JP2007140317A - Cleaning apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning apparatus capable of uniformly applying a lubricant to an object to be cleaned, such as an intermediate transfer belt and suppressing paper powder from being bitten between a cleaning blade and the object to be cleaned; and also to provide an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A second fur brush 22 which is a lubricant applying member for applying the lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt 11 which is the object to be cleaned is disposed nearer the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt than the cleaning blade 21. Also, a first fur brush 24 which is a paper powder removing member for removing the paper powder adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 11 is disposed nearer the upstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt than the cleaning blade 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device provided with a cleaning blade for removing toner adhering to a cleaning object in contact with the surface of the cleaning object moving on the surface, and a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, etc. equipped with the cleaning device. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive member, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image. Then, there is known a technique in which the toner image is transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and then the toner image on the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a recording medium such as plain paper. In this type of image forming apparatus, toner that has not contributed to the transfer remains on the photosensitive member or intermediate transfer member after transfer of the toner image, and is removed and collected. As a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of a member to be cleaned such as a photosensitive member or an intermediate transfer member, a cleaning device using a cleaning blade made of an elastic material is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, in order to meet the recent demand for higher image quality, an image forming apparatus using a nearly spherical toner (hereinafter referred to as “spherical toner”) formed by a polymerization method or the like is known. This spherical toner has characteristics such as higher transfer efficiency than conventional pulverized toner (unshaped toner), and is known to be able to meet the recent demand for higher image quality. However, the spherical toner is dammed up by the cleaning blade, and then rolls due to the frictional force with the object to be cleaned and easily passes through the cleaning blade, so that the cleaning property is deteriorated. In order to satisfactorily clean such spherical toner, a lubricant is applied to the surface of the object to be cleaned, the coefficient of friction of the object to be cleaned is lowered, the friction between the object to be cleaned and the toner is reduced, and the cleaning blade is scraped. It is easy to take (for example, patent document 2).

  Patent Document 2 describes a cleaning device including an application member that applies a lubricant to the surface of a cleaning object upstream of the cleaning blade in the moving direction of the cleaning object.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-323704 JP 2005-10500 A

  However, in the case where the lubricant is applied on the upstream side of the cleaning blade, the lubricant is applied to the surface of the object to be cleaned from which the residual toner is not removed. As a result, there is a problem that the lubricant is not applied around the residual toner, and the lubricant cannot be uniformly applied to the surface of the object to be cleaned. As a result, the frictional force between the surface of the object to be cleaned and the cleaning blade changes in the width direction, and there is a problem in that the blade tip vibrates and cleaning failure occurs.

  In addition to the residual toner, paper dust of a recording medium adheres to the object to be cleaned. This paper dust is also dammed up by the cleaning blade, and then scraped off from the object to be cleaned and cleaned. Even if it is easy to scrape the spherical toner by applying a lubricant, some of the residual toner blocked by the cleaning blade slips through the cleaning blade. If paper dust is dammed around the residual toner that has passed through the cleaning blade, paper dust will enter the gap created when the spherical toner passes through the cleaning blade, and it will be between the cleaning blade and the object to be cleaned. There was a problem that the paper powder was bitten. If the paper dust is caught between the cleaning blade and the object to be cleaned, the portion of the cleaning blade where the paper dust is caught is deformed by the thickness of the paper dust. As a result, there is a problem that a gap is formed around the portion where the paper dust is caught, and residual toner slips through the gap, resulting in a cleaning failure.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to uniformly apply the lubricant to the object to be cleaned, and to make paper dust between the cleaning blade and the object to be cleaned. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device and an image forming apparatus that can suppress the biting of the toner.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a cleaning device including a cleaning blade for removing toner adhering to a cleaning object by contacting the surface of the cleaning object moving on the surface. A lubricant application member that applies a lubricant to the member to be cleaned downstream in the moving direction of the cleaning object, and paper that removes paper dust adhering to the cleaning blade in the upstream direction of movement of the cleaning object relative to the cleaning blade A powder removing member is provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cleaning device of the first aspect, the paper dust removing member is a brush roller that is driven to rotate while being in contact with the surface of the object to be cleaned. To do.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cleaning device of the second aspect, the paper dust removing member moves in a direction opposite to a direction in which the surface to be cleaned moves at a contact portion with the surface of the object to be cleaned. Further, the paper dust removing member is driven to rotate.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the cleaning device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a brush roller that rotates and contacts the surface of the object to be cleaned so as to rub is used as the lubricant application member. It is characterized by.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the cleaning device according to the fourth aspect, the lubricant application member moves in the same direction as the surface of the cleaning target moves at the contact portion with the surface of the cleaning target. Further, the lubricant application member is driven to rotate.
The invention of claim 6 is characterized by comprising the cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image carriers, a toner image forming unit that forms toner images of different colors made of different colors on each image carrier, and each image carrier are opposed to each other. An image forming apparatus comprising a transfer member that moves a transfer position and a transfer cleaning device that cleans the surface of the transfer member, wherein the cleaning device of claim 4 or 5 is used as the transfer cleaning device, and the lubrication The rotation period of the agent applying member is set to (1 / N (integer)) of the time during which the transfer member moves between the image carriers.
The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the toner has a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm, a volume average particle diameter (Dv) and a number average particle diameter (Dn). The ratio (Dv / Dn) is in the range of 1.00 to 1.40.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any of the sixth to eighth aspects, the toner has a shape factor SF-1 in the range of 100 to 180 and a shape factor SF-2 in the range of 100 to 180. It is characterized by being in range.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the toner includes at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, a colorant, and a release agent. It is a toner obtained by crosslinking and / or stretching reaction of a toner material liquid dispersed in a solvent in an aqueous medium.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to tenth aspects, the toner has a substantially spherical shape.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth to eleventh aspects, the shape of the toner is defined by a major axis r1, a minor axis r2, and a thickness r3 (provided that r1 ≧ r2 ≧ r3). The ratio (r2 / r1) between the major axis r1 and the minor axis r2 is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0, and the ratio (r3 / r2) between the thickness r3 and the minor axis r2 is 0. It is characterized by being in the range of 7 to 1.0.

