplies a developer to the surface of an image forming body such as a latent image holding body holding an electrostatic latent image on the surface in an electrostatic recording process in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, or an electrostatic recording apparatus. The toner image formed in this manner is temporarily transferred and held before being transferred to a recording medium such as paper, and transferred to the recording medium, and an intermediate transfer device using the intermediate transfer member More specifically, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image by preventing the toner from adhering to and fusing to the surface of the member, and to prevent the occurrence of clogging of the recording medium that is likely to occur at the initial stage of printing as much as possible. And an intermediate transfer apparatus using the intermediate transfer member.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, in an electrostatic recording process in a copying machine, a printer, etc., first, the surface of a photosensitive member (latent image holding member) is uniformly charged, and an image is projected onto the photosensitive member from an optical system and exposed to light. An electrostatic latent image is formed by erasing the charged part, and then toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image by electrostatic adhesion of the toner, which is then applied to a recording medium such as paper. The method of printing is taken by transferring.
[0003]
In this case, color printers and color copiers basically perform printing according to the above process, but in the case of color printing, the color tone is reproduced using toners of four colors, magenta, yellow, cyan, and black. Therefore, a process for obtaining a necessary color tone by superimposing these toners at a predetermined ratio is required, and several methods have been proposed for performing this process.
[0004]
First, as in the case of monochrome printing, when the toner is supplied onto the photoreceptor to visualize the electrostatic latent image, the four colors of magenta, yellow, cyan, and black are sequentially added. There is a multi-development system in which development is performed by superimposing and a color toner image is formed on the photoreceptor. According to this method, it is possible to configure the apparatus relatively compactly, but this method has a problem in that it is very difficult to control gradation and high image quality cannot be obtained.
[0005]
Second, four photosensitive drums are provided, and the latent images on each drum are developed with magenta, yellow, cyan, and black toners, respectively, so that a magenta toner image, a yellow toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image are obtained. By forming four toner images of the toner image, arranging the photosensitive drums on which these toner images are formed in a line, sequentially transferring the toner images onto a recording medium such as paper, and superimposing them on the recording medium, a color image is formed. There is a tandem method to reproduce. In this method, although a good image can be obtained, four photosensitive drums and a charging mechanism and a developing mechanism provided for each photosensitive drum are arranged in a line, which increases the size of the apparatus and is expensive. End up.
[0006]
Third, a recording medium such as paper is wound around a transfer drum and rotated four times, and magenta, yellow, cyan, and black on the photosensitive member are sequentially transferred to the recording medium every rotation to reproduce a color image. There is also a method. According to this method, a relatively high image quality can be obtained. However, when the recording medium is a cardboard such as a postcard, it is difficult to wrap it around the transfer drum, and the type of the recording medium is limited. There is.
[0007]
Compared to the multiple development system, tandem system, and transfer drum system, a system that provides good image quality, does not particularly increase the size of the apparatus, and does not particularly limit the type of recording medium. As an example, an intermediate transfer method has been proposed.
[0008]
That is, in this intermediate transfer system, an intermediate transfer member composed of a drum or a belt for temporarily transferring and holding the toner image on the photosensitive member is provided, and a magenta toner image, a yellow toner image, and a cyan toner are provided around the intermediate transfer member. By arranging four photoreceptors on which an image and a black toner image are formed and sequentially transferring the four color toner images onto the intermediate transfer member, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer member. The image is transferred onto a recording medium such as paper. Therefore, since the gradation is adjusted by superimposing the four color toner images, it is possible to obtain high image quality, and it is not necessary to arrange the photoconductors in a row as in the tandem method, so that the apparatus can be used. There is no particular increase in size, and there is no need to wrap the recording medium around the drum, so the type of recording medium is not limited.
[0009]
However, in this intermediate transfer method, the transfer of the toner image from the photoconductor to the intermediate transfer member and the transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium must be performed well, and therefore, In particular, trouble may occur when transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium. This is because, as the number of prints is increased, toner adheres and fuses onto the intermediate transfer member, and the transfer efficiency to the recording medium decreases, or an accurate toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor due to the adhered toner. It seems that it may be difficult to be done.
[0010]
In addition, when printing is performed by this intermediate transfer method, when the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium such as paper at the time of initial printing, the recording medium is caught in the intermediate transfer member, and so-called paper jam occurs. There is a case. This phenomenon is considered to be due to the fact that the surface of the initial intermediate transfer member has tackiness, so that a recording medium such as paper tends to come into close contact with the intermediate transfer member. As the number of prints is increased, the number of paper jams decreases, which is considered to be due to a decrease in the tackiness of the surface of the intermediate transfer member due to the adhesion and fusion of the toner described above.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. When printing is performed by an intermediate transfer method in an electrostatic recording process, toner is prevented from adhering and fusing to the surface of a member to obtain a high-quality image. An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer member that can prevent the occurrence of clogging of a recording medium that is likely to occur at the beginning of printing as much as possible, and an intermediate transfer device using the intermediate transfer member.
[0012]
Means for Solving the Problem and Embodiment of the Invention
  As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the inventor once transferred and held the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body such as a latent image holding body on the surface of the belt-shaped intermediate transfer member. When printing is performed by an intermediate transfer method for transferring to a recording medium, the belt-like intermediate transfer member is laminated with an elastic layer on a canvas layer made of a canvas material, and fluororesin powder or silicone is formed on the surface of the elastic layer. By dispersing and holding a friction reducing agent such as a resin powder, it is possible to obtain a high quality image by preventing toner from adhering to and fusing to the member surface, and to reduce the tackiness of the member surface to reduce paper It has been found that such a recording medium can be made difficult to adhere to each other, thereby effectively preventing clogging of the recording medium that is likely to occur at the initial stage of printing. Further, as a result of further investigation, when laminating the elastic layer on the canvas layer, the canvas layer and the elastic layer are impregnated by impregnating the surface portion of the canvas layer with rubber cement made of the same material as the elastic layer. The present invention has been completed by finding that the adhesiveness of the material can be improved, the surface smoothness of the member can be improved, and the above-described good performance can be more reliably exhibited.
[0013]
  Accordingly, the present invention is a belt-like member having an elastic layer, which is disposed between the image forming body and the recording medium, and temporarily transfers and holds the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body on its surface. In the intermediate transfer member for transferring this to the recording medium, the elastic layer is laminated on the canvas layer made of a canvas material, and the same kind as the material for forming the elastic layer on the surface portion of the canvas layer. Provided is an intermediate transfer member characterized in that a rubber cement made of a material is impregnated and a friction reducing agent is dispersed and held on the surface of the elastic layer.
[0014]
The present invention also provides an intermediate between the image forming body and the recording medium, which temporarily transfers and holds the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body on its surface and transfers it to the recording medium. An intermediate transfer device comprising a transfer member and a voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the intermediate transfer member, wherein the intermediate transfer member of the present invention is used as the intermediate transfer member. Providing equipment.
[0015]
In this case, the voltage application means is applied when the toner image is transferred from the image forming body such as a photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer member and when the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium such as paper. The toner image is smoothly transferred by switching between positive and negative voltages.
[0016]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.
As described above, the intermediate transfer member of the present invention is a member in which a friction reducing agent is dispersed and held on the surface. For example, as shown by reference numeral 1 in FIG. The toner images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d are temporarily transferred and held, and are arranged between the recording drums (latent image holders) 2a to 2d and the recording medium 3 such as paper. 3 is transferred.
[0017]
In this case, the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 performs color printing by an intermediate transfer method, and develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2a with yellow, and a photosensitive drum 2b. The second developing device 4b that develops the electrostatic latent image with magenta, the third developing device 4c that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2c with cyan, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2d developed with black The fourth developing device 4d is arranged along the intermediate transfer member 1, and is formed on the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d of the developing devices 4a to 4d by circulatingly driving the intermediate transfer member 1 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The four color toner images are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 1 to form a color image on the intermediate transfer member 1, and the color image is transferred onto a recording medium 3 such as paper for printing. It is. In the figure, reference numerals 5, 5, and 5 denote drive rollers for circulatingly driving the endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 1, reference numeral 6 denotes a recording medium feed roller, reference numerals 7 and 7 denote recording medium conveying apparatuses, and reference numeral 8 denotes a fixing apparatus. . In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a power supply device (voltage application means) for applying a voltage to the intermediate transfer member 1, and this power supply device 9 transfers toner images from the photosensitive drums 2a to 2d to the intermediate transfer member 1. The polarity of the applied voltage can be reversed when the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member 1 to the recording medium 3.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer member 1 of the present invention has an elastic layer 11, and a friction reducing agent is dispersed and held on the surface of the elastic layer 11.
