JP6175897B2 - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, toner as a developer is supplied (supplemented) to a developing device by a powder conveying device from a toner container which is a powder storage container storing a developer as powder.

  For example, a rotatable cylindrical powder storage member, a transport pipe receiving member fixed to the powder storage member, an opening provided in the transport pipe receiving member, and the toner in the container by rotating the container body Has proposed a toner container having a pumping unit that lifts upward (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the proposed technique, the toner is lifted by the pumping part as the container body rotates, and the toner falls from the pumping part during the rotation and is supplied to the inside of the transport pipe.

  However, in the case of a system that employs a configuration in which toner is pumped by the pumping unit and supplied to the inside of the transport pipe, it is difficult to supply toner to the developing device when the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle decreases. There's a problem.

  Therefore, at present, there is a need to provide a toner container that can supply toner to the developing device even when the amount of toner remaining in the toner container decreases.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and achieve the following objects. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a toner container that can supply toner to the developing device even when the amount of toner remaining in the toner container decreases.

Means for solving the problems are as follows. That is,
The toner container of the present invention is
A container main body that is attachable to a toner conveying device and contains toner to be supplied to the toner conveying device;
A transport unit disposed inside the container body and transporting the toner from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body to the other end side provided with a container opening;
A pipe receiving port disposed in the container opening and capable of receiving a transport pipe fixed to the toner transport device;
A toner storage container comprising: a pumping unit that lifts the toner transported by the transport unit upward from below the container body and moves the toner toward a toner receiving port of the transport pipe;
The degree of aggregation (%) when the toner is stored in an environment of 50 ° C. for 1 hour is 60 to 75,
The container body has a protruding portion protruding from the container body inside side of the container opening toward the one end side,
The pumping portion extends from the inner wall surface of the container body toward the protruding portion , and the pumping wall surface is inclined toward the container opening along the longitudinal axis of the container body, and along the protruding portion. A curved portion that curves,
The protruding portion is provided so as to exist between the curved portion and a toner receiving port of the inserted conveyance tube when the toner container is mounted on the toner conveyance device.
It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the conventional problems can be solved, and a toner storage container capable of supplying toner to the developing device even when the toner remaining amount in the toner storage container is reduced can be provided. .

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a toner conveying device and a toner container before the toner container of an example of the present invention is mounted. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating one configuration of the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a toner container is installed in the toner replenishing device in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an example showing a state in which a toner container is installed in the toner supply device. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view showing an example of the configuration of the toner container of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory view of an example of the toner conveying device and the toner container before the toner container is mounted. FIG. 8 is a perspective explanatory view of an example of the toner conveying device and the toner container in a state where the toner container is mounted. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of an example of the toner transport device and the toner container in a state where the toner container is mounted. FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of an example of the toner container with the front end cover removed. FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view of an example of a toner storage container in a state where a nozzle receiving member is removed from the container body. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of an example of the toner container in a state where the nozzle receiving member is removed from the container body. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of an example of a toner storage container in a state where the nozzle receiving member is attached to the container body from the state of FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory perspective view of an example of a nozzle receiving member viewed from the container front end side. FIG. 15 is a perspective explanatory view of an example of a nozzle receiving member viewed from the container rear end side. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the nozzle receiving member in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the nozzle receiving member in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the nozzle receiving member. FIG. 19A is a plan view seen from above of an example for explaining a state during the mounting operation of the opening / closing member and the transport pipe. FIG. 19B is a plan view seen from above of an example illustrating a state during the mounting operation of the opening / closing member and the transport pipe. FIG. 19C is a plan view seen from above of an example illustrating a state during the mounting operation of the opening / closing member and the transport pipe. FIG. 19D is a plan view seen from above of an example illustrating a state during the mounting operation of the opening / closing member and the transport pipe. FIG. 20A is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the rear end opening, the shutter slip-off preventing claw, and the planar guide portion as seen from the container rear end side in one embodiment. FIG. 20B is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the rear end opening, the shutter slip-off preventing claw, and the planar guide portion as seen from the container rear end side in the embodiment. FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a contact state between the opening / closing member and the transport pipe in another embodiment. FIG. 22 is a prediction diagram showing the relationship between the protrusion amount of the aggregation suppressing means and the occurrence of black spots in the image in another embodiment. FIG. 23 is an enlarged view showing another configuration of the aggregation suppressing means according to another embodiment. FIG. 24 is an enlarged view showing a modification of the end face of the transport pipe. FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration of a main part in another embodiment. FIG. 26 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a contact state between the opening / closing member and the transport pipe in another embodiment. FIG. 27 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the seal member and the aggregation suppressing means provided on the end face of the opening / closing member in another embodiment. FIG. 28 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a seal member in another embodiment. FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the amount of collapse of the seal member in another embodiment. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 9. FIG. 31 is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of the toner container of the present invention. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the toner container of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a side view showing the configuration of the toner container of the present invention. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the toner container of the present invention. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the toner container of the present invention. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the toner container of the present invention. FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing another aspect of the toner container of the present invention. FIG. 38A is a view for explaining an example of the manufacturing process when the toner container is filled with toner. FIG. 38B is a diagram for explaining an example of the manufacturing process when the toner container is filled with toner. FIG. 39 is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount of toner in the toner container and the toner replenishment amount.

(Toner container)
The first toner storage container of the present invention includes at least a toner, a container main body, a transport unit, a pipe receiving port, and a pumping unit, and further includes other members as necessary.

  The toner is used for image formation. The degree of aggregation (%) when the toner is stored in an environment of 50 ° C. for 1 hour is 60 to 75, and preferably 60 to 70.

The container main body can be attached to a toner conveying device and contains the toner to be supplied to the toner conveying device.
The transport unit is disposed inside the container body, and transports the toner from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body to the other end side where the container opening is provided.
The tube receiving port is disposed in the container opening and can receive a transport tube fixed to the toner transport device.
The pumping unit (also referred to as a toner transfer unit) lifts the toner transported by the transport unit upward from below the container body and moves the toner toward the toner receiving port of the transport pipe.

The said container main body has the protrusion part which protrudes toward the said one end side from the container main body inside side of the said container opening part.
The pumping portion includes a pumping wall surface extending from the inner wall surface of the container body toward the protruding portion, and a curved portion that curves so as to follow the protruding portion.
The protruding portion is provided so as to exist between the curved portion and a toner receiving port of the inserted conveyance tube when the toner container is attached to the toner conveyance device.

The protrusion is a plate-like member, and is provided so that a flat side surface of the plate-like member exists between the curved portion and a toner receiving port of the inserted toner conveyance tube. It is preferable. By doing so, the flat side surface of the plate-shaped member is easy to receive the toner, and the transfer of the toner from the pumping portion to the toner conveying tube proceeds smoothly.
The flat side surface is a side surface substantially orthogonal to the surface of the plate-like member facing the pumping portion.
Moreover, the said pumping-up part has the protruding part which protruded toward the said protrusion part from the said container main body inner wall surface. The raised portion is provided with a curved portion that curves along the protruding portion.
The protruding portion is provided so as to exist between the curved portion and a toner receiving port of the inserted conveyance tube when the toner container is attached to the toner conveyance device.

The toner storage container has two pumping portions, and when the toner storage container is mounted on the toner transport device, the two pumping portions each have a curved portion and an inserted transport tube. It is preferable that the protrusion is present between the toner receiving port and the toner receiving port. By doing so, the toner is efficiently pumped, and the transfer of the toner from the pumping portion to the toner conveying tube proceeds smoothly.
The two protruding portions may be disposed to face each other with the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage container interposed therebetween, or may not be disposed to face each other.

(Image forming device)
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner container is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention applied to a copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine 500) as an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the copying machine 500 of the present embodiment. The copying machine 500 includes a copying machine main body (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit 100), a paper feed table (hereinafter referred to as a paper feed unit 200), and a scanner (hereinafter referred to as a scanner unit 400) mounted on the printer unit 100. Yes.

  Four toner storage containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are detachably attached to the toner storage container storage section 70 provided on the upper portion of the printer section 100 ( It is installed freely. An intermediate transfer unit 85 is disposed below the toner container container 70.

  The intermediate transfer unit 85 includes an intermediate transfer belt 48 as an intermediate transfer member, four primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, and K), a secondary transfer backup roller 82, a plurality of tension rollers, and an unillustrated An intermediate transfer cleaning device is used. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and moves endlessly in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 by the rotational drive of the secondary transfer backup roller 82 which is one of the plurality of roller members.

  The printer unit 100 is provided with four image forming units 46 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to the respective colors so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 48. Below the four toner storage containers 32 (Y, M, C, K), there are four toner replenishing devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to the toner containers of the respective colors. It is arranged. The toner, which is the powder developer stored in the toner storage container 32 (Y, M, C, K), is changed to each color by the corresponding toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K). The image forming unit 46 (Y, M, C, K) is supplied (supplied) into the developing device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 100 includes an exposure device 47 that is a latent image forming unit below the four image forming units 46. The exposure device 47 exposes and scans the surface of the photoconductor 41 (Y, M, C, K) based on the image information of the original image read by the scanner unit 400, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photoconductor. Form. The image information may be image information input from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the copying machine 500 instead of reading from the scanner unit 400.
In this embodiment, the exposure device 47 uses a laser beam scanner method using a laser diode, but the exposure means may have other configurations such as an LED array.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing one configuration of the image forming unit 46Y corresponding to yellow.
The image forming unit 46Y includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 41Y that is an image carrier. The image forming unit 46Y has a configuration in which a charging roller 44Y as a charging unit, a developing device 50Y as a developing unit, a photoconductor cleaning device 42Y, a static eliminator (not shown), and the like are disposed around the photoconductor 41Y. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, development process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photoreceptor 41Y, whereby a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 41Y.

  The other three image forming units 46 (M, C, K) have substantially the same configuration as the image forming unit 46Y corresponding to yellow except that the color of the toner used is different. A toner image corresponding to each color toner is formed on the photoreceptor 41 (M, C, K). Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming units 46 (M, C, K) will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming unit 46Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

  The photoreceptor 41Y is rotationally driven in a clockwise direction in FIG. 3 by a drive motor (not shown). The surface of the photoreceptor 41Y is uniformly charged at the position facing the charging roller 44Y (charging process). Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 47, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position (exposure process). Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches a position facing the developing device 50Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner at this position to form a yellow toner image (developing step).

  The four primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, K) of the intermediate transfer unit 85 respectively sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 48 between the photoreceptor 41 (Y, M, C, K) and perform primary transfer. A nip is formed. A transfer bias reverse to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias roller 49 (Y, M, C, K).

  The surface of the photoconductor 41Y on which the toner image is formed in the developing process reaches a primary transfer nip that faces the primary transfer bias roller 49Y with the intermediate transfer belt 48 interposed therebetween, and the toner image on the photoconductor 41Y at this primary transfer nip. Is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 48 (primary transfer step). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photoreceptor 41Y. The surface of the photoconductor 41Y that has transferred the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 48 at the primary transfer nip reaches a position facing the photoconductor cleaning device 42Y. The untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor 41Y is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 42a provided in the photoreceptor cleaning device 42Y at this facing position (cleaning process). Finally, the surface of the photoconductor 41Y reaches a position facing a static eliminator (not shown), and the residual potential on the photoconductor 41Y is removed at this position. Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photoreceptor 41Y is completed.

  Such an image forming process is performed in the other image forming units 46 (M, C, K) similarly to the yellow image forming unit 46Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is emitted from the exposure device 47 disposed below the image forming unit 46 (M, C, K), and the photoconductor of each image forming unit 46 (M, C, K). 41 (M, C, K). Specifically, the exposure device 47 emits a laser beam L from a light source, and scans the laser beam L with a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven, while each photoconductor 41 (M, C, K) via a plurality of optical elements. ) Irradiate the top. Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoreceptors 41 (M, C, K) through the developing process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 48.

  At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 48 travels in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of each primary transfer bias roller 49 (Y, M, C, K). As a result, the toner images of the respective colors on the respective photoreceptors 41 (Y, M, C, K) are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 48, and a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 48.

  The intermediate transfer belt 48 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in a superimposed manner and the color toner image is formed reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 89. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 82 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 48 between the secondary transfer roller 89 and forms a secondary transfer nip. The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 48 has a transfer bias applied to, for example, the secondary transfer backup roller 82 on the recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. Transcribed by action. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 48. The intermediate transfer belt 48 that has passed through the secondary transfer nip reaches the position of an intermediate transfer cleaning device (not shown), untransferred toner on the surface is collected, and a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 48 is completed. To do.

Next, the movement of the recording medium P will be described.
The recording medium P conveyed to the secondary transfer nip described above is fed from the paper feed tray 26 provided in the paper feed unit 200 disposed below the printer unit 100 to the paper feed roller 27, the registration roller pair 28, and the like. It is conveyed via. Specifically, a plurality of recording media P are stored in the paper feed tray 26 in an overlapping manner. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 2, the uppermost recording medium P is conveyed toward a roller nip formed by the two rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

  The recording medium P transported to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 whose rotation drive has been stopped. The registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in accordance with the timing at which the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 48 reaches the secondary transfer nip, so that the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. . As a result, a desired color toner image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

  The recording medium P on which the color toner image is transferred at the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing device 86. In the fixing device 86, the color toner image transferred onto the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by heat and pressure generated by the fixing belt and the pressure roller. The recording medium P that has passed through the fixing device 86 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus after passing between the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The recording media P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 are sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image. Thus, a series of image forming processes in the copying machine 500 is completed.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device 50 in the image forming unit 46 will be described in more detail. Here, the image forming unit 46Y corresponding to yellow is described as an example, but the same configuration and operation are performed in the image forming units 46 (M, C, K) of other colors.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing device 50Y includes a developing roller 51Y as a developer carrying member, a doctor blade 52Y as a developer regulating plate, two developer conveying screws 55Y, a toner concentration detection sensor 56Y, and the like. Has been. The developing roller 51Y faces the photoconductor 41Y, and the doctor blade 52Y faces the developing roller 51Y. The two developer conveying screws 55Y are disposed in the two developer accommodating portions (53Y, 54Y). The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet roller fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet roller, and the like. In the first developer accommodating portion 53Y and the second developer accommodating portion 54Y, a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and toner is accommodated. The second developer accommodating portion 54Y communicates with the toner dropping conveyance path 64Y through an opening formed thereabove. The toner concentration detection sensor 56Y detects the toner concentration in the developer G in the second developer container 54Y.

  The developer G in the developing device 50Y circulates between the first developer accommodating portion 53Y and the second developer accommodating portion 54Y while being stirred by the two developer conveying screws 55Y. The developer G in the first developer accommodating portion 53Y is supplied and carried on the sleeve surface of the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet roller in the developing roller 51Y while being conveyed to one of the developer conveying screws 55Y. Is done. The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y is driven to rotate counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3, and the developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates. At this time, the toner in the developer G is charged on the potential opposite to that of the carrier due to frictional charging with the carrier in the developer G, and is electrostatically attracted to the carrier, and is formed on the developing roller 51Y. Along with the carrier attracted by the magnetic field, it is carried on the developing roller 51Y.

  The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, and reaches the doctor portion where the doctor blade 52Y and the developing roller 51Y face each other. The amount of the developer G on the developing roller 51Y is regulated to an appropriate amount when passing through the doctor portion, and is then conveyed to the developing region that is the position facing the photoconductor 41Y. In the development area, the toner in the developer G is attracted to the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 41Y by the development electric field formed between the development roller 51Y and the photoreceptor 41Y. The developer G remaining on the surface of the developing roller 51Y that has passed through the developing region reaches above the first developer containing portion 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

  The developer G in the developing device 50Y is adjusted so that the toner density is within a predetermined range. Specifically, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y passes through the toner replenishing device 60Y in the second developer containing portion 54Y in accordance with the consumption amount of the toner contained in the developer G in the developing device 50Y. Will be replenished. The toner replenished in the second developer accommodating portion 54Y is mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two developer conveying screws 55Y, while the first developer accommodating portion 53Y, the second developer accommodating portion 54Y, Cycle between.

Next, the toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K) will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state in which the toner storage container 32Y is mounted on the toner replenishing device 60Y, and FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state with which () was mounted | worn.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toner in the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) mounted in the toner container container 70 of the printer unit 100 is developed in each color developing device 50 (Y, M, C, K). Each developing device 50 (Y, M, C, K) is appropriately replenished according to the toner consumption in K). At this time, the toner in the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is replenished by a toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K) provided for each toner color. The four toner replenishing devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) and the toner storage containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) have substantially the same structure except that the colors of toner used in the image forming process are different. is there. Therefore, only the toner replenishing device 60Y and the toner storage container 32Y corresponding to yellow will be described below, and the toner replenishing device 60 (M, C, K) and the toner storage container 32 (M) corresponding to the other three colors will be described. , C, K) will be omitted as appropriate.

The toner replenishing device 60Y (Y, M, C, K) includes a toner container container 70, a transport nozzle 611 (Y, M, C, K) as a transport tube, and a transport screw 614 (Y, M) as a transport member. , C, K), a toner drop conveyance path 64 (Y, M, C, K), a container rotation drive unit 91 (Y, M, C, K), and the like.
For convenience of explanation, with reference to the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y to the toner replenishing device 60Y, the container opening 33a side of the container body 33 to be described later is defined as the container front end side, and the opposite side of the container opening 33a (described later). The handle 303 side) is the rear end side of the container. When the toner container 32Y moves in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. 4 and is mounted in the toner container container 70 of the printer unit 100, the toner is moved from the container front end side of the toner container 32Y in conjunction with the mounting operation. The transport nozzle 611Y of the replenishing device 60Y is inserted. Thereby, the inside of the toner storage container 32Y communicates with the inside of the transport nozzle 611Y. Details of the configuration communicating in conjunction with the mounting operation will be described later.

  As a form of the toner container, the toner container 32Y is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle. The toner storage container 32Y mainly includes a container front end side cover 34Y that is non-rotatably held in the toner storage container storage section 70, and a container main body 33Y as a toner storage member integrally formed with a container gear 301Y. Mainly composed. The container body 33Y is rotatably held with respect to the container front end side cover 34Y.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the toner container container 70 is mainly composed of a container cover receiving part 73, a container receiving part 72, and an insertion port forming part 71. The container cover receiving portion 73 is a portion for holding the container front end side cover 34Y of the toner storage container 32Y. The container receiving part 72 is a part for supporting the container main body 33Y of the toner storage container 32Y. The insertion port forming portion 71 is a portion that forms an insertion port during the mounting operation of the container receiving portion 72 and the toner storage container 32Y. When the main body cover (not shown) installed on the front side of the copier 500 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) is opened, the insertion port forming portion 71 of the toner storage container storage portion 70 is exposed. Then, each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is attached / detached from the front side of the copying machine 500 in a state where the longitudinal direction of each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is horizontal. An operation (attachment / detachment operation in which the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32 is the attachment / detachment direction) is performed. Note that the set cover 608Y in FIG. 4 is a part of the container cover receiving portion 73 of the toner storage container housing portion 70.

