Toner and image forming apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a toner for use in an image forming apparatus using an amorphous silicon photoconductor as a latent image carrier, and having a cleaning blade for removing the toner remaining on the photoconductor after a transfer step. The toner has a friction coefficient with the photoconductor in a range of 0.3 to 0.6. At least inorganic fine particles such as titanium oxide are externally added to the toner. The inorganic fine particles have a number-average primary particle size of 30 nm or more.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus for measuring friction coefficient in the present invention.

Claims

1. A toner for use in an image forming apparatus employing an amorphous silicon photoconductor as a latent image carrier, and having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the photoconductor after a transfer step, wherein the toner has a friction coefficient with the photoconductor in a range of 0.3 to 0.6, and at least inorganic fine particles having a number-average primary particle size of 30 nm or more is externally added.

2. The toner according to claim 1, containing toner particles having a particle size of not more than one-fourth of a volume reference mean particle size, in an amount of 30% or below in terms of number ratio.

3. The toner according to claim 1, containing the inorganic fine particles in an amount of 0.5% or more.

4. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic fine particles are titanium oxide particles having a number-average primary particle size of 50 nm or more.

5. The toner according to claim 1, containing titanium oxide as the inorganic fine particles.

6. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic fine particles are surface-treated particles.

7. An image forming apparatus using an amorphous silicon photoconductor as a latent image carrier, and having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on the photoconductor after a transfer step, wherein the image forming apparatus uses the toner as set forth in claim 1.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, comprising: an amorphous silicon photoconductor;a charge roller for applying a charge voltage by contacting with a surface of the photoconductor;light-exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image by exposing the surface of the photoconductor;development means for forming a toner image by allowing a charging toner of a predetermined polarity to adhere to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor;a transfer member for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor to a transfer material by applying a transfer voltage to the transfer material; anda cleaning blade for recovering non-transferred toner remaining on the photoconductor.