[0019]
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as the said elastic layer 11, Resins, such as urethane, rubber | gum, or these foams can be used. Specifically, nitrile rubber (NBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), isoprene rubber (IR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), butyl rubber (IIR), natural rubber (NR), butadiene rubber (BR), acrylic rubber (ACR), general rubber such as epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), or thermoplastic rubber such as styrene-butadiene-styrene rubber (SBS) or its water additive (SEBS), and foams thereof. Although it can be used and is not particularly limited, a rubber composition in which NBR, BR, or IR having a low viscosity is added to NBR or ECO from the viewpoint of workability and hardness of the elastic layer 12 is preferably used. In addition, as a preferable compounding ratio in that case, when the whole rubber material of the elastic layer 12 is set to 100, it is (NBR or ECR) :( NBR + BR + IR) = 10-90: 90-10 in the weight%.
[0020]
Further, the elastic layer 11 can be imparted or adjusted with conductivity by adding a conductive material. In this case, the conductive material is not particularly limited. Lauryltrimethylammonium, stialyltrimethylammonium, octadecyltrimethylammonium, dodecyltrimethylammonium, hexadecyltrimethylammonium, perchlorate of modified fatty acid / dimethylethylammonium salt, chlorine Cationic surfactants such as quaternary ammonium such as acid salts, borohydrofluoric acid salts, sulfate salts, etosulphate salts, benzylated hangen salts (verzyl bromide salts, benzyl chloride salts, etc.); aliphatic sulfonic acids, Anionic surfactants such as higher alcohol sulfate ester, higher alcohol ethylene oxide addition sulfate, higher alcohol phosphate ester salt; amphoteric surfactants such as various betaines; higher alcohol ethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol Antistatic agents such as nonionic antistatic agents such as Le fatty acid ester, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters; LiCF₂SO₂, NaClO_Four, LiBF_Four, NaCl and other group 1 metal salts of the periodic table; Ca (ClO_Four)₂Group 2 metal salts of the periodic table, etc .; and those antistatic agents having one or more groups having an active hydrogen (hydroxyl group, carboxyl group, primary to secondary amine group, etc.) that react with isocyanate, etc. Can be mentioned. Furthermore, ions of these and complexes with polyhydric alcohols (1,4-butanediol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.) or derivatives thereof, or complexes with ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, etc. Conductive agent; conductive carbon such as ketjen black, acetylene black; carbon for rubber such as SAF, ISAF, HAF, FEF, GPF, SRF, FT, MT; carbon for oxidized color ink, pyrolytic carbon, Examples thereof include natural graphite, artificial graphite and the like; metals and metal oxides such as tin oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, nickel and copper; conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole and polyacetylene.
[0021]
The amount of the conductive material added to the elastic layer 11 can be 0.01 to 50 parts by weight, preferably 0.1 to 30 parts by weight, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin or rubber component. The resistance value of 10²-10¹⁴It can be adjusted to Ωcm.
[0022]
  Although the elastic layer 11 can be used as it is to form the main body of the intermediate transfer belt, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a canvas layer 12 is provided to reinforce the belt.
[0023]
The canvas layer 12 can be formed using a known canvas material 12a, specifically, can be formed of cotton, human silk, nylon, etc. In this case, a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of these canvas materials are laminated. It can also be a canvas layer. Further, although not particularly limited, the fiber diameter of the canvas material 12a such as cotton, human silk, and nylon forming the canvas layer 12 is preferably 20 to 100 denier, particularly preferably 30 to 80 denier. . Further, the canvas material 12a is not particularly limited, but is preferably relatively thin, and specifically has a thickness of 0.01 to 0.2 mm, particularly 0.05 to 0.15 mm. It is preferable. In this case, if the thickness of the canvas material 12a is less than 0.01, the dimensional stability due to the canvas layer 13 may be reduced, and the intermediate transfer member 1 may be deformed such as stretching. If it exceeds 2 mm, the flexibility of the intermediate transfer member 1 may be impaired.
