JP3775789B2 - Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

【００６１】
【発明の効果】
上述したように、本発明により、安定した表面を有し、また干渉縞等の画像欠陥のなく、高鮮明な画像が得られるベルト状電子写真感光体、該ベルト状電子写真感光体を用いたプロセスカートリッジ及び電子写真装置を提供することが可能となった。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】コート層に含有された楕円状微粒子の断面投影図である。
【図２】コート層に含有された微粒子の断面投影図である。
【図３】本発明のベルト状電子写真感光体を有するプロセスカートリッジを備えたフルカラー電子写真装置の概略構成の例を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
ａ 微粒子の輪郭に接する二つの平行線の最長距離
ｂ ａと直角方向の平行線の最長距離
１ ベルト状電子写真感光体
２ 軸
３ 帯電手段
４ 露光光
５Ｙ イエロー現像器
５Ｍ マゼンタ現像器
５Ｃ シアン現像器
５ＢＫ ブラック現像器
６ 転写手段
７ 転写材
８ 定着手段
９ クリーニング手段
１０ 前露光光
１１ プロセスカートリッジ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic apparatus that can prevent generation of interference fringes and obtain a high-quality image. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Photoconductors used in electrophotographic copying machines, laser beam printers, and the like are classified into drum-like or belt-like electrophotographic photoreceptors. Since the belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member is excellent in flexibility, a space-saving design is possible compared to a rigid drum-shaped photosensitive member, and the arrangement of peripheral units for charging, exposure, development, transfer, cleaning, etc. Can also be done freely. Further, by extending the circumference of the photoconductor, it is possible to easily extend the life of the photoconductor. Due to these advantages, in recent years, attention has been paid to the belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, which has been widely used.
[0003]
When laser light is used as a light source of an electrophotographic apparatus, a phenomenon called interference is caused by reflected light from a support, and interference fringes are generated on an image. Generation | occurrence | production of an interference fringe can be suppressed by absorbing or scattering the reflected light from a support body. As an effective method, a method of roughening the surface of the support or the undercoat layer is widely known. Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4-78991 discloses a method of roughening the surface of an undercoat layer by providing an undercoat layer containing fine particles on the surface of a conductive support. However, in this method, it is necessary to add conductive fine particles in addition to the roughening fine particles, and the ratio of the fine particles to the resin binder increases. As a result, the bending resistance is low and it is not suitable for a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member.
[0004]
In a belt-like electrophotographic photosensitive member using a resin film as a support, there is a method of roughening the surface of the resin film. As one of the methods, there is a method in which fine particles are contained in a resin film as described in JP-A-9-274329. However, this method has problems such as poor dispersibility of fine particles and difficult to adjust the degree of roughening, and the mechanical strength of the film is reduced because fine particles are mixed inside the film.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic apparatus that prevent generation of interference fringes without causing adverse effects of image defects. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, in a belt-shaped electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive film and a photosensitive layer provided on a resin film, the belt-like electrophotographic photoreceptor has a coat layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 10 μm between the resin film and the conductive layer, A belt-like electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided in which the coating layer contains at least 5 to 70% by mass of fine particles having an average particle size of 0.3 to 5 μm with respect to the total mass of the coating layer .
[0007]
Further, according to the present invention, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus provided with the belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member are provided.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the structure of the electrophotographic photosensitive member used in the present invention will be described. The electrophotographic photoreceptor in the present invention is obtained by forming at least a photosensitive layer on the surface of a conductive support in which a coating layer and a conductive layer are laminated on a resin film.
[0009]
The coat layer formed on the surface of the resin film is obtained by coating an organic resin. As resins used for organic resins, polyester, polyurethane, polyarylate, polyethylene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polypropylene, polyimide, phenol resin, melamine resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, urea resin, allyl resin Alkyd resin, polyamide-imide, polysulfone, polyallyl ether, polyacetal, butyral resin, and the like.
[0010]
The average particle size of the fine particles used in the coating layer is 0.3 to 5 μm, preferably 0.6 to 4 μm. If the average particle size is less than 0.3 μm, the effect of roughening the coated surface cannot be obtained when the fine particles and the resin binder have good affinity when dispersed in an organic resin binder and a solvent. The roughening effect can be obtained when the cohesiveness of the fine particles is large, when the affinity between the fine particles and the resin binder solution is poor, the fine particles are aggregated in the coating film, and the surface is roughened by the effect. It is.
[0011]
However, in such a case, aggregation between the fine particles not only significantly reduces the stability and productivity of the coating solution, but also increases irregular irregularities on the coated surface, which causes a significant decrease in image quality. . On the contrary, when the average particle diameter exceeds 5 μm, the roughness of the coated surface becomes large, and fine repellency or unevenness is generated in the charge generation layer coating film laminated on the upper layer, and white spots or blacks are formed on the image. It causes a defect such as a spot.
[0012]
The average particle diameter of the fine particles used in the fine particle coat layer is measured by observing the fine particles present in the coat layer with a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 5000 times, measuring the diameter, and obtaining an average particle diameter with an average value of 40 points. It can be.
[0013]
Examples of the shape of the fine particles used in the fine particle coating layer include a true sphere, an oval sphere, a plate shape, and a needle shape, but a true sphere and an oval shape are particularly preferable. In the case of a particle shape having an excessive acute angle, pinholes may be formed in the photosensitive layer, which causes partial image defects, which is not preferable. Furthermore, in the cross-sectional projection when the fine particles existing in the coating layer are observed with a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 5,000, the longest distances a and a of the parallel lines in contact with the outline of the fine particles It is preferable that b / a ≧ 0.3 holds between the longest distance b. Here, the value of b / a is an average value of 40-point measurement.
[0014]
The fine particle material used for the fine particle coating layer can be divided into inorganic particles and resin particles, and either can be used, but resin particles are more preferable. The resin particles have good affinity with the resin binder, and since the specific gravity is light, the uniformity and stability of the dispersion are good, stable production is possible, and the uniformity of the coating film is easily obtained. Etc. Has the advantage of.
[0015]
The resin particles used in the present invention are preferably resins having solvent resistance that does not swell or dissolve in the solvent. For example, silicone resin, melamine resin, urea resin, acrylic resin, styrene resin, and the like can be given.
[0016]
Examples of the silicone resin include heat vulcanized silicone rubber, room temperature curable silicone rubber, silicone resin, and modified silicone resin.
[0017]
Examples of the melamine resin include a condensate of melamine and cyanuric acid, a polycondensate of melamine and formaldehyde, and the like.
[0018]
Examples of urea resins include polycondensates of methylol urea.
[0019]
As an acrylic resin, a co-functional monomer such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate, and a polyfunctional monomer such as divinylbenzene and trivinylbenzene are used. A polymer is used.
[0020]
As the styrene resin, a copolymer of a monofunctional monomer such as styrene, methylstyrene, or chlorostyrene and a polyfunctional monomer such as divinylbenzene or trivinylbenzene is used.
[0021]
Examples of the inorganic particles include titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, barium sulfate, aluminum oxide, kaolin and talc.
[0022]
Has been described by way of fine particles used in the fine particle coating layer, fine particles are not limited to the present invention.
[0023]
Moreover, in this invention, the addition amount of microparticles | fine-particles is 5-70 mass% with respect to the total mass of a fine particle coating layer , and 10-60 mass% is preferable. If the amount added is less than 5% by mass, the effect of roughening the surface cannot be obtained and interference fringes are likely to occur. On the other hand, when it exceeds 70% by mass, the mechanical strength and durability of the fine particle coating layer are insufficient and cracks may occur.
[0024]
The film thickness of the fine particle coating layer is 0.5 to 10 μm , and preferably 1 to 8 μm. Further, within the above range, the film thickness of the fine particle coat layer is preferably equal to or larger than the average particle diameter of the fine particles used in the fine particle coat layer. If the film thickness is less than 0.5 μm, it is difficult to sufficiently fix the fine particles. If the film thickness exceeds 10 μm, the fine particle coating layer has insufficient bending resistance, and cracks are likely to occur.
[0025]
The ten-point average roughness Rz on the surface of the coat layer is preferably 0.35 μm to 2.5 μm, more preferably 0.45 to 2.0 μm. When Rz is less than 0.35 μm, the light scattering effect is insufficient and interference fringes are generated. Further, when Rz is larger than 2.5 μm, the roughness of the coated surface is increased, and fine repelling and irregularities are generated in the charge generation layer coating film laminated on the upper layer, such as white spots and black spots on the image. Causes defects. Here, the surface roughness Rz was based on JIS B0601-1994, and the measurement conditions were as follows.
[0026]
<Measurement device> Surface roughness measuring instrument SE-3400 (manufactured by Kosaka Laboratory Ltd.)
<Measurement conditions> Feed rate: 0.5 mm / min Cut-off: 0.8 mm
Measurement length: 8mm
[0027]
Specific examples of the resin film used for the support include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyethersulfone, polyarylate, and the like, and polyethylene terephthalate is particularly preferable. The resin film is usually used in a thickness of 50 to 150 μm.
[0028]
Examples of the conductive layer include a method of forming a metal layer on the surface of the fine particle coat layer. Examples of the method for forming the metal layer include vacuum deposition, sputtering, and lamination, and examples of the metal to be used include aluminum, nickel, and copper.
[0029]
The photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention contains at least a charge generation material and a charge transport material. The charge generation layer and the charge transport layer are formed of a charge generation material, a charge transport material, and an organic binder, respectively.
[0030]
Charge generation materials include phthalocyanine pigments, polycyclic quinone pigments, trisazo pigments, disazo pigments, azo pigments, perylene pigments, indigo pigments, quinacrine pigments, azulenium salt dyes, squalium dyes, cyanine dyes, pyrylium dyes, thiopyrylium dyes, xanthene dyes Quinone imine dye, triphenylmethane dye, styryl dye and the like.
[0031]
Examples of charge transport materials include pyrene compounds, N-alkylcarbazole compounds, N, N-dialkylaniline compounds, diphenylamine compounds, triphenylamine compounds, hydrazone compounds, stilbene compounds, pyrazoline compounds, oxazole compounds, triallylmethane compounds, and Examples include thiazole compounds. Furthermore, the pendant polymer etc. which fixed these compounds on the polymer are mentioned.
[0032]
Resins used for organic resin binders include polyester, polyurethane, polyarylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polypropylene, polyimide, phenol resin, melamine resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin Urea resins, allyl resins, alkyd resins, polyamide-imides, polysulfones, polyallyl ethers, polyacetals, butyral resins, or copolymer resins containing two or more repeating units of these resins, such as styrene-butadiene copolymers, Examples thereof include styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers and styrene-maleic acid copolymers.
[0033]
The photosensitive layer in the present invention may be a single layer type containing a charge transport material and a charge generation material in the same layer, or may be a laminated type separated into a charge transport layer and a charge generation layer. Is preferably a laminated type.
[0034]
In the case of a laminated structure, the film thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably 0.001 to 6 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 2 μm. The content of the charge generation material contained in the charge generation layer is preferably 10 to 100% by mass, and more preferably 50 to 100% by mass. The film thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 5 to 40 μm, more preferably 10 to 30 μm. The content of the charge transport material contained in the charge transport layer is preferably 20 to 80% by mass, more preferably 30 to 70% by mass.
[0035]
Further, an undercoat layer may be provided between the conductive support and the photosensitive layer. The undercoat layer functions as a charge injection control or an adhesive layer at the interface. The undercoat layer is mainly composed of a resin binder, but is composed of metals, alloys such as iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, zinc, titanium, lead, nickel, tin, antimony, and indium, or oxides, salts thereof, and the like. A surfactant or the like may be contained.
[0036]
Specific examples of the resin binder forming the undercoat layer include polyester, polyurethane, polyarylate, polyethylene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polypropylene, polyimide, phenol resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, urea resin, Examples include allyl resin, alkyd resin, polyamide-imide, polysulfone, polyallyl ether, polyacetal, and butyral resin. The thickness of the undercoat layer is preferably 0.05 to 7 μm, more preferably 0.1 to 2 μm.
[0037]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a full-color electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having the belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention.
[0038]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention, which is stretched by two or more shafts 2 and is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the arrow direction. In the rotating process, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is uniformly charged with a predetermined positive or negative potential on its peripheral surface by the primary charging unit 3, and then from an exposure unit (not shown) such as slit exposure or laser beam scanning exposure. The exposure light 4 subjected to intensity modulation corresponding to the time-series electric digital image signal of the target image information to be output is received. In this way, electrostatic latent images corresponding to image information of the first color component image (for example, yellow color component image) of the target full-color image are sequentially formed on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1.
[0039]
Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner Y, which is the first color, by the first developing device (yellow color developing device 5Y). At this time, the developing devices of the second to fourth developing devices (magenta developing device 5M, cyan developing device 5C, and black color developing device 5BK) are turned off and do not act on the photosensitive drum 1. The yellow toner image of the first color is not affected by the second to fourth developing devices.
[0040]
Similarly, the second-color magenta toner image, the third-color cyan toner image, and the fourth-color black toner image are successively superimposed on the belt-like photoconductor 1 to be visualized to correspond to the target full-color image. The synthesized full color toner image is visualized.
[0041]
When the formed full-color toner image is transferred to the transfer material 7, the transfer means 6 is brought into contact with the belt-like photoconductor, and the contact nip between the electrophotographic photoconductor 1 and the transfer means 6 from a paper feeding unit (not shown). At a predetermined timing, the transfer material 7 is fed, and the toner images formed and supported on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 are sequentially transferred by the transfer means 6. At this time, a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the charge held in the toner is applied to the transfer means from a bias power source (not shown).
