JP2000267331A - Electrostatic charge image developing toner, its production, electrostatic charge image developer and method for formation of image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an electrostatic charge image developing toner having excellent electrification property, developing property, transfer property, fixing property and cleaning property and showing both of high picture quality and high reliability by using a toner satisfying all of specified conditions at the same time. SOLUTION: An electrostatic charge image developing toner containing at lest resin particles and a coloring agent is treated to satisfy the following conditions. The conditions are; (a) the distribution index of average volume grain size GSDv<=1.25 [wherein GSDv=(D84V/D16V)1/2], (b) shape factor SF1=125 to 140 [wherein SF1=(π/4)×(L2/A)×100, L is the max. length and A is the projected area), (c) accumulated volume average particle size D50V=3 to 7 μm, (d) (proportion of particles having <=120 shape factor SF1)<=20% in the number of pieces, (e) (proportion of particles having <=120 shape factor SF1 and <=4/5 diameter of particles calculated as circles)<=10% in the number of pieces (wherein the diameter calculated as circles=(4A/π)1/2, and A is the projected area of the toner).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrostatic image developing toner used for developing an electrostatic image formed by an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method or the like, a method for producing the same, an electrostatic image developer, And an image forming method using an electrostatic image developer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Methods for visualizing image information via an electrostatic image, such as electrophotography, are currently used in various fields. In electrophotography, an electrostatic image is formed on a photoreceptor by a charging and exposure process, the electrostatic image is developed with a developer containing a toner, and visualized through a transfer and fixing process.

[0003] The developer used here includes a two-component developer consisting of a toner and a carrier, and a one-component developer using a magnetic toner or a non-magnetic toner alone. The production of the toner used for these developers is generally performed by a kneading and pulverizing method in which a thermoplastic resin is melt-kneaded with a releasing agent such as a pigment, a charge controlling agent, and wax, cooled, finely pulverized, and further classified. is there. The toner particles produced by the kneading and pulverizing method are used by adding inorganic fine particles or organic fine particles to the surface of the toner particles in order to improve fluidity and cleanability.

[0004] The toner particles produced by the conventional kneading and pulverizing method have an irregular toner shape, and the surface composition of the toner particles is not uniform. The shape and surface composition of the toner particles slightly change depending on the pulverizability and pulverization conditions of the materials used, but these cannot be controlled intentionally. In particular, when toner particles are manufactured using a material having high pulverizability, the toner particles are subjected to a mechanical force such as a shearing force in a developing machine, so that the toner particles collapse to generate fine powder or change the shape of the toner particles.

[0005] Due to these effects, in the two-component developer, fine powder generated from the toner particles adheres to the carrier to accelerate the charge deterioration of the developer, and in the one-component developer, the particle size distribution of the toner particles is expanded. As a result, the toner scatters, or the developing property is reduced due to the change in the shape of the toner particles.

Further, when the toner particle shape is irregular,
Even if a flow aid is added, the flowability cannot be improved. This is because the fine particles of the fluidity aid are buried in the concave portions of the toner particles by receiving a mechanical force such as a shear force in the developing machine, and the fluidity of the toner decreases with time. As a result, there arises a problem that developability, transferability, and cleaning performance deteriorate. Further, if such toner is collected in the cleaning step and returned to the developing machine for use, the image quality is further deteriorated. It is conceivable to further increase the flow aid in order to avoid these inconveniences, but there is a problem that black spots are generated on the photoreceptor and the flow aid is scattered.

On the other hand, in a thermoplastic resin-containing toner in which a release agent such as wax is internally added, the release agent is often exposed to the surface of the toner particles. In particular, in the case of a toner in which a binder resin which is imparted with elasticity by a high molecular weight component and is hardly pulverized and a brittle wax such as polyethylene is used, polyethylene is often exposed on the surface of the toner particles. Such toner is advantageous for releasing property at the time of fixing and cleaning of untransferred toner from the photoreceptor, but polyethylene of the surface layer of the toner particles is detached from the surface of the toner particles due to shearing force in a developing machine, etc. It easily migrates to developing rolls, photoconductors, carriers, etc., and becomes contaminated. These contaminations reduce the reliability of the developer.

Under these circumstances, there has been an attempt to solve the above problem by intentionally controlling the shape and surface composition of the toner particles. In particular, studies on the production of toner by a wet method have been actively conducted. became. For example, JP-A-63-28274
No. 9 and JP-A-6-250439, a resin particle dispersion is prepared by emulsion polymerization or the like, a colorant dispersion in which a colorant is dispersed in an aqueous medium (solvent) is prepared, and both are mixed. An emulsion polymerization aggregation method has been proposed in which aggregated particles corresponding to the particle size of the toner are formed by heating, and the temperature is further increased to fuse the aggregated particles to produce a toner.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for higher image quality. In particular, in order to realize a high-definition image in color image formation, there has been an increasing demand for a toner having a small diameter and a uniform particle diameter. When an image is formed using a toner having a wide particle size distribution,
The problem that the toner on the fine powder side contaminates the developing roll, the charging roll, the charging blade, the photoconductor, the carrier and the like and the toner is scattered becomes remarkable, and it is difficult to realize high image quality and high reliability at the same time. there were. Further, a toner having a wide particle size distribution cannot achieve high reliability even in a system having a cleaning function, a toner recycling function, and the like.

On the other hand, a toner having a small particle diameter tends to cause a trouble particularly in a transfer process, which is a factor which hinders improvement in image quality.
This is considered to be due to an increase in the non-electrostatic adhesion of the toner having a small particle diameter to the photoreceptor, such as a Van der Waals force. In order to improve such a problem, it is necessary to appropriately control the adhesive force between the toner and the photoreceptor. For example, it is necessary to control the shape and surface state of the toner.

In the conventional kneading and pulverizing method, it is very difficult to produce a toner having a small particle size and a uniform particle size as described above. Therefore, the problem in the transfer step cannot be avoided. In view of this, studies have been actively conducted on an emulsion polymerization aggregation method which facilitates the production of toner particles having a particularly small diameter and a uniform particle size among the wet methods.

However, in the production of toner particles by the emulsion polymerization aggregation method, even if amorphous aggregated particles are formed,
In the heat fusing step, the shape changes to a smoother sphere, that is, the reaction proceeds in a direction to reduce the surface area, so that the smaller the toner, the smaller the surface area and the higher the sphericity, and the larger the toner, the higher the irregularity. It has a principle aspect. On the other hand, characteristics such as toner transfer quality, transfer efficiency, cleaning properties, and toner durability are affected by the shape of the toner. Therefore, in order to obtain a toner having the above characteristics, an optimal design of the toner shape distribution is required. Is done.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-279864
Then, the toner shape factor SF1 = {[(maximum length) ² / (projected area)] × (π / 4) × 100} (index indicating toner distortion) and SF2 = {[(peripheral length) ² / (projected area) ] ×
(1 / 4π) × 100 ° (index representing surface unevenness) is SF
A so-called potato-shaped toner is proposed by controlling the values in the range of 1 = 120 to 180 and SF2 = 110 to 130. However, it is hard to say that the potato shape is SF1 = 120, and even if the average value is set to 120,
Since the toner contains a substantially spherical toner in a considerable amount, there is a problem in long-term cleaning performance with a high-speed machine. Further, when SF1 = 180, the toner is almost indefinite, and there is a problem in long-term durability and transferability.

