US5250382A — Toner for developing electrostatic image, and ima…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 141 words

A heat fixable toner for developing an electrostatic image, comprising toner particles containing i) a binder resin comprising a resin composition with a domain-matrix structure and ii) a colorant; said resin composition with a domain-matrix structure being comprised of a heat fixable resin P1 that forms domain particles and a heat fixable resin P2 that forms a matrix; said heat fixable resin P1 having a glass transition temperature Tg1 of from 15° C. to 50° C., and said heat fixable resin P2 having a glass transition temperature Tg2 of from 55° C. to 80° C., provided that the glass transition temperature Tg2 of said heat fixable resin P2 is at least 5° C. higher than the glass transition temperature Tg1 of said heat fixable resin P1; and said domain particles having an average particle diameter of not larger than 5 μm.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 141 words

A heat fixable toner for developing an electrostatic image, comprising toner particles containing i) a binder resin comprising a resin composition with a domain-matrix structure and ii) a colorant; said resin composition with a domain-matrix structure being comprised of a heat fixable resin P1 that forms domain particles and a heat fixable resin P2 that forms a matrix; said heat fixable resin P1 having a glass transition temperature Tg1 of from 15° C. to 50° C., and said heat fixable resin P2 having a glass transition temperature Tg2 of from 55° C. to 80° C., provided that the glass transition temperature Tg2 of said heat fixable resin P2 is at least 5° C. higher than the glass transition temperature Tg1 of said heat fixable resin P1; and said domain particles having an average particle diameter of not larger than 5 μm.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a carboxyl group and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has substantially no carboxyl group.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The toner according to claim 2, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a vinyl resin and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a vinyl resin.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 40 words

The toner according to claim 2, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has an acid value of not less than 15 and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has an acid value of not more than 10.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 3, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 3, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer in an amount of from 1% by weight to 30% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

The toner according to claim 3, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a polymer synthesized from an unsaturated diolefin monomer.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

The toner according to claim 3, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has an acid-modified polymer synthesized from a vinyl monomer and thereafter subjected to acid addition, and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a polymer synthesized from a vinyl monomer.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner according to claim 8, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a monomer having an acid-modifiable unsaturated double bond, in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 70% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner according to claim 8, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a monomer having an acid-modifiable unsaturated double bond, in an amount of from 0.3% by weight to 55% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The toner according to claim 8, wherein said acid-modified polymer has a polymer formed by acid modification of a polymer synthesized from an unsaturated diolefin monomer.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner according to claim 8, wherein said acid-modified polymer is acid-modified by an acid used in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner according to claim 8, wherein said acid-modified polymer is acid-modified by an acid used in an amount of from 1% by weight to 30% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

The toner according to claim 2, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles is cross-linked with a cross-linkable metal compound.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The toner according to claim 14, wherein said cross-linkable metal compound has an organic metal compound containing a metal ion.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 33 words

The toner according to claim 14, wherein said cross-linkable metal compound has a hydroxide of a metal ion selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and Li + .

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 31 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a carboxyl group and said resin P1 that forms domain particles has substantially no carboxyl group.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The toner according to claim 17, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a vinyl resin and said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a vinyl resin.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

The toner according to claim 17, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix has an acid value of not less than 15 and said resin P1 that forms domain particles has an acid value of not more than 10.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 18, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix contains a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight on the basis of said resin P2.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 18, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix contains a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer in an amount of from 1% by weight to 30% by weight on the basis of said resin P2.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The toner according to claim 18, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a polymer synthesized from an unsaturated diolefin monomer.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 45 words

The toner according to claim 17, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix has an acid-modified polymer synthesized from a vinyl monomer and thereafter subjected to acid addition, and said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a polymer synthesized from a vinyl monomer.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner according to claim 23, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix contains a monomer having an acid-modifiable unsaturated double bond, in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 70% by weight on the basis of said resin P2.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner according to claim 23, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix contains a monomer having an acid-modifiable unsaturated double bond, in an amount of from 0.3% by weight to 55% by weight on the basis of said resin P2.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 26 words

The toner according to claim 23, wherein said acid-modified polymer has a polymer formed by acid modification of a polymer synthesized from an unsaturated diolefin monomer.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner according to claim 23, wherein said acid-modified polymer is acid-modified by an acid used in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight on the basis of said resin P2.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner according to claim 23, wherein said acid-modified polymer is acid-modified by an acid used in an amount of from 1% by weight to 30% by weight on the basis of said resin P2.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 21 words

The toner according to claim 17, wherein said resin P2 that forms a matrix is cross-linked by a cross-linkable metal compound.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 20 words

The toner according to claim 29, wherein said cross-linkable metal compound has an organic metal compound containing a metal ion.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 33 words

The toner according to claim 29, wherein said cross-linkable metal compound has a hydroxide of a metal ion selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and Li + .

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 34 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a vinyl resin synthesized from a vinyl monomer and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a polyester.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 65 words

The toner according to claim 32, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a polymer having an unsaturated double bond, formed from a vinyl monomer, and said resin P2 that forms a matrix is a polyester having an unsaturated double bond; said unsatutrated double bond of said resin P1 and that of said resin P2 being chemically bonded in part to each other.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 40 words

The toner according to claim 33, wherein the glass transition temperature Tg2 of said resin P2 that forms a matrix is at least 10° C. higher than the glass transition temperature Tg1 of said resin P1 that forms domain particles.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 34, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has an acid value of not less than 15 and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has an acid value of less than 15.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 33, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 33, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer in an amount of from 1% by weight to 30% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 23 words

The toner according to claim 33, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a polymer synthesized from an unsaturated diolefin monomer.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 29 words

The toner according to claim 33, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has an acid-modified polymer synthesized from a vinyl monomer and thereafter subjected to acid addition.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner according to claim 39, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a monomer having an acid-modifiable unsaturated double bond, in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 70% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner according to claim 39, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a monomer having an acid-modifiable unsaturated double bond, in an amount of from 0.3% by weight to 55% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 26 words

The toner according to claim 39, wherein said acid-modified polymer has a polymer formed by acid modification of a polymer synthesized from an unsaturated diolefin monomer.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner according to claim 39, wherein said acid-modified polymer is acid-modified by an acid used in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner according to claim 39, wherein said acid-modified polymer is acid-modified by an acid used in an amount of from 1% by weight to 30% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 54 words

The toner according to claim 32, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a polymer having a carboxyl group, synthesized from a vinyl monomer, and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a polyester having a carboxyl group said resin P1 and resin P2 being cross-linked by a cross-linkable metal compound.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 40 words

The toner according to claim 45, wherein the glass transition temperature Tg2 of said resin P2 that forms a matrix is at least 10° C. higher than the glass transition temperature Tg1 of said resin P1 that forms domain particles.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 40 words

The toner according to claim 46, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has an acid value of not less than 15 and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has an acid value of not less than 15.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 45, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner according to claim 45, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer in an amount of from 1% by weight to 30% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 23 words

The toner according to claim 45, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a polymer synthesized from an unsaturated diolefin monomer.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 29 words

The toner according to claim 45, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has an acid-modified polymer synthesized from a vinyl monomer and thereafter subjected to acid addition.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner according to claim 50, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a monomer having an acid-modifiable unsaturated double bond, in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 70% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner according to claim 50, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles contains a monomer having an acid-modifiable unsaturated double bond, in an amount of from 0.3% by weight to 55% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 26 words

The toner according to claim 50, wherein said acid-modified polymer has a polymer formed by acid modification of a polymer synthesized from an unsaturated diolefin monomer.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner according to claim 50, wherein said acid-modified polymer is acid-modified by an acid used in an amount of from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner according to claim 50, wherein said acid-modified polymer is acid-modified by an acid used in an amount of from 1% by weight to 30% by weight on the basis of said resin P1.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 20 words

The toner according to claim 45, wherein said cross-linkable metal compound has an organic metal compound containing a metal ion.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 33 words

The toner according to claim 45, wherein said cross-linkable metal compound has a hydroxide of a metal ion selected from the group consisting of Na + , K + and Li + .

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 44 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles is mixed in an amount of from 3 parts by weight to 300 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said resin P2 that forms a matrix.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 44 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles is mixed in an amount of from 3 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of said resin P2 that forms a matrix.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 40 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature Tg2 of said resin P2 that forms a matrix is at least 10° C. higher than the glass transition temperature Tg1 of said resin P1 that forms domain particles.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 58 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin composition has a domain-matrix structure formed by heat-melting a resin P1 that forms domain particles and a resin P2 that forms a matrix, blending them with stirring in a molten state to form a blend solution, and further heating the blend solution to compatibilize it, followed by rapid cooling.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 55 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin composition has a domain-matrix structure formed by synthesizing a resin P1 that forms domain particles by solution polymerization in a non-polar solvent, and thereafter synthesizing a resin P2 that forms a matrix by solution polymerization in said non-polar solvent in which said resin P1 is present.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 55 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin composition has a domain-matrix structure formed by synthesizing a resin P2 that forms a matrix by solution polymerization in a non-polar solvent, and thereafter synthesizing a resin P1 that forms domain particles by solution polymerization in said non-polar solvent in which said resin P2 is present.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 43 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin composition has a domain-matrix structure formed by bulk polymerization which is stopped at a stage in the course of reaction, and subjecting a polymer dissolved in unreacted monomers, to suspension polymerization or solution polymerization.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 45 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin composition has a domain-matrix structure formed by dissolving in a non-polar solvent a resin P1 that forms domain particles and a resin P2 that forms a matrix, followed by heating and stirring to blend the resins.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 59 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin composition has a domain-matrix structure formed by dissolving in a solvent a resin P1 that forms domain particles and a resin P2 that forms a matrix, both having no or less compatibility with each other, and cross-linking the residual double bonds thereof each other in the presence of a peroxide.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 68 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin composition has a domain-matrix structure formed by dissolving in a solvent a resin P1 that forms domain particles and a resin P2 that forms a matrix, both having no or less compatibility with each other, followed by cross-linking in the presence of a peroxide or a radical polymerization initiator and using a vinyl monomer or a divinyl cross-linkable monomer.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 70 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 1,500 to 40,000 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from 3,000 to 300,000, and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 1,500 to 20,000 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from 3,000 to 50.000.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 70 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 3,500 to 30,000 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from 5,000 to 100,000, and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 3,000 to 10,000 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from 5,000 to 30,000.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 70 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 3,000 to 150,000 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from 6,000 to 1,000,000, and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 2,000 to 50,000 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from 6,000 to 250,000.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 70 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said resin P1 that forms domain particles has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 5,000 to 100,000 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from 10,000 to 700,000, and said resin P2 that forms a matrix has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 4,000 to 30,000 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from 10,000 to 150,000.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 14 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said toner particles contains a release agent.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 96 words

The toner according to claim 73, wherein said release agent has a melt-starting temperature of of not lower than 40° C., and i) has at least two melting points in a temperature range of from 50° C. to 250° C. as measured using a DSC or ii) comprises at least two kinds of those having different melting points each other in that range said release agent being contained in said toner particles in an amount of from 0.1 part by weight to 20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 17 words

The toner according to claim I, wherein said binder resin is cross-linked by a cross-linkable metal compound.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 41 words

The toner according to claim 1, wherein said toner particles comprise a particle on the surface of which a conductive fine powder particle is buried in the inside of the toner particle by 0.05 μm or more from the surface thereof.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 40 words

The toner according to claim 2, wherein the glass transition temperature Tg2 of said resin P2 that forms a matrix is at least 10° C. higher than the glass transition temperature Tg1 of said resin P1 that forms domain particles.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 22 words

The toner according to claim 2, wherein part or the whole of said resin P1 is cross-linked by a cross-linkable metal compound.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 221 words

An image fixing method comprising passing a transfer medium bearing a toner image, through a heat-roller fixing device comprised of a fixing roller and a pressure roller each having a rubbery elastic material layer formed on a mandrel, to fix said toner image to said transfer medium, and outputting said transfer medium in the direction inclined toward the pressure roller side with respect to the direction perpendicular to a line connecting the centers of said fixing roller and said pressure roller, wherein; said toner for forming the toner image comprises toner particles containing i) a binder resin comprising a resin composition with a domain-matrix structure and ii) a colorant; said resin composition with a domain-matrix structure being comprised of a heat fixable resin P1 that forms domain particles and a heat fixable resin P2 that forms a matrix; said heat fixable resin P1 having a glass transition temperature Tg1 of from 15° C. to 50° C., and said heat fixable resin P2 having a glass transition temperature Tg2 of from 55° C. to 80° C., provided that the glass transition temperature Tg2 of said heat fixable resin P2 is at least 5° C. higher than the glass transition temperature Tg1 of said heat fixable resin P1; and said domain particles having an average particle diameter of not larger than 5 μm.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 221 words

An image fixing method comprising passing a transfer medium bearing a toner image, through a heat-roller fixing device comprised of a fixing roller and a pressure roller each having a rubbery elastic material layer formed on a mandrel, to fix said toner image to said transfer medium, and outputting said transfer medium in the direction inclined toward the pressure roller side with respect to the direction perpendicular to a line connecting the centers of said fixing roller and said pressure roller, wherein; said toner for forming the toner image comprises toner particles containing i) a binder resin comprising a resin composition with a domain-matrix structure and ii) a colorant; said resin composition with a domain-matrix structure being comprised of a heat fixable resin P1 that forms domain particles and a heat fixable resin P2 that forms a matrix; said heat fixable resin P1 having a glass transition temperature Tg1 of from 15° C. to 50° C., and said heat fixable resin P2 having a glass transition temperature Tg2 of from 55° C. to 80° C., provided that the glass transition temperature Tg2 of said heat fixable resin P2 is at least 5° C. higher than the glass transition temperature Tg1 of said heat fixable resin P1; and said domain particles having an average particle diameter of not larger than 5 μm.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-10-04	1997-04-05	1997-10-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-10-04	2001-04-05	2001-10-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-10-04	2005-04-05	2005-10-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Toner for developing electrostatic image, and image fixing method

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