JP2020091467A - Toner container, image forming unit, image forming apparatus, and color toner set - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to reduce an amount of attachment to a medium, form images at a constant density, and improve color reproducibility when superimposing colors to form an image.SOLUTION: A toner container is used for an image forming apparatus that has exposure means with an LED light source. The toner container contains a cyan toner in which the values in a powder state of brightness L*, hue a*, and hue b* are 26.94≤L*≤34.84, -5.13≤a*≤3.83, and -47.47≤b*≤-36.78. Even with a reduced amount of attachment to a medium, sufficient image density can be obtained; and therefore, the toner container and an image forming apparatus can be reduced in size. When visually observed, an image has good printing hue; and therefore, color reproducibility can be improved when the toner is superimposed with other colors to form an image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a toner container, an image forming unit, an image forming apparatus, and a color toner set.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the widespread use of image forming apparatuses that form images using an electrophotographic process, their applications have been widespread, and demands for image density and color vividness have become strict.

For example, the medium surface roughness is acquired as information about the surface structure of the medium, and in order to form an image at a constant density, the image formation is performed so that the larger the medium surface roughness, the larger the amount of toner adhered to the medium. An apparatus is provided (see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2004-258397, A

However, if the amount of toner adhered to the medium increases, the color mixing property when forming images by superimposing colors deteriorates, and the color reproducibility decreases. In addition, a large amount of toner is required to increase the amount of toner attached to the medium, and the toner container that stores the toner becomes large.

The present invention solves the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus described above, can reduce the amount of toner adhered to a medium, can form an image with a constant density, and can superimpose colors to form an image. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner container, an image forming unit, an image forming apparatus, and a color toner set capable of improving color reproducibility when forming a toner.

For this reason, the toner container of the present invention is used in an image forming apparatus having an exposing unit using an LED light source.

The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
26.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−47.47≦b*≦−36.78
The cyan toner is stored.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, each value of the lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* in the powder state is
26.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−47.47≦b*≦−36.78
Cyan toner, an electrostatic latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, an exposing unit for forming the electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image. It has a toner carrier that develops with the cyan toner to form a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto a medium, and a fixing device that fixes the toner image onto the medium to form a printed matter.

According to the present invention, the toner container is used in the image forming apparatus having the exposing means by the LED light source.

The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
26.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−47.47≦b*≦−36.78
The cyan toner is stored.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, each value of the lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* in the powder state is
26.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−47.47≦b*≦−36.78
Cyan toner, an electrostatic latent image carrier on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed, exposure means for forming the electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image. The toner carrier includes a toner carrier that develops with the cyan toner to form a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto a medium, and a fixing device that fixes the toner image onto the medium to form a printed matter.

In this case, a sufficient image density can be obtained even if the amount of toner adhered to the medium is reduced, so that the toner container and the image forming apparatus can be downsized.

Further, since the print hue when the image is visually observed is good, it is possible to improve the color reproducibility when the image is formed by superimposing it on another color.

It is a conceptual diagram of the printer in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the image forming unit in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the fixing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a blank-printed medium according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a cyan density measurement print pattern according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a position on a medium of a toner patch of a print pattern for print hue measurement according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining types of toner patches of a print pattern for print hue measurement according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the print hue and reference|standard hue in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, a color printer as an image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the right end portion of the drawing is the front of the printer 10, the front, rear, upper and lower parts when the printer 10 is viewed from the front are represented by arrows, the left is the front side of the drawing, and the right is the drawing. The back side. Further, the left-right direction in the drawing is the main scanning direction, and the front-back direction is the sub-scanning direction.

In the figure, 10 indicates black and yellow by a black toner 140K as a black developer, a yellow toner 140Y as a yellow developer, a magenta toner 140M as a magenta developer, and a cyan toner 140C as a cyan developer. , An electrophotographic printer capable of forming images of respective colors of magenta, cyan, and printing. When it is not necessary to distinguish each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, the toner 140 is used.

The printer 10 is transferred to a paper feed cassette 11 as a medium storage unit that stores a medium 18 such as plain paper or film, a medium supply unit 13 that supplies the medium 18 from the paper feed cassette 11 to the image forming unit 22, and a medium 18. A fixing device (fixing device) 17 for fixing a toner image as a developer image, a medium discharging unit 14 for discharging the medium 18 from the fixing device 17 to the outside of the printer 10, and a medium 18 for performing double-sided printing. 22 and the re-conveying unit 15 for supplying the fixing device 17 again.

The image forming unit 22 includes image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C and LED heads 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C that use LEDs (light emitting diodes) as exposure devices and as exposure devices. The LED heads 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C are referred to as the LED head 23 unless it is necessary to distinguish them.

The image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C have a common configuration except for the color of the toner 140 contained in the toner cartridge 120 as a toner container, and therefore, when it is not necessary to distinguish the image forming units, the image forming units are formed. It is unit 12.

The paper feed cassette 11 accommodates the medium 18 used for printing, and is detachably arranged below the printer 10. Further, the paper feed cassette 11 accommodates the medium 18 in a laminated state. The media 18 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 11 are fed one by one from the top by a pickup roller 19a and a feeder roller 19b arranged at the top of the paper feed cassette 11, and as shown by an arrow A, The medium is conveyed through the medium conveyance path which is the conveyance path of 18. After that, the medium 18 is conveyed by the conveying rollers (registration rollers) 19c, 19d, 19e, and 19f as shown by the arrow B, and is conveyed to the image forming unit 22 in which the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C are arranged. Be transported. The transport rollers 19e and 19f correct the skew of the medium 18 transported by the transport rollers 19c and 19d.

The image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C form toner images of black toner 140K, yellow toner 140Y, magenta toner 140M, and cyan toner 140C, respectively, and are attachable to and detachable from the image forming unit 22 in the printer 10. Has become. The configurations of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M and 12C will be described later.

The image forming unit 12K in which the toner cartridge 120 contains black toner 140K and is attached, the image forming unit 12Y in which the toner cartridge 120 contains yellow toner 140Y and is attached, and the toner cartridge 120 contains magenta toner 140M. The image forming unit 12M that is installed as a unit and the image forming unit 12C that is installed by mounting the cyan toner 140C in the toner cartridge 120 are arranged in a line from the front to the rear along the medium transport path.

A transfer unit 16 as a transfer device is provided to transfer the toner image formed by the image forming unit 22 onto the medium 18.

The transfer unit 16 serves as an image carrier for the transfer belt 27 that electrostatically attracts and conveys the medium 18, the drive roller 28 and the tension roller 29 that stretch the transfer belt 27, and the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C. Also, transfer rollers 30K, 30Y, 30M, 30C as transfer members, which are arranged so as to face the photoconductor drums 101K, 101Y, 101M, 101C as electrostatic latent image carriers, and transfer belts after transfer of toner images. A transfer belt cleaning blade 34 as a cleaning member for scraping and cleaning the toner 140 remaining on the cleaning unit 27, a waste toner tank 35 as a waste developer collecting unit for storing the scraped toner 140, and the like are provided.

The photoconductor drums 101K, 101Y, 101M, and 101C are referred to as the photoconductor drums 101 unless it is necessary to distinguish them.

The drive roller 28 is rotated by a belt drive motor 60 (FIG. 5), which will be described later, and causes the transfer belt 27 to travel in the directions of arrows C and D.

The tension roller 29 applies a predetermined tension to the transfer belt 27.

The transfer belt 27 adsorbs the medium 18 on its surface and is driven by the rotation of the drive roller 28 to convey the medium 18 along the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C.

Through the transfer belt 27, the photosensitive drums 101K, 101Y, 101M and 101C of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M and 12C are pressed against the transfer rollers 30K, 30Y, 30M and 30C and hold the medium 18. The medium 18 is conveyed to the fixing device 17 by the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C. A transfer voltage for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 101 to the medium 18 is applied to the transfer rollers 30K, 30Y, 30M, and 30C.

The transfer rollers 30K, 30Y, 30M, and 30C are referred to as the transfer roller 30 unless it is necessary to distinguish them.

The fixing device 17 is disposed on the downstream side (left side in the drawing) of the image forming unit 22 in the transport direction of the medium 18. The fixing device 17 includes a heating belt 36 as a heating member and a fixing member, and a pressure roller 37 as a pressure member.

A switching guide 20 for switching the transport path of the medium 18 on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 17 is provided. The switching guide 20 selectively conveys the medium 18 that has passed through the fixing device 17 to the medium ejecting unit 14 or the re-conveying unit 15.

The medium discharge unit 14 includes discharge rollers 19g, 19h, 19i, and 19j for discharging the medium 18 supplied from the fixing device 17 to the outside of the printer 10. Further, a stacker unit 24 for loading the media 18 ejected by the medium ejecting unit 14 is arranged on the upper cover of the printer 10.

The re-conveyance unit 15 temporarily retracts the medium 18 conveyed through the switching guide 20 in the arrow K direction, conveyance rollers 19k, 19l, 19w, 19x that convey the medium 18 in the retreat path, and the retracted medium 18 In the direction of the arrow L for switching the medium to the direction of the arrow L, and the transport rollers 19m, 19n, 19o, 19p, 19q, 19r, 19s, 19t, 19u for transporting the medium 18 in the direction of the arrow M along the return path and feeding the medium. , 19v, etc.

The conveyance rollers 19c and 19d are arranged at the exit of the return path, and the medium 18 conveyed in the direction of the arrow N and having its front and back reversed is fed again to the image forming unit 22.

Next, the image forming unit 12 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image forming unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the image forming unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a perspective view of the image forming unit 12, and FIG. 2B is a view in which the toner cartridge 120 is separated from the process unit 100 of the image forming unit 12. Note that FIG. 3 also shows the LED head 23, the transfer roller 30, and the transfer belt 27. Further, in FIG. 2, front, rear, upper, lower, left and right sides of the printer 10 when viewed from the front are represented by arrows. In FIG. 3, when the printer 10 is viewed from the front, the front, rear, upper and lower sides are indicated by arrows, the left side is the front side of the drawing, and the right side is the back side of the drawing.

As described above, the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C have a common configuration except for the color of the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge 120. And

The image forming unit 12 develops with a black toner 140K, a yellow toner 140Y, a magenta toner 140M, and a cyan toner 140C, respectively, and forms a toner image of each color.

The image forming unit 12 includes a process unit 100 that develops toner images of respective colors, and a toner cartridge 120 that is detachably disposed in the process unit 100 and that stores toner 140. By mounting the toner cartridge 120 on the process section 100, the toner 140 stored in the toner storage section 125 serving as a storage space of the toner cartridge 120 is supplied to the toner holding section 103 serving as a developer holding section of the process section 100. It A toner image is created by the process unit 100 using the toner 140 supplied from the toner cartridge 120.

The process unit 100 includes a photoconductor drum 101, a charging roller 102 as a charging member, a developing roller 104 as a toner carrying member and a developer carrying member, a supply roller 105 as a supplying member, and a developing device as a layer regulating member. A blade 107, a cleaning blade 106 as a cleaning member, and the like are provided.

The photoconductor drum 101 is a substantially cylindrical member extending in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction), and is rotated in the arrow R direction.

The cleaning blade 106 is arranged in parallel with the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101, and the tip portion thereof is arranged in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

The charging roller 102 is disposed in contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 101, and is rotated in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 101 (direction of arrow S).

The LED head 23 includes an LED element as an LED light source and a lens array, and is arranged at a position where the light emitted from the LED element forms an image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The LED head 23 is drive-controlled by an LED head controller 53 (FIG. 5) described later so as to emit light according to image information. The developing roller 104 is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 101, and is rotated in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the photosensitive drum 101 (direction of arrow E).

The supply roller 105 is disposed in contact with the surface of the developing roller 104, and is rotated in the same direction as the rotating direction of the developing roller 104 (direction of arrow F).

The developing blade 107 is arranged opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 104 in order to regulate the layer thickness of the toner 140 supplied from the supply roller 105 to the developing roller 104.

A region surrounded by the outer peripheral surface of the supply roller 105, the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 104, the surface of the developing blade 107, and the inner surface of the process unit 100 is also referred to as a toner holding unit 103 (toner hopper, toner supply unit, etc.). ). In the process unit 100, an opening 130 for receiving the toner 140 from the toner cartridge 120 is formed above the toner holding unit 103. The toner 140 in the toner cartridge 120 drops and is supplied through the opening 130 into the toner holding unit 103 as indicated by the arrow V direction.

The toner cartridge 120 includes the toner storage portion 125 that stores the toner 140, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 101. A stirring bar 122 that stirs the toner 140 is disposed inside the toner storage unit 125.

The stirring bar 122 is rotatably supported around a rotating shaft 122a extending in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 120. Below the stirring bar 122, a discharge port 124 for discharging the toner 140 stored in the toner storage portion 125, and a shutter 123 for opening and closing the discharge port 124 are arranged. The shutter 123 is arranged so as to be slidable in the arrow Q direction along the inner peripheral surface of the toner containing portion 125.

Next, the fixing device 17 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of the fixing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The fixing device 17 includes a heating belt 36 arranged on the upper side of the medium conveyance path G, a pressure roller 37 arranged on the lower side of the medium conveyance path G, and the like.

The fixing device exterior 1000 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which openings are formed so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction in central portions of the front surface and the rear surface, and the heating belt 36 and the pressure roller 37 are disposed in the fixing device exterior 1000. To be done. In addition, a plurality of hole portions such as an insertion hole for inserting a part of the heating belt 36 and a shaft hole for rotatably supporting the pressure roller 37 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the fixing device exterior 1000, if necessary. Drilled.

As shown in the figure, the heating belt 36 includes an annular fixing belt 1001, a plate-shaped heater 1002 as a heating body provided in a space surrounded by the fixing belt 1001, a heat transfer member 1003, a heat diffusion member 1004, The support member 1005, the fixing roller 1006, the pressure pad 1007, the guide member 1008, and the coil springs 1009 and 1010 are included.

The pressure roller 37 includes a cored bar portion 1015 and an elastic layer 1016 covering the cored bar portion 1015, and is arranged to face the fixing roller 1006 and the pressure pad 1007 via the fixing belt 1001. Both ends of the cored bar portion 1015 are rotatably supported by pressure roller support members (not shown). The pressure roller 37, the core metal portion 1015, and the elastic layer 1016 are all arranged so as to extend in the longitudinal direction.

The fixing belt 1001 is an annular (endless) belt stretched with a predetermined tension by a heat transfer member 1003, a fixing roller 1006, a pressure pad 1007, and a guide member 1008, and is rotatably held in the direction of arrow H. To be done.

The fixing belt 1001 has, for example, an inner layer made of polyimide having an inner diameter of about 45 mm and a thickness of 0.1 mm, an intermediate layer made of silicone rubber having a thickness of 0.2 mm, and It has an outer layer made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PFA), and has a three-layer structure.

A nip portion N is formed between the pressure roller 37 and the fixing roller 1006 and the pressure pad 1007 so that the fixing belt 1001 and the pressure roller 37 are in pressure contact with each other. The medium 18 is conveyed between the fixing belt 1001 and the pressure roller 37 in the direction of the arrow G, and a predetermined toner image is fixed on the medium 18 at the nip portion N. The nip width of the nip portion N in the sub-scanning direction is set to 10 to 11 [mm], and the total pressing force on the nip portion N is set to 18 to 20 [kgf].

The plate-shaped heater 1002 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the lateral direction, and is a heat source that heats the fixing belt 1001. The plate heater 1002 is brought into contact with the heat transfer member 1003 and the heat diffusion member 1004 that surround the periphery thereof. As a result, heat is transferred from the plate heater 1002 to the fixing belt 1001 via the heat transfer member 1003 and the heat diffusion member 1004.

The plate-shaped heater 1002 has a built-in resistance wire as a heating element, and heat is generated by supplying a current to the resistance wire from an external power supply and control circuit at an arbitrary timing. The plate-shaped heater 1002 is made of, for example, stainless steel having a dimension of 350 [mm] in the longitudinal direction along the lateral direction, a dimension of 10 [mm] in the lateral direction orthogonal to the lateral direction, and a thickness of 1 [mm]. A resistance wire made of a mixture of Ag (silver) and Pd (palladium) is laminated on the substrate. The output of the resistance wire is, for example, 1000 [W].

The heat transfer member 1003 is a member having a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the lateral direction along the plate heater 1002 made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum extruded alloy (JIS A6063), and is generated in the plate heater 1002. The generated heat is transferred to the fixing belt 1001.

The heat diffusion member 1004 is a member having a substantially flat plate shape that extends in the lateral direction along the plate-shaped heater 1002 and the heat transfer member 1003, and transfers the heat generated in the plate-shaped heater 1002 to the arrow H direction of the fixing belt 1001. It diffuses and functions to transfer to the heat transfer member 1003.

Between the plate-shaped heater 1002 and the heat transfer member 1003 and the heat diffusion member 1004, a semi-solid grease or the like having high heat resistance and heat conductivity and capable of being deformed into an arbitrary shape may be interposed. .. The heat diffusion member 1004 also functions as a pressing member that presses the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 1001 by receiving the biasing force of the coil spring 1009 as the biasing member. A plurality of coil springs 1009 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the heat diffusion member 1004.

The support member 1005 is extended in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) similarly to the plate heater 1002, the heat transfer member 1003, the heat diffusion member 1004, and the like. Both ends in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the support member 1005 are fixed to a pair of side plates (not shown). Further, the supporting member 1005 holds the guide member 1008.

The coil spring 1009 is disposed between the support member 1005 and the plate heater 1002. The coil spring 1009 generates a biasing force that biases the heat diffusion member 1004 away from the support member 1005 in the arrow Y direction.

The heat transfer member 1003 receives the biasing force of the coil spring 1009 via the heat diffusion member 1004 and the plate-shaped heater 1002, contacts the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 1001 and pushes the fixing belt 1001 from the inside to the outside. To do. That is, the biasing force of the coil spring 1009 is transmitted to the fixing belt 1001 via the plate heater 1002, the heat transfer member 1003, and the heat diffusion member 1004. In this way, the fixing belt 1001 is stretched by being pressed by the heat transfer member 1003 so as to be pushed outward.

A coil spring 1010 as a biasing member is disposed between the support member 1005 and the pressure pad 1007. The coil spring 1010 includes one end portion that comes into contact with the pressure pad 1007 and the other end portion that comes into contact with the back surface 1012 of the support member 1005, and urges the pressure pad 1007 in the arrow Z direction so as to move away from the support member 1005. Generates urging force.

The pressure pad 1007 receives the urging force of the coil spring 1010, contacts the inner peripheral surface of the portion of the fixing belt 1001 stretched between the guide member 1008 and the fixing roller 1006, and moves the fixing belt 1001 from the inside to the outside. It acts to extrude into. That is, the biasing force of the coil spring 1010 is transmitted to the fixing belt 1001 via the pressure pad 1007. As described above, the fixing belt 1001 is also stretched by being pressed by the pressure pad 1007 so as to be pushed outward.

The guide member 1008 is fixed to the support member 1005, and a part of the guide member 1008 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 1001 to guide the path of the fixing belt 1001.

The fixing roller 1006 includes a cored bar portion 1013 extending in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) and an elastic layer 1014 covering the periphery thereof. A fixing gear (not shown) is attached to one end of the cored bar portion 1013. The rotation of the fixing motor 61 (FIG. 5), which will be described later, is transmitted to the fixing gear, whereby the fixing roller 1006 is rotated in the arrow X direction.

The fixing roller 1006 causes the surface of the elastic layer 1014 to contact the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 1001 so that the fixing belt 1001 travels in the direction of the arrow H and guides its path. The fixing roller 1006 has, for example, an outer diameter of about 20 mm, and the elastic layer 1014 is a silicone sponge having a thickness of 2 mm.

The pressure roller 37 runs the fixing belt 1001 sandwiched between the pressure roller 37 and the fixing roller 1006 in the direction of arrow I. The outer diameter of the pressure roller 37 is, for example, about 34 [mm], and the elastic layer 1016 is, for example, a silicone sponge having a thickness of 2 [mm]. The pressure roller 37 may have an outer layer made of a fluororesin such as PFA on the elastic layer 1016.

As described above, when the fixing roller 1006 is rotated in the direction of the arrow X at the nip portion N by the rotation being transmitted from the fixing motor 61 to the fixing device 17, friction is generated between the fixing roller 1006 and the fixing belt 1001. A force is generated and the fixing belt 1001 is run in the direction of arrow H. Further, the pressure roller 37 is also rotated in the direction of arrow I along with the rotation of the fixing roller 1006. At this time, when the medium 18 is conveyed along the medium conveyance path G, the fixing device 17 applies heat and pressure to the medium 18.

A temperature sensor 1011 is arranged at a central position of the heating belt 36 in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the fixing belt 1001 so as to face the fixing belt 1001. The surface temperature of the belt 1001 is detected. Further, a temperature sensor 1017 is arranged at a central position in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the pressure roller 37 so as to face the pressure roller 37, and the temperature sensor 1017 feeds the medium 18 to the nip portion N. The surface temperature of the elastic layer 1016 of the previous pressure roller 37 is detected.

Next, the control device of the printer 10 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 10 is a printer, and 50 is a control unit. The control unit 50 includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, input/output port, timer, etc. (not shown), and a personal computer (PC) (not shown) as a host device. Upon receiving the print data and the control command, the sequence of the printer 10 is controlled to form an image on the medium 18 (FIG. 1) and printing is performed.

To the control unit 50, a charging roller power supply control unit 52, an LED head control unit 53, a developing roller power supply control unit 54, a supply roller power supply control unit 55, a transfer roller power supply control unit 56, and a fixing control unit 66 are connected, and the charging roller is connected. The power supply controller 52 has a charging roller voltage power source 71, the LED head controller 53 has an LED head 23, the developing roller power source controller 54 has a developing roller voltage power source 72, and the supply roller power source controller 55 has a supply roller voltage power source 73. The transfer roller power supply controller 56 is connected to the transfer roller voltage power supply 74, the fixing control unit 66 is connected to the fixing device 17, and the charging roller voltage power supply 71 is supplied to the charging roller 102 and the developing roller voltage power supply 72 is supplied to the developing roller 104. The supply roller 105 is connected to the roller voltage power supply 73, and the transfer roller 30 is connected to the transfer roller voltage power supply 74.

The charging roller power supply control unit 52 applies a charging voltage (DC voltage) to the charging roller 102 according to an instruction from the control unit 50 to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The charging roller power supply control unit 52 is provided for each of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C, but in the description of the drawings, the charging roller power supply control unit 52 is generally referred to.

The LED head controller 53 causes the LED head 23 to emit light in accordance with the image data according to an instruction from the controller 50, and irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 with light to form an electrostatic latent image as a latent image. The LED head controller 53 is provided for each of the LED heads 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C, but in the description of the drawings, the LED head controller 53 is generally referred to.

The developing roller power supply controller 54 applies a developing voltage (DC voltage) to the developing roller 104 according to an instruction from the controller 50, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101. The developing roller power source control unit 54 is provided for each of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C, but in the description of the drawings, it is collectively referred to as the developing roller power source control unit 54.

The supply roller power supply controller 55 applies a supply voltage (DC voltage) to the supply roller 105 and supplies the toner 140 to the developing roller 104 according to an instruction from the controller 50. The supply roller power supply control unit 55 is arranged in each of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C, but in the description of the drawings, it is generally referred to as the supply roller power supply control unit 55.

