JP4634948B2 - Non-magnetic one-component developer, image forming apparatus, image forming method, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a non-magnetic one-component developer which are suitable for an electrophotographic apparatus using the O Iruresu fixing. More specifically, a copying machine, a facsimile, for non-magnetic one-component developer suitable for current ZoSo location that is employed in an image forming apparatus such as a printer.

  In recent years, an electrophotographic image forming method has become widespread. In particular, since a complicated apparatus is not required, a one-component developing method using a one-component developer composed only of toner is preferably used. .

  Further, in color image formation using a one-component developer, a non-magnetic one-component development method is preferably used.

  The characteristics of toners for obtaining high-quality images with a non-magnetic one-component development method are disclosed. For example, the toner used in the non-magnetic one-component development method has a specific flow calculated from a sieve residue by a powder tester. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). However, in this case, there is a problem that there is a large variation in data, there is a difference depending on a measurer, and it is not possible to evaluate a difference in fluidity between fine toners.

  On the other hand, there is disclosed a method for evaluating the fluidity of an electrophotographic toner with high accuracy without individual differences among measurers. In this disclosure, the fluidity of the toner is measured at the time of entering a powder layer of a rotor blade and It is described that the evaluation is performed by measuring the torque and the weight at the time of pulling out (see, for example, Patent Document 2). However, since the speed dependency and absolute energy value of the rotor blades are not defined in this case, the toner behavior of the supply unit in the one-component development using the pulverized oilless toner cannot be stably accommodated.

  Further, a method for accurately and simply evaluating the fluidity of the toner for electrophotography is disclosed. In this disclosure, the fluidity of the toner is evaluated by measuring the torque and the load when the toner enters the conical rotor. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3). However, even in this case, since the speed dependency of the blades and the absolute energy value are not defined, the toner behavior of the supply unit in the one-component development using the pulverized oilless toner cannot be stably accommodated.

  In addition, there is no individual difference among the measurers, and the fluidity of the electrophotographic toner with high accuracy is evaluated, and by using the device, toner transportability and reproducibility are good, and high image quality is stably obtained. In this disclosure, it is described that the fluidity of the toner is evaluated by measuring the torque and weight at the time of entering the conical rotor when pressure is applied as a pretreatment. (For example, see Patent Document 4). However, even in this case, since the speed dependency of the blade and the absolute energy value are not defined, the toner behavior of the supply unit in the one-component development using the pulverized oilless toner cannot be stably accommodated.

Furthermore, a toner capable of stably obtaining high image quality by a non-magnetic one-component development method is disclosed, and in this disclosure, a polymerized toner in which a transportability index is controlled within a specific range is described. Yes. (For example, refer to Patent Document 5.)
JP 2003-330273 A JP 2004-37651 A JP 2004-37971 A JP 2004-117211 A JP 2004-109603 A

  When the non-magnetic one-component developing method is used for a vertical contact developing device having a developing roller disposed at a lower position and having a toner supply roller in contact with and opposed to the developing roller, the load of the charged toner remains as it is in the developing portion. It has been reported that if the developer is left in the vicinity for a long time, the toner is consolidated and the load is increased when the developer is driven again, resulting in drive unevenness or destruction of the developer.

  In particular, in the case of a printer configuration using an oilless fixing device, there is a problem that the adhesion force between toners is increased and a load is further applied because the toner used contains wax.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to ensure mobility even when a wax-containing pulverized toner is used. In particular, in the image forming means using oilless fixing, adhesion between toners is achieved. An object of the present invention is to provide a non-magnetic one-component developer that is reduced, is not burdened with toner, suppresses image density unevenness, and provides excellent image stability.

  The above problems are solved by (1) to (14) of the present invention.

(1) Place the developing roller in the lower position,
A wax-containing non-magnetic one-component developing toner used in a vertical developing device having a toner supply roller in contact with and opposed to the developing roller, the toner including at least a wax-containing resin, a coloring material, and an external additive, The toner has a volume average particle diameter of 6 to 10 μm, and a torque generated when the blade moves through the powder layer by allowing the screw blade to enter the toner powder layer to which a load of 5 N is applied while rotating. And a total energy calculated from the load is 800 to 1600 mJ when the blade rotation speed is 100 mm / s, and the transportability index is 4 to 10, and the wax-containing nonmagnetic one-component developing toner.

  (2) The wax-containing nonmagnetic one-component developing toner according to (1), wherein the toner has an average circularity of 0.890 to 0.930.

  (3) The wax-containing non-magnetic single component according to (1) or (2), wherein the external additive is contained as a fluidizing agent in an amount of 2.5 to 4.0% by mass with respect to 100 g of toner. Developing toner.

  (4) The wax-containing non-magnetic one-component developing toner according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the fluidizing agent has an average primary particle size of 10 to 50 nm.

  (5) The wax-containing composition according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the fluidizing agent is silica, and the adhesion strength of the fluidizing agent to the matrix is 30 to 80%. Non-magnetic one-component developing toner.

  (6) The wax-containing nonmagnetic one-component according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the toner has a wax content of 3 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the toner. Developing toner.

  (7) The wax-containing nonmagnetic one-component developing toner according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the wax-containing nonmagnetic one-component developing toner contains a wax dispersant.

  (8) The toner-containing nonmagnetic one-component developing toner according to any one of (1) to (7) is used, and the toner containing chamber containing the toner is provided below the toner containing chamber. An image forming apparatus comprising a toner supply chamber, and a developing device provided with a developing roller, a layer regulating member provided in contact with the developing roller, and a supply roller at a lower portion of the toner supply chamber.

  (9) The image forming apparatus according to (8), wherein the fixing device is a two-roll fixing method including a heating roller and a pressure roller.

  (10) The image forming apparatus according to (8), wherein the fixing device is oilless fixing that does not require oil application to a fixing member.

  (11) An image forming method using the wax-containing non-magnetic one-component developing toner according to any one of (1) to (7).

  (12) An image forming apparatus using the image forming method according to (11).

  (13) The image forming apparatus according to (12), wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer, a copier, or a facsimile.

  (14) A process cartridge using the image forming method according to (11).

According to the present invention, a developing roller arranged in lower position, even when using a wax-containing pulverized toner to a vertical development apparatus having a toner supply roller in contact opposite to the developing roller, the current image device The load is avoided and driving unevenness and development device failure do not occur. Especially, even in a printer configuration using an oilless fixing device, adhesion between toners is avoided, and the load on the development device due to toner is also avoided. Thus, it is possible to provide a high-quality image in which image density unevenness is suppressed and the image quality is uniform.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the toner of the present invention will be described.

