JP2012242568A - Fixing solution, fixing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide fixing solution capable of preventing offset during high-speed printing, a fixing device using the fixing solution, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: Fixing solution is for fixing resin fine particles on a recording medium; and contains water, an aliphatic ester, a fatty acid salt, and a perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide. A fixing device includes: foamy fixing solution generating means for generating foamy fixing solution by rendering the fixing solution into a foamy state; and foamy fixing solution application means for applying the foamy fixing solution to a resin fine particle layer on the recording medium.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing solution, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the fixing solution.

  An image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions of these images includes an image including characters and symbols on a recording medium such as paper, cloth, or OHP sheet based on image information. Is a device for forming There are various types of image forming apparatuses. Among them, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is widely used in offices because it can form high-definition images on plain paper at high speed. In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, since the fixing speed is high and the quality of the fixed image is high, the toner on the recording medium is heated and melted, and the toner is pressed by pressurizing the melted toner. A heat fixing method for fixing the image on the top is widely used. This thermal fixing method is suitably used because it can provide a high fixing speed and high fixed image quality.

However, in such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the thermal fixing method, about half or more of the power consumption is consumed for heating the toner, and there is a problem that it is difficult to save energy. Yes.
Therefore, from the viewpoint of countermeasures for environmental problems in recent years, a fixing device with low power consumption (energy saving), that is, a fixing device of a non-heating fixing method that fixes toner on a recording medium without heating is desired.

As such a non-heat fixing method, for example, a wet fixing method in which the toner is softened by attaching an organic solvent capable of dissolving or swelling the toner has been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 to 4).
These proposed technologies apply a liquid fixing solution to an unfixed toner image on a recording medium by applying the fixing solution to the recording medium in a liquid state using an application roller that is a contact-type fixing liquid applying unit. Technology. In such a technique for fixing by applying a liquid fixing solution to a toner image, it is extremely difficult to achieve both the application of a small amount of the fixing solution to the toner image on the recording medium and the prevention of toner offset to the application roller. was there.

Therefore, as a fixing method that can achieve both the application of a small amount of fixing solution and the prevention of toner offset, the fixing solution is a foam-like fixing solution in which bubbles are dispersed in the solution, and this foam-like fixing solution is used as a toner on a recording medium. A fixing method for applying to an image has been proposed (see Patent Document 5). In this proposed technique, the density of the fixing solution can be reduced by making the fixing solution foamy, so that the thickness of the fixing solution on the coating roller surface can be increased with a smaller amount of fixing solution than before. In addition, the influence of the surface tension of the liquid on the toner particles on the recording medium can be reduced. In addition, since a small amount of the fixing solution may be used, a residual liquid feeling on the recording medium can be suppressed. In addition, since the foam-like fixing solution is less likely to flow than a normal liquid fixing solution, it is possible to prevent image deterioration caused by toner particles being flowed by the fixing solution.
However, this proposed technique has a problem that during high-speed printing, the time during which the foam fixing solution is applied is shorter than the time during which the foam fixing solution penetrates the layer of resin fine particles such as toner, and offset occurs. is there. Further, when the bulk density of the foam-like fixing solution is lowered in order to reduce the adhesion amount of the fixing solution, there is a problem that the time during which the foam-like fixing solution penetrates the resin fine particle layer becomes longer than the application time and offset occurs.

  Accordingly, the present situation is that there is a need to provide a fixing solution capable of preventing offset even during high-speed printing, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the fixing solution.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and achieve the following objects. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing solution capable of preventing offset even during high-speed printing, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the fixing solution.

Means for solving the above problems are as follows. That is,
<1> A fixing solution for fixing resin fine particles to a recording medium,
A fixing solution comprising water, an aliphatic ester, a fatty acid salt, and a perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide.
<2> Foamed fixer generating means for foaming the fixer according to <1> to generate a foamed fixer;
A foam-like fixing solution applying means for applying the foam-like fixing solution to the resin fine particle layer on the recording medium;
The fixing device is characterized by comprising:
<3> an electrostatic latent image carrier;
An electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image using a developer containing toner that is resin fine particles to form a visible image;
Transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus having
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the fixing unit is the fixing device according to <2>.

  According to the present invention, there are provided a fixing solution that can solve the above-mentioned problems and can achieve the above-described object and can prevent offset even during high-speed printing, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the fixing solution. can do.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixing liquid supply unit of the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixing liquid application unit of the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view showing an example of a film thickness adjusting blade and an application roller in the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view showing an example of a film thickness adjusting blade and an application roller in a state where the film thickness adjusting gap is wider than that in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view showing an example of the application roller surface and transfer paper in the application nip. FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view showing an example of a foamy fixing solution. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating another example of the fixing liquid supply unit of the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixing liquid supply unit including a liquid mixing unit in the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an enlarged explanatory view showing an example of a liquid mixing unit including only flow paths. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in which the pressure member has a belt shape in the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram (when the liquid layer thickness is relatively thin) showing an example of a state in which a layer of a fixing solution is applied from a coating roller to transfer paper in a conventional fixing device. FIG. 13B is an enlarged schematic diagram (liquid layer thickness) showing an enlargement between a coating roller and a transfer paper in an example of a state in which a layer of a fixing solution is applied from a coating roller to a transfer paper in a conventional fixing device. Is relatively thin). FIG. 14 is an enlarged configuration diagram (when the liquid layer thickness is relatively thick) showing an example of the fixing liquid application unit in the conventional liquid fixing type fixing device. FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a main part of the image forming apparatus (printer) of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing an example of a process unit of the image forming apparatus (printer) of the present invention.

(Fixing solution)
The fixing solution of the present invention is a fixing solution for fixing fine resin particles such as toner on a recording medium, and contains at least water, an aliphatic ester, a fatty acid salt, and a perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide, and If necessary, other components are contained.

<Water>
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said water, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, pure water, such as ion-exchange water, ultrafiltration water, reverse osmosis water, distilled water, ultrapure water, etc. are mentioned. .

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said water in the said fixing liquid, According to the objective, it can select suitably.

<Aliphatic ester>
The aliphatic ester functions as a softening agent in the fixing solution, and softens the resin fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin contained in the resin fine particles such as toner.

  The fixing of the toner, which is resin fine particles, to the recording medium is performed by a device that is frequently used in a sealed environment, and the softening agent remains in the toner even after the fixing of the toner to the recording medium. The fixing of the toner with respect to the toner preferably does not involve generation of a volatile organic compound (VOC) and an unpleasant odor. That is, it is preferable that the softener does not contain a volatile organic compound (VOC) and a substance that causes an unpleasant odor. The aliphatic ester has a high boiling point and low volatility compared with organic solvents (toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, etc.), which are generally used volatile organic compounds (VOC), and has an irritating odor. do not have.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as the odor index | exponent of the said aliphatic ester, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, It is preferable that it is 10 or less. When the odor index is 10 or less, an unpleasant odor is not felt in a normal office environment.
Further, it is preferable that not only the aliphatic ester but also other components contained in the fixing solution have no unpleasant odor and irritating odor.
The odor index is an odor index [10 × log (dilution ratio of a substance until the odor of the substance is no longer felt)] according to a three-point comparison odor bag method which is a sensory measurement. This odor index is preferable as a practical odor measurement scale that can measure odor in an office environment or the like with high accuracy.

  The aliphatic ester is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include saturated aliphatic esters, aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid esters, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyls. Etc. Among these, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl is preferable in terms of excellent storage stability (resistance to oxidation, hydrolysis, etc.). These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

-Saturated aliphatic ester-
Many of the saturated aliphatic esters can dissolve or swell the resin contained in the toner within 1 second. Further, the saturated aliphatic ester can reduce the stickiness 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.

The saturated aliphatic ester is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, the compound represented by the general formula: R ¹ COOR ² (where R ¹ has 11 to 14 carbon atoms) R ² is preferably a straight-chain alkyl group or a branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. If the number of carbon atoms in R ¹ and R ² is less than the desired range, odor is generated, and if it is greater than the desired range, the ability to soften the resin may be reduced.
That is, the saturated aliphatic ester is a compound represented by the general formula: R ¹ COOR ² , R ¹ is an alkyl group having 11 to 14 carbon atoms, and R ² is 1 or more carbon atoms. In the case of 6 or less linear alkyl group or branched alkyl group, the solubility or swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner can be improved.
Further, the odor index of the compound represented by the general formula: R ¹ COOR ² is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but has no unpleasant odor and irritating odor. It is preferable that it is 10 or less.

-Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid ester-
The aliphatic monocarboxylic acid ester is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, ethyl laurate, hexyl laurate, ethyl tridecylate, isopropyl tridecylate, ethyl myristate, myristic acid Examples include isopropyl.
Many of these aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters are soluble in oily solvents but not in water. Therefore, when the aliphatic monocarboxylic acid ester is used, it is preferable that glycols are contained in the fixing solution as a solubilizing agent described later, and the fixing solution is in the form of a solution or a microemulsion.

-Aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester-
The aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester can dissolve or swell resin fine particles as a toner in a short time. For example, in high-speed printing of about 60 ppm, it is preferable that the time until the fixing liquid is applied to the unfixed toner on the recording medium and the toner is fixed on the recording medium is within 1 second.
When the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester is used for the fixing solution, the fixing solution is applied to unfixed toner or the like on the recording medium, and the time required for the toner to be fixed on the recording medium is set to within 0.1 seconds Is possible. Furthermore, since the resin contained in the toner can be dissolved or swollen by adding a small amount of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester, the content of the softening agent contained in the fixing solution can be reduced.

The aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, the compound represented by the general formula: R ³ (COOR ⁴ ) ₂ (where R ³ is the number of carbon atoms) Is an alkylene group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and R ⁴ is a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms. If the number of carbon atoms in R ³ and R ⁴ is less than the desired range, odor is generated.

The aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester is a compound represented by the general formula: R ³ (COOR ⁴ ) ₂ , wherein R ³ is an alkylene group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and R ⁴ is carbon. When the number is a linear alkyl group or a branched alkyl group having a number of 3 or more and 5 or less, the solubility or swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner can be improved.
Further, the odor index of the compound represented by the general formula: R ³ (COOR ⁴ ) ₂ is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but does not have an unpleasant odor or an irritating odor. In that respect, it is preferably 10 or less.

The aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, 2-ethylhexyl succinate, dibutyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, diisopropyl adipate, diisodecyl adipate, sebacine Examples include diethyl acid and dibutyl sebacate.
Many of these aliphatic dicarboxylic acid esters are soluble in oily solvents but not in water. For this reason, when the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester is used in the fixing solution, it is preferable that glycols are contained in the fixing solution as a solubilizing agent described later to form a solution or a microemulsion.

-Aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl-
The aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl can improve the fixing property of the toner to the recording medium.
The aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, the compound represented by the general formula: R ⁵ (COOR ⁶ —O—R ⁷ ) ₂ (however, , R ⁵ is an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, R ⁶ is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and R ⁷ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Is preferred). If the number of carbon atoms of R ⁵ , R ⁶ and R ⁷ is less than the desired range, odor is generated, and if it is more than the desired range, the resin softening ability may be lowered.

The aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl is a compound represented by the general formula: R ⁵ (COOR ⁶ —O—R ⁷ ) ₂ , wherein R ⁵ is an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Yes, when R ⁶ is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and R ⁷ is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, it is soluble or swellable in the resin contained in the toner. Can be improved.
The odor index of the compound represented by the general formula: R ⁵ (COOR ⁶ —O—R ⁷ ) ₂ is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. It is preferable that it is 10 or less at the point which does not have an odor.

