JP2008065023A - Toner production apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for toner surface modification, capable of obtaining toner having a higher precision/a high picture quality, and capable of performing treatment in accordance with performance required for the toner. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is used for performing the surface modification of powder particles at least comprising a binding resin and a coloring agent. The apparatus is for surface modification and is composed of at least: (1) a powder flow velocity accelerating means 9 for introducing powder particles into the apparatus; (2) a means 3 for modifying the introduced powder particles; and (3) a means 4 for recovering the powder particles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing toner used in an image forming method such as an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, or a toner jet recording method, and a method for producing toner using the device. .

  In image forming methods such as electrophotography, electrostatic photography, and electrostatic printing, toner for developing an electrostatic charge image is used.

  In general, the toner production method uses as a raw material a binder resin for fixing to a transfer material, various colorants for producing a color as a toner, and a charge control agent for imparting electric charges to particles. Accordingly, for example, other additives such as a release agent and a fluidity-imparting agent are added and dry-mixed, and then melt-kneaded in a general-purpose kneading apparatus such as a roll mill or an extruder, cooled and solidified, and then kneaded. The toner particles are roughly pulverized by a coarse pulverizer such as a hammer mill, a pin mill, a speed mill, etc., and the resulting coarsely pulverized product is finely pulverized by various pulverizers such as a jet airflow pulverizer and a mechanical collision pulverizer. Get. The obtained toner particles are obtained by using various air classifiers as necessary to obtain toner particles having a desired particle size.

  Alternatively, the toner composition dissolved in a solvent is suspended in water, and then the solvent is distilled off to obtain toner particles. The emulsion obtained by emulsion polymerization is added with other materials such as a colorant, and the emulsion A method of agglomerating and associating toner particles to obtain toner particles, vinyl monomers such as styrene and n-butyl acrylate, colorants, and waxes (if necessary, polar resins, crosslinking agents, charge control agents, chain transfer agents) , Other additives) are uniformly dissolved or dispersed into a polymerizable monomer composition, and then the polymerizable monomer composition is mixed with an aqueous medium (for example, an aqueous phase) containing a dispersion stabilizer such as calcium phosphate. ) In a suitable high-speed stirrer, complete the suspension polymerization reaction using a polymerization initiator in a nitrogen atmosphere, and filter, wash, and dry the toner particles. It can be employed a variety of methods, such as that way.

  Furthermore, the obtained toner particles are added with a fluidizing agent, a lubricant, an abrasive or the like as necessary, and are dry-mixed to obtain a toner for image formation. In the case of a toner used in the two-component development method, various magnetic carriers and the above toner are mixed and then used for image formation.

  However, in recent years, with higher image quality and higher definition of copying machines, printers, etc., the performance required of toner as a developer has become more severe, the particle size of the toner has become smaller, There is a growing demand for sharp particles that do not contain coarse particles and have few ultrafine particles.

  Furthermore, there is a demand for toner as a developer to reduce or simplify the component parts for the purpose of lowering the price of the main body or to extend the life of the component parts to reduce running costs.

  If the toner contains coarse particles, fine particles, ultrafine particles, or particles added for the purpose of imparting fluidity or abrasiveness to the toner itself, the toner will have high image quality and stability. As a countermeasure against these problems, many toner production methods and production apparatuses have been considered.

As a method of adding an additive to toner particles, a method of removing an additive that has been released by adding an additive such as silica and then fixing it by heat treatment (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Alternatively, a method of achieving surface modification and spheroidization by dispersing and spraying toner particles in hot air with compressed air (see, for example, Patent Document 2). A manufacturing apparatus for the purpose of uniform heat treatment and improved efficiency (see, for example, Patent Document 3). A method of fixing ultrafine particles contained in toner to the toner surface by mechanical impact is disclosed.

  However, when the additive is fixed to the toner surface by heat treatment, the function of the agent added for other purposes (for example, a cleaning aid) may not be sufficiently exhibited. As a countermeasure, a method of adding after the treatment is conceivable, but the addition process is increased. Furthermore, since the normal addition process is a batch type, the production efficiency itself may be lowered, and there is room for improvement. Further, there is room for improvement in terms of versatility according to the purpose of the method and apparatus for removing ultrafine particles contained in toner by fixing them by thermal or mechanical impact treatment.

The coarse particles, fine particles, and ultrafine particles in the toner particles described in the present specification are as follows.
Coarse particles: Particle group fine particles of about twice or more of the toner weight average diameter (D4): Particle group ultrafine particles of about ½ times or less of the toner weight average diameter (D4): measured by a flow type particle image analyzer 2 μm or less particles

JP-A-7-271090 JP 11-295929 A JP 2004-276016 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toner surface reforming apparatus that solves the above-described problems and obtains a toner with higher definition and higher image quality.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toner surface modifying apparatus capable of performing processing in accordance with performance required for toner.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toner surface modifying apparatus that does not require a significant layout change in an existing manufacturing plant.

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention according to the present application is an apparatus for performing surface modification of powder particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant,
The surface modification apparatus includes at least
1. 1. Powder velocity acceleration means for introducing powder particles into the apparatus. 2. means for modifying the introduced powder particles It is characterized by comprising means for collecting powder particles.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the second invention according to the present application is characterized in that the above-mentioned approximate powder flow rate acceleration means is based on an airflow A generated by at least injection from above and / or suction from below. A gas flow that accelerates the flow velocity of the powder particles, and there is an air flow B generated by being injected from the upper side and / or sucked from the lower side on the outer periphery of the air flow A. The airflow C is jetted from the jetting member in a different direction from the airflow A,
The flow rate of the air flow A is the same as or larger than the flow rate of the air flow C.

  According to the present invention, conventionally, a toner production line in which a reformer is installed according to the purpose is required. However, the same surface reformer is used to adhere to a different process, for example, toner particles. The removal of the fine particles and ultrafine particles and the removal of the free additive, for example, the increase in the sphericity of the toner particles themselves can be achieved by adjusting the conditions.

