JPH11231683A - Intermediate transfer belt and intermediate transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent stress from being concentrated on a superposed part (superposition part) consisting of fabric ends and to obtain a printed image having excellent quality without irregularity in the image by providing an endless fiber layer formed by superposing the fabric ends and making the woven structure of the fabric end different from that of a part other than the end. SOLUTION: This intermediate transfer belt is provided with the fiber layer formed by superposing the fabric ends. The fiber layer is formed by using the fabric 21a and the end of the fabric 21a is superposed in superposing width A. An elastic layer 22 is formed on one side of the fabric 21a. As for the woven structure of the fabric end, it is desirable to make the fabric end, that is, the superposed part have structure nearly consisting of only fibers in a laying direction in substance. Such woven structure is obtained by pulling out weft in plain weave so that only warp may be left in substance. Thus, the thickness of the superposed part is near to the thickness of other parts.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer belt and an intermediate transfer device used in an electrostatic recording process. More specifically, the present invention relates to a member for temporarily transferring and holding a toner image formed on the surface of an image forming body to the surface, and transferring the toner image to a recording medium such as paper. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer belt capable of giving a print image of high quality and an intermediate transfer device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrostatic recording process applied to an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer or an electrostatic recording apparatus, first, an image forming body (also referred to as a photoconductor or a latent image holding body). The electrostatic latent image is formed by uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor and projecting an image from the optical system onto the photoreceptor to eliminate the electrification of the light-exposed portion. A method has been adopted in which a toner image is formed by supplying toner and electrostatically attaching the toner, and then transferring the toner image to a recording medium such as paper, OHP, or photographic paper. In this case, a color printer or a color copier basically performs printing in accordance with the above process, but in the case of color printing, magenta,
The color tone is reproduced by using four color toners of yellow, cyan, and black. A process for superimposing these toners at a predetermined ratio to obtain a desired color tone is required. Such a method has been proposed.
First, similar to the case where monochrome printing is performed,
When the electrostatic latent image is visualized by supplying toner onto the photoconductor, development is performed by sequentially superimposing the above-described four toners of magenta, yellow, cyan, and black, and a color donor is formed on the photoconductor. There is a multiple development system for forming an image. In this system, the device can be constructed relatively compact, but there is a problem in that it is very difficult to control the gradation and high image quality cannot be obtained.

Second, by providing four photosensitive drums and developing the latent images of the respective drums with magenta, yellow, cyan, and black toners, a magenta toner image, a yellow toner image, and a cyan toner image are formed. And four toner images of a black toner image are formed, the photosensitive drums on which the toner images are formed are arranged in a line, and each toner image is sequentially transferred to a recording medium such as paper, and is superimposed on the recording medium. There is a tandem system for reproducing a color image. However, in this method, although a good image can be obtained, four photosensitive drums and a charging mechanism and a developing mechanism provided for each photosensitive drum are arranged in a line, so that the apparatus becomes large and expensive. I can't help but becoming something. Third, a recording medium such as paper is wound around a transfer drum and rotated four times, and magenta, yellow, cyan, and black on a photoreceptor are sequentially transferred to the recording medium for each rotation to reproduce a color image. There is also a method.
However, according to this method, a relatively high image quality can be obtained. However, when the recording medium is thick paper such as a postcard, it is difficult to wind the recording medium around the transfer drum, and the type of recording medium is limited. There is a problem.

