JPH0792735A - Manufacture of toner and device for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a method for manufacturing an electrostatic charge image developing toner of a predetermined particle size by efficiently crushing and classifying solid particles having a binding resin. CONSTITUTION:A crushed matter containing a binding resin or the like is classified into coarse and fine particles by a first classifying means 22 which classifies by means of centrifugal forces using a forced vortex, and a device has an accelerating tube for conveying and accelerating the coarse particles by means of a high-pressure gas, a coarse-particle supply opening for supplying the coarse particles into the accelerating tube, and a crushing chamber 28 for pulverizing the particles, the crushing chamber 28 having an impact member and side walls for further crushing the coarse particles crushed by the impact member. The fine particles produced by an impact gas crushing means are circulated through the first classifying means 22, and the fine particles classified are ejected into a classifying area at flow rates of 50 to 300 m per second by a flow of gas moving within raw material supply tubes 148,149 each having an opening inside a multi-dividing/classifying area, and the fine particles are classified by their own inertia and the centrifugal force of 18 curved flow of gas, and the coarse particles are circulated through the crushing chamber 28 or the first classifying means 22, to manufacture the toner form medium-sized particles.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and an apparatus therefor for efficiently pulverizing and classifying solid particles having a binder resin to obtain a toner for developing an electrostatic image having a predetermined particle size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In image forming methods such as electrophotography, electrostatic photography and electrostatic printing, a toner is used for developing an electrostatic image.

In recent years, high image quality of copying machines and printers,
The performance required for toner as a developer has become more severe as the resolution has increased, and the particle size of the toner has become smaller, and the particle size distribution of the toner has no coarse particles and is sharp with little fine powder. It is becoming required.

As a general method for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic image, a binder resin for fixing the toner on a transfer material, various colorants for producing a tint as a toner, and a charge for imparting an electric charge to particles are used. Charge control agent, or JP-A-54-421
No. 41 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-18656, a so-called one-component developing method uses various magnetic materials for imparting transportability or the like to the toner itself, and if necessary, releasing Agents and fluidity-imparting agents are dry-mixed, and then melt-kneaded by a general-purpose kneading device such as a roll mill and an extruder, and after cooling and solidifying, by various crushing devices such as a jet stream crusher and a mechanical impact crusher. By reducing the size and classifying with various air classifiers, the particle size required for toner can be made uniform. If necessary, a fluidizing agent, a lubricant and the like are dry mixed to obtain a toner. When used in the two-component developing method, various magnetic carriers and toner are mixed and then used for image formation.

As described above, in order to obtain toner particles which are fine particles, the method shown in the flow chart of FIG. 15 has been generally adopted.

The coarsely pulverized toner is continuously or sequentially supplied to the first classifying means, and the coarse powder having the classified coarse particle group as a main component as a main component is sent to the pulverizing means to be pulverized, and then again. It is circulated to 1 classification means.

The finely pulverized toner product containing other particles within the specified particle size range and particles with the specified particle size or less as the main component is sent to the second classifying means, and the intermediate powder containing the particle group having the specified particle size as the main component. It is classified into a body and a fine powder whose main component is a particle group having a particle size not larger than a prescribed size.

As the crushing means, various crushing devices are used. To crush the coarsely pulverized toner mainly composed of the binder resin,
A jet airflow type crusher using a jet airflow as shown in FIG. 16, particularly a collision type airflow crusher is used.

A collision type air flow crusher using a high pressure gas such as a jet air stream conveys the powder raw material by a jet air stream and jets it from the outlet of the accelerating pipe to face the open surface of the outlet of the accelerating pipe. The colliding member is collided with the colliding surface of the colliding member, and the powder material is crushed by the impact force.

For example, in the collision type air flow crusher shown in FIG. 16, an acceleration pipe 162 to which a high pressure gas supply nozzle 161 is connected.
A collision member 164 is provided so as to face the outlet 163, and the powder raw material is sucked into the acceleration pipe 162 from the powder raw material supply port 165 which is in communication with the middle of the acceleration pipe 162 by the high-pressure gas supplied to the acceleration pipe 162. The powder raw material is ejected together with the high-pressure gas to collide with the collision surface 166 of the collision member 164, crushed by the impact, and the pulverized material is discharged from the pulverized material discharge port 167.

However, in the collision type air flow crusher of FIG. 16, since the supply port 165 of the object to be ground is provided in the middle of the acceleration pipe 162, the object to be ground sucked and introduced into the acceleration pipe 162 is Immediately after passing through the crushed material supply port 165, the high-pressure gas jetted from the high-pressure gas supply nozzle 161 disperses in the high-pressure gas stream while changing the flow path toward the accelerating pipe outlet 163, and is rapidly accelerated. In this state, relatively coarse particles of the object to be crushed flow in the lower part of the acceleration tube due to the influence of inertial force, and relatively fine particles flow in the higher part of the acceleration tube, so that they are sufficiently uniform in the high-pressure air stream. The crushing chamber 1 is not dispersed but is separated into a flow having a high concentration of the crushed substance and a flow having a low concentration.
The colliding member 164 inside 68 collides partially and collides, so that the crushing efficiency is likely to be lowered, and the processing capacity is likely to be lowered.

Further, in the vicinity of the collision surface 166, the crushed material and a portion of the crushed material having a high dust concentration are likely to be locally generated, so that the crushed material contains a low melting point substance such as resin. Is likely to cause fusion of the pulverized material, coarsening, aggregation, and the like. In addition, if the crushed object has abradability, local powder wear is likely to occur on the collision surface of the collision member and the acceleration tube, the collision member is frequently replaced, and stable production is said to be continuous. In terms of aspects, there were points to be improved.

Therefore, the tip of the collision surface of the collision member is
A conical shape having an apex angle of 110 ° to 175 ° (JP-A-1-254266), or a collision plate shape having a projection on a plane where the collision surface intersects at right angles with the extension line of the central axis of the collision member ( Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-148740) has been proposed. With these crushers, it is possible to suppress the local increase in dust concentration near the collision surface, so it is possible to moderate fusion of the pulverized material, coarsening, agglomeration, etc. However, further improvement is desired.

For example, in the case of obtaining a toner having a weight average particle diameter of 8 μm and a volume% of particles of 4 μm or less of 1% or less, a collision type equipped with a classification mechanism for removing a coarse powder region. The raw material is crushed by a crushing means such as an airflow crusher to a predetermined average particle size and classified, and after the coarse powder is removed, the crushed product is subjected to another classifier to remove the fine powder to obtain the desired intermediate powder. I have a body.

The weight average particle diameter referred to here is data measured by a Coulter counter TA-II type manufactured by Coulter Electronics Co. (USA) using an aperture of 100 μm.

Regarding such a conventional method, the problem is that the second classifying means for removing fine powder is
Since it is necessary to send the particle group in which the coarse particle group having a certain size or more is completely removed, the load of the pulverizing means becomes large and the processing amount becomes small. In order to completely remove a group of coarse particles having a size larger than a specified size, over-pulverization is apt to occur, and as a result, a phenomenon such as a decrease in yield is likely to occur in the second classifying means for removing fine powder in the next step. There is a problem.

Further, in the second classifying means for removing the fine powder, agglomerates composed of ultrafine particles may occur, and it is difficult to remove the agglomerates as fine powder. In that case, the agglomerates are mixed in the final product, which makes it difficult to obtain a product having a fine particle size distribution. Further, the agglomerates are broken down in the toner to become ultrafine particles, which is one of the causes for lowering the image quality.

Various airflow classifiers and methods have also been proposed for the second classifying means for the purpose of removing such fine powder. Among them, there are classifiers that use rotary blades and classifiers that have no moving parts. Among them, there are a fixed-wall centrifugal classifier and an inertial force classifier as classifiers having no moving parts. A Loff is a classifier that utilizes such inertial force.
ler. F. and K. Maly: Sympo
sium on Powder Technology
D-2 (1981), an elbow jet classifier commercialized by Nippon Steel Mining Co., Ltd., Okuda.
S. and Yasukuni. J. : Proc.
Inter. Symposiumon powder
r Technology '81, 771 (198)
A classifier exemplified in 1) has been proposed.

In general, toners are required to have many different properties, and in order to obtain such required properties, it is often determined not only by the raw materials used but also by the manufacturing method. In the toner classification step, classified particles are required to have a sharp particle size distribution. Further, it is desired to produce a high-quality toner efficiently and stably at low cost.

Further, in recent years, in order to improve image quality in copying machines and printers, toner particles are gradually becoming finer. Generally, as the substance becomes finer, the action of the interparticle force increases, but the same applies to the resin and the toner, and when the size becomes a fine powder, the cohesiveness of the particles increases.

Particularly, when a toner having a sharp particle size distribution with a weight average particle diameter of 10 μm or less is to be obtained, the conventional apparatus and method cause a reduction in classification yield. Further, in the case of obtaining a toner having a sharp particle size distribution with a weight average diameter of 8 μm or less, it is remarkable that the classification yield is lowered particularly in the conventional apparatus and method.

