← Back to Patent Explorer
US4946753A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Liquid electrophotographic toners

Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1988-12-02
•
Granted: 1990-08-07
•
Expires: 2008-12-02
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

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 tone multicolor images.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mohamed A. Elmasry
  • 👤 Gregory L. Zwadlo
  • 👤 Kevin M. Kednee

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 07:37
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G9/00; G03G9/08; G03G9/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 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 comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 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 comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 136 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 comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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 0.4, and (b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 136 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 comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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 0.4, and (b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 2 wherein said ratio of conductivities is less than 0.3.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 179 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 comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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, (b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps, and (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 7
Dependent Claim 179 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 comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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, (b) a zeta potential of said toner particles between +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps, and (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 8
Dependent Claim 55 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 2 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 9
Dependent Claim 55 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 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 10
Dependent Claim 32 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 1 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 11
Dependent Claim 32 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 2 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 12
Dependent Claim 32 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 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 13
Dependent Claim 14 words
The electrophotographic process of claim 7 wherein the Tg is less than -10° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 32 words
The electrophotographic process as in claim 1 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 15
Dependent Claim 169 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 comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, (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 0.10×10 -11 and 2.0×10 -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 16
Dependent Claim 169 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 comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, (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 0.10×10 -11 and 2.0×10 -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 17
Dependent Claim 181 words
A liquid toner for use in developing electrophotographic images of at least two assembled toner layers on a charged photoreceptor, comprising toner particles comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, (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 0.10×10 -11 and 2.0×10 -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 18
Dependent Claim 181 words
A liquid toner for use in developing electrophotographic images of at least two assembled toner layers on a charged photoreceptor, comprising toner particles comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, (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 0.10×10 -11 and 2.0×10 -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 19
Dependent Claim 145 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 each comprising charge carrying toner particles comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being organosol particles surrounding a pigment particle 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 145 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 each comprising charge carrying toner particles comprising a pigment particle having polymer particles on its exterior surface, said polymer particles having charge coordinating moieties extending from the surface of said polymeric particles, said toner particles being organosol particles surrounding a pigment particle 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 125 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 each comprising toner particles comprising organosol particles surrounding a pigment particle and having chelating moieties attached thereto, said toner particles being dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, said two or more liquid toners each 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 125 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 each comprising toner particles comprising organosol particles surrounding a pigment particle and having chelating moieties attached thereto, said toner particles being dispersed in a non-polar carrier liquid, said two or more liquid toners each 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 +60 mV and +200 mV, and carrying out the assembly of said color separation toner images on said photoreceptor using said successive liquid toning steps.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 55 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 15 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 is formed at a temperature less than 25° C. and in a time after deposition of less than 20 seconds.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 55 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 14 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 is formed at a temperature less than 25° C. and in a time after deposition of less than 20 seconds.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 32 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 14 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 26
Dependent Claim 32 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 15 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 27
Dependent Claim 32 words
An electrophotographic process as recited in claim 16 further characterized as having (c) toner particles comprising at least one component selected from resins and polymers having a Tg less than 25° C.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3753760A Cited
US3900412A Cited
US4081391A Cited
US4155862A Cited
US4264699A Cited
US4275136A Cited
US4480022A Cited
US4525446A Cited
US4547449A Cited
US4564574A Cited
US4606989A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-08-06 1994-02-05 1994-08-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-08-06 1998-02-05 1998-08-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-08-06 2002-02-05 2002-08-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag