JP2005258333A - Toner and production method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner which is capable of deodorizing the odor occurring from odor material etc. upon fixation and has excellent storage stability. <P>SOLUTION: Microcapsule particles consisting of core material including a deodorant and capsule wall formed so as to cover the surface of the core material are added to the toner. The toner containing such microcapsule particles may deodorize the odor occurring upon fixation, suppresses moisture adsorption of the deodorant during storage and the adsorption of other component to the surface of the deodorant and suppresses aggregation of every components in toner particles and aggregation of the toner particles themselves and, therefore, excellent storage stability can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner used for developing an electrostatic charge image or a magnetic latent image in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic system or a magnetic printing system, and a manufacturing method thereof.

  An electrophotographic image forming apparatus frequently used as a copying machine or a printer forms an image through the following electrophotographic process. First, a photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter also simply referred to as a photosensitive member) provided in the apparatus is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by a charging unit, and is exposed according to image information by an exposing unit. Form. The developer is supplied from the developing device to the formed electrostatic image, and the electrostatic image is developed by attaching fine particles called toner, which is a component of the developer, to the surface of the photoreceptor, and visualized as a toner image. . The formed toner image is transferred from the surface of the photoreceptor to a recording medium such as a recording sheet by a transfer unit, and is fixed by a fixing device.

  As a toner image fixing method, a pressure fixing method or a heat fixing method is used. In a copying machine or the like, a heating roller fixing method in which a toner image is fixed by heating and pressing is widely used. However, when a heat fixing method such as a heat roller fixing method is used, an unpleasant odor may occur during fixing. This unpleasant odor is considered to be derived from impurities in the toner.

  A toner used for developing an electrostatic charge image is formed by dispersing a colorant in a binder resin (hereinafter also referred to as a binder resin). If necessary, a charge control agent, a release agent such as a polyolefin wax, or other It further contains various regulators. As binder resins, styrene-acrylic resins or polyester resins are frequently used, but reagents such as monomers, solvents, polymerization initiators, polymerization accelerators or polymerization inhibitors used in the production of these resins are Since it is extremely difficult to eliminate completely, these may be mixed in the toner as impurities. In addition, when a quaternary ammonium salt is used as the charge control agent, if the kneading temperature in the kneading step in which the quaternary ammonium salt is dispersed in the binder resin is too high, the quaternary ammonium salt may become another component in the toner. This causes a chemical reaction to produce amines, which are contained in the toner as impurities. Thus, the toner contains various impurities such as a binder resin monomer and a residual solvent.

  In the heat fixing method such as the heating roller fixing method described above, the transferred toner image is heated and melted to be fixed to the recording medium. Therefore, if impurities are contained in the toner, impurities, Ingredients having a low molecular weight odor may be released into the atmosphere, causing discomfort to the user. In recent years, with the miniaturization of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers, these image forming apparatuses have come to be used in close proximity to users in the workplace, etc., and the opportunity to be used in ordinary homes has also increased. Therefore, the problem of odor generated from toner has become a big problem.

  Various techniques such as reducing impurities in the binder resin have been studied as techniques for reducing the odor derived from the toner. For example, it has been proposed to reduce the amount of monomer remaining in the binder resin (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In another prior art, a method for producing a binder resin without using an emulsifier and a dispersant has been proposed for the purpose of suppressing the influence of environmental humidity and reducing the change in charge amount of the toner. Impurities in the binder resin are reduced (see Patent Document 3). In another prior art, a product produced by decomposition of a chemically unstable substance contained in a minute amount in a raw material in the production process of a toner also causes odor generation. It is not enough to reduce the amount of volatile components contained in the entire toner product, because it is necessary to take measures against odor components in the final toner product including residual raw material monomers and solvents. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 and 5).

  However, with the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5 and the like, impurities in the toner cannot be completely eliminated, so impurities remain in the toner. In addition, since toner is stored in the developing device and used in an amount necessary for development, odorous substances may be generated due to reaction between components in the toner while being stored in the developing device. is there. Further, when the toner image is fixed, an odorous substance may be newly generated by heating. Therefore, as in the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5, even if the odorous substance is reduced during the production of the toner, the generation of an unpleasant odor during fixing cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

  As a technique for reducing the odor derived from the toner, the use of a deodorant has been studied. For example, it has been proposed to store toner with a deodorant until the start of use (see Patent Document 6). However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 6, the deodorant is stored directly or in a case and stored in a sealed container, bottle, or cartridge together with the toner, so that the deodorant absorbs odor and moisture. There is a risk of adversely affecting the toner. Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 6, since the deodorant is not added to the inside of the toner, it is impossible to exclude odorous substances newly generated at the time of fixing. Therefore, even if the technique disclosed in Patent Document 6 is used, the generation of unpleasant odor during fixing cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

  In another prior art, it is proposed to add a deodorant when agglomerating or fusing resin particles obtained by polymerization in an aqueous medium in a toner production process by a polymerization method (patent). Reference 7). Patent Document 7 discloses that a deodorant is adsorbed on resin particles or the like at the stage of agglomeration or fusion and is taken into the toner, thereby effectively deodorizing. However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 7, since the deodorant is added to the toner as it is, the storage stability of the toner disclosed in Patent Document 7 is not sufficient, and the moisture absorption and deodorant of the deodorant is not sufficient. Adsorption of other components on the toner may cause aggregation of each component in the toner particles and aggregation of the toner particles themselves. For this reason, problems such as poor charging of the toner and a decrease in fluidity occur.

  In another prior art, a water-soluble resin in which microcapsules containing a chemical having a deodorizing action are dispersed is applied on the surface as a recording paper capable of erasing odor generated during image formation. An electrophotographic transfer paper is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 8). However, in the transfer paper disclosed in Patent Document 8, a resin in which microcapsules containing a deodorant are dispersed is applied even to a portion where toner does not adhere at the time of image formation, which increases the manufacturing cost. Yes. In recent years, there has been a demand for an image forming apparatus capable of forming a high-quality image without using a specific sheet, and it is practical to use a specific sheet as in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 8. Not.

JP-A 64-70765 JP-A-8-328311 JP-A-64-88556 JP-A-7-104514 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-104515 JP 2000-330326 A JP 2003-98745 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-268260

  An object of the present invention is to eliminate a odor at the time of fixing generated from a residual odor substance and an odor substance generated by decomposition of a part of a toner component, and a toner having excellent storage stability and a method for producing the same Is to provide.

The present invention relates to a toner containing at least a binder resin and a colorant.
A toner comprising microcapsule particles comprising a core material containing a deodorant and capsule walls formed so as to cover the surface of the core material.

In the present invention, the capsule wall contains a resin component for the capsule wall,
The glass transition temperature of the capsule wall resin component is 50 ° C. or higher and 150 ° C. or lower.

  In the present invention, the average particle size of the microcapsule particles is 0.5 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less.

  In the present invention, the capsule wall has a thickness of 0.05 μm or more and 1.00 μm or less.

Further, the invention is characterized in that the core material further contains a release agent.
In the present invention, the release agent has a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower.

The present invention is also a method for producing the toner,
Producing microcapsule particles containing a deodorant;
A binder resin particle containing microcapsule particles is obtained by dispersing a mixture containing at least microcapsule particles and a polymerizable monomer in an aqueous medium and polymerizing the polymerizable monomer in the presence of the microcapsule particles. And a step of generating the toner.

  According to the present invention, the deodorant contained in the toner is contained in the core material of the microcapsule particles and is covered with the capsule wall. The capsule wall of the microcapsule particles is broken by heating during fixing, or by heating and pressing. Only when the capsule wall is broken, the deodorizing effect of the deodorant is exhibited, and the odor generated during fixing is deodorized. Since the deodorant is covered with the capsule wall before the fixing process, volatilization of the deodorant before the fixing process is suppressed, and the deodorant absorbs moisture during storage of the toner and other substances on the surface of the deodorant. Is suppressed, and aggregation of each component in the toner particles constituting the toner and aggregation of the toner particles themselves are suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to remove the odor generated at the time of fixing and obtain a toner having excellent storage stability.

  Moreover, according to this invention, the glass transition temperature of the resin component for capsule walls is 50 degreeC or more and 150 degrees C or less. As a result, the capsule wall can be quickly destroyed by heating at the time of fixing, so that the deodorizing effect of the deodorant can be sufficiently exerted, and the odor generated at the time of fixing can be deodorized without delay. Further, the coalescence of the microcapsule particles during storage can be suppressed, and the storage stability of the toner can be improved.

  According to the invention, the average particle size of the microcapsule particles is 0.5 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less. As a result, dropping of the microcapsule particles from the binder resin can be suppressed, and the amount of microcapsule particles contained per unit volume of the toner can be made sufficient. It can be deodorized. Further, since aggregation of the microcapsule particles can be suppressed, the storage stability of the toner can be further improved.

  According to the invention, the thickness of the capsule wall is 0.05 μm or more and 1.00 μm or less. As a result, the capsule wall has a moderate strength, and it can be made into a capsule wall that is not easily destroyed before the fixing process and is quickly destroyed at the time of fixing. Can be made.

  According to the present invention, the core material of the microcapsule particles includes a release agent together with a deodorant. Since the capsule wall covering the core material is destroyed by heating at the time of fixing, it is possible to impart releasability and low-temperature fixing property to the toner at the time of fixing, and also improve the surface smoothness of the color image and improve color development. An excellent color image can be realized. Since the release agent is not exposed to the toner surface until the capsule wall is broken by heating at the time of fixing, it hardly affects the storage stability and fluidity of the toner. Therefore, as described above, a release agent is contained in the toner in a state where it is covered with a capsule wall, so that the toner has a release property and a low-temperature fixability without deteriorating the storage stability and fluidity of the toner. The surface smoothness of the color image can be improved.

  According to the invention, since the release agent has a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, the release agent is rapidly melted by heating during fixing. Therefore, when the capsule wall is broken by heating at the time of fixing, the deodorant is prevented from being covered with the release agent, and the deodorant effect of the deodorant can be sufficiently exhibited.

  Further, according to the present invention, a toner containing microcapsule particles containing a deodorant is prepared as microcapsule particles containing a deodorant and dispersed in an aqueous medium together with a polymerizable monomer. It is produced by polymerizing a polymerizable monomer in the presence to produce binder resin particles containing microcapsule particles. This prevents the microcapsule particles from being destroyed during the production of the toner and suppresses the volatilization of the deodorant component of the deodorant during the production process. It is possible to produce a toner that can be made to adhere.

  The toner of the present invention contains at least a binder resin and a colorant, and contains a core material containing a deodorant and a capsule capsule wall formed so as to cover the surface of the core material, that is, a deodorant. It further contains microcapsule particles encapsulating the agent.

  By adding a deodorant to the toner, it is possible to deodorize the odor generated from the monomer, solvent and impurities remaining in the toner by heating during fixing. However, if the deodorant is added to the toner as it is, the aggregation of each component in the toner particles constituting the toner and the toner particles themselves due to moisture absorption of the deodorant and adsorption of other components on the surface of the deodorant. Aggregation occurs, causing problems such as poor charging of the toner and a decrease in fluidity.

  In the toner of the present invention, the deodorant is contained in the core material of the microcapsule particles and is covered with the capsule wall. Since the capsule wall covering the core material containing the deodorant is destroyed by heating at the time of fixing, or by heating and pressurizing, the deodorizing effect of the deodorant is first manifested in the toner at the time of fixing. That is, in the toner of the present invention, the deodorizing effect of the deodorant is exhibited only by the heat at the time of fixing or the capsule wall being destroyed by heating and pressurizing, and the odor generated at the time of fixing is deodorized. In this way, by covering the deodorant with the capsule wall before the fixing step, the moisture absorption of the deodorant during toner storage and the adsorption of other components to the surface of the deodorant are suppressed, and the toner particles Aggregation of each component in the inside and aggregation of the toner particles themselves can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to prevent the deodorant from volatilizing before the fixing step. Therefore, it is possible to remove the odor generated during fixing, and to obtain a toner having excellent storage stability.