In contrast to the multiple developing system, the tandem system and the transfer drum system, excellent image quality can be obtained, the apparatus is not particularly enlarged, and the type of recording medium is particularly limited. An intermediate transfer method has been proposed as a method without any problem. In this intermediate transfer method, an intermediate transfer member including a drum or a belt for temporarily transferring and holding a toner image on a photoconductor is provided, and a magenta toner image, a yellow toner image, a cyan toner image, By arranging four photoconductors on which a black toner image is formed and sequentially transferring the four color toner images onto the intermediate transfer member, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the color image is formed on paper or the like. Is transferred onto a recording medium. Therefore, since the gradation is adjusted by superimposing the four color toner images, it is possible to obtain high image quality, and it is not necessary to arrange the photoconductors in a line as in the tandem method. In particular, there is no need to increase the size of the recording medium, and there is no need to wind the recording medium around the drum, so that the type of recording medium is not limited. As an apparatus for forming a color image by such an intermediate transfer system, for example, an intermediate transfer apparatus shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views showing an example of an intermediate transfer apparatus using an intermediate transfer belt and an intermediate transfer drum, respectively, wherein 1 is a drum-shaped photosensitive member, each of which is shown in the direction of an arrow in FIG. It is designed to rotate. The photoreceptor 1 is charged by the primary charger 2, and then the exposed portion is erased by image exposure 3 to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the first color component on the photoreceptor 1. The electrostatic latent image is developed with the first color magenta toner M by the developing device 41, and the first color magenta toner image is formed on the photoconductor 1. Then, the toner image is rotated while contacting the photoconductor 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 20a (FIG. 1) or the intermediate transfer drum 20b (FIG. 2) (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b"). Is transferred to In this case, the intermediate transfer members 20a, 20
b is transferred to the photosensitive member 1 and the intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b.
Is performed by the primary transfer bias applied from the power supply 61 to the intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b. After the magenta toner image of the first color is transferred to the intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b, the surface of the photoconductor 1 is cleaned by the cleaning device 14, and the surface of the photoconductor 1 is removed.
The rotation development transfer operation is completed. Thereafter, the photoreceptor rotates three times, and the developing devices 42 to 44 sequentially use the developing devices 42 to 44 for each rotation to sequentially print the second color cyan toner image, the third color yellow toner image, and the fourth color black toner image. The image is formed on the intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b, and the composite color toner image corresponding to the target color image is formed on the intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b.
In the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the developing units 41 to 44 are sequentially replaced every time the photosensitive member 1 rotates, so that the developing with the magenta toner M, the cyan toner C, the yellow toner Y, and the black toner B is performed sequentially. Has become.

Next, the transfer roller 26 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b on which the composite color toner image is formed, and a recording medium 24 such as paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 9 to the nip portion. At the same time, a secondary transfer bias is applied from the power supply 29 to the transfer roller 25, and the composite color toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b to the recording medium 2
4, and is fixed by heating to form a final image. After the transfer of the composite color toner image to the recording medium 24, the intermediate transfer members 20a and 20b have the transfer residual toner on the surface removed by the cleaning device 35, and return to the initial state to prepare for the next image formation. I have. Reference numeral 15 denotes a fixing roller. In image formation by such an intermediate transfer method, an intermediate transfer belt used as an intermediate transfer member usually forms an endless fiber layer by overlapping the ends of a woven fabric, and then laminating an elastic layer on one or both surfaces thereof. It is manufactured by doing. In addition, the fiber layer may be a single layer or a laminate of two or more layers. However, since the intermediate transfer belt thus obtained is circulated and driven while being stretched by the driving member during operation, a portion where the ends of the woven fabric are overlapped,
That is, there is a problem that stress is concentrated on the polymerized portion, and image distortion occurs in this portion.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, in such a situation, when color printing is performed by an intermediate transfer method using an intermediate transfer belt, the overlapped portion (overlapping) of the woven fabric end portion of the belt is performed. To provide an intermediate transfer belt capable of preventing stress from concentrating as much as possible on a portion of the intermediate transfer belt and providing a print image of good image quality without image distortion and the like, and an intermediate transfer device using the same. It is intended for.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies to achieve the above object, and as a result, have obtained an endless fiber layer formed by polymerizing the ends of a woven fabric, and one side of the fiber layer. A woven fabric having an elastic layer laminated on both sides and having the above-mentioned woven fabric end portion (polymerized portion) different from the other end portion, for example, the woven fabric end portion having (1) a fiber in a substantially cross-linking direction The object is achieved by an intermediate transfer belt having a woven structure consisting of only a woven structure consisting of only a part of fibers in the width direction or (3) a woven structure obtained by cutting fibers in the stretching direction. I found out what could be done. The present invention has been completed based on such findings. That is, the present invention provides (1) an endless fiber layer formed by polymerizing the end of a woven fabric, an elastic layer laminated on one side or both sides of the fiber layer, and an image forming body and a recording medium. The intermediate transfer belt, which is disposed between the belts and is circulated and driven by a driving member, temporarily transfers and holds the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body to its own surface, and transfers this to a recording medium. An intermediate transfer belt, wherein the woven structure of the cloth end is different from the woven structure other than the end.
And (2) an intermediate transfer belt that is disposed between the image forming body and the recording medium, temporarily transfers and holds the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body to its own surface, and transfers this to the recording medium. In the intermediate transfer device comprising a driving member for circulating the intermediate transfer belt and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the intermediate transfer belt, the intermediate transfer belt of (1) is used as the intermediate transfer belt. An intermediate transfer device is provided.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An intermediate transfer belt according to the present invention is shown in FIG.
In the above, the endless belt is formed like an intermediate transfer belt indicated by reference numeral 20a and disposed between the image forming body (photoconductor, latent image holding body) 1 and a recording medium 24 such as paper. ,
The toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 1 is temporarily transferred and held by being circulated by the driving member, and is transferred to the recording medium 24. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 performs color printing by the intermediate transfer method as described above. The intermediate transfer belt of the present invention is formed by laminating one or more fiber layers (that is, a single layer or a plurality of two or more layers) formed by polymerizing the ends of a woven fabric, and one or both surfaces of the fiber layers. An elastic layer, wherein the woven structure at the end of the woven fabric is different from the woven structure other than the end. Since this intermediate transfer belt is circulated and driven by a driving member during operation, in the conventional intermediate transfer belt, stress is concentrated on a portion where the end of the woven fabric is overlapped, and for example, When the overlapped part is in the horizontal part of the circulating belt, a concave part occurs on the belt surface, resulting in a line in the image, or because the thickness or rigidity of the overlapped part is different from other parts of the belt. In addition, undesired situations such as disturbance of images are caused. In the present invention, in order to avoid such an undesired situation, the woven structure at the end (overlapping portion) of the woven fabric is made different from the woven structure other than the end. In the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention, as the woven structure of the woven fabric end portion (overlapping portion), the woven fabric end portion is (1) a woven structure substantially composed of substantially only fibers in a stretching direction, and (2) a substantially width. A woven structure obtained by removing a part of the fibers in the direction and (3) a woven structure obtained by cutting the fibers in the substantially stretching direction can be mentioned as preferable examples.

Next, a description will be given of the woven structure of the end portion (overlapping portion) of the woven fabric. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state in which the ends of the woven fabric are overlapped in the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention. 21 shows a state in which an elastic layer 22 is provided on one side of 21a. The polymerization width A is usually 0 to 30 m.
m, preferably in the range of 1 to 10 mm. The above (1)
The woven structure at the end of the woven fabric is a structure in which the end of the woven fabric, that is, the superposed portion is substantially composed of only the fibers substantially in the stretching direction.
Such a woven structure, for example, when the woven fabric is impregnated with rubber or resin as described below, after peeling off the rubber or resin at the end, or after dissolving and removing with an appropriate solvent,
For example, in the case of plain weave, it can be formed by extracting the weft yarn and making it substantially only the warp yarn. As a result, the thickness of the overlapped portion approaches the thickness of the other portion, and the disorder of the image is improved.

The woven structure at the end of the woven fabric in (2) is a structure in which the woven fabric end, that is, the overlapped portion, removes a part of the fiber substantially in the width direction. In this case, if all the fibers in the width direction, for example, plain weave, are removed, a structure similar to the above (1) is obtained. In this (2), the fibers in the width direction in the polymerized portion are preferably driven by 5
It is removed at a rate of 0% or less. As a method for forming such a woven structure, a method similar to the above (1) can be used. On the other hand, the woven structure at the end of the woven fabric in (3)
That is, the superposed portion has a structure in which the fibers in the substantially stretching direction are cut. Such a woven structure can be formed, for example, by a method of forming a plurality of slits at the end of the woven cloth (see FIG. 6) or a method of forming a plurality of slits at the end of the woven cloth horizontally and in a staggered manner (see FIG. 7). Etc. can be used. In this way, the fibers in the stretching direction in the overlapped portion are cut, so that the tension is suppressed from being applied to the overlapped portion, and the disorder of the image is improved.

Next, the configuration of the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged cross-sectional views taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 showing different examples of the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention.
2 shows a structure in which the resin layers 23 and 22 are laminated and a resin layer 23 is formed on the surface of one elastic layer 22. The fiber layer 21
It can be formed using a known woven fabric, and specifically,
Natural fibers such as hemp, wool, silk, cotton, regenerated fibers such as viscose, polyester, nylon (nylon 6, 66, 46)
Etc.), synthetic fibers such as vinylon, polyvinylidene chloride, polyolefin (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), polyclark, semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate, so-called high-performance fibers such as aramid fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyacrylonitrile fibers, and stainless steel. A woven fabric such as a metal fiber of steel or other steel can be exemplified. In this case, the fabric structure of the woven fabric can be appropriately selected from plain weave, oblique weave, satin weave, and a combination thereof, but a plain weave fabric is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of robustness and economy. Used.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the fiber layer 21 may be a fiber layer having a multilayer structure in which a plurality of layers 21a are laminated (two layers in the figure). Although not particularly limited, 0.01 to 2 mm, particularly 0.1 to 2 mm.
It is preferable that it is about 0.5 to 0.5 mm. Fiber layer 21
If the thickness of the intermediate transfer belt 20a is less than 0.01 mm, the dimensional stability due to the fiber layer 21 may be reduced and the intermediate transfer belt 20a may be deformed such as elongation. Flexibility may be impaired. Further, although not particularly limited, the fiber diameter of the woven fabric forming the fiber layer 21 is preferably 20 to 420 denier, particularly preferably 30 to 210 denier, and more preferably 30 to 80 denier. Further, the woven fabric is not particularly limited, but is preferably a relatively thin one, specifically, 0.01 to 0.2 mm in thickness, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mm.
It is preferably from 0.5 to 0.15 mm. Here, FIG.
In this case, as shown by reference numeral 21b,
Can be impregnated with a rubber or a resin, if necessary, on the surface portion or the entire surface of the woven fabric 21a, whereby the adhesion and the surface smoothness between the fiber layer 21 and the elastic layer 22 or the resin layer 23 can be improved. Can be improved. in this case,
Examples of the impregnating agent include rubber cement, epoxy resin, and resorcinol formaldehyde resin (RF
L) and mixtures thereof are suitably used, and the impregnating agent can be previously impregnated into the woven fabric 21a by coating or dipping, whereby the impregnated portion 21b can be easily formed.

The elastic layer 22 is not particularly limited, and may be a resin such as urethane, rubber, or a foam thereof. Specifically, nitrile rubber (NBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), isoprene rubber (IR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), butyl rubber (IIR), natural rubber (N
R), butadiene rubber (BR), acrylic rubber (AC
R), general rubbers such as epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO) or styrene-butadiene-styrene rubber (SB
S) or a thermoplastic rubber thereof such as a hydrogenated product thereof (SEBS) and foams thereof can be used. Although not particularly limited, NBR or ECO may be used in view of workability and hardness of the elastic layer 22. NBR, BR, I with low viscosity
A rubber composition to which R is added is preferably used. In addition,
In that case, the mixing ratio, that is, the amount of NBR or ECO,
The ratio to the total amount of NBR, BR and IR is 1 by weight.
A range of 0:90 to 90:10 is preferred.

