阅读说明：本技术 调色剂、调色剂存储单元和图像形成设备 (Toner, toner storage unit, and image forming apparatus ) 是由 金子晃大 铃木一己 中岛久志 山内祥敬 荻野弘太郎 铃木辉之 铃木菜美惠 于 2018-12-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种调色剂,其包括调色剂颗粒,各调色剂颗粒包含：包含粘合树脂的基体颗粒；和外添加剂颗粒,其中外添加剂颗粒包括各自具有10nm或更大的等效圆直径的颗粒,各自具有10nm或更大的等效圆直径的颗粒的体均粒径为80nm或更大但140nm或更小,并且具有10nm或更大的等效圆直径的颗粒的外切圆面积对具有10nm或更大的等效圆直径的颗粒的颗粒面积的比率(外切圆面积/颗粒面积)为1.60或更大但2.60或更小。(Provided is a toner including toner particles, each toner particle including: a base particle comprising a binder resin; and external additive particles, wherein the external additive particles include particles each having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more, the volume average particle diameter of the particles each having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more is 80nm or more but 140nm or less, and the ratio of the circumscribed circular area of the particles having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more to the particle area of the particles having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more (circumscribed circular area/particle area) is 1.60 or more but 2.60 or less.)

1. A toner, comprising:

toner particles, each toner particle comprising:

a base particle comprising a binder resin; and

the particles of the external additive are,

wherein the external additive particles comprise particles each having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more,

particles each having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more have a volume average particle diameter of 80nm or more but 140nm or less, and

the ratio of the circumscribed circle area of the particle having an equivalent circle diameter of 10nm or more to the particle area of the particle having an equivalent circle diameter of 10nm or more (circumscribed circle area/particle area) is 1.60 or more but 2.60 or less.

2. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner is a toner,

wherein the particles having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more are aggregates.

3. The toner according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the particles having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more are inorganic particles.

4. The toner according to claim 3, wherein the toner is a toner,

wherein the inorganic particles are at least one selected from the group consisting of silica, titanium oxide, strontium titanate and alumina.

5. The toner according to claim 4, wherein the toner is a toner,

wherein the silica is fumed silica.

6. A toner storage unit including:

a unit; and

a toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5 stored in the unit.

7. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an electrostatic latent image bearer;

an electrostatic latent image forming unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier;

a developing unit configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier with toner to form a toner image, wherein the developing unit includes toner;

a transfer unit configured to transfer a toner image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier to a surface of a recording medium; and

a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image transferred onto the surface of the recording medium,

wherein the toner is the toner according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein the image forming apparatus does not include a lubricant applying unit configured to apply a lubricant onto the latent electrostatic image carrier.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a toner, a toner storage unit, and an image forming apparatus.

Background

Recently, there is a strong demand for high image quality in image formation of electrophotography. For this reason, toner particle size has been reduced and toner shape has been made more spherical.

The reduction in toner particle size improves the reproducibility of the pixels (dots) of the formed image. In addition, the spherical shape of the toner improves developing properties and transfer properties.

However, reduction in the particle size of the toner has entailed troubles such as undesirable aggregation due to easy and close adhesion of toner particles to each other, cleaning failure due to easy penetration of the toner through a gap between a member to be cleaned such as a photoreceptor and a blade, and filming that can easily occur due to adhesion of the toner to the photoreceptor surface. Therefore, in order to solve the foregoing problems, it has been proposed to use an external additive in the toner.

As an external additive, for example, a method of using silica having certain characteristics (satisfying certain parameters) has been proposed (see, for example, PTL1 and PTL 2). Also, a method of externally adding two types of external additives having mutually different sizes in a primary particle state is proposed (see, for example, PTL 3). Further, a method using an external additive having a large particle size is proposed (see, for example, PTL 4).

CITATION LIST

Patent document

PTL 1: japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2007-264142

PTL 2: japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2009-229621

PTL 3: japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2006-

PTL 4: japanese patent No. 564464

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present disclosure has an object to provide a toner: which has excellent cleaning properties and photoreceptor contamination prevention, and prevents aggregation of toner even after storage under high temperature and high humidity conditions.

Solution to the problem

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a toner includes toner particles. Each toner particle includes a base particle including a binder resin, and an external additive particle. The external additive particles include particles each having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more. Particles each having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more have a volume average particle diameter of 80nm or more but 140nm or less. The ratio of the circumscribed circle area of the particle having an equivalent circle diameter of 10nm or more to the particle area of the particle having an equivalent circle diameter of 10nm or more (circumscribed circle area/particle area) is 1.60 or more but 2.60 or less.

