JP2013054085A - Fixing device, image forming device, fixing method and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device and fixing method capable of suppressing occurrence of fixing failure due to heating temperature deficiency while saving energy, an image forming device having the fixing device, and an image forming method using the fixing method.SOLUTION: The fixing device comprises: pressing means which has a first rotor and a second rotor, forms a pressure-contact section by pressure-contacting the first rotor and the second rotor, and presses toner on a recording medium while sandwiching the recording medium with the pressure-contact section; and heating means for heating the first rotor. The fixing device fixes, on to the recording medium, the toner image formed on the recording medium by using the toner at least containing capsules containing inside a resin and a plasticizer which is a solid in a normal temperature and softens the resin. A linear velocity of the first rotor is faster than a linear velocity of the second rotor.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device and a fixing method used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine, an image forming apparatus including the fixing device, and an image forming method using the fixing method.

  Image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimile machines, and copying machines are apparatuses that form images including characters and symbols on recording media such as paper, cloth, and OHP sheets based on image information. There are various types of image forming apparatuses. Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are widely used in offices because they can form high-definition images on plain paper at high speed. In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the toner on the recording medium as a fixing medium is heated at 120 [° C.] to 160 [° C.] to be softened or melted, and the softened toner is pressurized. A thermal fixing method in which toner is fixed on a recording medium by anchoring the toner on the recording medium is widely used (Patent Document 1, etc.).

  More than half of the power consumption in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus adopting such a heat fixing method is consumed for heat treatment in the heat fixing type fixing device. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of countermeasures for environmental problems in recent years, an image forming apparatus that can save power by reducing power consumption is desired. For this reason, there is a demand for energy saving in the fixing device that consumes more than half of the power consumption in the conventional image forming apparatus. Since a conventional heat-fixing type fixing device consumes a large amount of electric power for heat treatment, a fixing method that extremely lowers the temperature at which the toner is heated to fix the toner is desired.

  In Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-113897 (hereinafter referred to as a prior application), the present applicant has disclosed a toner containing at least a resin containing a thermoplastic elastomer and a capsule containing a plasticizer solid at room temperature that softens the resin. Has proposed an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a recording medium. In the image forming apparatus of the prior application, the toner image on the recording medium conveyed to the fixing device is a nip portion that is a pressure contact portion formed by a heating roller provided with a heater as a heating means and a pressure roller. When passing through, it is pressurized while being heated. At this time, the heating temperature of the toner image at the nip portion is equal to or higher than the melting point temperature of the plasticizer included in the capsule, and is 40 [° C.] to 50 [° C.] from the viewpoint of energy saving. The plasticizer encapsulated in the capsule is heated to a melting point temperature by a heater, dissolved, and diffused from the capsule destroyed by pressurization to the resin in the vicinity of the capsule. As the plasticizer diffuses into the resin in this way, the physical crosslinking of the thermoplastic elastomer contained in the resin is broken by the softening action of the plasticizer, the resin softens all at once, and the toner softens accordingly. The toner softened in this way is pressed at the nip portion and anchored to the recording medium, whereby the toner image is fixed on the recording medium. As a result, the temperature at which the toner is heated to fix the toner image on the recording medium by the fixing device can be drastically reduced compared to the case where the resin is softened only by heat, thereby saving energy. it can.

  However, in the image forming apparatus of the prior application, since the temperature of the heating roller is low, the heat transfer speed from the heating roller to the toner at the nip portion is slower than the conventional fixing at a high temperature. . For this reason, if the toner temperature at the nip cannot be raised to a fixable temperature, there is a problem that the plasticizer contained in the capsule cannot be sufficiently dissolved due to insufficient heating temperature and fixing failure occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device and a fixing method capable of suppressing the occurrence of fixing failure due to insufficient heating temperature while saving energy, and the fixing device. An image forming apparatus and an image forming method using the fixing method are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a first rotating body and a second rotating body, and presses the first rotating body and the second rotating body to form a press-contact portion. A pressurizing unit that pressurizes the toner on the recording medium by sandwiching the recording medium at the press contact portion, and a heating unit that heats the first rotating body, and a resin and a solid state at normal temperature that softens the resin In a fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on the recording medium using a toner containing at least a capsule containing the plasticizer, the linear velocity of the first rotating body is the second rotation. It is characterized by being faster than the body's linear velocity.

  In the present invention, as clarified in the experiment described later, the toner was formed on a recording medium using a toner containing at least a capsule containing a resin and a plasticizer that is solid at room temperature to soften the resin. In the fixing device for fixing the toner image to the recording medium, the linear velocity of the first rotating body heated by the heating unit is faster than the linear velocity of the second rotating body, so that the toner from the first rotating body at the press contact portion. The speed of heat transfer to the ink becomes faster, the plasticizer encapsulated in the capsule can be sufficiently dissolved at a low fixing temperature, and good fixability can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of fixing failure due to insufficient heating temperature while saving energy.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal heating roller type fixing device. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. Schematic which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus of embodiment. The enlarged view of an image forming unit. The graph showing the toner state of this embodiment at the time of giving a heat | fever and a pressure as a physical stimulus. 6 is a graph showing a change in the state of toner from a fixing process to paper discharge when a plasticizer included in a capsule is added to the toner. (A) Conceptual diagram showing the state of the thermoplastic elastomer and plasticizer in the toner during storage of the toner, (b) Conceptual diagram showing the state of the thermoplastic elastomer and plasticizer in the toner during fixing, (c) Paper discharge The conceptual diagram which shows the state of the thermoplastic elastomer and plasticizer in a toner at the time. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a toner containing a capsule. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a direct transfer tandem type image forming apparatus. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an indirect transfer tandem image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal heating roller type fixing device provided with an oil application device. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal heating belt type fixing device. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal heating belt type fixing device including an oil application device. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an external heating roller type fixing device. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an external heating roller type fixing device including an oil application device. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an external heating belt type fixing device. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an external heating belt type fixing device including an oil application device.

An embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described.
The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a photosensitive drum 10 as an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging roller 20 as a charging unit, exposure light L from an exposure unit as an exposure unit, and development as a developing unit. An apparatus 40, an intermediate transfer belt 50, a cleaning blade 60 as a cleaning unit, and a static elimination lamp 69 as a static elimination unit are provided.

  The intermediate transfer belt 50 is an endless belt, and is designed so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow in the figure by three rollers 51 that are arranged inside and stretched. A part of the three rollers 51 also functions as a transfer bias roller capable of applying a predetermined transfer bias (primary transfer bias) to the intermediate transfer belt 50. An intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 90 is disposed in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 50, and a transfer bias for transferring (secondary transfer) a visible image (toner image) to the recording medium S can be applied. A transfer roller 80 as a proper transfer means is disposed to face the transfer roller 80. Around the intermediate transfer belt 50, a corona charger 58 for applying a charge to a visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 50 is arranged in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt 50 with the photosensitive drum 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 50. And the contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 50 and the recording medium S.

  The developing device 40 includes a developing belt 41 as a developer carrying member, and a black developing device 45K, a yellow developing device 45Y, a magenta developing device 45M, and a cyan developing device 45C provided around the developing belt 41. Yes. The black developing device 45K includes a developer accommodating portion 42K, a developer supply roller 43K, and a developing roller 44K. The yellow developing device 45Y includes a developer container 42Y, a developer supply roller 43Y, and a developing roller 44Y. The magenta developing device 45M includes a developer container 42M, a developer supply roller 43M, and a developing roller 44M. The cyan developing device 45C includes a developer container 42C, a developer supply roller 43C, and a developing roller 44C. The developing belt 41 is an endless belt, and is rotatably stretched by a plurality of belt rollers. A part of the developing belt 41 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, first, the charging roller 20 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 10. An exposure device (not shown) exposes the photosensitive drum 10 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is developed by supplying toner from the developing device 40 to form a visible image. The visible image is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 50 by the voltage applied from the roller 51 and further transferred (secondary transfer) onto the recording medium S. As a result, a transfer image is formed on the recording medium S. The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 10 is removed by the cleaning blade 60, and the charge on the photosensitive drum 10 is temporarily removed by the static elimination lamp 69.

  Another aspect in which the image forming method of the present embodiment is performed by the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A copier as a tandem color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 includes a copier body 150, a paper feed table 200, a scanner 300, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 400.

  The copying machine main body 150 is provided with an endless belt-like intermediate transfer belt 50 at the center. The intermediate transfer belt 50 is stretched around the support rollers 14, 15 and 16, and can be rotated clockwise in FIG. 3. In the vicinity of the support roller 15, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 17 that is an intermediate transfer body cleaning unit for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 50 is disposed. A tandem in which four image forming units 18 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are arranged to face each other on the intermediate transfer belt 50 stretched by the support roller 14 and the support roller 15 along the conveyance direction. A mold image forming unit 120 is arranged.

  An exposure device 21 is disposed in the vicinity of the tandem image forming unit 120. A secondary transfer device 22 is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer belt 50 opposite to the side on which the tandem image forming unit 120 is disposed. In the secondary transfer device 22, a transfer conveyance belt 24 that is an endless belt is stretched around a pair of rollers 23, and the recording medium S conveyed on the transfer conveyance belt 24 and the intermediate transfer belt 50 can contact each other. It is. A fixing device 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22. The fixing device 25 includes a fixing belt 26 and a pressure roller 27.

  A reversing device 28 for reversing the recording medium S in order to form an image on both sides of the recording medium S is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22 and the fixing device 25.

  Next, formation of a full color image (color copy) using the tandem image forming unit 120 will be described. That is, first, a document is set on the document table 130 of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 400, or the automatic document feeder 400 is opened and the document is set on the contact glass 32 of the scanner 300. 400 is closed.

  When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, when the document is set on the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 32, and then the document is set on the contact glass 32. Immediately after that, the scanner 300 is driven, and the first traveling body 33 and the second traveling body 34 travel. At this time, the light from the light source is irradiated by the first traveling body 33 and the reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the mirror in the second traveling body 34 and is received by the reading sensor 36 through the imaging lens 35 to be color. A document (color image) is read and used as black, yellow, magenta, and cyan image information.

  Each image information of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan is stored in each image forming unit 18 (black image forming unit, yellow image forming unit, magenta image forming unit, and cyan image information) in the tandem image forming unit 120. Each of the image forming units forms black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images.

  FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of a tandem type image forming unit 120 including four image forming units 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K. The four image forming units 18Y, 18C, 18M, and 18K have substantially the same configuration except that the colors of the toners to be used are different from each other. The subscript K is omitted. As shown in the figure, the image forming unit 18 is arranged around the photosensitive drum 10 with a charging device 160 as a charging means, a developing device 61, a transfer roller 62 as a primary transfer means, a photosensitive drum cleaning device 63, a static elimination device. A device 64 or the like is provided.

  As the photosensitive drum 10, a drum-shaped member is used in which a photosensitive organic layer is applied to a base tube made of aluminum or the like to form a photosensitive layer. However, an endless belt may be used. Further, as the charging device 160, a charging device to which a charging roller to which a charging bias is applied is rotated while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 is used. A scorotron charger or the like that performs a non-contact charging process on the photosensitive drum 10 may be used.

  The developing device 61 develops a latent image using a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a nonmagnetic toner. A stirrer 66 that transports the two-component developer accommodated in the interior while stirring and supplies the developer sleeve 65 to the developing sleeve 65, and transfers toner from the two-component developer attached to the developing sleeve 65 to the photosensitive drum 10. And a developing unit 67.

  The stirring unit 66 is provided at a position lower than the developing unit 67, and is provided on two conveying screws 68 arranged in parallel to each other, a partition plate provided between the conveying screws 68, and the bottom surface of the developing case 70. The toner density sensor 71 is provided.

  The developing unit 67 includes a developing sleeve 65 that faces the photosensitive drum 10 through the opening of the developing case 70, a magnet roller 72 that is non-rotatably provided therein, a doctor blade 73 that approaches the developing sleeve 65, and the like. doing. The distance at the closest portion between the doctor blade 73 and the developing sleeve 65 is set to about 500 [μm]. The developing sleeve 65 has a non-magnetic rotatable sleeve shape. In addition, the magnet roller 72 that is prevented from being rotated around the developing sleeve 65 has, for example, five magnetic poles N1, S1, N2, S2, and S3 in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve 65 from the position of the doctor blade 73. ing. Each of these magnetic poles applies a magnetic force to the two-component developer on the sleeve at a predetermined position in the rotation direction. As a result, the two-component developer sent from the stirring unit 66 is attracted and carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 65, and a magnetic brush is formed along the magnetic field lines on the sleeve surface.

  The magnetic brush is regulated to an appropriate layer thickness when passing through the position facing the doctor blade 73 as the developing sleeve 65 rotates, and then conveyed to the developing region facing the photosensitive drum 10. Then, due to the potential difference between the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 65 and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10, it is transferred onto the electrostatic latent image and contributes to development. Further, as the developing sleeve 65 rotates, the developing sleeve 65 returns to the developing portion 67 again, and after being separated from the sleeve surface due to the influence of the repulsive magnetic field between the magnetic poles of the magnet roller 72, the developing sleeve 65 is returned to the stirring portion 66. In the stirring unit 66, an appropriate amount of toner is supplied to the two-component developer based on the detection result by the toner density sensor 71. The developing device 61 may employ a one-component developer that does not include a magnetic carrier, instead of the one that uses a two-component developer.

  As the photosensitive drum cleaning device 63, a system in which a polyurethane rubber cleaning blade 75 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10 is used, but another system may be used. In order to improve the cleaning property, this example employs a cleaning device having a contact conductive fur brush 76 whose outer peripheral surface is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure. A metal electric field roller 77 for applying a bias to the fur brush 76 is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the tip of the scraper 78 is pressed against the electric field roller 77. The toner removed from the electric field roller 77 by the scraper 78 falls on the collecting screw 79 and is collected.

  The photosensitive drum cleaning device 63 having such a configuration removes residual toner on the photosensitive drum 10 with a fur brush 76 that rotates in the counter direction with respect to the photosensitive drum 10. The toner adhering to the fur brush 76 is removed by the electric field roller 77 to which a bias that rotates in contact with the fur brush 76 in the counter direction is applied. The toner adhering to the electric field roller 77 is cleaned by the scraper 78. The toner collected by the photosensitive drum cleaning device 63 is brought to one side of the photosensitive drum cleaning device 63 by the collecting screw 79 and returned to the developing device 61 by the toner recycling device 80 for reuse.

  The static eliminator 64 includes a static elimination lamp or the like, and removes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 10 by irradiating light. The surface of the photosensitive drum 10 that has been neutralized in this way is uniformly charged by the charging device 160 and then subjected to an optical writing process.

  In this manner, each image forming unit 18 (black image forming unit, yellow image forming unit, magenta image forming unit, and cyan image forming unit) in the tandem type image forming unit 120 is respectively the photosensitive drum 10 ( A black photosensitive drum 10K, a yellow photosensitive drum 10Y, a magenta photosensitive drum 10M, and a cyan photosensitive drum 10C), a charging device 160 for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 10, and each color image information. The exposure device that exposes the surface of each photoconductor drum 10 with exposure light L to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color image on each photoconductor drum 10, and converts the electrostatic latent image into each color toner. (Black toner, yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner) A developing device 61 for forming an image, a transfer roller 62 for transferring the toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 50, a photosensitive drum cleaning device 63, and a charge eliminating device 64. Each monochrome image (black image, yellow image, magenta image, and cyan image) can be formed based on the information.

  The black image, yellow image, magenta image, and cyan image formed in this way are formed on the black photosensitive drum 10K on the intermediate transfer belt 50 that is rotated by the support roller 14, the support roller 15, and the support roller 16, respectively. The transferred black image, the yellow image formed on the yellow photoconductor drum 10Y, the magenta image formed on the magenta photoconductor drum 10M, and the cyan image formed on the cyan photoconductor drum 10C are sequentially transferred. (Primary transfer).

  Then, a black image, a yellow image, a magenta image, and a cyan image are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 50 to form a composite color image (color transfer image).

  On the other hand, in the paper feed table 200, one of the paper feed rollers 142 is selectively rotated to feed out the recording medium S from one of the paper feed cassettes 144 provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 143, and one sheet is fed by the separation roller 145. The paper is separated and sent to the paper feed path 146, transported by the transport roller 147, guided to the paper feed path 148 in the copying machine main body 150, abutted against the registration roller 49, and stopped. Alternatively, the recording roller S is rotated to feed the recording medium S on the manual feed tray 54, separated one by one by the separation roller 52, put into the manual feed path 53, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped.

  The registration roller 49 is generally used while being grounded, but may be used in a state in which a bias is applied to remove paper dust from the recording medium S.

  Then, the registration roller 49 is rotated in time with the synthesized color image (color transfer image) synthesized on the intermediate transfer belt 50, and the recording medium S is sent between the intermediate transfer belt 50 and the secondary transfer device 22. Then, the secondary color transfer device 22 transfers the composite color image (color transfer image) onto the recording medium S (secondary transfer), whereby the color image is transferred and formed on the recording medium S. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 50 after image transfer is cleaned by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 17.

  The recording medium S on which the color image has been transferred is transported by the secondary transfer device 22 and sent to the fixing device 25, where the combined color image (color transfer image) is generated by heat and pressure. Is fixed on the recording medium S.

  Thereafter, the recording medium S is switched by the switching claw 55 and discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 57. Alternatively, the recording medium S is switched by the switching claw 55 and reversed by the reversing device 28 and led again to the transfer position. After the image is also recorded on the back surface, the image is discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the discharge tray 57.

<Toner>
The toner used in this embodiment contains at least a resin, a colorant, and a capsule, and further contains other components as necessary.

  The resin contains at least a thermoplastic elastomer, and further contains other components as necessary. The capsule is a capsule that contains a plasticizer that softens the thermoplastic elastomer and is broken by a predetermined pressure.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus using toner, generally, a toner is fixed to a recording medium S such as paper by applying pressure while heating the toner at a temperature higher than a temperature at which the toner is softened at a nip portion of the fixing device. The heating temperature is generally 120 [° C.] to 160 [° C.]. The power consumption required for heating in this fixing method occupies most of the power consumption of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, if the toner can be fixed on the recording medium S such as paper at a heating temperature close to room temperature (the toner temperature is approximately 40 [° C.] to 50 [° C.]), the power consumption is 50 [[mu]] compared to the conventional image forming apparatus. %] Or more.

  On the other hand, toner spent and toner filming occur when the toner temperature rises due to frictional heat caused by friction between toners or between toner and machinery in the image forming apparatus, and the toner softens. The temperature rise of the toner due to the frictional heat is considered to be about 50 [° C.], although it varies depending on the printing speed.

  When the fixing temperature is brought close to room temperature in order to greatly reduce power consumption, the fixing temperature and the temperature due to the frictional heat of the toner in the image forming apparatus overlap, and conventional toners are fixed at room temperature (low temperature fixing; for example, , 60 [° C.] or less), and toner spent prevention and toner filming prevention cannot be achieved at the same time.

  Therefore, the inventors of the present invention give two physical stimuli to the toner, and devise the toner so that the toner softens only after the two physical stimuli exceed a certain threshold value. In other words, the inventors have arrived at fixing near normal temperature, preventing toner spent and preventing toner filming. The two physical stimuli are heat and the other is pressure.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the toner state of this embodiment when heat and pressure are applied as physical stimuli. As shown in FIG. 5, when the stimulus 1 is heat (temperature) and the stimulus 2 is pressure (pressurizing force), the heating temperature is within the threshold (stimulus 2, pressurizing force 1) applied to the toner in the developing device. However, for example, even when the temperature reaches 50 [° C.], the toner is not softened to the extent that toner spent and toner filming occur. On the other hand, if the heating temperature is 50 [° C.] and the pressure applied to the toner at the nip portion of the fixing device (stimulus 2, applied pressure 2) exceeds the threshold value, the toner is necessary for fixing at the nip portion of the fixing device. Softens to a certain extent. In this way, even if the nip portion of the developing device and the fixing device are at the same temperature, if the toner can be devised only by the pressure that is another physical stimulus so that the toner is softened only at the nip portion of the fixing device, Fixing (low temperature fixing), toner spent prevention and toner filming prevention can both be achieved.

  Therefore, the inventors of the present invention set the threshold value as a threshold value for the pressure at the nip portion of the fixing device, which is used to destroy the capsule that is dispersed in the toner and encapsulates the plasticizer that softens the resin. I thought. In the nip portion of the fixing device, when a pressure exceeding the threshold is applied to the capsule containing the plasticizer that softens the resin, the capsule is broken, and the plasticizer leaking from the capsule penetrates and diffuses into the toner. The resin is softened. Conventionally, the resin in the toner is softened by heat, whereas this technical idea is that the capsule containing the plasticizer contained in the toner is broken by pressure and the resin is softened by the plasticizer. In this respect, the way of thinking is significantly different from the conventional one.

  However, there is a new problem when the binder resin and the plasticizer encapsulated in the capsule are simply contained in the toner and the toner is softened by the plasticizer. It is as follows.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing a change in the state of the toner from the fixing step to the paper discharge when the plasticizer contained in the capsule is added to the toner. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, in the nip portion of the fixing device, after the toner is softened and deformed by the pressing means of the nip portion of the fixing device within 0.1 seconds, the printing paper is printed in about 0.3 seconds. (Recording medium S) passes through the paper discharge means in the apparatus. The toner needs to be cured to some extent when it passes through the paper discharge means. This is because the softened toner adheres to the paper discharge means. However, normally, a toner softened with a plasticizer maintains a softened state and does not cure unless the plasticizer is removed. For this reason, the softened toner adheres to the paper discharge means, which may cause paper jam and image peeling, and the reliability of the apparatus may deteriorate.

  Therefore, the inventors of the present application have come to think that a thermoplastic elastomer is contained in a resin to soften the thermoplastic elastomer.

  FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C show states of the thermoplastic elastomer and the plasticizer in the toner. FIG. 7A is a conceptual diagram showing the state of the thermoplastic elastomer and the plasticizer in the toner when the toner is stored. FIG. 7B is a conceptual diagram showing the state of the thermoplastic elastomer and the plasticizer in the toner at the time of fixing. FIG. 7C is a conceptual diagram showing the state of the thermoplastic elastomer and the plasticizer in the toner at the time of paper discharge.

  The thermoplastic elastomer in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C is a block copolymer having a hard hard segment and a soft segment exhibiting rubber-like elasticity. Thermoplastic elastomers have no fluidity because the hard segments form physical crosslinks by intermolecular forces, and exhibit rubber-like properties due to the elasticity of the soft segments.

  The plasticizer in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C is solid at room temperature and has plasticity with respect to at least the hard segment of the thermoplastic elastomer.

  Here, physical cross-linking means a state in which hard segments are gathered together by intermolecular force to restrain molecular motion.

  When the toner is stored, as shown in FIG. 7A, the thermoplastic elastomer in the toner is elastically deformed, but is not fluid and is not plastically deformed due to physical crosslinking by the hard segment. Also, the capsule is not broken and there is no leakage of plasticizer. The same applies to the developing device.

  At the time of fixing, the toner is heated and a pressure exceeding a threshold value is applied. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the capsule is broken and the plasticizer leaks out, and the physical crosslinking between the hard segments of the thermoplastic elastomer is disrupted by the softening action of the leaked plasticizer, and the thermoplastic elastomer is Softens at once. As a result, the toner softens.

  Ordinary thermoplastic resins interact with each other by intermolecular forces throughout the resin molecules, and in order to relax the interaction, more plasticizer is required and the softening response is slow.

  On the other hand, a thermoplastic elastomer forms a physical crosslink only with a hard segment, and a soft segment is originally in a soft state. Therefore, the plasticizer only needs to loosen the physical cross-linking only in the hard segment portion. Therefore, when a thermoplastic elastomer is used, the plasticizer concentration can be reduced and the softening response can be accelerated.

  For this reason, a fixing method that ensures a response time as in this embodiment can be fixed even with a thermoplastic resin, but the use of a thermoplastic elastomer is more suitable for ensuring more stable softening and fixing. .

  The toner softened at the nip portion of the fixing device is naturally cooled when discharged. At that time, as shown in FIG. 7C, the plasticizer that is solid at normal temperature in the toner loses fluidity and deviates from the hard segment. As a result, the plasticizer and the thermoplastic elastomer are phase-separated. Due to this phenomenon, the softened plastic elastomer forms a physical crosslink and the toner is cured again.

  The inventors of the present invention are characterized in that, unlike ordinary thermoplastic resins, thermoplastic elastomers have the property that hard segments tend to form physical crosslinks. As the plasticizer solidifies, the hard segments are regenerated. It has been found that it is easy to bond and that curing is accelerated over common resins.

  Moreover, when a plasticizer is solid at normal temperature, there exists an advantage which becomes the hardness of the resin before containing a plasticizer, or the hardness beyond it.

<Resin>
The resin includes at least a thermoplastic elastomer, and further includes other resins as necessary.

<Thermoplastic elastomer>
A thermoplastic elastomer is a resin that behaves as a rubber elastic body at room temperature and undergoes plastic deformation as the temperature rises. Here, the normal temperature is a temperature achieved without heating or cooling, and is preferably 5 [° C.] to 35 [° C.] as defined in JIS Z8703.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a thermoplastic elastomer, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, It is preferable to have a hard segment and a soft segment.

  As a thermoplastic elastomer, the block copolymer which has a hard segment and a soft segment is preferable, and an ABA triblock copolymer (However, A represents a hard segment and B represents a soft segment. ) Is more preferable.

  Here, the hard segment means a molecular motion constraining component that prevents plastic deformation corresponding to the crosslinking point of the vulcanized rubber, and the soft segment means a flexible component that exhibits rubber elasticity.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a hard segment in a thermoplastic elastomer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester (for example, polyethylene terephthalate etc.), polyacrylate, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyamide, poly Examples include vinyl chloride.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a soft segment in a thermoplastic elastomer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, polybutadiene, hydrogenated polybutadiene, hydrogenated polyisoprene, polyether, polyester, polyalkyl acrylate, polyvinyl acetate, etc. Is mentioned.

  Polyester and polyvinyl chloride can be either a hard segment or a soft segment depending on their specific composition.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as mass ratio of a hard segment and a soft segment, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Hard segment: Soft segment has preferable 1: 9-6: 4. When the mass ratio is lower than 1: 9, the hard segment may always become sticky, and when the mass ratio is higher than 6: 4, the hard segment becomes too hard and is fixed. Necessary softening may not be ensured.

  Specific examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include, for example, SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) in which the hard segment is polystyrene and the soft segment is polybutadiene, and SEBS (styrene-water) in which the hard segment is polystyrene and the soft segment is hydrogenated polybutadiene. Butadiene-styrene), SEPS (styrene-isoprene-styrene) in which the hard segment is polystyrene and the soft segment is polyisoprene, TPU (polyurethane-polyether-polyurethane) in which the hard segment is polyurethane and the soft segment is polyether, hard EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate-ethylene) with a polyethylene segment and a soft segment with polyvinyl acetate, and a soft segment with polyvinyl chloride. Segment and TPVC polyvinyl chloride.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of a thermoplastic elastomer, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 50 [mass%]-95 [mass%] are preferred to resin, and 50 [mass%]- 80 [mass%] is more preferable. When the content is less than 50 [mass%], the toner layer after fixing may be tacky, and blocking may occur when the recording medium S such as printing paper is overlaid. ], The resin is not easily entangled with the pulp fiber of the printing paper during fixing, anchoring to the paper becomes weak, and fixing failure may occur. When the content is within the preferable range, it is advantageous in that an image can be formed without causing blocking and fixing failure.

<Other resins>
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as another resin, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Resin softened with the said plasticizer is preferable. When the other resin is softened by the plasticizer, the resin is easily entangled with the pulp fiber of the printing paper, anchoring to the paper is strengthened, and the fixing property is excellent.

  Moreover, as said other resin, resin with good compatibility with a thermoplastic elastomer is preferable. Examples of the resin having good compatibility with the thermoplastic elastomer include a resin having a structure similar to the hard segment when the thermoplastic elastomer has a hard segment and a soft segment.

  Examples of the other resins include polymers composed of one or more of styrene monomers, acrylic monomers, methacrylic monomers, etc .; polyester resins, polyol resins, polyurethane resins, furan resins, Examples thereof include epoxy resins, xylene resins, terpene resins, coumarone indene resins, polycarbonate resins, and petroleum resins.

  Examples of the polymer include polystyrene and polybutyl acrylate.

  Moreover, modified polyester resin is mentioned as said other resin. The modified polyester resin includes a functional group contained in a monomer unit of acid or alcohol and a bonding group other than an ester bond in the resin, or a resin component having a different configuration in the resin is a covalent bond or an ionic bond. A polyester resin that is bonded.

  Examples of the modified polyester resin include those obtained by reacting an active hydrogen group-containing compound with a polyester resin having a functional group capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group of the compound to cause the polyester resin to undergo an extension reaction, a crosslinking reaction, or the like (urea Modified polyester resin, urethane-modified polyester resin, etc.).

  Examples of the active hydrogen group-containing compound include amines. Examples of the amines include diamines, trivalent or higher polyamines, amino alcohols, amino mercaptans, amino acids, and those obtained by blocking these amino groups. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

<Colorant>
The colorant is not particularly limited, and known dyes and pigments can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, carbon black, nigrosine dye, iron black, naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, ocher, yellow lead, titanium yellow, polyazo yellow, oil yellow, Hansa yellow (GR, A, RN, R), pigment yellow L, benzidine yellow (G, GR) , Permanent Yellow (NCG), Vulcan Fast Yellow (5G, R), Tartrazine Lake, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Anthrazan Yellow BGL, Isoindolinone Yellow, Bengala, Red Tan, Lead Zhu, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Mercury Red, Antimony Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, Para Red Fayce Red, Parachlor Ortho Nitroaniline Red, Risor Fast Scarlet G, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmine BS, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Risor Rubin GX, Permanent Red F5R, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Pogment Scarlet 3B, Bordeaux 5B, Toluidine Maroon, Permanent Bordeaux F2K, Helio Bordeaux BL, Bordeaux 10B, Bon Maroon Light, Bon Maroon Medium, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B , Rhodamine lake Y, alizarin lake, thioindigo red B, thioindigo maroon, oil , Quinacridone red, pyrazolone red, polyazo red, chrome vermilion, benzidine orange, perinone orange, oil orange, cobalt blue, cerulean blue, alkaline blue rake, peacock blue rake, Victoria blue rake, metal free phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine blue, fast Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue (RS, BC), Indigo, Ultramarine, Bitumen, Anthraquinone Blue, Fast Violet B, Methyl Violet Lake, Cobalt Purple, Manganese Purple, Dioxane Violet, Anthraquinone Violet, Chrome Green, Zinc Green, Chrome Oxide , Pyridian, emerald green, pigment green B, naphthol green B, green gold, acid gree Nlake, Malachite Green Lake, Phthalocyanine Green, Anthraquinone Green, Titanium Oxide, Zinc Hana, Litobon and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  The colorant can also be used as a master batch combined with a resin. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as resin kneaded with the said masterbatch, According to the objective, it can select suitably.

<Capsule>
The capsule contains a plasticizer that softens the thermoplastic elastomer. The capsule is a capsule that is broken by a predetermined pressure. The predetermined pressure is not particularly limited as long as it is a pressure at the time of fixing, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, it is preferably over 0.5 [MPa]. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an upper limit of the said pressure, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 3 [MPa] or less is preferable and 1 [MPa] or less is more preferable. The predetermined pressure is a set pressure at the nip portion of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus.

  As the difference between the pressure at the nip portion of the fixing device (nip pressure) and the pressure applied to the toner in the machine such as the developing device increases, the durability of the toner increases. However, if the pressure at the nip portion of the fixing device is excessively high (for example, 5 [MPa] or more), it is necessary to make the mechanical structure of the nip portion of the fixing device robust, and the nip portion of the fixing device becomes large and heavy. End up. Considering the size and weight of the nip portion of the fixing device when assuming desktop type and floor type copying machines and printers used in general offices, the pressure applied to the nip portion of the fixing device is usually 5 [MPa] or less, preferably 1 [MPa] or less. On the other hand, the pressure in the case where friction is generated in the toner in the image forming apparatus is estimated to be 0.3 [MPa] or less. Therefore, the capsule is preferably not broken at about 0.3 [MPa] but broken at a pressure of 1 [MPa] or less.

  The capsule has a shell (outer shell). The particle size of the capsule and the thickness of the shell have a great influence on the breaking strength of the capsule. The inventors of the present application have found that when the shell is a resin member, the ratio of the capsule particle diameter to the shell thickness affects the capsule destruction when the capsule particle diameter is 1 mm or less. It was. When the pressure required for breaking the capsule at the nip portion of the fixing device is about 1 [MPa], the ratio of the capsule particle size to the shell thickness (capsule particle size: shell thickness) is 20: 1 to 5 : 1 is preferred.

  The lower limit of the capsule particle size affects the strength limit of the shell thickness. When the capsule shell thickness is on the order of several molecular chains, the strength of the capsule cannot be maintained, and assuming that the distance between molecular chains is about 0.3 [nm], it is considered that 10 or more molecular chains are necessary. Then, the particle diameter of the capsule for breaking the capsule at a pressure of 1 [MPa] is preferably 60 [nm] or more from the relationship with the ratio of the thickness of the shell.

  The upper limit of the particle size of the capsule influences the concentration of the plasticizer with respect to the thermoplastic elastomer in the toner necessary for fixing and the permeability of the plasticizer into the resin after the capsule is broken.

  The content of the plasticizer is preferably 5 to 30 parts by mass, and more preferably 10 to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic elastomer. When the capsule shell is thin, the mass of the capsule and the mass of the plasticizer can be regarded as the same.

  The pressing time at the nip portion of the nip portion of the fixing device varies depending on the printing speed and the pressing nip width, but is about 10 [ms] to 40 [ms] in one conventional nip configuration.

  In order to soften the toner in this short time, it is necessary that the plasticizer uniformly diffuses into the resin after capsule destruction. Therefore, if the capsules inside the resin in the toner are too far apart, the plasticizer cannot completely penetrate into the resin, and the toner is not sufficiently softened, resulting in poor fixing.

The penetration of the plasticizer into the resin is determined by a diffusion coefficient. When the diffusion coefficient is approximately 1 × 10 ⁻¹² to 1 × 10 ⁻¹³ , the nip time is in the range of 10 [ms] to 40 [ms]. The distance that can penetrate inside is about 100 [nm] to 300 [nm]. That is, it is preferable to disperse the plasticizer capsules in the toner resin so as to have a distance of 100 [nm] to 300 [nm].

  From the above, in order for the plasticizer to have a distance of 100 [nm] to 300 [nm] in the range of 10 to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic elastomer. The upper limit of the particle diameter of the capsule is 400 [nm]. That is, the particle size of the capsule is preferably 60 [nm] to 400 [nm].

  However, this is a case where the capsule is uniformly dispersed in the toner, and in order to pressurize the toner more reliably in the softened state, the fixing configuration of the present embodiment that secures the time of permeation diffusion is preferable, and the selection range of toner preparation and plasticizer Has the effect of allowing the selection of inexpensive materials.

  The capsule particle size can be determined, for example, by observing with a TEM (transmission electron microscope) or SEM (scanning electron microscope) and calculating the average value. Moreover, the liquid which disperse | distributed the capsule can be measured by the dynamic light-scattering method using the thick type particle size analyzer FPAR-1000 (made by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.).

  The shell (outer shell) of the capsule is not particularly limited as long as it is a shell that is broken by the predetermined pressure, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

  Examples of the material of the shell include inorganic substances and resins. Examples of the resin include PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), melamine resin, polyamide resin, polyethylene resin, nylon resin, acrylic resin, and the like. Further, it is preferable that the shell does not dissolve in the solvent used when the toner is manufactured.

<Plasticizer>
The plasticizer is not particularly limited as long as it is a plasticizer that softens the thermoplastic elastomer, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The plasticizer is preferably a plasticizer that is compatible with the hard segment of the thermoplastic elastomer.

Here, “showing compatibility” is a state where the contact surface swells or develops adhesiveness in a state where the plasticizer in a liquid state and the thermoplastic elastomer are in contact with each other, or 100 masses of the thermoplastic elastomer. When 30 parts by mass of the plasticizer is kneaded with respect to parts, the storage elastic modulus is 1 × 10 ⁴ [Pa] or less.

  The plasticizer is preferably a plasticizer that is solid at room temperature. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as melting | fusing point of a plasticizer, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 30 [degreeC] -60 [degreeC] is preferable. When the melting point is within the preferred range, the amount of heat required for melting is reduced, which is advantageous in terms of energy saving.

  Specific examples of the plasticizer include n-alkanes, dialkyl dibasic acids, fatty acid dialkoxyalkyls, fatty acid dialkoxyalkoxyalkyls, long-chain organic acids, dicyclohexyl phthalate, and 4-butoxyphthalonitrile. Chlorinated paraffin, triphenyl phosphate, and the like.

  These plasticizers may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Also preferred is a plasticizer that mixes a plasticizer that is liquid at room temperature and a solid plasticizer to form a basto form at room temperature.

  Examples of the n-alkanes that are liquid at room temperature include n-decane, n-dodecane, n-tridecane, and n-tetradecane.

  Examples of the n-alkanes that are solid at room temperature include n-octadecane, n-heptadecane, n-nonadecane, and paraffin having a melting point of 40 [° C.] to 50 [° C.].

  Examples of the dibasic dialkyls that are liquid at room temperature include diethyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, dimethyl sebacate, and dioctyl phthalate.

  Examples of the fatty acid dialkoxyalkyls that are liquid at room temperature include diethoxyethyl succinate, diethoxyethyl adipate, dimethoxyethyl adipate, and the like.

  Examples of the fatty acid dialkoxyalkoxyalkyls that are liquid at room temperature include diethoxyethoxyethyl succinate, diethoxyethoxyethyl adipate, and the like.

  Examples of the long-chain organic acid that is solid at room temperature include lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and mixtures thereof.

  The n-alkanes are suitable for EVA plasticizer as the thermoplastic elastomer because the structure is similar to the hard segment ethylene.

  The dibasic acid dialkyls, the fatty acid dialkoxyalkyls, the fatty acid dialkoxyalkoxyalkyls, the long-chain organic acid, the dicyclohexyl phthalate, the 4-butoxyphthalonitrile, the chlorinated paraffin, and the triphosphate Phenyl is suitable as a plasticizer for thermoplastic elastomers such as SBS, SEBS, and SEPB, where the hard segment is styrene.

  By using a plasticizer that is solid at room temperature as the plasticizer, there is an effect that the strength of the capsule can be increased.

  In general, a capsule formed of a shell having flexibility such as a resin is highly resistant to breakage, and in the case of a member having compressibility such as gas, a high pressure of about 20 [MPa] is applied. But it cannot be destroyed.

  However, if the inside is filled with liquid and is incompressible, as the capsule is deformed by pressurization, the internal pressure rises at once, and the force to push the liquid from the inside of the capsule works, and the pressure is 1 PMa or less Can easily break the capsule. Thus, the capsule which confine | sealed the liquid is easy to be destroyed by comparatively weak pressure.

  On the other hand, if the inside of the capsule is solid, the internal pressure does not increase to suppress deformation due to pressurization, and the capsule is difficult to break. That is, in the image forming apparatus machine, under the temperature condition lower than the melting point of the solid plasticizer in the developing device or the like, even if the toner is pressurized, the encapsulating plasticizer capsule can be prevented and the storage stability can be increased. it can.

  As above-mentioned, 5-30 mass parts is preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of thermoplastic elastomers, and, as for content of a plasticizer, 10 mass parts-20 mass parts are more preferable.

<Method for producing capsule>
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a manufacturing method of a capsule, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, it can manufacture by what is called a generally known microcapsule manufacturing method. Examples of the microcapsule production method include a method of forming a shell at the interface between two phases in an emulsion system of an oil phase and an aqueous phase, such as an interfacial polymerization method and an in-situ polymerization method; a submerged drying method, a coacervation method, and the like A method of forming a shell by using evaporation and aggregation in an emulsion of an oil phase and an aqueous phase as in the above; a method of forming a shell by a photocurable resin, a thermosetting resin, etc .; a direct continuous phase using a microchannel And a method of pouring the dispersed phase into fine particles.

<Other ingredients>
Examples of other components include inorganic fine particles, magnetic materials, charge control agents, external additives, fluidity improvers, cleaning improvers, metal soaps, and the like.

<Inorganic fine particles>
Examples of inorganic fine particles include silica, alumina titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, oxidation Examples thereof include chromium, cerium oxide, pengala, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. In addition, it is preferable to subject these surfaces to a hydrophobizing treatment because the dispersibility in the binder resin is improved.

  By the presence of inorganic fine particles having appropriate characteristics inside the toner, fine dispersion of the binder resin, the colorant, and the wax, which are toner components, can be achieved. This is because, due to the presence of the inorganic fine particles, a mixing share due to the filler effect is applied to these toner components, and uniform mixing is possible.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an average primary particle diameter (henceforth an average particle diameter) of inorganic fine particles, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 10 [nm]-1000 [nm] are preferable, 50 [nm] ] To 600 [nm] are more preferable. When the average primary particle size is less than 10 [nm], the inorganic fine particles are likely to aggregate, and the volume specific resistance value of the toner may be lowered and the dispersion of the toner component may be deteriorated. On the other hand, when the average primary particle size exceeds 1000 [nm], the dispersion effect due to the filler effect may not be obtained. The inorganic fine particles can also be used as an external additive.

<Magnetic material>
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a magnetic body, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, iron oxide containing magnetic iron oxides, such as a magnetite, a maghemite, a ferrite, and another metal oxide; Iron, cobalt Metals such as nickel, or these metals and metals such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, lead, magnesium, tin, zinc, antimony, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, manganese, selenium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium Alloys; and mixtures thereof.

Specific examples of the magnetic material include, for example, Fe ₃ O ₄ , γ-Fe ₂ O ₃ , ZnFe ₂ O ₄ , Y ₃ Fe ₅ O ₁₂ , CdFe ₂ O ₄ , Gd ₃ Fe ₅ O ₁₂ , CuFe ₂ O _4. , PbFe ₁₂ O, NiFe ₂ O ₄ , NdFe ₂ O, BaFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ , MgFe ₂ O ₄ , MnFe ₂ O ₄ , LaFeO ₃ , iron powder, cobalt powder, nickel powder and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may be used in combination of 2 or more type. Among these, fine powders of Fe ₃ O ₄ and γ-Fe ₂ O ₃ are particularly preferable.

  Further, magnetic iron oxides such as magnetite, maghemite, and ferrite containing different elements, or a mixture thereof can be used.

  Examples of different elements include lithium, beryllium, boron, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, germanium, zirconium, tin, sulfur, calcium, scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, and gallium. Etc. Among these, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, and zirconium are preferable.

  The foreign element may be incorporated into the iron oxide crystal lattice, may be incorporated into the iron oxide as an oxide, or may be present on the surface as an oxide or hydroxide. It is preferably contained as an oxide.

  The different elements can be incorporated into the particles by mixing the salts of the different elements at the time of producing the magnetic substance and adjusting the pH. Moreover, it can precipitate on the particle | grain surface by adjusting pH after magnetic body particle | grain production | generation, or adding salt of each element and adjusting pH.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of a magnetic body, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 10 mass parts-200 mass parts of magnetic bodies are preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of said binder resins, 20 masses. Part to 150 parts by mass is more preferable.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a number average particle diameter of a magnetic body, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.1 [micrometers]-2 [micrometers] are preferable, 0.1 [micrometers] -0. 5 [μm] is more preferable.

  The number average diameter can be obtained by measuring a photograph taken with a transmission electron microscope with a digitizer or the like.

  The magnetic properties of the magnetic material are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, the magnetic properties at 10 K oersted application are coercive force 20 oersted to 150 oersted and saturation magnetization 50 [emu / g], respectively. ] To 200 [emu / g] and residual magnetization of 2 [emu / g] to 20 [emu / g] are preferable. The magnetic material can also be used as a colorant.

<Charge control agent>
The charge control agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a nigrosine dye, a triphenylmethane dye, a chromium-containing metal complex dye, a molybdate chelate pigment, Rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (including fluorine-modified quaternary ammonium salts), alkylamides, phosphorus simple substances or compounds, tungsten simple substances or compounds, fluorine activators, salicylic acid metal salts, salicylic acid derivatives Examples thereof include metal salts.

  A commercially available product can be used as the charge control agent. Examples of the commercially available products include Nigrosine dye Bontron 03, quaternary ammonium salt Bontron P-51, metal-containing azo dye Bontron S-34, oxynaphthoic acid metal complex E-82, and salicylic acid metal. Complex E-84, phenol-based condensate E-89 (above, Orient Chemical Industries, Ltd.); quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex TP-302, TP-415 (above, Hodogaya Chemical Industries, Ltd.); LRA-901, LR-147 which is a boron complex (manufactured by Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd.); copper phthalocyanine, perylene, quinacridone, azo pigment, other polymer systems having functional groups such as sulfonic acid group, carboxyl group, quaternary ammonium salt And the like.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of a charge control agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.1 mass part-10 mass parts are preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of said binder resins, 0 More preferably, 2 parts by mass to 5 parts by mass. When the content exceeds 10 parts by mass, the chargeability of the toner is too large, the effect of the main charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attraction force with the developing roller is increased, and the flowability of the developer is reduced. The image density may be reduced.

  The charge control agent can be dissolved and dispersed after being melt-kneaded together with the masterbatch and the binder resin, and of course, it may be added when directly dissolving or dispersing in the organic solvent. Further, after the toner base particles are prepared, they may be fixed on the surface thereof.

<External additive>
The external additive is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, silica fine particles, hydrophobized silica fine particles, fatty acid metal salts (for example, zinc stearate, aluminum stearate, etc.); Examples thereof include metal oxides (for example, titania, alumina, tin oxide, antimony oxide, etc.) or their hydrophobized products, fluoropolymers, and the like. Among these, hydrophobized silica fine particles, titania fine particles, and hydrophobized titania fine particles are preferable.

  Examples of the silica fine particles include R972, R974, RX200, RY200, R202, R805, and R812 (all manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.).

  Examples of titania fine particles include P-25 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.); STT-30, STT-65C-S (both manufactured by Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); TAF-140 (manufactured by Fuji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); Examples include MT-150W, MT-500B, MT-600B, MT-150A (all manufactured by Teika Corporation).

  Examples of hydrophobic titania fine particles include T-805 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.); STT-30A, STT-65S-S (both manufactured by Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); TAF-500T, TAF-1500T (any Also, manufactured by Fuji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); MT-100S, MT-100T (both manufactured by Teika Co., Ltd.); IT-S (produced by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.) and the like.

  The hydrophobized silica fine particles, the hydrophobized titania fine particles, and the hydrophobized alumina fine particles can be obtained by treating hydrophilic fine particles with a hydrophobizing agent (hydrophobizing treatment).

  Examples of the hydrophobizing agent include silane coupling agents such as dialkyldihalogenated silanes, trialkylhalogenated silanes, alkyltrihalogenated silanes, and hexaalkyldisilazanes, silylating agents, and silane couplings having a fluorinated alkyl group. Agents, organic titanate coupling agents, aluminum coupling agents, silicone oils, silicone varnishes and the like.

  In addition, silicone oil-treated inorganic fine particles obtained by treating silicone oil with inorganic fine particles (treating with heat as necessary) are also preferable.

  Examples of the inorganic fine particles include silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, iron oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, Examples include wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, pengala, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, parium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. Among these, silica and titanium dioxide are particularly preferable.

  Examples of the silicone oil include dimethyl silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil, chlorophenyl silicone oil, methyl hydrogen silicone oil, alkyl-modified silicone oil, fluorine-modified silicone oil, polyether-modified silicone oil, alcohol-modified silicone oil, amino acid. Modified silicone oil, epoxy modified silicone oil, epoxy / polyether modified silicone oil, phenol modified silicone oil, carboxyl modified silicone oil, mercapto modified silicone oil, acrylic or methacryl modified silicone oil, α-methylstyrene modified silicone oil, etc. .

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an average particle diameter of the primary particle of the said inorganic fine particle, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 1 [nm]-100 [nm] are preferable, and 3 [nm]-70 [nm] ] Is more preferable. When the average particle size is less than 1 [nm], the inorganic fine particles are buried in the toner and the function thereof may not be effectively exhibited. When the average particle size exceeds 100 [nm], the electrostatic latent image carrier The surface may be damaged unevenly.

  Resin fine particles can also be used as the external additive. Examples of the resin fine particles include polystyrene obtained by soap-free emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, and dispersion polymerization; copolymers of methacrylic acid esters and acrylic acid esters; condensation polymerization systems such as silicone, benzoguanamine, and nylon; thermosetting Examples thereof include polymer particles made of a resin. By using such resin fine particles together with the machine fine particles, the chargeability of the toner can be enhanced, the reversely charged toner can be reduced, and the background stain can be reduced.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said resin fine particle, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.01 [mass%]-5 [mass%] are preferable, 0.1 [mass%]- 2 [mass%] is more preferable.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said external additive, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.1 [mass%]-5 [mass%] are preferable, and 0.3 [mass%] -3 [mass%] is more preferable.

<Fluidity improver>
The fluidity improver is a material that can be surface-treated to increase hydrophobicity and prevent deterioration of flow characteristics and charging characteristics even under high humidity. For example, silane coupling agents, silylating agents And a silane coupling agent having an alkyl fluoride group, an organic titanate coupling agent, an aluminum coupling agent, silicone oil, and modified silicone oil.

<Cleaning improver>
The cleaning property improving agent is added to the toner in order to remove the developer after transfer remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier and the intermediate transfer member.

  Examples of the cleaning property improver include fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate and stearic acid; polymer fine particles produced by soap-free emulsion polymerization such as polymethyl methacrylate fine particles and polystyrene fine particles. The polymer fine particles preferably have a relatively narrow particle size distribution, and more preferably have a volume average particle size of 0.01 [μm] to 1 [μm].

Next, an example of a toner containing capsules used in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a toner containing capsules. The toner 201 includes a binder resin 202 containing a thermoplastic elastomer, a colorant 203, a capsule 204 containing a plasticizer 207, a charge control agent 205, and an external additive 206.

<Toner production method>
The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include a pulverization method, a polymerization method, a dissolution suspension method, and a spray granulation method. Among these, the dissolution suspension method is preferable.

<Crushing method>
The pulverization method is a method of obtaining toner particles by, for example, melting and kneading a toner material, pulverizing, classifying, and the like.

  In the melting and kneading of the toner material, the toner materials are mixed, and the mixture is charged in a melt kneader and melt kneaded. Examples of the melt kneader include a uniaxial continuous kneader, a biaxial continuous kneader, and a batch kneader using a roll mill. For example, KTK type twin screw extruder manufactured by Kobe Steel Co., Ltd., TEM type extruder manufactured by Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd., twin screw extruder manufactured by Casey Kay Co., Ltd., PCM type twin screw extruder manufactured by Ikegai Iron Works, Inc. A manufactured kneader or the like is preferably used. This melt-kneading is preferably performed under conditions that do not break the capsule. Examples of the conditions that do not destroy the capsule include a method in which the toner material contains a solvent that dissolves the binder resin. By doing so, the toner material can be softened.

  In pulverization, the kneaded product obtained by kneading is pulverized. In this pulverization, it is preferable that the kneaded material is first coarsely pulverized and then finely pulverized. In this case, a method of pulverizing by colliding with a collision plate in a jet stream, pulverizing particles by colliding with each other in a jet stream, or pulverizing in a narrow gap between a mechanically rotating rotor and a stator is preferably used. .

  Since the toner contains a thermoplastic elastomer, the toner may not be crushed under normal pulverization conditions. In that case, it is preferable to freeze-grind. Examples of the freeze pulverization include a method of pulverizing in a low temperature environment (for example, 0 [° C.] or lower).

  In the classification, the pulverized product obtained by the pulverization is classified and adjusted to particles having a predetermined particle diameter. The classification can be performed, for example, by removing the fine particle portion by a cyclone, a decanter, centrifugation, or the like.

  After the pulverization and classification are completed, the pulverized product is classified into an air stream by centrifugal force or the like to produce a toner having a predetermined particle size. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said particle size, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 5 [micrometers]-20 [micrometers] are mentioned.

  In the case of the pulverization method, the shape may be controlled by applying a mechanical impact force to the obtained toner base particles for the purpose of increasing the average circularity of the toner. In this case, the mechanical impact force can be applied to the toner base particles using a device such as a hybridizer or mechanofusion.

<Dissolution suspension method>
Examples of the dissolution suspension method include a step of preparing a suspension by adding a solution (oil phase) in which the binder resin is dissolved in a solvent to an aqueous medium (aqueous phase), and a suspension. And a method having a step of removing the solvent from the solvent. At this time, the additive can be dissolved or dispersed in the solvent together with the binder resin.

  In the dissolution suspension method, it is preferable to use a solvent that dissolves the binder resin but does not dissolve the shell of the capsule. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said solvent, According to the objective, it can select suitably.

<Developer>
The developer of this embodiment includes the toner of this embodiment described above. Further, the toner of the exemplary embodiment may be used as a one-component developer, or may be mixed with a carrier and used as a two-component developer. Among these, the two-component developer is preferable in terms of improving the service life when used in a high-speed printer or the like corresponding to the recent improvement in information processing speed.

  In the case of the one-component developer using the toner, even if the balance of the toner is performed, the fluctuation of the toner particle diameter is small, the filming of the toner on the developing roller, and a blade for thinning the toner The toner is not fused to the layer thickness regulating member such as the like, and good and stable developability and image can be obtained even when the developing means is used (stirred) for a long time.

  Further, in the case of the two-component developer using the toner, even if the toner balance is maintained over a long period of time, the toner particle diameter in the developer is small, and even if it is stirred for a long time in the developing means, it is good and stable. Developability is obtained.

<Career>
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said carrier, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, What has a core material and the resin layer which coat | covers a core material is preferable.

<Core>
The material for the core material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but 50 [emu / g] to 90 [emu / g] manganese-strontium (Mn—Sr) based material, Manganese-magnesium (Mn-Mg) -based materials are preferable. From the viewpoint of securing image density, iron powder (100 [emu / g] or more), magnetite (75 [emu / g] to 120 [emu / g]) A highly magnetized material such as is preferable. In addition, the copper-zinc (Cu—Zn) system (30 [emu / g] to 80 [emu / g] is advantageous in that it can weaken the hitting of the photoconductor in which the toner is in a flashing state and is advantageous in improving the image quality. g]) and the like are preferred. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a particle size of the said core material, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 10 [micrometers]-200 [micrometer] are average particle diameters (mass average particle diameter (D50)). Preferably, 40 [μm] to 100 [μm] is more preferable. When the average particle size (weight average particle size (D50)) is less than 10 [μm], in the distribution of carrier particles, the number of fine powder systems increases, the magnetization per particle decreases, and carrier scattering occurs. If the average particle size exceeds 200 [μm], the specific surface area may decrease and toner scattering may occur. In the case of a full color with many solid portions, reproduction of the solid portions may be particularly poor.

<Resin layer>
The material of the resin layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, amino resin, polyvinyl resin, polystyrene resin, halogenated olefin resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin , Polyethylene resin, polyvinyl fluoride resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, polytrifluoroethylene resin, polyhexafluoropropylene resin, copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and acrylic monomer, vinylidene fluoride and vinyl fluoride For example, fluoroterpolymers such as terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride and non-fluorinated monomers, and silicone resins. 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 silicone resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, straight silicone resin which consists only of organosilosan bonds; alkyd resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, etc. Modified silicone resins modified with A commercial item can be used as said silicone resin.

  Examples of the straight silicone resin include KR271, KR255, and KR152 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd .; SR2400, SR2406, and SR2410 manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd. Examples of the modified silicone resin include KR206 (alkyd modified), KR5208 (acrylic modified), ES1001N (epoxy modified), KR305 (urethane modified) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd .; manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd. SR2115 (epoxy modification), SR2110 (alkyd modification), and the like. The silicone resin can be used alone, but a component that undergoes a crosslinking reaction, a charge amount adjusting component, and the like can also be used at the same time.

  The resin layer may contain conductive powder or the like as necessary. Examples of the conductive powder include metal powder, carbon black, titanium oxide, tin oxide, and zinc oxide. The average particle diameter of these conductive powders is preferably 1 [μm] or less. When the average particle diameter exceeds 1 [μm], it may be difficult to control electric resistance. For example, the resin layer is prepared by dissolving the silicone resin or the like in a solvent to prepare a coating solution, and then uniformly coating the coating solution on the surface of the core material by a known coating method, followed by drying and baking. Can be formed. Examples of the coating method include a dipping method, a spray method, and a brush coating method.

  The solvent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cellosolve, and butyl acetate.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said baking method, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, an external heating system may be sufficient and an internal heating system may be sufficient. The baking apparatus is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a stationary electric furnace, a fluid electric furnace, a rotary electric furnace, a burner furnace, an apparatus equipped with a microwave, etc. Is mentioned.

  The amount of the resin layer in the carrier is preferably 0.01 [% by mass] to 5.0 [% by mass]. When the amount is less than 0.01 [mass%], the resin layer may not be formed uniformly on the surface of the core material. When the amount exceeds 5.0 [mass%], the resin In some cases, the layer becomes too thick to cause granulation of carriers, and uniform carrier particles cannot be obtained.

  In the case where the developer is a two-component developer, the content of the carrier in the developer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. [Mass%] is preferable, and 93 [mass%] to 97 [mass%] is more preferable.

<Toner container>
The toner-containing container of the present embodiment is formed by housing the toner of the present embodiment in a container. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said container containing a toner, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, the thing etc. which have a developer container main body and a cap are mentioned. There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the magnitude | size, a shape, a structure, a material, etc. as said developer container main body, According to the objective, it can select suitably. As the shape of the developer container main body, for example, the cylindrical shape is preferable, spiral irregularities are formed on the inner peripheral surface, and the toner as the contents can be transferred to the discharge port side by rotating, In addition, it is particularly preferable that part or all of the spiral part has a bellows function. The material of the developer container main body is not particularly limited, and those having good dimensional accuracy are preferable. For example, a resin is preferably used. Among them, for example, polyester resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, Preferable examples include vinyl chloride resin, polyacrylic acid, polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, and polyacetal resin. The developer-containing container is easy to store and transport and has excellent handling properties.

  The image forming method of the present embodiment includes at least an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transfer step, and a fixing step. Preferably, it includes a cleaning process, and further includes other processes appropriately selected as necessary, for example, a static elimination process, a recycling process, a control process, and the like.

  As an image forming apparatus of this embodiment, for example, a copying machine shown in FIG. 3 includes a photosensitive drum 10 as an electrostatic latent image carrier, an exposure device 21 as an electrostatic latent image forming unit, and a developing unit as a developing unit. It includes at least a device 61, a secondary transfer device 22 that is a transfer unit, and a fixing device 25 that is a fixing unit. Further, it preferably includes a photosensitive drum cleaning device 63 as a cleaning means, and further, other means appropriately selected as necessary, for example, a static elimination device 64 as a static elimination means, and a toner recycling device 80 as a recycling means. The control means includes a control device (not shown).

<Electrostatic latent image forming process>
The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier. The material, shape, structure, size, etc. of the electrostatic latent image carrier (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “photosensitive member”) are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. Examples of the material include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, and organic photoreceptors such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine. Among these, amorphous silicon is preferable in terms of long life. Examples of the shape of the electrostatic latent image carrier include a drum shape, a sheet shape, and an endless belt shape. The structure of the electrostatic latent image carrier may be a single layer structure or a laminated structure. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a magnitude | size of an electrostatic latent image carrier, According to the objective, it can select suitably, According to the magnitude | size, specification, etc. of an image forming apparatus, it can select suitably.

  As an amorphous silicon photoreceptor, for example, a support is heated to 50 [° C.] to 400 [° C.], and a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, an ion plating method, a thermal CVD method, a photo CVD method, A photoreceptor having a photoconductive layer made of a-Si can be used by a film forming method such as a plasma CVD method. Among these, a plasma CVD method, that is, a method in which a source gas is decomposed by direct current, high frequency or microwave glow discharge to form an a-Si deposited film on a support is preferable.

  The formation of the electrostatic latent image can be performed, for example, by charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and then exposing it, and can be performed by electrostatic latent image forming means. The electrostatic latent image forming means includes at least charging means for charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and exposure means for exposing the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier imagewise.

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

  The shape of the charging means may take any form such as a magnetic brush or a fur brush in addition to the roller, and can be selected according to the specifications and form of the image forming apparatus.

  When a magnetic brush is used as the charging means, the magnetic brush is, for example, a non-magnetic conductive sleeve for supporting various ferrite particles such as Zn-Cu ferrite as a charging means, and a magnet roll included therein. Consists of.

  When a fur brush is used as the charging means, for example, a fur treated with carbon, copper sulfide, metal or metal oxide is used as the fur brush material, and this is wound around a metal or other conductive cored bar. By charging or pasting, it can be used as a charging means. The charging unit is not limited to the contact type charging unit. However, it is preferable to use a contact type charging unit because an image forming apparatus in which ozone generated from the charging unit is reduced can be obtained.

<Exposure process>
The exposure step can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member imagewise using an exposure unit. The exposure means is not particularly limited as long as the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier charged by the charging means can be exposed like the image to be formed, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include various exposure means such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, and a liquid crystal shutter optical system.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a light source used for an exposure means, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a fluorescent lamp, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a sodium lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a semiconductor laser ( LD), electroluminescent materials such as electroluminescence (EL), and the like.

  In addition, various types of filters such as a sharp cut filter, a band pass filter, a near infrared cut filter, a dichroic filter, an interference filter, and a color temperature conversion filter can be used to irradiate only light in a desired wavelength range. In the present embodiment, an optical backside system that performs imagewise exposure from the backside of the electrostatic latent image carrier may be employed.

<Development process>
The development step is a step of developing a latent image by using a toner or a developer to form a visible image. As the toner, the toner of the present embodiment described above is used. As the developer, the developer containing the toner of the present embodiment is used. The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using a toner or a developer, and can be performed by a developing unit.

  The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using toner or developer, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, the toner or developer is accommodated, and the electrostatic latent image is stored. A toner having at least a developing device capable of applying toner or developer in a contact or non-contact manner is preferably used.

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

  In the developing device, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and stirred, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state, thereby forming a magnetic brush. Since the magnet roller is arranged in the vicinity of the electrostatic latent image carrier, a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is part of the electrostatic latent image carrier by the electric attractive force. Move to the surface. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner, and a visible image is formed with toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier.

  The developer accommodated in the developing means is a developer containing toner, but the developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer. As the one-component developing means, for example, a one-component developing device having a developer carrier to which toner is supplied and a layer thickness regulating member that forms a thin layer of toner on the surface of the developer carrier is preferably used.

<Transfer process>
The transfer process is not particularly limited as long as the visible image is transferred to the recording medium S, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the transfer process is performed using a transfer unit. The transfer unit may be a transfer unit that directly transfers the visible image on the electrostatic latent image carrier to the recording medium S, or the intermediate transfer member is used and the visible image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer member. Then, a secondary transfer unit that secondary-transfers the visible image onto the recording medium S may be used.

  The transfer is performed, for example, by forming a transfer electric field between the electrostatic latent image carrier and the intermediate transfer member using a transfer charger such as a transfer roller to which a transfer bias is applied from a power source. be able to. The transfer means includes a primary transfer means for forming a composite transfer image by transferring a visible image from an electrostatic latent image carrier onto an intermediate transfer body, and a first transfer means for transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium S. An embodiment having secondary transfer means is preferred.

  Here, when the image that is secondarily transferred onto the recording medium S is a color image composed of a plurality of colors of toner, the toner of each color is sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer member by the transfer means on the intermediate transfer member. An image can be formed and the image on the intermediate transfer member can be secondarily transferred onto the recording medium S at once by the intermediate transfer unit.

  The intermediate transfer member is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known transfer members according to the purpose. For example, a transfer belt is preferably used.

  The transfer means (the primary transfer means and the secondary transfer means) preferably includes at least a transfer device that peels and charges the visible image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier to the recording medium side. There may be one transfer means, or two or more transfer means. Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device.

  These transfer units are also preferably used in a tandem type image forming apparatus. The tandem type image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming elements including at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, a charging unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit. In this tandem type image forming apparatus, four image forming elements for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are mounted, and each visible image is created in parallel with the four image forming elements, and the recording medium S or intermediate transfer member Since they are superimposed on each other, a full color image can be formed at a higher speed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the tandem type image forming apparatus transports a plurality of image forming elements so as to pass through transfer positions that are opposed to the respective photosensitive drums 10 that are electrostatic latent image carriers. There is a direct transfer system in which the toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 10 are sequentially transferred to the recording medium S conveyed by the belt 3 by the transfer roller 62.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, after the toner images on the photosensitive drums 10 of the plurality of image forming elements are temporarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 50 by the transfer roller 62, the images on the intermediate transfer belt 50 are transferred to the second image. There is an indirect transfer method in which the next transfer device 22 performs batch transfer onto the recording medium S. In FIG. 10, the transfer conveyance belt 24 is used as the secondary transfer unit, but it may be in the form of a roller.

  Comparing the direct transfer method and the indirect transfer method, the direct transfer method is configured such that a sheet feeding device (not shown) is disposed upstream of the tandem-type image forming unit 120 in which the photosensitive drums 10 are arranged in the recording medium conveyance direction. A fixing device 7 as a fixing unit must be disposed on the downstream side. This increases the size of the apparatus in the conveyance direction of the recording medium S. In contrast, in the indirect transfer method, the secondary transfer position can be set relatively freely, and the paper feeding device and the fixing device 7 can be arranged so as to overlap the tandem type image forming unit 120, thereby reducing the size of the device. There is an advantage that becomes possible.

  In the direct transfer method, the fixing device 7 is arranged close to the tandem image forming unit 120 so that the apparatus does not increase in size in the conveyance direction of the recording medium S. For this reason, the fixing device 7 cannot be disposed with a sufficient margin that the recording medium S can bend, and an impact when the leading end of the recording medium S enters the fixing device 7 (particularly with a thick recording medium S). ) Or the speed difference between the conveyance speed of the recording medium S when passing through the fixing device 7 and the conveyance speed of the recording medium S by the transfer conveyance belt, the fixing device 7 tends to affect the upstream image formation. On the other hand, in the indirect transfer method, the fixing device 7 can be disposed with a sufficient margin that the recording medium S can bend, and therefore the fixing device 7 hardly affects image formation.

  In view of the above, in recent years, indirect transfer methods have attracted attention. In such a color image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 10, the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 after the primary transfer is removed by a photosensitive drum cleaning device 63 as a cleaning means, and the surface of the photosensitive drum is removed. Are prepared for re-image formation. Further, the transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 50 after the secondary transfer is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 17 to clean the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to prepare for image formation again.

  The recording medium S is typically plain paper, but is not particularly limited as long as it can transfer an unfixed image after development, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. A PET base or the like can also be used.

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

<Cleaning process>
The cleaning step is a step of removing toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a cleaning unit. In addition, it is also possible to employ a method in which the charge of the residual toner is made uniform by the rubbing member and collected by the developing roller without using the cleaning means.

  The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the electrophotographic toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from known cleaners. For example, a magnetic brush cleaner, Suitable examples include electrostatic brush cleaners, magnetic roller cleaners, blade cleaners, brush cleaners, web cleaners, and the like.

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

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

  The image forming apparatus is preferably an image forming apparatus that includes a process cartridge that integrally supports the electrostatic latent image carrier and at least the developing unit and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

<Fixing process>
The fixing process is a process of fixing the visible image transferred to the recording medium S, and may be performed every time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium S, or the toner of each color is accumulated. It may be performed at the same time in a played state.

  The fixing step can be performed by a fixing device. The fixing device is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. However, a fixing device having a fixing member and a heat source for heating the fixing member is preferable.

  The fixing member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose as long as the nip portion can be formed by contact with each other while receiving pressure.

  For example, the combination of an endless belt and a roller, the combination of a roller and a roller, etc. are mentioned. Among them, when used as a heating means, the warm-up time can be shortened, and in terms of realizing energy saving, a heating method from the surface of the fixing member by using a combination of an endless belt and a roller or induction heating is used. Is preferred.

  When the fixing member is an endless belt, the endless belt is preferably formed of a material having a small heat capacity. For example, an embodiment in which an offset prevention layer is provided on a substrate may be mentioned.

  Examples of the material for forming the base include nickel and polyimide. Examples of the material for forming the offset prevention layer include silicone rubber and fluorine-based resin.

  On the other hand, when the fixing member is a roller, the cored bar of the roller is preferably formed of an inelastic member in order to prevent deformation (deflection) due to high pressure. The inelastic member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but a high thermal conductivity material such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel, or brass is preferable.

  The surface of the roller is preferably covered with an offset prevention layer. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material which forms an offset prevention layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanization) silicone rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA), poly Tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) etc. are mentioned.

  The nip portion is formed by contacting at least two fixing member components (for example, an endless belt and a roller, and a roller and a roller).

  The surface pressure of the nip portion is not particularly limited as long as it is a surface pressure that can break the capsule contained in the toner, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably 0.3 [MPa] or more, 0.3 [MPa] to 3 [MPa] is more preferable, and 0.3 [MPa] to 1 [MPa] is particularly preferable. Since the durability of the roller needs to be increased as the surface pressure at the nip portion is increased, the fixing device 25 is increased in weight and size.

  The fixing temperature of the toner image to the recording medium S (that is, the surface temperature of the fixing member) is preferably 100 [° C.] or less, more preferably 90 [° C.] or less, and 60 [° C.] to 70 [deg.] C. from the viewpoint of energy saving. [° C.] is particularly preferable. If the fixing temperature is lower than 60 [° C.], it becomes extremely difficult to achieve both the storage stability of the toner. When a plasticizer that is solid at room temperature is used as the plasticizer, the fixing temperature is preferably the temperature at which the plasticizer contained in the capsule in the toner in the fixing step is liquefied.

  As a heating means for heating the toner image, there are a non-contact heating method and a contact heating method. In the non-contact heating method, a heating unit is configured in the conveyance path of the recording medium S. For example, a heating method using a halogen lamp, flash, or the like, or ultrasonic waves, microwaves, hot air, and the like can be mentioned, but there is no particular limitation as long as the toner temperature can be heated to the melting point of the plasticizer.

  As the contact heating method, the outer peripheral surface of a fixing member such as a roller or an endless belt is heated by a heating unit, and the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member and the toner on the recording medium S are brought into contact with each other at the nip portion. The heat is transferred to the toner to heat the toner.

  In addition, the contact heating method is largely divided into an internal heating method in which the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member is heated from the inside or inner peripheral surface side of the fixing member and an external heating method in which the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member is directly heated from the outside of the fixing member. Separated. It is also possible to use a combination of an internal heating method and an external heating method.

  Examples of the internal heating system heating means include a heat source provided inside the fixing member. Examples of the heat source include a heat source such as a heater and a halogen lamp.

  Examples of the external heating type heating means include a heat source provided at a position facing at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member that contacts the toner. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a heat source, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a halogen lamp, an electromagnetic induction heating apparatus, etc. are mentioned.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an electromagnetic induction heating apparatus, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, What has a means to generate | occur | produce a magnetic field, and a means to generate | occur | produce heat | fever by electromagnetic induction, etc. are preferable.

  As an electromagnetic induction heating device, for example, an induction coil disposed so as to be close to a heating roller as a fixing member, a shielding layer provided with the induction coil, and an induction coil of the shielding layer are provided. What consists of the insulating layer provided in the other side of the surface to which it exists is preferable. At this time, the heating roller is preferably made of a magnetic material or a heat pipe.

  The induction coil is preferably disposed in a state of wrapping at least the semi-cylindrical portion on the opposite side of the heating roller from the contact portion between the heating roller and the fixing member (for example, a pressure roller or an endless belt). .

  Here, in the conventional toner in which the fixing temperature is high in the internal heating type or external heating type fixing means, the linear velocity difference between the fixing member and the pressure roller (for example, the linear velocity between the internal heating type fixing roller and the pressure roller). If a large difference was given, the image was distorted. On the other hand, the inventors of the present application can give a large linear velocity difference without causing image disturbance by using the toner having a low fixing temperature in this embodiment, and increase the amount of heat given to the toner. The inventors have found that the toner can be fixed at a fixing temperature lower than that in the past by applying shear deformation to the toner.

[Configuration example 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device 500 showing an example of an internal heating roller type fixing unit. The fixing device 500 includes a fixing roller 501 having a heater 503 therein and a pressure roller 502.

  The fixing roller 501 is heated to a predetermined temperature by an internal heater 503. The pressure roller 502 is in contact with the outside of the fixing roller 501 and is arranged so as to be independently rotatable. Further, in the nip portion N described later, the linear speed of the fixing roller 501 is different from the linear speed of the pressure roller 502, and the linear speed of the fixing roller 501 is faster than the linear speed of the pressure roller 502. It has become.

  In the fixing device 500, first, a toner using a toner 201 containing at least a capsule 204 encapsulating a binder resin 202 and a plasticizer 207 that is solid at normal temperature that softens the binder resin 202 as shown in FIG. The recording medium S on which the image T is formed is inserted into the nip portion N into a nip portion N formed by bringing the fixing roller 501 and the pressure roller 502 into contact with each other. Then, the fixing roller 501 heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 503 and the pressure roller 502 are pressed at the nip portion N, the toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted, and the toner image T is recorded. It is fixed on the medium S.

  Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes through the nip portion N and is peeled off from the fixing roller 501 and conveyed. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 502, and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing roller 511 is prevented. Since the toner on the recording medium S adheres to the surface of the fixing roller 501, the surface of the fixing roller 501 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown).

  In this configuration example, the linear velocity of the fixing roller 501 heated by the heater 503 is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 502, so that the heat transfer rate from the fixing roller 501 to the toner 201 is high at the nip portion N. Thus, the plasticizer 207 encapsulated in the capsule 204 can be sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature, and good fixability can be obtained.

[Configuration example 2]
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal heating roller type fixing device 510 provided with an oil application device 514. The fixing device 510 includes a fixing roller 511, a pressure roller 512, and an oil application device 514. In this configuration example, oil as a lubricant is applied to the surface of the fixing roller 511, and an oil application device 514 that is a lubricant application unit is provided at a predetermined position of the fixing device 510.

  In the oil application device 514, the oil in the oil tank 518 is drawn up to the oil application roller 515 by the roller 516, the oil film thickness control blade 517 controls the oil film thickness on the oil application roller 515, and then the oil application roller Oil is applied to the surface of the fixing roller 511 by 515.

  The fixing roller 511 is heated to a predetermined temperature by an internal heater 513. The pressure roller 512 is in contact with the outside of the fixing roller 511, and is arranged so as to be independently rotatable. Further, in a nip portion N described later, the linear speed of the fixing roller 511 and the linear speed of the pressure roller 512 are different, and the linear speed of the fixing roller 511 is faster than the linear speed of the pressure roller 512. It has become.

  In the fixing device 510, first, a toner using a toner 201 containing at least a capsule 204 encapsulating a binder resin 202 and a solid plasticizer 207 that softens the binder resin 202 as shown in FIG. The recording medium S on which the image T is formed is inserted into the nip portion N into the nip portion N formed by bringing the fixing roller 511 and the pressure roller 512 into contact with each other. The fixing roller 511 heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 513 and the pressure roller 512 are pressed at the nip portion N, and the toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted, and the toner image T It is fixed on the recording medium S.

  Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes through the nip portion N and is peeled off from the fixing roller 511 and conveyed. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 512, and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing roller 511 is prevented. Since the toner on the recording medium S adheres to the surface of the fixing roller 511, the surface of the fixing roller 511 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown).

  In this configuration example, the linear velocity of the fixing roller 511 heated by the heater 513 is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 512, so that the heat transfer rate from the fixing roller 511 to the toner 201 is high at the nip portion N. Thus, the plasticizer 207 encapsulated in the capsule 204 can be sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature, and good fixability can be obtained.

  In addition, by applying oil to the surface of the fixing roller 511 by the oil application device 514, it is possible to make it difficult to cause image disturbance at the nip portion N with respect to the toner image on the recording medium S. Further, even when image disturbance occurs, it is possible to suppress the toner from being offset and adhering from the recording medium S to the fixing roller 511 side.

[Configuration example 3]
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device 520 showing an example of an internal heating belt type fixing unit. In the internal heating belt type fixing device as in this configuration example, the toner image T can be fixed on the recording medium S in the same manner as in the internal heating roller type fixing device as described in the configuration example 1 and the like. Become.

  The fixing device 520 shown in FIG. 12 includes a heating roller 521, a fixing roller 522, a fixing belt 523, and a pressure roller 524. A heater 525 for heating the heating roller is built in the heating roller 521. The fixing belt 523 is stretched by a heating roller 521 and a fixing roller 522 that are rotatably arranged inside, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating roller 521 heated by the heater 525. The heater may be provided in the fixing roller 522 and the pressure roller 524.

  The fixing roller 522 is rotatably disposed inside the fixing belt 523 and in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 523. The pressure roller 524 is in contact with the outer side of the fixing belt 523 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 523 so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing roller 522 via the fixing belt 523. In addition, each of the heating roller 521, the fixing roller 522, and the pressure roller 524 is rotatably arranged. In a nip portion N, which will be described later, there is a difference between the linear velocity of the fixing belt 523 and the linear velocity of the pressure roller 524, and the linear velocity of the fixing belt 523 becomes higher than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 524. Yes.

  The surface hardness of the fixing belt 523 is lower than the surface hardness of the pressure roller 524. In the nip portion N formed by the fixing roller 522 and the pressure roller 524 via the fixing belt 523, the recording medium S is introduced. An intermediate region located between the end and the discharge side end is located closer to the fixing roller 522 than the introduction side end and the discharge side end.

  In the fixing device 520 shown in FIG. 12, first, a toner 201 containing at least a binder resin 202 and a capsule 204 encapsulating a plasticizer 207 that is solid at room temperature for softening the binder resin 202 as shown in FIG. The recording medium S on which the toner image T is formed is inserted into the nip portion N into the nip portion N formed by bringing the fixing roller 522 and the pressure roller 524 into contact with each other via the fixing belt 523. The toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the fixing roller 522 and the fixing belt 523 heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 525. In this state, the toner image T on the recording medium S is fixed on the recording medium S by being pressed at the nip portion N by the fixing roller 522 and the pressure roller 524 via the fixing belt 523.

  Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes through the nip portion N, is peeled off from the fixing belt 523, and is conveyed. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 524 and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing belt 523 is prevented. Since the toner on the recording medium S is not a little adhered to the surface of the fixing belt 523, the surface of the fixing belt 523 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown).

  In this configuration example, since the linear velocity of the fixing belt 523 heated via the heating roller 521 heated by the heater 525 is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 524, the toner from the fixing belt 523 at the nip portion N can be obtained. The heat transfer rate to 201 is increased, and the plasticizer 207 contained in the capsule 204 can be sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature, so that good fixability can be obtained.

[Configuration Example 4]
FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal heating belt type fixing device 530 provided with an oil application device 536. The fixing device 530 includes a heating roller 531, a fixing roller 532, a fixing belt 533, a pressure roller 534, and an oil application device 536. In this configuration example, oil as a lubricant is applied to the surface of the fixing belt 533, and an oil application device 536 that is a lubricant application unit is provided at a predetermined position of the fixing device 530.

  In the oil application device 536, the oil in the oil tank 540 is drawn up to the oil application roller 537 by the pump-up roller 538, the oil film thickness on the oil application roller 537 is controlled by the oil film thickness control blade 539, and then the oil application roller 537. As a result, oil is applied to the surface of the fixing belt 533.

  A heater 535 that heats the heating roller 531 is built in the heating roller 531. The fixing belt 533 is stretched by a heating roller 531 and a fixing roller 532 that are rotatably disposed therein, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heating roller 531 heated by a heater 535. The heater may be provided in the fixing roller 532 and the pressure roller 534.

  The fixing roller 532 is rotatably disposed inside the fixing belt 533 and in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 533. The pressure roller 534 is in contact with the outer side of the fixing belt 533 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 533 so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing roller 532 via the fixing belt 533. Further, each of the heating roller 531, the fixing roller 532, and the pressure roller 534 is arranged to be independently rotatable. In a nip portion N, which will be described later, the linear velocity of the fixing belt 533 and the linear velocity of the pressure roller 534 are different, and the linear velocity of the fixing belt 533 becomes faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 534. Yes.

  The surface hardness of the fixing belt 533 is lower than the surface hardness of the pressure roller 534. In the nip portion N formed by the fixing roller 532 and the pressure roller 534 via the fixing belt 533, the recording medium S is introduced. An intermediate region located between the end and the discharge side end is located closer to the fixing roller 532 than the introduction side end and the discharge side end.

  In the fixing device 530 shown in FIG. 13, first, a toner 201 containing at least a binder resin 202 and a capsule 204 encapsulating a plasticizer 207 that is solid at room temperature for softening the binder resin 202 as shown in FIG. 8. The recording medium S on which the toner image T is formed is inserted into the nip portion N into the nip portion N formed by contacting the fixing roller 532 and the pressure roller 534 through the fixing belt 533. Then, the toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the fixing roller 532 and the fixing belt 533 heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 535. In this state, the toner image T on the recording medium S is fixed on the recording medium S by being pressed at the nip portion N by the fixing roller 532 and the pressure roller 534 via the fixing belt 533.

  Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes through the nip portion N and is peeled off from the fixing belt 533 and conveyed. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 534 and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing belt 533 is prevented. Since the toner on the recording medium S is not a little adhered to the surface of the fixing belt 533, the surface of the fixing belt 533 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown).

  In this configuration example, the linear velocity of the fixing belt 533 heated via the heating roller 531 heated by the heater 535 is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 534, so that the toner from the fixing belt 533 at the nip portion N can be obtained. The heat transfer rate to 201 is increased, and the plasticizer 207 contained in the capsule 204 can be sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature, so that good fixability can be obtained.

  Further, by applying oil to the surface of the fixing belt 533 by the oil application device 536, it is possible to make it difficult to cause image disturbance at the nip portion N with respect to the toner image on the recording medium S. Further, even when image disturbance occurs, it is possible to suppress the toner from being offset and adhering from the recording medium S to the fixing belt 533 side.

[Configuration Example 5]
FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device 550 showing an example of an external heating roller type fixing unit. The fixing device 550 includes a fixing roller 551, a pressure roller 552, and an electromagnetic induction heating device 553.

  The fixing roller 551 has, for example, a metal core made of stainless steel or the like, and its surface is formed by coating a heat-resistant silicone rubber with a solid or foamed elastic layer, and has a low heat capacity. It has a fast temperature rise.

  In addition, each of the fixing roller 551 and the pressure roller 552 is rotatably arranged. In a nip portion N, which will be described later, the linear speed of the fixing roller 551 is different from the linear speed of the pressure roller 552, and the linear speed of the fixing roller 551 is higher than the linear speed of the pressure roller 552. Yes.

  The electromagnetic induction heating device 553 is disposed in the vicinity of the fixing roller 551 and in the axial direction of the fixing roller 551. The electromagnetic induction heating device 553 includes an exciting coil 554 that is a magnetic field generating means, and a coil guide plate 555 around which the exciting coil 554 is wound. The coil guide plate 555 has a semi-cylindrical shape disposed close to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller 551, and the exciting coil 554 includes a long exciting coil wire along the axial direction of the fixing roller 551 along the coil guide plate 555. It is one that is wound around alternately.

  The exciting coil 554 is connected to a driving power source (not shown) whose frequency is variable. On the outside of the excitation coil 554, a semi-cylindrical excitation coil core 557 made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite is fixed to the excitation coil core support member 556 and is disposed close to the excitation coil 554.

  In the fixing device 550 shown in FIG. 14, first, a toner 201 containing at least a binder resin 202 and a capsule 204 encapsulating a plasticizer 207 that is solid at room temperature for softening the binder resin 202 as shown in FIG. The recording medium S on which the toner image T is formed is inserted into the nip portion N into the nip portion N formed by bringing the fixing roller 551 and the pressure roller 552 into contact with each other. Then, the toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by being pressed by the nip portion N by the fixing roller 551 and the pressure roller 552 heated to a predetermined temperature by the electromagnetic induction heating device 553, and the toner. The image T is fixed on the recording medium S.

  Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes through the nip portion N, is peeled off from the fixing roller 551, and is conveyed. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 552 side, and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing roller 551 is prevented. Since the toner on the recording medium S adheres to the surface of the fixing roller 551, the surface of the fixing roller 551 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown). Note that the pressure roller 552 may be provided with heating means such as an electromagnetic induction heating device or a heater.

  In this configuration example, the linear velocity of the fixing roller 551 heated by the electromagnetic induction heating device 553 is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 552, so that heat is transferred from the fixing roller 551 to the toner 201 at the nip portion N. The speed is increased, and the plasticizer 207 contained in the capsule 204 can be sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature, so that good fixability can be obtained.

[Configuration Example 6]
FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of an external heating roller type fixing device 560 provided with an oil application device 568. The fixing device 560 includes a fixing roller 561, a pressure roller 562, an electromagnetic induction heating device 563, and an oil application device 568. In this configuration example, oil as a lubricant is applied to the surface of the fixing roller 561, and an oil application device 568 that is a lubricant application unit is provided at a predetermined position of the fixing device 560.

  In the oil application device 568, the oil in the oil tank 572 is drawn up to the oil application roller 569 by the roller 570, the oil film thickness control blade 571 controls the oil film thickness on the oil application roller 569, and then the oil application roller 569 applies oil to the surface of the fixing roller 561.

  The fixing roller 561 is heated to a predetermined temperature by an electromagnetic induction heating device 563. The pressure roller 562 is in contact with the outside of the fixing roller 561, and is arranged so as to be independently rotatable. Further, in the nip portion N described later, the linear speed of the fixing roller 561 is different from the linear speed of the pressure roller 562, and the linear speed of the fixing roller 561 is higher than the linear speed of the pressure roller 562. It has become.

  The electromagnetic induction heating device 563 is disposed in the vicinity of the fixing roller 561 and in the axial direction of the fixing roller 561. The electromagnetic induction heating device 563 has an exciting coil 564 that is a magnetic field generating means, and a coil guide plate 565 around which the exciting coil 564 is wound. The coil guide plate 565 has a semi-cylindrical shape arranged close to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roller 561, and the exciting coil 564 includes a long exciting coil wire along the axial direction of the fixing roller 561 along the coil guide plate 565. It is one that is wound around alternately.

  The exciting coil 564 has an oscillation circuit connected to a drive power source (not shown) whose frequency is variable. On the outside of the excitation coil 564, a semi-cylindrical excitation coil core 567 made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite is fixed to the excitation coil core support member 566 and is arranged close to the excitation coil 564.

  In the fixing device 560 shown in FIG. 15, first, a toner 201 containing at least a binder resin 202 and a capsule 204 encapsulating a plasticizer 207 that is solid at room temperature for softening the binder resin 202 as shown in FIG. 8. The recording medium S on which the toner image T is formed is inserted into the nip portion N into the nip portion N formed by bringing the fixing roller 561 and the pressure roller 562 into contact with each other. Then, the toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by being pressed by the nip portion N by the fixing roller 561 and the pressure roller 562 heated to a predetermined temperature by the electromagnetic induction heating device 563, and the toner. The image T is fixed on the recording medium S.

  Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes through the nip portion N and is peeled off from the fixing roller 561 and conveyed. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 562 and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing roller 561 is prevented. Since the toner on the recording medium S adheres to the surface of the fixing roller 561, the surface of the fixing roller 551 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown). Note that the pressure roller 562 may be provided with heating means such as an electromagnetic induction heating device or a heater.

  In this configuration example, the linear velocity of the fixing roller 561 heated by the electromagnetic induction heating device 563 is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 562, so that heat is transferred from the fixing roller 561 to the toner 201 at the nip portion N. The speed is increased, and the plasticizer 207 contained in the capsule 204 can be sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature, so that good fixability can be obtained.

  Further, by applying oil to the surface of the fixing roller 561 by the oil application device 568, it is possible to make it difficult to cause image disturbance at the nip portion N with respect to the toner image on the recording medium S. Further, even when the image is disturbed, it is possible to prevent the toner from being offset and adhered from the recording medium S to the fixing roller 561 side.

[Configuration Example 7]
FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing device 580 showing an example of an external heating belt type fixing unit. In the fixing device of the external heating belt type as in this configuration example, the toner image T can be fixed on the recording medium S as in the fixing device of the external heating roller type as described in the configuration example 5 and the like. Become.

  A fixing device 580 shown in FIG. 16 includes a heating roller 581, a fixing roller 582, a fixing belt 583, a pressure roller 584, and an electromagnetic induction heating device 585.

  The fixing belt 583 is stretched by a heating roller 581 and a fixing roller 582 that are rotatably disposed therein, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heating roller 581 heated by an electromagnetic induction heating device 585.

  The heating roller 581 includes a hollow cylindrical magnetic metal member such as iron, cobalt, nickel, or an alloy of these metals, and has a low heat capacity and a high temperature rise. The fixing roller 582 has, for example, a metal core such as stainless steel, and the surface thereof is formed by covering a heat-resistant silicone rubber with a solid or foamed elastic layer. It is disposed inside 583 and rotatably while contacting the inner surface of the fixing belt 583. The pressure roller 584 is in contact with the outer side of the fixing belt 583 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 583 so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing roller 582 via the fixing belt 583.

  In addition, the heating roller 581, the fixing roller 582, and the pressure roller 584 are arranged to be independently rotatable. In a nip portion N described later, the linear velocity of the fixing belt 583 and the linear velocity of the pressure roller 584 are different, and the linear velocity of the fixing belt 583 becomes faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 584. Yes.

  The electromagnetic induction heating device 585 is disposed in the vicinity of the heating roller 581 and in the axial direction of the heating roller 581. The electromagnetic induction heating device 585 includes an exciting coil 586 that is a magnetic field generating means, and a coil guide plate 587 around which the exciting coil 586 is wound. The coil guide plate 587 has a semi-cylindrical shape disposed close to the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller 581, and the exciting coil 586 is formed by passing a long exciting coil wire along the coil guide plate 587 in the axial direction of the heating roller 581. It is one that is wound around alternately.

  The exciting coil 586 is connected to a driving power source (not shown) whose frequency is variable. On the outside of the excitation coil 586, a semi-cylindrical excitation coil core 588 made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite is fixed to the excitation coil core support member 589 and is arranged close to the excitation coil 586.

  In the fixing device 580 shown in FIG. 16, first, a toner 201 containing at least a binder resin 202 and a capsule 204 encapsulating a plasticizer 207 that is solid at room temperature for softening the binder resin 202 as shown in FIG. The recording medium S on which the toner image T is formed is inserted into the nip portion N into the nip portion N formed by bringing the fixing roller 582 and the pressure roller 584 into contact with each other via the fixing belt 583. The toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the fixing roller 582 and the fixing belt 583 heated to a predetermined temperature by the electromagnetic induction heating device 585. In this state, the toner image T on the recording medium S is fixed on the recording medium S by being pressed at the nip portion N by the fixing roller 582 and the pressure roller 584 via the fixing belt 583.

  Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes through the nip portion N and is peeled off from the fixing belt 583 and conveyed. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 584 side, and the winding of the recording medium S around the fixing belt 583 is prevented. Since the toner on the recording medium S adheres to the surface of the fixing belt 583, the surface of the fixing belt 583 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown). The fixing roller 582 and the pressure roller 584 may be provided with heating means such as an electromagnetic induction heating device or a heater.

  In this configuration example, the linear velocity of the fixing belt 583 heated by the electromagnetic induction heating device 585 via the heating roller 581 is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 584, so that the toner is transferred from the fixing belt 583 at the nip portion N. The heat transfer rate to 201 is increased, and the plasticizer 207 contained in the capsule 204 can be sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature, so that good fixability can be obtained.

[Configuration Example 8]
FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of an external heating belt type fixing device 590 provided with an oil application device 600. The fixing device 590 includes a heating roller 591, a fixing roller 592, a fixing belt 593, a pressure roller 594, an electromagnetic induction heating device 595, and an oil application device 600. In this configuration example, oil as a lubricant is applied to the surface of the fixing belt 593, and an oil application device 600 that is a lubricant application unit is provided at a predetermined position of the fixing device 590.

  In the oil application device 600, the oil in the oil tank 604 is pumped up to the oil application roller 601 by the pump-up roller 602, the oil film thickness on the oil application roller 601 is controlled by the oil film thickness control blade 603, and then the oil application roller 601. As a result, oil is applied to the surface of the fixing belt 593.

  The fixing belt 593 is stretched by a heating roller 591 and a fixing roller 592 that are rotatably arranged inside, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heating roller 591 heated by an electromagnetic induction heating device 595.

  The heating roller 591 has a hollow cylindrical magnetic metal member such as iron, cobalt, nickel, or an alloy of these metals, and has a low heat capacity and a high temperature rise. The fixing roller 592 has, for example, a metal core such as stainless steel, and the surface thereof is formed by coating a heat-resistant silicone rubber with a solid or foamed elastic layer. It is disposed so as to be rotatable inside the 593 and in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 593. The pressure roller 594 is in contact with the outer side of the fixing belt 593 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 593 so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing roller 592 via the fixing belt 593.

  The electromagnetic induction heating device 595 is disposed in the vicinity of the heating roller 591 and in the axial direction of the heating roller 591. The electromagnetic induction heating device 595 has an exciting coil 596 that is a magnetic field generating means, and a coil guide plate 597 around which the exciting coil 596 is wound. The coil guide plate 597 has a semi-cylindrical shape disposed close to the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller 591, and the exciting coil 596 is formed by passing a long exciting coil wire along the coil guide plate 597 in the axial direction of the heating roller 591. It is one that is wound around alternately.

  The exciting coil 596 is connected to a driving power source (not shown) whose oscillation circuit has a variable frequency. Outside the excitation coil 596, a semi-cylindrical excitation coil core 598 made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite is fixed to the excitation coil core support member 599 and is disposed close to the excitation coil 596.

  In the fixing device 590 shown in FIG. 17, first, a toner 201 containing at least a binding resin 202 as shown in FIG. 8 and a capsule 204 containing a plasticizer 207 that is solid at normal temperature and softens the binding resin 202. The recording medium S on which the toner image T is formed is inserted into the nip portion N into the nip portion N formed by bringing the fixing roller 592 and the pressure roller 594 into contact with each other via the fixing belt 593. The toner image T on the recording medium S is heated and melted by the fixing roller 592 and the fixing belt 593 heated to a predetermined temperature by the electromagnetic induction heating device 595. In this state, the toner image T on the recording medium S is fixed on the recording medium S by being pressed at the nip portion N by the fixing roller 592 and the pressure roller 594 via the fixing belt 593.

  Next, the recording medium S on which the toner image T is fixed passes through the nip portion N, is peeled off from the fixing belt 593, and is conveyed. At this time, the recording medium S is discharged toward the pressure roller 594, and the recording medium S is prevented from being wound around the fixing belt 593. Since the toner on the recording medium S is not a little adhered to the surface of the fixing belt 593, the surface of the fixing belt 593 is cleaned by a cleaning roller (not shown). Note that the fixing roller 592 and the pressure roller 594 may be provided with heating means such as an electromagnetic induction heating device or a heater.

  In this configuration example, the linear velocity of the fixing belt 593 heated by the electromagnetic induction heating device 595 via the heating roller 591 is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller 594, so that the toner is removed from the fixing belt 593 at the nip portion N. The heat transfer rate to 201 is increased, and the plasticizer 207 contained in the capsule 204 can be sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature, so that good fixability can be obtained.

  Further, by applying oil to the surface of the fixing belt 593 by the oil application device 600, it is possible to make it difficult to cause image disturbance at the nip portion N with respect to the toner image on the recording medium S. Further, even when image disturbance occurs, it is possible to suppress the toner from being offset and adhering from the recording medium S to the fixing belt 593 side.

[Experiment]
In the following, a confirmation experiment of image disturbance evaluation and fixability evaluation of a toner image fixed on paper performed under the conditions of Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 3 will be described.

[Example 1]
Using a paper (Mypaper, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), a 0.40 [mg / cm ² ] toner layer was formed on the paper by a cascade development method. In the calibration of the roller fixing device having the internal heating means as shown in FIG. 1, the fixing roller temperature is 60 [° C.], the nip width is 1 [mm], and the linear speed is 100 [mm / s], and a predetermined pressure is set. Then, the paper on which the toner layer was formed was passed by a linear velocity difference. The toner image after passing was visually evaluated for the state of image distortion, and the fixing toner surface was rubbed with a waste cloth to evaluate the fixing property according to the following criteria.

<Image disorder evaluation criteria>
The state where the image is clearly distorted in the image after fixing is indicated as “XX”, and the state where the image is partially disturbed in the image after fixing is indicated as “X”. The state in which there is no disturbance is indicated as “◯”.

<Fixability evaluation criteria>
Rub the toner after fixing with a cloth, the state where most of the toner can be removed from the paper is "XX", Rub the toner after fixing with a cloth, and the state where a part of the toner can be removed from the paper is "X", fixing The subsequent toner was rubbed with a cloth, and a state where the cloth was hardly soiled (fixing property was good) was marked with “◯”.

  The predetermined pressure was set to 0.3 [MPa], 0.6 [MPa], and 1.0 [MPa]. Further, the predetermined linear velocity difference was set to 1 [%], 3 [%], 5 [%], 10 [%], 15 [%], and 20 [%]. In addition, the linear velocity difference here is a value obtained by Equation 1.

[Example 2]
Using a paper (Mypaper, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), a 0.40 [mg / cm ² ] toner layer was formed on the paper by a cascade development method. In the calibration of a roller fixing device having an internal heating means equipped with an oil application device as shown in FIG. 11, the fixing roller temperature is 60 [° C.], the nip width is 1 [mm], and the linear speed is 100 [mm / s. The paper on which the toner layer was formed was passed at a predetermined pressure and linear velocity difference. The toner image after passing was visually observed and the state of image disturbance and fixability were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

  Here, the toner used in Example 1 and Example 2 will be described.

<Preparation of capsule containing plasticizer>
By a coacervation method, capsules containing lauric acid as a plasticizer and having a shell made of polyvinyl alcohol were prepared. A manufacturing method is shown below.

  After 100 [mL] of water (ion-exchanged water) is put into a beaker, 2 parts by mass of a dispersant (sorbitol surfactant, Kao TW120 [s], manufactured by Kao Corporation) is mixed with 100 parts by mass of water, Further, the dispersant was dissolved in water by stirring. Then, 1 mass part of polyvinyl alcohol (Mw = 500) powder was mixed with respect to 100 mass parts of water, keeping water temperature at 70 [degreeC], and was fully dissolved.

  After dissolution, the powdered lauric acid (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc., melting point 44 [° C.]) is stirred while stirring the aqueous solution in the beaker with an ultrasonic homogenizer (UT-300, manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.). 46 [° C.]) was mixed with 100 parts by mass of water. Lauric acid melted immediately after charging and emulsification (O / W emulsion formation) began. Stirring was continued for 10 minutes. After stirring, a stir bar was placed in the beaker, ice was placed around the beaker while rotating at 300 [rpm], and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes while being cooled to 10 [° C.] at once. At this time, when the emulsion was observed with a laser microscope, many solid lauric acid fine particles having a diameter of about 300 [nm] were observed.

  Next, 50 [mL] ethanol was added dropwise to the aqueous dispersion in the beaker while stirring the aqueous dispersion in which the lauric acid fine particles were dispersed at 500 [rpm], and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. After stirring, the solid content and the liquid were separated with a centrifuge, and the supernatant liquid was discarded and ethyl acetate was mixed. This operation was repeated 10 times to obtain a liquid in which solid fine particles were dispersed in ethyl acetate. When the obtained solid fine particles were observed with a TEM in cross section, they were capsules having a particle size of 300 [nm] containing polyvinyl alcohol as a shell and encapsulating lauric acid.

<Production of toner>
A styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS, Asahiprene T432, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Co., Ltd.) as a thermoplastic elastomer was dissolved in ethyl acetate so that the SBS was 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of ethyl acetate. Next, the capsules dispersed in ethyl acetate prepared as described above are dissolved in the ethyl acetate solution of SBS (the SBS is 20 mass [%]), and the capsule is 15 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the SBS. And stirred for 3 minutes at 100 [rpm]. The series of mixing was performed in an environment of 20 [° C.].

  In an ethyl acetate solution in which the SBS and the capsule are mixed, 10 [mass%] of polystyrene (Picolastic A-75, manufactured by Eastman) and 10 [ % By mass] and stirred. This ethyl acetate solution was used as an oil phase. Dissolving agent (sorbitol-based surfactant, Kao TW120 [s], manufactured by Kao Corporation) 2 [mass%] dissolved water is used as an aqueous phase, and the aqueous phase is used as a homomixer (TK homomixer MARK II, manufactured by Primix). While stirring, the ethyl acetate solution as an oil phase was gradually added to prepare an O / W emulsion having an average particle size of 15 [μm].

  The mixture was stirred for 3 hours (liquid temperature was 30 [° C.]), and when excess ethyl acetate was almost evaporated, hydrophobic silica fine particles were added to form a hydrophobic external additive layer on the surface of the fine particles. Thereafter, water was removed, and the toner was sufficiently dried to obtain a dried toner (average particle size 10 [μm]). In the obtained toner, the SBS content was 87 [mass%] with respect to the binder resin.

<Heat resistance test>
The heat resistance test was measured using a penetration tester (Nikka Engineering Co., Ltd.). Specifically, 10 [g] of toner is weighed, and a glass container (screw vial) of 30 [mL] in an environment of temperatures 20 [° C.] to 25 [° C.] and 40 [%] to 60 [%] RH. And closed the lid. The glass container containing the toner was tapped 100 times and then left for 24 hours in a thermostatic bath set at a temperature of 50 [° C.]. The toner in the glass container after being left was evaluated by measuring the penetration with a penetration tester. As a result, the penetration was 21 [mm], indicating a good result. From this result, it was confirmed that the toner was hardly softened during storage at 50 [° C.] and excellent in heat-resistant storage, toner spent property, and toner filming property.

[Comparative Example 1]
In Example 1, except that the toner is replaced with black toner for the Ricoh MFP CX3000, the toner image after passing is visually observed in the same manner as in Example 1, and the image disturbance state and the fixing property are the same as in Example 1. Evaluation was performed in the same manner.

[Comparative Example 2]
In Example 2, except that the toner is replaced with black toner for the Ricoh MFP CX3000, the toner image after passing is visually inspected for the state of image distortion and the fixing property in the same manner as in Example 2. Evaluation was performed in the same manner.

  As experimental results of Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 3, Table 1 shows the image disturbance evaluation result, and Table 2 shows the fixing property evaluation result.

  From Tables 1 and 2, a toner with good storage stability (excellent heat-resistant storage, toner spent property, and toner filming property) is fixed on paper at 60 [° C.] and 0.3 [MPa] without image distortion. You can see that. This is heated by a heater in a fixing device that fixes a toner image formed on a paper using a toner containing at least a capsule containing a resin and a plasticizer solidified at room temperature that softens the resin. Since the linear velocity of the fixing roller is faster than the linear velocity of the pressure roller, the heat transfer speed from the fixing roller to the toner is increased at the nip, and the plasticizer contained in the capsule is sufficiently dissolved even at a low fixing temperature. It is thought that this is because good fixability can be obtained.

  Also, by applying oil as a lubricant to the surface of the fixing roller, even if a larger linear speed difference is given between the linear speed of the fixing roller and the linear speed of the pressure roller, high glossiness is obtained without causing image distortion. It is possible to obtain an image with good fixability having

  From these facts, if the fixing device as shown in each configuration example of the present embodiment is used, it is possible to obtain a toner image having no image distortion and good fixability at a lower temperature than conventional. all right.

  If a linear velocity difference exceeding 20 [%] is given, in addition to the disturbance of the toner image, jamming and paper wrinkling are likely to occur, and noise increases, resulting in a significant reduction in product value. However, if it is possible to cope with these problems, it is possible to give a linear velocity difference of 20% or more with the configuration of the present embodiment, and it is possible to aim at fixing at a lower temperature and a lower pressure. .

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
A first rotating body such as the fixing roller 501 and a second rotating body such as the pressure roller 502 are provided, and the first rotating body and the second rotating body are brought into pressure contact with each other to form a pressure contact portion such as a nip portion N. A pressurizing unit that pressurizes the toner on the recording medium by sandwiching a recording medium such as the recording medium S at a section, and a heating unit such as a heater 503 that heats the first rotating body, and a resin such as a binder resin; A toner image formed on a recording medium using a toner such as a toner 201 containing at least a capsule such as a capsule 204 encapsulating a plasticizer such as a plasticizer 207 that is soft at room temperature and softens the resin. In the fixing device such as the fixing device 500 for fixing the first rotating body, the linear speed of the first rotating body is faster than the linear speed of the second rotating body. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of fixing failure due to insufficient heating temperature while saving energy.
(Aspect B)
(Aspect A) includes a lubricant application unit such as an oil application device 514 that applies a lubricant such as oil to the surface of the first rotating body. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to give a more difference in linear velocity, and it is possible to obtain an image with high glossiness with high glossiness without causing image disturbance.
(Aspect C)
In (Aspect A) or (Aspect B), the linear velocity difference between the first rotator and the second rotator is the linear velocity difference [%] = {(linear velocity of the first rotator−line of the second rotator). Speed) / linear velocity of the second rotating body} × 100, and the linear velocity difference is 10 [%]. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to obtain an image with no image disturbance and good fixability at a lower temperature than in the past, regardless of the magnitude of the pressure at the pressure contact portion.
(Aspect D)
An image bearing member, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image bearing member, a latent image using a toner containing at least a resin and a capsule containing a plasticizer that is solid at room temperature to soften the resin Developing means for forming a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image from the image carrier onto the recording medium, and fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording medium to the recording medium. In the image forming apparatus, the fixing device of (Aspect A), (Aspect B) or (Aspect C) is used as the fixing unit. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of fixing failure due to insufficient heating temperature while saving energy.
(Aspect E)
Capsules containing a solid plasticizer at normal temperature that softens the resin and the resin by sandwiching the recording medium in the press contact portion formed by press-contacting the first rotating body heated by the heating means and the second rotating body In a fixing method in which a toner image formed on a recording medium using at least contained toner is fixed on the recording medium, the linear velocity of the first rotator is higher than the linear velocity of the second rotator. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of fixing failure due to insufficient heating temperature while saving energy.
(Aspect F)
(Embodiment E) includes a lubricant application step of applying a lubricant to the surface of the first rotating body by a lubricant application means. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to give a more difference in linear velocity, and it is possible to obtain an image with high glossiness with high glossiness without causing image disturbance.
(Aspect G)
The latent image is formed on the image carrier using a latent image forming step and a toner containing at least a resin and a capsule containing a solid plasticizer at a normal temperature that softens the resin to form a toner image. A fixing step for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording medium to the recording medium, and a fixing step for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording medium to the recording medium. The fixing method of (Aspect F) or (Aspect F) is used in the process. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of fixing failure due to insufficient heating temperature while saving energy.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Conveyance belt 7 Fixing device 10 Photosensitive drum 14 Support roller 15 Support roller 16 Support roller 17 Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 18 Image forming unit 20 Charging roller 21 Exposure device 22 Secondary transfer means 22 Secondary transfer device 23 Roller 24 Transfer conveyance Belt 25 Fixing device 26 Fixing belt 27 Pressure roller 28 Reversing device 32 Contact glass 33 First traveling member 34 Second traveling member 35 Imaging lens 36 Reading sensor 40 Developing device 41 Developing belt 42 Developer container 43 Developer supply roller 44 Developing roller 45 Developing device 49 Registration roller 50 Intermediate transfer belt 51 Roller 52 Separating roller 53 Paper feed path 54 Manual feed tray 55 Switching claw 56 Discharge roller 57 Discharge tray 58 Corona charger 60 Cleaning blade 61 Development Device 62 Transfer roller 63 Photosensitive drum cleaning device 64 Static elimination device 65 Development sleeve 66 Stirring portion 67 Development portion 68 Conveying screw 69 Static elimination lamp 70 Development case 71 Toner density sensor 72 Magnet roller 73 Doctor blade 75 Cleaning blade 76 Fur brush 77 Electric field roller 78 scraper 79 recovery screw 80 toner recycling device 80 transfer roller 90 intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 100 image forming device 120 tandem type image forming unit 130 document table 142 paper feed roller 143 paper bank 144 paper feed cassette 145 separation roller 146 paper feed path 147 Conveyance roller 148 Paper feed path 150 Copier body 160 Charging device 200 Paper feed table 201 Toner 202 Binder resin 203 Colorant 204 Capsule 205 Electric control agent 206 External additive 207 Plasticizer 300 Scanner 400 Automatic document feeder 500 Fixing device 501 Fixing roller 502 Pressure roller 503 Heater 510 Fixing device 511 Fixing roller 512 Pressure roller 513 Heater 514 Oil coating device 515 Oil application Roller 516 Pump-up roller 517 Oil film thickness control blade 518 Oil tank 520 Fixing device 521 Heating roller 522 Fixing roller 523 Fixing belt 524 Pressure roller 525 Heater 530 Fixing device 531 Heating roller 532 Fixing roller 533 Fixing belt 534 Pressure roller 535 Heater 536 Oil application device 537 Oil application roller 538 Pumping roller 539 Oil film thickness control blade 540 Oil tank 550 Fixing device 5 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 51 Fixing roller 552 Pressure roller 553 Electromagnetic induction heating device 554 Excitation coil 555 Coil guide plate 556 Excitation coil core support member 557 Excitation coil core 560 Fixing device 561 Fixing roller 562 Pressure roller 563 Electromagnetic induction heating device 564 Excitation coil 565 Coil guide plate 566 Excitation coil core support member 567 Excitation coil core 568 Oil application device 569 Oil application roller 570 Pump roller 571 Oil film thickness control blade 572 Oil tank 580 Fixing device 581 Heating roller 582 Fixing roller 583 Fixing belt 584 Pressure roller 585 Electromagnetic induction heating device 586 Excitation Coil 587 Coil guide plate 588 Excitation coil core 589 Excitation coil core support member 590 Fixing device 591 Heating roller 592 Fixing roller La 593 fixing belt 594 pressure roller 595 electromagnetic induction heating unit 596 the excitation coil 597 coil guide plate 598 exciting coil core 599 exciting coil core support member 600 oil applying apparatus 601 oil application roller 602 drawing roller 603 oil film thickness control blade 604 oil tank

JP-A-8-006426

Claims (7)

A first rotating body and a second rotating body, wherein the first rotating body and the second rotating body are press-contacted to form a press-contact portion, and a recording medium is sandwiched between the press-contact portions, and the toner on the recording medium Pressurizing means for pressurizing,
Heating means for heating the first rotating body,
In a fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on the recording medium using a toner containing at least a capsule containing a resin and a plasticizer solidified at room temperature that softens the resin.
The fixing device, wherein a linear velocity of the first rotating body is higher than a linear velocity of the second rotating body. The fixing device according to claim 1.
A fixing device comprising a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the first rotating body. The fixing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The linear speed difference between the first rotating body and the second rotating body is the linear speed difference [%] = {(linear speed of the first rotating body−linear speed of the second rotating body) / line of the second rotating body. Speed} × 100, and the linear velocity difference is 10%. An image carrier;
A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image using a toner containing at least a resin and a capsule containing a plasticizer that is solid at room temperature to soften the resin to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image from the image carrier onto a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium to the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus using the fixing device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 as the fixing unit. Capsule containing a recording medium sandwiched in a press-contact portion formed by press-contacting a first rotating body heated by a heating means and a second rotating body, and encapsulating a resin and a plasticizer that is solid at room temperature to soften the resin In a fixing method for fixing a toner image formed on the recording medium using a toner containing at least the toner to the recording medium,
A fixing method, wherein a linear speed of the first rotating body is higher than a linear speed of the second rotating body. The fixing method according to claim 5.
A fixing method comprising a lubricant application step of applying a lubricant to the surface of the first rotating body by a lubricant application means. A latent image forming step of forming a latent image on the image carrier;
A developing step of developing the latent image using a toner containing at least a capsule containing a resin and a plasticizer encapsulating a solid plasticizer at normal temperature that softens the resin; and
A transfer step of transferring the toner image from the image carrier onto a recording medium;
A fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording medium to the recording medium,
An image forming method using the fixing method according to claim 5 or 6 in said fixing step.

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