  In toner manufactured by so-called pulverization method or chemical method, removal of residual fine particles, ultrafine particles, and additives which are harmful to the object other than the purpose of addition is aimed at high image quality and low consumption. Is essential in the design of

  This time, we focused on the surface condition of the toner, the fine particles of the toner adhering to the surface, ultrafine particles and additives, and as a result of research on the manufacturing equipment for surface modification, we removed the adhering matter from the toner surface by using the air flow As a result, it has been concluded that modifying the toner surface can efficiently obtain toner particles or toner.

  However, as described above, the existing equipment and methods have different equipment specifications depending on the desired purpose, so that a significant layout change is required in the plant design, and processing is performed for the purpose of removal or / and modification. It has been found that further improvements are necessary in that it can cause problems with the toner particles themselves.

That is, the surface modification device is at least
1. 1. Powder velocity acceleration means for introducing powder particles into the apparatus. 2. means for modifying the introduced powder particles It is important that it is composed of means for collecting powder particles.

Further, the approximate powder flow rate accelerating means accelerates the flow rate of the powder particles by the airflow A generated by at least jetting from above and / or suctioning from below. On the outer periphery of the airflow A, there is an airflow B generated by being jetted from above and / or sucked from below, and the airflow C is different from the airflow A from the gas jetting member facing the airflow A. Is sprayed in the direction
It is important that the flow rate of the air flow A is the same as or larger than the flow rate of the air flow C.

  With this apparatus, the surface-modified toner particles or toner is controlled so that, for example, the additive adhering to the toner surface is in an arbitrary state. Alternatively, when fine particles or ultra fine particles adhering to the toner particle surface are removed, the toner surface state is controlled to an arbitrary state.

  Moreover, since this apparatus can arbitrarily set the temperature of the airflow itself to be introduced between −100 ° C. and 450 ° C., it can be easily switched according to the purpose.

  Next, the configuration of a preferable apparatus for achieving the object in the present invention will be described in detail below.

  First, the flow when this apparatus is introduced will be described. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing one example when a surface modification apparatus according to the present invention is introduced.

  Depending on the purpose of the treatment, the raw material stocker (1) contains toner particles or toner prepared by various production methods, and is introduced into the surface reformer (3) by a quantitative feeder (2). At this time, the air flow A is introduced from the air flow feeder (9) to the powder introduction pipe to the surface reforming device (3), and the toner particles supplied by introducing the air flow B and the air flow C from the upper part of the device or The toner is surface-modified and sucked and transported to the collecting device (4). In the recovery device (4), the target powder is recovered to the product stocker (5) via piping provided at the lower portion of the recovery device (4) and / or a damper, a double damper, a rotary valve, or the like. The powder that has not been collected by the collection device is collected by a filter cloth or the like provided in the bag (6) and collected in the bug stocker (7). The collected bug powder can be reused.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the surface modification device (3) is the same as that in FIG. 1 until the surface modification of toner particles or toner. As a step of removing coarse particles from the modified powder, a coarse particle classifier (10) was introduced. Coarse particles separated in this step are collected in the coarse particle stocker (11). The collected coarse particles can be reused.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, instead of the air flow feeder (9) to be introduced into the surface reformer (3), the air flow A and C supply feeder (9) and the air flow B supply feeder (12). And a supply machine (13) for supplying airflows D and E.

From the feeder (9), an airflow A for introducing powder and an airflow C jetted upward from below for surface modification are supplied. At this time, compressed air or N ₂ gas can be used as the airflow. The temperature of the introduced air stream is not higher than the toner Tg, preferably not higher than Tg minus 10 ° C., more preferably not higher than Tg minus 20 ° C. If the temperature of the airflow itself used for the airflow A is higher than the Tg of the toner, fusion may occur in the powder introduction tube, the outlet, the inside of the apparatus, and the like, which may cause a problem in the stability of the apparatus.

  From the supply machine (12), the airflow B supplied from above is supplied to the outer periphery of the airflow A. The temperature of the airflow introduced can be adjusted to 20 ° C. to 450 ° C., and the setting can be changed as needed depending on whether the fine particles, ultra fine particles, and light adhering additive are separated from the toner surface, or when the toner surface is melted and fixed. I can do it. Although it is possible in terms of the device to set the temperature of the air flow itself used for the air flow B to less than 20 ° C., it is difficult to cover the upper limit range of 450 ° C. as a variable type, and the device itself will also be enlarged. Similarly, when the temperature exceeds 450 ° C., the inside of the apparatus cannot be sufficiently cooled and a fusing phenomenon may occur.

From the supply machine (13), the airflow D supplied from above is supplied to the outer periphery of the airflow B. Furthermore, the airflow E supplied from the circumferential direction of the reformer central part is supplied as needed. At this time, compressed air or N ₂ gas can be used as the airflow. The temperature of the airflow introduced is -100 ° C to 60 ° C.

  The roles of the airflows D and E differ depending on the airflow B introduced. For example, when the airflow B is supplied in the normal temperature range, the effect of promoting the separation of the fine particles, ultrafine particles, and additives separated in the surface modification portion is exhibited. Further, when the air flow B is supplied at a temperature that promotes the molten state of the surface, it functions to control the temperature in the apparatus and prevent the toner particles and toner from fusing to the apparatus.

  Next, the surface modification device will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a surface modification apparatus according to the present invention. The toner particles or toner accelerated by the airflow A from the powder / airflow A supply zone (100) is directed to the airflow C ejecting unit (102) below. The airflow C is ejected from the airflow C injection unit (102) in a direction different from the direction of the flow of the airflow A. Here, as shown in FIG. 14, the different direction of the airflow C is in the range of 0 ° to 135 °, preferably 30 ° to 120 °, when the direction that directly faces the airflow A is 0 °. More preferably, the airflow C is preferably jetted uniformly in the range of 45 ° to 90 °. Particles riding on the air stream A are repelled upward and / or outward by the air stream C. At this time, a peeling force is applied to the toner particles or a minute substance adhering to the toner surface. For example, when the purpose is to remove fine particles or ultra fine particles adhering to the toner and additives, the flow rate of the air flow A and the air flow C can be adjusted to a desired state. At this time, the relationship between the airflow A and the airflow C is preferably A ≧ C. When C> A, the powder particles may be rolled up and may not be recovered well.

