JP2023110535A - Antibacterial and antiviral toner, developer, printed material, toner storage unit, image forming apparatus, and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an antibacterial and antiviral toner that has antibacterial properties and antiviral properties, can stably form images, and makes discoloration inconspicuous over time.SOLUTION: An antibacterial and antiviral toner includes a silver antibacterial material and coloring matter. The coloring matter is at least one selected from a red coloring matter and yellow coloring matter. The antibacterial and antiviral toner contains the silver antibacterial material at a ratio of 3 mass% or more and less than 5 mass%. When a solid image is formed with the antibacterial and antiviral toner in an adhesion amount of 0.45 mg/cm2 on white paper with a chroma of less than 2 and a brightness of 96 or more, the solid image immediately after the formation has a chroma of 3.5 or more and less than 6, a hue angle of 65° or more and 88° or less, and a brightness of 91 or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an antibacterial and antiviral toner, a developer, a printed matter, a toner storage unit, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method.

In image formation by electrophotography, electrostatic recording, and electrostatic printing, a latent image is formed by electrostatic charges on a photosensitive member such as a photoconductive material, and charged toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image. After the visible image is formed, it is transferred to a recording medium such as paper and then fixed to form an output image. Unlike printing machines, the electrophotographic system does not require a plate or the like, and is therefore suitable for small-volume and high-mix reproduction, and is a system that responds quickly to requests (on demand) compared to printing.

On the other hand, toners having various functions other than conventional monochrome toners and color toners have been put to practical use. One of the functions is an antibacterial toner. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 propose various antibacterial toners. Forming an image with an antimicrobial toner provides the advantage that the image formed has antimicrobial properties. As a result, it is expected that, for example, when an unspecified number of people touch the printed matter, the possibility that bacteria or viruses are transmitted to others through the printed matter can be reduced.

As the antibacterial and antiviral material for the toner, a metal ion-based material is preferable from the viewpoint of its function and safety, but there is a problem of discoloration depending on the use environment. In particular, in order to obtain antiviral properties, it is necessary to contain a relatively large amount of an antibacterial and antiviral material, and the above-mentioned discoloration over time is particularly noticeable in images printed on white substrates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an antibacterial and antiviral toner capable of stably forming an image having antibacterial and antiviral properties and making discoloration over time inconspicuous.

The above problem is solved by the following configuration 1).
1) An antimicrobial antiviral toner comprising a silver-based antimicrobial material and a pigment, comprising:
The pigment is at least one selected from red pigments and yellow pigments,
The antibacterial and antiviral toner contains the silver-based antibacterial material at a ratio of 3% by mass or more and less than 5% by mass,
When a solid image is formed on white paper having a saturation of less than 2 and a brightness of 96 or more with a toner adhesion amount of 0.45 mg/cm ² , the image saturation immediately after the solid image is formed is 3.5 or more. 6, a hue angle of 65° or more and 88° or less, and a brightness of 91 or more.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an antibacterial and antiviral toner capable of stably forming an image having antibacterial and antiviral properties and making discoloration over time inconspicuous.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a developing device in the image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a collecting conveying path and a stirring conveying path at a downstream portion in the conveying direction of the collecting conveying path in an example of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an image forming apparatus at an upstream portion in the transport direction of a supply transport path; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an image forming apparatus at a downstream portion in the transport direction of a supply transport path; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the flow of developer in a developing device of an example of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the most downstream portion in the transport direction of the supply transport path of the developing device; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a process cartridge; 1 is an example of an SEM image of antibacterial agent A; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an evaluation image employed in an example;

Antibacterial and antiviral toner (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as toner), developer, printed matter, toner storage unit, image forming apparatus, and image forming method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be changed within the scope of those skilled in the art, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

(toner)
The toner of the present invention contains a silver-based antibacterial material and a pigment and satisfies the following conditions.
(1) The pigment is a red pigment and/or a yellow pigment.
(2) The toner contains the silver-based antibacterial material at a ratio of 3% by mass or more and less than 5% by mass.
(3) When a solid image is formed on white paper having a saturation of less than 2 and a lightness of 96 or more with a toner adhesion amount of 0.45 mg/cm ² , the image saturation immediately after the solid image is formed is 3.5 or more. It is less than 6, has a hue angle of 65° or more and 88° or less, and has a brightness of 91 or more.
The toner of the present invention can stably form images having antibacterial and antiviral properties, and can make discoloration over time inconspicuous.
The toner of the present invention has antibacterial and/or antiviral properties.

Applications of the toner of the present invention are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected. For example, the toner of the present invention may be used alone to form a layer, or a layer using the toner of the present invention may be formed on an image formed with another toner or the like. It is preferable to form a layer of the toner of the present invention on the entire surface of the substrate, in which case antibacterial and antiviral properties can be easily secured. For example, it is preferred to form a layer of the toner of the present invention on a layer of another color toner. In this case, the chroma of the layer formed by the toner of the present invention is preferably small, so that the influence on the color toner image can be reduced.

<Silver antibacterial material>
The toner of the present invention contains a silver-based antimicrobial material. Silver-based antibacterial materials have, for example, one or more of the following properties (a) to (e), are excellent in antibacterial and antiviral properties, stability, and safety, and are relatively inexpensive. one of.
(a) It has excellent heat resistance and is stable at 500 to 600° C., and does not substantially thermally decompose at temperatures similar to those used in the production and use of toner.
(b) It is highly safe, has a very low oral mouse acute toxicity LD50 of 2,000 mg/kg or more, is negative or extremely weak in terms of mutagenicity and skin irritation, and has low toxicity.
(c) The antibacterial effect is semi-permanent.
(d) Broad antibacterial spectrum.
(e) It has excellent performance such that microorganisms hardly acquire resistance.

Metals having antibacterial and antiviral properties include silver, and two or more other metals may be used in combination. Examples of metals used in combination with silver include copper, zinc, platinum, nickel, and titanium oxide having photocatalytic activity.

The silver in the silver-based antibacterial material of the present invention may be in the form of either metallic silver or silver ions. A silver ion-based antibacterial material will be described below as an example.
The silver ion-based antibacterial material is preferably carried on a carrier made of alumina, zeolite, silicon glass or bentonite, and more preferably carried on a carrier made of zeolite or silicon glass. For example, it is preferable to support metal ions of the above metals on a carrier. As such a carrier, phosphate-based, silicate-based, soluble glass-based, and the like are used from the viewpoint of the performance of the resulting developer.

Phosphate-based materials include, for example, zirconium phosphate-based materials in which zirconium phosphate ZrO(HPO ₄ ) ₂ , which is an inorganic ion exchanger, is combined with silver or zinc by ion exchange ability. Other examples include calcium phosphate-based Ca ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ and calcium phosphate-based calcium phosphates in which silver is adsorbed and bonded to a base of hydroxyapatite Ca ₁₀ (PO ₄ ) ₆ (OH) ₂ .

As a silicate system, for example, zeolite Na ₂ O · Al ₂ O ₃ · 2SiO ₂ · 4.5H ₂ O, which is a crystalline aluminosilicate, uses the ion exchange capacity of the supporting characteristic, and countless Silver, copper, zinc, etc. are safely supported in the ionic state in certain pores, and at the same time, the silver ions are gradually released to maintain antibacterial and antiviral properties for a long period of time. A zeolite system having properties is exemplified. In addition, for example, silica gel SiO ₂ ·nH ₂ O (for example, 1 g has a surface area of 450 m ² or more as a structure having a porous fine structure) is adsorbed to or contains a thiosulfite silver complex or the like. Silica gel type etc. are mentioned.

As a soluble glass system, for example, silver or the like is supported on a glass carrier having a high solubility of silicate glass Na ₂ O.SiO ₂ .B ₂ O ₃ with a large B ₂ O ₃ component. controlled release of silver.

In the toner of the present invention, if the silver content in the toner is about 1% by mass, sufficient antibacterial properties can be obtained. 0.5 mass % or more is preferable. However, since the discoloration of the silver ion-based antibacterial material over time becomes more conspicuous as the amount of the silver ion-based antibacterial material added increases, the content of the silver ion-based antibacterial material is preferably 5% by mass or less.

The shape of the particles of the silver ion-based antibacterial material is not particularly limited, but is preferably approximately cubic or rectangular parallelepiped. In this case, there is an advantage that the silver ion-based antibacterial material is stably exposed on the image surface.
The shape of particles made of the silver ion-based antibacterial material is observed, for example, with a SEM (scanning electron microscope). It is preferable that 40% by number or more of the particles observed are cubes or rectangular parallelepipeds.

SEM images of the antibacterial agents used in the examples are shown in FIG. 11, which will be described later. In the figure, (a) and (b) are images acquired on the same scale, and observed at different points. (c) and (d) are images acquired on the same scale and observed at different locations. In the illustrated example, the particles of the silver ion-based antibacterial material are cubic in shape.

