JP4879186B2 - Resin tube manufacturing method and resin tube manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a resin tube manufacturing method for manufacturing a resin tube having an inner peripheral surface subjected to plasma treatment , and a resin tube manufacturing apparatus.

  Rollers used as pressure rollers and fixing rollers in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers are required to be mechanically, thermally and chemically stable. In some cases, it is required that the components contained in the toner are difficult to adhere. As a roller used for such applications, there has been proposed a roller in which a roller body whose outer peripheral surface is made of rubber is covered with a fluororesin tube such as a tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer. Also, when fixing the outer peripheral surface of the roller body and the inner surface of the resin tube with an adhesive, the fluororesin tube has extremely poor adhesion to rubber. It has been proposed to increase the adhesion by applying (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a technique has been proposed in which an object to be processed is stored in a plastic bag and plasma is generated in the bag to perform plasma processing on the object to be processed (see Patent Document 2).

  However, any of the above processing methods has a problem that the productivity is remarkably low because each object to be processed such as a fluororesin tube is processed one by one.

On the other hand, while introducing gas into the inside of the resin tube discharged from the extrusion molding device, a high frequency voltage is applied between the inner electrode and the outer electrode arranged on the inner side and outer side of the resin tube to A method of performing plasma processing continuously has been proposed (see Patent Document 3).
JP 2005-163837 A JP-A-6-285365 JP 2002-337210 A

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 3, it is impossible to avoid a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode. However, there is a problem that plasma is generated and the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube is also subjected to plasma treatment. Such a plasma treatment on the outer peripheral surface is preferable because a roller coated therewith may cause a toner material to adhere when used as a pressure roller or a fixing roller in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. Absent.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a resin tube manufacturing method capable of continuously manufacturing a resin tube whose inner peripheral surface has been subjected to plasma processing without plasma processing of the outer peripheral surface , and resin tube manufacturing. To provide an apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, the resin tube is continuously discharged from the extrusion molding apparatus, and the introduction of the gas into the resin tube discharged from the extrusion molding apparatus and the resin tube While discharging the gas from the inside, a high frequency voltage is applied between the cylindrical outer electrode located outside the resin tube and the inner electrode located inside the resin tube, and plasma is generated inside the resin tube. In the method of manufacturing a resin tube, in which plasma treatment is performed on the inner surface of the resin tube, the discharge direction of the resin tube from the inner electrode out of the inner side of the resin tube continuously discharged from the extrusion molding device A guide member that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the resin tube on the downstream side and maintains the diameter-expanded state of the resin tube is provided, and the resin To carry out the plasma treatment in a state where said resin tube is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode by the internal pressure rise due to the introduction of the gas into the inside of the holding portion in the expanded state by the guide member in the cube Features.

  In the present invention, the resin tube is continuously discharged from the extrusion molding apparatus, gas is introduced into the resin tube by the gas introduction path, and the resin is located inside the resin tube and the outer electrode located outside the resin tube. A high frequency voltage is applied between the inner electrodes. As a result, plasma is generated inside the resin tube, so that plasma treatment can be performed on the inner surface of the resin tube. Therefore, it is possible to continuously manufacture a resin tube whose inner peripheral surface has been subjected to plasma treatment. Since the inner surface of the resin tube is activated by the plasma treatment, the resin tube has excellent adhesion. Further, the plasma treatment is uniformly performed over the entire circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the resin tube. Furthermore, in the present invention, since the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode by the internal pressure increased by the introduction of the gas into the resin tube, there is a gap between the outer side of the resin tube and the outer electrode. There is no. Therefore, since no plasma is generated between the resin tube and the outer electrode, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube is not plasma-treated. Therefore, when the resin tube according to the present invention is covered with a pressure roller, a fixing roller or the like in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, adhesion of a toner material does not occur.

The resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes an extrusion molding apparatus that continuously discharges a molded resin tube, a cylindrical outer electrode positioned outside the resin tube discharged from the extrusion molding apparatus, and the extrusion Inside the resin tube, which is located inside the resin tube discharged from the molding apparatus, generates plasma inside the resin tube by a high-frequency voltage applied between the outside electrode and performs plasma treatment on the inner surface of the resin tube Of the resin tube continuously discharged from the electrode and the extrusion molding device, the resin tube comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the resin tube on the downstream side in the discharge direction of the resin tube from the inner electrode. A guide member that maintains the expanded diameter and a portion of the resin tube that is held in the expanded diameter state by the guide member. A gas introduction path for introducing gas, a gas discharge path for discharging gas from the inside of a portion of the resin tube held in a diameter-expanded state by the guide member, and a diameter expansion by the guide member in the resin tube The pressure inside the resin tube is controlled by adjusting at least one of the gas introduction amount inside the portion held in the state and the gas discharge amount from the resin tube, and the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube is And an internal pressure adjusting device for contacting the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode.

  In the present invention, the resin tube is a fluororesin tube, for example, a tube made of a tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (hereinafter referred to as PFA).

  In this invention, it is preferable to apply | coat a coupling agent to the inner surface of the said resin tube continuously discharged | emitted from the said extrusion molding apparatus following the said plasma treatment. When implementing such a manufacturing method, in the resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the inner surface of the resin tube discharged from the extrusion molding apparatus has an inner surface of the resin tube subjected to the plasma treatment. A coupling agent supply unit that supplies the coupling agent toward the surface is arranged. If comprised in this way, when manufacturing the roller by which the resin tube was coat | covered on the outer periphery, it is not necessary to apply | coat a coupling agent to a resin tube.

  In the present invention, the gas preferably contains an organosilane compound. If comprised in this way, when manufacturing the roller by which the resin tube was coat | covered on the outer periphery, it is not necessary to apply | coat a coupling agent to a resin tube.

  The resin tube which concerns on this invention is coat | covered by the outer periphery of the roller main body which coat | covered the outer periphery of the core material with the rubber layer of fixed thickness, and comprises a roller.

  Such a roller is used as a pressure roller for pressing members together or a fixing roller used when fixing a toner material on a medium such as paper in a copying machine, a printer or other image forming apparatus. Is suitable.

  In manufacturing the roller having such a configuration, after inserting the roller body inside the resin tube, the outer peripheral surface of the roller body and the inner surface of the resin tube are fixed with an adhesive. Moreover, after inserting the said core material inside the said resin tube, while inject | pouring a rubber material between the said core material and the said resin tube, the method of solidifying the said rubber material is also employable.

  In the resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the internal electrode has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape whose outer peripheral surface faces the external electrode via the resin tube.

  In the resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the internal electrode includes a tube body or a rod body wound coaxially with the outer electrode.

(a), (b) is the perspective view of the roller which concerns on this invention, and its cross-sectional view. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the manufacturing method of the roller shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically another manufacturing method of the roller shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the resin tube manufacturing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the resin tube manufacturing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. (a), (b) is explanatory drawing of the resin tube manufacturing apparatus concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention, and the cross-sectional view of the inner side electrode. (a), (b) is explanatory drawing of the resin tube manufacturing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Resin tube manufacturing apparatus 3 Extrusion molding apparatus 7 Plasma generator 8 Internal pressure adjusting apparatus 10 Roller 11 Core material 13 Rubber layer 20 Resin tube 35 Die 37 Insert 51 Gas introduction path 52 Gas discharge path 71 Inner electrode 72 Outer electrode 81 Guide member 90 Adhesive introduction path 511 Tube 711 Ring part

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the configuration (shape, size, and arrangement relationship) in the drawings used in describing the present embodiment is merely schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be understood and implemented.

[Roller configuration]
1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a roller according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing a manufacturing method of the roller shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing another method of manufacturing the roller shown in FIG.

  A roller 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is used as a pressure roller or a fixing roller in a copying machine, a printer, or other image forming apparatus, and has a silicon rubber on the outer peripheral surface of a metal core 11. A roller main body 15 in which a rubber layer 13 made of, for example, is coated with a constant thickness, and a resin tube 20 coated on the outer peripheral surface of the rubber layer 13 are provided.

  In order to manufacture such a roller 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, after inserting the roller body 15 into the inner surface of the resin tube 20, between the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 15 and the inner surface of the resin tube 20. Adhesive (not shown) is injected into and fixed.

  In another manufacturing method of the roller 10, as shown in FIG. 3, after inserting the resin tube 20 inside the cylindrical mold 18, both ends thereof are used as side molds (not shown) that hold the core material 11. Fix it. Next, in this state, a rubber material is injected and filled into the annular space between the core material 11 and the resin tube 20 at a high pressure, and the resin tube 20 is expanded by the filling pressure while the resin tube 20 is expanded. While making it contact with an inner peripheral surface, the rubber material, the resin tube 20, and the core material 11 are integrated. At that time, depending on the rubber material and the material of the resin tube 20, it is preferable to apply a coupling agent to the inner surface of the resin tube 20.

  In any of these methods, problems such as peeling of the resin tube 20 occur if the adhesiveness of the inner surface of the resin tube 20 is low. In particular, since the fluororesin-based resin tube 20 such as PFA has low adhesiveness, the present invention continuously forms the resin tube 20 and continuously with respect to the inner surface of the resin tube 20 as described below. Apply plasma treatment. In the present invention, when the plasma treatment is performed on the inner surface of the resin tube 20, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 is not plasma-treated. Therefore, when the resin tube 20 according to the present invention is covered with a pressure roller, a fixing roller, or the like in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, the toner material does not adhere.

[Embodiment 1]
(Configuration of resin tube manufacturing equipment)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the resin tube manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes an extrusion molding apparatus 3 that discharges the resin tube 20 in a state where the resin tube 20 is molded and expanded in diameter, and a plasma generator 7. The plasma generator 7 includes a cylindrical inner electrode 71 and a cylindrical outer electrode 72 that are respectively disposed on the inner side and the outer side of the resin tube 20 discharged from the extrusion molding device 3 in a state where the diameter is increased. The inner electrode 71 and the outer electrode 72 are made of a conductive material such as metal or carbon, for example.

  The extrusion molding apparatus 3 is an apparatus for continuously molding the resin tube 20 from resin pellets by a melt extrusion molding method. The extrusion molding apparatus 3 is fed from a hopper 31 and a resin transport pipe 30 provided with a hopper 31 for feeding the resin pellets above. A heater (not shown) that heats and melts the resin pellets and a screw device 33 that sends out the resin in the resin transport pipe 30 are provided. The resin transport pipe 30 is refracted downward at an intermediate position, and a ring-shaped die 35 that defines the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 is attached to an end portion thereof, and the resin tube is disposed inside the die 35. A substantially cylindrical insert 37 that defines the inner surface of 20 is attached.

  On the downstream side of the resin tube 20 in the discharge direction with respect to the insert 37, a guide member 81 whose outer surface dimension is substantially equal to the outer dimension of the insert 37 is disposed. The guide member 81 is discharged from the extrusion molding device 3. The diameter of the resin tube 20 is maintained in contact with the inner surface of the resin tube 20 thus formed. Here, the guide member 81 has a circular outer peripheral shape, and maintains a state where the diameter of the resin tube 20 is expanded into a cylindrical shape. The die 35 and the insert 37 are each made of aluminum, iron, other highly corrosion-resistant metals, ceramics, glass, or the like.

  A cylindrical inner electrode 71 is disposed between the guide member 81 and the insert 37, and an annular space is formed between the inner electrode 71 and the resin tube 20. Insulating materials 731 and 732 may be disposed between the inner electrode 71 and the insert 37 and between the inner electrode 71 and the guide member 81. If the insert 37 and the guide member 81 are insulative, the insulating materials 731 and 732 may be omitted.

