JP2006208860A - Toner and developer, toner-filled container, process cartridge, image forming method, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner assuring an image of small fluctuation in glossiness, and stable and high glossiness, and a developer using the toner, a toner-filled container, a process cartridge, an image forming method, and an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: The toner includes toner host particles containing at least a releasing agent and a binder resin, in which the volume average grain size of the toner host particles is 5 to 10 μm, the grain size in the grain size distribution of the toner host particles is ≤8.5 number% in the fine powder content of ≤4 μm; and the surface glossiness by the mirror reflection of the light of an incident angle 60° of the visible image after fixing obtained by passing a recording medium transferred with a visible image by the toner through a nip section formed by abutting of at least two fixing members on a mirror surface is 3 to 20%. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner suitably used for an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, and the like, a developer using the toner, a toner-containing container, a process cartridge, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus. .

  Conventionally, since an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has an oil application fixing unit, it has not been necessary to contain a release agent (for example, wax) in the toner. However, in recent years, toner fixing by an oilless fixing unit has been promoted from an environmental viewpoint, and image forming apparatuses having oilless fixing means using toner containing wax have been actively developed and put into practical use. (See Patent Documents 1 to 4).

  In the toner used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the glossiness is one of the important qualities. Regarding this glossiness, it is known that the human eye has a preferred glossy region, and a sense of incongruity occurs when the glossiness is too high or too low. This is particularly noticeable in color images, and there is an increasing demand for high gloss.

  By the way, it is known that the wax content in the toner greatly affects the glossiness of the toner image (visible image). If the wax content is large, the gloss becomes small, and if the wax is small, the gloss becomes large. ing. This is because gloss looks at the specular reflection component of light, and in the image after fixing the wax-containing toner, the component that irregularly reflects the light by the wax increases and the component that specularly reflects decreases. is there. Therefore, if the wax content in the toner is unstable, the glossiness also becomes unstable, so that the quality of the toner image (visible image) becomes a problem.

  On the other hand, in the toner pulverization method, toner fine powder is generated during pulverization and classification. This is considered to be caused by the tendency to break from the interface between the wax and the resin during pulverization. The toner fine powder contains a lot of wax. In addition, the content of the wax present in the toner fine powder generated by the pulverization method varies considerably depending on the production lot. In particular, in a pulverized full-color toner containing wax, the glossiness of the toner image (visible image) changes greatly as the wax content in the toner fine powder fluctuates, which adversely affects the image quality. There is.

  Therefore, in a toner containing at least a binder resin and a release agent (for example, wax), the variation in the wax content in the toner is small, the content of the toner fine powder is small, the gloss fluctuation is small, and the high gloss is stable. Currently, there is no provision of toners and related technologies that can provide a good image.

JP-A-4-106554 JP-A-4-106555 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-12962 JP 2001-183872 A

  An object of the present invention is to solve various problems in the prior art and achieve the following objects. That is, according to the present invention, in a toner containing at least a binder resin and a release agent (for example, wax), the variation in the wax content in the toner is small, the content of the toner fine powder is small, and the variation in glossiness is small. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner capable of obtaining a stable and highly glossy image, a developer using the toner, a container containing toner, a process cartridge, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus.

Means for solving the problems are as follows. That is,
<1> A toner including toner base particles containing at least a release agent and a binder resin,
The volume average particle size of the toner base particles is 5 to 10 μm, and the content of fine particles having a particle size distribution of 4 μm or less in the particle size distribution of the toner base particles is 8.5 number% or less,
The recording medium on which the visible image is transferred by the toner is passed through a nip formed by abutment of at least two fixing members, and the obtained fixed image has a light incident angle of 60 °. The toner has a surface glossiness of 3 to 20% due to specular reflection.
<2> A recording medium on which a visible image having a toner adhesion amount of 1.00 mg / cm ² is transferred is subjected to a nip time of 40 ms, a nip width of 7.0 mm, a nip surface pressure of 1 to 50 N / cm ² , and a fixing temperature of 180 ° C. The toner according to <1>, wherein the surface glossiness by specular reflection of light having an incident angle of 60 ° obtained after passing through the nip portion is 60% is 3 to 20%.
<3> The toner according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein the toner base particles have a volume average particle diameter of 5 to 8 μm.
<4> The toner according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein an addition amount of the release agent is 2 to 7 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.
<5> The toner according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the fixing member is an endless belt and a roller disposed in contact with the endless belt.
<6> The toner according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the fixing member is a roller.
<7> The toner according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the binder resin includes a polyester resin.
<8> The toner according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the toner is at least one selected from black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner.
<9> A developer comprising the toner according to any one of <1> to <8>.
<10> A toner-containing container filled with the toner according to any one of <1> to <8>.
<11> An electrostatic latent image carrier and an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier are developed using the toner according to any one of <1> to <8> to be a visible image And a developing means for forming the process cartridge.
<12> An electrostatic latent image carrier, electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to make it visible The developing means for forming an image, the transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and the recording medium on which the visible image has been transferred are passed through a nip portion formed by contacting at least two fixing members. A fixing means for fixing the visible image to a recording medium,
The toner is the toner according to any one of <1> to <8>.
<13> The image forming apparatus according to <12>, wherein the fixing member is an endless belt and a roller disposed in contact with the endless belt.
<14> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <12> to <13>, wherein the fixing member is a roller.
<15> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <12> to <14>, wherein the nip portion has a surface pressure of 1 to 50 N / cm ² .
<16> An electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image, The visible image is recorded by transferring the visible image onto a recording medium and passing the recording medium onto which the visible image has been transferred through a nip formed by contacting at least two fixing members. A fixing process for fixing to a medium,
The toner is the toner according to any one of <1> to <8>.

The toner of the present invention is a toner containing toner base particles containing at least a release agent and a binder resin, wherein the toner base particles have a volume average particle size of 5 to 10 μm, and the particle size of the toner base particles. The fine powder content with a particle size of 4 μm or less in the distribution is 8.5% by number or less,
The recording medium on which the visible image is transferred by the toner is passed through a nip formed by abutment of at least two fixing members, and the obtained fixed image has a light incident angle of 60 °. The surface glossiness due to specular reflection is 3 to 20%. As a result, in the toner containing at least a binder resin and a release agent (for example, wax), the variation in the wax content in the toner is small, the content of the toner fine powder is small, the variation in glossiness is small, and stable. A high gloss image can be obtained.

  The developer of the present invention contains the toner of the present invention. For this reason, when an image is formed by electrophotography using the developer, a stable high-gloss image can be obtained with a small amount of toner fine powder and a small variation in glossiness.

  The toner-containing container of the present invention contains the toner of the present invention in a container. For this reason, when image formation is performed by electrophotography using the toner contained in the toner-containing container, as a result, a change in glossiness is small and a stable high gloss image can be obtained.

  The process cartridge of the present invention comprises an electrostatic latent image carrier, and developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier using the toner of the present invention to form a visible image. At least. The process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus, is excellent in convenience, and uses the toner of the present invention. As a result, it is possible to obtain a stable and highly glossy image with little variation in glossiness.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image carrier, electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image using toner. A developing unit that develops a visible image by developing, a transfer unit that transfers the visible image to a recording medium, and a recording medium to which the visible image is transferred are formed in contact with at least two fixing members. Fixing means for fixing the visible image to a recording medium by passing it through a nip portion, and the toner is the toner of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus, the electrostatic latent image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier. The transfer means transfers the visible image to a recording medium. The fixing unit fixes the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. As a result, it is possible to form a high-quality electrophotographic image with little variation in glossiness.

  The image forming method of the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier, and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image. A developing step, a transfer step of transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and passing the recording medium on which the visible image has been transferred through a nip portion formed by contacting at least two fixing members, A fixing step of fixing a visible image on a recording medium, and the toner is the toner of the present invention. In the image forming method, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier in the electrostatic latent image forming step. In the transfer step, the visible image is transferred to a recording medium. In the fixing step, the transferred image transferred to the recording medium is fixed. As a result, it is possible to efficiently form a high-quality electrophotographic image with little variation in glossiness.

  According to the present invention, the conventional problems can be solved, and in the toner containing at least a binder resin and a release agent (for example, wax), the variation in the wax content in the toner is small, and the content of the fine toner powder The present invention provides a toner capable of obtaining a stable and highly glossy image with a small amount of gloss fluctuation, a developer, a toner-containing container, a process cartridge, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus using the toner. it can.

(toner)
The toner of the present invention includes toner base particles containing at least a release agent and a binder resin, and further includes other components as necessary.
The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. It is a pulverization method, a suspension in which an oil phase is emulsified, suspended or aggregated in an aqueous medium to form toner base particles. There are a polymerization method, an emulsion polymerization method, a polymer suspension method, and the like. Among these, a pulverization method is particularly preferable.