Further, a conductive material can be added to the elastic layer 22 to impart or adjust the conductivity. In this case, the conductive material is not particularly limited, and is octadecyltrimethylammonium such as stearyltrimethylammonium, dodecyltrimethylammonium such as lauryltrimethylammonium, hexadecyltrimethylammonium, perchlorate of modified fatty acid / dimethylethylammonium, Chlorate, borofluoride,
Cationic surfactants such as quaternary ammonium salts such as sulfates, ethosulfate salts, benzyl halide salts (benzyl bromide salts, benzyl chloride salts, etc.); aliphatic sulfonic acids, higher alcohol sulfates, higher Anionic surfactants such as alcohol ethylene oxide addition sulfates and higher alcohol phosphates; amphoteric surfactants such as various betaines; non-ionic surfactants such as higher alcohol ethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, and polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters Antistatic agents such as ionic surfactants; LiCF ₂ SO ₂ , NaClO ₄ , Li
Metal salts of the first group of the periodic table, such as BF ₄ and NaCl;
(ClO ₄ ) ₂ or other metal salt of Group 2 of the periodic table; and one of these antistatic agents having an active hydrogen-reactive group (hydroxyl, carboxyl, primary or secondary amino group, etc.) that reacts with isocyanate. And the like. Further, these and polyhydric alcohols (1,4-butadiol,
An ion conductive agent such as a complex with ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a derivative thereof, or a complex with ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or the like; conductive carbon such as ketjen black or acetylene black; SAF, ISAF, HAF, FEF, GP
Rubber carbon such as F, SRF, FT, MT; carbon for oxidized color ink, pyrolytic carbon, natural graphite, artificial graphite, etc .; metals such as tin oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, nickel, copper, etc. Metal oxides; conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, and polyacetylene;

The amount of these conductive materials added to the elastic layer 22 is preferably 100 parts by weight of the resin or rubber component.
0.01 to 50 parts by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 30 parts by weight, whereby the resistance value of the elastic layer is 10 ²
It can be adjusted to about 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm. on the other hand,
FIGS. 5A and 5B are enlarged cross-sectional views taken along line AA of FIG. 1 showing examples different from FIG. 4 of the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the elastic layer 22 is provided on both surfaces of the fiber layer 21.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the elastic layer 22 may be formed on only one surface of the side on which the toner image is transferred and held in contact with or close to the photosensitive member 1 (latent image holding member) and the recording medium 24. In addition, when a resin layer 23 described later is formed on the toner image transfer surface, as shown in FIG. 5B, the elastic layer 22 is formed only on one surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image is transferred. It is also possible to form a resin layer 23, which will be described later, on the fiber layer 21 to form a transfer surface. Further, although not specifically shown, a fiber layer is laminated on both sides of the elastic layer, and one fiber layer is formed. A resin layer 23 to be described later can be formed thereon. The thickness of only one side (single layer) of the elastic layer 22 is appropriately selected according to the form of the intermediate transfer belt. For example, as shown in FIGS. In the case of an endless belt shape having an elastic layer 22 on both sides, usually 0.01 to
It is preferably set to 2 mm, particularly about 0.05 to 0.5 mm.

Next, although not particularly limited, the resin layer 23 is made of fluorine resin, fluorine rubber, polyamide,
Polyurethane, polyester, alkyd resin, melamine resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, acrylic silicone resin, acrylic urethane resin,
It can be formed using a resin such as a silicone resin, an amino resin, a urea resin, or a mixture of two or more.
Here, the resin layer 23 is not particularly limited, but is preferably formed using a resin containing a fluororesin. In this case, as the fluororesin, polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene- Perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, poly Vinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, and the like are preferably used, so that adhesion and fusion of the toner can be more effectively prevented.

Although not particularly limited, the resin layer 23 is usually mixed with a conductive material similar to that exemplified for the elastic layer 22 in order to impart appropriate conductivity. be able to. In this case, the amount of the conductive material is not particularly limited, and is appropriately selected according to a desired resistance value. A suitable surface resistance of the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention is a volume resistivity of 10 ² to 10 ¹⁸ Ω · cm, particularly 1
0 ⁵ is ~10 ¹⁸ Ω · cm, such the resistance value is selected the amount of the conductive agent so as to obtain well, 0.001 part by weight usually based on 100 parts by weight of the resin component It is about. Further, additives such as a thixotropy-imparting agent and a structural viscosity-imparting agent may be blended in the resin layer 23. Such a compound may be either an inorganic compound or an organic compound, such as a silica compound. 4 and 5 (FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to A in FIG. 1).
(Cross-sectional view along the line A), the toner image is formed on the surface on the side where the toner image is transferred and held in contact with or close to the photosensitive member 1 (latent image holding member) and the recording medium 24. However, in the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention, the resin layer 2
Reference numeral 3 is not an essential component. In some cases, the resin layer 23 may be omitted, and the toner image may be directly transferred and held on the elastic layer 22.

When the resin layer 23 is provided, another resin layer or rubber layer may be formed between the resin layer 23 and the elastic layer 22 according to the purpose. As other materials for forming the resin layer or the rubber layer, rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyester resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin similar to those exemplified for forming the elastic layer 22 are used. , Polydioxolane resin, urethane modified acrylic resin, nylon resin, epoxy resin, styrene resin, polyvinyl acetal resin, fluororesin, fluororubber and the like. For the other resin layer or rubber layer, the same conductive material as that of the elastic layer 22 may be used.
0.01 to 50 parts by weight, and preferably 0.01 to 50 parts by weight,
About 0.1 to 30 parts by weight is blended, and the volume resistivity is 10 ²
About 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm, particularly preferably 10 ⁵ to 10
It can be adjusted to ¹⁴ Ω · cm. The thickness of the other resin layer or rubber layer is not particularly limited, but is usually about 1 to 600 μm.

Although the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention is not particularly limited, the surface roughness of the intermediate transfer belt is JIS 10 point average roughness R.
It is preferable that z be 10 μm or less, particularly 6 μm or less, and more preferably 3 μm or less. Further, it is preferable that the volume resistivity of the member is about 10 ⁶ to 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm. Further, as in the apparatus shown in FIG.
A voltage can be applied from a suitable power supply 61 to the drive roller or drive gear that rotates Oa, and the voltage in this case can be applied by applying only DC or by applying AC to DC.
The application conditions can be selected as appropriate. The present invention also provides
The present invention also provides an intermediate transfer apparatus using the above-described intermediate transfer belt of the present invention. The intermediate transfer device of the present invention includes the intermediate transfer belt, a driving member for driving the intermediate transfer belt to circulate, and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the intermediate transfer belt. For example, the device shown in FIG. 1 can be mentioned, but of course, the device is not limited to this device.
It can be changed appropriately within the scope of the present invention.

[0021]

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Example 1 A woven cloth having a thickness of 0.1 mm and a width of 350 mm formed by plain weaving a polyester fiber having a fiber diameter of 50 denier was impregnated with rubber cement (epichlorohydrin rubber), and two woven cloths were laminated. Next, the rubber cement at both ends (polymerized portion, 4 mm from the edge) of the woven fabric was dissolved and removed with toluene, and only the weft yarn was deleted. Then, both ends were polymerized to form an endless fiber layer. Formed. Next, an elastic layer having a thickness of 0.3 mm made of the rubber composition shown in Table 1 was formed on both surfaces of the fiber layer, and 100 parts by weight of a soluble fluororesin and an isocyanate-based curing agent were formed on one surface of the elastic layer. 25 parts by weight of a coating material, applied and cured to a thickness of 40 μm.
By forming the m resin layer, an endless intermediate transfer belt as shown in FIG. The volume resistivity of the elastic layer was 3 × 10 ⁹ Ω · cm, the volume resistivity of the resin layer was 3 × 10 ¹³ Ω · cm, and the volume resistivity of the entire belt was 6 × 10 ⁹ Ω · cm. .

[0022]

[Table 1]

The intermediate transfer belt was mounted as an intermediate transfer belt 20a on a color printer having the same mechanism as that shown in FIG. 1, and 10,000 images were continuously output. The obtained image was good to the end and no trouble occurred. Example 2 Both ends of the woven fabric were treated in the same manner as in Example 1, and 2
An endless intermediate transfer belt was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that only the weft yarn having a length of mm was deleted. When an image was formed using this intermediate transfer belt in the same manner as in Example 1, the obtained image was excellent until the end and no trouble occurred.

Example 3 Endless intermediate transfer was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the treatment of both ends of the woven fabric in Example 1 was performed by diagonally slitting with a knife as shown in FIG. A belt was made. When an image was formed using this intermediate transfer belt in the same manner as in Example 1, the obtained image was excellent until the end and no trouble occurred. Example 4 An endless intermediate transfer belt was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the treatment of both ends of the woven fabric in Example 1 was performed by slitting in parallel and staggered with a knife as shown in FIG. Was prepared. When an image was formed using this intermediate transfer belt in the same manner as in Example 1, the obtained image was excellent until the end and no trouble occurred. Comparative Example 1 An endless intermediate transfer belt was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the treatment was not performed on both ends of the woven fabric. Using this intermediate transfer belt, an image was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, and the obtained image was 8000
Color misregistration occurred at the time of printing for the number of sheets, and a good image could not be obtained. After the test was completed, the intermediate transfer belt was taken out and its surface was examined. As a result, a minute concave portion was found near the overlapping portion of the woven fabric.

[0025]

The intermediate transfer belt of the present invention prevents stress from being concentrated on a portion of the belt where the woven fabric is superimposed when printing is performed by the intermediate transfer method in the electrostatic recording process, and an image is formed. It is possible to provide a print image having good image quality without disturbance or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an intermediate transfer device using an intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an intermediate transfer device using an intermediate transfer drum.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example for explaining a state in which an end portion of a woven fabric is overlapped in the intermediate transfer belt of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 showing a different example of the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 showing another different example of the intermediate transfer belt of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a woven structure of a woven fabric end in Example 3.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a woven structure of a woven fabric end in Example 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Image forming body (photosensitive drum, latent image holding body) 20a: Intermediate transfer belt 20b: Intermediate transfer drum 21: Fiber layer 21a: Woven cloth 21b: Rubber impregnated part 22: Elastic layer 23: Resin layer 24: Recording medium 41 : Developing device 42: Developing device 43: Developing device 44: Developing device 61: Power supply device (voltage applying means) A: Overlap width of woven fabric end B: Slit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An endless fiber layer formed by polymerizing the end of a woven fabric, an elastic layer laminated on one or both sides of the fiber layer, and disposed between an image forming body and a recording medium. The toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body is circulated and driven by the driving member to temporarily transfer and hold the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body to its own surface. An intermediate transfer belt, wherein the woven structure is different from the woven structure other than the end portion. 2. The intermediate transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the woven fabric has a woven structure consisting essentially of fibers substantially in a stretching direction of the intermediate transfer belt. 3. The intermediate transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the woven fabric has a woven structure formed by removing a part of fibers in a substantially width direction of the intermediate transfer belt. 4. The intermediate transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the woven fabric has a woven structure in which fibers in a substantially stretching direction of the intermediate transfer belt are cut. 5. An intermediate transfer belt disposed between an image forming body and a recording medium, for temporarily transferring and holding the toner image formed on the surface of the image forming body to its own surface, and transferring this to a recording medium; 5. An intermediate transfer apparatus comprising: a driving member for circulating the intermediate transfer belt; and voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the intermediate transfer belt, wherein the intermediate transfer belt is any one of claims 1 to 4. An intermediate transfer device using the intermediate transfer belt described in the above section.