JP2006276044A - Toner, developer, container with the toner, process cartridge, fixing process, image forming apparatus, and image forming process - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner and others superior in various characteristics, such as charging property, transfer property and fixability, showing proper resistance to hot offset, balancing superior blocking resistance and low-temperature fixing properties, and yielding high image quality. <P>SOLUTION: The toner contains at least two kinds of binder resins, including an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin and the toner has the glass-transition temperature TgA that is lower than the glass-transition temperature TgC represented by Formula (1). In the Formula (1), TgB<SB>i</SB>represents the glass-transition temperature of the amorphous resin, n represents the number of amorphous resins, and b represents the content (part by mass) of the amorphous resin. In a preferred embodiment, for example, at least a part of the amorphous resin and a part of the crystalline resin are preferably mutually miscible, or the glass-transition temperature TgA of the toner is lower by 10°C or more than TgC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

As a fixing method used in the dry development method, a heat-heat roller method is widely used because of its energy efficiency. In recent years, in order to save energy by fixing the toner at a low temperature, the thermal energy given to the toner during fixing tends to be small. 1999 International Energy Agency (IEA) DSM (Demand-side M)
In the management program, when the copying speed (CPM) is 30 or more as a next-generation copying machine, the standby time is within 10 seconds, and the power consumption during standby is 10 to 30 watts or less (differs depending on the copying speed). Therefore, the achievement of energy saving is an extremely important issue.

In order to achieve energy saving, for example, a method of improving the temperature responsiveness of the toner by reducing the heat capacity of a fixing member such as a heating heat roller is considered. However, this method cannot be said to be sufficiently satisfactory in terms of realizing energy saving. For the purpose of minimizing the waiting time, a method of lowering the fixing temperature of the toner itself and lowering the toner fixing temperature during use has been considered. As a method for fixing the toner at a low temperature, for example, a method using a specific non-olefinic crystalline polymer having a glass transition temperature and a sharp melt property in a binder resin or a crystalline polyester has been proposed.
However, the resin having such crystallinity may not be able to achieve low-temperature fixing of the toner depending on the combination with other resins forming the toner. Further, even if the crystalline resin is used only, the toner can be fixed at a low temperature, but there is a problem that a hot offset phenomenon or a blocking phenomenon occurs. Furthermore, when kneading a crystalline resin having sharp melt properties, if the amount of the crystalline resin in the toner is too large, the melt viscosity becomes extremely low, and the colorant and release agent contained in the toner are finely dispersed. Easy to block. The uneven dispersion of the colorant leads to a reduction in the degree of coloration and may not provide a high-density image. In addition, when a full-color toner is used, a clear image may not be obtained. In addition, when the colorant is formed of a low-resistance material such as carbon, for example, if the dispersion state of the colorant in the toner is poor, the resistance of the toner is lowered, and the background stain (fogging) of the image due to the deterioration in developability In some cases, density unevenness or the like may occur in the solid portion due to deterioration in transferability. Further, the non-uniform dispersion of the release agent increases the probability of the presence of wax on the toner surface, and as with the non-uniform dispersion of the colorant, causes an adverse effect due to deterioration in developability. Furthermore, over time, when using a two-component developer, when using a one-component developer, the release agent is fused to the charging roller or blade, and the durability deteriorates. is there.

  In addition, there has been an extremely high demand for higher image quality than before. To achieve the high image quality, it is effective to reduce the particle size of the toner. However, the smaller the toner particle size, the more likely to cause problems due to the dispersibility of each component forming the toner. Scattering becomes noticeable. For this reason, in consideration of reducing the particle size, it is necessary to add a crystalline resin to the toner without deteriorating the dispersion state of each component forming the toner.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a toner in which the low-temperature fixability of the toner is improved by containing a binder resin containing a crystalline resin (particularly a crystalline polyester resin) having at least one melting point. .
Patent Document 2 describes an image forming method in which low-temperature fixability of toner is improved by using a toner containing a crystalline polyester resin as a main component as a binder resin.
However, these toners use a crystalline polyester resin as a binder resin as a main component, and therefore, when melt-kneaded, cause the above-mentioned problems due to nonuniformity of the colorant and release agent in the toner. There is.

For example, Patent Document 3 describes a toner containing a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin as binder resins, which are incompatible with each other, and the crystalline resin and the non-crystalline resin. The relationship between the softening point and the crystalline resin is defined. However, with this technology, although the toner that contributes to the low-temperature fixing of the image can be obtained due to the sharp melt property of the crystalline resin, the blocking resistance may be deteriorated. It is difficult to achieve both.

  Therefore, a toner that has excellent characteristics such as chargeability, transferability, and fixability, good hot offset resistance, excellent blocking resistance and low temperature fixability, and high image quality, and the toner The related technology used has not yet been provided.

JP 2002-108018 A JP 2002-214831 A JP 2003-167384 A

An object of the present invention is to solve various problems in the prior art and achieve the following objects. That is, the present invention is a toner that is excellent in various properties such as chargeability, transferability, and fixability, has good hot offset resistance, has both excellent blocking resistance and low-temperature fixability, and provides high image quality. Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer, a container containing toner, a process cartridge, a fixing method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method capable of improving image quality using the toner.

  As a result of intensive studies in view of the above problems, the present inventors have obtained the following knowledge. That is, an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin are contained in the toner as a binder resin, and these are compatible with each other, whereby the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the toner is lowered, which is effective for fixing the toner at a low temperature. I found out. Further, the present inventors have found that there are combinations in which the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the toner differs depending on the combination of the resins forming the binder resin and are easily fixed at a low temperature, and the present invention has been completed.

The present invention is based on the above findings of the present inventors, and means for solving the above problems are as follows. That is,
<1> At least two types of binder resins are included, the binder resin includes an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin, and the glass transition temperature TgA is lower than the glass transition temperature TgC represented by the following formula (1). The toner is characterized by the above.
However, in said Numerical formula (1), TgBi represents the glass transition temperature of the said amorphous resin. n represents the number of types of the amorphous resin, and b represents the content (parts by mass) of the amorphous resin.
In the toner according to <1>, since the binder resin includes an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin, the melt viscosity of the toner decreases even at a low temperature, and the decrease in the melt viscosity with respect to the temperature is rapid. Is sufficiently fixed even at low temperatures. In addition, since the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner is lower than the glass transition temperature TgC represented by the mathematical formula (1), the toner can be easily fixed at a low temperature. For this reason, the hot offset resistance is good, excellent blocking resistance and low-temperature fixability are compatible, and high image quality can be formed.
<2> The toner according to <1>, wherein at least a part of the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin are compatible with each other. In the toner according to <2>, since at least a part of the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin are compatible with each other, the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner can be easily lowered.
<3> The toner according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein the glass transition temperature TgA is 10 ° C. or more lower than the glass transition temperature TgC represented by the formula (1). In the toner according to <3>, since the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner is 10 ° C. or more lower than the glass transition temperature TgC, the toner is sufficiently fixed even at a low temperature, and the toner can be easily fixed at a low temperature. To be realized.
<4> The toner according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein an endothermic peak derived from a crystalline polyester is present in a DSC endothermic curve of the toner. In the toner according to <4>, since there is a portion that retains crystallinity in the toner, blocking resistance can be secured, and compatibility with low-temperature fixability is facilitated.
<5> The toner according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the crystalline resin is a polyester resin including a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1).
However, in said general formula (1), R represents a C2-C20 bivalent hydrocarbon group, n represents the number of repeating units, and is 2-20.
<6> The toner according to <5>, wherein R in the general formula (1) is a linear unsaturated aliphatic divalent hydrocarbon group. The toner described in <6> has a high glass melt temperature (Tg) sharp melt property and is sufficiently fixed even at a low temperature.
<7> The toner according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the content of the crystalline resin in the binder resin is 50% by mass or less. In the toner according to <7>, since the content of the crystalline resin in the binder resin is 50% by mass or less, the toner is excellent in chargeability and transferability.
<8> The toner according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the crystalline resin has a melting point of 80 ° C to 130 ° C. In the toner according to <8>, since the melting point of the crystalline resin is within a predetermined numerical range, both excellent blocking resistance and low-temperature fixability can be achieved, and high image quality can be formed.
<9> The toner according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein a diffraction peak exists at least at a position of 2θ = 20 to 25 ° in an X-ray diffraction pattern of a crystalline resin powder X-ray diffractometer. is there.
<10> The toner according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the amorphous resin has a glass transition temperature TgB of 40 to 70 ° C and a softening point (F1 / 2) of 120 to 160 ° C. is there. In the toner according to <10>, since the glass transition temperature TgB and the softening point (F1 / 2) of the amorphous resin are within a predetermined numerical range, the hot offset resistance is good, and the excellent resistance to resistance. Both blocking properties and low-temperature fixability are compatible, and high image quality can be formed.
<11> The toner according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the amorphous resin includes at least a polyester resin. In the toner according to <11>, since the amorphous resin is a polyester resin, the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner can be easily reduced.
<12> The toner according to <11>, wherein the amorphous resin polyester resin includes at least one of fumaric acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid as a constituent component.
<13> The amorphous resin and the crystalline resin contain at least a polyester resin, and the polyester resin of the crystalline resin and the polyester resin of the amorphous resin are all components of fumaric acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid. The toner according to <4>, containing at least one of acids. In the toner according to <13>, since the polyester resin as the amorphous resin includes at least one of the fumaric acid, the maleic acid, and the succinic acid, these components are the crystalline resin. In common with the component of the polyester resin in, it is easy to achieve partial compatibility, and the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner can be easily lowered.
<14> The toner according to <11>, wherein the amorphous resin has an insoluble content in tetrahydrofuran (THF) of 10% by mass or more. In the toner according to <14>, since the amount of the THF-insoluble matter in the amorphous resin is 10% by mass or more, it is possible to realize low-temperature fixing of the toner and to secure offset resistance.
<15> The toner according to <11>, which contains an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as a constituent component of the polyester resin of the amorphous resin, and the tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble content of the polyester resin is 0 to 5% by mass. is there.
<16> The amorphous resin and the crystalline resin contain at least a polyester resin, and the amorphous resin has a tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble content of 0 to 5% by mass. The toner according to <4>, wherein at least one of the amorphous polyester resins contains an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as a constituent component. In the toner described in <15> and <16>, a clear image can be easily obtained in a toner that obtains an image by superimposing a plurality of colors like a full color toner. It is easy to ensure both offset properties and block resistance.
<17> The toner according to any one of <1> to <16>, further including a release agent, wherein the release agent has a melting point of 70 to 90 ° C. The toner according to <17> further includes the release agent, and since the melting point of the release agent is within a predetermined numerical range, the function of the release agent is sufficiently exhibited.
<18> The toner according to any one of <1> to <17>, wherein the toner has a volume average particle diameter of 2.5 to 7 μm. In the toner according to <18>, since the volume average particle diameter of the toner is within a predetermined numerical range, it is possible to form a high image quality excellent in fine line reproducibility.
<19> The toner according to any one of <1> to <18>, wherein the toner includes at least one of inorganic fine particles and resin fine particles. In the toner according to <19>, since the toner contains at least one of the inorganic fine particles and the resin fine particles, transferability and durability are improved, and high image quality can be formed.
<20> A developer comprising the toner according to any one of <1> to <19>. Since the developer according to <20> includes the toner of the present invention, when an image is formed by electrophotography using the developer, a high offset can be obtained under low temperature fixing conditions without causing hot offset. A high quality image with high image density can be obtained.
<21> A toner-containing container comprising the toner according to any one of <1> to <19>. In the toner-containing container according to <21>, the toner of the present invention is accommodated. Therefore, when image formation is performed by electrophotography using the toner accommodated in the toner-containing container, hot offset is reduced. Without occurrence, a high-quality image with high image density and high sharpness can be obtained under low-temperature fixing conditions.
<22> 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 <19> to be a visible image And a developing means for forming the process cartridge. The process cartridge described in <22> is detachable from the image forming apparatus, is excellent in convenience, and uses the toner of the present invention. A high quality image with high image density can be obtained.
<23> including a fixing step of fixing a transfer image formed by transferring the visible image formed using the toner according to any one of <1> to <19> to the recording medium. This is a characteristic fixing method. In the fixing method according to <23>, in the fixing step, the transfer image formed by transferring a visible image formed using the toner of the present invention to the recording medium is fixed to the recording medium. . As a result, a high quality image with high image density and high sharpness can be obtained under low temperature fixing conditions without causing hot offset.
<24> The fixing method according to <23>, wherein the recording medium is recording paper having a smoothness of 20 to 35 sec. In the fixing method described in <24>, by using the toners <1> to <19>, low-temperature fixing can be performed without causing hot offset even on recording paper with low smoothness that tends to deteriorate adhesiveness. Under certain conditions, a high-quality image with high image density and high sharpness can be obtained.
<25> The fixing step includes a pair of fixing rollers in which the transfer image is pressed against each other so that the transfer image can be rotated, and the contact surface pressure (roller load / contact area) between the pair of fixing rollers is 1 × 10. According to <23>, the fixing roller that is ⁵ Pa or less and that contacts the transfer image has a non-elastic member, and the fixing roller having a thickness of 1.0 mm or less is fixed to the recording medium. The fixing method described. In the fixing method according to <25>, the fixing step is performed using a fixing device having a fixing roller having a low surface pressure and a low heat capacity. For this reason, there is little loss of heat, and the transferred image is efficiently fixed on the recording medium.
<26> The fixing step includes a magnetic field generating means, a rotary heating member having at least a heat generating layer that generates heat by electromagnetic induction, an elastic layer, and a release layer, and a rotary pressure member that forms a nip with the rotary heating member; The recording medium includes a fixing device having at least a heating and pressurizing unit, and presses a transfer image made of toner transferred on the recording medium by the rotary pressing member on the recording medium in the nip. Is a process of pressurizing and fixing to
The toner includes an amorphous resin containing at least a polyester resin, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as a constituent of the polyester resin of the amorphous resin, and a tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble content of the polyester resin of 0 to 5 The fixing method according to <23>, wherein the fixing method is% by mass.
<27> The fixing step includes a heating roller made of magnetic metal and heated by electromagnetic induction, a fixing roller arranged in parallel with the heating roller, and stretched between the heating roller and the fixing roller, and the heating An endless belt-like toner heating medium that is heated by the rollers and rotated by these rollers, and is pressed against the fixing roller via the heating medium and is rotated in the forward direction with respect to the toner heating medium. Using a fixing device having a pressure roller that forms a fixing nip portion, a transfer image made of toner transferred by the pressure roller onto the recording medium in the fixing nip is pressed through the recording medium. , A process of fixing the recording medium under pressure and heat,
The toner includes an amorphous resin containing at least a polyester resin, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as a constituent component of the polyester resin of the amorphous resin, and a tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble content of the polyester resin of 0 to 5 The fixing method according to <23>, wherein the fixing method is% by mass.
<28> An electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image according to <1> to <19> Developing means for developing a visible image by developing using any of the toners, transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium The image forming apparatus is characterized by having at least.
In the image forming apparatus according to <28>, the electrostatic latent image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier. The developing means develops the electrostatic latent image using the toner of the present invention to form a visible image. 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, a high quality image with high image density and high sharpness can be obtained under low temperature fixing conditions without causing hot offset.
<29> An electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image using the toner according to any one of <1> to <19> An image comprising at least a developing step for developing to form a visible image, a transferring step for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and a fixing step for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium It is a forming method.
In the image forming method according to <29>, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier in the electrostatic latent image forming step. In the developing step, the electrostatic latent image is developed using the toner of the present invention to form a visible image. 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, a high quality image with high image density and high sharpness can be obtained under low temperature fixing conditions without causing hot offset.

