JP4462492B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the layout flexibility of a toner container and a conveyance destination from being aggravated, to suppress a failure due to making of toner flow at a stretch from the inside of a replenishing tube into a conveyance destination, to ameliorate the flocculation and liberation of an additive without occurrence of toner flocculation in a conveyance passway, and to ameliorate a white omission on an image and fogging. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus equipped with a toner container for containing toner and the replenishing tube for conveying the toner from the container to a developing section existing below the same, the replenishing tube has a vertical direction conveyance section of &ge;45&deg; in the angle of inclination from the horizon and a transverse direction conveyance section of &lt;45&deg; in the angle of inclination from the horizon; the degree of flocculation of the toner is 0 to &lt;1% of the degree of flocculation 1 at 200 mesh/100 mesh/60 mesh in the mesh opening of a sieve in a vibration sieve measurement method and 5 to 15% of the degree of flocculation 2 at 200 mesh/350 mesh/635 mesh. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder conveyance device that conveys powder such as toner from a powder container through a conveyance tube toward a conveyance destination below the powder container, and an image forming apparatus including the same. The present invention relates to an image forming method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimiles, and printers that use a toner conveying device are known. This toner conveying device connects the toner container with a toner discharging means for discharging toner from the toner container, and a developing device for developing a latent image carried on a latent image carrier such as a photosensitive member into a toner image. It is equipped with a transport pipe. The toner discharging means is operated as necessary to discharge the toner stored in the toner container into the transport pipe, and the toner is transported directly into the developer through the transport pipe. In an image forming apparatus using such a toner conveying device, it is assumed that the toner container is disposed at a position lower than the developing device. In this case, it is necessary to transport the toner, which is a powder passed from the toner container into the transport pipe, toward the developing device so as to lift it against gravity, so that the transport efficiency is deteriorated or the toner is clogged in the transport pipe. It becomes easy. Therefore, the toner container is generally disposed at a higher position than the developing device so that the toner is conveyed in the direction of gravity. As a toner conveyance device that performs such conveyance in the direction of gravity, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this toner conveying device, the toner discharged from the toner box, which is a toner container, into the conveying tube by the toner discharging means is dropped by its own weight and sent into the developing device.

  However, in this toner conveying device, there is a possibility that the toner discharged from the toner box into the conveying tube accumulates on the inner wall of the conveying tube and then flows into the developing device at a time when the amount becomes a certain amount. When the toner is allowed to flow in this manner, for example, in the two-component development method using the two-component developer containing the toner and the magnetic carrier, it becomes difficult to accurately control the toner concentration of the two-component developer. For example, in a one-component development method that uses only toner without using a magnetic carrier, the ratio of toner that is not sufficiently frictionally charged in the developing device is increased at a stretch, and the toner adheres to the non-image portion of the latent image carrier. It is easy to cause so-called soiling. If the toner box and the developing device are disposed close to each other so that the length of the transport pipe is as short as possible so as not to accumulate toner, the rapid flow of toner from the transport pipe into the developing device can be suppressed. However, the degree of freedom of layout in the image forming apparatus is deteriorated due to the restriction of proximity arrangement.

  On the other hand, the toner transported to the developing device is driven by the drive amount of the transport member provided in the transport pipe while the toner discharged from the toner container is retained in the transport pipe instead of dropping the toner passed through the transport pipe by its own weight. It is also possible to adjust this. However, even if such a configuration is adopted, if some impact is applied to the transport tube, the toner in the tube may flow into the developing device at once, even though the drive of the transport member is stopped. There is.

  Further, as the image forming apparatus is reduced in size, speeded up, and improved in image quality, it is necessary to supply a larger amount of toner to the developing unit without excess or deficiency with a smaller conveying unit.

  In particular, in a full-color image forming apparatus corresponding to the improvement in image quality, it is generally necessary to provide a toner conveying section and a developing section for four colors Y / M / C / B in the apparatus, which spurs downsizing of the conveying section. The supply route must be smaller and more complicated.

  Various forms of the toner transport unit have been studied, for example, as in Patent Document 2, thereby eliminating problems caused by transporting powder against gravity and increasing the degree of freedom in layout between the powder storage unit and the transport destination. It has become possible to suppress problems caused by the powder flowing into the transport destination from the transport pipe without any deterioration, but the relationship with the toner cohesiveness has not been studied at all, and the toner in the transport section Aggregation occurred, resulting in defects such as white spots on the image and uneven glossiness, or toner image fogging when conveyed at a stroke. In particular, since a high-quality image is required in a full-color image forming apparatus, further improvement is necessary.

Patent Document 3 proposes a toner having a toner aggregation degree of 1.0 to 25% in a full-color developing device, and Patent Document 4 proposes a toner having an aggregation degree of 2 to 25%. 74 μm), 100 mesh (149 μm), and 60 mesh (250 μm), which is a condition with a very large sieve opening, and the replenishment path is smaller and more complicated with the degree of aggregation measured under this condition. Aggregation or clogging will occur. Patent Document 5 proposes a toner having a toner aggregation degree of 10 to 30%. The toner is measured with a sieve opening of 150 μm, 75 μm, and 45 μm, and is a condition with a large sieve opening. If the replenishment route is smaller and more complicated with the degree of aggregation, the aggregation or clogging occurs. On the other hand, in a full-color developing device, white spots in a solid image are a big problem unlike a monochrome developing device. For this, various studies have been made on the type and amount of additives and additive surface treatment, but sufficient quality has not been obtained over a long period of time.
JP-A-8-30097 JP2004-220012 Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-14725 Japanese Patent No. 2992924 JP-A-7-191539

  Under such circumstances, the present invention allows powder to flow from the supply pipe to the transport destination at once without deteriorating the degree of freedom in layout between the toner container and the transport destination in an image forming apparatus, particularly a full-color image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to suppress the problems caused by the above, to prevent toner aggregation in the conveyance path, and to further improve the aggregation and release of the additive, thereby improving white spots and fog on the image.

  As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have invented an image forming apparatus that achieves the above object.

That is, the present invention
[1] An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner storage unit that stores toner; and a supply pipe that transports toner from the storage unit to a developing unit below the storage unit.
The replenishment pipe has a vertical conveyance unit having an inclination angle from horizontal of 45 degrees or more and a horizontal conveyance unit having an inclination angle from horizontal of less than 45 degrees,
Aggregation degree of the toner is determined by a vibration sieve measurement method. Aggregation degree 1 is less than 0 to less than 1 to 1 when mesh size is 200 mesh / 100 mesh / 60 mesh, and aggregation is performed at 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the degree 2 is 5 to 15%;

[2] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the replenishment tube is formed in the order of a vertical conveyance unit, a bending unit, and a horizontal conveyance unit from a toner storage unit to a development unit.

[3] The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein an inclination angle of the lateral conveyance unit is less than 30 degrees,

[4] A toner moving force applying means is provided in the supply pipe, and the applying ability of the bending portion moving force applying means is different from the applying ability of the other moving force applying means of the transport unit. 1] to [3], the image forming apparatus,

[5] The toner accommodated in the accommodating portion is a degree of aggregation A in the vibration sieve measurement method with a sieve mesh opening of 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh and a degree of toner aggregation B after exiting the supply pipe. B / A = 1.2 to 2, The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4],

[6] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the developing unit does not have a toner sub-hopper.

[7] The developing unit includes a two-component developer including a carrier and a toner, and the developing unit includes a first transport unit and a second transport unit that transport the developer in opposite directions to each other. The first transport unit and the second transport unit are connected at both ends thereof, and the other portions are partitioned by a partition so as to recirculate the developer. Any one of [1] to [6], which is provided at an upper portion of the transport section, and the discharge port of the supply pipe is directly connected to the developer reflux section without passing through the sub hopper. Image forming apparatus,
[8] An image forming method including a step of transporting toner from a toner storage unit that stores toner through a supply pipe to the developing unit below the storage unit,
The replenishment pipe has a vertical conveyance unit having an inclination angle from horizontal of 45 degrees or more and a horizontal conveyance unit having an inclination angle from horizontal of less than 45 degrees,
Aggregation degree of the toner is determined by a vibration sieve measurement method. Aggregation degree 1 is less than 0 to less than 1 to 1 when mesh size is 200 mesh / 100 mesh / 60 mesh, and aggregation is performed at 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh. An image forming method comprising using a toner having a degree 2 of 5 to 15%;
[9] The image forming method according to [8], wherein the replenishment pipe is formed in the order of a vertical conveyance unit, a bending unit, and a horizontal conveyance unit from a toner storage unit to a development unit.
[10] The image forming method according to [8] or [9], wherein an inclination angle of the lateral conveyance unit is less than 30 degrees,
[11] A toner moving force applying means is disposed in the supply pipe, and the applying ability of the bending portion moving force applying means is different from the applying ability of the other moving portion moving force applying means. the image forming method according to any one of 8] to [10],
[12] The toner accommodated in the accommodating portion is a degree of aggregation A in the vibration sieve measurement method with a sieve opening of 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh and an aggregation degree B of the toner after exiting the supply tube. The image forming method according to any one of [8] to [11], wherein B / A is 1.2 to 2;
[13] The image forming method according to any one of [8] to [12], wherein the developing unit does not have a toner sub-hopper.
[14] The developing unit includes a two-component developer including a carrier and a toner, and the developing unit includes a first transport unit and a second transport unit that transport the developer in opposite directions to each other. The first transport unit and the second transport unit are connected at both ends thereof, and the other portions are partitioned by a partition so as to recirculate the developer. Any one of [8] to [13], wherein the discharge port of the supply pipe is directly connected to the developer recirculation unit without passing through the sub hopper. Image forming method,
[15] A toner used in the image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the toner includes toner base particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent, and inorganic. A toner comprising fine particles,
[16] The toner according to [15], wherein the toner is made by a kneading and pulverizing method,
[17] A process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the process cartridge is at least one selected from a photoreceptor, a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device. A process cartridge that integrally supports two devices and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body;
[18] A developer for use in the image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the developer comprises at least a binder resin, a toner containing a colorant, and a magnetic particle. A developer comprising:
[19] A toner-filled bottle for storing toner used in the image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the toner-filled bottle is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, The present invention relates to a toner-filled bottle that is used as a container.
The invention's effect

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner flows into the developing unit at the transport destination from the toner supply pipe without deteriorating the degree of freedom in layout between the toner storage unit and the developing unit from which toner is replenished and conveyed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from aggregating in the replenishment conveyance path, to further improve the aggregation and release of the additive, and to improve white spots and fog on the image.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that includes a toner storage unit that stores toner and a supply pipe that conveys toner from the storage unit to a developing unit below the storage unit. From the horizontal direction and a horizontal direction conveyance unit whose inclination angle from the horizontal is less than 45 degrees. The coagulation degree of the toner has a sieve opening of 200 in the vibration sieve measurement method. The degree of aggregation 1 at mesh / 100 mesh / 60 mesh is 0 to less than 1%, and the degree of aggregation 2 at 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh is 5 to 15%. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which toner aggregation does not occur, the toner is excessively replenished at once, and no scumming occurs due to excessive toner concentration.

