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US4900647A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process for producing electrophotographic toner comprising micropulverization, classification and smoothing

Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1988-03-29
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Granted: 1990-02-13
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Expires: 2008-03-29
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Abstract

Abstract A toner for producing electrostatic latent images is produced by smoothing classified resinous particles so that the ratio of the smallest diameter to the largest diameter thereof is 0.70-0.90, mixing the smoothed base particles (A) with modifier particles (B) to attach the modifier particles (B) to the surfaces of the base particles (A), and fixing the modifier particles (B) to the base particles (A) under the action of a mechanical impact force.

Inventors

  • 👤 Norio Hikake
  • 👤 Hitoshi Kanda
  • 👤 Yoshihiko Hyosu

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 23:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G9/00; G03G9/08; G03G9/0802; G03G9/0815; G03G9/0817; G03G9/0819; G03G9/0827

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim 119 words
A process for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image comprising the steps of: pulverizing a resinous material comprising a binder resin using micro-pulverizing means to prepare resinous particles; classifying the resinous particles using classifying means to obtain classified particles having a predetermined particle size; removing surface inequalities of irregularities of the classified particles to yield smoothed base particles (A) having a ratio of the smallest diameter to the largest diameter thereof of 0.70-0.90; mixing the base particles (A) with modifier particles (B), thereby to attach the modifier particles (B) to the surfaces of the base particles (A); and using a mechanical impact force to fix modifier particles (B) to the surfaces of the base particles (A).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 119 words
A process for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image comprising the steps of: pulverizing a resinous material comprising a binder resin using micro-pulverizing means to prepare resinous particles; classifying the resinous particles using classifying means to obtain classified particles having a predetermined particle size; removing surface inequalities of irregularities of the classified particles to yield smoothed base particles (A) having a ratio of the smallest diameter to the largest diameter thereof of 0.70-0.90; mixing the base particles (A) with modifier particles (B), thereby to attach the modifier particles (B) to the surfaces of the base particles (A); and using a mechanical impact force to fix modifier particles (B) to the surfaces of the base particles (A).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the base particles (A) are prepared by smoothing the classified particles having a ratio of the smallest diameter to the largest diameter of below 0.70.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the base particles (A) have a ratio of the smallest diameter to the largest diameter of 0.75-0.90.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the classified particles are smoothed by an impact-type pulverizing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 69 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the modifier particles (B) are fixed to the surfaces of the base particles (A) by passing them through an impact zone having a minimum clearance of 0.5-5 mm between a rotating member and a fixed member or between at least two rotating members, at an ambient temperature of 10-100° C. under the action of the impact force exerted in said impact zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the rotating member rotates so that the tip thereof forming the minimum clearance has a peripheral speed of 30-150 m/sec.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the rotating member rotates so that the tip thereof has a peripheral speed of 30-130 m/sec.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
A process according to claim 7, wherein the rotating member rotates so that the tip thereof has a peripheral speed of 30-100 m/sec.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the modifier particles (B) are fixed to the surfaces of the base particles (A) at a temperature of 20°-100° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
A process according to claim 9, wherein the modifier particles (B) are fixed to the surfaces of the base particles (A) at a temperature of 30-70° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the base particles (A) and the modifier particles (B) are introduced into the impact zone so that the total residence time therein is 0.2-12 sec.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 28 words
A process according to claim 11, wherein the base particles (A) and the modifier particles (B) are recycled so that they pass through the impact zone plural times.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the base particles (A) have a volume-average particle size of 2-20μ.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 26 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the modifier particles (B) have a volume-average particle size of 1/5 or less that of the base particles (A).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 39 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the base particles (A) are mixed with the modifier particles (B) at a temperature of 0°-50° C. for 10 sec.-24 hours by means of a mixer having a stirring vane, before fixing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 39 words
A process according to claim 15, wherein the base particles (A) are mixed with the modifier particles (B) at a temperature of 0°-50° C. for 1 min-60 min by means of a mixer having a stirring vane, before fixing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the base particles (A) comprise a binder resin having a softening point of 90°-150° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 20 words
A process according to claim 17, wherein the base particles (A) comprise a binder resin of a crosslinked styrene-type copolymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 19 words
A process according to claim 17, wherein the base particles (A) comprise a binder resin of a polyester resin.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 24 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the base particles (A) to which the modifier particles are fixed are classified by a classifying means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4233387A Cited
GB2112538A Cited
US4837107A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-02-12 1993-08-14 1994-02-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-02-12 1997-08-14 1998-02-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-02-12 2001-08-14 2002-02-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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