  A gas introduction path 51 communicating with the inside of the resin tube 20 is formed for the insert 37, the insulating material 731, the inner electrode 71, the insulating material 732, and the guide member 81, and from the gas introduction path 51 to the inner electrode 71. Gas (reactive gas) is supplied to an annular space formed between the resin tube 20 and the resin tube 20. That is, in this embodiment, the inner electrode 71 is configured by a member that forms part of the gas introduction path 51 in the resin tube 20.

The gas supplied from the gas introduction path 51 is, for example, an inert gas such as He, Ar, Ne, Kr, or Xe, a nitrogen gas, a hydrogen gas, a carbon oxide gas such as CO ₂ or CO, or an oxidation such as O _2. Reactive gas, reaction gas containing organic silane such as chlorosilane and alkoxysilane, reaction gas such as CF ₄ , polymerizable unsaturated compound gas such as ethylene and propylene, fluorocarbon fluorine-containing compound, air, etc. Gas.

  The insert 37 is also formed with a gas discharge path 52 that communicates with the inside of the resin tube 20 discharged from the extrusion molding device 3 in a state where the diameter has been expanded. Further, an internal pressure adjusting device 8 such as a valve for holding the pressure inside the resin tube 20 at a predetermined value is configured for the gas introduction path 51. Here, the internal pressure adjusting device 8 controls the pressure in the resin tube 20 by adjusting the amount of gas introduced into the resin tube 20 to bring the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 72. It has a function.

  Further, an insulating material may be disposed between the inner electrode 71 and the resin tube 20 and between the resin tube 20 and the outer electrode 72. In this case, as a kind of insulating material, it is preferable to avoid a resin agent similar to the resin tube 20 and to be a low friction resin or an inorganic material. In addition, since such an insulating material may serve as a dielectric, the insulating material is preferably a heat-resistant resin such as glass, ceramics, or polyimide.

(Operation)
In the resin tube manufacturing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the resin tube 20 is continuously formed by the extrusion molding apparatus 3, and the reaction gas is passed through the gas introduction path 51 to the inside of the resin tube 20 discharged in an expanded state. Is introduced. At this time, the internal pressure adjusting device 8 increases the pressure (internal pressure) inside the resin tube 20 and expands the resin tube 20, thereby contacting the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 72 without a gap. Let While maintaining this state, a high-frequency voltage is applied between the inner electrode 71 and the outer electrode 72 to generate plasma in an annular space formed between the resin tube 20 and the inner electrode 71, and thereby the resin tube 20. Plasma treatment is continuously performed on the inner surface of the substrate. That is, when a high frequency voltage is applied between the inner electrode 71 and the outer electrode 72, glow discharge plasma is generated inside the resin tube 20, and a gas containing chemically active excited species generated by the plasma is generated in the resin tube. 20 makes contact with the inner surface of the resin tube 20, so that plasma processing (surface improvement) such as etching, implantation, radical generation, etc. can be performed on the inner surface of the resin tube 20. Therefore, the resin tube 20 whose inner peripheral surface is subjected to plasma treatment can be continuously manufactured. In addition, the plasma treatment can be performed uniformly over the entire circumferential direction of the inner surface of the resin tube 20.

  Further, using the fact that the resin tube 20 is discharged in an expanded state from the extrusion molding device 3, the inner electrode 71 is arranged inside the resin tube 20, and the resin tube 20 and the inner electrode 71 are connected to each other. Since the configuration in which gas is introduced into the annular space formed therebetween is employed, there is an advantage that the device configuration is simple.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 72 are brought into close contact with each other by utilizing the internal pressure of the gas introduced inside the resin tube 20. Therefore, since no plasma is generated between the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 72, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 is not subjected to plasma treatment.

  Furthermore, since it has the guide member 81 which contact | abuts to the inner surface of the resin tube 20 discharged | emitted from the extrusion molding apparatus 3 and hold | maintains the expanded state in the resin tube 20, the inner surface of the resin tube 20 and the inner side electrode 71 contact. Therefore, the annular space can be reliably formed between the resin tube 20 and the inner electrode 71. Moreover, since the guide member 81 prevents unnecessary gas leakage from the inside of the resin tube 20, the amount of reaction gas used can be reduced.