The container receiving portion 72 is formed so that the length in the longitudinal direction is substantially equal to the length in the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y. The container cover receiving portion 73 is provided on the container front end side in the longitudinal direction (detachment direction) of the container receiving portion 72, and the insertion port forming portion 71 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container receiving portion 72. In FIG. 5, grooves extending from the insertion port forming portion 71 to the container cover receiving portion 73 are formed directly below the four toner storage containers 32 with the axial direction of the container main body 33 as the longitudinal direction. A pair of slide guides 361 (FIG. 7) are provided on both side surfaces of the lower portion of the container front end side cover 34 so as to fit in the groove and allow sliding movement. The groove of the container receiving portion 72 has a pair of slide rails protruding from both side surfaces thereof. The slide guide 361 is formed with a slide groove 361 a parallel to the rotation axis of the container body 33 so as to be sandwiched between the pair of slide rails from above and below. Further, the container front end side cover 34 includes a container lock portion 339 that engages with a replenishment device side lock member provided in the set cover 608 when the toner replenishment device 60 is mounted.
Therefore, along with the mounting operation of the toner storage container 32Y, the container front end side cover 34Y slides on the container receiving portion 72 for a while after passing through the insertion port forming portion 71, and is then mounted on the container cover receiving portion 73. The
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the container tip side cover 34 is provided with an ID tag (ID chip) 700 that records data such as the usage status of the toner container 32. Further, the container front end cover 34 is provided with a color non-compatible rib 34b for preventing the toner storage container 32 having a different toner color from being mounted on the set cover 608 of another color. When the slide guide 361 is engaged with the slide rail of the container receiving portion 72, the posture of the container tip side cover 34 on the replenishing device 60 is determined. Then, the positioning of the container lock 339 and the replenishing device side locking member 609 and the positioning of the ID tag 700 and the connector on the main body side can be performed smoothly. The ID tag is an electronic substrate provided with a storage element for storing information on the toner container (the color of toner contained, the number of times it has been used, etc.). It is not limited to the form of the present embodiment. Moreover, you may make it the structure which does not have an ID tag.

  With the container front end side cover 34Y attached to the container cover receiving portion 73, the container rotation drive portion 91Y constituted by a drive motor, a drive gear, etc. as shown in FIG. The rotational drive is input to the container gear 301Y (FIG. 10) provided in the main body 33Y. Thereby, the container main body 33Y is rotationally driven in the arrow A direction in FIG. By rotating the container main body 33Y itself, the spiral protrusion 302Y (rotation conveyance unit) formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 33Y also rotates, and the toner contained in the container main body 33Y is transferred to the container main body 33Y. Along the longitudinal direction, the sheet is conveyed from one end (on the handle 303 side) located on the left side in FIG. 4 to the other end (on the container opening 33a side) located on the right side. As a result, the toner is supplied into the transport nozzle 611Y from the container front end side cover 34Y provided at the other end 33. In other words, the toner is supplied to the transport nozzle 611Y inserted into the nozzle receiving port 331Y by the rotation of the spiral protrusion 302Y.

A transport screw 614Y is disposed in the transport nozzle 611Y. The conveyance screw 614Y rotates when rotation drive is input from the container rotation driving unit 91Y to the conveyance screw gear 605Y, and conveys the toner supplied into the conveyance nozzle 611Y. The downstream end of the transport nozzle 611Y in the transport direction is connected to the toner dropping transport path 64Y. The toner transported by the transport screw 614Y falls in its own weight on the toner drop transport path 64Y and is replenished into the developing device 50Y (second developer accommodating portion 54Y).
Each of the toner storage containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) is replaced with a new one when it reaches the end of its life (when the toner to be stored is almost completely consumed and is empty). A grip portion 303 is provided at one end of the toner container 32 opposite to the container front end side cover 34 in the longitudinal direction. When replacing, the operator grasps the handle portion 303 and pulls it out. The toner storage container 32 can be removed.

In the toner replenishing device 60Y, the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 50Y is controlled by the rotational speed of the conveying screw 614Y. Therefore, the toner that has passed through the transport nozzle 611Y is directly transported to the developing device 50Y via the toner dropping transport path 64Y without controlling the supply amount to the developing device 50Y. As in the present embodiment, a toner replenishing device 60Y that inserts the transport nozzle 611Y into the toner storage container 32Y may be provided with a primary toner storage section such as a toner hopper.
Further, in the toner replenishing device 60Y of the present embodiment, the toner supplied into the transport nozzle 611Y is transported by the transport screw 614Y, but the transport member configured to transport the toner supplied into the transport nozzle 611Y. Is not limited to the screw member. For example, a configuration in which a conveyance force is applied by means other than a screw member, such as a configuration in which a negative pressure is generated at the opening of the conveyance nozzle 611Y using a known powder pump, may be used.

  Next, the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) and the toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K) of this embodiment will be described in more detail. As described above, the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) and the toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K) have substantially the same configuration except that the colors of the toners used are different. It has become. Therefore, in the following description, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K indicating the toner color are omitted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view of the toner container 32. FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view of the toner replenishing device 60 before the toner storage container 32 is mounted and the front end side end portion of the toner storage container 32, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view of a replenishing device 60 and an end portion of a toner storage container 32 on the container front end side.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the toner replenishing device 60 before the toner storage container 32 is mounted and the end of the toner storage container 32 on the front end side of the container, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the toner replenishing device 60 and the end of the toner storage container 32 on the front end side of the container.

  The toner replenishing device 60 includes a transport nozzle 611 that includes a transport screw 614 and a nozzle shutter 612. The nozzle shutter 612 closes the nozzle opening 610 formed in the transport nozzle 611 when the toner container 32 is not mounted before the toner container 32 is mounted (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 7), and the toner container 32 is mounted. At the time of mounting (the state of FIGS. 8 and 9), the nozzle opening 610 is opened. On the other hand, a nozzle receiving port 331 serving as a tube insertion port into which the transport nozzle 611 is inserted at the time of mounting is formed at the center of the front end surface of the toner container 32, and an opening / closing member that closes the nozzle receiving port 331 when not mounted. As a container shutter 332.

First, the toner container 32 will be described.
As described above, the toner storage container 32 mainly includes the container main body 33 and the container front end side cover 34. FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of the toner storage container 32 with the container front end cover 34 removed from the state of FIG. The toner storage container 32 in the present invention is not limited to the one mainly composed of the container main body 33 and the container front end side cover 34. For example, when functions such as the slide guide 361 and the ID tag 700 that the container front end side cover 34 has are not provided, the container front end side cover 34 of FIG. Further, by providing the toner storage container with functions such as the slide guide 361 and the ID tag 700, a toner storage container without a container front end cover can be obtained.
11 is a perspective explanatory view of the toner storage container 32 in a state where the nozzle receiving member 330 as a tube insertion member is removed from the container main body 33 from the state of FIG. 10, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the toner storage container 32 in a state where is removed. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the toner storage container 32 in a state where the nozzle receiving member 330 is attached to the container main body 33 from the state of FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the container body 33 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is configured to rotate about the central axis of the cylinder as a rotation axis. Hereinafter, a direction parallel to the rotation axis is referred to as a “rotation axis direction”. In the rotation axis direction, a side where the nozzle receiving port 331 is formed in the toner storage container 32 (a side where the container front end side cover 34 is disposed). ) Will be referred to as the “container tip side”. In addition, the side of the toner container 32 on which the handle portion 303 is disposed (the side opposite to the container front end side) is referred to as “container rear end side”. The longitudinal direction of the toner storage container 32 described above is the rotation axis direction, and when the toner storage container 32 is mounted on the toner supply device 60, the rotation axis direction is the horizontal direction. The container rear end side of the container main body 33 is larger in outer diameter than the container front end side, and a spiral projection 302 is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. When the container main body 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the toner in the container main body 33 is moved from one end side (container rear end side) to the other end side (container front end side) in the rotation axis direction by the action of the spiral protrusion 302. ) Is applied. That is, a spiral projection as a transport unit is disposed inside the container body.

On the inner wall of the container main body 33 on the container front end side, the toner that has been conveyed to the container front end side by the spiral protrusion 302 when the container main body 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. A pumping portion 304 is formed to pump upward by rotation of. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 32, the pumping portion 304 includes a convex portion 304h and a pumping wall surface 304f.
The convex portion 304h is a portion (a raised portion) that is raised on the inner side of the container body 33 so as to form a ridge line of a mountain toward the rotation center of the container body 33 while forming a spiral. The pumping wall surface 304f is a wall surface on the downstream side when viewed from the container rotation direction across the convex portion 304h among the wall surfaces connected from the convex portion 304h to the inner wall of the peripheral surface of the container body 33.
When the pumping wall surface 304 f is below, the toner that has entered the internal space facing the pumping unit 304 by the conveying force of the spiral protrusion 302 is pumped upward by the pumping wall surface 304 f according to the rotation of the container body 33. As a result, the toner can be pumped up above the inserted transport nozzle 611. That is, the toner is lifted from below to above.
As the rotation further proceeds, the toner pumped by the pumping wall surface 611 follows the gravity and slides down from the pumping wall surface, or collapses and falls as it is.
Since there is a transport nozzle 611 which is a main body side transport pipe to be described later, the toner is moved toward the nozzle opening of the transport pipe.

30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 30, the convex portion 304h is influenced by the fact that the container body 33 is formed by blow molding, and has a gentle mountain shape.
In FIG. 9 and the like, the convex portion 304h is represented by a curved line for convenience in order to distinguish the pumping portion 304. The pumping wall surface 304f is a region represented by a grid as shown in FIG. 9, and as shown in FIG. It consists of a pair of slopes connecting the two. The convex portion 304h is continuously provided so as to extend from the inner wall surface of the container that starts to rise toward the inner wall surface on the opposite side facing the inner wall surface and in the direction of the opening. 9 and the like, the wall surface on the upstream side of the container rotation direction among the inner wall surfaces divided by the convex portion 304h is the cutting direction of the EE cross section and the extension of the wall surface in FIG. Since the directions are almost the same, the thickness appears as shown in FIG. The convex portion 304h is also located at a portion that appears to be thick.

  Since the pumping wall surface 304f also needs to transport the toner in the direction of the container opening 33a, as shown in FIG. 33, the longitudinal axis of the container body 33 (FIG. 33) increases from the convex portion 304h toward the container opening 33a. It is inclined away from the one-dot chain line shown in FIG. By doing so, when the pumping wall surface is pumped up and rotated, the pumping wall surface is inclined toward the opening (the direction from the convex portion to the opening is inclined below the horizontal direction). In other words, it is inclined toward the outer side in the radial direction of the container with respect to the longitudinal axis.) The toner can be easily conveyed toward the container opening.

  A container gear 301 is formed on the container tip side further than the pumping portion 304 of the container body 33. The container tip side cover 34 is provided with a gear exposure opening 34a so that a part (the back side in FIG. 6) of the container gear 301 is exposed when attached to the container body 33. Then, by attaching the toner container 32 to the toner replenishing device 60, the container gear 301 exposed from the gear exposure opening 34a meshes with the container driving gear 601 on the toner replenishing device 60 side.

A cylindrical container opening 33 a is formed on the container tip side of the container body 33 further than the container gear 301. The nozzle receiving member 330 can be fixed to the container body 33 by press-fitting the receiving member fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiving member 330 into the container opening 33a. The method for fixing the nozzle receiving member 330 is not limited to press-fitting, but may be fixing by an adhesive or fixing by screws.
The toner storage container 32 is configured to fix the nozzle receiving member 330 to the container opening 33 a of the container body 33 after filling the container body 33 with toner from the opening of the container opening 33 a.

  Further, a cover claw hooking portion 306 is formed at the end of the container opening 33 a of the container body 33 on the container gear 301 side. A container front end side cover 34 is attached to the toner storage container 32 (container body 33) in the state shown in FIG. 10 from the container front end side (lower left side in FIG. 10). Accordingly, the container main body 33 penetrates the container front end side cover 34 in the rotation axis direction, and the cover claw portion 341 provided on the upper portion of the container front end side cover 34 is hooked on the cover claw hooking portion 306. The cover claw hooking portion 306 is formed so as to make a round around the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, and the container main body 33 and the container front end side cover 34 are relatively rotatable by being caught by the cover claw portion 341. It becomes the attachment.

  The container body 33 is formed by a biaxial stretch blow molding method. This biaxial stretch blow molding method generally comprises a two-stage process including a preform molding process and a stretch blow molding process. In the preform molding step, a test tubular preform is molded by injection molding using a resin. By the injection molding at this time, the container opening 33a, the cover claw hook 306, and the container gear 301 are formed in the mouth portion of the test tube. In the stretch blow molding process, the preform cooled after the preform molding process is heated and softened, and then blow molded and stretched.

In the container main body 33, the container rear end side is formed by the stretch blow molding process with respect to the container gear 301. That is, the pumping portion 304, the portion where the spiral protrusion 302 is formed, and the handle portion 303 are formed by a stretch blow molding process.
In the container main body 33, each part on the container tip side from the container gear 301 such as the container gear 301, the container opening 33a, and the cover claw hooking part 306 has a shape as it is an injection-molded preform, so that it is accurately molded. it can. On the other hand, since the pumping portion 304, the portion where the spiral protrusion 302 is formed, and the handle portion 303 are injection-molded and then stretched and molded in a stretch blow molding process, the accuracy of molding is a preform. It is inferior to the molding part.

Next, the nozzle receiving member 330 fixed to the container main body 33 will be described.
14 is a perspective explanatory view of the nozzle receiving member 330 viewed from the container front end side, and FIG. 15 is a perspective explanatory view of the nozzle receiving member 330 viewed from the container rear end side. 16 is a top sectional view of the nozzle receiving member 330 in the state shown in FIG. 13 as viewed from above. FIG. 17 is a side view of the nozzle receiving member 330 in the state shown in FIG. FIG. Further, FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the nozzle receiving member 330.

  The nozzle receiving member 330 includes a container shutter supporting member 340 as a supporting member, a container shutter 332, a container seal 333 as a sealing member, a container shutter spring 336 as an urging member, and a receiving member fixing portion 337. Has been. The container shutter support member 340 includes a shutter rear end support portion 335 as a rear end portion, a flat shutter side surface support portion 335a (protruding portion) as a side surface portion, a shutter support opening portion 335b as a side surface opening portion, and a receiving member fixing portion. 337 and the container shutter spring 336 is a coil spring.

A shutter side surface support portion 335a (protrusion portion) and a shutter support opening portion 335b as protrusion portions provided on the container shutter support member 340 are disposed adjacent to each other in the toner container rotation direction, and two shutters facing each other. The side surface support portion 335a (projection portion) forms a part of a cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical shape is largely cut out at the shutter support opening portion 335b (two locations). With such a shape, the container shutter 332 moves along the insertion direction of the transport nozzle 611 in the cylindrical space S1 (FIG. 16) formed inside the cylindrical shape, in other words, the nozzle receiving port 331 is opened. The movement to the open position and the movement to the closing position for closing the nozzle receiving port 331 can be guided.
That is, the container body has a protruding portion that protrudes from the container body inner side of the container opening toward the container rear end side.

  The nozzle receiving member 330 fixed to the container main body 33 rotates together with the container main body 33 when the container main body 33 rotates. At this time, the shutter side surface support portion 335 a (protruding portion) of the nozzle receiving member 330 serves as the toner replenishing device 60. Rotate around the transfer nozzle 611 on the side. For this reason, the rotating shutter side surface support portion 335 a (projecting portion) and the shutter support opening portion 335 b alternately pass through the space immediately above the nozzle opening 610 formed in the upper portion of the transport nozzle 611. As a result, even if toner accumulates momentarily above the nozzle opening 610, the accumulated toner is broken across the shutter side support portion 335a (protruding portion). Occasional toner conveyance failure can be suppressed. On the other hand, at the timing when the shutter side surface support portion 335a (protruding portion) is positioned on the side of the transport nozzle 611 and the nozzle opening 610 and the shutter support opening portion 335b face each other, as shown by the arrow β in FIG. Passes through the shutter support opening 335 b and the toner in the container body 33 is supplied into the transport nozzle 611.

The container shutter 332 includes a distal end cylindrical portion 332c as a closing portion, a sliding portion 332d, a guide rod 332e, and a shutter removal preventing claw 332a. The distal end cylindrical portion 332 c is a portion on the distal end side of the container that is in close contact with the cylindrical opening (nozzle receiving port 331) of the container seal 333. The sliding portion 332d is formed on the container rear end side with respect to the front end cylindrical portion 332c, has a slightly larger outer diameter than the front end cylindrical portion 332c, and slides on the inner peripheral surface of the pair of shutter side surface support portions 335a (protruding portions). It is a shaped part.
The guide rod 332e is a bar that stands up from the inside of the front end cylindrical portion 332c toward the rear end of the container and is inserted into the coil of the container shutter spring 336 so as to prevent the container shutter spring 336 from buckling. It is a rod part.
The guide rod sliding portion 332g is formed with a pair of flat surfaces on both sides of the center axis of the guide rod 332e from the middle of the cylindrical guide rod 332e. Further, the container rear end side of the guide rod sliding portion 332b is broken into two to form a pair of cantilever beams 332f.
The shutter slip-off preventing claws 332a are provided at the end of the cantilever 332f on the side opposite to the standing base of the guide rod 332e and prevent the container shutter 332 from dropping off from the container shutter support member 340. It is the nail part.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the front end side end of the container shutter spring 336 hits the inner wall surface of the front end cylindrical portion 332 c, and the rear end side end portion of the container shutter spring 336 hits the wall surface of the shutter rear end support portion 335. At this time, since the container shutter spring 336 is in a compressed state, the container shutter 332 receives an urging force in a direction away from the shutter rear end support portion 335 (the right direction in FIGS. 16 and 17 and the container front end direction). However, the shutter slip-off preventing claw 332 a formed on the container rear end side of the container shutter 332 is caught on the outer wall surface of the shutter rear end support 335. Accordingly, the container shutter 332 is prevented from moving in a direction away from the shutter rear end support portion 335 than in the state shown in FIGS.
Positioning is performed by the hook of the shutter slip-off preventing claw 332a with respect to the shutter rear end support portion 335 and the urging force of the container shutter spring 336. Specifically, the distal end cylindrical portion 332 c that exhibits the toner leakage preventing function of the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333 are positioned with respect to the container shutter support member 340 in the axial direction. Positioning is performed in such a relationship that the two come into close contact with each other, and toner leakage can be prevented.

