JP2002156879A - Cleaning device, image forming method, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning device, an image forming method, and an image forming device which forma a satisfactory electrophotographic image free from image defects by holding a cleaning performance for a long time at the time of using an organic photosensitive body and a polymerized toner. SOLUTION: An electrostatic latent image formed on a cylindrical organic photosensitive body is developed by a developer containing the toner, and the toner image developed by this development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photosensitive body to a transfer material, and thereafter, the toner remaining on the cylindrical organic photosensitive body is removed by a cleaning blade. The cleaning device having this cleaning inequality blade is so designed that the free length of the cleaning blade may satisfy 1 (1/12)<=L/D<=(1/2) with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photosensitive body and the impact resilience (JISK6301 inequality (measured temperature 25 deg.C/50%)) of the cleaning blade may satisfy 2 30<=H<=85 (unit: %).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus used in an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an electrophotographic photosensitive member, an organic electrophotographic photosensitive member containing an organic photoconductive substance (hereinafter, also referred to as an organic photosensitive member or a photosensitive member) is most widely used. Organic photoreceptors are advantageous over other photoreceptors in that they are easy to develop materials for various exposure light sources from visible light to infrared light, that they can select materials that do not pollute the environment, and that they have low manufacturing costs. However, there is a problem that the mechanical strength is weak, the photoreceptor surface is easily deteriorated or scratched during copying or printing of a large number of sheets, and the durability is insufficient.

[0003] As a subject for improving the durability of the organic photoreceptor as described above, there has been a strong demand for suppression of abrasion due to abrasion of a cleaning blade or the like. As an approach therefor, techniques such as providing a high-strength protective layer on the surface of the photoreceptor have been studied. For example, JP-A-6
JP-A-118681 reports that a colloidal silica-containing curable siloxane resin is used as a surface layer of a photoreceptor. However, a siloxane bond (Si-O-
In a protective layer made of only silica formed by repeating three-dimensionally (Si bond), cracks (cracks) are generated on the surface, adhesion to the photosensitive layer is deteriorated, and electrostatic characteristics of the photosensitive layer are reduced. Was a problem.

As an attempt to improve abrasion resistance and adhesion to a photosensitive layer, an organic-inorganic hybrid polymer having both characteristics of an organic polymer and a crosslinked siloxane component has been proposed. For example, JP-A-2000-22172
No. 3 discloses a protective layer containing a polymer in which polysiloxane and a silyl group-containing vinyl resin are chemically bonded as a protective layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. However, the photoreceptor having such a protective layer has improved mechanical abrasion resistance, but has insufficient electrophotographic properties upon repeated use, and is liable to cause fogging and image blur. A photoreceptor having a layer was not suitable as the most widely used electrophotographic photoreceptor such as the Carlson process.

Therefore, as a protective layer of an organic photoreceptor which simultaneously satisfies both mechanical abrasion resistance and electrophotographic properties upon repeated use, the present researchers have a charge transporting performance imparting group and a crosslinked structure. A siloxane-based resin layer has been proposed as a protective layer of a photoreceptor (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-70308). The photoreceptor having this protective layer has been an important subject in the past, such as abrasion resistance and electrophotographic properties (e.g., charging,
(E.g., sensitivity, residual potential characteristics, etc.), and is sufficiently practical as a highly durable organic electrophotographic photoreceptor. However, this protective layer also forms a high-order crosslinked resin specific to siloxane-based resins, so that the protective layer becomes a protective layer having a strong elastic behavior, and if a cleaning device using a cleaning blade is used, the photosensitive member and the cleaning blade In many cases, problems such as an increase in torque between the toner particles and a decrease in toner cleaning performance and stability against blade turning are likely to occur.

Further, it has been found by the present inventors that the problems of toner cleaning performance and blade turn-up stability are accelerated when a polymerized toner is applied to a developer. That is, when a toner having a large adhesive force between the toner and the photoconductor, for example, a spherical toner, is used, a portion of the toner on the photoconductor surface passes through the cleaning unit repeatedly without being cleaned, and as a result, the cleaning blade Filming occurs on the surface of the photoconductor under the influence of the pressing force or the like. Image defects such as image deletion and black spots are likely to occur in the portion where the filming has occurred.
It has been found that the photoreceptor having the siloxane resin easily causes these image defects even if the filming occurs slightly.

On the other hand, as an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, an image forming apparatus having a structure in which a cleaning device is disposed immediately above a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-2980.
90755 and the like. The image forming apparatus configured with such an arrangement of the cleaning device has an advantage that a compact design can be achieved.However, the cleaning unit is disposed above the image carrier, and the image forming device is moved in a direction substantially horizontal. In this case, the cleaning blade is pressed from above, so that the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade does not easily separate from the surface of the photoreceptor, and cleaning failure often occurs. In particular, when an organic photoreceptor and a polymerized toner are used in such an image forming apparatus, poor cleaning tends to occur.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to use an organic photoreceptor and a polymerized toner.
An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus that can maintain a cleaning performance for a long period of time and can form a favorable electrophotographic image without image defects. Furthermore, even when an organic photoconductor and a polymerized toner are combined in an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which a cleaning device is disposed immediately above a cylindrical electrophotographic photoconductor, good cleaning performance is obtained, and there is no image defect and good electrophotography. An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus that can form an image.

[0009]

The present inventors have conducted various studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, have found that a cylindrical organic photoreceptor (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an organic photoreceptor or a photoreceptor) has a cleaning blade. In the cleaning method in which the cleaning blade is brought into contact, a specific relationship is established between the diameter of the organic photoreceptor, the free length of the cleaning blade, and the blade characteristics, thereby maintaining good cleaning performance and maintaining stable vibration of the cleaning blade. It is possible to make
The above problem can be solved. That is, it has been found that the object of the present invention is achieved by adopting one of the following constitutions.

[0010] 1. The electrostatic latent image formed on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed with a developer containing toner, and the toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. In a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the organic photoconductor, the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies the following expression 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoconductor, and the rebound resilience of the cleaning blade (JIS K6301) (Measurement temperature / humidity 25 ° C./50% RH)) is designed to satisfy Expression 2.

Formula 1 (1/12) ≦ L / D ≦ (1/2) Formula 2 30 ≦ H ≦ 85 (unit;%) where L (free length of cleaning blade) D (of cylindrical organic photoreceptor) Diameter) H (rebound resilience of cleaning blade) The electrostatic latent image formed on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed with a developer containing toner, and the toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. A cleaning blade having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the organic photoreceptor, wherein the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies the above formula 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, and a 300% module of the cleaning blade ( A cleaning apparatus characterized in that JISK6251 (measured temperature / humidity 25 ° C./50% RH) satisfies Expression 3.

Equation 3 1000 ≦ M ≦ 3000
(Unit: N / cm ² ) where M (300% module of cleaning blade) The electrostatic latent image formed on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed with a developer containing toner, and the toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. In a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning blade for removing the toner remaining on the organic photoconductor, the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies the expression 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoconductor, and the cleaning blade has a permanent elongation (JIS K6301). (Measurement temperature and humidity 25
C./50% RH)) is designed to satisfy Expression 4.

Equation 40 0 ≦ E ≦ 10 (unit:%) where E (permanent elongation of the cleaning blade) The electrostatic latent image formed on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed with a developer containing toner, and the toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. In a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the organic photoconductor, the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies the expression 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoconductor, and the cleaning blade has a JISA hardness (JIS K6301). A cleaning apparatus characterized in that the measurement temperature and humidity (25 ° C./50% RH) satisfy Expression 5.

Equation 5 65 ≦ K ≦ 80 (unit: degree) where K (JISA hardness of the cleaning blade) The electrostatic latent image formed on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed with a developer containing toner, and the toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. A cleaning blade having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the organic photoreceptor, wherein the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies the expression 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor; A cleaning device designed to satisfy the relational expression of Expression 5.

6. The diameter D of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is 25
The cleaning device according to any one of the above items 1 to 5, wherein the cleaning device has a size of from mm to 80 mm.

[7] The tip of the cleaning blade is in contact with the cylindrical organic photoreceptor at a position within ± 30 degrees of the cylindrical center angle (β) when the vertical position above the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is 0 °. The cleaning device according to any one of the above 1 to 6, wherein

8. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a sheet-shaped conductive member is provided in contact with a cylindrical organic photoreceptor at an upstream side of the cleaning blade.

9. The electrostatic latent image formed on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed with a developer containing toner, and the toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. An image forming method using a cleaning device having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the organic photoreceptor, wherein the cleaning device according to any one of 1 to 8 above is used.

10. 10. The image forming method according to 9, wherein the toner has a coefficient of variation of a shape coefficient of the toner particles of 16% or less, and a number variation coefficient in a number particle size distribution of the toner particles is 27% or less. .

11. The toner has a shape factor of 1.2 to
11. The image forming method as described in 9 or 10 above, wherein the toner particle content in the range of 1.6 is 65% by number or more.

[12] 9. The toner according to any one of the items 9 to 11, wherein the toner contains 50% by number or more of toner particles having no corners.
The image forming method according to any one of the above items.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising the cleaning device according to any one of the above items 1 to 8.

The present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an image forming apparatus) applied to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) A, a document image reading unit B for reading an image of a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder, and a read document image. Image control board C to be processed
Writing unit 1 for writing on cylindrical photoreceptor 10 as an image carrier according to data after image processing
And a developing unit 1 including a photosensitive member 10 and a charging electrode 14 around the photosensitive member 10 and a magnetic brush type developing device.
6, transfer electrode 18, separation electrode 20, cleaning means 2
An image forming unit Ef including an image forming unit such as No. 1;
Has a storage section F for the paper feed trays 22 and 24 for storing.

The automatic document feeder A includes a document table 26
And a document transport processing unit 28 including a roller group including a roller R1 and switching means for appropriately switching a document movement path (no reference symbol).

The original image reading section B is located below the platen glass G and can move back and forth while maintaining the optical path length, a fixed image forming lens (hereinafter simply referred to as a lens) 33, and a line-shaped image forming section. Image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD
The writing unit D includes a laser light source 40, a polygon mirror (polarizer) 42, and the like.

When viewed from the direction of movement of the recording paper P as a transfer material, R10 shown on the front side of the transfer electrode 18 is a registration roller, and Hf on the downstream side of the separation electrode 20 is a fixing means.

In the embodiment, the fixing means Hf is
It is composed of a roller having a built-in heating source and a pressure roller that rotates while pressing against the roller.

Further, Z is a cleaning means for the fixing means Hf, and has a cleaning web provided so as to be wound up as a main element.

One of the originals (not shown) placed on the original placing table 26 is transported by the original transport processor 28,
While passing under the roller R1, exposure by the exposure means L is performed.

The reflected light from the original passes through the mirror units 30 and 31 and the lens 33 at the fixed position and passes through the CCD 3.
5 and is read.

The image information read by the document image reading section B is processed by the image processing means, encoded, and stored in a memory provided on the image control board C.

Further, the image data is called in accordance with the image formation, the laser light source 40 in the writing section D is driven according to the image data, and the photosensitive member 10 is exposed.

Prior to the exposure, the photoreceptor 10 rotating in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) is given a predetermined surface potential by the corona discharge action of the charging electrode 14. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 10 according to the image data.

