JP4428915B2 - Toner supply kit - Google Patents

Description

【０１８９】
実験例１〜５及び比較例２の結果と、表１を合わせて考慮すると、現像剤の粉体層における粘着強度が、垂直荷重１２８．４ｇ／ｃｍ²付与したとき、０．６０ｇ／ｃｍ²〜３．００ｇ／ｃｍ²の範囲内にあるものが良好な結果を示す。
【０１９０】
そして、表１より、粘着強度もせん断指数も本発明の範囲外にあるトナーＦが、トナー円形度０．９００以上の割合が８０％以上ではなく、比較例２に述べた試験結果からも、不良であった。このことより、円形度０．９００以上のトナーの割合を８０％以上にすることは、現像剤の粘着強度やせん断指数を本発明の範囲内に納めるのに重要な一要素であることが分かる。
【０１９１】
そして、円形度を整える方法は、粉砕法でも重合法でもどちらでもよく、非磁性トナーでも磁性トナーでもよい。
【０１９２】
実験１〜５に述べたよう、トナーＡ〜Ｄのトナーには、一次粒子の平均粒径が１〜１００ｎｍである疎水化処理シリカ、疎水化処理酸化チタン、又は、疎水化処理アルミナ等の流動性付与剤が含まれているが、トナーＦには含まれていない。このことから、現像剤にこれらの流動性付与剤を添加することが重要であり、せん断指数や粘着指数を下げることができ、本発明の範囲内に納めることができることが予想できる。
【０１９３】
以上のことから、本発明にて用いられる現像剤としては、実施例１にて説明したように、現像剤の粉体層において、垂直荷重１２８．４ｇ／ｃｍ²を付与したとき、０．６０ｇ／ｃｍ²〜３．００ｇ／ｃｍ²の範囲内にあれば、現像剤補給容器１の機能が有効に発揮でき、現像剤の搬送性、排出性を上昇させる効果がある。
【０１９４】
そして、その付着強度及びせん断指数をその範囲内に調整するには、一次粒子の平均粒径が１〜１００ｎｍである疎水化処理シリカ、疎水化処理酸化チタン、又は、疎水化処理アルミナ流動性付与剤を施したり、円形度ａが、０．９００以上の粒子を、個数基準の累積値で８０％以上含有させる方法が有効であることが明らかになった。
【０１９５】
又、上記の実験例１〜５に示したように、トナーＡからトナーＥを用いた現像剤補給キットは、現像剤の粉体層が、垂直荷重１２８．４ｇ／ｃｍ²付与したときのせん断指数が、１．０２〜５．００であるので、上記の効果が安定したものになった。
【０１９６】
実施例３
本実施例においては、現像剤補給容器として図６、７に示す構成の、現像剤補給容器２０を用いる。図６は本実施例における現像剤補給容器２０の部分断面斜視図であり、図７は軸方向の断面図である。
【０１９７】
まず容器２０の内部の構成について説明する。
【０１９８】
現像剤補給容器は略円筒形状に形成されたトナーボトル２０であり、実施例１にて説明した現像剤補給容器１と同様に、画像形成装置１００本体内に略水平方向に配置され、装置本体１００から回転駆動を受けて、ボトル２０が回転する構成になっている。
【０１９９】
そして、このトナーボトル２０の内部にはトナーボトル部２０を二分するように、仕切り壁３がボトルの全長にわたって設けてあり、仕切り壁３の両面にはボトル２０の回転軸線Ｘ−Ｘに対して傾斜した傾斜面を有する突起部３ａ及び穴部３ｃが複数個、が設けてある。この突起部３ａは、図６に示すように仕切り壁３の表面と裏面にそれぞれ同一回転方向で現像剤が搬送されるように回転軸Ｘ−Ｘ対称に配置されている。
【０２００】
本実施例の特徴として、開口部１ａが容器周面上に設けられていることが挙げられる。開口部１ａには開口部１ａを閉じる封止部材２が設けて有り、この封止部材２がトナーボトル２０の軸方向（矢印方向）に相対的にスライドすることにより、開口部１ａの開閉動作を行う。封止部材２は、容器本体２０の外周に沿った円弧状のシャッター２ａと、シャッター２ａの内面に貼着したパッキン材２ｂと、で構成される。
【０２０１】
封止部材２は、容器本体２０の開口部１ａを閉じる位置と開く位置との間を往復自在に容器本体２０に取付けられる。取付け方法は、シャッター２ａに平行なレールを設け、対応する容器本体２０の開口部１ａ周囲にも並行なガイド部を設け、互いに係合させることで達成できる。
【０２０２】
封止部材２の移動方向は容器本体２０の周面に沿った方向であっても、容器本体２０の回転軸線Ｘ−Ｘに沿った方向であっても良いが、後者の方であれば現像剤補給容器２０を回転軸線Ｘ−Ｘに沿って着脱する際に、その動きを利用して封止部材２の開閉が行えるので好ましい。
【０２０３】
パッキン部材２ｂは発泡ポリウレタンが好ましく、これを両面テープでシャッター２ａに固定するのが簡便で実用的である。パッキン材としては他の発泡体やゴム等の弾性体あっても良く、固定手段も両面テープに限らず、他の従来公知の方法が応用できる。封止部材２を容器本体１に取付けると、パッキン材２ｂは所定量圧縮されて、開口部１ａを密閉する。
【０２０４】
本実施例のように、開口部を周面に設けたものについても、本発明は適用でき、実施例１に説明した効果が得られ、図８の画像形成装置１００のように、直下に現像装置２０１を配置した場合、直接現像剤を補給できるので、現像装置と現像剤補給容器とを連結する搬送路を設ける必要がなく、画像形成装置の構造を簡略化できる。
【０２０５】
そして、本実施例の現像剤補給容器にても、現像剤の粉体層における粘着強度が、垂直荷重１２８．４ｇ／ｃｍ²付与したとき、０．６０ｇ／ｃｍ²〜３．００ｇ／ｃｍ²であれば、実施例２に説明したように、粉砕法で作成されたトナーでも、重合法で作成されたトナーでも、非磁性でも磁性でも、キャリアを加えたトナーでも好適に適用でき、実施例１に示したものと同様の効果が得られる。
【０２０６】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明のトナー補給キットは、上記実施例のトナー補給容器内に収容されたトナーの粉体層における粘着強度が、垂直荷重１２８．４ｇ／ｃｍ²付与したとき、０．６０ｇ／ｃｍ²〜３．００ｇ／ｃｍ²となるように、トナーには一次粒子の平均粒径が１〜１００ｎｍである疎水化処理シリカ、疎水化処理酸化チタン、疎水化処理アルミナのうち少なくとも１つの流動性付与剤が添加されていることによって、安価で、粗粒も全く発生せず、繰り返し使用可能な信頼性の高いトナー補給容器構成に対して、トナーの搬送能力に優れ、且つ排出後半においても安定した排出量を維持が可能となる。
【０２０７】
そして、トナー補給容器内に最後まで使用されずに残留するトナーや、容器内壁に付着するトナーが非常に少なく、ほぼ完全にトナー補給容器内のトナーを排出することができる。更には、物流による振動や長期間高温高湿下に放置保管された場合などトナー補給容器本体内でトナーが凝集し、固まった状態にも、少ない外力でトナーが崩れ、優れたトナーの搬送能力を維持でき、トナー補給容器の開口部付近のトナーの飛散、汚れを極力抑え、又、どんな環境においてもトナー補給容器の開口部でトナーの閉塞の発生が全くないトナー補給キットを提供することが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る現像剤補給容器の一例を示す部分断面斜視図である。
【図２】本発明に係る現像剤補給容器の一例を示す軸方向の断面図である。
【図３】本発明に係る現像剤補給容器における現像剤の搬送時の挙動を説明する説明図である。
【図４】本発明に係る現像剤粘着強度及びせん断指数の測定方法を示す説明図である。
【図５】本発明に係る現像剤の粘着強度及びせん断指数の測定方法を示す説明図である。
【図６】本発明に係る現像剤補給容器の他の例を示す部分断面斜視図である。
【図７】本発明に係る現像剤補給容器の他の例を示す軸方向の断面図である。
【図８】本発明の現像剤補給キットが適用される画像形成装置の一例を示す概略構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１、２０ 現像剤補給容器
１ａ 開口
２ 封止部材
３ 仕切り壁（搬送部材）
３ａ 突起部（突出部、案内部、持ち上げ部）
３ｃ 穴部（貫通穴、落下部）
Ｔ 現像剤[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a developer for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a fax machine that forms an image using an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method.As tonerDeveloper replenishment kit for replenishingToner supply kitAbout.
[0002]
  Conventionally, fine powder toner is used as a developer in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer using an electrophotographic system. When the developer of the image forming apparatus main body is consumed, the developer supply containerThat is, a toner supply containerIs used to replenish the developer to the image forming apparatus.
