Electrostatic latent image developing toner and electrostatic latent image developer set, toner cartridge set, cartridge, and image forming apparatus and method

Abstract

An electrostatic latent image developing toner, an electrostatic latent image developer set, a toner cartridge set, a cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a method, the electrostatic latent image developing toner set having: a fluorescent toner containing a fluorescent colorant and having a brightness of 75 or more; and a non-fluorescent toner which does not contain a fluorescent colorant, in which the amount of NH4 + on the surface of the fluorescent toner as measured by ion chromatography is 0.05 mg / L or more and 0.30 mg / L or less, and the difference between the amount of NH4 + on the surface of the fluorescent toner as measured by ion chromatography and the amount of NH4 + on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner as measured by ion chromatography is 0.12 mg / L or more. In addition, the amount of the NH < 4 + > is set to be the amount of the NH < 4 + > detected when 0.5 g of the fluorescent toner or the non-fluorescent toner is weighed, placed in 100 g of deionized water at 30 DEG C + / -1 DEG C, dispersed by ultrasonic waves for 30 minutes and then filtered, and the filtrate is analyzed by ion chromatography.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toner carrier in which a toner supplied to the surface is used for developing an electrostatic latent image. The toner carrier is characterized in that at least a material constituting the surface contains a copolymer containing a quaternary ammonium salt group.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an orange toner containing: a binder resin comprising a polyester resin having a dodecenylsuccinic acid structure as a structural unit; and CI Pigment Orange 38 in an amount of 5 to 18% by mass based on the total mass of the toner.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-312136

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-68581 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a toner kit for electrostatic latent image development, which is consistent with the NH4 + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography is less than 0.05 mg / L or exceeds 0.30 mg / L + The amount of NH4 on the surface of non-fluorescent toner + Compared with the case where the difference in the amount of is less than 0.12 mg / L, the obtained image is excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0007] Specific means for solving the above-mentioned problems include the following aspects.

[0008] <1> A toner set for developing an electrostatic latent image, comprising: a fluorescent toner containing a fluorescent colorant and having a brightness of 75 or more; and a non-fluorescent toner containing no fluorescent colorant, wherein the NH4 content on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography is + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography is 0.05 mg / L or more and 0.30 mg / L or less. + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The difference in amount is more than 0.12 mg / L.

[0009] In addition, the above NH4 +The amount is set as follows: weigh 0.5 g of the fluorescent toner or the non-fluorescent toner, put it into 100 g of deionized water at 30°C ± 1°C, disperse it with ultrasound for 30 minutes, and then filter it. The NH4 detected in the filtrate is analyzed by ion chromatography. + quantity.

[0010] <2> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to <1>, wherein

[0011] NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The difference in amount is more than 0.15 mg / L.

[0012] <3> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to <1> or <2>, wherein:

[0013] NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The amount is 0.30 mg / L or more and 1.00 mg / L or less.

[0014] <4> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein

[0015] NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner + The amount is 0.10 mg / L or more and 0.20 mg / L or less.

[0016] <5> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein

[0017] The volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is larger than the volume average particle size of the non-fluorescent toner.

[0018] <6> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein

[0019] The volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is 5.4 μm or more and 6.2 μm or less.

[0020] <7> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein

[0021] The fluorescent colorant contains an azomethine fluorescent pigment having a fluorescence peak wavelength in a region of a fluorescence spectrum having a wavelength of 500 nm to 550 nm.

[0022] <8> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein

[0023] The fluorescent toner further contains a non-fluorescent pigment.

[0024] <9> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to <8>, wherein

[0025] The non-fluorescent pigment in the fluorescent toner includes a non-fluorescent pigment having a reflection peak wavelength in a wavelength region of a reflection spectrum of 480 nm to 540 nm.

[0026] <10> The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein

[0027] The difference between the brightness of the fluorescent toner and the brightness of the non-fluorescent toner is 20 or more.

[0028] <11> An electrostatic latent image developer kit comprising:

[0029] A first electrostatic latent image developer comprising the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of <1> to <10>; and

[0030] A second electrostatic latent image developer contains the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of <1> to <10>.

[0031] <12> A toner cartridge set comprising:

[0032] A first toner cartridge containing the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of <1> to <10>; and

[0033] The second toner cartridge accommodates the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of <1> to <10>.

[0034] The toner cartridge assembly is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0035] <13> A process cartridge comprising:

[0036] a first developing member for accommodating the first electrostatic latent image developer in the electrostatic latent image developer kit according to claim 11; and

[0037] The second developing member accommodates the second electrostatic latent image developer in the electrostatic latent image developer kit according to claim 11,

[0038] The process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0039] <14> An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0040] a first image forming member for forming a first image using the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of <1> to <10>;

[0041] a second image forming member for forming a second image using the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of <1> to <10>;

[0042] a transfer member for transferring the first image and the second image to a recording medium; and

[0043] The fixing member fixes the first image and the second image on the recording medium.

[0044] <15> The image forming apparatus according to <14>, wherein

[0045] The transfer member is configured to transfer the first image and the second image onto the recording medium such that the second image becomes an upper layer of the first image.

[0046] <16> An image forming method, comprising:

[0047] a first image forming step of forming a first image using the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of <1> to <10>;

[0048] a second image forming step of forming a second image using the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of <1> to <10>;

[0049] a transfer step of transferring the first image and the second image to a recording medium; and

[0050] The fixing step fixes the first image and the second image on the recording medium.

[0051] <17> The image forming method according to <16>, wherein

[0052] The transfer step transfers the first image and the second image onto the recording medium such that the second image becomes an upper layer of the first image.

[0053] Effects of the Invention

[0054] According to the invention according to <1> or <7> to <9>, there is provided a toner kit for developing an electrostatic latent image, which is consistent with the NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography. + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography is less than 0.05 mg / L or exceeds 0.30 mg / L+ The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + Compared with the case where the difference in the amount of is less than 0.12 mg / L, the obtained image is excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0055] According to the invention described in <2>, there is provided a toner kit for developing an electrostatic latent image, which is characterized by the presence of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography. + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + Compared with the case where the difference in the amount of is less than 0.15 mg / L, the obtained image is more excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0056] According to the invention described in <3>, there is provided a toner kit for developing an electrostatic latent image, which is connected to the NH4 + Compared with the case where the amount of the alkyl amine is less than 0.20 mg / L or exceeds 1.00 mg / L, the obtained image is more excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0057] According to the invention described in <4>, there is provided a toner kit for developing an electrostatic latent image, which is connected to the NH4 + Compared with the case where the amount of the alkyl amine is less than 0.10 mg / L or exceeds 0.20 mg / L, the obtained image is more excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0058] According to the invention <6>, there is provided a toner set for developing an electrostatic latent image, wherein the obtained image has better color unevenness suppression than when the volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is less than 5.4 μm or exceeds 6.2 μm.

[0059] According to the invention according to <11>, <12>, <13>, <14> or <16>, there is provided an electrostatic latent image developer kit, a toner cartridge kit, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus or an image forming method, wherein the NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography in the electrostatic latent image developing toner kit used is + When the amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner is less than 0.05 mg / L or exceeds 0.30 mg / L, or when the amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner is determined by ion chromatography + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + Compared with the case where the difference in the amount of is less than 0.12 mg / L, the obtained image is excellent in suppressing color unevenness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0061] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus used in this embodiment;

[0062] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of a process cartridge used in this embodiment;

[0063] Figure 3 An example of the spectrum of each fluorescent color is shown.

[0064] Explanation of symbols

[0065] 111Y, 111M, 111C, 111K, 111B, 207-photoreceptor, 113, 222-driving roller, 112, 224-support roller, 114-opposing roller, 115Y, 115M, 115C, 115K, 115B-cleaning device, 116-intermediate transfer body cleaning device, 117Y, 117M, 117C, 117K, 117B, 212-primary transfer roller, 118Y, 118M, 118C, 118K, 118B, 208-charging roller, 119Y, 119M, 119C, 119K, 11 9B, 209-exposure device, 120Y, 120M, 120C, 120K, 120B, 211-developing device, 133-intermediate transfer belt, 134, 226-secondary transfer roller, 135, 228-fixing device, 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K, 140B-toner box, 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K, 150B-image forming member, 200-processing box, 213-photosensitive body cleaning device, 216-mounting guide rail, 217-frame, 218-opening portion, 300, P-recording paper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. These descriptions and examples are provided to illustrate the embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0067] In the present invention, a numerical range expressed using “to” indicates a range including the numerical values ​​before and after “to” as the minimum value and the maximum value, respectively.

[0068] In the numerical ranges described in stages in the present invention, the upper limit or lower limit described in one numerical range may be replaced by the upper limit or lower limit of another numerical range described in stages. Furthermore, in the numerical ranges described in the present invention, the upper limit or lower limit of the numerical range may be replaced by the value shown in the Examples.

[0069] In the present invention, the term "process" includes not only independent processes but also processes that cannot be clearly distinguished from other processes as long as the purpose of the process can be achieved.

[0070] When the embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings, the structures of the embodiments are not limited to those shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the sizes of the components in the drawings are conceptual, and the relative sizes of the components are not limited thereto.

[0071] In the present invention, each component may contain multiple corresponding substances. When referring to the amount of each component in the composition of the present invention, if multiple substances corresponding to each component are present in the composition, unless otherwise specified, it refers to the total amount of the multiple substances present in the composition.

[0072] In the present invention, multiple types of particles corresponding to each component may be included. When multiple types of particles corresponding to each component are present in the composition, the particle size of each component represents a value for a mixture of the multiple types of particles present in the composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0073] In the present invention, “(meth)acrylic acid” includes both acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and “(meth)acrylate” includes both acrylate and methacrylate.

[0074] In the present invention, “toner for developing an electrostatic latent image” is also referred to as “toner”, “developer for developing an electrostatic latent image” is also referred to as “developer”, and “carrier for developing an electrostatic latent image” is also referred to as “carrier”.

[0075] (Toner Kit for Electrostatic Latent Image Development)

[0076] The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to this embodiment comprises: a fluorescent toner containing a fluorescent colorant and having a brightness of 75 or more; and a non-fluorescent toner containing no fluorescent colorant, wherein the NH4 + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography is 0.05 mg / L or more and 0.30 mg / L or less. + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The difference in amount is more than 0.12 mg / L.

[0077] In addition, the above NH4 + The amount is set as follows: weigh 0.5 g of the fluorescent toner or the non-fluorescent toner, put it into 100 g of deionized water at 30°C ± 1°C, disperse it with ultrasound for 30 minutes, and then filter it. The NH4 detected in the filtrate is analyzed by ion chromatography. + quantity.

[0078] In the past, when using a high-brightness fluorescent colorant such as a fluorescent colorant containing a fluorescent colorant and having a brightness of 75 or more to produce a secondary color image with a non-fluorescent colorant, the fluorescence intensity of the image obtained by the fluorescent colorant changing significantly between the portion where the non-fluorescent colorant is configured in the upper layer and the portion where the non-fluorescent colorant is not configured, there was a problem: the fluorescence intensity of the portion where the colorant configuration is destroyed in the secondary color image (for example, the portion where the upper and lower configurations of the fluorescent colorant and the non-fluorescent colorant are interchanged) changes, resulting in color unevenness.

[0079] In the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to the present embodiment, it is estimated that the NH4 + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography is 0.05 mg / L or more and 0.30 mg / L or less. + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The difference in the amount of NH4 on the toner surface is 0.12 mg / L or more. + The amount acts as a factor controlling the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the toner surface. By setting a difference in surface hydrophilicity between the fluorescent toner and the non-fluorescent toner, mixing of the fluorescent toner and the non-fluorescent toner can be suppressed, and the obtained image has excellent color unevenness suppression.

[0080] Hereinafter, the structure of the toner set for developing an electrostatic latent image according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0081] 〔NH4 on the surface of fluorescent toner or non-fluorescent toner + Amount

[0082] NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner + The amount is 0.05 mg / L or more and 0.30 mg / L or less. From the viewpoint of color unevenness suppression of the obtained image (hereinafter also referred to as "color unevenness suppression"), for example, it is preferably 0.08 mg / L or more and 0.25 mg / L or less, and more preferably 0.10 mg / L or more and 0.20 mg / L or less.

[0083] From the viewpoint of color unevenness suppression, the NH4 + The amount is, for example, preferably 0.20 mg / L to 1.00 mg / L, more preferably 0.25 mg / L to 0.50 mg / L, further preferably 0.28 mg / L to 0.45 mg / L, and particularly preferably 0.30 mg / L to 0.40 mg / L.

[0084] NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner or non-fluorescent toner in this embodiment + In the method for measuring the amount of NH4, 0.5 g of the toner to be measured is weighed and placed in 100 g of deionized water at 30°C ± 1°C. The toner is dispersed for 30 minutes using ultrasound and then filtered. The amount of NH4 ions detected in the filtrate is measured by ion chromatography (NH4 + amount).

[0085] Specifically, the NH4 content of the toner surface is measured as follows: + amount.

[0086] First, 0.5 g of the toner to be measured was weighed and dispersed in 100 g of deionized water to which 0.1 g of a nonionic surfactant (Nonipol 10 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.) equivalent to 20% of the toner solids content had been added. The dispersion was then carried out using an ultrasonic disperser in a thermostatic bath controlled at 30°C ± 1°C for 30 minutes.

[0087] The liquid after ultrasonic oscillation was subjected to solid-liquid separation by suction filtration to remove the solid toner, and the obtained filtrate was analyzed by ion chromatography. In this ion chromatography, ICS-2000 manufactured by Nippon Dionex KK was used for analysis under the following conditions.

[0088] Cation separation column: IonPacCS12A manufactured by Nippon Dionex KK

[0089] Cation guard column: IonPacCG12A manufactured by Nippon Dionex KK

[0090] Eluent: 20 mM methanesulfonic acid

[0091] Flow rate: 1ml / min

[0092] Temperature: 35℃

[0093] Detection method: Conductivity method (inhibitor type)

[0094] 〔NH4 on the surface of fluorescent toner + The amount of NH4 on the surface of non-fluorescent toner + The difference in quantity

[0095] NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner +The difference in amount is 0.12 mg / L or more, and from the viewpoint of color unevenness suppression, for example, preferably 0.15 mg / L or more, more preferably 0.15 mg / L or more and 0.30 mg / L or less, and particularly preferably 0.17 mg / L or more and 0.25 mg / L or less.

[0096] As NH4 on the surface of fluorescent toner and non-fluorescent toner + The method for adjusting the amount is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include adding NH4 in the resin particle dispersion preparation step or the aggregated particle formation step in the toner particle production. + Sources such as ammonium salt compounds or ammonia and acids, etc.

[0097] [Fluorescent colorants and non-fluorescent colorants]

[0098] The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to the present embodiment includes a fluorescent toner containing a fluorescent colorant and having a brightness of 75 or higher, and a non-fluorescent toner containing no fluorescent colorant.

[0099] Hereinafter, when simply referred to as “toner”, unless otherwise specified, it refers to both fluorescent toner and non-fluorescent toner, and when simply referred to as “toner particles”, unless otherwise specified, it refers to both fluorescent toner and non-fluorescent toner.

[0100] The lightness of the fluorescent toner is 75 or more, and from the viewpoint of further exerting the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferably 75 or more and 100 or less, and more preferably 79 or more and 97 or less, for example.

[0101] Furthermore, from the perspective of further exerting the effects of this embodiment, the difference between the brightness of the fluorescent toner and the brightness of the non-fluorescent toner (brightness of the fluorescent toner - brightness of the non-fluorescent toner) is preferably, for example, 20 or greater, and more preferably 25 or greater. The upper limit is not particularly limited as long as it is 100 or less.

[0102] The lightness of the toner in this embodiment is measured by the following method.

[0103] As an image forming apparatus for forming an evaluation image, a modified version of Color 1000 Press (FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.) was prepared, a developer was placed in a developing device, and a toner was placed in a toner cartridge.

[0104] On A4 size coated paper (OS coated paper, 127g / m 2, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.) was formed with a monochrome solid image (density 100%, size 5 cm × 5 cm, toner loading 4.0 g / m 2 ). The fixing temperature was set to 180°C.

[0105] CIE 1976L was measured at 10 locations within the solid image using a reflection spectrophotometer X-Rite 939 (aperture 4 mm, manufactured by X-Rite, Incorporated). * a * b * L in the color system * value, calculate L * The average of the values ​​is used as the brightness.

[0106] 〔〔Toner particles〕〕

[0107] The fluorescent toner preferably has toner particles containing a fluorescent colorant, for example.

[0108] Furthermore, the toner particles in the fluorescent toner contain a fluorescent colorant and a binder resin, and contain a release agent and other additives as needed.

[0109] For example, the non-fluorescent toner preferably has toner particles containing a colorant other than a fluorescent colorant.

[0110] Furthermore, the toner particles in the non-fluorescent toner contain a colorant other than the fluorescent colorant and a binder resin, and contain a release agent and other additives as needed.

[0111] <Fluorescent colorant>

[0112] Fluorescent toner contains a fluorescent colorant.

[0113] Also, the non-fluorescent toner does not contain a fluorescent colorant.

[0114] The fluorescent colorant may be any colorant that emits fluorescence, and preferably, for example, a colorant that emits fluorescence in the visible light region (wavelength 380 nm to 760 nm). The light that excites the fluorescent colorant is not particularly limited, but preferably includes at least visible light or ultraviolet light, and more preferably includes at least ultraviolet light.

[0115] Furthermore, the fluorescent colorant may be a fluorescent pigment or a fluorescent dye, and is preferably a fluorescent pigment.

[0116] In addition, in this embodiment, a "pigment" refers to a colorant whose solubility in 100 g of water at 23°C and in 100 g of cyclohexanone at 23°C is less than 0.1 g, and a "dye" refers to a colorant whose solubility in 100 g of water at 23°C or in 100 g of cyclohexanone at 23°C is 0.1 g or more.

[0117] Furthermore, the color of the fluorescent colorant is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected as needed.

[0118] Examples of the fluorescent colorant include fluorescent powder colorants, fluorescent red colorants, fluorescent orange colorants, fluorescent yellow colorants, fluorescent green colorants, and fluorescent violet colorants.

[0119] Among them, for example, a fluorescent colorant, a fluorescent red colorant, a fluorescent orange colorant, a fluorescent yellow colorant, or a fluorescent green colorant is preferred, a fluorescent colorant, a fluorescent yellow colorant, or a fluorescent green colorant is more preferred, and a fluorescent yellow colorant is further preferred.

[0120] Among them, from the viewpoint of further exerting the effects of the present embodiment, the fluorescent colorant is preferably an azomethine fluorescent pigment having a fluorescence peak wavelength in the wavelength region of the fluorescence spectrum of 500 nm to 550 nm.

[0121] The fluorescence peak wavelength in the spectral reflectance of the fluorescent colorant can be appropriately selected depending on the desired color. For example, when achieving a fluorescent yellow color, the fluorescence peak wavelength is preferably between 500 nm and 550 nm. The fluorescence peak wavelength is measured by molding the fluorescent colorant into a disc and using a spectrophotometer (eXact (registered trademark) manufactured by X-Rite, Inc.).

[0122] Figure 3 An example of the spectrum of each fluorescent color is shown. The vertical axis represents the fluorescence intensity, and the horizontal axis represents the wavelength. In addition, "mμ" = "nm".

[0123] As the fluorescent colorant, a known fluorescent colorant can be used, and specific examples thereof include CI Pigment Yellow 101, Basic Red 1 (Rhodamine 6G), Basic Red 1:1, Basic Red 2, Basic Red 12, Basic Red 13, Basic Red 14, Basic Red 15, Basic Red 36, Basic Violet 7, Basic Violet 10 (Rhodamine B), Basic Violet 11 (Rhodamine 3B), Basic Violet 11:1 (Rhodamine A), Basic Violet 15, Basic Violet 16, Basic Violet 27, Basic Yellow 1, Basic Yellow 2, Basic Yellow 9, Basic Yellow 24, Basic Yellow 40, Basic Orange 15, Basic Orange 22, Basic Blue 1, Basic Blue 3, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 9, Basic Blue 45, Basic Green 1, Acid Yellow 3, Acid Yellow 7, Acid Yellow 73, Acid Yellow 87, Acid Yellow 184, Acid Yellow 245, Acid Yellow 250, Acid Red 51, Acid Red 52, Acid Red 57, Acid Red 77, Acid Red 87, Acid Red 89, Acid Red 92, Acid Yellow Blue 9, Acid Black 2, Solvent Yellow 43, Solvent Yellow 44, Solvent Yellow 85, Solvent Yellow 98, Solvent Yellow 116, Solvent Yellow 131, Solvent Yellow 145, Solvent Yellow 160:1, Solvent Yellow 172, Solvent Yellow 185, Solvent Yellow 195, Solvent Yellow 196, Solvent Orange 63, Solvent Orange 112, Solvent Red 49, Solvent Red 149, Solvent Red 175, Solvent Red 196, Solvent Red 197, Solvent Blue 5, Solvent Green 5, Solvent Green 7, Direct Yellow 27 , Direct Yellow 85, Direct Yellow 96, Direct Orange 8, Direct Red 2, Direct Red 9, Direct Blue 22, Direct Blue 199, Direct Green 6, Disperse Yellow 11, Disperse Yellow 82, Disperse Yellow 139, Disperse Yellow 184, Disperse Yellow 186, Disperse Yellow 199, Disperse Yellow 202, Disperse Yellow 232, Disperse Orange 11, Disperse Orange 32, Disperse Red 58, Disperse Red 274, Disperse Red 277, Disperse Red 303, Disperse Blue 7, Reactive Yellow 78, Vat Red 41, etc.

[0124] The fluorescent toner may contain one type of fluorescent colorant alone, or two or more types.

[0125] The content of the fluorescent colorant, from the viewpoint of fluorescence intensity and image granularity, is preferably, for example, from 1 mass % to 15 mass % when a pigment is used as the fluorescent colorant, more preferably from 3 mass % to 10 mass %, and particularly preferably from 5 mass % to 8 mass % relative to the total toner particles. When a dye is used as the fluorescent colorant, the content is preferably, for example, from 0.05 mass % to 2 mass %, more preferably from 0.1 mass % to 1.5 mass %, and particularly preferably from 0.5 mass % to 1.0 mass % relative to the total toner particles.

[0126] <Colorants other than fluorescent colorants>

[0127] The fluorescent toner may contain a colorant other than the fluorescent colorant, and preferably contains, for example, a non-fluorescent pigment.

[0128] Furthermore, the non-fluorescent toner preferably contains a colorant other than the fluorescent colorant, for example.

[0129] Specific examples of colorants other than fluorescent colorants include CI Pigment Red 1, CI Pigment Red 2, CI Pigment Red 3, CI Pigment Red 4, CI Pigment Red 5, CI Pigment Red 6, CI Pigment Red 7, CI Pigment Red 8, CI Pigment Red 9, CI Pigment Red 10, CI Pigment Red 11, CI Pigment Red 12, CI Pigment Red 14, CI Pigment Red 15, CI Pigment Red 16, CI Pigment Red 17, CI Pigment Red 18, CI Pigment Red 21, CI Pigment Red 22, CI Pigment Red 23, CI Pigment Red 31, CI Pigment Red 32, CI Pigment Red 38, CI Pigment Red 40, CI Pigment Red 41, CI Pigment Red 42, CI Pigment Red 43, CI Pigment Red 44, CI Pigment Red 45, CI Pigment Red 46, CI Pigment Red 47, CI Pigment Red 48, CI Pigment Red 49, CI Pigment Red 50, CI Pigment Red 51, CI Pigment Red 52, CI Pigment Red 53, CI Pigment Red 54, CI Pigment Red 55, CI Pigment Red 56, CI Pigment Red 57, CI Pigment Red 58, CI Pigment Red 59, CI Pigment Red 60, CI Pigment Red 61, CI Pigment Red 62, CI Pigment Red 63, CI Pigment Red 64, CI Pigment Red 65, CI Pigment Red 66, CI Pigment Red 67, CI Pigment Red 68, CI Pigment Red 69, CI Pigment Red CI Pigment Red 41, CI Pigment Red 48, CI Pigment Red 48:1, CI Pigment Red 48:2, CI Pigment Red 48:3, CI Pigment Red 48:4, CI Pigment Red 49, CI Pigment Red 52, CI Pigment Red 53:1, CI Pigment Red 54, CI Pigment Red 57:1, CI Pigment Red 58, CI Pigment Red 60:1, CI Pigment Red 63, CI Pigment Red 64:1, CI Pigment Red 68, CI Pigment Red 81:1, CI Pigment Red 81:4, CI Pigment Red 83, CI Pigment Red 88, CI Pigment Red 89, CI Pigment Red 112, CI Pigment Red 114, CI Pigment Red 115, CI Pigment Red 116 CI Pigment Red 122, CI Pigment Red 123, CI Pigment Red 144, CI Pigment Red 146, CI Pigment Red 149, CI Pigment Red 150, CI Pigment Red 166, CI Pigment Red 170, CI Pigment Red 176, CI Pigment Red 177, CI Pigment Red 178, CI Pigment Red 179, CI Pigment Red 184, CI Pigment Red 185, CI Pigment Red 187, CI Pigment Red 202, CI Pigment Red 206, CI Pigment Red 207, CI Pigment Red 208, CI Pigment Red 209, CI Pigment Red 210, CI Pigment Red 220, CI Pigment Red 2 21, CI Pigment Red 238, CI Pigment Red 242, CI Pigment Red 245, CI Pigment Red 253, CI Pigment Red 254, CI Pigment Red 255, CI Pigment Red 256, CI Pigment Red 258, CI Pigment Red 264, CI Pigment Red 266, CI Pigment Red 269, CI Pigment Red 282, etc., magenta pigment of Pigment Violet 19, CI Solvent Red 1, CI Solvent Red 3, CI Solvent Red 8, CI Solvent Red 23, CI Solvent Red 24, CI Solvent Red 25, CI Solvent Red 27, CI Solvent Red 30, CI Solvent Red 49, CI Solvent Red 52, CICI Solvent Red 58, CI Solvent Red 63, CI Solvent Red 81, CI Solvent Red 82, CI Solvent Red 83, CI Solvent Red 84, CI Solvent Red 100, CI Solvent Red 109, CI Solvent Red 111, CI Solvent Red 121, CI Solvent Red 122, CI Disperse Red 9, CI Basic Red 1, CI Basic Red 2, CI Basic Red 9, CI Basic Red 12, CI Basic Red 13, CI Basic Red 14, CI Basic Red 15, CI Basic Red 17, CI Basic Red 18, CI Basic Red 22, CI Basic Red 23, CI Basic Red 24, CI Basic Red 27, CI Basic Red 29, CI Basic Red 32, CI Basic Red 34, CI Basic Red 35, CI Basic Red 36 6. CI Basic Red 37, CI Basic Red 38, CI Basic Red 39, CI Basic Red 40 and other magenta dyes; red iron, cadmium red, red lead, mercuric sulfide, Permanent Red 4R, Litho Red, pyrazolone red, watching red, calcium salts, Red Lake D, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Alizarin Lake, Brilliant Carmine 3B, carbon black, chrome yellow, Hansa Yellow, benzidine yellow, vat yellow, quinoline yellow, pigment yellow, Permanent Orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, sulfur-resistant orange, Brilliant Carmine 3B, Brilliant Carmine 6B, DuPont Oil Red, Red Lake C, aniline blue, ultramarine blue, soluble blue, methylene blue chloride, phthalocyanine blue, pigment blue, phthalocyanine green, malachite green oxalate and other pigments or dyes.

[0130] Colorants other than the fluorescent colorant may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0131] Colorants other than the fluorescent colorant may be surface-treated as needed and may be used together with a dispersant. Furthermore, multiple colorants may be used together.

[0132] The non-fluorescent pigment in the fluorescent toner preferably contains, for example, a non-fluorescent pigment having a reflection peak wavelength in the wavelength region of 480 nm to 540 nm on the reflection spectrum. The reflection peak wavelength is measured by forming the non-fluorescent pigment into a disc and using a spectrocolorimeter, eXact (registered trademark), manufactured by X-Rite, Inc.

[0133] Furthermore, for example, it is particularly preferred that the fluorescent colorant in the fluorescent toner contain an azomethine fluorescent pigment having a fluorescence peak wavelength in the fluorescence spectrum region of 500 nm to 550 nm, and the non-fluorescent pigment in the fluorescent toner contain a non-fluorescent pigment having a reflection peak wavelength in the reflection spectrum region of 480 nm to 540 nm. With this configuration, a fluorescent green toner with excellent color formation can be obtained.

[0134] The content of the colorant other than the fluorescent colorant is, for example, preferably 1 mass % to 30 mass % inclusive, and more preferably 3 mass % to 15 mass % inclusive, based on the total amount of the non-fluorescent toner particles.

[0135] The content of the colorant other than the fluorescent colorant is, for example, preferably from 0.1 mass % to 30 mass % and more preferably from 0.5 mass % to 15 mass % based on the total fluorescent toner particles from the viewpoint of fluorescence intensity and color reproducibility.

[0136] <Binder resin>

[0137] Examples of the binder resin include vinyl resins composed of homopolymers of monomers such as styrenes (e.g., styrene, p-chlorostyrene, α-methylstyrene, etc.), (meth)acrylates (e.g., 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 (e.g., acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, etc.), vinyl ethers (e.g., vinyl methyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether, etc.), vinyl ketones (vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone, vinyl isopropenyl ketone, etc.), and olefins (e.g., ethylene, propylene, butadiene, etc.), or copolymers formed by combining two or more of these monomers.

[0138] Examples of the binder resin include non-vinyl resins such as epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, polyether resins, and modified rosins; mixtures thereof with the aforementioned vinyl resins; and graft polymers obtained by polymerizing vinyl monomers in the presence of these resins.

[0139] These binder resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0140] As the binder resin, for example, polyester resin is preferable.

[0141] Examples of the polyester resin include known amorphous polyester resins. Crystalline polyester resins may be used together with the amorphous polyester resin. However, the crystalline polyester resin is preferably used in an amount of, for example, 2% by mass to 40% by mass (e.g., more preferably 5% by mass to 25% by mass) relative to the total binder resin.

[0142] Furthermore, as the binder resin, from the viewpoint of low-temperature fixing property and heat storage property, for example, it is preferable to contain a crystalline resin, and it is more preferable to contain a crystalline polyester resin.

[0143] The "crystallinity" of a resin refers to the presence of a clear endothermic peak in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) rather than a step-like endothermic change. Specifically, it refers to the half-width of the endothermic peak being within 10°C when measured at a heating rate of 10°C / min.

[0144] On the other hand, the "amorphous nature" of a resin means that the half-value width exceeds 10° C., a step-like endothermic change is exhibited, or a clear endothermic peak cannot be confirmed.

[0145] Amorphous polyester resin

[0146] Examples of the amorphous polyester resin include polycondensates of polycarboxylic acids and polyols. A commercially available amorphous polyester resin may be used, or a synthetic resin may be used.

[0147] 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, alkenylsuccinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid), alicyclic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, and naphthalene dicarboxylic acid), and anhydrides thereof or lower (e.g., having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters thereof. Among these, aromatic dicarboxylic acids are preferred as the polycarboxylic acid.

[0148] The polycarboxylic acid may be used together with the dicarboxylic acid and a trivalent or higher carboxylic acid having a cross-linked structure or a branched structure. Examples of the trivalent or higher carboxylic acid include trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, anhydrides thereof, or lower (e.g., having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters thereof.

[0149] The polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0150] 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, aromatic diols and alicyclic diols are preferred, and aromatic diols are more preferred.

[0151] As the polyol, a trivalent or higher valent polyol having a cross-linked structure or a branched structure may be used together with the diol. Examples of the trivalent or higher valent polyol include glycerol, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol.

[0152] The polyols may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0153] The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the amorphous polyester resin is, for example, preferably 50° C. or higher and 80° C. or lower, and more preferably 50° C. or higher and 65° C. or lower.

