JP2014021365A - Toner supply device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

Toner replenishing device capable of preventing toner supply failure at the time of toner container replacement and reducing both waiting time at the time of replacement and improving both operability and energy saving effect, and image formation provided therewith Providing equipment.
A toner container 47 that drives a toner container 32 to store toner filled from the toner container 32, and a toner transport unit 43 that guides the toner to the downstream side of the toner container 47 in the toner transport direction. In the toner replenishing device 40 having a toner filling mode for filling a predetermined amount of toner from the toner container 32 into the toner container 47 and intermittently driving at least the toner container 32 in the toner filling mode. At least one of the drive time and the stop time is varied according to the number of times.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner replenishing device using a removable toner storage container and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various toner storage containers that are detachable from a developing device and discharge toner or developer stored in the inside from an opening and supply the toner or developer into the developing device have been proposed. As an example of this, for example, “Patent Document 1” discloses a cylindrical configuration in which a shutter provided so as to cover an opening is opened when fixed to a developing device. In this toner storage container, an agitator that is a toner conveying member is provided in the toner storage container in order to discharge the internal toner from the opening to the inside of the developing device. However, since this toner container is a consumable item, the internal agitator is also discarded when the toner container is replaced. The toner container having an expensive agitator not only increases the running cost but also increases the resource. It is not preferable from the viewpoint of protection and global environmental protection. Thus, a toner storage container that can efficiently supply toner without using an agitator is disclosed in, for example, “Patent Document 2”.

  The toner storage container disclosed in “Patent Document 2” is fixed to a toner replenishing device of a developing device, and is rotatably engaged with the fixed portion and rotated by a container rotation driving unit. Thus, the toner container is configured to convey the internal toner toward the opening, and a rotating portion having an integral guide portion. Along with the rotation of the rotating part of the toner container, the toner in the toner container is conveyed toward the opening provided in the fixed part by the guide part integrated with the rotating part, and is supplied from the opening to the developing device. Is done. In addition, the guide portion is formed by a spiral protrusion to realize further cost reduction.

  By the way, when a toner storage container containing toner is transported and stored, it may be left in a place with high humidity for a long time. In addition, when the toner is transported, the opening is positioned in the lower part of the gravity direction, and vibration and impact are applied in a state where the toner is present near the opening. The toner may harden. In the toner container in such a state, it is difficult for the toner to be discharged even if it is newly attached to the image forming apparatus, and in the worst case, a large amount of toner remains inside, but the image forming apparatus In some cases, it may be determined that there is no toner. For this reason, when a new toner storage container is mounted, measures such as mounting the container after shaking the container several times are taken. However, the above-described problem still occurs.

  In particular, recent toners have improved low-temperature fixability for energy saving measures, so that storage stability tends to decrease and toner aggregation tends to occur when left unattended. When a toner storage container stored in a warehouse is mounted on an image forming apparatus, even if the user requests to shake the toner storage container, the user often forgets, and as a result, the toner is not discharged. Troubles such as the toner density shortage of the developer being detected or the image forming apparatus itself being stopped occur.

  In the above case, in the toner container disclosed in “Patent Document 1”, a toner lump can be broken by the rotation of an agitator provided inside, and the toner can be supplied satisfactorily. In the toner storage container disclosed in the above, the lump of toner in the rotating part can be broken by the movement of the toner accompanying rotation, but it is difficult to break the lump in the fixed part. In particular, if there is a lump of toner in the vicinity of the opening provided in the fixed part, the opening is blocked and toner is not supplied smoothly to the developing device.

  Further, as a phenomenon opposite to the above-described discharge failure, there is a problem that the toner concentration increases due to the toner flowing into the developing device in the operation of installing the new toner storage container at the time of arrival or the replacement operation of the toner storage container at the end of the toner. This is because when the toner storage container is shaken prior to mounting as described above, the toner in the toner storage path is attached to the developing device in a state where the toner in the toner storage container is mixed with air and the fluidity is increased. It is generated when toner flows from the toner container through the space. For this inflow, for example, "Patent Document 3" and "Patent Document 4" disclose techniques for reducing the inflow amount by providing a space regulating member in the transport path.

  However, in order to ensure the function of the toner transport path, the space regulating member cannot completely block the toner transport path, so the toner in the toner replenishing device is loaded when no toner is loaded in the toner transport path or when the toner ends. In some cases, such as when the amount of water is low, the influence of inflow may occur. Here, in order to prevent the discharge port from being clogged with respect to the toner storage container as described above, in a case where the drive is performed after the main body is mounted, a situation occurs in which the toner discharge from the toner storage container is accelerated by the drive. . For example, in the case of a configuration in which toner replenishment device driving (coil rotation) and toner storage container driving (bottle portion rotation) are performed synchronously with a single motor as in “Patent Document 4”, the conveying member of the toner conveying path Driving will further accelerate the inflow.

  In order to prevent the inflow acceleration due to the driving of the toner conveying member, a technique of performing intermittent driving at a predetermined interval as a filling mode is disclosed in, for example, “Patent Document 5”. In this technique, the drive on time is shortened until the toner filling is completed, and the toner is calmed by the drive set at an interval for taking a long drive off time, thereby preventing the outflow.

However, the technique for performing the above-described filling mode control has the following problems when a toner storage container in which agglomeration occurs near the discharge port is mounted.
The action of breaking the toner aggregated in the vicinity of the discharge port is given by moving the toner in the vicinity of the upper portion of the discharge port by rotation by an internal agitator or rotation of a helical toner container. However, as described above, intermittent driving with a short on-time has a short time to give the toner movement, so the effect of breaking the toner is small, and the number of times of driving required to break up the aggregation increases, and in some cases, filling is performed within a predetermined number There is a risk that the device will not be completed and the device will be brought to an emergency stop. In addition, when the stirring member or the flexible member having the push-out plate is rotated to a predetermined position (angle) as the toner storage container is driven, the predetermined angle is set when the rotation time is short. The frequency of passing is reduced, and the toner breaking effect is reduced accordingly.

Further, intermittent driving with a long off time has a problem that the waiting time of the operator becomes long before the apparatus can perform normal operation when a large number of times of driving are required until the completion of filling. This also means that the power consumption time in the standby state of the apparatus becomes longer, and there is a problem in terms of energy consumption.
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, prevents toner supply failure when replacing the toner container, and shortens the waiting time during replacement to improve both operability and energy saving effect. An object is to provide an apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a toner container that drives a toner container that contains toner and stores the toner that is filled from the toner container, and the toner is further downstream in the toner transport direction than the toner container. A toner supply mode for supplying toner to the toner storage portion from the toner storage container to a predetermined amount, and at least the toner storage container is intermittently driven in the toner charging mode. In the apparatus, the intermittent drive is characterized in that at least one of a drive time and a stop time is varied according to the number of operations.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the effect of breaking the toner near the discharge port by extending the driving operation time per unit time.

