Toner for electrostatic image development, electrostatic image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toner for electrostatic image development, an electrostatic image developer, a toner cartridge, a processing cartridge, an image forming apparatus and a method. The present invention provides a negatively chargeable electrostatic image development toner, comprising toner particles and layered structure compound particles, wherein the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is 0.4 μm or more and less than 3.0 μm, and the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is 0.044 or more and 0.625 or less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner for developing an electrostatic image, an electrostatic image developer, a toner cartridge, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-317489 discloses a toner prepared by adding 0.1 to 2.0 parts by weight of melamine cyanurate powder having a volume average particle size of 3 to 9 μm to a base toner having an average circularity of 0.94 to 0.995 and a volume average particle size of 3 to 9 μm, based on 100 parts by weight of the base toner.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-237274 discloses a positively charged toner, wherein 0.01 to 0.5 parts by weight of melamine cyanurate particles having a number average primary particle size of 0.05 μm to 1.5 μm are added to colored resin particles containing a binder resin, a colorant, and a positive charge control agent, relative to 100 parts by weight of the colored resin particles. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a toner for electrostatic image development. Compared with an electrostatic image developing toner comprising toner particles and layered structure compound particles, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 0.4 μm or is greater than 3.0 μm, or the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is less than 0.044 or greater than 0.625, the electrostatic image developing toner of the present invention is not easy to agglomerate in the replenishing toner storage part when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0006] Means for solving technical problems

[0007] According to the first scheme of the present invention, there is provided a negatively charged electrostatic image developing toner, which comprises toner particles and layered structure compound particles, wherein the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is greater than 0.4 μm and less than 3.0 μm, and the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is greater than 0.044 and less than 0.625.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the toner particles have a volume average particle diameter Db of 4 μm or more and 9 μm or less.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the content of the layered structure compound particles is 0.01 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less based on the entire electrostatic image developing toner.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a ratio Da / Db of a volume average particle diameter Da of the layered structure compound particles to a volume average particle diameter Db of the toner particles is 0.056 or more and 0.580 or less.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is not less than 0.45 μm and not more than 2.7 μm.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the toner particles have a volume average particle diameter Db of 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the content of the layered structure compound particles is 0.01 mass % or more and 0.90 mass % or less based on the entire electrostatic image developing toner.

[0014] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the layered compound particles include at least one selected from the group consisting of melamine cyanurate particles, boron nitride particles, graphite fluoride particles, molybdenum disulfide particles, and mica particles.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrostatic image developer comprising the above-mentioned electrostatic image developing toner.

[0016] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge that is detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus and stores the above-mentioned toner for developing an electrostatic image.

[0017] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary toner cartridge in which a main body storing the electrostatic image developing toner rotates.

[0018] According to the 12th scheme of the present invention, there is provided a processing box which is loaded and unloaded in an image forming device, and comprises: a developing mechanism which stores an electrostatic image developer and uses the electrostatic image developer to develop the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image retaining body into a toner image; a toner box which stores the electrostatic image developing toner; and a toner supply path which connects the toner box and the developing mechanism and supplies the electrostatic image developing toner in the toner box to the developing mechanism.

[0019] According to the 13th scheme of the present invention, there is provided an image forming device, which comprises: an image retaining body; a charging mechanism for charging the surface of the above-mentioned image retaining body; an electrostatic image forming mechanism for forming an electrostatic image on the surface of the above-mentioned image retaining body that has been charged; a developing mechanism for storing an electrostatic image developer and developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the above-mentioned image retaining body into a toner image using the above-mentioned electrostatic image developer; a transfer mechanism for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the above-mentioned image retaining body to the surface of a recording medium; a fixing mechanism for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the above-mentioned recording medium; a replenishing toner storage section for storing the above-mentioned electrostatic image developing toner; and a toner replenishing path for connecting the above-mentioned replenishing toner storage section and the above-mentioned developing mechanism, and replenishing the above-mentioned electrostatic image developing toner in the above-mentioned replenishing toner storage section to the above-mentioned developing mechanism.

[0020] According to the 14th scheme of the present invention, an image forming method is provided, which has the following steps: a charging step of charging the surface of the image retaining body; an electrostatic image forming step of forming an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image retaining body; a developing step of developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image retaining body into a toner image using an electrostatic image developer; a transfer step of transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image retaining body to the surface of a recording medium; a fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium; and a toner replenishing step of replenishing the electrostatic image developing toner in the replenishing toner storage section to the developing mechanism through a toner replenishing path connecting the replenishing toner storage section and the developing mechanism.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the above-mentioned schemes 1, 2, 6 or 8, a toner for electrostatic image development is provided. Compared with an electrostatic image development toner comprising toner particles and layered structure compound particles, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 0.4μm or is greater than 3.0μm, or the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is less than 0.044 or greater than 0.625, the electrostatic image development toner provided by this scheme is not easy to agglomerate in the replenishing toner storage part when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0023] According to the above-mentioned third scheme, a toner for electrostatic image development is provided. Compared with an electrostatic image developing toner in which the content of layered structure compound particles is less than 0.01 mass % or greater than 1.0 mass % relative to the entire electrostatic image developing toner, the electrostatic image developing toner provided by this scheme is not easy to agglomerate in the replenishing toner storage portion when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0024] According to the above-mentioned fourth scheme, a toner for electrostatic image development is provided. Compared with a toner for electrostatic image development in which the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the above-mentioned toner particles is less than 0.056 or greater than 0.580, the toner for electrostatic image development provided by this scheme is not easy to agglomerate in the replenishing toner storage part when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0025] According to the above-mentioned scheme 5, a toner for electrostatic image development is provided. Compared with the toner for electrostatic image development in which the volume average particle size Da of layered structure compound particles is less than 0.45 μm or greater than 2.7 μm, the toner for electrostatic image development provided by this scheme is not easy to agglomerate in the replenishing toner storage part when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0026] According to the above-mentioned scheme 7, a toner for electrostatic image development is provided. Compared with an electrostatic image developing toner in which the content of layered structure compound particles is less than 0.01 mass % or greater than 0.90 mass % relative to the entire electrostatic image developing toner, the electrostatic image developing toner provided by this scheme is not easy to agglomerate in the replenishing toner storage portion when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0027] According to the above-mentioned scheme 9, an electrostatic image developer is provided. Compared with the case where the electrostatic image developing toner contains toner particles and layered structure compound particles, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 0.4μm or is greater than 3.0μm, or the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is less than 0.044 or greater than 0.625, the electrostatic image developer provided by this scheme is not easy to agglomerate in the replenishing toner storage part when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0028] According to the above-mentioned scheme 10 or 11, a toner box is provided. Compared with the case where the toner for electrostatic image development contains toner particles and layered structure compound particles, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 0.4μm or is greater than 3.0μm, or the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is less than 0.044 or greater than 0.625, the toner box provided by this scheme is not prone to aggregation of the toner for electrostatic image development inside when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0029] According to the above-mentioned scheme 12, a processing box is provided. Compared with the case where the electrostatic image developing toner contains toner particles and layered structure compound particles, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 0.4μm or is greater than 3.0μm, or the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is less than 0.044 or greater than 0.625, the processing box provided by this scheme is not easy to cause aggregation of the electrostatic image developing toner inside the toner box when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0030] According to the above-mentioned scheme 13, an image forming device is provided. Compared with the case where the electrostatic image developing toner contains toner particles and layered structure compound particles, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 0.4μm or is greater than 3.0μm, or the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is less than 0.044 or greater than 0.625, the processing box provided by this scheme is not easy to cause aggregation of the electrostatic image developing toner in the replenishing toner storage part when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity.

[0031] According to the above-mentioned 14th scheme, an image forming method is provided. Compared with the case where the electrostatic image developing toner contains toner particles and layered structure compound particles, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 0.4μm or is greater than 3.0μm, or the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is less than 0.044 or greater than 0.625, the image forming method provided by this scheme is not easy to cause aggregation of the electrostatic image developing toner in the supply toner storage part when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of a toner cartridge according to the present embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2This is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following describes embodiments of the present invention. These descriptions and examples are intended to illustrate the embodiments and do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0036] In the present invention, the numerical range expressed using "to" means a range including the numerical values ​​described before and after "to" as the minimum value and the maximum value, respectively.

[0037] In the numerical range recorded in stages among the present invention, the upper limit or lower limit recorded in a numerical range can be replaced by the upper limit or lower limit of the numerical range in other stages recorded. In addition, in the numerical range recorded in the present invention, the upper limit or lower limit of this numerical range can be replaced by the value shown in the embodiment.

[0038] The term "step" in the present invention includes not only an independent step but also a step that cannot be clearly distinguished from other steps as long as the intended purpose of the step can be achieved.