  Any deodorant may be used as long as it has a deodorizing effect. A deodorizing method using a deodorant is not particularly limited, and a known method can be used. For example, a physical method of deodorizing by adsorbing molecules emitting odor (hereinafter also referred to as odor molecules), and The chemical method etc. which deodorize by changing a odor molecule chemically are used. When deodorizing is performed by a physical method, a deodorizer having a function of adsorbing odor molecules is used. For example, activated carbon generally used as an adsorbent is manufactured using carbon-containing materials such as plant fibers, coconut husks, coffee beans, bamboo, wood chips, and coal as a raw material, and has a complicated porous structure on the surface. Since it has a pore area and is excellent in odor adsorption ability, it is preferably used. Polymers such as artificial zeolite or amphoteric polymer polyacrylamide can also be used. When deodorizing is performed by a chemical method, a metal phthalocyanine-based deodorant is preferably used. Deodorants are not limited to these. Copper chlorophyllin sodium, flavonoids, substances that have a deodorizing effect such as oxidation catalysts, substances that have a function of degrading bad odors, and other specially manufactured and sold by manufacturers. It is also possible to use a deodorant or the like. The use form of a deodorant is not specifically limited, For example, it can be used with powdery or granular form.

  The color of the deodorant is hardly limited in the case of a black toner, but in the case of a color toner, particularly a full color toner used for forming a full color image, the color of the toner imparted by the colorant is inhibited. In order to avoid this, it is appropriately selected and used. That is, in the case of a color toner, particularly a full-color toner, transparency is required in addition to the color, and therefore, it is not preferable to use a toner having extremely dark color or poor dispersibility as a deodorant. Therefore, it is preferable to use a colorless deodorant such as cyclodextrin for the color toner.

  The amount of the deodorant used varies depending on the type of the deodorant, but is preferably within the range of 5 to 30% by weight of the toner composition.

  In the microcapsule particle, the capsule wall formed so as to cover the surface of the core material containing the deodorant can be composed of a resin component for the capsule wall. Thus, when a capsule wall is comprised with the resin component for capsule walls, a microcapsule particle can be produced by coat | covering and encapsulating the core material containing a deodorizer at least with the resin component for capsule walls. . The method for encapsulating the core material containing the deodorant is not particularly limited, and for example, suspension polymerization method, orifice method, spray cooling method, phase separation method, in-situ polymerization method, submerged drying method, interfacial weight Examples thereof include a legal method and an interfacial reaction method. Among these methods, a suitable method can be adopted according to the type of the deodorant.

  For example, when using a submerged drying method, microcapsule particles can be prepared as follows. An appropriate amount of the resin component for the capsule wall is dissolved in an appropriate solvent such as dichloromethane, and an aqueous solution or slurry in which an appropriate amount of a core material such as a deodorant is dissolved is added to this solution to prepare a W / O emulsion. This W / O emulsion is added to an aqueous solution in which a dispersion stabilizer such as polyvinyl alcohol is dissolved to prepare a W / O / W emulsion. The W / O / W emulsion is slowly stirred to evaporate a solvent such as dichloromethane in which the capsule wall resin component is dissolved. As a result, a capsule wall made of the resin component for the capsule wall is formed on the surface of the core material, and microcapsule particles are obtained. The solvent dissolving the capsule wall resin component may be distilled off under reduced pressure.

  The resin component for the capsule wall is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known resins. Among these, a thermoplastic resin synthesized from a polymerizable monomer having high radical polymerization activity such as polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polystyrene and derivatives thereof, and polyvinyl acetate and derivatives thereof is preferably used. Among these thermoplastic resins, since microcapsule particles having an excellent balance between quality and cost can be efficiently produced, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and polystyrene derivatives are more preferably used. However, from the viewpoint of ensuring hue and transparency, it is preferable to use a resin having excellent transparency for the color toner, and among these, it is particularly preferable to use a polyester resin. One type of these thermoplastic resins may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

  Examples of the polymerizable monomer having high radical polymerization activity, which is a raw material of the thermoplastic resin used for the capsule wall resin component, include vinyl monomers such as vinyl aromatic monomers and acrylic monomers. .

  Examples of the acrylic monomer include acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and esters thereof. As the acrylic ester, known ones can be used without particular limitation. Among them, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, cumyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isononyl acrylate Etc. are preferably used. The methacrylic acid ester is not particularly limited, and known ones can be used. Among them, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, cumyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, isononyl methacrylate Etc. are preferably used. The acrylic acid ester and the methacrylic acid ester may have a substituent. Examples of the acrylic ester having a substituent include those having a polar group such as β-hydroxyethyl acrylate, γ-hydroxypropyl acrylate, and σ-hydroxybutyl acrylate. Examples of the methacrylic acid ester having a substituent include those having a polar group such as β-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. One type of these acrylic monomers may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

  The vinyl aromatic monomer is not particularly limited and known ones can be used. Among them, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and the like are preferably used. These styrene monomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The glass transition temperature Tg of the capsule wall resin component is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 150 ° C. or lower, more preferably 60 ° C. or higher and 140 ° C. or lower. By setting the glass transition temperature Tg of the resin component for the capsule wall to 50 ° C. or higher and 150 ° C. or lower, the capsule wall can be quickly destroyed by heating at the time of fixing. It can be used to deodorize odor generated during fixing without delay. Further, the coalescence of the microcapsule particles during storage can be suppressed, and the storage stability of the toner can be improved. When the glass transition temperature Tg of the capsule wall resin component is less than 50 ° C., the microcapsules are likely to be bonded together during storage. Conversely, if the glass transition temperature Tg of the resin component for the capsule wall exceeds 150 ° C., the capsule wall of the microcapsule particles is difficult to break when fixing the toner, and the deodorant effect of the deodorant may not be fully exhibited. .