1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. It is the schematic of the image creation part used for one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing each toner bottle and each toner supply device used in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing each toner bottle, an intermediate transfer unit, and each toner supply device used in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a part of a toner replenishing device used in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a toner replenishing device used in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a toner replenishing device used in an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a time chart illustrating a toner filling mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a toner filling mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a time chart illustrating a toner filling mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a toner filling mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a time chart illustrating a toner filling mode according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a toner filling mode according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram explaining the toner filling mode in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram which compares each embodiment of the present invention with the conventional toner filling mode.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. In the figure, a printer 100 which is an image forming apparatus has a toner container accommodating portion 71 at the upper part of the main body, and here toners which are four toner accommodating containers corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan and black colors. Bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are detachably provided.

  An intermediate transfer unit 15 having an intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed below the toner container accommodating portion 71, and image forming portions 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors so as to correspond to the intermediate transfer belt 8. Are arranged side by side. Below each toner bottle 32, toner replenishing devices 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K corresponding to the respective toner bottles 32 are disposed. The toner stored in each toner bottle 32 is replenished into the developing device of the corresponding image forming unit 6 by each toner replenishing device 40.

  Here, the yellow image forming unit 6Y will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming unit 6Y includes a photosensitive drum 1Y that is an image carrier, a charging unit 4Y disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y, a cleaning unit 2Y, a neutralizing unit (not shown), and the like. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y. The other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K are configured in substantially the same manner as the image forming unit 6Y except that the color of the toner used is different. A toner image corresponding to each color is formed on each photosensitive drum of each of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K.

  The photosensitive drum 1Y is rotated in a clockwise direction in FIG. 2 by a driving unit (not shown), and the surface thereof is uniformly charged at a position corresponding to the charging unit 4Y (charging process). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 7 shown in FIG. 1, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow image is formed on the surface by exposure scanning at this position. (Exposure process).

  After the exposure, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized at this position to form a yellow toner image (developing process). The surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer roller 9Y, and the yellow toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position (primary transfer). Transfer process). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  After the primary transfer, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a portion facing the cleaning unit 2, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a at this position (cleaning step). ). Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed at this position. Thereby, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

  The image forming process described above is performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as the image forming unit 6Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is emitted from the exposure unit 7 toward each image forming unit 6. Specifically, the exposure unit 7 emits laser light L from a light source, and the emitted laser light L is irradiated to the photosensitive drum 1 through a plurality of optical elements while being scanned by a polygon mirror. Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums 1 through the developing process are superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. As a result, a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, an intermediate transfer cleaning unit, and the like. It is constituted by. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of rollers, and is driven to run in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Each primary transfer roller 9 forms a primary transfer nip by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 8 with each photosensitive drum 1, and each primary transfer roller 9 has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner. The transfer bias is applied.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of each primary transfer roller 9. As a result, the color toner images on the photosensitive drums 1 are superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 and the secondary transfer roller 19 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches a position corresponding to an intermediate transfer cleaning unit (not shown), and untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected at this position. Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

  The recording medium P conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed from a paper feeding unit 26 disposed below the apparatus main body via a paper feeding roller 27, a registration roller pair 28, and the like. Specifically, a plurality of recording media P such as transfer paper are stored in the paper supply unit 26, and when the paper supply roller 27 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is a registration roller. It is fed toward the pair of 28 rollers. The recording medium P fed to the registration roller pair 28 is temporarily stopped at the nip position of the registration roller pair 28 that has stopped rotating. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in time with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, whereby the recording medium P is fed toward the secondary transfer nip. As a result, a desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

  The recording medium P to which the color image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 20 where the color image transferred to the surface is fixed by heat and pressure generated by the fixing roller and the pressure roller. After fixing, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by a pair of paper discharge rollers 29 and is stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image. With this series of operations, the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 100 is completed.

  Next, the developing device 5Y will be described with reference to FIG. The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, a transport screw 55Y provided in each of the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, and a toner concentration in the developer. It is constituted by a density detection sensor 56Y to be detected. The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet provided inside, a sleeve that rotates around the magnet, and the like. A two-component developer G is accommodated in each of the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, and the developer accommodating portion 54Y communicates with a toner conveying pipe 43Y as a toner conveying means through an opening formed thereabove. ing.

  The operation of the developing device 5Y configured as described above will be described. The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, and the developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y moves on the developing roller 51Y with the rotation of the sleeve by the magnetic field formed by the magnet. Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the toner ratio (toner concentration) falls within a predetermined range. Specifically, the yellow toner stored in the toner bottle 32Y is replenished into the developer accommodating portion 54Y via the toner replenishing device 40Y in accordance with the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y. The toner replenishing device 40 will be described later.

  The toner replenished in the developer accommodating portion 54 circulates in each developer accommodating portion 53Y, 54Y while being agitated and mixed together with the developer G by each conveying screw 55Y. The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

  The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52Y. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is adjusted to an appropriate amount at this position, and then conveyed to a developing area that is a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y. The toner is attracted to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer containing portion 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

  Next, the toner replenishing device 40 will be described. 3 is a perspective view of each toner bottle 32 and each toner replenishing device 40, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of each toner bottle 32, intermediate transfer unit 15 and each toner replenishing device 40 as seen from another angle. ing. Each toner replenishing device 40 is provided on the side of the intermediate transfer unit 15 of the apparatus main body, and each toner replenishing device 40 may be integrated with the developing device 5 as process cartridges 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K. As a result, the toner replenishing device 40 can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and the maintainability can be improved.

  Further, the toner discharge port of each toner bottle 32, each toner replenishing device 40, and the toner replenishing port of each developer accommodating portion 54 are arranged on one side of the intermediate transfer unit 15. As a result, the toner conveyance path of each toner replenishing device 40 can be minimized, and the image forming apparatus 100 can be reduced in size and the occurrence of toner clogging during toner conveyance can be suppressed.

  Since each toner replenishing device 40 has the same configuration except that the color of the toner used is different, only the toner replenishing device 40Y for yellow toner will be described, and the other toner replenishing devices 40M, 40C, 40K will be described. Description of is omitted.

  In FIG. 3, the toner replenishing device 40Y includes a drive motor 41Y, a drive gear 42Y, a toner transport pipe 43Y, and the like. A resin coil (not shown) is provided inside the toner transport pipe 43Y. The drive gear 42Y meshes with the gear 37Y of the toner bottle 32Y, and when the drive motor 41Y is rotated, the gear 37Y and the drive gear 42Y rotate integrally, thereby rotating the bottle body 33Y. When the density detection sensor 56Y detects that the toner density is insufficient in the developer accommodating portion 54Y, the drive motor 41Y rotates based on a replenishment signal from a control portion (not shown).

  In FIG. 3, a helical developer guide groove 38Y is formed on the inner wall surface of the bottle main body 33Y, and the toner inside is conveyed from the back side to the resin case 34Y at the front end as the bottle main body 33Y rotates. The The toner in the bottle body 33Y falls and is stored in a toner storage unit (not shown) of the toner supply device 40Y from a discharge port (not shown) of the resin case 34Y. The toner container (not shown) is connected to the toner transport pipe 43Y. When the drive motor 41Y is rotated, the bottle body 33Y rotates and at the same time a coil (not shown) in the toner transport pipe 43Y rotates. By the rotation of the coil, the toner stored in the toner storage unit is transported through the toner transport pipe 43Y and supplied to a toner supply port (not shown) of the developer storage unit 54Y. In this way, the toner density in the developing device 5Y is adjusted.