On the other hand, JP-A-6-148926 and JP-A-6-148951 disclose a shape factor S
It has been proposed that the ratio of spherical particles and the ratio of irregular particles in F1 (index indicating toner distortion) be suppressed to a certain number or less (30% or less). However, under the above conditions, spherical toner particles having a small particle diameter and irregular toner particles having a large particle diameter are not sufficiently eliminated, which impairs the cleaning property and deteriorates the image quality. Then, the fine powder mixed in the toner contaminates the inside of the developing machine, the photoconductor, the intermediate transfer body, and the like.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above problems in the conventional toner and to solve the following problems. 1. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner for developing an electrostatic image, which is excellent in chargeability, developability, transferability, fixing property, and cleaning property, and satisfies high image quality and high reliability, a method for producing the same, and an electrostatic image developer. 2. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic image developing toner suitable for a two-component electrostatic image developer having high transfer efficiency, low toner consumption, and long life. 3. Provided is an image forming method which is excellent in suitability for a toner recycling system in which toner collected from a cleaner is reused, and which can obtain high image quality with excellent light transmittance and coloring properties.

[0016]

[However, GSDv = ( _D84V / _D16V )]

(ii) Shape factor SF1 = 125 to 140, where SF1 = (π / 4) × (L ² / A) × 10
0, L represent the maximum length, A represents the projected area] (iii) Cumulative volume average particle diameter D _50V = 3 to 7 μm, (iv) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less) ≦
20% by number, (v) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 150 or more) ≦
(Vi) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less and 4/5 or less of the circle equivalent diameter) ≦ 10 number%. [However, circle equivalent diameter = (4A / π) ^1/2 , where A represents the projected area of the toner]

(2) The toner according to (1), wherein the toner satisfies the following formulas simultaneously. (vii) Average number particle size distribution index GSDn ≦ 1.25, where GSDn = (D _84n / D _16n )] (viii) Average number particle size distribution index GSDn _down ≦ 1.2
5. _{[However, GSDn down = (D 50n /} D 16n) ] (3) (1) or (2) a toner for developing electrostatic images according to the toner is characterized by satisfying the following equation. (ix) (particles not more than 2/3 of number average particle diameter D _50n ) ≦ 5
Number%.

(4) An electrostatic image developing toner containing at least resin particles and a colorant, wherein the toner simultaneously satisfies the following formula. (X) mean volume particle size distribution index GSDv ≦ 1.25, _{[however, GSDv = (D 84V / D} 16V) ] (xi) the shape factor SF1 = 125 to 140, [however, SF1 = (π / 4) × ( L ² / A) × 10
0, L represent the maximum length, A represents the projected area] (xii) Cumulative volume average particle size D _50V = 3 to 7 μm, (xiii) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less) ≦
10% by number, (xiv) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 150 or more) ≦
(Xv) (number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less and a cumulative volume average particle diameter D _50V of 4.5 μm or less) ≦ 4 number%.

(5) The above (1) to (4), wherein the release agent is contained in the range of 1 to 30% by weight, and the absolute value of the toner charge is in the range of 10 to 40 μc / g. Any one of
The toner for developing an electrostatic image according to any one of the above.

(6) At least one kind of resin particle dispersion and at least one kind of colorant dispersion are mixed, and an aggregating agent is added to form agglomerated particles. (1) to (5), wherein the aggregated particles are fused to form toner particles by heating to a temperature of
The method for producing a toner for developing electrostatic images according to any one of the above.

(7) At least one kind of fine particle dispersion of a resin fine particle dispersion, a colorant fine particle dispersion, and a release agent fine particle dispersion is added to the above-mentioned aggregated particle dispersion and mixed to adhere fine particles to the surface of the aggregated particles. Then, after adding and mixing the resin fine particle dispersion and adhering the fine particles to the surface of the aggregated particles, heating to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the resin particles to fuse the adhered particles to form toner particles. The method for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic image as described in the above item (6), wherein

(8) An electrostatic image developer comprising a carrier and a toner, wherein the toner uses the electrostatic image developing toner described in any one of (1) to (5) above. Electrostatic image developer.

(9) a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic charge carrier, a step of developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer to form a toner image, and a step of transferring the toner image onto a transfer body And an image forming method including a step of fixing the transferred image, wherein the developing step uses the electrostatic image developer according to (8). (10) The image forming method according to the above (9), further comprising a cleaning step of removing a toner remaining on the electrostatic charge carrier and / or the transfer body with a blade. (11) a recycling step for returning the toner collected in the cleaning step to the developing step is provided.
The image forming method according to (10).

[0024]

[However, GSDv = ( _D84V / _D16V ) ^1/2 ]

(ii) Shape factor SF1 = 125 to 140, where SF1 = (π / 4) × (L ² / A) × 10
0, L represent the maximum length, A represents the projected area] (iii) Cumulative volume average particle diameter D _50V = 3 to 7 μm, (iv) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less) ≦
20% by number, (v) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 150 or more) ≦
(Vi) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less and 4/5 or less of the circle equivalent diameter) ≦ 10 number%. [However, circle equivalent diameter = (4A / π) ^1/2 A represents the projected area of the toner]

In the toner of the present invention, the average volume particle size
If the cloth index GSDv exceeds 1.25, the sharpness of the image and the solution
Image resolution decreases. In addition, GSDv refers to the volume particle size distribution.
Ratio of 84 cumulative volume% to 16 cumulative volume%
Square root [(D_84V/ D_16V) ^1/2]. Shaper
If the number SF1 exceeds 140, the fluidity of the toner decreases,
It adversely affects transferability from the beginning. The shape of the toner
The coefficient is obtained as follows. Slide toner
Images on a video camera.
Into the Luzex image analyzer through
Measure the maximum length and projected area of zero or more toner particles and
The average value was used as a shape factor. Cumulative volumetric flatness
Uniform particle size D_50VIs less than 3 μm, the chargeability is insufficient.
The developability may be reduced.
Resolution is reduced.

In particular, in the present invention, in addition to the above conditions, the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less needs to be 20% by number or less. If it exceeds this range, good cleaning properties cannot be maintained for a long time. (The number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 150 or more)
Must be 20% by number or less. If it exceeds this range, good transfer characteristics cannot be maintained for a long time. Further, (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less and 4/5 or less of the circle equivalent diameter) needs to be 10% by number or less. Exceeding this range is not preferable because cleaning failure occurs from the beginning.

Further, in the present invention, in addition to the above conditions, the average number particle size distribution index GSDn is 1.25 or less,
By setting the particle size distribution index under average number GSDn _down to 1.25 or less and (particles having 2/3 or less of the number average particle diameter D _50n ) to 5% by number or less, the fluidity of the toner is improved and the charge stability is improved. The property can be improved. That is, when the average number particle size distribution index GSDn is more than 1.25, fine powder is apt to be generated, adhered to the surface of the sleeve or the carrier, easily deteriorated in charge, and transfer unevenness due to coarse powder sometimes occurred. . In addition, the particle size distribution index GSDn under the average number
_{When down} exceeds 1.25, the fluidity of the toner deteriorates, and the image quality tends to deteriorate. On the other hand, when (number of particles having a number average particle diameter D _50n of ₅₀ or less) is more than 5% by number, the fluidity of the toner is apt to be lowered and the toner is likely to be fixed in the developing device.

