Fixed Image Surface Energy Control for Liquid Adhesion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming methods using toners with conventional release agents result in poor adhesiveness of liquids to fixed images due to low surface energy, despite achieving good applicability, which complicates post-press processing.
Innovation Solution
Control the dispersion and polar components of the surface energy of the fixed image to specific ranges by using toners with a conventional amount of release agents, specifically targeting a polar component of 5 mN/m2 or more and a dispersion component of 20 mN/m2, while employing a core-shell structured toner base particles with adjusted resin particle diameters and wax distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a release agent such as wax is contained in the toner to improve toner releasability, then fixing separability is improved, but the surface energy of the fixed image decreases, causing the liquid to be repelled and deteriorating applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a core-shell structure where the shell layer has different properties from the core. The shell layer contains a resin with high surface energy to improve liquid applicability, while the core contains the release agent (wax) to maintain toner releasability. This allows different regions of the toner base particle to serve different functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by combining a resin with high surface energy and a release agent (wax) in a core-shell structure. The shell layer resin provides high surface energy for better liquid wetting and adhesion, while the wax core maintains the release agent function. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between fixing separability and liquid applicability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the surface energy of the fixed image is increased to improve applicability of liquid, then liquid wetting is improved, but adhesiveness of the liquid to the fixed image deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the surface energy components (polar and dispersion components) within specific ranges. By adjusting the resin type and composition in the shell layer, the surface energy is optimized to achieve both good liquid applicability and adhesiveness, rather than simply maximizing surface energy.
3Reliability
If a low surface energy component such as wax is contained in the toner, then toner releasability is improved, but the liquid is less likely to be uniformly wet-spread, deteriorating applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies segmentation by dividing the toner base particle into a core and shell layer. The core contains the wax release agent to maintain toner releasability, while the shell layer contains resin with high surface energy to ensure uniform liquid wet-spread. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without interfering with the other.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves both the applicability and adhesiveness of liquids to fixed images, enabling better post-press processing without altering the conventional release agent content.
Implementation Method 1
an electrophotographic image forming method, by using an electrostatic charge image developing toner, an image that is a toner image heat-fixed is formed on a recording medium
Implementation Method 2
an image that is a toner image heat-fixed is formed on a recording medium
Implementation Method 3
solids and liquids have finite surface energy, and the finite surface energy affects mechanical work such as deformation and cracking and is consumed as chemical reactions such as oxidation and contamination
Implementation Method 4
the term 'applicability' (or coating properties) refers to the degree of wettability of a liquid with respect to a fixed image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method includes forming an image on a recording medium with an electrostatic charge image developing toner. The electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a toner base particle containing a release agent. A polar component γp of a surface energy of the image is equal to or more than 5 mN/m2. A dispersion component γd of the surface energy of the image is equal to or more than 20 mN/m2.