  According to the present invention, the conventional problems can be solved, excellent properties such as chargeability, transferability, and fixability, good hot offset resistance, excellent blocking resistance and low temperature fixability. And a toner capable of achieving high image quality, and a developer, a container containing toner, a process cartridge, a fixing method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method capable of achieving high image quality using the toner. it can.

(toner)
The toner of the present invention includes an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin as a binder resin, and at least a part of the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin are compatible with each other, and further, if necessary. And other components such as a colorant, a release agent, inorganic fine particles, resin fine particles, and a charge control agent.

  The glass transition temperature TgA of the toner needs to be lower than the glass transition temperature TgC represented by the following formula (1), and the TgA is preferably lower by 10 ° C. or more than the TgC. As the difference between the glass transition temperature TgA and the calculated value TgC of the toner increases, the contribution to low-temperature fixing by the combination of the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin also increases. However, since the blocking resistance tends to be insufficient if it is too low, the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner is preferably 35 ° C. or higher.

However, in said Numerical formula (1), TgBi represents the glass transition temperature of the said amorphous resin. n represents the number of types of the amorphous resin, and b represents the content (parts by mass) of the amorphous resin.

The numerical formula (1) indicates the glass transition temperature of the amorphous resin in the toner, and represents the glass transition temperature of the amorphous resin when the number of the amorphous resins is one (n = 1). In the case of ≧ 2), the glass transition temperature of the resin after compatibilization in the case where the resins are compatible is an equation that represents the harmonic average of the glass transition temperatures of the respective resins.
The glass transition temperature TgA of the toner of the present invention is not only lower than the harmonic average of the glass transition temperature of the resin forming the toner, but also the glass transition temperature (TgB) of only the amorphous resin forming the toner. Lower than the harmonic mean (TgC).

  The glass transition temperature TgA is raised to 20 to 150 ° C. at 10 ° C./min using, for example, a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC-60”; manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation), and then lowered without holding time. After cooling to the measurement start temperature at a rate of 10 ° C./min and then measuring at a rate of temperature increase of 10 ° C./min, it can be determined by the tangential method at the first temperature increase.

-Crystalline resin-
The crystalline resin has a melting point. At the same time, a crystalline transition occurs at the melting point, and at the same time, the crystalline resin has a sharp melt property in which the melt viscosity rapidly decreases from the solid state.
The crystalline resin is preferably partially compatible with the amorphous resin. When at least a part of the crystalline resin and the amorphous resin are compatible with each other, the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner is lowered, and the temperature at which the melt viscosity of the toner starts to be lowered can be lowered. . Further, even when a crystalline resin having a melting point higher than that of the amorphous resin is dispersed, blocking resistance is ensured even if the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner is low.

The compatibility between the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin can be measured, for example, by the following method.
That is, a mixture (a mass ratio of 1: 1) of the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin is 10 ° C./min using, for example, a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC-60”; manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). After the temperature was raised to 20 to 150 ° C., after cooling to the measurement start temperature at a temperature lowering rate of 10 ° C./min without a holding time, when measured at a temperature rising rate of 10 ° C./min, the second time of temperature rising In the case where the glass transition temperature (Tg) obtained by the tangential method is 2 ° C. or more lower than the glass transition temperature TgB of the amorphous resin and there is an endotherm derived from the crystalline resin, these amorphous It can be determined that the resin and the crystalline resin are partially compatible with each other. Further, when the endotherm derived from the crystalline resin overlaps with the endotherm of the amorphous resin, the peak endotherm is larger than the endothermic amount of the amorphous resin estimated from the mixing ratio. It can be determined that there is an endotherm derived from the crystalline resin.

Note that the low-temperature fixing by containing the crystalline resin can only partially dissolve the crystalline resin and the amorphous resin, but the toner has a glass transition temperature TgA of the toner. By using each glass transition temperature TgB of the amorphous resin forming the toner to be lower than the value TgC calculated by the above formula (1), it is possible to ensure further excellent low-temperature fixability. .
Ensuring blocking resistance due to the dispersion of the crystalline resin is facilitated by including a crystalline polyester in the toner so that an endothermic peak derived from the crystalline resin exists in the DSC endothermic curve of the toner.

The crystalline resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Polyester resins synthesized using polycarboxylic acid compounds such as dicarboxylic acids and alicyclic dicarboxylic acids and acid components containing these derivatives are preferred.
The aliphatic polyester resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, the aliphatic polyester resin is represented by the following general formula (1) in that a toner having high sharp melt property can be formed. A polyester resin containing a structural unit is preferred.

In said formula, R shows a C2-C20 bivalent hydrocarbon group. Preferably it is a C2-C20, More preferably, it is a C2-C4 aliphatic group bivalent hydrocarbon group. n is an integer of 2 to 20, preferably 2 to 6. The divalent hydrocarbon group is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the crystallinity. The divalent hydrocarbon group includes an aliphatic divalent hydrocarbon group and an aromatic divalent hydrocarbon group, and a preferred divalent hydrocarbon group is an aliphatic divalent hydrocarbon group. The aliphatic divalent hydrocarbon group includes straight-chain and branched-chain groups, and is preferably a straight-chain aliphatic divalent hydrocarbon group. In the present invention, R is particularly preferably a linear unsaturated aliphatic divalent hydrocarbon group. Specific examples of the divalent hydrocarbon group include ethylene group, n-propylene group, vinylene group, propenylene group, isopropenylene group, n-butylene group, phenylene group, cyclohexylene group and the like.

The polyester resin comprises (i) a polyvalent carboxylic acid component comprising a divalent carboxylic acid or a reactive derivative thereof (an acid anhydride, a lower alkyl ester having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an acid halide, etc.), and (ii) a diol. Can be produced by polycondensation reaction with a polyhydric alcohol component. In this case, a tri- or tetravalent carboxylic acid can be added to the polyvalent carboxylic acid component. In addition, a trivalent or tetravalent alcohol can be added to the polyvalent diol component.
Specific examples of the divalent carboxylic acid include maleic acid, fumaric acid, 1,3-n-propene dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-n-butenedicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, and sebacin. Examples include acids, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, terephthalic acid and the like. Specific examples of the diol include ethylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and the like. The addition amount of the trivalent to tetravalent carboxylic acid used as necessary is usually 40 mol% or less, preferably 20 mol% or less, more preferably 10 mol% or less, based on the total carboxylic acid. The polyester to be added is appropriately added within the range having crystallinity.
Specific examples of the trivalent to tetravalent carboxylic acid that can be added as needed include trimellitic anhydride, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1, 2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3-dicarboxyl-2-methylenecarboxypropane, 1,2,7,8-octane Examples thereof include polyvalent carboxylic acids such as tetracarboxylic acid.
A trivalent or higher polyhydric alcohol can be added to the polyhydric alcohol component, if necessary, in addition to a small amount of an aliphatic branched dihydric alcohol or cyclic dihydric alcohol. The addition amount is 40 mol% or less, preferably 20 mol% or less, more preferably 10 mol% or less, based on the total alcohol, and is suitably added within the range where the resulting polyester has crystallinity. Examples of polyhydric alcohol added as needed include 1,4-bis (hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane, polyethylene glycol, bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct, bisphenol A propylene oxide adduct, glycerin and the like.
In addition, the polyester resin has an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as an acid component, and the amorphous resin does not have a THF-insoluble content, or if it is small, it is too compatible to hold a crystalline part. From the viewpoint of preventing.

When the sharp melting property is high, the melting point of the crystalline resin greatly affects the minimum fixing temperature, and the melting point is preferably low as long as blocking or the like does not occur. Specifically, the melting point is preferably 80 to 130 ° C. 80 to 120 ° C. is more preferable. When the melting point is less than 80 ° C., it may be difficult to synthesize a crystalline resin having sharp melt properties and excellent low-temperature fixability. When the melting point exceeds 130 ° C., the minimum fixing temperature increases. Therefore, good low-temperature fixability may not be obtained.
The melting point of the crystalline resin is, for example, raised to 20 to 150 ° C. at 10 ° C./min using a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC-60”; manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation), and without holding time, After cooling to the measurement start temperature at a temperature decrease rate of 10 ° C./min, when measuring at a temperature increase rate of 10 ° C./min, it can be determined by calculating the endothermic peak temperature at the second temperature increase.

  The crystallinity of the crystalline resin can be confirmed by a diffraction pattern by a powder X-ray diffractometer. The diffraction pattern has a diffraction peak at a position of at least 2θ = 20 to 25 °, and any of 2θ = 19 to 20 °, 21 to 22 °, 23 to 25 °, and 29 to 31 °. A diffraction peak is preferably present at the position. The diffraction pattern can be confirmed by, for example, measuring powder using an XRD standard sample holder under the following conditions using an X-ray diffractometer (“RINT-1100”; manufactured by Rigaku Electric Co., Ltd.). it can. That is, tube bulb: Cu, tube voltage / current: 50 KV-30 mA, goniometer: wide-angle goniometer, sampling width: 0.020 °, scanning speed: 2.0 ° / min, scanning range: 5-50 ° , The presence of a diffraction peak can be peak-searched for those processed with a smoothing point of 11, and the presence or absence can be determined from the detected peak.