[0039] When the embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings, the configuration of the embodiments is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings. In addition, the sizes of the components in the drawings are schematic, and the relative relationship between the sizes of the components is not limited to this.

[0040] Each component in the present invention may contain two or more corresponding substances. When referring to the amount of each component in the composition of the present invention, if there are two or more substances corresponding to each component in the composition, unless otherwise stated, it refers to the total amount of the two or more substances present in the composition.

[0041] The particles corresponding to each component in the present invention may include two or more kinds of particles. When two or more kinds of particles corresponding to each component are present in the composition, unless otherwise stated, the particle size of each component refers to the value for the mixture of the two or more kinds of particles present in the composition.

[0042] In the present invention, “toner for developing an electrostatic image” is also simply referred to as “toner”, and “developer for developing an electrostatic image” is also simply referred to as “developer”.

[0043] <Toner for Electrostatic Image Development>

[0044] The toner of this embodiment is supplied to the image forming apparatus as replenishment toner to be supplied to the developing device. The toner of this embodiment can also be used as toner previously loaded in the developing device.

[0045] The toner of this embodiment includes toner particles and layered compound particles, the volume average particle size Da of the layered compound particles is greater than or equal to 0.4 μm and less than 3.0 μm, and the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle size Da of the layered compound particles to the volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is greater than or equal to 0.044 and less than or equal to 0.625.

[0046] The toner of this embodiment is less likely to aggregate in the replenishing toner storage unit when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity (for example, temperature 28° C. and relative humidity 85%) to low temperature and low humidity (for example, temperature 22° C. and relative humidity 15%). The mechanism is presumed to be as follows.

[0047] Toner may adhere to the inner wall of a replenishing toner storage unit (e.g., a toner bottle) and aggregate. In particular, when the replenishing toner storage unit is a rotary toner bottle, a spiral convex portion provided on the inner wall of the bottle is usually a mechanism for moving the toner to the toner discharge port, and no other toner discharge member (e.g., a push screw, etc.) is provided inside the bottle. Therefore, toner is likely to adhere to the inner wall of the bottle and aggregate.

[0048] In addition, conventionally, toners with added layered compound particles (e.g., melamine cyanurate particles, boron nitride particles) are known. The layered compound particles have a layer spacing of angstroms. The compound particles of the layered structure are believed to exhibit a lubricating effect by sliding between the layers. The layered compound particles added to the toner act as a lubricant between the toner particles and between the toner and the inner wall of the replenishing toner storage unit, thereby inhibiting the adhesion and aggregation of the toner on the inner wall of the replenishing toner storage unit. However, when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity, condensation may occur on the inner wall of the replenishing toner storage unit, and the toner may adhere to the inner wall and form aggregates.

[0049] In contrast, when the particle size of the layered structure compound particles is within an appropriate range and the ratio of the particle size of the layered structure compound particles to the particle size of the toner particles is within an appropriate range, it is presumed that the lubricating effect of the layered structure compound particles can be more effectively exerted, and even when the environment changes from high temperature and high humidity to low temperature and low humidity, the toner can be inhibited from adhering to the inner wall of the replenishing toner storage portion, thereby inhibiting the generation of agglomerates.

[0050] When the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 0.4 μm, it is estimated that the distance between the layers is short and the lubricating effect of each layered structure compound particle is insufficient. From the perspective of improving the lubricating effect of each layered structure compound particle, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is 0.4 μm or more, more preferably 0.45 μm or more, and further preferably 0.5 μm or more.

[0051] When the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is 3.0 μm or more, it is estimated that the layered structure compound particles are easily separated from the surface of the toner particles, and the lubricating effect that should be exerted between the toners and between the toners and the inner wall of the replenishing toner storage portion is weakened. From the perspective that the layered structure compound particles stay on the surface of the toner particles and exert a lubricating effect, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is less than 3.0 μm, more preferably 2.7 μm or less, and even more preferably 2.5 μm or less.

[0052] When the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle diameter Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle diameter Db of the toner particles is less than 0.044, it is estimated that the layered structure compound particles are too small relative to the toner particles, and the layered structure compound particles are buried in the surface of the toner particles, and it is not easy to play a lubricating role. From the perspective of suppressing the burial of the layered structure compound particles in the surface of the toner particles, the ratio Da / Db is 0.044 or more, preferably 0.056 or more, and more preferably 0.060 or more.

[0053] When the ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle diameter Da of the layered structure compound particles to the volume average particle diameter Db of the toner particles is greater than 0.625, it is estimated that the layered structure compound particles are too large relative to the toner particles, and the layered structure compound particles are difficult to enter between the toner particles. From the perspective of allowing the layered structure compound particles to enter between the toner particles and exert a lubricating effect, the ratio Da / Db is 0.625 or less, more preferably 0.580 or less, and further preferably 0.540 or less.

[0054] The layered compound particles are generally positively charged, so when the toner particles are negatively charged, the layered compound particles tend to stay on the toner particle surfaces. In the toner of this embodiment, the toner particles are negatively charged, and the toner as a whole is negatively charged.

[0055] The negatively charged toner in this embodiment refers to the four standard carriers (N-01, N-02, P-01, P-02) published by the Japan Imaging Society (Japan Imaging Society). When the toner charge is measured according to the toner charge measurement method standard of the carrier, the toner has a negative polarity when any of the four standard carriers is used.

[0056] The toner charge amount is measured specifically as follows.

[0057] After 6 parts by mass of the toner and 100 parts by mass of the standard carrier were stirred in a ball mill for 10 minutes, the charge was measured. The charge sequence of the standard carrier and the charge relationship when the standard carrier was used were linearly regressed, and the toner charge greater than 0 at the point where the charge sequence of the standard carrier was 0 was regarded as positive polarity, and less than 0 as negative polarity.

[0058] The components, structure, and characteristics of the toner according to this embodiment are described in detail below.

[0059] [Toner particles]

[0060] The toner particles are constituted by, for example, containing a binding resin and, if necessary, a colorant, a release agent, and other additives.

[0061] - Adhesive resin -

[0062] As the adhesive resin, for example, there can be mentioned vinyl resins formed by homopolymers of the following monomers or copolymers of two or more of these monomers, the monomers being: styrenes (for example, styrene, p-chlorostyrene, α-methylstyrene, etc.), (meth)acrylates (for example, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, etc.), ethylenically unsaturated nitriles (for example, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, etc.), vinyl ethers (for example, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether, etc.), vinyl ketones (for example, vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone, vinyl isopropenyl ketone, etc.), olefins (for example, ethylene, propylene, butadiene, etc.), etc.

[0063] Examples of the adhesive resin include non-vinyl resins such as epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, polyether resins, and modified rosins, mixtures of these resins with the above-mentioned vinyl resins, or graft polymers obtained by polymerizing vinyl monomers in the coexistence of these resins.

[0064] These adhesive resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0065] As the adhesive resin, a polyester resin is suitable.

[0066] As the polyester resin, for example, a known amorphous polyester resin can be cited. Among the polyester resins, the amorphous polyester resin can also be used together with a crystalline polyester resin. Among them, the crystalline polyester resin can be used in a content of 2% by mass to 40% by mass (preferably 2% by mass to 20% by mass) relative to the total binder resin.

[0067] The "crystallinity" of a resin means that there is no step-like change in endothermic value in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and that the resin has a clear endothermic peak. Specifically, the half-width of the endothermic peak is within 10°C when measured at a heating rate of 10 (°C / min).

[0068] On the other hand, the "amorphous" nature of a resin means that the half-peak width is larger than 10°C, the endothermic quantity changes stepwise, or no clear endothermic peak is observed.

[0069] Amorphous polyester resin

[0070] Examples of the non-crystalline polyester resin include polycondensates of polycarboxylic acids and polyols. As the non-crystalline polyester resin, a commercially available product may be used, or a synthetic product may be used.

[0071] Examples of the polycarboxylic acid include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, succinic acid, alkenyl succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.), alicyclic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, etc.), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, etc.), anhydrides thereof, or lower (e.g., carbon number 1 to 5) alkyl esters thereof. Among these, aromatic dicarboxylic acids are preferred as the polycarboxylic acid.

[0072] Among the polycarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids and trivalent or higher carboxylic acids having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used in combination. Examples of trivalent or higher carboxylic acids include trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, their anhydrides, or their lower (e.g., carbon number 1 to 5) alkyl esters.

[0073] The polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0074] Examples of the polyol include aliphatic diols (e.g., ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, etc.), alicyclic diols (e.g., cyclohexanediol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.), and aromatic diols (e.g., ethylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A, etc.). Among these, the polyol is preferably an aromatic diol or an alicyclic diol, and more preferably an aromatic diol.

[0075] As the polyol, a diol may be used in combination with a trivalent or higher polyol having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyol include glycerin, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol.

[0076] The polyols may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0077] The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 50°C to 80°C, and more preferably 50°C to 65°C.

[0078] The glass transition temperature is determined from a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), more specifically, by "extrapolated glass transition start temperature" described in the method for measuring glass transition temperature in JIS K7121:1987 "Method for measuring transition temperature of plastics".

[0079] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 5,000 to 1,000,000, and more preferably 7,000 to 500,000.

[0080] The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 2,000 or more and 100,000 or less.

[0081] The molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 1.5 or more and 100 or less, and more preferably 2 or more and 60 or less.

[0082] The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). In the molecular weight measurement using GPC, a Tosoh GPC HLC-8120GPC was used as a measuring device, a Tosoh column TSKgel SuperHM-M (15 cm) was used, and the measurement was performed using THF solvent. The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight were calculated based on the measurement results using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared using a monodisperse polystyrene standard sample.

[0083] The amorphous polyester resin is obtained by a known production method. Specifically, for example, the amorphous polyester resin is obtained by setting the polymerization temperature to 180° C. to 230° C., reducing the pressure in the reaction system as necessary, and reacting while removing water or alcohol generated during condensation.

[0084] When the monomer of the raw material is insoluble or incompatible at the reaction temperature, a high boiling point solvent may be added as a dissolving aid to dissolve it. In this case, the polycondensation reaction is carried out while the dissolving aid is distilled off. When there are monomers with poor compatibility in the copolymerization reaction, the monomers with poor compatibility may be condensed with a specific acid or alcohol that is polycondensed with the monomer in advance, and then polycondensed with the main component.

[0085] Crystalline polyester resin

[0086] Examples of the crystalline polyester resin include polycondensates of polycarboxylic acids and polyols. As the crystalline polyester resin, a commercially available product may be used, or a synthetic product may be used.

[0087] Here, in order to make the crystalline polyester resin easily form a crystal structure, the crystalline polyester resin is preferably a polycondensate obtained using a linear aliphatic polymerizable monomer rather than a polycondensate obtained using a polymerizable monomer having an aromatic ring.

[0088] Examples of the polycarboxylic acid include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., oxalic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, 1,9-nonanedicarboxylic acid, 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid, 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acid, 1,14-tetradecanedicarboxylic acid, 1,18-octadecanedicarboxylic acid, etc.), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., dibasic acids such as phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, etc.), anhydrides thereof, or lower (e.g., carbon number 1 to 5) alkyl esters thereof.

[0089] Among the polycarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids and trivalent or higher carboxylic acids having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used in combination. Examples of trivalent carboxylic acids include aromatic carboxylic acids (e.g., 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, etc.), their anhydrides, or their lower (e.g., carbon number 1 to 5) alkyl esters.

[0090] As the polycarboxylic acid, these dicarboxylic acids may be used in combination with a dicarboxylic acid having a sulfonic acid group or a dicarboxylic acid having an ethylenic double bond.

[0091] The polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0092] Examples of the polyol include aliphatic diols (e.g., linear aliphatic diols having a main chain portion having carbon atoms of 7 or more and 20 or less). Examples of the aliphatic diols include ethylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, 1,13-tridecanediol, 1,14-tetradecanediol, 1,18-octadecanediol, and 1,14-eicosandiol. Among these, preferred aliphatic diols include 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, and 1,10-decanediol.

[0093] Among the polyols, diols may be used in combination with trivalent or higher alcohols having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure. Examples of the trivalent or higher alcohols include glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol.

[0094] The polyols may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0095] Here, the content of the aliphatic diol in the polyol is preferably 80 mol % or more, and preferably 90 mol % or more.

[0096] The melting temperature of the crystalline polyester resin is preferably 50°C to 100°C, more preferably 55°C to 90°C, and even more preferably 60°C to 85°C.

[0097] The melting temperature is determined from a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) by the “melting peak temperature” described in the method for measuring melting temperature in JIS K7121:1987 “Method for measuring transition temperatures of plastics”.

[0098] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the crystalline polyester resin is preferably 6,000 or more and 35,000 or less.

[0099] The crystalline polyester resin can be obtained, for example, by a known production method similar to the amorphous polyester.

[0100] The content of the binder resin is preferably 40% by mass to 95% by mass, more preferably 50% by mass to 90% by mass, and further preferably 60% by mass to 85% by mass, based on the entire toner particles.

[0101] -Colorants-

[0102] Examples of the colorant include carbon black, chrome yellow, Hansa yellow, benzidine yellow, vat yellow, quinoline yellow, pigment yellow, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, sulfur-resistant orange, Vochug red, permanent red, brilliant carmine 3B, brilliant carmine 6B, DuPont Oil Red, pyrazolone red, litho red, rhodamine B lake, lake red C, pigment red, rose red, aniline blue, ultramarine blue, oil-soluble blue, methylene blue chloride, phthalocyanine blue, pigment blue, phthalocyanine green, malachite green oxalate and other pigments; and dyes such as acridine, xanthene, azo, benzoquinone, azine, anthraquinone, thioindigo, dioxazine, thiazine, azomethine, indigo, phthalocyanine, nigrosine, polymethine, triphenylmethane, diphenylmethane and thiazole.

[0103] The coloring agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0104] The colorant may be a colorant that has been subjected to surface treatment as required, or may be used in combination with a dispersant. In addition, two or more colorants may be used in combination.

[0105] The content of the colorant is preferably from 1 mass % to 30 mass % both inclusive, and more preferably from 3 mass % to 15 mass % both inclusive, based on the entire toner particles.

[0106] -Release agent-

[0107] Examples of the release agent include hydrocarbon waxes, natural waxes such as carnauba wax, rice wax, and candelilla wax, synthetic waxes such as montan wax, or mineral and petroleum waxes, and ester waxes such as fatty acid esters and montanic acid esters. The release agent is not limited thereto.

[0108] The melting temperature of the release agent is preferably 50°C to 110°C, more preferably 60°C to 100°C.

[0109] The melting temperature is determined from a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) by the “melting peak temperature” described in the method for measuring melting temperature in JIS K7121:1987 “Method for measuring transition temperatures of plastics”.

[0110] The content of the release agent is preferably from 1 mass % to 20 mass % both inclusive, and more preferably from 5 mass % to 15 mass % both inclusive, based on the entire toner particles.

[0111] -Other additives-

[0112] Examples of other additives include known additives such as magnetic materials, charge control agents, and inorganic powders. These additives may be contained in the toner particles as internal additives.

[0113] -Characteristics of toner particles, etc.-

[0114] The toner particles may be toner particles of a single-layer structure, or may be toner particles of a so-called core / shell structure composed of a core portion (core particle) and a coating layer (shell layer) that covers the core portion.

[0115] The toner particles of a core / shell structure may be composed of, for example, a core portion including a binder resin and, if necessary, other additives such as a colorant and a release agent, and a coating layer including a binder resin.

[0116] The volume average particle diameter Db of the toner particles is preferably 4 μm or more and 9 μm or less, more preferably 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less, and further preferably 4 μm or more and 7 μm or less.

[0117] The volume average particle size Db of the toner particles is measured using Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter) and ISOTON-II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter) for the electrolyte. In the measurement, 0.5 mg to 50 mg of the measurement sample is added to 2 ml of a 5% by mass aqueous solution of a surfactant (preferably sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate) as a dispersant. The sample is then added to 100 ml to 150 ml of the electrolyte.

[0118] The electrolyte in which the sample is suspended is dispersed for 1 minute using an ultrasonic disperser, and the particles with a particle size of 2 μm or more and 60 μm or less are measured using a Coulter Multisizer II with a hole of 100 μm. The number of particles sampled is 50,000. The cumulative distribution of the particle size is drawn from the small diameter side on a volume basis, and the particle size at the cumulative 50% point is taken as the volume average particle size Db.

[0119] The average circularity of the toner particles is preferably from 0.94 to 1.00, and more preferably from 0.95 to 0.98.

[0120] The average circularity of the toner particles is calculated by (equivalent circular circumference) / (circumference) [(circumference of a circle having the same projected area as the particle image) / (circumference of the particle projected image)]. Specifically, it is a value measured by the following method.

[0121] First, the toner particles to be measured are collected by suction and formed into a flat flow, and the particles are momentarily flashed to obtain a particle image as a still image, and the particle image is analyzed by a flow particle image analyzer (FPIA-3000 manufactured by Sysmex) to obtain the average circularity. The number of samples for obtaining the average circularity is set to 3500.

[0122] When the toner has an external additive, the toner (developer) to be measured is dispersed in water containing a surfactant and then subjected to ultrasonic treatment to obtain toner particles from which the external additive has been removed.