  The toner base particles have a volume average particle size of 5 to 10 μm, preferably 5 to 8 μm, and more preferably 6 to 7.5 μm. If the volume average particle diameter is less than 5 μm, fine powder generated in the pulverization and classification process increases, and the amount of wax in the fine powder varies, which may adversely affect the glossiness of the toner. If this is forcibly cut, it may lead to environmental problems such as energy consumption and increased toner costs. On the other hand, when the volume average particle diameter exceeds 10 μm, the reproducibility of fine lines of the image is inferior, and in particular, a significant difference may occur at the boundary line between the image area and the non-image area.

The content of fine powder having a particle size distribution of 4 μm or less in the particle size distribution of the toner base particles is 8.5 number% or less, and more preferably 5 number% or less. When the fine powder content exceeds 8.5% by number, the wax content in the fine powder varies, and as a result, the wax content of the toner varies, which adversely affects the gloss quality of the toner. .
In the present invention, the toner easily breaks at the melting interface between the wax and the resin in the pulverization step, and the wax tends to come out on the surface of the toner by cracking at the interface. The smaller the average particle size, the larger the total particle surface area per unit weight, so the finer the powder, the larger the total surface area and the more wax it contains. In particular, in a full color toner, it is effective for variation in toner glossiness when the fine powder content in the toner base particles is 8.5% by number or less.

Here, the volume average particle diameter of the toner base particles and the content of fine powder having a particle diameter of 4 μm or less in the particle size distribution of the toner base particles can be measured by, for example, a Coulter counter method.
Specifically, a Coulter Counter TA-II type (manufactured by Coulter Inc.) is used as a measuring device, and an interface (manufactured by Nikkaki Co., Ltd.) for outputting number distribution and volume distribution and CX-1 personal computer (manufactured by Canon Inc.) The electrolyte solution is prepared with about 1% NaCl aqueous solution using primary sodium chloride. For example, ISOTONR-II (manufactured by Coulter Scientific Japan) can be used. As a measuring method, 0.1 to 5 ml of alkylbenzene sulfonate as a dispersant is added to 100 to 150 ml of the electrolytic aqueous solution, and 2 to 20 mg of a measurement sample is further added. The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes. Using the Coulter counter TA-II, a 100 μm aperture is used as an aperture, and the toner has a volume average particle diameter and fine powder content. The amount can be determined.

  In the present invention, the recording medium on which the visible image (toner image) with the toner is transferred is passed through a nip formed by contacting at least two fixing members, and the obtained post-fixing image is obtained. The surface glossiness by specular reflection of light having a visible image incident angle of 60 ° is 3 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15%. When the surface glossiness is less than 3%, glossiness with respect to a visible image (particularly a color image) is inferior, which is not preferable in terms of image quality. On the other hand, if it exceeds 20%, the glossiness is too high, and fluctuations in gloss due to variations in the wax content in the fine powder are absorbed and become inconspicuous, so the effects of the present invention may not be achieved. Further, when a visible image with a glossiness of more than 20% is viewed with a fluorescent lamp or the like, it is dazzling and the eyes are tired easily. It is a design.

In the fixing, the visible image by the toner is transferred to the recording medium, and the recording medium on which the visible image is transferred is passed through the nip portion, thereby fixing the image to the recording medium. Alternatively, the image may be transferred and fixed to the recording medium at the nip portion simultaneously (transfer simultaneous fixing).
Further, the fixing step may be performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium, or may be performed at the same time in a state where the toner of each color is laminated.

The nip portion is formed by bringing at least two fixing members into contact with each other.
The fixing member is not particularly limited as long as it can abut against each other to form a nip portion, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a combination of an endless belt and a roller, a roller and a roller, The heating method from the surface of the fixing member by a combination of an endless belt and a roller or induction heating can be used in order to reduce the warm-up time and realize energy saving. It is preferable to use it.
Examples of the fixing member include known heating and pressing means (combination of heating means and pressing means). In the case of a combination of the endless belt and the roller, for example, a combination of a heating roller, a pressure roller, and an endless belt may be used as the heating and pressing unit. In this case, for example, a combination of a heating roller and a pressure roller can be used.

  When the fixing member is an endless belt, the endless belt is preferably formed of a material having a small heat capacity. For example, an embodiment in which an offset prevention layer is provided on a substrate may be used. Examples of the material for forming the base include nickel and polyimide, and examples of the material for forming the offset prevention layer include silicone rubber and fluorine-based resin.

When the fixing member is a roller, the cored bar of the roller is preferably formed of an inelastic member to prevent deformation (deflection) due to high pressure. Moreover, it is preferable that the surface of the roller is covered with an offset prevention layer.
The fixing member itself has a heating unit and may function as a heating member, but at least a part of the surface of at least one of the fixing members is heated by the heating unit. preferable. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as such a heating means, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, an electromagnetic induction heating means etc. are mentioned.

Here, for example, the surface glossiness is determined by using a recording medium on which a visible image having a toner adhesion amount (M / S) of 1.00 mg / cm ² is transferred, a nip time of 40 ms, a nip width of 7.0 mm, and a nip surface pressure. By passing through the nip under conditions of 1 to 50 N / cm ² and a fixing temperature of 180 ° C., and measuring the surface glossiness by specular reflection of light having an incident angle of 60 ° of the obtained visible image after fixing. ,Desired.

-Binder resin-
As the binder resin, a polyester resin that is suitable as a binder resin for full-color toners from the viewpoint of color developability and image strength is used. In a color image, several kinds of toner layers are stacked several times, so that the toner layer becomes thick, and cracks and defects of the image due to insufficient strength of the toner layer occur, or an appropriate gloss is lost. For this reason, a polyester resin is used to maintain an appropriate gloss and excellent strength.

The polyester resin is usually obtained by a polycondensation reaction between a polyhydric alcohol compound and a polycarboxylic acid compound.
Examples of the polyhydric alcohol compound (PO) include dihydric alcohol (DIO), trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO), and among these, (DIO) alone or (DIO) and a small amount. A mixture with (TO) of is preferred.

Examples of the dihydric alcohol (DIO) include alkylene glycol (eg, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, etc.); Alkylene ether glycol (eg, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, etc.); alicyclic diol (eg, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.) Bisphenols (eg, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, etc.); alkylene oxides of the above alicyclic diols (eg, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide) Side, butylene oxide, etc.) adducts; alkylene oxide (ethylene oxide of the bisphenols, propylene oxide, and the like butylene oxide, etc.) adducts.
Among these, alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols are preferred. Combinations of alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols and alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols and alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Is particularly preferred.

  Examples of the trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO) include 3 to 8 or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohols (for example, glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, etc.); 3 And higher phenols (for example, trisphenol PA, phenol novolac, cresol novolak, etc.); alkylene oxide adducts of the above trivalent polyphenols and the like.

Examples of the polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) include divalent carboxylic acid (DIC), trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid (TC), (DIC) alone, and (DIC) and a small amount of (TC). And mixtures thereof are preferred.
Examples of the divalent carboxylic acid (DIC) include alkylene dicarboxylic acids (succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.); alkenylene dicarboxylic acids (maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc.); aromatic dicarboxylic acids (phthalic acid, isophthalic acid). , Terephthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, etc.).
Among these, alkenylene dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 20 carbon atoms are preferable. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid (TC) include aromatic polyvalent carboxylic acids having 9 to 20 carbon atoms (for example, trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, etc.). The polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) may be reacted with polyhydric alcohol (PO) using the above acid anhydrides or lower alkyl esters (eg, methyl ester, ethyl ester, isopropyl ester, etc.). Good.

  The ratio of the polyhydric alcohol (PO) to the polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) is preferably an equivalent ratio [OH] / [COOH] of the hydroxyl group [OH] and the carboxyl group [COOH] of 2/1 to 1/1. 1.5 / 1 to 1/1 are more preferable, and 1.3 / 1 to 1.02 / 1 are particularly preferable.

  The polycondensation reaction between the polyhydric alcohol (PO) and the polycarboxylic acid (PC) is heated to 150 to 280 ° C. in the presence of a known esterification catalyst such as tetrabutoxytitanate or dibutyltin oxide, and the pressure is reduced as necessary. The produced water is distilled off to obtain a polyester resin having a hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl value of the polyester resin is preferably 5 or more. The acid value of the polyester resin is usually preferably from 1 to 30, and more preferably from 5 to 20. By giving an acid value as described above, it becomes easy to be negatively charged, and furthermore, at the time of fixing onto a recording paper, the affinity between the recording paper and the toner is good and the low-temperature fixability is improved. However, when the acid value exceeds 30, there is a tendency to deteriorate with respect to the stability of charging, particularly the environmental fluctuation.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polyester resin is preferably 10,000 to 400,000, and more preferably 20,000 to 200,000. When the weight average molecular weight is less than 10,000, the offset resistance may be deteriorated, and when it exceeds 400,000, the low-temperature fixability may be deteriorated.
Here, the weight average molecular weight of the polyester resin is measured by, for example, gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

