JP2004163742A - Developer quantity restriction blade and developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer quantity control blade which prevents vertical streaks on an image which occur due to toner fusion caused by ooze of unreacted components of polyamid elastomer. <P>SOLUTION: In the developer quantity control blade having a blade member and a support member, polyamide elastomer such that, in relation to raw-material polyamid elastomer, (a) a solvent capable of extracting at most 15 mass % of the raw-material polyamid elastomer is used and (b) an amount of extract is 2.5 mass % or more with respect to the raw-material polyamid elastomer, forms the blade member. In addition, the polyamid elastomer is obtained by performing an extracting process in which an amount (W1) of polyamid oligomer components in the extract and an amount (W2) of components which are other than polyamide oligomer and whose polypropylene glycol conversion molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography is 4,000 or less satisfy the formula (1): W2/W1≥3.0. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００７７】
【表２】

【００７８】
表１および表２に示した結果から、比較例１、２のように原料ポリアミドエラストマーの抽出処理による抽出物量が２．５質量％未満であると、染み出しやブルームが発生し、現像剤量規制ブレードと現像スリーブとの当接部に堆積し、画像に縦スジが発生する。その程度は、染み出しが顕著であるほど顕著に縦スジが発生する傾向がみられる。これに対して、実施例１、２、３のように抽出物量が２．５％以上であり、Ｗ２／Ｗ１が２．５以上であると、トナー融着はみられず、画像上に縦スジが発生することなく、良好な結果が得られる。
【００７９】
【発明の効果】
以上に説明した通り、本発明の現像剤量規制ブレードは、常温常湿条件下における運転、または高温高湿条件に曝されてもポリエーテル成分、ポリアミドオリゴマーの染み出しが見られず、この現像剤量規制ブレードを配置した本発明の現像装置は、トナー融着を防止できるとともに、縦スジのない良好な画像を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の現像剤量規制ブレードを説明するための現像装置の模式的断面図である。
【図２】本発明の一実施形態の現像剤量規制ブレードを説明するための模式的断面図である。
【図３】本発明の一実施形態の現像剤量規制ブレードを説明するための模式的平面図（ａ）および断面図（ｂ）である。
【図４】本発明の現像剤量規制ブレードの作製に使用することのできるポリアミドエラストマーシートの製造方法を説明するための模式的断面図でる。
【図５】電子写真装置の構成の概要を説明するための模式的断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１１ 電子写真感光体
１２ 現像剤容器
１３ 現像剤担持体（現像スリーブ）
１４ 現像剤量規制ブレード
１５ 弾性ローラ
１６ 現像剤
１７ ブレード部材
２０ ブレード部材
２１ 支持部材
２２ 現像剤量規制ブレード
２３ 現像剤容器
２４ 現像剤担持体（現像スリーブ）
２５ 固定点
２６ 圧接点
３０ ブレード部材
３１ 支持部材
５１ 感光体
５２ 帯電部材
５３ 静電潜像
５４ 現像装置
５５ 転写手段
５６ クリーニング手段
５８ 定着ローラ
６１ ノズル
６２ ロール
６３ ロール
６４ 面転写用シート
６５ ポリアミドエラストマー[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a developer amount regulating blade used to develop and visualize an electrostatic latent image formed on an image holding member, and a developing device equipped with the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the developing device. For example, a one-component developer 16 (also referred to as toner) in the developer container 12 is pressed against a developer carrier 13 (also referred to as a developing sleeve or a developing roller) by an elastic roller 15 rotating in the c direction. . The developer carrier 13 is rotated in the direction b, and the developer is carried out to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 rotating in the direction a. A blade member 17 of a developer amount regulating blade 14 is in contact with the developer carrier 13, whereby the amount of the developer to be carried out is regulated, and a thin film of the developer is formed. At this time, a predetermined triboelectric charge (also referred to as tribo) is applied to the developer.
[0003]
The developer amount regulating blade generally includes a blade member that is pressed against the developer carrier and a support member that supports the blade member at a predetermined position. The surface of the blade member that is pressed against the developer carrier has a function of controlling the triboelectric charge of the developer, and is therefore also referred to as a charge control surface. Further, a layer having a charge control surface may be referred to as a charge control layer.
