JP2012159631A - Fixation device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixation device and an image formation device, with a configuration to fix a fine resin particle on a recording medium by softening the fine resin particle using foamy fixer solution, capable of excellently recovering the residual foamy fixer solution which does not contribute to fixation.SOLUTION: A fixation device 60 fixes a fine resin particle by softening the same through an application of foamy fixer solution, made of foam dispersed in fixer solution containing softener which softens the fine resin particle and generates acid through hydrolysis and a foaming agent which is capable of foaming and keeping foam in a neutral to a basic region, to transfer paper P. The fixation device 60 includes a fixer solution recovering device 200 which recovers residual foamy fixer solution Fb remaining on an application roller 61 without being applied to the transfer paper P by removing the same from the roller 61. The fixer solution recovering device 200 has a residual foamy fixer solution storage section 216 to store the residual foamy fixer solution Fb removed from the application roller 61, and a hydrolase supplying device 215 to supply hydrolase H to the residual foamy fixer solution storage section 216.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fixing liquid that dissolves or swells resin fine particles such as toner. The present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing the toner image to the image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, so-called electrophotographic image forming apparatuses using toner have become mainstream as image forming apparatuses that form images on transfer paper as a recording medium, such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles. 2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is widely used in offices and the like because it can easily create color images at high speed and high density using plain paper.

  2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a heat fixing type fixing device that fixes an unfixed toner image formed on a transfer paper onto the transfer paper using heat is often used. In a heat fixing type fixing device, a roller or a film is heated by a heating element such as a halogen heater or a ceramic heater, and a transfer paper on which unfixed toner is placed is sandwiched between pressure rollers and heated and pressed to melt and deform the toner. And anchored in the fiber of the transfer paper. Thermal fixing type fixing devices are widely used because of their excellent uniformity and stability, but on the other hand, they require a lot of energy to heat using a heating element and have a drawback of high energy consumption. is there.

  On the other hand, as a fixing method that can save energy compared to a heat fixing method that consumes a lot of power for heat treatment, at least a part of the resin component of the toner is dissolved or swollen without heating to fix the toner. There is known a wet fixing method in which a fixing solution containing a softening agent that softens toner is applied to a toner image on the surface of a transfer paper to fix the toner image (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The fixing device described in Patent Document 1 applies a fixing liquid to unfixed toner by pressing an application roller carrying a liquid fixing liquid on the surface against a transfer paper carrying unfixed toner. However, when the fixing liquid is supplied to the unfixed toner on the transfer paper as in Patent Document 1, the fixing roller remains on the surface of the application roller after passing through the application position where the application roller applies the fixing liquid to the transfer paper. A part of the unfixed toner is transferred into the liquid, and the toner image on the transfer paper is deteriorated. This is because the unfixed toner on the transfer paper is carried on the transfer paper by electrostatic force, so that the force carried by the electrostatic force is significantly reduced when the liquid touches, and the unfixed toner diffuses into the fixing liquid. This occurs because a part of the fixing liquid in which the unfixed toner is diffused in the liquid remains on the coating roller.

  Further, in a configuration in which a fixing liquid is supplied to toner on a toner image carrier such as an intermediate transfer belt, and then a toner image in which a resin on the toner image carrier is softened is transferred to transfer paper, the fixing liquid is applied using an application roller. There is also known a fixing device configured to apply to toner on a toner image carrier (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Also in the fixing device described in Patent Document 2, as in Patent Document 1, a part of unfixed toner is transferred to the remaining fixing liquid, and the toner image on the transfer paper is deteriorated. .

  Therefore, as a fixing device that can suppress a problem that a part of unfixed toner adheres to the application roller, the fixing solution is a foam-like fixing solution in which bubbles are dispersed in the solution. As in the case of the fixing liquid, a coating liquid that is applied to unfixed toner on transfer paper by an application roller is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In the fixing device of Patent Document 3, since a large amount of air exists in the bubbles of the fixing solution by making the fixing solution foam, the force for diffusing unfixed toner into the fixing solution becomes difficult to work on the transfer paper. The toner is fixed on the spot by the action of the fixing liquid without moving from the transfer paper even when the fixing liquid is applied. For this reason, the problem that a part of unfixed toner adheres to the application roller can be suppressed, and a better image can be obtained as compared with the configuration in which the liquid fixing liquid is applied to the transfer paper.

  Here, as in the fixing device described in Patent Document 3, in the configuration in which the foamy fixing solution is applied to the recording medium using the coating member, the coating member after the foaming fixing solution is applied to the recording medium is cleaned. It is desirable to provide an application member cleaning means. This is because the remaining foam-like fixing liquid that has not been applied to the recording medium on the coating member after passing through the coating position where the foam-like fixing liquid is applied to the recording medium, that is, the residual foam-like form that did not contribute to fixing. This is because the fixing solution is adhered, and it is necessary to remove and collect the residual foamy fixing solution from the coating member to avoid the following disadvantages.

  Since the residual foam-fixing solution is supplied as a foam-fixing solution to the coating member, time has passed and a mechanical force is applied at the coating position, so a part of the foam is defoamed. For example, the state of the bubbles is changed compared to the state supplied to the application member. For this reason, when a new foamy fixing solution is supplied to the coating member in a state where the changed residual foamy fixing solution remains on the surface of the coating member, the residual foamy fixing solution and the new foamy fixing solution And the foam film becomes uneven, or when a new foam-like fixing liquid is supplied and applied to the recording medium in a state where the toner offset at the time of abnormality remains on the surface of the application member. The offset toner is retransferred to the recording medium, and the image may be deteriorated.

  For these reasons, when the foam fixing solution is applied to the recording medium using an application member, the foam fixing solution applied to the recording medium becomes uneven or the offset toner is re-applied to the recording medium. In order to prevent the image from being transferred, it is desirable to provide an application member cleaning unit to remove the residual foamy fixing solution.

  However, the foamy fixing solution removed by the application member cleaning means is in a bulky state. Since the volume of the fixer is swelled several tens of times that of the non-foamed fixer due to the foam, it is necessary to have a large recovery tank if the fixer is to be stored in the form of foam. turn into. Note that the foam-like fixing solution naturally defoams over time and the volume gradually decreases. However, since it takes a long time to defoam naturally, it is collected from the coating member in order to support continuous printing. Since it is necessary to contain the foamy fixing solution before defoaming, it is inevitable to use a large tank. If a large tank capable of storing such a foam-like fixing solution is arranged in the image forming apparatus, there is a problem that the apparatus is increased in size.

  For this reason, the residual foamy fixing solution is required to be liquefied and recovered. The following methods are known as methods for liquefying a foamy liquid.

  For example, a technique is known in which a foamed liquid is heated by a heating member, and the foamed liquid is broken by heat to be liquefied (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

  Further, a method is known in which the foamed liquid is sucked into a mesh or porous body having a continuous foam structure, and the foamed liquid is broken and liquefied by passing through micropores constituting the porous body (for example, , See Patent Document 5).

  However, in the method of Patent Document 4, there is a concern that the use of heat causes the apparatus to be filled with steam, causing problems in the system. In addition, the use of heat may adversely affect the foam liquid created upstream of the system, which may prevent stable fixing.

  Further, the method of Patent Document 5 has a problem that if there is a portion where the foam liquid is not filled in the mesh or the pores, a suction escape path is formed and the foam liquid is not sucked at all.

  Such a problem is not limited to toner particles that form a toner image on a recording medium as a resin, but in any case where a foamy fixing solution is applied to resin fine particles on a recording medium and the coating member is cleaned. Can also occur. Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the coating member is cleaned, but the configuration is such that a foamy fixing solution that needs to be collected in the fixing device, such as a pressure member that contacts the coating member at the coating position, is recovered as a recovered foamy fixing solution. If so, the same problem will occur.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in a configuration in which resin fine particles are softened using a foam fixing solution and fixed on a recording medium, a residual foam fixing solution that has not contributed to fixing is used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing device that can be recovered satisfactorily and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  The fixing device according to the present invention includes a softening agent that softens resin fine particles containing the resin by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin and generates an acid by hydrolysis, and a neutral to basic region. A fixer foaming means for generating foamy fixer by dispersing bubbles in a fixer containing foaming and foam-holding foaming agent, and a resin fine particle layer comprising the resin fine particles are formed on the surface. And a foamy fixing solution applying means for applying the foamed fixing solution to the recording medium, and applying the foamed fixing solution to the recording medium by the foamed fixing solution applying means. In a fixing device that is softened and fixed on the recording medium, residual foamy fixing liquid that is not applied to the recording medium but remains in the foamy fixing liquid application unit is removed from the foamy fixing solution application unit and collected. Foam fixer recovery means The foam-like fixing solution collecting means hydrolyzes into the residual foam-like fixing solution containing means for containing the residual foam-like fixing solution removed from the foam-like fixing solution applying means, and the residual foam-like fixing solution containing means. And a hydrolase supply means for supplying an enzyme.