[0154] The glass transition temperature is determined from a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), more specifically, according to the "extrapolated glass transition onset temperature" method described in JIS K 7121-1987 "Plastics - Determination of Transition Temperatures".

[0155] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the amorphous polyester resin is, for example, preferably 5,000 or more and 1,000,000 or less, and more preferably 7,000 or more and 500,000 or less.

[0156] The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably, for example, 2,000 or more and 100,000 or less.

[0157] The molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn of the amorphous polyester resin is, for example, preferably 1.5 or more and 100 or less, and more preferably 2 or more and 60 or less.

[0158] The weight average molecular weight and number average molecular weight were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Molecular weight determination by GPC was performed using a TOSOH CORPORATION GPC HLC-8120GPC as the measuring apparatus, a TOSOH CORPORATION column TSKgel SuperHM-M (15 cm), and tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the solvent. The weight average molecular weight and number average molecular weight were calculated using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared from monodisperse polystyrene standard samples based on the measurement results.

[0159] Amorphous polyester resins are obtained by a known production method. Specifically, for example, the polymerization temperature is set to 180° C. to 230° C., and the pressure in the reaction system is reduced as needed to allow the reaction to proceed while removing water and alcohol generated during condensation.

[0160] In addition, if the raw monomers are insoluble or incompatible at the reaction temperature, a high-boiling-point solvent may be added as a cosolvent to dissolve them. In this case, the polycondensation reaction is carried out while the cosolvent is distilled off. When monomers with poor compatibility are present, for example, it is preferred to pre-condense the monomers with poor compatibility with an acid or alcohol intended to undergo polycondensation with the monomers before polycondensation is carried out together with the main component.

[0161] Crystalline polyester resin

[0162] Examples of the crystalline polyester resin include polycondensates of polycarboxylic acids and polyols. A commercially available crystalline polyester resin may be used, or a synthetic resin may be used.

[0163] Here, since the crystalline polyester resin easily forms a crystal structure, for example, a polycondensate of a polymerizable monomer having a linear aliphatic group is preferably used rather than a polycondensate of a polymerizable monomer having an aromatic group.

[0164] 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), anhydrides thereof, and lower (e.g., having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters thereof.

[0165] Polycarboxylic acids may be used together with dicarboxylic acids and trivalent or higher carboxylic acids having a cross-linked structure or a branched structure. 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., having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters.

[0166] As the polycarboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid having a sulfonic acid group or a dicarboxylic acid having an ethylenic double bond can be used together with these dicarboxylic acids.

[0167] The polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0168] Examples of the polyol include aliphatic diols (e.g., linear aliphatic diols having a main chain portion with 7 to 20 carbon atoms). Examples of the aliphatic diol 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-docosanediol. Among these, preferred aliphatic diols include 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, and 1,10-decanediol.

[0169] The polyol may be used together with the diol and a trivalent or higher alcohol having a cross-linked structure or a branched structure. Examples of the trivalent or higher alcohol include glycerol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol.

[0170] The polyols may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0171] Among these, the content of the aliphatic diol in the polyol is preferably set to 80 mol % or more, and more preferably 90 mol % or more, for example.

[0172] The melting temperature of the crystalline polyester resin is, for example, preferably 50° C. or higher and 100° C. or lower, more preferably 55° C. or higher and 90° C. or lower, and further preferably 60° C. or higher and 85° C. or lower.

[0173] The melting temperature can be determined from a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with the "melting peak temperature" described in the method for determining the melting temperature in JIS K7121-1987 "Determination of Transition Temperatures of Plastics".

[0174] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the crystalline polyester resin is preferably, for example, 6,000 or more and 35,000 or less.

[0175] Similar to the amorphous polyester resin, the crystalline polyester resin can be obtained by, for example, a well-known production method.

[0176] The content of the binder resin is, for example, preferably 40 mass % to 95 mass % inclusive, more preferably 50 mass % to 90 mass % inclusive, and further preferably 60 mass % to 85 mass % inclusive, based on the entire toner particles.

[0177] Release agent

[0178] 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, and mineral / petroleum waxes, and ester waxes such as fatty acid esters and montanic acid esters. The release agent is not limited thereto.

[0179] The melting temperature of the release agent is, for example, preferably 50° C. or higher and 110° C. or lower, and more preferably 60° C. or higher and 100° C. or lower.

[0180] The melting temperature is determined from a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with the "melting peak temperature" described in the method for determining the melting temperature in JIS K 7121-1987 "Determination of Transition Temperatures of Plastics".

[0181] The content of the releasing agent is, for example, preferably 1 mass % or more and 20 mass % or less, and more preferably 5 mass % or more and 15 mass % or less, based on the total mass of the toner particles.

[0182] <Other additives>

[0183] Examples of other additives include well-known additives such as magnetic materials, charge control agents, and inorganic powders. These additives are contained in the toner particles as internal additives.

[0184] <Characteristics of Toner Particles, etc.>

[0185] 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 (core particle) and a coating layer (shell layer) that covers the core.

[0186] The volume average particle diameter (D50v) of the toner particles is, for example, preferably 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less.

[0187] The toner particles and various average particle sizes and various particle size distribution indices of the toner are measured using a Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) and an electrolyte ISOTON-II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.).

[0188] During measurement, 0.5 mg to 50 mg of the measurement sample is added to 2 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of a surfactant (preferably sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate) as a dispersant, and this is added to 100 ml to 150 ml of the electrolyte.

[0189] The electrolyte solution containing the sample was dispersed by ultrasonic disperser for 1 minute, and the particle size distribution of particles with a diameter of 2 μm to 60 μm was measured using a Coulter Multisizer II with an aperture of 100 μm. 50,000 particles were sampled.

[0190] For the particle size range (channel) divided based on the particle size distribution to be measured, the cumulative distribution of volume and number is drawn respectively from the small diameter side, and the particle size that becomes 16% of the cumulative is defined as the volume particle size D16v and the number particle size D16p, the particle size that becomes 50% of the cumulative is defined as the volume average particle size D50v and the cumulative number average particle size D50p, and the particle size that becomes 84% ​​of the cumulative is defined as the volume particle size D84v and the number particle size D84p.

[0191] Using them, the volume particle size distribution index (GSDv) is calculated as (D84v / D16v) 1 / 2 , the particle size distribution index (GSDp) is calculated as (D84p / D16p) 1 / 2 .

[0192] The average circularity of the toner particles is, for example, preferably 0.94 or more and 1.00 or less, and more preferably 0.95 or more and 0.98 or less.

[0193] The average circularity of the toner particles is calculated as (circle-equivalent 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.

[0194] First, the toner particles to be measured were collected by suction, forming a flat stream. This stream was then momentarily flashed to capture a still image of the particles. This image was then analyzed using a flow-type particle image analyzer (FPIA-3000, manufactured by Sysmex Corporation) to determine the average circularity. The number of samples sampled for the calculation was set to 3500.

[0195] When the toner contains 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.

[0196] 〔〔External additives〕〕

[0197] Examples of external additives include inorganic particles. Examples of such inorganic particles include SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, CuO, ZnO, SnO2, CeO2, Fe2O3, MgO, BaO, CaO, K2O, Na2O, ZrO2, CaO·SiO2, K2O·(TiO2)n , Al2O3·2SiO2, CaCO3, MgCO3, BaSO4, MgSO4, etc.

[0198] As the surface of the inorganic particles of the external additive, for example, hydrophobization treatment is preferably implemented.Hydrophobic treatment is carried out, for example, by impregnating the inorganic particles in a hydrophobization treatment agent.Hydrophobic treatment agent is not particularly limited, for example, silane coupling agent, silicone oil, titanate coupling agent, aluminum coupling agent etc. can be cited.They can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0199] The amount of the hydrophobizing agent is preferably, for example, 1 part by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the inorganic particles.

[0200] Examples of external additives include resin particles (polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), melamine resin, and the like), cleaning aids (for example, metal salts of higher fatty acids such as zinc stearate, and particles of fluorine-based high molecular weight substances).

[0201] The amount of the external additive added is, for example, 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.

[0202] From the viewpoint of color unevenness suppression, the volume average particle diameter of the fluorescent toner is preferably larger than the volume average particle diameter of the non-fluorescent toner, for example.

[0203] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of suppressing color unevenness, the volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is, for example, preferably 4.5 μm to 7.0 μm, more preferably 5.0 μm to 6.5 μm, and particularly preferably 5.4 μm to 6.2 μm.

[0204] From the viewpoint of suppressing color unevenness, the volume average particle size of the non-fluorescent toner is, for example, preferably 3.5 μm or more and 6.0 μm or less, more preferably 4.0 μm or more and 5.5 μm or less, and particularly preferably 4.4 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less.

[0205] [Method for producing toner]

[0206] The toner is obtained by manufacturing toner particles and then adding an external additive to the toner particles.

[0207] Toner particles can be produced by any of dry methods (e.g., kneading and pulverization methods) or wet methods (e.g., aggregation methods, suspension polymerization methods, dissolution suspension methods, etc.). These methods are not particularly limited, and known methods can be employed. Of these, toner particles are preferably obtained by the aggregation method.

[0208] When producing toner particles by an aggregation method, for example, the following production method is preferable.

[0209] The production method includes: a step of preparing a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles serving as a binder resin are dispersed (resin particle dispersion preparation step);

[0210] a step of preparing a colorant particle dispersion in which a colorant (fluorescent colorant, colorant other than fluorescent colorant, etc.) is dispersed (colorant particle dispersion preparation step);

[0211] a step of aggregating the mixed particles in a mixed dispersion obtained by mixing a resin particle dispersion and a colorant particle dispersion (or, if necessary, in a dispersion after mixing other particle dispersions) to form aggregated particles (aggregated particle forming step); and

[0212] A step of heating an aggregated particle dispersion in which aggregated particles are dispersed to fuse and combine the aggregated particles to form toner particles (melting and combining step).

[0213] Hereinafter, the details of each step will be described.

[0214] -Resin particle dispersion preparation step-

[0215] The resin particle dispersion is prepared by dispersing the resin particles in a dispersion medium using a surfactant, for example.

[0216] Examples of the dispersion medium used for the resin particle dispersion include aqueous media.

[0217] Examples of the aqueous medium include water such as distilled water and deionized water, and alcohols, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0218] Examples of surfactants include anionic surfactants such as sulfate esters, sulfonates, phosphates, and soaps; cationic surfactants such as amine salts and quaternary ammonium salts; and nonionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycols, alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts, and polyols. Among these, anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants are particularly useful. Nonionic surfactants may also be used together with anionic or cationic surfactants.

