JP3533549B2 - Storage and transportation method of electrophotographic photoreceptor - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photoconductor substrate for electrophotography and a packaging box used for storage and transportation of the photoconductor for electrophotography, and more specifically, aluminum anodization on the surface used for the photoconductor for electrophotography. A packaging box for storing and transporting an aluminum substrate having a film between its sealing treatment and coating of a photosensitive layer, a storage box for an electrophotographic photoreceptor using the same, and The present invention relates to a packaging box for transportation and a method of storing and transporting the aluminum substrate and the electrophotographic photosensitive member using the packaging box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electrophotographic technology has been developed in the field of copiers, and has recently been applied to laser printers and the like, boasting high image quality, high speed, and quietness comparable to conventional impact printers. Used in most of current recording devices. Photoreceptors used in these devices are formed by providing a photoconductive layer on the surface of a conductive substrate. As a material for the photoconductive layer, a material using an organic material is mainly used, and as a layer structure, an undercoat layer (U) is formed on the surface of the substrate.
CL), charge generation layer (CGL), charge transfer layer (CTL)
A function-separated structure in which the layers are sequentially laminated is generally used. The material of the first layer UCL applied to the surface of the substrate is divided into two types: a type that uses a resin type material such as a polyamide type or melamine type, and a type that forms an anodic oxide film on the surface of the aluminum substrate. However, the latter is generally more advantageous in terms of reliability under high temperature and high humidity environment.

[0003]

The final step of the treatment for forming the anodized film on the surface of the aluminum substrate is a sealing treatment, and this sealing treatment includes pure water sealing, vapor sealing and the like. It is common to use a simple nickel acetate seal. When the photosensitive layer is applied after such a sealing treatment, the potential of the photosensitive member is maintained by the ions and oxides in the sealing agent remaining on the surface of the anodized film, such as nickel oxide when nickel acetate is used. Rate (dark decay retention rate) is reduced, and print quality is adversely affected. That is, in the reversal phenomenon method, a fogging phenomenon and a black spot occur. For this reason, the photosensitive layer is applied after the work of cleaning the anodized film. The cleaning agent used for this work has a pH of 9 to 1
An alkaline detergent of 0 has been found to be effective. However, depending on the surface condition of the anodic oxide film, the alkali resistance may be weak, or if the cleaning property is poor, the surface is partially etched by cleaning, resulting in uneven film thickness when the photosensitive layer is applied. In some cases, this is also reflected in the print quality, resulting in uneven density, which is a problem.

The quality of electrophotographic photoconductors (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "photoconductor") is that print density (image density) is uniform, and then printing defects (image defects: black dots and It is required that there is no white spot. The former print density often occurs when the coating film thickness of the photoconductor is not uniform for the reasons described above, but uneven print density may occur even when the coating film thickness of the photoconductor is uniform.

The printing density is the distance between the developing roller of a copying machine or printer and the surface of the photoconductor (DSD: Drum Sleeve Distan
ce), and if the DSD varies in the lengthwise direction of the photoconductor, the print density becomes non-uniform.

The method of determining the DSD depends on the design concept of the copying machine or the printer, and the problem of uneven printing density occurs when the developing roller 3 is applied to the photosensitive layer non-coated portions 2 at both ends of the photosensitive member 1 as shown in FIG. This is the case where the roller receiver 4 is contacted to determine the DSD. In this case, the photoconductor 1
The non-applied part 2 of is easily worn due to contact with the roller receiver 4,
The DSD becomes smaller as a whole after repeated use, and the DSD becomes non-uniform due to the difference in wear between the left and right sides, which causes uneven printing density. And "white streaks" occur, which is a problem.