According to the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention, the lubricant applying member for applying the lubricant to the object to be cleaned is provided on the downstream side in the moving direction of the object to be cleaned from the cleaning blade. Thus, the lubricant can be applied to the surface of the object to be cleaned from which the residual toner has been removed by the cleaning blade. As a result, the lubricant can be uniformly applied to the surface of the object to be cleaned as compared with the case where the lubricant application member is provided upstream of the cleaning blade in the moving direction of the object to be cleaned. Therefore, the frictional force between the cleaning blade and the object to be cleaned can be made uniform in the width direction, vibration at the tip of the cleaning blade can be suppressed, and defective cleaning can be suppressed.
Further, a paper dust removing member for removing paper dust adhering to the object to be cleaned is provided on the upstream side in the moving direction of the object to be cleaned from the cleaning blade, The adhering paper dust is removed. As a result, the paper dust can be prevented from being dammed by the cleaning blade, and the paper dust enters the gap formed when the residual toner slips through the cleaning blade, so that the gap between the cleaning blade and the object to be cleaned is reduced. It is possible to suppress the paper dust from being bitten. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress poor cleaning due to residual toner slipping through a gap formed around the portion where the paper dust is bitten.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printer which is an image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of a printer employing a so-called tandem indirect transfer system. As shown in FIG. 1, in this printer, a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is disposed at the center so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. Around the photosensitive member 1, there are a static eliminating device 2 for neutralizing the surface of the photosensitive member 1, a charging device 3 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive member 1, and a charged portion of the photosensitive member 1 by performing optical writing with a laser beam. In addition, an exposure device 4 for forming an electrostatic latent image and a developing device 5 for developing the electrostatic latent image are provided. A cleaning device 6 for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor 1 after transfer is disposed around the photoconductor 1. This printer employs a so-called tandem system using four photoconductors 1, and the image forming component configuration provided around each photoconductor 1 is a color material (toner) handled by the developing device 6. These are the same except that their colors are different (the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted).

  An intermediate transfer unit 10 is provided above the photoreceptor 1. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the intermediate transfer unit. As shown in FIG. 2, in the intermediate transfer unit 10, the intermediate transfer belt 11, which is a member to be cleaned, is wound around the tension roller 12, the drive roller 13, and the support rollers 14, 15 and rotated counterclockwise in the drawing. The The intermediate transfer belt 11 has a multilayer structure, and the base layer is made of, for example, a fluororesin, PVD sheet, or polyimide resin with little elongation, and the surface is covered with a smooth coat layer such as a fluororesin. Further, transfer rollers 16 for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 11 are disposed at positions facing the photoconductor 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 11 interposed therebetween. Further, on the left side of the tension roller 12, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 20 for removing residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 after transfer by a secondary transfer device 20 described later is disposed. The tension roller 12 has a function of applying a constant tension to the intermediate transfer belt 11 and also serves as a cleaning counter roller. Since the cleaning device 20 has a shorter life than the intermediate transfer member 11, it can be detached independently as will be described later.

  A secondary transfer device 30 is disposed at a position facing the support roller 14 with the intermediate transfer belt 11 in between. In the secondary transfer device 30, the secondary transfer belt 31 is stretched between the support rollers 32, 33, 34, and 35 and is driven to rotate clockwise in the drawing, and is pressed against the support roller 14 via the intermediate transfer body 11. The image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is transferred to the recording paper P. Some secondary transfer devices use a secondary transfer roller. Further, on the left side of the secondary transfer device 30, a secondary transfer belt cleaning device 36 that removes toner and the like remaining on the secondary transfer belt 31 after image transfer is provided.

  The recording paper P is stored in the lower paper feeding cassettes 40a and 40b in the drawing, and the uppermost recording paper P is conveyed by the paper feeding roller 41 to the registration roller pair 43 via the paper feeding path 42 one by one. . On the secondary transfer device 30, a fixing device 50 that fixes a transfer image on the recording paper P, a paper discharge guide pair 51, a paper discharge roller pair 52, and a paper discharge stack unit 53 are disposed. The fixing device 50 is configured by pressing a pressure roller against a fixing roller. Note that the secondary transfer device 30 described above also has a sheet conveyance function for conveying the recording paper P after image transfer to the fixing device 50. Of course, a transfer roller or a non-contact charger may be disposed as the secondary transfer device 30. In such a case, it is difficult to provide this sheet conveyance function together.

  In the printer having the above configuration, when a start switch (not shown) is pressed, the drive roller 13 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), the other rollers 12, 14, 15 are driven to rotate, and the intermediate transfer body 11 is rotated and conveyed. . At the same time, the photosensitive member 1 is rotated by individual image forming means to form black, yellow, magenta, and cyan single-color images on each photosensitive member 1, respectively. Then, along with the conveyance of the intermediate transfer belt 11, these single color images are sequentially transferred to form a composite color image on the intermediate transfer belt 11. On the other hand, when a start switch (not shown) is pressed, one of the paper feed rollers 41 is selectively rotated, and the recording paper P is fed out one by one from one of the paper feed cassettes 40 and put into the paper feed path 42. Stop at 43. Then, the registration roller pair 43 is rotated in synchronization with the composite color image on the intermediate transfer belt 11, and the recording paper P is sent between the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the secondary transfer device 30. Transfer and record a color image on the recording paper P. After the image transfer, the recording paper P is conveyed by the secondary transfer device 30 and sent to the fixing device 50. The fixing device 50 applies heat and pressure to fix the transferred image, and then passes through the paper discharge guide pair 51. The paper is discharged by the discharge roller 52 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 53. On the other hand, the intermediate transfer belt 11 after image transfer is freed of residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 after the image is transferred by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 20, and is prepared for re-image formation by the tandem image forming apparatus. Further, the secondary transfer belt 21 after the image transfer is removed by the secondary transfer belt cleaning device 30 to remove residual toner remaining on the secondary transfer belt 11 after the image transfer.

  Next, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 20 that is a characteristic part of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 20 includes a cleaning blade 21. The cleaning blade 21 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 11 at a predetermined contact angle, and scrapes off residual toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 11. The residual toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 21 falls to the collection unit 26, and the residual toner dropped to the collection unit 26 is conveyed to a waste toner storage unit (not shown) by the conveyance screw 25.

