JP5510715B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seamless belt provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and an image forming apparatus using the same, and more particularly to an intermediate transfer belt suitable for full-color image formation and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  Conventionally, seamless belts have been used as members for various uses in electrophotographic apparatuses. Particularly in recent full-color electrophotographic apparatuses, an intermediate transfer belt system in which developed images of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are once overlaid on an intermediate transfer medium, and then collectively transferred to a transfer medium such as paper. Is used.

  Such an intermediate transfer belt system has been used in a system that uses four color developing devices for one photoconductor, but has a drawback in that the printing speed is slow. For this reason, as a high-speed print, a four-tandem tandem method is used in which the photoreceptors are arranged for four colors and each color is continuously transferred to paper. However, in this method, there are fluctuations due to the environment of the paper, etc., and it is very difficult to match the position accuracy of overlapping each color image, causing a color misregistration image. Therefore, in recent years, it has become the mainstream to adopt the intermediate transfer method for the quadruple tandem method.

  Under such circumstances, the required characteristics (high-speed transfer, positional accuracy) of the intermediate transfer belt are also stricter than before, and it is necessary to satisfy the characteristics corresponding to these requirements. Yes. In particular, for positional accuracy, it is required to suppress fluctuation due to deformation such as elongation of the belt itself due to continuous use. Further, the intermediate transfer belt is laid out over a wide area of the apparatus, and is required to be flame retardant because a high voltage is applied for transfer. In order to meet such requirements, polyimide resins, polyamideimide resins, and the like that are high elastic modulus and high heat resistance resins are mainly used as intermediate transfer belt materials.

  However, since the intermediate transfer belt made of polyimide resin has high strength and high surface hardness, a high pressure is applied to the toner layer when the toner image is transferred, and the toner locally aggregates and a part of the image is formed. A so-called hollow image that is not transferred may occur. In addition, contact followability with a contact member at a transfer portion such as a photoconductor or paper is inferior, so that a partial contact failure portion (gap) may occur in the transfer portion, and transfer unevenness may occur.

In recent years, full-color electrophotography has been used to form images on various types of paper. In addition to ordinary smooth paper, recycled paper and embossed paper can be used not only from smooth paper but also from slippery and highly smooth paper such as coated paper. Roughly surfaced materials such as Japanese paper and kraft paper are increasingly used. Such followability to papers having different surface properties is important. If the followability is poor, uneven unevenness of color and uneven color tone occur.
In order to solve this problem, various intermediate transfer belts in which a relatively flexible layer is laminated on a base layer have been proposed.

  However, when the surface layer is a relatively flexible layer, the transfer pressure is reduced and the followability to paper irregularities is improved, but the toner cannot be released well due to the poor surface releasability. There is a problem that transfer efficiency is lowered and the former effect cannot be utilized. There is also a problem that it is inferior in wear resistance and scratch resistance.

In order to solve this problem, there is a method of newly providing a protective layer, but when coated with a material having sufficiently high transfer performance, the flexibility of the flexible layer cannot be followed, and cracking or peeling occurs. Since it occurs, it is not preferable.
Therefore, as a method for protecting a flexible surface layer without causing the above-described problems, proposals have been made to improve transferability by attaching fine particles to the surface.

JP-A-9-230717 of Patent Document 1 proposes coating with beads having a diameter of 3 μm or less. However, the formation of this publication is not sufficient in terms of the durability required of recent electrophotographic apparatuses because particles are detached.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-230717 of Patent Document 2 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-354716 of Patent Document 3 propose forming a layer with a material having affinity for hydrophobized particles. In these, particles having a very small particle size are preferably used. However, the particle layer is thick, or there are non-uniform portions due to particle aggregation, resulting in variations in transfer performance, and a product that can satisfy the high level of image quality required of recent electrophotographic devices can be obtained. Absent.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-328165 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-75154 of Patent Document 4 propose a configuration that realizes durability by using relatively large particles and embedding in resin to some extent. Yes. However, even in this proposal, non-uniformity occurs in the presence of particles, and it is impossible to obtain a product that can satisfy the high level of image quality required for recent electrophotographic apparatuses. In all of Patent Documents 1 to 5, silica is preferably used. However, since silica particles have a strong cohesive force, a uniform particle layer cannot be formed as described above. In addition, inorganic particles such as silica tend to scratch and wear the surface of the organic photoreceptor due to contact with the organic photoreceptor that is preferably used as a latent image carrier for image formation, and reduce durability. This causes the problem of

  As a method other than attaching fine particles to the surface, proposals have been made to improve transferability by surface modification using plasma treatment.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-167400 of Patent Document 6 proposes that a repellent surface is formed by chemically bonding a fluorine compound to an elastic surface such as a foam by low-pressure plasma treatment. ing. In this method, good performance is exhibited at the initial stage of use, but the region modified by the plasma treatment is limited to a very shallow surface. Therefore, when used for a long time, the modified portion is lost due to wear or the like, and there arises a problem that the transfer performance is lowered again. In particular, in recent years, there has been a demand for extending the life of electrophotographic apparatuses, and high durability of the intermediate transfer belt has become an indispensable element.

The present invention has been made in view of the above prior art, is flexible and excellent in toner releasability, can achieve a high transfer rate regardless of the transfer medium, and is sustainable for a long time. An object of the present invention is to obtain an intermediate transfer belt for realizing a high-quality electrophotographic apparatus.
Hereinafter, the “electrophotographic apparatus” may be referred to as an “image forming apparatus”.

As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have determined that in an electrophotographic apparatus using an intermediate transfer belt, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt has at least independent spherical resin particles arranged in a plane direction to form a uniform uneven shape, And it discovered that the said subject could be solved by the intermediate transfer belt characterized by modify | reforming the area | region exposed to the clearance gap between the particle | grains by physical processing.
That is, the said subject is solved by invention described in the following [1]-[ 7 ].

[1] In an intermediate transfer belt used in an electrophotographic apparatus, spherical resin particles are arranged in a surface direction on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to form an uneven shape, and a region exposed in a gap between the particles is physically An intermediate transfer belt that has been subjected to a treatment , wherein the physical treatment is a treatment for breaking an intramolecular bond on the surface of the resin layer and then introducing a functional group containing an activated atom. Features an intermediate transfer belt.
[ 2 ] The intermediate transfer belt according to [1], wherein the physical treatment is a plasma treatment.
[ 3 ] The intermediate transfer belt according to [1], wherein the physical treatment is an ultraviolet irradiation treatment.
[ 4 ] The intermediate transfer belt according to any one of [1] to [ 3 ], wherein the spherical resin particles are silicone resin fine particles.
[ 5 ] The intermediate transfer belt according to any one of [1] to [ 4 ], wherein the spherical resin particles are monodisperse particles having an average particle diameter of 0.5 μm to 5.0 μm. .
[ 6 ] An electrophotographic apparatus comprising the intermediate transfer belt according to any one of [1] to [ 5 ].
[ 7 ] In the intermediate transfer belt manufacturing method, at least the spherical resin particles are formed by arranging and embedding the spherical resin particles in a dry coating step and a smoothing step on the resin layer of the intermediate transfer belt. And the step of performing physical treatment on the resin layer exposed in the gaps between the particles, the spherical resin particles are arranged in the surface direction on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and the uneven shape is formed. A method of manufacturing an intermediate transfer belt , wherein a region exposed in a gap between the layers is subjected to a physical treatment, wherein the physical treatment includes intramolecular bonding on the surface of the resin layer. A process for producing an intermediate transfer belt, which is a step of performing a process of destroying the substrate and then introducing a functional group containing activated atoms .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly durable and high-quality electrophotographic apparatus capable of maintaining high transfer performance not only initially but also for a long period of time regardless of the type and surface properties of the transfer medium. it can.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a layer configuration example of an intermediate transfer belt in the present invention. The schematic diagram of the cross-sectional form of the surface layer of the intermediate transfer belt in this invention is shown. The schematic diagram of the apparatus for apply | coating and fixing the powder particle in this invention is shown. It is a figure which shows an example of the plasma processing which processes uniformly the whole surface of the intermediate transfer belt of this invention. It is a principal part schematic diagram for demonstrating the image forming apparatus equipped with the seamless belt obtained by the manufacturing method which concerns on this invention as a belt member. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a main part showing an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of photosensitive drums are arranged in parallel along one intermediate transfer belt formed of a seamless belt according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a cross section of an intermediate transfer belt having a surface layer containing a plurality of particles.

As described above, the surface of the seamless belt in the present invention is such that independent spherical resin particles are arranged in the surface direction to form a uniform concavo-convex shape, and a region exposed in the gap between the particles is physically present. It is characterized by being modified by treatment.
The intermediate transfer belt of the present invention will be described below.

The seamless belt of the present invention comprises an intermediate transfer belt type electrophotographic apparatus [a so-called so-called image carrier (for example, a photosensitive drum) in which a plurality of color toner developed images sequentially formed are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt. The apparatus is suitably equipped as an intermediate transfer belt in an apparatus that performs primary transfer and performs secondary transfer of the primary transfer image collectively onto a recording medium].
FIG. 1 shows a layer structure of an intermediate transfer belt preferably used in the present invention. However, it is not limited to this configuration.
As a constitution, a flexible resin layer (12) is laminated on a rigid base layer (11) which can obtain relatively flexibility, and a spherical shape containing a lubricant is formed on the outermost surface of the resin layer (12). A layer (13) of resin particles is formed.

First, the base layer (11) will be described.
From the viewpoint of flame retardancy, the resin is preferably, for example, a fluorine-based resin such as PVDF or ETFE, a polyimide resin or a polyamide-imide resin, and particularly from the viewpoint of mechanical strength (high elasticity) and heat resistance, Polyamideimide resin is preferred.
Examples of the resin include a filler (or additive) for adjusting electric resistance, a so-called electric resistance adjusting agent.

Examples of the electrical resistance adjusting agent include conductive fine particles such as metal oxide and carbon black, an ionic conductive agent, and a conductive polymer material.
Examples of the metal oxide include zinc oxide, tin oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide. Moreover, in order to improve dispersibility, the metal oxide may be subjected to surface treatment in advance.
Examples of carbon black include ketjen black, furnace black, acetylene black, thermal black, and gas black.
Examples of the ionic conductive agent include tetraalkylammonium salts, trialkylbenzylammonium salts, alkylsulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkyl sulfates, glycerol fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene fatty acids. Alcohol ester, alkyl betaine, lithium perchlorate, etc. are mentioned, and these may be used in combination.
In addition, the electrical resistance adjusting agent in this invention is not limited to the said exemplary compound.
In addition, the coating liquid containing at least the resin component in the method for producing a seamless belt of the present invention further contains additives such as a dispersion aid, a reinforcing agent, a lubricant, a heat conductive agent, and an antioxidant as necessary. May be.

The electrical resistance adjusting material contained in the seamless belt suitably equipped as the intermediate transfer belt is preferably 1 × 10 ⁸ to 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω / □ in surface resistance and 1 × 10 ⁶ to 1 × in volume resistance. The amount is set to 10 ¹² Ω · cm, but it is necessary to select and add an amount in a range where the molded film is brittle and does not easily break from the viewpoint of mechanical strength.
In other words, in the case of an intermediate transfer belt, an electrical characteristic (for example, a coating liquid in which the blending of the resin component (for example, a polyimide resin precursor or a polyamideimide resin precursor) and an electrical resistance adjusting material is appropriately adjusted is used. It is preferable to manufacture and use a seamless belt having a balance between surface resistance and volume resistance) and mechanical strength.

  In the case of carbon black, the content of the electric resistance adjusting material in the present invention is 10 to 25 wt%, preferably 15 to 20 wt% of the total solid content in the coating liquid. Moreover, as content in the case of a metal oxide, it is 1-50 wt% of the total solid of a coating liquid, Preferably it is 10-30 wt%. If the content is less than the range of the respective electric resistance adjusting materials, the effect cannot be sufficiently obtained, and if the content is greater than the respective range, the mechanical strength of the intermediate transfer belt (seamless belt) decreases. This is not preferable for practical use.

Next, the resin layer (21) laminated on the base layer (11) will be described.
As a constituent material, materials such as general-purpose resins, elastomers, and rubbers can be used. However, it is preferable to use a material having sufficient flexibility (elasticity) to sufficiently express the effects of the present invention. It is preferable to use an elastomer material or a rubber material.
Examples of the elastomer material include thermoplastic elastomers such as polyester, polyamide, polyether, polyurethane, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyacryl, polydiene, silicone-modified polycarbonate, and fluorine copolymer. . Examples of thermosetting include polyurethane, silicone-modified epoxy, and silicone-modified acrylic.
Examples of the rubber material include isoprene rubber, styrene rubber, butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylic rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, fluorine rubber, urethane rubber, and hydrin rubber. .
A material capable of obtaining performance is appropriately selected from the various elastomers and rubbers. In particular, it is preferable to select a soft material as much as possible in order to follow the surface state of a paper such as a resack paper having irregularities in the surface properties of the paper as a transfer material.
In the present invention, in order to form a spherical resin particle layer on the surface of this material, a thermosetting material is preferable to a thermoplastic material. The thermosetting material is excellent in adhesiveness with the resin particles due to the effect of the functional group contributing to the curing reaction, and can be reliably fixed.
Vulcanized rubber is likewise preferred.
Furthermore, as will be described later, in the present invention, a physical treatment such as plasma treatment or ultraviolet irradiation treatment is performed on the surface of this material, and therefore a material that can provide a sufficient surface modification effect by these treatment methods is selected. It is preferable.

