Patent ID: 8771915
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming method comprising the steps of: (a) transferring a toner image formed on an image support onto a transfer material, and (b) fixing the toner image transferred onto the transfer material, wherein in step (b), fixing is performed by a fixing device in which at least one of a heating member and a pressing member comprises an endless belt entrained about plural rollers, and the heating member and the pressing member are pressed against each other to form a fixing nip, and wherein a toner forming the toner image comprises toner particles containing a binder resin and the binder resin has a domain/matrix structure constituted of a high-elastic resin forming a domain and a low-elastic resin forming a matrix in an elastic image obtained when observing the toner particles by an atomic force microscope with respect to a section of the individual toner particles, in which an arithmetic average value of a ratio (L/W) of a major axis (L) to minor axis (W) of individual domains is in a range of 1.5 to 5.0, and domains having the major axis (L) falling within a range of from 60 to 500 nm account for not less than 80% by number of total domains and domains having the minor axis (W) falling within a range of from 45 to 100 nm account for not less than 80% by number of total domains, and wherein the high-elastic resin forming a domain exhibits a storage modulus of 4.0×10