Another toner of the present invention has the following formula (x)
By simultaneously satisfying (xv), it is possible to further improve the transfer efficiency of the toner in addition to the features of the toner described above, and there is an advantage that the toner is prevented from being broken by stirring in the developing device. (x) average volume particle size distribution index GSDv ≦ 1.25, (xi) shape factor SF1 = 125 to 140, (xii) cumulative volume average particle size D _50V = 3 to 7 μm, (xiii) (shape factor SF1 is 120 or less Number of particles) ≦
10% by number, (xiv) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 150 or more) ≦
(Xv) (number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less and a cumulative volume average particle diameter D _50V of 4.5 μm or less) ≦ 4 number%.

In the present invention, if (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less) is more than 10% by number, cleaning failure may occur, which may cause mechanical contamination and lower reliability. (The shape factor SF1 is 120 or less, and
Particles having a cumulative volume average particle diameter D _50V of 4.5 μm or less)
If the number exceeds%, cleaning failure may occur. If (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 150 or more) exceeds 10% by number, transfer unevenness may occur during transfer.

The toner for developing an electrostatic image of the present invention is obtained by mixing at least one kind of resin particle dispersion and at least one kind of colorant dispersion and adding an aggregating agent to form aggregated particles. The toner particles can be manufactured by heating the resin particles to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass point and fusing the aggregated particles. The average particle size of the resin particles in the dispersion is preferably 1 μm or less. Further, in the aggregated particle dispersion,
Adding and mixing a dispersion liquid in which resin fine particles and other fine particles are dispersed, attaching the fine particles to the surface of the aggregated particles, heating the resin particles to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass point of the resin particles, and fusing the adhered particles to produce a toner. Can also.

In the aggregating step of the above method, it is preferable that the fine particle dispersion is added to the aggregated particle dispersion a plurality of times and adhered to the aggregated particles. At this time, a colorant can be contained in at least one of the aggregated particles and the fine particles attached to the aggregated particles. Further, in the aggregated particle dispersion, a release agent fine particle dispersion is added and mixed, and the release agent fine particles are adhered to the aggregated particles to form adhered particles. After the resin fine particles are adhered to the particles, the adhered particles can be fused by heating. This method is advantageous in terms of stabilizing charging by making the toner surface uniform, preventing contamination of a release agent, and the like.

Further, a colorant dispersion liquid is added to and mixed with the aggregated particle dispersion liquid, and the colorant fine particles are adhered to the aggregated particles to form adhered particles. After the resin fine particles are adhered to the particles, the adhered particles can be fused by heating. Similarly, in the aggregated particle dispersion, the resin fine particle dispersion is added and mixed, and the inorganic fine particle dispersion is further added and mixed to adhere the resin fine particles and the inorganic fine particles, and the adhered particles can be heated and fused. . In addition, the fine particles additionally attached to the surface of the aggregated particles may be referred to as “additional particles”.

The method of adding and mixing the dispersion is not particularly limited. For example, the method may be carried out gradually and continuously, or may be carried out in a plurality of steps and stepwise. In this way, by adding and mixing the additional particles, the generation of fine particles can be suppressed, and the particle size distribution of the obtained electrostatic image developing toner can be sharpened. In addition, when the addition and mixing are performed stepwise by dividing into a plurality of times, additional particles are layered stepwise on the surface of the aggregated particles, and it is possible to have a structural change or a composition gradient from the inside to the outside of the toner particles, It is also possible to improve the surface hardness of the particles. Conventionally, a stabilizer such as a surfactant or a base or an acid has been used for the purpose of maintaining a predetermined particle size distribution or suppressing the fluctuation to enhance the stability at the time of fusion. According to the method, these stabilizers can be made unnecessary or the amount of these stabilizers can be suppressed, so that it is easy to improve the toner quality and reduce the cost.

When the toner of the present invention for developing an electrostatic image deviates from the above-mentioned conditions relating to the toner shape, cleaning properties and transfer characteristics become problems. The cause is, for example, when producing a toner by emulsion polymerization aggregation method, the molecular weight distribution of the resin particles, especially the mixture of low molecular weight components, non-uniformity at the time of addition and mixing,
Non-uniform generation of agglomerated particles, rapid heat fusion, and the like.
Therefore, it is desirable to remove low molecular weight components from the resin particle dispersion prepared by emulsion polymerization using, for example, a sedimentation type centrifugal separator. In addition, at the time of addition and mixing, it is desirable to add and mix the resin particle dispersion, the colorant particle dispersion, the release agent particle dispersion, and the like in a small number of times. Further, it is desirable that the temperature raising operation is performed gently in the aggregation step and the fusion step.

The resins used in the toner of the present invention include, for example, the following thermoplastic binder resins. Styrenes such as styrene, parachlorostyrene, α-methylstyrene, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, 2-acrylate
Ethylhexyl, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, esters having a vinyl group such as 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl nitriles such as methacrylonitrile, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl Homopolymers of monomers such as vinyl ethers such as isobutyl ether, vinyl ketones such as vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone and vinyl isopropenyl ketone, and polyolefins such as ethylene, propylene and butadiene, or a combination of two or more thereof The obtained copolymer, a mixture thereof, further epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, cellulose resin, polyether resin and the like, non-vinyl condensation resin,
Alternatively, examples thereof include a mixture of these with the vinyl-based resin and a graft polymer obtained when a vinyl-based monomer is polymerized in the presence of these. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these resins, vinyl resins are particularly preferred. The vinyl resin is advantageous in that a resin particle dispersion can be easily prepared by emulsion polymerization or seed polymerization using an ionic surfactant or the like.

The method for preparing the resin particle dispersion is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the resin particle dispersion can be prepared as follows. Esters having a vinyl group in resin particles, vinyl nitriles,
In the case of a homopolymer or copolymer (vinyl resin) of vinyl monomers such as vinyl ethers and vinyl ketones, the vinyl monomers are emulsified in an ionic surfactant by an emulsion polymerization method or a seed weight method. It is possible to prepare a dispersion in which resin particles are dispersed in an ionic surfactant by polymerization in a legal manner.

When the resin particles are made of a resin other than a homopolymer or a copolymer of a vinyl monomer, if the resin is soluble in an oily solvent having a relatively low solubility in water, the oily oil Dissolved in a solvent, the dissolved substance is added to water together with the ionic surfactant and the polymer electrolyte, dispersed in fine particles using a disperser such as a homogenizer, and then the oily solvent is evaporated by heating or reducing the pressure. Can be prepared.

When the resin particles dispersed in the resin particle dispersion are composite particles containing components other than the resin, the dispersion in which these composite particles are dispersed may be prepared, for example, as follows. Can be. For example, after dissolving and dispersing each component of the composite particles in a solvent, and dispersing in water with an appropriate dispersant as described above, and removing the solvent by heating or reducing the pressure, a method for obtaining the emulsion, It can be prepared by a method of immobilizing the latex surface produced by seed polymerization by mechanical shearing or electric adsorption.

