Resin Particles with Plant-Derived Alcohol for Toner Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Toner production using plant-derived resins faces challenges such as reduced strength and filming issues, while existing methods fail to effectively balance environmental impact and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Resin particles comprising amorphous and crystalline binder resins with a tetrahydrofuran (THF)-insoluble component, incorporating plant-derived alcohol components like 1,2-propanediol, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), which enhance strength and fixability while maintaining a low environmental footprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If plant-derived resins are used as binder resins, then environmental impact is reduced, but strength of toners decreases and filming occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidstrength of toner

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite binder resin system comprising both plant-derived resin (e.g., polyol from vegetable oil) and petroleum-derived resin (e.g., polyester or polyamide). This composite structure allows the plant-derived component to reduce environmental impact while the petroleum-derived component maintains toner strength and prevents filming, effectively resolving the contradiction between eco-friendliness and mechanical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the molecular weight of the plant-derived polyol within a specific range (500-5000) and controls the ratio of plant-derived to petroleum-derived resin (e.g., 10-80 parts plant-derived to 20-90 parts petroleum-derived). These parameter adjustments ensure that the plant-derived resin contributes to environmental sustainability without compromising the overall strength and stability of the toner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If pulverizing method is used to produce toner, then toner can be manufactured, but energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner productionVSAvoidenergy consumption in production

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by pre-forming resin particles with controlled size and morphology through emulsion polymerization or precipitation methods before toner production. This preliminary particle formation eliminates or minimizes the need for subsequent pulverizing steps, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining manufacturability of the toner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical pulverizing system with a chemical/colloidal particle formation system. Instead of mechanically grinding resin into particles, the invention uses emulsion polymerization or precipitation to directly form particles of desired size, substituting mechanical energy with chemical processes that are more energy-efficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230280669A1Resin particles and toner

Publication Date: 2023.09.07 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

Resin particles are provided. The resin particles include one or more binder resins, a release agent, and a colorant. The one or more binder resins include an amorphous resin. The amorphous resin contains an alcohol component as one of the constituents thereof. The alcohol component includes a plant-derived alcohol component. The resin particles contain a tetrahydrofuran (THF)-insoluble component by an amount of from 5% by mass through 40% by mass.