KR100473746B1 - Toner Composition for Developing Electrostatic Latent Image - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is used in an image forming method provided with an image fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording medium by flash light. A toner composition comprising at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a charge control agent, wherein the generation concentration of benzene generated by heating at 330 ° C. for 90 seconds is 60 μg / g or less, and the filter is toner for electrostatic latent image development. Provided is a toner composition for electrostatic latent image development, in which the service life of the battery is long or there is no need to use a filter.

Description

Toner composition for electrostatic latent image development {Toner Composition for Developing Electrostatic Latent Image}

The present invention relates to a developing powder for developing an electrostatic latent image in an electrophotographic image (hereinafter referred to as a toner composition), in particular an electrostatic latent image suitable for a laser beam printer or an LED printer which performs flash fixation on a printed object at high speed. It relates to a developing toner composition.

The electrophotographic method is a charging process for imparting a constant electrostatic charge onto a photoconductor using a photoconductive material, an exposure process for irradiating light to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing process for electrostatically attaching toner to a latent image portion, and a toner image support A transfer process for transferring, a fixing process for fixing the toner image to the toner image support by pressure, heat, flash flashing, etc., a cleaning process for removing the untransferred toner remaining on the photoconductor, and an electrostatic charge on the photoconductor to be removed to an initial state. The return is made of an antistatic process, and the process is repeated to obtain an image.

The pressure fixing method, which is a fixing method in an electrophotographic printer, has advantages such as immediate operation, low power consumption because no heater is used as a heat source, and no risk of ignition in the fixing unit. It is generally advantageous to be based on a heat fixation method, because there are disadvantages such as poor fixability, poor gloss of an image, and low quality. As the heat fixation method, there is known a contact heat fixation method by heat roll fixing and a non-contact heat fixation method by fixing by flash flashing and by oven fixing passing through a heating atmosphere of the heat transfer heater.

The present invention relates to fixation by flash, which is typical of non-contact heating fixing method, wherein the flash fixing method irradiates the emission spectrum of xenon lamp or halogen lamp on the visible of the toner for a short time of less than milliseconds, As a method of softening and melting a toner to fix it to a toner support (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-107805), the following advantages are obtained.

(1) Since it is non-contact fixation, the resolution of the image at the time of image development does not deteriorate.

(2) There is no waiting time after the power is turned on, so it can be started quickly.

(3) Even if recording paper or the like is blocked in the fixing unit by the system down, it does not ignite.

(4) Good fixability is exhibited regardless of the type of toner support (material of recording paper, tag paper, thick paper, etc.).

(5) Since only the toner, which is a black portion, is heated, heat shrinkage of recording paper and the like is small, and the paper transportability is excellent, and high speed printing is possible.

However, since the flash fixation method is a non-contact heating fixation, the ratio of energy dissipation to the surroundings is high, and due to the intermittent energy irradiation, the thermal efficiency is worse than that of the heat roll fixation, that is, the fixing method with large power consumption. In addition, in the flash fixing method, the surface temperature of the toner composition instantaneously reaches a high temperature of several hundred degrees due to the rapid irradiation of high energy flash light in a very short time so that a part of the toner composition additive is decomposed and gasified to release odor or harmful. There was a problem of decomposition products generating gas.

In the flash fixing type printer, in order to remove the decomposition products at the time of flash fixing, the flash fixing unit sucks these decomposition products, and passes through a filter such as activated carbon to adsorb and collect harmful gases. However, there has been a problem of an increase in operating costs due to the use of a filter and a shortening of the filter replacement life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in a printer employing a flash fixing method, it is possible to solve the problem of an increase in operating costs by suppressing the generation of decomposition products, making the filter unnecessary, or shortening the replacement life of the filter. It is to provide a toner composition for electrostatic latent image development.

<Start of invention>

The present invention is a quaternary ammonium salt compound, a triphenylmethane compound, or a temperature of 100 ° C. or more and 250 ° C. or less and a vacuum degree of 0.2 MPa or less when flash-fixing a toner composition including at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a charge control agent. A charge control agent selected from the group consisting of nigrosine-based compounds subjected to vacuum heat treatment in the present invention relates to a fixing method for a toner composition.

In addition, the present invention provides a toner composition comprising at least a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control agent, wherein the generation concentration of benzene generated by heating at 330 ° C. for 90 seconds is 60 μg / g or less, which is used for flash fixing. A toner composition for electrostatic latent image development.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the fixing apparatus of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a distribution of radiation energy on a recording medium by the image fixing apparatus of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the fixing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing one embodiment of the image fixing device of the present invention.

6 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the recording medium side.

<Description of the code>

1 photosensitive drum

2 charger

3 exposure apparatus

4 developing device

5 Warrior Charger

6 recording media

7 fuser unit

8 Cleaning Brush

9 xenon lamp (flash light source)

10 toner

11 reflector

12 glass plates

13 housing

14 restriction

15 halogen lamp

16 air vents

17 cases

<Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention>

The toner composition of the present invention has a generation concentration of benzene generated by heating at 330 ° C. for 90 seconds of 60 μg / g or less, preferably 40 μg / g or less. In the case where the concentration of benzene generated exceeds 60 µg / g, measures such as strengthening of the smoke filter are necessary.