[0024]
  As shown by the reference numeral 12b in FIG. 2, the canvas layer 12 is impregnated with rubber on the surface portion, thereby improving the adhesion and surface smoothness between the canvas layer 12 and the elastic layer 11. In this case, as the rubber to be impregnated, rubber cement made of the same kind of rubber as that used for the elastic layer 11 is used, and the surface of the canvas material 12a is impregnated in advance by coating or dipping. Thus, the rubber-impregnated portions 12b and 132 can be easily formed.
[0025]
Here, in FIG. 2, the elastic layer 11 is provided on both surfaces of the canvas layer 12, but the elastic layer 11 is in contact with or in proximity to the drums 2 a to 2 d (latent image holders) and the recording medium 3. Thus, the toner image may be formed only on one side on which the toner image is transferred and held. The thickness of the elastic layer 11 is appropriately selected according to the form of the intermediate transfer member. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elastic layer 11 has an endless belt shape having elastic layers 12 on both sides of the canvas layer 13. In some cases, it is preferable that the thickness only on one side is 0.01 to 2 mm, particularly about 0.05 to 0.5 mm.
[0026]
The intermediate transfer member of the present invention has a friction reducing agent dispersed and held on the surface thereof. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, when the belt has the elastic layer 11 on both sides, the toner image is transferred and held in contact with or in proximity to the drums 2a to 2d (latent image holders) and the recording medium 3. Alternatively, the friction reducing agent may be dispersed and held on only one side on the side to be used.
[0027]
The friction reducing agent is not particularly limited, but is polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, tetra Particles made of fluororesin such as fluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, silica (white carbon) powder, methyl silicone And silicone resin powders such as methylphenyl silicone polymer are preferably used.
[0028]
As a method of dispersing and holding these friction reducing agents on the surface of the member, a method of forming a coating layer in which the friction reducing agent is dispersed on the surface of the elastic layer 11, and a method of forming the surface of the elastic layer 11 with the friction reduction. The method of processing with the solution which disperse | distributed the agent to the solvent can be mentioned.
[0029]
When the friction reducing agent is applied to the surface of the elastic layer 11 by the method of forming the coating layer, the material that is the main material of the coating layer is not particularly limited, but a fluororesin or fluororubber, It is preferable to use a mixture of one or more resins such as polyamide, polyurethane, polyester, alkyd resin, acrylic resin, acrylic silicone resin, urethane-modified acrylic resin, silicone resin, amino resin, and urea resin.
[0030]
An isocyanate compound, a melamine resin, an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, glyoxal, or the like can be added to the coating layer, and these are cross-linked with a resin other than the fluororesin in the coating layer to improve strength. be able to.
[0031]
The coating layer is not particularly limited, but a conductive material similar to that of the elastic layer 11 can be blended in order to impart appropriate conductivity. In this case, the blending amount of the conductive material is not particularly limited, and is appropriately selected according to a desired resistance value. A suitable surface resistance of the intermediate transfer member of the present invention is a volume resistance of 10²-10¹⁸Ωcm, especially 10^Five-10¹⁸The amount of the conductive agent can be selected so as to obtain such a resistance value, and is usually about 0.001 to 80 phr with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component.
[0032]
A method for forming the coating layer on the surface of the elastic layer 11 is not particularly limited, but a method of applying a resin solution containing the above components to the surface of the elastic layer 11 is preferably employed. . In this case, as a coating method, after preparing a resin solution, it can be performed by a spray method, a roll coater method, a dipping method, or the like. For example, in dipping, the above intermediate transfer member is usually immersed in a resin solution at room temperature for 5 seconds to 5 minutes, preferably 10 seconds to 1 minute, and then pulled up and dried. Moreover, when employ | adopting the spray method, the resin density | concentration in a process liquid can be set higher than a dipping method, For example, what adjusted to the density | concentration of 10 to 30% can also be used. Furthermore, the solvent for preparing the resin solution may be any solvent as long as it dissolves the resin. Usually, lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone, Toluene, xylene and the like are preferably used.
[0033]
The thickness of the coating layer 12 is not particularly limited, but is usually 1 to 100 μm, particularly preferably 5 to 60 μm.
[0034]
Next, when the friction reducing agent is applied to the surface of the elastic layer 11 by a method in which the friction reducing agent is dispersed in a solvent, the solvent is not particularly limited, but water, methanol, Examples include lower alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and cyclohexanone, toluene, and xylene. Examples of the treatment method include a spray method, a roll coater method, a dipping method, and a method of rubbing the surface of a member with a nonwoven fabric impregnated with the above solution in which a friction reducing agent is dispersed.