  Further, since the aggregation degree 2 has a cohesiveness of 5 to 15%, the toner is moderately stressed during conveyance. Therefore, the additive present as an aggregate in the toner is crushed by the stress, and the aggregate as an additive This has the effect of adhering to the toner surface in a state in which it is eliminated and dispersed as primary particles, and the occurrence of white spots in a solid image due to additive aggregate nuclei can be suppressed. By passing through the conveyance path of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming method in which additive aggregates are crushed and white spots are not generated.

  In the vibration sieve measurement method, when the mesh opening degree of the mesh is 200 mesh / 100 mesh / 60 mesh and the cohesion degree 1 is 1% or more, the replenishment pipe is installed in the vertical direction conveying section having an inclination angle of 45 degrees or more from the horizontal. Toner transportability deteriorates and clogging occurs. In the vibration sieve measurement method, when the mesh opening degree of the mesh is 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh and the degree of aggregation 2 is less than 5%, when transporting the lateral transport unit having an inclination angle from the horizontal of less than 45 degrees In other words, the fluidity is too high, the toner filling density in the conveying unit is lowered, the conveying property is not stable, and the toner end is erroneously recognized. In addition, since no stress is applied, the effect of crushing the additive agglomerates cannot be obtained, and white spots in the solid image occur. In the vibration sieve measurement method, if the degree of agglomeration 2 at a mesh size of 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh exceeds 15%, toner transportability is deteriorated and clogging is likely to occur in the longitudinal transport section.

  Further, the toner accommodated in the accommodating portion has an aggregation degree A in the vibration sieve measurement method with a sieve opening of 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh, and an aggregation degree B of the toner after exiting the supply pipe is B. /A=1.2-2, the transportability is further improved, the toner cohesiveness is not deteriorated, the adhesion strength of the external additive is increased, and the external additive is not released from the toner base particles. It is possible to obtain a stable toner having no charge fluctuation. This is because the external additive is subjected to pressure between the toner base particles due to stress when transporting the replenishment path, and the effect of increasing the adhesion strength occurs. Since the external additive free from the toner base disappears, the aggregation degree B of the toner after exiting the supply tube becomes slightly larger than the aggregation degree A before exiting, but the range is B / A = 1. It is preferable that it is 2-2. If B / A is less than 1.2, the adhesion strength of the external additive is not sufficient and the external additive is liberated, resulting in poor charging. When B / A exceeds 2, the external additive is embedded in the toner base and the fluidity is deteriorated.

  In the present invention, as a method for obtaining a toner having a cohesion degree of less than 0 to less than 1 to 1 when the degree of cohesion is a vibration sieve measurement method and the mesh opening is 200 mesh / 100 mesh / 60 mesh, 200 mesh is used in the toner production process. Most preferably, the toner is sieved with 250 mesh, more preferably 280 mesh. Also, as a method of obtaining a toner having a degree of aggregation of 5 to 15% at 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh, the toner is similarly sieved, but the toner may be re-aggregated after sieving. The desired degree of aggregation cannot be obtained. In order to obtain the agglomeration degree of the present invention, for example, it is effective to reduce the volatile components of the toner, and it is particularly preferable to reduce the amount of volatile components generated during normal temperature storage when stored at 45 ° C. for 50 minutes. It is preferable that the amount of the volatile component is less than 1%. This is to reduce the residual monomer of the raw material resin used, to degas in the toner kneading process, and to reduce the volatile components in the resin and pigment by using an open roll in the master batch processing for color toners. Can be achieved. Further, for example, it is also preferable to improve the wax dispersion state in the toner, and the desired aggregation degree can be obtained by dispersing the toner in a distribution in the range of 0.03 to 2.5 μm, preferably 0.03 to 1.0 μm. You can The wax has a distribution in the range of 30 to 300 [mu] m, preferably 30 to 100 [mu] m as a raw material, so that good dispersion in the toner can be obtained. As the wax, for example, known paraffin wax, microwax, rice wax, fatty acid amide wax and the like can be used. However, by containing a hybrid resin component having a vinyl polymer unit and a polyester unit, Dispersibility is improved and desired characteristics can be obtained.

For example, known additives such as silica, alumina, titanium oxide, and barium titanate can be used as the additive. Among them, fine particles having an average primary particle size of 50 to 500 nm and a bulk density of 0.3 g / cm ³ or more. The presence of fine particles having appropriate characteristics on the surface of the toner toner results in the formation of appropriate voids between the toner particles and the desired degree of aggregation. In particular, silica fine particles having an average primary particle diameter of 50 to 300 nm and a bulk density of 0.3 g / cm ³ or more are preferable on the surface of the toner base particles.

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and is particularly suitable for a full-color image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) will be described as the most preferable full-color image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  First, the basic configuration of the printer will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the printer. In FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes four process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K for generating toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K). ing. These use Y, M, C, and K toners of different colors as the image forming material, but the other configurations are the same and are replaced when the lifetime is reached. Taking a process cartridge 6Y for generating a Y toner image as an example, as shown in FIG. 2, a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1Y, a drum cleaning device 2Y, a charge eliminating device (not shown), a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, and the like. It has. The process cartridge 6Y as an image forming unit can be attached to and detached from the main body of the printer 100 so that consumable parts can be replaced at a time.

  The charging device 4Y uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y that is rotated clockwise in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown). The uniformly charged surface of the photoreceptor 1 </ b> Y is exposed and scanned by the laser beam L to carry a Y electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image of Y is developed into a Y toner image by a developing device 5Y using a Y developer containing Y toner and a magnetic carrier. Then, intermediate transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The drum cleaning device 2Y removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y after the intermediate transfer process. The static eliminator neutralizes residual charges on the photoreceptor 1Y after cleaning. By this charge removal, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is initialized and prepared for the next image formation. In the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K, M, C, and K toner images are similarly formed on the photoreceptors 1M, 6C, and 6K, and are intermediately transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The developing device 5Y has a developing roll 51Y disposed so as to be partially exposed from the opening of the casing. Further, it also includes two conveying screws 55Y, a doctor blade 52Y, a toner density sensor (hereinafter referred to as T sensor) 56Y, and the like that are arranged in parallel to each other.

  In the casing of the developing device 5Y, Y developer containing a magnetic carrier and Y toner is accommodated. The Y developer is frictionally charged while being agitated and conveyed by the two conveying screws 55Y, and is then carried on the surface of the developing roll 51Y. Then, after the layer thickness is regulated by the doctor blade 52Y, the layer is transported to the developing region facing the Y photoreceptor 1Y, where Y toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1Y. This adhesion forms a Y toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y. In the developing unit 5Y, the Y developer that has consumed Y toner by the development is returned into the casing as the developing roll 51Y rotates.

  A partition wall is provided between the two transport screws 55Y. By this partition wall, the first supply unit 53Y that accommodates the developing roll 51Y, the right conveyance screw 55Y in the drawing, and the like, and the second supply unit 54Y that accommodates the left conveyance screw 55Y in the drawing are separated in the casing. . The right conveying screw 55Y in the drawing is driven to rotate by a driving means (not shown), and supplies the Y developer in the first supply unit 53Y to the developing roll 51Y while being conveyed from the near side to the far side in the drawing. The Y developer conveyed to the vicinity of the end of the first supply unit 53Y by the right conveyance screw 55Y in the drawing enters the second supply unit 54Y through an opening (not shown) provided in the partition wall. In the second supply unit 54Y, the left conveyance screw 55Y in the drawing is driven to rotate by a driving means (not shown), and the Y developer sent from the first supply unit 53Y is the right conveyance screw 55Y in the drawing. Transport in the reverse direction. The Y developer transported to the vicinity of the end of the second supply unit 54Y by the transport screw 55Y on the left side in the drawing passes through the other opening (not shown) provided in the partition wall, and the first supply unit. Return to 53Y.

  The above-described T sensor 56Y composed of a magnetic permeability sensor is provided on the bottom wall near the center of the second supply unit 54Y, and outputs a voltage having a value corresponding to the magnetic permeability of the Y developer passing therethrough. Since the magnetic permeability of the two-component developer containing toner and magnetic carrier shows a certain degree of correlation with the toner concentration, the T sensor 56Y outputs a voltage corresponding to the Y toner concentration. This output voltage value is sent to a control unit (not shown). This control unit includes a RAM that stores a Vtref for Y that is a target value of an output voltage from the T sensor 56Y. The RAM also stores M Vtref, C Vtref, and K Vtref data, which are target values of output voltages from a T sensor (not shown) mounted in another developing device. The Y Vtref is used for driving control of a Y toner conveying device to be described later. Specifically, the control unit drives and controls a Y toner replenishing device (not shown) so that the value of the output voltage from the T sensor 56Y is close to the Y Vtref, and the Y toner in the second supply unit 54Y. To replenish. By this replenishment, the Y toner concentration in the Y developer in the developing device 5Y is maintained within a predetermined range. The same toner replenishment control using the M, C, and K toner replenishing devices is performed for the developing units of the other process units.

