JP2004145313A - Electrophotographic endless belt, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic endless belt that realizes smooth belt running and is substantially free of meandering over a long period of time and to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which are provided with the electrophotographic endless belt as an intermediate transfer belt. <P>SOLUTION: An electrophotographic endless belt is provided with a meander prevention member that is attached to the inner peripheral surface of a belt-like substrate via a double-sided adhesive tape. The double-sided adhesive tape includes a reinforcing base material and adhesive agent layers formed on both sides of the reinforcing base material. In the endless belt, the thickness of the reinforcing base material is 25 μm or more but 200μm or less, and the thickness of each of the adhesive agent layers is 200μm or less. In addition, the thickness of at least one of the adhesive agent layers is more than 100μm but 200μm or less. The hardness of the meander prevention member is 15° or higher but 70° or less. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic endless belt, a process cartridge having the electrophotographic endless belt, and an electrophotographic apparatus.

Conventionally, intermediate transfer members, electrophotographic photosensitive members, transfer conveyance members, fixing members, and the like used in electrophotographic devices such as copiers and laser beam printers have a flexible endless belt shape in addition to a rigid drum shape. Things (electrophotographic endless belt) are used.

The electrophotographic endless belt is usually stretched and supported by at least two or more rollers (stretch rollers) arranged on the inner peripheral surface side of the electrophotographic apparatus, and is rotated while being given an arbitrary tension. It has been used.

However, there are often slight errors or variations in the diameter, deflection, straightness of the rotation axis, and parallelism of each stretching roller that stretch and support the electrophotographic endless belt. It is difficult to avoid that the endless belt meanders right and left during rotation.

(5) The exposure position and the transfer position are shifted due to the meandering of the electrophotographic endless belt left and right, and an image shift occurs. In addition, in the case of a full-color electrophotographic apparatus, when colors are superimposed on an electrophotographic endless belt or on a transfer material conveyed by the electrophotographic endless belt, image forming positions of the respective colors are shifted, so that a color shift occurs.

Therefore, various methods have been proposed so far to prevent the meandering of the electrophotographic endless belt. In recent years, various methods have been proposed for preventing the meandering of the electrophotographic endless belt by using an electrophotographic endless belt provided with a meandering preventing member on the inner peripheral surface of the belt-shaped base.

For example, an electrophotographic endless belt having a meandering prevention member provided on the entire inner circumference using a tension roller provided with a groove that fits in the cross-sectional shape of the meandering prevention member over the entire circumference is used. A method of preventing the meandering of the electrophotographic endless belt by rotating the meandering prevention member while fitting the meandering preventing member into the groove of the tension roller is used.

As another example, a tension roller having a length substantially equal to the distance between the insides of the meandering prevention members at both ends of the electrophotographic endless belt is used, and the electrophotographic endless belt is stretched over the tension roller, There is a method of preventing the meandering of the electrophotographic endless belt by rotating the fitting roller and the meandering preventing members at both ends of the photographic endless belt while fitting them together.

As still another example, there is a method of preventing the meandering of the electrophotographic endless belt by using a tension roller provided with a stepped portion at the axial end portion where the meandering prevention member of the electrophotographic endless belt fits. Can be

に よ っ て By the above method, the electrophotographic endless belt can be smoothly rotated and run without meandering. As a result, it is possible to form a good image without image shift or color shift.

The following method is known as a method for providing a meandering prevention member on a belt-shaped substrate.

JP-A-57-214167 discloses a method of bonding a meandering preventing member to the inner peripheral surface of a belt-like substrate using an adhesive. This method has the disadvantage that handling of the adhesive itself is complicated and automation is difficult. In addition, if the meandering prevention member and the belt-like base are not held in any way until the adhesive is completely cured, the mounting position gradually changes due to the fluidity of the adhesive. In addition, since it is necessary to fix and support the meandering prevention member so as not to shift, it is difficult to improve the productivity. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the displacement of the adhesive lowers the mounting accuracy, and it is difficult to control the protrusion of the adhesive, which adversely affects the running performance of the electrophotographic endless belt. is there.

(4) Although such a method is excellent in durability, it is not satisfactory because it has poor accuracy and is inefficient, so the cost is high and the working environment tends to deteriorate.

Further, as disclosed in JP-A-59-230950, a method of using a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive as it is as a meandering-preventing member, or as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. There is a method in which the silicone rubber is applied and used as it is as a meandering prevention member. However, in such a method, it is difficult to manufacture the meandering prevention member with constant shape and dimensional accuracy, and the straightness of the meandering prevention member is difficult. However, it is not a very preferable method because it causes troubles in stable running of the electrophotographic endless belt, lacks productivity and automation, and increases costs.

In order to solve the above problems, and with the recent reduction in the price of the electrophotographic apparatus, it is inexpensive, and for the purpose of accurately attaching the meandering prevention member to the belt-shaped base, as described above. Rather than a method, a method has been proposed in which a meandering prevention member is attached (attached) to a belt-like substrate using a double-sided adhesive tape. The method using a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape has the advantage that the adhesive strength is developed immediately after the application, so that the handling is easy, the positioning is easy, and the method is suitable for automation. As a result, it is possible to attach the meandering prevention member to the belt-shaped base with high dimensional accuracy.

As described above, the method of attaching (attaching) the meandering prevention member to the belt-shaped substrate using the double-sided adhesive tape has a great advantage, but it does not mean that any double-sided adhesive tape can be attached with high accuracy. Absent.

For example, as disclosed in JP-A-62-50873, a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape made of only a pressure-sensitive adhesive without a so-called reinforcing substrate was used when attaching the meandering prevention member to the belt-like substrate. In this case, the double-sided adhesive tape expands and contracts freely in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the meandering preventing member, and the meandering preventing member partially expands or contracts and is attached to the belt-like base, and the belt-like member is accurately formed. It is difficult to attach the meandering prevention member to the base.

In addition, double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes consisting only of pressure-sensitive adhesives have a weak peel strength, and when used at high temperatures, have the problem of gradually shifting over time, and have the disadvantage that they cannot withstand long-term use. is there.

As a method for solving the above problems, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-187435 discloses an example using a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a reinforcing substrate.

取 り 付 け By using a double-sided adhesive tape having a reinforcing substrate, it is possible to improve the mounting accuracy. However, there are still many unsatisfactory points in terms of adhesive strength and its durability.

と し て As a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, for example, JP-A-7-187435 and JP-A-8-225178 stipulate that the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less. Usually, the belt-shaped substrate and the meandering prevention member are required to have non-adhesiveness and slipperiness in terms of image formation and mechanical properties, and a material that satisfies these requirements is, for example, a material having poor adhesion such as a fluorine atom-containing resin. In many cases, it is difficult to achieve both image characteristics and adhesive strength with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thickness in the range disclosed in the above publication on both sides, and the performance can be satisfied as an electrophotographic endless belt. Did not.

As described above, no method has yet been obtained for attaching the meandering prevention member to the belt-shaped substrate, which satisfies all of durability, attachment accuracy, and adhesive strength.

柔軟 性 Furthermore, the flexibility of the meandering preventing member is also an important factor when used as a belt-like substrate.

If the flexibility of the meandering prevention member is sufficiently high, the followability of the electrophotographic endless belt becomes smooth because the followability to the belt-like substrate increases, but on the other hand, the electrophotographic endless belt meanders, When a biasing force is applied to the prevention member, the meandering prevention member does not have sufficient elasticity to receive the stress, so that the function of preventing the meandering itself is impaired. Further, when the meandering prevention member is too soft, there is a problem in that the processing accuracy of the meandering prevention member itself is reduced, or the mounting accuracy to the belt-shaped base is reduced.

Conversely, if the flexibility is poor, the effect of preventing meandering is sufficient, but smooth running is hindered by the difference between the stiffness (strength and rigidity) of the meandering prevention member and that of the belt-shaped base. Therefore, there is a problem that stable running cannot be obtained.

As a method for solving the above problems, there is a method of increasing the tension (belt tension) when the electrophotographic endless belt is stretched, but increasing the belt tension reduces the creep of the electrophotographic endless belt. This may cause the life to be shortened. Also, belt tension that is too high can further promote the meandering of the electrophotographic endless belt.

In particular, the electrophotographic endless belt incorporated in the process cartridge is different from the case where it is installed and used in the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, and is subjected to much vibration at the distribution stage or is placed in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment for a long time. Often. When placed in such a harsh environment for a long time, the displacement of the adhesive will be accelerated, and when installed and used on the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, the accuracy will be lost, and it will not function as a meandering prevention member. Often there was. For these reasons, the above-mentioned problems have been more prominent in the electrophotographic endless belt incorporated in the process cartridge.
JP-A-57-214167 JP-A-59-230950 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-45092 JP-A-62-50873 JP-A-7-187435 JP-A-8-225178

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic endless belt which does not have the above-mentioned problems, can run smoothly, and has almost no meandering for a long time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic endless belt as an intermediate transfer belt.

The present invention is an electrophotographic endless belt in which a meandering prevention member is attached to the inner peripheral surface of a belt-like substrate via a double-sided adhesive tape, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape is adhered to both sides of the reinforcing substrate and the reinforcing substrate. In an electrophotographic endless belt which is a double-sided adhesive tape having an agent layer,
The thickness of the reinforcing substrate is not less than 25 μm and not more than 200 μm,
Both the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 200 μm or less, and the thickness of at least one of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is more than 100 μm and 200 μm or less,
The electrophotographic endless belt is characterized in that the meandering preventing member has a hardness of 15 ° or more and 70 ° or less.

Also, the present invention is a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the above electrophotographic endless belt.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an electrophotographic endless belt capable of smooth belt running and having almost no meandering for a long period of time, a process cartridge provided with the electrophotographic endless belt, and an electrophotographic apparatus.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

The electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention is an electrophotographic endless belt in which a meandering preventing member is attached (attached) to the inner peripheral surface of a belt-like substrate via a double-sided adhesive tape. The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape in the present invention refers to a material that can be bonded at room temperature for a short period of time by applying a slight pressure, and is synonymous with a double-sided pressure-sensitive pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, a double-sided tape and a double-sided adhesive tape, and includes these .

As a method of manufacturing the meandering prevention member, for example, the following method is used.
(1) A synthetic rubber as a material is formed into a sheet having a desired thickness, and a double-sided tape is attached to one side.
(2) Next, this sheet is cut into strips so as to match the width of the desired cross-sectional shape.
(3) Next, the belt-shaped substrate is cut into a length that matches the inner peripheral length.

蛇 Thus, a meandering preventing member having a desired cross-sectional shape is obtained.

両 面 In the present invention, the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape used when attaching the meandering preventing member to the belt-shaped substrate has a reinforcing base material, and has a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on both sides of the reinforcing base material. The use of a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having a reinforced base material has the effect of improving the processing accuracy and mounting accuracy (adhering accuracy) of the meandering prevention member, improving the bonding strength, and preventing the meandering prevention member from shifting. . If the reinforcing base material does not exist, the processing dimensional accuracy and the mounting accuracy (attachment accuracy) decrease. In addition, the adhesive strength of the meandering prevention member to the belt-shaped substrate is insufficient, and the belt is likely to shift.

(4) The thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is 200 μm or less (both sides). If the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer exceeds 200 μm, the meandering prevention member is likely to shift due to the stress applied to the meandering prevention member due to the viscosity of the pressure-sensitive adhesive, resulting in an increase in image shift and color shift. Further, the thickness of at least one of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is more than 100 μm and 200 μm or less. When the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 100 μm or less on both sides, the adhesive strength is insufficient. The more preferable range of the thickness of at least one of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is 110 μm or more and 190 μm or less.

硬度 The meandering prevention member has a hardness of 15 ° or more and 70 ° or less. If the angle is less than 15 °, it is too soft, and the function of preventing meandering, which is the original purpose, becomes insufficient, and processing accuracy and sticking accuracy are reduced. On the other hand, if it exceeds 70 °, it is too hard and lacks flexibility, and stable belt running properties cannot be obtained. The more preferable range of the hardness of the meandering preventing member is 20 ° or more and 60 ° or less, and the more preferable range is 25 ° or more and 50 ° or less.

ベ ル ト As the belt-like substrate of the electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention, a base material mainly containing a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin or a rubber can be mentioned, and a base material mainly containing a thermoplastic resin is preferable.

Examples of the thermoplastic resin include olefin-based resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polystyrene-based resins, acrylic resins, ABS resins, polyester resins (PET, PBT, PEN, PAR, etc.), polycarbonate resins, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, and the like. Sulfur atom-containing resin such as polyphenylene sulfide, fluorine atom-containing resin such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polyethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyurethane resin, silicone resin, ketone resin, polyvinylidene chloride, thermoplastic polyimide resin, polyamide resin, Modified polyphenylene oxide resins, and various modified resins and copolymers thereof are also included. One or two or more of these resins can be used. Among these resins, a fluorine atom-containing resin is preferable from the viewpoint of non-adhesiveness and slipperiness.

(4) When an electrophotographic endless belt is used in an electrophotographic apparatus, it is necessary to adjust a resistance value according to the electrophotographic process.

The additive to be added to the belt-like substrate for adjusting the electric resistance of the electrophotographic endless belt (belt-like substrate) of the present invention is not particularly limited. , Carbon black, various conductive metal oxides, and the like. Non-filler-based resistance modifiers include low-molecular-weight ionic conductive agents such as various metal salts and glycols, and ether bonds and hydroxyl groups in the molecule. Antistatic resins, organic polymer compounds having electronic conductivity, and the like.

Further, the method for producing the belt-like substrate of the electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention is not particularly limited, but a general method for producing an endless belt can be employed, and the production efficiency is high and cost is low. Is preferred. As such a method, there is a method of continuously melting and extruding from an annular die, and then cutting to a required length to produce an endless belt. For example, inflation molding is suitable.

Hereinafter, an example of a method for producing a belt-like substrate of an electrophotographic endless belt used in the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic endless belt forming apparatus (inflation apparatus). This molding apparatus mainly includes an extruder, an extrusion die, and a gas blowing device.

First, materials such as a forming material (resin or rubber), a conductive agent, and other additives are premixed based on a desired formulation, and then the kneaded and dispersed forming material is put into a hopper 102 provided in an extruder 100. .

設定 The temperature of the extruder 100 and the screw configuration of the extruder are selected so that the raw material for molding has a melt viscosity that allows the belt to be formed in a subsequent step, and the materials are uniformly dispersed.

(4) The raw material for molding is melt-kneaded in the extruder 100 to form a melt, and enters the annular die 103. A gas introduction passage 104 is provided in the annular die 103, and when air is blown into the center of the annular die 103 from the gas introduction passage 104, the melt that has passed through the annular die 103 expands and expands in the radial direction, and the cylinder is expanded. Film 110.

気 体 In addition to air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, etc. can be selected as the gas to be blown at this time.

成形 The expanded molded body (tubular film) is pulled up while being cooled by the external cooling ring 105. Normally, in the inflation device, a method is employed in which the tube is crushed from the left and right by the stabilizer 106, folded into a sheet shape, pinched by the pinch roller 107 so that the internal air does not escape, and pulled out at a constant speed.

Next, the taken-up tubular film is cut by the cutting device 108 to obtain a tubular film of a desired size.

(4) Next, the cylindrical film is processed using a mold for the purpose of adjusting the surface smoothness and dimensions, and removing the folds formed on the film during molding. Specifically, there is a method of using a set of cylindrical molds having different diameters made of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

The coefficient of thermal expansion of the small-diameter cylindrical mold (inner mold) is set to be larger than that of the large-diameter cylindrical mold (outer mold), and the inner mold is covered with the formed cylindrical film. The cylindrical film is inserted into the outer mold so that the inner and outer molds sandwich the tubular film. The gap between the inner mold and the outer mold is determined by calculating the heating temperature, the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients of the inner mold and the outer mold, and the required pressure.

From the inside, the mold set in the order of inner mold, tubular film and outer mold is heated to near the softening point temperature of the raw material for molding used for the tubular film. The inner mold having a large coefficient of thermal expansion tends to expand beyond the inner diameter of the outer mold by heating, so that a uniform pressure is applied to the entire surface of the tubular film. At this time, the surface of the cylindrical film that has reached the vicinity of the softening point is pressed against the inner surface of the outer mold that has been processed smoothly, and the smoothness of the surface of the cylindrical film is improved. Then, it cools and removes a cylindrical film from a type | mold, and can obtain a smooth surface property.

上 記 In order to prevent meandering, it is more preferable to use the above method as a method of manufacturing a belt-like substrate having a small difference in left and right inner peripheral lengths.

Although the above description relates to a single-layer belt, in the case of a two-layer belt, an extruder 101 is additionally arranged as shown in FIG. The kneaded melt of the extruder 101 is fed to the die 103, and two layers are simultaneously expanded and expanded to obtain a two-layer belt. Of course, in the case of three or more layers, an extruder may be prepared according to the number of layers. As described above, according to this method, not only a single layer but also an electrophotographic endless belt having a multilayer structure can be formed in one step and with high dimensional accuracy in a short time. The capability of short-time molding means that mass production and low-cost production are possible.

Regarding the ratio of the thickness of the formed tubular film to the width of the gap (die slit) of the annular die, the ratio of the former to the former is preferably 1/3 or less, more preferably 1/5 or less. Is more preferred.

比 The ratio of the outer diameter of the tubular film to the outer diameter of the gap (die slit) of the annular die is preferably 50% or more and 400% or less.

These indicate the stretched state of the material. If the thickness ratio is more than ３, the stretching is insufficient, and problems such as a decrease in strength and unevenness in resistance and thickness may occur. On the other hand, when the outer diameter exceeds 400% or is less than 50%, the degree of stretching is large, and it is difficult to reduce molding stability or secure the thickness required for the present invention.

ベ ル ト The thickness of the belt-like substrate of the electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention is preferably 40 μm or more and 500 μm or less, more preferably 50 μm or more and 300 μm or less. If the thickness is less than 40 μm, the strength of the belt may be insufficient or the belt may be easily stretched. On the other hand, if it exceeds 500 μm, since flexible deformation becomes difficult, it is not possible to drive at a uniform speed by a small-diameter roll, which may cause a problem of an increase in the size of the apparatus.

蛇 The meandering prevention member of the electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention preferably has a thickness of 0.3 mm or more and 6 mm or less. If it is less than 0.3 mm, a sufficient meandering prevention effect may not be obtained, and in some cases, the meandering prevention member may ride on the roller. On the other hand, if it exceeds 6 mm, the difference between the inner peripheral length of the electrophotographic endless belt and the inner peripheral length of the meandering preventing member increases, and when the electrophotographic endless belt is used, the tension of the electrophotographic endless belt is stretched. When the electrophotographic endless belt is wound around the frame roller, the meandering prevention member does not follow the bending of the electrophotographic endless belt, and the flexibility of the endless belt may deteriorate.

幅 The meandering prevention member preferably has a width of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. If it is less than 1 mm, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient meandering prevention effect. On the other hand, if it is more than 10 mm, the area of the portion functioning as a belt is reduced, and the size of an electrophotographic apparatus incorporating the belt is increased. May be invited.

The material and characteristics of the reinforcing base material of the double-sided adhesive tape are not particularly limited as long as the mounting accuracy (adhering accuracy) can be maintained. For example, paper such as kraft paper, Japanese paper, crepe paper, and rayon ( Fabrics such as cotton, acetate, glass, polyester, vinylon, etc., alone or blended; splitting fabrics such as polyethylene and polypropylene; non-woven fabrics such as rayon, polypropylene, aromatic polyamide, polyester, glass, etc .; , Acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane rubber, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, polychloroprene rubber, etc., alone or in combination, rubber sheet, polyurethane, polyethylene, butyl rubber, polychloroprene rubber, acrylic rubber, etc. Foam And the like.

の Among these, non-woven fabrics such as rayon, polypropylene, aromatic polyamide, polyester, and glass are particularly preferably used. These have good workability, are excellent in processing accuracy, mounting accuracy (attachment accuracy), can be obtained at low cost, and have the effect of significantly improving the adhesive strength.

補強 The thickness of the reinforcing base material of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is 25 μm or more and 200 μm or less. When the thickness of the reinforcing base material is less than 25 μm, the reinforcing effect is thin, and the processing accuracy, the mounting (sticking) accuracy, and the adhesive strength of the meandering prevention member are reduced, and the meandering prevention member is likely to shift. On the other hand, when the thickness exceeds 200 μm, the rigidity is too strong because the thickness is too thick, and the flexibility is lacking. May be peeled off.

Further, the tensile modulus of the reinforcing base material is preferably 98 N / mm ² or more. When the tensile modulus is less than 98 N / mm ^2, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient reinforcing effect.

Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive for the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape include rubber pressure-sensitive adhesives (urethane rubber, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isobutylene rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-isoprene block copolymer, styrene-butadiene block copolymer). And the like, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive, a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the like, and these materials and other materials may be used in combination of two or more. Among these, a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape using an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferable because of its excellent adhesive strength.

As for the material of the meandering preventing member, any material may be used as long as its hardness is within the range of the present invention. For example, solids or foams such as isoprene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, polyurethane rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, silicone rubber, and fluorine rubber are exemplified. In particular, polyurethane rubber and silicone rubber, which are superior in compression set to other materials, are preferable. Further, these foams are preferable because they have excellent flexibility, have little effect on the flexibility of the electrophotographic endless belt, and provide stable belt running properties.

The electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention can be suitably used as an intermediate transfer belt. In particular, a process cartridge (intermediate) which integrally supports the intermediate transfer belt and the electrophotographic photosensitive member and is detachable from the electrophotographic apparatus main body. It can be used very suitably as an intermediate transfer belt for a transfer belt-an electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated process cartridge).

Even if the intermediate transfer belt-electrophotographic photoreceptor integrated process cartridge is placed in a harsh environment of high temperature and high humidity while being stretched on a stretching roller for a long time during the distribution stage, the electrophotographic endless If the intermediate transfer belt is used, there is no deviation between the meandering prevention member and the endless belt, and the quality is maintained at the same level as that at the time of manufacture / shipment. The intermediate transfer belt can function as an intermediate transfer belt having almost no meandering.

In addition, since a process cartridge is generally treated as a consumable item, it is desired that the cartridge can be manufactured at a lower cost, and it is also desired that components constituting the process cartridge be inexpensive. As in the present invention, if an inexpensive and commercially available double-sided adhesive tape is used for attaching the meandering prevention member to the belt-like substrate, cost reduction can be realized.

In order to reduce the size and cost of the process cartridge, the cleaning method for the intermediate transfer belt employs a method in which the secondary transfer residual toner is charged to a polarity opposite to that of the primary transfer by the charge applying means, and the toner is simultaneously charged with the primary transfer. It is preferable to use a primary transfer simultaneous cleaning method for returning to the photographic photosensitive member.

Specifically, a voltage is applied to a charge applying means (for example, an elastic roller having a medium resistance) which is detachably disposed on the intermediate transfer belt, so that a voltage is applied to the secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt at the time of primary transfer. This is a method in which charges of opposite polarity are applied, and the secondary transfer residual toner is returned to the electrophotographic photosensitive member by a primary transfer electric field in a subsequent primary transfer portion. Of course, as the charge applying means, other than a roller, for example, a corona charger or a blade-shaped charger may be used, and any shape may be used as long as the charge can be applied to the secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt. A thing may be used.

二 The secondary transfer residual toner returned from the intermediate transfer belt to the electrophotographic photosensitive member is removed by an electrophotographic photosensitive member cleaning unit such as a cleaning blade. According to this method, there is a great effect in reducing the size and cost of the process cartridge. Further, since the primary transfer residual toner and the secondary transfer residual toner can be discarded at the same time, the maintainability is high.

In addition, a method in which the intermediate transfer belt is stretched by two stretching rollers is preferable because the driving mechanism is simple, suitable for reducing the number of parts and miniaturization, and can be manufactured at lower cost.

Of the tension rollers that stretch the intermediate transfer belt, the tension roller that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt is preferably slid in the direction in which the intermediate transfer belt extends in order to respond to the extension of the intermediate transfer belt. The slide amount is preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. Further, in order to drive the intermediate transfer belt without slipping, it is preferable to stretch the intermediate transfer belt with a force of 5N or more and 70N or less.

Hereinafter, an electrophotographic apparatus having an intermediate transfer belt-electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated process cartridge using the electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention as an intermediate transfer belt will be specifically described.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a full-color electrophotographic apparatus provided with an intermediate transfer belt-electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated process cartridge.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, which is driven to rotate around a shaft 2 in a direction of an arrow at a predetermined peripheral speed.

The peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 that is rotationally driven is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential by a charging unit (primary charging unit) 3 and then exposed to an exposure unit (e.g., slit exposure or laser beam scanning exposure). (Not shown). The exposure light at this time is exposure light corresponding to a first color component image (for example, a yellow component image) of a target color image. Thus, a first color component electrostatic latent image (yellow component electrostatic latent image) corresponding to the first color component image of the target color image is sequentially formed on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. The voltage applied to the charging means 3 may be only a DC voltage or a DC voltage on which an AC voltage is superimposed.

The intermediate transfer belt 11 stretched by the stretching roller 12 and the secondary transfer opposing roller (stretching roller) 13 has a peripheral speed substantially equal to that of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in the direction of the arrow (for example, the peripheral speed of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1). 97 to 103%). The tension roller 12 is also a tension roller for applying tension to the intermediate transfer belt, and the secondary transfer opposing roller 13 is also a drive roller for rotating and driving the intermediate transfer belt.

(4) The electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 13 have a coupling (not shown) so that a rotational driving force is transmitted from the electrophotographic apparatus main body.

The first color electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 is developed by the first color toner (yellow toner) of the first color component developing means (yellow component developing means) 5Y to form the first color electrostatic latent image. It becomes a toner image (yellow toner image). At this time, the operation of the second color component developing means (magenta component developing means) 5M, the third color component developing means (cyan component developing means) 5C, and the fourth color component developing means (black component developing means) 5K is off. And does not act on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1.

Next, the first color toner image formed and carried on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is transferred to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the primary transfer unit (primary transfer roller) 6p by the primary transfer bias from the primary transfer unit 6p. The primary transfer is sequentially performed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 passing through the intermediate transfer belt.

(4) The peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 after the transfer of the first color toner image is cleaned by the cleaning unit 7 to remove the primary transfer residual toner, and then used for forming the next color image.

The second color toner image (magenta toner image), the third color toner image (cyan toner image), and the fourth color toner image (black toner image) are similarly formed on the periphery of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in the same manner as the first color toner image. And is primary-transferred sequentially to the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11. Thus, a composite toner image corresponding to the target color image is formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11. During the primary transfer of the first to fourth colors, the secondary transfer means (secondary transfer roller) 6s and the charge applying means (charge applying roller) 7r are separated from the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11.