[0035]
The formation of the coating layer in which the friction reducing agent is dispersed and the treatment with the solution in which the friction reducing agent is dispersed can be directly applied to the surface of the elastic layer 11, but an appropriate resin is applied to the surface of the elastic layer 11. A layer or a rubber layer may be formed, and the coating film may be formed on these layers or the treatment with the solution may be performed.
[0036]
In this case, as a material for forming the resin layer or the rubber layer, the same rubber as the elastic layer 11, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyester resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, polydioxolane resin , Urethane-modified acrylic resins, nylon resins, epoxy resins, styrene resins, polyvinyl acetal resins, fluororesins, fluororubbers, and the like. The resin layer can also be cross-linked by adding an isocyanate compound, a melamine resin, an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, glyoxal, or the like to improve the strength.
[0037]
Also, in these resin layers or rubber layers, the same conductive material as that of the elastic layer 11 is 0.01 to 50 parts by weight, preferably about 0.1 to 30 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the resin or rubber component. Combined, resistance value 10²-10¹⁴Ωcm, especially 10^Five-10¹⁴It can be adjusted to Ωcm. The thickness of the resin layer or rubber layer is not particularly limited, but can usually be about 1 to 600 μm.
[0038]
The intermediate transfer member of the present invention is not particularly limited, but the surface roughness is preferably 10 μm or less, particularly 6 μm or less, more preferably 3 μm or less in terms of JIS 10-point average roughness Rz. Further, as in the apparatus of FIG. 1, a voltage can be applied to the driving roller 5 or the driving gear for rotating the intermediate transfer member of the present invention. In this case, the voltage is applied only with a direct current or an alternating current is superimposed on the direct current. The application conditions such as the application to be performed can be appropriately selected.
[0039]
The form of the intermediate transfer member of the present invention is not limited to the endless belt shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but can be stably contacted or brought close to an image forming body such as a photoconductor. If so, it may be in a form other than the belt shape, and for example, it can be formed into a drum shape using an appropriate substrate. The intermediate transfer apparatus using the intermediate transfer member of the present invention is not limited to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the present invention.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
The intermediate transfer member of the present invention and the intermediate transfer device using the intermediate transfer member have a toner on the surface by a friction reducing agent dispersed and held on the surface when printing by the intermediate transfer method in the electrostatic recording process. It is possible to prevent adhesion and fusion as much as possible, and to reduce the tackiness of the surface of the member, making it difficult for the recording medium such as paper to adhere to the recording medium. The occurrence of clogging can be effectively prevented.
[0041]
【Example】
EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example and a comparative example are shown and this invention is demonstrated concretely, this invention is not limited to the following Example.
[0042]
[Example 1]
An elastic layer having a thickness of 0.3 mm made of the rubber composition shown in Table 1 is formed on both surfaces of a 0.2 mm thick canvas impregnated with rubber cement (epichlorohydrin rubber) on the surface. A coating layer having the following physical properties was formed by applying a paint having the following composition to obtain an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member similar to the member shown in FIG.
[0043]
[Table 1]

[0044]
Coating layer (single layer structure, film thickness 20μm)
▲ 1 ▼ combination
100 parts by weight of urethane-modified acrylic resin
30 parts by weight of isocyanate compound
100 parts by weight of fluororesin powder
(2) Physical properties
Volume resistivity: 3 × 10¹²Ω · cm
[0045]
When this intermediate transfer member was mounted on a color printer having the same mechanism as that shown in FIG. 1 as the intermediate transfer belt 1 and an image was printed out, no paper jam occurred in the initial 10 sheets. Also, good images were obtained even after 3000 prints were repeated. Further, after the test, the intermediate transfer member was taken out and the surface thereof was visually observed. As a result, no toner was found on the surface.
[0046]
[Example 2]
A belt-like intermediate transfer member similar to that of Example 1 was prepared except that the coating layer had the following two-layer structure.
[0047]
Coating layer (two-layer structure)
(1) Formulation (Top coating, film thickness 5μm)
100 parts by weight of urethane-modified acrylic resin
30 parts by weight of isocyanate compound
100 parts by weight of fluororesin powder
(2) Formulation (undercoat, film thickness 40μm)
100 parts by weight of urethane resin
Isocyanate compound 10 parts by weight
(3) Physical properties

[0048]
Using this intermediate transfer member, an image output test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, no paper jam occurred in the initial 10 prints. Also, good images were obtained even after 3000 prints were repeated. Further, after the test, the intermediate transfer member was taken out and the surface thereof was visually observed. As a result, no toner was found on the surface.
