JP2000250249A - Nonfixing type image forming method, image forming material reusing method, image forming device, image receiving sheet and developer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form an image by holding a toner image so that the toner image can be separated and removed from an image receiving sheet and to reuse toner or/and the image receiving sheet on which the toner image is formed. SOLUTION: The image receiving sheet S possesses a rugged surface s2' on which many recessed parts s21 to accept the toner are formed, and the toner image is formed by sticking the toner T to the recessed parts s21 of the rugged surface s2' of the image receiving sheet so that the toner T can be removed, and the toner T stuck at the recessed part s21 is protected by the projected part s22 of the rugged surface s2' of the image receiving sheet so that the image is formed. As for the toner image forming image receiving sheet S of a reuse object, the toner is separated and removed from the image receiving sheet, and the image receiving sheet after the toner is removed or/and the removed toner are supplied for reuse.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-fixing type image forming method for forming a toner image on an image receiving sheet, a method for reusing an image forming material (image receiving sheet or (and) toner), and the use of the method. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image receiving sheet, and a developer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming method for forming a toner image on an image receiving sheet has been practiced for a long time. A typical one is an electrophotographic image forming method. In electrophotographic image formation, an electrostatic latent image carrier such as a photoconductor is charged to a predetermined potential, and the charged area is exposed to an image according to document image information to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed using a developer to form a visible toner image. Further, the visible toner image is finally transferred to an image receiving sheet and fixed.

In addition to the above, without forming an electrostatic latent image,
Based on the original image information, the toner is directly adhered to the image receiving sheet to form a toner image and fixed, or in the same manner, once the toner image is directly formed on the intermediate transfer body, and then transferred to the image receiving sheet, An image forming method of a direct recording system for fixing is also proposed. In any case, in such a conventional image forming method, a developer containing a toner that can be fixed to an image receiving sheet is used. As a representative example of such a developer, a developer containing a heat-fusible toner in which a pigment or a dye is mixed and dispersed in a thermoplastic resin can be exemplified.

A toner image composed of such a heat-meltable toner is finally fixed on an image-receiving sheet made of paper, plastic, or the like by heating with a heat roller, infrared rays, or the like. At this time, the material is heated under pressure if necessary.
In any case, it is difficult to separate the toner fixed on the image receiving sheet from the image receiving sheet, and it is difficult to reuse the toner and the image receiving sheet. Therefore, at present, the image receiving sheet on which the toner image is fixed is discarded when it becomes unnecessary.

[0005]

However, with today's information society, such toners and image receiving sheets are consumed in a large amount, and the energy required for the production and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the production increase. is there. As a method of separating the toner from the transfer paper to reuse the transfer paper on which the toner image is fixed, a deinking method using an aqueous solution such as a surfactant is also known. Requires a large amount of energy, and the removed toner cannot be reused because it is melted and solidified.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an image forming method for forming a toner image on an image receiving sheet, and it is possible to separate and remove the toner image from the image receiving sheet without fixing the toner image to the image receiving sheet as in the related art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-fixing type image forming method capable of forming an image while holding the toner image in such a manner, whereby the toner or the image receiving sheet can be reused from the image receiving sheet on which the toner image is formed. And

Further, according to the present invention, toner is separated and removed from an image receiving sheet on which a toner image is formed, and the toner or (and)
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for reusing an image forming material, which can reuse an image receiving sheet. Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-fixing type image forming apparatus suitable for performing the non-fixing type image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image receiving sheet suitable for implementing the non-fixing type image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a developer suitable for performing the non-fixed image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention.

[0009]

The present invention is based on the following idea of the present inventor. That is, in the current hard copy method, the largest energy consumption factor is in the step of fixing the toner image to a transfer sheet such as transfer paper. If this fixing step is not necessary, the energy consumption should be greatly reduced. It is. In addition, if the used transfer sheet and the like can be reused, the energy saving and the resource saving effect are still large.

[0010] In daily life and office work, there are many pencil-written documents and drawings. This pencil image is made of shavings produced by rubbing a mixture of carbon and clay constituting the pencil lead against the paper surface, and is formed and held without any special fixing agent or fixing step. Moreover, since the shavings of the pencil lead are embedded in the concave and convex portions of the paper surface, they cannot be removed by light contact. However, it can be easily removed with an eraser.

As described above, the toner image is held on the image receiving sheet unless a special external force is applied thereto, even if the toner image is not completely fixed to the image receiving sheet. If desired, the toner is separated from the image receiving sheet. Therefore, there is a method that can reuse the image receiving sheet and toner. The inventor of the present invention has repeated studies based on such an idea, and has obtained the following findings.

That is, an image receiving sheet having an uneven surface formed with a large number of recesses capable of receiving toner may be used as the image receiving sheet. A toner image can be formed by attaching the toner removably to the concave portion of the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet. The toner adhering to the concave portions of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet may be protected from external force by the convex portions of the concave and convex surface. As a result, even if the toner image is not subjected to the fixing process as in the related art, it can be maintained as a toner image unless a special toner removing action is applied. The toner adhering to the convex portions of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet may be removed as necessary. When the toner or (and) the image receiving sheet is to be reused with respect to the image receiving sheet on which the toner image has been formed, it is only necessary to separate and remove the toner that has only been removably attached from the image receiving sheet.