  In FIG. 1 shown above, an exposure device 7 is disposed below the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K in the drawing. The exposure device 7 serving as a latent image forming unit irradiates the respective photoconductors in the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K with a laser beam L emitted based on the image information. By this exposure, electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, and K are formed on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The exposure device 7 irradiates the photoconductor with a laser beam (L) emitted from a light source through a plurality of optical lenses and mirrors while scanning with a polygon mirror rotated by a motor. The exposure device 7 constitutes toner image forming means for forming a toner image on a photosensitive member as a latent image carrier together with process process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K and the like.

  On the lower side of the exposure apparatus 7 in the figure, paper supply means including a paper storage cassette 26, a paper supply roller 27 incorporated therein, a registration roller pair 28, and the like are disposed. The paper storage cassette 26 stores a plurality of transfer papers P, which are recording media, and a paper feed roller 27 is brought into contact with each uppermost transfer paper P. When the paper feeding roller 27 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving means (not shown), the uppermost transfer paper P is fed toward the rollers of the registration roller pair 28. The registration roller pair 28 rotationally drives both rollers to sandwich the transfer paper P, but temporarily stops rotating immediately after sandwiching. Then, the transfer paper P is sent out toward a later-described secondary transfer nip at an appropriate timing. In the sheet feeding unit having such a configuration, a recording medium conveying apparatus is configured by a combination of the sheet feeding roller 27 and the registration roller pair 28 corresponding to the timing roller. This recording material transport device transports transfer paper P from a paper storage cassette 26 serving as storage means to a secondary transfer nip described later.

  Above the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K in the drawing, an intermediate transfer unit 15 that moves the intermediate transfer belt 8 that is an intermediate transfer member endlessly while stretching is disposed. The intermediate transfer unit 15 includes a cleaning device 10 in addition to the intermediate transfer belt 8. Also provided are four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a cleaning backup roller 13, a tension roller 14, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is endlessly moved in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by the rotational drive of at least one of the rollers while being stretched around these seven rollers. The primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, M, C, and K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 moved endlessly in this manner from the photoreceptors 1Y, M, C, and K to form primary transfer nips, respectively. Yes. In these methods, a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of toner (for example, plus) is applied to the back surface (loop inner peripheral surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 8. All of the rollers except the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are electrically grounded. The intermediate transfer belt 8 sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K along with the endless movement thereof, and Y, M, and C on the photoreceptors 1Y, M, C, and K are sequentially transferred. , K toner images are superimposed and primarily transferred. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the secondary transfer roller 19 and forms a secondary transfer nip. The visible four-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the transfer paper P at the secondary transfer nip. Then, combined with the white color of the transfer paper P, a full color toner image is obtained. Untransferred toner that has not been transferred onto the transfer paper P adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 8 after passing through the secondary transfer nip. This is cleaned by the cleaning device 10.

  In the secondary transfer nip, the transfer paper P is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 19 whose surfaces move in the forward direction, and conveyed in the opposite direction to the registration roller pair 28 side. The When the transfer paper P sent out from the secondary transfer nip passes between the rollers of the fixing device 20, the full-color toner image on the surface is fixed under the influence of heat and pressure. Thereafter, the transfer paper P is discharged out of the apparatus through a pair of paper discharge rollers 29. A stack portion 50a is formed on the upper surface of the printer body. The transfer paper P discharged to the outside by the discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack portion 50a.

  A bottle support portion 31 is disposed between the intermediate transfer unit 15 and the stack portion 50a located above the intermediate transfer unit 15. The bottle support portion 31 has toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K serving as toner storage portions for storing Y, M, C, and K toners. The toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are arranged so as to be arranged at an angle slightly inclined from the horizontal, and the arrangement positions are higher in the order of Y, M, C, and K. The Y, M, C, and K toners in the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are appropriately supplied to the developing units of the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, respectively, by a toner transport device that will be described later. These toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are detachable from the main body of the printer 100 independently of the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K.

  As described above, the four process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K each include a photoconductor, a drum cleaning device, a charge removal device, a charging device, and a developing device. These are integrated with the printer main body. In the old days, these photoconductors and the like have been provided as consumable parts that can be separately attached and detached, and are exchanged as necessary. However, it is difficult for the operator to understand each attachment / detachment operation. This caused poor maintainability.

  Accordingly, a process cartridge system has been introduced that improves the maintainability by exchanging these photoconductors as a single unit, and a system that makes the lifetime when the toner in the developing device runs out. However, in such a configuration, there is a problem in that when the toner runs out, it is necessary to replace even a part that still has a sufficient life span, which increases waste.

  On the other hand, an image forming apparatus is also known in which a toner container for storing toner to be supplied to a developing device of a process cartridge is configured to be detachable from the process cartridge (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-239974). Listed)). However, in such an image forming apparatus, even when only the toner container is replaced, the process cartridge has to be removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and there is a problem that the replaceability of the toner container is poor.

  In the printer 100, the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K and the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K can be separately attached to and detached from the printer body, thereby eliminating these problems. is doing.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner bottle 32Y for Y. In the figure, a toner bottle 32Y for Y has a bottle portion 33Y and a cap portion 34Y fixed to the tip side thereof. The bottle portion 33Y formed in a columnar shape is embossed so that screw-like protrusions protruding from the outside toward the inside are along the circumferential surface. When the Y toner bottle 32Y is rotated by a Y toner conveying device, which will be described later, the Y toner in the bottle portion 33Y moves from the bottle bottom side toward the bottle front end side along the screw-like protrusion. And it enters the cap part 34Y from the bottle part 33Y. In such a configuration, since the toner can be moved in the bottle without providing the toner conveying means in the toner bottle 32Y, an increase in cost due to the provision of the toner conveying means can be avoided. Further, the bottle can be reduced in size.

  The cap part 34Y is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slightly smaller diameter than the bottle part 33Y, and has a handle 35Y, a shutter 36Y, and a gear part 37Y on its circumferential surface. The handle 35Y protrudes from the circumferential surface of the cap so as to extend in the cylinder axis direction. The shutter 36Y is slidable in the circumferential direction. In the illustrated state, the shutter 36Y covers and hides a toner discharge port (not shown) provided on the circumferential surface of the cap. Further, the gear portion 37Y is provided in a region on the bottle portion 33Y side where the handle 35Y and the shutter 36Y are not provided in the axial direction of the cap portion 34Y, and a plurality of gears (not shown) over the entire circumferential direction. have. The Y toner bottle 32Y is rotated by meshing the gear of the gear portion 37Y with a drive gear of a toner conveying device described later. The toner bottles 32M, C, and K for other colors M, C, and K have the same configuration.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the bottle support portion 31 and the four toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K. The bottle support portion 31 has four bottle mounting portions 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K for individually mounting the four toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. This figure shows a state in the middle of attaching the toner bottle 32K for K among the four toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K. The operator places the toner bottle 32K on the K bottle mounting portion 31Y of the bottle support portion 31, and then grips the handle 35Y provided on the cap portion 34K of the toner bottle 32K to rotate the toner bottle 32K. Along with this rotation, the shutter (not shown) provided in the cap part 34K is opened, and the toner discharge port (not shown) of the cap part 34K is exposed and faces downward in the vertical direction. At the same time, the cap part 34K is engaged and fixed by an engaging part (not shown) of the bottle attaching part 31K. The other color toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C are also fixed on the bottle support 31 by the same operation and the toner discharge port is exposed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the Y, M, C, and K toner replenishing devices 40Y, 40M, 40K, and 40K in the printer 100. These toner replenishing devices 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K have substantially the same configuration except that the colors of the handled toners are different from each other. Taking the Y toner supply device 40Y that handles Y toner as an example, the configuration is as follows. That is, the toner replenishing device 40Y includes a driving motor 41Y, a driving gear 42Y, a replenishing pipe 43Y, and the like in addition to the toner bottle 32Y. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the above-described bottle support portion for Y (31Y in FIG. 4) is also provided. The toner bottle 32Y correctly set on the Y bottle support portion meshes the gear portion 37Y of the cap portion 34Y with the drive gear 42Y. When the drive gear 42Y is rotated by the drive motor 41Y, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the entire toner bottle 32Y via the gear portion 37Y, and the toner bottle 32Y rotates. Then, Y toner is discharged from a toner discharge port (not shown) facing the lower side in the vertical direction of the cap portion 34Y, and falls to the supply pipe 43Y. A resin coil (not shown) is provided in the supply pipe 43Y, and this is also rotationally driven by the drive motor 41Y. The resin coil functions as a moving force applying means for applying a moving force in the tube length direction to the Y toner received in the conveying tube 43Y from the toner discharge port. Then, the Y toner received in the supply tube 43Y is conveyed by applying a moving force and supplied to the Y developing device (5Y). Note that the ON / OFF of the drive motor 41Y, that is, the ON / OFF of toner replenishment to the Y developing device (5Y), as described above, is a T sensor provided in the Y developing device. (56Y) based on the detection result.
Instead of toner density control based on the detection result by such a T sensor, toner density control based on another detection result may be performed. For example, for each process cartridge (6Y, M, C, K), the image density of the reference toner image formed in the non-image area of the photoreceptor is detected by an optical sensor, and the detection result is used for toner density control. May be.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the process cartridges (6Y, M, C, K) for each color and a part of the toner transport devices (40Y, M, C, K) for each color. In the figure, the process cartridges (6Y, M, C, K) of the respective colors are disposed below the toner bottles (32Y, M, C, K) of the toner replenishing devices facing each other in the gravity direction. In such a configuration, the powder is conveyed from the toner bottle (32Y, M, C, K) serving as the powder container into the developing unit of the process cartridge (6Y, M, C, K) located below the toner bottle (32Y, M, C, K). Thus, it is possible to eliminate a problem caused by conveying the toner against gravity. Each of the toner bottles (32Y, M, C, K) and each of the process cartridges (6Y, M, C, K) are disposed at relatively distant positions, and an intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed between them. Intervene.
Next, a characteristic configuration of the printer will be described.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing a part of the Y toner replenishing device 40Y. Y toner discharged from a toner discharge port (not shown) provided in the cap portion 34Y of the toner bottle 32Y is received in the supply tube 43Y. The supply pipe 43Y has a receiving portion A for receiving Y toner from the toner discharge port, and an inclination angle of 45 degrees or more straight from the bottle side to the developing device side (not shown) that is the transport destination, preferably 60 degrees or more. From 90 degrees to a vertical conveyance section B and a bending section C bent at an angle of inclination of less than 45 degrees, preferably 15 to 35 degrees. Further, it also has a connecting portion D that is connected to a developing device (not shown) and has a horizontal or inclined angle of less than 20 degrees, preferably 0 to 10 degrees. The bent portion and the connecting portion form a lateral conveyance portion having an inclination angle from the horizontal of less than 45 degrees. By forming the bent portion C, it can be seen that the inclination angle from the horizontal at the connecting portion D connected to the developing device on the downstream side of the bent portion C is significantly reduced as compared with the straight descending portion B. The bent portion is a portion that shifts from the vertical conveyance to the horizontal conveyance. More precisely, it can be said that a part of the bent portion constitutes the vertical conveyance portion and a part constitutes the horizontal conveyance portion.
In the supply pipe 43Y, even if Y toner flows vigorously in the gravitational direction from the bottle side toward the developing device side in the straight descending portion B, the course of the course is gentle at the bent portion C before reaching the developing device. become. For this reason, the momentum of the flow of Y toner is weakened in front of the developing device. In the toner conveying device 40Y having such a configuration, even if the length of the supply pipe 43Y is increased as the intermediate transfer unit 15 is interposed between the toner bottle 32Y and the process cartridge 6Y as shown in FIG. The flow of Y toner can be weakened in front of the developing unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress problems caused by the Y toner flowing into the developing unit of the process cartridge 6Y from the supply pipe 43Y all at once. Further, since the length of the supply pipe 43Y is relatively large, a layout in which the toner bottle 32Y and the process cartridge 6Y are separated from each other can be adopted. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the deterioration of the degree of freedom in layout due to the toner bottle 32Y and the process cartridge 6Y being disposed close to each other. The toner supply devices for other colors (40M, C, K) have the same configuration.