  The toner of the present invention is a wax-containing non-magnetic one-component developing toner, and the toner includes at least a wax-containing resin, a color material, and an external additive, and the toner has a volume average particle size of 6 to 10 μm. The total energy calculated from the torque and load generated when the blade moves through the powder layer by rotating the screw blade into the toner powder layer to which a load of 5 N is applied is 100 mm / blade. In the case of s, it is 800 to 1600 mJ, and the transportability index is 4 to 10.

  It is calculated from the torque and load generated when the blade moves through the powder layer by rotating the screw blade into the toner powder layer with a volume average particle diameter of 6 to 10 μm given a load of 5 N while rotating. If the total energy measured with a powder rheometer is lower than 800 mJ, it is less than 800 mJ for pulverized toner, and can be achieved for polymerized toner. End up. If it is higher than 1600 mJ, the toner tends to aggregate and the toner tends to clog.

  Therefore, the total energy value peculiar to the wax-containing pulverized toner is preferably 800 to 1600 mJ when the blade rotation speed is 100 mm / s.

  Further, the transportability index of the toner of the present invention is preferably 4 to 10. If the transportability index is lower than 4, the mobility of the toner is deteriorated, so that the toner is easily aggregated and the toner is easily clogged. On the other hand, when the transportability index is higher than 10, the toner is excessively transported, and density unevenness and solid followability are liable to occur. The “transportability index” is, for example, an index of the mobility of toner particles in a state where a constant vibration obtained by measurement with the parts feeder shown in FIG. 1 is applied. This indicates the ease with which the toner moves, that is, the ease with which the toner moves.

In addition, the toner of the present invention can achieve the above numerical range by including wax in the binder resin, and can efficiently and uniformly supply the toner between the supply roller and the development roller in the developing device. As a result, it is possible to obtain a wax-containing non-magnetic one-component developing toner that does not cause image unevenness and charging failure and can provide excellent image performance. Note that a normal pulverized wax-containing toner, that is, a toner to which a wax is added at the time of mixing raw materials before kneading, has a low toner transportability, cannot have the above numerical range, and cannot be the toner of the present invention. In addition, in a polymer toner having a high degree of circularity, the transportability becomes too high, resulting in uneven image density, and the toner of the present invention having the above numerical range cannot be obtained.

  The toner of the present invention has a volume average particle diameter of 5 to 12 μm (measured value of Coulter Multisizer III), preferably 8 to 10 μm, in consideration of the influence on the image quality.

  Further, when fixing the toner image formed on the transfer paper, a release component is included in the toner base material in order to maintain and improve the separation performance between the paper and the fixing device.

  The toner of the present invention is a full-color image forming toner, and will be described in detail later. The first binder resin, the second binder resin, the colorant, the charge control agent, and the external additive to which hydrocarbon wax is internally added. Consists of agents.

[Binder resin]
Kinds of the first binder resin and the second binder resin are not particularly limited, and binder resins known in the field of full color toners, such as polyester resins, (meth) acrylic resins, styrene- (meth) acrylic copolymers, are known. Resin, epoxy resin, COC (cyclic olefin resin (for example, TOPAS-COC (manufactured by Ticona))), etc., but from the viewpoint of oilless fixing, the first binder resin and the second binder resin are both It is preferable to use a polyester resin.

  As the polyester resin preferably used in the present invention, a polyester resin obtained by polycondensation of a polyhydric alcohol component and a polyvalent carboxylic acid component can be used. Among the polyhydric alcohol components, examples of the dihydric alcohol component include polyoxypropylene (2,2) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxypropylene (3,3) -2,2- Bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxypropylene (6) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxyethylene (2,0) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane Bisphenol A alkylene oxide adducts such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-butenediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanedio , 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, bisphenol A, hydrogenated bisphenol A, and the like. Examples of the trivalent or higher alcohol component include sorbitol, 1,2,3,6-hexanetetrol, 1,4-sorbitan, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, 1,2,4-butanetriol. 1,2,5-pentanetriol, glycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl-1,2,4-butanetriol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, 1,3,5-trihydroxymethylbenzene, etc. Is mentioned.

  Among the polyvalent carboxylic acid components, examples of the divalent carboxylic acid component include maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and succinic acid. , Adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, malonic acid, n-dodecenyl succinic acid, isododecenyl succinic acid, n-dodecyl succinic acid, isododecyl succinic acid, n-octenyl succinic acid, isooctenyl succinic acid, n-octyl succinic acid , Isooctyl succinic acid, anhydrides or lower alkyl esters of these acids.

  Examples of the trivalent or higher carboxylic acid component include 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid (trimellitic acid), 1,2,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 2,5,7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2 , 4-Naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3-dicarboxyl-2-methyl-2-methylenecarboxypropane, 1,2,4- Examples include cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, tetra (methylenecarboxyl) methane, 1,2,7,8-octanetetracarboxylic acid, pyromellitic acid, empole trimer acid, anhydrides of these acids, and lower alkyl esters.

  In the present invention, as a polyester resin, a polyester resin raw material monomer, a vinyl resin raw material monomer, and a mixture of monomers that react with both resin raw material monomers are used to obtain a polyester resin in the same container. A resin obtained by performing a condensation polymerization reaction and a radical polymerization reaction for obtaining a vinyl resin in parallel (hereinafter, simply referred to as “vinyl polyester resin”) can also be suitably used. In addition, the monomer which reacts with the raw material monomers of both resins is, in other words, a monomer that can be used for both the condensation polymerization reaction and the radical polymerization reaction. That is, it is a monomer having a carboxy group that can undergo a condensation polymerization reaction and a vinyl group that can undergo a radical polymerization reaction, and examples thereof include fumaric acid, maleic acid, acrylic acid, and methacrylic acid.

