JPH02239278A - Method for packaging electrophotographic sensitive body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily prevent dew condensation and to maintain the surface of the electrophotographic sensitive body in a desired humidity conditioned state so that the adhesion of dust, dirt, etc., by the generation of static electricity is prevented and good images are obtd. at the time of a use start by bringing a film-shaped member having a humidity conditioning function into contact with the surface of the photoconductive layer of the electrophotographic sensitive body to cover the surface. CONSTITUTION:Dustfree paper subjected to humidity conditioning of the moisture absorbed therein is wound one turn on the surface of the photoconductive layer of the electrophotographic sensitive body 3 having a hollow cylindrical shape and the winding end parts are fixed by double-coated tacky adhesive tapes. The end face of such electrophotographic sensitive body 3 is fixed onto a retaining means 2 and the other end of the electrophotographic sensitive body 3 is fixed by another end face retaining means 2. This electrophotographic sensitive body 3 is put into a polyethylene (PE) bag 4 and this PE bag 4 is inserted into a fiber outside cylinder 5 having a bottom and is sealed with an upper cap 1. The easy prevention of the dew condensation is possible in this way and the surface of the electrophotographic sensitive body is maintained in the desired humidity conditioned state. The adhesion of the dust, dirt, etc., by the generation of the static electricity is prevented in this way and the good images are obtd. at the time of the use start.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention is. This invention relates to a packaging method for electrophotographic photoreceptors.

(Prior art) Electrophotographic photoreceptors include Ss-based, ZnD-based, CdS-based,
There are inorganic pigments such as a-Sl pigments, organic pigments such as 7-thalocyanine pigments, azo pigments, and berylene pigments, and organic pigments such as oxazoles, virazoles, and hydrazones. The characteristics of these electrophotographic photoreceptors are generally greatly affected by external environment K such as light, moisture, dust, and toxic gases.

Electrophotographic photoreceptors suffer from deterioration in their characteristics due to moisture absorption under high humidity conditions. Another problem is that the characteristics deteriorate significantly if exposed for a long period of time.

Therefore, when storing and transporting the electrophotographic photoreceptor, sufficient care must be taken to avoid these problems.

In addition, electrophotographic photoreceptors are extremely easily damaged, and marks, marks, fingerprints, etc. that occur on the surface of the photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor have various adverse effects on images.

Taking these points into consideration, methods for packaging electrophotographic photoreceptors have been proposed in recent years.

(b) Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-98657 proposes a packaging method in which an electrophotographic photoreceptor is surrounded in a polyethylene bag, not directly but without contact, and after being sealed, it is stored in a packaging box K. .

(Explanation) JP-A-59-111672 describes the packaging method in (a). Furthermore, it has been proposed to create a dry atmosphere or vacuum inside the sealed bag.

(c) JP-A No. 61-142162 discloses that the electrophotographic photoreceptor is directly covered with a hollow polygonal prism-shaped protective frame such as foamed plastic rubber, and is further placed in an outer bag made of a black polyethylene V sheet. A method has been proposed in which an ammonia generating means is inserted and the outer bag is sealed to keep the inside of the outer bag airtight.

(2) Utility Model Application No. 59-94361 and JP-A-61-
No. 152,582 proposes a method of directly packaging an electrophotographic photoreceptor with a flexible plastic film made of polyethylene or the like to which a lubricant such as K Teflon particles is attached on at least one side.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The packaging methods (a), (c), and (2) above cannot prevent damage due to dew condensation on the surface of the photoconductive layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Although the (mouth) packaging method can prevent condensation, it is complicated and has poor productivity.

Furthermore, the packaging methods of (a), (1, (/-1) and (2) are: dust on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor due to the generation of static electricity,
It does not prevent the adhesion of dust, etc.

The present invention can easily prevent dew condensation (e.g., without vacuuming or adding a desiccant, etc.), can maintain the surface of a photographic photoreceptor in a desired humidity condition, and can prevent electrophotographic photoreceptors from generating static electricity. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a packaging method for an electrophotographic photoreceptor that can prevent dirt, dust, etc. from adhering to the surface of the photoconductive layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and can always provide a good image at the beginning of use.

(Means for solving problem II) The present invention is as follows. The present invention relates to a method for packaging an electrophotographic photoreceptor, characterized in that a film-like member having a vI4 moisture function is brought into contact with and covers the surface of a photoconductive layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Examples of the film-like member having a humidity control function in the present invention include: Examples include paper, nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, and films containing water-absorbing polymers (the films may also be foamed).

Paper made from natural wood valves or chemically treated synthetic fiber pulp, nonwoven fabrics made from cellulose fibers, woven fabrics from cellulose fibers, and polyacrylic acid copolymers. Hydrolysis of vinyl acetate-carboxylic acid ester copolymer*, PVA cyclic acid anhydride GRA 7
copolymer, polyoxyethyl polymer. Films containing starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers, starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer hydrolysates, carboxymethylated cellulose copolymers, cellulose-acrylonitrile graft copolymers hydrolysates, etc. as water-absorbing polymers. is preferred. Dust-free paper made from long-fiber wood pulp with low dust-emitting substances such as paper dust, high quality K, I'll paper, cellulose-based binder-free non-woven fabric made from long-rutted cotton links, etc., polyacrylic acid-based More preferred are films containing copolymers or cellulose-acrylonitrile graft copolymerized hydrolysates as water-absorbing polymers. The thickness of the film-like member having a humidity control function is preferably 50 μm to 5 μm.

It is preferable to condition the film-like member having a humidity control function in advance.

As a humidity control method. For example, a film-like member having a humidity control function can be placed in an atmospheric tank (humidity tank) at an arbitrary relative humidity and allowed to stand until the desired hygroscopic moisture is reached.

For example, in the case where the film-like member having a humidity control function is dust-free paper made with a long fiber bulb, after leaving one sheet of the dust-free paper in an atmosphere chamber at a temperature of 25°C and a given relative humidity for 20 minutes, The relationship between the relative humidity (ch) in the atmosphere tank and the hygroscopic moisture (%) of the dust-free paper is shown in the graph shown in FIG.

Therefore, how to adjust the dust-free paper to the desired moisture absorption level.
Using the graph shown in Figure 1, find out the relative humidity corresponding to the desired moisture absorption, put the dust-free paper in an atmosphere with the relative humidity K and leave it for 20 minutes, and the dust-free paper will absorb the desired moisture. ζ, which turns into water, is formed. Moisture absorption (%l) is
It can be measured by, for example, a gravimetric method or an infrared moisture meter (manufactured by Aoi Engineering Co., Ltd.). In addition. In order to achieve the desired humidity control condition when one or more stacked sheets of dust-free paper are stacked, the amount of time the paper is left in the atmosphere tank is longer than when a single sheet is stacked. For example, in the case of 100 x-edged sheets, it is desirable to leave them for about 20 hours.

Next, if necessary, a film-like member having a humidity control function is wrapped around the electrophotographic photoreceptor, wrapped, enclosed, etc., and is brought into contact with and covered with the photoconductive layer surface of the Hiroko photoreceptor (
below. A holding material that maintains the initial humidity-controlled state of the WF4 humidity-treated electrophotographic photoreceptor for a long period of time can be used as necessary.

As the holding material, a material having a gas barrier, moisture proofing and/or light shielding function can be used.

Specifically, polyfluoroethylene. General-purpose plastic films, cells, etc. such as polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene difluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene with organic pigments such as black added as necessary, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile and its copolymers, polyamide, etc. laminated with one or more layers of metal foil, one or more layers of vapor-deposited film of aluminum, silver, etc., various waxes, silicones, and various resins on highly hygroscopic substrates such as cellulose film to increase moisture resistance. Examples include those that have been waterproofed.

Substances that adversely affect the photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor, such as film-like members and holding materials that have a humidity control function. It is effective to select a film-like member and a holding material that have the humidity control function so that plasticizers and various additives do not migrate. The thickness of the holding material is preferably 10 μm to 2IIIn.

In addition, if necessary, we provide buffering and heat-insulating materials that provide a buffer function for the humidity-controlled electrophotographic photoreceptor against external mechanical shocks and a heat-retaining function that keeps the electrophotographic photoreceptor at a nearly constant temperature regardless of the external temperature. can be used. Examples of such materials include, for example, a cellular plastic sheet containing air in a film, a foaming sheet using a highly foamed resin, a rubber sheet with high heat insulation properties, and the above-mentioned film. Examples include those with a thicker layer. Regarding these materials, it is effective to use materials that do not transfer plasticizers or various additives. The thickness of the buffer insulation material is 50
Preferably it is from μm to 2 cm.

The above-mentioned holding material and buffer heat-retaining material can be used alone or in combination.

When used alone. Insert the humidity-controlled electrophotographic photoreceptor into a bag-shaped or cylindrical holding material or buffer heat-insulating material, and heat shrink the entire buffer heat-insulating material or the openings at both ends of the holding material. It can be tightly sealed and sealed.

Mi1 When using both. U! Insert the processed electrophotographic photoreceptor No. 4 into the buffer heat insulating material wrapped in a buffer heat insulating material or in the buffer heat insulating material previously shaped into a bag or cylinder. If necessary, the sealed material can then be made into a bag or tube shape beforehand and inserted into the brain holding material, and the entire holding material or both end openings can be heat-shrinked and sealed.

The order may be changed and the holding material may be used first, followed by the buffering and heat-insulating material.

Another method of sealing is to seal the entrance or opening with adhesive tape or the like.

The electrophotographic photoreceptor packaged using the above method can be further stored and transported in a container or box made of cardboard, fiber plastic, or the like.

(Example) Next, the present invention will be explained by examples.

Embodiment 1 6 As shown in FIG. 2, 0.0% of hygroscopic water is placed on the surface of the photoconductive layer of the hollow cylindrical electrophotographic photoreceptor 3 on the end face presser 2.
Wrap one round of dust-free paper that has been conditioned to 5% humidity (dried at 120°C for 2 hours in a dryer) (the dust-free paper is Jujo Clean White (100 μm thick; 74 g/m) manufactured by Jujo Paper Co., Ltd.
), @ is the same as the cylinder length of the electrophotographic photoreceptor},
Use double-sided adhesive tape (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd. φ5
61N, 25-width), fix the other end of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 3 with the other end surface presser 2, put it into a polyethylene bag 4, and then put it in the polyethylene bag 4.
was inserted into the fiber outer cylinder 5 with a bottom and sealed with the upper lid 1. Two identical packages were created in the same manner.

The above winding and sealing work was carried out at a temperature of 25° C. and a relative humidity of 5%. These two pieces were first placed in a constant temperature chamber at 30℃ and relative humidity of 95℃ for 7 hours, then immediately placed in a constant temperature chamber at 4℃ and relative humidity of 50℃ for quenching, and after 10 minutes one piece was placed. When I removed the electrophotographic photoreceptor from its packaging, removed part of the dust-free paper, and observed it, no condensation was observed on the surface of the photoconductive layer. Furthermore, there was no generation of static electricity, no dirt, or dust.

Seven days later, the electrophotographic photoreceptor was taken out of the other package and the dust-free paper was peeled off. Better images can be obtained from this electrophotographic photoreceptor K. It was found that there was no difference in the electrophotographic properties before and after being left for 7 days.

Comparative Example 1 Two packages were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the wrapping of dust-free paper was omitted, and these were placed in the same thermostatic chamber as in Example 1 and rapidly cooled under the same conditions. After 10 minutes, the electrophotographic photoreceptor was taken out from the package and observed. As a result, minute water droplets due to dew condensation were found to have adhered to the entire surface of the photoconductive layer.

Seven days later, the electrophotographic photoreceptor was removed from the other package. Although the presence of water droplets could not be confirmed on the surface of the photoconductive layer, traces of drying water droplets were observed.

Also. Generation of static electricity and adhesion of dirt and dust were observed over the entire surface of the photoconductive layer. After removing the attached dirt and dust with a soft cloth, taking great care not to damage the photoconductive layer, an image was obtained using this electrophotographic photoreceptor, but the resulting image had a low image density and was white. There were also gaps and it was defective (the surface potential decreased). The characteristics were inferior to those of the electrophotographic photoreceptor before being left for 7 days.

Example 2 The same dust-free paper as in Example 1, which had been adjusted to absorb moisture at 4.5 cm, was wrapped around the surface of the photoconductive layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor, and the end of the winding was wrapped with double-sided adhesive tape (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M, Na561N). ,2
I stopped at 51 width).

Place this in a multilayer film bag [manufactured by Asahi Kasei Industries, Ltd., (Voribropylene (20μ) / Polyethylene (20μ) / Aluminum foil (9μ) / Boriedelene (20μ) / Varion ■
-CX ◆26 (64μ)) laminate body (133
μ), the inside of the bag was placed in a Varion CXΦ26] and the opening was heat sealed to make it airtight. The above work was carried out at a temperature of 25° C. and a relative humidity of 35%.

This was heated to 35℃. It was left in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at a relative humidity of 95° C. for 30 days, and changes in humidity control and surface potential were observed. As a result, the moisture content of the dust-free paper was 6.0%, and no major changes were observed in the surface potential, and good images could be obtained with this electrophotographic photoreceptor. It was found that there was no difference in photographic characteristics.

(Effects of the Invention) By using the packaging method of the present invention, condensation can be easily prevented during transport, storage, and other handling of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor can be kept in a desired humidity condition. It is possible to prevent the generation of static electricity, to prevent dirt and dust from adhering to the photoconductive surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and to always obtain good images at the beginning of use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the relative humidity of the atmosphere and the moisture absorption of dust-free paper, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fiber drum used in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. Explanation of symbols 1... Upper lid 2... End face holding tool 3
...Electrophotographic photoreceptor 4...Polyethylene bag 5
・・・Fiber outer cylinder with bottom・Representative Patent attorney Kunihiko Wakabayashi'《'I Relative humidity (%
) Figure l Figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A method for packaging an electrophotographic photoreceptor, which comprises covering the photoconductive layer surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor in contact with a film-like member having a humidity control function. 2. The method for packaging an electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 1, wherein the film-like member having a humidity control function is dust-free paper. 3. The method for packaging an electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the film-like member having a humidity control function is previously humidity controlled.