<Pigment>
Examples of the red colorant include naphthol, perylene, perinone, diketopyrrolopyrrole, anthraquinone, monoazo, disazo, carmine lake, alizarin lake, rhodamine lake pigments and mixtures thereof. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.
A lake pigment, particularly carmine lake, is preferably used in the toner of the present invention. Carmine lake is inexpensive, has high coloring power and is relatively poor in light resistance, and discoloration progresses as the silver ion-based antibacterial material discolors over time, so discoloration as a toner is less noticeable.
Examples of the yellow pigment include monoazo, disazo, isoindoline, azomethine, anthraquinone, xanthene pigments and mixtures thereof. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.
A disazo pigment is preferably used in the toner of the present invention. The pigment has a high coloring power and relatively poor light resistance, and has a feature that discoloration as a toner becomes inconspicuous because the discoloration progresses as the silver ion-based antibacterial material discolors over time.
In the toner of the present invention, the red colorant and the yellow colorant differ in degree of coloring depending on the coloring power and dispersed particle size, but are preferably contained in an amount of, for example, 0.005 to 0.5% by mass, and 0.01 to 0.01% by mass. It is more preferably contained at 0.3% by weight.

<Binder resin>
The toner of the present invention can contain a binder resin.
The binder resin is not particularly limited, and all conventionally known resins can be used. Examples of the binder resin include styrene, α-methylstyrene, chlorostyrene, styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-vinyl chloride copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and styrene. -Styrenic resins such as maleic acid copolymers, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymers, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid ester copolymers, polyester resins, vinyl chloride resins, modified rosin Maleic acid resins, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, ionomer resins, polyurethane resins, silicone resins, ketone resins, xylene resins, petroleum resins, hydrogenated petroleum resins, and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, styrenic resins and polyester resins containing aromatic compounds as structural units are preferred, and polyester resins are more preferred.

The polyester resin is obtained by a generally known polycondensation reaction between an alcohol and an acid.
Examples of the alcohol include diols such as polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, and 1,4-butenediol. Etherified bisphenols such as 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, bisphenol A, hydrogenated bisphenol A, polyoxyethylenated bisphenol A, polyoxypropylene bisphenol A, and saturated Alternatively, a dihydric alcohol unit body substituted with an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, other dihydric alcohol unit bodies, sorbitol, 1,2,3,6-hexanetetrol, 1,4-salbitan, pentaesritol Dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, sucrose, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,5-pentanetriol, glycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl-1,2,4- Trihydric or higher alcoholic monomers such as butanetriol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, 1,3,5-trihydroxymethylbenzene and the like are included. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

The acid is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but carboxylic acid is preferable.
Examples of the carboxylic acid include monocarboxylic acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid, terephthalic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, Malonic acid, divalent organic acid monomers substituted with saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups having 3 to 22 carbon atoms, anhydrides of these acids, dimers of lower alkyl esters and linoleic acid, 1 , 2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 2,5,7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1 , 2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3-dicarboxyl-2-methyl-2-methylenecarboxypropane, tetra(methylenecarboxyl)methane, 1,2,7,8-octanetetracarboxylic acid embolic trimer acid and trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid monomers such as anhydrides of these acids. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

The binder resin may also contain a crystalline resin.
The crystalline resin is not particularly limited as long as it has crystallinity, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyurea resins, polyamide resins, polyether resins, Examples include vinyl resins and modified crystalline resins. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyurea resins, polyamide resins, and polyether resins are preferred, and at least one of a urethane skeleton and a urea skeleton for imparting moisture resistance and incompatibility with the later-described amorphous resin. is preferred.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the crystalline resin is preferably from 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 60,000, and more preferably from 8,000 to 30,000, from the viewpoint of fixability. Especially preferred. When the weight average molecular weight is 2,000 or more, it is possible to prevent the problem of deterioration of hot offset resistance, and when it is 100,000 or less, it is possible to prevent the problem of deterioration of low temperature fixability. .

<Release agent>
As the release agent, both natural wax and synthetic wax can be used. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.
Examples of the natural waxes include plant waxes such as carnauba wax, cotton wax, wood wax, and rice wax; animal waxes such as beeswax and lanolin; mineral waxes such as ozokerite and cercin; paraffin, microcrystalline, petrolatum, and the like. and petroleum wax.

Examples of the synthetic waxes include synthetic hydrocarbon waxes such as Fischer-Tropsch wax and polyethylene wax; synthetic waxes such as esters, ketones and ethers; 1,2-hydroxystearic acid amide, stearic acid amide, phthalic anhydride imide, Fatty acid amides such as chlorinated hydrocarbons; homopolymers or copolymers of polyacrylates such as polyn-stearyl methacrylate and polyn-lauryl methacrylate, which are low-molecular-weight crystalline polymers (e.g., n-stearyl acrylate, and crystalline polymers having long-chain alkyl groups in side chains such as ethyl methacrylate copolymers.

Among these, the release agent preferably contains monoester wax. Since the monoester wax has low compatibility with general binder resins, it tends to seep out to the surface during fixation, exhibits high releasability, and can ensure high glossiness and high low-temperature fixability.

The monoester wax is preferably a synthetic ester wax. Examples of the synthetic ester waxes include monoester waxes synthesized from long-chain straight-chain saturated fatty acids and long-chain straight-chain saturated alcohols. The long-chain straight-chain saturated fatty acid is represented by the general formula C _n H _2n+1 COOH, and those with n=5 to 28 are preferably used. Further, the long-chain straight-chain saturated alcohol is represented by C _n H _2n+1 OH, where n is preferably about 5 to 28.

Specific examples of the long-chain straight saturated fatty acids include capric acid, undecylic acid, lauric acid, tridecylic acid, myristic acid, pentadecylic acid, palmitic acid, heptadecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, stearic acid, nonadecanic acid, and alamonic acid. , behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, heptacosanoic acid, montanic acid and melissic acid. On the other hand, specific examples of the long-chain linear saturated alcohol include amyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, heptyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, capryl alcohol, nonyl alcohol, decyl alcohol, undecyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, and tridecyl alcohol. , myristyl alcohol, pentadecyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, heptadecyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, nonadecyl alcohol, eicosyl alcohol, ceryl alcohol and heptadecanenool, and substituents such as lower alkyl groups, amino groups, and halogens. may have

The melting point of the releasing agent is preferably 50°C to 120°C. When the release agent has a melting point within the above numerical range, it can effectively act as a release agent between the fixing roller and the toner interface. High temperature offset resistance can be improved. Specifically, when the melting point is 50° C. or higher, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the heat-resistant storage stability of the toner. It is possible to prevent problems such as deterioration of offset property and paper winding around the fixing device.

The melting point of the release agent can be determined by measuring the maximum endothermic peak using a differential scanning calorimeter, TG-DSC System TAS-100 (manufactured by Rigaku Denki Co., Ltd.).

The content of the release agent is preferably 1% by mass to 20% by mass, more preferably 3% by mass to 10% by mass, relative to the binder resin. When the content is 1% by mass or more, the problem of insufficient anti-offset effect can be prevented. be able to.

The content of the monoester wax is preferably 4 parts by mass to 8 parts by mass, more preferably 5 parts by mass to 7 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner. When the content is 4 parts by mass or more, the bleeding to the surface during fixing becomes insufficient, the releasability deteriorates, and the gloss, low-temperature fixability, and high-temperature anti-offset properties decrease. It is possible to prevent the trouble of doing. When the content is 8 parts by mass or less, the amount of release agent deposited on the surface of the toner increases, the storage stability of the toner decreases, and the problem of filming on a photoreceptor decreases. can do.

The toner of the present invention preferably contains a wax dispersant, and the dispersant is a copolymer composition containing at least styrene, butyl acrylate, and acrylonitrile as monomers, and a polyethylene adduct of the copolymer composition. is preferred.

The content of the wax dispersant is preferably 7 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner. By containing the wax dispersant, a wax dispersing effect can be obtained, and a stable improvement in storage stability can be expected regardless of the production method. In addition, the wax diameter is reduced by the effect of dispersing the wax, so that the filming phenomenon on the photosensitive member or the like can be suppressed. If the content is 7 parts by mass or less, the amount of components incompatible with the polyester resin increases, the gloss is lowered, and the dispersibility of the wax becomes too high, so that the filming resistance is improved, but the fixation It is possible to prevent defects such as deterioration of low-temperature fixability and hot-offset resistance due to deterioration of exudation of wax to the surface.

<Other ingredients>
The other components are not particularly limited as long as they are usually contained in the toner, and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. is mentioned.

<<Charge control agent>>
As the charge control agent, all known ones can be used. Examples include quaternary ammonium salts (including fluorine-modified quaternary ammonium salts), alkylamides, phosphorus elements or compounds, fluorine-based activators, salicylic acid metal salts, and salicylic acid derivative metal salts. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

As the charge control agent, an appropriately synthesized one may be used, or a commercially available product may be used. Examples of the commercially available products include Bontron 03, Bontron P-51, Bontron S-34, E-82, E-84, E-89 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), TP-302, TP-415, CopyCharge PSY VP2038, CopyBlue PR, CopyCharge NEG VP2036, CopyCharge NX VP434 (manufactured by Hoechst), LRA-901, LR-147 (manufactured by Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd.) and the like.