[0003]
At that time, since the toner is an extremely fine powder, there is a problem in that the developer is scattered during the developer replenishment operation and the operator and surroundings are soiled. For this reason, there has been proposed and put to practical use a method in which a developer supply container is placed inside the image forming apparatus main body and the developer is discharged little by little from a small opening. In such a system, it is difficult for the developer to be naturally discharged by the action of gravity or the like, and some kind of developer stirring and conveying means is required.
[0004]
The developer supply container disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and a relatively small developer discharge opening is provided on the cylindrical surface of one end thereof. A helical developer stirring / conveying member is provided inside the container, and is driven from the outside of the container through the end wall surface of the container. The side opposite to the drive side of the stirring member is a free end.
[0005]
  As another conventional example, the developer supply container disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a cylindrical bottle shape as a whole, a spiral protrusion on the inner surface, and a small size near the center on one end side. DeveloperOutletAre respectively provided on the end face of the container on the side provided with the discharge port. As the developer supply container body rotates, the developer conveyed to the end on the discharge port side by the spiral protrusion is guided by the protruding shape near the opening at the axial end and near the center of the container It is lifted to the discharge port and discharged out of the container.
[0006]
The developer supply container disclosed in Patent Document 3 is also a cylindrical bottle as a whole, provided with a spiral protrusion on the inner surface, and a small outlet near the center on one end side. And it has a scooping-up part which scoops up the developer conveyed to the edge part by the side of a discharge port by a spiral projection part, and a guide part which guides the scooped-up developer to a discharge port.
[0007]
Since these conventional examples do not have a stirring member incorporated in the container body for those disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, the developer is caught in the bearing seal portion of the stirring member, There is no problem with the agitating bearing. However, since the spiral protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the container body, there are the following problems.
[0008]
First, since the spiral projection protrudes from the inner surface of the container, there is a loss that the inner volume of the container is reduced accordingly. This increases the developer conveying capability, and if the developer is to be conveyed and controlled more reliably, the spiral protrusion must be protruded high, which becomes very remarkable. If the spiral protrusion is high, it becomes difficult to fill the developer.
[0009]
Further, since the spiral protrusion is disposed on almost the entire inner surface of the container, the developer tends to stay at the root of the spiral protrusion and the like, and the remaining developer amount increases. In addition, when the developer aggregates and hardens in the developer supply container body due to vibrations caused by physical distribution or when stored for a long time under high temperature and high humidity, there is no opportunity to break up the developer aggregates and development. It adversely affects the agent transportability. In particular, this tendency is particularly noticeable with toners having strong adhesion and cohesiveness, and there are currently limited developers that can be used as developers to be replenished in the container.
[0010]
In addition, in such a container configuration in which the developer is replenished from the end of the container without a stirring shaft, it is considered that the physical property values such as the developer's fluidity index and cohesion greatly affect the developer conveying ability. It was done.
[0011]
In view of this, several inventions have been proposed in which the constitution of the developer supply container and the developer physical properties are combined, that is, the invention relating to the developer supply kit in which the developer supply container and the developer are combined.
[0012]
As an example, Patent Document 4 proposes a combination of the toner particle size distribution and the container as described above.
[0013]
In another example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-260260, a proposal is made regarding the combination with a rotary toner supply container having no agitator in consideration of the circularity of the toner.
[0014]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-113796
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-44000
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-10-260574
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2000-352840 A
[Patent Document 5]
JP 2000-137351 A
[Patent Document 6]
JP-A-8-136439
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, the developer replenishment kit having such a configuration is particularly problematic in the developer replenishing container main body, such as when it is stored for a long time under high temperature and high humidity, such as vibration due to physical distribution. The developer dischargeability when the developer is aggregated and hardened.
[0016]
Therefore, the physical properties such as the circularity and particle size distribution of the toner are not compatible with these phenomena, and the physical properties to be noted are the physical properties in a state where the toner is compressed to some extent. It was not enough to discuss them.
[0017]
  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a developer.TonerExcellent conveying capacity, maintaining stable discharge from the beginning to the end, almost completelytonerIn the supply containertonerIn addition, the purpose of further, such as vibration due to logistics and when left in high temperature and high humidity for a long time,tonerIn the supply container bodytonerIn the state where the agglomerates and hardens,tonerFlocculation is easy to dispersetonerMaintaining the transport capacity oftonerNear the opening of the supply containertonerSuppresses scattering and dirt as much as possible, and in any environmenttonerAt the opening of the supply containertonerNo occlusiontonerTo provide a supply kit.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The above object relates to the present invention.tonerAchieved with supply kit. In summary, the present invention can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus.Toner supply container and toner with toner contained in the containerIn the supply kit,
  The toner supply container is
  tonerContainRotatableA container body;
  The container bodyProvided on one end side in the rotation axis direction of the tonerAn opening for discharging,
  The container bodySo as to stand upright in the container body from one end to the other end in the rotational axis directionFixedSaidThe inner surface of the container bodyBetweenTo lift the tonerA plate-like member to be formed, which is inclined with respect to the rotation axis and adjacent to each other in order to convey the toner lifted by the toner lifting portion from the other end side in the rotation axis direction toward the one end side with the subsequent rotation. Between a plurality of inclined protrusions provided so as to partially overlap each other in the rotation axis direction, and between the inclined protrusions adjacent in the rotation axis direction in order to cause the toner lifted by the toner lifting portion to fall with subsequent rotation. A plurality of through holes each provided,And a plate-like member provided with
  In an environment where the temperature is 23 ° C. and the relative humidity is 50%,
  128.4 g / cm²Apply a vertical load of 10 minutestonerForming a compressed powder layer,
  The compressed powder layer is sandwiched between the support base and the movable plate, and the movable plate is moved in the horizontal direction under the different vertical load, so that the shear strength τ of the powder layer₁, Τ₂Measure and
  The powder layer in the compressed state is placed so as to straddle the support base and the movable cell, and the movable cell is moved in the horizontal direction so that the tensile breaking strength σ of the powder layer_TMeasure and
  Measured shear strength τ₁, Τ₂And tensile breaking strength σ_TRequired bytonerAdhesive strength of 0.60 to 3.00 g / cm²So thatTonerAt least one fluidity-imparting agent among hydrophobized silica, hydrophobized titanium oxide, and hydrophobized alumina having an average primary particle size of 1 to 100 nmButIt is characterized by being addedtonerIt is a supply kit.
[0021]
  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofInclined projectionAs the container body rotates in one directionToner is transported from the other end side in the rotational axis direction of the container body toward the one end side.It is provided on both surfaces of the plate member.
[0023]
  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the opening is formed in the container body.SaidIt protrudes from one end in the rotational axis direction and is formed at the tip of the cylindrical portion having a smaller diameter than the container body,Inclined projectionOne of them is provided to guide the toner to the cylindrical portion.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a toner replenishment kit including a toner as a developer and a toner supply container as a developer supply container according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in this embodiment do not limit the scope of the present invention to these unless otherwise specified.
[0025]
  Example 1
  FIG. 8 illustrates the present invention.toner1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 that is an example of an image forming apparatus in which a replenishment kit is installed.
[0026]
The manuscript 101 is placed on the platen glass 102 by the operator. An optical image of the original is formed on the photosensitive drum 104, which is an image carrier charged by the charging unit 203, by the plurality of mirrors M and the lens Ln included in the optical unit 103, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. It is formed.
[0027]
Around the photosensitive drum 104, an image forming unit in which a developing device 201, a cleaning unit 202, and a primary charging unit 203 are arranged is configured. The developing device 201 uses the toner T as a developer to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 to form a toner image.
[0028]
On the other hand, among the recording media P (for example, paper, OHP sheets, etc., which will be referred to as “paper” hereinafter) loaded on the feeding cassettes 105, 106, 107, 108, from an operation unit (not shown). The paper P having a size based on information input by the operator is selected. Then, among the feed rollers 105A, 106A, 107A, and 108A, a roller corresponding to the selected feed cassette rotates. The single sheet P sent out from the paper feed cassettes 105, 106, 107, and 108 is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveyance unit 109.
[0029]
The registration roller 110 conveys the paper P to the photosensitive drum 104 in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred to the paper P by the transfer unit 111. Thereafter, the sheet P is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separating unit 112. Then, the paper P is transported by the transport unit 113 and reaches the fixing unit 114. The fixing unit 114 fixes the toner image on the paper P by heat and pressure. The sheet P is discharged to the tray 117.
[0030]
  In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 configured as described above, a developer supply container for supplying toner that is a developer to the developing device 201.That is, a toner supply container1 is detachably installed on the apparatus main body 100. In the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 is disposed above the developing device 201.
[0031]
The toner T discharged from the opening of the developer supply container 1 is filled into the developing container 201d of the developing device 201 by a transport mechanism (not shown). The developing device 201 has a developing roller 201a with a small gap (about 300 μm) from the photosensitive drum 104. The toner T is supplied onto the developing roller 201 a, and when developing, a developing bias is applied to the developing roller 201 a, so that the toner moves to the photosensitive drum 104 and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is generated. Develop to form a toner image.