The average particle size of the resin particles is preferably 1 μm or less, more preferably in the range of 0.01 to 1 μm. When the average particle size of the resin particles exceeds 1 μm, the particle size distribution of the finally obtained toner particles is widened, or free particles are generated, leading to a decrease in performance and reliability. on the other hand,
When the average particle size of the resin particles is within the above range, the above-described disadvantage is eliminated, uneven distribution between toners is further reduced, dispersibility in the toner particles is improved, and variations in performance and reliability are reduced. It is advantageous. The average particle size of the resin particles can be measured using, for example, a microtrack or the like.

If the resin constituting the resin particles is a resin other than the homopolymer or copolymer of the vinyl monomer, the resin is dissolved in an oily solvent having a relatively low solubility in water. If it is dissolved in an oily solvent, this dissolved material is added to the water together with the ionic surfactant and the polymer electrolyte, dispersed in fine particles using a disperser such as a homogenizer, and then heated or reduced in pressure. It can be prepared by evaporating an oily solvent.

As the colorant used in the toner of the present invention,
For example, carbon black, chrome yellow, Hansa yellow, benzidine yellow, slen yellow, quinoline yellow, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, vulcan orange, watch young red,
Permanent Red, Brilliant Carmine 3B, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Dupont Oil Red, Pyrazolone Red, Risor Red, Rhodamine B Lake, Lake Red C, Rose Bengal, Aniline Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Calco Oil Blue, Methylene Blue Chloride, Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Various pigments such as green and malachite green oxalate; acridine, xanthene, azo, benzoquinone, azine, anthraquinone, dioxazine, thiazine, azomethine, indico, thioindico, phthalocyanine, aniline black , Polymethine, triphenylmethane, diphenylmethane, thiazine, thiazole, xanthene dyes, etc. That. These colorants may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When used in combination, the color of the toner can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the type and mixing ratio of the colorant (pigment). The colorant dispersion can be prepared, for example, by dispersing the colorant in an aqueous medium such as a surfactant.

The average particle size of the colorant particles is 0.8 μm or less,
Preferably, the range is 0.05 to 0.5 μm.
When the average particle size of the colorant particles exceeds 0.8 μm, the particle size distribution of the finally obtained toner particles is widened, or free particles are generated, which is a factor of deteriorating performance and reliability. If the average particle size of the colorant particles is smaller than 0.05 μm, not only the colorability of the toner is reduced, but also the shape controllability, which is one of the features of the emulsion aggregation method, is impaired, and the toner having a shape close to a true sphere Can not be obtained. Further, the number of particles having a size of 0.8 μm or more is preferably less than 10% by number, and substantially 0% by number is preferred. The presence of such coarse particles impairs the stability of the agglomeration step, not only releasing coarse colorant particles, but also broadening the particle size distribution of the toner particles. The number of particles having a size of 0.05 μm or less is preferably 5% by number or less. The presence of such fine particles impairs shape controllability in the fusion process,
A so-called smooth product having a shape factor SF1 of 130 or less cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the average particle size, coarse particles, and fine particles of the colorant particles are within the above ranges, the above-described disadvantages are eliminated, uneven distribution between toners is reduced, and dispersion in the toner is improved, and performance is improved. And the point that the variation in reliability is reduced. The average particle size of the colorant particles can be measured using, for example, a microtrack or the like. It is preferable that the amount of the coloring agent is selected in the range of 1 to 20% by weight based on the toner particles.

In the present invention, it is more preferable that the colorant is subjected to a surface modification treatment with rosin, a polymer or the like. The surface-modified colorant is sufficiently stable in the colorant dispersion, and after the colorant is dispersed to a desired average particle size in the colorant dispersion, when mixed with the resin particle dispersion. Also, there is an advantage that the colorants do not aggregate in the aggregation step and the like, and a good dispersion state can be maintained. It should be noted that an excessive surface modification treatment may be released without aggregating with the resin particles in the aggregating step.

Examples of the polymer for surface treatment include an acrylonitrile polymer and a methyl methacrylate polymer. The conditions for the surface modification are generally a polymerization method in which a monomer is polymerized in the presence of a colorant (pigment), a colorant (pigment) dispersed in a polymer solution, and the solubility of the polymer is reduced to reduce the solubility of the colorant (pigment). ) A phase separation method that precipitates on the surface can be used.

Examples of the release agent used in the present invention include low molecular weight polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutene, silicones having a softening point upon heating, oleamide, erucamide, ricinoleamide, and stearic acid. Fatty acid amides such as amides, vegetable waxes such as carnauba wax, rice wax, candelilla wax, wood wax, jojoba oil, etc., animal waxes such as beeswax, montan wax, ozokerite, ceresin, paraffin wax And minerals such as microcrystalline wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, petroleum-based wax, and modified products thereof. These release agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The release agent fine particle dispersion is dispersed in water together with an ionic surfactant and a polymer electrolyte such as a polymer acid or a polymer base, and heated to a melting point of the release agent or higher while being homogenized or pressure-discharged. By applying strong shearing with a mold disperser, the release agent can be made finer and prepared.
In addition, when the dispersion liquid such as other internal additives is inorganic fine particles, it can be prepared by dispersing the dispersion liquid in an aqueous medium such as the surfactant.

The average particle size of the releasing agent and other fine particles of the internal additive is preferably 1 μm or less, more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm. If the average particle size exceeds 1 μm, the particle size distribution of the finally obtained toner may be widened or free particles may be generated, leading to a decrease in performance and reliability. The average particle size of the fine particles can be measured using, for example, a microtrack or the like.

Examples of the dispersion medium used in the dispersion of the resin particles, the dispersion of the colorant, and the dispersion of the other components (particles) include, for example, an aqueous medium. Examples of the aqueous medium include water such as distilled water and ion-exchanged water, and alcohols. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The means for preparing the dispersion is not particularly limited, and a dispersion apparatus known per se such as a rotary shearing homogenizer or a ball mill, a sand mill, or a dyno mill having a medium can be used.

In the present invention, various commonly used charge control agents such as quaternary ammonium salt compounds, nigrosine compounds, dyes comprising complexes of aluminum, iron, chromium and the like, and triphenylmethane pigments are used as charge control agents. However, a material that is difficult to dissolve in water is preferable from the viewpoint of controlling ionic strength that affects the stability at the time of coagulation and fusion and preventing pollution of wastewater.

In the present invention, a surfactant is preferably added to and mixed with an aqueous medium. Examples of the surfactant include anionic surfactants such as sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate and soap; cationic surfactants such as amine salt and quaternary ammonium salt; polyethylene Nonionic surfactants such as glycols, alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts, and polyhydric alcohols are suitable. Of these, ionic surfactants are preferred, and anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants are more preferred. The nonionic surfactant is preferably used in combination with an anionic surfactant or a cationic surfactant. The surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the anionic surfactant include fatty acid soaps such as potassium laurate, sodium oleate and castor oil sodium; octyl sulfate, lauryl sulfate, lauryl ether sulfate,
Sulfuric esters such as nonylphenyl ether sulfate; sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate such as lauryl sulfonate, dodecylsulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, triisopropylnaphthalenesulfonate and dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate; naphthalenesulfonate formalin condensate; monooctyl sulfosuccinate; dioctyl sulfoate Sulfonates such as succinate, lauric amide sulfonate and oleic amide sulfonate; phosphates such as lauryl phosphate, isopropyl phosphate and nonylphenyl ether phosphate; sodium dialkyl sulfosuccinate such as sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate; lauryl sulfosuccinate 2 Sodium, polyoxyethylene sulfoco Such as sulfosuccinate salts such as click lauryl disodium and the like.

