JP3984744B2 - Intermediate transfer belt manufacturing method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for producing an intermediate transfer belt for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a toner image formed on a first image carrier is once transferred to an intermediate transfer belt and further transferred to obtain an image formed product. and related to the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus that uses an intermediate transfer member is a color image forming device that sequentially stacks and transfers a plurality of component color images of color image information and multicolor image information, and outputs an image formed product in which color images and multicolor images are synthesized and reproduced. It is effective as an apparatus, a multicolor image forming apparatus, or an image forming apparatus having a color image forming function and a multicolor image forming function.
[0003]
A schematic view of an example of an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer member is shown in FIG.
[0004]
FIG. 1 shows a color image forming apparatus (copier or laser beam printer) using an electrophotographic process. The intermediate transfer belt 20 uses a medium resistance elastic body.
[0005]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) that is repeatedly used as a first image bearing member, and is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow. Is done.
[0006]
The photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity / potential by the primary charger 2 during the rotation process, and then exposed to the exposure means 3 (color separation / imaging exposure optical system for color original image, image information). The first color component image (for example, yellow) of the target color image is received by image exposure by a scanning exposure system using a laser scanner that outputs a laser beam modulated in accordance with the time-series electric digital pixel signal of An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color component image) is formed.
[0007]
Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner Y as the first color by the first developing device (yellow color developing device 41). At this time, the developing devices of the second to fourth developing devices (magenta developing device 42, cyan developing device 43, and black developing device 44) are turned on 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.
[0008]
The intermediate transfer belt 20 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction at the same peripheral speed as that of the photosensitive drum 1. The yellow toner image of the first color formed and supported on the photosensitive drum 1 is applied from the primary transfer roller 62 to the intermediate transfer belt 20 in the process of passing through the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 20. The intermediate transfer (primary transfer) is sequentially performed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 by the electric field formed by the primary transfer bias. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer of the first color yellow toner image corresponding to the intermediate transfer belt 20 is cleaned by the cleaning device 13.
[0009]
Similarly, the second color magenta toner image, the third color cyan toner image, and the fourth color black toner image are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 and combined corresponding to the target color image. A color toner image is formed.
[0010]
Reference numeral 63 denotes a secondary transfer roller, which is supported in parallel with the secondary transfer counter roller 64 and arranged in a state in which it can be separated from the lower surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20. A primary transfer bias for sequentially superimposing and transferring toner images of the first to fourth colors from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 20 is applied from a bias power source 29 with a polarity (+) opposite to that of the toner. The applied voltage is, for example, in the range of +100 V to +2 kV. In the primary transfer process of the first to third color toner images from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 20, the secondary transfer roller 63 can be separated from the intermediate transfer belt 20.
[0011]
The composite color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the transfer material P, which is the second image carrier. The secondary transfer roller 63 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20, and the paper feed roller 11, the transfer material P is fed at a predetermined timing to the contact nip between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the secondary transfer roller 63 through the transfer material guide 10, and the secondary transfer bias is supplied from the power source 28 to the secondary transfer roller. 63 is applied. The composite color toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) from the intermediate transfer belt 20 to the transfer material P that is the second image carrier by the secondary transfer bias. The transfer material P that has received the transfer of the toner image is introduced into the fixing device 15 and heated and fixed.
[0012]
After the image transfer to the transfer material P is completed, the charging member 7 for cleaning is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 and a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 1 is applied, so that the intermediate transfer belt 20 is not transferred to the transfer material P. Electric charge having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to the toner remaining on the transfer belt 20 (transfer residual toner). Reference numeral 26 denotes a bias power source. The transfer residual toner is electrostatically transferred to the photosensitive drum 1 at and near the nip portion with the photosensitive drum 1 to clean the intermediate transfer belt .
[0013]
In a color electrophotographic apparatus having an image forming apparatus using the above-described intermediate transfer belt, a second image carrier is pasted or adsorbed on a transfer drum, which is a conventional technique, and from there on the first image carrier. Compared with a color electrophotographic apparatus having an image forming apparatus for transferring an image, for example, a transfer apparatus as described in JP-A-63-301960, the transfer material as a second image carrier is not Since images can be transferred from the intermediate transfer belt without the need for processing and control (eg, gripping, adsorbing, giving curvature, etc.), thin paper (40 g / m ² paper) to thick paper (200 g / m ² paper), the second image carrier can be selected from a wide variety, regardless of whether it is wide or narrow, long or short, or thick or thin. Has advantages.
[0014]
Because of these advantages, color copiers, color printers and the like using an intermediate transfer belt have already begun to operate in the market.
[0015]
Various methods for manufacturing belts and tubes used for intermediate transfer members and the like are already known. For example, JP-A-3-89357 and JP-A-5-345368 disclose a method for producing a semiconductive belt by extrusion molding. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-269849 discloses a method of joining a sheet into a cylindrical shape to obtain a belt. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-269673 discloses a method of obtaining a belt by forming a multilayer coating film on a cylindrical substrate and finally removing the substrate. On the other hand, JP-A-5-77252 discloses a seamless belt by centrifugal molding.
[0016]
Each of the above methods has advantages and disadvantages, and is not a method that the present inventors are really seeking. For example, in extrusion molding, production of a thin layer belt having a thickness of 100 μm or less has a considerable difficulty, and even if possible, thickness unevenness and electrical resistance unevenness affected by it tend to occur, and performance as an intermediate transfer member In addition, the quality stability will be hindered.
[0017]
When sheets are joined together, there is a problem of a step difference in joints and a decrease in tensile strength. In addition, methods using solvents such as coating and centrifugal molding increase the number of steps and cost, such as production of coating liquid, coating, molding, and removal of solvent. It also includes matters that affect the environment, such as solvent recovery. However, the present inventors provide a novel intermediate transfer belt manufacturing method that is different from the conventional manufacturing method that solves the above-described problems.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an intermediate transfer belt , which does not adversely affect an organic photoreceptor, can extend the life of the photoreceptor, is low in cost, has a small number of steps, and has excellent diversity.
[0019]
Another object of the present invention is that the transfer efficiency from the first image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt and the transfer efficiency from the intermediate transfer belt to the second image carrier are extremely high. Further, the intermediate transfer belt is repeatedly used. It is an object of the present invention to provide an intermediate transfer belt manufacturing method and an image forming apparatus capable of maintaining the same characteristics as in the initial stage without changing the characteristics of the intermediate transfer belt even under severe use.
[0020]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a uniform and homogeneous image quality that does not cause a transfer defect of a minute portion of an image, does not cause a so-called hollow image, and is suitable for the type of paper or OHP sheet as the second image carrier. An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer belt manufacturing method and an image forming apparatus which can be achieved without depending on the above.
[0021]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a method of manufacturing an intermediate transfer belt used in an image forming apparatus for transferring an image formed on a first image carrier to an intermediate transfer belt and further transferring the image onto a second image carrier. There,
(I) a process in which a molding raw material melt-extruded into a cylindrical shape with an extruder is expanded by blowing a gas, and this is pulled upward;
(Ii) cutting the material pulled up in step (i) to obtain an intermediate transfer belt;
In the manufacturing method of the intermediate transfer belt having
An intermediate transfer belt manufacturing method, wherein the extrusion molding ratio in the step (i) is 142/118 to 142/100 , and
An image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer belt manufactured by the manufacturing method is provided.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the production method of the present invention will be described below. However, this does not limit the present invention.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows a molding apparatus according to the present invention. This device basically comprises an extruder, an extrusion die, and a gas blowing device. Although FIG. 2 has two extruders 100 and 110 for forming a two-layer belt, at least one extruder is sufficient in the present invention.
[0024]
Next, a method for manufacturing a single-layer intermediate transfer belt will be described. First, a molding material, a conductive agent, an additive and the like are premixed in advance based on a desired formulation, and then a molding material kneaded and dispersed is put into a hopper 120 provided in the extruder 100. In the extruder 100, the set temperature and the extruder screw configuration are selected so that the forming raw material has a melt viscosity that enables belt forming in a later process, and the raw materials are uniformly dispersed.
[0025]
The forming raw material is melt-kneaded in the extruder 100 to become a melt and enter the extrusion die 140. The extrusion die 140 is provided with a gas introduction path 150. When the air or the like is blown into the extrusion die 140 through the gas introduction path 150, the melt that has passed through the extrusion die 140 expands and expands in the radial direction. At this time, examples of the gas to be blown include nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon in addition to air.
[0026]
The expanded molded body is pulled upward while being cooled by the cooling ring 160. At this time, the final shape dimension 180 is determined by passing between the dimension stabilizing guides 170. Furthermore, the intermediate transfer belt 190 of the present invention can be obtained by cutting this into a desired width.
[0027]
In the present invention, the extrusion molding ratio represents the aperture ratio when the shape dimension 180 having passed through the extrusion die and expanded in diameter is obtained with respect to the aperture diameter of the extrusion die 140.
That is, the extrusion molding ratio = the diameter after molding / the diameter of the extrusion die.
[0028]
The above description was for a single-layer belt, but in the case of two layers, as shown in FIG. 2, an extruder 110 is further arranged, and an extrusion die for two layers simultaneously with the kneaded melt of the extruder 100. The kneaded melt of the extruder 110 is fed to 140, and two layers can be expanded and expanded simultaneously to obtain a two-layer belt. Of course, when there are three or more layers, an extruder may be prepared corresponding to the number of layers.
[0029]
3, 4, and 5 illustrate two-layer and three-layer intermediate transfer belts. Thus, the present invention is not a single layer alone, the transfer belt of a multilayer construction in one step process, and it is possible to dimension accuracy formed shape in a short time. The fact that this short-time molding is possible fully suggests that mass production and low-cost production are possible.
[0030]
The uniformity of the electric resistance value of the intermediate transfer belt and the electric resistance value in the belt of the present invention is a very important factor in maintaining the performance of the intermediate transfer belt. If the electric resistance value of the intermediate transfer belt is too high, a sufficient transfer electric field cannot be applied during primary transfer and secondary transfer, resulting in transfer failure. On the other hand, if it is too low, partial discharge occurs, and a transfer electric field cannot be formed. If the resistance in the belt is not uniform, partial discharge, that is, leakage occurs as described above, and the current applied during the primary and secondary transfer escapes from there to obtain a necessary transfer electric field. I can't.
[0031]
In the production method of the present invention, the uniformity of the electric resistance value in the belt is significantly affected by the size of the extrusion molding. When the extrusion molding ratio exceeds 2.80, in the step of expanding and expanding after passing through the extrusion die, the expansion ratio is too large, and thus uneven electrical resistance occurs in the pulling direction (axial direction) and the circumferential direction. In particular, the electrical resistance unevenness increases in the circumferential direction because it is greatly enlarged instantaneously in the circumferential direction.
[0032]
When the extrusion molding ratio is less than 1.05, it is slightly difficult to balance the extrusion molding speed with the air blowing amount and speed, and the instability of the belt shape and unevenness in the belt thickness direction are likely to occur. Become. The thickness of the belt is also a factor that affects the electric resistance value, and the uneven thickness causes a problem in the resistance uniformity in the belt. Extrusion ratio is, if you want to forming shape in less than 1.05, it is impossible in such a production method of the present invention, it is necessary to devise a completely different molding production process.
[0033]
The thickness range of the intermediate transfer belt after production is 45 to 300 μm, preferably 50 to 270 μm, more preferably 55 to 260 μm. In the present invention, since the kneaded melt extruded from the extrusion die expands rapidly, the thickness of the molded body is limited to some extent in combination with the controllability of electric resistance.
[0034]
When the thickness exceeds 300 μm, it is difficult to obtain uniform expansion and expansion, and it is difficult to obtain uniformity of electrical resistance. At the same time, it is difficult to obtain uniformity of thickness. Further, when a belt having this large film thickness is used as the intermediate transfer belt , smooth running performance is hindered due to considerable rigidity and poor flexibility, and wrinkles and deviations are likely to occur during belt running. A wall thickness of less than 45 μm has practical problems such as a decrease in tensile strength as an intermediate transfer belt , loosening and repeated elongation during repeated use of the belt as it is stretched and rotated. In the production method of the present invention, the production of a belt having a thickness of less than 45 μm can be expected since stability of electric resistance can be expected due to the thin layer, but it is not suitable because of the above-mentioned practical problem.
[0035]
Examples of the resin that is the main material among the molding raw materials used in the method for producing the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention include polystyrene, chloropolystyrene, poly-α-methylstyrene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, and styrene-chloride. Vinyl copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer (styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene- Butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer and styrene-phenyl acrylate copolymer), styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer (styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate) Copolymer, styrene-phenyl methacrylate copolymer, etc.) Styrenic resins (monopolymer or copolymer containing styrene or styrene-substituted product) such as styrene-α-chloromethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-acrylate ester copolymer, methyl methacrylate resin, methacryl Acid butyl resin, ethyl acrylate resin, butyl acrylate resin, modified acrylic resin (silicone modified acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin modified acrylic resin, acrylic / urethane resin, etc.), vinyl chloride resin, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, chloride Vinyl-vinyl acetate copolymer, rosin modified maleic acid resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyester polyurethane resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, polyvinylidene chloride, ionomer resin, polyurethane resin, silicon Use one or more selected from the group consisting of resin, fluororesin, ketone resin, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, xylene resin and polyvinyl butyral resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, modified polyphenylene oxide resin, etc. be able to. However, it is not limited to the said material.
[0036]
The intermediate transfer belt used in the present invention is required to have a hardness that does not cause poor transfer and void images, and a preferable range thereof is 100 ° to 60 °, more preferably 100 ° to 70 °, and still more preferably 100 °. It is ˜80 °, and the measurement method conforms to the method of JIS-A.
[0037]
Next, the resistance control agent for adjusting the resistance value of the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include carbon black, metal powder such as aluminum and nickel, and metal such as titanium oxide. One or two selected from the group consisting of oxides, quaternary ammonium salt-containing polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinylaniline, polyvinylpyrrole, polydiacetylene, polyethyleneimine, boron-containing polymer compounds, and polypyrrole-containing conductive polymer compounds. More than types can be used. However, it is not limited to these resistance control agents.
[0038]
The method for measuring the resistance value of the intermediate transfer belt is as follows.
(1) The intermediate transfer belt is stretched as shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate transfer belt 20 is sandwiched between two metal rollers 202 and 203, and a DC power source, a resistor having an appropriate resistance value, and a potentiometer are connected. .
(2) The belt is driven by the driving roll so that the moving speed of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is 100 to 300 mm / second.
(3) Apply +1 KV from the DC power supply to the circuit and read the potential difference Vr across the resistor with a potentiometer. In addition, the atmosphere at the time of measurement shall be air temperature 23 ± 5 degreeC and humidity 50 ± 10% RH.
(4) A current value I flowing through the circuit is obtained from the obtained potential difference Vr.
(5) Resistance value of intermediate transfer belt = applied voltage / current value I.
[0039]
In FIG. 6, 200 is a driving roller, 201 is a metal roller, 204 DC power supply, 205 is a resistor, and 206 is a potentiometer.
[0040]
Moreover, as the first image carrier, it is preferable to use a photosensitive drum containing at least the outermost layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fine powder because higher primary transfer efficiency can be obtained. This is considered to be because the surface energy of the outermost layer of the photosensitive drum is lowered and the toner releasability is improved by containing PTFE fine powder.
[0041]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples. “Parts” in the examples are parts by weight.
[0042]
Example 1
Polycarbonate resin 70 parts Polyamide resin 30 parts Conductive carbon black 8 parts Antioxidant 0.5 parts
The above blend was kneaded with a biaxial extrusion kneader, and an additive such as carbon was sufficiently uniformly dispersed in the binder so as to obtain a desired electric resistance to obtain a kneaded product having a particle diameter of 1 to 2 mm.
[0044]
Next, the kneaded material was put into the hopper 120 of the single-screw extruder 100 shown in FIG. 2, adjusted to a temperature range of 170 to 220 ° C. and extruded to obtain a melt. The melt was subsequently guided to a cylindrical single layer extrusion die 140 having a diameter of 100 mm and a thickness of 300 μm. Furthermore, air was blown in and expanded from the gas introduction path 150, and the final shape factor was 142 mm in diameter and 150 μm in thickness. Further, the belt was cut at a width of 230 mm to obtain an intermediate transfer belt. This is referred to as an intermediate transfer belt (1).
[0045]
The electric resistance of the intermediate transfer belt (1) was 7.3 × 10 ¹¹ Ω. In addition, using an electrical resistance measuring device (trade name: manufactured by Hirestar Mitsubishi Kasei), 1000 V is applied, and the above intermediate transfer belt (1) is placed at 4 locations in the circumferential direction and 2 locations in the axial direction at each position. Measurements were taken at 8 locations, and variations in electrical resistance within the belt were measured, but the measured values at 8 locations were within one digit. The variation in thickness measurement at the same position was in the range of 150 ± 20 μm. When the intermediate transfer belt (1) was visually observed, no foreign matter such as bumps and fish eyes and molding defects were observed on the surface.
[0046]
This intermediate transfer belt (1) is mounted on the full-color electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a full-color image is printed on 80 g / m ² paper, and the transfer efficiency is defined as follows to measure the transfer efficiency. It was.
[0047]
Primary transfer efficiency (transfer efficiency from photosensitive drum to intermediate transfer belt) =
Image density on the intermediate transfer belt / (transfer residual image density on the photosensitive drum + image density on the intermediate transfer belt).
[0048]
Secondary transfer efficiency (transfer efficiency from intermediate transfer belt to paper) =
Image density on paper / (image density on paper + transfer residual image density on intermediate transfer belt).
[0049]
In this embodiment, an organic photosensitive drum (OPC photosensitive drum) containing PTFE fine powder in the outermost layer was used as the photosensitive drum 1. Therefore, high primary transfer efficiency was obtained. The primary transfer efficiency and the secondary transfer efficiency were 94% and 90%, respectively.
[0050]
The intermediate transfer belt cleaning method was a primary transfer simultaneous cleaning method using an elastic roller having a resistance of 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω as a cleaning charging member, and continuous printing of 50,000 full-color images was performed.
[0051]
From the beginning, there was no unevenness in image density due to uneven belt resistance, and a good image without color misregistration and poor cleaning due to permanent elongation of the belt could be obtained even after the endurance of 50,000 sheets. Further, there was no toner filming on the surface, and no cracks, scraping or abrasion occurred, and the surface properties were the same as in the initial stage.
[0052]
(Example 2)
Polyethylene terephthalate resin 100 parts Conductive tin oxide 18 parts Antioxidant 0.5 parts
The above blend was kneaded and dispersed with a biaxial extrusion kneader to obtain a uniform kneaded product. Then, similarly formed shape as in Example 1 using an extrusion die having a diameter of 118 mm, to obtain a diameter of 142 mm, the intermediate transfer belt thick 120μm (2).
[0054]
The intermediate transfer belt (2) had an electric resistance unevenness of one digit or less and a thickness unevenness of 110 to 135 μm. The electric resistance of the intermediate transfer belt (2) was 5.0 × 10 ¹² Ω. Further, the hardness of the belt was 91 °.
[0055]
Next, a copy test was repeated for 40,000 full-color images in the same manner as in Example 1, but there was no color shift due to belt elongation, and high image density obtained from good transfer efficiency was maintained. No hollow image was generated. At this time, the primary transfer efficiency and the secondary transfer efficiency were 92% and 90%, respectively. No toner filming was observed on the surface of the belt after 40,000 sheets, and cracking, bending, and scratching were not generated.
[0056]
(Comparative Example 1)
Except for using an extrusion die having a diameter of 45mm is to formed shape in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain an intermediate transfer belt having a diameter of 160 mm (3). The electric resistance of the intermediate transfer belt (3) was 6.9 × 10 ¹¹ Ω for the time being, but the resistance value during resistance measurement did not converge and was an unstable measurement.
[0057]
Furthermore, the uniformity of the resistance in the belt is 3 digits or more, and a low resistance portion and a high resistance portion existed partially. Thickness unevenness was aimed at 150 μm, but was greatly varied with a minimum value of 92 μm and a maximum value of 221 μm.
[0058]
A copying test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. However, partial transfer failure, thin image density, subtle transfer omission of the image (particularly when two colors were superimposed), and the like occurred from the beginning. Durability of 50,000 sheets was performed, but the image quality gradually deteriorated from the initial level. However, cracks and scratches due to durability did not occur.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the transfer efficiency from the first image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt and the transfer efficiency from the intermediate transfer belt to the second image carrier are extremely high, and further severe due to repeated use of the intermediate transfer belt. An intermediate transfer belt manufacturing method capable of maintaining the same characteristics as the initial stage without changing the characteristics of the intermediate transfer belt even after repeated use , and an image forming apparatus having the intermediate transfer belt manufactured by the manufacturing method It became possible to provide.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer member.
FIG. 2 is an intermediate transfer belt molding apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a part of an intermediate transfer belt having a two-layer structure.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a part of an intermediate transfer belt having a three-layer structure.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an entire intermediate transfer belt having a three-layer structure.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a method for measuring a resistance value of an intermediate transfer belt.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Primary charger 3 Image exposure means 7 Cleaning charging member 10 Transfer guide 11 Paper feed roller 13 Cleaning means 15 Fixing means 20,190 Intermediate transfer belt 26, 28, 29 Bias power supply 41 Yellow toner 42 Magenta toner 43 Cyan toner 44 Black toner 62 Primary transfer roller 63 Secondary transfer roller 64 Secondary transfer counter roller 100, 110 Extruder 120, 130 Hopper 140 Extrusion die 150 Gas introduction path 160 Cooling ring 170 Dimensional stability guide 180 Geometry 200 Driving Roller 201, 202, 203 Metal roller 204 DC power supply 205 Resistor 206 Potentiometer P Transfer material

Claims (4)

A method for producing an intermediate transfer belt for use in an image forming apparatus for transferring an image formed on a first image carrier to an intermediate transfer belt and further transferring the image to a second image carrier,
(I) a process in which a molding raw material melt-extruded into a cylindrical shape with an extruder is expanded by blowing a gas, and this is pulled upward;
(Ii) cutting the material pulled up in step (i) to obtain an intermediate transfer belt;
In the manufacturing method of the intermediate transfer belt having
The method for producing an intermediate transfer belt, wherein the extrusion molding ratio in the step (i) is 142/118 to 142/100 .   The method of manufacturing an intermediate transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer belt is a seamless intermediate transfer belt.   The method for producing an intermediate transfer belt according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate transfer belt is produced so that the thickness of the produced intermediate transfer belt is 45 to 300 µm. In the image forming apparatus for transferring the image formed on the first image carrier to the intermediate transfer belt, and further transferring the image to the second image carrier.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the intermediate transfer belt is an intermediate transfer belt manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 1.

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