  A first brush roller 24, which is a paper dust removing member provided mainly for removing paper dust, is provided upstream of the cleaning blade 21 in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt. The first brush roller 24 is rotated by a drive source (not shown) so as to be in the opposite (counter) direction to the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11 at the contact portion with the intermediate transfer belt 11. Thereby, many brushes can rub the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11, and paper dust can be removed favorably. The first brush roller 24 has a brush arrangement density and the like so that paper dust can be removed from the intermediate transfer belt 11 satisfactorily. Furthermore, vibration generating means (not shown) that vibrates the first fur brush 24 at a predetermined timing is provided, and due to this vibration, paper dust attached to the first fur brush 24 falls to the collecting unit 26 and is collected. It has become so. Thereby, it can suppress that paper dust accumulates in the 1st fur brush 24, and paper dust removal capability will fall. Further, by rotating the paper dust removing member as a brush roller, it is possible to increase the area where the paper dust can be removed as compared with a case where the paper dust removing member is a fixed brush or a moquette. Thereby, compared with what was used as the fixed brush or the moquette, progress of dirt can be controlled and paper dust removal capability can be maintained over time. Therefore, even if it is a device in which a large amount of paper dust adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 11 or a device aimed at extending the service life, the paper dust removing ability can be maintained satisfactorily.

  In this way, the paper dust adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 11 is removed by the first fur brush 24 located upstream of the cleaning blade 21 in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt, so that the paper dust is blocked by the cleaning blade 11. Can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent paper dust from being caught between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 11, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of transfer failure.

  A second fur brush 22, which is a lubricant application member for applying a lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt 11, is provided downstream of the cleaning blade 21 in the intermediate transfer belt moving direction. A solid lubricant 23 made of zinc stearate or the like is pressed against the second fur brush 22 by a pressure spring 27 as an urging means. The second fur brush 22 scrapes off and applies the lubricant 23 pressed by the pressure spring 27 to the intermediate transfer belt 11 while rotating. As a result, the friction coefficient of the intermediate transfer belt 11 can be reduced, the friction with the toner can be reduced, the toner can be easily scraped off by the cleaning blade 21, and good cleaning performance can be obtained. In addition, by reducing the friction coefficient of the intermediate transfer belt 11, it is possible to suppress the entrainment of the cleaning blade 21 and the occurrence of filming on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  Further, by arranging the second fur brush 22 as a lubricant application member downstream of the cleaning blade 21 in the intermediate transfer belt moving direction, the lubricant can be applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt from which the residual toner has been removed. The lubricant can be uniformly applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11. Thereby, the frictional force between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 becomes uniform in the width direction, vibration of the cleaning blade 21 can be suppressed, and defective cleaning can be suppressed.

  The second fur brush 22 is preferably rotated in the same direction (trading direction) as the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11 at a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 11. By rotating the second fur brush 22 in the trading direction, the load on the second fur brush 22 relative to the travel of the intermediate transfer belt 11 can be reduced compared to when the second fur brush 22 is rotated in the counter direction. It can be stably conveyed.

  The load of the second fur brush 22 on the intermediate transfer belt 11 varies periodically with one rotation of the second fur brush as one cycle. Due to the load fluctuation of the second fur brush 22, the speed of the intermediate transfer belt 11 may fluctuate. If the speed of the intermediate transfer belt 11 fluctuates, the toner image cannot be transferred to a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer belt 11, and color misregistration may occur. For this reason, it is preferable to set the rotation period of the second fur brush 22 to (1 / N) (N is an integer) of the time during which the intermediate transfer belt 11 moves between the photosensitive members. As a result, the phase of load fluctuation from the second fur brush 22 with one rotation of the second fur brush as one cycle can be made the same at each transfer position, and color misregistration can be suppressed. Also, the rotation period of the first fur brush 24 may be set to (1 / N) (N is an integer) of the time during which the intermediate transfer belt 11 moves between the photoconductors. Thereby, the phase of the load fluctuation from the first fur brush 24 in which one rotation of the first fur brush is one cycle can be made the same at each transfer position, and color shift can be further suppressed.

  The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 20 of the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, a plurality of first fur brushes 24 that are paper dust removing members may be provided. Further, the cleaning device of this embodiment may be used as a cleaning device for the photosensitive belt and a cleaning device for the photosensitive drum.

Next, the toner suitably used for the color printer of the present invention will be described.
In order to reproduce minute dots of 600 dpi or more, the toner preferably has a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm. The ratio (Dv / Dn) of the volume average particle diameter (Dv) to the number average particle diameter (Dn) is preferably in the range of 1.00 to 1.40. The closer (Dv / Dn) is to 1.00, the sharper the particle size distribution. With such a toner having a small particle size and a narrow particle size distribution, the toner charge amount distribution is uniform, a high-quality image with little background fogging can be obtained, and the electrostatic transfer method has a high transfer rate. can do.

The toner shape factor SF-1 is preferably in the range of 100 to 180, and the shape factor SF-2 is preferably in the range of 100 to 180. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the shape of the toner in order to explain the shape factor SF-1. The shape factor SF-1 indicates the ratio of the roundness of the toner shape and is represented by the following formula (1). This is a value obtained by dividing the square of the maximum length MXLNG of the shape formed by projecting the toner on a two-dimensional plane by the figure area AREA and multiplying by 100π / 4.
SF-1 = {(MXLNG) 2 / AREA} × (100π / 4) Formula (1)
When the value of SF-1 is 100, the shape of the toner becomes a true sphere, and becomes larger as the value of SF-1 increases. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the shape of the toner in order to explain the shape factor SF-2. The shape factor SF-2 indicates the ratio of unevenness in the shape of the toner, and is represented by the following formula (2). A value obtained by dividing the square of the perimeter PERI of the figure formed by projecting the toner on the two-dimensional plane by the figure area AREA and multiplying by 100π / 4.
SF-2 = {(PERI) 2 / AREA} × (100π / 4) (2)
When the value of SF-2 is 100, there is no unevenness on the toner surface, and as the value of SF-2 increases, the unevenness of the toner surface becomes more prominent. Specifically, the shape factor is measured by taking a photograph of the toner with a scanning electron microscope (S-800: manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.), introducing it into an image analyzer (LUSEX 3: manufactured by Nireco) and analyzing it. Calculated. When the shape of the toner is close to a spherical shape, the contact state between the toner and the toner or the toner and the photoconductor becomes a point contact, so that the adsorbing force between the toners becomes weak and the fluidity increases, and the toner and the photoconductor The attraction force becomes weaker and the transfer rate becomes higher. If either of the shape factors SF-1 and SF-2 exceeds 180, the transfer rate is lowered, which is not preferable.

  In addition, a toner suitably used for a color printer is a toner material liquid in which at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, polyester, a colorant, and a release agent are dispersed in an organic solvent. Is a toner obtained by crosslinking and / or elongation reaction in an aqueous solvent. Hereinafter, the constituent material and the manufacturing method of the toner will be described.