  In the selected material, as described above, a resistance adjusting agent for adjusting electrical characteristics, a flame retardant, an antioxidant, a reinforcing agent, a filler, a vulcanization accelerator for obtaining flame retardancy, if necessary. A compound containing a material such as an agent is appropriately added.

As the resistance adjuster for adjusting the electrical characteristics, the above-mentioned various materials can be applied. However, since carbon black, metal oxide, and the like impair flexibility, it is preferable to suppress the use amount, and the ionic conductive agent and the conductive agent are used. It is also effective to use a functional polymer. Moreover, you may use these together.
As described above, the resistance value of this resin layer is adjusted so that the surface resistance is 1 × 10 ⁸ to 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω / □ and the volume resistance is 1 × 10 ⁶ to 1 × 10 ¹² Ω · cm. It is preferred that
The thickness of the resin layer is preferably about 200 μm to 2 mm. If the film thickness is thin, the followability to the surface properties of the transfer medium and the effect of reducing the transfer pressure are low, such being undesirable. If it is too thick, the film becomes heavier and more likely to bend, resulting in instability in running performance, and because cracks are likely to occur due to bending at the roller curvature portion for stretching the belt, such being undesirable.

Next, the spherical resin particles formed on the surface of the resin layer will be described.
The material is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include spherical particles mainly composed of resins such as acrylic resin, melamine resin, polyamide resin, polyester resin, silicone resin, and fluororesin. Further, the surface of particles made of these resin materials may be subjected to surface treatment with a different material.
Further, the resin particles referred to here include a rubber material. A structure in which the surface of spherical particles made of a rubber material is coated with a hard resin is also applicable.
Moreover, it may be hollow or porous.
Among these resins, silicone resin particles are most preferred as those having a slipperiness and a high function capable of imparting releasability to toner and abrasion resistance.
It is preferable that the resin is a particle formed into a spherical shape by a polymerization method or the like using these resins. In the present invention, a particle closer to a true sphere is more preferable.

Further, the particle diameter is preferably monodisperse having a volume average particle diameter of 0.1 μm to 5.0 μm and a sharp distribution. When the particle size is 0.1 μm or less, the transfer performance effect due to the particles cannot be sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, when the particle size is 5.0 μm or more, the surface roughness increases and the gap between the particles increases, so that the toner works well. Problems such as inability to transfer or defective cleaning occur. Furthermore, since the particles are often insulative, if the particle size is too large, a residual charging potential due to the particles causes a problem that image disturbance occurs due to accumulation of this potential during continuous image output.
Such monodispersed spherical resin particles can be easily and uniformly aligned by directly applying the powder directly onto the resin layer and smoothing.

  Further, the surface coverage by the spherical resin particles is preferably in the range of 50 to 90%.

  By forming the spherical resin particles, it is possible to achieve high toner transfer performance even with a rough surface property of the transfer material to some extent, but this is not sufficient for paper with large irregularities. Specifically, for a paper such as Lessac paper having a continuous amount of 175 kg or more, where the peak height of the unevenness is 100 μm or more, the resin layer extends due to deformation when following the unevenness depth, and the particles The interval is widened and the resin layer is exposed. When the space between the particles spreads, the toner comes into contact with the resin layer between the particles, which causes a decrease in transfer performance.

Therefore, in the present invention, after arranging the spherical resin particles on the resin layer, the resin layer exposed in the gaps between the particles is modified by physical treatment. This makes it possible to prevent the toner transfer performance from being deteriorated even when the resin layer is exposed due to a large deformation during transfer onto a paper with large irregularities.
The physical treatment is performed after fixing the spherical resin particles to the resin layer. This is because the resin layer needs to be completely dried in order to immobilize the spherical resin particles in the resin layer, and if the physical treatment is performed at a stage where the resin layer is not completely dried, the intent of the present invention This is because the effect of modifying the resin layer by physical treatment is not obtained. Furthermore, if a physical treatment is performed at a stage before drying, there is a risk of producing problems such as ignition of residual solvent, which is not preferable.

As the physical treatment in the present invention, a surface modification treatment generally referred to as implantation, that is, a functional group containing atoms such as nitrogen and oxygen which are activated after breaking intramolecular bonds on the surface of the resin layer. A treatment for introducing groups into the polymer surface is performed. Specifically, plasma treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, corona discharge treatment, electron beam irradiation treatment, and the like correspond to this. By this physical treatment, the surface tackiness of the rubber or elastomer disappears and the toner transfer performance is improved.
In addition, said processing method is only an example (for example, there exist other flame processing, ozone oxidation processing, etc.), and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Any physical processing method capable of obtaining the same effect can be applied, and a plurality of types of processing can be used in combination.

By modifying the surface of the resin layer exposed from the gaps between the particles using physical treatment as described above, the toner transfer performance of the exposed resin layer can be greatly improved, and only spherical resin particles can be used. Compared to the intermediate transfer belt subjected to the surface treatment, high transfer performance can be exhibited, and the effect becomes remarkable particularly in the case of paper with large unevenness.
Moreover, when it is set as the structure of this invention, the intermediate transfer belt outermost surface becomes a highly durable spherical resin particle. Therefore, compared to an intermediate transfer belt that is simply surface-modified by plasma treatment or the like without using spherical resin particles, it is resistant to hazards such as abrasion and has extremely high durability.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an enlarged schematic sectional view of the belt surface.
In the present invention, the spherical resin particles preferably take a form embedded in the resin, and the burying rate is preferably more than 50% and less than 100% as described above. If it is 50% or less, particle detachment tends to occur during long-term use in an electrophotographic apparatus, resulting in poor durability. On the other hand, 100% is not preferable because the effect of the particles on the transferability is reduced.
Furthermore, this particle layer is preferably formed as a single layer in the thickness direction with respect to the resin layer.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the configuration including a plurality of particles in the thickness direction, the distribution of the particles becomes uneven, and the electric characteristics of the belt surface become non-uniform due to the influence of the electric resistance value of the particles. Disturbs. Specifically, the electrical resistance value in the portion where many particles are present becomes high, a surface potential is generated due to the residual charge, and the surface potential varies on the belt surface, resulting in the image density in the adjacent portion. Image disturbance due to a difference or the like becomes obvious.