[0123] [Layered compound particles]

[0124] The layered compound particles are particles of a compound having a layered structure. Examples of the layered compound particles include melamine cyanurate particles, boron nitride particles, graphite fluoride particles, molybdenum disulfide particles, and mica particles.

[0125] From the perspective of suppressing the aggregation of the toner, the volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound particles is 0.4 μm or more and less than 3.0 μm, more preferably 0.45 μm or more and 2.7 μm or less, and further preferably 0.5 μm or more and 2.5 μm or less. The volume average particle size of the layered structure compound particles can be controlled by pulverization, classification, or a combination of pulverization and classification.

[0126] The volume average particle size Da of the layered structure compound is determined by the following measurement method.

[0127] First, the layered structure compound particles are separated from the toner. There is no limitation on the method for separating the layered structure compound particles from the toner. For example, the toner is dispersed in water containing a surfactant and ultrasonic waves are applied to the obtained dispersion. The dispersion is then centrifuged at high speed to centrifuge the toner particles, the layered structure compound particles, and other external additives according to their specific gravity. The fraction containing the layered structure compound particles is extracted and dried to obtain the layered structure compound particles.

[0128] Next, the layered structure compound particles are added to an electrolyte aqueous solution (isotonic aqueous solution), and ultrasonic waves are applied for more than 30 seconds to disperse them. The dispersion is used as a sample, and the particle size is measured using a laser diffraction scattering particle size distribution measuring device (e.g., Microtrac BEL, Microtrac MT3000II). At least 3,000 layered structure compound particles are measured, and the particle size at the cumulative 50% point from the small diameter side in the volume-based particle size distribution is taken as the volume average particle size Da.

[0129] From the perspective of suppressing aggregation of the toner, the content of the layered structure compound particles is preferably 0.01 mass % to 1.0 mass % based on the entire toner, more preferably 0.01 mass % to 0.90 mass % and even more preferably 0.01 mass % to 0.85 mass %.

[0130] [External Additives]

[0131] Examples of external additives include inorganic particles, such as SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, CuO, ZnO, SnO2, CeO2, Fe2O3, MgO, BaO, CaO, K2O, Na2O, ZrO2, CaO·SiO2, K2O·(TiO2)n, Al2O3·2SiO2, CaCO3, MgCO3, BaSO4, and MgSO4.

[0132] The surface of the inorganic particles as an external additive is suitably subjected to hydrophobization. Hydrophobization is carried out by, for example, immersing the inorganic particles in a hydrophobization treatment agent. There is no particular limitation on the hydrophobization treatment agent, and for example, silane coupling agents, silicone oils, titanate coupling agents, aluminum coupling agents, etc. can be cited. These treatment agents can be used alone or in combination of two or more. About the amount of the hydrophobization treatment agent, for example, relative to 100 mass parts of inorganic particles, it is usually 1 mass part or more and 10 mass parts or less.

[0133] Examples of the external additives include resin particles (polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, melamine resin, and other resin particles), detergent active agents (metal salts of higher fatty acids such as zinc stearate, and particles of fluorine-based high molecular weight bodies).

[0134] The amount of the external additive added is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 2.0% by mass or less, based on the toner particles.

[0135] [Toner Manufacturing Method]

[0136] The toner according to the present embodiment is obtained by manufacturing toner particles and then adding an external additive to the toner particles.

[0137] The toner particles can be produced by any of dry methods (e.g., kneading and pulverization methods) and wet methods (e.g., aggregation and merging methods, suspension polymerization methods, dissolution and suspension methods, etc.). These methods are not particularly limited, and known methods can be used. Among these, the toner particles can be obtained by the aggregation and merging method (aggregation method).

[0138] Specifically, for example, in the case of manufacturing toner particles by an agglomeration and merging method, the toner particles are manufactured through the following steps: a step of preparing a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles serving as a binding resin are dispersed (resin particle dispersion preparation step); a step of agglomerating resin particles (and other particles if necessary) in the resin particle dispersion (in a dispersion after mixing other particle dispersions if necessary) to form agglomerated particles (agglomerated particle formation step); and a step of heating the agglomerated particle dispersion in which the agglomerated particles are dispersed to fuse / merge the agglomerated particles to form toner particles (fusion / merging step).

[0139] The details of each step are described below.

[0140] In the following description, a method for obtaining toner particles containing a colorant and a release agent is described, but the colorant and the release agent are additives used as needed. Of course, other additives besides the colorant and the release agent may also be used.

[0141] - Resin particle dispersion preparation step -

[0142] A resin particle dispersion in which resin particles as a binder resin are dispersed is prepared, and at the same time, for example, a colorant particle dispersion in which colorant particles are dispersed and a release agent particle dispersion in which release agent particles are dispersed are prepared.

[0143] The resin particle dispersion is prepared, for example, by dispersing the resin particles in a dispersion medium using a surfactant.

[0144] Examples of the dispersion medium used for the resin particle dispersion include aqueous media.

[0145] Examples of the aqueous medium include water such as distilled water and ion-exchanged water, alcohols, etc. These media may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0146] Examples of surfactants include anionic surfactants such as sulfate ester salts, sulfonates, phosphates, and soaps; cationic surfactants such as amine salts and quaternary ammonium salts; nonionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycols, alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts, and polyols; and the like. Among these, anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants can be particularly mentioned. Nonionic surfactants can also be used in combination with anionic surfactants or cationic surfactants.

[0147] The surfactant may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0148] In the resin particle dispersion, as a method for dispersing the resin particles in the dispersion medium, for example, a common dispersion method using a rotary shearing homogenizer or a ball mill, sand mill, bead mill, etc. with a medium can be cited. In addition, depending on the type of resin particles, the resin particles can also be dispersed in the dispersion medium using a phase inversion emulsification method. The phase inversion emulsification method is a method in which the resin to be dispersed is dissolved in a hydrophobic organic solvent that can dissolve the resin, a base is added to the organic continuous phase (O phase) for neutralization, and then an aqueous medium (W phase) is added to thereby invert the phase from W / O to O / W, so that the resin is dispersed in the aqueous medium in a particle form.

[0149] The volume average particle size of the resin particles dispersed in the resin particle dispersion is, for example, preferably 0.01 μm or more and 1 μm or less, more preferably 0.08 μm or more and 0.8 μm or less, and further preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.6 μm or less.

[0150] The volume average particle size of the resin particles is determined by using a particle size distribution obtained by measurement using a laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring device (e.g., LA-700 manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.). For the divided particle size range (segment), a cumulative distribution is plotted for volume from the small particle size side, and the particle size at the cumulative 50% point relative to all particles is measured, which is taken as the volume average particle size D50v. The volume average particle size of particles in other dispersions is measured in the same manner.

[0151] The content of the resin particles contained in the resin particle dispersion is preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and more preferably 10% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less.

[0152] For example, a colorant particle dispersion and a release agent particle dispersion are prepared in the same manner as the resin particle dispersion. That is, the volume average particle size of the particles in the resin particle dispersion, the dispersion medium, the dispersion method, and the content of the particles are the same for the colorant particles dispersed in the colorant particle dispersion and the release agent particles dispersed in the release agent particle dispersion.

[0153] - Agglomerated Particle Formation Step-

[0154] Next, the resin particle dispersion, the colorant particle dispersion, and the release agent particle dispersion are mixed.

[0155] Then, the resin particles, the colorant particles, and the release agent particles are heterogeneously aggregated in the mixed dispersion to form aggregated particles containing the resin particles, the colorant particles, and the release agent particles and having a diameter close to that of the target toner particles.

[0156] Specifically, for example, a coagulant is added to the mixed dispersion, and the pH of the mixed dispersion is adjusted to acidity (for example, pH 2 to 5), a dispersion stabilizer is added as needed, and then heated to a temperature close to the glass transition temperature of the resin particles (specifically, for example, the glass transition temperature of the resin particles is -30°C to the glass transition temperature of -10°C), so that the particles dispersed in the mixed dispersion are agglomerated to form agglomerated particles.

[0157] In the aggregated particle forming step, for example, a coagulant may be added at room temperature (e.g., 25° C.) while the mixed dispersion is stirred using a rotary shearing homogenizer, the pH of the mixed dispersion is adjusted to acidic (e.g., pH 2 to 5), a dispersion stabilizer may be added as needed, and then the mixture may be heated.

[0158] Examples of the coagulant include surfactants having opposite polarity to the surfactant contained in the mixed dispersion, inorganic metal salts, and divalent or higher metal complexes. When a metal complex is used as the coagulant, the amount of surfactant used is reduced and the charging characteristics are improved.

