JP2967293B2 - Cleaning web for fixing roll and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing roll cleaning web for removing toner remaining on a fixing roll surface of a copying machine or the like, and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fixing roll cleaning web using undrawn polyphenylene sulfide fiber (hereinafter, referred to as PPS fiber) as an adhesive component, and a method for producing the same.

(Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, in a copying machine, a method of fixing toner on copying paper by a fixing device is often used.

In the fixing device (1) of such a copying machine, when the copy paper (P) is passed between the fixing roll (2) and the pressure rubber roll (3) as shown in FIG. By the heat from the heater (4) provided inside the fixing roll (2) and the pressure applied by the pressure rubber roll (3), the toner carried on the copy paper (P) is placed on the copy paper (P). It has become established.

The toner carried on the copy paper (P) is, as described above,
Although the toner is fixed on the copy paper (P), a very small amount of unfixed toner remains on the surface of the fixing roll (2), and is fixed when the next copy paper (P) is fixed. Copy quality was degraded.

For this reason, it is necessary to remove the toner remaining on the surface of the fixing roll (2). As a method for removing the residual toner, the residual toner on the surface of the fixing roll (2) is removed by using a cleaning web (5 ), There is a so-called web cleaning method.

An example using this web cleaning method is described in JP-A-58-199371.

In this method, the fixing roll cleaning web (5) is wound around an unwinding shaft (7) as shown in FIG. 1, and its tip is attached to a winding shaft (8). Then, the fixing roll cleaning web (5) unwound by the rotation of the winding shaft (6) is pressed against the fixing roll (2) by the winding presser roll (8), and the residual toner on the fixing roll (2). Are wiped off by the fixing roll cleaning web (5).

The cleaning web for a fixing roll described in JP-A-58-199371 uses polyethylene terephthalate fiber (hereinafter referred to as PET fiber) as an adhesive component.

In other words, the cleaning web for the fixing roll is made of PE
The T fiber and the aromatic polyamide fiber which is a heat-resistant fiber are mixed, and the aromatic polyamide fibers are mutually
It is bonded by PET fiber.

When high-speed copying is performed by a copying machine using the web cleaning method described in JP-A-58-199371, it is necessary to rotate the fixing roll at high speed. When the fixing roll is rotated at a high speed, it is needless to say that the temperature of the fixing roll needs to be increased so that the toner can be fixed instantaneously. Specifically, set the fixing roll to 50
When rotated at a speed of sheets / minute, the temperature of the fixing roll needs to be set to a high temperature of 200 to 240 ° C. in order to fix the toner.

However, in the fixing roll cleaning web described in JP-A-58-199371, when the fixing roll cleaning web is brought into contact with a high-temperature fixing roll, the aromatic polyamide fibers of the fixing roll cleaning web are bonded to each other. ing
The PET fibers were softened and fused to the fixing roll, and the performance of removing the residual toner of the cleaning web for the fixing roll, in other words, the cleaning performance was significantly impaired. As a result, a problem such as a decrease in copy quality due to the residual toner as described above has been caused.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a problem to be solved is caused by fusion of the cleaning web for the fixing roll to the surface of the fixing roll due to contact with the fixing roll in a high temperature state. This is a reduction in the performance of removing the residual toner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing roll cleaning web that does not fuse with a fixing roll in a high temperature state and does not cause a decrease in toner removal performance.

(Means and Actions for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that "an aromatic polyamide fiber and an undrawn polyphenylene sulfide fiber are mixed and the aromatic polyamide fiber is mixed. A cleaning web for a fixing roll characterized in that the group III polyamide fibers are bonded to each other by undrawn polyphenylene sulfide fibers plasticized.

In the cleaning web for a fixing roll of the present invention,
The aromatic polyamide fiber is a synthetic fiber having heat resistance as well as fiber forming properties such as 1,4-polyphenylene terephthalamide (melting point 430 ° C.) and 1,3-polyphenylene isophthalamide (melting point 400 ° C.). Commercially available aromatic polyamide fibers include Conex (manufactured by Teijin Ltd.) and Tomex (manufactured by DuPont), whose substituents are substituted by 1,3. And Kepler (manufactured by DuPont). Commercially available PPS fibers include Ryton fiber (manufactured by Philips Petroleum). These aromatic polyamide fibers and PPS fibers are mixed in a uniform state.
Further, the aromatic polyamide fibers are made of plasticized PP.
Bonded by S-fiber.