  Next, an example of a method for producing the belt having the configuration of the present invention will be described.

First, a method for manufacturing the base layer will be described.
A method for producing a base layer using the coating liquid containing at least the resin component of the present invention, that is, the coating liquid containing the polyimide resin precursor or the polyamideimide resin precursor will be described.
While slowly rotating a cylindrical mold, for example, a cylindrical metal mold, a coating liquid containing at least a resin component (for example, a coating liquid containing a polyimide resin precursor or a polyamideimide resin precursor) is used as a nozzle or Application and casting (formation of a coating film) is performed uniformly on the entire outer surface of the cylinder by a liquid supply device such as a dispenser. Thereafter, the rotation speed is increased to a predetermined speed, and when the predetermined speed is reached, the rotation speed is maintained at a constant speed and the rotation is continued for a desired time. And the solvent in a coating film is evaporated at the temperature of about 80-150 degreeC, heating up gradually while rotating. In this process, it is preferable to efficiently circulate and remove atmospheric vapor (such as a volatilized solvent). When a self-supporting film is formed, the mold is transferred to a heating furnace (firing furnace) capable of high-temperature processing, and the temperature is raised stepwise, and finally high-temperature heat processing (firing is performed at about 250 ° C. to 450 ° C. Then, the polyimide resin precursor or polyamideimide resin precursor is fully imidized or polyamideimided.

After sufficiently cooling, a resin layer is subsequently laminated.
The resin layer can be formed on the base layer by injection molding, extrusion molding, or the like. Here, a method of coating and forming on the base layer using a thermosetting liquid elastomer material will be described. The coating liquid containing at least a liquid thermosetting elastomer material is made uniform over the entire outer surface of the cylinder by a liquid supply device such as a nozzle or dispenser while slowly rotating the cylindrical metal mold like the base layer. Apply and cast (form a coating film).
Thereafter, the rotation speed is increased to a predetermined speed, and when the predetermined speed is reached at a desired time, the rotation speed is maintained at a constant speed and the rotation is continued. Then, when sufficiently leveled, as shown in FIG. 3, a powder supply device (31) and a pressing member (32) are installed, and spherical particles are uniformly applied to the surface from the powder supply device (31) while rotating. The spherical particles applied to the surface are pressed by the pressing member (32) at a constant pressure. The pressing member (32) removes excess particles while partially embedding (partially exposing) the particles in the resin layer. In the present invention, since a monodispersed spherical particle is used in particular, it is possible to form a uniform single particle layer by a simple process of only the leveling process using such a pressing member.
The adjustment of the burying rate of the particles in the resin layer may be possible by other methods, but can be easily achieved by, for example, adjusting the pressing force of the pressing member (32). For example, although it depends on the viscosity of the casting coating solution, the resin content, the amount of solvent used, the resin material, etc., as a guideline, the pressing force is 1 mN at a viscosity of 100 to 100,000 mPa · s of the casting coating solution. By setting the ratio in the range of / cm to 1000 mN / cm, the above-mentioned 50% <buried ratio <100% can be achieved relatively easily.
After forming a uniform particle layer, by heating at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined time while rotating,
Cure to form a resin layer.

Next, the surface of the resin layer exposed in the gaps between the particles is modified by a physical treatment method. In this step, any method may be used as long as it can perform a surface modification process called implantation, but plasma processing will be described here.
As shown in FIG. 4, the seamless belt obtained in the above process is stretched around a pair of rotating rolls arranged to face each other, and this is introduced into the chamber of the plasma processing apparatus. By performing plasma processing while rotating the rotating roll, the entire surface of the intermediate transfer belt is uniformly processed.
As an apparatus for performing the plasma treatment, any apparatus can be used as long as it can irradiate the intermediate transfer belt formed in the above process with plasma.
As the carrier gas, an inert gas such as argon, oxygen, nitrogen, or air can be used. In the present invention, nitrogen is preferably used. This is because when nitrogen atoms are introduced as functional groups on the surface of the resin layer, the toner transfer performance is superior to other atoms such as oxygen. Even when the present invention is implemented using a physical surface modification treatment other than plasma treatment, such as ultraviolet irradiation treatment, it is preferable to use nitrogen as the carrier gas.

The seamless belt manufactured by the above-described method performs, for example, a primary transfer by sequentially superimposing a plurality of color toner developed images sequentially formed on an image carrier on an intermediate transfer belt, and the primary transfer image is recorded. It can be suitably used as an intermediate transfer belt of a so-called intermediate transfer type electrophotographic apparatus in which secondary transfer is collectively performed on a medium, and can form an electrophotographic apparatus (image forming apparatus) capable of forming a high-quality image.
A seamless belt used in a belt constituting unit provided in an electrophotographic apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus”) in the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to a schematic diagram of a main part. The schematic diagram is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a main part for explaining an image forming apparatus equipped with a seamless belt obtained by the manufacturing method according to the present invention as a belt member.
The intermediate transfer unit (500) including the belt member shown in FIG. 5 includes an intermediate transfer belt (501) that is an intermediate transfer member stretched around a plurality of rollers. Around the intermediate transfer belt (501), there are a secondary transfer bias roller (605) as a secondary transfer charge applying means of the secondary transfer unit (600), and a belt cleaning blade (504) as an intermediate transfer body cleaning means. A lubricant application brush (505), which is a lubricant application member of the lubricant application means, is disposed so as to face each other.

  Further, position detection marks (not shown) are provided on the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501). However, on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt (501), it is necessary to devise a position detection mark that avoids the passing area of the belt cleaning blade (504), which may be difficult to arrange. In this case, a position detection mark may be provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt (501). The optical sensor (514) serving as a mark detection sensor is provided at a position between the primary transfer bias roller (507) and the belt driving roller (508) on which the intermediate transfer belt (501) is stretched.

