Patent ID: 6051350
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming method comprising:forming a first electrostatic latent image on a latent image bearing member, developing the first electrostatic latent image by the use of a first toner to form a first toner image on the latent image bearing member and transferring the first toner image to an intermediate transfer member;forming a second electrostatic latent image on the latent image bearing member, developing the second electrostatic latent image by the use of a second toner to form a second toner image on the latent image bearing member and transferring the second toner image to the intermediate transfer member;forming a third electrostatic latent image on the latent image bearing member, developing the third electrostatic latent image by the use of a third toner to form a third toner image on the latent image bearing member and transferring the third toner image to the intermediate transfer member;transferring to a recording sheet the toner images superimposed on the intermediate transfer member in the order of the first toner image, second toner image and third toner image from the surface of the intermediate transfer member; andheat-and-pressure fixing to the recording sheet the toner images superimposed on the recording sheet in the order of the third toner image, second toner image and first toner image from the surface of the recording sheet, by a heat-and-pressure fixing means to form a multi-color image or full-color image on the recording sheet;wherein;the toners forming the first toner image, second toner image and third toner image each contain a vinyl polymer cross-linked with a cross-linking agent or a vinyl copolymer cross-linked with a cross-linking agent; the amount of the cross-linking agent in the third toner, second toner and first toner being made larger in this order;the first toner is a color toner selected from the group consisting of a yellow toner having yellow toner particles and an external additive, a cyan toner having cyan toner particles and an external additive and a magenta toner having magenta toner particles and an external additive;the second toner is a color toner selected from the group consisting of a yellow toner having yellow toner particles and an external additive, a cyan toner having cyan toner particles and an external additive and a magenta toner having magenta toner particles and an external additive;the third toner is a color toner selected from the group consisting of a yellow toner having yellow toner particles and an external additive, a cyan toner having cyan toner particles and an external additive and a magenta toner having magenta toner particles and an external additive; andthe first toner, second toner and third toner have colors different from one another.