The electrostatic latent image is reversely developed by the developing means 16 to be a visible image (toner image).

On the other hand, before the leading end of the toner image on the photoreceptor 10 reaches the transfer area, for example, one recording sheet P in the sheet feed tray 22 is fed and conveyed to the registration roller R10.
And is regulated at the tip.

The recording paper P is conveyed toward a transfer area by a registration roller R10 that starts rotating in synchronization with the toner image, that is, an image area on the photoconductor 10, so as to overlap.

In the transfer area, the toner image on the photoreceptor 10 is transferred onto the recording paper P by the urging of the transfer electrode 18,
Next, the recording paper P is separated from the photoconductor 10 by the bias of the separation electrode 20.

Thereafter, the toner image is melted and fixed on the recording paper P by pressurizing and heating the fixing means Hf, and the recording paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray T via the paper discharge passage 78 and the paper discharge roller 79. Is discharged to

The reference symbol Sp on the paper feed tray 24 is
The free end is a movable plate that is constantly urged upward by an urging means such as a coil spring (not shown). As a result, the uppermost sheet comes into contact with a delivery roller described later.

The paper feed tray 22 also has the same configuration as that described above. In the embodiment, the paper feed trays 22 and 24 are arranged in two stages in the vertical direction, but may be provided with more paper feed trays.

The bottom portion (the same as the bottom wall) of the sheet feeding tray 24 arranged at the lower stage (the lower stage in the embodiment is used because the sheet feeding tray is a two-stage stack in the embodiment). A space 25 having a predetermined gap is formed between the apparatus and the bottom wall of the apparatus main body.

The space 25 is used in a mode (mode) in which images are formed on both sides of the recording paper P, and cooperates with a second transport path 80 (described later) for reversing the recording paper P. To achieve the reverse of the front and back.

Reference numerals 50 and 53 above the leading ends of the paper feed trays 22 and 24 (corresponding to the leading ends of the stored recording papers P when viewed from the paper feeding direction) denote paper feeding means (hereinafter referred to as feed-out means) comprising rollers. Rollers), 51 and 54
Is a feed roller, and 52 and 55 are double feed prevention rollers.

The feed rollers (50, 53) and the feed rollers (51, 54) are unitized, and a driving shaft connected to a driving source provided on the apparatus main body side or a locking means provided on a paper feeding unit. It has a configuration that can be easily attached to and detached from.

The double feed prevention rollers (52, 55) are also unitized, and have a structure that can be easily attached to and detached from a fixing member provided on a fixing portion of the apparatus main body.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a manual paper feed tray of the manual paper feed unit, which can be opened and closed with the lower end as a fulcrum with respect to the main body side wall of the image forming apparatus 1.

Reference numeral 61 denotes a feed roller formed of a roller for feeding the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray 60 with the image formation, 63 denotes a feed roller provided downstream of the feed roller 61, and 65 denotes a feed roller. Roller 6
3, a double feed prevention roller for preventing a plurality of sheets of recording paper P from being fed, and has substantially the same configuration as that of the above-described paper feed trays 22 and 24.

Reference numeral 66 denotes a conveyance path for the recording paper P sent out from the manual feed tray 60, which communicates with a later-described junction via a pair of conveyance rollers immediately to the left of the feed roller 63.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a first conveyance path for forming an image on the recording paper P by transfer, and extends upward from below when viewed from the moving direction of the recording paper sent from an appropriate paper feed tray. .

Reference numeral 72 denotes a paper feeding path for recording paper stored in the upper paper feeding tray 22, reference numeral 74 denotes a paper feeding path for recording paper stored in the lower paper feeding tray 24, and reference numeral 76 denotes both trays 2.
It is a merging portion (a part of the first conveyance path 70) where the recording papers P sent from 2 and 24 merge.

Reference numeral 78 denotes a paper discharge path for discharging the recording paper on which a predetermined image has been formed onto the paper discharge tray T.

Numeral 80 denotes a second conveyance path for reversing the recording paper used for forming images on both sides of the recording paper.
The upper part of the figure communicates with the first transport path.

The second transport path 80 extends downward from above when viewed from the direction of movement of the recording paper.

The lower end of the second conveying path 80 is a conveying path that extends substantially vertically, and the lower end extends below the sheet feeding section of the lower sheet feeding tray 24.
0 (connected).

As understood from the above, the first transport path 7
0 and the second transport path 80 form a long loop in the longitudinal direction on one side wall side of the apparatus main body.

At the connection between the first transport path 70 and the second transport path 80, a transport means R20 comprising a pair of reversible rollers is provided.

Since the recording paper P is not continuously conveyed from the second conveyance path 80 to the first conveyance path 70, the connection part can be said to be a branch part for dividing the two conveyance paths.

Below the switchback roller R20, there is provided a passage leading to the space 25, and when the recording paper P is turned upside down, the recording paper P moving through the second transport path 80 is passed through the space 25. Used to go to.

In the image forming process, the second transport path 8
When the recording paper P moving through the recording paper P is sent out toward the space 25, the rear end of the recording paper P is configured to be gripped by the switchback roller R20. 25 stores a part of the recording paper.

Reference numeral 90 denotes an (upper) branch guide which directs the recording paper P, on which an image has been formed on the first surface, to the paper discharge passage 78,
Alternatively, it is controlled so as to be directed to the second transport path 80.

In other words, the image forming apparatus is controlled according to a user-set image forming mode (a mode in which an image is formed on only one side of a recording sheet or a mode in which an image is formed on both sides of a recording sheet),
It can be said that the recording paper transport path is switched.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cleaning means used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, a cleaning means 21 is provided above the photoreceptor 10. As shown in the drawing, the cleaning means 21 is disposed above a horizontal line HL passing through the rotation center 10A of the drum-shaped photoconductor 10, and the tip of the cleaning blade 211 is positioned vertically above the photoconductor 10 at 0 °.
In this case, the photosensitive member cylinder is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive member within ± 30 degrees of the central angle (β) of the photosensitive member to clean the toner on the photosensitive member.

On the side of the frame 218 of the cleaning means 21, a sheet-shaped conductive member 219 and a separation claw 217 are provided on the upstream side of the cleaning blade, and the sheet-shaped conductive member 219, the separation claw 217 and the separation claw are provided. And photoreceptor 10
Touching the surface.

Further, a support 212 is rotatably supported by a shaft 213 in the frame 218, and a base of the cleaning blade 211 is fixed to one end of the support 212. The other end 222 of the support 212 is provided so as to be exposed outside from the frame 218.

In the operating state of the cleaning means 21, the tip of the cleaning blade 211 is pressed against the photosensitive member 10 by the elastic force of the spring S provided at the other end of the support 212.
An elastic plate 214 is fixed to one end of the support 212 so as to be located on the rear end side of the cleaning blade 211 and downstream of the shaft 213 with respect to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 10. It functions to prevent toner scattering when the blade is released from pressure contact. The elastic plate 214 is desirably formed of an elastic plate such as polyurethane rubber or polyethylene terephthalate.

After the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper P in the frame 218 and the residual toner on the photosensitive member 10 is cleaned by the cleaning blade 211, the residual toner is sequentially discharged from the frame 218 to the outside. Discharging members 215 and 216 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the setting of the cleaning blade, the sheet-shaped conductive member and the cylindrical organic photoreceptor of the present invention in more detail.

In FIG. 3, the cleaning blade 211
Is in contact with the photoreceptor surface within ± 30 degrees of the photoreceptor cylinder center angle (β) when the vertical above the photoreceptor 10 is 0 ° (contact point A).

In the present invention, the cleaning blade 21
Preferred values of the contact load P and the contact angle θ on the photoconductor 1 are P = 5 to 40 N / m and θ = 5 to 35 °.

The free length L of the cleaning blade represents the length from the end of the support 212 to the tip of the blade before deformation, as shown in FIG. A preferred value of the free length is L = 5 to 15 mm. The thickness of the cleaning blade is preferably 0.5 to 4 mm.

The contact load P is the cleaning blade 211
Is the vector value in the normal direction of the pressing force P ′ when the contact member is brought into contact with the photoconductor 10.

The contact angle θ represents the angle between the tangent line X at the contact point A of the photosensitive member and the blade before deformation (indicated by a dotted line in the drawing).

As the material of the elastic rubber blade used for the cleaning blade, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, chloropyrene rubber, butadiene rubber and the like are known. Of these, urethane rubber is other rubber. It is particularly preferred in that it has excellent wear characteristics as compared with For example, urethane rubber obtained by reacting and curing a polycaprolactone ester and a polyisocyanate described in JP-A-59-30574 is preferable.

The sheet-like conductive member 219 is provided on the side of the frame 218 of the cleaning means 21 and on the upstream side of the cleaning blade (in the photoconductor rotation direction). Is in contact with the photoreceptor surface. As a result, the charge on the toner and the photoreceptor is removed, and as a result, the cleaning property is improved, and an excessive load is not applied to the cleaning blade, and the occurrence of blade failure such as turning over of the blade and squealing of the blade is suppressed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a setting method of the sheet-shaped conductive member 219. That is, the cleaning means 21 is installed on the side of the frame 218 so as to be reinforced by the backrest member 220 (a folded polyethylene terephthalate sheet or the like) so as to come into contact with the photoconductor. Further, the toner guide 22 is located upstream of the sheet-shaped conductive member 219.
1 (a sheet such as a polyethylene terephthalate sheet) is provided to prevent the cleaned toner from scattering outside the cleaning device.

In order to effectively remove the charge of the toner or the photosensitive member, it is preferable that the sheet-shaped conductive member 219 is grounded (grounded). Alternatively, applying a bias voltage to the sheet-shaped conductive member 219 opposite to the charging polarity of the toner also has a favorable effect on the charge removal of the toner. Further, applying a positive or negative bias voltage to the sheet-shaped conductive member 219 also has a favorable effect on removing charge from the toner and the photoconductor. As described above, by providing the electrical conditions for the sheet-shaped conductive member and removing the toner or the charge on the photosensitive member upstream of the cleaning blade, the cleaning of the toner by the cleaning blade is stable for a long time. And good.

The sheet-shaped conductive member may be formed by mixing a conductive material such as carbon or metal powder into a polymer material such as urethane, acrylic, or polyethylene, or by coating a sheet formed of such a polymer material with a conductive material. It can be manufactured by processing.

The conductive sheet member of the present invention preferably has a surface resistivity of more than 0 and not more than 10 ⁸ Ω. 1
If it is larger than 0 ⁸ Ω, the effect of removing the charge on the toner or the photoreceptor is small, and it is difficult to achieve good cleaning properties.

The method for measuring the surface resistivity of the conductive member according to the present invention is carried out according to JIS K6911. Measurement environment is 20
The test is performed at 50 ° C. RH and an applied voltage of 1 V.

The sheet-shaped conductive member of the present invention has a thickness of 0.1.
It is preferably from 0.5 to 1 mm. When the thickness is less than 0.05 mm, the mechanical strength of the sheet becomes insufficient and the sheet is easily deformed. Meanwhile, 1
If it is larger than mm, the flexibility is insufficient, and it is difficult to follow the driven photoconductor.

In the image forming method having the cleaning means above the cylindrical organic photoreceptor as described above, the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade does not easily separate from the surface of the photoreceptor, and cleaning failure often occurs. In particular,
When the polymerized toner and the cylindrical organic photoreceptor are used, poor cleaning and blade turn-up are likely to occur.