  In place of the density detection sensor 56Y, a reference image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and an optical sensor or a CCD camera for measuring the number of pixels of the reference image is provided, and toner supply is controlled based on the measurement result. Also good.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a part of the toner replenishing device 40Y. In the drawing, a transfer coil 70Y as a toner transfer member is rotatably provided in the toner transfer pipe 43Y so as to be in contact with the inner wall thereof. The gap between the inner wall of the toner transport pipe 43Y and the transport coil 70Y is set to about 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Since the transfer coil 70Y is inscribed in the toner transfer pipe 43Y in this manner, the toner attached to the inner wall of the toner transfer pipe 43Y is also given a force to move in the transfer direction, so that the toner is transferred into the toner transfer pipe 43Y. Accumulation can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the development device 5Y from causing troubles due to the toner accumulated in the toner transport pipe 43Y flowing at once.

  Further, since the coil shape has a small bending stress, the transport coil 70Y can rotate even if the toner transport pipe 43Y is bent. This eliminates the need for the toner transport pipe 43Y to have a linear shape, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in layout and reducing the size of the entire developing device. In some cases, toner can be transported in a transport path that is not a straight line even if a transport unit having a screw-like shaft is used instead of the transport coil 70Y. However, when the conveying means having the shaft and the conveying coil are compared, the latter is easier to bend. Therefore, the force that repels deformation when rotating in the curved portion in the toner transport pipe 43Y is smaller when the transport coil is used. Therefore, the use of the conveyance coil 70Y can reduce the sliding load with the toner conveyance pipe 43Y as compared with the case where the conveyance means having the shaft is used.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the hollow inside the conveyance coil 70 from the inclined surface portion 43c (the most inclined portion) of the toner conveyance pipe 43 to the downstream horizontal portion 43e via the downstream curve portion 43d. The space regulating member 60 is provided in the part. The outer diameter of the space restricting member 60 is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the transport coil 70, and is configured to increase the toner passage restricting ability without generating resistance during sliding. Yes. Further, the downstream end portion of the space regulating member 60 in the toner conveyance direction is supported in a state where it is adhesively fixed to a support portion 48 provided in the toner conveyance pipe 43 or in a state where there is some play.

  In the conventional toner replenishing device, the space inside the toner conveying pipe during normal use is almost occupied by air, and the air improves the fluidity of the toner during continuous image formation. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by providing the space regulating member 60 in the toner carrying pipe 43, the toner is conveyed by the space regulating member 60 from the inclined surface portion 43c to the downstream horizontal portion 43e via the downstream curved portion 43d. The amount of air in the pipe 43 is reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the air from being excessively mixed with the toner and the toner fluidity in the toner transport pipe 43 from being excessively increased.

  The higher the space regulation ratio in the toner conveyance pipe 43 by the space regulation member 60 is, the smaller the change in the toner conveyance amount with time due to the toner fluidity can be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to increase the space regulation ratio. . That is, it is preferable that the space regulating member 60 is provided so as to extend as much as possible from the downstream horizontal portion 43e to the upper portion of the slope portion 43c.

  7 shows that toner is filled from the toner bottle 32 into the toner containing portion 47 of the toner replenishing device 40, and toner filling is detected when the toner end detection sensor 49 provided on the side wall of the toner containing portion 47 detects completion of toner filling. The state of toner in the section 47 and the toner transport pipe 43 is shown. Examples of the toner end detection sensor 49 include a powder level sensor using a piezoelectric ceramic that can be detected regardless of magnetic powder and non-magnetic powder as a sensor element.

  In the present invention, a toner filling mode in which a predetermined amount of toner is filled from the toner bottle 32 into the toner container 47 is executed. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the toner filling mode in the first embodiment of the present invention is set at 0.1 second for the first driving on-time, and is added by 0.02 seconds as the number of times of filling driving proceeds. The driving off time is fixed at 3 seconds. According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the effect of breaking the toner near the discharge port by lengthening the driving operation time per unit time by increasing the driving time of intermittent driving with the lapse of the number of operations.

  In the toner filling mode according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the driving on time is fixed at 0.1 second, the first driving off time is 3 seconds, and the following filling is performed. The time is reduced by 0.06 seconds as the number of times of driving elapses. According to this configuration, by shortening the intermittent drive stop time as the number of operations progresses, the effect of breaking the toner near the discharge port by increasing the number of drive operations per unit time can be enhanced. In particular, in the case where the toner bottle drive and the toner transport drive are performed synchronously by the same motor, the aggregation near the discharge port is eliminated by the progress of the filling drive as compared with the first embodiment, and the toner container is moved from the toner bottle. When toner supply to the toner is started, the amount of toner transported to the transport destination by the toner transport means can be reduced, and the change in toner density after completion of the toner filling mode can be reduced.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first drive-on time is set to 0.1 second, and thereafter, 0.01 seconds is added as the number of times of filling drive increases. The first drive off time is 3 seconds, and is shortened by 0.05 seconds as the number of times of filling drive is elapsed. According to this configuration, the combination of the first embodiment and the second embodiment can further enhance the effect of breaking the toner near the discharge port.

  In the toner filling mode according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, the drive on time is set longer (1 second) every 10 filling operations, and the other on time is 0.05 seconds. It is added step by step in increments. The drive off time is turned off for 3 seconds after the on operation for 1 second to suppress toner fluidity, and the other off time is gradually reduced in 0.5 second steps. According to this configuration, the effect of breaking the toner aggregation near the discharge port can be enhanced.

  In each of the embodiments described above, when the toner detection output of the toner storage unit satisfies the predetermined condition for the presence of toner during the filling operation, the filling operation is stopped and the filling mode is completed. FIG. 15 summarizes the relationship of the drive on time integration with respect to the filling mode elapsed time in the control of each embodiment. Here, as a conventional control example, the drive on time is fixed at 0.1 second and the drive off time is fixed at 3 seconds. This fixed value is the same value as the first filling operation of each embodiment. Under this condition, if the work amount for 5 seconds is required in terms of the integrated value of the drive on time to break the toner aggregation near the discharge port, the filling mode operation time is about 152 in the conventional control. This takes about 60 seconds in the first embodiment, about 81 seconds in the second embodiment, about 52 seconds in the third embodiment, and about 68 seconds in the fourth embodiment. However, in actuality, the toner flow state inside the toner bottle is different in each embodiment, and this also affects the effect of breaking the toner aggregation near the discharge port. Don't be.

  Next, toner used in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. As the toner used in the printer 100, a toner having high fluidity is used so that high-speed toner conveyance can be handled. Specifically, a toner having an accelerated aggregation degree of 40% or less is used. The accelerated aggregation degree is an index indicating the fluidity of the toner.

A method for measuring the accelerated aggregation degree of the toner is shown below.
<Measurement device>
・ Powder tester made by Hosokawa Micron <Measurement method>
・ Leave the sample to be measured in a thermostatic chamber (35 ± 2 ℃, 24 ± 1h)
・ Measured using a powder tester ・ Uses three types of sieves with different openings (for example, 75 μm, 44 μm, and 22 μm)
-Calculate from the remaining amount of toner when sieving, and obtain the degree of aggregation by the following calculation.
{(Weight of toner remaining on upper screen) / (sample amount)} × 100
{(Weight of toner remaining on middle screen) / (sample amount)} × 100 × 3/5
{(Weight of toner remaining on lower screen) / (sample amount)} × 100 × 1/5
The sum of the above three calculated values is taken as the acceleration cohesion%.

  As described above, the accelerated aggregation degree of toner is an index obtained by stacking three types of meshes having different openings in the order of increasing openings, placing particles on the uppermost stage, sieving with constant vibration, and calculating from the toner weight on each mesh. . In this embodiment, toner having an average circularity of 0.90 or more (0.90 to 1.00 toner) is used. In the present embodiment, the value obtained from the following equation is defined as circularity. This circularity is an index of the degree of unevenness of the toner particles, and indicates 1.00 when the toner is a perfect sphere, and the circularity becomes smaller as the surface shape becomes more complicated.

Circularity = (circumference length of a circle having the same area as the particle projection area) / (perimeter length of the particle projection image)
When the average circularity is in the range of 0.90 to 1.00, the surface of the toner particles is smooth, and the contact area between the toner particles and between the toner particles and the photosensitive member is small, so that the transferability is excellent. Further, since the toner particles have no corners, the developer agitation torque in the developing device 5 is small, and the agitation drive is stabilized, so that an abnormal image does not occur.

  Since there are no angular toner particles in the toner that forms the dots, the pressure is uniformly applied to the entire toner that forms the dots when pressed against the transfer medium during the transfer, and the transfer is not easily lost. Since the toner particles are not angular, the abrasive power of the toner particles themselves is small, and the surfaces of the photoreceptor and the charging member are not damaged or worn.

  Next, a method for measuring the circularity will be described. The circularity can be measured using a flow type particle image analyzer FPIA-1000 manufactured by Toa Medical Electronics. As a specific measuring method, 0.1 to 0.5 ml of a surfactant, preferably an alkylbenzene sulfonate, is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of water from which impure solids have been removed in advance, and a measurement sample is further added. About 0.1 to 0.5 g. The suspension in which the sample is dispersed is subjected to dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes, and the shape and particle size of the toner are measured by the above apparatus with the dispersion concentration being 3000 to 10000 / μl.

  In order to reproduce minute dots of 600 dpi or more, the weight average particle diameter (D4) of the toner is preferably 3 to 8 μm. In this range, since the toner particles having a sufficiently small particle diameter with respect to the minute latent image dots are included, the dot reproducibility is excellent. When the weight average particle diameter (D4) is less than 3 μm, phenomena such as a decrease in transfer efficiency and a decrease in blade cleaning properties tend to occur.

  When the weight average particle diameter (D4) exceeds 8 μm, it is difficult to suppress scattering of characters and lines. Moreover, it is preferable that ratio (D4 / D1) of a weight average particle diameter (D4) and a number average particle diameter (D1) exists in the range of 1.00-1.40. The closer (D4 / D1) is to 1.00, the sharper the particle size distribution. With such a toner having a small particle size and a narrow particle size distribution, the toner charge amount distribution is uniform, a high-quality image with little background fogging can be obtained, and the electrostatic transfer method increases the transfer rate. be able to.

  Next, a method for measuring the particle size distribution of toner particles will be described. Examples of the measuring device for the particle size distribution of toner particles by the Coulter counter method include Coulter counter TA-II and Coulter Multisizer II (both manufactured by Coulter). The measurement method is described below.

  First, 0.1 to 5 ml of a surfactant (preferably alkylbenzene sulfonate) is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of an aqueous electrolytic solution. Here, the electrolytic solution is a solution prepared by preparing a 1% NaCl aqueous solution using primary sodium chloride. For example, ISOTON-II (manufactured by Coulter) can be used. Here, 2 to 20 mg of a measurement sample is further added. The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes, and the measurement device is used to measure the weight and number of toner particles or toner using a 100 μm aperture as an aperture. Calculate distribution and number distribution. From the obtained distribution, the weight average particle diameter (D4) and the number average particle diameter (D1) of the toner can be obtained.

  As channels, 2.00 to less than 2.52 μm; 2.52 to less than 3.17 μm; 3.17 to less than 4.00 μm; 4.00 to less than 5.04 μm; 5.04 to less than 6.35 μm; 6 Less than 35 to 8.00 μm; less than 8.00 to less than 10.08 μm; less than 10.08 to less than 12.70 μm; less than 12.70 to less than 16.00 μm; less than 16.00 to less than 20.20 μm; Uses 13 channels of less than 40 μm; 25.40 to less than 32.00 μm; 32.00 to less than 40.30 μm, and targets particles having a particle size of 2.00 μm to less than 40.30 μm.

  The toner used in the exemplary embodiment is obtained by crosslinking a toner material liquid in which a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing at least a nitrogen atom, polyester, a colorant, and a release agent is dispersed in an organic solvent and / or in an aqueous solvent. Alternatively, it is a toner obtained by an extension reaction and is called a polymerized toner. Hereinafter, the constituent material and the manufacturing method of the toner will be described.

(polyester)
The polyester is obtained by a polycondensation reaction between a polyhydric alcohol compound and a polycarboxylic acid compound. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol compound (PO) include a dihydric alcohol (DIO) and a trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO). (DIO) alone or a mixture of (DIO) and a small amount of (TO) preferable. Examples of the dihydric alcohol (DIO) include alkylene glycol (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, etc.); alkylene ether glycol (diethylene glycol) , Triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, etc.); alicyclic diols (1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.); bisphenols (bisphenol A, bisphenol) F, bisphenol S, etc.); alkylene oxide (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.) adduct of the above alicyclic diol; Alkylene oxide bisphenol (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.), etc. adducts. Among these, preferred are alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols, and particularly preferred are alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols and alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. It is a combined use. The trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO) includes 3 to 8 or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohols (glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, etc.); trihydric or higher phenols (Trisphenol PA, phenol novolak, cresol novolak, etc.); and alkylene oxide adducts of the above trivalent or higher polyphenols.

  Examples of the polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) include divalent carboxylic acid (DIC) and trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid (TC). (DIC) alone and (DIC) and a small amount of (TC) Mixtures are preferred. Divalent carboxylic acids (DIC) include alkylene dicarboxylic acids (succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.); alkenylene dicarboxylic acids (maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc.); aromatic dicarboxylic acids (phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid) And naphthalenedicarboxylic acid). Of these, preferred are alkenylene dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and aromatic dicarboxylic acids having 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid (TC) include aromatic polycarboxylic acids having 9 to 20 carbon atoms (such as trimellitic acid and pyromellitic acid). In addition, as polyhydric carboxylic acid (PC), you may make it react with polyhydric alcohol (PO) using the above-mentioned acid anhydride or lower alkyl ester (Methyl ester, ethyl ester, isopropyl ester, etc.).

