JP2008304639A - Toner for electrostatic charge image development and method for manufacturing the same, developer for electrostatic charge image development, developer cartridge for electrostatic charge image development, image forming apparatus and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner for electrostatic charge image development which suppresses image degradation and also suppresses odor generation in heat fixing regardless of fixing conditions and a method for manufacturing the same, a developer for electrostatic charge image development, a developer cartridge for electrostatic charge image development, an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The toner for electrostatic charge image development contains at least a binder resin, a hydrocarbon-based wax having a melting point of 80-120°C, and an aliphatic amine having a melting point of 50-120°C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic charge developing toner and a method for producing the same, an electrostatic charge developing developer, an electrostatic charge image developing developer cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge.

  In recent years, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-282275 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-250439 propose a method for producing a toner by an emulsion polymerization aggregation method. In these methods, a resin dispersion is prepared by an emulsion polymerization method, and a colorant dispersion in which a colorant is dispersed in a solvent is prepared, and these are mixed to form an aggregate corresponding to the toner particle size and heated. This is a method for producing a toner that is fused and united with each other.

  In this production method, it is necessary to agglomerate and combine resin particles having a narrow particle size distribution and an average particle size of several tens to several hundreds of nm together with pigment particles. As a resin used in this emulsion polymerization aggregation method, a styrene acrylic resin capable of producing resin particles by emulsion polymerization has been often used.

In this production method, water is mainly used as the solvent for the resin particle dispersion, so that impurities of the raw material monomer and unreacted monomer are less likely to volatilize in the production process and remain in the toner, and the fixing temperature is high. When the printing speed is high, odor may be generated at the time of heat fixing. As a means for suppressing the generation of odor at the time of heat fixing, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-139863 adds a natural extract or the like during the washing process. A method for removing odorous components has been proposed. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-188467 proposes a toner using an amide wax with few impurities.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-282275 JP-A-6-250439 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-139863 JP 2006-188467 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic charge developing toner that suppresses deterioration in image quality and suppresses the generation of odor during heat fixing regardless of fixing conditions, a method for producing the same, an electrostatic charge developing developer, and an electrostatic charge image developing. A developer cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge are provided.

The above-mentioned subject is achieved by the following present invention.
That is, the invention according to claim 1
An electrostatic charge image developing toner comprising at least a binder resin, a hydrocarbon wax having a melting point of 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, and an aliphatic amine having a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower. .

The invention according to claim 2
The content of the aliphatic amine is 5% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less with respect to the total amount of the content of the hydrocarbon wax and the content of the aliphatic amine. The toner for developing an electrostatic image described in 1.

The invention according to claim 3
The dispersion average major axis of the hydrocarbon wax is 0.6 to 0.9 times the volume average particle diameter of the electrostatic image developing toner, and the dispersion average major axis of the aliphatic amine is an electrostatic charge. 3. The electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner has a volume average particle size of 0.6 to 0.9 times the volume average particle size of the image developing toner.

The invention according to claim 4
A step of adjusting a first resin particle dispersion in which particles of at least a first binder resin are dispersed;
A step of preparing a release agent particle dispersion in which particles of a release agent containing a hydrocarbon wax having a melting point of 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower are dispersed;
A step of preparing an amine particle dispersion in which aliphatic amine particles having a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower are dispersed;
The resin particle dispersion, the release agent particle dispersion, and the amine particle dispersion are mixed, and include the first binder resin particles, the release agent particles, and the aliphatic amine particles. Adjusting a first aggregated particle dispersion in which the first aggregated particles are dispersed;
A step of heating and fusing the first aggregated particle dispersion to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the first binder resin. It is a manufacturing method.

The invention according to claim 5
The step of adjusting the release agent particle dispersion and the step of adjusting the amine particle dispersion adjust the release agent amine particle dispersion in which release agent amine particles containing a release agent and an aliphatic amine are dispersed. 5. The method for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image according to claim 4, wherein

The invention according to claim 6
Adjusting the second resin particle dispersion in which the particles of the second binder resin are dispersed;
Second agglomerated particles formed by adding the second resin particle dispersion to the first agglomerated particle dispersion and adhering the second binder resin to the surface of the first agglomerated particles. The method for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image according to claim 4, further comprising a step of adjusting the second aggregated particle dispersion in which is dispersed.

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
An electrostatic charge image developing developer comprising at least the electrostatic charge image developing toner according to claim 1.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
Contains a developer that is detached from the image forming apparatus and supplied to at least developing means provided in the image forming apparatus;
The developer for developing an electrostatic charge image according to claim 7, wherein the developer is a developer for developing an electrostatic charge image.

The invention according to claim 9 is:
An electrostatic latent image carrier;
Charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member;
Electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with a developer;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member to the surface of the transfer target;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the developer is the developer for developing an electrostatic image according to claim 7.

The invention according to claim 10 is:
8. Development for developing the electrostatic latent image developing developer according to claim 7 and developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member into a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developing developer. Means,
At least one selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic latent image holding body, a charging means for charging the electrostatic latent image holding body, and a toner removing means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding body And comprising
A process cartridge is detachable from an image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, an electrostatic charge developing toner that suppresses deterioration in image quality and suppresses generation of odor during heat fixing regardless of fixing conditions, a method for producing the same, an electrostatic charge developing developer, and an electrostatic charge image developing. A developer cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge can be provided.

The present invention will be described in detail below.
<Toner for electrostatic image development>
The electrostatic charge image developing toner of the present embodiment (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “toner”) has at least a binder resin, a hydrocarbon wax having a melting point of 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, and a melting point of 50. An electrostatic charge image developing toner comprising an aliphatic amine having a temperature of from 120 ° C. to 120 ° C.

  Since the toner of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, it is possible to suppress deterioration in image quality and to suppress generation of odor during heat fixing regardless of fixing conditions. This is presumably due to the following reasons.

  The odor is considered to be generated when an odor substance (for example, unreacted monomer or impurity contained in the binder resin) contained in the toner is released to the outside of the toner. In particular, for example, when the fixing temperature is high or the printing speed is high, odor is likely to occur during heat fixing. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hydrocarbon wax having a melting point of 80 ° C. or more and 120 ° C. or less contained in the toner promotes the exudation of the aliphatic amine during heat fixing, and the fat exuded on the toner surface. It is presumed that the generation of odor is suppressed by the group amine adsorbing the odor substance. In addition, when the melting points of the hydrocarbon wax and the aliphatic amine are in the above range, deterioration in image quality can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, each composition component will be described.

  The toner according to the exemplary embodiment includes at least a binder resin, a hydrocarbon wax having a melting point of 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, and an aliphatic amine having a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower. Coloring agents and other additives can be included.

―Aliphatic amine―
Specific examples of the aliphatic amine include stearylamine, distearylamine, and behenylamine. Stearylamine is particularly desirable.

The melting point of the aliphatic amine is 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, preferably 53 ° C. or higher and 115 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 55 ° C. or higher and 110 ° C. or lower.
When the melting point of the aliphatic amine is in the above range, deterioration of image quality can be suppressed, and generation of odor during heat fixing can be suppressed regardless of fixing conditions. The reason is not clear, but since the melting point of the aliphatic amine is in the above range, the amount of the aliphatic amine necessary for suppressing the generation of odor remains in the toner in the toner production process, and the fixing. In some cases, the aliphatic amine oozes out, and the aliphatic amine oozed out on the toner surface adsorbs the odorous substance, so that it is presumed that the generation of odor can be suppressed. In addition, when the melting point of the aliphatic amine is in the above range, it is presumed that the aliphatic amine together with the hydrocarbon wax is likely to be oozed out on the toner surface, thereby suppressing deterioration in image quality such as offset.

The content of the aliphatic amine is desirably 5% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less with respect to the total amount of the content of the hydrocarbon wax and the content of the aliphatic amine. % Or less is more desirable.
When the content of the aliphatic amine is within the above range, deterioration in image quality can be suppressed, and generation of odor during heat fixing can be suppressed regardless of fixing conditions. When the content of the aliphatic amine is larger than the above range, the chargeability of the toner is lowered, and fogging may occur during image formation. Further, if the content of the aliphatic amine is smaller than the above range, there is a possibility that the generation of odor cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

  The content of the aliphatic amine with respect to the total weight of the toner is preferably from 0.5% by weight to 10% by weight, more preferably from 1% by weight to 10% by weight, and even more preferably from 1% by weight to 3% by weight. .

―Hydrocarbon wax―
The toner of the present embodiment includes at least a hydrocarbon wax having a melting point of 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower as a release agent.
Specific examples of the hydrocarbon wax include polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, paraffin wax, and microcrystalline wax.

As described above, the melting point of the hydrocarbon wax is 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, preferably 85 ° C. or higher and 110 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 85 ° C. or higher and 105 ° C. or lower.
When the melting point of the hydrocarbon wax is in the above range, deterioration in image quality can be suppressed, and generation of odor during heat fixing can be suppressed regardless of fixing conditions. The reason is not clear, but the melting point of the hydrocarbon wax is in the above range, so that the leaching of the aliphatic amine is promoted at the time of fixing, and the aliphatic amine leached onto the toner surface adsorbs the odorous substance. In order to make it easy to make it, it is estimated that generation | occurrence | production of odor can be suppressed. Further, since the melting point of the hydrocarbon wax is in the above range, the offset phenomenon at the time of fixing can be suppressed, so that it is presumed that the deterioration of the image quality is also suppressed.
On the other hand, when the melting point of the hydrocarbon wax is higher than the above range, an offset phenomenon occurs due to a low amount of the hydrocarbon wax exuding during fixing. In addition, if the melting point of the hydrocarbon wax is lower than the above range, an offset phenomenon occurs due to a decrease in the viscosity of the binder resin during fixing in a high temperature range, and an aliphatic amine soaks together with the hydrocarbon wax during fixing. Since it becomes difficult to remove, it remains in the image and the deodorizing effect is reduced.

The dispersion average major axis of the aliphatic amine and / or hydrocarbon wax is preferably 0.6 to 0.9 times the volume average particle diameter of the toner.
Here, “dispersion average major axis of aliphatic amine and / or hydrocarbon wax” means the average major axis of particles containing at least one of aliphatic amine and hydrocarbon wax among particles dispersed in toner. That is, the “major diameter” means the longest particle diameter among the particle diameters of one particle.
When the dispersion average major axis of the aliphatic amine and / or hydrocarbon wax is in the above range, deterioration in image quality can be suppressed, and generation of odor during heat fixing can be suppressed regardless of fixing conditions. The reason is not clear, but if the dispersion average major axis of the aliphatic amine and / or hydrocarbon wax is in the above range, the exudation of the aliphatic amine and hydrocarbon wax is promoted during fixing. It is guessed.

The content of the hydrocarbon wax with respect to the total weight of the toner is preferably 1% by weight to 15% by weight, more preferably 2% by weight to 12% by weight, and even more preferably 3% by weight to 10% by weight.
Further, the content of the hydrocarbon wax with respect to the entire release agent is preferably 50% by weight to 95% by weight, more preferably 60% by weight to 90% by weight, and further preferably 70% by weight to 95% by weight. .

―Other mold release agents―
As a mold release agent, in addition to the predetermined hydrocarbon wax, other mold release agents may be included as required.
Specific examples of other mold release agents include hydrocarbon waxes whose melting points do not fall within the above range; natural waxes such as carnauba wax, rice wax, and candelilla wax; synthetic or mineral Examples include petroleum waxes; ester waxes such as fatty acid esters and montanic acid esters, but are not limited thereto.

  The melting point of the other mold release agent is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and more preferably 60 ° C. or higher from the viewpoint of storage stability. Further, from the viewpoint of offset resistance, the temperature is desirably 110 ° C. or less, and more desirably 100 ° C. or less.

―Binder resin―
The binder resin is not particularly limited. For example, styrenes such as styrene, parachlorostyrene, and α-methylstyrene; methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, acrylic Esters having vinyl groups such as lauryl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate; vinyl nitriles such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile Vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether and vinyl isobutyl ether; vinyl ketones such as vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone and vinyl isopropenyl ketone; single quantities of polyolefins such as ethylene, propylene and butadiene Homopolymer consisting of, or copolymers obtained by combining two or more of these, and further can be mixtures thereof. In addition, epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, polyether resins, etc., non-vinyl condensation resins, or a mixture of these with the vinyl resin, or vinyl monomers in the presence of these resins Examples thereof include a graft polymer obtained by polymerization.

Styrene resin, (meth) acrylic resin, and styrene- (meth) acrylic copolymer resin are known methods, for example, by combining the following styrene monomer and (meth) acrylic monomer alone or in appropriate combination. Can be manufactured.
Specific examples of the styrene monomer include styrene, α-methyl styrene, vinyl naphthalene, 2-methyl styrene, 3-methyl styrene, 4-methyl styrene, 2-ethyl styrene, and 3-ethyl styrene. , Alkyl-substituted styrene having an alkyl chain such as 4-ethylstyrene, halogen-substituted styrene such as 2-chlorostyrene, 3-chlorostyrene and 4-chlorostyrene, fluorine-substituted such as 4-fluorostyrene and 2,5-difluorostyrene Examples include styrene. Specific examples of the (meth) acrylic acid monomer include (meth) acrylic acid, n-methyl (meth) acrylate, n-ethyl (meth) acrylate, and (meth) acrylic acid. n-propyl, n-butyl (meth) acrylate, n-pentyl (meth) acrylate, n-hexyl (meth) acrylate, n-heptyl (meth) acrylate, n-octyl (meth) acrylate, ( N-decyl (meth) acrylate, n-dodecyl (meth) acrylate, n-lauryl (meth) acrylate, n-tetradecyl (meth) acrylate, n-hexadecyl (meth) acrylate, n (meth) acrylate -Octadecyl, isopropyl (meth) acrylate, isobutyl (meth) acrylate, t-butyl (meth) acrylate, isopentyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) Amyl crylate, neopentyl (meth) acrylate, isohexyl (meth) acrylate, isoheptyl (meth) acrylate, isooctyl (meth) acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate, phenyl (meth) acrylate, (meth ) Biphenyl acrylate, diphenylethyl (meth) acrylate, t-butylphenyl (meth) acrylate, terphenyl (meth) acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, t-butylcyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, (meth ) Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, methoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylic acid-β-carboxyethyl, (meth) acrylonitrile, (meth ) Acrylamide Etc. These monomers can be appropriately combined to produce by a known method.

  The polyester resin can be synthesized by selecting and combining suitable ones of the following dicarboxylic acid component and diol component, for example, using a conventionally known method such as a transesterification method or a polycondensation method. For example, examples of the dicarboxylic acid component include terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, naphthalene-2carboxylic acid such as naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, naphthalene-2,7-dicarboxylic acid, and biphenyldicarboxylic acid. . In addition, dibasic acids such as succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, speric acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid, malonic acid, and mesaconic acid, and anhydrides and lower alkyl esters thereof; maleic acid, fumaric acid Examples thereof include aliphatic unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as acid, itaconic acid and citraconic acid. In addition, trivalent or higher carboxylic acids such as 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid and the like, and anhydrides and lower alkyl esters thereof. Can be used in combination. In addition, it is also possible to use monovalent acids, such as an acetic acid and a benzoic acid, for the objectives, such as preparation of an acid value and a hydroxyl value, as needed.

  Examples of the diol component include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, an ethylene (or propylene) oxide adduct of bisphenol A, and a trimethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A. Further, bisphenol A, hydrogenated bisphenol A, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentane Examples include diol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, and the like. Moreover, if it is trace amount, trivalent or more alcohols, such as glycerol, a trimethylol ethane, a trimethylol propane, a pentaerythritol, can be used together. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Monovalent alcohols such as cyclohexanol and benzyl alcohol can also be used.

  When using a styrene resin, a (meth) acrylic resin or a copolymer resin thereof as a binder resin, the weight average molecular weight Mw is 20,000 or more and 100,000 or less, and the number average molecular weight Mn is 2,000 or more and 30,000 or less. It is preferable to use the thing of the range. On the other hand, when a polyester resin is used as the binder resin, a resin having a weight average molecular weight Mw of 5,000 or more and 40,000 or less and a number average molecular weight Mn of 2,000 or more and 10,000 or less may be used. preferable.

  The glass transition temperature of the binder resin is desirably in the range of 40 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower. When the glass transition temperature is lower than the above range, the heat-resistant blocking property may be deteriorated, and when the glass transition temperature is higher than the above range, the minimum fixing temperature may be increased.

―Colorant―
The colorant is not particularly limited as long as it is a known colorant. For example, carbon black such as furnace black, channel black, acetylene black, and thermal black, inorganic pigments such as bengara, bitumen, and titanium oxide, fast yellow, disazo Azo pigments such as yellow, pyrazolone red, chelate red, brilliant carmine, para brown, phthalocyanine pigments such as copper phthalocyanine, metal-free phthalocyanine, flavantron yellow, dibromoanthrone orange, perylene red, quinacridone red, dioxazine violet And ring pigments.

  Specifically, Chrome Yellow, Hansa Yellow, Benzidine Yellow, Slen Yellow, Quinoline Yellow, Permanent Orange GTR, Pyrarozone Orange, Vulcan Orange, Watch Young Red, Permanent Red, Dupont Oil Red, Resol Red, Rhodamine B Lake, Lake Red C, Rose Bengal, Aniline Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Calco Oil Blue, Methylene Blue Chloride, Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Green, Malachite Green Oxalate, C.I. I. Pigment red 48: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 122, C.I. I. Pigment 57: 1, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 12, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 97, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 1, C.I. I. Examples thereof include various pigments such as CI Pigment Blue 15: 3, and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The content of the colorant is desirably in the range of 1 part by weight to 30 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. It is also effective to use a colorant that has been surface-treated as necessary, or to use a pigment dispersant. By selecting the type of the colorant, yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, black toner, and the like can be obtained.

-Other ingredients-
In addition to the above-described components, various components such as an internal additive, a charge control agent, and an external additive can be further added to the toner of the present embodiment as necessary.

Examples of the internal additive include metals such as ferrite, magnetite, reduced iron, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, alloys, and magnetic materials such as compounds containing these metals.
When the magnetic material is used as a magnetic toner, the ferromagnetic material preferably has a volume average particle size of 2 μm or less, more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.5 μm or less. The amount of the internal additive contained in the toner is preferably 20 parts by weight or more and 200 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component, and particularly preferably 40 parts by weight or more and 150 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component. Further, the internal additive has magnetic properties when applied with 10 K oersted, such as coercive force (Hc) of 20 oersted or more and 300 oersted or less, saturation magnetization (σs) of 50 emu / g or more and 200 emu / g or less, residual magnetization (σr) of 2 emu / g or more and 20 emu. / G or less is desirable.

  Examples of the charge control agent include quaternary ammonium salt compounds, nigrosine compounds, dyes composed of complexes of aluminum, iron, chromium, and triphenylmethane pigments.

  The inorganic powder is added mainly for the purpose of adjusting the viscoelasticity of the toner. For example, normal toners such as silica, alumina, titania, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and cerium oxide are listed in detail below. All inorganic particles used as surface external additives can be mentioned.

  Examples of the external additive include the following inorganic particles and organic particles.

Examples of inorganic particles include silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, cerium chloride, Examples include Bengala, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. Among these, silica particles and titanium oxide particles are desirable, and particles that have been subjected to hydrophobic treatment are particularly desirable.
Inorganic particles are generally used for the purpose of improving fluidity. The primary particle size (volume average particle size) of the inorganic particles is preferably in the range of 1 nm to 200 nm. The amount of inorganic particles added is 0.01 parts by weight or more and 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the toner particles. The range of parts by weight or less is desirable.

  Organic particles are generally used for the purpose of improving cleaning properties and transfer properties. Specifically, for example, fluorine resin powders such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polytetrafluoroethylene, fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate and calcium stearate. , Polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate and the like.

-Physical properties of toner-
The volume average particle size of the toner is preferably 1.0 μm or more and 20 μm or less, more preferably 2.0 μm or more and 8.0 μm or less, and further preferably 4.0 μm or more and 8.0 μm or less. The number average particle size is preferably 10 μm or less, more preferably 2.0 μm or more and 8.0 μm or less, and further preferably 4.0 μm or more and 8.0 μm or less.

The average circularity of the toner is preferably 0.93 or more and 1.00 or less, and more preferably 0.95 or more and 1.00 or less.
Here, the “average circularity” is a value obtained by performing image analysis on a certain number of toners, obtaining the circularity according to the following formula for each photographed toner, and averaging them.
Formula: Circularity = circle equivalent diameter perimeter / perimeter = [2 × (Aπ) ^1/2 ] / PM
(In the above formula, A represents the projected area of the particle, and PM represents the perimeter of the particle.)
The average circularity is 1.0 when it is a true sphere, and the lower the numerical value, the more uneven the outer periphery and the greater the irregularity.

  The toner shape factor SF1 of the toner is preferably from 100 to 140, more preferably from 100 to 135. Further, the toner shape factor SF2 of the toner is preferably 100 or more and 115 or less.

-Toner production method-
The toner production in this embodiment is desirably performed by a wet granulation method. Examples of the wet granulation method include known melt suspension methods, emulsion aggregation / union methods, dissolution suspension methods, and the like. In this embodiment, among these methods, emulsion aggregation / unification methods are also included. Are preferably used.

  Specifically, the wet granulation method includes, for example, a step of preparing a first resin particle dispersion in which particles of at least a first binder resin are dispersed, and a hydrocarbon system having a melting point of 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower. A step of adjusting a release agent particle dispersion in which particles of a release agent containing wax are dispersed; a step of adjusting an amine particle dispersion in which aliphatic amine particles having a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower are dispersed; The resin particle dispersion, the release agent particle dispersion, and the amine particle dispersion are mixed, and include the first binder resin particles, the release agent particles, and the aliphatic amine particles. The step of adjusting the first aggregated particle dispersion in which the first aggregated particles are dispersed, and the first aggregated particle dispersion are heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the first binder resin for fusion.・ Matching process at least, and other work as necessary (E.g., step for adjusting the colorant particle dispersion obtained by dispersing particles of a colorant) we may include.

  By producing the toner by the above method, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of image quality, to suppress the generation of odor during heat fixing regardless of the fixing conditions, and to sharpen the toner particle size distribution.

  The step of adjusting the release agent particle dispersion and the step of adjusting the amine particle dispersion adjust the release agent amine particle dispersion in which the release agent amine particles containing a release agent and an aliphatic amine are dispersed. It is desirable that it is a process to do. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress the generation of odor during heat fixing regardless of fixing conditions. The reason for this is not clear, but it is presumed that the aliphatic amine particles contained in the release agent amine particles are likely to remain in the toner during the production of the toner and to easily leach out during the fixing.

  A step of preparing a second resin particle dispersion in which particles of the second binder resin are dispersed; and adding the second resin particle dispersion to the first aggregated particle dispersion, And a step (coating step) of adjusting a second aggregated particle dispersion in which the second aggregated particles formed by adhering the second binder resin to the surface of the aggregated particles are dispersed. Is desirable.

  Hereafter, each said process is demonstrated in detail.

(Process of adjusting resin particle dispersion)
The resin particle dispersion is prepared by dispersing the binder resin particles (resin particles). Examples of the method for dispersing the resin particles in the dispersion medium include a method in which shearing is performed at a high speed at a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the resin. Specifically, for example, a dispersion method using a pressure disperser such as an ultrasonic disperser, a mechanical homogenizer, a manton, a gourn homogenizer or a pressure homogenizer, a media grinder such as a sand grinder, a Getzmann mill or a diamond fine mill. Is mentioned. More desirably, a dispersion method using a pressure disperser such as a gorin homogenizer or a pressure homogenizer is superior in terms of particle size control.

  As the dispersion medium for dispersing the resin particles in the resin particle dispersion, an aqueous medium is desirable. Examples of the aqueous medium include water such as distilled water and ion exchange water, and alcohols. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

An anionic surfactant is desirable as a dispersant for dispersing the resin particles in the resin particle dispersion. The said surfactant may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.
Note that the surfactant used as the dispersant is water-soluble, and thus is removed in a subsequent washing step and does not remain in the toner.

  Specific examples of anionic surfactants include fatty acid soaps such as potassium laurate, sodium oleate, and castor oil sodium; sulfates such as octyl sulfate, lauryl sulfate, lauryl ether sulfate, and nonyl phenyl ether sulfate; lauryl sulfonate , Sodium alkylnaphthalene sulfonate such as dodecylbenzene sulfonate, triisopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, dibutyl naphthalene sulfonate; sulfone such as naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensate, monooctyl sulfosuccinate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, lauric acid amide sulfonate, oleic acid amide sulfonate Acid salts; lauryl phosphate, isopropyl phosphate, nonylphenyl ether Phosphoric acid esters such as Sufeto; dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts such as sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate; and sulfosuccinate salts such as lauryl disodium sulfosuccinate, and the like.

  Specifically, the content of the surfactant in the resin particle dispersion is desirably in the range of about 0.01% by weight to 10% by weight, and in the range of 0.05% by weight to 5% by weight. It is more desirable to be in the range of 0.1 wt% or more and 2 wt% or less. If the surfactant content is less than 0.01% by weight, dispersion of each dispersion such as resin particle dispersion, colorant dispersion, and release agent dispersion may become unstable. Aggregation occurs, and the stability between the particles differs during aggregation, which may cause problems such as the release of specific particles. On the other hand, if the surfactant content exceeds 10% by weight, the particle size distribution of the particles becomes wide, and it may be difficult to control the particle size.

  The volume average particle size of the resin particles in the resin particle dispersion is desirably 1 μm or less, more preferably 0.01 μm or more and 1 μm or less, and further preferably 0.03 μm or more and 0.8 μm or less. Still more preferably, it is 0.03 μm or more and 0.6 μm or less. When the average particle diameter exceeds 1 μm, the particle diameter distribution of the finally obtained toner for developing an electrostatic latent image is broadened or free particles are generated, which tends to deteriorate performance and reliability.

(Process of adjusting the colorant particle dispersion)
The colorant particle dispersion is prepared by dispersing colorant particles (colorant particles). As a method of dispersing the colorant particles in the dispersion medium, for example, a general dispersion method such as a rotary shear type homogenizer, a ball mill having a medium, a sand mill, or a dyno mill can be used. Absent. If necessary, an aqueous dispersion of these colorants can be prepared using a surfactant, or an organic solvent dispersion of these colorants can be prepared using a dispersant. The dispersion medium used for dispersion, the dispersant and its content, the volume average particle size of the colorant particles, and the like are the same as in the case of the resin particle dispersion.

(Process for adjusting the release agent particle dispersion)
A release agent particle dispersion is prepared by dispersing release agent particles (release agent particles). As a method for dispersing the release agent particles in a dispersion medium, for example, a homogenizer or a pressure discharge type disperser that can be dispersed together with an ionic surfactant or the like in water, heated to a melting point or higher, and applied with a strong shearing force is used. And a method of adjusting the dispersed particle diameter to 1 μm or less. The dispersion medium used for dispersion, the dispersant and its content, and the volume average particle size of the release agent particles are the same as in the case of the resin particle dispersion.

(Process of adjusting amine particle dispersion)
The amine particle dispersion is prepared by dispersing aliphatic amine particles (amine particles). The method of dispersing the amine particles in the dispersion medium, the dispersion medium used for dispersion, the dispersant and the content thereof, and the volume average particle diameter of the amine particles are the same as in the case of the resin particle dispersion.

  As described above, the aliphatic amine may be prepared as a single amine particle dispersion separately from the binder resin, the colorant, the release agent, and the like. It is desirable to produce a toner containing an aliphatic amine by adjusting a release agent amine particle dispersion in which amine particles containing an amine are dispersed.

(Aggregation process)
In the aggregation step (step of adjusting the first aggregated particle dispersion), the resin particle dispersion (first resin particle dispersion), the colorant particle dispersion, and the release agent particle dispersion obtained in the above step. And each dispersion such as amine particle dispersion (this mixture is referred to as “raw material dispersion”) and heated to a temperature of 60 ° C. or less, for example, to aggregate the dispersed particles (first particles). 1 aggregated particles). In place of the dispersion, the resin amine particle dispersion, the colorant amine particle dispersion, the release agent amine particle dispersion, or the like may be used as appropriate.

  Aggregated particles are formed by acidifying the pH of the raw material dispersion, adding a flocculant at room temperature (for example, 20 ° C. or more and 25 ° C. or less, and the same applies below) with high-speed stirring using a rotary shearing homogenizer. This is done by dispersing a flocculant in a raw material dispersion thickened by agglomeration. For example, when the binder resin is a vinyl copolymer, the pH is preferably in the range of 2 to 6, and more preferably in the range of 3 to 6.

  As the aggregating agent used in the aggregating step, it is preferable to use a divalent or higher-valent metal complex in addition to a surfactant having an opposite polarity to the surfactant used when preparing the dispersion, an inorganic metal salt, and the like. it can. In particular, when a metal complex is used, the amount of the surfactant used can be reduced and charging characteristics are improved, which is desirable.

  Examples of the inorganic metal salt include metal salts such as calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, barium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, and polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum hydroxide, calcium polysulfide, etc. Examples thereof include inorganic metal salt polymers. Of these, aluminum salts and polymers thereof are particularly preferred. In order to obtain a sharper particle size distribution, the valence of the inorganic metal salt is divalent than monovalent, trivalent than bivalent, trivalent than trivalent, and tetravalent than trivalent. The inorganic metal salt polymer is more suitable.

  In the aggregation step, in order to suppress rapid aggregation due to heating, the pH may be adjusted while stirring and mixing at room temperature, and a dispersion stabilizer may be added as necessary.

―Coating process―
In the finally obtained toner, it is desirable to add a coating step after the aggregation step in order to further improve the chargeability and powder flowability.
In the coating step, the same or different resin particles (second binder resin particles) as the binder resin are adhered to the surface of the above-described aggregated particles (first aggregated particles), thereby attaching the adhered particles (second aggregated particles). Particles) and a coating layer (that is, a toner having a core-shell structure).
For the formation, a dispersion liquid (second resin particle dispersion liquid) containing a binder resin or other resin particles is added to the dispersion liquid in which the aggregated particles (first aggregated particles) are formed in the aggregation process. If necessary, other components (for example, a release agent, etc.) may be added at the same time. In addition, as a binder resin (resin particle) used for formation of a coating layer, the thing according to the above-mentioned binder resin (namely, binder resin for core layers) can be used. Also in the coating step, the coated aggregated particles (second aggregated particles) are selected with care so as not to adhere to the surface of the aggregated particles by selecting a pH and a surfactant according to the aggregation process according to the resin used. ) In addition, this coating step is also effective in guiding the raw material particles (first binder resin particles, colorant particles, release agent particles, amine particles, etc.) that have not been incorporated into the aggregated particles in the aggregation step. It is.

-Fusion process-
In the fusing step (fusing / merging step), the pH of the suspension of the agglomerated particles (first agglomerated particles or second agglomerated particles) is 4.0 or more and 9. under stirring according to the agglomeration step. By setting the range to 5 or less, after the progress of aggregation is stopped, the aggregated particles are fused by heating at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the binder resin. Although depending on the liquidity of the dispersion containing the aggregated particles (raw material dispersion), if the pH at which aggregation is stopped is not appropriate, the aggregated particles will be dispersed during the temperature rising process for fusing, resulting in a high yield. In some cases, the agglomeration may worsen, or on the contrary, the aggregation cannot be stopped, and the particle size growth further proceeds, resulting in a large particle size.

  There is no problem if the heating temperature at the time of fusion is not less than the glass transition point of the binder resin contained in the aggregated particles. The heating time may be performed to the extent that desired fusion is performed, and may be performed for about 0.5 hours to 3 hours. When heated for a longer time, the release agent contained in the aggregated particles is likely to be exposed on the toner surface. Therefore, although it is effective for the fixing property, it may adversely affect the storage stability of the toner, so that it is not desirable to heat for a long time.

The fused particles obtained by fusing can be made into toner particles through a solid-liquid separation process such as filtration and, if necessary, a washing process and a drying process. In this case, in order to ensure sufficient charging characteristics and reliability as a toner, it is desirable to perform sufficient cleaning in the cleaning process.
In the drying step, methods such as a normal vibration type fluidized drying method, a spray drying method, a freeze drying method, and a flash jet method can be employed.

  To the toner particles granulated through the drying step as described above, various known external additives such as the inorganic particles and organic particles described above can be added as other components depending on the purpose.

<Developer for developing electrostatic image>
The developer for developing an electrostatic charge image (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “developer”) in the present embodiment uses the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image in the present embodiment as it is as a one-component developer or a two-component developer. Used as When used as a two-component developer, it is used by mixing with a carrier.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a carrier which can be used for a two-component developer, A well-known carrier can be used. Examples thereof include magnetic metals such as iron oxide, nickel and cobalt, magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite, resin-coated carriers having a resin coating layer on the surface of the core material, and magnetic dispersion carriers. Further, a resin-dispersed carrier in which a conductive material or the like is dispersed in a matrix resin may be used.

  Coating resins and matrix resins used for carriers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylic. Examples include acid copolymers, straight silicone resins containing organosiloxane bonds or modified products thereof, fluororesins, polyesters, polycarbonates, phenol resins, epoxy resins, etc., but are not limited thereto. Absent.

  Examples of the conductive material include metals such as gold, silver and copper, carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, aluminum borate, potassium titanate, tin oxide, and carbon black. It is not limited.

  Examples of the core material of the carrier include magnetic metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite, and glass beads. However, in order to use the carrier for the magnetic brush method, it is a magnetic material. It is desirable.

  The volume average particle diameter of the core material of the carrier is generally 10 μm or more and 500 μm or less, and preferably 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

  In order to coat the surface of the core material of the carrier with a resin, there may be mentioned a method of coating with a coating layer forming solution in which the coating resin and, if necessary, various additives are dissolved in an appropriate solvent. The solvent is not particularly limited, and may be selected in consideration of the coating resin to be used, coating suitability, and the like.

  Specific resin coating methods include an immersion method in which the carrier core material is immersed in the coating layer forming solution, a spray method in which the coating layer forming solution is sprayed onto the surface of the carrier core material, and the carrier core material is fluidized air. And a kneader coater method in which the carrier core material and the coating layer forming solution are mixed in a kneader coater and the solvent is removed in a kneader coater.

  The mixing ratio (weight ratio) of the toner of the present invention and the carrier in the two-component developer is in the range of toner: carrier = 1: 100 to 30: 100, and from 3: 100 to 20: 100. A range of degree is more desirable.

  On the other hand, when using the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image of the present embodiment as a one-component developer and using a magnetic toner containing a magnetic substance in the toner, a magnet incorporated in the developing sleeve is used, There is a method of conveying and charging magnetic toner. When non-magnetic toner containing no magnetic material is used, there is a method in which a blade and a fur brush are used to forcibly frictionally charge with a developing sleeve, and the toner is adhered to the sleeve and conveyed.

<Image forming apparatus>
Next, the image forming apparatus of the present invention using the electrostatic image developing toner of the present invention will be described.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image holding body (image holding body), a charging unit for charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding body, and an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding body. An electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an image; a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with a developer; and the toner image formed on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit that transfers to the surface and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the transfer target, and uses the developer for developing an electrostatic charge image of the present embodiment as the developer.

In this image forming apparatus, for example, the part including the developing unit may be a cartridge structure (process cartridge) that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. As the process cartridge, a developer holding body is used. The process cartridge of the present embodiment is preferably used that includes at least the electrostatic charge image developer of the present embodiment.
Hereinafter, an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The main parts shown in the figure will be described, and the description of the other parts will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a quadruple tandem full-color image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a first to first electrophotographic method that outputs yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) images based on color-separated image data. Fourth image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K (image forming means) are provided. These image forming units (hereinafter simply referred to as “units”) 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are juxtaposed at a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction. The units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K may be process cartridges that are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Above each of the units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, an intermediate transfer belt 20 as an intermediate transfer member is extended through each unit. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is provided by being wound around a driving roller 22 and a support roller 24 that are in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 that are spaced apart from each other from the left to the right in the drawing. It is designed to travel in the direction toward 10K. The support roller 24 is urged away from the drive roller 22 by a spring or the like (not shown), and a predetermined tension is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 20 wound around the support roller 24. Further, an intermediate transfer member cleaning device 30 is provided on the side of the image carrier of the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to face the driving roller 22.
Further, each of the developing devices (developing means) 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K of the units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K includes yellow, magenta, cyan, and black contained in the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K. The four color toners can be supplied.

  Since the first to fourth units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K described above have the same configuration, here, the first unit that forms a yellow image disposed on the upstream side in the intermediate transfer belt traveling direction. 10Y will be described as a representative. Note that the second to fourth units are denoted by reference numerals with magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) instead of yellow (Y) in the same parts as the first unit 10Y. Description of 10M, 10C, 10K is omitted.

The first unit 10Y has a photoreceptor 1Y that functions as an image holding member. Around the photoreceptor 1Y, an electrostatic charge image is formed by exposing the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y to a predetermined potential with a charging roller 2Y and the charged surface with a laser beam 3Y based on the color-separated image signal. An exposure device 3; a developing device (developing means) 4Y for supplying the charged toner to the electrostatic image and developing the electrostatic image; a primary transfer roller 5Y (primary) for transferring the developed toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 20; A transfer unit), and a photoconductor cleaning device (cleaning unit) 6Y for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 1Y after the primary transfer.
The primary transfer roller 5Y is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 20, and is provided at a position facing the photoreceptor 1Y. Further, a bias power source (not shown) for applying a primary transfer bias is connected to each of the primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. Each bias power source varies the transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller under the control of a control unit (not shown).

Hereinafter, an operation of forming a yellow image in the first unit 10Y will be described. First, prior to the operation, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is charged to a potential of about −600V to −800V by the charging roller 2Y.
The photoreceptor 1Y is formed by laminating a photosensitive layer on a conductive substrate (volume resistivity at 20 ° C .: 1 × 10 ⁻⁶ Ωcm or less). This photosensitive layer usually has a high resistance (a resistance equivalent to that of a general resin), but has a property that the specific resistance of the portion irradiated with the laser beam changes when irradiated with the laser beam 3Y. Therefore, a laser beam 3Y is output to the surface of the charged photoreceptor 1Y via the exposure device 3 in accordance with yellow image data sent from a control unit (not shown). The laser beam 3Y is applied to the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, whereby an electrostatic charge image of a yellow print pattern is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y.

The electrostatic charge image is an image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y by charging, and the specific resistance of the irradiated portion of the photosensitive layer is lowered by the laser beam 3Y, and the charged charge on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y flows. On the other hand, this is a so-called negative latent image formed by the charge remaining in the portion not irradiated with the laser beam 3Y.
The electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor 1Y in this way is rotated to a predetermined development position as the photoreceptor 1Y travels. At this development position, the electrostatic charge image on the photoreceptor 1Y is visualized (developed image) by the developing device 4Y.

  For example, yellow toner is accommodated in the developing device 4Y. The yellow toner is triboelectrically charged by being agitated inside the developing device 4Y, and has a charge of the same polarity (negative polarity) as the charged charge on the photoreceptor 1Y, and a developer roll (developer holder). Is held on. As the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y passes through the developing device 4Y, the yellow toner is electrostatically attached to the latent image portion on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, and the latent image is developed with the yellow toner. . The photoreceptor 1Y on which the yellow toner image is formed continues to run at a predetermined speed, and the toner image developed on the photoreceptor 1Y is conveyed to a predetermined primary transfer position.

When the yellow toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y is conveyed to the primary transfer position, a predetermined primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 5Y, and the electrostatic force directed from the photoreceptor 1Y to the primary transfer roller 5Y generates toner. By acting on the image, the toner image on the photoreceptor 1 </ b> Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20. The transfer bias applied at this time is a (+) polarity opposite to the polarity (−) of the toner, and is controlled to about +10 μA by the control unit (not shown) in the first unit 10Y, for example.
On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1Y is removed and collected by the cleaning device 6Y.

Further, the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer rollers 5M, 5C, and 5K after the second unit 10M is also controlled according to the first unit.
Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto which the yellow toner image has been transferred by the first unit 10Y is sequentially conveyed through the second to fourth units 10M, 10C, and 10K, and the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed and transferred in a multiple manner.

  The intermediate transfer belt 20 onto which the four color toner images have been transferred in multiple layers through the first to fourth units is disposed on the image transfer surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the support roller 24 in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20. The secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer means) 26 is connected to a secondary transfer portion. On the other hand, the recording paper (transfer object) P is fed at a predetermined timing into a gap where the secondary transfer roller 26 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 are pressed against each other via a supply mechanism, and a predetermined secondary transfer bias is supported. Applied to the roller 24. The transfer bias applied at this time is a (−) polarity that is the same polarity as the polarity (−) of the toner, and an electrostatic force from the intermediate transfer belt 20 toward the recording paper P is applied to the toner image, so The toner image is transferred onto the recording paper P. Note that the secondary transfer bias at this time is determined according to the resistance detected by a resistance detecting means (not shown) for detecting the resistance of the secondary transfer portion, and is voltage-controlled.

Thereafter, the recording paper P is sent to a fixing device (fixing means) 28, where the toner image is heated, and the color-superposed toner image is melted and fixed on the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which the color image has been fixed is carried out toward the discharge unit, and a series of color image forming operations is completed.
The image forming apparatus exemplified above is configured to transfer the toner image onto the recording paper P via the intermediate transfer belt 20, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the toner image is directly transferred from the photoconductor. It may be a structure that is transferred to a recording sheet.

<Process cartridge, toner cartridge>
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a preferred example of a process cartridge containing the electrostatic charge image developer of the present invention. In the process cartridge 200, a charging roller 108, a developing device 111, a photoconductor cleaning device (cleaning means) 113, an opening 118 for exposure, and an opening 117 for static elimination exposure are attached to a rail 116 together with the photoconductor 107. Are combined and integrated with each other.
The process cartridge 200 is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body including a transfer device 112, a fixing device 115, and other components (not shown). It forms a forming apparatus. Reference numeral 300 denotes a recording sheet.

  The process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 includes a charging device 108, a developing device 111, a cleaning device (cleaning means) 113, an opening 118 for exposure, and an opening 117 for static elimination exposure. Can be selectively combined. In the process cartridge of the present invention, in addition to the photosensitive member 107, from the charging device 108, the developing device 111, the cleaning device (cleaning means) 113, the opening 118 for exposure, and the opening 117 for static elimination exposure. It comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of.

  Next, the electrostatic charge image developing developer cartridge (toner cartridge) of this embodiment will be described. The toner cartridge according to this embodiment is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, and at least the toner cartridge that stores toner to be supplied to the developing unit provided in the image forming apparatus. It is a toner of the invention. The toner cartridge of the present invention only needs to contain at least toner, and may contain developer, for example, depending on the mechanism of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K can be attached and detached, and the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are respectively the developing devices ( And a toner supply pipe (not shown). Further, when the amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge is low, the toner cartridge can be replaced.

  The image forming apparatus, toner cartridge, and process cartridge of the present embodiment described above use the developer of the present embodiment including the toner of the present embodiment, so that deterioration in image quality is suppressed and image formation (particularly fixing) is performed. ) Can be suppressed.

<Image forming method>
The image forming method of the present embodiment includes a latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of an electrostatic latent image holding member (latent image holding member), and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the latent image holding member. Developing with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, a transfer step for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the latent image holding member to the surface of the transfer target, and transferring to the surface of the transfer target In the image forming method including the fixing step of thermally fixing the toner image, the toner for developing an electrostatic charge image of the present embodiment is used as the toner.

  In addition, when a toner having a shape factor of 0.94 or more and 0.98 or less is used, a good cleaning property can be obtained by applying an image forming method having a cleaning process using a cleaning blade method. .

  The developer may be either a one-component system or a two-component system. As each of the above steps, a known step in the image forming method can be used. Further, the image forming method of the present embodiment may include steps other than the steps described above.

  As the latent image holding member, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a dielectric recording member can be used. In the case of electrophotographic photoreceptors, organic photoreceptors are currently the mainstream, but amorphous silicone photoreceptors are particularly desirable from the viewpoint of improving photoreceptor contamination. Since the amorphous silicone photoconductor has a harder surface than the organic photoconductor, it is more desirable from the viewpoint of preventing photoconductor contamination by combining with the porous silicon nitride fine powder of the present invention.

  In the case of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is uniformly charged by a corotron charger, a contact charger or the like and then exposed to form an electrostatic latent image (latent image forming step). Next, the toner particles are attached to the electrostatic latent image by contacting or approaching a developing roll having a developer layer formed on the surface thereof to form a toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member (developing step). The formed toner image is transferred onto the surface of a transfer medium such as paper using a corotron charger or the like (transfer process). Further, the toner image transferred to the surface of the transfer target is heat-fixed by a fixing device, and a final toner image is formed.

  Examples of the transfer target (recording material) to which the toner image is transferred include plain paper, OHP sheet, and the like used in electrophotographic copying machines and printers. In order to further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is desirable that the surface of the transfer object is as smooth as possible. For example, coated paper in which the surface of plain paper is coated with resin, art paper for printing Etc. can be used suitably.

  Since the image forming method of the present embodiment uses the developer of the present embodiment (the toner of the present embodiment), it suppresses deterioration in image quality and suppresses the generation of odor during image formation (particularly during fixing). be able to.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention, this invention is not limited to these Examples. In the examples, “parts” and “%” mean “parts by weight” and “% by weight” unless otherwise specified.

<Measurement method>
-Measuring method of glass transition temperature and melting point-
The glass transition temperature and melting point were measured according to JIS 7121-1987 using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC-50 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). The melting point of a mixture of indium and zinc was used for temperature correction of the detection part of this apparatus, and the heat of fusion of indium was used for correction of heat quantity. The sample was put in an aluminum pan, an aluminum pan containing the sample and an empty aluminum pan for control were set, and the measurement was performed at a heating rate of 10 ° C./min.
About melting | fusing point, it was set as melting | fusing point with the temperature of the peak of the largest endothermic peak among the endothermic peaks of the DSC curve obtained by measurement.
Moreover, about the glass transition temperature, it was set as the glass transition point with the temperature of the intersection of the extended line of the base line in the endothermic part of the DSC curve obtained by the measurement, and the rising line.

-Measurement of dispersion average major axis of aliphatic amine and / or hydrocarbon wax-
The dispersion average major axis of the aliphatic amine and / or hydrocarbon wax is measured as follows. Specifically, for example, the toner is mixed with an embedding agent such as an epoxy resin, then cut with a diamond cutter or the like, and the cut body is observed with a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Then, the observed image is taken into a Luzex image analyzer (Luzex FT: manufactured by Nireco), and among the particles dispersed inside, the major axis of particles containing at least one of an aliphatic amine and a hydrocarbon wax is 1000 particles. By measuring and averaging, the dispersion average major axis of the aliphatic amine and / or hydrocarbon wax can be determined.

―Method for measuring weight average molecular weight―
The weight average molecular weight was determined by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) (HLC-8120 manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, column SuperH3000), solvent tetrahydrofuran (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemicals: THF for GPC), column oven temperature 40 ° C., column flow rate 1 ml / min. The sample concentration was 0.5% and the sample injection amount was 0.1 ml. The measurement results were converted into standard polystyrene (manufactured by TOYO SODA: standard polystyrene sample) based on a calibration curve prepared in advance, and a weight average molecular weight distribution was obtained.

-Measuring method of volume average particle size and number average particle size of toner-
The volume average particle size and number average particle size of the toner were measured using a Coulter Multisizer II type (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) with an aperture diameter of 50 μm. At this time, the measurement is performed after the toner is dispersed in an electrolyte aqueous solution (Isoton aqueous solution) and dispersed by ultrasonic waves for 30 seconds or more.

  As a measuring method, 0.5 to 50 mg of a measurement sample is added to 2 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of a surfactant, preferably sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate as a dispersant, and this is added to 100 to 150 ml of the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution in which the measurement sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 minute, and the particle size distribution of the particles is measured. The number of particles to be measured is 50,000.

  For the divided particle size range (channel), a cumulative distribution is drawn from the small diameter side with respect to the divided particle size range (channel), and the particle size at 50% accumulation is defined as the volume average particle size or number average particle size. .

Further, when the particle diameter obtained from the cumulative distribution with respect to the volume or number is 16%, the particle diameter is “D16v” or “D16p”, respectively, and the particle diameter is 84%, and the particle diameter is “D84v” or “D84p”. The volume average particle size distribution index “GSDv” and the number average particle size distribution index “GSDp” are calculated by the following equations 1 and 2, respectively.
Formula 1: GSDv = (D84v / D16v) ^1/2
Formula 2: GSDp = (D84p / D16p) ^1/2

-Measurement method of volume average particle diameter of particles (when particle diameter of particles to be measured is less than 1μm)-
When the particle diameter of the particles to be measured is less than 1 μm, the volume average particle diameter of the particles is measured using a laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring device (LA-700: manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.).

  As a measuring method, the sample in the state of dispersion is adjusted so as to have a solid content of about 2 g, and ion exchange water is added thereto to make about 40 ml. This is put into the cell until an appropriate concentration is reached, waits for 2 minutes, and the concentration is measured when the concentration in the cell becomes almost stable.

  For the measured particle size distribution, a cumulative distribution is drawn from the smaller diameter side with respect to the divided particle size range (channel), and the particle size that is 50% cumulative in volume is defined as the volume average particle size.

  When measuring powders such as external additives, 2 g of a measurement sample is added to 50 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of a surfactant, preferably sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, and 2 with an ultrasonic disperser (1,000 Hz). A sample is prepared by dispersing for a minute, and measurement is performed in the same manner as in the above-mentioned dispersion.

<Measuring method of average circularity of toner>
For measurement of the average circularity of the toner, FPIA-2100 manufactured by Sysmex was used. This system employs a method in which particles dispersed in water or the like are measured by a flow-type image analysis method, and the aspirated particle suspension is guided to a flat sheath flow cell and converted into a flat sample flow by the sheath liquid. It is formed. By irradiating the sample stream with stroboscopic light, the passing particles were captured as a still image by the CCD camera through the objective lens.

The captured particle image was subjected to two-dimensional image processing, and the equivalent circle diameter and circularity were calculated from the projected area and the perimeter. The equivalent circle diameter was calculated as the equivalent circle diameter from the area of the two-dimensional image with respect to each photographed particle. For each particle thus photographed, the circularity was determined by the following formula. Further, image analysis was performed on 5,000 or more photographed particles, and statistical processing was performed to obtain an average circularity.
In addition, HPF mode (high resolution mode) was used for the measurement, and the dilution factor was 1.0. In analyzing the data, the number particle size analysis range was set to 2.0 to 30.1 μm and the circularity analysis range was selected to be 0.40 to 1.00 for the purpose of removing measurement noise.
Formula: Circularity = circle equivalent diameter perimeter / perimeter = [2 × (Aπ) ^1/2 ] / PM
(In the above formula, A represents the projected area of the particle, and PM represents the perimeter of the particle.)

<How to Obtain Toner Shape Factors SF1 and SF2>
The shape factors SF1 and SF2 are obtained by the following formulas 3 and 4, respectively.
Formula 3: SF1 = 100π × (ML) ² / (4 × A)
Formula 4: SF2 = (1 / 4π) × (I ² / A) × 100
Here, ML is the maximum length of the particle, I is the peripheral length of the particle, and A is the projected area of the particle. The maximum particle length, perimeter length, and projected area are determined by observing the particles sampled on the slide glass with an optical microscope and importing them into an image analyzer (LUZEX III, manufactured by NIRECO) through a video camera for image analysis. It can ask for. In this case, the number of sampling is 100 or more, and the shape factor shown in the above equation is obtained using the average value.

<Adjustment of each dispersion>
-Preparation of resin particle dispersion 1-
-Styrene 308 parts-N-butyl acrylate 100 parts-Acrylic acid 4 parts-Dodecanethiol 6 parts-Propanediol acrylate 1.5 parts

The above components are mixed and dissolved. On the other hand, 4 parts by weight of the anionic surfactant Dowfax (manufactured by Dow Chemical Co., Ltd.) dissolved in 550 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water is placed in a flask. Was added, dispersed and emulsified, and 50 parts by weight of an ion exchange aqueous solution in which 6 parts by weight of ammonium persulfate was dissolved was added while slowly stirring and mixing for 10 minutes.
Next, after sufficiently replacing the system with nitrogen, the flask was heated in an oil bath while stirring to carry out emulsion polymerization.
As a result, a resin particle dispersion 1 having a central particle diameter (volume average particle diameter) of 178 nm, a glass transition temperature of 52 ° C., and a weight average molecular weight Mw of 32,000 was obtained.

-Preparation of colorant particle dispersion 1-
Cyan pigment (CI Pigment Blue 15: 3) 50 parts by weight Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) 5 parts by weight Ion-exchanged water 200 parts by weight

  The above components were mixed and dissolved, and dispersed by a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax manufactured by IKA) and ultrasonic irradiation to obtain a colorant particle dispersion 1 having a central particle size (volume average particle size) of 167 nm of colorant particles.

-Preparation of release agent amine particle dispersion 1-
Paraffin wax (hydrocarbon wax, melting point 88 ° C) 35 parts by weight Stearylamine (aliphatic amine, melting point 55 ° C) 15 parts by weight
・ Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., 65% solid content) 2.3 parts by weight ・ 200 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water

  The above composition was heated to 95 ° C. and sufficiently dispersed with IKA Ultra Turrax T50, and then dispersed with a pressure discharge type homogenizer, and the center particle size (volume average particle size) of the release agent amine particles was 270 nm. A release agent amine particle dispersion 1 was obtained.

-Preparation of release agent amine particle dispersion 2 to release agent amine particle dispersion 6-
Except that the types and amounts of the hydrocarbon wax and aliphatic amine used are as shown in Table 1, “release agent amine particle dispersion 2” to “release agent amine particle dispersion 1” The “release agent amine particle dispersion 6” was adjusted.

-Preparation of release agent particle dispersion 7-
-Polyethylene wax (hydrocarbon wax, melting point 88 ° C) 50 parts by weight-Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., solid content 65%) 2.3 parts by weight-Ion-exchanged water 200 parts by weight

  The composition was heated to 95 ° C. and sufficiently dispersed with IKA Ultra Turrax T50, and then dispersed with a pressure discharge type homogenizer, and the release agent particles had a central particle size (volume average particle size) of 270 nm. A release agent particle dispersion 7 was obtained.

-Preparation of amine particle dispersion 7-
-Stearylamine (melting point 55 ° C) 50 parts by weight-Anionic surfactant (Neogen SC, Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., solid content 65%) 2.3 parts by weight-Ion-exchanged water 200 parts by weight

  The composition was heated to 95 ° C. and sufficiently dispersed with IKA Ultra Turrax T50, and then dispersed with a pressure discharge homogenizer, and the center particle size (volume average particle size) of the release agent particles was 270 nm. An amine particle dispersion 7 was obtained.

<Example 1>
-Preparation of Toner 1-
Resin particle dispersion 1 (first resin particle dispersion) 187 parts by weight Colorant particle dispersion 1 42.7 parts by weight Release agent amine particle dispersion 1 60.6 parts by weight Polyaluminum chloride (10 % Aqueous solution) 2.6 parts by weight, ion-exchanged water 375 parts by weight

  The above components were thoroughly mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using an Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA, and then heated to 52 ° C. while stirring the flask in an oil bath for heating. After maintaining at 52 ° C. (initial heating temperature), 92 parts by weight of the resin particle dispersion 1 (second resin particle dispersion) was gradually added thereto.

  Then, after adjusting the pH in the system to 6.5 using a 0.5 mol / L sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, the stainless steel flask was sealed, and the stirring shaft seal was magnetically sealed while continuing stirring. Heated to 97 ° C. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled, filtered, sufficiently washed with ion exchange water, and solid-liquid separation was performed by Nutsche suction filtration. This was further redispersed with 3 L of ion exchanged water at 40 ° C., and stirred and washed at 300 rpm for 15 minutes. This washing operation was further repeated 5 times, and No. 1 was obtained by Nutsche suction filtration. Solid-liquid separation was performed using 5A filter paper. Next, vacuum drying was continued for 12 hours to obtain toner particles 1.

  The volume average particle diameter of the toner particles 1 at this time was measured and found to be 6.5 μm. The number particle size distribution index GSDp was 1.24. When the shape was observed with a Luzex image analyzer manufactured by Luzex, the shape factor SF2 of the particles was 109, and it was observed that the potato shape was round.

  Toner 1 was obtained by adding 0.8% by weight of silica (TS720, manufactured by Cabot Corporation) to the toner particles 1 and mixing them.

-Production of developer 1-
A carrier was prepared by coating 1% by weight of polymethyl methacrylate (manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd.) on a 50 μm ferrite core. Developer 1 was prepared by mixing these carriers and toner 1 and adjusting the toner concentration to 8% by weight.

<Examples 2 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3>
“Toner Particle 2” to “Toner Particle 6”, “Toner 2” to “Toner” are the same as “Example 1” except that the type and amount of the release agent particle dispersion used are as shown in Table 2. Toner 6 "and" Developer 2 "to" Developer 6 "were adjusted.

<Example 4>
“Example” except that 42 parts by weight of “release agent particle dispersion 7” and 18 parts by weight of “amine particle dispersion 7” were used instead of “release agent amine particle dispersion 1” in the production of toner 1. In the same manner as in “1”, “toner particles 7”, “toner 7”, and “developer 7” were produced.

<Comparative Example 4>
“Toner Particles 8” in the same manner as “Example 1” except that 60 parts by weight of “Releasing Agent Particle Dispersion 7” was used instead of “Releasing Agent Amine Particle Dispersion 1” in the production of Toner 1. , “Toner 8” and “Developer 8” were prepared.

  The volume average particle diameter of the toner particles 8 was measured with a Coulter counter and found to be 6.1 μm. The number particle size distribution index GSDp was 1.21. When the shape was observed with a Luzex image analyzer manufactured by Luzex, the shape factor SF2 of the particles was 109, and it was observed that the potato shape was round.

  Table 3 shows the compositions and physical properties of Developer 1 to Developer 8 obtained in the above Examples and Comparative Examples.

<Evaluation method>
―Evaluation of image quality―
Using the obtained developer, a solid image was formed on a copy paper (J paper) manufactured by Fuji Xerox so as to have a toner amount of 0.9 mg / cm ^2, and used as a remodeling machine for A-color 935 (manufactured by Fuji Xerox). The images were fixed and the image quality was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 5. The evaluation criteria are as follows, and there is no practical problem if it is G1 to G3.

G1: No occurrence of image defects, fog, etc., very good G2: Almost no occurrence of image defects, fog, etc. Good G3: Slight occurrence of image defects, fog, etc. Acceptable G4: Image defects Occurrence of fogging, etc., and there is a problem in image quality G5: Image defects, fogging, etc. are remarkable, and there are serious problems in image quality

―Evaluation of odor―
Further, with a modified machine of A-color 935 (manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.), the fixing speed and fixing temperature were set to the conditions shown in Table 4 below, and the odor generated after copying 2000 sheets was subjected to sensory evaluation. Specifically, the modified machine is placed in a closed booth with a floor area of 4.5 m × 4.5 m and a height of 3 m, the above copy is made, and the odor in the booth immediately after the 2000 copies is determined by subject 20 Judged by a person. The results are shown in Table 5. The evaluation criteria are as follows, and there is no practical problem if it is G1 or G2.

G1: 0 people who felt odor G2: 1 to 5 people who felt odor G3: 6 to 20 people who felt odor

  From the results shown in Table 5, according to Examples 1 to 4, the deterioration in image quality is suppressed as compared with Comparative Examples 1 to 4, and the generation of odor during heat fixing is suppressed regardless of the fixing conditions. You can see that you can.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the process cartridge of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, 107 photoconductor (electrostatic latent image holder)
2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, 108 Charging roller (charging unit)
3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K Laser beam 3 exposure device (electrostatic latent image forming means)
4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K, 111 Developing device (developing means)
5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K Primary transfer rollers 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 113 Photoconductor cleaning device (toner removing means)
8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K toner cartridge (electrostatic image developing developer cartridge)
10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K Unit 20 Intermediate transfer belt 22 Drive roller 24 Support roller 26 Secondary transfer roller (transfer means)
28, 115 Fixing device (fixing means)
30 Intermediate transfer member cleaning device 112 Transfer device 116 Mounting rail 117 Opening 118 for static elimination exposure Opening 200 for exposure Process cartridge,
P, 300 Recording paper (transfer object)

Claims (10)

  An electrostatic image developing toner comprising at least a binder resin, a hydrocarbon wax having a melting point of 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, and an aliphatic amine having a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower.   The content of the aliphatic amine is 5% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less with respect to the total amount of the content of the hydrocarbon wax and the content of the aliphatic amine. The toner for developing an electrostatic charge image according to 1.   2. The dispersion average major axis of the hydrocarbon wax and / or the aliphatic amine is 0.6 to 0.9 times the volume average particle diameter of the electrostatic image developing toner. Or the electrostatic image developing toner according to 2; A step of adjusting a first resin particle dispersion in which particles of at least a first binder resin are dispersed;
A step of preparing a release agent particle dispersion in which particles of a release agent containing a hydrocarbon wax having a melting point of 80 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower are dispersed;
A step of preparing an amine particle dispersion in which aliphatic amine particles having a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower are dispersed;
The resin particle dispersion, the release agent particle dispersion, and the amine particle dispersion are mixed, and include the first binder resin particles, the release agent particles, and the aliphatic amine particles. Adjusting a first aggregated particle dispersion in which the first aggregated particles are dispersed;
A step of heating and fusing the first aggregated particle dispersion to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the first binder resin. Production method.   The step of adjusting the release agent particle dispersion and the step of adjusting the amine particle dispersion adjust the release agent amine particle dispersion in which release agent amine particles containing a release agent and an aliphatic amine are dispersed. The method for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image according to claim 4, wherein Adjusting the second resin particle dispersion in which the particles of the second binder resin are dispersed;
Second agglomerated particles formed by adding the second resin particle dispersion to the first agglomerated particle dispersion and adhering the second binder resin to the surface of the first agglomerated particles. The method for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image according to claim 4, further comprising a step of adjusting the second aggregated particle dispersion in which the toner is dispersed.   An electrostatic image developing developer comprising at least the electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1. Contains a developer that is detached from the image forming apparatus and supplied to at least developing means provided in the image forming apparatus;
The developer for developing an electrostatic charge image according to claim 7, wherein the developer is the developer for developing an electrostatic charge image according to claim 7. An electrostatic latent image carrier;
Charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member;
Electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with a developer;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member to the surface of the transfer target;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the developer is a developer for developing an electrostatic image according to claim 7. 8. Development for developing the electrostatic latent image developing developer according to claim 7 and developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding member into a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developing developer. Means,
At least one selected from the group consisting of an electrostatic latent image holding body, a charging means for charging the electrostatic latent image holding body, and a toner removing means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatic latent image holding body And comprising
A process cartridge which is detachable from an image forming apparatus.

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