Abstract:
Methods herein include mixing at least one polyester resin with at least one solvent to form a resin mixture, adding water to cause phase inversion and form a polyester latex, adding at least one buffering agent to the phase inverted mixture to stabilize the phase inverted mixture, and subsequent to the buffering agent addition, substantially removing the at least one solvent from the phase inverted mixture.
Abstract:
A process for making toner particles is provided. In embodiments, a suitable process includes melt mixing a resin in the absence of an organic solvent, optionally adding a surfactant to the resin, adding to the resin at least one colorant and other optional toner additives, adding to the resin a basic agent and water to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to acoustic mixing at a suitable frequency to form to form an emulsion. A phase inversion may then be performed to create a phase inversed emulsion including a disperse phase comprising molten resin and the optional ingredients of the toner composition, at which time toner-sized droplets may be solidified from the disperse phase into toner particles, which can be recovered for use.
Abstract:
A washing process using one or more ionic liquids (ILs) as a washing aid agent for toners, including toners produced using such ILs, such as, low melt toners, is provided. ILs are environmentally sound, green solvents that act to swell toner particle surfaces so that surface absorbed and adsorbed pollutants, such as, surfactants and other manufacturing reactants, can be effectively removed. The resulting toners have good charging, charge maintenance and RH sensitivity.
Abstract:
Processes for producing toners are provided. The processes include emulsion aggregation processes, whereby a reactive coalescent is utilized in the coalescence step to coalesce aggregated particles, thereby forming toner particles. The resulting toners may be highly pigmented, and may possess low melt characteristics.
Abstract:
A process for making a resin emulsion suitable for use in forming toner particles is provided. In embodiments, a suitable process includes melt mixing a resin in the absence of an organic solvent, optionally adding a surfactant to the resin, adding to the resin a basic agent and water, and subjecting the resin, basic agent and water to acoustic mixing at a suitable frequency to form an emulsion of resin particles. In embodiments, the resin emulsion thus produced may be utilized to form a toner.
Abstract:
A process for making particles is provided. In embodiments, a suitable process includes a mixing tank for mixing a plurality of particles dispersed within a liquid media and a vane unit for applying a swirling effect to the plurality of droplets received from the mixing tank through a spray nozzle. The vane unit is in operable communication with a spray nozzle for launching a plurality of droplets, the plurality of droplets including different combinations of the plurality of particles. The process further includes a plurality of outlet ports, where each of a first set of outlet ports includes a filter and of the other outlet port is filterless.
Abstract:
A method of making toner particles, includes: mixing a latex emulsion, a colorant emulsion, an optional was emulsion, and optional additives in a first reactor to form a slurry; discharging the slurry from the first reactor to a second reactor through a homogenizer; heating the slurry in the second reactor to form aggregated particles in said slurry; discharging the aggregated particles and slurry from the second reactor to a third reactor; heating the aggregated particles and slurry in the third reactor to coalesce the aggregated particles into toner particles; discharging the toner particles and slurry from the third reactor to a fourth reactor; cooling the toner particles; optionally classifying said toner particles to remove coarse particles; and optionally washing and drying said toner particles, wherein the first reactor, second reactor, third reactor, and fourth reactor are at least two different reactors.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides emulsion aggregation (EA) toner particles having less pigment on the particle surface and a more uniform pigment distribution. The process of preparing the toner includes specific mixing speeds and use of specific temperatures during the emulsion aggregation process and the addition of a shell to the toner particles.