[0219] The surfactant may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0220] In a resin particle dispersion, as a method for dispersing the resin particles in a dispersion medium, for example, conventional dispersion methods such as a rotary shearing homogenizer, a ball mill with a medium, a sand mill, and a Dyno-Mill can be cited. Furthermore, depending on the type of resin particles, the resin particles can be dispersed in a dispersion medium by a phase inversion emulsification method. The phase inversion emulsification method refers to 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 perform a phase inversion from W / O to O / W, thereby dispersing the resin in the aqueous medium in the form of particles.

[0221] 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 even more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 0.6 μm or less. 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 analyzer (e.g., LA-700 manufactured by HORIBA, Ltd.). The cumulative distribution of the volume of the particle size range (channel) divided from the small particle size side is plotted, and the particle size when the cumulative distribution reaches 50% relative to all particles is measured as the volume average particle size D50v. In addition, the volume average particle size of the particles in other dispersions is measured in the same manner.

[0222] The content of the resin particles contained in the resin particle dispersion is, for example, 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.

[0223] In addition, a colorant particle dispersion and a release agent particle dispersion are also prepared in the same manner as the binder resin particle dispersion. Specifically, the volume average particle size, dispersion medium, dispersion method, and particle content of the particles in the binder resin particle dispersion also apply to the colorant particles dispersed in the colorant particle dispersion and the release agent particles dispersed in the release agent particle dispersion.

[0224] - Agglomerated Particle Formation Step-

[0225] A resin particle dispersion, a colorant particle dispersion (e.g., a fluorescent colorant dispersion and a non-fluorescent pigment dispersion), and a release agent particle dispersion are mixed. The resin particles, fluorescent organic pigment, non-fluorescent organic pigment, and release agent particles are then heterogeneously aggregated in the mixed dispersion to form aggregated particles having a diameter close to the target toner particle diameter and containing the resin particles, fluorescent organic pigment, non-fluorescent organic pigment, and release agent particles.

[0226] In the aggregated particle forming step, it is preferable to add NH4 such as an ammonium salt compound or ammonia and an acid. +source.

[0227] As NH4 + The source is, for example, preferably an ammonium salt compound, more preferably ammonium sulfate or ammonium chloride.

[0228] Specifically, for example, a coagulant is added to the mixed dispersion, and the pH of the mixed dispersion is adjusted to acidic (for example, a pH of 2 or more and 5 or less), and after adding a dispersion stabilizer as needed, it is 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 or more and the glass transition temperature is -10°C or less), so that the particles dispersed in the mixed dispersion are agglomerated to form agglomerated particles.

[0229] In the agglomerated particle formation step, for example, while the mixed dispersion is stirred with a rotary shearing homogenizer, a coagulant may be added at room temperature (e.g., 25° C.), the pH of the mixed dispersion may be adjusted to acidic (e.g., pH 2 or higher and 5 or lower), a dispersion stabilizer may be added as needed, and then heating may be performed.

[0230] Examples of the coagulant include surfactants with polarity opposite to that of the surfactant contained in the mixed dispersion, inorganic metal salts, and metal complexes with a valence of two or more. When a metal complex is used as a coagulant, the amount of surfactant used can be reduced, thereby improving charging properties.

[0231] If necessary, an additive that forms a complex or similar bond with the metal ion of the coagulant can be used together with the coagulant. As such an additive, a chelating agent can be used.

[0232] 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; and inorganic metal salt polymers such as polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum hydroxide, and calcium polysulfide.

[0233] 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.

[0234] The amount of the chelating agent added is, for example, 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, relative to 100 parts by mass of the resin particles.

[0235] - Melting / Combination Process-

[0236] Next, the aggregated particle dispersion containing the dispersed aggregated particles is heated to, for example, a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin particles (eg, a temperature 10° C. to 30° C. higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin particles) to melt and combine the aggregated particles to form toner particles.

[0237] Through the above steps, toner particles are obtained.

[0238] Colorant particles can also be manufactured through the following steps: after obtaining agglomerated particle dispersion liquid in which agglomerated particles are dispersed, further mixing the agglomerated particle dispersion liquid and resin particle dispersion liquid in which resin particles are dispersed, so that the agglomerated resin particles further adhere to the surface of the agglomerated particles to form second agglomerated particles; and heating the second agglomerated particle dispersion liquid in which the second agglomerated particles are dispersed to melt / combine the second agglomerated particles to form colorant particles with a core / shell structure.

[0239] After the melting / combining step, the toner particles in the dispersion are subjected to known washing, solid-liquid separation, and drying steps to obtain dry toner particles. For the sake of chargeability, the washing step is preferably performed by, for example, thorough displacement washing with deionized water. For the sake of productivity, the solid-liquid separation step is preferably performed by, for example, suction filtration or pressure filtration. For the sake of productivity, the drying step is preferably performed by, for example, freeze drying, airflow drying, fluidized bed drying, or vibrating fluidized bed drying.

[0240] The toner according to this embodiment is produced, for example, by adding an external additive to dried toner particles and mixing them. Mixing is preferably performed using, for example, a V-blender, Henschel mixer, or Lödige mixer. Furthermore, if necessary, a vibrating screen or wind screen can be used to remove coarse toner particles.

[0241] (Electrostatic latent image developer kit)

[0242] The electrostatic latent image developer set according to this embodiment includes: a first electrostatic latent image developer containing the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to this embodiment; and a second electrostatic latent image developer containing the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to this embodiment.

[0243] In the electrostatic latent image developer set according to the present embodiment, each developer may be a single-component developer containing only the toner in the toner set according to the present embodiment, or a two-component developer in which the toner and a carrier are mixed.

[0244] The carrier is not particularly limited, and known carriers may be used. Examples of the carrier include coated carriers in which the surface of a core material composed of magnetic powder is coated with a resin; magnetic powder-dispersed carriers in which magnetic powder is dispersed in a matrix resin; and resin-impregnated carriers in which porous magnetic powder is impregnated with a resin.

[0245] The magnetic powder dispersed carrier and the resin impregnated carrier may be a carrier having the constituent particles of the carrier as a core material and the surface of the core material coated with a resin.

[0246] Examples of the magnetic powder include magnetic metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt; magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite; and the like.

[0247] Examples of the coating resin and matrix resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene acrylate copolymers, linear silicone resins containing organosiloxane bonds or modified products thereof, fluororesins, polyesters, polycarbonates, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, and the like. The coating resin and matrix resin may contain other additives such as conductive particles. Examples of 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.

[0248] The method for coating the surface of the core material with resin can include a method for coating a coating layer formed by dissolving a coating resin and various additives (used as needed) in a suitable solvent with a solution. As the solvent, there is no particular limitation, as long as the type of the resin used and coating suitability are considered to be selected.

[0249] Specific resin coating methods include an immersion method in which the core material is immersed in a coating layer forming solution; a spraying method in which the coating layer forming solution is sprayed on 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 coating method in which the core material of the carrier and the coating layer forming solution are mixed in a kneading coater and then the solvent is removed, etc.

[0250] The mixing ratio (mass ratio) of the toner and the carrier in the two-component developer is, for example, preferably toner:carrier=1:100 to 30:100, and more preferably 3:100 to 20:100.

[0251] (Image Forming Apparatus, Image Forming Method)

[0252] An image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0253] The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes: a first image forming member for forming a first image using the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to the present embodiment; a second image forming member for forming a second image using the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to the present embodiment; a transfer member for transferring the first image and the second image onto a recording medium; and a fixing member for fixing the first image and the second image onto the recording medium.

[0254] The image forming device involved in this embodiment can be a mode that includes each image forming member as the first or second image forming member, and each image forming member respectively includes: an image retaining member; a charging member that charges the surface of the image retaining member; an electrostatic latent image forming member that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image retaining member; and a developing member that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image retaining member into a toner image using an electrostatic latent image developer.

[0255] Furthermore, the image forming device involved in this embodiment can also be as follows: it has: an image retaining body; a charging component that charges the surface of the image retaining body; an electrostatic latent image forming component that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image retaining body; and a first or second developing component that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image retaining body into a toner image through an electrostatic latent image developer.

[0256] In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, an image forming method (the image forming method of the present embodiment) is implemented, which includes the following steps: a first image forming step of forming a first image by the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set of the present embodiment; a second image forming step of forming a second image by the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set of the present embodiment; a transfer step of transferring the first image and the second image to a recording medium; and a fixing step of fixing the first image and the second image to the recording medium.

[0257] The image forming device involved in this embodiment is applicable to the following well-known image forming devices: a direct transfer method device that directly transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image retaining body (the first image and the second image in this embodiment) to a recording medium; an intermediate transfer method device 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 transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of the recording medium for the second time; a device having a cleaning member that cleans the surface of the image retaining body before charging after transferring the toner image; a device having a static eliminating member that irradiates the surface of the image retaining body with static eliminating light to eliminate static after transferring the toner image and before charging, etc.

[0258] In the case of an intermediate transfer method device, the transfer member may be, for example, a structure having the following members: an intermediate transfer body, on the surface of which a toner image is transferred; a primary transfer member, which transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image retaining body to the surface of the intermediate transfer body for the primary transfer; and a secondary transfer member, which transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of the recording medium for the secondary transfer.

[0259] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of further exerting the effects of the present embodiment, for example, during fixing, it is preferable to have at least a portion where the fluorescent toner forms a lower layer and the non-fluorescent toner forms an upper layer.

[0260] In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the portion including the developing member may be a cartridge structure (process cartridge) that is detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus. As the process cartridge, for example, a process cartridge having a developing member that accommodates the electrostatic latent image developer set according to the present embodiment is preferably used.

[0261] Hereinafter, an example of an image forming apparatus will be described. In the following description, the main parts shown in the drawings will be described, and description of other parts will be omitted.

[0262] Figure 1 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus used in this embodiment, and is a diagram showing a five-tandem and intermediate transfer image forming apparatus.

[0263] Figure 1The image forming apparatus shown includes first to fifth electrophotographic image forming units 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K, and 150B (image forming members) that output images in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), and fluorescent color (B) based on color-separated image data. These image forming units (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "units") 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K, and 150B are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, spaced apart by a predetermined distance. These units 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K, and 150B may be process cartridges that are attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0264] An intermediate transfer belt (an example of an intermediate transfer member) 133 is provided below each unit 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K, and 150B and extends through each unit. The intermediate transfer belt 133 is wound around a driving roller 113, a supporting roller 112, and an opposing roller 114 that are in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 133 and extends in a direction from the first unit 150Y toward the fifth unit 150B ( Figure 1 The intermediate transfer belt 133 travels in the direction of arrow B). An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 116 is provided on the image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 133 so as to face the drive roller 113. Furthermore, a voltage applying device 160 is provided upstream of the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 116 in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt 133. The voltage applying device 160 generates an electric field between the intermediate transfer belt 133 and the drive roller 113 by creating a potential difference between the intermediate transfer belt 133 and the drive roller 113.

