JP5245419B2 - Toner production method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner used for forming an electrophotographic image such as a copying machine, electrostatic printing, printer, facsimile, electrostatic recording, and the like, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge using the toner.

Image formation by electrophotography, electrostatic recording, electrostatic printing, etc. is generally performed on an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier (hereinafter also referred to as “photosensitive member” or “electrophotographic photosensitive member”). The electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer to form a visible image (toner image), and then the visible image is transferred onto a recording medium such as paper and fixed to obtain a fixed image. It is performed by a series of processes.
Examples of the developer include a one-component developer using a magnetic toner or a non-magnetic toner alone, and a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier.

As a fixing method in the electrophotographic method, a heating heat roller method in which a heating roller is directly pressed against a toner image on a recording medium and fixed is generally used from the viewpoint of high energy efficiency. However, the heating heat roller system requires a large amount of power for fixing. Therefore, various studies have been made to reduce the power consumption of the heating roller from the viewpoint of energy saving. For example, a method of weakening the output of the heater for the heating roller when not outputting an image and increasing the output of the heater when outputting an image to raise the temperature of the heating roller is often used.
However, with this method, in order to raise the temperature of the heating roller to the temperature necessary for fixing from the sleep time, a waiting time of about several tens of seconds is required, and this waiting time becomes a stress for the user. In addition, when the image is not output, it is desired to suppress power consumption by completely turning off the heater. In order to achieve these requirements, it is necessary to lower the fixing temperature of the toner itself and lower the fixing temperature of the toner when it can be used.

  The toner used in the developer is required to have excellent low-temperature fixability and storage stability (blocking resistance) with the development of electrophotographic technology, and has been generally used as a binder resin for toner. Various attempts have been made to use a polyester resin having a higher affinity with a recording medium or the like than a styrene-based resin and excellent in low-temperature fixability. For example, a toner containing a linear polyester resin that defines physical properties such as molecular weight (see Patent Document 1), a toner containing a non-linear cross-linked polyester resin using a rosin as an acid component (see Patent Document 2), Etc. have been proposed.

In recent years, in order to further increase the speed and energy saving of the image forming apparatus, the conventional binder resin for toner is still insufficient for the market demand, shortening the fixing time in the fixing process, and Due to the lowering of the heating temperature by the fixing means, it is extremely difficult to maintain a sufficient fixing strength.
A toner containing a polyester resin using a rosin as in Patent Document 2 is excellent in low-temperature fixability and excellent in pulverization, and thus has an advantage that the toner productivity in the pulverization method can be improved.

  In terms of image quality, development of an image forming apparatus and a toner satisfying the demand for higher image quality from the market is underway. As toners that can cope with such high image quality, there are toners having a uniform particle size. When the toner particle size is uniform and the particle size distribution is sharp, the development behavior of individual toners is uniform, and the fine dot reproducibility is remarkably improved.

However, a toner having a small particle size and a uniform particle size has a problem that cleaning properties are inferior. In particular, it is difficult to stably clean a toner having a uniform and small particle size by blade cleaning. For example, Patent Document 3 proposes a toner made of a polyester resin having a Wadell practical sphericity of 0.90 to 1.00. However, since the toner is substantially a spherical toner, there is a problem in toner cleaning properties. .
Under such circumstances, various methods for improving the cleaning property by improving the toner have been proposed. As one of such attempts, an attempt has been made to change the toner shape from a spherical shape to an irregular shape, thereby reducing the powder flowability of the toner and making it easier to dam with a blade. However, if the degree of toner irregularity is too large, the behavior of the toner becomes unstable during development and the like, and the fine dot reproducibility deteriorates.
In addition, by changing the shape of the toner, the reliability of the toner with respect to cleaning is improved, but a problem occurs in terms of fixing. In other words, when the shape of the toner is changed, the toner filling density in the toner layer on the recording medium before fixing is reduced, the thermal conductivity in the toner layer is reduced during fixing, and the low-temperature fixability is deteriorated. Resulting in. In particular, when the pressure at the time of fixing is smaller than the conventional pressure, the thermal conductivity is deteriorated and the low-temperature fixing property is hindered.

In addition to the suspension polymerization method, the polymerization method toner includes an emulsion polymerization method, a dissolution suspension method, and the like that are relatively easily modified.
In the emulsion polymerization method, it is difficult to completely remove the styrene monomer and to remove the emulsifier and the dispersant. Recently, environmental problems have been raised and the problem for the toner is further increased. Also, in the toner shape, the unevenness of the silica particles added as a fluidizing agent due to the unevenness is weak in the recesses, and the movement of the silica particles to the recesses in use causes the photosensitive effect by the toner. Problems of body contamination and toner adhesion to the fixing roller occur.

In the dissolution suspension method, there is an advantage that a polyester resin capable of fixing at low temperature can be used. Since the high molecular weight component is added in the step of dissolving or dispersing in the solution, there is a problem that the liquid viscosity increases and the productivity decreases.
For example, in Patent Document 4, in the suspension solution method, the toner surface shape is made spherical and uneven to improve the cleaning property. However, since it is an irregularly shaped toner having no regularity, charging stability In addition, a high molecular weight design for ensuring basic durability and releasability has not been achieved, and satisfactory toner quality has not been obtained.
Patent Document 5 proposes to obtain resin particles for toner having a shape excellent in blade cleaning property and a wide fixing temperature range, but in practice, both cleaning property and low-temperature fixing property are achieved. It is difficult.

  Therefore, a toner that is compatible with a low-temperature fixing system, has good offset resistance, does not contaminate the fixing device and the image, has good cleaning properties, and can form a visible image with good sharpness over a long period of time. The related technology has not been provided yet, and further improvements and developments are desired.

JP 2004-245854 A JP-A-4-70765 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-133665 JP 9-15903 A JP 2005-49858 A

  An object of the present invention is to solve various problems in the prior art and achieve the following objects. That is, the present invention is compatible with a low-temperature fixing system, has good offset resistance, does not contaminate the fixing device and the image, has good cleaning properties, and forms a visible image with good sharpness over a long period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner that can be used, and an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge using the toner.

Means for solving the problems are as follows. That is,
<1> A toner comprising at least a binder resin, a release agent, a colorant, and a layered inorganic mineral,
The binder resin includes a polyester resin (A) having a softening point Tm (A) of 120 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower, and a polyester resin (B) having a softening point Tm (B) of 80 ° C. or higher and lower than 120 ° C. And at least
At least one of the polyester resins (A) and (B) is a polyester resin obtained by polycondensation of an alcohol component consisting essentially of an aliphatic alcohol and a carboxylic acid component, and the alcohol component 65 mol% or more of 1,2-propanediol,
The toner has an average circularity of 0.93 to 0.97.
<2> The toner according to <1>, wherein 90 mol% or more of the alcohol component is an aliphatic alcohol.
<3> The toner according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein the alcohol component of at least one of the polyester resins (A) and (B) further contains glycerin.
<4> The toner according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the alcohol component of the polyester resin (A) further contains 1,3-propanediol.
<5> In any one of <1> to <4>, at least one of the carboxylic acid components of the polyester resins (A) and (B) contains an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid compound having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Toner.
<6> The toner according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the carboxylic acid component of at least one of the polyester resins (A) and (B) contains a purified rosin.
<7> Any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the mass ratio [(A) / (B)] of the polyester resin (A) and the polyester resin (B) is 10/90 to 90/10 The toner described in 1.
<8> The toner according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the difference [Tm (A) −Tm (B)] between the softening points Tm (A) and Tm (B) is 10 ° C. or more. It is.
<9> The toner according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the toner is a modified layered inorganic mineral in which at least part of ions between layers of the layered inorganic mineral is modified with organic ions.
<10> The toner according to <9>, wherein the modified layered inorganic mineral has a volume average particle size of 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm.
<11> The toner according to any one of <9> to <10>, wherein the content of the modified layered inorganic mineral in the toner is 0.1% by mass to 5.0% by mass.
<12> At least the binder resin, the colorant, the modified layered inorganic mineral, and the release agent are dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent, and the obtained dissolved or dispersed liquid is dispersed in an aqueous medium to remove the organic solvent. The toner according to any one of <9> to <11>.
<13> A developer comprising the toner according to any one of <1> to <12>.
<14> A toner-containing container filled with the toner according to any one of <1> to <12>.
<15> An electrostatic latent image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and exposure means for exposing the charged electrostatic latent image carrier surface to form an electrostatic latent image Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image; transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium; and fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. An image forming apparatus having at least fixing means and cleaning means for cleaning residual toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner is the toner according to any one of <1> to <12>.
<16> The image forming apparatus according to <15>, wherein the charging unit is a charging unit that charges the electrostatic latent image carrier in a non-contact manner.
<17> The image forming apparatus according to <15>, wherein the charging unit is a charging unit that contacts and charges the electrostatic latent image carrier.
<18> The developing unit includes a magnetic field generating unit fixed inside, and a developer carrier that can rotate by carrying a two-component developer composed of a magnetic carrier and a toner on the surface. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <15> to <17>.
<19> The development device according to any one of <15> to <18>, wherein the developing unit includes a developer carrier to which toner is supplied and a layer thickness regulating member that forms a thin layer of toner on the surface of the developer carrier. The image forming apparatus described.
<20> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <15> to <19>, wherein the transfer unit is a transfer unit that transfers a visible image on the electrostatic latent image carrier to a recording medium.
<21> A plurality of image forming elements including at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit are arranged,
The transfer means sequentially applies the recording medium whose surface moves so as to pass through a transfer position, which is a region facing the electrostatic latent image carrier of the plurality of image forming elements, onto each electrostatic latent image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <15> to <20>, wherein the image forming apparatus is a transfer unit that transfers the visible image formed on the surface.
<22> The transfer means performs an intermediate transfer body on which a visible image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier is primarily transferred, and a secondary transfer of the visible image carried on the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <15> to <19>, further including a secondary transfer unit.
<23> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <15> to <22>, wherein the cleaning unit includes a cleaning blade that contacts the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier.
<24> The developing unit has a developer carrier that is in contact with the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier and The image forming apparatus according to any one of <15> to <22>, wherein residual toner on the latent image carrier is collected.
<25> The fixing unit according to <15>, wherein the fixing unit includes at least one of a roller and a belt, and heats and presses the transfer image transferred onto the recording medium by heating from a surface not in contact with the toner. > To <24>.
<26> The fixing unit according to <15>, wherein the fixing unit includes at least one of a roller and a belt, and is heated from a surface in contact with the toner, and the transfer image transferred onto the recording medium is fixed by heating and pressing. To <24>.
<27> A heating roller in which a fixing unit is formed of a magnetic metal and heated by electromagnetic induction on a recording medium on which an unfixed image is formed, a fixing roller arranged in parallel to the heating roller, and the heating roller And an endless belt-like toner heating medium which is stretched between the fixing roller and heated by the heating roller and rotated by these rollers, and is pressed against the fixing roller via the toner heating medium, and A fixing unit including a pressure roller that rotates in a forward direction with respect to the toner heating medium to form a fixing nip portion; The image forming apparatus according to any one of <15> to <24>.
<28> A charging step for charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, an exposure step for exposing the charged electrostatic latent image carrier surface to form an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image with toner. A developing process for forming a visible image by developing the image; a transferring process for transferring the visible image to a recording medium; a fixing process for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium; and the electrostatic latent image. An image forming method including at least a cleaning step of cleaning residual toner on the surface of the carrier,
The toner is the toner according to any one of <1> to <12>.
<29> The image forming method according to <28>, wherein the charging step is performed using a charging unit that charges the latent electrostatic image bearing member in a non-contact manner.
<30> The image forming method according to <28>, wherein the charging step is performed using a charging unit that contacts and charges the electrostatic latent image carrier.
<31> From the above <28>, wherein the developing step uses a developer carrying member that has a magnetic field generating means fixed inside, and that rotates on the surface carrying a two-component developer comprising a magnetic carrier and a toner. <30> The image forming method according to any one of <30>.
<32> The development process according to any one of <28> to <30>, wherein the developing step uses a developer carrier to which toner is supplied and a layer thickness regulating member that forms a thin layer of toner on the surface of the developer carrier. The image forming method described.
<33> The image forming method according to any one of <28> to <32>, wherein the transfer step is a transfer step of transferring a visible image on the electrostatic latent image carrier to a recording medium.
<34> A plurality of image forming elements including at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit,
The transfer means is arranged on each electrostatic latent image carrier in sequence on a recording medium whose surface moves so as to pass through a transfer position that is a region facing the electrostatic latent image carrier of the plurality of image forming elements. The image forming method according to any one of <28> to <33>, wherein the image forming method is a transfer unit that transfers the visible image formed on the surface.
<35> The transfer process includes an intermediate transfer member on which a visible image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier is primarily transferred, and a secondary transfer of the visible image carried on the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium. The image forming method according to any one of <28> to <32>, wherein the secondary transfer unit is used.
<36> The image forming method according to any one of <28> to <35>, wherein the cleaning step uses a cleaning blade that contacts the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member.
<37> The developing step includes a developer carrier that is brought into contact with the electrostatic latent image carrier, develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image. The image forming method according to any one of <28> to <35>, wherein residual toner on the carrier is collected.
<38> The fixing step in which the fixing step includes at least one of a roller and a belt, is heated from the side not in contact with the toner, and the transferred image transferred onto the recording medium is fixed by heating and pressing. 28> to <37>.
<39> The fixing step in which the fixing step includes at least one of a roller and a belt, is heated from the side in contact with the toner, and is fixed by heating and pressurizing the transfer image transferred onto the recording medium. > To <37>.
<40> In the fixing step, a recording medium on which an unfixed image is formed is heated from a magnetic metal and heated by electromagnetic induction, a fixing roller arranged in parallel with the heating roller, and the heating roller And an endless belt-like toner heating medium which is stretched between the fixing roller and heated by the heating roller and rotated by these rollers, and is pressed against the fixing roller via the toner heating medium, and Using a fixing unit having a pressure roller that rotates in the forward direction with respect to the toner heating medium to form a fixing nip portion, the unfixed image is passed between the toner heating medium and the pressure roller. The image forming method according to any one of <28> to <37>, wherein the image is heat-fixed.
<41> An electrostatic latent image carrier and at least developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier using toner to form a visible image, and forming an image A process cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus body,
A process cartridge, wherein the toner is the toner according to any one of <1> to <12>.

The toner of the present invention contains at least a binder resin, a release agent, a colorant, and a layered inorganic mineral,
The binder resin includes a polyester resin (A) having a softening point Tm (A) of 120 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower, and a polyester resin (B) having a softening point Tm (B) of 80 ° C. or higher and lower than 120 ° C. And at least
At least one of the polyester resins (A) and (B) is a polyester resin obtained by polycondensation of an alcohol component consisting essentially of an aliphatic alcohol and a carboxylic acid component, and the alcohol component 65 mol% or more of 1,2-propanediol,
The average circularity of the toner is 0.93 to 0.97.
In the toner of the present invention, the polyester resin (A) having a high softening point contributes to improvement in offset resistance, and the polyester resin (B) having a low softening point contributes to improvement in low-temperature fixability. Further, it has been found that the inclusion of a layered inorganic mineral is effective in achieving both low-temperature fixability and offset resistance. 1,2-propanediol, which is a branched chain alcohol having 3 carbon atoms, is effective in improving low-temperature fixability while maintaining offset resistance as compared with alcohol having 2 or less carbon atoms, and is extremely low. Fixing at temperature is possible, and storage stability is improved.
In addition, when the toner is granulated as an oil phase in an aqueous system, the layered inorganic mineral is modified with organic ions between the layers to a level suitable for being unevenly distributed near the surface inside the toner, and near the surface of the toner. Can be unevenly distributed. That is, the modified layered inorganic mineral has a characteristic that it moves to the surface side in the oil droplet and tends to be unevenly distributed on the toner surface. In addition, when the amount of modification of the layered inorganic mineral with organic ions is increased, the ion species are changed, or surface treatment is performed to increase the hydrophobicity, the layered inorganic mineral is uniformly dispersed in the toner or the toner is centered. Sufficient chargeability can be obtained by the presence of many modified layered inorganic minerals.
Further, by adjusting the content of the modified layered inorganic mineral, it becomes possible to control the viscosity of the oil droplets and unevenly distribute on the surface of the toner, so that it can be deformed, and the average circularity of the toner is 0.93 to 0.00. As a result, the cleaning property can be improved.
These synergistic effects make it compatible with low-temperature fixing systems, have good offset resistance, do not contaminate the fixing device and images, have good cleaning properties, and have good sharpness. Images can be formed over a long period of time.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the charged electrostatic latent image carrier surface. An exposure unit for forming, a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image, a transfer unit for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and the image transferred to the recording medium The image forming apparatus includes at least a fixing unit that fixes a transfer image and a cleaning unit that cleans residual toner on the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member. The toner of the present invention is used as the toner.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the charging unit uniformly charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. The exposure means exposes the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing means develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier with toner to form a visible image. The transfer means transfers the visible image to a recording medium. The fixing unit fixes the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. The cleaning unit cleans residual toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. At this time, since the toner of the present invention is used as the toner, a visible image having good cleaning properties and good sharpness can be formed over a long period of time.

The image forming method of the present invention comprises a charging step of charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, an exposure step of exposing the charged electrostatic latent image carrier surface to form an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic A developing step of developing the latent image with toner to form a visible image, a transferring step of transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and a fixing step of fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium; At least a cleaning step for cleaning residual toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the toner of the present invention is used as the toner.
In the image forming method of the present invention, the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier is uniformly charged in the charging step. In the exposure step, the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. In the developing step, the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier is developed with toner to form a visible image. In the transfer step, the visible image is transferred to a recording medium. In the fixing step, the transferred image transferred to the recording medium is fixed. In the cleaning step, residual toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier is cleaned. At this time, since the toner of the present invention is used as the toner, a visible image having good cleaning properties and good sharpness can be formed over a long period of time.

  The process cartridge of the present invention has at least an electrostatic latent image carrier and developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier using toner to form a visible image. In addition, it is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, is excellent in convenience, and uses the toner of the present invention, so that it has good cleaning properties and forms a visible image with good sharpness over a long period of time. Can do.

  According to the present invention, the conventional problems can be solved, the low temperature fixing system is compatible, the offset resistance is good, the fixing device and the image are not contaminated, the cleaning property is good, and the sharpness is excellent. A toner capable of forming a good visible image over a long period of time, an image forming method using the toner, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge can be provided.

(toner)
The toner of the present invention contains at least a binder resin, a release agent, a colorant, and a layered inorganic mineral, and further contains an external additive and, if necessary, other components.

<Layered inorganic mineral>
The layered inorganic mineral has a structure in which inorganic mineral layers having a thickness of several nanometers are stacked almost in parallel by weak forces such as van der Waals force and electrostatic force, and swells by coordinating or absorbing a solvent between layers, or Inorganic minerals that exhibit cleavage properties.
The layered inorganic mineral is preferably a modified layered inorganic mineral in which at least part of ions between layers is modified with organic ions. Here, “modify” means introducing organic ions into ions existing between the layers, and broadly means intercalation.

As the layered inorganic mineral, for example, smectite group (montmorillonite, saponite, etc.), kaolin group (kaolinite, etc.), magadiite, kanemite, etc. are known.
The modified layered inorganic mineral is highly hydrophilic due to its modified layered structure. Therefore, if the layered inorganic mineral is used in a toner that is dispersed and granulated in an aqueous medium without modification, the layered inorganic mineral migrates into the aqueous medium and the toner cannot be deformed. High hydrophilicity, easily deformed during granulation, disperse and refine, and fully exert charge control function. At this time, the content of the modified layered inorganic mineral in the toner material is preferably 0.1% by mass to 5.0% by mass.