[0004]
For the negative toner, for example, a blade member made of a plate material such as urethane rubber, urethane resin, or polyamide elastomer is used. Further, for a positive toner, a blade member is used in which a charge-imparting layer such as silicon rubber whose charge is controlled is laminated on a thin metal plate.
[0005]
Further, for a non-magnetic toner used for forming a color image, since the toner itself does not have magnetism, a high triboelectric charge must be given to the toner to coat it on a developing sleeve (developing roller). For this reason, the charge control layer of the blade member for non-magnetic toner is formed of urethane rubber, polyamide resin, polyamide elastomer, silicone rubber, silicone resin, or the like, and is brought into contact with the developing sleeve (developing roller) to reduce the tribo amount. It regulates the adjustment and the appropriate amount of toner.
[0006]
Patent Document 1 discloses a developer amount regulating elastic blade corresponding to a developing device using such a non-magnetic toner. Patent Document 1 discloses that a developer amount regulating elastic blade having a charge-imparting layer having a polyamide elastomer on its surface has a feature of giving an appropriate tribo to a developer. 2, at least a part that regulates the amount of the developer is a developer amount regulating member formed of a polyamide elastomer having a polyamide dimer content of less than 2500 ppm, and suppresses the bloom of the dimer component under a high-temperature and high-humidity environment; It discloses that the fog phenomenon that the toner is developed in the non-image area can be eliminated by using this.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 09-50185 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-282252
[0008]
The developer amount regulating member formed from the polyamide elastomer in which the polyamide dimer is reduced can be stored for a long period of time under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment, or can be fogged by a developing apparatus using the polyamide dimer without bloom in a high temperature and high humidity environment. Although the phenomenon can be eliminated and a good image can be obtained, such a developer amount regulating blade also needs to further improve vertical stripes in the image caused by toner fused to the charge control surface of the blade member. Has been requested.
[0009]
The present inventors investigated the cause of this phenomenon, and in the case of a developer amount regulating blade having a blade member manufactured using a sheet formed of a polyamide elastomer, an unreacted polyether component contained in the polyamide elastomer and During long-term storage under normal temperature and normal humidity environment or during operation under high temperature and high humidity environment, the low molecular weight polyamide component oozes out on the charge control surface of the developer amount regulating blade, and the toner is trapped on the charge control surface, It has been found that the cause is that the toner stays and accumulates and fuses due to friction between the developing sleeve (developing roller) and the developer amount regulating blade.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been completed based on the above findings, and an object of the present invention is to provide a developer amount regulating blade formed of a film using a polyamide elastomer, for long-term storage under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment, or at a high temperature. Even when operating in a humid environment, the amount of developer that does not exude unreacted polyether component or low-molecular-weight polyamide component and prevents toner from staying and accumulating, thereby preventing toner fusing. An object of the present invention is to provide a regulating blade and a developing device provided with the developer amount regulating blade and capable of preventing generation of vertical stripes on an image.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for achieving the above object includes various aspects described below.
(1) In a developer amount regulating blade having a blade member and a support member, a polyamide elastomer forming the blade member is:
For raw polyamide elastomer,
(A) using a solvent capable of extracting at most 15% by mass of the raw material polyamide elastomer,
(B) The amount of the extract relative to the raw material polyamide elastomer is 2.5% by mass or more, and the amount of the polyamide oligomer component (W1) in the extract and the components other than the polyamide oligomer component are determined by gel permeation chromatography. The amount (W2) of the component having a molecular weight in terms of polypropylene glycol of 4000 or less is calculated by the following formula (1).
W2 / W1 ≧ 3.0 (1)
Meet,
A developer amount regulating blade, which is a polyamide elastomer obtained by performing an extraction treatment.
(2) The developer amount regulating blade according to the above (1), wherein the raw material polyamide elastomer is a polyamide elastomer containing a polyamide component in an amount of 20% by mass to 80% by mass based on the raw material polyamide elastomer.
(3) The developer amount regulating blade according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the raw material polyamide elastomer contains a polyamide component containing at least a repeating unit of nylon 12 as a polyamide component.
(4) The developer according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the raw material polyamide elastomer is a polyamide elastomer having a polyether component obtained from an aliphatic glycol as a polyether component. Quantity regulating blade.
(5) The developer amount regulating blade according to (4), wherein the polyether component obtained from the aliphatic glycol is polytetramethylene ether glycol or polypropylene glycol.
(6) The developer amount regulating blade according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the raw material polyamide elastomer is a block copolymer containing a polyamide component block and a polyether component block.
