JPH10177271A - Paper-surface reforming device and image forming device using the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper-surface reforming device which reduces conditions limiting paper for toner matching in an image forming device. SOLUTION: The paper-surface reforming device is composed of a metal drum 2, a plurality of rollers 4, a high voltage electrode 5, a high voltage power source generator 6, and so on. In the paper-surface reforming device, when the drive of an oxidization means is selected by a user, a paper surface is electrified to a positive polarity by means of corona discharge, and consequently the proportion of polar-group existence in the paper surface increases to modify it so that toner fixation improves. On the other hand, when the drive of a reduction means is selected, the paper surface is electrified to a negative polarity by means of corona discharge, and consequently the proportion of non-polar- group existence in the paper surface increases to reform it so that toner fixation decreases.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing technique for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer.
The present invention also relates to a technique for recycling paper after image formation by the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the above-mentioned image forming apparatuses have been used in offices,
It is widely used in production sites and distribution industries. The paper used in this image forming apparatus usually has adjustment of a sizing agent for preventing ink bleeding, adjustment of electric surface resistance in the case of performing development using a charging action, and compatibility with complicated and high-speed conveyance. Various additives are added to adjust the stiffness for the purpose and to adjust the surface for ensuring the adhesion to the toner. The mixing ratios of the additives vary depending on the paper maker, resulting in an increase in the types of paper used in the image forming apparatus.

[0003] In recent years, the increase in the proportion of used paper pulp and the use of overseas paper have led to an increase in the types of paper used in image forming apparatuses.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, there is a fact that designated paper determined for each apparatus is provided in order to match the various kinds of paper and toner as described above. There is a problem that the versatility is reduced due to the restriction condition for the paper.

Accordingly, the present inventor has conducted intensive studies based on the fact that water is not necessarily essential for peeling toner from paper, and found that the ratio of polar groups to non-polar groups on the paper surface was changed. It was concluded that the fixing property of the toner can be arbitrarily changed by modifying the surface of the paper. Hereinafter, specific examination contents will be described.

[0006] An ESCA analysis method (Electron Scanning Chen) was performed on commercially available paper and paper prepared independently for research.
The paper surface was analyzed by mical analysis), and the relationship with the toner fixing property was considered.

Here, the ESCA analysis method obtains data of element names, bonding states, and abundance ratios based on the basic principle of separating and quantifying photoelectrons appearing from a material surface by soft X-ray irradiation. At present, it is positioned as a well-established technique for surface analysis of coated paper.
Table 1 shows the assignment of carbon peaks. C1 and O1 in the table represent nonpolar groups, and C2, C3 and O1
2 represents a polar group. C1 means hydrophobic. The toner fixing property data includes the density of the toner pattern formed on the paper and the density of the toner pattern detected by peeling off the tape after applying a predetermined adhesive tape to the toner pattern while pressing it with a 5 kg weight. Is calculated.

[0008]

[Table 1]

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the ratio of C1 on the paper surface and the toner fixability. From this graph, it can be seen that the toner fixability tends to decrease as the ratio of C1 increases. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the ratio of C2 on the paper surface and the toner fixability. From this graph, it can be seen that the toner fixability tends to increase as the ratio of C2 increases. Also, FIG.
6 is a graph showing the relationship between the ratio of O2 on the paper surface and toner fixability. From this graph, it can be seen that the larger the ratio of O2, the higher the toner fixing property tends to be.
The curves shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are approximate curves calculated from the data points.

From the above studies, it has been found that the toner fixing property can be arbitrarily changed by modifying the surface of the paper by changing the ratio of the polar groups to the nonpolar groups on the paper surface. Specifically, a polar group (C2, C3 and O2 in ESCA analysis)
By increasing the abundance of 2), the toner fixability can be increased, and the non-polar group (E
It has been found that the toner fixability can be lowered by increasing the abundance ratio of C2, C3 and O2) in the SCA analysis method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce constraints on paper for matching with toner in an image forming apparatus. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a paper surface reforming apparatus.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has an oxidizing means for oxidizing the paper surface, and the oxidizing means improves the fixing property of the toner. In addition, the surface of the paper is modified.

[0013] In the paper surface reforming apparatus of the first aspect,
An oxidation treatment is performed on the paper surface by an oxidation means. Thereby, the existing ratio of the polar group on the paper surface is increased, and the paper surface is modified so that the fixing property of the toner is improved.
By adjusting the degree of the oxidation treatment, the fixability of the toner can be arbitrarily increased.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reduction means for performing a reduction treatment on the paper surface, wherein the reduction means modifies the paper surface so that the fixing property of the toner is lowered. It is.

[0015] In the paper surface reforming apparatus of the second aspect,
A reduction process is performed on the sheet surface by a reduction unit. This increases the proportion of nonpolar groups on the paper surface,
The surface of the paper is modified so that the fixability of the toner decreases. By adjusting the degree of the reduction process, the fixability of the toner can be arbitrarily lowered.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an oxidizing means for performing an oxidizing treatment on the paper surface, a reducing means for performing a reducing treatment on the paper surface, and driving of either the oxidizing means or the reducing means are selected. And modifying the surface of the paper so that the fixability of the toner changes in an arbitrary direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper surface reforming apparatus.
When the driving of the oxidizing unit is selected, the existing ratio of the polar group on the paper surface is increased, and the paper surface is modified so that the toner fixing property is improved. When the driving of the reduction unit is selected, the ratio of the non-polar group on the surface of the sheet increases, and the surface of the sheet is modified so that the fixability of the toner decreases. The user selects which of the oxidizing unit and the reducing unit should be driven in accordance with the surface condition of the sheet, the application, and the like. For example, if the paper is relatively low in fixability, such as coated paper or paper recycled with a large amount of surfactant added thereto, the user selects the driving of the oxidizing unit, and the paper is relatively When the fixing property is high, the driving of the reduction unit is selected. Users may also:
If the use of the paper is for preservation, the drive of the oxidation treatment is selected, and if the use of the paper is for recycle, the drive of the reduction treatment is selected. By this selection, the paper surface is modified so that the fixability of the toner changes in an arbitrary direction. The fixing property of the toner can be arbitrarily changed by adjusting the degree of the oxidation treatment or the reduction treatment.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is the invention of claim 1 or 3.
Wherein the oxidizing means is an ozone effect by ultraviolet irradiation or positively charged by a corona charger.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper surface reforming apparatus.
The surface of the paper is oxidized by the ozone effect of ultraviolet irradiation or positive charging by a corona charger.

The invention of claim 5 is the invention of claim 2 or 3
Wherein the reducing means is irradiation with a reducing gas, irradiation with an electron beam, irradiation with hydrogen ions, or negative charging by a corona charger.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper surface reforming apparatus.
Reduction treatment is performed on the paper surface by irradiation with a reducing gas, irradiation with an electron beam, irradiation with hydrogen ions, or negative charging by a corona charger.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image carrier,
Developing means for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the latent image carrier by a developer carrier that carries and transports the developer, the surface of the sheet before transport to the image forming process, According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper surface reforming apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the surface of the sheet before being transported to the image forming step is reformed using the sheet surface reforming apparatus of the present invention. By adjusting the degree of the oxidation treatment or the reduction treatment in the paper surface reforming apparatus, it is possible to modify the paper surface modification so as to obtain an arbitrary toner fixing property. As a result, an arbitrary toner-fixable image is formed in the image forming apparatus.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the paper surface reforming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. The paper surface modifying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an oxidizing unit that performs an oxidizing process on the paper surface, a reducing unit that performs a reducing process on the paper surface, and a selection that allows a user to select either the oxidizing unit or the reducing unit. Means for oxidizing or reducing the paper surface in a dry process to change the abundance ratio of polar groups and non-polar groups on the paper surface so that any toner fixability can be obtained. This is for modifying the paper surface.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the oxidizing means and the reducing means in the paper surface reforming apparatus. The paper surface reforming apparatus using the corona charger principle as the oxidizing means and the reducing means generates a metal drum 2, a plurality of rollers 4 for transporting the sheet 3 along the curvature of the drum 2, and a corona discharge. A high-voltage electrode 5 and a high-voltage power generator 6 are provided. When the driving of the oxidizing unit is selected by the user, the surface of the sheet is positively charged by corona discharge, and the proportion of polar groups on the surface of the sheet increases. As a result, the paper surface is modified so that the toner fixing property is improved. On the other hand, when the driving of the reducing means is selected by the user, the surface of the sheet is negatively charged by corona discharge, and the proportion of non-polar groups on the surface of the sheet increases. As a result, the paper surface is modified so that the toner fixing property is reduced. Even after the charge is removed, the state of the paper surface after the modification, that is, the toner fixing property is maintained.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view showing a modification of the oxidizing means in the paper surface reforming apparatus. The paper surface reforming apparatus that utilizes the ozone effect of ultraviolet irradiation as an oxidizing means includes an ultraviolet lamp 7, a reflecting mirror 8, a high-voltage power supply 9, and the like.

It has been found that the toner fixability can be arbitrarily changed by the method described below. When it is desired to enhance the toner fixing property, the sheet is transported in a gas atmosphere (hereinafter, referred to as an oxidizing atmosphere) in which electrons are easily taken from the surface of the sheet. As a result, the proportion of polar groups such as carbonyl groups and carboxyl groups on the paper surface increases, and the paper surface is modified so that the toner fixing property is improved. The oxidizing atmosphere includes a halogen gas such as chlorine and bromine, activated oxygen and ozone. Further, the treatment in this oxidizing atmosphere is performed by the above E
This means an increase in O2 as referred to in SCA analysis.

On the other hand, when it is desired to lower the toner fixing property,
The sheet is transported in a gas atmosphere in which electrons are easily given to another substance (hereinafter, referred to as a reducing atmosphere). As a result, the abundance ratio of non-polar groups such as methylene groups and inorganic oxygen on the paper surface increases, and the surface of the paper is modified so that the surface energy is low and the toner fixing property is low. The reducing atmosphere includes hydrogen in the nascent state,
Unstable hydrogen compounds (HI, H ₂ S), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and the like. Further, the treatment in the reducing atmosphere means an increase in O1 as referred to in the ESCA analysis method.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the paper surface reforming apparatus 1 and an image forming apparatus 10 such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of processing steps in a sheet surface modifying device, an image forming device, and an image forming substance removing device for removing a toner image formed by the image forming device from a sheet. First, the user determines whether the toner fixing property is high or low based on the surface condition of the paper, and changes the paper surface according to whether the paper used in the image forming apparatus is for storage or recycling. The processing mode in the quality device is selected (step 1).
For example, when the use of the paper used in the image forming apparatus is for preservation, the drive of the oxidizing unit is selected, and when the use of the paper used in the image forming apparatus is for recycle, the drive of the reduction unit is used. select. The fixing property of the toner can be arbitrarily changed by the user adjusting the degree of the oxidation treatment or the reduction treatment according to the surface condition of the paper.

When the reduction processing mode is selected as a recycling application, the paper surface is reformed by the reduction means of the paper surface reforming device so that the toner fixing property is lowered (step 2a). In the image forming apparatus, an arbitrary toner-fixable toner image is formed on the modified sheet, and a mark indicating that the sheet is for recycling is provided (steps 3a and 4a). When the sheet provided with the recycling mark is fed to the image forming substance removing apparatus, the apparatus determines the mark, and after detecting that the sheet is for recycling, removes toner from the sheet ( Step 6a).

On the other hand, when the oxidizing mode is selected as the storage purpose, the oxidizing means of the paper surface modifying device modifies the paper surface so that the toner fixing property is improved (step 2b). Then, in the image forming apparatus, a toner image having an arbitrary toner fixing property is formed on the modified sheet, and a mark indicating that the sheet is for storage is added (steps 3b and 4b). When the sheet provided with the storage mark is fed to the image forming substance removing apparatus, the apparatus determines the mark, detects that the sheet is for storage, and does not perform the toner removing operation. The sheet is discharged as it is (step 6b).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user selects either the oxidizing unit or the reducing unit in accordance with the surface condition of the sheet used in the image forming apparatus.
By adjusting the degree of the processing, the fixability of the toner can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, even when the toner fixing property of the sheet to be used is high or low, the surface of the sheet is modified so as to obtain an arbitrary toner fixing property, thereby causing the matching with the toner. Restrictions on paper can be greatly reduced.
Therefore, versatility is increased.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to increase the speed and temperature of the apparatus in the fixing process of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to cover the change in the fixing pressure when the affinity between the paper surface and the toner is small. The fixing failure that has occurred without any problem can also be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the user can select either one of the oxidizing means and the reducing means depending on the use of the paper used in the image forming apparatus, thereby obtaining the toner fixing property corresponding to the use. be able to. In particular, the oxidizing means is effective for reforming when the use of the paper used in the image forming apparatus is for storage, and the reducing means is effective for the case where the use of the paper used in the image forming apparatus is for recycling. Effective for reforming.

In this embodiment, the paper surface reforming apparatus has a structure different from that of the image forming apparatus. However, the paper surface modifying apparatus may be provided in the image forming apparatus. In this case, the sheet after the reforming by the sheet surface reforming device is configured to be transported to the image forming step.