  The receiving member fixing portion 337 has a cylindrical shape in which the diameters of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface are gradually reduced toward the container rear end side. The diameter decreases in order from the container front end side to the container rear end side. As shown in FIG. 17, the outer peripheral surface has two outer diameter portions (outer peripheral surfaces AA and BB in order from the container front end), and the inner peripheral surface has five inner diameter portions (outer peripheral surfaces CC and DD in order from the container front end. , EE, FF, GG). The boundary between the outer peripheral surface AA and the outer peripheral surface BB is connected by a tapered surface. The boundary between the fourth inner diameter portion FF and the fifth inner diameter portion GG on the inner peripheral surface is similarly connected by a tapered surface. The inner diameter portion FF of the inner peripheral surface and the tapered surface connected to the inner surface correspond to a seal member entanglement prevention space 337b described later, and a ridge line of these surfaces corresponds to a side of a pentagonal cross section described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, a pair of shutter side surface support portions 335 a (protruding portions) which are opposed to each other from the receiving member fixing portion 337 to the container rear end side and are in the form of a piece obtained by cutting a cylinder in the axial direction Is protruding. The ends on the container rear end side of the two shutter side surface support portions 335a (projections) are connected to a cup-shaped shutter rear end support portion 335 having a round hole in the center of the bottom. The two shutter side surface support portions 335a (projections) face each other to form a columnar space S1 that can be recognized by the inner wall cylindrical surface and the extended virtual cylindrical surface. The receiving member fixing portion 337 has a fifth inner diameter portion GG from the tip as a cylindrical inner peripheral surface having an inner diameter that is the same as the diameter of the columnar space S1. The sliding portion 332d of the container shutter 332 slides on the columnar space S1 and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface GG. The third inner circumferential surface EE of the receiving member fixing portion 337 is a virtual circumferential surface that passes through the longitudinal tops of the nozzle shutter abutment ribs 337a arranged at equal intervals of 45 [°] distribution. Corresponding to the inner peripheral surface EE, a cylindrical (circular tubular) container seal 333 having a rectangular cross section (the cross section in the cross sectional views of FIGS. 16 and 17) is disposed. The container seal 333 is fixed to a vertical surface connected from the third inner peripheral surface EE to the fifth inner peripheral surface FF by an adhesive or a double-sided tape. The exposed surface on the opposite side (the right side in FIGS. 16 and 17) from the attachment of the container seal 333 forms the inner bottom of the cylindrical opening of the cylindrical receiving member fixing portion 337 (container opening).

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a seal member entanglement prevention space 337 b (a pinching prevention space) is formed corresponding to the inner peripheral surface FF of the receiving member fixing portion 337 and the tapered surface connected thereto. The seal member entanglement prevention space 337b is a ring-shaped sealed space surrounded by three different members. That is, the inner peripheral surface (fourth inner peripheral surface FF and a tapered surface connected thereto) of the receiving member fixing portion 337, the vertical surface on the application side of the container seal 333, and the sliding portion 332d from the tip cylindrical portion 332c of the container shutter 332 It is a ring-shaped space surrounded by the outer peripheral surface. The section of the ring-shaped space (the section in the sectional views of FIGS. 16 and 17) has a pentagonal shape. The angle formed between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving member fixing portion 337 and the end surface of the container seal 333 and the angle formed between the outer peripheral surface of the container shutter 332 and the end surface of the container seal 333 are both 90 °.

The function of the seal member entanglement prevention space 337b will be described. When the container shutter 332 moves from the state of shielding the nozzle receiving port 331 toward the container rear end, the inner peripheral surface of the container seal 333 slides with the tip cylindrical portion 332 c of the container shutter 332. For this reason, the inner peripheral surface of the container seal 333 is elastically deformed so as to be pulled by the container shutter 332 and move toward the container rear end.
At this time, when there is no seal member entanglement prevention space 337b and the vertical surface (the attachment surface of the container seal 333) connected from the third inner peripheral surface and the fifth inner peripheral surface GG are connected so as to be orthogonal, There is a risk of such a situation. That is, the elastically deformed portion of the container seal 333 may be caught between the inner peripheral surface of the receiving member fixing portion 337 that slides with the container shutter 332 and the outer peripheral surface of the container shutter 332. There is. When the container seal 333 is caught between the portion where the receiving member fixing portion 337 and the container shutter 332 slide, that is, between the distal end cylindrical portion 332 c and the inner peripheral surface GG, the container shutter 332 with respect to the receiving member fixing portion 337. Is locked, and the nozzle receiving port 331 cannot be opened and closed.

  On the other hand, the nozzle receiving member 330 of the present embodiment has a seal member entanglement preventing space 337b formed on the inner peripheral portion thereof. Since the inner diameter of the seal member entanglement prevention space 337b (the inner diameter of each of the inner peripheral surface EE and the tapered surface connected thereto) is smaller than the outer diameter of the container seal 333, the entire container seal 333 enters the seal member entanglement prevention space 337b. Never come. In addition, there is a limit to the region of the container seal 333 that is elastically deformed by being pulled by the container shutter 332, and is restored by the elasticity of the container seal itself before reaching the inner peripheral surface GG. This action can prevent the nozzle receiving port 331 from being opened and closed due to the container shutter 332 being locked with respect to the receiving member fixing portion 337.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, a plurality of nozzle shutter abutment ribs 337 a extend radially on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving member fixing portion 337 and adjacent to the outer periphery of the container seal 333. Is formed. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in the state where the container seal 333 is fixed to the receiving member fixing portion 337, the vertical surface on the container front end side of the container seal 333 is the end portion on the container front end side of the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a. Protrudes slightly in the direction of the rotation axis.
As shown in FIG. 9, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the nozzle shutter collar 612 a of the nozzle shutter 612 on the toner replenishing device 60 side is urged by the nozzle shutter spring 613 and the container seal 333. Crush the protruding part. The nozzle shutter collar 612a further enters and hits the container distal end side end of the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a, covers the distal end side end surface of the container seal 333, and blocks from the outside of the container. Accordingly, it is possible to secure the sealing around the transport nozzle 611 at the nozzle receiving port 331 at the time of mounting, and to prevent toner leakage.

  The back side of the nozzle shutter spring receiving surface 612f of the nozzle shutter collar 612a biased by the nozzle shutter spring 613 abuts against the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a, so that the position of the nozzle shutter 612 in the rotation axis direction with respect to the toner container 32 is changed. Determined. Thereby, the end surface on the container front end side of the container seal 333 and the end surface on the container front end side of the front end opening 305 (internal space of a cylindrical receiving member fixing portion 337 disposed in a container opening 33a described later), The positional relationship with the nozzle shutter 612 in the rotation axis direction is determined.

Next, operations of the container shutter 332 and the transport nozzle 611 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 9, and 19 (a) to 19 (d). Before the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the container shutter 332 is urged by the container shutter spring 336 toward the closed position where the nozzle receiving port 331 is closed as shown in FIG. The external appearance of the container shutter 332 and the conveyance nozzle 611 at this time is shown in FIG. When the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the transport nozzle 611 is inserted into the nozzle receiving port 331 as shown in FIG. When the toner container 32 is further pushed into the toner replenishing device 60, the end surface 332 h (hereinafter referred to as “container shutter end surface 332 h”) serving as the end surface of the container shutter 332 is positioned in the insertion direction of the transport nozzle 611. The end surface 611a (hereinafter referred to as “the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle”) that comes into contact. When the toner container 32 is further pushed from this state, the container shutter 332 is pushed as shown in FIG. 19C, and the conveying nozzle 611 is moved from the nozzle receiving port 331 to the shutter as shown in FIG. It is inserted into the rear end support part 335. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the transport nozzle 611 is inserted into the container main body 33 to reach the set position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 19D, the nozzle opening 610 is in a position overlapping the shutter support opening 335b.
Thereafter, when the container body 33 rotates, the toner pumped up by the pumping unit 304 above the transport nozzle 611 is dropped and introduced into the transport nozzle 611 from the nozzle opening 610. The toner introduced into the transport nozzle 611 is transported through the transport nozzle 611 toward the toner dropping transport path 64 by the rotation of the transport screw 614, and is dropped and supplied from the toner dropping transport path 64 to the developing device 50. Is done.

9, the convex portion 304h and the shutter side surface support portion 335a (protruding portion) are opposed to each other at a portion of the EE cross section (the tip end side of the conveying nozzle 611 and the end surface of the bearing of the conveying screw 614). It is in. In addition, the pumping wall surface 304f rises from the inner wall surface of the container so as to extend toward the X direction in FIG. 30 (and the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 34), that is, toward the shutter side surface support portion 335a. In addition, the convex portion 304h protrudes in the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 34, that is, toward the shutter side surface support portion 335a.
Further, at the portion where the shutter side surface support portion 335a and the convex portion are opposed, the convex portion 304h is curved outward in the container radial direction so as to follow the outer shape of the shutter side surface support portion 335a (curved portion 304i). In other words, it is dented from the inside toward the outside in the radial direction.
The concave portion of the convex portion is a curved portion 304i.
The curved portion 304i is gentler than other portions of the convex portion 304h, and is along the shutter side support member 335a in the longitudinal direction.
In FIG. 32, the portion of the encircled portion indicated by the symbol Z is curved toward the back of the drawing, and a curved portion 304i is formed at this location.
Similarly, the pumping wall surface 304f also faces the shutter side surface support portion 335a. Then, as viewed from the downstream side in the container rotation direction, the pumping wall surface 304f, the shutter side surface support portion 335a (projecting portion) in the rotation direction downstream end surface 335c (flat side surface), and the nozzle opening 610 in the rotation direction upstream side edge portion 611s. There is. The shutter side surface support portion 335a as the protruding portion extends along the transport nozzle 611 when the transport nozzle 611 is inserted.

Similarly to the pumping operation described above, the pumping portion 304 formed by the pumping wall surface 304f of the container body 33 in FIG. 30 also causes the toner to flow toward the nozzle opening 610 that is the opening of the transport nozzle 611 that is the transport pipe. Move as indicated by arrow T1.
At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the shutter side surface support portion 335a (protruding portion) and the rotation direction downstream end surface 335c (flat side surface) function as a toner bridging portion that bridges toner from the pumping portion 304 to the nozzle opening 610. .

FIG. 30 also shows the flow of toner inside the container main body 33 including the shutter side surface support portion 335a (projecting portion) that functions as a bridging means.
By the rotation of the container body 33 in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the toner pumped up along the circumferential direction of the container body by the pumping wall surface 304f flows in the direction of the nozzle opening 610 by gravity (arrow T1 in the figure). In the configuration shown in FIG. 30, the shutter side surface support portion 335a (protruding portion) is disposed so as to close the gap between the transport nozzle 611 and the convex portion 304h (the convex portion protruding to the rotation center side of the pumping wall surface 304f). ing. As seen from the downstream side in the rotation direction of the container main body 33, the shutter side surface support portion 335a (protruding portion) is disposed in the order of the rotation direction downstream end surface 335c (flat side surface) and the convex portion 304h of the pumping portion 304. .
The presence of the curved portion 304i of the convex portion 304h makes it possible to cause the convex portion 304h and the pumping wall surface 304f to follow the shutter side surface support member 335a, and the shutter side surface support member 335a pumps up the toner. It works effectively for bridging from the wall surface to the nozzle opening.

With such an arrangement, the pumped toner efficiently enters the nozzle opening 610.
Furthermore, when the degree of aggregation (%) when the toner is stored in an environment of 50 ° C. for 1 hour is 60 to 75, the amount of toner remaining in the container body 33 when the toner container 32 is replaced can be reduced.

  Note that the shutter side surface support portion 335a (protrusion portion) and the convex portion 304h are not in close contact with each other. However, the convex portion 304h, the pumping wall surface 304f, and the curved portion 304i are often formed by blow molding, in which dimensional accuracy cannot be as high as that of injection molding in order to reduce manufacturing costs. When blow molding is employed, it is difficult to completely adhere to the shutter side surface support portion, and it is preferable to form with a slight gap from the viewpoint of mass productivity. In this embodiment, the distance between the curved portion and the shutter side support member facing the curved portion is about 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

That is, in this embodiment,
-The configuration in which the main body side nozzle is inserted into the container to suppress toner scattering and the like.
-Toner replenishment is improved by using the shutter side support portion as a toner bridge from the pumping wall surface to the nozzle.
It has a useful configuration.

However, as described above, the convex portion 304h and the pumping wall surface 304f are often formed by blow molding whose dimensional accuracy cannot be as high as that of injection molding, and thus it is difficult to completely contact the shutter side surface support portion 335a. Even if configured as described above, the toner may not be sufficiently transported toward the transport nozzle. Further, even when the shape of the pumping wall surface is configured to improve the toner transport function, the toner may not be transported sufficiently toward the transport nozzle.
Note that the problem is remarkable in blow molding, and it is difficult to achieve high dimensional accuracy between the convex portion and the shutter side surface support member without blow molding. It is not limited to molded products.

The inventors consider that the reason why the toner cannot be sufficiently transported toward the transport nozzle as described above is due to the following factors.
As a first factor, if the fluidity of the toner is high, it is conceivable that the toner flows down from between the shutter side surface support portion 335a and the protruding portion (the convex portion 304h) (the portion indicated by A in FIG. 35). As a result, the amount of toner supplied to the transport nozzle 611 is considered to decrease. This is considered to be remarkable for a toner having high fluidity.
When viewed in the longitudinal direction as a second factor, the pumping wall surface 304f is provided so as to be inclined toward the opening (inclined outward with respect to the axial direction of the container body), and is closest to the transport nozzle 611. It is comprised so that it may leave | separate gradually from the convex part 304h which is (part shown by B of FIG. 35). This is an effective configuration for pumping toner and transporting it to the vicinity of the nozzle opening. However, if the said structure is taken, the clearance gap between the conveyance nozzle 611 and the convex part 304h will become large as it goes to the container front end side. For this reason, the toner flows down between the shutter side surface support portion 335a and the pumping wall surface 304f. As a result, the amount of toner supplied to the transport nozzle 611 is considered to decrease. This is considered to be remarkable for a toner having high fluidity.
Similarly, when viewed in the longitudinal direction as a third factor, the toner moves from the container rear end side of the pumping wall surface 304f toward the front end side (portion indicated by C in FIG. 35) to the vicinity of the shutter side surface support portion 335a. In the meantime, it is considered that there is toner that falls from the wall surface 304f. Naturally, when the toner drops from the pumping wall surface 304f, the toner is not transported to the transport nozzle 611, so that the toner supply amount to the transport nozzle 611 is considered to decrease by the amount of the dropped toner. This is also considered to be one of the prominent factors in the toner having high fluidity.
As a fourth factor, it is considered that the toner cannot be discharged in the first place if the fluidity of the toner is low.

The factors as described above are conceivable, and it is considered that a difference in toner discharge properties that are discharged from the inside of the container to the outside of the container is caused when these factors are related to each other.
In addition, the toner discharge performance becomes a significant problem when the remaining amount of toner is decreasing.
When there is a large amount of toner remaining, the toner is ejected with momentum by the conveying force of the spiral conveying section of the toner container body. In some cases, the toner cannot be poured into the opening 610.

Therefore, when a toner having a degree of aggregation (%) of 60 to 75 when stored in an environment of 50 ° C. for 1 hour is used,
With respect to the first factor and the second factor, since there is an appropriate cohesive force between the particles, it is considered that an action of getting over the gap even if there is some gap is difficult. Thus, the toner agent is supplied to the nozzle even when there is a gap. Further, depending on the degree of aggregation, even if the toner is caught in the gap, the toner does not fall out and pass through, and the toner that has become agglomerates on the spot may act to fill the gap.
With respect to the third factor, it is considered that the toner hardly spills due to an appropriate cohesive force between particles, and the pumping efficiency is improved.
Regarding the fourth factor, it is considered that the toner is smoothly transported by improving the fluidity.

When the toner container 32 is in the set position shown in FIG. 19D, the container shutter end surface 332h is pressed by the transport nozzle end surface 611a in the region of the nozzle opening 610. At this time, not only the nozzle opening 610 but also the end surface 611 a of the transport nozzle and the end surface 332 h of the container shutter are positioned below the pumping unit 304. Therefore, the toner pumped up above the transport nozzle 611 falls not only between the nozzle opening 610 but also between the container shutter end surface 332h and the transport nozzle end surface 611a. Further, the dropped toner may fly up and adhere between the container shutter 332 and the container shutter support member 340.
Here, assuming that the end surface 332h of the container shutter and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle are flat surfaces, the contact between the end surface 332h of the container shutter and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle is a sliding surface, resulting in a high load. In addition, it is difficult to achieve ideal perfect sliding between surfaces due to assembly errors and component variations, and minute gaps are generated. For this reason, the toner may enter the gap and the operation of rubbing the toner as the surface slides may be performed.
Also, consider a case where the toner that has flown in the toner container adheres between the container shutter 332 and the container shutter support member 340. In a state where the toner container 32 is mounted on the toner replenishing device 60, the tip cylindrical portion 332c of the container shutter 332 is pressed against the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle by the container shutter spring 336, so that a braking force is applied to the container shutter. As a result, it is considered that the container shutter 332 does not rotate with respect to the container shutter support member 340 fixed to the container body 33 and rotating integrally with the spiral protrusion 302. In that case, the toner between the container shutter 332 and the container shutter support member 340 is expected to be rubbed by the container shutter 332.
Then, the toner that is rubbed and loaded may become an agglomerate larger than the toner particle diameter in the unloaded state. If the aggregate is conveyed to the developing device 50 via the toner replenishing device 60, there is a possibility that an abnormal image such as an unintended black spot may occur. This phenomenon of forming an aggregate is more likely to occur in the case of a low-melting-point toner that can form an image at a particularly low fixing temperature.

Therefore, as described below, the present invention preferably includes an aggregation suppressing unit that suppresses aggregation of toner accompanying rotation of the container body 33.
As agglomeration suppression means, the tip cylindrical portion 332c of the container shutter 332 is pressed against the transport nozzle 611 by the pressing of the container shutter spring 336 in the longitudinal direction. I'm trying to get around. Due to this preventing action, the sliding load acting on the toner between the container shutter 332 and the container shutter support member 340 is reduced. Entrainment (relative rotation) assumes rotation of the container shutter 332 about the axis of the guide rod 332e. The state where the container shutter 332 is engaged with the container shutter support member 340 means a state where both rotate together, in other words, a state where the container shutter 332 does not rotate relative to the container shutter support member 340. The space between the container shutter 332 and the container shutter support member 340 is between the outer peripheral surface of the sliding portion 332d and the inner peripheral surface of the shutter support opening 335b, and between the guide rod sliding portion 332g and the rear end opening 335d. Is assumed.

