JP7013761B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In the formation of an image by the electrophotographic method, for example, after charging the surface of the image holder, an electrostatic charge image is formed on the surface of the image holder according to the image information, and then the static charge image is developed containing toner. It is performed by developing with an agent to form a toner image, and transferring and fixing the toner image on the surface of a recording medium.

Here, in Patent Document 1, "an image forming apparatus having a primary transfer means for transferring to an intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer belt is a belt base material in which two or more different types of elastic materials are mixed, and one side of the belt base material. Alternatively, it is an intermediate elastic transfer belt provided with a protective layer containing a fluorine-based resin or a silicone-based resin as a main component on both sides. In the core-shell structure coated with a surface layer containing a polymer as a main component, the toner on the image carrier or the intermediate transfer belt after the toner has passed through the nip portion between the image carrier and the intermediate transfer belt is as follows. Equation (1): Coverage of the surface layer (%) = (total of exposed length of surface layer / total of peripheral length of toner) × 100, the coverage of the surface layer is 60% or more and 94% or less. Image formation method. ”Is disclosed.

Patent Document 2 states that "a carboxylic acid in which the binder resin is composed of 70 to 85 mol% of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid component (a) and 15 to 30 mol% of a trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid component (b). 0.1-1.2 mol of propoxylated and / or ethoxylated etherified diphenol component (c) and 0.01-0.15 mol of aliphatic diol component (d) are added to 1 mol of the component. Condensed acid value is 6 to 15 mgKOH / g, weight average molecular weight Mw is 15,000 to 60,000, number average molecular weight Mn is 2,000 to 4,000, weight average molecular weight Mw and number average molecular weight Mn. An electrophotographic toner characterized by having a ratio (Mw / Mn) of 6 to 18, a glass transition point of 50 to 60 ° C., and a softening point of 100 to 120 ° C., and a toner thereof are applied. Image forming apparatus. ”Is disclosed.

JP-A-2007-025288 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-056504

By the way, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of an image holder is developed with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, and the toner image is recorded from the image holder as a recording medium. After transferring to the surface of the image, the toner image is fixed to form an image on the recording medium. As this toner, an amorphous polyester resin is contained as a binder resin, and the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in the gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran-soluble component of the toner. When Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60,000 or less, Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less, and the wave number 1500 cm with respect to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner. Toner containing toner particles having a ^-1 absorbance ratio of 0.6 or less and a wave number of 820 cm ^-1 absorbance ratio of 0.4 or less to a wave number of 720 cm ^-1 (hereinafter, also referred to as "specific toner"). ) May cause image distortion.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to have a belt member in which the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface in contact with the image holder is an elastic layer having a JIS-A hardness of less than 50 degrees in an image forming apparatus to which a specific toner is applied. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which image distortion caused in a high temperature and high humidity environment is suppressed as compared with the case where a transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a holder is provided on the surface of a recording medium.

The above problem is solved by the following invention. That is,

The invention according to < 1 > is
Image holder and
A charging means for charging the surface of the image holder, and
An electrostatic charge image forming means for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image holder, and
When an amorphous polyester resin is contained as the binder resin, the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A), and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in the gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran-soluble component of the toner particles. Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60,000 or less, Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less, and the wave number is 1500 cm ^-1 with respect to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles. ^{Accommodates a static charge image developer having toner containing toner particles having an absorbance ratio of 0.6 or less and a wave number of 820 cm -1 to} an absorbance ratio of 0.4 or less. A developing means for developing an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image holder as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer.
A belt member having an outer peripheral surface in contact with the image holder, wherein the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface is an elastic layer having a JIS-A hardness of 50 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. A transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface to the surface of a recording medium,
A fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium, and
An image forming apparatus.

The invention according to < 2 > is
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is 0.5 or less, and the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is The image forming apparatus according to < 1 > , which is 0.3 or less.

The invention according to < 3 > is
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is 0.2 or more, and the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is. The image forming apparatus according to < 1 > or < 2 > , which is 0.05 or more.

The invention according to < 4 > is
The image formation according to any one of < 1 > to < 3 > , wherein the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles is 0.5 or less. Device.

The invention according to < 5 > is
The image forming apparatus according to < 4 > , wherein the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles is 0.4 or less.

The invention according to < 6 > is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of < 1 > to < 5 > , wherein the peak molecular weight of the molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran-soluble component of the toner particles is 7000 or more and 11000 or less. ..

The invention according to < 7 > is
The image forming apparatus according to < 6 > , wherein the peak molecular weight of the molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran-soluble component of the toner particles is 8000 or more and 11000 or less.

The invention according to < 8 > is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of < 1 > to < 7 > , wherein the toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is 28% by mass or more and 38% by mass or less.

The invention according to < 9 > is
The image forming apparatus according to < 8 > , wherein the toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is 30% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less.

The invention according to < 10 > is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of < 1 > to < 9 > , wherein the toner particles contain a crystalline resin.

The invention according to < 11 > is
The image forming apparatus according to < 10 > , wherein the content of the crystalline resin is 3% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the toner.

The invention according to < 12 > is
The image forming apparatus according to < 11 > , wherein the content of the crystalline resin is 5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the toner.

The invention according to < 13 > is
The image according to any one of < 1 > to < 12 > , wherein the belt member is a belt member having a single-layer structure composed of only the elastic layer, and the thickness of the elastic layer is 200 μm or more and 5000 μm or less. Forming device.

The invention according to < 14 > is
Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to < 13 > , wherein the belt member is a belt member having a laminated structure having a base material on the inner peripheral surface side of the elastic layer, and the thickness of the elastic layer is 100 μm or more and 2000 μm or less. ..

According to the invention according to < 1 > , < 2 > , < 3 > , < 4 > , < 5 > , < 6 > , or < 7 > , contact with an image holder in an image forming apparatus to which a specific toner is applied. When the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface has a belt member which is an elastic layer having a JIS-A hardness of less than 50 degrees and is provided with a transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of an image holder to the surface of a recording medium. In comparison with the above, an image forming apparatus that suppresses image distortion caused in a high temperature and high humidity environment is provided.
According to the invention according to < 8 > or < 9 > , the image distortion caused in a high temperature and high humidity environment is suppressed as compared with the case where the toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is less than 28% by mass or more than 38% by mass. A forming device is provided.
According to the invention according to < 10 > , < 11 > , or < 12 > , an image forming apparatus is provided in which image distortion caused in a high temperature and high humidity environment is suppressed as compared with the case where the toner particles do not contain a crystalline resin. Will be done.
According to the invention according to < 13 > , in the image forming apparatus to which the specific toner is applied, the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface in contact with the image holder has a belt member which is an elastic layer having a JIS-A hardness of less than 50 degrees. Compared with the case of providing a transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of an image holder to the surface of a recording medium, the belt member has a single-layer structure and image distortion occurs in a high temperature and high humidity environment. An image forming apparatus is provided in which the above is suppressed.
According to the invention according to < 14 > , in the image forming apparatus to which the specific toner is applied, the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface in contact with the image holder has a belt member which is an elastic layer having a JIS-A hardness of less than 50 degrees. Compared to the case where a transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of an image holder to the surface of a recording medium is provided, a belt member having a laminated structure is provided as a belt member, and image distortion caused in a high temperature and high humidity environment is caused. An image forming apparatus that is suppressed is provided.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the belt member which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which enlarges and shows the cross section of the belt member shown in FIG. (A) is a schematic plan view showing an example of a circular electrode, and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments that are an example of the present invention will be described in detail.

<Image forming device>
It houses an image holder, a charging means for charging the surface of the image holder, a static charge image forming means for forming a static charge image on the surface of the charged image holder, and a static charge image developer having toner. A developing means for developing an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of an image holder as a toner image by a static charge image developer, and a transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to the surface of a recording medium. And a fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium.
The transfer member is a belt member in which the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the holding body, and has a belt member in which the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface is an elastic layer having a JIS-A hardness of 50 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

The toner (specific toner) contains an amorphous polyester resin as a binder resin, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of the nanotube-soluble component (hereinafter, also referred to as “THF-soluble component”) of the toner particles. When the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in the measurement, Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60,000 or less, and Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less. In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is 0.6 or less, and the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 . Contains toner particles with a ratio of 0.4 or less.

Here, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image holder is developed with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, and the toner image is recorded from the image holder. After transferring to the surface of the medium, the toner image is fixed to form an image on the recording medium. As a method of transferring the toner image to the surface of the recording medium, a method of transferring the toner image directly from the image holder to the surface of the recording medium (direct transfer method) and a method of transferring the toner image from the image holder to the intermediate transfer body are primary. A method of transferring and further transferring a toner image on the intermediate transfer body to the surface of a recording medium (intermediate transfer method) is known. In the direct transfer method, a belt member (recording medium transfer belt) is used as a recording medium carrier for transporting the recording medium to the transfer position where the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder is transferred to the recording medium. In addition, a belt member (intermediate transfer belt) is used as an intermediate transfer body in the intermediate transfer method.

On the other hand, in the specific toner, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles is 0.6 or less, and the wave number 820 cm ^- with respect to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 . The absorbance ratio of ¹ is 0.4 or less. The fact that the toner particles have this infrared absorption spectral characteristic means that the amorphous polyester resin as the binder resin has an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A (ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A). , Ethylene oxide propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, etc.) is not used as a polyhydric alcohol, or even if it is used, it means that the resin is in a small amount.

Then, in order to improve the fixability of the fixed image using this specific toner, the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in the gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran-soluble component of the toner particles. ), It is appropriate that Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60,000 or less, and Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less. That is, it is appropriate that the molecular weight characteristics of the non-crosslinked binder resin component mainly have the above characteristics.
Specifically, when Mw (A) is less than 25,000, hot offset (a phenomenon in which toner is excessively melted and adheres to a fixing member) at the time of fixing is likely to occur, and when Mw (A) exceeds 60,000. The minimum fixing temperature tends to increase. Further, when Mw (A) / Mn (A) exceeds 10, a difference occurs in the meltability of the resin, and unevenness is likely to occur in the fixed image. It is difficult in manufacturing to make Mw (A) / Mn (A) less than 5.
As described above, when the molecular weight characteristics of the specific toner (the toner particles thereof) are set to the above characteristics, the fixing property of the image is improved.

However, when a specific toner is used, image distortion may occur in a high temperature and high humidity environment (for example, 35 ° C., 85% environment). The reason is presumed as follows. The specific toner is derived from the amorphous polyester resin and has a property of high hygroscopicity. Therefore, in a high temperature and high humidity environment, the chargeability of the specific toner is lowered due to moisture absorption. Then, when the specific toner is decharged, the toner may be scattered when the toner image is transferred from the image holder. This toner scattering is caused by a discharge phenomenon generated in the gaps at both ends of the contact region (hereinafter, also referred to as “nip”) between the image holder and the belt member (recording medium transport belt, intermediate transfer belt, etc.) due to the transfer electric field. It is considered to be a phenomenon. As a result, image distortion (that is, a phenomenon in which dotted images are scattered around the edges of an image due to scattered toner) may occur.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a transfer means, a belt member whose outer peripheral surface comes into contact with the image holder, and the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface has a JIS-A hardness of 50 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. A transfer means having a belt member which is an elastic layer is applied.

