JP2006308673A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for forming images by gold toner, even when the image forming apparatus does not use a release agent, by using the image forming apparatus performing fixing, without having to supply the release agent in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A fixing device of the image forming apparatus performing fixing without supplying the release agent has the functions of developing, laminating, and fixing the other gold toner containing the release agent at the same place as the gold toner, when image formation by the gold toner is performed, by using a toner containing no release agent in image formation due to the gold toner and using toner containing the release toner in image formation by the other color. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that do not supply a release agent in electrophotographic fixing, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that enable gold image formation while using the fixing device.

  A large number of images that differ only in part such as name and affiliation, such as certificates such as diplomas at school, or commendations or letters of appreciation at companies and public offices. You may need to create it. These images produce gorgeousness and luxury by using a golden image for a frame or the like.

Conventionally, such documents have been dealt with by hand using special paper pre-printed with frames etc. However, special paper is expensive and can be purchased only with a large number of sheets. To change the design, I had to reorder.
Recently, however, it has become possible to form images using these golden images in accordance with the improvement in image creation capability of personal computers and the performance of color printers.

For example, an invention has been disclosed in which a gold image is formed using an electrophotographic toner using a metal fine powder mainly composed of copper, zinc and aluminum as a colorant (see Patent Document 1).
However, the gold portion of this image is simply a gold color and is a cheap flat image, which is far from the gorgeous and luxurious image of gold.

  In addition, an image forming apparatus that uses a flaky angle-dependent glossy pigment for laser printer printing and contains a substance that reflects flake-like light as a toner including a light reflecting material in the toner to form a golden image. It is disclosed (for example, see Patent Documents 2 and 3).

In this image forming apparatus, by changing the angle of the printed matter on which the image is printed, it is possible to produce an image rich in decorativeness by glittering.
However, since these gold toners do not have a release agent, when used in an image forming apparatus, if the image forming apparatus that forms an image while supplying the release agent to the fixing is not used, the fixing can be performed. An offset image or paper jam was likely to occur.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms an image while supplying a release agent to the fixing, the fixing release agent may spill out during maintenance or transportation of the image forming apparatus, making the floor dirty or slippery. A method has been put into practical use in which image formation is carried out by containing a mold agent and a mold release agent is not required at the time of fixing, thereby eliminating the above-mentioned problems.

In addition, as an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member using gold and / or silver toner, a color toner image and a gold toner image can be transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt to obtain a color image containing a gold image. An image forming apparatus is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 4).
This document discloses that a gold toner can contain a release agent. However, if a gold toner contains a release agent, the gold color becomes dull and has many improvements in terms of beauty, which is not preferable.

  Since such a gold toner is difficult to contain a release agent, the gold toner could not be used in an image forming apparatus that forms an image without supplying the release agent for fixing.

  Further, as a related patent, a gold toner for electrophotography (including a yellow pigment) using a glossy pigment in which silver is coated on flat glass flakes has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 5).

In addition, a gold toner for electrophotography using a pigment obtained by coating a thin piece of titanium dioxide and yellow iron oxide on a flaky inorganic crystal substrate has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 6).
JP-A-9-160298 JP 2002-351144 A JP 2004-61822 A JP 2002-229293 A JP 2003-207941 A Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-73028

  As described above, the gold color becomes dull and unfavorable in terms of beauty, or it is difficult to add a release agent to the gold toner, and it is difficult to supply the release agent for fixing. An image forming apparatus that performs image formation has a problem that gold toner cannot be used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and uses an image forming apparatus having a fixing device that performs fixing without supplying a release agent, and the image forming apparatus does not use a release agent. An object of the present invention is to obtain an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image with gold toner.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is a fixing device of an image forming apparatus that performs fixing without supplying a release agent. In the image formation with gold toner, the toner does not contain a release agent. In image formation with other colors, a toner containing a release agent is used. When image formation with the gold toner is performed, another color toner containing a release agent is placed in the same place as the gold toner. It features an image forming apparatus that develops, stacks and fixes.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the other color toner including a release agent laminated at the same place as the gold toner is yellow and / or transparent. Features a forming device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the gold toner contains a substance that reflects flake-like light in the color image.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method for forming a color image, the image bearing member to which the gold toner image without a release agent is transferred before the gold toner image having a releasing agent is transferred to the image bearing member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a toner of another color including a release agent is transferred to an image bearing member and fixed at a place on the body.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, before the golden toner image having no release agent is transferred to the image carrier using the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming method, wherein a toner of another color including a release agent is transferred to an image carrier and fixed at a place of the image carrier to which the gold toner image is transferred.