Further, not only the developing roller but also the charging roller may come into contact with the photosensitive layer non-coated portions on both peripheral portions of the photoreceptor. Also in this case, the abrasion of the non-coated portion becomes a problem, which causes uneven printing density.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a uniform coating of a photosensitive layer on the surface of an aluminum substrate on which an anodic oxide film has been formed, and to obtain an electrophotographic photosensitive member which does not deteriorate the printing quality. It is to provide the means that can.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the problem of uneven print density due to abrasion of the photosensitive layer non-coated portions on both ends of the photosensitive member, and to prevent deterioration of printing quality for a long period of time. The object is to provide means for obtaining a photographic photoreceptor.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention for solving the above problems is as follows. (1) Water permeability is 100 hours or less or average water vapor permeability is 10
Manufactured using packaging materials that are 00g / m ² · 24h or more
Using the electrophotographic photoconductor packaging box prepared above, an electrophotographic photoconductor having an aluminum substrate having an aluminum anodic oxide film on its surface is used.
It is a method of storing an electrophotographic photoreceptor, which is characterized in that it is stored until it has a Vickers hardness (Hv) of 200 or more .

(2) Water permeability is 100 hours or less or average
Packing material with moisture permeability of 1000g / m ² · 24h or more
Using the packaging box of the electrophotographic photoconductor prepared by using, the electrophotographic photoconductor having aluminum as a substrate having an aluminum anodic oxide film on the surface is transported and
The hardness of the non-coated portion of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is Vickers.
The method for transporting an electrophotographic photoreceptor is characterized in that the hardness (Hv) is 200 or more .

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As a result of earnest studies, the present inventor found that
The surface condition of the anodized film (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “film”) can be described by the degree of sealing (hereinafter abbreviated as “sealing degree”), and also the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor. It has been found that the hardness of the non-coated portion is preferably Hv = 200 or more in Vickers hardness in order to make it difficult to wear. Therefore, the present inventor has studied the sealing mechanism when the film is formed on the surface of the aluminum substrate in order to obtain good cleanability before coating the photosensitive layer and high hardness.

The coating is formed by arranging hexagonal columnar crystals having pores of 300 to 400 Å in the center. It is known that by blocking this hole, the corrosion resistance is improved, the adsorptivity of dirt and the like is significantly reduced, and the hardness required for improving the wear resistance is also improved. The treatment for closing this hole is the sealing treatment which is incorporated in the final step of the anodizing treatment step. Therefore, the better the degree of sealing, the higher the hardness of the film. However, the better the degree of sealing, the better the cleaning property before coating the photosensitive layer and the more efficient the removal of ions and nickel oxides on the surface of the coating. It was also found that a photoreceptor having good image quality was obtained as a result.

The degree of sealing can be controlled by the sealing conditions in the sealing treatment step, which is the final step of the anodic oxidation treatment. That is, the longer the sealing treatment time (the time of immersing in the sealing treatment liquid) and the higher the sealing treatment temperature (temperature of the sealing treatment liquid), the more the degree of sealing of the film can be improved.

Further, it is generally known that the degree of sealing progresses even after the sealing treatment depending on the humidity of the leaving environment. This is called natural sealing. However, the sealing mechanism is different in both cases, the former improves the sealing degree due to the precipitation of hydroxide of the sealing agent in the sealing liquid, while the latter causes the volume expansion due to the hydration reaction of the film to seal the pores. The degree improves. Here, if the former method is used to improve the degree of sealing, the following problems occur.

That is, if the sealing treatment temperature is increased or the sealing treatment time is lengthened, the nickel concentration on the coating surface rises, and when used as a photoconductor substrate, the nickel, particularly nickel oxide, injects charge. As a result, the print quality deteriorates due to "fog", "black spots", and the like.

