CN104808455A - Toner for developing electrostatic images, electrostatic image developer, toner carriage, processing box, imaging device and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a toner for electrostatic image development that is excellent in vivid vermilion color reproducibility and image light fastness. This toner for developing an electrostatic image contains toner particles containing a binder resin, xanthophylls, and luteins. The present invention also provides a developer containing the toner for developing an electrostatic image, and a toner cartridge containing the toner for developing an electrostatic image.

Description

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

technical field

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

Background technique

In electrophotographic imaging, colors are generally reproduced using toners of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In addition, toners of colors other than YMCK are also used in order to reproduce colors that are difficult to reproduce only with the toners of the above four colors (YMCK).

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a magenta toner containing a water-insoluble dye compound represented by a specific formula (1) and a binder resin.

Patent Document 2 discloses a magenta toner containing C.I. Pigment Red 48-3 and C.I. Pigment Red 48-1 in a ratio of 8:2 to 5:5.

[Prior art literature]

[Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-208496

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-107676

Contents of the invention

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The object of the present invention is to provide a toner for electrostatic image development that is excellent in vivid vermilion color reproducibility and image light fastness.

[Solution to problem]

The above-mentioned problems are solved by the following solutions. Right now,

The invention related to the first aspect of the present invention is,

A toner for developing an electrostatic image containing toner particles containing a binder resin and xanthophylls and luteins.

The invention related to the second aspect of the present invention is,

The toner for developing an electrostatic image according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the total amount of the lutein and the lutein accounts for 0.5% by mass to 20% by mass of the toner particles.

The invention related to the third aspect of the present invention is,

The toner for developing an electrostatic image according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the mass ratio of the lutein to the lutein contained in the toner particles (lutein Vegetables/Carotene) is more than 0.5 and less than 3.0.

The invention related to the fourth aspect of the present invention is,

The toner for developing an electrostatic image according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the xanthophylls are astaxanthin.

The invention related to the fifth aspect of the present invention is,

The toner for developing an electrostatic image according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the lutein is lycopene.

The invention related to the sixth aspect of the present invention is,

An electrostatic image developer comprising the electrostatic image developing toner according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

The invention related to the seventh aspect of the present invention is,

A toner cartridge accommodates the toner for developing an electrostatic image according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and is detachable from an image forming apparatus.

The invention related to the eighth aspect of the present invention is,

A process cartridge having a developing member containing the electrostatic image developer according to the sixth aspect and developing an electrostatic image formed on a surface of an image holding body into a toner by the electrostatic image developer agent image, and the process cartridge is detachable from the image forming device.

The invention related to the ninth aspect of the present invention is,

An imaging device having:

image holder;

a charging member that charges the surface of the image holding body;

an electrostatic image forming member that forms an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image holder;

a developing member containing the electrostatic image developer according to the sixth aspect, and developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holder into a toner image by the electrostatic image developer;

a transfer member that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to the surface of the recording medium;

and a fixing member that fixes the toner image transferred onto the surface of the recording medium.

The invention related to the tenth aspect of the present invention is,

An imaging method having:

the step of charging the surface of the image holding body;

an electrostatic image forming step of forming an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image holding body;

A developing step of developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holder into a toner image by the electrostatic image developer according to the sixth aspect;

a transfer step of transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding body to the surface of the recording medium;

and a fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred onto the surface of the recording medium.

[Effect of the invention]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the color reproducibility of vivid vermilion and the light fastness of the image can be provided compared to the case where the toner particles do not satisfy the necessary condition of containing both lutein and carophyll Excellent toner for electrostatic image development.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the color reproducibility of vivid vermilion and the light fastness of the image can be provided as compared with the case where the ratio of the total amount of lutein and lutein to the toner particles is not within the stated range A toner for electrostatic image development with more excellent performance.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the mass ratio of lutein and lutein contained in the toner particles is not within the above-mentioned range, it is possible to provide an electrostatic image development product that is more excellent in the light fastness of the image. toner.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner for developing an electrostatic image that is more excellent in the light fastness of an image than when the lutein is not astaxanthin.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner for developing an electrostatic image that is more excellent in the light fastness of an image than when the carotenoids are not lycopene.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the toner particles contained in the toner do not satisfy the requirement that both lutein and carophyll are contained, a vivid vermilion color can be provided. An electrostatic image developer excellent in reproducibility and light fastness of images.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the toner particles contained in the toner do not satisfy the requirement that both lutein and carophyll are contained, a vivid vermilion color can be provided. A toner cartridge excellent in reproducibility and light fastness of images.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the toner particles contained in the toner in the developer do not satisfy the requirement of containing both lutein and lutein, it is possible to provide bright red color. A process cartridge excellent in red color reproducibility and image light fastness.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the toner particles contained in the toner in the developer do not satisfy the requirement of containing both lutein and erythrophyll, it is possible to provide bright red color. An imaging device excellent in red color reproducibility and light fastness of images.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the toner particles contained in the toner in the developer do not satisfy the requirement of containing both lutein and lutein, it is possible to provide a vivid red color. An imaging method that is excellent in red color reproducibility and image light fastness.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Symbol Description

10V, 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K imaging unit

1V, 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K photoreceptor (example of image holding body)

2V, 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K Charging roller (Example of charging parts)

3V, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K exposure device (example of electrostatic image forming member)

4V, 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K developing device (example of developing unit)

5V, 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K Primary transfer roller (example of primary transfer unit)

6V, 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K photoreceptor cleaning device (example of cleaning parts)

8V, 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K toner cartridges

20 Intermediate transfer belt (example of intermediate transfer unit)

21 Intermediate transfer unit cleaning device

22 drive roller

23 Support roller

24 opposite roller

26 Secondary transfer roller (example of secondary transfer part)

28 Fixing device (example of fixing unit)

P Recording paper (example of recording medium)

107 photoreceptor (example of image holding body)

108 charging roller (example of charging part)

109 Exposure device (example of electrostatic image forming member)

111 developing device (example of developing part)

112 Transfer device (example of transfer parts)

113 photoreceptor cleaning device (example of cleaning parts)

115 Fixing device (example of fixing unit)

116 Mounting rail

117 shell

118 Opening for exposure

200 Process Boxes

300 Recording paper (example of recording medium)

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. These descriptions and examples are intended to illustrate the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention.

In this specification, (meth)acryl means acryl and methacryl, (meth)acryl means acryl and methacryl, and (meth)acryl means acryl and methacryl.

＜Toner for electrostatic image development＞

The electrostatic image developing toner (also referred to as “toner”) according to the embodiment of the present invention contains toner particles and may further contain external additives. That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the toner particles may be used as the toner, or the toner particles may be made by adding an external additive to the toner particles from the outside.

The toner particles contained in the toner according to the present invention contain a binder resin, xanthophylls, and luteins. A toner containing toner particles of the above constitution is excellent in vivid vermilion color reproducibility, and is excellent in light fastness of images.

In some cases, a document with a vermilion seal is copied by an electrophotographic image forming device, or an image record including an image of a vermilion seal is created. Since a document with a seal is an official document or a document requiring long-term preservation, it is desired that the toner for image formation can reproduce the vivid vermilion of the seal well and has excellent image preservation properties.

Conventionally, in forming an image of a vermilion stamp, a yellow toner and a magenta toner are mixed, or a toner containing a red fluorescent pigment or a lake pigment is used. However, the reproducibility of brightness and color saturation is not sufficient for the mixed color of yellow toner and magenta toner, and the light fastness of the image is poor in the case of using a toner containing red fluorescent pigment or lake pigment. Insufficient sex.

In contrast, the toner according to the embodiment of the present invention contains xanthophylls and luteins as colorants. Lutein and lutein are pigments capable of reproducing vivid vermilion, and they themselves have an effect of suppressing photodegradation of images. That is, if oxygen active species are generated in the image by exposure to light such as ultraviolet rays, xanthophylls and lutein absorb energy from the oxygen active species and release it as heat (thermal relaxation), and their chemical structures do not change. changes and eliminates oxygen active species, with the result that photodegradation of images is suppressed. In addition, when the lutein and the lutein are used in combination, the effect of eliminating oxygen-active species increases, and the light fastness of the image increases compared with the case of using either alone.

In the CIE1976L ^* a ^* b ^* color system, an image formed by the toner according to the embodiment of the present invention on paper (for example, an uncoated printing paper having an ISO whiteness of 80% or more) The L ^* value is preferably in the range of 55-63, the a ^* value is preferably in the range of 65-73, and the b ^* value is preferably in the range of 47-55.

[Toner particles]

The toner particles contain a binder resin, xanthophylls, and luteins, and may contain a release agent or other internal additives. Hereinafter, the components contained in the toner particles will be described in detail.

-Colorant-

The toner particles contain xanthophylls and luteins.

The total amount of lutein and lutein is preferably 0.5% by mass or more, more preferably 1.0% by mass, of the mass of the toner particles, from the viewpoint that the vivid vermilion color reproducibility and the light fastness of the image are more excellent. above, more preferably 2.0% by mass or more. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of suppressing the reduction in the color reproducibility of vermilion caused by the reduction in charge retention, it is preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or less, even more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably Preferably it is 8 mass % or less. When the charge maintenance property is lowered, the reproducibility of vermilion may be lowered.

The mass ratio of lutein to lutein contained in the toner particles (lutein/lutein) is preferably 0.5 or more and 3.0 or less, more preferably 0.5 or more, from the viewpoint that the light resistance of the image is more excellent. 2.5 or less, more preferably 0.75 to 2.25, still more preferably 1.0 to 2.0.

The content of lutein in the toner particles is preferably 0.2% by mass or more, more preferably 1.0% by mass or more, and still more preferably It is 2.0 mass % or more. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of charge retention, it is preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and still more preferably 5% by mass or less.

From the point of view that the vivid vermilion color reproducibility and the light fastness of the image are more excellent, the content of the carophylls in the toner particles is preferably 0.2% by mass or more, more preferably 1.0% by mass or more, and still more preferably 1.5% by mass. Mass% or more. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of charge retention, it is preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and still more preferably 5% by mass or less.

Examples of lutein include astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin, rhodoxanthin, fucusanthin, anther xanthin, violaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, and chitin lutein, capsanthin, lutein, echinenone, 3-hydroxyechinenone, cyanobacterial lutein, limonaxanthin, diphycoxanthin, diphycoxanthin, dinoxanthin, ranunaxanthin, Neo-lutein, rhodoxanthin, rhodoxanthin, Amarouciaxanthin A ((3S,5R,6'S)-3,5,6'-trihydroxy-6,7-didehydro-5,6,7 ', 8'-Tetrahydro-β, ε-carotene-3', 8'-diketone, Amarosia アキサンチン A), Halocynthiaxanthin ((3S, 3'S, 5'R, 6'S)-7,8-dide Hydrogen-5',6'-epoxy-5',6',7',8'-tetrahydro-8'-oxo-β,β-carotene-3,3'-dione ), tuna xanthin, peridinoxanthin, Deinochrome (デイノクローム), 3-hydroxy-β, ε-carotene-3'-one, capsanthin-3,6-epoxide, capsanthin, Pittosporam kisantchin, retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, etc. Among these, astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and lutein are preferable, and astaxanthin is more preferable from the viewpoint that the light resistance of the image is more excellent.

Examples of lutein include, for example, lycopene (also referred to as "lycopene (lycopene)"), rhodophyllene, α- lutein, β- lutein, γ- lutein, δ- lutein, ε - Lutein, streptozolin, phytoene, phytoene, etc. Among them, lycopene and β-chlorophyll are preferable, and lycopene is more preferable, from the viewpoint that the light resistance of the image is more excellent.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a regimen containing both astaxanthin and lycopene is preferred. In this case, the mass ratio of astaxanthin and lycopene contained in the toner particles (astaxanthin/lycopene) is preferably not less than 0.5 and not more than 3.0 from the viewpoint of more excellent light resistance of the image, More preferably, it is 0.5 to 2.5, still more preferably 0.75 to 2.25, still more preferably 1.0 to 2.0.

Toner particles may also contain other colorants in addition to lutein and lutein. As another coloring agent, either a pigment or a dye may be used, and a pigment is preferable from the viewpoint of light resistance or water resistance.

As other colorants, for example, white pigments such as SiO ₂ (silicon dioxide), TiO ₂ (titanium dioxide), and Al ₂ O ₃ (alumina); CI Pigment Red 185, CI Pigment Red 122, CI Pigment Red 48:1, CI Pigment Red 48:3, CI Pigment Red 57:1, Bengal Rose Red and other red pigments and dyes; CI Pigment Yellow 97, CI Pigment Yellow 12, quinoline yellow, chrome yellow and other yellow pigments and dyes ; Malachite green oxalate and other green pigments and dyes; CI pigment blue 15:1, CI pigment blue 15:3, aniline blue, copper oil blue, ultramarine blue, phthalocyanine blue, chlorinated methylene blue and other blue pigments and Dyes; Black pigments and dyes such as carbon black, lamp black, and Negro black; etc.

White pigments such as silica, titanium dioxide, and alumina may be added to toner particles for purposes other than coloring (for example, toner charge control and the like).

From the viewpoint of easy vivid vermilion color reproducibility, the total amount of white pigments in the toner particles is preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or less, still more preferably 10% by mass or less, and even more preferably 10% by mass or less. More preferably, it is 5 mass % or less, Especially preferably, it is 1 mass % or less.

From the viewpoint of easy color reproducibility of bright vermilion, the content of coloring agents other than lutein and carophyll and white pigments in the toner particles is preferably 1% by mass or less for each coloring agent, more preferably It is preferably 0.5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.1% by mass or less, still more preferably less than the detection limit and substantially not included, particularly preferably 0% by mass.

From the viewpoint of easy color reproducibility of bright vermilion, the total amount of lutein, lutein, and white pigment is preferably 85% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass, of the total amount of colorants in the toner particles. Mass % or more, more preferably 95 mass % or more, still more preferably 99 mass % or more, especially preferably 100 mass % (that is, no colorants other than xanthophylls, carophylls and white pigments).

From the viewpoint of easy color reproducibility of bright vermilion, the total amount of lutein and lutein in the total amount of colorants in the toner particles is preferably 30% by mass or more, more preferably 40% by mass or more , more preferably 50% by mass or more, still more preferably 60% by mass or more, still more preferably 70% by mass or more, still more preferably 80% by mass or more, still more preferably 90% by mass or more, particularly preferably 100% by mass % (that is, without lutein and other colorants other than lutein).

-Binder resin-

The toner particles contain a binder resin. As the binder resin, for example, styrenes (such as styrene, p-chlorostyrene, α-methylstyrene, etc.); (meth)acrylates (such as methyl (meth)acrylate, Ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-propyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, etc.); ethylenic Unsaturated nitriles (such as (meth)acrylonitrile, etc.); vinyl ethers (such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether, etc.); vinyl ketones (such as vinyl methyl ketone, ethylene ethyl ketone, vinyl isopropenyl ketone, etc.); homopolymers or copolymers of olefins (such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene, etc.).

Typical binder resins include, for example, polyester resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, polyether resins, polystyrene, styrene-(meth)acrylic acid alkyl Ester copolymer, styrene-(meth)acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer.

These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The content of the binder resin in the toner particles is preferably not less than 40% by mass and not more than 95% by mass, more preferably not less than 50% by mass and not more than 90% by mass, still more preferably not less than 60% by mass and not more than 85% by mass.

As the binder resin, polyester resin is suitable. As for the polyester resin, an amorphous polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin may be used in combination from the viewpoint of more excellent vivid vermilion color reproducibility.

As a polyester resin, the polycondensate of polyvalent carboxylic acid and polyhydric alcohol is mentioned, for example. As the polyester resin, a commercially available product may be used, or a synthetic product may be used.

As the polycarboxylic acid, for example, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, succinic acid, alkenyl succinic acid, etc.) acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.), alicyclic dicarboxylic acids (such as cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, etc.), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, etc.), their anhydrides, or their lower (for example, having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters. Among them, as the polycarboxylic acid, for example, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid is preferable.

As the polyvalent carboxylic acid, a trivalent or higher carboxylic acid having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure can be used in combination with a dicarboxylic acid. Examples of the trivalent or higher carboxylic acid include trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, their anhydrides, or their lower (for example, having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters.

A polyhydric carboxylic acid may be used individually by 1 type, and may use it in combination of 2 or more types.

As the polyhydric alcohol, for example, aliphatic diols (such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, hexylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, etc.), alicyclic diols, (such as cyclohexanediol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.), aromatic diols (such as ethylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A, etc.) . Among them, as polyhydric alcohols, for example, aromatic diols and alicyclic diols are preferable, and aromatic diols are more preferable.

As the polyhydric alcohol, a trihydric or higher alcohol having a crosslinked structure or a branched chain structure may be used in combination with a dihydric alcohol. Examples of the trivalent or higher alcohol include glycerol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol and the like.

A polyhydric alcohol may be used individually by 1 type, and may use it in combination of 2 or more types.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polyester resin is preferably not less than 50°C and not more than 80°C, more preferably not less than 50°C and not more than 65°C.

Glass transition temperatures are obtained from DSC curves obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). More specifically, it is obtained according to the "extrapolated glass transition start temperature" described in the method for determining the glass transition temperature of JIS K7121-1987 "Measurement method of transition temperature of plastics".

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

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

The molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of the polyester resin is preferably 1.5 to 100, more preferably 2 to 60.

The weight average molecular weight and number average molecular weight of the resins were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Molecular weight measurement by GPC was performed using HLC-8120 manufactured by Tosoh Corporation as a measuring device, TSK gel Super HM-M15cm manufactured by Tosoh Corporation as a column, and tetrahydrofuran as a solvent. The weight-average molecular weight and the number-average molecular weight were calculated using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared from the measurement results using monodisperse polystyrene standard samples.

-Anti-sticking agent-

Examples of antisticking agents include hydrocarbon waxes; natural waxes such as carnauba wax, rice bran wax, and candelilla wax; synthetic or mineral/petroleum-based waxes such as montan wax; ester groups such as fatty acid esters and montanic acid esters; wax; etc. The release agent is not limited to these.

The melting temperature of the release agent is preferably not less than 50°C and not more than 110°C, more preferably not less than 60°C and not more than 100°C.

The melting temperature of the release agent is the "melting peak temperature" described in the method for calculating the melting temperature of JIS K7121-1987 "Measuring method of transition temperature of plastics" based on the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) acquired.

The content of the release agent in the toner particles is preferably 1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less.

-Inorganic oxide particles-

The toner particles may also contain inorganic oxide particles. Examples of inorganic oxides include SiO ₂ (silicon dioxide), TiO ₂ (titania), Al ₂ O ₃ (alumina), CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , CeO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, Na ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO·SiO ₂ , K ₂ O·(TiO ₂ ) _n , Al ₂ O ₃ ·2SiO ₂ , CaCO ₃ , MgCO ₃ , BaSO ₄ , MgSO ₄ and other metal oxides thing.

The surfaces of the inorganic oxide particles may not be hydrophobized in advance, or may be hydrophobized in advance.

The content of the inorganic oxide particles in the toner particles is preferably not more than 20% by mass, more preferably not more than 15% by mass, and still more preferably not more than 10% by mass, from the viewpoint of not affecting the hue of the toner. More preferably, it is 5 mass % or less, Especially preferably, it is 1 mass % or less.

-Other additives-

Examples of other additives include known additives such as magnetic substances, charge control agents, and inorganic powders. These additives are contained in toner particles as internal additives.

-Characteristics of Toner Particles-

The toner particles may be of a single-layer structure, or of a so-called core-shell structure consisting of a core (core particle) and a coating layer (shell layer) covering the core. Toner particles. Toner particles of a core-shell structure may be constituted, for example, of a core part by containing a binder resin, a coloring Adhesives and other additives.

The volume average particle diameter (D50v) of the toner particles is preferably from 2 μm to 10 μm, more preferably from 4 μm to 8 μm.

Various average particle diameters and various particle size distribution indices of the toner particles were measured using a Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter Co.), and using ISOTON-II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter Co.) as an electrolytic solution.

When measuring, a measurement sample of 0.5 mg or more and 50 mg or less is added to an aqueous solution of 2 ml of a 5% by mass surfactant (preferably sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate) as a dispersant. Add this to more than 100ml and less than 150ml of electrolyte solution.

The electrolyte solution in which the sample is suspended is dispersed with an ultrasonic disperser for 1 minute, and the particle size distribution of particles with a particle size range of 2 μm to 60 μm is measured by using a pore diameter of 100 μm through a Coulter Multisizer II. The number of sampling particles is 50000.

For the particle size range (channel) divided based on the measured particle size distribution, the volume and number cumulative distributions are drawn from the small diameter side, respectively, and the particle size when the cumulative percentage is 16% is defined as the volume particle size D16v, the number particle size For diameter D16p, the particle diameter when the cumulative percentage is 50% is defined as the volume average particle diameter D50v and the number average particle diameter D50p, and the particle diameter when the cumulative percentage is 84% is defined as the volume particle diameter D84v and the number particle diameter D84p.

By using these, the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) is calculated as (D84v/D16v) ^1/2 , and the number average particle size distribution index (GSDp) is calculated as (D84p/D16p) ^1/2 .

The shape factor SF1 of the toner particles is preferably not less than 110 and not more than 150, and more preferably not less than 120 and not more than 140.

The shape factor SF1 is obtained by the following formula.

Formula: SF1=(ML ² /A)×(π/4)×100

In the above formula, ML represents the absolute maximum length of the toner, and A represents the projected area of the toner.

Specifically, the shape factor SF1 is mainly quantified by analyzing a microscope image or a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image using an image analysis device, and is calculated as follows. That is, it is obtained in this way: use a camera to import the optical microscope image of the particles scattered on the surface of the glass slide into the Luzex image analyzer, obtain the maximum length and projected area of 100 particles, use the above formula to calculate, and obtain its average value.

[External Additives]

Examples of external additives include inorganic particles. Examples of the inorganic particles include SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , CeO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, Na ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO·SiO ₂ , K ₂ O·(TiO ₂ ) _n , Al ₂ O ₃ ·2SiO ₂ , CaCO ₃ , MgCO ₃ , BaSO ₄ , MgSO ₄ , etc.

The surface of the inorganic particles as an external additive may be subjected to hydrophobization treatment. For example, the hydrophobic treatment is performed by immersing the inorganic particles in a hydrophobizing treatment agent or the like. The hydrophobizing agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include silane-based coupling agents, silicone oil, titanate-based coupling agents, aluminum-based coupling agents, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The usage-amount of a hydrophobization treatment agent is 1 mass part or more and 10 mass parts or less with respect to 100 mass parts of inorganic particles, for example.

Examples of external additives include resin particles (resin particles such as polystyrene, PMMA, and melamine), cleaning activators (for example, metal salts of higher fatty acids represented by zinc stearate, particles of fluorine-containing high molecular weight polymers) wait.

The amount of the external additive added is, for example, preferably from 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, more preferably from 0.01% by mass to 2% by mass, relative to the toner particles. [manufacturing method of toner]

The toner according to the embodiment of the present invention may be obtained by producing toner particles and using the toner particles as a toner, or may be obtained by adding an external additive to the toner particles.

Toner particles can be produced by any of dry production methods (such as kneading and pulverization methods) and wet production methods (such as aggregation and coagulation methods, suspension polymerization methods, dissolution and suspension methods, and the like). These production methods are not particularly limited, and known production methods can be employed. Among them, it is preferable to obtain toner particles by an aggregation coagulation method.

When the toner particles are produced by the aggregation coagulation method, for example, specifically, the toner particles are produced by at least the following steps:

A step of preparing a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles as a binder resin are dispersed (resin particle dispersion preparation step);

a step of preparing a colorant dispersion in which at least one of lutein and lutein is dispersed (colorant dispersion preparation step);

・In the dispersion obtained by mixing the resin particle dispersion and the colorant dispersion (if necessary, with other particle dispersions), the resin particles and the colorant (if necessary, also with other particles) are aggregated to form aggregates Particle step (aggregate particle forming step);

- A step of heating the aggregated particle dispersion in which the aggregated particles are dispersed to fuse and coagulate the aggregated particles, thereby forming toner particles (fusion and coagulation step).

The details of each step of the aggregation coagulation method are described below. In the following description, a method for obtaining toner particles that also contain a release agent will be described, but the release agent is used as necessary. Of course, additives other than the antiblocking agent may also be used.

-Resin particle dispersion preparation procedure-

First, a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles as a binder resin are dispersed is prepared.

The resin particle dispersion is prepared, for example, by dispersing resin particles in a dispersion medium with a surfactant.

As a dispersion medium used in a resin particle dispersion liquid, an aqueous medium is mentioned, for example.

Examples of the aqueous medium include water such as distilled water and ion-exchanged water; alcohols; and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may use it in combination of 2 or more types.

Examples of surfactants include: anionic surfactants such as sulfate ester salts, sulfonate salts, phosphate esters, and soaps; cationic surfactants such as amine salt type and quaternary ammonium salt type; polyethylene glycol , alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts, polyols and other non-ionic surfactants; etc. Among these, anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants are particularly mentioned. Nonionic surfactants may be used in combination with anionic or cationic surfactants.

Surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As a method of dispersing resin particles in a dispersion medium, for example, general dispersion methods using a rotary shear type homogenizer, a ball mill with a medium, a sand mill, a Dyno mill, or the like can be cited. Depending on the type of the resin particles, the resin particles may be dispersed in the dispersion medium by, for example, a phase inversion emulsification method.

It should be noted that the phase inversion emulsification method is a method in which the resin to be dispersed is dissolved in a hydrophobic organic solvent soluble in the resin, and after neutralization is added to the organic continuous phase (O phase), water is added. (W phase), thereby performing a phase inversion from W/O to O/W, thereby dispersing the resin in the aqueous medium in a granular form.

The volume average particle size of the resin particles dispersed in the resin particle dispersion is, for example, preferably from 0.01 μm to 1 μm, more preferably from 0.08 μm to 0.8 μm, still more preferably from 0.1 μm to 0.6 μm.

Regarding the volume average particle diameter of the resin particles, using the particle diameter distribution obtained by the measurement of a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring instrument (for example, LA-700 manufactured by Horiba Corporation), based on the divided particle size range (channel), from small to small The cumulative volume distribution is plotted from the diameter side, and the particle diameter at which the volume is 50% of the total particles is defined as the volume average particle diameter D50v. In addition, the volume average particle diameter of the particle|grains in other dispersion liquid was also measured by the same method.

The content of the resin particles contained in the resin particle dispersion is preferably not less than 5% by mass and not more than 50% by mass, more preferably not less than 10% by mass and not more than 40% by mass.

-Colorant dispersion preparation procedure-

The colorant dispersion in which the colorant particles are dispersed is prepared by the same method as that of the resin particle dispersion. That is, the dispersion medium, surfactant, dispersion method, volume average particle diameter of particles, and particle content of the colorant dispersion liquid are the same as those of the resin particle dispersion liquid. In addition, instead of the colorant dispersion liquid, you may use the resin particle dispersion liquid containing the colorant which disperse|distributed the colorant in the resin particle.

In addition, the release agent dispersion in which the release agent particles are dispersed is also prepared by the same method as that of the resin particle dispersion. That is, the dispersion medium, surfactant, dispersion method, volume average particle diameter of particles, and particle content of the release agent dispersion are the same as those of the resin particle dispersion. It should be noted that instead of the release agent dispersion, a release agent-containing resin particle dispersion obtained by dispersing the release agent in the resin particles may be used.

- Aggregate Particle Formation Step -

Then, the resin particle dispersion, the colorant dispersion, and the release agent dispersion are mixed.

Next, in the mixed dispersion liquid, resin particles, colorant particles, and release agent particles are heterogeneously aggregated to form a toner particle having a diameter close to that of the target toner particle and containing resin particles, colorant particles, and release agent particles aggregated particles.

Specifically, for example, while adding a coagulant to the mixed dispersion, the pH of the mixed dispersion is adjusted to acidity (for example, pH 2 to 5), and if necessary, a dispersion stabilizer is added, and then heated until the glass transition of the resin particles A temperature near the temperature (specifically, for example, -30° C. or higher and -10° C. or lower than the glass transition temperature of the resin particles) aggregates the dispersed particles in the mixed dispersion to form aggregated particles.

In the step of forming aggregated particles, for example, the mixed dispersion may be stirred by a rotary shear type homogenizer, and an aggregating agent may be added at room temperature (for example, 25° C.) to adjust the pH of the mixed dispersion to acidity (for example, pH 2 or more). 5 or less), heat after adding a dispersion stabilizer as needed.

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

An additive that forms a complex or similar bond with the metal ion of the coagulant may also be used together with the coagulant. As such an additive, a chelating agent is suitably used.

Examples of inorganic metal salts include metal salts such as calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, barium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, aluminum chloride, and aluminum sulfate; polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum hydroxide, calcium polysulfide and other inorganic metal salt polymers; etc.

As the chelating agent, a water-soluble chelating agent can be used. As a chelating agent, for example, tartaric acid, citric acid, gluconic acid and other oxidized carboxylic acids (Oxicarbon acid); iminodiacetic acid (IDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) isoaminocarboxylic acids; etc.

The amount of the chelating agent added is, for example, preferably 0.01 to 5.0 parts by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 3.0 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the resin particles.

- Fusion Congealing Step -

Then, the aggregated particle dispersion in which the aggregated particles are dispersed is heated, for example, to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the resin particles (for example, at a temperature 10° C. to 30° C. higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin particles), so that the aggregated particles Fusion coagulates to form toner particles.

Through the above steps, toner particles are obtained.

The toner particles can also be produced by obtaining an aggregated particle dispersion in which the aggregated particles are dispersed, and further mixing the aggregated particle dispersion with a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles are dispersed to further form the aggregated particles on the surface of the aggregated particles. Aggregating by attaching resin particles to form second aggregated particles; and heating the second aggregated particle dispersion in which the second aggregated particles are dispersed to fuse and coagulate the second aggregated particles to form a core-shell structure Steps of toner particles.

After the fusion and coagulation step is completed, the toner particles formed in the solution are subjected to known washing steps, solid-liquid separation steps, and drying steps to obtain toner particles in a dry state.

Regarding the washing step, from the viewpoint of chargeability, displacement washing with ion-exchanged water can be sufficiently performed. In addition, the solid-liquid separation step is not particularly limited, but suction filtration, pressure filtration, and the like may be performed from the viewpoint of productivity. Also, the method of the drying step is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of productivity, freeze drying, flash spray drying, fluidized bed drying, vibrating fluidized bed drying, etc. may be performed.

In addition, the toner in the embodiment of the present invention is produced, for example, by adding and mixing an external additive to toner particles in a dry state. For example, mixing can be performed with a V-type mixer, a Henschel mixer, a Loedige mixer, or the like. In addition, if necessary, coarse particles in the toner may be removed by a vibrating sifter, a wind sifter, or the like. <Electrostatic Image Developer>

The electrostatic image developer according to the embodiment of the present invention contains at least the toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. The electrostatic image developer of the embodiment of the present invention may be a one-component developer containing only the toner of the embodiment of the present invention, or may be a two-component developer obtained by mixing the toner with a carrier.

The carrier is not particularly limited, and known carriers are exemplified. Examples of the carrier include: a coated carrier in which a resin is coated on the surface of a core material formed of magnetic powder; a magnetic powder-dispersed carrier in which a magnetic powder is dispersed and mixed in a matrix resin; a resin-impregnated carrier in which a porous magnetic powder is impregnated. Resin-impregnated carrier; etc. The magnetic powder-dispersed carrier and the resin-impregnated carrier may be carriers in which the constituent particles of the carrier serve as a core material and the surface thereof is coated with a resin.

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

Examples of the conductive particles include metals such as gold, silver, and copper; particles such as carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, barium sulfate, aluminum borate, and potassium titanate; and the like.

Examples of coating resins and matrix resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl Ketones, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, styrene-acrylic acid copolymers, linear silicone resins containing organosiloxane bonds or modified products thereof, fluororesins, polyesters, polycarbonates, phenolic resins , epoxy resin, etc. Additives such as conductive materials may be contained in the coating resin and matrix resin.

When coating the surface of the core material with a resin, a method of coating with a solution for forming a coating layer obtained by dissolving a resin for coating and various additives (if necessary) in an appropriate solvent may be mentioned. The solvent is not particularly limited, and can be selected according to the type of resin to be used, coating suitability, and the like. Specific resin coating methods include: a dipping method in which a core material is immersed in a solution for forming a coating layer; a spraying method in which a solution for forming a coating layer is sprayed onto the surface of a core material; and a core material is floated by flowing air. A fluidized bed method in which a solution for forming a coating layer is sprayed down; a kneader coating method in which a core material of a carrier is mixed with a solution for forming a coating layer in a kneader coater, and then the solvent is removed; and the like.

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

<Imaging device/Imaging method>

The imaging apparatus and imaging method according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has: an image holding body; a charging member for charging the surface of the image holding body; an electrostatic image forming member for forming an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image holding body; an image developer, and the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holding member is developed into a toner image by the electrostatic image developer; the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding member is transferred to the recording medium a transfer member on the surface; and a fixing member that fixes the toner image transferred onto the surface of the recording medium. In addition, as the electrostatic image developer, the electrostatic image developer described in the embodiment of the present invention was used.

In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, an image forming method (image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention) including the steps of: a charging step of charging the surface of the image holding body; An electrostatic image forming step of forming an electrostatic image on a surface; a developing step of developing an electrostatic image formed on the surface of an image holder into a toner image using the electrostatic image developer according to an embodiment of the present invention; a transfer step of transferring the toner image onto the surface of the recording medium; and a fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred onto the surface of the recording medium.

The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention employs the following known image forming apparatuses: a direct transfer type apparatus that directly transfers a toner image formed on the surface of an image support onto a recording medium; An apparatus of a mode that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of an image holder onto the surface of an intermediate transfer member, and secondarily transfers the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member onto the surface of the recording medium; a device with a cleaning member that cleans the surface of the image holder before charging after the transfer of the toner image; a device with a static removing member that, after the transfer of the toner image, The charge-removing member irradiates charge-removing light onto the surface of the image holding body to remove charge before charging; and the like.

In the case where the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus of an intermediate transfer system, the transfer member, for example, adopts a configuration having an intermediate transfer member on which a toner image is transferred a primary transfer member that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to the surface of the intermediate transfer member; and secondary transfer of the toner image that has been transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member A secondary transfer member that transfers onto the surface of the recording medium.

In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, the portion including the developing member may be a cartridge structure (process cartridge) detachable from the image forming apparatus. As the process cartridge, for example, a process cartridge containing the electrostatic image developer according to the embodiment of the present invention and having a developing member is preferably used.

An example of the imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below, but is not limited thereto. In the following description, main parts shown in the drawings will be described, and descriptions of other parts will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus of a 5-series system with an intermediate transfer system.

The imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has first to fifth imaging units 10V, 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K (imaging components) in such a manner that they respectively output vermilion (V), Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) color images. These imaging units (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “units”) 10V, 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are arranged side by side at intervals of a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction. These units 10V, 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K may be process cartridges detachable from the image forming apparatus.

Below each of the units 10V, 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, an intermediate transfer belt (an example of an intermediate transfer body) 20 is extended to pass through each unit. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is wound around the drive roller 22, the support roller 23, and the opposing roller 24 that are in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20, and runs in a direction from the first unit 10V toward the fifth unit 10K. . On the side of the image holding surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 , an intermediate transfer member cleaning device 21 is arranged opposite to the drive roller 22 .

The respective toners of vermilion, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black contained in the toner cartridges 8V, 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are supplied to the developing devices of the respective units 10V, 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, respectively. (Examples of developing means) 4V, 4Y, 4M, 4C and 4K.

Since the first to fifth units 10V, 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K have the same configuration, operation, and function, here, the one for forming the vermilion image that is arranged on the upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt is used. The first unit 10V will be described as a representative.

The first unit 10V has a photoreceptor 1V serving as an image holding body. Around the photoreceptor 1V are sequentially provided: a charging roller (an example of a charging member) 2V that charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1V to a predetermined potential; an exposure device (an example of an electrostatic image forming member) 3V based on A color image signal, the charged surface is exposed by a laser beam, thereby forming an electrostatic image; a developing device (an example of a developing member) 4V, which supplies toner to the electrostatic image to develop the electrostatic image; primary transfer a roller (an example of a primary transfer member) 5V that transfers the developed toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 20; and a photoreceptor cleaning device (an example of a cleaning member) 6V that removes the Finally, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1V.

The primary transfer roller 5V is provided on the inner side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 at a position opposed to the photoreceptor 1V. Bias power sources (not shown) for applying a primary transfer bias voltage are connected to the primary transfer rollers 5V, 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K of the respective units, respectively. The bias power supply changes the transfer bias voltage applied to each primary transfer roller by the control of an unillustrated control section.

The operation of forming a vermilion image in the first unit 10V will be described below.

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

The photoreceptor 1V is formed by laminating a photosensitive layer on a conductive (for example, volume resistivity at 20° C. of 1×10 ⁻⁶ Ωcm or less) substrate. The photosensitive layer is generally high resistance (resistance of ordinary resin), but has such a property that when irradiated with a laser beam, the specific resistance of the portion irradiated with the laser beam changes. Therefore, the surface of the charged photoreceptor 1V is irradiated with a laser beam from the exposure device 3V based on the image data for vermilion sent from a control unit not shown in the figure. Thus, an electrostatic image of a vermilion image pattern is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1V.

An electrostatic image is an image formed on the surface of a photoreceptor 1V by charging, which is a so-called negative latent image formed by the laser beam from the exposure device 3V, the specific resistance of the irradiated part of the photosensitive layer is lowered, and the photosensitive The charged charges on the surface of the body 1V flow, and on the other hand, the charges of the portion not irradiated with the laser beam remain.

As the photoreceptor 1V travels, the electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor 1V is rotated to a predetermined developing position. Then, at the developing position, by the developing device 4V, the electrostatic image on the photoreceptor 1V is developed into a toner image to be visualized.

The developing device 4V contains, for example, an electrostatic image developer containing at least the toner and the carrier according to the embodiment of the present invention. The toner according to the embodiment of the present invention is triboelectrically charged by stirring inside the developing device 4V, and has the same polarity (negative polarity) as the charge on the photoreceptor 1V, thereby being held in the developer. roller (an example of a developer holding member). Then, by passing the surface of the photoreceptor 1V through the developing device 4V, the toner according to the embodiment of the present invention is electrostatically attached to the portion of the latent image after charge removal on the surface of the photoreceptor 1V, so that the latent image passes through the developing device 4V. developed with toner. The photoreceptor 1V formed with the vermilion toner image continues to run at a predetermined speed, and the toner image developed on the photoreceptor 1V is conveyed to a predetermined primary transfer position.

When the vermilion toner image on the photoreceptor 1V is conveyed to the primary transfer position, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 5V, and the electrostatic force from the photoreceptor 1V toward the primary transfer roller 5V acts on The toner image, and thus the toner image on the photoreceptor 1V is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 . The transfer bias applied at this time is the polarity (+) opposite to the toner polarity (-), and is controlled to be, for example, + by the control section (not shown) in the first unit 10V. 10μA.

On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1V is removed and recovered by the photoreceptor cleaning device 6V.

The primary transfer biases applied to the primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K after the second unit 10Y are controlled similarly to the first unit.

In this way, the intermediate transfer belt 20 on which the vermilion toner image is transferred in the first unit 10V is conveyed sequentially through the second to fifth units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, whereby the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed so that more secondary transfer.

The intermediate transfer belt 20 on which the 5-color toner images have been transferred multiple times by the first to fifth units reaches the secondary transfer section, which is composed of the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the intermediate transfer belt. A counter roller 24 in surface contact and a secondary transfer roller (an example of a secondary transfer member) 26 arranged on the image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 constitute. On the other hand, recording paper (an example of a recording medium) P is fed into the gap where the secondary transfer roller 26 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 at a predetermined time by the feeding mechanism, and the secondary transfer bias Pressure is applied to the counter roller 24 . The transfer bias applied at this time has the same (-) polarity as the polarity (-) of the toner, whereby the electrostatic force from the intermediate transfer belt 20 toward the recording paper P acts on the toner image. , so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred onto the recording paper P. It should be noted that the secondary transfer bias voltage at this time is determined based on the resistance detected by a resistance detection member (not shown) for detecting the resistance of the secondary transfer portion, and the voltage is controlled.

After that, the recording paper P is fed to a nip portion (nip portion) between a pair of fixing rollers in a fixing device (an example of a fixing member) 28, the toner image is fixed onto the recording paper P, Thus, a fixed image is formed.

As the recording paper P for transferring the toner image, for example, plain paper used in electrophotographic copiers, printers, and the like can be cited. As the recording medium, in addition to the recording paper P, OHP paper and the like can be cited.

In order to further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, the surface of the recording paper P is preferably smooth, for example, art paper obtained by coating the surface of plain paper with resin or the like, art paper for printing, etc. are suitably used.

The recording paper P on which the color image has been fixed is transported to the discharge unit, thereby completing a series of color image forming operations.

<Process Cartridge/Toner Cartridge>

The process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a developing member which accommodates the electrostatic image developer according to the embodiment of the present invention, and develops the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image holder with the electrostatic image developer as Toner image, the process cartridge is detachable from the image forming unit.

The process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and it may also be a configuration having a developing device and others selected from, for example, an image holding body, a charging member, an electrostatic image forming member, and a transfer member as necessary. and at least one of the other components.

An example of the process cartridge of the embodiment of the present invention is shown below, however, it is not limited thereto. In the following description, main parts shown in the drawings will be described, and descriptions of other parts will be omitted.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The process cartridge 200 shown in FIG. 2 is integrally held by, for example, a housing 117 provided with mounting rails 116 and an exposure opening 118: a photoreceptor 107 (an example of an image holding body), a photoreceptor 107 The surrounding charging roller 108 (an example of a charging member), a developing device 111 (an example of a developing member), and a photoreceptor cleaning device 113 (an example of a cleaning member) are formed in a box shape.

In FIG. 2, 109 denotes an exposure device (an example of an electrostatic image forming member), 112 denotes a transfer device (an example of a transfer member), 115 denotes a fixing device (an example of a fixing member), and 300 denotes a recording paper ( An example of a recording medium).

Next, the toner cartridge of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The toner cartridge of the embodiment of the present invention is a toner cartridge containing the toner of the embodiment of the present invention and detachable from the image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge contains replenishment toner for supply to a developing unit installed in the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus having a structure in which toner cartridges 8V, 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K can be detached therefrom, and developing devices 4V, 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are not shown in the figure. The toner supply tubes that go out are connected to the corresponding toner cartridges of each color. In addition, when the toner contained in the toner cartridge becomes low, the toner cartridge can be replaced.

[Example]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically through examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples as long as the gist of the present invention is not exceeded.

Hereinafter, "parts" are by mass unless otherwise specified.

The volume average particle diameters of the various particles prepared in the following Examples as well as the toner particles were measured by the following method.

-When the particle size is more than 2μm-

・Sample for measurement: 0.5 mg to 50 mg of particles are added to 2 mL of a 5% by mass aqueous solution of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (surfactant), and this is added to an electrolyte solution of 100 ml to 150 ml (Beckman Coulter Co. In ISOTON-II), it is prepared by dispersing in an ultrasonic disperser for 1 minute.

· Measuring device: Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter), with a pore diameter of 100 μm.

Using the above-mentioned measurement sample and measuring device, 50,000 particles of 2 μm to 60 μm were measured, and the volume average particle size distribution was obtained from the particle size distribution.

For the particle size range (channel) divided based on the particle size distribution, the volume cumulative distribution is drawn from the small diameter side, and the particle diameter at which the cumulative percentage is 50% is taken as the volume average particle diameter.

- When the particle size is less than 2 μm -

• Sample for measurement: Ion-exchanged water was added to the particle dispersion to adjust the solid content to about 10% by mass.

· Measuring device: laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring instrument (LS13320 manufactured by Beckman Coulter Co., Ltd.).

The above-mentioned measurement sample is put into the sample cell until the concentration is appropriate, and the measurement is performed when the scattering intensity reaches a sufficient value. For the particle size range (channel) divided based on the obtained particle size distribution, the volume cumulative distribution is plotted from the small diameter side, and the particle diameter at which the cumulative percentage is 50% is taken as the volume average particle diameter.

<Preparation of Dispersion Liquid of Lutein>

[Preparation of Astaxanthin Dispersion]

・Astaxanthin (ASTOTS-S manufactured by Takeda Paper Co., Ltd., astaxanthin concentration 20%) 200 parts

・Anionic surfactant (Neogen RK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts

·Ion-exchanged water 200 parts

The above-mentioned materials were mixed and heated to 100° C., dispersed with a homogenizer (UltraTurrax T50 manufactured by IKA Company), and dispersed with a Menton-Gaulin high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Gaulin Company) to obtain an astaxanthin dispersion (Astaxanthin Amount 10% by mass). The volume average particle diameter of the particles in the dispersion liquid was 150 nm.

[Preparation of canthaxanthin dispersion]

Canthaxanthin (Canthaxanthin 20% LF manufactured by Divis Nutraceuticals, canthaxanthin concentration 20%) 200 parts

・Anionic surfactant (Neogen RK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts

·Ion-exchanged water 200 parts

The above-mentioned materials were mixed and heated to 100° C., dispersed with a homogenizer (UltraTurrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), and dispersed with a Menton-Gaulin high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Gaulin Corporation) to obtain a canthaxanthin dispersion (the amount of canthaxanthin was 10 quality%). The volume average particle diameter of the particles in the dispersion liquid was 150 nm.

[Preparation of Lutein Dispersion]

· Lutein (Lutein 20% LF from Divis Nutraceuticals, lutein concentration 20%)

200 copies

・Anionic surfactant (Neogen RK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts

·Ion-exchanged water 200 parts

The above-mentioned materials were mixed and heated to 100° C., dispersed with a homogenizer (UltraTurrax T50 manufactured by IKA Company), and then dispersed with a Menton-Gaulin high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Gaulin Company) to obtain a lutein dispersion (amount of lutein 10 quality%). The volume average particle diameter of the particles in the dispersion liquid was 150 nm.

<Preparation of Dispersion Liquid of Carophylls>

[Preparation of Lycopene Dispersion]

・Lycopene (lycopene 18 manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Bio, 18% lycopene concentration) 222 parts

・Anionic surfactant (Neogen RK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts

·Ion-exchanged water 178 parts

The above materials were mixed and heated to 100° C., dispersed with a homogenizer (UltraTurrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), and dispersed with a Menton-Gaulin high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Gaulin Corporation) to obtain a lycopene dispersion (lycopene Amount 10% by mass). The volume average particle diameter of the particles in the dispersion liquid was 150 nm.

[Preparation of β-Carotene Dispersion]

· β-Carotene (Beta-Carotene 22% LF manufactured by Divis Nutraceuticals, 22% concentration of β-Carotene) 182 parts

・Anionic surfactant (NeogenRK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts

·Ion-exchanged water 218 parts

The above materials were mixed and heated to 100°C, dispersed with a homogenizer (UltraTurrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), and then dispersed with a Menton-Gaulin high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Gaulin Corporation) to obtain a β-chlorophyll dispersion (β-chlorophyll Amount 10% by mass). The volume average particle diameter of the particles in the dispersion was 150 nm.

<Example 1>

[Preparation of Resin Particle Dispersion (1)]

· Polyester resin (1) (ethylene oxide adduct of terephthalic acid/fumaric acid/bisphenol A/propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A=30 mol/70 mol/5 mol/95 Mole, weight average molecular weight 18,000, glass transition temperature 60°C) 160 parts

·Ethyl acetate 233 parts

0.3N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution 0.1 parts

The above-mentioned materials were put into a separable flask, heated at 70° C., and stirred with a stirrer (three-in-one motor manufactured by Shinto Scientific Co., Ltd.) to prepare a mixed liquid. Stirring this mixed solution, 373 parts of ion-exchanged water was slowly added for phase inversion emulsification, and then the solvent was removed to obtain a resin particle dispersion (1) (30% by mass of solid content). The volume average particle diameter of the resin particles in the dispersion liquid was 180 nm.

[Preparation of Release Agent Dispersion (1)]

・Paraffin wax (HNP-9 manufactured by Nippon Seika Co., Ltd.) 100 parts

・Anionic surfactant (NeogenRK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 1 part

·Ion-exchanged water 350 parts

The above materials were mixed and heated to 100° C., dispersed with a homogenizer (UltraTurrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), and then dispersed with a Menton-Gaulin high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Gaulin Corporation) to obtain a release agent dispersion (1) ( Solid content 20% by mass). The volume average particle diameter of the release agent particles in the dispersion liquid was 200 nm.

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above-mentioned materials were put into a circular stainless steel flask, and after adding 0.1N nitric acid to adjust the pH to 3.5, 30 parts of an aqueous solution of nitric acid having a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Then, after dispersing at 30° C. with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), it was heated to 45° C. in a heating oil bath and kept for 30 minutes. Then, 96.7 parts of resin particle dispersion liquid (1) was slowly added and kept for 1 hour, and 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, and then heated to 85° C. while continuing to stir, and kept for 5 hours. Then, it was cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 20° C./minute, filtered, thoroughly washed with ion-exchanged water, and dried to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.4 μm.

[Preparation of externally added toner]

100 parts of toner particles and 0.7 parts of simethicone-treated silica particles (RY200 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) were mixed with a Henschel mixer to obtain a toner.

[Preparation of developer]

The above-mentioned components except ferrite particles were dispersed with a sand mill to prepare a dispersion liquid, and the dispersion liquid was put into a vacuum degassing kneader together with ferrite particles, and dried under reduced pressure while stirring, thereby obtaining carrier.

With respect to 100 parts of the above-mentioned carrier, 5 parts of toner were mixed to obtain a developer.

<Examples 2 to 40>

The externally added toner and developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, but the difference was that the type and mixing ratio of the materials were changed according to the content of the colorant in Table 1 or Table 2, thereby preparing toner agent granules.

<Example 41>

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above materials were kneaded with an extruder, pulverized with a pulverizer of a surface pulverization method, and then classified into fine particles and coarse particles with a wind sifter to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.5 μm.

Using the above toner particles, in the same manner as in Example 1, an externally added toner and a developer were prepared.

<Example 42>

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above materials were kneaded with an extruder, pulverized with a pulverizer of a surface pulverization method, and then classified into fine particles and coarse particles with a wind sifter to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.5 μm.

Using the above toner particles, in the same manner as in Example 1, an externally added toner and a developer were prepared.

<Example 43>

[Preparation of Pigment Dispersion (1)]

Pigment Yellow 180 (Novoperm Yellow P-HG manufactured by Clariant) 70 parts

・Anionic surfactant (Neogen RK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 1 part

·Ion-exchanged water 200 parts

The above materials were mixed and dispersed for 10 minutes with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA). Ion-exchanged water was added so that the solid content in the dispersion liquid was 20% by mass to obtain a pigment dispersion liquid (1) in which particles having a volume average particle diameter of 190 nm were dispersed.

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above-mentioned materials were put into a circular stainless steel flask, and after adding 0.1N nitric acid to adjust the pH to 3.5, 30 parts of an aqueous solution of nitric acid having a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Then, after dispersing at 30° C. with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), it was heated to 45° C. in a heating oil bath and kept for 30 minutes. Then, 94.7 parts of resin particle dispersion liquid (1) was slowly added and kept for 1 hour, and 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, then heated to 85° C. while continuing to stir, and kept for 5 hours. Then, it was cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 20° C./minute, filtered, thoroughly washed with ion-exchanged water, and dried to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.3 μm.

Using the above toner particles, in the same manner as in Example 1, an externally added toner and a developer were prepared.

<Example 44>

[Preparation of Pigment Dispersion Liquid (2)]

Pigment Red 122 (FASTOGEN Super Magenta RTS manufactured by DIC Corporation) 70 parts

・Anionic surfactant (Neogen RK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 1 part

·Ion-exchanged water 200 parts

The above materials were mixed and dispersed for 10 minutes with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA). Ion-exchanged water was added so that the solid content in the dispersion liquid was 20% by mass to obtain a pigment dispersion liquid (2) in which particles having a volume average particle diameter of 120 nm were dispersed.

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above-mentioned materials were put into a circular stainless steel flask, and after adding 0.1N nitric acid to adjust the pH to 3.5, 30 parts of an aqueous solution of nitric acid having a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Then, after dispersing at 30° C. with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), it was heated to 45° C. in a heating oil bath and kept for 30 minutes. Then, 95.1 parts of resin particle dispersion liquid (1) was slowly added and kept for 1 hour, and 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, then heated to 85° C. while continuing to stir, and kept for 5 hours. Then, it was cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 20° C./minute, filtered, thoroughly washed with ion-exchanged water, and dried to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.5 μm.

Using the above toner particles, in the same manner as in Example 1, an externally added toner and a developer were prepared.

<Example 45>

[Preparation of resin particle dispersion (2)]

・Styrene-acrylic resin (1) (styrene/n-butyl acrylate/β-carboxyethyl acrylate/1,10-decanediol diacrylate = 310 parts/100 parts/9 parts/1.5 parts (during polymerization Input amount), weight average molecular weight 33,000, glass transition temperature 53°C) 160 parts

·Ethyl acetate 233 parts

0.1 part of 0.3N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution

The above-mentioned materials were put into a separable flask, heated at 70° C., and stirred with a stirrer (three-in-one motor manufactured by Shinto Scientific Co., Ltd.) to prepare a mixed solution. While stirring this mixed solution, 373 parts of ion-exchanged water was slowly added to cause phase inversion emulsification, and then the solvent was removed to obtain a resin particle dispersion (2) (30% by mass of solid content). The volume average particle diameter of the resin particles in the dispersion liquid was 180 nm.

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above-mentioned materials were put into a circular stainless steel flask, and after adding 0.1N nitric acid to adjust the pH to 3.5, 30 parts of an aqueous solution of nitric acid having a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Then, after dispersing at 30° C. with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), it was heated to 45° C. in a heating oil bath and kept for 30 minutes. Then, 96.7 parts of resin particle dispersion liquid (2) was slowly added and kept for 1 hour, and 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, then heated to 85° C. while continuing to stir, and kept for 5 hours. Then, it was cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 20° C./minute, filtered, thoroughly washed with ion-exchanged water, and dried to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.4 μm.

Using the above toner particles, in the same manner as in Example 1, an externally added toner and a developer were prepared.

<Comparative examples 1 to 7>

Externally added toners and developers were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the types of materials and mixing ratios were changed so that the content of the colorant was shown in Table 3 to prepare toner particles.

<Comparative example 8>

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above-mentioned materials were put into a circular stainless steel flask, and after adding 0.1N nitric acid to adjust the pH to 3.5, 30 parts of an aqueous solution of nitric acid having a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Then, after dispersing at 30° C. with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), it was heated to 45° C. in a heating oil bath and kept for 30 minutes. Then, 96.3 parts of resin particle dispersion liquid (1) was slowly added and kept for 1 hour, and 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, then heated to 85° C. while continuing to stir, and kept for 5 hours. Then, it was cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 20° C./minute, filtered, thoroughly washed with ion-exchanged water, and dried to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.5 μm.

Using the above toner particles, in the same manner as in Example 1, an externally added toner and a developer were prepared.