The present invention is designed so that the relationship between the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, the free length of the cleaning blade and the blade characteristics satisfies the following formulas 1 and 2, so that the blade is not inverted and the cleaning property is improved. It has been found to improve.

Formula 1 (1/12) ≦ L / D ≦ (1/2) Formula 2 30 ≦ H ≦ 85 (unit:%) where L (free length of cleaning blade) D (of cylindrical organic photoreceptor) Diameter) H (repulsion elasticity of the cleaning blade) That is, if the value of the above formula 1 is less than (1/12), the toner easily slips through, and if it is larger than (1/2), the blade is easily turned up. Equation 1 is (1/11) ≦ L / D
≤ (1/3) is more preferable.

Further, even if the free length L of the cleaning blade satisfies the formula 1, if the rebound resilience H is less than 30, toner slips through easily, and if H is more than 85, blade turning is liable to occur. Particularly, a value of H satisfying 60 ≦ H ≦ 80 is preferable.

The rebound resilience of the cleaning blade of the present invention is a measure of the magnitude of the potential energy remaining on the bar after the bar is hit with a test bar as described in the JIS glossary. The specific measurement method is to use a tester described in JIS K6301. In the present invention, the reaction is performed under environmental conditions of 25 ° C. and 50% RH.

Further, the present invention is designed so that the relationship between the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, the free length of the cleaning blade and the blade characteristics satisfies the above formulas (1) and (3). It has been found that the cleaning properties are improved.

Formula 3 1000 ≦ M ≦ 3000
(Unit: N / cm ² ) However, M (300% module of the cleaning blade) That is, even if the free length L of the cleaning blade satisfies the expression 1, if the 300% module M is less than 1000, the blade edge is worn. Therefore, the toner easily slips through, and when M is larger than 3000, the blade is easily turned. Particularly, a value of M of 1000 ≦ M ≦ 2000 is preferable.

300% of the cleaning blade of the present invention
The module indicates a tensile stress when 300% elongation is given to a test sample, and is measured according to a measuring method described in JIS K6251. Measurement environment conditions are 25
° C, 50% RH.

Further, the present invention is designed so that the relationship between the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, the free length of the cleaning blade and the blade characteristics satisfies the above formulas (1) and (4). It has been found that the cleaning properties are improved.

Expression 40 0 ≦ E ≦ 10 (unit:%) where E (permanent elongation of the cleaning blade) That is, even if the free length L of the cleaning blade satisfies the expression 1, the smaller the permanent elongation E, the smaller the blade Is small and good. On the other hand, when E is larger than 10, the amount of deformation of the blade becomes large, and toner slips through easily.

As described in the JIS glossary, the permanent elongation of the present invention refers to a residual strain after a test piece is given a certain elongation and left for a certain time.

The permanent elongation E is measured according to JIS K6301 permanent elongation test method. Using a dumbbell-shaped No. 1 test piece, holding the test piece under 200% elongation condition for 10 minutes,
Hold and release and measure after 10 minutes. Measurement environment conditions are 25
° C, 50% RH.

Further, the present invention is designed so that the relationship between the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, the free length of the cleaning blade and the blade characteristics satisfies the above-mentioned formulas (1) and (5). It has been found that the cleaning properties are improved.

Formula 5 65 ≦ K ≦ 80 (unit: degree) where K (JISA hardness of the cleaning blade) That is, even if the free length L of the cleaning blade satisfies the formula 1, if the JISA hardness K is less than 65, Blade turning is apt to occur, and when K is larger than 80, toner slip-through tends to occur. Particularly, a value of K satisfying 67 ≦ K ≦ 72 is preferable.

The hardness K is measured using a JIS K6301 spring type hardness tester A type. Test method is also JISK
6301. Measurement environment conditions: 25 ° C, 50% RH
It is.

Further, the present invention is designed such that the relationship between the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, the free length of the cleaning blade and the blade characteristics satisfies the above-mentioned formulas (1) to (5).
It was found that there was no reversal of the blade and the cleaning properties were significantly improved.

The diameter D of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is 25 mm.
When the distance is about 80 mm, the conditions of the above formulas 1 and 2 to 5 have a remarkable effect on achieving good cleaning performance and preventing blade turnover. Furthermore, the diameter D of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is more preferably 25 mm to 65 mm in terms of making the mechanical design more compact, achieving good cleaning performance, and preventing the occurrence of blade turning.

When the tip of the cleaning blade is located at 0 degree vertically above the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, the cleaning blade comes into contact with the cylindrical organic photoreceptor at a position within ± 30 degrees of the cylindrical central angle (β). In the cleaning device, the above formulas 1 to 5
The condition (1) has a remarkable effect on achieving good cleaning properties and preventing the occurrence of blade turning.

Next, the organic photoreceptor of the present invention will be described. In the present invention, an organic electrophotographic photoreceptor (organic photoreceptor) is an electrophotography constituted by providing an organic compound with at least one of a charge generation function and a charge transport function essential for the configuration of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. Photoreceptor means all known organic electrophotographic photoreceptors such as a photoreceptor composed of a known organic charge generating substance or organic charge transporting substance, and a photoreceptor having a charge generating function and a charge transporting function composed of a polymer complex. contains.

The layer constitution of the organic photoreceptor is not particularly limited, but may be a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, or a charge generation / charge transport layer (a layer having functions of charge generation and charge transport in the same layer).
It is preferable to adopt a constitution in which a photosensitive layer such as that described above and a protective layer are coated thereon.

Conductive Support The cylindrical organic photoreceptor of the present invention has an organic photosensitive layer provided on a cylindrical conductive support. Here, the cylindrical conductive support means a cylindrical support necessary for forming an image endlessly by rotating, and has a straightness of 0.1 mm.
Hereinafter, a conductive support having a runout of 0.1 mm or less is preferable. If the roundness and the shake are out of the range, it is difficult to form a good image on the photoreceptor.

As the conductive material, a metal drum such as aluminum or nickel, a plastic drum on which aluminum, tin oxide, indium oxide, or the like is deposited, or a paper / plastic drum coated with a conductive substance can be used. The conductive support preferably has a specific resistance of 10 ³ Ωcm or less at room temperature.

The conductive support used in the present invention may have a surface on which a sealed alumite film is formed. The alumite treatment is usually performed in an acidic bath such as chromic acid, sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, and sulfamic acid, but anodizing treatment in sulfuric acid gives the most preferable result. In the case of the anodic oxidation treatment in sulfuric acid, the sulfuric acid concentration is preferably 100 to 200 g / L, the aluminum ion concentration is 1 to 10 g / L, the liquid temperature is about 20 ° C., and the applied voltage is preferably about 20 V. It is not limited. The average thickness of the anodic oxide coating is usually 2
It is preferably 0 μm or less, particularly preferably 10 μm or less.

Intermediate Layer In the present invention, an intermediate layer having a barrier function may be provided between the conductive support and the photosensitive layer.

In the present invention, in order to improve the adhesion between the conductive support and the photosensitive layer, or to prevent charge injection from the support, an intermediate layer (below the lower layer) is provided between the support and the photosensitive layer. (Including a subbing layer). Examples of the material for the intermediate layer include polyamide resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl acetate resins, and copolymer resins containing two or more of the repeating units of these resins. Among these undercoating resins, a polyamide resin is preferable as a resin capable of reducing an increase in residual potential due to repeated use. The thickness of the intermediate layer using these resins is 0.01 to 0.5 μm.
Is preferred.

The intermediate layer most preferably used in the present invention is an intermediate layer using a curable metal resin obtained by thermosetting an organic metal compound such as a silane coupling agent and a titanium coupling agent. The thickness of the intermediate layer using a curable metal resin is preferably 0.1 to 2 μm.

Photosensitive Layer The photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor of the present invention may have a single-layer structure in which a charge generation function and a charge transport function are provided on the intermediate layer in one layer. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the functions of the layers are separated into a charge generation layer (CGL) and a charge transport layer (CTL). By adopting a configuration in which functions are separated, an increase in residual potential due to repeated use can be controlled to be small, and other electrophotographic characteristics can be easily controlled according to the purpose. In the photoreceptor for negative charging, the charge generation layer (C
GL) and a charge transport layer (CTL) thereon. In the case of a positively charged photoreceptor, the order of the layer configuration is opposite to that of the negatively charged photoreceptor. The most preferred photosensitive layer structure of the present invention is a negatively charged photosensitive member having the function-separated structure.

The structure of the photosensitive layer of the function-separated negatively charged photosensitive member will be described below. Charge generation layer Charge generation layer: The charge generation layer contains a charge generation material (CGM). As other substances, a binder resin and other additives may be contained as necessary.

As the charge generation material (CGM), a known charge generation material (CGM) can be used. For example, phthalocyanine pigments, azo pigments, perylene pigments, azurenium pigments, and the like can be used. Among them, CGM that can minimize the increase in residual potential due to repeated use
Has a steric and potential structure capable of forming a stable aggregation structure among a plurality of molecules, and specifically includes CGM of a phthalocyanine pigment and a perylene pigment having a specific crystal structure. For example, Bragg angle 2θ for Cu-Kα ray
CGM such as titanyl phthalocyanine having a maximum peak at 27.2 ° and benzimidazole perylene having a maximum peak at 2θ of 12.4 have almost no deterioration due to repeated use, and the residual potential increase can be reduced.

When a binder is used as a dispersion medium for CGM in the charge generation layer, a known resin can be used as the binder, but the most preferred resin is a formal resin, a butyral resin, a silicone resin, a silicone-modified butyral resin, a phenoxy resin. Resins. The ratio between the binder resin and the charge generating substance is preferably from 20 to 600 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. By using these resins, the increase in residual potential due to repeated use can be minimized. The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably from 0.01 μm to 2 μm.

Charge transport layer Charge transport layer: The charge transport layer contains a charge transport material (CTM) and a binder resin for dispersing the CTM to form a film.
As other substances, additives such as antioxidants may be contained as necessary.

As the charge transport material (CTM), a known charge transport material (CTM) can be used. For example, triphenylamine derivatives, hydrazone compounds, styryl compounds, benzidine compounds, butadiene compounds and the like can be used. These charge transport materials are usually dissolved in a suitable binder resin to form a layer. Among these, the CTM that can minimize the increase in residual potential due to repeated use has a high mobility and a characteristic in which the ionization potential difference with the CGM to be combined is 0.5 (eV) or less, and is preferably 0. .25 (eV) or less.

The ionization potential of CGM and CTM is measured with a surface analyzer AC-1 (manufactured by Riken Keiki Co., Ltd.).

Examples of the resin used for the charge transport layer (CTL) include polystyrene, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl acetate resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, phenol resin, polyester resin, and alkyd. Resins, polycarbonate resins, silicone resins, melamine resins, and copolymer resins containing two or more of the repeating units of these resins. In addition to these insulating resins, poly-
A high-molecular organic semiconductor such as N-vinylcarbazole may be used.

The most preferred binder for these CTLs is a polycarbonate resin. Polycarbonate resins are most preferred for improving the dispersibility and electrophotographic properties of CTM. The ratio of the binder resin to the charge transporting material is preferably from 10 to 200 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably from 10 to 40 μm.

