JP3041635B2 - Concentrated developer replenisher container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a concentrated developer replenishing container used for supplying an additional concentrated liquid developer in a developer in an electrophotographic process or the like, and a container equipped with the concentrated developer replenishing container. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

When the developing means is to be performed with a liquid developer in the electrophotographic method, the consumption ratio of the toner particles in the toner particles and the carrier liquid constituting the main component of the liquid developer should not exceed that of the carrier liquid. I can't. Therefore, the toner particle concentration of the liquid developer gradually decreases almost in proportion to the number of copies, and finally a high quality image cannot be obtained.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, a method of successively adding (replenishing) a liquid developer having a high toner particle content, that is, a concentrated developer, as necessary is generally adopted.

By the way, in the conventional case, the concentrated developer is filled in a polyethylene container and supplied by a feeder cap method. However, this method has a drawback that it is difficult to quickly replenish the concentrated developer at a constant rate. Such a disadvantage is fatal to speeding up the copying machine.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

An object of the present invention is to provide a concentrated developer replenishing container which has solved the above-mentioned disadvantages. Another object of the present invention is to provide a concentrated developer replenishing container having good replenishment stability despite being filled with a developer having a high solid content or a high viscosity, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with the container. Is what you do.

[Means for solving the problem]

The concentrated developer replenishing container of the present invention is a concentrated developer replenishing container in which a pressure-resistant container provided with a nozzle portion is filled with a concentrated developer, and the container is filled with the concentrated developer and communicates with the nozzle. A second room, and a first room having a function of discharging a concentrated developer solution out of a container through a nozzle by pressurizing a wall interposed between the second room and the second room, and The concentrated developer is characterized in that 20 to 120 parts by weight of toner particles mainly containing a pigment and a resin are dispersed and contained in 100 parts by weight of a carrier liquid mainly containing a silicone-based solvent.

The present inventors have confirmed that the above-mentioned object can be sufficiently achieved by using a pressurized can (pressurized container) filled with a concentrated developer having a specific composition. The present invention has been made by this.

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

The pressurized cans used in the present invention include, for example, (1) those using a Grow Pak system of Embaro Spray Systems, (2) liquefied gas type (piston cans), bag-in cans, sepro Cans and the like.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the pressurized can of the above (1), wherein an inflatable first chamber containing a material capable of generating a gas which inflates the first chamber, and a concentrated developer. And a second room containing

Here, the first room is a pressure-resistant bag corresponding to 3 in the figure, and the second room corresponds to 8 in the figure. The first room is composed of a citric acid aqueous solution containing bag 7, a sodium bicarbonate containing bag 6, and an internal pressure holding bag 4, and the citric acid aqueous solution containing small bags 5 are contained in the internal pressure holding bag. The second chamber 8 is filled with a concentrated liquid developer, and the concentrated liquid developer is expanded by the expansion pressure of the first chamber, which is expanded by carbon dioxide generated by a chemical reaction between citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. , From the nozzle. 1 is a pressure vessel.

FIG. 2 shows a liquefied gas type pressurized can (referred to as a piston can). Reference numeral 21 denotes a first chamber, in which liquefied gas is sealed, and the first chamber serves as a piston. The concentrated developer is filled in the second chamber 22.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the nozzle portion 2 is used as a metering valve. The left half shows a steady position, and the right half shows a state in which the nozzle 31 is depressed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the replenishment mechanism of the metering valve is such that when the nozzle 31 is pressed from the state shown in the left half of FIG. , Product name NBR-K) 32,
The concentrated developer is discharged to the outside through the nozzle 31 from the discharge port 31a. When the nozzle 31 is returned, the state shown in the left half figure is reached and the fixed amount chamber 34 is depressurized, so that the concentrated developing solution passes from the tube 39 through the concentrated developing solution inlet 31b due to the restoring force of rubber.
Is supplied in a fixed amount.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a valve arranged such that a portion of the valve facing the first room is in surface contact with the first room. Since the first chamber is in surface contact with the valve, the internal pressure is uniformly applied to the toner in the can, and the discharge rate is improved. Further, the first room (pouch of the glow pack) is less likely to be broken.

The matters shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are novel and have been proposed by the present applicant as Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-125457.

On the other hand, it is the main component of the carrier liquid in the concentrated developer in the present invention. Silicone solvents include KF96 (Shin-Etsu Silicon), SH200, SH344 (Toray Silicon),
TSF451 (manufactured by Toshiba Silicon Corporation), etc.
Decamethyltetrasiloxane, octamethyltrisiloxane and the like may be used. In addition, petroleum hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, isooctane, isododecane, ligroin, and mixtures thereof can be used without departing from the object of the present invention. Exxon Chemical's Isopar E, G, H, L, K, V and Shell Petroleum's Shell Sol 71,
Solvesso 150 etc.) may be appropriately mixed.