The aliphatic dicarboxylate dialkoxyalkyl is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.For example, diethoxyethyl succinate, dibutoxyethyl succinate, dicarbitol succinate, dimethoxyethyl adipate, Examples include diethoxyethyl adipate, dibutoxyethyl adipate, diethoxyethyl sebacate, and the like.
When the aliphatic dicarboxylate dialkoxyalkyl is used in the fixing solution, it is preferable that a glycol or the like is included in the fixing solution as a solubilizing agent as necessary to form a solution or a microemulsion.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said aliphatic ester in the said fixing liquid, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.5 mass%-50 mass% are preferable, and 5 mass%-40 mass% are preferable. Is more preferable. If the content is less than 0.5% by mass, the effect of dissolving or swelling the resin contained in the resin fine particles such as toner may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 50% by mass, the effect may be prolonged. The fluidity of the resin contained in the resin fine particles such as toner cannot be reduced, and the fixed resin fine particle layer (for example, toner layer) may have adhesiveness.

<Fatty acid salt>
The fatty acid salt functions as a foaming agent in the fixing solution, and foams the fixing solution.
The fatty acid salt has excellent foam stability and is very suitable as a foaming agent for the fixing solution.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said fatty acid salt, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Fatty acid sodium salt, fatty acid potassium salt, and fatty acid amine salt are preferable, and fatty acid amine salt is more preferable. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a manufacturing method of these fatty acid salts, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, heating water, adding a fatty acid, adding triethanolamine after that, and stirring for a fixed time. The method of manufacturing by heating and making it saponify reaction etc. is mentioned.
At this time, the molar ratio of fatty acid to triethanolamine (fatty acid: triethanolamine) is in the range of 1: 0.5 to 1: 0.9 and the fatty acid ratio is increased, so that after saponification, unreacted Thus, the fatty acid and fatty acid amine salt can be mixed in the fixing solution. The same is possible with sodium and potassium salts.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

Examples of the fatty acid salt include unsaturated fatty acid salts and saturated fatty acid salts.
The unsaturated fatty acid salt is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, an unsaturated fatty acid salt having 18 carbon atoms and 1 to 3 double bonds is preferred. Specific examples of the unsaturated fatty acid salt having 18 carbon atoms and 1 to 3 double bonds include oleate, linoleate, and linolenate. When the double bond is 4 or more, since the reactivity is strong, the standing stability of the fixing solution may be inferior. These unsaturated fatty acid salts may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
Further, the above saturated fatty acid salt and unsaturated fatty acid salt may be mixed and used as a foaming agent.

  The aliphatic ester has a strong defoaming action, and as the concentration of the aliphatic ester increases in the fixing solution, the foaming property and foam stability of the fixing solution deteriorates, so it is difficult to foam and the bubbles break up immediately. Therefore, it may be impossible to obtain a foam-like fixing solution having a low foam density.

Therefore, the present inventors made various prototypes using the type and concentration of fatty acid salt as factors in order to eliminate the deterioration of foamability when the concentration of liquid plasticizer in the fixing solution is increased. . In addition, paying attention to a technology called “Super Fat” described in “A bubble engineering” (written by Ishii Ikuo, Techno System Co., Ltd., published on March 25, 2005, first edition, P.489). A prototype was made.
Here, to outline the technology called super fat, it is a method of adding a small amount of free fatty acids that are not easily oxidized and increasing the excess fat and oil, leaving a small amount of fat and oil that is not saponified, for example, enhancing the moisturizing action, etc. It is said that there is an effect.
In the above "Foam Engineering", it is known that adding a very small amount of fatty acid to a soapy water system improves foaming performance and makes the foam more creamy, and is called Super Fat Soap. It is stated that there is. As with this super fat, an attempt was made to foam by adding a very small amount of fatty acid to the fixing solution having an aliphatic ester, but both foaming and foam stability were poor.
However, when a fatty acid salt having 12 to 18 carbon atoms is used as a foaming agent and a fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms is further contained in the fixing solution, the fixing solution is generated even when the concentration of the aliphatic ester is increased. It was found that the foamability does not deteriorate. Thereby, a stable foamy fixing solution can be provided.

  Here, in the foaming agent contained in the fixing solution, the number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid salt is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but compared with the case of simply foaming water. It is preferable that it is 12-18 by the point which is excellent in foaming property. Examples of the fatty acid salt having 12 to 18 carbon atoms include laurate (carbon number 12), myristic acid salt (carbon number 14), pentadecylic acid (carbon number 15), palmitate (carbon number 16), and margarine. An acid (carbon number 17), a stearate (carbon number 18), etc. are mentioned.

  The action of the fatty acid used together with the fatty acid salt used as the foaming agent and the aliphatic ester will be described. The aliphatic ester 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 aliphatic ester 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, which is a characteristic of the fixing solution. It is thought to improve foamability and foam stability.

In the fatty acid salt having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, the smaller the carbon number, the better the foaming property, but the foam stability is poor, and the higher the carbon number is, the foaming property is not so good. Are better. Therefore, a single fatty acid salt may be used as the fatty acid salt, but it is more preferable to mix a plurality of fatty acid salts having 12 to 18 carbon atoms and having different carbon numbers.
As a mixing ratio, it is preferable to contain the most myristate (carbon number 14) and to lower the ratio of laurate (carbon number 12) and stearate. More specific fatty acid salt ratios are 0: 6: 3: 1, 0: 4: 3: 1, 1: 5 by mass ratio of laurate: myristate: palmitate: stearate. : 3: 1, 1: 4: 4: 1 are preferred.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said fatty acid salt in the said fixing liquid, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.1 mass%-20 mass% are preferable, and 0.5 mass%-10 mass. % Is more preferable. When the content is less than 0.1% by mass, the foaming property may be insufficient. When the content is more than 20% by mass, the viscosity of the fixing solution may be increased and the foaming property may be decreased. is there.

By containing a 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 aliphatic ester is increased. When the concentration of the aliphatic ester is less than 10% by mass, there is no problem in foamability even if the fatty acid is not contained.
However, if the concentration of the aliphatic ester is 10% by mass or more, and particularly the concentration of the aliphatic ester is 30% by mass or more, the fatty acid salt may hardly generate foam and the foaming property may deteriorate. Even when the foamability is deteriorated, the foamability can be maintained by containing a fatty acid having the same carbon number as the fatty acid salt.

  However, if the content of the fatty acid is too large, the ratio of the fatty acid salt that is a foaming agent is lowered, and foamability may be deteriorated again. In such a case, the number of moles of the fatty acid salt may be equal to or greater than the number of moles of the fatty acid, and the ratio of the fatty acid to the fatty acid salt is a molar ratio (fatty acid). : Fatty acid salt) in the range of 5: 5 to 1: 9.

In addition to the combination of a fatty acid having the same carbon number and a fatty acid salt, for example, the fatty acid salt is an amine myristate and the fatty acid is stearic acid, or the fatty acid salt is potassium palmitate and the fatty acid is stearic acid. Like a combination, it may be a combination in which the number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid salt and the fatty acid is different within the range of 12 to 18 carbon atoms.
By containing a fatty acid having a carbon number in the range of 12 to 18 in the fixing solution, even if a high concentration of aliphatic ester is contained, foaming properties are not deteriorated, foam stability is excellent, and foaming is extremely low in density. Is possible.

  In addition, in order to prevent deterioration of foaming properties, other anionic surfactants (for example, alkyl ether sulfate (AES)) are used as foaming agents, and further contain a fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms. May be.

<Perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide>
The perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide functions as a wettability improving agent in the fixing solution, and improves the wettability of the fixing solution.

The perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound having a perfluoroalkenyl group and a polyethylene oxide structure (polyoxyethylene structure) in the molecule, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, as the number of perfluoroalkenyl groups in the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide, the wettability of the fixing solution to the toner layer is remarkably improved, and offset during high-speed printing is prevented. Two are preferable at the point which does not affect foaming property of this and foam stability.
Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular as an average addition mole number of ethylene oxide in the said perfluoroalkenyl group containing polyethylene oxide, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 22-45 are preferable and 22,45 are more preferable.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a perfluoroalkenyl group in the said perfluoroalkenyl group containing polyethylene oxide, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, group etc. which are represented by following General formula (1) are mentioned.
However, in said general formula (1), R < ₁ >, R < ₂ > and R < ₃ > represent a perfluoroalkyl group each independently.
Examples of the perfluoroalkyl group include —CF ₃ , —CF ₂ CF ₃ , — (CF ₂ ) ₂ CF ₃ , —CF (CF ₃ ) ₂ , — (CF ₂ ) ₃ CF ₃ , — (CF _2). ) ₄ CF _{3 and the} like.

Specific examples of the group represented by the general formula (1) include a group represented by the following structural formula (1) and a group represented by the following structural formula (2).

Since the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide has a fluorine group, it has a low surface tension and is likely to wet the toner layer. As a result, it is considered that the fixing liquid can easily enter the lower part of the toner layer, and offset is prevented. The wettability improving agent having a low surface tension may deteriorate the foaming property and foam stability of the fixing solution. However, since the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide has an oxyethylene structure, It is considered that the affinity with the liquid is high and the foaming property and foam stability of the fixing solution are not adversely affected.
The number of perfluoroalkenyl groups in the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide and the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added are suitable for efficiently preventing offset even during high-speed printing. The number is the preferred range.

  The perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide reduces the dispersion stability of the foaming agent, and may cause separation of the fixing solution during long-term storage. Even if the separated liquid fixer is made into a foamy fixer, the foamability and foam stability of the fixer are reduced, so the desired foamy fixer cannot be obtained, resulting in poor fixing. I might let you. Therefore, the fixing solution is preferably a set of a softener solution and a foaming agent solution described later, and the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide is preferably contained in the softener solution described later.

  As the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide, a synthesized product or a commercially available product may be used. Examples of the commercial products include Footage 250 (manufactured by Neos, having 1 perfluoroalkenyl group, 22 ethylene oxide average added moles, and a group represented by the structural formula (2)), and Footgent 209F (Neos). Manufactured, perfluoroalkenyl group number 2, ethylene oxide average addition mole number 9, having a group represented by the structural formula (2)), footage 222F (manufactured by Neos, perfluoroalkenyl group number 2, ethylene oxide average addition mole number 22 , Having a group represented by the structural formula (2)), FT 245F (manufactured by Neos, perfluoroalkenyl group number 2, ethylene oxide average addition mole number 45, having a group represented by the structural formula (2) ), Solvent 228P (manufactured by Neos, 4 perfluoroalkenyl groups, ethylene) Moxide average added mole number 28), FT 251 (manufactured by Neos, perfluoroalkenyl group number 1, ethylene oxide average ADD mole number 8, having the group represented by the structural formula (2)), FT 215M (Neos Corporation) Manufactured, perfluoroalkenyl group number 1, ethylene oxide average addition mole number 15, having a group represented by the structural formula (2)), footage 208G (manufactured by Neos, perfluoroalkenyl group number 3, ethylene oxide average addition mole number 8 ), Solvent 240G (manufactured by Neos, 3 perfluoroalkenyl groups, average number of moles of added ethylene oxide 40), solvent 212P (manufactured by Neos, number of perfluoroalkenyl groups 4, number of moles of added ethylene oxide 12), and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said perfluoroalkenyl group containing polyethylene oxide in the said fixing liquid, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.01 mass%-3 mass% are preferable, 0.05 A mass% to 2 mass% is more preferable. When the content is less than 0.01% by mass, the effect of improving the wettability of the fixing solution may be insufficient. When the content exceeds 3% by mass, the foamability and foam stability of the fixing solution are deteriorated. There are things to do.

<Other ingredients>
Examples of the other components include a dissolution aid, a viscosity adjuster, a foam increasing agent, and a pH adjuster.

-Dissolution aid-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said dissolution aid, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, polyhydric alcohol is mentioned. Examples of the polyhydric alcohols include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, and glycerin.

  In the fixing solution, when the concentration of the aliphatic ester is increased, the aliphatic ester may be difficult to dissolve in water. In that case, when the dissolution aid is contained in the fixing solution, the aliphatic ester is dissolved in the fixing solution even at a high concentration, and the foaming property by the fatty acid salt is not deteriorated, but the foaming property is improved. To do.

  The dissolution aid also has the effect of enhancing the stability of bubbles in the foam-like fixing solution and making it difficult for bubbles to break. Other examples of alcohols having such effects include monohydric alcohols such as cetanol.

  When the fixing solution contains at least one of the monohydric alcohols and the polyhydric alcohols, it has an effect of preventing curling of a recording medium such as paper.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said dissolution aid in the said fixing solution, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 1 mass%-30 mass% are preferable. If the content exceeds 30% by mass, the foaming property may rather deteriorate.

-Viscosity modifier-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said viscosity modifier, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, polyethyleneglycol etc. are mentioned. The polyethylene glycol can also serve as the dissolution aid.

  The content of the viscosity modifier in the fixing solution is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, in the case of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 6,000, 1 to 20% by mass is preferable. 3 mass%-10 mass% are more preferable. When the content is less than 1% by mass, a sufficient viscosity adjusting effect may not be obtained. When the content exceeds 20% by mass, foamability may be deteriorated.

-Foaming agent-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said foaming agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Fatty acid alkanolamide, aliphatic alcohol, and a betaine derivative are preferable.
Examples of the fatty acid alkanolamide include coconut oil fatty acid monoethanolamide, coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1 type), coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 2 type), coconut oil fatty acid N-methylethanolamide, palm Examples thereof include nuclear hot water fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1 type), lauric acid diethanolamide, myristic acid diethanolamide, polyoxyethylene coconut oil fatty acid monoethanolamide, and the like.
The fatty acid alkanolamide has a (1: 1) type and a (1: 2) type, but the (1: 1) type is preferable in terms of foam stability.
Examples of the aliphatic alcohol include lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetanol, stearyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol.
Examples of the betaine derivatives include lauryldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, myristyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, palmityldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, stearyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, coconut oil fatty acid amidopropyl betaine, lauric acid amidopropyl betaine, myristic acid amidopropyl Examples thereof include betaine, amidopropyl betaine palmitate, and amidopropyl stearate.

  The fixer is foamed and used as a foam fixer to be described later for fixing resin fine particles. When the foam fixer is permeated while being pushed into a fine particle layer such as toner at a coating contact nip portion. If bubbles break up, penetration will be inhibited. Therefore, the fixing solution preferably contains the foam increasing agent for the purpose of suppressing such a phenomenon and improving foam stability.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said foam increasing agent in the said fixing liquid, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.01 mass%-1 mass% are preferable, 0.05 mass%-0 More preferable is 5% by mass. When the content is less than 0.01% by mass, the foaming effect of the fixing solution may be insufficient. When the content exceeds 1% by mass, the viscosity of the fixing solution becomes too high and the fluidity is lowered. In addition, foamability may be reduced.

-PH adjuster-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said pH adjuster, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Amines and organic acid are preferable.
Since the fixing solution has good foamability at pH 7 or higher, it is preferable to adjust the pH with the pH adjuster.
When the fixing solution is stored separately into a softener solution containing the aliphatic ester and a foaming agent solution containing the fatty acid salt, the pH adjuster may be added to each of them.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as pH of the said softener liquid, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, It is preferable at the point from which hydrolysis of the said softener is suppressed that it is 6-7. As the pH adjuster used in the softener solution, organic acids such as lactic acid, citric acid, and malic acid are preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as pH of the said foaming agent liquid, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, It is 7 or more when it mixes with the said softener liquid that it is 7-10. Therefore, it is preferable. As a pH adjuster used for the foaming agent liquid, amines such as triethanolamine are preferable.

For the purpose of improving permeability and preventing curling of a recording medium such as paper, the fixing solution preferably contains an oil component, and the fixing solution forms an O / W emulsion or a W / O emulsion.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said oil-based component, According to the objective, it can select suitably.
When the fixing solution contains the oil component, an emulsion may be formed using a dispersant. The dispersant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Sucrose esters such as sugar stearates are preferred.

  The method of dispersing the fixing solution in the form of an emulsion using the dispersant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a mechanical mixer such as a homomixer or a homogenizer using rotating blades may be used. Means for stirring, means for applying vibration such as an ultrasonic homogenizer, and the like can be mentioned. Among these, a method of applying a strong shear stress to the softening agent in the fixing solution is preferable.

The fatty acid salt is preferably adjusted to have a pH of 7 or more because the fatty acid salt can exhibit the maximum foamability in an alkaline region where the pH of the fixing solution is 7 or more. On the other hand, since the aliphatic ester has an ester group, the ester group undergoes hydrolysis and chemically decomposes in an alkaline region having a pH of 7 or more, and the ability as a softener is lost.
For this reason, if the foaming property of the fixing solution is emphasized and the pH of the solution is set to 7 or more, the aliphatic ester is chemically decomposed in a storage container during long-term storage of the fixing solution, and the fixing performance is lost. There is a problem that reliability as a fixing method cannot be obtained. When the pH is weakly acidic at 6 or less, the chemical decomposition of the softener is suppressed, but the ability of the foaming agent decreases, the foaming of the fixing solution fails, the formation of the foam film deteriorates, and the fixing is poor. Will be generated.
Therefore, it is preferable to store the fixing solution separately into a softener solution containing the aliphatic ester and a foaming agent solution containing the fatty acid salt. Therefore, the fixing solution may be a set of the softening agent solution and the foaming agent solution before use.
The softener liquid contains at least the water and the aliphatic ester, and further contains other components as necessary.
The foaming agent liquid contains at least the water and the fatty acid salt, and further contains other components as necessary.
The perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide may be contained in either the softening agent liquid or the foaming agent liquid, but is preferably contained in the softening agent liquid.

<Resin fine particles>
In the present invention, the resin fine particles are not limited in the configuration and material as long as they are in the form of fine particles containing a resin. Further, the resin fine particles may constitute various toners such as an electrophotographic system, or may be resin fine particles containing a conductive member.

  Among the resin fine particles, the toner used in the electrophotographic process has the highest fixing effect in combination with the fixing solution of the present invention.

  The toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the toner contains a colorant, a charge control agent, a binder resin, and a release agent, and further if necessary. Further, it may contain other components.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said coloring agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably.

The charge control agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include triphenylmethane dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (fluorine-modified). Quaternary ammonium salts), alkylamides, phosphorus simple substances or compounds thereof, tungsten simple substances or compounds thereof, fluorine-based activators, metal salts of salicylic acid, metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives, and the like.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said binder resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a polystyrene resin, a styrene-acryl copolymer, a polyester resin etc. are mentioned. Among these, a polyester resin having an ethylene oxide group or a propylene oxide group is preferable. The polyester resin having an ethylene oxide group is preferably a polyol polyester resin from the viewpoint of affinity with the fixing solution.

  The release agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include wax components such as carnauba wax and polyethylene wax.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said other component, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, an external additive, a fluid improvement agent, a cleaning property improvement agent, a magnetic material, a metal soap etc. are mentioned.

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

<Recording medium>
In the present invention, the recording medium is not particularly limited as long as it can fix the resin fine particles such as toner, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. In the case where the substrate of the recording medium does not have liquid permeability, a recording medium having a liquid-permeable layer on the substrate is preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a shape of the said recording medium, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the solid thing etc. which have a sheet form, a plane, and a curved surface etc. are mentioned.
The material of the recording medium is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a general fiber constituting paper, cloth, etc., a plastic such as an OHP sheet having a liquid permeable layer Examples include films, metals, resins, and ceramics.
Examples of the recording medium include those in which transparent resin fine particles are uniformly fixed on paper or the like to protect the paper surface (so-called varnish coat).

(Fixing device and fixing method)
The fixing device of the present invention has at least a foamy fixing solution generating unit and a foaming fixing solution applying unit, and further includes other units as necessary.
The fixing method according to the present invention includes at least a foamy fixing solution generation step and a foamy fixing solution application step, and further includes other steps as necessary.
The fixing method according to the present invention can be preferably carried out by the fixing device of the present invention.
The foamy fixer generating step can be preferably performed by the foamy fixer generating unit, and the foamy fixer applying step can be preferably performed by the foamy fixer applying unit.

<Foam Fixing Liquid Generating Unit and Foam Fixing Liquid Generating Step>
The foamy fixing solution generating means is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for generating the foamed fixing solution by foaming the fixing solution of the present invention, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
The foamy fixing solution generation step is not particularly limited as long as it is a step for producing a foamy fixing solution by foaming the fixing solution of the present invention, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The foamy fixer generating step can be suitably performed by the foamy fixer generating unit.

  As the foamy fixing solution generation means, for example, a fixing solution supply unit is provided, and the obtained foamy fixing solution is applied to the application roller while foaming the liquid fixing solution contained in the fixing solution container. For example, a foam-like fixer generating means to be supplied to. Specifically, the liquid fixer contained in the fixer container is transported to a bubbling tank which is a gas / liquid mixing unit by a fixer transporting unit having a liquid transporting pump, and a relatively large bubble is generated. Examples thereof include a means for obtaining a foam-like fixing solution and making it fine at the bubble refining part.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said liquid conveyance pump, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a gear pump, a bellows pump, a tube pump etc. are mentioned. Among these, a tube pump is preferable. If there is a mechanism that is driven in a fixing liquid such as a vibration mechanism or a rotation mechanism like the gear pump, the liquid bubbles in the pump, the liquid may be compressible, and the conveyance capability may be reduced. Further, the material of the component of the driving mechanism may contaminate the fixing solution, and conversely, the component of the driving mechanism may be deteriorated by the fixing solution. On the other hand, the tube pump is a mechanism for pushing out the liquid in the tube while deforming the tube, and since there is no mechanism for driving in the fixing liquid, a member having resistance to the fixing liquid is used as a tube. By using it, it is possible to prevent the fixing liquid from being contaminated and the parts constituting the liquid transport pump from being deteriorated. Further, since only the tube is deformed, the fixing solution does not foam, and the conveyance capacity can be prevented from being lowered.
Note that the tube pump is used even if the liquid transported by the liquid transport pump is not limited to the liquid fixing liquid, but is a softener liquid or a foaming liquid that generates the fixing liquid by mixing. Is preferred. In this case, by using a member having liquid resistance to the liquid conveyed as a tube, contamination of the liquid and deterioration of the components constituting the liquid conveyance pump can be prevented.

As said gas / liquid mixing means, if it can be made to foam. There is no particular limitation and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, means for bubbling the liquid fixer supplied by the liquid transport pump with an air supply pump to generate large bubbles, in the bubbling tank A means for generating large bubbles with a uniform bubble diameter by passing through a liquid microporous sheet, a porous member having a continuous bubble structure, etc. together with air, and stirring the fixing solution and air with a blade-shaped stirrer in a bubbling tank Means for generating a foamy fixing solution of foams and the like can be mentioned.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a hole diameter of the said microporous sheet | seat, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, About 30 micrometers-about 100 micrometers are preferable.
The porous member having a continuous foam structure is not particularly limited as long as the pore diameter is about 30 μm to 100 μm, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a sintered ceramic plate, a nonwoven fabric, a foamed resin sheet, etc. Is mentioned.
According to the gas / liquid mixing means, bubbles having a relatively large bubble diameter of about 0.5 mm to 1 mm can be generated in a very short time. In general, in the case of a large bubble having a bubble diameter of about 0.5 mm to 1 mm, it is possible to generate the bubble relatively easily by simple stirring or the like. Below).
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a means to refine | miniaturize, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, A big bubble is bubbled by adding a shear force to a big bubble, and it is very fine about 5 micrometers-about 50 micrometers. A means for generating a bubble-shaped fixing solution having a bubble diameter is preferable in that a desired bubble can be quickly generated as compared with a method for generating a bubble-shaped fixing solution having a fine bubble diameter by foaming from a liquid state.

The bulk density of the foamy fixing solution is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the ^{purpose, 0.01g / cm 3 ~0.1g / cm} 3 are preferred. Also, in that it does not cause residual liquid feeling on the medium surface when the fixing solution applied ^is preferably ^{0.01g / cm 3 ~0.02g / cm 3} , more preferably 0.0125g / cm ³ ~0.02g / cm 3 .

The foamy fixing solution generating means includes a softening agent solution containing the water, the aliphatic ester, and the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide, and a foaming agent solution containing the water and the fatty acid salt. It is preferable to have a fixing solution preparation member that mixes to generate the fixing solution.
The foaming fixer application step includes a softening agent solution containing the water, the aliphatic ester, and the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide, and a foaming agent solution containing the water and the fatty acid salt. It is preferable to include a fixing solution preparation process in which the fixing solution is prepared by mixing.
The fixer preparation process can be suitably performed by the fixer preparation member.
Examples of the fixing liquid preparation member include at least a softener liquid container and a foaming liquid container that stores a foaming liquid, preferably a liquid mixing unit, and further if necessary. And a member having other parts such as a softener liquid transport pump and a foaming liquid transport pump.
Mixing of the softener liquid and the foaming agent liquid may be performed in the liquid mixing unit or may be performed in the gas / liquid mixing unit.

The softener liquid container is a container for storing the softener liquid.
The foaming agent container is a container for storing the foaming agent liquid.
The liquid mixing part is a part for mixing the softener liquid and the foaming agent liquid.
The softener liquid transport pump is a pump that transports the softener liquid from the softener liquid container to the mixing unit or the gas / liquid mixing means.
The foaming agent liquid transport pump is a pump that transports the foaming agent liquid from the foaming agent liquid container to the mixing unit or the gas / liquid mixing unit.

When the foam-like fixer generating means has the fixer preparation member, the dispersion stability of the foaming agent due to the mixing of the wettability improving agent and the foaming agent is prevented, and the foaming property and foam are prevented. A decrease in stability can be prevented.
When the foamy fixing solution generation step includes the fixing solution preparation process, the dispersion stability of the foaming agent is prevented from being lowered due to the mixing of the wettability improving agent and the foaming agent. A decrease in stability can be prevented.

<Foam-like fixer application means and foam-type fixer application step>
The foamy fixing solution applying means is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for applying the foamed fixing solution to the resin fine particle layer on the recording medium, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include a foam-like fixing liquid application unit having an application member disposed for applying a foam-like fixing solution to a recording medium, and an interval adjusting member capable of adjusting the interval between the application member and the application member. It is done. The coating member applies a film-like foam-like fixing solution formed by applying the foam-like fixing solution between the coating member and the interval adjusting member to the resin fine particle layer on the recording medium. It is a member to do.
The foamy fixer application step is not particularly limited as long as it is a step of applying the foamy fixer to the resin fine particle layer on the recording medium, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include a process including treatment. The foamy fixing solution applying step can be preferably performed by the foamy fixing solution applying means.

-Spacing adjustment member-
The spacing adjusting member is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for adjusting the interval (gap) between the coating member described later and the coating member, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include blades and wire bars. Among these, the wire bar is preferable in that the film thickness in the axial direction on the surface of the coating roller can be made uniform as compared with the film thickness adjusting blade.

  The thickness of the film (film formed by the foam-like fixing solution) is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The film-like foam-like fixing solution is added to the recording medium (transfer paper). It is an essential condition that the thickness at the coating nip to be applied is equal to or larger than the thickness of the resin fine particle layer on the recording medium (a point where the gap between the resin fine particle layers is filled with a foamy fixing solution), and about 50 μm to 80 μm. preferable.

-Application member and application process-
The application member is a member disposed for applying a foamy fixing solution to a recording medium, and a film formed by applying a foamy fixing solution between the application member and the interval adjusting member. This is a member for applying a foamy fixing solution in the form of a resin fine particle layer on a recording medium.
The coating process is a process of applying a film-like foam-like fixing solution having an adjusted thickness to the resin fine particle layer on the recording medium.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said application | coating member, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, an application | coating roller etc. are mentioned.
The application roller is in contact with a pressure roller having an elastic roller portion, and the application roller and the pressure roller form an application nip.
The thickness of the film-like foam fixing solution at the coating nip is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, it is an essential condition that the thickness is equal to or greater than the thickness of the resin fine particle layer on the medium. It is preferably about 50 μm to 80 μm in that the gap between the resin fine particle layers can be filled with a foamy fixing solution.
The amount of the fixing solution adhering to the recording medium is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, the amount of the fixing solution remaining after fixing by applying the fixing solution to the surface of the recording medium such as transfer paper is not limited. 0.1 mg / cm ² or less is preferable in that there is no liquid feeling (feeling wet).

(Image forming apparatus and image forming method)
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit, and further includes other units as necessary. Have.
The image forming method according to the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transfer step, and a fixing step, and further includes other steps as necessary.
The image forming method according to the present invention can be preferably carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
The electrostatic latent image forming step can be preferably performed by the electrostatic latent image forming unit, the developing step can be preferably performed by the developing unit, and the transfer step can be preferably performed by the transferring unit, The fixing step can be preferably performed by the fixing unit, and the other steps can be preferably performed by the other unit.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention has high fixing reliability. Further, fixing can be performed with extremely low power as compared with a conventional image forming apparatus.

<Electrostatic latent image forming means and electrostatic latent image forming step>
The electrostatic latent image carrier (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “electrophotographic photoreceptor”, “photoreceptor”, “image carrier”) is not particularly limited in terms of material, shape, structure, size, and the like. And can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
The shape of the electrostatic latent image carrier is preferably a drum shape.
Examples of the material of the electrostatic latent image bearing member include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon and selenium; organic photoreceptors such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine. Among these, amorphous silicon is preferable in terms of long life.

The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier.
The formation of the electrostatic latent image can be performed, for example, by uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and then performing imagewise exposure, and is performed by the electrostatic latent image forming unit. be able to. The electrostatic latent image forming means includes, for example, at least a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and an exposure device that exposes the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier imagewise. Prepare.

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

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

<Developing means and development process>
The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using a developer containing toner that is resin fine particles, and can be performed by the developing unit.
The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using a developer containing toner that is resin fine particles to form a visible image, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. It is preferable to have at least a developing device that accommodates the developer and can apply the developer to the electrostatic latent image in a contact or non-contact manner, and a developing device including the developer-containing container is more preferable.
The development step is not particularly limited as long as it is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image using a developer containing toner that is resin fine particles to form a visible image, and is appropriately selected depending on the purpose. be able to.

The developing unit may be a dry developing type, a wet developing type, a single color developing unit, or a multicolor developing unit. Also good.
The developing device preferably has a stirrer for charging the toner by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller.

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

<Transfer means and transfer process>
The transfer can be performed, for example, by charging the visible image on the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) using a transfer charger, and can be performed by the transfer unit.
The transfer means is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but the visible image is transferred onto an intermediate transfer member. An embodiment having a primary transfer unit for forming a composite transfer image and a secondary transfer unit for transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium is preferable.

  The transfer step is not particularly limited as long as it is a step of transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, an intermediate transfer member can be used and the transfer step can be performed on the intermediate transfer member. A mode in which the visual image is primarily transferred, and then the secondary transfer of the visible image onto the recording medium is preferable, and the visible image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member using two or more colors, preferably full-color toner as the toner. Thus, it is more preferable to include a primary transfer step of forming a composite transfer image and a secondary transfer step of transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium.

  The intermediate transfer member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known transfer members according to the purpose, but a transfer belt is preferable.

<Fixing means and fixing process>
The fixing means is means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium, and is the fixing device of the present invention.
The fixing step is a step of fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium, and is performed by the fixing method according to the present invention.

<Other means and other processes>
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said other means, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a static elimination means, a cleaning means, a recycle means, a control means etc. are mentioned.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said other process, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a static elimination process, a cleaning process, a recycle process, a control process, etc. are mentioned.

The neutralization unit is not particularly limited as long as it is a unit that applies a neutralization bias to the latent electrostatic image bearing member, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but a neutralization lamp is preferable.
The neutralization step is not particularly limited as long as it is a step of performing neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is performed by a neutralization unit. It is preferable.

The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for removing the toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. A brush cleaner, a magnetic roller cleaner, a blade cleaner, a brush cleaner, and a web cleaner are preferable.
The cleaning step is not particularly limited as long as it is a step for removing the toner remaining on the latent electrostatic image bearing member, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. preferable.

The recycling unit is not particularly limited as long as it is a unit that causes the developing unit to recycle the toner removed in the cleaning step, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but a known transport unit is preferable.
The recycling step is not particularly limited as long as it is a step of recycling the toner removed in the cleaning step to the developing unit, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably performed by a recycling unit. .

The control means is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for controlling each means, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as a sequencer and a computer.
The control step is not particularly limited as long as it is a step for controlling each step, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably performed by a control means.

Next, the fixing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as a first embodiment) of the fixing device 30 of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The fixing device 30 includes a fixing solution application unit 140 and a fixing solution supply unit 130. The fixing liquid application unit 140 includes an application roller 41, a pressure roller 43, and the like. The fixing solution application unit 140 is a foamy fixing solution applying unit that applies a fixing solution to the transfer paper P, and the fixing solution supply unit 130 is a foaming fixing solution generating unit.

  The fixing device 30 according to the first embodiment stores a liquid fixer 310 that is a fixer of the present invention in a fixer container 31 and generates a foamy fixer from the liquid fixer 310 by a foamy fixer generating unit. A fixer is produced. In the fixing device 30 according to the first embodiment, since a fixing solution preparation unit that prepares a fixing solution by mixing a plurality of fixing solution component liquids is unnecessary, the configuration of the device can be simplified.

  A fixing solution container 31 provided in the fixing device 30 shown in FIG. 1 is a sealed container, and a supply port 313 for supplying the liquid fixing solution 310 to the bubbling tank 35 is provided at the tip of the sealed container. It is connected to the transport pipe 34.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a sealed container used for the fixing solution container 31, According to the objective, it can select suitably, The sealed container etc. which consist of a resin film are mentioned.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said resin film, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, polyethylene, a polypropylene, polyamide, a polyethylene terephthalate, a tetrafluoroethylene perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA) etc. are mentioned. Can be mentioned. These may be combined to form a multilayer structure, and a metal such as aluminum may be vapor-deposited in order to give the resin film a gas barrier property.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating the fixing liquid supply unit 130 of the fixing device 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 illustrates the fixing of the fixing device 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing a liquid application unit 140. FIG.
The fixing liquid supply unit 130 is a foam-type fixing liquid generation unit, and foams the liquid fixing liquid 310 accommodated in the fixing liquid container 31 while the foamed fixing liquid Bu obtained is applied to the application roller 41. Supply. Specifically, the liquid fixer 310 stored in the fixer container 31 is transferred to a bubbling tank 35 that is a gas / liquid mixing unit by a fixer transport unit including a liquid transport pump 33 and a liquid transport pipe 34. send.

  When the fixing device 30 is in operation, the liquid transporting pump 33 is driven to transport the liquid fixing liquid 310 to the bubbling tank 35. Here, by operating the air pump 36 at the timing when the liquid fixing solution 310 reaches the bubbling tank 35, the liquid fixing solution 310 is bubbled and the fixing solution is bubbled. The foam-like fixing solution Bu obtained at this time consists of bubbles that are large enough to visually confirm the bubbles.

The relatively large foam fixing solution Bu generated in the bubbling tank 35 is supplied to the foam refinement unit 38 through the foam transport pipe 38c.
In the bubble refining section (shearing force adding means) 38, a bubble having a relatively large bubble diameter is divided into two or more and refined by applying a shearing force. The bubble refining unit 38 has a double cylindrical structure in which the inner cylinder 38b is included in the closed outer cylinder 38a, and the bubble-like fixing liquid Bu that has passed through the bubble conveyance pipe 38c is separated from the stationary outer cylinder 38a. By supplying the gap to the rotating inner cylinder 38b and passing through the gap, a shearing force is applied by the inner cylinder 38b rotating with respect to the foam having a relatively large bubble diameter. The shearing force divides a large bubble into two or more fine bubbles. The foam-like fixing liquid Bu into which the large bubbles are divided is conveyed from the discharge pipe 38d provided in the outer cylinder 38a to the nozzle 39. From the nozzle 39, a foam-like fixing liquid Bu having a desired minute bubble diameter is discharged.

The liquid conveyance speed is preferably determined based on the number of rotations of the rotating inner cylinder 38b and the axial length of the inner cylinder 38b. When the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 38a is represented by d1 mm, the axial length of the inner cylinder 38b is represented by Lmm, and the outer diameter d2mm of the inner cylinder 38b and the number of rotations is represented by Rrpm, the liquid conveyance speed Vmm for generating minute bubbles ³ / sec is determined by the following equation (1).
V = L × π × (d1 ² −d2 ² ) / 4 / (1,000 / R) Formula (1)
For example, if d1 is 10 mm, d2 is 8 mm, L is 50 mm, and the rotation speed is 1,000 rpm, the liquid transport speed is about 1,400 mm ³ / sec (1.4 cc / sec).
Assuming that the amount of the foamy fixing solution required for fixing the A4-size transfer paper P is 3 cc, about 2 bubbles are required to generate the required amount of the foaming fixing solution Bu from the liquid fixing solution 310. With a rise time of seconds, it is possible to generate a foam-like fixing solution Bu having a desired bubble diameter very quickly. In addition, a spiral groove may be provided in the inner cylinder 38b to improve transportability in the outer cylinder 38a.

  In the fixing device 30 according to the first embodiment, the bubbling tank 35 which is a large bubble generating unit that bubbles the liquid fixing solution 310 into a bubble-shaped fixing solution Bu made of bubbles having a large bubble diameter, and a shear force is applied to the large bubbles. In addition, by combining with the bubble refining section 38 that divides into fine bubbles, the liquid fixer 310 is changed to a foam-like fixer Bu composed of bubbles having a minute bubble diameter of about 5 μm to 50 μm in a very short time. Can do.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the foamy fixer Bu having a desired minute bubble diameter discharged from the nozzle 39 is supplied to the surface of the application roller 41 of the fixer application unit 140. The fixing liquid application unit 140 is an application unit that applies the fixing liquid to the transfer paper P, and applies the foamy fixing liquid Bu to the unfixed toner T that is resin fine particles on the transfer paper P as shown in FIG. A coating roller 41 is provided. Further, the fixing liquid application unit 140 adjusts the thickness of the film of the foam-like fixing liquid Bu supplied on the surface of the application roller 41 according to the thickness of the toner layer of the unfixed toner T on the transfer paper P, A film thickness adjusting blade 42 which is an interval adjusting means for adjusting the film thickness of the film-like fixing liquid Bu to an optimum thickness is provided. Further, the fixing liquid application unit 140 includes a pressure roller 43 at a position facing the application roller 41 on the downstream side in the surface movement direction of the application roller 41 with respect to the position where the film thickness adjusting blade 42 faces.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the foam-like fixing solution Bu on the application roller 41 passes through the portion facing the film thickness adjusting blade 42, so that the bubble size, the foam viscosity, and the application pressure of the foam-like fixing solution Bu are increased. Depending on the pressure and the layer thickness of the unfixed toner T, the foamed fixer film Bu1 has a thickness optimized for the penetration time of the unfixed toner T into the toner layer. The foamy fixing solution Bu having a desired bubble diameter in the fixing solution supply unit 130 is dropped between the coating roller 41 and the film thickness adjusting blade 42 from a nozzle 39 provided with a foamed fixing solution supply port.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fine foam-like fixing liquid Bu obtained by the foam refinement unit 38 is supplied from the nozzle 39 to the surface of the application roller 41. The supplied foam-like fixing liquid Bu is formed on the surface of the coating roller 41 by a film thickness adjusting blade 42 whose tip is opposed to the surface of the coating roller 41 with a predetermined interval (gap). The thickness is adjusted. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the film thickness adjusting blade 42 is cantilevered and rotates around the blade rotation shaft 42 a on the fixed end side, The distance from the application roller 41 is changed. The adjusting unit (not shown) rotates the blade rotation shaft 42a by driving a motor, thereby rotating the film thickness adjusting blade 42 to adjust the interval. When reducing the thickness of the foam-like fixing liquid film Bu1, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the film thickness adjusting blade 42 and the surface of the coating roller 41 is narrowed, and the thickness of the foam-like fixing liquid film Bu1 is reduced. When the thickness of the coating roller 41 is increased, the distance between the film thickness adjusting blade 42 and the surface of the application roller 41 is increased as shown in FIG. In this way, by adjusting the distance between the film thickness adjusting blade 42 and the surface of the application roller 41, the thickness of the toner layer, the environmental temperature, the bubble size of the foam-like fixer Bu, the bubble viscosity, and the like. The optimum thickness of the foam-like fixing liquid film Bu1 for adjusting the permeation time of the film-like foam-like fixing liquid in the unfixed toner layer according to the applied pressure and the thickness of the toner layer of the unfixed toner T is determined. Can be adjusted.

  Further, the fixing device 30 controls the rotation of the film thickness adjusting blade 42 based on image information used in an optical writing device (not shown) to adjust the thickness of the foam-like fixing liquid film Bu1. That is, the non-fixed toner T that forms the toner image transferred to the transfer paper P is fixed in a bubble form based on image information (for example, a color image or a solid black image) used in an optical writing device (not shown). A foamy fixing solution Bu with the thickness of the liquid film Bu1 adjusted is applied. As a result, it is possible to apply the foam-like fixing liquid Bu according to the thickness of the toner layer of the unfixed toner T that forms each toner image, and to fix the toner image on the transfer paper P under appropriate fixing conditions. it can.

  A pressure roller 43 having an elastic roller portion is in contact with the application roller 41 for applying the foamy fixing liquid Bu to the transfer paper P on which the toner image is formed, thereby forming an application nip C. The transfer paper P transported from the secondary transfer nip toward the fixing device 30 by the paper transport belt 29 described above is sandwiched in the coating nip C with the image surface facing the coating roller 41. In the application nip C, the foamy fixing liquid Bu on the application roller 41 is applied to the image surface.

FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, and FIG. 14 are explanatory diagrams of a fixing device 60 that applies a liquid fixing solution of a conventional wet fixing method. FIG. 13A is a schematic explanatory diagram of a fixing device 60 for applying a liquid fixing solution. FIG. 13B shows a portion near the transfer paper P, which is a recording medium, in the fixing device 60 for applying the liquid fixing liquid, and the application roller 41, which is an application member for applying the liquid fixing liquid 310 in contact with the transfer paper P. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13A, in a configuration in which the liquid fixing liquid 310 is applied to the unfixed toner T on the transfer paper P using the application roller 41, the application roller is used to apply a small amount of the liquid fixing liquid 310 to the transfer paper P. When the thickness of the film of the liquid fixing liquid 310 on 41 is smaller than the thickness of the unfixed toner T, the result is as shown in FIG. 13B. The liquid fixer 310 on the application roller 41 is indicated by an arrow F1 in FIG. 13B in addition to what is applied from the application roller 41 to the transfer paper P at the application position where the surface of the application roller 41 contacts the transfer paper P. As described above, there are some that remain on the surface of the application roller 41 even after passing through the application position. Then, at the position where the surface of the application roller 41 is separated from the transfer paper P, the unfixed toner is generated by the surface tension (acting in the direction of arrow F2 in FIG. 13B) generated by the liquid film of the liquid fixing liquid 310 remaining on the surface of the application roller 41. T toner particles are pulled. As a result, the offset toner Ta adheres to the surface of the application roller 41, and the image formed by the fixing toner layer Tb on the transfer paper P after peeling off from the application roller 41 is greatly disturbed.

On the contrary, when the thickness of the film of the liquid fixing liquid 310 on the application roller 41 is sufficiently thicker than that of the unfixed toner T, the result is as shown in FIG. At the position where the surface of the application roller 41 is separated from the transfer paper P, the amount of the liquid fixing liquid 310 is large, so that the surface tension due to the liquid film on the surface of the application roller 41 hardly acts on the toner particles of the unfixed toner T. This makes it difficult for the offset toner to adhere to the application roller 41 side, but since a large amount of the liquid fixing solution 310 is applied to the surface of the transfer paper P, the toner particles on the transfer paper P are caused by the excessive liquid fixing solution 310. May cause deterioration of image quality, or a longer drying time of the liquid fixing liquid 310 applied to the transfer paper P, resulting in a problem in fixing responsiveness. In addition, a noticeable residual liquid feeling (a wet feeling when the paper is touched by hand) occurs on the transfer paper P. Further, when the liquid fixing liquid 310 contains water, when the amount of the liquid fixing liquid 310 applied to the transfer paper P containing cellulose such as paper as a recording medium is large, the transfer paper P such as paper is marked. The paper curls, and there is a risk that a paper jam occurs when the recording medium is transported in an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus.
As described above, in the configuration in which the liquid fixing liquid 310 is applied using the application roller 41, if the amount of the liquid fixing liquid 310 applied is too large, the image quality deteriorates due to the toner particles flowing, and the drying time of the liquid fixing liquid 310 increases. There is a problem that fixing responsiveness is lowered due to the increase in length. Further, depending on the material of the recording medium, there is a problem that paper jam is likely to occur.
On the other hand, when a small amount of the liquid fixer 310 is applied to prevent these problems, the toner particles are offset on the surface of the application roller 41 as described above. Therefore, both the application of a small amount of the fixing liquid to the toner layer on the transfer paper P and the prevention of the toner offset to the application roller 41 in order to improve the fixing response, reduce the residual liquid feeling, and prevent the curling. Is extremely difficult. Even when a die coating means, a blade coating means, or a wire bar coating means is used as a contact coating means for applying a fixing solution in contact with a recording medium (for example, transfer paper), the contact coating means is used when the amount of the fixing solution becomes small. The toner adheres to the surface due to surface tension, and image degradation occurs.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of a portion (application nip C) where the application roller 41 contacts the transfer paper P in the fixing device 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
By applying the fixer to the transfer paper P in a foamy fixer Bu having a large thickness even in a small amount, the surface of the application roller 41 is located farther from the nip outlet as shown in the figure than in the case of a liquid. The upper fixing solution and the fixing solution on the transfer paper P are separated. Furthermore, by making it foam, toner pull-in due to the surface tension of the fixing solution on the surface of the application roller 41 is eliminated. As a result, the toner offset to the application roller 41 can be effectively suppressed, and the occurrence of white spots due to the offset can be eliminated.

  When the volume average particle size of the toner particles Tp of the unfixed toner T is about 5 μm to 10 μm, in order to apply the foam-like fixing liquid Bu to the unfixed toner T without disturbing the toner layer of the unfixed toner T, It is desirable that the bubble diameter range of the fixer Bu is about 5 to 50 μm. In the printer 10, bubbles having such a fine diameter are formed by the bubble refinement in the bubble refinement unit 38.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the bubbles refined by the bubble refinement unit 38 are, as shown in FIG. 7, a bubble Bu-A and a liquid film boundary Bu-B that divides each bubble Bu-A (hereinafter referred to as a plateau boundary). Is).

The pressure roller 43 of the fixing device 30 uses a sponge material as an elastic layer.
In the coating nip C, the foamed fixing liquid Bu penetrates the toner layer of the unfixed toner T, which is resin fine particles, and reaches the transfer paper P, which is a recording medium, so that the coating roller 41 and the toner layer are separated. In addition, it is necessary to set the timing of the application nip passage time of the transfer paper P.
In the fixing device 30, the application paper nip passage time of the transfer paper P (for example, the time from when the leading edge enters the inlet of the coating nip C to when the leading edge is discharged from the outlet of the coating nip C) is 50 ms (milliseconds). To 300 ms. Thereby, the application nip passage time of the transfer paper P is set to be equal to or longer than the permeation time of the foam-like fixing liquid Bu. In order to secure the application nip passage time of the transfer paper P in this range, a pressure roller 43 having an elastic layer made of a sponge material that can be deformed relatively large by a small change in pressure is used.

  The coating nip passage time (hereinafter, referred to as nip time) can be calculated by a mathematical formula: “nip time = (nip width) / (paper conveyance speed)”. The transfer speed of the transfer paper P can be obtained from design data of the paper transport drive mechanism. The width of the nip is such that a colored paint that does not dry is applied thinly on the entire surface of the application roller, and the transfer paper P is sandwiched between the application roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 facing it (with the roller not rotated). It can be determined by attaching a colored paint and measuring the length in the paper conveyance direction at the colored portion (usually colored in a rectangular shape) as the nip width. It is necessary to adjust the nip width according to the conveyance speed of the transfer paper P so that the nip time is equal to or longer than the toner layer penetration time of the foamy fixing solution.

  In the fixing device 30 shown in FIG. 1, the pressure roller 43 is an elastic porous body (hereinafter, referred to as a sponge), so that the application roller 41 and the sponge pressure roller 43 correspond to the transfer speed of the transfer paper P. It becomes easy to change the nip width by changing the inter-axis distance. An elastic rubber is also suitable instead of the sponge of the pressure roller 43, but the sponge can be deformed with a weaker force than the elastic rubber, and has a long nip width without excessively increasing the pressure applied to the application roller 41. Can be secured.

The resin material of the sponge material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, the fixing solution contains a resin softener or swelling agent, and is a pressure formed from the sponge material. In the unlikely event that the fixing liquid adheres to the roller 43, there is a possibility that a problem such as softening of the sponge material may occur. Therefore, a material that does not soften or swell against the softening agent or swelling agent is desirable.
In addition, the pressure roller 43 whose roller portion is made of a sponge material is a flexible film that does not soften or swell due to the softener or swelling agent, even if the sponge material is deteriorated by the softener or swelling agent. The roller surface may be covered with a flexible film in that it can prevent deterioration of the sponge roller by covering it.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said sponge raw material, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the porous body of resin, such as polyethylene, a polypropylene, polyamide, etc. are mentioned.
The flexible film covering the sponge is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, tetrafluoroethylene / verfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer ( PFA) and the like.

  In the fixing device 30 shown in FIG. 1, when the application roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 whose roller portion is made of sponge are always in contact, when the transfer paper P is not being conveyed, The fixing liquid Bu may adhere to the pressure roller 43 of the sponge and become dirty. For the purpose of preventing this adhesion, a paper leading edge detecting means (not shown) is provided in front of the transfer paper P being conveyed to the coating nip C, and only from the leading edge of the transfer paper P to the rear according to the paper leading edge detection signal. It is preferable to supply the foam-like fixer Bu to the application roller 41 at a timing such that the foam-like fixer Bu is applied.

  Further, in the fixing device 30, the application roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 are separated from each other during standby by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown), and the application roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 are brought into contact with each other only during application. It is preferable that In such a configuration, the contact / separation mechanism is driven from the standby state in which the application roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 are separated from each other based on the detection result of the leading edge detection of the transfer paper P by the paper leading edge detection means. The application roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 are brought into contact with each other. And based on the detection result of the trailing edge detection of the transfer paper P by the paper leading edge detection means or the detection of the trailing edge of the transfer paper P by a separately provided paper trailing edge detection means, the contact / separation mechanism is driven, The application roller 41 and the pressure roller 43 are separated.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as a second embodiment) of the fixing device 30 of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a fixing liquid supply unit 130 of the fixing device 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram.
The fixing device 30 of the second embodiment stores the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 constituting the liquid fixing liquid that is the fixing liquid of the present invention independently to generate a foam-like fixing liquid Bu. In some cases, the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are mixed, and the liquid fixing liquid obtained by the mixing is supplied to the fixing liquid supply unit 130 to generate the foamy fixing liquid Bu. Unlike the fixing device 30 of the first embodiment, the fixing device 30 of the second embodiment differs from the fixing device 30 of the first embodiment in the configuration before supplying the liquid fixing solution to the bubbling tank 35. The configurations of the fixing solution supply unit 130 and the fixing solution application unit 140 after generating the image are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, regarding the fixing device 30 according to the second embodiment, differences from the fixing device 30 according to the first embodiment will be described, and description of common configurations will be omitted.
The fixing device 30 according to the second embodiment includes a fixing solution holding unit, a fixing solution preparing unit, a foamy fixing solution generating unit, and an applying unit, and further includes other units as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 8, the fixing device 30 according to the second embodiment includes a softener liquid container 61 that stores the softener liquid 610 and a foaming agent liquid container 62 that stores the foaming liquid 620. And the softener liquid 610 and the foaming liquid 620 are stored independently. The softener liquid 610 in the softener liquid container 61 is supplied to the bubbling tank 35 through the softener liquid transport pipe 34a by driving the softener liquid transport pump 33a. The foaming agent liquid 620 in the foaming agent liquid container 62 is supplied to the bubbling tank 35 through the foaming agent liquid transport pipe 34b by driving the foaming agent liquid transporting pump 33b. At this time, by controlling the drive of the softener liquid transport pump 33a and the foaming agent liquid transport pump 33b, by adjusting the ratio of the transport amount of the softener liquid 610 and the transport amount of the foaming agent liquid 620, The mixing ratio of the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 in the liquid fixing liquid obtained by mixing the two liquids can be adjusted. As the softener liquid transport pump 33a and the foaming liquid transport pump 33b, the same liquid transport pump 33 as that of the first embodiment can be used.
When stored for a long time in the state of a liquid fixer containing a softener and a foaming agent, the softener may be chemically decomposed. On the other hand, in the fixing device 30 of the second embodiment, the softener liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are stored independently, thereby preventing chemical decomposition of the softener even when stored for a long time. Can do.

In the fixing device 30 of the second embodiment, during operation, the softening agent liquid conveyance pump 33a and the foaming agent liquid conveyance pump 33b are bubbled so that the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 have a desired mixing ratio. The two liquids supplied to the tank 35 and mixed in the bubbling tank 35 are mixed.
Here, by operating the air pump 36 at the timing when the two liquids reach the bubbling tank 35, the two liquids are mixed by the vibration of the bubbling, and the liquid fixer 310 obtained by mixing is bubbled to fix the liquid. Make the liquid foamy. The foam-like fixing solution Bu obtained at this time consists of bubbles that are large enough to visually confirm the bubbles.
The relatively large foam fixing solution Bu generated in the bubbling tank 35 is transported in the foam transport pipe 38 c by the air pressure from the air pump 36 and sent to the foam refinement unit 38. As in the first embodiment, the foam-like fixer Bu sent to the bubble refining unit 38 becomes a fine bubble by applying a shearing force to a large bubble due to the double cylindrical structure. It is discharged as a bubble-shaped fixing solution Bu having a large bubble diameter.

In the fixing device 30 according to the second embodiment, a liquid transport path (bubbling tank 35, bubble transport pipe 38c, outer cylinder 38a, a gap between the rotating inner cylinder 38b and the rotating inner cylinder 38b, a discharge pipe 38d, and a downstream side of the bubbling tank 35. In the nozzle 39), the softener liquid 610 and the foaming liquid 620 are present in the state of a fixing liquid mixed. If left in the state of the fixer for a long time, the softener may be chemically decomposed. For this reason, it is desirable to discard the fixer in the liquid transport path from the bubbling tank 35 to the nozzle 39 provided with the foamy fixer supply port at the end of fixing or at the start of fixing.
The method for discarding the fixing liquid in the liquid conveyance path is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the air pump is operated with the two liquid conveyance pumps 33a and 33b being stopped. For example, there is a method of continuously driving 36 for a predetermined time. As a result, the fixing liquid in the liquid conveyance path can be discarded from the nozzle 39.
Furthermore, since the fixing solution is wasted due to this disposal, it is desirable that the volume in the liquid conveyance path from the bubbling tank 35 to the nozzle 39 is as small as possible.

In the method in which the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are mixed to generate a liquid fixing solution, the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are mixed in the liquid fixing solution after mixing unless the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are sufficiently mixed. When foaming, the foaming properties deteriorate. If the foamability of the liquid fixer is deteriorated, the density of the foamy fixer Bu obtained by foaming becomes higher than a desired value, and there is a possibility that the foam film cannot be formed. In addition, the softening agent may be unevenly distributed at the foam plateau boundary, and fixing may be uneven.
As a method of obtaining the liquid fixing solution by mixing the softener liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620, the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are mixed by vibration of bubbling as shown in FIG. Although there is a method, it is desirable to separately provide a liquid mixing unit for mixing the softener liquid 610 and the foaming liquid 620.

  FIG. 10 includes a liquid mixing unit 63 that mixes the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 between the two liquid transfer pumps 33 a and 33 b and the bubbling tank 35, and the liquid mixing part 63 and the bubbling tank 35 are provided. Is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the two are connected by a fixing liquid transport pipe 34c. The liquid mixing unit 63 incorporates a rotating mixing stirring blade in a flow path where the softener liquid 610 that has passed through the softener liquid transport pipe 34a and the foaming liquid 620 that has passed through the foaming liquid transport pipe 34b merge. It is a configuration. By providing such a liquid mixing unit 63, it is possible to obtain a liquid fixing liquid 310 in which the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are uniformly mixed before reaching the bubbling tank 35 where foaming is performed. By bubbling the liquid fixer 310 thus obtained in the bubbling tank 35, desired foaming properties can be obtained, and the distribution of the softening agent within the plateau boundary of the generated foamy fixer Bu can be obtained. It becomes uniform and uniform fixing can be performed. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a structure stirred in order to mix two liquids in the liquid mixing part 63, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the structure which incorporates a mixing stirring blade, and incorporates ultrasonic vibration Examples include the configuration.

Further, the liquid mixing unit 63 may be configured by only a flow path without providing a driving stirring member.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged explanatory view of the liquid mixing unit 63 including only flow paths.
The liquid mixing unit 63 shown in FIG. 11 includes a flow path of the softener liquid 610 connected to the softener liquid transport pipe 34a, a flow path of the foaming agent liquid 620 connected to the foaming liquid transport pipe 34b, It is connected to the fixing liquid transport pipe 34c, and is composed of a mixed liquid flow path where the flow path of the softener liquid 610 and the flow path of the foaming liquid 620 merge. In the liquid mixing unit 63 shown in FIG. 11, as indicated by arrows G1 and G2 in the figure, the softener liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 each flow into the two flow paths, and one flow where the two flow paths merge. The softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are mixed in the road and discharged as a liquid fixing liquid 310 toward the fixing liquid conveying pipe 34c as indicated by an arrow G in the figure. In the liquid mixing unit 63, the fluid resistance of the flow path of the mixed liquid is set to be smaller than the fluid resistance of the flow path of the softener liquid 610 and the fluid resistance of the flow path of the foaming agent liquid 620. By setting in this way, the flow rate of the mixed liquid in the flow path is increased and a turbulent flow is formed, so that the softener liquid 610 and the foaming liquid 620 are sufficiently mixed.
In the fixing device 30 of the second embodiment, in the fixing liquid supply unit which is a foamy fixing liquid generating unit, the softener liquid 610 and the foaming liquid 620 stored independently are mixed to form a liquid fixing liquid. Is generated.
Since there is no drive part if it is the liquid mixing part 63 which consists only of a flow path as shown in FIG. 11, mixing becomes possible by a very simple structure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory diagram of another configuration example of the fixing device 30 that stores the softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 constituting the liquid fixing liquid 310 independently, as in the second embodiment. is there.
The softening agent liquid 610 and the foaming agent liquid 620 are sufficiently mixed in the liquid mixing section 63 of the fixing liquid preparation means, and the foam fixing having a desired bubble diameter is performed by the fixing liquid supply section 130 that is the subsequent foam fixing liquid generating means. It becomes the liquid Bu and is supplied to the fixing liquid application unit 140 which is an applying unit. Then, the fixing liquid application unit 140 adjusts the film thickness of the foam-like fixing liquid Bu, applies the foam-like fixing liquid Bu with the adjusted film thickness to the unfixed toner T, and performs fixing.
In addition, the fixing device 30 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a pressure belt 430 instead of the pressure roller 43 provided in the fixing device 30 of the second embodiment. As the pressure belt 430, for example, a member such as a seamless nickel belt, a seamless PET file, or the like coated with a releasable fluororesin such as PFA is used.

In a configuration in which a belt is used as a member for forming the coating nip C as in the fixing device 30 shown in FIG. 12, the nip width can be easily increased.
The configuration in which the belt is used as the member forming the coating nip C is not limited to the configuration in which the belt member is used as the pressure member as shown in FIG. 12, and a belt-shaped coating member is used instead of the coating roller 41 to apply pressure. The structure using a roller-shaped member may be sufficient.
In this way, by using at least one of the application side and the pressure side as a belt-like member, it is possible to easily widen the nip width, and an excessive force that causes wrinkles on the paper. In addition, since the nip time does not change, the paper conveyance speed can be increased, and high-speed fixing is possible.

  Further, as the fixing device 30, a pair of smoothing rollers (hard rollers) that pressurize the toner melted or softened on the transfer paper P against the transfer paper P that has passed through the coating nip C that applies a fixing solution to the toner. May be arranged. By pressing the toner melted or softened on the transfer paper P with a pair of smoothing rollers, the surface of the melted or softened toner layer can be smoothed to give gloss to the toner image after fixing. Become. Furthermore, by fixing the melted or softened toner into the transfer paper P, the fixability of the toner to the transfer paper P can be improved.

Subsequently, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Image forming apparatus]
As an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an embodiment of an electrophotographic tandem color printer (hereinafter simply referred to as printer 100) will be described.
First, a basic configuration of the printer 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 15, the printer 100 includes four process units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K that form yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images, a transfer unit 20, and paper. A conveyance unit 28, a registration roller pair 15, a fixing device 30, an optical writing device (not shown), and the like are provided. Further, the image forming unit includes a transfer unit 20 and an intermediate transfer belt 25 as a toner image carrier, and is an image forming unit for each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan along the upper tension surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25. Four process units 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K are arranged.

  An optical writing device (not shown) is arranged above the four process units 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K. For example, when the printer 100 is a copying machine, the scanner reads the image information of the original, drives the light source such as a laser diode or LED of the optical writing device according to the image information, and processes unit 3Y, 3M. , 3C, and 3K, the laser beams L1 to L4 are irradiated toward the drum-shaped photoconductors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. By this irradiation, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, and the latent images become toner images through a predetermined development process. The subscripts Y, M, C, and K added after the reference numerals indicate the specifications for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

  The process units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K each support the photosensitive member 4 serving as a latent image carrier and various devices arranged around the photosensitive member 4 as a single unit on a common support. It becomes removable with respect to. The process units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K have the same configuration except that the color of the toner to be used is different. FIG. 16 shows the process unit 3 of the four process units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K. FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, each of the four process units 3 includes a developing device 6, a charging device 7, a static elimination lamp 8 for a static elimination device, a drum cleaning device 9, and the like in addition to the photoreceptor 4. In addition, a primary transfer roller 26 of a primary transfer device is provided at a position facing the photoconductor 4 with the intermediate transfer belt 25 interposed therebetween.

  As the photoreceptor 4, a drum-like member is used in which a photosensitive layer is formed by applying a photosensitive organic photosensitive material to a raw tube such as aluminum. Further, an endless belt shape may be used.

The developing device 6 obtains a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 4 using a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier (not shown) and a non-magnetic toner. This is a two-component phenomenon system that develops and visualizes. Instead of the two-component developer, a type in which development is performed with a one-component developer not containing a magnetic carrier may be used. The toner image developed on the surface of the photoreceptor 4 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 25 at a primary transfer nip described later.
The toner is resin fine particles colored in each color, and the resin fine particles are dissolved or swollen by the fixing solution. The developing device 6 includes a stirring unit that contains and stirs the two-component developer, and a developing unit in which the developing roller is disposed. The developer that is supplied to the surface of the developing roller and is not used for development is a stirring unit. To be reused. The toner concentration of the two-component developer in the stirring unit is detected by a toner concentration sensor, and is controlled so that the toner concentration is constant.

Transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 4 after passing through the primary transfer nip is removed from the surface of the photoconductor 4 by the drum cleaning device 9. The toner removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 4 by the drum cleaning device 9 is conveyed to the developing device 6 by a collection screw and a toner recycling device (not shown) and reused.
As the drum cleaning device 9, a system that scrapes off the transfer residual toner with a polyurethane rubber cleaning blade is illustrated, but a system that removes transfer residual toner by another system may be used.

The neutralization lamp 8 neutralizes the photoreceptor 4 by light irradiation. The surface of the photoreceptor 4 that has been neutralized is initialized by being uniformly charged by the charging device 7.
The charging device 7 is a contact type charging system in which a charging roller to which a charging bias is applied is brought into contact with the photosensitive member 4. The charging device 7 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive member 4 by applying a charging bias to the charging roller and bringing it into contact with the photosensitive member 4. The charging device 7 is not limited to the contact-type charging method, and a non-contact charging method charging device that employs a scorotron charger or the like that performs a non-contact charging process on the photoconductor 4 may be used. .

  In FIG. 15 described above, Y, M, C, and K toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K of the four process units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K by the above process. A transfer unit 20 is disposed below the four process units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K. In the transfer unit 20, an intermediate transfer belt 25 stretched by a plurality of stretching rollers (a driving roller 21, a cleaning counter roller 22, a transfer backup roller 23) is brought into contact with the photoreceptors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. Thus, primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K are formed. The intermediate transfer belt 25 is moved endlessly in the clockwise direction in the figure (in the direction of arrow A in the figure) by the rotational drive of the drive roller 21.

In the vicinity of the primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K, the intermediate transfer belt 25 is moved to the photoreceptors 4Y and 4M by primary transfer rollers 26Y, 26M, 26C, and 26K disposed inside the belt loop of the intermediate transfer belt 25. , 4C, 4K. A primary transfer bias is applied to these primary transfer rollers 26Y, 26M, 26C, and 26K by a power source (not shown). As a result, a primary transfer electric field for electrostatically moving the toner images on the photoreceptors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K toward the intermediate transfer belt 25 is formed in the primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K. Yes. In the drawing, each color toner image is transferred to each of the primary transfer nips on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 that sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K with endless movement in the clockwise direction. Sequentially superimposed and primary transferred. By the primary transfer of the superposition, a four-color superposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25.
Although the primary transfer device of the present embodiment is configured to include a roller-shaped primary transfer roller 26, a conductive brush, a non-contact corona charger, or the like may be employed as the primary transfer device.

  A paper transport unit 28 that functions as a secondary transfer device is provided at a position facing the transfer backup roller 23 across the intermediate transfer belt 25 below the transfer unit 20 in the drawing. The paper transport unit 28 is configured to endlessly move an endless paper transport belt 29 between a driving roller 29b and a secondary transfer roller 29a. The paper transport unit 28 sandwiches the paper transport belt 29 between its secondary transfer roller 29 a and the intermediate transfer belt 25 of the transfer unit 20. As a result, a secondary transfer nip is formed in which the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 and the front surface of the paper transport belt 29 abut. The secondary transfer device is not limited to the configuration in which the belt-shaped member is opposed to the intermediate transfer belt 25, but may be configured to have the roller-shaped member be opposed to the intermediate transfer belt 25.

  A secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller of the paper transport unit 28 by a power source (not shown). On the other hand, the transfer backup roller 23 around which the intermediate transfer belt 25 is wound in the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 25 of the transfer unit 20 is grounded. Thereby, a secondary transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer nip.

  A pair of registration rollers 15 is disposed on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing, and the secondary transfer sheet P sandwiched between the rollers can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 25 at the secondary timing. Send to transfer nip. In the secondary transfer nip, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 25 are collectively transferred to the transfer paper P due to the influence of the secondary transfer electric field and the nip pressure, and combined with the white color of the transfer paper P, a full color image is formed. The transfer paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 25 and is conveyed to the fixing device 30 along with its endless movement while being held on the front surface of the paper conveyance belt 29.

  A belt cleaning device 24 is disposed at a position facing the cleaning facing roller 22 of the intermediate transfer belt 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 25 interposed therebetween. The transfer residual toner that has not been transferred to the transfer paper P at the secondary transfer nip adheres to the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 25 that has passed through the secondary transfer nip. The belt cleaning device 24 (see FIG. 15) that abuts on the belt 25 is scraped and removed.

  EXAMPLES Next, although an Example and a comparative example are given and this invention is demonstrated more concretely, this invention is not restrict | limited to the following Example.

(Production Example 1)
<Preparation of softener liquid 1>
The following materials were stirred at room temperature for 1 hour to prepare a softener liquid 1.
Softener: Dicarbitol succinate (High Alcohol DCS, High Alcohol Industry Co., Ltd.) 50.00% by mass
-Solubilizer: Tripropylene glycol (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) 10.00% by mass
-Wetting property improver: Perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide (Neos, Footent 250, perfluoroalkenyl group number 1, ethylene oxide average addition mole number 22) 2.00% by mass
PH adjuster: sodium lactate (Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent, 50% by mass aqueous solution) 0.024% by mass
-PH adjuster: 0.016% by mass of lactic acid (Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent, 50% by mass aqueous solution)
Preservative: 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CHEMICLEA, ZONEN-MT, 50% by mass) 0.04% by mass
・ Water: 37.92% by mass of ion-exchanged water

(Production Example 2)
<Preparation of softener liquid 2>
In Production Example 1, the wettability improving agent was replaced with perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide (manufactured by Neos, 222F, perfluoroalkenyl group number, ethylene oxide average added mole number 22), and the wettability improving agent was 1 mass. %, And softening agent liquid 2 was prepared in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the amount of ion-exchanged water was 38.92% by mass.

(Production Example 3)
<Preparation of softener liquid 3>
In Production Example 2, the wettability improver was changed to perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide (manufactured by Neos, FT 245F, perfluoroalkenyl group number 2, ethylene oxide average added mole number 45), and the same as Production Example 2 Thus, a softener liquid 3 was prepared.

(Production Example 4)
<Preparation of softener liquid 4>
In Production Example 1, the wettability improver was replaced with a perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide (manufactured by Neos, FT 228P, perfluoroalkenyl group number 4, ethylene oxide average added mole number 28), and the wettability improver 1.5 A softener liquid 4 was prepared in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the mass% and ion-exchanged water were 38.42 mass%.

(Production Example 5)
<Preparation of softener liquid 5>
Production Example 2 except that the softener was changed from dicarbitol succinate to dimethoxyethyl adipate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., reagent), and the softener was changed to 20% by mass and ion-exchanged water to 68.92% by mass. In the same manner as in Example 2, a softener liquid 5 was prepared.

(Production Example 6)
<Preparation of softener liquid 6>
A softener liquid 6 was prepared in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the wettability improving agent was not added and the ion exchange water was changed to 39.92% by mass in Production Example 1.

(Production Example 7)
<Preparation of softener liquid 7>
Production Example 2 except that the softener was changed from dicarbitol succinate to diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc., reagent), and the softener was changed to 30% by mass and ion-exchanged water to 58.92% by mass. In the same manner as in No. 2, a softener liquid 7 was prepared.

(Production Example 8)
<Preparation of fatty acid diethanolamine salt-containing liquid>
The mass ratio (myristic acid: palmitic acid: stearic acid) of myristic acid (produced by Kanto Chemical Co., reagent), palmitic acid (produced by Kanto Chemical Co., reagent), and stearic acid (produced by Kanto Chemical Co., reagent) is 4: 3. : 1 and the neutralizing agent diethanolamine (Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., reagent) molar ratio (fatty acid: diethanolamine) was measured to be 1.0: 0.7, and the liquid temperature was 80 ° C. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour in the ion-exchanged water and allowed to cool to room temperature to prepare a fatty acid diethanolamine salt-containing liquid. The content of the fatty acid diethanolamine salt in the fatty acid diethanolamine salt-containing liquid was 10.41% by mass.

(Production Example 9)
<Preparation of foaming agent liquid 1>
The following materials were stirred at a liquid temperature of 80 ° C. for 1 hour, allowed to cool to room temperature, and a foaming agent liquid 1 was prepared.
-Foaming agent: fatty acid diethanolamine salt-containing solution prepared in Production Example 8 38.40% by mass
-Viscosity modifier: Polyethylene glycol 4000 (reagent manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) 10.00% by mass
・ Foaming agent: palm oil fatty acid monoethanolamide (Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Marpon CMA) 0.60% by mass
-Foam increasing agent: 1.00% by mass of polyoxyethylene stearyl ether (manufactured by Kao Corporation, Emulgen 350)
Preservative: 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CHEMICLEA, ZONEN-MT, 50% by mass) 0.04% by mass,
・ Diluent: 49.96% by mass of ion exchange water

(Production Example 10)
<Preparation of foaming agent liquid 2>
In Production Example 9, the foaming agent was replaced with palm oil fatty acid triethanolamine salt (Toho Chemical Industries, Toho CT, 40 mass% aqueous solution), the foaming agent was 25 mass%, and ion-exchanged water was 63.36 mass%. The foaming agent liquid 2 was prepared in the same manner as in Production Example 9 except that the percentage was changed to%.

(Production Example 11)
<Preparation of foaming agent liquid 3>
In Production Example 9, the foaming agent was replaced with lauryldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine (Kao Co., Ltd., Amphitol 24B, 27 mass% aqueous solution), the foaming agent was 37.04 mass%, and ion-exchanged water was 51.32 mass%. A foaming agent liquid 3 was prepared in the same manner as in Production Example 9 except that.

(Examples 1-8 and Comparative Examples 1-3)
<Preparation of fixing solution>
A fixing solution was prepared using the types of softener solution, the types of foaming agent solution, and the mixing ratio thereof as shown in Table 1.

<Evaluation of wettability (measurement of contact angle)>
The contact angle is a dynamic contact angle (change in contact angle with time) by a so-called droplet method, and can be measured with a commercially available dynamic contact angle meter. This dynamic contact angle is one measure representing the wettability of a liquid with respect to a solid. Generally, the better the wettability, the smaller the contact angle.

Hereinafter, a method for measuring the contact angle when toner is used as the resin fine particles using the fixing solutions in Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 will be described.
Unfixed toner (Ricoh Co., Ltd., imagio MP spot toner) is deposited on PPC paper (Ricoh Co., Ltd., My Paper) using an electrophotographic printer (Ricoh Co., Ltd., imagio MPC 2500). The layer was formed with a thickness of 30 μm. This was heated for 6 minutes in a constant temperature bath at a temperature of 74 ° C., and the toner particles were slightly adhered to such an extent that the gaps between the toner particles were not filled.
From above, using a syringe with a needle (needle outer diameter: 0.36 mm), a fine droplet of the fixing solution (droplet diameter: 0.7 mm) is dropped onto the toner layer, and the fixing is performed. A state after 0.03 seconds had elapsed from the time when the liquid contacted the toner layer was photographed at 30 fps from the lateral direction of the toner layer with a video camera, and the contact angle was measured from the image data. This measurement was performed in an environment of a temperature of 20 ° C. and a humidity of 50%.
Since there are many gaps in the unfixed toner layer, the fixing solution is absorbed (penetrated) into the toner layer with time, and the contact angle changes accordingly. If the thickness of the toner layer is less than 30 μm, the fixer may come into direct contact with the underlying paper during landing, and an accurate contact angle may not be measured due to absorption of the liquid by the underlying paper. Further, when the particle diameter of the toner is 5 μm to 10 μm, the size of the dropped liquid droplet is 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm in diameter. If the droplet is less than 0.5 mm in diameter, the influence of the toner shape on the contact angle cannot be ignored, and the accurate contact angle may not be measured. If the droplet is larger than 1.0 mm, the droplet may collapse due to its own weight, and an accurate contact angle may not be measured.
In this evaluation, rather than the fixer 9 (Comparative Example 1) to which no wettability improver was added,
“○” when the contact angle is small
“△” when the contact angle is almost the same
“×” when the contact angle is large
As a result, the wettability was determined. The results are shown in Table 2.

<Evaluation of foam quality>
Evaluation was performed using the fixing device shown in FIG. 100 mL of the softening agent solution and 100 mL of the foaming agent solution were each accommodated in a sealed container made of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin film and mounted on the fixing device. Then, the liquid conveyance pump which consists of a tube pump was operated, and the softener liquid was supplied to the bubbling tank through the liquid mixing part for 5 seconds at a flow rate of 3 mL / min and the foaming agent liquid at a flow rate of 3 mL / min. After stopping the liquid transport pump, an air pump composed of a diaphragm type air pump was operated, and bubbling was performed in a bubbling tank for 15 seconds to prepare a foamy fixing liquid Bu having a large foam diameter.
In Example 5, the softener liquid was supplied to the bubbling tank through the liquid mixing part at a flow rate of 2 mL / min and the foaming agent liquid at a flow rate of 4 mL / min for 5 seconds.
In Example 6, the softener liquid was supplied to the bubbling tank via the liquid mixing part at a flow rate of 4 mL / min and the foaming agent liquid at a flow rate of 2 mL / min for 5 seconds.
Subsequently, a bubble refining unit having a double cylindrical structure was operated to produce a bubble-shaped fixing solution Bu having a minute bubble diameter. The inner cylinder of the bubble refining unit is fixed to a rotation shaft (not shown) and is rotated by a rotation drive motor. The outer cylinder and the inner cylinder of the bubble refinement part were made of PET resin. The outer cylinder had an inner diameter of 10 mm, an axial length of 120 mm, an inner cylindrical outer diameter of 8 mm, and an axial length of 100 mm. The rotation speed of the inner cylinder was 1,000 rpm, and the rotation time was 10 seconds.
With respect to the obtained fine bubble-shaped fixing solution Bu having a bubble diameter, a container having a known volume was filled with bubbles without gaps, and the weight was measured to calculate the bubble density.
In this evaluation, rather than the fixer 9 (Comparative Example 1) to which no wettability improver was added,
“○” when the bubble density is low
“△” when the bubble density is almost the same
When the bubble density is high, “×”
As a result, the foam quality was determined. The results are shown in Table 2.

<Evaluation of offset>
In order to evaluate the quality of the fixed image, a foam-like fixing liquid Bu having a fine bubble diameter was applied onto the transfer paper P on which the toner image of the unfixed toner T was formed. Here, as the transfer paper P on which the toner image of the unfixed toner T is formed, an electrophotographic printer (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd., imagio MPC 2500) is used, and unfixed toner (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd., imagio MP spot toner). Were formed on PPC paper (Ricoh Co., Ltd., My Paper).
In the color image thus formed, the thickness of the toner layer of the unfixed toner T was 30 μm to 40 μm.
Subsequently, in conjunction with the start of fixing, the fixing device shown in FIG. 12 was used to supply a foamy fixing solution Bu having a minute bubble diameter from the nozzle 39 between the coating roller 41 and the film thickness adjusting blade 42. An unfixed image composed of unfixed toner T is produced while driving the coating roller 41 at the timing when the foam-like fixing liquid Bu having a small bubble diameter starts to be supplied between the coating roller 41 and the film thickness adjusting blade 42. The formed transfer paper P was inserted into the coating nip.
At this time, a foam-like fixing liquid film having a film thickness of about 80 μm was uniformly formed on the surface of the application roller 41, and a foam-like fixing liquid having a fine bubble diameter was uniformly applied to the surface of the transfer paper P. The gap between the film thickness adjusting blade 42 and the application roller 41 was 50 μm, and the amount of the fixer applied to the transfer paper P was about 100 mg / A4 (A4: 210 mm × 297 mm). As the pressure roller 43, a sponge roller was used in which an aluminum alloy roller (diameter 10 mm) was used as a core, and a polyurethane foam material (trade name “Color Foam EMO” manufactured by INOAC) having an outer diameter of 50 mm was formed. As the application roller 41, a SUS roller (diameter 30 mm) coated with a PFA resin by baking was used. The linear velocity of the two rollers was 300 mm / s.
Further, the film thickness adjusting blade 42 adheres a 1 mm-thick parallel glass to an aluminum alloy support plate, and controls the gap between the coating roller 41 and the glass surface in a range of 10 μm to 100 μm with the glass surface facing the coating roller 41 side. I was able to do it. The paper conveyance speed was 300 mm / s.
Regarding the quality of the fixed image, the degree of offset was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
○: Toner offset does not occur and a good image can be obtained Δ: Toner offset occurs but the image is recognizable ×: Toner offset occurs and the image is greatly disturbed

  From the results of Table 2, the fixer of the present invention containing perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide as a wettability improver has good wettability to the toner layer, and further does not affect the foam quality of the fixer. Furthermore, offset can be prevented even during high-speed printing. Among them, the fixing solution of the present invention containing a perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide having two perfluoroalkenyl groups in the molecule and an average addition mole number of ethylene oxide of 22 as a wettability improver (Examples) 2, 3, and 5-8) have drastically improved wettability to the toner layer.

  The fixing solution of the present invention can be suitably used as a fixing solution that can be used in an electrophotographic forming technique employing a non-thermal fixing method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Process unit 4 Photoconductor 6 Developing device 7 Charging device 8 Static elimination lamp 9 Drum cleaning device 15 Registration roller pair 20 Transfer unit 21 Drive roller 22 Cleaning counter roller 23 Transfer backup roller 24 Belt cleaning device 25 Intermediate transfer belt 26 Primary transfer roller 28 Paper transport unit 29 Paper transport belt 29a Secondary transfer roller 29b Drive roller 30 Fixing device 31 Fixing liquid container 33 Liquid transport pump 33a Softener liquid transport pump 33b Foaming liquid transport pump 34 Liquid transport pipe 34a Softener liquid transport pipe 34b Foaming liquid transport pipe 34c Fixing liquid transport pipe 35 Bubbling tank 36 Air pump 38 Foam refinement section
38a Outer cylinder 38b Inner cylinder 38c Foam conveying pipe 38d Discharge pipe 39 Nozzle (foamed fixing liquid supply port)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 Application roller 42 Film thickness adjustment blade 42a Blade rotation shaft 43 Pressure roller 60 Fixing device 61 that applies liquid fixer 61 Softener solution container 62 Foaming agent container 63 Liquid mixing unit 100 Printer 130 Fixing solution supply unit 140 Fixing liquid application part 310 Liquid fixing liquid 313 Supply port 430 Pressure belt 610 Softening agent liquid 620 Foaming liquid Bu Bubble fixing liquid Bu1 Foam fixing liquid film Bu-A Bubble Bu-B Liquid film boundary C Application nip P Transfer paper T Unfixed toner Ta Offset toner Tb Fixed toner layer Tp Toner particles

Japanese Patent No. 3290513 Japanese Patent No. 4185742 JP 59-119364 A Japanese Patent No. 4354164 JP 2009-008967 A

Claims (5)

A fixing solution for fixing resin fine particles to a recording medium,
A fixing solution comprising water, an aliphatic ester, a fatty acid salt, and a perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide.   The fixing solution according to claim 1, wherein the perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide has two perfluoroalkenyl groups in the molecule, and the average added mole number of ethylene oxide is either 22 or 45. A foam-like fixing solution generating means for generating a foam-like fixing solution by foaming the fixing solution according to claim 1;
A foam-like fixing solution applying means for applying the foam-like fixing solution to the resin fine particle layer on the recording medium;
A fixing device.   Foam fixer generating means mixes a softener solution containing water, aliphatic ester, and perfluoroalkenyl group-containing polyethylene oxide with a foaming agent solution containing water and a fatty acid salt to generate a fixer. The fixing device according to claim 3, further comprising a fixing liquid preparation member. An electrostatic latent image carrier;
An electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image using a developer containing toner that is resin fine particles to form a visible image;
Transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus having
An image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing unit is the fixing device according to claim 3.