JP2011065009A - Fixing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus, in which pH of a fixing liquid is adjusted in a proper range, high fixing capability is maintained before fixing, resin fine particles are quickly fixed to a medium during the fixing, and the fixing capability is reduced after the fixing so that blocking between fixed images is not generated. <P>SOLUTION: The fixing device includes: a softener liquid storage means storing a softener liquid containing at least a softener; a foaming agent liquid storage means storing a foaming agent liquid containing at least a foaming agent; a fixing liquid generation means generating the fixing liquid by mixing the liquids stored by the respective storage means in independent states; a pH measurement means measuring a pH value of the fixing liquid generated by the fixing liquid generation means; a control means controlling the amount of liquid of either the softener liquid or the foaming agent liquid or the amount of each liquid to obtain the fixing liquid having a desired pH value on the basis of the pH value measured by the pH measurement means; a foamy fixing liquid producing means foaming the fixing liquid having the desired pH value to obtain a foamy fixing liquid; and a foamy fixing liquid providing means providing the resin fine particles on the medium with the foamy fixing liquid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a technique for fixing toner, which is resin-containing fine particles, using a fixer that fixes resin-containing fine particles on a medium.

  Image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimile machines, and copying machines are apparatuses that form images including characters and symbols on recording media such as paper, cloth, and OHP sheets based on image information. In particular, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are widely used in offices because they can form high-definition images on plain paper at high speed. In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a heat fixing method is widely used in which toner on a recording medium is heated and melted, and the molten toner is pressurized to fix the toner on the recording medium. Yes. This thermal fixing method is preferably used because it can provide a high fixing speed and high fixed image quality.

  However, about half or more of the power consumption in such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is consumed in heating the toner in the heat fixing method. On the other hand, a low power consumption (energy saving) fixing device is desired from the viewpoint of countermeasures for environmental problems in recent years. That is, there is a demand for a fixing method in which the temperature for heating the toner for fixing the toner is extremely lowered than before, or the toner does not need to be heated. In particular, the non-heat fixing method in which the toner is fixed to the recording medium without heating the toner at all is ideal in terms of low power consumption.

  As such a non-heat fixing method, for example, an oil-in-water type fixing agent in which a toner can be dissolved or swelled and an organic compound insoluble or hardly soluble in water is dispersed and mixed in water is used. Patent Document 1 proposes a toner wet fixing method in which a toner is dissolved or swollen by spraying or dripping from the surface of the fixing object disposed at the position, and then the fixing object is dried.

  However, in the wet fixing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, an oil-in-water type fixing agent in which an organic compound insoluble or hardly soluble in water is dispersed and mixed in water is used. When applied to the recording medium, the recording medium such as transfer paper (non-fixed material) absorbs moisture of the fixing agent, and the recording medium is wrinkled and curled. This significantly impairs the stable and high-speed conveyance of the recording medium required for the image forming apparatus. Therefore, if water is removed from the fixing agent applied to the recording medium by evaporating a large amount of water contained in the fixing agent using a drying device, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus using the thermal fixing method is reduced. You will need comparable power.

  In addition, several oil-based fixing solutions in which a material that dissolves or swells toner is dissolved in an oil-based solvent have been proposed as fixing solutions that do not repel water-repellent unfixed toner. As one example, for example, in Patent Document 2, an aliphatic dibasic acid ester or the like containing a material that dissolves or swells a resin component constituting a toner as a diluent (solvent) is diluted with nonvolatile dimethyl silicone. Fixing solutions (dissolved) have been proposed. In Patent Document 3, toner is used as a fixing solution that can be used in a fixing method in which an unfixed image formed by an electrostatic method can be clearly and easily fixed on an image receiving sheet without disturbing the image. A solution for fixing an unfixed toner image in a compatible state, in which 8 to 120 parts by volume of a silicone oil is mixed with 100 volumes of a solvent that is dissolved and compatible with the silicone oil, has been proposed. Such an oil-based fixing solution contains an oil-based solvent having a high affinity with the water-repellent-treated unfixed toner, so that the toner is dissolved or swollen without repelling the water-repellent-treated unfixed toner, The toner can be fixed on the recording medium.

  However, in any of the above-mentioned patent documents, the fixing liquid is applied to the unfixed toner layer. However, as shown in FIG. In the configuration in which the fixing solution is applied to the toner layer 203, in order to apply a small amount of the fixing solution to the recording medium 202, as shown in FIG. When it is thinner than the toner layer 203, unfixed toner particles are pulled by the surface tension generated by the liquid film of the fixing liquid on the surface of the application roller 201 at the position where the application roller 201 peels from the recording medium 202. Toner particles adhere to the surface, and the image on the recording medium 202 is greatly disturbed.

  On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the thickness of the fixing liquid layer 204 on the application roller 201 is sufficiently thicker than the unfixed toner layer 203, the application roller 201 is separated from the recording medium 202 at a position where Since the amount of the liquid is large, the surface tension due to the liquid film on the surface of the coating roller 201 is less likely to act directly on the toner particles, and the toner does not adhere to the roller side. Toner particles are caused to flow by the excessive fixing liquid on 202 and image quality is deteriorated, or the drying time becomes long, resulting in a problem in fixing responsiveness. In addition, a noticeable residual liquid feeling (a wet feeling when the paper is touched by hand) occurs on the paper. Further, when the fixing solution contains water, when the amount of application to a medium containing cellulose such as paper is large, the medium such as paper is significantly curled, and the medium such as paper in the apparatus in the image forming apparatus is conveyed. There is a risk of paper jam. Therefore, in such a configuration in which the roller application is performed with the fixing liquid, a small amount of the fixing liquid is applied to the toner layer on the paper and the toner offset is prevented from being applied to the fixing roller in order to improve the fixing response, reduce the residual liquid feeling, and prevent curling. It is extremely difficult. Even when a die coating unit, a blade coating unit, or a wire bar coating unit is used as the contact coating unit, if the amount of the fixer becomes very small, toner adheres to the contact coating unit due to surface tension, resulting in image deterioration.

  As described above, in the conventional fixing solution formulation, the contact coating means can achieve both the application of a small amount of the fixing solution to the toner layer on the paper and the uniform application of the toner image without any disturbance in order to improve the fixing responsiveness. Is extremely difficult. Further, the present invention is not limited to the toner on the recording medium, and is a problem that occurs in any case in the configuration in which the liquid fixing liquid is applied to the resin-containing fine particle layer on the medium.

  Therefore, in order to solve these problems, according to Patent Documents 4 and 5, a foam-like fixer is applied to fine particles containing a resin such as toner on a medium such as paper, whereby Without disturbing the resin fine particle layer, after applying the fixer to the medium with the resin fine particles attached, the resin fine particles are quickly fixed on the medium, and a small amount of coating can be applied so that no residual liquid sensation occurs on the medium. Became.

  By the way, as a fatty acid ester as a softening agent used in the fixing solution of Patent Document 4, a material that does not correspond to a volatile organic compound (VOC) is selected in consideration of use in an office environment. For this reason, when fixing is performed by applying a foamy fixing solution, the fatty acid ester does not volatilize and remains in the fixed image. There is no problem as long as the required amount of fixer is applied stably, but if the fixer is applied in excess of the required amount, it will be overloaded on the fixed image, even if there is no residual liquid feeling. When left for a long time in a state where pressure is applied, fixed images stick to each other and a phenomenon called blocking occurs. This is presumably because the resin fine particles on the medium are sticky for a long time due to the excess fatty acid ester, and the resin fine particles stick to the medium by pressure.

  As a means for preventing such blocking, a means for decomposing excess fatty acid ester remaining in the fixed image and reducing the softening ability of the resin fine particles can be considered. In addition, it is already well-known that an ester compound is hydrolyzed with water, and the nonpatent literature 1 of the well-known literature describes the example by which an ester compound is hydrolyzed on acidic conditions and basic conditions. .

  In addition, since the foaming agent used in the fixing solutions of Patent Documents 4 and 5 exhibits a good foaming property in a weak alkaline region having a pH of 7 or more, the fixing solution has a weak alkalineity of about pH 7 to 8. It has been adjusted to be. Therefore, it is considered that the fatty acid ester, which is a softening agent, is gradually hydrolyzed after fixing and the softening ability is lowered, but in reality, blocking cannot be prevented. The cause is considered that the hydrolysis rate of the softener is slow. Although the ester group of the softening agent hydrolyzes at pH 7 or higher, the reaction rate of hydrolysis is slow, and the pH needs to be 8 or higher for rapid hydrolysis.

  However, if the pH of the fixing solution is 8 or more, the softening agent is hydrolyzed from the state before fixing, and the fixing performance before fixing gradually deteriorates, resulting in a fixing failure. Further, when the softening agent is hydrolyzed, an acidic compound is generated, so that the pH of the fixing solution becomes 6 or less, and the foamability and foam stability of the fixing solution are lowered. As a result, the foam density of the foam-like fixing solution gradually increases, the amount of the fixing solution applied increases, and there is a problem that residual liquid feeling and curling occur.

  The present invention is intended to solve these problems. The pH of the fixing solution is adjusted to an appropriate range, maintains a high fixing ability before fixing, and quickly fixes resin fine particles to a medium during fixing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus in which the fixing ability is lowered and blocking between fixed images does not occur.

  In order to solve the above problems, the fixing device of the present invention uses a fixing solution containing a softening agent and a foaming agent that softens resin fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin. Then, a foamy fixing solution is applied to the resin fine particles on the medium to fix the resin fine particles on the medium. And the fixing device of the present invention comprises a softener liquid storage means for storing a softener liquid containing at least a softener, a foaming agent liquid storage means for storing a foaming liquid containing at least a foaming agent, A fixing liquid generating means for generating a fixing liquid by mixing the liquids stored in an independent state by the respective storing means; a pH measuring means for measuring a pH value of the fixing liquid generated by the fixing liquid generating means; A control means for controlling either the amount of the softener liquid or the foaming liquid so that the fixing liquid has a desired pH value based on the pH value measured by the pH measurement means, or each liquid amount; Foam fixer generating means for foaming the fixer having a desired pH value to form a foam fixer, and foam fixer applying means for applying the foam fixer to resin fine particles on the medium There is a special feature. Therefore, since the fixing solution is in the desired pH range, after fixing, the softening agent is hydrolyzed to prevent the fixing ability of the fixing solution from being reduced, thereby preventing the fixed images from blocking each other, and checking the pH of the fixing solution. Thus, quality control of the fixing device can be easily performed.

  Further, the fixing device of the present invention comprises a softener liquid storage means for storing a softener liquid containing at least a softener, a foaming agent liquid storage means for storing a foaming liquid containing at least a foaming agent, Fixing solution by mixing pH adjusting agent storing means for storing a pH adjusting agent solution containing at least a pH adjusting agent, and liquids stored in an independent state by a softening agent storing means and a foaming agent storing means A fixing solution generating means for generating the fixing solution, a pH measuring means for measuring the pH value of the fixing solution generated by the fixing solution generating means, and fixing of a desired pH value based on the pH value measured by the pH measuring means Control means for controlling the amount of any one of the softener liquid, the foaming agent liquid or the pH adjusting agent, or any two liquid quantities, or all the liquid quantities so as to become a liquid, and a desired pH value The resulting fixer is foamed and foamed A foamy fixing solution producing unit configured to Chakueki is characterized by having a bubbly fixation fluid providing means for providing the foamy fixing solution to resin particles on the medium. Therefore, the pH of the fixing solution is adjusted to an appropriate range, maintains a high fixing ability before fixing, fixes the resin fine particles to the medium quickly at the time of fixing, and after fixing, the fixing ability decreases and blocking between fixed images. Does not occur.

  Furthermore, the fixing device of the present invention comprises a softener liquid storage means for storing a softener liquid containing at least a softener, a foaming agent liquid storage means for storing a foaming liquid containing at least a foaming agent, A first pH adjusting agent storage means for storing a first pH adjusting agent solution containing at least a first pH adjusting agent and a second pH adjusting agent solution containing at least a second pH adjusting agent are stored. A second pH adjuster liquid storage means, a fixing liquid generation means for generating a fixing liquid by mixing liquids stored in an independent state by the softener liquid storage means and the foaming agent liquid storage means, A pH measuring means for measuring the pH value of the fixing solution produced by the fixing solution producing means, and a softener solution and a starting agent so as to obtain a fixing solution having a desired pH value based on the pH value measured by the pH measuring means. Foam solution, first pH adjuster or second pH control Control means for controlling any liquid volume, any two liquid volumes, any three liquid volumes, or all liquid volumes, and a fixing solution having a desired pH value in the form of foam There is a feature in that it has a foam fixing solution generating means for converting into a foam fixing solution and a foam fixing solution applying means for applying the foam fixing solution to the resin fine particles on the medium. Therefore, the pH of the fixing solution is adjusted to an appropriate range, maintains a high fixing ability before fixing, fixes the resin fine particles to the medium quickly at the time of fixing, and after fixing, the fixing ability decreases and blocking between fixed images. Does not occur.

  Further, since the softening agent is an ester compound, the softening ability of the resin fine particles is high, and the resin fine particles can be quickly fixed on the medium.

  Furthermore, since the pH adjusting agent or the first pH adjusting agent is an amine compound, the ester compound has a high hydrolysis ability, and after fixing, the fixing ability of the softening agent can be quickly reduced to prevent blocking.

  An image forming apparatus according to another invention includes an image forming unit that forms an unfixed toner image on a medium by performing an electrostatic recording process with a developer containing resin fine particles containing a resin and a colorant, and the fixing device. And a fixing means for fixing the unfixed toner image on the medium. Therefore, the fixing reliability is high, and fixing can be performed with extremely low power compared to the conventional image forming apparatus.

  According to the fixing device of the present invention, the pH value of the generated fixing solution is measured, and the softener solution or the foaming agent solution is adjusted so that the fixing solution has a desired pH value based on the measured pH value. Either liquid volume or each liquid volume is controlled. Therefore, since the fixing solution is in the desired pH range, after fixing, the softening agent is hydrolyzed to prevent the fixing ability of the fixing solution from being reduced, thereby preventing the fixed images from blocking each other, and checking the pH of the fixing solution. Thus, quality control of the fixing device can be easily performed.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the mode of fixation of the resin fine particle after foamy fixing liquid provision in the principle of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of a foamy fixing solution. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a fixing device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a fixing liquid mixing unit in FIG. 3. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the other example of the fixing device of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a fixing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a fixing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the mode of the film thickness control on the application | coating roller of the foamy fixing liquid using the blade for liquid film thickness control. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of another invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an offset state generated in a conventional fixing device.

  First, the principle of the present invention will be outlined. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixing liquid is a foamed fixing liquid 4 composed of foam, whereby the density of the fixing liquid can be reduced and the application roller. It has been found that the fixing liquid layer on No. 1 can be thickened, and further, the influence of the surface tension of the fixing liquid can be suppressed, so that the offset of resin fine particles to the coating roller 1 can be prevented. Furthermore, when the size of the resin fine particles is about 5 μm to 10 μm, in order to apply the foamy fixing solution 4 to the resin fine particle layer 3 without disturbing the fine particle layer, the bubble diameter range of the foaming fixing solution is 5 μm to 50 μm. The degree is preferred. As shown in FIG. 2, the foam-like fixing solution 5 composed of bubbles 7 is composed of liquid film boundaries (hereinafter referred to as plateau boundaries) 6 that separate the bubbles 7.

Here, the softener and the foaming agent constituting the fixing solution in the present invention will be outlined.
First, the softening agent has a function of softening resin fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin. The softening agent is preferably an ester compound. The ester compound is excellent in solubility or swelling property that dissolves or swells at least a part of the resin contained in resin fine particles such as toner. Of the ester compounds, aliphatic esters and carbonates are particularly preferable because of their excellent resin softening ability. Moreover, it is preferable also from the point which does not inhibit the foaming property by the anionic surfactant as a foaming agent mentioned later.

  From the viewpoint of safety to the human body, the softening agent preferably has an acute oral toxicity LD50 of more than 3 g / kg, more preferably 5 g / kg or more. Fatty acid esters are highly safe for the human body, as are often used as cosmetic raw materials.

  Further, the fixing of the toner as the resin fine particles to the recording medium is performed by an apparatus frequently used in a sealed environment, and the softening agent remains in the toner even after the toner is fixed on the recording medium. It is preferable that the fixing of the toner with respect to the toner does not involve generation of a volatile organic compound (VOC) and an unpleasant odor. That is, the softening agent preferably does not contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) and substances that cause unpleasant odors. Aliphatic esters have a high boiling point and low volatility and have no irritating odor as compared to generally used organic solvents (toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, etc.).

  In addition, as a practical odor measurement scale that can measure odors in office environments with high accuracy, the odor index [10 × log (substance odor is felt by sensory measurement) The dilution factor of the substance until it disappears)] can be used as an indicator of odor. The odor index of the aliphatic ester contained in the softener is preferably 10 or less. In this case, an unpleasant odor is not felt in a normal office environment. Furthermore, it is preferable that not only the softening agent but also other liquid agents contained in the fixing solution have no unpleasant odor and irritating odor.

  Aliphatic esters include saturated aliphatic esters. When the aliphatic ester contains a saturated aliphatic ester, the storage stability (resistance to oxidation, hydrolysis, etc.) of the softener can be improved. Further, saturated aliphatic esters are highly safe for the human body, and many saturated aliphatic esters can dissolve or swell the resin contained in the toner within 1 second. Furthermore, saturated aliphatic esters can reduce the tackiness of the toner provided on the recording medium. This is thought to be because the saturated aliphatic ester dissolves and forms an oil film on the surface of the swollen toner.

  Therefore, in the fixing solution of the present invention, preferably, the general formula of the saturated aliphatic ester includes a compound represented by R 1 COOR 2, R 1 is an alkyl group having 11 to 14 carbon atoms, and R 2 is carbon A linear or branched alkyl group having a number of 1 or more and 6 or less. If the number of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is less than the desired range, odor is generated, and if it is greater than the desired range, the resin softening ability is lowered.

  That is, the saturated aliphatic ester includes a compound represented by the general formula R1COOR2, R1 is an alkyl group having 11 to 14 carbon atoms, and R2 is a linear type having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or In the case of a branched alkyl group, the solubility and swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner can be improved. Moreover, the odor index | exponent of the compound represented by general formula R1COOR2 is 10 or less, and this compound does not have an unpleasant odor and an irritating odor.

  Examples of the aliphatic monocarboxylic acid ester include ethyl laurate, hexyl laurate, ethyl tridecylate, isopropyl tridecylate, ethyl myristate, isopropyl myristate, and the like. Many of these aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters are soluble in oily solvents but not in water. Therefore, for many of the aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters, in an aqueous solvent, glycols are contained in the fixing solution as a dissolution aid and are in the form of a solution or a microemulsion.

  The aliphatic ester preferably contains an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester. When the aliphatic ester contains an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester, the resin contained in the toner can be dissolved and swollen in a shorter time. For example, in high-speed printing of about 60 ppm, it is preferable that the time until the fixing liquid is applied to the unfixed toner on the recording medium and the toner is fixed on the recording medium is within 1 second. When the aliphatic ester contains an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester, the time required for fixing the toner to the recording medium by applying a fixing solution to the unfixed toner or the like on the recording medium is within 0.1 seconds. It becomes possible to do. Furthermore, since the resin contained in the toner can be dissolved and swelled by adding a smaller amount of the softening agent, the content of the softening agent contained in the fixing solution can be reduced.

Therefore, in the fixing solution of the present invention, preferably, the general formula of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester includes a compound represented by R3 (COOR4) ₂ , and R3 is an alkylene group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. , R4 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms. If the number of carbon atoms in R3 and R4 is less than the desired range, odor is generated, and if it is greater than the desired range, the resin softening ability decreases.

That is, the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester includes a compound represented by the general formula R3 (COOR4) ₂ , R3 is an alkylene group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and R4 has 3 to 5 carbon atoms. In the case of the linear or branched alkyl group, the solubility or swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner can be improved. In addition, the odor index of the compound represented by the general formula R3 (COOR4) ₂ is 10 or less, and the compound does not have an unpleasant odor or an irritating odor.

  Examples of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester include 2-ethylhexyl succinate, dibutyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, diisopropyl adipate, diisodecyl adipate, diethyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate and the like. Many of these aliphatic dicarboxylic acid esters are soluble in oily solvents but not in water. Therefore, in an aqueous solvent, glycols are contained in the fixing solution as a dissolution aid and are in the form of a solution or microemulsion.

  Furthermore, in the fixing solution of the present invention, preferably, the aliphatic ester contains a dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate. When the aliphatic ester contains an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl, the fixing property of the toner to the recording medium can be improved.

In the fixing solution of the present invention, preferably, the general formula of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl includes a compound represented by R5 (COOR6-O-R7) ₂ , and R5 has 2 to 8 carbon atoms. R6 is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and R7 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. If the number of carbon atoms in R5, R6, and R7 is less than the desired range, odor is generated, and if it is greater than the desired range, the resin softening ability decreases.

That is, the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl includes a compound represented by the general formula R5 (COOR6-O-R7) ₂ , wherein R5 is an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and R6 is carbon. When R7 is an alkylene group having 2 or more and 4 or less and R7 is an alkyl group having 1 or more and 4 or less carbon atoms, it can improve the solubility and swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner. Further, the odor index of the compound represented by the general formula R5 (COOR6-O-R7) ₂ is 10 or less, and the compound does not have an unpleasant odor or an irritating odor.

  Examples of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl include diethoxyethyl succinate, dibutoxyethyl succinate, dicarbitol succinate, dimethoxyethyl adipate, diethoxyethyl adipate, dibutoxyethyl adipate, diethoxyethyl sebacate, etc. Is mentioned. When these aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyls are used in an aqueous solvent, glycols are included in the fixing solution as a dissolution aid, if necessary, to form a solution or microemulsion.

  Examples of the carbonate ester include ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate (propylene carbonate), glycerol 1,2-carbonate, 4-methoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one and the like.

  Examples of other ester compounds include citric acid esters such as triethyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, and tributyl acetyl citrate; ethylene glycol diacetate, diethylene glycol diacetate, and triethylene glycol diacetate. And compounds obtained by esterifying glycols such as monoacetin; compounds obtained by esterifying glycerol such as monoacetin, diacetin, and triacetin.

  0.5 mass%-50 mass% are preferable, and, as for content of a softening agent, 5 mass%-40 mass% are more preferable. When the content of the softening agent is less than 0.5% by mass, the effect of dissolving and swelling the resin contained in the toner may be insufficient. When the content of the softening agent exceeds 50% by mass, it may take a long time. There is a possibility that the fluidity of the resin contained in the toner cannot be reduced and the fixing toner layer has adhesiveness.

  Next, the dissolution aid will be outlined. When the concentration of the softening agent in the fixing solution increases, the softening agent may become difficult to dissolve in water as a dilution solvent. Therefore, polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerin and the like are used as dissolution aids. It was found that the inclusion in the fixing solution dissolves the softener even at a high concentration and does not deteriorate the foaming property by the fatty acid salt, but rather the foaming property is improved. Moreover, the content of the polyhydric alcohol is preferably in the range of 1% by mass to 30% by mass. If the content of the polyhydric alcohol exceeds 30% by mass, the foamability is rather deteriorated, which is not suitable.

  Next, the foaming agent will be outlined. Anionic surfactants can achieve excellent foaming properties and foam stability, and are used as foaming agents. Among anionic surfactants, fatty acid salts are most excellent in foam stability and are most suitable as a foaming agent for fixing solutions. On the other hand, the softening agent has a strong defoaming effect, and as the concentration of the softening agent increases in the fixing solution, the foaming property and foam stability of the fixing solution deteriorates, so it is difficult to foam and the foam breaks immediately. It becomes impossible to obtain a foam-like fixing solution having a low foam density.

  Therefore, in order to solve the problem of foaming deterioration when the concentration of the softening agent in the fixing solution is increased, various prototypes were made using the type and concentration of the anionic surfactant as factors. In addition, a prototype was made by paying attention to a technique called “super fat” described in Non-Patent Document 2, that is, a free fatty acid contained in a solid detergent (soap). Here, to outline the technology called super fat, it is a method of adding a small amount of free fatty acids that are difficult to oxidize to increase the excess fat and oil, leaving a small amount of fat and oil that is not saponified, for example, to enhance the moisturizing action, etc. It is said to be effective. In Non-Patent Document 2, it is known that when a very small amount of fatty acid is added to a soap aqueous solution, the foaming performance is improved and the foam quality becomes more creamy, which is called super fat soap. Are listed. Similar to this super fat, an attempt was made to foam by adding a very small amount of fatty acid to a fixing solution having a softening agent, but both foamability and foam stability were poor.

  However, as will be described later, by using a fatty acid salt having 12 to 18 carbon atoms as a foaming agent and further containing a fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms in the fixing solution, the concentration of the softening agent is increased. It is possible to provide a foamy fixing solution in which the foamability of the fixing solution does not deteriorate. Here, in the fixing solution containing the softening agent, compared with a case where water is simply foamed, the number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid salt is excellent in foaming properties. Specifically, laurate (12 carbon atoms), myristate (14 carbon atoms), palmitate (16 carbon atoms), and stearate (18 carbon atoms) are suitable. Further, pentadecylic acid (carbon number 15), margaric acid (carbon number 17), and the like are also suitable. On the other hand, the action of the fatty acid and the softening agent will be described. The softening agent has an ester group in the chemical structure, and the fatty acid has a carbonyl group in the chemical structure. From this point, the ester group of the softener and the carbonyl group of the fatty acid show an electrical action in the fixing solution system, and this causes a binding action between molecules, and the fixing solution is characterized by foaming properties and Improves foam stability.

  Even in the range of 12 to 18 carbon atoms, the smaller the number of carbons, the better the foaming property, but the foam stability is poor, and the larger the number of carbons is, the better the foaming property is, but the foam stability is extremely excellent. ing. Therefore, a single fatty acid salt may be used in the fixing solution, but it is more excellent to mix a fatty acid salt having 12 to 18 carbon atoms. As a mixing ratio, it is preferable to contain the most myristate (carbon number 14) and to lower the ratio of laurate (carbon number 12) and stearate. More specific fatty acid salt ratios are 0: 6: 3: 1, 1: 5: 3: 1, 1: 4 in terms of mass ratio of laurate: myristate: palmitate: stearate. : 4: 1 is suitable.

  The content of the foaming agent is preferably 0.1% by mass to 20% by mass, and more preferably 0.5% by mass to 10% by mass. When the content of the foaming agent is less than 0.1% by mass, the foaming property may be insufficient. When the content exceeds 20% by mass, the viscosity of the fixing solution increases and the foaming property decreases. there's a possibility that.

  By containing a fatty acid having the same number of carbon atoms as the foaming agent fatty acid salt in the fixing solution, foamability and foam stability can be maintained even when the concentration of the softening agent is increased. If the concentration of the softening agent is less than 10% by mass, there is no problem in foaming properties even if no fatty acid is contained. However, when the concentration of the softening agent is 10% by mass or more, and particularly when the concentration of the softening agent is 30% by mass or more, the foaming property is hardly generated with the fatty acid salt alone, and the foaming property is deteriorated. When the content of such a softening agent is 30% by mass, a foaming property can be maintained by containing a fatty acid having the same carbon number as that of the fatty acid salt. However, if the fatty acid content is too high, the ratio of the fatty acid salt, which is a foaming agent, decreases, and the foamability deteriorates again. Therefore, as can be seen from the specific examples described later, it is better to make the number of moles of the fatty acid salt the same as or larger than the number of moles of the fatty acid. Or when the ratio of a fatty acid and a fatty acid salt is in the range of 5: 5 to 1: 9, the foamability is excellent.

  In addition to the combination of fatty acid and fatty acid salt having the same carbon number, for example, the fatty acid salt is amine myristate, the fatty acid is stearic acid, the fatty acid salt is potassium palmitate, and the fatty acid is stearic acid. Different combinations in the range of 12-18 may be used. In short, by containing a fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms in the fixing solution, even if a high-concentration softening agent is contained, the foamability is not deteriorated, the foam stability is excellent, and the density is extremely low. Allows foaming.

  In addition, even if the fixing solution contains a fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms using another anionic surfactant, for example, alkyl ether sulfate (AES) as a foaming agent, the foaming property due to an increase in the softener concentration. It has been found that there is an effect of preventing the deterioration. However, the best combination is a combination with a fatty acid salt.

  Furthermore, fatty acid sodium salts, fatty acid potassium salts, and fatty acid amine salts are suitable as the fatty acid salts. Furthermore, the most suitable fatty acid amine is specifically prepared by heating water, adding a fatty acid, adding triethanolamine, and then heating and stirring for a certain period of time for a neutralization reaction. be able to. At this time, by increasing the molar ratio of fatty acid to triethanolamine in the range of 1: 0.5 to 1: 0.9 and the fatty acid ratio, unreacted fatty acid remains after the neutralization reaction, and fixing. Fatty acid and fatty acid amine salt can be mixed in the liquid. The same is possible with sodium and potassium salts.

  In the fixing solution, an unsaturated fatty acid salt may be used, and an unsaturated fatty acid having 18 carbon atoms and 1 to 3 double bonds is preferred. Specifically, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid are suitable. Since the reactivity is strong when the double bond is 4 or more, the stability of the fixing solution is poor. These unsaturated fatty acid salts with unsaturated saturated fatty acids are used alone or in combination as a foaming agent. Moreover, you may mix and use the said saturated fatty acid salt and unsaturated fatty acid salt as a foaming agent.

  In the foam-like fixing solution, if the foam breaks when the foam-like fixing solution is permeated while being pushed into the fine particle layer such as toner at the coating contact nip portion, the penetration is inhibited. Therefore, a foam excellent in foam stability is required. For this reason, it is preferable to contain a fatty acid alkanolamide (1: 1) type in the fixing solution. Fatty acid alkanolamides include (1: 1) type and (1: 2) type, but (1: 1) type is suitable for foam stability in the present invention.

Next, the foaming aid will be outlined. In the fixing solution of the present invention, a fatty acid salt and a fatty acid are used in combination as a foaming agent. However, when the pH is in the alkaline region, foamability and foam stability may be deteriorated. This is presumably because the fatty acid reacts with the alkaline substance and the super fat effect by the free fatty acid is reduced. It has been found that adding a small amount of aliphatic alcohol improves the foamability and foam stability. This is presumably because the aliphatic alcohol functions in the same manner as the free fatty acid.
As the aliphatic alcohol, those having 12 to 18 carbon atoms are excellent. Specifically, lauryl alcohol (carbon number 12), myristyl alcohol (carbon number 14), cetyl alcohol (carbon number 16), and stearyl alcohol (carbon number 18) are suitable. Further, pentadecyl alcohol (carbon number 15), heptadecyl alcohol (carbon number 17), and the like are also suitable. The content of the aliphatic alcohol having 12 to 18 carbon atoms is preferably 0.01 to 1% by mass, and more preferably 0.1 to 0.5% by mass. When the content of the aliphatic alcohol having 12 to 18 carbon atoms is less than 0.01% by mass, the effect of improving foamability and foam stability may be insufficient, and when the content exceeds 1% by mass. There is a possibility that the viscosity of the fixing solution is increased and the foaming property is lowered.

  Next, the pH adjuster will be outlined. The fixing solution of the present invention contains an alkaline pH adjusting agent in order to promote the decomposition of the softening agent by adjusting the pH of the fixing solution to an appropriate range. Since the softener has an ester group, it gradually reacts with water and is hydrolyzed. However, if a pH adjuster is added so that the pH of the fixing solution becomes 8 or more, the reaction between the softener and water. Is dramatically promoted. On the contrary, if the pH of the fixing solution is less than 8 even if it contains an alkaline substance, hydrolysis of the softener is very slow.

  Examples of the pH adjusting agent that makes it alkaline include alkali metal element, alkaline earth metal element hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, ammonia, and amine compounds. Examples of amine compounds include ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine ethylenediamine, trimethylenediamine, n-propylamine, isopropylamine, diisopropylamine, 3-ethoxypropylamine, sec-butylamine, t-butylamine, amylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine. Examples include ethanolamine. Among these, diethanolamine and triethanolamine are particularly preferable because they have a high effect of promoting the decomposition of the softener and do not lower the foamability and foam stability of the fixing solution.

  The content of the pH adjusting agent is preferably in a range where the pH of the fixing solution is 8 to 11, and more preferably 9 to 10. When the content of the pH adjusting agent is such that the pH of the fixing solution is less than 8, decomposition of the softening agent may not be promoted sufficiently, and when the pH of the fixing solution is more than 11, This is not suitable because the foaming property is rather deteriorated.

  The pH adjuster is stored in a state separated from the softener in order to enhance the storage stability of the fixing solution. Since the pH adjusting agent does not react with the anionic surfactant that is a foaming agent, it can be configured to be stored together with the foaming agent.

  If the pH of the fixing solution exceeds 11, an acidic pH adjusting agent may be added to lower the pH of the fixing solution. As the acidic pH adjusting agent, organic acids such as lactic acid, citric acid and malic acid are desirable. Moreover, since a softening agent suppresses a hydrolysis in the weak acid area | region of pH 6-7, you may add an acidic pH adjuster to a softening agent liquid.

  Next, the solvent will be outlined. As the solvent, water, an aqueous solvent obtained by adding alcohol or the like to water, and the like are preferable. As water, for example, pure water such as ion exchange water, ultrafiltration water, reverse osmosis water, distilled water, or ultrapure water can be used. When an aqueous solvent is used, it is preferable that the surface tension be 20 mN / m to 30 mN / m by adding a surfactant. As alcohols, for example, unitary alcohols such as cetanol, etc .; ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene, because of the advantage of improving the stability of bubbles in the foam-like fixing solution and making it difficult to break bubbles Polyhydric alcohols such as glycol, tripropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and glycerin are preferred. Further, containing these unit price or polyhydric alcohols has an effect of preventing curling of a medium such as paper.

  Also preferred is a constitution in which an O / W emulsion or a W / O emulsion is formed by containing an oily component in the fixing solution in order to improve permeability and prevent curling of a medium such as paper. In this case, as a specific dispersant, sorbitan fatty acid esters such as sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monosterate and sorbitan sesquioleate, and sucrose esters such as sucrose laurate and sucrose stearate are preferable.

  In addition, as a method for dissolving the softening agent or fixing the microemulsion during fixing, for example, a mechanical stirring means such as a homomixer or a homogenizer using a rotary blade, and a means for applying vibration such as an ultrasonic homogenizer Is mentioned. In any case, a strong shear stress is added to the softener in the fixing solution to dissolve or disperse the microemulsion.

Next, the resin fine particles for applying the fixing solution in the present invention will be outlined.
The resin fine particles containing a resin to be fixed are not limited to toner, and any fine particles containing a resin may be used, and resin fine particles containing a conductive member may be used.

  Of the resin fine particles, the toner used in the electrophotographic process has the highest fixing effect in combination with the fixing solution of the present invention. The toner contains a colorant, a charge control agent, a binder resin, and a release agent, and further contains other components as necessary. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as binder resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a polystyrene resin, a styrene-acryl copolymer, a polyester resin etc. are mentioned. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a mold release agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, wax components, such as a carbanau wax and polyethylene, etc. are mentioned. Furthermore, there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a coloring agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably from well-known dyes and pigments. The charge control agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known materials according to the purpose. Examples thereof include triphenylmethane dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxyamines, 4 Examples include quaternary ammonium salts (including fluorine-modified quaternary ammonium salts), alkylamides, phosphorus alone or compounds thereof, tungsten alone or compounds thereof, fluorine activators, metal salts of salicylic acid, and metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives. . These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. The other components are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples thereof include external additives, fluidity improvers, cleaning improvers, magnetic materials, and metal soaps. .

  Further, the toner is preferably subjected to a water repellency treatment by fixing hydrophobic fine particles such as hydrophobic silica having a methyl group and hydrophobic titanium oxide to the surface of the toner particles.

  Also, the foamed fixing solution preferably has sufficient affinity for water-repellent treated toner particles. Here, affinity means the degree of extended wetting of the liquid with respect to the surface of the solid when the liquid comes into contact with the solid. That is, it is preferable that the foamed fixing solution exhibits sufficient wettability with respect to the water-repellent treated toner. The surface of the toner subjected to water repellency treatment with hydrophobic fine particles such as hydrophobic silica and hydrophobic titanium oxide is covered with methyl groups present on the surfaces of hydrophobic silica and hydrophobic titanium oxide, and is approximately 20 mN / m. Has a surface energy of a degree. Actually, since the entire surface of the water-repellent treated toner is not completely covered with hydrophobic fine particles, the surface energy of the water-repellent treated toner is approximately 20 mN / m to 30 mN / m. Guessed. Therefore, in order to have affinity for the water-repellent toner (having sufficient wettability), the surface tension of the foamed fixing solution is preferably 20 mN / m to 30 mN / m.

  Next, the medium will be outlined. The medium is not limited to recording paper, and any of metal, resin, ceramics and the like may be used. However, the medium is preferably permeable to the fixing solution, and when the medium substrate does not have the liquid permeability, a medium having a liquid permeable layer on the substrate is preferable. The form of the medium is not limited to a sheet shape, and may be a three-dimensional object having a flat surface and a curved surface. For example, the present invention can also be applied to applications in which transparent resin fine particles are uniformly fixed on a medium such as paper to protect the paper surface (so-called varnish coating). Among the media, the recording medium is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include paper, cloth, and a plastic film such as an OHP sheet having a liquid permeable layer.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the fixing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the fixing device 10 according to the present embodiment shown in the figure, the softener liquid that generates the fixing liquid is independent of the softener liquid sealed container 11, and the foaming liquid is independent of the foaming liquid sealed container 12. Stored separately. When the fixing device is in operation, the softener liquid from the softener liquid sealing container 11 and the foaming from the foaming liquid sealing container 12 by the liquid transport pumps 13 and 14 based on a drive control signal from the main controller 17 described later. Each amount of the solution is supplied to the fixing solution mixing unit 15 so as to obtain a desired pH value. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the pH of the mixed solution in the fixing solution mixing unit 15 is measured by the pH measurement unit 16 provided on the mixing channel wall of the fixing solution mixing unit 15. The pH measurement unit 16 supplies the measured pH measurement value to the main control unit 17, and the main control unit 17 sends a drive control signal to a desired pH value to the transport pumps 13 and 14 based on the supplied pH measurement value. Output. Based on the drive control signal supplied from the main control unit 17, the liquid transfer pumps 13 and 14 are supplied with a predetermined amount of softener liquid from the softener liquid sealed container 11 and a predetermined amount from the foaming liquid sealed container 12. One or both of the foaming agent liquids of the liquid amount are supplied to the fixing liquid mixing unit 15. Then, the mixed liquid having a desired pH value is sent to the bubbling tank 18. In the bubbling tank 18, the air pump 19 is operated at the timing when the mixed solution arrives, and the mixed solution is bubbled to generate a foam-like fixing solution having a large bubble diameter. The bubbles at this time are large enough to be seen visually. The generated large bubbles are sent to the foam-like fixer generating means 20 to apply a shearing force to the bubbles to form fine bubbles, thereby forming a foam-like fixer. This foam-like fixing liquid generating means 20 has a double cylindrical member, and a shearing force generated on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member as the inner cylindrical member rotates axially. By this, a small bubble having a desired bubble diameter is generated from the large bubble. It should be noted that a spiral groove may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the internal cylindrical member to increase the liquid transport capability in the cylinder. The foam-like fixing solution thus generated is supplied from the supply port 21 to the intimate portion between the foam film thickness controlling blade 23 and the application roller 22 which are in close contact with the application roller 22, and a desired foam is formed on the application roller 22. A film is formed. By passing the recording paper of the medium on which the unfixed toner image is formed between the coating roller 22 and the pressure roller 24 opposite thereto, a foam film of a foam-like fixer is imparted to the unfixed toner. The softening agent softens the toner resin and fixes the toner image on the paper without heating. In the fixing device 10 of FIG. 3, the pressure side is constituted by a roller, but the pressure side may be a belt pressure belt 25 as in the fixing device 30 shown in FIG. By making the pressure side belt-like in this way, it is possible to easily widen the nip width, and there is no excessive force that causes wrinkles on the paper, and if the nip time is the same, the paper conveyance speed is increased. It becomes possible to speed up and fast fixing is possible.

  Here, examples of the sealed container used for the softener liquid sealed container 11 and the foaming agent liquid sealed container 12 include a sealed container made of a resin. Examples of the resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA). Moreover, you may use the airtight container which consists of a film of the said resin. The above resins may be combined to form a multilayer structure. Further, a metal such as aluminum may be vapor-deposited in order to provide gas barrier properties.

  Also, if the softening agent liquid and the foaming agent liquid are not mixed sufficiently uniformly, the foaming property deteriorates during foaming after mixing, the density of the foamy fixing solution becomes higher than the desired value, and the foam film There is a risk that it cannot be formed. In addition, the softening agent may be unevenly distributed at the foam plateau boundary, and fixing may be uneven. Therefore, it is desirable to incorporate a rotating stirring blade in the fixing liquid mixing unit and sufficiently mix and uniformly mix the softener liquid and the foaming liquid before foaming bubbling. In addition, ultrasonic vibration or the like is desirable as a stirring method.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, it is also suitable to provide a fixing liquid mixing unit 15 having only a flow path. Since there is no drive unit, extremely simple mixing is possible. Specifically, the fixing liquid mixing section includes a flow path in which the flow path of the softener liquid and the flow path of the foaming agent liquid merge and mix, and the fluid resistance of the softening liquid flow path and the foaming liquid path The fluid resistance of the mixed liquid flow path is reduced with respect to the fluid resistance. With such a configuration, the flow rate of the mixed liquid flow path is increased and a turbulent flow is formed, so that the softener liquid and the foaming liquid are sufficiently mixed.

  Moreover, as the liquid transport pumps 13 and 14 for transporting the softener liquid and the foaming liquid, there are a gear pump, a bellows pump, and the like, but a tube pump is desirable. If there is a vibration mechanism or a rotation mechanism such as a gear pump, the liquid bubbles in the pump, the liquid may be compressible, and the conveyance capacity may be reduced. Moreover, there is a possibility that the above-mentioned mechanical parts and the like contaminate the softener liquid and the foaming liquid, and conversely deteriorate the mechanical parts. On the other hand, since the tube pump is a mechanism that pushes out the liquid in the tube while deforming the tube, the only member in contact with the softener liquid or foaming agent liquid is the tube. By using a liquid-resistant member, there is no contamination of the liquid or deterioration of the pump system parts. In addition, since the tube is only deformed, the liquid does not foam, and the conveyance capacity can be prevented from being lowered.

  Further, in the configuration of FIG. 3, the liquid conveying pumps 13 and 14, the fixing liquid mixing unit 15, the bubbling tank 18, and the foam-like fixing liquid generating means 20 that converts large bubbles into small bubbles having a desired bubble diameter in the configuration of FIG. 3. The softener liquid and the foaming agent liquid are mixed, and chemical decomposition of the softener occurs when left for a long time. Therefore, it is desirable to discard the fixer in the flow path from the fixer mixing unit to the foam-like fixer supply port at the end of fixing or at the start of fixing. Furthermore, since the fixing solution is wasted due to disposal, it is desirable that the volume in the flow path from the fixing solution mixing unit to the foamy fixing solution supply port is as small as possible.

  3 is provided with a pH measuring unit 16 for measuring the pH of the fixing solution. A known pH meter is used as the pH measuring unit 16. The pH meter is preferably composed of a liquid-resistant member. As shown in FIG. 4, it is suitable that the pH measuring unit (electrode unit) 16 is installed in a place where the softener solution and the foaming agent solution are sufficiently mixed. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing device 10 of the present embodiment has the pH measuring unit 16 so that it can be confirmed whether the fixing solution is in a pH range that does not cause blocking after fixing, and the quality control of the fixing device can be easily performed. Yes.

  Further, an image information signal related to the amount of resin fine particles attached to the medium is transmitted from the image forming apparatus which is a host device to the main control unit 17 in FIG. The main control unit 17 determines the amount of the softening agent necessary for fixing and the amount of the foaming agent liquid that achieves a desired foaming property, and transmits drive control signals to the liquid transport pumps 13 and 14. In addition to information related to the amount of resin fine particles on the medium, the main control unit 17 controls the supply amount of the softener liquid and the foaming liquid based on information related to fixing conditions such as the type of medium and the temperature of the fixing environment. May be. With this configuration, the softening agent necessary for fixing can be applied to the resin fine particles without excess or deficiency. Further, since the amount of the foaming agent liquid can be varied, the amount of the foaming agent can be adjusted according to the amount of the softening agent, and the foamability of the fixing solution can be kept constant. Thereby, fixing reliability is increased.

  Further, it is necessary to adjust the nip width according to the conveyance speed of the recording medium so that the nip time is equal to or longer than the toner layer penetration time of the foamy fixer. In the example shown in FIG. 3, an elastic porous body (hereinafter referred to as a sponge) is used as the pressure roller 24 as an elastic layer, so that the distance between the axes of the application roller 22 and the pressure roller 24 depends on the conveyance speed of the recording medium. It becomes easy to change the nip width by changing the distance. An elastic rubber is also suitable for the pressure roller 24 instead of a sponge, but the sponge can be deformed with a weaker force than the elastic rubber, ensuring a long nip width without excessively increasing the pressure applied to the application roller 22. can do.

  The fixer contains a resin softening or swelling agent, and if the fixer should adhere to the pressure roller formed of a sponge material, there is a risk of problems such as softening of the sponge material. The resin material of the sponge material is preferably a material that does not soften or swell against the softening or swelling agent. Further, the pressure roller using a sponge material may be configured to be covered with a flexible film. Even if the sponge material is a material that is softened or deteriorated by a swelling agent, the sponge roller can be prevented from being deteriorated by covering it with a flexible film that does not show softening or swelling by the softening or swelling agent. As the sponge material, for example, a porous body of resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide is suitable. As the flexible film covering the sponge, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, a tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), or the like is suitable.

  In FIG. 3, when the application roller 22 and the pressure roller 24 using a sponge material are always in contact, the foamy fixing liquid on the application roller 22 is applied to the pressure roller 24 when the recording medium is not conveyed. In order to prevent adhesion and contamination, a paper leading edge detection means (not shown) is provided before the recording medium is transported to the coating roller 22, and only from the leading edge of the recording medium to the rear according to the leading edge detection signal. It is preferable to form the foam-like fixing solution on the application roller 22 at such a timing that the foam-like fixing solution is applied.

  In FIG. 3, the application roller 22 and the pressure roller 24 using a sponge material are separated from each other during standby, and the application is performed according to the leading edge detection means of the recording medium only during application by a driving mechanism (not shown). A configuration in which the roller 22 and the pressure roller 24 using a sponge material are in contact with each other is also preferable. Further, it is preferable to detect the trailing edge of the recording medium, and to separate the application roller 22 and the pressure roller 24 using a sponge material in accordance with the trailing edge detection signal of the recording medium.

  Further, the toner fixing device supplies a fixing liquid according to the present invention to the toner, and then presses the swollen toner dissolved by a softening agent that dissolves or swells at least a part of the resin contained in the toner. You may have a forming roller (hard roller). By pressurizing the dissolved or swollen toner with a pair of smoothing rollers (hard rollers), the surface of the dissolved or swollen toner layer can be smoothed to give the toner gloss. Further, the toner fixability to the recording medium can be improved by pushing the dissolved or swollen toner into the recording medium.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fixing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 denote the same components. In the fixing device 40 of the present embodiment shown in the figure, a different structural requirement from the fixing device 10 of the first embodiment of FIG. 3 is that a pH adjusting agent solution is added to the fixing solution according to the pH of the fixing solution. Supplying pH adjusting agent supply control means is provided. Specifically, the pH adjuster liquid is separated and stored in the pH adjuster liquid sealed container 26 independently. When the fixing device is in operation, the pH of the pH adjusting agent liquid from the pH adjusting agent liquid hermetic container 26 by the liquid conveying pump 27 becomes a desired value based on a drive control signal from the main control unit 17 described later. As described above, a predetermined liquid amount is supplied to the fixing liquid mixing unit 15. When the liquid mixture in the fixing liquid mixing unit 15 is not in the desired pH range, the main control unit 17 determines the amount of the pH adjusting agent at which the fixing liquid reaches a desired pH, and the controlled liquid conveyance pump 27 controls the pH. The adjusting agent liquid is supplied to the fixing liquid mixing unit 15. The fixing solution and the pH adjusting agent solution are sufficiently uniformly mixed by the fixing solution mixing unit 15, and the pH is measured again by the pH measuring unit 16, and then sent to the bubbling tank 18 by the controlled liquid conveyance pump 28. With such a configuration, the pH of the fixing solution can be maintained in a desired pH range even if the mixing amount of the softener solution and the foaming agent solution varies. Thereby, blocking after fixing can be prevented. It is to be noted that the desired pH can be obtained by controlling one, two or all of the control of the liquid amount of the pH adjusting agent liquid, the liquid amount control of the softening agent liquid, or the liquid amount control of the foaming agent liquid. It is also possible to obtain a range of fixers.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the fixing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6 denote the same components. In the fixing device 50 according to the present embodiment shown in the same figure, a different constituent requirement from the fixing device 40 according to the second embodiment in FIG. 6 is that the fixing solution has an alkaline first pH depending on the pH of the fixing solution. First pH adjusting agent supply control means for supplying the adjusting agent liquid and second pH adjusting agent supply control means for supplying the acidic second pH adjusting agent liquid are provided. Specifically, the alkaline first pH adjuster liquid is separated and stored in the first pH adjuster liquid sealed container 29 in an independent state. Further, the acidic second pH adjuster liquid is separated and stored in the second pH adjuster liquid sealed container 32 in an independent state. When the fixing device is in operation, an alkaline first pH adjuster liquid from the first pH adjuster liquid hermetically sealed container 29 and the liquid transport by the liquid transport pump 31 based on a drive control signal from the main controller 17 described later. Each of the predetermined liquid amounts of the acidic second pH adjuster liquid from the second pH adjuster liquid sealed container 32 by the pump 33 is set to a desired value so that the pH value of the mixed liquid becomes a desired value. To be supplied. When the liquid mixture in the fixing liquid mixing unit 15 is not in the desired pH range, the main control unit 17 determines and controls the amounts of the first and second pH adjusting agent liquids at which the fixing liquid reaches the desired pH. The first and second pH adjuster liquids are supplied to the fixing liquid mixing unit 15 by the liquid transport pumps 31 and 33, respectively. The fixing solution and the first and second pH adjuster solutions are sufficiently uniformly mixed in the fixing solution mixing unit 15, and the pH is measured again by the pH measuring unit 16, and then the bubbling tank 18 is controlled by the controlled liquid transport pump 28. Sent to. With such a configuration, the pH of the fixing solution can be maintained in a desired pH range even if the mixing amount of the softener solution and the foaming agent solution varies. Thereby, blocking after fixing can be prevented.

  With such a configuration, when the fixing solution does not reach a desired pH, the pH of the fixing solution can be adjusted by supplying the alkaline first pH adjusting agent controlled by the main control unit. Further, when the fixing solution exceeds a desired pH, the pH of the fixing solution can be adjusted by supplying an acidic second pH adjuster solution controlled by the main control unit. It should be noted that the liquid volume control of the first and second pH adjuster liquids, and further, the liquid volume control of the softener liquid or the liquid volume control of the foaming liquid, one, two, three, or all It is also possible to obtain a fixing solution having a desired pH range by performing the above control.

  Here, the foam fixing solution generating means in the fixing device of each of the above embodiments will be outlined. In general, in the case of a large bubble of about 0.5 mm to 1 mm, the bubble can be generated relatively easily by simple stirring or the like. Yes, large bubbles can be produced in less than a few seconds (not taking 0.1 seconds). Therefore, paying attention to the fact that bubbles that are larger than the desired bubble diameter and that can be easily observed and can be quickly obtained can be obtained quickly, and from about 5 μm to 50 μm quickly from the large bubbles. As a result of diligently studying the method of generating microbubbles, dividing the large foam by applying shear force to the large foam is extremely quick compared to the method of generating microbubbles from the liquid state as described above. Microbubbles of a desired size can be generated.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the air pump 19 is operated at the timing when the fixer reaches the bubbling tank 18, and the fixer is bubbled to make the fixer foam. The bubbles at this time are large enough to be seen visually. In addition, as another method for generating large bubbles, large bubbles having a uniform bubble diameter can be generated by passing through the microporous sheet in the bubbling tank. The pore diameter is desirably about 30 μm to 100 μm. Not only a microporous sheet but also a porous member having an open cell structure is suitable, and may be a sintered ceramic plate, a nonwoven fabric or a foamed resin sheet having a pore diameter of about 30 μm to 100 μm. In addition, it is also desirable to generate a large bubble while entraining bubbles in the fixer while stirring with a blade-like stirrer in a bubbling tank.

  Next, in order to divide a large bubble into two or more bubbles, a small amount in a foam-like fixer generating means as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 for applying a shearing force to the large bubble. The foam-like fixer generating means 20 as a foam generating unit is a closed double cylinder, and the inner cylinder can be rotated, and a larger foam-like fixer is supplied from a part of the outer cylinder to rotate the inside. The rotating cylinder receives a shearing force while passing through a gap between the outer cylinder and the outer cylinder (this is a flow path). Due to this shearing force, the large bubbles are changed into minute bubbles, and a foam-like fixing liquid having a desired minute bubble diameter can be obtained from the outlet of the bubbles provided in the outer cylinder. In addition, a spiral groove may be provided in the inner cylinder to increase the liquid transport capability in the cylinder.

  In this way, liquid fixing is achieved by combining a large bubble generating unit that changes the liquid fixing liquid into a liquid having a large bubble diameter and a fine bubble generating unit that generates a small bubble by applying shear force to the large bubble. It is possible to produce a foam-like fixing solution having a fine bubble diameter of 5 μm to 50 μm in a very short time.

  The outline of the foam-like fixing solution applying means in the fixing device of each of the above embodiments will be described. First, the resin fine particles are toner particles. The fixing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 applies the desired fine bubble foam fixing solution generated by the above-described foam fixing solution generating means to the resin fine particle layer (toner particle layer). The film thickness of the application roller 22 and the desired fine bubble foam fixing solution on the surface of the application roller is controlled in accordance with the thickness of the unfixed toner layer on the recording medium. A foam film thickness control blade 23 of a foam fixing liquid film thickness control means for controlling the film thickness and a pressure roller 24 at a position facing the application roller 22 are provided. With such a configuration, a layer of the foam-like fixing solution is formed on the coating roller 22 through the film thickness control blade 23 of the foam-like fixing solution film thickness control means in accordance with the thickness of the unfixed toner layer on the recording medium. The foam fixing solution according to the film size control blade 23 of the foam fixing solution film thickness control means corresponds to the bubble size of the foam fixing solution, the foam viscosity and the applied pressure of the foam, and the layer thickness of the unfixed toner. The film thickness of the fixing liquid layer is optimized with respect to the penetration time of the liquid in the unfixed toner layer. As described above, the desired fine foam foam fixing solution is composed of a large foam generating section that generates large foam and a small foam generating section that separates large foam with a shearing force to generate micro foam. It is generated by the foam-type fixing solution generating means configured to be included and dropped between the application roller 22 and the film thickness control blade 23 of the foam-type fixing solution thickness control means from the foam-fixing-solution supply port 21. The

As the bulk density of the foamy fixing ^{solution, 0.01g / cm 3 ~0.1g / cm} 3 in the range of about preferably. Furthermore, in order to prevent the occurrence of residual liquid feeling on the medium surface when the fixing solution applied is, as the density of the foam ^is preferably ^{0.01g / cm 3 ~0.02g / cm 3} , 0.02g / cm 3 or less Is more preferable. This is because the foam film of the foam-like fixing solution on the surface of the contact applying means, as in the case of the application roller, is required to be equal to or larger than the thickness of the fine particle layer on the medium (fill the gap between the fine particle layers with the foam-like fixing solution). In general, the thickness of the foam film is preferably 50 μm to 80 μm. On the other hand, in order not to have a feeling of residual liquid (wet feeling) when the fixing solution adheres to the medium surface, the amount of fixing solution attached is preferably 0.1 mg / cm ² or less. Therefore, as the density of the ^foam, preferably in the range of ^{0.0125g / cm 3 ~0.02g / cm 3} , a density of 0.02 g / cm ³ or less of the foam is more preferable.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the film thickness control of the foam-like fixing liquid on the application roller is performed using a liquid film thickness control blade 62 provided with a gap as shown in FIG. Thus, when the film thickness is reduced, the gap is narrowed, and when the film thickness is increased as shown in FIG. The gap is controlled using a rotary shaft having a drive at the end of the liquid film thickness control blade 62, and the thickness of the toner layer, the environmental temperature, etc., as well as the bubble size, bubble viscosity and coating pressure of the foam-like fixer. In addition, the optimum film thickness for adjusting the permeation time of the foamy fixing solution in the unfixed toner layer according to the layer thickness of the unfixed toner is controlled.

  Further, in addition to the liquid film thickness control blade of FIG. 8, the thickness of the foam-like fixing solution on the coating roller is controlled by a wire bar, and the foam-like fixing solution generates large bubbles as described above. And the large bubbles are generated by means of separating the bubbles with a shearing force, and dropped from the liquid supply port between the film control wire bar and the coating roller. By using the wire bar as the film control means, the uniformity of the foam-like fixing liquid film in the axial direction of the coating roller surface is improved as compared with the blade.

  An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described fixing device of the present invention, and forms an image of resin fine particles containing resin on a recording medium. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of another embodiment of the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of fixing toner onto a recording medium more efficiently. it can.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to another invention. The image forming apparatus shown in the figure may be a copying machine or a printer. FIG. 9A is a schematic view of the entire color electrophotographic tandem image forming apparatus, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating the configuration of one image forming unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 9A. FIG. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B includes an intermediate transfer belt 101 as a toner image carrier. The intermediate transfer belt 101 is stretched around three support rollers 102 to 104 and rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure. On the intermediate transfer belt 101, black, yellow, magenta and cyan image forming units 105 to 108 are arranged. Above these image forming units, an exposure device (not shown) is arranged. For example, when the image forming apparatus is a copying machine, each exposure L1 to L4 for reading image information of an original with a scanner and writing an electrostatic latent image on each photosensitive drum according to the image information is performed. Irradiated by an exposure apparatus. A secondary transfer device 109 is provided at a position facing the support roller 104 of the intermediate transfer belt 101 with the intermediate transfer belt 101 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer device 109 includes a secondary transfer belt 112 that is stretched between two support rollers 110 and 111. As the secondary transfer device 109, a transfer roller may be used in addition to the transfer belt. A belt cleaning device 113 is disposed at a position facing the support roller 102 of the intermediate transfer belt 101 with the intermediate transfer belt 101 interposed therebetween. The belt cleaning device 113 is arranged to remove toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 101.

  A recording sheet 114 as a recording medium is guided to a secondary transfer unit by a pair of paper feed rollers 115, and the secondary transfer belt 112 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 101 when the toner image is transferred to the recording sheet 114. Thus, the toner image is transferred. The recording paper 114 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed by the secondary transfer belt 112, and the unfixed toner image transferred to the recording paper 114 is formed in a form based on image information from an exposure device (not shown). Fixing is performed by the fixing device of the present invention that controls the film thickness of the fixing solution. That is, for the unfixed toner image transferred to the recording paper 114, the film thickness of the foam-like fixing liquid layer is controlled based on image information from an exposure device (not shown), for example, a color image or a black solid image. A part (softener) which is provided with the foam-like fixing solution supplied from the toner fixing device and dissolves or swells at least a part of the resin contained in the toner contained in the foam-like fixing solution. As a result, the unfixed toner image is fixed on the recording paper 114.

  Next, the image forming unit will be described. As shown in FIG. 9B, in the image forming units 105 to 108, a charging device 117, a developing device 118, a cleaning device 119, and a charge removal device 120 are disposed around the photosensitive drum 116. A primary transfer device 121 is provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 116 with the intermediate transfer belt 101 interposed therebetween. The charging device 117 is a contact charging type charging device employing a charging roller. The charging device 117 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 116 by bringing a charging roller into contact with the photosensitive drum 116 and applying a voltage to the photosensitive drum 116. As the charging device 117, a non-contact charging type charging device using a non-contact scorotron or the like may be employed. Further, the developing device 118 causes the toner in the developer to adhere to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 116 to visualize the electrostatic latent image. Here, the toners corresponding to the respective colors are made of resin materials colored in the respective colors, and these resin materials are dissolved or swollen by the fixing solution in the present invention. The developing device 118 includes a stirring unit and a developing unit (not shown), and the developer that has not been used for development is returned to the stirring unit and reused. The toner concentration in the agitation unit is detected by a toner concentration sensor, and is controlled so that the toner concentration is constant. Further, the primary transfer device 121 transfers the toner visualized on the photosensitive drum 116 to the intermediate transfer belt 101. Here, a transfer roller is employed as the primary transfer device 121, and the transfer roller is pressed against the photosensitive drum 116 with the intermediate transfer belt 101 interposed therebetween. As the primary transfer device 121, a conductive brush, a non-contact corona charger, or the like can be adopted. The cleaning device 119 removes unnecessary toner on the photosensitive drum 116. As the cleaning device 119, a blade having a tip pressed against the photosensitive drum 116 can be used. Here, the toner collected by the cleaning device 119 is collected by the developing device 118 by a collecting screw and a toner recycling device (not shown) and reused. Further, the static elimination device 120 is constituted by a lamp, and initializes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 116 by irradiating light. Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention uses the fixing device of the present invention, it has good fixability and can form a high-quality image without curling a recording medium such as paper.

  The image forming method of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transfer step, and a fixing step, and other steps appropriately selected as necessary, for example, a static elimination step, a cleaning step. , Including recycling process, control process, etc.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit, and other types appropriately selected as necessary. Means, for example, static elimination means, cleaning means, recycling means, control means and the like.

  The image forming method of the present invention can be preferably carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image forming step can be performed by an electrostatic latent image forming unit, and the developing step is performed by the developing unit. The transfer step can be performed by a transfer unit, the fixing step can be performed by a fixing unit, the recharging step can be performed by a recharging unit, and the other steps can be performed by other units. it can.

  The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier. There are no particular restrictions on the material, shape, structure, size, etc. of the electrostatic latent image carrier (hereinafter referred to as an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a photoreceptor or an image carrier), and it is appropriately selected from known ones. However, the shape is preferably a drum shape, and examples of the material include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, and organic photoreceptors such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine. Among these, amorphous silicon or the like is preferable in terms of long life.

  The formation of the electrostatic latent image can be performed by, for example, uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and then exposing it like an image, and can be performed by electrostatic latent image forming means. The electrostatic latent image forming means includes, for example, at least a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and an exposure device that exposes the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier imagewise.

  Charging can be performed, for example, by applying a voltage to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier using a charger. The charger is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a known contact charger including a conductive or semiconductive roll, brush, film, rubber blade, etc. Examples thereof include a non-contact charger using corona discharge such as corotron and scorotron.

  The exposure can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier imagewise using an exposure device. The exposure device is not particularly limited as long as it can expose the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier charged by the charger as an image to be formed, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples of the exposure apparatus include a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, and a liquid crystal shutter optical system. In the present invention, a back light system in which imagewise exposure is performed from the back side of the electrostatic latent image carrier may be employed.

  The development step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image. The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner, and can be performed by a developing unit. The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using toner, for example, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, the toner is accommodated and the electrostatic latent image is brought into contact or non-contact with the toner. A developer having at least a developer that can be applied in a contactable manner is preferably used, and a developer having a container containing toner is more preferred.

  The developing device may be of a dry development type, may be of a wet development type, may be a single color developer, or may be a multicolor developer, For example, a toner having a stirrer for charging toner by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller can be preferably used.

  In the developing device, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and stirred, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state to form a magnetic brush. Since this magnet roller is disposed in the vicinity of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor), a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is electrostatically attracted by an electric attractive force. It moves to the surface of the latent image carrier (photoconductor). As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner, and a visible image is formed with the toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor).

  The transfer process is a process of transferring a visible image to a recording medium. After using the intermediate transfer member to primarily transfer the visible image onto the intermediate transfer member, the visible image is then transferred onto the recording medium. A transfer mode is preferable, and a primary transfer step of forming a composite transfer image by transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member using two or more colors, preferably full color toner as a toner, and a composite transfer image on a recording medium A mode including a secondary transfer step of transferring the image onto the surface is more preferable. The transfer can be performed, for example, by charging the latent electrostatic image bearing member (photoconductor) with a transfer charger using a visible image, and can be performed by a transfer unit. The transfer unit includes a primary transfer unit that transfers a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member to form a composite transfer image, and a secondary transfer unit that transfers the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. Is preferred. The intermediate transfer member is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known transfer members according to the purpose. For example, a transfer belt and the like are preferable.

  The transfer means (primary transfer means, secondary transfer means) has at least a transfer device that peels and charges the visible image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) to the recording medium side. preferable. There may be one transfer means, or two or more transfer means. Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device. In addition, there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a recording medium, It can select suitably from well-known recording media (recording paper).

  The fixing step is a step of fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium, and is performed using the fixing device of the present invention. The fixing means is means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium, and is performed using the fixing device of the present invention.

  The neutralization step is a step of performing neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a neutralization unit. The neutralizing means is not particularly limited as long as it can apply a neutralizing bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from known neutralizers. For example, a neutralizing lamp is preferable. It is done.