  In this printer, as shown in FIG. 8, the position after bending in the supply pipe 43Y, that is, the inclination angle θ of the connecting portion D from the horizontal is set to be less than 30 degrees. This is because the present inventors have found that the rapid flow of Y toner into the developing device can be reliably suppressed by setting the inclination angle θ to less than 30 degrees.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a coil 44Y disposed in the supply pipe. When the coil 44Y is rotated in a supply pipe (not shown), a moving force toward the developing device is applied to Y toner (not shown) in the pipe. By disposing such a coil 44Y in the supply tube, the toner in the supply tube can be more reliably conveyed. In addition, the code | symbol A, B, C, D in a figure has shown the above-mentioned receiving part A, the linear descent | fall part B, the bending part C, and the connection part D, respectively.

  In the replenishment pipe, according to toner retention and wear characteristics, at least the bent portion C and the straight pipe location (A, B, D), the moving force applying capability of the moving force applying means such as the coil 44Y. Is desirable. For example, in the bent portion C, the toner is more likely to stagnate than the straight tube portion, so that a toner lump is easily formed. Therefore, when the generation of the toner lump in the bent portion C is remarkable, the moving force applying ability in the bent portion C may be higher than the moving force applying ability in the straight pipe portion. As a result, the generation of a toner lump in the bent portion C can be suppressed. Further, for example, in the bent portion C, the friction between the inner wall of the tube and the toner becomes larger than that in other tube portions, so that toner deterioration due to wear is likely to occur. In particular, when the coil 44Y is used as the moving force applying means as in the present printer, the friction between the coil 44Y and the inner wall of the tube also increases (especially inside the curve), and toner deterioration due to wear is likely to occur. Therefore, when the toner deterioration due to wear in the bent portion C is remarkable, contrary to the case where the generation of the toner lump is remarkable, the ability to impart the moving force in the bent portion C is set to be different at other pipe locations. It is better to make it lower than the ability to apply movement. Then, toner deterioration due to wear in the bent portion C can be suppressed. In this printer, the toner deterioration due to wear is more remarkable than the generation of the toner lump, so that the coil pitch in the bent portion C of the coil 44Y is made larger than the other pipe locations as shown in FIG. . And by this, the moving force provision capability in the bending part C is made smaller than another pipe location.

  Further, in the supply pipe, it is desirable that the inner diameter of the bent portion C is larger than the inner diameter of the straight pipe portion (A, B, D). This is because by increasing the inner diameter of the bent portion C, the toner clogging can be suppressed. Further, when the coil 44Y is used as the moving force imparting means as in this printer, the friction between the coil 44Y and the inner wall of the tube is reduced by increasing the inner diameter of the bent portion C, and wear. It is also possible to suppress toner deterioration due to toner. Therefore, in this printer, as shown in FIG. 10, the inner diameter d2 of the bent portion C is made larger than the inner diameters (d1, d3) of the linear descending portion B and the connecting portion D.

  Next, specific structural examples that can be employed in each part of the printer according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a specific structural example of an engaging portion between the toner supply tube 43Y of the toner supply device 40Y and the toner supply port of the process cartridge 6Y. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the engaging portion of FIG. 11 viewed from a different angle. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a toner replenishing device 40Y that conveys yellow toner. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the toner replenishing device 40Y in a state in which a spring provided near the tip of the replenishing tube 43Y is contracted. FIG. 15 is a perspective view partially showing the process cartridge 6Y in which yellow toner is supplied by the toner supply device 40Y in the vicinity of the supply port 62Y. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the process cartridge 6Y in a state where the supply port shutter 67 is opened.

  The end portion of the process cartridge 6Y shown in FIG. 11 is the end portion on the back side when mounted on the printer main body. A pair of side plates 61Y facing each other with a predetermined width are provided on the side surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 6Y so as to support a photoreceptor, a developing sleeve, two toner conveying screws, and the like (not shown) at the longitudinal ends. ing. The side plate 61Y supports shafts such as a photosensitive member, a developing sleeve, and two toner conveying screws that are components of the process cartridge 6Y. A toner discharge port 62Y located above the first supply section (53Y in FIG. 2) in the above-described developing device is provided at a developing device casing corresponding to the inner region of the pair of side plates 61. Thus, by providing the toner replenishing port 62Y within a predetermined width inside the side plate 61Y, the opposing width of the side plate 61Y does not have to be wider than the predetermined width in order to provide the toner replenishing port 62Y. Further, it is not necessary to newly provide a toner supply area outside the side plate 61Y. Therefore, an increase in the size of the process cartridge can be prevented. In this specific structural example, the front surfaces of the pair of side plates are provided in parallel with a certain width, but the shape is not limited to this. For example, this structural example can also be applied to a case where the side plates are partially provided with different widths in order to support each component of the process cartridge at the end. To support each component of the process cartridge, a toner discharge port may be provided within the predetermined width without changing a predetermined width between the side plates.

  The height of the toner replenishing port 62Y is positioned below the upper end of a developing sleeve (51Y in FIG. 2) (not shown). The tip of the toner supply tube 43Y is positioned above the toner discharge port 62Y, and an opening 45Y that faces the toner discharge port 62Y is formed below the toner supply tube 43Y. The tip of the toner supply tube 43Y is a pipe-like engagement portion, that is, a tubular engagement portion, of the toner supply tube 43Y with respect to the process cartridge 6Y. The tip of the toner supply tube 43Y is slidable in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the process cartridge 6Y when the process cartridge 6Y is attached to and detached from the printer main body. When the process cartridge 6Y is mounted on the printer, the cartridge is inserted in the direction of the arrow b, and the process cartridge 6Y stops at a position where the opening 45Y of the toner supply tube 43Y faces the toner discharge port 62Y.

  A support ring 63Y, which is a ring-shaped support portion that is large enough to receive the tip of the toner supply tube 43Y, may be provided above the process cartridge 6Y. When the toner supply pipe 43Y is attached to the process cartridge 6Y, the tip of the toner transport pipe 43Y enters the support ring 63Y. When the process cartridge 6Y is detached from the printer, if the cartridge is pulled out in the direction of the arrow a, the toner supply tube 43Y comes out of the support ring 63Y and leaves the process cartridge 6Y. When the process cartridge 6Y is mounted on the printer again, the cartridge is inserted in the direction of the arrow b, the toner supply tube 43Y enters the support ring 63Y, and the toner supply tube 43Y is mounted on the process cartridge 6Y.

  The toner supply tube 43Y has an opening shutter 47Y at the opening 45Y. On the other hand, the process cartridge 6Y has a discharge port shutter 67Y at the discharge port 62Y. The two shutters open and close in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the process cartridge 6Y with respect to the printer body.

  First, the process cartridge 6 is attached to and detached from the printer main body as follows. That is, first, when the process cartridge 6Y in the set position as shown in FIG. 1 is extracted, the front cover 101 on the front surface of the apparatus is opened as shown in FIG. Then, the process cartridge 6 is pulled out to the front. A guide member (not shown) is provided inside the printer body so that the process cartridge can be slid out and inserted. When the process cartridge 6 is started to be extracted, the guide member guides the front end of the photosensitive member shaft and moves the photosensitive member to the retracted position along with the extraction operation. When further extracted, the engagement of each photosensitive member shaft tip with the guide member is released. As a result, the process cartridge 6 is extracted from the opening 45Y on the front surface of the apparatus as shown in FIG. Conversely, when the process cartridge 6 is inserted in the back and stopped at a position where it cannot be pushed any further, the front cover 101 is closed.

  Next, a specific example of the opening / closing operation of the shutter in the engaging portion between the supply pipe 43Y and the process cartridge 6Y of FIG. 11 will be described. When the process cartridge 6Y is not attached, the toner supply tube 43Y is in a state as shown in FIG. Further, the process cartridge 6Y is in a state as shown in FIG. The supply pipe 43Y closes the opening 45Y by an opening shutter 47Y biased by a spring 46Y. Further, the process cartridge 6Y closes the discharge port 62Y by the opening shutter 67Y biased by the spring 66Y.