Examples of the cationic surfactant include amine salts such as laurylamine hydrochloride, stearylamine hydrochloride, oleylamine acetate, stearylamine acetate, stearylaminopropylamine acetate; lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium. Chloride, distearylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, lauryldihydroxyethylmethylammonium chloride, oleylbispolyoxyethylenemethylammonium chloride, lauroylaminopropyldimethylethylammonium ethosulfate, lauroylaminopropyldimethylhydroxyethylammonium perchlorate, alkylbenzenedimethyl Ammonium chloride, alk And quaternary ammonium salts such as trimethylammonium chloride.

Examples of the nonionic surfactant include alkyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene octyl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether; polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether; Alkyl phenyl ethers such as oxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether; alkyl esters such as polyoxyethylene laurate, polyoxyethylene stearate, and polyoxyethylene oleate; polyoxyethylene lauryl amino ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl amino ether, polyoxy Alkylamines such as ethylene oleyl amino ether, polyoxyethylene soybean amino ether, and polyoxyethylene tallow amino ether; Alkyl amides such as polyoxyethylene lauric amide, polyoxyethylene stearamide, polyoxyethylene oleic acid amide; vegetable oil ethers such as polyoxyethylene castor oil ether and polyoxyethylene rapeseed oil ether; lauric acid diethanolamide; Alkanolamides such as stearic acid diethanolamide and oleic acid diethanolamide; polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate,
And sorbitan ester ethers such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.

In the present invention, the dispersion in which the particles containing at least the resin particles are dispersed is adjusted by adding and mixing the resin particle dispersion or the dispersion containing the colorant dispersion or other components thereto. ,room temperature~
By heating within the glass transition temperature range of the resin, the resin particles and the colorant are aggregated to form aggregated particles. The average particle size of the aggregated particles is preferably in the range of 2 to 7 μm.

When the resin particle dispersion and the colorant dispersion are mixed, the content of the resin particles is 40% by weight.
Below, the range of preferably 2 to 20% by weight is appropriate.
Further, the content of the coloring agent is suitably not more than 50% by weight, preferably in the range of 2 to 40% by weight. Further, the content of other components (particles) can be appropriately selected as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired, but is generally extremely small, and specifically 0.01 to A range of 5% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 2% by weight is suitable.

The content of the release agent in the toner for developing an electrostatic image is 1 to 30% by weight, preferably 7 to 25% by weight.
Is appropriate. If the amount is less than 1% by weight, the releasability is not sufficient and the toner adheres to the fixing roll during high-temperature fixing, so-called offset tends to occur. If the amount exceeds 30% by weight, the toner becomes brittle and is stirred in a developing machine. And it becomes easy to be crushed, and in either case, it is not preferable. In addition,
The release agent has a melting point of 3 from the viewpoint of the storage stability of the toner.
0 ° C. or higher is preferable, 40 ° C. or higher is more preferable, and
C. or higher is particularly preferred.

The dispersion containing the aggregated particles or the adhered particles thus formed is heated at a temperature higher than the softening point, specifically, at a temperature of about 70 to 120 ° C. to fuse the particles, thereby dispersing the toner particles. Obtain a liquid. The toner particle dispersion is separated by centrifugation or suction filtration, washed with ion-exchanged water for 1 to 3 times, then separated by filtration, and further washed with ion-exchanged water for 1 to 3 times. After drying, the toner for developing an electrostatic image of the present invention can be obtained.

The toner for developing an electrostatic image of the present invention obtained as described above has an accumulated volume average diameter of 3 to 7 μm, and a volume average particle size distribution GSDv of 1.25 or less. The sharpness and the resolution of the toner can be maintained, and by setting the shape factor SF1 to 125 to 140, the toner fluidity and transferability can be maintained, and the number% of particles having a shape factor SF1 value of 120 or less can be maintained. Is 20% by number or less, particles of 150 or more are 20% by number or less, and the circle equivalent diameter is 4%.
By controlling the number of particles having a shape factor of 120 or less to / 5 or less to 10% by number or less, good cleaning properties and transfer characteristics can be maintained over a long period of time. In particular, the circle equivalent diameter of 4
By setting the number of particles having a shape factor of 120 or less to 10% by number or less at / 5 or less, the cleaning property can be improved from the initial stage. Such an electrostatic image developing toner could not be obtained conventionally, but by sharpening the particle size distribution especially on the fine powder side of the toner particle size distribution, it is possible to obtain the shape characteristics in the above range,
It is effective for maintaining a long-term cleaning property at a high level.

The toner for developing an electrostatic image of the present invention has an absolute value of the charge amount of 10 to 40 μc / g, preferably 15 to 35 μc / g.
A range of μc / g is appropriate. Absolute value of charge amount is 10μ
When the value is less than c / g, background stains are likely to occur,
If it exceeds c / g, the image density tends to decrease. Also, in the summertime of toner for developing an electrostatic image (28 ° C., 85% R)
More preferably, the ratio of the charge amount in H) to the charge amount in winter (10 ° C., 15% RH) is in the range of 0.7 to 1.3. If the ratio is out of this range, the toner environment dependency becomes strong, and the stability of toner charging is unfavorably low.

The weight average molecular weight (M) of the toner of the present invention was determined by gel permeation chromatography.
When measuring w) and the number average molecular weight (Mn), the molecular weight distribution represented by the ratio (Mw / Mn) is preferably in the range of 2 to 30, more preferably 3 to 20. When the molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) exceeds 30, the light transmittance and coloring property are not sufficient, and particularly when an electrostatic image developing toner is developed or fixed on a film, an image projected by light transmission is unclear. To produce a dark image or an opaque, non-colored projected image. When (Mw / Mn) is less than 2, the viscosity of the toner at the time of high-temperature fixing is remarkably reduced, and offset tends to occur. The molecular weight distribution (Mw / M
When n) is within the above numerical range, the light transmittance and coloring properties are sufficient, and the viscosity of the electrostatic image developing toner is prevented from lowering during high-temperature fixing, and the occurrence of offset is effectively suppressed. can do.

The thus-obtained toner for developing an electrostatic image of the present invention is excellent in various properties such as chargeability, developability, transferability, fixing property, cleaning property, and cleaning property for a long time. Further, since the various performances are stably exhibited and maintained without being affected by environmental conditions, the reliability is high. Since the toner for developing an electrostatic image is manufactured by the method for manufacturing a toner for developing an electrostatic image of the present invention, unlike the case of being manufactured by the kneading and pulverizing method, the average particle size is small, and the particle size distribution is small. Is sharp.

The toner particles thus obtained are subjected to a shearing force in a dry state by applying inorganic fine particles such as silica, alumina, titania and calcium carbonate, and fine resin particles such as vinyl resin, polyester and silicone to the surface of the toner particles. To be used as a flow aid or a cleaning aid. As the inorganic fine particles, in addition to the above, all fine particles usually used as an external additive of a toner, such as magnesium carbonate, tricalcium phosphate, and cerium oxide, can be used. As the organic fine particles, all fine particles usually used as an external additive of a toner can be used. Examples of the lubricant include fatty acid amides such as ethylenebisstearic acid amide and oleic acid amide, and fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate and calcium stearate.