  Examples of the raw material monomer for the polyester resin include the aforementioned polyhydric alcohol component and polyvalent carboxylic acid component. Examples of the raw material monomer for the vinyl resin include styrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, α-methylstyrene, p-ethylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, p-tert- Styrene or styrene derivatives such as butylstyrene and p-chlorostyrene; Ethylene unsaturated monoolefins such as ethylene, propylene, butylene and isobutylene; methyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate , Isobutyl methacrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, n-pentyl methacrylate, isopentyl methacrylate, neopentyl methacrylate, 3- (methyl) butyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, nonyl methacrylate Methacrylic acid alkyl esters such as decyl methacrylate, undecyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate; methyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, acrylic Alkyl acrylates such as n-pentyl acid, isopentyl acrylate, neopentyl acrylate, 3- (methyl) butyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, nonyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, undecyl acrylate, and dodecyl acrylate Esters; unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid; acrylonitrile, maleic acid ester, itaconic acid ester, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, vinyl benzoate, vinylmethyl Examples include ethyl ketone, vinyl hexyl ketone, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, and vinyl isobutyl ether. As a polymerization initiator when polymerizing the raw material monomer of the vinyl resin, for example, 2,2′-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile, 1,1 Azo or diazo polymerization initiators such as' -azobis (cyclohexane-1-carbonitrile), 2,2'-azobis-4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile, benzoyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, And peroxide polymerization initiators such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, isopropyl peroxycarbonate, lauroyl peroxide, and the like.

  As the first binder resin and the second binder resin, various polyester resins as described above are preferably used. Among them, from the viewpoint of further improving the separability and offset resistance as an oilless fixing toner, More preferably, the first binder resin and the second binder resin shown are used.

  A more preferred first binder resin is a polyester resin obtained by polycondensation of the above-mentioned polyhydric alcohol component and polyhydric carboxylic acid component, in particular, a bisphenol A alkylene oxide adduct as the polyhydric alcohol component. It is a polyester resin obtained using terephthalic acid and fumaric acid as components.

  More preferred second binder resins are vinyl polyester resins, in particular, bisphenol A alkylene oxide adduct, terephthalic acid, trimellitic acid and succinic acid are used as raw material monomers for polyester resins, and styrene and butyl acrylate are used as raw material monomers for vinyl resins. It is a vinyl polyester resin obtained by using fumaric acid as a both-reactive monomer.

  In the present invention, as described above, a hydrocarbon wax is internally added during the synthesis of the first binder resin. In order to add the hydrocarbon wax to the first binder resin in advance, when the first binder resin is synthesized, the hydrocarbon wax is added to the monomer for synthesizing the first binder resin. What is necessary is just to synthesize | combine binder resin. For example, the polycondensation reaction may be performed in a state where a hydrocarbon wax is added to an acid monomer and an alcohol monomer constituting the polyester resin as the first binder resin. When the first binder resin is a vinyl-based polyester resin, the vinyl-based resin raw material monomer is added dropwise to the polyester resin raw-material monomer while stirring and heating the monomer while the hydrocarbon-based wax is added. The polycondensation reaction and the radical polymerization reaction may be performed.

[wax]
Generally, the lower the polarity of the wax, the better the releasability from the fixing member roller. The wax used in the present invention is a hydrocarbon wax having a low polarity.

  The hydrocarbon wax is a wax composed of only carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, and does not contain an ester group, an alcohol group, an amide group, or the like. Specific hydrocarbon waxes include polyolefin waxes such as polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of ethylene and propylene, petroleum waxes such as paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax, and synthetic waxes such as Fischer-Tropsch wax. . Among these, polyethylene wax, paraffin wax, and Fischer-Tropsch wax are preferable in the present invention, and polyethylene wax and paraffin wax are more preferable.

[Wax dispersant]
The toner of the present invention may contain a wax dispersant that helps to disperse the wax. The wax dispersant is not particularly limited, and a known one can be used. A polymer, oligomer, or wax in which a unit having high compatibility with the wax and a unit having high compatibility with the resin exist as a block body. Polymer or oligomer in which one of highly compatible units and resin is highly grafted on the other, unsaturated hydrocarbon such as ethylene, propylene, butene, styrene, α-styrene, acrylic acid, Copolymers of α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids such as methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid and itaconic anhydride, their esters or anhydrides, vinyl resin and polyester blocks or grafts Examples include the body.

  As the unit having high compatibility with the above wax, there are a long chain alkyl group having 12 or more carbon atoms, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, polybutadiene and a copolymer thereof, and a unit having high compatibility with the resin. Examples thereof include polyester and vinyl resin.

  The melting point of the wax in the present invention is an endothermic peak of the wax at the time of temperature rise measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and is preferably in the range of 70 ° C to 90 ° C. If it is higher than 90 ° C., the melting of the wax in the fixing process becomes insufficient, and the separation from the fixing member cannot be ensured. On the other hand, if the temperature is lower than 70 ° C., there is a problem in storage stability such that toner particles are fused in a high temperature and high humidity environment. In order to provide a sufficient margin for fixing separation at a low temperature, the melting point of the wax is more preferably from 70 ° C to 85 ° C, and further preferably from 70 ° C to 80 ° C.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the half value width of the wax endothermic peak at the time of temperature rise measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is 7 ° C. or less. Since the melting point of the wax in the present invention is relatively low, a wax whose endothermic peak is broad, that is, melted from a low temperature range, adversely affects the storage stability of the toner.

  The content of the wax in the toner of the present invention is in the range of 3 to 10% by mass, preferably 4 to 8% by mass, and more preferably 3.5 to 6.0% by mass. If the wax content is 3% by mass or less, the amount of wax that exudes between the molten toner and the fixing member in the fixing process is insufficient, and the adhesive force between the molten toner and the fixing member does not decrease. The recording member does not leave the fixing member. On the other hand, if the wax content exceeds 10% by mass, the amount of wax exposed on the toner surface increases, and the transfer efficiency from the developing unit to the photoconductor and from the photoconductor to the recording member increases due to the deterioration of the fluidity of the toner particles. This is not preferable because not only the image quality is significantly lowered, but also the wax on the surface of the toner is detached to cause contamination of the developing member and the photosensitive member.

  The content ratio of the first binder resin (including the weight of the internally added wax) and the second binder resin in the toner particles is 20/80 to 45/55, preferably 30/70 to 40/60, by weight. If the amount of the first binder resin is too small, the separability and the high temperature offset resistance are deteriorated. When there is too much 1st binder resin, glossiness and heat-resistant storage property will fall.

  More preferably, the softening point of the binder resin composed of the first binder resin and the second binder resin used in the weight ratio as described above is 110 to 135 ° C, particularly 125 to 130 ° C. In the present invention, the softening point of the binder resin composed of the first binder resin and the second binder resin into which wax is internally added may be in the above range.