  When mounting the process cartridge 6Y, the process cartridge 6Y is slid and the toner supply tube 43Y is inserted into the support ring 63Y. Since the shutter 47Y cannot pass through the inside of the support ring 63Y, it is caught by the support ring, the spring 66Y is contracted, and the shutter 47Y is slid as shown in FIG. 14 so that the opening 45Y appears. Simultaneously with this operation, the tip of the toner supply tube 43Y that has passed through the support ring 63Y pushes the supply port shutter 67Y by further sliding of the process cartridge. As a result, the spring 66Y contracts and the discharge port shutter 67Y slides as shown in FIG. 16 so that the discharge port 62Y appears. When the process cartridge 6Y is installed at a predetermined position, the engaged state as shown in FIG. 11 is obtained. In this engaged state, the opening 45Y and the discharge port 62Y communicate with each other so that toner can be delivered. At a position where the opening 45Y and the discharge port 62Y face each other, a sealing material that suppresses toner leakage from the gap is provided.

  When removing the process cartridge 6Y from the printer body, the process cartridge 6Y is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 11 in the direction of arrow a in the figure. At this time, the following changes occur on the process cartridge 6Y side. In other words, the discharge port shutter 67Y is urged toward the back of the printer body by the restoring force of the spring 66Y of the process cartridge 6Y contracted by the toner supply tube 43Y. As a result, the discharge port shutter 67 moves in the direction of arrow a to close the discharge port 62Y, and the process cartridge 6Y returns to the state shown in FIG. On the other hand, the following changes occur on the toner supply tube 43Y side. That is, the toner supply tube 43Y is removed from the support ring 63Y of the process cartridge 6Y, and the opening shutter 47Y is moved to the end of the toner supply tube 43Y by the restoring force of the spring 46Y of the toner supply tube 43Y contracted by the support ring 63Y. Biased in the direction. As a result, the opening shutter 47Y moves in the arrow b direction, closes the opening 45Y, and the toner supply tube 43Y returns to the state shown in FIG.

  The example in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic printer has been described so far, but the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image by other methods such as a direct recording method. This direct recording method is not related to the latent image carrier, but forms a pixel image by directly adhering a toner group that has been ejected in a dot shape from a toner flying device to a recording medium or an intermediate recording medium. In this method, a toner image is directly formed on an intermediate recording medium. Also, a printer using a toner transport device that transports toner as powder has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a powder transport device that uses powder different from toner.

  As described above, in the printer according to the embodiment, the replenishment pipe (for example, 43Y) of each toner conveyance device uses a bent inclination angle θ of less than 45 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees. From this, it is possible to more reliably suppress the sudden flow of toner from the toner to the developing device as the transport destination.

  Further, since a coil (for example, 44Y) serving as a moving force applying means for applying a moving force from the bottle side to the developing device side to the toner in the replenishing tube is provided, the toner in the replenishing tube can be more reliably conveyed. it can. Furthermore, since the moving force imparting ability at the bent portion C and the moving force imparting ability at other pipe locations (A, B, D) are different for this coil, the generation of toner mass in the bent portion C is prevented. It is possible to suppress toner deterioration due to wear.

  Further, since the inner diameter of the bent portion C of the supply pipe is made larger than the inner diameter of other pipe locations, this also suppresses the generation of toner masses in the bent portion C and suppresses toner deterioration due to wear. can do.

  Further, as the toner image forming means, a process cartridge (6Y, M, C, K) in which the photosensitive member and the developing device are detachably attached to the printer main body as one unit is used, and the toner serving as the toner storage unit is used. The bottles (32Y, M, C, K) are configured to be detachable from the printer main body separately from the cartridge. With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of having to remove the process cartridge when replacing the toner bottle.

For the toner used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, known additives such as silica, alumina, titanium oxide, and barium titanate can be used as the additive. Among them, the average primary particle size is 50 to 500 nm and the bulk is high. By adding fine particles having a density of 0.3 g / cm ³ or more, fine particles having appropriate characteristics are present on the surface of the toner, so that appropriate voids are formed between the toner particles and a desired aggregation degree is obtained. Obtainable. In particular, silica fine particles having an average primary particle diameter of 50 to 300 nm and a bulk density of 0.3 g / cm ³ or more are preferable on the surface of the toner base particles.

In the fine particles that can be added to the toner used in the present invention, inorganic compounds include SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , MgO, CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , CeO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , BaO, CaO, K. illustrate _{2 O, Na 2 O, ZrO} 2, CaO · SiO 2, K 2 O (TiO 2) n, Al 2 O 3 · 2SiO 2, CaCO 3, MgCO 3, BaSO 4, MgSO 4, SrTiO 3 , etc. it can, _{preferably, SiO 2, TiO 2, Al} 2 O 3 and the like. In particular, these inorganic compounds may be hydrophobized with various coupling agents, hexamethyldisilazane, dimethyldichlorosilane, octyltrimethoxysilane, and the like.

  The organic compound fine particles may be thermoplastic resins or thermosetting resins, such as vinyl resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyimide resins, silicon resins, phenol resins, melamine resins, Examples include urea resins, aniline resins, ionomer resins, and polycarbonate resins. As the resin fine particles, two or more of the above resins may be used in combination. Of these, vinyl resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, and combinations thereof are preferred because an aqueous dispersion of fine spherical resin particles is easily obtained.

  Specific examples of vinyl resins include polymers obtained by homopolymerization or copolymerization of vinyl monomers, such as styrene- (meth) acrylic acid ester copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, (meth) acrylic acid. -Acrylic ester copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene- (meth) acrylic acid copolymer, and the like.

  The fine particles of the present invention can be externally added and adhered to the toner surface by mechanically mixing and adhering the toner base particles and fine particles using various known mixing devices, or in the liquid phase. There is a method in which the base particles and the fine particles are uniformly dispersed with a surfactant or the like, and are dried after the adhesion treatment.

  Here, as the materials of other components of the color toner used in the developer of the present invention, all known materials can be used. As the binder resin, styrene such as polystyrene, poly-p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyltoluene and the like, and polymers of the substitution products thereof; styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymer, styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer Polymer, styrene-vinyl naphthalene copolymer, styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid Methyl copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-α-chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer , Styrene-butadiene copolymer, steel Styrene copolymers such as styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-indene copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-maleic acid ester copolymer; polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polychlorinated Vinyl, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, Aromatic petroleum resins, chlorinated paraffin, paraffin wax and the like can be mentioned, and these can be used alone or in combination. Among these, a polyester resin is preferable from the viewpoint of low-temperature fixability and glossiness, but the polyester resin used in the present invention is obtained by a condensation polymerization reaction of a polyvalent carboxylic acid component and a polyhydric alcohol component.

  The polyvalent carboxylic acid component includes divalent carboxylic acids and, if necessary, trivalent or higher carboxylic acids.

  Specific examples of the divalent carboxylic acids include (1) maleic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, malonic acid, azelaic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid, glutaconic acid, etc. Aliphatic dicarboxylic acid; (2) Cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 20 carbon atoms such as cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and methylmedicic acid; (3) Carbon such as phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, toluene dicarboxylic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (4) alkyl or alkenyl succinic acid having a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 35 carbon atoms in the side chain such as isododecenyl succinic acid and n-dodecenyl succinic acid; And carboxylic acid anhydrides and lower alkyl (methyl, butyl, etc.) esters.

  Among these, the above (1), (3), (4) and anhydrides and lower alkyl esters of these dicarboxylic acids are preferable. (Anhydrous) maleic acid, fumaric acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, dimethyl terephthalate, n- More preferred is dodecenyl (anhydrous) succinic acid.

  Examples of tricarboxylic or higher polycarboxylic acids include (1) 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3-dicarboxyl-2-methyl-2- C7-20 aliphatic polycarboxylic acids such as methylenecarboxypropane, tetra (methylenecarboxyl) methane, 1,2,7,8-octanetetracarboxylic acid; (2) 1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, etc. (3) 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 2,5,7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, and 1,2 , 4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, pyromellitic acid, benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid and other aromatic polycarboxylic acids having 9 to 20 carbon atoms; Alkyl (methyl, butyl, etc.) ester. When using tricarboxylic or higher polycarboxylic acids, among these, (3) and its anhydrides and lower alkyl esters are preferred, but since the gloss and transparency tend to decrease, the amount used should be small. It is.

  Examples of the polyhydric alcohol component include dihydric alcohols such as (1) ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4. -C2-C12 alkylene glycol such as butenediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol; (2) diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene Alkylene ether glycols such as glycol; (3) alicyclic diols having 6 to 30 carbon atoms such as 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and hydrogenated bisphenol A: and (4) bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol Bisphenols such as S; and, and (5) above bisphenols alkylene oxide (EO, PO, butylene oxide, etc.) 2-8 mole adducts. When using (B2), (1) and (5) are preferable among these, and (5) is more preferable. Among the above (5), EO and / or PO 2-4 mol adducts of bisphenol A are particularly preferable in terms of giving good offset resistance to the toner.

  Specific examples of trihydric or higher alcohols include (1) sorbitol, 1,2,3,6-hexanetetrol, 1,4-sorbitan, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, 1,2, Number of coal cords such as 4-butanetriol, 1,2,5-pentanetriol, glycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl-1,2,4-butanetriol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, etc. 3-20 Aliphatic polyhydric alcohols: (2) aromatic polyhydric alcohols having 6 to 20 carbon atoms such as 1,3,5-trihydroxylmethylbenzene, and these alkylene oxide adducts. When trihydric or higher alcohols are used, the compound (1) is preferable among them, and among them, glycerol, trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol are preferable from the viewpoint of low cost. However, gloss and transparency tend to decrease. Therefore, the amount used should be small.