[0049]
[Example 3]
A resin layer having the following composition is formed on the elastic layer, and a 40 wt% toluene solution of fluororesin powder is sprayed on the surface and dried at 120 ° C. for 30 minutes to obtain a belt-like intermediate transfer member similar to that in Example 1. Produced.
[0050]
Resin layer (thickness 20μm)
(1) Formulation (Top coating, film thickness 5μm)
100 parts by weight of soluble fluororesin
Isocyanate compound 40 parts by weight
(3) Physical properties
Volume resistivity: 2 × 10¹³Ω · cm
[0051]
Using this intermediate transfer member, an image output test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, no paper jam occurred in the initial 10 prints. Also, good images were obtained even after 3000 prints were repeated. Further, after the test, the intermediate transfer member was taken out and the surface thereof was visually observed. As a result, no toner was found on the surface.
[0052]
[Comparative Example 1]
A belt-shaped intermediate transfer member similar to that of Example 1 was prepared except that the coating layer was as follows.
[0053]
Coating layer (single layer structure, film thickness 20μm)
▲ 1 ▼ combination
100 parts by weight of soluble fluororesin
Isocyanate compound 40 parts by weight
(2) Physical properties
Volume resistivity: 2 × 10¹³Ω · cm
[0054]
Using this intermediate transfer member, an image formation test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, a good image was obtained even after 3000 prints were repeated. After the test, the intermediate transfer member was taken out and its surface was visually observed. However, no toner adhesion was observed on the surface, but a paper jam occurred on three of the initial ten prints.
[0055]
[Comparative Example 2]
A belt-shaped intermediate transfer member similar to that of Example 1 was prepared except that the coating layer was as follows.
[0056]
Coating layer (single layer structure, film thickness 40μm)
▲ 1 ▼ combination
100% urethane resin
(2) Physical properties
Volume resistivity: 1 × 10¹⁴Ω · cm
[0057]
When this intermediate transfer member was used and an image output test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, all of the initial 10 prints were jammed. Further, the obtained image had fading, color misregistration, and the like, and after 3000 sheets were printed, the intermediate transfer member was taken out and the surface thereof was visually observed. As a result, toner adhesion was observed on the surface.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an intermediate transfer apparatus using an intermediate transfer member of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2 showing the intermediate transfer member.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Intermediate transfer member
11 Elastic layer
12 Canvas layer
12a Canvas material
12b Rubber impregnation part
2a to 2d Image forming body (photosensitive drum (latent image holding body))
3 recording media
4a to 4d developing device
5 Drive roller
6 Paper feed roller
7 Recording medium transport device
8 Fixing device
9 Power supply (voltage application means)

Claims (7)

A belt-like member having an elastic layer, which is disposed between the image forming body and the recording medium, and once transfers and holds the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body on its surface, this is transferred to the recording medium. In the intermediate transfer member that transfers
The elastic layer is laminated on a canvas layer made of canvas material, and the surface portion of the canvas layer is impregnated with rubber cement made of the same material as the material forming the elastic layer, and the elastic layer An intermediate transfer member, wherein a friction reducing agent is dispersed and held on the surface of the layer.   The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1, wherein a coating layer in which a friction reducing agent is dispersed is formed on the surface of the elastic layer, and the friction reducing agent is dispersed and held on the surface of the elastic layer.   The intermediate transfer member according to claim 2, wherein the coating layer is composed mainly of urethane-modified acrylic resin.   The intermediate transfer member according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the coating layer contains an isocyanate compound.   The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the elastic layer is treated with a solution in which a friction reducing agent is dispersed in a solvent, and the friction reducing agent is dispersed and held on the surface of the elastic layer.   The intermediate transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the friction reducing agent is a fluororesin powder or a silicone resin powder. An intermediate transfer member disposed between the image forming body and the recording medium, temporarily transferring and holding the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body on its surface, and transferring the toner image to the recording medium; In an intermediate transfer device comprising a voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the transfer member,
An intermediate transfer device using the intermediate transfer member according to claim 1 as the intermediate transfer member.

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