Glass transition temperature of PPS fiber is 120 ~ 140 ℃, melting point is 275 ~
285 ° C., and it is known that plastic deformation occurs when heat of 120 to 140 ° C. or more is applied. In the cleaning web for a fixing roll of the present invention, the PPS fibers are plasticized, enter between the aromatic polyamide fibers, are cooled and cured in this state, and adhere the aromatic polyamide fibers to each other. Also, as PPS fibers are plasticized, PPS
Since the molecules that make up the fiber rearrange and crystallize, PPS
The improvement of the heat resistance of the fiber is also measured.

The thickness of the cleaning web for a fixing roll of the present invention is preferably in the range of 45 to 75 μm from the viewpoint of handleability and the like.

When the fixing roll cleaning web of the present invention is used, it is preferable to impregnate the cleaning web with a polysiloxane oil as a release agent from the viewpoint of protecting the fixing roll. In particular, as a polysiloxane-based oil, dimethylsiloxane is preferable because its physical properties do not change at high temperatures. The amount of the release agent impregnated into the fixing roll cleaning web is preferably from 3 to 55 g / m ² . When the amount of the release agent impregnated is 3 g / m ² or less, the effect of preventing the abrasion damage of the fixing roll is not sufficient. When the amount exceeds 55 g / m ² , oil stains may be formed and copy quality may be deteriorated. For example, when the thickness of the web is 54 μm, the radiating agent impregnation amount is preferably 18 to 21 g / m ² , and when the web thickness is 75 μm, it is 30 to 35 g / m ^2.
m ² is preferable, and the viscosity of the diameter-releasing agent is 1000 to 100,000 CP.
Is preferred.

In the cleaning web for a fixing roll configured as described above, since the glass transition temperature of the PPS fibers bonding the aromatic polyamide fibers to each other is 120 to 140 ° C., and the crystallization of the PPS fibers Since the heat resistance of PPS fiber is improved, it has higher heat resistance than conventional PET fiber. Therefore, for example, the fixing roll cleaning web (5) is attached to the fixing device (1) shown in FIG. 1, and the temperature of the fixing roll (2) is set to 200 to 240.
Even when the temperature is high, the fixing roll cleaning web (5) does not fuse to the fixing roll (2), and the fixing roll (2) is rotated at a speed of 50 sheets / minute to perform high-speed copying. Is performed, the cleaning performance of the fixing roll cleaning web (5) is maintained.

Next, a method for producing the cleaning web for a fixing roll will be described.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that "an aromatic polyamide fiber and an undrawn polyphenylene sulfide fiber are mixed in a weight ratio of 30: 7.
Forming a fibrous web by mixing cotton at a ratio of 0 to 70:30, and then thermocompressing the fibrous web under a temperature condition in which the undrawn polyphenylene sulfide fiber is plasticized under pressure to cause a fusion action. Of producing a cleaning web for a fixing roll.

As described in the description of the cleaning web for a fixing roll according to the first aspect, the aromatic polyamide fiber is a synthetic fiber having heat resistance as well as fiber forming property, and has a fineness of 1 to 20 d and a fiber length of 25 to 25. A range of 102 mm is desirable for forming a uniform fibrous web. Further, the aromatic polyamide fiber desirably has a crimp of 5 to 40 peaks / 25 mm. This is because the PPS fiber blended with this aromatic polyamide fiber is rigid and has low strength, and has low crimp formation and holding properties, so it is difficult to apply it to ordinary card machines and the like. This is because when the aromatic polyamide fibers having crimps are mixed in 20% or more of the total fibers, application to ordinary card machines becomes easy.

Even in the case of PPS fibers, a uniform fiber web can be formed in the same way as aromatic polyamide fibers,
Those having a fineness of 1 to 20 d and a fiber length of 25 to 102 mm are preferred.

The mixing ratio (weight ratio) of these aromatic polyamide fibers and PPS fibers is preferably in the range of 30:70 to 70:30.
That is, 30% by weight of aromatic polyamide fiber
When the amount is less than the above, the heat resistance of the obtained cleaning web for a fixing roll is low. On the other hand, when the amount is more than 70% by weight, the surface of the fixing roll is damaged.

In addition, when mixing cotton, it is preferable to spray an appropriate amount of an oil agent or the like for the purpose of preventing charging. This is considered to be due to the effect of stabilizing the entanglement of the drawn yarn with the undrawn yarn.

A fiber web is formed in a state where fibers mixed in the above ratio are aligned in a predetermined direction by a carding machine.
In the present invention, in addition to the unidirectional fiber web, a fiber web formed by orienting fibers so as to intersect, or a fiber web in which two fiber webs orientated in one direction are laminated so as to intersect with each other Can be used. Also,
The basis weight of the formed fiber web is preferably in the range of 20 to 40 g / m ² . The reason is that if it is 20 g / m ² or less, sufficient tensile strength cannot be obtained, and if it is 40 g / m ² or more, sufficient cleaning performance cannot be obtained.

