Toner Composition for 3D Image Fixability on Plastic Films

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving high fixability and durability of three-dimensional color images on plastic films due to issues with toner aggregation, adhesion, and crystallization, which affect image quality and stability.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus and method utilizing a developer containing an adhesive medium and foamable particles, where the toner has a specific exothermic peak range and includes maleate-modified polyolefin with a polypropylene block, enhancing fixability and preventing crystallization, thereby improving image durability and adhesion to plastic films.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional toner is used for forming three-dimensional images on plastic films, then image formation is possible, but toner aggregation and crystallization occur, reducing fixability and durability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefixabilityVSAvoidtoner aggregation and crystallization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the toner by incorporating maleate-modified polyolefin with specific melting temperature characteristics (180°C or higher) and controlling the binder resin composition ratio. This parameter change prevents toner aggregation and crystallization while improving fixability on plastic films.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite toner system combining maleate-modified polyolefin binder resin with specific pigment combinations and internal additives. This composite material structure prevents crystallization and aggregation while maintaining good fixability and image durability on plastic film substrates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional toner is used for three-dimensional images, then basic image formation works, but adhesion to plastic films is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidimage quality stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the toner composition by introducing maleate-modified polyolefin with specific melting temperature parameters (180°C or higher) and controlling the binder resin content ratio. This parameter optimization enhances adhesion to plastic films while maintaining image quality stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The maleate-modified polyolefin acts as an intermediary substance that improves the interface between toner and plastic film. Its specific melting characteristics and chemical properties enable better adhesion while preventing harmful effects like crystallization and aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If foamable particles are added to developer, then three-dimensional image formation is enabled, but toner aggregation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional imageVSAvoidtoner aggregation

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the composition parameters of the developer by controlling the binder resin content ratio and incorporating maleate-modified polyolefin. This parameter control prevents toner aggregation even when foamable particles are present, while still enabling three-dimensional image formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite developer system combining foamable particles with maleate-modified polyolefin binder resin and specific pigment combinations. This composite formulation maintains particle dispersion and prevents aggregation while enabling the formation of three-dimensional images with good fixability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution achieves improved fixability and durability of three-dimensional images on plastic films by preventing toner aggregation and crystallization, ensuring stable image formation with enhanced adhesiveness and color development.

Implementation Method 1

the toner has a specific exothermic peak range and includes maleate-modified polyolefin with a polypropylene block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

a foamable toner containing a binder resin and internal-sized particles that are internally added to a binder resin and have a melting temperature of 180° C. or higher

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoaming: Foam

Data Source

PatentUS20230288841A1Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Publication Date: 2023.09.14 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an electrostatic latent image bearer, an electrostatic latent image former, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device. The electrostatic latent image former forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image bearer. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer to form a toner image. The transfer device transfers the toner image on a recording medium. The fixing device fixes the toner image on the recording medium. The developer contains an adhesive medium and foamable particles.