<Comparative example 9>

[Preparation of Fluorescent Pigment Dispersion (1)]

・Fluorescent pigment (SF-5013 Red manufactured by シンロイヒ Co., Ltd.) 70 parts

・Anionic surfactant (NeogenRK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 1 part

·Ion-exchanged water 200 parts

The above materials were mixed and dispersed for 10 minutes with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA). Ion-exchanged water was added so that the solid content in the dispersion liquid was 20% by mass, thereby obtaining a fluorescent pigment dispersion liquid (1) in which particles having a volume average particle diameter of 130 nm were dispersed.

[Preparation of Fluorescent Pigment Dispersion (2)]

Disperse in the same manner as the fluorescent pigment dispersion (1), except that the fluorescent pigment is changed to SF-5014 Orange (manufactured by Shinroyhe Co., Ltd.) to obtain a fluorescent pigment dispersed with particles having a volume average particle diameter of 130 nm. Dispersion (2).

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above-mentioned materials were put into a circular stainless steel flask, and after adding 0.1N nitric acid to adjust the pH to 3.5, 30 parts of an aqueous solution of nitric acid having a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Then, after dispersing at 30° C. with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), it was heated to 45° C. in a heating oil bath and kept for 30 minutes. Then, 97.9 parts of resin particle dispersion liquid (1) was slowly added and kept for 1 hour, and 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, then heated to 85° C. while continuing to stir, and kept for 5 hours. Then, it was cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 20° C./minute, filtered, thoroughly washed with ion-exchanged water, and dried to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.7 μm.

Using the above toner particles, in the same manner as in Example 1, an externally added toner and a developer were prepared.

<Comparative Example 10>

[Preparation of Pigment Dispersion (3)]

Pigment Red 48:1 (Fuji Red K manufactured by Fuji Pigment Co., Ltd.) 70 parts

・Anionic surfactant (NeogenRK manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) 1 part

·Ion-exchanged water 200 parts

The above materials were mixed and dispersed for 10 minutes with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA). Ion-exchanged water was added so that the solid content in the dispersion liquid was 20% by mass to obtain a pigment dispersion liquid (3) in which particles having a volume average particle diameter of 70 nm were dispersed.

[Preparation of Toner Particles]

The above-mentioned materials were put into a circular stainless steel flask, and after adding 0.1N nitric acid to adjust the pH to 3.5, 30 parts of an aqueous solution of nitric acid having a polyaluminum chloride concentration of 10% by mass was added. Then, after dispersing at 30° C. with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50 manufactured by IKA Corporation), it was heated to 45° C. in a heating oil bath and kept for 30 minutes. Then, 96.4 parts of resin particle dispersion liquid (1) was added slowly and kept for 1 hour, and 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 8.5, and then heated to 85° C. while continuing to stir, and kept for 5 hours. Then, it was cooled to 20° C. at a rate of 20° C./minute, filtered, thoroughly washed with ion-exchanged water, and dried to obtain toner particles with a volume average particle diameter of 7.3 μm.

Using the above toner particles, in the same manner as in Example 1, an externally added toner and a developer were prepared.

<Evaluation>

[Color reproduction]

The following operations, imaging, and measurements were all performed in an environment of temperature 25° C./humidity 60%.

DocuCentre Color 400CP manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. was prepared as an image forming apparatus for forming an image for evaluation, and the developers of the respective examples and comparative examples were put in the developing device, and the toner was put in the toner cartridge. Then, on paper (J paper manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., ISO whiteness 89%), an image (5 cm×5 cm in size, 4.8 g/m ² toner amount) with a monochromatic density of 100% was formed.

For the L ^* value, a ^* value, and b ^* value in the CIE1976L ^* a ^* b ^* color system of the formed image, X-Rite939 (pore diameter: 4 mm) manufactured by X-Rite Co., Ltd. was used to measure 10 points arbitrarily, and L was calculated. Average of ^* value, a ^* value and b ^* value.

Then, based on the following formula, the color difference ΔE between the formed image and the vermilion index (PANTONE Warm Red C) was calculated, and the color reproducibility was judged according to the following judgment criteria. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

[mathematical formula 1]

$\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; \&Delta;E</span>}<span\; class="notranslate">\; =</span>\sqrt{{<span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 1</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; -</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; L</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 2</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>}^{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 2</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; +</span>{<span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; a</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 1</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; -</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; a</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 2</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>}^{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 2</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; +</span>{<span\; class="notranslate">\; (</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; b</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 1</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; -</span>{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; b</span>}}_{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 2</span>}}<span\; class="notranslate">\; )</span>}^{\mathrm{<span\; class="notranslate">\; 2</span>}}}$

L ₁ , a ₁ , and b ₁ are the L ^* value, a ^* value, and b ^* value of the vermilion index, and L ₁ =59, a ₁ =69, and b ₁ =51. L ₂ , a ₂ , and b ₂ are the L ^* value, a ^* value, and b ^* value of the formed image.

- Judgment criteria -

AA: ΔE less than 4

A: ΔE is more than 4 and less than 7

B: ΔE is 7 or more and less than 10

C: ΔE is more than 10 and less than 15

D: ΔE is 15 or more

However, up to C is the allowable range.

[light resistance]

For the image formed under the same conditions as above, ultraviolet radiation (illuminance 99k lux) 240 Hour. The color difference ΔE of the image before and after ultraviolet irradiation was calculated, and the light resistance was judged according to the following judgment criteria. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

- Judgment criteria -

AA: ΔE less than 5

A: ΔE is more than 5 but less than 10

B: ΔE is more than 10 and less than 15

C: ΔE is 15 to 20

D: ΔE is more than 20 and less than 25

E: ΔE is more than 25 and less than 30

F: ΔE is more than 30 and less than 40

G: ΔE is 40 or more

However, up to F is the allowable range.

Claims (20)

1. the electrostatic image developing toner containing toner-particle, wherein, described toner-particle contains resin glue, xenthophylls class and erythrophyll class.

2. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the total amount of described xenthophylls class and described erythrophyll class accounts for below more than the 0.5 quality % 20 quality % of described toner-particle.

3. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described xenthophylls class contained in described toner-particle and the mass ratio of described erythrophyll class: xenthophylls class/erythrophyll class is less than more than 0.5 3.0.

4. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the content of the described xenthophylls class in described toner-particle is below more than 0.2 quality % 15 quality %.

5. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the content of the described erythrophyll class in described toner-particle is below more than 0.2 quality % 15 quality %.

6. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described xenthophylls class is astaxanthin, and described erythrophyll class is lycopene.

7. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 6, wherein, described astaxanthin class contained in described toner-particle and the mass ratio of described lycopene class: astaxanthin class/lycopene class is less than more than 0.5 3.0.

8. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 6, wherein, the total amount of described xenthophylls class and described erythrophyll class accounts for more than the 30 quality % of the total amount of the colorant in described toner-particle.

9. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 1, wherein, containing Chinese white in described toner-particle.

10. electrostatic image developing toner as claimed in claim 9, wherein, described Chinese white is selected from least one in the group be made up of silicon dioxide, titania, aluminium oxide.

11. electrostatic image developing toners as claimed in claim 7, wherein, the total amount of xenthophylls class, erythrophyll class and Chinese white accounts for more than the 85 quality % of the total amount of the colorant in described toner-particle.

12. electrostatic image developing toners as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described resin glue contains vibrin.

13. electrostatic image developing toners as claimed in claim 12, wherein, the weight-average molecular weight Mw of described vibrin is 5, more than 000 1,000, less than 000.

14. electrostatic image developing toners as claimed in claim 12, wherein, the molecular weight distribution mw/mn of described vibrin is less than more than 1.5 100.

15. electrostatic image developing toners as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described toner-particle contains detackifier, and the fluxing temperature of described detackifier is more than 50 DEG C less than 110 DEG C.

16. electrostatic image developing toners as claimed in claim 15, wherein, the content of the described detackifier in described toner-particle is below more than 1 quality % 20 quality %.

17. electrostatic image developing toners as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the shape factor S F1 of described toner-particle is less than more than 110 150.

18. 1 kinds of electrostatic charge image developers, it contains electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1.

19. electrostatic charge image developers as claimed in claim 18, it contains carrier, and described carrier is the resin-coated carrier comprising carbon black.

20. 1 kinds of toner Cartridges, it accommodates electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 1, and can disassemble from imaging device.