  In order to exhibit the deodorizing effect of the deodorant more effectively, the glass transition temperature Tg of the resin component for the capsule wall may be selected according to the temperature at which the toner is heated during fixing, that is, the fixing temperature. A temperature slightly lower than the fixing temperature is particularly preferable.

  In the present specification, the glass transition temperature Tg of the capsule wall resin component is measured as follows.

[Glass transition temperature Tg]
Using a differential scanning calorimeter (manufactured by Seiko Instruments Inc .: EXSTAR6000 DSC), the DSC curve is measured by heating the sample at a heating rate of 10 ° C. per minute according to Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) K7121-1987. A straight line obtained by extending the base line on the high temperature side of the endothermic peak corresponding to the glass transition of the DSC curve to the low temperature side, and a tangent line drawn at a point where the gradient is maximum with respect to the curve from the rising part of the peak to the vertex. Is determined as the glass transition temperature Tg.

  The core material of the microcapsule particles preferably contains a release agent in addition to the deodorant. The release agent can be added to the toner as it is without being contained in the microcapsule particles. However, if the release agent is added to the toner as it is, the release agent is exposed on the toner surface, which may adversely affect the storage stability and fluidity of the toner. In contrast, when the release agent is included in the core material of the microcapsule particles, the release agent is not exposed to the toner surface until the capsule wall is destroyed by heating at the time of fixing. Has little effect on performance and liquidity. Also, at the time of fixing, the capsule wall is broken by heating, and the release agent is exposed on the toner surface, so that the toner can be given releasability to a fixing member such as a fixing roller, and part of the melted toner at the time of fixing. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a so-called offset phenomenon in which the toner adheres to the fixing member and is transferred to the subsequent transfer medium. Further, since the melt viscosity of the toner can be lowered, the temperature required for fixing is lowered, and a toner having excellent low-temperature fixability can be obtained. In the case of a color toner, the surface smoothness of the formed image can be improved, and a color image with excellent color development can be realized.

  Therefore, as described above, the release agent is included in the core material of the microcapsule particles and is contained in the toner in a state of being covered with the capsule wall without deteriorating the storage stability and fluidity of the toner. The toner can be given releasability and low-temperature fixability, and the surface smoothness of the color image can be improved.

  When a release agent is contained in the core material, the deodorant is preferably coated on the capsule wall in a state of being dispersed in the release agent. Thus, when the capsule wall is broken, the deodorant can be diffused into the toner together with the release agent, so that the deodorant effect of the deodorant can be effectively exhibited.

  In order to exhibit the deodorizing effect of the deodorant more effectively, it is necessary that the release agent is quickly melted by heating at the time of fixing. Therefore, the melting point of the release agent is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower, more preferably 60 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower. By using a release agent having a melting point of 50 ° C. or more and 120 ° C. or less, the release agent can be quickly melted by heating at the time of fixing. Therefore, when the capsule wall is broken by heating at the time of fixing, The deodorant can be prevented from being covered with the release agent, and the deodorant effect of the deodorant can be sufficiently exhibited. If the melting point of the release agent exceeds 120 ° C., it becomes difficult for the release agent to melt by heating during fixing, and the deodorizing effect of the deodorant may not be sufficiently exhibited. Further, if the melting point of the release agent is less than 50 ° C., the storage stability of the toner may be lowered.

  The release agent is not particularly limited and known ones can be used. Among them, waxes such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, fatty acids or alcohols are preferably used. Among these, aliphatic hydrocarbons are more preferably used. One of these release agents may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used in combination.

  The amount of the release agent used is preferably 1% by weight or more and 10% by weight or less of the toner composition. If the amount of the release agent used is less than 1% by weight, there is a possibility that sufficient release properties for the fixing member cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the release agent used exceeds 10% by weight, a release agent exposed on the surface of the microcapsule particles tends to be generated, and the storage stability and fluidity of the toner may be reduced. Further, it may adversely affect the light transmittance of the image. Therefore, the release agent is preferably used in the range of 1% by weight to 10% by weight of the toner composition.

  The microcapsule particles containing a deodorant and a release agent in the core are encapsulated in the same manner as in the case of encapsulating the deodorant, for example, after the deodorant is dispersed in the release agent. Can be obtained.

  The average particle size of the microcapsule particles is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less, more preferably 0.5 μm or more and 1.0 μm or less. By making the average particle diameter of the microcapsule particles 0.5 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less, the microcapsule particles are prevented from falling off from the binder resin, and the amount of the microcapsule particles contained per unit volume of the toner is reduced. Since it can be sufficient, the odor generated at the time of fixing can be sufficiently deodorized. Further, since aggregation of the microcapsule particles can be suppressed, the storage stability of the toner can be further improved. If the average particle size of the microcapsule particles exceeds 3.0 μm, the microcapsule particles are more likely to fall out from the binder resin, and the amount of microcapsule particles contained per unit volume of the toner is reduced. There is a possibility that the deodorizing effect of the deodorant may not be sufficiently exhibited. When the average particle size of the microcapsule particles is less than 0.5 μm, the microcapsule particles are likely to aggregate during storage, and it becomes difficult to keep the toner quality stable.

  In the microcapsule particle, the thickness of the capsule wall is preferably 0.05 μm or more and 1.00 μm or less, more preferably 0.05 μm or more and 0.50 μm or less. By setting the capsule wall thickness to 0.05 μm or more and 1.00 μm or less, the capsule wall has an appropriate strength, is not easily broken before the fixing step, and is quickly broken at the time of fixing. Therefore, the deodorizing effect of the deodorant can be further exhibited. Note that if the capsule wall thickness is less than 0.05 μm, the capsule wall strength is insufficient, and the capsule wall tends to be destroyed before the fixing step, so that the deodorant effect of the deodorant is sufficiently exerted during fixing. It may not be. On the other hand, when the capsule wall thickness exceeds 1.00 μm, the strength of the capsule wall becomes too high, and it becomes difficult to be destroyed by heating or heating and pressurization at the time of fixing, so that the deodorizing effect at the time of fixing may be reduced. .

  The production method of the toner of the present invention containing the microcapsule particles configured as described above is not particularly limited, and a known method can be used, and examples thereof include a polymerization method and a pulverization method. Among these, a polymerization method is preferably used.

  In the pulverization method, the toner composition is mixed, melted and kneaded, and then pulverized, so that the microcapsule particles are easily destroyed during melt-kneading, and the deodorizing effect of the deodorant is not sufficiently exhibited during fixing. there is a possibility. In contrast, in the polymerization method, a mixture containing at least microcapsule particles and a polymerizable monomer is dispersed in an aqueous medium, the polymerizable monomer is polymerized in the presence of the microcapsule particles, and the microcapsule particles are contained. Since the toner is produced by generating the binding resin particles, the microcapsule particles can be prevented from being destroyed during the production of the toner, and the volatilization of the deodorant component of the deodorant during the production process can be suppressed. Therefore, the toner of the present invention is preferably produced by a polymerization method. By using the polymerization method, it is possible to produce a toner that can sufficiently exert the deodorizing effect of the deodorant during fixing. .

  As the binder resin, a thermoplastic resin having fixability and chargeability is preferably used. When the toner of the present invention is produced by a polymerization method, a water-insoluble monomer is used as the polymerizable monomer capable of forming the binder resin. Among the above-mentioned raw material monomers for thermoplastic resins having fixability and chargeability, examples of such polymerizable monomers include vinyl aromatic monomers, acrylic monomers, vinyl ester monomers. And vinyl monomers such as monomers, vinyl ether monomers, diolefin monomers, and monoolefin monomers. The polymerizable monomer is not limited to these, and any monomer can be used as long as it is a water-insoluble raw material monomer for the thermoplastic resin having the fixing property and the charging property described above. It may be used.

  Examples of the vinyl aromatic monomer include styrene, α-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene, α-chlorostyrene, o-chlorostyrene, m-chlorostyrene, p-chlorostyrene, p-ethylstyrene, divinylbenzene, and the like. It is done.

  Examples of the acrylic monomer include acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and esters thereof. Examples of the acrylate ester include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, and phenyl acrylate. Examples of the methacrylic acid ester include methyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate. Acrylic acid esters and methacrylic acid esters may have a substituent. Examples of the acrylic acid ester and methacrylic acid ester having a substituent include ethyl β-hydroxyacrylate, propyl γ-hydroxyacrylate, and σ-hydroxyacrylic acid. Examples thereof include those having a polar group such as butyl acid, β-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

  Examples of vinyl ester monomers include vinyl formate, vinyl acetate, and vinyl propionate. Examples of the vinyl ether monomer include vinyl-n-butyl ether, vinyl phenyl ether, vinyl cyclohexane ether and the like. Examples of the diolefin monomer include butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene and the like. Examples of the monoolefin monomer include ethylene, propylene, isobutylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene and the like.

  One of these polymerizable monomers may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used in combination.

  Examples of the polymerization method include a suspension polymerization method and an emulsion polymerization method. Among these, the suspension polymerization method is preferably used.

  When a mixture containing at least microcapsule particles and a polymerizable monomer is suspended in an aqueous medium, a small amount of fine inorganic powder, a surfactant or a polymer soluble in the medium is used as a suspension dispersion stabilizer. Is preferably added. As the inorganic fine powder, those that are insoluble in water and have a particle size of 0.001 μm or more and 5 μm or less are preferably used. Specific examples of the inorganic fine powder include tricalcium phosphate, talc, bentonite, kaolin, titanium oxide, alumina, zinc white, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, basic magnesium silicate, titanium hydroxide, and second hydroxide. Examples thereof include iron, barium sulfate, silica, magnesium carbonate, and calcium carbonate. As the surfactant, any of a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant and a cationic surfactant may be used. For example, a fatty acid salt such as sodium oleate and castor oil potash soap, sodium lauryl sulfate, Naphthalene sulfonates such as sodium cetyl sulfate, alkyl aryl sulfonates such as sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sodium salt of β-naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensate and derivatives thereof , Dialkyl sulfosuccinates, dialkyl phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate triethanolamines, polyoxyethylene alkylphenol Such as ether sulfate salts, and the like. Examples of the polymer used as the suspension dispersion stabilizer include polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid, and poly (hydroxystearic acid-g-methacrylic acid-CO-methacrylic acid) copolymer. .

  In the toner of the present invention, any of a pigment and a dye may be used as the colorant, or a combination of a pigment and a dye may be used. The color of the colorant is appropriately selected so that a toner having a desired color is realized.

  By using a black colorant as the colorant, it is possible to obtain a black toner used for forming a monochrome image or reproducing black in a color image. As the black colorant, known ones can be used. For example, black pigments such as carbon black such as furnace black, channel black, acetylene black, thermal black, and lamp black are used. Magnetic powders such as magnetite and ferrite can also be used.

  Further, by using a chromatic colorant as a colorant, a color toner used for forming a color image such as a full color image can be obtained. As the chromatic colorant, known ones can be used, and examples thereof include the following organic pigments and organic dyes classified by a color index (abbreviation: CI) number.

  Examples of pigments used for magenta toner or red toner include C.I. I. Pigment red 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 48: 1, 53: 1, 57: 1, 122, 123, 139, 144, 149, 166, 177, 178, 222, and the like. Examples of the dye include C.I. I. Solvent Red 1, 49, 52, 58, 63, 111, 122 etc. are mentioned.