Based on the above findings, the present invention provides the following image forming method, image forming material recycling method, image forming apparatus, image receiving sheet and developer. (1) Image forming method This is an image forming method for forming a toner image on an image receiving sheet.
As the image receiving sheet, an image receiving sheet having a concave and convex surface formed with a large number of concave portions capable of receiving toner is adopted, and toner is removably attached to the concave portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet to form a toner image. A non-fixing type image forming method, wherein a toner adhered to the concave portion is protected by a convex portion of an uneven surface of a sheet, and the formed toner image is used as a formed image.

According to the non-fixing type image forming method according to the present invention, an image receiving sheet having an uneven surface formed with a large number of recesses capable of receiving toner is used as an image receiving sheet for forming an image.
A toner image is formed by removably attaching toner to the concave portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet. Then, the toner adhering to the concave portion is protected by the convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet. Therefore,
Even if the toner image formed on the image receiving sheet is not adhered to the fixing process by heating or the like as in the conventional image forming method, it is necessary to apply the required toner image unless a special external force is applied. We can maintain state. Significant disturbance of the toner image due to slight external force such as contact between the image receiving sheets in the case of viewing the toner image on the image receiving sheet, storing the image receiving sheet, or simply moving the image receiving sheet, or light finger contact with the image receiving sheet Inconveniences such as adhesion of toner to the back surface of the image receiving sheet superposed thereon do not occur.

Further, since the toner on the image receiving sheet is only removably adhered, the toner can be separated from the image receiving sheet, and the toner separated and removed in this way or the image receiving sheet after the toner removal is reused. Available. Also,
According to the non-fixing type image forming method according to the present invention, it is not necessary to use a toner that can be fixed, for example, a heat-fusible toner that can be fixed by heating. Therefore, a hard material can be used as the toner material, whereby a long-life toner with less deformation, abrasion, fusion and the like can be employed.

In the non-fixing type image forming method according to the present invention, toner image formation on an image receiving sheet can be carried out by a conventional electrophotographic method involving the formation of an electrostatic latent image, a direct recording method described above, or the like. . In any case, a case in which a chargeable toner or a chargeable magnetic toner is used as the toner, and the toner is formed on the image receiving sheet by electrostatic force when the toner image is formed on the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet can be exemplified. .

When a chargeable toner is used, the toner can be separated and removed from the image receiving sheet using electrostatic force. In addition, when the chargeable magnetic toner is used, the toner can be separated and removed from the image receiving sheet more easily and reliably by using the electrostatic force and the magnetic force. In forming a toner image on the image receiving sheet, toner may adhere to the convex portions of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet. However, the toner adhered to the convex portions of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet is removed as necessary. do it.

When a chargeable toner is used as the toner, the protrusion is charged to the same polarity as the charge polarity of the toner in order to facilitate separation of the toner when removing the toner attached to the protrusion on the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet. May be. (2) Method of Reusing Image Forming Material In forming an image, a toner image is formed on an image receiving sheet, and at this time, an image receiving sheet having a concave and convex surface formed with a large number of recesses capable of receiving toner is used as the image receiving sheet. A toner image is formed by removably attaching toner to the concave portion of the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet to form a toner image. The toner attached to the concave portion is protected by the convex portion of the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet. The toner image forming sheet to be reused is characterized in that the toner on the image receiving sheet is separated and removed from the image receiving sheet, and the image receiving sheet after removing the toner or (and) the removed toner is reused. Image forming material recycling method.

According to the image forming material recycling method of the present invention, in forming an image, the toner image is formed by removably attaching the toner image to the image receiving sheet by the non-fixing type image forming method of the present invention. The attached toner image is used as a formed image. As described above, since the toner image is simply fixed to the image receiving sheet without being fixed, the toner image forming image receiving sheet to be reused is
The toner on the image receiving sheet can be separated and removed from the image receiving sheet, and the image receiving sheet after the toner removal and / or the removed toner can be reused.

Thus, energy and resources can be saved. Also in this method of reusing the image forming material, the toner image formation on the image receiving sheet can be performed by a conventional electrophotographic method involving electrostatic latent image formation, a direct recording method described above, or the like. Further, a case where a chargeable toner or a chargeable magnetic toner is used as the toner and the toner is attached to the concave portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet by electrostatic force when forming the toner image on the image receiving sheet can be exemplified.

When a chargeable toner is used, the toner can be separated and removed by utilizing electrostatic force even when the toner is separated and removed from the image receiving sheet. In addition, when the chargeable magnetic toner is used, the toner can be separated and removed from the image receiving sheet more easily and reliably by using the electrostatic force and the magnetic force. Further, when the toner image on the image receiving sheet is formed of a chargeable toner,
When the image receiving sheet is reused, even if the charge of the toner is partially lost, when the toner is a magnetic toner, not only the electrostatic force but also the magnetic force is used to utilize the toner. Can be separated and removed from the image receiving sheet, so that the separation and removal of the toner is easier and more reliable.

When an electrostatic force is used to separate and remove the toner adhering to the image receiving sheet in order to reuse the image receiving sheet and / or the toner, an alternating bias (in other words, a vibration bias) ( For example, an AC bias may be superimposed. As a result, the toner can be more easily and reliably separated from the image receiving sheet. Also, in this image forming material recycling method, when a toner image is formed on the image receiving sheet, the toner may adhere to the convex portions of the image receiving sheet uneven surface. The toner adhering to the portion may be removed as needed.

When a chargeable toner is used as the toner, the protrusion is charged to the same polarity as the charge polarity of the toner in order to facilitate toner separation when removing the toner adhering to the protrusions on the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet. May be. (3) Image Forming Apparatus A toner image is formed on the image receiving sheet by attaching the toner removably to the image receiving sheet having an uneven surface in which a number of concaves capable of receiving toner used for forming a toner image are formed. A toner image forming apparatus, and a toner image forming apparatus. The toner image forming apparatus is provided upstream of a toner image forming area on the image receiving sheet in the image receiving sheet conveying direction and transfers toner from the image receiving sheet conveyed to the toner image forming area. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner separation and removal device for separating and removing.

According to this image forming apparatus, the non-fixing type image forming method according to the present invention can be carried out in the portion of the toner image forming apparatus. Further, regarding the image receiving sheet conveyed to the toner image forming area on the image receiving sheet by the toner image forming apparatus,
If the toner image has been formed, the toner is separated and removed by the toner separating and removing device at a stage before entering the area, and a toner image is formed again on the image receiving sheet after removing the toner. it can. The separated toner can be reused if desired. Thus, the image receiving sheet and the toner can be recycled.

As the toner image forming apparatus in this image forming apparatus, various types can be employed. For example,
In order to removeably attach the toner to the recesses on the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet, a toner image forming apparatus that attaches the toner by electrostatic force may be used. The toner image forming apparatus further includes, for example, a portion that forms a toner image according to document image information on an image carrier, and a transfer device that electrostatically transfers the toner image onto the image receiving sheet. Can be exemplified.

Further, in this case, as a portion for forming a toner image corresponding to the original image information on the image carrier, an electrostatic latent image carrier and a static image corresponding to the original image information on the electrostatic latent image carrier are provided. A device that forms an electrostatic latent image and a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, without forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier according to document image information An apparatus of a direct recording type in which a toner image is formed by directly electrostatically adhering toner to a toner image can be exemplified.

The toner image forming apparatus does not employ such an image carrier and does not form an electrostatic latent image.
A direct recording type toner image forming apparatus that forms a toner image by directly electrostatically adhering toner onto an image receiving sheet may be employed. The following can be exemplified as the toner separation and removal device. In separating and removing the toner from the image receiving sheet conveyed to the toner image forming area, separating and removing the toner by electrostatic force.In separating and removing the toner from the image receiving sheet conveyed to the toner image forming area, An electrostatic force and a magnetic force for separating and removing the toner; and for separating and removing the toner from the image receiving sheet conveyed to the toner image forming area, an alternating bias (in other words, an oscillation bias) (for example, an AC bias) is applied to the electrostatic force. ) Are superimposed.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the toner adheres to the convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet on the downstream side in the image receiving sheet conveying direction from the toner image forming area on the image receiving sheet by the toner image forming apparatus. A convex toner removing device for removing the toner may be provided. Such a convex toner removing device may include a charging device that charges the convex portion of the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet to the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner.

Here, the removal of the convex toner will be further described. In the image forming method, the image forming material reusing method and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the chargeability of a chargeable toner or a chargeable magnetic toner is used as the toner. In the case where toner is employed, in forming the toner image by attaching the toner to the image receiving sheet by electrostatic force, as a means for removing the toner attached to the convex portion of the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet, as described above, the convex portion is used. There is a method of charging the toner to the same polarity as the toner and repelling the toner to prevent the toner from adhering to the protrusions.However, as a method of charging the protrusions, in addition to the contact of a conductive roller such as a metal, the corona discharge alone can be used. It can be carried out.

For example, first, the corona discharge device is brought close to the image receiving sheet to uniformly charge the image receiving sheet at a low voltage of about 100 V and at a high current density to a polarity opposite to that of the toner. At this time, the applied charges are mostly accumulated in the recesses having a large capacitance. Next, by increasing the distance between the corona discharge device and the image receiving sheet, a charge having the same polarity as the toner is applied to the image receiving sheet at a high voltage and a low current density. In this way, the electric charge of the convex portion is first eliminated and then charged, but the high-density electric charge in the concave portion remains largely intact even if it is subjected to a static elimination effect. Is charged in reverse, and the effect that the convex portion removes the toner and the toner retaining action in the concave portion is enhanced at the same time is obtained. However, such charging of the projection may be unnecessary when the area of the projection is small.

Although the concave and convex pattern of the image receiving sheet is similar to a gravure plate, unlike gravure printing, a toner image is generated even in a concave valley, so that the resolving power does not depend on the size of the concave and convex pattern. . Even if the size of the irregularities is somewhat large, it can be said that there is practicality. Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may include a device for supplying the separated and removed toner from the toner separation and removal device to the toner image forming device. In this case, when the toner image forming apparatus includes a developing device, the toner can be supplied to the developing device.

When the toner image forming device includes a developing device, the developing device may also serve as at least a part of the toner separating and removing device. Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may include a device for supplying the removed toner from the convex toner removing device to the toner image forming device. In this case, when the toner image forming apparatus includes a developing device, the toner can be supplied to the developing device. (4) Image receiving sheet An image receiving sheet for forming a toner image by adhering toner in a removable manner, having an uneven surface formed with a large number of recesses capable of receiving the toner, and removing the toner in the recesses An image receiving sheet, wherein the toner image can be formed by attaching the toner image as much as possible, and the toner adhered to the concave portion can be protected by a convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet.

This image receiving sheet can be applied to the non-fixed image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention. This image receiving sheet can be formed of various materials such as paper, synthetic resin, and a combination thereof. On the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet, the concave portions and the convex portions are substantially uniformly dispersed and formed, and the total area occupied by the concave portions on the uneven surface is larger than the total area occupied by the convex portions, and each concave portion is smaller than the toner size. Examples that can be deep and wide and that can receive a plurality of toners inside can be exemplified.

An example in which irregularities are regularly formed can also be exemplified. The following is generally desirable for the image receiving sheet according to the present invention. The image receiving sheet has such a small size that unevenness on the surface does not significantly impair the image quality of the formed toner image. The size, shape, and strength, including the width and height of the projection, must be sufficient to protect the toner attached to the recess from external force. The shape and size of the irregularities do not hinder the separation and removal of the toner from the image receiving sheet.
In the form of parallel grooves with raised walls on both sides,
Each independently, for example, a square shape (for example, a grid shape),
One in which each recess is formed in a triangular shape and the individual recesses are surrounded by a convex portion wall, and another in which each convex portion is formed in a scattered shape and each adjacent recess is continuous. Among them, other conditions are also taken into consideration.) The toner should not adhere to the projections as much as possible (for example, it should be an irregular shape and a material that does not allow the toner to adhere to the projections as much as possible). Good appearance, feel and feel.

The image receiving sheet according to the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, on the sheet core layer made of paper or the like,
Polyethylene, acrylic, or a thermoplastic resin alone such as polyester, or a layer of a surface layer material obtained by kneading a white pigment such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, silica, alumina, clay, and talc, an extender pigment, and the like, For example, a case in which a concave-convex surface is formed by press-molding with a master roller to produce an uneven surface can be exemplified.

When there is a possibility that the toner is strongly attracted and charged to such an extent that it becomes difficult to separate and remove the toner, a pigment having a semiconducting property (for example, a white pigment) is used for the surface layer material.
It is also conceivable to knead titanium oxide, zinc oxide or the like. (5) Developer Various developers including a toner that can be used in the non-fixing type image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the invention are conceivable.

As for the toner, the following can be considered. High-durability, easy to recycle without fixing property, small particle size (necessary to reduce the projections on the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet to improve image quality) Magnetic toner (separation and removal from the image receiving sheet It can be easily performed by utilizing magnetic force. Impurity can be easily separated at the time of re-use.) Spherical, amorphous, etc., any of which may be used, but adhesion to the image receiving sheet is performed smoothly, and toner is separated and removed from the image receiving sheet. Etc. can be easily performed.

Since the spherical toner easily rolls by electrostatic force, it can be said that there is an advantage that the possibility that the spherical toner stays in the convex portion having high potential energy on the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet is reduced. Although chargeability is considered desirable, conductive toner may be considered depending on the properties of the image receiving sheet. A product that can be manufactured at low cost, is environmentally safe, has good image holding properties and durability.

The developer used for the non-fixing type image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention may be a so-called one-component developer or a two-component developer containing particles corresponding to a toner and a carrier. it can. When a two-component developer is used, the toner can be made magnetic and the particles corresponding to the carrier can be made non-magnetic, contrary to the conventional two-component developer that requires fixing processing. is there.
In that case, even if non-magnetic particles adhere to the image receiving sheet, if the particles are transparent particles or particles of the same color as the image receiving sheet surface (for example, white particles when the image receiving sheet is white), No problem.

When a two-component developer containing a chargeable magnetic toner and non-magnetic carrier-equivalent particles is used as a developer, the toner is separated from the image receiving sheet by using the electrostatic force. A bias (in other words, an oscillation bias) (for example, an AC bias) may be applied. When an alternating bias (oscillation bias) is applied, the separation of toner becomes easier by the effect of the non-magnetic charged particles oscillating and colliding.

From the above viewpoints, as a developer including a toner which can be used for the non-fixing type image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention, for example, a colored magnetic toner, Examples of the developer include a mixture of chargeable transparent and / or white particles having a charge polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the chargeable magnetic toner.

With respect to such a colored and chargeable magnetic toner,
Although it is not limited thereto, a material containing a ferromagnetic ferrite powder as a magnetic material can be exemplified. The transparent or (and) white particles can be exemplified by particles of an organic compound or an inorganic compound having a contact charging property of a polarity opposite to that of the toner. In terms of size, the colored charging magnetic toner may have a particle size of, for example, about 5 μm to 30 μm, and the transparent or (and) white particles may have, for example, a particle size of about 5 μm to 30 μm. .

When the particle size of the toner and the size of the transparent and / or white particles exceed 30 μm, the resolution of the image decreases. When the thickness is less than 5 μm, the separating property from the image receiving sheet becomes poor. Therefore, a particle size in the above range is preferred.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus capable of performing a non-fixing type image forming method and an image forming material recycling method according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a photoconductor 1 as an electrostatic latent image carrier. Around the photosensitive member 1, a charging charger 2, an image exposing device 3, a developing device 4, a transfer device 5, a cleaning blade 6, and a charge removing device 7 are arranged in this order.

The developing device 4 also functions as a part of the toner separating and removing device 8. In the drawing, a continuous type folded image receiving sheet supply unit 101 is provided on the left side of the developing device 4, and a convex toner removing device 9 is provided on the right side of the photoconductor 1 and the transfer device 5.
However, a discharge tray 102 for discharging the image receiving sheet on which the toner image is formed is further provided on the right side.

In forming an image, the photoreceptor 1 is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure by a driving device (not shown). The charging charger 2 receives a DC voltage (for example,-
600 V) can be applied to uniformly charge the surface of the photoconductor 1 that is driven to rotate to a predetermined potential.

The image exposing device 3 forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged area on the photoreceptor 1 by the charging charger 2 in accordance with the image information of the document. In addition, the image exposure apparatus may include a scanner that optically scans a document image and exposes the photoconductor 1 to an image. The developing device 4 has a magnet roller Mg having a magnetic pole and a developing roller 41 fitted on the outside thereof. At the time of development, the developing roller 41 is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure by a driving device (not shown). Further, a DC developing bias (for example, -200 V) is applied to the developing roller 41 from the power supply PW4.

The developer DV used for the development is not limited to this, but here, a black negatively-charged magnetic toner and non-magnetic white particles of contact chargeability (positive chargeability) equivalent to a carrier are mixed. Developer. The toner contains ferromagnetic ferrite powder as a magnetic material. Each of the toner and the white particles has a particle size of about 3 μm to 30 μm, but here is about 10 μm.

Now that the particle size of the toner and the like has been described,
The unevenness of the image receiving sheet related to this will be described first. The image receiving sheet S is not limited to this, but here, as shown in FIG. 4F, a sheet core layer s made of paper.
1 has an uneven layer s2 made of a synthetic resin and a white pigment on one side, and is entirely white. FIG. 4 (F)
In the above, T is an exaggerated toner.

As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the pattern of the concavo-convex pattern includes a rectangular recess R and a convex portion P surrounding each of the recesses, and the recesses R are uniformly dispersed. As shown in FIG. 4B, a pattern in which groove-shaped recesses R in which the projecting wall P rises on both sides are uniformly dispersed in parallel, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 (C), the convex portions P having a circular cross section are uniformly dispersed and formed, and a region surrounded by the convex portions is formed as a concave portion R. As shown in FIG. In the pattern of FIG. 4C, a convex portion P having a non-circular cross section (such as an ellipse) is used instead of the convex portion having a circular cross section. As shown in FIG. 4E, the pattern shown in FIG. Circular convex portions are provided without making their directions constant, but a pattern or the like uniformly formed as a whole can be exemplified. FIG.
The pattern (E) depends on the size, shape, etc. of the projections, but when the toner image forming surfaces of the image receiving sheets are superimposed on each other, the projections enter the recesses and disturb the toner image. Can be suppressed.

In this case, the pattern shown in FIG. In FIG. 4F, the recess s21 in the uneven surface s2 'provided by the uneven layer s2 has a width D of, for example, 30.
Although it is about μm to 200 μm, here, the minimum inner diameter is about 50 μm. The height H of the protrusion s22 is, for example, 10
It is about μm to 80 μm, but here it is about 40 μm. The thickness, width or diameter W of the projection is, for example, 5 μm.
３０30 μm, but the maximum width of the convex portion is approximately 20 μm here.
And

In the image receiving sheet S, the concave portions s21 and the convex portions s22 on the concave and convex surface s2 'are formed substantially uniformly in a dispersed manner, and the total area occupied by the concave portions s21 on the concave and convex surface s2' is the total area occupied by the convex portions s22. Larger, each recess s2
1 is deeper and wider than the toner size and can receive a plurality of toners inside. Here, a continuous type folded image receiving sheet is employed, but the image receiving sheet may be a single-sheet type.

Returning again to the image forming apparatus, the toner separating and removing device 8 includes the developing device 4 and a charger 81 disposed above the developing roller 41 with the image receiving sheet conveying path therebetween. Here, the charger 81 is a corona discharge type charger, but may be a charger such as a charging brush type or a charging roller type. Charger 8
1 shows the toner separation and removal from the image receiving sheet S,
A DC voltage (for example, −
1000V) and an AC voltage are superimposed and applied.

The transfer device 5 is formed of a corona discharge type charger, and a DC transfer voltage (for example, -1000 V) is applied from the power supply PW5 when transferring the toner image from the photosensitive member 1 to the image receiving sheet S. . The convex toner removing device 9 includes a charger 90 disposed above the image receiving sheet conveyance path, a toner scraping roller 91 disposed below, and a blade 92 that scrapes toner and the like on the roller 91. Consists of The roller 91
Alternatively, a rotating belt, a roller with a toner removing protrusion, a rotating belt with a toner removing protrusion, or the like may be employed.

The charger 90 is a charging brush roller here, but may be another type of charger. The charger 90 supplies a DC voltage (for example, +6000) from the power source PW9 to remove the convex toner on the image receiving sheet.
Volts) is applied. The blade 6 in contact with the photoreceptor 1 and the roller 91 and the blade 92 just described are surrounded by a case 93, and are connected to the developing screw 4 extending from the conveying screw 61 provided below the case. A developer return supply device 60 that supplies the developer to the developing device 4 by the developer transport pipe 62 or the like is formed.

According to the image forming apparatus described above, the surface of the photosensitive member 1 is uniformly charged by the charging charger 2, and the charged area is subjected to image exposure from the image exposing device 3 based on the original image information. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the body 1. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 4 to become a visible toner image. The developing device 4 is rotated clockwise in the figure with the developer DV having ears in the state of a magnetic brush containing a magnetic toner on the surface of the developing roller 41, and forms an electrostatic latent image under application of a developing bias. develop.

The toner image thus formed is applied to the photosensitive member 1
Is moved to a transfer area of the transfer device 5 with the rotation of.
On the other hand, the image receiving sheet S is pulled out from the image receiving sheet supply unit 101 and sent to the transfer area by the feed roller pair F1. In the meantime, a toner image that has already been formed on the image receiving sheet S is separated and removed by the toner separating and removing device 8.

In the toner separation and removal device 8, the charge for toner separation and removal is given to the image receiving sheet S by the charger 81. As a result, the toner adhering to the concave portion on the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet moves away from the concave portion toward the developing roller 41 or is easily separated from the concave portion. Further, under the influence of the stirring of the magnetic force by the magnetic brush spikes on the developing roller 41 and the electrostatic force, the toner moves to the developing roller 41 side in any case. In exchange for this, some of the white particles in the ears adhere to the image receiving sheet S, effectively acting to remove black toner. The separated and removed toner is reused in the developing device 4.

The image receiving sheet S from which the toner has been separated and removed reaches the transfer area, where the transfer device 5 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member 1. This toner image transfer is performed by electrostatic transfer of the toner in the toner image mainly to the concave portion s21 (see FIG. 4F) of the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet. The white particles that have been transferred to the photoreceptor 1. After the transfer, the developer remaining on the photoreceptor 1 is removed by the blade 6, returned to the developing device 4 by the developer return supply device 60, and reused. After the transfer, the charge remaining on the photoconductor 1 is erased by the charge removing device 7.

The image receiving sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred as described above reaches the convex toner removing device 9, where a charge having a polarity opposite to the charge polarity of the toner is applied by the charger 90. As a result, the toner adhering to the convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet is separated or easily separated, and the convex portion is rubbed by the roller 91, whereby the convex toner is removed.

The toner thus removed is supplied to the roller 91.
The toner is scraped off by the blade 92 that comes into contact with the developing device 4, returned to the developing device 4 by the return supply device 60, and reused. The toner image forming sheet S on which the toner image is formed and the toner is removed from the convex portions is fed by the feed roller F2 and stored in the discharge tray 102. In the toner image on the toner image forming image receiving sheet S, the toner constituting the toner image enters the concave portion s21 of the image receiving sheet uneven surface s2 ', and is protected by the convex portion s22 of the uneven surface.
Therefore, the toner image formed on the image receiving sheet is not required to be subjected to a fixing process by heating or the like as in the conventional image forming method unless a special external force is applied. The state of the image can be maintained. Significant disturbance of the toner image due to slight external force such as contact between the image receiving sheets in the case of viewing the toner image on the image receiving sheet, storing the image receiving sheet, or simply moving the image receiving sheet, or light finger contact with the image receiving sheet Inconveniences such as adhesion of toner to the back surface of the image receiving sheet superposed thereon do not occur.

Further, since the toner on the image receiving sheet is only removably adhered, the toner can be separated and removed again, and the toner separated and removed in this way and the image receiving sheet after removing the toner can be reused. Next, another example of an image forming apparatus capable of implementing the non-fixed image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is different from the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
And a toner separation and removal device 8 'is provided on the upstream side separately from the developing device 4'. Other components are the same as those of the apparatus shown in FIG. The same applies to the developer DV and the image receiving sheet S. The same parts and portions as those of the apparatus of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The developing device 4 ', like the developing device 4, has a magnet roller Mg1 having a magnetic pole and a developing roller 41' fitted to the outside thereof.
1 'is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure by a driving device (not shown). The developing roller 41 'has a power source PW4.
, A DC developing bias (for example, -200 V) is applied. This developing device 4 'develops an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 1 in the same manner as the developing device 4 shown in FIG.

The toner separation and removal device 8 ′ is composed of a magnet roller Mg 2 having a magnetic pole and a roller 40
One. The lower side of the roller 401 is surrounded by the case 40. The case 40 also contains the developer DV in advance.
The toner separation / removal device 8 ′ also includes a charger 81 installed above the roller 401 with the image receiving sheet conveyance path therebetween.

At the lower end of the case 40, a conveying screw 402 is provided. The screw 402 and the toner conveying pipe 4 extending from the screw 402 and connected to the developing device 4 '.
03 and the like, a toner return supply device 400 is formed. To separate and remove the toner from the image receiving sheet S passing through the toner separating and removing device 8 ', the roller 40
1 is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure by a driving device (not shown). Further, a DC bias (for example, -200 V) is applied to the roller 401 from the power supply PW4 '. Further, a DC voltage (for example, -1000 V) for toner separation and removal and an AC voltage are superimposedly applied to the charger 81 from the power supply PW8.

Also in this toner separation and removal device 8 ′,
As in the toner separation and removal device 8 shown in FIG. 1, the toner on the image receiving sheet S is transferred to the roller 401 side by electrostatic force and magnetic force and is separated and removed from the image receiving sheet. It adheres to the image receiving sheet and works effectively for toner separation and removal. The toner separated and removed is returned to the developing device 4 'by the toner return supply device 400, and is reused.

The subsequent formation of the toner image on the image-receiving sheet from which the toner has been removed, and the removal of the toner from the convex portions of the uneven surface of the image-receiving sheet are the same as those of the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 shows still another example of an image forming apparatus capable of performing the non-fixed image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
In the image forming apparatus shown in (1), the developing device 4 "is replaced with the developing device 4", the toner separating / removing device 8 "is replaced with the developing device 4", and the convex toner removing device 9 is replaced with the upstream toner separating / removing device 8 ". The remaining configuration is the same as that of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. The same components and parts as those in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The same applies to the image receiving sheet S. However, the developer DV ′ used is a one-component developer made of a negatively charged magnetic toner.

The developing device 4 ″ has, similarly to the developing device 4, a magnet roller Mg 3 having a magnetic pole and a developing roller 41 ″ externally fitted to the magnet roller Mg 3.
1 "is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure by a driving device (not shown). The power supply PW4 is applied to the developing roller 41".
1 to a DC developing bias (for example, -200 V) is applied. The developing device 4 ″ develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 1 with a magnetic brush made of magnetic toner formed on the surface of the developing roller 41 ″.

The toner separation and removal device 8 ″ is composed of a magnet roller Mg 4 having a magnetic pole and a roller 40
The lower side of the roller 401 "is surrounded by a case 40". The developer DV 'is also stored in the case 40 "in advance, and circulates between the developer DV' and the developing device. The toner separation / removal device 8 ″ is provided with a roller 401 ″ with the image receiving sheet conveyance path therebetween.
Also includes a charger 81 ″ installed above.

At the lower end of the case 40 ″, a conveying screw 402 is provided.
A toner returning / supplying device 400 is formed from a toner conveying pipe 403 extending from the developing device 4 ″ and connected to the developing device 4 ″. In separating and removing the toner from the image receiving sheet S passing through the toner separating and removing device 8 ″, Roller 40
1 "is rotationally driven clockwise in the figure by a driving device (not shown).
, A DC bias (for example, -200 V) is applied.
Further, a DC voltage (for example, -1000 V) for toner separation and removal and an AC voltage are superimposedly applied to the charger 81 "from the power supply PW8".

Also in this toner separation and removal device 8 ″,
1, the toner on the image receiving sheet S is transferred to the roller 401 "side by electrostatic force and magnetic force and separated and removed from the image receiving sheet S. The separated and removed toner is The toner is returned to the developing device 4 ″ by the toner return / supply device 400, and is reused.

The subsequent toner image formation on the image-receiving sheet from which the toner has been removed is the same as that of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 except that the developing device 4 ″ is used instead of the developing device 4. The convex toner removing device 9 'includes a brush roller 94 capable of rubbing the convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet. The brush roller 94 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the figure by a driving device (not shown). Along with the removal of the toner on the image receiving sheet, the developer remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 can be removed, and the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is also cleaned by a blade 6.

The brush roller 94 and the blade 6 are surrounded by a case 95, and a conveying screw 61 is provided at the lower end of the case 95. The conveying screw 61 is extended from the screw 61 and connected to the developing device 4 ″. A developer return supply device 60 is formed from the transport pipe 62 and the like.

[0075]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for forming a toner image on an image receiving sheet. The toner image can be separated and removed from the image receiving sheet without fixing the toner image to the image receiving sheet as in the prior art. The present invention provides a non-fixing type image forming method capable of forming an image while holding the toner image as described above, thereby enabling the toner or the image receiving sheet to be reused from the image receiving sheet on which the toner image is formed. Can be.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming material recycling method capable of separating and removing toner from an image receiving sheet on which a toner image is formed, and reusing the toner and / or the image receiving sheet. Can be. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a non-fixing type image forming apparatus suitable for performing the non-fixing type image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image receiving sheet suitable for carrying out the non-fixing type image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a developer suitable for performing the non-fixing type image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus capable of performing a non-fixed image forming method and an image forming material recycling method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of another example of an image forming apparatus capable of implementing a non-fixed image forming method and an image forming material recycling method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of still another example of an image forming apparatus capable of performing the non-fixed image forming method and the image forming material recycling method according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4A to 4E are diagrams each showing an uneven pattern on the image receiving sheet, and FIG. 4F is an enlarged sectional view of an example of the image receiving sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 photoconductor 2 charging charger PW1 power supply for photoconductor charging 3 image exposure device 4 developing device Mg magnet roller 41 developing roller DV developer PW4 power supply device for developing bias 5 transfer device PW5 transfer power source 6 cleaning blade 60 developer return Supply device 61 Transport screw 62 Developer transport tube 7 Static eliminator 8 Toner separation / removal device 81 Charger PW8 Power supply 9 Convex toner removal device 90 Charger 91 Toner scraping roller 92 Cleaning blade 93 Case 101 Image receiving sheet supply unit 102 Output tray S Image receiving Sheet s1 Sheet core layer s2 Concavo-convex layer s2 'Concavo-convex surface s21 recess s22 convex T toner P convex wall R concave 4' developing device 41 'developing roller Mg1 magnet roller 8' toner separating and removing device 401 toner Separation and removal roller Mg2 magnet roller 40 Case 400 Toner return supply device 402 Transport screw 403 Toner transport tube PW4 'Power supply 4 "Developing device Mg3 Magnet roller 41" Developing roller PW41 Power supply DV' Developer 8 "Toner separation and removal device Mg4 Magnet roller 401 "toner separation and removal roller 40" case PW40 power supply PW8 "power supply 9 'convex toner removal device 94 brush roller 95 case

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 9/08 G03G 9/08 101 21/00 578 372 374

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. An image forming method for forming a toner image on an image receiving sheet, wherein the image receiving sheet has an uneven surface formed with a large number of concave portions capable of receiving toner, and the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet is used. A toner image is formed by attaching the toner to the recess so that the toner can be removed, and the toner attached to the recess is protected by the convex portion of the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet, and the formed toner image is used as a formed image. Non-fixing type image forming method. 2. The non-fixable image according to claim 1, wherein a chargeable toner is used as the toner, and the toner is attached to a concave portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet by electrostatic force when forming a toner image on the image receiving sheet. Forming method. 3. A non-fixable image forming method according to claim 2, wherein a chargeable magnetic toner is used as said toner. 4. The non-fixing type image forming method according to claim 1, wherein, when forming a toner image on the image receiving sheet, toner adhering to a convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet is removed. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a chargeable toner is used as the toner, and when the toner adhering to the protrusions on the uneven surface of the image receiving sheet is removed, the protrusions are charged to the same polarity as the charge polarity of the toner. Non-fixing type image forming method. 6. In forming an image, a toner image is formed on an image receiving sheet, and at this time, an image receiving sheet having a concave and convex surface formed with a large number of recesses capable of receiving toner is used as the image receiving sheet. Forming a toner image by removably attaching toner to the concave portion, and protecting the toner adhered to the concave portion by the convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet; An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the toner on the image receiving sheet is separated and removed from the image receiving sheet, and the image receiving sheet after removing the toner or (and) the removed toner is reused. Material reuse method. 7. A method for forming a toner image on the image receiving sheet by using a chargeable toner as the toner, causing the toner to adhere to a concave portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet by electrostatic force, and removing the toner attached to the image receiving sheet. 7. The method for reusing an image forming material according to claim 6, wherein the separation and removal are also performed by using electrostatic force. 8. The image forming material according to claim 6, wherein a chargeable magnetic toner is used as the toner, and when the toner attached to the image receiving sheet is separated and removed, the toner is separated and removed using an electrostatic force and a magnetic force. Method. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein an alternating bias is superimposed on the electrostatic force when the toner attached to the image receiving sheet is separated and removed. 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein, when forming a toner image on the image receiving sheet, toner adhering to a convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet is removed. 11. A chargeable toner as said toner,
The image forming material recycling method according to claim 10, wherein when removing the toner adhered to the convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet, the convex portion is charged to the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner. 12. A method for forming a toner image on an image-receiving sheet by forming a toner image on the image-receiving sheet by attaching toner removably to an image-receiving sheet having an uneven surface formed with a number of recesses capable of receiving toner used for forming a toner image. Separating the toner from the image receiving sheet, which is provided upstream of the toner image forming area on the image receiving sheet by the toner image forming apparatus in the image receiving sheet conveying direction and is conveyed to the toner image forming area. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner separation / removal device for removing. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the toner image forming apparatus attaches the toner to the concave portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet by electrostatic force when the toner is removed. 14. An image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said toner separating and removing device separates and removes toner by electrostatic force when separating and removing toner from said image receiving sheet conveyed to said toner image forming area. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said toner separating and removing device separates and removes toner by electrostatic force and magnetic force when separating and removing toner from the image receiving sheet conveyed to the toner image forming area. apparatus. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said toner separating and removing device superimposes an alternating bias on said electrostatic force when separating and removing toner from said image receiving sheet conveyed to said toner image forming area. apparatus. 17. A convex toner removing device for removing toner adhering to a convex portion of a concave and convex surface of an image receiving sheet at a position downstream of a toner image forming area on the image receiving sheet by the toner image forming apparatus in a conveying direction of the image receiving sheet. Claim 1 comprising:
17. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2 to 16. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said convex toner removing device includes a charging device for charging the convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet to the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner. 19. An electrostatic latent image carrier, an apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier in accordance with document image information, and the electrostatic latent image. 14. A developing device comprising: a developing device that develops a toner image into a toner image; and a transfer device that electrostatically transfers toner in the toner image to the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet.
9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 8. 20. An image forming apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a device for supplying the separated and removed toner from said toner separation and removal device to said toner image forming device. 21. An image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said developing device also functions as at least a part of said toner separating and removing device. 22. An image forming apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a device for supplying the removed toner from said convex toner removing device to said toner image forming device. 23. An image receiving sheet for forming a toner image by removably attaching toner, having an uneven surface formed with a number of recesses capable of receiving the toner, and removing the toner in the recesses. An image receiving sheet, wherein the toner image can be formed by attaching the toner image as much as possible, and the toner adhered to the concave portion can be protected by a convex portion of the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet. 24. The concave and convex portions on the concave and convex surface of the image receiving sheet are substantially uniformly dispersed and formed, and the total area occupied by the concave portions on the concave and convex surface is larger than the total area occupied by the convex portions. 24. The image receiving sheet according to claim 23, wherein the location is deeper and wider than the toner size, and a plurality of toners can be received therein. 25. A developer comprising a mixture of a colored magnetic toner and charged transparent and / or white particles having a polarity opposite to that of the colored magnetic toner. 26. The developer according to claim 25, wherein said colored chargeable magnetic toner contains a ferromagnetic ferrite powder. 27. The transparent or (and) white particles are particles of an organic compound or an inorganic compound.
6. The developer according to 6. 28. The colored and chargeable magnetic toner has a particle size of 5 μm.
28. The developer according to claim 25, 26 or 27, wherein the transparent or (and) white particles have a particle size of 5 to 30 m.