JP2001305788A - Toner, method for manufacturing the same and method for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner and a method for manufacturing the toner which features the morphologic state of the resin in color particles and which is more excellent in transfer characteristics and fixing characteristics than a conventional toner and method. SOLUTION: The toner consists of color particles containing two or more kinds of binder resins having different mol.wt. and a coloring agent. In the color particles, each of the two kinds of binder resin has the respective phase and 3 to 20 of phase separation coefficient. The coloring agent is unevenly present in the phase of one of the above binder resins. The method of manufacturing the toner includes processes of dry blending, melting and kneading, and pulverizing and classifying. In the melting and kneading process, the resin are molten and kneaded under such temperature conditions that the (η'A/η'B) of viscosity of the high mol.wt. resin A to the viscosity of the low mol.wt. resin B ranges from 5 to 100.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a toner, a method for producing the same, and an image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a toner used in electrophotography,
There is known a binder resin, a coloring agent, a release agent, and various additives composed of colored particles obtained by melt-kneading and pulverizing and classifying. Here, as the binder resin, two or more kinds of resins having different molecular weights are used in combination from the viewpoint of improving the required performance for the toner, particularly, the fixing property. As a method of mixing these resins, a method of mixing at the polymerization stage, A method of dry-mixing a resin obtained by homopolymerization may, for example, be mentioned.

Recently, it has been desired to further improve the fixing properties of such toners. Specifically, it is desired that a toner to be subjected to a fixing process by a contact-type fixing device such as a heat roller fixing device does not cause a hot offset without increasing a minimum fixing temperature. Further, it is desired that the toner to be subjected to a fixing process by a non-contact type fixing device such as a flash fixing device does not generate a void which causes a reduction in image density. Further, further improvement in transfer characteristics (high transfer rate) is desired for the toner.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances. The first object of the present invention is characterized by the form of the resin in the colored particles,
An object of the present invention is to provide a toner having better transfer characteristics and fixing characteristics than conventional ones. A second object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of reliably producing a toner which is characterized by the existence form of the resin in the colored particles and has excellent transfer characteristics and fixing characteristics. A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method capable of forming a good fixed image having a high transfer rate and no image defects.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of intensive studies conducted by the present inventors in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as a form of the binder resin in the colored particles, a resin having a different molecular weight is separated by phase separation. The inventors have found that excellent characteristics are exhibited, and have further found a control method (a method for producing a toner) for forming such a phase-separated structure, and have completed the present invention based on such knowledge.

That is, the toner of the present invention is composed of colored particles containing two or more types of binder resins having different molecular weights and a colorant, and in the colored particles, each of the two or more types of binder resins has a phase. And the phase separation coefficient of the two or more binder resins is 3 to 2
0, wherein the colorant is unevenly distributed in a phase formed by any of the two or more binder resins.

The toner of the present invention comprises colored particles containing two or more kinds of binder resins having different molecular weights, a colorant and a release agent.
Each of the two or more binder resins forms a phase, and the phase separation coefficient of the two or more binder resins is 3 to 20.
Wherein the colorant is unevenly distributed in a phase formed by any one of the two or more binder resins, and the release agent is
The colored particles have a domain structure, and at least 10% by number of domains of the release agent are present at an interface of a phase formed by a binder resin.

[0008] In the toner of the present invention, the domain of the release agent is preferably spherical or spheroidal. Further, it is preferable that carbon black is contained as the coloring agent, and the content ratio of the carbon black is 5 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.
It is preferably in parts by mass. In addition, the volume average particle size is 5
It is preferably composed of colored particles of up to 20 μm.

The toner of the present invention comprises a resin A having a different molecular weight.
And a colored particle containing a resin B (where the molecular weight of the resin A> the molecular weight of the resin B) and a coloring agent. In the colored particles, the resin A and the resin B
Respectively form a phase PA and a phase PB, the phase separation coefficient of the resin A and the resin B is 3 to 20, and the colorant is unevenly distributed in any of the phase PA and the phase PB, The elastic modulus and the viscosity of the resin A at T (° C.) are defined as G′A (T) and η′A (T), respectively.
When the elastic modulus and the viscous modulus of the resin B at T (° C.) are G′B (T) and η′B (T), respectively, the conditions satisfying the following formulas [1] to [4] are satisfied. And

[0010]

[1] 10 ³ <G′A (120) / G′B (120) <
10 ⁶ [2] 10 <η′A (120) / η′B (120) <
10 ³ [3] 5 <G′A (200) / G′B (200) <
10 ⁵ [4] 1 <η′A (200) / η′B (200) <
10 ³

In the toner of the present invention, it is preferable that the colorant is unevenly distributed in the phase PA. Preferably, at least one of the resin A and the resin B is a polyester. The ratio of the viscosity of the resin A to the viscosity of the resin B (η′A / η′B) is 5 to 5.
It is preferably obtained by melting and kneading under a temperature condition of 100. Further, it is preferably used in a fixing step by a non-contact fixing device.

The production method of the present invention includes the steps of dry mixing, melt kneading and pulverizing and classifying. In the melt kneading step, the ratio of the viscosity of the resin A to the viscosity of the resin B (η′A / It is characterized by being melt-kneaded under a temperature condition where η′B) is 5 to 100.

The image forming method of the present invention is characterized by including a step of fixing the toner of the present invention by a non-contact fixing device.

[0014]

According to a toner composed of colored particles having a phase separation structure in which two or more kinds of binder resins having different molecular weights form a phase, favorable characteristics of a high molecular weight resin (resin A) are obtained. And the favorable properties of the low molecular weight resin (resin B) are reliably exhibited without being affected by each other. This makes it possible to easily perform a blending design or the like for improving the characteristics of the toner. Further, according to the colored particles having the phase separation structure, it is possible to exhibit superior fixing characteristics and transfer characteristics (high transfer ratio) than the colored particles having a structure in which the high molecular weight resin and the low molecular weight resin are compatible. it can.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. <Toner> In the toner of the present invention, two or more kinds of binder resins having different molecular weights form a phase in the colored particles constituting the toner. Hereinafter, as typical embodiments, a high molecular weight resin A and a low molecular weight resin B
The case where と forms a phase will be described.

[1] Existence of binder resin (phase-separated structure): In the colored particles constituting the toner of the present invention, the resin A and the resin B are each a phase PA.
And a phase PB. According to the toner composed of colored particles having such a phase separation structure, favorable characteristics (for example, anti-offset properties and void resistance) due to the high molecular weight resin A and favorable characteristics due to the low molecular weight resin B are obtained. Characteristics (for example, low-temperature fixability) can be reliably exhibited.

[2] Phase separation coefficient: In the colored particles constituting the toner, the binder resin (resin A and resin B)
Is usually 3 to 20, preferably 5 to 20. Here, the “phase separation coefficient by the binder resin” refers to a coefficient measured as described below.

[0018] The colored particles are treated with a microtome at about 0.2
Slice and cut to a thickness of μm. Here, when the colored particles are minute and difficult to cut, the colored particles are dispersed in an adhesive incompatible with the colored particles, and then the cured product obtained by curing the adhesive is slice-cut. do it. The cut surface of the colored particles is enlarged and photographed by TEM. Here, FIG. 1 schematically shows the cut surface of the colored particles, where T is the colored particles, PA is a phase made of a high molecular weight resin A, and PB is a phase made of a low molecular weight resin B. An arbitrary straight line passing through the cut surface of the colored particles is drawn on the photograph, and a phase (phase P) made of the same kind of resin that intersects the straight line is drawn.
A and one of the phases PB) are counted. In the case of the colored particles T shown in FIG. 1, the number of phases PA intersecting with the straight line L is four. This operation is performed for 500 colored particles, and the arithmetic average value thereof is determined and used as a phase separation coefficient. In addition, substances other than the binder resin (for example, a release agent,
Phases due to internal additives such as charge control agents) are not counted.
The phase of such a substance can be easily distinguished from the phase of the binder resin by its shape.However, when it is difficult to distinguish the phase of the substance from the phase of the binder resin, a sample prepared without containing the internal additive or the like is used. It can be determined by comparing.

Since the binder resin (resin A and resin B) has a phase separation coefficient of 3 to 20, the offset resistance and void resistance of the high molecular weight resin (resin A) and the low molecular weight resin (resin B) ) And the affinity (melt adhesion) with the transfer material is exhibited in a well-balanced manner. When the phase separation coefficient is less than 3, the dispersion diameter (the width of the phase) becomes excessively large (for example, more than 10 μm), and the fixing property and the electrical property (transfer property) vary among the colored particles. On the other hand, when the phase separation coefficient exceeds 20, the dispersion diameter (the width of the phase) becomes too small (for example, less than 0.5 μm), so that the physical movement of the low-molecular-weight resin B is suppressed, and the Adhesion is reduced, and sufficient fixing properties cannot be exhibited.

The dispersion diameter (phase width) of the phase by the binder resin is preferably 0.5 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.6 to 5.0 μm.

The molecular weight of the resin A is preferably 120,000 to 1,000,000 in weight average molecular weight, more preferably 150,000 to 650,000. The molecular weight of the resin B is preferably from 30,000 to 100,000 in weight average molecular weight, and more preferably from 50,000 to 80,000. When the weight average molecular weight of the resin A is less than 120,000, phase separation becomes difficult and phase separation becomes insufficient, so that the effects of the present invention are hardly exhibited. Resin A has a weight average molecular weight of 100
If it exceeds 10,000, the difference in molecular weight between the resin A and the resin B becomes large, so that the phase separation becomes good. However, since the fixing ability of the resin A itself is greatly reduced, there is a problem that the fixing property is reduced. Cheap. If the weight average molecular weight of the resin B is less than 30 thousand, the molecular weight is small, so that a problem in storage stability is likely to occur. When the weight-average molecular weight of the resin B exceeds 100,000, it becomes difficult to exhibit the low-temperature fixability, which is a function of the resin B, and the fixability tends to decrease. Here, the weight average molecular weight indicates a molecular weight in terms of styrene measured by GPC.
The method of measuring the molecular weight of a resin by GPC is measurement by GPC (gel permeation chromatography) using THF as a solvent. That is, the measurement sample 0.5 to 5
mg, more specifically, 1 cc of THF is added to 1 mg, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature using a magnetic stirrer or the like to be sufficiently dissolved. Then, pore size 0.4
After processing with a 5-0.50 μm membrane filter, the solution is injected into GPC. The GPC measurement conditions are as follows: stabilize the column at 40 ° C., flow THF at a flow rate of 1 cc per minute, and inject about 100 μl of a 1 mg / cc concentration sample for measurement. The column is preferably used in combination with a commercially available polystyrene gel column. For example, Shodex GPC KF-801, 80 manufactured by Showa Denko KK
2, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807 and TSKgel G1000H, G200 manufactured by Tosoh Corporation.
0H, G3000H, G4000H, G5000H, G
6000H, G7000H, TSK guard co
and the like. As the detector, a refractive index detector (IR detector) or U
Preferably, a V detector is used. In measuring the molecular weight of a sample, the molecular weight distribution of the sample is calculated using a calibration curve created using monodispersed polystyrene standard particles. It is preferable to use about 10 polystyrenes for preparing a calibration curve.

[3] Binder resin: The binder resin constituting the toner of the present invention is preferably a polyester resin obtained by condensation-polymerizing a divalent or higher valent acid component (carboxylic acid) and a divalent or higher valent alcohol component. . By using a polyester resin, it is possible to improve the fixability to a medium such as paper by the effect of the polarity possessed by the resin itself, and to provide a so-called crystalline component function, thereby suppressing offset. The fixing property can be improved.

The acid component for obtaining such a polyester resin includes, for example, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutacoic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid Acid, malonic acid, n-dodecyl succinic acid,
n-dodecenylsuccinic acid, indodecylsuccinic acid, indodecenylsuccinic acid, n-octylsuccinic acid and n-
Divalent carboxylic acids such as oknanylsuccinic acid and their acid anhydrides; 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid;
2,5,7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-
Naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid,
3-dicarboxyl-2-methyl-2-methylenecarboxypropane, 1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, tetra (methylenecarboxyl) methane, 1,
Examples thereof include trivalent carboxylic acids such as 2,7,8-octanetetracarboxylic acid, hiromellitic acid, and esopor trimer acid, and anhydrides thereof.

As the alcohol component for obtaining the polyester resin, for example, polyoxypropylene (2.2) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)
Propane, polyoxypropylene (3.3) -2,2-
Bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxyethylene (2.0) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxypropylene (2.0)-
Etherified bisphenols such as polyoxyethylene (2.0) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxypropylene (6) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, ethylene glycol, Diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-butenediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,5-pentane glycol, 1,6-hexane glycol, 1,4- Dihydric alcohols such as cyclohexane dimethanol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, bisphenol A, bisphenol Z, hydrogenated bisphenol A; sorbitol, 1,2,3,6-hexane tetrol; 1,4-sorbitan, pentaerythritol, diventaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,5-pentadatriol, glycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl 1,2,4-butane triol,
Trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, 1,
Examples thereof include dihydric alcohols such as 3,5-trihydroxymethylbenzene. The acid value and the hydroxyl value of the binder resin can be controlled in a desired range by appropriately adjusting the types and mixing ratios of the acid component and the alcohol component.

[4] Colorant: The colorant constituting the toner of the present invention is a phase (phase PA) formed by any of the binder resins (resin A or resin B) in the colored particles.
Alternatively, it is preferably unevenly distributed in the phase PB), and particularly in the phase (phase PA) formed of a high molecular weight resin (resin A). Here, the state in which the colorant is “unevenly distributed” in a certain phase means that 70 to 100% by mass of all the colorants are dispersed and contained in the phase.

The colorant constituting the toner of the present invention may be carbon black from the viewpoint of the effect of imparting a good thickening property during melting (the effect of imparting offset resistance and void resistance) and the effect of improving the image density. preferable. Here, the content of carbon black is preferably 5 to 30 parts by mass, more preferably 6 to 15 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

Since the colorant such as carbon black is unevenly distributed in the phase formed by any one of the binder resins, the softening point of the resin constituting the phase in which the colorant is unevenly distributed is not increased (fixing). Without deteriorating properties), and the effect of thickening (improving offset resistance and void resistance) by carbon black can be exhibited. By giving the thickening effect to only some of the phases, the function can be given only to the necessary portions without increasing the viscosity of the whole toner, so that good fixability can be given. And the occurrence of offset and voids can be suppressed. In particular, by adding a colorant to the high molecular weight component shown in the resin A, it is possible to increase the viscosity of the high molecular weight component without increasing the viscosity of the resin itself, without causing a decrease in fixability. In addition, void resistance can be improved.

Further, since the colorant such as carbon black is unevenly distributed in a certain phase, the high resistance portion is interposed between the low resistance portion due to the uneven distribution of the colorant,
The degree of decrease in electric resistance accompanying the addition of the colorant becomes slow, and as a result, when the colorant is added at a high concentration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in transfer characteristics and development characteristics accompanying the addition.

Further, since the colorant is unevenly distributed in the phase formed of the high molecular weight resin, the colorant is less likely to re-aggregate, and good void resistance can be exhibited.

[5] Form of release agent present (domain structure): The release agent contained in the toner of the present invention has a domain structure in the colored particles, and 10% of the domain of the release agent.
The number% or more exists at the interface between the phases (phase PA and phase PB) formed by the binder resin. That is,
At least 10% by number of the domains of the release agent are in contact with both the phase PA and the phase PB.
The transfer characteristics of the obtained toner can be remarkably improved.

The shape of the domain of the release agent is preferably spherical or spheroidal. According to such a domain shape, the melt precipitation property of the release agent itself can be made uniform, and the effect of the release agent can be further exhibited.

It is preferable that 50% by mass or more of the release agent present in the binder resin is present in the low molecular weight resin (resin B). According to such a configuration, the release agent easily bleeds out at the time of melting, and the fixing characteristics can be further improved.

[6] Particle size of colored particles: 5-20 μm as a volume average particle size of the colored particles constituting the toner of the present invention.
m, more preferably 5 to 15 μm
It is said. If the volume average particle size is too small, the handleability as a powder decreases, and when the phase separation coefficient is about 20, the dispersion diameter (phase width) of the binder resin phase becomes too small. In some cases, the adhesion to the transfer material is reduced, and sufficient fixing properties cannot be exhibited. On the other hand,
If the volume average particle size is too large, it is difficult to obtain an image with good image quality. Further, when the phase separation coefficient is about 3, the dispersed diameter of the binder resin phase (phase width) Is excessive, and the fixing characteristics and the electrical characteristics (transfer characteristics) may vary among the colored particles.