  The ratio of the polyhydric alcohol (PO) to the polycarboxylic acid (PC) is usually 2/1 to 1/1, preferably as the equivalent ratio [OH] / [COOH] of the hydroxyl group [OH] and the carboxyl group [COOH]. Is 1.5 / 1 to 1/1, more preferably 1.3 / 1 to 1.02 / 1.

  The polycondensation reaction between polyhydric alcohol (PO) and polycarboxylic acid (PC) is heated to 150 to 280 [° C.] in the presence of a known esterification catalyst such as tetrabutoxy titanate or dibutyltin oxide, and reduced in pressure as necessary. The produced water is distilled off while obtaining a polyester having a hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl value of the polyester is preferably 5 or more, and the acid value of the polyester is usually 1 to 30, preferably 5 to 20. By giving an acid value, it tends to be negatively charged, and furthermore, when fixing to a recording paper, the affinity between the recording paper and the toner is good and the low-temperature fixability is improved. However, when the acid value exceeds 30, there is a tendency to deteriorate with respect to the stability of charging, particularly environmental fluctuation.

  The weight average molecular weight is 10,000 to 400,000, preferably 20,000 to 200,000. A weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 is not preferable because offset resistance deteriorates. On the other hand, if it exceeds 400,000, the low-temperature fixability is deteriorated.

  In addition to the unmodified polyester obtained by the above polycondensation reaction, the polyester preferably contains a urea-modified polyester. The urea-modified polyester is obtained by reacting the terminal carboxyl group or hydroxyl group of the polyester obtained by the above polycondensation reaction with a polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) to obtain a polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group. It is obtained by cross-linking and / or extending the molecular chain by the reaction of the amine with amines.

  Examples of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) include aliphatic polyisocyanates (tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,6-diisocyanatomethylcaproate, etc.); alicyclic polyisocyanates (isophorone diisocyanate, cyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, etc.) ); Aromatic diisocyanates (tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, etc.); araliphatic diisocyanates (α, α, α ′, α′-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, etc.); isocyanates; phenol derivatives, oximes, polyisocyanates; Those blocked with caprolactam or the like; and combinations of two or more of these.

  The ratio of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) is usually 5/1 to 1/1, preferably as an equivalent ratio [NCO] / [OH] of the isocyanate group [NCO] and the hydroxyl group [OH] of the polyester having a hydroxyl group. 4/1 to 1.2 / 1, more preferably 2.5 / 1 to 1.5 / 1. When [NCO] / [OH] exceeds 5, low-temperature fixability deteriorates. When the molar ratio of [NCO] is less than 1, when a urea-modified polyester is used, the urea content in the ester is lowered and hot offset resistance is deteriorated.

  The content of the polyisocyanate compound (PIC) component in the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group is usually 0.5 to 40 wt%, preferably 1 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 20 wt%. . If it is less than 0.5 wt%, the hot offset resistance deteriorates, and it is disadvantageous in terms of both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability. On the other hand, if it exceeds 40 wt%, the low-temperature fixability deteriorates.

  The number of isocyanate groups contained per molecule in the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group is usually 1 or more, preferably 1.5 to 3 on average, more preferably 1.8 to 2 on average. Five. If it is less than 1 per molecule, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester will be low, and the hot offset resistance will deteriorate.

  Next, as the amines (B) to be reacted with the polyester prepolymer (A), a divalent amine compound (B1), a trivalent or higher polyvalent amine compound (B2), an amino alcohol (B3), an amino mercaptan (B4) ), Amino acid (B5), and amino acids B1 to B5 blocked (B6).

  Examples of the divalent amine compound (B1) include aromatic diamines (phenylenediamine, diethyltoluenediamine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, etc.); alicyclic diamines (4,4′-diamino-3,3′-dimethyldicyclohexyl). Methane, diamine cyclohexane, isophorone diamine, etc.); and aliphatic diamines (ethylene diamine, tetramethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, etc.).

  Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent amine compound (B2) include diethylenetriamine and triethylenetetramine. Examples of amino alcohol (B3) include ethanolamine and hydroxyethylaniline. Examples of amino mercaptan (B4) include aminoethyl mercaptan and aminopropyl mercaptan.

  Examples of the amino acid (B5) include aminopropionic acid and aminocaproic acid. Examples of B1 to B5 blocked amino groups (B6) include ketimine compounds and oxazolidine compounds obtained from the amines of B1 to B5 and ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, etc.). Among these amines (B), preferred are B1 and a mixture of B1 and a small amount of B2.

  The ratio of the amines (B) is the equivalent ratio [NCO] / [NHx] of the isocyanate groups [NCO] in the polyester prepolymer (A) having isocyanate groups and the amino groups [NHx] in the amines (B). Is usually 1/2 to 2/1, preferably 1.5 / 1 to 1 / 1.5, more preferably 1.2 / 1 to 1 / 1.2.

  When [NCO] / [NHx] is more than 2 or less than 1/2, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester is lowered, and the hot offset resistance is deteriorated. The urea-modified polyester may contain a urethane bond together with a urea bond. The molar ratio of the urea bond content to the urethane bond content is usually 100/0 to 10/90, preferably 80/20 to 20/80, and more preferably 60/40 to 30/70. When the molar ratio of the urea bond is less than 10%, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated.

  The urea-modified polyester is produced by a one-shot method or the like. Polyhydric alcohol (PO) and polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) are heated to 150-280 ° C. in the presence of a known esterification catalyst such as tetrabutoxytitanate, dibutyltin oxide, etc., and water generated while reducing the pressure as necessary. Distill off to obtain a polyester having a hydroxyl group. Subsequently, at 40-140 degreeC, this is made to react with polyvalent isocyanate (PIC), and the polyester prepolymer (A) which has an isocyanate group is obtained. Further, this (A) is reacted with amines (B) at 0 to 140 ° C. to obtain a urea-modified polyester.

  When reacting (PIC) and when reacting (A) and (B), a solvent may be used if necessary. Usable solvents include aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene, etc.); ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, etc.); esters (ethyl acetate, etc.); amides (dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, etc.) and ethers And those inert to isocyanates (PIC), such as tetrahydrofuran (such as tetrahydrofuran).

  Moreover, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester obtained can be adjusted by using a reaction terminator for the crosslinking and / or extension reaction of the polyester prepolymer (A) and the amines (B) as necessary. Examples of the reaction terminator include monoamines (diethylamine, dibutylamine, butylamine, laurylamine, etc.), and those blocked (ketimine compounds).

  The weight average molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester is usually 10,000 or more, preferably 20,000 to 10,000,000, and more preferably 30,000 to 1,000,000. If it is less than 10,000, the hot offset resistance deteriorates. The number average molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester or the like is not particularly limited when the above-mentioned unmodified polyester is used, and may be a number average molecular weight that can be easily obtained to obtain the weight average molecular weight. When the urea-modified polyester is used alone, its number average molecular weight is usually 2000-15000, preferably 2000-10000, more preferably 2000-8000. When it exceeds 20000, the low-temperature fixability and the glossiness when used in a full-color device are deteriorated.