The JIS-A hardness of the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface of the belt member is 90 degrees or less, that is, the surface of the belt member on the side in contact with the image holder has softness. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the belt member tends to be dented due to the pressure from the image holder at the contact position with the image holder, so that the nip has a wider width than when the JIS-A hardness exceeds the above range. (A contact area with a wide contact area) is formed. That is, in the transfer means of the direct transfer method, a wide nip is formed at the transfer position from the image holder to the recording medium. Further, in the transfer means of the intermediate transfer method, a wide nip is formed at the primary transfer position from the image holder to the intermediate transfer belt. As a result, the "gap between the image holder and the belt member" where the discharge phenomenon occurs is likely to be located outside the region where the transfer electric field is applied. Therefore, the discharge phenomenon in the "small gap between the image holder and the belt member" is less likely to occur. As a result, image distortion due to toner scattering is suppressed.

From the above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, image distortion caused in a high temperature and high humidity environment is suppressed. Further, since image distortion is suppressed, the reproducibility of minute images such as fine lines is particularly improved.

In the transfer means, the belt member is usually installed so that the belt member can be bridged and rotationally driven in a state where tension is applied to a plurality of rolls. Therefore, when the JIS-A hardness of the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface of the belt member is 50 ° or more, the tension change due to the elongation of the belt when it is spanned over a plurality of rolls and driven to rotate is suppressed, and the belt It is also excellent in terms of drive transmission of members.

Here, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, examples of the transfer means include an intermediate transfer type transfer means, a direct transfer type transfer means, and the like. That is, examples of the belt member of the transfer means include an intermediate transfer belt, a recording medium transport belt, and the like.

When the belt member is an intermediate transfer belt, the transfer means is intermediate between the intermediate transfer belt (belt member) and the primary transfer means for primary transfer of the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. It has a configuration including a secondary transfer means for secondary transfer of a toner image transferred to the surface of a transfer belt to a recording medium.
When the belt member is a recording medium transport belt, the transfer means is a recording medium transport belt (belt member) that transports the recording medium to the transfer position where the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder is transferred to the recording medium. And a transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to the surface of the recording medium.

Further, the belt member in the transfer means may be provided with a cleaning means for cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the belt member by bringing the cleaning member (for example, a cleaning blade) into contact with the belt member.

As an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, a normal monocolor image forming apparatus that accommodates only monochromatic toner in a developing apparatus, and a toner image held on an image holder are sequentially transferred to an intermediate transfer body. Examples thereof include a color image forming apparatus that repeats primary transfer, a tandem type color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of image holders equipped with a developer of each color are arranged in series on an intermediate transfer body, and the like.

Hereinafter, the details of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, in explaining the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, first, the belt member used for the transfer means will be described in detail.

[Belt member in transfer means]
As shown in FIG. 1, the belt member 15 is formed in an endless shape. In the transfer means, the belt member 15 is bridged in a state where tension is applied to a plurality of rolls (rolls 131 and 132 in FIG. 1) to form the belt member unit 150.

As shown in FIG. 2, the belt member 15 is laminated with an elastic layer 15A constituting the outer peripheral surface and a base material 15B arranged on the inner peripheral side of the elastic layer 15A to form the inner peripheral surface. It may be a belt member having a structure. The elastic layer 15A and the base material 15B may be arranged so as to be in direct contact with each other at the interface thereof, or may be arranged via an adhesive layer (not shown) between them.
Further, the belt member 15 may be a belt member having a single-layer structure composed of only an elastic layer.

Hereinafter, each layer constituting the belt member 15 will be described.

(Elastic layer)
The elastic layer is composed of a material having elasticity (elastic material), and preferably contains a rubber material. Further, the elastic layer may contain a conductive agent from the viewpoint of imparting conductivity, and may further contain other well-known additives.

-JIS-A hardness-
The JIS-A hardness of the elastic layer is 50 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. It is more preferably 60 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, and further preferably 70 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less.

When the JIS-A hardness of the elastic layer constituting the outer peripheral surface is 90 degrees or less, high transfer efficiency from the image holder of the toner image to the surface of the recording medium is achieved. On the other hand, when the JIS-A hardness is 50 degrees or more, the tension change due to the elongation of the belt when it is spanned over a plurality of rolls and is rotationally driven is suppressed, and the drive transmissibility as a belt member is suppressed. Excellent.

Here, the measurement of the JIS-A hardness of the elastic layer is performed according to JIS K6253 (2012) using a durometer type A (manufactured by Teclock). Specifically, avoiding an impact, the push needle is quickly pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the elastic layer, and the maximum value of the pointer is read within 1 second. Then, this measurement is repeated 5 times, and the JIS-A hardness of the elastic layer is obtained from the average value.

The JIS-A hardness of the elastic layer can be adjusted by selecting the elastic material to be used.

-Elastic material-
Examples of the elastic material used for the elastic layer include urethane rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM), epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber (NBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), and styrene. -Butadiene copolymer rubber (SBR), chlorinated polyisoprene rubber, isoprene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated polybutadiene rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber and other rubber materials, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene and other resins And the like, and examples thereof include a material obtained by mixing one type or two or more types of these.

Among these, urethane rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM), epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), and chloroprene from the viewpoints of nip formation, transferability of toner image, and drive transmission as a belt member. A material made by mixing rubber (CR) and ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM) is more preferable, and a material made by mixing chloroprene rubber (CR) and ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM) is more preferable. The material is more preferred.

-Conducting agent-
The elastic layer may contain a conductive agent from the viewpoint of imparting conductivity.
Examples of the conductive agent include conductivity (for example, volume resistivity less than ^{107 Ω · cm, the same applies hereinafter) or semi-conductive (for example, volume resistivity 10 7 Ω} · cm or more and 10 ¹³ Ω · cm or less, the same applies hereinafter). ) Particles.
As the conductive agent, particles having a primary particle size of less than 10 μm are preferable, and particles having a primary particle size of 1 μm or less are more preferable.

The conductive agent is not particularly limited, but is, for example, carbon black (for example, Ketjen black, acetylene black, carbon black whose surface has been oxidized), carbon fiber, carbon nanotube, carbon substance such as graphite, metal, or the like. Alloys (eg aluminum, nickel, copper, silver, etc.), metal oxides (eg, yttrium oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, antimony oxide, SnO ₂ - _{In 2} O3 composite oxides, etc.), ionic conductive materials (eg titanium). Potassium acid, LiCl, etc.) and the like.

The conductive agent is selected according to the purpose of use, but carbon black is preferable, and pH 5 or less (preferably pH 4) is particularly good from the viewpoint of stability of electric resistance over time and electric field dependence that suppresses electric field concentration due to transfer voltage. Oxidation-treated carbon black (for example, carbon black obtained by imparting a carboxyl group, a quinone group, a lactone group, a hydroxyl group, etc. to the surface) having a pH of 5.5 or less, more preferably pH 4.0 or less is preferable.

The average primary particle size of carbon black is, for example, preferably 10 nm or more and 50 nm or less, and more preferably 15 nm or more and 30 nm or less.
The average primary particle size of a conductive agent such as carbon black is measured by the following method. First, a measurement sample having a thickness of 100 nm is taken from the belt member to be measured by cutting with a microtome, and this measurement sample is observed by a TEM (transmission electron microscope). Then, the diameter of a circle equal to the projected area of each of the 50 particles of the conductive agent is defined as the particle diameter, and the average value thereof is defined as the average primary particle diameter.

The content of the conductive agent in the elastic layer is selected depending on the desired resistance. For example, it is preferably 20% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less, and further 25% by mass or more and 30% by mass with respect to the total mass of the elastic layer. % Or less is more preferable.
The conductive agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

-Other additives-
Other additives other than the conductive agent include, for example, a dispersant for improving the dispersibility of the conductive agent (carbon black, etc.), various fillers for imparting various functions such as mechanical strength, a catalyst, and a film forming film. Leveling agent for improving quality, releasable material for improving releasability (for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-hexa) Fluororesin particles such as fluoropropylene copolymer (FEP)) and the like.

-Thickness of elastic layer-
When the belt member is a belt member having a single-layer structure consisting of only an elastic layer, the thickness (average thickness) of the elastic layer (that is, the belt member) is preferably 200 μm or more and 5000 μm or less, more preferably 300 μm or more and 4000 μm or less. It is more preferably 400 μm or more and 2000 μm or less.
When the thickness of the elastic layer (that is, the belt member) is within the above range, image distortion due to toner scattering is likely to be suppressed, and drive transmissibility as a belt member is also likely to be enhanced.

When the belt member is a belt member having a laminated structure having a base material on the inner peripheral surface side of the elastic layer, the thickness (average thickness) of the elastic layer is preferably 100 μm or more and 2000 μm or less, more preferably 150 μm or more and 1500 μm. It is less than or equal to, and more preferably 200 μm or more and 1000 μm or less.
When the thickness of the elastic layer is within the above range, image distortion due to toner scattering can be easily suppressed.

Here, the thickness of each layer constituting the belt member is measured using a eddy current type film thickness meter CTR-1500E manufactured by Sanko Electronics Co., Ltd. In this embodiment, measurements are taken at 12 points (3 points at equal intervals in the axial direction of the belt and 4 points at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the belt), and the average value thereof is taken as the average thickness.
The axial direction of the belt refers to a direction that becomes the axial direction of the rolls when the belt member is hung in a state where tension is applied to a plurality of rolls.

(Base material)
The belt member may be a belt member having a laminated structure having a base material on the inner peripheral surface side of the elastic layer.
The base material may be composed of, for example, a resin material. Further, a conductive agent may be contained from the viewpoint of imparting conductivity, and other well-known additives may be contained.

-Elastic modulus-
The elastic modulus of the base material is preferably 2000 MPa or more and 6000 MPa or less, more preferably 3000 MPa or more and 6000 MPa or less.
When the elastic modulus of the base material constituting the inner peripheral surface is within the above range, it is easy to suppress the change in tension due to the elongation of the belt when it is spanned over a plurality of rolls and driven to rotate, and it is driven as a belt member. Excellent transmission.

The elastic modulus of the substrate is measured as follows. A sheet having a belt member width of 2 mm is cut out and the base material is peeled off to prepare a measurement sample. This measurement sample is measured for elastic modulus at 25 ° C. using a dynamic viscoelasticity test device (DDV-01FP manufactured by A & D Co., Ltd.) in accordance with JIS K7424-4.

The elastic modulus of the base material can be adjusted by selecting the resin material to be used and adjusting the thickness of the base material.

-Resin material-
Examples of the resin material used for the base material include polyimide resin, fluoropolyimide resin, polyamide resin, polyamideimide resin, polyether ether ester resin, polyarylate resin, polyester resin and the like. As the base material, one type of resin material may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

Among these, at least one of the polyimide resin and the polyamide-imide resin can be used from the viewpoint of increasing the rigidity of the inner peripheral surface and obtaining the difficulty of deformation when the rolls are stretched under tension. More preferred.

-Polyimide resin Examples of the polyimide resin include an imidized product of a polyamic acid (polyamic acid) which is a polymer of a tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and a diamine compound. Specifically, the polyimide resin is obtained by polymerizing an equimolar amount of a tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and a diamine compound in a solvent to obtain a polyamic acid solution, and then imidizing the polyamic acid. Can be mentioned.

Examples of the polyimide resin include resins having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (I).

(In the general formula (I), R ¹ is a tetravalent organic group, which is an aromatic group, an aliphatic group, a cyclic aliphatic group, a group combining an aromatic group and an aliphatic group, or a group thereof in which they are substituted. Group (eg, residues of tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride described below). R ² is a divalent organic group, aromatic group, aliphatic group, cyclic aliphatic group, aromatic group and fat. A group in which a group group is combined or a group in which they are substituted (for example, a residue of a diamine compound described later can be mentioned).

Specifically, as the tetracarboxylic dianhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3', 4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3', 4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic Acid dianhydride, 2,3,3',4-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,6,7-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,2,5,6-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid Dihydride, 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,2'-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) sulfonic acid dianhydride, perylene-3,4,9,10 -Examples include tetracarboxylic dianhydride, bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) ether dianhydride, and ethylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride.

On the other hand, specific examples of the diamine compound include 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine, and 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfide. , 3,3'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 3,3'-dimethyl 4,4'-biphenyldiamine, benzidine, 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine , 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylpropane, 2,4-bis (β-aminotri-butyl) toluene, bis (p-β-amino-) Tertiary butylphenyl) ether, bis (p-β-methyl-δ-aminophenyl) benzene, bis-p- (1,1-dimethyl-5-amino-pentyl) benzene, 1-isopropyl-2,4-m -Phenylenediamine, m-xylylene diamine, p-xylylene diamine, di (p-aminocyclohexyl) methane, hexamethylenediamine, heptamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine, nonamethylenediamine, decamethylenediamine, diaminopropyltetramethylene, 3-Methylheptamethylenediamine, 4,4-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 2,11-diaminododecane, 1,2-bis-3-aminoprovoxyetan, 2,2-dimethylpropylenediamine, 3-methoxyhexamethylenediamine , 2,5-Dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 3-Methylheptamethylenediamine, 5-Methylnonamethylenediamine, 2,17-diaminoeicosadecan, 1,4-diaminocyclohexane, 1,10-diamino-1,10- Diaminedecane, 12-diaminooctadecane, 2,2-bis [4- (4-aminophenoxy) phenyl] propane, piperazine, H2N ( _CH2 ) _{3O ( CH2} ) _2O ( _CH2 ) _NH2 , Examples thereof include H ₂ N (CH ₂ ) ₃ S (CH ₂ ) ₃ NH ₂ , H ₂ N (CH ₂ ) ₃ N (CH ₃ ) ₂ (CH ₂ ) ₃ NH ₂ .

As the solvent for polymerizing the tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and the diamine, a polar solvent (organic polar solvent) is preferably used from the viewpoint of solubility and the like. As the polar solvent, N, N-dialkylamides are preferable, and specifically, for example, N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, N, N-diethylformamide having a low molecular weight thereof are preferable. , N, N-diethylacetamide, N, N-dimethylmethoxyacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, hexamethylphosphortriamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, pyridine, tetramethylene sulfone, dimethyltetramethylene sulfone and the like. These may be singular or used in combination.

-Polyamide-imide resin The polyamide-imide resin is a polyamide-imide resin obtained by dehydrating and ring-closing a polyamide-polyamic acid resin which is a condensate of a tricarboxylic acid and a diamine compound.
Specifically, as the polyamide-imide resin,
(1) A method of subjecting an equimolar amount of tricarboxylic acid anhydride and diamine to a polycondensation and imidization reaction (dehydration ring closure reaction) at high temperature in an organic polar solvent in the presence of a dehydration catalyst (2) With anhydrous tricarboxylic acid monoclonal. Method of subjecting an equimolar amount of diamine to a polycondensation and imidization reaction at a low temperature in an organic polar solvent (3) Method of subjecting tricarboxylic acid anhydride and diisocyanate to a polycondensation and imidization reaction at a high temperature in an organic polar solvent, etc. Examples thereof include the polyamide-imide resin obtained by.
The coating liquid contains a polyamide-polyamic acid resin before the imidization reaction, which is a precursor of the polyimide resin, and after coating, the polyamide-polyamic acid resin is imidized to form a polyamide-imide resin.

Examples of the tricarboxylic acid anhydride include trimellitic acid anhydride and trimellitic acid monoclonal acid anhydride.

Examples of the diamine compound include diamine compounds used for synthesizing polyamic acids, and aromatic diamine compounds are particularly preferable.
Examples of the aromatic diamine compound include 3,3'-diaminobenzophenylone, P-phenylenediamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylamide, and 4,4'-diamino. Diphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, bis [4- {3- (4-aminophenoxy) benzoyl} phenyl] ether, 4,4'-bis (3-aminophenoxy) biphenyl, bis [4- ( 3-Aminophenoxy) Phenyl] Sulfone 2,2'-Bis [4- (3-Aminophenoxy) Phenyl] Propane and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of the diisocyanate compound include those in which two amino groups in the diamine compound used for the synthesis of polyamic acid are substituted with isocyanate groups, and aromatic diisocyanate compounds are particularly preferable.
Examples of the diisocyanate compound include 3,3'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-3, 3'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-3,4'-diisocyanate, 3,3'-diethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-diethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethoxy Examples thereof include biphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate and the like.
Examples of the diisocyanate compound include those in which an isocyanato group is stabilized with a blocking agent. Examples of the blocking agent include alcohol, phenol, oxime, etc., but there are no particular restrictions.

-Conducting agents and other additives-
Further, a conductive agent or other additives other than the conductive agent may be added to the base material. Examples of the conductive agent and other additives include the conductive agent and other additives described in the section of the elastic layer.

The content of the conductive agent in the base material is selected depending on the desired resistance, and for example, it is preferably 1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and further 2% by mass or more and 40% by mass with respect to the total mass of the base material. The following is more preferable, and 4% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less is further preferable.
The conductive agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

-Thickness of the base material-
When the belt member is a belt member having a laminated structure having a base material on the inner peripheral surface side of the elastic layer, the thickness (average thickness) of the base material is preferably 10 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, more preferably 30 μm or more. It is 600 μm or less, more preferably 50 μm or more and 400 μm or less.
When the thickness of the base material constituting the inner peripheral surface is within the above range, it is easy to suppress the change in tension due to the elongation of the belt when it is spanned over a plurality of rolls and driven to rotate, and it is driven as a belt member. Excellent transmission.

(Adhesive layer)
When the belt member is a belt member having a laminated structure having a base material on the inner peripheral surface side of the elastic layer, the elastic layer and the base material may be formed via an adhesive layer. The adhesive used for the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, and known ones are used, and examples thereof include a silane coupling agent, a silicone-based adhesive, and a urethane-based adhesive.

(Manufacturing method of belt member)
Here, a method for manufacturing a belt member used for the transfer means will be described. The method for manufacturing the belt member is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a manufacturing method having the following steps.

-In the case of a single-layer structure belt member-
・ (Composition preparation process for forming elastic layer)
Additives such as conductive agents (electronic conductive agents, ionic conductive agents, etc.) are mixed and dispersed in the elastic materials (CR, NBR, EPDM, ECO, etc.) as required, and then kneaded with a pressurized kneader or the like. After kneading with a machine, a vulcanizing agent, a vulcanization accelerator, and the like are added to prepare a composition for forming an elastic layer.
・ (Elastic layer forming process)
Extrusion processing is performed using the obtained composition for forming an elastic layer. In the case of extrusion molding, a metal cylinder called a vulcanized mandrel, which has an outer diameter of the same size as the inner diameter of the belt, is covered with a composition for forming an elastic layer under predetermined conditions (for example, 1 at 170 ° C.). Time) vulcanization method can be mentioned.
・ (Demolding process)
Then, the solidified belt member is removed from the cylinder (demolding) to obtain the belt member.

-In the case of a belt member with a laminated structure-
・ (Preparation process for coating liquid for base material formation)
A coating liquid for forming a base material, that is, a coating liquid for forming a base material in which the above-mentioned resin material, conductive agent, or the like is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent is prepared.
・ (Base material forming process)
A coating liquid for forming a base material is applied onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical mold. A known method can be applied as the coating method. The mold coated with the coating liquid is dried (further heated if necessary) while rotating to solidify the base material.

・ (Elastic layer forming process)
The elastic layer forming composition prepared in the same manner as described above is extruded onto the mold on which the base material is formed. Then, the substrate is vulcanized under predetermined conditions (for example, 170 ° C. for 1 hour) with the elastic layer forming composition covered.
・ (Demolding process)
Then, the solidified belt member is removed from the mold (demolding) to obtain the belt member.

In the above method, the belt member was obtained by laminating the base material and the elastic layer on the outer peripheral surface of the mold in the order, but conversely, the elastic layer and the base material were laminated on the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical mold. The belt member may be obtained by laminating with.

In both the single-layer structure belt member and the laminated structure belt member, after the demolding step, the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the belt member may be further subjected to surface treatment such as polishing and etching. .. Further, the obtained belt member may be further subjected to drilling, ribbing, or the like.
Further, before forming the elastic layer, an adhesive may be applied on the base material to form the adhesive layer.

(Characteristics of belt member)
From the viewpoint of transferability, the surface resistivity of the outer peripheral surface of the belt member used for the transfer means is preferably 9 (LogΩ / □) or more and 13 (LogΩ / □) or less as a common logarithmic value, and is preferably 10 (LogΩ / □). It is more preferable that it is □) or more and 12 (LogΩ / □) or less.
The common logarithmic value of the surface resistivity is controlled by the type of the conductive agent and the amount of the conductive agent added.

Here, the method for measuring the surface resistivity is as follows. Measurement is performed according to JIS-K6911 (1995) using a circular electrode (for example, "UR probe" of Hi-Lester IP manufactured by Mitsubishi Yuka Co., Ltd.). The method of measuring the surface resistivity will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view showing an example of a circular electrode, and FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof. The circular electrode shown in FIG. 3 includes a first voltage application electrode A and a plate-shaped insulator B. The first voltage application electrode A has a columnar electrode portion C and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the columnar electrode portion C, and is a cylindrical ring-shaped electrode that surrounds the columnar electrode portion C at regular intervals. A part D is provided. A belt T is sandwiched between the columnar electrode portion C and the ring-shaped electrode portion D of the first voltage application electrode A and the plate-shaped insulator B, and the columnar electrode portion C and the ring-shaped electrode of the first voltage application electrode A are sandwiched between them. The current I (A) flowing when the voltage V (V) is applied to the portion D is measured, and the surface resistance ρs (Ω / □) of the transfer surface of the belt T is calculated by the following formula. Here, in the following formula, d (mm) indicates the outer diameter of the columnar electrode portion C, and D (mm) indicates the inner diameter of the ring-shaped electrode portion D.
Equation: ρs = π × (D + d) / (D−d) × (V / I)
For the surface resistivity, a circular electrode (UR probe of Hi-Lester IP manufactured by Mitsubishi Yuka Co., Ltd .: outer diameter Φ16 mm of columnar electrode portion C, inner diameter Φ30 mm, outer diameter Φ40 mm of ring-shaped electrode portion D) was used. The current value after applying a voltage of 500 V for 10 seconds under a 22 ° C./55% RH environment is obtained and calculated.

The total volume resistivity of the belt member is, for example, 8 (LogΩcm) or more and 13 (LogΩcm) as a common logarithmic value from the viewpoint of transferability when used as an intermediate transfer belt, a recording medium transport belt, or the like in an image forming apparatus. ) The following is preferable. The common logarithmic value of the volume resistivity is controlled by the type of the conductive agent and the amount of the conductive agent added.

Here, the volume resistivity is measured according to JIS-K6911 (1995) using a circular electrode (for example, a UR probe of Hi-Lester IP manufactured by Mitsubishi Yuka Co., Ltd.). The method for measuring the volume resistivity will be described with reference to FIG. The measurement is performed with the same device as the surface resistivity. However, in the circular electrode shown in FIG. 3, a second voltage application electrode B'is provided instead of the plate-shaped insulator B at the time of measuring the surface resistivity. Then, a belt T is sandwiched between the columnar electrode portion C and the ring-shaped electrode portion D of the first voltage application electrode A and the second voltage application electrode B', and the columnar electrode portion C of the first voltage application electrode A is sandwiched between them. The current I (A) flowing when the voltage V (V) is applied between the and the second voltage application electrode B is measured, and the volume resistance ρv (Ωcm) of the belt T is calculated by the following formula. Here, in the following formula, t indicates the thickness of the belt T.
Equation ρv = 19.6 × (V / I) × t
For the volume resistivity, a circular electrode (UR probe of Hi-Lester IP manufactured by Mitsubishi Yuka Co., Ltd .: outer diameter Φ16 mm of columnar electrode portion C, inner diameter Φ30 mm, outer diameter Φ40 mm of ring-shaped electrode portion D) was used. The current value after applying a voltage of 500 V for 10 seconds under a 22 ° C./55% RH environment is obtained and calculated.

Further, the numerical value of 19.6 shown in the above equation is an electrode coefficient for converting into resistivity, and is πd ² from the outer diameter d (mm) of the columnar electrode portion and the thickness t (cm) of the sample. Calculated as / 4t. The thickness of the belt T is measured using an eddy current type film thickness meter CTR-1500E manufactured by Sanko Electronics Co., Ltd.

The thickness (average thickness) of the belt member is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.06 mm or more and 0.30 mm or less, and further preferably 0.06 mm or more and 0.15 mm or less.

[Structure of image forming apparatus]
Next, other configurations (configurations other than the belt member used for the transfer means) in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

-Structure of image forming apparatus (first aspect)
First, an image forming apparatus using a belt member as an intermediate transfer belt in the transfer means will be described as an example.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus generally called a tandem type, and a plurality of toner images of each color component are formed by an electrophotographic method. Image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, and a primary transfer unit 10 for sequentially transferring (primary transfer) each color component toner image formed by each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K to an intermediate transfer belt 15. , A secondary transfer unit 20 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 15 to paper K, which is a recording medium, and fixing that fixes the secondary transferred image on paper K. The device 60 and the like are provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 has a control unit 40 that controls the operation of each device (each unit).

The intermediate transfer belt 15 is the belt member described above.

Each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a photoconductor 11 that rotates in the direction of arrow A as an example of an image holding body that holds a toner image formed on the surface.

A charger 12 for charging the photoconductor 11 is provided around the photoconductor 11 as an example of the charging means, and a laser exposure device for writing a static charge image on the photoconductor 11 as an example of the static charge image forming means. 13 (the exposed beam in the figure is indicated by the reference numeral Bm) is provided.

Further, around the photoconductor 11, as an example of the developing means, a developer 14 in which toners of each color component are accommodated and a static charge image on the photoconductor 11 is visualized by the toner is provided, and the developer 14 is provided on the photoconductor 11. A primary transfer roll 16 is provided for transferring each color component toner image formed in the above to the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer unit 10.
As at least one of the above-mentioned color component toners, the above-mentioned specified pulverized toner is used. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that all of the color component toners are the above-mentioned specified pulverized toners.

Further, a photoconductor cleaner 17 for removing residual toner on the photoconductor 11 is provided around the photoconductor 11, and a charger 12, a laser exposure device 13, a developer 14, a primary transfer roll 16, and a photoconductor cleaner are provided. 17 electrophotographic devices are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 11. These image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged substantially linearly in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. Has been done.

The intermediate transfer belt 15 is circulated (rotated) by various rolls in the B direction shown in FIG. 4 at a speed suitable for the purpose. These various rolls include a drive roll 31 driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a support roll 32 that supports the intermediate transfer belt 15 extending substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of each photoconductor 11. , The tension applying roll 33 that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and functions as a correction roll that suppresses the meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the back roll 25 provided in the secondary transfer portion 20, and the residue on the intermediate transfer belt 15. It has a cleaning back roll 34 provided in a cleaning section for scraping toner.

The primary transfer unit 10 is composed of a primary transfer roll 16 as an opposing member arranged to face the photoconductor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 16 is composed of a core body and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the core body. The core is a cylindrical rod made of a metal such as iron or SUS. The sponge layer is formed of a blended rubber of NBR, SBR, and EPDM containing a conductive agent such as carbon black, and is a sponge-like cylindrical roll having a volume resistivity of 10 ^7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 ^8.5 Ω cm or less.

The primary transfer roll 16 is pressure-welded to the photoconductor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and the primary transfer roll 16 has a voltage (primary) opposite to the charge polarity (minus polarity; the same applies hereinafter) of the toner. Transfer bias) is applied. As a result, the toner image on each photoconductor 11 is sequentially electrostatically sucked onto the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the superimposed toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The secondary transfer unit 20 includes a back surface roll 25 and a secondary transfer roll 22 arranged on the toner image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

The back roll 25 is composed of a tube of a blended rubber of EPDM and NBR whose surface is dispersed with carbon, and the inside is made of EPDM rubber. Then, the surface resistivity is formed to be ¹⁰⁷ Ω / □ or more and 10 ¹⁰ Ω / □ or less, and the hardness is set to, for example, 70 ° (Asker C: manufactured by Polymer Instruments Co., Ltd., the same applies hereinafter). To. The back surface roll 25 is arranged on the back surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to form a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 22, and the metal feeding roll 26 to which the secondary transfer bias is stably applied is contact-arranged. ing.

On the other hand, the secondary transfer roll 22 is composed of a core body and a sponge layer as an elastic layer fixed around the core body. The core is a cylindrical rod made of metal such as iron and SUS. The sponge layer is formed of a blended rubber of NBR, SBR, and EPDM containing a conductive agent such as carbon black, and is a sponge-like cylindrical roll having a volume resistivity of 10 ^7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 ^8.5 Ω cm or less.

Then, the secondary transfer roll 22 is pressure-welded to the back roll 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and the secondary transfer roll 22 is grounded to form a secondary transfer bias with the back roll 25. The toner image is secondarily transferred onto the paper (an example of a recording medium) K conveyed to the transfer unit 20.

Further, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion 20 of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the intermediate transfer belt that cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 by removing residual toner and paper dust on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the secondary transfer. A cleaner 35 is provided so as to be detachable.

The intermediate transfer belt 15, the primary transfer unit 10 (primary transfer roll 16), and the secondary transfer unit 20 (secondary transfer roll 22) correspond to an example of the transfer means.

On the other hand, on the upstream side of the yellow image forming unit 1Y, there is a reference sensor (home position sensor) 42 that generates a reference signal as a reference for taking the image forming timing in each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K. It is arranged. Further, an image density sensor 43 for adjusting the image quality is arranged on the downstream side of the black image forming unit 1K. The reference sensor 42 recognizes a mark provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and generates a reference signal. According to an instruction from the control unit 40 based on the recognition of the reference signal, each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K are configured to initiate image formation.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, as a transporting means for transporting the paper K, the paper accommodating unit 50 accommodating the paper K and the paper K accumulated in the paper accommodating unit 50 are taken out at predetermined timings. The paper feed roll 51 to be conveyed by the paper feed roll 51, the transfer roll 52 to convey the paper K fed by the paper feed roll 51, the transfer guide 53 to feed the paper K conveyed by the transfer roll 52 to the secondary transfer unit 20, and the secondary transfer. It includes a transport belt 55 that transports the paper K that is secondarily transferred by the roll 22 to the fixing device 60 (an example of the fixing means), and a fixing inlet guide 56 that guides the paper K to the fixing device 60.

Next, a basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image data output from an image reading device (not shown), a personal computer (PC) (not shown), or the like is subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown) and then an image forming unit. The image drawing work is executed by 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

The image processing device performs image processing such as shading correction, position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasing and color editing, and various image editing such as movement editing on the input reflectance data. Will be done. The image data that has undergone image processing is converted into color material gradation data of four colors Y, M, C, and K, and is output to the laser exposure device 13.

In the laser exposure device 13, for example, the exposure beam Bm emitted from the semiconductor laser is applied to the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K according to the input color material gradation data. .. In each of the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, the surface is charged by the charging device 12, and then the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure device 13 to form a static charge image. The formed static charge image is developed by each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K as a toner image of each color of Y, M, C, K.

The toner image formed on the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer unit 10 in which each photoconductor 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 15 are in contact with each other. Toner. More specifically, in the primary transfer unit 10, the primary transfer roll 16 applies a voltage (primary transfer bias) opposite to the charge polarity (negative polarity) of the toner to the base material of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the toner image. Is sequentially superposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, and the primary transfer is performed.

After the toner image is sequentially primary-transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the intermediate transfer belt 15 moves and the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20. When the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20, the paper feed roll 51 rotates in accordance with the timing at which the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20, and the target is from the paper storage unit 50. Paper K of size is supplied. The paper K supplied by the paper feed roll 51 is conveyed by the transfer roll 52 and reaches the secondary transfer unit 20 via the transfer guide 53. Before reaching the secondary transfer unit 20, the paper K is temporarily stopped, and the alignment roll (not shown) rotates according to the movement timing of the intermediate transfer belt 15 in which the toner image is held, so that the paper K is formed. The position of the toner image is aligned with the position of the toner image.

In the secondary transfer unit 20, the secondary transfer roll 22 is pressed against the back roll 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. At this time, the paper K conveyed at the same timing is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roll 22. At that time, when a voltage (secondary transfer bias) having the same polarity as the charging polarity (minus polarity) of the toner is applied from the feeding roll 26, a transfer electric field is formed between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back surface roll 25. Will be done. Then, the unfixed toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred onto the paper K collectively in the secondary transfer unit 20 pressurized by the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back surface roll 25. Toner.

After that, the paper K on which the toner image is electrostatically transferred is conveyed as it is in a state of being peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roll 22, and is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roll 22 in the paper transfer direction. It is transported to the belt 55. The transport belt 55 transports the paper K to the fixing device 60 according to the optimum transport speed in the fixing device 60. The unfixed toner image on the paper K conveyed to the fixing device 60 is fixed on the paper K by being subjected to a fixing process by heat and pressure by the fixing device 60. Then, the paper K on which the fixed image is formed is conveyed to a paper ejection accommodating portion (not shown) provided in the ejection unit of the image forming apparatus.

On the other hand, after the transfer to the paper K is completed, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the cleaning unit as the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates, and is conveyed to the cleaning section by the cleaning back roll 34 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 35. It is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 15.

Although the first aspect has been described above, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

-Structure of image forming apparatus (second aspect)
Next, an image forming apparatus using a belt member as a recording medium transport belt in the transfer means will be described as an example.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the image forming apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 5, the units Y, M, C, and BK are the photoconductor drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK (an example of an image holder) so as to rotate in the meter direction at the time of arrow C, respectively. Is provided. Around the photoconductor drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, 201BK, chargers 202Y, 202M, 202C, 202BK (an example of charging means) and photoconductors 214Y, 214M, 214C, 214BK (an example of static charge image forming means). Each color developing device (yellow developing device 203Y, magenta developing device 203M, cyan developing device 203C, black developing device 203BK) (an example of developing means) and the photoconductor drum cleaning member 204Y, 204M, 204C, 204BK, respectively. Have been placed.
The above-mentioned specified pulverized toner is housed in at least one of the above-mentioned color developing devices. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that all of the color developing devices accommodate the above-mentioned specified pulverized toner.

Four units Y, M, C, and BK are arranged in parallel with respect to the paper transport belt 207 in the order of units BK, C, M, and Y, but the order of units BK, Y, C, and M, etc. An appropriate order is set according to the image forming method.
The paper transport belt 207 is the belt member described above.

The paper transport belt 207 is supported from the inner surface side by four belt support rolls 206 to form a transfer belt unit. The paper transport belt 207 rotates in the counterclockwise direction of arrow A at the same peripheral speed as the photoconductor drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, and a part thereof located between the belt support rolls 206 is a photoconductor. They are arranged so as to be in contact with the drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, respectively.

The cleaning blade 212 is arranged on the paper transport belt 207 so as to come into contact with the surface (outer peripheral surface) on the paper transport side. Further, a cleaning facing roll 213 as a conductive facing member is contacted and arranged on the opposite surface of the cleaning blade 212 via the paper transport belt 207 to form a paper transport belt cleaning device 220. There is.

In addition to the cleaning blade 212, the paper transport belt cleaning device 220 may be further provided with brush cleaning, roll cleaning, scraper cleaning, and the like.
Further, as the cleaning facing roll 213, the one having the same configuration as the cleaning facing roll 113 used in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4 can be applied as it is.

The transfer rolls 205Y, 205M, 205C, 205BK (an example of the transfer means) are inside the paper transport belt 207 and face the portion where the paper transport belt 207 and the photoconductor drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, 201BK are in contact with each other. The photoconductor drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK form transfer regions for transferring the toner image to the paper 215 (an example of a recording medium) via the paper transport belt 207.

The fixing device 210 (an example of the fixing means) is arranged so as to be conveyed after passing through the respective transfer regions of the paper transport belt 207 and the photoconductor drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK.

The paper 215 is transported to the paper transport belt 207 by the paper transport roll 208.

Next, a basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, first, the photoconductor drum 201BK is rotationally driven in the unit BK. In conjunction with this, the charger 202BK is driven to charge the surface of the photoconductor drum 201BK to the desired polarity and potential. The photoconductor drum 201BK whose surface is charged is then exposed to an image by the exposure device 214BK, and a static charge image is formed on the surface thereof.

Subsequently, the static charge image is developed by the black developer 203BK. Then, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 201BK. The developer at this time may be a one-component type or a two-component type.

This toner image passes through the transfer region between the photoconductor drum 201BK and the paper transport belt 207, and the paper 215 is electrostatically attracted to the paper transport belt 207 and transported to the transfer region, and is applied from the transfer roll 205BK. The electric field formed by the transfer bias causes the paper to be sequentially transferred to the surface of the paper 215.

After that, the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 201BK is cleaned and removed by the photoconductor drum cleaning member 204BK. Then, the photoconductor drum 201BK is used for the next image transfer.

The above image transfer is also performed in units C, M and Y by the above method.

The paper 215 on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer rolls 205BK, 205C, 205M and 205Y is further transferred to the fixing device 210 and fixed.

Residual toner is removed from the photoconductor drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK after transfer by the photoconductor drum cleaning members 204Y, 204M, 204C, and 204BK. On the other hand, in the paper transport belt 207 after transporting the recording medium 215, residual toner is removed by the cleaning blade 212 in the paper transport belt cleaning device 220 to prepare for the next image forming process.
As a result, an image is formed on the paper.

[Static charge image developer]
Next, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the static charge image developer (hereinafter, also referred to as “static charge image developer according to the present embodiment”) accommodated in the developing means will be described in detail.

The electrostatic charge image developer according to this embodiment contains at least toner.
The electrostatic charge image developer according to the present embodiment may be a one-component developer containing only toner or a two-component developer containing only toner and a carrier.

<Toner>
The toner has toner particles. The toner may have an external additive together with the toner particles.

(Toner particles)
The toner particles include, for example, a binder resin. The toner particles may contain a colorant, a mold release agent, other additives and the like.

-Bound resin-
As the binder resin, an amorphous polyester resin is applied.
Here, the amorphous resin is not a clear endothermic peak but has only a stepped endothermic change in the thermal analysis measurement using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and is a room temperature solid and has a glass transition. Refers to those that are thermoplastic at temperatures above the temperature.
On the other hand, the crystalline resin refers to a resin having a clear endothermic peak instead of a stepwise change in endothermic amount in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Specifically, for example, the crystalline resin means that the half-value width of the endothermic peak when measured at a temperature rise rate of 10 ° C./min is within 10 ° C., and the amorphous resin means the half-value width. Means a resin having a temperature exceeding 10 ° C. or a resin in which a clear endothermic peak is not observed.

Examples of the amorphous polyester resin include a condensed polymer of a polyvalent carboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol. As the amorphous polyester resin, a commercially available product may be used, or a synthetic resin may be used.

Examples of the polyvalent carboxylic acid include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (eg, oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, succinic acid, alkenyl succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.). , Alicyclic dicarboxylic acid (eg cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, etc.), aromatic dicarboxylic acid (eg, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, etc.), these anhydrides, or their lower grades (eg, 1 or more carbon atoms). 5 or less) Alkyl ester can be mentioned. Among these, as the polyvalent carboxylic acid, for example, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid is preferable.
As the polyvalent carboxylic acid, a trivalent or higher carboxylic acid having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used in combination with the dicarboxylic acid. Examples of the trivalent or higher carboxylic acid include trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, anhydrides thereof, and lower (for example, 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters thereof.
The polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include aliphatic diols (eg, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butane diol, hexane diol, neopentyl glycol, etc.), alicyclic diols (eg, cyclohexanediol, cyclohexanedimethanol, etc.). Hydrogenated bisphenol A and the like), aromatic diols (for example, ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A and the like) can be mentioned. Among these, as the polyhydric alcohol, for example, aromatic diols and alicyclic diols are preferable, and aromatic diols are more preferable.
As the polyhydric alcohol, a trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used in combination with the diol. Examples of the trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol include glycerin, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol.
The polyhydric alcohol may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

However, bisphenol A alkylene oxide adducts (bisphenol A ethylene oxide adducts, bisphenol A propylene oxide adducts, bisphenol A ethylene oxide propylene oxide adducts, etc.) are not used or used as polyhydric alcohols. Also in a small amount. Specifically, when an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A is used, the amount used may be more than 0 mol% and 5 mol% or less with respect to the total polyhydric alcohol.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 65 ° C. or lower.
The glass transition temperature is obtained from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and more specifically described in JIS K 7121-1987 "Method for measuring the transition temperature of plastics". It is obtained by the "extra glass transition start temperature" of.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 5,000 or more and 1,000,000 or less, more preferably 7,000 or more and 500,000 or less, and further preferably 30,000 or more and 50,000 or less.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 2000 or more and 100,000 or less.
The molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 1.5 or more and 100 or less, and more preferably 2 or more and 60 or less.
The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The molecular weight measurement by GPC is performed by using Tosoh's GPC / HLC-8120GPC as a measuring device, using Tosoh's column / TSKgel SuperHM-M (15 cm), and using a THF solvent. The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are calculated from this measurement result using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared from a monodisperse polystyrene standard sample.

The amorphous polyester resin is obtained by a well-known manufacturing method. Specifically, for example, it can be obtained by a method in which the polymerization temperature is 180 ° C. or higher and 230 ° C. or lower, the pressure inside the reaction system is reduced as necessary, and the reaction is carried out while removing water and alcohol generated during condensation.
When the raw material monomer is not dissolved or compatible at the reaction temperature, a solvent having a high boiling point may be added as a dissolution aid to dissolve the monomer. In this case, the polycondensation reaction is carried out while distilling off the dissolution aid. If there is a monomer with poor compatibility, it is advisable to condense the monomer with poor compatibility in advance with the monomer and the acid or alcohol to be polycondensed, and then polycondensate with the main component. ..

The content of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 60% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less, and 80% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less in proportion to the total binder resin. Is even more preferable.

Here, it is preferable to use a crystalline resin together with the amorphous polyester resin. When a crystalline resin is used in combination, the hygroscopicity of the toner particles is reduced, and image distortion due to toner scattering is easily suppressed. However, the crystalline polyester resin may be used in a range of 2% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less (preferably 2% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less) with respect to the total binder resin.

Examples of the crystalline resin include known crystalline resins such as crystalline polyester resin and crystalline vinyl resin (for example, polyalkylene resin, long-chain alkyl (meth) acrylate resin, etc.). Among these, crystalline polyester resin is preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing image distortion due to toner scattering.

Examples of the crystalline polyester resin include a polycondensate of a polyvalent carboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol. As the crystalline polyester resin, a commercially available product may be used, or a synthetic resin may be used.
Here, since the crystalline polyester resin easily forms a crystal structure, a polycondensate using a polymerizable monomer having a linear aliphatic is preferable to a polymerizable monomer having an aromatic.

Examples of the polyvalent carboxylic acid include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (eg, oxalic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, 1,9-nonandicarboxylic acid, 1,10-decandicarboxylic acid). Acids, 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acids, 1,14-tetradecanedicarboxylic acids, 1,18-octadecanedicarboxylic acids, etc.), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (eg, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) Examples thereof include dibasic acids such as acids), these anhydrides, or lower (for example, 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters thereof.
As the polyvalent carboxylic acid, a trivalent or higher carboxylic acid having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used in combination with the dicarboxylic acid. Examples of the trivalent carboxylic acid include aromatic carboxylic acids (for example, 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, etc.). Examples thereof include anhydrides or lower (for example, 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters thereof.
As the polyvalent carboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid having a sulfonic acid group and a dicarboxylic acid having an ethylenic double bond may be used in combination with these dicarboxylic acids.
The polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include an aliphatic diol (for example, a linear aliphatic diol having 7 or more and 20 or less carbon atoms in the main chain portion). Examples of the aliphatic diol include ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, and 1,8-. Octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, 1,13-tridecanediol, 1,14-tetradecanediol, 1,18- Examples thereof include octadecanediol and 1,14-eicosanedecanediol. Among these, as the aliphatic diol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol and 1,10-decanediol are preferable.
As the polyhydric alcohol, a trihydric or higher alcohol having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used in combination with the diol. Examples of the trihydric or higher alcohol include glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol and the like.
The polyhydric alcohol may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Here, the polyhydric alcohol often has an aliphatic diol content of 80 mol% or more, preferably 90 mol% or more.

The melting temperature of the crystalline polyester resin is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower, more preferably 55 ° C. or higher and 90 ° C. or lower, and further preferably 60 ° C. or higher and 85 ° C. or lower.
The melting temperature is obtained from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) by the "melting peak temperature" described in the method for obtaining the melting temperature in JIS K7121-1987 "Method for measuring the transition temperature of plastics".

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the crystalline polyester resin is preferably 6,000 or more and 35,000 or less.

The crystalline polyester resin can be obtained by a well-known manufacturing method, as in the case of amorphous polyester, for example.

The content of the crystalline resin (preferably crystalline polyester resin) is preferably 3% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the toner. When the content of the crystalline resin is within the above range, image distortion due to toner scattering is likely to be suppressed.

As the binder resin, an amorphous polyester resin and a binder resin other than the crystalline resin may be used in combination. However, the content of the other binder resin is preferably 10% by mass or less in proportion to the total binder resin.

Examples of other binder resins include styrenes (eg, styrene, parachlorostyrene, α-methylstyrene, etc.), (meth) acrylic acid esters (eg, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, etc.). N-butyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, etc.), ethylenically unsaturated nitriles (eg, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate) Acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, etc.), vinyl ethers (eg, vinylmethyl ether, vinylisobutyl ether, etc.), vinyl ketones (vinylmethylketone, vinylethylketone, vinylisopropenylketone, etc.), olefins (eg, ethylene, propylene, butadiene, etc.) ) Or a homopolymer of a monomer such as), or a vinyl-based resin composed of a copolymer obtained by combining two or more kinds of these monomers.
Examples of other binder resins include non-vinyl resins such as epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, polyether resins, and modified rosins, mixtures of these with the vinyl resins, or coexistence of these. Examples thereof include a graft polymer obtained by polymerizing a vinyl-based monomer below.

The content of the binder resin is, for example, preferably 40% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, more preferably 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and 60% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less with respect to the entire toner particles. More preferred.

-Colorant-
Examples of colorants include carbon black, chrome yellow, Hansa yellow, benzine yellow, slene yellow, quinoline yellow, pigment yellow, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolon orange, vulcan orange, watch young red, permanent red, brilliant carmine 3B, and brilliant. Carmin 6B, Dupont Oil Red, Pyrazolon Red, Lissole Red, Rhodamin B Lake, Lake Red C, Pigment Red, Rose Bengal, Aniline Blue, Ultra Marine Blue, Calco Oil Blue, Methylene Blue Chloride, Phthalocyanine Blue, Pigment Blue, Phthalocyanine Green, Various pigments such as malakite green oxalate, aclysine-based, xanthene-based, azo-based, benzoquinone-based, azine-based, anthraquinone-based, thioindico-based, dioxazine-based, thiazine-based, azomethine-based, indico-based, phthalocyanine-based, aniline black Various dyes such as system, polymethine system, triphenylmethane system, diphenylmethane system, thiazole system and the like can be mentioned.
The colorant may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As the colorant, a surface-treated colorant may be used if necessary, or may be used in combination with a dispersant. Further, a plurality of kinds of colorants may be used in combination.

The content of the colorant is, for example, preferably 1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, and more preferably 3% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less with respect to the entire toner particles.

-Release agent-
Examples of the release agent include hydrocarbon waxes; natural waxes such as carnauba wax, rice wax and candelilla wax; synthetic or mineral / petroleum waxes such as montan wax; ester waxes such as fatty acid esters and montanic acid esters. ; And so on. The release agent is not limited to this.

The melting temperature of the release agent is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 110 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 60 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower.
The melting temperature is determined from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) by the "melting peak temperature" described in the method for determining the melting temperature in JIS K 7121-1987 "Method for measuring the transition temperature of plastics". ..

The content of the release agent is, for example, preferably 1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less with respect to the entire toner particles.

-Other additives-
Examples of other additives include well-known additives such as magnetic materials, charge control agents, and inorganic powders. These additives are contained in the toner particles as an internal additive.

-Characteristics of toner particles-
In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is 0.6 or less (preferably 0.5 or less, more preferably 0.48 or less). The ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is 0.4 or less (preferably 0.3 or less, more preferably 0.2 or less).
As described above, when the polyhydric alcohol component in the amorphous polyester resin as the binder resin does not contain or contains a small amount of the alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, the toner particles absorb this infrared ray. Has spectral characteristics.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the storage stability of the toner, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles is 0.2 or more (preferably 0.3 or more). The ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is preferably 0.05 or more (preferably 0.08 or more).

Further, from the viewpoint of the strength of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number of 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number of 1500 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles is 0.5 or less (preferably 0.4 or less, more preferably. Is preferably 0.35 or less).
On the other hand, from the viewpoint of toner storage stability, the ratio of the absorbance of wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of wave number 1500 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of toner particles is 0.1 or more (preferably 0.15 or more). It should be.

Here, the measurement of the absorbance of each wave number by infrared absorption spectrum analysis is measured by the following method. First, a measurement sample is prepared for the toner particles (or toner) to be measured by the KBr tablet method. Then, for the measurement sample, an infrared spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation: FT-IR-410) is used to integrate 300 times, and the wave number is 500 cm ^-1 or more and 4000 cm ^-1 or less under the condition of resolution 4 cm ^-1 . Measure the range of. Then, baseline correction is performed on the offset portion or the like where there is no absorbed light, and the absorbance of each wave number is obtained.

When the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in the GPC measurement of the THF-soluble content of the toner particles, Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60,000 or less (preferably 30,000 or more and 50,000 or less, It is more preferably 32,000 or more and 48,000 or less), and Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less (preferably 6 or more and 8 or less, more preferably 6.2 or more and 7.8 or less).

As described above, when the toner particles satisfy the above molecular weight characteristics, even if the toner containing the amorphous polyester resin in the toner particles without using the alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A or using a small amount is applied, the fixing image is displayed. Fixability is improved.

The peak molecular weight of the molecular weight distribution curve obtained by GPC measurement of the THF-soluble content of the toner particles is preferably 7,000 or more and 11,000 or less, more preferably 8,000 or more and 11,000 or less, and further preferably 8200 or more and 10500 or less.
When the peak molecular weight is within the above range, the fixability of the fixed image is likely to be improved even if the toner containing the amorphous polyester resin containing the amorphous polyester resin in the toner particles without using the alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A or using a small amount is applied. ..

The peak molecular weight of the molecular weight distribution curve obtained by GPC measurement of the THF-soluble content of the toner particles indicates the molecular weight of the largest peak when there are a plurality of peaks in the molecular weight distribution curve.

Here, the molecular weight distribution curve, each average molecular weight, and the peak molecular weight in the GPC measurement of the THF-soluble content of the toner particles are measured as follows.
First, 0.5 mg of toner particles (or toner) to be measured are dissolved in 1 g of THF (tetrahydrofuran), ultrasonically dispersed, and then adjusted so that the concentration becomes 0.5%, and this dissolved component is added. Measured by GPC.
"HLC-8120GPC, SC-8020 (manufactured by Tosoh)" is used as a GPC device, two "TSKgel, SuperHM-H (manufactured by Tosoh 6.0 mm ID x 15 cm)" are used as columns, and THF is used as an eluent. As the experimental conditions, the experiment is carried out using a sample concentration of 0.5%, a flow velocity of 0.6 ml / min, a sample injection amount of 10 μl, a measurement temperature of 40 ° C., and an RI (Refractive Index) detector. The calibration curve is "polystylele standard sample TSK standard" manufactured by Tosoh: "A-500", "F-1", "F-10", "F-80", "F-380", "A-2500". , "F-4", "F-40", "F-128", "F-700" 10 samples.

The toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is preferably 25% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less, more preferably 28% by mass or more and 38% by mass or less, and further preferably 30% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less.
When the toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is within the above range, the hygroscopicity of the toner particles is lowered, and the image distortion due to the scattering of the toner is easily suppressed.

Here, the toluene-insoluble component of the toner particles is a component of the toner particles insoluble in toluene. That is, the toluene insoluble component is an insoluble component containing a component of the binder resin insoluble in toluene (particularly, a high molecular weight component of the binder resin) as a main component (for example, 50% by mass or more of the whole). This toluene insoluble content can be said to be an index of the content of the crosslinked resin contained in the toner.

The toluene insoluble content shall be the value measured by the following method.
1 g of the weighed toner particles (or toner) is put into a weighed glass fiber cylindrical filter paper and attached to the extraction tube of a heated Soxhlet extractor. Then, toluene is poured into the flask and heated to 110 ° C. using a mantle heater. Further, the peripheral portion of the extraction tube is heated to 125 ° C. using a heating heater attached to the extraction tube. Extraction is performed at a reflux rate such that the extraction cycle is once in the range of 4 minutes or more and 5 minutes or less. After extraction for 10 hours, the cylindrical filter paper and toner residue are taken out, dried and weighed.
Then, the formula: toner particle (or toner) residue amount (mass%) = [(cylindrical filter paper amount + toner residue amount) (g) -cylindrical filter paper amount (g)] ÷ toner particle (or toner) mass (g) × The toner particle (or toner) residue amount (mass%) is calculated based on 100, and the toner particle (or toner) residue amount (mass%) is defined as a toluene insoluble content (mass%).
The toner particle (or toner) residue is composed of an inorganic substance such as a colorant and an external additive, a high molecular weight component of the binder resin, and the like. Further, when the toner particles contain a mold release agent, the mold release agent is a toluene-soluble component because the extraction is performed by heating.

The toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is, for example, in a binder resin, 1) a method of adding a cross-linking agent to a polymer component having a reactive functional group at the terminal to form a cross-linked structure or a branched structure, and 2) at the end. It is adjusted by a method of forming a crosslinked structure or a branched structure by polyvalent metal ions in a polymer component having an ionic functional group, 3) an extension of the resin chain length by treatment with isocyanate, a method of forming a branch, and the like.

The toner particles may be toner particles having a single layer structure, or may be toner particles having a so-called core-shell structure composed of a core portion (core particles) and a coating layer (shell layer) covering the core portion. You may.
Here, the toner particles having a core-shell structure include, for example, a core portion composed of a binder resin and, if necessary, other additives such as a colorant and a mold release agent, and a binder resin. It is preferable that it is composed of a coated layer and.

The volume average particle size (D50v) of the toner particles is preferably 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less.

The various average particle sizes and various particle size distribution indexes of the toner particles were measured using Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter), and the electrolytic solution was measured using ISOTON-II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter). Toner.
At the time of measurement, 0.5 mg or more and 50 mg or less of the measurement sample is added to 2 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of a surfactant (preferably sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate) as a dispersant. This is added to 100 ml or more and 150 ml or less of the electrolytic solution.
The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is dispersed for 1 minute with an ultrasonic disperser, and the particle size distribution of particles having a particle size in the range of 2 μm or more and 60 μm or less is obtained by using an aperture with an aperture diameter of 100 μm by the Coulter Multisizer II. Measure. The number of particles to be sampled is 50,000.
Draw a cumulative distribution of volume and number from the small diameter side for each particle size range (channel) divided based on the measured particle size distribution, and the particle size to be cumulative 16% is volume particle size D16v, number particle size. The particle size having a cumulative particle size of D16p and a cumulative total of 50% is defined as a volume average particle size D50v and a cumulative number average particle size D50p, and a particle size having a cumulative number of 84% is defined as a volume particle size D84v and a number particle size D84p.
Using these, the volume particle size distribution index (GSDv) is calculated as (D84v / D16v) ^1/2 , and the number particle size distribution index (GSDp) is calculated as (D84p / D16p) ^1/2 .

The average circularity of the toner particles is preferably 0.94 or more and 1.00 or less, and more preferably 0.95 or more and 0.98 or less.

The average circularity of the toner particles is obtained by (circumferential peripheral length) / (peripheral length) [(circumferential length of a circle having the same projected area as the particle image) / (peripheral length of the particle projected image)]. Specifically, it is a value measured by the following method.
First, a flow-type particle image analyzer (Sysmex) that captures a particle image as a still image by sucking and collecting toner particles to be measured, forming a flat flow, and instantly emitting strobe light, and analyzing the particle image. Obtained by FPIA-3000) manufactured by the company. The number of samplings for obtaining the average circularity is set to 3500.
When the toner has an external additive, the toner (developer) to be measured is dispersed in water containing a surfactant, and then ultrasonic treatment is performed to obtain toner particles from which the external additive has been removed. ..

(External agent)
Examples of the external additive include inorganic particles. As the inorganic particles, SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , CeO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, Na ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO. _Examples thereof include SiO ₂ , K ₂ O · (TiO ₂ ) n, Al ₂ O 3.2SiO ₂ , CaCO ₃ , MgCO ₃ , BaSO ₄ , _Л4 and the like.

The surface of the inorganic particles as an external additive should be hydrophobized. The hydrophobizing treatment is performed, for example, by immersing the inorganic particles in the hydrophobizing agent. The hydrophobizing agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a silane-based coupling agent, a silicone oil, a titanate-based coupling agent, and an aluminum-based coupling agent. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The amount of the hydrophobizing agent is usually, for example, 1 part by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the inorganic particles.

Examples of the external additive include resin particles (resin particles such as polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and melamine resin), cleaning active agents (for example, metal salts of higher fatty acids typified by zinc stearate, and fluoropolymers). Particles) and the like.

The amount of the external additive added is, for example, preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 2.0% by mass or less with respect to the toner particles.

(Toner manufacturing method)
Next, a method for manufacturing the toner according to the present embodiment will be described.
The toner according to the present embodiment can be obtained by externally adding an externalizing agent to the toner particles after producing the toner particles.

The toner particles may be produced by any of a dry production method (for example, a kneading and pulverizing method, etc.) and a wet production method (for example, an agglomeration coalescence method, a suspension polymerization method, a dissolution suspension method, etc.). The manufacturing method of the toner particles is not particularly limited to these manufacturing methods, and a well-known manufacturing method is adopted.

Then, the toner in the present embodiment is produced, for example, by adding an external additive to the obtained dry toner particles and mixing them. The mixing may be carried out by, for example, a V blender, a Henschel mixer, a Ladyge mixer or the like. Further, if necessary, coarse particles of toner may be removed by using a vibration sieving machine, a wind sieving machine, or the like.

<Career>
The carrier is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include known carriers. As the carrier, for example, a coating carrier in which the surface of a core material made of magnetic powder is coated with a coating resin; a magnetic powder dispersion type carrier in which magnetic powder is dispersed and blended in a matrix resin; a porous magnetic powder is impregnated with resin. Examples thereof include a resin-impregnated carrier.
The magnetic powder dispersion type carrier and the resin impregnated type carrier may be carriers in which the constituent particles of the carrier are used as a core material and coated with a coating resin.

Examples of the magnetic powder include magnetic metals such as iron, nickel and cobalt, and magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite.

Examples of the coating resin and matrix resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, and styrene-acrylic acid ester. Examples thereof include a copolymer, a straight silicone resin containing an organosiloxane bond or a modified product thereof, a fluororesin, a polyester, a polycarbonate, a phenol resin, an epoxy resin and the like.
The coating resin and the matrix resin may contain other additives such as conductive particles.
Examples of the conductive particles include metals such as gold, silver and copper, and particles such as carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, barium sulfate, aluminum borate and potassium titanate.

Here, in order to coat the surface of the core material with the coating resin, a method of coating with a coating resin and, if necessary, a coating layer forming solution in which various additives are dissolved in an appropriate solvent can be mentioned. The solvent is not particularly limited, and may be selected in consideration of the coating resin to be used, coating suitability, and the like.
Specific resin coating methods include a dipping method in which the core material is immersed in a coating layer forming solution, a spray method in which the coating layer forming solution is sprayed on the core material surface, and a state in which the core material is suspended by flowing air. Examples thereof include a fluidized bed method in which a solution for forming a coating layer is sprayed, a kneader coater method in which a core material of a carrier and a solution for forming a coating layer are mixed in a kneader coater, and a solvent is removed.

The mixing ratio (mass ratio) of the toner and the carrier in the two-component developer is preferably toner: carrier = 1: 100 to 30: 100, and more preferably 3: 100 to 20: 100.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples.

<Manufacturing of amorphous polyester resin>
(Preparation of amorphous polyester resin (A1))
In a three-mouthed flask with a dried inside, 60 parts by mass of dimethyl terephthalate, 74 parts by mass of dimethyl fumarate, 30 parts by mass of dodecenyl succinic anhydride, 22 parts by mass of trimellitic acid, 138 parts by mass of propylene glycol, and 0 parts of dibutyl tin oxide. .. In a nitrogen atmosphere with 3 parts by mass, the water generated by the reaction was removed from the system, reacted at 185 ° C for 3 hours, then gradually reduced in pressure to 240 ° C, and further 4 After reacting for a time, it was cooled. In this way, an amorphous polyester resin (A1) having a weight average molecular weight of 39000 was prepared.

(Preparation of amorphous polyester resin (A2))
After reacting at 190 ° C. for 3 hours, the temperature was raised to 220 ° C. while gradually reducing the pressure, and the reaction was carried out for another 2.5 hours. A polyester resin (A2) was produced. The weight average molecular weight was 26000.

(Preparation of amorphous polyester resin (A3))
Instead of 138 parts by mass of propylene glycol, 128 parts by mass of propylene glycol and 19 parts by mass of butylene glycol were used, and the mixture was reacted at 195 ° C. for 4 hours, then gradually reduced in pressure to 240 ° C. and further reacted for 6 hours. The amorphous polyester resin (A3) was prepared in the same manner as the amorphous polyester resin (A1) except for the above. The weight average molecular weight was 56000.

<Making crystalline resin>
(Preparation of crystalline polyester resin (B1))
First, 100 parts by mass of dimethyl sebacate, 67.8 parts by mass of hexanediol, and 0.10 parts by mass of dibutyl tin oxide were placed in a three-necked flask under a nitrogen atmosphere, and water generated during the reaction was removed from the system. Then, the reaction was carried out at 185 ° C. for 5 hours, the temperature was raised to 220 ° C. while gradually reducing the pressure, the reaction was carried out for 6 hours, and then the mixture was cooled. In this way, a crystalline polyester resin (B1) having a weight average molecular weight of 33700 was prepared.

The melting temperature of this crystalline polyester resin (B1) is described in JIS K7121-1987 "Method for measuring transition temperature of plastic" from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was 71 ° C. as determined by the "melting peak temperature" of.

<Preparation of reference amorphous polyester resin>
(Reference: Preparation of amorphous polyester resin (C1))
60 parts by mass of dimethyl terephthalate, 74 parts by mass of dimethyl fumarate, 30 parts by mass of dodecenyl succinic acid anhydride, 22 parts by mass of trimellitic acid, 137 parts by mass of bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct, and 191 parts by mass of bisphenol A propylene oxide adduct. A reference amorphous polyester resin (C1) was prepared in the same manner as the amorphous polyester resin (A1) except that the amount of dibutyltin oxide was 0.3 parts by mass. The weight average molecular weight was 27,000.

<Making toner>
(Preparation of toner (1))
73 parts by mass of amorphous polyester resin (A1), 6 parts by mass of crystalline polyester resin (B1), 7 parts by mass of colorant (CI Pigment Red 122), and mold release agent (paraffin wax, melting temperature 73). ℃, 5 parts by mass of ester wax (behenyl behenate, Unistar M-2222SL, manufactured by Nichiyu Co., Ltd.) and 2 parts by mass of ester wax (manufactured by Nippon Seikan Co., Ltd.) are put into a Henshell mixer (manufactured by Nippon Coke Industries Co., Ltd.) Then, the mixture was stirred and mixed at a peripheral speed of 15 m / sec for 5 minutes, and then the obtained stirring mixture was melt-kneaded with an extruder type continuous kneader.
Here, the setting conditions of the extruder were that the supply side temperature was 160 ° C., the discharge side temperature was 130 ° C., the supply side temperature of the cooling roll was 40 ° C., and the discharge side temperature was 25 ° C. The temperature of the cooling belt was set to 10 ° C.
After cooling the obtained melt-kneaded product, it is roughly pulverized using a hammer mill, then finely pulverized to 6.5 μm using a jet crusher (manufactured by Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd.), and further elbow jet classifier. (Manufactured by Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd., model: EJ-LABO) was used for classification to obtain toner particles (1). The volume average particle size of the toner particles (1) was 7.0 μm.
Then, 100 parts by mass of the toner particles (1) and 1.2 parts by mass of commercially available fumed silica RX50 (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil) as an external additive are used at a peripheral speed of 30 m using a Henshell mixer (manufactured by Mitsui Miike Machinery Co., Ltd.). Mixing was performed under the conditions of / s for 5 minutes to obtain toner (1).

(Preparation of toner (2))
The toner particles (2) were produced in the same manner as the toner particles (1) except that the amorphous polyester resin (A1) was changed to the amorphous polyester resin (A2). The volume average particle size of the toner particles (2) was 6.8 μm.
Then, the toner (2) was obtained in the same manner as the toner (1) except that the toner particles (2) were used.

