JP2004054236A - Developer, developer cartridge, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost of an image forming device and to improve image quality. <P>SOLUTION: The developer contains at least a resin, coloring agent and release agent and the ratio of the amount of the release agent to that of the coloring matter is 0.3 to 10.0. When continuous printing is performed in this case, good images are obtained and consequently, the image quality can be improved. Also, there is no need for replenishing oil, such as silicone oil, and therefore the image forming device can be downsized and the cost of the image forming device can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００４５】
すなわち、トナーＡにおいて離型剤量が１重量部及び５重量部、並びにトナーＢにおいて離型剤量が１重量部である場合は、５万枚の連続印刷を行った後も画像品位が良好であり、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物が付着しているのが確認されず、フィルミングは発生しなかった。
【００４６】
また、トナーＡにおいて離型剤量が１０重量部、並びにトナーＢにおいて離型剤量が５重量部及び１０重量部である場合は、４万枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認されたが、画像品位は良好であった。５万枚の連続印刷を行った後も、ほとんど状態は変わらず、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認されたが、画像品位は良好であった。
【００４７】
そして、トナーＡ及びＢにおいて離型剤量が１５重量部である場合は、５０００枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認され、その後、更に５０００枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、カラー画像上に異物の模様が確認された。そして、感光体ドラム１１上の異物も大きく、はっきりと目視によって確認することができた。前記異物に対してＴＥＭ観察を行ったところ、トナーＡ及びＢが感光体ドラム１１に固着していることが分かった。さらに、赤外吸収分析（以下「ＩＲ分析」という。）を行ったところ、大量のトナーＡ及びＢが感光体ドラム１１に付着していることが分かった。
【００４８】
このことから、離型剤量を１５重量部以上にすると、感光体ドラム１１上にトナーＡ及びＢが固着し、フィルミングが発生することが分かる。
【００４９】
次に、前記トナーＡ及びＢのカーボンブラックの量を表す着色剤量（重量部）及び離型剤量（重量部）を調整して表２に示されるようなトナーＡ及びＢを製造した。各トナーＡ及びＢについて、Ａ４判の用紙２２を横方向に搬送し、印刷デューティを１００〔％〕として、３０枚の両面の連続印刷を行い、画像品位の低下の有無を目視によって確認したところ、表２に示されるような結果を得ることができた。
【００５０】
【表２】

【００５１】
なお、表２において、比γは、着色剤量と離型剤量との重量比を表す。
【００５２】
表２の結果から、比γが
γ≧３．３
である場合、加熱ローラ２０及び加圧ローラ２１にわずかにトナーＡ及びＢが付着して定着不良が発生するが、画像品位は良好であり、
０．５≦γ≦２．５
である場合、加熱ローラ２０及び加圧ローラ２１にトナーＡ及びＢは付着せず定着不良が発生せず、画像品位は良好であった。
【００５３】
したがって、定着不良が発生するのを防止し、画像品位を向上させるためには、離型剤量は１〜１０重量部にされることが好ましく、比γは、
０．５≦γ≦５．０
に、好ましくは、
０．５≦γ≦２．５
にされる。
【００５４】
また、表２において、定着マージンとは、定着温度が低すぎて定着不良が発生する（コールドオフセット）温度と、定着温度が高すぎて定着不良が発生する（ホットオフセット）温度との温度幅（差）のことであり、画像不良のない定着良好の定着器温度範囲で、定着器温度範囲が広いほど定着不良が発生しないことを表す。
【００５５】
そして、◎は定着マージンが３０〔℃〕以上であることを、○は定着マージンが１０〜３０〔℃〕であることを、×は定着マージンが１０〔℃〕以下であることを示す。また、定着温度の振れ幅が定着マージン以内であれば定着不良は発生せず、良好に印刷を行うことができる。なお、定着装置１０が非通紙状態から通紙状態になるときに定着温度の振れ幅が最大となる。このとき、高温高湿状態であっても、定着マージンが３０〔℃〕以上であれば定着不良は発生しない。また、常温状態であれば、定着マージンが１０〜３０〔℃〕であれば定着不良は発生しない。
〔実施例２〕
バインダ樹脂としてのポリエステル樹脂（数平均分子量Ｍｎが３７００、ガラス転移点温度Ｔｇが６２〔℃〕）１００重量部、帯電制御剤としてのサリチル酸錯体１．０重量部に、シアンの着色剤として、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３（平均粒子径が５０〔ｎｍ〕）を所定の重量部、離型剤としてワックス、例えば、カルナバワックス（融点が８０〔℃〕）を所定の重量部添加して混合物を得るとともに、該混合物をヘンシェルミキサーによって十分に攪拌し、混練した後、ロールミルによって１２０〔℃〕の温度で約３時間加熱し溶融させ、室温まで冷却した。このようにして得られた混練物を、微粉砕装置としての衝突板粉砕機「ディスパージョンセパレーター」（日本ニューマチック工業株式会社製）を用いて粉砕し、続いて、分級し、平均粒子径が８〔μｍ〕の粒子を得た。
【００５６】
次に、前記粒子の表面に、シリカＲ９７２（日本アエロジル社製）を２．０重量部添加し、最終的にトナーＣを得た。
【００５７】
また、スチレン８０重量部、アクリル酸−ｎ−ブチル２０重量部に、帯電制御剤としてサリチル酸錯体１．０重量部、ｔ−ドデシメルカプタン１．０重量部、２，２’−アゾビスイソブチロニトリル１．０重量部、離型剤としてポリエチレンワックス（融点６０〔℃〕）を所定の重量部、シアンの着色剤としてＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３（平均粒径５０〔ｎｍ〕）を所定の重量部加え、アトライター（「ＭＡ−０１ＳＣ」、三井三池化工機社製）に投入し、１５〔℃〕で１０時間分散させ、重合性組成物を得た。
【００５８】
そして、ポリアクリル酸８．０重量部、ジビニルベンゼン０．３５重量部に溶解させたエタノール１８０重量部を用意し、これに蒸留水６００重量部を加え、重合のための分散媒を用意した。該分散媒に重合性組成物を添加し、ＴＫホモミキサー（「Ｍ型」、特殊機化工業社製）によって１５〔℃〕、８０００〔ｒｐｍ〕の条件下で１０分間分散させた。
【００５９】
次に、得られた分散媒を１〔ｌ〕のセパラブルフラスコ中に移し、窒素気流下において１００〔ｒｐｍ〕で攪拌しながら８５〔℃〕で１２時間反応させた。ここまでの段階で、前記重合性組成物の重合反応によって得られた分散媒を中間粒子という。
【００６０】
続いて、該中間粒子の水系懸濁液中に、超音波発振器（「ＵＳ−１５０」、株式会社日本精機製作所）によってメタクリル酸メチル９．２５重量部、アクリル酸−ｎ−ブチル０．７５重量部、２，２’−アゾビスイソブチロニトリル０．５重量部、ラウリル硫酸ナトリウム０．１重量部、水８０重量部から成る水乳濁液を調整した。該水乳濁液を９．０重量部滴下し、前記中間粒子を膨潤させた。滴下後、直ちに光学顕微鏡によって観察を行ったところ、乳濁液滴は全く見られず、膨潤が極めて短時間のうちに終了していることが確かめられた。
【００６１】
そこで、窒素下において攪拌を続けながら２段目の重合として８５〔℃〕で１０時間反応させた。冷却後、０．５Ｎ塩酸水溶液によって分散媒を溶かし、濾過及び水洗を経て、風乾した後、４０〔℃〕で１０時間、１０〔ｍｍＨｇ〕で減圧乾燥し、風力分級機によって分級し、平均粒径７〔μｍ〕の粒子を得た。次に、前記粒子の表面に流動化剤としてシリカＲ９７２（日本アエロジル社製）を２．０重量部添加し、最終的にトナーＤを得た。
【００６２】
なお、分級された粒子に対してＴＥＭ観察を行ったところ、内包される着色剤の微粒子の平均分散径は５０〜６００〔ｎｍ〕であった。
【００６３】
前記トナーＣ及びＤを、図１に示される画像形成装置のトナー１６として使用し、画像形成装置として、現像装置における高電圧制御と、定着装置１０における定着温度制御とを自由に変えられるように改造したものを使用して実験を行った。
【００６４】
まず、現像装置に印加される電圧を、用紙２２上のトナー１６の付着量が０．６〔ｍｇ／ｃｍ^２〕になるように調整し、用紙２２として標準上質紙（Ｊ紙：ゼロックス社製）を使用し、各トナー１６の画像濃度ρをＸＲｉｔｅ５２８（ステータスＩ）で測定し、着色剤の各粒径ごとの着色剤量と画像濃度ρとの関係を調べた。
【００６５】
この場合も、図３に示されるように、着色剤量を２〜７重量部にすると、通常の画像品位として使用可能な、良好な画像濃度ρ
１．３≦ρ≦１．７
にすることができる。
【００６６】
この場合、画像濃度ρが１．３より低いと、印刷結果が薄いと判断され、かすれた印刷と視認され、画像濃度ρが１．７より高いと、印刷結果が濃いと判断され、ハーフトーンの印刷等は印刷が潰れたように視認される。
【００６７】
次に、前述された方法で、平均粒子径が４０〜８０〔ｎｍ〕のＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３を４．０重量部添加し、離型剤量を調節して２、１０、２０、２５重量部添加し、トナーＣ及びＤを製造した。各トナーＣ及びＤについて、Ａ４判の用紙２２を横方向に搬送し、印刷デューティを５〔％〕として、５万枚の連続印刷による耐久印刷試験を行い、画像品位及び感光体ドラム１１の表面のフィルミングを観察した。なお、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３の平均分散径は４０〜８００〔ｎｍ〕であった。
【００６８】
平均粒子径が５０〔ｎｍ〕（平均分散径５０〜６００〔ｎｍ〕）のＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３を使用して実験を行った結果を表３に示す。なお、平均粒子径が６０〔ｎｍ〕（平均分散径６０〜７００〔ｎｍ〕）及び７０〔ｎｍ〕（平均分散径７０〜８００〔ｎｍ〕）の各Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３を使用して実験を行った場合も、同様の結果が得られた。また、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３に代えて、イエローの着色剤としてＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｙｅｌｌｏｗ１７を、マゼンタの着色剤としてＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１を使用して実験を行った場合も、同様の結果が得られた。さらに、トナーＣにおいて融点が７５〜８５〔℃〕の他のカルナバワックスを使用して実験を行った場合も、トナーＤにおいて融点が５５〜７５〔℃〕の他のポリエチレンワックスを使用して実験を行った場合も同様の結果が得られた。
【００６９】
【表３】

【００７０】
すなわち、トナーＣにおいて離型剤量が２重量部及び１０重量部、並びにトナーＤにおいて離型剤量が２重量部である場合は、５万枚の連続印刷を行った後も画像品位が良好であり、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物が付着しているのが確認されず、フィルミングが発生しなかった。
【００７１】
また、トナーＣにおいて離型剤量が２０重量部、並びにトナーＤにおいて離型剤量が１０重量部及び２０重量部である場合は、４万枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認されたが、画像品位は良好であった。５万枚の連続印刷を行った後も、ほとんど状態は変わらず、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認されたが、画像品位は良好であった。
【００７２】
そして、トナーＣ及びＤにおいて離型剤量が２５重量部である場合は、５０００枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認され、その後、更に５０００枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、カラー画像上に異物の模様が確認された。そして、感光体ドラム１１上の異物も大きく、はっきりと目視によって確認することができた。前記異物に対してＴＥＭ観察を行ったところ、トナーＣ及びＤが感光体ドラム１１に固着していることが分かった。さらに、ＩＲ分析を行ったところ、大量のトナーＣ及びＤが感光体ドラム１１に付着していることが分かった。
【００７３】
このことから、離型剤量を２５重量部以上にすると、感光体ドラム１１上にトナーＣ及びＤが固着し、フィルミングが発生することが分かる。
【００７４】
次に、前記トナーＣ及びＤのＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３の量を表す着色剤量（重量部）及び離型剤量（重量部）を調整して表４に示されるようなトナーＣ及びＤを製造した。各トナーＣ及びＤについて、Ａ４判の用紙２２を横方向に搬送し、印刷デューティを１００〔％〕として、３０枚の両面の連続印刷を行い、画像品位の低下の有無を目視によって確認したところ、表４に示されるような結果を得ることができた。
【００７５】
【表４】

【００７６】
表４の結果から、比γが
γ≧６．６７
である場合、加熱ローラ２０及び加圧ローラ２１にわずかにトナーＣ及びＤが付着して定着不良が発生するが、画像品位は良好であり、
１．００≦γ≦５．００
である場合、加熱ローラ２０及び加圧ローラ２１にトナーＣ及びＤは付着せず定着不良が発生せず、画像品位は良好であった。
【００７７】
したがって、定着不良が発生するのを防止し、画像品位を向上させるためには、離型剤量は２〜２０重量部にされることが好ましく、比γは、
１．００≦γ≦１０．００
に、好ましくは、
１．００≦γ≦５．００
にされる。
【００７８】
そして、◎は定着マージンが３０〔℃〕以上であることを、○は定着マージンが１０〜３０〔℃〕であることを、×は定着マージンが１０〔℃〕以下であることを示す。また、定着温度の振れ幅が定着マージン以内であれば定着不良は発生せず、良好に印刷を行うことができる。なお、定着装置１０が非通紙状態から通紙状態になるときに定着温度の振れ幅が最大となる。このとき、高温高湿状態であっても、定着マージンが３０〔℃〕以上であれば定着不良は発生しない。また、常温状態であれば、定着マージンが１０〜３０〔℃〕であれば定着不良は発生しない。
〔実施例３〕
バインダ樹脂としてのポリエステル樹脂（数平均分子量Ｍｎが３７００、ガラス転移点温度Ｔｇが６２〔℃〕）１００重量部、帯電制御剤としてのサリチル酸錯体１．０重量部に、マゼンタの着色剤として、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２（平均粒子径が１２０〔ｎｍ〕）を所定の重量部、離型剤としてワックス、例えば、カルナバワックス（融点が８０〔℃〕）を所定の重量部添加して混合物を得るとともに、該混合物をヘンシェルミキサーによって十分に攪拌し、混練した後、ロールミルによって１２０〔℃〕の温度で約３時間加熱し溶融させ、室温まで冷却した。このようにして得られた混練物を、微粉砕装置としての衝突板粉砕機「ディスパージョンセパレーター」（日本ニューマチック工業株式会社製）を用いて粉砕し、続いて、分級し、平均粒子径が８〔μｍ〕の粒子を得た。
【００７９】
次に、前記粒子の表面に、シリカＲ９７２（日本アエロジル社製）を２．０重量部添加し、最終的にトナーＥを得た。
【００８０】
また、スチレン８０重量部、アクリル酸−ｎ−ブチル２０重量部に、帯電制御剤としてサリチル酸錯体１．０重量部、ｔ−ドデシメルカプタン１．０重量部、２，２’−アゾビスイソブチロニトリル１．０重量部、離型剤としてポリエチレンワックス（融点６０〔℃〕）を所定の重量部、シアンの着色剤としてＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２を所定の重量部加え、アトライター（「ＭＡ−０１ＳＣ」、三井三池化工機社製）に投入し、１５〔℃〕で１０時間分散させ、重合性組成物を得た。
【００８１】
そして、ポリアクリル酸８．０重量部、ジビニルベンゼン０．３５重量部に溶解させたエタノール１８０重量部を用意し、これに蒸留水６００重量部を加え、重合のための分散媒を用意した。該分散媒に重合性組成物を添加し、ＴＫホモミキサー（「Ｍ型」、特殊機化工業社製）によって１５〔℃〕、８０００〔ｒｐｍ〕の条件下で１０分間分散させた。
【００８２】
次に、得られた分散媒を１〔ｌ〕のセパラブルフラスコ中に移し、窒素気流下において１００〔ｒｐｍ〕で攪拌しながら８５〔℃〕で１２時間反応させた。ここまでの段階で、前記重合性組成物の重合反応によって得られた分散媒を中間粒子という。
【００８３】
続いて、該中間粒子の水系懸濁液中に、超音波発振器（「ＵＳ−１５０」、株式会社日本精機製作所）によってメタクリル酸メチル９．２５重量部、アクリル酸−ｎ−ブチル０．７５重量部、２，２’−アゾビスイソブチロニトリル０．５重量部、ラウリル硫酸ナトリウム０．１重量部、水８０重量部から成る水乳濁液を調整した。該水乳濁液を９．０重量部滴下し、前記中間粒子を膨潤させた。滴下後、直ちに光学顕微鏡によって観察を行ったところ、乳濁液滴は全く見られず、膨潤が極めて短時間のうちに終了していることが確かめられた。
【００８４】
そこで、窒素下において攪拌を続けながら２段目の重合として８５〔℃〕で１０時間反応させた。冷却後、０．５Ｎ塩酸水溶液によって分散媒を溶かし、濾過及び水洗を経て、風乾した後、４０〔℃〕で１０時間、１０〔ｍｍＨｇ〕で減圧乾燥し、風力分級機によって分級し、平均粒径７〔μｍ〕の粒子を得た。次に、前記粒子の表面に流動化剤としてシリカＲ９７２（日本アエロジル社製）を２．０重量部添加し、最終的にトナーＦを得た。
【００８５】
なお、分級された粒子に対してＴＥＭ観察を行ったところ、内包される着色剤の微粒子の平均分散径は１２０〜８５０〔ｎｍ〕であった。
【００８６】
前記トナーＥ及びＦを、図１に示される画像形成装置のトナー１６として使用し、画像形成装置として、現像装置における高電圧制御と、定着装置１０における定着温度制御とを自由に変えられるように改造したものを使用して実験を行った。
【００８７】
まず、現像装置に印加される電圧を、用紙２２上のトナー１６の付着量が０．６〔ｍｇ／ｃｍ^２〕になるように調整し、用紙２２として標準上質紙（Ｊ紙：ゼロックス社製）を使用し、各トナー１６の画像濃度ρをＸＲｉｔｅ５２８（ステータスＩ）で測定し、着色剤の各粒径ごとの着色剤量と画像濃度ρとの関係を調べた。
【００８８】
この場合も、図３に示されるように、着色剤量を２〜７重量部にすると、通常の画像品位として使用可能な、良好な画像濃度ρ
１．３≦ρ≦１．７
にすることができる。
【００８９】
この場合、画像濃度ρが１．３より低いと、印刷結果が薄いと判断され、かすれた印刷と視認され、画像濃度ρが１．７より高いと、印刷結果が濃いと判断され、ハーフトーンの印刷等は印刷が潰れたように視認される。
【００９０】
次に、前述された方法で、平均粒子径が８０〜１８０〔ｎｍ〕のＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２を６．０重量部添加し、離型剤量を調節して２、１０、２０、２５重量部添加し、トナーＥ及びＦを製造した。各トナーＥ及びＦについて、Ａ４判の用紙２２を横方向に搬送し、印刷デューティを５〔％〕として、５万枚の連続印刷による耐久印刷試験を行い、画像品位及び感光体ドラム１１の表面のフィルミングを観察した。なお、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２の平均分散径は８０〜１０００〔ｎｍ〕であった。
【００９１】
平均粒子径が１２０〔ｎｍ〕（平均分散径１２０〜８５０〔ｎｍ〕）のＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２を使用して実験を行った結果を表５に示す。なお、平均粒子径が１００〔ｎｍ〕（平均分散径１００〜８００〔ｎｍ〕）、１４０〔ｎｍ〕（平均分散径１４０〜９００〔ｎｍ〕）及び１６０〔ｎｍ〕（平均分散径１６０〜１０００〔ｎｍ〕）の各Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２を使用して実験を行った場合も、同様の結果が得られた。さらに、トナーＥにおいて融点が７５〜８５〔℃〕の他のカルナバワックスを使用して実験を行った場合も、トナーＦにおいて融点が５５〜７５〔℃〕の他のポリエチレンワックスを使用して実験を行った場合も同様の結果が得られた。
【００９２】
【表５】

【００９３】
すなわち、トナーＥにおいて離型剤量が２重量部及び１０重量部、並びにトナーＦにおいて離型剤量が２重量部である場合は、５万枚の連続印刷を行った後も画像品位が良好であり、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物が付着しているのが確認されず、フィルミングが発生しなかった。
【００９４】
また、トナーＥにおいて離型剤量が２０重量部、並びにトナーＦにおいて離型剤量が１０重量部及び２０重量部である場合は、４万枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認されたが、画像品位は良好であった。５万枚の連続印刷を行った後も、ほとんど状態は変わらず、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認されたが、画像品位は良好であった。
【００９５】
そして、トナーＥ及びＦにおいて離型剤量が２５重量部である場合は、５０００枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認され、その後、更に５０００枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、カラー画像上に異物の模様が確認された。そして、感光体ドラム１１上の異物も大きく、はっきりと目視によって確認することができた。前記異物に対してＴＥＭ観察を行ったところ、トナーＥ及びＦが感光体ドラム１１に固着していることが分かった。さらに、ＩＲ分析を行ったところ、大量のトナーＥ及びＦが感光体ドラム１１に付着していることが分かった。
【００９６】
このことから、離型剤の添加量を２５重量部以上にすると、感光体ドラム１１上にトナーＥ及びＦが固着し、フィルミングが発生することが分かる。
【００９７】
次に、前記トナーＥ及びＦのＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２の量を表す着色剤量（重量部）及び離型剤量（重量部）を調整して表６に示されるようなトナーＥ及びＦを製造した。各トナーＥ及びＦについて、Ａ４判の用紙２２を横方向に搬送し、印刷デューティを１００〔％〕として、３０枚の両面の連続印刷を行い、画像品位の低下の有無を目視によって確認したところ、表６に示されるような結果を得ることができた。
【００９８】
【表６】

【００９９】
表６の結果から、比γが
γ≧２．５０
である場合、加熱ローラ２０及び加圧ローラ２１にわずかにトナーＥ及びＦが付着して定着不良が発生するが、画像品位は良好であり、
０．２９≦γ≦２．００
である場合、加熱ローラ２０及び加圧ローラ２１にトナーＥ及びＦは付着せず定着不良が発生せず、画像品位は良好であった。
【０１００】
したがって、定着不良が発生するのを防止し、画像品位を向上させるためには、離型剤量は２〜２０重量部にされることが好ましく、比γは、
０．３０≦γ≦４．００
に、好ましくは、
０．３０≦γ≦２．００
にされる。
【０１０１】
そして、◎は定着マージンが３０〔℃〕以上であることを、○は定着マージンが１０〜３０〔℃〕であることを、×は定着マージンが１０〔℃〕以下であることを示す。また、定着温度の振れ幅が定着マージン以内であれば定着不良は発生せず、良好に印刷を行うことができる。なお、定着装置１０が非通紙状態から通紙状態になるときに定着温度の振れ幅が最大となる。このとき、高温高湿状態であっても、定着マージンが３０〔℃〕以上であれば定着不良は発生しない。また、常温状態であれば、定着マージンが１０〜３０〔℃〕であれば定着不良は発生しない。
〔実施例４〕
バインダ樹脂としてのポリエステル樹脂（数平均分子量Ｍｎが３７００、ガラス転移点温度Ｔｇが６２〔℃〕）１００重量部、帯電制御剤としてのサリチル酸錯体１．０重量部に、第１のマゼンタの着色剤として、平均粒子径が８０〜１８０〔ｎｍ〕のＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２（キナクリドン：平均粒子径が１２０〔ｎｍ〕）を所定の重量部、第２のマゼンタの着色剤として、平均粒子径が４０〜８０〔ｎｍ〕のＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１（カーミン６Ｂ：平均粒子径が５０〔ｎｍ〕）を所定の重量部、離型剤としてワックス、例えば、カルナバワックス（融点が８０〔℃〕）を所定の重量部添加して混合物を得るとともに、該混合物をヘンシェルミキサーによって十分に攪拌し、混練した後、ロールミルによって１２０〔℃〕の温度で約３時間加熱し溶融させ、室温まで冷却した。このようにして得られた混練物を、微粉砕装置としての衝突板粉砕機「ディスパージョンセパレーター」（日本ニューマチック工業株式会社製）を用いて粉砕し、続いて、分級し、平均粒子径が８〔μｍ〕のトナーを得た。なお、前記Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２及びＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１によって２種類の顔料が構成される。
【０１０２】
前記トナーを、図１に示される画像形成装置のトナー１６として使用し、画像形成装置として、現像装置における高電圧制御と、定着装置１０における定着温度制御とを自由に変えられるように改造したものを使用して実験を行った。
【０１０３】
まず、現像装置に印加される電圧を、用紙２２上のトナー１６の付着量が０．６〔ｍｇ／ｃｍ^２〕になるように調整し、用紙２２として標準上質紙（Ｊ紙：ゼロックス社製）を使用し、各トナー１６の画像濃度ρをＸＲｉｔｅ５２８（ステータスＩ）で測定し、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２及びＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１の総量を５重量部として、各粒径ごとの着色剤量と画像濃度ρとの関係、色相、彩度等を調べた。
【０１０４】
そして、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２だけを使用した場合、及びＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１だけを使用した場合についても、それぞれ５重量部として、各粒径ごとの着色剤量と画像濃度ρとの関係、色相、彩度等を調べた。実験を行った結果を表７に示す。
【０１０５】
この場合も、図３に示されるように、着色剤量を２〜７重量部にすると、通常の画像品位として使用可能な、良好な画像濃度ρ
１．３≦ρ≦１．７
にすることができる。
【０１０６】
この場合、画像濃度ρが１．３より低いと、印刷結果が薄いと判断され、かすれた印刷と視認され、画像濃度ρが１．７より高いと、印刷結果が濃いと判断され、ハーフトーンの印刷等は印刷が潰れたように視認される。
【０１０７】
表７においては、平均粒子径が１２０〔ｎｍ〕のＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２及び平均粒子径が５０〔ｎｍ〕のＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１を使用した。なお、平均粒子径が１００〔ｎｍ〕、１４０〔ｎｍ〕及び１６０〔ｎｍ〕の各Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２、並びに平均粒子径が５０〔ｎｍ〕、６０〔ｎｍ〕及び７０〔ｎｍ〕の各Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１を使用して実験を行った場合も、同様の結果が得られた。
【０１０８】
【表７】

【０１０９】
すなわち、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２だけを使用したトナーの場合、画像濃度ρが低くなるので、表７に示されるように、カルナバワックスを大量に添加する必要が生じる。ところが、前記実施例１〜３からも分かるように、大量の着色剤を添加すると、フィルミングが発生し、トナーのコストが高くなってしまう。また、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１だけを使用したトナーの場合、シアンの色再現性が悪くなり、マゼンタは黄色みがかる。
【０１１０】
これらのことから、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２及びＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１を使用したトナーは、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２だけを使用したトナーより、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２及びＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１の総量を少なくすることができるので、定着マージンも良くすることができ、かつ、シアンの色再現性もある程度良くなり、良好な画像を形成することができる。その結果、トナーのコストを低くすることができ、画像形成装置のコストを低くすることができる。
【０１１１】
そして、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２に対するＣ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１の比をσとしたとき、比σを、
０．２５≦σ≦１．５０
にすると、画像品位を向上させることができる。
〔実施例５〕
バインダ樹脂としてのポリエステル樹脂（数平均分子量Ｍｎが３７００、ガラス転移点温度Ｔｇが６２〔℃〕）１００重量部、帯電制御剤としてサリチル酸錯体１．０重量部に、シアンの着色剤として、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３（銅フタロシアニン）を３重量部、離型剤としてワックス、例えば、カルナバワックス（融点が８０〔℃〕）を６重量部添加して混合物を得るとともに、該混合物をヘンシェルミキサーによって十分に攪拌し、混練した後、ロールミルによって１２０〔℃〕の温度で約３時間加熱し溶融させ、室温まで冷却した。このようにして得られた混練物を、微粉砕装置としての衝突板粉砕機「ディスパージョンセパレーター」（日本ニューマチック工業株式会社製）を用いて粉砕し、続いて、分級し、平均粒子径が８〔μｍ〕の粒子を得た。
【０１１２】
次に、前記粒子の表面に、シリカＲ９７２（日本アエロジル社製）を２．０重量部添加し、最終的にトナーを得た。また、トナーの体積平均粒子径に対する個数平均粒子径の比をηとすると、比ηは１．３であった。
【０１１３】
前記トナーを、図１に示される画像形成装置のトナー１６として使用し、画像形成装置として、現像装置における高電圧制御と、定着装置１０における定着温度制御とを自由に変えられるように改造したものを使用して実験を行った。
【０１１４】
まず、現像装置に印加される電圧を、用紙２２上のトナー１６の付着量が０．６〔ｍｇ／ｃｍ^２〕になるように調整し、クリーニングブレード１９としてウレタンゴム材によって形成され、厚さｔが１．８〔ｍｍ〕のものを使用し、前記現像装置に組み込んだ。前記クリーニングブレード１９の線圧は０．８〜３．３〔ｇｆ／ｍｍ〕であった。
【０１１５】
そして、各トナー１６について、Ａ４判の用紙２２を横方向に搬送し、印刷デューティを５〔％〕として、５万枚の連続印刷による耐久印刷試験を行い、画像品位及び感光体ドラム１１の表面のフィルミングを観察した。実験を行った結果を表８に示す。
【０１１６】
【表８】

【０１１７】
すなわち、実施例８−１〜８−３、８−１０、８−１１の場合は、５万枚の連続印刷を行った後も画像品位が良好であり、感光体ドラム１１の表面にトナー１６が付着しているのが確認されず、フィルミングが発生しなかった。
【０１１８】
また、実施例８−４、８−６〜８−８の場合は、４万枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認されたが、画像品位は良好であった。５万枚の連続印刷を行った後も、ほとんど状態は変わらず、感光体ドラム１１の表面にトナー１６がわずかに付着しているのが確認されたが、画像品位は良好であった。
【０１１９】
実施例８−５、８−９の場合は、５０００枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、感光体ドラム１１の表面に異物がわずかに付着しているのが確認され、その後、更に５０００枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、カラー画像上に異物の模様が確認された。そして、感光体ドラム１１上の異物も大きく、はっきりと目視によって確認することができた。前記異物に対してＴＥＭ観察を行ったところ、トナー１６が感光体ドラム１１に固着していることが分かった。さらに、ＩＲ分析を行ったところ、大量のトナー１６が感光体ドラム１１に付着していることが分かった。
【０１２０】
ところで、実施例８−３〜８−５の場合、５万枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、カラー画像に欠陥は生じなかった。現像装置においては、感光体ドラム１１上の異物は極めてわずかであり、カラー画像上に影響を与えてはいなかった。
【０１２１】
また、実施例８−２、８−７〜８−１０の場合、３万枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、カラー画像に縦筋が確認された。現像装置を調べたところ、カラー画像の縦筋に対応する位置に、帯電ローラ１２上にトナー１６が大量に付着していることが確認された。この場合、クリーニングブレード１９が劣化してトナー１６がすり抜け、帯電ローラ１２にトナー１６が付着することによって感光体ドラム１１の帯電が妨げられ、感光体ドラム１１に帯電不良が発生したからと考えられる。
【０１２２】
そして、実施例８−１、８−６、８−１１の場合、３万枚の連続印刷を行ったときに、カラー画像上に用紙２２の搬送方向に無数の２〜３〔ｍｍ〕の細長い抜け模様が確認された。現像装置においては、カラー画像の抜けに対応するように感光体ドラム１１の表面に、円周方向に２〜３〔ｍｍ〕の細長い異物が付着した状態が目視によって確認された。ＴＥＭ観察を行ったところ、トナー１６が感光体ドラム１１に固着していることが分かった。
【０１２３】
このように、実施例８−２〜８−４、８−７、８−８、８−１０のように、クリーニングブレード１９の線圧を１．０〜３．０〔ｇｆ／ｍｍ〕にすると、フィルミングが発生するのを防止することができ、クリーニングブレード１９においてトナー１６がすり抜けるのを防止することができ、画像品位を向上させることができる。
【０１２４】
なお、前記各実施の形態において使用されるトナー１６は、結着樹脂、着色剤及び必要に応じて使用されるその他の添加剤を含有した着色粒子に、無機微粒子及び離型剤を添加し、混合することによって形成される。トナー１６の平均粒子径は体積平均粒子径で、通常１〜３０〔μｍ〕、好ましくは５〜１５〔μｍ〕である。前記着色粒子を構成する着色樹脂としては特に限定されず、スチレン系樹脂、アクリル系樹脂、スチレン・アクリル系樹脂、ポリエステル樹脂等を使用することができる。
【０１２５】
また、グロス、オフセット性を向上させることを目的とする離型剤としては、ポリオレフィンワックス、パラフィンラテックス、マイクロクリスタリンワックス、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン等を使用することができ、これらを単独で使用したり、併用したりすることができる。
【０１２６】
さらに、着色剤としては、特に限定されず、従来カラーのトナー用として使用されるカーボンブラック及び酸化鉄、顔料としては、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：３、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ１５：６、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｂｌｕｅ６８、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ１２２、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｒｅｄ５７：１、２，９−ジメチルキナクリドン、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｙｅｌｌｏｗ１７、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｙｅｌｌｏｗ８１、Ｃ．Ｉ．Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｙｅｌｌｏｗ１５４、Ｐｉｇｍｅｎｔ　Ｙｅｌｌｏｗ１８５等を使用することができる。そして、他の添加剤として、無機微粒子のシリカ、酸化チタン、酸化アルミニウム、チタン酸バリウム、チタン酸ストロンチウム等の個数平均粒子径が５〜１０００〔ｎｍ〕のものを使用することができる。これらは疎水化されていてもよい。
【０１２７】
さらに、トナー１６にはクリーニング助剤として、個数平均粒子径が０．１〜２．０〔μｍ〕のスチレン・アクリル樹脂微粒子、ステアリン酸亜鉛等のような高級脂肪酸金属塩を添加することもできる。無機微粒子の添加量としては、着色粒子に対して０．１〜２．０〔重量％〕にするのが好ましい。また、クリーニング助剤は、着色粒子に対して０．０１〜１．０〔重量％〕添加するのが好ましい。
【０１２８】
なお、本発明は前記実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の趣旨に基づいて種々変形させることが可能であり、それらを本発明の範囲から排除するものではない。
【０１２９】
【発明の効果】
以上詳細に説明したように、本発明によれば、現像剤においては、少なくとも樹脂、着色剤及び離型剤を含有する。そして、着色剤量に対する離型剤量の比は０．３〜１０．０である。
【０１３０】
この場合、連続印刷を行ったところ、良好な画像を得ることができた。したがって、画像品位を向上させることができる。
【０１３１】
また、シリコーンオイル等のオイルを補給する必要がないので、画像形成装置を小型化することができ、画像形成装置のコストを低くすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態における電子写真方式の画像形成装置の概念図である。
【図２】本発明の実施の形態におけるイメージドラムカートリッジの断面図である。
【図３】本発明の実施の形態における着色剤量と画像濃度との関係を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１０　　定着装置
１１　　感光体ドラム
１２　　帯電ローラ
１３　　ＬＥＤヘッド
１４　　現像ローラ
１５　　トナー供給ローラ
１６　　トナー
１７　　現像ブレード
１８　　転写ローラ
１９　　クリーニングブレード
２５　　トナーカートリッジ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a developer, a developer cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the surface of a photosensitive drum made of a photoconductive material is uniformly and uniformly charged by a charging roller, and then exposed by an LED head to expose the photosensitive drum. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the body drum. Then, in the developing device, toner as a developer is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, a toner image is formed, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet by a transfer roller. Subsequently, the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is sent to a fixing device, where the toner image is fixed to the sheet by heating, pressing, heating / pressing, or the like. To this end, the fixing device includes a heating roller for heating and melting the toner of the toner image, and a pressing roller for pressing the toner image.
[0003]
By the way, the toner used in the image forming apparatus is generally melted and mixed with a coloring agent composed of a pigment in a thermoplastic resin, and then uniformly dispersed. It is manufactured by classifying with a machine.
[0004]
When a color image is to be formed by the image forming apparatus, three color toners of yellow, magenta, and cyan, which are three primary colors, are used, or black toner is used as the three color toners. The color reproduction is performed by using four color toners to which is added. In this case, in order to obtain a color image having a desired color tone, it is important to balance each color.
[0005]
Further, in the fixing device, it is necessary to make the color image particularly transparent in order to make the color image glossy, and when an OHP sheet is used as the paper. Therefore, in order to smooth the surface of a color image, a silicone soft roller or the like is used as a fixing roller to increase the contact area between the toner and the paper.
[0006]
As a resin constituting the toner, a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution is used. In this case, the elasticity of the toner layer constituting the toner image is low, and the toner easily adheres to the roller. A large amount of silicone oil is supplied to reduce the adhesive force between the toner layer and the roller to ensure releasability (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-327350
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when an attempt is made to supply a large amount of silicone oil to the roller, not only the image forming apparatus is increased in size, but also an oil supply apparatus is required as a consumable, and accordingly, The cost of the image forming apparatus increases.
[0009]
Also, when a large amount of silicone oil is supplied to the roller to perform double-sided printing, one side of the paper to which the silicone oil has adhered comes into contact with the fixing device when printing is performed on the other side. As a result, the silicone oil adheres to the fixing device, and a fixing failure occurs, and as a result, the image quality deteriorates.
[0010]
Therefore, without supplying a large amount of silicone oil to the roller, it is conceivable to add a large amount of a release agent to the toner in order to ensure the release property between the toner layer and the roller. The release agent oozes out of the toner due to pressure, friction, and the like in the developing device, thereby deteriorating the image quality.
[0011]
Further, when the silicone oil is no longer supplied, the sheet after passing through the fixing device is likely to be curled due to the difference in the shrinkage ratio between the toner and the sheet. In order to prevent curling, it is conceivable to reduce the amount of toner adhering to the sheet. In that case, however, it is necessary to increase the amount of colorant added to the toner. Therefore, the cost of the toner increases.
[0012]
The present invention solves the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus, and provides a developer, a developer cartridge, and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the cost of the image forming apparatus and improving image quality. The purpose is to do.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, the developer of the present invention contains at least a resin, a colorant and a release agent. The ratio of the release agent amount to the colorant amount is 0.3 to 10.0.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an image drum cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
In the drawing, reference numeral 11 denotes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier which is rotated in the direction of arrow a, and 12 is rotated in the direction of arrow b by contacting the photosensitive drum 11, and a voltage is applied by a power source (not shown). It is a charging roller as a charging device for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and a non-contact type charging device such as a scorotron or a corotron can be used instead of the charging roller 12.
[0017]
As a conductive support (not shown) of the photosensitive drum 11, an aluminum metal pipe having an outer diameter of 30 [mm] was used, and a film of about 0.5 [μm] was formed on the metal pipe as a photoconductive layer. An organic photoreceptor formed by sequentially laminating a thick charge generation layer and a charge transport layer having a thickness of about 18 [μm] is used.
[0018]
Further, as the conductive support, a metal pipe made of stainless steel, steel, or the like can be used instead of the metal pipe made of aluminum. In the present embodiment, the photoconductive layer is formed by sequentially laminating the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer, but by forming the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer in the same layer. It can also be formed.
[0019]
Reference numeral 13 denotes an LED head as an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 charged by the charging roller 12. The LED head 13 includes an LED array (not shown) and a rod lens. It is constituted by combining. It should be noted that a laser device or the like can be used as the exposure device instead of the LED head 13, and the laser device is configured by combining a laser and an image forming optical system. 14 is set in contact or non-contact with the photosensitive drum 11, is rotated in the direction of arrow c, carries toner 16 as a developer to a developing area, and applies toner 16 to the electrostatic latent image by a developing bias. The developing roller 15 as a developer carrying member that adheres and visualizes the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image is set to be in contact with or not in contact with the developing roller 14, and is rotated in the direction of arrow d. A toner supply roller 17 for supplying the toner 16 to the developing roller 14, and a developing blade 17 as a developer regulating member for thinning the toner 16 supplied to the developing roller 14 by the toner supply roller 15. The developing device includes the developing roller 14, the toner supply roller 15, and the developing blade 17.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, as the developing roller 14, a sleeve made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber or urethane rubber, a metal sleeve made of aluminum or SUS, a ceramic sleeve, or the like is used. In order to improve the chargeability and the like, the surface is subjected to a surface treatment such as oxidation, polishing, blasting, or the like, or is coated with a resin.
[0021]
In the developing roller 14, the toner layer is formed by bringing the developing blade 17 into contact with the surface of the developing roller 14. The material of the developing blade 17 is preferably an elastic material such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or SUS. In order to adjust the charge amount of the toner 16, an organic material or an inorganic material is added and dispersed in the elastic material. You can also.
[0022]
Further, 18 is rotated in the direction of arrow e by contacting the photosensitive drum 11 and a voltage is applied by a power source (not shown) to convert the visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 into the direction of arrow h. A transfer roller as a transfer device for transferring to a sheet 22 as a recording medium such as a sheet conveyed to an OHP sheet or the like, and a non-contact transfer device such as a scorotron or a corotron is used instead of the transfer roller You can also. Reference numeral 19 denotes a cleaning blade serving as a cleaning member for removing the toner 16 remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 after the transfer process is completed and the toner image is transferred onto the paper 22. In the present embodiment, A cleaning device of a blade cleaning type in which a rubber blade is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 is used. In addition, instead of the cleaning blade 19 as a cleaning member, a roller-type cleaning device, a brush-type cleaning device, or the like that removes the toner 16 remaining on the photoconductor drum 11 while rotating while being in contact with the photoconductor drum 11 Can also be used.
[0023]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a fixing device for fixing the transferred toner image to the sheet 22. The fixing device 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow f, and the surface thereof is heated by the supply of heat from a power source (not shown), and The heat roller 20 includes a heating roller 20 that heats and melts the toner 16 of the toner image transferred onto the sheet 22, and a pressure roller 21 that is rotated in the direction of arrow g and presses the melted toner 16 against the paper 22. The heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 constitute a fixing roller. In the present embodiment, the roller type fixing device 10 is used. However, a fixing device such as a belt type using a belt, a film type using a film, and a flash type using emission energy is used. Can also be used. In the roller type or belt type fixing device, the hot offset phenomenon is prevented from occurring by using the oilless fixing method without replenishing oil such as silicone oil. Therefore, since an oil supply device as a consumable is not required, the size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced accordingly, and the cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.
[0024]
Reference numeral 23a denotes a blade stopper, 23b denotes a blade holder, 24 denotes an ID unit, and 25 denotes a toner cartridge serving as a developer cartridge for storing the toner 16.
[0025]
In the image forming apparatus, the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 is uniformly and uniformly charged by the charging roller 12, and is exposed by the LED head 13 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 11, The electrostatic latent image is visualized by a developing device to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet 22 by a transfer roller 18 and fixed by a fixing device 10 to form an image.
[0026]
The toner of the present invention is a non-magnetic one-component toner, and is used as the toner 16 in the image forming apparatus.
[0027]
Next, an embodiment of the toner cartridge 25 having the above configuration and the toner 16 used in the image forming apparatus will be described.
[0028]
【Example】
[Example 1]
100 parts by weight of a resin used as a binder, that is, 100 parts by weight of a polyester resin as a binder resin (number average molecular weight Mn is 3700, glass transition temperature Tg is 62 [° C.]), and 1.0 part by weight of a salicylic acid complex as a charge control agent In addition, carbon black “MOGUL-L” (manufactured by CABOT) (average particle diameter: 25 [nm]) as a coloring agent is a predetermined part by weight, and a release agent (a component having a lower molecular weight than the binder resin, that is, a low molecular weight) As a component), a predetermined amount by weight of a wax, for example, carnauba wax (having a melting point of 80 ° C.) is added to obtain a mixture, and the mixture is sufficiently stirred (stirred) with a Henschel mixer, kneaded, and then kneaded with a roll mill. The mixture was heated and melted at a temperature of 120 ° C. for about 3 hours, and cooled to room temperature. The kneaded material thus obtained was pulverized by using a collision plate pulverizer “Dispersion Separator” (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industries, Ltd.) as a fine pulverizer, followed by classification, and the average particle diameter was reduced. 8 [μm] particles were obtained.
[0029]
Next, 2.0 parts by weight of silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added as a fluidizing agent to the surface of the particles to finally obtain toner A.
[0030]
Further, 80 parts by weight of styrene, 20 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 1.0 part by weight of a salicylic acid complex as a charge control agent, 1.0 part by weight of t-dodecimercaptan, 2,2′-azobisisobutyi 1.0 part by weight of lonitrile, a predetermined part by weight of polyethylene wax (melting point 60 ° C.) as a release agent, and carbon black “MOGUL-L” (manufactured by CABOT) as a coloring agent (average particle size 25 [nm]) ) Was added to an attritor ("MA-01SC", manufactured by Mitsui Miike Kakoki Co., Ltd.) and dispersed at 15 ° C for 10 hours to obtain a polymerizable composition.
[0031]
Then, 180 parts by weight of ethanol dissolved in 8.0 parts by weight of polyacrylic acid and 0.35 parts by weight of divinylbenzene were prepared, and 600 parts by weight of distilled water was added thereto to prepare a dispersion medium for polymerization. The polymerizable composition was added to the dispersion medium and dispersed with a TK homomixer (“M type”, manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at 15 ° C. and 8000 rpm for 10 minutes.
[0032]
Next, the obtained dispersion medium was transferred into a 1 [l] separable flask, and reacted at 85 [° C] for 12 hours while stirring at 100 [rpm] under a nitrogen stream. At this stage, the dispersion medium obtained by the polymerization reaction of the polymerizable composition is referred to as intermediate particles.
[0033]
Subsequently, 9.25 parts by weight of methyl methacrylate and 0.75 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate were added to the aqueous suspension of the intermediate particles by an ultrasonic oscillator (“US-150”, Nippon Seiki Seisakusho). A water emulsion comprising 0.5 parts by weight of 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile, 0.1 part by weight of sodium lauryl sulfate and 80 parts by weight of water was prepared. 9.0 parts by weight of the water emulsion was added dropwise to swell the intermediate particles. Immediately after the dropping, observation by an optical microscope showed that no emulsion droplets were observed, and it was confirmed that the swelling was completed within a very short time.
[0034]
Then, the reaction was carried out at 85 ° C. for 10 hours as a second stage polymerization while stirring was continued under nitrogen. After cooling, the dispersion medium was dissolved with a 0.5N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution, filtered, washed with water, air-dried, dried at 40 ° C. for 10 hours, and dried under reduced pressure at 10 mmHg, and classified by an air classifier. Thus, particles having an average particle size of 7 [μm] were obtained. Next, 2.0 parts by weight of silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added as a fluidizing agent to the surface of the particles, and finally, toner B was obtained.
[0035]
When the toners A and B were observed with a transmission electron microscope (hereinafter referred to as “TEM observation”), the average dispersion diameter of the colorant fine particles contained was 25 to 400 [nm]. Was. In addition, the fine particles of the colorant after the classification are not only present as a single substance, but also a plurality of particles are aggregated and solidified. Therefore, the diameter of the aggregate of a plurality of particles (colorants) is referred to as the average dispersion diameter.
[0036]
The toners A and B are used as the toner 16 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 so that the high voltage control in the developing device and the fixing temperature control in the fixing device 10 can be freely changed as the image forming device. An experiment was performed using the modified one.
[0037]
First, the voltage applied to the developing device is set to 0.6 [mg / cm ² The standard density paper (J paper: manufactured by Xerox Co., Ltd.) is used as the paper 22, and the image density ρ of each toner 16 is measured by XRite 528 (Status I). , Ie, the relationship between the amount of colorant and the image density ρ was examined.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of the colorant and the image density in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the colorant amount, and the vertical axis represents the image density ρ. In the figure, ● represents the relationship between the amount of the colorant having a particle diameter of 25 [nm] (average dispersion diameter 25 to 400 [nm]) and the image density ρ, and ▲ represents the particle diameter of 50 [nm]. The relationship between the colorant amount of the colorant having an average dispersion diameter of 50 to 600 [nm] and the image density ρ, and the colorant having a particle diameter of 120 [nm] (average dispersion diameter of 120 to 1000 [nm]). And the image density ρ. In addition, each said particle size is represented by an average particle diameter.
[0039]
As shown in the figure, when the amount of the colorant is 2 to 7 parts by weight, a good image density ρ which can be used as a normal image quality can be obtained.
1.3 ≦ ρ ≦ 1.7
Can be
[0040]
In this case, if the image density ρ is lower than 1.3, the print result is determined to be light, and it is visually recognized that the print is faint. If the image density ρ is higher than 1.7, the print result is determined to be dark, and the halftone Is visually recognized as if the print was crushed.
[0041]
Next, according to the method described above, 4.0 parts by weight of carbon black having an average particle diameter of 20 to 50 [nm] was added, and the amount of the release agent added, that is, the amount of the release agent was adjusted to 1, 5, 10, and 15 parts by weight were added to produce toners A and B. Upon TEM observation, the average dispersion diameter of carbon black was 20 to 600 [nm]. For each of the toners A and B, A4 size paper 22 (FIG. 1) is conveyed in the horizontal direction, and the print duty is set to 5%. A phenomenon in which the toners A and B and the toner composition on the surface of the drum 11 are melted and fixed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, that is, filming was observed.
[0042]
Table 1 shows the results of experiments conducted using carbon black having an average particle diameter of 25 [nm] (average dispersion diameter of 25 to 400 [nm]). In addition, when an experiment is performed using each carbon black having an average particle diameter of 30 [nm] (average dispersion diameter 30 to 500 [nm]) and 35 [nm] (average dispersion diameter 35 to 600 [nm]). Also obtained similar results.
[0043]
Also, when an experiment was conducted using another carnauba wax having a melting point of 75 to 85 ° C. for toner A, another polyethylene wax having a melting point of 55 to 75 ° C. was used for toner B. Similar results were obtained in these cases.
[0044]
[Table 1]

[0045]
That is, when the amount of the release agent is 1 part by weight and 5 parts by weight in the toner A, and the amount of the release agent is 1 part by weight in the toner B, the image quality is good even after continuous printing of 50,000 sheets. No foreign matter was found to have adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and no filming occurred.
[0046]
When the amount of the release agent in the toner A is 10 parts by weight and the amount of the release agent in the toner B is 5 parts by weight and 10 parts by weight, the photosensitive drum is printed when 40,000 sheets are continuously printed. It was confirmed that foreign matter was slightly attached to the surface of Sample No. 11, but the image quality was good. Even after continuous printing of 50,000 sheets, the state was hardly changed, and it was confirmed that foreign matter slightly adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, but the image quality was good.
[0047]
When the amount of the release agent in the toners A and B is 15 parts by weight, it is confirmed that the foreign matter slightly adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 when 5,000 sheets are continuously printed. Thereafter, when continuous printing was further performed on 5000 sheets, a pattern of a foreign substance was confirmed on the color image. The foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 11 was also large and could be clearly confirmed by visual observation. TEM observation of the foreign matter revealed that the toners A and B were fixed to the photosensitive drum 11. Further, when an infrared absorption analysis (hereinafter referred to as “IR analysis”) was performed, it was found that a large amount of toners A and B had adhered to the photosensitive drum 11.
[0048]
From this, it can be seen that when the amount of the release agent is 15 parts by weight or more, the toners A and B are fixed on the photosensitive drum 11 and filming occurs.
[0049]
Next, toners A and B as shown in Table 2 were manufactured by adjusting the amount of coloring agent (parts by weight) and the amount of releasing agent (parts by weight) indicating the amount of carbon black in the toners A and B. For each of the toners A and B, A4 size paper 22 was conveyed in the horizontal direction, the printing duty was set to 100%, and continuous printing was performed on both sides of 30 sheets, and the presence or absence of deterioration in image quality was visually checked. And the results shown in Table 2 were obtained.
[0050]
[Table 2]

[0051]
In Table 2, the ratio γ represents the weight ratio between the amount of the colorant and the amount of the release agent.
[0052]
From the results in Table 2, the ratio γ is
γ ≧ 3.3
In this case, the toners A and B slightly adhere to the heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 to cause a fixing failure, but the image quality is good.
0.5 ≦ γ ≦ 2.5
In this case, the toners A and B did not adhere to the heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 and no fixing failure occurred, and the image quality was good.
[0053]
Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of defective fixing and improve the image quality, the amount of the release agent is preferably set to 1 to 10 parts by weight, and the ratio γ is
0.5 ≦ γ ≦ 5.0
Preferably,
0.5 ≦ γ ≦ 2.5
To be.
[0054]
In Table 2, the fixing margin is defined as a temperature range between a temperature at which a fixing temperature is too low to cause a fixing defect (cold offset) and a temperature at which the fixing temperature is too high to cause a fixing defect (hot offset). Difference), which means that in a fixing device temperature range where there is no image defect and the fixing is good, the wider the fixing device temperature range, the less the fixing defect occurs.
[0055]
◎ indicates that the fixing margin is 30 ° C. or more, ○ indicates that the fixing margin is 10 to 30 ° C., and X indicates that the fixing margin is 10 ° C. or less. In addition, if the fluctuation width of the fixing temperature is within the fixing margin, no fixing failure occurs and printing can be performed satisfactorily. Note that when the fixing device 10 changes from the non-sheet passing state to the sheet passing state, the fluctuation width of the fixing temperature becomes maximum. At this time, even in a high-temperature and high-humidity state, if the fixing margin is 30 ° C. or higher, no fixing failure occurs. Further, in the normal temperature state, if the fixing margin is 10 to 30 [° C.], no defective fixing occurs.
[Example 2]
100 parts by weight of a polyester resin as a binder resin (number average molecular weight Mn is 3700, glass transition temperature Tg is 62 ° C.), 1.0 part by weight of a salicylic acid complex as a charge control agent, and C as a cyan colorant . I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 (average particle size: 50 [nm]) is added by a predetermined weight, and a wax as a release agent, for example, carnauba wax (melting point: 80 [° C]) is added by a predetermined weight to obtain a mixture. The mixture was sufficiently stirred by a Henschel mixer, kneaded, heated and melted at a temperature of 120 ° C. for about 3 hours by a roll mill, and cooled to room temperature. The kneaded material thus obtained was pulverized by using a collision plate pulverizer “Dispersion Separator” (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industries, Ltd.) as a fine pulverizer, followed by classification, and the average particle diameter was reduced. 8 [μm] particles were obtained.
[0056]
Next, 2.0 parts by weight of silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added to the surface of the particles, and finally, toner C was obtained.
[0057]
Further, 80 parts by weight of styrene, 20 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 1.0 part by weight of a salicylic acid complex as a charge control agent, 1.0 part by weight of t-dodecimercaptan, 2,2′-azobisisobutyi Lonitrile 1.0 part by weight, polyethylene wax (melting point 60 ° C.) as a releasing agent in a predetermined part by weight, and C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 (average particle size 50 [nm]) is added to a predetermined part by weight, and charged into an attritor ("MA-01SC", manufactured by Mitsui Miike Kakoki Co., Ltd.), and dispersed at 15 [° C] for 10 hours. A polymerizable composition was obtained.
[0058]
Then, 180 parts by weight of ethanol dissolved in 8.0 parts by weight of polyacrylic acid and 0.35 parts by weight of divinylbenzene were prepared, and 600 parts by weight of distilled water was added thereto to prepare a dispersion medium for polymerization. The polymerizable composition was added to the dispersion medium and dispersed with a TK homomixer (“M type”, manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at 15 ° C. and 8000 rpm for 10 minutes.
[0059]
Next, the obtained dispersion medium was transferred into a 1 [l] separable flask, and reacted at 85 [° C] for 12 hours while stirring at 100 [rpm] under a nitrogen stream. At this stage, the dispersion medium obtained by the polymerization reaction of the polymerizable composition is referred to as intermediate particles.
[0060]
Subsequently, 9.25 parts by weight of methyl methacrylate and 0.75 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate were added to the aqueous suspension of the intermediate particles by an ultrasonic oscillator (“US-150”, Nippon Seiki Seisakusho). A water emulsion comprising 0.5 parts by weight of 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile, 0.1 part by weight of sodium lauryl sulfate and 80 parts by weight of water was prepared. 9.0 parts by weight of the water emulsion was added dropwise to swell the intermediate particles. Immediately after the dropping, observation by an optical microscope showed that no emulsion droplets were observed, and it was confirmed that the swelling was completed within a very short time.
[0061]
Then, the reaction was carried out at 85 ° C. for 10 hours as a second stage polymerization while stirring was continued under nitrogen. After cooling, the dispersion medium was dissolved with a 0.5 N hydrochloric acid aqueous solution, filtered, washed with water, air-dried, dried at 40 ° C. for 10 hours under reduced pressure at 10 mmHg, classified by an air classifier, and averaged. Particles having a diameter of 7 [μm] were obtained. Next, 2.0 parts by weight of silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added as a fluidizing agent to the surface of the particles to finally obtain toner D.
[0062]
When the classified particles were observed with a TEM, the average dispersion diameter of the fine particles of the colorant contained was 50 to 600 [nm].
[0063]
The toners C and D are used as the toner 16 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 so that the high voltage control in the developing device and the fixing temperature control in the fixing device 10 can be freely changed as the image forming device. An experiment was performed using the modified one.
[0064]
First, the voltage applied to the developing device is set to 0.6 [mg / cm ² The standard density paper (J paper: manufactured by Xerox Co., Ltd.) is used as the paper 22, and the image density ρ of each toner 16 is measured by XRite 528 (Status I). The relationship between the amount of colorant and the image density ρ was examined.
[0065]
Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 3, when the amount of the colorant is 2 to 7 parts by weight, a good image density ρ that can be used as normal image quality can be obtained.
1.3 ≦ ρ ≦ 1.7
Can be
[0066]
In this case, if the image density ρ is lower than 1.3, the print result is determined to be light, and it is visually recognized that the print is faint. If the image density ρ is higher than 1.7, the print result is determined to be dark, and the halftone Is visually recognized as if the print was crushed.
[0067]
Next, C.I. having an average particle diameter of 40 to 80 [nm] was obtained by the method described above. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 was added in an amount of 4.0 parts by weight, the amount of the release agent was adjusted, and 2, 10, 20, and 25 parts by weight were added, to thereby prepare toners C and D. For each of the toners C and D, the A22 size paper 22 is conveyed in the horizontal direction, the print duty is set to 5%, and a durability print test is performed by continuous printing of 50,000 sheets. Filming was observed. Note that C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 had an average dispersion diameter of 40 to 800 [nm].
[0068]
C. having an average particle diameter of 50 [nm] (average dispersion diameter of 50 to 600 [nm]). I. Table 3 shows the results of an experiment performed using Pigment Blue 15: 3. Each C.I. having an average particle diameter of 60 [nm] (average dispersion diameter 60 to 700 [nm]) and 70 [nm] (average dispersion diameter 70 to 800 [nm]). I. Similar results were obtained when an experiment was performed using Pigment Blue 15: 3. C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 and C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 17 as C.I. I. Similar results were obtained when experiments were performed using Pigment Red 57: 1. Further, when an experiment was performed using another carnauba wax having a melting point of 75 to 85 ° C. in toner C, the experiment was performed using another polyethylene wax having a melting point of 55 to 75 ° C. in toner D. , Similar results were obtained.
[0069]
[Table 3]

[0070]
That is, when the amount of the release agent is 2 parts by weight and 10 parts by weight in the toner C and the amount of the release agent is 2 parts by weight in the toner D, the image quality is good even after continuous printing of 50,000 sheets. No foreign matter was found to have adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and no filming occurred.
[0071]
When the amount of the release agent in the toner C is 20 parts by weight, and the amount of the release agent in the toner D is 10 parts by weight and 20 parts by weight, the photosensitive drum is printed when 40,000 sheets are continuously printed. It was confirmed that foreign matter was slightly attached to the surface of Sample No. 11, but the image quality was good. Even after continuous printing of 50,000 sheets, the state was hardly changed, and it was confirmed that foreign matter slightly adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, but the image quality was good.
[0072]
When the amount of the release agent in the toners C and D is 25 parts by weight, it is confirmed that the foreign matter slightly adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 when 5,000 sheets are continuously printed. Thereafter, when continuous printing was further performed on 5000 sheets, a pattern of a foreign substance was confirmed on the color image. The foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 11 was also large and could be clearly confirmed by visual observation. TEM observation of the foreign matter revealed that the toners C and D were fixed to the photosensitive drum 11. Further, an IR analysis revealed that a large amount of toners C and D had adhered to the photosensitive drum 11.
[0073]
From this, it is understood that when the amount of the release agent is 25 parts by weight or more, the toners C and D adhere to the photosensitive drum 11 and filming occurs.
[0074]
Next, the C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 The toners C and D as shown in Table 4 were produced by adjusting the amount of the colorant (parts by weight) and the amount of the release agent (parts by weight) representing the amount of 3: 3. For each of the toners C and D, A4 size paper 22 was conveyed in the horizontal direction, the printing duty was set to 100%, and continuous printing was performed on both sides of 30 sheets, and the presence or absence of deterioration in image quality was visually checked. And the results as shown in Table 4 were obtained.
[0075]
[Table 4]

[0076]
From the results in Table 4, the ratio γ is
γ ≧ 6.67
In the case of, the toners C and D slightly adhere to the heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 to cause a fixing failure, but the image quality is good.
1.00 ≦ γ ≦ 5.00
In this case, the toners C and D did not adhere to the heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21, no fixing failure occurred, and the image quality was good.
[0077]
Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of defective fixing and improve the image quality, the amount of the release agent is preferably set to 2 to 20 parts by weight, and the ratio γ is
1.00 ≦ γ ≦ 10.00
Preferably,
1.00 ≦ γ ≦ 5.00
To be.
[0078]
◎ indicates that the fixing margin is 30 ° C. or more, ○ indicates that the fixing margin is 10 to 30 ° C., and X indicates that the fixing margin is 10 ° C. or less. In addition, if the fluctuation width of the fixing temperature is within the fixing margin, no fixing failure occurs and printing can be performed satisfactorily. Note that when the fixing device 10 changes from the non-sheet passing state to the sheet passing state, the fluctuation width of the fixing temperature becomes maximum. At this time, even in a high-temperature and high-humidity state, if the fixing margin is 30 ° C. or higher, no fixing failure occurs. Further, in the normal temperature state, if the fixing margin is 10 to 30 [° C.], no defective fixing occurs.
[Example 3]
100 parts by weight of a polyester resin as a binder resin (number average molecular weight Mn is 3700, glass transition temperature Tg is 62 ° C.), 1.0 part by weight of a salicylic acid complex as a charge control agent, and C as a magenta colorant . I. Pigment Red 122 (average particle diameter: 120 [nm]) is added by a predetermined weight, and a wax as a release agent, for example, carnauba wax (melting point: 80 [° C.]) is added by a predetermined weight to obtain a mixture. The mixture was sufficiently stirred with a Henschel mixer, kneaded, heated and melted at a temperature of 120 ° C. for about 3 hours by a roll mill, and cooled to room temperature. The kneaded material thus obtained was pulverized by using a collision plate pulverizer “Dispersion Separator” (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industries, Ltd.) as a fine pulverizer, followed by classification, and the average particle diameter was reduced. 8 [μm] particles were obtained.
[0079]
Next, 2.0 parts by weight of silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added to the surface of the particles to finally obtain toner E.
[0080]
Further, 80 parts by weight of styrene, 20 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate, 1.0 part by weight of a salicylic acid complex as a charge control agent, 1.0 part by weight of t-dodecimercaptan, 2,2′-azobisisobutyi Lonitrile 1.0 part by weight, polyethylene wax (melting point 60 ° C.) as a releasing agent in a predetermined part by weight, and C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 was added in a predetermined amount, and the mixture was charged into an attritor ("MA-01SC", manufactured by Mitsui Miike Kakoki Co., Ltd.) and dispersed at 15 [C] for 10 hours to obtain a polymerizable composition.
[0081]
Then, 180 parts by weight of ethanol dissolved in 8.0 parts by weight of polyacrylic acid and 0.35 parts by weight of divinylbenzene were prepared, and 600 parts by weight of distilled water was added thereto to prepare a dispersion medium for polymerization. The polymerizable composition was added to the dispersion medium and dispersed with a TK homomixer (“M type”, manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at 15 ° C. and 8000 rpm for 10 minutes.
[0082]
Next, the obtained dispersion medium was transferred into a 1 [l] separable flask, and reacted at 85 [° C] for 12 hours while stirring at 100 [rpm] under a nitrogen stream. At this stage, the dispersion medium obtained by the polymerization reaction of the polymerizable composition is referred to as intermediate particles.
[0083]
Subsequently, 9.25 parts by weight of methyl methacrylate and 0.75 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate were added to the aqueous suspension of the intermediate particles by an ultrasonic oscillator (“US-150”, Nippon Seiki Seisakusho). A water emulsion comprising 0.5 parts by weight of 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile, 0.1 part by weight of sodium lauryl sulfate and 80 parts by weight of water was prepared. 9.0 parts by weight of the water emulsion was added dropwise to swell the intermediate particles. Immediately after the dropping, observation by an optical microscope showed that no emulsion droplets were observed, and it was confirmed that the swelling was completed within a very short time.
[0084]
Then, the reaction was carried out at 85 ° C. for 10 hours as a second stage polymerization while stirring was continued under nitrogen. After cooling, the dispersion medium was dissolved with a 0.5 N hydrochloric acid aqueous solution, filtered, washed with water, air-dried, dried at 40 ° C. for 10 hours under reduced pressure at 10 mmHg, classified by an air classifier, and averaged. Particles having a diameter of 7 [μm] were obtained. Next, 2.0 parts by weight of silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added as a fluidizing agent to the surface of the particles, and finally, toner F was obtained.
[0085]
When the classified particles were observed with a TEM, the average dispersion diameter of the fine particles of the colorant contained was 120 to 850 [nm].
[0086]
The toners E and F are used as the toner 16 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 so that the high voltage control in the developing device and the fixing temperature control in the fixing device 10 can be freely changed as the image forming device. An experiment was performed using the modified one.
[0087]
First, the voltage applied to the developing device is set to 0.6 [mg / cm ² The standard density paper (J paper: manufactured by Xerox Co., Ltd.) is used as the paper 22, and the image density ρ of each toner 16 is measured by XRite 528 (Status I). The relationship between the amount of colorant and the image density ρ was examined.
[0088]
Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 3, when the amount of the colorant is 2 to 7 parts by weight, a good image density ρ that can be used as normal image quality can be obtained.
1.3 ≦ ρ ≦ 1.7
Can be
[0089]
In this case, if the image density ρ is lower than 1.3, the print result is determined to be light, and it is visually recognized that the print is faint. If the image density ρ is higher than 1.7, the print result is determined to be dark, and the halftone Is visually recognized as if the print was crushed.
[0090]
Next, C.I. having an average particle diameter of 80 to 180 [nm] was obtained by the method described above. I. Pigment Red 122 was added in an amount of 6.0 parts by weight, and the amount of the release agent was adjusted to 2, 10, 20, and 25 parts by weight to prepare toners E and F. For each of the toners E and F, the A22 size paper 22 is conveyed in the horizontal direction, the print duty is set to 5%, and a durability printing test is performed by continuous printing of 50,000 sheets, and the image quality and the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 are determined. Filming was observed. Note that C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 had an average dispersion diameter of 80 to 1000 [nm].
[0091]
C.I. having an average particle diameter of 120 [nm] (average dispersion diameter of 120 to 850 [nm]). I. Table 5 shows the results of an experiment performed using Pigment Red 122. The average particle diameter is 100 [nm] (average dispersion diameter 100 to 800 [nm]), 140 [nm] (average dispersion diameter 140 to 900 [nm]) and 160 [nm] (average dispersion diameter 160 to 1000 [nm]. nm]). I. Similar results were obtained when an experiment was performed using Pigment Red 122. Further, when the experiment was performed using another carnauba wax having a melting point of 75 to 85 ° C. in the toner E, the experiment was performed using another polyethylene wax having a melting point of 55 to 75 ° C. in the toner F. , Similar results were obtained.
[0092]
[Table 5]

[0093]
That is, when the amount of the release agent is 2 parts by weight and 10 parts by weight in the toner E, and the amount of the release agent is 2 parts by weight in the toner F, the image quality is good even after continuous printing of 50,000 sheets. No foreign matter was found to have adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and no filming occurred.
[0094]
When the amount of the release agent in the toner E is 20 parts by weight and the amount of the release agent in the toner F is 10 parts by weight and 20 parts by weight, the photosensitive drum is printed when 40,000 sheets are continuously printed. It was confirmed that foreign matter was slightly attached to the surface of Sample No. 11, but the image quality was good. Even after continuous printing of 50,000 sheets, the state was hardly changed, and it was confirmed that foreign matter slightly adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, but the image quality was good.
[0095]
When the amount of the release agent in the toners E and F is 25 parts by weight, it is confirmed that the foreign matter slightly adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 when 5,000 sheets are continuously printed. Thereafter, when continuous printing was further performed on 5000 sheets, a pattern of a foreign substance was confirmed on the color image. The foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 11 was also large and could be clearly confirmed by visual observation. TEM observation of the foreign matter revealed that the toners E and F had adhered to the photosensitive drum 11. Further, an IR analysis revealed that a large amount of toners E and F had adhered to the photosensitive drum 11.
[0096]
This indicates that when the amount of the release agent added is 25 parts by weight or more, the toners E and F adhere to the photosensitive drum 11 and filming occurs.
[0097]
Next, the C.I. I. Toners E and F as shown in Table 6 were produced by adjusting the amount of coloring agent (parts by weight) and the amount of releasing agent (parts by weight) representing the amount of Pigment Red 122. For each of the toners E and F, A4 size paper 22 was conveyed in the horizontal direction, the printing duty was set to 100%, and continuous printing was performed on both sides of 30 sheets. , And the results shown in Table 6 could be obtained.
[0098]
[Table 6]

[0099]
From the results in Table 6, the ratio γ
γ ≧ 2.50
In the case of, the toners E and F slightly adhere to the heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 to cause poor fixing, but the image quality is good.
0.29 ≦ γ ≦ 2.00
In this case, the toners E and F did not adhere to the heating roller 20 and the pressure roller 21, no fixing failure occurred, and the image quality was good.
[0100]
Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of defective fixing and improve the image quality, the amount of the release agent is preferably set to 2 to 20 parts by weight, and the ratio γ is
0.30 ≦ γ ≦ 4.00
Preferably,
0.30 ≦ γ ≦ 2.00
To be.
[0101]
◎ indicates that the fixing margin is 30 ° C. or more, ○ indicates that the fixing margin is 10 to 30 ° C., and X indicates that the fixing margin is 10 ° C. or less. In addition, if the fluctuation width of the fixing temperature is within the fixing margin, no fixing failure occurs and printing can be performed satisfactorily. Note that when the fixing device 10 changes from the non-sheet passing state to the sheet passing state, the fluctuation width of the fixing temperature becomes maximum. At this time, even in a high-temperature and high-humidity state, if the fixing margin is 30 ° C. or higher, no fixing failure occurs. Further, in the normal temperature state, if the fixing margin is 10 to 30 [° C.], no defective fixing occurs.
[Example 4]
100 parts by weight of a polyester resin as a binder resin (number average molecular weight Mn is 3700, glass transition temperature Tg is 62 ° C.), 1.0 part by weight of a salicylic acid complex as a charge control agent, and a first magenta colorant Having an average particle diameter of 80 to 180 [nm]. I. Pigment Red 122 (quinacridone: average particle size of 120 [nm]) is used as a predetermined weight part of the second magenta colorant, and C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1 (Carmine 6B: average particle size 50 [nm]) is added as a predetermined weight part, and a wax as a release agent, for example, carnauba wax (melting point 80 [° C.]) is added as a predetermined weight part and the mixture is added. After the mixture was sufficiently stirred with a Henschel mixer and kneaded, the mixture was heated and melted at a temperature of 120 ° C. for about 3 hours by a roll mill, and cooled to room temperature. The kneaded material thus obtained was pulverized by using a collision plate pulverizer “Dispersion Separator” (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industries, Ltd.) as a fine pulverizer, followed by classification, and the average particle diameter was reduced. 8 [μm] of the toner was obtained. The C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 and C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1 constitutes two types of pigments.
[0102]
The toner is used as the toner 16 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the image forming apparatus is modified so that the high voltage control in the developing device and the fixing temperature control in the fixing device 10 can be freely changed. The experiment was performed using.
[0103]
First, the voltage applied to the developing device is set to 0.6 [mg / cm ² The standard density paper (J paper: manufactured by Xerox Co., Ltd.) was used as the paper 22, and the image density ρ of each toner 16 was measured with XRite 528 (Status I). I. Pigment Red 122 and C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1 was determined as 5 parts by weight, and the relationship between the amount of colorant for each particle size and the image density ρ, hue, saturation, and the like were examined.
[0104]
And C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 alone, and C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1 alone was used, and the relationship between the amount of colorant for each particle size and the image density ρ, hue, saturation, and the like were examined at 5 parts by weight. Table 7 shows the results of the experiment.
[0105]
Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 3, when the amount of the colorant is 2 to 7 parts by weight, a good image density ρ that can be used as normal image quality can be obtained.
1.3 ≦ ρ ≦ 1.7
Can be
[0106]
In this case, if the image density ρ is lower than 1.3, the print result is determined to be light, and it is visually recognized that the print is faint. If the image density ρ is higher than 1.7, the print result is determined to be dark, and the halftone Is visually recognized as if the print was crushed.
[0107]
In Table 7, C.I. having an average particle diameter of 120 [nm] was used. I. Pigment Red 122 and C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1 was used. Each C.I. having an average particle diameter of 100 [nm], 140 [nm], and 160 [nm]. I. Pigment Red 122, and each C.I. having an average particle diameter of 50 [nm], 60 [nm] and 70 [nm]. I. Similar results were obtained when experiments were performed using Pigment Red 57: 1.
[0108]
[Table 7]

[0109]
That is, C.I. I. In the case of the toner using only the Pigment Red 122, the image density ρ becomes low, so that a large amount of carnauba wax needs to be added as shown in Table 7. However, as can be seen from Examples 1 to 3, when a large amount of a coloring agent is added, filming occurs and the cost of the toner increases. C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1, the color reproducibility of cyan deteriorates, and magenta becomes yellowish.
[0110]
From these facts, C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 and C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1 is C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 alone, C.I. I. Pigment Red 122 and C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1 can be reduced, so that the fixing margin can be improved, and the color reproducibility of cyan can be improved to some extent, so that a good image can be formed. As a result, the cost of the toner can be reduced, and the cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.
[0111]
And C.I. I. Pigment Red 122. I. Pigment Red 57: When the ratio of 57: 1 is σ, the ratio σ is
0.25 ≦ σ ≦ 1.50
Then, the image quality can be improved.
[Example 5]
100 parts by weight of a polyester resin (number average molecular weight Mn is 3700, glass transition temperature Tg is 62 [° C.]) as a binder resin, 1.0 part by weight of a salicylic acid complex as a charge control agent, and C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 (copper phthalocyanine) and 3 parts by weight of a wax, for example, carnauba wax (melting point: 80 ° C.) as a release agent, are added to obtain a mixture, and the mixture is sufficiently mixed with a Henschel mixer. After stirring and kneading, the mixture was heated and melted at a temperature of 120 ° C. for about 3 hours by a roll mill and cooled to room temperature. The kneaded material thus obtained was pulverized by using a collision plate pulverizer “Dispersion Separator” (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industries, Ltd.) as a fine pulverizer, followed by classification, and the average particle diameter was reduced. 8 [μm] particles were obtained.
[0112]
Next, 2.0 parts by weight of silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added to the surface of the particles to finally obtain a toner. When the ratio of the number average particle diameter to the volume average particle diameter of the toner was η, the ratio η was 1.3.
[0113]
The toner is used as the toner 16 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the image forming apparatus is modified so that the high voltage control in the developing device and the fixing temperature control in the fixing device 10 can be freely changed. The experiment was performed using.
[0114]
First, the voltage applied to the developing device is set to 0.6 [mg / cm ² The cleaning blade 19 was formed of a urethane rubber material and had a thickness t of 1.8 [mm], and was incorporated in the developing device. The linear pressure of the cleaning blade 19 was 0.8 to 3.3 [gf / mm].
[0115]
Then, for each toner 16, A4 size paper 22 is conveyed in the horizontal direction, a print duty is set to 5%, and a durable printing test by continuous printing of 50,000 sheets is performed. Filming was observed. Table 8 shows the results of the experiment.
[0116]
[Table 8]

[0117]
That is, in the case of Examples 8-1 to 8-3, 8-10, and 8-11, the image quality is good even after continuous printing of 50,000 sheets, and the toner 16 Was not confirmed, and no filming occurred.
[0118]
Further, in the case of Examples 8-4 and 8-6 to 8-8, it was confirmed that foreign matter was slightly attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 when 40,000 sheets were continuously printed. However, the image quality was good. Even after continuous printing of 50,000 sheets, the state was hardly changed, and it was confirmed that the toner 16 slightly adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, but the image quality was good.
[0119]
In the case of Examples 8-5 and 8-9, when 5000 sheets were continuously printed, it was confirmed that foreign matters were slightly attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and thereafter, 5000 sheets were further printed. When continuous printing was performed, a pattern of a foreign substance was confirmed on the color image. The foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 11 was also large and could be clearly confirmed by visual observation. TEM observation of the foreign matter revealed that the toner 16 was fixed to the photosensitive drum 11. Further, an IR analysis revealed that a large amount of the toner 16 had adhered to the photosensitive drum 11.
[0120]
By the way, in the case of Examples 8-3 to 8-5, no defect occurred in the color image when 50,000 sheets were continuously printed. In the developing device, the amount of foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 11 was extremely small, and did not affect the color image.
[0121]
In the case of Examples 8-2 and 8-7 to 8-10, vertical streaks were confirmed in the color image when 30,000 sheets were continuously printed. When the developing device was examined, it was confirmed that a large amount of the toner 16 adhered to the charging roller 12 at a position corresponding to the vertical stripe of the color image. In this case, it is considered that the cleaning blade 19 has deteriorated, the toner 16 has slipped through, and the toner 16 has adhered to the charging roller 12, thereby preventing the charging of the photosensitive drum 11 and causing a charging failure on the photosensitive drum 11. .
[0122]
In the case of Examples 8-1, 8-6, and 8-11, when continuous printing of 30,000 sheets is performed, an infinite number of 2 to 3 [mm] elongated in the transport direction of the paper 22 on the color image. A missing pattern was confirmed. In the developing device, a state in which a long and thin foreign matter of 2 to 3 [mm] adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 in the circumferential direction so as to cope with missing of the color image was visually confirmed. TEM observation revealed that the toner 16 was fixed to the photosensitive drum 11.
[0123]
As described above, when the linear pressure of the cleaning blade 19 is set to 1.0 to 3.0 [gf / mm] as in Examples 8-2 to 8-4, 8-7, 8-8, and 8-10. In addition, the occurrence of filming can be prevented, the toner 16 can be prevented from slipping through the cleaning blade 19, and the image quality can be improved.
[0124]
In addition, the toner 16 used in each of the above-described embodiments is obtained by adding inorganic fine particles and a release agent to colored particles containing a binder resin, a colorant, and other additives used as needed. It is formed by mixing. The average particle diameter of the toner 16 is a volume average particle diameter, usually 1 to 30 μm, preferably 5 to 15 μm. The colored resin constituting the colored particles is not particularly limited, and a styrene-based resin, an acrylic-based resin, a styrene-acryl-based resin, a polyester resin, or the like can be used.
[0125]
In addition, as a release agent for the purpose of improving gloss and offset properties, polyolefin wax, paraffin latex, microcrystalline wax, polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like can be used, and these can be used alone or in combination. Or you can.
[0126]
Further, the colorant is not particularly limited, and carbon black and iron oxide conventionally used for color toners and pigments such as C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 6, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 68, C.I. I. Pigment Red 122, C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1, 2,9-dimethylquinacridone, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 81, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 154, Pigment Yellow 185, or the like can be used. As other additives, inorganic fine particles such as silica, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, barium titanate, and strontium titanate having a number average particle diameter of 5 to 1000 [nm] can be used. These may be hydrophobized.
[0127]
Further, a high fatty acid metal salt such as styrene / acrylic resin fine particles having a number average particle diameter of 0.1 to 2.0 [μm] and zinc stearate can be added to the toner 16 as a cleaning aid. . The addition amount of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 0.1 to 2.0% by weight based on the colored particles. The cleaning aid is preferably added in an amount of 0.01 to 1.0 [% by weight] based on the colored particles.
[0128]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.
[0129]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the developer contains at least a resin, a colorant, and a release agent. The ratio of the release agent amount to the colorant amount is 0.3 to 10.0.
[0130]
In this case, when continuous printing was performed, a good image could be obtained. Therefore, image quality can be improved.
[0131]
Further, since there is no need to supply oil such as silicone oil, the size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced, and the cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the image drum cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a colorant amount and an image density according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Fixing device
11 Photoconductor drum
12 Charging roller
13 LED head
14 Developing roller
15 Toner supply roller
16 Toner
17 Developing blade
18 Transfer roller
19 Cleaning blade
25 Toner cartridge

Claims (17)

(A) containing at least a resin, a colorant and a release agent,
(B) The developer, wherein the ratio of the amount of the release agent to the amount of the colorant is 0.3 to 10.0. (A) containing at least a resin, a colorant and a release agent,
(B) the colorant has an average particle diameter of 20 to 50 [nm] or an average dispersion diameter of 20 to 600 [nm];
(C) a developer, wherein the ratio of the release agent amount to the colorant amount is 0.5 to 5.0. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is preferably 0.5 to 2.5. The developer according to claim 1, wherein a melting point of the release agent is 55 to 85 ° C. 3. (A) containing at least a resin, a colorant and a release agent,
(B) the colorant has an average particle diameter of 40 to 80 [nm] or an average dispersion diameter of 40 to 800 [nm];
(C) a developer, wherein the ratio of the release agent amount to the colorant amount is 1.0 to 10.0. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is preferably 1.0 to 5.0. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the melting point of the release agent is 55 to 85 ° C. 7. (A) containing at least a resin, a colorant and a release agent,
(B) the colorant has an average particle diameter of 80 to 180 [nm] or an average dispersion diameter of 80 to 1000 [nm];
(C) The developer, wherein the ratio of the amount of the release agent to the amount of the colorant is 0.3 to 4.0. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is preferably 0.3 to 2.0. The developer according to claim 1, wherein a melting point of the release agent is 55 to 85 ° C. 10. (A) containing at least a resin, a colorant and a release agent,
(B) The developer, wherein the colorant is obtained by mixing two kinds of pigments having different average particle diameters or average dispersion diameters. (A) one of the two pigments has an average particle diameter of 80 to 180 [nm] or an average dispersion diameter of 80 to 1000 [nm];
(B) The development according to claim 11, wherein the other pigment of the two pigments has an average particle diameter of 40 to 80 [nm] or an average dispersion diameter of 40 to 800 [nm]. Agent. The developer according to claim 11, wherein a ratio of the pigment having a small average particle diameter or a small average dispersion diameter to the pigment having a large average particle diameter or a large average dispersion diameter is 0.25 to 1.5. A developer cartridge containing the developer according to claim 1. (A) an image carrier;
(B) a charging device for charging the image carrier;
(C) an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier charged by the charging device;
(D) a developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device;
(E) a transfer device for transferring the visible image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
(F) a fixing device for fixing the transferred visible image to a recording medium,
(G) An image forming apparatus on which the developer cartridge according to claim 14 is mounted. (A) an image carrier;
(B) a charging device for charging the image carrier;
(C) an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier charged by the charging device;
(D) a developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device;
(E) a transfer device for transferring the visible image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
(F) a cleaning member disposed in contact with the image carrier and removing a developer remaining on the image carrier after transfer;
(G) The image forming apparatus, wherein the linear pressure of the cleaning member is set to 1.0 to 3.0 [gf / mm]. An image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the developer cartridge according to claim 14 is mounted.

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