EP0372764A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid electrophotographic toners
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1989-11-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Liquid toners are generally recognized as being capable of providing sharper electrophotographic images, but have been found to provide less than desirable results in multicolor imaging processes. The selection of a unique combination of a) the ratio of conductivities between the toner liquid and the total toner composition, and b) the zeta potential of the toner particles in the carrier liquid have been found to provide unique benefits to the quality of the liquid toned multicolor images.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin M. C/O Minnesota Mining And Kidnie
- 👤 Gregory L. C/O Minnesota Mining And Zwadlo
- 👤 Mohamed A. C/O Minnesota Mining And Elmasry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G9/00; G03G9/08; G03G9/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An electrophotographic process for producing high quality full color prints wherein color separation toner images are assembled on a positively charged photoreceptor using successive liquid toning steps, comprising selecting two or more liquid toners comprising toner particles dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, said two or more liquid toners having a) a ratio of conductivities of said carrier liquid in said liquid toner and of said liquid toner less than 0.6, and b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60mV and +200mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An electrophotographic process for producing high quality full color prints wherein color separation toner images are assembled on a positively charged photoreceptor using successive liquid toning steps, comprising selecting two or more liquid toners comprising toner particles dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, said two or more liquid toners having a) a ratio of conductivities of said carrier liquid in said liquid toner and of said liquid toner less than 0.6, and b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60mV and +200mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 1 wherein said ratio of conductivities is less than 0.4.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 1 wherein said ratio of conductivities is less than 0.3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claims 1, 2 or 3 further characterized as having c) the property that a continuous film is formed on those areas of the photoreceptor where said liquid toner is deposited said film being formed at a temperature less than 25°C and in a time after deposition of less than 20 seconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claims 1, 2 or 3 further characterized as having c) toner particles comprising at least one component selected from resins and polymers having a Tg less than 25°C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrophotographic process of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the Tg is less than -10°C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electophotographic process as in claims 1, 2 or 3 further comprising transferring said assembly of said color separation toner images to a receptor in at least one step without loss in color and sharpness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrophotographic process for producing high quality full color prints wherein color separation toner images are assembled on a positively charged photoreceptor using successive liquid toning steps, comprising selecting two or more liquid toners comprising toner particles dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, said two or more liquid toners having a) a substantially monodispersed toner particle size of average diameter between 0.1 and 1.5 microns, b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60mV and +200mV, c) a ratio of conductivities of said carrier liquid in said liquid toner and of said liquid toner less than 0.6, d) a conductivity of said liquid toner in the range 0.10x10⁻¹¹ and 2.0x10⁻¹¹ mho.cm⁻¹, and e) toner particles comprising at least one component selected from resins and polymers having a Tg less than 25°C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrophotographic process for producing high quality full color prints wherein color separation toner images are assembled on a positively charged photoreceptor using successive liquid toning steps, comprising selecting two or more liquid toners comprising toner particles dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, said two or more liquid toners having a) a substantially monodispersed toner particle size of average diameter between 0.1 and 1.5 microns, b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60mV and +200mV, c) a ratio of conductivities of said carrier liquid in said liquid toner and of said liquid toner less than 0.6, d) a conductivity of said liquid toner in the range 0.10x10⁻¹¹ and 2.0x10⁻¹¹ mho.cm⁻¹, and e) toner particles comprising at least one component selected from resins and polymers having a Tg less than 25°C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A liquid toner for use in developing electrophotographic images of at least two assembled toner layers on a charged photoreceptor, comprising toner particles dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, said liquid toner having a) a substantially monodispersed organic polymeric particle size of average diameter between 0.1 and 1.5 microns, b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60mV and +200mV, c) a ratio of conductivities of said carrier liquid in said liquid toner to said liquid toner of less than 0.6, and d) a conductivity of said liquid toner in the range 0.10x10⁻¹¹ and 2.0x10⁻¹¹ mho.cm⁻¹, said liquid toner being capable of a continuous film on a photoreceptor where said liquid toner is deposited, said film being formed at a temperature less than 25°C and in a time after deposition of less than 20 seconds, at a coating thickness of about 0.30 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
A liquid toner for use in developing electrophotographic images of at least two assembled toner layers on a charged photoreceptor, comprising toner particles dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, said liquid toner having a) a substantially monodispersed organic polymeric particle size of average diameter between 0.1 and 1.5 microns, b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60mV and +200mV, c) a ratio of conductivities of said carrier liquid in said liquid toner to said liquid toner of less than 0.6, and d) a conductivity of said liquid toner in the range 0.10x10⁻¹¹ and 2.0x10⁻¹¹ mho.cm⁻¹, said liquid toner being capable of a continuous film on a photoreceptor where said liquid toner is deposited, said film being formed at a temperature less than 25°C and in a time after deposition of less than 20 seconds, at a coating thickness of about 0.30 microns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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