As the binder resin, in addition to the polyester resin, other resins can be mixed.
The other resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, styrene such as polystyrene, poly-p-chlorostyrene, and polyvinyltoluene, and a single substitution product thereof. Polymer: Styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-vinylnaphthalene copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-di Chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, starene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl ethyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene -Isoprene copolymer, styrene-acrylo Styrenic copolymers such as tolyl-isoprene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-indene copolymer; polyvinyl chloride, phenol resin, natural modified phenolic resin, natural resin modified maleic acid resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyacetic acid Vinyl, silicone resin, polyester resin, polyurethane, polyamide resin, furan resin, epoxy resin, xylene resin, polyvinyl butyral, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, coumaroindene resin, aliphatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic petroleum resin Chlorinated paraffin, paraffin wax, and the like.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

-Release agent-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said mold release agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably from well-known things, For example, waxes etc. are mentioned suitably.
The waxes are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include animal and plant waxes such as rice wax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, lanolin; paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, Petroleum and other petroleum wax; low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymer, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymer, acid value-modified polyethylene, acid-modified polyethylene, graft-modified polyethylene with aromatic monomers, pyrolysis-type low Examples thereof include olefinic waxes such as density polyethylene and pyrolytic polypropylene. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Moreover, as said wax, a commercial item can be used, for example, HNP (product number: 1, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12), SP (product number: 0145, 1035, 3040, 3035, 0110), Hi. -Mic (part number: 2095, 1080, 3080, 1070, 2065, 1045, 2045), POLYCOAT (part number: 1025, 1455, 2255, 3030, 3155), NEOPALAX (part number: 2545, 3240), PALVAX (part number: 1230, 1335, 1430), CARTOWAX-3025, BONTEX (part numbers: 0011, 2266), S-0750, OX (part numbers: 261BN, 0550, 2251, 1949), NSP-8070, NPS (part numbers: L-70, 6010, 9210) ), HAD (Part No .: 5080, 670), WEISSEN-0453, JP-1500, LUVAX (part number: 1266, 2191, 1151, 0321), EMUSTAR (part number: 0001, 042X, 0135, 0136, 0164, 358) (manufactured by Nippon Wax Co., Ltd.), High wax (Part No .: 800P, 400P, 200p, 100P, 720P, 410P, 420P, 320P, 210P, 220P, 110P, 405MP, 310MP, 320MP, 210MP, 220MP, 4051E, 4052E, 4202E, 1105A, 2203A, 1120H, 1140H 1160H, NL100, NL200, NL500, NL800, NP055, NP105, NP505, NP805) (manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) and the like can be used.

  The addition amount of the wax as the release agent is preferably 2 to 7 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. If the addition amount is less than 2 parts by mass, sufficient releasability cannot be exhibited, and hot offset may occur at the time of toner fixing, and if it exceeds 7 parts by mass, too much wax will come out on the toner surface. As a result, the wax content in the toner fine powder increases, and as a result, the variation in glossiness of the visible image (toner image) may increase. Moreover, when there is too much content of wax, hot offset may generate | occur | produce.

-Colorant-
The colorant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known dyes and pigments according to the purpose. For example, carbon black, nigrosine dye, iron black, naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, ocher, yellow lead, titanium yellow, polyazo yellow, oil yellow, Hansa yellow (GR, A, RN, R), pigment yellow L, benzidine yellow (G, GR), Permanent Yellow (NCG), Vulcan Fast Yellow (5G, R), Tartrazine Lake, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Anthrazan Yellow BGL, Isoindolinone Yellow, Bengala, Lead Red, Lead Red, Cadmium Red, Cad Muum Mercury Red, Antimon Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, PA Red, Faise Red, Parachlor Ortho Nitroaniline Red, Resol Fast Scarlet G, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmine BS, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Risor Rubin GX, Permanent Red F5R, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Pigment Scarlet 3B, Bordeaux 5B, Toluidine Maroon, Permanent Bordeaux F2K, Helio Bordeaux BL, Bordeaux 10B, Bon Maroon Light, Bon Maroon Medium, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Rhodamine Lake Y, Alizarin Lake, Thioindigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon, Oh Lured, Quinacridone Red, Pyrazolone Red, Polyazo Red, Chrome Vermilion, Benzidine Orange, Perinone Orange, Oil Orange, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alkaline Blue Lake, Peacock Blue Lake, Victoria Blue Lake, Metal Free Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue, Fast Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue (RS, BC), Indigo, Ultramarine Blue, Bitumen, Anthraquinone Blue, Fast Violet B, Methyl Violet Lake, Cobalt Purple, Manganese Purple, Dioxane Violet, Anthraquinone Violet, Chrome Green, Zinc Green, Oxidation Chrome, Pyridian, Emerald Green, Pigment Green B, Naphthol Green B, Green Gold, Ash Examples include green lake, malachite green lake, phthalocyanine green, anthraquinone green, titanium oxide, zinc white, and lithobon.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The content of the colorant in the toner is preferably 1 to 15% by mass, and more preferably 3 to 10% by mass.

  The colorant may be used as a master batch combined with a resin. The resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, styrene or a substituted polymer thereof, styrene copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate resin, polybutyl Methacrylate resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, fat Aromatic hydrocarbon resin, alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic petroleum resin, chlorinated paraffin, paraffin and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

-Charge control agent-
The charge control agent is not particularly limited, and a positive or negative charge control agent can be appropriately selected and used depending on whether the charge charged on the photoconductor is positive or negative.
As the negative charge control agent, for example, a resin or compound having an electron donating functional group, an azo dye, a metal complex of an organic acid, or the like can be used. Specifically, Bontron (product numbers: S-31, S-32, S-34, S-36, S-37, S-39, S-40, S-44, E-81, E-82, E -84, E-86, E-88, A, 1-A, 2-A, 3-A) (above, manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)), Kaya Charge (part numbers: N-1, N-2), Kaya Set Black (Part No .: T-2, 004) (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), Eisenspiron Black (T-37, T-77, T-95, TRH, TNS-2) FCA-1001-N, FCA-1001-NB, FCA-1001-NZ (manufactured by Fujikura Kasei Co., Ltd.), and the like.
Examples of the positive charge control agent include basic compounds such as nigrosine dyes, cationic compounds such as quaternary ammonium salts, and metal salts of higher fatty acids. Specifically, Bontron (part numbers: N-01, N-02, N-03, N-04, N-05, N-07, N-09, N-10, N-11, N-13, P -51, P-52, AFP-B) (above, manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.), TP-302, TP-415, TP-4040 (above, manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), Copy Blue PR, Copy Charge ( Product number: PX-VP-435, NX-VP-434) (manufactured by Hoechst), FCA (Product number: 201, 201-B-1, 201-B-2, 201-B-3, 201-PB, 201-PZ, 301) (above, manufactured by Fujikura Kasei Co., Ltd.), PLZ (product numbers: 1001, 2001, 6001, 7001) (above, manufactured by Shikoku Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.), and the like.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  The addition amount of the charge control agent is determined by the toner production method including the type of the binder resin and the dispersion method, and is not uniquely limited. However, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. 0.1-10 mass parts is preferable and 0.2-5 mass parts is more preferable. When the addition amount exceeds 10 parts by mass, the chargeability of the toner is too large, the effect of the charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attraction with the developing roller is increased, the developer fluidity is reduced, and the image density is increased. If the amount is less than 0.1 parts by mass, the charge rise and charge amount are insufficient, and the toner image may be easily affected.

  In addition to the binder resin, the release agent, the colorant, and the charge control agent, the toner material includes inorganic fine particles, a fluidity improver, a cleaning property improver, a magnetic material, a metal soap, and the like as necessary. Can be added.

Examples of the inorganic fine particles include silica, titania, alumina, cerium oxide, strontium titanate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and calcium phosphate. Silica hydrophobized with silicone oil, hexamethyldisilazane, or the like. It is more preferable to use fine particles or titanium oxide subjected to a specific surface treatment.
Examples of the silica fine particles include, for example, Aerosil (product numbers: 130, 200 V, 200 CF, 300, 300 CF, 380, OX50, TT600, MOX80, MOX170, COK84, RX200, RY200, R972, R974, R976, R805, R811, R812, T805, R202, VT222, RX170, RXC, RA200, RA200H, RA200HS, RM50, RY200, REA200) (above, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.), HDK (product numbers: H20, H2000, H3004, H2000 / 4, H2050EP, H2015EP, H3050EP) , KHD50), HVK2150 (above, manufactured by Wacker Chemical Co., Ltd.), Cabogil (Part No .: L-90, LM-130, LM-150, M-5, PTG, MS-55, H-5) HS-5, EH-5, LM-150D, M-7D, MS-75D, TS-720, TS-610, TS-530) (or, can be used Cabot Corp.).
The addition amount of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 0.1 to 5.0 parts by mass, more preferably 0.8 to 3.2 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner base.

  The above toner materials are mixed, and the mixture is charged into a melt kneader and melt kneaded. As the melt kneader, for example, a uniaxial or biaxial continuous kneader or a batch kneader using a roll mill can be used. For example, KTK type twin screw extruder manufactured by Kobe Steel, TEM type extruder manufactured by Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd., twin screw extruder manufactured by Casey Kay Co., Ltd., PCM type twin screw extruder manufactured by Ikekai Tekko Co., Ltd. Preferably used. This melt-kneading is preferably performed under appropriate conditions so as not to cause the molecular chains of the binder resin to be broken. Specifically, the melt kneading temperature is performed with reference to the softening point of the binder resin. If the temperature is higher than the softening point, cutting is severe, and if the temperature is too low, dispersion may not proceed.