  The manufactured resin tube 20 is conveyed by nip rollers 41 and 42, guide rollers 431, 432, and 44, and wound in a roll shape in a winding device (not shown). Moreover, about the manufactured resin tube 20, you may cut | disconnect to a predetermined dimension with a laser etc., without winding in roll shape.

  In order to manufacture the roller 10 shown in FIG. 1 using the resin tube 20 thus manufactured, the resin tube 20 is cut into a predetermined size as described with reference to FIG. The roller body 15 is inserted into the inside of the roller. Next, the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 15 and the inner surface of the resin tube 20 are fixed with an adhesive. In the roller 10 manufactured as described above, various functions can be given to the roller surface by the resin tube 20.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 3, after inserting the core material 11 inside the resin tube 20, the rubber material is injected between the core material 11 and the resin tube 20, and the rubber material is solidified. May be. At that time, it is preferable to vulcanize the rubber.

  In any of these rollers 10, since the adhesive strength between the roller body 15 and the resin tube 20 is high, the life of the roller 10 having the roller surface constituted by the resin tube 20 can be extended.

  In this embodiment, the PFA resin tube 20 has been described as an example. However, as the fluororesin-based resin tube 20, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer may be used in addition to PFA. Polymer (FEP), Tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), Chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ECTFE), Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), Polyvinyl fluoride ( The present embodiment can also be applied to the production of a resin tube 20 such as PVF) or tetrafluoroethylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer. Further, as the resin tube 20, the present invention may be applied to manufacture of a resin tube other than the fluororesin-based resin tube 20.

  In this embodiment, the internal pressure adjusting device 8 controls the pressure in the resin tube 20 by adjusting the amount of gas introduced into the resin tube 20, but the internal pressure adjusting device 8 controls the gas into the resin tube 20. The pressure in the resin tube 20 is controlled by controlling at least one of the introduction amount and the gas discharge amount from the resin tube 20, and the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 may be brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 20.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In addition, since the basic structure of the resin tube manufacturing apparatus of this form is common in Embodiment 1, it attaches and illustrates the same code | symbol to a common part, and those description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

  In the first embodiment, the gas introduction path 51 is formed in the cylindrical inner electrode 71. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a coiled tube wound around the outer electrode 72 concentrically. 511 is used as the inner electrode 71. Here, the inside of the tube body 511 (inner electrode 71) is used as a part of the gas introduction path 51. Further, the tube body 511 is wound around the central axis of the resin tube 20. Even in such a configuration, the guide member 81 is supported below the inner electrode 71. When the insert 37 is made of a conductor, an insulating material 731 may be disposed between the insert 37 and the inner electrode 71 as in the first embodiment. When the guide member 81 is made of a conductor, an insulating material (not shown) may be disposed between the inner electrode 71 and the guide member 81 as in the first embodiment.

  Also in the resin tube manufacturing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the resin tube 20 is continuously formed by the extrusion molding apparatus 3, and a high frequency voltage is applied between the inner electrode 71 and the outer electrode 72 to thereby apply the resin tube 20 and the inner electrode. A plasma is generated in an annular space formed between the resin tube 20 and the inner surface of the resin tube 20 is continuously subjected to plasma treatment. At that time, while introducing the reaction gas into the inside of the resin tube 20 discharged in the expanded state via the gas introduction path 51, the internal pressure adjusting device 8 increases the pressure (internal pressure) inside the resin tube 20, By expanding the resin tube 20, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 72 are brought into contact with each other without a gap. Therefore, since no plasma is generated between the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 72, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 is not subjected to plasma treatment.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the inner electrode 71 is constituted by the tube body 511 constituting the gas introduction path 51, the inner electrode 71 is efficiently cooled by the gas passing through the inside. Moreover, since the internal electrode 71 is wound in a coil shape, the surface area of the outer surface in contact with the gas is large, so that the internal electrode 71 is efficiently cooled.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In addition, since the basic structure of the resin tube manufacturing apparatus of this form is common in Embodiment 1, it attaches and illustrates the same code | symbol to a common part, and those description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the third embodiment, the inner electrode 71 includes a cylindrical body 710 in which the gas introduction path 51 is formed, and a rod wound concentrically with the outer electrode 72 around the cylindrical body 710. A plurality of ring parts 711 made of a body and a connecting part 712 for connecting the ring part 711 and the columnar part 710 are provided. When a high frequency voltage is applied between the inner electrode 71 and the outer electrode 72 configured in this manner, the ring portion 711 functions as a substantial inner electrode.