[0265] The developing devices (an example of developing components) 120Y, 120M, 120C, 120K, 120B of each unit 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K, 150B are respectively supplied with yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and fluorescent color toners contained in toner boxes 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K, 140B.

[0266] The first to fifth units 150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K, and 150B have the same structure, operation, and function. Therefore, the first unit 150Y disposed upstream in the intermediate transfer belt's traveling direction and forming a yellow image will be representatively described.

[0267] The first unit 150Y includes a photoreceptor 111Y that functions as an image holder. Sequentially arranged around the photoreceptor 111Y are: a charging roller (an example of a charging member) 118Y, which charges the surface of the photoreceptor 111Y to a predetermined potential; an exposure device (an example of an electrostatic latent image forming member) 119Y, which forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged surface to a laser beam based on a color-separated image signal; a developing device (an example of a developing member) 120Y, which supplies toner to develop the electrostatic latent image; a primary transfer roller (an example of a primary transfer member) 117Y, which transfers the developed toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 133; and a photoreceptor cleaning device (an example of a cleaning member) 115Y, which removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 111Y after the primary transfer.

[0268] The primary transfer roller 117Y is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 133 and is positioned opposite the photoreceptor 111Y. Each of the primary transfer rollers 117Y, 117M, 117C, 117K, and 117B in each unit is connected to a bias power supply (not shown) for applying a primary transfer bias. Each bias power supply varies the value of the transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller under the control of a control unit (not shown).

[0269] Next, the operation of forming a yellow image in the first unit 150Y will be described.

[0270] First, before the operation is performed, the surface of the photoreceptor 111Y is charged to a potential of -600 V to -800 V by the charging roller 118Y.

[0271] The photoreceptor 111Y is conductive (for example, the volume resistivity at 20° C. is 1×10 -6 The photosensitive layer is formed by laminating a photosensitive layer on a substrate (with a resistance of 100 Ω·cm or less). Normally, this photosensitive layer has a high electrical resistance (the electrical resistance of a typical resin), but when irradiated with a laser beam, the resistivity of the portion irradiated by the laser beam changes. Therefore, based on yellow image data sent from a control unit (not shown), exposure device 119Y irradiates the surface of the charged photoreceptor 111Y with a laser beam. This forms an electrostatic latent image of the yellow image pattern on the surface of photoreceptor 111Y.

[0272] An electrostatic latent image refers to an image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 111Y by charging, and is a so-called negative latent image. It is formed as follows: the resistivity of the irradiated portion of the photosensitive layer is reduced by the laser beam from the exposure device 119Y, and the charged charge on the surface of the photoreceptor 111Y flows. On the other hand, the charge on the portion not irradiated by the laser beam remains.

[0273] The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 111Y rotates to a predetermined development position as the photoreceptor 111Y travels. At the development position, the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 111Y is developed into a toner image by the developing device 120Y and made visible.

[0274] The developing device 120Y contains, for example, an electrostatic latent image developer containing at least yellow toner and a carrier. The yellow toner is triboelectrically charged by stirring within the developing device 120Y and is retained on a developer roller (an example of a developer retainer) with a charge of the same polarity (negative) as the charge on the photoreceptor 111Y. The surface of the photoreceptor 111Y then passes through the developing device 120Y, whereupon the yellow toner electrostatically adheres to the de-charged latent image portion on the surface of the photoreceptor 111Y, and the latent image is developed with the yellow toner. The photoreceptor 111Y, with the yellow toner image formed on it, continues to travel at a predetermined speed, and the toner image developed on the photoreceptor 111Y is transported to a predetermined primary transfer position.

[0275] When the yellow toner image on photoreceptor 111Y is transported to the primary transfer position, a primary transfer bias is applied to primary transfer roller 117Y. Electrostatic force from photoreceptor 111Y toward primary transfer roller 117Y acts on the toner image, and the toner image on photoreceptor 111Y is transferred onto intermediate transfer belt 133. The applied transfer bias has a polarity (+) opposite to the polarity (-) of the toner, and is controlled by a control unit (not shown) in first unit 150Y to, for example, +10 μA.

[0276] On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 111Y is removed and recovered by the photoreceptor cleaning device 115Y.

[0277] The primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer rollers 117M, 117C, 117K, and 117B after the second unit 150M is also controlled based on the first unit.

[0278] In this manner, the intermediate transfer belt 133 to which the yellow toner image has been transferred by the first unit 150Y is sequentially conveyed through the second to fifth units 150M, 150C, 150K, and 150B, and the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed and transferred multiple times.

[0279] Intermediate transfer belt 133, to which five color toner images have been transferred multiple times via units 1 through 5, reaches a secondary transfer section comprised of intermediate transfer belt 133, opposing roller 114 in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and secondary transfer roller (an example of a secondary transfer member) 134 disposed on the image-holding surface of intermediate transfer belt 133. Meanwhile, recording paper (an example of recording medium) P is fed into the gap between secondary transfer roller 134 and intermediate transfer belt 133 via a feeding mechanism at a predetermined timing, and a secondary transfer bias is applied to opposing roller 114. The applied transfer bias has a (-) polarity, the same as the polarity of the toner (-), and electrostatic force from intermediate transfer belt 133 toward recording paper P acts on the toner image, transferring the toner image on intermediate transfer belt 133 to recording paper P. The secondary transfer bias at this time is determined based on the resistance detected by a resistance detection member (not shown) that detects the resistance of the secondary transfer portion, and is voltage-controlled.

[0280] Then, the recording paper P is conveyed to a pressure-contact portion (nip portion) of a pair of fixing rollers of a fixing device (an example of a fixing member) 135 , where the toner image is fixed to the recording paper P to form a fixed image.

[0281] Examples of the recording paper P to which the toner image is transferred include plain paper used in electrophotographic copy machines, printers, etc. Examples of the recording medium include, in addition to the recording paper P, OHP films and the like.

[0282] 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 plain paper with a resin or coated paper for printing is preferably used.

[0283] The recording paper P on which the color image has been fixed is conveyed toward the discharge portion, thereby completing a series of color image forming operations.

[0284] in addition, Figure 1 The image forming apparatus shown has a structure for attaching and detaching toner cartridges 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K, and 140B. The developing devices 120Y, 120M, 120C, 120K, and 120B are connected to the toner cartridges corresponding to the respective developing devices (colors) via toner supply tubes (not shown). When the toner contained in a toner cartridge becomes low, the toner cartridge is replaced.

[0285] <Process Cartridge / Toner Cartridge Set>

[0286] The processing box involved in this embodiment includes: a first developing component that accommodates the first electrostatic latent image developer in the electrostatic latent image developer set; and a second developing component that accommodates the second electrostatic latent image developer in the electrostatic latent image developer set involved in this embodiment, and the above-mentioned processing box is loaded and unloaded on the image forming device.

[0287] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to the above configuration, and a configuration may be provided with a developing device and, as necessary, at least one other member selected from other members such as an image holder, a charging member, an electrostatic latent image forming member, and a transfer member.

[0288] Hereinafter, an example of the process cartridge is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the main parts shown in the drawings will be described, and the description of the others will be omitted.

[0289] Figure 2 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a process cartridge used in this embodiment.

[0290] Figure 2 The processing box 200 shown is constructed, for example, by combining a photosensitive body 207 (an example of an image retaining body) with a charging roller 208 (an example of a charging component) arranged around the photosensitive body 207, a developing device 211 (an example of a developing component) and a photosensitive body cleaning device 213 (an example of an image retaining body cleaning component) to form a box by being held as a whole through a frame 217 provided with a mounting guide 216 and an opening portion 218 for exposure.

[0291] In addition, Figure 2 In the figure, 209 represents an exposure device (an example of an electrostatic latent image forming component), 212 represents a primary transfer roller (an example of a primary transfer component), 220 represents an intermediate transfer belt (an example of an intermediate transfer body), 222 represents a driving roller which also serves as an intermediate transfer belt de-static component (an example of an intermediate transfer body de-static component), 224 represents a supporting roller, 226 represents a secondary transfer roller (an example of a secondary transfer component), 228 represents a fixing device (an example of a fixing component), and 300 represents recording paper (an example of a recording medium).

[0292] Example

[0293] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these examples.

[0294] In the following description, "parts" and "%" are based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0295] Unless otherwise specified, synthesis, treatment, production, etc. were carried out at room temperature (25°C ± 3°C).

[0296] (Example 1)

[0297] [Preparation of Fluorescent Toner (Toner 1)]

[0298] <Preparation of Fluorescent Pigment Particle Dispersion (1)>

[0299] Fluorescent yellow pigment (CI Pigment Yellow 101, Lumogen Yellow S0795, BASF Japan Ltd., fluorescence peak wavelength: 530 nm): 50 parts

[0300] Anionic surfactant (NEOGEN RK, manufactured by DKS Co., Ltd.): 20 parts (solid content concentration 20%)

[0301] Deionized water: 200 parts

[0302] The above components were mixed and pulverized to 0.5 μm using a continuous Key sand mill (KMC-3, manufactured by INOUE MFG., INC.), and the solid content was adjusted to 20% by mass to obtain a fluorescent pigment particle dispersion (1).

[0303] <Preparation of Colorant Particle Dispersion (2)>

[0304] Green pigment (CI Pigment Green 36, Fastogen Green 2YK, DIC Corporation, reflection peak wavelength: 510 nm): 50 parts

[0305] Anionic surfactant (NEOGEN RK, manufactured by DKS Co., Ltd.): 20 parts (solid content concentration 20%)

[0306] Deionized water: 200 parts

[0307] The above components were mixed and pulverized to 0.2 μm using a continuous Key sand mill (KMC-3, manufactured by INOUE MFG., INC.), and the solid content was adjusted to 20% by mass to obtain a colorant particle dispersion (2).

[0308] <Preparation of Resin Particle Dispersion (1)>

[0309] Terephthalic acid: 30 parts by mole

[0310] Fumaric acid: 70 mol parts

[0311] Bisphenol A ethylene oxide adduct: 5 mol parts

[0312] Bisphenol A propylene oxide adduct: 95 mol parts

[0313] The above materials were placed in a flask equipped with a stirrer, a nitrogen inlet tube, a temperature sensor, and a distillation column. The temperature was raised to 220°C over one hour, and 1 part of tetraethoxytitanium was added to 100 parts of the above materials. While distilling off the generated water, the temperature was raised to 230°C over 30 minutes. After a dehydration condensation reaction was continued at this temperature for one hour, the reaction product was cooled. This yielded a polyester resin with a weight-average molecular weight of 18,000 and a glass transition temperature of 60°C.

[0314] After placing 40 parts of ethyl acetate and 25 parts of 2-butanol in a container equipped with a temperature regulating member and a nitrogen replacement member to prepare a mixed solvent, 100 parts of polyester resin was slowly added and dissolved, and 0.4 parts by mass of a 25% by mass aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide was added thereto and stirred for 30 minutes. Next, the interior of the container was replaced with dry nitrogen, and the temperature was maintained at 40°C. While stirring the mixed liquid, 400 parts of deionized water was added dropwise at a rate of 2 parts / minute. After the addition was completed, the temperature was returned to room temperature (20°C to 25°C), and while stirring, dry nitrogen was bubbled for 48 hours to obtain a resin particle dispersion in which ethyl acetate and 2-butanol were reduced to less than 1,000 ppm. Deionized water was added to the resin particle dispersion to adjust the solid content to 20% by mass, thereby obtaining a resin particle dispersion (1).

[0315] <Preparation of Release Agent Particle Dispersion (1)>

[0316] Paraffin wax (HNP-9 manufactured by NIPPON SEIRO CO., LTD.): 100 parts

[0317] Anionic surfactant (NEOGEN RK, manufactured by DKS Co., Ltd.): 1 part

[0318] Deionized water: 350 parts

[0319] The above materials were mixed and heated to 100°C, dispersed using a homogenizer (manufactured by IKA, trade name ULTRA TURRAXT50), and then dispersed using a Manton Gaulin high-pressure homogenizer (Gaulin) to obtain a release agent particle dispersion (1) (solid content 20% by mass) in which release agent particles having a volume average particle size of 200 nm were dispersed.

[0320] <Preparation of Toner Particles (1)>

[0321] Resin particle dispersion (1): 400 parts

[0322] Fluorescent pigment particle dispersion (1): 50 parts

[0323] Colorant particle dispersion (2): 25 parts

[0324] Release agent particle dispersion (1): 25 parts

[0325] Anionic surfactant (DKS Co. Ltd.: NEOGEN RK, 20%): 10 parts

[0326] Ammonium sulfate (manufactured by FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation): 0.05 parts

[0327] The above materials were placed in a round stainless steel flask, 0.1N (= mol / L) nitric acid was added to adjust the pH to 3.5, and then 30 parts of a nitric acid aqueous solution with a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Subsequently, the mixture was dispersed at a liquid temperature of 30°C using a homogenizer (manufactured by IKA, trade name ULTRA TURRAX T50), heated to 48°C in a heating oil bath and maintained for 30 minutes. Then, 50 parts of the resin particle dispersion (1) was added, and the mixture was maintained for 1 hour. A 0.1N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, and the mixture was heated to 84°C and maintained for 2.5 hours. Subsequently, the mixture was cooled to 20°C at a rate of 20°C / min, the solid content was separated by filtration, and the mixture was thoroughly washed with deionized water and dried to obtain toner particles (1). The volume average particle size of the toner particles (1) was 5.8 μm.

[0328] <Preparation of carrier 1>

[0329] Ferrite particles (average particle size 35 μm): 100 parts

[0330] Toluene: 14 parts

[0331] Polymethyl methacrylate (MMA, weight average molecular weight 75,000): 5 parts

[0332] Carbon black: 0.2 parts (VXC-72, manufactured by Cabot Corporation, volume resistivity: 100 Ω·cm or less)

[0333] The above materials except the ferrite particles were dispersed in a sand mill to prepare a dispersion, which was placed in a vacuum degassing kneader along with the ferrite particles. The mixture was stirred and dried under reduced pressure to obtain a carrier 1.

[0334] <Toner Production>

[0335] Using a sample mill, 1.5 parts by mass of hydrophobic silica (RY50, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) and 1.0 part by mass of hydrophobic titanium oxide (T805, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) were blended with 100 parts by mass of the obtained toner particles (1) at 10,000 rpm (revolutions per minute) for 30 seconds. The mixture was then sieved with a vibrating sieve having a mesh size of 45 μm to prepare Toner 1 (fluorescent green (G) toner). The volume average particle size of the obtained Toner 1 was 5.8 μm.

[0336] <Production of Electrostatic Latent Image Developer>

[0337] 8 parts of Toner 1 and 92 parts of Carrier 1 were mixed using a V blender to prepare Developer 1 (electrostatic latent image developer).

[0338] [Preparation of non-fluorescent toner (toner 2)]

[0339] <Preparation of Colorant Particle Dispersion (3)>

[0340] Cyan pigment (CI Pigment Blue 15:3, LIONOL BLUE FG-7330, manufactured by TOYO INK SC HOLDINGS CO., LTD.): 50 parts

[0341] Anionic surfactant (NEOGEN RK, manufactured by DKS Co., Ltd.): 25 parts (solid content concentration 20%)

[0342] Deionized water: 200 parts

[0343] The above components were mixed and dispersed for 1 hour using a high-pressure impact disperser (ULTIMAIZER HJP30006, Sugino Machine Limited) to obtain a colorant particle dispersion (3) having a volume average particle size of 180 nm and a solid content of 20%.

[0344] <Preparation of Toner Particles (2)>

[0345] Resin particle dispersion (1): 400 parts

[0346] Colorant particle dispersion (3): 50 parts

[0347] Release agent particle dispersion (1): 25 parts

[0348] Anionic surfactant (DKS Co. Ltd.: NEOGEN RK, 20%): 10 parts

[0349] Ammonium sulfate (manufactured by FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation): 0.10 parts

[0350] The above materials were placed in a round stainless steel flask, 0.1N (= mol / L) nitric acid was added to adjust the pH to 3.5, and then 30 parts of a nitric acid aqueous solution with a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Subsequently, the mixture was dispersed at a liquid temperature of 30°C using a homogenizer (manufactured by IKA, trade name ULTRA TURRAX T50), heated to 45°C in a heating oil bath and maintained for 30 minutes. Then, 50 parts of the resin particle dispersion (1) was added, and the mixture was maintained for 1 hour. A 0.1N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, and the mixture was heated to 84°C and maintained for 2.5 hours. Subsequently, the mixture was cooled to 20°C at a rate of 20°C / min, the solid content was separated by filtration, and the mixture was thoroughly washed with deionized water and dried to obtain toner particles (2). The volume average particle size of the toner particles (2) was 4.7 μm.

[0351] <Toner Production>

[0352] Using a sample mill, 1.5 parts by mass of hydrophobic silica (RY50, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) and 1.0 part by mass of hydrophobic titanium oxide (T805, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) were blended for 30 seconds at 10,000 rpm (revolutions per minute) relative to 100 parts by mass of the obtained toner particles (2). The mixture was then sieved using a vibrating sieve having a mesh size of 45 μm to prepare Toner 2 (cyan toner). The volume average particle size of the obtained Toner 2 was 4.7 μm.

[0353] <Production of Electrostatic Latent Image Developer>

[0354] 8 parts of toner 2 and 92 parts of carrier 1 were mixed with a V blender to prepare developer 2 (electrostatic latent image developer).

[0355] (Examples 2 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3)

[0356] The amount of ammonium sulfate used in preparing toners 1 and 2 was set to the amount of NH4 on the surface of each toner as shown in Table 1. + Each toner and each developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of

[0357] (Example 10)

[0358] When producing the toner particles of the fluorescent toner, the temperature of the heating process after dispersion by the homogenizer was changed from 48°C to 47°C, the holding time was changed from 30 minutes to 10 minutes, and the volume average particle size of the obtained toner particles was set to 5.2 μm. Except for this, the various toners and developers were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0359] (Example 11)

[0360] When producing the toner particles of the fluorescent toner, the temperature of the heating process after dispersion by the homogenizer was changed from 48°C to 49°C, the holding time was changed from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, and the volume average particle size of the obtained toner particles was set to 5.2 μm. Except for this, the various toners and developers were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0361] (Example 12)

[0362] When preparing the colorant particles of the fluorescent colorant, 50 parts of the fluorescent pigment particle dispersion (1) were used instead of the colorant particle dispersion (2). Except for this, each colorant (fluorescent yellow (Y) colorant and cyan (Cyan) colorant) and each developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3.

[0363] (Example 13)

[0364] <Preparation of Colorant Particle Dispersion (4)>

[0365] Magenta pigment (CI Pigment Red 122, FASTOGEN SUPER MAGENTA R, manufactured by DIC Corporation): 50 parts

[0366] Anionic surfactant (NEOGEN RK, manufactured by DKS Co., Ltd.): 25 parts (solid content concentration 20%)

[0367] Deionized water: 200 parts

[0368] The above components were mixed and dispersed for 1 hour using a high-pressure impact disperser (ULTIMAIZER HJP30006, Sugino Machine Limited) to obtain a colorant particle dispersion (4) having a volume average particle size of 160 nm and a solid content of 20%.

[0369] Each toner (fluorescent yellow (Y) toner and magenta (Magenta) toner) and each developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 8, except that the colorant particle dispersion (4) was used instead of the colorant particle dispersion (3) when preparing the colorant particles of the non-fluorescent colorant.

[0370] <NH4 on the surface + Method for determining the amount of

[0371] The amount of NH 4 ions on the toner surface is measured as follows.

[0372] First, 0.5 g of the toner to be measured was weighed and dispersed in 100 g of deionized water to which 0.1 g of a nonionic surfactant (Nonipol 10 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.) equivalent to 20% of the toner solids content had been added. The dispersion was then carried out using an ultrasonic disperser in a thermostatic bath controlled at 30°C ± 1°C for 30 minutes.

[0373] The liquid after ultrasonic oscillation was subjected to solid-liquid separation by suction filtration to remove the solid toner, and the obtained filtrate was analyzed by ion chromatography using ICS-2000 manufactured by Nippon Dionex KK under the following conditions.

[0374] Cation separation column: IonPacCS12A manufactured by Nippon Dionex KK

[0375] Cation guard column: IonPacCG12A manufactured by Nippon Dionex KK

[0376] Eluent: 20 mM methanesulfonic acid

[0377] Flow rate: 1ml / min

[0378] Temperature: 35℃

[0379] Detection method: Conductivity method (inhibitor type)

[0380] <Measurement of volume average particle size>

[0381] The volume average particle diameter of the toner and the toner particles is measured using a Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) and an electrolyte ISOTON-II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.).

[0382] During 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 alkylbenzenesulfonate) as a dispersant, and this is added to 100 ml to 150 ml of the electrolyte.

[0383] The electrolyte solution containing the sample was dispersed by an ultrasonic disperser for 1 minute, and the particle size distribution of particles with a diameter of 2 μm to 60 μm was measured using a Coulter Multisizer II with an aperture of 100 μm. The number of particles to be sampled was 50,000.

[0384] For the particle size range (channel) divided based on the particle size distribution to be measured, cumulative distribution is plotted for volume from the smaller diameter side, and the particle diameter at which the cumulative distribution reaches 50% is defined as the volume average particle diameter D50v.

[0385] <Measurement of lightness>

[0386] -Image Formation-

[0387] As an image forming apparatus for forming an evaluation image, a modified version of Color 1000 Press (FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.) was prepared, a developer was placed in a developing device, and a toner was placed in a toner cartridge.

[0388] On A4 size coated paper (OS coated paper, 127g / m 2 , FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.) was formed with a monochrome solid image (density 100%, size 5 cm × 5 cm, toner loading 4.0 g / m 2 ). The fixing temperature was set to 180°C.

[0389] -Brightness-

[0390] CIE 1976L was measured at 10 locations within the solid image using a reflection spectrophotometer X-Rite 939 (aperture 4 mm, X-Rite, Incorporated). * a * b * L in the color system * value, calculate L * The values ​​were averaged and the brightness was determined.

[0391] <Evaluation of color unevenness suppression>

[0392] -Image Formation-

[0393] As an image forming apparatus for forming an evaluation image, a modified version of Color 1000 Press (FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.) was prepared, a developer was placed in a developing device, and a toner was placed in a toner cartridge.

[0394] On A4 size coated paper (OS coated paper, 127g / m2 , FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.) formed a secondary color image with two toner colors (density 100%, size 5 cm × 5 cm, toner load 4.0 g / m 2 ). The fixing temperature was set to 180°C.

[0395] -The difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of brightness-

[0396] The color of 10 random locations was measured using a reflectance spectrodensitometer X-Rite 939, and the difference between the maximum and minimum lightness values ​​was calculated. Evaluation was performed according to the following evaluation criteria: The smaller the difference between the maximum and minimum lightness values, the better the color unevenness suppression.

[0397] A: 0.4 or less

[0398] B: More than 0.4 and less than 0.8

[0399] C: more than 0.8

[0400] <Evaluation of Toner Charging Properties>

[0401] 1.5 g of toner and 15 g of carrier were weighed and stirred for 5 minutes using a Turbula mixer under a normal temperature and humidity environment (20°C, 50% RH). The charge per unit mass of the toner was then measured using a discharge meter. A larger charge indicates better charging properties.

[0402] The evaluation results are summarized in Table 1.

[0403] [Table 1]

[0404]

[0405] As shown in Table 1, the electrostatic latent image developing toner sets of Examples 1 to 16 were superior to the electrostatic latent image developing toner sets of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 in suppressing color unevenness of the obtained images.

[0406] (1) A toner set for developing electrostatic latent images, comprising: a fluorescent toner containing a fluorescent colorant and having a brightness of 75 or more; and a non-fluorescent toner containing no fluorescent colorant, wherein the NH4 + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography is 0.05 mg / L or more and 0.30 mg / L or less. + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The difference in amount is more than 0.12 mg / L.

[0407] In addition, the above NH4 + The amount is set as follows: weigh 0.5 g of the fluorescent toner or the non-fluorescent toner, put it into 100 g of deionized water at 30°C ± 1°C, disperse it with ultrasound for 30 minutes, and then filter it. The NH4 detected in the filtrate is analyzed by ion chromatography. + quantity.

[0408] (2) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to (1), wherein:

[0409] NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The difference in amount is more than 0.15 mg / L.

[0410] (3) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to (1) or (2), wherein:

[0411] NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The amount is 0.30 mg / L or more and 1.00 mg / L or less.

[0412] (4) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein

[0413] NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner + The amount is 0.10 mg / L or more and 0.20 mg / L or less.

[0414] (5) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein

[0415] The volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is larger than the volume average particle size of the non-fluorescent toner.

[0416] (6) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein

[0417] The volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is 5.4 μm or more and 6.2 μm or less.

[0418] (7) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein

[0419] The fluorescent colorant contains an azomethine fluorescent pigment having a fluorescence peak wavelength in a region of a fluorescence spectrum having a wavelength of 500 nm to 550 nm.

[0420] (8) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein:

[0421] The fluorescent toner further contains a non-fluorescent pigment.

[0422] (9) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to (8), wherein:

[0423] The non-fluorescent pigment in the fluorescent toner includes a non-fluorescent pigment having a reflection peak wavelength in a wavelength region of a reflection spectrum of 480 nm to 540 nm.

[0424] (10) The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein

[0425] The difference between the brightness of the fluorescent toner and the brightness of the non-fluorescent toner is 20 or more.

[0426] (11) An electrostatic latent image developer kit comprising:

[0427] A first electrostatic latent image developer containing the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of (1) to (10); and

[0428] The second electrostatic latent image developer contains the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of (1) to (10).

[0429] (12) A toner cartridge set comprising:

[0430] A first toner cartridge containing the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of (1) to (10); and

[0431] A second toner cartridge accommodates the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of (1) to (10),

[0432] The toner cartridge assembly is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0433] (13) A process cartridge comprising:

[0434] a first developing member for accommodating the first electrostatic latent image developer in the electrostatic latent image developer kit according to claim (11); and

[0435] The second developing member accommodates the second electrostatic latent image developer in the electrostatic latent image developer kit according to claim (11),

[0436] The process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0437] (14) An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0438] a first image forming member that forms a first image using the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of (1) to (10);

[0439] a second image forming member for forming a second image using the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of (1) to (10);

[0440] a transfer member for transferring the first image and the second image to a recording medium; and

[0441] The fixing member fixes the first image and the second image on the recording medium.

[0442] (15) The image forming apparatus according to (14), wherein

[0443] The transfer member is configured to transfer the first image and the second image onto the recording medium such that the second image becomes an upper layer of the first image.

[0444] (16) An image forming method comprising:

[0445] a first image forming step of forming a first image using the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of (1) to (10);

[0446] a second image forming step of forming a second image using the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set described in any one of (1) to (10);

[0447] a transfer step of transferring the first image and the second image to a recording medium; and

[0448] The fixing step fixes the first image and the second image on the recording medium.

[0449] (17) The image forming method according to (16), wherein

[0450] The transfer step transfers the first image and the second image onto the recording medium such that the second image becomes an upper layer of the first image.

[0451] According to the invention described in (1) or (7) to (9), there is provided a toner kit for electrostatic latent image development, which is consistent with the NH4 + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography is less than 0.05 mg / L or exceeds 0.30 mg / L +The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + Compared with the case where the difference in the amount of is less than 0.12 mg / L, the obtained image is excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0452] According to the invention described in (2), there is provided a toner kit for electrostatic latent image development, which is characterized by the fact that NH4 + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + Compared with the case where the difference in the amount of is less than 0.15 mg / L, the obtained image is more excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0453] According to the invention described in (3), there is provided a toner kit for electrostatic latent image development, which is connected to the NH4 + Compared with the case where the amount of the alkyl amine is less than 0.20 mg / L or exceeds 1.00 mg / L, the obtained image is more excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0454] According to the invention described in (4), there is provided a toner kit for electrostatic latent image development, which is connected to the NH4 + Compared with the case where the amount of the alkyl amine is less than 0.10 mg / L or exceeds 0.20 mg / L, the obtained image is more excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0455] According to the invention of (6), there is provided a toner set for developing an electrostatic latent image, which is more excellent in suppressing color unevenness of the obtained image than when the volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is less than 5.4 μm or exceeds 6.2 μm.

[0456] According to the invention of (11), (12), (13), (14) or (16), there is provided an electrostatic latent image developer kit, a toner cartridge kit, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus or an image forming method, wherein the NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography in the electrostatic latent image developing toner kit used is + When the amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner is less than 0.05 mg / L or exceeds 0.30 mg / L, or when the amount of NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner is determined by ion chromatography + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + Compared with the case where the difference in the amount of is less than 0.12 mg / L, the obtained image is excellent in suppressing color unevenness.

[0457] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and explanation. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed embodiments. It is obvious that various modifications and variations are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily explain the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technical personnel in this field can understand the present invention through various modifications optimized for specific uses of the assumed various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A toner kit for developing an electrostatic latent image, comprising: Fluorescent toners containing fluorescent colorants and having a lightness of 75 or greater; and Non-fluorescent colorants, do not contain fluorescent colorants, NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography + The amount is 0.05 mg / L or more and 0.30 mg / L or less, NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The difference in the amount is 0.12 mg / L or more, In addition, the NH4 + The amount is set as follows: weigh 0.5 g of the fluorescent toner or the non-fluorescent toner, put it into 100 g of deionized water at 30°C ± 1°C, disperse it with ultrasound for 30 minutes, and then filter it. When the filtrate is analyzed by ion chromatography, NH4 + quantity.

2. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to claim 1, wherein: NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner measured by ion chromatography + The amount of NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The difference in amount is more than 0.15 mg / L.

3. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: NH4 on the surface of the non-fluorescent toner + The amount is 0.30 mg / L or more and 1.00 mg / L or less.

4. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein NH4 on the surface of the fluorescent toner + The amount is 0.10 mg / L or more and 0.20 mg / L or less.

5. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is larger than the volume average particle size of the non-fluorescent toner.

6. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The volume average particle size of the fluorescent toner is 5.4 μm or more and 6.2 μm or less.

7. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The fluorescent colorant contains an azomethine fluorescent pigment having a fluorescence peak wavelength in a region of a fluorescence spectrum having a wavelength of 500 nm to 550 nm.

8. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The fluorescent toner further contains a non-fluorescent pigment.

9. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to claim 8, wherein: The non-fluorescent pigment in the fluorescent toner includes a non-fluorescent pigment having a reflection peak wavelength in a wavelength region of a reflection spectrum of 480 nm to 540 nm.

10. The electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The difference between the brightness of the fluorescent toner and the brightness of the non-fluorescent toner is 20 or more.

11. An electrostatic latent image developer kit comprising: A first electrostatic latent image developer comprising the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and A second electrostatic latent image developer contains the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 10 .

12. A toner cartridge set comprising: a first toner cartridge containing the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and A second toner cartridge accommodates the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The toner cartridge assembly is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

13. A process cartridge comprising: a first developing member for accommodating the first electrostatic latent image developer in the electrostatic latent image developer kit according to claim 11; and a second developing member for accommodating the second electrostatic latent image developer in the electrostatic latent image developer kit according to claim 11; The process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus.

14. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming member for forming a first image using the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 10; a second image forming member for forming a second image using the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 10; a transfer member for transferring the first image and the second image to a recording medium; and The fixing member fixes the first image and the second image on the recording medium.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein The transfer member is configured to transfer the first image and the second image onto the recording medium such that the second image becomes an upper layer of the first image.

16. An image forming method comprising: a first image forming step of forming a first image using the fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 10; a second image forming step of forming a second image using the non-fluorescent toner in the electrostatic latent image developing toner set according to any one of claims 1 to 10; a transfer step of transferring the first image and the second image to a recording medium; and The fixing step fixes the first image and the second image on the recording medium.

17. The image forming method according to claim 16, wherein: The transfer step transfers the first image and the second image onto the recording medium such that the second image becomes an upper layer of the first image.

Images