  In the pulverization, the kneaded product obtained by the kneading is pulverized. In this pulverization, it is preferable that the kneaded material is first coarsely pulverized and then finely pulverized. At this time, a method of pulverizing by colliding with a collision plate in a jet stream, pulverizing particles by colliding with each other in a jet stream, or pulverizing with a narrow gap between a mechanically rotating rotor and a stator is preferably used.

In the classification, the pulverized product obtained by the pulverization is classified and adjusted to particles having a predetermined particle diameter. The classification can be performed, for example, by removing the fine particle portion by a cyclone, a decanter, centrifugation, or the like.
After the pulverization and classification are completed, the pulverized product is classified into an air stream by centrifugal force or the like to produce a toner having a predetermined particle size.

  Further, in order to improve the fluidity, storage stability, developability and transferability of the toner, inorganic fine particles such as hydrophobic silica fine powder may be further added to and mixed with the toner base particles produced as described above. For mixing the additives, a general powder mixer is used, but it is preferable to equip a jacket or the like to adjust the internal temperature. In order to change the load history applied to the additive, the additive may be added midway or gradually. In this case, you may change the rotation speed, rolling speed, time, temperature, etc. of a mixer. Alternatively, a strong load may be applied first, then a relatively weak load, or vice versa. Examples of the mixing equipment that can be used include a V-type mixer, a rocking mixer, a Ladige mixer, a Nauter mixer, and a Henschel mixer. Next, the toner is obtained by passing through a sieve of 250 mesh or more to remove coarse particles and aggregated particles.

  The coloration of the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and may be at least one selected from black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner. Can be obtained by appropriately selecting the type of the colorant, and is preferably a color toner.

  The toner of the present invention may be filled in a toner container, which will be described later, and mounted on the image forming apparatus as it is. Further, the carrier and the toner may be filled in the same container and mounted on the image forming apparatus.

(Developer)
The developer of the present invention contains at least the toner of the present invention, and other components such as a carrier selected appropriately. The developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer. However, when it is used for a high-speed printer or the like corresponding to the recent improvement in information processing speed, the life is improved. In view of the above, the two-component developer is preferable.
In the case of the one-component developer using the toner of the present invention, even if the balance of the toner is performed, there is little fluctuation in the particle diameter of the toner, and the filming of the toner on the developing roller or the toner is made thin. Therefore, the toner is not fused to a member such as a blade, and good and stable developability and images can be obtained even when the developing device is used (stirred) for a long time. Further, in the case of the two-component developer using the toner of the present invention, even if the balance of the toner over a long period of time is performed, the fluctuation of the toner particle diameter in the developer is small, and even in the long-term stirring in the developer, Good and stable developability can be obtained.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said carrier, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, What has a core material and the resin layer which coat | covers this core material is preferable.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said core material, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, 50-90 emu / g manganese-strontium (Mn-Sr) type material, manganese-magnesium (Mn-) Mg) -based materials and the like are preferable, and highly magnetized materials such as iron powder (100 emu / g or more) and magnetite (75 to 120 emu / g) are preferable in terms of securing image density. In addition, a weakly magnetized material such as a copper-zinc (Cu—Zn) -based (30 to 80 emu / g) is advantageous in that it can weaken the contact with the photoconductor in which the toner is in a spiked state and is advantageous in improving the image quality. Is preferred. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The particle diameter of the core material is preferably an average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ )) of 10 to 200 μm, and more preferably 40 to 100 μm.
When the average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ )) is less than 10 μm, in the distribution of carrier particles, the number of fine powder systems increases, and the magnetization per particle may be lowered to cause carrier scattering. If the thickness exceeds 150 μm, the specific surface area may decrease and toner scattering may occur. In the case of a full color having a large solid portion, the reproduction of the solid portion may be deteriorated.

  The material of the resin layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known resins according to the purpose. For example, amino resins, polyvinyl resins, polystyrene resins, halogenated olefin resins, Polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene resin, polyvinyl fluoride resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, polytrifluoroethylene resin, polyhexafluoropropylene resin, copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and acrylic monomer, fluorine And a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and vinyl fluoride, a fluoroterpolymer such as a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride and a non-fluorinated monomer, and a silicone resin. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of the amino resin include urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine resin, benzoguanamine resin, urea resin, polyamide resin, and epoxy resin. Examples of the polyvinyl resin include acrylic resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, and polyvinyl butyral resin. Examples of the polystyrene resin include polystyrene resin and styrene-acrylic copolymer resin. Examples of the halogenated olefin resin include polyvinyl chloride. Examples of the polyester resin include polyethylene terephthalate resin and polybutylene terephthalate resin.

  The resin layer may contain conductive powder or the like as necessary. Examples of the conductive powder include metal powder, carbon black, titanium oxide, tin oxide, and zinc oxide. The average particle diameter of these conductive powders is preferably 1 μm or less. When the average particle diameter exceeds 1 μm, it may be difficult to control electric resistance.

For example, the resin layer is prepared by dissolving the silicone resin or the like in a solvent to prepare a coating solution, and then uniformly coating the coating solution on the surface of the core material by a known coating method, drying, and baking. It can be formed by doing. Examples of the application method include an immersion method, a spray method, and a brush coating method.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said solvent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cersol butyl acetate, etc. are mentioned.
The baking is not particularly limited, and may be an external heating method or an internal heating method. For example, a stationary electric furnace, a fluid electric furnace, a rotary electric furnace, a burner furnace, etc. The method of using, the method of using a microwave, etc. are mentioned.

The amount of the resin layer in the carrier is preferably 0.01 to 5.0% by mass.
When the amount is less than 0.01% by mass, the uniform resin layer may not be formed on the surface of the core material. When the amount exceeds 5.0% by mass, the resin layer becomes thick. In some cases, granulation of carriers occurs, and uniform carrier particles may not be obtained.

When the developer is the two-component developer, the content of the carrier in the two-component developer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, 90 to 98% by mass Is preferable, and 93-97 mass% is more preferable.
The mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier of the two-component developer is generally 1 to 10.0 parts by mass of the toner with respect to 100 parts by mass of the carrier.

Since the developer of the present invention contains the toner of the present invention, it is excellent in gloss and can stably form a clear and high-quality image.
The developer of the present invention can be suitably used for image formation by various known electrophotographic methods such as a magnetic one-component development method, a non-magnetic one-component development method, and a two-component development method. It can be particularly suitably used for containers, process cartridges, image forming apparatuses and image forming methods.

(Toner container)
The toner-containing container of the present invention comprises the toner or the developer of the present invention contained in a container.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said container, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, what has a toner container main body and a cap etc. are mentioned suitably.
The size, shape, structure, material and the like of the toner container body are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the shape is preferably a cylindrical shape, A spiral unevenness is formed on the surface, the toner as the contents can be transferred to the discharge port side by rotating, and a part or all of the spiral part has a bellows function, etc. Particularly preferred.
The material of the toner container main body is not particularly limited, and those having good dimensional accuracy are preferable. For example, a resin is preferable, and among them, for example, polyester resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, polychlorinated resin Preferred examples include vinyl resin, polyacrylic acid, polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, polyacetal resin, and the like.
The toner-containing container of the present invention is easy to store and transport, has excellent handleability, and is preferably used for replenishing toner by being detachably attached to the process cartridge and image forming apparatus of the present invention described later. Can do.

(Process cartridge)
The process cartridge of the present invention develops an electrostatic latent image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image and the electrostatic latent image carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier using a developer to form a visible image. A developing means for forming the image forming apparatus, and further having other means such as a charging means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means, a cleaning means, and a static elimination means, which are appropriately selected as necessary. .
The developing means includes a developer container that contains the toner or developer of the present invention, and a developer carrier that carries and transports the toner or developer contained in the developer container. And a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the thickness of the toner layer to be carried.
The process cartridge of the present invention can be detachably provided in various electrophotographic apparatuses, facsimiles, and printers, and is preferably detachably provided in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described later.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge includes a photosensitive member 101, and further includes a charging unit 102, a developing unit 104, and a cleaning unit 107, and further includes other members as necessary. Do it.
As the photoreceptor 101, the above-described one can be used.
As the exposure unit 103, a light source capable of writing with high resolution is used.
As the charging means 102, an arbitrary charging member is used.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is constructed by integrally combining the electrostatic latent image carrier and the components such as a developing device and a cleaning device as a process cartridge, and this unit can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. It may be configured. Further, at least one of a charger, an image exposure device, a developing device, a transfer or separation device, and a cleaning device is integrally supported together with an electrostatic latent image carrier to form a process cartridge, and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. One unit may be detachable using guide means such as a rail of the apparatus main body.

(Image forming apparatus and image forming method)
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit, and further appropriately selected as necessary. It has other means, for example, static elimination means, cleaning means, recycling means, control means and the like.
The image forming method of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transfer step, and a fixing step, and further other steps appropriately selected as necessary, for example, a static elimination step, a cleaning step, Includes recycling and control processes.