  As the colorant, all known dyes and pigments can be used. For example, carbon black, nigrosine dye, iron black, naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, ocher, Yellow lead, Titanium yellow, Polyazo yellow, Oil yellow, Hansa yellow (GR, A, RN, R), Pigment yellow L, Benzidine yellow (G, GR), Permanent yellow (NCG), Vulcan fast yellow (5G, R) ), Tartrazine Lake, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Anthrazan Yellow BGL, Isoindolinone Yellow, Bengala, Red Dan, Lead Zhu, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Mercury Red, Antimon Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, Para Red, Phi Se Red, parachlor ortho nitro Nilin Red, Resol Fast Scarlet G, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmine B, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Resol Rubin GX, Permanent Red F5R , Brilliant Carmine 6B, Pigment Scarlet 3B, Bordeaux 5B, Toluidine Maroon, Permanent Bordeaux F2K, Helio Bordeaux BL, Bordeaux 10B, Bon Maroon Light, Bon Maroon Medium, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Rhodamine Lake Y, Alizarin Lake, Thioindigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon, Oil Red, Quinacridone Red, Pyrazolone Red, Po Azo Red, Chrome Vermilion, Benzidine Orange, Perinone Orange, Oil Orange, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alkaline Blue Lake, Peacock Blue Lake, Victoria Blue Lake, Metal Free Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue, Fast Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue (RS, BC), indigo, ultramarine blue, bitumen, anthraquinone blue, fast violet B, methyl violet lake, cobalt purple, manganese purple, dioxane violet, anthraquinone violet, chrome green, zinc green, chromium oxide, pyridian, emerald green, pigment Green B, Naphthol Green B, Green Gold, Acid Green Lake, Malachite Green Lake, Phthalo Anine green, anthraquinone green, titanium oxide, zinc white, litbon and mixtures thereof can be used. The amount used is generally 0.1 to 50 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

  The color toner of the developer of the present invention may contain a charge control agent as necessary. All known ones can be used. For example, nigrosine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, chromium-containing metal complex dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (fluorine-modified quaternary ammonium salts) ), Alkylamide, phosphorus simple substance or compound, tungsten simple substance or compound, fluorine-based activator, salicylic acid metal salt, metal salt of salicylic acid derivative, and the like. Specifically, Nitronine-based dye Bontron 03, quaternary ammonium salt Bontron P-51, metal-containing azo dye Bontron S-34, oxynaphthoic acid metal complex E-82, salicylic acid metal complex E- 84, E-89 of a phenol-based condensate (above, manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.), TN-105 of a salicylic acid-based metal complex, TP-302, TP-415 of a quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex (above, Hodogaya Chemical) Kogyo Co., Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt copy charge PSYVP 2038, triphenylmethane derivative copy blue PR, quaternary ammonium salt copy charge NEG VP2036, copy charge NX VP434 (above, Hoechst), LRA-901 LR-147 which is a boron complex (manufactured by Nippon Carlit), copper lid Cyanine, perylene, quinacridone, azo pigments, sulfonate group, carboxyl group, and polymer compounds having a functional group such as a quaternary ammonium salt.

  In the present invention, the use amount of the charge control agent for reinforcement is determined by the toner production method including the main charge control agent amount, the type of binder resin, the presence or absence of additives used as necessary, and the dispersion method. Although not limited uniquely, it is preferably used in the range of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. More preferably, the range of 0.3 to 5 parts by weight is good. When the amount exceeds 10 parts by weight, the chargeability of the toner is too high, the effect of the main charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attractive force with the developing roller is increased, the flowability of the developer is reduced, and the image density is reduced. Incurs a decline.

  In order to give the color toner of the developer of the present invention releasability, it is possible to include wax in the manufactured toner. The wax has a melting point of preferably 40 to 120 ° C, particularly preferably 50 to 110 ° C. When the melting point of the wax is higher than 120 ° C., the fixing property at a low temperature may be insufficient. On the other hand, when the melting point is lower than 40 ° C., the offset resistance and durability may be lowered. The melting point of the wax can be obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). That is, the melting peak value when a sample of several mg is ripened at a constant temperature increase rate, for example, (10 ° C./min) is defined as the melting point.

  Examples of the wax that can be used in the present invention include solid paraffin wax, microwax, rice wax, fatty acid amide wax, fatty acid wax, aliphatic monoketone, fatty acid metal salt wax, fatty acid ester wax, and partial kenne. Fatty acid ester wax, silicone varnish, higher alcohol, carnauba wax, and the like. Also, polyolefins such as low molecular weight polyethylene and polypropylene can be used. Particularly, a polyolefin having a softening point of 70 to 150 ° C. by the ring and ball method is preferable, and a polyolefin having a softening point of 120 to 150 ° C. is more preferable.

The color toner of the developer of the present invention may contain an external additive in order to improve fluidity. As such an external additive, inorganic fine particles can be preferably used. The primary particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 5 mμ to 2 μm, and particularly preferably 5 mμ to 500 mμ. Moreover, it is preferable that the specific surface area by BET method is 20-500 m < ² > / g. The proportion of the inorganic fine particles used is preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight of the toner, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 2.0% by weight. Specific examples of the inorganic fine particles include, for example, silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, tin oxide, quartz sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth. Examples include soil, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, pengala, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. In addition, polymer fine particles such as polystyrene, methacrylic acid ester and acrylic acid ester copolymer obtained by soap-free emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization and dispersion polymerization, polycondensation resin such as silicone resin, benzoguanamine resin and nylon Thermosetting resin polymer particles can also be used.

  Such external additives can be surface treated to increase hydrophobicity and prevent deterioration of flow characteristics and charging characteristics even under high humidity. For example, a silane coupling agent, a silylating agent, a silane coupling agent having a fluorinated alkyl group, an organic titanate coupling agent, an aluminum coupling agent and the like are preferable surface treatment agents.

  Further, the color toner of the developer of the present invention can contain a cleaning property improver in order to remove the transferred developer remaining on the photoreceptor or the primary transfer medium, and such a cleaning property improver. Examples thereof include fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate and calcium stearate, and polymer fine particles produced by soap-free emulsion polymerization such as polymethyl methacrylate fine particles and polystyrene fine particles. The polymer fine particles preferably have a relatively narrow particle size distribution and a volume average particle size of 0.01 to 1 μm.

Any conventionally known carrier can be used as the carrier constituting the developer of the present invention. For example, a powder having a particle diameter of about 30 to 1000 μm mainly composed of glass, iron, ferrite, nickel, zircon, silica, or the like, or a styrene-acrylic resin, silicone resin, polyvinyl chloride, poly (vinyl chloride), and the powder as a core material. It can be appropriately selected from those coated with vinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetal, polyamide resin, phenol resin and the like.
The mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier is usually 0.5 to 6.0 parts by weight of the toner with respect to 100 parts by weight of the carrier.

  Next, a method for producing the color toner of the developer of the present invention will be described. The color toner of the present invention is manufactured through a mechanical mixing step, a melt-kneading step, a pulverizing step, a classification step, and a sieving step in order for a toner component including at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a main charge control agent. The After the mixing process of the raw materials is completed, the mixture is then charged into a kneader and melt-kneaded. As the melt kneader, a uniaxial or biaxial continuous kneader or a batch kneader using a roll mill can be used. It is important that this melt-kneading is performed under appropriate conditions so as not to cause the molecular chains of the binder resin to be broken. Specifically, the melt kneading temperature is preferably determined in consideration of the softening point of the binder resin. If the temperature is lower than the softening point, cutting is severe, and if the temperature is too high, dispersion does not proceed.

  After the above melt-kneading process is completed, the kneaded product is then pulverized. In this pulverization step, it is preferable to first coarsely pulverize and then finely pulverize. At this time, a method of pulverizing by colliding with a collision plate in a jet stream or pulverizing with a narrow gap between a rotor and a stator that rotate mechanically is preferably used.

  After the above pulverization process is completed, the pulverized product is classified in an air stream by centrifugal force or the like to produce a toner having a predetermined particle size, for example, an average particle size of 4 to 12 μm. At this time, a volume average particle diameter of 5 to 9 μm and a toner particle having a particle diameter of 4 μm or less and a small particle diameter such that there are 10% by number or less and a sharp particle size distribution are preferable. Is particularly preferable for such a small particle size and a sharp viscosity distribution. That is, a toner having a small particle size and a sharp distribution produces more fine particles as a by-product.

  In addition, when preparing the toner, in order to improve the fluidity, storage stability, developability, and transferability of the toner, the hydrophobic silica fine powder listed above is further added to the toner manufactured as described above. Inorganic fine particles may be added and mixed. For mixing external additives, a general powder mixer is used, but it is preferable to equip a jacket or the like to adjust the internal temperature. In order to change the load history applied to the external additive, the external additive may be added in the middle or gradually. Of course, you may change the rotation speed of a mixer, rolling speed, time, temperature, etc. For example, a strong load may be given first, and then a relatively weak load, or vice versa. Examples of the mixer that can be used include a V-type mixer, a rocking mixer, a Ladige mixer, a Nauter mixer, a Henschel mixer, and the like.

  EXAMPLES The present invention will be further described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, a part shows a weight part.

Cohesion measurement method Use a powder tester manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd. and set the accessories on the shaking table in the following procedure.
(I) Vibro chute
(B) Packing
(C) Space ring
(D) Flui (3 types) Top>Middle> Bottom
(E) Osaba
Next, fix with the knob nut and operate the shaking table. The measurement conditions are as follows.

Aggregation degree 1
Flesh opening (top) 60 mesh 〃 (medium) 100 mesh 〃 (bottom) 200 mesh cohesion 2
Flute opening (top) 200 mesh 〃 (middle) 350 mesh 〃 (bottom) 635 mesh

Amplitude scale 1mm
Sampling amount 2g
Vibration time 10 seconds
After the measurement, the degree of aggregation is obtained from the following calculation.
(Weight of powder remaining on upper screen / sample collection amount) × 100 (a)
(Weight of powder remaining on middle sieve / sample collection amount) × 100 × (3/5) (b)
(Weight of powder remaining on lower sieve / sample collection amount) × 100 × (1/5) (c)
The total of the above three calculated values is defined as the degree of aggregation (%).
That is, the degree of aggregation (%) = (a) + (b) + (c)

[Synthesis of linear polyester resin a]
As a polycondensation catalyst, 400 parts of bisphenol A / EO 2 mol adduct, 250 parts of bisphenol A / PO 2 mol adduct, 300 parts of terephthalic acid, 65 parts of fumaric acid and the like in a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling pipe, a stirrer and a nitrogen introduction pipe 2 parts of potassium titanyl oxalate was added and reacted at 220 ° C. for 10 hours while distilling off the water generated under a nitrogen stream. Next, the reaction was carried out under reduced pressure of 5-20 mmHg. When the acid value reached 29, the reaction mixture was taken out, cooled to room temperature and pulverized to obtain a linear polyester resin a.