The content of the crystalline resin in the binder resin is preferably 50% by mass or less, and more preferably 5 to 50% by mass. When the content exceeds 50% by mass, the crystalline resin is incompatible with the amorphous resin and tends to have a phase separation structure, so that the dispersibility of the resin in the toner may deteriorate. In addition, due to unevenness of the colorant and wax in the toner,
The chargeability of the toner may deteriorate, causing fogging on the image, and in-machine contamination due to toner scattering. When the content is less than 5% by mass, the low-temperature fixability may be inferior.

-Amorphous resin-
The amorphous resin has a property that the melt viscosity gradually decreases from the glass transition temperature TgB as the temperature rises.
The amorphous resin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known resins according to the purpose. For example, styrene, α-methylstyrene, chlorostyrene, styrene-propylene copolymer, Styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-vinyl chloride copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene -Styrenic resin such as acrylonitrile-acrylic acid ester copolymer, polyester resin, vinyl chloride resin, rosin modified maleic acid resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, ionomer resin, polyurethane resin, silicone resin, ketone Resin, xylene resin, petroleum Fat, and petroleum resins hydrogen is added can be mentioned. Among these, a styrene resin or a polyester resin containing an aromatic compound as a component is preferable, and a polyester resin is particularly preferable.
The polyester resin is synthesized from a polyhydric alcohol and a polyvalent carboxylic acid.
The polyhydric alcohol and the polyhydric carboxylic acid are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, components used for the crystalline polyester resin can be suitably used. In addition, an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and derivatives thereof can be used. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In particular, the acid component preferably contains at least one of maleic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid and derivatives thereof. In particular, when these components are used as the crystalline resin, a crystalline polyester containing the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) having maleic acid, fumaric acid, and succinic acid as the acid component is used. Since they are the same, the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner can be further reduced.

The glass transition temperature TgB of the amorphous resin is preferably 40 to 70 ° C. When the glass transition temperature TgB is less than 40 ° C., the heat-resistant storage stability of the toner is remarkably deteriorated and blocking may occur, and when it exceeds 70 ° C., the low-temperature fixability of the toner may be deteriorated.
The glass transition temperature TgB of the amorphous resin is maintained after the temperature is raised to 20 to 150 ° C. at 10 ° C./min using, for example, a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC-60”; manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). After cooling to the measurement start temperature at a temperature lowering rate of 10 ° C./min without time, it can be determined by the tangential method at the second temperature increase when measured at a temperature rising rate of 10 ° C./min.

The softening point (F1 / 2) of the amorphous resin is preferably 120 to 160 ° C. If the F1 / 2 temperature is less than 120 ° C, the hot offset property may be deteriorated, and if it exceeds 160 ° C, the elasticity tends to be high, and the share when the material forming the toner is dispersed increases, and the kneading is performed. The load on the device increases. In addition, the low-temperature fixability may be deteriorated.
The F1 / 2 temperature of the amorphous resin can be determined, for example, from a flow curve measured using an elevated flow tester CFT500 type (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). The F1 / 2 temperature die diameter 1 mm, a die hole length 1 mm, pressure 10 kgf / cm ^2, under the conditions of heating rate 3 ° C. / min, stroke when the sample of 1 cm ³ was melted runoff, This is the temperature at which the stroke change amount from the outflow start point to the outflow end point is ½.

  10 mass% or more is preferable and, as for content of the THF (tetrahydrofuran) insoluble content of the said amorphous resin, 10-40 mass% is more preferable. When the content of the insoluble component is within the numerical range, it is easy to achieve both offset resistance and low-temperature fixability. When the toner is a full color toner, it is preferable that the THF-insoluble content of the amorphous resin is 0 to 5% by mass in order to sufficiently melt and develop a plurality of colors. When there is no or little THF-insoluble matter, compatibility is easy even when the compositions of the crystalline resin and the amorphous resin are different, and the toner tends to have a low Tg. On the other hand, if the same component is too much, it may become too compatible and the crystalline part may not be retained. Therefore, when the amorphous resin is a polyester resin having a low THF-insoluble content, it is preferable that the acid component contains an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a derivative thereof. By such a combination, it is possible to secure hot hoff set resistance and blocking resistance at low temperature fixing, and to obtain a full color toner with good color development.

  The amount of the THF-insoluble matter in the amorphous resin was calculated by extracting the THF-soluble matter with a Soxhlet extractor. Extraction of THF solubles with a Soxhlet extractor was performed as follows. 5 g of resin was precisely weighed and placed in a cylindrical filter paper having an inner diameter of 24 mmφ and set in an extraction tube, and 100 g of THF was placed in the flask. A set of flask portions with a condenser tube attached was placed in a mantle heater, and THF was refluxed at 80 ° C., so that THF from the condenser tube was dropped onto the resin so that THF soluble components were extracted into the flask. After extraction for 10 hours, THF in the extract was distilled off under reduced pressure to obtain a residue. From the exact balance value (A) of 5 g of resin and the residual weight (B) of the extract, the THF-insoluble matter is calculated as (1-B / A) × 100.

  The amorphous resin is only the amorphous resin, and the glass transition temperature TgA is lowered so that the melt viscosity starts to decrease at a low temperature, and the melt viscosity is drastically reduced by decreasing the molecular weight and gel content. If it is lowered, low-temperature fixing can be achieved, but hot offset resistance and blocking resistance tend to be insufficient. However, since the toner of the present invention also contains the crystalline resin, it is possible to achieve a rapid decrease in melt viscosity without such problems.

-Other ingredients-
The other components are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, colorants, release agents, inorganic fine particles, resin fine particles, charge control agents, fluidity improvers, and cleaning properties are improved. Agents, magnetic materials and the like.

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 not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 1 to 15% by mass, and more preferably 3 to 10% by mass.
When the content is less than 1% by mass, a reduction in the coloring power of the toner is observed, and when the content exceeds 15% by mass, a poor dispersion of the pigment in the toner occurs. The characteristics may be degraded.

  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, a styrene copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate , Polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, aliphatic hydrocarbon resin, alicyclic Aromatic 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.

  Examples of the polymer of styrene or a substituted product thereof include polyester resin, polystyrene, poly p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyl toluene, and the like. Examples of the styrene copolymer include a styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymer, a styrene-propylene copolymer, a styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, a styrene-vinylnaphthalene copolymer, and a styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer. Polymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene- Butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-α-chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene An acrylonitrile-indene copolymer, Styrene - maleic acid copolymer, styrene - maleic acid ester copolymer, and the like.

  The masterbatch can be produced by mixing or kneading the masterbatch resin and the colorant under high shear. At this time, it is preferable to add an organic solvent in order to enhance the interaction between the colorant and the resin. Also, the so-called flushing method is preferable in that the wet cake of the colorant can be used as it is, and there is no need to dry it. This flushing method is a method of mixing or kneading an aqueous paste containing water of a colorant together with a resin and an organic solvent, and transferring the colorant to the resin side to remove moisture and organic solvent components. For the mixing or kneading, for example, a high shear dispersion device such as a three-roll mill is preferably used.

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.
Examples of the waxes include low molecular weight polyolefin waxes, synthetic hydrocarbon waxes, natural waxes, petroleum waxes, higher fatty acids and metal salts thereof, higher fatty acid amides, and various modified waxes thereof. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
Examples of the low molecular weight polyolefin wax include low molecular weight polyethylene wax and low molecular weight polypropylene wax.
Examples of the synthetic hydrocarbon wax include Fischer-Tropsch wax.
Examples of the natural waxes include beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, rice wax, and montan wax.
Examples of the petroleum waxes include paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax.
Examples of the higher fatty acid include stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, and the like.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as melting | fusing point of the said mold release agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 65-110 degreeC is preferable and 70-90 degreeC is especially preferable.
When the melting point is less than 65 ° C., the release agent may adversely affect the blocking resistance. Paper wrapping around the printer may occur.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said toner of the said mold release agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 1-20 mass parts is preferable, and 3-10 mass parts is more preferable. When the content exceeds 20 parts by mass, the fluidity of the toner is deteriorated, and problems such as contamination of other members may be observed.

The inorganic fine particles are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, titanate Strontium, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, pengala, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, carbonized Examples include silicon and silicon nitride. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The primary particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 5 nm to 2 μm, and more preferably 5 nm to 500 nm. The specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles by BET method is preferably 20 to 500 m <2> / g.
The content of the inorganic fine particles in the toner is preferably 0.01 to 5.0% by mass, and more preferably 0.01 to 2.0% by mass.
The inorganic fine particles can be suitably used as an external additive for the toner.

The resin fine particles are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known resins according to the purpose, and may be thermoplastic resins or thermosetting resins, such as vinyl resins, Examples include polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyimide resins, silicon resins, phenol resins, melamine resins, urea resins, aniline resins, ionomer resins, polycarbonate resins, and the like.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, at least one selected from vinyl resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, and polyester resins is preferable because an aqueous dispersion of fine spherical resin particles can be easily obtained.
The vinyl resin is a polymer obtained by homopolymerizing or copolymerizing a vinyl monomer. For example, a styrene- (meth) acrylic acid ester resin, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, a (meth) acrylic acid-acrylic acid ester polymer. Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene- (meth) acrylic acid copolymer, and the like.
Moreover, as the resin fine particles, a copolymer comprising a monomer having at least two unsaturated groups can be used.
The monomer having at least two unsaturated groups is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a sodium salt of ethylene oxide methacrylate adduct sulfate (“Eleminol RS-30”). "; Manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.), divinylbenzene, 1,6-hexanediol acrylate and the like.

The volume average particle diameter of the resin fine particles is preferably 20 to 400 nm, and more preferably 30 to 350 nm. When the volume average particle size is less than 20 nm, the resin fine particles remaining on the surface of the toner may be formed into a film, or the entire surface of the toner may be covered densely. Adhesiveness with fixing paper as a transfer material may be hindered, and the minimum fixing temperature may be increased. If it exceeds 400 nm, the resin fine particles inhibit the exudation of the wax component, and sufficient releasability is obtained. It may not be obtained and an offset may occur.
The resin coverage of the resin fine particles is preferably 75 to 100%, more preferably 80 to 100%. If the toner coverage is less than 75%, the storage stability of the toner is deteriorated, and blocking may occur during storage or use.
The content of the resin fine particles in the toner is preferably 0.5 to 8.0% by mass, and more preferably 0.6 to 7.0% by mass. When the content is less than 0.5% by mass, the storability of the toner deteriorates, and blocking may be observed during storage or use. When the content exceeds 8.0% by mass, The resin fine particles hinder the seepage of the wax, so that sufficient releasability cannot be obtained and offset may occur.

The charge control agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. However, since a color tone may change when a colored material is used, a colorless or nearly white material may be used. Preferably, for example, nigrosine dye, triphenylmethane dye, chromium-containing metal complex dye, molybdate chelate pigment, rhodamine dye, alkoxy amine, quaternary ammonium salt (including fluorine-modified quaternary ammonium salt), alkylamide And a simple substance of phosphorus or a compound thereof, a simple substance of tungsten or a compound thereof, a fluorine-based activator, a metal salt of salicylic acid, a metal salt of a salicylic acid derivative, and the like. Among these, salicylic acid metal salts and metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives are preferred. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said metal, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, aluminum, zinc, titanium, strontium, boron, silicon, nickel, iron, chromium, zirconium etc. are mentioned.
Commercially available products may be used as the charge control agent. Examples of the commercially available products include quaternary ammonium salt Bontron P-51, oxynaphthoic acid metal complex E-82, and salicylic acid metal complex. E-84, phenolic condensate E-89 (above, manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex TP-302, TP-415 (above, manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), fourth Copy charge PSY VP2038 of quaternary ammonium salt, copy blue PR of triphenylmethane derivative, copy charge of quaternary ammonium salt NEG VP2036, copy charge NX VP434 (manufactured by Hoechst), LRA-901, LR which is a boron complex -147 (manufactured by Nippon Carlit), quinacridone, azo pigments, other sulfonic acid groups, carbo Sill group, polymer compounds having a functional group such as quaternary ammonium salts, and the like.
The charge control agent may be melted and kneaded with the master batch and then dissolved or dispersed, or may be added together with each component of the toner when directly dissolving or dispersing in the organic solvent, or The toner particles may be fixed on the toner surface after production.