The content of the charge control agent can be appropriately selected depending on the type of binder resin, the presence or absence of additives used as necessary, and the toner production method including the dispersion method. It is preferably 0.1 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.2 to 2 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the resin. If the content is 5 parts by mass or less, the chargeability of the toner is too high, the effect of the main charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attraction force with the developing roller increases, and the fluidity of the developer decreases. Also, it is possible to prevent a problem that causes a decrease in image density.

Further, it is possible to control the thermophysical properties of the toner by using a trivalent or higher metal salt among charge control agents. By containing the metal salt, a cross-linking reaction proceeds with the acidic groups of the binder resin during fixation to form weak three-dimensional cross-links, thereby maintaining low-temperature fixability and obtaining high-temperature anti-offset properties. can be done.

Examples of the metal salts include metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives, metal salts of acetylacetonate, and the like. The metal is not particularly limited as long as it is a polyvalent ion metal having a valence of 3 or more, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include iron, zirconium, aluminum, titanium, and nickel. Among these, trivalent or higher salicylic acid metal compounds are preferable.

The content of the metal salt is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the intended purpose. 5 parts by mass to 1 part by mass is more preferable. When the content is 0.5 parts by mass or more, the problem of poor hot offset resistance can be prevented, and when the content is 2 parts by mass or less, the problem of poor glossiness can be prevented. be able to.

<<external additive>>
The external additive is contained to assist fluidity, developability, and chargeability. The external additive is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include inorganic fine particles and polymeric fine particles.

Examples of the inorganic fine particles include silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, and diatomaceous earth. , chromium oxide, cerium oxide, pengal oxide, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

Examples of the polymer-based fine particles include polystyrene obtained by soap-free emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, and dispersion polymerization, polycondensation of methacrylic acid ester, acrylic acid ester copolymer, silicone, benzoguanamine, nylon, etc., and heat curing. Examples include polymer particles made of a flexible resin.

The external additive can be surface-treated with a surface-treating agent to increase hydrophobicity and prevent deterioration of flow characteristics and charging characteristics even under high humidity.

Examples of the surface treatment agent include silane coupling agents, silylating agents, silane coupling agents having alkyl fluoride groups, organic titanate-based coupling agents, aluminum-based coupling agents, silicone oils, modified silicone oils, and the like. is mentioned.

The primary particle size of the external additive is preferably 5 nm to 2 μm, more preferably 5 nm to 500 nm. Further, the specific surface area of the external additive according to the BET method is preferably 20 m ² /g to 500 m ² /g.

The content of the external additive is preferably 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, more preferably 0.01% by mass to 2.0% by mass, relative to the toner.

<< Cleanability improver >>>
The cleanability improver is contained to remove the post-transfer developer remaining on the photoreceptor and the primary transfer medium. Examples of the cleaning improver include fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate and stearic acid; polymer fine particles such as polymethyl methacrylate fine particles and polystyrene fine particles produced by soap-free emulsion polymerization. The fine polymer particles preferably have a relatively narrow particle size distribution and a volume average particle size of 0.01 to 1 μm.

<Toner set>
The toner of the present invention may form an image by itself, or may be used in combination with other toners such as color toners to form an image. By forming an image using the toner of the present invention, an antibacterial and antiviral function can be imparted to printed matter. As mentioned above, it is preferable to form a layer of the toner of the present invention on a layer formed by other toners, such as color toners, to help ensure antibacterial and antiviral properties.

A color toner will be described below as an example that can be used in combination with the toner of the present invention. In order to distinguish from color toners, the toner of the present invention may be referred to as an antibacterial, antiviral toner, or the like.

<<Color Toner>>
The color toner contains a binder resin, a colorant, and, if necessary, other components. As for the other components, the same components as the other components can be used.

The color toner is preferably selected from cyan toner, magenta toner, yellow toner and black toner, and more preferably cyan toner, magenta toner, yellow toner and black toner. In addition, a white toner and the like can be used.

- Binder resin -
The binder resin contained in the color toner is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but it preferably contains a gel. The gel fraction is preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less with respect to the binder resin.
Even when the gel is not contained, it is preferable that the binder resin used in the color toner contains a high molecular weight substance having a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 or more. Hot offset can be prevented by containing a gel or a high molecular weight substance having a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 or more.

As the binder resin contained in the color toner, the same one as that of the antibacterial and antiviral toner can be used.

-coloring agent-
Examples of the coloring agent include naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, ocher, yellow lead, titanium yellow, polyazo yellow, oil yellow, Hansa yellow (GR, A , RN, R), Pigment Yellow L, Benzidine Yellow (G, GR), Permanent Yellow (NCG), Vulcan Fast Yellow (5G, R), Tartrazine Lake, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Anthrazane Yellow BGL, Isoindolinone Yellow , red iron oxide, red lead, red lead, cadmium red, cadmium mercury red, antimony vermillion, permanent red 4R, para red, phisay red, parachlor orthonitroaniline red, resol fast scarlet G, brilliant fast scarlet, brilliant carnmine BS, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fasturbin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Risol Rubin GX, Permanent Red F5R, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Pogment Scarlet 3B, Bordeaux 5B, Toluidine Maroon, Permanent Bordeaux F2K, Helio Bordeaux BL, Bordeaux 10B, Bon Maroon Light, Bon Maroon Medium, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Rhodamine Lake Y, Alizarin Lake, Thioindigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon, Oil Red, Quinacridone Red, Pyrazolone Red , polyazo red, chrome vermilion, benzidine orange, perinone orange, oil orange, cobalt blue, cerulean blue, alkali blue lake, peacock blue lake, victoria blue lake, metal-free phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine blue, fast sky blue, indanthrene Blue (RS, BC), indigo, dioxane violet, anthraquinone violet, chrome green, zinc green, pyridian, emerald green, pigment green B, naphthol green B, green gold, acid green lake, malachite green lake, phthalocyanine green, anthraquinone green , titanium oxide, zinc white, litbon, perylene black, perinone black and mixtures thereof. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

When used as a process color toner, the following colorants are preferred for each of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Among blacks, carbon black is preferred.
In cyan, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15:3 is preferred.
In magenta, C.I. I. Pigment Red 122, C.I. I. Pigment Red 269 is preferred.
In Yellow, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 74, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 155, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 180, and C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 185 is preferred.
These coloring agents may be used singly or in combination of two or more.
The content of the colorant contained in the color toner can be appropriately selected.

<Toner Particle Size>
The weight average particle diameter of the toner (antibacterial and antiviral toner) of the present invention is preferably 5 μm to 9 μm, more preferably 6 μm to 8 μm. When the weight-average particle diameter is 5 μm or more, image forming processes such as development, transfer, and cleaning are improved. In some cases, the coating amount required to completely cover the substrate can be suppressed.

The weight average particle size of the color toner is preferably 4 μm to 7 μm, more preferably 5 μm to 6 μm. When the weight-average particle diameter of the color toner is within the above range, fine dots of 600 dpi or more can be reproduced, and high-quality images can be obtained. This has the advantage of being able to have sufficiently small toner particles for minute latent image dots and excellent dot reproducibility.

Further, when the weight average particle diameter (D4) of the color toner is 4 μm or more, it is possible to prevent phenomena such as a decrease in transfer efficiency and a decrease in blade cleaning performance. When the weight-average particle diameter (D4) of the color toner is 7 μm or less, the image information tends to be disturbed due to the color toner superimposed on the image before being fixed as described above, and the characters and lines are easily disturbed. It is possible to suppress the problem that it becomes difficult to suppress scattering.

The ratio (D4/D1) of the weight average particle diameter (D4) to the number average particle diameter (D1) is preferably 1.00 to 1.40, more preferably 1.05 to 1.30. The closer the ratio (D4/D1) to 1.00, the sharper the particle size distribution.

Such a toner with a small particle size and a narrow particle size distribution has a uniform charge amount distribution and can produce high-quality images with little background fogging. can do.

In a full-color image forming method in which a multicolor image is formed by superimposing toner images of different colors, the image is formed with only one color of black toner. The amount of toner deposited on the paper is large. In other words, since the amount of toner to be developed, transferred, and fixed increases, problems that deteriorate image quality such as the above-mentioned decrease in transfer efficiency, decrease in blade cleaning performance, scattering of characters and lines, background fogging, etc. It is important to manage the diameter (D4) and the ratio (D4/D1) of the weight average particle diameter (D4) and the number average particle diameter (D1).

The particle size distribution of toner particles can be measured using a particle size distribution measuring apparatus for toner particles by the Coulter counter method. Examples of the apparatus include Coulter Counter TA-II and Coulter Multisizer II (both manufactured by Coulter).

A specific measuring method is, for example, as follows.
First, 0.1 mL to 5 mL of a surfactant (such as alkylbenzenesulfonate) is added as a dispersant to 100 mL to 150 mL of the electrolytic aqueous solution. The electrolytic aqueous solution is an approximately 1% NaCl aqueous solution prepared using primary sodium chloride, and examples thereof include ISOTON-II (manufactured by Coulter).
Next, 2 mg to 20 mg of the measurement sample is added. The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is subjected to dispersion treatment for about 1 to 3 minutes in an ultrasonic disperser, and the weight and number of toner particles or toner are measured by the measuring device using a 100 μm aperture as an aperture. , to calculate the weight distribution and the number distribution. From the obtained distribution, the weight average particle size (D4) and number average particle size (D1) of the toner can be obtained.

2.52 to less than 3.17 μm; 3.17 to less than 4.00 μm; 4.00 to less than 5.04 μm; 5.04 to less than 6.35 μm; 8.00 to less than 10.08 μm; 10.08 to less than 12.70 μm; 12.70 to less than 16.00 μm; 25.40 to less than 32.00 μm; 32.00 to less than 40.30 μm using 13 channels, targeting particles with a size greater than or equal to 2.00 μm and less than 40.30 μm.

<Toner manufacturing method>
As a method for producing the toner of the present invention, conventionally known methods such as a melt-kneading-pulverization method and a polymerization method can be applied. Further, the color toner and the antibacterial/antiviral toner may be produced by the same production method or by different production methods. For example, color toners may be produced by a polymerization method, and antibacterial and antiviral toners may be produced by a melt-kneading pulverization method.

<<Melt-kneading-pulverization method>>
In the melt-kneading-pulverization method, the manufacturing process includes, for example, (1) a step of melt-kneading at least a binder resin and a silver ion-based antibacterial material or a colorant, and a release agent (2) a step of melt-kneading (3) a step of pulverizing/classifying the toner composition; and a step of externally adding inorganic fine particles. From the viewpoint of cost, it is preferable to side-knead the fine powder duplicated in the pulverization/classification step (2) as the raw material for (1).

As a kneader used for kneading, a closed kneader, a single-screw or twin-screw extruder, an open-roll kneader, or the like can be used. Types of kneaders include, for example, KRC Kneader (manufactured by Kurimoto Iron Works Co., Ltd.), Bus Co Kneader (manufactured by Buss), TEM extruder (manufactured by Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.), TEX twin-screw kneader (Japan Steel Co., Ltd.), PCM kneader (manufactured by Ikegai Ironworks Co., Ltd.), three-roll mill, mixing roll mill, kneader (manufactured by Inoue Seisakusho Co., Ltd.), Kneedex (manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.), MS type pressure kneader, Kniderruder (Moriyama Seisakusho Co., Ltd.), Banbury Mixer (manufactured by Kobe Steel, Ltd.), and the like.

Examples of pulverizers include counter jet mills, micron jets, inomizers (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation), IDS mills, PJM jet pulverizers (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.), cross jet mills (manufactured by Kurimoto Iron Works Co., Ltd.), ur Max (manufactured by Nisso Engineering Co., Ltd.), SK Jet O Mill (manufactured by Seishin Enterprise Co., Ltd.), Kryptron (manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.), Turbo Mill (manufactured by Turbo Industry Co., Ltd.), Super Rotor (manufactured by Nisshin Engineering Co., Ltd.), etc. mentioned.

Classifiers include, for example, Classile, Micron Classifier, Specdic Classifier (manufactured by Seishin Enterprises), Turbo Classifier (manufactured by Nisshin Engineering), Micron Separator, Turboplex (ATP), TSP Separator (Hosokawa Micron) (manufactured by Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd.), Elbow Jet (manufactured by Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd.), Dispersion Separator (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industrial Co., Ltd.), and YM Microcut (manufactured by Yasukawa Shoji Co., Ltd.).

Examples of sieving devices used for sieving coarse particles include Ultrasonic (manufactured by Koei Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Resona Sieve, Gyro Shifter (Tokuju Kosakusho Co., Ltd.), Vibrasonic System (manufactured by Dalton), Soni Clean ( Sintokogyo Co., Ltd.), turbo screener (manufactured by Turbo Industry Co., Ltd.), micro shifter (manufactured by Makino Sangyo Co., Ltd.), circular vibrating screen, and the like.

<<polymerization method>>
As the polymerization method, a conventionally known method can be used. The polymerization method includes, for example, the following procedures. First, the colorant, binder resin, and release agent are dispersed in an organic solvent to prepare a toner material liquid (oil phase). It is preferable that the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group is added to the toner material liquid and reacted during granulation so that the toner contains the urea-modified polyester resin.

Next, the toner material liquid is emulsified in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant and fine resin particles.
As for the water-based medium, the water-based solvent used for the water-based medium may be water alone, or may contain an organic solvent such as alcohol.

The amount of the aqueous solvent used relative to 100 parts by mass of the toner material liquid is preferably 50 parts by mass to 2,000 parts by mass, more preferably 100 parts by mass to 1,000 parts by mass.

The resin fine particles are not particularly limited as long as they are resins capable of forming an aqueous dispersion, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include vinyl resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, and the like. mentioned.
After dispersion, the organic solvent is removed from the emulsified dispersion (reactant), followed by washing and drying to obtain toner base particles.

(developer)
The toner (antibacterial and antiviral toner) of the present invention may be used as a one-component developer or as a two-component developer. The same applies to color toners and the like.

When the toner of the present invention is used in a two-component developer, it may be used by mixing with a magnetic carrier. ~10 parts by mass is preferred.

Conventionally known magnetic carriers can be used as the magnetic carrier, and examples thereof include iron powder, ferrite powder, magnetite powder, and magnetic resin carrier having a particle size of about 20 μm to 200 μm.

A coated magnetic carrier can also be used. Coating materials for coating the magnetic carrier include, for example, urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine resins, benzoguanamine resins, urea resins, polyamide resins, amino resins such as epoxy resins; polyvinylidene resins such as polyvinyl; acrylic resins. , polymethyl methacrylate resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polystyrene resin, polystyrene resin such as styrene acrylic copolymer resin; halogenated olefin resin such as polyvinyl chloride; polyethylene terephthalate resin , polyester resins such as polybutylene terephthalate resins; polycarbonate resins, polyethylene resins, polyvinyl fluoride resins, polyvinylidene fluoride resins, polytrifluoroethylene resins, polyhexafluoropropylene resins, vinylidene fluoride and acrylic monomers copolymers, copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and vinyl fluoride, fluoroterpolymers such as terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride and non-fluorinated monomers, and silicone resins.

Furthermore, if necessary, conductive powder or the like may be contained in the coating resin. As the conductive powder, metal powder, carbon black, titanium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide and the like can be used. These conductive powders preferably have an average particle size of 1 μm or less. If the average particle size is 1 μm or less, it is possible to prevent the problem of difficulty in controlling electrical resistance.

(Image forming apparatus and image forming method)
The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and a toner for forming the electrostatic latent image. Developing means for developing to form a visible image, Transfer means for transferring the visible image onto a recording medium, and Fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred onto the recording medium, wherein the toner is the toner of the present invention. It has other means as necessary.

The image forming method of the present invention comprises an electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier, and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image. The toner is the toner of the present invention, having a developing step, a transferring step of transferring the visible image onto a recording medium, and a fixing step of fixing the transferred image transferred onto the recording medium. It has other steps as necessary.

The developing means and the developing step may use a toner other than the toner (antibacterial and antiviral toner) of the present invention, and for example, an antibacterial and antiviral toner and a color toner may be used. A visible image formed by antibacterial and antiviral toner may be called an antibacterial and antiviral toner image, and a visible image formed by color toner may be called a color toner image.

In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method, the antibacterial and antiviral toner image is preferably a solid image formed on the outermost surface of the entire recording medium regardless of the presence or absence of a color image. The surface on which the antibacterial and antiviral toner layer is not formed has no antibacterial and antiviral properties, and bacteria and viruses may propagate on the surface on which the antibacterial and antiviral toner layer is not formed.

It is preferable that the thickness Z [μm] of the toner layer after the fixing process is 2.0X≦Z≦2.5X [μm] with respect to the number average particle size X of the silver ion antibacterial material. When the thickness Z is 2.0X [μm] or more, it is possible to make it difficult for the solid image to have minute unattached portions. When the thickness Z is 2.5X [μm] or less, the silver ion-based antibacterial material is likely to be exposed on the layer surface, and variations in the antibacterial and antiviral functions can be reduced.
In order to set the thickness Z [μm] of the toner layer after the fixing process to 2.0X≦Z≦2.5X [μm], for example, by adjusting the development conditions and the like to adjust the adhesion amount of the antibacterial and antiviral toner. It is possible.

<Electrostatic latent image carrier>
As for the electrostatic latent image carrier (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "electrophotographic photoreceptor", "photoreceptor", and "image carrier"), there are no particular restrictions on the material, shape, structure, size, etc. can be appropriately selected from among known ones. Examples of the shape of the image carrier include a drum shape and a belt shape. Examples of the material of the image carrier include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, and organic photoreceptors (OPC) such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine.

<Electrostatic latent image forming step and electrostatic latent image forming means>
The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier.
The formation of the electrostatic latent image can be performed, for example, by uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and then imagewise exposing it, and is carried out by an electrostatic latent image forming means. can be done.
The electrostatic latent image forming means includes, for example, charging means (charger) for uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and exposure for imagewise exposing the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. means (exposure unit).

The charging can be performed, for example, by applying a voltage to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier using the charger.

The charger is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include a contact charger equipped with a conductive or semi-conductive roll, brush, film, rubber blade, etc., and a non-contact charger using corona discharge such as corotron, scorotron, etc., known per se.

Preferably, the charger is placed in contact with or not in contact with the electrostatic latent image carrier, and charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier by superimposing DC and AC voltages.
Further, the charger is a charging roller disposed close to the electrostatic latent image bearing member via a gap tape in a non-contact manner. Those that charge the body surface are preferred.

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

<Developing process and developing means>
The developing step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image (toner image).
The developing means is means for developing an electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image (toner image).

As noted above, the developing means and the developing step may form a toner image using, for example, an antimicrobial, antiviral toner and a color toner. Moreover, for example, a plurality of color toners having different colorants may be used as the color toner, and a set of the plurality of color toners is also called a color toner set. The formation of the toner image can be performed by, for example, developing the electrostatic latent image using the antibacterial/antiviral toner and the color toner set, and can be performed by the developing means.

The developing means (hereinafter also referred to as "development adhesion means") contains, for example, each toner of the antibacterial/antiviral toner and the color toner set, and each toner is brought into contact or non-contact with the electrostatic latent image. A developing device having at least a developer capable of applying toner is preferable, and a developing device equipped with a container containing toner is more preferable.

The developing device may be a monochromatic developing device or a multicolor developing device, and includes, for example, a stirrer that frictionally stirs and charges each toner, and a rotatable magnet roller. and the like are preferably exemplified.

In the developing device, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and agitated, and the toner is charged by friction at that time and held in a bristling state on the surface of a rotating magnet roller to form a magnetic brush. . Since the magnet roller is arranged near the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoreceptor), part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is electrically attracted. It moves to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoreceptor) by force. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoreceptor).

The toner image includes, for example, an antibacterial and antiviral toner image formed with the antibacterial and antiviral toner and a color toner image formed with the color toner.

The colors constituting the color toner include, for example, a four-color set of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow. (Y) three-color color set, black (Bk) single color, and the like. Among these, the four-color set is preferable because it is a color toner set that can be installed in a general electrophotographic four-color image forming apparatus.

<Fixing Step and Fixing Means>
The fixing step is a step of fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. state at the same time.

The fixing means is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. . Examples of the heating and pressing means include a combination of a heating roller and a pressure roller, a combination of a heating roller, a pressure roller and an endless belt.

The fixing means has a heating element equipped with a heating element, a film in contact with the heating element, and a pressure member in pressure contact with the heating element through the film, and It is preferable that the recording medium having an unfixed image formed therebetween is passed through the recording medium and heat-fixed. Heating in the heating and pressurizing means is preferably from 80°C to 200°C.
In addition, in the present invention, for example, a known optical fixing device may be used together with or instead of the fixing step and the fixing means depending on the purpose.

<Other steps and other means>
Examples of the other processes include a static elimination process, a cleaning process, a recycling process, a control process, and the like.

The charge removing step is a step of applying a charge removing bias to the electrostatic latent image bearing member to remove the charge, and can be preferably performed by a charge removing device.
The static elimination means is not particularly limited as long as it can apply a static elimination bias to the electrostatic latent image bearing member, and can be appropriately selected from known static eliminators. It is preferably mentioned.

The cleaning step is a step of removing the toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image bearing member, and can be preferably carried out by cleaning means.
The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image bearing member, and can be appropriately selected from known cleaners, such as a magnetic brush cleaner. , electrostatic brush cleaners, magnetic roller cleaners, blade cleaners, brush cleaners, web cleaners, and the like.

The recycling step is a step of recycling the toner removed by the cleaning step to the developing means, and can be preferably carried out by the recycling means. The recycling means is not particularly limited, and includes known conveying means and the like.

The control step is a step of controlling each of the steps, and each step can be suitably performed by control means.
The control means is not particularly limited as long as it can control the movement of each means, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as sequencers and computers.

Here, the image forming method and image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the entire image forming apparatus A. As shown in FIG. The image data sent to the image processing unit 14 (hereinafter referred to as "IPU") are of five types: Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), Bk (black), and Abv (antibacterial and antiviral). Create each image signal of

Next, the Y, M, C, Bk, and Abv image signals are transmitted to the writing unit 15 by the image processing unit. The writing unit 15 modulates and scans five laser beams for Y, M, C, Bk, and Abv, respectively, and charges the photosensitive drums by charging units 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55, and then sequentially An electrostatic latent image is formed on each of the photosensitive drums 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. As shown in FIG. Here, for example, the first photoreceptor drum 21 is Y, the second photoreceptor drum 22 is M, the third photoreceptor drum 23 is C, the fourth photoreceptor drum 24 is Bk, and the fifth photoreceptor drum is corresponds to Abv.

Next, toner images of respective colors are formed on the photosensitive drums 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 by developing units 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 as developer adhesion means. Also, the transfer paper fed by the paper feeding unit 16 is conveyed on the transfer belt 70 and transferred to the photosensitive drums 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 and 25 by the transfer chargers 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 and 65 in sequence. The upper toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper.

After completion of the transfer process, the transfer paper is conveyed to the fixing unit 80, where the transferred toner image is fixed on the transfer paper.
After the transfer process is completed, toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 is removed by cleaning units 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45. FIG.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and the image forming method using the same, the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 are once transferred onto the transfer drum as in FIG. The toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by means 66 and fixed by the fixing unit 80 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the antimicrobial, antiviral toner can also be a separate transfer drum.

Next, the configuration around the developing unit will be described.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing one of the developing units 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 and the photosensitive drums 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 as the five developer adhesion means, respectively. Since they have almost the same configuration except that the toner color is different, they are shown as a developing unit 4 and a photosensitive drum 1 in the figure.

The developing unit 4 of this embodiment includes a developing container 2 containing a two-component developer. and are rotatably installed at a predetermined interval.

The developing sleeve 11 is made of a cylindrical non-magnetic material and rotates in such a direction that the facing portion moves in the same direction as the photosensitive member 1 rotating in the direction of the arrow. Inside the developing sleeve 11, a magnet roller as a magnetic field generating means is fixedly arranged. The magnet roller has five magnetic poles (N1, S1, N2, N3, S2). A regulating blade 10 as a developer regulating member is attached to the portion of the developing container 2 above the developing sleeve 11, and this regulating blade 10 is directed toward the vicinity of the magnetic pole (S2) substantially positioned at the vertical highest point of the magnet roller. , and is arranged in a non-contact manner with the developing sleeve 11 .

In the developing container 2, a supply screw 5 as a first developer stirring and transporting means, a collection screw 6 as a second developer stirring and transporting means, and a stirring screw 7 as a third developer stirring and transporting means are accommodated. Three developer conveying paths, ie, a path 2a, a collecting conveying path 2b, and an agitating conveying path 2c are provided. The supply conveying path 2a and the stirring conveying path 2c are arranged obliquely in the vertical direction. Further, the recovery transport path 2b is arranged downstream of the development region of the developing sleeve 1) and substantially horizontal to the stirring transport path 2c.

The two-component developer contained in the developing container 2 is circulated and transported through the supply transport path 2a, the recovery transport path 2b, and the stirring transport path 2c by stirring and transporting the supply screw 5, the recovery screw 6, and the stirring screw 7. It is supplied to the developing sleeve 11 from the supply conveying path 2a. The developer supplied to the developing sleeve 11 is pumped up onto the developing sleeve 11 by the magnetic pole (N2) of the magnet roller.

As the developing sleeve 11 rotates, it is conveyed on the developing sleeve 11 from the magnetic pole (S2) to the magnetic pole (N1), and from the magnetic pole (N1) to the magnetic pole (S1), to the developing area where the developing sleeve 11 and the photosensitive member) face each other. reach. During the transportation, the developer is magnetically regulated in layer thickness by the regulating blade 10 in cooperation with the magnetic pole (S2), and a thin layer of the developer is formed on the developing sleeve 11. FIG.

The magnetic pole (S1) of the magnet roller positioned in the developing region within the developing sleeve 11 is the main pole for development, and the developer conveyed to the developing region rises up on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 due to the magnetic pole (S1). It contacts and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 .

The developer that has developed the latent image passes through the developing region as the developing sleeve 11 rotates, is returned to the developing container 2 via the transport pole (N3), and is pushed back into the developing sleeve 11 by the repelling magnetic field of the magnetic poles (N2, N3). , and is recovered by the recovery screw 6 to the recovery conveying path 2b).

The supply conveying path 2a and the obliquely downward collection conveying path 2b are partitioned by a first partition member 3A. The collection conveying path 2b and the agitation conveying path 2c arranged on the side are partitioned by the second partition member 3B. is provided for supplying the developer to the agitating and conveying path 2c.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the collecting conveying path 2b and the stirring conveying path 2c at the downstream portion in the conveying direction of the collecting screw 6. An opening 2d is provided to communicate the collecting conveying path 2b and the stirring conveying path 2c. .

Further, the supply conveying path 2a and the stirring conveying path 2c arranged obliquely downward are partitioned by a third partition member 3C. A developer supply opening is provided for supplying developer.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 4 at the upstream portion in the transport direction of the supply screw 5. The third partition member 3C is provided with an opening 2e that communicates the stirring transport path 2c and the supply transport path 2a.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 4 at the downstream portion in the transport direction of the supply screw 5. The third partition member 3C is provided with an opening 2f that communicates the agitating transport path 2c and the supply transport path 2a. there is

Next, the circulation of developer in the three developer transport paths will be described.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the flow of developer in the developing unit 4. As shown in FIG. Each arrow in FIG. 8 indicates the moving direction of the developer. In the supply transport path 2 a that receives the supply of the developer from the stirring transport path 2 c, the developer is transported downstream of the supply screw 5 in the transport direction while supplying the developer to the developing sleeve 11 . Then, the surplus developer that has not been supplied to the developing sleeve 11 and is conveyed to the downstream portion in the conveying direction of the supply conveying path 2a is discharged from the opening 2f as the first developer supply opening provided in the third partition member 3C. It is supplied to the stirring conveying path 2c.

Further, the collected developer collected from the developing sleeve 11 to the collection conveying path 2b by the collecting screw 6 and conveyed to the downstream portion in the conveying direction in the same direction as the developer in the supply conveying path 2a is provided in the second partition member 3B. The developer is supplied to the agitation conveying path 2c through the opening 2d as the opening for supplying the second developer.

In the agitating and conveying path 2c, the surplus developer supplied by the agitating screw 7 and the collected developer are agitated and conveyed in the opposite direction to the developer in the collecting and conveying path 2b and the supply and conveying path 2a. Then, the developer transported downstream in the transport direction of the stirring transport path 2c moves upstream in the transport direction of the supply transport path 2a from the opening 2e as the third developer supply opening provided in the third partition member 3C. supplied to the department.

A toner concentration sensor is provided below the agitating/conveying path 2c, and a toner replenishment control device (not shown) is operated based on the output of the sensor to replenish toner from the toner container. In the agitating conveying path 2c, the agitating screw 7 conveys the toner replenished from the toner replenishing port 3 as necessary to the downstream side in the conveying direction while agitating the collected developer and surplus developer. When replenishing the toner, it is preferable to replenish the toner upstream of the stirring screw 7 because the stirring time from replenishment to development can be lengthened.

As described above, the developing unit 4 includes the supply transport path 2a and the recovery transport path 2b, and the supply and recovery of the developer are performed in different developer transport paths. I have nothing to do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner density of the developer supplied to the developing sleeve 11 from decreasing toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the supply transport path 2a. In addition, since the collection conveying path 2b and the stirring conveying path 2c are provided and the collection and stirring of the developer are performed in different developer conveying paths, the developed developer does not drop during the stirring. Therefore, the sufficiently stirred developer is supplied to the supply transport path 2a, so that the developer supplied to the supply transport path 2a can be prevented from being insufficiently stirred.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the toner concentration of the developer in the supply and conveyance path 2a from decreasing, and to prevent the developer in the supply and conveyance path 2a from being insufficiently agitated, thereby increasing the image density during development. can be made constant.

In addition, in the upstream portion of the supply transport path 2a shown in FIG. 6 in the transport direction, the developer is supplied from the agitating transport path 2c disposed obliquely downward to the upper supply transport path 2a. This developer delivery is carried out by pushing the developer by the rotation of the stirring screw 7, causing the developer to swell and overflow from the opening 2e, thereby supplying the developer to the supply conveying path 2a. Such movement of the developer gives stress to the developer, which contributes to shortening the life of the developer.

In the developing unit 4, by arranging the supply transport path 2a obliquely above the stirring transport path 2c, the supply transport path 2a is provided vertically above the stirring transport path 2c, and the developer is lifted up. It is possible to reduce stress on the developer in upward movement of the developer.

Further, in the downstream portion in the conveying direction of the supply screw 5 shown in FIG. An opening 2f is provided to communicate with the stirring and conveying path 2c. Here, the third partition member 3C partitioning the agitating transport path 2c and the supply transport path 2a extends upward from the lowest point of the supply transport path 2a, and the opening 2f is located above the lowest point. is provided in

9 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 4 at the most downstream portion in the conveying direction of the supply screw 5. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, an opening 2g is provided in the third partition member 3C downstream of the opening 2f with respect to the conveying direction of the supply screw 5, and communicates the agitation conveying path 2c and the supply conveying path 2a. there is Further, the opening 2g is provided above the top of the opening 2f.

In the supply conveying path 2a having the openings 2f and 2g, the bulk of the developer conveyed axially along the supply conveying path 2a to the opening 2f by the supply screw 5 reaches the height of the lowest portion of the opening 2f. Anything that reaches falls through the opening 2f into the agitating and conveying path 2c below. On the other hand, the developer that does not reach the lowest height of the opening 2f is supplied to the developing sleeve 11 while being transported further downstream by the supply screw 5 .

Therefore, on the downstream side of the opening 2f in the supply transport path 2a, the volume of the developer gradually becomes lower than the lowermost portion of the opening 2f. Since the most downstream portion of the supply conveying path 2a is a dead end, the bulk of the developer may increase at the most downstream portion. Those that return to the portion 2f and reach the height of the lowest portion of the opening portion 2f fall through the opening portion 2f into the agitation conveying path 2c below.

As a result, on the downstream side of the opening 2f of the supply conveying path 2a, the volume of the developer does not continue to increase, and is in an equilibrium state with a slope near the bottom of the opening 2f. By providing the opening 2g at a position higher than the top of the opening 2f, that is, at a position higher than this equilibrium state, there is little risk that the opening 2f will be blocked by the developer and the ventilation will be insufficient. Sufficient ventilation can be ensured between the agitating conveying path 2c and the supplying conveying path 2a.

That is, the opening 2g does not function as a developer supply opening between the supply and transport path 2a and the stirring and transporting path 2c, but ensures sufficient ventilation between the supply and transporting path 2a and the stirring and transporting path 2c. It serves as a ventilation opening for By providing such an opening 2g for ventilation, even if the internal pressure rises in the agitation conveyance path 2c disposed below and the recovery conveyance path 2b communicating with the agitation conveyance path 2c, a filter is provided that allows air to pass through. Sufficient ventilation can be ensured with the upper supply conveying path 2a, and an increase in the internal pressure of the developing unit 4 as a whole can be suppressed.

The toner of the present invention can be used in a process cartridge which integrally supports a photoreceptor and at least one means selected from electrostatic latent image forming means, developing means and cleaning means, and which is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. can.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge having the developer of the present invention (also called developer for electrostatic latent image development). 10, the process cartridge comprises a photosensitive member 20, electrostatic latent image forming means 32, developing means 40, and cleaning means 61. As shown in FIG.

In the present invention, among the components such as the photoreceptor 20, the electrostatic latent image forming means 32, the developing means 40 and the cleaning means 61, a plurality of components are integrally combined to form a process cartridge. The cartridge is detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer.

The operation of the image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge containing the developer of the present invention will be described below.
A photosensitive member is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed. During the rotation of the photoreceptor, the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor is uniformly charged with a predetermined positive or negative potential by the electrostatic latent image forming means. Then, it receives image exposure light from image exposure means such as slit exposure or laser beam scanning exposure. In this way, electrostatic latent images are sequentially formed on the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor. The formed electrostatic latent image is then developed with toner by a developing means, and the developed toner image is transferred from a paper supply section to a photoreceptor and transferred between the photoreceptor and the transfer means in synchronism with the rotation of the photoreceptor. The images are sequentially transferred onto the material by the transfer means.

The transfer material that has received the image transfer is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor, introduced into image fixing means, the image is fixed, and printed out to the outside of the apparatus as a copy. After the image transfer, the surface of the photoreceptor is cleaned by removing the transfer residual toner by the cleaning means, and after the charge is removed, the surface is repeatedly used for image formation.

(toner storage unit)
The toner containing unit in the present invention means a unit having a function of containing toner and containing toner. Here, examples of the toner storage unit include a toner storage container, a developing device, a process cartridge, and the like.
The toner container means a container containing toner.
The developing device has means for storing toner and developing.
The process cartridge is a cartridge that integrates at least an image carrier and developing means, contains toner, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge may further comprise at least one selected from charging means, exposure means and cleaning means.

By mounting the toner storage unit of the present invention on an image forming apparatus and forming an image, the toner of the present invention is used to form an image. image can be stably formed.

(printed matter)
According to the present invention, printed matter having an image formed from the toner of the present invention is obtained. The printed material of the present invention has a recording medium (base material) and an image formed on the recording medium and formed from the toner of the present invention. By using the toner (antibacterial and antiviral toner) of the present invention, printed matter having antibacterial and antiviral properties can be obtained. The printed material of the present invention preferably has a color toner layer formed on a recording medium and a toner layer of the present invention (antibacterial and antiviral layer) formed on the color toner layer. .

When a solid image is formed on white paper having a saturation of less than 2 and a brightness of 96 or more with a toner adhesion amount of 0.45 mg/cm ² , the image saturation immediately after the formation of the solid image is 3.5. more than 6, a hue angle of 65° or more and 88° or less, and a brightness of 91 or more.
When the image saturation is 3.5 or more, the coloration of the background is at a recognizable level, but even if the silver ion-based antibacterial material is discolored afterward, the change is inconspicuous because the material is originally colored. Also, when the saturation is 8 or less, there is a tendency that a portion that is desired to be expressed as white in an image designed with color toner can be recognized as white.
Similarly, when the lightness is 91 or more, there is a tendency that a portion that is intended to be expressed as white in an image designed with color toner can be recognized as white.
Further, discoloration of the image becomes inconspicuous by setting the hue angle of the pre-colored antibacterial and antiviral layer to the same hue angle as that of the silver ion-based antibacterial material. Since the discoloration of silver-based silver ion-based antibacterial materials tends to have a hue angle of 65° or more and 88° or less, by pre-coloring to a color with the same hue angle, the discoloration is compared to coloring from white. becomes inconspicuous.

