JP2010204215A - Method for producing toner, toner produced by the method, two-component developer, developing device, and image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner producing method which forms resin microparticle layers uniform in layer thickness, on the surfaces of toner base particles, and prevents generation of aggregates caused by the toner base particles and the resin microparticles, and also prevents the toner base particles and the resin microparticles from adhering to the inner wall face of a toner-producing device; and to provide a toner produced by the method concerned, a two-component developer, a developing device, and an image-forming device. <P>SOLUTION: A powder-flowing process S3 and a spraying process S4 are performed by using a toner-producing device 201 so that the following equations may be satisfied: 12≤(Fa+Fb)/Fc≤100 and 440≤Wt/Fc≤3,300, wherein Fa [L/min] represents the amount of a carrier gas supplied from a rotary shaft part 218, Fb [L/min] represents the amount of the carrier gas supplied from a spraying part 203, Fc [mL/min] represents the amount of a volatile liquid sprayed from the spraying part 203, and Wt [g] represents the total weight of powder. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner manufacturing method, a toner obtained by the method, a two-component developer, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, for the purpose of improving the properties of particles such as toner particles, a surface modification treatment for coating the surface of toner base particles with a coating material has been performed.

  In Patent Document 1, as a method of surface modification treatment, a mechanical stirring force is applied to the powder particles by a rotary stirring means such as a screw, blade, or rotor, whereby the powder particles flow in the powder flow path. A method of spraying a liquid from a spray nozzle onto a powder particle in a fluidized state and coating the surface of the powder particle with a coating material contained in the spray liquid is described. According to the method described in Patent Document 1, the adhesion between the coating material and the powder particles can be increased, and the time required for the surface modification treatment can be shortened.

  Patent Document 2 describes a method of manufacturing a microcapsule in which a resin layer is attached to the inner core particle surface and the resin particle is dissolved with a solvent to form a coating layer on the inner core particle surface. According to the method described in Patent Document 2, a microcapsule is obtained by forming a coating layer on the surface of the inner core particles by a treatment using a solvent, and then drying and removing the solvent.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-10971 JP-A-4-21269

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, since the coating material in the spray liquid is in an agglomerated state, the agglomerates adhere to the powder particle surface without being crushed, and the coating formed on the powder particle surface There is a problem that the film thickness of the material film becomes non-uniform.

  Also, depending on the type of spray liquid, it may be difficult to evaporate. As a result, the spray liquid accumulates in the manufacturing apparatus, or the powder particles adsorb the spray liquid, thereby agglomerating powder particles. May occur, or powder particles may adhere to the inner wall surface of the manufacturing apparatus. Further, depending on the type of the spray liquid, bubbles may be generated in the coating material film when the spray liquid dries.

  Furthermore, even if the spray liquid is a volatile liquid, if the spray amount of the volatile liquid is too large or the spraying speed of the sprayed volatile liquid is too slow, as described above, Aggregation of body particles and adhesion of powder particles to the inner wall surface of the production apparatus occur, resulting in a decrease in yield. On the other hand, if the spray amount of the volatile liquid is too small or the spraying speed of the sprayed volatile liquid is too fast, the film thickness of the coating material film becomes non-uniform, and the heat resistance of the coated powder particles is extremely reduced. There is a problem.

  In the method described in Patent Document 2, since the solvent is difficult to evaporate by dissolving the resin particles, aggregates of the inner core particles are generated or the inner core particles adhere to the inner wall surface of the manufacturing apparatus. As a result, the yield decreases. Further, depending on the type of the solvent, the inner core particles may be dissolved. When the inner core particles are dissolved, an additive such as wax inside the inner core particles is fixed or exposed on the surface of the inner core particles, and the storage stability of the microcapsules is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and forms a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness on the surface of a toner base particle, and an aggregate of toner base particles and resin fine particles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner manufacturing method that suppresses generation and adhesion of toner base particles and resin fine particles to the inner wall surface of the toner manufacturing device, and a toner, a two-component developer, a developing device, and an image forming device obtained by the method. To do.

The present invention relates to a powder flow path through which powder can flow, carrier gas supply means for supplying carrier gas into the powder flow path, and supply of carrier gas supplied from the carrier gas supply means per unit time Carrier gas supply amount control means for controlling the amount, spray means for spraying a predetermined substance together with a carrier gas in the powder flow path, and the spray amount and carrier per unit time of the substance sprayed from the spray means Spray amount control means for controlling the supply amount of gas per unit time, respectively, provided in the powder flow path, and applying an impact force to the particles in the powder flow path to cause the particles to flow in the powder flow path A toner production method for producing toner using a toner production apparatus comprising an impact force applying means for fluidizing and an exhaust means for discharging gas in a powder flow path,
A powder flow step for causing toner base particles and resin fine particles to flow in the powder flow path by the impact force applying means;
A spraying step of spraying a volatile liquid that softens the resin fine particles together with a carrier gas by the spraying means,
The supply amount per unit time of the carrier gas supplied by the carrier gas supply means in the spraying step is Fa [L / min], and the supply amount of the carrier gas supplied by the spraying means in the spraying step is Fb [L / min]. ], And the spray amount per unit time of the volatile liquid sprayed by the spray means during spraying of the volatile liquid is Fc [mL / min], the relationship between Fa, Fb, and Fc is expressed by the following formula (1) )
The toner manufacturing method is characterized in that the relationship between Wt and Fc satisfies the following formula (2), where Wt [g] is the total weight of toner base particles and resin fine particles in the toner manufacturing apparatus.
12 ≦ (Fa + Fb) / Fc ≦ 100 (1)
440 ≦ Wt / Fc ≦ 3300 (2)

  In the invention, it is preferable that the volatile liquid contains an alcohol having a boiling point within a range of ± 20 ° C. of a glass transition point of the resin fine particles.

  In the present invention, during the spraying of the volatile liquid, the concentration of the volatile liquid vapor in the gas discharged by the exhaust means is 0.2 [vol%] or more and 3 [vol%] or less. It is characterized by being.

Further, in the present invention, the powder flow path includes a stirring chamber provided with the impact force applying means, and a powder flow part.
When the volume of the stirring chamber is V1, and the volume of the powder flow part is V2,
The relationship between V1 and V2 satisfies the following formula (3).
0.2 ≦ V2 / V1 ≦ 0.4 (3)

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the relationship between Wt, V1, and V2 satisfies the following formula (4).
1275 ≦ Wt / (V2 / V1) ≦ 3300 (4)

In the present invention, the impact force applying unit is a rotary stirring unit that applies an impact force to the particles by rotating and stirring.
In the powder flow process and the spraying process, the peripheral speed of the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring means is 62.5 m / sec or more and 100 m / sec or less.

The present invention also provides a toner obtained by the toner production method.
The present invention also provides a two-component developer comprising the toner and a carrier.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device that performs development using a one-component developer containing the toner or the two-component developer.

  The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus comprising the developing device.

  According to the present invention, since an appropriate amount of volatile liquid is sprayed with respect to the amount of carrier gas supplied into the toner manufacturing apparatus, the resin fine particles can be softened moderately and by evaporation of the volatile liquid. The temperature rise of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles can be prevented. Further, since an appropriate amount of the volatile liquid is sprayed with respect to the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles, the resin fine particles can be appropriately softened. Therefore, a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness is formed on the surface of the toner base particles, and aggregates of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles are generated, and the toner base particles and the resin fine particles adhere to the inner wall surface of the toner manufacturing apparatus. Thus, the toner can be manufactured.

  Further, according to the present invention, the volatile liquid contains an alcohol having a boiling point within the range of ± 20 ° C. of the resin fine particles, so that the alcohol quickly evaporates near the glass transition point of the resin fine particles, and the resin fine particles The temperature rise can be effectively suppressed. Further, since alcohol has a high drying rate, the time required for removing the volatile liquid can be further shortened, and aggregation of the toner base particles can be suppressed. In addition, since the volatile liquid containing alcohol is difficult to dissolve the resin, dissolution of the toner base particles can be suppressed. In addition, since alcohol has a low viscosity and easily evaporates, fine spraying is possible without coarsening of the spray droplet diameter by the spraying means. As a result, the volatile liquid can be sprayed with a uniform droplet diameter. Further, the droplets can be further miniaturized by the collision between the toner base particles and the droplets. As a result, the surface of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles can be uniformly wetted and blended, and the resin fine particles can be softened by a synergistic effect of the volatile liquid and the impact force. Can be manufactured. Therefore, a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness is formed on the surface of the toner base particles, and aggregates of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles are generated, and the toner base particles and the resin fine particles adhere to the inner wall surface of the toner manufacturing apparatus. Thus, the toner can be manufactured.

  Further, according to the present invention, the concentration of the volatile liquid vapor in the gas discharged from the exhaust means is 0.2 [vol%] or more and 3 [vol%] or less. The toner can be sufficiently softened to produce a toner in which a fine resin particle layer having a more uniform layer thickness is formed, and the sprayed volatile liquid is sufficiently dried. The powder can be prevented from adhering to the wall surface of the road, and the toner can be produced with a higher yield.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the volume of the stirring chamber is V1 and the volume of the powder flow part is V2, the volume ratio V2 / V1 is optimized, so the flow rate of the carrier gas in the powder flow part Can be optimized, whereby the powder can be passed through the powder flow through at an appropriate ratio. As a result, the volatile liquid adheres moderately to the toner base particles and the resin fine particles, so that a resin fine particle layer having a more uniform layer thickness can be formed, and the powder agglomeration and the powder flow path can be formed. The adhesion of the powder to the wall surface can be suppressed, and the toner can be produced with a higher yield.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles in the toner manufacturing apparatus is Wt [g], the total weight Wt of the powder is optimized with respect to the volume ratio V2 / V1. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the amount of the powder with respect to the flow rate of the carrier gas, thereby allowing the powder to flow in an isolated state, so that a fine resin particle layer with a more uniform layer thickness can be formed. Therefore, the toner can be produced with a higher yield.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the peripheral speed of the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring means is 62.5 m / sec or more and 100 m / sec or less, sufficient impact force is given to the powder, and the layer thickness is more uniform. Since the resin fine particle layer can be formed and an excessive impact force is not applied, the amount of heat generated by the collision between the rotary stirring means and the powder can be kept below a certain level, and the aggregation of the particles and the inner wall surface of the powder flow path It is possible to suppress the adhesion of powder to the surface.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the toner is produced by the toner production method according to the present invention, the resin fine particle layer is sufficiently formed on the surface of the toner particles, whereby the encapsulated components of the toner particles are protected, and durability and storage stability are improved. Excellent in properties. Further, since the toner according to the present invention has a uniform resin fine particle adhesion amount between the individual toner particles, the toner characteristics such as the charging characteristics are uniform among the individual toner particles. Therefore, when the toner according to the present invention is used, it is possible to form a high-definition and good-quality image without density unevenness over a long period of time.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the toner according to the present invention and the carrier are included, a high-definition and good-quality image without density unevenness can be formed over a long period of time.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the development is performed using the one-component developer containing the toner according to the present invention or the two-component developer according to the present invention, the image quality is high and the image quality is excellent without unevenness in density. Images can be formed over a long period of time.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the image is formed by the developing device according to the present invention, a high-definition and good-quality image without density unevenness can be formed over a long period of time.

FIG. 6 is a process diagram illustrating a toner manufacturing process. 3 is a front view of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 taken along a cutting plane line A200-A200. FIG. 3 is a side view of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a cross section of an image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing a cross section of the developing device 14. FIG.

1. Toner Manufacturing Method A toner manufacturing method according to the present invention is a powder flow process in which toner base particles and resin fine particles are flowed in a powder flow path by means of impact force application using a specific toner manufacturing apparatus. And a spraying step of spraying a volatile liquid that softens the resin fine particles together with a carrier gas by a spraying means. The specific toner manufacturing apparatus includes a powder flow path through which powder can flow, carrier gas supply means for supplying a carrier gas into the powder flow path, and carrier gas supplied from the carrier gas supply means. Carrier gas supply amount control means for controlling the supply amount per unit time, spray means for spraying a predetermined substance together with the carrier gas in the powder flow path, and per unit time of the substance sprayed from the spray means Spray amount control means for controlling the spray amount and the supply amount of carrier gas per unit time, respectively, provided in the powder channel, and applying an impact force to the particles in the powder channel to flow the particles The toner manufacturing apparatus includes: an impact applying unit that discharges the gas; and an exhaust unit that discharges the gas in the powder passage.