  The acid value of the wax-added first binder resin is preferably 5 to 50 KOHmg / g, and more preferably 10 to 40 KOHmg / g. The acid value of the second binder resin is preferably 0 to 10 KOHmg / g, and more preferably 1 to 5 KOHmg / g. In particular, when a polyester resin is used, by using a resin having such an acid value, the dispersibility of various colorants and the like can be improved, and a toner having a sufficient charge amount can be obtained.

[Charge control agent]
In the toner of the present invention, a known charge control agent conventionally used in full color toners may be used. For example, nigrosine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, chromium-containing metal complex dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (including fluorine-modified quaternary ammonium salts), alkylamides, phosphorus Simple substance or compound, tungsten simple substance or compound, fluorine-based activator, salicylic acid metal salt, metal salt of salicylic acid derivative, and the like. Specifically, Bontron 03 of a nigrosine dye, Bontron P-51 of a quaternary ammonium salt, Bontron S-34 of a metal-containing azo dye, E-82 of an oxynaphthoic acid metal complex, E-84 of a salicylic acid metal complex , Phenolic condensate E-89 (above, Orient Chemical Industries, Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex TP-302, TP-415 (above, Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt copy Charge PSY VP2038, copy blue PR of triphenylmethane derivative, copy charge of quaternary ammonium salt NEG VP2036, copy charge NX VP434 (manufactured by Hoechst), LRA-901, LR-147 which is a boron complex (Nippon Carlit) Manufactured), copper phthalocyanine, perylene, quinacridone, azo series Fee, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, and polymer compounds having a functional group such as quaternary ammonium salts. Of these, substances that control the negative polarity of the toner are particularly preferably used.

  The amount of charge control agent used is determined by the type of binder resin, the presence or absence of additives used as necessary, and the toner production method including the dispersion method, and is not uniquely limited. Usually, it is used in the range of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The range of 0.2 to 5 parts by weight is preferable. When the amount exceeds 10 parts by weight, the chargeability of the toner is too high, the effect of the charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attraction with the developing roller is increased, the developer fluidity is lowered, and the image density is lowered. May be invited.

[Colorant]
As the colorant, the following known ones can be used.

  Carbon black, Nigrosine dye, Iron black, Naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), Cadmium yellow, Yellow iron oxide, Ocher, Yellow lead, Titanium yellow, Polyazo yellow, Oil yellow, Hansa yellow ( GR, A, RN, R), Pigment Yellow L, Benzidine Yellow (G, GR), Permanent Yellow (NCG), Vulcan Fast Yellow (5G, R), Tartrazine Lake, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Anthrazan Yellow BGL, Iso Indolinone Yellow, Bengala, Pang Dan, Pepper Red, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Mercury Red, Antimony Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, Para Red, Faise Red, Parachlor Ortho Nitroaniline Red, Resol Fast Scarlet G, Brilia Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmine BS, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Resol Rubin GX, Permanent Red F5R, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Pogment Scarlet 3B, Bordeaux 5B, Toluidine Maroon, Permanent Bordeaux F2K, Helio Bordeaux BL, Bordeaux 10B, Bon Maroon Light, Bon Maroon Medium, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Rhodamine Lake Y, Alizarin Lake, Thioindigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon , Oil red, quinacridone red, pyrazolone red, polyazo red, chrome vermilion, benzidine orange Perinone Orange, Oil Orange, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alkaline Blue Lake, Peacock Blue Lake, Victoria Blue Lake, Metal Free Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue, Fast Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue (RS, BC), Indigo, Ultramarine Blue , Bitumen, anthraquinone blue, fast violet B, methyl violet lake, cobalt purple, manganese purple, dioxane violet, anthraquinone violet, chrome green, zinc green, chromium oxide, pyridian, emerald green, pigment green B, naphthol green B, green gold , Acid green lake, malachite green lake, phthalocyanine green, anthraquinone green, titanium oxide, sub Lead flower, litbon and mixtures thereof can be used.

  The content of the colorant is usually 1 to 15% by mass, preferably 3 to 10% by mass with respect to the toner.

[Color batch masterbatch]
The colorant used in the present invention can also be used as a master batch combined with a resin. As the binder resin to be kneaded with the master batch, polyesters mentioned above, in addition to vinyl resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resins, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic A group petroleum resin, chlorinated paraffin, paraffin wax and the like can be mentioned, and these can be used alone or in combination.

[External additive]
In the present invention, one or more inorganic fine particles are preferably used as an external additive for assisting the fluidity and chargeability / developability / transferability of toner particles.

The BET specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles is ^preferably from ^{30m 2 / g~300m 2 / g,} 10nm~50nm preferably an average primary particle size. If the average primary particle size is too large, it is difficult to fix the toner to the toner base, and the adverse effect on the image due to the removal of the external additive becomes remarkable. On the other hand, if the thickness is 10 nm or less, the durability is not sufficient because the material is heavily buried in the matrix.

  Specific examples of the inorganic fine particles include, for example, silicon oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, titanium oxide, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, bengara, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide. , Aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, silicon nitride and the like.

  The total amount of the external additive in the present invention is preferably 2.5 to 4.0 parts by weight with respect to the toner base. When the total amount of the external additive is larger than the above range, fogging, developability and fixing separation properties are deteriorated. When the total amount of external additives is less than the above range, fluidity, transferability, and heat-resistant storage properties are deteriorated.

  In particular, silica (silicon dioxide) is preferable as the fluidizing agent that assists the fluidity of the toner particles, and the adhesion strength of the fluidizing agent to the toner base is preferably 30 to 80%. If the adhesion strength is 30% or less, there are few external additives fixed on the toner base, so that the free external additive affects the image. If the adhesion strength is 80% or more, the toner base is excessively embedded and the spacer effect is exerted. It will fade.

  Next, the vertical developing device will be described.

[Developer configuration]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the image forming apparatus including the developing device and the process cartridge unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Each process cartridge unit (10) has a structure in which a photosensitive drum (20), a charging roller (30), a developing means (40), and a cleaning means (50) are integrally coupled. Each process cartridge unit (10) can be replaced by releasing each stopper.

  The photosensitive drum (20) rotates in the arrow direction at a peripheral speed of 150 mm / sec. The charging roller (30) is in pressure contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum (20), and is rotated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum (20). A predetermined bias is applied to the charging roller (30) by a high voltage power source (not shown) to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum (20) to -500V. The exposure means (60) exposes image information to the photosensitive drum (20) to form an electrostatic latent image. For this exposure means (60), a laser beam scanner or LED using a laser diode is used. The developing means (40) is one-component contact development, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum (20) as a toner image. A predetermined developing bias is supplied to the developing means (40) from a high voltage power source (not shown). The photoreceptor cleaning means (50) cleans the transfer residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (20).

  Four process cartridge units (10) are arranged in parallel in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt (70), and form visible images in the order of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. A primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller (80), and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum (20) is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt (70). The intermediate transfer belt (70) is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a drive motor (not shown), and a full color image is formed by sequentially transferring the visible images of each color onto the surface.

  The formed full-color image is transferred to a sheet (100) as a transfer material by applying a predetermined voltage to the secondary transfer roller (90), and is fixed and output by a fixing device (not shown). The toner that cannot be transferred by the secondary transfer roller (90) and remains on the intermediate transfer belt (70) is collected by the transfer belt cleaning means (110).

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device and the process cartridge unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The developing device (40) includes a toner storage chamber (101) for storing toner and a toner supply chamber (102) provided below the toner storage chamber (101). Are provided with a developing roller (103), a layer regulating member (104) and a supply roller (105) provided in contact with the developing roller (103). The developing roller (103) is disposed in contact with the photosensitive drum (20), and a predetermined developing bias is applied from a high voltage power source (not shown).

A toner stirring member (106) is provided in the toner storage chamber (101), and the stored toner flows by rotating in the counterclockwise direction, and passes through the opening (107) to supply the toner supply chamber (102). ) Promote falling movement to. The opening (107) is provided immediately above the supply roller, and the wall for partitioning the toner storage chamber (101) and the toner supply chamber (102) is just above the layer regulating member (104). The surface of the supply roller (105) is covered with a foam material having a structure having pores (cells), and the toner conveyed into the toner supply chamber (102) is efficiently attached and taken in, and developed. Toner deterioration due to pressure concentration at the contact portion with the roller (103) is prevented. In addition, a conductive material containing carbon fine particles is used as the foam material, and the electric resistance value is set to 10 ³ to 10 ¹³ Ω. A supply bias having a value offset in the same direction as the toner charging polarity with respect to the developing bias is applied to the supply roller (105). This supply bias acts in the direction in which the pre-charged toner is pressed against the developing roller (103) at the contact portion with the developing roller (103). The supply roller (105) rotates counterclockwise to apply and supply the toner adhered to the surface to the surface of the developing roller (103).

A roller coated with an elastic rubber layer is used for the developing roller (103), and a surface coat layer made of a material that is easily charged to a polarity opposite to that of the toner is provided on the surface. The elastic rubber layer is set to a hardness of 50 degrees or less according to JIS-A in order to keep the contact state with the photosensitive drum (20) uniform, and further 10 ³ to 10 ¹⁰ Ω in order to act a developing bias. Set to electrical resistance value. The surface roughness Ra is set to 0.2 to 2.0 μm, and a necessary amount of toner is held on the surface. The developing roller (103) rotates counterclockwise and conveys the toner held on the surface to a position facing the layer regulating member (104) and the photosensitive drum (20).

  The layer regulating member (104) uses a metal leaf spring material such as SUS304CSP, SUS301CSP, or phosphor bronze, and the free end side is brought into contact with the surface of the developing roller (103) with a pressing force of 10 to 100 N / m. The toner that has passed under the pressure is thinned and an electric charge is applied by triboelectric charging. Further, the layer regulating member (104) is applied with a regulating bias having a value offset in the same direction as the charging polarity of the toner with respect to the developing bias in order to assist frictional charging.

  The photosensitive drum (20) rotates in the clockwise direction, and therefore the surface of the developing roller (103) moves in the same direction as the traveling direction of the photosensitive drum (20) at a position facing the photosensitive drum (20). To do. The thinned toner is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum (20) by the rotation of the developing roller (103), and the developing bias applied to the developing roller (103) and the photosensitive drum (20). In accordance with the latent image electric field formed by the electrostatic latent image, it moves to the surface of the photosensitive drum (20) and is developed.

  A seal (108) is attached to the developing roller (103) at a portion where the toner remaining on the developing roller (103) without being developed on the photosensitive drum (20) returns to the toner supply chamber (102) again. The toner is sealed so as not to leak out of the developing device.

  The rubber elastic body constituting the surface of the developing roller is not particularly limited. For example, styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, urethane rubber, silicon rubber, A blend of two or more of these may be mentioned. Among these, a blend rubber of epichlorohydrin rubber and acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber is preferably used.

  The developing roller used in the present invention is manufactured, for example, by covering the outer periphery of a conductive shaft with a rubber elastic body. The conductive shaft is made of a metal such as stainless steel, for example.

As the fixing device of the present invention, for example, a fixing device that employs a two-roll fixing system including a heating roller and a pressure roller is preferable.

  Also, a fixing device that employs oilless fixing that does not require oil application to the fixing member is preferably used.

[Configuration of electrostatic latent image carrier charging member]
The charging member of the present invention includes a cored bar, a conductive layer on the cored bar, and a surface layer covering the conductive layer, and is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. A voltage applied to the core metal by the power source is applied to the core metal via the conductive layer and the surface layer, and the surface of the latent image carrier is charged.

  The core of the charging member is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the latent image carrier (parallel to the axis of the latent image carrier), and the entire charging member is pressed against the latent image carrier by a predetermined pressing force. It is pressed. As a result, a part of the surface of the latent image carrier and a part of the surface of the charging member are brought into contact with each other along the longitudinal direction thereof to form a contact nip having a predetermined width. The latent image carrier is driven to rotate by driving means, and the charging member is configured to rotate following the rotation.

  The latent image carrier is charged by the power source through the vicinity of the contact nip. Through the contact nip, the surface of the charging member and the charged area on the surface of the latent image carrier (corresponding to the length of the charging member) are in uniform contact with each other. It becomes like.

  The conductive layer of the charging member is non-metallic, and a material with low hardness can be preferably used in order to stabilize the contact state with the latent image carrier. For example, resins such as polyurethane, polyether, and polyvinyl alcohol, and rubbers such as hydrin, EPDM, and NBR are used. Examples of the conductive material include carbon black, graphite, titanium oxide, and zinc oxide.

In addition, a material having a resistance value of medium resistance (10 ² to 10 ¹⁰ Ω) is used for the surface layer.

  For example, as the resin, nylon, polyamide, polyimide, polyurethane, polyester, silicon, Teflon (registered trademark), polyacetylene, polypyrrole, polytheophene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl, etc. can be used, but in order to increase the contact angle with water. It is preferable to use a fluorine-based resin.

  Examples of the fluorine-based resin include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, and vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer.

  Furthermore, for the purpose of adjusting to a medium resistance, a conductive material such as carbon black, graphite, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, or iron oxide may be added as appropriate.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention in detail, this invention is not limited to the following Example at all.

  The toner of the present invention is prepared by mixing, kneading, pulverizing, and classifying the first binder resin, the second binder resin, and the colorant, into which the hydrocarbon wax is internally added, by a conventional method, thereby obtaining a desired volume average particle size. The toner particles can be obtained by mixing them with external additives.

  Hereinafter, the method for producing the toners of Examples 1 to 10 will be described.

[Creation of first binder resin]
As a vinyl monomer, 600 g of styrene, 110 g of butyl acrylate, 30 g of acrylic acid, and 30 g of dicumyl peroxide as a polymerization initiator were placed in a dropping funnel. Among polyester monomers, as polyols, 1230 g of polyoxypropylene (2.2) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxyethylene (2.2) -2,2-bis (4 -Hydroxyphenyl) propane 290 g, isododecenyl succinic anhydride 250 g, terephthalic acid 310 g, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic anhydride 180 g, dibutyltin oxide 7 g as esterification catalyst, wax as paraffin wax (melting point 73.3 ° C., differential 4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of charged monomer, equipped with thermometer, stainless steel stirrer, flow-down condenser, and nitrogen inlet tube In a 5 liter four-necked flask and in a mantle heater under a nitrogen atmosphere With stirring at a temperature of 160 ° C., it was added dropwise over one hour a mixture of the vinyl monomer resins and the polymerization initiator from the dropping funnel. The addition polymerization reaction was aged for 2 hours while maintaining the temperature at 160 ° C., and then the temperature was raised to 230 ° C. to perform the condensation polymerization reaction. The degree of polymerization was tracked by the softening point measured using a constant load extrusion capillary rheometer, and when the desired softening point was reached, the reaction was terminated to obtain Resin H1. The resin softening point was 130 ° C.

[Creation of second binder resin]
As polyol, 2210 g of polyoxypropylene (2.2) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, 850 g of terephthalic acid, 120 g of 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic anhydride and dibutyltin oxide 0 as esterification catalyst .5 g was put into a 5 liter four-necked flask equipped with a thermometer, a stainless steel stirrer, a falling condenser and a nitrogen inlet tube, and the temperature was raised to 230 ° C. in a mantle heater under a nitrogen atmosphere to conduct a condensation polymerization reaction. It was. The degree of polymerization was monitored by the softening point measured using a constant load extrusion capillary rheometer, and when the desired softening point was reached, the reaction was terminated to obtain Resin L1. The resin softening point was 115 ° C.

[Create toner particles]
C. for 100 parts by mass (including the weight of the internally added wax) of the binder resin composed of the first and second binder resins. I. A master batch corresponding to 4 parts by mass of Pigment Red 57-1 was sufficiently mixed with a Henschel mixer, and then melt-kneaded using a biaxial extrusion kneader (PCM-30: manufactured by Ikekai Tekko Co., Ltd.). The kneaded product was rolled to a thickness of 2 mm with a cooling press roller, cooled with a cooling belt, and then roughly pulverized with a feather mill. Thereafter, the mixture was pulverized with a mechanical pulverizer (KTM: manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.) to a volume average particle size of 10-12 μm, and further pulverized while being classified with a jet pulverizer (IDS: manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd.). Thereafter, fine powder classification was performed using a rotor type classifier (Teplex type classifier type: 100 ATP: manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) to obtain colored resin particles having a desired volume average particle diameter and circularity.

  A desired amount (mass part) of silica as an external additive was added to 100 parts by mass of the colored resin particles, and mixed with a Henschel mixer to obtain magenta toner particles.

  Next, a method for producing the toner of Comparative Example 1 will be described.

[Production example of polar polymer]
In a pressurizable reaction vessel equipped with a reflux tube, a stirrer, a thermometer, a nitrogen introduction tube, a dropping device and a decompression device, 150 parts by mass of methanol as a solvent, 250 parts by mass of 2-butanone and 100 parts by mass of 2-propanol, As a monomer, 84 parts by mass of styrene, 13 parts by mass of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and 3 parts by mass of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) were added and heated to reflux temperature while stirring. A solution obtained by diluting 2 parts by mass of t-butylperoxy-isobutyrate as a polymerization initiator with 20 parts by mass of 2-butanone was added dropwise over 30 minutes, and stirring was continued for 5 hours. Further, 1 part by mass of t-butylperoxy-isobutyrate was further added. The solution diluted with 20 parts by mass of 2-butanone was added dropwise over 30 minutes, and the mixture was further stirred for 5 hours to complete the polymerization.

  The polymer obtained after distilling off the polymerization solvent under reduced pressure was coarsely pulverized to 100 μm or less using a cutter mill equipped with a screen having an opening of 100 μm.

[Example of toner production]
910 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water and 1 part by mass of polyvinyl alcohol are added to a 2 liter four-necked flask equipped with a high-speed agitator TK-homomixer, the number of revolutions is adjusted to 12,000 revolutions, and the mixture is heated to 60 ° C. Dispersant system.

On the other hand, the dispersoid system is
Styrene monomer 165 parts by mass n-butyl acrylate monomer 35 parts by mass phthalocyanine pigment 10 parts by mass (CI Pigment Blue 15: 3)
30 parts by mass of polyester resin (polycondensate of propylene oxide modified bisphenol A and isophthalic acid,
Tg = 70 ° C., Mw = 10000, Mn = 6000)
Polar polymer (1) 2 parts by mass Aluminum salicylate compound 4 parts by mass (Bontron E-88: manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Divinylbenzene 0.2 parts by mass Stearyl stearate wax (DSC main peak 60 ° C.) 30 parts by mass After the above mixture was dispersed for 3 hours using an attritor, 2,2′-azobis (2 , 4-dimethylvaleronitrile) was added to the dispersion medium and granulated for 12 minutes while maintaining the rotational speed. Thereafter, the high-speed stirrer was replaced with a propeller stirring blade, the internal temperature was raised to 65 ° C., and polymerization was continued at 50 revolutions for 10 hours.

  After completion of the polymerization, the slurry was cooled, washed with water, dried, classified using the Coanda effect to adjust the particle size, and the cyan toner of Comparative Example 1 was obtained.

  Next, a method for producing the toner of Comparative Example 2 will be described.

  The toner of Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner except that 4 parts by weight of paraffin wax was added at the time of preparing the toner particles without adding wax at the time of forming the first binder resin.

(Evaluation methods)
The volume average particle diameter, circularity, external additive amount, adhesion strength, total energy, and transportability index of the toners of Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 prepared above were measured, and image formation was further performed. The images were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[Total energy measurement in powder rheometer]
Uses Freeman's powder rheometer FT4.

  A 160 ml split container was attached to a 200 ml glass container attached to the powder rheometer, and 85.0 g of toner was charged. After conditioning 7 times, the toner is set in a 200 ml container by grinding with a split container.

  A 48 mm diameter blade attached to the powder rheometer was measured at an approach speed of 30 mm / s, and the energy applied to the electronic balance provided at the lower portion of the blade and the glass container was measured while changing the blade rotation speed. For the load of 5N, a 20 ml compression piston attached to the powder rheometer was used. The output of the measuring instrument when measured under the above conditions is energy in mJ units, and the outputs of the blade part and the lower part of the glass container are obtained, and the sum is the total energy.

[Transportability]
The “transportability index” is, for example, an index of the mobility of toner particles in a state of giving a constant vibration obtained by measurement by the parts feeder shown in FIG. That is, it indicates the ease of movement of the toner.

  The parts feeder 1 includes a drive source 3 for generating a specific vibration and a cylindrical ball 4 supported above the drive source 3, and the ball 4 extends along an inner peripheral wall surface thereof. Thus, a spiral slope 5 that connects the bottom surface and the upper edge is formed.

  The slope 5 is arranged in such a manner that the upper end portion 5 </ b> A protrudes radially outward from the side wall of the ball 4 at the same height position as the upper end edge of the ball 4.

  6 is a central axis of the ball 4, 7 is a tray provided below the upper end portion 5 </ b> A of the slope 5, and 2 is a weighing means connected to the tray 7.

  In this parts feeder 1, the rotational power supplied by the drive source 3 is transmitted to the ball 4 to convert it into a vibrating motion that vibrates the ball 4 as a whole, and the return position of the vertical motion is arranged at an angle. By changing by the action of the provided spring, the toner positioned in the ball 4 is transferred upward along the slope 5 and falls onto the tray 7 from the upper end portion 5 </ b> A of the slope 5.

The transferability index is measured by putting 1 g of toner around the central axis 6 inside the ball 4 and driving the drive source 3 under the conditions of a frequency of 120 rps and a voltage of 80 V, and the toner is moved upward along the slope 5. Measure the time from the start of driving of the driving source 3 when the amount of toner reaching the receiving tray 7 measured by the measuring means 2 reaches 300 mg and 750 mg. and it can be calculated by using the below following formula (1).

(750-300) / (T750-T300) [ mg / sec ] (1)
In Formula (1), T300 indicates the time required to transfer 300 mg of toner to the tray 7, and T750 indicates the time required to transfer 750 mg of toner to the tray 7.

[Volume average particle size]
A method for measuring the particle size distribution of the toner particles will be described. Examples of the measuring device for the particle size distribution of toner particles by the Coulter counter method include Coulter Counter TA-II and Coulter Multisizer II (both manufactured by Coulter). The measurement method is described below. First, 0.1 to 5 ml of a surfactant (preferably alkylbenzene sulfonate) is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of the electrolytic aqueous solution. Here, the electrolytic solution is a solution prepared by preparing a 1% NaCl aqueous solution using primary sodium chloride. For example, ISOTON-II (manufactured by Coulter) can be used. Here, 2 to 20 mg of the measurement sample is further added as a solid content. The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes. Volume distribution and number distribution are calculated. From the obtained distribution, the volume average particle diameter (Dv) and the number average particle diameter (Dp) of the toner can be obtained. As channels, 2.00 to less than 2.52 μm; 2.52 to less than 3.17 μm; 3.17 to less than 4.00 μm; 4.00 to less than 5.04 μm; 5.04 to less than 6.35 μm; 6 Less than 35 to 8.00 μm; less than 8.00 to less than 10.08 μm; less than 10.08 to less than 12.70 μm; less than 12.70 to less than 16.00 μm; less than 16.00 to less than 20.20 μm; Uses 13 channels of less than 40 μm; 25.40 to less than 32.00 μm; 32.00 to less than 40.30 μm, and targets particles having a volume average particle diameter of 2.00 μm to less than 40.30 μm.

[Average circularity]
As a method for measuring the shape, an optical detection band method is suitable in which a suspension containing particles is passed through an imaging unit detection band on a flat plate, and a particle image is optically detected and analyzed by a CCD camera. A toner with an average circularity of 0.960 or more, which is a value obtained by dividing the perimeter of an equivalent circle having the same projected area obtained by this method by the perimeter of a real particle, produces a high-definition image having a reproducibility with an appropriate density. It was found to be effective in forming. More preferably, the average circularity is 0.980 to 1.000. This value is a value measured as an average circularity by a flow type particle image analyzer FPIA-2000. As a specific measuring method, 0.1 to 0.5 ml of a surfactant, preferably alkylbenzene sulfonate is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of water from which impure solids have been removed in advance, and further measurement is performed. Add about 0.1-0.5g of sample. The suspension in which the sample is dispersed is obtained by performing dispersion treatment for about 1 to 3 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser and measuring the shape and distribution of the toner with the above apparatus at a dispersion concentration of 3000 to 10,000 / μl. .