Therefore, in order to improve the hardness of the non-coated portion of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive substrate on which the film is formed, the present inventor says that it is desirable to improve the degree of sealing by natural sealing after coating the photosensitive layer. Further investigation was conducted based on the findings. It has already been known that the progress of natural sealing depends on the environment in which it is left, and the humidity dependency is particularly large, and the phenomenon is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-50363 and Japanese Patent Application No. 7-210327. An electrophotographic photosensitive member utilizing is disclosed. Therefore, as a result of an examination from this point of view, it became clear that the change in hardness of the coating due to the progress of the natural sealing is as shown in FIG.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the progress of the natural sealing greatly depends on the humidity, and the higher the humidity is, the more remarkable it is. Conversely, in a closed space, the humidity will decrease with time,
The progress of natural sealing is reduced. Therefore, in order to proceed with the natural sealing, it is necessary to leave it under a proper humidity for a certain period after coating the photosensitive layer. However, until now, the photoconductor is usually packed in a packaging box or a transportation box (hereinafter referred to as a packaging material) after being coated with the photosensitive layer, and is closed in a sealed space, so natural sealing is not likely to proceed remarkably. It was in a state. That is, as a result, Hv = 2 in Vickers hardness
It will take a long time to satisfy 00 or more.

In general, the step of anodizing treatment including the sealing treatment and the step of applying the photosensitive layer are separated from each other in most places, so that the aluminum element tube after the sealing treatment is replaced with the photosensitive layer. It is necessary to transport and store to the coating process, but the transport and storage boxes are also closed boxes. Therefore, during this period, natural sealing is promoted to improve the cleaning property before coating the photosensitive layer. However, it has been difficult to efficiently remove the ions and nickel oxides on the film surface.
In other words, it usually takes 3 days from transportation after the sealing treatment to coating of the photosensitive layer by transportation, etc. Therefore, if the natural sealing can be sufficiently promoted during this period, good cleaning property can be obtained and uniform Therefore, it is possible to realize a photosensitive layer that is different from the above.

The packing box of the present invention was obtained by various experiments based on the above findings and has a water permeability of 10
0 hours or less, preferably 80 hours or less, or an average moisture permeability of 1000 g / m ² · 24 h or more, preferably 120
It is produced using a packaging material having a weight of 0 g / m ² · 24 h or more. Therefore, when the packaging box of the present invention is used for transporting and storing the blank tube after the sealing treatment to the photosensitive layer coating step, the film thickness unevenness at the time of coating the photosensitive layer is eliminated and good print quality is obtained. . In addition, when such a packaging box is used for storage and transportation of an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a film-coated substrate, natural sealing significantly progresses even after such a photosensitive member is packaged as a product, and unpacking the photosensitive member to expose the photosensitive member. When the body is used (usually about 7 days after packaging), the Vickers hardness of the anodized film on the uncoated portion of the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor is sufficient to suppress wear.
It comes to satisfy v = 200 or more.

A corrosion resistance test (JIS H 868) was used to quantify the degree of sealing of the anodic oxide film on the uncoated photosensitive layer of the photoconductor.
1-188), phosphoric acid chromic acid aqueous solution immersion test (JIS
H 8683-1979), etc., but the admittance test (JIS 8683-1979) is the simplest, and it is preferable that the Y value in terms of the coating film thickness of 200 μm at the time of application is 50 μm or less.

The packaging box of the present invention is not particularly limited in its material, size, shape, etc., as long as the above conditions are satisfied, and it may be cardboard or resin, in order to improve the air permeability of the material. You may provide a hole in.

The water permeability is measured by the water permeability test (JIS Z 1
504-1976), and the measurement of the average water vapor transmission rate is performed in accordance with the moisture vapor transmission test (JIS Z 1504-1976).

[0028]