  Also in the resin tube manufacturing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the resin tube 20 is continuously formed by the extrusion molding apparatus 3, and a high frequency voltage is applied between the inner electrode 71 and the outer electrode 72 to thereby apply the resin tube 20 and the inner electrode. A plasma is generated in an annular space formed between the resin tube 20 and the inner surface of the resin tube 20 is continuously subjected to plasma treatment. At that time, while introducing the reaction gas into the inside of the resin tube 20 discharged in the expanded state via the gas introduction path 51, the internal pressure adjusting device 8 increases the pressure (internal pressure) inside the resin tube 20, By expanding the resin tube 20, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 72 are brought into contact with each other without a gap. Therefore, since no plasma is generated between the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 72, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube 20 is not subjected to plasma treatment.

  Further, in this embodiment, the inner electrode 71 includes a plurality of ring portions 711, and the ring portions 711 have a large surface area on the outer surface in contact with the gas, and thus are efficiently cooled.

[Other embodiments]
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory views of a resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment. The basic configuration of the resin tube manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) is the same as that of Embodiments 1 and 2, respectively. These are shown in the figure and their explanation is omitted.

  7A, in the resin tube manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the resin tube 20 with respect to the insert 37, the insulating material 731, the inner electrode 71, the insulating material 732, and the guide member 81 is used. A coupling agent introduction path 90 is formed for spraying and dropping a silane coupling agent such as acrylic silane or aminosilane on the inner surface of the guide member, and the coupling agent introduction path 90 is located below the guide member 81. The coupling agent supply unit 91 is open. For this reason, after performing a plasma process with respect to the inner surface of the resin tube 20 discharged | emitted continuously from the extrusion molding apparatus 3, a coating agent can be apply | coated subsequently. For this reason, when manufacturing the roller 10 with the method demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 1-3, there exists an advantage that it is not necessary to apply | coat a silane coupling agent to the inner surface of the resin tube 20 at another process.

  7B, in the resin tube manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, after passing through the insert 37 and the insulating material 731 in the resin tube apparatus according to the second embodiment, the guide passes through the inside of the coiled inner electrode 71. A coupling agent introduction path 90 is formed toward the member 81, and the coupling agent introduction path 90 opens as a coupling agent supply unit 91 on the side of the guide member 81. For this reason, after performing a plasma process with respect to the inner surface of the resin tube 20 discharged | emitted continuously from the extrusion molding apparatus 3, it can apply | coat coupling agents, such as an acryl silane and an aminosilane. For this reason, when manufacturing the roller 10 with the method demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, there exists an advantage that it is not necessary to apply | coat a silane coupling agent to the inner surface of the resin tube 20 at another process.

  When the configuration shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is adopted, after applying the silane coupling agent to the inside of the resin tube 20, it is not wound into a roll shape, but is cut at a fixed length and cut. What is necessary is just to dry the inner side of the resin tube 20 in a state. Further, the configuration shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be applied to the third embodiment.

  Furthermore, in place of the configuration shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the resin tube manufacturing apparatus 1 according to Embodiments 1 to 3, organic silane such as chlorosilane and alkoxysilane is supplied to the gas supplied from the gas introduction path 51. If the compound is included, the inner surface of the resin tube 20 can be coupled. Therefore, when the roller 10 is manufactured by the method described with reference to FIG. The step of applying the ring agent can be omitted.