[0042]
The transfer material 7 that has received the transfer of the toner image is separated from the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, conveyed to the image fixing means 8, and subjected to a toner image fixing process to be printed out of the apparatus as an image formed product (print, copy). Out.
[0043]
The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 after the toner image is transferred is cleaned by the cleaning means 9 after removal of deposits such as toner remaining after transfer. In recent years, a cleanerless system has been studied, and the transfer residual toner can be directly collected by a developing device or the like. Further, after being subjected to charge removal processing by pre-exposure light 10 from pre-exposure means (not shown), it is repeatedly used for image formation. When the primary charging unit 3 is a contact charging unit using a charging roller or the like, pre-exposure is not always necessary.
[0044]
In the present invention, among the above-described components of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the primary charging unit 3, the cleaning unit 9, and the like, a plurality of components are housed in a container and integrally combined as a process cartridge. May be configured to be detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. For example, at least one of the primary charging unit 3 and the cleaning unit 9 is integrally supported together with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 to form a cartridge, and the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body using guide means 12 such as a rail of the apparatus main body. 11 can be used.
[0045]
Further, when the electrophotographic apparatus is a copying machine or a printer, the exposure light 4 is reflected or transmitted light from the original, or the original is read by a sensor and converted into a signal, and a laser beam scanning performed according to this signal is performed. The light emitted by driving the LED array or the liquid crystal shutter array.
[0046]
The electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention can be used not only for electrophotographic copying machines but also widely applicable to electrophotographic application fields such as laser beam printers, CRT printers, LED printers, FAX, liquid crystal printers, and laser plate making. It is.
[0047]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific examples.
[0048]
Example 1
<Coat layer>
A dispersion for a fine particle coating layer was prepared by mixing 55 parts by mass of an alcohol-soluble melamine resin and 45 parts by mass of spherical silicone resin particles having an average particle size of 1.0 μm with 100 parts by mass of isopropyl alcohol. Here, the longest distance a of the two parallel lines in contact with the contour of the silicone resin particles and the longest distance b of the perpendicular parallel lines were 1.0 μm.
[0049]
The dispersion was applied to the surface of a polyethylene terephthalate resin film having a thickness of 100 μm, and dried and cured at 130 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a fine particle coating layer having a thickness of 4 μm. The surface roughness Rz of the coat layer was 0.82 μm.
[0050]
<Conductive layer>
Aluminum was deposited to a thickness of 50 nm on the surface of the fine particle coating layer to produce a conductive layer.
[0051]
<Underlayer>
10 parts of alcohol-soluble polyamide resin (trade name: Amilan CM-8000, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.), 30 parts by weight of methoxydimethylated 6 nylon resin (trade name: Toresin EF-30T, manufactured by Teikoku Science Co., Ltd.) A preparation solution dissolved in a mixed solvent of 150 parts by mass of methanol / 150 parts by mass of butanol was applied and dried at 90 ° C. for 10 minutes to form an undercoat layer having a thickness of 1 μm.
[0052]
<Charge generation layer>
Disperse 4 parts of disazo pigment, 2 parts of butyral resin (trade name: Eslex BL-S, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 100 parts by mass of cyclohexanone for 48 hours in a sand mill apparatus, and then 100 parts by mass of tetrahydrofuran (THF). Was added to prepare a dispersion for the charge generation layer. This dispersion was applied onto the undercoat layer and dried at 80 ° C. for 5 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.15 μm.
[0053]
<Charge transport layer>
10 parts by mass of a styryl compound and 10 parts by mass of a polycarbonate resin (trade name: Iupilon Z-400, manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Ltd.) were dissolved in a mixed solvent of 20 parts of dichloromethane / 60 parts of monochlorobenzene, This was coated on the charge generation layer and dried at 120 ° C. for 60 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 18 μm.
[0054]
<Evaluation>
The surface roughness of the photoreceptor thus prepared and the uniformity of the coating film as the photoreceptor were observed. The photoreceptor was mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus and an image was output. From observation of the surface of the photoreceptor, no defects such as bumps and dents were found, and the coating surface was uniform. Further, from the image, no defects such as interference fringes were observed, and a high-definition image was obtained.