[0032]
The cleaning unit 202 removes toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 104 after the toner image is transferred to the paper. The toner T that decreases due to development is sequentially supplied from the developer supply container 1.
[0033]
  Next, a developer composed of the developer supply container 1 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 and a developer T containing toner therein (see FIG.toner)An example of the present invention of the replenishment kit will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as this embodiment.
[0034]
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a developer supply container 1 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view seen from the axial direction.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container main body 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a circular opening 1 a having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion is protruded substantially at the center of one end surface 1 b. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the opening 1a is 1/7 of the inner diameter of the container body.
[0036]
The opening 1a is provided with a sealing member 2 for closing the opening 1a, and the opening / closing operation of the opening 1a is performed by sliding the sealing member 2 relatively in the axial direction (arrow direction) of the container 1. It is configured. When installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the opening 1a is pushed inward at the position described in FIG. Install.
[0037]
  The size of the opening 1a is such that the toner as the developerEmissionIt is an important factor that influences. If the opening 1a is enlarged, the discharge amount can be increased accordingly. However, if the opening 1a is too large, the developer is likely to be flushed at the opening 1a, and the dirt near the opening 1a becomes severe. In particular, the tendency is remarkable immediately after removing the sealing member 2 of the opening 1a. On the other hand, if it is small, not only a sufficient discharge amount cannot be obtained, but the toner tends to become clogged and cannot be discharged.
[0038]
In this regard, it has been found from the examination results that when the opening 1a is circular, the inner diameter of the opening 1a is preferably 1/20 to 1/3 of the inner diameter of the container body 1 in the cylindrical portion.
[0039]
Next, the internal configuration of the developer supply container 1 will be described.
[0040]
The container main body 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape, is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and receives a rotational drive from the apparatus main body 100 to rotate the bottle 1 as the container main body. Yes.
[0041]
And the partition wall 3 as a conveyance member is provided in the inside of this bottle 1 over the substantially full length of a container so that the inside may be divided into two, and it is on the rotation axis XX of the container main body 1 on both surfaces of the partition wall 3. On the other hand, a plurality of protrusions (projections) 3 a having a surface inclined with respect to the axial direction and arranged in mirror symmetry are provided. Further, the partition wall 3 is provided with a hole portion 3c penetrating the partition wall 3 in an appropriate size and number so that the developer can move back and forth on both sides of the partition wall 3.
[0042]
The inclination angle θ of the inclined protrusion 3a shown in FIG. 2 is an important factor that affects the developer transportability. In the container configuration of the present invention, the inclination angle θ is in the range of 30 ° to 75 °, preferably 45 ° to 70 °. In this embodiment, the inclined angle of the inclined protrusion 3a is 45 °.
[0043]
When the inclination angle θ is set to be steeper than 75 °, the developer that slides on the inclined surface of the inclined protrusion 3a becomes closer to the vertical drop, so that the developer becomes more slippery and the developer transport amount is higher. However, since the conveyance distance s with respect to each inclined projection portion 3a becomes short, the conveyance speed becomes low.
[0044]
On the other hand, if the inclination angle θ is made gentler than 30 °, the conveyance distance s with respect to each inclined projection portion 3a becomes longer, so that the conveyance speed tends to increase, but if the angle is made too gentle, The developer does not slide down on the inclined protrusion 3a.
[0045]
By changing the inclination angle θ in this way, it is possible to optimally design for a desired developer conveying capability.
[0046]
One end of the inclined protrusion 3a reaches the opening 1a, and the developer is finally discharged from the protrusion 3a through the opening 1a. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protrusions 3 a are arranged symmetrically about the rotation axis XX so that the developer is conveyed to the front and back surfaces of the partition wall 3 in the same rotation direction.
[0047]
Next, the developer discharging principle of the developer supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the container main body 1 rotates in the arrow Y direction, the developer T lifts the partition wall 3 lifting portion (the toner in the partition wall can be lifted from the lower side to the upper side in the direction of gravity). Area). When the rotation gradually proceeds as shown in FIG. 3B, the developer T scooped up by the lifting portion is conveyed forward (toward the discharge opening) by the inclined projection portion 3a by the dropping action of gravity. Some are dropped from the hole of the partition wall 3 to the back side. As described above, since the developer T is transported and the stirring operation is efficiently performed, the developer T discharged from the opening is in a very good state.
[0048]
Further, since the developer T that has not been lifted by the lifting portion passes through the hole 3c that is the dropping portion, at this time, the developer can be agitated by passing through the passage in parallel with the lifting of the developer.
[0049]
By repeating this operation, as shown in FIG. 3C, the developer T inside the container body 1 is sequentially stirred and transported to the discharge port side, and is finally inclined as a guide portion that leads to the opening 1a. The opening 1a and the developer T are conveyed from the protrusion 3a and discharged from the opening 1a.
[0050]
Since the inclined protrusion 3 a is provided so as to protrude from the partition wall 3, the inclined protrusion 3 a plays a role of breaking the aggregate of the developer T inside the bottle 1 by the rotation of the toner bottle 1 that is a developer supply container. Further, the broken developer T is conveyed forward by the inclination of the inclined protrusion 3a. Thus, the two functions of agitation and conveyance are performed simultaneously.
[0051]
In such a configuration, first, since there is no stirring member in the bottle 1, there is no risk of occurrence of coarse particles in the stirring bearing portion.
[0052]
Furthermore, the developer is efficiently conveyed by the partition wall and the three inclined protrusions 3a, and is excellent in quantitative discharge.
[0053]
  Further, the presence of the hole 3c penetrating the partition wall 3 imparts fluidity to the developer and gives excellent transport capability. However, if the hole 3c is too large or has a large number, the developer is removed by the partition wall 3.UglySince it cannot be raised, it is adjusted to a suitable size and number.
[0054]
Further, when the individual inclined protrusions are projected in the direction of the rotation axis, the individual inclined protrusions are arranged so that parts thereof overlap each other. This is because the developer guided and conveyed forward toward the opening by a certain inclined projection is guided and conveyed by the inclined projection in front of the developer at the next rotation. That is, the developer is efficiently stirred and transported.
[0055]
Even when the toner container 1 of the present embodiment is compared with a container having a spiral protrusion on the peripheral surface, the stirring of the developer by the partition wall 3 and the inclined protrusion 3a has a high stirring effect, and the developing in the bottle 1 The fluidity of the agent is imparted.
[0056]
Moreover, since there is the partition wall 3, the bottle 1 is reinforced and can be thinned.
There are also merits.
[0057]
However, in the configuration of the toner replenishing container 1 described above, the container main body 1 does not have a stirring member or the like when it is left and stored under high temperature and high humidity for a long time due to vibration caused by physical distribution. When the toner aggregates and hardens in the toner, a so-called toner bridge is generated, there is no means for breaking it, and there is a concern that satisfactory discharge performance cannot be obtained. In particular, this tendency was remarkable in a developer having strong adhesion and cohesion. Therefore, such a developer cannot fully exhibit the function of the developer supply container configuration.
[0058]
In addition, when a developer having strong adhesion and cohesion that has been stored under high vibration and high humidity for a long time is stored in the developer supply container 1, the developer T aggregates in the opening 1a that is a discharge port. Or adheres to the opening 1a, obstructing the discharge performance, and finally the developer cannot be replenished.
[0059]
Therefore, in the present invention, as a developer replenishment kit, the powder physical properties of the developer T suitable for being stored in the developer replenishment container 1 were examined.
[0060]
In general, as an index indicating the adhesiveness and cohesiveness of the developer T, the powder in the developer T is placed on the sieve to give vibration, and the ratio of the powder remaining on the sieve is measured. In this measurement method, the “aggregation degree” is a physical property value in a state where the developer T is given fluidity by a sieve, and therefore, developer transportability of the developer supply container, I could not cope with the phenomenon of discharge.
[0061]
As a result of diligent examination of the above problems, the present invention has been focused on the fact that, as a feature, the adhesion characteristics and shear characteristics of the developer powder layer in a somewhat compacted state are greatly involved.
[0062]
Here, the powder layer of the developer is naturally a toner powder layer when the developer is only toner, and when the developer is a mixture of toner and carrier, the mixture (powder) Is expressed.
[0063]
Therefore, paying attention to the adhesive strength and shear index of the powder as index values representing the adhesion characteristics and shear characteristics of the powder layer in the developer, these are combined with the developer whose physical properties are values within a certain range. Thus, it has been found that the above problem does not occur at all, and that a very good developer supply kit can be provided that maximizes and synergistically brings out the effects of the constitution of the developer supply container of the present invention.
[0064]
A method for measuring the adhesive strength and shear index of the developer in the present invention will be described below. By using the developer described below in the developer supply container, the developer can be favorably stirred and conveyed from the initial use of the developer supply kit. That is, a highly reliable developer supply kit can be provided.