[0159] If necessary, an additive that forms a complex or similar bond with the metal ion of the coagulant may be used together with the coagulant. As the additive, a chelating agent is preferably used.

[0160] Examples of the inorganic metal salt include metal salts such as calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, barium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, aluminum chloride, and aluminum sulfate; inorganic metal salt polymers such as polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum hydroxide, and calcium polysulfide; and the like.

[0161] As the chelating agent, a water-soluble chelating agent can be used. Examples of the chelating agent include hydroxycarboxylic acids such as tartaric acid, citric acid, and gluconic acid; aminocarboxylic acids such as iminodiacetic acid (IDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); and the like.

[0162] The amount of the chelating agent added is preferably 0.01 parts by mass or more and 5.0 parts by mass or less, and more preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more and less than 3.0 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the resin particles.

[0163] - Fusion / Merge Steps-

[0164] Next, the aggregated particle dispersion containing the dispersed aggregated particles is heated to, for example, a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin particles (eg, 10° C. to 30° C. higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin particles) to fuse / combine the aggregated particles to form toner particles.

[0165] After the above steps, toner particles are obtained.

[0166] After obtaining a dispersion of aggregated particles dispersed therein, toner particles can be manufactured by the following steps: further mixing the dispersion of aggregated particles with a dispersion of resin particles dispersed therein, agglomerating the resin particles so as to further adhere to the surfaces of the aggregated particles to form second aggregated particles; and heating the second dispersion of aggregated particles dispersed therein to fuse / merge the second aggregated particles to form toner particles with a core / shell structure.

[0167] After the fusion / merging step is completed, the toner particles formed in the dispersion are subjected to a known washing step, a solid-liquid separation step, and a drying step to obtain dry toner particles. Regarding the washing step, from the perspective of charging performance, replacement washing using ion exchange water can be fully implemented. Regarding the solid-liquid separation step, from the perspective of productivity, suction filtration, pressure filtration, etc. can be implemented. Regarding the drying step, from the perspective of productivity, freeze drying, airflow drying, fluidized bed drying, vibration fluidized bed drying, etc. can be implemented.

[0168] Thereafter, for example, an external additive is added to the obtained dry toner particles and mixed, thereby producing the toner of the present embodiment. The mixing can be performed using, for example, a V-type blender, a Henschel mixer, a Loedige mixer, etc. Furthermore, coarse particles of the toner can be removed using a vibration sieving machine, a wind sieving machine, etc. as needed.

[0169] <Electrostatic Image Developer>

[0170] The electrostatic image developer according to the present embodiment includes at least the toner according to the present embodiment.

[0171] The electrostatic image developer of the present embodiment may be a one-component developer containing only the toner of the present embodiment, or may be a two-component developer in which the toner and a carrier are mixed.

[0172] The carrier is not particularly limited, and known carriers can be cited. Examples of the carrier include: a coated carrier in which a core material formed of magnetic powder is coated with a resin; a magnetic powder dispersion carrier in which magnetic powder is dispersed and mixed in a matrix resin; a resin impregnated carrier in which a porous magnetic powder is impregnated with a resin; and the like. The magnetic powder dispersion carrier and the resin impregnated carrier may also be a carrier in which the constituent particles of the carrier are used as a core material and the surface thereof is coated with a resin.

[0173] Examples of the magnetic powder include magnetic metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt; and magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite.

[0174] Examples of the coating resin and base resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylate copolymer, pure silicone resin or modified products thereof containing organic siloxane bonds, fluororesins, polyesters, polycarbonates, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, etc. The coating resin and base resin may contain other additives such as conductive particles. Examples of the conductive particles include particles of metals such as gold, silver, and copper, carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, barium sulfate, aluminum borate, and potassium titanate.

[0175] When the surface of the core material is coated with a resin, it can be enumerated as follows: a method of coating with a coating layer formed by dissolving a coating resin and various additives (used as needed) in an appropriate solvent, etc. The solvent is not particularly limited and can be selected by considering the type of resin used, coating suitability, etc.

[0176] Specific resin coating methods include: an immersion method, in which the core material is immersed in a coating layer forming solution; a spray method, in which the coating layer forming solution is sprayed onto the surface of the core material; a fluidized bed method, in which the coating layer forming solution is sprayed while the core material is suspended by flowing air; a kneading coater method, in which the core material of the carrier is mixed with the coating layer forming solution in a kneading coater and then the solvent is removed; and the like.

[0177] The mixing ratio (mass ratio) of the toner and the carrier in the two-component developer is preferably toner:carrier=1:100 to 30:100, and more preferably 3:100 to 20:100.

[0178] <Toner Cartridge>

[0179] The toner cartridge of the present embodiment stores the toner of the present embodiment and is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge stores replenishment toner to be supplied to a developing mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus.

[0180] One embodiment example of the toner cartridge according to the present embodiment is a rotary toner cartridge in which a main body storing toner rotates. Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a rotary toner bottle as an example of a rotary toner cartridge. Figure 1 The illustrated rotary toner bottle 200 includes a bottle body 202 , a cap 204 , and a gear 206 .

[0181] The bottle body 202 is cylindrical and has a concave-convex portion 220 on the side for moving the replenishing toner toward the discharge port. The convex portion 210 provided on the concave-convex portion 220 is continuously arranged in a spiral from the vicinity of the bottom surface of the bottle body 202 toward the cover 204. The convex portion 210 is arranged in a manner that is convex when observed from the inside of the bottle body 202. The convex portion 210 can be a single spiral or two or more spirals. When observed from the inside of the bottle body 202, the portion sandwiched by adjacent convex portions 210 is concave. In order to facilitate the movement of the replenishing toner toward the cover 204 inside the bottle body 202, it is preferred that the width of the convex portion 210 (the length in the direction of the axis Q) is narrower than the width of the adjacent concave portion (the length in the direction of the axis Q).

[0182] The bottle body 202 is made of resin, for example. Examples of the material of the bottle body 202 include polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin, polyester, etc. The bottle body 202 and the gear 206 may be integrally formed, or the bottle body 202 and the gear 206 may be separately formed and combined into respective molded products.

[0183] The cap 204 is provided at one end side of the rotary toner bottle 200 in the direction of the axis Q. The cap 204 is provided with a discharge port 209 for discharging replenishment toner and a shutter 208 for opening and closing the discharge port 209. The discharge port 209 is opened and closed by opening and closing the shutter 208.

[0184] The gear 206 is a gear (wheel) that meshes with a driving gear provided in the toner cartridge mounting portion when the rotary toner bottle 200 is mounted in the toner cartridge mounting portion of the image forming apparatus and is driven by the driving gear. The gear 206 is provided concentrically with the bottle body 202 . Figure 1 The outer diameter of the gear 206 shown in the figure is smaller than the outer diameter of the bottle body 202. The outer diameter of the gear 206 may be the same as the outer diameter of the bottle body 202, or may be larger than the outer diameter of the bottle body 202.

[0185] Figure 1 2 shows a mode in which the bottle body 202 has the concavoconvex part 220, but the toner cartridge and the rotary toner bottle of this embodiment are not limited to this. When viewed from the outside of the bottle body 202, the side surface of the bottle body 202 may also be a flat curved surface without a concave part.

[0186] in addition, Figure 1 2 shows a mode in which the convex portion 210 is a part of the bottle body 202, but the toner cartridge and the rotary toner bottle of this embodiment are not limited thereto. The convex portion 210 may also be a component separate from the bottle body 202. As a separate component, for example, a coil-shaped component that is provided in contact with the inner side surface of the bottle body 202 and spirally continues from the vicinity of the bottom surface of the bottle body 202 toward the cover 204 can be cited.

[0187] Next, the operation of mounting the rotary toner bottle 200 to the toner cartridge mounting portion of the image forming apparatus will be described.

[0188] The rotary toner bottle 200 is mounted on the toner cartridge mounting portion in such a manner that the gear 206 meshes with the driving gear of the toner cartridge mounting portion. At this time, the shutter 208 is opened, and the rotary toner bottle 200 is connected to the toner supply path of the image forming device through the discharge port 209. By rotating the driving gear of the toner cartridge mounting portion, the gear 206 is driven to rotate, and the bottle body 202 is driven to rotate with the axis Q direction as the central axis. Through the driven rotation of the bottle body 202, the toner for supply is moved from the bottom surface side of the bottle body 202 toward the cover 204 by the concave-convex portion 220. The toner for supply that moves toward the cover 204 is discharged from the discharge port 209 and supplied to the toner supply path of the image forming device. The rotary toner bottle 200 is mounted on the toner cartridge mounting portion of the image forming device, for example, in such a manner that the axis Q direction is horizontal.

[0189] <Processing cartridge>

[0190] The processing box of this embodiment is a processing box that is loaded and unloaded in an image forming device, and comprises: a developing mechanism that stores an electrostatic image developer and uses the electrostatic image developer to develop the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image retaining body into a toner image; a toner box that stores the electrostatic image developing toner of this embodiment; and a toner supply path that connects the toner box and the developing mechanism and supplies the electrostatic image developing toner in the toner box to the developing mechanism.

[0191] The process cartridge of this embodiment may include a developing mechanism, a toner cartridge, a toner supply path, and, if necessary, at least one selected from an image holding member, a charging mechanism, an electrostatic image forming mechanism, a transfer mechanism, and the like.

[0192] An example of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment is shown below, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0193] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 The process cartridge 300 shown is, for example, mounted and removed in Figure 3 Shown in an image forming apparatus.

[0194] The process cartridge 300 includes a developing device 104 (an example of a developing mechanism), a toner supply path 108 , and a toner cartridge 200 . Figure 2 2 also shows a photosensitive body 102 (an example of an image holding body) which is arranged around the process cartridge 300 when the process cartridge 300 is installed in the image forming apparatus.

[0195] The developing device 104 is divided into two chambers by a partition member, for example, and an outlet of the toner supply path 108 is provided in one chamber, and a developing roller facing the photoreceptor 102 is provided in the other chamber. The two chambers are connected at a part, and each chamber is provided with a stirring member for stirring and conveying the developer. The developer (not shown) in the developing device 104 is stirred and conveyed by the two stirring members and supplied to the developing roller.

[0196] One end of the toner supply path 108 is the toner cartridge mounting portion 106, and the other end is connected to the developing device 104. An auger screw 110 as an example of a toner conveying member is disposed inside the toner supply path 108. The toner passes through the toner supply path 108 by the operation of the auger screw 110. The toner conveying member such as the auger screw may not be disposed inside the toner supply path 108. In this case, the toner passes through the toner supply path 108 by, for example, free fall.

[0197] The toner cartridge mounting portion 106 is a portion for detachably mounting the toner cartridge 200 in the image forming apparatus and is provided with a toner receiving port communicating with a toner discharge port of the toner cartridge 200 and a rotating member (eg, a gear) for rotating the toner cartridge 200 .

[0198] The toner cartridge 200 stores therein the electrostatic image developing toner of the present embodiment as the replenishing toner to be supplied to the developing device 104. The toner cartridge 200 is, for example, a rotary toner bottle (an example of a toner cartridge), and includes a bottle body 202, a cover 204, a gear 206, and a shutter 208 for opening and closing a toner discharge port. The specific mode and preferred mode of the configuration and operation of the toner cartridge 200 are the same as those of the rotary toner bottle 200 described above.

[0199] The toner cartridge 200 is mounted on the toner cartridge mounting portion 106 with its long axis oriented in the horizontal direction, for example. The rotating member (eg, gear) included in the toner cartridge 106 rotates the toner cartridge 200 about the horizontal axis, for example.

[0200] <Image Forming Apparatus, Image Forming Method>

[0201] The image forming device of the present embodiment comprises: an image holder; a charging mechanism for charging the surface of the image holder; an electrostatic image forming mechanism for forming an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image holder; a developing mechanism for storing an electrostatic image developer and developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holder into a toner image using the electrostatic image developer; a transfer mechanism for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to the surface of a recording medium; a fixing mechanism for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium; a replenishing toner storage section, which is a replenishing toner storage section for storing replenishing toner supplied to the developing mechanism, storing the electrostatic image developing toner of the present embodiment; and a toner replenishing path, connecting the replenishing toner storage section and the developing mechanism, and replenishing the electrostatic image developing toner in the replenishing toner storage section to the developing mechanism.

[0202] The image forming device of the present embodiment implements an image forming method (the image forming method of the present embodiment), which has the following steps: a charging step, charging the surface of the image retaining body; an electrostatic image forming step, forming an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image retaining body; a developing step, developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image retaining body into a toner image using the electrostatic image developer of the present embodiment; a transfer step, transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image retaining body to the surface of the recording medium; a fixing step, fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium; and a toner replenishing step, replenishing the electrostatic image developing toner in the replenishing toner storage unit from the replenishing toner storage unit that stores the electrostatic image developing toner of the present embodiment to the developing mechanism through a toner supply path connecting the replenishing toner storage unit and the developing mechanism.

[0203] The image forming device of this embodiment is applicable to the following well-known image forming devices: a device using a direct transfer method for directly transferring a toner image formed on the surface of an image holder to a recording medium; a device using an intermediate transfer method for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of an image holder to the surface of an intermediate transfer body for the first time, and transferring the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of a recording medium for a second time; a device having a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the surface of the image holder after the toner image is transferred and before charging; a device having a de-staticizing mechanism for de-staticizing the surface of the image holder by irradiating de-staticizing light to the surface of the image holder after the toner image is transferred and before charging; and the like.

[0204] When the image forming device of the present embodiment is an intermediate transfer type device, the transfer mechanism used is, for example, a structure having the following components: an intermediate transfer body to the surface of which the toner image is transferred; a primary transfer mechanism that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image retaining body to the surface of the intermediate transfer body for the first time; and a secondary transfer mechanism that transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of the recording medium for the second time.

[0205] In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, for example, the part including the developing mechanism may be a cartridge structure (processing cartridge) that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. As the processing cartridge, for example, a processing cartridge that stores the electrostatic image developer of this embodiment and has a developing mechanism is preferably used.

[0206] An example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the following description, the main parts shown in the drawings are described, and the other descriptions are omitted.

[0207] Figure 3 2 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0208] Figure 3 The image forming apparatus shown in the figure is provided with first to fourth image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K (image forming mechanism) of the electrophotographic method for outputting images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors based on color separation image data. These image forming units (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "units") 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction. These units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K may be process cartridges that are detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0209] Above each unit 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, an intermediate transfer belt (an example of an intermediate transfer body) 20 is extended through each unit. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is wound around a driving roller 22 and a supporting roller 24 so as to run in a direction from the first unit 10Y to the fourth unit 10K. The supporting roller 24 is biased in a direction away from the driving roller 22 by a spring (not shown) or the like, and tension is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 20 wound around the two. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 30 is provided on the image holding body side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to face the driving roller 22.

[0210] Figure 3The image forming apparatus shown has a configuration in which toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are attached and detached as an example of a toner storage unit for replenishment. The developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K of the units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are connected to the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K via toner replenishment paths (not shown). Toners of various colors are replenished from the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K to the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K via the toner replenishment paths. When the toner stored in the toner cartridge is insufficient, the toner cartridge is replaced.

[0211] The first to fourth units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K have the same configuration and operation, and therefore the first unit 10Y disposed on the upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt and forming a yellow image will be described as a representative.

[0212] The first unit 10Y has a photoreceptor 1Y that functions as an image holder. The following are arranged in order around the photoreceptor 1Y: a charging roller (an example of a charging mechanism) 2Y that charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y to a preset potential; an exposure device (an example of an electrostatic image forming mechanism) 3 that forms an electrostatic image by exposing the charged surface using a laser beam 3Y based on a color separation image signal; a developing device (an example of a developing mechanism) 4Y that supplies the charged toner to the electrostatic image to develop the electrostatic image; a primary transfer roller 5Y (an example of a primary transfer mechanism) that transfers the developed toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 20; and a photoreceptor cleaning device (an example of a cleaning mechanism) 6Y that removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y after the primary transfer.

[0213] The primary transfer roller 5Y is arranged inside the intermediate transfer belt 20 and is provided at a position facing the photosensitive body 1Y. The primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K of each unit are connected to bias power supplies (not shown) for applying primary transfer bias. Each bias power supply changes the value of the transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller under the control of a control unit (not shown).

[0214] Next, the operation of forming a yellow image in the first unit 10Y will be described.

[0215] First, before the operation, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is charged to a potential of -600 V to -800 V by the charging roller 2Y.

[0216] The photoreceptor 1Y has a conductivity (e.g., a volume resistivity of 1×10 -6The photosensitive layer is formed by laminating a photosensitive layer on a substrate with a resistance of 100 Ωcm or less. The photosensitive layer generally has a high resistance (resistance of a common resin), but has a property that the resistivity of the portion irradiated with the laser beam changes when the laser beam is irradiated. Therefore, according to the yellow image data sent from the control unit (not shown), the laser beam 3Y is irradiated from the exposure device 3 to the charged surface of the photoreceptor 1Y. As a result, an electrostatic image of a yellow image pattern is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y.

[0217] The electrostatic image is an image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y by charging, which is a so-called negative latent image. The negative latent image is formed as follows: the resistivity of the irradiated portion of the photosensitive layer is reduced by using the laser beam 3Y, so that the charged charge on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y flows; on the other hand, the charge of the portion not irradiated with the laser beam 3Y remains, thereby forming the negative latent image.