  The linear polyester resin a contained no THF-insoluble matter, and had an acid value of 28, a hydroxyl value of 45, a Tg of 63 ° C., and a softening point of 95 ° C.

Method of measuring softening point Using a flow tester, raise the temperature at a constant speed under the following conditions, and set the softening point at the temperature at which the outflow is halved.
Apparatus: Shimadzu Corporation flow tester CFT-500D
Load: 20 kgf / cm ²
Die: 1mmφ-1mm
Temperature increase rate: 6 ° C / min
Sample amount: 1.0 g

Masterbatch creation yellow Y1
Linear polyester resin a
Yellow pigment (pigment yellow 180)

Magenta M1
Linear polyester resin a
Magenta pigment (pigmentred 122)

Cyan C1
Linear polyester resin a
Cyan pigment (pigmentblue 15-3)

  The pigment, linear polyester resin a, and pure water were mixed at a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5 and kneaded by two rolls. Kneading was performed at 70 ° C., and then the roll temperature was raised to 120 ° C. to evaporate water and prepare a master batch in advance.

[Synthesis of Non-Linear Polyester Resins b and c]
In a reaction vessel equipped with a condenser, a stirrer and a nitrogen inlet, 300 parts of bisphenol A / EO 2 mol adduct, 450 parts of bisphenol A / PO 3 mol adduct, 360 parts of terephthalic acid, 70 parts of phthalic anhydride and a polycondensation catalyst Then, 1.5 parts of potassium titanyl oxalate was added and reacted at 230 ° C. for 10 hours while distilling off the water produced under a nitrogen stream. Next, the reaction is carried out under a reduced pressure of 5 to 20 mmHg, and when the acid value becomes 2 or less, it is cooled to 180 ° C., 62 parts of trimellitic anhydride is added, and the reaction is carried out for 1.5 hours under normal pressure sealing until the desired viscosity is obtained. Post-removal nonlinear polyester resin b was obtained. In addition, a non-linear polyester resin c was obtained after reaction for 2.5 hours under normal pressure sealing with the same formulation.

Examples 1 and 2
Yellow toner
Linear polyester resin a: softening point 95 ° C. 44 parts Non-linear polyester resin b: (softening point 125 ° C., chloroform insoluble content 8% by weight)
30 parts Masterbatch Y1 20 parts
TN-105 (Hodogaya Chemical, zirconium salicylate) 1 part Carnauba wax (Toa Kasei, 30-50 μm sized product) 5 parts

Magenta toner Linear polyester resin a: Softening point 95 ° C. 46 parts Cross-linked polyester resin b: (softening point 125 ° C., chloroform insoluble content 8% by weight)
30 parts Masterbatch M1 18 parts
TN-105 (Hodogaya Chemical, zirconium salicylate) 1 part Carnauba wax (Toa Kasei 30-50 μm sized product) 5 parts

Cyan toner Linear polyester resin a: Softening point 95 ° C. 46 parts Cross-linked polyester resin b: (softening point 125 ° C., chloroform insoluble content 8% by weight)
30 parts Masterbatch C1 18 parts TN-105 (Hodogaya Chemical, zirconium salicylate) 1 part Carnauba wax (Toa Kasei 30-50 μm sized product) 5 parts

Black toner Linear polyester resin a: Softening point 95 ° C. 56 parts Cross-linked polyester resin b: (softening point 125 ° C., chloroform insoluble content 8% by weight)
30 parts Carbon black (Cabot 330R) 8 parts TN-105 (Hodogaya Chemical, zirconium salicylate) 1 part Carnauba wax (Toa Kasei 30-50 μm granulated product) 5 parts

  The material was premixed using a Henschel mixer [FM10B manufactured by Mitsui Miike Chemical Co., Ltd.] and then kneaded using a twin-screw kneader [manufactured by Ikegai, PCM-30]. Then, after finely pulverizing using a supersonic jet crusher, Labojet [manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.], it is classified by an airflow classifier [MDS-I made by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.], and the volume average particle size is reduced. About 7 μm toner particles were obtained.

Additive formulation of Example 1: Next, 100 parts of toner particles and 1.0 part of colloidal silica [H-2000: manufactured by Clariant Co., Ltd.], an average particle diameter of 250 nm, and a bulk density of 0.8 g / cm ³ hydrophobic silica After mixing 0.5 part with a Henschel mixer, the mixture was sieved with 200 mesh to obtain the toner of Example 1.

Additive formulation of Example 2: Next, 0.5 parts of colloidal silica [R-972: Client Japan] with 100 parts of toner particles, an average particle diameter of 100 nm, and a hydrophobic silica of 0.8 g of bulk density of 1.5 g / cm ³ 0.8 The toner was mixed with a Henschel mixer and sieved with 200 mesh to obtain the toner of Example 2.

Examples 3 and 4
Production Example of Hybrid Resin HB (a) 20 mol of styrene as an addition polymerization reaction monomer, 5 mol of butyl methacrylate, and 0.2 mol of t-butyl hydroperoxide as a polymerization initiator are placed in a dropping funnel as an addition polymerization and polycondensation bireactive monomer. Fumaric acid: 20 mol, trimellitic anhydride as a condensation polymerization monomer: 5 mol, bisphenol A (2,2) propylene oxide: 8 mol, bisphenol A (2,2) ethylene oxide: 4 mol, tin stearate 10 mol as an esterification catalyst Put in a flask equipped with a stainless steel stir bar, flow-down condenser, nitrogen gas inlet tube and thermometer and stir at 135 ° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere while pre-mixing the addition polymerization raw material from the dropping funnel over 5 hours Dripping It was. After the completion, the mixture was aged for 6 hours while keeping at 130 ° C., and then reacted by raising the temperature to 220 ° C. to obtain a hybrid resin HB (a).

  HB (a) does not contain THF-insoluble matter, its acid value is 20, hydroxyl value is 50, Tg is 60 ° C., softening point is 110 ° C., number average molecular weight is 8000, weight average molecular weight is 33000, peak. The top molecular weight was 7500.

Yellow toner
Linear polyester resin a 30 parts Non-linear polyester resin c (softening point 135 ° C., chloroform insoluble content 12% by weight)
32 parts Hybrid resin HB (a) 10 parts Master batch Y1 20 parts TN-105 (Hodogaya Chemical, zirconium salicylate) 1 part Ester wax (Nippon Yushi WEP-5, 30-50 μm sized product) 7 parts

Magenta toner Linear polyester resin a 32 parts Non-linear polyester resin c (softening point 135 ° C., chloroform insoluble content 12% by weight)
32 parts Hybrid resin HB (a) 10 parts Masterbatch M1 18 parts TN-105 (Hodogaya Chemical, zirconium salicylate) 1 part Ester wax (Nippon Yushi WEP-5, 30-50 μm sized product) 7 parts

Cyan toner Linear polyester resin a 32 parts Non-linear polyester resin c (softening point 135 ° C., chloroform insoluble content 12% by weight)
32 parts Hybrid resin HB (a) 10 parts Masterbatch C1 18 parts TN-105 (Hodogaya Chemical, zirconium salicylate) 1 part Ester wax (Nippon Yushi WEP-5, 30-50 μm sized product) 7 parts

Black toner Linear polyester resin a 42 parts Non-linear polyester resin c (softening point 135 ° C., chloroform insoluble content 12% by weight)
32 parts Hybrid resin HB (a) 10 parts Carbon black (Cabot 330R) 8 parts TN-105 (Hodogaya Chemical, zirconium salicylate) 1 part Ester wax (Nippon Yushi WEP-5, 30-50 μm sized product) 7 parts

  The material was premixed using a Henschel mixer [FM10B manufactured by Mitsui Miike Chemical Co., Ltd.] and then kneaded using a biaxial kneader [PCM-30 manufactured by Ikegai Co., Ltd.]. Then, after finely pulverizing using a supersonic jet crusher, Labojet [manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.], it is classified by an airflow classifier [MDS-I made by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.], and the volume average particle size is reduced. About 7 μm toner particles were obtained.

Additive formulation of Example 3: Next, 100 parts of toner particles and 3.0 parts of colloidal silica [Leosil ZD-30S: manufactured by Tokuyama Corporation], an average particle size of 420 nm, and a bulk density of 0.7 g / cm ³ are hydrophobic. After mixing 0.5 parts of silica with a Henschel mixer, the mixture was sieved with 200 mesh to obtain the toner of Example 3.
Example 4 additive formulation: Next, 100 parts of toner particles and 2.0 parts of colloidal silica [H-2000: manufactured by Clariant Co., Ltd.], an average particle diameter of 250 nm, and a bulk density of 1.8 g / cm ³ hydrophobic silica The toner of Example 4 was obtained after mixing 1.5 parts with a Henschel mixer and sieving with 200 mesh.

Comparative Examples 1 and 2
[Synthesis of Non-Linear Polyester Resin d]
In a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer and a nitrogen introduction tube, 600 parts of bisphenol A · EO 2 mol adduct, 850 parts of fumaric acid, 30 parts of trimellitic anhydride and 2 parts of dibutyltin oxide as a polycondensation catalyst were placed at 220 ° C. The reaction was carried out for 10 hours while distilling off the water produced under a nitrogen stream. Next, the reaction was carried out under reduced pressure of 5-20 mmHg, and when the acid value reached 20, it was taken out, cooled to room temperature and pulverized to obtain a non-linear polyester resin d. Non-linear polyester resin d had a THF insoluble content of 5%, an acid value of 22, a hydroxyl value of 40, a Tg of 69 ° C., and a softening point of 125 ° C.