  Examples of the pigment used for the orange toner or yellow toner include C.I. I. Pigment orange 31, 43, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 93, 94, 138, 155, 156, 180, 185 and the like. Examples of the dye include C.I. I. Solvent yellow 19, 44, 77, 79, 81, 82, 93, 98, 103, 104, 112, 162 etc. are mentioned.

  Examples of the pigment used for the green toner or the cyan toner include C.I. I. Pigment blue 15, 15: 2, 15: 3, 16, 60, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Green 7. Examples of the dye include C.I. I. Solvent Blue 25, 36, 60, 70, 93, 95 etc. are mentioned.

  These colorants may be used alone or in combination of two or more as desired.

  The amount of the colorant added is preferably 2 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably 3 to 15 parts by weight, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

  To the toner of the present invention, a known toner auxiliary agent such as a charge control agent or a plasticizer may be added. Examples of the charge control agent include C.I. I. Nigrosine base such as Solvent Black 5045, C.I. I. Inorganic charge control agents such as oil-soluble dyes such as solvent black 26150, oil-soluble dyes such as spiron black, naphthenic acid metal salts, fatty acid metal soaps, and metal-containing complex dyes. The charge control agent is not limited to these, but is a water-soluble monomer having a charge control functional group copolymerizable with a vinyl monomer that is a polymerizable monomer capable of forming the above-described binder resin. A monomer can also be used. Examples of such a water-soluble monomer include sulfonic acid type, phosphoric acid type or carboxylic acid type anionic groups such as sulfonic acid groups and sulfonic acid metal bases, primary amino groups, and secondary amino groups. Radical polymerizable monomers having an electrolytic group such as a cationic group such as a group, a tertiary amino group or a quaternary ammonium group. Specific examples of the radical polymerizable monomer having an electrolytic group include styrene sulfonic acid, sodium styrene sulfonate, 2-acrylamide, 2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, 2-acid phosphooxyethyl methacrylate, and 2-acid phosphoxy. Propyl methacrylate, 3-chloro-2-acid phosphoxypropyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, tetrahydroterephthalic acid, itaconic acid, aminostyrene, aminoethyl methacrylate, aminopropyl acrylate, diethylaminopropyl acrylate, γ -N- (N ', N'-diethylaminoethyl) aminopropyl methacrylate, trimethylammonium propyl methacrylate and the like can be mentioned.

  When the toner of the present invention is produced by a polymerization method, a toner auxiliary such as a colorant and a charge control agent is produced by dispersing in a water-based medium together with microcapsule particles and a polymerizable monomer. It can be added to the particles.

  The toner particles constituting the toner of the present invention prevent large fluctuations in toner fluidity caused by moisture fluctuations on the toner particle surfaces due to changes in humidity, and can be stirred with a carrier when used as a two-component developer. In order to stabilize transportability and chargeability, surface treatment may be performed with hydrophobic inorganic fine particles. Examples of hydrophobic inorganic fine particles include inorganic fine particles such as aluminum oxide powder, titanium oxide powder, fine powder silica, etc., silicone varnish, various modified silicone varnishes, silicone oil, various modified silicone oils, silane coupling agents, and functional groups. Examples include silane coupling agents and hydrophobized treatments with other treating agents such as organosilicon compounds. One of these hydrophobic inorganic fine particles may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used in combination. These hydrophobic inorganic fine particles may be used in combination with an external additive such as vinylidene fluoride fine powder, polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder, fatty acid metal salt, zinc stearate or calcium stearate.

  Although the toner of the present invention contains the materials described above, in this specification, the toner composition is a material constituting the toner particles, and is added after the toner particles are produced. Such as external additives such as hydrophobic inorganic fine particles are not included. In other words, the toner composition includes at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a microcapsule particle containing a deodorant, and is mixed with the binder resin, the colorant, and the microcapsule particle to control charge as part of the toner particle. Also includes toner auxiliary agents such as additives.

  The average particle diameter of the toner particles is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 μm or more and 10 μm or less. If the average particle diameter of the toner particles is less than 5 μm, it is difficult to achieve both chargeability and powder characteristics. Conversely, if the average particle diameter exceeds 10 μm, high-quality image formation cannot be expected.

  The toner of the present invention can be used in both the one-component development method and the two-component development method. In the case of a two-component developer, a known carrier can be used as the carrier used together with the toner of the present invention.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example is given and this invention is demonstrated further more concretely, this invention is not limited to a following example.

[Example I]
[Manufacture of microcapsule particles]
(CP1 microcapsule particles)
An acrylic resin (Tg: 110 ° C.) synthesized from methyl methacrylate and styrene as a resin component for the capsule wall is dissolved in dichloromethane, and an aqueous solution in which copper chlorophyllin sodium is dissolved as a deodorant is added to this solution. An emulsion was prepared. This W / O emulsion was gradually added to the polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution to prepare a W / O / W emulsion. This W / O / W emulsion was slowly stirred to evaporate dichloromethane, and the average particle size was adjusted to 0.7 μm to obtain a slurry containing microcapsule particles. The solid content was removed from the resulting slurry by centrifugation and dried to produce microcapsule particles (deodorant 85 wt%) containing the deodorant. The thickness of the capsule wall of the obtained CP1 microcapsule particles was 0.1 μm.

(CP2-CP5 microcapsule particles)
CP1 microcapsule particles, except that each of the resin components for the capsule wall is an acrylic resin synthesized from the raw material monomer shown in Table 1 and the average particle diameter of the microcapsule particles is adjusted to the values shown in Table 1, respectively. Similarly, four types of microcapsule particles were produced.

(P6 microcapsule particles)
As a mold release agent, 25 parts by weight of polyethylene wax (melting point: 75 ° C.) and 15 parts by weight of methyl methacrylate, which is a raw material monomer for the capsule wall resin component, are uniformly melted at 85 ° C., and then dissolved in the melt. As an odorant, 10 parts by weight of copper chlorophyllin sodium was dispersed. Next, 200 L of a 6% by weight aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution was added to the melt and cooled to 30 ° C. with stirring. Next, a mixed aqueous solution containing 0.7 parts by weight of an oil-soluble azo polymerization initiator and methyl methacrylate, which is a raw material monomer for the capsule wall resin component, is added to this solution and stirred to obtain a suspension monomer solution. Prepared. The obtained suspension monomer solution was charged into a jacketed polymerization reaction tank, and the polymerization reaction tank was maintained at around 30 ° C. to start stirring.

  Next, after depressurizing the inside of the polymerization reaction tank to perform deoxygenation in the polymerization reaction tank, the pressure is returned to atmospheric pressure with nitrogen, the inside of the polymerization reaction tank is set to a nitrogen atmosphere, and then the polymerization reaction tank is heated to 40 ° C. The temperature was raised and stirred for 1 hour. Next, after performing a polymerization reaction at 50 ° C. for 2 hours, the polymerization reaction tank was cooled to room temperature to obtain a slurry containing microcapsule particles. By removing the solid content from the obtained slurry by centrifugation and drying for 4 hours, microcapsule particles having an average particle diameter of 1.0 μm (60% by weight of deodorant) enclosing wax in which the deodorant is dispersed. Produced.

(CP7 microcapsule particles)
From the viewpoint of ensuring the hue and transparency of the toner when used in the color toner of Example 7 or 8 described later, cyclodextrin is used as a deodorant, and a polyester resin (Tg: 120 ° C.) as a resin component for the capsule wall. The microcapsule particles were prepared in the same manner as the CP1 microcapsule particles except that the average particle diameter of the microcapsule particles was adjusted to 0.5 μm.

[Production of toner]
(Example 1)
The toner composition shown in Table 2 was stirred with a high-speed stirrer at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes to prepare a monomer phase. The obtained monomer phase was mixed with 700 parts by weight of distilled water as an aqueous medium and 30 parts by weight of sodium alginate as a dispersion stabilizer, and stirred for 10 minutes at a rotational speed of 10,000 revolutions per minute using the high-speed stirrer. Thus, a suspension having an average particle diameter of the droplets of about 9 μm was prepared. The obtained suspension was transferred to a 3 liter separable flask equipped with a stirrer, a nitrogen inlet tube and a condenser, and heated to 80 ° C. with stirring at a rotation speed of 120 revolutions per minute in a nitrogen atmosphere. For 5 hours. After the reaction solution was cooled to room temperature, the solid matter was filtered off, washed with ion-exchanged water, and dried to obtain a toner powder having an average particle size of about 7 μm. To 100 parts by weight of the obtained toner powder, 1.5 parts by weight of hydrophobic silica (number average primary particle size: 12 nm) was added and mixed with a Henschel mixer. As described above, the toner of Example 1 was produced using the polymerization method.

(Examples 2 to 6)
Five types of toners were produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that CP2-microcapsule particles were used instead of CP1-microcapsule particles as the microcapsule particles containing the deodorant.

(Example 7)
As a colorant, phthalocyanine blue (CI pigment blue 15: 3) is used instead of carbon black, and CP7 microcapsule particles are used instead of CP1 microcapsule particles as decapsulating microcapsule particles. A toner of Example 7 was produced in the same manner as Example 1 except that it was used.

(Example 8)
The colorant was added to the binder resin and kneaded for 15 minutes while being pressurized with a kneader set at a temperature of 110 ° C., and then the microcapsule particles, the charge control agent and the release agent were mixed and further melt-kneaded. The obtained kneaded product was cooled and then pulverized and classified to obtain a toner powder having an average particle size of about 7 μm. Table 3 shows each component contained in the toner of Example 8 and the blending amount thereof. In Table 3, Mw represents a weight average molecular weight, Mn represents a number average molecular weight, and Tm represents a softening temperature. Next, 1.5 parts by weight of hydrophobic silica (number average primary particle size: 12 nm) was added to 100 parts by weight of the obtained toner powder, and mixed by a Henschel mixer. As described above, the toner of Example 8 was produced using the pulverization method.

(Comparative Example 1)
A toner of Comparative Example 1 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that CP1 microcapsule particles were not used.

(Comparative Example 2)
A toner of Comparative Example 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 8, except that CP7 microcapsule particles were not used.

(Comparative Example 3)
A toner of Comparative Example 3 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 10 parts by weight of copper chlorophyllin sodium as a deodorant was used instead of CP1 microcapsule particles.

(Comparative Example 4)
A toner of Comparative Example 4 was produced in the same manner as in Example 8, except that 10 parts by weight of copper chlorophyllin sodium as a deodorant was used instead of CP7 microcapsule particles.

[Evaluation 1]
For each of the toners prepared in Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, a storage test and a practical odor test were performed as follows.

(Preservation test)
1 g of each toner was allowed to stand in a high temperature and high humidity environment at a temperature of 55 ° C. and a relative humidity of 90% RH for 18 hours, and then passed through a 100 mesh screen. The stability of the toner particle size, that is, the storage stability of the toner was evaluated. The evaluation criteria for storage stability are as follows.
A: Excellent. Granules 0.1g or less.
○: Good. More than 0.1g granule and less than 0.2g.
Δ: Slightly poor 0.2g or more and less than 0.3g.
X: Defect. More than 0.3g of granules.

(Odor test)
Each toner was loaded into a full-color composite machine AR-C260 (manufactured by Sharp Corporation), and a chart having an image area of 5% was continuously formed on 1000 sheets of recording paper as an evaluation image. The fixing temperature was 170 ° C. About the odor of the image for evaluation immediately after paper discharge, 20 general panelists were judged according to the following criteria. The odor determination results by 20 panelists were tabulated, and the determination result with the most responses was taken as the evaluation result of the odor test.
A: No odor.
○: Slight odor is recognized, but not so much.
Δ: Although odor is recognized, there is no discomfort.
X: An unpleasant odor is recognized.
The above evaluation results are shown in Table 4.