  The cleaning step is a step of removing toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a cleaning unit. The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the electrophotographic toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from known cleaners. For example, a magnetic brush cleaner, static Preferred examples include an electric brush cleaner, a magnetic roller cleaner, a blade cleaner, a brush cleaner, and a web cleaner.

  The recycling process is a process in which the toner removed by the cleaning process is recycled to the developing unit, and can be suitably performed by the recycling unit. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a recycle means, A well-known conveyance means etc. are mentioned.

  A control process is a process of controlling each process, and can be suitably performed by a control means. The control means is not particularly limited as long as the movement of each means can be controlled, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as a sequencer and a computer.

(Production Example 1)
-Preparation of fatty acid triethanolamine salt-
Fatty acid with a mass ratio of 4: 3: 1 of myristic acid (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent), palmitic acid (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent), stearic acid (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent), Weighed so that the molar ratio of triethanolamine (Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent) as a solubilizing agent was 1: 1, and stirred it in ion-exchanged water at a liquid temperature of 80 ° C. for 1 hour to reach room temperature. Was allowed to cool to prepare a fatty acid triethanolamine salt.

(Production Example 2)
-Preparation of fatty acid diethanolamine salt-
In Production Example 1, a fatty acid diethanolamine salt was prepared in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the neutralizing agent was diethanolamine (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent).

(Production Example 3)
-Preparation of fatty acid potassium salt-
In Production Example 1, a fatty acid potassium salt was prepared in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the neutralizing agent was potassium hydroxide (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent).

(Production Example 4)
-Preparation of Fixer 1-
◇ Adjustment of softener liquid 1 Propylene carbonate (reagent) 80.0% by mass as a softener, dipropylene glycol (reagent) 10.0% by mass as a solubilizer, A softener liquid 1 was prepared by stirring 10.0% by mass of ion-exchanged water as a diluent with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes.
◇ Adjustment of foaming agent liquid 1 Fatty acid diethanolamine salt as a foaming agent (adjusted in Production Example 2) 8.0% by mass, dipropylene glycol as a solubilizer (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc., reagent) 10.0% by mass , Coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Marpon MM) 1.0% by mass, foam adjuster diethanolamine (Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., Reagent) 2 0.0% by mass and 79.0% by mass of ion-exchanged water as a diluent were stirred with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes to prepare a foaming agent liquid 1.

(Production Example 5)
-Preparation of Fixer 2-
◇ Adjustment of softener liquid 2 Dicarbitol succinate (reagent, manufactured by Higher Alcohol Industry Co., Ltd.), 60.0% by mass, tripropylene glycol (reagent, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 10 as a solubilizer A softener liquid 2 was prepared by stirring 10% by mass and 30.0% by mass of ion-exchanged water as a diluent with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes.
◇ Adjustment of foaming agent liquid 2 Fatty acid triethanolamine salt (adjusted in Production Example 1) as a foaming agent (8.0% by mass), palm oil fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) as a foaming agent (Matsumoto oil and fat A foaming agent liquid 2 was prepared by stirring 1.0% by mass of Marpon MM (manufactured by Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and 91.0% by mass of ion-exchanged water as a diluent with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes.
◇ Adjustment of pH adjuster solution 2 Triethanolamine (Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent) 5.0% by mass, foaming aid n-tetradecyl alcohol (Kanto Chemical Co., reagent) ) 0.2% by mass and 94.8% by mass of ion-exchanged water as a diluent were stirred with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes to prepare pH adjuster solution 2.

(Production Example 6)
-Preparation of Fixer 3-
◇ Adjustment of softener liquid 3 60.0% by mass of triethylene glycol diacetate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., reagent) as a softener and 40.0% by mass of ion-exchanged water as a diluent are obtained with an ultrasonic homogenizer. Stir for 10 minutes to prepare softener solution 3.
◇ Adjustment of foaming agent liquid 3 Fatty acid potassium salt as a foaming agent (adjusted in Production Example 3) 6.0% by mass, tripropylene glycol as a solubilizer (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., 10%) %, 1.0% by mass of coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Marpon MM) as a foam increasing agent, 83.0% by mass of ion-exchanged water as a diluent. The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes with a homogenizer to prepare a foaming agent solution 3.
◇ Adjustment of pH adjuster solution 3 Potassium hydroxide (reagent) 1.0% by mass as a pH adjuster, n-tetradecyl alcohol (reagent made by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a foaming aid ) 0.2% by mass and 98.8% by mass of ion-exchanged water as a diluent were stirred with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes to prepare pH adjuster liquid 3.

Example 1
10 mL of the softener liquid 1 (adjusted in Production Example 4) and 10 mL of the foaming agent liquid 1 (adjusted in Production Example 4) were stirred with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes to prepare Fixing Solution 1. Fixer 1 had a pH of 8.4. With respect to the fixer 1, the remaining ratio of the softener was measured by the following method. As a result, the remaining ratio of the softener was 51%.

<Measurement of residual ratio of softener>
In order to measure the residual ratio of the softening agent in the fixing solution, gas chromatography measurement was performed. The fixer was placed in a polypropylene container with a lid and stored at 25 ° C. for 1 hour, and the gas chromatographic measurement was performed on the fixer before and after storage. Regarding gas chromatography measurement conditions, the apparatus was HEWLETT PACKARD 5890 SERIESII, the column used was HEWLETT PACKARD HP-1 (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm), the column temperature was 50 ° C. to 250 ° C., the injection temperature was 200 ° C., The detector temperature was 200 ° C. and the sample volume was 1 μL. In addition, the gas chromatography measurement detects only what is gasified in the apparatus.

From the peak area of the softener before and after storage, the remaining ratio of the softener was determined by the following formula.
Residual rate of softener (%) = (peak area of softener after storage / peak area of softener before storage) × 100

  Next, in the fixing device shown in FIG. 3, 100 mL of the softening agent liquid 1 (adjusted in Production Example 4) and 100 mL of the foaming agent liquid 1 (adjusted in Production Example 4) were each put in a sealed container made of PET resin film. Subsequently, the tube pump was operated to supply the softener liquid 1 at a flow rate of 3 mL / min and the foaming agent liquid 1 at a flow rate of 3 mL / min for 5 seconds to the bubbling tank via the fixer mixing unit. Although not shown, the fixing liquid mixing unit has a structure in which two liquids can be mixed only by a flow path. Here, the pH of the fixing solution 1 was 8.4. After stopping the tube pump, the diaphragm type air pump was operated, and bubbling was carried out for 15 seconds in a bubbling tank to prepare a large foam fixing solution. Subsequently, the double cylinder was operated to produce a fine foamy fixing solution. Although not shown in the figure, the inner cylinder of the double cylinder in the foam-like fixing liquid generating means 20 in FIG. 3 is fixed to a rotating shaft and is rotated by a rotary drive motor. The material of the double cylinder was PET resin. The outer cylinder had an inner diameter of 10 mm and a length of 120 mm, and the inner cylinder had an outer shape of 8 mm and a length of 100 mm. The rotation speed was 1000 rpm. The rotation time was 10 seconds. About the obtained fine foam-like fixing solution, foamability, foam stability, fixability, and blocking were evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

<Evaluation of foamability>
In order to evaluate the foaming property, the foam density of a fine foam-like fixing solution was measured. Here, it is an essential condition that the foam film of the fixing solution on the surface of the contact applying means, as in the case of the application roller, is equal to or greater than the thickness of the resin fine particle layer on the medium (the gap between the resin fine particle layers is formed with the foam fixing solution). In general, the foam film thickness is desirably 50 μm to 80 μm. On the other hand, in order not to have a residual liquid feeling (wet feeling) due to the fixing liquid adhering to the medium surface, the fixing liquid adhesion amount is preferably 0.1 mg / cm ² or less. From this, the density of the foam is preferably 0.0200 g / cm ³ or less, more preferably 0.0125 g / cm ^{3 to} 0.0200 g / cm ³ . Therefore, the foamability was evaluated according to the following criteria from the value of the foam density of the fine foam-like fixing solution. The foam density was calculated by filling a container with a known volume with foam without a gap and measuring the weight.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
0.0125 to 0.0200 g / cm ³ : ○ (good foaming property)
0.0201-0.0300 g / cm < ³ > :( triangle | delta)
0.0301 to 0.0500 g / cm ³ : × (poor foaming property)

<Evaluation of foam stability>
In order to evaluate the foam stability, a fine foam-like fixing solution was allowed to stand for 1 minute, the state of the foam was visually observed, and evaluated according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
If the foam state does not change after standing for 1 minute: ○ (Foam stability is good)
If the foam disappears after standing for 1 minute: x (poor foam stability)

<Evaluation of fixability>
In order to evaluate the fixability, a fine foamy fixing solution was applied on the paper on which the unfixed toner was formed. In other words, an unfixed toner color image was formed on PPC paper (Ricoh Co., Ltd., T-6200) using an electrophotographic printer (Ricoh Co., Ltd., imagio MPC2500). . At this time, the thickness of the toner layer was 30 μm to 40 μm. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, along with the start of fixing, a fine foam-like fixing solution was supplied between the application roller and the film thickness control blade from the foam-like fixing solution supply port. The paper on which the toner unfixed image was formed was inserted into the application roller while the application roller was driven at the timing when the fine foamy fixing solution started to be supplied to the film control blade. A fine foam-like fixer film having a film thickness of about 80 μm was uniformly formed on the coating roller surface, and the fine foam-like fixer was uniformly applied to the paper surface. At this time, the gap between the blade and the application roller was 50 μm, and the application amount of the fixer was about 100 mg / A4. The pressure roller used was a sponge roller having an aluminum alloy roller (diameter 10 mm) as a core and a polyurethane foam material (product name “Color Foam EMO” manufactured by INOAC) having an outer diameter of 50 mm. The application roller used was a SUS roller (diameter 30 mm) coated with PFA resin. The linear speed of the roller was 300 mm / s. The film thickness control blade adhered a 1 mm-thick side-by-side glass to a support plate made of an aluminum alloy so that the gap between the coating roller and the glass surface could be controlled in the range of 10 μm to 100 μm with the glass surface facing the coating roller. The paper conveyance speed was 300 mm / s.
Fixability was evaluated according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
When toner is fixed on paper and paper is not curled: ○ (Good fixability)
If the toner is fixed on the paper but the paper is curled: △
When toner is not fixed on paper and paper is not curled: ×
When the toner is not fixed on the paper and the paper is curled: XX (Fixing failure)

<Evaluation of blocking>
In order to evaluate blocking, 1000 sheets (4 kg) of paper were placed on the fixed image. After 24 hours, the paper on the fixed image was removed, and blocking was evaluated according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
When the fixed image does not stick to the stacked paper and the toner is not peeled: ○ (No blocking)
When the fixed image is stuck on the stacked paper and the toner is peeled: × (with blocking)

(Example 2)
9 mL of softener liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5), 9 mL of foaming agent liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5) and 2 mL of pH adjuster liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5) were stirred for 10 minutes with an ultrasonic homogenizer. A fixing solution 2 was prepared. Fixer 2 had a pH of 9.3. When the fixing agent 2 was measured for the remaining ratio of the softening agent in the same manner as in Example 1, the remaining ratio of the softening agent was 55%.

  Next, in the fixing device shown in FIG. 6, 100 mL of softener liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5), 100 mL of foaming agent liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5) and pH adjuster liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5) 50 mL of each was placed in a sealed container made of PET resin film. Subsequently, the tube pump was operated, and the softener liquid 2 was supplied to the fixing liquid mixing section at a flow rate of 3 mL / min and the foaming agent liquid 2 was supplied at a flow rate of 3 mL / min for 4.5 seconds. Although the fixing liquid mixing unit is not shown, a stirring mechanism is provided. Here, the pH of the fixing solution was 7.6. Therefore, the tube pump was operated, and the pH adjusting agent solution 2 was supplied to the fixing solution mixing unit at a flow rate of 1.5 mL / min for 2 seconds. The pH of the fixer was 9.3. Therefore, the tube pump was operated and the fixing solution was supplied to the bubbling tank. After stopping the tube pump, the diaphragm type air pump was operated, and bubbling was carried out for 15 seconds in a bubbling tank to prepare a large foam fixing solution. Subsequently, the double cylinder was operated to produce a fine foamy fixing solution. The production conditions for the fine bubbles were the same as in Example 1. About the obtained fine foam-like fixing solution, the foamability, foam stability, fixability, and blocking were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1 above.

(Example 3)
9 mL of softener liquid 3 (adjusted in Production Example 6), 9 mL of foaming agent liquid 3 (adjusted in Production Example 6) and 2 mL of pH adjuster liquid 3 (adjusted in Production Example 6) were stirred for 10 minutes with an ultrasonic homogenizer. A fixing solution 3 was prepared. Fixer 3 had a pH of 10.8. When the fixing agent 3 was measured for the remaining ratio of the softener in the same manner as in Example 1, the remaining ratio of the softening agent was 48%.

  Next, in the fixing device shown in FIG. 6, 100 mL of the softener liquid 3 (adjusted in Production Example 6), 100 mL of the foaming agent liquid 3 (adjusted in Production Example 6) and pH adjuster liquid 3 (adjusted in Production Example 6) 50 mL of each was placed in a sealed container made of PET resin film. Subsequently, the tube pump was operated, and the softener liquid 3 was supplied to the fixing liquid mixing section at a flow rate of 3 mL / min and the foaming agent liquid 3 was supplied at a flow rate of 3 mL / min for 4.5 seconds. Although the fixing liquid mixing unit is not shown, a stirring mechanism is provided. Here, the pH of the fixing solution was 7.8. Therefore, the tube pump was operated, and the pH adjuster liquid 3 was supplied to the fixing liquid mixing section at a flow rate of 1.5 mL / min for 2 seconds. The pH of the fixer was 10.8. Therefore, the tube pump was operated and the fixing solution was supplied to the bubbling tank. After stopping the tube pump, the diaphragm type air pump was operated, and bubbling was carried out for 15 seconds in a bubbling tank to prepare a large foam fixing solution. Subsequently, the double cylinder was operated to produce a fine foamy fixing solution. The production conditions for the fine bubbles were the same as in Example 1. About the obtained fine foam-like fixing solution, the foamability, foam stability, fixability, and blocking were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1 above.

(Comparative Example 1)
10 mL of the softener liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5) and 10 mL of the foaming agent liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5) were stirred with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes to prepare Fixing Solution 4. Fixer 4 had a pH of 7.6. When the fixing agent 4 was measured for the remaining ratio of the softening agent in the same manner as in Example 1, the remaining ratio of the softening agent was 93%.

  Next, in the fixing device shown in FIG. 6, 100 mL of softener liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5), 100 mL of foaming agent liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5) and pH adjuster liquid 2 (adjusted in Production Example 5) 50 mL of each was placed in a sealed container made of PET resin film. Subsequently, the tube pump was operated, and the softener liquid 2 was supplied to the fixing liquid mixing section at a flow rate of 3 mL / min and the foaming agent liquid 2 at a flow rate of 3 mL / min for 5 seconds. Although the fixing liquid mixing unit is not shown, a stirring mechanism is provided. Here, the pH of the fixing solution was 7.6, but the pH adjusting agent solution 2 was not supplied. The tube pump was operated and the fixer was supplied to the bubbling tank. After stopping the tube pump, the diaphragm type air pump was operated, and bubbling was carried out for 15 seconds in a bubbling tank to prepare a large foam fixing solution. Subsequently, the double cylinder was operated to produce a fine foamy fixing solution. The production conditions for the fine bubbles were the same as in Example 1. About the obtained fine foam-like fixing solution, the foamability, foam stability, fixability, and blocking were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1 above.

(Comparative Example 2)
The fine foamy fixing solution obtained in Comparative Example 1 was applied to PPC paper (T-6200, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.). The coating conditions were the same as in the fixability evaluation of Example 1. In the same manner as in Example 1, blocking was evaluated for the PPC paper coated with the foamy fixing solution. The results are shown in Table 1 above.

  From the results of Table 1 above, it was shown that when the pH of the fixing solution was adjusted to an appropriate range (approximately pH 8 to 11), the decomposition of the softener was promoted. Even with a weakly alkaline fixing solution, when the fixing solution has a pH of less than 8, the decomposition of the softener was not promoted.

  Further, the fixing solution with adjusted pH showed good foaming properties and foam stability, and no decrease in foaming properties and foam stability due to the pH adjustment was observed. Further, the fine foamy fixing solution obtained from the fixing solution whose pH was adjusted had good fixability and no blocking occurred. The fine foamy fixer obtained from the fixer whose pH was not adjusted produced blocking when applied to an unfixed toner image, and no blocking occurred when applied to PPC paper having no toner image. From this result, it is considered that blocking occurs when the softening agent in the fixing liquid remains in the toner. The fine foamy fixing solution obtained from the fixing solution with adjusted pH has a high fixing ability because the softening agent is hardly decomposed at the time of fixing, and after fixing, the softening agent is decomposed to decompose the toner. It has been shown to reduce stickiness.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It cannot be overemphasized that various deformation | transformation and substitution are possible if it is description in a claim.

10, 30, 40, 50; fixing device, 11; softener liquid sealed container,
12; foaming agent liquid sealed container,
13, 14, 27, 28, 31, 33; liquid transport pump,
15: Fixing liquid mixing unit, 16: pH measuring unit, 17: main control unit,
18; bubbling tank, 19; air pump,
20; Foam-type fixer generating means, 21; supply port,
22; coating roller, 23; blade thickness control blade, 24; pressure roller,
25; pressure belt, 26; pH adjuster liquid hermetically sealed container,
29; a first pH adjuster liquid hermetically sealed container;
32: Second pH adjusting agent sealed container, 100: Image forming apparatus.

Japanese Patent No. 3,290,513 JP 2004-109749 A JP 59-119364 A JP 2007-219105 A JP 2009-008967 A

Edited by The Chemical Society of Japan, “Fifth Edition Experimental Chemistry Course 16 Synthesis of Organic Compounds IV Carboxylic Acids / Amino Acids / Peptides”, Maruzen Co., Ltd., 2005, p. 10 Ishii Ikuo, “Engineering of Bubbles”, first edition, Techno System Co., Ltd., published on March 25, 2005, p. 489

Claims (7)

Using a fixer containing a softener and a foaming agent that softens resin fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least part of the resin, the fixer is foamed, and the foam fixer is used as resin fine particles on a medium. In a fixing device that is applied to and fixes the resin fine particles on a medium,
A softener liquid storage means for storing a softener liquid containing at least the softener;
Foaming agent liquid storage means for storing a foaming agent liquid containing at least the foaming agent;
A fixing liquid generating means for generating a fixing liquid by mixing the liquids stored in an independent state by the storage means;
PH measuring means for measuring the pH value of the fixing solution generated by the fixing solution generating means;
Control for controlling the amount of the softener solution or the foaming agent solution or the amount of each of the softening agent solution so that the fixing solution has a desired pH value based on the pH value measured by the pH measuring means. Means,
A foam-like fixer generating means for foaming the fixer having a desired pH value into a foam-like fixer;
A fixing device comprising: a foamy fixing solution applying unit that applies the foamed fixing solution to resin fine particles on a medium. Using a fixing solution containing a softening agent that softens resin fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least part of the resin, a foaming agent, and a pH adjuster, the fixing solution is foamed, and the foamed fixing solution is used as a medium. In a fixing device that is applied to the upper resin fine particles and fixes the resin fine particles on the medium,
A softener liquid storage means for storing a softener liquid containing at least the softener;
Foaming agent liquid storage means for storing a foaming agent liquid containing at least the foaming agent;
PH adjuster solution storage means for storing a pH adjuster solution containing at least the pH adjuster;
Fixing liquid generating means for generating a fixing liquid by mixing liquids stored in an independent state by the softener liquid storing means and the foaming agent liquid storing means;
PH measuring means for measuring the pH value of the fixing solution generated by the fixing solution generating means;
The amount of the softener solution, the foaming agent solution, or the pH adjusting agent so that the fixing solution has a desired pH value based on the pH value measured by the pH measuring means, or either Control means for controlling each of the two liquid volumes or all of the liquid volumes;
A foam-like fixer generating means for foaming the fixer having a desired pH value into a foam-like fixer;
A fixing device comprising: a foamy fixing solution applying unit that applies the foamed fixing solution to resin fine particles on a medium. Using a fixing solution containing a softening agent that softens resin fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least part of the resin, a foaming agent, an alkaline first pH adjusting agent, and an acidic second pH adjusting agent, In a fixing device that foams a fixer, applies the foamy fixer to resin fine particles on a medium, and fixes the resin fine particles on the medium.
A softener liquid storage means for storing a softener liquid containing at least the softener;
Foaming agent liquid storage means for storing a foaming agent liquid containing at least the foaming agent;
First pH adjuster liquid storage means for storing a first pH adjuster liquid containing at least the first pH adjuster;
Second pH adjuster liquid storage means for storing a second pH adjuster liquid containing at least the second pH adjuster;
Fixing liquid generating means for generating a fixing liquid by mixing liquids stored in an independent state by the softener liquid storing means and the foaming agent liquid storing means;
PH measuring means for measuring the pH value of the fixing solution generated by the fixing solution generating means;
The softening agent liquid, the foaming agent liquid, the first pH adjusting agent, or the second pH adjustment so that the fixing solution has a desired pH value based on the pH value measured by the pH measuring means. A control means for controlling any liquid amount of the agent, any two liquid amounts, or any three liquid amounts, or all the liquid amounts;
A foam-like fixer generating means for foaming the fixer having a desired pH value into a foam-like fixer;
A fixing device comprising: a foamy fixing solution applying unit that applies the foamed fixing solution to resin fine particles on a medium.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the softening agent is an ester compound.   The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the pH adjuster is an amine compound.   The fixing device according to claim 3, wherein the first pH adjuster is an amine compound. An image forming means for forming an unfixed toner image on a medium by performing an electrostatic recording process with a developer containing resin fine particles containing a resin and a colorant;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit configured to fix the unfixed toner image onto a medium by the fixing device according to claim 1.

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