  The image forming method of the present invention can be preferably carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image forming step can be performed by the electrostatic latent image forming means, and the developing step is the developing The transfer step can be performed by the transfer unit, the fixing step can be performed by the fixing unit, and the other steps can be performed by the other unit.

-Electrostatic latent image forming step and electrostatic latent image forming means-
The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier.
The material, shape, structure, size, etc. of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photosensitive member) are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. Examples of the material include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, and organic photoreceptors such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine. Among these, amorphous silicon or the like is preferable in terms of long life.

The formation of the electrostatic latent image can be performed, for example, by uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and then performing imagewise exposure, and is performed by the electrostatic latent image forming unit. be able to.
The electrostatic latent image forming means includes, for example, at least a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and an exposure device that exposes the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier imagewise. Prepare.

The charging can be performed, for example, by applying a voltage to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier using the charger.
The charger is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a known contact charging device including a conductive or semiconductive roll, brush, film, rubber blade, etc. And non-contact chargers using corona discharge such as corotrons and corotrons.

The exposure can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member imagewise using the exposure device.
The exposure device is not particularly limited as long as it can expose the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier charged by the charger so as to form an image to be formed, and is appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, various exposure devices such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, and a liquid crystal shutter optical system can be used.
In the present invention, a back light system in which imagewise exposure is performed from the back surface side of the electrostatic latent image carrier may be adopted.

-Development process and development means-
The developing step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner or the developer of the present invention to form a visible image.
The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner or the developer of the present invention, and can be performed by the developing unit.
The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using, for example, the toner or developer of the present invention, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, the toner of the present invention Preferably, a developer containing at least a developer and having at least a developing unit capable of contacting or non-contacting the toner or the developer with the electrostatic latent image is provided, and includes the toner container according to the present invention. More preferred is a developing device.

  The developing unit may be a dry developing type, a wet developing type, a single color developing unit, or a multi-color developing unit. For example, a toner having a stirrer for charging the toner or the developer by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller is preferable.

  In the developing device, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and agitated, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state to form a magnetic brush. . Since the magnet roller is disposed in the vicinity of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor), a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is electrically attracted. It moves to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) by force. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner, and a visible image is formed with the toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor).

-Transfer process and transfer means-
The transfer step is a step of transferring the visible image onto a recording medium. After the primary transfer of the visible image onto the intermediate transfer member using an intermediate transfer member, the visible image is transferred onto the recording medium. A primary transfer step of forming a composite transfer image by transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer body using two or more colors, preferably full color toner as the toner, and a composite transfer image; A mode including a secondary transfer step of transferring the transfer image onto the recording medium is more preferable.
The transfer can be performed, for example, by charging the latent electrostatic image bearing member (photoconductor) of the visible image using a transfer charger, and can be performed by the transfer unit. The transfer means includes a primary transfer means for transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member to form a composite transfer image, and a secondary transfer means for transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. Embodiments are preferred.
The intermediate transfer member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known transfer members according to the purpose. For example, a transfer belt and the like are preferable.

The transfer means (the primary transfer means, the secondary transfer means) is a transfer for peeling and charging the visible image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) to the recording medium side. It is preferable to have at least a vessel. There may be one transfer means or two or more transfer means.
Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device.
The recording medium is typically plain paper, but is not particularly limited as long as it can transfer an unfixed image after development, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. PET for OHP A base or the like can also be used.

-Fixing means and fixing process-
In the fixing step, the visible image (toner image) is fixed to the recording medium by passing the recording medium on which the visible image is transferred through a nip portion formed by contacting at least two fixing members. It is a process.
In the fixing step, the visible image by the toner is transferred to the recording medium, and the recording medium to which the image is transferred is passed through the nip portion, thereby fixing the visible image to the recording medium. Alternatively, the visible image may be transferred and fixed to the recording medium at the nip portion simultaneously (transfer simultaneous fixing).
Further, the fixing step may be performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium, or may be performed at the same time in a state where the toner of each color is laminated.

The nip portion is formed by bringing at least two fixing members into contact with each other.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as the surface pressure of the said nip part, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 1-50 N / cm < ² > is preferable and 8-35 N / cm < ² > is more preferable. When the nip pressure is less than 1 N / cm ² , fixing failure may occur. When the nip pressure exceeds 50 N / cm ² , the visible image may be excessively crushed and image quality such as granularity may be deteriorated. In addition, the life of a fixing member such as a roller may be shortened.

  An intermediate region located between the introduction side end and the discharge side end of the recording medium in the nip portion may be positioned substantially on the same straight line as the introduction side end and the discharge side end. You may be located in the image contact side fixing member side located in a contact side. When the intermediate region is located on the image contact side fixing member side, the discharge of the recording medium from the nip portion is in a direction to separate the image surface from the fixing member, so that the fixing of the recording medium is performed. Winding around the member can be prevented.

The fixing member is not particularly limited as long as it can abut against each other to form a nip portion, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a combination of an endless belt and a roller, a roller and a roller, The heating method from the surface of the fixing member by a combination of an endless belt and a roller or induction heating can be used in order to reduce the warm-up time and realize energy saving. It is preferable to use it.
Examples of the fixing member include known heating and pressing means (combination of heating means and pressing means). In the case of a combination of the endless belt and the roller, for example, a combination of a heating roller, a pressure roller, and an endless belt may be used as the heating and pressing unit. In this case, for example, a combination of a heating roller and a pressure roller can be used.

  When the fixing member is an endless belt, the endless belt is preferably formed of a material having a small heat capacity. For example, an embodiment in which an offset prevention layer is provided on a substrate may be used. Examples of the material for forming the base include nickel and polyimide, and examples of the material for forming the offset prevention layer include silicone rubber and fluorine-based resin.

  When the fixing member is a roller, the cored bar of the roller is preferably formed of an inelastic member to prevent deformation (deflection) due to high pressure. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as this inelastic member, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, high thermal conductivity bodies, such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel, brass, are mentioned suitably. Moreover, it is preferable that the surface of the roller is covered with an offset prevention layer. The material for forming the offset prevention layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include RTV silicone rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), and polytetrafluoroethylene. (PTFE) etc. are mentioned suitably.

  The fixing member itself has a heating unit and may function as a heating member, but at least a part of the surface of at least one of the fixing members is heated by the heating unit. preferable. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as such a heating means, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, an electromagnetic induction heating means etc. are mentioned.

The electromagnetic induction heating means is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, an induction coil disposed close to the fixing member (for example, a heating roller) and this induction It is preferable to comprise a shielding layer provided with a coil and an insulating layer provided on the opposite side of the surface of the shielding layer on which the induction coil is provided. In this case, it is preferable that the heating roller is formed of a magnetic material, a heat pipe, or the like.
The induction coil is disposed in a state of wrapping at least a semi-cylindrical portion on the opposite side of the contact portion between the heating roller and the fixing member (for example, a pressure roller, an endless belt). Is preferred.

  The temperature for fixing the image on the recording medium with the toner, that is, the surface temperature of the fixing member by the heating means is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. 170 degreeC is preferable and 120-160 degreeC is more preferable. If the fixing temperature is less than 120 ° C, the fixability may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 170 ° C, it is not preferable in terms of realizing energy saving.

Hereinafter, an example of an image fixing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the image fixing means of the present invention.
The belt-type image fixing device 110 shown in FIG. 2 includes a heating roller 121, a fixing roller 122 as the image contact side fixing member, a fixing belt 123, and a pressure roller 124 as the image non-contact side fixing member. .
The fixing belt 123 is stretched by a heating roller 121 and a fixing roller 122 that are rotatably arranged inside, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating roller 121. The heating roller 121 has a built-in heating source 125 and is designed so that the temperature can be adjusted by a temperature sensor 127 attached in the vicinity of the heating roller 121. The fixing roller 122 is rotatably disposed inside the fixing belt 123 and in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 123. The pressure roller 124 is in contact with the outer side of the fixing belt 123 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 123 so as to press the fixing roller 122 so as to be rotatable. Further, the surface hardness of the fixing belt 123 as the image contact side fixing member is lower than the surface hardness of the pressure roller 124 as the image non-contact side fixing member, and is formed between the fixing roller 122 and the pressure roller 124. In the nip portion N, an intermediate region located between the introduction side end and the discharge side end of the recording medium S is located closer to the fixing roller 122 than the introduction side end and the discharge side end. That is, in FIG. 2, the nip portion N has an upwardly convex shape.

