Color toner, two-component type developer, image forming apparatus, color image forming method and process for producing a color toner

Claim 2

A color toner comprising: color toner particles containing a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR15## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein said coloring agent is formed from pigment particles, said pigment particles in said color toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said color toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve.

Claim 3

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said non-linear polyester resin is formed by reacting (i) a linear polyester resin comprising condensed repeating units of a diol component and a dicarboxylic acid component and (ii) said tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof.

Claim 4

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said pigment particles in said color toner particles contain 65 percent by number of the pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm.

Claim 5

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said color toner particles contain an organic metal compound.

Claim 6

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said organic metal compound includes an organic metal complex.

Claim 7

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said color toner has a softening temperature of 90° C. to 115 ° C.

Claim 8

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said pigment particles comprise a chromatic color pigment.

Claim 9

The color toner according to claim 7, wherein said chromatic color pigment is magenta pigment.

Claim 10

The color toner according to claim 7, wherein said chromatic color pigment is cyan pigment.

Claim 11

The color toner according to claim 7, wherein said chromatic color pigment is yellow pigment.

Claim 12

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said pigment particles comprise a black pigment.

Claim 13

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said pigment particles comprise a white pigment.

Claim 14

The color toner according to claim 8, wherein said toner particles contain said cyan pigment in amounts of no greater than parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin comprising said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 15

The color toner according to claim 8, wherein said toner particles contain said cyan pigment in amounts of 0.1 to 9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin comprising said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 16

The color toner according to claim 8, wherein said toner particles contain said magenta pigment in amounts of no greater than 15 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin comprising said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 17

The color toner according to claim 8, wherein said toner particles contain said magenta pigment in amounts of 0.1 to 9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 18

The color toner according to claim 10, wherein said toner particles contain said yellow pigment in amounts of no greater than 12 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 19

The color toner according to claim 10, wherein said toner particles contain said yellow pigment in amounts of 0.5 to 7 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 20

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (4): ##STR16## wherein R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyt group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 21

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (5): ##STR17## wherein R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 22

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the general formula (6): ##STR18## wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 23

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (7): ##STR19## wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 24

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (8): ##STR20##

Claim 25

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said color toner particles contain a charge controlling agent.

Claim 26

The color toner according to claim 1, wherein said color toner comprises a mixture of said color toner particles and an additive.

Claim 27

The color toner according to claim 25, wherein said additive includes a flowability improver.

Claim 28

The color toner according to claim 26, wherein said flowability improver comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of a fluorocarbon resin powder, a metal salt of fatty acid, a metal oxide, a hydrophobically-treated metal oxide powder, a silica fine powder, and a surface-treated silica fine powder.

Claim 29

A two-component type developer comprising: a color toner comprising color toner particles and a carrier, wherein said color toner particles comprise a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR21## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from pigment particles, said pigment particles in said color toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said color toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve.

Claim 30

A two-component type developer comprising: a color toner comprising color toner particles and a carrier, wherein said color toner particles comprise a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR21## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from pigment particles, said pigment particles in said color toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said color toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve.

Claim 31

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said non-linear polyester resin is formed by reacting (i) a linear polyester resin comprising condensed repeating units of a diol component and a dicarboxylic acid component and (ii) said tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof.

Claim 32

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said pigment particles in said color toner particles contain 65 percent by number of the pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm.

Claim 33

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said toner particles contain an organic metal compound.

Claim 34

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said organic metal compound includes an organic metal complex.

Claim 35

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said color toner has a softening temperature of 90° C. to 115° C.

Claim 36

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said pigment particles comprises a chromatic color pigment.

Claim 37

The two-component type developer according to claim 34, wherein said chromatic color pigment is magenta pigment.

Claim 38

The two-component type developer according to claim 34, wherein said chromatic color pigment is cyan pigment.

Claim 39

The two-component type developer according to claim 34, wherein said chromatic color pigment is yellow pigment.

Claim 40

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said pigment particles comprises a black pigment.

Claim 41

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said pigment particles comprises a white pigment.

Claim 42

The two-component type developer according to claim 35, wherein said toner particles contain said cyan pigment in amounts of no greater than 15 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 43

The two-component type developer according to claim 35, wherein said toner particles contain said cyan pigment in amounts of 0.1 to 9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 44

The two-component type developer according to claim 35, wherein said toner particles contain said magenta pigment in amounts of no greater than 15 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 45

The two-component type developer according to claim 35, wherein said toner particles contain said magenta pigment in amounts of 0.1 to 9 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 46

The two-component type developer according to claim 37, wherein said toner particles contain said yellow pigment in amounts of no greater than 12 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 47

The two-component type developer according to claim 37, wherein said toner particles contain said yellow pigment in amounts of 0.5 to 7 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a binder resin containing said non-linear polyester resin.

Claim 48

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (4): ##STR22## wherein R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 49

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (5): ##STR23## wherein R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 50

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (6): ##STR24## wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 51

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (7): ##STR25## wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 52

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof comprises a compound represented by the following general formula (8): ##STR26##

Claim 53

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said color toner particles contain a charge controlling agent.

Claim 54

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said color toner comprises a mixture of said color toner particles and an additive.

Claim 55

The two-component type developer according to claim 52, wherein said additive includes a flowability improver.

Claim 56

The two-component type developer according to claim 53, wherein said flowability improver comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of a fluorocarbon resin powder, a metal salt of fatty acid, a metal oxide, a hydrophobically-treated metal oxide powder, a silica fine powder, and a surface-treated silica fine powder.

Claim 57

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein the surface of said carrier is coated with a resin.

Claim 58

The two-component type developer according to claim 28, wherein said color toner is present in amounts from 1 to 15 weight of said two-component type developer.

Claim 59

An image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image holding member for holding an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on said latent image holding member, said developing device comprising: (i) a developer container containing a non-magnetic one-component developer; (ii) a developer holding member for holding said non-magnetic one-component developer; and (iii) a developer coating member for coating said non-magnetic one-component developer on said developer holding member so as to form a thin layer of said non-magnetic one-component developer on said developer holding member; wherein said non-magnetic one-component developer comprises a color toner comprising color toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR27## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from pigment particles, said pigment particles in said color toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said color toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve.

Claim 60

An image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image holding member for holding an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on said latent image holding member, said developing device comprising: (i) a developer container containing a non-magnetic one-component developer; (ii) a developer holding member for holding said non-magnetic one-component developer; and (iii) a developer coating member for coating said non-magnetic one-component developer on said developer holding member so as to form a thin layer of said non-magnetic one-component developer on said developer holding member; wherein said non-magnetic one-component developer comprises a color toner comprising color toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR27## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from pigment particles, said pigment particles in said color toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said color toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve.

Claim 61

The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said non-linear polyester resin is formed by reacting (i) a linear polyester resin comprising condensed repeating units of a diol component and a dicarboxylic acid component and (ii) said tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof.

Claim 62

The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said latent image holding member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Claim 63

The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said developer applying member elastically urges said non-magnetic one component developer toward said developer holding member.

Claim 64

The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein said developer applying member comprises an elastic blade comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of a silicone rubber, a urethan rubber, and a styrene-butadiene rubber.

Claim 65

The image forming apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the thin layer of said one-component developer coated on said developer holding member is thicker than the opposed spatial distance between said latent image holding member and said developer holding member.

Claim 66

An image forming method comprising: forming a color toner image on a recording material using at least one color toner selected from the group consisting of a cyan toner, a magenta toner and a yellow toner, and obtaining a color image by fixing with heat said color toner image formed on said recording material: wherein said cyan toner comprises cyan toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR28## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from cyan pigment particles, said cyan pigment particles in said cyan toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said cyan pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the cyan pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said cyan toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve; said magenta toner comprises magenta toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR29## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from magenta pigment particles, said magenta pigment particles in said magenta toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said magenta pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the magenta pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said magenta toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve; said yellow toner comprises yellow toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR30## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from yellow pigment particles, said yellow pigment particles in said yellow toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said yellow pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the yellow pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said yellow toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve.

Claim 67

An image forming method comprising: forming a color toner image on a recording material using at least one color toner selected from the group consisting of a cyan toner, a magenta toner and a yellow toner, and obtaining a color image by fixing with heat said color toner image formed on said recording material: wherein said cyan toner comprises cyan toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR28## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from cyan pigment particles, said cyan pigment particles in said cyan toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said cyan pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the cyan pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said cyan toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve; said magenta toner comprises magenta toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR29## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from magenta pigment particles, said magenta pigment particles in said magenta toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said magenta pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the magenta pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said magenta toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve; said yellow toner comprises yellow toner particles comprising a coloring agent and a non-linear polyester resin, said non-linear polyester resin synthesized from at least a tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the following general formula (1) or an acid anhydride thereof: ##STR30## wherein n is an integer of at least 3, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, said coloring agent is formed from yellow pigment particles, said yellow pigment particles in said yellow toner particles have a number average diameter of no greater than 0.7 μm and contain at least 60 percent by number of said yellow pigment particles having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 μm and no greater than 10 percent by number of the yellow pigment particles having a diameter of at least 0.8 μm, and said yellow toner has a softening temperature of 85° C. to 120° C. calculated from a flow tester curve.

Claim 68

A color image forming method according to claim 63, wherein said each non-linear polyester resin is formed by reacting (i) a linear polyester resin comprising condensed repeating unit of a diol component and a dicarboxylic acid component and (ii) said tri- or higher carboxylic acid compound represented by the general formula (1) or the acid anhydride thereof.

Claim 69

The color image forming method according to claim 63, wherein said color image is a full-color image formed by combining said cyan toner, said magenta toner, and said yellow toner.

Claim 70

The color image forming method according to claim 63, wherein said color image is a full-color image formed by combining said cyan toner, said magenta toner, said yellow toner, and a black toner.