Advantageous effects of the invention

The present invention can provide the following toners: which has excellent cleaning properties and photoreceptor contamination prevention, and prevents aggregation of toner even after storage under high temperature and high humidity conditions.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating one example of a circumscribed circle of an external additive in the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view illustrating one example of an image forming apparatus of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

(toner)

The toner of the present disclosure includes toner particles, and each toner particle includes a base particle and an external additive particle.

The base particle includes a binder resin and may further include other components as necessary.

The external additive particles include particles each having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more.

Heretofore, cleaning failure and film formation have been prevented by varying the external additive particle size.

As the particle diameter of the external additive increases, the adhesion of the external additive to the toner particle surface becomes weak, and the external additive particles are more likely to be liberated from the toner particles. It is known that the free external additive particles form aggregates (dams) of the external additive particles at the abutment with the cleaning blade. When the amount of the free external additive particles is large and the free external additive particles are excessively supplied to the dam region, the friction of the external additive particles is weak and the particles are easily moved. In particular, in the case where the dam is easily collapsed, the photoreceptor contamination occurs. This is because the portion of the dam collapses with time to cause the external additive to pass through the gap between the image carrier and the blade, thereby forming a non-abutting portion (space) which causes cleaning failure or sticking of the particles of the external additive passing through on the surface of the photoreceptor. On the other hand, when the particle diameter of the external additive is made smaller in order to increase the adhesive force, the external additive does not function as a spacer and deteriorates the cohesive force of the toner.

In view of the above, the present inventors focused on the shape of the external additive. The present inventors have studied to make the external additive particles have a shape of an unreal sphere (a shape with high irregularity).

By increasing the irregularity of the external additive, the rolling of the particles of the external additive can be suppressed and the particles are less likely to move relative to each other. As a result, it is possible to prevent the external additive from slipping through the gap between the image carrier and the blade due to the collapsed dam, cleaning failure due to the formed non-abutting portion (gap), and contamination of the photoreceptor due to the external additive passing through adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor.

Further, since the irregularities of the external additive particles increase, the friction when the external additive particles pass through the abutment surface between the photoreceptor and the cleaning blade increases to improve the effect of scraping the photoreceptor. Therefore, the adhesion of the contaminants to the photoreceptor is suppressed.

The present inventors have studied the above-mentioned factors. As a result, the present inventors have found that when the external additive used satisfies the following conditions, a toner having excellent cleaning properties and prevention of contamination of a photoreceptor with preventing toner particles from agglomerating can be provided.

-a large particle size external additive, wherein the external additive has a volume average particle size of 80nm or more but 140nm or less.

The external additive particles are formed of aggregates and have an circumscribed circular area that is 1.60 times or more but 2.60 times or less the area of the particles.

< external additive particles >

The external additive particle is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the external additive particles include inorganic particles.

The inorganic particles are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the inorganic particles include silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, fluorine compounds, iron oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, red iron oxide, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. The above-listed examples may be used alone or in combination. Note that in the case where two or more kinds of inorganic particles are used in combination, the inorganic particles are preferably selected in such a manner that the selected inorganic particles have resistance to development stress such as idling.

Among the above-listed examples, silica, titanium oxide, strontium titanate and alumina are preferable. Further, silica is preferably fumed silica, because silica particles having high irregularities are easily produced by fumed silica.

The shape of the external additive particles is preferably a shape having irregularities, not a true sphere. In particular, the external additive particles are preferably aggregates (secondary particles) formed from agglomerates (agglomerates). When the external additive particles are formed of aggregates, it is possible to prevent the problem of limitation in the generation of irregular shapes. In the case of using particles as the external additive particles as the aggregates, it is necessary to increase the particle diameter of the external additive particles so that the ratio between the circumscribed circle area and the particle area is as large as in the present disclosure.

The outer additive particles have an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more.

The maximum value of the equivalent circular diameter of the outer additive particle is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. The maximum is preferably 250nm or less.

The volume average particle diameter of the external additive particles (particles each having an equivalent circular diameter of 10nm or more) is 80nm or more but 140nm or less, and preferably 90nm or more but 130nm or less. When the volume average particle diameter is less than 80nm, the function of the external additive as a spacer is weakened to impair aggregation between toner particles. Also, when the volume average particle diameter is greater than 140nm, adhesion of the external additive particles to the toner particle surface is weakened to dissociate the external additive particles, excessive supply of the external additive particles to the dam region occurs, and the particles are not easily adhered closely to each other, so that portions of the dam are easily collapsed to cause cleaning failure or significant photoreceptor contamination.