In the belt-type image fixing device 110 shown in FIG. 2, first, the recording medium S on which the toner image T to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the heating roller 121. Then, the toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the heating roller 121 and the fixing belt 123 heated to a predetermined temperature by the action of the built-in heating source 125. In this state, the sheet S is inserted into a nip portion N formed between the fixing roller 122 and the pressure roller 124. The recording medium S inserted in the nip N is brought into contact with the surface of the fixing belt 123 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the fixing roller 122 and the pressure roller 124, and the surface pressure of the nip N is 1 to 50N. The toner image T is fixed on the recording medium S by being pressed when passing through the nip portion N by the pressing force of the pressure roller 124 at / cm ² . At this time, the wax existing near the surface of the toner T exudes. As a result, good fixing releasability is imparted.
Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes between the fixing roller 122 and the pressure roller 124, is peeled off from the fixing belt 123, and is conveyed to a tray (not shown) through a guide G. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 124 as the image non-contact side fixing member, and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing belt 123 is prevented. The fixing belt 123 is cleaned by the cleaning roller 126. Here, the toner T is excellent in releasability because an appropriate amount of the wax is present in the vicinity of the surface thereof, and the toner T is prevented from being melted from the cleaning roller 126 to the fixing belt 123.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the image fixing apparatus of the present invention.
An image fixing device 210 shown in FIG. 3 includes a heating roller 220 as the fixing member, and a pressure roller 230 disposed in contact therewith.
The heating roller 220 has a hollow metal cylinder 221, the surface of which is covered with an offset prevention layer 222, and a heating lamp 223 is disposed inside. The pressure roller 230 has a metal cylinder 231, and the surface thereof is covered with an offset prevention layer 232. Note that the pressure roller 230 may have a metal cylinder 231 having a hollow shape and a heating lamp 233 disposed therein.
The heating roller 220 and the pressure roller 230 are urged by a spring (not shown) so as to be rotatable in a pressure contact state, and form a nip portion N. The surface hardness of the offset prevention layer 222 in the heating roller 220 as the image contact side fixing member is lower than the surface hardness of the offset prevention layer 232 in the pressure roller 230 as the image non-contact side fixing member. In the nip portion N formed between 220 and the pressure roller 230, the intermediate region located between the introduction side end and the discharge side end of the recording medium S is heated more than the introduction side end and the discharge side end. Located on the roller 220 side. That is, in FIG. 3, the nip portion N has an upwardly convex shape.

In the image fixing device 210 shown in FIG. 3, first, the recording medium S on which the toner image T to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the nip portion N between the heating roller 220 and the pressure roller 230. The toner T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the heating roller 220 heated to a predetermined temperature by the built-in heating lamp 223, and at the same time when passing through the nip portion N, the toner T The surface pressure of the nip portion N is 1 to 50 N / cm ² and is pressed by the pressing force of the pressure roller 230, and the toner image T is fixed on the recording medium S. At this time, the wax existing near the surface of the toner T exudes. As a result, good fixing releasability is imparted.
Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes between the heating roller 220 and the pressure roller 230 and is conveyed to a tray (not shown). At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 230 as the image non-contact side fixing member, and the winding of the recording medium S around the pressure roller 230 is prevented. The heating roller 220 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown). Here, since the toner T has an appropriate amount of the wax in the vicinity of the surface thereof, the toner T is excellent in releasability, and the toner T is prevented from being melted from the cleaning roller to the heating roller 220.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the image fixing device of the present invention.
4 includes a heating roller 320, a fixing roller 330 and a fixing belt 340 as the image contact side fixing member, a pressure roller 350 as the image non-contact side fixing member, and electromagnetic induction heating. Means 360.
The fixing belt 340 is stretched by a heating roller 320 and a fixing roller 330 that are rotatably disposed therein, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating roller 320.
The heating roller 320 has, for example, a hollow cylindrical magnetic metal member such as iron, cobalt, nickel, or an alloy of these metals. For example, the outer diameter is 20 to 40 mm and the wall thickness is 0.3 to 1.0 mm. It has a low heat capacity and quick temperature rise.
The fixing roller 330 has, for example, a metal core 331 made of stainless steel or the like, and the surface thereof is formed by coating a heat-resistant silicone rubber with a solid or foamed elastic layer 332. It is disposed inside the fixing belt 340 so as to be rotatable while being in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 340. The fixing roller 330 is provided with an outer diameter of about 20 to 40 mm in order to form a nip portion N having a predetermined width between the pressure roller 350 and the fixing roller 330 by a pressing force from the pressure roller 350, and is heated. It is larger than the roller 320. The elastic layer 332 has a thickness of about 4 to 6 mm and is formed so that the heat capacity of the heating roller 320 is smaller than the heat capacity of the fixing roller 330, thereby shortening the warm-up time of the heating roller 320.
The pressure roller 350 includes a metal core 351 made of a metal cylindrical member having high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, and the surface thereof is covered with an elastic layer 352 having high heat resistance and toner releasability. The fixing roller 330 is in contact with the outer side of the fixing belt 340 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 340 so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing belt 340, and is rotatably disposed. In addition, you may use SUS for the metal core 351 other than the said metal.
The electromagnetic induction heating unit 360 is disposed in the vicinity of the heating roller 320 and in the axial direction of the heating roller 320. The electromagnetic induction heating unit 360 includes an excitation coil 361 that is a magnetic field generation unit, and a coil guide plate 362 around which the excitation coil 361 is wound. The coil guide plate 362 has a semi-cylindrical shape arranged close to the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller 320, and the exciting coil 361 is formed by passing a long exciting coil wire along the coil guide plate 362 in the axial direction of the heating roller 320. It is one that is wound around alternately. The exciting coil 361 is connected to a driving power source (not shown) whose frequency is variable. Outside the excitation coil 361, a semi-cylindrical excitation coil core 363 made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite is fixed to the excitation coil core support member 364 and disposed close to the excitation coil 361.

In the image fixing device 310 shown in FIG. 4, when the excitation coil 361 of the electromagnetic induction heating unit 360 is energized, an alternating magnetic field is formed around the electromagnetic induction heating unit 360, close to the excitation coil 361, and the excitation coil 361. The heating roller 320 surrounded by is preheated uniformly and efficiently by overcurrent excitation. The recording medium S on which the toner image T to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the nip N between the fixing roller 330 and the pressure roller 350. The toner image T on the recording medium S is then heated by the fixing roller 340 heated at the contact portion W1 with the heating roller 320 by the heating roller 320 heated to a predetermined temperature by the action of the electromagnetic induction heating unit 360. It is heated and becomes a molten state. In this state, the sheet S is inserted into a nip portion N formed between the fixing roller 330 and the pressure roller 350. The recording medium S inserted into the nip N is brought into contact with the surface of the fixing belt 340 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the fixing roller 330 and the pressure roller 350, and passes through the nip N when passing through the nip N. The surface pressure of the portion N is 1 to 50 N / cm ² and is pressed by the pressing force of the pressure roller 330, and the toner image T is fixed on the recording medium S. At this time, the wax existing near the surface of the toner T exudes. As a result, good fixing releasability is imparted.
Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes between the fixing roller 330 and the pressure roller 350, is peeled off from the fixing belt 340, and is conveyed to a tray (not shown). At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 350 as the image non-contact side fixing member, and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing belt 340 is prevented. It is cleaned by a fixing belt 340 cleaning roller (not shown). Here, the toner T is excellent in releasability because an appropriate amount of the wax is present in the vicinity of the surface thereof, and the toner T is prevented from being melted from the cleaning roller to the fixing belt 340.

The neutralization step is a step of performing neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a neutralization unit.
The neutralizing means is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known neutralizers as long as it can apply a neutralizing bias to the latent electrostatic image bearing member. Preferably mentioned.

The cleaning step is a step of removing the toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier and can be suitably performed by a cleaning unit.
The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the electrophotographic toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from known cleaners. Suitable examples include brush cleaners, electrostatic brush cleaners, magnetic roller cleaners, blade cleaners, brush cleaners, web cleaners, and the like.

The recycling step is a step of recycling the electrophotographic color toner removed in the cleaning step to the developing unit, and can be suitably performed by the recycling unit.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said recycling means, A well-known conveyance means etc. are mentioned.

The control step is a step of controlling each of the steps, and can be suitably performed by a control unit.
The control means is not particularly limited as long as the movement of each means can be controlled, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as a sequencer and a computer.

  One mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5 includes a photosensitive drum 10 (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive member 10”) as the electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging roller 20 as the charging unit, and exposure as the exposure unit. The apparatus 30 includes a developing device 40 as the developing means, an intermediate transfer member 50, a cleaning device 60 as the cleaning means having a cleaning blade, and a static elimination lamp 70 as the static elimination means.

  The intermediate transfer member 50 is an endless belt, and is designed to be movable in the direction of an arrow by three rollers 51 that are arranged inside and stretched. Part of the three rollers 51 also functions as a transfer bias roller that can apply a predetermined transfer bias (primary transfer bias) to the intermediate transfer member 50. The intermediate transfer body 50 is provided with a cleaning device 90 having a cleaning blade in the vicinity thereof, and for transferring (secondary transfer) a developed image (toner image) to a transfer sheet 95 as a final transfer material. A transfer roller 80 serving as a transfer unit to which a transfer bias can be applied is disposed to face the transfer roller 80. Around the intermediate transfer member 50, a corona charger 58 for applying a charge to the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 50 is formed between the photosensitive member 10 and the intermediate transfer member 50 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member 50. It is arranged between the contact portion and the contact portion between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the transfer paper 95.