[0065]
For the measurement, a powder bed tester (trade name PTHN-13BA type: Sankyo Electric Industry Co., Ltd.) was used.
[0066]
First, the vertical load on the powder layer T2 of the developer T is 128.4 g / cm.²The powder layer T2 is put in a compressed state by placing a weight such that for 10 minutes, and then two types of measurements related to the powder layer T2 of the developer T, which will be described below, are performed. In the measurement, the thickness of the powder layer T2 on the support base 42 'is preferably about 1 cm or more. In this embodiment, the thickness of the powder layer is about 1 cm. The measurement environment is a temperature of 23 ° C. and a relative humidity of 50%.
[0067]
Regarding the vertical load, the result of studying the vertical load that can reproduce the bulk density of the developer T when the developer T in the container 1 is in a physical distribution state or is left in a compacted state for a long time. , 128.4 g / cm²Has been found empirically to be applied to the developer for 10 minutes.
[0068]
Note that the time for placing the weight may not be 10 minutes, and when obtaining the adhesive strength and shear index, the tensile strength and the shear strength measured multiple times, and the time during which a stable value can be obtained without greatly fluctuating (powder) The time during which the compressed state of the layer is saturated) may be used. That is, in this embodiment, the tensile strength and the shear strength are measured a plurality of times, and the adhesive strength and the shear index are obtained using the average values of the tensile strength and the shear strength.
[0069]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the movable cell 41 in which the powder layer T2 of the developer T is accommodated is pulled in the horizontal direction, and the powder layer T2 in the movable cell 41 is broken (left-right direction) The tensile strength σ_TMeasure.
[0070]
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, with respect to the support base 42 ′ (manufactured by SUS) arranged with the notched portion facing upward, the notched portion with the powder layer T2 interposed therebetween is lowered. A movable plate 42 (made of aluminum) is arranged toward the side, and the movable plate 42 is moved horizontally while applying a vertical stress σ to the powder layer T2 from above, and the powder layer T2 is sheared (powder) The layer T2 is substantially divided into two in the vertical direction), and the shear strength τ is measured. This shear strength τ is measured twice under different normal stress σ, and τi (τ₁, Τ₂) The shear strength tends to increase once in the initial stage of the horizontal movement of the movable plate and then settle to a certain value (steady state). In this embodiment, the initial value at which the horizontal movement of the movable plate is started is used as the shear strength.
[0071]
This measured tensile strength σ_TAnd the first shear strength τ₁(Normal stress σ₁), And the second shear strength τ₂(Normal stress σ₂) To the warren spring equation (2)₀The shear index n is calculated.
[0072]
(Τ_i/ Τ₀)ⁿ= (Σ_i+ Σ_T) / Σ_T(I = 1, 2) (2)
[0073]
Also, shear strength τ_iThe notched movable plate 42 used for the measurement of the following conditions was used.
[0074]
Notch height: 1mm
Notch pitch: 1.5 mm
[0075]
In the present invention, the adhesive strength τ of the powder layer T2 in the developer obtained by the measurement method described above.₀That is, vertical load 128.4 g / cm²Adhesive strength after application is 0.60 g / cm²3.00 g / cm²It is preferable that:
[0076]
Adhesive strength is 0.60 g / cm²If it is less than the range, the developer T is likely to be flushed from the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1, and the developer near the joint between the opening 1a and the developing device becomes very dirty.
[0077]
In particular, immediately after the sealing member 2 of the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1 is removed, a flushing phenomenon that a large amount of the developer T is discharged although the discharging operation is not performed tends to occur. is there. Further, when the developer T is filled in the container 1, the developer T does not settle easily, and the apparent bulk density is difficult to decrease.
[0078]
Also, the adhesive strength is 3.00 g / cm²If it is as described above, the developer T tends to agglomerate and is likely to be blocked by the opening 1a of the container 1 and cannot be discharged. Further, the developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1 and the inclined protrusion 3a increases, and as a result, the amount of the developer T that remains without being used to the end increases.
[0079]
Therefore, the developer T has a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm.²It is preferable that the shear index when applied is 1.02 to 5.00.
[0080]
When the shear index is less than 1.02, the developer T is likely to be flushed from the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1, and the developer near the joint between the opening 1a and the developing device becomes serious. Particularly, immediately after the sealing member 2 of the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1 is removed, the adverse effect that the developer T is flushed at once occurs.
[0081]
Further, when the shear index is 5.00 or more, in the container configuration of the present invention, the developer T slides on the inclined protrusion 3a, but the developer T is on the inclined surface of the protrusion 3a. It cannot slide effectively, and the transportability deteriorates. The discharging speed is also slowed down, and the remaining developer T that is not used until the end and the developer T that adheres to the inner wall of the container 1 and the inclined protrusion 3a increase. Furthermore, if the developer aggregates and hardens in the container body when it is left unvied and stored for a long time under high temperature and high humidity, the adhesive force between the particles of the developer is high, and the container Even when the developer is rotated, the aggregates of the developer do not collapse at all, and the developer cannot be discharged.
[0082]
Vertical load of developer: 128.4 g / cm²The adhesive strength of the powder layer when applied is 0.60 g / cm²~ 3.00 g / cm²Although the method for setting the value to the value and the method for setting the shear index to 1.02 to 5.00 are not limited, for example, as one of the methods, in the developer stored in the developer supply container of the present invention. In order to show good discharge characteristics, as a fluidity imparting agent, at least one kind of hydrophobized silica fine powder, alumina fine powder or titanium oxide fine powder is externally added to toner particles as a developer, It is preferable to suppress aggregation and adhesion of the toner.
[0083]
In addition, since these fluidity imparting agents are hydrophobized, the influence of moisture can be excluded and aggregation can be prevented even under high temperature and high humidity. In addition, stable chargeability can be maintained for a long time regardless of the environment.
[0084]
And the average particle diameter of the primary particle of this fluidity imparting agent is preferably 1 to 100 nm, more preferably 4 to 80 nm.
[0085]
If the thickness is smaller than 1 nm, it becomes easy to be embedded in the toner surface of the developer at the time of external addition, so that the adhesion and cohesiveness become strong, and transfer defects also occur. Even if it is larger than 100 nm, the cohesiveness of the toner is strengthened, and furthermore, the charging becomes non-uniform, electrostatic coagulation occurs, and adverse effects such as fogging and toner scattering also occur.
[0086]
The fine powder such as a fluidity imparting agent is preferably externally added in an amount of 0.03 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of toner particles of the developer. When externally added in this range, the surface coverage becomes appropriate, and toner particles can be prevented from adhering and aggregating.
[0087]
The method of measuring the primary average particle diameter of such a fluidity imparting agent employs a method of observing the fluidity imparting agent with a transmission electron microscope, measuring 100 particle diameters of 1 nm or more in the field of view, and obtaining an average. .
[0088]
As a method for producing such a developer, as described later in Example 2, it may be produced by a pulverization method in which components are mixed and pulverized, or by a polymerization method in which polymerization is performed in a solvent, In this example, non-magnetic toner A having the following constitution formed by a pulverization method was used as a developer.
[0089]
・ Toner A
93 parts by weight of polyester resin
5 parts by weight of wax
7 parts by weight of copper phthalocyanine
2 parts by weight of charge control agent
[0090]
A material obtained by premixing the above substances with a powder mixer was heated and melt-kneaded with a twin screw extruder. After the melt-kneaded product was cooled, it was coarsely pulverized to about 1 to 2 mm using a hammer mill, and then finely pulverized with an air jet type pulverizer. Further, the finely pulverized product thus obtained was rigorously removed simultaneously with a multi-division classifier to obtain cyan toner particles. The resulting cyan toner particles had a volume average particle size of 8.5 μm.
[0091]
To 100 parts by weight of the cyan toner particles, 0.8 part by weight of hydrophobized titanium oxide having an average diameter of 5 nm was externally added with a Henschel mixer to obtain cyan toner A.
[0092]
Toner A has a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm in the powder layer.²When applied, the adhesive strength is 2.3 g / cm.²The shear index was 3.37.
[0093]
The amount of the wax added is 5.4 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the toner binder resin.
[0094]
The toner replenishing container 1 having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above is filled with the toner A as the developer T, attached to the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. The developer dischargeability was excellent, the developer T was discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T was very small, and there was almost no developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1.
[0095]
Furthermore, even if the developer T is first aggregated and blocked due to conditions such as high humidity in the container 1, when the container 1 is rotated, the blocking immediately breaks down, and good discharge properties are obtained. Indicated. Further, the opening 1a was hardly clogged with the developer T. The developer T was discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T was extremely small, and there was almost no developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1.
[0096]
Comparative Example 1
Here, as a comparative example with the present embodiment, the toner F produced by the pulverization method as the developer T will be described. The amount of wax contained in the toner F is 10 parts by weight with respect to the binder resin, but the toner F is added with a fluidity-imparting agent such as hydrophobized titanium oxide added to the toner A. Absent.