  With this configuration, when the residual foam fixing solution comes into contact with the hydrolytic enzyme supplied to the residual foam fixing solution storage means, the softening agent contained in the residual foam fixing solution is hydrolyzed to generate acid. Therefore, the residual foam-like fixing solution containing a foaming agent capable of foaming and retaining foam in a neutral to basic region is defoamed and liquefied, and the volume is reduced. Therefore, in the configuration in which the resin fine particles are softened by using the foam fixing solution and fixed on the recording medium, the residual foam fixing solution that has not contributed to fixing can be recovered well.

  The fixing device according to the present invention is characterized in that the softening agent is a fatty acid alkoxyalkyl.

  With this configuration, it is possible to improve the fixability of the toner to the recording medium.

  The fixing device according to the present invention is characterized in that the softening agent is a carbonate ester.

  With this configuration, safety can be increased and costs can be reduced.

  In the fixing device according to the present invention, the foaming agent is a fatty acid salt of any one of fatty acid sodium, fatty acid potassium, and fatty acid amine.

  With this configuration, excellent foaming performance can be obtained.

  Further, the fixing device according to the present invention is a liquefied fixing solution storage unit in which the foamy fixing solution collecting unit stores residual foamed fixing solution that has been liquefied by reacting with a hydrolase in the residual foam fixing solution storage unit. It is characterized by having.

  With this configuration, since the liquefied residual foam fixing solution is stored by the liquefied fixing solution storage means, the residual foam fixing solution storage means efficiently performs the reaction treatment between the residual foam fixing solution and the hydrolase. Can do.

  Further, in the fixing device according to the present invention, the foamy fixing solution applying unit rotates in synchronization with the movement of the recording medium, and the foaming fixing solution supplied to the surface is applied to the recording medium. And a coating member cleaning unit that removes the residual foamy fixing solution from the surface of the coating member after passing through the coating position. The residual foam-like fixer removed by the applying member cleaning means is collected.

  With this configuration, the foamy fixing solution recovery unit removes the residual foamy fixing solution from the surface of the coating member after passing through the coating position by the coating member cleaning unit. The residual foam fixer can be recovered satisfactorily without adversely affecting the application of the foam fixer.

  Further, in the fixing device according to the present invention, the application member cleaning unit includes a cleaning member that is made of an elastic body and contacts the surface of the application member to remove the residual foamy fixing liquid from the surface of the application member. It is characterized by that.

  With this configuration, the cleaning member made of an elastic body elastically contacts the surface of the coating member, so that the residual foamy fixing liquid can be removed from the surface of the coating member without damaging the coating member. Since the required positioning accuracy of the relative position between the cleaning member and the application member can be relaxed, the assembly process of the apparatus can be facilitated.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording medium based on image information using a toner including resin fine particles containing a resin and a colorant, and the toner image. An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that applies a foamy fixing solution to a surface of a recording medium on which a toner image is formed by a forming unit, and fixes the toner image on the recording medium. A fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided.

  With this configuration, in the image forming apparatus including the above-described fixing device, the residual foam-like fixing solution that has not contributed to the fixing can be favorably recovered by liquefying the residual foam-like fixing solution.

  According to the present invention, in a configuration in which resin fine particles are softened and fixed on a recording medium using a foam fixing solution, a fixing device and an image that can satisfactorily collect residual foam fixing solution that has not contributed to fixing. A forming apparatus can be provided.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partially enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a part of a printer unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment in an enlarged manner. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing one of four image forming units of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which a residual foamy fixer is accommodated after a hydrolase is supplied to a residual foamy fixer containing part. FIG.

  Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine 100) that is an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an electrophotographic method will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the image forming apparatus having the fixing device of the present invention is a copying machine will be described, but other image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a facsimile may be used.

  First, the basic configuration of the copying machine 100 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The copying machine 100 includes a printer unit 1, a paper feeding device 40, and a document conveyance reading unit 50. The document conveyance reading unit 50 includes a scanner unit 150 that is a document reading device fixed on the printer unit 1 and an ADF 51 that is a document conveyance device supported by the scanner unit 150.

  The paper feeding device 40 separates the feeding roller 43 that feeds the transfer paper P from two paper feeding cassettes 42 arranged in multiple stages in the paper bank 41, and the fed transfer paper P, and supplies it to the paper feeding path 44. A separating roller 45 is provided. Further, a plurality of transport rollers 46 for transporting the transfer paper P to the paper transport path 37 of the printer unit 1 are also provided. The paper feed device 40 feeds the transfer paper P in the paper feed cassette 42 into the paper transport path 37 in the printer unit 1.

  The scanner unit 150 fixed on the printer unit 1 has a fixed reading unit 151 and a moving reading unit 152 as reading means for reading an image of the document MS. A fixed reading unit 151 having a light source, a reflection mirror, an image reading sensor such as a CCD, etc. is disposed immediately below a first contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner unit 150 so as to contact the original MS. ing. When the document MS conveyed by the ADF 51 passes over the first contact glass, the image reading sensor 153 receives the light from the light source through the plurality of reflection mirrors while sequentially reflecting the light emitted from the light source on the document surface. . Thereby, the document MS is scanned without moving the optical system including the light source and the reflection mirror.

  On the other hand, the moving reading unit 152 is disposed directly below a second contact glass (not shown) fixed to the upper wall of the casing of the scanner unit 150 so as to come into contact with the document MS, and is arranged on the right side of the fixed reading unit 151 in the drawing. Therefore, an optical system including a light source, a reflection mirror, and the like can be moved in the left-right direction in the drawing. Then, in the process of moving the optical system from the left side to the right side in the figure, the light emitted from the light source is reflected by a document (not shown) placed on the second contact glass and then passed through a plurality of reflecting mirrors. The light is received by an image reading sensor 153 fixed to the scanner body. Thereby, the original MS is scanned while moving the optical system. In this way, the scanner unit 150 scans the document MS and, based on the image information obtained by the image reading sensor 153, the optical writing device 2 drives the light source, as will be described later, to form four drum-shaped photoconductors. 4 (K, Y, M, C) is irradiated with laser light L.

  FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a part of the internal configuration of the printer unit 1 in an enlarged manner. The printer unit 1 includes an optical writing device 2, four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, and C) that form toner images of respective colors K, Y, M, and C, a transfer unit 90, and a paper transport unit 28. , A registration roller pair 33, a fixing device 60, and the like. Then, a light source such as a laser diode or LED (not shown) disposed in the optical writing device 2 is driven, and laser light L is directed toward the four drum-shaped photosensitive members 4 (K, Y, M, C). Irradiate. By this irradiation, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 4 (K, Y, M, C) which is a latent image carrier, and this latent image is developed into a toner image through a predetermined development process. The Note that the subscripts K, Y, M, and C added after the reference sign indicate specifications for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan. The toner corresponding to each color is made of a resin material colored in each color, and these resin materials are dissolved or swollen by a fixing solution of the fixing device 60 described later.

  Each of the image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, and C) supports the photosensitive member 4 that is a latent image carrier and various devices disposed around the photosensitive member 4 as a unit by a common support. It can be attached to and detached from the copying machine 100 main body. Taking the black image forming unit 3K as an example, this has a developing device 6K for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 4K into a black toner image in addition to the photosensitive member 4K. Further, it also includes a drum cleaning device 15K that cleans transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 4K after passing through a primary transfer nip for K described later. In the copying machine 100, a so-called tandem type in which four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, and C) are arranged so as to face an intermediate transfer belt 91, which will be described later, along the endless movement direction. It is configured.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, C). The four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, and C) have substantially the same configuration except that the colors of the toners to be used are different from each other. Therefore, in FIG. , M, and C are omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming unit 3 includes a charging roller 5 as a charging device, a developing device 6, a drum cleaning device 15, a static eliminating lamp 22 as a static eliminating device, and the like around the photosensitive member 4.

  In the copying machine 100, a drum-shaped member in which a photosensitive layer is formed by coating a photosensitive organic photosensitive material on a base tube made of aluminum or the like is used as the photosensitive member 4. However, an endless belt may be used as the photoreceptor.

