Toner Matrix-Domain Structure for Low-Temperature Fixing and Emboss Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners face challenges in achieving both excellent low-temperature fixability and emboss transferability, particularly when printing on embossed paper, due to issues with electric charge dissipation and adhesion forces.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition featuring a matrix-domain structure with a crystalline resin as the matrix and an amorphous resin as the domains, optimized by controlling the area ratio of the matrix and the presence of specific hydrocarbon group indices, promotes charge dissipation and maintains electric field driving force, thereby enhancing emboss transferability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a crystalline resin having high molecular mobility is used to achieve low-temperature fixability, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but electric charge dissipates and leaks to members, reducing charge quantity and emboss transferability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a core-shell structure where the core contains crystalline resin particles for low-temperature fixability while the shell contains amorphous resin with low molecular mobility to suppress charge dissipation. This localized differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function: the core provides melting at low temperature while the shell maintains charge stability during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by combining crystalline resin and amorphous resin in a core-shell structure. The crystalline resin core provides sharp melting properties for low-temperature fixing, while the amorphous resin shell provides low molecular mobility to prevent charge dissipation. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both material types while mitigating their individual drawbacks.
2Reliability
If an amorphous resin shell with low molecular mobility is used to suppress charge dissipation, then charge quantity is maintained, but electrostatic adhesion force becomes excessively high, reducing emboss transferability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the thickness of the amorphous resin shell and the molecular mobility parameters of the resin materials. By optimizing these parameters, the shell provides sufficient charge stability while limiting the electrostatic adhesion force to an appropriate level that enables emboss transferability. The specific parameter ranges mentioned in the patent (shell thickness, resin composition ratios) are critical for achieving this balance.
3Temperature
If a matrix-domain structure with crystalline resin matrix is used to achieve low-temperature fixability, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but charge dissipation occurs at interfaces, increasing charge quantity and electrostatic adhesion force, which reduces emboss transferability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional matrix-domain structure by placing the amorphous resin (low molecular mobility) as the continuous matrix and dispersing crystalline resin particles within it, rather than using crystalline resin as the continuous matrix. This inversion prevents charge dissipation at interfaces because the amorphous resin matrix does not promote charge migration, while still allowing the crystalline particles to provide low-temperature melting capability.
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 toner achieves excellent low-temperature fixability and improved emboss transferability by balancing charge dissipation and adhesion forces, ensuring consistent image density across embossed paper surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a crystalline resin having a sharp melt property as a main binder, hence excellent low-temperature fixability can be achieved
Implementation Method 2
electric charges are trapped at the interface thereof, and the dissipation of electric charges becomes insufficient
Implementation Method 3
the electrostatic adhesion force with the member becomes high
Data Source
AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle comprising a binder resin, wherein the binder resin comprises a first resin and a second resin, the first resin is a crystalline resin, the second resin is an amorphous resin, in an observation of a cross section of the toner particle with a transmission electron microscope, a matrix-domain structure composed of a matrix comprising the first resin and domains comprising the second resin is present, an area ratio occupied by the matrix in a total area of the matrix and the domains is from 35 area % to 70 area %, a [hydrocarbon group index (Ge)]/[hydrocarbon group index (DIA)] after washing the toner with hexane is 1.10 or more.