[0218] The electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor 1Y rotates to a preset development position as the photoreceptor 1Y runs. At the development position, the electrostatic image on the photoreceptor 1Y is developed into a toner image by the developing device 4Y and visualized.

[0219] The developing device 4Y stores an electrostatic image developer containing, for example, at least a yellow toner and a carrier. The yellow toner is frictionally charged by being stirred inside the developing device 4Y, and has a charge of the same polarity (negative polarity) as the charge charged on the photoreceptor 1Y, and is held on the developer roller (an example of a developer holding member). After that, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y passes through the developing device 4, whereby the yellow toner is electrostatically attached to the latent image portion on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y that has been de-charged, and the latent image is developed using the yellow toner. The photoreceptor 1Y formed with the yellow toner image continues to run at a preset speed, and the toner image developed on the photoreceptor 1Y is conveyed to a preset primary transfer position.

[0220] When the yellow toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y is transported to the primary transfer position, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 5Y, and the electrostatic force from the photoreceptor 1Y toward the primary transfer roller 5Y acts on the toner image, so that the toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20. The transfer bias applied at this time has a polarity (+) opposite to the polarity (-) of the toner, and is controlled to, for example, +10 μA by a control section (not shown) in the first unit 10Y.

[0221] On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1Y is removed and recovered by the photoreceptor cleaning device 6Y.

[0222] The primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer rollers 5M, 5C, and 5K after the second unit 10M is also controlled in accordance with the first unit.

[0223] In this way, the intermediate transfer belt 20 to which the yellow toner image has been transferred by the first unit 10Y is sequentially conveyed through the second to fourth units 10M, 10C, and 10K, so that the toner images of the respective colors are multi-transferred in a superimposed manner.

[0224] The intermediate transfer belt 20 to which the four-color toner image has been multi-transferred by the first to fourth units arrives at the secondary transfer section, which is composed of the intermediate transfer belt 20, the support roller 24 in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and the secondary transfer roller (an example of the secondary transfer mechanism) 26 arranged on the image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 20. On the other hand, the recording paper (an example of the recording medium) P is fed to the gap between the secondary transfer roller 26 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 by the feeding member at a preset timing, and a secondary transfer bias is applied to the support roller 24. The transfer bias applied at this time has the same (-) polarity as the polarity (-) of the toner, and the electrostatic force from the intermediate transfer belt 20 to the recording paper P acts on the toner image, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the recording paper P. The secondary transfer bias at this time is determined based on the resistance detected by the resistance detection mechanism (not shown) that detects the resistance of the secondary transfer section, and the voltage is controlled.

[0225] Thereafter, the recording paper P is fed into a pressure-contact portion (nip portion) of a pair of fixing rollers in a fixing device (an example of a fixing mechanism) 28 , and the toner image is fixed on the recording paper P to form a fixed image.

[0226] Examples of the recording paper P to which the toner image is transferred include plain paper used in electrophotographic copy machines, printers, and the like. Examples of the recording medium include, in addition to the recording paper P, OHP transparent films and the like.

[0227] In order to further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, the surface of the recording paper P is preferably smooth. For example, coated paper obtained by coating the surface of ordinary paper with a resin or the like, art paper for printing, etc. are preferably used.

[0228] The recording paper P on which the color image has been fixed is sent to the discharge portion, and a series of color image forming operations are completed.

[0229] [Example]

[0230] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below by way of examples, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these examples. In the following description, "parts" and "%" are based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0231] <Preparation of Toner Particles (1)>

[0232] [Preparation of amorphous polyester resin dispersion (A1)]

[0233]

[0234] The above materials were placed in a flask equipped with a stirring device, a nitrogen inlet pipe, a temperature sensor and a distillation tower, and the temperature was raised to 210°C in 1 hour under a nitrogen flow. 1 part of tetraethoxytitanium was added to 100 parts of the above materials in total. The temperature was raised to 240°C in 0.5 hours while distilling off the generated water. After the dehydration condensation reaction was continued at 240°C for 1 hour, the reactant was cooled. In this way, an amorphous polyester resin with a weight average molecular weight of 94,500 and a glass transition temperature of 61°C was obtained.

[0235] After 40 parts of ethyl acetate and 25 parts of 2-butanol were added to a container equipped with a temperature control mechanism and a nitrogen replacement mechanism to prepare a mixed solvent, 100 parts of amorphous polyester resin were slowly added to dissolve it, and a 10% aqueous ammonia solution (equivalent to 3 times the amount of the acid value of the resin in terms of molar ratio) was added thereto and stirred for 30 minutes. Next, the container was replaced with dry nitrogen, the temperature was maintained at 40°C, and 400 parts of ion exchange water were added dropwise to the mixed solution while stirring it for emulsification. After the addition was completed, the emulsion was returned to 25°C to obtain a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles with a volume average particle size of 210 nm were dispersed. Ion exchange water was added to the resin particle dispersion to adjust the solid content to 20%, thereby preparing an amorphous polyester resin dispersion (A1).

[0236] [Preparation of Crystalline Polyester Resin Dispersion (B1)]

[0237]

[0238] The above materials were added to a three-necked flask after heating and drying, and the air in the three-necked flask was replaced with nitrogen to form an inert atmosphere. The mixture was stirred and refluxed at 180°C for 5 hours by mechanical stirring. Then, the temperature was slowly raised to 240°C under reduced pressure and stirred for 2 hours. After the mixture became viscous, it was air-cooled to stop the reaction. In this way, a crystalline polyester resin with a weight average molecular weight of 9700 and a melting temperature of 84°C was obtained.

[0239] 90 parts of crystalline polyester resin, 1.8 parts of anionic surfactant (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., NEOGENRK) and 210 parts of ion exchange water were mixed, heated to 100°C, dispersed using a homogenizer (ULTRA-TURRAXT50 manufactured by IKA), and then dispersed for 1 hour using a pressure discharge type Gaulin homogenizer to obtain a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles having a volume average particle size of 205 nm were dispersed. Ion exchange water was added to the resin particle dispersion to adjust the solid content to 20%, thereby forming a crystalline polyester resin dispersion (B1).

[0240] [Preparation of Release Agent Particle Dispersion (W1)]

[0241] Solid paraffin wax (HNP-9 manufactured by Nippon Seira Co., Ltd.): 100 parts

[0242] Anionic surfactant (Neogen RK, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.): 1 part

[0243] Ion exchange water: 350 parts

[0244] The above materials were mixed and heated to 100°C, dispersed using a homogenizer (ULTRA-TURRAXT50 manufactured by IKA), and then dispersed using a pressure-dispensing Gaulin homogenizer to obtain a release agent particle dispersion in which release agent particles having a volume average particle size of 200 nm were dispersed. Ion-exchanged water was added to the release agent particle dispersion to adjust the solid content to 20%, thereby forming a release agent particle dispersion (W1).

[0245] [Preparation of Colorant Particle Dispersion Liquid (K1)]

[0246] Carbon black (Regal 330 manufactured by Cabot Corporation): 50 parts

[0247] Ionic surfactant NEOGEN RK (Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical): 5 parts

[0248] Ion exchange water: 195 parts

[0249] The above materials were mixed and dispersed at 240 MPa for 10 minutes using an Ultimaizer (manufactured by Sugino Machine Co., Ltd.) to obtain a colorant particle dispersion (K1) having a solid content of 20%.

[0250] [Preparation of Toner Particles]

[0251]

[0252]

[0253] The above materials were placed in a round stainless steel flask, 0.1N nitric acid was added to adjust the pH to 3.5, and then an aqueous solution of polyaluminum chloride was added by dissolving 2 parts of polyaluminum chloride (manufactured by Oji Paper Co., Ltd., 30% powder) in 30 parts of ion exchange water. After dispersion at 30°C using a homogenizer (ULTRA-TURRAXT50 manufactured by IKA), it was heated to 45°C in a heating oil bath and maintained until the volume average particle size reached 4.9μm. Next, 60 parts of amorphous polyester resin dispersion (A1) were added and maintained for 30 minutes. Then, after the volume average particle size reached 5.2μm, 60 parts of amorphous polyester resin dispersion (A1) were further added and maintained for 30 minutes. Next, 20 parts of a 10% NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) metal salt aqueous solution (Chelest 70, manufactured by Chelest Co., Ltd.) were added, and a 1N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution was added to adjust the pH to 9.0. Next, 1 part of anionic surfactant (Tayca Power) was added, and the mixture was heated to 85° C. and maintained for 5 hours while being stirred. Then, the mixture was cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 20° C. / min. Then, the mixture was filtered, washed thoroughly with ion exchange water, and dried to obtain toner particles (1) having a volume average particle size of 5.7 μm and an average circularity of 0.971.