The sliding load on the toner is much larger in the rotation operation around the axis than in the axial opening / closing operation of the container shutter 332. This is because the opening / closing operation occurs only when the toner container 32 is attached / detached, but the rotation operation occurs every time the replenishing operation is performed.
FIG. 20A shows the relationship between the rear end opening 335d as a through hole in the center of the opening / closing member rear end support portion and the shutter slip-off preventing claw 332a when viewed from the left side in FIG. 17 (from the container rear end side). It is a top view. FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view of the guide rod sliding portion 332g showing a fitting relationship between the rear end opening 335d and the guide rod sliding portion 332g in FIG. 19C.
The guide rod 332e includes a cylindrical portion 332i, a guide rod sliding portion 332g, a cantilever 332f, and a shutter removal prevention claw 332a. As shown in FIG. 17, the guide rod 332e of the container shutter 332 has a pair of cantilever beams 332f formed by breaking the container rear end side into two. Shutter removal prevention claws 332a are provided on the outer peripheral surface of each beam. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 20A, the shutter slip-off preventing claw 332a protrudes outward from the outer edge at the longitudinal length W of the rear end opening 335d. The rear end opening 335d has a function of guiding the movement of the container shutter 332 while the cantilever 332f and the guide rod sliding part 332g slide with the rear end opening 335d. As shown in FIG. 20B, the guide rod sliding portion 332g has a plane opposite to the upper and lower sides of the rear end opening 335d, and has a curved surface whose left and right sides are the rear end opening 335d. . The cylindrical portion 332i has a cylindrical shape in which the horizontal width in FIGS. 20A and 20B is the same as that of the guide rod sliding portion 332g. Further, when the container shutter 332 shown in FIGS. 19A to 19D is moved, the rear end opening 335d is fitted so as not to prevent the cantilever 332f and the guide rod sliding part 332g from moving. Have a good relationship. As described above, the rear end opening 335d is inserted through the cantilever 332f and the guide rod sliding portion 332g to guide the movement of the container shutter 332 and restricts the rotation about the rotation axis of the container shutter 332.
When the container shutter 332 is assembled to the container shutter support member 340, the guide rod 332e is passed through the container shutter spring 336, the pair of cantilever beams 332f of the guide rod 332e are bent toward the axial center of the guide rod 332e, and the rear end The shutter detachment preventing claw 332a is passed through the opening 335d. Thus, the guide rod 332e is assembled to the nozzle receiving member 330 as shown in FIGS. At this time, the container shutter 332 is pressurized in a direction to close the nozzle receiving port 331 by the container shutter spring 336, and the container shutter is prevented from being detached by the shutter removal prevention claw 332a. The guide rod 332e is preferably molded from a resin such as polystyrene so that the cantilever 332f has elasticity to bend.
When the toner container 32 is set at the set position, the guide rod sliding portion 332g passes through the rear end opening 335d, and the driven transmission is transmitted as shown in FIGS. The flat portion of the guide rod sliding portion 332g as a portion and the opening side of the rear end opening portion 335d as a drive transmission portion face each other and come into contact with each other. At this time, the inner peripheral surface of the shutter side surface support portion 335a (projecting portion) faces the outer peripheral surfaces of the tip cylindrical portion 332c and the sliding portion 332d.

Therefore, even when the end surface 332h of the container shutter is pressed against the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle by the pressing of the container shutter spring 336, the surface between the flat surface portion of the guide rod sliding portion 332g and the opening side of the rear end opening portion 335d. By the contact, the container shutter 332 is fixed in the rotation direction around the longitudinal axis (the central axis of the guide rod 332e and the rotation central axis of the container main body 33). As a result, the rotational force is transmitted from the rotating container shutter support member 340 to the guide rod 332e of the container shutter 332. Since the rotational force is larger than the aforementioned braking force, the container shutter 332 rotates as the container shutter support member 340 rotates. In other words, the container shutter 332 is rotated by the rotation of the container shutter support member 340 (at this time, the relative rotation of both is restricted). That is, the guide rod sliding part 332g and the rear end opening part 335d serve as drive transmission means for transmitting a rotational force from the container shutter support member 340 to the container shutter 332. At the same time, it can be said that the aggregation suppressing means. By this aggregation suppression means, the friction between the container shutter 332 and the container shutter support member 340 in the rotation direction about the axis of the guide rod 332e is suppressed, so that the rotation of the container body 33 is accompanied. Toner aggregation between the container shutter 332 and the container shutter support member 340 can be suppressed.
The aggregation suppressing means is not limited to the guide rod sliding portion 332g, and may be a cantilever 332f. In this case, the length and position may be determined so that the cantilever 332f is positioned at the rear end opening 335d when the toner container 32 is at the set position.

Another aggregation suppressing means will be described from the problem to be solved. When the container shutter 332 rotates integrally with the toner container 32 (container body 33), the end surface 332h of the container shutter rotates relative to the end surface 661a of the transport nozzle. The tip cylindrical portion 332c of the container shutter 332 is pressed against the transport nozzle 611 by the pressing of the container shutter spring 336 in the longitudinal direction. If the relative rotation is performed in such a state, the sliding load of the container shutter end surface 332h with respect to the end surface 661a of the transport nozzle becomes extremely large, which causes toner aggregation.
In view of this, there is provided a second aggregation suppression means for suppressing toner aggregation caused by rotation of the container shutter 332 serving as an opening / closing member, the second aiming at suppressing toner aggregate generation at a location different from the above embodiment. The present invention proposes an aggregation suppressing means. The following aggregation suppressing means reduces the sliding load on the toner in the contact region of the tip cylindrical portion 332c facing the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, the end surface 332 h of the container shutter is directed from the end surface 332 h toward the end surface 611 a of the conveying nozzle 611 facing (or when the toner container is mounted in the image forming apparatus (or It has an abutting portion 342 that protrudes outward from the front end of the container and abuts against the end surface 611 a of the transport nozzle 611. The abutting portion 342 is a protrusion serving as an aggregation suppression unit (second aggregation suppression unit) in this embodiment. The outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 342 has a circumferential surface concentric with the rotation axis of the toner container 32, and has a shape (for example, a hemispherical shape) whose diameter decreases toward the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle. As shown in FIG. 9, the hemispherical top and the end surface 611a of the transfer nozzle are provided so as to make point contact. As a result, the contact portion 342 can rotate with a low sliding load when it comes into contact with the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle. Accordingly, since the contact area can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the container shutter end face 332h and the transfer nozzle end face 611a are flat, the container shutter end face 332h and the transfer nozzle end face 611a associated with the rotation of the container body 33 The sliding load applied to the toner can be reduced, and toner aggregation can be suppressed.
As a material of the contact portion 342, in the case of being integrally formed with the container shutter 332, the same material as the container shutter 332, for example, a polystyrene resin can be used. Since the container shutter 332 is a component mounted on the toner container 32 side, it is exchanged together with the toner container 32. For this reason, the material of the contact portion 342 that rotates in contact with the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle is installed in the printer unit 100 when the replacement is assumed, and the transport nozzle 611 (end surface 611a) that is not basically replaced is basically installed. From the viewpoint of durability, it is preferable to use a material softer than the material.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, the contact portion 342 is approximately at the center of the end surface 332 h of the container shutter so as to be on the rotation center axis of the toner container 32, in other words, on the rotation center axis of the container shutter 332. Is arranged. With such a configuration, the rotation trajectory of the tip of the contact portion 342 when the end surface 332h of the container shutter rotates relative to the end surface 661a of the transport nozzle is ideally one point. Due to the mounting between the toner container and the image forming apparatus, misalignment within the permissible intersection is inevitable, and variations due to mass production also occur. However, even if these are taken into consideration, the rotation locus can be minimized. . Then, similarly to the above, an increase in the contact area between the end surface 332h of the container shutter and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle can be suppressed, and aggregation of toner due to a sliding load can be suppressed.

Next, the gap between the container shutter end surface 332h and the transport nozzle end surface 611a formed by the contact portion 342 will be described. As shown in FIG. 21, this gap is set by the amount of protrusion X of the contact portion 342 from the container shutter end surface 332h to the tip.
The inventors examined the relationship between the protrusion amount X and the occurrence of black spots in the image, that is, the relationship between the sliding area of the contact area and the occurrence of black spots in the image. became. That is, in this embodiment, the protrusion amount X (gap between the surfaces) is set to 1 mm. For this reason, the toner that has entered the gap between the surfaces is reduced in load due to sliding, and easily falls off the surface and does not stay easily, so that no aggregate is generated. As described above, even when the toner enters the gap between the end surface 332h of the container shutter and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle, the sliding load is reduced, so the load on the toner is reduced. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the generation of aggregates and abnormal images while minimizing the load on the toner.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, there is no problem if the protrusion amount X (gap between the surfaces) is 0.5 mm or more, and when it is approximately 0.2 mm or less, agglomerates at a level that can be confirmed on the output image are generated. It is expected to be easier. Therefore, the protrusion amount X (gap between the surfaces) is preferably set to about 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, the aggregation suppressing means is not limited to one in which the contact portion 342 and the container shutter 332 are integrally formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the aggregation suppressing means may be separated from the container shutter 332. Also in this case, if the protrusion amount X is satisfied, the same effect as described above can be obtained. The agglomeration suppressing means shown in FIG. 23 is a contact portion 342B in which a resin sphere is provided to roll about the center of the end surface 332h of the container shutter.
Even with such a configuration, the toner that enters the gap between the end surface 332h of the container shutter and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle reduces the load caused by sliding. For this reason, aggregates are not generated. Thus, even when the toner enters the gap between the container shutter end surface 332h and the conveyance nozzle end surface 611a, the sliding load is reduced, so the load on the toner is reduced. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the generation of aggregates and abnormal images while minimizing the load on the toner.

  The transport nozzle end surface 611a is a flat flat end surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, only the portion 611b of the transport nozzle end surface 611a facing the contact portion 342 protrudes toward the contact portion 342. The end surface 611a may be formed as described above.

Another aggregation suppressing means will be described.
In the above-described aggregation suppression means, the aggregation suppression means is disposed between the end surface 332h of the container shutter and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle, and thus is particularly effective for suppressing the generation of toner aggregates. When the toner container 32 is removed from the toner replenishing device 60, it is assumed that the toner adhering between the surfaces falls and gets dirty in the image forming apparatus or on the floor.
Therefore, in the present aggregation suppressing means, the seal member 350 is disposed in the non-contact region R with the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle in the end surface 332h of the container shutter. For this reason, it is possible to prevent toner from staying between the end surface 332h of the container shutter and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle.

  The seal member 350 is made of an elastic member such as foamed polyurethane. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the seal member 350 is formed in an annular shape so as to be located outside the contact portion 342. The seal member 350 is 0.1 mm to 0 mm in the thickness direction of the seal member 350 when the container shutter 332 occupies an open position where the nozzle receiving port 331 is opened as the transport nozzle 611 is inserted into the toner storage container 32. It is configured to be compressed by 5 mm. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, when the protrusion amount X of the contact portion 342 is 1 mm, the thickness t of the seal member 350 is 1.1 mm to 1.5 mm. When the facing surface 350a of the seal member 350 and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle come into contact with each other, the seal member 350 is crushed so that the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle and the contact portion 342 are in contact with each other.

As described above, when the seal member 350 is disposed, the opposing surface 350a of the seal member 350 contacts the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle before the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle contacts the contact portion 342 as shown in FIG. Therefore, it becomes difficult for toner to enter between the surfaces. For this reason, when the toner container 32 is detached from the toner replenishing device 60, it is possible to prevent the toner from falling and becoming dirty in the image forming apparatus or on the floor.
As shown in FIG. 29, the crushing amount t1 of the seal member 350 is set to about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. For example, when the amount of crushing is 1 mm or more, the sliding load is increased, so that it has been observed that toner aggregates are easily generated between the facing surface 350a of the seal member 350 and the end surface 611a of the conveying nozzle. Therefore, the crushing amount t1 is desirably 0.5 mm or less. In this embodiment, the crushing amount t1 is set to 0.2 mm. Thus, by minimizing the compression amount of the seal member 350, the rotational load on the toner storage container 32 (container body 33) can be reduced. The toner adhering to the surface of the seal member 350 is slightly compressed, but is not sandwiched between rigid bodies such as the end surface 332h of the container shutter and the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle 611, but a flexible seal. Since the member 350 is pressed against the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle 611, the flexibility of the seal absorbs the pressing force, and the sliding load on the toner can be expected to be reduced.
By providing the seal member 350, it is possible to prevent the toner from entering between the surfaces, and thus it is possible to more reliably suppress the generation of aggregates accompanying the rotation of the container body 33.
Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the facing surface 350a of the seal member 350 rotates integrally with the container shutter 332 in a state of being pressed against the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28, a sheet material 351 formed of, for example, a polymer polyethylene sheet or a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material is bonded to the facing surface 350a of the seal member 350, so that the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle is adhered. The opposite side may be formed as a low friction surface. Thus, when the surface 350a facing the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle is a low friction surface, the load applied to the toner by sliding with the end surface 611a of the transport nozzle can be reduced.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 31, other than the configuration in which the protruding portion is a shutter side support portion 335 a that supports the shutter urged by the container shutter spring can be dealt with.
Specifically, the container shutter 332 that closes the container opening is formed by stacking a plurality of thin film members (two in this embodiment) that are elastically deformed, and the overlapping portion is formed by elastic deformation. Is configured to be openable.
The conveying nozzle is inserted into the container opening by expanding the overlapping portion of the thin film members.
In this case, there is no shutter urged by the urging member in the above-described embodiment.
However, a pair of flat members project from the container opening toward the rear end of the container in the same manner as the shutter side support 335a of the above-described embodiment, and the toner bridging that bridges the toner from the pumping part to the nozzle opening. Function as a part.
Other configurations are the same as those of the other embodiments.
As described above, regarding the shape and configuration of the protruding portion, any correspondence can be taken as long as the effect of the present application can be achieved.

  Further, what is shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 is a toner storage container in which the container main body part leading to the pumping part 304 is thick, and the curved part 304i is formed larger than that in FIG. The thing of such a structure may be sufficient. In FIG. 37, there is a container opening 33a on the back side of the drawing.

Next, an example of a manufacturing process when the toner container 32 is filled with toner will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, a hole 33d2 (through hole) communicating with the inside of the container main body 33 is formed in the handle portion 303 for the empty toner container 32 (this is a processing step).
Thereafter, a cleaning nozzle is inserted through the hole 33d2 to clean the inside of the container body 33.
Thereafter, referring to FIG. 38A, the toner container 32 in which the hole 33 d 2 is formed is set in the filling machine 200.
Specifically, the constricted portion 33d1 as the hooking portion of the gripping portion 303 is engaged with the support portion 210 of the filling machine 200, and the toner container 32 is suspended so that the gripping portion 33d faces upward.
Further, the nozzle 220 of the filling machine 200 is inserted into the hole 33d2 of the toner container 32 to fill the toner into the toner container 32 from the filling machine 200 (this is a filling process).

Referring to FIG. 38B, after the toner filling is completed, the hole 32d2 is sealed with a sealing cap as a sealing member.
Thereby, the sealing performance in the toner container 32 after the toner is filled is secured.
In this embodiment, the cap 90 that covers the handle portion 303 is used as the sealing member. However, a plug inserted into the hole portion 33d2 can be used as the sealing member, or the hole portion 33d2 can be covered. A provided sealing member such as polyurethane foam may be used as the sealing member. That is, in the toner container in the above embodiment, an opening is provided in the container body, and a toner container in which the opening is sealed by the sealing member is completed.
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the toner container 32 is filled with toner, the toner container 32 can be filled without disassembling the nozzle receiving member 330 from the container body 33.
Thereby, workability at the time of manufacture improves.

  The material constituting the toner of the present invention will be described. Note that it is easy for a person skilled in the art to change or modify the present invention within the scope of the claims to form other embodiments, and these changes and modifications are included in the scope of the claims, The following description is an example of the best mode of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the claims.

(toner)
The toner of the present invention includes at least a binder resin, a toner base containing a colorant, and an external additive, and further includes other components as necessary.

<External additive>
The external additive is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, silica fine particles, hydrophobized silica fine particles, fatty acid metal salts (for example, zinc stearate, And aluminum oxide stearate); metal oxides (for example, titania, alumina, tin oxide, antimony oxide, etc.) or their hydrophobized products, fluoropolymers, and the like. Among these, hydrophobized silica fine particles, titania particles, and hydrophobized titania fine particles are preferable.

  Examples of the hydrophobized silica fine particles include HDK H2000, HDK H2000 / 4, HDK H2050EP, HVK21, HDK H1303 (all manufactured by Hoechst); R972, R974, RX200, RY200, R202, R805, R812 (all Also manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.). Examples of the titania fine particles include P-25 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.); STT-30, STT-65C-S (both manufactured by Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); TAF-140 (manufactured by Fuji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); Examples include MT-150W, MT-500B, MT-600B, MT-150A (all manufactured by Teika Corporation). Examples of the hydrophobized titanium oxide fine particles include T-805 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.); STT-30A, STT-65S-S (both manufactured by Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); TAF-500T, TAF-1500T. (Both manufactured by Fuji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.); MT-100S, MT-100T (both manufactured by Teika Co., Ltd.); IT-S (produced by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.) and the like.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said external additive, According to the objective, it can select suitably.

  The total coverage of the external additive to the toner base particles is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10% to 80%, and more preferably 40% to 70%. By setting the total coverage of the external additive to the toner base particles within the above range, the fluidity of the toner is improved and the toner replenishment property is improved.

<Toner base particles>
The toner base particles contain at least a binder resin and a colorant. Furthermore, a mold release agent, a charge control agent, a layered inorganic mineral, etc. can be contained as needed.

<< Binder resin >>
The binder resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, polyester resin, silicone resin, styrene / acryl resin, styrene resin, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, diene resin, phenol Resins, terpene resins, coumarin resins, amideimide resins, butyral resins, urethane resins, ethylene vinyl acetate resins and the like can be mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, polyester resin, a resin combining polyester resin and the above-mentioned other binder resins in that it has excellent low-temperature fixability, can smooth the image surface, and has sufficient flexibility even when the molecular weight is lowered. Is preferred.

-Polyester resin-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said polyester resin, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, An unmodified polyester resin and a modified polyester resin are preferable. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  The polyester resin preferably has a glass transition point (Tg) of 40 to 70 ° C. for a low-temperature fixing toner. When Tg is less than 40 ° C., the low-temperature fixability is good, but the heat-resistant storage stability is poor, and the fluidity deteriorates due to aggregation between toners and embedding of external additives in the toner base. When it is higher than 70 ° C., the heat resistant storage stability is improved, but the low temperature fixing property is deteriorated.

--Unmodified polyester resin--
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said unmodified polyester resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the polyol represented by following General formula (1), and poly represented by following General formula (2) Examples thereof include resins obtained by polyesterifying carboxylic acid and crystalline polyester resins. According to the present invention, even in a high-speed machine equipped with a toner having excellent low-temperature fixability using a crystalline polyester resin, which easily embeds the external additive in the toner, filming resistance and fixing over time are similarly applied. A toner capable of maintaining good stability can be provided.