The transfer roller power supply controller 56 applies a transfer voltage (DC voltage) to the transfer roller 30 according to an instruction from the controller 50, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 101 to the medium 18. The transfer roller power supply control unit 56 is provided for each of the transfer rollers 30K, 30Y, 30M, and 30C, but in the description of the drawings, it is generally referred to as the transfer roller power supply control unit 56.

In the fixing device 17, the fixing control unit 66 performs on/off control of the plate heater 1002 (FIG. 4) based on the temperature detected by a thermistor (not shown) serving as a surface temperature detection unit to keep the fixing temperature constant.

The charging roller voltage power supply 71 is controlled by the charging roller power supply control unit 52 to generate a charging voltage applied to the charging roller 102. The charging roller voltage power supply 71 is provided for each of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C, but in the description of the drawings, the charging roller voltage power supply 71 is generally used.

The developing roller voltage power supply 72 is controlled by the developing roller power supply controller 54 and generates a developing voltage applied to the developing roller 104. The developing roller voltage power source 72 is provided for each of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C, but in the description of the drawings, it is collectively referred to as the developing roller voltage power source 72.

The supply roller voltage power supply 73 is controlled by the supply roller power supply control unit 55 and generates a supply voltage applied to the supply roller 105. The supply roller voltage power supply 73 is provided for each of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C, but in the description of the drawings, the supply roller voltage power supply 73 is generally referred to.

The transfer roller voltage power supply 74 is controlled by the transfer roller power supply controller 56 and generates a transfer voltage applied to the transfer roller 30. The transfer roller voltage power supply 74 is provided for each of the transfer rollers 30K, 30Y, 30M, and 30C, but in the description of the drawings, the transfer roller voltage power supply 74 is generally used.

Further, an ID motor 57, a paper feed motor 58, a conveyance motor 59, a belt drive motor 60, a fixing motor 61, a discharge motor 62, a re-conveyance motor 63, and a switching mechanism 64 are connected to the control unit 50.

The ID motor 57 rotates the photosensitive drum 101 and transmits the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101 to the developing roller 104 and the supply roller 105 via a power transmission system. The charging roller 102 and the transfer roller 30 are rotated together with the photosensitive drum 101. The ID motor 57 is provided for each of the image forming units 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C, but in the description of the drawings, it is generally referred to as the ID motor 57.

The paper feed motor 58 rotates the pickup roller 19 a and the feed roller 19 b to feed the medium 18 from the paper feed cassette 11.

The carry motor 59 rotates the carry rollers 19c, 19d, 19e, and 19f to carry the medium 18.

The belt drive motor 60 rotates the drive roller 28 and runs the transfer belt 27.

The fixing motor 61 rotates the heating belt 36 and the pressure roller 37 of the fixing device 17, and conveys the medium 18 between the heating belt 36 and the pressure roller 37.

The ejection motor 62 rotates the ejection rollers 19g, 19h, 19i, and 19j to eject the medium 18 to the outside of the printer 10.

The reconveyance motor 63 rotates the conveyance rollers 19k, 19l, 19m, 19n, 19o, 19p, 19q, 19r, 19s, 19t, 19u, 19v, 19w, and 19x to reconvey the medium 18 during double-sided printing.

The switching mechanism (actuator) 64 drives the switching guides 20 and 21 to switch the transport path of the medium 18.

Next, the operation of the printer 10 will be described.

When the printer 10 receives a print command from the personal computer, the paper feed motor 58 rotates the pickup roller 19a and the feed roller 19b, and the medium 18 is fed from the paper feed cassette 11. After that, the conveyance motor 59 rotates the conveyance rollers 19c, 19d, 19e, and 19f, and the medium 18 is sent to the image forming unit 22.

In the image forming unit 12, the ID motor 57 is driven and the photosensitive drum 101 is rotated in the arrow R direction. As a result, the charging roller 102, the developing roller 104, the supply roller 105, and the transfer roller 30 are rotated.

When a charging voltage (for example, −1050 [V]) is applied to the charging roller 102 by the charging roller voltage power source 71, the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 with which the charging roller 102 contacts is uniformly charged (for example, −550). [V]) In this embodiment, the drum-shaped photosensitive drum 101 is used as the electrostatic latent image carrier, but a belt-shaped electrostatic latent image carrier can be used. ..

Then, the LED head 23 illuminates the surface of the photoconductor drum 101 according to the image information included in the print command. Specifically, the LED head 23K illuminates the surface of the photosensitive drum 101K of the image forming unit 12K, the LED head 23Y illuminates the surface of the photosensitive drum 101Y of the image forming unit 12Y, and the LED head 23M illuminates the image forming unit. The surface of the photosensitive drum 101M of 12M is irradiated, and the LED head 23C irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 101C of the image forming unit 12C. The potential of the light-irradiated portion (exposed portion) of the photosensitive drum 101 is optically attenuated to about −100 [V], whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed.

A supply voltage (for example, -350 [V]) is applied from the supply roller voltage power supply 73 to the supply roller 105. The supply roller 105 is a sponge roller extending in the longitudinal direction, and a layer of silicone foam rubber composed of open cells having a cell size of 300 to 500 [μm] is formed around the core metal.

The supply roller 105 holds the toner 140 stored in the toner holding unit 103 (FIG. 3) on the surface of the supply roller 105 and inside the cell, is rotated in the arrow F direction, and supplies the toner 140 to the developing roller 104.

Further, the developing roller power supply controller 54 applies a developing voltage (for example, -250 [V]) to the developing roller 104. The developing roller 104 carries the toner 140 and is rotated in the arrow E direction by the voltage difference between the developing roller 104 and the supply roller 105 and the sliding movement with the supply roller 105. As the developing roller 104 rotates, the developing blade 107 makes the toner 140 on the surface of the developing roller 104 have a uniform thickness and forms a toner layer on the developing roller 104. The toner 140 carried on the surface of the developing roller 104 is triboelectrically charged to a negative polarity by sliding between the developing roller 104 and the supply roller 105 and friction with the developing blade 107. Specifically, the toner 140 is charged to about −50 [V].

The toner 140 described here is, for example, a one-component development type negatively charged toner. That is, the toner 140 has a negative charging polarity. The one-component developing method is a method of imparting an appropriate amount of charge to the toner itself without using a carrier (magnetic particles) for imparting an electric charge to the toner. On the other hand, the two-component developing method is a method in which the above-mentioned carrier and toner are mixed to give an appropriate amount of charge to the toner by utilizing the friction between the carrier and the toner.

In the present embodiment, the toner 140 is used in a one-component developing method in which a carrier is not used as a developer, but the toner 140 is used in a two-component developing method together with the carrier, that is, a two-component developing method. It can also be used as a toner contained in the agent.

The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited. Specifically, the toner manufacturing method may be, for example, a pulverizing method, a polymerization method, or any other method. Also, two or more of the above manufacturing methods can be used in combination. The polymerization method includes, for example, an emulsion polymerization aggregation method and a dissolution suspension method.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 101 by the LED head 23 is reversely developed by the toner 140 carried on the surface of the developing roller 104. That is, an electric line of force is generated between the photosensitive drum 101 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed and the developing roller 104 due to the potential difference, and the toner 140 on the surface of the developing roller 104 is electrostatically attracted to the photosensitive drum 101. Adhere to electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

At the timing when the medium 18 reaches the position where the photosensitive drum 101 and the transfer roller 30 are in pressure contact with each other, the transfer roller voltage power source 74 causes the transfer roller 30 that is rotated in the arrow T direction to transfer the transfer voltage (for example, to the transfer roller 30). , +3000 [V]) is applied. The toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 101 is transferred to the medium 18 by the transfer voltage. The medium 18 onto which the toner images of the respective colors have been transferred is conveyed in the direction of arrow G and sent to the fixing device 17.

The medium 18 on which the toner image is transferred is sent to the nip portion N between the heating belt 36 and the pressure roller 37, which is rotated in the directions H and I by the fixing motor 61. The heating belt 36 is kept at a predetermined surface temperature by the fixing controller 66, and the pressure roller 37 is also heated by the heat of the heating belt 36, so that the toner 140 of the toner image formed on the medium 18 is melted. Further, the melted toner 140 is pressed at the nip portion N, so that the toner image is fixed on the medium 18.

Then, the medium 18 on which the toner image is fixed is sent to the medium ejecting unit 14 as it is for single-sided printing and to the re-conveying unit 15 for double-sided printing according to the print command.

In the case of single-sided printing, the medium 18 ejected from the fixing device 17 is sent to the medium ejecting unit 14 by the switching guide 20, is conveyed in the arrow J direction, and is ejected to the outside of the printer 10. The ejected medium 18 is placed on the stacker unit 24.

Further, in the case of double-sided printing, the medium 18 ejected from the fixing device 17 is sent to the re-transport unit 15 by the switching guides 20 and 21, and each transport roller 19m rotated by the transport motor 59 and the re-transport motor 63, The return path is conveyed in the direction of arrow M by 19n, 19o, 19p, 19q, 19r, 19s, 19t, 19u, and 19v, and is sent to the medium supply unit 13. Then, when the printing operation is performed again on the back surface of the medium 18, the medium 18 is sent to the medium ejecting unit 14, conveyed in the direction of arrow J, and ejected to the outside of the printer 10.

Note that when the negatively charged toner 140 is used, the charging potential and the developing potential have negative values, and a voltage of positive polarity is applied to the transfer roller 30. However, when the positively charged toner is used, the charging potential and the development potential are negative. And the developing potential has a positive value, and a voltage of negative polarity is applied to the transfer roller 30.

Next, each example of the cyan toner 140C manufactured by each manufacturing method by the crushing method will be described.
[Example 1]
First, to 100 parts by weight of polyester resin, 0.5 parts by weight of BONTRON E-84 (registered trademark) (manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a charge control agent, and carnauba wax (manufactured by Kato Yoko Co., Ltd., carnauba) as a release agent. 4.0 parts by weight of wax No. 1 powder), 5.6 parts by weight of Pigment Blue 15:3 (PB15:3) and 0.5 parts by weight of Pigment Green 7 (PG7) as a colorant for cyan toner. Pigment Blue 15:3 and Pigment Green 7 were mixed at a ratio of 10:1. Then, after mixing using a Henschel mixer, it was melt-kneaded by a twin-screw extruder and cooled. After cooling, they were roughly crushed with a cutter mill or the like, crushed with a collision crusher, and then classified with an air classifier to obtain toner base particles having a predetermined particle size.

The binder resin is a material that binds a colorant or the like, and is a so-called binder. The binder resin may contain any one kind or two or more kinds of polymer compounds such as polyester resin, styrene-acrylic resin, epoxy resin, styrene-butadiene resin, and polyurethane resin. The crystalline state of the polymer compound is not particularly limited, and may be crystalline or amorphous. The binder resin preferably contains a polyester resin in order to smooth the surface of the image and increase the image density.