  The content of the charge control agent in the toner varies depending on the type of the binder resin, the presence / absence of an additive, a dispersion method, and the like, and cannot be generally specified. On the other hand, 0.1-10 mass parts is preferable, and 1-5 mass parts is more preferable. When the content is less than 0.1 parts by mass, the charging characteristics of the toner may be deteriorated. When the content exceeds 10 parts by mass, the chargeability of the toner becomes too large, and the effect of the main charge control agent is increased. , And the electrostatic attraction force with the developing roller increases, which may lead to a decrease in developer fluidity and a decrease in image density.

The fluidity improver means a material that can be surface treated to increase hydrophobicity and prevent deterioration of flow characteristics and charging characteristics even under high humidity. For example, a silane coupling agent, a silylating agent, Examples thereof include a silane coupling agent having a fluoroalkyl group, an organic titanate coupling agent, an aluminum coupling agent, silicone oil, and modified silicone oil.
The cleaning improver is added to the toner in order to remove the developer after transfer remaining on the photoreceptor or the primary transfer medium. For example, a fatty acid metal salt such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, Examples thereof include polymer fine particles produced by soap-free emulsion polymerization such as methyl methacrylate fine particles and polystyrene fine particles. The polymer fine particles preferably have a relatively narrow particle size distribution, and those having a volume average particle size of 0.01 to 1 μm are suitable.

The method for producing the toner of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known methods according to the purpose. For example, a pulverization method in which the material forming the toner is melt-kneaded and then pulverized and classified. And polymerization methods.
When the constituent materials are dispersed by melt kneading, the partial compatibility may be adjusted by the shearing force at the time of melt kneading. For example, in the case of a resin combination in which the Tg decrease due to partial compatibility is small, the resin is melted by increasing the number of revolutions or lowering the set temperature of the device below the F1 / 2 temperature of the resin, By kneading in a wet state, a shearing force is easily applied, and the toner is likely to have a low Tg.

  The toner of the present invention has various physical properties such as shape and size, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but has the following thermal characteristics, volume average particle size, and the like. It is preferable.

The thermal characteristics are also called flow tester characteristics, and are evaluated as, for example, a softening temperature (Ts), an outflow start temperature (Tfb), a 1/2 method softening point (F1 / 2), and the like.
These thermal characteristics can be measured by an appropriately selected method. For example, the thermal characteristics can be obtained from a flow curve measured using an elevated flow tester CFT500 type (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said softening temperature (Ts), According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 30 degreeC or more is preferable and 50-120 degreeC is more preferable. When the softening temperature (Ts) is less than 30 ° C., at least one of durability and low temperature storage stability may be deteriorated.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said outflow start temperature (Tfb), According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 50 degreeC or more is preferable and 60-150 degreeC is more preferable. If the outflow start temperature (Tfb) is less than 50 ° C., at least one of hot offset resistance and low temperature storage stability may deteriorate.
The 1/2 method softening point (F1 / 2) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, 60 ° C. or higher is preferable, and 80 to 170 ° C. is more preferable. If the 1/2 method softening point (F1 / 2) is less than 60 ° C., at least one of hot offset resistance and low-temperature storage stability may deteriorate.
In addition, said 1/2 method softening point (F1 / 2) is a die hole diameter of 1 mm, a die hole length of 1 mm, and a pressure of 10 kgf / cm ² when the above-described elevated flow tester CFT500 type (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) is used. The temperature at which the stroke when a sample of 1 cm ³ is melted and flowed out under the condition of a temperature rising rate of 3 ° C./min is ½ of the stroke change amount from the outflow start point to the outflow end point. .

The volume average particle diameter of the toner is preferably 2.5 to 10 μm, and more preferably 2.5 to 7 μm, for example.
When the volume average particle size is less than 2.5 μm, in the two-component developer, the toner may be fused to the surface of the carrier during a long period of stirring in the developing device, and the charging ability of the carrier may be reduced. In a one-component developer, toner filming on the developing roller and toner fusion to a member such as a blade are likely to occur because the toner layer is thinned. Thus, it becomes difficult to obtain a high-quality image, and when the balance of the toner in the developer is performed, the fluctuation of the toner particle diameter may increase.
The volume average particle diameter can be measured using, for example, a particle size measuring device “Multisizer II” manufactured by Beckman Coulter.

  The coloration of the toner of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and can be at least one selected from black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner and yellow toner. This toner can be obtained by appropriately selecting the type of the colorant.

  The toner of the present invention contains the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin, and the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin are compatible with each other, so that the melt viscosity is lowered even at a low temperature, and the melt viscosity is decreased with respect to the temperature. Is abrupt and well established even at low temperatures. Further, since the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner of the present invention is lower than the glass transition temperature TgC represented by the above formula (1), the toner can be more easily fixed at a low temperature. For this reason, the toner of the present invention is excellent in various properties such as chargeability, transferability, and fixability, has good hot offset resistance, and has both excellent blocking resistance and low temperature fixability. It is suitably used for image formation.

(Developer)
The developer of the present invention contains at least the toner of the present invention, and other components such as a carrier selected as appropriate. 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, 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 developing device, 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. Further, 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 core material has a volume average particle size of preferably 10 to 150 μm, and more preferably 40 to 100 μm.
When the average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter (D50)) is less than 10 μm, in the distribution of carrier particles, the fine powder system increases, the magnetization per particle is lowered, and carrier scattering may occur. If the thickness exceeds 150 μm, the specific surface area may be reduced and toner scattering may occur. In the case of a full color with many solid portions, the reproduction of the solid portions may be particularly poor.

  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, vinylidene fluoride And a copolymer of 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, poly Examples include acrylonitrile 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.

Since the developer of the present invention contains the toner of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a good balance between chargeability and fixability during image formation, and stably form high-quality images. .
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, fixing methods, 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 container main body and a cap containing a toner etc. are mentioned suitably.
The size, shape, structure, material and the like of the container body containing toner are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the shape is preferably cylindrical. A spiral irregularity is formed on the peripheral surface, and the toner as the contents can be transferred to the discharge port side by rotating, and part or all of the spiral part has a bellows function, etc. Is particularly preferred.
The material of the toner-containing container body is not particularly limited, and those having good dimensional accuracy are preferable. For example, a resin is preferably used. Among them, for example, polyester resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, Preferable examples include vinyl chloride 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. At least a developing means for forming the film, and other means 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, and is preferably detachably provided in the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention described later.

(Fixing method)
The fixing method of the present invention includes at least a fixing step, and further includes other steps appropriately selected as necessary.

The fixing step is a step of fixing a transfer image formed by transferring a visible image formed using the toner of the present invention onto a recording medium, and the fixing step is performed using a fixing device. Is called. Further, the fixing step may be performed every 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.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said fixing device, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, A well-known heating-pressing means is suitable. Examples of the heating and pressing means include a pair of fixing rollers (for example, a combination of a heating roller and a pressure roller) that are rotatably contacted with each other, a combination of a heating roller, a pressure roller, and an endless belt, and the like. Can be mentioned.
The pair of fixing rollers is preferably formed of an inelastic member. 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. Further, it is preferable that the surface of the fixing roller is covered with an offset preventing 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 polytetrafluoro. Preferred examples include ethylene (PTFE).

In the pair of fixing rollers, the contact surface pressure (roller load / contact area) between the fixing rollers is preferably low, and specifically, it is required to be 1.5 × 10 ⁵ Pa or less, and 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa or less is preferable, and 0.5 × 10 ⁵ Pa is more preferable. When the contact surface pressure is within the numerical range, not only the low-temperature fixability is improved, but also the fixing roller has a low heat capacity, and after the power supply of the fixing device is turned on, the device waits for the operation. Time is shortened and energy saving can be easily achieved.
Here, the contact surface pressure is a value obtained by dividing a load applied to both ends of the fixing roller by a contact area of the fixing roller. The contact area of the fixing roller is a number in a state where a sheet whose surface area is greatly changed by heating such as an OHP sheet is passed between the fixing rollers heated to the fixing temperature, and the sheet is stopped halfway. After being held for 10 seconds, it is discharged and obtained by obtaining the area of the portion where the surface property on the sheet has changed.
The fixing roller that contacts the transfer image of the pair of fixing rollers preferably has a thickness of a portion formed by the inelastic member of 1.0 mm or less. Although it changes with conductivity etc., it is more preferable that it is 0.2-0.7 mm. When the thickness is 1.0 mm or less, the temperature rise characteristic of the fixing roller is improved, and the temperature can be raised to a desired temperature in a very short time.
The heating in the heating and pressurizing means is usually preferably 80 ° C to 200 ° C.

One mode for carrying out the fixing method of the present invention will be described with reference to the fixing device shown in FIG.
A fixing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a heating roller 2 as the heating and pressing member (the pair of fixing rollers), and a pressing roller 3 disposed in pressure contact therewith.

The heating roller 2 has a metal cylinder 4, the surface of which is covered with an offset prevention layer 5, and a heating lamp 6 is disposed inside.
The pressure roller 3 has a metal cylinder 7 and the surface thereof is formed by being covered with an offset prevention layer 8. The pressure roller 3 may have a heating lamp 9 disposed therein.
The heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3 are rotatably provided in a pressed state by being biased by a spring (not shown).

  In the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, first, the recording medium S on which the toner image T to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the nip portion between the heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3. The toner T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3 heated to a predetermined temperature by the action of the built-in heating lamp 6, and at the same time, the pressure roller 3 The toner image T is fixed on the sheet S by being pressed when passing through the nip portion by the pressing force.

  According to the fixing method of the present invention, a transfer image formed using the toner of the present invention having a high sharp melt property is fixed on the recording medium. As a result, a high quality image with high image density and high sharpness can be obtained under low temperature fixing conditions without causing hot offset. Further, since the image is fixed on the recording medium by the fixing roller having a low surface pressure and a low heat capacity, the transfer image is fixed efficiently with little loss of heat.

  As another aspect for carrying out the fixing method of the present invention, the fixing step includes a magnetic field generating means, a rotary heating member having at least a heat generating layer and a release layer that generate heat by electromagnetic induction, and the rotary heating member and the nip A transfer device comprising a toner having the rotary pressure member transferred onto a recording medium in the nip using a fixing device having a heating and pressure unit having at least a rotary pressure member forming the recording medium. It may be a step of pressurizing and fixing to the recording medium while pressing through the medium. Also according to the aspect, it becomes possible to secure a low-temperature fixing and a wide fixing temperature range more than conventional. In particular, in the above-described aspect, in addition to hot offset resistance, it is easy to ensure wrapping resistance, so that it is suitable for fixing full-color toners in which there are many elastic components in order to improve meltability.

  The fixing device may have at least a heat generating layer and a release layer. For a fixing device such as a color image having a thick toner layer, the fixing device is provided between the heat generating layer and the release layer for the purpose of improving color mixing. An elastic layer can also be provided.

  2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a main part of the electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device 1100, FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the main part, and FIG. 4 is a vertical front schematic view of the main part. is there. Here, an example having a rotary heating member having an elastic layer in addition to the heat generation layer and the release layer is shown. Further, FIG. 2 is an example, and the configuration can be changed as appropriate. For example, a configuration in which an exciting coil portion is installed outside the belt may be used.

  A fixing device 1100 shown in FIG. 2 is a pressure roller driving type and electromagnetic induction heating type device using a cylindrical electromagnetic induction heat generating belt. Reference numeral 1010 denotes a cylindrical fixing film having an electromagnetic induction heat generating layer (conductor layer, magnetic layer, resistor layer) as an electromagnetic induction heat generating rotating body.

  The magnetic field generating means includes magnetic cores 1017a, 1017b, 1017c and an excitation coil 1018.

  The magnetic cores 1017a, 1017b, and 1017c are high magnetic permeability members, and materials used for transformer cores such as ferrite and permalloy are preferably used, and it is more preferable to use ferrite with low loss even at 100 kHz or higher.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an excitation circuit 1027 is connected to power supply units 1018a and 1018b in the excitation coil 1018. The excitation circuit 1027 can generate a high frequency of 10 kHz to 500 kHz by a switching power supply.

  The exciting coil 1018 generates an alternating magnetic flux by the alternating current (high frequency current) supplied from the exciting circuit 1027.

  Reference numerals 1016a and 1016b are saddle-shaped belt guide members having a substantially semicircular arc shape in cross section. The opening sides face each other to form a substantially cylindrical body, and the fixing belt 1010, which is a cylindrical electromagnetic induction heating belt, is loose on the outside. Is externally fitted.

  The belt guide member 1016a holds magnetic cores 1017a, 1017b and 1017c as magnetic field generating means and an excitation coil 1018 on the inner side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a good heat conducting member 1040 having a longitudinal length in the paper surface is disposed on the belt guide member 1016 a on the inner surface of the fixing belt 1010 on the side of the nip N facing the pressure roller 1030. ing.

  In this example, aluminum is used for the good heat conductive member 1040. The good thermal conductive member 1040 has a thermal conductivity k of k = 240 [W · m−1 · K−1] and a thickness of 1 [mm].

  The good heat conducting member 1040 is disposed outside the magnetic field so as not to be affected by the magnetic field generated from the exciting coil 1018 and the magnetic cores 1017a, 1017b and 1017c, which are magnetic field generating means.

  Specifically, the good heat conducting member 1040 is disposed at a position separating the magnetic core 1017c from the exciting coil 1018, and is located outside the magnetic path by the exciting coil 1018 to affect the good heat conductor 1040. I am trying not to.

  The laterally long pressurizing rigid stay 1022 is disposed in contact with the inner surface plane portion of the belt guide member 1016b.

  The magnetic cores 1017a, 1017b, 1017c and the exciting coil 1018 are insulated from the pressurizing rigid stay 1022 by an insulating member 1019.

  The flange members 1023a and 1023b are externally fitted to both left and right ends of the assembly of the belt guide members 1016a and 1016b, and are rotatably attached while fixing the left and right positions. The end portions of the fixing belt 1010 are fixed when the fixing belt 1010 rotates. In response to this, it functions to regulate the displacement of the fixing belt along the length of the belt guide member.

  A pressure roller 1030 serving as a pressure member includes a cored bar 1030a, a heat-resistant / elastic material layer 1030b such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, and fluororesin that is concentrically and integrally formed around the cored bar. The both ends of the cored bar 1030a are rotatably held between the chassis side sheet metals (not shown) of the apparatus.

  By pressing the pressure springs 1025a and 1025b between the both ends of the pressure rigid stay 1022 and the spring receiving members 1029a and 1029b on the apparatus chassis side, a pressing force is applied to the pressure component stay 1022, respectively. . As a result, the lower surface of the belt guide member 1016a and the upper surface of the pressure roller 1030 are pressed against each other with the fixing belt 1010 interposed therebetween, so that a fixing nip portion N having a predetermined width is formed.

  The pressure roller 1030 is rotationally driven by the driving means M in the direction of the arrow. A rotational force acts on the fixing belt 1010 by the frictional force between the pressure roller 1030 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 1010 by the rotation driving of the pressure roller 1030, and the inner surface of the fixing belt 1010 has good heat in the fixing nip N. The belt guide members 1016a and 1016b are rotated in a rotating state at a peripheral speed substantially corresponding to the rotational peripheral speed of the pressure roller 1030 in the direction indicated by the arrow while sliding in close contact with the lower surface of the conductive member 1040.

  In this case, in order to reduce the mutual sliding frictional force between the lower surface of the good heat conductive member 1040 and the inner surface of the fixing belt 1010 in the fixing nip portion N, the lower surface of the good heat conductive member 1040 and the fixing belt 1010 in the fixing nip portion N. It is also possible to interpose a lubricant such as heat resistant grease between the inner surface and the lower surface of the good heat conductive member 1040 with a lubricating member. This is because, when the aluminum is used as the good heat conducting member 1040, the surface slipperiness is not good in terms of material, or when the finishing process is simplified, the sliding fixing belt 1010 is damaged and the fixing belt 1010 is damaged. This prevents the durability of the resin from deteriorating.

  The good heat conductive member 1040 has an effect of making the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction uniform. For example, when small-size paper is passed, the heat amount of the non-sheet passing portion of the fixing belt 1010 is transferred to the good heat conductive member 1040. The heat is transferred to the small size paper passing portion by heat conduction in the longitudinal direction of the good heat conducting member 1040. Thereby, the effect of reducing the power consumption at the time of passing small-size paper is also obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, convex rib portions 1016e are formed on the curved surface of the belt guide member 1016a at predetermined intervals along the length thereof, and the curved surface of the belt guide member 1016a and the inner surface of the fixing belt 1010 are formed. The rotational load on the fixing belt 1010 is reduced by reducing the contact sliding resistance. Such a convex rib portion can be similarly formed on the belt guide member 1016b.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows how the alternating magnetic flux is generated. A magnetic flux C represents a part of the generated alternating magnetic flux. The alternating magnetic flux C guided to the magnetic cores 1017a, 1017b and 1017c is vortexed in the electromagnetic induction heating layer 1001 of the fixing belt 1010 between the magnetic cores 1017a and 1017b and between the magnetic cores 1017a and 1017c. Generate current. This eddy current generates Joule heat (eddy current loss) in the electromagnetic induction heat generating layer 1001 due to the specific resistance of the electromagnetic induction heat generating layer 1001. The calorific value Q here is determined by the density of the magnetic flux passing through the electromagnetic induction heat generating layer 1001, and shows a distribution as shown in the graph of FIG. In the graph of FIG. 6, the vertical axis indicates the circumferential position of the fixing belt 1010 expressed by an angle θ with the center of the magnetic core 1017 a being 0, and the horizontal axis is the heat generation in the electromagnetic induction heating layer 1001 of the fixing belt 1010. The quantity Q is indicated. Here, when the maximum heat generation amount is Q, the heat generation region H is defined as a region where the heat generation amount is Q / e or more. This is a region where the amount of heat generated for fixing can be obtained.

  The temperature of the fixing nip portion N is adjusted so that a predetermined temperature is maintained by controlling the current supply to the exciting coil 1018 by a temperature control system including a temperature detection unit (not shown). Further, a temperature sensor 1026 such as a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the fixing belt 1010 is provided, and in this example, the temperature of the fixing nip portion N is controlled based on the temperature information of the fixing belt 1010 measured by the temperature sensor 1026. ing.

  In a state where the fixing belt 1010 rotates and the electromagnetic induction heat generation of the fixing belt 1010 is performed by the power supply from the excitation circuit 1027 to the excitation coil 1018 and the fixing nip portion N rises to a predetermined temperature and is temperature-controlled as described above. The recording material P on which the unfixed toner image t1 conveyed from the image forming unit is formed has an image surface facing upward between the fixing belt 1010 and the pressure roller 1030 in the fixing nip N, that is, facing the fixing belt surface. In the fixing nip portion N, the image surface is in close contact with the outer surface of the fixing belt 1010, and the fixing nip portion N is nipped and conveyed together with the fixing belt 1010. In the process in which the recording material P is nipped and conveyed through the fixing nip N together with the fixing belt 1010, the fixing belt 1010 is heated by electromagnetic induction heat generation, and the unfixed toner image t1 on the recording material P is heated and fixed. . When the recording material P passes through the fixing nip portion N, it is separated from the outer surface of the rotary fixing belt 1010 and discharged and conveyed. The heat-fixed toner image t2 on the recording material is cooled to be a permanently fixed image after passing through the fixing nip portion.

As another aspect for carrying out the fixing method of the present invention, the fixing step includes a heating roller made of a magnetic metal and heated by electromagnetic induction, a fixing roller arranged in parallel with the heating roller, While being stretched between a heating roller and the fixing roller, heated by the heating roller, and in contact with the fixing roller via the heating medium, an endless belt-like toner heating medium rotated by these rollers, Using a fixing device having a pressure roller that rotates in the forward direction with respect to the toner heating medium to form a fixing nip portion, the pressure roller is made of toner transferred onto a recording medium in the fixing nip. A fixing method may be a process in which the transfer image is pressed and heated and fixed to the recording medium while being pressed through the recording medium. Also according to the aspect, it becomes possible to secure a low-temperature fixing and a wide fixing temperature range that are more than conventional.
In particular, since it is easy to ensure a wide nip width, it is suitable as a fixing device for a full-color image in which a plurality of color toners need to be sufficiently melted and colored.

An example of the fixing device is shown in FIG.
The fixing device shown in FIG. 7 spans a heating roller 2001 that is heated by electromagnetic induction of the induction heating unit 2006, a fixing roller 2002 that is arranged in parallel to the heating roller 2001, and the heating roller 2001 and the fixing roller 2002. An endless belt-like heat-resistant belt (toner heating medium) 2003 that is heated by the heating roller 2001 and rotated in the direction of arrow A by at least one of these rollers rotating, and press-contacted to the fixing roller 2002 via the belt 2003 And a pressure roller 2004 that rotates in the forward direction with respect to the belt 2003.
The heating roller 2001 is made of a hollow cylindrical magnetic metal member such as iron, cobalt, nickel, or an alloy of these metals, and has a low heat capacity and a high temperature rise with an outer diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 0.1 mm, for example. It has become.

  The fixing roller 2002 includes a metal core 2002a made of, for example, stainless steel, and an elastic member 2002b covered with a core metal 2002a made of heat-resistant silicone rubber in a solid or foamed form. In order to form a contact portion having a predetermined width between the pressure roller 2004 and the fixing roller 2002 by the pressing force from the pressure roller 2004, the outer diameter is set to about 40 mm, which is larger than that of the heating roller 2001. The elastic member 2002b has a thickness of about 3 to 6 mm and a hardness of about 40 to 60 ° (Asker hardness). With this configuration, the heat capacity of the heating roller 2001 is smaller than the heat capacity of the fixing roller 2002, so that the heating roller 2001 is rapidly heated and the warm-up time is shortened.

The belt 2003 stretched between the heating roller 2001 and the fixing roller 2002 is heated at a contact portion W1 with the heating roller 2001 heated by the induction heating unit 2006. Then, the inner surface of the belt 2003 is continuously heated by the rotation of the rollers 2001 and 2002, and as a result, the entire belt is heated.
The thickness of the release layer 2003b is preferably about 50 μm to 500 μm, particularly about 200 μm. In this way, the toner image T formed on the recording material 2011 is sufficiently wrapped by the surface layer portion of the belt 2003, so that the toner image T can be uniformly heated and melted.

When the thickness of the release layer 2003b is smaller than 100 μm, the heat capacity of the belt 2003 becomes small, the belt surface temperature rapidly decreases in the toner fixing process, and the fixing performance cannot be sufficiently ensured. Further, when the thickness of the release layer 2003b is larger than 500 μm, the heat capacity of the belt 2003 is increased and the time required for warm-up is increased. In addition, in the toner fixing process, the belt surface temperature is difficult to decrease, the agglomeration effect of the melted toner at the fixing portion outlet cannot be obtained, the belt releasability is reduced, and the toner adheres to the belt. Hot offset occurs.
As a base material of the belt 2003, a heat-resistant resin layer such as a fluorine resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamide resin, a polyamideimide resin, a PEEK resin, a PES resin, or a PPS resin is used instead of the heat generating layer 2003a made of the above metal. May be used.

The pressure roller 2004 includes a cored bar 2004a made of a metal cylindrical member having high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, and an elastic member having high heat resistance and toner releasability provided on the surface of the cored bar 2004a. 2004b. In addition to the above metal, SUS may be used for the core metal 2004a.
The pressure roller 2004 presses the fixing roller 2002 via the belt 2003 to form the fixing nip portion N. In this embodiment, the pressure roller 2004 is harder than the fixing roller 2002. As a result, the pressure roller 2004 bites into the fixing roller 2002 (and the belt 2003), and this biting causes the recording material 2011 to follow the circumferential shape of the surface of the pressure roller 2004, so that the recording material 2011 is separated from the surface of the belt 2003. Has the effect of facilitating. The outer diameter of the pressure roller 2004 is about 40 mm which is the same as that of the fixing roller 2002, but the wall pressure is about 1 to 3 mm, which is thinner than the fixing roller 2002, and the hardness is about 50 to 70 ° (Asker hardness) as described above. It is configured to be harder than the fixing roller 2002.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8a, b, the induction heating means 2006 that heats the heating roller 2001 by electromagnetic induction includes an excitation coil 2007 that is a magnetic field generation means, and a coil guide plate 2008 around which the excitation coil 2007 is wound. And have. The coil guide plate 2008 has a semi-cylindrical shape arranged close to the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller 2001. As shown in FIG. 8b, the excitation coil 2007 is formed by passing a long excitation coil wire along the coil guide plate 2008. Thus, the heat roller 2001 is alternately wound in the axial direction.
The exciting coil 7 is connected to a driving power source (not shown) whose oscillation circuit has a variable frequency.
On the outside of the excitation coil 2007, a semi-cylindrical excitation coil core 2009 made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite is fixed to the excitation coil core support member 2010 and is arranged close to the excitation coil 2007. In the present embodiment, the exciting coil core 2009 having a relative permeability of 2500 is used.

A high frequency alternating current of 10 kHz to 1 MHz, preferably a high frequency alternating current of 20 kHz to 800 kHz is supplied to the exciting coil 2007 from a driving power source, thereby generating an alternating magnetic field. The alternating magnetic field acts on the heating roller 2001 and the heat generation layer 2003a of the belt 2003 in the contact area W1 between the heating roller 2001 and the heat-resistant belt 2003 and in the vicinity thereof, and in the direction of preventing the change of the alternating magnetic field inside these. Eddy current I flows.
This eddy current I generates Joule heat corresponding to the resistance of the heating roller 2001 and the heat generating layer 2003a, and the belt 2003 having the heating roller 2001 and the heat generating layer 2003a mainly in the contact area between the heating roller 2001 and the belt 2003 and its vicinity. Is heated by electromagnetic induction.

In the present invention, it is particularly effective to use the toner of the present invention in a fixing method for fixing an electrostatic latent image on a recording paper having a smoothness of 20 to 35 sec. By using the toner of the present invention that has sharp melt properties and has a low melt viscosity at low temperatures, it is easy to fix even at low temperatures even on low-smooth recording papers that are difficult to secure fixing strength due to poor adhesion.
The measurement of the smoothness of the recording paper in the present invention is carried out by the JAPAN TAPPI Paper Pulp Test Method No. 5-2: 2000 (Paper and Paperboard—Smoothness and Air Permeability Test Method—Part 2: Oken Method) ) Can be measured with a testing machine specified in).

(Image forming method and image forming apparatus)
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 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 electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier.
There are no particular restrictions on the material, shape, structure, size, etc. of the electrostatic latent image bearing member (sometimes referred to as “photoconductive insulator” or “photosensitive member”), and among the known ones The shape is preferably a drum shape, and examples of the material include inorganic photoconductors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, and organic photoconductors such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine. It is done. 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).

  The developer accommodated in the developing device is a developer containing the toner of the present invention, but the developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer. The toner contained in the developer is the toner of the present invention.

-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 not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known recording media (recording paper).

The fixing step is a step of fixing the visible image transferred to the recording medium using a fixing device, and may be performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium, or for the toner of each color. You may perform this simultaneously in the state which laminated | stacked this.
The fixing device is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.
Known heating and pressing means are suitable. Examples of the heating and pressing means include a combination of a heating roller and a pressure roller, a combination of a heating roller, a pressure roller, and an endless belt.
The heating in the heating and pressurizing means is usually preferably 80 ° C to 200 ° C.
In the present invention, for example, a known optical fixing device may be used together with or in place of the fixing step and the fixing unit depending on the purpose.

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 electrophotographic 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 means is a process for controlling the respective steps, and can be suitably performed by the control means.
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. 9 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. An apparatus 30, and a developing device 40 as the developing means;
An intermediate transfer member 50, a cleaning device 60 as the cleaning unit having a cleaning blade, and a static elimination lamp 70 as the static elimination unit are provided.

  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. 9, 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. 10 does not include the developing belt 41 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 9, and a black developing unit 45K, a yellow developing unit 45Y, a magenta developing unit 45M, and the like around the photoconductor 10. Except that the cyan developing unit 45C is arranged directly opposite, it has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the same components as those in FIG. 9 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. A tandem image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 11 is a tandem color image forming apparatus. The tandem image forming apparatus 100 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. 11. 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 heating roller 26 and a pressure roller 27 disposed so as to be pressed against the heating roller 26.
In the tandem image forming apparatus 100, 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, full color image formation (color copy) using the tandem image forming apparatus 100 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 100. ) And black, yellow, magenta and cyan toner images are formed in the respective image forming means. That is, 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 100 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. 12), and an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color image on the photosensitive member, A developing unit 61 that develops using color toners (black toner, yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner) to form a toner image with each color toner, and intermediate the toner image A transfer charger 62 for transferring the image onto the photoconductor 50, a photoconductor cleaning device 63, and a static eliminator 64 are provided, and each single color image (black image, yellow image) is based on the image information of each color. , Magenta 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 having both anti-blocking property and low-temperature fixability and good hot offset resistance is used, high image quality is efficiently obtained even under low-temperature fixing conditions. can get.

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

  Resins 1 to 14 were prepared as materials for forming the toner of the present invention. It shows to Tables 1-2 about the composition and physical property of this resin 1-14.

In Tables 1 and 2, the presence of the powder X-ray diffraction peak was measured by an X-ray diffraction apparatus (“PINT-1100”; manufactured by Rigaku Electric Co., Ltd.), and the presence or absence of the peak was evaluated based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
Existence: There is at least a peak at 2θ = 20-25 ° None: No peak at 2θ = 20-25 °

In Table 1, resins 1 to 6 are polyester resins containing the structural unit represented by the general formula (1).

In Table 2, BPA-EO is an ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, and BPA-PO is a propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A.

Example 1
-Preparation of toner-
A toner was prepared based on the following composition.
Resin 1 60 parts by mass Resin 7 40 parts by mass Carbon black 10 parts by mass Polyethylene wax (melting point 95 ° C.) 5 parts by mass Iron salicylate 1 part by mass

The toner forming material having the above composition was charged into a Henschel mixer (“MF20C / I type”; manufactured by Mitsui Miike Processing Co., Ltd.), sufficiently stirred and mixed, and then kneaded and cooled by a twin-screw extruder (manufactured by Toshiba Machine). . Subsequently, pulverization and classification were performed so that the volume average particle diameter was 9.5 ± 0.5 μm, and a toner base was produced. Here, the kneading was performed such that the temperature of the kneaded product at the exit of the twin-screw extruder was about 120 ° C.
To the toner base thus obtained, 0.6% by mass of hydrophobic silica and 0.3% by mass of acid value titanium were added and mixed to prepare a toner of Example 1.

--- Development of developer--
Next, 4 parts by mass of the obtained toner and 96 parts by mass of a silicone-coated ferrite carrier coated with a silicone resin and having an average particle diameter of 45 μm were stirred with a tumbler mixer to prepare a developer having an appropriate charge amount.

-Fixing process-
Using the image forming apparatus in which the fixing unit of the Ricoh copier (IMAGIO NEO 350) is modified so that the fixing temperature can be changed by the fixing apparatus shown in FIG. A toner image T was formed, and the toner image T was fixed on a recording medium S (“Type 6200”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd., smoothness 40 to 55 sec).
The fixing device 1 includes a heating roller 2 and a pressure roller 3 disposed in pressure contact therewith.
The heating roller 2 has a metal cylinder 4, the surface of which is covered with an offset prevention layer 5, and a heating lamp 6 is disposed inside.
The pressure roller 3 has a metal cylinder 7 and the surface thereof is formed by being covered with an offset prevention layer 8. The pressure roller 3 may have a heating lamp 9 disposed therein.
The heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3 are rotatably provided in a pressed state by being biased by a spring (not shown).

  First, a recording medium (sheet) S on which a toner image T to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the nip portion between the heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3. Then, the toner T on the sheet S is heated and melted by the heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3 heated to a predetermined temperature by the action of the built-in heating lamp 6, and at the same time the pressure roller 3 is pressed. The toner T is fixed on the sheet S by being pressed when passing through the nip portion by pressure.

(Fixing condition 1) In the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, the heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3 are used for the fixing condition (1) with a contact surface pressure between the rollers of 2.5 × 10 ⁵ Pa and a linear speed of 180 mm / sec. Fixing was done.
The heating roller 2 is a roller in which a SUS cylinder having a thickness of 3.0 mm is coated with a PTFE layer having a thickness of 20 μm. The pressure roller 3 is a roller having a silicone rubber layer having a thickness of 4 μm on a SUS cylinder having a thickness of 2.0 mm, and covering the surface of the silicone rubber layer with PFA having a thickness of 50 μm.

(Example 2)
In Example 1, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 1 except that the fixing condition (1) in the fixing process was changed to the fixing condition (2), and the fixing process was performed.

-Fixing process-
(Fixing condition 2) In the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, the heating roller 2 and the pressure roller 3 are used to fix the contact surface pressure between the rollers of 9.0 × 10 ⁴ Pa and the linear speed of 180 mm / sec (2). Fixing was done.
The heating roller 2 is a roller in which an aluminum cylinder having a thickness of 0.5 mm is coated with a PTFE layer having a thickness of 16 μm. The pressure roller 3 is a roller having a silicone rubber layer having a thickness of 3 μm on an aluminum cylinder having a thickness of 1.0 mm, and covering the surface of the silicone rubber layer with PFA having a thickness of 30 μm.

(Example 3)
In Example 1, except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 1, and the fixing process was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 2 60 parts by mass Resin 7 40 parts by mass Carbon black 10 parts by mass Polyethylene wax (melting point 95 ° C.) 5 parts by mass Iron salicylate 1 part by mass

Example 4
In Example 3, except that the fixing condition (1) in the fixing process is changed to the fixing condition (2) in the fixing process of Example 2, a toner is prepared by the same method as in Example 3, and the fixing process is performed. went.

(Example 5)
In Example 3, a toner is prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the resin 8 is used instead of the resin 7 and the fixing condition in the fixing process is changed to the fixing condition (2) in the fixing process of Example 2. Then, the fixing process was performed.

(Example 6)
In Example 2, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 2 except that the toner composition was changed to the following composition, and a fixing process was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 4 50 parts by mass Resin 8 50 parts by mass Carbon black 10 parts by mass Polyethylene wax (melting point 95 ° C.) 5 parts by mass Iron salicylate 1 part by mass

(Example 7)
In Example 6, a toner base was prepared in the same manner as in Example 6 except that the volume average particle size was pulverized and classified so that the volume average particle size became 6.5 ± 0.5 μm. A toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 6 except that 1.0% by mass of hydrophobic silica and 0.5% by mass of acid value titanium were added and mixed, and a fixing step was performed.

(Example 8)
In Example 7, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 7 except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, and a fixing step was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 4 30 parts by weight Resin 9 70 parts by weight Carbon black 10 parts by weight Carnauba wax (melting point 83 ° C.) 5 parts by weight Iron salicylate 1 part by weight

Example 9
In Example 7, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 7 except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, and a fixing step was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 4 25 parts by weight Resin 8 65 parts by weight Resin 10 10 parts by weight Carbon black 10 parts by weight Carnauba wax (melting point 83 ° C.) 5 parts by weight Iron salicylate 1 part by weight

(Example 10)
In Example 7, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 7 except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, and a fixing step was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 5 10 parts by weight Resin 11 90 parts by weight Carbon black 10 parts by weight Ester wax (melting point 85 ° C.) 5 parts by weight Iron salicylate 1 part by weight

(Example 11)
In Example 7, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 7 except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, and a fixing step was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 5 20 parts by mass Resin 12 80 parts by mass Carbon black 10 parts by mass Carnauba wax (melting point 95 ° C.) 5 parts by mass Iron salicylate 1 part by mass

(Example 12)
Using the same toner as in Example 11, the recording medium S in the fixing step is changed from “Type 6200 (Ricoh Co., Ltd., smoothness 40 to 55 sec)” to “OA Paper (Ricoh Co., Ltd., smoothness 25 to 30 sec)”. The fixing step was performed in the same manner as in Example 11 except for changing to.