(Preparation of toner (3))
The toner particles (3) were produced in the same manner as the toner particles (1) except that the amorphous polyester resin (A1) was changed to the amorphous polyester resin (A3). The volume average particle size of the toner particles (3) was 7.5 μm.
Then, the toner (3) was obtained in the same manner as the toner (1) except that the toner particles (3) were used.

(Preparation of toner (4))
The toner particles (4) were produced in the same manner as the toner particles (1) except that the number of copies of the amorphous polyester resin (A1) was changed to 79 parts by mass without using the amorphous polyester resin (B1). did. The volume average particle size of the toner particles (4) was 7.1 μm.
Then, the toner (4) was obtained in the same manner as the toner (1) except that the toner particles (4) were used.

(Preparation of reference toner (C1))
The reference toner particles (C1) were produced in the same manner as the toner particles (4) except that the amorphous polyester resin (A1) was changed to the reference amorphous polyester resin (C1). The volume average particle size of the reference toner particles (C1) was 7.7 μm.
Then, the reference toner (C1) was obtained in the same manner as the toner (1) except that the reference toner particles (C1) were used.

<Preparation of developer>
(Developers (1) to (4), Reference developer (C1))
8 parts by mass of each obtained toner and 100 parts by mass of carriers were mixed to prepare a developer (1) to (4) and a reference developer (C1), respectively.
The carriers consisted of 100 parts by mass of ferrite particles (volume average particle size: 50 μm), 14 parts by mass of toluene, and a styrene-methylmethacrylate copolymer (component ratio: styrene / methylmethacrylate = 90/10, weight average molecular weight Mw). = 80000) First, a coating liquid in which the above components excluding ferrite particles were stirred with a stirrer for 10 minutes to disperse 2 parts by mass was prepared, and then the coating liquid and the ferrite particles were mixed with a vacuum degassing type kneader (= 80000). It was obtained by putting it in a product (manufactured by Inoue Seisakusho), stirring it at 60 ° C. for 30 minutes, degassing it under reduced pressure while further heating it, drying it, and then sieving it at 105 μm.

<Making a transfer belt>
(Manufacturing of transfer belt (1))
-Manufacture of elastic belt As elastic materials, 30 parts by mass of chloroprene rubber (CR) (WRT: manufactured by Showa Denko Co., Ltd.) and 70 parts by mass of ethylene, propylene, diene rubber (EPDM) (Esplen 505: manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) are pressurized. Kneaded with a kneader, carbon black (Denka Black (acetylene black): manufactured by Denka Co., Ltd.) 30 parts by mass as an electronic conductive agent, zinc oxide (manufactured by Nippon Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 5 parts by mass as a filler, magnesium oxide (Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 5 parts by mass, sulfur vulcanizer (Sulfax PMC: manufactured by Tsurumi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass, vulcanization accelerator (Noxeller TS: manufactured by Ouchi Shinko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass, and vulcanization accelerator (Noxeller DT: manufactured by Ouchi Shinko Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 1 part by mass was added and further kneaded with two heating rolls. This kneaded product was extruded into a belt shape and coated on a metal cylinder surface called a vulcanized mandrel, which had an outer diameter of the same size as the inner diameter of the belt. Then, it was vulcanized at 170 ° C. for 1 hour in a saturated steam high-pressure can to form an elastic belt (1).

-Polishing treatment The obtained elastic belt (1) is demolded, and the demolded elastic belt (1) is held by applying tension with a plurality of tension rolls, and the inside of the belt is rotated while rotating the belt. A grindstone rotating in the With direction (in the same direction) was brought into contact with the peripheral surface to perform traverse polishing, and a transfer belt (1) was obtained.

When the JIS-A hardness of the outer peripheral surface and the average thickness of the elastic layer of the obtained transfer belt (1) were measured by the methods described above, the JIS-A hardness was 70 degrees and the average thickness. Was 550 μm.

(Preparation of comparative transfer belt (C1)>
Polyimide precursor solution (trade name) U varnish, manufactured by Unitica, solid content concentration 18%, solvent: N-methylpyrrolidone) is mixed with carbon black (trade name: Special Black4, manufactured by Orion Engineered Carbons). The mixture was dispersed using a jet mill to obtain a coating liquid for belt formation in which the content of carbon black was 28 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the coating liquid.

The belt-forming coating liquid was applied to the outer surface of an aluminum cylindrical mold (base material) by a spiral coating method, and dried by rotation at 150 ° C. for 30 minutes. Next, the mold was placed in an oven at 325 ° C., heated at 20 rpm for 1 hour, and removed from the oven. The polyimide resin molded body formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mold was removed from the mold to obtain a transfer belt (C1).

The JIS-A hardness of the obtained comparative transfer belt (C1) was a hardness that could not be measured by the JIS-A hardness (unmeasurable), and the average thickness was 80 μm.

<Examples 1 to 4, Comparative Examples 1 to 4, Reference Example>
As an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus "DocuCenter Color 500" adopting a two-component development method was prepared.
Then, the developing agent shown in Table 1 was housed in the developing apparatus of this image forming apparatus. In addition, the transfer belt shown in Table 1 was installed as an intermediate transfer belt of the image forming apparatus.

<Various measurements>
For each example, the molecular weight specification of the toner particles, the infrared absorption spectral characteristics of the toner particles, and the toluene insoluble content were measured according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Evaluation>
(Fixability)
Regarding the fixability, the following evaluation of high temperature offset was carried out.
The fixing temperature of the image forming apparatus was set to 220 ° C. and the image forming speed was set to 250 mm / sec. Then, 20 sheets of 100% image density images having a width of 20 mm were output in the transport direction of the paper (P paper manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) by this image forming apparatus, and evaluation was performed according to the following evaluation criteria.
The evaluation criteria are as follows.
A (◎): No problem at all B (○): No problem C (△): A level where slight image defects are seen but not a problem D (×): It is judged as NG (No Good) due to the occurrence of image defects. Ru

(Image distortion)
As an evaluation of image distortion, the following evaluation was carried out for fine line reproducibility.
First, the image forming apparatus was left to stand in a high temperature and high humidity environment (35 ° C., 85% environment) for 12 hours. After that, a 1on1off image (an image in which 1 dot lines are arranged in parallel at 1 dot intervals) at a resolution of 2,400 dpi (dot per inch: number of dots per 2.54 cm) is used as a 5 cm × 5 cm chart on A3 paper. Output to (Fuji Xerox, Rezac 66).

Next, the line spacing of the output image was observed by using a loupe with a scale of 100 times to see if there was a narrowed part due to the scattering of toner. Based on the observation results and the line spacing of the observed points, the fine line reproducibility was evaluated by grading as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.
A (◎): No decrease in line spacing due to toner scattering is observed.
B (○): A slight decrease in line spacing due to toner scattering is observed.
C (Δ): A decrease in line spacing due to toner scattering is observed, but thin lines can be confirmed.
D (x): The spacing between thin lines cannot be determined.

From the above results, in the image forming apparatus of the embodiment, which uses a specific toner and includes a belt member as a transfer belt in which the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface is an elastic layer having a JIS-A hardness of 50 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less, transfer is performed. It can be seen that image distortion due to toner scattering is suppressed in a high temperature and high humidity environment as compared with the image forming apparatus of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 in which the JIS-A hardness on the outer peripheral surface of the belt is out of the above range.

The image forming apparatus of the reference example is an example in which a toner containing an amorphous polyester resin using an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A is applied. Further, in the image forming apparatus of the reference example, it can be seen that even if the JIS-A hardness on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt is out of the above range, image distortion due to toner scattering is unlikely to occur in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image forming unit 11 Photoreceptor (image holder)
12 Charger 13 Laser exposure device 14 Developer 15 Intermediate transfer belt (an example of belt member)
15A Elastic layer 15B Base material 16 Primary transfer roll 17 Photoconductor cleaner 20 Secondary transfer part 22 Secondary transfer roll 25 Back roll 26 Feeding roll 31 Drive roll 32 Support roll 33 Tensioning roll 34 Cleaning back roll 35 Intermediate transfer belt cleaner 40 Control unit 42 Reference sensor 43 Image density sensor 50 Paper storage unit 51 Feeding roll 52 Transport roll 53 Transport guide 55 Transport belt 56 Fixing inlet guide 60 Fixing device 100 Image forming device 113 Cleaning facing roll 131, 132 Roll 150 Belt member unit 200 Image forming device 201BK, 201C, 201M, 201Y Photoreceptor drum 202BK, 202C, 202M, 202Y Charger 203BK Black developing device 203C Cyan developing device 203M Magenta developing device 203Y Yellow developing device 204BK, 204C, 204M, 204Y Photoreceptor drum cleaning Member 205BK, 205C, 205M, 205Y Transfer roll 206 Belt support roll 207 Paper transfer belt (an example of belt member)
208 Paper transfer roll 210 Fixing device 212 Cleaning blade 213 Cleaning facing roll 214BK, 214C, 214M, 214Y Exposed device 215 Paper (recording medium)
220 Paper Conveyor Belt Cleaning Equipment

Claims (13)

Image holder and
A charging means for charging the surface of the image holder, and
An electrostatic charge image forming means for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image holder, and
When an amorphous polyester resin is contained as the binder resin and the weight average molecular weight is Mw (A) and the number average molecular weight is Mn (A) in the gel permeation chromatography measurement of the isocyanate-soluble component of the toner particles. Mw (A) is 25,000 or more and 60,000 or less, Mw (A) / Mn (A) is 5 or more and 10 or less, and the wave number is 1500 cm ^-1 with respect to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles. The absorbance ratio of 720 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of 720 cm ^-1 is 0.4 or less, and the toluene insoluble content is 28% by mass or more and 38% by mass or less. A developing means for accommodating an electrostatic charge image developer having a toner containing particles and developing the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image holder as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer.
A belt member having an outer peripheral surface in contact with the image holder, wherein the layer constituting the outer peripheral surface is an elastic layer having a JIS-A hardness of 50 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. A transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface to the surface of a recording medium,
A fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium, and
An image forming apparatus. In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is 0.5 or less, and the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is 0.3 or less. In the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles, the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is 0.2 or more, and the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 720 cm ^-1 is The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, which is 0.05 or more. The image formation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles is 0.5 or less. Device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ratio of the absorbance of the wave number 820 cm ^-1 to the absorbance of the wave number 1500 cm ^-1 in the infrared absorption spectrum analysis of the toner particles is 0.4 or less. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the peak molecular weight of the molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran-soluble component of the toner particles is 7000 or more and 11000 or less. .. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the peak molecular weight of the molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography measurement of the tetrahydrofuran-soluble component of the toner particles is 8000 or more and 11000 or less. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the toluene insoluble content of the toner particles is 30% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the toner particles contain a crystalline resin. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the content of the crystalline resin is 3% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the toner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the content of the crystalline resin is 5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the toner. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the belt member is a belt member having a single-layer structure composed of only the elastic layer, and the thickness of the elastic layer is 200 μm or more and 5000 μm or less. Forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the belt member is a belt member having a laminated structure having a base material on the inner peripheral surface side of the elastic layer, and the thickness of the elastic layer is 100 μm or more and 2000 μm or less. ..

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