  From the comparison between Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the odor generated at the time of fixing is eliminated by including microcapsule particles containing a deodorant in the toner as in Examples 1 to 8. It turns out that it can smell.

  From the comparison between Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the toners of Examples 1 to 8 in which the deodorant is encapsulated and added sufficiently exhibit the deodorizing effect of the deodorant during fixing. On the other hand, in the toners of Comparative Examples 3 and 4 in which the deodorizer was added without being encapsulated, the deodorization effect was not obtained and the storage stability was poor (x).

  From a comparison between Example 1 and Examples 2 and 3, as in Example 1, the glass transition temperature Tg of the resin component for the capsule wall is in the range of 50 to 150 ° C, and further from the fixing temperature (170 ° C). It can be seen that when it is slightly low, the storage stability is particularly excellent, and the deodorizing effect of the deodorant is more effectively exhibited.

  From a comparison between Example 1 and Examples 4 and 5, the toner of Example 1 in which the average particle size of the microcapsule particles is in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 μm is greater than the average particle size of the microcapsule particles. As compared with the toners of Examples 4 and 5 which are not within the above range, it is understood that the storage stability and the deodorizing effect at the time of fixing are excellent.

  Also, from Table 4, the toner containing microcapsule particles containing the release agent of Example 6 and the color toner of Example 7 also have excellent storage stability (◎) and a sufficient deodorizing effect. It was found that Further, from the result of visual observation of the evaluation image subjected to the odor test, it was found that the evaluation image formed using the color toner of Example 7 was excellent in hue and transparency.

  In addition, from the comparison between Example 7 and Example 8, the toner of Example 7 produced by the polymerization method is more stable in storage and fixing than the toner of Example 8 produced by the pulverization method. It turns out that it is excellent in a deodorizing effect.

[Evaluation 2]
The toners of Example 1 and Example 6 were evaluated for offset resistance as follows.

  The toners of Example 1 and Example 6 were filled in a test image forming apparatus obtained by removing the fixing device from the full-color multifunction peripheral AR-C260 (manufactured by Sharp Corporation), and unfixed toner on the recording paper. An image was formed. Using a separate fixing device, the formed unfixed toner image was fixed to form an evaluation image. As a separate fixing device, a fixing device that has been modified so that it can be driven externally and the surface temperature of the fixing roller can be controlled, as it was mounted on the aforementioned full-color MFP AR-C260 (made by Sharp Corporation). Using. The image for evaluation was visually observed, and it was determined whether or not the non-image portion of the recording paper, which is the contact portion after the second round of the fixing roller, was contaminated, that is, whether or not an offset phenomenon occurred.

  This operation was repeated by sequentially increasing the surface temperature of the fixing roller. As a result, when the toner of Example 1 was used, an offset phenomenon occurred when the surface temperature of the fixing roller exceeded 200 ° C. In contrast, when the toner of Example 6 was used, the offset phenomenon did not occur even when the surface temperature of the fixing roller exceeded 200 ° C. From this, it can be seen that the toner of Example 6 has greatly improved releasability as compared with the toner of Example 1.

Example II
[Manufacture of microcapsule particles]
(CP8 to CP10 microcapsule particles)
Three types of microcapsule particles were produced in the same manner as the CP1 microcapsule particles of Example I, except that the capsule wall thickness and average particle diameter of the microcapsule particles were adjusted to the values shown in Table 5, respectively. In addition, the thickness of the capsule wall of each microcapsule particle | grain was calculated | required from the cross-sectional photograph of the microcapsule particle | grains image | photographed using the transmission electron microscope (TEM: Transmission Electron Microscope).

[Production of toner]
(Examples 9 to 11)
Three types of toners were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 of Example I, except that CP8 to CP10 microcapsule particles were used instead of CP1 microcapsule particles as decapsulating microcapsule particles.

[Evaluation 3]
Each toner produced in Examples 9 to 11 was subjected to a storage test and a practical odor test in the same manner as in Evaluation 1 of Example I. The evaluation results are shown in Table 5. Table 5 also shows the evaluation results of Example 1 in Example I.

  From a comparison between Examples 1 and 10 and Example 9, the toner of Examples 1 and 10 in which the thickness of the capsule wall of the microcapsule particles is in the range of 0.05 to 1.00 μm is greater in the microcapsule particles. It can be seen that the storage stability and the deodorizing effect at the time of fixing are superior to the toner of Example 9 in which the capsule wall thickness falls outside the above range.

  From a comparison between Examples 1 and 10 and Example 11, the toner of Examples 1 and 10 in which the thickness of the capsule wall of the microcapsule particles is in the range of 0.05 to 1.00 μm is greater in the microcapsule particles. It can be seen that the deodorizing effect at the time of fixing is superior to the toner of Example 11 in which the capsule wall thickness is outside the above range.

  As described above, the deodorant is contained in the core material of the microcapsule particles, and is covered with the capsule wall and contained in the toner, so that the odor generated at the time of fixing can be deodorized and the storage stability can be improved. An excellent toner could be obtained.

Claims (7)

In a toner containing at least a binder resin and a colorant,
A toner comprising microcapsule particles comprising a core material containing a deodorant and capsule walls formed so as to cover the surface of the core material. The capsule wall contains a resin component for the capsule wall,
The toner according to claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature of the resin component for the capsule wall is 50 ° C. or higher and 150 ° C. or lower.   The toner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the microcapsule particles have an average particle size of 0.5 µm or more and 3.0 µm or less.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the capsule wall has a thickness of 0.05 μm or more and 1.00 μm or less.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the core material further contains a release agent.   The toner according to claim 5, wherein the releasing agent has a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower. A method for producing the toner according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Producing microcapsule particles containing a deodorant;
A binder resin particle containing microcapsule particles is obtained by dispersing a mixture containing at least microcapsule particles and a polymerizable monomer in an aqueous medium and polymerizing the polymerizable monomer in the presence of the microcapsule particles. And a process for producing the toner.