  The powder particles repelled by the airflow C are separated from unnecessary fine particles, ultrafine particles, and additives from the surface. In this state, by the air flow B supplied from the air flow B supply zone (101), the powder particles and the separated particles are conveyed to the recovery zone with a speed difference. At this time, the carrier air may be introduced through the carrier air supply pipe (105) for the purpose of smoothly transferring the powder particles to the recovery zone.

  The surface modification apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat melting type. The toner particles or toner accelerated by the airflow A from the powder / airflow A supply zone (100) is directed to the airflow C ejecting unit (102) below. The airflow C is ejected from the airflow C injection section (102) to the airflow A, and the particles riding on the airflow A are repelled upward and outward by the airflow C. At this time, there is no problem even if the separated state as described with reference to FIG. 4 is used, but in order to modify the powder particle surface in a molten state, the relationship between the airflow A and the airflow C is expressed as A >> C (A to C The separation is not necessarily strictly performed. A cooling jacket (106) is provided on the outer periphery of (100). At this time, an air flow F supply zone (111) for the purpose of preventing condensation may be provided between (100) and (106) (see FIGS. 11 to 13). A cooling jacket (106) is also provided on the outer periphery of the surface modifying device (3) and the outer periphery of the transfer pipe for the purpose of preventing toner fusion.

  The surface of the particles repelled by the airflow C is subjected to heat melting treatment with the airflow B having a temperature of 160 ° C. to 450 ° C. supplied from the air flow B supply zone (101). At this time, when the temperature is lower than 160 ° C., there may be a variation in processing in the powder particles, which is not preferable. Moreover, when it exceeds 450 degreeC, coalescence of particle | grains will advance by a molten state progressing too much, and the coarsening and fusion | melting of a powder particle may arise, and it is unpreferable. The particles treated by the airflow B are cooled by the airflow D supplied from the airflow D supply zone (103) provided on the upper outer periphery of the surface treatment apparatus. At this time, the airflow E may be introduced from the airflow E supply zone (104) provided on the side surface of the main body of the surface reforming device for the purpose of controlling the temperature in the apparatus and controlling the surface treatment state. A slit shape, a louver shape, a perforated plate shape, a mesh shape, or the like can be used for the airflow E outlet, and the introduction direction can be selected horizontally according to the purpose and the direction along the apparatus wall surface according to the purpose.

  Furthermore, in the apparatus of FIG. 5, the same effect as that of FIG. 4 can be exhibited by using the apparatus without supplying the airflows D, E, and F.

  Next, the airflow C injection unit provided in the surface modification device will be described. 6 to 13 are cross-sectional views showing an example of the airflow C injection portion according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, four air flow introduction pipes are collected from the side surface of the main body of the surface modification device at the center of the device, and the air flow C is supplied upward from the nozzle tip. 7 to 9, one air flow introduction pipe is inserted into the center of the apparatus from the side surface of the main body of the surface modification device, and the air flow C is supplied upward from the porous body injection port. At this time, the direction of the jet port of the porous body may be changed to adjust the direction of the airflow C in the range of 0 ° to 135 °. In this figure, the injection port indicating member (107) is taken out from the other three sides and fixed so as to improve the accuracy of the position and orientation. The shape of the injection port itself is not limited as long as the airflow C can be supplied upward, but a disk, a cone, and an upper and lower cone are preferable. In particular, the airflow C is supplied from the upper cone portion, and the clear flow of the lower cone An upper and lower conical shape composed of the member (108) is preferable in terms of processing and conveying the powder particles. 10 to 13, one air flow introduction pipe is inserted from the upper side of the main body of the surface modification device into the center of the device, and the air flow C is supplied from the injection port. By placing the airflow introduction tube in the toner supply zone (110), the powder particles accelerated by the airflow A (109) spread outward at the outlet of the supply zone, so that the processing by the airflow A and the airflow C is uniformly received. It becomes easy. 11 to 13 are cross-sectional views when hot air is assumed for the airflow B. FIG. The powder particles supplied from the upper part of the toner supply zone (110) by the metering feeder are accelerated by the airflow A in the same pipe, headed to the outlet, and pushed out by the airflow C introduction pipe installed in the zone. The jet part (102) is connected to the airflow C introduction pipe at a position of 5 mm to 300 mm from the outlet of the zone. When the injection unit is connected to a position less than 5 mm from the outlet, clogging or processing failure may occur if a large amount of powder particles to be introduced into the apparatus is set. Moreover, when exceeding 300 mm, the effect of the airflow B which processes the powder particle extruded outside with the airflow A and the airflow C may not be acquired uniformly. An air flow F supply zone (111) is provided on the outer periphery of the toner supply zone (110). The airflow F may be introduced from a common supply machine with the airflow C or the airflows D and E, or the outside air may be taken in with the intake port opened. It is also possible to operate the apparatus with the intake port closed as buffer air. The presence of the air flow F supply zone (111) can prevent condensation in the toner supply zone (110) due to the influence of the cooling jacket (106) provided on the outer periphery.

  Next, a preferable toner configuration for achieving the object in the present invention will be described in detail below.

  Examples of the binder resin used in the present invention include vinyl resins, polyester resins, and epoxy resins. Of these, vinyl resins and polyester resins are more preferable in terms of chargeability and fixability. In particular, when a polyester resin is used, the effect of introducing this apparatus is great.

  In the present invention, vinyl monomer monopolymer or copolymer, polyester, polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyvinyl butyral, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, phenol resin, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic Petroleum resin or the like can be mixed with the above-described binder resin as necessary.

  When two or more kinds of resins are mixed and used as a binder resin, it is preferable that those having different molecular weights are mixed in an appropriate ratio as a more preferable form.

  The glass transition temperature of the binder resin is preferably 45 to 80 ° C., more preferably 55 to 70 ° C., the number average molecular weight (Mn) is 2,500 to 50,000, and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is 10,000. -1,000,000 are preferred.

  As the binder resin, the following polyester resins are also preferable.

  In the polyester resin, 45 to 55 mol% of all components is an alcohol component, and 55 to 45 mol% is an acid component.

  The acid value of the polyester resin is preferably 90 mgKOH / g or less, more preferably 50 mgKOH / g or less, and the OH value is preferably 50 mgKOH / g or less, more preferably 30 mgKOH / g or less. This is because as the number of terminal groups of the molecular chain increases, the dependency of the toner on the environment increases in the environment.

  The glass transition temperature of the polyester resin is preferably 50 to 75 ° C, more preferably 55 to 65 ° C, and the number average molecular weight (Mn) is preferably 1,500 to 50,000, more preferably 2,000 to 20. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) is preferably 6,000 to 100,000, more preferably 10,000 to 90,000.

  When the toner of the present invention is used as a magnetic toner, the magnetic material contained in the magnetic toner includes iron oxides such as magnetite, maghemite and ferrite, and iron oxides including other metal oxides; Fe, Co, Ni, etc. Metals or alloys of these metals with metals such as Al, Co, Cu, Pb, Mg, Ni, Sn, Zn, Sb, Be, Bi, Cd, Ca, Mn, Se, Ti, W, V , And mixtures thereof.

Specifically, examples of magnetic materials include triiron tetroxide (Fe ₃ O ₄ ), iron sesquioxide (γ-Fe ₂ O ₃ ), iron oxide zinc (ZnFe ₂ O ₄ ), and iron yttrium oxide (Y ₃ Fe). ₅ O ₁₂ ), iron cadmium oxide (CdFe ₂ O ₄ ), iron gadolinium oxide (Gd ₃ Fe ₅ O ₁₂ ), copper iron oxide (CuFe ₂ O ₄ ), lead iron oxide (PbFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ ), nickel iron oxide (NiFe ₂ O ₄ ), neodymium iron oxide (NdFe ₂ O ₃ ), barium iron oxide (BaFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ ), magnesium iron oxide (MgFe ₂ O ₄ ), manganese iron oxide (MnFe ₂ O ₄ ), iron lanthanum oxide (LaFeO ₃ ), iron powder (Fe), cobalt powder (Co), nickel powder (Ni) and the like. The magnetic materials described above are used alone or in combination of two or more. A particularly suitable magnetic material is a fine powder of triiron tetroxide or γ-iron sesquioxide.

  These may be used in an amount of 20 to 150 parts by mass, preferably 50 to 130 parts by mass, and more preferably 60 to 120 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

  The nonmagnetic colorant that can be used in the toner of the present invention includes any appropriate pigment or dye. Examples of the pigment include carbon black, aniline black, acetylene black, naphthol yellow, hansa yellow, rhodamine lake, alizarin lake, bengara, phthalocyanine blue, and indanthrene blue. These are added in an amount of 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. Similarly, dyes are used, for example, anthraquinone dyes, xanthene dyes, methine dyes, and 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.3 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The addition amount of is good.

  In the toner of the present invention, a charge control agent can be used as necessary in order to further stabilize the chargeability. The charge control agent is preferably used in an amount of 0.5 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. When the amount is less than 0.5 parts by mass, sufficient charging characteristics may not be obtained, which is not preferable. When the amount exceeds 10 parts by mass, compatibility with other materials is deteriorated or charging is performed under low humidity. It may be excessive, which is not preferable.

  Examples of the charge control agent include the following.

  As a negative charge control agent for controlling the toner to be negative charge, for example, an organometallic complex or a chelate compound is effective. Examples include monoazo metal complexes, aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid metal complexes, and aromatic dicarboxylic acid metal complexes. Other examples include aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acids, aromatic mono and polycarboxylic acids and metal salts thereof, anhydrides or esters thereof, or phenol derivatives of bisphenol.

  Examples of the positive charge control agent for controlling the toner to be positively charged include modified products such as nigrosine and fatty acid metal salts, tributylbenzylammonium-1-hydroxy-4-naphthosulfonate, tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate and the like. As onium salts such as quaternary ammonium salts and their analogs such as phosphonium salts and their chelating pigments, triphenylmethane dyes and their lake pigments (as rake agents are phosphotungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid, phosphotungsten) Molybdic acid, tannic acid, lauric acid, gallic acid, ferricyanic acid, ferrocyanic compounds, etc.), diorganotin oxides such as dibutyltin oxide, dioctyltin oxide, dicyclohexyltin oxide and dibutyltin as metal salts of higher fatty acids , Dioctyl tin borate include diorgano tin borate such as dicyclohexyl tin borate.

  In the present invention, if necessary, one or more release agents may be contained in the toner particles. Examples of the release agent include the following.

  Aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes such as low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight polypropylene, microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax, and the like, or oxides of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes such as oxidized polyethylene wax, or block copolymers thereof; And waxes mainly composed of fatty acid esters such as wax, sazol wax and montanic acid ester wax; and those obtained by partially or fully deoxidizing fatty acid esters such as deoxidized carnauba wax. Further, saturated linear fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and montanic acid; unsaturated fatty acids such as brassic acid, eleostearic acid, and valinalic acid; stearyl alcohol, aralkyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, carnauvyl alcohol, and seryl alcohol Saturated alcohols such as melyl alcohol; long-chain alkyl alcohols; polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol; fatty acid amides such as linoleic acid amide, oleic acid amide, and lauric acid amide; methylene bis stearic acid amide, ethylene biscaprin Saturated fatty acid bisamides such as acid amide, ethylene bislauric acid amide, hexamethylene bis stearic acid amide; ethylene bis oleic acid amide, hexamethylene bis oleic acid amide, N, N′-dioleyl Unsaturated fatty acid amides such as dipinamide, N, N-dioleyl sebacic acid amide; aromatic bisamides such as m-xylenebisstearic acid amide, N, N-distearylisophthalic acid amide; calcium stearate, laur Grafted with fatty acid metal salts such as calcium phosphate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate (generally called metal soap), and aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes with vinyl monomers such as styrene and acrylic acid. Examples of waxes include partially esterified products of fatty acids such as behenic acid monoglyceride and polyhydric alcohols, and methyl ester compounds having hydroxyl groups obtained by hydrogenation of vegetable oils and the like.