In the present invention, the hue angle (H), lightness (*L), and chroma (*c) can be measured with X-rite 938 (manufactured by X-rite) under status A, M0, and d50 conditions.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples. "Parts" means "mass parts" unless otherwise specified.

(Toner production)
<Toner A-1 to A-16>
The raw materials for the toner are as follows.
・ Polyester resin 1 (RN-306SF, manufactured by Kao Corporation, weight average molecular weight Mw 7,700, acid value 4 mgKOH / g) 65 parts ・ Polyester resin 2 (RN-290SF, manufactured by Kao Corporation, weight average molecular weight Mw 11,000, Acid value 4 mgKOH/g) 25 parts Wax dispersant (EXD-001, manufactured by Sanyo Kasei Co., Ltd.) 5 parts Monoester wax 1 (melting point mp 70.5° C.) 5 parts Salicylic acid derivative zirconium salt A 1 part toner standard Composition, for a total of 101 parts,
・Silver ion-based antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic Co., Ltd.) 3.5 parts ・Pigment Red (PR) 57: 1 (ECR-103 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd., carmine lake) 0.015 parts ・Pigment 0.085 parts of Yellow (P.Y) 180 (Toner Yellow HG, disazo type, manufactured by Clariant Chemical Co., Ltd.) was added to the toner raw materials, and premixed using a Henschel mixer (FM20B, manufactured by Nippon Coke Kogyo Co., Ltd.). After that, the mixture was melted and kneaded at a temperature of 100 to 130° C. with a uniaxial kneader (Co-kneader kneader manufactured by Buss).
The resulting kneaded product was cooled to room temperature and then coarsely pulverized to 200 μm to 300 μm by Rotoplex.
The coarsely pulverized particles are finely pulverized using a counter jet mill (100AFG, manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) while adjusting the pulverization air pressure appropriately so that the weight average particle size is 6.5±0.3 μm, Using an air classifier (EJ-LABO manufactured by Matsubo Co., Ltd.), the louver opening is adjusted appropriately so that the weight average particle size is 6.8 μm and the weight average particle size/number average particle size ratio is 1.18 or less. The particles were classified while the particles were being mixed to obtain [Toner Base Particles A-1].

For 101 parts of the toner reference composition,
・Silver ion-based antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 4.0 parts ・Pigment Red 57:1 (ECR-103 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0.01 parts ・Pigment Yellow 180 (Toner manufactured by Clariant Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.09 part of Yellow HG) was processed in the same manner as [Toner Base Particles A-1] to obtain [Toner Base Particles A-2].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 5.0 parts ・Pigment Red 269 (TOKUSHIKI RED 1022 manufactured by DIC, naphthol system) 0.01 parts ・Pigment Yellow 74 (FAST Yellow manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 7410, monoazo) was added, and processed in the same manner as [Toner base particles A-1] to obtain [Toner base particles A-3].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion-based antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 5.0 parts ・Pigment Red 57:1 (ECR-103 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0.03 parts ・Pigment Yellow 180 (Toner manufactured by Clariant Chemical Co., Ltd.) Yellow HG) was added to 0.17 parts of the toner raw material, which was processed in the same manner as [Toner Base Particles A-1] to obtain [Toner Base Particles A-4].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic Co., Ltd.) 3.5 parts ・Pigment Red 57: 1 (ECR-103 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0.02 parts ・Pigment Yellow 180 (Toner manufactured by Clariant Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.18 parts of Yellow HG) was processed in the same manner as [Toner Base Particles A-1] to obtain [Toner Base Particles A-5].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion-based antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N, manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 4.0 parts ・Pigment Red 269 (TOKUSHIKI RED 1022, manufactured by DIC) 0.02 parts ・Pigment Yellow 74 (FAST Yellow 7410, manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0 The toner raw material to which 0.06 part was added was processed in the same manner as [Toner base particles A-1] to obtain [Toner base particles A-6].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 4.0 parts ・Pigment Red 57: 1 (ECR-103 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0.05 parts ・Pigment Yellow 180 (Toner manufactured by Clariant Chemical Co., Ltd.) Yellow HG) was added to 0.28 parts of the toner raw material, and processed in the same manner as [Toner base particles A-1] to obtain [Toner base particles A-7].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 5.0 parts ・Pigment Red 57: 1 (ECR-103 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0.024 parts ・Pigment Yellow 180 (Toner manufactured by Clariant Chemical Co., Ltd.) Yellow HG) was added in 0.25 parts, and processed in the same manner as [Toner Base Particles A-1] to obtain [Toner Base Particles A-8].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 3.5 parts ・Pigment Red 269 (TOKUSHIKI RED 1022 manufactured by DIC) 0.025 parts ・Pigment Yellow 74 (FAST Yellow 7410 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0 The toner raw material to which 0.075 part was added was processed in the same manner as [Toner base particles A-1] to obtain [Toner base particles A-9].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
Toner raw material to which 3.5 parts of silver ion-based antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic Co., Ltd.) was added was processed in the same manner as [toner base particles A-1] to obtain [toner base particles A-10]. .

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
Toner raw material to which 5.0 parts of silver ion-based antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic Co., Ltd.) was added was processed in the same manner as [toner base particles A-1] to obtain [toner base particles A-11]. .

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 4.0 parts ・Pigment Red 269 (TOKUSHIKI RED 1022 manufactured by DIC) 0.04 parts ・Pigment Yellow 74 (FAST Yellow 7410 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0 The toner raw material to which 0.06 part was added was processed in the same manner as [Toner base particles A-1] to obtain [Toner base particles A-12].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion-based antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 4.0 parts ・Pigment Red 57:1 (ECR-103 manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0.03 parts ・Pigment Yellow 180 (Toner manufactured by Clariant Chemical Co., Ltd.) Yellow HG) was added to 0.15 parts of the toner raw material, and processed in the same manner as [Toner Base Particles A-1] to obtain [Toner Base Particles A-13].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion-based antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N, manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic) 4.0 parts ・Pigment Red 269 (TOKUSHIKI RED 1022, manufactured by DIC) 0.01 parts ・Pigment Yellow 74 (FAST Yellow 7410, manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0 [Toner base particle A-14] was obtained by processing the toner raw material to which 0.04 part was added in the same manner as [Toner base particle A-1].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Sinon Zeomic Co., Ltd.) 4.0 parts ・Pigment Brown 25 (PV FAST BROWN HFR manufactured by Clariant Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.02 parts was added to the toner raw material, [toner base particles A -1] was processed in the same manner to obtain [Toner Base Particles A-15].

Similarly, for 101 parts of the toner standard composition,
・Silver ion antibacterial material A (Zeomic AJ10N, manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic Co., Ltd.) 4.0 parts ・Pigment Red 57:1 (ECR-103, manufactured by Dainichiseika Co., Ltd.) 0.05 parts Particles A-1] were processed in the same manner to obtain [Toner base particles A-15].

Further, silver ion antimicrobial material B (Ionpure ZAF HS manufactured by Ishizuka Glass Co., Ltd.) was used instead of silver ion antimicrobial material A (Zeomic AJ10N manufactured by Shinanon Zeomic Co., Ltd.) for toner base particles A-1 to A-15. Similarly, toner base particles B-1 to B-15 were obtained.

Next, 1.0 part of fumed silica (ZD-30ST, manufactured by Tokuyama Co., Ltd.) and 0.0 part of fumed silica (UFP-35HH, manufactured by Denki Kagaku Co., Ltd.) are added to each 100 parts of each toner base particle. 5 parts and 0.5 parts of titanium dioxide (MT-150AFM, manufactured by Tayca Co., Ltd.) were stirred and mixed in a Henschel mixer, and then sieved through a 400 mesh screen to obtain [toner A-1] to [toner A-15]. [Toner B-1] to [Toner B-15] were produced. The weight average particle size Y of the toner is 6.8 μm.

<Production of two-component developer>
<<Preparation of carrier>>
The raw materials for the carrier are as follows.
・Silicone resin (organo straight silicone) 100 parts ・Toluene 100 parts ・γ-(2-aminoethyl) aminopropyltrimethoxysilane 5 parts ・Carbon black 10 parts

A mixture of the above raw materials was dispersed for 20 minutes with a homomixer to prepare a coating layer forming liquid. Using the coating layer forming liquid and Mn ferrite particles having a weight average particle diameter of 35 μm as a core material, the average film thickness on the surface of the core material is 0.20 μm. The internal temperature was controlled at 70° C. for coating and drying. Then, it was fired in an electric furnace at 180° C. for 2 hours to obtain a [carrier].

<<Preparation of two-component developer>>
[Toner A-1] to [Toner A-15] and [Toner B-1] to [Toner B-15] produced above and [Carrier] above were used to prepare a two-component developer. In the preparation of the two-component developer, the toner and carrier were uniformly mixed for 5 minutes at 48 rpm using a Turbula mixer (manufactured by Willie & Bacchofen (WAB)) and charged to prepare a two-component developer. . The mixing ratio of the toner and carrier was adjusted to match the toner concentration (5% by mass) of the initial developer of the evaluation machine.

(Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10)
A production printer (RICOH Pro C7110, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) having five colors of yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, black toner, and special color toner was used. Toners A-1 to A-15 were sequentially inserted into the spot color toner unit at the 5th station of the printer.

<Adhesion amount of toner>
PPC paper TYPE 6000 (70 W) manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd. was used as the paper, and first, a 5 cm×5 cm solid patch of each color toner was printed.
The output solid patch portion was cut out with scissors to create a cut piece. The mass of the prepared cut piece was measured with a precision balance, the toner in the solid patch portion (unfixed image) was blown off with an air gun, and the mass of the cut piece was measured. The toner adhesion amount was calculated using the following formula from the mass values before and after the toner was blown off with an air gun.
Adhesion amount of toner (mg/cm ² )=((mass of cut-out piece with solid patch)−(mass of cut-out piece after blowing off))/25
The development conditions were adjusted so that the adhesion amount of each of the color toners was 0.45 mg/cm ² .
Further, the development conditions for toners A-1 to A-15 to achieve 0.45 mg/cm ² were similarly determined.

<Output of evaluation image)>
As the paper, COTED glossy paper (135 g/m ² , manufactured by Mondi) was used. The toner adhesion amount was adjusted to 0.45 mg/cm ² for each color in the above-described toner adhesion amount adjustment. Sample color images shown in FIG. 12 and toners A-1 to A-15 were printed on the paper so as to solidly fill the dotted line frame in FIG. 12 to obtain evaluation images.
The COTED glossy paper has a saturation of 1.6 and a brightness of 97.

<Evaluation>
(Initial coloring)
Using 20 monitors randomly selected from men and women in their 20s to 50s, we recognized the difference in color inside and outside the dotted line frame of the sample image in Fig. 12 and expressed the white color of the cup, plate, and beer bubbles in the image. A sensory evaluation was carried out to see if the part where the skin was exposed could be recognized as white.
• Inside and outside the frame: It was evaluated whether or not the inside of the dotted line could be recognized as being clearly colored. Even if it is recognized as being colored, if it passes the evaluation of the white part, which will be described later, there is no problem in use, so it is a reference evaluation.
· White part: It was evaluated whether it was recognizable as white in the image. White and recognizable were regarded as pass, and unrecognizable were regarded as unacceptable, and 18 or more people were evaluated as ◯, and 17 or less persons were evaluated as ×.
Further, immediately after outputting the image, the hue angle (H), lightness (*L), and chroma (*c) were measured by the measurement method described above.

(Discoloration evaluation)
After the evaluation image was stored for one month under light irradiation of 5000 Lx, the same evaluation as the initial coloring was performed.
Furthermore, the initial image was created again and the degree of discoloration was compared with the image sample after storage.
・Comparison between the initial stage and after storage: Passing was given when discoloration was not noticeable, and disqualification was given when discoloration was discolored.

Parts expressing white such as cups, plates, and beer bubbles in the image of the initial image are recognized and evaluated as white, parts expressing white in the image after storage are recognized and evaluated as white. All of the comparisons were passed as a comprehensive evaluation of 0.

Table 1 shows the toner details and evaluation results of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10.

(Examples 7 to 12 and Comparative Examples 11 to 20)
A production printer (RICOH Pro C7110, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) having five colors of yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, black toner, and special color toner was used. Toners B-1 to B-15 were sequentially inserted into the spot color toner unit at the 5th station of the printer.

<Adhesion amount of toner>
PPC paper TYPE 6000 (70 W) manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd. was used as the paper, and first, a 5 cm×5 cm solid patch of each color toner was printed.
The output solid patch portion was cut out with scissors to create a cut piece. The mass of the prepared cut piece was measured with a precision balance, the toner in the solid patch portion (unfixed image) was blown off with an air gun, and the mass of the cut piece was measured. The toner adhesion amount was calculated using the following formula from the mass values before and after the toner was blown off with an air gun.
Adhesion amount of toner (mg/cm ² )=((mass of cut-out piece with solid patch)−(mass of cut-out piece after blowing off))/25
The development conditions were adjusted so that the adhesion amount of each of the color toners was 0.45 mg/cm ² .
Furthermore, similarly, the developing conditions for toners B-1 to B-15 to be 0.45 mg/cm ² were grasped.

<Output of evaluation image)>
As the paper, COTED glossy paper (135 g/m ² , manufactured by Mondi) was used. The toner adhesion amount was adjusted to 0.45 mg/cm ² for each color in the above-described toner adhesion amount adjustment. Sample color images shown in FIG. 12 and toners B-1 to B-15 were printed on the paper so as to solidly fill the dotted line frame in FIG. 12 to obtain evaluation images.
The COTED glossy paper has a saturation of 1.6 and a brightness of 97.

<Evaluation>
(Initial coloring)
Using 20 monitors randomly selected from men and women in their 20s to 50s, we recognized the difference in color inside and outside the dotted line frame of the sample image in Fig. 12 and expressed the white color of the cup, plate, and beer bubbles in the image. A sensory evaluation was carried out to see if the part where the skin was exposed could be recognized as white.
• Inside and outside the frame: It was evaluated whether or not the inside of the dotted line could be recognized as being clearly colored. Even if it is recognized as being colored, if it passes the evaluation of the white part, which will be described later, there is no problem in use, so it is a reference evaluation.
· White part: It was evaluated whether it was recognizable as white in the image. White and recognizable were regarded as pass, and unrecognizable were regarded as unacceptable, and 18 or more people were evaluated as ◯, and 17 or less persons were evaluated as ×.
Further, immediately after outputting the image, the hue angle (H), lightness (*L), and chroma (*c) were measured by the measurement method described above.

(Discoloration evaluation)
After the evaluation image was stored at 40° C. and 70% RH for 2 weeks, the same evaluation as the initial coloring was performed.
Furthermore, the initial image was created again and the degree of discoloration was compared with the image sample after storage.
・Comparison between the initial stage and after storage: Passing was given when discoloration was not noticeable, and disqualification was given when discoloration was discolored.

Parts expressing white such as cups, plates, and beer bubbles in the image of the initial image are recognized and evaluated as white, parts expressing white in the image after storage are recognized and evaluated as white. All of the comparisons were passed as a comprehensive evaluation of 0.

Table 2 shows toner details and evaluation results of Examples 7 to 12 and Comparative Examples 11 to 20.

Based on the above results, according to this example, it is possible to provide a toner that can stably form an image having antibacterial and antiviral properties, that makes discoloration less noticeable over time, and that printed matter that discolors less conspicuously can be obtained. .

14 Image Processing Unit (IPU)
15 Writing unit 16 Paper feed unit 21 Black (Bk) toner and developer photoreceptor drum 22 Yellow (Y) toner and developer photoreceptor drum 23 Magenta (M) toner and developer photoreceptor drum 24 Cyan (C ) Photoreceptor drum 25 for toner and developer Antibacterial antivirus toner and photoreceptor drum for developer

JP-A-8-314179 JP 2003-241414 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-241423 JP 2004-093784 A

Claims (12)

An antibacterial and antiviral toner comprising a silver-based antibacterial material and a pigment,
The pigment is at least one selected from red pigments and yellow pigments,
The antibacterial and antiviral toner contains the silver-based antibacterial material at a ratio of 3% by mass or more and less than 5% by mass,
When a solid image is formed on white paper having a saturation of less than 2 and a brightness of 96 or more with a toner adhesion amount of 0.45 mg/cm ² , the image saturation immediately after the solid image is formed is 3.5 or more. 6, a hue angle of 65° or more and 88° or less, and a brightness of 91 or more. 2. The antibacterial and antiviral toner according to claim 1, wherein the red pigment is a lake pigment. 2. The antibacterial and antiviral toner according to claim 1, wherein the yellow pigment is a disazo pigment. 4. The antibacterial and antiviral toner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the silver antibacterial material is carried on a carrier made of zeolite or silicon glass. 5. The antibacterial and antiviral toner according to claim 1, wherein the silver-based antibacterial material is a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped. A developer comprising the antibacterial and antiviral toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A printed material having an image made of the antibacterial and antiviral toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A toner containing unit containing the antibacterial and antiviral toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. an electrostatic latent image carrier;
electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier;
a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image;
a transfer means for transferring the visible image onto a recording medium;
fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred onto the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner is the antibacterial and antiviral toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the developing means performs development using the antibacterial and antiviral toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and color toner. an electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier;
a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image;
a transfer step of transferring the visible image onto a recording medium;
a fixing step of fixing the transferred image transferred onto the recording medium;
An image forming method, wherein the toner is the antibacterial and antiviral toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 12. The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein the developing step uses the antibacterial and antiviral toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a color toner.

Images