However, in the said General formula (1), A represents the aromatic group or heterocyclic aromatic group which may have a C1-C20 alkyl group, an alkylene group, and a substituent, m is 2- Represents an integer of 4.
However, in said general formula (2), B represents the C1-C20 alkyl group, alkylene group, the aromatic group which may have a substituent, or a heterocyclic aromatic group, and n is 2-2. Represents an integer of 4.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a polyol represented by the said General formula (1), According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1, 2- propylene glycol, 1, 3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-butenediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene Glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, sorbitol, 1,2,3,6-hexanetetrol, 1,4-sorbitan, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, 1,2,4-butanetriol 1,2,5-pentanetriol, glycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl-1,2,4-butanetriol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, 1,3,5-trihydroxymethylbenzene, bisphenol A, bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct, bisphenol A propylene oxide adduct, hydrogenated bisphenol A, hydrogenated bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct, hydrogenated bisphenol A propylene oxide adduct, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as polycarboxylic acid represented by the said General formula (2), According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, phthalate Acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, malonic acid, n-dodecenyl succinic acid, isooctyl succinic acid, isododecenyl succinic acid, n-dodecyl succinic acid, isododecyl succinic acid , N-octenyl succinic acid, n-octyl succinic acid, isooctenyl succinic acid, isooctyl succinic acid, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 2,5,7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3-di Ruboxyl-2-methyl-2-methylenecarboxypropane, 1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, tetra (methylenecarboxyl) methane, 1,2,7,8-octanetetracarboxylic acid, pyromellitic acid, empor trimer Examples include acids, etc., cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, cyclohexenedicarboxylic acid, butanetetracarboxylic acid, diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic acid, ethylene glycol bis (trimellitic acid), and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

--- Crystalline polyester resin ---
A crystalline polyester resin can be contained as the polyester resin.
Examples of the crystalline polyester resin include saturated aliphatic diol compounds having 2 to 12 carbon atoms as alcohol components, particularly 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,10- Decanediol, 1,12-dodecandiol and derivatives thereof, and a dicarboxylic acid having 2 to 12 carbon atoms or a saturated dicarboxylic acid having 2 to 12 carbon atoms having at least a double bond (C═C bond) as an acidic component Especially using fumaric acid, 1,4-butanedioic acid, 1,6-hexanedioic acid, 1,8-octanedioic acid, 1,10-decanedioic acid, 1,12 dodecanedioic acid and their derivatives Synthesized crystalline polyester is preferred.

  Among them, in particular, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,12 in terms of reducing the difference between the endothermic peak temperature and the endothermic shoulder temperature. Any one alcohol component of dodecanediol, fumaric acid, 1,4-butanedioic acid, 1,6-hexanedioic acid, 1,8-octanedioic acid, 1,10-decanedioic acid, 1, It is preferably composed of only one kind of dicarboxylic acid component of 12-dodecanedioic acid.

  In addition, as a method for controlling the crystallinity and softening point of the crystalline polyester resin, a trivalent or higher polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin as an alcohol component and a trivalent or higher polyvalent such as trimellitic anhydride as an acid component can be used during polyester synthesis. Examples thereof include a method of designing and using a non-linear polyester that has been subjected to condensation polymerization by adding a polyvalent carboxylic acid.

  The molecular structure of the crystalline polyester resin of the present invention can be confirmed by X-ray diffraction, GC / MS, LC / MS, IR measurement, etc. in addition to NMR measurement by solution or solid.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said toner of the said crystalline polyester resin, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 3 mass%-15 mass% are preferable, and 5 mass%-10 mass% are more. preferable. When the content is less than 3% by mass, the effect on the low-temperature fixability may not be sufficiently obtained, which is not preferable. When the content exceeds 15% by mass, the storage stability tends to deteriorate, which is not preferable.

--Modified polyester resin--
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said modified polyester resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, polyester (henceforth "polyester prepolymer" which can react with an active hydrogen group containing compound and the said active hydrogen group containing compound) And a resin obtained by an extension reaction and / or a crosslinking reaction. The extension reaction and / or the cross-linking reaction may be stopped by a reaction terminator (blocked monoamine such as diethylamine, dibutylamine, butylamine, laurylamine, ketimine compound, etc.) as necessary.

--- Active hydrogen group-containing compound ---
The active hydrogen group-containing compound acts as an elongation agent, a crosslinking agent or the like when the polyester prepolymer undergoes an elongation reaction, a crosslinking reaction, or the like in an aqueous phase.

  The active hydrogen group-containing compound is not particularly limited as long as it has an active hydrogen group, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, when the polyester prepolymer is an isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer described later. An amine is preferable in that a high molecular weight can be obtained.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said active hydrogen group, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a hydroxyl group (alcoholic hydroxyl group or phenolic hydroxyl group), an amino group, a carboxyl group, a mercapto group etc. are mentioned. These may be contained singly or in combination of two or more.

  The amines that are the active hydrogen group-containing compounds are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include diamines, trivalent or higher polyamines, amino alcohols, amino mercaptans, amino acids, and the like. The thing etc. which blocked the amino group of amines are mentioned. Examples of the diamine include aromatic diamines (phenylenediamine, diethyltoluenediamine, 4,4′diaminodiphenylmethane, etc.); alicyclic diamines (4,4′-diamino-3,3′dimethyldicyclohexylmethane, diaminecyclohexane, Isophorone diamine, etc.); aliphatic diamines (ethylene diamine, tetramethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, etc.) and the like. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyamine include diethylenetriamine and triethylenetetramine. Examples of the amino alcohol include ethanolamine and hydroxyethylaniline. Examples of the amino mercaptan include aminoethyl mercaptan and aminopropyl mercaptan. Examples of the amino acid include aminopropionic acid and aminocaproic acid. Examples of the blocked amino groups of these amines include, for example, any of these amines (diamine, trivalent or higher polyamine, amino alcohol, amino mercaptan, amino acid, etc.) and ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, And ketimine compounds and oxazolyzone compounds obtained from methyl isobutyl ketone and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, the amines are particularly preferably diamine and a mixture of a diamine and a small amount of a trivalent or higher polyamine.

--- Polymer capable of reacting with active hydrogen group-containing compound ---
The polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound is not particularly limited as long as it is a polymer having at least a group capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, it has excellent fluidity and transparency when melted, it is easy to adjust the molecular weight of the polymer component, and it is excellent in oilless low-temperature fixability and releasability in dry toners. ) Is preferred, and an isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer is more preferred.

  The isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a polycondensate of a polyol and a polycarboxylic acid, a reactive hydrogen group-containing polyester resin is reacted with a polyisocyanate. And the like.

  The polyol is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, alkylene glycol (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, etc.), alkylene ether glycol (diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, etc.), alicyclic diol (1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, Hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.), bisphenols (bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, etc.), alkylene oxides of the above alicyclic diols (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide) Diol, butylene oxide etc.) adducts, diols such as alkylene oxide (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide etc.) adducts of the above bisphenols; polyhydric aliphatic alcohols (glycerin, trimethylol ethane, trimethylol propane, pentaerythritol) , Sorbitol, etc.) Trivalent or higher valent phenols (phenol novolak, cresol novolak, etc.), Trivalent or higher polyols such as alkylene oxide adducts of trivalent or higher polyphenols; Mixtures of diol and trivalent or higher polyols; Etc. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, the polyol is preferably the diol alone or a mixture of the diol and a small amount of the trivalent or higher polyol. Examples of the diol include alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols (bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct, bisphenol A propylene oxide 2 mol adduct, bisphenol A propylene oxide 3 mol adduct, etc.) Is preferred.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the isocyanate group containing polyester prepolymer of the said polyol, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 0.5 mass%-40 mass% are preferable, and 1 mass%- 30 mass% is more preferable, and 2 mass%-20 mass% is especially preferable. When the content is less than 0.5% by mass, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated, and it may be difficult to achieve both the storage stability of the toner and the low-temperature fixability. Fixability may deteriorate.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said polycarboxylic acid, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, alkylene dicarboxylic acid (succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.); Alkenylene dicarboxylic acid (maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc.) ); Aromatic dicarboxylic acid (terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, etc.); trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, etc., C9-20 aromatic polycarboxylic acid, etc.), etc. Is mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, the polycarboxylic acid is preferably an alkenylene dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 20 carbon atoms. In place of the polycarboxylic acid, an anhydride of polycarboxylic acid, a lower alkyl ester (methyl ester, ethyl ester, isopropyl ester, etc.) may be used.

  The mixing ratio of the polyol and the polycarboxylic acid is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. The mixing ratio of the hydroxyl group [OH] of the polyol and the carboxyl group [COOH] of the polycarboxylic acid is not limited. The equivalent ratio [OH] / [COOH] is preferably 2/1 to 1/1, more preferably 1.5 / 1 to 1/1, and particularly preferably 1.3 / 1 to 1.02 / 1.

  The polyisocyanate is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, aliphatic polyisocyanate (tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,6-diisocyanatomethylcaproate, octamethylene Diisocyanate, decamethylene diisocyanate, dodecamethylene diisocyanate, tetradecamethylene diisocyanate, trimethylhexane diisocyanate, tetramethylhexane diisocyanate, etc .; alicyclic polyisocyanates (isophorone diisocyanate, cyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, etc.); aromatic diisocyanates (tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane, etc.) Diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate, diphenylene-4, '-Diisocyanate, 4,4'-diisocyanato-3,3'-dimethyldiphenyl, 3-methyldiphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, diphenyl ether-4,4'-diisocyanate, etc .; araliphatic diisocyanate (α, α , Α ′, α′-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, etc.); isocyanurates (tris-isocyanatoalkyl-isocyanurate, triisocyanatocycloalkyl-isocyanurate, etc.); these phenol derivatives; blocked with oximes, caprolactam, etc. And the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The mixing ratio of the polyisocyanate and the active hydrogen group-containing polyester resin (hydroxyl group-containing polyester resin) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. ] And the equivalent ratio [NCO] / [OH] of hydroxyl group [OH] of the hydroxyl group-containing polyester resin is preferably 5/1 to 1/1, more preferably 4/1 to 1.2 / 1, and 3 / 1-1.5 / 1 is particularly preferred. When the equivalent ratio [NCO] / [OH] is less than 1/1, the offset resistance may be deteriorated, and when it exceeds 5/1, the low-temperature fixability may be deteriorated.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said polyisocyanate in the said isocyanate group containing polyester prepolymer, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.5 mass%-40 mass% are preferable, and 1 mass% -30% by mass is more preferable, and 2% by mass to 20% by mass is particularly preferable. When the content is less than 0.5% by mass, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated, and it may be difficult to achieve both storage stability and low-temperature fixability. May get worse.

  The average number of isocyanate groups contained in one molecule of the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1.2 to 5, and more preferably 1.5 to 4. When the average number is less than 1, the molecular weight of the polyester resin (RMPE) modified with a urea bond-forming group is lowered, and the hot offset resistance may be deteriorated.

  The mixing ratio of the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer and the amines is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. The isocyanate group [NCO] in the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer is not limited. The mixing equivalent ratio [NCO] / [NHx] of amino groups [NHx] in the amines is preferably 1/3 to 3/1, more preferably 1/2 to 2/1, and 1/1. 5-1.5 / 1 is particularly preferred. If the mixing equivalent ratio ([NCO] / [NHx]) is less than 1/3, the low-temperature fixability may be reduced. If it exceeds 3/1, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester resin is reduced. Hot offset resistance may deteriorate.

--- Method for synthesizing polymer capable of reacting with active hydrogen group-containing compound ---
The method for synthesizing the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, in the case of the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer, the polyol and the Polycarboxylic acid is produced in the presence of a known esterification catalyst (titanium tetrabutoxide, dibutyltin oxide, etc.), heated to 150 ° C. to 280 ° C. while appropriately reducing the pressure as necessary, and water is distilled off to contain a hydroxyl group Examples thereof include a method of synthesizing the polyester by reacting the hydroxyl group-containing polyester with the polyisocyanate at 40 ° C. to 140 ° C. after obtaining the polyester.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer which can react with the said active hydrogen group containing compound, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Tetrahydrofuran (THF) soluble GPC (gel) The molecular weight distribution by permeation chromatography) is preferably 3,000 to 40,000, and more preferably 4,000 to 30,000. When the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is less than 3,000, the storage stability may be deteriorated, and when it exceeds 40,000, the low temperature fixability may be deteriorated. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) can be measured, for example, as follows.

First, the column was stabilized in a 40 ° C. heat chamber, and at this temperature, tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a column solvent was flowed at a flow rate of 1 mL / min, and the sample concentration was adjusted to 0.05 to 0.6% by mass. Measurement is performed by injecting 50 μL to 200 μL of a tetrahydrofuran sample solution. In measuring the molecular weight of the sample, the molecular weight distribution of the sample is calculated from the relationship between the logarithmic value of the calibration curve prepared by several monodisperse polystyrene standard samples and the number of counts. As a standard polystyrene sample for preparing a calibration curve, Pressure Chemical Co. Or Toyo Soda Kogyo Co., Ltd. having a molecular weight of ^{6 × 10 2, 2.1 × 10} 3, 4 × 10 3, 1.75 × 10 4, 1.1 × 10 5, 3.9 × 10 5, 8.6 It is preferable to use those of × 10 ⁵ , 2 × 10 ⁶ , and 4.48 × 10 ⁶ and use at least about 10 standard polystyrene samples. An RI (refractive index) detector can be used as the detector.

-Colorant-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a coloring agent used for the toner of this invention, According to the objective, it can select suitably from a well-known coloring agent.

  The color of the colorant of the toner is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and can be at least one selected from black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner, Each color toner can be obtained by appropriately selecting the type of colorant, but is preferably a color toner.

  Examples of black products include carbon blacks (CI pigment black 7) such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, channel black, copper, iron (CI pigment black 11), titanium oxide, and the like. And organic pigments such as aniline black (CI Pigment Black 1).

  Examples of the magenta color pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Red 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 48: 1, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 53: 1, 54, 55, 57, 57: 1, 58, 60, 63, 64, 68, 81, 83, 87, 88, 89, 90, 112, 114, 122, 123, 150, 163, 177, 179, 184, 202, 206, 207, 209, 211, 269; I. Pigment violet 19; C.I. I. Bat red 1, 2, 10, 13, 15, 23, 29, 35, etc. are mentioned.

  Examples of the color pigment for cyan include C.I. I. Pigment Blue 2, 3, 15, 15: 1, 15: 2, 15: 3, 15: 4, 15: 6, 16, 17, 60; I. Bat Blue 6; C.I. I. Acid Blue 45 and copper phthalocyanine pigments having 1 to 5 phthalimidomethyl groups substituted on the phthalocyanine skeleton, Green 7, Green 36, and the like.

  Examples of the color pigment for yellow include C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 55, 65, 73, 74, 83, 97, 110, 139, 151, 154, 155, 180, 185; I. Bat yellow 1, 3, 20, orange 36 and the like.

  The content of the colorant in the toner is preferably 1% by mass to 15% by mass, and more preferably 3% by mass to 10% by mass. When the content is less than 1% by mass, the coloring power of the toner may be reduced. When the content is more than 15% by mass, poor dispersion of the pigment in the toner may occur. The characteristics may be degraded.

  The colorant may be used as a master batch combined with a resin. Such a resin is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of compatibility with the binder resin in the present invention, the binder resin of the present invention or a resin having a structure similar to the binder resin of the present invention should be used. Is preferred.

  The masterbatch can be produced by applying a high shear force and mixing or kneading the resin and the colorant. At this time, it is preferable to add an organic solvent in order to enhance the interaction between the colorant and the resin. Also, the so-called flushing method is preferable in that the wet cake of the colorant can be used as it is, and there is no need to dry it. The flushing method is a method in which an aqueous paste containing water of a colorant is mixed or kneaded together with a resin and an organic solvent, and the colorant is transferred to the resin side to remove water and the organic solvent. For mixing or kneading, for example, a high shear dispersion device such as a three-roll mill can be used.

(Release agent)
The release agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include plant waxes (carnauba wax, cotton wax, wood wax, rice wax, etc.), animal waxes (honey beeswax, lanolin). Waxes and waxes such as mineral wax (such as ozokerite and cercin), petroleum wax (such as paraffin, microcrystalline, and petrolatum); synthetic hydrocarbon wax (such as Fischer-Tropsch wax and polyethylene wax), and synthetic wax ( Esters, ketones, ethers, etc.) other than natural waxes; 1,2-hydroxystearic amide, stearic amide, phthalic anhydride, fatty acid amides such as chlorinated hydrocarbons; low molecular weight crystalline polymers Some polymethacrylate n-stearyl, polymethacrylate n Crystalline polymers having a long chain alkyl group in the side chain of the homopolymer or copolymer (acrylic acid n- stearyl over ethyl methacrylate copolymer, etc.) and the like polyacrylates lauryl and the like; and the like. Among these, since it can act effectively as a release agent between the fixing roller and the toner interface, high temperature offset resistance can be improved without applying a release agent such as oil to the fixing roller. A wax having a melting point of 50 ° C. to 120 ° C. is preferable because it can be used.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as melting | fusing point of the said mold release agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 50 to 120 degreeC is preferable and 60 to 90 degreeC is more preferable. If the melting point is less than 50 ° C., the wax may adversely affect the storage stability, and if it exceeds 120 ° C., a cold offset may easily occur during fixing at a low temperature. The melting point of the release agent is determined by measuring the maximum endothermic peak using a differential scanning calorimeter (TG-DSC system, TAS-100, manufactured by Rigaku Corporation).

  The melt viscosity of the release agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, the measured value at a temperature 20 ° C. higher than the melting point of the wax is preferably 5 cps to 1,000 cps, 10 cps to 100 cps is more preferable. If the melt viscosity is less than 5 cps, the releasability may be lowered, and if it exceeds 1,000 cps, the effect of improving hot offset resistance and low-temperature fixability may not be obtained.

  The release agent is preferably present in a dispersed state in the toner base particles, and for this purpose, the release agent and the binder resin are preferably incompatible with each other. The method for finely dispersing the release agent in the toner base particles is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, the toner is dispersed by applying a shearing force during kneading. The method etc. are mentioned.

  The dispersion state of the release agent can be confirmed by observing a thin film slice of toner particles with a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The dispersion diameter of the release agent is preferably small, but if it is too small, there are cases where the seepage during fixing is insufficient. Therefore, if the release agent can be confirmed at a magnification of 10,000, the release agent is present in a dispersed state. When the release agent cannot be confirmed at a magnification of 10,000, even when finely dispersed, the dyeing at the time of fixing becomes insufficient.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said toner of the said mold release agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 1 mass%-20 mass% are preferable, and 3 mass%-10 mass% are more preferable. . When the content is less than 1% by mass, the hot offset resistance tends to deteriorate, and when it exceeds 20% by mass, the heat resistant storage stability, chargeability, transferability, and stress resistance tend to deteriorate. It is not preferable.

-Charge control agent-
Further, in order to impart an appropriate charging ability to the toner, a charge control agent can be contained in the toner as necessary.
Any known charge control agent can be used as the charge control agent. Since the color tone may change when a colored material is used, a colorless or nearly white material is preferable. For example, a triphenylmethane dye, a molybdate chelate pigment, a rhodamine dye, an alkoxyamine, a quaternary ammonium salt (fluorine) Modified quaternary ammonium salts), alkylamides, phosphorus alone or compounds thereof, tungsten alone or compounds thereof, fluorine-based activators, metal salts of salicylic acid, metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives, and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  The content of the charge control agent is determined by the toner production method including the type of the binder resin and the dispersion method, and is not uniquely limited. 01 mass%-5 mass% are preferable, and 0.02 mass%-2 mass% are more preferable. When the addition amount exceeds 5% by mass, the chargeability of the toner is too high, the effect of the charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attraction with the developing roller is increased, the developer fluidity is reduced, and the image When the concentration is less than 0.01% by mass, the charge rising property and the charge amount are not sufficient, and the toner image may be easily affected.

-Layered inorganic mineral-
The layered inorganic mineral is not particularly limited as long as it is an inorganic mineral in which a layer having a thickness of several nm is laminated, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, montmorillonite, bentonite, hectorite, attapulgite, Sepiolite, a mixture thereof and the like can be mentioned. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, a modified layered inorganic mineral is preferable because it can be modified when the toner is granulated, has a charge control function, and is excellent in low-temperature fixing, and a layered inorganic mineral having a montmorillonite-based basic crystal structure is an organic cation. Organic modified montmorillonite and bentonite are particularly preferred from the viewpoint that the modified layered inorganic mineral modified with the above is more preferable, and the viscosity can be easily adjusted without affecting the toner characteristics.

  The modified layered inorganic compound preferably modifies at least part of the layered inorganic mineral with organic ions. By modifying at least a part of the layered inorganic mineral with organic ions, it has moderate hydrophobicity, the oil phase containing the toner composition and / or toner composition precursor has a non-Newtonian viscosity, and the toner is deformed. Can be

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the toner base particle of the said modified | denatured layered inorganic mineral, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.05 mass%-5 mass% are preferable.

-Toner production method-
The toner production method and materials in the present invention can be any known ones as long as they satisfy the conditions, and are not particularly limited. For example, the toner particles may be mixed in a kneading and pulverization method or an aqueous medium. There is a so-called chemical method of granulating.
Examples of the chemical method include a suspension polymerization method, an emulsion polymerization method, a seed polymerization method, a dispersion polymerization method, etc., in which a monomer is used as a starting material; a resin or a resin precursor is dissolved in an organic solvent and the like in an aqueous medium. Dispersing or emulsifying dissolution suspension method; in the dissolution suspension method, an oil phase composition containing a resin precursor (reactive group-containing prepolymer) having a functional group capable of reacting with an active hydrogen group is contained in resin fine particles. A method of emulsifying or dispersing in an aqueous medium and reacting the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the reactive group-containing prepolymer in the aqueous medium (production method (I)); Phase inversion emulsification method in which water is added to a solution composed of an emulsifier; the resin particles obtained by these methods are aggregated in a state of being dispersed in an aqueous medium and granulated into particles of a desired size by heating and melting. Aggregation And the like. Among these, the toner obtained by the dissolution suspension method, the production method (I), and the aggregation method is preferable from the viewpoint of granulation properties (particle size distribution control, particle shape control, etc.) by the crystalline resin, and the production method described above. The toner obtained in (I) is more preferable.
In the following, detailed description of these production methods will be given.

  The kneading and pulverization method includes, for example, pulverizing and classifying a toner material having at least a colorant, a binder resin, and a release agent contained as necessary, and then pulverizing and classifying the toner material. This is a method for producing base particles.

  In the melt kneading, the toner materials are mixed, and the mixture is charged into a melt kneader and melt kneaded. As the melt kneader, for example, a uniaxial or biaxial continuous kneader or a batch kneader using a roll mill can be used. For example, a KTK type twin screw extruder manufactured by Kobe Steel, a TEM type extruder manufactured by Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd., a twin screw extruder manufactured by Casey Kay, a PCM type twin screw extruder manufactured by Ikegai Iron Works, a Kneader manufactured by Buss, etc. are suitable. Used. This melt-kneading is preferably performed under appropriate conditions so as not to cause the molecular chains of the binder resin to be broken. Specifically, the melt-kneading temperature is determined with reference to the softening point of the binder resin. If the temperature is higher than the softening point, cutting is severe, and if the temperature is too low, dispersion may not proceed.

  In the pulverization, the kneaded product obtained by the kneading is pulverized. In this pulverization, it is preferable that the kneaded material is first coarsely pulverized and then finely pulverized. In this case, a method of pulverizing by colliding with a collision plate in a jet stream, pulverizing particles by colliding with each other in a jet stream, or pulverizing with a narrow gap between a mechanically rotating rotor and a stator is preferably used.

In the classification, the pulverized product obtained by the pulverization is classified and adjusted to particles having a predetermined particle diameter. The classification can be performed, for example, by removing the fine particle portion with a cyclone, a decanter, a centrifuge, or the like.
After the pulverization and classification are completed, the pulverized product is classified into an air stream by centrifugal force or the like, and toner base particles having a predetermined particle diameter can be produced.

  In the dissolution suspension method, for example, a toner composition containing at least a binder resin or a resin precursor, a colorant, and a release agent contained as necessary is dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent. In this method, toner base particles are produced by dispersing or emulsifying the oil phase composition in an aqueous medium.

The organic solvent used for dissolving or dispersing the toner composition is preferably volatile with a boiling point of less than 100 ° C. from the viewpoint of easy removal of the solvent later.
Examples of the organic solvent include ester solvents such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methoxybutyl acetate, methyl cellosolve acetate, ethyl cellosolve acetate, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyl cellosolve, butyl cellosolve, propylene glycol monomethyl. Ether solvents such as ether, ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, di-n-butyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, t-butanol, 2 -Alcohol solvents, such as ethylhexyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol, and these 2 or more types of mixed solvents are mentioned.

In the dissolution suspension method, when the oil phase composition is dispersed or emulsified in an aqueous medium, an emulsifier or a dispersant may be used as necessary.
As the emulsifier or dispersant, known surfactants, water-soluble polymers and the like can be used. The surfactant is not particularly limited, and is an anionic surfactant (alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, phosphate ester, etc.), a cationic surfactant (quaternary ammonium salt type, amine salt type, etc.), an amphoteric surfactant (carbon carboxyl). Acid salt type, sulfate ester type, sulfonate salt type, phosphate ester salt type, etc.), nonionic surfactants (AO addition type, polyhydric alcohol type, etc.) and the like. One surfactant may be used alone, or two or more surfactants may be used in combination.
Examples of the water-soluble polymer include cellulose compounds (for example, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and saponified products thereof), gelatin, starch, dextrin, gum arabic, chitin, chitosan. , Polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, polyethyleneimine, polyacrylamide, acrylic acid (salt) -containing polymer (sodium polyacrylate, potassium polyacrylate, ammonium polyacrylate, partially neutralized sodium hydroxide of polyacrylic acid) , Sodium acrylate-acrylic acid ester copolymer), sodium hydroxide of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer ( Min) neutralized product water-soluble polyurethane (polyethylene glycol, reaction products of polycaprolactone diol with polyisocyanate and the like) and the like.
Moreover, said organic solvent etc. can also be used together as an auxiliary agent of emulsification or dispersion.

  The toner according to the present invention includes at least a binder resin, a binder resin precursor having a functional group capable of reacting with an active hydrogen group (reactive group-containing prepolymer), a colorant, and a release agent in a dissolution suspension method. An active phase group-containing prepolymer and an active hydrogen group-containing compound contained in the oil phase composition and / or the aqueous medium are dispersed or emulsified in an aqueous medium containing resin fine particles. It is preferable to obtain the toner base particles by a method of reacting with (the production method (I)).

The resin fine particles can be formed using a known polymerization method, but is preferably obtained as an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles. Examples of the method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles include the methods shown in the following (a) to (h).
(A) A method in which an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles is directly prepared from a vinyl monomer as a starting material by any one of a suspension polymerization method, an emulsion polymerization method, a seed polymerization method and a dispersion polymerization method. (B) After dispersing a precursor of polyaddition or condensation resin such as polyester resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin (monomer, oligomer, etc.) or a solvent solution thereof in an aqueous medium in an aqueous medium, A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles by heating or adding a curing agent to cure.
(C) Polyaddition or condensation resin precursors (monomers, oligomers, etc.) such as polyester resins, polyurethane resins, and epoxy resins, or solvent solutions thereof (preferably liquids, which may be liquefied by heating). A method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles by dissolving a suitable emulsifier in the mixture and then adding water to effect phase inversion emulsification.
(D) A resin synthesized in advance by a polymerization reaction (for example, addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition condensation, condensation polymerization, etc.) is pulverized and classified using a mechanical rotary type or jet type fine pulverizer. A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles by obtaining resin fine particles and then dispersing in water in the presence of an appropriate dispersant.
(E) Fine resin particles are formed by spraying a resin solution in which a resin synthesized in advance by a polymerization reaction (for example, addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition condensation, condensation polymerization, etc.) is dissolved in a solvent. Then, resin fine particles are dispersed in water in the presence of a suitable dispersant to prepare an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles.
(F) A poor solvent is added to a resin solution prepared by previously dissolving a resin synthesized by a polymerization reaction (for example, addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition condensation, condensation polymerization, etc.) in a solvent, or heated to a solvent in advance. By cooling the dissolved resin solution, the resin fine particles are precipitated, the solvent is removed to form the resin fine particles, and then the resin fine particles are dispersed in water in the presence of an appropriate dispersant to disperse the resin fine particles in water. A method for preparing a liquid.
(G) A resin solution obtained by dissolving a resin previously synthesized by a polymerization reaction (for example, addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition condensation, condensation polymerization, etc.) in a solvent in the presence of an appropriate dispersant. A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles by dispersing in a solvent and then removing the solvent by heating, decompression or the like.
(H) A suitable emulsifier is dissolved in a resin solution prepared by previously dissolving a resin synthesized by a polymerization reaction (for example, addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition condensation, condensation polymerization, etc.) in a solvent, and then water To prepare an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles by phase inversion emulsification.

  The volume average particle diameter of the resin fine particles is preferably 10 nm or more and 300 nm or less, and more preferably 30 nm or more and 120 nm or less. When the volume average particle size of the resin fine particles is less than 10 nm or more than 300 nm, the particle size distribution of the toner may be deteriorated.

  The solid content concentration of the oil phase is preferably about 40 to 80%. If the concentration is too high, dissolution or dispersion becomes difficult, and the viscosity becomes high and difficult to handle. If the concentration is too low, the productivity of the toner decreases.

  The toner composition other than the binder resin such as the colorant and the release agent, and the masterbatch thereof are individually dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent, and then mixed with the binder resin solution or dispersion. May be.

  As the aqueous medium, water alone may be used, but a solvent miscible with water may be used in combination. Examples of the miscible solvent include alcohol (methanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, etc.), dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolves (methylcellosolve, etc.), lower ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, etc.) and the like.

  The dispersion or emulsification method in the aqueous medium is not particularly limited, and known equipment such as a low-speed shearing type, a high-speed shearing type, a friction type, a high-pressure jet type, and an ultrasonic wave can be applied. Among these, the high-speed shearing method is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the particle size of the particles. When a high-speed shearing disperser is used, the rotational speed is not particularly limited, but is usually 1000 to 30000 rpm, preferably 5000 to 20000 rpm. The temperature during dispersion is usually 0 to 150 ° C. (under pressure), preferably 20 to 80 ° C.

  In order to remove the organic solvent from the obtained emulsified dispersion, there is no particular limitation, and a known method can be used. For example, the whole system is gradually raised while stirring the whole system under normal pressure or reduced pressure. A method of warming and completely evaporating and removing the organic solvent in the droplets can be employed.

  As a method of washing and drying the toner base particles dispersed in the aqueous medium, a known technique is used. That is, after solid-liquid separation with a centrifuge, a filter press, etc., the obtained toner cake is redispersed in ion exchange water at about room temperature to about 40 ° C., and after adjusting the pH with acid or alkali as necessary, After removing the impurities and surfactants by repeating the process of solid-liquid separation again and again, the toner powder is obtained by drying with an air dryer, circulating dryer, vacuum dryer, vibration fluid dryer, etc. . At this time, the fine particle component of the toner may be removed by centrifugation or the like, and a desired particle size distribution can be obtained using a known classifier after drying, if necessary.

  In the agglomeration method, for example, a toner base particle is produced by mixing and aggregating a resin fine particle dispersion comprising at least a binder resin, a colorant particle dispersion, and a release agent particle dispersion as necessary. is there. The resin fine particle dispersion is obtained by a known method such as emulsion polymerization, seed polymerization, phase inversion emulsification, and the like. The colorant particle dispersion and the release agent particle dispersion are obtained by a known wet dispersion method. It can be obtained by dispersing a colorant or a release agent in an aqueous medium.

For the control of the aggregation state, methods such as applying heat, adding a metal salt, and adjusting pH are preferably used.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said metal salt, The monovalent metal which comprises salts, such as sodium and potassium; The bivalent metal which comprises salts, such as calcium and magnesium; The trivalent metal which comprises salts, such as aluminum, etc. Is mentioned.
Examples of the anion constituting the salt include chloride ion, bromide ion, iodide ion, carbonate ion and sulfate ion.
Among these, magnesium chloride, aluminum chloride, and composites and multimers thereof are preferable.
Also, heating between the agglomeration and after completion of the agglomeration can promote fusion between the resin fine particles, which is preferable from the viewpoint of toner uniformity. Furthermore, the shape of the toner can be controlled by heating. Normally, the toner becomes more spherical when heated further.

  As the method for washing and drying the toner base particles dispersed in the aqueous medium, the above-described method and the like can be used.

In order to improve the fluidity, storage stability, developability, and transferability of the toner, the external additive is added to and mixed with the toner base particles produced as described above. An external additive may be added and mixed.
For mixing external additives, a general powder mixer is used, but it is preferable to equip a jacket or the like to adjust the internal temperature. In order to change the load history applied to the external additive, the external additive may be added in the middle or gradually. In this case, you may change the rotation speed, rolling speed, time, temperature, etc. of a mixer. Alternatively, a strong load may be applied first, then a relatively weak load, or vice versa. Examples of the mixing equipment that can be used include a V-type mixer, a rocking mixer, a Ladige mixer, a Nauter mixer, and a Henschel mixer. Next, the toner is obtained by passing through a sieve of 250 mesh or more to remove coarse particles and aggregated particles.

  The shape, size, etc. of the toner are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The average circularity, volume average particle size, volume average particle size and number are as follows. It preferably has a ratio to the average particle size (volume average particle size / number average particle size), toner fluidity, and the like.

The average circularity is a value obtained by dividing the circumference of an equivalent circle having the same projected shape as the shape of the toner by the circumference of the actual particles. For example, 0.950 to 0.980 is preferable, and 0.960 to 0 is preferable. .975 is more preferred. It is preferable that the number of particles having an average circularity of less than 0.95 is 15% by number or less.
When the average circularity is less than 0.950, satisfactory transferability and a high-quality image free from dust may not be obtained. When the average circularity exceeds 0.980, image formation employing blade cleaning or the like is employed. In the system, defective cleaning on the photoconductor and transfer belt occurs, and in the case of image formation with a high image area ratio such as photographic images, an untransferred image is formed due to poor paper feed, etc. The accumulated toner may become a transfer residual toner on the photoconductor, resulting in background smearing of the image, or it may contaminate the charging roller for charging the photoconductor in contact with the original charging ability. It may become impossible to demonstrate.

  The average circularity is measured using a flow particle image analyzer (“FPIA-2100”, manufactured by Sysmex Corporation), and analyzed using analysis software (FPIA-2100 Data Processing Program for FPIA version 00-10). It was. Specifically, 0.1 to 0.5 ml of 10% by weight surfactant (alkylbenzene sulfonate, Neogen SC-A, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) is added to a 100 ml glass beaker, and each toner 0 is added. 0.1 to 0.5 g was added, and the mixture was mixed with a micropartel, and then 80 mL of ion-exchanged water was added. The obtained dispersion was subjected to a dispersion treatment for 3 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser (manufactured by Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.). The shape and distribution of the toner were measured with the FPIA-2100 until the concentration of 5,000 to 15,000 / μL was obtained. In this measurement method, it is important that the concentration of the dispersion is 5,000 to 15,000 / μL from the viewpoint of measurement reproducibility of average circularity. In order to obtain the concentration of the dispersion, it is necessary to change the conditions of the dispersion, that is, the amount of surfactant to be added and the amount of toner. Similar to the measurement of the toner particle size described above, the amount of the surfactant differs depending on the hydrophobicity of the toner. If it is added in a large amount, noise due to bubbles is generated. It will be enough. The amount of toner added varies depending on the particle size, and is small when the particle size is small, and needs to be increased when the particle size is large. By adding 5 g, the dispersion concentration can be adjusted to 5,000 / μl to 15,000 / μl.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a volume average particle diameter of the said toner, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 3 micrometers-10 micrometers are preferable, and 4 micrometers-7 micrometers are more preferable. When the volume average particle size is less than 3 μm, in the case of a two-component developer, the toner may be fused to the surface of the carrier during a long period of stirring in the developing device, and the charging ability of the carrier may be reduced. Therefore, it becomes difficult to obtain a high-resolution and high-quality image, and when the balance of the toner in the developer is performed, the variation in the toner particle size may increase.

The ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter) in the toner is preferably 1.00 to 1.25, and more preferably 1.00 to 1.15.
The volume average particle diameter and the ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter) are measured using a particle size measuring device (“Multisizer III”, manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.). Then, measurement was performed with an aperture diameter of 100 μm, and analysis was performed with analysis software (Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 Version 3.51). Specifically, 0.5 ml of 10% by weight surfactant (alkylbenzene sulfonate, Neogen SC-A, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) is added to a 100 ml beaker made of glass, and 0.5 g of each toner is added. The mixture was stirred with a micropartel, and then 80 ml of ion-exchanged water was added. The obtained dispersion was subjected to a dispersion treatment for 10 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser (W-113MK-II, manufactured by Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.). The dispersion was measured using the Multisizer III and Isoton III (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) as the measurement solution. In the measurement, the toner sample dispersion was dropped so that the concentration indicated by the apparatus was 8 ± 2%. In this measurement method, it is important that the concentration is 8 ± 2% from the viewpoint of the reproducibility of the particle size. Within this concentration range, no error occurs in the particle size.

