JP2019061093A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that prevents the occurrence of filming.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: developing means that each store a developer having a toner including toner particles containing an amorphous polyester resin, where Mw(A) of a tetrahydrofuran soluble of the toner particle is 25000 or more and 60000 or less, Mw(A)/Mn(A) is 5 or more and 10 or less, in infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particle, the absorbance at a wavelength of 1500 cm/the absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cmis 0.6 or less and the absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm/the absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cmis 0.4 or less; cleaning means that each bring a cleaning blade into contact with the surface of an image holding body for cleaning; and lubricant supply means that each supply lubricant to a contact position of the cleaning blade and image holding body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In the formation of an image by electrophotography, for example, after charging the surface of an image carrier, an electrostatic charge image is formed on the surface of the image carrier according to image information, and then this electrostatic charge image is developed with toner. The toner image is developed to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred and fixed to the surface of the recording medium.

  Here, in Patent Document 1, “the binder resin comprises 70 to 85 mol% of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid component (a) and 15 to 30 mol% of a trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid component (b). 0.1 to 1.2 moles of a propoxylated and / or ethoxylated etherified diphenol component (c) and 0.01 to 0.15 moles of an aliphatic diol component (d) per 1 mole of the carboxylic acid component And an acid value of 6 to 15 mg KOH / g, weight average molecular weight Mw 15,000 to 60,000, number average molecular weight Mn 2,000 to 4,000, weight average molecular weight Mw and number average molecular weight Mw A toner for electrophotography which is a polyester resin having a ratio (Mw / Mn) to molecular weight Mn of 6 to 18, a glass transition temperature of 50 to 60 ° C., and a softening point of 100 to 120 ° C. Forming device. There has been disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, “an image carrier for holding a latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and the surface of the charged image carrier are exposed based on the image data, and the electrostatic latent image is Exposure means for writing, developing means for visualizing the toner on the latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier, transfer means for transferring the visible image on the surface of the image carrier to a transferee, and image The brush comprises a cleaning means for cleaning the toner and the like by means of a brush-like roller which is in contact with the surface of the holding body and a cleaning blade installed downstream of the brush-like roller, a lubricant molded body and a brush-like roller An image forming apparatus comprising a lubricant applying unit configured to slide and scrape the lubricant molded body while rotating the second roller and apply the lubricant molded body to the surface of the image carrier; Running distance 15 The image forming apparatus. "Discloses lubricant consumption per 0m is 0.1～1.2G.

  In Patent Document 3, “an image carrier for holding a latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and an exposure for exposing the surface of the charged image carrier based on image data and writing a latent image are described. Means, developing means for supplying toner to the latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier to visualize the image, image area calculation means for calculating the image area of the visible image, and image carrier of this image area Image area ratio calculation means for the traveling area of the image, transfer means for transferring the visible image of the surface of the image carrier onto the transfer medium, and cleaning the surface of the image carrier after transfer, and holding the lubricant as an image through the fur brush An image forming apparatus comprising cleaning means for applying to a body surface, and adjusting means for adjusting the amount of lubricant to be applied to the surface of the image carrier according to an image area ratio of a visible image of the surface of the image carrier "Image forming apparatus" is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-0565504 JP, 2006-208418, A JP 2005-249917 A

By the way, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of an image carrier is developed with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, and the toner image is formed from the image carrier to a recording medium After being transferred onto the surface of the toner image, the toner image is fixed to form an image on the recording medium. Further, in the image carrier after the toner image is transferred onto the surface of the recording medium, a cleaning member is used which cleans the surface by bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface. As the toner, an amorphous polyester resin is contained as a binder resin, and the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of toner particles. When Mw (A) is 25000 or more and 60000 or less, Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less, and the absorbance relative to the absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cm ⁻¹ in infrared absorption spectrum analysis of toner particles. Toner containing toner particles having a ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 1500 cm ⁻¹ is 0.6 or less and a ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^{−1 to} the absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cm ⁻¹ is 0.4 or less (hereinafter, “specific toner” When applied, it tends to increase the hygroscopicity. Then, the toner particles that have absorbed moisture are likely to be plasticized and deformed (especially in high-temperature and high-humidity environments (for example, 28 ° C., 85% environment), the ease of deformation becomes remarkable), and as a result, the cleaning blade and the image holding At a contact position with the body, toner particles may be crushed and a phenomenon (filming) may occur that adheres to the surface of the image carrier in a stretched state.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having cleaning means for bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface of an image carrier for cleaning and applying a specific toner, wherein the cleaning blade in the cleaning means contacts the image carrier. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which suppresses the occurrence of filming as compared with the case where a lubricant supply means is not provided at a position.

  The above problems are solved by the present invention described below. That is,

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Electrostatic charge image forming means for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
When a binder resin includes an amorphous polyester resin, and the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in gel permeation chromatography measurement of a tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of toner particles, Mw (a) is a 60,000 is 25,000, Mw (a) / Mn ( a) is 5 to 10, in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 720 cm ^-1 the ratio of the absorbance is 0.6 or less, and accommodating the electrostatic image developer having a toner containing toner particles the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 720 cm ^-1 is 0.4 or less, Developing means for developing an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier by the electrostatic charge image developer as a toner image;
A transfer unit configured to transfer a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
Cleaning means for bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface of the image carrier for cleaning;
Lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier in the cleaning means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 2 is
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance at a wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 720 cm ^-1 is 0.5 or less, the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 720 cm ^-1 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is 0.3 or less.

The invention according to claim 3 is
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance at a wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 720 cm ^-1 is not less than 0.2, the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 720 cm ^-1 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is 0.05 or more.

The invention according to claim 4 is
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the image formation according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ratio of the absorbance is 0.5 or less of the wavelength 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 apparatus.

The invention according to claim 5 is
Wherein in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^-1 is 0.4 or less relative to the absorbance at a wavelength of 1500 cm ^-1.

The invention according to claim 6 is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a peak molecular weight of a molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography measurement of a tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of the toner particles is 7,000 or more and 11,000 or less. .

The invention according to claim 7 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a peak molecular weight of a molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography measurement of a tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of the toner particle is 8,000 or more and 11,000 or less.

The invention according to claim 8 is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is 28% by mass to 38% by mass.

The invention according to claim 9 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is 30% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less.

The invention according to claim 10 is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the toner particles contain a crystalline resin.

The invention according to claim 11 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a content of the crystalline resin is 3% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less with respect to a total amount of the toner.

The invention according to claim 12 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a content of the crystalline resin is 5% by mass to 15% by mass with respect to a total amount of the toner.

The invention according to claim 13 is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lubricant contains a fatty acid metal salt.

The invention according to claim 14 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fatty acid metal salt is zinc stearate.

The invention according to claim 15 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lubricant further contains an insulating lubricant.

The invention according to claim 16 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the insulating lubricant is boron nitride.

The invention according to claim 17 is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the content ratio of the insulating lubricant with respect to the total amount of the lubricant is 1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less.

The invention according to claim 18 is
Contact with water in a state in which the lubricant is supplied on the surface of the image carrier downstream of the lubricant supply means and upstream of the cleaning means in the rotational direction of the image carrier The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein an angle is 60 degrees or more and 150 degrees or less.

The invention according to claim 19 is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the lubricant supply unit is a unit provided separately from the developing unit.

According to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning means is brought into contact with the surface of the image carrier to clean the cleaning blade, and the specific toner is applied An image forming apparatus is provided in which the occurrence of filming is suppressed as compared with the case where a lubricant is not provided at the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier in the image forming apparatus.
According to the invention as set forth in claims 8 and 9, an image forming apparatus is provided which suppresses the occurrence of filming as compared with the case where the toluene insoluble content of toner particles is less than 28% by mass or more than 38% by mass.
According to the invention as set forth in claims 10, 11, or 12, an image forming apparatus is provided which suppresses the occurrence of filming as compared with the case where toner particles do not contain a crystalline resin.
According to the invention as set forth in claim 13 or 14, an image forming apparatus is provided which suppresses the occurrence of filming as compared with the case where the lubricant supply means supplies a lubricant containing no fatty acid metal salt.
According to the invention as set forth in claim 15, 16 or 17, the occurrence of filming is suppressed as compared with the case where the lubricant supply means is made of a fatty acid metal salt and does not contain an insulating lubricant. An image forming apparatus is provided.
According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the lubricant is supplied on the surface of the image carrier downstream of the lubricant supply means and upstream of the cleaning means in the rotational direction of the image carrier. An image forming apparatus is provided that suppresses the occurrence of filming, as compared to the case where the contact angle to water at the above is less than 60 °.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration view showing another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a position where a cleaning blade and a photosensitive member are in contact in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment which is an example of the present invention will be described in detail.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, an electrostatic charge image forming unit that forms an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier, and a toner. Developing means for containing an electrostatic charge image developer and developing the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer, and a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier And a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the image carrier.

  Further, the cleaning means is a cleaning means for bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface of the image carrier for cleaning, and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier in the cleaning means. Prepare.

Furthermore, the toner (specific toner) contains an amorphous polyester resin as a binder resin, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurement of the tetrahydrofuran soluble matter (hereinafter also referred to as “THF soluble matter”) of toner particles Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60000 or less, and Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less, where Mw (A) is a weight average molecular weight and Mn (A) is a number average molecular weight The ratio of the absorbance at a wavelength of 1500 cm- ^{1 to} the absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cm- ¹ in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of toner particles is 0.6 or less, and the ratio of the absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm- ^{1 to} the absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cm- ¹ Contains toner particles having a value of 0.4 or less.