  According to the present invention, in a fixing device of an image forming apparatus that performs fixing without supplying a release agent, toner that does not contain a release agent is used for image formation with gold toner, and release for image formation with other colors. When a toner containing a mold agent is used and image formation is performed with a gold toner, the toner of another color containing a release agent is developed and laminated in the same place as the gold toner and fixed. With the image forming apparatus characterized in that the toner of another color having a release agent is laminated at the location of the golden toner not containing the release agent, so that even without supplying the release agent for fixing, It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming a beautiful golden image without causing offset or paper jam.

  In particular, by laminating a yellow or transparent toner having a release agent at the location of a golden toner that does not contain a release agent, no offset or paper jam occurs without supplying the release agent for fixing. An image forming apparatus capable of forming a very beautiful golden image can be provided.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As a result of intensive studies on how to form an image having a golden toner that does not contain a release agent even in an image forming apparatus that performs image formation without supplying a release agent by fixing, The gold toner does not contain a release agent, but if you develop and fix other color toners that contain the release agent in the same place as the gold toner, image formation is possible without any problems even if there is a gold toner. Has been found to be able to be carried out and has led to the present invention.

  The golden toner of the present invention contains a substance that reflects light. The substance that reflects light of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it achieves a sufficient glossiness, but metal powder, alloy powder, flaky metal powder, flaky alloy powder, inorganic substance coated with metal Powder, organic powder coated with metal, inorganic flake powder coated with metal, organic flake powder coated with metal, etc. It can also be used together.

  Specifically, platinum powder, gold powder, silver powder, copper powder, aluminum powder, bronze powder (such as pale gold and rich gold), chromium powder, titanium powder, zinc powder, nickel powder, tin powder, and other metal powders and alloy powders Etc. Some gold itself is gold like gold, but it appears gold by providing a yellow-orange layer on the material that reflects light. However, if the yellow to orange layer is too thick, the reflected light is absorbed by the outer color layer. In this case, since it becomes yellow to orange, it is necessary to make the color layer thin or to make the color density light.

  Even if the substance that reflects light is a fine powder, it is possible to develop a gold color, but it becomes a flat color, so if it has a flake-like shape that can reflect a lot of light, it will shine brightly Since a gorgeous golden image can be formed, it is preferable.

  The flake-like substance that reflects light may be in the form of flakes. For example, flake-like fluorine resin, silicone resin, ester resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, styrene resin, acrylic resin, amide resin , Urethane resin, carbonate resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin, urea resin, melamine resin, etc. Such a wet method is preferable in terms of productivity, uniformity, and economy.

  If the flake-like substance that reflects light is a metal or alloy, it is conductive, so when applied to the electrophotographic process as it is, a discharge occurs during development, charging, and transfer, and the photoreceptor and members can be destroyed. High nature. For this reason, it is preferable that the substance which reflects light is coat | covered with the resin or inorganic substance, transparent resin, and inorganic substance which permeate | transmit the yellow-orange light mentioned above.

  Specifically, flaky metal powder and alloy powder coated with inorganic substances such as silica, alumina, titania, magnesium fluoride; fluorine resin, silicone resin, ester resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, di-tertiary butyl salicylic acid Metal complexes, styrene resins, acrylic resins, amide resins, polyvinyl butyral, nigrosine, aminoacrylate resins, urethane resins, carbonate resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resins, urea resins, melamine resins, basic dyes Further, flaky metal powder and / or alloy powder coated with an organic substance such as a basic dye lake is used.

  Also, flaky metal powder and flaky alloy powder coated with inorganic substances such as silica, alumina, titania, magnesium fluoride; fluorine resin, silicone resin, ester resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, ditertiary butyl salicylic acid Metal complexes, styrene resins, acrylic resins, amide resins, polyvinyl butyral, nigrosine, amino acrylate resins, urethane resins, carbonate resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resins, urea resins, melamine resins, basic dyes, A flaky metal powder and / or a flaky alloy powder coated with an organic substance such as a basic dye lake is used.

  Further, powders and flakes coated with an inorganic material coated with a metal and an alloy, and the coating layer further coated with an inorganic material such as silica, alumina, titania, magnesium fluoride, etc .; coated with an inorganic material coated with a metal and an alloy Layer is further fluorine resin, silicone resin, ester resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, metal complex of di-tertiary butylsalicylic acid, styrene resin, acrylic resin, amide resin, polyvinyl butyral, nigrosine, aminoacrylate resin, urethane resin, carbonate Resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resins, urea resins, melamine resins, basic dyes, powders and flakes coated with organic substances such as basic dye lakes; resins coated with metals and alloys The coating layer is further made of silica, alumina, titani Powders and flakes coated with inorganic substances such as magnesium fluoride; resin coated with metals and alloys, and the coating layer is further made of fluorine resin, silicone resin, ester resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, ditertiary Butylsalicylic acid metal complex, styrene resin, acrylic resin, amide resin, polyvinyl butyral, nigrosine, aminoacrylate resin, urethane resin, carbonate resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin, urea resin, melamine resin, base 1 type selected from organic dyes and powders covered with organic substances such as lakes of basic dyes and / or flakes, etc., if necessary, as a light reflecting material by appropriately combining two or more of the above It can also be used together.