Protective Layer The organic photoreceptor of the present invention may be provided with a protective layer. It is preferable to use a siloxane-based resin layer having a crosslinked structure as the protective layer.

The solvent or dispersion medium used for forming the intermediate layer, photosensitive layer, etc. of the present invention includes n-butylamine, diethylamine, ethylenediamine, isopropanolamine, triethanolamine, triethylenediamine, and the like.
N, N-dimethylformamide, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone, cyclohexanone, benzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,
1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxolan,
Examples thereof include dioxane, methanol, ethanol, butanol, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide, and methyl cellosolve. Although the present invention is not limited to these, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone and the like are preferably used. In addition, these solvents can be used alone or as a mixed solvent of two or more kinds.

The coating method for producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention includes dip coating, spray coating,
A coating method such as a circular amount control type coating is used, but the coating process on the upper layer side of the photosensitive layer is performed by spray coating or a circular amount control type in order to minimize dissolution of the lower layer film and to achieve a uniform coating process. A typical example is a circular slide hopper type. It is preferable to use a coating method such as coating. It is most preferable that the protective layer of the present invention uses the above-mentioned circular amount control type coating method. The circular amount control type coating is described in detail in, for example, JP-A-58-189061.

Next, the toner used in the present invention will be described. The toner of the present invention is preferably a polymerized toner having a relatively uniform particle size distribution and shape of individual toner particles. Here, the polymerization toner is the generation of the resin for the toner binder and the toner shape is the polymerization of the raw material monomer of the binder resin,
And a toner formed by a subsequent chemical treatment. More specifically, it means a toner obtained through a polymerization reaction such as suspension polymerization and emulsion polymerization and, if necessary, a subsequent step of fusing particles together.

As the polymerized toner used in the cleaning device using the cleaning blade of the present invention, a toner having a specific shape is preferable. Hereinafter, the polymerized toner preferably used in the present invention will be described.

As the preferred polymerized toner applicable to the present invention, toner particles having a shape coefficient in the range of 1.2 to 1.6 are 65% by number or more, and the coefficient of variation of the shape coefficient is 1%.
6% or less. It has been found that such a polymerized toner can stabilize the torque fluctuation of the cleaning blade and exhibits excellent cleaning performance.

The difference in the stability of the fluctuation of the torque of the cleaning blade due to the toner also depends on the particle size of the toner particles. The smaller the particle size, the higher the adhesion to the image bearing member. And the probability of toner passing through the cleaning blade is high.
However, when the toner particle diameter is large, such a slip-through is reduced, but there is a problem that image quality such as resolution is deteriorated.

As a result of examination from the above viewpoints, the use of a toner having a coefficient of variation of the shape factor of the toner of 16% or less and a number variation coefficient of 27% or less in the number particle size distribution of the toner is as follows. It has been found that it is excellent in cleaning properties and fine line reproducibility and can form high-quality image for a long period of time.

Also, by controlling the number of toner particles having no corners to 50% by number or more and controlling the number variation coefficient in the number and particle size distribution to 27% or less, excellent cleaning performance and fine line reproducibility and high quality image quality can be obtained for a long time. Can be formed.

The shape factor of the toner of the present invention is represented by the following equation, and indicates the degree of roundness of the toner particles.

Shape factor = ((maximum diameter / 2) ² × π) / projected area Here, the maximum diameter is defined as the parallel line when a projected image of a toner particle on a plane is sandwiched between two parallel lines. Means the width of the particle at which the distance between the particles becomes maximum. The projection area refers to the area of the projected image of the toner particles on the plane.

In the present invention, the shape factor can be determined by taking a photograph in which the toner particles are magnified 2000 times with a scanning electron microscope, and referring to the “SCCANNING” based on the photograph.
The measurement was performed by analyzing a photographic image using "IMAGE ANALYZER" (manufactured by JEOL Ltd.). In this case, the shape factor of the present invention was measured by using the above formula using 100 toner particles.

The preferred polymerized toner of the present invention is such that toner particles having a shape factor in the range of 1.2 to 1.6 are at least 65% by number, more preferably 7%.
0% by number or more.

When the number of toner particles having a shape factor in the range of 1.2 to 1.6 is 65% by number or more, the triboelectrification of the developer conveying member and the like becomes more uniform, and the excessively charged toner Is not accumulated, and the toner is more easily exchanged than the surface of the developer conveying member. Therefore, problems such as a development ghost are less likely to occur. Further, the toner particles are less likely to be crushed, so that the contamination of the charging member is reduced, and the charging property of the toner is stabilized.

The method of controlling the shape factor is not particularly limited. For example, a method of spraying toner particles in a hot air flow, a method of repeatedly applying mechanical energy by an impact force in a gas phase, or a method of adding a toner particle in a solvent that does not dissolve a toner to give a swirling flow, etc. Thus, there is a method in which a toner having a shape factor of 1.2 to 1.6 is prepared, and is added to a normal toner so as to fall within the range of the present invention. Also, controlling the overall shape at the stage of adjusting the so-called polymerization toner,
There is a method in which a toner whose shape factor is adjusted to 1.0 to 1.6 or 1.2 to 1.6 is similarly added to a normal toner to adjust the shape.

The coefficient of variation of the shape factor of the polymerized toner preferably used in the present invention is calculated from the following equation.

Coefficient of variation = [S / K] × 100 (%) [where S represents the standard deviation of the shape coefficient of 100 toner particles, and K represents the average value of the shape coefficient. The variation coefficient of the shape factor is 16% or less, preferably 14% or less. When the variation coefficient of the shape factor is 16% or less, the gap of the transferred toner layer is reduced, the fixing property is improved, and the offset is less likely to occur. Further, the charge amount distribution becomes sharp, and the image quality is improved.

In order to uniformly control the shape factor of the toner and the variation coefficient of the shape factor without extremely varying lots, the resin particles (polymer particles) are formed in a process of polymerization, fusion, and shape control. An appropriate process end time may be determined while monitoring the characteristics of certain toner particles (colored particles).

Monitoring means that a measuring device is incorporated in-line and the process conditions are controlled based on the measurement result. That is, for example, in the case of a polymerization toner formed by incorporating measurement of shape and the like in-line and associating or fusing resin particles in an aqueous medium, the shape and particle size are sequentially sampled in steps such as fusing. Is measured, and the reaction is stopped when the desired shape is obtained.

Although the monitoring method is not particularly limited, a flow type particle image analyzer FPIA-
2000 (manufactured by Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.) can be used. This apparatus is suitable because the shape can be monitored by performing image processing in real time while passing the sample liquid. That is, a pump or the like is used from the reaction field to constantly monitor and measure the shape and the like, and stop the reaction when the desired shape and the like are obtained.

The number particle size distribution and the number variation coefficient of the toner of the present invention are measured by Coulter Counter TA-II or Coulter Multisizer (manufactured by Coulter Co.). In the present invention, a Coulter Multisizer was used, connected to an interface (manufactured by Nikkaki) for outputting a particle size distribution and a personal computer. The aperture used in the Coulter Multisizer is 100 μm and the aperture is 2 μm.
The volume and number of the above toners were measured to calculate the particle size distribution and the average particle size. The number particle size distribution represents the relative frequency of the toner particles with respect to the particle size, and the number average particle size represents the median size in the number particle size distribution.

The number variation coefficient in the number particle size distribution of the toner is calculated from the following equation. Number variation coefficient = [S / Dn] × 100 (%) [where S represents a standard deviation in the number particle size distribution, and D
n indicates a number average particle size (μm). The number variation coefficient of the toner of the present invention is 27% or less, and preferably 25% or less. When the number variation coefficient is 27% or less, the gap of the transferred toner layer is reduced, the fixing property is improved, and the offset is less likely to occur. Further, the charge amount distribution is sharpened, the transfer efficiency is increased, and the image quality is improved.

The method for controlling the number variation coefficient of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, a method of classifying toner particles by wind force can be used, but classification in a liquid is effective for further reducing the number variation coefficient. As a method of classifying in a liquid, there is a method of separating and collecting toner particles according to a sedimentation speed difference caused by a difference in toner particle diameter by controlling a rotation speed by using a centrifugal separator.

In particular, when a toner is produced by a suspension polymerization method, a classification operation is indispensable in order to reduce the number variation coefficient in the number particle size distribution to 27% or less. In the suspension polymerization method,
Before polymerization, it is necessary to disperse the polymerizable monomer in an aqueous medium into oil droplets of a desired size as a toner. That is, mechanical shearing by a homomixer, a homogenizer, or the like is repeated on a large oil droplet of the polymerizable monomer to reduce the oil droplet to the size of toner particles. In the method by a gentle shear, the number and particle size distribution of the obtained oil droplets becomes broad, and therefore,
The particle size distribution of the toner obtained by polymerizing this becomes wide. For this reason, a classification operation is required.

The non-corner toner particles of the present invention refer to toner particles having substantially no projections on which electric charges are concentrated or projections which are easily worn out by stress. Assuming that the major axis of the toner particle T is L, when the inside of the circle C having a radius (L / 10) is rolled while being in contact with the peripheral line of the toner particle T at one point on the inside, The case where the circle C does not substantially protrude outside the toner T is referred to as “toner particles without corners”. “Cases that do not substantially protrude” refer to cases where there are no more than one protrusion having a protruding circle. Further, “the major axis of the toner particles” refers to the projected image of the toner particles on a plane as 2 mm.
The width of a particle at which the distance between the parallel lines is the largest when sandwiched between parallel lines. 9 (b) and 9 (c).
Indicates a projected image of each of the toner particles having corners.

The measurement of the toner having no corner was performed as follows. First, a photograph in which toner particles are enlarged by a scanning electron microscope is taken, and further enlarged to obtain a photographic image of 15,000 times. Next, the presence or absence of the corners is measured for this photographic image. This measurement was performed for 100 toner particles.

In the toner of the present invention, the ratio of toner particles having no corners is at least 50% by number, preferably at least 70% by number. When the ratio of the toner particles having no corners is 50% by number or more, generation of fine particles and the like due to stress with the developer conveying member and the like are less likely to occur,
It is possible to prevent so-called excessively adherent toner from being adhered to the surface of the developer transport member, to suppress contamination of the developer transport member, and to sharpen the charge amount. In addition, the amount of toner particles that are easily worn or broken and the number of toner particles having a portion where charges are concentrated are reduced, the charge amount distribution is sharpened, the chargeability is stabilized, and good image quality can be formed over a long period of time.

A method for obtaining a toner having no corners is not particularly limited. For example, as described above, as a method of controlling the shape coefficient, a method of spraying toner particles into a hot air flow, a method of repeatedly applying mechanical energy by an impact force in a gas phase, or a method of dissolving a toner It can be obtained by adding to a solvent that does not contain and giving a swirling flow.

In the polymerization toner formed by associating or fusing the resin particles, the surface of the fused particles has many irregularities at the stage of stopping the fusion, and the surface is not smooth. By setting conditions such as the temperature, the number of rotations of the stirring blade, and the stirring time, toner having no corners can be obtained. These conditions vary depending on the physical properties of the resin particles. For example, by setting the rotation speed higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin particles, the surface becomes smooth and a toner having no corners can be formed.

The toner of the present invention preferably has a number average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm. When toner particles are formed by a polymerization method, the particle diameter can be controlled by the concentration of the coagulant, the amount of the organic solvent added, the fusing time, and the composition of the polymer itself.