Further, the paper surface modifying device may be provided in the image forming substance removing device. In this case, the paper from which the toner has been removed is modified by the paper surface modification device and then discharged outside the device. In particular, in a wet process in which an image forming substance removing device applies water or a surfactant-containing aqueous solution as a destabilizing agent to a sheet to remove toner, the toner fixing property is low, and the reforming of the recycled sheet is effective. It is.

[0037]

According to the first aspect of the invention, by adjusting the degree of the oxidation treatment applied to the surface of the sheet, the fixability of the toner to the sheet can be arbitrarily improved. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, when the paper to be used is relatively low in toner fixing property such as coated paper or paper reproduced by adding a large amount of surfactant, any toner fixing property can be obtained. By modifying the surface of the paper as described above, it is possible to reduce restrictions on the paper due to matching with the toner, and there is an excellent effect that versatility is increased. Further, there is an excellent effect that a paper surface reforming apparatus effective for reforming when the use of the paper used in the image forming apparatus is for storage is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by adjusting the degree of the reduction treatment performed on the surface of the sheet, the fixability of the toner to the sheet can be arbitrarily lowered. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, when the paper to be used has a relatively high toner fixing property, the surface of the sheet is modified so as to obtain an arbitrary toner fixing property, thereby causing the matching with the toner. There is an excellent effect that restrictions on paper can be reduced and versatility is increased. Further, there is an excellent effect that a paper surface reforming apparatus effective for reforming when the use of the paper used in the image forming apparatus is for recycling can be provided.

According to the third or sixth aspect of the present invention, the fixing property of the toner can be arbitrarily changed by adjusting the degree of the oxidation treatment or the reduction treatment performed on the paper surface. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, whether the toner fixing property of the paper to be used is high or low,
By modifying the paper surface to obtain the desired toner fixability, it is possible to greatly reduce paper restrictions due to toner matching and to use low-quality paper such as non-wood paper. And has an excellent effect of increasing versatility. Further, there is an excellent effect that an effective paper surface reforming apparatus can be provided in both the case where the use of the paper used in the image forming apparatus is for storage and the case where the use thereof is for recycling.

Conventionally, in the fixing process of an image forming apparatus, various fixing pressures have been used to cope with high-speed and low-temperature specifications of the apparatus. However, this change in fixing pressure could not cover that the affinity was low, resulting in poor fixing. According to the invention of claim 3 or 6, there is an excellent effect that such a fixing failure can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an excellent effect that the surface of a sheet can be modified so that the toner fixing property is improved by a simple method such as ozone action by ultraviolet irradiation or positive charging by a corona charger. There is.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fixing property of the toner is reduced by a simple method such as irradiation with a reducing gas, irradiation with an electron beam, irradiation with hydrogen ions, or negative charging with a corona charger. There is an excellent effect that the paper surface can be modified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the ratio of C1 on the paper surface and toner fixability.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the ratio of C2 on the paper surface and the toner fixability.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the ratio on the paper surface and toner fixability.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an oxidizing unit and a reducing unit in the paper surface reforming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a modified example of the oxidizing means in the paper surface reforming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a paper surface modifying device and an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing steps in a paper surface modifying device, an image forming device, and an image forming substance removing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper surface reforming apparatus 2 Metal drum 3 Paper 4 Roller 5 High voltage electrode 6 High voltage power generator 7 Ultraviolet lamp 8 Reflector 9 High voltage power 10 Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A paper surface reforming apparatus having an oxidizing means for performing an oxidizing treatment on the surface of a paper, wherein the oxidizing means reforms the surface of the paper so as to enhance the fixing property of the toner. 2. A paper surface reforming apparatus having a reduction means for performing a reduction treatment on a paper surface, and using the reduction means to modify the paper surface so as to lower the toner fixing property. 3. An oxidizing means for performing an oxidizing treatment on the paper surface, a reducing means for performing a reducing treatment on the paper surface, and a means for selecting any one of the oxidizing means and the reducing means,
A paper surface reforming device that modifies the paper surface so that the fixability of the toner changes in an arbitrary direction. 4. A paper surface reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said oxidizing means is an ozone effect by ultraviolet irradiation or a positive charge by a corona charger. 5. A paper surface reforming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said reducing means is irradiation with a reducing gas, irradiation with an electron beam, irradiation with hydrogen ions, or negative charging by a corona charger. Paper surface reforming equipment. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image carrier; and developing means for developing a latent image formed on the surface of the latent image carrier by a developer carrier for carrying and transporting a developer. An image forming apparatus, wherein the surface of the sheet before being transported to the forming step is modified using the sheet surface modifying apparatus according to claim 3.