Toner Binder Non-Linear Linear Polyester Resins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current toner binders fail to simultaneously achieve low-temperature fixing property, hot offset resistance, glossiness, electrostatic stability, grindability, image strength, and document offset property, while also being free from surfactant contamination which degrades electrostatic properties.

Innovation Solution

A toner binder composed of a combination of non-linear and linear polyester resins, specifically designed to satisfy certain storage modulus and glass transition temperature criteria, without using surfactants, ensuring optimal performance across various temperature ranges and properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If non-linear polyester resin with three-dimensional crosslinked structure is used, then hot offset resistance is improved, but low-temperature fixing property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot offset resistanceVSAvoidlow-temperature fixing property

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines non-linear polyester resin (A) with three-dimensional crosslinked structure for hot offset resistance and linear polyester resin (B) for low-temperature fixing property into a single binder system. This merging allows the toner to simultaneously achieve both hot offset resistance and low-temperature fixing capability that neither resin could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The binder is formulated as a composite material consisting of two distinct polyester resin components with different molecular structures and properties. The non-linear resin (A) provides thermal stability and offset resistance, while the linear resin (B) provides low-temperature flow and fixing, creating a composite binder system that overcomes the limitations of single-resin formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If linear polyester resin with no three-dimensional structure is used, then low-temperature fixing property is improved, but hot offset resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow-temperature fixing propertyVSAvoidhot offset resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of linear polyester resin (low-temperature fixing) with non-linear polyester resin (hot offset resistance) in a single binder formulation. The linear resin component (B) ensures good low-temperature fixing property while the non-linear resin component (A) provides sufficient hot offset resistance, achieving a balance that neither resin could accomplish alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If crosslinking reaction with radical reaction initiator is used, then hot offset resistance is improved, but fixation lower limit temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot offset resistanceVSAvoidfixation lower limit temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the crosslinking reaction system (which raises fixation temperature) with a physical blend of pre-synthesized non-linear and linear polyester resins. This approach achieves hot offset resistance through the non-linear resin's molecular structure without the side effect of elevated fixation lower limit temperature, effectively substituting a problematic chemical process with a simpler physical formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If reaction product of isocyanate with resin mixture is used, then hot offset resistance is improved, but uniformity of resin and heat resistant storage property deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot offset resistanceVSAvoiduniformity of resin and heat resistant storage property

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the isocyanate reaction system from the binder formulation, replacing it with a direct blend of non-linear and linear polyester resins. This removal prevents the deterioration of resin uniformity and heat resistant storage property while maintaining hot offset resistance through the non-linear resin component's inherent molecular structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental approach from chemical reaction (isocyanate crosslinking) to physical blending of resins with controlled molecular weights and structures. This parameter change from chemical to physical formulation maintains hot offset resistance while preserving resin uniformity and heat resistant storage property.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3264184B1Toner binder and toner

Publication Date: 2023.07.26 SANYO CHEM IND LTD

AI summary

Provided is a toner binder which attains all of low-temperature fixing properties, gloss, and hot offset resistance and gives a toner that satisfies the flowability, high-temperature storability, charge stability, pulverizability, image strength, flex cracking resistance, and document anti-offset properties. The present invention is a toner binder which comprises a polyester resins and has a surfactant content of 100 ppm or less and in which the THF-insoluble components and the THF-soluble components respectively have a storage modulus (Pa) at 150°C, G'x150, and the storage modulus (Pa) at 150°C, G'y150, which satisfy the following relationships (1) and (2). G'x150 ≥ 10,000 G'x150/G'y150 ≥500