  FIG. 1 is a process diagram illustrating a toner manufacturing process which is an embodiment of a toner manufacturing method according to the present invention. The toner manufacturing process includes a particle preparation process S1, a temperature adjustment process S2, a powder flow process S3, a spraying process S4, and a recovery process S5. In the particle preparation step S1, toner base particles and resin fine particles are respectively prepared. In the temperature adjustment step S2, the temperature in the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 described later is adjusted. In the powder flow step S3, the toner base particles and the resin fine particles are flowed in the toner manufacturing apparatus 201, and the resin fine particles are adhered to the surface of the toner base particles. In the spraying step S4, a volatile liquid that softens the resin fine particles is sprayed into the toner manufacturing apparatus 201, thereby softening the resin fine particles adhering to the toner mother particles to form a resin fine particle layer on the surface of the toner mother particles. . In the collecting step S5, toner mother particles (toner particles) having the resin fine particle layer formed on the surface are collected. Below, each process S1-S5 is demonstrated in detail.

(1) Particle preparation step S1
In the particle preparation step S1, toner base particles and resin fine particles are respectively prepared.

(I) Preparation of toner base particles The toner base particles are particles containing a binder resin and a colorant and can be obtained by a known adjustment method, and the adjustment method is not particularly limited. Examples of the method for adjusting the toner base particles include a dry method such as a pulverization method, a wet polymerization method such as a suspension polymerization method, an emulsion aggregation method, a dispersion polymerization method, a dissolution suspension method, and a melt emulsification method. Hereinafter, adjustment of toner base particles by a pulverization method will be described.

(Toner base material)
The binder resin is not particularly limited, and a known binder resin for black toner or color toner can be used. Examples thereof include styrene resins such as polystyrene and styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer resins, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, polyesters, polyurethanes, and epoxy resins. Moreover, you may use resin obtained by mixing a raw material monomer mixture with a mold release agent and performing a polymerization reaction. Binder resin can be used individually by 1 type, or can use 2 or more types together.

  The binder resin preferably has a glass transition point of 30 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower. When the glass transition point of the binder resin is less than 30 ° C., blocking in which the toner is thermally aggregated easily occurs inside the image forming apparatus, and storage stability is lowered. When the glass transition point of the binder resin exceeds 80 ° C., the fixability of the toner to the recording medium is lowered and fixing failure occurs.

  Among the above binder resins, polyester is excellent in transparency, and can impart good powder fluidity, low-temperature fixability, secondary color reproducibility, etc. to the aggregated particles, so that it can be used as a binder resin for color toners. Is preferred. Known polyesters can be used, and examples thereof include polycondensates of polybasic acids and polyhydric alcohols. As the polybasic acid, those known as polyester monomers can be used, for example, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and other aromatic carboxylic acids, maleic anhydride Examples thereof include aliphatic carboxylic acids such as acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, alkenyl succinic anhydride, and adipic acid, and methyl esterified products of these polybasic acids. A polybasic acid can be used individually by 1 type, or can use 2 or more types together. As the polyhydric alcohol, those known as monomers for polyesters can be used. For example, aliphatic polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, hexanediol, neopentylglycol, glycerin, cyclohexanediol, cyclohexanediene, etc. Examples include alicyclic polyhydric alcohols such as methanol and hydrogenated bisphenol A, aromatic diols such as an ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, and a propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A. A polyhydric alcohol can be used individually by 1 type, or can use 2 or more types together.

  The polycondensation reaction between the polybasic acid and the polyhydric alcohol can be performed by a known method. The polycondensation reaction is carried out, for example, by contacting a polybasic acid with a polyhydric alcohol in the presence of an organic solvent or in the absence of an organic solvent and in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst. The process is terminated when the price, softening point, etc. reach a predetermined value. A polyester is obtained by such a polycondensation reaction.

  When a methyl esterified product of a polybasic acid is used as part of the polybasic acid, a demethanol polycondensation reaction is performed. In this polycondensation reaction, by appropriately changing the blending ratio of polybasic acid and polyhydric alcohol, reaction rate, etc., for example, the carboxyl group content at the end of the polyester can be adjusted. Can be denatured. In addition, when trimellitic anhydride is used as the polybasic acid, a carboxyl group can be easily introduced into the main chain of the polyester, whereby a modified polyester is obtained. A hydrophilic group such as a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group may be bonded to at least one of the main chain and the side chain of the polyester to form a polyester having self-dispersibility in water. Further, polyester and acrylic resin may be grafted.

  As the colorant, organic dyes, organic pigments, inorganic dyes, inorganic pigments and the like commonly used in the electrophotographic field can be used.

  Examples of the black colorant include carbon black, copper oxide, manganese dioxide, aniline black, activated carbon, nonmagnetic ferrite, magnetic ferrite, and magnetite.

  Examples of yellow colorants include chrome lead, zinc yellow, cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, mineral fast yellow, nickel titanium yellow, navel yellow, naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow G, Hansa yellow 10G, benzidine yellow G, and benzidine. Yellow GR, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Permanent Yellow NCG, Tartrazine Lake, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 12, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 13, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 14, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 15, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 74, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 93, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 94, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 138, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 180, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Yellow 185.

  Examples of the orange colorant include red chrome yellow, molybdenum orange, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, vulcan orange, indanthrene brilliant orange RK, benzidine orange G, indanthrene brilliant orange GK, C.I. I. Pigment orange 31, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Orange 43.

  Examples of red colorants include bengara, cadmium red, red lead, mercury sulfide, cadmium, permanent red 4R, risor red, pyrazolone red, watching red, calcium salt, lake red C, lake red D, and brilliant carmine 6B. Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Alizarin Lake, Brilliant Carmine 3B, C.I. I. Pigment red 2, C.I. I. Pigment red 3, C.I. I. Pigment red 5, C.I. I. Pigment red 6, C.I. I. Pigment red 7, C.I. I. Pigment red 15, C.I. I. Pigment red 16, C.I. I. Pigment red 48: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 53: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 57: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 122, C.I. I. Pigment red 123, C.I. I. Pigment red 139, C.I. I. Pigment red 144, C.I. I. Pigment red 149, C.I. I. Pigment red 166, C.I. I. Pigment red 177, C.I. I. Pigment red 178, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Red 222.

  Examples of purple colorants include manganese purple, fast violet B, methyl violet lake and the like.

  Examples of blue colorants include bitumen, cobalt blue, alkali blue lake, Victoria blue lake, phthalocyanine blue, metal-free phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine blue partially chlorinated products, first sky blue, induslen blue BC, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 2, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 3, C.I. I. Pigment blue 16, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Blue 60.

  Examples of the green colorant include chrome green, chromium oxide, pigment green B, micalite green lake, final yellow green G, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Green 7.

  Examples of the white colorant include zinc white, titanium oxide, antimony white, and zinc sulfide.

  One colorant can be used alone, or two or more different colorants can be used in combination. Moreover, even if it is the same color, 2 or more types can be used together. The amount of the colorant used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably 5 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

  The toner base particles may contain a charge control agent as an additive. As the charge control agent, a positive charge control agent or a negative charge control agent commonly used in this field can be used. Examples of charge control agents for controlling positive charge include nigrosine dyes, basic dyes, quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, aminopyrines, pyrimidine compounds, polynuclear polyamino compounds, aminosilanes, nigrosine dyes and derivatives thereof, and triphenylmethane. Derivatives, guanidine salts, amidine salts and the like. Charge control agents for controlling negative charges include oil-soluble dyes such as oil black and spiron black, metal-containing azo compounds, azo complex dyes, metal salts of naphthenic acid, salicylic acid and derivatives thereof (metal is a metal) Chromium, zinc, zirconium, etc.), boron compounds, fatty acid soaps, long-chain alkyl carboxylates, resin acid soaps, and the like. A charge control agent can be used individually by 1 type, or can use 2 or more types together as needed. The amount of the charge control agent used is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from a wide range, but is preferably 0.5 to 3 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

  The toner base particles may contain a release agent as an additive. As the release agent, those commonly used in this field can be used, for example, petroleum wax such as paraffin wax and derivatives thereof, microcrystalline wax and derivatives thereof, Fischer-Tropsch wax and derivatives thereof, polyolefin wax (polyethylene wax, polypropylene Wax, etc.) and derivatives thereof, low molecular weight polypropylene wax and derivatives thereof, hydrocarbon-based synthetic waxes such as polyolefin polymer wax (low molecular weight polyethylene wax etc.) and derivatives thereof, carnauba wax and derivatives thereof, rice wax and derivatives thereof, Candelilla wax and its derivatives, plant waxes such as wood wax, animal waxes such as beeswax and whale wax, oils such as fatty acid amides and phenol fatty acid esters System synthetic waxes, long-chain carboxylic acids and their derivatives, long-chain alcohols and derivatives thereof, silicone polymers, higher fatty acids. Derivatives include oxides, block copolymers of vinyl monomers and waxes, graft modified products of vinyl monomers and waxes, and the like. The amount of the wax used is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from a wide range, but is preferably 0.2 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. Particularly preferred is 1.0 to 8.0 parts by weight.

(Toner mother particle adjustment method)
In the preparation of toner base particles by a pulverization method, toner base particle raw materials containing a binder resin, a colorant, and other additives are dry-mixed with a mixer and then melt-kneaded with a kneader. The kneaded material obtained by melt kneading is cooled and solidified, and the solidified material is pulverized by a pulverizer. Thereafter, particle size adjustment such as classification is performed as necessary to obtain toner base particles.

  In dry mixing, a master batch containing a colorant, composite particles containing an additive, or the like may be used. The composite particles can be produced, for example, by mixing two or more additives, an appropriate amount of water, a lower alcohol, and the like, granulating them with a general granulator such as a high speed mill, and drying. By using a master batch, composite particles, and the like, a colorant, an additive, and the like can be uniformly dispersed in the kneaded product.

  Known mixers can be used, such as Henschel mixer (trade name, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.), super mixer (trade name, manufactured by Kawata Co., Ltd.), Mechano Mill (trade name, manufactured by Okada Seiko Co., Ltd.), etc. Henschel type mixing device, ong mill (trade name, manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation), hybridization system (trade name, manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.), Cosmo system (trade name, manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.), and the like.

  As the kneader, a known kneader can be used. For example, a general kneader such as a twin-screw extruder, a three-roller, a lab blast mill, or the like can be used. Specifically, for example, TEM-100B (trade name, manufactured by Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.), PCM-65 / 87 (trade name, manufactured by Ikekai Co., Ltd.), PCM-30 (trade name, manufactured by Ikekai Co., Ltd.), etc. Examples thereof include an open roll type kneader such as a monoaxial or biaxial extruder, and a kneedex (trade name, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.). Among these, an open roll type kneader is preferable.

(Toner mother particles)
The toner base particles preferably have a volume average particle size of 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less. When the volume average particle diameter of the toner base particles is 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less, the toner produced from the toner base particles can stably form a high-definition image over a long period of time. If the volume average particle size of the toner base particles is less than 4 μm, the particle size of the toner particles becomes too small, and the toner becomes highly charged and fluidized. When the toner is highly charged and fluidized, the toner cannot be stably supplied to the photoreceptor, and background fogging, a decrease in image density, and the like occur. If the volume average particle size of the toner base particles exceeds 8 μm, the particle size of the toner particles becomes too large, and the layer thickness of the formed image becomes large, resulting in an image that feels graininess. In addition, if the particle size of the toner particles is too large, a high-definition image cannot be obtained. If the particle size of the toner particles becomes too large, the specific surface area decreases, the toner charge amount becomes small, and if the toner charge amount becomes small, the toner is not stably supplied to the photoreceptor, and the toner is scattered. Inflight contamination will occur.

  Further, when the volume average particle size of the toner base particles is 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less, the toner particles can be reduced in size, so that a high image density can be obtained even if the amount of toner attached to the photoreceptor is small. Therefore, the toner capacity of the developing device can be reduced.

(ii) Preparation of resin fine particles The resin fine particles are used as a coating material for coating the surface of the toner base particles. By coating the toner base particles with resin fine particles, for example, when the toner is stored, aggregation of the toner due to melting of a low melting point release agent contained in the toner base particles can be prevented. Further, since the shape of the resin fine particles remains on the surface of the toner base particles, it is possible to obtain toner particles having excellent cleaning properties as compared with toner particles having a smooth surface.

(Resin fine particle raw material)
Examples of the resin used for the resin fine particles include polyester, acrylic resin, styrene resin, and styrene-acrylic copolymer. The resin fine particles preferably include at least one of an acrylic resin and a styrene-acrylic copolymer among the above resins. An acrylic resin and a styrene-acrylic copolymer have many advantages such as light weight and high strength, high transparency, low cost, and easy to obtain resin fine particles having a uniform particle diameter.

  The resin used for the resin fine particles may be the same type of resin as the binder resin used for the toner base particles, or may be a different type of resin. Different types of resins are preferred. When a different kind of resin is used as the resin used for the resin fine particles, the softening point of the resin used for the resin fine particles is preferably higher than the softening point of the binder resin used for the toner base particles. By using such a softening point resin, it is possible to prevent the toner from fusing together during storage of the toner, and to improve the storage stability of the toner. The softening point of the resin used for the resin fine particles is preferably 80 ° C. or higher and 140 ° C. or lower, although it depends on the image forming apparatus in which the toner is used. By using a resin having a softening point within such a temperature range, a toner having both storage stability and fixing ability can be obtained.

(Method for preparing resin fine particles)
The resin fine particles can be obtained, for example, by finely pulverizing resin fine particle raw materials by emulsifying and dispersing them with a homogenizer or the like. The resin fine particles can also be obtained by polymerization of monomers.

(Resin fine particles)
The volume average particle diameter of the resin fine particles needs to be sufficiently smaller than the volume average particle diameter of the toner base particles. The volume average particle diameter of the resin fine particles is preferably 0.05 μm or more and 1 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.5 μm or less. When the volume average particle diameter of the resin fine particles is 0.05 μm or more and 1 μm or less, a protrusion having a suitable size is formed on the surface of the toner base particles. The protrusions make it easier for toner particles to be caught on the cleaning blade when removing the toner, so that it is possible to improve toner cleaning properties.

(2) Toner Manufacturing Device Prior to the description of the temperature adjustment step S2, the toner manufacturing device 201 used in the temperature adjustment step S2 and the subsequent steps S3 to S5 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 taken along the cutting plane line A200-A200. FIG. 4 is a side view of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201. The toner manufacturing apparatus 201 includes a powder flow path 202, a spray unit 203, a rotary stirring unit 204, a powder input unit 206, a powder recovery unit 207, and a temperature adjustment jacket (not shown).

  The powder flow path 202 has an internal space for flowing toner base particles, resin fine particles, volatile liquid, carrier gas, and the like. The powder flow path 202 includes a stirring chamber 208 and a powder flow part 209.

  The stirring chamber 208 is a substantially cylindrical container-like member having an internal space. In the stirring chamber 208, openings 210 and 211 are formed. The opening 210 is formed so as to penetrate through the wall 208a in the thickness direction at a substantially central portion of the wall 208a, which is one axial wall of the stirring chamber 208. The opening 211 is formed so as to penetrate the wall 208b, which is a wall perpendicular to the wall 208a of the stirring chamber 208, in the thickness direction. Further, a through hole 221 is formed in the stirring chamber 208. The through hole 221 is formed so as to penetrate the wall portion 208c that is a wall portion parallel to the wall portion 208a of the stirring chamber 208 in the thickness direction. In addition, a rotary stirring unit 204 is provided in the stirring chamber 208.

  The rotating stirring unit 204 includes a rotating shaft unit 218, a disk-shaped rotating plate 219, a plurality of stirring blades 220, and a gas discharge unit 222. The rotation shaft portion 218 is a cylindrical rod-shaped member that has an axis line that coincides with the axis line of the stirring chamber 208 and is provided so as to be inserted into the through hole 221 and is rotated around the axis line by a motor (not shown). The rotating shaft portion 218 can rotate at a peripheral speed of 62.5 m / sec or more at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring portion 204. Here, the outermost periphery of the rotating stirring unit 204 is a part of the stirring blade 220 having a maximum distance from the axis of the rotating shaft part 218 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the rotating shaft part 218 extends.

  The rotating shaft 218 is a carrier gas supply unit that supplies a carrier gas into the stirring chamber 208. The rotating shaft portion 218 is provided with a carrier gas supply amount control means (not shown), and can adjust the supply amount of the supplied carrier gas per unit time. Further, the rotary shaft portion 218 is provided with a float type flow meter (not shown), and the supply amount of the carrier gas can be measured. The rotating shaft portion 218 can prevent the toner particles and the like from being discharged out of the powder flow path 202 from the gas discharge portion 222 by sending the carrier gas into the stirring chamber 208. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in toner yield, to prevent toner from flowing into the motor, and to prevent an increase in power consumption due to an increase in load torque, a motor failure, and the like. Compressed air or the like can be used as the carrier gas.

  The rotating disk 219 is a disk-like member that is supported by the rotating shaft part 218 so that its axis line coincides with the axis line of the rotating shaft part 218 and rotates as the rotating shaft part 218 rotates. The plurality of stirring blades 220 are members that are supported by the rotating disk 219 and rotate as the rotating disk 219 rotates. The stirring blade 220 is a rotary stirring unit that applies an impact force to the powder, carrier gas, and the like by rotating and stirring, and causes the powder, carrier gas, and the like to flow in the powder channel 202. As indicated by an arrow 214, the powder and the like flow from the opening 211 to the stirring chamber 208 and from the opening 210 to enter the stirring chamber 208.

  The gas discharge unit 222 is an exhaust unit that discharges the gas in the powder flow path 202. The gas in the powder channel 202 is made of carrier gas, volatile liquid vapor, or the like. By discharging the vapor of the volatile liquid by the gas discharge unit 222, it is possible to increase the drying speed of the volatile liquid in the powder flow path 202 and to prevent the powder from aggregating due to the undried volatile liquid. Further, the gas discharge unit 222 is provided with a gas detector (not shown), and can measure the concentration of the vapor of the volatile liquid in the gas discharged out of the powder flow path 202. A plurality of gas discharge units 222 may be provided.

  The powder flow part 209 is a cylindrical member having an internal space, and one end is connected to the opening 210 and the other end is connected to the opening 211. As a result, the internal space of the stirring chamber 208 and the internal space of the powder flow part 209 are communicated to form the powder flow path 202. The powder flow unit 209 is provided with a spray unit 203, a powder input unit 206, and a powder recovery unit 207.

  The powder input unit 206 includes a hopper (not shown) that supplies toner base particles and resin fine particles, a supply pipe 212 that communicates the hopper and the powder flow path 202, and an electromagnetic valve 213 provided in the supply pipe 212. The toner base particles and resin fine particles supplied from the hopper are supplied to the powder flow path 202 through the supply pipe 212 in a state where the flow path in the supply pipe 212 is opened by the electromagnetic valve 213. The toner base particles and the resin fine particles supplied to the powder flow path 202 flow in the flow direction indicated by an arrow 214 by stirring by the rotary stirring unit 204. Further, when the flow path in the supply pipe 212 is closed by the electromagnetic valve 213, the toner base particles and the resin fine particles are not supplied to the powder flow path 202.

  The powder recovery unit 207 includes a recovery tank 215, a recovery pipe 216 that communicates the recovery tank 215 and the powder flow path 202, and an electromagnetic valve 217 provided in the recovery pipe 216. In a state where the flow path in the collection pipe 216 is opened by the electromagnetic valve 217, the toner particles flowing in the powder flow path 202 are collected in the collection tank 215 through the collection pipe 216. In addition, when the flow path in the collection pipe 216 is closed by the electromagnetic valve 217, the toner particles flowing in the powder flow path 202 are not collected.

  The spray unit 203 is spray means provided near the opening 211 of the powder flow unit 209. The spray unit 203 includes a liquid storage unit (not shown), a carrier gas supply unit (not shown), a two-fluid nozzle 205, and a spray amount control unit (not shown).

  The carrier gas supply unit is a carrier gas supply unit that supplies a carrier gas into the powder flow unit 209. The carrier gas supply unit is provided with a float-type flow meter (not shown), and the supply amount of the carrier gas can be measured.

  The liquid storage unit stores a volatile liquid. The liquid storage unit includes a liquid feed pump (not shown), and sends a volatile liquid of a set amount to the two-fluid nozzle 205.

  The volatile liquid stored in the liquid storage unit softens the resin fine particles. The volatile liquid preferably does not dissolve the toner base particles and the resin fine particles. Further, the volatile liquid that softens and does not dissolve the resin fine particles is not particularly limited, but is preferably a volatile liquid that is more easily evaporated because it is removed after spraying the volatile liquid.

  The two-fluid nozzle 205 is provided so as to be inserted into an opening formed in the outer wall of the powder channel 202, mixes a volatile liquid and a carrier gas, and sprays the mixture into the powder channel 202. It is preferable that the angle θ formed between the spray direction of the volatile liquid from the two-fluid nozzle 205 and the flow direction of the powder is 0 ° or more and 45 ° or less. Here, the spray direction of the volatile liquid is the direction of the axis of the two-fluid nozzle 205. When the angle θ is within such a range, the droplet of the volatile liquid is prevented from recoiling at the inner wall of the powder flow path 202, and the toner base particle (toner particle) having the resin fine particle layer formed on the surface thereof. The yield of can be further improved. When the angle θ exceeds 45 °, the droplets of the volatile liquid are likely to recoil on the inner wall of the powder flow path 202, so that the volatile liquid is likely to stay and the toner mother particles are aggregated. Yield decreases. More preferably, the two-fluid nozzle 205 is provided so that the angle θ = 0 °, that is, the flow direction of the powder and the spray direction of the volatile liquid are parallel to each other. As a result, the spray droplets from the spray unit 203 flow in the same direction as the powder, so that recoil is further suppressed.

  Further, the spray spreading angle φ by the two-fluid nozzle 205 is preferably 20 ° or more and 90 ° or less. When the spread angle φ is out of this range, it becomes difficult to uniformly spray the volatile liquid onto the toner base particles.

  The spray amount control means adjusts the spray amount per unit time of the volatile liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit and the supply amount per unit time of the carrier gas supplied from the carrier gas supply unit.

  The temperature adjusting jacket is provided on at least a part of the wall of the powder flow path 202. The temperature adjusting jacket is provided on the outer wall surface of the wall of the powder flow path 202, and the temperature inside the powder flow path 202 is adjusted to be constant by passing a cooling medium or a heating medium through the space inside the jacket. Prevent adhesion of mother particles. The temperature adjusting jacket is preferably provided in a portion of the wall portion of the powder flow path 202 where the toner base particles are likely to adhere.

  For example, the temperature adjusting jacket is provided in a portion of the wall of the powder flow part 209 downstream of the spray part 203 in the flow direction. By providing such a temperature adjustment jacket, it is possible to prevent the sprayed volatile liquid from staying without being dried, so that the toner base particle powder flow path 202 caused by the staying volatile liquid can be prevented. Adhesion to the wall surface and aggregation of toner base particles can be prevented. The temperature adjusting jacket is provided in the vicinity of the opening 210 of the wall of the stirring chamber 208. By providing the temperature adjustment jacket in this way, the opening 210 of the toner base particles due to the collision between the toner base particles flowing into the stirring chamber 208 from the opening 210 and the toner base particles flowing in the stirring chamber 208 is provided. Adhesion to the vicinity can be prevented. Furthermore, the temperature adjusting jacket is preferably provided on the entire wall portion of the powder flow portion 209 and the wall portion of the stirring chamber 208, and more preferably on the entire wall portion of the powder passage 202. By providing such a temperature adjustment jacket, it is possible to more reliably prevent the toner base particles from adhering to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202.

  The toner manufacturing apparatus 201 as described above can also be obtained by combining a commercially available stirring apparatus and a spraying apparatus. As a commercially available stirring apparatus provided with a powder flow path and a rotary stirring part, for example, a hybridization system (trade name, manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.) and the like can be mentioned. By attaching a spraying device for spraying a volatile liquid to such a stirring device, the toner manufacturing device 201 used in the toner manufacturing method according to the present invention can be obtained.

(3) Temperature adjustment step S2
In the temperature adjustment step S2, the temperature in the powder passage 202 is adjusted to the initial temperature in the powder flow step S3 while rotating the rotary stirring unit 204. The temperature in the powder passage 202 is adjusted by passing a temperature adjustment medium such as water through a temperature adjustment jacket provided on the outer wall surface of the wall of the powder passage 202. The time required for the temperature adjustment step S2 is 1 to 3 minutes, and the temperature in the powder flow path 202 is adjusted to 15 ° C. to 30 ° C. by the temperature adjustment jacket.

