Image forming apparatus and process cartridge including a toner satisfying relations
AssigneeFUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
InventorsJun Sekiya, Masataka Kuribayashi, Makoto Kamisaki, Shota Oshima
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes: a developing section that forms a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image using toner. The toner satisfies the following relations: (lnη(T1)−lnη(T2))/(T1−T2)≤−0.14; (lnη(T2)−lnη(T3))/(T2−T3)≥−0.15; and (lnη(T1)−lnη(T2))/(T1−T2)<(lnη(T2)−lnη(T3))/(T2−T3), where η(T1) represents a viscosity of the toner at 60° C., η(T2) represents a viscosity of the toner at 90° C., and η(T3) represents a viscosity of the toner at 130° C.).
Claims14
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- an image carrier that includes a conductive substrate, a photosensitive layer, and a surface-protecting layer;
- a charging section configured to charge a surface of the image carrier;
- a latent image forming section configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier;
- a developing section configured to form a toner image by developing the electrostatic latent image using toner;
- a transfer section configured to transfer the toner image to a recording medium;
- and
- a cleaning section configured to remove toner residue on the surface of the image carrier using a cleaning blade,
- wherein the toner satisfies the following relations:
- (lnη(T1)−lnη(T2))/(T1−T2)≤−0.14;
- (lnη(T2)−lnη(T3))/(T2−T3)≥−0.15;
- and
- (lnη(T1)−lnη(T2))/(T1−T2)<(lnη(T2)−lnη(T3))/(T2−T3),
- wherein has units of Pa·s,
- wherein T1=60° C., T2=90° C., and T3=130° C., and
- wherein η(T1) represents a viscosity of the toner at 60° C., η(T2) represents a viscosity of the toner at 90° C., and η(T3) represents a viscosity of the toner at 130° C.
A process cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising:
- a developing section configured to contain toner for electrostatic charge image development and to develop an electrostatic charge image formed on a surface of an electrophotographic photoreceptor into a toner image for electrostatic charge image development;
- and
- a cleaning section that has a cleaning blade configured to clean the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor by contacting the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor,
- wherein the toner satisfies the following relations:
- (lnη(T1)−lnη(T2))/(T1−T2)≤−0.14;
- (lnη(T2)−lnη(T3))/(T2−T3)≥−0.15;
- and
- (lnη(T1)−lnη(T2))/(T1−T2)<(lnη(T2)−lnη(T3))/(T2−T3),
- wherein η has units of Pa·s,
- wherein T1=60° C., T2=90° C., and T3=130° C., and
- wherein η(T1) represents a viscosity of the toner at 60° C., η(T2) represents a viscosity of the toner at 90° C., and η(T3) represents a viscosity of the toner at 130° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.