Next, as an external addition step, 3.0 parts by weight of hydrophobic silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average particle size: 16 [nm]) is added to 1 [kg] (100 parts by weight) of the toner mother particles. Cyan toner C-1 was manufactured by stirring for 3 [minutes] with a shell mixer.
[Example 2]
Pigment Blue 15:3 of Example 1 was changed to 5.9 parts by weight, and Pigment Green 7 was changed to 0.6 parts by weight to produce cyan toner C-2.
[Example 3]
Pigment Blue 15:3 of Example 1 was changed to 6.3 parts by weight, Pigment Green 7 was changed to 0.6 parts by weight, and cyan toner C-3 was manufactured.
[Example 4]
Pigment Blue 15:3 of Example 1 was changed to 3.7 parts by weight, Pigment Green 7 was changed to 0.4 parts by weight, and cyan toner C-4 was manufactured.
[Example 5]
Pigment Blue 15:3 of Example 1 was changed to 8.7 parts by weight, Pigment Green 7 was changed to 0.9 parts by weight, and cyan toner C-5 was manufactured.
[Example 6]
Pigment Blue 15:3 of Example 1 was changed to 8.7 parts by weight, and Pigment Green 7 was changed to 1.1 parts by weight to produce cyan toner C-6.
[Example 7]
Pigment Blue 15:3 of Example 1 was changed to 8.7 parts by weight, and Pigment Green 7 was changed to 2.4 parts by weight to produce cyan toner C-7.
[Example 8]
Pigment Blue 15:3 of Example 1 was changed to 3.5 parts by weight, Pigment Green 7 was changed to 0.4 parts by weight, and cyan toner C-8 was manufactured.
[Example 9]
Pigment Blue 15:3 of Example 1 was changed to 3.1 parts by weight, Pigment Green 7 was changed to 0.3 parts by weight, and cyan toner C-9 was manufactured.

With respect to the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 of Examples 1 to 9 manufactured as described above, powder hue, volume median particle diameter (volume average particle diameter) D50, and melting were measured by the following method. Physical properties of temperature (T1/2) and glass transition temperature (Tg) were measured.

The powder hue is the lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder state of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 in the L*a*b* color system, that is, L*, It is represented by a* and b*.

In the L*a*b* color system, L* is a value representing lightness in the L* axis direction, a* is a value representing a hue in the a* axis direction, that is, red-green direction, b* is a value representing the hue in the b* axis direction, that is, the yellow-blue direction.

The powder hue was measured using a spectrocolorimeter (“SE-2000” manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.) with a C light source, a 2[°] field of view, and a reflection setting. Specifically, for each of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9, a cyan powder is contained in a cylindrical powder measuring cell (thickness 2 [mm], diameter 30 [mm]) which is an accessory of the spectrocolorimeter. Cyan toners C-1 to C-9 are filled with 3.0 g of toners C1 to C9, and the powder measuring cell is vertically vibrated at 1 [times/sec] for 30 [sec] in the gravity direction. After closely packing the above, the powder hues L*, a*, and b* in the powder state were measured.

The volume median particle diameter D50 is measured using a cell counting analyzer (“Beckman Coulter's “Coulter Multisizer III”) under an evaluation condition of an aperture diameter of 100 [μm] and a count number of 30,000 [count]. did. In the present specification, the volume median particle diameter D50 means a particle diameter at which the cumulative volume frequency calculated by the volume fraction becomes 50% when calculated from the smaller particle diameter.

The measurement conditions of the volume median particle diameter D50 are as follows.

That is, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (“Emulgen 109P”, manufactured by Kao Corporation) was dissolved in an electrolytic solution (“ISOTON II”, manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) to prepare a dispersion liquid having a concentration of 5% by weight. Next, 10 [mg] of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 were added to the dispersion 5 [ml] and dispersed for 1 [minute] by an ultrasonic disperser. Then, 25 [ml] of the electrolytic solution was added to the dispersion, and the dispersion was further dispersed by an ultrasonic disperser for 1 [minute] to prepare a cyan toner dispersion. Subsequently, in the cell counting and analyzing apparatus, the prepared cyan toner dispersion liquid was added to 100 ml of the electrolytic solution, and the volume median particle diameter D50 was measured.

For the melting temperature T1/2, a flow tester (“CFT-500D” manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) was used, and 1 [g] of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 in pellet form was applied with a load of 10 [kg] and a die. Heating was performed at a hole diameter of 1 [mm] from a starting temperature of 50.0 [°C] at a temperature rising rate of 3 [°C/min]. The plunger drop amount of the flow tester was plotted against the temperature, and the temperature at which half the amount of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 flows out was taken as the melting temperature T1/2.

The glass transition temperature Tg was measured by using a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC6220” manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd.) under the measurement conditions described below, for the cyan toners C-1 to C-9. In this case, 0.01 to 0.02 [g] of cyan toners C-1 to C-9 were placed in an aluminum pan, sealed with a dedicated jig, and then measured.

The measurement conditions of the endothermic curve of the differential scanning calorimeter (temperature program pattern of the differential scanning calorimeter) are as follows.

During the first temperature increase, the cyan toners C-1 to C-9, which have been sealed in an aluminum pan at 20[° C.] for 10 [min], are allowed to stand and the temperature is increased to 200[° C./min] at 200° C. Cyan toners C-1 to C-9 are heated to [° C.] and left at 200 [° C.] for 5 [minutes], and then cyan toner C is heated to 0 [° C.] at a temperature decreasing rate of 90 [° C./minute]. -1 to C-9 were cooled and left at 0 [°C] for 5 [minutes].

During the second heating, the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 were heated to 20[°C] at a heating rate of 60[°C/min] and left at 20[°C] for 10[min]. It was heated to 200 [°C] at a temperature rising rate of 10 [°C/min].

The glass transition temperature Tg_1st for the first time was defined as the intersection temperature between the extension line of the base line below the maximum endothermic peak temperature during the first temperature rise and the tangent line showing the maximum slope from the rising portion of the peak to the apex of the peak. In addition, the intersection temperature of the extension line of the base line below the maximum peak temperature of the endotherm at the time of the second temperature rise and the tangent line showing the maximum slope from the rising portion of the peak to the apex of the peak is defined as the glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time. did.

Table 1 shows the results of measurement of powder hues and physical properties of cyan toners C-1 to C-9 of Examples 1 to 9. It was confirmed that the lightness represented by L* of the powder hue was significantly reduced as the weight part of Pigment Blue 15:3 (PB15:3) was increased.

Next, the conditions for evaluating the image density and print hue (gamut) of cyan toners C-1 to C-9 will be described.

In the present embodiment, the medium 18 on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 17 is defined as “printed matter”, and the print hue is L*a*a in the L*a*b* color system of the printed matter. *, b*.

In this case, for the cyan toners C-1 to C-9, a color LED printer (“C811” manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd.) is used, that is, the adhesion amount of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 on the medium 18, that is, the medium. The image density and the print hue of the printed matter with respect to the upper adhesion amount were evaluated. The amount of toner attached on the medium is represented by the weight per unit area ([mg/cm ² ]) of the toner image transferred onto the medium 18 in the transfer section 16. Cyan toners C-1 to C-9 are used as the cyan toner 140C, and black toner 140K, yellow toner 140Y, and magenta toner 140M are black toner, yellow toner, and magenta toner cartridge 120 installed in a color LED printer. Toner was used.

Here, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder hue of the yellow toner 140Y, the magenta toner 140M, and the black toner 140K of the color LED printer were as follows.

Powder hue of yellow toner 140Y L*=88.47, a*=−7.76, b*=106.88
Powder hue of magenta toner 140M L*=39.68, a*=63.48, b*=5.95
Powder hue of black toner 140K L*=11.67, a*=0.34, b*=0.01
Further, the speed at which the medium 18 passes through the nip portion N of the fixing device 17 at the time of evaluating the image density and the print hue is 200 [mm/sec], and the temperature of the fixing device 17 is the longitudinal direction of the heating belt 36. The central part had a temperature of 155±5 [° C.], and the pressure roller 37 had a temperature of 135±5 [° C.].

The medium 18 used in the evaluation of the image density and the print hue was "Excellent White A4" (manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd., 70 [kg] paper, weighed 80 [g/m ² ]). The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the L*a*b* color system of the medium 18 when measured under the measurement conditions described below are L*(W), a*(W), and When b*(W), the L*(W), a*(W), and b*(W) are
96.3≦L*(W)≦96.8
1.7≦a*(W)≦2.0
−5.6≦b*(W)≦−5.2
Met.

The Beck smoothness of the medium 18 used in the evaluation of the image density and the print hue was measured with a Beck smoothness measuring device ("Digibeck DB-2" manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd.),
78.0 [sec] ≤ Beck smoothness ≤ 129.3 [sec]
Met. The Beck's smoothness was measured under the conditions described in "JIS P 8119".

Next, using cyan toners C-1 to C-9, a method of evaluating the image density with respect to the amount of adhesion on the medium will be described.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a blank-printed medium according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a cyan density measurement print pattern according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The cyan density measurement print pattern is created with a cyan 100% print duty.

Regarding the image density of the printed matter, the measurement conditions in a measuring device (“X-Rite 528” manufactured by SDG Corporation) were set as follows. That is, the measurement mode of the measuring instrument is set to "concentration measurement mode", the status setting is set to "status I", the white reference setting is set to "absolute white reference", "no polarization filter" is set, and calibration is performed using a white calibration plate. After carrying out, the image density was measured.

“Status I” is a setting of a wavelength region to be evaluated, and is defined in “ISO5-3 “Photographic and graphical technology-Density measurement-Part 3: Spectral conditions””.

In the measurement of the image density of the printed matter, a black paper medium, that is, black paper was used as the underlay of the printed matter at the time of measurement. Specifically, as black paper, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the L*a*b* color system are L*(B), a*(B), and b*(B), respectively. And L*(B), a*(B), b*(B) are
25.1≦L*(B)≦25.9
0.2≦a*(B)≦0.3
0.5≦b*(B)≦0.7
Paper that falls within the range (Hokuetsu Corporation "Color Fine Paper Black") was used.

Based on the above settings, the image density is obtained as four numerical values of a V value (Visual Value), a Y value (Yellow Value), an M value (Magenta Value) and a C value (Cyan Value) in the measuring device. And is represented by the optical density (OD: Optical Density) measured under the above measurement conditions.

In the evaluation of the image density and the print hue, the C value was used as the image density of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9, the M value was used as the image density of the magenta toner, and the Y value was used as the image density of the yellow toner. used.

Then, the evaluation of the image density with respect to the adhered amount on the medium was performed in the following procedure.
Procedure <1> The printer 10 equipped with the image forming unit 12 and the medium 18 are left for 24 hours in an environment of a temperature of 22[° C.] and a humidity of 55[%].
Procedure <2> The blank sheet printing shown in FIG. 6 is performed every 30 [seconds] for 1 [sheet] for 10 [minutes], the fixing device 17 is warmed up, and the heating belt 36 is moved to 155±5 [° C.]. Up to 135±5[° C.].
Procedure <3> The cyan density measurement print pattern shown in FIG. 7 is printed on 1 [sheet] to obtain a printed matter.
Step <4> Printing is restarted under the same printing conditions as those used in step <3> to form a cyan density measurement print pattern on the medium 18, and the adhesion amount measurement position and image density shown in FIG. Printing is stopped before the measurement position reaches the fixing device 17.
Step <5> Image density is measured at the adhesion amount measurement position and the image density measurement position of the printed matter obtained in step <3>.
Procedure <6> The adhesion amount on the medium at the adhesion amount measurement position and the image density measurement position of the cyan density measurement print pattern formed in the procedure <4> is calculated.
Step <7> The developing voltage of the developing roller 104 of the image forming unit 12C in which the toner cartridge 120 containing the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 is mounted is within the range of −100 [V] to −300 [V]. Change accordingly.
Procedure <8> The above procedures <1> to <7> are repeated 10 times for each of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9.

The amount of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 deposited on the medium is represented by the weight per unit area (1 [cm ² ]) ([mg/cm ² ]). The amount of cyan toner C-1 to C-9 deposited on the medium in the procedure <6> is calculated as follows.

A double-sided tape is attached to the flat surface portion (area 1 [cm ² ]) of a metal jig, and a DC voltage of +300 [V] is applied to the jig by using an external power source. Then, the jig is pressed once against the adhesion amount measurement position of the cyan density measurement print pattern formed in step <4>, and the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 on the medium 18 are collected. After that, the weight of the jig to which the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 are attached is measured by an electronic balance (“CAP225D” manufactured by Sartorius). The amount of adhesion on the medium can be calculated from the difference in weight of the jig before and after collecting the cyan toners C-1 to C-9.