<Measurement of toner aggregation degree>
The degree of toner aggregation is an index representing toner fluidity and is a measure of whether the remaining amount of the bottle is good or bad.
The toner aggregation degree is measured as follows when the toner is stored in an environment at a temperature of 50 ° C. for 1 hour.
For the toner aggregation degree measurement, a powder tester (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) is used, and sieves having openings of 75 μm, 45 μm and 22 μm are arranged in this order from the top. After leaving the toner to be measured in a thermostatic chamber (50 ± 2 (° C.), 1 (h)), 3 g of toner is put into a sieve having an opening of 75 μm, and vibration is applied for 5 seconds with an amplitude of 0.5 mm. Thereafter, the toner weight on each sieve is measured, and the degree of aggregation is obtained from the following calculation formula (A).
The measurement is performed after cooling down in a laboratory environment for 30 minutes or more.
In the present invention, the degree of toner aggregation is measured after being stored at 50 ° C. for 1 hour, and the ease of toner aggregation is more clearly expressed as the difference in the characteristic value than when not stored at 50 ° C. for 1 hour. This is because it can be detected.

Aggregation degree (%) = (5a + 3b + c) × 20/3 Formula (A)
a: Weight of the powder remaining on the upper sieve (g)
b: Weight of powder remaining on the middle sieve (g)
c: Weight of powder remaining on lower sieve (g)

The aggregation degree of the toner is preferably 60 or more and 75 or less, and more preferably 60 or more and 70 or less. If the toner aggregation degree is higher than 75, the fluidity is poor, and the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle when the toner is completely discharged increases. If the toner aggregation degree is less than 60, the fluidity is too good, so that a pumping failure is likely to occur, and a problem may occur in the replenishment of toner to the developing device.
The degree of toner aggregation is determined by the material composition and shape of the toner base, the content of inorganic fine particles and other external additives, the particle size of the external additive, the type of surface treatment agent used, and the conditions for adding the external additive to the toner base (mixing) It is possible to control according to conditions).

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In addition, the part in an Example represents a mass part unless there is particular description, and% represents the mass%.

  In this embodiment, the degree of toner aggregation is controlled by changing the glass transition point of the amorphous polyester resin, the content of the crystalline polyester resin, the amount of the external additive added to the toner base, and the addition conditions (mixing conditions). did.

<Production of Amorphous Polyester Resin 1 (Unmodified Polyester Resin)>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a condenser, a stirrer and a nitrogen insertion tube, 222 parts by mass of bisphenol A EO 2 mol adduct, 129 parts by mass of bisphenol A PO 2 mol adduct, 150 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, 15 parts by mass of adipic acid, and tetrabutoxy 0.5 parts by mass of titanate was added, and the reaction was carried out for 8 hours while distilling off the water produced at 230 ° C. and normal pressure under a nitrogen stream. Next, the reaction was carried out under reduced pressure of 5 to 20 mmHg. When the acid value reached 2, it was cooled to 180 ° C., 35 parts by mass of trimellitic anhydride was added, and the reaction was carried out at normal pressure for 3 hours. Polyester resin 1] was obtained. The obtained [Non-crystalline polyester resin 1] had Mw of 6,000 and Tg of 54 ° C.

<Manufacture of non-crystalline polyester resin 2 (unmodified polyester resin)>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a condenser, a stirrer and a nitrogen insertion tube, 245 parts by mass of bisphenol A EO 2 mol adduct, 153 parts by mass of bisphenol A PO 2 mol adduct, 166 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, and 0.5 parts by mass of tetrabutoxy titanate The reaction was carried out for 8 hours while distilling off the water produced at 230 ° C. and normal pressure under a nitrogen stream. Subsequently, it was made to react under the reduced pressure of 5-20 mmHg, and the [amorphous polyester resin 2] was obtained. The obtained [Non-crystalline polyester resin 2] had Mw of 4,000 and Tg of 41 ° C.

<Manufacture of non-crystalline polyester resin 3 (unmodified polyester resin)>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a condenser, a stirrer, and a nitrogen insertion tube, 204 parts by mass of bisphenol A EO 2 mol adduct, 106 parts by mass of bisphenol A PO 2 mol adduct, 166 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, and 0.5 parts by mass of tetrabutoxy titanate The reaction was carried out for 8 hours while distilling off the water produced at 230 ° C. and normal pressure under a nitrogen stream. Subsequently, it was made to react under the reduced pressure of 5-20 mmHg, and the [amorphous polyester resin 3] was obtained. The obtained [Non-crystalline polyester resin 3] had Mw of 48,000 and Tg of 69 ° C.

<Production of Amorphous Polyester Resin 4 (Unmodified Polyester Resin)>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a condenser, a stirrer and a nitrogen insertion tube, 230 parts by mass of bisphenol A EO 2 mol adduct, 141 parts by mass of bisphenol A PO 2 mol adduct, 166 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, and 0.5 parts by mass of tetrabutoxy titanate. The reaction was carried out for 8 hours while distilling off the water produced at 230 ° C. and normal pressure under a nitrogen stream. Subsequently, it was made to react under the reduced pressure of 5-20 mmHg, and the [amorphous polyester resin 4] was obtained. The obtained [Non-crystalline polyester resin 4] had Mw of 5,000 and Tg of 48 ° C.

<Production of Amorphous Polyester Resin 5 (Unmodified Polyester Resin)>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a condenser, a stirrer and a nitrogen insertion tube, 212 parts by mass of bisphenol A EO 2 mol adduct, 116 parts by mass of bisphenol A PO 2 mol adduct, 166 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, and 0.5 parts by mass of tetrabutoxy titanate The reaction was carried out for 8 hours while distilling off the water produced at 230 ° C. and normal pressure under a nitrogen stream. Subsequently, it was made to react under the reduced pressure of 5-20 mmHg, and the [amorphous polyester resin 5] was obtained. The obtained [Non-crystalline polyester resin 5] had a Mw of 14,000 and a Tg of 60 ° C.

<Production of Amorphous Polyester Resin 6 (Unmodified Polyester Resin)>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a condenser, a stirrer and a nitrogen insertion tube, 245 parts by mass of bisphenol A EO 2 mol adduct, 153 parts by mass of bisphenol A PO 2 mol adduct, 166 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, and 0.5 parts by mass of tetrabutoxy titanate The reaction was carried out for 8 hours while distilling off the water produced at 230 ° C. and normal pressure under a nitrogen stream. Subsequently, it was made to react under the reduced pressure of 5-20 mmHg, and the [amorphous polyester resin 6] was obtained. The obtained [Non-crystalline polyester resin 6] had Mw of 3,800 and Tg of 38 ° C.

<Manufacture of polyester prepolymer>
720 parts by mass of bisphenol A EO 2 mol adduct, 90 parts by mass of bisphenol A PO2 mol adduct, 290 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, and 1 part by mass of tetrabutoxy titanate are placed in a reaction vessel equipped with a condenser, a stirrer and a nitrogen insertion tube. The reaction was carried out for 8 hours while distilling off the water produced at 230 ° C. and normal pressure under a nitrogen stream. Subsequently, it was made to react under reduced pressure of 10-15 mmHg for 7 hours, and [Intermediate polyester 1] was obtained. [Intermediate polyester 1] was Mn3,200 and Mw9,300.
Next, 400 parts by mass of the obtained [intermediate polyester 1], 95 parts by mass of isophorone diisocyanate, and 500 parts by mass of ethyl acetate are placed in a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling pipe, a stirrer, and a nitrogen insertion pipe. Was reacted at 80 ° C. for 8 hours to obtain a 50% by mass ethyl acetate solution of [polyester prepolymer 1] having an isocyanate group at the terminal. [Polyester prepolymer 1] had a free isocyanate mass% of 1.47%.

<Production of graft polymer>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a stir bar and a thermometer, 480 parts by mass of xylene and 100 parts by mass of low molecular weight polyethylene (Sanwax LEL-400 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd .: softening point 128 ° C.) are sufficiently dissolved and purged with nitrogen. After that, a mixed solution of 740 parts by mass of styrene, 100 parts by mass of acrylonitrile, 60 parts by mass of butyl acrylate, 36 parts by mass of di-t-butylperoxyhexahydroterephthalate, and 100 parts by mass of xylene was dropped at 170 ° C. for 3 hours. The polymer was polymerized and held at this temperature for 30 minutes. Next, the solvent was removed to synthesize [graft polymer]. The obtained [graft polymer] had Mw of 24,000 and Tg of 67 ° C.

<Manufacture of toner base 1 (ester elongation method)>
-Preparation of release agent dispersion 1-
50 parts by weight of paraffin wax (HNP-9, manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., melting point 75 ° C.), 30 parts by weight of [graft polymer], and 420 parts of ethyl acetate are placed in a container equipped with a stirring bar and a thermometer. The temperature was raised to 80 ° C., kept at 80 ° C. for 5 hours, cooled to 30 ° C. in 1 hour, and using a bead mill (Ultra Visco Mill, manufactured by IMEX), the liquid feeding speed was 1 kg / hr, and the disk peripheral speed. 6 m / sec, 80% by volume of 0.5 mm zirconia beads were filled, and dispersion was carried out under the conditions of 3 passes to obtain [Partitioner Dispersion Liquid 1].

-Preparation of master batch 1-
Non-crystalline polyester resin 1 100 parts by mass Carbon black (Printex 35, manufactured by Degussa) 100 parts by mass (DBP oil absorption: 42 mL / 100 g, pH: 9.5)
-Ion exchange water 50 mass parts Said raw material was mixed using the Henschel mixer (made by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.). The obtained mixture was kneaded using two rolls. The kneading temperature started kneading from 90 ° C., and then gradually cooled to 50 ° C. The obtained kneaded material was pulverized with a pulverizer (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) to prepare [Masterbatch 1].

-Production of oil phase 1-
In a container equipped with a thermometer and a stirrer, 107 parts by weight of [Non-crystalline polyester resin 1], 75 parts by weight of [Releasing agent dispersion 1], 18 parts by weight of [Masterbatch 1], 73 parts by weight of ethyl acetate And pre-dispersed with a stirrer, and then stirred with a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Co., Ltd.) at a rotational speed of 5,000 rpm to uniformly dissolve and disperse to obtain [oil phase 1]. It was.

-Production of aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles-
In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, 600 parts by mass of water, 120 parts by mass of styrene, 100 parts by mass of methacrylic acid, 45 parts by mass of butyl acrylate, sodium salt of alkylallylsulfosuccinate (Eleminol JS-2, Sanyo Chemical Industries) When 10 parts by mass and 1 part by mass of ammonium persulfate were charged and stirred at 400 rpm for 20 minutes, a white emulsion was obtained. This emulsion was heated to raise the temperature in the system to 75 ° C. and reacted for 6 hours. Further, 30 parts by mass of a 1% ammonium persulfate aqueous solution was added and aged at 75 ° C. for 6 hours to obtain [Aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles]. The volume average particle diameter of the particles contained in this [resin fine particle aqueous dispersion] was 60 nm, the weight average molecular weight of the resin component was 140,000, and Tg was 73 ° C.

-Preparation of aqueous phase 1-
990 parts by weight of water, 83 parts by weight of an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles, 37 parts by weight of a 48.5% by weight aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl diphenyl ether disulfonate (Eleminol MON-7, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and 90 ethyl acetate Mass parts were mixed and stirred to obtain [Aqueous Phase 1].

-Emulsification or dispersion-
To 273 parts by mass of [Oil Phase 1], 45 parts by mass of an ethyl acetate solution of [Polyester Prepolymer 1] and 3 parts by mass of a 50% by mass ethyl acetate solution of isophoronediamine were added, and a TK homomixer (specialized mechanized stock) was added. The product was stirred at a rotational speed of 5,000 rpm and uniformly dissolved and dispersed to obtain [Oil Phase 1 ′]. Then, 400 parts by mass of [Aqueous Phase 1] is put in another container in which a stirrer and a thermometer are set, and stirred at 13,000 rpm with a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) Oil phase 1 ′] was added and emulsified for 1 minute to obtain [Emulsified slurry 1].

-Solvent removal-Washing-Drying-
[Emulsion slurry 1] was put into a container equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, and the solvent was removed at 30 ° C. for 8 hours to obtain [Slurry 1]. The obtained [Slurry 1] was filtered under reduced pressure, and then the following washing treatment was performed.
(1) 100 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added to the filter cake, mixed with a TK homomixer (5 minutes at a rotation speed of 6,000 rpm), and then filtered.
(2) 100 parts by mass of a 10% by mass aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to the filter cake of (1) and mixed with a TK homomixer (rotation speed: 6,000 rpm for 10 minutes), followed by filtration under reduced pressure.
(3) 100 parts by mass of 10 mass% hydrochloric acid was added to the filter cake of (2), mixed with a TK homomixer (5 minutes at a rotation speed of 6,000 rpm), and then filtered.
(4) Add 300 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water to the filter cake of (3), mix with a TK homomixer (5 minutes at 6,000 rpm), and then filter twice to obtain filter cake 1 It was.
The obtained filter cake 1 was dried at 45 ° C. for 48 hours with a circulating dryer. Thereafter, the mixture was sieved with a mesh having a mesh size of 75 μm to prepare toner base 1-A.

  Toner bases 1-B to 1-F were prepared in the same manner as toner base 1-A, except that amorphous polyester resin 1 used in oil phase 1 was changed to amorphous polyester resins 2 to 7 → 6.

<Manufacture of toner base 2 (ester elongation method)>
<Manufacture of crystalline polyester resin>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer and a nitrogen introducing tube, 202 parts by mass (1.00 mol) of sebacic acid, 154 parts by mass (1.30 mol) of 1,6-hexanediol, and tetrabutoxy titanate as a condensation catalyst 0.5 part by mass was added, and the reaction was carried out for 8 hours at 180 ° C. while distilling off the water produced under a nitrogen stream. Next, while gradually raising the temperature to 220 ° C., the reaction was carried out for 4 hours while distilling off the water and 1,6-hexanediol produced under a nitrogen stream, and the Mw was about 15 under a reduced pressure of 5 to 20 mmHg. The reaction was performed until the value reached 1,000, and [crystalline polyester resin] was obtained. The obtained [Crystalline Polyester Resin 1] had a Mw of 14,000 and a melting point of 66 ° C.

-Preparation of crystalline polyester resin dispersion 1-
Place 100 parts by mass of [Crystalline Polyester Resin] and 400 parts of ethyl acetate in a container equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, heat and dissolve at 75 ° C. with stirring, cool to 10 ° C. or less in 1 hour, bead mill (Ultraviscomil, manufactured by Imex Co., Ltd.) was used for dispersion for 5 hours under the conditions of a liquid feed speed of 1 kg / hr, a disk peripheral speed of 6 m / sec, and 80% by volume of 0.5 mm zirconia beads [crystalline polyester Resin dispersion 1] was obtained.

-Production of oil phase 2-
In a container equipped with a thermometer and a stirrer, 93 parts by weight of [Non-crystalline polyester resin 1], 68 parts by weight of [crystalline polyester resin dispersion], 75 parts by weight of [release agent dispersion 1], [masterbatch 1] Put 18 parts by mass and 19 parts by mass of ethyl acetate, pre-disperse with a stirrer, and then stir at 5,000 rpm with a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Co., Ltd.), and uniformly It was dissolved and dispersed to obtain [Oil Phase 2].

-Emulsification or dispersion-
To 273 parts by mass of [Oil Phase 2], 45 parts by mass of an ethyl acetate solution of [Polyester Prepolymer 1] and 3 parts by mass of 50% by mass of isophoronediamine in ethyl acetate were added, and a TK homomixer (specialized mechanized stock) was added. The product was stirred at a rotational speed of 5,000 rpm and uniformly dissolved and dispersed to obtain [Oil Phase 2 ′]. Then, 400 parts by mass of [Aqueous Phase 1] is put in another container in which a stirrer and a thermometer are set, and stirred at 13,000 rpm with a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) Oil phase 2 ′] was added and emulsified for 1 minute to obtain [Emulsified slurry 2].

-Solvent removal-Washing-Drying-
[Emulsion slurry 2] was subjected to solvent removal, washing, drying, and air sieving under the same conditions as in [Emulsion slurry 1] to prepare toner base 2.

<Manufacture of toner base 3 (dissolution suspension method)>
-Production of oil phase 3-
In a container equipped with a thermometer and a stirrer, 107 parts by mass of [Non-crystalline polyester resin 1], 23 parts by mass of [Non-crystalline polyester resin 3], 75 parts by mass of [Releasing agent dispersion 1], [Masterbatch 1] Put 18 parts by mass and 97 parts by mass of ethyl acetate, pre-disperse with a stirrer, and then stir at a rotational speed of 5,000 rpm with a TK type homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Co., Ltd.). [Oil phase 3] was obtained by dissolving and dispersing.

-Emulsification or dispersion-
Put 400 parts by mass of [Aqueous Phase 1] in another container with a stirrer and thermometer, and stir at 13,000 rpm with a TK homomixer (made by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.). 3] was added and emulsified for 1 minute to obtain [Emulsified slurry 3].

-Solvent removal-Washing-Drying-
[Emulsion slurry 3] was subjected to solvent removal, washing, drying, and air sieving under the same conditions as in [Emulsion slurry 1] to prepare toner base 3-A.

  Toner base 3-B was produced in the same manner as toner base 3-A, except that amorphous polyester resin 1 used in oil phase 3 was changed to amorphous polyester resin 2.

  A toner base 3-C was prepared in the same manner as the toner base 3-A, except that the amorphous polyester resin 1 used in the oil phase 3 was changed to the amorphous polyester resin 3.

<Manufacture of toner base 4 (dissolution suspension method)>
-Production of oil phase 4-
In a container equipped with a thermometer and a stirrer, 93 parts by mass of [Non-crystalline polyester resin 1], 23 parts by mass of [Non-crystalline polyester resin 3], 68 parts by mass of [Crystalline polyester resin dispersion 1], Mold Dispersion Liquid 1] 75 parts by mass, [Masterbatch 1] 18 parts by mass, and 43 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were added and pre-dispersed with a stirrer, and then TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Co., Ltd.) The mixture was stirred at 5,000 rpm and uniformly dissolved and dispersed to obtain [Oil Phase 4].

-Emulsification or dispersion-
Put 400 parts by mass of [Aqueous Phase 1] in another container with a stirrer and thermometer, and stir at 13,000 rpm with a TK homomixer (made by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.). 4] was added and emulsified for 1 minute to obtain [Emulsified slurry 4].

-Solvent removal-Washing-Drying-
[Emulsion slurry 4] was subjected to solvent removal, washing, drying, and air sieving under the same conditions as in [Emulsion slurry 1] to prepare toner base 4.

<Manufacture of toner base 5 (emulsion aggregation method)>
-Production of oil phase 5-
[Amorphous polyester resin 1] 60 parts by mass of ethyl acetate was added to 60 parts by mass and dissolved to obtain an oil phase 5.
Next, 120 parts by weight of water, 2 parts by weight of an anionic surfactant (Neogen R, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.), and 2.4 parts by weight of a 2% by weight aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were mixed in [Aqueous phase] 120 parts by mass of the oil phase 5 was added, and after emulsification using a homogenizer (manufactured by IKA, Ultra Tarrax T50), the mixture was emulsified with a Manton Gorin high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Gorin) to obtain [Emulsion slurry 5]. .
Next, [Emulsified slurry 5] was put into a container in which a stirrer and a thermometer were set, and the solvent was removed at 30 ° C. for 4 hours to obtain [Slurry 5 after solvent removal]. It was 0.17 micrometer when the volume average particle diameter of the particle | grains in the obtained [after-solvent removal slurry 5] was measured with the particle size distribution analyzer (LA-920, Horiba, Ltd. make).

-Production of oil phase 5'-
An oil phase 5 ′ was obtained in the same manner as in the production of the oil phase 5 except that [amorphous polyester resin 1] was replaced with [amorphous polyester resin 4].

-Preparation of release agent dispersion 2-
25 parts by mass of paraffin wax (HNP-9, manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., melting point 75 ° C.), 1 part by mass of an anionic surfactant (Neogen R, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) and 200 parts by mass of water are mixed, and 90 ° C. And melted. Next, this melt was emulsified with a homogenizer (IKA, Ultra Tarrax T50) and then emulsified with a Menton Gorin high-pressure homogenizer (Gorin) to obtain [Releasing Agent Dispersion 2].

-Preparation of colorant dispersion 1-
Carbon black (Printtex35, manufactured by Degussa) 20 parts by mass, anionic surfactant (Neogen R, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) 0.5 parts by mass, and water 80 parts by mass are mixed together, and a TK homomixer (special machine) And [Colorant Dispersion 1] was obtained.

-Aggregation-
In a container equipped with a thermometer and a stirrer, [Oil Phase 5] 235 parts by mass, [Oil Phase 5 ′] 57 parts by mass, [Releasing Agent Dispersion 2] 45 parts by mass, [Colorant Dispersion 1] 26 Part by mass and 600 parts by mass of water were added and stirred at 30 ° C. for 30 minutes. The dispersion was adjusted to pH 10 by adding a 2% by weight aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Next, the dispersion was heated to 45 ° C. while gradually dropping 50 parts by mass of a 5% by mass magnesium chloride aqueous solution while stirring at 5000 rpm with a homogenizer (manufactured by IKA, Ultra Turrax T50). The agglomerated particles were maintained at 45 ° C. until the volume average particle diameter grew to 5.3 μm. While heating at 90 ° C. while maintaining pH 9 by adding a 2% by weight aqueous sodium hydroxide solution to this, holding in this state for 2 hours, cooling to 20 ° C. at 1 ° C./min, [Slurry 5] Obtained.

-Solvent removal-Washing-Drying-
[Slurry 5] was washed, dried, and air sieved under the same conditions as in [Slurry 1] to prepare toner base 5-A.

  Toner base 5-B was prepared in the same manner as toner base 5-A, except that amorphous polyester resin 1 used in oil phase 5 was changed to amorphous polyester resin 2.

  A toner base 5-C was prepared in the same manner as the toner base 5-A, except that the amorphous polyester resin 1 used in the oil phase 5 was changed to the amorphous polyester resin 3.

<Manufacture of toner base 6 (emulsion aggregation method)>
-Production of oil phase 6-
[Crystalline Polyester Resin 1] 60 parts by mass of ethyl acetate was added to 60 parts by mass, and the mixture was stirred and dissolved at 60 ° C. to obtain oil phase 6.
Next, 120 parts by weight of water, 2 parts by weight of an anionic surfactant (Neogen R, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.), and 2.4 parts by weight of a 2% by weight aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were mixed in [Aqueous phase] 120 parts by mass of the oil phase 6 was added, and after emulsification using a homogenizer (manufactured by IKA, Ultra Tarrax T50), the mixture was emulsified with a Manton Gorin high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Gorin) to obtain [Emulsion slurry 6]. .
Next, [Emulsified slurry 6] was put into a container in which a stirrer and a thermometer were set, and the solvent was removed at 30 ° C. for 4 hours to obtain [Slurry 6 after solvent removal]. It was 0.16 micrometer when the volume average particle diameter of the particle | grains in the obtained [Slurry 6 after solvent removal] was measured with the particle size distribution analyzer (LA-920, Horiba, Ltd. make).

-Aggregation-
In a container equipped with a thermometer and a stirrer, [Oil Phase 6] 207 parts by mass, [Oil Phase 6 ′] 57 parts by mass, [Crystalline Polyester Resin Dispersion] 28 parts by mass, [Releasing Agent Dispersion 2] 45 parts by mass, 26 parts by mass of [Colorant dispersion 1] and 600 parts by mass of water were added and stirred at 30 ° C. for 30 minutes. The dispersion was adjusted to pH 10 by adding a 2% by weight aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Next, the dispersion was heated to 45 ° C. while gradually dropping 50 parts by mass of a 5% by mass magnesium chloride aqueous solution while stirring at 5000 rpm with a homogenizer (manufactured by IKA, Ultra Turrax T50). The agglomerated particles were maintained at 45 ° C. until the volume average particle diameter grew to 5.3 μm. This was cooled to 20 ° C. to obtain [Slurry 6].

-Solvent removal-Washing-Drying-
[Slurry 6] was washed, dried, and air sieved under the same conditions as in [Slurry 1] to prepare a toner base 6.

<Manufacture of toner base 7 (pulverization method)>
-Preparation of master batch 2-
Noncrystalline polyester resin 2 100 parts by mass Carbon black (Printex 35, manufactured by Degussa) 100 parts by mass (DBP oil absorption: 42 mL / 100 g, pH: 9.5)
-Ion exchange water 50 mass parts Said raw material was mixed using the Henschel mixer (made by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.). The obtained mixture was kneaded using two rolls. The kneading temperature started kneading from 90 ° C., and then gradually cooled to 50 ° C. The obtained kneaded material was pulverized with a pulverizer (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) to prepare [Masterbatch 2].

-Melt kneading, grinding, classification-
[Amorphous polyester resin 2] 49 parts by mass, [Amorphous polyester resin 1] 40 parts by mass, 6 parts by mass of paraffin (HNP-9, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., melting point 75 ° C.), and [Masterbatch 2] 12 parts by mass was premixed at 1,500 rpm for 3 minutes using a Henschel mixer (Henschel 20B, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.). Melting and kneading were performed under the conditions of a preset temperature (inlet part 90 ° C.), outlet part (60 ° C.), and feed amount (10 kg / Hr). The obtained kneaded product was rolled and cooled, and coarsely pulverized with a pulverizer (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron). Next, in a type I mill (made by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd., IDS-2 type), using a flat collision plate, the air pressure (6.0 atm / cm ² ) and the feed amount (0.5 kg / hr) were set. The mixture was finely pulverized and further classified by a classifier (manufactured by Alpine, 132MP) to obtain [Toner Base 7-A].

  A toner base 7-B was produced in the same manner as the toner base 7-A, except that the amorphous polyester resin 1 was changed to the amorphous polyester resin 2.

  A toner base 7-C was prepared in the same manner as the toner base 7-A except that the non-crystalline polyester resin 1 was changed to the non-crystalline polyester resin 3.

<Manufacture of toner base 8 (pulverization method)>
-Melt kneading, grinding, classification-
[Amorphous Polyester Resin 2] 54 parts by mass, [Amorphous Polyester Resin 3] 27 parts by mass, [Crystalline Polyester Resin 1] 8 parts by mass, paraffin (HNP-9, manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., melting point 75 ° C. ) 6 parts by mass and 12 parts by mass of [Masterbatch 2] were premixed at 1,500 rpm for 3 minutes using a Henschel mixer (Henschel 20B, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.), It was melted and kneaded under the conditions of a set temperature (inlet part 90 ° C.), outlet part (60 ° C.), and feed amount (10 kg / Hr) with Co Kneader (Buss). The obtained kneaded product was rolled and cooled, and coarsely pulverized with a pulverizer (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron). Next, in a type I mill (made by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd., IDS-2 type), using a flat collision plate, the air pressure (6.0 atm / cm ² ) and feed amount (0.5 kg / hr) were set. The resultant was finely pulverized and further classified by a classifier (manufactured by Alpine, 132MP) to obtain [Toner Base 8].

Example 1
(Preparation of Toner 1)
With respect to 100 parts by mass of the obtained [Toner Base 1-A], X-24 as silica A (average primary particle size 120 nm, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) is 1.1 parts by mass, and silica B is H1303VP (average primary). Particle size 23 nm, manufactured by Clariant Co., Ltd.) 0.6 parts by mass, average particle size 20 nm of titanium oxide (JMT-150IB, manufactured by Teica Co., Ltd.) 1.0 part by mass was mixed in a Henschel mixer (Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.) After mixing, the mixture was passed through a sieve having a mesh size of 500 mesh to obtain toner 1 of Example 1.
As the mixing order, silica A was added to the first stage, titanium oxide was added to the second stage, and silica B was added to the third stage and mixed.

Examples 2-26, Comparative Examples 1-3
(Preparation of toners 2 to 29)
According to the conditions of Table 1 using the obtained toner base, toners 2 to 26 corresponding to Examples 2 to 26 and toners 27 to 29 corresponding to Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were produced.

  Next, the obtained toners 1 to 29 were evaluated as follows, and a comprehensive determination was made. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Examples 1-26 and Comparative Examples 1-3)
<Toner container>
The toner container shown in FIG. 10 (the cross section of the container opening is shown in FIG. 30) was used. The toner produced in Production Example 6 was filled in the container body.
In the toner container shown in FIG. 10, the container body has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the one end side from the inside of the container body of the container opening.
Further, the pumping portion has a pumping wall surface extending from the inner wall surface of the container body toward the protruding portion, and a curved portion that curves along the protruding portion.
Moreover, the pumping-up part has the protruding part which protruded toward the protrusion part from the inner wall surface of the container main body. The raised portion is provided with a curved portion that curves along the protruding portion.
The projecting portion is provided so as to exist between the curved portion and the toner receiving port of the inserted transport tube when the toner container is mounted on the toner transport device.
Further, in the toner container shown in FIG. 10, the protruding portion is a plate-like member, and the flat side surface (side surface in the thickness direction) of the plate-like member is the curved portion and the inserted toner transport tube. Between the toner receiving port and the toner receiving port.
Further, the toner container shown in FIG. 10 has two pumping portions having pumping wall surfaces. In each of the two pumping parts, when the toner container is mounted on the toner transport device, a protruding part exists between the curved part of the pumping part and the toner receiving port of the inserted transport pipe.
The toner container shown in FIG. 10 has a pumping portion formed integrally with the container main body, a protruding portion is fixed to the container main body, and the pumping portion rotates the toner downward by rotating the container main body. Lift upward from.

<Evaluation>
<< Toner discharge performance >>
The above toner container was evaluated by the following evaluation method.
The toner dischargeability from the container body at that time was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.
〔Evaluation method〕
120 g of toner was filled in the toner container (the capacity of the toner container was 1,200 mL).
The toner container was shaken to sufficiently stir the toner. The toner container was attached to the replenishing device provided with the transport nozzle described in this example (see FIG. 9). The amount of toner discharged from the replenishing device was measured by rotating the toner container and operating the replenishing device.
Condition: Toner container rotation speed: 100 rpm
Transfer screw pitch in transfer nozzle of replenishing device: 12.5mm
Conveying screw outer diameter: 10mm
Conveying screw shaft diameter: 4mm
Conveying screw rotation speed: 500rpm
〔Evaluation criteria〕
○: The toner is discharged even when the toner remaining amount in the container becomes 70 g.
X: The toner cannot be discharged before the toner remaining amount in the container reaches 70 g.
In this experiment, assuming that the filling amount of toner when not used (filling amount at the time of product shipment) is 200 g or more, the remaining amount of toner is 70 g as an evaluation standard as described above in order to verify the discharge performance.
○ was accepted and x was rejected.

<< Supply stability >>
The above toner container was evaluated by the same evaluation method as the above discharge property evaluation method.
The toner replenishability from the container body at that time was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Very good (When the toner is not discharged until the toner remaining amount in the toner container is less than 70 g and in the range of 10 g or more, the toner replenishment amount is 0.4 g / sec or more. It is maintained stably (a constant amount).
* Toner replenishment amount of 0.4 g / sec is a replenishment amount that is expected to cause no blurring of the solid image due to insufficient toner replenishment amount (solid followability) even if all solid images are continuously passed through A4 paper. .
* The range of 10 g or more of toner is in consideration of the amount of toner adhering to the inner wall of the container.

○: Good (When the toner is not discharged until the toner is not discharged, the toner remaining amount in the toner container is less than 70 g, and in a range of 10 g or more, the toner replenishment amount is a constant amount less than 0.4 g / sec. (B in FIG. 39)
* Although the toner replenishment amount is less than 0.4 g / sec, since the replenishment amount is stably maintained (at a constant amount), the toner replenishment amount is raised by increasing the number of rotations of the toner container. Can be stably supplied and sufficient replenishment can be achieved.

Δ: Permissible level (When the toner is discharged until the toner can no longer be discharged, the toner is discharged after the remaining amount of toner in the toner container becomes less than 70 g, but the toner replenishment amount is not constant. , Decrease with inclination.
* Since toner is discharged, replenishment will not be zero, but more complicated replenishment control is required to ensure solid followability.

  X: Level that cannot be used practically (when the toner is discharged until the toner can no longer be discharged, the toner is discharged but cannot be discharged when the remaining amount of toner is 70 g or more)

  XX: Level that cannot be used in practice (toner is not discharged)

◎, ○, and Δ were acceptable, and x and xx were unacceptable.
* For the toners marked ◎ and ◯ this time, the replenishment amount suddenly decreased (decreased with an inflection point) when the toner remaining amount was less than 10 g.
Further, in this experiment, the fluctuation range of the toner replenishment amount of the toners marked with ◎ and ◯ was within 0.05 g / sec in the range of the remaining toner amount from 10 g to 70 g.

<Low temperature fixability>
A copy test was performed on recording paper (type 6200, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) using a device in which the fixing unit of a commercially available digital full-color printer (image MPC6000, A4 horizontal color 50 sheets / min, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) was modified. . Specifically, the cold offset temperature (fixing lower limit temperature) was determined by changing the fixing temperature. The evaluation conditions for the minimum fixing temperature were a paper feed linear velocity of 260 mm / second to 280 mm / second, a surface pressure of 1.2 kgf / cm ² , and a nip width of 11 mm. Evaluation of low-temperature fixability was evaluated according to the following criteria. The lower the fixing minimum temperature, the better the low-temperature fixability.

[Evaluation criteria]
A: Very good, B: Good, B: Acceptable, B: Unusable for practical use A: B, B, C: Passed and x: Fail.
A: Lower limit fixing temperature is less than 120 ° C. O: Lower limit fixing temperature is 120 ° C. or higher and lower than 130 ° C. Δ: Lower limit fixing temperature is 130 ° C. or higher and lower than 140 ° C. ×: Lower limit fixing temperature is 140 ° C. or higher and lower than 150 ° C.

  From the above embodiments and comparative examples, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner container that can supply toner to the developing device even when the remaining amount of toner in the toner container decreases. all right.

32 (Y, M, C, K) Toner storage container 33 Container main body 33a Container opening 50 Developing device 60 (Y, M, C, K) Toner supply device 70 Toner storage container storage 302 Spiral protrusion 303 Handle 304 Pumping portion 304f Pumping wall surface 304h Convex portion 304i Curved portion 330 Nozzle receiving member 331 Nozzle receiving port 332 Container shutter 332a Shutter removal prevention claw 332c Tip cylindrical portion 332d Sliding portion 332e Guide rod 332f Cantilever 332g Guide rod sliding portion 332h End surface 332i Cylindrical portion 333 Container seal 333a Inner surface of tube insertion port 335 Shutter rear end support portion 335a Shutter side surface support portion 335b Shutter support opening portion 335d Rear end opening portion 336 Container shutter spring 340 Container shutter support member 3 Second contact portion 350 sealing member 610 nozzle openings 611 end face 614 conveying screw of the transport nozzle 611a conveying nozzle

JP 2012-133349 A

Claims (8)

A container main body that is attachable to a toner conveying device and contains toner to be supplied to the toner conveying device;
A transport unit disposed inside the container body and transporting the toner from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body to the other end side provided with a container opening;
A pipe receiving port disposed in the container opening and capable of receiving a transport pipe fixed to the toner transport device;
A toner storage container comprising: a pumping unit that lifts the toner transported by the transport unit upward from below the container body and moves the toner toward a toner receiving port of the transport pipe;
The degree of aggregation (%) when the toner is stored in an environment of 50 ° C. for 1 hour is 60 to 75,
The container body has a protruding portion protruding from the container body inside side of the container opening toward the one end side,
The pumping portion extends from the inner wall surface of the container body toward the protruding portion , and the pumping wall surface is inclined toward the container opening along the longitudinal axis of the container body, and along the protruding portion. A curved portion that curves,
The protruding portion is provided so as to exist between the curved portion and a toner receiving port of the inserted conveyance tube when the toner container is mounted on the toner conveyance device.
And a toner container. A container main body that is attachable to a toner conveying device and contains toner to be supplied to the toner conveying device;
A transport unit disposed inside the container body and transporting the toner from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body to the other end side provided with a container opening;
A pipe receiving port disposed in the container opening and capable of receiving a transport pipe fixed to the toner transport device;
A toner storage container comprising: a pumping unit that lifts the toner transported by the transport unit upward from below the container body and moves the toner toward a toner receiving port of the transport pipe;
The degree of aggregation (%) when the toner is stored in an environment of 50 ° C. for 1 hour is 60 to 75,
The container body has a protruding portion protruding from the container body inside side of the container opening toward the one end side,
The pumping portion is a raised portion raised from the inner wall surface of the container body toward the protruding portion, from the inner wall surface of the container body that starts to rise toward the inner wall surface opposite to the inner wall surface, and Having the raised portion continuously provided so as to extend in the container opening direction ;
The raised portion is provided with a curved portion that curves along the protruding portion,
The protruding portion is provided so as to exist between the curved portion and a toner receiving port of the inserted conveyance tube when the toner container is mounted on the toner conveyance device.
And a toner container.   3. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the toner has a degree of aggregation (%) of 60 to 70 when stored in an environment of 50 ° C. for 1 hour. The protrusion is a plate-like member having a flat side surface,
4. The flat side surface of the plate-like member is provided so as to exist between the curved portion and a toner receiving port of an inserted toner conveying tube. A toner container according to any one of the above. Having two pumping parts,
When the toner container is mounted on the toner conveying device, the protruding portions exist between the curved portions of the two pumping portions and the toner receiving ports of the inserted conveying pipes, respectively. The toner storage container according to claim 1, wherein the toner storage container is a toner container. The pumping part and the protruding part are fixed to or integrally formed with the container body,
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the pumping unit lifts the toner upward from below by rotating the container body. A shutter member movable between a closed position for closing the container opening and an open position for opening;
The shutter member is moved from the closed position to the open position by being pressed by a conveyance tube fixed to the toner conveyance device, and
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided along a movement region of the shutter member. 8. An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container according to claim 1 is detachably installed on a main body of the image forming apparatus.