As for the decomposition products that determine the necessity and life of the filter here, the generation of benzene as a decomposition product becomes a problem in terms of legal regulations. As a method of specifying the amount of benzene generated, there is a method of collecting and quantifying the exhaust gas generated by operating the printer, but there are problems such as sampling problems and factors other than toner, and thus, desirable characteristics as toner are not obtained. . The present inventors continued to examine practical and reproducible conditions, and found that the amount of benzene generated by heating at 330 ° C. for 90 seconds serves as a criterion for judging whether the toner is good or bad, and the amount thereof is 60 µg / g. Use of the following toners has been found to greatly extend the life of the filter.

As a result of changing the flash voltage correlated with the flash energy, it was found that benzene is generated at a voltage of 1850 V that is normally used, but generation of benzene is greatly reduced by reducing the pressure to 1750 V. It is estimated that the toner during flash fixing is instantaneously subjected to a high temperature, and indirectly estimates the voltage condition using an indicator material that knows the decomposition temperature. I could see that. That is, when the benzene generation amount of the toner was evaluated under the condition of 90 seconds, which is a time sufficient to decompose the indicator material at 330 ° C., it was found that there is a good relationship between the evaluation result and the amount of benzene generated in the actual printer. .

There is no particular limitation as to the method for measuring the amount of benzene generated if it is possible to measure the amount of benzene generated at 330 ° C. for 90 seconds. For example, 10 mg of a sample is placed in a 20 ml glass container, purged with nitrogen, and closed 330. Heat for 90 seconds in an electric furnace at ℃. 0.5 ml of gaseous phase in a glass container is injected into a gas chromatography device to investigate the amount of benzene generated. The measurement conditions of the gas chromatography used here are not particularly limited as long as benzene can be quantitatively reproducible, but for example, the following conditions can be used.

Conditions of gas chromatography:

Column: SPB-1 S 0.32 mm x 60 mm

Carrier Gas: He

Column temperature: 50 ° C. → 280 ° C. (10 ° C./min)

Detector: FID

Injection volume: 0.5 ml

As for the means for achieving such an amount of generation, various thoughts can be considered. As a result of the present inventors diligently examining the factor of occurrence of benzene, the generation of this benzene is usually carried out by the use of a nigrosin-based charge control agent. It was found that benzene is generated by decomposition by light energy. For this reason, it is preferable to take the following method.

(1) Removal of Benzene Generating Materials in Nigrocene Charge Control Agent

As a result of examining the benzene generation mechanism of the nigrosine-type charge control agent, it was found that benzene generated by impurities contained in the charge control agent exists together with benzene generated by decomposition of the main component. For this reason, the method of removing an impurity by vacuum-heating as a method of removing an impurity, and the method of washing with organic solvents, such as alcohol, are mentioned, The method of performing a vacuum heat processing is preferable at the point which is easy.

(2) Use of charge control agent that does not generate benzene

As such a thing, it is preferable to use a quaternary ammonium salt compound, a triphenylmethane type charge control agent, etc.

However, when a quaternary ammonium salt compound is used, it is difficult to impart good chargeability to the toner, and when a triphenyl-type charge control agent is used, the charge control agent is decomposed when the temperature becomes high during fixing, so Since it is contaminated, it is more preferable to remove the benzene generating substance in the nigrosin system charge control agent.

Here, in the case of using a quaternary ammonium salt compound as the charge control agent, the anion of the quaternary ammonium salt compound is preferably an inorganic anion containing molybdenum or tungsten atoms. Specific examples of the inorganic anion include molybdate, tungstic acid, phosphorus molybdate, silicon molybdate, phosphorus tungstic acid, silicon tungstic acid, phosphorus tungsten molybdate, silicon tungsten molybdate, phosphorus tungsten molybdate and chromium molybdate. .

As a specific example of such a quaternary ammonium salt compound, TP-302, 415, etc. by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd. are mentioned.

As addition amount of a quaternary ammonium salt compound, 0.1-5 weight part is preferable with respect to 100 weight part of toner compositions. If it is less than 0.1 part by weight, sufficient chargeability cannot be imparted to the toner. If it exceeds 5 parts by weight, the charge control agent is expensive compared to other toner compositions, leading to an increase in cost.

Moreover, when using a triphenylmethane type charge control agent as a charge control agent, CI Solvent Blue 66, 124, CI Pigment Blue 61, 56, 19, 18 etc. are mentioned, It is preferable to use CI Solvent Blue 124. Do. Specific examples of such triphenylmethane-based charge control agents include "Copy Blue" PR manufactured by Hoechst, "Brilliant Blue Base" SM, and "BASF Alkali Blue" NB D 6156 D LD manufactured by BASF Japan.

As addition amount of a triphenylmethane type charge control agent, 0.1-5 weight part is preferable with respect to 100 weight part of toner compositions. If it is less than 0.1 part by weight, sufficient chargeability cannot be imparted to the toner. If it exceeds 5 parts by weight, the charge control agent is expensive compared to other toner components, leading to an increase in cost.