  The average particle size of the light reflecting material as described above is preferably 1 μm or more, more preferably 5 μm or more, and more preferably 10 μm or more in order to realize sufficient gloss of the image without impairing the toner fixing property and releasability. On the other hand, it is preferably 500 μm or less, more preferably 200 μm or less, still more preferably 100 μm or less, and sometimes 50 μm or less.

  Further, the ratio of the light reflecting material to the entire toner is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more in order to realize a sufficient gloss of the image. From the viewpoint of not deteriorating the releasability, 40% by mass or less is preferable, and 20% by mass or less is more preferable.

  When producing a one-component developer, a light reflecting material is blended with the toner, but the developer can also be prepared by mixing a toner not containing the light reflecting material and the light reflecting material, and containing the light reflecting material. A developer can also be prepared by further adding and mixing a light reflecting material (same or different) to the toner.

Further, when a two-component developer comprising a carrier containing a light reflecting material and a toner is prepared, the light reflecting material is blended with the toner, but the light reflecting material can be blended with the carrier. A developer containing a toner containing no light reflecting material and a carrier containing no light reflecting material and a light reflecting material, or a light reflecting material mixed with a toner and a carrier containing at least one light reflecting material. A developer can also be prepared.
In the case of the developer containing the light reflecting material as described above, the ratio of the light reflecting material to the entire developer is preferably 0.01% by mass or more in order to realize sufficient gloss of the image. On the other hand, it is preferably 40% by mass or less and more preferably 20% by mass or less from the viewpoint of not impairing the fixing property and releasability of the toner.

(Binder resin)
The binder resin can be used without particular limitation as long as it can sufficiently bind each component of the toner and realizes good fixability and chargeability of the toner. For example, such a binder resin can be used. As vinyl alcohol resin, vinyl ether resin, vinyl butyral resin, urethane resin, ester resin, epoxy resin, styrene resin, acrylic resin, ethylene resin, propylene resin, vinyl acetate resin, chloride Vinyl resin, amide resin, vinyl toluene polymer, maleic acid polymer, phenol resin, natural modified phenol resin, natural resin modified maleic resin, silicone resin, furan resin, xylene resin, terpene resin, coumarone indene resin, Petroleum resins, waxes; one or more selected from monomer components of these resins (Co) it can also be used in combination a plurality of resin depending or use like one polymer, also necessary.

  In order to achieve sufficient gloss, a transparent binder resin is preferable. As the transparent binder resin, a vinyl chloride resin, a styrene resin, an acrylic resin, etc. are preferable, and an ionomer resin, isobutylene-maleic anhydride is preferable. Copolymer resin, acrylonitrile-acrylic styrene copolymer resin, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin, acrylonitrile chlorinated polyethylene-styrene copolymer resin, ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate Copolymer resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride graft copolymer resin, vinylidene chloride resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer resin, polycarbonate resin, polystyrene resin, high impact polystyrene resin, polymer Styrene resin, polyacrylate resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, epoxy acrylate resin, alkylphenol resin, rosin modified phenol resin, rosin modified alkyd resin, phenol modified alkyd resin, epoxy modified alkyd resin, styrene modified alkyd resin, acrylic modified Alkyd resin, amino alkyd resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin, styrene-butadiene resin, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyurethane resin, vinyl acetate emulsion resin, styrene-butadiene emulsion resin, acrylate emulsion resin, A water-soluble alkyd resin, a water-soluble melamine resin, a water-soluble urea resin, a water-soluble phenol resin, a water-soluble epoxy resin, a water-soluble polybutadiene resin or the like alone or In combination with the use or more species.

  For example, specific examples of (co) polymers prepared from styrene resins and monomer components of styrene resins include homopolymers of styrene and styrene derivatives such as polystyrene, poly-p-chlorostyrene, and polyvinyltoluene; Styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-vinylnaphthalene copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-α-chloromethacrylic acid Acid methyl copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl ethyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene Copolymer, styrene-acrylic Nitrile - use a styrene copolymer such as indene copolymer or the like in combination singly or two or more.

  Furthermore, a resin having a crosslinked structure can also be used as a binder resin. A binder resin having a crosslinked structure can be obtained by reacting a crosslinking agent with a binder resin. As the crosslinking agent used in this case, a compound having two or more polymerizable double bonds is used. To do. For example, aromatic divinyl compounds such as divinylbenzene and divinylnaphthalene; carboxylic acid esters having two double bonds such as ethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and 1,3-butadiol dimethacrylate; divinylaniline and divinyl ether , Divinyl sulfide, divinylsulfone and other divinyl compounds; compounds selected from compounds having three or more vinyl groups, etc. may be used singly, and a plurality may be used in combination as required.

  On the other hand, if a translucent resin such as a propylene resin, an ethylene resin, an ester resin, or an amide resin is used, a glossy image with a soft feeling can be realized.

  Among the binder resins as described above, ester resins, epoxy resins, styrene resins, acrylic resins, and (co) polymers using monomer components of these resins singly or in combination of two or more. In particular, ester resins are preferred because they can be fixed at low temperatures.

As the color toner other than the gold toner used in the color image of the present invention, those usually used as an electrophotographic toner containing a release agent can be used without any particular limitation.
For example, as an example of the binder resin used in the electrophotographic toner, styrene such as polystyrene, poly p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyltoluene and the like, and a homopolymer of the substitution product; styrene / p-chlorostyrene copolymer Styrene / propylene copolymer, styrene / vinyl toluene copolymer, styrene / vinyl naphthalene copolymer, styrene / methyl acrylate copolymer, 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 keto Styrene copolymers such as copolymers, styrene / butadiene copolymers, styrene / isoprene copolymers, styrene / maleic acid copolymers; polymethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polymethacryl Acrylic ester-based homopolymers such as butyl acid and copolymers thereof; polyvinyl derivatives such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate; polyester-based polymers, polyurethane-based polymers, polyamide-based polymers, polyimide-based polymers, polyols Polymer, epoxy polymer, terpene polymer, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic petroleum resin, and the like. It is not limited to.

  Among these, at least one or more selected from styrene-acrylic copolymer resins, polyester resins, and polyol resins is more preferable from the viewpoint of electrical characteristics, cost, and the like. Furthermore, it is more preferable to use a polyester-based resin and / or a polyol-based resin as having good fixing characteristics.

  As the colorant used in the electrophotographic toner, pigments and dyes conventionally used as toner colorants can be used. Specifically, carbon black, lamp black, iron black, ultramarine blue, Nigrosine dye, aniline blue, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, Hansa Yellow G, rhodamine 6C lake, calco oil blue, chrome yellow, quinacridone red, benzidine yellow, rose bengal, etc. may be used alone or in combination. it can.

  Furthermore, if desired, in order to give the toner particles magnetic properties, magnetic components such as iron oxides such as ferrite, magnetite and maghemite, metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel, or alloys of these with other metals may be used. The toner particles may be contained alone or in combination of two or more. Moreover, these components can also be used / used together as a colorant component.

  The toner contained in the electrophotographic developer contains a releasable substance. As a result, the life of the developer can be extended by the effect of the carrier while performing oilless fixing without using fixing oil. As the releasable substance contained in the toner, waxes such as polyethylene wax, propylene wax and carnauba wax are preferably used, but are not limited thereto. The amount used is preferably about 0.5 to 10.0% by weight, more preferably about 3.0 to 8.0% by weight, although it depends on the type of material used and the fixing method. preferable.

  Additives for improving toner fluidity and environment dependency can also be added, and generally known additives can be used. For example, zinc oxide, tin oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, strontium titanate, barium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium zirconate, calcium zirconate, lanthanum titanate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, mica, dolomite Inorganic powders such as these and hydrophobized products thereof can be used alone or in combination. As other additives, fluororesin fine particles such as polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene copolymer, and polyvinylidene fluoride may be used as the toner surface modifier. Depending on the type of material to be added, about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight is externally added to 100 parts by weight of the toner base particles, and if necessary, the toner is mixed with an appropriate mixer. It can be adjusted and used so that it adheres to the particle surface, adheres, or is released in the gap between toner particles.

  In addition, generally known charge control agents for improving the rising of charge can be used, such as amino group-containing vinyl copolymers, quaternary ammonium salt compounds, nigrosine dyes, polyamine resins, imidazoles. Positive charge control agents such as compounds, azine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, guanidine compounds, lake pigments, and negative charge charges such as carboxylic acid derivatives and their metal salts, alkoxylates, organometallic complexes, chelate compounds The control agent can be used alone or in combination of two or more to form a kneaded product and / or additive into the toner particles. When these charge control agents are used in a dispersed state, the dispersion diameter is preferably 2.0 μm or less, and preferably 1.0 μm or less in order for the interaction with the carrier particle surface to occur substantially evenly. Further preferred.