  By using the unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester in combination, the low-temperature fixability and the gloss when used in the printer 100 are improved. Therefore, it is preferable to use the urea-modified polyester alone. The unmodified polyester may include a polyester modified with a chemical bond other than a urea bond.

  The unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester are preferably at least partially compatible with each other in terms of low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance. Therefore, it is preferable that the unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester have a similar composition.

  The weight ratio of unmodified polyester to urea-modified polyester is usually 20/80 to 95/5, preferably 70/30 to 95/5, more preferably 75/25 to 95/5, and particularly preferably 80 /. 20-93 / 7. When the weight ratio of the urea-modified polyester is less than 5 [%], the hot offset resistance is deteriorated and it is disadvantageous in terms of both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability.

  The glass transition point (Tg) of the binder resin containing unmodified polyester and urea-modified polyester is usually 45 to 65 ° C, preferably 45 to 60 ° C. If the temperature is lower than 45 ° C., the heat resistance of the toner is deteriorated.

  In addition, since the urea-modified polyester is likely to be present on the surface of the obtained toner base particles, the heat-resistant storage stability tends to be good even when the glass transition point is low as compared with known polyester-based toners.

(Coloring agent)
As the colorant, all known dyes and pigments can be used. For example, carbon black, nigrosine dye, iron black, naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, ocher , Yellow lead, titanium yellow, polyazo yellow, oil yellow, Hansa yellow (GR, A, RN, R), pigment yellow L, benzidine yellow (G, GR), permanent yellow (NCG), Vulcan fast yellow (5G, R), Tartrazine Lake, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Anthrazan Yellow BGL, Isoindolinone Yellow, Bengala, Red Dan, Lead Zhu, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Mercury Red, Antimon Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, Para Red, Phi Sayred, Parachlor Ortonito Aniline Red, Resol Fast Scarlet G, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmine B, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Resol Rubin GX, Permanent Red F5R , Brilliant Carmine 6B, Pigment Scarlet 3B, Bordeaux 5B, Toluidine Maroon, Permanent Bordeaux F2K, Helio Bordeaux BL, Bordeaux 10B, Bon Maroon Light, Bon Maroon Medium, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Rhodamine Lake Y, Alizarin Lake, Thio Indigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon, Oil Red, Quinacridone Red, Pyrazolone Red Polyazo Red, Chrome Vermillion, Benzidine Orange, Perinone Orange, Oil Orange, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alkaline Blue Lake, Peacock Blue Lake, Victoria Blue Lake, Metal Free Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue, Fast Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue (RS, BC), indigo, ultramarine blue, bitumen, anthraquinone blue, fast violet B, methyl violet lake, cobalt purple, manganese purple, dioxane violet, anthraquinone violet, chrome green, zinc green, chromium oxide, pyridian, emerald green, pigment Green B, Naphthol Green B, Green Gold, Acid Green Lake, Malachite Green Lake, Lid Russian nin green, anthraquinone green, titanium oxide, zinc white, litbon and mixtures thereof can be used. The content of the colorant is usually 1 to 15% by weight, preferably 3 to 10% by weight, based on the toner.

  The colorant can also be used as a master batch combined with a resin. As a binder resin to be kneaded together with the production of a master batch or a master batch, a polymer of styrene such as polystyrene, poly-p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyl toluene or the like, or a copolymer of these and a vinyl compound, Polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, fat Aromatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic petroleum resins, chlorinated paraffins, paraffin waxes and the like can be mentioned, and these can be used alone or in combination.

(Charge control agent)
Known charge control agents can be used, such as nigrosine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, chromium-containing metal complex dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (fluorine-modified 4 Secondary ammonium salts or compounds, tungsten simple substances or compounds, fluorine activators, salicylic acid metal salts, and metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives. Specifically, Bontron 03 of a nigrosine dye, Bontron P-51 of a quaternary ammonium salt, Bontron S-34 of a metal-containing azo dye, E-82 of an oxynaphthoic acid metal complex, E-84 of a salicylic acid metal complex , Phenolic condensate E-89 (above, Orient Chemical Industries, Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex TP-302, TP-415 (above, Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt copy Charge PSY VP2038, copy blue PR of triphenylmethane derivative, copy charge of quaternary ammonium salt NEG VP2036, copy charge NX VP434 (manufactured by Hoechst), LRA-901, LR-147 which is a boron complex (Nippon Carlit) Manufactured), copper phthalocyanine, perylene, quinacridone, azo series Fee, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, and polymer compounds having a functional group such as quaternary ammonium salts. Of these, substances that control the negative polarity of the toner are particularly preferably used.

  The amount of the charge control agent used is determined by the type of binder resin, the presence or absence of additives used as necessary, and the toner production method including the dispersion method, and is not uniquely limited. Preferably, it is used in the range of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The range of 0.2 to 5 parts by weight is preferable. When the amount exceeds 10 parts by weight, the chargeability of the toner is too high, the effect of the charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attraction with the developing roller is increased, the developer fluidity is lowered, and the image density is lowered. Invite.

(Release agent)
As a release agent, a low melting point wax having a melting point of 50 to 120 ° C. works more effectively as a release agent in the dispersion with the binder resin between the fixing roller and the toner interface. The effect on high temperature offset is exhibited without applying a release agent such as oil. Examples of such a wax component include the following. Waxes and waxes include plant waxes such as carnauba wax, cotton wax, wood wax, rice wax, animal waxes such as beeswax and lanolin, mineral waxes such as ozokerite and cercin, and paraffin, microcrystalline, and petrolatum. And petroleum wax. In addition to these natural waxes, synthetic hydrocarbon waxes such as Fischer-Tropsch wax and polyethylene wax, and synthetic waxes such as esters, ketones, and ethers can be used. Furthermore, fatty acid amides such as 12-hydroxystearic acid amide, stearic acid amide, phthalic anhydride imide, chlorinated hydrocarbon, and low molecular weight crystalline polymer resin, poly-n-stearyl methacrylate, poly-n- A crystalline polymer having a long alkyl group in the side chain such as a homopolymer or copolymer of polyacrylate such as lauryl methacrylate (for example, a copolymer of n-stearyl acrylate-ethyl methacrylate, etc.) can also be used. . The charge control agent and the release agent can be melt-kneaded together with the masterbatch and the binder resin, or may be added when dissolved and dispersed in an organic solvent.

(External additive)
Inorganic fine particles are preferably used as an external additive for assisting the fluidity, developability and chargeability of the toner particles. The primary particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 5 × ¹⁰ -3 ~2μm, it is particularly preferably 5 × ¹⁰ -3 ~0.5μm. Moreover, it is preferable that the specific surface area by BET method is 20-500 m < ² > / g. The use ratio of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 0.01 to 5 wt% of the toner, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 2.0 wt%.

Specific examples of the inorganic fine particles include, for example, silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, tin oxide, quartz sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth. Examples include soil, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, bengara, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. Among these, as the fluidity imparting agent, it is preferable to use hydrophobic silica fine particles and hydrophobic titanium oxide fine particles in combination. In particular, when stirring and mixing are performed using particles having an average particle diameter of 5 × 10 ⁻² μm or less, the electrostatic force and van der Waals force with the toner are remarkably improved. Even when stirring and mixing inside the developing device 5 is performed to obtain a good image quality that does not cause the release of fluidity from the toner and does not generate fireflies, etc., and further reduces the residual toner. Figured.

  Titanium oxide fine particles are excellent in environmental stability and image density stability, but have a tendency to deteriorate the charge rise characteristics. Therefore, if the amount of titanium oxide fine particles added is larger than the amount of silica fine particles added, this side effect is affected. It can be considered large. However, when the added amount of the hydrophobic silica fine particles and the hydrophobic titanium oxide fine particles is in the range of 0.3 to 1.5 wt%, the charge rising characteristics are not greatly impaired, and the desired charge rising characteristics can be obtained, that is, repeated copying. Stable image quality can be obtained even if

Next, a toner manufacturing method will be described. Here, although a preferable manufacturing method is shown, it is not limited to this.
(Toner production method)
(1) A toner material solution is prepared by dispersing a colorant, an unmodified polyester, a polyester prepolymer having an isocyanate group, and a release agent in an organic solvent. The organic solvent is preferably volatile with a boiling point of less than 100 ° C. from the viewpoint of easy removal after toner base particle formation.

  Specifically, toluene, xylene, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, chloroform, monochlorobenzene, dichloroethylidene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone and the like can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In particular, aromatic solvents such as toluene and xylene and halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are preferred. The amount of the organic solvent used is usually 0 to 300 parts by weight, preferably 0 to 100 parts by weight, and more preferably 25 to 70 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polyester prepolymer.

  (2) The toner material liquid is emulsified in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant and resin fine particles. The aqueous medium may be water alone or an organic solvent such as alcohol (methanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, etc.), dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolves (methyl cellosolve, etc.), lower ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, etc.). It may be included.

  The amount of the aqueous medium used relative to 100 parts by weight of the toner material liquid is usually 50 to 2000 parts by weight, preferably 100 to 1000 parts by weight. If the amount is less than 50 parts by weight, the dispersion state of the toner material liquid is poor, and toner particles having a predetermined particle diameter cannot be obtained. If it exceeds 20000 parts by weight, it is not economical.

  Further, in order to improve the dispersion in the aqueous medium, a dispersant such as a surfactant and resin fine particles is appropriately added. As surfactants, anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzene sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, phosphate esters, alkylamine salts, amino alcohol fatty acid derivatives, polyamine fatty acid derivatives, amine salt types such as imidazoline, Quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium salts, dialkyldimethylammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, pyridinium salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, benzethonium chloride, fatty acid amide derivatives, polyhydric alcohols Nonionic surfactants such as derivatives, for example, amphoteric surfactants such as alanine, dodecyldi (aminoethyl) glycine, di (octylaminoethyl) glycine and N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylammonium betaine And the like.

  Further, by using a surfactant having a fluoroalkyl group, the effect can be increased in a very small amount. Preferred anionic surfactants having a fluoroalkyl group include fluoroalkyl carboxylic acids having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and metal salts thereof, disodium perfluorooctanesulfonyl glutamate, 3- [ω-fluoroalkyl (C6-C11 ) Oxy] -1-alkyl (C3-C4) sodium sulfonate, 3- [ω-fluoroalkanoyl (C6-C8) -N-ethylamino] -1-propanesulfonic acid sodium, fluoroalkyl (C11-C20) carvone Acids and metal salts, perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids (C7 to C13) and metal salts thereof, perfluoroalkyl (C4 to C12) sulfonic acids and metal salts thereof, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid diethanolamide, N-propyl-N- ( 2-Hydroxyethyl) Perful Olooctanesulfonamide, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) -N-ethylsulfonylglycine salt, monoperfluoroalkyl (C6-C16) ethyl phosphate, etc. Can be mentioned.

  Product names include Surflon S-111, S-112, S-113 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Florard FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC-129 (Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), Unidyne DS-101. DS-102 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.), Megafac F-110, F-120, F-113, F-191, F-812, F-833 (manufactured by Dainippon Ink, Inc.), Xtop EF-102, 103, 104, 105, 112, 123A, 123B, 306A, 501, 201, 204 (manufactured by Tochem Products), and Fgentent F-100, F150 (manufactured by Neos).

  In addition, examples of the cationic surfactant include aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts such as aliphatic primary, secondary or secondary amine acids having a fluoroalkyl group, and perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salts. , Benzalkonium salt, benzethonium chloride, pyridinium salt, imidazolinium salt, trade names include Surflon S-121 (manufactured by Asahi Glass), Florard FC-135 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M), Unidyne DS-202 (Daikin Industries) Manufactured), MegaFuck F-150, F-824 (Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.), Xtop EF-132 (Tochem Products), Footgent F-300 (Neos), and the like.

  The resin fine particles are added to stabilize the toner base particles formed in the aqueous medium. For this reason, it is preferable to add so that the coverage existing on the surface of the toner base particles is in the range of 10 to 90%. For example, polymethyl methacrylate fine particles 1 μm and 3 μm, polystyrene fine particles 0.5 μm and 2 μm, poly (styrene-acrylonitrile) fine particles 1 μm, trade names are PB-200H (manufactured by Kao Corporation), SGP (manufactured by Soken Co., Ltd.), Techno Examples include polymer SB (manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), SGP-3G (manufactured by Sokensha), and micropearl (manufactured by Sekisui Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.). In addition, inorganic compound dispersants such as tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, colloidal silica, and hydroxyapatite can also be used.

  As a dispersant that can be used in combination with the above resin fine particles and inorganic compound dispersant, the dispersed droplets may be stabilized by a polymer protective colloid. For example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-cyanoacrylic acid, α-cyanomethacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid or maleic anhydride and other (meth) acrylic monomers containing hydroxyl groups Bodies such as acrylic acid-β-hydroxyethyl, methacrylic acid-β-hydroxyethyl, acrylic acid-β-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-β-hydroxypropyl, acrylic acid-γ-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-γ-hydroxy Propyl, acrylic acid-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl, diethylene glycol monoacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethacrylate, glycerol monoacrylate, glycerol monomethacrylate Luric acid esters, N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide, etc., vinyl alcohol or ethers with vinyl alcohol, such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl propyl ether, or compounds containing vinyl alcohol and a carboxyl group Esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, diacetone acrylamide or their methylol compounds, acid chlorides such as acrylic acid chloride, methacrylic acid chloride, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl Nitrogen compounds such as imidazole and ethyleneimine, or homopolymers or copolymers such as those having a heterocyclic ring thereof, polyoxyethylene, Cypropylene, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxypropylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene alkylamide, polyoxypropylene alkylamide, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl phenyl ester, polyoxy Polyoxyethylenes such as ethylene nonylphenyl ester, celluloses such as methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose can be used.