The modified layered inorganic mineral is preferably one having a smectite basic crystal structure modified with an organic cation. Moreover, a metal anion can be introduce | transduced by substituting a part of bivalent metal of the said layered inorganic mineral for a trivalent metal. However, since the hydrophilicity is high when the metal anion is introduced, a layered inorganic mineral in which at least a part of the metal anion is modified with an organic anion is preferable.
Examples of the organic ion modifier in the layered inorganic mineral obtained by modifying at least part of the ions of the layered inorganic mineral with organic ions include quaternary alkyl ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, imidazolium salts, and the like. Among these, quaternary alkyl ammonium salts are particularly preferable. Examples of the quaternary alkyl ammonium include trimethyl stearyl ammonium, dimethyl stearyl benzyl ammonium, dimethyl octadecyl ammonium, oleyl bis (2-hydroxyethyl) methyl ammonium, and the like.

  Examples of the organic ion modifier include branched, unbranched, or cyclic alkyl (1 to 44 carbon atoms), alkenyl (1 to 22 carbon atoms), alkoxy (8 to 32 carbon atoms), hydroxyalkyl (2 to 22 carbon atoms). , Sulfates having ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and the like; sulfonates, carboxylates, and phosphates. Among these, carboxylic acids having an ethylene oxide skeleton are particularly preferable.

  The layered inorganic mineral partially modified with organic ions is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include montmorillonite, bentonite, hectorite, attapulgite, sepiolite, and mixtures thereof. It is done. Among these, organically modified montmorillonite or bentonite is particularly preferable because the viscosity can be easily adjusted without affecting the toner characteristics and the addition amount can be reduced.

  Commercially available layered inorganic minerals partially modified with organic cations include, for example, Bentone 3, Bentone 38, Bentone 38V (both manufactured by Leox); Thixogel VP (manufactured by United catalyst); Kraton 34, Kraton 40, Quatium 18 bentonite such as Clayton XL (all manufactured by Southern Clay); Bentone 27 (manufactured by Leox); Thixogel LG (manufactured by United catalyst); Clayton AF, Clayton APA (all manufactured by Southern Clay) Stearalkonium bentonite; quaternium 18 / benzalkonium bentonite such as Clayton HT and Clayton PS (both manufactured by Southern Clay Co.). Among these, Clayton AF and Clayton APA are particularly preferable.

Moreover, as a layered inorganic mineral partially modified with an organic anion, a material obtained by modifying DHT-4A (manufactured by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) with an organic anion represented by the following general formula (1) is particularly preferable.
_{R 1 (OR 2) n OSO} 3 M ··· formula (1)
In the general formula (1), R ₁ represents an alkyl group having 13 carbon atoms, and R ₂ represents an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. n represents an integer of 2 to 10, and M represents a monovalent metal element.
Examples of the organic anion represented by the following general formula (1) include Hytenol 330T (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.).

By using the modified layered inorganic mineral, since it has an appropriate hydrophobicity, it tends to be present at the interface of the droplets, and the modified layered inorganic mineral is unevenly distributed on the toner surface and can exhibit charging properties.
The volume average particle diameter (dispersion diameter) of the modified layered inorganic mineral is preferably 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm. When the volume average particle size exceeds 0.5 μm, the toner shape tends to be spherical, and the effect on cleaning properties and toner charging performance may be reduced.
The volume average particle diameter of the modified layered inorganic mineral can be measured using, for example, a laser Doppler particle size distribution measuring apparatus.
The content of the modified layered inorganic mineral in the toner is preferably 0.1% by mass to 5.0% by mass, and more preferably 0.3% by mass to 3.0% by mass. When the content is less than 0.1% by mass, the toner shape tends to be spherical, and the effect on cleaning properties and toner charging performance may be reduced. May get worse.

<Binder resin>
The binder resin comprises a polyester resin (A) having a softening point Tm (A) of 120 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower and a polyester resin (B) having a softening point Tm (B) of 80 ° C. or higher and lower than 120 ° C. It contains.

-Polyester resins (A) and (B)-
The polyester resins (A) and (B) are obtained by condensation polymerization of an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component.
The polyester resin (A) has a softening point Tm (A) of 120 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower, preferably 130 ° C. to 155 ° C., more preferably 135 ° C. to 155 ° C.
The polyester resin (B) has a softening point Tm (B) of 80 ° C or higher and lower than 120 ° C, preferably 85 ° C to 115 ° C, and more preferably 90 ° C to 110 ° C.
The difference [ΔTm; Tm (A) −Tm (B)] between Tm (A) and Tm (B) is preferably 10 ° C. or more, more preferably 15 ° C. to 55 ° C., and further preferably 20 ° C. to 50 ° C. preferable.
In addition, the polyester resin (A) and the polyester resin (B) and the mass ratio [(A) / (B)] are 10/90 in order to combine low-temperature fixability, hot offset resistance, and heat-resistant storage stability. -90/10 are preferable, 20 / 80-80 / 20 are more preferable, and 30 / 70-70 / 30 are still more preferable.
The high softening point polyester resin (A) having such characteristics contributes to improvement in offset resistance, and the low softening point polyester resin (B) contributes to improvement in low-temperature fixability. The combined use of the base resin (A) and the polyester base resin (B) is effective in achieving both low-temperature fixability and offset resistance.

  In the present invention, at least one of the polyester-based resins (A) and (B) has a content of 1,2-propanediol in an alcohol component of 65 mol% or more, and substantially only an aliphatic alcohol. It is obtained by polycondensation of an alcohol component consisting of a carboxylic acid component.

-Alcohol component-
1,2-propanediol, which is a branched-chain alcohol having 3 carbon atoms used for the alcohol component, improves low-temperature fixability while maintaining offset resistance as compared with alcohol having 2 or less carbon atoms. It is effective and effective in preventing deterioration of storage stability due to a decrease in glass transition temperature as compared with branched chain alcohols having 4 or more carbon atoms, fixing at an extremely low temperature, and improving storage stability. A surprising effect is produced. A polyester resin containing 1,2-propanediol as an alcohol component is excellent in compatibility with a release agent and easily finely dispersed. In particular, when the content of 1,2-propanediol is 65 mol% or more in the alcohol component, excellent low-temperature fixability and offset resistance are exhibited.

As the alcohol component, an alcohol other than 1,2-propanediol may be contained as long as the objects and effects of the present invention are not impaired. It is 65 mol% or more in a component, 70 mol% or more is preferable, 80 mol% or more is more preferable, and 90 mol% or more is still more preferable. Examples of the divalent alcohol component other than 1,2-propanediol include 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol having a different carbon number, hydrogenated bisphenol A, or alkylene (2 to 4 carbon atoms) oxide (average). Addition mole number 1-16) Aliphatic dialcohols, such as an adduct, etc. are mentioned.
The content of the divalent alcohol component is preferably 60 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably 65 mol% to 90 mol% in the alcohol component.
The alcohol component of the polyester resin (A) preferably contains 1,3-propanediol from the viewpoint of offset resistance. The molar ratio of 1,2-propanediol to 1,3-propanediol in the alcohol component of the polyester resin (A) (1,2-propanediol / 1,3-propanediol) is 99/1 to 65 / 35 is preferable, 95/5 to 70/30 is more preferable, 90/10 to 75/25 is still more preferable, and 85/15 to 77/23 is particularly preferable.
The alcohol component of at least one of the polyester resins (A) and (B) includes polyoxypropylene (2,2) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxyethylene (2,2 Aromatic alcohols such as alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A such as -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane may be contained, but at least the polyester resins (A) and (B). Any one of the alcohol components consists essentially of an aliphatic alcohol, and preferably both alcohol components of the polyester resins (A) and (B) consist essentially of an aliphatic alcohol. .
Here, in the specification of the present application, the term “alcohol component consisting essentially of an aliphatic alcohol” means that the content of the aliphatic alcohol is 90 mol% or more in the alcohol component, and 95 mol% or more. Is more preferable, 98 mol% or more is still more preferable, and especially 99 mol% or more is meant.

-Carboxylic acid component-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said carboxylic acid component, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, It is preferable that a C2-C4 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid compound contains. Examples of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid compound having 2 to 4 carbon atoms include adipic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, and anhydrides of these acids. Among these, at least one kind of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid compound selected from succinic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, and itaconic acid is preferable, and itaconic acid is particularly preferable because it is effective for improving low-temperature fixability.

  The content of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is preferably 0.5 mol% to 20 mol% in the carboxylic acid component from the viewpoint of improving low-temperature fixability and suppressing the decrease in glass transition temperature. More preferably, mol% to 10 mol%. Since the polyester resin obtained by polycondensation of an aliphatic carboxylic acid compound having no aromatic ring with 1,2-propanediol improves the compatibility with the release agent, the release agent With the combined use, filming resistance can be further improved.

The carboxylic acid component preferably contains rosin. The rosin having a polycyclic aromatic ring reduces the water absorption that the conventional aliphatic alcohol polyesters have, and further enhances the effect of reducing the charge amount under high temperature and high humidity.
The rosin is a natural resin obtained from pine, and the main component thereof is a resin acid such as abietic acid, neoabietic acid, parastrinic acid, pimaric acid, isopimaric acid, sandaracopimaric acid, dehydroabietic acid, or the like. It is a mixture of these.

The rosin is roughly divided into tall rosin obtained from tall oil obtained as a by-product in the process of producing pulp, gum rosin obtained from raw pine ani, wood rosin obtained from pine stumps, etc. From the viewpoint of low-temperature fixability, tall rosin is preferable.
Further, it may be a modified rosin such as a disproportionated rosin or a hydrogenated rosin. In the present invention, from the viewpoint of low-temperature fixability and storage stability, it is possible to use a so-called raw rosin that is not modified. preferable.

The rosin is preferably a purified rosin from the viewpoint of improving storage stability and odor.
The purified rosin is a rosin from which impurities have been removed by a purification process. Examples of main impurities include 2-methylpropane, acetaldehyde, 3-methyl-2-butanone, 2-methylpropanoic acid, butanoic acid, pentanoic acid, n-hexanal, octane, hexanoic acid, benzaldehyde, 2-pentylfuran, Examples include 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanone, 1-methyl-2- (1-methylethyl) benzene, 3,5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexene, 4- (1-methylethyl) benzaldehyde. In the present invention, among these, the peak intensity detected as a volatile component by the headspace GC-MS method of three types of impurities, 2-methylpropane, pentanoic acid and benzaldehyde, can be used as an indicator of purified rosin. . The reason why the volatile component, not the absolute amount of impurities, is used as an indicator is that the use of the purified rosin in the present invention makes the odor one of the problems of improvement with respect to the conventional polyester resin using the rosin. .

The purified rosin in the present invention is a hexanoic acid peak intensity of 0.8 × 10 ⁷ or less and a pentanoic acid peak intensity of 0.4 × 10 ⁷ or less under the measurement conditions of the headspace GC-MS method described later. And rosin having a peak intensity of benzaldehyde of 0.4 × 10 ⁷ or less. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of storage stability and odor, the peak intensity of hexanoic acid is preferably 0.6 × 10 ⁷ or less, and more preferably 0.5 × 10 ⁷ or less. The peak intensity of pentanoic acid is preferably 0.3 × 10 ⁷ or less, and more preferably 0.2 × 10 ⁷ or less. The peak intensity of benzaldehyde is preferably 0.3 × 10 ⁷ or less, and more preferably 0.2 × 10 ⁷ or less.

Furthermore, from the viewpoint of storage stability and odor, it is preferable that n-hexanal and 2-pentylfuran are reduced in addition to the above three substances. The peak intensity of n-hexanal is preferably 1.7 × 10 ⁷ or less, more preferably 1.6 × 10 ⁷ or less, and even more preferably 1.5 × 10 ⁷ or less. Further, the peak intensity of 2-pentylfuran is preferably 1.0 × 10 ⁷ or less, more preferably 0.9 × 10 ⁷ or less, and further preferably 0.8 × 10 ⁷ or less.

  The method for purifying the rosin is not particularly limited, and a known method can be used. Examples thereof include distillation, recrystallization, extraction, and the like, and purification by distillation is preferable. As the distillation method, for example, the method described in JP-A-7-286139 can be used, and examples thereof include vacuum distillation, molecular distillation, steam distillation, etc., but purification by vacuum distillation is preferable. For example, distillation is usually performed at a still temperature of 200 ° C. to 300 ° C. at a pressure of 6.67 kPa or less, and methods such as ordinary simple distillation, thin film distillation, rectification, and the like are applied. 2% by mass to 10% by mass of a high molecular weight product is removed as a pitch component with respect to rosin, and at the same time, an initial fraction of 2% by mass to 10% by mass is simultaneously removed.

  The softening point of the purified rosin is preferably 50 ° C to 100 ° C, more preferably 60 ° C to 90 ° C, and still more preferably 65 ° C to 85 ° C. Further, the impurities contained in the rosin are removed by purification. The softening point of the purified rosin in the present invention means a softening point measured when the rosin is once melted by the method described later and naturally cooled for 1 hour in an environment of a temperature of 25 ° C. and a relative humidity of 50%. .

The acid value of the purified rosin is preferably 100 mgKOH / g to 200 mgKOH / g, more preferably 130 mgKOH / g to 180 mgKOH / g, and still more preferably 150 mgKOH / g to 170 mgKOH / g.
The content of the purified rosin is preferably 2 mol% to 50 mol%, more preferably 5 mol% to 40 mol%, still more preferably 10 mol% to 30 mol% in the carboxylic acid component.

  The carboxylic acid component may contain a carboxylic acid compound other than the aliphatic carboxylic acid compound and rosin as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. From the viewpoint of securing the glass transition temperature, phthalic acid It is preferable that an aromatic dicarboxylic acid such as isophthalic acid or terephthalic acid is contained. The content of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid is preferably 40 mol% to 95 mol%, more preferably 50 mol% to 90 mol%, and still more preferably 60 mol% to 80 mol% in the carboxylic acid component.

  The polyester-based resin is preferably a cross-linked polyester resin, and it is preferable that a trivalent or higher raw material monomer is contained in at least one of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component as a cross-linking agent. The content of the trivalent or higher raw material monomer is preferably 0 mol% to 40 mol%, and more preferably 5 mol% to 30 mol% in the total amount of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component.

  In the trivalent or higher raw material monomer, as the trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid compound, for example, trimellitic acid or a derivative thereof is preferable. Examples of the trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol include glycerin, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, sorbitol, or an alkylene (2 to 4 carbon) oxide (average added mole number 1 to 16) adduct thereof. Among these, glycerin is particularly preferable because it not only acts as a crosslinking agent but is also effective in improving low-temperature fixability. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that glycerin is contained as at least one alcohol component of the polyester resins (A) and (B). The content of the glycerin is preferably 5 mol% to 40 mol%, more preferably 10 mol% to 35 mol%, in the alcohol component.

-Esterification catalyst-
The condensation polymerization of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component is preferably performed in the presence of an esterification catalyst. Examples of the esterification catalyst include Lewis acids such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, titanium compounds, and tin (II) compounds having no Sn—C bond, and these are used alone or in combination. . Among these, a titanium compound and a tin (II) compound having no Sn—C bond are particularly preferable.

As the titanium compound, a titanium compound having a Ti—O bond is preferable, and a compound having an alkoxy group having 1 to 28 carbon atoms, an alkenyloxy group, or an acyloxy group is more preferable.
Examples of the titanium compound include titanium diisopropylate bistriethanolamate [Ti (C ₆ H ₁₄ O ₃ N) ₂ (C ₃ H ₇ O) ₂ ], titanium diisopropylate bisdiethanolamate [Ti (C ₄ H ₁₀ O ₂ N) ₂ (C ₃ H ₇ O) ₂ ], titanium dipentylate bistriethanolamate [Ti (C ₆ H ₁₄ O ₃ N) ₂ (C ₅ H ₁₁ O) ₂ ], titanium diethylate bis triethanolaminate _{[Ti (C 6 H 14 O 3} N) 2 (C 2 H 5 O) 2 ], titanium dihydroxy octylate bis triethanolaminate _{[Ti (C 6 H 14 O 3} N) 2 (OHC 8 H ₁₆ O) _2], titanium distearate bis triethanolaminate _{[Ti (C 6 H 14 O 3} N) 2 (C 18 H 37 O) 2 ], Chitanto Isopropylate triethanolaminate _{[Ti (C 6 H 14 O 3} N) 1 (C 3 H 7 O) 3 ], titanium monopropylate tris (triethanolaminate) _{[Ti (C 6 H 14 O 3} N) ₃ (C ₃ H ₇ O) ₁ ] and the like. Among these, titanium diisopropylate bistriethanolaminate, titanium diisopropylate bisdiethanolamate, and titanium dipentylate bistriethanolaminate are particularly preferable. It is.

Other preferred titanium compounds include, for example, tetra-n-butyl titanate [Ti (C ₄ H ₉ O) ₄ ], tetrapropyl titanate [Ti (C ₃ H ₇ O) ₄ ], tetrastearyl titanate [Ti (C ₁₈ H ₃₇ O) ₄ ], tetramyristyl titanate [Ti (C ₁₄ H ₂₉ O) ₄ ], tetraoctyl titanate [Ti (C ₈ H ₁₇ O) ₄ ], dioctyl dihydroxyoctyl titanate [Ti (C ₈ H ₁₇ O) ₂ (OHC ₈ H ₁₆ O) ₂ ], dimyristyl dioctyl titanate [Ti (C ₁₄ H ₂₉ O) ₂ (C ₈ H ₁₇ O) ₂ ] and the like. Among these, tetrastearyl titanate, tetramyristyl titanate, tetraoctyl titanate, and dioctyl dihydroxy octyl titanate are preferable. These can be obtained by reacting, for example, titanium halide with a corresponding alcohol. It is also available as a commercial product.
The abundance of the titanium compound is preferably 0.01 parts by mass to 1.0 part by mass, and 0.1 parts by mass to 0.7 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component. Is more preferable.

Examples of the tin (II) compound having no Sn—C bond include a tin (II) compound having a Sn—O bond, and a tin (II) having a Sn—X bond (where X represents a halogen atom). A compound etc. are preferable and the tin (II) compound which has a Sn-O bond is more preferable.
Examples of the tin (II) compound having a Sn-O bond include tin (II) oxalate, tin (II) diacetate, tin (II) dioctanoate, tin (II) dilaurate, and tin (II) distearate. Tin (II) carboxylate having a carboxylic acid group having 2 to 28 carbon atoms, such as tin (II) dioleate; dioctyloxytin (II), dilauroxytin (II), distearoxytin (II), dioleoxytin (II) Dialkoxytin (II) having an alkoxy group having 2 to 28 carbon atoms such as tin oxide (II) and tin sulfate (II).
Examples of the compound having the Sn-X (wherein X represents a halogen atom) bond include tin (II) halides such as tin (II) chloride and tin (II) bromide, among these. And fatty acid tin (II) represented by (R ¹ COO) ₂ Sn (wherein R ¹ represents an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 5 to 19 carbon atoms), (R 1 ² O) ₂ Sn (provided that, ^{R 2} is dialkoxy tin represented by an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms) (II), tin oxide represented by SnO (II) are preferred, ( Fatty acid tin (II) and tin (II) oxide represented by R ¹ COO) ₂ Sn are more preferable, and tin (II) dioctanoate, tin (II) distearate, and tin (II) oxide are more preferable.
The abundance of the tin (II) compound having no Sn—C bond is preferably 0.01 parts by mass to 1.0 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component. 0.1 parts by mass to 0.7 parts by mass is more preferable.

When the titanium compound and the tin (II) compound having no Sn-C bond are used in combination, the total amount of the titanium compound and the tin (II) compound is 100% of the total amount of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component. 0.01 mass part-1.0 mass part is preferable with respect to a mass part, and 0.1 mass part-0.7 mass part is more preferable.
The condensation polymerization of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component can be performed, for example, at a temperature of 180 ° C. to 250 ° C. in an inert gas atmosphere in the presence of the esterification catalyst. The softening point of the polyester resin can be adjusted by the reaction time.

  The glass transition temperatures of the polyester resins (A) and (B) are preferably 45 ° C to 75 ° C, more preferably 50 ° C to 70 ° C, and more preferably 50 ° C to 65 ° C from the viewpoints of fixability, storage stability and durability. More preferred is ° C. The acid value is preferably 1 mgKOH / g to 80 mgKOH / g, more preferably 10 mgKOH / g to 50 mgKOH / g, from the viewpoints of chargeability and environmental stability.