The composite toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 is transferred from a transfer material supply unit (not shown) to the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the secondary transfer unit 6s by the secondary transfer bias from the secondary transfer unit 6s. During the interval (abutting portion), secondary transfer is sequentially performed on a transfer material (paper or the like) P taken out and fed in synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 11.

The transfer material P to which the composite toner image has been transferred is separated from the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11, introduced into the fixing means 8, and subjected to image fixation, thereby being out of the apparatus as a color image formed product (print, copy). Printed out.

(4) The charge applying means 7r is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 after the transfer of the synthetic toner image. The charge applying unit 7r applies a charge of a polarity opposite to that at the time of the primary transfer to the secondary transfer residual toner on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11. The secondary transfer residual toner to which a charge having a polarity opposite to that at the time of the primary transfer is applied to the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 at and near the contact portion between the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 Is transcribed. In this manner, the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 after the transfer of the synthetic toner image is cleaned to remove the secondary transfer residual toner. The secondary transfer residual toner transferred to the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is removed by the cleaning means 7 together with the primary transfer residual toner on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. The transfer of the secondary transfer residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt 11 to the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 can be performed simultaneously with the primary transfer, so that the throughput does not decrease.

Further, the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 after the transfer residual toner is removed by the cleaning unit 7 may be subjected to a charge elimination process by pre-exposure light from the pre-exposure unit, but as shown in FIG. In the case of a contact charging means using a charging roller or the like, pre-exposure is not necessarily required.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 are housed in a container and integrally connected as a process cartridge. This process cartridge is configured to be detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. May be. In FIG. 1, not only the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 11, but also a charging unit 3, a primary transfer unit 6p, a cleaning unit 7, and a charge applying unit 7r are integrally supported to form a cartridge, and the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus is formed. The process cartridge 9 is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus using the guide means (not shown).

Further, the process cartridge may be integrated at the time of use by a user, and in consideration of ease of handling during the manufacturing process and disassembly after recovery, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having an electrophotographic photosensitive member is used. A design that can be separated into several units, such as a body unit and an intermediate transfer belt unit having an intermediate transfer belt, may be performed.

Although the case where the electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention is used as an intermediate transfer belt has been described above as an example, the electrophotographic endless belt of the present invention can be applied to an electrophotographic photosensitive belt, a transfer material transfer belt, in addition to the intermediate transfer belt. The present invention can be applied to all belt members, such as a belt and a fixing belt, for which meandering prevention is required.

物 The method for measuring physical properties in the present invention is as follows.

<Method of measuring the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer>
The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is cut, and the cut surface is observed to measure the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

<Method of measuring hardness of meandering prevention member>
In the present invention, the hardness refers to JIS-A hardness, and the measuring method conforms to JIS K6253.

本 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these. In the examples, “parts” means “parts by mass”.

69.5 parts of polyvinylidene fluoride resin, 8 parts of polyetheresteramide, 0.2 parts of perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, and 20 parts of zinc oxide particles were melt-kneaded at 210 ° C. by using an extruder to obtain a strand having a diameter of 2 mm. It was extruded and cut into pellets 1.

、 Using the pellet 1 as a raw material for forming a belt-like substrate, a belt-like substrate was molded by a molding device (inflation device) having a configuration shown in FIG.

(2) In the molding apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 2, a single-layer annular die having a diameter of 100 mm was used as the annular die 103. The width of the die slit was 0.8 mm.

ペ レ ッ ト The sufficiently heated and dried pellets 1 were put into the material hopper 102 of the molding apparatus, heated and melted, and extruded at 210 ° C. from the annular die 103 to obtain the cylindrical film 1. An external cooling ring 105 is provided around the annular die 103, and air is blown from the periphery onto the extruded tubular film 1 to perform cooling.

{Circle around (2)} Air was blown into the extruded cylindrical film 1 from the gas introduction passage 104 to expand and expand to a diameter of 140 mm, and then continuously taken out at a constant speed by a take-off device. The ratio of the diameter of the annular die 103 to the diameter of the formed cylindrical film was 140%. The introduction of air was stopped when the diameter reached a desired value.

Furthermore, the tubular film 1 was cut by the cutting device 108 following the pinch roller. After the thickness unevenness of the tubular film was stabilized, the tubular film was cut at a width of 290 mm to obtain a tubular belt 1.

Using a pair of cylindrical bodies composed of an inner cylindrical body having a high thermal expansion coefficient and an outer cylindrical body having a low thermal expansion coefficient, the size of the tubular belt 1 is adjusted, the surface smoothness is adjusted, and folds are removed. Was. That is, the cylindrical belt 1 was put on the inner cylindrical body, and they were inserted into the outer cylindrical body whose inner surface was smoothed, and heated for 20 minutes. Thereafter, the temperature was cooled to room temperature, and the cylindrical belt was removed from the outer cylindrical body and the inner cylindrical body to obtain a belt-shaped base 1 having a circumference of 440 mm.

The thickness of the belt-shaped substrate 1 was 80 μm, and the volume resistivity was 2.2 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 40 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, the reinforcing substrate is a nonwoven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm on the other surface. The adhesive layer was provided such that an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm was on the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering prevention member 1 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member 1 with a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the belt-shaped substrate 1 (the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm is on the belt-shaped substrate side). Transfer belt 1 was obtained.