[0254] <Preparation of Toner Particles (2) to (5)>

[0255] By changing the holding time in the fusion / coalescing step, toner particles (2) to (5) having different volume average particle diameters are obtained in the same manner as in the production of the toner particles (1).

[0256] Toner particles (2): volume average particle size 4.7 μm

[0257] Toner particles (3): volume average particle size 8.9 μm

[0258] Toner particles (4): volume average particle size 3.7 μm

[0259] Toner particles (5): volume average particle size 9.1 μm

[0260] <Production of melamine cyanurate granules (1) to (5)>

[0261] Commercially available melamine cyanurate (MC-4500 manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was pulverized with a jet mill and classified to obtain the following melamine cyanurate particles (1) to (5). "MC" in Table 1 means melamine cyanurate.

[0262] Melamine cyanurate particles (1): volume average particle size 0.7 μm

[0263] Melamine cyanurate particles (2): volume average particle size 0.4 μm

[0264] Melamine cyanurate particles (3): volume average particle size 2.9 μm

[0265] Melamine cyanurate particles (4): volume average particle size 0.3 μm

[0266] Melamine cyanurate particles (5): volume average particle size 3.1 μm

[0267] <Preparation of carrier>

[0268] After 500 parts of spherical magnetite powder particles (volume average particle size 0.55 μm) were stirred with a Henschel mixer, 5 parts of a titanate coupling agent were added, the temperature was raised to 100°C, and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. Next, 6.25 parts of phenol, 9.25 parts of 35% formaldehyde, 500 parts of magnetite particles treated with a titanate coupling agent, 6.25 parts of 25% ammonia water, and 425 parts of water were added to a four-necked flask and stirred. The mixture was reacted at 85°C for 120 minutes under stirring, cooled to 25°C, 500 parts of water were added, the supernatant was removed, and the precipitate was washed with water. The washed precipitate was dried by heating under reduced pressure to obtain a carrier with an average particle size of 35 μm.

[0269] <Example 1>

[0270] 100 parts of toner particles (1), 1.6 parts of silica particles (RX200 manufactured by NIPPON AEROSIL Co., Ltd.) hydrophobized with hexamethyldisilazane, and melamine cyanurate particles (1) in an amount to achieve the content (mass %) described in Table 1 were added to a sample mill and mixed at 10000 rpm for 30 seconds. Then, the mixture was sieved with a vibrating sieve having a mesh size of 45 μm to prepare a toner having a volume average particle size of 5.7 μm.

[0271] The toner and the carrier were charged into a V-type blender at a ratio of toner:carrier=5:95 (mass ratio), and stirred for 20 minutes to obtain a developer.

[0272] <Examples 2 to 7, Comparative Examples 1 to 4>

[0273] A toner and a developer were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the type of toner particles or the type and amount of layered compound particles added were changed.

[0274] <Performance Evaluation>

[0275] [Remaining toner amount]

[0276] Prepare Figure 1A rotary toner bottle (made of polyethylene terephthalate) of the type shown is shown. 310 g of toner is filled in the rotary toner bottle, installed in a supply device (supply device for supplying toner from a toner cartridge to a toner storage container) equipped with a conveying nozzle, and placed in a room at 28°C and 85% relative humidity for 17 hours for temperature and humidity control. Then, the room temperature and humidity are changed to 22°C and 15% relative humidity, and the rotary toner bottle is rotated at a speed of 30 revolutions per minute in this environment, while the conveying screw in the toner supply path is operated. The conditions for the rotation of the toner storage container and the operation of the supply device are as follows.

[0277] Toner storage container speed: 30rpm

[0278] Length of the delivery nozzle of the supply device: 70mm

[0279] Transmission path inner pitch: 12.5mm

[0280] Conveying spiral outer diameter: 10mm

[0281] Transmission screw shaft diameter: 4mm

[0282] Conveyor screw speed: 62.4rpm

[0283] The amount (g) of toner remaining in the toner bottle 50 minutes after the start of the operation was classified into the following grades G1 to G4.

[0284] G1: Less than 15g (no problem in actual use)

[0285] G2: 15g or more, less than 30g (no problem in actual use)

[0286] G3: 30g or more, less than 50g (no problem in actual use)

[0287] G4: 50g or more (problems in actual use)

[0288] [Nitrogen content in the inner wall of the toner bottle]

[0289] After the above evaluation, the toner in the toner bottle was discharged by slowly tilting the toner bottle. The amount of nitrogen (%) on the inner wall of the toner bottle was analyzed by XPS using the following method.

[0290] The toner bottle inner wall attachment was analyzed using an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (JPS-9000MX manufactured by JEOL Ltd.) using MgKα rays as an X-ray source, with an acceleration voltage of 10 kV and an emission current of 20 mA. The elements analyzed were carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O), and the abundance percentage (atom%) of each element was calculated from the sum of the abundance percentages (atom%) of each element measured.

[0291] G1: The presence ratio of N is less than 20%

[0292] G2: The presence ratio of N is 20% or more and less than 60%

[0293] G3: N presence ratio is 60% or more

[0294] The amount of nitrogen on the inner wall of the toner bottle is an indicator of the lubricating effect of the melamine cyanurate particles. The moderate amount of nitrogen (i.e., melamine cyanurate particles) attached to the inner wall of the toner bottle means that the melamine cyanurate particles may function as a lubricant between the toner and the inner wall of the toner bottle. The excessive amount of nitrogen (i.e., melamine cyanurate particles) attached to the inner wall of the toner bottle means that the melamine cyanurate particles may be separated from the toner and may not function as expected between the toners and between the toner and the inner wall of the toner bottle.

[0295] [Table 1]

[0296]

Claims

1. A negatively charged electrostatic image developing toner, wherein: The toner comprises toner particles and melamine cyanurate particles, The volume average particle size Da of the melamine cyanurate particles is 0.4 μm or more and less than 3.0 μm. The ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle diameter Da of the melamine cyanurate particles to the volume average particle diameter Db of the toner particles is 0.044 or more and 0.625 or less.

2. The electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1, wherein The toner particles have a volume average particle diameter Db of 4 μm or more and 9 μm or less.

3. The electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The content of the melamine cyanurate particles is 0.01% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less based on the entire electrostatic image developing toner.

4. The electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The ratio Da / Db of the volume average particle diameter Da of the melamine cyanurate particles to the volume average particle diameter Db of the toner particles is 0.056 or more and 0.580 or less.

5. The electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The volume average particle diameter Da of the melamine cyanurate particles is 0.45 μm or more and 2.7 μm or less.

6. The electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 2, wherein The toner particles have a volume average particle diameter Db of 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less.

7. The electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 3, wherein The content of the melamine cyanurate particles is 0.01% by mass or more and 0.90% by mass or less based on the entire electrostatic image developing toner.

8. The electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The above-mentioned toner particles contain a polyester resin. 9 . An electrostatic image developer comprising the electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1 . 10 . A toner cartridge that is detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus, the toner storing the electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1 .

11. The toner cartridge according to claim 10, which is a rotary toner cartridge whose main body storing the electrostatic image developing toner rotates.

12. A process cartridge to be loaded and unloaded in an image forming apparatus, comprising: A developing mechanism storing an electrostatic image developer and developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holding member into a toner image using the electrostatic image developer; A toner cartridge storing the electrostatic image developing toner according to any one of claims 1 to 8; as well as The toner supply passage connects the toner cartridge and the developing mechanism, and supplies the electrostatic image developing toner in the toner cartridge to the developing mechanism.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising: Image holding body; A charging mechanism for charging the surface of the image holding body; An electrostatic image forming mechanism for forming an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image holding member; a developing mechanism storing an electrostatic image developer and developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holding member into a toner image using the electrostatic image developer; A transfer mechanism for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding body to the surface of the recording medium; A fixing mechanism for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium; a replenishing toner storage section storing the electrostatic image developing toner according to any one of claims 1 to 8; as well as The toner supply passage connects the replenishment toner storage section and the developing mechanism, and supplies the electrostatic image developing toner in the replenishment toner storage section to the developing mechanism.

14. An image forming method comprising the following steps: A charging step of charging the surface of the image holding body; an electrostatic image forming step of forming an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image holding member; a developing step of developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holding member into a toner image using an electrostatic image developer; a transfer step of transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding body to the surface of the recording medium; A fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium; as well as The colorant replenishing step replenishes the electrostatic image developing colorant in the replenishing colorant storage section from the replenishing colorant storage section storing the electrostatic image developing colorant according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to the developing mechanism through a colorant replenishing path connecting the replenishing colorant storage section and the developing mechanism.

Images