[7] Viscoelasticity of the binder resin: The resin A and the resin B constituting the toner of the present invention are the same as those described in the above [1] to
It is preferable to satisfy the viscoelastic condition shown in [4].

The ratio of elastic moduli at 120 ° C. [G'A (1
20) / G'B (120)] is 10 ^ThreeIf
Has a poor phase separation property and is liable to generate voids.
On the other hand, if this ratio is 10⁶If this is the case, the phase separation is
Good, but because of the excessive phase separation structure, so-called
In the process such as pulverization, the presence of resin in the toner may become uneven.
The performance such as fixability tends to be non-uniform.

The ratio of the viscosity at 120 ° C. [η′A (1
20) / η′B (120)] is 10 or less, the phase separation property is deteriorated, and voids are easily generated.
On the other hand, when this ratio is 10 ³ or more, the phase separation property is good, but the phase separation structure is excessive, so that the presence of the resin in the toner tends to be non-uniform in steps such as so-called pulverization. In addition, the performance such as fixability tends to be non-uniform.

The elastic modulus ratio at 200 ° C. [G'A (2
00) / G'B (200)] is 5 or less,
The phase separation property is deteriorated, and voids are easily generated. On the other hand, when the ratio is 10 ⁵ or more, the phase separation property is good, but an excessive phase separation structure occurs, so that the presence of the resin in the toner tends to be non-uniform in steps such as so-called pulverization. In addition, the performance such as fixability tends to be non-uniform.

The viscosity ratio at 200 ° C. [η′A (2
00) / η′B (200)] is 1 or less,
The phase separation property is deteriorated, and voids are easily generated. On the other hand, when this ratio is 10 ³ or more, the phase separation property is good, but the phase separation structure is excessive, so that the presence of the resin in the toner tends to be non-uniform in steps such as so-called pulverization. In addition, the performance such as fixability is likely to be uneven.

The coloring particles constituting the toner of the present invention include:
A conventionally known internal additive (for example, a charge control agent) may be contained. In addition, the colored particles can be used as they are as the toner of the present invention, but the toner may be constituted by externally adding and mixing conventionally known inorganic fine particles and organic fine particles.

The toner of the present invention can be suitably used in a fixing step using a non-contact type fixing device such as a flash fixing device. That is, the toner of the present invention can contain a coloring agent such as carbon black at a high concentration due to the phase separation structure of the coloring particles constituting the toner. It can be converted to heat and can exhibit excellent fixing properties.

The toner of the present invention may be used as a magnetic or non-magnetic one-component developer, or may be mixed with a carrier and used as a two-component developer. When the toner of the present invention is used as a two-component developer, a conventionally known coating carrier can be used as the carrier.

<Production Method of Toner> The production method of the present invention includes a dry mixing step of a binder resin (resin A and resin B), a melt kneading step, and a pulverization classification step. In the present invention, the ratio of the viscosity of the resin A to the viscosity of the resin B (η′A / η′B) is controlled within the range of 5 to 100 by adjusting the temperature conditions in the melt-kneading step. It has features. According to the production method including such a melt-kneading step, colored particles having a phase separation structure with a resin A and a resin B having a phase separation coefficient of 3 to 20 can be reliably produced. The ratio of viscosity (η'A / η'B) is 5
When the melt-kneading is carried out under such a temperature condition that the temperature is less than 100 ° C., the viscosity difference is small, so that it becomes easy to be compatible at the time of kneading, and it is difficult to obtain a domain structure. On the other hand, the viscosity ratio (η'A /
In the case of melt-kneading under a temperature condition where η′B) exceeds 100, the viscosity difference becomes excessively large, so that phase separation at the time of kneading becomes excessively liable to occur, and the toner in the pulverizing step or the like is crushed. Variations are likely to occur in the resin composition.

Resins A and B used in the production method of the present invention have the following elastic moduli G ′ (unit: dyn / cm ² ) and Viscosity η '(unit: poi
It is preferable that the compound has the formula (se).

[Resin A] 500 ≦ G′A (200) ≦ 100,000 100 ≦ η′A (200) ≦ 5,000 5 × 10 ³ ≦ G′A (120) ≦ 1 × 10 ⁸ 5 × 10 ³ ≦ η′A (120) ≦ 2 × 10 ⁶

[Resin B] 1 ≦ G′B (200) ≦ 20,000 ・ 1 ≦ η′B (200) ≦ 1,000 ・ 50 ≦ G′B (120) ≦ 1 × 10 ⁵・ 20 ≦ η′B (120) ≦ 1 × 10 ⁴

Here, viscoelasticity (viscosity and elasticity)
Is, for example, "MR-500" (trade name) as a measuring device.
Rheology) under the following conditions.

・ Parallel plate (φ10) ・ Sample shape: cylindrical shape of φ10 ・ Frequency: 1 Hz ・ Measurement temperature range: -50 ° C to 210 ° C ・ Dynamic measurement method used (sine wave)

<Image Forming Method> The image forming method of the present invention includes a step of fixing the toner of the present invention by a non-contact fixing device.

[0049]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. [Production Example of Resin] A monomer (3) shown in Table 1 below was placed in a reaction vessel equipped with a thermometer, a stirrer, a reflux condenser, and a nitrogen introduction device.
(A monomer excluding a trivalent carboxylic acid), 20 to 40 mg of dibutyltin oxide was added to the system and reacted at 200 ° C., and then a trivalent carboxylic acid was added. By continuing the reaction until the resin A
(Resins A1 to A3) and Resin B (Resins B1 to B2) were obtained. For each of the resins thus obtained, 2
The elastic modulus [G ′ (200)] and the viscosity [η ′ (200)] at 00 ° C., and the elastic modulus [G ′ at 120 ° C.
(120)] and the viscosity [η '(120)]. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0050]

[Table 1]

[Production Example of Colored Particles] According to the formulation shown in Table 2 below, 60 parts by mass of resin A and 40 parts by mass of resin B were mixed (dry-mixed), and the mixture was mixed with carbon having an amount shown in Table 2 below. Black “Mogal L” (Cabot) and “550P” (Sanyo Chemical) 4 as a release agent
Parts by weight were added. Next, after the system was melt-kneaded under the conditions (temperature conditions) shown in Table 2 below, a pulverization / classification step was performed to obtain colored particles 1 to 4 and colored particles C1 to C7. For each of the colored particles obtained as described above, the volume average particle diameter, the form of the resin, the phase separation coefficient, the form of the colorant, the form of the release agent (the domain existing at the phase interface) Was measured. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0052]

[Table 2]

<Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7> According to the following Table 3, the colored particles 1 to
No. 4 and colored particles C1 to C7, hydrophobic silica fine particles “R-805” (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.)
Was added at a ratio of 1% by mass to obtain toners 1 to 4 of the present invention and comparative toners C1 to C7.

<Actual Photo Test> A two-component system was prepared by mixing each of the toners 1 to 4 of the present invention and the comparative toners C1 to C7 with a silicone-coated carrier at a toner concentration of 5% by mass. A developer was prepared.
For each of the developers obtained as described above, a transfer test and a fixing characteristic were evaluated by performing a real image test for forming a copy image under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment (temperature: 20 ° C., relative humidity: 50%). And the occurrence of voids was confirmed. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

Here, as the image forming apparatus, a modified electrophotographic copying machine "7050" (manufactured by Konica Corporation) was used. Here, the modified electrophotographic copying machine “7050” is equipped with a flash device as a fixing device. The setting conditions of the flash device include a capacitor capacity of 160 μF, a charging voltage of 2050 V, a light emission time of 1000 μsec. Further, from the viewpoint of evaluating the transfer characteristics, the toner recycling mechanism is removed, and a configuration is made in which the transfer residual toner can be collected.

[Evaluation Method] (1) Transfer characteristics: A developer was mounted on a modified electrophotographic copying machine “7050”, and an image with a printing rate of 4% was continuously printed at 1000.
0 sheets copied, this mass of toner consumed by (W ₁₎ and recovered transfer residual toner mass (W ₂₎
Was measured, and the ratio (1− (W ₂ / W ₁ )) was determined to be the transfer rate. If the transfer ratio is 80% or more, it can be said that the transfer characteristics are good.

(2) Fixing characteristics: A copy image of a solid image having an image density of 1.3 is formed, and an adhesive tape "Scotch Mending Tape" (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M) is formed on the copy image.
Then, a cylindrical weight (diameter: 5 cm, mass: 1200 g) was placed and left for 1 minute. Then
The pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is peeled at a constant speed (peeling angle ≒ 180
°), the state of adhesion of the toner to the adhesive tape was observed. The evaluation criteria are as follows, and if (A) and (B), it can be said that they have good fixing characteristics.

(A): No adhesion of toner is observed. (B): Slight adhesion is observed. (C): The shape of the character due to the adhesion of the toner is recognized, but the character cannot be read. (D): Due to the adhesion of the toner, the shape of the character is recognized to the extent that it can be read.

[0059]

[Table 3]

[0060]

The toner of the present invention has better transfer characteristics and fixing characteristics than conventional toners. Further, the toner of the present invention can exhibit good void resistance by being used in a fixing step using a non-contact fixing device. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the manufacturing method of this invention, the characteristic which exists in the form of resin in a coloring particle, and it can manufacture reliably the toner which was excellent in transfer characteristic and fixing characteristic. According to the image forming method of the present invention, a good fixed image having a high transfer rate and no image defects can be formed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cut surface of a colored particle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 T Colored particles PA Phase with high molecular weight resin A PB Phase with low molecular weight resin B

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) G03G 9/08 381 (72) Inventor Ken Omura 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term ( Reference) 2H005 AA01 AA06 AB04 CA08 CA14 DA06 EA03 EA05 EA07 EA10 FB03 2H033 AA02 AA30 BA58 BC08

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A colored particle containing at least two kinds of binder resins having different molecular weights and a coloring agent, wherein each of the at least two kinds of binder resins forms a phase in the colored particles. The above-mentioned binder resin has a phase separation coefficient of 3 to 20, and the colorant is unevenly distributed in a phase formed by any one of the two or more kinds of binder resins. 2. A colored particle containing two or more kinds of binder resins having different molecular weights, a coloring agent and a release agent, wherein each of the two or more kinds of binder resins forms a phase in the colored particles. The phase separation coefficient of the two or more binder resins is 3 to 20, the colorant is unevenly distributed in the phase formed by any of the two or more binder resins, and the release agent is A toner having a domain structure in colored particles, wherein at least 10% by number of domains of the release agent are present at an interface of a phase formed by a binder resin. 3. The toner according to claim 2, wherein the domain of the release agent is spherical or spheroidal. 4. The toner according to claim 1, wherein carbon black is contained as a colorant. 5. The toner according to claim 4, wherein the content ratio of carbon black is 5 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. 6. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner is composed of colored particles having a volume average particle diameter of 5 to 20 μm. 7. Colored particles containing a resin A and a resin B having different molecular weights (the molecular weight of the resin A> the molecular weight of the resin B) and a coloring agent, wherein the resin A and the resin are contained in the colored particles. B
Respectively form a phase PA and a phase PB, the phase separation coefficient of the resin A and the resin B is 3 to 20, and the colorant is unevenly distributed in any of the phase PA and the phase PB, The elastic modulus and viscosity of the resin A at T (° C.) are G′A (T) and η ′ A (T), respectively, and the elastic modulus and viscosity of the resin B at T (° C.) are G′B
(T) and η′B (T), the following equations [1] to
A toner which satisfies the condition of [4]. [1] 10 ³ <G'A (120) / G'B (120) <
10 ⁶ [2] 10 <η′A (120) / η′B (120) <
10 ³ [3] 5 <G′A (200) / G′B (200) <
10 ⁵ [4] 1 <η′A (200) / η′B (200) <
10 ³ 8. The toner according to claim 7, wherein the colorant is unevenly distributed in the phase PA. 9. The toner according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the resin A and the resin B is a polyester. 10. A resin obtained by melting and kneading under a temperature condition in which the ratio of the viscosity of the resin A to the viscosity of the resin B (η′A / η′B) is 5 to 100. 7
The toner according to claim 9. 11. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner is used in a fixing step by a non-contact fixing device. 12. The method for producing a toner according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of dry mixing, melt kneading, and pulverizing and classifying. A method for producing a toner, comprising: melting and kneading under a temperature condition in which the ratio of the viscosity of the resin A to the viscosity (η′A / η′B) is 5 to 100. 13. An image forming method, comprising the step of fixing the toner according to claim 1 by a non-contact fixing device.