Developer, developer storage unit, developing device, and image forming apparatus
View Patent ↗Developer includes toner formed of base particles containing at least a binder resin. The base particles have surfaces coated with an additive agent, and the toner has a volume average particle size between 3.9 μm and 6.1 μm. The developer further includes agglomerates in an amount between 0.01 wt % and 0.10 wt %. The agglomerates have a volume average particle size between 75 μm and 100 μm.
1. Developer comprising:
toner formed of base particles each containing at least a binder resin, said base particles each having a surface coated with an additive agent, said toner having a volume average particle size between 3.9 μm and 6.1 μm inclusive; and
agglomerates having respective particle sizes between 75 μm and 100 μm inclusive, said agglomerates being in an amount between 0.01 wt% and 0.10 wt% inclusive relative to a total weight of the developer.
2. The developer according to claim 1 , wherein said toner has the volume average particle size between 3.9 μm and 5.0 μm inclusive.
3. The developer according to claim 1 , wherein said agglomerates have a size so that the agglomerates pass through a screen having an opening size of 100 μm and do not pass through a screen having an opening size of 75 μm.
4. The developer according to claim 1 , wherein said agglomerates are formed of the additive agent in an agglomerated form.
5. The developer according to claim 1 , wherein said toner and said agglomerates are mixed so that a mixture has a degree of agglomeration between 40.3% and 69.1% inclusive.
6. A developer storage unit retaining the developer according to claim 1 .
7. A developing device comprising:
developer formed of toner and agglomerates each having respective particle sizes between 75 μm and 100 μm inclusive, said toner including base particles containing at least a binder resin, said base particles each having a surface coated with an additive agent, said toner having a volume average particle size between 3.9 μm and 6.1 μm inclusive, said agglomerates being included in an amount between 0.01 wt % and 0.10 wt % inclusive relative to a total weight of the developer;
a developer supporting member for supporting the developer; and
a developer layer forming member for forming a developer layer on the developer supporting member.
8. The developing device according to claim 7 , wherein said developer layer forming member is configured to form the developer layer on the developer supporting member in a range between 0.30 mg/cm 2 and 0.58 mg/cm 2 inclusive.
9. The developing device according to claim 7 , wherein said developer layer forming member is configured to form the developer layer on the developer supporting member in a range between 0.30 mg/cm 2 and 0.52 mg/cm 2 inclusive.
10. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 7 .
11. A developer storage unit retaining the developer according to claims 2 .
12. The developing device according to claim 7 , wherein said toner has the volume average particle size between 3.9 μm and 5.0 μm inclusive
13. An image farming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 12 .