Next, the fibrous web formed as described above is thermocompression-bonded.

The thermocompression bonding is performed under a temperature condition in which the PPS fiber plasticizes under pressure and causes a fusing action.

As described above, the glass transition temperature of the PPS fiber is 120 to 140.
° C, the melting point is 275-285 ° C, and the temperature at which the PPS fibers plasticize and cause a fusion action is a temperature between the glass transition and the melting point, but the plasticized PPS fibers are sufficiently interposed between the aromatic polyamide fibers. For the penetration, a temperature of 183 to 257 ° C, more preferably 215 to 240 ° C, under a linear pressure of 30 to 270 kg / cm is good. Further, by setting the pressure condition in the above range, a sufficient gap for taking in the residual toner into the web is secured.

When thermocompression bonding is performed under the above conditions, the PPS fibers constituting the fibrous web are plasticized, and they enter between the aromatic polyamide fibers, cool and cure to bond the aromatic polyamide fibers to each other. Become. At the same time, the PPS fiber is crystallized by heating, and the heat resistance of the PPS fiber is improved.

The pressure and temperature conditions described above are conditions that can be realized by a general-purpose heating press machine, heat roll calender, or the like, without using special high-temperature, high-pressure equipment.

(Examples) Hereinafter, the cleaning web for a fixing roll of the present invention and a method for manufacturing the same will be described in more detail with reference to Examples.

Example 1 As an aromatic polyamide fiber, 60% of Nomex (manufactured by DuPont) having a denier of 1.5 denier and a fiber length of 38 mm and a denier of 7 denier and a fiber length of 51 were substituted with 1,3.
40% of PPS fiber was mixed with a garnet machine and opened with a carding machine so that the fibers were arranged in one direction to form a fiber web of 27 g / m ² . Next, this fiber web was thermocompression-bonded at a linear pressure of 100 kg / cm with a pair of a heating roll and a silicone rubber roll having a surface temperature of 218 to 220 ° C. to obtain a cleaning web for a fixing roll having a thickness of 54 μm.

Comparative Example 1 In place of the above PPS fiber, fineness 1.5 denier, fiber length 38 mm
A cleaning web for a fixing roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the unstretched PET was used.

The fixing roll cleaning webs of Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 were impregnated with dimethylsiloxane having a viscosity of 30,000 cp.
3b) as shown in Fig. 2, the hot plate (14) and the glass plate (1
Under a pressure of 2.8 g / cm ² in a state sandwiched between the 5), 290
It was left for 15 minutes at each temperature up to ° C., and the state of fusion of the cleaning webs (13a) and (13b) was observed.

 Table 1 shows the results.

In Table 1, ○ indicates that no fusion occurred in the web, △ indicates that fusion was slightly observed, and X indicates that fusion was observed in the entire web. ing.

As is evident from Table 1, the temperature in the example was 260 ° C.
No fusion occurred and the heat resistance at 20 ° C. was improved compared to the comparative example. This means that the rotation of the normal fixing roll can be increased to about twice.

(Effect of the Invention) With the above configuration, in the cleaning web for a fixing roll according to claim 1, the glass transition temperature of the PPS used as the adhesive element is higher than that of the conventional PET fiber. Even when it comes into contact with the fixing roll at a high temperature of 240 ° C., it does not fuse to the fixing roll. As a result, even when high-speed copying in which the fixing roll is rotated at a speed of 50 sheets / min is performed, the cleaning performance of the cleaning web for the fixing roll is maintained, and the copy quality does not deteriorate due to the residual toner.

Further, in the method for producing a cleaning web for a fixing roll according to claim 2, the aromatic polyamide fiber and the PPS are used.
A fixing roll that has a much higher heat resistance than conventional fixing roll cleaning webs by a simple method such as thermocompression bonding of a fiber web made of fibers under the temperature conditions where PPS fibers plasticize under pressure and cause a fusing action. Cleaning web can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a fixing unit of a copying machine;
FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the experimental apparatus. (2) fixing roll, (5) fixing roll cleaning web.

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Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fixing method wherein aromatic polyamide fibers and undrawn polyphenylene sulfide fibers are mixed, and the aromatic polyamide fibers are bonded to each other by plasticized undrawn polyphenylene sulfide fibers. Cleaning web for roll. 2. A fiber web is formed by blending an aromatic polyamide fiber and an undrawn polyphenylene sulfide fiber at a weight ratio of 30:70 to 70:30 to form a fiber web. A method for producing a cleaning web for a fixing roll, characterized in that the fibers are thermocompressed under a temperature condition under which the fibers are plasticized under pressure to cause a fusing action.