[Adhesive strength of external additives]
After 2 g of toner was added to 30 cc of a surfactant solution diluted 10 times and thoroughly blended, energy was applied at 40 W for 1 minute using an ultrasonic homogenizer to separate, wash and dry the toner, It is obtained by calculating the ratio of the adhesion amount of inorganic particles before and after treatment using a fluorescent X-ray analyzer. The fluorescent X-ray analysis was performed by applying a force of 1 N / cm ² for 60 seconds to ² g each of the dry toner obtained by the above treatment and the pre-treatment toner using a wavelength dispersion type fluorescent X-ray analyzer XRF1700 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation. As a result of preparing pellets and quantifying the elements unique to the inorganic fine particles (for example, silicon in the case of silica) by the calibration curve method, it was found that the preferable adhesion strength of the fluidizing agent to the toner base is 30 to 80%. If the adhesion strength is 30% or less, there are few external additives fixed on the toner base, so that the free external additive affects the image. If the adhesion strength is 80% or more, the toner base is excessively embedded and the spacer effect is exerted. It will fade.

[Evaluation of actual machine]
Using a color laser printer Ipsio CX3000 manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd., image evaluation was performed by replacing the toners of the examples and comparative examples. The results are shown in Table 1 below.
(Torque evaluation)
The amount of torque increase when the line speed was halved was measured.
X where clogging due to torque increase occurred,
Those that did not occur were marked with ○.
(Image density unevenness)
Use the amount of toner adhering to the photoconductor during solid black development.
X where image unevenness occurs due to excessive toner conveyance
A sample having no image unevenness was marked with a circle.

表１の実施例１乃至１０から明らかなように、現像ローラを下位置に配置し、該現像ローラに接触対向させたトナー供給ローラを有する縦型現像装置に対してワックス含有粉砕トナーを用いる場合であっても、少なくともワックス含有樹脂、色材、外添剤を含み、体積平均粒径が６〜１０μｍであり、５Ｎの荷重負荷を与えたトナー粉体層中にスクリューブレードを回転させながら侵入させて、ブレードが粉体層中を移動する時に発生するトルクと荷重から算出されるトータルエネルギーがブレード回転数１００ｍｍ／ｓの時に８００〜１６００ｍＪであり、移送性指数が４〜１０であるワックス含有非磁性一成分現像用トナーを用いることによって、現像装置の負荷が回避され、駆動ムラや現像装置の故障が生じることなく、特に、オイルレス定着器を用いたプリンタ構成であっても、トナー間付着力が回避され、現像装置の負荷も回避されて、高画質画像を提供できる。

As is clear from Examples 1 to 10 in Table 1, when the developing roller is disposed at the lower position and the pulverized toner containing wax is used for the vertical developing device having the toner supply roller in contact with and opposed to the developing roller. Even so, it contains at least a wax-containing resin, a coloring material, and an external additive, has a volume average particle size of 6 to 10 μm, and penetrates into a toner powder layer subjected to a 5N load while rotating a screw blade. A wax containing 800 to 1600 mJ and a transportability index of 4 to 10 when the total energy calculated from the torque and load generated when the blade moves in the powder layer is 100 mm / s. By using non-magnetic one-component developing toner, the load on the developing device is avoided, and there is no drive unevenness or failure of the developing device. Be a printer configuration using the scan fuser avoids toner adherence between, are avoided load of the developing device, can provide a high quality image.

  Therefore, the present invention is not limited as long as it is an image forming method under the toner conditions as described above. For example, the present invention is preferably used for an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile using oilless fixing. .

  The toner of the present invention is preferably used in image forming means in a process cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

It is a figure which shows the parts feeder which measures the transportability index | exponent of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus including a developing device and a process cartridge unit of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device and the process cartridge unit of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Parts feeder 2 Weighing means 3 Drive source 4 Ball 5 Slope 5A Upper end part of slope 6 Center axis 7 Receptacle 10 Process cartridge unit 20 Photosensitive drum 30 Charging roller 40 Developing means 50 Cleaning means 60 Exposure means 70 Intermediate transfer belt 80 Primary transfer Roller 90 Secondary transfer roller 100 Transfer material 110 Transfer belt cleaning means 101 Toner storage chamber 102 Toner supply chamber 103 Developing roller 104 Layer regulating member 105 Supply roller 106 Toner stirring member 107 Opening portion 108 Sealing seal

Claims (13)

A developing roller disposed in the lower position, is provided in contact with the developing roller, a vertical development instrumentation nonmagnetic one of置用 having a feed roller for supplying the non-magnetic one-component developer to the developing roller a component developer,
Those wherein the non-magnetic one-component developer, and maternal containing a binder resin and a colorant containing rings box has an external additive, the body volume average particle diameter of 6 to 10 [mu] m, the transport index is 4 10 and
The powder layer in the non-magnetic one-component developer applying a load load of 5N by intrusion while rotating the screw blade, calculated from the torque and the load to which the screw blade is generated when moving the powder layer total energy is the sometimes rotational speed of the screw blade is 100 mm / s, a non-magnetic one-component developer you wherein the Ru 800~1600mJ der. Non-magnetic one-component developer according to claim 1, wherein the average circularity of from 0.890 to 0.930. The external additive is an fluidizing agent,
Non-magnetic one-component developer according to claim 1 or 2 content of the fluidized agent and wherein 2.5 to 4.0% by mass Rukoto. Non-magnetic one-component developer according to claim 3 having an average primary particle diameter of the fluidizing agent characterized in that it is a 10 to 50 nm. The fluidizing agent is silica;
Non-magnetic one-component developer according to claim 3 or 4 bond strength of the silica is characterized by a 30% to 80% with respect to the base. Non-magnetic one-component developer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the content of the previous verge box is 3 to 10 wt%.   The non-magnetic one-component developer according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is supplied to a developing roller disposed at a lower position and the developing roller provided in contact with the developing roller. An image forming apparatus comprising a vertical developing device having a supply roller. The vertical type developing apparatus, the a yield vessel chamber you accommodate a non-magnetic one-component developer, is provided below the 該収 vessel chamber, a non-magnetic one-component developer contained in the housing chamber A supply chamber for supplying the supply roller; and a layer regulating member provided in contact with the developing roller;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the developing roller, the layer regulating member, and the supply roller are provided in a lower portion of the supply chamber. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a fixing device having a pressurizing heat roller and the pressure roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a fuser an oil-less fixing system that requires no oil coating in Fixing member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer, a copier, or a facsimile. Image forming method characterized by forming an image using an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11. The non-magnetic one-component developer according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is supplied to a developing roller disposed at a lower position and to the developing roller provided so as to be opposed to the developing roller. A process cartridge having a vertical developing device having a supply roller .

Images