JP2017062323A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for improving adhesive force between a toner image and a recording medium.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes: an image holder 10; charging means 20 for charging a surface of the image holder; latent image forming means 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image holder; developing means 14 for accommodating a liquid developer 24 comprising a carrier liquid and toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid and for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holder with the liquid developer to form a toner image; applying means 27 for applying an adhesive that is cured by stimulation on a surface of a recording medium 30 where the toner image is to be transferred; transfer means 16, 28 for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder onto the surface of the recording medium where the adhesive is applied; stimulation imparting means 32 for imparting stimulation to the recording medium with the toner image transferred so as to cure the adhesive; and fixing means 34A, 34B for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording medium to the recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  As an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image with a liquid developer containing toner particles (toner) and a carrier liquid, and transfers and fixes the toner image on a recording medium is known. When image formation is performed using a liquid developer, various proposals have been made to improve the adhesion between a recording medium such as a resin film or paper and a toner image.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier is formed by a latent image carrier and a liquid developer in which an image forming substance containing a colorant is dispersed in a carrier liquid made of an insulating liquid. In the liquid developer used by the developing means in an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing means for developing the toner; and a transfer means for transferring an image on the latent image carrier formed by the developing means to a recording medium. The image-forming substance contains an adhesive that becomes sticky by removing the carrier liquid, and can be attached to another medium due to the stickiness of the adhesive after being transferred to the recording medium. A cover sheet supply device that expresses force and supplies a cover sheet for covering the image formed on the image surface of the recording medium to the image surface of the recording medium after the image is transferred. Features and Image forming apparatus is disclosed that.

Patent Document 2 discloses a printed matter in which an image layer by an electrostatic charge liquid development method and a top coat layer are sequentially formed on a substrate to be printed.
Patent Document 3 discloses a printed matter in which a primer layer made of an ethylene / acrylic acid resin or a polybutadiene resin and an image layer formed by an electrostatic charge liquid development method are sequentially formed on a printing material.

In Patent Document 4, a step of forming a layer of an aqueous mixture containing a first material having affinity for plastic on a surface and a second material having affinity for the first material and toner, and A method of preparing a plastic surface for printing with toner is disclosed, comprising the step of drying the layer, wherein when dried, the layer has a weight per square meter of less than 1.5 grams.
U.S. Patent No. 6,057,034 includes a plastic sheet, a first polymer material comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of amine-terminated polyamides, silane coupling agents, and aminopropyltriethoxysilane. A substrate suitable for printing a toner image comprising an upper layer coating directly overlying a lower layer coating and an outer surface formed of a second polymeric material and having a toner image that can be melted and fused is disclosed. ing.
Patent Document 6 discloses a process of forming a layer of an aqueous mixture including a first material having affinity for plastic on a surface and a second material having affinity for the first material and toner, and A method for preparing a plastic surface for printing with toner comprising the step of drying the layer is disclosed.
Patent Document 7 discloses a wet electrophotographic recording sheet, characterized in that at least one surface of a sheet substrate is provided with a resin mainly composed of polyethylene.

JP 2009-300656 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-077862 JP-A-10-76744 Special Table 2003-522286 Special table 2001-520408 gazette Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2003-522057 JP-A-9-281738

  In the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier is developed with a liquid developer to form a toner image, and a stimulus-curable adhesive is applied to the recording medium to give a stimulus. The toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is transferred to the surface of the recording medium to which the adhesive has been applied, and is further fixed, so that the toner image and the recording medium are bonded. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with improved power.

In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is provided.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier, a charging unit for charging the surface of the image carrier, a latent image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, a carrier liquid, and the Developing means for containing a liquid developer containing toner particles dispersed in a carrier liquid, and developing a latent electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image carrier with the liquid developer to form a toner image; Formed on the surface of the image carrier on the surface of the recording medium to which the toner image is transferred, coating means for applying an adhesive that cures by stimulation, and the surface of the recording medium to which the adhesive has been applied. Transfer means for transferring the toner image; stimulus applying means for applying the stimulus to the recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred to cure the adhesive; and the toner transferred to the recording medium Fixing to fix an image on the recording medium An image forming apparatus having a stage, a.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulus is heat or ultraviolet rays.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the stimulus applying unit is a unit that applies the stimulus to the recording medium before the fixing unit fixes the toner image on the recording medium. Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to Item 2.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulus is heat, and the fixing unit also serves as the stimulus applying unit.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adhesive is a two-component curable adhesive.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a charging step for charging the surface of the image carrier, a latent image forming step for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, a carrier liquid, and the carrier liquid. A developing step of storing a liquid developer containing the toner particles and developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with the liquid developer to form a toner image; and the toner image of the recording medium An application step of applying an adhesive that cures by stimulation to the surface on which the image is transferred, and the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is transferred to the surface of the recording medium to which the adhesive has been applied. A transfer step for applying the stimulus to the recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred to cure the adhesive, and the toner image transferred to the recording medium to the recording medium. Fixing process for fixing Image forming method.

  According to the first and second aspects of the invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier is developed with a liquid developer to form a toner image, and the stimulus curable adhesive is applied to the recording medium. Then, after applying the stimulus, the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is transferred to the surface of the recording medium on which the adhesive is applied, and further fixed. An image forming apparatus is provided in which the adhesion between a toner image and a recording medium is improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the stimulus applying means is a fixing means as compared with the case where the stimulus is applied to the recording medium after the toner image is fixed on the recording medium by the fixing means. There is provided an image forming apparatus in which the adhesive is prevented from adhering to the fixing unit even if it contacts the recording medium.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus can be reduced in size and energy can be saved as compared with a case where a heating unit that cures the adhesive applied to the recording medium and a heating unit that fixes the toner image are provided. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, compared with the case where the said adhesive agent is 1 liquid curing type adhesive agent, it is excellent in the storage stability of an adhesive agent, and applies an adhesive agent with high uniformity with respect to a recording medium. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier is developed with a liquid developer to form a toner image, and a stimulus curable adhesive is applied to the recording medium. After applying the stimulus, the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is transferred to the surface of the recording medium to which the adhesive has been applied, and further fixed. An image forming method with improved adhesive strength is provided.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Method]
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and a carrier liquid. And a developing unit that contains a liquid developer containing toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with the liquid developer to form a toner image. And an application means for applying an adhesive that cures by stimulation to the surface of the recording medium to which the toner image is transferred, and the surface of the image carrier on the surface of the recording medium to which the adhesive has been applied. Transfer means for transferring the formed toner image, stimulus applying means for applying the stimulus to cure the adhesive to the recording medium onto which the toner image has been transferred, and transferred to the recording medium Fixing the toner image on the recording medium Having a fixing means for the.