  The intermediate transfer belt (501) includes a primary transfer bias roller (507), a belt driving roller (508), a belt tension roller (509), a secondary transfer counter roller (510), which are primary transfer charge applying means, and a cleaning device. It is stretched between the counter roller (511) and the feedback current detection roller (512). Each roller is made of a conductive material, and each roller other than the primary transfer bias roller (507) is grounded. The primary transfer bias roller (507) is controlled by a primary transfer power source (801) controlled by a constant current or a constant voltage so that the current or voltage is controlled to a predetermined magnitude according to the number of superimposed toner images. A bias is applied.

The intermediate transfer belt (501) is driven in the direction of the arrow by a belt drive roller (508) that is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow by a drive motor (not shown).
The intermediate transfer belt (501) as the belt member is usually a semiconductor or an insulator and has a single-layer or multi-layer structure, but in the present invention, a seamless belt is preferably used, thereby improving durability. In addition, excellent image formation can be realized. In addition, the intermediate transfer belt is set to be larger than the maximum sheet passing size in order to superimpose the toner images formed on the photosensitive drum (200).

  A secondary transfer bias roller (605), which is a secondary transfer means, is in contact with / separating means, which will be described later, with respect to the belt outer peripheral surface of a portion of the intermediate transfer belt (501) stretched around the secondary transfer counter roller (510). It is comprised so that contact / separation is possible by the contact / separation mechanism. The secondary transfer bias roller (605) sandwiches the transfer paper (P) as a recording medium between the secondary transfer counter roller (510) and the intermediate transfer belt (501) stretched between the secondary transfer counter roller (510). A transfer bias having a predetermined current is applied by a secondary transfer power source (802) that is arranged and controlled at a constant current.

  The registration roller (610) is a transfer sheet as a transfer material at a predetermined timing between the secondary transfer bias roller (605) and the intermediate transfer belt (501) stretched around the secondary transfer counter roller (510). Send (P). Further, a cleaning blade (608) as a cleaning unit is in contact with the secondary transfer bias roller (605). The cleaning blade (608) removes and removes adhering material adhering to the surface of the secondary transfer bias roller (605).

In the color copying machine having such a configuration, when the image forming cycle is started, the photosensitive drum (200) is rotated in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow by a driving motor (not shown), and the photosensitive drum (200) is rotated on the photosensitive drum (200). In addition, Bk (black) toner image formation, C (cyan) toner image formation, M (magenta) toner image formation, and Y (yellow) toner image formation are performed. The intermediate transfer belt (501) is rotated clockwise by the belt driving roller (508) as indicated by an arrow.
As the intermediate transfer belt (501) rotates, the primary transfer of the Bk toner image, the C toner image, the M toner image, and the Y toner image is performed by the transfer bias by the voltage applied to the primary transfer bias roller (507). Finally, the toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt (501) in the order of Bk, C, M, and Y.

For example, the Bk toner image formation is performed as follows.
In FIG. 5, a charging charger (203) uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum (200) to a predetermined potential with a negative charge by corona discharge. The timing is determined based on the belt mark detection signal, and a raster exposure using laser light (L) is performed based on the Bk color image signal by a writing optical unit (not shown). When this raster image is exposed, the charge proportional to the exposure light amount disappears in the exposed portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum (200) that is initially charged uniformly, and a Bk electrostatic latent image is formed. When the negatively charged Bk toner on the developing roller of the Bk developing device (231K) comes into contact with this Bk electrostatic latent image, the toner adheres to the portion where the charge of the photosensitive drum (200) remains. In other words, toner is attracted to a portion having no charge, that is, an exposed portion, and a Bk toner image similar to the electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The Bk toner image formed on the photosensitive drum (200) in this way is primary on the belt outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501) rotating at a constant speed while being in contact with the photosensitive drum (200). Transcribed. Some untransferred residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (200) after the primary transfer is cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaning device (201) in preparation for reuse of the photoreceptor drum (200). Is done. On the photosensitive drum (200) side, the process proceeds to the C image forming process after the Bk image forming process, and reading of the C image data by the color scanner starts at a predetermined timing. A C electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the body drum 200.

  Then, after the rear end portion of the previous Bk electrostatic latent image passes and before the front end portion of the C electrostatic latent image arrives, the revolver developing unit (230) is rotated, and the C developing machine ( 231C) is set at the development position, and the C electrostatic latent image is developed with C toner. Thereafter, the development of the C electrostatic latent image area is continued. When the rear end portion of the C electrostatic latent image passes, the revolver developing unit is rotated in the same manner as in the previous Bk developing machine (231K). Then, the next M developing machine (231M) is moved to the developing position. This is also completed before the leading edge of the next Y electrostatic latent image reaches the developing position. Note that the M and Y image forming steps are the same as the Bk and C steps described above because the operations of reading color image data, forming an electrostatic latent image, and developing are the same as those described above.

The Bk, C, M, and Y toner images sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum (200) in this manner are sequentially aligned on the same surface on the intermediate transfer belt (501) and primarily transferred. As a result, a toner image having a maximum of four colors superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt (501) is formed. On the other hand, at the time when the image forming operation is started, the transfer paper (P) is fed from a paper feed unit such as a transfer paper cassette or a manual feed tray, and is waiting at the nip of the registration roller (610).
Then, on the intermediate transfer belt (501), the intermediate transfer belt (501) stretched around the secondary transfer counter roller (510) and the secondary transfer bias roller (605) form a nip. When the leading edge of the toner image approaches, the registration roller (610) is driven so that the leading edge of the transfer paper (P) coincides with the leading edge of the toner image, and is transferred along the transfer paper guide plate (601). The paper P is conveyed, and registration of the transfer paper (P) and the toner image is performed.

  In this way, when the transfer paper (P) passes through the secondary transfer portion, the intermediate transfer belt (501) is transferred by the transfer bias generated by the voltage applied to the secondary transfer bias roller (605) by the secondary transfer power source (802). ) The four-color superimposed toner image on the top is transferred onto the transfer paper (P) at once (secondary transfer). This transfer paper (P) is conveyed along the transfer paper guide plate (601) and passes through a portion facing the transfer paper neutralization charger (606) comprising a static elimination needle disposed downstream of the secondary transfer portion. After being neutralized by this, the belt is conveyed toward the fixing device (270) by the belt conveying device (210) which is a belt component. Then, after the toner image is melted and fixed at the nip portion of the fixing roller (271, 272) of the fixing device (270), this transfer paper (P) is sent out of the apparatus main body by a discharge roller (not shown), and is not shown. Stacked face up on the copy tray. Note that the fixing device (270) may be configured to include a belt component if necessary.

  On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum (200) after the belt transfer is cleaned by the photosensitive member cleaning device (201) and is uniformly discharged by the discharging lamp (202). The residual toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501) after the toner image is secondarily transferred to the transfer paper (P) is cleaned by the belt cleaning blade (504). The belt cleaning blade (504) is configured to contact and separate at a predetermined timing with respect to the belt outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501) by a cleaning member separating and contacting mechanism (not shown).

  On the upstream side of the belt cleaning blade (504) in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt (501), a toner seal member (502) contacting and separating from the belt outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501) is provided. Yes. The toner seal member (502) receives the falling toner that has dropped from the belt cleaning blade (504) during cleaning of the residual toner, and prevents the falling toner from scattering on the transfer path of the transfer paper (P). It is preventing. The toner seal member (502) is brought into contact with and separated from the belt outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501) together with the belt cleaning blade (504) by the cleaning member separating and contacting mechanism.

The lubricant (506) scraped by the lubricant application brush (505) is applied to the belt outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501) from which the residual toner has been removed in this way. The lubricant (506) is made of, for example, a solid body such as zinc stearate, and is disposed so as to come into contact with the lubricant application brush (505). Further, residual charges remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501) are removed by a neutralizing bias applied by a belt neutralizing brush (not shown) in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501).
Here, the lubricant application brush (505) and the belt neutralizing brush are brought into and out of contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (501) at a predetermined timing by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown). It has become.

  Here, at the time of repeat copying, the operation of the color scanner and the image formation on the photosensitive drum (200) are performed at a predetermined timing following the first color (Y) image forming process. The process proceeds to the image forming process for the first color (Bk). The intermediate transfer belt (501) has two sheets in the area cleaned by the belt cleaning blade (504) on the outer peripheral surface of the belt following the batch transfer process of the first four-color superimposed toner image to the transfer paper. The Bk toner image of the eye is primarily transferred. After that, the operation is the same as the first sheet. The above is a copy mode for obtaining a four-color full-color copy. In the three-color copy mode and the two-color copy mode, the same operation as described above is performed for the designated color and the number of times. In the case of the single color copy mode, only the developing device of the predetermined color of the revolver developing unit (230) is set in the developing operation state until the predetermined number of sheets is completed, and the belt cleaning blade (504) is moved to the intermediate transfer belt (501). The copy operation is performed with the touch panel kept in contact.

In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine including only one photosensitive drum 1 has been described. However, the present invention includes a plurality of photosensitive drums as shown in an exemplary configuration in a schematic diagram of a main part in FIG. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus arranged side by side along one intermediate transfer belt formed of a seamless belt.
FIG. 6 shows a four-drum type digital color printer having four photosensitive drums (21BK, 21Y, 21M, 21C) for forming toner images of four different colors (black, yellow, magenta, cyan). An example of the configuration is shown.

  In FIG. 6, the printer main body (10) includes an image writing unit (12), an image forming unit (13), and a paper feeding unit (14) for performing color image formation by electrophotography. Based on the image signal, the image processing unit converts the image into black (BK), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and cyan (C) color signals for image formation, and the image writing unit (12). Send to. The image writing unit (12) is a laser scanning optical system including, for example, a laser light source, a deflector such as a rotary polygon mirror, a scanning imaging optical system, and a mirror group, and corresponds to each color signal described above. Image writing corresponding to each color signal is performed on an image carrier (photoreceptor) (21BK, 21M, 21Y, 21C) provided for each color of the image forming unit (13) having four writing optical paths. .

The image forming unit (13) includes photosensitive members (21BK, 21M, 21Y, and 21C) that are image carriers for black (BK), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and cyan (C). I have. As each photoconductor for each color, an OPC photoconductor is usually used. Around each photosensitive member (21BK, 21M, 21Y, 21C), there are a charging device, a laser beam exposure unit from the writing unit (12), and a developing device (20BK) for each color of black, magenta, yellow, and cyan. , 20M, 20Y, 20C), a primary transfer bias roller (23BK, 23M, 23Y, 23C) as a primary transfer unit, a cleaning device (not shown), a photoconductor neutralizing device (not shown), and the like. .
The developing device (20BK, 20M, 20Y, 20C) uses a two-component magnetic brush developing system. The intermediate transfer belt (22), which is a belt component, is interposed between each photoconductor (21BK, 21M, 21Y, 21C) and each primary transfer bias roller (23BK, 23M, 23Y, 23C). The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoconductor are sequentially superimposed and transferred.

  On the other hand, the transfer paper (P) is fed from the paper feeding section (14) and then carried on the transfer conveyance belt (50), which is a belt constituting section, via the registration rollers (16). When the intermediate transfer belt (22) and the transfer conveying belt (50) come into contact with each other, the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt (22) is transferred to a secondary transfer bias roller (60) as a secondary transfer unit. ) For secondary transfer (collective transfer). Thereby, a color image is formed on the transfer paper (P). The transfer paper (P) on which the color image is formed is conveyed to the fixing device (15) by the transfer conveying belt (50). After the image transferred by the fixing device (15) is fixed, the transfer paper (P) is removed from the printer main body. To be discharged.

Residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt (22) without being transferred during the secondary transfer is removed from the intermediate transfer belt (22) by the belt cleaning member (25).
A lubricant application device (27) is disposed downstream of the belt cleaning member (25). The lubricant application device (27) includes a solid lubricant and a conductive brush that rubs the intermediate transfer belt (22) to apply the solid lubricant. The conductive brush is always in contact with the intermediate transfer belt (22) and applies a solid lubricant to the intermediate transfer belt (22). The solid lubricant has an effect of improving the cleaning property of the intermediate transfer belt (22), preventing the occurrence of filming and improving the durability.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically based on examples. However, the present invention is not limited by these examples, and these examples are appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. Is also within the scope of the present invention.

A base layer coating solution was prepared as follows, and a seamless belt base layer was produced using this coating solution.
<Preparation of base layer coating solution>
First, carbon black (Special Black 4; Evonik Degussa Co., Ltd.) dispersed in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone with a bead mill in advance in a polyimide varnish (U-Varnish A; manufactured by Ube Industries) containing a polyimide resin precursor as a main component. (Manufactured) was prepared so that the carbon black content was 17% by weight of the polyamic acid solid content, and well stirred and mixed to prepare a coating solution.

<Manufacture of seamless belts>
Next, a metal cylinder having an outer diameter of 100 mm and a length of 300 mm roughened by blasting is used as a mold, and the cylinder layer is rotated at 50 rpm (times / minute) while the base layer coating liquid is used. Was applied by a dispenser so as to be uniformly cast on the outer surface of the cylinder. When the predetermined amount was completely poured and the coating film was spread evenly, the number of revolutions was increased to 100 rpm, introduced into a hot air circulating dryer, gradually heated to 110 ° C. and heated for 60 minutes. Further, the temperature is raised and heated at 200 ° C. for 20 minutes, the rotation is stopped, and it is slowly cooled to take out the cylindrical mold on which the formed film is formed, and this is introduced into a heating furnace (firing furnace) capable of high-temperature processing. Thus, the temperature was raised to 320 ° C. and heat treatment (firing) was performed for 60 minutes.

After sufficiently cooling, a resin layer was formed on the base layer using a resin layer coating solution having the following constitution.
<Adjustment of coating solution for resin layer>
First, the constituent materials shown below were mixed and sufficiently kneaded using a biaxial kneader to prepare a master batch.
<Component material of carbon master batch A for intermediate layer>
・ Epoxy-silicone copolymer ALBIFLEX 348 (silicone 60 wt% Nanoresins) 20 parts by weight Carbon black VULCAN XC72 (Cabot) 100 parts by weight Using the above carbon master batch A, the following constituent materials are mixed to obtain a coating solution. It was.
<Coating liquid constituent material for resin layer>
-8 parts by weight of the above-mentioned carbon master batch A-40 parts by weight of epoxy-silicone copolymer ALBIFLEX 348 (silicone 60 wt% Nanoresins)-8 parts by weight of methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride HN-2000 (Hitachi Chemical Industries)

<Preparation of resin layer on base layer>
On the polyimide base layer produced previously, the resin layer coating solution was similarly cast on the outer surface using a dispenser. The coating amount was such that the final film thickness was 300 μm. When the predetermined amount has been poured and the coating has spread evenly, using the method of FIG. 5, acrylic resin spherical particles (Techpolymer MBX-SS series (volume average particle size 1 μm product)) as spherical resin particles; Sekisui Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd. was evenly applied to the surface, and the pressing member of the polyurethane rubber blade was pressed to fix it to the resin layer.
After finishing the entire surface of the belt, it was put into a hot air circulating dryer while rotating as it was, heated up to 120 ° C. at a heating rate of 4 ° C./min, and heated for 30 minutes. Then, it heated up to 250 degreeC with the temperature increase rate of 4 degree-C / min, and heat-processed for 120 minutes. After stopping the heating, it was gradually cooled to room temperature.

<Physical treatment of resin layer exposed from gaps between particles>
After the seamless belt obtained in the above process is removed from the mold, it is stretched on a pair of rotating rolls that are spaced apart from each other, and this is stretched by a plasma processing apparatus (microwave plasma processing apparatus; Shibaura Mechatronics Co., Ltd.). It was introduced into the chamber. While this rotating roll was rotated, plasma treatment was performed under the following conditions to obtain an intermediate transfer belt A.
When the surface of this belt was observed with a scanning electron microscope, it was confirmed that independent spherical resin particles were arranged in the surface direction to form an uneven shape. Further, when the belt was cut with a diamond microtome cutter and the surface coverage (embedded state) of the spherical particles on the surface layer of the cross section polished with No. 200 sandpaper was similarly observed with an SEM microscope, a field of view (photograph) ) The degree of buried surface coverage as seen from the particle size of the particles in the range was 51 to 98%.
<Plasma treatment conditions>
・ Oscillation frequency: 2450 ± 30MHz
・ Pressure: 2.0 Torr
Carrier gas: Nitrogen Processing time: 60 min

An intermediate transfer belt B was obtained except that the spherical resin particles in Example 1 were replaced with silicone resin particles (X-52-854 (volume average particle system 0.8 μm product); Shin-Etsu Chemical).
When the surface of this belt was observed with a scanning electron microscope, it was confirmed that independent spherical resin particles were arranged in the surface direction to form an uneven shape. Further, when the belt was cut with a diamond microtome cutter and the surface coverage (embedded state) of the spherical particles on the surface layer of the cross section polished with No. 200 sandpaper was similarly observed with an SEM microscope, a field of view (photograph) ) The degree of buried surface coverage as seen from the particle size of the particles in the range was 51 to 98%.

An intermediate transfer belt C was obtained in the same manner except that the spherical resin particles in Example 1 were replaced with silicone resin particles (Tospearl 120 (volume-average particle system 2.0 μm product); Momentive Performance Materials).
When the surface of this belt was observed with a scanning electron microscope, it was confirmed that independent spherical resin particles were arranged in the surface direction to form an uneven shape. Further, when the belt was cut with a diamond microtome cutter and the surface coverage (embedded state) of the spherical particles on the surface layer of the cross section polished with No. 200 sandpaper was similarly observed with an SEM microscope, a field of view (photograph) ) The degree of buried surface coverage as seen from the particle size of the particles in the range was 51 to 98%.

An intermediate transfer belt D was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the spherical resin particles were replaced with silicone resin particles (KMP701 (volume average particle system 3.5 μm product); Shin-Etsu Chemical).
When the surface of this belt was observed with a scanning electron microscope, it was confirmed that independent spherical resin particles were arranged in the surface direction to form an uneven shape. Further, when the belt was cut with a diamond microtome cutter and the surface coverage (embedded state) of the spherical particles on the surface layer of the cross section polished with No. 200 sandpaper was similarly observed with an SEM microscope, a field of view (photograph) ) The degree of buried surface coverage as seen from the particle size of the particles in the range was 51 to 98%.

An intermediate transfer belt E was obtained in the same manner except that the spherical resin particles in Example 1 were replaced with silicone resin particles (Tospearl 2000B (volume average particle system 6.0 μm product); Momentive Performance Materials).
When the surface of this belt was observed with a scanning electron microscope, it was confirmed that independent spherical resin particles were arranged in the surface direction to form an uneven shape. Further, when the belt was cut with a diamond microtome cutter and the surface coverage (embedded state) of the spherical particles on the surface layer of the cross section polished with No. 200 sandpaper was similarly observed with an SEM microscope, a field of view (photograph) ) The degree of buried surface coverage as seen from the particle size of the particles in the range was 51 to 98%.

An intermediate transfer belt F was obtained in the same manner except that the spherical resin particles in Example 1 were replaced with acrylic resin spherical particles (Techpolymer XX-16FM (volume average particle size 0.3 μm product); Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.).
When the surface of this belt was observed with a scanning electron microscope, it was confirmed that independent spherical resin particles were arranged in the surface direction to form an uneven shape. Further, when the belt was cut with a diamond microtome cutter and the surface coverage (embedded state) of the spherical particles on the surface layer of the cross section polished with No. 200 sandpaper was similarly observed with an SEM microscope, a field of view (photograph) ) The degree of buried surface coverage as seen from the particle size of the particles in the range was 51 to 98%.

Example 1 was the same as Example 1 except that <physical treatment of the resin layer exposed from the gaps between the particles> was as follows.
<Physical treatment of resin layer exposed from gaps between particles>
The seamless belt obtained in the above process was stretched between a pair of opposed rotating rolls facing each other and subjected to ultraviolet irradiation under the following conditions while rotating the rotating roll to obtain an intermediate transfer belt G.
<Ultraviolet irradiation treatment conditions>
・ Device: 12-inch excimer irradiation device QEV360 (Quark Technology Co., Ltd.)
・ Atmosphere gas: Nitrogen ・ Processing time: 5 min

  An intermediate transfer belt I was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the carrier gas was replaced with oxygen in <physical treatment of the resin layer exposed from the gaps between the particles>.

[Comparative Example 1]
An intermediate transfer belt J was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that spherical resin particles were not included.

[Comparative Example 2]
An intermediate transfer belt K was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that physical treatment was not performed on the resin layer exposed from the gaps between the particles.

[Comparative Example 3]
An intermediate transfer belt L was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the spherical resin particles were not included and the physical treatment was not performed on the resin layer exposed from the gaps between the particles.

The intermediate transfer belts A to L of the above examples and comparative examples were mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus of FIG.
<Measurement of transfer rate>
As the transfer paper, a paper having a concavo-convex pattern on the surface (continuous amount 175 kg paper resack paper) is used, and an operation for outputting a blue solid image is performed on the paper, on the intermediate transfer belt before being transferred to the paper The amount of image toner and the amount of toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt after being transferred to paper were measured, and the transfer rate was calculated.

<Measurement of transfer rate at the time of continuous image output of 10,000 sheets>
After continuous output of 10,000 test chart images, the test chart was stopped and the transfer rate was measured according to the above method.
<Evaluation of images when 10,000 continuous images are output>
After continuous output of 10,000 test chart images, a full-tone cyan halftone image was output on 175 kg continuous paper Lazak paper, and an abnormal image was observed.

  The results are shown in Table 1 below.

  As described above, with the configuration of the present invention, an intermediate transfer belt for realizing a high durability and high image quality electrophotographic apparatus that can achieve a high transfer rate irrespective of a transfer medium and can be sustained for a long time is obtained. Can be realized.

(Reference in FIG. 1)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Base layer 12 Resin layer 13 Spherical resin particle 14 The layer (code | symbol of FIG. 2) by which the resin layer was modified by physical treatment
21 Resin layer 22 Particle 23 Layer whose resin layer is modified by physical treatment (reference numeral in FIG. 3)
31 Die drum 32 Belt 33 coated with base layer and resin layer Pressing member 34 Particle 35 Powder coating device (reference numeral in FIG. 4)
41 Rotating roll 42 Belt 43 coated with base layer, resin layer and spherical resin particles Plasma irradiation nozzle (reference numeral in FIG. 5)
P Transfer paper L Laser light 70 Static elimination roller 80 Ground roller 200 Photosensitive drum 201 Photosensitive drum cleaning device 202 Static elimination lamp 203 Charging charger 204 Potential sensor 205 Image density sensor 210 Belt conveying device 230 Revolver developing unit 231Y Y developing machine 231K Bk developing machine 231C C developing machine 231M M developing machine 270 fixing device 271 and 272 fixing roller 500 intermediate transfer unit 501 intermediate transfer belt 502 toner seal member 503 charging charger 504 belt cleaning blade 505 lubricant application brush 506 lubricant 507 primary transfer bias roller 508 Belt drive roller 509 Belt tension roller 510 Secondary transfer counter roller 511 Cleaning counter roller 512 Feedback current detection sensor 513 Toner image 514 Optical sensor 600 Secondary transfer unit 601 Transfer paper guide plate 605 Secondary transfer bias roller 606 Transfer paper neutralization charger 608 Cleaning blade 610 Registration roller 801 Primary transfer power source 802 Secondary transfer power source (reference numeral in FIG. 6) )
P Transfer paper 10 Printer body 12 Image writing unit 13 Image forming unit 14 Paper feeding unit 15 Fixing device 16 Registration roller 20BK, 20M, 20Y, 20C Developing device 21BK, 21M, 21Y, 21C Photoconductor 22 Intermediate transfer belt 23BK, 23M , 23Y, 23C Primary transfer bias roller 25 Belt cleaning member 26 Drive roller 27 Lubricant coating device 50 Transfer conveyor belt 60 Secondary transfer bias roller (reference numeral in FIG. 7)
61 resin layer 62 particles

JP-A-9-230717 JP 2002-162767 A JP 2004-354716 A JP 2007-328165 A JP 2009-75154 A JP 2003-167400 A

Claims (7)

In an intermediate transfer belt used in an electrophotographic apparatus, spherical resin particles are arranged in the surface direction on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to form a concavo-convex shape, and a region exposed in a gap between the particles is subjected to physical treatment. The intermediate transfer belt is characterized in that the physical treatment is a treatment for breaking an intramolecular bond on the surface of the resin layer and then introducing a functional group containing an activated atom. Intermediate transfer belt.   The intermediate transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein the physical treatment is a plasma treatment.   The intermediate transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein the physical treatment is an ultraviolet irradiation treatment. The intermediate transfer belt according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spherical resin particles are silicone resin fine particles. It said spherical resin particles have an average particle diameter of the intermediate transfer belt according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the monodisperse particles are 0.5Myuemu～5.0Myuemu. Electrophotographic apparatus characterized by mounting the intermediate transfer belt according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In the intermediate transfer belt manufacturing method, at least a step of dry-coating the spherical resin particles on the resin layer of the intermediate transfer belt, a step of forming a particle layer by arranging and embedding the spherical resin particles by a leveling step, By having a step of performing a physical treatment on the resin layer exposed in the gaps between the particles, spherical resin particles are arranged in the surface direction on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and an uneven shape is formed, and the gaps between the particles An intermediate transfer belt is produced by manufacturing an intermediate transfer belt in which a region exposed to the surface is subjected to physical treatment , wherein the physical treatment breaks intramolecular bonds on the surface of the resin layer. A method for manufacturing an intermediate transfer belt, which is a step of performing a process of introducing a functional group containing an activated atom thereafter.

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