  In the present invention, the resin tube is continuously discharged from the extrusion molding apparatus, gas is introduced into the resin tube by the gas introduction path, and the outer electrode positioned outside the resin tube and the resin tube positioned inside the resin tube. A high frequency voltage is applied between the inner electrode. As a result, plasma is generated inside the resin tube, so that plasma treatment can be performed on the inner surface of the resin tube. Therefore, it is possible to continuously manufacture a resin tube whose inner peripheral surface has been subjected to plasma treatment. Since the inner surface of the resin tube is activated by the plasma treatment, the resin tube has excellent adhesion. Further, the plasma treatment is uniformly performed over the entire circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the resin tube. Furthermore, in the present invention, since the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode by the internal pressure increased by the introduction of the gas into the resin tube, there is a gap between the outer side of the resin tube and the outer electrode. There is no. Therefore, since no plasma is generated between the resin tube and the outer electrode, the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube is not plasma-treated. Therefore, when the resin tube according to the present invention is covered with a pressure roller, a fixing roller or the like in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, adhesion of a toner material does not occur.

Claims (9)

The resin tube is continuously discharged from the extrusion molding device, and the introduction of gas into the resin tube discharged from the extrusion molding device and the discharge of gas from the inside of the resin tube are performed. Plasma treatment is performed on the inner surface of the resin tube by applying a high-frequency voltage between the cylindrical outer electrode located outside the tube and the inner electrode located inside the resin tube to generate plasma inside the resin tube. In the method of manufacturing a resin tube,
Of the inner side of the resin tube continuously discharged from the extrusion molding device, the diameter of the resin tube is increased by contacting the inner peripheral surface of the resin tube on the downstream side in the discharge direction of the resin tube from the inner electrode. Provide a guide member to hold
The plasma treatment is performed in a state in which the resin tube is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode due to an increase in internal pressure due to the introduction of the gas into the inside of the portion of the resin tube held in an expanded state by the guide member. A method for producing a resin tube, characterized in that:   The method for manufacturing a resin tube according to claim 1, wherein the resin tube is a fluororesin tube.   2. The method for producing a resin tube according to claim 1, wherein the resin tube is a tube made of a tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer.   The method for producing a resin tube according to claim 1, wherein a coating agent is applied to the inner surface of the resin tube continuously discharged from the extrusion molding apparatus following the plasma treatment.   2. The method for manufacturing a resin tube according to claim 1, wherein the gas contains an organosilane compound. An extrusion molding device for continuously discharging the molded resin tube;
A cylindrical outer electrode located outside the resin tube discharged from the extrusion molding device;
Plasma is generated on the inner surface of the resin tube by generating a plasma on the inner side of the resin tube by a high frequency voltage applied between the outer electrode and the inner side of the resin tube discharged from the extrusion molding device. An inner electrode to be applied;
Of the inner side of the resin tube continuously discharged from the extrusion molding device, the diameter of the resin tube is increased by contacting the inner peripheral surface of the resin tube on the downstream side in the discharge direction of the resin tube from the inner electrode. A guide member for holding
A gas introduction path for introducing a gas into a portion of the resin tube held in an expanded state by the guide member;
A gas discharge path for discharging gas from the inside of the portion held in the expanded diameter state by the guide member in the resin tube;
The pressure in the resin tube is controlled by adjusting at least one of the amount of gas introduced into the inside of the portion of the resin tube held in the expanded state by the guide member and the amount of gas discharged from the resin tube. And an internal pressure adjusting device for bringing the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode;
The resin tube manufacturing apparatus characterized by having. In Claim 6, the coupling agent supply part which supplies a coupling agent toward the inner surface of the said resin tube to which the said plasma treatment was performed is arrange | positioned inside the said resin tube discharged | emitted from the said extrusion molding apparatus. The resin tube manufacturing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. The resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the internal electrode has a substantially cylindrical shape whose outer peripheral surface faces the external electrode through the resin tube. 8. The resin tube manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the internal electrode includes a tube body or a rod body wound coaxially with the outer electrode.

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