・ Evaluation of processing accuracy of meandering prevention member As shown in FIG. 4, evaluation of the processing accuracy is performed at both ends A and C (each end portion) of the meandering prevention member cut in a strip shape with a double-sided adhesive tape applied thereto in advance. And the central portion B), and the width was measured at a total of three points, and evaluated by the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value. This difference is referred to as “processing accuracy of the meandering prevention member”. The processing accuracy of the meandering preventing member is preferably 0.2 mm or less. If the processing accuracy of the meandering prevention member exceeds 0.2 mm, the workability of the meandering prevention member is poor, and the device may not function properly as a meandering prevention member when attached (attached) to a belt-like base.

Evaluation of sticking accuracy (straightness) of the meandering prevention member Evaluation of the sticking accuracy is performed by cutting the belt-like substrate to which the meandering prevention member is attached at the joint of the meandering prevention member, as shown in FIG. It was measured at a pitch of 10 mm in the circumferential direction using a measuring instrument.

- image evaluation intermediate transfer belt 1 produced was set in the electrophotographic apparatus constructed as shown in FIG. 1, performs image output test of the full-color image to 80 g / m ² paper, visual image shift of the initial output image, a color shift Was evaluated. The electrophotographic apparatus used was an apparatus employing a 600 dpi digital laser system. Further, a durability test was continuously performed on 5000 sheets at a speed of 4 sheets per minute, and the output image after the durability was evaluated in the same manner as in the initial stage. The evaluation criterion is A is the best, followed by B and C.

Evaluation of Adhesion of Meandering Prevention Member The adhesion of the meandering prevention member before and after the durability test was evaluated (initial and after endurance). The evaluation criterion is A is the best, followed by B and C.

ベ ル ト A belt-like substrate 2 was produced in the same manner as the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 40 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, a reinforcing substrate is a nonwoven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 110 μm on one surface and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 110 μm on the other surface. An agent layer is provided.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering prevention member 2 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

(4) The meandering prevention member 2 with a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck to the belt-like substrate 2 and both ends were cut to obtain an intermediate transfer belt 2 having a width of 250 mm and a circumference of 440 mm.

中間 Evaluation of the intermediate transfer belt 2 was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

ベ ル ト A belt-shaped substrate 3 was produced in the same manner as the belt-shaped substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 40 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, the reinforcing substrate is a non-woven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 190 μm on the other surface. The adhesive layer was provided so that an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 190 μm was on the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering preventing member 3 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member 3 with a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the belt-shaped substrate 3 (55 μm-thick acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is on the side of the belt-shaped substrate). Transfer belt 3 was obtained.

(5) The intermediate transfer belt 3 was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

ベ ル ト A belt-like substrate 4 was produced in the same manner as the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 20 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, the reinforcing substrate is a nonwoven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm on the other surface. The adhesive layer was provided such that an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm was on the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering prevention member 4 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member 4 with a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the belt-shaped substrate 4 (the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm is on the side of the belt-shaped substrate). Transfer belt 4 was obtained.

(5) The intermediate transfer belt 4 was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

ベ ル ト A belt-like substrate 5 was produced in the same manner as the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 60 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, the reinforcing substrate is a nonwoven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm on the other surface. The adhesive layer was provided such that an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm was on the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering prevention member 5 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member 5 with a double-sided adhesive tape is adhered to the belt-like substrate 5 (the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm is on the side of the belt-like substrate). A transfer belt 5 was obtained.

中間 Evaluation of the intermediate transfer belt 5 was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Comparative Example 1)
A belt-like substrate C1 was produced in the same manner as in the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 60 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, a reinforcing substrate is a nonwoven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 50 μm on the other surface. An acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 50 μm was attached to the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering preventing member C1 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member C1 with a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the belt-like substrate C1 (the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm is on the side of the belt-like substrate). A transfer belt C1 was obtained.

中間 Evaluation of the intermediate transfer belt C1 was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

(4) After continuous 20 sheets were output, image deviation and color deviation became large, and the meandering preventing member was partially peeled off from the belt-shaped substrate. Therefore, the durability test was stopped.

(Comparative Example 2)
A belt-like substrate C2 was produced in the same manner as the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 60 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, the reinforcing substrate is a non-woven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 100 μm on the other surface. An acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 100 μm was attached to the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering prevention member C2 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member C2 with a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the belt-shaped substrate C2 (the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm is on the side of the belt-shaped substrate). A transfer belt C2 was obtained.

中間 Evaluation of the intermediate transfer belt C2 was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Comparative Example 3)
A belt-like substrate C3 was produced in the same manner as in the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 60 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, a reinforcing substrate is a nonwoven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 300 μm on the other surface. An acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 300 μm was attached to the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering prevention member C3 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member C3 with a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the belt-like substrate C3 (an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm is on the side of the belt-like substrate). A transfer belt C1 was obtained.

中間 Evaluation of the intermediate transfer belt C3 was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

(4) The durability test was stopped because the image shift and color shift were large from the beginning, since the meandering preventing member could not sufficiently counter the deviation force.

(Comparative Example 4)
A belt-like substrate C4 was produced in the same manner as in the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 60 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, the reinforcing substrate is a non-woven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 210 μm on the other surface. An acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 210 μm was attached to the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to form a meandering prevention member C4 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member C4 with a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the belt-like substrate C4 (an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm is on the side of the belt-like substrate). A transfer belt C1 was obtained.