Moreover, in the method of vacuum-heating a nigrosin-type charge control agent, it is preferable to vacuum-heat-process at the temperature of 100 degreeC or more, 250 degrees C or less, and the vacuum degree of 0.2 MPa or less, and the temperature of 100 degreeC or more and 250 degrees C or less and 0.05 MPa or less It is preferable to perform vacuum heat treatment at a vacuum degree of, and further preferably to perform vacuum heat treatment at a temperature of 130 ° C. to 220 ° C. and a vacuum degree of 0.03 MPa or less.

It is unexpected that such treatment suppresses the generation of benzene during flash fixation. This is because, if benzene is generated by the thermal decomposition of the charge control agent, for example, the nigrosine-based compound itself, removal of the benzene generation source by vacuum heating treatment or the like cannot be considered. The present invention was conceived only after realizing that the benzene generator was not the charge control agent itself.

If the heating temperature is less than 100 ℃, the generation of decomposition products can not be suppressed, there is no effect of extending the life of the filter, if it exceeds 250 ℃, the decomposition of the charge control agent itself starts to charge function as a charge control agent Lost. When the degree of vacuum exceeds 0.2 MPa, a long time vacuum heat treatment time is required in order to produce an effect, and the practicality is inferior. The content of the nigrosin-based charge control agent is preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 2% by weight based on the entire toner composition.

Moreover, as an organic solvent used by the method of wash | cleaning a nigrosine type charge control agent with the organic solvent, alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol, a propanol, isopropanol, butanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, hexanone, etc. Aromatics, such as ketones, toluene, and xylene, are mentioned, It is preferable to wash with alcohol.

As a specific method of washing | cleaning process, the method of repeating the operation | movement which wash | cleans with the organic solvent of several times with respect to the nigrosin-type charge control agent is repeated several times.

The toner composition in the present invention contains at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a charge control agent, which will be described next.

As the binder resin contained in the toner composition of the present invention, a known binder resin can be used, and for example, a polystyrene homopolymer, a styrene-isobutylene copolymer, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene air Styrene-based copolymers such as copolymers, styrene-acryl copolymers, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, styrene-nbutyl methacrylate copolymers, styrene-glycidyl methacrylate copolymers, polymethyl methacrylates, Acrylic homopolymers or copolymers such as polyethyl methacrylate, polynbutyl methacrylate, polyglycidyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, fumaric acid / etherylated diphenyl-based polyesters, polyhydric alcohols and / or Polyester resins, such as crosslinked polyester by polyhydric carboxylic acid, an epoxy resin, etc. are mentioned. have. Among them, polyester resins are suitable for reducing the odor due to thermal decomposition during flash fixing.

Although it does not specifically limit, From the acid component which 80 mol% or more in the acid component of a polyester resin consists of a phthalic-acid dicarboxylic acid, and 80 mol% or more in alcohol component consists of a bisphenol A alkylene oxide adduct, The polyester resin obtained is preferable. Furthermore, in consideration of fixability, a softening point of 80 to 130 ° C, a glass transition point (Tg) of 55 to 70 ° C, and a melt viscosity obtained by a flow tester of 10000 centipoise are preferably 90 to 135 ° C, and a polyester resin As for the molecular weight distribution of, a number average molecular weight 2500-2500 and a weight average molecular weight 7000-130000 are suitable.

As the colorant contained in the toner composition of the present invention, a known colorant can be used. For example, ferromagnetic fine particles such as magnetite fine powder can be used in addition to carbon black such as farnes black, acetylene black, and channel black. As the black colorant, ferromagnetic fine particles and carbon black may be mixed and used. Dispersion of carbon black into the binder resin in these colorants is important in terms of the charge stability of the toner, and a dispersant may be used in combination if necessary. The content of carbon black is preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the toner composition. If it is less than 1 part by weight, the hiding power of the binder resin is insufficient, and sufficient image density cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if it exceeds 10 parts by weight, it is preferable to increase the image density by increasing the hiding power of the formed image. On the other hand, since the toner particles are excessively conductive by the carbon black thiene structure formed in the toner particles, the insulating property is impaired. As a result, the toner chargeability is reduced, and as a result, the image density is lowered, and further, white paper contamination or toner scattering is increased.

In the toner composition of the present invention, as the fluidity improving agent, inorganic fine particles or organic fine particles having an average particle diameter of 0.005 to 1.0 mu m can be added as necessary. As the inorganic fine particles, fine particles such as silica, titanium oxide and alumina oxide can be used. In particular, hydrophobized silica fine particles are preferable in that high fluidity is surely obtained. Moreover, as microparticles | fine-particles, resin microparticles | fine-particles, such as a polyvinylidene fluoride particle, polymethyl methacrylate, a fluororesin, and a silicone resin, can be used.

It is preferable that it is 4-20 micrometers, and, as for the average particle diameter of this toner composition, 6-12 micrometers is more preferable. If the average particle size of the toner is less than 4 m, the production by the conventional kneading pulverization method is difficult, and the yield of the toner is considerably lowered.

The toner composition used in the present invention can be produced by a conventionally known method. That is, after pre-mixing a toner composition such as a binder resin, a colorant, a charge control agent and a dispersing aid, if necessary, using a super mixer, for example, uniformly dispersing, melting and kneading with a twin screw extruder and then pulverizing with a jet mill. The target toner composition can be obtained by classifying with a wind classifier.

The toner composition of the present invention can be mixed with a carrier and used as a two-component developer. Moreover, when a toner composition contains a magnetic substance, it can also be used for image development of an electrostatic latent image as a one-component developer. The carrier is made of a metal such as iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, or chromium, or a metal oxide such as chromium dioxide, iron 32 or iron 43, or a magnetic material such as ferrite, and ferrite is represented by the formula MFe204 (M is Mn, Co, Mg, Zn or Cu). In the case where the carrier is made of a metallic material, it is also preferable to form an oxide film in order to prevent oxidation of the carrier surface. Furthermore, in addition to the magnetite and ferrite carrier in which the magnetite fine particles and the ferrite fine particles are granulated, so-called resin carriers in which the magnetite fine particles or the ferrite fine particles and the charge control agent are dispersed can be used. The carrier surface may be coated with the same resin as the resin contained in the toner composition or another resin for the purpose of improving the charging characteristics.

Although the particle diameter of a carrier can use what is 20-200 micrometers generally, it is preferable to use the small particle size carrier of 20-60 micrometers in order to obtain a favorable print density. The measurement method of the carrier particle diameter was measured using the laser diffraction type particle size distribution analyzer SALD-2000J (made by Shimadzu Corporation).

The two-component developer is prepared by mixing the toner composition and the carrier described above. The blending ratio of the toner composition is usually about 5 to 30% by weight based on the total amount of the toner composition and the carrier, which is large due to the difference in the type of carrier or the charging characteristics and developing method of the toner used. The smaller particle size carrier increases the specific surface area of the carrier, so that the toner compounding ratio can generally be increased. When the toner concentration in the developer is too low, the image density is low, or so-called carrier over which carriers adhere to the photoconductor tends to occur. On the other hand, if the toner concentration is too high, contamination of the inside and outside of the printer due to white paper contamination or scattering of the toner of the image background portion becomes prominent, so that an appropriate toner compounding ratio is actually determined by printing evaluation by the printer.

The electrostatic latent image shape toner composition of the present invention can be used in an image fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording medium by flash light. More preferably, it is possible to use in an image fixing apparatus characterized by including, between the light source and the recording medium, a restrictor that partially restricts the radiant energy that is to be irradiated from the light source of flash light to be applied onto the toner on the recording medium. Moreover, it is preferable to use the image fixing apparatus characterized by providing the restrictor which limits the radiation energy partially to a part of outer wall of the light source of flash light.

Moreover, in the image fixing apparatus of this invention, it is preferable that the said restrictor is provided with the property which reflects, scatters, or refracts the radiation energy from the said light source.

Further, in the image fixing apparatus of the present invention, the restrictor strongly limits the radiation energy to at least a portion of the portion on the recording medium to which high radiation energy should be given when the radiation energy is not limited by the restrictor, It is desirable to weakly limit the radiation energy to at least a portion of the portion on the recording medium to which radiation energy is to be given.

In the image fixing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable to include preheating means for preheating the recording medium before imparting radiant energy on the toner by the light source.

In the present invention, "limiting radiation energy" absorbs, reflects, scatters or refracts radiant energy by placing a restrictor in the middle of the radiation energy generating portion of the flash light source and the recording medium conveyance path, so that the recording medium if no limiter is present Or to reduce a portion of the radiant energy to be given to a specific portion (in most cases, the portion with the highest energy density) of the toner image thereon. However, the radiation energy blocked by the restrictor here is preferably applied to other portions of the recording medium by reflection, scattering or refraction. Thereby, the distribution of the conveyance direction of the radiant energy imparted to the recording medium or the toner thereon can be made uniform. The restrictor may be provided on or near the surface of the light source.

In the present invention, the recording medium may be anything as long as the toner image is to be fixed. In most cases, sheet-like objects, such as paper, a plastic film, cloth, and a metal plate, are used preferably. Since paper or plastic film may be deformed or pressed by excessive heating, it is a suitable application object of the present invention that can reduce the maximum energy density.

The outline of the representative image forming method and electrophotographic printer (image forming apparatus) used in the toner composition of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the electrophotographic printer, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. First, the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged using the charger 2. Subsequently, exposure is selectively performed spatially according to the image to be formed using the exposure apparatus 3 provided with an LED array or a laser beam. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 using the developing apparatus 4 is developed by a developer, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The developed toner image is transferred onto the recording medium 6 by the transfer charger 5. The recording medium 6 is melted and fixed with the fixing unit 7 while being conveyed at a constant speed.

The toner image not transferred to the recording medium is cleaned by the cleaning lamp 8 provided with a negative bias for the toner and returns to the initial state.

2 and 3, the restrictor will be described. 2 describes the fixing unit 7 in detail. The fixing unit irradiates the radiant energy for fixing the toner image 10 on the recording medium 6 by the photothermal conversion action by the flash light source 9. Xenon lamp, neon lamp, argon lamp, krypton lamp and the like can be used as the flash light source. In order to effectively use the radiant energy from the flash light source, a reflecting plate 11 is disposed on the back surface of the flash light source. In addition to this, it may have a glass plate 12 and a housing 13 to constitute a fixing device. The radiant energy irradiated from the flash light source 9 penetrates the glass plate 12 together with the components reflected by the reflecting plate 11 on the back to irradiate the toner image 10 already formed on the recording medium 6. The irradiated radiant energy is selectively absorbed by the toner image 10 to generate heat and fuse the toner, and fix the toner to the recording medium 6. It is known that the radiation energy distribution on the recording medium has a shape that is generally the lowest portion of the flash light source 9 as shown in FIG. 3 and that is close to the Gaussian distribution when the radiation energy is not limited as in the present invention. .

Thus, the restrictor 14 is disposed in the middle of the flash light source 9 and the recording medium 6 and on the shortest distance between the flash light source 9 and the recording medium 6. By doing so, the restrictor 14 can be arranged in the path of the light beam irradiating the portion with the highest radiant energy on the recording medium 6, thereby partially reducing the radiant energy radiated from the flash light source 9. This effect makes it possible to lower the peak of the high radiant energy originally generated directly under the flash light source 9, and as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to uniformize the distribution of radiant energy.

In addition, the effect of transferring the radiant energy originally concentrated directly under the flash light source 9 to the periphery can be expected by making the restrictor 14 have a property of not absorbing light, that is, diffusing or reflecting light. Moreover, since light is not absorbed, the restrictor 14 absorbs radiant energy and generates little heat, so that a stable effect can be expected. As a material which can expect such an effect, a metal net | network, a glyde, chromium vapor deposition film, etc. can be considered as a reflector. In the case of a net and a glyde, stainless steel is preferable at the point of heat resistance weather resistance. As the diffusion material, a heat resistant optical diffusion plate and the like can be considered. As an optical diffuser plate, the grinding glass which roughened the glass surface can be considered. Moreover, a cylindrical lens can be considered as a refractive material. Moreover, when using a chromium vapor deposition film or an optical diffuser plate as a restrictor 14, the restrictor 14 and the glass plate 12 can also be integrated.

In addition, a more uniform radiation energy distribution can be obtained by changing the limit of the radiant energy with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 6. In other words, the closer to the flash light source 9 and the higher the radiant energy, the more restrictive the property of the restrictor 14 is. Specifically, in the case of a metal net or a glyde, the density of the net may be increased in the center portion, and the density of the net in the peripheral portion. In the case of chromium deposition, the amount of metal deposition increases in the center portion and the amount decreases in the peripheral portion.

3 shows an example of radiation energy distribution on the recording medium 6 with and without the restrictor 14. It can be seen that a more uniform radiant energy distribution is obtained when there is a restrictor 14.

The glass plate 12 includes a flash light source 9 and a recording medium (1) in order to prevent contamination of the flash light source 9 and the reflecting plate 11 with paper powder or toner itself generated from the recording medium or a gas generated from the toner. It is preferable to interpose between 6). In addition, by providing the restrictor 14 on the flash light source 9 side of the glass plate 12, contamination by the toner 10 or the like of the restrictor 14 can be prevented, which is preferable.

As shown in FIG. 4, the restrictor 14 may be configured on the outer wall of the flash light source 9. Since it can be integrated with the flash light source 9, there is an advantage that the apparatus can be simplified.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although the Example of this invention is described concretely, this invention is not limited by these.

Reference Example 1 (Detailed Description of Fixing Device)

1, an electrophotographic printer (image forming apparatus) including a fixing apparatus and a fixing method which can be used for fixing the toner composition for electrostatic latent image development of the present invention will be described. In the electrophotographic printer, a toner image was formed on the photosensitive drum 1. First, the photosensitive drum 1 is constantly charged using the charger 2. Subsequently, exposure is selectively performed spatially according to the image to be formed using the exposure apparatus 3 provided with an LED array or a laser beam. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 using the developer 4 is developed by the toner to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 1. The developed toner image is transferred onto the recording medium 6 by the transfer charger 5. While transporting the recording medium 6 at a constant speed, the fixing medium 7 is melted and fixed as shown in the above embodiment.

An embodiment of a fixing apparatus and a fixing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In this embodiment, a halogen lamp 15 and a flash light source 9 that generate radiant heat energy mainly containing far infrared rays having a peak wavelength of energy in the vicinity of 2 to 5 탆 are provided in the front end of the fixing unit, thereby toner on the recording medium. Settle the statue. The halogen lamp 15 is continuously lit to preheat the recording medium 6 and toner image 10. This preheating removes the water which may be contained in the case where the recording medium is paper to some extent, and preheats the entire recording medium 6. Since far infrared rays are efficiently absorbed not only in the toner image but also in the recording medium 2, the temperature difference between the toner image and the recording medium is caused by the radiant energy imparted by the light source 9 of the flash light which is efficiently absorbed later on the toner image. It suppresses the occurrence and enables a stronger fixation. That is, even if the radiation energy of the flash light source 9 is comparatively low, it plays a role of assisting in obtaining favorable fixing performance. Further, an exhaust port 16 for absorbing the odor or gas generated in the toner at the time of mounting is provided at the rear end of the fixing unit.

A xenon lamp was used for the flash light source 9. The external dimension of the xenon lamp in this embodiment is about 15 mm in diameter, about 425 mm in length of the light emitting portion, rated voltage is 1850 V, and rated energy is 343 J. The energy generated by the flash light source 9 is preferably 200 J or more. The xenon lamp was turned on at a 6.6 Hz cycle in accordance with the conveyance of the recording medium 6 (about 225 mm / sec). In other words, the xenon lamp was turned on at about 34 mm intervals on the recording medium 6.

A restrictor 14 is provided between the flash light source 9 and the conveyance path of the recording medium 6. As the restrictor 14, a glide-like one obtained by processing a 0.1 mm thick stainless plate (about 14 mm in width and 441 mm in length) by etching was used. 5 shows this fuser viewed from the recording medium side. The restrictor 14 is a wire parallel to the longitudinal direction (direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium 2) of the eleven flash light sources 9 having a width of 0.1 mm and a plurality of inclined wires interconnecting them. It consists of. The wires parallel to the longitudinal direction of the eleven flash light sources 9 were arranged to have a higher density at a portion immediately below the flash light source 9 and a lower density at the periphery. The plurality of inclined wires have a function of connecting the parallel wires to each other and increasing the limiting amount.

A restrictor 14 having a mesh structure made of stainless steel was installed above the glass plate 12 and immediately below the flash light source 9, and both ends were fixed between the glass plate 12 and the case 17.

Using the image forming apparatus of the embodiment having such a configuration, the experiment was conducted using the following toners.

Reference Example 2 (Manufacture of Standard Carrier)

24% by weight of polyester resin ("Tuffon" TTR-2, Gao Corporation make)

Magnetic material (EPT-1000, Toda Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 74% by weight

Charge control agent ("Bontron" S-34: product of Orient Kagaku Co., Ltd.) 1% by weight

1% by weight of wax (LUVAX-1151: product of Nippon Seiro Corporation)

After fully mixing the said component, it melted and knead | mixed by the twin screw extruder (PCM-30: manufactured by Igagaki Co., Ltd.). The kneaded material was cooled and coarsely pulverized to a level of 2 mm in diameter with a coarse grinder (UG-210KGS manufactured by Horai Co., Ltd.), which was then subjected to a heavy mill ("Pine Mill" FM-300N: Nippon Pneumatic High School). After grinding, the resultant was classified using a mill ("Separator" DS-5UR: manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd.) to obtain a resin carrier having a weight average particle diameter of 50 µm.

Reference Example 3

The charge control agent A was prepared by treating "Botron" N-01 manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries, Ltd. for 6 hours under vacuum heating at 190 DEG C and 0.01 MPa.

Reference Example 4

The charge controller B was prepared by treating "Bontron" N-01 manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries, Inc. under vacuum heating at 160 ° C. and 0.02 MPa for 12 hours.

Reference Example 5

The charge control agent C was prepared by processing "Bontron" N-01 manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries, Inc. under vacuum heating at 90 ° C. and 0.01 MPa for 6 hours.

Reference Example 6

Charge control agent D was prepared by treating "Botron" N-01 manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries, Inc. under vacuum heating at 160 DEG C and 0.02 MPa for 6 hours.

Reference Example 7

Charge control agent E was prepared by repeatedly washing 10 g of "Bontron" N-01, manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries, Ltd. with 100 g of methanol (manufactured by Reagent Express Nakarai Test Co., Ltd.) three times.

<Example 1>

Toner was prepared using the following components.

[Toner composition]

60% by weight of polyester resin ("Tuffon" TTR-2, product made by Gao Corporation)

16% by weight of polyester resin ("Tufton" TTR-5, manufactured by Gao Corporation)

Magnetic material (EPT-1000, Toda Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 20 wt%

2% by weight carbon black (manufactured by Cabot; "Regal" 330R)

2% by weight of charge control agent A of Reference Example 3

After sufficiently mixing the above components, they were melted and kneaded in a twin screw extruder (PCM-30: manufactured by Igaiga Co., Ltd.), and then ground in a jet mill grinder (PJM-100; manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd.), followed by a wind classifier. (A-12; manufactured by Alpine Corporation) to obtain a toner having a weight average particle diameter of 8 mu m. In order to improve the fluidity of the toner, 1.2% by weight of hydrophobic silica fine particles (manufactured by Hoist Japan Corporation; HVK-2150) was added to the toner, and mixed with a super mixer (SMV-20; manufactured by Kawata Corporation) to adjust the toner. A bipolar toner was obtained.

The amount of benzene generated at 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 9 μg / g.

Next, the developer was adjusted by blending 90% by weight of the resin carrier prepared in Reference Example 2 with 10% by weight of this toner, and the image was output by an LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 to evaluate image quality. In this printer, a filter having an amount of activated carbon of 300 g was used. Good images were obtained even after the initial and 900,000 character prints. Moreover, although the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas after the filter pass after the initial 900,000 characters of printing was measured, there was no significant difference between 1 ppb of the ambient atmospheric level and below the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb).

In the measurement of the amount of benzene, 1 L of the gas passing through the filter was collected by a solid collection method (Carbotrap 400), and a collecting tube was installed in a heat desorption apparatus (TDU) and analyzed by thermal desorption to GC-F1D method and GC / MS method.

<Example 2>

Toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that charge control agent B was used instead of charge control agent A. The amount of benzene generated at 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 14 μg / g. This developer was produced in the same manner using this toner. Using this developer, an image was output to the LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 similarly to Example 1 to evaluate image quality. Good images were obtained even after the initial and 900,000 character prints. Moreover, although the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas after the filter pass after the initial 900,000 characters of printing was measured, there was no significant difference between 1 ppb of the ambient atmospheric level and below the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb).

Comparative Example 1

Toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that "Bontron" N-01, which was an untreated nigrosin-based charge control agent, was used instead of the charge control agent A of Reference Example 3. The amount of benzene generated at 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 100 μg / g. Using this toner, a developer was produced in the same manner as in Example 1. Using this developer, an image was output to the LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 similarly to Example 1 to evaluate image quality. As a result of printing, a good image was obtained. However, when the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas was measured, it was found that it is necessary to use a filter higher than the atmospheric level (1 ppb) at 9 ppb. For this reason, after printing using a filter with 300 g of activated carbon, there was no significant difference between 1 ppb of the ambient air level and the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas after passing through the filter after printing 600,000 characters. It is superior to the fluctuation level of, and it is necessary to replace the filter.

Comparative Example 2

Toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that "Bontron" N-13, which was an untreated nigrosin-based charge control agent, was used instead of the charge control agent A of Reference Example 3. The amount of benzene generated at 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 150 μg / g. Using this toner, a developer was produced in the same manner as in Example 1. Using this developer, an image was output to the LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 similarly to Example 1 to evaluate image quality. As a result of printing, a good image was obtained. However, when the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas was measured, it was found that it is necessary to use a filter higher than the atmospheric level (1 ppb) at 10.5 ppb. For this reason, after printing using a filter with 300 g of activated carbon, there was no significant difference between 1 ppb of the ambient air level and the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas after passing through the filter after printing 600,000 characters at 2 ppb. To be superior to the fluctuation level of, the filter replacement was necessary.

Comparative Example 3

Toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that charge control agent C was used instead of charge control agent A. The amount of benzene generated when the toner was heated at 330 ° C. for 90 seconds was 74 μg / g. This developer was produced in the same manner using this toner. Using this developer, an image was output to the LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 similarly to Example 1 to evaluate image quality. Good images were obtained even after the initial and 700,000 prints. However, after printing 700,000 characters, the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas after passing through the printer was 2 ppb, which was superior to the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb), so that the replacement of the filter was necessary.

<Example 3>

Toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that charge control agent D was used instead of charge control agent A. The amount of benzene generated during the 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 32 μg / g. This developer was produced in the same manner using this toner. Using this developer, an image was output to the LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 similarly to Example 1 to evaluate image quality. Good images were obtained even after the initial and 900,000 character prints. Moreover, although the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas after passing through the filter after the initial 900,000 characters was measured, there was no significant difference between 1 ppb of the ambient atmospheric level and below the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb).

<Example 4>

Toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that charge control agent E was used instead of charge control agent A. The amount of benzene generated when the toner was heated at 330 ° C. for 90 seconds was 36 µg / g. This developer was produced in the same manner using this toner. Using this developer, an image was output to the LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 similarly to Example 1 to evaluate image quality. Good images were obtained even after the initial and 900,000 character prints. Moreover, although the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas after the filter pass after the initial 900,000 prints was measured, there was no significant difference between 1 ppb of the ambient atmospheric level and below the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb).

Example 5

Toner was prepared using the following components.

[Toner composition]

60% by weight of polyester resin ("Tuffon" TTR-2, product made by Gao Corporation)

16% by weight of polyester resin ("Tufton" TTR-5, manufactured by Gao Corporation)

Magnetic material (EPT-1000, Toda Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 20 wt%

2% by weight carbon black (manufactured by Cabot; "Regal" 330R)

2% by weight of triphenylmethane-based charge control agent ("copy blue" PR, Hoechst company)

After sufficiently mixing the above components, the mixture was melted and kneaded with a twin screw extruder (PCM-30: manufactured by Igaiga Co., Ltd.), followed by fine grinding with a jet mill grinder (PJM-100; manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd.) A toner having a weight average particle diameter of 8 µm was obtained by classifying with an air supply (A-12; manufactured by Alpine Corporation). In order to improve the fluidity of the toner, 1.2% by weight of hydrophobic silica fine particles (manufactured by Hoist Japan Corporation; HVK-2150) was added to the toner, and mixed with a super mixer (SMV-20; manufactured by Kawata Corporation) to adjust the toner. A bipolar toner was obtained.

The amount of benzene generated at 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 2 μg / g.

Next, the developer was adjusted by blending 90% by weight of the resin carrier prepared in Reference Example 2 with 10% by weight of this toner, and the image was output by an LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 to evaluate image quality. This printer was printed without using a filter. As a result of printing, a good image was obtained. In addition, although the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas was measured, there was no significant difference between 1 ppb and the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb) or less.

In the measurement of the amount of benzene, 1 L of the gas passing through the filter was collected by an individual collection method (Carbotrap 400), and a collecting tube was placed in a heat desorption apparatus (TDU) and analyzed by thermal desorption to GC-F1D method and GC / MS method.