However, in the carrier liquid of the present invention, the silicone solvent accounts for 20% by weight or more, preferably 40% by weight or more. If this is less than 20% by weight, it is estimated that the resistance at the valve section does not decrease and the supply amount is not stable.

The present invention is effective for all types that are diluted with the carrier liquid for replenishment during actual use, but particularly for 100 parts by weight of the carrier liquid,
It has been confirmed that the toner particles are particularly effective for a replenishment developer having a high solid content of 20 parts by weight or more.

The toner particles are mainly composed of a colorant and a resin.

As coloring materials, Printex V, Printex U, Printex G, Special Black 15, Special Black 4, Special Black 4-B (all manufactured by Degussa), Mitsubishi # 44, # 30, MR-11, MA- 100 (Mitsubishi Kasei), Raven 1035, Raven 1252, NewsPectra II (Columbia Carbon), Legal
Inorganic pigments such as 400, 660, Black Pearl 900, 1100, 1300, Mogal L (manufactured by Cabot) and phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, sky blue, rhodamine lake, malachite green lake, methyl violet lake, peacock blue lake, naphthol Green B, Naphthol Green Y, Naphthol Yellow S, Naphthol Red, Risor Fast Yellow 2G, Permanent Red 4R, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Hansa Yellow, Benzidine Yellow, Risor Red, Lake Red C, Lake Red D, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Permanent Red F5
Organic pigments such as R, Pigment Scarlet 3B Indigo, Thioindigo Oil Pink and Bordeaux 10B.

Among the resins for fixing, Eastman Chemical N-10, N-11, N-12, N-14, N-34, N-45, C-10, C-1
3, C-15, C-16, E-10, E-11, E-12, E-14, E-15 Mitsui Petrochemical 110P, 220P, 220MP, 820MP, 410MP, 210MP, 310MP, 405MP, 20
0P, 4202E, 4053E Sanyo Chemical 131P, 151P, 161P, 171P, E300, E250P Sasol H1, H2, A1, A2, A3, A4 Basf (BASF) OA, WAX, A WAX Petrolite (Petrolite) Baleco (BARECO) 500, BARECO (BARECO) 2000, E-73
0, E-2018, E-2020, E-1040, Petronaba
C, Petronaba C-36, Petronaba
ronaba) C-400, Petronaba C-7500 Hoechst PE580, PE130, PED121, PED136, PED153, PED521, PED522, P
ED534 Union Carbide Company DYNI, DYNF, DYNH, DYNJ, DYNK Monsanto Company ORUZON 805,705,50 Dupont Company ALATHON 3,10,12,14,16,20,22,23 Allied Chemical Company AC polyethylene 6, Synthetic polyesters such as 6A and 615, polypropylene and denatured products thereof; carnauba wax, montan wax, candelilla wax, sugar cane wax, natural wax such as auricurie wax, beeswax, wood wax, and nuka wax; ester gum, hardened rosin, etc. Natural resin; natural resin modified maleic acid resin, natural resin modified phenolic resin,
Modified natural resin such as modified natural resin polyester resin, modified natural resin pentaerythritol resin, epoxy resin, and other acrylic resins.

The pigment and the resin can be kneaded and pulverized with a two-roll, kneader flasher or the like to treat the pigment.

In addition, among the resins for dispersion, a general formula Vinyl monomer A represented by the general formula Represented by a vinyl monomer and vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate,
Copolymers and graft copolymers with one or more of each of the monomers B selected from styrene, divinylbenzene, and vinyltoluene are exemplified.

In order to increase the dispersibility in a silicone solvent, a silicone material having an acroyl group (such as LS4080 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicon Co., Ltd.) may be copolymerized. Similarly, AK-5, Chisso manufactured by Toa Gosei Chemical Co., Ltd. TM0701, FM0711, FM
0721 and FM0725 may be copolymerized.

The liquid developer of the present invention is prepared by charging, dispersing, and kneading these coloring materials, resins, and carrier liquids into a dispersing machine such as a ball mill, a kitty mill, a disc mill, and a bin mill.

〔Example〕

 Here, both parts and% are based on weight.

Example 1 Isopar H of methyl methacrylate / lauryl methacrylate / glycidyl methacrylate copolymer
Dispersion (solid content 30%) 1000 parts Carbon black (Cabot Corp., Mogal L) 20
0 parts and polyolefin wax (manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, E25
0P) 400 parts of a kneaded and pulverized pigment 600 parts A mixture of 1500 parts of a silicone solvent (KF96, 3cs grade, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone Co., Ltd.) 1500 parts was charged into a ball mill and dispersed for 72 hours to prepare a replenishment concentrated liquid developer. This was filled into a can of 335 ml and filled with 160 g, charged with a Grow Pak pouch type 1249 manufactured by Enviro Systems, and caulked to prepare a concentrated developer supply container.

Example 2 Isopar H of methyl methacrylate / lauryl methacrylate / glycidyl methacrylate copolymer
Dispersion (solid content 25%) 1000 parts Carbon black (MA100 manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei) 100 parts, maleic acid modified with natural resin (TESCON MRP manufactured by Tokushima Essential Oil) 150
Part and polyethylene wax (BAS, OAWAX) 150 parts Kneaded pigment 500 parts Silicone solvent (Toray Silicone, SH200, 1.5cs grade) 500 parts Aliphatic hydrocarbon (Exxon Chemical Co., Ltd. A mixture of 500 parts of Isopar H) was charged into a ball mill and dispersed for 72 hours to prepare a replenishment concentrated liquid developer.

This was filled in a pressurized can in the same manner as in Example 1 to prepare a concentrated developer supply container.

Comparative Example 1 A concentrated developer replenishing container was prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1500 parts of an aliphatic hydrocarbon (Isoper H) was used instead of 1500 parts of the silicone solvent.

These three types of concentrated developer replenishing containers were placed in a replenishing tester (a device that measures the weight of liquid developer replenished from the can by pressing a valve at intervals of 30 seconds for 0.3 seconds), and the replenishability was evaluated. In Examples 1 and 2, flat curves were obtained, whereas in Comparative Example 1, a curve (FIG. 5) slightly containing noise and having a decreasing tendency was obtained. The final replenishment rate (total replenishment amount / filled amount × 100) was 94.1% in Example 1 and Example 2
Was 93.8%, while that of Comparative Example 1 was 86.9%.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, good replenishment stability of a high-solids content or high-viscosity developer is ensured, and an image can be obtained with high density and no bleeding even when copying a large number of sheets.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a pressurized can for spraying concentrated developer of the present invention using a Gropak type, and FIG. 2 shows an example using a piston can type.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a metering valve I which can be used in the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows an example of a surface contact type valve according to the present invention.
Here is an example. FIG. 5 shows a replenishment characteristic curve of the concentrated developer. Materials in parentheses below are examples of materials. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pressure-resistant container (tin) 2 ... Valve (nylon, brass) 3 ... First chamber [Pressure-resistant bag for pressurization (alumina inner resin processing)] 4 ... Bag for internal pressure holding 5 ... Contains citric acid aqueous solution Small bag (Poval) 6 ... Bag containing sodium bicarbonate (Poval) 7 ... Small bag containing citric acid aqueous solution (Poval) 8 ... Second room (Concentrated developer storage section) 10 ... Flow tube (Polyethylene, Nylon) 21 First room (with liquefied gas) 31 Nozzle (nylon, brass) 31a Discharge port, 31b Toner inlet 32 Rubber packing (nitrile rubber) 33 Caulking member (stainless steel) 34 … Quantitative chamber (nitrile rubber) 35… Quantitative container 36… Spring (stainless steel) 37… Mounting cup (tin) 38… Gasket (nitrile rubber) 39… Tube (polyethylene) 40… Guard (polyethylene) 41 ...... spray cap (polyethylene) 42 ...... spray port (polyethylene, nylon) 44 ...... washer (stainless) 45 ...... O-ring (nitrile rubber)

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hidemi Uematsu 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-54-143131 (JP, A) (JP, U) JP-A 1-153561 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 9/12 G03G 13/10 G03G 15/10

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A concentrated developer replenishing container in which a concentrated developer is filled in a pressure-resistant container provided with a nozzle portion, wherein the container has a second chamber filled with the concentrated developer and communicating with the nozzle. And a first room having a function of pressing a wall existing between the second room and discharging the concentrated developer through a nozzle to the outside of the container, and wherein the concentrated developer is Pigment and resin-based toner particles 20 to 12 in 100 parts by weight of carrier liquid mainly containing silicone solvent
A concentrated developer replenishing container characterized in that 0 part by weight is dispersed therein. 2. The concentrated developer replenishing container according to claim 1, wherein the silicone solvent accounts for at least 20% by weight of the carrier liquid. 3. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with the concentrated developer replenishing container according to claim 1.