(4) Powder flow process S3
When the temperature adjustment step S2 is completed, the powder flow step S3 is started. In the powder flow step S3, the toner base particles and the resin fine particles are supplied from the powder input unit 206 to the powder flow path 202, and the rotary stirring unit 204 is rotated. The toner base particles and resin fine particles supplied to the powder flow path 202 are stirred by the rotary stirring unit 204 and flow in the direction indicated by the arrow 214 through the powder flow unit 209. The toner base particles flow together with the resin fine particles, so that the resin fine particles adhere to the surface. The time required for the powder flow step S3 is 5 minutes to 15 minutes, and the temperature in the powder flow path 202 is adjusted to 30 ° C. to 60 ° C. by the temperature adjustment jacket.

(5) Spraying step S4
When the powder flow step S3 is completed, the spraying step S4 is started. In the spraying step S4, first, the volatile liquid is sprayed from the spray unit 203 while rotating the rotary stirring unit 204. During the spraying of the volatile liquid, the carrier gas is supplied from the spray unit 203 and the rotating shaft unit 218 into the powder channel 202. At this time, the carrier gas supply amount control means and the spray amount control means set the supply amount per unit time of the carrier gas supplied by the rotary shaft portion 218 in the spraying step S4 to Fa [L / min], and the spraying unit 203 in the spraying step S4. Fb [L / min] is the supply amount per unit time of the carrier gas supplied by, and Fc [mL / min] is the spray amount per unit time of the volatile liquid sprayed by the spray unit 203 during spraying of the volatile liquid. Sometimes, the relationship of Fa, Fb, and Fc is expressed by the following formula (1)
12 ≦ (Fa + Fb) / Fc ≦ 100 (1)
The carrier gas supply amount and the volatile liquid spray amount are adjusted so as to satisfy the above.

Further, the spray amount control means has a relationship between Wt and Fc, when the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles in the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 is Wt [g]
440 ≦ Wt / Fc ≦ 3300 (2)
The volatile liquid spray amount is adjusted so as to satisfy

  The toner base particles and the resin fine particles are sprayed from the spray unit 203 while the powder flow part 209 is flowing, so that the volatile liquid adheres to the respective surfaces. As a result, the toner base particles and the resin fine particles are softened. The resin fine particles are further softened by a synergistic effect of the volatile liquid and the thermal energy applied by the flow in the powder flow path 202 and the stirring by the rotary stirring unit 204 to form a continuous film on the surface of the toner base particles. A resin fine particle layer is formed on the surface of the toner base particles.

  The carrier gas supplied from the spray unit 203 and the rotating shaft unit 218 is discharged out of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 from the gas discharge unit 222. At this time, the vapor of the volatile liquid is also discharged out of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 together with the carrier gas. It is preferable that the carrier gas supply amount from the spray unit 203 and the rotating shaft unit 218 and the carrier gas discharge amount from the gas discharge unit 222 are substantially the same. If the carrier gas discharge amount is too small compared to the carrier gas supply amount, the vapor concentration of the volatile liquid in the gas existing in the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 will increase excessively, and the evaporation of the volatile liquid will not proceed. Aggregation of toner mother particles and resin fine particles occurs, or toner mother particles or resin fine particles adhere to a volatile liquid adhering to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202, and other particles are deposited using the adhering particles as nuclei. Or the yield will decrease. Further, the deposition of the particles narrows the flow path for other particles to flow and prevents the isolated flow of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles, so that the thickness of the resin fine particle layer becomes non-uniform. On the other hand, if the carrier gas discharge amount is too large compared to the carrier gas supply amount, the powder outflow from the gas discharge unit 222 to the outside of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 becomes significant, and the yield decreases. In addition, powder flows into the rotating shaft portion 218, which increases the load on the motor and the power consumption.

  In the spraying step S4, when the amount of volatile liquid necessary for forming the resin fine particle layer is sprayed, the spraying of the volatile liquid from the spraying unit 203 is finished, and the rotary stirring unit 204 is continuously rotated for a predetermined time, so that the toner base particles The resin fine particles are repeatedly circulated in the powder flow path 202.

  In the spraying step S4, the rotation of the rotary stirring unit 204 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of spraying. In the spraying step S4, the time required for spraying the volatile liquid is 10 minutes to 45 minutes, and the predetermined time is 5 minutes to 15 minutes. Moreover, the temperature in the powder flow path 202 in spraying process S4 is adjusted to 40 to 60 degreeC with the temperature adjustment jacket.

  The temperature in the powder flow path 202 is preferably not higher than the glass transition point of the toner base particles, and more preferably not lower than 30 ° C. and not higher than the glass transition point of the toner base particles. The temperature in the powder channel 202 becomes substantially uniform in any part in the powder channel 202 due to the flow of the toner base particles. When the temperature in the powder flow path 202 exceeds the glass transition point of the toner base particles, the toner base particles are excessively softened in the powder flow path 202 and aggregation of the toner base particles occurs. On the other hand, if the temperature in the powder flow path 202 is lower than 30 ° C., the drying speed of the volatile liquid is slowed and the productivity is lowered.

(6) Recovery step S5
When the spraying step S4 is completed, the collecting step S5 is started. In the collecting step S5, the toner collecting particles (toner particles) having the resin fine particle layer formed on the surface are discharged out of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 and collected by the powder collecting unit 207. The time required for the recovery step S5 is 1 to 2 minutes, and the temperature in the powder flow path 202 is adjusted to 30 ° C. to 50 ° C. by the temperature adjustment jacket.

  According to the toner manufacturing process as described above, since the resin fine particles are crushed before the spraying step S4 in the powder flow step S3, the pulverized resin fine particles are adhered to the surface of the toner base particles. Thereafter, the resin fine particles are spread by spraying the volatile liquid, so that the layer thickness of the resin fine particle layer can be made uniform and the exposure of the toner mother particle surface can be prevented.

  When a volatile liquid is sprayed on the toner base particles and resin fine particles without pulverizing the resin fine particle aggregates to form a resin fine particle layer, the aggregated resin fine particles adhere to the surface of the toner base particles and form a film. Therefore, a resin fine particle layer having a non-uniform layer thickness is formed.

  Further, according to the toner manufacturing process, since an appropriate amount of volatile liquid is sprayed with respect to the amount of carrier gas supplied into the toner manufacturing apparatus 201, the resin fine particles can be softened moderately and volatile. The temperature increase of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles can be prevented by the evaporation of the liquid. Further, since an appropriate amount of the volatile liquid is sprayed with respect to the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles, the resin fine particles can be appropriately softened. Therefore, a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness is formed on the surface of the toner base particles, and an aggregate is formed by the toner base particles and the resin fine particles, and the toner base particles and the resin fine particles adhere to the inner wall surface of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201. Thus, the toner can be manufactured.

  When (Fa + Fb) / Fc is less than 12, a large amount of volatile liquid adheres to the surface of the toner base particles, so that the softened toner base particles are fused and aggregated. On the other hand, when (Fa + Fb) / Fc exceeds 100, the temperature of the toner base particles increases due to the lack of volatile liquid, and the toner base particles aggregate. In addition, since the resin fine particles are not sufficiently softened, a part of the surface of the toner base particles is exposed, or a large amount of the resin fine particles adhere to a part of the surface of the toner base particles. The layer thickness becomes non-uniform. When Wt / L is less than 440, a large amount of volatile liquid adheres to the surface of the toner base particles, so that the softened toner base particles are fused and aggregated. On the other hand, if Wt / L exceeds 3300, the resin fine particles are not sufficiently softened, so that the layer thickness of the resin fine particle layer becomes non-uniform.

  In the toner manufacturing process, the volatile liquid preferably contains a lower alcohol. Examples of the lower alcohol include methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and the like. The content of these lower alcohols is preferably 90% or more with respect to the entire volatile liquid in order to evaporate sufficiently quickly and sufficiently soften the resin fine particles. By using the volatile liquid containing these lower alcohols, the wettability of the resin fine particles to the toner base particles can be improved, and the resin fine particles are adhered to the entire surface or most of the toner mother particles, and further deformed and formed into a film. It becomes easy. Further, since alcohol has a high drying rate, the time required for removing the volatile liquid can be further shortened, and aggregation of the toner base particles can be suppressed. In addition, since the volatile liquid containing alcohol is difficult to dissolve the resin, dissolution of the toner base particles can be suppressed.

  Further, as the lower alcohol, it is preferable to select an alcohol having a boiling point within ± 20 ° C. of the glass transition point of the resin fine particles. When the boiling point of the alcohol contained in the volatile liquid is within the range of the glass transition point of the resin fine particles ± 20 ° C., the alcohol quickly evaporates in the vicinity of the glass transition point of the resin fine particles, which increases the temperature of the resin fine particles. Can be suppressed.

  The viscosity of the volatile liquid is preferably 5 cP or less. Here, the viscosity of the volatile liquid is a value measured at 25 ° C. The viscosity of the volatile liquid can be measured by, for example, a cone plate type rotary viscometer. Preferred examples of the volatile liquid having a viscosity of 5 cP or less include the above alcohols (methanol, ethanol, etc.). Since these alcohols have a low viscosity and are easy to evaporate, the spray droplet diameter by the spray unit 203 is not coarsened and fine spraying is possible. As a result, the volatile liquid can be sprayed with a uniform droplet diameter. Further, the droplets can be further miniaturized by the collision between the toner base particles and the droplets. As a result, the surface of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles are uniformly wetted and adapted, and the resin fine particles can be softened by the synergistic effect of the volatile liquid and the collision energy. Can be manufactured.

  Therefore, if a volatile liquid containing alcohol is used, a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness is formed on the surface of the toner base particles, and the generation of aggregates due to the toner base particles and the resin fine particles, and the toner base particles and The toner can be manufactured while suppressing adhesion of the resin fine particles to the inner wall surface of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201.

  In the toner manufacturing process, the vapor concentration of the volatile liquid in the gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 during spraying of the volatile liquid is 0.2 [vol%] or more and 3 [vol%] or less. It is preferable. When the concentration of the volatile liquid vapor is within this range, the toner base particles and the resin fine particles can be sufficiently softened, whereby a toner in which a resin fine particle layer having a more uniform layer thickness is formed can be produced. Since the volatile liquid is sufficiently dried, the aggregation of the powders and the adhesion of the powder to the inner wall surface of the powder channel 202 can be suppressed, and the toner can be manufactured with a higher yield. .

  When the concentration of vapor of the volatile liquid is less than 0.2 [vol%], the volatile liquid sufficient for softening the resin fine particles does not exist in the powder flow path 202, and thus the resin having a non-uniform layer thickness. A fine particle layer is formed, which causes a reduction in heat resistance of the toner. When the concentration of vapor of the volatile liquid exceeds 3 [vol%], the volatile liquid is insufficiently dried and remains attached to the inner wall surface of the powder and the powder flow path 202. Aggregation of the particles and adhesion of the powder to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202 occur, and the yield decreases.

Further, in the powder flow path 202 of the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 used in the toner manufacturing process, when the volume of the stirring chamber 208 is V1 and the volume of the powder flow-through portion 209 is V2, the relationship between V1 and V2 is as follows: (3)
0.2 ≦ V2 / V1 ≦ 0.4 (3)
It is preferable to be formed so as to satisfy the above. Here, V1 is obtained by removing the volume of the other member provided in the stirring chamber 208 from the volume of the internal space of the stirring chamber 208, and V2 is the powder from the volume of the internal space of the powder flow part 209. The volume of the other member provided in the body flow part 209 is excluded. By optimizing the volume ratio V2 / V1 in this way, the flow rate of the carrier gas in the powder flow part 209 can be optimized, thereby allowing the powder to pass through the powder flow part 209 at an appropriate ratio. be able to. As a result, the volatile liquid appropriately adheres to the toner base particles and the resin fine particles, so that a resin fine particle layer having a more uniform layer thickness can be formed, and the powder agglomeration and the powder flow path 202 can be formed. The adhesion of the powder to the inner wall surface can be suppressed, and the toner can be produced with a higher yield.

  When the volume of the powder flow part 209 is relatively small, the flow rate of the carrier gas in the powder flow part 209 is not sufficiently large, and the powder adheres to the inner wall surface of the powder flow part 209. Occurs. As a result, the yield is lowered and the flow of the powder into the powder flow-through section 209 is restricted, so that the volatile liquid spray is not sufficiently performed on the resin fine particles, and the resin fine particles having a non-uniform layer thickness A layer is formed. On the other hand, when the volume of the powder flow part 209 is relatively large, the flow rate of the carrier gas in the powder flow part 209 becomes too large, and the flow of powder into the powder flow part 209 is dominant. As a result, the impact force by the rotary stirring unit 204 is not sufficiently applied to the powder. As a result, resin fine particles are not crushed and a resin fine particle layer having a non-uniform thickness is formed, and the powder repeatedly collides with the inner wall surface of the powder flow portion 209 at an excessive flow rate. The body temperature rises and powder agglomeration occurs.

In the toner manufacturing process, when the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles in the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 is Wt [g], the relationship between Wt, V1, and V2 is expressed by the following formula (4).
1275 ≦ Wt / (V2 / V1) ≦ 3300 (4)
Is preferably satisfied. Thus, by optimizing the total weight of the powder with respect to the volume ratio V2 / V1, it is possible to optimize the amount of the powder with respect to the flow rate of the carrier gas, thereby allowing the powder to flow in an isolated state. Therefore, a resin fine particle layer having a more uniform layer thickness can be formed, and a toner can be produced with a higher yield.

  If Wt / (V2 / V1) is less than 1275, the amount of powder becomes too small with respect to the flow rate of the carrier gas, and powder flows into the powder flow portion 209, so that rotation occurs. The impact force by the stirring unit 204 is not sufficiently applied to the powder. On the other hand, when Wt / (V2 / V1) exceeds 3300, the amount of powder becomes excessive with respect to the flow rate of the carrier gas, and the powder adheres to the inlet of the powder flow portion 209, resulting in yield. In addition, the flow of powder into the powder flow portion 209 becomes too small, so that the volatile liquid spray on the resin fine particles is not sufficiently performed, and a resin fine particle layer having a non-uniform layer thickness is formed. Will be.

  In the toner manufacturing process, the peripheral speed of the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 is preferably 62.5 m / sec or more and 100 m / sec or less. When the outermost peripheral speed is within this range, a sufficient impact force can be applied to the powder, and a resin fine particle layer with a more uniform layer thickness can be formed, and an excessive impact force is not applied. The amount of heat generated by the collision between the portion 204 and the powder can be suppressed below a certain level, and the aggregation of particles and the adhesion of the powder to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202 can be suppressed.

  When the peripheral speed of the outermost periphery is less than 62.5 m / sec, the impact force necessary for crushing is not sufficiently applied to the aggregates of the resin fine particles, and the aggregates of the resin fine particles adhere to the toner base particles. Since the fine particle layer is formed, the layer thickness of the resin fine particle layer becomes non-uniform. On the other hand, when the peripheral speed of the outermost periphery exceeds 100 m / sec, the impact force on the powder becomes excessive, and an excessive amount of heat is generated in the powder due to the collision. Adhesion of the powder occurs.

  In this embodiment, the temperature adjustment step S2 can be performed to make the temperature in the powder flow path 202 suitable before the powder flow step S3, and the toner mother after the powder flow step S3. It is possible to further suppress adhesion of particles and resin fine particles to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202, and to form a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness.

  In the present embodiment, toner is manufactured using the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 including a temperature adjusting jacket. Therefore, the heating medium or the cooling medium is passed through the jacket, so that the temperature can be increased during each step S2 to S5. Adjustments can be made.

  Specifically, in the powder flow step S3, by adjusting the inside of the powder flow path 202 to a predetermined temperature, the resin fine particles adhere to the surface of the toner base particles at a temperature at which the toner base particles and the resin fine particles are not softened and deformed. The resin fine particles can be smoothly adhered to the toner base particles, and a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness can be formed in the subsequent spraying step S4. Further, by adjusting the temperature, the adhesion of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202 can be suppressed, and the inside of the powder flow path 202 is narrowed by the toner base particles and the resin fine particles. It can also be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to produce a toner having excellent cleaning properties in which a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness is formed on the surface of the toner base particles with a high yield.

  Specifically, in the spraying step S4, by adjusting the inside of the powder flow path 202 to a predetermined temperature, the temperature of the toner base particles, the resin fine particles, and the volatile liquid is less varied with time. The toner base particles and the resin fine particles can be made to flow stably. Further, by adjusting the temperature, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles to the inner wall surface of the powder channel 202 due to an excessive temperature rise, and the volatile liquid is contained in the powder channel 202. It is also possible to prevent toner mother particles and resin fine particles from adhering to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202 due to the stay and narrowing of the powder flow path 202 due to this. Therefore, it is possible to produce a toner having excellent cleaning properties in which a resin fine particle layer having a uniform layer thickness is formed on the surface of the toner base particles with a high yield.

  As another embodiment, a temperature adjustment step S6 may be provided between the powder flow step S3 and the spraying step S4, separately from the temperature adjustment step S2. That is, in another embodiment, after the powder flow step S3 is performed in the toner manufacturing apparatus 201, the toner base particles having the resin fine particles attached to the surface are recovered, and the recovered toner base particles are already in the temperature adjustment step S6. The spraying step S4 is performed by moving to another toner manufacturing apparatus whose temperature is adjusted. Alternatively, in another embodiment, after the powder flow step S3 is performed in the toner manufacturing apparatus 201, the toner mother particles having the resin fine particles attached to the surface are recovered, and after the recovery, the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 is in the temperature adjustment process S6. After the temperature adjustment, the toner mother particles are returned to the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 and the spraying step S4 is performed.

  As described above, by adjusting the temperature of the toner manufacturing apparatus as the previous stage of the powder flow process S3 and the spraying process S4, each process can be started at the optimum temperature for each process, and thus more uniform. A highly reliable resin film can be formed.

  Specifically, by adjusting the temperature before the powder flow step S3, it is possible to suppress a rapid temperature rise due to the crushing of the resin fine particles, and to form a non-uniform resin fine particle layer accompanying the softening of the resin fine particles. Can be prevented, and powder agglomeration and powder adhesion to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202 can be more effectively suppressed. Specifically, by adjusting the temperature before the spraying step S4, excessive softening of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles can be prevented, and the powder is aggregated and applied to the inner wall surface of the powder flow path 202. The adhesion of powder can be suppressed more effectively.

2. Toner The toner according to the present invention is obtained by the toner manufacturing method according to the present invention. As an embodiment of the toner according to the present invention, a toner obtained by the above-described toner manufacturing process may be mentioned.

  In the toner obtained by the toner production process, a resin fine particle layer is sufficiently formed on the surface of the toner particles, whereby the encapsulated components of the toner particles are protected, and the durability and storage stability are excellent. In addition, since the toner has a uniform resin fine particle adhesion amount between the individual toner particles, the toner characteristics such as charging characteristics are uniform between the individual toner particles. Therefore, when this toner is used, a high-definition and good-quality image with no density unevenness can be formed over a long period of time.

  The toner may be one to which an external additive is added. Known external additives can be used, and examples thereof include silica and titanium oxide. These external additives are preferably surface-treated with a silicone resin, a silane coupling agent or the like. The amount of the external additive used is preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the toner.

  The toner described above can be used as a one-component developer composed only of toner. When this toner is used as a one-component developer, the toner is conveyed by triboelectric charging using a blade, a fur brush, or the like and adhering onto the developing sleeve to form an image.

3. Two-Component Developer The two-component developer according to the present invention includes the toner according to the present invention and a carrier. As an embodiment of the two-component developer according to the present invention, one containing the above-described toner and a known carrier can be mentioned. According to such a two-component developer, it is possible to form a high-definition and good-quality image without density unevenness over a long period of time.

  Known carriers include, for example, a single or composite ferrite composed of iron, copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, manganese, chromium, etc., a resin-coated carrier in which carrier core particles are coated with a coating material, and particles having magnetism in the resin. Examples thereof include a dispersed resin-dispersed carrier. Known coating materials can be used, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, monochlorotrifluoroethylene polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, silicone resin, polyester resin, metal compound of ditertiary butylsalicylic acid, styrene resin, acrylic resin , Polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, nigrosine, aminoacrylate resin, basic dye, basic dye lake, silica fine powder, alumina fine powder, and the like. The resin used for the resin-dispersed carrier is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include styrene acrylic resin, polyester resin, fluorine resin, and phenol resin. Any resin is preferably selected according to the toner component, and one kind can be used alone, or two or more kinds can be used in combination.

The shape of the carrier is preferably a spherical shape or a flat shape. Further, the particle size of the carrier is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 μm to 100 μm, more preferably 20 μm to 50 μm in view of high image quality. Further, the resistivity of the carrier is preferably 10 ⁸ Ω · cm or more, more preferably 10 ¹² Ω · cm or more. The carrier resistivity is determined by putting the carrier in a container having a cross-sectional area of 0.50 cm ² and tapping it, then applying a load of 1 kg / cm ² to the particles packed in the container and placing the load between the load and the bottom electrode. This is a value obtained by reading a current value when a voltage generating an electric field of 1000 V / cm is applied. When the resistivity is low, when a bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve, charges are injected into the carrier, and carrier particles easily adhere to the photoreceptor. Also, breakdown of the bias voltage is likely to occur.

  The magnetization strength (maximum magnetization) of the carrier is preferably 10 emu / g to 60 emu / g, more preferably 15 emu / g to 40 emu / g. Although the magnetization strength depends on the magnetic flux density of the developing roller, under the general magnetic flux density conditions of the developing roller, if it is less than 10 emu / g, the magnetic binding force does not work, causing carrier scattering. End up. In addition, when the magnetization strength exceeds 60 emu / g, carrier spikes become too high, so that it is difficult to maintain a non-contact state with the image carrier in the case of non-contact development, and in the case of contact development. A sweep is likely to appear in the toner image.

The use ratio of the toner and the carrier is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the kind of the toner and the carrier. However, when a resin-coated carrier (density 5 g / cm ^{2 to} 8 g / cm ² ) is taken as an example, two-component development is performed. The toner is used so that the toner is contained in 2% to 30% by weight, preferably 2% to 20% by weight of the total amount of the two-component developer. In the two-component developer, the carrier coverage with the toner is preferably 40% to 80%.

4. Developing Device and Image Forming Apparatus The developing device according to the present invention performs development using the one-component developer containing the toner according to the present invention or the two-component developer according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the developing device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a cross section of an image forming apparatus 100 which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a developing device 14 that is an embodiment of the developing device according to the present invention. The developing device 14 will be described later.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device having both a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function, and forms a full-color or monochrome image on a recording medium according to transmitted image information. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 has three types of printing modes, ie, a copier mode (copy mode), a printer mode, and a facsimile mode, and an operation input from an operation unit (not shown), a personal computer, a portable terminal device, information A print mode is selected by a control unit (not shown) in response to reception of a print job from an external device using a recording storage medium or a memory device. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a toner image forming unit 2, a transfer unit 3, a fixing unit 4, a recording medium supply unit 5, and a discharge unit 6. Each member constituting the toner image forming unit 2 and some members included in the transfer unit 3 are black (b), cyan (c), magenta (m), and yellow (y) included in the color image information. In order to correspond to the image information of each color, four each are provided. As described above, each member provided by four according to each color is distinguished by attaching an alphabet representing each color to the end of the reference symbol. Moreover, when naming generically about each member, an alphabet is not attached | subjected to the end of a reference code.

  The toner image forming unit 2 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging unit 12, an exposure unit 13, a developing device 14, and a cleaning unit 15. The charging unit 12, the developing device 14, and the cleaning unit 15 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 11 in this order. The charging unit 12 is disposed below the developing device 14 and the cleaning unit 15 in the vertical direction.

  The photosensitive drum 11 is supported by a driving unit (not shown) so as to be rotatable around an axis, and includes a conductive substrate (not shown) and a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of the conductive substrate. The conductive substrate can take various shapes, and examples thereof include a cylindrical shape, a columnar shape, and a thin film sheet shape. Among these, a cylindrical shape is preferable. The conductive substrate is formed of a conductive material. As the conductive material, those commonly used in this field can be used, for example, aluminum, copper, brass, zinc, nickel, stainless steel, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, indium, titanium, gold, platinum and other metals, these A conductive layer made of one or more of aluminum, aluminum alloy, tin oxide, gold, indium oxide and the like is formed on a film-like substrate such as two or more alloys, synthetic resin film, metal film, paper, etc. And a resin composition containing at least one of a conductive film, conductive particles, and a conductive polymer. In addition, as a film-form base | substrate used for an electroconductive film, a synthetic resin film is preferable and a polyester film is especially preferable. Moreover, as a formation method of the electroconductive layer in an electroconductive film, vapor deposition, application | coating, etc. are preferable.

  The photosensitive layer is formed, for example, by laminating a charge generation layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport layer containing a charge transport material. In that case, it is preferable to provide an undercoat layer between the conductive substrate and the charge generation layer or the charge transport layer. By providing an undercoat layer, scratches and irregularities present on the surface of the conductive substrate are covered, the surface of the photosensitive layer is smoothed, and deterioration of the chargeability of the photosensitive layer during repeated use is prevented. The effect of improving the charging characteristics of the photosensitive layer in at least one of the above environments can be obtained. Further, a laminated photoreceptor having a three-layer structure having a large durability and having a photoreceptor surface protective layer as the uppermost layer may be used.

  The charge generation layer is mainly composed of a charge generation material that generates a charge when irradiated with light, and contains a known binder resin, plasticizer, sensitizer and the like as necessary. As the charge generation material, those commonly used in this field can be used, for example, perylene pigments such as perylene imide and perylene acid anhydride, polycyclic quinone pigments such as quinacridone and anthraquinone, metal and metal-free phthalocyanines, and halogenated compounds. Phthalocyanine pigments such as metal-free phthalocyanine, squalium dye, azulenium dye, thiapyrylium dye, carbazole skeleton, styryl stilbene skeleton, triphenylamine skeleton, dibenzothiophene skeleton, oxadiazole skeleton, fluorenone skeleton, bis stilbene skeleton, distyryl oxa Examples include azo pigments having a diazole skeleton or a distyrylcarbazole skeleton. Among these, metal-free phthalocyanine pigments, oxotitanyl phthalocyanine pigments, bisazo pigments containing at least one of a fluorene ring and a fluorenone ring, bisazo pigments composed of aromatic amines, trisazo pigments, etc. have high charge generation ability and high sensitivity. It is suitable for obtaining a photosensitive layer. One type of charge generating material can be used alone, or two or more types can be used in combination. The content of the charge generation material is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 parts by weight to 500 parts by weight, more preferably 10 parts by weight to 200 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin in the charge generation layer. As the binder resin for the charge generation layer, those commonly used in this field can be used. For example, melamine resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyurethane, acrylic resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, polycarbonate, phenoxy resin , Polyvinyl butyral, polyarylate, polyamide, polyester and the like. Binder resin can be used individually by 1 type, or can use 2 or more types together as needed.

  The charge generation layer is prepared by dissolving or dispersing appropriate amounts of a charge generation material, a binder resin, and, if necessary, a plasticizer and a sensitizer in an appropriate organic solvent capable of dissolving or dispersing these components. It can be formed by preparing a generation layer coating solution, applying the charge generation layer coating solution to the surface of the conductive substrate, and drying. The film thickness of the charge generation layer thus obtained is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 μm to 5 μm, more preferably 0.1 μm to 2.5 μm.

  The charge transport layer laminated on the charge generation layer has a charge transport material having the ability to accept and transport the charge generated from the charge generation material and a binder resin for the charge transport layer as essential components. Contains known antioxidants, plasticizers, sensitizers, lubricants and the like. As the charge transport material, those commonly used in this field can be used, for example, poly-N-vinylcarbazole and derivatives thereof, poly-γ-carbazolylethyl glutamate and derivatives thereof, pyrene-formaldehyde condensation product and derivatives thereof, Polyvinylpyrene, polyvinylphenanthrene, oxazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, 9- (p-diethylaminostyryl) anthracene, 1,1-bis (4-dibenzylaminophenyl) propane, styrylanthracene, styrylpyrazoline, pyrazoline Derivatives, phenylhydrazones, hydrazone derivatives, triphenylamine compounds, tetraphenyldiamine compounds, triphenylmethane compounds, stilbene compounds, 3-methyl-2-benzothiazoline -Donating substances such as azine compounds, fluorenone derivatives, dibenzothiophene derivatives, indenothiophene derivatives, phenanthrenequinone derivatives, indenopyridine derivatives, thioxanthone derivatives, benzo [c] cinnoline derivatives, phenazine oxide derivatives, tetracyano Examples include electron-accepting substances such as ethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, promanyl, chloranil, and benzoquinone. One charge transport material can be used alone, or two or more charge transport materials can be used in combination. The content of the charge transport material is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 parts by weight to 300 parts by weight, more preferably 30 parts by weight to 150 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin in the charge transport material. As the binder resin for the charge transport layer, those commonly used in this field and capable of uniformly dispersing the charge transport material can be used. For example, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyvinyl butyral, polyamide, polyester, polyketone, epoxy resin, polyurethane , Polyvinyl ketone, polystyrene, polyacrylamide, phenol resin, phenoxy resin, polysulfone resin, and copolymer resins thereof. Among these, in consideration of film formability, wear resistance of the resulting charge transport layer, electrical characteristics, etc., polycarbonate containing bisphenol Z as a monomer component (hereinafter referred to as “bisphenol Z type polycarbonate”), bisphenol Z type polycarbonate And a mixture of the same with other polycarbonates are preferred. Binder resin can be used individually by 1 type, or can use 2 or more types together.

  The charge transport layer preferably contains an antioxidant together with the charge transport material and the binder resin for the charge transport layer. As the antioxidant, those commonly used in this field can be used, and examples thereof include vitamin E, hydroquinone, hindered amine, hindered phenol, paraphenylenediamine, arylalkane and derivatives thereof, organic sulfur compounds, and organic phosphorus compounds. It is done. One antioxidant can be used alone, or two or more antioxidants can be used in combination. The content of the antioxidant is not particularly limited, but is 0.01% to 10% by weight, preferably 0.05% to 5% by weight, based on the total amount of components constituting the charge transport layer. The charge transport layer is prepared by dissolving a suitable amount of a charge transport material and a binder resin, and, if necessary, an antioxidant, a plasticizer, a sensitizer, etc. in an appropriate organic solvent capable of dissolving or dispersing these components. It can be formed by dispersing to prepare a charge transport layer coating solution, applying the charge transport layer coating solution to the surface of the charge generation layer, and drying. The thickness of the charge generation layer thus obtained is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 μm to 50 μm, more preferably 15 μm to 40 μm. Note that a photosensitive layer in which a charge generation material and a charge transport material are present can be formed in one layer. In that case, the type, content, type of binder resin, other additives, and the like of the charge generation material and the charge transport material may be the same as when the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer are formed separately.

  In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum formed with the organic photosensitive layer using the charge generation material and the charge transport material as described above is used, but instead, an inorganic photosensitive layer using silicon or the like is formed. A photosensitive drum can be used.

  The charging unit 12 faces the photosensitive drum 11 and is arranged so as to be separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 11 with a gap, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 has a predetermined polarity and Charge to potential. The charging unit 12 can be a charging brush type charger, a charger type charger, a sawtooth type charger, an ion generator, or the like. In the present embodiment, the charging unit 12 is provided so as to be separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, but is not limited thereto. For example, a charging roller may be used as the charging unit 12, and the charging roller may be disposed so that the charging roller and the photosensitive drum are in pressure contact with each other, or a contact charging type charger such as a charging brush or a magnetic brush may be used. .

  The exposure unit 13 is arranged such that light of each color information emitted from the exposure unit 13 passes between the charging unit 12 and the developing device 14 and is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The exposure unit 13 branches the image information into light of each color information of b, c, m, and y in the unit, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 charged to a uniform potential by the charging unit 12 is light of each color information. To form an electrostatic latent image on the surface. As the exposure unit 13, for example, a laser scanning unit including a laser irradiation unit and a plurality of reflecting mirrors can be used. In addition, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) array, a unit in which a liquid crystal shutter and a light source are appropriately combined, or the like may be used.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view schematically showing a cross section of the developing device 14. The developing device 14 includes a developing tank 20 and a toner hopper 21. The developer used in the developing device 14 is the above-described one-component developer or two-component developer.

  The developing tank 20 is disposed so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and develops it, thereby forming a visible toner image. It is a container-like member. The developing tank 20 accommodates a developer in its internal space, and accommodates a roller member or a screw member such as the developing roller 50, the supply roller 51, and the stirring roller 52, and rotatably supports the developer member. An opening 53 is formed on a side surface of the developing tank 20 facing the photosensitive drum 11, and a developing roller 50 is rotatably provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 11 through the opening 53.

  The developing roller 50 is a roller-like member that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 at the pressure contact portion or the closest portion to the photosensitive drum 11. When supplying the toner, a potential having a polarity opposite to the charging potential of the toner is applied to the surface of the developing roller 50 as a developing bias voltage (hereinafter referred to as “developing bias”). As a result, the toner on the surface of the developing roller 50 is smoothly supplied to the electrostatic latent image. Further, by changing the developing bias value, the amount of toner (toner adhesion amount) supplied to the electrostatic latent image can be controlled. The supply roller 51 is a roller-like member that faces the developing roller 50 and can be driven to rotate, and supplies toner around the developing roller 50. The agitation roller 52 is a roller-like member provided so as to be able to rotate and face the supply roller 51, and supplies the toner newly supplied from the toner hopper 21 into the developing tank 20 to the periphery of the supply roller 51.

  The toner hopper 21 is provided so that a toner replenishing port 54 provided at the lower part in the vertical direction and a toner receiving port 55 provided at the upper part in the vertical direction of the developing tank 20 communicate with each other. Add toner. Further, the toner hopper 21 may not be used, and the toner may be directly supplied from each color toner cartridge.

  The cleaning unit 15 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after transferring the toner image to the recording medium, and cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. For the cleaning unit 15, for example, a plate-like member such as a cleaning blade is used. In the image forming apparatus 100, an organic photosensitive drum is mainly used as the photosensitive drum 11, and the surface of the organic photosensitive drum is mainly composed of a resin component. Surface degradation is likely to proceed due to the chemical action of the ozone generated. However, the deteriorated surface portion is worn by receiving a rubbing action by the cleaning unit 15 and is gradually but surely removed. Therefore, the problem of surface deterioration due to ozone or the like is practically solved, and the charging potential by the charging operation can be stably maintained over a long period of time. Although the cleaning unit 15 is provided in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning unit 15 may not be provided.

  According to the toner image forming unit 2, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 which is uniformly charged by the charging unit 12 with signal light corresponding to image information from the exposure unit 13. Toner is supplied from the developing device 14 to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 25 described later, and then the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is removed by the cleaning unit 15. This series of toner image forming operations is repeatedly executed.

  The transfer unit 3 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 11, and includes an intermediate transfer belt 25, a driving roller 26, a driven roller 27, an intermediate transfer roller 28 (b, c, m, y), and a transfer belt cleaning unit. 29 and the transfer roller 30. The intermediate transfer belt 25 is an endless belt-like member that is stretched by a driving roller 26 and a driven roller 27 to form a loop-shaped movement path, and is driven to rotate in the direction of an arrow B.

  When the intermediate transfer belt 25 passes through the photosensitive drum 11 while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 11, an intermediate transfer roller 28 disposed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is opposed to the photosensitive drum 11 via the intermediate transfer belt 25. A transfer bias having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied, and the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 25. In the case of a full-color image, each color toner image formed on each photoconductor drum 11 is sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 25 to form a full-color toner image. The drive roller 26 is provided so as to be rotatable around its axis by a drive means (not shown), and the intermediate transfer belt 25 is driven to rotate in the arrow B direction by the rotation drive.

  The driven roller 27 is provided so as to be able to be driven and rotated by the rotational drive of the driving roller 26, and applies a constant tension to the intermediate transfer belt 25 so that the intermediate transfer belt 25 does not loosen.

  The intermediate transfer roller 28 is provided in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 11 via the intermediate transfer belt 25 and capable of being driven to rotate about its axis by a driving unit (not shown). The intermediate transfer roller 28 is connected to a power source (not shown) for applying a transfer bias as described above, and has a function of transferring the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 25.

  The transfer belt cleaning unit 29 is provided so as to face the driven roller 27 through the intermediate transfer belt 25 and to contact the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25. Since the toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 25 due to contact with the photosensitive drum 11 causes the back surface of the recording medium to be contaminated, the transfer belt cleaning unit 29 removes and collects the toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25.

  The transfer roller 30 is provided in pressure contact with the drive roller 26 via the intermediate transfer belt 25, and can be driven to rotate about an axis by a drive unit (not shown). At the pressure contact portion (transfer nip portion) between the transfer roller 30 and the drive roller 26, the toner image carried and conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 25 is transferred to a recording medium fed from a recording medium supply unit 5 described later. Is done. The recording medium carrying the toner image is fed to the fixing unit 4.

  According to the transfer unit 3, the toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 25 at the pressure contact portion between the photosensitive drum 11 and the intermediate transfer roller 28 rotates the intermediate transfer belt 25 in the arrow B direction. It is conveyed to a transfer nip portion by driving, and transferred to a recording medium there.

  The fixing unit 4 is provided downstream of the transfer unit 3 in the recording medium conveyance direction, and includes a fixing roller 31 and a pressure roller 32.

  The fixing roller 31 is rotatably provided by a driving unit (not shown), and heats and melts the toner constituting the unfixed toner image carried on the recording medium to fix it on the recording medium. A heating unit (not shown) is provided inside the fixing roller 31. The heating unit heats the fixing roller 31 so that the surface of the fixing roller 31 reaches a predetermined temperature (heating temperature). For example, a heater or a halogen lamp can be used as the heating means. The heating means is controlled by a fixing condition control process described later. The control of the heating temperature by the fixing condition control process will be described in detail later. A temperature detection sensor is provided near the surface of the fixing roller 31 to detect the surface temperature of the fixing roller 31. The detection result by the temperature detection sensor is written in the storage unit of the control unit unit described later.

  The pressure roller 32 is provided so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing roller 31 and is supported so as to be driven to rotate by the rotation driving of the fixing roller 31. The pressure roller 32 assists fixing of the toner image on the recording medium by pressing the toner and the recording medium when the toner is melted and fixed on the recording medium by the fixing roller 31. A pressure contact portion between the fixing roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 is a fixing nip portion.

  According to the fixing unit 4, the recording medium on which the toner image is transferred in the transfer unit 3 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 31 and the pressure roller 32, and the toner image is recorded under heat when passing through the fixing nip. By being pressed against the medium, the toner image is fixed on the recording medium and an image is formed.

  The recording medium supply unit 5 includes an automatic paper feed tray 35, a pickup roller 36, a transport roller 37, a registration roller 38, and a manual paper feed tray 39.

  The automatic paper feed tray 35 is a container-like member that is provided in the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1 in the vertical direction and stores a recording medium. Examples of the recording medium include plain paper, color copy paper, overhead projector sheet, postcard and the like.

  The pickup roller 36 takes out the recording medium stored in the automatic paper feed tray 35 one by one, and feeds it to the paper transport path A1. The conveyance rollers 37 are a pair of roller members provided so as to be in pressure contact with each other, and convey the recording medium toward the registration rollers 38. The registration rollers 38 are a pair of roller members provided so as to be in pressure contact with each other, and the recording medium fed from the conveyance roller 37 is used to convey the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 25 to the transfer nip portion. Synchronously, it is fed to the transfer nip. The manual paper feed tray 39 is a member that takes a recording medium into the image forming apparatus 100 by a manual operation, and the recording medium taken from the manual paper feed tray 39 passes through the paper conveyance path A2 by the conveyance roller 37. Then, it is fed to the registration roller 38.

  According to the recording medium supply unit 5, the recording medium supplied one by one from the automatic sheet feeding tray 35 or the manual sheet feeding tray 39 conveys the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 25 to the transfer nip portion. In synchronism with this, it is fed to the transfer nip portion.

  The discharge unit 6 includes a conveyance roller 37, a discharge roller 40, and a discharge tray 41. The conveyance roller 37 is provided downstream of the fixing nip portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and conveys the recording medium on which the image is fixed by the fixing unit 4 toward the discharge roller 40. The discharge roller 40 discharges the recording medium on which the image is fixed to a discharge tray 41 provided on the upper surface in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 100. The discharge tray 41 stores a recording medium on which an image is fixed.

Image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit (not shown). The control unit unit is provided, for example, at an upper part in the vertical direction in the internal space of the image forming apparatus 100, and includes a storage unit, a calculation unit, and a control unit. In the storage unit of the control unit unit, various setting values via an operation panel (not shown) arranged on the upper surface in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 100, detection results from sensors (not shown) arranged at various locations inside the image forming apparatus 100, etc. Image information from an external device is input. In addition, a program for executing various processes is written. Examples of the various processes include a recording medium determination process, an adhesion amount control process, and a fixing condition control process. As the storage unit, those commonly used in this field can be used, and examples thereof include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like. As the external device, an electric / electronic device capable of forming or obtaining image information and electrically connected to the image forming apparatus 100 can be used. For example, a computer, a digital camera, a television receiver, a video recorder DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, HDDVD (High-Definition Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, Blu-ray disc recorder, facsimile apparatus, portable terminal apparatus, and the like. The calculation unit retrieves various data (image formation command, detection result, image information, etc.) written in the storage unit and various processing programs, and performs various determinations. The control unit sends a control signal to the corresponding device according to the determination result of the calculation unit, and performs operation control. The control unit and the calculation unit are a central processing unit (CPU, Central Processing).
A processing circuit realized by a microcomputer, a microprocessor, or the like provided with a unit) is included. The control unit unit includes a main power source together with the processing circuit described above, and the power source supplies power not only to the control unit unit but also to each member in the image forming apparatus 100.

  According to the developing device 14 and the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to form a high-definition and good-quality image without density unevenness over a long period of time.

  Finally, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the above-described embodiments but by the claims. The above description of the embodiments is illustrative in all respects, and the scope of the present invention includes all other embodiments. That is, the present invention includes all embodiments in which part or all of the above-described embodiments are changed within the scope of the claims and the scope equivalent to the claims.

Examples of the present invention are shown below.
<Definition of each value>
In the following, “parts” and “%” mean “parts by weight” and “% by weight” unless otherwise specified. The viscosity of the volatile liquid, the glass transition point of the binder resin and the toner base particles, the softening point of the binder resin, the melting point of the release agent, and the volume average particle size of the toner base particles in the examples and comparative examples are as follows. The measurement was performed as described above.

[Glass transition point of binder resin and toner base particles]
Using a differential scanning calorimeter (trade name: DSC220, manufactured by Seiko Denshi Kogyo Co., Ltd.), according to Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) K7121-1987, 1 g of a sample was heated at a heating rate of 10 ° C. per minute and a DSC curve was measured. did. Draw the endothermic peak corresponding to the glass transition of the obtained DSC curve at a point where the slope is maximum with respect to the straight line that extends the base line on the high temperature side to the low temperature side and the curve from the rising part of the peak to the vertex. The temperature at the intersection with the tangent was determined as the glass transition point (Tg).

[Softening point of binder resin]
In a flow characteristic evaluation apparatus (trade name: Flow Tester CFT-100C, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation), a load of 20 kgf / cm ² (9.8 × 10 ⁵ Pa) was applied to give a sample 1g to a die (nozzle diameter 1 mm, length). 1 mm) and heated at a heating rate of 6 ° C. per minute, and the temperature at which half of the sample flowed out from the die was determined and used as the softening point (Tm).

[Melting point of release agent]
Using a differential scanning calorimeter (trade name: DSC220, manufactured by Seiko Denshi Kogyo Co., Ltd.), 1 g of the sample is heated from a temperature of 20 ° C. to 200 ° C. at a heating rate of 10 ° C. per minute, and then rapidly cooled from 200 ° C. to 20 ° C. The operation was repeated twice and the DSC curve was measured. The temperature at the top of the endothermic peak corresponding to the melting of the DSC curve measured in the second operation was determined as the melting point of the release agent.

[Volume average particle diameter]
To 50 ml of electrolytic solution (trade name: ISOTON-II, manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.), 20 mg of sample and 1 ml of sodium alkyl ether sulfate are added, and an ultrasonic disperser (trade name: desktop type dual frequency ultrasonic cleaner VS-D100. (Manufactured by As One Co., Ltd.) for 3 minutes at an ultrasonic frequency of 20 kHz to prepare a measurement sample. This sample for measurement was measured using a particle size distribution measuring device (trade name: Multisizer 3, manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) under the conditions of aperture diameter: 20 μm, number of measured particles: 50000 count, and volume particle size distribution of sample particles. From this, the volume average particle size was determined.

<Toner production device>
As the toner manufacturing apparatus, an apparatus in which a volatile liquid spray unit is attached to a hybridization system (trade name: NHS-3 type, manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.) similar to the toner manufacturing apparatus 201 shown in FIG. As a volatile liquid spraying unit, a volatile liquid (ethanol) is passed through a liquid feed pump (trade name: SP11-12, manufactured by Flume) and a two-fluid nozzle (trade name: HM-6, manufactured by Fuso Seiki Co., Ltd.). ) Was used so as to deliver a fixed amount of liquid. The mounting angle of the two-fluid nozzle was set so that the angle formed between the volatile liquid spraying direction and the powder flow direction was parallel (0 °). A gas detector (trade name: XP-3110, manufactured by New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd.) was provided in the gas discharge unit 222. The temperature adjusting jacket was provided on the entire wall of the powder flow path 202. A temperature sensor was attached to the powder channel 202 to monitor the temperature in the powder channel 202.

<Examples 1 to 29 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11>
The toners according to Examples 1 to 29 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11 were adjusted as follows.

[Example 1]
[Preparation of toner base particles]
・ Polyester resin (trade name: Diacron, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., glass transition point 55 ° C., softening point 130 ° C.)
87.5% (100 parts)
・ C. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 5.0% (5.7 parts)
Release agent (carnauba wax, melting point 82 ° C.) 6.0% (6.9 parts)
・ Charge control agent (Bontron E84, Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.)
1.5% (1.7 parts)

  The toner base particle raw materials described above were premixed with a Henschel mixer (trade name: FM20C, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.) and then melt-kneaded with a twin-screw extrusion kneader (trade name: PCM65, manufactured by Ikekai Co., Ltd.). . This melt-kneaded product is coarsely pulverized with a cutting mill (trade name: VM-16, manufactured by Orient Co., Ltd.), then finely pulverized with a jet mill (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd.), and further an air classifier (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd.). Thus, toner base particles having a volume average particle size of 6.5 μm and a glass transition point of 56 ° C. were prepared.

[Preparation of resin fine particles]
As resin fine particles, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer fine particles A (glass transition point 72 ° C., softening point 126 ° C.) having a volume average particle size of 0.1 μm were prepared. The resin fine particles were obtained by freeze-drying a polymer of styrene and butyl acrylate.

[Powder flow process]
After adjusting the temperature in the powder flow path 202 to 30 ° C., 100 parts by weight of toner base particles and 10 parts by weight of resin fine particles and a total weight of 660 g were stirred and mixed for 10 minutes. At this time, the peripheral speed at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 of the hybridization system was set to 100 m / sec. The volume V1 of the stirring chamber 208 was 20 [L], and the volume V2 of the powder flow portion 209 was 6.9 [L].

[Spraying process]
Ethanol was sprayed in a state where the toner base particles and resin fine particles were stirred and fluidized. At this time, the peripheral speed at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 of the hybridization system was set to 100 m / sec. At this time, the amount of ethanol sprayed by the spray unit 203 per unit time is 0.8 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the spray unit 203 per unit time is 5 L / min, and the unit by the rotating shaft unit 218 is used. The supply amount of carrier gas per hour was 13 L / min, and the gas discharge amount per unit time by the gas discharge unit 222 was 18 L / min. The concentration of ethanol gas in the gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 was 1.5 vol%. After spraying with ethanol for 30 minutes, ethanol spraying was stopped and stirring was continued for another 10 minutes, and then stirring was stopped to obtain a toner according to Example 1.

[Example 2]
A toner according to Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed was 0.2 mL / min.

[Example 3]
A toner according to Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed was 1.5 mL / min.

[Example 4]
A toner according to Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the carrier gas supply amount by the rotating shaft portion 218 was 10 L / min and the gas discharge amount from the gas discharge unit 222 was 15 L / min. .

[Example 5]
Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed is 0.2 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 10 L / min, and the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharger 222 is 15 L / min. Thus, a toner according to Example 5 was obtained.

[Example 6]
A toner according to Example 6 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the carrier gas supply amount by the rotary shaft portion 218 was 15 L / min and the gas discharge amount from the gas discharge unit 222 was 20 L / min. .

[Example 7]
Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed is 0.2 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 15 L / min, and the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 20 L / min. Thus, a toner according to Example 7 was obtained.

[Example 8]
Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed is 1.5 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 15 L / min, and the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 20 L / min. Thus, a toner according to Example 8 was obtained.

[Example 9]
A toner according to Example 9 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 440 g.

[Example 10]
A toner according to Example 10 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 880 g.

[Example 11]
A toner according to Example 11 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of ethanol sprayed was 0.2 mL / min and the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 440 g.

[Example 12]
A toner according to Example 12 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of ethanol sprayed was 1.5 mL / min and the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 880 g.

[Example 13]
A toner according to Example 13 was obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that the volume V2 of the powder flow part 209 was set to 4L.

[Example 14]
A toner according to Example 14 was obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that the volume V2 of the powder flow part 209 was set to 8L.

[Example 15]
A toner according to Example 15 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 440 g, and the volume V2 of the powder flow portion 209 was 4 L.

[Example 16]
A toner according to Example 16 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 880 g, and the volume V2 of the powder flow portion 209 was 8 L.

[Example 17]
A toner according to Example 17 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the peripheral speed at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 was set to 75 m / sec.

[Example 18]
A toner according to Example 18 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the peripheral speed at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 was set to 62.5 m / sec.

[Example 19]
The toner according to Example 19 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the total weight of the toner base particles and resin fine particles was 440 g, and the peripheral speed at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 was 62.5 m / sec. It was.

[Example 20]
The toner according to Example 20 is obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles is 880 g and the peripheral speed at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 is 62.5 m / sec. It was.

[Example 21]
A toner according to Example 21 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 1210 g.

[Example 22]
A toner according to Example 22 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the peripheral speed at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 was set to 60 m / sec.

[Example 23]
The amount of ethanol sprayed is 0.1 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft portion 218 is 5 L / min, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge portion 222 is 10 L / min, and the volume of the powder flow-through portion 209 is A toner according to Example 23 was obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that V2 was changed to 4L.

[Example 24]
The amount of ethanol sprayed is 1 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 10 L / min, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 15 L / min, and the total weight of the toner base particles and resin fine particles is A toner according to Example 24 was obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that the amount was 440 g.

[Example 25]
A toner according to Example 25 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the volume V2 of the powder flow portion 209 was 3L.

[Example 26]
The carrier gas supply amount by the rotating shaft portion 218 is 10 L / min, the gas discharge amount from the gas discharge portion 222 is 15 L / min, the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles is 880 g, and the powder flow-through portion 209 A toner according to Example 26 was obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that the volume V2 was set to 9L.

[Example 27]
A toner according to Example 27 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 440 g, and the volume V2 of the powder flow portion 209 was 8 L.

[Example 28]
The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except that the amount of ethanol sprayed was 1.5 mL / min, the total weight of the toner base particles and resin fine particles was 880 g, and the volume V2 of the powder flow-through portion 209 was 4 L. A toner according to Example 28 was obtained.

[Example 29]
A toner according to Example 29 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles was 440 g, and the peripheral speed at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 was 110 m / sec.

[Comparative Example 1]
A toner according to Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed was 0.1 mL / min.

[Comparative Example 2]
Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed is 2.0 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 15 L / min, and the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharger 222 is 20 L / min. Thus, a toner according to Comparative Example 2 was obtained.

[Comparative Example 3]
A toner according to Comparative Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed was 0.2 mL / min and the total weight of the toner base particles and resin fine particles was 880 g.

[Comparative Example 4]
The amount of ethanol sprayed is 0.2 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 10 L / min, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 15 L / min, and the total amount of toner base particles and resin fine particles A toner according to Comparative Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight was 880 g.

[Comparative Example 5]
Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed is 0.2 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 18 L / min, and the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 23 L / min. Thus, a toner according to Comparative Example 5 was obtained.

[Comparative Example 6]
A toner according to Comparative Example 6 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of ethanol sprayed was 0.25 mL / min and the total weight of the toner base particles and resin fine particles was 880 g.

[Comparative Example 7]
The amount of ethanol sprayed is 0.3 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 5 L / min, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 10 L / min, and the total amount of toner base particles and resin fine particles A toner according to Comparative Example 7 was obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that the weight was 1210 g.

[Comparative Example 8]
The amount of ethanol sprayed is 1.5 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 10 L / min, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 15 L / min, and the total amount of toner mother particles and resin fine particles A toner according to Comparative Example 8 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight was 880 g.

[Comparative Example 9]
The amount of ethanol sprayed is 1.5 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 15 L / min, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 20 L / min, and the total amount of toner mother particles and resin fine particles A toner according to Comparative Example 9 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight was 440 g.

[Comparative Example 10]
The amount of ethanol sprayed is 0.2 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 15 L / min, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 20 L / min, and the total amount of toner mother particles and resin fine particles A toner according to Comparative Example 10 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight was 880 g.

[Comparative Example 11]
The amount of ethanol sprayed is 0.2 mL / min, the amount of carrier gas supplied by the rotating shaft 218 is 18 L / min, the amount of gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 is 23 L / min, and the total amount of toner mother particles and resin fine particles A toner according to Comparative Example 11 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the weight was 880 g.

<Various parameters>
For each of the toners according to Examples 1 to 22 and Comparative Examples 1 to 21, the parameters are defined as follows and are summarized in Table 1.

[(Fa + Fb) / Fc]
The carrier gas supply amount by the spray unit 203 is Fa [L / min], the carrier gas supply amount by the rotating shaft unit 218 is Fb [L / min], and the ethanol spray amount by the spray unit 203 is Fc [mL / min]. (Fa + Fb) / Fc was calculated as

[Wt / Fc]
Wt / Fc was calculated by setting the amount of ethanol sprayed by the spray unit 203 to Fc [mL / min] and the total weight of the toner base particles and resin fine particles to Wt [g].

[Emission concentration [vol%]]
During the spraying of ethanol, the volume of ethanol vapor in the gas relative to the volume of the total gas discharged from the gas discharge unit 222 was measured as the discharge concentration [vol%].

[V2 / V1]
V2 / V1 was calculated assuming that the volume of the stirring chamber 208 was V1 [L] and the volume of the powder flow part 209 was V2 [L].

[Wt / (V2 / V1)]
The total weight of the toner base particles and the resin fine particles is Wt [g], the volume of the stirring chamber 208 is V1 [L], the volume of the powder flow part 209 is V2 [L], and Wt (V2 / V1) is Calculated.

[Outermost peripheral speed [m / sec]]
The peripheral speed [m / sec] at the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring unit 204 was set as the outermost peripheral speed [m / sec].

<Evaluation>
The toner production methods according to Examples 1 to 29 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11 were evaluated as follows. The evaluation results are shown in the right column of Table 1.

[yield]
The yield was calculated according to the following formula.
Yield = weight of collected toner particles / (toner base particle input amount + resin fine particle solid content weight) × 100

The evaluation criteria are as follows.
A: The yield is 95% or more (very good).
A: The yield is 90% or more and less than 95% (good).
Δ: Yield is 80% or more and less than 90% (no problem in practical use).
X: Yield is less than 80% (bad).

[Coating uniformity]
20 g of the prepared toner was sealed in a plastic container and allowed to stand at 50 ° C. for 48 hours, and then the toner was taken out and passed through a # 230 mesh sieve. The weight of the toner remaining on the sieve was measured, and the remaining ratio, which is the ratio of this weight to the total toner weight, was determined. The lower the numerical value of the remaining rate, the higher the storage stability of the toner and the less likely to block. In other words, the lower the numerical value of the residual ratio, the better the uniformity of the resin fine particle layer (coating uniformity).

The evaluation criteria are as follows.
A: 0 [%] ≦ residual rate ≦ 1 [%]
○: 1 [%] <remaining rate ≤ 3 [%]
X: 3 [%] <remaining rate

[Comprehensive evaluation]
The evaluation criteria are as follows.
(Double-circle): The evaluation result is "(double-circle)" with respect to both yield and film uniformity (very good).
○: The evaluation result of at least one of the yield and the film uniformity is “◯”, the yield is not “Δ” or “×”, and the film uniformity is not “×” (good).
Δ: Yield evaluation result is “Δ” and film uniformity is not “x” (no problem in practical use).
X: The evaluation result of either yield or film uniformity is “x” (poor).

<Discussion>
From Example 1 to Example 29 and Comparative Example 1 to Comparative Example 11, if 12 ≦ (Fa + Fb) / Fc ≦ 100 and 440 ≦ Wt / Fc ≦ 3300, a toner with good coating uniformity is obtained. It can be seen that a high yield can be obtained while suppressing adhesion of the powder in the machine.

  Moreover, from the comparison result of Example 7 and Example 23 and the comparison result of Example 8 and Example 24, the density | concentration (discharge | emission density | concentration) of a volatile liquid is 0.2 [vol%] or more 3 [ vol%] or less, it can be seen that a toner with better film uniformity can be obtained in a high yield while suppressing adhesion of powder in the machine.

  Moreover, from the comparison result of Example 13 and Example 25 and the comparison result of Example 16 and Example 26, when it is 0.2 <= V2 / V1 <= 0.4, the film uniformity is more favorable. It can be seen that the toner can be obtained in a high yield while suppressing adhesion of the powder in the machine.

  Moreover, from the comparison result of Example 9 and Example 27, and the comparison result of Example 13 and Example 21, in 1275 <= Wt / (V2 / V1) <= 3300, the film uniformity is more favorable. It can be seen that the toner can be obtained in a high yield while suppressing adhesion of the powder in the machine.

  Further, from the comparison result between Example 18 and Example 22 and the comparison result between Example 9 and Example 29, the outermost peripheral speed (outermost peripheral speed) of the rotary stirring means is 62.5 m / sec or more and 100 m. / Sec or less, it can be seen that a toner with better film uniformity can be obtained in a high yield while suppressing adhesion of powder in the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Developing apparatus 100 Image forming apparatus 201 Toner manufacturing apparatus 202 Powder flow path 203 Spraying part 204 Rotating stirring part 205 Two-fluid nozzle 206 Powder input part 207 Powder collection part 208 Stirring chamber 209 Powder flow part 218 Rotating shaft part 220 Stirrer blade 222 Gas discharge part

Claims (10)

The powder flow path through which the powder can flow, the carrier gas supply means for supplying the carrier gas into the powder flow path, and the supply amount per unit time of the carrier gas supplied from the carrier gas supply means are controlled. Carrier gas supply amount control means, spray means for spraying a predetermined substance together with carrier gas in the powder flow path, spray amount per unit time of substance sprayed from the spray means and unit time of carrier gas A spray amount control means for controlling the amount of each hit and an impact that is provided in the powder flow path and applies an impact force to the particles in the powder flow path to cause the particles to flow in the powder flow path A toner manufacturing method for manufacturing toner using a toner manufacturing apparatus including a force applying unit and an exhaust unit for discharging gas in a powder flow path,
A powder flow step for causing toner base particles and resin fine particles to flow in the powder flow path by the impact force applying means;
A spraying step of spraying a volatile liquid that softens the resin fine particles together with a carrier gas by the spraying means,
The supply amount per unit time of the carrier gas supplied by the carrier gas supply means in the spraying step is Fa [L / min], and the supply amount of the carrier gas supplied by the spraying means in the spraying step is Fb [L / min]. ], And the spray amount per unit time of the volatile liquid sprayed by the spray means during spraying of the volatile liquid is Fc [mL / min], the relationship between Fa, Fb, and Fc is expressed by the following formula (1) )
A toner production method, wherein the relationship between Wt and Fc satisfies the following formula (2), where Wt [g] is the total weight of toner base particles and resin fine particles in the toner production apparatus.
12 ≦ (Fa + Fb) / Fc ≦ 100 (1)
440 ≦ Wt / Fc ≦ 3300 (2)   2. The toner manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the volatile liquid includes an alcohol having a boiling point within a range of ± 20 ° C. of a glass transition point of the resin fine particles.   During spraying of the volatile liquid, the vapor concentration of the volatile liquid in the gas discharged by the exhaust means is 0.2 [vol%] or more and 3 [vol%] or less. The toner manufacturing method according to claim 1. The powder flow path comprises a stirring chamber provided with the impact force applying means, and a powder flow part,
When the volume of the stirring chamber is V1, and the volume of the powder flow part is V2,
The toner manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the relationship between V1 and V2 satisfies the following formula (3).
0.2 ≦ V2 / V1 ≦ 0.4 (3)
The toner manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the relationship between Wt, V1, and V2 satisfies the following formula (4).
1275 ≦ Wt / (V2 / V1) ≦ 3300 (4) The impact force imparting means is a rotary agitation means for imparting an impact force to the particles by rotational agitation,
In the powder flow step and the spraying step, the peripheral speed of the outermost periphery of the rotary stirring means is 62.5 m / sec or more and 100 m / sec or less. The toner production method described in 1.   A toner obtained by the toner production method according to claim 1.   A two-component developer comprising the toner according to claim 7 and a carrier.   A developing device that performs development using the one-component developer containing the toner according to claim 7 or the two-component developer according to claim 8.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 9.

Images