The electrostatic image developer of the present invention is characterized by containing the above-mentioned toner for developing an electrostatic image, and the other components are not particularly limited. The component composition can be appropriately selected according to the purpose of use. For example, the electrostatic image developer of the present invention may be prepared as a one-component electrostatic image developer using the electrostatic image developing toner of the present invention alone, or
It may be used in combination with a carrier to prepare a two-component electrostatic image developer.

The carrier is not particularly limited.
JP-A-62-39879, JP-A-56-1146
A known carrier such as a resin-coated carrier described in JP-A No. 1 can be used. The mixing ratio of toner and carrier in the electrostatic image developer is not particularly limited,
It can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The image forming method of the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image forming step, a toner image forming step, a transfer step, and a cleaning step. Each of the above steps is a general step itself, for example, as described in JP-A-56-40868 and JP-A-
No. 9-91231. The image forming method of the present invention can be carried out by using a known image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine.

The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier. The toner image forming step includes:
In this step, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developer layer on the developer carrier to form a toner image. The developer layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains the electrostatic image developing toner of the present invention. The transfer step is a step of transferring a toner image onto a transfer body. The cleaning step is a step of removing the electrostatic image developer remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier.

In the image forming method of the present invention, an embodiment that further includes a recycling step is preferable. The recycling step is a step of transferring the electrostatic image developing toner collected in the cleaning step to the developer layer. The image forming method of the embodiment including the recycling step can be carried out using an image forming apparatus such as a toner recycling system type copying machine or facsimile machine. Further, the present invention can be applied to a recycling system in which the cleaning step is omitted and the toner is collected at the same time as the development.

Examples will be shown below, but the present invention is not limited by these. -Preparation of resin particle dispersion liquid (1)-Styrene ... 360 g n-butyl acrylate ... 40 g Acrylic acid ... 8 g Dodecanethiol ... 24 g Carbon tetrabromide 4 g The above components were mixed and dissolved to prepare a solution, and in a flask, 550 g of ion-exchanged water, 8 g of a nonionic surfactant (Nonipol 400, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) and an anionic surfactant (Daiichi Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 12 g of Neogen SC (manufactured by Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) is dissolved, and the solution of the above components is added and dispersed in the solution to emulsify.
A solution prepared by dissolving 4 g of ammonium persulfate (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) in 0 g was added, and the inside of the flask was replaced with nitrogen. Then, the contents of the flask were heated with stirring in an oil bath until the temperature reached 70 ° C., and left for 5 hours. Emulsion polymerization was continued. Thereafter, the reaction solution was cooled to room temperature, and the glass transition point Tg61.
A resin particle dispersion having a weight average molecular weight Mw of 16000 at 0 ° C. was obtained. Furthermore, centrifugal sedimentation type separation device (manufactured by Kokusan)
The mixture was purified by removing low-molecular-weight suspended components (about 2% by weight based on the total solid content) to prepare a resin particle dispersion liquid (1) having a glass transition point Tg of 61.5 ° C. and a weight average molecular weight of Mw 17000.

—Preparation of Resin Particle Dispersion (2) —Styrene 320 g n-butyl acrylate 180 g Acrylic acid 8 g The above components were mixed and dissolved to prepare a solution. In a flask, 8 g of a nonionic surfactant (Nonipol 400, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 12 g of an anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) were dissolved in 550 g of ion-exchanged water. The solution of the above-mentioned components is added and dispersed to emulsify, and while slowly mixing for 10 minutes, deionized water 5
A solution prepared by dissolving 4 g of ammonium persulfate (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) in 0 g was added, and the inside of the flask was replaced with nitrogen. Then, the contents of the flask were heated with stirring in an oil bath until the temperature reached 70 ° C., and left for 5 hours. Emulsion polymerization was continued. Thereafter, the reaction solution was cooled to room temperature, and the glass transition point Tg56.
A resin particle dispersion (2) having a weight average molecular weight Mw of 500,000 at 0 ° C. was obtained.

—Preparation of Resin Particle Dispersion (3) — Styrene 300 g n-butyl acrylate 100 g Acrylic acid 8 g dodecanethiol 24 g carbon tetrabromide 4 g The above components were mixed and dissolved to prepare a solution. In a flask, 8 g of a nonionic surfactant (Nonipol 400, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries) and 550 g of ion-exchanged water and an anionic surfactant ( Dissolve 12 g of Neogen SC (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.), add and disperse the solution of the above components in the solution, emulsify, and slowly mix with ion-exchanged water 5 for 10 minutes.
A solution prepared by dissolving 4 g of ammonium persulfate (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) in 0 g was added, and the inside of the flask was replaced with nitrogen. Then, the contents of the flask were heated with stirring in an oil bath until the temperature reached 70 ° C., and left for 5 hours. Emulsion polymerization was continued. Thereafter, the reaction solution was cooled to room temperature, and the glass transition point Tg60.
A resin particle dispersion having a weight average molecular weight of 35,000 at 5 ° C. was obtained. Furthermore, centrifugal sedimentation type separation device (manufactured by Kokusan)
The mixture was purified by removing low molecular weight suspended components (about 2% by weight based on the total solid content) to prepare a resin particle dispersion (3) having a glass transition point Tg of 61.0 ° C. and a weight average molecular weight of Mw 36500.

Preparation of Colorant Particle Dispersion (1) Phthalocyanine Pigment (PVFASTBLUE, manufactured by Dainichi Seika Co., Ltd.): 50 g Anionic Surfactant (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku, Neogen SC): 10 g 240 g of ion-exchanged water The above components were mixed and dispersed for 10 minutes using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax 750, manufactured by IKA).
Recirculating ultrasonic disperser (RUS-60 manufactured by Nippon Seiki Seisakusho)
0TCVP) to prepare a colorant particle dispersion liquid (1). The average particle size of the colorant particles in this dispersion is 150 nm.
The particles having a particle size of 0.03 μm or less are 4.0% by number, 0.5 μm.
The number of particles of m or more was 0.5 number%.

-Preparation of Colorant Particle Dispersion (2)-Carbon black (R330, manufactured by CABOT) ... 50 g Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku) ... 10 g Ion exchange Water 240 g The above components were prepared under the same conditions as for the colorant particle dispersion (1) to obtain a colorant particle dispersion (2). The average particle size of the colorant particles in this dispersion is 155 nm, and 5.0% by number of particles of 0.03 μm or less and 0.5% by number of particles of 0.5 μm or more.
Met.

—Preparation of Colorant Particle Dispersion (3) — I Pigment Red 122 (ECR-185, manufactured by Dainichi Kagaku Co., Ltd.) 50 g Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) 10 g Deionized water 240 g The colorant particle dispersion (3) was prepared under the same conditions as the colorant particle dispersion (1). The average particle size of the colorant particles in this dispersion is 165 nm, and particles of 0.03 μm or less are 6.0 number%, and particles of 0.5 μm or more are 0.5 number%.
Met.