  The dispersion method is not particularly limited, and known equipment such as a low-speed shear method, a high-speed shear method, a friction method, a high-pressure jet method, and an ultrasonic wave can be applied. Among these, the high-speed shearing method is preferable in order to make the particle size of the dispersion 2 to 20 μm. When a high-speed shearing disperser is used, the rotational speed is not particularly limited, but is usually 1000 to 30000 rpm, preferably 5000 to 20000 rpm. The dispersion time is not particularly limited, but in the case of a batch method, it is usually 0.1 to 5 minutes. The temperature during dispersion is usually 0 to 150 ° C. (under pressure), preferably 40 to 98 ° C.

  (3) At the same time as the preparation of the emulsion, the amines (B) are added to cause a reaction with the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group. This reaction involves molecular chain crosslinking and / or elongation. The reaction time is selected depending on the reactivity between the isocyanate group structure of the polyester prepolymer (A) and the amines (B), but is usually 10 minutes to 40 hours, preferably 2 to 24 hours. The reaction temperature is generally 0 to 150 ° C, preferably 40 to 98 ° C. Moreover, a well-known catalyst can be used as needed. Specific examples include dibutyltin laurate and dioctyltin laurate.

  (4) After completion of the reaction, the organic solvent is removed from the emulsified dispersion (reactant), washed and dried to obtain toner base particles. In order to remove the organic solvent, the temperature of the entire system is gradually raised in a laminar stirring state, and after giving strong stirring in a certain temperature range, the solvent base is removed to produce spindle-shaped toner base particles. . Further, when an acid such as calcium phosphate salt or an alkali-soluble material is used as the dispersion stabilizer, the calcium phosphate salt is dissolved from the toner base particles by a method such as dissolving the calcium phosphate salt with an acid such as hydrochloric acid and washing with water. Remove. It can also be removed by operations such as enzymatic degradation.

  (5) A charge control agent is injected into the toner base particles obtained above, and then inorganic fine particles such as silica fine particles and titanium oxide fine particles are externally added to obtain a toner. The injection of the charge control agent and the external addition of the inorganic fine particles are performed by a known method using a mixer or the like. Thereby, a toner having a small particle size and a sharp particle size distribution can be easily obtained. Furthermore, by applying strong agitation in the process of removing the organic solvent, the shape between the spherical shape and the rugby ball shape can be controlled, and the surface morphology is also controlled between the smooth shape and the umeboshi shape. be able to.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to cope with high-speed toner conveyance by using a toner having an accelerated aggregation degree of 40% or less as the toner. In addition, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of toner supply and stabilize toner supply. Further, according to the present embodiment, by using toner having an average circularity of 0.90 or more as the toner, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of toner replenishment and stabilize toner replenishment. Further, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the toner has a weight average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm and a ratio (D4 / D1) of the weight average particle diameter (D4) to the number average particle diameter (D1) of 1.00 to 1. By using toner in the range of .40, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of toner replenishment and stabilize toner replenishment.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as a toner, a toner material liquid in which at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, a colorant, and a release agent is dispersed in an organic solvent is contained in an aqueous medium. By using the toner obtained by cross-linking and / or elongation reaction in step 1, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of toner replenishment and stabilize toner replenishment.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the photosensitive member 1 that is an image carrier that carries a latent image, the developing device 5 that is a developing unit that develops the latent image carried on the image carrier with a developer, and the developing device 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developer conveying unit that conveys toner as a developer; and a toner bottle 32 that is a developer accommodating unit that accommodates the developer conveyed to the developing device 5 via the developer conveying unit. In the printer 100, by using the toner replenishing device 40 of the present invention as the developer conveying means, variation in the toner replenishing amount from the toner replenishing device 40 to the developing device 5 is suppressed, and an appropriate amount of toner is developed. 5, and the toner density and the like in the developing device 5 can be appropriately maintained, so that a good image can be formed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the developing device 5 and the photosensitive member 1 that is at least the image bearing member are integrated into the process cartridge 6 that is detachable from the printer 100 that is the image forming device. The toner replenishing device 40 according to the present invention is also integrally configured as a developer conveying means for conveying the developer to the developing device 5, thereby suppressing variations in the amount of toner replenished from the toner replenishing device 40 to the developing device 5. Can be conveyed to the developing device 5, and the toner concentration in the developing device 5 can be appropriately maintained. Furthermore, the maintainability of the toner replenishing device 40 integrally configured as the process cartridge 6 can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the developing device 5 and at least the photosensitive member 1 that is an image carrier are integrated, and the process cartridge 6 that is detachable from the apparatus main body, and the developer used in the developing device 5 are used. In the printer 100 which is an image forming apparatus provided with the toner bottle 32 which is a developer containing portion for containing the toner, a process cartridge 6 provided with the toner replenishing device 40 of the present invention can be used. Variations in the amount of toner replenished to the developing device 5 can be suppressed, an appropriate amount of toner can be conveyed to the developing device 5, and the toner density in the developing device 5 can be maintained appropriately, so that a good image is formed. can do. Furthermore, the maintainability of the toner replenishing device 40 integrally configured as the process cartridge 6 can be improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the full-color printer 100 is shown as the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to this, and may be an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a plotter, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine such as these. The present invention is also applicable.

1 Image carrier (photosensitive drum)
5 Developing device 32 Toner container (toner bottle)
40 Toner supply device 43 Toner transport means (toner transport pipe)
47 Toner container 70 Toner conveying member (conveying coil)
100 Image forming apparatus (printer)

JP-A-5-150644 JP-A-11-288157 JP 2010-39428 A JP 2010-32988 A JP 2010-256427 A

Claims (7)

A toner storage unit configured to drive a toner storage container storing toner and store the toner filled from the toner storage container; and a toner transport unit configured to guide the toner to the downstream side in the toner transport direction from the toner storage unit. A toner replenishing device having a toner filling mode for filling a predetermined amount of toner from the toner container into the toner container, and intermittently driving at least the toner container in the toner filling mode;
In the intermittent driving, at least one of a drive time and a stop time is varied according to the number of operations. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1.
A toner replenishing device comprising: a toner conveying member that conveys toner in the toner conveying means, and intermittently driving at least the toner storage container and the toner conveying member in the toner filling mode. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The toner replenishing device characterized in that the intermittent driving extends the driving time as the number of operations increases. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The toner replenishing device characterized in that the intermittent driving shortens the stop time with the lapse of the number of operations. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1 or 2,
In the intermittent driving, the driving time is lengthened and the stop time is shortened as the number of operations progresses. The toner replenishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A toner replenishing device, wherein a toner having an accelerated aggregation degree of 40% or less is used as the toner. An image carrier, a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image carried on the image carrier, a toner conveying unit that conveys toner to the developing device, and the toner conveying unit that is conveyed to the developing device. An image forming apparatus including a toner replenishing unit having a toner storage unit for storing toner,
An image forming apparatus using the toner supply device according to claim 1 as the toner supply unit.

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