(Example 13)
In Example 7, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 7 except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, and a fixing step was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 6 30 parts by weight Resin 12 70 parts by weight Carbon black 10 parts by weight Carnauba wax (melting point 83 ° C.) 5 parts by weight Iron salicylate 1 part by weight

(Example 14)
-Preparation of toner-
Resin 5 15 parts by mass Resin 14 85 parts by mass Carbon black 10 parts by mass Carnauba wax (melting point 83 ° C.) 5 parts by mass Zinc salicylate 0.8 parts by mass

The toner forming material having the above composition was charged into a Henschel mixer (“MF20C / I type”; manufactured by Mitsui Miike Processing Co., Ltd.), sufficiently stirred and mixed, and then kneaded and cooled by a twin-screw extruder (manufactured by Toshiba Machine). . Next, pulverization and classification were performed so that the volume average particle diameter was 6.5 ± 0.5 μm, and a toner base was produced. Here, the kneading was performed such that the temperature of the kneaded product at the outlet of the twin-screw extruder was about 100 ° C.
To the obtained toner base, 1.0% by mass of hydrophobic silica and 0.8% by mass of acid value titanium were added and mixed to prepare a toner of Example 14.
Next, using the obtained toner, a developer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and a fixing step was performed in the same manner as in Example 2.

(Example 15)
Using the image forming apparatus in which the fixing unit of Ricoh's imgio Color 4000 is changed to the fixing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 modified so that the fixing temperature can be changed, and the toner image using the same toner and developer as in Example 14 is used. The toner image was formed and fixed on the recording medium S (“Type 6200; manufactured by Ricoh”).
(Fixing condition 3) Fixing was performed with the fixing device shown in FIG. 2 under the fixing condition (3) where the surface pressure of the fixing nip portion N (nip width 10 mm) was 5 × 10 ⁴ Pa and the linear velocity was 100 mm / sec.
The fixing belt is composed of a heat generating layer made of a nickel belt having a thickness of 10 μm, an outer elastic layer (100 μm silicone rubber, JIS K-6301 hardness 35 degrees), and an outer release layer (20 μm fluororesin). The composition was used. The pressure roller used was a SUS core metal coated with fluororubber and having an outer diameter of 35 mm.

(Example 16)
Using the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7 in which the fixing unit of Ricoh's imgio Color 4000 is modified so that the fixing temperature can be changed, and using the same toner and developer as in Example 14, a toner image is obtained. The toner image was formed and fixed on the recording medium S (type 6200, manufactured by Ricoh).
(Fixing condition 4) With the fixing device shown in FIG. 7, the fixing was performed under the fixing condition (4) in which the surface pressure of the fixing nip portion N (nip width 12 mm) was 8 × 10 ⁴ Pa and the linear velocity was 125 mm / sec.
A heating roller having a hollow cylindrical shape made of nickel having an outer diameter of 20 mm and a wall thickness of 0.1 mm was used. As the fixing roller, a SUS cored bar was coated with foamed silicone rubber (Asker hardness 50 degrees) having a thickness of 5 mm as an elastic member to have an outer diameter of 40 mm. The pressure roller used was an aluminum cored bar coated with 5 mm thick foamed silicone rubber (Asker hardness 60 degrees) as an elastic member to an outer diameter of 40 mm.
As the fixing belt, a heating layer made of a nickel belt having a thickness of 10 μm and a release layer made of fluorine rubber having a thickness of 200 μm were laminated.

(Reference Example 17)
A black toner and a developer were obtained in the same manner as in Example 11 except that 1 part by mass of iron salicylate in the toner constituting material of Example 11 was changed to 1 part by mass of zirconium salicylate.
A yellow toner and a developer were obtained in the same manner as the black toner except that 10 parts by mass of carbon black in the black toner constituent material was changed to 7 parts by mass of disazo yellow pigment.
A cyan toner and a developer were obtained in the same manner as the black toner except that 10 parts by mass of carbon black in the black toner constituent material was changed to 4 parts by mass of copper phthalocyanine blue pigment.
A magenta toner and a developer were obtained in the same manner as the black toner, except that 10 parts by mass of carbon black in the black toner constituent material was changed to 5 parts by mass of naphthol-based magenta pigment.
Using these toner and developer, the same image forming apparatus as in Example 16 was used to form a blue, green, and red two-color superimposed image, and the toner image was recorded at a fixing set temperature of 180 ° C. on recording medium S (type 6000 70W; Ricoh). Made). These arbitrary solid parts were measured with a spectrophotometer (938 spectrum densitometer manufactured by X-Light). Table 5 shows the color measurement results. In Table 5, L ^* , a ^* , and b ^* are values representing colors in the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system, L ^* is lightness, and a ^* and b ^* are chromaticities that indicate hue and saturation. is there.

(Reference Example 18)
In the same manner as in Example 14, a black toner and a developer were obtained.
A yellow toner and a developer were obtained in the same manner as the black toner except that 10 parts by mass of carbon black in the black toner constituent material was changed to 7 parts by mass of disazo yellow pigment.
A cyan toner and a developer were obtained in the same manner as the black toner except that 10 parts by mass of carbon black in the black toner constituent material was changed to 4 parts by mass of copper phthalocyanine blue pigment.
A magenta toner and a developer were obtained in the same manner as the black toner, except that 10 parts by mass of carbon black in the black toner constituent material was changed to 5 parts by mass of naphthol-based magenta pigment.
Using these toner and developer, a two-color superimposed image was fixed in the same manner as in Example 17 except that the fixing setting temperature was set to 160 ° C., and colorimetry was performed in the same manner as in Example 17. Table 5 shows the color measurement results.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Example 1, except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 1, and the fixing process was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 3 50 parts by weight Resin 8 50 parts by weight Carbon black 10 parts by weight Polyethylene wax (melting point 95 ° C.) 5 parts by weight Iron salicylate 1 part by weight

(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 1, a toner was prepared in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that the fixing condition (1) in the fixing process was changed to the fixing condition (2) in the fixing process of Example 2, and the fixing process was performed. It was.

(Comparative Example 3)
In Example 7, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Example 7 except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, and a fixing process was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 2 25 parts by weight Resin 13 75 parts by weight Carbon black 10 parts by weight Carnauba wax (melting point 83 ° C.) 5 parts by weight Iron salicylate 1 part by weight

(Comparative Example 4)
In Comparative Example 3, a toner was prepared by the same method as in Comparative Example 3 except that the composition of the toner was changed to the following composition, and a fixing step was performed.

--- Toner composition-
Resin 10 50 parts by mass Resin 11 50 parts by mass Carbon black 10 parts by mass Ester wax (melting point 75 ° C.) 20 parts by mass Iron salicylate 1 part by mass

(Comparative Example 5)
Using the same toner as in Comparative Example 4, the recording medium S in the fixing process is changed from “Type 6200 (Ricoh Co., Ltd., smoothness 40 to 55 sec)” to “OA Paper (Ricoh Co., Ltd., smoothness 25 to 30 sec)”. The fixing process was performed in the same manner as in Comparative Example 4 except that.

  Table 3 shows the partial compatibility of the resins used in Examples 1 to 18 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5.

  About the toner produced in Examples 1-16 and Comparative Examples 1-5, glass transition temperature TgA was measured by the following method. Moreover, blocking resistance was evaluated by the following method. The results are shown in Table 4. Table 4 also shows the value of TgC calculated by the following mathematical formula (1).

<Measurement of glass transition temperature TgA>
The toners prepared in Examples and Comparative Examples were heated to 20 to 150 ° C. at 10 ° C./min using a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC-60”; manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation), and then without holding time, After cooling to the measurement start temperature at a temperature decrease rate of 10 ° C./min, the measurement was performed at a temperature increase rate of 10 ° C./min. And glass transition temperature TgA was calculated | required by the tangent method at the time of the 1st temperature rising.

<Blocking resistance>
About 20 g of the toner obtained in Examples and Comparative Examples was put in a 20 ml glass bottle and tapped 50 times to tightly solidify the toner. Subsequently, after putting it in a 50 degreeC thermostat and leaving it to stand for 24 hours, the penetration (%) was measured by the penetration test (JIS K2235-1991). The blocking resistance was evaluated based on the following criteria from the penetration (%) with respect to the toner after being solidified.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
5: 90-100%
4: 75-90%
3: 60-75%
2: 30-60%
1: 30% or less Here, if the evaluation criteria is 3 to 5, it is recognized that there is no problem in blocking resistance.

  The toners produced in Examples 1 to 16 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were evaluated for fixability (low temperature fixability, hot offset resistance), image density, background stain, toner scattering, and fine line reproducibility by the following methods. . The results are shown in Table 4.

<Fixability>
In the examples and comparative examples, the fixing temperature in the fixing process was changed, and the cold offset generation temperature and the hot offset generation temperature were measured by the following method. Based on the following criteria, the low temperature fixing property (cold offset generation temperature) and hot resistance The offset property (hot offset generation temperature) was evaluated.

-Measurement method-
The offset generation temperature was measured using an image forming apparatus in which the fixing unit of the Ricoh copier (IMAGIO NEO350) was modified to the fixing device 1 shown in FIG. That is, in the image formation, a black solid image was formed on transfer paper (“Type 6200”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) using a copying machine (“IMAGIO NEO350”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.). The obtained image was fixed using the fixing device of FIG. 1 while changing the temperature of the heating roller, and the fixing temperature (offset generation temperature) at which the offset was generated was measured. In the evaluation of hot offset resistance, the linear speed of paper feed was set to 50 mm / sec, which was a severe condition for the occurrence of hot offset.

-Evaluation method-
-Low temperature fixability (cold offset resistance)-
Based on the measured cold offset occurrence temperature, low temperature fixability was evaluated based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
5: Less than 120 ° C 4: 120-130 ° C
3: 130-140 degreeC
2: 140-150 degreeC
1: 150 ° C. or higher Here, the conventional low-temperature fixability toner is Evaluation Criteria 2, and if the evaluation criteria are 3 to 5, it is recognized that the low-temperature fixability is good.

--- Hot offset resistance ---
From the measured hot offset occurrence temperature, the hot offset resistance was evaluated based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
5: 210 degreeC or more 4: 200-210 degreeC
3: 190-200 ° C
2: 180-190 degreeC
1: Less than 180 ° C. Here, if the evaluation criteria are 3 to 5, it is recognized that the hot offset resistance is good.

<Image density>
For image formation, a black solid image was formed on transfer paper (“Type 6200”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) using a color image forming apparatus “Imagio Color 4000” (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) shown in FIG. About the obtained image, arbitrary 6 positions are selected, and the image density at the position is measured using a spectrometer (“938 Spectrodensitometer”; manufactured by X-Light Co., Ltd.). The image density was evaluated based on the following criteria. This evaluation corresponds to an embodiment of the toner container, the process cartridge, the image forming apparatus, and the image forming method of the present invention.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
5: 1.5 or more 4: 1.45-1.5
3: 1.40-1.45
2: 1.35 to 1.40
Less than 1: 1.35 Here, it is recognized that if the evaluation criterion is 1 to 3, an excellent image density can be obtained.

<Skin dirt>
Using a copying machine (“IMAGIO NEO350”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), after outputting 1 million images on transfer paper (“Type 6200”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), a solid white image was output. For the obtained image, arbitrary six positions are selected, and the image density at the position is measured with a spectrometer (“938 Spectrodensitometer”; manufactured by X-Light Co., Ltd.). Based on the above, the background dirt was evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
5: Same as paper reflection density 4: Paper reflection density + less than 0.02 3: Paper reflection density + 0.02 to 0.04
2: Reflection density of paper +0.04 to 0.06
1: Reflection density of paper +0.06 or more Here, in a state where there is no background stain, the reflection density of the image shows a value equivalent to the reflection density of paper, and the higher the reflection density, the worse the background stain. It is recognized that

<Toner scattering>
Using a copier (“IMAGE NEO350”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), after outputting 1 million images on transfer paper (“Type 6200”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), the state of contamination due to toner scattering inside the copier Was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
5: Very good 4: Good 3: Normal 2: Bad 1: Very bad Here, if the evaluation criteria are 3 to 5, the toner scattering is required to be at a level that does not cause a problem.

<Thin wire reproducibility>
Using a copying machine (“IMAGE NEO 350”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), transfer dots (“Type 6200”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), one dot of 600 dots / inch and 150 dots / inch in both the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. A grid line image was output, and the cut and blur of the line image were visually observed and evaluated based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
5: Very good 4: Good 3: Normal 2: Bad 1: Very bad

From the results of Tables 1 to 5, it was confirmed that the toners produced in Examples 1 to 12 were superior in low-temperature fixability, hot offset resistance and blocking resistance as compared to the toners produced in Comparative Examples 1 to 4. It was confirmed that a high-quality image was obtained.
In Example 1, it was confirmed that a combination of partially compatible resins could provide a lower temperature fixability than conventional.
In Example 2, it was confirmed that fixing with a fixing device with less heat loss resulted in a lower temperature fixability than in Example 1.
In Example 3, by using a linear crystalline polyester resin (resin 2), the sharp melt property is increased, and a toner having good low-temperature fixability can be obtained despite the high melting point of the polyester resin. It was recognized that
In Example 5, by using a polyester resin (resin 8) as an amorphous resin, a toner having excellent low-temperature fixability as compared with Examples 1 to 4 was obtained.
In Example 6, since a crystalline resin having a lower melting point than that in Example 5 was used, the content of the crystalline resin was set low, but a toner having good low-temperature fixability and excellent blocking resistance was obtained. It was also recognized that the image quality of the image formed using the toner was improved.
In Example 7, it was confirmed that even if the volume average particle diameter of the toner to be formed was reduced, the image quality was not deteriorated by fogging and the fine line reproducibility was excellent. In addition, there was no problem in the inside of the copying machine due to toner scattering.
In Examples 8 to 9, by using a crystalline resin (resin 4) containing a fumaric acid component and an amorphous resin (resin 9 or resin 10), the compatibility with the crystalline resin is increased and the crystallinity is increased. Although the resin content was lower than those in Examples 1 to 7, it was confirmed that the toner has a low glass transition temperature TgA and is excellent in low-temperature fixability. Further, in Example 8, since the melting point of the wax used was low, no increase in the minimum fixing temperature due to cold offset was observed.
In Example 10, when the THF-insoluble content of the amorphous resin exceeded 10%, it was confirmed that a toner having excellent hot offset resistance and blocking resistance as well as low-temperature fixability was obtained.
In Example 11, as compared with Example 9, a toner having a lower fixing minimum temperature was obtained by using a crystalline resin having a lower melting point. Since the toner has a large amount of amorphous resin insoluble in THF, it is confirmed that the toner has sufficient offset resistance and very good blocking resistance even though the fixing minimum temperature is low. It was.
In Example 12, when the melting point of the crystalline resin is lower than 80 ° C., the decrease in hot offset occurrence temperature becomes significant for the contribution of low-temperature fixing. Therefore, the melting point is preferably 80 ° C. or higher. Was confirmed.

In Example 13, it was confirmed that the toner of the present invention was excellent in low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance even on a recording medium having low smoothness.
In Example 14, it was confirmed that by making the THF-insoluble content less than 5% by mass, the toner easily has a low Tg even with a combination of resins having no similar components, and a toner having excellent low-temperature fixability can be obtained.
In Examples 15 and 16, by using another type of fixing device of the present invention, it is easy to ensure low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance in a toner with a low THF-insoluble content suitable for a full-color toner. confirmed.
In Example 18, it was confirmed that a toner having good color reproducibility can be obtained by setting the THF-insoluble content to less than 5% by mass.

From Comparative Example 1, it was confirmed that the combination of amorphous resins did not provide a low-temperature fixability higher than conventional.
In Comparative Example 2, the fixing process was performed under the fixing condition (2) that facilitates low-temperature fixing. However, as in Comparative Example 1, it was found that the minimum fixing temperature was high. Further, since it does not contain a crystalline resin, it has been confirmed that low-temperature fixability cannot be obtained even when a fixing device having a low contact surface pressure fixing roll is used because of poor sharp melt property.
In Comparative Example 3, although the crystalline resin (resin 2) is contained, the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin are not compatible with each other (see Table 3), so the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner is that of the amorphous resin. It was found to be equivalent to the glass transition temperature TgB and inferior in low-temperature fixability.
In Comparative Example 4, the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner is low and the low-temperature fixability is excellent. However, since the wax content is large, the dispersibility of the toner-forming material at the time of melt-kneading becomes insufficient and the blocking resistance is poor. It was confirmed that high image quality could not be obtained.
In Comparative Example 5, it was confirmed that even if the glass transition temperature TgA of the toner is low, the low temperature fixability cannot be obtained with a recording medium having low smoothness unless the crystalline polyester has a sharp melt property.

  The toner of the present invention is excellent in various properties such as chargeability, transferability, and fixability, has good hot offset resistance, and has both excellent blocking resistance and low-temperature fixability. Is preferably used. The developer, toner-containing container, process cartridge, fixing method, 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 for carrying out the fixing method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing another example for carrying out the fixing method of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the main part of the fixing device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional front view of the main part of the fixing device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic field generating unit according to the fixing device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 schematically shows how the alternating magnetic flux is generated. FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing another example for carrying out the fixing method of the present invention. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the excitation coils of the induction heating means in the fixing apparatus shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is the excitation of the induction heating means in the fixing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows arrangement | positioning of a coil. FIG. 9 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. 10 is a schematic explanatory view showing another example in which the image forming method of the present invention is implemented by the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example in which the image forming method of the present invention is implemented by the image forming apparatus (tandem color image forming apparatus) of the present invention. 12 is a partially enlarged schematic explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fixing device 2 Heating roll 3 Pressure roll 4,7 Metal cylinder 5,8 Offset prevention layer 6,9 Heating lamp 10 Photoconductor (photosensitive 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 Heating roller 27 Pressure roller 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 Developing device 62 Transfer charger 63 Photoconductor cleaning device 64 Static eliminator 70 Static elimination lamp 80 Transfer roller 90 Cleaning device 95 Transfer paper 100 Image forming device 120 Tandem type developer 130 Document base 142 Feed roller 143 Paper bank 144 Paper feed cassette 145 Separation roller 146 Paper feed path 147 Carriage roller 148 Paper feed path 150 Copier main body 200 Paper feed table 300 Scanner 400 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
1001 Heat generation layer 1010 Fixing belt 1016, 1016a, 1016b Film (belt) guide member 1016e Convex rib part 1017, 1017a, 1017b, 1017c Magnetic core 1018 Excitation coil 1018a, 1018b Power supply part 1019 Insulating member (excitation coil holding member)
1022 Pressurizing rigid stay 1023a, 1023b Flange member 1025a, 1025b Pressure spring 1026 Temperature sensor 1027 Excitation circuit 1029a, 1029b Spring receiving member 1030 Pressure roller (elastic)
1030a Metal core 1030b Elastic material layer 1040 Thermally conductive member 1100 Fixing device N Fixing nip P Transfer material (recording material)
2001 Heating roller 2002 Fixing roller 2003 Belt 2004 Pressure roller 2005 Temperature detection means 2006 Induction heating means 2007 Excitation coil 2008 Coil guide plate 2009 Excitation coil core 2010 Excitation coil core support member 2011 Recording material

Claims (29)

It contains at least two kinds of binder resins, the binder resin contains an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin, and the glass transition temperature TgA is lower than the glass transition temperature TgC represented by the following formula (1). Toner.
However, in said Numerical formula (1), TgBi represents the glass transition temperature of the said amorphous resin. n represents the number of types of the amorphous resin, and b represents the content (parts by mass) of the amorphous resin.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin are compatible with each other.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature TgA is 10 ° C. or more lower than the glass transition temperature TgC represented by the formula (1).   The toner according to claim 1, wherein an endothermic peak derived from crystalline polyester exists in a DSC endothermic curve of the toner. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the crystalline resin is a polyester resin containing a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1).
However, in said general formula (1), R represents a C2-C20 bivalent hydrocarbon group, n represents the number of repeating units, and is 2-20.   The toner according to claim 5, wherein R in the general formula (1) is a linear unsaturated aliphatic divalent hydrocarbon group.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the content of the crystalline resin in the binder resin is 50% by mass or less.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the crystalline resin has a melting point of 80 ° C. to 130 ° C.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein a diffraction peak is present at least at a position of 2θ = 20 to 25 ° in an X-ray diffraction pattern of a crystalline resin powder X-ray diffractometer.   The toner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the amorphous resin has a glass transition temperature TgB of 40 to 70 ° C and a softening point (F1 / 2) of 120 to 160 ° C.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the amorphous resin contains at least a polyester resin.   The toner according to claim 11, wherein the amorphous resin polyester resin contains at least one of fumaric acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid as a constituent component.   The amorphous resin and the crystalline resin contain at least a polyester resin, and the polyester resin of the crystalline resin and the polyester resin of the amorphous resin are all components of fumaric acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid. The toner according to claim 4, comprising any of them.   The toner according to claim 11, wherein the content of the amorphous resin insoluble in tetrahydrofuran (THF) is 10% by mass or more.   The toner according to claim 11, comprising an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as a constituent component of the polyester resin of the amorphous resin, wherein the content of tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble in the polyester resin is 0 to 5% by mass.   The amorphous resin and the crystalline resin contain at least a polyester resin, the polyester resin of the amorphous resin has a tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble content of 0 to 5% by mass, the polyester resin and the amorphous resin of the crystalline resin The toner according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the resin polyester resins contains an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as a constituent component.   The toner according to claim 1, further comprising a release agent, wherein the release agent has a melting point of 70 to 90 ° C.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner has a volume average particle diameter of 2.5 to 7 μm.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner contains at least one of inorganic fine particles and resin fine particles.   A developer comprising the toner according to claim 1.   A toner-containing container containing the toner according to any one of claims 1 to 19.   An electrostatic latent image carrier, and developing means for developing 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   A fixing method comprising fixing a transfer image formed by transferring a visible image formed using the toner according to any one of claims 1 to 19 onto the recording medium.   The fixing method according to claim 23, wherein the recording medium is a recording paper having a smoothness of 20 to 35 sec. The fixing step includes a pair of fixing rollers in which a transfer image is pressed against each other so as to be rotatable, and a contact surface pressure (roller load / contact area) between the pair of fixing rollers is 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa or less. 24. and fixing the image on a recording medium using a fixing device in which the fixing roller in contact with the transfer image has a non-elastic member, and the thickness of the non-elastic member is 1.0 mm or less. Fixing method. The fixing step includes at least a magnetic field generating unit, a rotary heating member having at least a heat generating layer that generates heat by electromagnetic induction, an elastic layer, and a release layer, and a rotary pressure member that forms a nip with the rotary heating member. Using a fixing device having a heating and pressurizing means, pressurizing the recording medium while pressing the transfer image made of toner transferred onto the recording medium by the rotary pressing member on the recording medium in the nip. It is a process of heat fixing,
The toner includes an amorphous resin containing at least a polyester resin, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as a constituent component of the polyester resin of the amorphous resin, and a tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble content of the polyester resin of 0 to 5 The fixing method according to claim 23, wherein the fixing method is mass%. The fixing process includes a heating roller made of magnetic metal and heated by electromagnetic induction, a fixing roller arranged parallel to the heating roller, and stretched between the heating roller and the fixing roller, and heated by the heating roller. And an endless belt-like toner heating medium rotated by these rollers, and a pressure nip portion that is pressed against the fixing roller via the heating medium and rotated in the forward direction with respect to the toner heating medium. The recording medium is formed by pressing a transfer image made of toner transferred by the pressure roller onto the recording medium at the fixing nip while pressing the transfer image through the recording medium. Is a process of pressurizing and fixing to
The toner includes an amorphous resin containing at least a polyester resin, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid as a constituent component of the polyester resin of the amorphous resin, and a tetrahydrofuran (THF) insoluble content of the polyester resin of 0 to 5 The fixing method according to claim 23, wherein the fixing method is mass%.   An electrostatic latent image carrier, electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the toner according to any one of claims 1 to 19 At least development means for forming a visible image by developing the toner, transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. An image forming apparatus. An electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and developing the electrostatic latent image with the toner according to any one of claims 1 to 19 to form a visible image An image forming method comprising: a developing step for forming the image; a transfer step for transferring the visible image to a recording medium; and a fixing step for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium.