JP4295678B2 - SEALING METHOD, LAMINATE FILM, PHOTOSENSOR SEAL, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photoconductor used for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a sealing method for sealing a process cartridge, a laminate film used for the sealing, a photoconductor sealed with the sealing method, and a process cartridge sealed About.

  In Patent Document 1, a photoconductor used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is placed in a container containing an inert gas or an oxygen scavenger to prevent a reaction between oxygen and a charge generating material, and the electrostatic capacity of the photoconductor is reduced. A technique for maintaining the characteristics is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for storing a photoconductor in a low moisture-permeable bag.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for storing a photoconductor by attaching an antioxidant to the surface of the photoconductor.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-15738 JP 2000-7048 A JP 2001-183858 A

  In general, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, depending on the number of images formed or the like, the photoconductor reaches the end of its life due to film misalignment or filming of the photoconductor, and must be replaced with an unused photoconductor. In general, the photoconductor of the image forming apparatus is different in the length and diameter of the photoconductor, the shape of the flange, the composition of the photoconductor, the film thickness, etc. depending on the model, and a dedicated photoconductor is required for each model. is there. Since a large number of image forming apparatuses continue to be released, the number of types of photoconductors that must be prepared by the manufacturer is enormous.

  From the manufacturer's standpoint, if the user buys the latest image forming device, it is sufficient to prepare a photoconductor for the latest image forming device, but some users need high resolution. However, if you are not interested in the latest image forming devices, such as printing monochrome images or text images, or if you are interested in existing devices, you should use the same image forming device for a long time. Often continues. Some manufacturers may end the supply of the photoconductor unilaterally after a certain period of time has elapsed after the production of the image forming apparatus is stopped. However, as long as there is a user request, the photoconductor is supplied as much as possible. Should continue.

  However, there is not much demand for the photoreceptor of the old image forming apparatus. In addition, the dip coating method generally used as a method for producing a photoconductor is excellent in mass productivity, but requires a large amount of raw material for every production of the photoconductor. It is economically advantageous to store the photoconductor and supply the photoconductor whenever the user requests it. In addition, the photoreceptors of old image forming apparatuses are often manufactured using a chlorinated solvent such as dichloromethane. In recent years, since the use of chlorinated solvents tends to be restricted from the viewpoint of environmental problems, it has become difficult to continue producing photoconductors for old image forming apparatuses in the future.

  Photoconductors are susceptible to degradation of sensitivity over time after production, and in particular, photoconductors made using a chlorine-based solvent that quickly releases residual solvent after production, and azo pigments as charge generators. However, the conventional photoreceptor had a drawback that sensitivity deterioration was likely to occur over time. Further, when the writing method of the image forming apparatus is a multi-value method, the image deterioration due to the sensitivity deterioration of the photoreceptor is easily noticeable.

  As a method for preventing the deterioration of the performance of the photoconductor, for example, in Patent Document 1, the photoconductor is put in a container containing an inert gas or an oxygen scavenger to prevent the reaction between oxygen and a charge generating substance. A storage method for maintaining the electrostatic properties of the body is disclosed. However, although this method is effective for storing the photoconductor for several months, there are many cases where the sensitivity is deteriorated when the photoconductor is stored for a long period of one year or more, and there is a problem that it is not reliable. .

  Patent Document 2 discloses a method of storing a photoconductor in a low moisture-permeable bag. However, this storage method is placed in a humid environment and is effective for preventing the peeling of the photosensitive layer due to humidity, but is insufficient for preventing the deterioration of sensitivity for a long period of one year or more. When stored in an indoor environment where humidity is not high for a long period of time, there is a problem that there are many cases where the sensitivity deterioration of the photoconductor is less when not stored in a low moisture-permeable bag.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a method for storing a photoconductor by attaching an antioxidant to the surface of the photoconductor. However, although this storage method can prevent the reaction between the charge generating agent and oxygen, it often causes a residual potential increase due to excessive attachment of the antioxidant to the photoreceptor, which is undesirable.

  As described above, there is a demand for a method for storing a photoconductor that does not cause deterioration in sensitivity even if it is stored for a long period of time. However, in general, the warranty period of the photoconductor is about one year after manufacture. .

  An object of the present invention is to enable a photoconductor or a process cartridge to be stored for a long period of time without causing sensitivity deterioration.

  The present invention is a laminate film in which a polyolefin layer is formed as an innermost layer by a polylaminate method, and seals a photoreceptor mounted in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus or a process cartridge having the photoreceptor. Is the method.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a laminate film in which a polyolefin layer is formed as an innermost layer by a polylaminate method.

  The present invention viewed from another aspect includes a photoreceptor mounted in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a laminate film in which the photoreceptor is sealed, and a polyolefin layer is formed as an innermost layer by a polylaminate method. , A sealed photoreceptor.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a process cartridge having a photoreceptor and mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the process cartridge is sealed, and a polyolefin layer is formed as an innermost layer by a polylaminate method. And a laminated process film.

  According to the present invention, since the laminate film in which the polyolefin layer is formed by the polylaminate method is used and there is no need to provide an adhesive layer, the organic solvent does not escape from the adhesive layer as a gas. The photoconductor and the process cartridge sealed in can be stored for a long time.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  The inventors of the present application have studied in detail why the sensitivity deterioration occurs when the photoreceptor is sealed with a polyolefin film and stored for a long period of time, and found that the occurrence of sensitivity deterioration differs depending on the type of polyolefin film. The difference between the polyolefin film that is susceptible to sensitivity deterioration and the polyolefin film that hardly causes sensitivity deterioration was examined in detail.

  As a result, polyolefin films are usually bonded to plastic films and metal films to improve mechanical properties and gas permeability, but each film is bonded with an adhesive layer. In general, adhesive layers made of adhesives that are generally distributed are formed by diluting polyester adhesives and polyether adhesives with good organic adhesion between films. It was ascertained that the organic solvent used for forming gradually emerged as a gas from the adhesive layer. When storing a photoconductor with a polyolefin film, the photoconductor is sealed with a polyolefin film. However, if the storage time is several months, the sensitivity of the photoconductor does not deteriorate so much, so there is little problem. When storing for a long period of time, even if a small amount of organic solvent gas comes out, it will not flow out of the sealed space, so the photoconductor will be exposed to the organic solvent for a long period of time. It was found that the sensitivity of the photoreceptor deteriorates. When storing photoconductors and process cartridges over a long period of time, it is no longer possible to regain the photosensitivity of the photoconductor, so it is very important to select a polyolefin film that does not cause photoconductor sensitivity deterioration. .

  Therefore, the inventors of the present application must use a laminate film for improving gas permeability as a polyolefin film used for long-term photoconductor storage, and store the photoconductor for a long period of time. In this case, if the polyolefin film can be laminated without providing the adhesive layer as described above, it has been found that the sensitivity of the photoreceptor is not deteriorated by the organic solvent in the first place, and the present invention has been achieved.

  That is, in the sealing method of the present embodiment, the following steps (1) and (2) are sequentially performed to seal the photoreceptor mounted in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus or the process cartridge having the photoreceptor. To do.

  (1) First, a laminate film having a polyolefin layer as an innermost layer is prepared. This laminate film is not provided with the above-mentioned adhesive layer or the like, and a polyolefin layer is formed by a polylaminate method.

  (2) Next, with this laminate film, the photoreceptor mounted in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus or the process cartridge having this photoreceptor is sealed.

  Through the steps (1) and (2), the photoreceptor and the process cartridge of the present embodiment sealed with a laminate film are formed.

  The polyolefin film used in the present embodiment includes polyethylene, polypropylene, ionomer polyethylene, vinyl acetate-modified polyethylene, etc., but polyethylene and ionomer polyethylene are desirable from the viewpoint of processability and heat sealability, and more economical. From the surface, polyethylene is desirable.

  As a film to be laminated on the polyolefin film, it is desirable to laminate a resin film such as polyester, nylon, ethylene vinyl alcohol, or a metal foil such as aluminum in order to improve mechanical properties and gas barrier properties. Among them, the metal foil is preferable because the gas permeability can be made almost zero. Polyolefin is in the innermost layer of a laminate film that seals a photoreceptor or a process cartridge, and is laminated by a polylaminate method when laminating to a film other than the polyolefin. The polylaminate method is a method of extruding and laminating a film in which a molten polyolefin is laminated, and since it does not have an adhesive layer, organic solvent gas generated from the adhesive layer is not generated in the first place. In the first place, no sensitivity degradation occurs.

  In the present embodiment, when a polyolefin film is laminated, it is preferable to improve the adhesion of the polyolefin film on the laminated film by a known anchor layer or corona treatment.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, it is desirable to form a metal layer made of a metal foil on a laminate film, and in particular, an aluminum layer made of an aluminum foil may be formed from the viewpoint of processability, economy, and mechanical properties. Most desirable. If a metal layer is used, the film laminate between the metal layer and the photoreceptor or process cartridge should not have an adhesive layer, but the metal layer has almost no gas permeability, thus protecting the metal layer. Therefore, even when using the organic solvent described above when bonding the film between the metal foil and the outside environment, the metal layer works as a block layer, so that the photoconductor and the organic solvent gas do not come into contact with each other. Even if the photoreceptor is stored for a long time, the sensitivity of the photoreceptor hardly deteriorates.

  In this embodiment, a polyolefin film is processed into a bag shape, and a single photosensitive member or a plurality of process cartridges are placed in the polyolefin film bag, sealed by heat sealing, and stored. If the storage temperature in storage is 23 ° C. or lower, desirably 20 ° C. to −40 ° C., more desirably 18 ° C. to −20 ° C., the speed of sensitivity deterioration of the photoreceptor can be reduced, which is desirable. In such an environment, when the photosensitive member or the process cartridge is stored by the method of the present embodiment, the photosensitive member is stored even if it is stored for about 1 year or more, preferably 2 years or more, more preferably about 2.5 to 5 years. There is almost no problem in degrading the sensitivity at the actual use level.

  However, it is difficult to reduce the storage temperature to 23 ° C. or lower during the entire storage period because of stoppage due to inspection of the air conditioning equipment or the like, and transportation of the photosensitive member or process cartridge. When the storage temperature rises, the amount of organic solvent gas generated from the polyolefin laminate film produced by forming an adhesive layer with a commonly distributed adhesive with an organic solvent increases, so the sensitivity of the photoconductor deteriorates early. Although it was easy, in this embodiment, even when it is placed in a temperature environment of 30 ° C. to 43 ° C. for about 7 to 30 days, there is no problem due to the sensitivity deterioration of the photoreceptor at the actual use level. .

  The method of the present embodiment is particularly suitable when the optical writing method of the image forming apparatus using the photoconductor or process cartridge to be sealed and stored is a multi-value method. That is, when the optical writing method of the image forming apparatus is binary or small, the image formed image is less likely to be a problem unless the sensitivity change of the photosensitive member becomes extremely large. However, when the optical writing method is a multi-value method, it is possible to faithfully reproduce an image using a lot of halftones such as a photographic image. Since natural colors are obtained, it is effective to prevent sensitivity deterioration of the photoreceptor by the method of this embodiment.

  A configuration example of the photoreceptor used in the present embodiment will be described. In this photoreceptor, a photosensitive layer is provided on a conductive support. The photosensitive layer can be composed of a single layer type in which a charge generation material and a charge transport material are mixed, a forward layer type in which a charge transport layer is provided on the charge generation layer, or a charge generation layer provided on the charge transport layer. There is a reverse layer type. A protective layer can also be provided on the photosensitive layer. An undercoat layer may be provided between the photosensitive layer and the conductive support. Further, an appropriate amount of a plasticizer, an antioxidant, a leveling agent and the like can be added to each layer as necessary.

Examples of the conductive support of the photoreceptor include those having a volume resistance of 10 ⁻¹⁰ Ω · cm or less, for example, metals such as aluminum, nickel, chromium, nichrome, copper, gold, silver, platinum, tin oxide, Metal oxide such as indium oxide, film or cylindrical plastic or paper coated by vapor deposition or sputtering, or a plate of aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel, stainless steel, etc. After making the pipe by the construction method, it is possible to use a pipe which has been subjected to surface treatment such as cutting, superfinishing or polishing. Further, an endless nickel belt and an endless stainless steel belt (see JP-A-52-36016) can also be used as the conductive support.

  In a photoreceptor using an endless belt, since a photosensitive layer is formed widely and then cut to an actually used width, the cut surface is often exposed on the side surface of the photoreceptor. In this case, moisture permeates from the side of the photoconductor, causing the photosensitive layer to peel off, which often leads to durability and sensitivity degradation of the photoconductor. Consideration of dew condensation when raising the temperature is very important. For this reason, it is desirable to seal the photoreceptor or the process cartridge with a film having low moisture permeability, and it is particularly desirable to seal with a polyolefin film laminated with the above-mentioned aluminum foil, which hardly transmits moisture.

  Examples of the undercoat layer of the photosensitive member include a resin or a material mainly composed of a white pigment and a resin, and a metal oxide film obtained by chemically or electrochemically oxidizing the surface of a conductive substrate. However, those containing a white pigment and a resin as main components are desirable. Examples of white pigments include metal oxides such as titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and zinc oxide. Among them, it is most desirable to contain titanium oxide that is excellent in preventing the injection of charges from a conductive substrate. Examples of the resin used for the undercoat layer include thermoplastic resins such as polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, casein, and methylcellulose; thermosetting resins such as acrylic, phenol, melamine, alkyd, unsaturated polyester, and epoxy; Can be exemplified.

  Examples of the charge generating material used for the photoreceptor include azo pigments such as monoazo pigments, bisazo pigments, trisazo pigments, tetrakisazo pigments, triarylmethane dyes, thiazine dyes, oxazine dyes, xanthene dyes, Cyanine dyes, styryl dyes, pyrylium dyes, quinacridone pigments, indigo pigments, perylene pigments, polycyclic quinone pigments, bisbenzimidazole pigments, indanthrone pigments, squarylium pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, etc. Organic pigments and dyes, inorganic materials such as selenium, selenium-arsenic, selenium-tellurium, cadmium sulfide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, amorphous silicon, etc. can be used, and charge generating substances can be used alone or in combination. In particular, azo pigments have many optical writing methods. Often used in the photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of a type, for gas resistance to oxidizing gas is not so high, is highly effective in the case of using the method of the present embodiment.

  Examples of the charge transport material used for the photoreceptor include anthracene derivatives, pyrene derivatives, carbazole derivatives, tetrazole derivatives, metallocene derivatives, phenothiazine derivatives, pyrazoline compounds, hydrazone compounds, styryl compounds, styryl hydrazone compounds, enamine compounds, butadiene compounds, and distyryl. A compound, an oxazole compound, an oxadiazole compound, a thiazole compound, an imidazole compound, a triphenylamine derivative, a phenylenediamine derivative, an aminostilbene derivative, a triphenylmethane derivative, or the like can be used alone or in combination.

  The binder resin used to form the photosensitive layer of the charge generation material layer and the charge transport material layer is electrically insulating and is a known thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, photocuring per se. Suitable binder resins include, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-anhydrous maleic acid. Heat of acid copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetal, polyester, phenoxy resin, (meth) acrylic resin, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, ABS resin, etc. Plastic resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, urethane resin, melamine resin, isocyanate resin, resin Mention may be made of a kind of binder resin such as a kid resin, a silicone resin, a thermosetting resin such as a thermosetting acrylic resin, a photoconductive resin such as polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl anthracene, or polyvinyl pyrene, or a mixture of various kinds of binder resins. Although it can, it does not specifically limit to these things.

  As antioxidant, the following are used, for example.

(Monophenol compound)
2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol, butylated hydroxyanisole, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-ethylphenol, stearyl-β- (3,5-di-t-butyl-4 -Hydroxyphenyl) propionate, 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxynisol and the like.

(Bisphenol compounds)
2,2′-methylene-bis- (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 2,2′-methylene-bis- (4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4′-thiobis- ( 3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4′-butylidenebis- (3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) and the like.

(High molecular phenolic compounds)
1,1,3-tris- (2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl) butane, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris (3,5-di-t- Butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) benzene, tetrakis- [methylene-3- (3 ′, 5′-di-t-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl) propionate] methane, bis [3,3′-bis (4 ′ -Hydroxy-3'-t-butylphenyl) butyric acid] glycol ester, tocophenols and the like.

(Paraphenylenediamines)
N-phenyl-N'-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-phenyl-N-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'- Di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N′-dimethyl-N, N′-di-t-butyl-p-phenylenediamine and the like.

(Hydroquinones)
2,5-di-t-octylhydroquinone, 2,6-didodecylhydroquinone, 2-dodecylhydroquinone, 2-dodecyl-5-chlorohydroquinone, 2-t-octyl-5-methylhydroquinone, 2- (2-octadecenyl) ) -5-methylhydroquinone and the like.

(Organic sulfur compounds)
Dilauryl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, distearyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, ditetradecyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, and the like.

(Organic phosphorus compounds)
Triphenylphosphine, tri (nonylphenyl) phosphine, tri (dinonylphenyl) phosphine, tricresylphosphine, tri (2,4-dibutylphenoxy) phosphine, and the like.

  As the plasticizer, those used as plasticizers for general resins such as dibutyl phthalate and dioctyl phthalate can be used as they are, and the amount used is about 0 to 30 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. Is appropriate.

  A leveling agent may be added to the charge transport layer. As the leveling agent, silicone oils such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, polymers or oligomers having a perfluoroalkyl group in the chain are used, and the amount used is 100 parts by weight of binder resin. 0 to 1 part by weight is suitable.

  The protective layer is a layer in which fine particles of metal or metal oxide are dispersed in a binder resin. As the binder resin, a resin that is transparent to visible and infrared light and excellent in electrical insulation, mechanical strength, and adhesiveness is desirable. As the binder resin of the protective layer, ABS resin, ACS resin, olefin-vinyl monomer copolymer, chlorinated polyether, allyl resin, phenol resin, polyacetal, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyacrylate, polyallylsulfone, polybutylene, Polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, acrylic resin, polymethylbenten, polypropylene, polyphenylene oxide, polysulfone, polystyrene, AS resin, butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, poly Examples of the resin include vinylidene chloride and epoxy resin. Examples of the metal oxide include titanium oxide, tin oxide, potassium titanate, TiO, TiN, zinc oxide, indium oxide, and antimony oxide. In addition to the protective layer, fluorine resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone resins, and those obtained by dispersing inorganic materials such as these resins can be added for the purpose of improving wear resistance. As a method for forming the protective layer, a normal coating method can be used. In addition, about 0.1-10 micrometers is suitable for the thickness of a protective layer.

  As the solvent used for producing the photoreceptor, a chlorinated solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, toluene, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone and the like are used. In particular, a chlorinated solvent such as dichloromethane has been used as a solvent for producing a photoreceptor because it has good resin solubility and pigment dispersibility, has a low boiling point, and does not ignite. However, due to environmental problems, restrictions are imposed on chlorinated solvents, and the photoconductor can be produced only during a period in which the use is permitted. Therefore, the method of this embodiment is very important.

  In the sealed photoreceptor of the present embodiment, for example, the photoreceptor configured as described above is sealed with a laminate film by the steps (1) and (2) described above.

  In the sealed process cartridge of the present embodiment, the process cartridge is similarly sealed with a laminate film by the steps (1) and (2) described above. The process cartridge includes, for example, a photoconductor having the above-described configuration, and further includes a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a static eliminator, and the like used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A single device is used by being mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. By using a process cartridge as a part of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to facilitate maintenance such as attachment to the image forming apparatus main body, detachment from the image forming apparatus main body, replacement, and repair. FIG. 1 shows a general configuration example of such a process cartridge 1, and a photoreceptor 2, a charging device 3, an exposure device 4, a developing device 5, a cleaning device 6 and the like are mounted thereon.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(About Examples 1 and 2)
An example in which a photoconductor was actually manufactured and an example in which the quality of a photoconductor prepared according to the present invention was compared are shown.

(1) Production of polyolefin laminate film 1
The polyether adhesive was diluted with ethyl acetate, applied to one side of a 7 μm aluminum foil with a roll coater, dried to form an adhesive layer, and a 20 μm nylon film was pressure bonded. About 15 μm of polyethylene was extruded and coated on the non-laminated surface of the aluminum foil laminated with nylon to prepare a polyolefin laminated film.

(2) Production 2 of polyolefin laminate film
A polyolefin film was produced in the same manner as in the production 1 of the polyolefin laminate film except that a polyester film was used instead of nylon in the production 1 of the polyolefin laminate film.

(3) Production of polyolefin laminate film 3
A polyolefin film was produced in the same manner as in the production 1 of the polyolefin laminate film except that, in the production 1 of the polyolefin laminate film, instead of polyethylene, about 14 μm polypropylene was extruded and coated.

(4) Production 4 of polyolefin laminate film
Preparation of polyolefin laminate film 1 Polyethylene adhesive was diluted with ethyl acetate on the non-laminated surface of the aluminum foil laminated with nylon, and coated with a roll coater, and a 12 μm polyethylene film was pressure-bonded. A film was prepared.

(5) Preparation of Photoreceptor A mixture having the following composition was placed in a ball mill pot, and ball milled for 72 hours using φ10 mm alumina balls.

Titanium oxide (CR-60: manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo) ...... 50.0 parts by weight Alkyd resin (Beckolite M6401-50 manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
...... 15.0 parts by weight Melamine resin (Super Becamine L-121-60 manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
…… 10.0 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone (manufactured by Kanto Chemical) …… 31.7 parts by weight Add 105.0 parts by weight of cyclohexanone (manufactured by Kanto Chemical) to this milling solution and ball mill for another 2 hours to apply for the undercoat layer A liquid was prepared. A nickel seamless belt (Vickers hardness of 480 to 510, purity of 99.2% or more) having a circumference of 290.3 mm and a thickness of 30 μm was dip coated on this coating solution, dried at 135 ° C. for 25 minutes, and a film thickness of 6. A subbing layer of 0 μm was formed.

  Subsequently, 1.5 parts by weight of a charge generating material having a composition shown in the following chemical formula I (manufactured by Ricoh), 1.5 parts by weight of a charge generating material having a composition shown in chemical formula II (manufactured by Ricoh), and 1.0 part of a polyvinyl butyral resin (Esreck BLS; manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), cyclohexanone (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.) 80.0 parts by weight was placed in a ball mill pot, and after ball milling using a φ10 mm spear ball, 78.4 parts of cyclohexanone 237.6 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone was added to prepare a charge generation layer coating solution. A nickel seamless belt having an undercoat layer laminated on this coating solution was dip coated and dried at 130 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.12 μm.

  Next, a charge transport layer coating solution having the following composition was prepared. While rotating the nickel seamless belt on which the undercoat layer and the charge generation layer were laminated, the charge transport layer coating solution was spray coated and dried at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of about 22 μm.

Charge transport material (composition is shown in Chemical III below) (Ricoh) 7 parts by weight Polycarbonate resin (C-1400, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals) 10 parts by weight Silicone oil (KF-50, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical) ... 0.002 parts by weight Dichloromethane (manufactured by Kanto Chemical) ... 830 parts by weight

Both ends of this photoreceptor belt were cut to a width of 367 mm.

  Separately from the produced photoreceptor, a sample for measuring electrostatic characteristics was prepared by cutting the photoreceptor into 50 mm × 60 mm. The electrostatic property measurement sample and the photoreceptor were each wrapped with the polyolefin laminate film prepared in the preparation of polyolefin laminate films 1, 2, and 4, and sealed by heat sealing. These are referred to as Example 1, Example 2, and Comparative Example 1, respectively.

  Then, it was stored for 25 days in an environment of 39 ± 1 ° C. and 55% humidity. After storage, the sensitivity was measured with an electrostatic property measuring device (EPA-8100 manufactured by Kawaguchi Electric) in an environment of 25 ° C. In the sensitivity measurement, the amount of exposure (780 nm) until the surface potential of the photoconductor decays to -400V and -160V after the photoconductor was charged to -800V. The results are shown in Table 1.

The test samples of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were further charged for 2 hours at 1000 times / minute so that a sample passing current of −5.6 μm was obtained at a charging potential of −800 V. When the exposure amount (780 nm) until the surface potential of the photosensitive member attenuates to -160 V after charging the photosensitive member to -800 V, the exposure amounts in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were 0.89 μJ / cm ² , respectively. 1.81 μJ / cm ² .

(Examples 3 and 4)
Preparation of Polyolefin Laminate Film A photoreceptor test sample was sealed in the same manner as in Example 1 using the polyolefin films 2, 3, and 4. This was designated as Example 3, Example 4, and Comparative Example 2, respectively. The sealed test sample was stored at 23 ° C. ± 2 ° C. and 65% humidity for 2 years and 10 months. For comparison, a similar test sample (Comparative Example 3) that was not sealed with a polyolefin laminate film was also stored.

  After this storage, the sensitivity was measured with an electrostatic property measuring device (EPA-8100, manufactured by Kawaguchi Electric) in an environment of 25 ° C. In the sensitivity measurement, the amount of exposure (780 nm) until the surface potential of the photoconductor decays to -400V and -160V after the photoconductor was charged to -800V. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 5)
The photoconductor produced according to the method for producing a photoconductor of Example 1 was placed between two polyolefin films of Preparation 2 of polyolefin laminate film, and four sides of the polyolefin film were heat sealed and sealed at 10 ± 1 ° C. Stored for 4 years (Example 5).

  The photoconductor stored in this manner was mounted on an image forming apparatus main body (manufactured by IPSiO Color 5100 Ricoh Co., Ltd.) in which writing is performed, and an image forming apparatus was manufactured. When an advertisement image containing a picture of a child photographed with a digital camera was output, the image was sufficiently high quality. Furthermore, when 2,000 A4-sized images were formed by the image forming apparatus, a sufficiently high quality image was obtained without a decrease in image density.

(Example 6)
The surface of the aluminum drum was cut with a diamond flat tool to produce an aluminum drum having a diameter of 90 mm, a length of 352 mm, and a thickness of 2.5 mm.

  15 parts by weight of acrylic resin (Acridic A-460-60 manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals), 10 parts by weight of melamine resin (Super Becamine L-121-60 manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals), 80 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone Dissolved, 90 parts by weight of titanium oxide powder (TM-1 manufactured by Fuji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.) was added thereto, and dispersed for 72 hours with a ball mill to prepare an undercoat layer coating solution. The aluminum drum whose surface was roughened by cutting was immersed in the undercoat layer coating solution, and then applied by pulling it up vertically at a constant speed. While maintaining the direction of the aluminum drum, the aluminum drum was moved to a drying chamber and dried at 140 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a subbing layer having a thickness of 2.0 μm on the aluminum drum.

  Next, 15 parts by weight of butyral resin (manufactured by ESREC BLS Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dissolved in 150 parts by weight of cyclohexanone, and 10 parts by weight of a trisazo pigment having the structural formula of Chemical Formula 2 was added thereto and dispersed in a ball mill for 60 hours.

Further, 210 parts by weight of cyclohexanone was added and dispersed for 5 hours. This was diluted with cyclohexanone with stirring so that the solid content was 1.5% by weight. The aluminum drum having the undercoat layer was immersed in the coating solution for charge generation layer thus obtained, and the coating was performed by pulling it up vertically at a constant speed. Drying was performed in the same manner as the undercoat layer at 120 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a charge generation layer of about 0.2 μm.

  Then, 6 parts by weight of the charge transport material of the structural formula of Chemical Formula 3, 10 parts by weight of polycarbonate resin (manufactured by Panlite K-1300 Teijin Chemicals), 0.002 part by weight of silicon oil (KF-50 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) Was dissolved in 90 parts by weight of methylene chloride. An aluminum drum on which the undercoat layer / charge generation layer was formed was immersed in the charge transport layer coating solution thus obtained, and the coating was carried out by pulling it up vertically at a constant speed. Drying was performed in the same manner as the undercoat layer at 120 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of about 23 μm on the charge generation layer.

The photoreceptor thus produced was covered with the polyolefin laminate film produced in Preparation 3 of polyolefin laminate film, and the laminate film was heat sealed to seal the photoreceptor (Example 6).

  The sealed photoconductor was stored in an environment at 10 ° C. for 2 years. After storage, leave it at room temperature for 4 hours, take out the photoconductor, mount it on a multi-valued image forming device (made by imagio color 2800 Ricoh), and test chart with a snapshot of a woman and a landscape photo Was copied, and a sufficiently high quality image was obtained. Although 1200 images were formed, a sufficiently high quality image was obtained without lowering the image density.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the process cartridge used for one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Process cartridge 2 Photoconductor

Claims (16)

  A sealing method in which a polyolefin film is a laminate film formed as an innermost layer by a polylaminate method, and a photoreceptor mounted in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus or a process cartridge having the photoreceptor is sealed.   The sealing method according to claim 1, wherein an aluminum layer is formed as the laminate film.   The sealing method according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive member or the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus that is a multi-value method.   The sealing method according to claim 1, wherein the photoconductor is manufactured using a chlorine-based solvent.   The sealing method according to claim 1, wherein the photoconductor contains an azo pigment as a charge generating agent.   A laminate film in which a polyolefin layer is formed as an innermost layer by a polylaminate method. A photoreceptor mounted in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus;
A laminate film in which this photoreceptor is sealed and a polyolefin layer is formed as an innermost layer by a polylaminate method;
A photoconductor sealing material comprising:   8. The sealed photoconductor according to claim 7, wherein an aluminum layer is formed on the laminate film.   The sealed photoconductor according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the photoconductor is mounted on the image forming apparatus of a multi-value system.   10. The sealed photoconductor according to claim 7, wherein the photoconductor is manufactured using a chlorinated solvent.   The sealed photoconductor according to claim 7, wherein the photoconductor contains an azo pigment as a charge generating agent. A process cartridge having a photoreceptor and mounted in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus;
A laminate film in which the process cartridge is sealed and a polyolefin layer is formed as an innermost layer by a polylaminate method;
Process cartridge sealed with.   The sealed process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein an aluminum layer is formed on the laminate film.   14. The sealed process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the photosensitive member is mounted on the multi-valued image forming apparatus.   15. The sealed process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the photoconductor is manufactured using a chlorinated solvent. The process cartridge sealed article according to claim 12, wherein the photoconductor contains an azo pigment as a charge generating agent.

Images