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be explained based on examples. First, proper formation of an aluminum anodic oxide film on the surface of an aluminum substrate of the photoconductor used in this example was carried out as follows. After finishing the surface of the aluminum substrate to a desired surface roughness by cutting, a degreasing agent (Fine Cleaner 315: Nippon Parker Rising Co., Ltd.)
Made: Degreasing is performed at a temperature of 50 ° C., and an acidic degreasing agent (STACLEAN A-100, manufactured by Chuo Kagaku Co., Ltd .: Temperature 4)
It was degreased at 0 ° C.) and washed with water to remove the degreasing agent. afterwards,
Further degreasing was carried out with nitric acid (HNO ₃ : 10% by weight). Next, since the electrolytic treatment is preferably performed in sulfuric acid, the sulfuric acid concentration was set to 150 g / l, and the amount of aluminum dissolved in sulfuric acid was set to 10 g / l or less. Further, the sulfuric acid temperature is preferably 16 to 22 ° C., more preferably 19 to 20 ° C., so the range is set within this range. After the electrolytic treatment, it was washed with pure water and then subjected to a sealing treatment. Nickel acetate solution (additive: Sealex B: manufactured by Meltex Co., Ltd.) is used for sealing treatment.
The temperature was 70 ° C. and the time was 8 minutes. After that, 50 ℃
It was dried with hot air.

The material of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member used in this example is CGL with X-type metal-free phthalocyanine having a mean particle size of 200 nm and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer of 4: 6.
A material in which a butadiene-based charge transfer agent and a polycarbonate resin (molecular weight: about 30,000) were mixed with CTL was used.

Reference Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Reference Example 1 and 2 Six types of cardboard boxes having outer diameters of 430 × 300 × 580 mm ( Reference Examples 1, 2, 3 and 4 are water permeability 97 and 6 respectively.
1, 45, and 33 hours, and Comparative Reference Examples 1 and 2 having water permeability of 150 and 125 hours, respectively, were prepared, and the aluminum tube immediately after the sealing treatment was stored in these cardboard boxes. The packing was sealed with duct tape.

The packaged raw tube has a temperature of 25 ° C. and a humidity of 50% R
It was stored in the H environment (warehouse). Table 1 below shows the change in the degree of sealing (Y value) after 3 days, and the results of the continuous image test conducted on the photoconductor prepared under the above-mentioned conditions using such a raw tube. The conditions for the continuous image test are as follows. Copy image: Halftone Environmental condition: 20 ° C./45% Copy speed: 5 sheets / min Evaluation: Good, Good, Bad.

[0032]

[Table 1]

As is apparent from Table 1 above, Reference Examples 1 to 1
No. 4 markedly progressed in natural sealing compared to Comparative Reference Examples 1 and 2,
Therefore, when the packaging boxes of Reference Examples 1 to 4 were used, a photoconductor having good image quality could be obtained.

Reference Examples 5 and 6, Comparative Reference Examples 3 to 6 Six types of cardboard boxes having outer diameters of 430 × 300 × 580 mm ( reference examples 5 and 6 are average moisture permeability 1205 and 15 respectively).
34 g / m ² · 24h, Comparative Reference Examples 3, 4, 5, 6
Are average water vapor transmission rates of 522, 634, 802, 915 g /
m ² .24 h) was prepared and the aluminum tube immediately after the sealing treatment was stored in these corrugated cardboard boxes. The packing was sealed with duct tape.

The packaged raw tube has a temperature of 25 ° C. and a humidity of 50% R
It was stored in the H environment (warehouse). Table 2 below shows the changes in the degree of sealing (Y value) after 3 days and the results of the continuous image test conducted on the photoconductors produced under the above conditions using the raw tube. The continuous image test and evaluation method are the same as in Reference Example 1.

[0036]

[Table 2]

As is apparent from Table 2 above, Reference Example 5,
6, the natural sealing progressed remarkably as compared with Comparative Reference Examples 3 to 6,
Therefore, when the packaging boxes of Reference Examples 5 and 6 were used, a photoconductor having good image quality could be obtained.

[0038] Examples 1-4, Comparative Examples 1 and 2 the outer diameter 430 × 300 × 580 mm cardboard box the six (Examples 1, 2, 3, 4 are each water permeability 97,6
1 , 45, 33 hours, Comparative Examples 1 and 2 have a water permeability of 1 respectively.
50 and 125 hours) were prepared, and the photoconductors obtained according to the above conditions immediately after coating the photosensitive layer were stored in these cardboard boxes. The packing was sealed with duct tape.

The packaged photoreceptor is at a temperature of 25 ° C. and a humidity of 50%.
It was stored in the RH environment (warehouse). Table 3 below shows the change in hardness (Hv) of the non-coated portion of the photosensitive layer after 3 days and the result of continuous image test using such a photoreceptor. The continuous image test and evaluation method are the same as in Reference Example 1.

[0040]

[Table 3]

As is apparent from Table 3 above, Examples 1 to 1
It can be seen that in No. 4 , the natural sealing progresses remarkably and the hardness is improved as compared with Comparative Examples 1 and 2 . Further, according to the result of the continuous image test conducted using these photoconductors, when the packaging boxes of Examples 1 to 4 were used, the photoconductors having good image quality could be obtained for a long time.

Examples 5 and 6, Comparative Examples 3 to 6 Six kinds of cardboard boxes having outer diameters of 430 × 300 × 580 mm (in Examples 5 and 6, average moisture permeability 1205 and 15 respectively).
43 g / m ² · 24 h, Comparative Examples 3, 4, 5 and 6 have average water vapor transmission rates 522, 634, 802 and 915 g / m ^{2 respectively.}
.24 h) was prepared, and the photoconductor immediately after coating the photosensitive layer obtained as described above was stored. The packing was sealed with duct tape.

The packaged photosensitive member is kept at a temperature of 25 ° C. and a humidity of 50%.
It was stored in the RH environment (warehouse). Table 4 below shows the change in hardness (Hv) of the non-coated portion of the photosensitive layer after 3 days and the result of continuous image test using such a photoreceptor. The continuous image test and evaluation method are the same as in Reference Example 1.

[0044]

[Table 4]

As is clear from Table 4 , Example 5,
It can be seen that in No. 6 , the natural sealing progressed remarkably compared with Comparative Examples 3 to 6 , and the hardness was improved. Further, according to the result of the continuous image test conducted using these photoconductors, when the packaging boxes of Examples 5 and 6 were used, the photoconductors having good image quality could be obtained for a long time.

[0046]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY By using the aluminum tube for storage and transportation until the coating of the photosensitive layer, the sealing of the tube is promoted, and the image quality of the electrophotographic photoreceptor produced using the same is improved. It is possible to improve and obtain an excellent image without “black spots”, “fog”, “uneven density” and the like.

By using the packaging box of the present invention for storing and transporting the produced electrophotographic photoreceptor,
The sealing of the anodic oxide film in the uncoated portion of the photosensitive layer is promoted, the image quality of the photosensitive member is stable for a long time, and "uneven density" and "black streaks" caused by abrasion with the developing roller are generated for a long time. A good photoreceptor can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a contact relationship between a photoconductor and a developing roller.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of days elapsed after the sealing treatment and Vickers hardness.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 photoconductor 2 Photosensitive layer non-coated area 3 developing roller 4 Roll receiving

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 5/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Water permeability of 100 hours or less or average moisture permeability
For packing materials with a degree of 1000g / m ² · 24h or more
Using the packaging box of the electrophotographic photoconductor prepared in
An electrophotographic photoreceptor having an aluminum substrate having an aluminum anodic oxide film on its surface is provided on a non-coated portion of the photosensitive layer.
Until the hardness of Vickers hardness (Hv) is 200 or more.
The method for storing an electrophotographic photoreceptor is characterized in that 2. Water permeability of 100 hours or less or average moisture permeability
For packing materials with a degree of 1000g / m ² · 24h or more
Using the packaging box of the electrophotographic photoconductor prepared in
An electrophotographic photoreceptor having an aluminum substrate having an aluminum anodic oxide film on its surface is transported, and the electrophotographic photoreceptor is transported during the transportation.
The hardness of the uncoated portion of the photoconductor for child photography is Vickers hardness.
A method for transporting a photoconductor for electrophotography, characterized in that the degree (Hv) is 200 or more .