  Here, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier is developed with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, and this toner image is recorded from the image carrier After transfer to the surface of the medium, the toner image is fixed to form an image on the recording medium. Further, in the image carrier after the toner image is transferred, the surface of the image carrier is cleaned by the cleaning means in order to remove the toner and the like remaining without being transferred. Then, as the cleaning means, a cleaning means is used which cleans the surface of the image carrier by bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface.

On the other hand, the specific toner has a ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 1500 cm ⁻¹ to absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cm ⁻¹ in an infrared absorption spectrum analysis of toner particles of 0.6 or less, and a wavelength of 820 cm ⁻¹ for absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cm ^−1. The ratio of the absorbance of is less than 0.4. The toner particles have this infrared absorption spectrum characteristic that the amorphous polyester resin as the binder resin is an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A (ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A And ethylene oxide propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A etc.) is not used as a polyhydric alcohol, or it means that it is a resin which is a small amount even if it is used.

Then, to improve the fixability of the fixed image using this specific toner, the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A), and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in the gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of the toner particles. It is appropriate that Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60000 or less, and Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less. That is, it is appropriate that the molecular weight characteristics of the non-crosslinked binder resin component mainly have the above characteristics.
Specifically, when Mw (A) is less than 25,000, hot offset during fixing (the phenomenon that the toner is excessively melted and adheres to the fixing member) tends to occur, and when Mw (A) exceeds 60000 The minimum fixing temperature tends to increase. If Mw (A) / Mn (A) exceeds 10, a difference in meltability of the resin is produced, and unevenness in the fixed image is likely to occur. In addition, it is difficult on manufacture to make Mw (A) / Mn (A) less than five.
As described above, when the molecular weight characteristic of the specific toner (its toner particles) is made the above-mentioned characteristic, the fixability of the image is improved.

However, when a cleaning means for bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface of the image carrier is employed as the cleaning means and a specific toner is used, the toner particles to be cleaned adhere to the surface of the image carrier in a crushed and stretched state. Phenomenon (filming) may occur. The reason is guessed as follows.
The specific toner is derived from the non-crystalline polyester resin and has a property of high hygroscopicity. Therefore, the toner particles that have absorbed moisture are likely to be plasticized and deformed, and particularly in high-temperature and high-humidity environments (for example, in an environment of 28 ° C. and 85%), the deformability is more remarkable. As a result, at the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier, the toner particles may be crushed and stretched to adhere to the surface of the image carrier.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a lubricant supply unit that supplies a lubricant to the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier in the cleaning unit.

The cleaning blade is in contact with the surface of the image carrier which is rotationally driven to clean the residual toner and the like on the surface of the image carrier while scraping off the residual toner and the like while causing friction therebetween. In addition, since friction is generated between the two, the cleaning blade is in contact with the image carrier while slightly vibrating in the rotational direction of the image carrier. Therefore, if the frictional force between the two increases, the vibration also increases, the contact posture of the cleaning blade with the image carrier may be unstable, and the cleaning performance may be degraded.
On the other hand, since the friction coefficient between the cleaning blade and the image carrier is reduced by the presence of the lubricant at the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier, excessive increase in the vibration of the cleaning blade is suppressed, that is, cleaning The contact attitude of the blade is stabilized. As a result, the cleaning performance by the cleaning blade is enhanced, and even the specific toner that is easily deformed by moisture absorption is cleaned well, so the occurrence of filming is suppressed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, filming that adheres to the surface of the image carrier in a state where toner particles remaining without being transferred are crushed and stretched is suppressed.

-Contact angle of image carrier surface-
In this embodiment, on the surface of the image carrier on the downstream side of the lubricant supply means and on the upstream side of the cleaning means in the rotation direction of the image carrier, contact with water in a state where the lubricant is supplied. The angle is preferably 60 ° or more and 150 ° or less, more preferably 70 ° or more and 130 ° or less, and still more preferably 80 ° or more and 115 ° or less.
When the contact angle is 60 ° or more, the coefficient of friction between the cleaning blade and the image carrier is reduced, the contact posture of the cleaning blade is stabilized, and the occurrence of filming is easily suppressed. On the other hand, when the contact angle is 150 ° or less, the effect of suppressing the cleaning blade slippage of the lubricant itself and suppressing the lubricant filming can be obtained.

Here, the measurement of the contact angle of water on the surface of the image carrier is performed by the following method.
Using a contact angle meter (manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd., model number: CA-X-FACE), at 20 ° C. based on the θ / 2 method, when water droplets of ion exchanged water are dropped on the surface, It is carried out by measuring the contact angle (°).
However, the measurement of the contact angle is performed in a state where the lubricant is supplied, and more specifically, after at least 5,000 rotations of the image carrier in the image forming apparatus. That is, while the lubricant is supplied from the lubricant supply means to the surface of the image carrier and the cleaning blade is cleaned, the lubricant is supplied at least after the image carrier has been rotated the above-mentioned number of times. The surface of the image carrier on the downstream side of the means and on the upstream side of the cleaning means is measured.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, an electrostatic charge image forming unit that forms an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier, and a specific toner Developing means for containing an electrostatic charge image developer having a toner image and developing the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as the toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer, and the toner formed on the surface of the image carrier A transfer means for transferring an image onto the surface of the recording medium, a cleaning means for cleaning by bringing the cleaning blade into contact with the surface of the image carrier, and supplying a lubricant to the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier in the cleaning means And lubricant supply means.

When an electrostatic charge image developer containing particles of a lubricant is applied to the electrostatic charge image developer (the toner), the developing means supplies the lubricant to the contact portion between the cleaning blade and the image carrier. It doubles as a means. That is, in the case of applying the electrostatic charge image developer containing particles of the lubricant to the electrostatic charge image developer (the toner), the supply means means the developing means.
Also, instead of applying an electrostatic charge image developer containing particles of a lubricant, a separate supply device (a lubricant external supply device) for supplying a lubricant to the surface of an image carrier is provided to supply a lubricant. You may

Here, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment directly transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the recording medium; the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is intermediate An intermediate transfer type device that performs primary transfer to the surface of a transfer body and secondarily transfers a toner image transferred to the surface of an intermediate transfer body to the surface of a recording medium; after transfer of a toner image, the surface of the image carrier before charging A known image forming apparatus such as an apparatus provided with a static eliminator that applies a static eliminative light to the light source is used.
In the case of an intermediate transfer type apparatus, for example, an intermediate transfer member to which a toner image is transferred on the surface, and a primary transfer on which the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer member. A configuration is applied that includes a device and a secondary transfer device that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer member to the surface of the recording medium.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, the part including at least the image holder may have a cartridge structure (process cartridge) which is detached from the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, although an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. The main parts shown in the figure will be described, and the description of the other parts will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member (an example of an image carrier; hereinafter, referred to as “photosensitive member”) 12 is provided. The photosensitive member 12 has a cylindrical shape, and is connected to a driving unit 27 such as a motor via a driving force transmitting member (not shown) such as a gear, and the driving unit 27 rotates around a rotation axis indicated by a black point. It is rotationally driven. In the example shown in FIG. 1, it is rotationally driven in the arrow A direction.

  For example, a charging device 15 (an example of a charging means), an electrostatic charge image forming device 16 (an example of an electrostatic charge image forming means), a developing device 18 (an example of a developing means) An example of a transfer unit), a cleaning device 22 (an example of a cleaning unit), and a charge removing device 24 are disposed in order along the rotational direction of the photosensitive member 12. Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, a fixing device 26 having a fixing member 26A and a pressure member 26B disposed in contact with the fixing member 26A is also provided. The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a control device 36 that controls the operation of each device (each unit). A unit including the photosensitive member 12, the charging device 15, the electrostatic charge image forming device 16, the developing device 18, the transfer device 31, and the cleaning device 22 corresponds to an image forming unit.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, at least the photosensitive body 12 may be provided as a process cartridge integrated with another apparatus.

  Hereinafter, details of each device (each part) of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

(Photoreceptor)
The photoreceptor 12 has, for example, a conductive substrate, an undercoat layer formed on the conductive substrate, and a photosensitive layer formed on the undercoat layer. The photosensitive layer may have a two-layer structure of a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer. The photosensitive layer may be an organic photosensitive layer or an inorganic photosensitive layer. The photosensitive member 12 may have a configuration in which a protective layer is provided on the photosensitive layer.

(Charging device)
The charging device 15 charges the surface of the photosensitive member 12. The charging device 15 is provided, for example, on the surface of the photosensitive member 12 in a contact or non-contact manner, and charges the charging member 14 for charging the surface of the photosensitive member 12, and a power source 28 for applying a charging voltage An example of the application unit is provided. The power source 28 is electrically connected to the charging member 14.

  Examples of the charging member 14 of the charging device 15 include contact charging devices using a conductive charging roller, charging brush, charging film, charging rubber blade, charging tube, and the like. Further, as the charging member 14, for example, a non-contact type roller charger, a scorotron charger using corona discharge, a charger known per se such as a corotron charger, and the like can be mentioned.

(Electrostatic charge image forming device)
The electrostatic charge image forming device 16 forms an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged photosensitive member 12. Specifically, for example, the electrostatic charge image forming apparatus 16 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive member 12 charged by the charging member 14 with the light L modulated based on the image information of the image to be formed. An electrostatic charge image corresponding to the image of the image information is formed on the photosensitive member 12.

  Examples of the electrostatic charge image forming apparatus 16 include an optical system device having a light source that exposes light such as semiconductor laser light, LED light, liquid crystal shutter light, etc. in an image-like manner.

