Seiko Epson Corporation

Shuhei Mohri

Masanao Kunugi

Tahei Ishiwatari

An image is formed in a receiving sheet by embedding toner in an image receiving layer on a base. The distribution of molecular weight of resin in the image receiving layer measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of soluble matters of tetrahydrofuran (THF) has at least two peaks or shoulders. And the critical surface tension of the image receiving layer is made to be smaller than the critical surface tension of external additive. Further, the image receiving layer has a thermal characteristic such that a storage modulus (G&prime;) of 1&times;10,Pa to 1&times;10,Pa and a loss modulus (G&Prime;) of 1&times;10,Pa to 1&times;10,Pa at temperatures at which the toner is fixed. Furthermore, the image receiving layer contains an aromatic ester compound, more preferably the aromatic polyester compound being dialkyl phthalate. Still further, the image receiving layer has a Rockwell hardness (R scale) HRa of 121 or lower.

Image receiving sheet and image receiving apparatus using the same

An image forming apparatus for forming an image in a receiving sheet by embedding toner in an image receiving layer formed on a base of the receiving sheet. The image forming apparatus uses a toner having an external additive, and the critical surface tension of the image receiving layer is made to be smaller than the critical surface tension of external additive. Further, the image receiving layer has a viscoelastic characteristic such that its storage modulus (G&prime;) is between 1&times;10,Pa to 1&times;10,Pa and its loss modulus (G&Prime;) is between 1&times;10,Pa to 1&times;10,Pa at temperatures at which the toner is fixed. Furthermore, the image receiving layer contains an aromatic ester compound, more preferably the aromatic polyester compound being dialkyl phtalate. Still further, the image receiving layer has a Rockwell hardness (R scale) HRa of 121 or lower.

Image receiving sheet having particular critical surface tension, viscoelastic, and rockwell hardness characteristics and image receiving apparatus using the same

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Nagano, Japan

Shuhei Mohri