[0097]
・ Toner F
100 parts by weight of styrene-acrylic resin
90 parts by weight of magnetic material having an average particle size of 0.05 μm
10 parts by weight of wax
[0098]
A mixture obtained by premixing the above components with a powder mixer was heated and melt-kneaded with a biaxial extruder. After the melt-kneaded product was cooled, it was coarsely pulverized to about 1 to 2 mm using a hammer mill, and then finely pulverized with a fine pulverizer using a mechanical pulverizer. Further, fine powder and coarse powder were removed from the obtained finely pulverized product with a multi-division classifier to obtain toner particles. The obtained magnetic toner particles had a volume average diameter of 9.8 μm.
[0099]
To 100 parts by weight of the cyan toner particles, 0.5 parts by weight of titanium oxide having a primary average diameter of 120 nm was externally added using a Henschel mixer to obtain toner F.
[0100]
Vertical load of 128.4 g / cm in the toner F powder layer²When applied, the result of measuring the adhesive strength and the shear index by the above method was 3.8 g / cm.²6.9, indicating a value outside the range of the present invention.
[0101]
The toner supply container 1 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above is filled with the toner F as the developer T, attached to the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. About 10% or more remained without being discharged to the end. Further, there was a lot of developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1.
[0102]
Furthermore, when the developer T was blocked in the container 1 due to conditions such as high humidity, the block of the developer T did not collapse unless the container 1 was rotated for 5 minutes or more. In addition, even after breaking down, although the discharge speed was very slow, it was discharged, but at a considerably bad level.
[0103]
As apparent from the comparison between the toner A of this example and the toner F of Comparative Example 1, the adhesive strength of the powder layer in the developer is within the range of the present invention, that is, the vertical load is 128.4 g / cm.²0.60 g / cm when applied²~ 3.00 g / cm²A value within the range indicates a good result.
[0104]
The toner A contains a fluidity imparting agent such as hydrophobized titanium oxide that is not contained in the toner F, so that the adhesive strength and shear index in a state of being compacted at a predetermined pressure are included. Can be expected to fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0105]
From the above, as the developer used in the present invention, the adhesive strength in the powder layer has a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm.²When applied, 0.60 g / cm²~ 3.00 g / cm²If within the range, the developer transportability in the developer supply container can be maintained regardless of the environment, and in order to adjust the adhesion strength and the shear index within the range, the average particle size of the primary particles is 1 to 1. It can be seen that a method of adding a fluidity-imparting agent that is at least one of 100 nm hydrophobized silica, hydrophobized titanium oxide, or hydrophobized alumina is effective.
[0106]
As described above, the developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment suitable for the developer supply kit of the present invention includes the following features.
[0107]
(1) Since the developer can smoothly move on the inner surface of the container by forming a cylindrical shape, the transportability of the developer is improved and the remaining developer is small.
[0108]
(2) Since the opening is on the end surface on one end side in the rotation axis direction of the container body and is provided on the rotation axis, there is little scattering and contamination of the developer near the opening of the developer supply container, and the opening Since the portion is circular, the sealing member for sealing the opening is highly sealable and the developer is difficult to leak, and the inner diameter of the opening is 1/20 to 1/3 of the inner diameter of the container body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the opening or from being flushed and dirty as much as possible, and to control an appropriate developer conveyance speed.
[0109]
(3) Since at least one end of the protrusion provided on the partition wall has a guide portion connected to the opening, the developer is reliably conveyed to the opening.
[0110]
(4) Since the inclined angle of the inclined protrusion is 30 ° to 75 °, reliable developer transportability can be maintained, and the desired developer can be adjusted by adjusting the inclined angle within this range. It becomes possible to design optimally for the conveyance capacity.
[0111]
(5) Since the partition wall is provided with a through-hole, the developer agitating effect inside the developer replenishing container is increased and fluidity is imparted, so that the developer transportability is improved, Less developer remains.
[0112]
The developer supply container 1 of this embodiment having the characteristics shown in (1) to (5) is a preferred example of this type of developer supply container. However, the present invention discharges the developer. And a partition wall provided continuously in the direction of the rotation axis inside the container body, and provided so as to divide the inside of the container body into a plurality of parts. The present invention can be applied to a developer supply container having a configuration in which a projection is provided that has a projection and a surface inclined with respect to the axis.
[0113]
In this developer supply container, a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm as in the toner A is applied.²The adhesion strength of the powder layer when applied is 0.60 g / cm²~ 3.00 g / cm²The developer replenishment kit containing the developer is inexpensive, and no coarse particles are generated even when image formation is performed in the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG.
[0114]
In addition, the developer supply container configuration with high reliability that can be used repeatedly is excellent in developer transport capability and can maintain a stable discharge amount even in the latter half of discharge.
[0115]
Furthermore, the developer remaining in the developer replenishing container until it is not used and the developer adhering to the inner wall of the container are extremely reduced, and the developer in the developer replenishing container can be discharged almost completely. it can.
[0116]
Furthermore, even when the developer is aggregated and hardened in the developer supply container main body, such as when it is stored and stored under high temperature and high humidity for a long time, the developer collapses with little external force even in a hardened state. It is possible to provide a developer replenishment kit that can maintain the developer conveyance capability and can maintain a stable discharge amount to the end.
[0117]
In addition, a developer replenishment kit that minimizes scattering and contamination of the developer near the opening of the developer replenishing container and that does not cause any clogging of the developer at the opening of the developer replenishing container in any environment. It becomes possible to provide.
[0118]
Further, in the developer supply container described above, the vertical load on the powder layer is 128.4 g / cm in the developer stored.²The shear index when applied is preferably 1.02 to 5.00.
[0119]
Example 2
In this example, the powder-to-layer adhesion strength of the developer is determined by a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm.²0.60 g / cm when applied²~ 3.00 g / cm²A method for making the value of and a method for making the shear index a value of 1.02 to 5.00 will be described.
[0120]
As one of the methods, as described in Example 1, in the developer T stored in the toner replenishing container 1 of the present invention, as a fluidity imparting agent that suppresses the cohesiveness and adhesion of the developer, Examples include a method of externally adding at least one kind of hydrophobized silica fine powder, alumina fine powder or titanium oxide fine powder having an average particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm to toner particles in a developer.
[0121]
By adding these fluidity-imparting agents so as to achieve an appropriate surface coverage, stable chargeability can be maintained for a long time even under high temperature and high humidity, and toner particles are prevented from adhering and aggregating. it can.
[0122]
In this way, the contact area between the toner particles that inhibits the attractive force between the toner particles is reduced, and the adhesive strength and the shear index of the developer powder layer that are compacted by applying a predetermined pressure are set to a predetermined value. As a method for adjusting the value, it is preferable to control the shape of the toner in the developer in addition to adding a fluidity imparting agent to the developer.
[0123]
By controlling the shape of the toner, the adhesive strength in the powder layer is set to a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm.²When applied, 0.60 g / cm²~ 3.00 g / cm²As a method of making the toner, a toner having a toner circularity a of 0.900 or more represented by the following formula (3) in the developer toner is 80% or more and 100% or less, preferably in addition to the conditions. Thus, there is a method in which 0.95 or more is present 67% or more and 100% or less on the basis of the number.
[0124]
Circularity a = L0 / L (3)
(In the formula, L0 represents the circumference of a circle having the same projected area as the particle image, and L represents the circumference of the particle image.)
[0125]
If the toner has a circularity a of 0.900 or more and less than 80%, the contact area between the toner particles increases, and the frictional force between the toner particles increases. Then, since the configuration of the developer supply container 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 does not have a stirring member, when the developer is blocked at the time of physical distribution, the aggregation state cannot be solved with a simple external force, and even the discharge is performed. Further, it becomes difficult to slide the inclined protrusion 3a, the developer conveying ability is deteriorated, and the transfer efficiency is also deteriorated.
[0126]
As a method for obtaining the average circularity, a simple method for quantitatively expressing the shape of the particles is used. In the present invention, a flow type particle image analyzer “FPIA-1000 (trade name) manufactured by Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. The circularity of the measured particles is determined by the following formula (4), and the value obtained by dividing the total circularity of all the measured particles by the total number of particles is defined as the average circularity.
[0127]
Circularity a = L0 / L (4)
(In the formula, L0 represents the circumference of a circle having the same projected area as the particle image, and L represents the circumference of the particle image.)
[0128]
This circularity is an index of the degree of unevenness of the toner particles, and indicates 1.00 when the toner is a perfect sphere, and the circularity becomes smaller as the surface shape becomes more complicated. In addition, the standard deviation of the circularity distribution in the present invention is an index of variation, and the smaller the value, the sharper the distribution.
[0129]
The measuring device “FPIA-1000 (trade name)” used here calculates the circularity of each particle, and then classifies the circularity of 0.4 to 1.0 into 61 classes according to the obtained circularity. The calculation method is used in which the average circularity and the circularity standard deviation are calculated using the center value and frequency of the dividing points. The error between each value of the average circularity and circularity standard deviation calculated by this calculation method and each value of the average circularity and circularity standard deviation calculated directly using the circularity of each particle described above is Very few and practically negligible.
[0130]
In the present invention, for the purpose of handling data such as shortening the calculation time and simplifying the calculation formula, the concept of the calculation formula that directly uses the circularity of each particle described above is used, and the measurement is partially changed. A calculation method using an apparatus “FPIA-1000 (trade name)” was used.
[0131]
As a specific method for measuring the circularity a, 0.1 to 0.5 ml of a surfactant, preferably alkylbenzene sulfonate, is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of water from which impurities have been previously removed, and a measurement sample is further added. Add about 0.1-0.5g. The suspension in which the sample is dispersed is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes, and the dispersion concentration is set to 1 to 220,000 pieces / μl. 1000 (trade name) ", and the circularity distribution of particles having a circle-equivalent diameter of 0.60 μm or more and less than 159.21 μm is measured.
[0132]
The outline of the measurement is described in the catalog (June 1995 edition) of “FPIA-1000 (trade name)” issued by Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd., the operation manual of the measuring apparatus, and Patent Document 6, It is as follows.
[0133]
The sample dispersion is passed through a flat and flat transparent flow cell (thickness: about 200 μm) flow path (spread along the flow direction). The strobe and the CCD camera are mounted on the flow cell so as to be opposite to each other so as to form an optical path that passes through the thickness of the flow cell. While the sample dispersion is flowing, strobe light is irradiated at 1/30 second intervals to obtain an image of the particles flowing through the flow cell, so that each particle has a certain range parallel to the flow cell. Photographed as a two-dimensional image. From the area of the two-dimensional image of each particle, the diameter of a circle having the same area is calculated as the equivalent circle diameter. The circularity of each particle is calculated from the projected area of the two-dimensional image of each particle and the perimeter of the projected image using the circularity calculation formula (4).
[0134]
There is no particular limitation on the method of setting the toner having a circularity a of 0.900 or more in this way, but for example, a pulverized toner contains at least a binder resin and a colorant. After the mixture is melt-kneaded and the obtained kneaded product is cooled, the cooled product is pulverized, and the pulverizing apparatus may be appropriately selected.
[0135]
Examples of the pulverizer include a jet airflow pulverizer using a jet airflow, particularly a collision airflow pulverizer and a mechanical pulverizer. Further, after pulverization, the shape of the pulverized product may be modified by a hybridizer.
[0136]
In addition to the pulverization method, a polymerized toner manufacturing method for directly obtaining toner particles by polymerizing a mixture containing a polymerizable monomer, a colorant and a wax may be used.
[0137]
On the other hand, in recent years, there is an increasing need for high-speed image forming apparatuses, and in order to improve the offset resistance of toner at the time of fixing, a material having high releasability such as wax is added to the toner in the developer. There are many cases. Needless to say, the toner replenishing container in the present invention sufficiently corresponds to such an image forming apparatus compatible with a high-speed machine, and the developer accommodated in the toner replenishing container is also adhesive when it is compacted by applying a predetermined pressure. If the strength and shear index are within the range of the present invention, there is no problem even if wax is added to the developer.
[0138]
When the developer is a toner containing a wax, the amount of the wax added is preferably 0.5 to 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin of the toner.
[0139]
Addition of less than 0.5 parts by weight adversely affects the low-temperature fixability, blocking resistance and offset resistance of the developer in both the pulverization method and the polymerization method.
[0140]
On the other hand, when the amount exceeds 20 parts by weight, in the production by the pulverization method, the wax is dispersed in the binder resin and exists on the surface of the toner particles. Further, a large amount of free wax is present, and the wax adheres to the inclined protrusions of the developer supply container and the inner wall of the container, which adversely affects the developer transportability.
[0141]
Even in the production by the polymerization method, toner particles tend to coalesce during granulation, and a mixture of a polymerizable monomer, a colorant and a wax is polymerized to directly obtain toner particles. A large amount of wax is encapsulated, but there is a free wax that does not polymerize during production. Similar to the toner prepared by the pulverization method, it adversely affects the transportability of the developer.
[0142]
Further, the developer in the present invention can be applied to either a magnetic toner in which a magnetic material is internally added to toner particles or a non-magnetic toner. It is also applicable to a mixture of toner and carrier.
[0143]
In this embodiment, a developer other than toner A, which is a non-magnetic toner prepared by the pulverization method used in Embodiment 1, within the scope of the present invention, having these properties, is also employed. Using the toner A as the developer in Example 1, the toner F in Comparative Example 1, and the other toners B, C, and D, and the two-component developer E, a set with the developer supply container 1 similar to that in Example 1 The combined developer supply kit will be described in comparison.
[0144]
Toner A: Non-magnetic toner similar to that described in Example 1, including 0.8 parts by weight of hydrophobized titanium having an average diameter of 5 nm with respect to the whole, and the weight part of wax is a binder resin. It is 5.4 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight. The toner A is a cyan toner, but the same result is obtained even when non-magnetic pigments of other colors are used.
[0145]
Experimental example 1
The developer supply container 1 having the structure shown in FIG. 1 of Example 1 is filled with toner A as developer T in an amount of 0.43 g / cc with respect to the internal volume of the container, and the container is driven at a speed of 17 rpm. When the developer T was discharged, the developer T showed good developer discharge from the beginning of discharge, the developer T was also discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer was very small, and the container inner wall There was almost no developer T adhering.
[0146]
Further, the developer replenishing container 1 filled with 0.43 g / cc of toner A with respect to the inner volume of the container is placed on the side, tapped 1000 times, and then the discharge test is performed in the same manner. It was. Although the developer T was initially blocked in the container 1, when the container 1 was rotated, the blocking immediately collapsed and showed good dischargeability. Further, the developer T was hardly blocked at the opening 1a. The developer T was discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T was extremely small, and there was almost no developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1.
[0147]
Toner B: While toner A is a non-magnetic toner prepared by a pulverization method, it is characterized in that a magnetic material is added to form a magnetic toner. In addition, 0.90 parts by weight of the hydrophobized silica having an average diameter of 18 nm is contained with respect to the whole, and the wax is 8 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.
[0148]
Experimental example 2
・ Toner B
100 parts by weight of polyester resin 90 parts by weight of magnetic material having an average particle size of 0.4 μm 8 parts by weight of wax
[0149]
The above mixture was melt-kneaded and the cooled mixture was coarsely pulverized with a hammer mill. The coarsely pulverized product was finely pulverized with a jet mill, and the obtained finely pulverized product was classified with an air classifier to obtain a magnetic toner having a volume average diameter of 7.3 μm.
[0150]
To 100 parts by weight of the toner particles, 0.90 part by weight of hydrophobized silica having an average diameter of 18 nm was externally added with a Henschel mixer to obtain toner B.
[0151]
The developer replenishing container 1 of Example 1 is filled with toner B as a developer T in an amount of 0.60 g / cc with respect to the inner volume of the container, and the container is rotated at a speed of 17 rpm. As a result of the discharge test, the developer that showed good developer discharge from the initial discharge was discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T was extremely small, and the developer adhered to the inner wall of the container 1 There was almost no agent T.
[0152]
Further, the developer replenishing container 1 filled with the toner B in an amount of 0.60 g / cc with respect to the inner volume of the container was placed on the side, tapped 1000 times, and then the discharging test was performed in the same manner. As a result, the developer T was blocked in the container 1, but when the container 1 was rotated, the blocking immediately collapsed and showed good dischargeability. In addition, the developer T is hardly blocked at the opening 1a, and the developer T is discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T is extremely small, and the developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1 is also little. There wasn't.
[0153]
Toner C: Toners A and B were prepared by a pulverization method, but non-magnetic toner prepared by a polymerization method was used as toner C. 1.0 part by weight of hydrophobized silica is included, and the wax is 9.80 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.
[0154]
Also in the toner prepared by such a polymerization method, the amount of wax added is preferably 0.5 to 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin of the toner.
[0155]
Experimental example 3
A method for producing toner C will be described. To 710 parts of ion exchange water, 0.1 M Na_ThreePO_FourAfter 450 parts of the aqueous solution was added and heated to 60 ° C., it was stirred at 1300 rpm using a homomixer. To this, 1.0M-CaCl₂Gradually add 68 parts of aqueous solution and add Ca._Three(PO_Four)₂An aqueous medium having a pH of 6 was obtained.
[0156]
・ 160 parts by weight of styrene
・ 34 parts by weight of n-butyl acrylate
-Copper phthalocyanine pigment 12 parts by weight
・ 2 parts by weight of charge control agent
・ 10 parts by weight of saturated polyester
・ 20 parts by weight of wax
[0157]
The above material was heated to 60 ° C. and uniformly dissolved and dispersed using a homomixer. A polymerization initiator was dissolved in this to prepare a polymerizable monomer composition. A polymerizable monomer composition is put into the aqueous medium, and the temperature is 60 ° C., N₂Under an atmosphere, the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes with a CLEAR mixer to granulate the polymerizable monomer composition. Thereafter, the polymerization reaction was carried out while stirring the aqueous medium with a paddle stirring blade.