<Example 6>

Toner was prepared in the same manner as in Example 5 except that "Brilliant Blue Base" SM (manufactured by Hoechst) was used instead of "copy blue", which is the triphenylmethane-based charge control agent. The amount of benzene generated at 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 4 μg / g. Using this toner, a developer was produced in the same manner as in Example 5. Using this developer, an image was output to the LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 5 to evaluate image quality. As a result of printing, a good image was obtained. Moreover, although the amount of benzene in exhaust gas was measured, there was no significant difference with 1 ppb of ambient atmospheric level, and it was below the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb).

<Example 7>

Toner was prepared using the following components.

[Toner composition]

60% by weight of polyester resin ("Tuffon" TTR-2, product made by Gao Corporation)

16% by weight of polyester resin ("Tufton" TTR-5, manufactured by Gao Corporation)

Magnetic material (EPT-1000, Toda Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 20 wt%

2% by weight carbon black (manufactured by Cabot; "Regal" 330R)

2% by weight charge control agent of the quaternary ammonium salt compound

(TP-302, product of Hodogaya Kagaku Corporation)

After sufficiently mixing the above components, the mixture was melted and kneaded with a twin screw extruder (PCM-30: manufactured by Igaiga Co., Ltd.), followed by fine grinding with a jet mill grinder (PJM-100; manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd.) A toner having a weight average particle diameter of 8 µm was obtained by classifying with an air supply (A-12; manufactured by Alpine Corporation). In order to improve the fluidity of the toner, 1.2% by weight of hydrophobic silica fine particles (manufactured by Hoist Japan Corporation; HVK-2150) was added to the toner, and mixed with a super mixer (SMV-20; manufactured by Kawata Corporation) to adjust the toner. A bipolar toner was obtained. The amount of benzene generated at 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 4 μg / g.

Next, the developer was adjusted by blending 90% by weight of the resin carrier prepared in Reference Example 2 with 10% by weight of this toner, and the image was output by an LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 to evaluate image quality. This printer was printed without using a filter. As a result of printing, a good image was obtained. In addition, although the amount of benzene in the exhaust gas was measured, there was no significant difference between 1 ppb and the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb) or less.

In the measurement of the amount of benzene, 1 L of exhaust gas was collected by the individual collection method (Carbotrap 400), and the collecting tube was placed in a heat desorption apparatus (TDU) and analyzed by thermal desorption to GC-F1D method and GC / MS method.

<Example 8>

A toner was produced in the same manner as in Example 7, except that TP-415 (manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used instead of "TP-302", which is a charge control agent of the quaternary ammonium salt compound. The amount of benzene generated at 90 seconds heat treatment at 330 ° C. of this toner was 2 μg / g. This developer was produced in the same manner using this toner. Using this developer, an image was output to the LED printer shown in Reference Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 7, and the image quality was evaluated. As a result of printing, a good image was obtained. Moreover, although the amount of benzene in exhaust gas was measured, there was no significant difference with 1 ppb of ambient atmospheric level, and it was below the atmospheric fluctuation level (0.3 ppb).

As described above, by using the toner of the present invention, the replacement life of the filter can be extended or the filter can be made unnecessary, thereby reducing the operating cost of the printer.

Claims (12)

An electrostatic latent image phenomenon used for flash fixing, comprising at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a charge control agent, wherein a generation concentration of benzene generated by heating at 330 ° C. for 90 seconds is 60 μg / g or less. Toner composition. The toner composition for electrostatic latent image development used for flash fixation according to claim 1, wherein the generation concentration of benzene is 40 µg / g or less. The toner composition for electrostatic latent image development used for flash fixing, according to claim 1, wherein the binder resin is a polyester resin. The toner composition for electrostatic latent image development used in flash fixing according to claim 1, wherein the toner is positively charged. The toner composition for electrostatic latent image development used for flash fixation according to claim 1, wherein the charge control agent is a nigrosin-based compound. The toner composition for electrostatic latent image development used for flash fixation according to claim 1, wherein the charge control agent is a quaternary ammonium salt compound. The toner composition for electrostatic latent image development used for flash fixation according to claim 1, wherein the charge control agent is a triphenylmethane compound. A process for producing a nigrosine-type charge control agent with a small amount of benzene generation, characterized in that the nigrosine-type charge control agent is vacuum heated at a temperature of 100 ° C or more and 250 ° C or less and a vacuum degree of 0.2 MPa or less. The method of producing a nigrosine-type charge control agent with a small amount of benzene generation, according to claim 8, wherein the vacuum degree is 0.05 MPa or less. A process for producing a nigrosine-based charge control agent with a small amount of benzene generation, characterized by washing the nigrosine-based charge control agent with an organic solvent. And a restricting member between the light source and the recording medium, the restrictor partially limiting the radiant energy to be applied onto the toner on the recording medium by being irradiated from a light source of flash light. When flash-fixing a toner composition including at least a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control agent, a quaternary ammonium salt compound, a triphenylmethane compound, or vacuum heat treatment at a temperature of 100 ° C. to 250 ° C. and a vacuum degree of 0.2 MPa or less. A charge control agent selected from the group consisting of the prepared nigrosine-based compounds is used for fixing the toner composition.