  The image forming method according to the present embodiment includes a charging step for charging the surface of the image carrier, a latent image forming step for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, a carrier liquid, and the carrier liquid. A developing process for storing a liquid developer containing toner particles dispersed therein, developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with the liquid developer to form a toner image, and a recording medium An application step of applying an adhesive that cures by stimulation to the surface on which the toner image is transferred, and the surface of the image carrier formed on the surface of the recording medium on which the adhesive is applied. A transfer step of transferring a toner image; a stimulus applying step of applying the stimulus to cure the adhesive to the recording medium to which the toner image is transferred; and the toner image transferred to the recording medium. Fixing to fix on the recording medium Has a degree, the.

In general, when an image is formed by electrophotography using a liquid developer in which toner particles are dispersed in an insulating carrier liquid, if the recording medium is, for example, a resin film, the toner adheres to the film. In the case of paper, depending on the type of the coating agent on the paper surface, the adhesiveness is weak and the selection range of the coating agent is narrow.
For example, it is difficult to sufficiently improve the adhesive force between the toner image and the recording medium even after the adhesive is applied to the recording medium and the toner image is transferred and fixed after being stimulated and cured to some extent. It is.
Further, in the method in which the anchor agent is applied to the recording medium in advance, sufficient adhesive strength may not be obtained depending on the type of the binder resin contained in the toner particles.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, an adhesive that cures by stimulation (hereinafter, may be referred to as “stimulus curable adhesive” or simply “adhesive”) may be applied to the recording medium. Before applying the stimulus to the adhesive applied to the recording medium, the toner image is transferred to the surface of the recording medium to which the adhesive is applied, and after transferring the toner image, the adhesive is applied with the stimulus. Therefore, the adhesive force between the toner image and the recording medium can be improved via the adhesive regardless of the material of the recording medium.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes a photosensitive member (image holding member) 10, a charging device (charging means) 20, an exposure device (latent image forming means) 12, a developing device (developing means) 14, an intermediate transfer member 16, a cleaner 18, and a coating. The apparatus (applying means) 27, a transfer roll (transfer means) 28, a non-contact heating device (stimulus applying means) 32, and heating and pressing rolls (fixing means) 34A and 34B are configured.

The photosensitive member 10 has a cylindrical shape, and a charging unit 20, an exposure device 12, a developing unit 14, an intermediate transfer member 16, and a cleaner 18 are sequentially provided on the outer periphery of the photosensitive member 10. Further, a transfer roll 28 is provided at a position (secondary transfer portion) where the toner image 26 transferred to the intermediate transfer body 16 is transferred to the recording medium 30.
A coating device 27 is provided on the upstream side of the transfer roll 28 (secondary transfer portion) in the traveling direction of the recording medium 30, and the downstream side of the transfer roll 28 in the traveling direction of the recording medium 30. A non-contact heating device 32 is provided, and heating and pressurizing rolls (fixing means) 34A and 34B are provided in a pair on the downstream side of the non-contact heating device 32.

  A process for forming an image on a recording medium using the image forming apparatus 100 will be specifically described below.

First, the charging device 20 charges the surface of the photoconductor (image carrier) 10 to a predetermined potential.
As the image carrier 10, a known electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member) can be used. For example, an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer are laminated in this order on a conductive support, and a function-separated type photosensitive layer in which the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer are separately provided is provided. Examples include a photoreceptor. Further, it may be a function-integrated type photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are integrally formed.
Further, the photoreceptor 10 may not include an undercoat layer, an intermediate layer may be provided between the undercoat layer and the photosensitive layer, or a protective layer containing a charge transport material may be provided on the photosensitive layer. It may be provided.

  As the charging device 20, for example, a non-contact type roller charger, a known charger such as a scorotron charger using a corona discharge or a corotron charger is used. Further, a contact-type charger using a conductive or semiconductive charging roller, charging brush, charging film, charging rubber blade, charging tube or the like may be used.

Based on the image signal, the exposure device 12 exposes the charged surface of the photoconductor 20 with, for example, a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image.
Examples of the exposure device 12 include an optical system device that exposes the surface of the photoreceptor 10 with light such as semiconductor laser light, LED light, and liquid crystal shutter light in a predetermined image-like manner. The wavelength of the light source is set within the spectral sensitivity region of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. As the wavelength of the semiconductor laser, near infrared having an oscillation wavelength near 780 nm is the mainstream. However, the present invention is not limited to this wavelength, and an oscillation wavelength laser in the 600 nm range or a laser having an oscillation wavelength of 400 nm to 450 nm as a blue laser may be used. In addition, a surface-emitting type laser light source that can output a multi-beam is also effective for color image formation.

  The developing device 14 includes a developing roll 14a and a developer storage container 14b. The developing roll 14a is provided so that a part thereof is immersed in the liquid developer 24 stored in the developer storage container 14b. The liquid developer 24 includes toner particles and a carrier liquid, and the toner particles are dispersed in the carrier liquid. For example, the liquid developer 24 may be further stirred by a stirring member provided in the developer storage container 14b.

A known liquid developer can be used as the liquid developer.
The toner particles include a binder resin (for example, a polyester resin) and, if necessary, a colorant, a release agent, and other additives.
The carrier liquid may be a volatile carrier liquid or a non-volatile carrier liquid, and examples thereof include paraffinic oil, ether oil, silicone oil, and vegetable oil.

