Image forming apparatus.

Claim 2

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a cutting depth C v of from 0.5 µm to 5 µm.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member is controlled by polishing a surface having a cutting depth C v of more than 5 µm.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains conductive carbon particles.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles and conductive carbon particles.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said developer-carrying member comprises a developing sleeve having a magnet in its inside, and said developer comprises a magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 0.5 µm to 30 µm.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 2 µm to 20 µm.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said solid lubricant comprises graphite particles having a particle diameter of from 0.5 µm to 10 µm.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 5 µm to 100 µm.

Claim 15

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 10 µm to 80 µm.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 15 µm to 40 µm.

Claim 17

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a volume resistivity of from 10⁻⁶ Ω·cm to 10⁶ Ω·cm

Claim 18

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of these, and a resin selected from the group consisting of a phenol resin, a silicone resin, a fluorine resin, a polyether sulfone, a polycarbonate, a polyphenylene oxide, a polyamide and a polystyrene type resin.

Claim 19

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of these, and a phenol resin.

Claim 20

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member comprises a laminated OPC photosensitive drum.

Claim 21

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner contains a binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on the total weight of the resin, the monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 as that of the whole resin.

Claim 22

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner contains a metal complex compound (A) of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group.

Claim 23

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner contains a metal complex salt type monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.

Claim 24

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner contains a metal complex compound (A) of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group, and a metal complex salt type monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.

Claim 25

The apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein said metal complex comound (A) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (I), (II) and (III). wherein R¹ to R⁴ may be the same or different from each other, and each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R¹ to R⁴ represents said hydrocarbon group; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ or Li⁺. wherein R¹ and R² may be the same or different from each other, and each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; one of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring and the other is absent or selected from the group consisiting of a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 9 carbons, a benzene ring and a cyclohexene ring; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺. wherein one of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring and the other is absent or selected from the group consisiting of a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 9 carbons, a benzene ring and a cyclohexene ring; and one of c and d is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring and the other is absent or selected from the group consisiting of a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 9 carbons, a benzene ring and a cyclohexene ring; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺.

Claim 26

The apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein said metal complex salt type monoazo dye (B) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (IV) and (V). wherein at least one of X and Y represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and any other represent(s) a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺. wherein at least one of X, Y and Z represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and any others represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺.

Claim 27

The apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein said hydrophilic group is a group selected from the group consisting of -SO₃H, -SO₃M, -COOM, -NR₃X, -COOH, -NH₂, -CN, -OH, -NHCONH₂, -X, and -NO₂, wherein R represents an alkyl group, M represents an alkali metal or -NH₄, and X represents a halogen atom.

Claim 28

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner has a weight average particle diameter D₄ of 10 µm to 15 µm, a fine-powder content (particle diameter: 6.35 µm or smaller) of not more than 30 % by number, a coarse-powder content (particle diameter: 20.2 µm or larger) of not more than 4 % by weight, and an MI (melt index) value of not more than 10.

Claim 29

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner comprises a binder resin, magnetic particles and a charge control agent; said binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on the total weight of the resin, said monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 as that of the whole resin; said magnetic particles having a bulk density of not less than 0.35 g/cm³; and said charge control agent comprises a metal complex salt type monoazo dye having a hydrophilic group.

Claim 30

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner contains a cross-linked styrene type copolymer.

Claim 31

The apparatus according to Claim 29, wherein said binder resin contained a cross-linked styrene type copolymer.

Claim 32

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner contains a weight average particle diameter D₄ of 5 µm to 15 µm.

Claim 33

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said toner contains a low-molecular weight polyalkylene.

Claim 34

The apparatus according to Claim 33, wherein said toner shows two or more maximum values in a chromatogram in gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 35

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silicone oil.

Claim 36

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silane coupling agent and a silicone oil.

Claim 37

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and an alumina powder pretreated with a silicone oil.

Claim 38

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said developer-carrying member is equipped with a means for applying a bias.

Claim 39

The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has a digital latent image.

Claim 40

The apparatus according to Claim 39, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has an OPC photosensitive layer and a digital latent image formed by exposure to laser light.

Claim 42

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a cutting depth C v of from 0.5 µm to 5 µm.

Claim 43

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.

Claim 44

The apparatus unit according to Claim 42, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.

Claim 45

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member is controlled by polishing a surface having a cutting depth C v of more than 5 µm.

Claim 46

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles.

Claim 47

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains conductive carbon particles.

Claim 48

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles and conductive carbon particles.

Claim 49

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said developer-carrying member comprises a developing sleeve having a magnet in its inside, and said developer comprises a magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.

Claim 50

The apparatus unit according to Claim 49, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.

Claim 51

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 0.5 µm to 30 µm.

Claim 52

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 2 µm to 20 µm.

Claim 53

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said solid lubricant comprises graphite particles having a particle diameter of from 0.5 µm to 10 µm.

Claim 54

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 5 µm to 100 µm.

Claim 55

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 10 µm to 80 µm.

Claim 56

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 15 µm to 40 µm.

Claim 57

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a volume resistivity of from 10⁻⁶ Ω·cm to 10⁶ Ω·cm

Claim 58

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of these, and a resin selected from the group consisting of a phenol resin, a silicone resin, a fluorine resin, a polyether sulfone, a polycarbonate, a polyphenylene oxide, a polyamide and a polystyrene type resin.

Claim 59

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of thereof, and a phenol resin.

Claim 60

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member comprises a laminated OPC photosensitive drum.

Claim 61

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner contains a binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on the total weight of the resin, said monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 as that of the whole resin.

Claim 62

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner contains a metal complex compound (A) of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group.

Claim 63

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner contains a metal complex salt type monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.

Claim 64

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner contain a metal complex compound (A) of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group, and a metal complex salt type monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.

Claim 65

The apparatus unit according to Claim 62, wherein said metal complex compound (A) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (I), (II) and (III). wherein R¹ to R⁴ may be the same or different from each other, and each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R¹ to R⁴ represents said hydrocarbon group; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺. wherein R¹ and R² may be the same or different from each other, and each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and one of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring and the other is absent or selected from the group consisiting of a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 9 carbons, a benzene ring and a cyclohexene ring; and represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺. wherein one of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring and the other is absent or selected from the group consisiting of a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 9 carbons, a benzene ring and a cyclohexene ring; and one of c and d is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring and the other is absent or selected from the group consisiting of a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 9 carbons, a benzene ring and a cyclohexene ringsymbols a and b each represent a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms, a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺.

Claim 66

The apparatus unit according to Claim 63, wherein said metal complex salt type monoazo dye (B) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (IV) and (V). wherein at least one of X and Y represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and any other represent(s) a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺. wherein at least one of X, Y and Z represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and any others represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A⁺ represents H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ or Li⁺.

Claim 67

The apparatus unit according to Claim 63, wherein said hydrophilic group is a group selected from the group consisting of -SO₃H, -SO₃M, -COOM, -NR₃X, -COOH, -NH₂, -CN, -OH, -NHCONH₂, -X, and -NO₂, wherein R represents an alkyl group, M represents an alkali metal or -NH₄, and X represents a halogen atom.

Claim 68

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner has a weight average particle diameter D₄ of 5 µm to 15 µm, a fine-powder content (particle diameter: 6.35 µm or smaller) of not more than 30 % by number, a coarse-powder content (particle diameter: 20.2 µm or larger) of not more than 4 % by weight, and an MI (melt index) value of not more than 10.

Claim 69

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner comprises a binder resin, magnetic particles and a charge control agent; said binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on the total weight of the resin, said monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 as that of the whole resin; said magnetic particles having a bulk density of not less than 0.35 g/cm³; and said charge control agent comprises a metal complex salt type monoazo dye having a hydrophilic group.

Claim 70

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner contains a cross-linked styrene type copolymer.

Claim 71

The apparatus unit according to Claim 69, wherein said binder resin contains a cross-linked styrene type copolymer.

Claim 72

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner has a weight average particle diameter D₄ of 5 µm to 15 µm.

Claim 73

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said toner contains a low-molecular weight polyalkylene.

Claim 74

The apparatus unit according to Claim 73, wherein said toner shows two or more maximum peaks in a chromatogram in gel permeation chromatography.

Claim 75

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silicone oil.

Claim 76

The apparatus unit according to Claim 41, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silane coupling agent and a silicone oil.

Claim 77

The apparatus according to Claim 41, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and an alumina powder pretreated with a silicone oil.

Claim 78

The apparatus according to Claim 41, wherein said developer-carrying member is equipped with a means for applying a bias.

Claim 79

The apparatus according to Claim 41, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has a digital latent image.

Claim 80

The apparatus according to Claim 79, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has an OPC photosensitive layer and a digital latent image formed by exposure to laser light.

Claim 81

A facsimile apparatus comprising an electrophotographic apparatus and a receiver means for receiving image information from a remote terminal, wherein said electrophotographic apparatus comprises an electrostatic latent image bearing member and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image; said developing apparatus comprising a developer container in which a developer is held, and a developer-carrying member for carrying thereon the developer and transporting the developer to a developing zone; said developer-carrying member having a surface layer of a resin containing at least conductive fine particles and a solid lubricant, said surface layer having in its relative load curve (Abbot's load curve) a cutting depth C v of not more than 5 µm when a relative load length t p is 5 %; and said developer containing a toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil or silicone varnish.

Claim 82

The facsimile apparatus according to Claim 81, wherein said electrophotographic apparatus comprises the image forming apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 40.