(7) The developer amount according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the developer amount regulating blade is formed by laminating at least the blade member and the support member in the same shape. Regulatory blade.
(8) A developing device using a one-component developer, comprising the developer amount regulating blade according to any one of (1) to (7).
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
[0013]
FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the developer amount regulating blade 22 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a blade member, and 21 denotes a support member.
[0014]
The blade member 20 is formed from a polyamide elastomer.
[0015]
The polyamide elastomer that can be used in the present invention uses a solvent capable of extracting at most 15% by mass of the raw material polyamide elastomer with respect to the raw material polyamide elastomer, and the amount of the extract with respect to the raw material polyamide elastomer is 2.5% by mass or more. And the amount of the polyamide oligomer component (W1) in the extract and the amount of the component other than the polyamide oligomer component and having a molecular weight of 4000 or less in terms of polypropylene glycol by gel permeation chromatography (W2) are as follows: Equation (1)
W2 / W1 ≧ 3.0 (1)
And a polyamide elastomer obtained by performing an extraction treatment.
[0016]
Examples of the polyamide elastomer that can be used as a raw material polyamide elastomer include a polyamide elastomer containing a polyamide component and a polyether component, and a block copolymer containing a polyamide component and a polyether component is preferable.
[0017]
Examples of the polyamide component of the polyamide elastomer that can be used as a raw material polyamide elastomer include a repeating unit of nylon 6, a repeating unit of nylon 6.6, a repeating unit of nylon 610, a repeating unit of nylon 6.6, and a nylon unit. A polyamide component comprising one kind of a repeating unit having an amide bond such as 11 repeating units, a nylon 12 repeating unit, a nylon 12/12 repeating unit, and a polyamide comprising at least two or more of these repeating units. Components can be mentioned.
[0018]
The polyamide component is preferably one in which the terminal amino group is carboxylated with a dibasic acid or the like.
[0019]
Among these polyamide components, a polyamide component containing at least a repeating unit of nylon 12 is particularly preferable.
[0020]
Examples of dibasic acids that can be used for carboxylation of the terminal amino group of the polyamide component include aliphatic saturated dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, dodecane diacid, and maleic acid. Aliphatic unsaturated dicarboxylic acids; aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as phthalic acid and terephthalic acid; and polydicarboxylic acids synthesized from these dibasic acids and diols such as ethylene glycol, butanediol, hexanediol, octanediol and decanediol And the like.
[0021]
As the polyether component of the polyamide elastomer that can be used as a raw material polyamide elastomer, homopolymerized or copolymerized polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, polyether diol such as polytetramethylene ether glycol, and both terminals are aminated. Examples thereof include polyether diamine.
[0022]
From these polyether component and polyamide component, for example, a raw material polyamide elastomer having an ester bond (polyether polyester polyamide) or an amide bond (polyether polyamide) can be formed by a known method.
[0023]
Since the polyamide elastomer that can produce a blade member that can be triboelectrically charged to the developer is obtained by performing the extraction treatment, the polyamide component contained in the raw polyamide elastomer is based on the raw polyamide elastomer. 20% by mass or more is preferable, and polyamide elastomer capable of producing a blade member having good elasticity and capable of preventing charge-up of the developer is subjected to an extraction treatment. From the viewpoint that the polyamide component can be obtained, the amount of the polyamide component is preferably 80% by mass or less.
[0024]
Solvents that can be used for the extraction treatment of the raw material polyamide elastomer are solvents capable of extracting at most 15% by mass of the raw material polyamide elastomer.
[0025]
Solvents that can be used in the extraction treatment include, for example, alcohol solvents such as methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, haloalkane solvents such as chloroform, ketone solvents such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, ether solvents such as THF, toluene, What satisfies the above requirements may be appropriately selected from solvents such as aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene.
[0026]
The selection of the solvent and the extraction treatment conditions for the raw material polyamide elastomer are, for example, extraction conditions (temperature, pressure, time, mass ratio of solvent and sample (solvent / sample mass ratio and Extraction experiment was performed with different extraction times, the amount of extract was measured, and the maximum value of extract amount when extrapolating the extraction time and solvent / sample mass ratio under the desired extraction conditions to infinity was determined. Is the extractable amount of the solvent, and if the extractable amount of the solvent is 15% by mass or less, the polyamide oligomer component amount (W1) and the polyamide oligomer component of the extract by this solvent are determined by gel permeation chromatography. The amount (W2) of a component other than the above and having a molecular weight in terms of polypropylene glycol of 4000 or less was measured, and the measured W2 The value of the pre-W1 is,
W2 / W1 ≧ 3.0 (1)
Is satisfied, and the extraction treatment conditions may be determined from the desired extraction conditions in which the amount of the extract is 2.5% by mass or more based on the raw material polyamide elastomer. Of the above solvents, methanol is usually preferably used from the viewpoint of safety.
[0027]
In the extraction treatment of the raw material polyamide elastomer, the amount of the extract is more preferably 5% by mass or more. When the amount of the extract in the extraction treatment of the raw material polyamide elastomer is 2.5% by mass or more, the residual amount of the unreacted polyether and the low-molecular-weight polyamide can be reduced, and the polyamide elastomer obtained by the extraction treatment is used. Even if the produced blade for regulating the amount of developer is used in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, a vertical streak defect due to fusion of the toner does not occur.
[0028]
In addition, in the extraction process for the raw material polyamide elastomer, it is necessary to perform an extraction process in which the value of W2 / W1 of the extract is 3.0 or more, but perform an extraction process in which the value of W2 / W1 is 5.0 or more. Is more preferred.
[0029]
In the extraction treatment of the raw material polyamide elastomer, when the extraction treatment is performed so that the value of W2 / W1 becomes 3.0 or more, a component other than the polyamide oligomer component, which greatly contributes to toner fusion, having a molecular weight in terms of polypropylene glycol of 4000 or less. Is preferably removed from the raw material polyamide elastomer.
[0030]
An example of a polyamide elastomer sheet that can be used for manufacturing a blade member of the developer amount regulating blade of the present invention will be described, and a manufacturing method thereof will be described.
[0031]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a method for producing a polyamide elastomer sheet using a roll coater method. First, the sheet for surface transfer 64 is mounted on the roll 62, and the polyamide elastomer 65 is fed from the nozzle 61 onto the rolls 62 and 63 adjusted at a predetermined interval, and is passed through the gap between the rolls 62 and 63. Then, the surface transfer sheet is uniformly coated and solidified, whereby a polyamide elastomer sheet having the charge transfer surface coated with the surface transfer sheet is obtained. The thickness of the prepared polyamide elastomer sheet is preferably 1 μm or more, more preferably 10 μm or more, and in some cases 50 μm or more, and 100 μm or more in order to realize a sufficient function as a developer amount regulating blade. In some cases. On the other hand, the thickness is preferably 300 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, and still more preferably 50 μm or less, in order to realize appropriate contact, uniformly charge the developer and suppress abrasion.
[0032]
The surface roughness of the charge control surface of the polyamide elastomer sheet is precisely controlled by controlling the surface shape of the surface transfer sheet because the surface shape of the surface transfer sheet is replicated on the surface of the blade member. Can be.
[0033]
As the surface transfer sheet, a sheet formed of a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, a polyolefin resin, a copolymer thereof, an alloy thereof, or the like can be used. Among them, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate, a copolymer thereof, or a sheet formed from an alloy thereof is preferable.
[0034]
In general, the thickness of the surface transfer sheet is preferably 1 μm or more, more preferably 50 μm or more, and preferably 200 μm or less.
[0035]
The blade member used in the present invention can be manufactured by processing the sheet into a predetermined shape using a known processing method. The surface transfer sheet may be peeled off immediately before use (FIG. 3).
[0036]
The supporting member is made of a metal flat plate, a resin flat plate, more specifically, a stainless steel plate, a phosphor bronze plate, an aluminum plate, a polyethylene terephthalate resin plate, a polycarbonate resin plate, a polypropylene resin plate, or the like, using a known processing method. A support member having a shape can be manufactured. For example, the support member can be manufactured with high accuracy and good productivity by cutting the support member into a shape of a press or a cutter.
[0037]
The thickness of the supporting member is preferably 50 μm or more, more preferably 80 μm or more, still more preferably 90 μm or more, and most preferably 100 μm or more, while 150 μm or less, in order to realize a sufficient function as a developer amount regulating blade. preferable.
[0038]
Note that an additive such as a conductive material can be added to the material forming the support member in order to achieve predetermined chargeability and the like.
[0039]
The developer amount regulating blade of the present invention can be manufactured by bonding the blade member 30 to the support member 31. The surface transfer sheet may be peeled off immediately before use (FIG. 3).
[0040]
A support member is preliminarily laminated on a surface of the polyamide elastomer sheet that is not the charge control surface (the surface opposite to the surface on which the surface transfer sheet is coated), and then the laminated member is processed into a predetermined shape. Thus, the developer amount regulating blade of the present invention can be manufactured.
[0041]
In addition, the bonding of the blade member and the support member is performed by forming an adhesive coating film on the surface of the blade member opposite to the surface on which the surface transfer sheet is coated or on the support member, and laminating the blade member and the support member. Can also be performed.
[0042]
More specifically, for example, a developer amount regulating blade can be manufactured by applying an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive or attaching an adhesive tape to a blade member or a support member, and bonding the both. As the adhesive, a solvent-based, non-solvent-based, or water-soluble general adhesive generally used in a lamination process can be used.
[0043]
Further, the surface transfer sheet of the developer amount regulating blade manufactured as described above does not peel off until immediately before the developer amount regulating blade is mounted at a predetermined position of the developing device, and the developer amount regulating blade is used as a component (product). ) Is desirable to store and transport. Thus, the surface transfer sheet can serve as a protective sheet for the developer amount regulating blade.
[0044]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a developing apparatus using the developer amount regulating blade of the present invention. Reference numeral 12 denotes a developer container containing, for example, a one-component developer 16. In the present developing apparatus, as a developer carrier 13 in the developer container 12, an electrophotographic photosensitive member of an image carrier rotating in a direction indicated by an arrow a in the drawing is used. A developing sleeve is provided opposite to the body 11 so that the electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is developed and visualized as a toner image. The developer carrier 13 projects into the developer container 12 at a substantially right half peripheral surface as viewed in the drawing, and exposes a substantially half left peripheral surface outside the developer container 12 so as to face the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11. , Is rotatably installed horizontally. A minute interval is provided between the developer carrier 13 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. The developer carrier 13 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow b with respect to the rotation direction a of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11.
[0045]
In the developer container 12, a developer amount regulating blade 14 of the present invention is provided above a developer carrier (which may be referred to as a developing sleeve) 13, and the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 13 is also controlled by the blade member 17. An elastic roller 15 is provided at a position on the upstream side.
[0046]
The developer amount regulating blade 14 is provided so as to be inclined downward toward the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 13, and is in contact with the upper outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 13 in the rotational direction.
[0047]
The elastic roller 15 is in contact with a portion of the developing sleeve 13 opposite to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 and is rotatably supported.
[0048]
In the developing device described above, the elastic roller 15 rotates in the direction of arrow c, and carries the toner 16 by the rotation of the elastic roller 15 to supply the toner 16 to the vicinity of the developing sleeve 13. At the abutting portion (nip portion), the toner 16 on the elastic roller 15 is rubbed against the developing sleeve 13 and adheres to the developing sleeve 13.
[0049]
Thereafter, with the rotation of the developing sleeve 13, the toner 16 attached to the developing sleeve 13 enters between the developer amount regulating blade 14 and the developing sleeve 13 at a contact portion between the blades and passes therethrough. The surface of the developing sleeve 13 and the blade member 17 are rubbed and rubbed, and are sufficiently charged by friction.
[0050]
The charged toner 16 escapes from the contact portion between the blade member 17 and the developing sleeve 13, forms a thin layer on the developing sleeve 13, and forms a thin layer on the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 to a developing portion facing the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11. Conveyed. Then, in the developing section, by applying an alternating voltage in which, for example, direct current is superimposed on alternating current as a developing bias, between the developing sleeve 13 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, the toner 16 on the developing sleeve 13 is transferred to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. Is transferred in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, and is attached to the electrostatic latent image, developed, and visualized as a toner image.
[0051]
The toner 16 remaining on the developing sleeve 13 without being consumed in the development in the developing unit is collected into the developer container 12 from a lower portion of the developing sleeve 13 with the rotation of the developing sleeve 13.
[0052]
The collected toner 16 is peeled off from the developing sleeve 13 by the elastic roller 15 at a contact portion with the developing sleeve 13. At the same time, new toner 16 is supplied onto the developing sleeve 13 by the rotation of the elastic roller 15, and the new toner 16 is transported again to the contact portion between the developing sleeve 13 and the blade member 17.
[0053]
On the other hand, most of the stripped toner 16 is conveyed into the toner 16 in the developer container 12 and mixed with the rotation of the elastic roller 15, and the charged charge of the stripped toner 16 is dispersed.
[0054]
FIG. 5 shows an example of an electrophotographic apparatus suitable for employing the developing device of the present invention. Reference numeral 51 denotes a photoreceptor as an image carrier. In this example, a drum-type electrophotographic photoreceptor having a conductive support such as aluminum and a photosensitive layer formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof as a basic constituent layer. It is driven to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed clockwise in the drawing around the support shaft.
[0055]
The charging member 52 is a corona discharger that comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor 51 and performs a primary charging process on the surface of the photoconductor to a predetermined polarity and potential. This may be a charging roller.
[0056]
The surface of the photoconductor 51 that has been uniformly charged by the charging member 52 is then subjected to exposure of target image information (laser beam scanning exposure, slit exposure of a document image, etc.) by the exposure unit L, so that the peripheral surface thereof An electrostatic latent image 53 corresponding to the target image information is formed.
[0057]
The latent image is then sequentially visualized as a toner image by the developing device 54.
[0058]
The toner image is then transferred from a paper supply unit (not shown) by a transfer unit 55 in synchronization with the rotation of the photoconductor 51, and is conveyed to the transfer unit between the photoconductor 51 and the transfer unit 55 at an appropriate timing. The image is sequentially transferred onto the surface of the transfer material P. The transfer unit 55 of this embodiment is a corona discharger (a roller type may be used), and charges the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 51 with the opposite polarity to the toner from the back of the transfer material P. It is transferred to the surface side of. Further, in a color LBP or the like that outputs a color image using four color toners, the toner is temporarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member such as a roller or a belt to develop and visualize the four color images. The image is transferred to the front side of the transfer material P.
[0059]
The transfer material P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor 51, is sent to the heat fixing roll 58, undergoes image fixing, and is output as an image formed product.
[0060]
The surface of the photoreceptor 51 after the image transfer is cleaned by a cleaning unit 56 to remove adhered contaminants such as untransferred toner, and is repeatedly used for image formation.
[0061]
In addition, a plurality of elements of the electrophotographic apparatus such as a photoconductor, a charging member, a developing device, and a cleaning unit may be integrally incorporated in a process cartridge. By doing so, the process cartridge can be made detachable from the apparatus main body. For example, the photosensitive member and the developing device, and if necessary, a charging member, a cleaning unit, and the like may be integrally incorporated into the process cartridge, and may be detachably configured using a guide unit such as a rail of the apparatus main body.
[0062]
Examples of the electrophotographic apparatus that can use the developing device of the present invention include a copier, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, and an electrophotographic application device such as an electrophotographic plate making system.
[0063]
【Example】
Next, examples of the present invention will be described.
[0064]
Example 1
(Extraction process)
As a raw material polyamide elastomer, pellet-like diamide PAE E40-S3 (trade name, manufactured by Daicel Huls Co., Ltd.) was used.
[0065]
Methanol was used as an extraction solvent, and the mixture was charged into a reactor at a mass ratio of methanol to the raw material polyamide elastomer of 3: 1 and subjected to extraction at 50 ° C. for 12 hours. After the extraction treatment, filtration was performed to collect polyamide elastomer pellets. The collected pellets were dried under reduced pressure at 60 ° C. using an evaporator, and further dried under reduced pressure at 80 ° C. for 6 hours to obtain a polyamide elastomer.
(Preparation of polyamide elastomer sheet)
The above polyamide elastomer is melted at 250 ° C. to form a surface transfer sheet (a polypropylene film having a thickness of 0.1 mm and a 10-point average surface roughness Rz (JIS B 0601) of 0.3 μm manufactured by extrusion). Extrusion was performed so that the thickness after solidification was 0.12 mm, and a combined two-layer sheet having a thickness of 0.22 mm was produced by a roll coater method.
(Production of developer amount regulating blade)
A phosphor bronze sheet having a thickness of 150 μm is attached to this two-layer sheet while providing an adhesive layer made of Adcoat AD-76P1 (trade name) manufactured by Toyo Morton Co., Ltd., and has a longitudinal length of 200 mm and a width. Was press-cut from the surface transfer sheet side to a size of 20 mm to produce a developer amount regulating blade.
(Measurement of extract amount)
The extract obtained by the above extraction treatment was evaporated and dried under reduced pressure to obtain an extract. This was weighed and the amount of extract was measured. Table 1 shows the obtained results.
(GPC measurement of extract)
The amount of the polyamide oligomer component (W1) in the above extract and the amount of a component other than the above-mentioned components and having a molecular weight of 4,000 or less in terms of polypropylene glycol (W2) were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
[0066]
THF was added to the dried extract to prepare a 0.05% by mass solution, and 100 μl of this solution was injected into GPC for analysis. Tosoh GPC apparatus, HPLC8120 (trade name), combined with three columns of SHOdex, KF801, KF802, EF803L (trade name, manufactured by Showa Denko KK), using THF as an eluent, flow rate of 1 ml / min GPC measurement was performed at a temperature of 40 ° C. Here, for the determination of the amount of the polyamide oligomer component, a calibration curve prepared using ω-laurolactam as a standard sample was used. The amount of components other than the polyamide oligomer is obtained by subtracting the amount of the oligomer component from the total solvent extraction amount, and the molecular weight distribution is evaluated using a calibration curve prepared using a polypropylene glycol reagent, and the molecular weight in terms of polypropylene glycol is 4000 or less. The amounts of the components were measured. Table 1 shows the obtained results.
(Evaluation of bloominess)
The developer amount regulating blade was set at a temperature of 45 ° C and a humidity of 95% R. H. Was left in a thermostat for 30 days (sometimes referred to as high-temperature and high-humidity conditions), and the blooming property was evaluated by observing the surface of the blade member with an electron microscope.
[0067]
ブ indicates that no bloom was observed, △ indicates that it was slightly bloomed, and x indicates that the bloom was clearly covering the surface. Table 2 shows the obtained results.
(Analysis of seepage component)
The components oozing on the surface of the developer amount regulating blade were pressed several times against the reflection type infrared absorption spectrum detector, moved to the detector, and analyzed by measuring the infrared absorption spectrum. .
[0068]
The bleeding component is 1100 cm in the infrared absorption spectrum. ^-1 It had a characteristic absorption peak attributed to stretching vibration of nearby C—O—C. As a result, the seepage component was assigned to the polyether component.
(Evaluation of vertical stripes)
A laser beam printer, Lasershot (manufactured by Canon Inc .; trade name), equipped with a developer amount regulating blade of this example or a comparative example, at a temperature of 23 ° C. and a humidity of 50 RH% (may be expressed as normal temperature and normal humidity conditions) The image of 10,000 sheets was formed under the environment described above, and the image of the 10,000th sheet was visually observed to evaluate the vertical stripes.
[0069]
The evaluation results were evaluated in three stages: ○: no problem on the image, Δ: slight vertical streaks were observed but did not affect the copy of the original image, ×: vertical streaks affected the copy of the original image on the image evaluated. Table 2 shows the obtained evaluation results.
(Evaluation of toner fusing property)
After the evaluation of the vertical stripes, the developer amount regulating blade was removed from the developing device, and the presence or absence of toner fusion was visually observed and evaluated.
[0070]
The evaluation results of the toner fusion were evaluated in three steps: ：: no toner accumulation was observed, Δ: slight accumulation in the contact area, and ×: toner accumulation in the contact area. Table 2 shows the obtained evaluation results.
[0071]
Example 2
In the extraction process of the raw material polyamide elastomer, the extraction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the mass ratio of the amount of methanol used and the amount of the raw material polyamide elastomer was set to 5: 1. A quantity regulating blade was prepared and evaluated. Table 1 shows the results of the extraction process, and Table 2 shows the evaluation results of the developer amount regulating blade.
[0072]
Example 3
The extraction treatment was performed in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the extraction time was 24 hours in the extraction treatment of the raw material polyamide elastomer, and a developer amount regulating blade was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows the results of the extraction process, and Table 2 shows the evaluation results of the developer amount regulating blade.
[0073]
Comparative Example 1
In the extraction treatment of the raw material polyamide elastomer, the developer was the same as in Example 1 except that the mass ratio of methanol to be used and the raw material polyamide elastomer was 1: 1, the extraction temperature was 23 ° C., and the extraction time was 3 hours. A quantity regulating blade was prepared and evaluated. Table 1 shows the results of the extraction process, and Table 2 shows the evaluation results of the developer amount regulating blade.
[0074]
Comparative Example 2
In the extraction treatment of the raw material polyamide elastomer, the extraction treatment was performed in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that the amount of methanol used and the mass ratio of the raw material polyamide elastomer were 5: 1 and the extraction treatment time was 12 hours. A developer amount regulating blade was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 1 shows the results of the extraction process, and Table 2 shows the evaluation results of the developer amount regulating blade.
[0075]
Comparative Example 3
A developer amount regulating blade was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the raw material polyamide elastomer was not subjected to extraction treatment and used as it was. Table 2 shows the obtained results.
[0076]
[Table 1]

[0077]
[Table 2]

[0078]
From the results shown in Tables 1 and 2, when the amount of the extract obtained by the extraction treatment of the raw polyamide elastomer is less than 2.5% by mass as in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, bleeding or bloom occurs, and the amount of the developer is increased. It accumulates at the contact portion between the regulating blade and the developing sleeve, and a vertical streak occurs in the image. The degree of such a tendency is such that vertical streaks tend to be more noticeable as the seepage is more pronounced. On the other hand, when the amount of extract is 2.5% or more and W2 / W1 is 2.5 or more as in Examples 1, 2, and 3, no toner fusion is observed, and Good results can be obtained without streaks.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the developer amount regulating blade of the present invention shows no polyether component or polyamide oligomer exudation even when operated under normal temperature and normal humidity conditions or exposed to high temperature and high humidity conditions. The developing device of the present invention in which the agent amount regulating blade is disposed can prevent toner fusion and can obtain a good image without vertical stripes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a developing device for explaining a developer amount regulating blade of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a developer amount regulating blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a schematic plan view and a sectional view, respectively, for explaining a developer amount regulating blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a method for producing a polyamide elastomer sheet that can be used for producing the developer amount regulating blade of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the outline of the configuration of the electrophotographic apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Electrophotographic photoreceptor
12 Developer container
13 Developer Carrier (Developing Sleeve)
14 Developer amount regulating blade
15 Elastic roller
16 Developer
17 Blade member
20 Blade member
21 Supporting members
22 Developer amount regulating blade
23 Developer container
24 Developer Carrier (Developing Sleeve)
25 fixed points
26 pressure contact
30 blade members
31 Supporting member
51 Photoconductor
52 Charging member
53 electrostatic latent image
54 Developing device
55 transfer means
56 Cleaning means
58 Fixing roller
61 nozzle
62 rolls
63 rolls
64 sheet for transfer
65 polyamide elastomer

Claims (8)

In a developer amount regulating blade having a blade member and a support member, a polyamide elastomer forming the blade member,
For raw polyamide elastomer,
(A) using a solvent capable of extracting at most 15% by mass of the raw material polyamide elastomer,
(B) The amount of the extract relative to the raw material polyamide elastomer is 2.5% by mass or more, and the amount of the polyamide oligomer component (W1) in the extract and the components other than the polyamide oligomer component are determined by gel permeation chromatography. The amount (W2) of the component having a molecular weight in terms of polypropylene glycol of 4000 or less is calculated by the following formula (1).
W2 / W1 ≧ 3.0 (1)
Meet,
A developer amount regulating blade, which is a polyamide elastomer obtained by performing an extraction treatment. The developer amount regulating blade according to claim 1, wherein the raw material polyamide elastomer is a polyamide elastomer containing a polyamide component in an amount of 20% by mass to 80% by mass based on the raw material polyamide elastomer. The developer amount regulating blade according to claim 1, wherein the raw material polyamide elastomer contains a polyamide component containing at least a repeating unit of nylon 12 as a polyamide component. 4. The developer amount regulating blade according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the raw material polyamide elastomer is a polyamide elastomer having a polyether component obtained from an aliphatic glycol as a polyether component. The developer amount regulating blade according to claim 4, wherein the polyether component obtained from the aliphatic glycol is polytetramethylene ether glycol or polypropylene glycol. 6. The developer amount regulating blade according to claim 1, wherein the raw material polyamide elastomer is a block copolymer containing a polyamide component block and a polyether component block. The developer amount regulating blade according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the developer amount regulating blade has at least the blade member and the support member laminated in the same shape. A developing device using a one-component developer, comprising a developer amount regulating blade according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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