Toner Release Agent Domain Diameter Control for Gloss Unevenness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toner particles with a binder resin, a release agent, and either a divalent metal or a trivalent metal, or both, exhibit gloss unevenness in images due to the release agent's domain diameter being less than 0.5 μm.

Innovation Solution

The development of an electrostatic charge image developing toner with toner particles containing a binder resin, a release agent, a divalent metal, and a trivalent metal, where the release agent's domain diameter is between 0.5 μm and 1.5 μm, or the ratio of the domain diameter of the release agent to the maximum diameter of the toner particle is between 10% and 30%.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the release agent domain diameter is less than 0.5 μm, then the toner can be manufactured with conventional methods, but the image exhibits gloss unevenness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease agent domain diameter controlVSAvoidgloss unevenness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the critical parameter of release agent domain diameter from below 0.5 μm to 0.5 μm or more, which fundamentally alters the bleeding behavior and eliminates gloss unevenness while maintaining manufacturability through conventional processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where the release agent domains of 0.5 μm or more are embedded within the toner particle matrix, working synergistically with the binder resin to provide both structural integrity and effective bleeding behavior for uniform gloss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the release agent domain diameter is increased to suppress gloss unevenness, then image quality improves, but the toner particle structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegloss unevennessVSAvoidtoner particle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific regions within the toner particle where release agent domains of 0.5 μm or more are concentrated, allowing these domains to perform the specialized function of bleeding control while the rest of the particle structure maintains its conventional composition and manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution enables the production of images with suppressed gloss unevenness by ensuring the release agent bleeds out effectively and the binder resin forms a three-dimensional crosslinked structure, enhancing the toner's elastic force and peelability.

Implementation Method 1

the release agent has a domain diameter of 0.5 μm or greater and 1.5 μm or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBleeding:

Implementation Method 2

the binder resin forms a three-dimensional crosslinked structure, enhancing the toner's elastic force and peelability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking:

Data Source

PatentUS12282292B2Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, and toner cartridge

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a toner particle containing a binder resin, a release agent, a divalent metal, and a trivalent metal, in which the release agent has a domain diameter of 0.5 μm or greater and 1.5 μm or less.