(polyester)
The polyester is obtained by a polycondensation reaction between a polyhydric alcohol compound and a polycarboxylic acid compound.
Examples of the polyhydric alcohol compound (PO) include dihydric alcohol (DIO) and trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO). (DIO) alone or a mixture of (DIO) and a small amount of (TO) preferable. Examples of the dihydric alcohol (DIO) include alkylene glycol (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, etc.); alkylene ether glycol (diethylene glycol) , Triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, etc.); alicyclic diols (1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.); bisphenols (bisphenol A, bisphenol) F, bisphenol S, etc.); alkylene oxide (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.) adduct of the above alicyclic diol; Alkylene oxide bisphenol (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.), etc. adducts. Among them, preferred are alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols, and particularly preferred are alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols and alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. It is a combined use. As trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO), 3 to 8 or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohol (glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, etc.); trihydric or higher phenols (Trisphenol PA, phenol novolak, cresol novolak, etc.); and alkylene oxide adducts of the above trivalent or higher polyphenols.

  Examples of the polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) include divalent carboxylic acid (DIC) and trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid (TC). (DIC) alone and (DIC) with a small amount of (TC) Mixtures are preferred. Divalent carboxylic acids (DIC) include alkylene dicarboxylic acids (succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.); alkenylene dicarboxylic acids (maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc.); aromatic dicarboxylic acids (phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid) And naphthalenedicarboxylic acid). Of these, preferred are alkenylene dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and aromatic dicarboxylic acids having 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid (TC) include aromatic polycarboxylic acids having 9 to 20 carbon atoms (such as trimellitic acid and pyromellitic acid). In addition, as polyhydric carboxylic acid (PC), you may make it react with polyhydric alcohol (PO) using the above-mentioned acid anhydride or lower alkyl ester (Methyl ester, ethyl ester, isopropyl ester, etc.).

  The ratio of the polyhydric alcohol (PO) to the polycarboxylic acid (PC) is usually 2/1 to 1/1, preferably as the equivalent ratio [OH] / [COOH] of the hydroxyl group [OH] and the carboxyl group [COOH]. Is 1.5 / 1 to 1/1, more preferably 1.3 / 1 to 1.02 / 1. The polycondensation reaction between a polyhydric alcohol (PO) and a polycarboxylic acid (PC) is carried out in the presence of a known esterification catalyst such as tetrabutoxytitanate or dibutyltin oxide, and heated to 150 to 280 ° C. while reducing the pressure as necessary. The produced water is distilled off to obtain a polyester having a hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl value of the polyester is preferably 5 or more, and the acid value of the polyester is usually 1 to 30, preferably 5 to 20. By giving an acid value, the toner tends to be negatively charged, and further, when fixing to a recording paper, the affinity between the recording paper and the toner is good and the low-temperature fixability is improved. However, when the acid value exceeds 30, there is a tendency to deteriorate with respect to the stability of charging, particularly environmental fluctuation. The weight average molecular weight is 10,000 to 400,000, preferably 20,000 to 200,000. A weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 is not preferable because offset resistance deteriorates. On the other hand, if it exceeds 400,000, the low-temperature fixability is deteriorated.

  In addition to the unmodified polyester obtained by the above polycondensation reaction, the polyester preferably contains a urea-modified polyester. The urea-modified polyester is obtained by reacting a terminal carboxyl group or hydroxyl group of the polyester obtained by the above polycondensation reaction with a polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) to obtain a polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group. It is obtained by cross-linking and / or extending the molecular chain by the reaction of the amine with amines. Examples of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) include aliphatic polyisocyanates (tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,6-isocyanatomethylcaproate, etc.); alicyclic polyisocyanates (isophorone diisocyanate, cyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, etc.) Aromatic diisocyanates (tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, etc.); araliphatic diisocyanates (α, α, α ′, α′-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, etc.); isocyanates; phenol derivatives, oximes, caprolactam And a combination of two or more of these. The ratio of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) is usually 5/1 to 1/1, preferably as an equivalent ratio [NCO] / [OH] of the isocyanate group [NCO] and the hydroxyl group [OH] of the polyester having a hydroxyl group. 4/1 to 1.2 / 1, more preferably 2.5 / 1 to 1.5 / 1. When [NCO] / [OH] exceeds 5, low-temperature fixability deteriorates. When the molar ratio of [NCO] is less than 1, when a urea-modified polyester is used, the urea content in the ester is lowered and hot offset resistance is deteriorated. The content of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) component in the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group is usually 0.5 to 40 wt%, preferably 1 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 20 wt%. . If it is less than 0.5 wt%, the hot offset resistance deteriorates, and it is disadvantageous in terms of both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability. On the other hand, if it exceeds 40 wt%, the low-temperature fixability deteriorates. The number of isocyanate groups contained per molecule in the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group is usually 1 or more, preferably 1.5 to 3 on average, more preferably 1.8 to 2 on average. Five. If it is less than 1 per molecule, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester will be low, and the hot offset resistance will deteriorate.

Next, as amines (B) to be reacted with the polyester prepolymer (A), a divalent amine compound (B1), a trivalent or higher polyvalent amine compound (B2), an amino alcohol (B3), an amino mercaptan (B4) ), Amino acid (B5), and amino acid block of B1 to B5 (B6).
Examples of the divalent amine compound (B1) include aromatic diamines (phenylenediamine, diethyltoluenediamine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, etc.); alicyclic diamines (4,4′-diamino-3,3′-dimethyldicyclohexyl). Methane, diamine cyclohexane, isophorone diamine, etc.); and aliphatic diamines (ethylene diamine, tetramethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, etc.) and the like. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent amine compound (B2) include diethylenetriamine and triethylenetetramine. Examples of amino alcohol (B3) include ethanolamine and hydroxyethylaniline. Examples of amino mercaptan (B4) include aminoethyl mercaptan and aminopropyl mercaptan. Examples of the amino acid (B5) include aminopropionic acid and aminocaproic acid. Examples of B1 to B5 blocked amino groups (B6) include ketimine compounds and oxazolidine compounds obtained from the amines of B1 to B5 and ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, etc.). Among these amines (B), preferred are B1 and a mixture of B1 and a small amount of B2.

The ratio of amines (B) is equivalent to the equivalent ratio [NCO] / [NHx] of isocyanate groups [NCO] in the polyester prepolymer (A) having isocyanate groups and amino groups [NHx] in amines (B). Is usually 1/2 to 2/1, preferably 1.5 / 1 to 1 / 1.5, more preferably 1.2 / 1 to 1 / 1.2. When [NCO] / [NHx] is less than 2 or less than 1/2, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester is lowered, and the hot offset resistance is deteriorated.
The urea-modified polyester may contain a urethane bond together with a urea bond. The molar ratio of the urea bond content to the urethane bond content is usually 100/0 to 10/90, preferably 80/20 to 20/80, and more preferably 60/40 to 30/70. When the molar ratio of the urea bond is less than 10%, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated.

  The urea-modified polyester is produced by a one-shot method or the like. Polyhydric alcohol (PO) and polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) are heated to 150-280 ° C. in the presence of a known esterification catalyst such as tetrabutoxytitanate, dibutyltin oxide, etc., and water generated while reducing the pressure as necessary. Distill off to obtain a polyester having a hydroxyl group. Subsequently, at 40-140 degreeC, this is made to react with polyvalent isocyanate (PIC), and the polyester prepolymer (A) which has an isocyanate group is obtained. Further, this (A) is reacted with amines (B) at 0 to 140 ° C. to obtain a urea-modified polyester.

When reacting (PIC) and when reacting (A) and (B), a solvent may be used if necessary. Usable solvents include aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene, etc.); ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, etc.); esters (ethyl acetate, etc.); amides (dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, etc.) and ethers And those inert to isocyanates (PIC), such as tetrahydrofuran (such as tetrahydrofuran).
In addition, in the crosslinking and / or extension reaction between the polyester prepolymer (A) and the amines (B), a reaction terminator can be used as necessary to adjust the molecular weight of the resulting urea-modified polyester. Examples of the reaction terminator include monoamines (diethylamine, dibutylamine, butylamine, laurylamine, etc.), and those obtained by blocking them (ketimine compounds).
The weight average molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester is usually 10,000 or more, preferably 20,000 to 10,000,000, and more preferably 30,000 to 1,000,000. If it is less than 10,000, the hot offset resistance deteriorates. The number average molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester or the like is not particularly limited when the above-mentioned unmodified polyester is used, and may be a number average molecular weight that can be easily obtained to obtain the weight average molecular weight. When the urea-modified polyester is used alone, its number average molecular weight is usually 2000-15000, preferably 2000-10000, more preferably 2000-8000. When it exceeds 20000, the low-temperature fixability and the glossiness when used in a full-color apparatus are deteriorated.

By using the unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester in combination, the low-temperature fixability and the gloss when used in the full-color image forming apparatus 100 are improved. Therefore, it is preferable to use the urea-modified polyester alone. The unmodified polyester may include a polyester modified with a chemical bond other than a urea bond.
The unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester are preferably at least partially compatible with each other in terms of low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance. Therefore, it is preferable that the unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester have a similar composition.
The weight ratio of unmodified polyester to urea-modified polyester is usually 20/80 to 95/5, preferably 70/30 to 95/5, more preferably 75/25 to 95/5, particularly preferably 80 /. 20-93 / 7. When the weight ratio of the urea-modified polyester is less than 5%, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated, and it is disadvantageous in terms of both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability.

The glass transition point (Tg) of the binder resin containing unmodified polyester and urea-modified polyester is usually 45 to 65 ° C, preferably 45 to 60 ° C. If it is less than 45 ° C., the heat resistance of the toner deteriorates, and if it exceeds 65 ° C., the low-temperature fixability becomes insufficient.
In addition, since the urea-modified polyester is likely to be present on the surface of the obtained toner base particles, the heat-resistant storage stability tends to be good even when the glass transition point is low as compared with known polyester-based toners.

(Coloring agent)
As the colorant, all known dyes and pigments can be used. 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, Red Dan, Lead Zhu, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Mercury Red, Antimon Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, Para Red, Phi Sayred, Parachlor Ortonito Aniline Red, Resol Fast Scarlet G, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmin Min BS, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Resol 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, Thio Indigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon, Oil Red, Quinacridone Red, Pyrazolone Red Polyazo Red, Chrome Vermillion, 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, chromium oxide, pyridian, emerald green, pigment Green B, Naphthol Green B, Green Gold, Acid Green Lake, Malachite Green Lake, Lid Russian nin green, anthraquinone green, titanium oxide, zinc white, litbon and mixtures thereof can be used. The content of the colorant is usually 1 to 15% by weight, preferably 3 to 10% by weight, based on the toner.

  The colorant can also be used as a master batch combined with a resin. As a binder resin to be kneaded together with the production of the master batch or the master batch, a polymer of styrene such as polystyrene, poly-p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyl toluene or the like, or a copolymer of these and a vinyl compound, 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, fat Aromatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic petroleum resins, chlorinated paraffins, paraffin waxes and the like can be mentioned, and these can be used alone or in combination.

(Charge control agent)
Known charge control agents can be used, such as nigrosine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, chromium-containing metal complex dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (fluorine-modified 4 Secondary ammonium salts or compounds, tungsten simple substances or compounds, fluorine activators, salicylic acid metal salts, and metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives. Specifically, Bontron 03 of a nigrosine dye, Bontron P-51 of a quaternary ammonium salt, Bontron S-34 of a metal-containing azo dye, E-82 of an oxynaphthoic acid metal complex, E-84 of a salicylic acid metal complex , Phenolic condensate E-89 (above, Orient Chemical Industries, Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex TP-302, TP-415 (above, Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt copy Charge PSY VP2038, copy blue PR of triphenylmethane derivative, copy charge of quaternary ammonium salt NEG VP2036, copy charge NX VP434 (manufactured by Hoechst), LRA-901, LR-147 which is a boron complex (Nippon Carlit) Manufactured), copper phthalocyanine, perylene, quinacridone, azo series Fee, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, and polymer compounds having a functional group such as quaternary ammonium salts. Of these, substances that control the negative polarity of the toner are particularly preferably used.
The amount of charge control agent used is determined by the type of binder resin, the presence or absence of additives used as necessary, and the toner production method including the dispersion method, and is not uniquely limited. Preferably, it is used in the range of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The range of 0.2 to 5 parts by weight is preferable. When the amount exceeds 10 parts by weight, the chargeability of the toner is too high, the effect of the charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attraction with the developing roller is increased, the developer fluidity is lowered, and the image density is lowered. Invite.

(Release agent)
As a release agent, a low melting point wax having a melting point of 50 to 120 ° C. works more effectively as a release agent in the dispersion with the binder resin between the fixing roller and the toner interface. The effect on high temperature offset is exhibited without applying a release agent such as oil. Examples of such a wax component include the following. Examples of waxes and waxes include plant waxes such as carnauba wax, cotton wax, wood wax and rice wax, animal waxes such as beeswax and lanolin, mineral waxes such as ozokerite and cercin, and paraffin, microcrystalline, And petroleum waxes such as petrolatum. In addition to these natural waxes, synthetic hydrocarbon waxes such as Fischer-Tropsch wax and polyethylene wax, and synthetic waxes such as esters, ketones, and ethers can be used. Furthermore, fatty acid amides such as 12-hydroxystearic acid amide, stearic acid amide, phthalic anhydride imide, chlorinated hydrocarbon, and low molecular weight crystalline polymer resin, poly-n-stearyl methacrylate, poly-n- A crystalline polymer having a long alkyl group in the side chain such as a homopolymer or copolymer of polyacrylate such as lauryl methacrylate (for example, a copolymer of n-stearyl acrylate-ethyl methacrylate, etc.) can also be used. .
The charge control agent and the release agent can be melt-kneaded together with the master batch and the binder resin, and of course, they may be added when dissolved and dispersed in the organic solvent.

(External additive)
Inorganic fine particles are preferably used as an external additive for assisting the fluidity, developability and chargeability of the toner particles. The primary particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 5 × 10 −3 to 2 μm, and particularly preferably 5 × 10 −3 to 0.5 μm. Moreover, it is preferable that the specific surface area by BET method is 20-500 m < ² > / g. The use ratio of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 0.01 to 5 wt% of the toner, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 2.0 wt%. Specific examples of the inorganic fine particles include, for example, silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, tin oxide, quartz sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth. Examples include soil, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, bengara, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. Among these, as the fluidity imparting agent, it is preferable to use hydrophobic silica fine particles and hydrophobic titanium oxide fine particles in combination. In particular, when stirring and mixing are performed using particles having an average particle diameter of 5 × 10 ⁻⁴ μm or less, the electrostatic force and van der Waals force with the toner are remarkably improved. Even when stirring and mixing inside the developing device is performed to obtain a good image quality that does not cause the release of the fluidity imparting agent from the toner and does not generate firefly, etc., and further reduces the residual toner. It is done. Titanium oxide fine particles are excellent in environmental stability and image density stability, but have a tendency to deteriorate the charge rise characteristics. Therefore, if the amount of titanium oxide fine particles added is larger than the amount of silica fine particles added, this side effect is affected. It can be considered large. However, when the added amount of the hydrophobic silica fine particles and the hydrophobic titanium oxide fine particles is in the range of 0.3 to 1.5 wt%, the charge rising characteristics are not greatly impaired, and the desired charge rising characteristics can be obtained, that is, repeated copying. Stable image quality can be obtained even if

Next, a toner manufacturing method will be described. Here, although a preferable manufacturing method is shown, it is not limited to this.
(Toner production method)
1) A toner material solution is prepared by dispersing a colorant, unmodified polyester, a polyester prepolymer having an isocyanate group, and a release agent in an organic solvent.
The organic solvent is preferably volatile with a boiling point of less than 100 ° C. from the viewpoint of easy removal after toner base particle formation. Specifically, toluene, xylene, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, chloroform, monochlorobenzene, dichloroethylidene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone and the like can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In particular, aromatic solvents such as toluene and xylene and halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are preferred. The usage-amount of an organic solvent is 0-300 weight part normally with respect to 100 weight part of polyester prepolymers, Preferably it is 0-100 weight part, More preferably, it is 25-70 weight part.

2) The toner material liquid is emulsified in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant and resin fine particles.
The aqueous medium may be water alone or an organic solvent such as alcohol (methanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, etc.), dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolves (methyl cellosolve, etc.), lower ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, etc.). It may be included.
The amount of the aqueous medium used relative to 100 parts by weight of the toner material liquid is usually 50 to 2000 parts by weight, preferably 100 to 1000 parts by weight. If the amount is less than 50 parts by weight, the dispersion state of the toner material liquid is poor, and toner particles having a predetermined particle diameter cannot be obtained. If it exceeds 20000 parts by weight, it is not economical.

Further, in order to improve the dispersion in the aqueous medium, a dispersant such as a surfactant and resin fine particles is appropriately added.
As surfactants, anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzene sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, phosphate esters, alkylamine salts, amino alcohol fatty acid derivatives, polyamine fatty acid derivatives, amine salt types such as imidazoline, Quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium salt, dialkyldimethylammonium salt, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salt, pyridinium salt, alkylisoquinolinium salt, benzethonium chloride, fatty acid amide derivative, polyhydric alcohol Nonionic surfactants such as derivatives, for example, amphoteric surfactants such as alanine, dodecyldi (aminoethyl) glycine, di (octylaminoethyl) glycine and N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylammonium betaine And the like.

Further, by using a surfactant having a fluoroalkyl group, the effect can be obtained in a very small amount. Preferred anionic surfactants having a fluoroalkyl group include fluoroalkyl carboxylic acids having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and metal salts thereof, disodium perfluorooctanesulfonyl glutamate, 3- [ω-fluoroalkyl (C6-C11 ) Oxy] -1-alkyl (C3-C4) sodium sulfonate, 3- [ω-fluoroalkanoyl (C6-C8) -N-ethylamino] -1-propanesulfonic acid sodium, fluoroalkyl (C11-C20) carvone Acids and metal salts, perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids (C7 to C13) and metal salts thereof, perfluoroalkyl (C4 to C12) sulfonic acids and metal salts thereof, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid diethanolamide, N-propyl-N- ( 2-Hydroxyethyl) Perful Olooctanesulfonamide, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) -N-ethylsulfonylglycine salt, monoperfluoroalkyl (C6-C16) ethyl phosphate, etc. Can be mentioned.
Product names include Surflon S-111, S-112, S-113 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Florard FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC-129 (Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), Unidyne DS-101. DS-102 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.), Megafac F-110, F-120, F-113, F-191, F-812, F-833 (manufactured by Dainippon Ink, Inc.), Xtop EF-102, 103, 104, 105, 112, 123A, 123B, 306A, 501, 201, 204 (manufactured by Tochem Products), and Fgentent F-100, F150 (manufactured by Neos).

  In addition, examples of the cationic surfactant include aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts such as aliphatic primary, secondary or secondary amine acids having a fluoroalkyl group, and perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salts. , Benzalkonium salt, benzethonium chloride, pyridinium salt, imidazolinium salt, trade names include Surflon S-121 (manufactured by Asahi Glass), Florard FC-135 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M), Unidyne DS-202 (Daikin Industries) Manufactured), MegaFuck F-150, F-824 (Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.), Xtop EF-132 (Tochem Products Co., Ltd.), Footgent F-300 (Neos Co., Ltd.), and the like.

  The resin fine particles are added to stabilize the toner base particles formed in the aqueous medium. For this reason, it is preferable to add so that the coverage existing on the surface of the toner base particles is in the range of 10 to 90%. For example, polymethyl methacrylate fine particles 1 μm and 3 μm, polystyrene fine particles 0.5 μm and 2 μm, poly (styrene-acrylonitrile) fine particles 1 μm, trade names are PB-200H (manufactured by Kao), SGP (manufactured by Soken), Techno Examples include polymer SB (manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), SGP-3G (manufactured by Sokensha), and micropearl (manufactured by Sekisui Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.). In addition, inorganic compound dispersants such as tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, colloidal silica, and hydroxyapatite can also be used.

  As a dispersant that can be used in combination with the above resin fine particles and inorganic compound dispersant, the dispersed droplets may be stabilized by a polymer protective colloid. For example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-cyanoacrylic acid, α-cyanomethacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid or maleic anhydride and other (meth) acrylic monomers containing hydroxyl groups Bodies such as acrylic acid-β-hydroxyethyl, methacrylic acid-β-hydroxyethyl, acrylic acid-β-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-β-hydroxypropyl, acrylic acid-γ-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-γ-hydroxy Propyl, acrylic acid-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl, diethylene glycol monoacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethacrylate, glycerol monoacrylate, glycerol monomethacrylate Luric acid esters, N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide, etc., vinyl alcohol or ethers with vinyl alcohol, such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl propyl ether, or compounds containing vinyl alcohol and a carboxyl group Esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, diacetone acrylamide or their methylol compounds, acid chlorides such as acrylic acid chloride, methacrylic acid chloride, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl Nitrogen compounds such as imidazole and ethyleneimine, or homopolymers or copolymers such as those having a heterocyclic ring thereof, polyoxyethylene, poly Xoxypropylene, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxypropylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene alkylamide, polyoxypropylene alkylamide, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl phenyl ester, polyoxy Polyoxyethylenes such as ethylene nonylphenyl ester, celluloses such as methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose can be used.

  The dispersion method is not particularly limited, and known equipment such as a low-speed shear method, a high-speed shear method, a friction method, a high-pressure jet method, and an ultrasonic wave can be applied. Among these, the high-speed shearing method is preferable in order to make the particle size of the dispersion 2 to 20 μm. When a high-speed shearing disperser is used, the rotational speed is not particularly limited, but is usually 1000 to 30000 rpm, preferably 5000 to 20000 rpm. The dispersion time is not particularly limited, but in the case of a batch method, it is usually 0.1 to 5 minutes. The temperature during dispersion is usually 0 to 150 ° C. (under pressure), preferably 40 to 98 ° C.

3) At the same time as the preparation of the emulsion, the amines (B) are added to cause a reaction with the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group.
This reaction involves molecular chain crosslinking and / or elongation. The reaction time is selected depending on the reactivity between the isocyanate group structure of the polyester prepolymer (A) and the amines (B), but is usually 10 minutes to 40 hours, preferably 2 to 24 hours. The reaction temperature is generally 0 to 150 ° C, preferably 40 to 98 ° C. Moreover, a well-known catalyst can be used as needed. Specific examples include dibutyltin laurate and dioctyltin laurate.

4) After completion of the reaction, the organic solvent is removed from the emulsified dispersion (reactant), washed and dried to obtain toner base particles.
In order to remove the organic solvent, the temperature of the entire system is gradually raised in a laminar stirring state, and after giving strong stirring in a certain temperature range, the solvent base is removed to produce spindle-shaped toner base particles. . Further, when an acid such as calcium phosphate salt or an alkali-soluble material is used as the dispersion stabilizer, the calcium phosphate salt is dissolved from the toner base particles by a method such as dissolving the calcium phosphate salt with an acid such as hydrochloric acid and washing with water. Remove. It can also be removed by operations such as enzymatic degradation.

5) A charge control agent is injected into the toner base particles obtained above, and then inorganic fine particles such as silica fine particles and titanium oxide fine particles are externally added to obtain a toner.
The injection of the charge control agent and the external addition of the inorganic fine particles are performed by a known method using a mixer or the like.
Thereby, a toner having a small particle size and a sharp particle size distribution can be easily obtained. Furthermore, by giving strong agitation in the process of removing the organic solvent, the shape between the true spherical shape and the rugby ball shape can be controlled, and the surface morphology is also controlled between the smooth shape and the umeboshi shape. be able to.

The toner has a substantially spherical shape and can be represented by the following shape rule. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams schematically illustrating the shape of the toner. 6A, 6B, and 6C, when a substantially spherical toner is defined by a major axis r1, a minor axis r2, and a thickness r3 (where r1 ≧ r2 ≧ r3), the main toner is defined. The toner of the invention has a ratio (r2 / r1) between the major axis and the minor axis (see FIG. 6B) of 0.5 to 1.0, and a ratio between the thickness and the minor axis (r3 / r2) (see FIG. 6). 6 (c)) is preferably in the range of 0.7 to 1.0. When the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis (r2 / r1) is less than 0.5, the dot reproducibility and transfer efficiency are inferior because of being away from the true spherical shape, and high-quality image quality cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if the ratio of thickness to minor axis (r3 / r2) is less than 0.7, the shape is close to a flat shape, and a high transfer rate like a spherical toner cannot be obtained. In particular, when the ratio of the thickness to the minor axis (r3 / r2) is 1.0, the rotating body has a major axis as a rotation axis, and the fluidity of the toner can be improved.
Note that r1, r2, and r3 were measured with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) while changing the angle of field of view and taking pictures.

(1)
As described above, according to the cleaning device of the present embodiment, the lubricant can be uniformly applied, and the paper powder can be prevented from being caught between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 as the object to be cleaned. And good cleaning properties can be maintained.
(2)
Further, since the paper dust removing member is the first fur brush 24, and the brush roller is driven to rotate while being in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, the portion that can be removed by adhering paper dust compared to the fixed brush. As compared with the fixed brush, the progress of dirt can be suppressed. As a result, the paper dust removing ability can be maintained over time as compared with the fixed brush.
(3)
Further, by rotating the first fur brush 24 so that the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11 is opposite (counter) in the contact portion with the intermediate transfer belt 11, a large number of brushes are attached to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11. The paper dust can be removed satisfactorily.
(4)
Further, since the lubricant application member is the second fur brush 22 and is a brush roller that is driven to rotate while being in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, the surface area capable of holding the lubricant is increased compared to a roller or the like. And a sufficient amount of lubricant can be retained. As a result, the lubricant can be uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 11 as compared with a roller or the like.
(5)
Further, by rotating the second fur brush 22 so that the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the forward (trading) direction are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 11, the second fur with respect to the travel of the intermediate transfer belt 11 is achieved. The load on the brush 22 can be reduced compared to when the brush 22 is rotated in the counter direction, and the intermediate transfer belt 11 can be stably conveyed.
(6)
In addition, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, since the cleaning device having the features (1) to (5) is used, the residual toner can be cleaned well and is not removed by the cleaning device. Abnormal images due to residual toner can be suppressed.
(7)
The rotation period of the second fur brush 22 is set to (1 / N) (N is an integer) of the time for which the intermediate transfer belt 11 moves between the photosensitive members. Thereby, the phase of the load fluctuation of the second fur brush 22 in which one rotation of the second fur brush with respect to the travel of the intermediate transfer belt 11 is one cycle can be made the same at each transfer position. As a result, the movement time between the photosensitive members of the intermediate transfer belt 11 becomes the same, the toner image can be transferred to a predetermined position of the intermediate transfer belt 11, and color misregistration can be suppressed.
(8)
The toner used in the color printer has a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm and a ratio (Dv / Dn) of the volume average particle diameter (Dv) to the number average particle diameter (Dn) of 1.00 to 1.n. It shall be in the range of 40. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a high-definition and high-quality image with little background fog.
(9)
The toner has a shape factor SF-1 in the range of 100 to 180, and a shape factor SF-2 in the range of 100 to 180. When the value of SF-1 is 100, the shape of the toner becomes a true sphere, and becomes larger as the value of SF-1 increases. In the shape factor SF-2, when the value of SF-2 is 100, there is no unevenness on the toner surface, and as the value of SF-2 increases, the unevenness of the toner surface becomes more prominent. When the shape of the toner is close to a spherical shape, the contact state between the toner and the toner or the toner and the photoconductor becomes a point contact, so that the adsorbing force between the toners becomes weak and the fluidity increases, and the toner and the photoconductor The attraction force becomes weaker and the transfer rate becomes higher. If either of the shape factors SF-1 and SF-2 exceeds 180, the transfer rate is lowered, which is not preferable.
(10)
In addition, the toner includes at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, and a toner material liquid in which a colorant and a release agent are dispersed in an organic solvent. It is a toner obtained by an extension reaction. Thereby, a high quality image can be obtained.
(11)
In addition, since the toner has a substantially spherical shape, a high-quality image can be obtained.
(12)
Further, the shape of the toner is defined by the major axis r1, the minor axis r2, and the thickness r3 (where r1 ≧ r2 ≧ r3), and the ratio of the major axis r1 to the minor axis r2 (r2 / r1) is 0. It is assumed that the ratio (r3 / r2) between the thickness r3 and the minor axis r2 is in the range of 0.7 to 1.0. Thereby, a high quality image can be obtained.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an intermediate transfer unit of the printer. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device of the intermediate transfer unit. The figure which represented the shape of the toner typically in order to demonstrate shape factor SF-1. The figure which represented the shape of the toner typically in order to demonstrate shape factor SF-2. (A), (b), (c) The figure which shows the shape of a toner typically

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 10 Intermediate transfer unit 11 Intermediate transfer belt 12 Tension roller 17 Belt tension spring 18 Leaf spring 19 Upper guide plate 20 Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 21 Cleaning blade 22 Second fur brush 23 Lubricant 24 First fur brush 25 Conveying screw 26 Collection unit 27 Pressure spring

Claims (12)

In a cleaning apparatus including a cleaning blade for removing toner adhering to a cleaning object by contacting the surface of the cleaning object moving on the surface,
A lubricant application member for applying a lubricant to a member to be cleaned downstream of the cleaning blade in the moving direction of the cleaning object, and paper dust attached to the cleaning blade upstream of the cleaning blade in the movement direction of the cleaning object. A cleaning device comprising a paper dust removing member to be removed. The cleaning device according to claim 1.
A cleaning device using a brush roller that rotates as the paper dust removing member while being in contact with the surface of the object to be cleaned. The cleaning device according to claim 2.
The paper dust removing member is driven to rotate so that the surface of the paper dust removing member moves in a direction opposite to the direction in which the surface of the subject to be cleaned moves at the contact portion with the surface of the object to be cleaned. Cleaning device. 4. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a brush roller that rotates while contacting the surface of the object to be cleaned is used as the lubricant application member. The cleaning device according to claim 4.
The lubricant application member is rotationally driven so that the lubricant application member moves in the same direction as the surface of the object to be cleaned moves at the contact portion with the surface of the object to be cleaned. Cleaning device.   An image forming apparatus comprising the cleaning device according to claim 1. A plurality of image carriers, a toner image forming unit that forms toner images of a plurality of colors composed of different color toners on each image carrier, a transfer member that moves a transfer position facing each image carrier, In an image forming apparatus provided with a transfer cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the transfer member,
The cleaning device according to claim 4 or 5 is used as the transfer cleaning device, and the rotation period of the lubricant application member is set to (1 / N (integer) of the time during which the transfer member moves between the image carriers. And an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
The toner has a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm and a ratio (Dv / Dn) of the volume average particle diameter (Dv) to the number average particle diameter (Dn) is in the range of 1.00 to 1.40. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the toner has a shape factor SF-1 in the range of 100 to 180 and a shape factor SF-2 in the range of 100 to 180.   10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the toner is a toner material liquid in which at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, polyester, a colorant, and a release agent are dispersed in an organic solvent. Is a toner obtained by crosslinking and / or elongation reaction in an aqueous medium.   11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the toner has a substantially spherical shape.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the shape of the toner is defined by a major axis r1, a minor axis r2, and a thickness r3 (provided that r1 ≧ r2 ≧ r3), and the major axis r1 and the minor axis are short. The ratio (r2 / r1) to the axis r2 is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0, and the ratio (r3 / r2) of the thickness r3 to the minor axis r2 is in the range of 0.7 to 1.0. An image forming apparatus.

Images