中間 Evaluation of the intermediate transfer belt C4 was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

(Comparative Example 5)
A belt-like substrate C5 was produced in the same manner as the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 10 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, the reinforcing substrate is a nonwoven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm on the other surface. The adhesive layer was provided such that an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm was on the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering prevention member C5 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member C5 with a double-sided adhesive tape is adhered to the belt-shaped substrate C5 (the acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm is on the side of the belt-shaped substrate). A transfer belt C5 was obtained.

(4) Although the processing accuracy and the sticking accuracy (straightness) of the meandering prevention member were not good, the intermediate transfer belt C5 was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 just in case.

耐久 Duration test was stopped from the beginning due to large image shift and color shift.

(Comparative Example 6)
A belt-like substrate C6 was produced in the same manner as in the belt-like substrate 1 of Example 1.

ポ リ ウ レ タ ン A polyurethane foam having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a hardness of 90 ° was used as a meandering preventing member, and a double-sided adhesive tape was stuck thereon. In this double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, the reinforcing substrate is a nonwoven fabric substrate having a thickness of 50 μm, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 55 μm on one surface, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm on the other surface. The adhesive layer was provided such that an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 160 μm was on the polyurethane foam (meandering prevention member) side.

This was cut into a width of 5 mm and a length of 436 mm to obtain a meandering prevention member C6 with a double-sided adhesive tape.

A meandering prevention member C6 with a double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the belt-like substrate C6 (the 55-μm-thick acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is on the side of the belt-like substrate). A transfer belt C6 was obtained.

中間 Evaluation of the intermediate transfer belt C6 was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

(4) The durability test was stopped because the hardness of the meandering prevention member was high, lacked in flexibility, and stable belt running was not possible, and image shift and color shift were large from the beginning.

Table 1 shows the evaluation results of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6.

As shown in Table 1, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an electrophotographic endless belt capable of smooth belt running and having almost no meandering for a long period of time, a process cartridge provided with the electrophotographic endless belt, and an electrophotographic apparatus. Become.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a full-color electrophotographic apparatus including an intermediate transfer belt and an electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated process cartridge. It is a figure which shows an example of a schematic structure of the shaping | molding apparatus (inflation apparatus) of an electrophotographic endless belt (single layer). It is a figure which shows an example of a schematic structure of the shaping | molding apparatus (inflation apparatus) of an electrophotographic endless belt (two layers). It is a schematic diagram for explaining evaluation of processing accuracy of a meandering prevention member. It is a schematic diagram for explaining evaluation of sticking accuracy (straightness) of a meandering prevention member.

Explanation of reference numerals

Reference Signs List 1 electrophotographic photosensitive member 2 axis 3 charging means (primary charging means)
4 Exposure light (image exposure light)
5Y first color component developing means (yellow component developing means)
5M second color component developing means (magenta component developing means)
5C Third color component developing means (cyan component developing means)
5K fourth color component developing means (black component developing means)
6p Primary transfer means 6s Secondary transfer means (secondary transfer roller)
7 cleaning means 7r charge applying means (charge applying roller)
Reference Signs List 8 fixing means 9 process cartridge 11 intermediate transfer belt 12 tension roller 13 secondary transfer facing roller (stretch roller)
P Transfer material (paper, etc.)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 extruder 101 extruder 102 hopper 103 annular die 104 gas introduction path 105 external cooling ring 106 stabilizer 107 pinch roller 108 cutting device 110 tubular film 151 meandering prevention member 152 adhesive layer 153 adhesive layer 154 reinforcing base material 161 belt Substrate 162 Meandering prevention member

Claims (10)

An electrophotographic endless belt in which a meandering preventing member is attached to the inner peripheral surface of a belt-like substrate via a double-sided adhesive tape, wherein the double-sided adhesive tape has a reinforcing substrate and an adhesive layer on both surfaces of the reinforcing substrate. In electrophotographic endless belts that are double-sided adhesive tapes,
The thickness of the reinforcing substrate is not less than 25 μm and not more than 200 μm,
Both the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is 200 μm or less, and the thickness of at least one of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is more than 100 μm and 200 μm or less,
An electrophotographic endless belt, wherein the meandering preventing member has a hardness of 15 ° or more and 70 ° or less. 2. The electrophotographic endless belt according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers has a thickness of 110 μm or more and 190 μm or less. 3. The electrophotographic endless belt according to claim 1, wherein the meandering prevention member has a hardness of 20 ° or more and 60 ° or less. (4) The electrophotographic endless belt according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the processing accuracy of the meandering preventing member is 0.2 mm or less. The electrophotographic endless belt according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is an intermediate transfer belt. In a process cartridge having an electrophotographic endless belt and detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body,
A process cartridge wherein the electrophotographic endless belt is the electrophotographic endless belt according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the electrophotographic endless belt is an intermediate transfer belt. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive member. An electrophotographic photosensitive member; a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member; an exposing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member charged by the charging unit; Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image of the electrophotographic photoreceptor thus formed with toner to form a toner image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and the toner image is primarily transferred from the electrophotographic photoreceptor. An intermediate transfer belt capable of forming a contact portion with the electrophotographic photosensitive member for secondary transfer of a subsequently transferred toner image to a transfer material, and an intermediate transfer belt from the electrophotographic photosensitive member at the corresponding contact portion An electrophotographic apparatus having primary transfer means for primary-transferring the toner image to a transfer belt,
5. An electrophotographic apparatus, wherein the intermediate transfer belt is the electrophotographic endless belt according to claim 1. 10. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a process cartridge that supports at least the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer belt integrally and is detachable from the electrophotographic apparatus main body.

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