  The liquid developer 24 supplied to the developing roll 14a is conveyed to the photoconductor 10 in a state limited to the supply amount determined by the regulating member, and the position where the developing roll 14a and the photoconductor 10 face (or contact) each other. Is supplied to the electrostatic latent image. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is visualized and becomes a toner image 26.

The developed toner image 26 is conveyed to the photoreceptor 10 rotating in the direction of arrow B in the figure and transferred to the recording medium 30. In this embodiment, before transferring to the recording medium 30, the intermediate transfer is temporarily performed. The toner image is transferred (primary transfer) to the body 16. At this time, a peripheral speed difference may be provided between the photosensitive member 10 and the intermediate transfer member 16.
Examples of the form of the intermediate transfer member 16 include a belt shape or a drum shape.

  The toner image 26 transferred to the intermediate transfer member 16 is transferred (secondary transfer) to the recording medium 30. In this embodiment, the toner image 26 is transferred from the intermediate transfer member 16 to the recording medium 30. In the coating device 27, the thermosetting adhesive 41 is applied to the surface of the recording medium 30 on which the toner image 26 is transferred.

-Recording media-
The recording medium 30 is not particularly limited, and a known recording medium is applied. For example, paper, a thermoplastic resin film, etc. are mentioned.
Examples of the thermoplastic resin film include polyolefin films such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate; polyamide films such as nylon. Other examples include films of polycarbonate, polystyrene, modified polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polylactic acid, and the like. These films may be any of an unstretched film, a stretched film stretched in a uniaxial direction or a biaxial direction. Furthermore, the thermoplastic resin film may be in the form of a single layer or multiple layers.

When a thermoplastic resin film is applied as the recording medium 30, the thermoplastic resin film is uniaxial or biaxial in terms of deformation of the thermoplastic resin film when an image is formed using the liquid developer of this embodiment. It is preferable that the film is stretched in the axial direction. Further, when the recording medium is a thermoplastic resin film for use in a soft packaging material, for example, the recording medium is preferably stretched in a uniaxial direction or a biaxial direction from the characteristics required for the flexible packaging material.
Note that a resin film wound in a roll shape may be used as the recording medium 30, and a toner image may be fixed on the unwound resin film and then wound in a roll shape.

-Adhesive that hardens when stimulated-
An adhesive that is cured by a stimulus (stimulus curable adhesive) used in the present embodiment means a material that is cured by a chemical reaction caused by application of a specific stimulus from the outside, resulting in a decrease in viscosity. What is necessary is just an adhesive which hardens | cures by providing a stimulus after apply | coating to a medium.
Examples of the stimulus for curing the adhesive include energy such as heat and light. Examples of the stimulus curable adhesive used in the present embodiment include an adhesive that cures by ultraviolet irradiation (ultraviolet curable adhesive), Examples thereof include an adhesive (thermosetting adhesive) that is cured by heating.
Specific examples include an adhesive having an isocyanate structure (isocyanate-based adhesive) and an adhesive having an epoxide structure (epoxy-based adhesive). As the thermosetting adhesive, a two-component curable adhesive is preferable from the viewpoint of storage stability.

Commercially available products may be used as the stimulus curable adhesive in the present embodiment.
Examples of the thermosetting adhesive include a mixture of Toyo Morton polyester resin TM-570 and isocyanate curing agent CAT-RT37, Mitsui Chemicals polyether Takelac A-969V and isocyanate curing agent Takenate A. -5, a mixture of polyester Takelac A-626 made by Mitsui Chemicals, and an isocyanate curing agent Takenate A-50, a polyester Seika Bond E-372 and an isocyanate curing agent C-76 manufactured by Dainichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd. And a mixture of an epoxy resin JER828 manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and a polyamidoamine curing agent polymide L-4051 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries.

  Examples of the ultraviolet curable adhesive include NOA78 manufactured by NORLAND, Crossmer U manufactured by Nippon Carbide Industries, and Hitaroid 7927-8 manufactured by Hitachi Chemical.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the thermosetting adhesive 41 is applied to the recording medium 30 by the coating device 27.

  The method of applying the adhesive 41 to the recording medium 30 is not particularly limited as long as the adhesive can be applied to the side of the recording medium on which the toner image is formed. Gravure coating, blade coating, air knife coating, roll coating, reverse roll coating, Examples include curtain coating, bar coating, and spray coating.

  The application amount of the adhesive 41 varies depending on the type of the adhesive, but from the viewpoint of improving the adhesion of the toner image and suppressing thickness unevenness, the thickness after curing is in the range of 0.05 μm or more and 10 μm or less, for example. It is preferable.

The toner image conveyed in the direction of arrow C by the intermediate transfer member 16 is applied to the surface on which the adhesive 41 of the recording medium 30 is applied at a position (secondary transfer portion) where the intermediate transfer member 16 and the transfer roll 28 face each other. Transfer (secondary transfer).
When the toner image 26 of the intermediate transfer member 16 is transferred to the recording medium 30, a transfer bias having a (+) polarity opposite to the polarity (−) of the toner is applied to the transfer roll 28, and transferred electrostatically. The As a result, the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 16 is transferred onto the recording medium 30 via the adhesive layer 41 formed by the adhesive applied to the recording medium 30. Note that the carrier liquid adheres to the area of the intermediate transfer body 16 where the toner image is not formed, and even if the intermediate transfer body 16 contacts the adhesive layer on the recording medium 30, the adhesive remains on the intermediate transfer body 16. In order to avoid the adhesive from adhering to the intermediate transfer body 16, a gap is provided between the intermediate transfer body 16 and the recording medium 30 in the secondary transfer portion, and the intermediate transfer body 16 is the recording medium 30. It is preferable that the toner image 26 be transferred without contacting the (adhesive). A cleaning means may be provided for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 16 and the adhesive adhered to the intermediate transfer member 16 after the secondary transfer.

  On the other hand, in the photoconductor 10 in which the toner image 26 is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 16, the toner particles remaining on the photoconductor 10 without being transferred are conveyed to a contact position with the cleaner 18 and collected by the cleaner 18. If the transfer efficiency is close to 100% and the generation of residual toner particles is reduced, the cleaner 18 need not be provided.

  A non-contact heating device (stimulus applying means) 32 is provided downstream of the transfer roll 28 in the traveling direction of the recording medium 30. The non-contact heating device 32 is a plate-like heating device, and a heater is provided inside a plate-like body whose surface is made of metal.

  As a heater used in the non-contact heating device 32, for example, when heating the toner image from the toner image side to be heated in a non-contact manner, a halogen heater, a hot air dryer, or the like is used to heat the toner image to be heated. When heating from the back surface (that is, the recording medium side), a heating plate or a heating roll that contacts the back surface is used.

  The stimulus applying unit 32 performs heating in a non-contact manner from the viewpoint of preventing an uncured adhesive or toner image on the recording medium 30 from adhering to the stimulus applying unit 32, that is, a heated object (adhesive layer 41). ) Heating is performed from the side on which the toner image of the recording medium is transferred (side on which the adhesive is applied) with a heating device that heats the recording medium without contacting the surface, or the back side of the recording medium (side on which the toner image is not formed) It is desirable that the heating is carried out or a combination of both.

The heating temperature in the non-contact heating device 32 is set to a temperature at which the thermosetting adhesive applied to the recording medium 30 is cured. In the case where a thermoplastic resin film is used as the recording medium, the temperature may be set such that the thermosetting adhesive is cured and the thermoplastic resin film is not deformed by heat. The heating time is determined by the length of the non-contact heating device 32 in the traveling direction of the recording medium 30 and the process speed.
When the thermosetting adhesive applied to the recording medium 30 is heated by the non-contact heating device (stimulation applying means) 32, the adhesive strength of the toner image is improved.

Heating and pressing rolls (fixing means) 34A and 34B are provided downstream of the non-contact heating device 32 in the traveling direction of the recording medium 30. The toner image in which the adhesive layer 41 is cured and the adhesive force is increased by being heated by the non-contact heating device 32 is further pressurized while being heated by the heating and pressure rolls 34A and 34B. Thus, the image is fixed on the recording medium 30.
The heating and pressing rolls 34A and 34B are arranged to face each other so as to form a nip (contact portion) with the recording medium 30 interposed therebetween. The heat and pressure rolls 34A and 34B are formed by forming an elastic rubber layer and a release layer for toner release on a metal roll, and a recording medium 30 by a pressure mechanism (not shown) so as to obtain a predetermined pressure and nip width. Is sandwiched. In addition, at least one of the heat and pressure rolls 34A and 34B is provided with a heater, but the heater may be provided with both of the heat and pressure rolls 34A and 34B.

When a thermoplastic resin film is used as the recording medium 30, the heating temperature of the heating and pressing rolls (fixing means) 34A and 34B is more preferably 60 ° C. or higher and lower than 150 ° C., and 80 ° C. or higher and 130 ° C. It is further desirable that The applied pressure is desirably 1.5 kg / cm ² or more and 5 kg / cm ² or less, and more desirably 2 kg / cm ² or more and 3.5 kg / cm ² or less.

The toner image is fixed on the recording medium 30 at the positions of the heat and pressure rolls 34A and 34B, and a fixed image 29 is formed.
Thereafter, the recording medium 30 is conveyed to a discharge unit (not shown). Since the adhesive applied to the recording medium is already cured, it is suppressed that the adhesive adheres to the transport roll and the like and is contaminated. For example, the recording medium 30 is stacked or wound on the discharge unit. Also, the adhesive between the films is suppressed.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the transfer roll 28 that transfers the toner image to the recording medium, and the heat and pressure rolls (fixing means) 34A and 34B that fix the toner image transferred to the recording medium. Is provided with a non-contact heating device 32 for curing the adhesive applied to the recording medium 30, but a pre-heating means is provided between the non-contact heating device 32 and the fixing means 34A, 34B. (Assuming toner is assumed) may be provided. When a thermosetting adhesive is used as the stimulus curable adhesive, the non-contact heating device 32 or the preheating means may also serve as the stimulus applying means. For example, the non-contact heating device 32 may not be provided, and the preheating unit may be configured to simultaneously cure the adhesive and assume the toner image.

The image forming apparatus 100 may further include a neutralization device (not shown) that neutralizes the surface of the photoconductor 10 after the transfer and before the next charging.
The charging unit 20, the exposure unit 12, the developing unit 14, the intermediate transfer member 16, the transfer roll 28, the cleaner 18, the non-contact heating unit 32, the heating and pressing rolls 34 </ b> A and 34 </ b> B, and the coating unit 37 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 are All are operated in synchronism with the rotational speed of the photosensitive member 10.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows another configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment, a coating device 37 that applies an ultraviolet curable adhesive as a stimulus curable adhesive to the recording medium 30 before the toner image is transferred, and the traveling direction of the recording medium 30 An ultraviolet irradiation device 36 is provided as a stimulus applying means on the downstream side of the transfer roll 28 and on the upstream side of the heat and pressure rolls (fixing means) 34A, 34B. In the image forming apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 2, a photosensitive member (image holding member) 10, a charging device (charging means) 20, an exposure device (latent image forming means) 12, a developing device (developing means) 14, an intermediate transfer member 16, The cleaner 18 and the recording medium 30 are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In the image forming apparatus 110 illustrated in FIG. 2, the non-contact heating device 32 is provided on the downstream side of the transfer roll 28 in the traveling direction of the recording medium 30 and on the upstream side of the ultraviolet irradiation device 36. The non-contact heating device 32 is a device for preheating the toner image transferred to the recording medium 30 before fixing, and the non-contact heating device 32 may not be provided.

  When an image is formed on the recording medium 30 in the image forming apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 2, the process from when the surface of the photoreceptor 10 is charged until the toner image 26 is transferred (secondary transfer) to the intermediate transfer body 16. These are the same as the steps in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

An ultraviolet curable adhesive 42 is applied to the recording medium 30 by a coating device 37.
The recording medium 30 coated with the ultraviolet curable adhesive 42 is conveyed to a position (secondary transfer portion) where the intermediate transfer body 16 and the transfer roll 28 face each other, and the toner image 26 of the intermediate transfer body 30 is transferred to the recording medium 30. Is transferred onto the adhesive layer 42 (secondary transfer).

  After the secondary transfer, the recording medium 30 is conveyed to the position of the non-contact heating device 32, and the toner image is preheated by the non-contact heating device 32 as necessary.

  Next, ultraviolet rays for curing the ultraviolet curable adhesive 42 are irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation device 36. The adhesive strength of the toner image is improved by curing the adhesive layer 42 by ultraviolet irradiation.

The irradiation energy of ultraviolet rays, may be promoted curing reaction of the ultraviolet curing adhesive agent, depending on the kind of the ultraviolet curing adhesive agents, for example, 10 mJ / cm ² or more 5000 mJ / cm ² or less. Examples of the ultraviolet irradiation time include 0.01 seconds to 60 seconds. Moreover, as a light source, well-known lamps, such as a high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a light emitting diode (LED) lamp, are mentioned, for example.

  In the case where a resin film having transparency to ultraviolet light is used as the recording medium 30, the ultraviolet light is irradiated from the non-image forming surface side of the recording medium 30 (the side opposite to the surface on which the toner image is formed). It is good also as a structure.

  After the ultraviolet irradiation, the recording medium 30 is further transported to the positions of the heat and pressure rolls 34A and 34B, and is fixed to the recording medium 30 by being pressurized while being heated. Since the ultraviolet curable adhesive applied to the recording medium 30 is cured by ultraviolet irradiation before the recording medium 30 comes into contact with the heat and pressure rolls 34A and 34B, the adhesive is applied to the heat and pressure rolls 34A and 34B. Adhesion is suppressed.

  Note that after the ultraviolet curable adhesive is applied to the recording medium 30, the transferred toner image may be heated and fixed in a non-contact manner, and the adhesive may be cured by ultraviolet irradiation after the toner image is fixed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of another aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a tandem image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a cyan developing unit 101-C, a magenta developing unit 101-M, a yellow developing unit 101-Y, and a black developing unit 101-K. Each developing unit includes a developer tank 102, a developer supply roll 103, a supply amount regulating means 104, a developing roll (developing means) 105, a developing roll cleaner 106, a photoconductor (image holding body) 107, a charging means 108, an exposure device. (Latent image forming means) 109, primary transfer means 110, and photoconductor cleaner 111. Further, an intermediate transfer body 125 is provided so as to be in contact with each of the photosensitive members 107 of the four developing units, and further, secondary transfer means 124 and 126 for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body 125 to the recording medium 127. Provided. An application unit (application device) 128 for applying a thermosetting adhesive to the recording medium 127 is provided on the upstream side of the secondary transfer units 124 and 126 in the traveling direction of the recording medium 127, and on the downstream side. Non-contact heating devices (stimulation applying means) 136, 138, a heating roll 132 and a pressure roll 133 (fixing means) are provided, and a discharge roll 135 is provided on the downstream side.

  The liquid developer 112 is maintained in a predetermined amount in the developer tank 102 by a developer circulation means (not shown), and is conveyed from the developer tank 102 to the developing roll 105 by the developer supply roll 103. The developer supply roll 103 includes a system in which the surface is charged and the developer is attached by an electrostatic force, and a system in which a groove or a recess is provided in the roll to convey the liquid so as to supply liquid. The transport amount is restricted to a predetermined value. The photosensitive member 107 is charged by the charging unit 108 so that the surface has a predetermined charging bias amount, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by a light beam from the exposure device 109 in accordance with an image signal sent from a host computer (not shown). It is formed. The liquid developer on the developing roll 105 is transferred to the photoreceptor 107 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. Unnecessary developer is removed from the developer tank 102 by the developing roll cleaner 106 and a developer circulating means (not shown). Returned to

  The toner image formed on the photosensitive member 107 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member 125 by the primary transfer unit 110. The intermediate transfer body 125 is supported by a drive roll 121, support rolls 122 and 123, and secondary transfer means 124. The drive roll 121 drives the intermediate transfer body 125 in the direction of the arrow by a drive motor and a power transmission mechanism (not shown). A tension determined by a spring mechanism (not shown) is applied to the intermediate transfer body 125. The primary transfer unit 110 sequentially transfers cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner images to the intermediate transfer member 125 by electrostatic force and pressure. The primary transfer means 110 for each color may make a difference in the set potential. The liquid developer remaining on the photoconductor 107 is removed by the photoconductor cleaner 111.

  On the other hand, the recording medium 127 conveyed toward the secondary transfer units 124 and 126 is coated with a thermosetting adhesive by a coating device 128 on the surface on which the toner image is transferred.

  The toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer body 125 is secondarily transferred electrostatically onto the adhesive layer formed on the recording medium 127 by the secondary transfer means 124 and 126. In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 as well, the cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 125 after the secondary transfer and the adhesive when the adhesive adheres to the intermediate transfer body 125. May be provided.

Next, the toner image transferred onto the adhesive layer of the recording medium 127 is conveyed to a non-contact heating device (stimulation applying means) 136, 138, and the adhesive layer is thermally cured.
The non-contact heating devices 136 and 138 are plate-like heating devices, and a heater is provided inside a plate-like body whose surface is metal. The non-contact heating devices 136 and 138 are heated to a temperature at which the thermosetting adhesive is cured.

  The heating temperature in the non-contact heating devices 136 and 138 is desirably 60 ° C. or higher. However, when a thermoplastic resin film is used as the recording medium, it is more preferably 60 ° C. or higher and lower than 130 ° C., and further preferably 80 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower. Further, the heating time is determined by the length of the non-contact heating devices 136 and 138 in the traveling direction of the recording medium 127 and the process speed.

The image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a pair of heat rolls 132 and a pressure roll 133 as a fixing unit and a heater 134 provided inside each roll. The toner image preliminarily heated by the non-contact heating devices 136 and 138 is further fixed to the recording medium 127 by applying pressure while being heated by a pair of heating rolls 132 and a pressure roll 133. The
The heating roll 132 and the pressure roll 133 are arranged to face each other so as to form a nip with the recording medium 127 interposed therebetween. Each of the heating roll 132 and the pressure roll 133 has a configuration in which, for example, an elastic rubber layer and a release layer for releasing toner particles are formed on a metal roll, and a predetermined pressure and nip width are obtained. The recording medium 127 is sandwiched by a pressure mechanism (not shown). Although both the heating roll 132 and the pressure roll 133 are provided with a heater, the heater may be provided only in one of the heating roll 132 and the pressure roll 133.

The heating temperature of the heating roll 132 and the pressure roll 133 is set to a temperature at which the toner image is fixed. However, when a thermoplastic resin film is used as a recording medium, it is more preferably 60 ° C. or higher and lower than 150 ° C. More preferably, the temperature is 80 ° C. or higher and 130 ° C. or lower. The applied pressure is desirably 1.5 kg / cm ² or more and 5 kg / cm ² or less, and more desirably 2 kg / cm ² or more and 3.5 kg / cm ² or less.

  Further, a discharge roller 135 is provided on the downstream side of the heating roller 132 and the pressure roller 133, and the recording medium 127 on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed by the discharge roller 135 to a discharge unit (not shown).

The image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the present embodiment have been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the present embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. It is not limited to.
For example, in the case where a thermosetting adhesive is used as the stimulus curable adhesive, as shown in FIG. 1, a plate-like shape having a heater provided therein is heated as the stimulus imparting means from the back side of the recording medium (opposite the toner image). FIG. 3 illustrates a heating device, and a method of heating in a non-contact manner from the front and back sides of the recording medium by a plate-like heating device provided with a heater inside is described. However, non-contact heating is performed from the front side (toner image side) of the recording medium. It may be one that can be heated by contact. For example, heating may be performed only from the front side (toner image side) of the recording medium by a plate-shaped heating device provided with a heater inside. Moreover, you may apply the air blower which blows a hot air, the irradiation apparatus which irradiates infrared light, etc.

  1 and FIG. 2 show a pair of heating and pressing rolls 34A and 34B, and FIG. 3 shows a pair of heating and pressing rolls 133 and 133. It is not limited to these. For example, an apparatus that combines a heating and pressing roll and a pressing belt, an apparatus that combines a pressing roll and a heating and pressing belt, and the like may be used.

  In addition, the configuration in which the non-contact heating device and the heating / pressurizing device are provided in any of the image forming apparatuses illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, but the configuration in which either the non-contact heating device or the heating / pressurizing device is provided. It is good.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the liquid developer is supplied from the liquid developer cartridge (not shown) attached to the image forming apparatus to the developer storage container 14b or the developer tank 102. It is good. Further, the liquid developer cartridge may be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus so that the liquid developer cartridge can be replaced when the remaining amount of the liquid developer runs out.

  Further, in the image forming apparatuses 100 and 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toner image 26 formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 10 without passing through the intermediate transfer member 16 is applied to the recording medium 30 coated with the adhesive. You may have the structure directly transcribed.

  Hereinafter, although an embodiment explains this embodiment in detail, this embodiment is not limited to these examples at all. In the following description, “part” and “%” are all based on mass unless otherwise specified.

<Manufacture of toner particles>
-Preparation of Amorphous Polyester Resin (1) / Amorphous Resin Particle Dispersion (1a)-
・ Polyoxyethylene (2,0) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane
35 mole parts polyoxypropylene (2,2) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane
65 mol parts, terephthalic acid 80 mol parts, n-dodecenyl succinic acid 15 mol parts, trimellitic acid 10 mol parts

  In a heat-dried two-necked flask, put 0.05 mol part of dibutyltin oxide with respect to the above components and these acid components (total number of moles of terephthalic acid, n-dodecenyl succinic acid and trimellitic acid). Then, after introducing nitrogen gas into the container and maintaining the inert atmosphere and raising the temperature, the copolycondensation reaction was performed at 150 ° C. or higher and 230 ° C. or lower for 12 hours, and then gradually reduced in pressure at 210 ° C. or higher and 250 ° C. or lower, Amorphous polyester resin (1) was synthesized.

The amorphous polyester resin (1) obtained by molecular weight measurement (polystyrene conversion) by GPC (gel permeation chromatography) had a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 15000 and a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 6800.
Further, when the amorphous polyester resin (1) was measured by using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), a clear peak was not shown, and a stepwise change in the endothermic amount was observed. The glass transition temperature at the midpoint of the stepwise endothermic change was 62 ° C.

3000 parts of the obtained amorphous polyester resin (1), 10000 parts of ion-exchanged water, and 90 parts of surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate are added to an emulsification tank of a high-temperature and high-pressure emulsifier (Cabitron CD1010, slit: 0.4 mm). After being charged, the mixture is heated and melted to 130 ° C., dispersed at 110 ° C. at a flow rate of 3 L / m for 30 minutes at 10,000 rpm, and passed through a cooling tank to pass through an amorphous resin particle dispersion (high temperature high pressure emulsifier (Cabitron CD1010 slit). 0.4 mm)) was recovered to obtain an amorphous resin particle dispersion (1a).
The volume average particle diameter D50v of the resin particles contained in the obtained amorphous resin particle dispersion (1a) was 0.3 μm, and the standard deviation was 1.2.

-Preparation of crystalline polyester resin (2) and crystalline resin particle dispersion (2a)-
・ 1,4-butanediol (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 293 parts ・ dodecanedicarboxylic acid (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 750 parts ・ catalyst (dibutyltin oxide) 0.3 parts After the above components were added, the air in the container was brought into an inert atmosphere with nitrogen gas by a depressurization operation, and stirred at 180 ° C. for 2 hours by mechanical stirring. Then, it heated up gradually to 230 degreeC under pressure reduction, stirred for 5 hours, air-cooled when it became a viscous state, the reaction was stopped, and the crystalline polyester resin (2) was synthesize | combined.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the crystalline polyester resin (2) obtained by molecular weight measurement (polystyrene conversion) by GPC (gel permeation chromatography) was 18000.
Further, when the melting temperature (Tm) of the crystalline polyester resin (2) was measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) by the above-described measuring method, it had a clear peak, and the peak top temperature was 70 ° C. Met.
Furthermore, a crystalline resin particle dispersion (2a) was produced under the conditions of the resin particle dispersion (1a) except that the crystalline polyester resin (2) was used. The volume average particle diameter D50v of the particles contained in the obtained dispersion was 0.25 μm, and the standard deviation was 1.3.

-Preparation of colorant particle dispersion (1)-
・ Phthalocyanine pigment (Daiichi Seika Co., Ltd., PVFASTBLUE) 25 parts ・ Anionic surfactant (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Neogen RK) 2 parts ・ Ion-exchanged water 125 parts After mixing and dissolving the above components, homogenizer (IKA) Dispersion was carried out using Ultra Tarrax) to obtain a colorant particle dispersion (1).

-Preparation of release agent particle dispersion (1)-
・ Pentaerythritol behenic acid tetraester wax 100 parts ・ Anionic surfactant (manufactured by NOF Corporation, Newlex R) 2 parts ・ Ion exchange water 300 parts After mixing and dissolving the above components, homogenizer (manufactured by IKA, Ultrata) (Lux) and then dispersed with a pressure discharge type homogenizer to obtain a release agent particle dispersion (1).

-Production of toner particles (1)-
Amorphous resin particle dispersion (1a) 145 parts Crystalline resin particle dispersion (2a) 30 parts Colorant particle dispersion (1) 42 parts Release agent particle dispersion (1) 36 parts Aluminum (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 0.5 part, ion-exchanged water 300 parts

The above components are housed in a round stainless steel flask, adjusted to pH 2.7, dispersed using a homogenizer (IKA, Ultra Turrax T50), and then stirred up to 45 ° C. in a heating oil bath. Heated. After maintaining at 48 ° C. for 120 minutes, observation with an optical microscope confirmed that aggregated particles having an average particle size of 5.6 μm were formed.
Furthermore, after maintaining heating and stirring at 48 ° C. for 30 minutes, observation with an optical microscope confirmed that aggregated particles having an average particle diameter of 6.5 μm were formed. The pH of this aggregated particle dispersion was 3.2. Subsequently, a 1N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was gently added to adjust the pH to 8.0, and then the mixture was heated to 90 ° C. while maintaining stirring and maintained for 3 hours. Thereafter, the reaction product was filtered, washed with ion exchange water, and then dried using a vacuum dryer to obtain toner particles (1). The obtained toner particles (1) had a volume average particle diameter D50v of 6.5 μm.

-Preparation of liquid developer (A1)-
30 parts of the toner particles (1) obtained above and 70 parts of dimethyl silicone oil (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., KF-96-20cs) were mixed in a glass bottle to obtain a liquid developer (A1).

[Example 1]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
A PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film (T4102 manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., 12 μm thick) is prepared as a recording medium, and a polyester resin TM-570 manufactured by Toyo Morton Co., Ltd. and an isocyanate curing agent CAT-RT37 are used on the PET film using a bar coater. An adhesive solution mixed at a mass ratio of 18: 1 was applied to form an adhesive layer (thickness after curing: 3.0 μm).
Thereafter, the liquid developer (A1) was applied to a part of the film on which the adhesive layer was formed to form a sample film (toner image) having a toner mass (TMA) = 8.7 g / m ² .
Thereafter, the sample film was heated from the back side (side where the liquid developer of the PET film was not applied) at 100 ° C. for 1 minute using a hot plate to obtain a sample for evaluation.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
To the obtained sample for evaluation, an adhesive for dry lamination (TM-570 (manufactured by Toyo Morton Co., Ltd.) / CAT-RT37 (manufactured by Toyo Morton Co., Ltd.) / Ethyl acetate = 18/1 / 15.6 (mass ratio)) After coating and drying at 70 ° C. with a hot plate, another PET film (38 μm thick) was attached.
Thereafter, the film was cut out to a width of 15 mm, a 90-degree peel test was performed with a tensile tester, and the peel force (adhesive strength) between the PET film (recording medium) and the toner image was measured.
As a result, the peeling force was 1.5 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
On the surface of the obtained sample for evaluation, the same PET film as that used as a recording medium for forming the sample for evaluation (with no adhesive layer and toner image formed thereon) is overlaid, and a sample for transfer evaluation did.
The sample was allowed to stand for 24 hours under a load of surface pressure of 80 g / cm ² . Thereafter, the overlapped film and the evaluation sample were opened, and the state of the overlapped film surface and the evaluation sample surface was observed.
As a result, the portion of the evaluation sample where the toner image was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (the portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) did not change, and toner on the superimposed film and transfer of the adhesive layer were also observed. There wasn't.

[Example 2]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
Instead of the adhesive solution used in the preparation of the sample for evaluation in Example 1, a solution obtained by mixing polyether-based Takelac A-969V and isocyanate-based curing agent Takenate A-5 at a mass ratio of 3: 1 was used. A sample for evaluation was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesive strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 1.5 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

[Example 3]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
Instead of the adhesive solution used in the preparation of the evaluation sample of Example 1, a solution obtained by mixing polyester-based Takelac A-626 and isocyanate-based curing agent Takenate A-50 at a mass ratio of 8: 1 was used. A sample for evaluation was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesion strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 1.4 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

[Example 4]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
Instead of the adhesive solution used in the preparation of the sample for evaluation in Example 1, a solution obtained by mixing polyester Seikabond E-372 and isocyanate curing agent C-76 manufactured by Dainichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd. at a mass ratio of 17: 2 is used. A sample for evaluation was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesion strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 1.4 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

[Example 5]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
Instead of the adhesive solution used in the preparation of the sample for evaluation in Example 1, a solution obtained by mixing 100: 43 of epoxy resin JER828 manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Co., Ltd. and polyamide amine-based curing agent polyamide L-4051 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd. was used. A sample for evaluation was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesive strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 1.5 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

[Example 6]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
A toner layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that NOA78 manufactured by NORLAND was used instead of the adhesive solution used in the preparation of the evaluation sample of Example 1, and then the ultraviolet irradiation intensity was 6.4 mW / cm ^2. A sample for evaluation was prepared by irradiating with ultraviolet rays under the condition of ultraviolet irradiation time of 30 seconds.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesion strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 1.4 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

[Example 7]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
A toner layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 6 except that Crossmer U manufactured by Nippon Carbide Industries, Ltd. was used instead of the adhesive solution used in the preparation of the evaluation sample of Example 6, and then the ultraviolet irradiation intensity was 6.4 mW. The sample for evaluation was irradiated with ultraviolet rays under the conditions of / cm ² and ultraviolet irradiation time of 30 seconds.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesion strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 1.4 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

[Example 8]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
A toner layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 6 except that Hitachi Chemical 7927-8 manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. was used instead of the adhesive solution used in the preparation of the evaluation sample of Example 6. An ultraviolet ray was irradiated under the conditions of 4 mW / cm ² and an ultraviolet irradiation time of 30 seconds to obtain a sample for evaluation.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesive strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 1.3 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

[Comparative Example 1]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
An evaluation sample was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the adhesive solution was not used in the preparation of the evaluation sample of Example 1.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesive strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 0.3 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

[Comparative Example 2]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
An evaluation sample was prepared in the same manner as in Example 6 except that in the preparation of the evaluation sample of Example 6, ultraviolet irradiation after toner formation was not performed.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesive strength) between the film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 0.5 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion of the evaluation sample on which the toner image was formed was not changed, and no transfer of toner to the superimposed film was observed. The portion where no film was formed had strong adhesiveness with the laminated film and could not be easily removed. Moreover, the transfer of the adhesive layer to the laminated film was observed.

[Example 9]
Using the apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 2, NOA78 manufactured by NORLAND was applied onto the PET film by a coating apparatus (thickness after curing: 3.0 μm). Thereafter, transfer of the toner image, heating from the back side of the recording medium, irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and heating and pressurization were performed to prepare an evaluation sample.
No transfer of the adhesive to the heat and pressure roll 34A was observed.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesive strength) between the PET film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 1.4 N / 15 mm.

[Comparative Example 3]
In Example 9, an attempt was made to prepare an evaluation sample in the same manner as in Example 9 except that ultraviolet irradiation was not performed, but the transfer of the adhesive layer to the heating and pressing roll 34A occurred, and uniform film conveyance was achieved. Could not do.

[Comparative Example 4]
-Preparation of sample for evaluation-
In the preparation of the sample for evaluation in Example 1, Toyo Morton polyester resin TM-570 and isocyanate curing agent CAT-RT37 were mixed at a mass ratio of 18: 1 on a PET film (Toyobo T4102, 12 μm thickness). After the adhesive solution was applied, the sample film was heated from the back side (side where the PET film adhesive solution was not applied) at 100 ° C. for 1 minute using a hot plate.

Thereafter, the liquid developer (A1) was applied to a part of the film on which the adhesive layer was formed to form a sample film (toner image) having a toner mass (TMA) = 8.7 g / m ² .
Thereafter, the sample film was heated from the back side (side where the liquid developer of the PET film was not applied) at 100 ° C. for 1 minute using a hot plate to obtain an evaluation sample.

-Evaluation of adhesive strength of toner image-
When the peel strength (adhesive strength) between the PET film (recording medium) and the toner image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the peel strength was 0.5 N / 15 mm.

-Evaluation of transition between films-
When the transfer of the toner or the adhesive was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, the portion where the toner image of the sample for evaluation was formed and the portion where the toner image was not formed (portion where only the adhesive layer was formed) were not changed. There was no toner or adhesive layer transfer to the combined film.

  From the above results, it can be seen that in this example, the peel strength (adhesive strength) of the toner image is 1 N / 15 mm or more, and the toner adhesive strength is significantly higher than that of the comparative example.

10 Photoconductor (image carrier)
12 Exposure device (latent image forming means)
14 Developing device (Developing means)
16 Intermediate transfer member (transfer means)
18 Cleaner 20 Charging device (charging means)
24 Liquid developer 26 Toner image 28 Transfer roll (transfer means)
29 Fixed image 30 Recording medium 32 Non-contact heating device (stimulation means)
34A, 34B Heating and pressing roll (fixing means)
36 UV irradiation device 41 Adhesive layer (thermosetting adhesive)
42 Adhesive layer (UV curable adhesive)
100 Image forming apparatus 101-C Cyan developing unit 101-M Magenta developing unit 101-Y Yellow developing unit 101-K Black developing unit 102 Developer tank 103 Developer supplying roll 104 Supply amount regulating means 105 Developing roll 106 Developing roll cleaner 107 Photoconductor (image carrier)
108 Charging device (charging means)
109 Exposure device (latent image forming means)
110 Primary transfer means 111 Photoconductor cleaner 112 Liquid developer 121 Drive roll 122 Support rolls 124, 126 Secondary transfer means 125 Intermediate transfer body (transfer means)
127 Recording medium 132 Heating roll (fixing means)
133 Pressure roll (fixing means)
134 Heater 135 Discharge roll 136, 138 Non-contact heating device (stimulation means)
142 UV irradiation equipment

Claims (6)

An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier;
A liquid developer containing a carrier liquid and toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid is contained, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier is developed with the liquid developer to form a toner image. Developing means;
Application means for applying an adhesive that cures by stimulation to the surface of the recording medium to which the toner image is transferred;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the recording medium on which the adhesive is applied;
A stimulus applying means for applying the stimulus to the recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred to cure the adhesive;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording medium to the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulus is heat or ultraviolet rays.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulus applying unit is a unit that applies the stimulus to the recording medium before the toner image is fixed on the recording medium by the fixing unit. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulus is heat, and the fixing unit also serves as the stimulus applying unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a two-component curable adhesive. A charging step for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier;
A liquid developer containing a carrier liquid and toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid is contained, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier is developed with the liquid developer to form a toner image. Development process;
An application step of applying an adhesive that cures by stimulation to the surface of the recording medium to which the toner image is transferred;
A transfer step of transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier onto the surface of the recording medium to which the adhesive has been applied;
A stimulus applying step of applying the stimulus to the recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred to cure the adhesive;
A fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred to the recording medium to the recording medium;
An image forming method comprising: