Image forming method

• Main Authors: Daimon, Katsumi, Imai, Takashi, Serizawa, Manabu, Hamano, Hirokazu, Fukushima, Norihito, Ishihara, Yuka
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.09.2005

The present invention provides an image forming method for efficiently thermoelectrically transferring and fixing a toner image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier without scattering of the toner. The image forming method comprises the steps of charging a surface of an electrostatic latent image carrier; exposing the charged surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier to a light beam using optical data corresponding to image data to form a latent image; developing the latent image formed on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier with a developer for electrophotography containing a toner for electrophotography to form a toner image; and thermoelectrically transferring the toner image formed on the surface of said electrostatic latent image carrier onto a surface of a recording medium and simultaneously fixing thereon. The toner for electrophotography is comprised of a crystalline polyester resin, the surface temperature of a fixing unit therein is higher by 10° C. or greater than the melting point of said crystalline polyester resin, and the glass transition temperature of the outermost surface layer of the electrostatic latent image carrier is higher by 10° C. or greater than a surface temperature of the fixing unit.