As a method for producing toner particles in the developer of the present invention, the raw materials as described above are kneaded by a known method using a known device such as a two-roll, twin-screw extrusion kneader, or single-screw extrusion kneader, This can be pulverized and classified by a known method such as a mechanical method or an airflow method to produce toner base particles. Further, at the time of kneading, a colorant or a dispersant for controlling the dispersion state of the magnetic material may be used in combination. Further, the toner base particles may be mixed and surface-modified with a mixer or the like by adding the aforementioned additives.
In addition to this, a so-called polymerized toner in which toner particles are granulated using a resin monomer, a low molecular weight resin oligomer or the like as a starting material may be used.

In addition, the charge amount of these toner particles varies depending on the actual use process and cannot be determined in general. However, in the combination with the carrier particles according to the configuration of the present invention, the absolute value is about 3 to 40 μC / g. The saturated charge amount is preferably about 5 to 30 μC / g, and more preferably about 5 to 30 μC / g.
Further, as the particle diameter of the toner particles, the weight average diameter D4 is preferably in the range of about 4 to 10 μm, and the toner particle number-based 10% diameter is more preferably 2.5 μm or more. It is preferable for obtaining image quality.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a golden color image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is a so-called tandem type electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, a transfer body belt 112 that carries an image carrier 128 and moves in the directions of arrows A1, A2, and A3 includes stretch rolls 102, 104, and 106, and a transfer roll 108 of the transfer apparatus 110. And an image forming apparatus for a general color of an electrophotographic system that forms a general color toner image with black, cyan, magenta, and yellow general color toners in order in the circumferential direction of the transfer body bell 112 100K, 100C, 100M, and 100Y and an electrophotographic metal color image forming apparatus 100G that forms a gold toner image using the gold toner used in the gold color image forming apparatus of the present invention, a transfer device 110, And a belt cleaner 114.

  The general color image forming apparatuses 100K, 100C, 100M, and 100Y, and the metal color image forming apparatus 100G, respectively, are photoreceptors 118K, 118C, which rotate in the direction of arrow B so as to be driven by the intermediate transfer belt 112. In addition to 118M, 118Y and 118G, charging means 124K, 124C, 124M, 124Y and 124G for uniformly charging the surface, and exposure means 116K and 116C for forming a latent image corresponding to image information on the surface. , 116M, 116Y, and 116G, and the photosensitive member developing means 122K, 122C, 122M, 122Y, and 122G that develop the latent images formed on the respective photosensitive members using toners of respective colors to obtain toner images, Photoconductors 118K, 118C, 118M, 118Y, O through the transfer body 112 And transfer means 126K, 126C, 126M, 126Y, and 126G that transfer toner images formed on the respective photosensitive members to the image carrier 128 on the transfer belt 112, and the photosensitive member 118K. , 118C, 118M, 118Y, and 118G, respectively, are respectively arranged in order in the rotation direction of the photosensitive members 118K, 118C, 118M, 118Y, and 118G. Being done.

  Here, the image forming operation on the image carrier 128 on the transfer belt 112 will be described using the general color image forming apparatus 100K that forms a black toner image as a representative. The photoreceptor 118K of the general color image forming apparatus 100K is driven to rotate at the same linear velocity as the image carrier 128 on the transfer belt 112 travels in the arrow A1 direction. The surface of the photoreceptor 118K is charged to a uniform potential state by the charging unit 124K, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the exposure unit 116K. The electrostatic latent image is converted into a black toner image by the photosensitive member developing unit 122K, and transferred to the image carrier 128 on the transfer belt 112 by the transfer unit 126K. After the transfer, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 118K is scraped off by the cleaning unit 120K. The surface of the photoreceptor 118K is recharged by the charging unit 124K for the next image forming cycle after the charge is erased by a neutralizing unit (not shown) as necessary.

In the present image forming apparatus, the exposure of the photosensitive member with the color toner (here, yellow) existing between the gold toner and the image carrier is performed by the image of the color and the image of the gold toner, or the image of the color. And an image slightly larger than the image of the golden toner. As a result, other color toners are always present under the place where the gold toner exists, and a gorgeous golden color image that shines brightly can be formed.
The image forming process similar to the above is performed at the timing in consideration of the relative positional deviation of each of the general color image forming apparatuses 100K, 100C, 100M, 100Y and the gold color developing apparatus 100G, and the general color developing apparatuses 100C, 100M, 100Y, This is also performed in the gold image forming apparatus 100G. The toner images of the respective colors are superimposed on the image carrier 128 on the transfer belt 112, and a full color toner image composed of general colors and a metal color toner image are formed. (General color image forming step and gold image forming step).

  The image carrier 128 on the transfer belt 112 further moves in the direction of the arrow A2, and when the toner image is formed up to 110, the toner image is transferred to the image carrier on which the toner image is formed. The belt is separated from the belt 112, proceeds in the direction of arrow C, and is conveyed to the fixing device 136. In the fixing device 136, the pressure roll 134 is pressed against the heating roll 132, and a nip portion is formed between the two. The recording medium 128 to which the toner image is transferred is inserted into the nip portion, and the toner image transferred to the recording medium 128 is fixed by the heat from the heating roll 132 and the pressure of the pressure contact roll 134.

Fixing is an important process that affects the gloss and smoothness of the final image. As the fixing method, belt fixing using a fixing belt with a heating and pressing roll is known, but the belt fixing method is more preferable from the viewpoint of the image quality such as gloss and smoothness. Regarding the belt fixing method, for example, an oilless type belt fixing method described in JP-A-11-352819, and secondary transfer and fixing described in JP-A-11-231671 and JP-A-5-341666 are simultaneously performed. Methods to achieve are known.
Furthermore, instead of electrostatic transfer or bias roller transfer, or in combination, an adhesive transfer type or heat assisted transfer system is known, and it is also preferable in the present invention to employ these.

Since fixing of the image forming apparatus of the present invention does not have a release agent, the release agent is not spilled during maintenance or movement, which is very preferable.
In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the developing devices are arranged in the order of black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and gold. However, the gold image forming apparatus (gold image forming unit) is transferred to the image carrier last. The order of the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow image forming apparatuses (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow image forming units) is not particularly limited.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus in FIG.
In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, an intermediate transfer body 112 that rotates in the directions of arrows A1, A2, and A3 is stretched by stretch rolls 102, 104, and 106 and a transfer roll 108 of a transfer apparatus 110, and the intermediate transfer body. The image forming apparatuses 100G, 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K, the transfer apparatus 110, and the belt cleaner 114 are arranged in order in the circumferential movement direction 112 of gold, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner.

  In addition, the general color image forming apparatuses 100G, 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K, in addition to the photosensitive members 118G, 118C, 118M, 118Y, and 118K, which rotate in the direction of arrow B so as to be driven and rotated by the intermediate transfer member 112, respectively. Charging means 124G, 124C, 124M, 124Y, and 124K for uniformly charging the surface, and exposure means 116G, 116C, 116M, 116Y, and 116K for forming a latent image according to image information on the surface. The latent image formed on each photoconductor is developed using toner of each color, and photoconductor development means 122G, 122C, 122M, 122Y, and 122K that obtain toner images, and the photoconductor through the intermediate transfer body 112 118G, 118C, 118M, 118Y, and 118K are arranged opposite to each other. The primary transfer means 126G, 126C, 126M, 126Y, and 126K that transfer the toner images formed on the respective photosensitive members to the intermediate transfer member 112, and the surfaces of the photosensitive members 118G, 118C, 118M, 118Y, and 118K. Cleaning means 120G, 120C, 120M, 120Y, and 120K for cleaning are sequentially arranged in the rotation direction of the photosensitive members 118G, 118C, 118M, 118Y, and 118K, respectively.

  Here, the image forming operation on the intermediate transfer body 112 will be described by taking the general color developing device 100G that forms a gold toner image as a representative. The photosensitive member 118G of the general color developing device 100G is driven to rotate at the same linear velocity as the intermediate transfer member 112 advances in the arrow A1 direction. The surface of the photoreceptor 118G is charged to a uniform potential state by the charging unit 124G, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the exposure unit 116G. The electrostatic latent image is converted into a black toner image by the photosensitive member developing unit 122K, and transferred to the surface of the belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 112 by the primary transfer unit 126G. After the transfer, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 118G is scraped off by the cleaning unit 120G. The surface of the photoreceptor 118G is recharged by the charging unit 124G for the next image forming cycle after the charge is erased by a neutralizing unit (not shown) as necessary.

  In the present image forming apparatus, the exposure of the photosensitive member with the color toner (here, yellow) existing between the gold toner and the image carrier is performed by the image of the color and the image of the gold toner, or the image of the color. And an image slightly larger than the image of the golden toner. As a result, other color toners are always present under the place where the gold toner exists, and a gorgeous golden color image that shines brightly can be formed.

  In this image forming apparatus, the image forming process similar to the above is performed at the timing in consideration of the relative position shift of the image forming apparatuses (image forming units) 100G, 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K. The general color image forming units) 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K are also performed. The toner images of the respective colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer body 112, and a full color toner image composed of general colors and a metal color toner image are formed. Formed (general color image forming step and metal color image forming step).

  When the intermediate transfer body 112 further moves in the direction of the arrow A2 and the portion where the toner image is formed moves to the transfer device 110, the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 128 by the transfer device 110. The transfer device 110 has a configuration in which a transfer roll 108 and a counter roll 130 are arranged to face each other, and a voltage is applied between them. The intermediate transfer body 112 and the recording medium 128 are inserted in the gap between the transfer roll 108 and the opposing roll 130 so that the toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 112 is in contact with the recording medium 128. The Then, the toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 112 is transferred to the recording medium 128 by the electrostatic attraction (or electrostatic repulsion) due to the voltage applied between the transfer roll 108 and the opposing roll 130 (transfer). Process).

  The recording medium 128 to which the toner image is transferred advances in the direction of arrow C and is conveyed to the fixing device 136. In the fixing device 136, the pressure roll 134 is pressed against the heating roll 132, and a nip portion is formed between the two. The recording medium 128 to which the toner image is transferred is inserted into the nip portion, and the toner image transferred to the recording medium 128 is fixed by the heat from the heating roll 132 and the pressure of the pressure contact roll 134.

  Fixing is an important process that affects the gloss and smoothness of the final image. As the fixing method, belt fixing using a fixing belt with a heating and pressing roll is known, but the belt fixing method is more preferable from the viewpoint of the image quality such as gloss and smoothness. Regarding the belt fixing method, for example, an oilless type belt fixing method described in JP-A-11-352819, and secondary transfer and fixing described in JP-A-11-231671 and JP-A-5-341666 are simultaneously performed. Methods to achieve are known. Furthermore, instead of electrostatic transfer or bias roller transfer, or in combination, an adhesive transfer type or heat assisted transfer system is known, and it is also preferable in the present invention to employ these.

  Since the fixing of the image forming apparatus of the present invention does not have a release agent, the release agent is not spilled during maintenance or movement, which is very preferable. The intermediate transfer body 112 after the transfer further rotates in the direction of the arrow A3, and the toner remaining on the surface is scraped off by the belt cleaner 114 and is supplied to the next image forming cycle.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, an intermediate transfer body 212 that moves in the directions of arrows D1, D2, and D3 is stretched by stretch rolls 202, 204, and 206 and a transfer roll 208 of a transfer apparatus 210, and the intermediate transfer body. A developing device 238, a transfer device 210, and a belt cleaner 214 disposed to face the stretching roll 202 are arranged in this order in the circumferential movement direction of 212.
Further, the developing means 222 is a combination of gold, cyan, yellow, magenta, and black developing means 222G, 222C, 222M, 222Y, and 222B, and each color is developed on the photoconductor 218 by rotating the center. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the photosensitive member 218 includes a charging unit 224 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive member 218 that rotates in the direction of arrow E so as to be driven by the intermediate transfer member 212, and image information on the surface of the photosensitive member 218. An exposure unit 216 that forms a latent image according to the color image, and a photosensitive body developing unit 222G, 222C, 222M that develops the formed latent image using gold, cyan, yellow, magenta, and black toners to obtain a toner image. 222Y and 222B, a primary transfer unit 226 that is disposed to face the photoconductor 218 via the intermediate transfer member 212, and transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 218 to the intermediate transfer member 212, and the surface of the photoconductor 218 And a cleaning means 220 for cleaning the photosensitive member 218 are sequentially arranged in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 218.

  Here, an image forming operation on the intermediate transfer member 212 will be described. The photoreceptor 218 is driven to rotate at the same linear velocity as the intermediate transfer member 212 travels in the arrow D1 direction. The surface of the photoreceptor 218 is charged to a uniform potential state by the charging unit 224, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the exposure unit 216. The electrostatic latent image formed at this time is a latent image on which a toner image is to be formed with gold toner. The electrostatic latent image is converted into a gold toner image by the photosensitive member developing unit 222G, and transferred to the surface of the belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 212 by the primary transfer unit 226.

  Next, the surface of the photoreceptor 218 is charged to a uniform potential state by the charging unit 224 by the same operation as described above, and an electrostatic latent image on which a toner image is to be formed with cyan toner is formed by the exposure unit 216. It is formed. The electrostatic latent image is converted into a cyan toner image by the photosensitive member developing unit 222M, and transferred to the surface of the belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 212 by the primary transfer unit 226. At this time, the intermediate transfer member rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow D1 from the position where the gold toner image is transferred, and is positioned at the same position as when the gold toner image is transferred. A cyan toner image is transferred onto the image. Further, by the same operation as described above, a latent image formed by combining the latent image formed by the gold toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 218 with the latent image originally formed by the yellow toner is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 218. A yellow toner image is formed by the means 222Y, and is transferred onto the surface of the belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 212 by the primary transfer means 226.

Next, similarly, a latent image formed by combining the latent image formed by the gold toner and the latent image originally formed by the black toner is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 218 with respect to the black toner, and is formed by the photosensitive member developing unit 222B. A black toner image is formed and transferred onto the surface of the belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 212 by the primary transfer unit 226.
As described above, gold, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner images are superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 212. That is, in the present embodiment, the photosensitive member 218, the primary transfer unit 226, the cleaning unit 220, the charging unit 224, and the exposure unit 216 are components common to both the developing devices of the respective colors.

When the intermediate transfer member 212 further moves in the direction of the arrow D2 and the portion where the toner image is formed moves to the transfer device 210, the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 228 by the transfer device 210. The configuration of the transfer device 210 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The recording medium 228 to which the toner image has been transferred proceeds in the direction of arrow F, and is inserted and fixed in the nip portion between the heating roll 232 and the pressure contact roll 234 in the fixing device 236 as in the first embodiment. The intermediate transfer body 212 after the transfer further rotates in the direction of the arrow D3, and the toner remaining on the surface is scraped off by the belt cleaner 214 and is supplied to the next image forming cycle.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples.

A material in which aluminum is vapor-deposited on a polyester resin as a light reflecting material, a golden toner not containing a release agent composed of a polyester resin colored with a yellow dye, and black, cyan, magenta containing a normal release agent, Image formation was performed using yellow toner.
The image is a decorative letter and a letter of excellence written on the top of the image with a golden letter, and the others are written in black.
Using the image forming apparatus that performs fixing without supplying a release agent in the fixing shown in FIG. 1, a yellow image is also formed under the golden image as a decorative frame and a letter that is greatly written as an excellent patent award. The produced image was a gorgeous image suitable for the award, with the golden image shining brightly. Although 500 images of the same image were formed, a gorgeous image suitable for a commendation was obtained, with the golden image shining brightly, the same as the first image.

[Comparative example]
In the example, when the image was formed in the same manner as in the example except that the decorative frame and the excellent patent award were written with only the gold toner, the golden image was less bright than the example. became. Attempting to form 500 images of the same image, an abnormal image with an offset equivalent to a gold frame image started to appear from the 13th image, and a paper jam occurred due to fixing on the 29th image . When the fixing roller was observed, a golden toner corresponding to a golden image was fixed.

It is a schematic block diagram of an example of the golden color image forming apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the other example of the golden color image forming apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of another example of the golden color image forming apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100G metal color image forming apparatus (metal color image forming unit)
102, 104, 106 Tension roll 105, 110 Transfer device 108 Transfer roll 100K, 100C, 100M, 100Y General color image forming apparatus (general color image forming unit)
110 Transfer device 112 Intermediate transfer member 114 Belt cleaner 116K, 116C, 116M, 116Y, 116G Exposure unit 118K, 118C, 118M, 118Y, 118G Photoconductor 120K, 120C, 120M, 120Y, 120G Cleaning unit 122K, 122C, 122M, 122Y 122G Photoconductor developing means 124K, 124C, 124M, 124Y, 124G Charging means 126K, 126C, 126M, 126Y, 126G Transfer means 128 Image carrier 202, 204, 206 Tension roll 208 Transfer roll 210 Transfer device 212 Intermediate transfer body 214 Belt cleaner 216 Exposure unit 218 Photoconductor 220 Cleaning unit 222 Development unit 222G Gold image forming unit 222C Cyan (color) development unit 222M Magenta Color developing means 222Y Yellow (color) developing means 222B Black (color) developing means 224 Charging means 226 Primary transfer means 228 Recording medium 232 Heating roll 234 Pressing roll 236 Fixing apparatus 238 Image forming apparatus (image forming section)
A1, A2, A3 Circumferential movement direction D1, D2, D3 Intermediate transfer member circumferential movement direction

Claims (5)

In a fixing device of an image forming apparatus that performs fixing without supplying a release agent,
In the case where gold image formation uses a gold toner that does not contain a release agent, and other color image formation uses a toner that contains a release agent, and when image formation with the gold toner is performed, the gold toner An image forming apparatus having a function of developing, laminating and fixing toners of other colors including a release agent in the same place as the above.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other color toner including a release agent laminated at the same place as the gold toner is yellow and / or transparent.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gold toner contains a flaky substance that reflects light.   In the color image forming apparatus, before the golden toner image having no release agent is transferred to the image carrier, the non-gold color including the release agent is formed on the image carrier to which the golden toner image is transferred. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner is transferred to an image carrier.   Before the golden toner image having no release agent is transferred to the image carrier using the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the release is performed on the image carrier to which the golden toner image is transferred. A method for forming an image, comprising transferring toner of a color other than gold including an agent to an image carrier.

Images