A linear function equation (y=ax+b) is calculated by the least square method based on the image density measured in the procedure <5> and the amount of adhered amount on the medium calculated in the procedure <6>, and the linear function equation is calculated. The image densities of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 when the adhered amounts on the medium were 0.30 [mg/cm ² ] and 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] were calculated by approximation. The values of 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and 0.30 [mg/cm ² ] are set as an index for reducing the amount of adhesion on the medium. In the linear approximation, x is the amount of adhesion on the medium and y is the image density.

Then, the value R ² of the correlation function for the linear approximation was calculated. The closer the value R ^{2 of the} correlation function is to 1, the closer the relationship between the adhered amount on the medium and the image density is, that is, the closer the change amount of the image density to the change amount of the adhered amount on the medium becomes. It means that.

Table 2 shows the determination result of the image density with respect to the amount of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 attached on the medium. It is understood that the higher the numerical value of the image density, the darker the density of the printed matter, and the better the determination result of the image density with respect to the adhered amount on the medium. When the image density is 1.50 or higher, the judgment result is “excellent”, and when the image density is 1.40 or higher and less than 1.50, the judgment result is “good”. When the image density was less than 1.40, the result was judged as "poor", and the result was evaluated as x. The determination result can be expressed by the following magnitude relationship.

○: Image density ≧1.50
Δ: 1.40≦image density<1.50
X: 1.40> Image Density In the present embodiment, in the cyan toners C-1 to C-7, the adhesion amount on the medium was 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density was 1.50 or more. .. Further, in the cyan toners C-1 to C-3 and C-5 to C-7, the adhesion amount on the medium was 0.30 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density was 1.50 or more. On the other hand, in the cyan toners C-8 and C-9, the image density was less than 1.50 when the amount of adhesion on the medium was 0.35 [mg/cm ² ]. In the case of a cyan toner having a large amount of cyan pigment, the image density is high when the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and 0.30 [mg/cm ² ]. It is considered that the lightness L* of the powder hue was lowered and the image density was increased due to the large amount of the cyan pigment contained in the cyan toner.

Further, the amount of adhesion on the medium when the image density was 1.50 was calculated from the linear approximation of the linear function formula. The amounts of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 deposited on the medium at this time are 0.30 [mg/cm ² ] for the cyan toner C-1 and 0.30 [mg/cm ² for the cyan toner C-2. ² ], cyan toner C-3 is 0.26 [mg/cm ² ], cyan toner C-4 is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ], and cyan toner C-5 is 0.29 [mg/cm ² ]. [Mg/cm< ² >], cyan toner C-6 is 0.29 [mg/cm< ² >], cyan toner C-7 is 0.29 [mg/cm< ² >], and cyan toner C-8 is Was 0.39 [mg/cm< ² >] and the cyan toner C-9 was 0.40 [mg/cm< ² >].

Next, the evaluation of the print hue of the printed matter of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 will be described.

First, a method for evaluating the print hue of a printed matter will be described.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the position of the toner patch of the print pattern for print hue measurement on the medium in the first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 9 is the print for print hue measurement in the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the types of toner patches of a pattern.

The measurement conditions of the print hue of the printed matter were set as follows by the measuring instrument "X-Rite 528".

First, the measurement mode of the measuring instrument “X-Rite 528” is set to “L*a*b* measurement mode by color system”, the status is set to “Status I”, and the observation light source (illuminant) is set to “D50” (color temperature is A light source of about 5000 [K], a viewing angle (observation field of view) of "2[°]", a white reference setting of "absolute white reference", "no polarizing filter", and calibration with a white calibration plate After carrying out, the print hue was measured.

The print pattern for print hue measurement comprises a hue evaluation patch set formed at five locations on the medium 18, and each hue evaluation patch set has a black 100 [%] density, a yellow 100 [%] density, and a magenta 100 [%. ] Density, cyan 100 [%] density, red 200 [%] density, green 200 [%] density and blue 200 [%] density color and density patches.

Here, the black 100[%] density, the yellow 100[%] density, the magenta 100[%] density and the cyan 100[%] density are 100[%] when only the black toner, the yellow toner, the magenta toner and the cyan toner are used. %] The print duty is used. Further, the red 200[%] density is formed by the mixed color 200[%] print duty in which the yellow 100[%] print duty and the magenta 100[%] print duty are overlapped, and the green 200[%] density is It is formed by a mixed color 200 [%] print duty in which a yellow 100 [%] print duty and a cyan 100 [%] print duty are overlapped, and a blue 200 [%] density is magenta 100 [%] print duty and cyan. Is formed with a mixed duty of 200 [%] print duty.

The print duty is the ratio of the area of the image actually formed on the medium 18 to the area of the image formable region when a solid image is formed on the medium 18. In other words, the print duty is the ratio of the count value of the dots actually formed when the state when dots are formed on the entire surface of the area of the medium 18 having a predetermined area is 100%, That is, when the dot count when printing on the medium 18 is dc and the dot count when the same medium 18 is entirely exposed is dca, the print duty is calculated. Formula (dc/dca) x 100 [%]
Calculated by The print duty can be calculated by using a calculation formula other than the above calculation formula.

Further, in the evaluation of the print hue of the printed matter with cyan toners C-1 to C-9, 5 [sheets] of the medium 18 of "Excellent White A4" were used as an underlay.

Then, the print hue was evaluated by the following procedure.
Procedure <1> The printer 10 and the medium 18 are left for 24 hours in an environment of a temperature of 22[° C.] and a humidity of 55[%].
Procedure <2> The blank sheet printing shown in FIG. 6 is performed every 30 [seconds] for 1 [sheet] for 10 [minutes], the fixing device 17 is warmed up, and the heating belt 36 is moved to 155±5 [° C.]. Up to 135±5[° C.].
Procedure <3> By forming yellow 100 [%] density, magenta 100 [%] density, and cyan 100 [%] density at five points on the medium 18, the print patterns for print hue measurement shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are obtained. The developing voltage of the developing roller 104 of the image forming unit 12 is adjusted so that the average value of the image density becomes 1.50 when printed.
Procedure <4> 1 [sheet] of the print pattern for print hue measurement shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is printed to obtain a printed matter.
Step <5> Cyan 100[%] density (cyan toner 100[%] print duty), green 200[%] density (yellow toner 100[%] print duty and cyan toner 100) of the print obtained in step <4>. Lightness L*, hue a*, and hue b of print hues of [%] print duty mixture) and blue 200[%] density (mixture of magenta toner 100[%] print duty and cyan toner 100[%] print duty) * Is measured at 5 points for each color, and the average value is calculated.
Step <6> The color difference ΔE (maximum color difference) between the reference value and the average value of the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the print hue calculated in step <5> is compared.

Table 2 shows the amounts of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 deposited on the medium when the developing voltage of the developing roller 104 is adjusted and the average value of the image densities is set to 1.50 in the procedure <3>. It is a value. Further, the yellow toner 140Y contained in the toner cartridge mounted in the color LED printer (“C811” manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd.) has an adhesion amount of 0.38 [mg/cm ² ] on the medium, and that of the magenta toner 140M. The amount deposited on the medium was 0.46 [mg/cm ² ]. The amount of the yellow toner 140Y and the magenta toner 140M deposited on the medium at this time was calculated by the same method as the amount of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 deposited on the medium.

Further, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* when a printed sample that has been certified by Japan Color is measured under the above-mentioned print hue measuring conditions, and the cyan toners C-1 to C are used. Based on the print hue when -9 is used and the reference hue, the color difference ΔE
ΔE=((Δa*) ² +(Δb*) ² +(ΔL*) ² ) ^1/2
Was calculated. The smaller the color difference ΔE, the better the color reproducibility.

The specific lightness L*, hue a*, and hue b* of the reference hue are as follows.

Blue 200 [%] density (L*=22.0, a*=20.0, b*=-47.7)
Cyan 100 [%] density (L*=53.4, a*=−36.3, b*=−51.5)
Green 200 [%] density (L*=47.7, a*=-70.6, b*=22.4)
When the color difference ΔE is 16.0 or less, the print hue is also good by visual inspection, and therefore the judgment result is set to ◯, and when the color difference ΔE is larger than 16.0 and 20.0 or less, it is evaluated by the visual evaluation. When the color difference ΔE was larger than 20.0, the judgment result was evaluated as “There is no problem in practical use”, and when the color difference ΔE was larger than 20.0, the evaluation result was evaluated as “There is a problem in practical use” and was evaluated as ×. That is, the print hue determination result can be expressed by the following magnitude relationship.

○: ΔE≦16.0
Δ: 16.0<ΔE≦20.0
×: 20.0<ΔE

Table 3 shows the measurement results of the blue gamut (B), cyan gamut (C), and green gamut (G) of the printed matter when the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 are used, and the measurement result of the color difference ΔE from the reference hue. , And print hue determination results. As can be seen from Table 3, in the cyan toners C-1 to C-4 and the cyan toner C-8, since the color difference ΔE from the reference hue is 16.0 or less, blue (B), cyan (C) and The judgment results of green (G) were all ◯. In the cyan toner C-5, the color difference ΔE from the reference hue is larger than 16.0 and not larger than 20.0, so the determination result for cyan (C) was Δ. In addition, in the cyan toners C-6 and C-7, the color difference ΔE from the reference hue is larger than 16.0 and 20.0 or less, and therefore the determination result of green (G) was Δ.

Table 4 shows comprehensive judgments based on the judgment results of the image densities of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 (Table 2) and the print hues of the printed matters of the cyan toners C-1 to C-9 (Table 3). Show. In the judgment results of Tables 2 and 3, when there is no Δ or ×, the comprehensive judgment is A, and when there is no × and there is one or more Δ, the comprehensive judgment is B and × is one or more. If there was, the comprehensive judgment was C.

As can be seen from Table 4, the cyan toners C-1 to C-3 are “excellent” in the image density determination result, so the determination result is “good”, and the print hue determination result of the printed matter is also “good”. The result was ◯ and therefore, the comprehensive judgment was A.

Here, in the cyan toners C-1 to C-3, the adhered amount on the medium when the image density is 1.50 is 0.30 [mg/cm ² ] or less.

From this, in the cyan toners C-1 to C-3, the lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* in the powder state are
30.04≦L*≦33.68,
-1.75 ≤ a* ≤ 0.71,
−47.47≦b*≦−45.08
In the case of, the constant image density can be achieved even if the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.30 [mg/cm ² ] or less, and the color difference ΔE with the reference hue when printing is performed by superimposing with other colors. Can be said to be a good cyan toner by visual observation.

In addition, since the cyan toners C-4 to C-7 are “good” in the image density determination result, the determination result is Δ, and the print hue determination result is “not practically problematic”. Therefore, the judgment result is Δ, and therefore the comprehensive judgment is B.

Here, with the cyan toners C-4 to C-7, the amount of adhesion on the medium when the image density is 1.50 is 0.30 [mg/cm ² ] or more, and 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] Below.

From this, in the cyan toners C-1 to C-8, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the powder state are
26.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−47.47≦b*≦−36.78
In the case of, even if the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ], a constant density is achieved, and the color difference ΔE with the reference hue when printing is performed by overlapping with other colors is visually It can be said that the cyan toner has no practical problems or is good.

On the other hand, for cyan toners C-8 and C-9, the judgment result of the print hue of the printed matter is ◯, but the judgment result of the image density is ×, so the comprehensive judgment is C. Here, the cyan toners C-8 and C-9 have an adhesion amount on the medium of more than 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] when the image density is 1.50. That is, it can be said that the cyan toners C-8 to C-9 are toners having a large color difference ΔE with respect to the reference hue but having a large amount of adhesion on the medium, although they are visually good.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 120 has the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the powder state.
26.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−47.47≦b*≦−36.78
Since the cyan toners C-1 to C-7 are stored, a sufficient image density can be obtained even if the amount of toner attached to the medium 18 is reduced.

Therefore, the toner cartridge 120 and the printer 10 can be downsized.

Further, since the print hue when the image is visually observed is good, it is possible to improve the color reproducibility when the image is formed by superimposing it on another color.

Next, when an image is formed on the medium 18 using the cyan toner 140C, the yellow toner 140Y, the magenta toner 140M, and the black toner 140K, the medium adhesion amount of the yellow toner 140Y, the magenta toner 140M, and the black toner 140K is reduced. A second embodiment of the present invention will be described which is capable of improving the printing hue and improving the printing hue. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected and about the effect of the invention by having the same structure, the effect of the same embodiment is used.

First, examples and comparative examples of the yellow toner 140Y as a yellow developer will be described.
[Example 10]
First, 100 parts by weight of a binder resin, 1.0 part by weight of BONTRON E-84 (registered trademark) (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) as a charge control agent, and carnauba wax (manufactured by Kato Yoko Co., Ltd., Carna) as a release agent. 3.1 parts by weight of Uva wax No. 1 powder) and 3.7 parts by weight of paraffin wax (“HNP11” manufactured by Nippon Seiro Co., Ltd.) were added and mixed with a colorant using a Henschel mixer, and then a twin-screw extruder. Melt kneaded by and cooled. After cooling, they were roughly crushed with a cutter mill or the like, crushed with a collision crusher, and then classified with an air classifier to obtain toner mother particles having a predetermined particle size.

Next, as an external addition step, 3.0 parts by weight of hydrophobic silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average particle size: 16 [nm]) is added to 1 [kg] (100 parts by weight) of the toner mother particles, Yellow toner Y-1 was manufactured by stirring for 3 [minutes] with a Henschel mixer.

Here, Pigment Yellow 185 (PY185) was used as the colorant, and 20.0 parts by weight of Pigment Yellow 185 was added to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

A resin having a higher acid value than the currently used resin was used as the binder resin, and the binder resin was prepared by a twin-screw extruder.

With respect to the yellow toner Y-1 of Example 10 manufactured as described above, a spectrocolorimeter (“SE-2000” manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.) was used to set the C light source, the second visual field, and the reflection setting. The measurement was performed. Specifically, 3.0 [g] of yellow toner Y-1 was filled in a cylindrical powder measuring cell (thickness 2 [mm], diameter 30 [mm]), which is an accessory of the spectrocolorimeter. Then, the powder measuring cell is vertically vibrated at a rate of 1 [times/second] for 30 [seconds] in the direction of gravity to densely fill the yellow toner Y-1, and then the powder hue in the powder state is obtained. The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* were measured. The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=87.12, a*=−7.60, b*=105.96
Met.

Moreover, when the measurement was performed using a cell counting analyzer, a flow tester (“CFT-500D” manufactured by Shimadzu Corp.), and a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC6220” manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd.), the volume median particle size was measured. D50 is 6.4 [μm], softening temperature T1/2 is 106.9 [°C], first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 54.6 [°C], and second glass transition temperature Tg_2nd. Was 51.2 [° C.].
[Example 11]
In the same manner as in Example 10, yellow toner Y-2 was manufactured by using Pigment Yellow 185 in an amount of 20.0 parts by weight and using a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used as a binder resin.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=87.14, a*=−4.14, b*=108.32.
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.4 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 107.8 [°C], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 59.4 [°C], The second glass transition temperature Tg_2nd was 52.4 [° C.].
[Example 12]
Pigment Yellow 185 of Example 10 was changed to 15.8 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value higher than that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin to prepare a yellow toner Y-3.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=87.73, a*=-8.68, b*=105.62
Met.

Also, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.3 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 106.6 [° C.], and the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 62.2 [° C.], The second glass transition temperature Tg_2nd was 53.5 [° C.].
[Example 13]
Pigment Yellow 185 of Example 10 was changed to 15.8 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin to produce a yellow toner Y-4.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=87.81, a*=−5.39, b*=107.86
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.5 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 108.1 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 62.5 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 54.0 [°C].
[Example 14]
In the same manner as in Example 10, yellow toner Y-5 was manufactured by using Pigment Yellow 185 in an amount of 20.0 parts by weight and using a resin having an acid value higher than that of the resin currently used as a binder resin.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=86.96, a*=−6.75, b*=106.73
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.0 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 104.2 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 56.1 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 51.1 [°C].
[Example 15]
In the same manner as in Example 10, yellow toner Y-6 was manufactured by using Pigment Yellow 185 as 20.0 parts by weight and using a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used as a binder resin.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=87.43, a*=−5.33, b*=107.40
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.4 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 108.8 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 58.0 [° C.], The second glass transition temperature Tg_2nd was 52.4 [° C.].
[Comparative Example 1]
Pigment Yellow 185 of Example 10 was changed to 9.4 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin to prepare a yellow toner Y-7.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=88.47, a*=−7.76, b*=106.88
Met.

Further, the volume median particle size D50 is 6.5 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 106.7 [° C.], and the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 60.5 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 51.1 [°C].
[Comparative Example 2]
Pigment Yellow 185 of Example 10 was changed to 9.4 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin to prepare a yellow toner Y-8.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=89.28, a*=−9.10, b*=104.93
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.3 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 105.8 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 56.9 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 54.2 [°C].

Table 5 shows the results of measurement of powder hues and physical properties of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8.

Next, examples and comparative examples of magenta toner 140M as a magenta developer will be described.
Example 16
First, 100 parts by weight of a binder resin, 1.0 part by weight of BONTRON E-84 (registered trademark) (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) as a charge control agent, and carnauba wax (manufactured by Kato Yoko Co., Ltd., Carna) as a release agent. Uva wax No. 1 powder) was added in an amount of 5.1 parts by weight, and paraffin wax (“HNP11” manufactured by Nippon Seiro Co., Ltd.) was added in an amount of 4.1 parts by weight. Melt kneaded by and cooled. After cooling, they were roughly crushed with a cutter mill or the like, crushed with a collision crusher, and then classified with an air classifier to obtain toner mother particles having a predetermined particle size.

Next, as an external addition step, 3.0 parts by weight of hydrophobic silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average particle size: 16 [nm]) is added to the toner mother particles 1 [kg] (100 parts by weight), Magenta toner M-1 was manufactured by stirring for 3 [minutes] with a Henschel mixer.

Here, quinacridone (QD) and carmine 6B were used as the colorant, and 11.2 parts by weight of quinacridone and 7.5 parts by weight of carmine 6B (CM) were added to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The mixing ratio of quinacridone and carmine 6B was set to 6:4, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as the binder resin.

The magenta toner M-1 of Example 16 manufactured as described above was measured with a spectrocolorimeter (“SE-2000” manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.) with a C light source, a 2 degree visual field and a reflection setting. I went. Specifically, 3.0 [g] of magenta toner M-1 was filled in a cylindrical powder measuring cell (thickness 2 [mm], diameter 30 [mm]) which is an accessory of the spectrocolorimeter. Then, the powder measuring cell is vertically vibrated at 1 [times/second] for 30 [seconds] with respect to the direction of gravity to densely fill the magenta toner M-1, and then the powder hue in the powder state is obtained. The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* were measured. The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=33.84, a*=58.72, b*=15.11
Met.

Moreover, when the measurement was performed using a cell counting analyzer, a flow tester (“CFT-500D” manufactured by Shimadzu Corp.), and a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC6220” manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd.), the volume median particle size was measured. D50 is 6.2 [μm], softening temperature T1/2 is 108.6 [°C], first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 61.8 [°C], and second glass transition temperature Tg_2nd. Was 52.8 [°C].
Example 17
As in Example 16, quinacridone was 11.2 parts by weight, Carmine 6B (CM) was 7.5 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin. Magenta Toner M-2 was manufactured.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=35.53, a*=60.46, b*=12.87
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.0 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 112.7 [°C], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 63.6 [°C], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 54.4 [° C.]. [Example 18]
As in Example 16, quinacridone was 11.2 parts by weight, Carmine 6B (CM) was 7.5 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin. To produce Magenta Toner M-3.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=34.70, a*=59.11, b*=17.30
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.5 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 112.2 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 64.1 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 55.3 [°C]. Example 19
The quinacridone of Example 16 was changed to 12.1 parts by weight, the carmine 6B was changed to 8.1 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin. Magenta Toner M-4 was manufactured.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=35.30, a*=60.55, b*=13.37
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.3 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 111.6 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 63.8 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 55.5 [° C.].
Example 20
The quinacridone of Example 16 was changed to 14.4 parts by weight, the carmine 6B was changed to 9.6 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin. Magenta Toner M-5 was manufactured.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=34.28, a*=59.11, b*=15.81
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.0 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 111.7 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 56.9 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 54.8 [° C.].
Example 21
The quinacridone of Example 16 was changed to 8.4 parts by weight, the carmine 6B was changed to 5.6 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as the binder resin. Magenta Toner M-6 was manufactured.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=36.51, a*=61.47, b*=11.71
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.5 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 111.6 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 57.4 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 54.7 [° C.].
[Comparative Example 3]
The quinacridone of Example 16 was changed to 5.7 parts by weight, the carmine 6B was changed to 3.8 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin. Magenta Toner M-7 was manufactured.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=38.61, a*=63.71, b*=7.35
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.4 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 110.5 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 61.8 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 55.8 [° C.].
[Comparative Example 4]
The quinacridone of Example 16 was changed to 5.7 parts by weight, the carmine 6B was changed to 3.8 parts by weight, and a resin having an acid value equivalent to that of the resin currently used was used as a binder resin. Magenta Toner M-8 was manufactured.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=39.68, a*=63.48, b*=5.95
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.4 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 108.5 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 56.7 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 55.0 [° C.].

Table 6 shows the results of measurement of powder hue and physical properties of the magenta toners M-1 to M-8.

Next, examples and comparative examples of the black toner 140K as a black developer will be described.
Example 22
First, 100 parts by weight of a binder resin, 0.3 parts by weight of BONTRON E-84 (registered trademark) (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) as a charge control agent, and carnauba wax (manufactured by Kato Yoko Co., Ltd., Carna Uva wax No. 1 powder) was added in an amount of 3.9 parts by weight, and paraffin wax (“HNP11” manufactured by Nippon Seiro Co., Ltd.) was added in an amount of 3.4 parts by weight, and the mixture was mixed with a colorant using a Henschel mixer, and then a twin-screw extruder was used. Melt kneaded by and cooled. After cooling, they were roughly crushed with a cutter mill or the like, crushed with a collision crusher, and then classified with an air classifier to obtain toner mother particles having a predetermined particle size.

Next, as an external addition step, 3.0 parts by weight of hydrophobic silica R972 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., average particle size: 16 [nm]) is added to the toner mother particles 1 [kg] (100 parts by weight), Black toner K-1 was manufactured by stirring for 3 [minutes] with a Henschel mixer.

Here, carbon black (CB) was used as a colorant, and 10.5 parts by weight of carbon black and a charge control agent (“, E84” manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were used with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. 0.3 parts by weight and 0.19 parts by weight of antistatic agent were added.

With respect to the black toner K-1 of Example 22 manufactured as described above, a spectrocolorimeter (“SE-2000” manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.) was used to set the C light source, the second visual field, and the reflection setting. The measurement was performed. Specifically, 3.0 [g] of black toner K-1 was filled in a cylindrical powder measuring cell (thickness 2 [mm], diameter 30 [mm]), which is an accessory of the spectrocolorimeter. Then, the powder measuring cell is vertically vibrated at a rate of 1 [times/second] for 30 [seconds] in the direction of gravity to densely fill the black toner K-1, and then the powder hue in the powder state The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* were measured. The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=11.14, a*±0.00, b*=−0.27
Met.

Moreover, when the measurement was performed using a cell counting analyzer, a flow tester (“CFT-500D” manufactured by Shimadzu Corp.), and a differential scanning calorimeter (“DSC6220” manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd.), the volume median particle size was measured. D50 is 6.4 [μm], softening temperature T1/2 is 108.3 [°C], first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 61.8 [°C], and second glass transition temperature Tg_2nd. Was 54.9 [°C].
[Example 23]
A black toner K-2 was prepared by changing the carbon black of Example 22 to 10.5 parts by weight, the charge control agent to 0.3 parts by weight, and the charge control agent to 0.06 parts by weight.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=10.59, a*=0.12, b*=−0.22
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.3 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 105.7 [°C], and the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 60.7 [°C]. The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 54.3 [° C.].
[Example 24] The black toner K of Example 22 was changed to 10.5 parts by weight, the charge control agent was changed to 0.3 parts by weight, and the antistatic agent was changed to 0.06 parts by weight. -3 was produced.

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=11.01, a*=0.16, b*=-0.39
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.5 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 106.6 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 59.8 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 55.4 [° C.].
Example 25
Carbon toner of Example 22 was changed to 13.4 parts by weight, the charge control agent was changed to 1.3 parts by weight, and the antistatic agent was changed to 0.03 parts by weight to manufacture Black Toner K-4. ..

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=11.13, a*=-0.01, b*=-0.52
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.5 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 108.0 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 58.0 [° C.], The second glass transition temperature Tg_2nd was 54.5 [° C.].
Example 26
Black toner K-5 was manufactured by changing the carbon black of Example 22 to 10.5 parts by weight, the charge control agent to 0.6 parts by weight, and the charge inhibitor to 0.06 parts by weight. ..

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=11.35, a*=0.21, b*=-0.30
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.0 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 105.4 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 56.2 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 52.1 [°C].
Example 27
A black toner K-6 was prepared by changing the carbon black of Example 22 to 10.5 parts by weight, the charge control agent to 0.6 parts by weight, and the charge suppressing agent to 0.06 parts by weight. ..

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=11.08, a*=0.19, b*=-0.14
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.0 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 109.6 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 58.0 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 53.9 [°C].
[Comparative Example 5]
Carbon toner of Example 22 was changed to 7.3 parts by weight, the charge control agent was changed to 1.2 parts by weight, and the antistatic agent was changed to 0.03 parts by weight to manufacture Black Toner K-7. ..

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=11.67, a*=0.34, b*=0.01
Met.

The volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.5 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 106.8 [° C.], and the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 60.7 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 53.3 [°C].
[Comparative Example 6]
Carbon toner of Example 22 was changed to 7.3 parts by weight, the charge control agent was changed to 1.2 parts by weight, and the charge inhibitor was changed to 0.03 parts by weight to manufacture Black Toner K-8. ..

The lightness L*, the hue a* and the hue b* of the powder hue are
L*=12.87, a*=0.31, b*=0.01
Met.

Further, the volume median particle diameter D50 is 6.4 [μm], the softening temperature T1/2 is 105.6 [° C.], the first glass transition temperature Tg_1st is 58.8 [° C.], The glass transition temperature Tg_2nd of the second time was 55.2 [°C].

Table 7 shows the results of measuring the powder hue and physical properties of the black toners K-1 to K-8.

Next, the evaluation of the image density with respect to the amount of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8, the magenta toners M-1 to M-8, and the black toners K-1 to K-8 attached on the medium will be described.

In this case, when a color LED printer (“C833” manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd.) is used and the image density with respect to the amount of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8 deposited on the medium is evaluated, the yellow toner Y-1 is used as the yellow toner 140Y. -Y-8, black, magenta, and cyan toners in the toner cartridge 120 installed in the color LED printer were used as the black toner 140K, the magenta toner 140M, and the cyan toner 140C.

When evaluating the image density of the magenta toners M-1 to M-8 with respect to the amount of adhesion on the medium, magenta toners M-1 to M-8 are used as the magenta toner 140M, and the black toner 140K, the yellow toner 140Y, and the cyan toner are used. As the toner 140C, black, yellow, and cyan toners in the toner cartridge 120 installed in the color LED printer were used.

When evaluating the image density of the black toners K-1 to K-8 with respect to the amount of adhesion on the medium, the black toners K-1 to K-8 are used as the black toner 140K, and the magenta toner 140M, the yellow toner 140Y, and the cyan toner are used. As the toner 140C, yellow, magenta, and cyan toners in the toner cartridge 120 installed in the color LED printer were used.

As the medium 18, "Excellent White A4" (manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd., 70 [kg] paper, weighed 80 [g/m ² ]) was used.

Then, a print pattern for yellow density measurement, a print pattern for magenta density measurement, and a print pattern for black density measurement are formed on the medium 18 with a print duty of 100 [%], and a measuring instrument (“X- Rite 528") to measure the image density at the image density measuring position, and the double-sided tape to measure the adhesion amount on the medium at the adhesion amount measuring position. The linear approximation of the linear function equation of the image density and the adhesion amount on the medium is used to calculate the yellow toner. With respect to Y-1 to Y-8, the image densities when the adhered amounts on the medium are 0.31 [mg/cm ² ] and 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] are the magenta toners M-1 to M-. For No. 8, the image densities when the adhered amounts on the medium are 0.32 [mg/cm ² ] and 0.35 [mg/cm ² ], and for the black toners 140K-1 to K-8, on the medium Image densities were calculated when the adhered amount was 0.29 [mg/cm ² ] and 0.35 [mg/cm ² ].

Note that 0.31 [mg / cm ^2], 0.35 [mg / cm ^2], the values of 0.32 [mg / cm ^2] and 0.29 [mg / cm ^2], the medium on the adhesion amount It is set within the range of 0.20 to 0.45 [mg/cm ² ] as an index for reducing the amount.

Table 8 shows the determination results of the image densities of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8 with respect to the adhering amount on the medium. Table 10 shows the determination result of the image density with respect to the amount of black toner K-1 to K-8 attached on the medium.

In all of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8, the magenta toners M-1 to M-8, and the black toners K-1 to K-8, the higher the image density value, the higher the density of the printed matter, and It can be seen that the determination result of the image density with respect to the adhesion amount is good. When the image density is 1.50 or higher, the judgment result is “excellent”, and when the image density is 1.40 or higher and less than 1.50, the judgment result is “good”. When the image density was less than 1.40, the result was judged as "poor", and the result was evaluated as x. The determination result can be expressed by the following magnitude relationship.

○: Image density ≧1.50
Δ: 1.40≦image density<1.50
X: 1.40> Image Density In the present embodiment, in the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-6, the adhesion amount on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density is 1.50 or more. It was Further, in the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-3, the adhesion amount on the medium was 0.30 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density was 1.50 or more.

Further, in the magenta toners M-1 to M-6, the adhesion amount on the medium was 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density was 1.50 or more. Further, in the magenta toners M-1 to M-3, the adhesion amount on the medium was 0.32 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density was 1.50 or more.

Then, in the black toners K-1 to K-6, the adhesion amount on the medium was 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density was 1.50 or more. Further, in the black toners K-1 to K-3, the amount of adhesion on the medium was 0.29 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density was 1.50 or more.

Next, the evaluation of the print hue of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8, the magenta toners M-1 to M-8, and the black toners K-1 to K-8 will be described.

In this case, when the print hue of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8 is evaluated by using a color LED printer ("C833" manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd.), the yellow toners Y-1 to Y are used as the yellow toners 140Y. -8 was used, and black, magenta, and cyan toners in the toner cartridge 120 mounted in the color LED printer were used as the black toner 140K, the magenta toner 140M, and the cyan toner 140C.

When evaluating the print hue of the printed matter for the magenta toners M-1 to M-8, magenta toners M-1 to M-8 are used as the magenta toner 140M, and the black toner 140K, the yellow toner 140Y, and the cyan toner are used. The black, yellow, and cyan toners in the toner cartridge 120 installed in the color LED printer were used as 140C.

When evaluating the print hue of the black toner K-1 to K-8, the black toners K-1 to K-8 are used as the black toner 140K, and the magenta toner 140M, the yellow toner 140Y, and the cyan toner are used. As 140C, yellow, magenta, and cyan toners in the toner cartridge 120 mounted in the color LED printer were used.

As the medium 18, "Excellent White A4" (manufactured by Oki Data Co., Ltd., 70 [kg] paper, weighed 80 [g/m ² ]) was used.

Then, the yellow 100 [%] density, the magenta 100 [%] density and the cyan 100 [%] density on the medium 18 are measured at five points, and when the print pattern for print hue measurement is printed, the average value of the image density is printed. Is adjusted to 1.50, the developing voltage of the developing roller 104 of the image forming unit 12 is adjusted, and the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8 and the magenta toners M-1 to M-8 are used by using the measuring device "X-Rite 528". The print hues of M-8 and black toners K-1 to K-8 were measured.

That is, with respect to the print hues of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8, the red gamut (R), the yellow gamut (Y) and the green gamut (G) of the printed matter were measured, and the magenta toners M-1 to M-8 Regarding the print hue, the red gamut (R), magenta gamut (M) and blue gamut (B) of the printed matter were measured, and each print hue and the print sample certified by Japan Color were measured under the measurement conditions of the print hue. The color difference ΔE was calculated based on the reference hue composed of the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b*.

With respect to the print hues of the black toners K-1 to K-8, the black gamut (K) of the printed matter was measured, and the color difference ΔE was calculated based on each print hue and a preset predetermined reference hue.

The specific lightness L*, hue a*, and hue b* of the reference hue are as follows.

Red 200 [%] density (L*=46.3, a*=69.0, b*=45.5)
Magenta 100[%] density (L*=46.1, a*=75.8, b*=-3.2)
Blue 200 [%] density (L*=22.0, a*=20.0, b*=-47.7)
Cyan 100 [%] density (L*=53.4, a*=−36.3, b*=−51.5)
Green 200 [%] density (L*=47.7, a*=-70.6, b*=22.4)
Yellow 100 [%] density (L*=88.5, a*=-6.2, b*=93.5)
Black 100% density (L*=20.6, a*=1.9, b*=1.9)

Table 11 shows the measurement results of the red gamut (R), the yellow gamut (Y), and the green gamut (G) of the printed products of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8, the measurement results of the color difference ΔE from the reference hue, and the printing. The hue determination results are shown in Table 12, the measurement results of the red gamut (R), magenta gamut (M) and blue gamut (B) of the magenta toner M-1 to M-8 printed matter, and the color difference ΔE from the reference hue. Table 13 shows the measurement results of the color gamut (K) of the printed matter of the black toners K-1 to K-8, and the measurement result of the color difference ΔE from the reference hue, and the printing results. The judgment result of hue is shown.

When the color difference ΔE is 16.0 or less, the judgment result is “good” in the visual evaluation, and when the color difference ΔE is larger than 16.0 and 20.0 or less, the visual evaluation is When there was no problem in practical use, the judgment result was Δ, and when the color difference ΔE was larger than 20.0, the result of visual evaluation was judged as “There is practical problem” and the judgment result was X. That is, the print hue determination result can be expressed by the following magnitude relationship.

○: ΔE≦16.0
Δ: 16.0<ΔE≦20.0
×: 20.0<ΔE
The color difference ΔE between the print hues of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8, the magenta toners M-1 to M-8, and the black toners K-1 to K-8 and the reference hue are all 16.0 or less. The judgment result was ◯.

Table 14 shows comprehensive judgments based on the judgment results of the image densities of yellow toners Y-1 to Y-8 (Table 8) and the print hues of printed matter (Table 11), and Table 15 shows magenta toner M-1. -M-8 image densities (Table 9) and print hues of printed matter (Table 12) based on the judgment results are shown in Table 16, the image density of black toner K-1 to K-8 (Table 10) and the comprehensive judgment made based on the judgment result of the print hue (Table 13) of the printed matter. In the judgment result of the comprehensive judgment, when there is no △ or ×, the comprehensive judgment is A, when there is no × and there is one or more △, the comprehensive judgment is B, and when there is one or more × The overall judgment was C.

That is, in Table 14, the comprehensive judgment of the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-3 is A, the comprehensive judgment of the yellow toners Y-4 and Y-5 is B, and the comprehensive judgment of the yellow toners Y-6 to Y-8. Was designated as C. Further, in Table 15, the comprehensive determination of the magenta toners M-1 to M-3 is A, the comprehensive determination of the magenta toners M-4 to M-6 is B, and the comprehensive determination of the magenta toners M-7 and M-8. Was designated as C. Then, in Table 16, the comprehensive judgment of the black toners K-1 to K-3 is A, the comprehensive judgment of the black toners K-4 to K-6 is B, and the comprehensive judgment of the black toners K-7 and K-8. Was designated as C.

Here, with the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-3, the adhesion amount on the medium is 0.31 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density is 1.50 or more.

From this, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the yellow toner powder state are
8 7.12≦L*≦87.73,
−8.68≦a*≦−4.14,
105.62≦b*≦108.32
When it is, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.31 [mg/cm ² ], a sufficient image density can be obtained, and the printing hue when printing is performed by superimposing it with other colors is “good”. Can be

With the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-6, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density is 1.50 or more.

From this, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the yellow toner powder state are
8 6.96≦L*≦87.81,
−8.68≦a*≦−4.14,
105.62≦b*≦108.32
When it is, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and a sufficient image density can be obtained, and the printing hue when printing is performed by superimposing it with other colors is “good”. Can be It is considered that since the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-6 have a large amount of yellow pigment and a small lightness L*, the image density is high and the print hue is “good”.

In addition, in the magenta toners M-1 to M-3, the adhesion amount on the medium is 0.32 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density is 1.50 or more.

From this, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state of the magenta toner are
3 3.84≦L*≦35.53,
5 8.72≦a*≦60.46,
12.87≦b*≦17.30,
When it is, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.32 [mg/cm ² ] and a sufficient image density can be obtained, and the printing hue when printing is performed by superimposing it with other colors is “good”. Can be

Further, in the magenta toners M-1 to M-6, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density is 1.50 or more.

From this, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state of the magenta toner are
3 3.84≦L*≦36.51,
5 8.72≦a*≦61.47,
11.71≦b*≦17.30,
When it is, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and a sufficient image density can be obtained, and the printing hue when printing is performed by superimposing it with other colors is “good”. Can be It is considered that since the magenta toners M-1 to M-6 have a large amount of magenta pigment and a small lightness L*, the image density is high and the print hue is "good".

With the black toners K-1 to K-3, the adhesion amount on the medium is 0.29 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density is 1.50 or more.

From this, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state of the black toner are
10.59≦L*≦11.14,
0.0≦a*≦0.16,
−0.39≦b*≦−0.22,
When it is, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.29 [mg/cm ² ] and a sufficient image density can be obtained, and the printing hue in the case of printing by superimposing with other color is “good”. Can be

Further, with the black toners K-1 to K-6, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and the image density is 1.50 or more.

From this, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state of the black toner are
10.59≦L*≦11.35,
-0.01≤a*≤0.21,
−0.52≦b*≦−0.14,
When it is, the amount of adhesion on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ] and a sufficient image density can be obtained, and the printing hue when printing is performed by superimposing it with other colors is “good”. Can be It is considered that since the black toners K-1 to K-6 have a large amount of black pigment and a small lightness L*, the image density is high and the print hue is “good”.

Next, when an image is formed on the medium 18 using a color toner set that is a combination of cyan toners C-1 to C-7, yellow toners Y-1 to Y-6, and magenta toners M-1 to M-6. Will be described.

In this case, an image was formed on the medium 18 using the cyan toner C-3, the yellow toner Y-1, and the magenta toner M-3, which were all judged as A, and the image density and the print hue were judged. ..

Therefore, cyan 100[%] density (cyan toner 100[%] print duty), yellow 100[%] density (yellow toner 100[%] print duty), magenta 100[%] density (magenta toner 100[ %] print duty), red 200[%] density (color mixture of yellow toner 100[%] print duty and magenta toner 100[%] print duty), green 200[%] density (cyan toner 100[%] print duty and Lightness L* and hue of each print hue of yellow toner 100 [%] print duty mixture) and blue 200 [%] density (mixture of cyan toner 100 [%] print duty and magenta toner 100 [%] print duty) The a* and the hue b* were measured at five points for each color, and the color difference ΔE was calculated based on the average value of the print hue at the five points and the reference hue of Japan Color.

Table 17 shows the determination results of the image density of each color, the gamut of the printed matter, the color difference ΔE, and the gamut of the printed matter.

When the color difference ΔE is 16.0 or less, the print hue is also good by visual inspection, and therefore the judgment result is set to ◯, and when the color difference ΔE is larger than 16.0 and 20.0 or less, it is evaluated by the visual evaluation. When the color difference ΔE was larger than 20.0, the judgment result was evaluated as “There is no problem in practical use”, and when the color difference ΔE was larger than 20.0, the evaluation result was evaluated as “There is a problem in practical use” and was evaluated as ×. That is, the print hue determination result can be expressed by the following magnitude relationship.

○: ΔE≦16.0
Δ: 16.0<ΔE≦20.0
×: 20.0<ΔE
The color difference ΔE between each print hue and the reference hue was 16.0 or less, and the judgment result was ◯.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a print hue and a reference hue according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The horizontal axis represents the hue a* and the vertical axis represents the hue b*.

In the figure, L1 is a line representing the average value of the print hues at five locations for each color, and L2 is a line representing the reference hue of each color.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 120Y has the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the powder state.
8 6.96≦L*≦87.81,
−8.68≦a*≦−4.14,
105.62≦b*≦108.32
Since the yellow toners Y-1 to Y-6, which are the above, are stored, a sufficient image density can be obtained even if the amount of toner attached to the medium 18 is reduced.

Further, in the toner cartridge 120M, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the powder state are
3 3.84≦L*≦36.51,
5 8.72≦a*≦61.47,
11.71≦b*≦17.30,
Since the magenta toners M-1 to M-6 as described above are stored, a sufficient image density can be obtained even if the amount of toner attached to the medium 18 is reduced.

Further, in the toner cartridge 120K, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the powder state are
10.59≦L*≦11.35,
-0.01≤a*≤0.21,
−0.52≦b*≦−0.14,
Since the black toners K-1 to K-6, which are the black toners, are stored, sufficient image density can be obtained even if the amount of toner attached to the medium 18 is reduced.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the direct transfer type printer 10 that directly transfers the toner image onto the medium 18 has been described as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention uses the primary transfer to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 101 to the intermediate position. The present invention can be applied to an intermediate transfer type printer that transfers a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to the medium 18 by transferring the toner image on the transfer belt and secondary transfer.

Further, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function peripheral, or the like.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

10 Printer 23 LED Head 120 Toner Cartridge 140 Toner

Claims (24)

A toner container for use in an image forming apparatus having an exposure unit using an LED light source,
The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
26.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−47.47≦b*≦−36.78
A toner container containing cyan toner. In the cyan toner, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the powder state are
30.04≦L*≦33.68,
-1.75 ≤ a* ≤ 0.71,
−47.47≦b*≦−45.08
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein The cyan toner contains a binder resin, Pigment Blue 15:3, and Pigment Green 7.
The content of Pigment Blue 15:3 is 3.7 parts by weight or more and 8.7 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin,
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the content of the pigment green 7 is 0.4 parts by weight or more and 2.4 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The cyan toner contains a binder resin, Pigment Blue 15:3, and Pigment Green 7.
The content of Pigment Blue 15:3 is 5.6 parts by weight or more and 6.3 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin,
The toner container according to claim 2, wherein the content of the pigment green 7 is 0.5 parts by weight or more and 0.6 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cyan toner is a one-component developing type negatively charged toner. A toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image forming unit having a process section for forming a toner image by using the cyan toner contained in the toner container. An image forming apparatus comprising the image forming unit according to claim 6. The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
26.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−47.47≦b*≦−36.78
With cyan toner,
An electrostatic latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed,
Exposure means for forming the electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier,
A toner carrier for developing the electrostatic latent image with the cyan toner to form a toner image;
A transfer unit for transferring the toner image to a medium,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing device that fixes the toner image on a medium to form a printed matter. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cyan toner has an image density of 1.50 or more when the amount of the printed matter deposited on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ]. Each value of the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the powder state of the cyan toner is
30.04≦L*≦33.68,
-1.75 ≤ a* ≤ 0.71,
−47.47≦b*≦−45.08
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cyan toner has an image density of 1.50 or more when the amount of the cyan toner attached to the medium is 0.30 [mg/cm ² ]. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fixing device includes a heating body and a belt member heated by the heating body. The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
8 6.96≦L*≦87.81,
−8.68≦a*≦−4.14,
105.62≦b*≦108.32
Yellow toner which is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a toner carrier of yellow toner that develops the electrostatic latent image with the yellow toner to form a toner image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image density of the yellow toner is 1.50 or more when the amount of the yellow toner attached on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ]. In the yellow toner, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* in the powder state are
8 7.12≦L*≦87.73,
−8.68≦a*≦−4.14,
105.62≦b*≦108.32,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
3 3.84≦L*≦36.51,
5 8.72≦a*≦61.47,
11.71≦b*≦17.30,
With magenta toner,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 15, further comprising: a magenta toner toner carrier that develops the electrostatic latent image with the magenta toner to form a toner image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the magenta toner has an image density of 1.50 or more when the amount of the magenta toner deposited on the medium is 0.35 [mg/cm ² ]. In the magenta toner, the lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
3 3.84≦L*≦35.53,
5 8.72≦a*≦60.46,
12.87≦b*≦17.30,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein The amount of the cyan toner deposited on the medium is 0.30 [mg/cm ² ], the amount of the magenta toner deposited on the medium is 0.32 [mg/cm ² ], and the amount of the yellow toner deposited on the medium is 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the image density of each toner is 1.50 or more when is 0.31 [mg/cm ² ]. The cyan toner contains a binder resin, Pigment Blue 15:3, and Pigment Green 7.
The mixture ratio of Pigment Blue 15:3 and Pigment Green 7 is 10:1,
The content of Pigment Blue 15:3 is 3.7 parts by weight or more and 8.7 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the content of the pigment green 7 is 0.4 parts by weight or more and 2.4 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The yellow toner contains a binder resin and Pigment Yellow 185,
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the content of Pigment Yellow 185 is 15.8 parts by weight or more and 20.0 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The magenta toner contains a binder resin, quinacridone and carmine 6B,
The mixing ratio of the quinacridone and the carmine 6B is 6:4,
The content of the quinacridone is 8.4 parts by weight or more and 14.4 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the content of the carmine 6B is 5.6 parts by weight or more and 9.6 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. In a color toner set used in an image forming apparatus having an exposure unit using an LED light source,
The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
2 6.94≦L*≦34.84,
−5.13≦a*≦3.83,
−4 7.47≦b*≦−3 6.78
With cyan toner,
The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
86.96≦L*≦87.81,
−8.68≦a*≦−4.14,
105.62≦b*≦108.32
Yellow toner which is
The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
3 3.84≦L*≦36.51,
58.72≦a*≦61.47,
11.71≦b*≦17.30,
And a magenta toner which is a color toner set. The lightness L*, the hue a*, and the hue b* of the powder state are
10.59≦L*≦11.35,
-0.01≤a*≤0.21,
−0.52≦b*≦−0.14,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a black toner that is

Images