  The amount of the release agent is 0.1 to 20 parts by mass, preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

  The melting point of the releasing agent defined by the maximum endothermic peak temperature at the time of temperature rise measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is preferably 65 to 130 ° C. More preferably, it is 80 to 125 ° C. If the melting point is less than 65 ° C., the viscosity of the toner decreases and toner adhesion to the photoreceptor is likely to occur. If the melting point exceeds 130 ° C., the low-temperature fixability may deteriorate, which is not preferable. .

  In the toner of the present invention, a fine powder that can be increased by adding the toner particles externally before and after the addition may be used as a fluidity improver. For example, fluorine resin powders such as vinylidene fluoride fine powder and polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder; wet production silica, fine powder silica such as dry production silica, fine powder titanium oxide, fine powder alumina, etc., silane coupling agent, titanium A surface treatment with a coupling agent and silicone oil, which has been subjected to a hydrophobic treatment, is particularly preferred in which the degree of hydrophobicity measured by a methanol titration test is in the range of 30-80.

A fluidizing agent having a specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption measured by the BET method of 30 m ² / g or more, preferably 50 m ² / g or more gives good results.

  In addition to the polishing effect, the toner of the present invention may contain inorganic fine powders other than those described above as chargeability and fluidity imparting and cleaning aids. By adding the inorganic fine powder externally to the toner particles, the effect can be increased more than before and after the addition. Examples of the inorganic fine powder used in the present invention include titanates and / or silicates such as magnesium, zinc, cobalt, manganese, strontium, cerium, calcium, and barium.

  The inorganic fine particles in the present invention are used in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 0.2 to 8 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the toner.

  Next, a method for measuring various physical property data measured in the following examples will be described below.

(1) Measurement of particle size distribution The particle size distribution can be measured by various methods. In the present invention, the particle size distribution was measured using a multisizer of a Coulter counter.

  A Coulter Counter Multisizer II type (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) was used as a measuring device. For the electrolyte, a 1% NaCl aqueous solution is prepared using special grade or first grade sodium chloride. For example, ISOTONR-II (manufactured by Coulter Scientific Japan) can be used. As a measuring method, 0.1 to 5 ml of a surfactant (preferably alkylbenzene sulfonate) is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of the electrolytic aqueous solution, and 2 to 20 mg of a measurement sample is further added. The electrolyte in which the sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes, and when the toner particle size is measured with the Coulter Counter Multisizer II type, the 100 μm aperture is used. A volume distribution and a number distribution are calculated by measuring a volume and a number of toners of 2.00 μm or more, and a weight average diameter is obtained.

(2) Method for Measuring Inorganic Fine Powder Released from Toner In the present invention, the release rate of inorganic fine powder to toner is obtained by determining the ratio of inorganic fine powder released from toner particles in volume%, and is a particle analyzer. (PT1000: manufactured by Yokogawa Electric Corporation). More specifically, the liberation rate is defined as the emission volume of the emission atom of carbon atoms, which are the constituent elements of the binder resin, and the emission of constituent atoms of the inorganic fine powder. A, where “the emission volume of the constituent atom of the inorganic fine powder that emits light simultaneously with the carbon atom” is defined as the emission volume B, it is defined as obtained by the following equation.
Release rate (volume%) = A / (A + B) × 100

  The above liberation rate is measured with a particle analyzer according to the principle described in “Japan Hardcopy 97 Papers” on pages 65-68 (publisher: Electrophotographic Society, issue date: July 9, 1997). Specifically, in the apparatus, fine particles such as toner are introduced into the plasma one by one, and the element of the luminescent material, the number of particles, and the particle size of the particles can be known from the emission spectrum of the fine particles.

  Here, “emitted simultaneously with carbon atoms” in the emission volume B means 2.6 msec. From the emission of carbon atoms. The emission of the constituent atoms of the inorganic fine powder emitted within. The light emitted from the constituent atoms of the inorganic fine powder thereafter is the light emitted from only the constituent atoms of the inorganic fine powder. In the present invention, the constituent atoms of the inorganic fine powder that emits light simultaneously with the carbon atoms are measured from the inorganic fine powder adhering to the surface of the toner particles, and only the constituent atoms of the inorganic fine powder are released from the toner particles. The inorganic fine powder thus obtained is measured, and these are used to determine the liberation rate.

  As a specific measurement method, helium gas containing 0.1% by volume of oxygen was used, and measurement was performed at 23 ° C. in an environment with a humidity of 60%. Wet one is used for measurement. Carbon atom in channel 1 (measurement wavelength 247.860 nm), constituent atom of inorganic fine powder in channel 2 (for example, strontium atom for strontium titanate: measurement wavelength 407.770 nm, silicon atom for silica: measurement The wavelength is 288.160 nm), sampling is performed so that the number of light emission of carbon atoms is 1,000 to 1,400 in one scan, and the total number of light emission of carbon atoms is 10,000 or more. The scan is repeated until the number of emitted light is integrated. At this time, in the distribution in which the number of light emission of carbon atoms is taken on the vertical axis and the cube root voltage of the carbon atom is taken on the horizontal axis, the distribution has a maximum and further has no valley. Sampling and measurement. Based on this data, the noise cut level of all elements is set to 1.50 V, and the liberation rate is calculated using the above formula.

(3) Measurement of Average Circularity of Toner Particles The average circularity of toner particles was measured with a flow type particle image analyzer “FPIA-3000 type” (manufactured by Sysmex Corporation) under the measurement and analysis conditions during calibration work.

  As a specific measurement method, an appropriate amount of a surfactant, preferably an alkyl benzene sulfonate, is added to 20 ml of ion-exchanged water, and then 0.02 g of a measurement sample is added, and an oscillation frequency of 50 kHz and an electric output of 150 W is added. Dispersion treatment was carried out for 2 minutes using a desktop type ultrasonic cleaner / disperser (for example, “VS-150” (manufactured by VervoCrea Co., Ltd.)) to obtain a dispersion for measurement. It cools suitably so that it may become 10 to 40 degreeC.

  The flow type particle image analyzer equipped with a standard objective lens (10 ×) was used for the measurement, and a particle sheath “PSE-900A” (manufactured by Sysmex Corporation) was used as the sheath liquid. The dispersion prepared in accordance with the above procedure is introduced into the flow type particle image analyzer, 3000 toner particles are measured in the total count mode in the HPF measurement mode, and the binarization threshold at the time of particle analysis is 85%. The analysis particle diameter was limited to a circle equivalent diameter of 2.00 μm or more and 200.00 μm or less, and the average circularity of the toner particles was determined.

  In the measurement, automatic focus adjustment is performed using standard latex particles (for example, Duke Scientific 5200A diluted with ion-exchanged water) before the measurement is started. Thereafter, it is preferable to perform focus adjustment every two hours from the start of measurement.

  In this embodiment, a flow type particle image analyzer that has been issued a calibration certificate issued by Sysmex Corporation, which has been calibrated by Sysmex Corporation, has an analysis particle diameter of 2.00 μm. The measurement was performed under the measurement and analysis conditions when the calibration certificate was received, except that it was limited to 200.00 μm or less.

(4) Melting | fusing point measurement of wax It measures using a differential thermal analysis measuring device (DSC measuring device) and DSC-7 (made by Perkin Elmer). The measurement is performed according to ASTM D3418-82. Precisely weigh 2 to 10 mg of measurement sample and place it in an aluminum pan. Use an empty aluminum pan as a reference, and measure at a temperature rise rate of 10 ° C / min and normal temperature and humidity at a measurement temperature range of 30 to 200 ° C. I do. In this temperature raising process, an endothermic peak of a main peak in the temperature range of 30 to 200 ° C. is obtained. The temperature of this endothermic main peak is taken as the melting point of the wax.

(5) Measurement of glass transition temperature (Tg) Measured according to ASTM D3418-82 using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC measuring device) and DSC-7 (manufactured by Perkin Elmer).

  The sample to be measured is precisely weighed 5 to 20 mg, preferably 10 mg.

  This is put in an aluminum pan, and an empty aluminum pan is used as a reference, and measurement is performed at a temperature rise rate of 10 ° C./min at room temperature and normal humidity within a measurement temperature range of 30 to 200 ° C.

  In this temperature raising process, an endothermic peak of the main peak in the temperature range of 40 to 100 ° C. is obtained.

  At this time, the point of intersection between the base line midpoint before and after the endothermic peak and the differential heat curve is defined as the glass transition temperature Tg in the present invention.

(6) Measurement of molecular weight distribution of binder resin The molecular weight of the chromatogram by GPC is measured under the following conditions.

The column is stabilized in a heat chamber at 40 ° C., and tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a solvent is allowed to flow through the column at this temperature at a flow rate of 1 ml / min. The sample is dissolved in THF, filtered through a 0.2 μm filter, and the filtrate is used as a sample. Measurement is performed by injecting 50 to 200 μl of a THF sample solution of a resin adjusted to a sample concentration of 0.05 to 0.6 mass%. In measuring the molecular weight of a sample, the molecular weight distribution of the sample is calculated from the relationship between the logarithmic value of a calibration curve prepared from several types of monodisperse polystyrene standard samples and the number of counts. As a standard polystyrene sample for preparing a calibration curve, for example, Pressure Chemical Co. Manufactured by Toyo Soda Kogyo Co., Ltd. and having molecular weights of 6 × 10 ² , 2.1 × 10 ³ , 4 × 10 ³ , 1.75 × 10 ⁴ , 5.1 × 10 ⁴ , 1.1 × 10 ⁵ , 3 .9 × 10 ⁵ , 8.6 × 10 ⁵ , 2 × 10 ⁶ , 4.48 × 10 ⁶ are used, and it is appropriate to use at least about 10 standard polystyrene samples. An RI (refractive index) detector is used as the detector.

As a column, in order to accurately measure a molecular weight region of 10 ^{3 to} 2 × 10 ⁶ , it is preferable to combine a plurality of commercially available polystyrene gel columns. For example, a combination of μ-styragels 500, 10 ³ , 10 ⁴ , and 10 ⁵ manufactured by Waters and a combination of shodex KA-801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, and 807 manufactured by Showa Denko are preferable.

(7) Measurement of acid value of resin The “acid value” of the binder resin is determined as follows. Basic operation conforms to JIS-K0070.

  The number of mg of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize free fatty acids, resin acids, etc. contained in 1 g of the sample is called the acid value, and the test is conducted as follows.

(1) Reagent (a) Solvent ethyl ether-ethyl alcohol mixed solution (1 + 1 or 2 + 1) or benzene-ethyl alcohol mixed solution (1 + 1 or 2 + 1), these solutions were subjected to N / 10 hydroxylation using phenolphthalein as an indicator immediately before use. Neutralize with potassium ethyl alcohol solution.
(B) Phenolphthalein solution 1 g of phenolphthalein is dissolved in 100 ml of ethyl alcohol (95 v / v%).
(C) N / 10 potassium hydroxide-ethyl alcohol solution Dissolve 7.0 g of potassium hydroxide in as little water as possible, add ethyl alcohol (95 v / v%) to 1 liter, leave it for 2 to 3 days, and filter. The standardization is performed according to JIS K 8006 (basic matters concerning titration during the reagent content test).

  (2) Operation Weigh correctly 1 to 20 g of sample, add 100 ml of solvent and a few drops of phenolphthalein solution as an indicator, and shake well until the sample is completely dissolved. In the case of a solid sample, dissolve it by heating on a water bath. After cooling, this is titrated with an N / 10 potassium hydroxide ethyl alcohol solution, and the end point of neutralization is defined as the time when the indicator is slightly red for 30 seconds.

  (3) Calculation formula The acid value is calculated by the following formula.

［Ａ：酸価
Ｂ：Ｎ／１０水酸化カリウムエチルアルコール溶液の使用量（ｍｌ）
Ｃ：Ｎ／１０水酸化カリウムエチルアルコール溶液のファクター
Ｓ：試料（ｇ） ］

[A: acid value B: amount of N / 10 potassium hydroxide ethyl alcohol solution used (ml)
C: Factor of N / 10 potassium hydroxide ethyl alcohol solution S: Sample (g)]

(8) Measurement of hydroxyl value of binder resin The "hydroxyl value" of the binder resin is determined as follows. The basic operation conforms to JIS = K0070.

  When 1 g of a sample is acetylated by a prescribed method, the number of mg of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize acetic acid bonded to a hydroxyl group is referred to as a hydroxyl value, and the test is performed by the following reagents, operations and calculation formulas.

(1) Reagent (a) Acetylation reagent 25 g of acetic anhydride is placed in a 100 ml volumetric flask, pyridine is added to make a total volume of 100 ml, and shaken sufficiently (in some cases, pyridine may be added). The acetylating reagent should be kept away from moisture, carbon dioxide and acid vapors and stored in a brown bottle.
(B) Phenolphthalein solution 1 g of phenolphthalein is dissolved in 100 ml of ethyl alcohol (95 v / v%).
(C) N / 2 potassium hydroxide-ethyl alcohol solution Dissolve 35 g of potassium hydroxide in as little water as possible, add ethyl alcohol (95 v / v%) to 1 liter, leave it for 2 to 3 days, and filter. The orientation is performed according to JIS K 8006.

(2) Operation 0.5-2.0 g of a sample is correctly weighed in a round bottom flask, and 5 ml of an acetylating reagent is correctly added thereto. Put a small funnel over the mouth of the flask and immerse the bottom of about 1 cm in a glycerin bath at 95-100 ° C. and heat. At this time, in order to prevent the temperature of the neck of the flask from rising due to the heat of the bath, a cardboard disc with a round hole in it is put on the base of the neck of the flask. After 1 hour, the flask is removed from the bath, and after cooling, 1 ml of water is added from the funnel and shaken to decompose acetic anhydride. In order to further complete the decomposition, the flask was again heated in a glycerin bath for 10 minutes, allowed to cool, and then the funnel and the wall of the flask were washed with 5 ml of ethyl alcohol, and N / 2 potassium hydroxide ethyl alcohol using a phenolphthalein solution as an indicator. Titrate with solution. A blank test is performed in parallel with the main test. In some cases, a KOH-THF solution may be used as an indicator.

  (3) Calculation formula The hydroxyl value is calculated by the following formula.

［Ａ：水酸基価
Ｂ：空試験のＮ／２水酸化カリウムエチルアルコール溶液の使用量（ｍｌ）
Ｃ：本試験のＮ／２水酸化カリウムエチルアルコール溶液の使用量（ｍｌ）
ｆ：Ｎ／２水酸化カリウムエチルアルコール溶液のファクター
Ｓ：試料（ｇ）
Ｄ：酸価 ］

[A: Hydroxyl value B: Amount used of N / 2 potassium hydroxide ethyl alcohol solution in blank test (ml)
C: Amount of use of N / 2 potassium hydroxide ethyl alcohol solution in this test (ml)
f: Factor of N / 2 potassium hydroxide ethyl alcohol solution S: Sample (g)
D: Acid value]

(9) A method for analyzing magnetic iron oxide particles.
(A) Average particle diameter A photograph of a scanning electron microscope (30000 times) was taken and calculated with a ferret diameter.
(B) Magnetic properties Measured with an external magnetic field of 796 kA / m using a vibrating sample magnetometer VSM-P7 manufactured by Toei Kogyo.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention, this invention is not limited to these Examples.

<Example 1>
(Example of toner production: T-1)
Binder resin (polyester resin): 100 parts by mass (Tg 60 ° C., acid value 20 mgKOH / g, hydroxyl value 25 mgKOH / g, molecular weight: Mp7500, Mn3000, Mw58000)
- iron oxide particles: 90 parts by mass (average particle diameter 0.20 [mu] m, the characteristics in 795.8 kA / m magnetic field ^{Hc11.0kA / m, σs83.8Am 2 /kg,σr13.1Am 2} / kg)
-Azo-based iron complex compound: 2 parts by mass (made by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name T-77)
Fischer-Tropsch wax: 3 parts by mass (manufactured by Nippon Seiwa Co., Ltd., trade name: FT-100, melting point: 98 ° C.)
After mixing the materials of the above formulation with a Henschel mixer (FM-75J type, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.), a twin-screw kneader (PCM-30 type, manufactured by Ikekai Steel Co., Ltd.) set at a temperature of 130 ° C. ) At a feed amount of 10 kg / hr (kneaded material temperature at the time of discharge was about 150 ° C.). The obtained kneaded product is cooled, coarsely crushed with a hammer mill, and then finely pulverized with a mechanical pulverizer (T-250: manufactured by Turbo Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at a feed amount of 20 kg / hr, and elbow jet wind classification. Using a machine, classification was performed at Feed 17 kg / hr. Thus, toner particles A having a weight average particle diameter of 7.1 μm, 17.8% by number of particles having a particle diameter of 4.0 μm or less, and 1.3% by volume of particles having a particle diameter of 10.1 μm or more are contained. -1 was obtained.

  Furthermore, as a result of measuring the circularity with FPIA3000, the average circularity was 0.945, and the particle content of 2 μm or less was 10.0%.

Next, the toner particles A-1 are processed at a feed amount of 5 kg / hr in the configuration of FIGS. 4 and 6 by the flow of FIG. Obtained. At this time, the air flow A is set to 25 ° C. and 2.5 m ³ / min, the air flow B is set to 25 ° C. and 2.5 m ³ / min, the air flow C is set to 25 ° C. and 2.0 m ³ / min, and the blower air flow is set to 12 m ^3. / Min, the valve of the carrier air supply pipe was opened.

  The obtained toner particles A-2 have a weight average particle size of 7.1 μm, 17.3% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less, and 1.3% by volume of particles having a particle size of 10.1 μm or more. The average circularity was 0.945 and the change was small, but the particle content of 2 μm or less measured by FPIA3000 was reduced by 5.5% to 5.5%.

<Example 2>
To 100 parts by mass of toner particles A-1 prepared in Example 1, 1.0 part by mass of hydrophobic silica fine powder (BET 200 m ² / g) and strontium titanate fine powder (particle diameter 1.2 μm, BET 1.5 m) ² / g) After thoroughly mixing 3.5 parts by mass using a Henschel mixer (FM-75J type, stirring blade Z0 / S0, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.) under the conditions of 28.4S ⁻¹ × 3 minutes, vibration Coarse particles were removed using a sieve (opening diameter 100 μm) to obtain toner B-1.

  This toner has a weight average diameter of 7.0 μm, 23.3% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less, and 0.8% by volume of particles having a particle size of 10.1 μm or more. As a result of measurement, the average circularity was 0.946, and the particle content of 2 μm or less was 53.6%.

  Furthermore, when the liberation rate of the strontium titanate added by the particle analyzer was measured, it was 45.0%.

Next, the toner B-1 is processed with a feed amount of 5 kg / hr in the configuration of FIGS. 4 and 10 in the flow of FIG. 1 which is a toner surface modifying device, to obtain toner particles B-2. It was. At this time, the air flow A is set to 25 ° C. and 3.0 m ³ / min, the air flow B is set to 25 ° C. and 2.5 m ³ / min, the air flow C is set to 25 ° C. and 2.0 m ³ / min, and the blower air flow is 13. The valve of the carrier air supply pipe was opened at 5 m ³ / min.

  The obtained toner particle B-2 has a weight average particle diameter of 7.0 μm, 21.3% by number of particles having a particle diameter of 4.0 μm or less, and 1.3% by volume of particles having a particle diameter of 10.1 μm or more. The average circularity measured by FPIA3000 was 0.945, and the particle content of 2 μm or less was reduced by 22% to 41.8%. Moreover, when the liberation rate of the strontium titanate added with the particle analyzer was measured, it decreased by 21.0% and 53%.

<Example 3>
The toner particles A-1 produced in Example 1 are processed at a feed amount of 3.5 kg / hr with the configuration of FIGS. 5 and 13 in the flow of FIG. 3 which is a toner surface modification device. A-3 was obtained. At this time, the air flow A is 25 ° C. and 2.5 m ³ / min, the air flow B is 250 ° C. and 5.0 m ³ / min, the air flow C is 25 ° C. and 2.0 m ³ / min, and the air flows D and E are liquid nitrogen cylinders. Through the push-in blower, −5 ° C., 3.0 m ³ / min, and the air flow F opened the intake port. The blower air volume was 18.0 m ³ / min, the valve of the carrier air supply pipe was opened, and 20 ° C. water was allowed to flow through the jacket. The airflow C was jetted in a direction of 90 ° with respect to the airflow A.

  The obtained toner particles A-3 have a weight average particle size of 7.3 μm, 15.6% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less, and 2.4% by volume of particles having a particle size of 10.1 μm or more. The average circularity measured by FPIA3000 was 0.975, and the particle content of 2 μm or less was reduced by 67% to 3.3%.

<Example 4>
Toner particle B-3 produced in Example 2 is processed at a feed amount of 5 kg / hr with the configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 12 in the flow of FIG. 3 which is a toner surface modifying device. Got. At this time, the air flow A is 25 ° C. and 3.0 m ³ / min, the air flow B is 230 ° C. and 5.5 m ³ / min, the air flow C is 25 ° C. and 2.5 m ³ / min, and the air flows D and E are liquid nitrogen cylinders. Through the push-in blower, −5 ° C., 3.5 m ³ / min, and the air flow F opened the intake port. The blower air flow rate was 20 m ³ / min, the valve of the carrier air supply pipe was opened, and 20 ° C. water was allowed to flow through the jacket. The airflow C was jetted in a direction of 45 ° with respect to the airflow A.

  The obtained toner particles B-3 have a weight average particle size of 7.2 μm, 19.5% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less, and 1.8% by volume of particles having a particle size of 10.1 μm or more. The average circularity measured by FPIA3000 was 0.973, and the particle content of 2 μm or less was reduced by 77% to 12.4%. Moreover, when the liberation rate of the strontium titanate added by the particle analyzer was measured, it decreased by 6.1% and 86%.

It is a flowchart which shows an example at the time of introducing the surface modification apparatus by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other example at the time of introducing the surface modification apparatus by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other example at the time of introducing the surface modification apparatus by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the surface modification apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the surface modification apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the airflow C injection part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the airflow C injection part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the airflow C injection part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the airflow C injection part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the airflow C injection part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the airflow C injection part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the airflow C injection part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the airflow C injection part. It is explanatory drawing of the injection direction of the airflow C from the airflow C injection part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw material stocker 2 Fixed quantity feeder 3 Surface reformer 4 Recovery device 5 Product stocker 6 Bug 7 Bug stocker 8 Blower 9 Air flow feeder (A, B, C)
10 Coarse Particle Classifier 11 Coarse Particle Stocker 12 Air Flow Supply Machine (B)
13 Airflow supply machine (D, E)
100 Powder / Airflow A Supply Zone 101 Airflow B Supply Zone 102 Airflow C Injection Unit 103 Airflow D Supply Zone 104 Airflow E Supply Zone 105 Carrying Air Supply Pipe 106 Cooling Jacket 107 Support Member 108 Clear Flow Member 109 Airflow A
110 Toner supply zone 111 Airflow F supply zone

Claims (4)

An apparatus for modifying the surface of powder particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant,
The surface modification apparatus includes at least
1. 1. Powder velocity acceleration means for introducing powder particles into the apparatus. 2. means for modifying the introduced powder particles A toner surface modifying apparatus comprising means for collecting powder particles. The approximate powder flow rate accelerating means accelerates the flow rate of the powder particles by an air flow A generated by being jetted from at least above and / or sucked from below.
On the outer periphery of the airflow A, there is an airflow B generated by being jetted from above and / or sucked from below,
A gas injection member is provided to face the air flow A, and the air flow C is injected from the gas injection member in a direction different from the flow direction of the air flow A.
2. The toner surface modifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate of the air flow A is the same as or larger than the flow rate of the air flow C. 3.   3. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the powder particles accelerated by the airflow A are subjected to a surface treatment by the airflow B that flows outside the airflow A, with the flow direction changed to the outside by the airflow C. 4. Surface modification equipment.   The toner surface reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air flow B is an air flow having a temperature of 160 ° C. to 450 ° C. 5.

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