Toner Resin Composition for High Density Image Quality

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toners for electrophotography face challenges in achieving high image density and chroma while maintaining low toner deposition amounts, leading to insufficient dispersibility of colorants and reduced image quality.

Innovation Solution

A toner composition that includes a resin composition (P) formed by condensation reaction between an acid group-containing amorphous polyester-based resin and an amine compound, and a resin composition (W) formed by condensation reaction involving an alcohol component, a carboxylic acid component, and a hydrocarbon wax with functional groups, enhancing colorant dispersibility and image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the amount of colorant is increased to improve image density, then image density is improved, but colorant dispersibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage densityVSAvoidcolorant dispersibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the resin binder by incorporating specific resin compositions (P) and (W) with defined functional groups and molecular structures. This modifies the resin's interaction properties with colorants, enabling improved dispersibility even at higher colorant concentrations, thus resolving the contradiction between image density and dispersibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite resin binder system comprising multiple resin components (P) and (W) with different chemical characteristics. This composite structure provides both the binding strength needed for high colorant loading and the dispersibility-enhancing properties through synergistic interactions between different resin types, resolving the contradiction between image density and colorant dispersibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If the toner deposition amount is reduced to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but image density deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidimage density
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the resin binder's chemical parameters to enhance colorant dispersibility and distribution uniformity. This allows the toner to achieve high image density and quality even at lower deposition amounts, as the improved resin-colorant interaction ensures effective color transfer and image formation with minimal toner material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enhances the local quality of the resin binder by incorporating specific functional groups and molecular structures that improve colorant-wetting and distribution properties at the microscopic level. This localized improvement in resin-colorant interaction ensures uniform colorant distribution throughout the toner particles, enabling high image quality and density at low deposition amounts

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

The proposed toner composition achieves excellent image density and chroma, improving the dispersibility of colorants and overall image quality while maintaining low toner deposition amounts.

Implementation Method 1

the resin composition (P) is a resin composition formed by subjecting an acid group-containing amorphous polyester-based resin (A) and an amine compound to condensation reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Implementation Method 2

the resin composition (W) is a resin composition formed by subjecting an alcohol component (W-al), a carboxylic acid component (W-ac) and a hydrocarbon wax containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy group and a carboxy group to condensation reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Implementation Method 3

Step 2: melt-kneading toner raw materials containing the resin composition (P) obtained in the step 1, a colorant and a resin composition (W)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelt-kneading:

Data Source

PatentUS12298710B2Toner for developing electrostatic charge image
Publication Date: 2025.05.13 KAO CORP
  • US12298710B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a toner for development of electrostatic images which contains a colorant, a resin composition (P) and a resin composition (W), in which the resin composition (P) is a resin composition formed by subjecting an acid group-containing amorphous polyester-based resin (A) and an amine compound to condensation reaction, and the resin composition (W) is a resin composition formed by subjecting an alcohol component (W-al), a carboxylic acid component (W-ac) and a hydrocarbon wax containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy group and a carboxy group to condensation reaction; and a process for producing the toner.