US5698354A
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US
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Image-forming method and image-forming apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-09
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Granted: 1997-12-16
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Expires: 2016-02-09
Abstract
Abstract An image-forming method is comprised of delivering a transfer-receiving medium to a first image-forming unit, forming a first toner image by a first image-forming means of the first image-forming unit, transferring the first toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium at a first transfer section of the first image-forming unit with a first transfer bias applied, and delivering the transfer-receiving medium to a second image-forming unit. Forming a second toner image by a second image-forming means of the second image-forming unit, transferring the second toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium carrying the first toner image at a second transfer section of the second image-forming unit with a second transfer bias applied, fixing the first toner image and the second toner image transferred on the transfer-receiving medium by a fixing means. The length of the transfer-receiving medium in the direction in which the transfer-receiving medium is conveyed is larger than the spacing between the first transfer section and the second transfer section. The intensity of the second transfer bias is different from the intensity of the first transfer bias. A first toner for forming the first toner image and a second toner for forming the second toner image both have shape factors of SF-1 ranging from 100 to 180 and SF-2 ranging from 100 to 140.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiyuki Ugai
- 👤 Tatsuya Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G9/00; G03G9/08; G03G9/0819; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0131; G03G15/0142; G03G15/0178; G03G15/0194; G03G9/087; G03G9/08702; G03G9/08704; G03G9/08784; G03G9/08795; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/01; G03G2215/0103; G03G2215/0119; G03G2215/0151; G03G2215/0164; G03G2215/16; G03G2215/1604; G03G2215/1628
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An image-forming method comprising the steps of delivering a transfer-receiving medium to a first image-forming unit, forming a first toner image by a first image-forming means of the first image-forming unit, transferring the first toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium at a first transfer section of the first image-forming unit with a first transfer bias applied, delivering the transfer-receiving medium to a second image-forming unit, forming a second toner image by a second image-forming means of the second image-forming unit, transferring the second toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium carrying the first toner image at a second transfer section of the second image-forming unit with a second transfer bias applied, fixing the first toner image and the second toner image transferred on the transfer-receiving medium by a fixing means, wherein the length of the transfer-receiving medium in the direction in which the transfer-receiving medium is conveyed is larger than the spacing between the first image-transfer section and the second image-transfer section, the intensity of the second transfer bias is different from the intensity of the first transfer bias, and a first toner for forming the first toner image and a second toner for forming the second toner image both have shape factors of SF-1 ranging from 100 to 180 and SF-2 ranging from 100 to 140.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
An image-forming method comprising the steps of delivering a transfer-receiving medium to a first image-forming unit, forming a first toner image by a first image-forming means of the first image-forming unit, transferring the first toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium at a first transfer section of the first image-forming unit with a first transfer bias applied, delivering the transfer-receiving medium to a second image-forming unit, forming a second toner image by a second image-forming means of the second image-forming unit, transferring the second toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium carrying the first toner image at a second transfer section of the second image-forming unit with a second transfer bias applied, fixing the first toner image and the second toner image transferred on the transfer-receiving medium by a fixing means, wherein the length of the transfer-receiving medium in the direction in which the transfer-receiving medium is conveyed is larger than the spacing between the first image-transfer section and the second image-transfer section, the intensity of the second transfer bias is different from the intensity of the first transfer bias, and a first toner for forming the first toner image and a second toner for forming the second toner image both have shape factors of SF-1 ranging from 100 to 180 and SF-2 ranging from 100 to 140.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between the first image-transfer section and the second image-transfer section is not larger than 110 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between the first image-transfer section and the second image-transfer section is not larger than 100 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the second transfer bias is set to be higher than that of the first transfer bias and in a polarity opposite to the electrification polarity of the second toner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each have the shape factors of SF-1 ranging from 100 to 160 and SF-2 ranging from 100 to 135.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each have the shape factors of SF-1 ranging from 100 to 140 and SF-2 ranging from 100 to 120.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each are particulate toner produced through the steps of melting, blending, and pulverizing a toner material containing at least a binder resin and a coloring agent, and sphering the resulting pulverized toner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each are particulate toner produced by polymerizing a monomer composition containing at least a polymerizable monomer and a coloring agent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the particulate toner is produced by suspension polymerization, dispersion polymerization, or emulsion polymerization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the particulate toner is produced by suspension polymerization.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each contain a residue of the monomer at a content of not higher than 1000 ppm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each contain a residue of the monomer at a content of not higher than 500 ppm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each have a weight-average particle diameter ranging from 1 to 9 μm, and exhibit a variation coefficient (A) of not larger than 35% in number distribution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each are a mixture of toner particles and a fine powdery matter having hydrophobicity degree of not lower then 60%.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each are a mixture of toner particles and a fine powdery matter having hydrophobicity degree of not lower than 90%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner and the second toner each are a mixture of toner particles a hydrophobicity-imparted inorganic fine powdery matter a, and a hydrophobicity-imparted silicon compound b having a diameter larger than the inorganic fine powdery matter a.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the inorganic fine powdery matter a has an average particle diameter ranging from 3 to 90 nm, and the silicon compound b has an average particle diameter ranging from 30 to 120 nm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the inorganic fine powdery matter a has a hydrophobicity degree of not lower than 60%.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the inorganic fine powdery matter a has a hydrophobicity degree of not lower than 90%.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the first toner and the second toner each contain the inorganic fine powdery matter a in an amount ranging from 0.05 to 3.5 parts by weight, and the silicon compound b in an amount ranging from 0.05 to 3.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the toner particles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
156 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first toner image is formed in the first image-forming means through the steps of electrifying primarily a first latent image holding member for holding a first electrostatic latent image by a first electrifying means, forming a first electrostatic latent image by a first latent image-forming means on the first latent image holding member thus primarily electrified, and developing the first electrostatic latent image with a first toner stored in a first development means; and the second toner image is formed in the second image-forming means through the steps of electrifying primarily a second latent image holding member for holding a second electrostatic latent image by a second electrifying means, forming a second electrostatic latent image by a second latent image-forming means on the second latent image holding member thus primarily electrified, and developing the second electrostatic latent image with a second toner stored in a second development means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the first latent image holding member and the second latent image holding member each have fluorine atoms and carbon atoms on the surface of the latent image holding member in a ratio (F/C) ranging from 0.03 to 1.00 as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the first latent image holding member and the second latent image holding member each have silicon atoms and carbon atoms on the surface of the latent image holding member in a ratio (Si/C) ranging from 0.03 to 1.00 as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the first latent image holding member and the second image holding member each are drum shaped photosensitive members having a diameter ranging from 20 to 40 mm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the first electrifying means is a non-contacting electrifying means which electrifies the surface of the first latent image holding member without contacting with the surface thereof, and the second electrifying means is a non-contacting electrifying means which electrifies the surface of the second latent image holding member without contacting with the surface thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 25, wherein the non-contacting electrifying means comprises a corona charger.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the first electrifying means is a contacting electrifying means which electrifies the surface of the first latent image holding member by contact with the surface thereof, and the second electrifying means is a contacting electrifying means which electrifies the surface of the second latent image holding member by contact with the surface thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein the contacting electrifying means comprises a roller-shaped electrifying means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein the contacting electrifying means comprises a blade-shaped electrifying means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein the contacting electrifying means comprises a blush-shaped electrifying means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 30, wherein the brush-shaped electrifying means is a magnetic brush electrifying means comprising an electroconductive sleeve having a magnet in the inside thereof, and a magnetic brush formed from electroconductive magnetic particles on the electroconductive sleeve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the first image-forming means and the second image-forming means each have a contacting development system in the development area in which the thickness of the layer of the developing agent held on the developing agent holding member is larger than the gap between the latent image holding member and the developing agent holding member, and the latent image is developed by bringing the layer of the developing agent into contact with the surface of the latent image holding member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 32, wherein the developing agent is of a two-component type, comprising a toner and a magnetic carrier.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 32, wherein the developing agent is of a one-component type, comprising a toner.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method according to claim 32, wherein the first image-forming means and the second image-forming means each have no cleaning means for removing the toner remaining after the toner image transfer on the surface of the latent image holding member between the transfer section and the electrifying section of the electrifying means, and the development means serves also as a cleaning means for recovering the remaining toner and cleaning the surface of the latent image holding member after the transfer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
108 words
The method according to claim 21, wherein the first image-forming means and the second image-forming means each have a non-contacting development system in the development area, in which the thickness of the layer of the developing agent held on the developing agent holding means is smaller than the gap between the latent image holding member and the developing agent holding member, and the latent image is developed by allowing the developing agent to fly from the developing agent holding member onto the surface of the latent image holding member without bringing the layer of the developing agent into contact with the surface of the latent image holding member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 36, wherein the developing agent is of a one-component type, comprising a toner.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
159 words
The method according to claim 1, comprising delivering the transfer-receiving member to a third image-forming unit after the second image transfer before fixation of the image, forming a third toner image by a third image-forming means of the third image-forming unit, transferring the third toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium carrying the first and second toner images at a third transfer section of the third image-forming unit with a third transfer bias applied, and fixing the first, second, and third toner images transferred on the transfer-receiving medium by a fixing means, wherein the length of the transfer-receiving medium in the conveyance direction is larger than the spacing between the first transfer section and the second transfer section; the intensities of the first, second, and third transfer biases are different from each other, and the third toner for forming the third toner image has shape factors of SF-1 ranging from 100 to 180 and SF-2 ranging from 100 to 140.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 38, wherein the first toner, the second toner, and the third toner each are any of a magenta toner, a cyan toner and a yellow toner, and a full-color image is formed by combination of the magenta toner, the cyan toner, and the yellow toner.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
241 words
The method according to claim 1, comprising delivering the transfer-receiving member to a third image-forming unit after the second image transfer before fixation of the image, forming a third toner image by a third image-forming means of the third image-forming unit, transferring the third toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium carrying the first and second toner images at a third transfer section of the third image-forming unit with a third transfer bias applied, delivering the transfer-receiving member to a fourth image-forming unit, forming a fourth toner image by a fourth image-forming means of the fourth image-forming unit, transferring the fourth toner image onto the transfer-receiving medium carrying the first, second, and third toner images at a fourth transfer section of the fourth image-forming unit with a fourth transfer bias applied, and fixing the first, second, third, and fourth toner images transferred on the transfer-receiving medium by a fixing means, wherein the length of the transfer-receiving medium in the conveyance direction is larger than the spacing between the second transfer section and the third transfer section; the length of the transfer-receiving medium in the conveyance direction is larger than the spacing between the third transfer section and the fourth transfer section; the intensities of the first, second, third, and fourth transfer biases are different from each other, and the third, and fourth toners image each have shape factors of SF-1 ranging from 100 to 180 and SF-2 ranging from 100 to 140.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 40, wherein the first toner, the second toner, the third toner, and the fourth toner are respectively a magenta toner, a cyan toner, a yellow toner, or a black toner, and a full-color image is formed by combination of the magenta toner, the cyan toner, the yellow toner, and the black toner.
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