[0055]
(Example 2)
A belt-like electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the average particle size of the elliptical spherical silicone resin particles in the fine particle coating layer of Example 1 was 3 μm. Here, the longest distance a of the two parallel lines in contact with the contour of the silicone resin particles was 3.8 μm, and the longest distance b of the parallel lines perpendicular thereto was 2.4 μm. Further, the surface roughness Rz of the coat layer was 1.33 μm. The surface of the photoreceptor and the image were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. From observation of the surface of the photoreceptor, defects such as bumps and dents were not observed, and the coating surface was uniform. From the image, no defects such as interference fringes were observed, and a high-definition image was obtained.
[0056]
Example 3
A dispersion for a fine particle coating layer was prepared by mixing 35 parts by weight of an alcohol-soluble melamine resin and 65 parts by weight of spherical silicone resin particles having an average particle size of 1.0 μm with 100 parts by weight of isopropyl alcohol, so that the fine particle coating layer was 2 μm. A fine particle coat layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above. Here, the surface roughness Rz of the coat layer was 1.21 μm. A photosensitive layer was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 to prepare a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member. From observation of the surface of the photoreceptor, defects such as bumps and dents were not observed, and the coating surface was uniform. From the image, no defects such as interference fringes were observed, and a high-definition image was obtained.
[0057]
(Example 4)
A belt-like electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that zinc oxide having an average particle size of 3.3 μm was used as the fine particles in the fine particle coating layer of Example 1. Here, the longest distance a of the two parallel lines in contact with the outline of the zinc oxide particles and the longest distance b of the parallel lines perpendicular thereto were 6.0 μm and 2.5 μm, respectively. Further, the surface roughness Rz of the coat layer was 1.85 μm. When the surface of the photoconductor and the image were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, no defects such as spots and dents were found from the observation of the surface of the photoconductor, and the coating surface was uniform. From the image, no defects such as interference fringes were observed, and a high-definition image was obtained.
[0058]
(Comparative Example 1)
A belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the average particle size of the spherical silicone resin particles was changed to 0.2 μm in the fine particle coating layer of Example 1. Here, the longest distance a of the two parallel lines in contact with the contour of the silicone resin particles and the longest distance b of the perpendicular parallel lines were 0.2 μm. Further, the surface roughness Rz of the coat layer was 0.28 μm. When the surface of the photoconductor and the image were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, no defects such as blisters and dents were observed from the observation of the surface of the photoconductor, and the coating surface was uniform but interfered with the image. Stripes were generated.
[0059]
(Comparative Example 2)
A belt-like electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the average particle size of the spherical silicone resin particles in the fine particle coating layer of Example 1 was 6.0 μm. Here, the longest distance a of the two parallel lines in contact with the contour of the silicone resin particles and the longest distance b of the parallel lines perpendicular thereto were 6.0 μm. The surface roughness Rz of the coat layer was 3.12 μm. When the surface of the photoconductor and the image were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, surface roughness and coating unevenness were observed from the observation of the photoconductor surface. The image showed image defects such as white spots. Also, the resolution was low.
[0060]
[Table 1]

[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member having a stable surface and free from image defects such as interference fringes and capable of obtaining a clear image, and the belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member are used. It has become possible to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional projection view of elliptical fine particles contained in a coat layer.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional projection view of fine particles contained in a coat layer.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a full-color electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having the belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
a Longest distance b of two parallel lines in contact with the outline of the fine particle b Longest distance of parallel lines perpendicular to a 1 Belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member 2 Axis 3 Charging means 4 Exposure light 5Y Yellow developer 5M Magenta developer 5C Cyan development 5BK Black developing device 6 Transfer means 7 Transfer material 8 Fixing means 9 Cleaning means 10 Pre-exposure light 11 Process cartridge

Claims (6)

In a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member having a conductive layer and a photosensitive layer provided on a resin film, the belt-like electrophotographic photoreceptor has a coat layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 10 μm between the resin film and the conductive layer, and the coat layer is at least A belt-like electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising fine particles having an average particle size of 0.3 to 5 μm in an amount of 5 to 70% by mass based on the total mass of the coating layer .   The belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein the fine particles used in the coating layer are resin fine particles.   With respect to the shape of the fine particles used in the coating layer, b / a between the longest distance a of two parallel lines in contact with the outline of the fine particles and the longest distance b of parallel lines in a perpendicular direction in the sectional view of the fine particles The belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein ≧ 0.3 is established. The belt-like electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a ten-point average roughness Rz on the surface of the coat layer is 0.35 µm to 2.5 µm. And a cleaning means for recovering a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member according, the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after charging means and transfer step for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor to claim 1-4 A process cartridge which integrally supports at least one means selected from the group and is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. The belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, an exposure unit for exposing the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image, An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a developing unit that develops toner on an electrophotographic photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; and a transfer unit that transfers a toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto a transfer material.

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