  The developing device 40 includes a developing belt 41 as the developer carrying member, and a black developing unit 45K, a yellow developing unit 45Y, a magenta developing unit 45M, and a cyan developing unit 45C provided around the developing belt 41. . The black developing unit 45K includes a developer accommodating portion 42K, a developer supplying roller 43K, and a developing roller 44K. The yellow developing unit 45Y includes a developer accommodating portion 42Y, a developer supplying roller 43Y, and a developing roller 44Y. The magenta developing unit 45M includes a developer accommodating portion 42M, a developer supplying roller 43M, and a developing roller 44M, and the cyan developing unit 45C includes a developer accommodating portion 42C and a developer supplying roller 43C. And a developing roller 44C. The developing belt 41 is an endless belt, is rotatably stretched around a plurality of belt rollers, and a part thereof is in contact with the photoconductor 10.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5, for example, the charging roller 20 charges the photosensitive drum 10 uniformly. The exposure device 30 performs imagewise exposure on the photosensitive drum 10 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is developed by supplying toner from the developing device 40 to form a visible image (toner image). The visible image (toner image) is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer member 50 by the voltage applied from the roller 51, and further transferred (secondary transfer) onto the transfer paper 95. As a result, a transfer image is formed on the transfer paper 95. The residual toner on the photoconductor 10 is removed by the cleaning device 60, and the charge on the photoconductor 10 is temporarily removed by the charge eliminating lamp 70.

  Another mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6 does not include the developing belt 41 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5, and a black developing unit 45K, a yellow developing unit 45Y, a magenta developing unit 45M, and Except for the fact that the cyan developing unit 45C is directly opposed, it has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Another mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The tandem image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is a tandem type color image forming apparatus. The tandem image forming apparatus includes a copying apparatus main body 150, a paper feed table 200, a scanner 300, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 400.
The copying apparatus main body 150 is provided with an endless belt-like intermediate transfer member 50 at the center. The intermediate transfer member 50 is stretched around the support rollers 14, 15, and 16 and can be rotated clockwise in FIG. 7. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 17 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer body 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the support roller 15. The intermediate transfer body 50 stretched by the support roller 14 and the support roller 15 is a tandem type in which four image forming means 18 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are arranged in parallel and facing each other along the conveyance direction. A developing device 120 is disposed. An exposure device 21 is disposed in the vicinity of the tandem developing device 120. A secondary transfer device 22 is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer member 50 opposite to the side on which the tandem developing device 120 is disposed. In the secondary transfer device 22, a secondary transfer belt 24, which is an endless belt, is stretched around a pair of rollers 23, and the transfer paper conveyed on the secondary transfer belt 24 and the intermediate transfer body 50 are in contact with each other. Is possible. A fixing device 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22. The fixing device 25 includes a fixing belt 26 that is an endless belt, and a pressure roller 27 that is pressed against the fixing belt 26.
In the tandem image forming apparatus, a sheet reversing device 28 for reversing the transfer paper for image formation on both sides of the transfer paper is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22 and the fixing device 25. Yes.

  Next, formation of a full color image (color copy) using the tandem image forming apparatus will be described. That is, first, a document is set on the document table 130 of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 400, or the automatic document feeder 400 is opened and the document is set on the contact glass 32 of the scanner 300. 400 is closed.

  When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, when the document is set on the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 32, and then the document is set on the contact glass 32. Immediately after that, the scanner 300 is driven, and the first traveling body 33 and the second traveling body 34 travel. At this time, light from the light source is irradiated by the first traveling body 33 and reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the mirror in the second traveling body 34 and is received by the reading sensor 36 through the imaging lens 35 to be color. An original (color image) is read and used as black, yellow, magenta, and cyan image information.

  Each image information of black, yellow, magenta and cyan is stored in each image forming means 18 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means and cyan image forming means in the tandem image forming apparatus. ) And black, yellow, magenta and cyan toner images are formed in the respective image forming means. That is, each of the image forming means 18 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means, and cyan image forming means) in the tandem image forming apparatus is photosensitive as shown in FIG. On the basis of the body 10 (the black photoreceptor 10K, the yellow photoreceptor 10Y, the magenta photoreceptor 10M, and the cyan photoreceptor 10C), the charger 60 that uniformly charges the photoreceptor, and each color image information. The photosensitive member is exposed to each color image corresponding image (L in FIG. 8), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color image is formed on the photosensitive member. A developing device 61 that develops using color toner (black toner, yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner) to form a toner image with each color toner, and the toner image is an intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer charger 62 for transferring the image onto 0, a photoconductor cleaning device 63, and a static eliminator 64, and each monochrome image (black image, yellow image, magenta) based on the image information of each color. Image and cyan image) can be formed. The black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image formed in this way are formed on the black photoconductor 10K on the intermediate transfer member 50 that is rotationally moved by the support rollers 14, 15, and 16, respectively. The black image, the yellow image formed on the yellow photoconductor 10Y, the magenta image formed on the magenta photoconductor 10M, and the cyan image formed on the cyan photoconductor 10C are sequentially transferred (primary transfer). Is done. Then, the black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 50 to form a composite color image (color transfer image).

On the other hand, in the paper feed table 200, one of the paper feed rollers 142 is selectively rotated to feed out a sheet (recording paper) from one of the paper feed cassettes 144 provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 143. Each sheet is separated and sent to the paper feed path 146, transported by the transport roller 147, guided to the paper feed path 148 in the copying machine main body 150, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. Alternatively, the sheet feeding roller 150 is rotated to feed out sheets (recording paper) on the manual feed tray 51, separated one by one by the separation roller 52, put into the manual feed path 53, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. . The registration roller 49 is generally used while being grounded, but may be used in a state where a bias is applied to remove paper dust from the sheet.
Then, the registration roller 49 is rotated in synchronization with the synthesized color image (color transfer image) synthesized on the intermediate transfer member 50, and a sheet (recording paper) is interposed between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the secondary transfer device 22. The secondary color transfer device 22 transfers the composite color image (color transfer image) onto the sheet (recording paper), thereby transferring the color image onto the sheet (recording paper). Is formed. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 50 after image transfer is cleaned by the intermediate transfer member cleaning device 17.

  The sheet (recording paper) on which the color image has been transferred is conveyed by the secondary transfer device 22 and sent to the fixing device 25, where the combined color image (color) is generated by heat and pressure. (Transfer image) is fixed on the sheet (recording paper). Thereafter, the sheet (recording paper) is switched by the switching claw 55 and discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 57, or switched by the switching claw 55 and reversed by the sheet reversing device 28 and transferred again. After being guided to the position and recording an image on the back surface, the image is discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the discharge tray 57.

  In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention, since the toner of the present invention that produces a stable and highly glossy image with a small change in glossiness is used, a clear high-quality image can be formed.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Example 1
-Toner prescription-
Polyester resin (glass transition temperature (Tg) = 63 ° C., weight average molecular weight = 50000) ... 100 parts by massCarnauba wax ... 7 parts by massMagenta pigment (pigment Red 269) ... 5 parts by mass Charge control agent (Orient Chemical Industries, E-84) 2 parts by mass

The mixture having the above composition was sufficiently stirred and mixed in a Henschel mixer, then heated and melted at a temperature of 130 to 140 ° C. for 30 minutes with a roll mill, and cooled to room temperature. The obtained kneaded product was pulverized and classified by using a jet mill type pulverizer (I-2 type mill: manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Kogyo Co., Ltd.) and a wind classifier (DS classifier: manufactured by Nihon Pneumatic Kogyo Co., Ltd.). When classifying, by controlling the cut level of fine powder and coarse powder, the content of fine powder contained in the toner base particles is controlled, the volume average particle diameter is 10 μm, and the particle diameter in the particle size distribution is 4 μm or less. Toner base particles having a fine powder content of 4% by number were prepared.
The volume average particle size and the content of fine powder having a particle size of 4 μm or less were measured as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Measurement of Volume Average Particle Size and Content of Fine Powder with Particle Size of 4 μm or Less>
The volume average particle diameter of the toner is measured using a Coulter Counter TA-II type (manufactured by Coulter) as a measuring device, an interface (manufactured by Nikkiki) for outputting the number distribution and volume distribution, and a CX-1 personal computer (manufactured by Canon Inc.). ) And ISOTONR-II (manufactured by Coulter Scientific Japan Co., Ltd.) was used as the electrolyte.
As a measuring method, 0.1 ml of alkylbenzene sulfonate as a dispersant was added to 100 ml of the electrolytic solution, and 2 mg of a measuring sample was added and stirred. Next, the electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for 1 minute, and using the Coulter counter TA-II, a 100 μm aperture is used as the aperture, and the volume average particle diameter and particle diameter of the toner are used. The fine powder content of 4 μm or less was determined.

  Next, 1.0 part by mass of hydrophobic silica was added to and mixed with 100 parts by mass of the obtained toner base particles to prepare toner 1.

  Next, as the carrier, ferrite particles having a volume average particle diameter of 50 μm coated with methyl methacrylate resin (MMA) so as to have a thickness of 0.5 μm are used, and the toner is mixed at a toner concentration of 7.0% by mass. Thus, a developer was prepared.

(Example 2)
In Example 1, except that the air pressure at the time of pulverization, Feed, the cut level of fine powder and coarse powder at the time of classification were manipulated, the volume average particle size was 5 μm, and the particles in the particle size distribution Toner base particles having a fine powder content of 4 μm or less in diameter of 8.5% by number were prepared.
Next, toner 2 and developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 for the obtained toner base particles.

(Example 3)
In Example 1, except that 7 parts by mass of carnauba wax was changed to 2 parts by mass, the volume average particle size was 10 μm and the fine powder content in the particle size distribution was 4 μm or less in the same manner as in Example 1. Toner base particles of 5% by number were produced.
Next, toner 3 and developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 for the obtained toner base particles.

Example 4
In Example 1, except that 7 parts by mass of carnauba wax was changed to 5 parts by mass, the volume average particle size was 7 μm and the fine powder content in the particle size distribution was 4 μm or less in the same manner as in Example 1. Toner base particles of 8% by number were produced.
Next, toner 4 and developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 for the obtained toner base particles.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Example 1, except that 7 parts by mass of carnauba wax was changed to 1.5 parts by mass, the volume average particle diameter was 7 μm and fine powder containing 4 μm or less in the particle size distribution was contained in the same manner as in Example 1. Toner base particles having an amount of 7% by number were produced.
Next, toner 5 and developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 for the obtained toner base particles.

(Comparative Example 2)
In Example 1, except that 7 parts by weight of carnauba wax was changed to 7.5 parts by weight, the same as in Example 1, the volume average particle diameter is 7 μm, and the fine particle content is 4 μm or less in the particle size distribution. Toner base particles having an amount of 8% by number were produced.
Next, toner 6 and developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 for the obtained toner base particles.

(Comparative Example 3)
In Example 4, the volume average particle size is 7 μm and the fine particle content is 4 μm or less in the particle size distribution except that the cut level of fine powder and coarse powder at the time of classification is manipulated. Toner base particles of 10% by number were produced.
Next, toner 7 and developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 for the obtained toner base particles.

  Next, using the obtained developers of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, various characteristics were evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 2.

<Glossiness measurement>
Using an image fixing apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 with a nip time of 40 ms, a nip width of 7.00 mm, a nip surface pressure of 9.8 N / cm ² , and a fixing temperature of 180 ° C., transfer paper (“Type 6200”; stock After fixing a sample with a toner adhesion amount (M / S) of 1.00 mg / cm ² on Ricoh Co., Ltd., a 60 ° specular surface with a gloss meter LTD (VGS-SENSOR) (manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.) The gloss was measured 3 times, and the average value was defined as the surface gloss.

<Measurement of glossiness variation by toner lot>
10 lots (manufacturing time) of toners were prepared for each toner manufacturing method, the surface glossiness was measured in the same manner as described above, and the standard deviation of the toner glossiness was calculated.

<Sensory evaluation of glossiness>
Image samples having different glossinesses fixed using an image fixing apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 set at a nip time of 40 ms, a nip width of 7.00 mm, a nip surface pressure of 9.8 N / cm ² , and a fixing temperature of 180 ° C. Each of the three lots) was evaluated by a maximum of 3 points according to the following criteria, and ranked according to the average score at which each glossy image sample was obtained.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
3 points = A: I think that the glossiness is preferable.
2 points = O: I think that the glossiness is relatively preferable.
1 point = X: I think that there is no gloss and no sense of quality, the gloss is too high, or the gloss variation between lots is large.

<Evaluation of fine line properties>
The image forming apparatus (Imagio Color 8100, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) is replaced with an oilless fixing unit (nip surface pressure 9.8 N / cm ² ) as shown in FIG. A copy of 50,000 sheets (printing rate: 6%) was made, and three dot lines (A3) were output as image samples at 50,000 sheets, and the fine line reproducibility of the dot lines was evaluated.
Note that the determination criteria based on the reproduction status of one dot line were evaluated by sensory evaluation based on the following criteria by visually checking the reproduction status of the image and the rank sample.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
◎: Good ○: Normal ×: Defect

<Hot offset generation temperature>
A fixing unit of an image forming apparatus (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd., imagio color 8100) is modified to a fixing device (nip surface pressure 9.8 N / cm ² ) as shown in FIG. Ricoh Co., Ltd. type 6200) was set and a copy test was performed. The adhesion amount of toner on the recording paper was 1.0 mg / cm ² . The presence or absence of hot offset in the fixed image was visually evaluated, and the fixing roll temperature at which hot offset occurred was determined as the hot offset occurrence temperature.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
◎: 230 ° C or higher ○: 210 ° C or higher and lower than 230 ° C ×: Less than 210 ° C

The toner of the present invention is suitably used for forming a stable and high-gloss color image with little variation in glossiness.
The developer, toner-containing container, process cartridge, image forming apparatus and image forming method of the present invention using the toner of the present invention are suitably used for high-quality image formation.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of the process cartridge of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of a belt-type image fixing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of an image fixing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of an electromagnetic induction heating type image fixing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example in which the image forming method of the present invention is carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view showing another example in which the image forming method of the present invention is carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example in which the image forming method of the present invention is carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention (tandem color image forming apparatus). FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged schematic explanatory view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Photoconductor (Photoconductor drum)
10K black photoconductor 10Y yellow photoconductor 10M magenta photoconductor 10C cyan photoconductor 14 support roller 15 support roller 16 support roller 17 intermediate transfer cleaning device 18 image forming means 20 charging roller 21 exposure device 22 secondary transfer device 23 Roller 24 Secondary transfer belt 25 Fixing device 26 Fixing belt 27 Pressure belt 28 Sheet reversing device 30 Exposure device 32 Contact glass 33 First traveling member 34 Second traveling member 35 Imaging lens 36 Reading sensor 40 Developing device 41 Developing belt 42K Developer container 42Y Developer container 42M Developer container 42C Developer container 43K Developer supply roller 43Y Developer supply roller 43M Developer supply roller 43C Developer supply roller 44K Developer roller 44Y Developer roller 44M Developer Roller 44C Developing roller 45K Black developing unit 45Y Yellow developing unit 45M Magenta developing unit 45C Cyan developing unit 49 Registration roller 50 Intermediate transfer member 51 Roller 52 Separating roller 53 Constant current source 55 Switching claw 56 Discharging roller 57 Discharging tray 58 Corona charger 60 Cleaning device 61 Developer 62 Transfer charger 63 Photoconductor cleaning device 64 Static eliminator 70 Static elimination lamp 71 Cleaning blade 72 Support member 80 Transfer roller 90 Cleaning device 95 Transfer paper 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Photoconductor 102 Charging means 103 Exposure 104 Developing means 105 Transfer body 106 Transfer means 107 Cleaning means 120 Tandem type developer 130 Document table 142 Paper feed roller 143 Paper bank 144 Paper feed cassette 145 Away rollers 146 feed path 147 transport rollers 148 feed path 150 copier main body 200 feeder table 300 Scanner 400 automatic document feeder (ADF)

Claims (16)

A toner comprising toner base particles containing at least a release agent and a binder resin,
The volume average particle size of the toner base particles is 5 to 10 μm, and the content of fine particles having a particle size distribution of 4 μm or less in the particle size distribution of the toner base particles is 8.5 number% or less,
The recording medium on which the visible image is transferred by the toner is passed through a nip formed by abutment of at least two fixing members, and the obtained fixed image has a light incident angle of 60 °. A toner having a surface glossiness of 3 to 20% due to specular reflection. A recording medium on which a visible image having a toner adhesion amount of 1.00 mg / cm ² is transferred is transferred to a nip portion under a nip time of 40 ms, a nip width of 7.0 mm, a nip surface pressure of 1 to 50 N / cm ² , and a fixing temperature of 180 ° C. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner has a surface glossiness of 3 to 20% due to specular reflection of light having an incident angle of 60 ° of a visible image obtained after passing through the toner.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner base particles have a volume average particle diameter of 5 to 8 μm.   The toner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the addition amount of the release agent is 2 to 7 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is an endless belt and a roller disposed in contact with the inner side of the endless belt.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is a roller.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the binder resin includes a polyester resin.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner is at least one selected from black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner.   A developer comprising the toner according to claim 1.   A toner-filled container filled with the toner according to claim 1.   An electrostatic latent image carrier, and a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier using the toner according to claim 1 to form a visible image. A process cartridge having at least An electrostatic latent image carrier, electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image A developing means for transferring, a transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and passing the recording medium on which the visible image has been transferred through a nip formed by contacting at least two fixing members, Fixing means for fixing the visible image to a recording medium,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner is the toner according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the fixing member is an endless belt and a roller disposed in contact with the endless belt.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the fixing member is a roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a surface pressure of the nip portion is 1 to 50 N / cm ² . An electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image, and the visible image And transferring the visible image onto the recording medium, and passing the recording medium onto which the visible image has been transferred through a nip formed by contacting at least two fixing members, thereby fixing the visible image onto the recording medium. A fixing step of
The image forming method, wherein the toner is the toner according to claim 1.

Images