  In the present invention, the polyester resins (A) and (B) are preferably amorphous polyesters different from crystallinity. In the present specification, “amorphous polyester” refers to a polyester having a difference between the softening point and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of 30 ° C. or more.

  The polyester resins (A) and (B) may be modified polyester resins. The modified polyester resin refers to a polyester resin grafted or blocked with phenol, urethane or the like.

  The binder resin is used in combination with a known binder resin, for example, a vinyl resin such as styrene-acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a polycarbonate, a polyurethane, or the like, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. However, the total content of the polyester resin (A) and the polyester resin (B) is preferably 70% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, and 90% by mass or more in the binder resin. More preferably, it is particularly preferably 100% by mass.

-Release agent-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said mold release agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective from well-known things, A wax is preferable. Examples of the wax include aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes such as low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight polypropylene, polyolefin wax, microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax and sazol wax; and oxidation of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes such as oxidized polyethylene wax. Or plant copolymers thereof; plant waxes such as candelilla wax, carnauba wax, wood wax, jojoba wax; animal waxes such as beeswax, lanolin, spermaceti; mineral waxes such as ozokerite, ceresin, petrolatum; Examples thereof include waxes mainly composed of fatty acid esters such as montanic acid ester wax and castor wax; those obtained by partially or fully deoxidizing fatty acid esters such as deoxidized carnauba wax.

Examples of the release agent include saturated straight chain fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, montanic acid, straight chain alkyl carboxylic acids having a straight chain alkyl group; plandic acid, eleostearic acid, valinal acid, and the like. Unsaturated fatty acids; Stearyl alcohol, eicosyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, carnaupyl alcohol, seryl alcohol, mesyl alcohol, long-chain alkyl alcohol and other saturated alcohols; sorbitol and other polyhydric alcohols; linoleic acid amide, olefinic acid amide, lauric acid Fatty acid amides such as acid amides; saturated fatty acid bisamides such as methylene biscapric acid amide, ethylene bislauric acid amide, hexamethylene bisstearic acid amide; ethylene bisoleic acid amide, hexamethylene bisoleic acid amide, N, N′- Unsaturated fatty acid amides such as dioleyl adipic acid amide and N, N′-dioleyl sepacic acid amide; Aromatic bisamides such as m-xylene bis-stearic acid amide and N, N-distearyl isophthalic acid amide; Fatty acid metal salts such as calcium phosphate, calcium laurate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate; wax grafted with aliphatic hydrocarbon wax using vinyl monomers such as styrene and acrylic acid; fatty acids such as behenic acid monoglyceride and the like Examples include partial ester compounds of polyhydric alcohols; methyl ester compounds having a hydroxyl group obtained by hydrogenating vegetable oils and the like.
Further, polyolefins obtained by radical polymerization of olefins under high pressure, polyolefins obtained by purifying low molecular weight by-products obtained during polymerization of high molecular weight polyolefins, polyolefins polymerized using catalysts such as Ziegler catalysts and metallocene catalysts under low pressure, radiation, electromagnetic waves Or synthesized using light-polymerized polyolefin, low-molecular-weight polyolefin obtained by pyrolyzing high-molecular-weight polyolefin, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, Jintole method, hydrocol method, age method, etc. A hydrocarbon wax, a synthetic wax using a compound having one carbon atom as a monomer, a hydrocarbon wax having a functional group such as a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group, a hydrocarbon wax and a hydrocarbon wax having a functional group Compounds, styrene these waxes as a matrix, maleic acid ester, acrylate, methacrylate, graft-modified wax with such vinyl monomers of maleic acid.
In addition, these release agents may be obtained by using a press sweating method, a solvent method, a recrystallization method, a vacuum distillation method, a supercritical gas extraction method, or a liquid crystal deposition method to sharpen the molecular weight distribution, or a low molecular weight solid fatty acid. , Low molecular weight solid alcohol, low molecular weight solid compound, and other impurities are preferably used.
In particular, in the case of a toner manufactured by a pulverization method, it is easy to be pulverized at the interface between the binder resin and the release agent. Although there is a problem, the binder resin in the present invention has very good dispersibility of the release agent, and the release agent is hardly detached from the toner due to the compatible action of the binder resin and the release agent. For this reason, the occurrence of filming is extremely small as compared with the conventional toner. For the binder resin used in the present invention, among the above release agents, carnauba wax is more preferable because it exhibits the best dispersibility. Among the carnauba waxes, those from which free fatty acids have been eliminated are particularly preferred.

The melting point of the release agent is preferably 60 ° C. to 120 ° C., more preferably 70 ° C. to 110 ° C., in order to balance the fixability and the offset resistance. When the melting point is less than 60 ° C., the blocking resistance may be lowered, and when it exceeds 120 ° C., the anti-offset effect may be hardly exhibited.
Further, by using two or more different types of release agents in combination, the plasticizing action and the release action, which are the actions of the release agent, can be expressed simultaneously. Examples of the type of release agent having a plasticizing action include a release agent having a low melting point, a branch having a molecular structure, and a structure having a polar group. Examples of the mold release agent having a mold release action include a mold release agent having a high melting point, and examples of the molecular structure include a linear structure and a non-polar one having no functional group. Examples of use include a combination of two or more different release agents having a melting point difference of 10 to 100 ° C., a combination of polyolefin and graft-modified polyolefin, and the like.
When selecting two types of release agents, in the case of a release agent having the same structure, a release agent having a relatively low melting point exerts a plasticizing action, and a release agent having a high melting point is released. Demonstrate the effect. At this time, when the difference in melting point is 10 ° C. to 100 ° C., functional separation is effectively expressed. If it is less than 10 ° C., the function separation effect may be difficult to appear, and if it exceeds 100 ° C., the function may not be emphasized by interaction. At this time, the melting point of at least one mold release agent is preferably 60 ° C to 120 ° C, and more preferably 70 ° C to 110 ° C, since it tends to easily exhibit the function separation effect.

As the release agent, those having a branched structure, those having a polar group such as a functional group, and those modified with a component different from the main component exhibit a plastic action, and have a more linear structure, Nonpolar or non-denatured straight ones that do not have a functional group exhibit a releasing action. Preferred combinations include polyethylene homopolymers or copolymers based on ethylene and polyolefin homopolymers or copolymers based on olefins other than ethylene, combinations of polyolefins and graft-modified polyolefins, alcohol waxes, fatty acid waxes or ester waxes. And hydrocarbon wax combinations, Fischer-Tropsch wax or polyolefin wax and paraffin wax or microcrystal wax combination, Fischer-Tropsch wax and polyolefin wax combination, paraffin wax and microcrystal wax combination, carnauba wax, can Delila wax, rice wax or montan wax and hydrocarbon wax The combination of the scan and the like.
In any case, since it becomes easy to balance the toner storage stability and the fixing property, in the endothermic peak observed in the DSC measurement of the toner, the peak top temperature of the maximum peak is in the region of 60 ° C to 120 ° C. It is more preferable that it has a maximum peak in the region of 70 ° C to 110 ° C. In the present invention, the temperature at the peak top of the maximum endothermic peak of the release agent (wax) measured by DSC is defined as the melting point of the release agent.
Here, a differential scanning calorimeter (manufactured by Shimadzu Corp., TA-60WS and DSC-60) was used as a DSC measuring instrument for the release agent or toner, and the DSC curve was measured. As a measuring method, it was performed according to ASTM D3418-82. The DSC curve used in the present invention was one that was measured when the temperature was raised at a temperature rate of 10 ° C./min after raising and lowering the temperature once and taking a previous history.
The content of the release agent in the toner is preferably 0.2 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin, but a preferable dispersion state is more preferable. 3 mass parts-15 mass parts is still more preferable.

-Colorant-
The colorant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known dyes and pigments according to the purpose. 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, Lead Red, Lead Red, Cadmium Red, Cad Muum Mercury Red, Antimon Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, PA Red, Faise Red, Parachlor Ortho Nitroaniline Red, Resol Fast Scarlet G, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmine BS, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Risor 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 B, Rhodamine Lake Y, Alizarin Lake, Thioindigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon, Oh Lured, Quinacridone Red, Pyrazolone Red, Polyazo 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, Oxidation Chrome, Pyridian, Emerald Green, Pigment Green B, Naphthol Green B, Green Gold, Ash Examples include degreen lake, malachite green lake, phthalocyanine green, anthraquinone green, titanium oxide, zinc white, and lithobon. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a color of the said coloring agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the thing for black, the thing for color, etc. are mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
Examples of the black material include carbon black (CI pigment black 7) such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black, copper, iron (CI pigment black 11), and titanium oxide. And organic pigments such as aniline black (CI Pigment Black 1).
Examples of the magenta color pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Red 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 48: 1, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 53: 1, 54, 55, 57, 57: 1, 58, 60, 63, 64, 68, 81, 83, 87, 88, 89, 90, 112, 114, 122, 123, 163, 177, 179, 202, 206, 207, 209, 211; C.I. I. Pigment violet 19; C.I. I. Bat red 1, 2, 10, 13, 15, 23, 29, 35, etc. are mentioned.
Examples of the color pigment for cyan include C.I. I. Pigment Blue 2, 3, 15, 15: 1, 15: 2, 15: 3, 15: 4, 15: 6, 16, 17, 60; I. Bat Blue 6; C.I. I. Acid Blue 45, copper phthalocyanine pigments having 1 to 5 phthalimidomethyl groups substituted on the phthalocyanine skeleton, green 7 and green 36, and the like.
Examples of the color pigment for yellow include C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 0-16, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 55, 65, 73, 74, 83, 97, 110, 151, 154, 180; C.I. I. Bat yellow 1, 3, 20, orange 36 and the like.

  The content of the colorant in the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 1% by mass to 15% by mass, and more preferably 3% by mass to 10% by mass. When the content is less than 1% by mass, a reduction in the coloring power of the toner is observed. When the content exceeds 15% by mass, poor pigment dispersion in the toner occurs, the coloring power decreases, The characteristics may be degraded.

  The colorant may be used as a master batch combined with a resin. The resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, styrene or a substituted polymer thereof, styrene copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate resin, polybutyl Methacrylate resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene Examples thereof include resins, aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, alicyclic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic petroleum resins, chlorinated paraffins, and paraffins. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of the styrene or substituted polymer thereof include polyester resin, polystyrene resin, poly p-chlorostyrene resin, and polyvinyl toluene resin. Examples of the styrene copolymer include a styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymer, a styrene-propylene copolymer, a styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, a styrene-vinylnaphthalene copolymer, and a styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer. Polymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate 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, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene An acrylonitrile-indene copolymer, Styrene - maleic acid copolymer, styrene - like maleic acid ester copolymer.

  The masterbatch can be produced by mixing or kneading the masterbatch resin and the colorant under high shear. At this time, it is preferable to add an organic solvent in order to enhance the interaction between the colorant and the resin. Also, the so-called flushing method is preferable in that the wet cake of the colorant can be used as it is, and there is no need to dry it. The flushing method is a method of mixing or kneading an aqueous paste containing water of a colorant together with a resin and an organic solvent, and transferring the colorant to the resin side to remove moisture and the organic solvent component. For the mixing or kneading, for example, a high shear dispersion device such as a three-roll mill is preferably used.

-Charge control agent-
In the present invention, a charge control agent for controlling the charge amount of the toner may be used. The charge control agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. However, since a color tone may change when a colored material is used, a colorless or nearly white material is preferable. For example, triphenylmethane dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (including fluorine-modified quaternary ammonium salts), alkylamides, phosphorus alone or compounds thereof, tungsten alone Or a compound thereof, a fluorine-based activator, a metal salt of salicylic acid, a metal salt of a salicylic acid derivative, and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Commercially available products may be used as the charge control agent. Examples of the commercially available products include quaternary ammonium salt Bontron P-51, oxynaphthoic acid metal complex E-82, and salicylic acid metal complex. E-84, E-89 of phenol-based condensate (both manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.); TP-302, TP-415 of quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex (both manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.) ); Quaternary ammonium salt copy charge PSY VP2038, triphenylmethane derivative copy blue PR, quaternary ammonium salt copy charge NEG VP2036, copy charge NX VP434 (both manufactured by Hoechst); LRA-901, boron Complex LR-147 (Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd.); quinacridone, azo face Examples thereof include polymeric compounds having a functional group such as a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, and a quaternary ammonium salt.

The charge control agent may be melted and kneaded with the master batch and then dissolved or dispersed, or may be added together with the toner components when directly dissolving or dispersing in the organic solvent, or the toner. You may fix to the toner surface after particle manufacture.
The content of the charge control agent in the toner varies depending on the type of the binder resin, the presence / absence of an additive, a dispersion method, and the like, and cannot be generally specified. On the other hand, 0.1 mass part-10 mass parts are preferable, and 0.2 mass part-5 mass parts are more preferable. When the content is less than 0.1 parts by mass, the charge controllability may not be obtained. When the content exceeds 10 parts by mass, the chargeability of the toner becomes too large and the effect of the main charge control agent is reduced. As a result, the electrostatic attractive force with the developing roller increases, which may lead to a decrease in developer fluidity and a decrease in image density.

-External additive-
The external additive is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, silica fine particles, hydrophobized silica fine particles, fatty acid metal salts (for example, zinc stearate, And aluminum oxide stearate); metal oxides (for example, titania, alumina, tin oxide, antimony oxide, etc.) or their hydrophobized products, fluoropolymers, and the like. Among these, hydrophobized silica fine particles, titania particles, and hydrophobized titania fine particles are preferable.

  Examples of the silica fine particles include HDK H 2000, HDK H 2000/4, HDK H 2050EP, HVK21, HDK H1303 (all manufactured by Hoechst); R972, R974, RX200, RY200, R202, R805, R812 (all Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.). Examples of the titania fine particles include P-25 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.); STT-30, STT-65C-S (both manufactured by Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); TAF-140 (manufactured by Fuji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); Examples include MT-150W, MT-500B, MT-600B, MT-150A (all manufactured by Teika Corporation). Examples of the hydrophobized titanium oxide fine particles include T-805 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.); STT-30A, STT-65S-S (both manufactured by Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); TAF-500T, TAF-1500T. (Both manufactured by Fuji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); MT-100S, MT-100T (both manufactured by Teika Co., Ltd.); IT-S (produced by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.) and the like.

In order to obtain the hydrophobized silica fine particles, the hydrophobized titania fine particles, and the hydrophobized alumina fine particles, the hydrophilic fine particles are made of silane cups such as methyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, and octyltrimethoxysilane. It can be obtained by treating with a ring agent.
Examples of the hydrophobizing agent include silane coupling agents such as dialkyl dihalogenated silanes, trialkyl halogenated silanes, alkyl trihalogenated silanes, and hexaalkyldisilazanes, silylating agents, and silane couplings having a fluorinated alkyl group. Agents, organic titanate coupling agents, aluminum coupling agents, silicone oils, silicone varnishes and the like.

In addition, silicone oil-treated inorganic fine particles obtained by treating the inorganic fine particles with silicone oil if necessary are also suitable.
Examples of the inorganic fine particles include silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, iron oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, silica Examples include apatite, diatomaceous earth, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, pengala, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, parium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. Among these, silica and titanium dioxide are particularly preferable.
The silicone oil is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, dimethyl silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil, chlorophenyl silicone oil, methyl hydrogen silicone oil, alkyl-modified silicone oil, fluorine-modified Silicone oil, polyether modified silicone oil, alcohol modified silicone oil, amino modified silicone oil, epoxy modified silicone oil, epoxy / polyether modified silicone oil, phenol modified silicone oil, carboxyl modified silicone oil, mercapto modified silicone oil, acrylic modified silicone Examples thereof include oil, methacryl-modified silicone oil, and α-methylstyrene-modified silicone oil.

The average particle size of primary particles of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 1 nm to 100 nm, and more preferably 3 nm to 70 nm. When the average particle size is less than 1 nm, the inorganic fine particles are embedded in the toner, and the function may not be effectively exhibited. When the average particle size exceeds 100 nm, the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier is damaged unevenly May end up. As the external additive, inorganic fine particles and hydrophobized inorganic particles can be used in combination. The average particle size of the hydrophobized primary particles is preferably 1 nm to 100 nm, and more preferably 5 nm to 70 nm. More preferably, the primary particles subjected to the hydrophobization treatment include at least two types of inorganic fine particles having an average particle diameter of 20 nm or less and at least one type of inorganic fine particles of 30 nm or more. Further, BET specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles ^is preferably 20m ² / g~500m 2 / g.
The amount of the external additive added is preferably 0.1% by mass to 5% by mass and more preferably 0.3% by mass to 3% by mass with respect to the toner.

  Resin fine particles can also be added as the external additive. For example, polystyrene obtained by soap-free emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, or dispersion polymerization; copolymer of methacrylic acid ester, acrylic acid ester; condensation polymerization system such as silicone, benzoguanamine, nylon; polymer particles by thermosetting resin It is done. By using such resin fine particles in combination, the chargeability of the toner can be enhanced, the reversely charged toner can be reduced, and the background stain can be reduced. The addition amount of the resin fine particles is preferably 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, and more preferably 0.1% by mass to 2% by mass with respect to the toner.

-Other ingredients-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said other component, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a fluidity improver, a cleaning property improver, a magnetic material, a metal soap, etc. are mentioned.

The fluidity improver can be surface-treated to increase hydrophobicity and prevent deterioration of fluidity and charging characteristics even under high humidity. For example, a silane coupling agent, a silylating agent, Silane coupling agents having an alkyl group, organic titanate coupling agents, aluminum coupling agents, silicone oils, modified silicone oils, and the like.
The cleaning improver is added to the toner in order to remove the developer after transfer remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier and the intermediate transfer member. For example, fatty acid such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, etc. Metal salts; 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 those having a volume average particle size of 0.01 to 1 μm are suitable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said magnetic material, According to the objective, it can select suitably from well-known things, For example, iron powder, a magnetite, a ferrite etc. are mentioned. Among these, white is preferable in terms of color tone.

-Toner production method-
The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose from conventionally known toner production methods. For example, a kneading / pulverizing method, a polymerization method, a dissolution suspension method, The spray granulation method etc. are mentioned.

--Kneading and grinding method--
The kneading and pulverization method includes, for example, melting and kneading a toner material containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, a release agent, and a layered inorganic mineral, pulverizing and classifying the obtained kneaded material, This is a method for producing toner base particles.
In the melt kneading, the toner materials are mixed, and the mixture is charged into a melt kneader and melt kneaded. As the melt kneader, for example, a uniaxial or biaxial continuous kneader or a batch kneader using a roll mill can be used. For example, a KTK type twin screw extruder manufactured by Kobe Steel, a TEM type extruder manufactured by Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd., a twin screw extruder manufactured by Casey Kay Co., Ltd., a PCM type twin screw extruder manufactured by Ikegai Co., Ltd. Used. This melt-kneading is preferably 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 determined with reference to the softening point of the binder resin. If the temperature is higher than the softening point, cutting is severe, and if the temperature is too low, dispersion may not proceed.

  In the pulverization, the kneaded product obtained by the kneading is pulverized. In this pulverization, it is preferable that the kneaded material is first coarsely pulverized and then finely pulverized. At this time, a method of pulverizing by colliding with a collision plate in a jet stream, pulverizing particles by colliding with each other in a jet stream, or pulverizing with a narrow gap between a mechanically rotating rotor and a stator is preferably used.

In the classification, the pulverized product obtained by the pulverization is classified and adjusted to particles having a predetermined particle diameter. The classification can be performed, for example, by removing the fine particle portion with a cyclone, a decanter, a centrifuge, or the like.
After the pulverization and classification are completed, the pulverized product is classified into an air stream by centrifugal force or the like, and toner base particles having a predetermined particle diameter can be produced.

  Next, the external additive is externally added to the toner base particles. By mixing and stirring the toner base particles and the external additive using a mixer, the surface of the toner base particles is coated while being crushed. At this time, it is important from the viewpoint of durability that the external additives such as inorganic fine particles and resin fine particles are uniformly and firmly attached to the toner base particles.

--- Polymerization method--
As a method for producing a toner by the polymerization method, for example, a toner material containing a modified polyester resin capable of at least urea or urethane bond, a colorant, a release agent, and a layered inorganic mineral is dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent. . Then, the solution or dispersion is dispersed in an aqueous medium, subjected to a polyaddition reaction, the solvent of this dispersion is removed and washed.

  Examples of the modified polyester resin capable of being bonded with urea or urethane include, for example, polyester prepolymer having an isocyanate group obtained by reacting a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group at a terminal of a polyester with a polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC). Can be mentioned. The modified polyester resin obtained by crosslinking and / or extending the molecular chain by the reaction of this polyester prepolymer and amines can improve the hot offset property while maintaining the low temperature fixability.

Examples of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) include aliphatic polyisocyanates (tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,6-diisocyanatomethylcaproate, etc.); alicyclic polyisocyanates (isophorone diisocyanate, cyclohexylmethane). Aromatic diisocyanates (tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, etc.); araliphatic diisocyanates (α, α, α ′, α′-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, etc.); isocyanates; And those blocked with oxime, caprolactam, and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The ratio of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) is preferably 5/1 to 1/1 as an equivalent ratio [NCO] / [OH] of the isocyanate group [NCO] and the hydroxyl group [OH] of the polyester having a hydroxyl group, 4/1 to 1.2 / 1 is more preferable, and 2.5 / 1 to 1.5 / 1 is still more preferable.

  The number of isocyanate groups contained per molecule in the polyester prepolymer (A) having the isocyanate group is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1.5 to 3 on average, and 1.8 to 2.5 on average. Is more preferable.

Examples of amines (B) to be reacted with the polyester prepolymer include divalent amine compounds (B1), trivalent or higher polyvalent amine compounds (B2), amino alcohols (B3), amino mercaptans (B4), amino acids (B5). ), B1 to B5 amino groups blocked (B6), and the like.
Examples of the divalent amine compound (B1) include aromatic diamines (phenylenediamine, diethyltoluenediamine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, etc.); alicyclic diamines (4,4′-diamino-3,3′-). Dimethyl dicyclohexyl methane, diamine cyclohexane, isophorone diamine, etc.); aliphatic diamines (ethylene diamine, tetramethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, etc.) and the like.
Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent amine compound (B2) include diethylenetriamine and triethylenetetramine.
Examples of the amino alcohol (B3) include ethanolamine and hydroxyethylaniline.
Examples of the amino mercaptan (B4) include aminoethyl mercaptan and aminopropyl mercaptan.
Examples of the amino acid (B5) include aminopropionic acid and aminocaproic acid.
Examples of the B1 to B5 amino group blocked (B6) include ketimine compounds and oxazolidine compounds obtained from the B1 to B5 amines and ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, etc.). . Among these amines (B), B1 and a mixture of B1 and a small amount of B2 are particularly preferable.

  The ratio of the amines (B) is equivalent to the equivalent ratio [NCO] / [NHx of the isocyanate group [NCO] in the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group and the amino group [NHx] in the amine (B). ] Is preferably 1/2 to 2/1, more preferably 1.5 / 1 to 1 / 1.5, and still more preferably 1.2 / 1 to 1 / 1.2.

  According to the method for producing a toner by the polymerization method as described above, a toner having a small particle diameter and a spherical shape can be produced at low cost with little environmental load.

  The coloration of the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and may be at least one selected from black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner. Can be obtained by appropriately selecting the type of the colorant, and is preferably a color toner.

The volume average particle diameter of the toner is preferably 4 μm to 12 μm, and more preferably 4 μm to 10 μm. When the volume average particle size is less than 4 μm, it is advantageous for obtaining a high-resolution and high-quality image, but tends to be disadvantageous for transferability and cleaning properties. Also, the smaller the toner particle size, the easier it is for the toner to fuse to the carrier surface, and the chargeability of the carrier may be reduced faster. On the other hand, when the volume average particle diameter exceeds 12 μm, it may be difficult to obtain a high-resolution image.
The same applies to the ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter of the toner (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter). That is, if the number average particle diameter is too large with respect to the volume average particle diameter, the toner may be easily fused to the carrier surface because there are many fine powders. Accordingly, the ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter) of the toner is preferably 1.20 or less.

Here, Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) is used as a toner particle size distribution measuring apparatus. The measurement method is described below.
First, 0.1 ml to 5 ml of a surfactant (preferably alkylbenzene sulfonate) is added as a dispersing agent to 100 ml to 150 ml of an electrolytic aqueous solution. Here, the electrolytic solution is prepared by preparing a 1% by mass NaCl aqueous solution using first grade sodium chloride, and for example, ISOTON-II (manufactured by Coulter) can be used. Here, 2 to 20 mg of a measurement sample is further added. The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes. Volume distribution and number distribution are calculated. From the obtained distribution, the volume average particle diameter and number average particle diameter of the toner can be obtained.

-Average circularity-
The average circularity of the toner is 0.93 to 0.97. When the average circularity is 0.93 or more, the primary transfer from the electrostatic latent image bearing member to the transfer paper or the intermediate transfer member or the secondary transfer property from the intermediate transfer member to the transfer paper becomes good, and 0.97 or less. Thus, the cleaning property of the toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier is improved.
Here, the average circularity of the toner can be measured as follows.
Ultra fine toner is measured using a flow type particle image analyzer (“FPIA-2100”; manufactured by Sysmex Corporation), and analyzed using analysis software (FPIA-2100 Data Processing Program for FPIA version 00-10). It was. Specifically, 0.1% to 0.5 ml of 10% by weight surfactant (alkylbenzene sulfonate, Neogen SC-A, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) is added to a glass 100 ml beaker, and each toner 0 is added. 0.1 g to 0.5 g was added, and the mixture was stirred with a micropartel, and then 80 ml of ion-exchanged water was added. The obtained dispersion was subjected to a dispersion treatment for 3 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser (manufactured by Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.). The shape and distribution of the toner were measured using the FPIA-2100 until the concentration of the dispersion was 5,000 / μl to 15,000 / μl. In this measurement method, it is important that the concentration of the dispersion is 5,000 / μl to 15,000 / μl from the viewpoint of measurement reproducibility of average circularity. In order to obtain the dispersion concentration, it is necessary to change the conditions of the dispersion, that is, the amount of surfactant to be added and the amount of toner. The amount of the surfactant varies depending on the hydrophobicity of the toner as in the measurement of the toner particle diameter described above. If it is added in a large amount, noise due to bubbles is generated. It will be enough. Further, the amount of toner added differs from the particle size, and is small for small particles and needs to be increased for large particles. When the toner particle size is 3 μm to 7 μm, the toner amount is 0.1 g to 0 g. By adding 0.5 g, the dispersion concentration can be adjusted to 5,000 / μl to 15,000 / μl.

(Developer)
The developer of the present invention contains at least the toner of the present invention, and other components such as a carrier selected appropriately. The developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer. However, when it is used for a high-speed printer or the like corresponding to the recent improvement in information processing speed, the life is improved. In view of the above, the two-component developer is preferable.
In the case of the one-component developer using the toner, even if the balance of the toner is performed, there is little fluctuation in the particle diameter of the toner, the filming of the toner on the developing roller as the developer carrying member, and the thinning of the toner are performed. There is no fusion of toner to a layer thickness regulating member such as a blade for layering, and good and stable developability and images can be obtained even when the developing means is used for a long time (stirring). Further, in the case of the two-component developer using the toner, even if the toner balance is maintained over a long period of time, the toner particle diameter in the developer is small, and even if it is stirred for a long time in the developing means, it is good and stable. Developability is obtained.

-Career-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said carrier, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, What has a core material and the resin layer which coat | covers this core material is preferable.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said core material, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, 50-90 emu / g manganese-strontium (Mn-Sr) type material, manganese-magnesium (Mn-) Mg) -based materials and the like are preferable, and highly magnetized materials such as iron powder (100 emu / g or more) and magnetite (75 to 120 emu / g) are preferable in terms of securing image density. In addition, the copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) system (30 to 80 emu / g) or the like is advantageous in that it can weaken the contact with the electrostatic latent image carrier in which the toner is in a spiked state, and is advantageous in improving the image quality. The weakly magnetized material is preferred. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The particle diameter of the core material is preferably an average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ )) of 10 μm to 200 μm, and more preferably 40 μm to 100 μm. When the average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ )) is less than 10 μm, the distribution of carrier particles may increase the number of fine powders, lower the magnetization per particle, and cause carrier scattering. If the thickness exceeds 200 μm, the specific surface area may decrease and toner scattering may occur. In the case of a full color having a large solid portion, the reproduction of the solid portion may be deteriorated.

  The material of the resin layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known resins according to the purpose. For example, amino resins, polyvinyl resins, polystyrene resins, halogenated olefin resins, polyesters Resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene resin, polyvinyl fluoride resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, polytrifluoroethylene resin, polyhexafluoropropylene resin, copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and acrylic monomer, vinylidene fluoride and Copolymers with vinyl fluoride, fluoroterpolymers (triple fluoride (multiple) copolymer) such as terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride and non-fluorinated monomers, silicone resins, etc. . These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, a silicone resin is particularly preferable.

The silicone resin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose from generally known silicone resins. For example, a straight silicone resin consisting only of an organosilosan bond; an alkyd resin, Examples thereof include polyester resins, epoxy resins, acrylic resins, silicone resins modified with urethane resins, and the like.
Commercially available products can be used as the silicone resin. Examples of straight silicone resins include KR271, KR255, and KR152 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd .; SR2400, SR2406, and SR2410 manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd. Etc.
Commercially available products can be used as the modified silicone resin. For example, KR206 (alkyd modified), KR5208 (acryl modified), ES1001N (epoxy modified), KR305 (urethane modified) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd .; SR2115 (epoxy-modified), SR2110 (alkyd-modified) manufactured by Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd., and the like.
In addition, although a silicone resin can be used alone, it is also possible to simultaneously use a component that undergoes a crosslinking reaction, a charge amount adjusting component, and the like.

  The resin layer may contain conductive powder or the like as necessary. Examples of the conductive powder include metal powder, carbon black, titanium oxide, tin oxide, and zinc oxide. The average particle diameter of these conductive powders is preferably 1 μm or less. When the average particle diameter exceeds 1 μm, it may be difficult to control electric resistance.

For example, the resin layer is prepared by dissolving the silicone resin or the like in a solvent to prepare a coating solution, and then uniformly coating the coating solution on the surface of the core material by a known coating method, drying, and baking. It can be formed by doing. Examples of the application method include an immersion method, a spray method, and a brush coating method.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said solvent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cellosolve, butyl acetate, etc. are mentioned.
The baking is not particularly limited, and may be an external heating method or an internal heating method. For example, a stationary electric furnace, a fluid electric furnace, a rotary electric furnace, a burner furnace, etc. The method of using, the method of using a microwave, etc. are mentioned.

  The amount of the resin layer in the carrier is preferably 0.01% by mass to 5.0% by mass. When the amount is less than 0.01% by mass, the uniform resin layer may not be formed on the surface of the core material. When the amount exceeds 5.0% by mass, the resin layer becomes thick. In some cases, granulation of carriers occurs, and uniform carrier particles may not be obtained.

When the developer is a two-component developer, the content of the carrier in the two-component developer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. 98 mass% is preferable and 93 mass%-97 mass% are more preferable.
In general, the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier of the two-component developer is preferably 1 part by mass to 10.0 parts by mass of the toner with respect to 100 parts by mass of the carrier.

(Image forming apparatus and image forming method)
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, and a cleaning unit, and further if necessary. And other means appropriately selected, for example, static elimination means, recycling means, control means, and the like. The charging unit and the exposure unit may be collectively referred to as an electrostatic latent image forming unit.
The image forming method of the present invention comprises at least a charging step, an exposure step, a developing step, a transfer step, a fixing step, and a cleaning step, and further other steps appropriately selected as necessary, for example, , A static elimination process, a recycling process, a control process, and the like. The charging process and the exposure process may be collectively referred to as an electrostatic latent image forming process.

  The image forming method of the present invention can be preferably carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the charging step can be performed by the charging unit, the exposure step can be performed by the exposing unit, The developing step can be performed by the developing unit, the transferring step can be performed by the transferring unit, the fixing step can be performed by the fixing unit, and the cleaning step can be performed by the cleaning unit. The other steps can be performed by the other means.

<Electrostatic latent image carrier>
The material, shape, structure, size and the like of the electrostatic latent image carrier are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples of the shape include a drum shape and a sheet. And endless belts. The structure may be a single-layer structure or a laminated structure, and the size may be appropriately selected according to the size and specifications of the image forming apparatus. Examples of the material include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon, selenium, CdS, and ZnO; organic photoreceptors (OPC) such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine, and the like.

  For example, the amorphous silicon photosensitive member is heated to 50 to 400 ° C., and a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, an ion plating method, a thermal CVD method, a photo CVD method, a plasma CVD method, or the like is applied on the support. A photosensitive layer made of a-Si is formed by a film forming method. Among these, the plasma CVD method is particularly preferable, and specifically, a method in which the source gas is decomposed by direct current, high frequency, or microwave glow discharge to form a photosensitive layer made of a-Si on the support is preferable. .

The organic photoreceptor (OPC) has (1) optical characteristics such as a wide light absorption wavelength range and a large amount of light absorption, (2) electrical characteristics such as high sensitivity and stable charging characteristics, (3) In general, it is widely applied because of the wide selection range of materials, (4) ease of production, (5) low cost, and (6) non-toxicity. The layer structure of such an organic photoreceptor is roughly divided into a single layer structure and a laminated structure.
The single-layered photoreceptor has a support and a single-layer type photosensitive layer provided on the support, and further includes a protective layer, an intermediate layer, and other layers as necessary.
The laminated structure of the photoreceptor comprises a support, and a laminate type photosensitive layer having at least a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer in this order on the support, and further includes a protective layer and an intermediate layer as necessary. And other layers.

<Charging step and charging means>
The charging step is a step of charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and is performed by the charging unit.
The charging means is not particularly limited as long as it can apply a voltage to the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member to be uniformly charged, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. (1) Contact type charging means for charging in contact with the electrostatic latent image carrier and (2) Non-contact type charging means for charging in a non-contact manner with the electrostatic latent image carrier.

-Contact charging means-
Examples of the contact type charging means (1) include a conductive or semiconductive charging roller, a magnetic brush, a fur brush, a film, and a rubber blade. Among these, the charging roller can significantly reduce the amount of ozone generated compared to corona discharge, and is excellent in stability during repeated use of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and effective in preventing image quality deterioration. It is.
The magnetic brush includes a non-magnetic conductive sleeve that supports various ferrite particles such as Zn-Cu ferrite, and a magnet roll included in the sleeve. The fur brush is formed by, for example, winding or pasting a fur treated with carbon, copper sulfide, metal, metal oxide, or the like around a metal or a treated metal core.

Here, FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the charging roller. The charging roller 310 includes a cored bar 312 serving as a columnar conductive support, a resistance adjusting layer 313 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cored bar 312, and a surface of the resistance adjusting layer 313. A protective layer 314 which prevents leakage.
The resistance adjusting layer 313 is formed by extruding or injection-molding a thermoplastic resin composition containing at least a thermoplastic resin and a polymer type ionic conductive agent on the peripheral surface of the core metal 312.
The resistivity value of the resistance adjusting layer 313 is preferably 10 ⁶ to 10 ⁹ Ω · cm. When the volume resistivity value exceeds 10 ⁹ Ω · cm, the charge amount is insufficient, and the photosensitive drum may not be able to obtain a sufficient charging potential to obtain a uniform image. If the value is less than 10 ⁶ Ω · cm, there is a risk of leakage to the entire photosensitive drum.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a thermoplastic resin used for the said resistance adjustment layer 313, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Examples thereof include polystyrene (PS) and copolymers thereof (AS, ABS, etc.).

As the polymer-type ion conductive agent, one having a resistance value of about 10 ⁶ to 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm as a single substance and easily reducing the resistance of the resin is used. One example is a compound containing a polyether ester amide component. In order to make the resistance value of the resistance adjusting layer 313 as described above, the blending amount is preferably 30 to 70 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.
In addition, a quaternary ammonium base-containing polymer compound can also be used as the polymer type ion conductive agent. Examples of the quaternary ammonium base-containing polymer compound include quaternary ammonium base-containing polyolefin. In order to set the resistance value of the resistance adjusting layer 312 to the above value, the blending amount is preferably 10 to 40 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

  The polymer type ionic conductive agent can be dispersed in the thermoplastic resin by a biaxial kneader, a kneader or the like. Since the polymer type ion conductive agent is uniformly dispersed in the thermoplastic resin composition at the molecular level, the resistance adjustment layer 313 has a poor dispersion of the conductive material found in the resistance adjustment layer in which the conductive pigment is dispersed. The accompanying resistance value does not vary. In addition, since the polymer type ion conductive agent is a polymer compound, it is uniformly dispersed and fixed in the thermoplastic resin composition, and bleedout hardly occurs.

The protective layer 314 is formed such that its resistance value is larger than the resistance value of the resistance adjustment layer 313. As a result, leakage to the defective portion of the photosensitive drum is avoided. However, if the resistance value of the protective layer 314 is excessively increased, the charging efficiency is lowered. Therefore, the difference between the resistance value of the protective layer 314 and the resistance value of the resistance adjustment layer 313 is preferably 10 ³ Ω · cm or less. .

  As the material for the protective layer 314, a resin material is preferable because of its good film formability. As the resin material, for example, a fluororesin, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, a polyvinyl acetal resin and the like are preferable from the viewpoint of excellent non-adhesiveness and preventing toner adhesion. In addition, since the resin material generally has electrical insulation, if the protective layer 314 is formed of the resin material alone, the characteristics of the charging roller are not satisfied. Therefore, the resistance value of the protective layer 314 is adjusted by dispersing various conductive agents in the resin material. In order to improve the adhesion between the protective layer 314 and the resistance adjustment layer 313, a reactive curing agent such as isocyanate may be dispersed in the resin material.

  The charging roller 310 is connected to a power source and is applied with a predetermined voltage. The voltage may be only a direct current (DC) voltage, but is preferably a voltage obtained by superimposing an alternating current (AC) voltage on a DC voltage. By thus applying the AC voltage, the surface of the photosensitive drum can be more uniformly charged.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example in which a contact-type charging roller 310 as shown in FIG. 1 is applied to an image forming apparatus as a charging unit. In FIG. 2, around the photosensitive drum 321 as an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging means 310 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum, and an exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charging processing surface. 323, a developing unit 324 that forms a visible image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a transfer unit 325 that transfers the visible image formed on the photosensitive drum onto the recording medium 326. The fixing unit 327 for fixing the transfer image on the recording medium, the cleaning unit 330 for removing and collecting the residual toner on the photosensitive drum, and the static eliminating device 331 for removing the residual potential on the photosensitive drum are sequentially provided. It is arranged. As the charging unit 310, a contact type charging roller 310 shown in FIG. 1 is provided, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 321 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 310.

-Non-contact charging means-
The non-contact charging means (2) includes, for example, a non-contact charger using a corona discharge, a needle electrode device, a solid discharge element; a conductive material disposed with a minute gap with respect to the electrostatic latent image carrier. Or a semiconductive charging roller.

The corona discharge is a non-contact charging method that gives positive or negative ions generated by corona discharge in the air to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and gives a constant amount of charge to the electrostatic latent image carrier. There are a coroton charger having characteristics and a scorotron charger having characteristics that give a constant potential.
The coroton charger is composed of a casing electrode that occupies a half space around the discharge wire, and a discharge wire placed almost at the center thereof.
The scorotron charger is obtained by adding a grid electrode to the corotron charger, and the grid electrode is provided at a position 1.0 to 2.0 mm away from the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier.

Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a non-contact type corona charger is applied to an image forming apparatus as a charging unit. In FIG. 3, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As the charging means, a non-contact type corona charger 311 is provided, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 321 is uniformly charged by the corona charger 311.

  As the charging roller disposed with a small gap with respect to the electrostatic latent image carrier, the charging roller is improved so as to have a small gap with respect to the electrostatic latent image carrier. The fine gap is preferably 10 μm to 200 μm, and more preferably 10 μm to 100 μm.

Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a non-contact charging roller. In FIG. 4, the charging roller 310 is disposed with a minute gap H with respect to the photosensitive drum 321. The minute gap H is set by causing the spacer member surface to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 321 by, for example, winding a spacer member having a certain thickness around the non-image forming regions at both ends of the charging roller 310. be able to. In FIG. 4, 304 is a power source.
In FIG. 4, as a method for maintaining the minute gap H, a film 302 is wound around both ends of the charging roller 310 to form a spacer member. The spacer 302 is brought into contact with the photosensitive surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier to obtain a certain minute gap H in the image area of the charging roller and the electrostatic latent image carrier. The applied bias applies an AC superposition type voltage to charge the electrostatic latent image carrier by a discharge generated in a minute gap H between the charging roller and the electrostatic latent image carrier. As shown in FIG. 4, the accuracy of maintaining the minute gap H is improved by pressing the shaft 311 of the charging roller with the spring 303.

The spacer member may be integrally formed with the charging roller. At this time, at least the surface of the gap portion is an insulator. As a result, the discharge at the gap portion is eliminated, and the discharge product is deposited on the gap portion, and the adhesion of the discharge product prevents the toner from adhering to the gap portion and spreading the gap.
Moreover, as the spacer member, a heat shrinkable tube may be used. Examples of such heat-shrinkable tubes include Sumitubes for 105 ° C. (trade name: F105 ° C., manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.).

<Exposure process and exposure means>
The exposure step is a step of exposing the charged electrostatic latent image carrier surface, and is performed by the exposure means.
The exposure can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member imagewise using the exposure unit.
The optical system in the exposure is roughly divided into an analog optical system and a digital optical system. The analog optical system is an optical system that projects an original directly onto an electrostatic latent image carrier by an optical system, and the digital optical system receives image information as an electrical signal and converts it into an optical signal. An optical system that exposes an electrostatic latent image carrier to form an image.
The exposure means is not particularly limited as long as the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member charged by the charging means can be exposed like an image to be formed, and is appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, various exposure devices such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, a liquid crystal shutter optical system, and an LED optical system can be used.
In the present invention, a back light system in which imagewise exposure is performed from the back side of the electrostatic latent image carrier may be employed.

<Development process and development means>
The developing step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner or developer of the present invention to form a visible image.
The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner or the developer, and can be performed by the developing unit.
The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using toner or developer, for example, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, the toner or developer is accommodated, and Preferable examples include those having at least developing means capable of bringing the toner or developer into contact or non-contact with the electrostatic latent image.

  The developing means may be of a dry development type or a wet development type. Further, it may be a monochromatic developing unit or a multi-color developing unit. For example, a stirrer for charging the toner or the developer by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller are provided. Preferred examples include those possessed.

In the developing means, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and stirred, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state, thereby forming a magnetic brush. . Since the magnet roller is disposed in the vicinity of the electrostatic latent image carrier, a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is electrostatically attracted by the static force. It moves to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner, and a visible image is formed with the toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier.
The developer accommodated in the developing unit is a developer containing the toner, but the developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer.

[One-component developer]
As the one-component developing means, for example, a one-component developing device having a developer carrier to which toner is supplied and a layer thickness regulating member that forms a thin layer of toner on the surface of the developer carrier is preferably used. .

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a one-component developing device. This one-component developing device uses a one-component developer made of toner, forms a toner layer on a developing roller 402 as a developer carrying member, and uses the toner layer on the developing roller 402 as an electrostatic latent image carrying member. The photosensitive drum 1 is conveyed so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to perform contact one-component development for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1.

  In FIG. 5, the toner in the casing 401 is agitated by the rotation of an agitator 411 as agitation means and mechanically supplied to a supply roller 412 as a toner supply member. The supply roller 412 is made of foamed polyurethane or the like, has flexibility, and has a structure in which toner is easily held by a cell having a diameter of 50 to 500 μm. Further, the supply roller has a relatively low JIS-A hardness of 10 to 30 °, and can be brought into contact with the developing roller 402 uniformly.

  The supply roller 412 is driven to rotate in the same direction as the developing roller 402, that is, the surface of the supply roller 412 moves in the opposite direction at the opposing portion of both rollers. The linear speed ratio (supply roller / developing roller) of both rollers is preferably 0.5 to 1.5. Further, the supply roller 412 may be rotated so that the surfaces of the supply roller 412 move in the same direction as the developing roller 402, that is, at the opposite portions of the two rollers. In this embodiment, the supply roller 412 rotates in the same direction as the developing roller 402, and the linear speed ratio is set to 0.9. The biting amount of the supply roller 412 with respect to the developing roller 402 is set to 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In the present embodiment, when the unit effective width is 240 mm (A4 size vertical), the required torque is 14.7 to 24.5 N · cm.

The developing roller 402 has a surface layer made of a rubber material on a conductive substrate, has a diameter of 10 to 30 mm, and appropriately roughens the surface to have a surface roughness Rz of 1 to 4 μm. The value of the surface roughness Rz is preferably 13 to 80% with respect to the average particle diameter of the toner. As a result, the toner is conveyed without being buried in the surface of the developing roller 402. In particular, the surface roughness Rz of the developing roller 402 is preferably in the range of 20 to 30% of the average particle size of the toner so as not to retain a remarkably low charged toner.
Examples of the rubber material include silicone rubber, butadiene rubber, NBR rubber, hydrin rubber, EPDM rubber, and the like. Further, it is preferable to coat the surface of the developing roller 402 with a coating layer in order to stabilize the quality with time. Examples of the material for the coating layer include silicone materials and Teflon (registered trademark) materials. The silicone material is excellent in toner chargeability, and the Teflon (registered trademark) material is excellent in releasability. In order to obtain conductivity, a conductive material such as carbon black can be appropriately contained. The thickness of the coat layer is preferably 5 to 50 μm. If it is out of this range, problems such as easy cracking may occur.

Toner having a predetermined polarity (negative polarity in the case of the present embodiment) existing on or inside the supply roller 412 is pinched by the developing roller 402 that rotates in the opposite direction at the contact point due to the rotation. A negatively charged charge is obtained by the charging effect and is held on the developing roller 402 by an electrostatic force and by a conveying effect by the surface roughness of the developing roller 402. However, the toner layer on the developing roller 402 at this time is not uniform and is considerably excessively attached (1 to 3 mg / cm ² ). Accordingly, a toner thin layer having a uniform layer thickness is formed on the developing roller 402 by bringing a regulating blade 413 as a layer thickness regulating member into contact with the developing roller 402. The restriction blade 413 is a so-called belly contact where the tip is directed downstream with respect to the rotation direction of the developing roller 402 and the central portion of the restriction blade 413 comes into contact, but it can also be set in the reverse direction. It is also possible to realize edge contact.
As the material of the regulating blade, a metal such as SUS304 is preferable, and the thickness is 0.1 to 0.15 mm. In addition to the metal, a rubber material such as polyurethane rubber having a thickness of 1 to 2 mm or a resin material having a relatively high hardness such as a silicone resin can be used. In addition, since the resistance can be reduced by mixing carbon black or the like other than metal, it is possible to form an electric field between the developing roller 402 by connecting a bias power source.

The regulating blade 413 as the layer thickness regulating member is preferably 10 to 15 mm as a free end length from the holder. If the free end length exceeds 15 mm, the developing means becomes large and cannot be stored compactly in the image forming apparatus. If it is less than 10 mm, vibration occurs when the regulating blade comes into contact with the surface of the developing roller 402. In some cases, an abnormal image such as unevenness in the horizontal direction is likely to occur on the image.
The contact pressure of the regulating blade 413 is preferably in the range of 0.049 to 2.45 N / cm. If the contact pressure exceeds 2.45 N / cm, the toner adhesion amount on the developing roller 402 decreases and the toner charge amount increases excessively, so the development amount may decrease and the image density may decrease. If it is less than 0.049 N / cm, a thin layer may not be formed uniformly, and the toner mass may pass through the regulating blade, and the image quality may be significantly lowered. In this embodiment, the developing roller 402 has a JIS-A hardness of 30 °, the regulating blade 413 is a SUS plate having a thickness of 0.1 mm, and the contact pressure is set to 60 gf / cm. At this time, the target toner adhesion amount on the developing roller could be obtained.

Further, the contact angle of the regulating blade 413 as the layer thickness regulating member is preferably 10 to 45 ° with respect to the tangent line of the developing roller 402 in the direction in which the tip faces the downstream side of the developing roller 402. A portion unnecessary for forming a thin layer of toner sandwiched between the regulating blade 413 and the developing roller 402 is peeled off from the developing roller 402 and is 0.4 to 0.8 mg / cm ² per unit area which is a target range. A thin layer having a uniform thickness is formed. The toner charge at this time is finally in the range of −10 to −30 μC / g in this embodiment, and is developed to face the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1.

  Therefore, according to the one-component developing device of this embodiment, the distance between the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the surface of the developing roller 402 is further narrower than that in the case of the conventional two-component developing unit, the developing ability is increased, and the further low potential But development is possible.

[Two-component developing means]
The two-component developing means has a magnetic field generating means fixed inside, and a two-component development having a rotatable developer carrier carrying a two-component developer comprising a magnetic carrier and toner on the surface. A device is preferred.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of a two-component developing device using a two-component developer composed of toner and a magnetic carrier. In the two-component developing device of FIG. 6, the two-component developer is stirred and conveyed by a screw 441 and supplied to a developing sleeve 442 as a developer carrier. The two-component developer supplied to the developing sleeve 442 is regulated by a doctor blade 443 as a layer thickness regulating member, and the amount of developer supplied is controlled by a doctor gap which is a distance between the doctor blade 443 and the developing sleeve 442. The If the doctor gap is too small, the developer amount is too small and the image density is insufficient. Conversely, if the doctor gap is too large, the developer amount is excessively supplied and the photosensitive drum as an electrostatic latent image carrier. There arises a problem that carrier adhesion occurs on 1. Therefore, the developing sleeve 442 is provided with a magnet as a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field so that the developer is sprinkled on the peripheral surface thereof, so as to follow a normal magnetic field line generated from the magnet. Then, the developer is spiked in a chain shape on the developing sleeve 442 to form a magnetic brush.

The developing sleeve 442 and the photosensitive drum 1 are disposed so as to be close to each other with a certain gap (developing gap) therebetween, and a developing region is formed in a portion facing both. The developing sleeve 442 is formed of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel, or conductive resin in a cylindrical shape, and is rotated by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown). The magnetic brush is transferred to the developing area by the rotation of the developing sleeve 442. A developing voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 442 from a developing power source (not shown), and the toner on the magnetic brush is separated from the carrier by the developing electric field formed between the developing sleeve 442 and the photosensitive drum 1, and the photosensitive drum 1. It is developed on the upper electrostatic latent image. An alternating current may be superimposed on the development voltage.
The development gap is preferably about 5 to 30 times the particle size of the developer, and is preferably set to 0.5 to 1.5 mm if the developer particle size is 50 μm. If the development gap is wider than this, the desired image density may be difficult to achieve.
The doctor gap is preferably the same as or slightly larger than the development gap. The drum diameter and drum linear speed of the photosensitive drum 1 and the sleeve diameter and sleeve linear speed of the developing sleeve 442 are determined by restrictions such as the copying speed and the size of the apparatus. The ratio of the sleeve linear velocity to the drum linear velocity is preferably 1.1 or more in order to obtain a necessary image density. It is also possible to control the process conditions by installing a sensor at a position after development and detecting the toner adhesion amount from the optical reflectance.

<Transfer process and transfer means>
The transfer step is a step of transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and is performed using a transfer unit. As the transfer means. Using a transfer unit that directly transfers a visible image on the electrostatic latent image carrier to a recording medium, or an intermediate transfer member, after the primary transfer of the visible image onto the intermediate transfer member, the visible image is It is roughly divided into secondary transfer means for secondary transfer onto a recording medium.
The transfer can be performed by, for example, charging the visible image with the electrostatic latent image carrier using a transfer charger, and can be performed by the transfer unit. The transfer unit preferably includes a primary transfer unit that forms a composite transfer image by transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member, and a secondary transfer unit that transfers the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. .

-Intermediate transfer member-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said intermediate transfer body, According to the objective, it can select suitably from well-known transfer bodies, For example, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, etc. are mentioned suitably.
The static friction coefficient of the intermediate transfer member is preferably 0.1 to 0.6, and more preferably 0.3 to 0.5. The volume resistance of the intermediate transfer member is preferably several Ωcm or more and 10 ³ Ωcm or less. Thus, by setting the volume resistance of the intermediate transfer member to several Ωcm or more and 10 ³ Ωcm or less, the intermediate transfer member itself is prevented from being charged, and the charge imparted by the charge imparting means hardly remains on the intermediate transfer member. Therefore, transfer unevenness during secondary transfer can be prevented. Further, it is possible to easily apply a transfer bias at the time of secondary transfer.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said intermediate transfer body, Although it can select suitably according to the objective from well-known materials, the following are suitable.
(1) A material having a high Young's modulus (tensile modulus) is used as a single layer belt. For example, PC (polycarbonate), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), PAT (polyalkylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate) and PAT (Polyalkylene terephthalate) blend material, ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer) and PC blend material, ETFE and PAT blend material, PC and PAT blend material, thermosetting of carbon black dispersion Examples thereof include polyimide. These single-layer belts having a high Young's modulus have the advantage that the amount of deformation with respect to stress during image formation is small, and rib displacement is unlikely to occur particularly during color image formation.
(2) A belt having a two- to three-layer structure in which a belt having a high Young's modulus (1) is used as a base layer and a surface layer or an intermediate layer is formed on the outer periphery thereof. It has a performance capable of preventing the line image from being lost due to the hardness of the single layer belt.
(3) An elastic belt having a relatively low Young's modulus using resin, rubber, or elastomer, and such an elastic belt has an advantage that almost no void in a line image occurs due to its softness. In addition, the elastic belt is wider than the drive roll and tension roll, and the elasticity of the belt ears protruding from the roll can be used to prevent meandering, thus reducing costs without requiring ribs or meandering prevention devices. it can.
Among these, the elastic belt (3) is particularly preferable.
The elastic belt is deformed corresponding to a toner layer and a recording medium having poor smoothness in the transfer portion. In other words, since the elastic belt deforms following the local unevenness, good adhesion can be obtained without excessively increasing the transfer pressure with respect to the toner layer, there is no void in characters, and flatness is poor. A transfer image with excellent uniformity can be obtained even on a recording medium.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as resin used for the said elastic belt, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, polycarbonate resin, fluororesin (ETFE, PVDF), polystyrene resin, chloropolystyrene resin, poly-alpha -Methylstyrene resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-vinyl chloride copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer (for example, styrene-acrylic) Acid methyl copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-phenyl acrylate copolymer, etc.), styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer Polymer (eg, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer) Styrene resins such as styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-phenyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-α-methyl chloroacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-acrylate copolymer, etc. Or a styrene-substituted monopolymer or copolymer), methyl methacrylate resin, butyl methacrylate resin, ethyl acrylate resin, butyl acrylate resin, modified acrylic resin (for example, silicone-modified acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin-modified) Acrylic resin, acrylic-urethane resin, etc.), vinyl chloride resin, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, rosin-modified maleic acid resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene Resin, polybutadiene Emissions, polyvinylidene chloride resins, ionomer resins, polyurethane resins, silicone resins, ketone resins, ethylene - ethyl acrylate copolymer, xylene resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyamide resin and modified polyphenylene oxide resins. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as rubber | gum used for the said elastic belt, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, natural rubber, butyl rubber, fluorine-type rubber, acrylic rubber, EPDM rubber, NBR rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene rubber , Isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene terpolymer, chloroprene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, urethane rubber, syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene, epichlorohydride Examples thereof include phosphorus rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, polysulfide rubber, polynorbornene rubber, and hydrogenated nitrile rubber. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an elastomer used for the said elastic belt, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a polystyrene-type thermoplastic elastomer, a polyolefin-type thermoplastic elastomer, a polyvinyl chloride-type thermoplastic elastomer, a polyurethane-type thermoplasticity Examples thereof include elastomers, polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyurea thermoplastic elastomers, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, and fluorine-based thermoplastic elastomers. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  The conductive agent for adjusting the resistance value used in the elastic belt is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, metal powder such as carbon black, graphite, aluminum, nickel; tin oxide, titanium oxide And conductive metal oxides such as antimony oxide, indium oxide, potassium titanate, antimony oxide-tin oxide composite oxide (ATO), and indium oxide-tin oxide composite oxide (ITO). The conductive metal oxide may be coated with insulating fine particles such as barium sulfate, magnesium silicate, and calcium carbonate.

  In addition, the surface layer of the elastic belt prevents contamination of the electrostatic latent image carrier by the elastic material, reduces the frictional resistance of the belt surface, reduces the adhesion of the toner, and improves the cleaning property and the secondary transfer property. What can do is preferable. The surface layer is made of, for example, a binder resin such as a polyurethane resin, a polyester resin, or an epoxy resin, and a material capable of increasing the lubricity by reducing the surface energy, such as a fluororesin, a fluorine compound, a fluorocarbon, titanium dioxide, a silicon car It is preferable to contain powder or particles such as bites. Further, it is possible to use a material having a reduced surface energy by forming a fluorine-rich surface layer by heat treatment, such as a fluorine-based rubber material.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a manufacturing method of the said elastic belt, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, (1) Centrifugal molding method which pours material into a rotating cylindrical type | mold and forms a belt, ( 2) Spray coating method to form a film by spraying a liquid paint, (3) Dipping method in which a cylindrical mold is dipped in a solution of the material, and (4) Casting to be injected into an inner mold or an outer mold And (5) a method in which a compound is wound around a cylindrical mold and vulcanized and polished.

The method for preventing the elastic belt from stretching is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, (1) a method of adding a material for preventing elongation to the core layer, 2) A method of forming a rubber layer on a core layer with little elongation, and the like.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material which prevents the said elongation, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, natural fibers, such as cotton and silk; Polyester fiber, nylon fiber, acrylic fiber, polyolefin fiber, polyvinyl alcohol Synthetic fibers such as fibers, polyvinyl chloride fibers, polyvinylidene chloride fibers, polyurethane fibers, polyacetal fibers, polyfluoroethylene fibers, phenol fibers; inorganic fibers such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, boron fibers; iron fibers, copper fibers, etc. A metal fiber etc. are mentioned, What made these materials into the shape of a woven fabric or a thread form is used suitably.

The method for forming the core layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, (1) a woven fabric woven in a cylindrical shape is covered with a mold or the like and coated thereon (2) A method of providing a coating layer on one or both sides of the core layer by immersing a woven fabric woven in a cylindrical shape into liquid rubber, etc. For example, a method of winding in a spiral shape and providing a coating layer thereon may be used.
The thickness of the coating layer depends on the hardness of the coating layer, but if it is too thick, the surface expands and contracts and cracks are likely to occur on the surface layer. Further, since the amount of expansion / contraction increases and the expansion and contraction of the image increase, it is not preferable that the thickness is too large (about 1 mm or more).

The transfer unit (the primary transfer unit and the secondary transfer unit) has at least a transfer unit that peels and charges the visible image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier to the recording medium side. Is preferred. There may be one transfer unit or two or more transfer units. Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device.
The recording medium is typically plain paper, but is not particularly limited as long as an unfixed image after development can be transferred, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. A PET base for OHP Etc. can also be used.

-Transfer means of tandem type image forming apparatus-
The tandem type image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming elements including at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit. In this tandem type image forming apparatus, four image forming elements for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are mounted, and each visible image is created in parallel with the four image forming elements, and is recorded on a recording medium or an intermediate transfer member. Therefore, a full color image can be formed at a higher speed.

  As the tandem type image forming apparatus, (1) as shown in FIG. 7, the surface moves so as to pass through a transfer position which is a region facing each electrostatic latent image carrier 1 of a plurality of image forming elements. A direct transfer system in which the visible image formed on each electrostatic latent image carrier 1 is sequentially transferred to the recording medium S by the transfer means 2, and (2) a plurality of images as shown in FIG. The visible image on each electrostatic latent image carrier 1 of the forming element is once transferred sequentially to the intermediate transfer body 4 by the transfer means (primary transfer means) 2, and then the image on the intermediate transfer body 4 is transferred to the secondary transfer means 5. There is an indirect transfer method in which the image is transferred to the recording medium S at once. In FIG. 8, a transfer conveyance belt is used as the secondary transfer unit, but a roller shape may be used.

Comparing the direct transfer method (1) and the indirect transfer method (2), the direct transfer method (1) is a tandem type image forming unit T in which the electrostatic latent image carriers 1 are arranged. A sheet feeding device 6 must be disposed on the upstream side, and a fixing device 7 as a fixing unit must be disposed on the downstream side, which increases the size of the recording medium in the conveyance direction. On the other hand, in the indirect transfer method (2), the secondary transfer position can be set relatively freely, and the paper feeding device 6 and the fixing device 7 are arranged so as to overlap the tandem type image forming unit T. There is an advantage that downsizing is possible.
In the direct transfer method (1), the fixing device 7 is disposed close to the tandem image forming unit T in order not to increase the size in the recording medium conveyance direction. Therefore, the fixing device 7 cannot be disposed with a sufficient margin that the recording medium S can bend, and an impact when the leading end of the recording medium S enters the fixing device 7 (particularly with a thick recording medium). In addition, the fixing device 7 tends to affect upstream image formation due to the speed difference between the recording medium conveyance speed when passing through the fixing device 7 and the recording medium conveyance speed by the transfer conveyance belt. On the other hand, in the indirect transfer method (2), the fixing device 7 can be disposed with a sufficient margin that the recording medium S can bend, so that the fixing device 7 hardly affects image formation.
In view of the above, in recent years, indirect transfer methods have attracted attention. In such a color image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, the transfer residual toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier 1 after the primary transfer is removed by a cleaning device 8 as a cleaning unit, and the electrostatic latent image is thus removed. The surface of the carrier 1 is cleaned to prepare for the image formation again. Further, the transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 4 after the secondary transfer is removed by the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 9 to clean the surface of the intermediate transfer body 4 to prepare for image formation again.

<Fixing process and fixing means>
The fixing step is a step of fixing the visible image transferred to the recording medium using a fixing unit.
The fixing unit is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. A fixing device having a fixing member and a heat source for heating the fixing member is preferably used.
The fixing member is not particularly limited as long as it can contact each other to form a nip portion, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a combination of an endless belt and a roller, a roller and a roller, The heating method from the surface of the fixing member by a combination of an endless belt and a roller or induction heating can be used in order to reduce the warm-up time and realize energy saving. It is preferable to use it.
Examples of the fixing member include known heating and pressing means (combination of heating means and pressing means). In the case of a combination of the endless belt and the roller, for example, a combination of a heating roller, a pressure roller, and an endless belt may be used as the heating and pressing unit, and the combination of the roller and the roller may be used. In this case, for example, a combination of a heating roller and a pressure roller can be used.

  When the fixing member is an endless belt, the endless belt is preferably formed of a material having a small heat capacity. For example, an embodiment in which an offset prevention layer is provided on a substrate may be used. Examples of the material for forming the base include nickel and polyimide, and examples of the material for forming the offset prevention layer include silicone rubber and fluorine-based resin.

  When the fixing member is a roller, the cored bar of the roller is preferably formed of an inelastic member to prevent deformation (deflection) due to high pressure. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as this inelastic member, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, high thermal conductivity bodies, such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel, brass, are mentioned suitably. Moreover, it is preferable that the surface of the roller is covered with an offset prevention layer. The material for forming the offset prevention layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include RTV silicone rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), and polytetrafluoroethylene. (PTFE).

In the fixing step, the image by the toner may be transferred to the recording medium, and the recording medium on which the image has been transferred may be passed through the nip portion to fix the image to the recording medium. The image may be transferred and fixed to the recording medium at the nip portion at the same time.
The fixing step may be performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium, or may be performed at the same time in a state where the toner of each color is stacked.

The nip portion is formed by bringing at least two fixing members into contact with each other.
The surface pressure of the nip portion is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, 5N / cm ² or more, more preferably ^{7~100N / cm 2, 10~60N / cm} 2 Is more preferable. If the surface pressure of the nip portion is too high, the durability of the roller may decrease. On the other hand, if the surface pressure of the nip portion is less than 5 N / cm ² , the offset prevention property may be insufficient.

  The temperature at which the image is fixed to the recording medium by the toner (that is, the surface temperature of the fixing member by the heating means) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. ° C is preferred, and 120 to 160 ° C is more preferred. When the fixing temperature is less than 120 ° C., the fixability may be insufficient, and when it exceeds 170 ° C., it is not preferable in terms of realizing energy saving.

As the fixing means, (1) an aspect in which the fixing means has at least one of a roller and a belt, is heated from a surface not in contact with the toner, and the transferred image transferred onto the recording medium is fixed by heating and pressing. (Internal heating system) and (2) A fixing unit has at least one of a roller and a belt, and heats and presses a transfer image transferred onto a recording medium by heating from the surface in contact with the toner. (External heating method). It is also possible to use a combination of both.
As the internal heating type fixing means (1), for example, the fixing member itself has a heating means inside. Examples of such heating means include a heat source such as a heater and a halogen lamp.

As the (2) external heating type fixing means, for example, at least a part of the surface of at least one of the fixing members is preferably heated by the heating means. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as such a heating means, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, an electromagnetic induction heating means etc. are mentioned.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said electromagnetic induction heating means, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, What has a means to generate | occur | produce a magnetic field and a means to generate | occur | produce heat | fever by electromagnetic induction, etc. are suitable.
The electromagnetic induction heating means includes, for example, an induction coil disposed so as to be close to the fixing member (for example, a heating roller), a shielding layer provided with the induction coil, and an induction coil of the shielding layer. What consists of an insulating layer provided in the other side of the provided surface is preferable. In this case, it is preferable that the heating roller is formed of a magnetic material or a heat pipe.
The induction coil is arranged in a state of wrapping at least a semi-cylindrical portion on the opposite side of the contact portion between the heating roller and the fixing member (for example, a pressure roller, an endless belt, etc.) of the heating roller. Is preferred.

-Internal heating type fixing means-
FIG. 9 is a belt-type fixing device showing an example of an internal heating type fixing means. The belt-type fixing device 510 in FIG. 9 includes a heating roller 511, a fixing roller 512, a fixing belt 513, and a pressure roller 514.
The fixing belt 513 is stretched by a heating roller 511 and a fixing roller 512 that are rotatably arranged inside, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating roller 511. The heating roller 511 has a built-in heating source 515 and is designed so that the temperature can be adjusted by a temperature sensor 517 attached in the vicinity of the heating roller 511. The fixing roller 512 is rotatably disposed inside the fixing belt 513 and in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 513. The pressure roller 514 is in contact with the outer side of the fixing belt 513 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 513 so as to press the fixing roller 512 and is rotatably arranged. Further, the surface hardness of the fixing belt 513 is lower than the surface hardness of the pressure roller 514, and the nip portion N formed between the fixing roller 512 and the pressure roller 514 has an introduction side end and a discharge side of the recording medium S. An intermediate region located between the ends is located closer to the fixing roller 512 than the introduction side end and the discharge side end.

In the belt-type fixing device 510 shown in FIG. 9, first, the recording medium S on which the toner image T to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the heating roller 511. The toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the heating roller 511 and the fixing belt 513 heated to a predetermined temperature by the action of the built-in heating source 515. In this state, the recording medium S is inserted into a nip portion N formed between the fixing roller 512 and the pressure roller 514. The recording medium S inserted into the nip N is brought into contact with the surface of the fixing belt 513 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the fixing roller 512 and the pressure roller 514 and is pressed when passing through the nip N. The toner image T is fixed on the recording medium S.
Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes between the fixing roller 512 and the pressure roller 514, is peeled off from the fixing belt 513, and is conveyed to a tray (not shown). At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 514, and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing belt 513 is prevented. The fixing belt 513 is cleaned by the cleaning roller 516.

Further, the heat roll type fixing device 515 shown in FIG. 10 includes a heating roller 520 as the fixing member and a pressure roller 530 disposed in contact therewith.
The heating roller 520 has a hollow metal cylinder 521, the surface of which is covered with an offset prevention layer 522, and a heating lamp 523 is disposed therein. The pressure roller 530 includes a metal cylinder 531 and the surface thereof is covered with an offset prevention layer 532. In the pressure roller 530, the metal cylinder 531 may have a hollow shape, and a heating lamp 533 may be disposed therein.
The heating roller 520 and the pressure roller 530 are urged by a spring (not shown), and are rotatably provided in a pressure-contacted state to form a nip portion N. Further, the surface hardness of the offset prevention layer 522 in the heating roller 520 is lower than the surface hardness of the offset prevention layer 532 in the pressure roller 530, and in the nip portion N formed between the heating roller 520 and the pressure roller 530, An intermediate region located between the introduction side end and the discharge side end of the recording medium S is located closer to the heating roller 520 than the introduction side end and the discharge side end.

In the heat roll type fixing device 515 shown in FIG. 10, first, the recording medium S on which the toner image T to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the nip portion N between the heating roller 520 and the pressure roller 530. The toner T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the heating roller 520 heated to a predetermined temperature by the action of the built-in heating lamp 523, and at the same time, when passing through the nip portion N, the toner T is heated. The toner image T is fixed on the recording medium S by being pressed by the pressing force of the pressure roller 530.
Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes between the heating roller 520 and the pressure roller 530 and is conveyed to a tray (not shown). At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 530, and the recording medium S is prevented from being wound around the pressure roller 530. The heating roller 520 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown).

-External heating type fixing means-
FIG. 11 shows an electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device 570 showing an example of an external heating type fixing unit. The electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device 570 includes a heating roller 566, a fixing roller 580, a fixing belt 567, a pressure roller 590, and an electromagnetic induction heating unit 560.
The fixing belt 567 is stretched by a heating roller 566 and a fixing roller 580 that are rotatably arranged inside, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating roller 566.
The heating roller 566 has, for example, a hollow cylindrical magnetic metal member such as iron, cobalt, nickel, or an alloy of these metals. For example, the outer diameter is 20 to 40 mm and the wall thickness is 0.3 to 1.0 mm. It has a low heat capacity and quick temperature rise.
The fixing roller 580 has, for example, a metal core 581 made of stainless steel or the like, and the surface thereof is formed by covering a heat-resistant silicone rubber with a solid or foamed elastic layer 582. It is disposed inside the fixing belt 567 and rotatably while being in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 567. The fixing roller 580 is provided with an outer diameter of about 20 to 40 mm in order to form a nip portion N having a predetermined width between the pressure roller 590 and the fixing roller 580 by the pressing force from the pressure roller 590, and is heated. It is larger than the roller 566. The elastic layer 582 has a thickness of about 4 to 6 mm, and is formed so that the heat capacity of the heating roller 566 is smaller than the heat capacity of the fixing roller 580, thereby shortening the warm-up time of the heating roller 566.
The pressure roller 590 has a metal core 591 made of a cylindrical member made of a metal having high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, and the surface thereof is covered with an elastic layer 592 having high heat resistance and high toner releasability. The fixing roller 580 is in contact with the outer surface of the fixing belt 567 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 567 so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing belt 567, and is rotatably disposed. In addition to the above metal, SUS may be used for the metal core 591.
The electromagnetic induction heating unit 560 is disposed in the vicinity of the heating roller 566 and in the axial direction of the heating roller 566. The electromagnetic induction heating unit 560 includes an excitation coil 561 that is a magnetic field generation unit, and a coil guide plate 562 around which the excitation coil 561 is wound. The coil guide plate 562 has a semi-cylindrical shape disposed close to the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller 566, and the exciting coil 561 is formed by passing a long exciting coil wire along the coil guide plate 562 in the axial direction of the heating roller 566. It is one that is wound around alternately. The exciting coil 561 is connected to a driving power source (not shown) whose frequency is variable. On the outside of the excitation coil 561, a semi-cylindrical excitation coil core 563 made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite is fixed to the excitation coil core support member 564 and is disposed close to the excitation coil 561.

In the electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device 570 shown in FIG. 11, when the excitation coil 561 of the electromagnetic induction heating unit 560 is energized, an alternating magnetic field is formed around the electromagnetic induction heating unit 560, close to the excitation coil 561, and The heating roller 566 surrounded by the excitation coil 561 is preheated uniformly and efficiently by excitation of overcurrent. The recording medium S on which the toner image T to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the nip N between the fixing roller 580 and the pressure roller 590. The toner image T on the recording medium S is then heated by the fixing belt 567 heated at the contact portion W1 with the heating roller 566 by the heating roller 566 heated to a predetermined temperature by the action of the electromagnetic induction heating unit 560. It is heated and becomes a molten state. In this state, the recording medium S is inserted into a nip portion N formed between the fixing roller 580 and the pressure roller 590. The recording medium S inserted into the nip N is brought into contact with the surface of the fixing belt 567 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the fixing roller 580 and the pressure roller 590 and is pressed when passing through the nip N. The toner image T is fixed on the recording medium S.
Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes between the fixing roller 580 and the pressure roller 590, is peeled off from the fixing belt 567, and is conveyed to a tray (not shown). At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 590, and the recording medium S is prevented from being wound around the fixing belt 567. The fixing belt 567 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown).

12 includes a fixing roller 520 serving as the fixing member, a pressure roller 530 disposed in contact with the fixing roller 520, a fixing roller 520, and a pressure roller. The fixing unit includes an electromagnetic induction heating source 540 for heating from the outside.
The fixing roller 520 includes a cored bar 521, and the surface thereof is formed by covering a heat insulating elastic layer 522, a heat generating layer 523, and a release layer 524 in this order. The pressure roller 530 has a metal core 531, and the surface thereof is formed by covering a heat insulating elastic layer 532, a heat generating layer 533, and a release layer 534 in this order. Note that the release layer 524 and the release layer 534 are formed of tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA).
The fixing roller 520 and the pressure roller 530 are urged by a spring (not shown), and are rotatably provided in a pressure-contacted state to form a nip portion N.
The electromagnetic induction heating source 540 is disposed in the vicinity of the fixing roller 520 and the pressure roller 530, respectively, and heats the heat generation layer 523 and the heat generation layer 533 by electromagnetic induction.
In the fixing device shown in FIG. 12, the fixing roller 520 and the pressure roller 530 are uniformly and efficiently preheated by the electromagnetic induction heating source 540. In addition, since the combination of the roller and the roller, a high surface pressure of the nip portion N can be easily realized.

<Cleaning process and cleaning means>
The cleaning step is a step of removing toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a cleaning unit.
Further, the developing means has a developer carrier that is brought into contact with the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier and By collecting the residual toner on the latent image carrier, cleaning can be performed without providing a cleaning means (cleaning-less method).

The cleaning means is not particularly limited, and may be selected from known cleaners as long as it can remove the toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier. For example, a magnetic brush cleaner, Examples thereof include an electrostatic brush cleaner, a magnetic roller cleaner, a cleaning blade, a brush cleaner, and a web cleaner. Among these, a cleaning blade having a high toner removing ability, a small size and an inexpensive price is particularly preferable.
Examples of the material of the rubber blade used for the cleaning blade include urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, chloroprene rubber, butadiene rubber, and the like. Among these, urethane rubber is particularly preferable.

  Here, FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing, in an enlarged manner, the vicinity of the contact portion 615 of the cleaning blade 613 with the electrostatic latent image carrier. The cleaning blade 613 is provided with a toner blocking surface 617 that forms a space S that expands from the contact portion 615 toward the upstream side in the rotation direction of the electrostatic latent image carrier with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Yes. In the present embodiment, the toner blocking surface 617 extends from the contact portion 615 to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 so that the space S has an acute angle.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the toner blocking surface 617 is provided with a coating portion 618 as a high friction portion having a higher friction coefficient than the cleaning blade 613. The coating portion 618 is formed of a material (high friction material) having a higher friction coefficient than the material forming the cleaning blade 613. Examples of such a high friction material include DLC (diamond-like carbon). The high friction material is not limited to DLC. The coating unit 618 is provided in a range where the toner blocking surface 617 does not contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Although not shown, the cleaning unit includes a toner collection blade that collects the residual toner scraped by the cleaning blade, a toner collection coil that conveys the residual toner collected by the toner collection blade to the collection unit, and the like. ing.

-Cleaning-less image forming device-
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cleaningless type image forming apparatus in which a developing unit also serves as a cleaning unit.
In FIG. 14, 1 is a photosensitive drum as an electrostatic latent image carrier, 620 is a brush charging device as contact charging means, 603 is an exposure device as exposure means, 604 is a developing device as development means, and 640 is a supply. A paper cassette, 650 is a roller transfer means, and P is a recording medium.

In this cleaningless type image forming apparatus, the transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 reaches the position of the contact charging device 620 in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 by the subsequent rotation of the photosensitive drum 1, and the photosensitive drum. 1 is temporarily collected by a magnetic brush portion (not shown) of the brush charging member 621 that is in contact with the toner 1, and the collected toner is again discharged onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to finally enter the developing device 604. The toner is collected together with the developer by the developer carrier 631, and the photosensitive drum 1 is repeatedly used for image formation.
Here, the developing means 604 also serves as a cleaning means that the toner slightly remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer is developed bias (between the DC voltage applied to the developer carrier 631 and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1). It means a method of collecting by (potential difference).
In such a cleaningless type image forming apparatus in which the developing unit also serves as a cleaning unit, the transfer residual toner is collected by the developing unit 604 and is used after the next step, so that waste toner is eliminated, maintenance-free, and cleaner-less. Since it becomes a system, the advantage in terms of space is remarkably large, and the image forming apparatus can be greatly downsized.

<Other processes and other means>
The neutralization step is a step of performing neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a neutralization unit.
The neutralization means is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from known neutralizers as long as it can apply a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier. Preferably mentioned.

  The recycling step is a step of recycling the electrophotographic toner removed in the cleaning step to the developing unit, and can be suitably performed by a recycling unit. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said recycling means, A well-known conveyance means etc. are mentioned.

The control step is a step of controlling each of the steps, and can be suitably performed by a control unit.
The control means is not particularly limited as long as the movement of each means can be controlled, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as a sequencer and a computer.

-Image forming apparatus and image forming method-
Next, one mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 15 includes a photosensitive drum 10 as an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging roller 20 as a charging unit, an exposure 30 by an exposure unit as an exposure unit, and a developing unit as a developing unit. 40, an intermediate transfer member 50, a cleaning blade 60 as a cleaning means, and a static elimination lamp 70 as a static elimination means.

  The intermediate transfer member 50 is an endless belt, and is designed so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow in the figure by three rollers 51 that are arranged on the inner side and stretch the belt. Part of the three rollers 51 also functions as a transfer bias roller that can apply a predetermined transfer bias (primary transfer bias) to the intermediate transfer member 50. An intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 90 is disposed in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer member 50, and a transfer bias for transferring a visible image (toner image) to the recording medium 95 (secondary transfer) is applied. Possible transfer rollers 80 as the transfer means are arranged to face each other. Around the intermediate transfer member 50, a corona charger 58 for applying a charge to the visible image on the intermediate transfer member 50 is connected to the electrostatic latent image carrier 10 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member 50. The contact portion between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the contact portion between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the recording medium 95 is disposed.

  The developing device 40 includes a developing belt 41 as a developer carrying member, and a black developing unit 45K, a yellow developing unit 45Y, a magenta developing unit 45M, and a cyan developing unit 45C provided around the developing belt 41. Yes. The black developing unit 45K includes a developer accommodating portion 42K, a developer supply roller 43K, and a developing roller 44K. The yellow developing unit 45Y includes a developer container 42Y, a developer supply roller 43Y, and a developing roller 44Y. The magenta developing unit 45M includes a developer container 42M, a developer supply roller 43M, and a developing roller 44M. The cyan developing unit 45C includes a developer container 42C, a developer supply roller 43C, and a developing roller 44C. Further, the developing belt 41 is an endless belt, is rotatably stretched by a plurality of belt rollers, and a part thereof is in contact with the electrostatic latent image carrier 10.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 15, first, the charging roller 20 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 10. An exposure device (not shown) performs image-wise exposure 30 on the photosensitive drum 10 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is developed by supplying toner from the developing device 40 to form a visible image. The visible image is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer member 50 by the voltage applied from the roller 51 and further transferred (secondary transfer) onto the recording medium 95. As a result, a transfer image is formed on the recording medium 95. The residual toner on the electrostatic latent image carrier 10 is removed by the cleaning blade 60, and the charge on the electrostatic latent image carrier 10 is once removed by the static elimination lamp 70.

  Next, another mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 16 does not include the developing belt 41 as the developer carrying member in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 15, and the black developing unit 45 </ b> K is disposed around the electrostatic latent image carrying member 10. The yellow developing unit 45Y, the magenta developing unit 45M, and the cyan developing unit 45C are configured in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Show. In FIG. 16, the same components as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

-Tandem type image forming apparatus and image forming method-
Another mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The tandem type image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 17 is a tandem type color image forming apparatus. The tandem color image forming apparatus includes a copying apparatus main body 150, a paper feed table 200, a scanner 300, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 400.

The copying apparatus main body 150 is provided with an endless belt-like intermediate transfer member 50 at the center. The intermediate transfer member 50 is stretched around the support rollers 14, 15 and 16, and can be rotated clockwise in FIG. 17. In the vicinity of the support roller 15, an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 50 is disposed. A tandem in which four image forming units 18 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are arranged to face each other on the intermediate transfer member 50 stretched between the support roller 14 and the support roller 15 along the conveyance direction. A mold developing means 120 is arranged. An exposure device 21 is disposed in the vicinity of the tandem developing unit 120. A secondary transfer unit 22 is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer member 50 opposite to the side on which the tandem developing unit 120 is disposed. In the secondary transfer unit 22, a secondary transfer belt 24, which is an endless belt, is stretched around a pair of rollers 23, and the recording medium conveyed on the secondary transfer belt 24 and the intermediate transfer member 50 are in contact with each other. Is possible. A fixing device 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer unit 22.
Note that a reversing device 28 for reversing the recording medium in order to form an image on both sides of the recording medium is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer unit 22 and the fixing device 25.

  Next, formation of a full-color image (color copy) using the tandem developing unit 120 will be described. That is, first, a document is set on the document table 130 of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 400, or the automatic document feeder 400 is opened and the document is set on the contact glass 32 of the scanner 300. 400 is closed.

  When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, when the document is set on the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 32, and then the document is set on the contact glass 32. Immediately after that, the scanner 300 is driven, and the first traveling body 33 and the second traveling body 34 travel. At this time, light from the light source is emitted from the first traveling body 33 and reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the mirror in the second traveling body 34 and is received by the reading sensor 36 through the imaging lens 35 to be color. A document (color image) is read and used as black, yellow, magenta, and cyan image information.

  The image information of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan is stored in each image forming unit 18 (black image forming unit, yellow image forming unit, magenta image forming unit, and cyan image) in the tandem developing unit 120. Each of the image forming units forms black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images. That is, each image forming means 18 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means, and cyan image forming means) in the tandem developing means 120 is a static image as shown in FIG. An electrostatic latent image carrier 10 (black electrostatic latent image carrier 10K, yellow electrostatic latent image carrier 10Y, magenta electrostatic latent image carrier 10M, and cyan electrostatic latent image carrier 10C); The electrostatic latent image carrier 10 is uniformly charged, and the electrostatic latent image carrier is exposed like an image corresponding to each color image based on each color image information (L in FIG. 18). An exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and each color toner (black toner, yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner) Using The image forming apparatus includes a developing device 61 configured to form a toner image using each color toner, a transfer charger 62 for transferring the toner image onto the intermediate transfer member 50, a cleaning device 63, and a static eliminator 64. Each single-color image (black image, yellow image, magenta image, and cyan image) can be formed based on the image information of each color. The black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image formed in this way are respectively transferred to the black electrostatic latent image carrier 10K on the intermediate transfer member 50 that is rotationally moved by the support rollers 14, 15, and 16. Black image formed on top, yellow image formed on electrostatic latent image carrier 10Y for yellow, magenta image formed on electrostatic latent image carrier 10M for magenta, and electrostatic latent image carrier for cyan The cyan image formed on 10C is sequentially transferred (primary transfer). Then, the black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 50 to form a composite color image (color transfer image).

  On the other hand, in the paper feed table 200, one of the paper feed rollers 142 is selectively rotated to feed the recording medium from one of the paper feed cassettes 144 provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 143, and one sheet at a time by the separation roller 145. The paper is separated and sent to the paper feed path 146, transported by the transport roller 147, guided to the paper feed path 148 in the copying machine main body 150, and abutted against the registration roller 49 to stop. Alternatively, the sheet feeding roller 142 is rotated to feed out the recording medium on the manual feed tray 54, separated one by one by the separation roller 145, put into the manual sheet feed path 53, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. The registration roller 49 is generally used while being grounded, but may be used in a state where a bias is applied to remove paper dust from the recording medium. Then, the registration roller 49 is rotated in synchronization with the synthesized color image (color transfer image) synthesized on the intermediate transfer member 50, and the recording medium is sent between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the secondary transfer unit 22. Then, by transferring (secondary transfer) the composite color image (color transfer image) onto the recording medium by the secondary transfer means 22, a color image is transferred and formed on the recording medium. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 50 after image transfer is cleaned by the intermediate transfer member cleaning device 17.

  The recording medium on which the color image has been transferred is conveyed by the secondary transfer means 22 and sent to the fixing device 25, where the combined color image (color transfer image) is generated by heat and pressure. ) Is fixed on the recording medium. After that, the recording medium is switched by the switching claw 55 and discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 57. Alternatively, the recording medium is switched by the switching claw 55 and reversed by the reversing device 28 and led again to the transfer position. After the image is also recorded on the back surface, the image is discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the discharge tray 57.

<Toner container>
The toner-containing container used in the present invention contains the toner or developer of the present invention in a container.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said container, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, what has a toner container main body and a cap etc. are mentioned suitably.
The size, shape, structure, material and the like of the toner container body are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the shape is preferably a cylindrical shape, A spiral unevenness is formed on the surface, the toner as the contents can be transferred to the discharge port side by rotating, and a part or all of the spiral part has a bellows function, etc. Particularly preferred.
The material of the toner container main body is not particularly limited, and those having good dimensional accuracy are preferable. For example, a resin is preferable. Among them, for example, polyester resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, polychlorinated resin Preferred examples include vinyl resin, polyacrylic acid, polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, polyacetal resin, and the like.
The container containing toner is easy to store and transport, has excellent handleability, and can be suitably attached to the process cartridge, the image forming apparatus and the like of the present invention by being detachably attached thereto.

(Process cartridge)
The process cartridge of the present invention develops an electrostatic latent image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image and the electrostatic latent image carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier using toner to produce a visible image. A developing unit to be formed, and other units such as a charging unit, an exposure unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and a discharging unit, which are appropriately selected as necessary.
The toner of the present invention is used as the toner.

The developing means includes at least a developer container that contains the toner or the developer, and a developer carrier that carries and transports the toner or developer contained in the developer container. In addition, a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the thickness of the toner layer carried on the developer carrying member may be provided. Specifically, any one of the one-component developing unit and the two-component developing unit described in the image forming apparatus and the image forming method can be preferably used.
Further, as the charging unit, the exposure unit, the transfer unit, the cleaning unit, and the charge eliminating unit, the same ones as those of the above-described image forming apparatus can be appropriately selected and used.
The process cartridge can be detachably provided in various electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, facsimiles, and printers, and it is particularly preferable that the process cartridge is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the process cartridge includes an electrostatic latent image carrier 101, and includes a charging unit 102, a developing unit 104, a transfer unit 108, and a cleaning unit 107, and further if necessary. And other means. In FIG. 19, reference numeral 103 denotes exposure by exposure means, and 105 denotes a recording medium.
Next, the image forming process using the process cartridge shown in FIG. 19 will be described. The electrostatic latent image carrier 101 is charged by the charging unit 102 while being rotated in the direction of the arrow, and exposure 103 by the exposure unit (not shown). An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the exposure image is formed on the surface. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 104, and the obtained visible image is transferred to the recording medium 105 by the transfer unit 108 and printed out. Next, the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member after the image transfer is cleaned by the cleaning unit 107, further neutralized by a neutralizing unit (not shown), and the above operation is repeated again.

  Since the image forming apparatus, the image forming method, and the process cartridge of the present invention use the toner of the present invention, there is no change in color tone over a long period of time, and there is no abnormal image such as a decrease in density or background stains. A high-quality image can be formed.

Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
In the following Examples and Comparative Examples, “resin softening point”, “rosin softening point”, “resin and rosin glass transition temperature (Tg)”, and “resin and rosin acid value” are as follows. And measured.

<Measurement of softening point of resin>
Using a flow tester (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, CFT-500D), 1 g of resin as a sample was heated at a heating rate of 6 ° C./min, and a load of 1.96 MPa was applied by a plunger, Extrusion from the nozzle, the plunger drop amount of the flow tester against the temperature was plotted, and the temperature at which half of the sample flowed out was taken as the softening point.

<Measurement of softening point of rosin>
(1) Preparation of sample 10 g of rosin was melted on a hot plate at 170 ° C. for 2 hours. Thereafter, the sample was naturally cooled for 1 hour in an open state at a temperature of 25 ° C. and a relative humidity of 50%, and pulverized for 10 seconds with a coffee mill (National MK-61M) to prepare a sample.
(2) Measurement Using a flow tester (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, CFT-500D), a 1 g sample was heated at a heating rate of 6 ° C./min, a 1.96 MPa load was applied by a plunger, a diameter of 1 mm, a length The sample was extruded from a 1 mm nozzle, and the plunger drop amount of the flow tester was plotted against the temperature. The temperature at which half of the sample flowed out was taken as the softening point.

<Measurement of glass transition temperature (Tg) of resin and rosin>
Using a differential scanning calorimeter (Seiko Denshi Kogyo Co., Ltd., DSC210), 0.01 g to 0.02 g of sample was weighed into an aluminum pan, heated to 200 ° C., and the temperature was lowered at a rate of 10 ° C./min. The sample cooled to 0 ° C is heated at a heating rate of 10 ° C / min, and the intersection of the baseline extension line below the maximum peak temperature of endotherm and the tangent line indicating the maximum slope from the peak rise to the peak apex Was defined as the glass transition temperature.

<Acid value of resin and rosin>
It measured based on the method of JISK0070. However, only the measurement solvent was changed from the mixed solvent of ethanol and ether specified in JIS K0070 to a mixed solvent of acetone and toluene (acetone: toluene = 1: 1 (volume ratio)).

(Synthesis Example 1)
-Purification of rosin-
1,000 g of tall rosin was added into a 2,000 mL distillation flask equipped with a fractionation tube, a reflux condenser, and a receiver, and distillation was carried out under a reduced pressure of 1 kPa to distill at 195 ° C. to 250 ° C. Was collected as the main fraction. Hereinafter, tall rosin subjected to purification was referred to as unpurified rosin, and rosin collected as a main fraction was referred to as purified rosin.
20 g of each rosin was pulverized with a coffee mill (National MK-61M) for 5 seconds, and 0.5 g was measured in a headspace vial (20 mL) through a sieve having an opening of 1 mm. The headspace gas was sampled, and impurities in the purified rosin were analyzed by the headspace GC-MS method as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Measurement conditions of the headspace GC-MS method>
A. Headspace sampler (manufactured by Agilent, HP7694)
Sample temperature: 200 ° C
・ Loop temperature: 200 ℃
・ Transfer line temperature: 200 ℃
・ Sample heating equilibrium time: 30 min
・ Vial pressurization gas: Helium (He)
・ Vial pressurization time: 0.3 min
-Loop filling time: 0.03 min
-Loop equilibration time: 0.3 min
・ Injection time: 1 min

B. GC (gas chromatography) (manufactured by Agilent, HP6890)
Analytical column: DB-1 (60 m-320 μm-5 μm)
・ Carrier: Helium (He)
・ Flow rate conditions: 1mL / min
・ Inlet temperature: 210 ° C
Column head pressure: 34.2 kPa
・ Injection mode: split
・ Split ratio: 10: 1
-Oven temperature conditions: 45 ° C (3min) -10 ° C / min-280 ° C (15min)

C. MS (mass spectrometry) (manufactured by Agilent, HP5973)
-Ionization method: EI (electron ionization) method-Interface temperature: 280 ° C
-Ion source temperature: 230 ° C
-Quadrupole temperature: 150 ° C
Detection mode: Scan 29-350 m / s

(Synthesis Example 2)
-Synthesis of polyester resin 1-
5 equipped with the alcohol components, terephthalic acid, and esterification catalyst of the resins H1 to H3, H5, and H8 shown in Tables 2 and 3 and equipped with a nitrogen introduction tube, a dehydration tube, a rectification column, a stirrer, and a thermocouple. The mixture was placed in a four-liter flask having a volume of 1 liter, subjected to a condensation polymerization reaction at 230 ° C. for 15 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere, and then reacted at 230 ° C. and 8.0 kPa for 1 hour. After cooling to 180 ° C., trimellitic anhydride is added, and the temperature is raised to 210 ° C. over 3 hours. After reacting for 10 hours under normal pressure (101.3 kPa), desired at 210 ° C. and 20 kPa. A polyester resin (resins H1 to H3, H5, and H8) was synthesized by performing the reaction up to the softening point.

(Synthesis Example 3)
-Synthesis of polyester resin 2-
The alcohol components, terephthalic acid, and esterification catalyst of resins H4, H6, H7, and L4 shown in Tables 2, 3, and 4 were equipped with a nitrogen introduction tube, a dehydration tube, a stirrer, and a thermocouple. The mixture was placed in a four-liter flask having a volume of 1 liter, subjected to a condensation polymerization reaction at 230 ° C. for 15 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere, and then reacted at 230 ° C. and 8.0 kPa for 1 hour. After cooling to 180 ° C., purified rosin was added and reacted at 200 ° C. for 15 hours. After cooling to 180 ° C., itaconic acid was added and reacted at 200 ° C. for 8 hours. After cooling to 180 ° C., trimellitic anhydride is added, the temperature is raised to 210 ° C. over 2 hours, the reaction is carried out at 210 ° C. and 10 kPa to the desired softening point, and polyester resins (resins H4, H6 , H7, and L4) were synthesized.

(Synthesis Example 4)
-Synthesis of polyester resin 3-
The alcohol components, terephthalic acid, and esterification catalyst of the resins H9, H10, L1, L6, L7, and L8 shown in Table 3 and Table 4 are used as a nitrogen introduction tube, a dehydration tube, a rectifying column, a stirrer, and a thermoelectric After placing in a 5 liter four-necked flask equipped with a pair and subjecting it to a condensation polymerization reaction at 230 ° C. for 15 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere, the reaction was carried out at 230 ° C. and 20 kPa to the desired softening point to obtain a polyester resin ( Resins H9, H10, L1, L6, L7, and L8) were synthesized.

(Synthesis Example 5)
-Synthesis of polyester resin 4-
The alcohol component, terephthalic acid, and esterification catalyst of resin L2 shown in Table 4 are placed in a 5-liter four-necked flask equipped with a nitrogen introduction tube, a dehydration tube, a rectifying column, a stirrer, and a thermocouple. Then, after a condensation polymerization reaction at 230 ° C. for 15 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere, the reaction was performed at 230 ° C. and 8.0 kPa for 1 hour. After cooling to 180 ° C., itaconic acid was added and reacted at 200 ° C. for 8 hours. After cooling to 180 ° C., trimellitic anhydride is added, the temperature is raised to 210 ° C. over 2 hours, the reaction is carried out at 210 ° C. and 10 kPa to the desired softening point, and a polyester resin (resin L2) is obtained. Synthesized.

(Synthesis Example 6)
-Synthesis of polyester resin 5-
The alcohol component of resin L3 shown in Table 4, terephthalic acid, and the esterification catalyst were placed in a 5-liter four-necked flask equipped with a nitrogen introduction tube, a dehydration tube, a stirrer, and a thermocouple, and in a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction was conducted at 230 ° C. for 15 hours and then at 230 ° C. and 8.0 kPa for 1 hour. After cooling to 180 ° C., purified rosin was added and reacted at 200 ° C. for 15 hours. After cooling to 180 ° C., itaconic acid was added, the temperature was raised to 210 ° C. over 2 hours, and the reaction was carried out at 210 ° C. and 10 kPa to the desired softening point to synthesize a polyester resin (resin L3). .

(Synthesis Example 7)
-Synthesis of polyester resin 6-
The alcohol component of resin L5 shown in Table 4, terephthalic acid, and the esterification catalyst were placed in a 5-liter four-necked flask equipped with a nitrogen introduction tube, a dehydration tube, a stirrer, and a thermocouple, and under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction was conducted at 230 ° C. for 15 hours and then at 230 ° C. and 8.0 kPa for 1 hour. After cooling to 180 ° C., purified rosin was added, the temperature was raised to 210 ° C. over 3 hours, and the reaction was carried out at 210 ° C. and 10 kPa to the desired softening point to synthesize a polyester resin (resin L5). .

* The values in parentheses in the amounts of alcohol component and carboxylic acid component used are molar ratios.
* The amount of the esterification catalyst used is 0.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component.

* The values in parentheses in the amounts of alcohol component and carboxylic acid component used are molar ratios.
* The amount of the esterification catalyst used is 0.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the alcohol component and the carboxylic acid component.

(Synthesis Example 8)
-Synthesis of polyester resin 7-
9 mol of terephthalic acid, 7 mol of bisphenol A (2,2) propylene oxide, 3 mol of bisphenol A (2,2) ethylene oxide, and 48 mol of dibutyltin oxide as an esterification catalyst, a nitrogen introduction tube, a dehydration tube, a stirrer, and a thermocouple The polyester resin (resin L9) was subjected to a condensation polymerization reaction at 230 ° C. for 15 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere and then at 230 ° C. and 20 kPa for 1 hour. Was synthesized.
The obtained resin L9 had a softening point of 100.3 ° C., a glass transition temperature of 60.5 ° C., and an acid value of 11.2 mgKOH / g.

(Synthesis Example 9)
-Synthesis of polyester resin 8-
9 mol of fumaric acid, 6 mol of bisphenol A (2,2) propylene oxide, 4 mol of bisphenol A (2,2) ethylene oxide, and 63 mol of dibutyltin oxide as an esterification catalyst, a nitrogen introducing tube, a dehydrating tube, a stirrer, and a thermocouple Was placed in a 5 liter four-necked flask equipped with the above, and subjected to a condensation polymerization reaction at 230 ° C. for 15 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere, and then reacted at 230 ° C. and 8.0 kPa for 1 hour. After cooling to 180 ° C., 6 mol of trimellitic anhydride was added, the temperature was raised to 210 ° C. over 3 hours, and the reaction was carried out at normal pressure (101.3 kPa) for 10 hours, then at 210 ° C. and 20 kPa. A polyester resin (resin H11) was synthesized by reacting to the desired softening point.
The obtained resin H11 had a softening point of 146.0 ° C., a glass transition temperature of 62.1 ° C., and an acid value of 28.0 mgKOH / g.

(Production Example 1)
-Carrier manufacturing-
A carrier used for a two-component developer was produced as follows.
A coating material having the following composition is dispersed with a stirrer for 10 minutes to prepare a coating solution, and 5,000 parts by mass of this coating solution and a core material (Mn ferrite particles, mass average particle size = 35 μm) are rotated in a fluidized bed. The coating liquid was applied to the core material by applying it to a coating apparatus for coating while forming a swirling flow provided with a bottom plate disk and stirring blades. The obtained coated product was baked in an electric furnace at 250 ° C. for 2 hours to produce a carrier.
[Composition of coating material]
-Toluene: 450 parts by mass-Silicone resin (SR2400, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd., nonvolatile content 50 mass%): 450 parts by mass-Aminosilane (SH6020, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.) ) ... 10 parts by mass Carbon black ... 10 parts by mass

Example 1
<Preparation of Toner 1>
-Preparation of resin fine particle emulsion-
In a reaction vessel in which a stir bar and a thermometer are set, 683 parts by mass of water, 11 parts by mass of sodium salt of ethylene oxide methacrylate adduct sulfate (Eleminol RS-30, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.), 79 parts by mass of styrene Part, 79 parts by weight of methacrylic acid, 105 parts by weight of butyl acrylate, 13 parts by weight of divinylbenzene, and 1 part by weight of ammonium persulfate were stirred at 400 rpm for 15 minutes to obtain a white emulsion. The system was heated to raise the system temperature to 75 ° C. and reacted for 5 hours. Further, 30 parts by mass of a 1% by mass ammonium persulfate aqueous solution was added, and the mixture was aged at 75 ° C. for 5 hours to vinyl resin (a copolymer of sodium salt of styrene-methacrylic acid-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid ethylene oxide adduct sulfate) An aqueous dispersion of [fine particle dispersion] was prepared.
The obtained [fine particle dispersion] was measured with a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer (LA-920, manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.), and the volume average particle diameter was 105 nm. A part of the [fine particle dispersion] was dried to isolate the resin component. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin was 95 ° C., the number average molecular weight 140,000, and the mass average molecular weight 980,000.

-Preparation of Toner Composition Liquid 1-
45 parts by mass of polyester resin (A), 55 parts by mass of polyester resin (B), which are raw materials used for toner 1 shown in Table 5, I. 4 parts by weight of Pigment Blue 15: 3, 5 parts by weight of paraffin wax (manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., HNP-09) as a release agent, 2 parts by weight of Kraton APA (manufactured by Southern Clay Products) as a modified layered inorganic mineral Parts (1.8% by mass with respect to the toner) and 100 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were dispersed with a ball mill for 48 hours, and this liquid was designated “toner composition liquid 1”.

-Preparation of aqueous medium A-
On the other hand, 10 parts by weight of the fine particle dispersion, 4 parts by weight of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and 100 parts by weight of a 2% by weight aqueous solution of carboxymethylcellulose (trade name “Serogen BS-H”, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) are stirred. This liquid was designated as “aqueous medium A”.

-Preparation of emulsion or dispersion-
150 parts by mass of “Aqueous medium A” is put in a container, and stirred at 8,000 rpm using a TK homomixer (manufactured by Primics), and 100 parts by mass of “toner composition liquid 1” is added thereto. The mixture was mixed for 10 minutes to prepare an emulsified or dispersed liquid (emulsified slurry).

-Removal of organic solvent-
100 parts by mass of the emulsified slurry was charged into a Kolben equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, and the solvent was removed at 30 ° C. for 12 hours while stirring at a stirring peripheral speed of 20 m / min.

-Washing and drying-
After 100 parts by mass of the dispersion slurry was filtered under reduced pressure, 100 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added to the filter cake and mixed with a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) for 10 minutes at 12,000 rpm. ) And then filtered. To the obtained filter cake, 300 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added, mixed with a TK homomixer (10 minutes at 12,000 rpm), and then filtered twice. To the obtained filter cake, 20 parts by mass of a 10% by mass aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added, mixed with a TK homomixer (30 minutes at 12,000 rpm), and then filtered under reduced pressure. To the obtained filter cake, 300 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added, mixed with a TK homomixer (at 12,000 rpm for 10 minutes), and then filtered. To the obtained filter cake, 300 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added, mixed with a TK homomixer (10 minutes at 12,000 rpm), and then filtered twice. Furthermore, 20 mass parts of 10 mass% hydrochloric acid was added to the obtained filter cake, mixed with a TK homomixer (at a rotation speed of 12,000 rpm for 10 minutes) and then filtered. To the obtained filter cake, 300 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added, mixed with a TK homomixer (10 minutes at a rotation speed of 12,000 rpm), and then filtered twice to obtain a final filter cake.
The obtained final filter cake was dried with a circulating dryer at 45 ° C. for 48 hours, and sieved with an opening of 75 μm mesh to prepare “toner base particle 1”.

  Using 100 parts by mass of the obtained “toner base particle 1”, 1.0 part by mass of hydrophobic silica (“H2000”, manufactured by Clariant Japan) as an external additive was used using a Henschel mixer (manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.). 5 cycles of mixing at a peripheral speed of 30 m / s for 30 seconds and resting for 1 minute were performed and sieved with a mesh of 35 μm to prepare “Toner 1”.

(Examples 2 to 10)
-Production of toners 2 to 10-
Toners 2 to 10 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the polyester resin shown in Table 5 was changed in Example 1.

(Example 11)
-Production of Toner 11-
In Example 1, the polyester resin was changed to the polyester resin shown in Table 5, and 2 parts by mass (1.8% by mass with respect to the toner) of 2 parts by mass of Clayton APA (manufactured by Southern Clay Products) (3.5 parts by mass with respect to the toner). %), Except that the toner 11 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Comparative Examples 1 to 5, and 8, 10)
-Production of toners 12 to 16, 19, and 21-
Toners 12 to 16, 19, and 21 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the polyester resins shown in Table 5 were changed in Example 1.

(Comparative Examples 6 and 9)
-Production of toners 17 and 20-
In Example 1, the polyester resin was changed to the polyester resin shown in Table 5, and 2 parts by mass of Kraton APA (manufactured by Southern Clay Products) (1.8% by mass with respect to the toner) was changed to 0 part by mass (0% by mass). Except that, Toners 17 and 20 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Comparative Example 7)
-Production of Toner 18-
In Example 1, the polyester resin was changed to the polyester resin shown in Table 5, and 2 parts by mass (1.8% by mass with respect to the toner) of 2 parts by mass of Kraton APA (manufactured by Southern Clay Products) was 8.4 parts by mass with respect to the toner. %)), Toner 18 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

  Next, the volume average particle diameters of the modified layered inorganic minerals used in the toners 1 to 16 and 18 to 19 and 21 were measured as follows. The results are shown in Table 5.

<Measurement of volume average particle diameter of modified layered inorganic mineral>
-Preparation of measurement sample-
The modified layered inorganic mineral was put into ethyl acetate in which 5% by mass of a dispersant (BYK Chemie, Disperbyk-167) was dissolved. At this time, it adjusted so that a modified | denatured layered inorganic mineral might be 5 mass%. The prepared sample was stirred for 12 hours.
-Measurement of dispersed particle size-
The prepared sample was measured using a laser Doppler particle size distribution analyzer. The measuring method is as follows.
Apparatus: nanotrac UPA-150EX (made by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.)
Method:
(1) Measuring conditions of measuring instrument Distribution display: Volume Number of channels: 52
Measurement time: 15 sec
Particle refractive index: 1.54
Temperature: 25 ° C
Particle shape: non-spherical viscosity (CP): 0.441
Solvent refractive index: 1.37
Solvent name: ethyl acetate (2) The sample diluent to be measured was added using a dropper or a syringe so as to enter (1 to 100) while looking at the sample loading of the measuring instrument.

<Evaluation of toner performance>
For the obtained toners 1 to 21 of Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10, the average circularity and the heat resistant storage stability were evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 6.

<Average circularity>
The average circularity is measured using a flow particle image analyzer (“FPIA-2100”, manufactured by Sysmex Corporation), and analyzed using analysis software (FPIA-2100 Data Processing Program for FPIA version 00-10). Went.
First, 0.1% to 0.5 ml of 10% by weight surfactant (alkylbenzene sulfonate, Neogen SC-A, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) is added to a glass 100 ml beaker, and each toner 0.1 g. Add ~ 0.5 g and stir with microspatel. Next, 80 ml of ion-exchanged water was added, and the resulting dispersion was subjected to a dispersion treatment for 3 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser (manufactured by Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.), and then the concentration of the dispersion was adjusted using the FPIA-2100. The shape and distribution of the toner were measured until 5,000 / μl to 15000 / μl were obtained.

−Heat resistant storage stability−
The heat-resistant storage stability was measured using a penetration tester (manufactured by Nikka Engineering Co., Ltd.). Specifically, 10 g of each toner was weighed and placed in a 30 ml glass container (screw vial) in an environment of a temperature of 20 ° C. to 25 ° C. and 40% RH to 60% RH, and the lid was closed. After tapping the glass container containing the toner 100 times, leaving it in a thermostatic bath set at 50 ° C. for 24 hours, measuring the penetration with a penetration tester (manufactured by Nikka Engineering Co., Ltd.) The heat resistant storage stability was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The greater the penetration value, the better the heat resistant storage stability. Of the measurement results for the four toner colors, the worst result was used as the evaluation value.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
◎: Needle penetration is 30 mm or more ○: Needle penetration is 20 mm to 29 mm
Δ: penetration is 15 mm to 19 mm
X: The penetration is 8 mm to 14 mm
XX: Needle penetration is 7mm or less

<Manufacture of two-component developer>
As the carrier used for the two-component developer, the above-produced carrier (ferrite carrier having an average particle diameter of 35 μm coated with a silicone resin with an average thickness of 0.5 μm) is used, and each toner 7 is added to 100 parts by mass of the carrier. The mass part was uniformly mixed at 48 rpm for 3 minutes using a tumbler mixer (manufactured by Willy et Bacofen (WAB)), which was stirred by rolling the container, and was charged.

<Image formation and evaluation>
Each of the two-component developers of Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10 was loaded into the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 20, image formation was performed, and various performance evaluations were performed as follows. The results are shown in Table 6.
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 20 is an indirect transfer type tandem image forming apparatus that employs a non-contact charging method, a two-component developing method, a secondary transfer method, a blade cleaning method, and an external heating roller fixing method.
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 20 employs a non-contact corona charger as shown in FIG. As the developing unit 324, a two-component developing device as shown in FIG. As the cleaning means 330, a cleaning blade as shown in FIG. As the fixing means 327, an electromagnetic induction heating type roller fixing device as shown in FIG. 12 is adopted.
The image forming element 351 in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 20 includes a charging unit 311, an exposing unit 323, a developing unit 324, a primary transfer unit 325, and a cleaning unit 330 around the photosensitive drum 321. As the photosensitive drum 321 in the image forming element 351 rotates, charging by the charging unit 310 and exposure by the exposure unit 323 form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the exposure image on the surface. This electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner by the developing means 324, and a visible image with yellow toner is formed on the photosensitive drum 321. The visible image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 355 by the primary transfer unit 325, and the yellow toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 321 is removed by the cleaning unit 330. Similarly, visible images of magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 355 by the image forming elements 352, 353, and 354. The color image on the intermediate transfer belt 355 is transferred onto the recording medium 326 by the transfer device 356, and the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 355 is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 358. The color image formed on the recording medium 326 is fixed by the fixing unit 327.

<Low temperature fixability>
Using the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 20, a solid image having a toner adhesion amount of 0.85 ± 0.1 mg / cm ² is created on a thick transfer paper (manufactured by NBS Ricoh Co., Ltd., copy printing paper <135>), Fixing is performed by changing the temperature of the fixing belt, and using the drawing tester (AD-401, manufactured by Ueshima Seisakusho), a fixed image surface is obtained, and a ruby needle (tip radius 260 to 320 μmR, tip angle 60 degrees), Drawing was performed with a load of 50 g, and the drawing surface was rubbed strongly 5 times with fibers (Hanicot # 440, manufactured by Hanilon Co., Ltd.). The solid image was created on the transfer paper at a position of 3.0 cm from the front end in the paper passing direction.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Fixing lower limit temperature is 120 ° C. or less ○: Fixing lower limit temperature is 121 ° C. or more and 130 ° C. or less Δ: Fixing lower limit temperature is 131 ° C. or more and 145 ° C. or less X: Fixing lower limit temperature is 146 ° C. or more and 155 ° C. or less XX: Fixing lower limit temperature Temperature is 156 ° C or higher

<Hot offset resistance>
Using the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 20, a solid image having a toner adhesion amount of 0.85 ± 0.1 mg / cm ² is formed on plain paper transfer paper (type 6200, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), and the temperature of the fixing belt A fixing test was conducted by changing the temperature and the presence or absence of hot offset was visually evaluated. The upper limit temperature at which hot offset did not occur was defined as the upper limit fixing temperature, and hot offset resistance was evaluated according to the following criteria. The solid image was created on the transfer paper at a position of 3.0 cm from the front end in the paper passing direction.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Fixing upper limit temperature is 230 ° C. or higher. ○: Fixing upper limit temperature is 210 ° C. or higher and lower than 230 ° C. Δ: Fixing upper limit temperature is 190 ° C. or higher and lower than 210 ° C. ×: Fixing upper limit temperature is 180 ° C. or higher and lower than 190 ° C. Temperature is less than 180 ° C

<Image graininess and sharpness>
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 20 was used to output a photographic image in a single color, and the degree of graininess and sharpness was visually evaluated according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
In order from the best, “◎” is equivalent to offset printing, “○” is slightly worse than offset printing, “△” is much worse than offset printing, “×” is about the same as conventional electrophotographic images (very much Bad).

<Cleanability>
Using the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 20, the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive member that has passed the cleaning process is transferred to a white paper with a scotch tape (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), and measured with a Macbeth reflection densitometer RD514. Evaluation was made according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A case where the difference from the blank was 0.01 or less was evaluated as ○ (good), and a case where the difference was more than that was evaluated as × (defective).

<Comprehensive evaluation>
The above various performance evaluation results were comprehensively judged and evaluated according to the following criteria.
○: Good (Available level)
×: Defect (level at which actual use is not possible)

The toner of the present invention is compatible with a low-temperature fixing system, has good offset resistance, does not contaminate the fixing device and the image, has good cleaning properties, and forms a visible image with good sharpness over a long period of time. Therefore, it can be suitably used for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge.
The image forming apparatus, the image forming method, and the process cartridge according to the present invention use the toner according to the present invention, and there is no change in color tone over a long period of time. Because it can form high-quality images, it is widely used in laser printers, direct digital plate-making machines, full-color copiers using direct or indirect electrophotographic multicolor image development systems, full-color laser printers, full-color plain paper fax machines, etc. Can be used.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a charging roller in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example in which the contact-type charging roller in the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example in which the non-contact type corona charger in the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a non-contact charging roller in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a one-component developing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of a two-component developing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of a direct transfer system of the tandem type image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of an indirect transfer method of the tandem type image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of a belt-type fixing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of a heat roller type fixing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example of an electromagnetic induction heating type fixing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing another example of the electromagnetic induction heating type fixing means in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of a cleaning blade in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an example of a cleaningless type image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing another example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing an example of the tandem type image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of each image forming element of FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing an example of the process cartridge of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus used in the example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrostatic latent image carrier (photosensitive drum)
2 Transfer means (primary transfer means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Conveying belt 4 Intermediate transfer body 5 Secondary transfer means 6 Paper feeding device 7 Fixing device 8 Cleaning device 9 Intermediate transfer body cleaning device 10 Electrostatic latent image carrier (photosensitive drum)
10K black electrostatic latent image carrier 10Y yellow electrostatic latent image carrier 10M magenta electrostatic latent image carrier 10C cyan electrostatic latent image carrier 14 support roller 15 support roller 16 support roller 17 intermediate transfer cleaning means DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Image forming means 20 Charging roller 21 Exposure apparatus 22 Secondary transfer means 23 Roller 24 Secondary transfer belt 25 Fixing apparatus 26 Fixing belt 27 Pressure roller 28 Reversing apparatus 30 Exposure apparatus 32 Contact glass 33 First traveling body 34 Second traveling Body 35 Imaging lens 36 Reading sensor 40 Developing device 41 Developing belt 42K Developer container 42Y Developer container 42M Developer container 42C Developer container 43K Developer supply roller 43Y Developer supply roller 43M Developer supply roller 43C Developer supply roller 44K Development roller 4 4Y developing roller 44M developing roller 44C developing roller 45K black developing unit 45Y yellow developing unit 45M magenta developing unit 45C cyan developing unit 49 registration roller 50 intermediate transfer member 51 roller 52 separation roller 53 manual feed path 54 manual tray 55 Switching claw 56 Discharge roller 57 Discharge tray 58 Corona charger 60 Cleaning means 61 Developing device 62 Transfer charger 63 Cleaning device 64 Discharge device 70 Discharge lamp 80 Transfer roller 90 Cleaning device 95 Recording medium 100 Image forming device 101 Electrostatic latent image carrier Body 102 Charging means 103 Exposure means 104 Developing means 105 Recording medium 107 Cleaning means 108 Transfer means 120 Tandem developing means 130 Document table 142 Feed roller 143 Paper Link 144 Paper feed cassette 145 Separation roller 146 Paper feed path 147 Transport roller 148 Paper feed path 150 Copying device main body 160 Charging device 200 Paper feed table 220 Heating roller 230 Pressure roller 300 Scanner 302 Film 303 Spring 310 Charging roller 311 Corona charger 312 Core metal 313 Resistance adjustment layer 314 Protective layer 321 Electrostatic latent image carrier 323 Exposure means 324 Development means 325 Transfer means 326 Recording medium 327 Fixing means 330 Cleaning means 331 Static elimination device 400 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
401 casing 402 developing roller 411 agitator 412 supply roller 413 regulating blade 510 belt type fixing device 511 heating roller 512 fixing roller 513 fixing belt 514 pressure roller 515 heat roll type fixing device 525 roll type fixing device 570 electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device 613 Cleaning blade S Recording medium P Recording medium

Claims (11)

Including a step of forming toner base particles using at least a binder resin, a release agent, a colorant, and a layered inorganic mineral,
The binder resin includes a polyester resin (A) having a softening point Tm (A) of 120 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower, and a polyester resin (B) having a softening point Tm (B) of 80 ° C. or higher and lower than 120 ° C. And at least
At least one of the polyester resins (A) and (B) is a polyester resin obtained by polycondensation of an alcohol component consisting essentially of an aliphatic alcohol and a carboxylic acid component, and the alcohol component 65% or more is 1,2-propanediol,
As the layered inorganic mineral, at least a portion of the interlayer ions modified with organic cations, by using one of montmorillonite and bentonite, at least, the average circularity of the toner be 0.93 to 0.97 A method for producing a toner. The toner production method according to claim 1, wherein 90 mol% or more of the alcohol component is an aliphatic alcohol. The method for producing a toner according to claim 1, wherein at least one alcohol component of the polyester resins (A) and (B) further contains glycerin. The method for producing a toner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the alcohol component of the polyester resin (A) further contains 1,3-propanediol. The method for producing a toner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the carboxylic acid components of the polyester resins (A) and (B) contains an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid compound having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. The carboxylic acid component of at least one of the polyester resins (A) and (B) contains purified rosin obtained by distilling tall rosin under a reduced pressure of 1 kPa and distilling at 195 ° C to 250 ° C. 6. The method for producing a toner according to any one of items 1 to 5. The toner production according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a mass ratio [(A) / (B)] of the polyester resin (A) and the polyester resin (B) is 10/90 to 90/10. Way . The method for producing a toner according to claim 1, wherein a difference [Tm (A) −Tm (B)] between the softening points Tm (A) and Tm (B) is 10 ° C. or more. The toner production method according to claim 1, wherein the layered inorganic mineral has a volume average particle size of 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm. The method for producing a toner according to claim 1, wherein the content of the layered inorganic mineral in the toner is 0.1% by mass to 5.0% by mass. At least the binder resin, the colorant, the layered inorganic mineral, and the release agent are dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent, and the obtained dissolved or dispersed liquid is dispersed in an aqueous medium to remove the organic solvent. The method for producing a toner according to any one of 10.