[0158]
After the completion of the polymerization reaction, the mixture was cooled and hydrochloric acid was added to adjust the pH to 2 to dissolve calcium phosphate, followed by filtration, washing with water and drying to obtain polymer particles (toner particles).
[0159]
To 100 parts of the resulting polymer particles (toner particles), 1.0 part by mass of hydrophobized silica having a primary particle diameter of 50 nm was externally added to obtain toner C.
[0160]
The developer replenishing container 1 of Example 1 is filled with toner C as a developer in an amount of 0.46 g / cc with respect to the inner volume of the container 1, and the container 1 is rotated at a speed of 17 rpm to develop. When the developer discharge test was performed, good developer discharge performance was shown from the beginning of discharge, and developer T was discharged almost to the end, and the remaining developer T was extremely small and adhered to the inner wall of the container 1. There was almost no developer T present.
[0161]
Further, a similar developer replenishing container 1 filled with toner C in an amount of 0.46 g / cc with respect to the inner volume of the container 1 is placed on the side, tapped 1000 times, and then a discharge test is performed in the same manner. It was. Then, in the container 1, the developer T was initially blocked, but when the container 1 was rotated, the blocking immediately collapsed and showed good dischargeability. Further, the developer T is hardly blocked at the opening 1a, and the developer T is discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T is extremely small, and there is almost no developer attached to the inner wall of the container 1. It was.
[0162]
Toner D: Toner D is a magnetic toner obtained by adding iron oxide as a magnetic substance to a toner prepared by a pulverization method. 10 parts by weight of hydrophobically treated silica having an average diameter of 10 nm is added, and 6.86 parts by weight of wax is contained with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.
[0163]
When the developer stored in the developer supply container of the present invention is a magnetic toner, the magnetic material is preferably magnetic iron oxide having a number average particle diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 μm.
[0164]
In the case of magnetic iron oxide, if the particle size is 0.1 μm or less, the magnetic material itself aggregates, and the dispersion of the magnetic material in the toner is deteriorated, so that the cohesiveness of the toner becomes strong.
[0165]
On the other hand, even when the thickness is 1.0 μm or more, the dispersion of the magnetic substance in the toner is deteriorated, and the magnetic substance is unevenly distributed on the surface of the toner particle, so that magnetic aggregation occurs and the toner aggregation property is enhanced. .
[0166]
The measurement of the number average particle diameter of the magnetic material is as follows.
[0167]
The number average diameter of the magnetic material is obtained by selecting 300 magnetic materials at random using a photograph taken at a magnification of 40,000 with a transmission electron microscope and measuring with a digitizer.
[0168]
Experimental Example 4
A method for preparing the toner D is as follows.
・ Hybrid containing polyester unit and vinyl polymer unit
100 parts by weight of resin component
・ 2 parts by weight of a polymer having a sulfonic acid group
・ 1 part by weight of charge control agent
・ 7 parts by weight of wax
・ 100 parts by weight of magnetic iron oxide having an average particle size of 0.18 μm
[0169]
A mixture obtained by premixing the above mixture with a powder mixer was heated and melt-kneaded with a twin screw extruder. After the melt-kneaded product was cooled, it was coarsely pulverized to about 1 to 2 mm using a hammer mill, and then finely pulverized with a fine pulverizer using a mechanical pulverizer. Further, the finely pulverized product thus obtained was finely and coarsely strictly removed simultaneously with a multi-division classifier to obtain magnetic toner particles. The obtained magnetic toner particles had a volume average diameter of 7.2 μm.
[0170]
To 100 parts by weight of this magnetic toner, 1.0 part by weight of hydrophobic silica having a primary average diameter of 10 nm was externally added with a Henschel mixer to obtain toner D.
[0171]
The developer replenishing container of Example 1 is filled with toner D in an amount of 0.60 g / cc with respect to the internal volume of the container 1, and the container 1 is rotated at a speed of 17 rpm to discharge the developer T. As a result, the developer T exhibiting good developer discharge performance from the initial discharge is discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T is extremely small, and the developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1 is also present. There was almost no.
[0172]
Further, the developer replenishing container 1 filled with the toner D in an amount of 0.60 g / cc with respect to the internal volume of the container 1 was placed on the side, tapped 1000 times, and then the discharge test was performed in the same manner. Although the developer T was initially blocked in the container 1, when the container 1 was rotated, the blocking immediately collapsed and showed good dischargeability. Further, the developer T was hardly blocked at the opening 1a. The developer T was discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T was extremely small, and there was almost no developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1.
[0173]
・ Two-component developer E
In the present invention, a two-component developer can be used. Next, a developer replenishment kit employing a two-component developer E in which a carrier is added to the toner A will be described.
[0174]
In the two-component development method, as a method for suppressing the charging deterioration of the developer, a method of supplying a new carrier and toner mixture into the developing device regularly or continuously is adopted. By using this developing system, it is possible to suppress the charging deterioration of the developer in the developing device and to extend the replacement frequency or to eliminate the replacement as compared with the case where it is not used.
[0175]
In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, the developer accommodated in the developer supply container is naturally a mixture of toner and carrier. However, in the developer supply container of the present invention, a mixture of toner and carrier as a developer is used. There is no problem even if it accommodates.
[0176]
At that time, the carrier mixing ratio is preferably 40% by weight or less with respect to the total amount of the developer. When 40% by weight or more is mixed, the container configuration of the present invention causes a problem that the toner and the carrier are easily segregated in the container.
[0177]
Experimental Example 5
The two-component developer E is prepared as follows.
Toner A Average particle size 45 μm 80 parts by weight Mn—Mg ferrite carrier 20 parts by weight with true specific gravity 5.1
20 parts by weight of a Mn—Mg ferrite carrier having a true specific gravity of 5.1 was mixed in advance with 80 parts by weight of toner A using a mixer. Therefore, the carrier mixed with the total amount of the developer is 20% by weight.
[0178]
The adhesive strength of this developer is 2.5 g / cm.²Met.
[0179]
The developer supply container 1 of Example 1 is filled with the above-described two-component developer E as a developer T in an amount of 0.45 g / cc with respect to the internal volume of the container, and the container is filled at a speed of 17 rpm. When the developer T was rotated and the discharge test of the developer T was performed, the developer T showed good developer discharge from the beginning of discharge, the developer T was discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T was extremely small, and the inner wall of the container 1 There was almost no developer T adhering to the film.
[0180]
Further, when the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier was sequentially measured with respect to the discharged developer T, it was confirmed that almost no segregation of the carrier and the toner occurred.
[0181]
Further, the developer supply container 1 filled with the toner E as the developer T in an amount of 0.43 g / cc with respect to the internal volume of the container 1 was placed sideways with the opening 1a facing down, and tapping was performed 1000 times. Thereafter, a discharge test was conducted in the same manner. As a result, the developer T was blocked in the container 1, but as soon as the container 1 was rotated, the blocking was effectively broken and showed good dischargeability. Further, the developer T is almost completely blocked at the opening, and the developer T is discharged almost to the end, the remaining developer T is extremely small, and there is almost no developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1. It was.
[0182]
Further, when the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier was sequentially measured with respect to the discharged developer T, it was confirmed that almost no segregation of the carrier and the toner occurred.
[0183]
Comparative Example 2
Also here, as a comparative example, the same toner F as that described in comparative example 1 in Example 1 is used. In the toner F, the amount of the wax is 10 parts by weight with respect to the binder resin, but the hydrophobized silica added to the toners A, B, C, and D used in Experimental Examples 1 to 4, hydrophobic No fluidity-imparting agent such as hydrophobized titanium oxide or hydrophobized alumina is added.
[0184]
The developer replenishing container 1 of Example 1 is filled with toner F as a developer T in an amount of 0.43 g / cc with respect to the inner volume of the container, and the container 1 is rotated at a speed of 17 rpm to develop it. When the discharging property test of the agent T was performed, about 10% or more of the developer T remained without being discharged to the end. Further, there was a lot of developer T adhering to the inner wall of the container 1.
[0185]
Further, the developer replenishing container 1 filled with the toner F in an amount of 0.43 g / cc with respect to the inner volume of the container 1 was placed on the side, tapped 1000 times, and then a discharge test was performed in the same manner. The developer block did not collapse unless the container 1 was rotated for 5 minutes or longer. In addition, even after breaking down, although the discharge speed was very slow, it was discharged, but at a considerably bad level.
[0186]
Table 1 shows the adhesion strength, shear index, and circularity measured by the methods described above for each of toners A, B, C, D, and toner F described in Experimental Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1.
[0187]
The physical properties of this toner are shown in Table 1.
[0188]
[Table 1]

[0189]
Considering the results of Experimental Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 2 together with Table 1, the adhesive strength in the powder layer of the developer was 128.4 g / cm in vertical load.²When applied, 0.60 g / cm²~ 3.00 g / cm²Those within the range show good results.
[0190]
From Table 1, the toner F having both the adhesive strength and the shear index outside the scope of the present invention has a toner circularity of 0.900 or more, which is not 80% or more. From the test results described in Comparative Example 2, It was bad. From this, it can be seen that setting the ratio of toner having a circularity of 0.900 or more to 80% or more is an important factor for keeping the adhesive strength and shear index of the developer within the scope of the present invention. .
[0191]
The method for adjusting the circularity may be either a pulverization method or a polymerization method, and may be a non-magnetic toner or a magnetic toner.
[0192]
As described in Experiments 1 to 5, the toners A to D have a flow of hydrophobized silica, hydrophobized titanium oxide, hydrophobized alumina, or the like having an average primary particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. A property-imparting agent is contained, but not in toner F. From this, it is important to add these fluidity-imparting agents to the developer, and it can be expected that the shear index and the adhesion index can be lowered and fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0193]
From the above, as described in Example 1, the developer used in the present invention has a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm in the developer powder layer.²When applied, 0.60 g / cm²~ 3.00 g / cm²If it is within the range, the function of the developer supply container 1 can be effectively exhibited, and there is an effect of improving the transportability and dischargeability of the developer.
[0194]
In order to adjust the adhesion strength and the shear index within the range, hydrophobized silica, hydrophobized titanium oxide, or hydrophobized alumina fluidity imparted with an average primary particle size of 1 to 100 nm. It has become clear that a method of applying an agent or containing particles having a circularity a of 0.900 or more in a cumulative number based on the number of 80% or more is effective.
[0195]
Further, as shown in the above experimental examples 1 to 5, in the developer replenishment kit using toner A to toner E, the developer powder layer has a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm.²Since the shear index when applied was 1.02 to 5.00, the above effect was stabilized.
[0196]
Example 3
In this embodiment, a developer supply container 20 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is used as the developer supply container. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container 20 in this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view.
[0197]
First, the internal configuration of the container 20 will be described.
[0198]
The developer supply container is a toner bottle 20 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Like the developer supply container 1 described in the first embodiment, the developer supply container is disposed in the image forming apparatus 100 main body in a substantially horizontal direction. The bottle 20 is configured to rotate by receiving rotational driving from 100.
[0199]
A partition wall 3 is provided over the entire length of the bottle so as to bisect the toner bottle portion 20 inside the toner bottle 20, and both surfaces of the partition wall 3 are relative to the rotation axis XX of the bottle 20. A plurality of protrusions 3a and holes 3c having inclined surfaces are provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusions 3 a are arranged symmetrically about the rotation axis XX so that the developer is conveyed in the same rotational direction to the front and back surfaces of the partition wall 3.
[0200]
A feature of the present embodiment is that the opening 1a is provided on the peripheral surface of the container. The opening 1a is provided with a sealing member 2 for closing the opening 1a, and the sealing member 2 slides relatively in the axial direction (arrow direction) of the toner bottle 20 to open and close the opening 1a. I do. The sealing member 2 includes an arcuate shutter 2a along the outer periphery of the container body 20 and a packing material 2b attached to the inner surface of the shutter 2a.
[0201]
The sealing member 2 is attached to the container body 20 so as to reciprocate between a position where the opening 1a of the container body 20 is closed and a position where the opening 1a is opened. The mounting method can be achieved by providing a rail parallel to the shutter 2a, providing a parallel guide portion around the opening 1a of the corresponding container body 20, and engaging each other.
[0202]
The moving direction of the sealing member 2 may be a direction along the peripheral surface of the container body 20 or a direction along the rotation axis XX of the container body 20. When the agent supply container 20 is attached / detached along the rotation axis XX, it is preferable because the sealing member 2 can be opened and closed by using the movement.
[0203]
The packing member 2b is preferably foamed polyurethane, and it is simple and practical to fix it to the shutter 2a with double-sided tape. The packing material may be another elastic body such as foam or rubber, and the fixing means is not limited to the double-sided tape, and other conventionally known methods can be applied. When the sealing member 2 is attached to the container main body 1, the packing material 2b is compressed by a predetermined amount to seal the opening 1a.
[0204]
As in this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to the case where the opening is provided on the peripheral surface, and the effects described in the first embodiment can be obtained. As in the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. When the apparatus 201 is disposed, the developer can be replenished directly, so there is no need to provide a transport path for connecting the developing apparatus and the developer replenishing container, and the structure of the image forming apparatus can be simplified.
[0205]
Even in the developer supply container of the present embodiment, the adhesive strength in the developer powder layer has a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm.²When applied, 0.60 g / cm²~ 3.00 g / cm²Then, as described in the second embodiment, the toner prepared by the pulverization method, the toner prepared by the polymerization method, non-magnetic, magnetic, or the toner added with the carrier can be suitably applied. The same effect as shown in 1 can be obtained.
[0206]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above, the present inventiontonerThe replenishment kit istonerContained in supply containertonerAdhesive strength in the powder layer is vertical load 128.4 g / cm²When applied, 0.60 g / cm²~ 3.00 g / cm²So thatTonerAt least one fluidity-imparting agent among hydrophobized silica, hydrophobized titanium oxide, and hydrophobized alumina having an average primary particle size of 1 to 100 nmButBy being added, it is inexpensive, does not generate coarse particles at all, and is highly reliable for repeated use.tonerFor supply container configuration,tonerIt is possible to maintain a stable discharge amount even in the latter half of the discharge.
[0207]
  AndtonerRemains in the supply container without being used to the endtonerOr adhere to the inner wall of the containertonerVery little, almost completelytonerIn the supply containertonerCan be discharged. Furthermore, when it is stored in high temperature and high humidity for a long time, such as vibration caused by logisticstonerIn the supply container bodytonerWith less external forcetonerCollapsed and excellenttonerCan be maintainedtonerNear the opening of the supply containertonerSuppresses scattering and dirt as much as possible, and in any environmenttonerAt the opening of the supply containertonerNo occlusiontonerA supply kit can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of a developer supply container according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view showing an example of a developer supply container according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the behavior of the developer supply container according to the present invention when the developer is transported.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for measuring developer adhesive strength and shear index according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for measuring the adhesive strength and shear index of a developer according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing another example of a developer supply container according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view showing another example of a developer supply container according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus to which the developer supply kit of the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,20 Developer supply container
1a opening
2 Sealing member
3 partition wall (conveyance member)
3a Protruding part (protruding part, guide part, lifting part)
3c Hole (through hole, falling part)
T Developer

Claims (3)

In a toner replenishment kit including a toner replenishment container that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus and toner accommodated therein ,
The toner supply container is
A rotatable container body containing toner ;
An opening provided on one end side in the rotational axis direction of the container body for discharging toner ;
A plate-like member for forming a toner lifting portion between said container said to extend from the rotational axial end to the other end is fixed to stand in the container main body said container body interior surface of the main body, the toner In order to convey the toner lifted by the lifting portion from the other end side in the direction of the rotation axis toward the one end side with the subsequent rotation, the toner is inclined with respect to the rotation axis and partly overlaps each other in the direction of the rotation axis. And a plurality of through-holes provided between the adjacent inclined protrusions in the rotational axis direction in order to drop the toner lifted by the toner lifting portion with the subsequent rotation. A plate-shaped member provided,
In an environment where the temperature is 23 ° C. and the relative humidity is 50%,
Forming a powder layer in which the toner is compressed by applying a vertical load of 128.4 g / cm ² for 10 minutes;
The compressed powder layer is sandwiched between the support base and the movable plate, and the movable plate is moved in the horizontal direction under different vertical loads to measure the shear strength τ ₁ and τ ₂ of the powder layer,
The powder layer in the compressed state is placed so as to straddle the support base and the movable cell, and the movable cell is moved in the horizontal direction to measure the tensile breaking strength σ _T of the powder layer,
The toner has an average particle size of primary particles such that the adhesive strength of the toner determined by the measured shear strengths τ ₁ and τ ₂ and the tensile breaking strength σ _T is 0.60 to 3.00 g / cm ^2. hydrophobic treated silica is 1 to 100 nm, toner replenishment kit, characterized in that the hydrophobized titanium oxide, at least one fluidizing agent of the hydrophobic treated alumina is added. The plurality of inclined protrusions are provided on both surfaces of the plate-like member so that the toner is conveyed from the other end side in the rotational axis direction of the container body toward the one end side as the container body rotates in one direction. The toner replenishment kit according to claim 1, wherein Said opening is formed in the small diameter cylindrical tip than projecting the container body from the rotation axial end of the container body, wherein one of the plurality of inclined projections to guide toner to the cylindrical portion The toner replenishing kit according to claim 1 , wherein the toner replenishing kit is provided.

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