The ratio of the circumscribed circle area of the external additive particles (particles having an equivalent circle diameter of 10nm or more) to the particle area of the particles having an equivalent circle diameter of 10nm or more (circumscribed circle area/particle area) is 1.60 or more but 2.60 or less, and preferably 1.65 or more but 2.00 or less. When the ratio (area ratio) is less than 1.60, the shape is close to a sphere and thus the cleaning property is deteriorated. When the volume average particle diameter is relatively small and the ratio is less than 1.60, the cohesion of the toner particles is deteriorated. When the ratio (area ratio) is more than 2.60, the retention of the external additive particles on the toner particle surface is poor. Further, the charging property is unstable with time and does not function as a toner.

The ratio (area ratio) is a parameter for indicating the irregularity of the external additive particles. When indicating irregularities, typically the average circularity calculated from the ratio between the squares of the particle area and the perimeter is used. However, the average roundness is insufficient for indicating irregularities in shape. Thus, in the present disclosure, the irregularity is represented by a ratio between the circumscribed circle area and the particle area.

FIG. 1 illustrates the circumscribed circle of the outer additive particle.

Measurement of equivalent circle diameter, volume-average particle diameter and area ratio (circumscribed circle area/particle area) -

In the present disclosure, the equivalent circle diameter, the particle area, and the circumscribed circle area of the external additive particles are measured by observing the toner after external addition of the external additive particles, in a state where the external additive particles are deposited on the surface of the toner particles.

Specifically, the measurement may be performed in the following manner. For example, toner images were obtained by means of a scanning electron microscope SU8200 series (available from Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation). The obtained image was binarized using image processing software A-zou kun (available from Asahi Kasei Engineering Corporation) to calculate equivalent circle diameter, particle area, and circumscribed circle area.

The calculation was performed using the "equivalent circle diameter 2", "area", and "circumscribed circle diameter" obtained by the particle analysis mode of a-zou kun.

The equivalent circle diameter is a value obtained by: in the case where the above-obtained value is determined to be a value of the circular area, the value is converted into a diameter value.

As the particle area, "area" value obtained by binarization can be used as it is.

The circumscribed circle area is calculated from the "circumscribed circle diameter" obtained by binarization.

The area ratio (circumscribed circle area/particle area) is obtained by dividing the "average value of circumscribed circles" obtained above by the "average value of particle area" obtained above.

The volume average particle diameter is obtained by: the same software was used to calculate the volume from the equivalent circle diameter obtained above and to divide the sum of the products of each particle diameter and volume by the sum of the volumes ([ sum of measured particles (particle diameter x volume)/sum of measured particles volume ]).

The details of the analysis conditions of the above analysis are as follows.

Binarization method (threshold): manual settings (visual)

Range designation: is that

Outer edge correction: whether or not

Gap filling: is that

Shrinkage and separation: whether or not

The reason why the binarization threshold is manually set above is that a distinction is made between irregularities on the particle surface of the toner and the external additive. In the case where the contrast variation is significant on the same image at the time of binarization, the analysis range is specified as being around 1 particle and the region around the 1 particle are observed to be set as the threshold value.

The amount of the external additive particles is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. The amount of the external additive particles is preferably 0.3 to 5.5 mass% with respect to all of the following base particles.

< matrix particles >

The base particles (may also be referred to as "toner base particles") each include a binder resin and may further include other components as needed.

< adhesive resin >

The binder resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the binder resin include styrene-based resins (homopolymers or copolymers of styrene or substituted styrenes), vinyl chloride resins, styrene/vinyl acetate copolymers, rosin-modified maleic acid resins, phenol resins, epoxy resins, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, ionomer resins, polyurethane resins, silicone resins, ketone resins, ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers, xylene resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, petroleum resins, and hydrogenated petroleum resins.

Examples of styrene-based resins (e.g., including homopolymers or copolymers of styrene or substituted styrenes) include polystyrene, chlorinated polystyrene, poly-alpha-methylstyrene, styrene/chlorostyrene copolymers, styrene/propylene copolymers, styrene/butadiene copolymers, styrene/vinyl chloride copolymers, styrene/vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene/maleic acid copolymers, styrene/acrylate copolymers (e.g., styrene/methyl acrylate copolymers, styrene/ethyl acrylate copolymers, styrene/butyl acrylate copolymers, styrene/octyl acrylate copolymers, and styrene/phenyl acrylate copolymers), styrene/methacrylate copolymers (e.g., styrene/methyl methacrylate copolymers, styrene/ethyl acrylate copolymers, styrene/butyl acrylate copolymers, styrene/octyl acrylate copolymers, and styrene/phenyl acrylate copolymers), styrene/methyl acrylate copolymers (e.g., styrene/methyl methacrylate copolymers, styrene/ethyl acrylate copolymers, styrene/butyl acrylate copolymers, styrene/ethyl acrylate copolymers, styrene, Styrene/ethyl methacrylate copolymers, styrene/butyl methacrylate copolymers, and styrene/phenyl methacrylate copolymers), styrene/methyl alpha-chloroacrylate copolymers, and styrene/acrylonitrile/acrylate copolymers.

The above-listed examples may be used alone or in combination. Among the above-listed examples, the polyester resin is preferable in terms of low-temperature fixability and safety to the environment (VOC due to residual monomers).

< < polyester resin >)

As the polyester resin, any resin known in the art obtained by a polycondensation reaction between an alcohol and an acid may be used.

Examples of the alcohol include diols, etherified bisphenols, diol monomers obtained by substituting the above-listed alcohols with saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups having 3 to 22 carbon atoms, and trihydric or higher alcohol monomers.

Examples of the diol include polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1, 2-propanediol, 1, 3-propanediol, 1, 4-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, and 1, 4-butanediol.

Examples of etherified bisphenols include 1, 4-bis (hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane, bisphenol A, hydrogenated bisphenol A, polyoxyethylated bisphenol A, and polyoxypropylated bisphenol A.

Examples of the higher alcohol monomer of the trihydric or higher include sorbitol, 1,2,3, 6-hexanetetraol, 1, 4-sorbitan, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, sucrose, 1,2, 4-butanetriol, 1,2, 5-pentanetriol, glycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl-1, 2, 4-butanetriol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, and 1,3, 5-trimethylolbenzene.

The above-listed examples may be used alone or in combination.

Examples of the carboxylic acid include monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic organic acid monomers, acid anhydrides of the above-listed acids, dimers of lower alkyl esters and linoleic acid, and tricarboxylic acid monomers or more.

Examples of monocarboxylic acids include palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid.

Examples of the dibasic organic acid monomer include maleic acid, fumaric acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid, terephthalic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, malonic acid, and the above-listed acids substituted with a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 22 carbon atoms.

Examples of the trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid monomer include 1,2, 4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2, 5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 2,5, 7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2, 4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2, 5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1, 3-dicarboxy-2-methyl-2-methylenecarboxypropane, tetrakis (methylenecarboxy) methane, 1,2,7, 8-octanetetracarboxylic acid Empol trimer acid, and acid anhydrides of the above-listed acids.

The above-listed examples may be used alone or in combination.

The method for producing the binder resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected. For example, bulk polymerization, solution polymerization, emulsion polymerization, or suspension polymerization may be used.

< other Components >)

The other components described above are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, as long as the components are components typically used for toners. Examples thereof include a colorant, a mold release agent, a trivalent or higher metal salt, and a wax dispersant.

< < colorant > >)

As the colorant used in the toner of the present disclosure, any dye or pigment known in the art may be used. Examples of dyes and pigments include carbon black, lampblack, iron black, aniline blue, phthalocyanine green, hansa yellow G, rhodamine 6C lake, cocoa butter blue, chrome yellow, quinacridone, benzidine yellow, rose bengal, and triallylmethane-based dyes. The above-listed colorants may be used alone or in combination, and may be used for black toner or full-color toner.

The amount of the colorant is preferably 1 to 30 mass%, and more preferably 3 to 20 mass%, with respect to the binder resin component of the toner.

< Release agent > > <

The release agent (wax) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, as long as the release agent is a release agent typically used for the regulator. The release agent is preferably a monoester wax. Since the monoester wax has low compatibility with typical binder resins, the monoester wax easily bleeds out to the toner particle surface at the time of fixing to exhibit high release properties, thereby ensuring high glossiness and low temperature fixability.

Also, the amount of the monoester wax is preferably 5 to 10 parts by mass and more preferably 6 to 9 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner. When the amount thereof is less than 5 parts by mass, bleeding of the monoester wax onto the surface of the toner particles at the time of fixing is insufficient, releasing property is poor, and gloss, low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance are low. When the amount thereof is more than 10 parts by mass, the amount of the release agent precipitated on the surface of the toner particles increases, and thus the storage stability of the toner deteriorates, and filming may occur on the photoreceptor.

The monoester wax is preferably a synthetic ester wax. Examples of the synthetic ester wax include monoester waxes synthesized from long linear saturated fatty acids and long linear saturated alcohols. The long linear chain saturated fatty acids are preferably represented by formula C_nH_2n+1COOH, wherein n is from about 5 to about 28. The long linear saturated alcohols are preferably composed of C_nH_2n+1OH, wherein n is from about 5 to about 28.

Specific examples of the long and straight chain saturated fatty acid include capric acid, undecanoic acid, lauric acid, tridecanoic acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, heptadecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, stearic acid, nonadecanoic acid, eicosanoic acid (arachidic acid), behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, heptacosanoic acid, montanic acid, and melissic acid.

Specific examples of the long-chain, straight-chain, saturated alcohols include pentanol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, n-octanol, nonanol, decanol, undecanol, lauryl alcohol, tridecanol, myristyl alcohol, pentadecanol, cetyl alcohol, heptadecanol, stearyl alcohol, nonadecanol, arachidyl alcohol, ceryl alcohol, and heptadecanol, wherein the above-listed alcohols may have a substituent such as a lower alkyl group, an amino group, and halogen.

< Metal salt of more than trivalent > >)

The toner of the present disclosure preferably includes a trivalent or higher metal salt. Since the toner includes the metal salt, a crosslinking reaction with the acid group of the binder resin proceeds at the time of fixing to form weak three-dimensional crosslinks, thereby obtaining hot offset resistance and maintaining low-temperature fixability.

For example, the metal salt is at least one of a metal salt of a salicylic acid derivative and a metal salt of acetylacetonate. The metal is not particularly limited as long as the metal is a polyvalent metal of trivalent or higher. Examples of metals include iron, zirconium, aluminum, titanium, and nickel.

The trivalent or higher metal salt is preferably a trivalent or higher salicylic acid metal compound.

The amount of the metal salt is, for example, preferably 0.5 to 2 parts by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 1 part by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the toner. When the amount is 0.5 to 2 parts by mass, the following problems can be prevented:

poor hot offset resistance

Poor gloss and low temperature fixability.

< wax dispersant > >

The toner of the present disclosure preferably includes a wax dispersant. The dispersant is preferably a copolymer composition including at least styrene, butyl acrylate and acrylonitrile as monomers, or a polyethylene adduct of the copolymer composition.

The amount of the wax dispersant is preferably 7 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner. The effect of dispersing the wax can be obtained by adding the wax dispersant, and improvement in stable storage stability can be expected regardless of the manufacturing method. Further, the wax diameter is reduced by the effect of dispersing the wax, thereby preventing the film formation influence on the photoreceptor. When the amount is 7 parts by mass or less, the following problems can be prevented:

problem of reduced gloss due to increased incompatible components with polyester resin

The problem of the low temperature fixability and hot offset resistance being reduced by the poor bleeding of wax to the toner surface at the time of fixing.

< toner Property >

< volume average particle diameter of toner >)

The volume average particle diameter of the toner of the present disclosure is preferably 3 to 10 micrometers.

The volume average particle diameter of the toner is measured by various methods. For example, measurement is performed using a Coulter counter Multisizer III. As a measurement sample, a toner to be measured was added to an electrolyte to which a surfactant was added and the resultant was dispersed for 1 minute by means of an ultrasonic disperser, thereby preparing a sample. 50,000 particles were measured to determine the volume average particle size.

< measurement of molecular weight of Binder resin >)

The number average molecular weight and the weight average molecular weight of the binder resin can be measured by various methods. For example, the number average molecular weight and the weight average molecular weight can be measured by measuring the molecular weight distribution of the THF soluble component by means of a Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) measuring device GPC-150C (available from WATERS) in the following manner.

Specifically, the measurement was carried out using columns (KF801 to 807, available from Shodex) according to the following method. The column was stabilized in a 40 ℃ heating chamber. As a solvent, THF was flowed into the column at 40 ℃ at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. After 0.05g of the sample was sufficiently dissolved in 5g of THF, the resulting solution was filtered through a filter for pretreatment (e.g., a chromatographic disk with a pore size of 0.45 μm (available from KURABO industies LTD.)) to finally prepare a THF sample solution with a sample concentration of 0.05 to 0.6 weight percent of the resin. The prepared THF sample solution (50 to 200 μ l) was injected for measurement. For the weight average molecular weight Mw and number average molecular weight Mn of the THF soluble component of the sample, the molecular weight distribution can be calculated as follows: correlation between log values and number of counts for calibration curves made from monodisperse polystyrene standards.

As a standard polystyrene sample for making the calibration curve, for example, a molecular weight of 6 × 10 available from PressureChemical Co. (or TOSOH CORPORATION) may be used²、2.1×10²、4×10²、1.75×10⁴、5.1×10⁴、1.1×10⁵、3.9×10⁵、8.6×10⁵、2×10⁶And 4.48 × 10⁶The polystyrene sample of (4). It is suitable to use at least about 10 standard polystyrene samples. Also, a Refractive Index (RI) detector was used as the detector.

< measurement of glass transition temperature (Tg) of adhesive resin >)

In the present disclosure, for example, the glass transition temperature (Tg) may be measured by means of a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC210, available from Seiko instruments inc.). Specifically, 0.01g to 0.02g of a sample was weighed in an aluminum tray. The sample was heated to 200 degrees celsius, then cooled from 200 degrees celsius to 20 degrees celsius at a cooling rate of 10 degrees celsius/min, and then heated at a heating rate of 10 degrees celsius/min. The temperature at the intersection between the extension of the baseline equal to or lower than the maximum endothermic peak temperature and the tangent line exhibiting the maximum slope from the rising part of the peak to the apex of the peak was determined as the glass transition temperature.

< method for producing toner >

The toner of the present disclosure can be obtained by externally adding the external additive particles to each toner base particle.

For example, the toner base particles can be obtained by various manufacturing methods such as a pulverization method and a polymerization method (suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization, dispersion polymerization, emulsion aggregation, and emulsion association).

Next, inorganic particles are externally added to each toner base particle. The toner base particles and the inorganic particles are mixed and stirred by means of a mixer to crush the inorganic particles as an external additive so that the surfaces of the toner base particles are covered with the inorganic particles.

The mixing device that can be used is not particularly limited as long as the mixing device can mix the powders. Any device known in the art may be used as the mixing device. Examples of the mixing device include a V-shaped Mixer, a Rocking Mixer, a Loedige Mixer, a Nauta Mixer, a Henschel Mixer, and a Q Mixer. The mixing device is preferably a mixing device equipped with a jacket and capable of adjusting the internal temperature.

The adhesion strength of the inorganic particles to the surface of the toner base particles can be controlled by changing the peripheral speed of the rotating blade of the mixing device, or changing the duration of mixing and stirring. When the inorganic particles are externally added with heat applied inside the mixing device, the toner base particle surface is softened and the inorganic particles can be embedded in the toner base particles. Therefore, the adhesion strength to the toner base particle surface can be controlled.

Since the external additive used in the present disclosure is highly irregular in its shape and easily comes free, the total external time (duration of stirring) is preferably set to 16 minutes to 25 minutes. When the additional time is 16 to 25 minutes, the following problems can be prevented:

too much amount of free external additive leads to problems of cleaning failure and photoreceptor contamination;

the problem that the stress applied to the external additive during the mixing process is too weak and thus the irregularity of shape is high and the area ratio does not satisfy the range of 2.6 or less;

the problem of the particles of the external additive becoming embedded in the toner matrix particles and therefore not functioning as spacers of the external additive;

the problem that the shape becomes close to a sphere due to external stress at the time of mixing treatment and thus the area ratio does not satisfy the range of 1.6 or more.

< developer >

The developer of the present disclosure includes at least a toner and may further include other components appropriately selected, such as a carrier, as necessary.

Therefore, the developer has excellent transfer properties and charging properties, and can stably form images of high image quality. Note that the developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer. When the developer is used for a high-speed printer corresponding to a recent increased information processing speed, the developer is preferably a two-component developer because the service life is improved.

The carrier is appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples of the carrier include a magnetic carrier and a resin carrier.

The magnetic carrier is preferably a magnetic particle. Examples of magnetic particles include: spinel-type ferrites such as magnetite and gamma iron oxide; spinel-type ferrites including one or two or more metals (e.g., Mn, Ni, Zn, Mg, and Cu) other than iron; magnetoplumbite-type ferrites such as barium ferrite; and particles of iron or an alloy, wherein the particles each have an oxide layer at the particle surface. Among the above-listed examples, particularly in the case where high magnetism is required, ferromagnetic particles such as iron are preferable.

The shape of the carrier may be granular, spherical or needle-like. Also, in view of chemical stability, it is preferable to use a spinel-type ferrite or a magnetoplumbite-type ferrite such as barium ferrite including gamma-iron oxide. A resin carrier having desired magnetic properties can also be used by selecting the type and amount of ferromagnetic particles. As the magnetic property of the carrier, the magnetization at 1,000 Oersted is preferably 30 to 150 emu/g.

The resin carrier may be made by spraying a melt-kneaded product including the magnetic particles and the insulating binder resin by means of a spray dryer. Specifically, the monomer or prepolymer is allowed to react and cure in an aqueous medium in the presence of the magnetic particles to produce a resin carrier in which the magnetic particles are dispersed in a condensed binder.

The chargeability of the magnetic carrier can be controlled by adhering positively or negatively chargeable particles or conductive particles to the surface of the magnetic carrier particles, or coating the surface of the magnetic carrier particles with a resin.

As the surface coating material, silicone resin, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, and fluororesin are used. The surface coating material may coat the carrier particles with particles that may be positively or negatively charged or conductive particles included therein. The surface coating material is preferably a silicone resin and an acrylic resin.

The blending ratio between the electrophotographic toner and the magnetic carrier of the present disclosure is preferably 2 to 10 mass% in terms of toner concentration.

(toner storage Unit)

The toner storage unit of the present disclosure is a unit that has a function of storing toner and stores toner. Examples of embodiments of the toner storage unit include a container storing toner, a developing device, and a process cartridge.

The container storing the toner is a container in which the toner is stored.

The developing device is a device including a unit configured to store toner and perform development.

The process cartridge is a process cartridge that includes at least an electrostatic latent image carrier (also referred to as an image carrier) and a developing unit as a single body, stores toner, and is detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge may further include at least one selected from the group consisting of a charging unit, an exposing unit, and a cleaning unit.

When the toner storage unit of the present disclosure is installed in an image forming apparatus and image formation is performed by the image forming apparatus, an image having long-term image stability and having high quality and accuracy can be formed using the following toner characteristics. The toner is characterized in that even if the toner is repeatedly used for a long period of time (particularly in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment), a defective image due to filming of an external additive on a photoreceptor is not formed and a high image density can be stably secured.

(image Forming apparatus and image Forming method)

An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, and a developing unit. The image forming apparatus may further include other units as necessary.

An image forming method related to the present disclosure includes at least an electrostatic latent image forming step and a developing step. The image forming method may further include other steps as necessary.

The image forming method is preferably performed by an image forming apparatus. The electrostatic latent image forming step is preferably performed by an electrostatic latent image forming unit. The developing step is preferably performed by a developing unit. The other steps described above are preferably performed by the other units described above.

The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure more preferably includes an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, a developing unit including toner and configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier with the toner to form a toner image, a transfer unit configured to transfer the toner image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier to a surface of a recording medium, and a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium.

Moreover, the image forming method of the present disclosure more preferably includes an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transferring step, and a fixing step. The electrostatic latent image forming step includes forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier. The developing step includes developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier with toner to form a toner image. The transferring step includes transferring the toner image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier to a surface of a recording medium. The fixing step includes fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium.

The toner is used in the developing unit and the developing step. Preferably, the toner image may be formed by using a developer including the toner and optionally further including other components such as a carrier.

< Electrostatic latent image Carrier >

The material, structure, and size of the electrostatic latent image bearer (hereinafter also referred to as "photoreceptor") are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from those known in the art. Examples of the material of the electrostatic latent image bearer include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, and organic photoreceptors such as polysilane and pthalomethine (phthalolymethane).

< Electrostatic latent image Forming Unit >

The electrostatic latent image forming unit is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, as long as the electrostatic latent image forming unit is a unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier. Examples of the latent electrostatic image forming unit include a unit including at least a charging member configured to charge a surface of a latent electrostatic image bearing member and an exposing member configured to expose the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member to imaging light.

< developing Unit >

The developing unit is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, as long as the developing unit is a developing unit configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier to form a visible image and includes toner.

< other units >

Examples of the other units described above include a transfer unit, a fixing unit, a cleaning unit, a charge removing unit, a recovery unit, and a control unit.

The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure preferably does not include a lubricant applying unit. The lubricant applying unit is a unit configured to apply a lubricant to the photosensitive body.

The lubricant is a lubricant applied to the surface of the photoreceptor. Examples of lubricants include zinc stearate.

For example, the intention of applying the lubricant is as follows.

-stabilizing the behavior of the cleaning blade edge by reducing the friction coefficient (micro) to assist the cleaning unit.

-protecting the photoreceptor surface from a charging current when an AC voltage is applied to the charging roller.

The contamination caused by the toner components sticking to the image carrier, external additives, or paper dust is suppressed by scraping the lubricant applied to the surface of the image carrier with a cleaning blade.

As a method of applying the lubricant, for example, there is a system in which the lubricant is applied to the surface of the image bearing body by a brush roller. The lubricant is collected by scraping the solid lubricant as a lubricant body and may be applied to the image bearing body surface.

In an image forming apparatus that does not include a lubricant applying unit, in general, cleaning failure occurs due to unstable behavior of the cleaning blade edge, and furthermore, surface abrasion increases due to direct contact of the cleaning blade with the image carrier.

However, according to the present disclosure, the above-described cleaning failure hardly occurs because the irregularity of the shape of the external additive is high.

Next, an embodiment of implementing an image forming method using the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating one example of an image forming apparatus. Around a photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive body) 110 serving as an image carrier, a charging roller 120 serving as a charging device, an exposure device 130, a cleaning device 160 including a cleaning blade, a charge removing lamp 170 serving as a charge removing device, a developing device 140, and an intermediate transfer member 150 serving as an intermediate transfer member are disposed. The intermediate transfer member 150 is supported by a plurality of suspension rollers 151 and is designed in such a manner as to be driven endlessly in the direction indicated by the arrow by a driving unit, not shown, such as a motor. A portion of the suspending roller 151 also functions as a transfer bias roller configured to supply a transfer bias to the intermediate transfer member. A transfer bias voltage is applied from a power source, not shown, to the transfer bias roller. Further, a cleaning device 190 having a cleaning blade for the intermediate transfer member 150 is also provided. Also, a transfer roller 180 is disposed facing the intermediate transfer member 150, wherein the transfer roller 180 functions as a transfer unit configured to transfer the developed image to a transfer paper 1100 that functions as a transfer finished material. A transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 180 from a power source not shown. Then, a corona charger 152 serving as a charge applying unit is disposed around the intermediate transfer member 150.

The developing device 140 includes a developing belt 141 serving as a developer carrier, and a black (hereinafter referred to as Bk) developing unit 145K, a yellow (hereinafter referred to as Y) developing unit 145Y, a magenta (hereinafter referred to as M) developing unit 145M, and a cyan (hereinafter referred to as C) developing unit 145C disposed together around the developing belt 141. Also, the developing belt 141 is supported by a plurality of belt rollers and is designed in the following manner: the developing belt is annularly driven in a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving unit, not shown, such as a motor. Also, the developing belt travels at an abutment area with the photosensitive body 110 at substantially the same speed as that of the photosensitive body 110.

Since the structures of all the developing units are the same, only the Bk developing unit 45K will be described below, and the description of the other developing units 145Y, 145M and 145C will be omitted, where the region corresponding to the Bk developing unit 145K in the drawing is replaced with Y, M and C after the numerals applied to the units. The Bk developing unit 145K includes a developing tank 142K, in which a liquid developer of high viscosity and high concentration is stored, wherein the liquid developer includes toner particles and a carrier liquid component, a suction roller (drawingroller)143K, and a coating roller 144K; the suction roller 143K is provided in such a manner that the bottom of the suction roller 143K is immersed in the liquid developer inside the developing tank 142K; the coating roller 144K is configured to thin the developer sucked upward by the suction roller 143K and apply the developer to the developing belt 141. The coating roller 144K has conductivity and a predetermined bias is applied to the coating roller 144K from a power source, not shown.

Subsequently, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In fig. 2, the photoconductor 110 is rotationally driven in a direction indicated by an arrow and the photoconductor 110 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 120. Thereafter, the emitted light from the document is formed into an image and projected through an unshown optical system to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body 110 by the exposure device 130. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 140 to form a toner image as a visible image. The developing layer on the developing belt 141 is released from the developing belt 141 in a thin layer state by contacting with the photoreceptor in the developing region and transferred to the region on the photoreceptor 110 where the latent image is formed. The toner image developed by the developing device 140 is transferred (primary transfer) to the surface of the intermediate transfer member 150 at an abutting portion (primary transfer region) with the intermediate transfer member 150, and the intermediate transfer member 150 travels at the same speed as that of the photosensitive body 110. In the case where transfer is performed to superimpose 3 or 4 colors, the above-described process is performed for each layer to form a color image on the intermediate transfer member 150.

Corona charger 152 configured to apply an electric charge to the toner image superimposed on the intermediate transfer member is disposed at the following positions: it is upstream of the abutment facing area between the photosensitive body 110 and the intermediate transfer member 150 and downstream of the abutment facing area between the intermediate transfer member 150 and the transfer sheet 1100 with respect to the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer member 150. Then, the corona charger 152 applies a true charge to the toner image, wherein the true charge has the same polarity as the charge polarity of the toner particles constituting the toner image, and the corona charger applies a sufficient charge to the toner to achieve excellent transfer to the transfer paper 1100. After the toner image is charged by the corona charger 152, the toner image is collectively transferred (secondary transfer) to a transfer sheet 1100 conveyed in a direction indicated by an arrow from a paper supply unit, not shown, by a transfer bias from the transfer roller 180. Thereafter, the transfer sheet 1100 to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive body 110 by a separation device, not shown, a fixing process is performed thereon by a fixing device, not shown, and the resulting transfer sheet is discharged from the device. Meanwhile, the untransferred toner on the photosensitive body 110 after transfer is removed and collected by the cleaning device 160, and the residual charge of the photosensitive body is eliminated by the discharging lamp 170 to prepare for the next charging. A color image is typically formed with 4 colors of toner. In one color image, 4 toner layers were formed. The toner layer undergoes primary transfer (transfer from the photoreceptor to the intermediate transfer belt) and secondary transfer (transfer from the intermediate transfer belt to the paper).