When the number average particle diameter is 3 to 8 μm, in the fixing step, it is possible to reduce the presence of toner having excessive adhesion to the developer conveying member, toner having low adhesion, and the like, thereby improving the developing property. In addition to being able to stabilize for a long period of time, the transfer efficiency is increased, the image quality of halftone is improved, and the image quality of fine lines and dots is improved.

As the polymerized toner preferably used in the present invention, when the particle size of the toner particles is D (μm), the natural logarithm InD is plotted on the horizontal axis, and the horizontal axis is divided into a plurality of classes at intervals of 0.23. in histogram showing the particle size distribution of number criteria, the relative frequency of the toner particles contained in the modal class (m _1), the relative frequency of the toner particles contained in the following frequent the rank of the modal class (m ₂ ) And (M) is 7
The toner is preferably 0% or more.

When the sum (M) of the relative frequency (m ₁ ) and the relative frequency (m ₂ ) is 70% or more, the dispersion of the particle size distribution of the toner particles is narrowed. By using this, the occurrence of selective development can be reliably suppressed.

In the present invention, the histogram showing the number-based particle size distribution is obtained by plotting the natural logarithm lnD (D: particle size of individual toner particles) in a plurality of classes (0 to 0) at intervals of 0.23.
0.23: 0.23 to 0.46: 0.46 to 0.69:
0.69 to 0.92: 0.92 to 1.15: 1.15
1.38: 1.38 to 1.61: 1.61 to 1.84:
1.84 to 2.07: 2.07 to 2.30: 2.30 to
2.53: 2.53 to 2.76...) Is a histogram showing the number-based particle size distribution, which is a particle size data of a sample measured by a Coulter Multisizer according to the following conditions. Is transferred to a computer via an I / O unit, and the computer creates the program using a particle size distribution analysis program.

[Measurement Conditions] (1) Aperture: 100 μm (2) Sample preparation method: electrolytic solution [ISOTON R-1
1 (manufactured by Coulter Scientific Japan)
An appropriate amount of a surfactant (neutral detergent) is added to 50 to 100 ml, and the mixture is stirred, and 10 to 20 mg of a measurement sample is added thereto. This system is prepared by subjecting it to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for 1 minute.

[0153] Among the methods for controlling the shape factor of the toner, a polymerization toner is preferred because it is simple as a production method and has excellent surface uniformity as compared with a pulverized toner.

The toner of the present invention is prepared by a suspension polymerization method or emulsion polymerization of a monomer in a liquid to which an emulsion of necessary additives is added.
It can be produced by a method of producing fine polymer particles, and then adding an organic solvent, a coagulant and the like to associate. A method of preparing by mixing and associating with a dispersion liquid such as a release agent or a colorant necessary for the composition of the toner at the time of association, or dispersing a toner component such as a release agent or a colorant in a monomer. And then emulsion polymerization. Here, the association means that a plurality of resin particles and colorant particles are fused.

The aqueous medium in the present invention means a medium containing at least 50% by mass of water.

That is, a coloring agent and, if necessary, various components such as a release agent, a charge control agent, and a polymerization initiator are added to the polymerizable monomer, and a homogenizer, a sand mill, a sand grinder, an ultrasonic dispersion Various constituent materials are dissolved or dispersed in the polymerizable monomer by a machine or the like. The polymerizable monomer in which these various constituent materials are dissolved or dispersed is dispersed in an aqueous medium containing a dispersion stabilizer into oil droplets of a desired size as a toner using a homomixer, a homogenizer, or the like. Thereafter, the stirring mechanism is moved to a reaction device, which is a stirring blade described later, and heated to cause the polymerization reaction to proceed. After completion of the reaction, the toner of the present invention is prepared by removing the dispersion stabilizer, filtering, washing and drying.

Further, as a method of producing the toner of the present invention, a method of preparing by associating or fusing resin particles in an aqueous medium can also be mentioned. This method is not particularly limited.
No. 5,252, JP-A-6-329947, and JP-A-9-15904. That is, a method of associating a plurality of resin particles and dispersed particles of a constituent material such as a colorant, or a plurality of fine particles composed of a resin and a colorant, particularly, after dispersing these in water using an emulsifier, the critical aggregation concentration At the same time as adding the above flocculant and salting out, the formed polymer itself is heated and fused at a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature to gradually form a fused particle, thereby gradually growing the particle size. At this point, a large amount of water was added to stop the growth of the particle size, and the surface was smoothened while heating and stirring to control the shape. The toner of the invention can be formed. Here, an organic solvent that is infinitely soluble in water may be added together with the coagulant.

As the polymerizable monomer constituting the resin, styrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, α-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene, 3,4- Dichlorostyrene,
p-phenylstyrene, p-ethylstyrene, 2,4-
Dimethylstyrene, p-tert-butylstyrene, p
-N-hexylstyrene, pn-octylstyrene,
pn-nonylstyrene, pn-decylstyrene, p
Styrene or a styrene derivative such as -n-dodecylstyrene, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate,
N-butyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate,
Methacrylate derivatives such as isobutyl methacrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, n-octyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. , Methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate,
Acrylic ester derivatives such as n-octyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, and the like, olefins such as ethylene, propylene, and isobutylene, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, and vinyl bromide , Vinyl fluoride such as vinyl fluoride and vinylidene fluoride; vinyl esters such as vinyl propionate, vinyl acetate and vinyl benzoate; vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether and vinyl ethyl ether; vinyl methyl ketone and vinyl ethyl ketone , Vinyl ketones such as vinyl hexyl ketone, N-vinyl compounds such as N-vinyl carbazole, N-vinyl indole, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl compounds such as vinyl naphthalene and vinyl pyridine, acrylonitrile, Acrylonitrile, there are acrylic acid or methacrylic acid derivatives such as acrylamide. These vinyl monomers can be used alone or in combination.

Further, it is more preferable to use a polymerizable monomer constituting the resin in combination with one having an ionic dissociation group. For example, those having a substituent such as a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, and a phosphate group as a constituent group of the monomer, specifically, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,
Maleic acid, itaconic acid, cinnamic acid, fumaric acid, monoalkyl maleate, monoalkyl itaconate, styrenesulfonic acid, allylsulfosuccinic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, acid phosphooxyethyl Methacrylate,
3-chloro-2-acid phosphooxypropyl methacrylate and the like.

Furthermore, divinylbenzene, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate,
Polyfunctional vinyls such as neopentyl glycol diacrylate can be used to form a crosslinked resin.

[0161] These polymerizable monomers can be polymerized using a radical polymerization initiator. In this case, an oil-soluble polymerization initiator can be used in the suspension polymerization method. As the oil-soluble polymerization initiator, 2,2'-azobis- (2,4
-Dimethylvaleronitrile), 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile, 1,1'-azobis (cyclohexane-1-carbonitrile), 2,2'-azobis-4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvalero Azo or diazo polymerization initiators such as nitrile and azobisisobutyronitrile, benzoyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, diisopropyl peroxycarbonate, cumene hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, di-t-butyl peroxide , Dicumyl peroxide, 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, 2,2-bis-
Examples thereof include peroxide-based polymerization initiators such as (4,4-t-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane and tris- (t-butylperoxy) triazine, and polymer initiators having a peroxide in a side chain. .

When an emulsion polymerization method is used, a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator can be used. Examples of the water-soluble polymerization initiator include persulfates such as potassium persulfate and ammonium persulfate, azobisaminodipropane acetate, azobiscyanovaleric acid and salts thereof, and hydrogen peroxide.

The dispersion stabilizers include tricalcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, zinc phosphate, aluminum phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium metasilicate, and calcium sulfate. , Barium sulfate,
Bentonite, silica, alumina and the like can be mentioned. Further, a surfactant generally used as a surfactant such as polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, methyl cellulose, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, ethylene oxide adduct, and higher alcohol sodium sulfate can be used as a dispersion stabilizer.

The resin excellent in the present invention preferably has a glass transition point of 20 to 90 ° C. and a softening point of 8 ° C.
The thing of 0-220 ° C is preferred. The glass transition point is measured by a differential calorimetric analysis method, and the softening point can be measured by a Koka flow tester. Furthermore, these resins have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 10 as measured by gel permeation chromatography.
00 to 100000, weight average molecular weight (Mw) 200
Those having 0 to 1,000,000 are preferred. Further, as a molecular weight distribution, Mw / Mn is 1.5 to 100, particularly 1.8.
-70 are preferred.

The coagulant to be used is not particularly limited, but those selected from metal salts are preferably used. Specifically, as a monovalent metal, for example, a salt of an alkali metal such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, and as a divalent metal, for example, a salt of an alkaline earth metal such as calcium and magnesium, or a divalent metal such as manganese or copper Salt,
Examples include salts of trivalent metals such as iron and aluminum, and specific salts include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride, calcium chloride, zinc chloride, copper sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and manganese sulfate. Can be.
These may be used in combination.

It is preferable that these coagulants are added at a concentration higher than the critical coagulation concentration. The critical aggregation concentration is an index relating to the stability of the aqueous dispersion, and indicates the concentration at which aggregation occurs when a coagulant is added. This critical aggregation concentration is
It varies greatly depending on the emulsified component and the dispersant itself. For example, Seizo Okamura et al.
7, 601 (1960), edited by The Society of Polymer Science and the like, and a detailed critical aggregation concentration can be determined. As another method, a desired salt is added to the target particle dispersion at a different concentration, the 、 (zeta) potential of the dispersion is measured, and the salt concentration at which this value changes is defined as the critical aggregation concentration. You can also ask.

The addition amount of the coagulant of the present invention may be not less than the critical coagulation concentration, but is preferably 1.2 to the critical coagulation concentration.
It is better to add it at least twice, more preferably at least 1.5 times.

The infinitely soluble solvent means a solvent which is infinitely soluble in water. In the present invention, a solvent which does not dissolve the formed resin is selected.
Specifically, methanol, ethanol, propanol,
Examples thereof include alcohols such as isopropanol, t-butanol, methoxyethanol and butoxyethanol, nitriles such as acetonitrile, and ethers such as dioxane. Particularly, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol are preferred.

The amount of the solvent to be dissolved infinitely is 1 to 100% by volume based on the polymer-containing dispersion to which the flocculant has been added.
Is preferred.

[0170] In order to make the shape uniform, it is preferable to prepare a colored particle, and after the filtration, a slurry in which 10% by mass or more of water is present in the particle is fluidized and dried. Those having a polar group in the polymer are preferred. It is considered that the reason for this is that the existing water exerts an effect of slightly swelling the polymer in which the polar group is present, so that it is particularly easy to make the shape uniform.

Although the toner of the present invention contains at least a resin and a colorant, it may contain a releasing agent or a charge control agent as a fixing property improving agent, if necessary. Further, an external additive composed of inorganic fine particles, organic fine particles, and the like may be added to the toner particles containing the resin and the colorant as main components.

As the colorant used in the toner of the present invention, carbon black, magnetic substance, dye, pigment and the like can be used arbitrarily. As the carbon black, channel black, furnace black, acetylene black, and the like can be used.
Thermal black, lamp black and the like are used. Ferromagnetic metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt as magnetic materials,
Alloys containing these metals, compounds of ferromagnetic metals such as ferrite and magnetite, alloys that do not contain ferromagnetic metals but show ferromagnetism by heat treatment, such as manganese-copper-
An alloy of a type called a Heusler alloy such as aluminum, manganese-copper-tin, chromium dioxide, or the like can be used.

As the dye, C.I. I. Solvent Red 1, 49, 52, 58, 63, 111, 1
22, C.I. I. Solvent Yellow 19, 44, 7
7, 79, 81, 82, 93, 98, 10
3, 104, 112, 162, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 25, 36, 60, 70, 93, 9
5 and the like, and mixtures thereof can also be used. Examples of the pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Red 5,
48: 1, 53: 1, 57: 1, 122, 1
39, 144, 149, 166, 177, 1
78, 222, C.I. I. Pigment Orange 31, 43 and C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 14, 17, and 9
3, 94, 138, C.I. I. Pigment Green 7, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3, 60 and the like, and mixtures thereof can also be used. The number average primary particle size varies depending on the type, but
About 200 nm is preferable.

As a method of adding a colorant, a method of adding polymer particles prepared by an emulsion polymerization method at the stage of aggregating by adding an aggregating agent to color the polymer, a method of polymerizing a monomer, or the like. And a method of adding a colorant, polymerizing, and forming colored particles can be used. When the colorant is added at the stage of preparing the polymer, it is preferable to use the colorant after treating the surface with a coupling agent or the like so as not to inhibit the radical polymerizability.

Further, low molecular weight polypropylene (number average molecular weight = 1500 to 9000) or low molecular weight polyethylene as a fixing property improving agent may be added.

Similarly, various charge control agents are also known.
What can be dispersed in water can also be used. Specifically, nigrosine dyes, metal salts of naphthenic acid or higher fatty acids, alkoxylated amines,
Quaternary ammonium salt compounds, azo-based metal complexes, salicylic acid metal salts or metal complexes thereof.

The particles of the charge control agent and the fixability improving agent have a number average primary particle diameter of 10 to 50 in a dispersed state.
Preferably, the thickness is about 0 nm.

In a suspension polymerization method toner in which a toner component such as a colorant is dispersed or dissolved in a so-called polymerizable monomer is suspended in an aqueous medium and then polymerized to obtain a toner, a polymerization reaction is performed. By controlling the flow of the medium in the reaction vessel, the shape of the toner particles can be controlled. That is, when a large number of toner particles having a shape factor of 1.2 or more are formed, the flow of the medium in the reaction vessel is made turbulent, and the polymerization proceeds to be present in the aqueous medium in a suspended state. When the oil droplets gradually become polymerized, the oil droplets become soft particles, and when the oil droplets collide, the particles collide to promote the coalescence of the particles, resulting in particles with an irregular shape . When spherical toner particles having a shape factor smaller than 1.2 are formed, spherical particles can be obtained by using a medium flow in the reaction vessel as a laminar flow to avoid collision of the particles. By this method, the distribution of the toner shape can be controlled within the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, the reaction apparatus preferably used in the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a reaction apparatus (stirring apparatus) in which a generally used stirring blade has a single-stage structure, wherein 2 is a stirring tank, 3 is a rotating shaft, 4 is a stirring blade, and 9 is a stirring blade. Is a turbulence forming member.

In the suspension polymerization method, by using a specific stirring blade, a turbulent flow can be formed, and the shape can be easily controlled. Although the reason is not clear, when the configuration of the stirring blade 4 as shown in FIG. 4 is one-stage, the flow of the medium formed in the stirring tank 2 is
Only the flow that moves along the wall from the lower part to the upper part.
Therefore, conventionally, a turbulent flow is generally formed by arranging a turbulent flow forming member 9 such as a wall surface of the stirring tank 2 to increase the efficiency of stirring. However, in such a device configuration, although a turbulent flow is partially formed, the turbulent flow acts in a direction in which the flow of the fluid stagnates, and as a result, the slip with respect to the particles is reduced. Can't control.

A reactor having a stirring blade which can be preferably used in the suspension polymerization method will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are a perspective view and a sectional view, respectively, showing an example of such a reactor. FIG.
In the reactor shown in FIG. 6, a rotary shaft 3 is vertically provided at a central portion of a vertical cylindrical stirring tank 2 having a heat exchange jacket 1 mounted on an outer peripheral portion thereof. Are provided with a lower stirring blade 40 disposed close to the bottom surface of the, and a stirring blade 50 disposed further above. The upper-stage stirring blade 50 is disposed at an intersection angle α that precedes the rotation direction with respect to the lower-stage stirring blade 40. When producing the toner of the present invention, the intersection angle α is preferably less than 90 degrees (°). The lower limit of the intersection angle α is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 5 ° or more, and more preferably 10 ° or more.
When a three-stage stirring blade is provided, it is preferable that the crossing angle between adjacent stirring blades is less than 90 degrees.

With such a configuration, the medium is first stirred by the stirring blades 50 provided at the upper stage, and a downward flow is formed. Next, the flow formed by the upper-stage stirring blade 50 is further accelerated downward by the stirring blades 40 disposed at the lower stage, and a downward flow is separately formed by the stirring blades 50 themselves, so that the flow as a whole is reduced. It is presumed that it accelerates and proceeds. As a result, it is presumed that a basin having a large shear stress formed as a turbulent flow is formed, so that the shape of the obtained toner particles can be controlled.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the arrows indicate the direction of rotation, 7 is an upper material inlet, 8 is a lower material inlet, 9
Is a turbulent flow forming member for effective stirring.

Here, the shape of the stirring blade is not particularly limited, but is a square plate, a notch in a part of the blade, and one or more middle holes, so-called slits, in the center. Things and the like can be used. These specific examples are shown in FIG. The stirring blade 5 shown in FIG.
a has no middle hole, the stirring blade 5b shown in FIG. 5B has a large middle hole 6b at the center, and the stirring blade 5c shown in FIG. ), The stirring blade 5d shown in FIG.
(Slits). Further, in the case where a three-stage stirring blade is provided, even if the middle hole formed in the upper stirring blade and the middle hole formed in the lower stirring blade are different, they are the same. There may be.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a reaction apparatus used for forming a laminar flow in the suspension polymerization method. This reactor is characterized in that a turbulence forming member (an obstacle such as a baffle plate) is not provided.

[0187] The stirring blade 4 constituting the reactor shown in FIG.
The stirring blade 6 and the stirring blade 56 have the same shape and the intersection angle α as the stirring blade 40 and the stirring blade 50 constituting the reaction apparatus shown in FIG. 5, respectively. In FIG. 7, 1 is a jacket for heat exchange, 2 is a stirring tank, 3 is a rotating shaft, 7 is an upper material inlet, and 8 is a lower material inlet.

The reactor used for forming the laminar flow is not limited to the one shown in FIG.

The shape of the stirring blade constituting the reactor is not particularly limited as long as it does not form a turbulent flow, but is preferably formed by a continuous surface such as a square plate. It may have a curved surface.

On the other hand, in the case of a polymerization toner in which resin particles are associated or fused in an aqueous medium, the flow and temperature distribution of the medium in the reaction vessel at the fusion stage are controlled to further improve the shape after fusion. By controlling the heating temperature, the number of rotations for stirring, and the time in the control step, the shape distribution and shape of the entire toner can be arbitrarily changed.

That is, in a polymerization toner in which resin particles are associated or fused, the flow in the reaction device is set to a laminar flow,
By controlling the temperature, number of revolutions, and time in the fusion step and the shape control step using a stirring blade and a stirring tank that can make the internal temperature distribution uniform, the desired shape factor and uniform A toner having a shape distribution can be formed. The reason for this is that when fusion is performed in a place where a laminar flow is formed, strong stress is not applied to the particles that are undergoing aggregation and fusion (association or aggregated particles) and the flow is accelerated in a laminar flow. It is presumed that as a result of the uniform temperature distribution in the stirring tank, the shape distribution of the fused particles becomes uniform. Furthermore, heating in the subsequent shape control step,
The fused particles gradually become spherical by stirring, and the shape of the toner particles can be arbitrarily controlled.

As a stirring blade and a stirring tank used in producing a polymerization toner for associating or fusing resin particles, the same stirring blades and stirring tanks as those for forming a laminar flow in the above-mentioned suspension polymerization method can be used. For example, the one shown in FIG. 7 can be used. It is characterized in that no obstacle such as a baffle plate that forms a turbulent flow is provided in the stirring tank. Regarding the configuration of the stirring blade, similarly to the stirring blade used in the above-described suspension polymerization method, the upper stirring blade is disposed with the intersection angle α preceding the lower stirring blade in the rotation direction. In addition, a multi-stage configuration is preferable.

As for the shape of the stirring blade, the same shape as in the case of forming a laminar flow in the above-mentioned suspension polymerization method can be used, and is not particularly limited as long as it does not form a turbulent flow. ) Are preferably formed by continuous surfaces, such as those having a square plate shape shown in (1), and may have a curved surface.

Further, in the toner of the present invention, more effects can be exhibited by adding and using fine particles such as inorganic fine particles and organic fine particles as an external additive. The reason for this is presumed that the embedding and detachment of the external additive can be effectively suppressed, so that the effect is remarkable.

As the inorganic fine particles, it is preferable to use inorganic oxide particles such as silica, titania and alumina. Further, it is preferable that these inorganic fine particles have been subjected to a hydrophobic treatment with a silane coupling agent or a titanium coupling agent. preferable. The degree of the hydrophobizing treatment is not particularly limited, but a methanol wettability of 40 to 95 is preferable. Methanol wettability is to evaluate the wettability to methanol. In this method, an inorganic fine particle to be measured is added to 50 ml of distilled water placed in a beaker having a capacity of 200 ml.
Weigh 2 g and add. Methanol is slowly dropped from a burette whose tip is immersed in the liquid until the entire inorganic fine particles are wet with stirring slowly. When the amount of methanol required to completely wet the inorganic fine particles is a (ml), the degree of hydrophobicity is calculated by the following equation.

Degree of hydrophobicity = (a / (a + 50)) × 100 The amount of the external additive to be added is 0.1 to 5.
0 mass%, preferably 0.5 to 4.0 mass%. Various external additives may be used in combination.

A fatty acid metal salt may be added as an external additive to the toner used in the present invention. Fatty acids and metal salts thereof include undecylic acid, lauric acid, tridecylic acid, dodecylic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, pentadecylic acid, stearic acid, heptadecylic acid, arachiic acid, montanic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, etc. And metal salts thereof include salts with metals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, sodium, and lithium. In the present invention, zinc stearate is particularly preferred.

To prepare a two-component developer, it is prepared by mixing a toner and a carrier. The toner concentration in the developer is 2 to 10% by mass.

The developing method according to the present invention is not particularly limited. Even in the contact development method in which development is performed in a state where the photoconductor surface and the developer layer are in contact with each other in the development area, the photoconductor and the developer layer are kept in a non-contact state in the development area, and an alternating electric field, etc. A non-contact developing method may be used in which the toner is caused to fly in the gap between the photosensitive member surface and the developer layer by the action of the toner to develop the toner.

[0200]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In the description, “parts” means “parts by mass”.

The following formulation was prepared as the photoreceptor used in the present invention by changing the diameter of the cylindrical conductive support.