  The developing device 6 carries a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier (not shown) and a non-magnetic toner on a developing roller 12 that is a developer carrying member, and a developing region that is a facing portion between the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive member 4. Then, toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 4 to visualize the electrostatic imagination. Further, the developing device 6 includes a developer accommodating portion that accommodates a two-component developer supplied to the surface of the developing roller 12, and the developer accommodating portion is provided with a stirring member (not illustrated) that agitates the accommodated two-component developer. It has been. The developing roller 12 includes a non-magnetic cylindrical developing sleeve that is rotatably arranged, and a magnet roller that is non-rotatably provided therein. The magnet roller has a plurality of magnetic poles that are sequentially arranged in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve. Each of these magnetic poles applies a magnetic force to the two-component developer on the developing sleeve at a predetermined position in the rotational direction. As a result, the two-component developer in the developer accommodating portion is attracted and carried on the surface of the developing sleeve, and a magnetic brush is formed along the magnetic force lines on the surface of the developing sleeve. The magnetic brush is transported to the developing area after being regulated to an appropriate layer thickness when passing through a position facing a developer regulating member (not shown) as the developing sleeve rotates. Then, development is performed by transferring toner onto the electrostatic latent image by a potential difference between the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve and the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 4. Further, the two-component developer constituting the magnetic brush that has passed through the developing area and then returned to the developing device 6 again with the rotation of the developing sleeve is developed under the influence of the repulsive magnetic field formed between the magnetic poles of the magnet roller. After detachment from the sleeve surface, it is returned to the developer container. A toner concentration sensor (not shown) is disposed in the developer accommodating portion, and the toner concentration of the two-component developer in the developer accommodating container is within a predetermined range based on the detection result by the toner concentration sensor. As described above, a toner replenishing device (not shown) is controlled so that an appropriate amount of toner is replenished to the two-component developer.

  In the printer unit 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming process described so far is applied to the photosensitive members 4 (K, Y, M, C) of the four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, C). As a result, K, Y, M, and C toner images are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a transfer unit 90 is disposed below the four image forming units 3 (K, Y, M, C). The transfer unit 90 includes an intermediate transfer belt 91 as a toner image carrier stretched by a plurality of stretching rollers (92, 93, 94), and the first stretching roller 92 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 91. A belt cleaning device 32 is disposed at the facing position. The belt cleaning device 32 is arranged to remove toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 91 after passing through a secondary transfer nip described later. In the transfer unit 90, the intermediate transfer belt 91 is moved endlessly in the clockwise direction in the figure (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2) while being in contact with the photoreceptor 4 (K, Y, M, C). As a result, primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C where the photoreceptors 4 (K, Y, M, and C) and the intermediate transfer belt 91 abut are formed. In the vicinity of the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C, the intermediate transfer belt 91 is moved to the photosensitive member 4 by the primary transfer roller 95 (K, Y, M, and C) disposed in the belt loop. It is pressed toward (K, Y, M, C). A primary transfer bias is applied to the four primary transfer rollers 95 (K, Y, M, and C) by a power source (not shown). Thus, in the primary transfer nip for K, Y, M, and C, the primary transfer that electrostatically moves the toner image on the photoreceptor 4 (K, Y, M, and C) toward the intermediate transfer belt 91 that is a transfer body. An electric field is formed. In the drawing, toner images are sequentially superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 91 that sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for K, Y, M, and C along with the endless movement in the clockwise direction. Primary transcription. By this primary transfer of superposition, a four-color superposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 91. The primary transfer device according to the present embodiment employs a configuration including a primary transfer roller 95 as a primary transfer member, but a conductive brush, a non-contact corona charger, or the like can also be employed as the primary transfer member.

  In FIG. 3, untransferred toner that has not been primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 91 adheres to the surface of the photoreceptor 4 after passing through the primary transfer nip. This transfer residual toner is removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 4 by the drum cleaning device 15 of the image forming unit 3.

  As the drum cleaning device 15, a device that scrapes off and removes transfer residual toner from the surface of the photoconductor 4 after passing through the primary transfer nip by a polyurethane rubber cleaning blade 16 in contact with the photoconductor 4 is used. Yes. The cleaning blade 16 is bonded (hot melt) to a metal support member fixed to the casing of the image forming unit 3, and comes into contact with the photoconductor 4 in the counter direction. The counter direction is the direction of the blade such that the front end side of the cleaning blade 16 cantilevered by the support member is positioned upstream of the rear end side (free end side) in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 4. . Here, the toner recovered by the drum cleaning device 15 is recovered by the developing device 6 and reused by a recovery screw and a toner recycling device (not shown).

  The static eliminator included in the image forming unit 3 of the present embodiment has a configuration including a static eliminator lamp 22, and irradiates light to initialize the surface potential of the photoreceptor 4. The surface of the photoreceptor 4 that has been neutralized by the static elimination lamp 22 is uniformly charged by a charging roller 5 that generates a discharge with the photoreceptor 4 by applying a charging bias, and then the light from the optical writing device 2 is used. Write processing is performed. The charging device provided in the image forming unit 3 is a contact charging type charging device employing a charging roller 5. This charging device uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive member 4 by bringing the charging roller 5 into contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 4 and applying a voltage to the charging roller 5. In addition, as a charging device for uniformly charging the photosensitive member 4, a charging device of a non-contact charging type using a scorotron charger or the like can be used instead of the charging roller type.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 1 hangs an endless paper conveyance belt 29, which is a secondary transfer belt, between a driving roller 30 and a secondary transfer roller 31 below the transfer unit 90. A paper transport unit 28 is provided as a secondary transfer unit that passes and moves endlessly. In the copying machine 100, the intermediate transfer belt 91 and the paper transport belt 29 are sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 31 of the paper transport unit 28 and the lower stretching roller 94 of the transfer unit 90. As a result, a secondary transfer nip is formed in which the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 91 and the surface of the paper transport belt 29 abut. A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 31 by a power source (not shown). On the other hand, the lower stretching roller 94 of the transfer unit 90 is grounded. Thereby, a secondary transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer nip. The member that forms the secondary transfer nip in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 91 is not limited to a belt-like member such as the paper transport belt 29, and a roller-like transfer roller may be used.

  A registration roller pair 33 is disposed on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the figure. The registration roller pair 33 sends the transfer paper P sandwiched between the rollers to the secondary transfer nip at a timing at which the transfer paper P can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 91. In the secondary transfer nip, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 91 are collectively secondary transferred onto the transfer paper P due to the influence of the secondary transfer electric field and the nip pressure, and become a full color image combined with the white color of the transfer paper P. The transfer paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip and has a toner image transferred to the surface thereof is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 91 and held on the surface of the paper transport belt 29, while the endless movement of the transfer paper P is performed. It is conveyed to.

  The transfer residual toner that has not been transferred to the transfer paper P at the secondary transfer nip adheres to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 91 that has passed through the secondary transfer nip. This transfer residual toner is scraped off and removed by the belt cleaning device 32 arranged so that the cleaning member contacts the intermediate transfer belt 91.

  As will be described in detail later, the transfer paper P transported to the fixing device 60 is fed out of the fixing device 60 by applying a fixing solution in the fixing device 60, and then sent out from the fixing device 60 to be transferred onto the paper discharge tray 10. The paper is discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the copying machine 100, a switchback device 36 that is a transfer paper reversing device is disposed below the paper transport unit 28 and the fixing device 60. When image formation is performed on both sides, the path of the transfer paper P that has undergone image fixing processing on one side is switched to the switchback device 36 side by controlling the switching claw, and the transfer paper P is reversed there, and then again. Transport toward the next transfer nip. Then, the transfer sheet P on which the image is subjected to the secondary transfer process and the fixing process on the other side is discharged onto the discharge tray 10.

  Next, the fixing device 60 including the characterizing portion of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment. In the following description, toner particles are composed of resin fine particles containing a resin that is at least partially dissolved or swollen by a softening agent. The fixing device 60 includes a foam-like fixing liquid generating unit 130 that foams the liquid fixing liquid 132 by dispersing bubbles in the liquid fixing liquid 132 containing a softening agent to generate a foam-like fixing liquid F, and the generated bubbles. A fixing liquid application unit 600 for applying the fixing liquid F to the transfer paper P as a recording medium.

  The foam-like fixer generation unit 130 fixes the fixer bottle 131 containing the liquid fixer 132 and the foam-like fixer F containing a large amount of bubbles by dispersing bubbles in the liquid fixer 132. A liquid foaming apparatus 500. The liquid fixer 132 in the fixer bottle 131 is transported to the fixer foaming device 500 via the fixer transport pipe by driving a fixer transport pump (not shown). Are mixed, dispersed, and foamed to form a foamy fixing solution F. As the fixer foaming device 500, for example, a foam-like fixer generating mechanism described in Patent Document 3 can be used. If the liquid fixer 132 can be used as the foam fixer F having a desired bubble diameter, this can be used. It is not limited to.

  The fixing solution application unit 600 applies the foamy fixing solution F having a desired bubble diameter generated by the foamed fixing solution generation unit 130 to the unfixed toner image T on the transfer paper P. The fixing liquid application unit 600 is supplied with the foamy fixing liquid F from the fixing liquid foaming device 500 and applies the foaming fixing liquid F to the transfer paper P at the application position C, and an application roller 61 61, and a pressure roller 62 disposed so as to face the coating position C. The application roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 rotate so that their surfaces move in synchronization with the movement of the transfer paper P.

  The foam-like fixer F supplied in a thin film form from the foam-like fixer generator 130 onto the surface of the application roller 61 reaches the application position C by the surface movement, that is, rotation of the application roller 61. The transfer paper P carrying the unfixed toner image T conveyed to the fixing device 60 by a conveyance member (not shown) is sandwiched between the nip portion between the application roller 61 and the pressure roller 62 at the application position C, and is fixed in a foam state. The liquid F is applied to the unfixed toner image T. After passing through the nip portion, the toner particles that have been softened or swollen by being applied with a fixing liquid are cured again and fixed on the transfer paper P, thereby forming a fixed toner image Ta.

  Further, the fixing device 60 is on the downstream side of the application position C in the surface movement direction of the application roller 61 (the side moved in the clockwise direction in the drawing), and from the foam-like fixer generation unit 130 to the foam-like fixer. A fixing liquid recovery device 200 is provided upstream of the position where F is supplied (the side moved counterclockwise in the figure). The fixing liquid recovery apparatus 200 receives the foamy fixing liquid F that has not been transferred from the coating roller 61 to the transfer paper P at the application position C and the residual foamy fixing liquid Fb that is made up of a small amount of offset toner Tb that has been transferred from the transfer paper P. It is designed to be removed and collected.

In the fixing device 60 shown in FIG. 4, the foamy fixing solution F supplied from the foamy fixing solution generator 130 to the application roller 61 is supplied in a thin film state. As a configuration for forming a thin layer of the foam fixing solution F on the coating roller 61, the coating roller 61 is provided between the position where the foam fixing solution F is supplied from the foam fixing solution generator 130 and the coating position C. You may provide the film thickness control means which makes the above foamy fixing solution F a desired film thickness. As the foamed fixing solution F applied using an application member such as the application roller 61, an experiment was performed in which the density of the foamed fixing solution F was changed and fixed. It was found that the ratio of liquid to air is about 1:25 to 1:50, that is, the density is preferably in the range of 0.04 to 0.02 [cm ³ ]. When the density of the foam-like fixing solution F is higher than this range, the foam-like fixing solution F becomes in a liquid state and passes through the coating position C as in the conventional fixing device in which a normal liquid fixing solution is applied. The so-called offset in which the toner is entrained in the foamy fixing solution F on the surface of the coating roller 61 and the toner is transferred to the coating roller 61 side is likely to occur, and image degradation occurs. On the other hand, when the density of the foam-like fixing solution F is lower than this range, the foam-like fixing solution F is in a state called dry foam. When the foam-like fixing solution F is in a dry foam state, the foam-like fixing solution F becomes difficult to break, and the transfer amount of the fixing solution is not transferred to the transfer paper P, resulting in poor fixing, or the use efficiency of the fixing solution. As a result of the decrease, a problem such as consuming more fixing solution than necessary occurs.

  Further, as a result of experiments, it was found that the bubble diameter of the foam-like fixing solution F is desirably about 20 [μm] on average. The foam-like fixer F is composed of a fixer part and an air part, but since there is no fixer in the air part, if the bubble diameter is large, the toner in the air part is not softened and fixed. In other words, uneven fixing occurs. On the other hand, when the bubble diameter is too small, the wettability to the application roller 61 becomes extremely low, and the film becomes a uniform thin film on the application roller 61, resulting in uneven fixing. For these reasons, the density and bubble diameter of the foam-like fixing solution F have a good range for the fixing performance. Of course, good portions differ depending on the type of fixing solution, the type of toner, and the like, but such a range basically exists in a method in which a fixing solution is foamed and applied to toner.

  The required film thickness of the foamy fixing solution F on the application roller 61 can be easily obtained by the following calculation. First, it is assumed that the amount of fixing liquid necessary for one transfer sheet P of A4 size (297 [mm] × 210 [mm]) is 0.1 [g]. As a result of experiments, the amount of fixing solution required per A4 size sheet on actual plain paper was 0.1 [g]. However, the amount of fixing solution required if the type of transfer paper P changes. Can change. When the amount of the fixing solution is larger than the necessary amount of the fixing solution, the transfer paper P swells and the curling becomes conspicuous, and the commercial value is remarkably reduced. Further, if the amount of the fixing solution is less than the necessary amount of fixing solution, fixing failure occurs.

Assuming that the density of the above-described foam-like fixing solution F is 0.02 [g / cm ³ ], the specific gravity of the fixing solution is 1, and the necessary bubble film thickness on the coating roller 61 is t [mm], (297 [mm] ] × 210 [mm] × t [mm]) × 0.02 / 1000 [g / mm ³ ] = 0.1 [g], so that t = 0.08 [mm]. The film thickness required for the fixing solution F is about 80 [μm]. Actually, not all of the foamy fixing solution F is transferred to the transfer paper P. For this reason, if the transfer rate of the foam-like fixing liquid F from the application roller 61 to the transfer paper P is 90 [%], 80 [μm] /0.9=88 [μm].

  As described above, a thin foam fixing solution F having a film thickness of about 90 [μm] is formed on the surface of the application roller 61, and this is applied to the transfer paper P at the application position C. Thus, not all of the foamy fixing solution F on the application roller 61 is applied to the transfer paper P. As described above, the transfer rate (the amount of the foam-like fixing solution F per unit area on the coating roller 61 just before reaching the coating position C is defined as the amount of the foam-like fixing solution F on the transfer paper P just after passing through the coating position C. The value divided by the amount is about 90% at best.

  That is, about 10 [%] of the foamy fixing solution F supplied on the surface of the application roller 61 remains on the application roller 61 after passing through the application position C. Since the residual fixing liquid Fb remaining on the application roller 61 contains toner that has been slightly removed (offset) from the transfer paper P at the application position C, the residual fixing liquid Fb is reliably removed from the application roller 61. There is a need. If the residual foam fixing solution Fb is not removed well, when the new foam fixing solution F is supplied again from the foam fixing solution generator 130, it remains in the new foam fixing solution F controlled to a desired state. When the foam-like fixing solution Fb is mixed, the uniformity and the supply amount of the foam-like fixing solution F are changed from a desired state. Further, when the offset toner Tb is re-transferred to the next transfer paper P, an image defect may occur, and the fixing quality may be seriously damaged. Therefore, in the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the fixing solution recovery device 200 includes the application roller cleaning device 20 that removes the residual fixing solution Fb from the application roller 61.

  Next, details of the fixing liquid recovery device 200 of the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fixing device 60 includes a fixing solution collecting device 200 that removes and collects the residual foamy fixing solution Fb from the application roller 61. The residual foam-like fixing solution Fb is the foam-like fixing solution F that has not contributed to the fixing, that is, the foam-like fixing solution F that has not been transferred to the transfer paper P and remains on the surface of the coating roller 61. A small amount of offset toner Tb transferred from.

  The fixer recovery device 200 includes a coating roller cleaning device 20 that cleans the coating roller 61. The coating roller cleaning device 20 removes the residual foamy fixing solution Fb remaining on the surface of the coating roller 61 after the coating roller 61 has passed the coating position C where the foaming fixing solution F is applied to the transfer paper P. A removal blade 201 is provided. The fixing solution removing blade 201 is made of an elastic body such as rubber and is configured to remove the residual foamy fixing solution Fb remaining on the surface of the application roller 61 by elastically contacting the application roller 61. .

  Further, the fixer recovery apparatus 200 includes a residual foam-like fixer containing part 216 that contains the residual foam-like fixer Fb removed from the surface of the coating roller 61 by the fixer removing blade 201, and a residual foam-like fixer containing part. And a hydrolase supply container 215 for supplying hydrolase H to 216.

  The residual foam-like fixing liquid storage unit 216 is arranged immediately below the fixing liquid removal blade 201 so as to receive the residual foam-like fixing liquid Fb that is removed from the surface of the application roller 61 by the fixing liquid removal blade 201 and falls. It has become. Since the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb is filled inside by its own weight, the residual foam-like fixing solution storage portion 216 is inclined so that the back portion (left direction in FIG. 4) is lowered. Has been.

  The hydrolase supply container 215 accommodates the hydrolase H in advance and is controlled by a control unit (not shown) to supply the hydrolase H to the residual foam-like fixer storage unit 216. In the present embodiment, the hydrolytic enzyme H supplied from the hydrolase supply container 215 to the residual foam fixing liquid storage unit 216 reacts with the residual foam fixing liquid Fb, so that the residual foam fixing liquid Fb is obtained. Defoamed and liquefied. The defoaming and liquefaction mechanism of the residual foam fixing solution Fb by the hydrolase H will be described later.

  The fixer recovery apparatus 200 also includes a fixer recovery bottle 220 that recovers the residual foam fixer Fb liquefied in the residual foam fixer storage unit 216, a residual foam fixer storage unit 216, and a fixer recovery. Fixing liquid recovery pipe 226 connected to the bottle 220 and the residual foam fixing liquid Fb liquefied from the residual foam fixing liquid container 216 provided in the middle of the fixing liquid recovery pipe 226 are transferred to the fixing liquid recovery bottle 220. And a fixing liquid recovery pump 225 for performing the fixing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb is liquefied and recovered, so that the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb can be liquefied well without using a large-capacity fixing solution recovery bottle 220. Can be recovered. That is, if the residual foamed fixing solution Fb is stored in a foamed state without being liquefied, the residual foamed fixing solution Fb has a larger volume than a normal liquid fixing solution. There is a problem that the fixing solution recovery bottle 220 is required, resulting in an increase in the size of the apparatus, and it is assumed that the residual foam fixing solution Fb in the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216 is naturally defoamed over time. When the volume is gradually reduced, it takes a long time for defoaming. Therefore, the residual foam-like fixer container 216 is filled up immediately, and the residue newly removed by the fixer removing blade 201 is removed. There is a problem that it becomes impossible to collect the foamy fixing solution Fb, but the fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment liquefies and collects the residual foaming fixing solution Fb, so that such a problem is avoided. can do

  Next, the liquefaction mechanism and operation of the fixer recovery apparatus 200 of the fixing device 60 configured as shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  First, the hydrolase H is supplied from the hydrolase supply container 215 to the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216, and the interior of the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216 is filled with the hydrolase H to some extent.

  Next, the residual foam-like fixer Fb removed from the surface of the application roller 61 by the fixer removal blade 201 is accommodated in the residual foam-like fixer accommodating part 216. Accordingly, as will be described in detail later, the hydrolyzing enzyme H reacts with the softening agent contained in the residual foam fixing solution Fb to generate an acid, thereby lowering the pH of the residual foam fixing solution Fb, thereby increasing the foaming agent. Therefore, the residual foam fixing solution Fb is defoamed and liquefied.

  Next, when the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb is defoamed and liquefaction is completed and the activity of the hydrolase H is reduced, the fixing solution recovery pump 225 is operated, and the residual foam-like fixing solution storage unit 216 is liquefied. The fixer is transferred to the fixer recovery bottle 220 and collected (stored).

  For this reason, in the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216, the residual foam fixing solution Fb containing bubbles and having a large bulk is changed to a liquid fixing solution having a small volume. The bottle 220 is not immediately filled with the residual foam-like fixer Fb, and the residual foam-type fixer container 216 and the fixer recovery bottle 220 having a small capacity can be used. In addition, the liquefied fixing solution can be easily transferred to the fixing solution collection bottle 220 by the fixing solution collection pump 225. It should be noted that the reaction processing of the residual foam fixing solution Fb and the hydrolase H and the storage of the liquid after the reaction may be performed using one container (for example, the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216). In this case as well, the object of the present invention can be achieved, but in this embodiment, the liquefied fixing solution in the residual foamy fixing solution container 216 is transferred to the fixing solution recovery bottle 220 and stored. Therefore, the next reaction process between the residual foam-fixing solution Fb and the hydrolase H can be efficiently performed in the residual foam-fixing solution storage unit 216.

  Here, the defoaming and liquefaction mechanism of the residual foam fixing solution Fb by the reaction with the hydrolase H will be described below.

  First, when the softening agent contained in the residual foam fixing solution Fb reacts with the hydrolase H, an acid is generated and the pH of the residual foam fixing solution Fb is lowered. Specifically, when an ester as a softening agent is hydrolyzed to produce an oxo acid (carboxylic acid or carbonic acid), H + (proton) is ionized in a polar solvent to show acidity. Next, since the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb contains a foaming agent capable of foaming and retaining bubbles in a neutral to basic region, when the pH of the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb is lowered, residual foam The state fixer Fb becomes incapable of holding bubbles and disappears and liquefies.

  Here, the foamy fixing solution used in the present embodiment will be described in detail. When foaming a fixer containing a softening agent, the foaming properties are superior when the fixer contains a fatty acid salt having 12 to 18 carbon atoms as the foaming agent, compared to simply foaming water. ing. Specifically, laurate (carbon number 12), myristic acid salt (carbon number 14), palmitate (carbon number 16), and stearate salt (carbon number 18) are suitable as the fatty acid salt. 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 carbon number, the better the foaming property, but the foam stability is poor, and the larger the carbon number is, the foaming property is not so good, but the foam stability is improved. Very good. Therefore, a single fatty acid salt may be used in the fixing solution, but it is better to mix a fatty acid salt having 12 to 18 carbon atoms. As a mixing ratio, it is desirable to contain the most myristic acid salt (14 carbon atoms) and to lower the ratio of lauric acid salt (12 carbon atoms) and stearic acid salt. More specific fatty acid salt ratios are 0: 6: 3: 1, 1: 5: 3: 1, 1: 4 by weight ratio of laurate: myristate: palmitate: stearate. : 4: 1 is suitable.

  By the way, by containing the fatty acid having the same carbon number as the fatty acid salt as the foaming agent in the fixing solution, foamability and foam stability can be maintained even when the concentration of the softening agent is increased. When the concentration of the softening agent is less than 10 wt%, there is no problem with foaming properties even if no fatty acid is contained. However, when the concentration of the softening agent is 10 wt% or more, and particularly when the concentration of the softening agent is 30 wt% or more, the foaming property is hardly achieved with the fatty acid salt alone, and the foamability is deteriorated. In such a softening agent concentration of 30 wt%, when the fatty acid having the same carbon number as the fatty acid salt is contained, the foaming property can be maintained.

  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, it is better to make the number of moles of fatty acid salt the same as or larger than the number of moles of fatty acid. Alternatively, the foamability is excellent when the ratio of fatty acid to fatty acid salt is in the range of 5: 5 to 1: 9.

  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 to 18 may be used. In short, by containing a fatty acid having a carbon number of 12 to 18 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. Foaming is possible.

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

  Furthermore, fatty acid sodium, fatty acid potassium, and fatty acid amine are suitable as the fatty acid salt. Furthermore, the most suitable fatty acid amine is specifically prepared by heating water, adding a fatty acid, and then adding triethanolamine, followed by heating and stirring for a certain period of time for a saponification 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 saponification, and the fixing solution Fatty acid and fatty acid amine can be mixed therein. The same is possible with sodium and potassium salts.

  In the fixing solution in the present embodiment, preferably, the aliphatic ester as the softening agent includes a saturated aliphatic ester. 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 considered to be because the saturated aliphatic ester forms an oil film on the surface of the dissolved or swollen toner.

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

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

  When using the above saturated aliphatic ester as a softening agent, in order to suppress the hydrolysis, the fixing solution contains at least one of R1COOH and R2OH, which are hydrolysates of R1COOR2, to decompose the softening agent. Can be suppressed. Examples of the hydrolyzate include lauric acid, dodecylic acid, myristic acid, myristic acid, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and the like. The content is not particularly limited, but for the carboxylic acid compound, the content is such that the pH of the fixing solution does not become 7 or less, and for the alcohol compound, the content range of 1 wt% to 30 wt% is appropriate. Exceeding these contents is not suitable because the foaming property of the fixing solution deteriorates.

  In the fixing solution in the present embodiment, preferably, the aliphatic ester also includes an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester. When the aliphatic ester includes an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester, the resin contained in the toner can be dissolved or swollen in a shorter time. For example, in high-speed printing of about 60 ppm, it is desirable 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 includes an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester, the time required for fixing the toner on the recording medium by applying a fixing solution to the unfixed toner or the like on the recording medium is 0.1 second. It is possible to be within. Furthermore, since the resin contained in the toner can be dissolved or swollen 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 in the present embodiment, preferably, the general formula of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester includes a compound represented by R3 (COOR4) ₂ , and R3 has 3 to 8 carbon atoms. An alkylene group, and R4 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms. 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 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 or more carbon atoms. In the case of a linear or branched alkyl group of 5 or less, the solubility or swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner can be improved. Moreover, the odor index of said compound is 10 or less, and said compound does not have an unpleasant odor and an irritating odor.

  Examples of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester that is the above compound include diethylhexyl succinate, dibutyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, diisopropyl adipate, diisodecyl adipate, diethyl sebacate, and dibutyl sebacate. Many of these aliphatic dicarboxylic acid esters, which are the above compounds, 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 according to the present embodiment, preferably, the aliphatic ester includes a dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate. When the above 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 in the present embodiment, preferably, the general formula of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl includes a compound represented by R5 (COOR6-O-R7) ₂ , and R5 has 2 carbon atoms. It is an alkylene group having 8 or less, 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 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 above-mentioned aliphatic dicarboxylate 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 In the case where it is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and R7 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, it is possible to improve the solubility or swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner. . Moreover, the odor index of said compound is 10 or less, and said compound does not have an unpleasant odor and an irritating odor.

  Examples of the aliphatic dicarboxylate dialkoxyalkyl which is the above compound include diethoxyethyl succinate, dibutoxyethyl succinate, diethoxyethyl adipate, dibutoxyethyl adipate, diethoxyethyl sebacate and the like. . In an aqueous solvent, these aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyls are contained in the fixing solution as a solubilizing agent, and dissolved or microemulsified.

  Further, although not fatty acid esters, carbonates such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and butylene carbonate are also suitable as a softening or swelling agent.

  In the present embodiment, the hydrolase that is brought into contact with the residual foam fixing solution Fb inside the residual foam fixing solution container 216 may be brought into contact with the residual foam fixing solution Fb as it is. Alternatively, the hydrolase may be diluted with something and then contacted with the residual foam fixing solution Fb. The hydrolase is an ester hydrolase such as a carboxylic acid ester hydrolase, such as a lipase derivative, esterase derivative, phylase derivative, acetylase derivative, hydrolase derivative, butenolidase derivative, polymerase derivative, cutinase derivative, synthase derivative. Etc. Moreover, since the activity range of said hydrolase is pH 6-11, Preferably pH 7-10, it corresponds with the foaming range of surfactant which is said foaming agent (foaming component).

  In the following, gas chromatographic measurement and pH measurement were performed for the case where the hydrolase was added to the fixing solution (Example 1) and for the case where the hydrolase was not added to the fixer (Comparative Example 1), respectively. The results of testing and comparison will be described.

  First, the component ratio of the fixing solution and the like for Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 will be described.

[Example 1] Measurement of softener degradation amount (fixing solution to which hydrolase is added)
<Preparation of fatty acid potassium salt fixing solution>
A method for adjusting the fixing solution used in this embodiment will be described. The fatty acid myristic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) is 4.00 g, palmitic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) is 3.00 g, stearic acid is 1.00 g (Kanto Chemical Reagent), and the neutralizing agent potassium hydroxide is 1 Weigh each so as to be 28 g, stir them in ion exchange water at a liquid temperature of 80 ° C. with a stirrer (100 rpm) for 30 minutes, and then naturally cool to room temperature. The remaining materials such as a softening agent and a foam-increasing agent were added thereto and stirred for 10 minutes with an ultrasonic homogenizer to obtain a fixing solution (stock solution before foaming). The detailed component amount will be described later in detail.
<Preparation of fatty acid sodium salt-based fixing solution>
A method for adjusting the fixing solution used in this embodiment will be described. Fatty acid myristic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) 4.00 g, palmitic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) 3.00 g, stearic acid 1.00 g (Kanto Chemical Reagent), and neutralizer sodium hydroxide 0 Weigh each so as to be .92 g, and stir them in ion-exchanged water at a liquid temperature of 80 ° C. for 30 minutes with a stirrer (100 rpm). The remaining materials such as a softening agent and a foam-increasing agent were added thereto and stirred for 10 minutes with an ultrasonic homogenizer to obtain a fixing solution (stock solution before foaming). The detailed component amount will be described later in detail.
<Preparation of fatty acid triethanolamine salt fixing solution>
A method for adjusting the fixing solution used in this embodiment will be described. The fatty acid myristic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) is 4.00 g, palmitic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) is 3.00 g, stearic acid is 1.00 g (Kanto Chemical Reagent), and the neutralizing agent triethanolamine is 3 Weigh each so as to be .41 g, and stir them in ion exchange water at a liquid temperature of 80 ° C. for 30 minutes with a stirrer (100 rpm). The remaining materials such as a softening agent and a foam-increasing agent were added thereto and stirred for 10 minutes with an ultrasonic homogenizer to obtain a fixing solution (stock solution before foaming). The detailed component amount will be described later in detail.

In order to measure the hydrolysis state of the fixing agent softener, a fixing solution described later was first prepared and allowed to stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes, followed by gas chromatography measurement. 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 chromatographic measurement only detects what is gasified in the apparatus.)
[Sample 1-1] (Sample 1-1-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 1-1-2⇒room temperature, 15min storage product, sample 1-1-3 → room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid potassium salt (fatty acid K salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution containing hydrolase (trialisyl briselol (lipase) (Wako Pure) in 80 g of fixing solution of 45.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softener. 20 g of a pharmaceutical industry reagent) 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 1-2] (Sample 1-2-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 1-2-2⇒room temperature, 15min storage product, sample 1-2-3⇒room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid potassium salt (fatty acid K salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution (carboxyesterase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries) 50) containing hydrolase in 80 g of fixing solution of 55.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softener. % Aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 1-3] (Sample 1-3-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 1-3-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 1-3-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid potassium salt (fatty acid K salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution (acetylhydrolase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries) 50) containing hydrolase in 80 g of a fixing solution of 45.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softener. % Aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 2-1] (Sample 2-1-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 2-1-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 2-1-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid potassium salt (fatty acid K salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution containing hydrolyzing enzyme (trialisyl bricerol (lipase)) in 80 g of a fixing solution of 84.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda DES, Cloda Co., Ltd.) (Wako Pure Chemical Industries Reagent) 50% aqueous solution) 20 g was added.

[Sample 2-2] (Sample 2-2-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 2-2-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 2-2-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid potassium salt (fatty acid K salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution containing a hydrolase (carboxyesterase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)) in 80 g of a fixing solution of 84.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda DES, Croda). Reagent) 20 g of 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 2-3] (Sample 2-3-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 2-3-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 2-3-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid potassium salt (fatty acid K salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution containing hydrolase (acetyl hydrolase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)) in 80 g of a fixing solution of 84.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda DES, Croda, Inc.) Reagent) 20 g of 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 3-1] (Sample 3-1-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 3-1-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 3-1-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid sodium salt (fatty acid Na salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution containing hydrolase (trialisyl briselol (lipase) (Wako Pure) in 80 g of fixing solution of 45.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softener. 20 g of a pharmaceutical industry reagent) 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 3-2] (Sample 3-2-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 3-2-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 3-2-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid sodium salt (fatty acid Na salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution (carboxyesterase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries) 50) containing hydrolase in 80 g of fixing solution of 45.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softener. % Aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 3-3] (Sample 3-3-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 3-3-2⇒room temperature, 15min storage product, sample 3-3-3⇒room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid sodium salt (fatty acid Na salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution (acetylhydrolase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries) 50) containing hydrolase in 80 g of a fixing solution of 45.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softener. % Aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 4-1] (Sample 4-1-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 4-1-2⇒room temperature, 15min storage product, sample 4-1-3 → room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid sodium salt (fatty acid Na salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution containing hydrolyzing enzyme (trialisyl bricerol (lipase)) in 80 g of a fixing solution of 84.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda DES, Cloda Co., Ltd.) (Wako Pure Chemical Industries Reagent) 50% aqueous solution) 20 g was added.

[Sample 4-2] (Sample 4-2-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 4-2-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 4-2-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid sodium salt (fatty acid Na salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution containing a hydrolase (carboxyesterase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)) in 80 g of a fixing solution of 84.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda DES, Croda). Reagent) 20 g of 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 4-3] (Sample 4-3-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 4-3-2⇒room temperature, 15min storage product, sample 4-3-3⇒room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid sodium salt (fatty acid Na salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent A solution containing hydrolase (acetyl hydrolase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)) in 80 g of a fixing solution of 84.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda DES, Croda, Inc.) Reagent) 20 g of 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 5-1] (Sample 5-1-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 5-1-2⇒room temperature, 15min storage product, sample 5-1-3 → room temperature, 30min storage product)
4.0 wt% of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as foaming agent, 0.5 wt% of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent A solution containing hydrolase (trialisyl bricerol (lipase)) in 80 g of fixing solution of 45.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water as the agent and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as the softener. 20 g of Wako Pure Chemical Industries reagent) 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 5-2] (Sample 5-2-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 5-2-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 5-2-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
4.0 wt% of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as foaming agent, 0.5 wt% of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent A solution containing a hydrolase (carboxyesterase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries Reagents) in 80 g of fixing solution of 55.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water as the agent and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as the softener. ) 20 g of 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 5-3] (Sample 5-3-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 5-3-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 5-3-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
4.0 wt% of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as foaming agent, 0.5 wt% of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent A solution containing hydrolase (acetylhydrolase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries Reagents)) in 80 g of a fixing solution of 45.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water as the agent and 40 g of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as the softener. ) 20 g of 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 6-1] (Sample 6-1-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 6-1-2 → room temperature, 15 min storage product, sample 6-1-3 → room temperature, 30 min storage product)
4.0 wt% of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as foaming agent, 0.5 wt% of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent A solution containing hydrolase (trialisyl briselol (8 g), 84.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water as the agent and 10 g of fixing solution of 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda, DES) as a softener. 20 g of lipase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 6-2] (Sample 6-2-1⇒immediately mixed product, sample 6-2-2⇒room temperature, 15min storage product, sample 6-2-3⇒room temperature, 30min storage product)
4.0 wt% of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as foaming agent, 0.5 wt% of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent A solution containing a hydrolase (carboxyesterase (Wako Pure) 20 g of a pharmaceutical industry reagent) 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Sample 6-3] (Sample 6-3-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 6-3-2⇒room temperature, 15min storage product, sample 6-3-⇒room temperature, 30min storage product)
4.0 wt% of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as foaming agent, 0.5 wt% of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent A solution containing hydrolase (acetylhydrolase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)) in 80 g of a fixing solution containing 84.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water as an agent and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda DES) as a softener 20 g of a pharmaceutical industry reagent) 50% aqueous solution) was added.

[Comparative Example 1] Decomposition amount of softener (conventional fixing solution to which hydrolase is not added)
[Sample 1-4] (Sample 1-4-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 1-4-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 1-4-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid potassium salt (fatty acid K salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent 100 g of fixing solution containing 45.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softening agent.

[Sample 2-4] (Sample 2-4-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 2-4-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 2-4-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid potassium salt (fatty acid K salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent Fixing solution 100 g of 84.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda Co., Claude DES) as a softening agent.

[Sample 3-4] (Sample 3-4-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 3-4-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 3-4-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid sodium salt (fatty acid Na salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent 100 g of fixing solution containing 45.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softening agent.

[Sample 4-4] (Sample 4-4-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 4-4-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 4-4-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
Fatty acid sodium salt (fatty acid Na salt) as foaming agent is 4.0 wt%, palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent is 0.5 wt%, with diluent Fixing solution 100 g of 84.5 wt% of certain ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda Co., Claude DES) as a softening agent.

[Sample 5-4] (Sample 5-4-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 5-4-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 5-4-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
4.0 wt% of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as foaming agent, 0.5 wt% of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent 100 g of fixing solution containing 45.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water as an agent and 40 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softening agent.

[Sample 6-4] (Sample 6-4-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 6-4-2⇒Room temperature, 15min storage product, Sample 6-4-3⇒Room temperature, 30min storage product)
4.0 wt% of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as foaming agent, 0.5 wt% of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent 100 g of a fixing solution containing 84.5 wt% of ion-exchanged water as an agent and 10 wt% of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda Co., Claude DES) as a softening agent.

表１〜表５を参照して、実施例１と比較例１を比較すると、加水分解酵素を含有させた定着液の方は、明らかに軟化剤の分解が起こっている。即ち、加水分解酵素を含有させた定着液の方は、ｐＨが下がっていることから、軟化剤の加水分解が起こったと考えられる。更に、この分解反応は１５分〜３０分でほぼ止まっていることも分かった。 Next, gas chromatographic measurement results and pH measurement results for Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 will be described. Tables 1 to 5 show the gas chromatography measurement results and pH measurement results of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 described above. Tables 1 to 4 show the gas chromatography measurement results and pH measurement results of Example 1, and Table 5 shows the gas chromatography measurement results and pH measurement results of Comparative Example 1. In each table, the symbol * indicates the softener area% in each fixer, where the softener area% of the fixer to which no hydrolase is added is 100%.

Referring to Tables 1 to 5, when Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are compared, the fixing solution containing the hydrolase clearly shows that the softener is decomposed. That is, it is considered that the fixing solution containing the hydrolase was hydrolyzed by the softener because the pH was lowered. Furthermore, it was also found that this decomposition reaction almost stopped in 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

  Hereinafter, in the configuration of the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, when the foamy fixing solution is accommodated in a state where the hydrolyzing enzyme is previously placed in the residual foamy fixing solution storage unit 216 (Example 2), the residual A description will be given of the results of evaluation tests and comparisons with respect to the case where the foam-like fixing solution was accommodated in a state where nothing was put in the foam-like fixing solution containing portion 216 (Comparative Example 2).

  First, the conditions of the evaluation test for Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 will be described.

[Example 2]
<Fixing solution>
About the fixing solution, the above-mentioned hydrolase is not added, Sample 1-4-1, Sample 2-4-1, Sample 3-4-1, Sample 4-4-1, Sample 5-4-1, Sample 6-4-1 was used.
<Coating device>
As shown in FIG. 4, the fixer supplied from the fixer bottle 131 was introduced into the fixer foaming device 500 (a bubbling stirring method) to prepare a foamy fixer. Further, by setting the gap between the fixing liquid foaming device 500 and the application roller 61 to 70 μm, the foam film on the application roller 61 became 90 μm. Further, the bulk density of the foamy fixing solution at that time was 0.02 g / cm ³ . Each constituent material is shown below.
Application roller 61: SUS roller (φ30) coated with PFA resin by baking
-Paper transport speed: 150 mm / s
Load between the pressure roller 62 and the application roller 61: 196N on one side
<Residual foamy fixer recovery mechanism>
The residual foamy fixer recovery mechanism is configured as shown in FIG. About 10 ml of the 20% aqueous solution of each of the aforementioned hydrolases (trialisylglycerol, carboxyesterase, and acetylhydrolase) was placed in the residual foam fixing solution container 216.

Using IpsioColorCX8800 (manufactured by Ricoh) as a printer, 500 continuous PPC papers on which a color image of unfixed toner was formed were passed, and the state of bubbles in the residual foam-like fixer storage unit 216 was confirmed. Of 500 sheets. Then, the state of the residual foam-like fixing liquid storage unit 216 for every 500 sheets was determined as follows.
-State of residual foamy fixer container 216 => Evaluation: ○ ... The foamy fixer does not overflow from the residual foamy fixer container 216, and there is no problem in recovery.
-State of residual foam-like fixer container 216 => Evaluation: x ... The state where the foam-type fixer overflows from the residual foam-type fixer container 216 and there is a problem in recovery.

[Comparative Example 2]
<Residual foamy fixer recovery mechanism>
The residual foam-like fixing solution recovery mechanism is configured as shown in FIG. However, nothing was put in the residual foam-like fixing solution storage unit 216. The other conditions (fixing solution and coating apparatus) were the same as in Example 2.

表６から分かるように、実施例２では、残留泡状定着液収容部２１６から溢れることなく、綺麗に泡状定着液を回収できていたが、比較例２では、残留泡状定着液収容部２１６から泡状定着液が溢れてしまい、真下の定着画像に落ちて、それを汚してしまった。 Next, evaluation results for Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 will be described. Table 6 shows the results of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2.

As can be seen from Table 6, in Example 2, the foamy fixer could be collected cleanly without overflowing from the residual foamy fixer container 216, but in Comparative Example 2, the residual foamy fixer container From 216, the foamy fixing solution overflowed and fell to the fixed image directly below, which contaminated it.

  From the above results, it is possible to liquefy the foamy fixer by placing the hydrolase in the residual foamy fixer container 216 and bringing the hydrolase into contact with the foamy fixer. It became clear that it could be recovered. With respect to this principle, when the foaming fixer softener comes into contact with the hydrolase, it hydrolyzes to generate an acid. Thereby, the pH of the foam-like fixing solution is lowered, and the foam-like fixing solution containing a fatty acid salt having a characteristic of foaming in a neutral to basic region is defoamed. Thereby, it is considered that the foam-like fixing solution was liquefied and could be recovered well. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions are possible as long as they are described in the scope of the claims.

  As described above, the fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment softens the resin fine particles containing the resin by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin, and a softening agent that generates an acid by hydrolysis. Softening fine resin particles by applying to the transfer paper P a foam-like fixer containing bubbles dispersed in a fixer containing a foaming agent capable of foaming and retaining foam in a neutral to basic region. And a fixing liquid recovery device 200 that removes and recovers the residual foamy fixing liquid Fb remaining on the application roller 61 without being applied to the transfer paper P from the application roller 61. The fixing solution recovery apparatus 200 supplies the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216 that stores the residual foam fixing solution Fb removed from the application roller 61, and the hydrolase H to the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216. Hydrolase enzyme A container 215, and having a.

  With this configuration, when the residual foam fixing solution Fb comes into contact with the hydrolase H supplied to the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216, the softening agent contained in the residual foam fixing solution Fb is hydrolyzed. Since the acid is generated, the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb containing a foaming agent capable of foaming and retaining foam in a neutral to basic region is deliquefied and liquefied, and the volume is reduced. Therefore, in the configuration in which the resin fine particles are softened using the foam-like fixing solution and fixed on the transfer paper P, the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb that has not contributed to the fixing can be recovered well.

  The fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the softening agent is fatty acid alkoxyalkyl.

  With this configuration, it is possible to improve the fixing property of the toner to the transfer paper P.

  The fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the softening agent is a carbonate ester.

  With this configuration, safety can be increased and costs can be reduced.

  The fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the foaming agent is a fatty acid salt of any one of fatty acid sodium, fatty acid potassium, and fatty acid amine.

  With this configuration, excellent foaming performance can be obtained.

  Further, in the fixing device 60 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the fixing solution recovery device 200 stores the residual foam fixing solution that has been liquefied by reacting with the hydrolase H in the residual foam fixing solution storage unit 216. It has a bottle 220.

  With this configuration, since the fixative recovery bottle 220 stores the liquefied residual foam-like fixer, the residual foam-fixing solution storage unit efficiently performs the reaction process between the residual foam-fixing solution and the hydrolase H. be able to.

  Further, in the fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment, the fixing liquid application unit 600 rotates in synchronization with the movement of the transfer paper P, and the foamy fixing liquid F supplied to the surface faces the transfer paper P. An application roller cleaning that has an application roller 61 that applies to the transfer paper P at the application position C, and in which the fixing liquid recovery device 200 removes the residual foamy fixing liquid Fb from the surface of the application roller 61 after passing through the application position C. The apparatus has an apparatus 20 and is characterized in that the residual foamy fixing liquid Fb removed by the application roller cleaning apparatus 20 is collected.

  With this configuration, the fixer recovery device 200 removes the residual foamy fixer Fb from the surface of the applicator roller 61 after passing the applicator position C by the applicator roller cleaning device 20, so that the applicator roller of the fixer applicator 600 The residual foam-like fixer Fb can be recovered satisfactorily without adversely affecting the application of the foam-like fixer F to the transfer paper P by 61.

  Further, in the fixing device 60 according to the present embodiment, the application roller cleaning device 20 is made of an elastic body and contacts the surface of the application roller 61 to remove the residual foamy fixing liquid Fb from the surface of the application roller 61. It has a liquid removing blade 201.

  With this configuration, the fixing liquid removing blade 201 made of an elastic body elastically contacts the surface of the application roller 61, so that the residual foamy fixing liquid Fb is removed from the surface of the application roller 61 without damaging the application roller 61. In addition, since the positioning accuracy required for the relative position between the fixing solution removing blade 201 and the application roller 61 can be relaxed, the assembly process of the apparatus can be facilitated.

  Further, the copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a printer unit 1 that forms a toner image on the transfer paper P based on image information using toner containing resin fine particles containing a resin and a colorant, and a printer. And a fixing device 60 as a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the transfer paper P by applying a foamy fixing solution F to the surface of the transfer paper P on which the toner image is formed by the unit 1. .

  With this configuration, in the copying machine 100 including the fixing device 60, the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb that has not contributed to the fixing can be recovered well by liquefying the residual foam-like fixing solution Fb.

  As described above, in the fixing device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration in which the resin fine particles are softened and fixed on the recording medium using the foam-like fixing solution, the residual foam-fixing solution that did not contribute to the fixing. And a fixing device that fixes a resin fine particle on a recording medium by applying a fixing solution that dissolves or swells the resin fine particle such as toner to the resin fine particle. Useful as a forming device.

1 Printer unit 20 Application roller cleaning device (application member cleaning means)
60 fixing device 61 coating roller (coating member)
62 Pressure roller 100 Copying machine (image forming apparatus)
130 Foam Fixer Generation Unit (Fixing Solution Foaming Means)
131 Fixing solution bottle 132 Liquid fixing solution 200 Fixing solution collecting device (foam-like fixing solution collecting means)
201 Fixing liquid removing blade (cleaning member)
215 Hydrolase supply container (hydrolase supply means)
216 Residual foam-like fixing solution container (residual foam-like fixing solution container)
220 Fixing solution recovery bottle (liquefied fixing solution storage means)
225 Fixing liquid recovery pump 226 Fixing liquid recovery pipe 500 Fixing liquid foaming device 600 Fixing liquid application part (foaming fixing liquid applying means)
C Application position F Foam fixer Fb Residual foam fixer H Hydrolytic enzyme P Transfer paper (recording medium)
T Unfixed toner image Ta Fixed toner image Tb Offset toner

JP 2006-78573 A JP 2004-109749 A JP 2007-219105 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-94561 JP-A-9-268393

Claims (8)

A softening agent that softens resin fine particles containing the resin by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin and generates an acid by hydrolysis, and a foam capable of foaming and retaining foam in a neutral to basic region. A fixer foaming means for dispersing bubbles in a fixer containing a foaming agent to generate a foamy fixer;
A foam-like fixing solution applying means for applying the foam-like fixing solution to a recording medium having a resin particle layer formed of the resin particles formed on the surface thereof,
In the fixing device that softens the resin fine particles by applying the foam-like fixing solution to the recording medium by the foam-like fixing solution applying unit, and fixes the fine particles to the recording medium.
A foam-type fixing liquid collecting means for removing residual foam-fixing liquid remaining on the foam-like fixing liquid-applying means without being applied to the recording medium from the foam-like fixing liquid-applying means and collecting it;
The foamy fixer recovery means includes
A residual foam fixing solution storage means for storing the residual foam fixing solution removed from the foam fixing solution applying means;
And a hydrolase supply means for supplying a hydrolase to the residual foamy fixer storage means.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the softening agent is a fatty acid alkoxyalkyl.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the softening agent is a carbonate.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the foaming agent is a fatty acid salt of any one of fatty acid sodium, fatty acid potassium, and fatty acid amine. The foamy fixer recovery means includes
5. The liquefied fixing solution storing means for storing the remaining foamed fixing solution that has been liquefied by reacting with a hydrolase in the remaining foam fixing solution storing means. Fixing device. The foaming fixing solution applying means rotates in synchronization with the movement of the recording medium, and applies the foaming fixing solution supplied to the surface to the recording medium at an application position facing the recording medium. Have
The foam-like fixing liquid recovery means has an application member cleaning means for removing the residual foam-like fixing liquid from the surface of the application member after passing through the application position, and the residual bubbles removed by the application member cleaning means. 6. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing solution is recovered.   The said application member cleaning means is comprised from an elastic body, and has the cleaning member which contacts the surface of the said application member, and removes the said residual foam-like fixing liquid from the surface of the said application member. Fixing device. A toner image forming means for forming a toner image on a recording medium based on image information using a toner containing resin fine particles containing a resin and a colorant;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that applies a foamy fixing solution to a surface of a recording medium on which a toner image is formed by the toner image forming unit, and fixes the toner image on the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 1 as the fixing unit.

Images