—Preparation of Colorant Particle Dispersion Liquid (4) — I Pigment Yellow 180 (manufactured by Hoechst) 50 g Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) 10 g ion-exchanged water 240 g ) Was prepared under the same conditions as in the above) to obtain a colorant particle dispersion liquid (4). The average particle size of the colorant particles in this dispersion is 170 nm, and particles of 0.03 μm or less are 7.0% by number, and particles of 0.5 μm or more are 0.5% by number.
Met.

—Preparation of Release Agent Dispersion— Paraffin Wax (manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd., 100P): 50 g Anionic surfactant (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Neogen SC): 10 g ion-exchanged water .. 240 g After mixing the above components and dispersing them for 10 minutes using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax 750, manufactured by IKA),
Dispersion treatment with a pressure discharge type homogenizer, and a central particle size of 20
A dispersion in which a release agent of 0 nm was dispersed was obtained.

[Example 1] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion liquid (1) ... 140 g Resin particle dispersion liquid (2) ... 60 g Colorant dispersion liquid (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion liquid ... 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) ... 2.0 g The above components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA). In this mixing, the resin particle dispersion, the colorant particle dispersion, and the release agent dispersion were each divided into three parts, and after individually mixing, the whole was mixed. Next, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred using an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the average particle size of the particles was measured using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.).
It was 5 μm. Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath is set to 5
After the temperature was raised to 2 ° C. and maintained for 1 hour, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured to be 4.8 μm.

(Adhesion Step) To this aggregated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was raised and kept at 54 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle diameter of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.0 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

Example 2 (Aggregating Step) Resin Particle Dispersion (1): 140 g Resin Particle Dispersion (2): 60 g Colorant Dispersion (2): 20 g Release Agent Dispersion 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 2.0 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) and found to be 4.8 μm.
Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 52 ° C.
After holding for a time, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured and found to be 5.0 μm.

(Adhering Step) To the agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was raised and kept at 54 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle size of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.2 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

Example 3 (Aggregating Step) Resin Particle Dispersion (1): 140 g Resin Particle Dispersion (2): 40 g Colorant Dispersion (3): 20 g Release Agent Dispersion ... 30 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) ... 2.0 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured by a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) to be 4.7 μm.
Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 52 ° C.
After holding for a time, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was 4.9 μm.

(Adhering Step) To this agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised and kept at 54 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle size of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.1 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

Example 4 (Aggregating Step) Resin Particle Dispersion (1): 140 g Resin Particle Dispersion (2): 60 g Colorant Dispersion (4): 20 g Release Agent Dispersion 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 2.0 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured to be 4.9 μm using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.).
Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 52 ° C.
After holding for a time, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured and found to be 5.1 μm.

(Adhering Step) To this aggregated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was further increased and maintained at 54 ° C. for 1 hour. When the average particle diameter of the obtained adhered particles was measured, it was 5.3 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

Example 5 (Aggregating Step) Resin Particle Dispersion (3): 200 g Colorant Dispersion (1): 20 g Release Agent Dispersion: 20 g Cationic surfactant (manufactured by Kao) 2.0 g The above components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1, and the flask was stirred in a heating oil bath. While heating slowly to 40 ° C., the temperature was maintained for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) and found to be 4.8 μm.
Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 52 ° C.
After holding for a time, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured and found to be 5.0 μm.

(Adhering Step) To the agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (3) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was raised to 54 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle size of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.2 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

Example 6 (Aggregating Step) Resin Particle Dispersion (1): 140 g Resin Particle Dispersion (2): 60 g Colorant Dispersion (1): 20 g Release Agent Dispersion ... 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) ... 1.3 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured to be 4.9 μm using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.).
Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 52 ° C.
After holding for a time, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured and found to be 5.1 μm.

(Adhering Step) To the agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised and kept at 54 ° C. for 1 hour. When the average particle diameter of the obtained adhered particles was measured, it was 5.3 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

[Example 7] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion liquid (1) ... 140 g Resin particle dispersion liquid (2) ... 60 g Colorant dispersion liquid (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion liquid 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 1.0 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) and found to be 4.8 μm.
Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 52 ° C.
After holding for a time, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured and found to be 5.0 μm.

(Adhering Step) To the agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was raised to 54 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle size of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.2 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

[Example 8] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion liquid (1) ... 120 g Resin particle dispersion liquid (2) ... 40 g Colorant dispersion liquid (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion liquid 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 2.0 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured by a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) and found to be 4.1 μm.
Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 52 ° C.
After holding for a while, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured and found to be 4.7 μm.

(Adhering Step) To the agglomerated particle dispersion, 80 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was raised and kept at 54 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle diameter of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.0 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

[Example 9] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion liquid (1) ... 140 g Resin particle dispersion liquid (2) ... 60 g Colorant dispersion liquid (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion liquid 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 2.0 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 50 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured by a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) to be 4.7 μm.
Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 52 ° C.
After holding for a time, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was 4.9 μm.

(Adhering Step) 60 g of the resin particle dispersion liquid (1) was slowly added to the aggregated particle dispersion liquid, and the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised and the temperature was kept at 54 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle size of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.1 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

[Example 10] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion liquid (1) ... 140 g Resin particle dispersion liquid (2) ... 60 g Colorant dispersion liquid (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion liquid 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 2.0 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 45 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) to be 3.3 μm.
Furthermore, raise the temperature of the heating oil bath to 46 ° C.
After holding for a while, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured to be 3.5 μm.

(Adhering Step) To this aggregated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was further increased and maintained at 47 ° C. for 1 hour. When the average particle diameter of the obtained adhered particles was measured, it was 3.7 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

[Example 11] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion liquid (1) ... 140 g Resin particle dispersion liquid (2) ... 60 g Colorant dispersion liquid (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion liquid 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 2.0 g The components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) in the same manner as in Example 1. After that, the flask was gently heated to 40 ° C. while being stirred in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes. After heating to 58 ° C. and holding for 60 minutes, the particle size was measured with a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) and found to be 6.4 μm.
Furthermore, raise the temperature of the heating oil bath to 60 ° C.
After holding for a while, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured to be 6.6 μm.

(Adhering Step) To this agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was raised and maintained at 62 ° C. for 1 hour. When the average particle diameter of the obtained adhered particles was measured, it was 6.8 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, and gently heated to 85 ° C. and maintained for 60 minutes while continuing to stir using a magnetic force seal, and then further heated to 97 ° C. and maintained for 4 hours to adhere. The particles were fused. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

[Comparative Example 1] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion (1) ... 140 g Resin particle dispersion (2) ... 60 g Colorant dispersion (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 0.8 g The components were divided in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) as in Example 1. After mixing and dispersing, the flask was heated to 52 ° C. while stirring in an oil bath for heating and held for 60 minutes, and then the particle size was measured using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) to be 4.9 μm.
Met. After the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 54 ° C. and maintained for 1 hour, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured to be 5.1 μm.

(Adhering Step) To the agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was further increased and maintained at 55 ° C. for 1 hour. When the average particle diameter of the obtained adhered particles was measured, it was 5.3 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed, heated to 97 ° C. with stirring using a magnetic seal, and maintained for 4 hours to fuse the adhered particles. Thereafter, the mixture was cooled, filtered, washed five times with ion-exchanged water, and dried using a vacuum dryer to obtain toner particles.

[Comparative Example 2] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion (1) ... 140 g Resin particle dispersion (2) ... 60 g Colorant dispersion (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion 20 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) 2.0 g The components were divided in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) as in Example 1. After mixing and dispersing, the mixture was heated to 52 ° C. while stirring the flask in an oil bath for heating and maintained for 60 minutes, and then the particle size was measured using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) to be 4.7 μm.
Met. After the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 54 ° C. and maintained for 1 hour, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured to be 4.9 μm.

(Adhering Step) To this agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the oil bath for heating was raised and maintained at 55 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle size of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.1 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed and heated to 97 ° C. while stirring with a magnetic seal, and maintained for 10 hours to fuse the adhered particles. Then, cool, filter,
After washing five times with ion-exchanged water, the toner particles were obtained by drying using a vacuum dryer.

[Comparative Example 3] (Aggregating step) Resin particle dispersion (1) ... 140 g Resin particle dispersion (2) ... 40 g Colorant dispersion (1) ... 20 g Release agent dispersion ... 30 g Cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao) ... 2.0 g The components were divided in a round stainless steel flask with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50, manufactured by IKA) as in Example 1. After mixing and dispersing, the flask was heated to 52 ° C. while stirring in a heating oil bath and held for 60 minutes, and then the particle size was measured using a Coulter counter (Multisizer 2 manufactured by Coulter, Inc.).
Met. Furthermore, after raising the temperature of the heating oil bath to 54 ° C. and maintaining it for 1 hour, the average particle size of the aggregated particles was measured to be 4.8 μm.

(Adhering Step) To this agglomerated particle dispersion, 60 g of the resin particle dispersion (1) was slowly added, and the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised and the temperature was kept at 55 ° C. for 1 hour. The average particle diameter of the obtained adhered particles was measured and found to be 5.0 μm.

(Fusing step) Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)
After the addition of g, the flask was sealed and heated to 97 ° C. while stirring with a magnetic seal, and held for 1 hour to fuse the adhered particles. Thereafter, the mixture was cooled, filtered, washed five times with ion-exchanged water, and dried using a vacuum dryer to obtain toner particles.

[Evaluation of Characteristics of Toner for Developing Electrostatic Image] The following characteristics were evaluated for the toners of Examples and Comparative Examples after drying. Average volume particle size distribution index GSDv = ( _D84V / _D16V )
^1/2 average number particle size distribution index _{GSDn = (D 84n / D 16n} )
Particle size distribution index under ^1/2 average number GSDn _down = (D _50n / D
_16n ) ^1/2 shape factor SF1 = [(maximum length) ² × (π / 4) / (projected area)] × 100 Number of toner particles with SF1 ≦ 120 Number of toner particles with SF1 ≧ 150 SF1 ≦ 120 And circle equivalent diameter (Haywood diameter) x (4
/ 5) Number of particles% where circle equivalent diameter = [(4 / π) × (projected area)] ^1/2

[Production of an electrostatic image developer] To 50 g of the toners of Examples and Comparative Examples, hydrophobic silica (TS720:
(Cabot Co., Ltd.) was added and mixed with a sample mill to obtain an externally added toner. To a ferrite carrier coated with 1% by weight of a polymethyl methacrylate resin (manufactured by Soken Kagaku Co., Ltd.) and having an average volume particle diameter D ₅₀ of 50 μm, the toner was weighed so that the toner concentration was 5% by weight, and then weighed with a ball mill. The mixture was stirred and mixed for minutes to produce an electrostatic image developer.

[Evaluation of electrostatic image developer in actual machine] This electrostatic image developer was applied to an image forming apparatus (AC, manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.).
50,000 from the initial stage
A running test was performed on the sheets, and the cleaning property, transfer property, and image quality before and after running were evaluated. Table 1 shows the results of the evaluation. The criteria for determining the transferability are as follows. ：: Transfer unevenness was not observed and good. Δ: Density unevenness was slightly observed. The criteria for determining the cleaning properties are as follows. ：: good without white spots, Δ: slightly white spots, ×: white spots.

[0121]

[Table 1]

[0122]

[Table 2]

[0123]

According to the present invention, by adopting the above constitution, the chargeability, the developability, the transferability, the fixability, and the cleaning property are excellent, and particularly, the cleaning property and the transferability can be favorably maintained for a long time. As a result, it has become possible to provide a toner for developing an electrostatic image that satisfies high image quality and high reliability. as a result,
It is possible to provide a two-component electrostatic image developer that can suppress toner consumption and has a long service life. Further, according to the present invention, it has become possible to easily and easily produce a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image having excellent characteristics described above. Further, the toner recycling system that reuses the toner collected from the cleaner has high suitability, and enables high-quality image formation over a long period of time.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideo Maehata 1600 Takematsu, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaaki Suwabe 1600 Takematsu, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuo Kadokura 1600 Takematsu, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa F-term in Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H005 AA15 AB03 BA06 DA07 EA05 FA02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electrostatic image developing toner containing at least resin particles and a colorant, wherein the toner simultaneously satisfies the following expression. (a) an average volume particle size distribution index GSDv ≦ 1.25, _{[however, GSDv = (D 84V / D} 16V) 1/2 ] (b) the shape factor SF1 = 125 to 140, (provided that, SF1 = (π / 4 ) × (L ² / A) × 10
0, L represent the maximum length, A represents the projected area) (c) Cumulative volume average particle diameter D _50V = 3 to 7 μm, (d) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less) ≦
20% by number, (e) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 150 or more) ≦
(F) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less and a circle equivalent diameter of 4/5 or less) ≦ 10 number%. (However, the equivalent circle diameter = (4A / π) ^1/2 A represents the projected area of the toner.) 2. An electrostatic image developing toner containing at least resin particles and a colorant, wherein the toner simultaneously satisfies the following expression. (g) an average volume particle size distribution index GSDv ≦ 1.25, _{[however, GSDv = (D 84V / D} 16V) 1/2 ] (h) shape factor SF1 = 125 to 140, [however, SF1 = (π / 4 ) × (L ² / A) × 10
0, L represent the maximum length, A represents the projected area] (i) Cumulative volume average particle diameter D _50V = 3 to 7 μm, (j) (the number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less) ≦ 1
0% by number, (k) (number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 150 or more) ≦ 1
0 number%, (l) (number of particles having a shape factor SF1 of 120 or less and a cumulative volume average particle diameter D _50V of 4.5 μm or less) ≦ 4 number%. 3. A method of mixing at least one kind of resin particle dispersion and at least one kind of colorant dispersion, adding an aggregating agent to form agglomerated particles, and then forming an agglomerated particle having a glass transition point of not less than the glass transition point of the resin particles. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the toner is formed by fusing the aggregated particles by heating to a temperature. 4. An electrostatic image developer comprising a carrier and a toner, wherein the toner uses the toner for developing an electrostatic image according to claim 1 or 2. 5. A step of forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic charge carrier, a step of developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer to form a toner image, and transferring the toner image on a transfer body Process,
And an image forming method including a step of fixing the transferred image, wherein the electrostatic image developer according to claim 4 is used in the developing step.