(Developing device)
The developing device 18 is provided, for example, on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member 12 from the irradiation position of the light L by the electrostatic charge image forming device 16. In the developing device 18, a storage portion for storing a developer is provided. The storage portion stores an electrostatic charge image developer having a specific toner. The toner is, for example, stored in a charged state in the developing device 18.

Further, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, particles of a lubricant are added to the developer (the toner thereof) contained in the developing device 18, that is, the developing device 18 cleans the surface of the photosensitive member 12 It also serves as a lubricant supply device for supplying a lubricant to the contact portion with the blade 220.
The details of the developer having a toner containing toner particles and lubricant particles will be described later.

  The developing device 18 includes, for example, a developing member 18A for developing an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 12 by a developer containing toner, and a power source 32 for applying a developing voltage to the developing member 18A. There is. The developing member 18A is electrically connected to, for example, a power supply 32.

  The developing member 18A of the developing device 18 is selected according to the type of developer, and includes, for example, a developing roll having a developing sleeve in which a magnet is incorporated.

  The developing device 18 (including the power supply 32) is electrically connected to, for example, a control device 36 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and is drive-controlled by the control device 36 to apply a developing voltage to the developing member 18A. Do. The developing member 18A to which the developing voltage is applied is charged to a developing potential corresponding to the developing voltage. The developing member 18A charged to the developing potential holds, for example, the developer contained in the developing device 18 on the surface, and the toner contained in the developer from the inside of the developing device 18 to the surface of the photosensitive member 12 Supply. On the surface of the photosensitive member 12 to which the toner is supplied, the formed electrostatic charge image is developed as a toner image.

(Transfer device)
The transfer device 31 is provided, for example, on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member 12 from the disposition position of the developing member 18A. The transfer device 31 includes, for example, a transfer member 20 for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 12 to the recording medium 30A, and a power source 30 for applying a transfer voltage to the transfer member 20. The transfer member 20 has, for example, a cylindrical shape, and conveys the recording medium 30 </ b> A between the transfer member 20 and the photosensitive member 12. The transfer member 20 is electrically connected to, for example, a power supply 30.

  The transfer member 20 is, for example, a contact type transfer charger using a belt, a roller, a film, a rubber cleaning blade, etc., a scorotron transfer charger using corona discharge, a corotron transfer charger, etc. There is a transfer charger.

  The transfer device 31 (including the power supply 30) is electrically connected to, for example, a control device 36 provided in the image forming device 10, and is drive-controlled by the control device 36 to apply a transfer voltage to the transfer member 20. Do. The transfer member 20 to which the transfer voltage is applied is charged to a transfer potential according to the transfer voltage.

  When a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner forming the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 12 is applied from the power source 30 of the transfer member 20 to the transfer member 20, for example, the photosensitive member 12 and the transfer member 20 A transfer electric field of an electric field strength is formed in the opposing regions (see FIG. 1, the transfer region 32A) for moving the toners constituting the toner image on the photosensitive member 12 from the photosensitive member 12 to the transfer member 20 by electrostatic force. Be done.

  The recording medium 30A is stored, for example, in a storage portion (not shown), and is transported along the transport path 34 by the plurality of transport members (not shown) from the storage portion. It reaches the transfer area 32A which is the opposite area. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sheet is conveyed in the arrow B direction. In the recording medium 30A reaching the transfer area 32A, for example, the toner image on the photosensitive member 12 is transferred by the transfer electric field formed in the transfer member 20 when the transfer voltage is applied thereto. That is, for example, the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium 30A by the movement of the toner from the surface of the photosensitive member 12 to the recording medium 30A. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive member 12 is transferred onto the recording medium 30A by the transfer electric field.

(Cleaning device)
The cleaning device 22 is provided downstream of the transfer region 32A in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member 12. After the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 30A, the cleaning device 22 cleans (cleans) the residual toner attached to the photosensitive member 12. The cleaning device 22 cleans extraneous matter such as paper dust in addition to the residual toner.

  The cleaning device 22 has a cleaning blade 220, and contacts the tip of the cleaning blade 220 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 12 to remove deposits on the surface of the photosensitive member 12.

Here, the cleaning device 22 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration view showing an installation mode of the cleaning blade 220 in the cleaning device 22 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the front end of the cleaning blade 220 faces in the direction opposite to the rotational direction (arrow direction) of the photosensitive member 12, and contacts the surface of the photosensitive member 12 in this state.

The angle θ between the cleaning blade 220 and the photosensitive member 12 is preferably set to 5 ° or more and 35 ° or less, and more preferably 10 ° or more and 25 ° or less.
The pressing pressure N of the cleaning blade 220 against the photosensitive member 12 is preferably set to 0.6 gf / mm ² or more and 6.0 gf / mm ² or less.
Here, the angle θ specifically means, as shown in FIG. 3, a tangent (dotted line in FIG. 3) at the contact portion between the tip of the cleaning blade 220 and the photosensitive member 12 and the non-contact of the cleaning blade 220. It refers to the angle formed by the deformation part.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressing pressure N is a pressure (gf / mm ² ) that presses the center of the photosensitive member 12 at the position where the cleaning blade 220 contacts the photosensitive member 12.

  The cleaning blade 220 in the present embodiment is a plate-like product having elasticity. As a material which comprises the cleaning blade 220, elastic materials, such as silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, polyurethane rubber, are used, for example, and machines, such as abrasion resistance, chipping resistance, and creep resistance, are used among others. Polyurethane rubber, which is excellent in mechanical properties, is preferred.

In the cleaning blade 220, a support member (not shown in FIG. 3) is bonded to the side opposite to the side in contact with the photosensitive member 12, and is supported by the support member. The cleaning blade 220 is pressed against the photosensitive member 12 by the support pressure by the support member. Examples of the support member include metal materials such as aluminum and stainless steel. In addition, between the support member and the cleaning blade 220, an adhesive layer made of an adhesive or the like for bonding the two may be provided.
The cleaning device may include known members other than the cleaning blade 220 and a support member supporting the same.

(Electrostatic discharge device)
The charge removal device 24 is provided, for example, on the downstream side of the cleaning device 22 in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member 12. After transferring the toner image, the charge removing device 24 exposes the surface of the photosensitive member 12 to remove the charge. Specifically, for example, the static elimination device 24 is electrically connected to the control device 36 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and is driven and controlled by the control device 36, so that the entire surface of the photosensitive member 12 (specifically For example, the entire surface of the image forming area is exposed and discharged.

  Examples of the static elimination device 24 include a device having a light source such as a tungsten lamp that emits white light, a light emitting diode (LED) that emits red light, and the like.

(Fixing device)
The fixing device 26 is provided, for example, downstream of the transfer area 32A in the transport direction of the transport path 34 of the recording medium 30A. The fixing device 26 includes a fixing member 26A and a pressure member 26B disposed in contact with the fixing member 26A, and is transferred onto the recording medium 30A at the contact portion between the fixing member 26A and the pressure member 26B. The toner image is fixed. Specifically, for example, the fixing device 26 is electrically connected to the control device 36 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and is driven and controlled by the control device 36, and the toner is transferred onto the recording medium 30A. The image is fixed to the recording medium 30A by heat and pressure.

The fixing device 26 includes a fixing device known per se, such as a heat roller fixing device and an oven fixing device.
Specifically, for example, a known fixing device including a fixing roll or fixing belt as the fixing member 26A and a pressure roll or pressure belt as the pressure member 26B is applied to the fixing device 26.

  Here, the recording medium 30A to which the toner image is transferred by being conveyed along the conveyance path 34 and passing through the facing area (transfer area 32A) of the photosensitive member 12 and the transfer member 20 is, for example, not shown. The conveyance member further reaches the installation position of the fixing device 26 along the conveyance path 34, and the toner image on the recording medium 30A is fixed.

  The recording medium 30A on which the image is formed by the fixing of the toner image is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10 by a plurality of conveyance members (not shown). After the charge removal by the charge removal device 24, the photosensitive member 12 is again charged to the charging potential by the charging device 15.

(Operation of image forming apparatus)
An example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The various operations of the image forming apparatus 10 are performed by a control program executed by the control device 36.

The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.
First, the surface of the photosensitive member 12 is charged by the charging device 15. The electrostatic charge image forming device 16 exposes the charged surface of the photosensitive member 12 based on image information. Thereby, an electrostatic charge image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive member 12. In the developing device 18, the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 12 is developed by the developer containing the specific toner. Thereby, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 12. Further, particles of a lubricant are added to the developer (the toner) accommodated in the developing device 18, and the particles of the lubricant are also supplied to the surface of the photosensitive member 12 together with the toner.
In the transfer device 31, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 12 is transferred to the recording medium 30A. The toner image transferred to the recording medium 30A is fixed by the fixing device 26.
On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive member 12 after the toner image is transferred is cleaned (cleaned) by the cleaning blade 220 in the cleaning device 22, and then removed by the charge removing device 24. Incidentally, a part of the particles of the lubricant supplied to the surface of the photosensitive member 12 in the developing device 18 remains on the surface of the photosensitive member 12 even after the transfer of the toner image by the transfer device 31, and the contact between the cleaning blade 220 and the photosensitive member 12 Supplied to the position.

  Therefore, the presence of a lubricant at the contact position between the cleaning blade 220 and the photosensitive member 12 reduces the coefficient of friction between them, stabilizes the contact posture of the cleaning blade 220 and enhances the cleaning performance, and the film is filled. Occurrence of minging is suppressed.

[Electrostatic charge image developer]
Next, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, an electrostatic charge image developer (hereinafter, also referred to as “electrostatic charge image developer according to the present embodiment”) accommodated in the developing unit will be described in detail.

The electrostatic charge image developer according to the present embodiment contains at least a toner.
The electrostatic charge image developer according to the present embodiment may be a one-component developer containing only a toner, or may be a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier.

<Toner>
The toner has toner particles. The toner may have an external additive together with the toner particles.

(Toner particles)
The toner particles contain, for example, a binder resin. The toner particles may contain a colorant, a release agent, other additives, and the like.

-Binding resin-
Amorphous polyester resin is applied as the binder resin.
Here, the amorphous resin is not a clear endothermic peak in thermal analysis measurement using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), but has only a step-like endothermic change, and is a solid at room temperature, and a glass transition It refers to those that are thermoplasticized at temperatures above temperature.
On the other hand, a crystalline resin refers to a resin having a clear endothermic peak instead of a stepwise endothermic change in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Specifically, for example, a crystalline resin means that the half value width of the endothermic peak when measured at a temperature rising rate of 10 ° C./min is within 10 ° C., and an amorphous resin is a half value width Means a resin whose temperature exceeds 10 ° C. or a resin in which no clear endothermic peak is observed.

  As an amorphous polyester resin, the condensation polymer of polyhydric carboxylic acid and polyhydric alcohol is mentioned, for example. In addition, as an amorphous polyester resin, a commercial item may be used and you may use what was synthesize | combined.

Examples of polyvalent carboxylic acids include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (eg, oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, succinic acid, alkenyl succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.) Alicyclic dicarboxylic acids (eg, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid etc.), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (eg, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid etc.), their anhydrides, or their lower (eg, 1 or more carbon atoms) 5 or less) alkyl ester is mentioned. Among these, as polyvalent carboxylic acid, for example, aromatic dicarboxylic acid is preferable.
As the polyvalent carboxylic acid, a trivalent or higher carboxylic acid having a crosslinked or branched structure may be used in combination with the dicarboxylic acid. Examples of trivalent or higher carboxylic acids include trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, their anhydrides, or their lower (for example, 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters.
The polyvalent carboxylic acids may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of polyhydric alcohols include aliphatic diols (eg ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol etc.), alicyclic diols (eg cyclohexanediol, cyclohexanedimethanol, Hydrogenated bisphenol A etc., aromatic diols (eg ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A etc) may be mentioned. Among these, as the polyhydric alcohol, for example, aromatic diols and alicyclic diols are preferable, and aromatic diols are more preferable.
As the polyhydric alcohol, a trivalent or higher polyhydric alcohol having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used in combination with a diol. Examples of trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohols include glycerin, trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol.
A polyhydric alcohol may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  However, as polyhydric alcohol, alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A (ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, ethylene oxide propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, etc.) is not used or used Even a small amount. Specifically, when an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A is used, the amount used is preferably more than 0 mol% and 5 mol% or less with respect to all polyhydric alcohols.

50 degreeC or more and 80 degrees C or less are preferable, and, as for the glass transition temperature (Tg) of amorphous polyester resin, 50 degrees C or more and 65 degrees C or less are more preferable.
In addition, a glass transition temperature is calculated | required from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and, more specifically, it describes in the determination method of the glass transition temperature of JISK7121-1987 "the transition temperature method of plastics". It is determined by the “extrapolated glass transition start temperature” of

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 5,000 or more and 1,000,000 or less, more preferably 7,000 or more and 500000 or less, and still more preferably 30,000 or more and 50000 or less.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 2000 or more and 100000 or less.
1.5 or more and 100 or less are preferable, and, as for molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn of amorphous polyester resin, 2 or more and 60 or less are more preferable.
The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The molecular weight measurement by GPC is performed using a Tosoh GPC / HLC-8120 GPC as a measurement apparatus, a Tosoh column / TSKgel SuperHM-M (15 cm) in THF solvent. The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are calculated from the measurement results using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared from monodispersed polystyrene standard samples.

Amorphous polyester resins are obtained by known production methods. Specifically, for example, it is obtained by a method in which the polymerization temperature is set to 180 ° C. or more and 230 ° C. or less, the reaction system is reduced in pressure as necessary, and the reaction is performed while removing water and alcohol generated during condensation.
In addition, when the monomer of a raw material does not melt | dissolve or miscible with reaction temperature, you may add and dissolve the solvent of a high boiling point as a solubilizing agent. In this case, the polycondensation reaction is carried out while distilling off the solubilizer. When a monomer with poor compatibility is present, it is preferable to condense the monomer with poor compatibility with the acid or alcohol to be polycondensed in advance, and then to conduct polycondensation with the main component. .

  The content of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 60% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less, and 80% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less. Is more preferred.

  Here, it is preferable to use a crystalline resin in combination with the amorphous polyester resin. When the crystalline resin is used in combination, the hygroscopicity of the toner particles is reduced, and the occurrence of filming is easily suppressed. However, the crystalline polyester resin is preferably used in a content of 2% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less (preferably 2% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less) with respect to the entire binder resin.

  As crystalline resin, well-known crystalline resin, such as crystalline polyester resin and crystalline vinyl resin (For example, polyalkylene resin, long-chain alkyl (meth) acrylate resin etc.), is mentioned. Among these, crystalline polyester resins are preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of filming.

Examples of crystalline polyester resins include polycondensates of polyvalent carboxylic acids and polyvalent alcohols. In addition, as crystalline polyester resin, you may use a commercial item and you may use what was synthesize | combined.
Here, in order to easily form a crystal structure, the crystalline polyester resin is preferably a polycondensate using a polymerizable monomer having a linear aliphatic group rather than a polymerizable monomer having an aromatic group.

Examples of polyvalent carboxylic acids include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (eg oxalic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, 1,9-nonanedicarboxylic acid, 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid). Acids, 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acid, 1,14-tetradecanedicarboxylic acid, 1,18-octadecanedicarboxylic acid etc., aromatic dicarboxylic acids (eg phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) And dibasic acids such as acids, etc., anhydrides thereof, or lower (eg, 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters thereof.
As the polyvalent carboxylic acid, a trivalent or higher carboxylic acid having a crosslinked or branched structure may be used in combination with the dicarboxylic acid. Examples of trivalent carboxylic acids include aromatic carboxylic acids (eg, 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, etc.), Anhydrides or lower (for example, 1 or more and 5 or less carbon atoms) alkyl esters thereof can be mentioned.
As the polyvalent carboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid having a sulfonic acid group and a dicarboxylic acid having an ethylenic double bond may be used in combination with these dicarboxylic acids.
The polyvalent carboxylic acids may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of polyhydric alcohols include aliphatic diols (for example, straight-chain aliphatic diols having 7 to 20 carbon atoms in the main chain portion). Examples of aliphatic diols include ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,8- Octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, 1,13-tridecanediol, 1,14-tetradecanediol, 1,18- Examples include octadecanediol and 1,14-eicosanedecanediol. Among these, as the aliphatic diol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol and 1,10-decanediol are preferable.
The polyhydric alcohol may be used in combination with a diol and a trivalent or higher alcohol having a crosslinked or branched structure. Examples of trihydric or higher alcohols include glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol and the like.
A polyhydric alcohol may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  Here, in the polyhydric alcohol, the content of the aliphatic diol is preferably 80 mol% or more, preferably 90 mol% or more.

The melting temperature of the crystalline polyester resin is preferably 50 ° C. or more and 100 ° C. or less, more preferably 55 ° C. or more and 90 ° C. or less, and still more preferably 60 ° C. or more and 85 ° C. or less.
In addition, melting temperature is calculated | required by "melting peak temperature" as described in how to obtain | require the melting temperature of JISK7121-1987 "the transition temperature measurement method of plastics" from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

  The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the crystalline polyester resin is preferably 6,000 or more and 35,000 or less.

  The crystalline polyester resin can be obtained, for example, by well-known production methods, as with non-crystalline polyester.

  The content of the crystalline resin (preferably, crystalline polyester resin) is preferably 3% by mass to 20% by mass, and more preferably 5% by mass to 15% by mass, with respect to the total amount of the toner. When the content of the crystalline resin is in the above range, the occurrence of filming is easily suppressed.

  As the binder resin, a binder resin other than the amorphous polyester resin and the crystalline resin may be used in combination. However, the content of the other binder resin is preferably 10% by mass or less in the proportion of the total binder resin.

Other binder resins include, for example, styrenes (eg, styrene, parachlorostyrene, α-methylstyrene, etc.), (meth) acrylates (eg, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate), N-butyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate etc., ethylenically unsaturated nitriles (eg, Acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile etc.), vinyl ethers (eg vinyl methyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether etc.), vinyl ketones (vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone, vinyl isopropenyl ketone etc.), olefins (eg ethylene, PP) Pyrene, a homopolymer of a monomer such as butadiene) and the like, or a vinyl-based resin composed of these monomers with two or more combinations copolymer.
Other binder resins include, for example, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, polyether resins, non-vinyl resins such as modified rosin, mixtures thereof with the above-mentioned vinyl resins, or coexistence of these The graft polymer etc. which are obtained by polymerizing a vinyl-type monomer below are also mentioned.

  The content of the binder resin is, for example, preferably 40% by mass to 95% by mass, more preferably 50% by mass to 90% by mass, and more preferably 60% by mass to 85% by mass with respect to the entire toner particles. More preferable.

-Colorant-
Examples of coloring agents include carbon black, chrome yellow, Hansa yellow, benzidine yellow, Sureren yellow, quinoline yellow, pigment yellow, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, balkan orange, watch young red, permanent red, permanent carmine 3B, brilliant Carmine 6B, Dupont oil red, pyrazolone red, resole red, rhodamine B lake, lake red C, pigment red, rose bengal, aniline blue, ultramarine blue, chalco oil blue, methylene blue chloride, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine blue, pigment green, phthalocyanine green, Various pigments such as malachite green oxalate, or acridine type, xanthene type, Dyes such as benzoquinone dyes, azine dyes, anthraquinone dyes, thioindico dyes, dioxazine dyes, thiazine dyes, azomethine dyes, indigo dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, aniline black dyes, aniline black dyes, polymethine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, diphenylmethane dyes, and thiazoles dyes Etc.
The coloring agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  As the coloring agent, a surface-treated coloring agent may be used if necessary, and may be used in combination with a dispersing agent. Moreover, a coloring agent may use multiple types together.

  As content of a coloring agent, 1 mass% or more and 30 mass% or less are preferable with respect to the whole toner particle, for example, and 3 mass% or more and 15 mass% or less are more preferable.

-Release agent-
As a mold release agent, for example, hydrocarbon wax; natural wax such as carnauba wax, rice wax, candelilla wax; synthesis such as montan wax or mineral / petroleum wax; ester wax such as fatty acid ester, montanic acid ester And the like. The release agent is not limited to this.

50 degreeC or more and 110 degrees C or less are preferable, and, as for the melting temperature of a mold release agent, 60 degrees C or more and 100 degrees C or less are more preferable.
The melting temperature is determined from the “melting peak temperature” described in the method for determining the melting temperature in JIS K 7121-1987 “Method for measuring transition temperature of plastic” from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). .

  The content of the release agent is, for example, preferably 1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less with respect to the entire toner particles.

-Other additives-
Examples of other additives include well-known additives such as magnetic substances, charge control agents, and inorganic powders. These additives are contained in the toner particles as an internal additive.

-Characteristics of toner particles etc.-
The toner particles have a ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 1500 cm ⁻¹ to absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cm ⁻¹ in infrared absorption spectrum analysis is 0.6 or less (preferably 0.5 or less, more preferably 0.48 or less), 0.4 the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 720 cm ^-1 (preferably 0.3 or less, more preferably 0.2 or less).
As described above, when the polyhydric alcohol component in the amorphous polyester resin as the binder resin does not contain or contains a small amount of the alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, the toner particles have the infrared absorption It has spectral characteristics.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of storage stability of the toner, the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 1500 cm ^-1 to absorbance at a wavelength of 720 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of toner particles is 0.2 or more (preferably 0.3 or more) , and the ratio of the absorbance at a wavelength 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 720 cm ^-1 good to be 0.05 or more (preferably 0.08 or higher).

From the viewpoint of strength of the toner particles, in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, 0.5 or less the ratio of the absorbance at a wavelength 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 (preferably 0.4 or less, more preferably Is preferably 0.35 or less).
On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the storage stability of the toner, in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, 0.1 or more the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 (preferably 0.15 or higher) It is good.

Here, the measurement of the absorbance of each wavelength by infrared absorption spectrum analysis is measured by the following method. First, a toner sample (or toner) to be measured is prepared as a measurement sample by the KBr tablet method. Then, the measurement sample, an infrared spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation: FT-IR-410), the number of integration 300 times under the conditions of a resolution ^{4 cm -1,} wave number 500 cm ^-1 or more 4000 cm ^-1 or less Measure the range of Then, baseline correction is performed at an offset portion or the like where there is no absorbed light, and the absorbance of each wavelength is determined.

Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60000 or less (preferably 30,000 or more and 50,000 or less, where Mw (A) is a weight-average molecular weight and Mn (A) is a number-average molecular weight in GPC measurement of THF soluble components of toner particles. More preferably, it is 32000 or more and 48000 or less), and Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less (preferably 6 or more and 8 or less, more preferably 6.2 or more and 7.8 or less).

As described above, when toner particles satisfy the above-mentioned molecular weight characteristics, even if toner particles containing non-crystalline polyester resin which does not use or use a small amount of alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A is applied, the fixed image Fixability improves.

The peak molecular weight of the molecular weight distribution curve obtained by GPC measurement of the THF soluble portion of the toner particles is preferably 7,000 or more and 11,000 or less, more preferably 8,000 or more and 11,000 or less, and still more preferably 8200 or more and 10500 or less.
When the peak molecular weight is in the above range, the fixability of the fixed image can be easily improved even if a toner containing non-crystalline polyester resin not containing or using a small amount of alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A in toner particles is applied .

  The peak molecular weight of the molecular weight distribution curve obtained by the GPC measurement of the THF soluble portion of the toner particles refers to the molecular weight of the largest peak when the molecular weight distribution curve has a plurality of peaks.

Here, the molecular weight distribution curve, each average molecular weight, and the peak molecular weight in GPC measurement of THF soluble matter of toner particles are measured as follows.
First, 0.5 mg of toner particles (or toner) to be measured is dissolved in 1 g of THF (tetrahydrofuran), and after ultrasonic dispersion, the concentration is adjusted to 0.5%, and this dissolved component is adjusted Measured by GPC.
As a GPC apparatus, "HLC-8120GPC, SC-8020 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)" is used, two columns "TSKgel, SuperHM-H (Tosoh 6.0 mm ID × 15 cm)" are used, and THF is used as an eluent. As experimental conditions, the experiment is performed using a sample concentration of 0.5%, a flow rate of 0.6 ml / min, a sample injection amount of 10 μl, a measurement temperature of 40 ° C., and an RI (Refractive Index) detector. Moreover, the calibration curve is a Tosoh “polystylene standard sample TSK standard”: “A-500”, “F-1”, “F-10”, “F-80”, “F-380”, “A-2500” , "F-4", "F-40", "F-128", and "F-700" from ten samples.

25 mass% or more and 45 mass% or less are preferable, 28 mass% or more and 38 mass% or less are more preferable, and 30 mass% or more and 35 mass% or less are more preferable.
When the toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is in the above range, the hygroscopicity of the toner particles is reduced, and the occurrence of filming is easily suppressed.

  Here, the toluene insoluble matter of toner particles is a component of toner particles insoluble in toluene. That is, the toluene insoluble matter is an insoluble matter containing a component of the binder resin insoluble in toluene (particularly, a high molecular weight component of the binder resin) as a main component (for example, 50% by mass or more of the whole). The toluene insoluble matter can be said to be an index of the content of the crosslinked resin contained in the toner.

The toluene insoluble content is a value measured by the following method.
1 g of the weighed toner particles (or toner) is introduced into a weighed glass fiber cylindrical filter paper, and the resultant is attached to the extraction tube of the heating type Soxhlet extraction apparatus. Then, toluene is injected into the flask and heated to 110 ° C. using a mantle heater. Also, the peripheral portion of the extraction pipe is heated to 125 ° C. using a heater attached to the extraction pipe. Extraction is performed at a reflux rate such that the extraction cycle is once in the range of 4 minutes to 5 minutes. After extraction for 10 hours, the thimble and toner residue are taken out, dried and weighed.
And the formula: Toner particle (or toner) residual amount (mass%) = [(cylindrical filter paper amount + toner residual amount) (g)-cylindrical filter paper amount (g)] toner particle (or toner) mass (g) x Based on 100, the toner particle (or toner) residual amount (% by mass) is calculated, and the toner particle (or toner) residual amount (% by mass) is regarded as a toluene insoluble matter (% by mass).
The toner particle (or toner) residue is composed of a coloring agent, an inorganic substance such as an external additive, and a high molecular weight component of a binder resin. When the toner particles contain a releasing agent, the releasing agent is soluble in toluene because extraction is performed by heating.

  For example, in the binder resin, 1) a method of forming a crosslinked structure or a branched structure by adding a crosslinking agent to a polymer component having a reactive functional group at the end, and 2) at the toluene insoluble portion of the toner particle The polymer component having an ionic functional group is adjusted by a method of forming a crosslinked or branched structure with polyvalent metal ions, 3) extension of a resin chain length by treatment with isocyanate or the like, a method of forming a branch, or the like.

The toner particles may be toner particles of a single layer structure, or toner particles of a so-called core / shell structure composed of a core (core particles) and a covering layer (shell layer) covering the core. May be
Here, the toner particles having a core-shell structure include, for example, a core portion constituted by including a binder resin and, if necessary, other additives such as a colorant and a release agent, and a binder resin. It is good to be comprised by the comprised coating layer.

  The volume average particle diameter (D50v) of the toner particles is preferably 2 μm to 10 μm, and more preferably 4 μm to 8 μm.

In addition, various average particle diameters of toner particles and various particle size distribution indexes are measured using Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter Co., Ltd.), and electrolytic solution is measured using ISOTON-II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter Co.) Ru.
In the measurement, 0.5 mg or more and 50 mg or less of a measurement sample is added to 2 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of surfactant (preferably sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate) as a dispersant. This is added to 100 ml or more and 150 ml or less of electrolyte solution.
The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is dispersed for 1 minute with an ultrasonic disperser, and Coulter Multisizer II, using an aperture of 100 μm as the aperture diameter, the particle size distribution of particles of 2 μm to 60 μm in size. taking measurement. The number of particles to be sampled is 50,000.
With respect to the particle size range (channel) divided based on the particle size distribution to be measured, the cumulative distribution is drawn from the small diameter side in terms of volume and number, and the particle size of cumulative 16% is the volume particle size D16v, number particle size The particle diameter of D16p and cumulative 50% is defined as volume average particle diameter D50v, cumulative number average particle diameter D50p, and particle diameter of 84% cumulative, as volume particle diameter D84v and number particle diameter D84p.
Using these, the volume particle size distribution index (GSDv) is calculated as (D84 v / D 16 v) ^1/2 , and the number particle size distribution index (GSD p) is calculated as (D 84 p / D 16 p) ^1/2 .

  The average circularity of the toner particles is preferably 0.94 or more and 1.00 or less, and more preferably 0.95 or more and 0.98 or less.

The average circularity of the toner particles is determined by (circle equivalent circumference) / (perimeter length) [(perimeter of circle having the same projected area as the particle image) / (perimeter of particle projected image)]. Specifically, it is a value measured by the following method.
First, a toner particle to be measured is collected by suction, a flat flow is formed, and a strobe image is instantaneously flashed to take in a particle image as a still image, and a flow type particle image analysis device (Sysmex Corporation) It is determined by the company's FPIA-3000). And the number of samplings at the time of calculating | requiring an average circularity shall be 3500 pieces.
When the toner contains an external additive, the toner (developer) to be measured is dispersed in water containing a surfactant, and then subjected to ultrasonic treatment to obtain toner particles from which the external additive has been removed. .

(External additive)
Examples of the external additive include inorganic particles. As the inorganic particles, SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , CeO ₂ , CeO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, Na ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO. _{SiO 2, K 2 O · (} TiO 2) n, Al 2 O 3 · 2SiO 2, CaCO 3, MgCO 3, BaSO 4, MgSO 4 , and the like.

The surface of the inorganic particles as the external additive may be subjected to a hydrophobization treatment. The hydrophobization treatment is performed, for example, by immersing inorganic particles in a hydrophobization treatment agent. The hydrophobizing agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include silane coupling agents, silicone oils, titanate coupling agents, aluminum coupling agents and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The amount of the hydrophobic treatment agent is usually, for example, 1 part by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the inorganic particles.

  Examples of the external additive include resin particles (resin particles such as polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and melamine resin), cleaning activators (for example, particles of fluorine-based polymer), and the like.

  The external addition amount of the external additive is, for example, preferably 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, and more preferably 0.01% by mass to 2.0% by mass with respect to the toner particles.

(lubricant)
When the developer (the toner) contained in the developing device 18 supplies the lubricant to the photosensitive member 12, that is, when the developing device 18 also serves as a lubricant supplying member, the toner is lubricated as an external additive. Containing particles of the agent.

-Fatty acid metal salt As a particle of a lubricant, the salt (fatty acid metal salt) which consists of a fatty acid and a metal is mentioned, for example.
The fatty acids may be either saturated fatty acids or unsaturated fatty acids. As a fatty acid, C10 or more 25 or less (preferably 12 or more 22 or less) fatty acid is mentioned. In addition, carbon number of a fatty acid contains carbon of a carboxy group. The metal is preferably a divalent metal. Examples of the metal include magnesium, calcium, aluminum, barium and zinc. Among these, the metal is preferably zinc.

Examples of the lubricant particles include metal salts of stearic acid, metal salts of palmitic acid, metal salts of lauric acid, metal salts of oleic acid, metal salts of linoleic acid, metal salts of ricinoleic acid, and the like.
Among these, as particles of the lubricant, metal salts of stearic acid or metal salts of lauric acid are preferable, particles of zinc stearate or zinc laurate are more preferable, and zinc stearate is more preferable.

Insulating Lubricant In addition to the fatty acid metal salt, it is preferable to add an insulating lubricant to the particles of the lubricant externally added to the toner. The fatty acid metal salt as a lubricant may have reduced lubricity when a charging bias or a transfer bias is applied in the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, by adding an insulating lubricant in addition to the fatty acid metal salt as particles of the lubricant, high lubricity can be easily maintained even when a charging bias or a transfer bias is applied.
Note that “insulation” means that the volume resistivity is in the range of 1 × 10 ¹⁰ Ωcm or more.

  Examples of the insulating lubricant include boron nitride and molybdenum disulfide. Among these, boron nitride is more preferable.

The proportion (content) of the insulating lubricant to the total amount of lubricant particles externally added to the toner is preferably 1% by mass to 50% by mass, and 2% by mass to 40% by mass. More preferably, 5% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less is more preferable.
When the content of the insulating lubricant is 1% by mass or more, high lubricity can be easily maintained even when a charging bias, a transfer bias, or the like is applied. On the other hand, when the content rate of the insulating lubricant is 50% by mass or less, the effect of suppressing the insulating lubricant itself from passing through and filming can be obtained.

Physical Properties of Lubricant Particles The volume average particle diameter of the lubricant particles is preferably 0.8 times or more and 1.2 times or less the volume average particle diameter of the toner particles. Specifically, the volume average particle diameter of the lubricant particles is preferably 0.3 μm to 8 μm, and more preferably 0.5 μm to 5.0 μm.

The volume average particle diameter of the lubricant particles is a value measured by the following method.
First, the toner to be measured is observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Then, the circle equivalent diameter of each of the 100 particles of the lubricant to be measured is determined by image analysis, and the volume equivalent particle of 50% cumulative number 50% (number 50) from the small diameter side in the volume based distribution Let the diameter.
The image analysis to determine the circle equivalent diameter of 100 particles of lubricant to be measured, uses a analyzer (ERA-8900: manufactured by Elionix) to capture a two-dimensional image at a magnification of 10,000 times, and performs image analysis The projected area is determined under the condition of 0.010000 μm / pixel using Soft WinROOF (manufactured by Mitani Corporation), and the equivalent circle diameter is determined by the formula: equivalent circle diameter = 2 = 2 (projected area / π).

  The content (external addition amount) of particles of lubricant is preferably 0.02 parts by mass or more and 5 parts by mass or less, and more preferably 0.05 parts by mass or more and 3.0 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of toner particles. Preferably, 0.08 parts by mass or more and 1.0 parts by mass or less are more preferable.

(Method of manufacturing toner)
Next, a method of manufacturing the toner according to the present embodiment will be described.
The toner according to the exemplary embodiment is obtained by externally adding an external additive to toner particles after producing the toner particles.

  The toner particles may be produced by any of dry production method (for example, kneading and pulverization method and the like) and wet production method (for example, aggregation and coalescence method, suspension polymerization method, dissolution and suspension method and the like). There are no particular limitations on the method for producing toner particles, and any known method may be employed.

  Then, the toner in the exemplary embodiment is manufactured, for example, by adding an external additive to the obtained toner particles in a dry state and mixing them. The mixing may be performed by, for example, a V blender, a Henschel mixer, a Loedige mixer, or the like. Furthermore, if necessary, coarse particles of toner may be removed using a vibrating sieving machine, a wind sieving machine or the like.

<Carrier>
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a carrier, A well-known carrier is mentioned. As the carrier, for example, a coated carrier obtained by coating a coating resin on the surface of a core material made of magnetic powder; a magnetic powder dispersion type carrier in which magnetic powder is dispersed / blended in a matrix resin; porous magnetic powder is impregnated with resin Resin impregnated carriers; and the like.
The magnetic powder-dispersed carrier and the resin-impregnated carrier may be a carrier having the constituent particles of the carrier as a core and coated with a coating resin.

  Examples of the magnetic powder include magnetic metals such as iron, nickel and cobalt, and magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite.

As a coating resin and a matrix resin, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester Copolymers, straight silicone resins comprising an organosiloxane bond or modified products thereof, fluoro resins, polyesters, polycarbonates, phenol resins, epoxy resins and the like can be mentioned.
The coating resin and the matrix resin may contain other additives such as conductive particles.
Examples of conductive particles include particles of metals such as gold, silver and copper, carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, barium sulfate, aluminum borate, potassium titanate and the like.

Here, in order to coat the surface of the core material with a coating resin, a coating resin, and a method of coating with a solution for forming a coating layer in which various additives are dissolved in an appropriate solvent, if necessary, can be mentioned. The solvent is not particularly limited, and may be selected in consideration of the coating resin to be used, coating suitability and the like.
As a specific resin coating method, an immersion method in which the core material is immersed in a solution for forming a coating layer, a spray method in which a solution for forming a coating layer is sprayed on the surface of the core material, and a state in which the core material is suspended by flowing air. A fluid bed method of spraying a solution for forming a coating layer, a kneader coater method of mixing a core material of a carrier and a solution for forming a coating layer in a kneader coater, and removing a solvent may, for example, be mentioned.

  The mixing ratio (mass ratio) of toner and carrier in the two-component developer is preferably toner: carrier = 1: 100 to 30: 100, and more preferably 3: 100 to 20: 100.

(Other embodiment of lubricant supply device)
In FIG. 1, as a method of supplying the lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive member 12, particles of the lubricant are externally added to the developer (the toner thereof) accommodated in the developing device 18, that is, the lubricant supplying means is I explained how to make it double. However, the aspect of the lubricant supply means in the present embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. 2, an aspect additionally provided with a lubricant external supply device 64 for supplying the lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive member 12 It may be In this aspect, it is not necessary to apply a developer (toner) containing lubricant particles.

Here, as the lubricant external supply device 64, for example, a known device such as a device having a rotating brush 66B that scrapes the lubricant 66A and supplies the scraped lubricant 66A to the surface of the photosensitive member 12 is adopted. .
Thus, a lubricant is supplied to the contact position between the cleaning blade 220 and the photosensitive member 12. Therefore, the contact posture of the cleaning blade 220 in contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 12 is stabilized, the cleaning performance is enhanced, and the occurrence of filming is suppressed.

As the lubricant 66A, a solid lubricant is suitably used, and examples thereof include salts of fatty acids and metals (fatty acid metal salts).
In addition, as a preferable example of a fatty acid metal salt, the above-mentioned thing illustrated as a particle of the lubricant externally added to a toner is similarly preferable.

In addition to the fatty acid metal salt, an insulating lubricant is preferably added to the lubricant 66A.
In addition, as a preferable example of the insulating lubricant, the above-mentioned ones exemplified as particles of the lubricant externally added to the toner are similarly preferable, and the same is also true for the preferable content.

  A method of producing a solid lubricant in which a fatty acid metal salt and an insulating lubricant are mixed as a solid lubricant used for the lubricant 66A is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method may be used. For example, there is a preparation method such as a method of melting and kneading both lubricants and then solidifying.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus described in the present embodiment is an example, and it goes without saying that the configuration may be changed without departing from the scope of the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

<Preparation of Amorphous Polyester Resin>
(Preparation of Amorphous Polyester Resin (A1))
60 parts by mass of dimethyl terephthalate, 74 parts by mass of dimethyl fumarate, 30 parts by mass of dodecenylsuccinic anhydride, 22 parts by mass of trimellitic acid, 138 parts by mass of propylene glycol, and 0 parts of dibutyltin oxide .3 parts by mass under a nitrogen atmosphere and reacted for 3 hours at 185 ° C. while removing water produced by the reaction out of the system, then gradually raising the temperature to 240 ° C. while reducing pressure, and further 4 After reacting for time, it cooled. Thus, an amorphous polyester resin (A1) having a weight average molecular weight of 39000 was prepared.

(Preparation of amorphous polyester resin (A2))
After reacting at 190 ° C. for 3 hours, the temperature is raised to 220 ° C. while gradually reducing the pressure, and the reaction is carried out for a further 2.5 hours, except for the non-crystalline polyester resin (A1). A polyester resin (A2) was produced. The weight average molecular weight was 26000.

(Preparation of amorphous polyester resin (A3))
In place of 138 parts by mass of propylene glycol, 128 parts by mass of propylene glycol and 19 parts by mass of butylene glycol are reacted at 195 ° C. for 4 hours, and then the temperature is raised to 240 ° C. while gradually reducing pressure, and the reaction is further performed for 6 hours Amorphous polyester resin (A3) was produced by the same method as amorphous polyester resin (A1) except for the above. The weight average molecular weight was 56000.

<Preparation of crystalline resin>
(Preparation of crystalline polyester resin (B1))
First, in a three-necked flask, 100 parts by mass of dimethyl sebacate, 67.8 parts by mass of hexanediol and 0.10 parts by mass of dibutyltin oxide in a nitrogen atmosphere, and water generated during the reaction is removed out of the system The reaction was carried out at 185 ° C. for 5 hours, then the temperature was raised to 220 ° C. while gradually reducing the pressure, and the reaction was carried out for 6 hours and then cooled. Thus, a crystalline polyester resin (B1) having a weight average molecular weight of 33,700 was prepared.

  The melting temperature of this crystalline polyester resin (B1) is described in the method of determining the melting temperature in JIS K7121-1987 “Method for measuring transition temperature of plastic” from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was 71 ° C. as determined by the “melting peak temperature” of

Preparation of Reference Amorphous Polyester Resin
(Preparation of Reference Amorphous Polyester Resin (C1))
60 parts by mass of dimethyl terephthalate, 74 parts by mass of dimethyl fumarate, 30 parts by mass of dodecenylsuccinic anhydride, 22 parts by mass of trimellitic acid, 137 parts by mass of bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct, and 191 parts by mass of bisphenol A propylene oxide adduct A reference non-crystalline polyester resin (C1) was produced in the same manner as the non-crystalline polyester resin (A1) except for using 0.3 parts by mass of dibutyltin oxide. The weight average molecular weight was 27,000.

<Production of Toner>
(Preparation of Toner (1))
73 parts by mass of amorphous polyester resin (A1), 6 parts by mass of crystalline polyester resin (B1), 7 parts by mass of colorant (CI Pigment Red 122), release agent (paraffin wax, melting temperature 73 5 parts by mass of Nippon Seiso Co., Ltd. and 2 parts by mass of ester wax (Behenyl behenate, Unistar M-2222 SL, manufactured by NOF Corporation) are introduced into the Henschel mixer (manufactured by Nippon Coke Kogyo Co., Ltd.) After stirring and mixing for 5 minutes at a circumferential speed of 15 m / sec, the resulting stirred mixture was melt-kneaded using an extruder type continuous kneader.
Here, as the setting conditions of the extruder, the supply side temperature was 160 ° C., the discharge side temperature was 130 ° C., the supply side temperature of the cooling roll was 40 ° C., and the discharge side temperature was 25 ° C. The temperature of the cooling belt was set to 10 ° C.
The obtained melt-kneaded product is cooled, roughly crushed using a hammer mill, then finely ground to 6.5 μm using a jet crusher (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Mfg. Co., Ltd.), and further an elbow jet classifier The toner particles (1) were obtained by classification using (manufactured by Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd., model: EJ-LABO). The volume average particle size of the toner particles (1) was 7.0 μm.
Then, 100 parts by mass of toner particles (1) and 1.2 parts by mass of commercially available fumed silica RX50 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil) as an external additive are used at a circumferential speed of 30 m using a Henschel mixer (manufactured by Mitsui Miike Co., Ltd.) The mixture was carried out under the conditions of 5 minutes for 1 / s to obtain Toner (1).

(Preparation of Toner (2))
Toner particles (2) were produced in the same manner as the toner particles (1) except that the amorphous polyester resin (A1) was changed to the amorphous polyester resin (A2). The volume average particle size of the toner particles (2) was 6.8 μm.
Then, a toner (2) was obtained in the same manner as the toner (1) except that the toner particles (2) were used.

(Preparation of Toner (3))
Toner particles (3) were produced in the same manner as the toner particles (1) except that the amorphous polyester resin (A1) was changed to the amorphous polyester resin (A3). The volume average particle size of the toner particles (3) was 7.5 μm.
Then, a toner (3) was obtained in the same manner as the toner (1) except that the toner particles (3) were used.

(Preparation of Toner (4))
A toner particle (4) was produced in the same manner as the toner particle (1), except that the crystalline polyester resin (B1) was not used and the number of parts of the amorphous polyester resin (A1) was changed to 79 parts by mass. . The volume average particle size of the toner particles (4) was 7.1 μm.
Then, a toner (4) was obtained in the same manner as the toner (1) except that the toner particles (4) were used.

(Preparation of reference toner (C1))
Reference toner particles (C1) were produced in the same manner as the toner particles (4) except that the amorphous polyester resin (A1) was changed to the reference amorphous polyester resin (C1). The volume average particle size of the reference toner particles (C1) was 7.7 μm.
Then, a reference toner (C1) was obtained in the same manner as the toner (1) except that the reference toner particles (C1) were used.

<Preparation of developer>
(Developer (1) to (4), Reference Developer (C1))
Eight parts by mass of each of the obtained toners and 100 parts by mass of a carrier were mixed to prepare developers (1) to (4) and a reference developer (C1).
The carrier is 100 parts by mass of ferrite particles (volume average particle diameter: 50 μm), 14 parts by mass of toluene, and a styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer (component ratio: styrene / methyl methacrylate = 90/10, weight average molecular weight Mw A coating solution is prepared by first stirring the above components except ferrite particles with a stirrer for 10 minutes to disperse 2 parts by mass of 80,000) to prepare a coating solution, and then the coating solution and the ferrite particles are vacuum deaerated type kneader ( The product is put in Inoue Seiyaku Co., Ltd. and stirred at 60 ° C. for 30 minutes, and then it is deaerated by heating while degassing under reduced pressure, dried, and then sieved at 105 μm.

<Various measurements>
For each toner, the molecular weight characteristics of the toner particles, the infrared absorption spectrum characteristics of the toner particles, and the toluene insolubles were measured according to the method described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

Examples 1-4
Preparation of Image Forming Apparatus (1) As an image forming apparatus (1), as shown in FIG. 2, a cleaning device 22 is provided on the surface of the photosensitive member 12 as a modified machine of the image forming apparatus "DocuCentre IV 5570 (manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.)". An image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning blade 220 made of polyurethane rubber in contact and provided with a lubricant external supply device 64 for supplying the lubricant 66A to the surface of the photosensitive member 12 through the rotating brush 66B was prepared.
The angle (contact angle) θ between the cleaning blade 220 and the photosensitive member 12 was 11 °, and the pressing pressure N of the cleaning blade 220 against the photosensitive member 12 was set to 2.5 gf / mm ² .
Then, a plate-like solid lubricant of zinc stearate was prepared as the lubricant 66A.
A developer having toners (1) to (4) shown in Table 1 below is accommodated in a developing device of the image forming apparatus, and a replenishment toner (the same toner as the toner contained in the developer) is placed in a toner cartridge The

Examples 5 to 8
Preparation of Image Forming Apparatus (2) In the above image forming apparatus (1), the lubricant 66A, zinc stearate (a) and boron nitride (b) in mass ratio (a: b) "100: 20" An image forming apparatus (2) having the same configuration as that of the plate-like solid lubricant mixed in the above was prepared.
A developer having toners (1) to (4) shown in Table 1 below is accommodated in a developing device of the image forming apparatus, and a replenishment toner (the same toner as the toner contained in the developer) is placed in a toner cartridge The

<Comparative Examples 1 to 4 and Reference Example>
Preparation of image forming apparatus (C1) for comparison: An image forming apparatus (C1) having the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus (1) except that the external lubricant supplying device 64 is not provided is prepared. did.
A developer having toners (1) to (4) or (C1) shown in Table 1 below is accommodated in a developing device of this image forming apparatus, and a replenishing toner (the same toner as the toner contained in the developer) Into a toner cartridge.

<Evaluation>
(Measurement of contact angle on photoreceptor surface)
The supply of the lubricant from the lubricant external supply means 64 to the surface of the photoreceptor 12 was started, and the photoreceptor 12 was rotated 5,000 times while cleaning with the cleaning blade 220 was performed. Thereafter, with respect to the surface of the photosensitive member 12 on the downstream side of the lubricant external supply means 64 and on the upstream side of the cleaning blade 220, the contact angle of water was measured by the method described above. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Filming evaluation)
In the image forming apparatus of each example, the occurrence of filming in a high temperature and high humidity environment (28 ° C., 85%) was evaluated by the following test.
After outputting an image with an image density of 1% and an image of 5000 pv (pv = the number of processed images (print volume)), an image of halftone 50% on the entire surface was outputted. The occurrence of filming on the photosensitive member was observed with a microscope, and the occurrence of white streaks on a halftone image was confirmed.
Evaluation criteria are as follows.
A (◎): no filming on the photosensitive member, no white streaks on the image quality B (○): slight occurrence of filming on the photosensitive member, no white streaks on the image quality C (Δ): filming on the photosensitive member There are streaks, no white streaks on the image quality D (×): Filming streaks on the photoreceptor, white streaks on the image quality

  From the above results, in the image forming apparatus of the embodiment in which the specific toner is used and the lubricant is supplied to the contact position between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive member, the temperature is higher than in the image forming apparatus of the comparative example in which the lubricant is not supplied. It can be seen that the occurrence of filming is suppressed even in a high humidity environment.

  The image forming apparatus of the reference example is an example in which a toner containing an amorphous polyester resin using an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A is applied. And, in the image forming apparatus of the reference example, it is understood that the occurrence of filming is suppressed even when the lubricant is not supplied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 image forming device 12 photosensitive member 14 charging member 15 charging device 16 electrostatic charge image forming device 18 developing device 20 transfer member 22 cleaning device 24 discharging device 26 fixing device 30A recording medium 31 transfer device 36 control device 64 lubricant external supply device 66A Lubricant 220 cleaning blade

By the way, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of an image carrier is developed with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, and the toner image is formed from the image carrier to a recording medium After being transferred onto the surface of the toner image, the toner image is fixed to form an image on the recording medium. Further, in the image carrier after the toner image is transferred onto the surface of the recording medium, a cleaning member is used which cleans the surface by bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface. As the toner, an amorphous polyester resin is contained as a binder resin, and the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of toner particles. When Mw (A) is 25000 or more and 60000 or less, Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less, and the absorbance of wave number 720 cm ⁻¹ in infrared absorption spectrum analysis of toner particles. the ratio of absorbance at wave number 1500 cm ^-1 is 0.6 or less, the toner (hereinafter the ratio of wave numbers 820 cm-1 absorbance to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 contains toner particles is 0.4 or less, "specific toner" When applied, it tends to increase the hygroscopicity. Then, the toner particles that have absorbed moisture are likely to be plasticized and deformed (especially in high-temperature and high-humidity environments (for example, 28 ° C., 85% environment), the ease of deformation becomes remarkable), and as a result, the cleaning blade and the image holding At a contact position with the body, toner particles may be crushed and a phenomenon (filming) may occur that adheres to the surface of the image carrier in a stretched state.

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Electrostatic charge image forming means for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
When a binder resin includes an amorphous polyester resin, and the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in gel permeation chromatography measurement of a tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of toner particles, Mw (a) is a 60,000 is 25,000, Mw (a) / Mn ( a) is 5 to 10, in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 the ratio of the absorbance is 0.6 or less, and accommodating the electrostatic image developer having a toner containing toner particles the ratio of absorbance at a wavenumber of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 it is 0.4 or less, Developing means for developing an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier by the electrostatic charge image developer as a toner image;
A transfer unit configured to transfer a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
Cleaning means for bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface of the image carrier for cleaning;
Lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier in the cleaning means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 2 is
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of absorbance at wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 is 0.5 or less, the ratio of absorbance at a wavenumber of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is 0.3 or less.

The invention according to claim 3 is
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of absorbance at wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 is not less than 0.2, the ratio of absorbance at a wavenumber of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is 0.05 or more.

The invention according to claim 4 is
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the image formation according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ratio of the absorbance at the wave number 820 cm ^-1 is 0.5 or less to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 1500 cm ^-1 apparatus.

The invention according to claim 5 is
Wherein in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 ratio of absorbance at wave number 820 cm ^-1 is 0.4 or less to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 1500 cm ^-1.

Furthermore, the toner (specific toner) contains an amorphous polyester resin as a binder resin, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurement of the tetrahydrofuran soluble matter (hereinafter also referred to as “THF soluble matter”) of toner particles Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60000 or less, and Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less, where Mw (A) is a weight average molecular weight and Mn (A) is a number average molecular weight There, in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of absorbance at wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 is 0.6 or less, the ratio of the absorbance at the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 Contains toner particles of 0.4 or less.

On the other hand, the specific toner has a ratio of absorbance of wave number 1500 cm ⁻¹ to absorbance of wave number 720 cm ⁻¹ in an infrared absorption spectrum analysis of toner particles of 0.6 or less, and wave number 820 cm ⁻¹ to absorbance of wave number 720 cm ^−1. The ratio of the absorbance of is less than 0.4. The toner particles have this infrared absorption spectrum characteristic that the amorphous polyester resin as the binder resin is an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A (ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A And ethylene oxide propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A etc.) is not used as a polyhydric alcohol, or it means that it is a resin which is a small amount even if it is used.

-Characteristics of toner particles etc.-
The toner particles have a ratio of absorbance at a wave number of 1500 cm ⁻¹ to absorbance at a wave number of 720 cm ⁻¹ in infrared absorption spectrum analysis is 0.6 or less (preferably 0.5 or less, more preferably 0.48 or less), 0.4 the ratio of absorbance at a wavenumber of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 (preferably 0.3 or less, more preferably 0.2 or less).
As described above, when the polyhydric alcohol component in the amorphous polyester resin as the binder resin does not contain or contains a small amount of the alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, the toner particles have the infrared absorption It has spectral characteristics.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of storage stability of toner, the ratio of absorbance at wave number 1500 cm ⁻¹ to absorbance at wave number 720 cm ⁻¹ in infrared absorption spectrum analysis of toner particles is 0.2 or more (preferably 0.3 or more) , and the ratio of absorbance at wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 720 cm ^-1 good to be 0.05 or more (preferably 0.08 or higher).

From the viewpoint of strength of the toner particles, in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of absorbance at wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 1500 cm ^-1 is 0.5 or less (preferably 0.4 or less, more preferably Is preferably 0.35 or less).
On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the storage stability of the toner, in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, 0.1 or more the ratio of absorbance at a wavenumber of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance at a wavenumber of 1500 cm ^-1 (preferably 0.15 or higher) It is good.

Here, the measurement of the absorbance of each wave number by infrared absorption spectrum analysis is measured by the following method. First, a toner sample (or toner) to be measured is prepared as a measurement sample by the KBr tablet method. Then, the measurement sample, an infrared spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation: FT-IR-410), the number of integration 300 times under the conditions of a resolution ^{4 cm -1,} wave number 500 cm ^-1 or more 4000 cm ^-1 or less Measure the range of Then, baseline correction is performed at an offset portion or the like where there is no absorbed light, and the absorbance of each wave number is determined.

Claims (19)

An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Electrostatic charge image forming means for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
When a binder resin includes an amorphous polyester resin, and the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in gel permeation chromatography measurement of a tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of toner particles, Mw (a) is a 60,000 is 25,000, Mw (a) / Mn ( a) is 5 to 10, in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 720 cm ^-1 the ratio of the absorbance is 0.6 or less, and accommodating the electrostatic image developer having a toner containing toner particles the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 720 cm ^-1 is 0.4 or less, Developing means for developing an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier by the electrostatic charge image developer as a toner image;
A transfer unit configured to transfer a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
Cleaning means for bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface of the image carrier for cleaning;
Lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the contact position between the cleaning blade and the image carrier in the cleaning means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance at a wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 720 cm ^-1 is 0.5 or less, the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 720 cm ^-1 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is 0.3 or less. In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance at a wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of a wavelength 720 cm ^-1 is not less than 0.2, the ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 720 cm ^-1 The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is 0.05 or more. In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the image formation according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ratio of the absorbance is 0.5 or less of the wavelength 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wavelength 1500 cm ^-1 apparatus. Wherein in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 ratio of absorbance at a wavelength of 820 cm ^-1 is 0.4 or less relative to the absorbance at a wavelength of 1500 cm ^-1.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a peak molecular weight of a molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography measurement of a tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of the toner particles is 7,000 or more and 11,000 or less. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a peak molecular weight of a molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography measurement of a tetrahydrofuran soluble portion of the toner particle is 8,000 or more and 11,000 or less.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is 28% by mass to 38% by mass.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is 30% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the toner particles contain a crystalline resin.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a content of the crystalline resin is 3% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less with respect to a total amount of the toner.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a content of the crystalline resin is 5% by mass to 15% by mass with respect to a total amount of the toner.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lubricant contains a fatty acid metal salt.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fatty acid metal salt is zinc stearate.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lubricant further contains an insulating lubricant.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the insulating lubricant is boron nitride.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the content ratio of the insulating lubricant with respect to the total amount of the lubricant is 1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less.   Contact with water in a state in which the lubricant is supplied on the surface of the image carrier downstream of the lubricant supply means and upstream of the cleaning means in the rotational direction of the image carrier The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein an angle is 60 degrees or more and 150 degrees or less.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the lubricant supply unit is a unit provided separately from the developing unit.