Photoconductor Formulation P1 <Undercoat Layer> Titanium chelate compound (TC-750, manufactured by Matsumoto Pharmaceutical) 30 g Silane coupling agent (KBM-503, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 17 g 2-propanol 150 ml Cylindrical using the above coating solution On a conductive support, a film thickness of 0.
It was applied to a thickness of 5 μm. <Charge Generation Layer> Y-type titanyl phthalocyanine (Titanyl phthalocyanine having a maximum peak at 27.2 degrees at a Bragg angle of 2θ (± 0.2) in Cu-Kα characteristic X-ray diffraction spectrum measurement) 60 g Silicon-modified butyral resin (X (-40-1211M: manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 700 g 2-butanone 2000 ml was mixed and dispersed using a sand mill for 10 hours to prepare a charge generation layer coating solution. This coating solution was applied on the undercoat layer by a dip coating method to form a 0.2 μm-thick charge generation layer. <Charge Transport Layer> Charge transport substance (N- (4-methylphenyl) -N- {4- (β-phenylstyryl) phenyl} -p-toluidine) 225 g Polycarbonate (viscosity average molecular weight 30,000) 300 g Antioxidant (Compound B below) 6 g and 2000 ml of dichloromethane were mixed and dissolved to prepare a charge transport layer coating solution. This coating solution was applied on the charge generation layer by a dip coating method to form a charge transport layer having a dry film thickness of 20 μm. <Protective layer> Methyltrimethoxysilane 150 g Dimethyldimethoxysilane 30 g Reactive charge transporting compound (Compound A below) 15 g Antioxidant (Compound B below) 0.75 g 2-propanol 75 g 3% Acetic acid 5 g is mixed, and the resin layer is mixed. Coating solution was prepared. A 2 μm-thick resin layer is formed on the charge transport layer by a circular amount-regulating coating device on the charge transport layer, and heat-cured at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to form a siloxane resin layer.
A photoreceptor of the prescription was prepared.

[0203]

Embedded image

The toner used in the present invention was prepared below. 9. Production of Toners T1 and T2 (Example of Emulsion Polymerization Method) 0.90 kg of sodium n-dodecyl sulfate and pure water
Add 0 l and stir to dissolve. To this solution, add Regal 330
1.20 kg of R (carbon black manufactured by Cabot Corporation) was gradually added, and the mixture was stirred well for 1 hour, and then continuously dispersed for 20 hours using a sand grinder (medium type disperser). This is referred to as “colorant dispersion liquid 1”. A solution composed of 0.055 kg of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and 4.0 l of ion-exchanged water is referred to as “anionic surfactant solution A”.

0.014 kg of a 10 mol adduct of nonylphenol polyethylene oxide and 4.0 l of ion-exchanged water
Is referred to as “nonionic surfactant solution B”.
223.8 g of potassium persulfate was added to 12.0 l of deionized water.
Is referred to as "initiator solution C".

A 100-liter GL (glass-lined) reactor equipped with a temperature sensor, a cooling pipe, and a nitrogen introducing device was charged with W.
3.41 kg of AX emulsion (polypropylene emulsion having a number average molecular weight of 3000: number average primary particle diameter = 120 nm / solid concentration = 29.9%), the entire amount of “anionic surfactant solution A” and “nonionic surfactant solution B” Add the whole amount and start stirring. Next, ion-exchanged water 4
Add 4.0 l.

Heating was started, and when the liquid temperature reached 75 ° C., the entire amount of “initiator solution C” was added dropwise. Then, while controlling the liquid temperature to 75 ° C. ± 1 ° C., the styrene 1
2.1 kg, n-butyl acrylate 2.88 kg, methacrylic acid 1.04 kg and t-dodecyl mercaptan 54
8 g are added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the temperature of the solution was raised to 80 ° C. ± 1 ° C., and the mixture was heated and stirred for 6 hours. Next, the liquid temperature was cooled to 40 ° C. or lower, stirring was stopped, and the mixture was filtered with a pole filter to obtain “latex-A”.

The glass transition temperature of the resin particles in the latex-A was 57 ° C., the softening point was 121 ° C., and the molecular weight distribution was weight average molecular weight = 1270,000 and weight average particle size was 12
It was 0 nm.

A solution obtained by dissolving 0.055 kg of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in 4.0 l of ion-exchanged pure water is referred to as “anionic surfactant solution D”. Also,
A solution obtained by dissolving 0.014 kg of nonylphenol polyethylene oxide 10 mol adduct in 4.0 l of ion-exchanged water is referred to as “nonionic surfactant solution E”.

Potassium persulfate (Kanto Chemical) 200.
A solution obtained by dissolving 7 g in 12.0 l of ion-exchanged water is referred to as "initiator solution F".

A WAX emulsion (polypropylene emulsion having a number average molecular weight of 3000: number average primary particle diameter: 120 nm / solid content 29.9) was placed in a 100-liter GL reactor equipped with a temperature sensor, a cooling pipe, a nitrogen introducing device, and a comb baffle. %), 3.41 kg, the whole amount of “anionic surfactant solution D” and the whole amount of “nonionic surfactant solution E” are added, and stirring is started. Next, 44.0 liters of ion-exchanged water
Input. Heating is started, and when the liquid temperature reaches 70 ° C., “Initiator solution F” is added. Then, a solution prepared by previously mixing 11.0 kg of styrene, 4.00 kg of n-butyl acrylate, 1.04 kg of methacrylic acid, and 9.02 g of t-dodecylmercaptan is added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was heated and stirred for 6 hours while controlling the liquid temperature to 72 ° C. ± 2 ° C. Further, the liquid temperature was raised to 80 ° C. ± 2 ° C., and the mixture was heated and stirred for 12 hours. The liquid temperature is cooled to 40 ° C. or less, and the stirring is stopped. The solution was filtered through a Pall filter, and this filtrate was designated as "latex-B".

The glass transition temperature of the resin particles in latex-B was 58 ° C., the softening point was 132 ° C., and the molecular weight distribution was weight average molecular weight = 245,000 and weight average particle diameter was 11
It was 0 nm.

Sodium chloride as salting-out agent 5.36k
g in 20.0 l of ion-exchanged water is referred to as "sodium chloride solution G".

A solution obtained by dissolving 1.00 g of a fluorinated nonionic surfactant in 1.00 l of ion-exchanged water is referred to as "nonionic surfactant solution H".

100 l of S with temperature sensor, cooling tube, nitrogen introduction device, particle size and shape monitoring device
In a US reactor (reactor having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the crossing angle α was 20 °), the latex-A produced above was added to the US reactor.
0 kg, latex-B = 5.2 kg, colorant dispersion 1 = 0.4 kg, and ion-exchanged water 20.0 kg are stirred. Then, the mixture was heated to 40 ° C., and 6.00 kg of sodium chloride solution G, isopropanol (manufactured by Kanto Kagaku),
The nonionic surfactant solution H is added in this order. Thereafter, after standing for 10 minutes, the temperature was raised and the liquid temperature was 85
The temperature was raised to 60 ° C. in 60 minutes, and the particles were grown while heating and stirring at 85 ± 2 ° C. for 0.5 to 3 hours to cause salting out / fusion. Next, 2.1 l of pure water is added to stop the particle size growth.

The salting out prepared above was placed in a 5 liter reaction vessel (reactor having the structure shown in FIG. 7, intersection angle α was 20 °) equipped with a temperature sensor, a cooling pipe, and a device for monitoring particle size and shape. / Put 5.0 kg of the fused particle dispersion,
The shape was controlled by heating and stirring at a liquid temperature of 85 ° C. ± 2 ° C. for 0.5 to 15 hours. Thereafter, the mixture is cooled to 40 ° C. or less and the stirring is stopped. Next, classification is performed in the liquid by a centrifugal sedimentation method using a centrifugal separator, and the liquid is filtered through a sieve having a mesh size of 45 μm. Then, using Nutsche,
Non-spherical particles in the form of a wet cake were collected by filtration from the associated liquid. Thereafter, the substrate was washed with ion-exchanged water.

The non-spherical particles were dried at a suction temperature of 60 ° C. using a flash jet drier, and then dried at a temperature of 60 ° C. using a fluidized bed drier. To 100 parts by mass of the obtained colored particles, 1 part by mass of silica fine particles and 0.1 part by mass of zinc stearate were externally added and mixed with a Henschel mixer to obtain a toner by an emulsion polymerization association method as shown in the following table. In the monitoring of the salting-out / fusion step and the shape control step, the number of rotations of the stirring and the heating time are controlled to control the variation coefficient of the shape and the shape coefficient. Was adjusted to obtain toner T1 and toner T2 shown in Table 1.

Production of Toner T3 (Example of Suspension Polymerization Method) Styrene = 165 g, n-butyl acrylate = 35
g, carbon black = 10 g, metal di-t-butylsalicylate = 2 g, styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer = 8 g, paraffin wax (mp = 70 ° C.) = 20
g was heated to 60 ° C., and was uniformly dissolved and dispersed at 12,000 rpm with a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.).
To this, 2,2'-azobis (2,4-
(Valeronitrile) = 10 g was added and dissolved to prepare a polymerizable monomer composition. Then, 710 g of ion-exchanged water
Was added with 450 g of a 0.1 M aqueous sodium phosphate solution, and TK was added.
While stirring at 13000 rpm with a homomixer, 1.
A suspension in which tricalcium phosphate was dispersed was prepared by gradually adding 68 g of 0M calcium chloride. The polymerizable monomer composition was added to the suspension, and the mixture was added to a TK homomixer.
The mixture was stirred at 0000 rpm for 20 minutes to granulate the polymerizable monomer composition. Then, using a reactor (crossing angle α is 45 °) having a stirring blade configuration as shown in FIG.
The reaction was performed at 〜95 ° C. for 5 to 15 hours. Tricalcium phosphate is dissolved and removed with hydrochloric acid, and then, using a centrifuge,
Classification was performed in the liquid by a centrifugal sedimentation method, followed by filtration, washing and drying. In 100 parts by mass of the obtained colored particles,
1 part by mass of silica fine particles and 0.1 part by mass of zinc stearate were externally added and mixed with a Henschel mixer to obtain a toner by a suspension polymerization method.

By monitoring during the polymerization, controlling the liquid temperature, the number of rotations of the stirring, and the heating time, the coefficient of variation of the shape and the shape coefficient is controlled. By adjusting the coefficient, a toner T3 shown in Table 1 below was obtained.

[0220]

[Table 1]

Preparation of Developer Preparation of Developer 1 To 100 parts of the toner T1, 0.4 parts of hydrophobic silica particles (R805: manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) having an average particle diameter of 12 nm as external additives, and titania particles ( T805: manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) and mixed with a Henschel mixer at room temperature at a peripheral speed of the stirring blade of 40 (m / sec) for 10 minutes to obtain a negatively chargeable toner. The fixation ratio of this toner was 45%.

A ferrite carrier coated with a silicone resin and having a volume average particle diameter of 60 μm was mixed with the above toner to prepare a developer 1 having a toner concentration of 5%.

Preparation of Developers 2 and 3 Developer 2 was prepared in the same manner as in preparation of developer 1 except that toner T2 was used instead of toner T1.
A developer 3 was prepared in the same manner except that the toner T3 was used instead of the toner T1.

Cleanability Evaluation 1 Basically, a digital copying machine having an image forming process shown in FIG. 1 (having a process employing corona charging, laser exposure, reversal development, electrostatic transfer, nail separation, and cleaning blade) was used. Under the combination conditions of the members and contact conditions of the photoconductor, the developer, and the cleaning blade described below, the values of L / D and the rebound resilience H of the blade as described in Tables 2 and 3, The presence or absence of the conductive member on the upstream side of the cleaning blade was changed, and the evaluation of toner slip-through, blade turn-up, and blade squeal was performed. The evaluation was performed using an original image in which a character image, a halftone photographic image, a solid white image, and a solid black image each having a pixel ratio of 7% were equally divided into quarters, under normal temperature and normal humidity environment (24 ° C., 60% R).
H) A4 copy experiments were performed continuously for 100 hours. However,
Before starting the evaluation, the setting powder was sprayed on the photoconductor and the cleaning blade so that the photoconductor and the cleaning blade were mixed, and the photoconductor was rotated for 1 minute. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

Evaluation Conditions Evaluation conditions using the above digital copying machine are shown below.

Charging condition: Scorotron charger, initial charging potential was -750 V Exposure condition: Exposure amount was set so that the exposed portion potential was -50 V.

Developing conditions: DC bias: -550 V, D
sd: 550 μm Transfer condition Transfer pole; Corona charging method, transfer dummy current value: 45 μA Cleaning condition Cleaning blade tip position; Photoconductor center angle (β): 0 ° JISA hardness of cleaning blade; 70 Contact angle of cleaning blade (θ) ); 20 ° Cleaning blade load; 20 (N / m) Evaluation items and evaluation criteria Toner slippage ○: No toner slippage Δ: Toner slippage less than 20% ×: Toner slippage 20% to less than 50% XX: Toner Blade Turnover Blade turnover is indicated by the occurrence time of blade turnover.

Blade squeal An abnormal sound caused by abnormal friction between the cleaning blade and the photoreceptor is referred to as blade squeal. The presence or absence of this abnormal sound is evaluated. did.

[0229]

[Table 2]

In Table 2, the photoreceptor is P1 and the developer is 1 (T1).
Was applied.

[0231]

[Table 3]

In Table 3, the photosensitive member was P1, and the developer was 2 (T2).
Was applied. From Tables 2 and 3, (1/12) ≦ L / D ≦
Within the range satisfying the conditions of (1/2) and 30 ≦ H ≦ 85, no blade turnover or toner slippage occurs, and good cleaning characteristics can be maintained. On the other hand, when the above condition is not satisfied, one of blade turning, toner slip-through, and blade squeal has occurred.

Cleaning performance evaluation 2 As described in Tables 4 and 5, L / D and blade 3
Change the value of 00% module M, the presence or absence of a conductive member on the upstream side of the cleaning blade, and
The evaluation of blade turning and blade squeal was performed.

The evaluation conditions were the same as those in the evaluation of cleaning property 1 except that the conditions described above were changed and the combination of the photosensitive member and the developer was changed as follows. The results are shown in Tables 4 and 5.

Evaluation of Blade Edge Wear Amount FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for measuring the cleaning blade edge wear amount. As shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning blade edge wear amount is measured from an image of an enlarged edge portion using an optical or laser microscope.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 10 denotes a photosensitive drum, 211 denotes a cleaning blade, 212 denotes a blade support,
11B indicates the edge wear amount of the cleaning blade.

[0237]

[Table 4]

In Table 4, the photosensitive member is P1, and the developer is 1 (T1).
Was applied.

[0239]

[Table 5]

In Table 5, the photosensitive member is P1, and the developer is 2 (T2).
Was applied. From Tables 4 and 5, (1/12) ≦ L / D ≦
Within the range satisfying the conditions of (1/2) and 1000 ≦ M ≦ 3000, blade turning and toner slip-through do not occur, and good cleaning characteristics can be maintained. On the other hand, when the above condition is not satisfied, one of blade turning, toner slip-through, and blade squeal has occurred.

Cleaning performance evaluation 3 As shown in Tables 6 and 7, the values of L / D and the permanent elongation E of the blade, the presence or absence of a conductive member on the upstream side of the cleaning blade were changed, and the toner slipped through and the blade was turned up. , Blade squeal was evaluated.

The evaluation conditions were the same as those of the cleaning property evaluation 1 except that the indicated conditions were changed and the combination of the photosensitive member and the developer was changed as follows. The results are shown in Tables 6 and 7.

Creep test (denoted by the amount of deformation in the table) A cleaning blade was applied for one week in a low-temperature and low-humidity (10 ° C / 20% RH) environment, and then for one week in a high-temperature and high-humidity (30 ° C / 80% RH) environment. Contact angle 20 degrees, contact load 20N / m
Then, the cylindrical photosensitive member having a diameter of 60 mm is brought into contact with the photosensitive member, and then the deformation of the blade is measured. If the amount of deformation in the above test is large, toner slip-through tends to occur. In particular, the deformation amount is 1.
If the value is larger than 0, the toner easily passes through.

[0244]

[Table 6]

In Table 6, the photoreceptor is P1 and the developer is 1 (T1).
Was applied.

[0246]

[Table 7]

In Table 7, the photosensitive member is P1, and the developer is 2 (T2).
Was applied. From Tables 6 and 7, (1/12) ≦ L / D ≦
Within the range satisfying the conditions of (1/2) and 0 ≦ E ≦ 10, no blade turning or toner slip-through occurs, and good cleaning characteristics can be maintained. On the other hand, when the above condition is not satisfied, one of blade turning, toner slip-through, and blade squeal has occurred.

Evaluation of Cleaning Property 4 As described in Tables 8 and 9, L / D and J of blade
The value of ISA hardness K and the presence / absence of a conductive member on the upstream side of the cleaning blade were changed, and evaluation of toner slip-through, blade turn-up, and blade squeal was performed.

The evaluation conditions were the same as those of the cleaning property evaluation 1 except that the conditions described above were changed and the combination of the photosensitive member and the developer was changed as follows. The results are shown in Tables 8 and 9.

[0250]

[Table 8]

In Table 8, the photosensitive member was P1, and the developer was 1 (T1).
Was applied.

[0252]

[Table 9]

In Table 9, the photosensitive member is P1, and the developer is 3 (T3).
Was applied. From Tables 8 and 9, (1/12) ≦ L / D ≦
Within the range satisfying the conditions of (1/2) and 65 ≦ K ≦ 80, no blade turning or toner slippage occurs, and good cleaning characteristics can be maintained. On the other hand, when the above condition is not satisfied, one of blade turning, toner slip-through, and blade squeal has occurred.

[0254]

As is clear from the above embodiment, the ratio (L / D) of the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to the free length of the cleaning blade has the relationship of the following equation (1), and the physical property value of the cleaning blade is The cleaning device of the present invention having the relations of Expressions 2 to 5 can effectively clean the toner remaining on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, and can also prevent the occurrence of blade failures such as blade turning and blade squeal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital image forming apparatus applied to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a cleaning unit used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the cleaning blade of the present invention and a cylindrical organic photoreceptor in more detail.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a reaction apparatus having a single-stage stirring blade.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a reaction apparatus having a stirring blade which can be preferably used.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the reaction apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a reaction apparatus used for forming a laminar flow.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the shape of a stirring blade.

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing a projected image of a toner particle having no corner, and FIGS. 9B and 9C are explanatory diagrams showing a projected image of a toner particle having a corner.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of measuring a cleaning blade edge wear amount.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Photoreceptor 12 Writing unit 14 Charging electrode 16 Developing means 18 Transfer electrode 20 Separation electrode 21 Cleaning means 161 Retained toner 211 Cleaning blade 212 Support body 214 Elastic plate 218 Frame body 219 Sheet conductive member Ef Image forming part

Claims (13)

[Claims] An electrostatic latent image formed on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed with a developer containing toner, and a toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. In a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a cylindrical organic photoconductor after transfer, a free length of the cleaning blade satisfies Expression 1 with respect to a diameter of the cylindrical organic photoconductor, and A cleaning device characterized by having a rebound resilience (JIS K6301 (measured temperature / humidity: 25 ° C./50% RH)) satisfying Expression 2. Formula 1 (1/12) ≦ L / D ≦ (1/2) Formula 2 30 ≦ H ≦ 85 (unit:%) where L (free length of cleaning blade) D (diameter of cylindrical organic photoreceptor) H (Rebound resilience of cleaning blade) 2. An electrostatic latent image formed on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed by a developer containing toner, and a toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. A cleaning device having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor after transfer, wherein the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies Expression 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor; 300% module (JISK625
(1) A cleaning apparatus characterized in that the measured temperature and humidity (25 ° C./50% RH) satisfy Expression 3. Formula 3 1000 ≦ M ≦ 3000 (unit: N /
cm ² ) However, M (300% module of cleaning blade) 3. An electrostatic latent image formed on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed with a developer containing toner, and a toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. A cleaning device having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor after transfer, wherein the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies Expression 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor; A permanent elongation (JIS K6301 (measured temperature / humidity: 25 ° C./50% RH)) satisfying Expression 4. Formula 40 0 ≦ E ≦ 10 (unit:%) where E (permanent elongation of the cleaning blade) 4. An electrostatic latent image formed on the cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed by a developer containing toner, and a toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. A cleaning device having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor after transfer, wherein the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies Expression 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor; JISA hardness (JISK6301 A
A cleaning apparatus characterized in that a mold tester (measurement temperature / humidity 25 ° C./50% RH) satisfies Expression 5. Formula 5 65 ≦ K ≦ 80 (unit: degree) where K (JISA hardness of cleaning blade) 5. An electrostatic latent image formed on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed by a developer containing toner, and a toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. A cleaning device having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor after transfer, wherein the free length of the cleaning blade satisfies Expression 1 with respect to the diameter of the cylindrical organic photoreceptor; Is designed so as to satisfy the relational expressions of Expressions 2 to 5. 6. The cylindrical organic photoreceptor has a diameter D of 25 m.
The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cleaning device has a length of m to 80 mm. 7. When the tip of the cleaning blade is located at 0 degree vertically above the cylindrical organic photoreceptor, the cleaning blade comes into contact with the cylindrical organic photoreceptor at a position within ± 30 degrees of the cylindrical central angle (β). The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 8. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sheet-shaped conductive member is provided upstream of said cleaning blade in contact with a cylindrical organic photoreceptor. 9. An electrostatic latent image formed on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor is developed by a developer containing toner, and a toner image visualized by the development is transferred from the cylindrical organic photoreceptor to a transfer material. 9. An image forming method using a cleaning device having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a cylindrical organic photoreceptor after transfer, wherein the cleaning device according to claim 1 is used. Image forming method. 10. The toner according to claim 9, wherein the coefficient of variation of the shape coefficient of the toner particles is 16% or less, and the number variation coefficient in the number particle size distribution of the toner particles is 27% or less. 2. The image forming method according to 1., 11. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner has a shape factor of 1.2 to 1.
The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein the toner particles contain the toner particles in the range of 6 or more by 65% by number. 12. The toner according to claim 5, wherein the toner has no corners.
12. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the content is 0% by number or more.
The image forming method according to any one of the above items. 13. An image forming apparatus comprising the cleaning device according to claim 1. Description: