JP2011247931A - Image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming method capable of reducing image forming cost and improving dimensional accuracy of a contour of an image.SOLUTION: The image forming method according to the present invention forms an image on a transferred material 7 by transferring charged toner onto the transferred material 7. First, a secondary transfer device (a transfer device) 8 brings the charged toner into contact with the transferred material 7 and transfers the toner onto the transferred material 7 by applying an electric field. Then, with the electric field applied, the toner is pressurized in a direction of the transferred material 7 to be embedded into the transferred material 7.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming method for transferring charged toner to a transfer material and forming an image on the transfer material.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming method. In Patent Document 1, when a charged toner is transferred to a transfer material and an image is formed on the transfer material, an exposure device that is a latent image forming device is statically formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum that is an image carrier. An electrostatic latent image is formed, and the developing device forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred to the transfer transfer member by the primary transfer device, and the toner image transferred to the transfer transfer member is transferred to the transfer material by the secondary transfer device, and then transferred. An image is formed on the material.

  Patent Document 2 discloses another image forming method. In Patent Document 2, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum, and a toner image is formed directly on the surface of the photosensitive paper, instead of forming a toner image by attaching toner to the formed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a transfer material, and an image is formed on the transfer material. The surface of the photosensitive paper is provided with a release layer and an adhesive layer. The toner image is formed on the adhesive layer, and the toner image formed on the adhesive layer is separated from the photosensitive paper by the release layer and transferred to the transfer material. Thus, an image is formed on the transfer material.

JP 2008-275823 A JP-A-1-281464

  In the image forming method disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the toner image is formed of a plurality of charged toners, an electric field is applied by bringing the toner image and the transfer material into contact with each other by a secondary transfer device. The toner image can be transferred to a transfer material. That is, the toner image is transferred to the material to be transferred by pressing the toner charged by the force of the electric field against the material to be transferred.

  However, if the application of an electric field is stopped in the secondary transfer device after the toner image is transferred to the transfer material, the repulsive force between the toners charged to the same polarity causes the contour of the image formed on the transfer material to There is a problem that the positioned toner scatters and the dimensional accuracy of the contour of the image decreases. In particular, when a wiring pattern (image) is formed on a circuit board (transfer material), there arises a problem that resistance of a current flowing on the surface of the wiring pattern increases due to a decrease in dimensional accuracy of the outline of the wiring pattern (image).

  Further, the image forming method disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is difficult to reduce the image forming cost because a photosensitive paper provided with a release layer and an adhesive layer is required. In addition, since the toner image is transferred to the transfer material together with the adhesive layer, when forming a wiring pattern (image) on the circuit board (transfer target material), a process of removing the adhesive layer unnecessary for the wiring pattern is required. There has been a problem that it is difficult to reduce the image forming cost. Further, if the adhesive layer unnecessary for the wiring pattern is not sufficiently removed, there is a problem that the resistance of the wiring pattern increases. In addition, when a plurality of toner images formed on the adhesive layer are stacked, there is a possibility that the toner image of each layer may be shifted when the adhesive layer unnecessary for the wiring pattern is removed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method capable of reducing the image forming cost and improving the dimensional accuracy of the contour of the image.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming method according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming method in which a charged toner is transferred to a transfer material and an image is formed on the transfer material. The transfer material is brought into contact, the toner is transferred to the transfer material by applying an electric field, and with the electric field applied, the toner is pressed in the direction of the transfer material, and the toner is transferred to the transfer material. Embed in material.

  In the image forming method according to the second invention, in the first invention, at least approximately half of the volume of the toner is embedded in the transfer material.

  The image forming method according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image forming method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the toner is deformed by pressurizing the toner using the toner composed of resin or the toner coated with resin. Alternatively, the toner is softened to fix the toners together.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to any one of the first to third aspects, an image in which a plurality of the toners are stacked is formed on the transfer material.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a method in which a toner composed of resin or a toner coated with a resin is charged and transferred to a transfer material, and an image is transferred to the transfer material. In the image forming method to be formed, the charged toner and the material to be transferred are brought into contact with each other, an electric field is applied to transfer the toner to the material to be transferred, and the electric field is applied to pressurize the toner. Then, the toner is fixed by deforming or softening the resin.

  In the first invention, the charged toner and the material to be transferred are brought into contact with each other, an electric field is applied to transfer the toner to the material to be transferred, and with the electric field applied, the toner is pressed in the direction of the material to be transferred, Since the toner is embedded in the material to be transferred, the toner is fixed to the material to be transferred even if the electric field is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent scattering of the toner located at the contour of the image formed on the material to be transferred. The dimensional accuracy of the contour of the image can be improved. In addition, a photosensitive paper provided with a release layer and an adhesive layer is not required, and a process for removing the adhesive layer is not required, so that the image forming cost can be reduced.

  In the second invention, at least approximately half of the volume of the toner is embedded in the transfer material, so that the toner can be reliably fixed to the transfer material even if the application of an electric field is stopped.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the toner is made of resin or the toner coated with the resin, and the toner is pressurized to deform or soften the resin to fix the toners. Since the toner is one or a plurality of lumps in which the toners are fixed to each other, it is possible to prevent scattering of the toner located in the outline of the image formed on the transfer material and to improve the dimensional accuracy of the outline of the image. it can.

  In the fourth invention, an image in which a plurality of toners are laminated is formed on the transfer material. Therefore, when the transfer material is a circuit board and the image is a wiring pattern, the thickness of the wiring pattern formed on the circuit board is increased. And the resistance of the current flowing through the surface of the wiring pattern can be reduced.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, the charged toner and the material to be transferred are brought into contact with each other, an electric field is applied to transfer the toner to the material to be transferred, and the toner is pressurized with the electric field applied to deform or soften the resin. Since the toner is fixed to each other, even if the application of the electric field is stopped, the toner is fixed to one or a plurality of lumps, so that scattering of the toner located at the outline of the image formed on the transfer material is prevented. And the dimensional accuracy of the image outline can be improved. In addition, a photosensitive paper provided with a release layer and an adhesive layer is not required, and a process for removing the adhesive layer is not required, so that the image forming cost can be reduced.

  According to the above configuration, in the image forming method according to the present invention, the charged toner and the transfer material are brought into contact, the electric field is applied, the toner is transferred to the transfer material, and the toner is applied in the state where the electric field is applied. Since pressure is applied in the direction of the transfer material and the toner is embedded in the transfer material, the toner is fixed to the transfer material even when the electric field is stopped, so it is positioned at the contour of the image formed on the transfer material. Toner scattering can be prevented, and the dimensional accuracy of the contour of the image can be improved. In addition, a photosensitive paper provided with a release layer and an adhesive layer is not required, and a process for removing the adhesive layer is not required, so that the image forming cost can be reduced.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the secondary transfer device of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows another pressurization means of the secondary transfer apparatus of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows another structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of a secondary transfer device of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of a secondary transfer device of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 uses an electrophotographic system, transfers charged toner to a transfer material 7, and forms an image on the transfer material 7. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a photosensitive drum 2 that is an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a driving unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the photosensitive drum 2, and a surface on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. A latent image forming device 3 for forming an electrostatic latent image and a developing device 4 for forming a toner image T by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 are provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is driven according to the rotational driving of the photosensitive drum 2, and is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer transfer body 5 to which the toner image T formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred. A primary transfer device 6 that transfers the toner image T to the transfer transfer member 5; and a secondary transfer device 8 that transfers the toner image T transferred to the transfer transfer member 5 to the transfer material 7. The image forming apparatus 1 removes toner remaining on the transfer transfer body 5 without being transferred to the transfer material 7 by the secondary transfer apparatus 8 from the toner of the toner image T transferred to the transfer transfer body 5. A cleaner 9 is provided. The cleaner 9 has a blade 9 a that presses against the transport transfer body 5, and the blade 9 a scrapes off and removes the toner remaining on the transport transfer body 5. The material used for the blade 9a is urethane rubber, neoprene rubber, silicon rubber or the like.

  The photosensitive drum 2 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow by a driving unit (not shown), and the surface is charged to a predetermined potential by a charging unit (not shown). The photosensitive drum 2 has a photosensitive layer such as an organic photosensitive member or an amorphous silicon photosensitive film on a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. The latent image forming device 3 uses a light source such as semiconductor laser light, LED light, and liquid crystal shutter light to expose a predetermined image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 charged to a predetermined potential to form an electrostatic latent image. Form. For example, when a wiring pattern is formed on a circuit board using the image forming apparatus 1, the transfer material 7 is an image formed on the circuit board and the wiring pattern is formed on the transfer material 7. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 becomes a wiring pattern formed on the circuit board.

  The developing device 4 forms a toner image T by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with a one-component developer or a two-component developer containing toner for developing an electrostatic image. Specifically, the developing device 4 is a device for attaching toner to the photosensitive drum 2 using a developing roll (not shown), a device for attaching toner to the photosensitive drum 2 using a brush, or the like.

  The primary transfer device 6 transfers the toner image T formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to the transport transfer body 5. Specifically, the primary transfer device 6 brings the charged toner constituting the toner image T formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 into contact with the transport transfer body 5 and applies an electric field to transfer the toner to the transport transfer body 5. Transcript to. The photosensitive drum 2 and the primary transfer device 6 are connected to an electric field generating device 20 that is an electric field generating means so that an electric field can be applied between the photosensitive drum 2 and the primary transfer device 6. . The toner image T transferred to the transport transfer body 5 is transported in the direction of the arrow and reaches the secondary transfer device 8.

  The secondary transfer device 8 transfers the toner image T transferred to the transport transfer body 5 to the transfer material 7. Specifically, the secondary transfer device 8 brings the charged toner constituting the toner image T transferred to the transfer transfer body 5 into contact with the transfer material 7 and applies an electric field to apply the toner to the transfer material 7. By transferring, an image is formed on the transfer material 7. Further, the secondary transfer device 8 pressurizes the toner in the direction of the transfer material 7 with an electric field applied, and embeds the toner in the transfer material 7. The secondary transfer device 8 is connected to an electric field generation device 21 that is an electric field generation unit so that an electric field can be applied between the transport transfer body 5 and the secondary transfer device 8. Further, the secondary transfer device 8 includes a pressurizing unit described later so that the toner 11 can be pressed in the direction of the transfer material 7 and the toner 11 can be embedded in the transfer material 7. The transfer material 7 is placed on the transport belt 10 and transported in the direction of the arrow, and reaches the secondary transfer device 8.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the secondary transfer device 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2A shows a state where the charged toner 11 and the transfer material 7 are brought into contact with each other and an electric field is applied, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the electric field is applied and the toner 11 is transferred to the transfer material 7. 2C shows a state where the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7, and FIG. 2C shows a state where the application of the electric field is stopped after the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7. Yes.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the secondary transfer device 8 brings the charged toner 11 constituting the toner image T transferred to the transport transfer body 5 and the transfer material 7 into contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 2, a two-layer toner 11 in which a toner 11 a and a toner 11 b are laminated is formed in advance, and the formed two-layer toner 11 is transferred to a transfer material 7 to form a toner image T. The method is not limited to the method of forming the toner image T by forming the two layers of toner 11 in advance, and after transferring the toner 11b to the transfer material 7, the toner 11a is transferred to the toner 11b transferred to the transfer material 7. A method of forming the toner image T by transferring the layers may be used. The toner 11a transferred to the transfer material 5 is brought into contact with the toner 11b that has already been transferred to the transfer material 7, and an electric field is applied to the toner 11a on the toner 11b that has already been transferred to the transfer material 7. Transcript.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, with the electric field applied, the transfer roller 5 and the transfer belt 10 are sandwiched by the pressure roller 12, and the toner 11 is pressed in the direction of the transfer material 7, The toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7. When an image in which a plurality of toners 11 are stacked is formed on the transfer material 7 (when two layers of toner 11a and toner 11b are stacked as shown in FIG. 2), the stacked toner 11a, The toner 11b that has already been transferred to the transfer material 7 out of 11b is all embedded in the transfer material 7, and at least about half of the volume of the toner 11a transferred to the transport transfer body 5 is embedded in the transfer material 7. Yes.

  The pressure applied by the pressure roller 12 varies depending on the type of the transfer material 7 and the toner 11 to be used, but is about 10 MPa to 45 MPa, for example, and is embedded in the transfer material 7 without being crushed by the pressure. It is sufficient that the pressure is as high as possible. Further, the pressurizing unit that pressurizes the toner 11 in the direction of the transfer material 7 is not limited to the pressure roller 12, and can pressurize pressure enough to embed the toner 11 in the transfer material 7. Any pressurizing means may be used. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another pressing means of the secondary transfer device 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 3, instead of the pressure roller 12, the conveyance transfer body 5 and the material to be transferred 7 are sandwiched between flat plates 13 such as metal plates, and force is applied to the flat plates 13 in the directions of arrows. In addition, the toner 11 is pressurized in the direction of the transfer material 7.

  Returning to FIG. 2C, after the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7, the secondary transfer device 8 stops applying an electric field. Since the toner 11 is charged to the same polarity even after the secondary transfer device 8 stops applying the electric field, in the conventional image forming method, the repulsive force between the toners 11 charged to the same polarity is used. There is a possibility that the toner 11 positioned on the contour of the image formed on the transfer material 7 may be scattered. However, in the image forming method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7 and the toner 11 is fixed to the transfer material 7. The toner 11 positioned on the contour of the image formed on the transfer material 7 is not scattered by the matching force.

  As described above, in the image forming method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the toner 11 is pressed in the direction of the transfer material 7 with the electric field applied, and the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7. Even when the application of the electric field is stopped, the toner 11 is fixed to the transfer material 7, so that the toner 11 located on the image outline formed on the transfer material 7 can be prevented from being scattered and the image outline can be prevented. Dimensional accuracy can be improved. In addition, a photosensitive paper provided with a release layer and an adhesive layer is not required, and a process for removing the adhesive layer is not required, so that the image forming cost can be reduced.

  The toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7 to such an extent that the toner 11 positioned at the contour of the image formed on the transfer material 7 can be prevented from scattering by the repulsive force between the toners 11 charged to the same polarity. However, since at least approximately half of the volume is embedded in the transfer material 7, the toner 11 can be reliably fixed to the transfer material 7 even if the secondary transfer device 8 stops applying an electric field. it can. Further, since an image in which a plurality of toners 11 are laminated is formed on the transfer material 7, when the transfer material 7 is a circuit board and the image is a wiring pattern, the thickness of the wiring pattern formed on the circuit board is increased. And the resistance of the current flowing through the surface of the wiring pattern can be reduced. The transfer material 7 is not limited to a circuit board, and may be a printing paper or the like. The material used for the transfer material 7 is, for example, a laminated body such as a ceramic green sheet, a resin sheet, a resin film, and a ceramic green sheet, a ceramic substrate before firing, a resin substrate before firing, and paper. Materials used for the toner 11 are resin toner (thermoplastic resin), metal toner (electrode metal (Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, Fe, etc.), ITO, organic electrode material, resistance material), and the surface of the metal toner is thermoplastic. Resin-coated toner coated with resin, ceramic toner, carbon black, etc., and the particle size is approximately 10 μm or less.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 used in the image forming method according to the first embodiment of the present invention transfers the toner image T formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the primary transfer apparatus 6 to the transport transfer body 5, The surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is not limited to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 that transfers the toner image T transferred to the transfer transfer body 5 by the next transfer apparatus 8 to the transfer material 7. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 1 that directly transfers the toner image T formed on the transfer material 7 may be used. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4 includes a photosensitive drum 2 that is an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a driving unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the photosensitive drum 2, and the photosensitive drum 2. A latent image forming device 3 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, a developing device 4 for forming a toner image T by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and a photoconductor And a transfer device 15 that transfers the toner image T formed on the surface of the drum 2 to the transfer material 7. The photosensitive drum 2 and the primary transfer device 6 are connected to an electric field generating device 20 that is an electric field generating means so that an electric field can be applied between the photosensitive drum 2 and the primary transfer device 6. .

  The transfer device 15 functions in the same manner as the secondary transfer device 8, and contacts the charged toner 11 constituting the toner image T formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with the transfer material 7 to apply an electric field. Then, the toner 11 is transferred to the transfer material 7 and an image is formed on the transfer material 7. Further, the transfer device 15 pressurizes the toner 11 in the direction of the transfer material 7 with an electric field applied, and embeds the toner 11 in the transfer material 7.

  The image forming method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can be performed at room temperature, but when the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7 by the secondary transfer device 8 or the transfer device 15, the transfer material is transferred. By heating 7 to about 60 ° C., the toner 11 can be easily embedded in the transfer material 7.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the secondary transfer device 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 5A shows a state in which the charged toner 11 and the transfer material 7 are brought into contact with each other and an electric field is applied. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the electric field is applied and the toner 11 is transferred to the transfer material 7. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7 and the resin is deformed or softened to fix the toners 11 to each other. The state where the application of an electric field is stopped after the toner 11 is fixed by deforming or softening the resin is shown. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Further, since the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention other than the secondary transfer device 8 is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Description is omitted.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the secondary transfer device 8 brings the charged toner 11 constituting the toner image T transferred to the transport transfer body 5 and the transfer material 7 into contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 5, a two-layer toner 11 in which a toner 11 a and a toner 11 b are laminated is formed in advance, and the formed two-layer toner 11 is transferred to a transfer material 7 to form a toner image T. The method is not limited to the method of forming the toner image T by forming the two layers of toner 11 in advance, and after transferring the toner 11b to the transfer material 7, the toner 11a is transferred to the toner 11b transferred to the transfer material 7. A method of forming the toner image T by transferring the layers may be used. The toner 11a transferred to the transfer material 5 is brought into contact with the toner 11b that has already been transferred to the transfer material 7, and an electric field is applied to the toner 11a on the toner 11b that has already been transferred to the transfer material 7. Transcript.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in a state where an electric field is applied, the transfer roller 5 and the transfer belt 10 are sandwiched by the pressure roller 12 and the toner 11 is pressed in the direction of the transfer material 7, and the toner 11. Embedded in the transfer material 7. Furthermore, in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as the toner 11, a resin toner (thermoplastic resin) or a resin-coated toner obtained by coating the surface of a metal toner with a thermoplastic resin is used. Therefore, the toner 11 can be pressed by the pressure roller 12 to deform or soften the thermoplastic resin, thereby fixing the toners 11 to each other. FIG. 5B illustrates a state in which the toner 11 is pressed by the pressure roller 12 and the thermoplastic resin is deformed or softened so that the toners 11 are fixed to each other to form one or a plurality of toner lumps 16. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7, the thermoplastic resin is deformed or softened, and the toners 11 are fixed to each other to form one or a plurality of toner lumps 16, and then the secondary transfer. The device 8 stops applying the electric field.

  As described above, in the image forming method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with the electric field applied, the toner 11 is pressed in the direction of the transfer material 7, and the toner 11 is embedded in the transfer material 7. Further, since the thermoplastic resin is deformed or softened to fix the toners 11 to each other, the toner 11 is fixed to the transfer material 7 and the toners 11 are fixed to each other to form one or a plurality of toner blocks 16. It is possible to prevent scattering of the toner 11 positioned at the contour of the image formed on the material 7 and improve the dimensional accuracy of the contour of the image. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 used in the image forming method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention transfers the toner image T formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the primary transfer device 6 to the transport transfer body 5, The transfer device 15 is not limited to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment that transfers the toner image T transferred to the transfer transfer body 5 to the transfer material 7 by the next transfer apparatus 8. The toner image T formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 may be directly transferred to the transfer material 7, and the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the secondary transfer device 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the charged toner 11 and the transfer material 7 are brought into contact with each other and an electric field is applied. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the toner 11 is pressurized with the electric field applied. FIG. 6C shows a state where the toner 11 is fixed by deforming or softening the resin, and FIG. 6C shows a state where the application of an electric field is stopped after the toner 11 is fixed by deforming or softening the resin. ing. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Further, the operations other than the secondary transfer device 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention are the same as the operations of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Description is omitted.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the secondary transfer device 8 brings the charged toner 11 constituting the toner image T transferred to the transport transfer body 5 and the transfer material 7 into contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 6, a two-layer toner 11 in which a toner 11 a and a toner 11 b are laminated is formed in advance, and the formed two-layer toner 11 is transferred to a transfer material 7 to form a toner image T. The method is not limited to the method of forming the toner image T by forming the two layers of toner 11 in advance, and after transferring the toner 11b to the transfer material 7, the toner 11a is transferred to the toner 11b transferred to the transfer material 7. A method of forming the toner image T by transferring the layers may be used. The toner 11a transferred to the transfer material 5 is brought into contact with the toner 11b that has already been transferred to the transfer material 7, and an electric field is applied to the toner 11a on the toner 11b that has already been transferred to the transfer material 7. Transcript.

  Furthermore, in the image forming method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, resin toner (thermoplastic resin) or resin-coated toner obtained by coating the surface of a metal toner with a thermoplastic resin is used as the toner 11. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, with the electric field applied, the transfer roller 5 and the transfer belt 10 are sandwiched between the pressure rollers 12 and the toner 11 is pressed to deform or soften the thermoplastic resin. Thus, the toners 11 can be fixed to each other. FIG. 6B illustrates a state in which the toner 11 is pressed by the pressure roller 12 and the thermoplastic resin is deformed or softened so that the toners 11 are fixed to each other to form one or a plurality of toner lumps 16. Yes. The material to be transferred 7 includes a material in which the toner 11 is not embedded in the material to be transferred 7 even when the toner 11 is pressed by the pressure roller 12, such as a fired ceramic substrate or a relatively hard resin substrate. Used.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, after the thermoplastic resin is deformed or softened to fix the toners 11 to one or a plurality of toner lumps 16, the secondary transfer device 8 stops applying an electric field.

  As described above, in the image forming method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, with the electric field applied, the toner 11 is pressed to deform or soften the thermoplastic resin to fix the toners 11 to each other. By using one or a plurality of toner masses 16, scattering of the toner 11 positioned on the contour of the image formed on the transfer material 7 can be prevented, and the dimensional accuracy of the contour of the image can be improved. The image forming apparatus used in the image forming method according to the third embodiment of the present invention transfers the toner image T formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the primary transfer apparatus 6 to the transport transfer body 5, so that the secondary transfer is performed. The transfer device 15 is not limited to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment for transferring the toner image T transferred to the transport transfer body 5 to the transfer material 7. The toner image T formed on the surface of the body drum 2 may be directly transferred to the transfer material 7, and the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Photosensitive drum 3 Latent image forming apparatus 4 Developing apparatus 5 Conveyance transfer body 6 Primary transfer apparatus 7 Transfer material 8 Secondary transfer apparatus 9 Cleaner 10 Conveyor belt 11 Toner 12 Pressure roller 13 Flat plate 15 Transfer apparatus 16 Toner mass 20, 21 Electric field generator

Claims (5)

In an image forming method of transferring charged toner to a transfer material and forming an image on the transfer material,
Contacting the charged toner and the transfer material, applying an electric field to transfer the toner to the transfer material;
An image forming method, wherein the toner is pressed in the direction of the transfer material while an electric field is applied, and the toner is embedded in the transfer material.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein at least approximately half of the volume of the toner is embedded in the transfer material. Using the toner composed of resin or the toner coated with resin,
The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the toner is pressurized to deform or soften a resin to fix the toners together.   The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein an image in which a plurality of the toners are stacked is formed on the transfer material. In an image forming method in which a toner composed of a resin or a toner coated with a resin is charged and transferred to a transfer material, and an image is formed on the transfer material.
Contacting the charged toner and the transfer material, applying an electric field to transfer the toner to the transfer material;
An image forming method, wherein the toner is pressed with an electric field applied to deform or soften a resin to fix the toners together.

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