Masterbatch creation Masterbatch Yellow Y2
Non-linear polyester resin d
Yellow pigment (pigment yellow 74)

Master batch magenta M2
Non-linear polyester resin d
Magenta pigment (pigmentred 185)

Master batch cyan C2
Non-linear polyester resin d
Cyan pigment (pigmentblue 15-2)

  The pigment, the non-linear polyester resin d, and pure water were mixed at a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5 and kneaded by two rolls. Kneading was performed at 70 ° C., and then the roll temperature was raised to 100 ° C. to evaporate water and prepare a master batch in advance.

Comparative Example 1
Cyan toner prescription:
Non-linear polyester resin d 70 parts Masterbatch cyan C2 20 parts Orient Chemical Co., Ltd. E-84 2 parts Polypropylene (Sanyo Kasei Biscol 660P) 8 parts

Magenta toner prescription:
Non-linear polyester resin d 70 parts Masterbatch Magenta M2 20 parts
Orient Chemical Industries E-84 2 parts Polypropylene (Sanyo Chemical Biscol 660P) 8 parts

Yellow toner prescription:
70 parts of non-linear polyester resin d
Master Batch Yellow Y2 20 parts Orient Chemical Co., Ltd. E-84 2 parts Polypropylene (Sanyo Chemical Biscol 660P) 8 parts

Black toner prescription:
Non-linear polyester resin d 80 parts
Black pigment (carbon black) 10 parts E-84 made by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 2 parts Polypropylene (Sanyo Kasei Biscol 660P) 8 parts

  The material was premixed using a Henschel mixer [FM10B manufactured by Mitsui Miike Chemical Co., Ltd.] and then kneaded using a biaxial kneader [PCM-30 manufactured by Ikegai Co., Ltd.]. Then, after finely pulverizing using a supersonic jet crusher, Labojet [manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.], it is classified by an airflow classifier [MDS-I made by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.], and the volume average particle size is reduced. About 7 μm toner particles were obtained.

  Additive formulation of Comparative Example 1: Next, 3.0 parts of colloidal silica [Leosil ZD-30S: manufactured by Tokuyama Co., Ltd.] is mixed with 100 parts of toner particles with a Henschel mixer, and sieved with 100 mesh. Obtained.

Comparative Example 1
Cyan toner prescription:
Non-linear polyester resin d 70 parts Masterbatch cyan C2 20 parts Orient Chemical Co., Ltd. E-84 2 parts Polypropylene (Sanyo Kasei Biscol 660P) 2 parts

Magenta toner prescription:
Non-linear polyester resin d 70 parts Master batch magenta M2 20 parts Orient Chemical Co., Ltd. E-84 2 parts Polypropylene (Sanyo Kasei Biscol 660P) 2 parts

Yellow toner prescription:
70 parts of non-linear polyester resin d
Master Batch Yellow Y2 20 parts Orient Chemical Industries E-84 2 parts Polypropylene (Sanyo Kasei Biscol 660P) 2 parts

Black toner prescription:
Non-linear polyester resin d 80 parts
10 parts of black pigment (carbon black) 2 parts of E-84 made by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd. 2 parts of polypropylene (Sanyo Kasei Biscol 660P)

  The material was premixed using a Henschel mixer [FM10B manufactured by Mitsui Miike Chemical Co., Ltd.] and then kneaded using a biaxial kneader [PCM-30 manufactured by Ikegai Co., Ltd.]. Then, after finely pulverizing using a supersonic jet crusher, Labojet [manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.], it is classified by an airflow classifier [MDS-I made by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.], and the volume average particle diameter About 7 μm toner particles were obtained.

  Additive formulation of Example 5: Next, 5.0 parts of colloidal silica [H-2000: manufactured by Clariant Co., Ltd.] is mixed with 100 parts of toner particles with a Henschel mixer, and sieved with 200 mesh to obtain the toner of Example 5. It was.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 described in detail above, the configuration of the toner replenishing tube is a vertical direction in which the angle of inclination from the horizontal is 85 degrees straight down from the bottle side toward the developing device side (not shown) as the transport destination. The conveyance part B has a bent part C that bends when the angle of inclination from the horizontal is 20 degrees. In addition, using an image forming apparatus having a connecting portion D having an inclination angle of 2 degrees connected to a developing device (not shown), an image area of 5% for each of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black is run on 5000 A4 sheets. To do. Thereafter, two A3 sheets of solid images for yellow, cyan, magenta, and black were output, and the number of toner aggregates, the number of white spots in the image, and the number of white lines were counted.

The glossiness was measured under the condition of 60 degrees using a Murakami glossmeter TAPIT480om-90.
The measurement results are shown in Table 1.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing a process cartridge for Y of the printer and its surroundings. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner bottle for Y of the printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bottle support portion and four toner bottles in the printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a toner supply device for Y, M, C, and K in the printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a process cartridge for each color and a part of a toner transport device for each color. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a part of a Y toner conveyance device. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a part of a conveyance tube of the toner conveyance device. The perspective view which shows the coil arrange | positioned in the conveyance pipe. The side view which shows a part of the conveyance pipe. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a specific structure example of an engaging portion between a toner conveyance pipe of the toner conveyance device and a toner supply port of a Y process cartridge. The perspective view which looked at the same engaging part from the angle different from FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the toner conveying device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the toner conveying device in a state where a spring provided near the tip of the conveying tube is compressed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially showing the process cartridge in which yellow toner is supplied by the toner conveying device in the vicinity of a supply port. The partial perspective view which shows the process cartridge of the state which opened the supply port shutter. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the printer.

Explanation of symbols

1Y, M, C, K photoconductor (latent image carrier)
5Y developer (conveyance destination)
6Y, M, C, K process cartridge (part of toner image forming means, image forming unit)
7 Exposure device (part of toner image forming means)
32Y, M, C, K Toner bottle (toner container)
40Y, M, C, K Toner conveying device (powder conveying device)
43Y transport pipe
44Y coil (moving force applying means)
θ Inclination angle

Claims (19)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner storage unit that stores toner; and a supply pipe that transports the toner from the storage unit to a developing unit below the storage unit.
The replenishment pipe has a vertical conveyance unit having an inclination angle from horizontal of 45 degrees or more and a horizontal conveyance unit having an inclination angle from horizontal of less than 45 degrees,
Aggregation degree of the toner is determined by a vibration sieve measurement method. Aggregation degree 1 is less than 0 to less than 1 to 1 when mesh size is 200 mesh / 100 mesh / 60 mesh, and aggregation is performed at 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh. An image forming apparatus having a degree 2 of 5 to 15%.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply pipe is formed in order of a vertical conveyance unit, a bending unit, and a horizontal conveyance unit from a toner storage unit to a development unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inclination angle of the lateral conveyance unit is less than 30 degrees.   The toner moving force applying means is disposed in the supply pipe, and the applying ability of the bending portion moving force applying means is different from the applying ability of the other moving portion moving force applying means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   The toner accommodated in the accommodating portion has an aggregation degree A in the vibration sieve measurement method with a sieve opening of 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh and an aggregation degree B of the toner after exiting the supply pipe is B / The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A = 1.2-2.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing unit does not have a toner sub hopper.   The developing unit includes a two-component developer composed of a carrier and a toner, and the developing unit includes a first transport unit and a second transport unit that transport the developer in opposite directions to each other. The transport section and the second transport section are connected at both ends thereof, and the other sections are separated from each other by a partition so as to recirculate the developer. The toner discharge port of the supply pipe is connected to the second transport section. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided at an upper portion, and a discharge port of the supply pipe is directly connected to a developer reflux portion without passing through a sub hopper. An image forming method including a step of transporting toner from a toner storage unit that stores toner through a supply pipe to the developing unit below the storage unit,
The replenishment pipe has a vertical conveyance unit having an inclination angle from horizontal of 45 degrees or more and a horizontal conveyance unit having an inclination angle from horizontal of less than 45 degrees,
Aggregation degree of the toner is determined by a vibration sieve measurement method. Aggregation degree 1 is less than 0 to less than 1 to 1 when mesh size is 200 mesh / 100 mesh / 60 mesh, and aggregation is performed at 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh. An image forming method using a toner having a degree 2 of 5 to 15%.   9. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein the replenishment pipe is formed in the order of a vertical conveyance unit, a bending unit, and a horizontal conveyance unit from a toner storage unit to a development unit.   The image forming method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein an inclination angle of the lateral conveyance unit is less than 30 degrees. 9. A toner moving force applying means is disposed in the supply pipe, and the applying ability of the bending portion moving force applying means is different from the applying ability of the other moving force applying means of the transport unit. The image forming method according to claim 10.   The toner accommodated in the accommodating portion has an aggregation degree A in the vibration sieve measurement method with a sieve opening of 200 mesh / 350 mesh / 635 mesh and an aggregation degree B of the toner after exiting the supply pipe is B / The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein A = 1.2-2.   The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein the developing unit does not have a toner sub-hopper.   The developing unit includes a two-component developer composed of a carrier and a toner, and the developing unit includes a first transport unit and a second transport unit that transport the developer in opposite directions to each other. The transport section and the second transport section are connected at both ends thereof, and the other sections are separated from each other by a partition so as to recirculate the developer. The toner discharge port of the supply pipe is connected to the second transport section. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein the image forming method is provided at an upper portion, and the discharge port of the supply pipe is directly connected to the reflux portion of the developer without passing through the sub hopper.   The toner used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner contains toner base particles and inorganic fine particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent. Toner.   The toner according to claim 15, wherein the toner is made by a kneading and pulverizing method.   A process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge integrally includes a photosensitive member and at least one device selected from a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device. A process cartridge that is supported and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus.   The developer used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer comprises at least a binder resin, a toner containing a colorant, and a carrier made of magnetic particles. Developer.   A toner-containing bottle for storing toner used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner-containing bottle is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and is used as the toner storage unit. A toner-filled bottle.

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