Even if a desired product having a fine particle size distribution can be obtained under the conventional method, the process is complicated, the classification yield is lowered, the production efficiency is poor, and the cost is high. Is inevitable. This trend is
The smaller the given granularity, the more pronounced.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-101858 (corresponding US Pat. No. 4,844,349) proposes a toner manufacturing method and apparatus using a multi-division classifying means as a first classifying means, a pulverizing means and a second classifying means. ing. However, a method and an apparatus system for producing a toner having a weight average particle diameter of 8 μm or less more stably and efficiently is desired.

[0024]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method which solves the above-mentioned various problems in the conventional method for manufacturing an electrostatic image developing toner. And

Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for efficiently manufacturing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image.

That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method for efficiently producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image having a fine particle size distribution, and an apparatus therefor.

In the present invention, a mixture containing a binder resin, a colorant and an additive is melt-kneaded, the melt-kneaded mixture is cooled, and then particles having a precise predetermined particle size distribution are obtained from a solid particle group produced by pulverization. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for efficiently manufacturing a product (used as a toner) in a high yield, and an apparatus therefor.

The present invention also provides a method for efficiently producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image having a sharp particle size distribution with a weight average diameter of 10 μm or less (further, 8 μm or less) and an apparatus therefor. To aim.

[0029]

According to the present invention, a mixture containing at least a binder resin and a colorant is melt-kneaded, the kneaded product is cooled, and the cooled product is ground by a grinding means to obtain a ground product. The obtained pulverized product is classified into coarse powder and fine powder by the first classification means, and the classified coarse powder is finely pulverized by the collision type air flow pulverization means to produce fine powder, and the fine powder produced is In a method for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image, the fine powder is circulated through one classifying means and the classified fine powder is introduced into the second classifying means to classify and obtain a medium-powder having a predetermined particle size range. The collision type air flow pulverizing means is an acceleration tube for conveying and accelerating the supplied coarse powder by a high-pressure gas, a coarse powder supply port for supplying the coarse powder into the acceleration pipe, which is located in the preceding stage of the acceleration pipe, It has a crushing chamber for finely crushing the powder, and the crushing chamber has A collision member having a collision surface provided in the opposite direction, and a side wall for further crushing a crushed material of coarse powder crushed by the collision member by collision are provided. The contact distance is shorter than the closest distance between the crushing chamber front wall facing the collision surface and the edge of the collision member, and the crushing of coarse powder and further crushing of the crushed material of the collision member on the collision surface and side wall of the collision member are performed. And then circulate to the first classifying means for classifying by centrifugal force using the forced vortex,
The fine powder classified by the classifying means has a flow rate of 50 m due to an air flow flowing through a raw material supply pipe having an opening in a multi-division classifying area which is a second classifying means and is divided into at least three.
/ Second to 300 m / second, the particles are jetted into the classification area, and the particles are classified into at least the coarse powder area, the intermediate powder area, and the fine powder area by the inertial force of the particles in the air stream and the centrifugal force of the curved air flow due to the Coanda effect. Coarse powder containing particles exceeding the specified particle size as the main component is divided and collected in one fraction area, and medium powder containing particles within the specified particle size range as the main ingredient is divided into the second fraction area. A fine powder containing a group of particles having a particle size smaller than a predetermined size as a main component is divided and collected in the third fractionation area, and the classified coarse powder is circulated to the pulverizing means or the first classifying means. The present invention relates to a method for producing a toner.

Also, a first classifying means for classifying the pulverized material, a pulverizing means for pulverizing the coarse powder classified by the first classifying means, and a powder pulverized by the pulverizing means for the first classifying means. Introducing means for introducing the fine powder classified by the first classifying means into at least a coarse powder by the Coanda effect,
Multi-division classifying means which is a second classification means for classifying into medium powder and fine powder, and a supply means for supplying the coarse powder classified by the multi-division classification means to the pulverizing means or the first classification means. In the apparatus for producing toner having the crushing means, the crushing means includes an accelerating tube for conveying and accelerating the supplied coarse powder by a high-pressure gas, and a coarse tube for supplying the coarse powder to the inside of the accelerating tube before the accelerating tube. It has a powder supply port and a crushing chamber for finely crushing coarse powder, and the crushing chamber has a collision member having a collision surface provided facing the opening surface of the outlet of the acceleration tube, and crushing by the collision member. A side wall is provided for further crushing the crushed coarse pulverized material by collision, and the closest distance between the side wall and the edge of the collision member is the front wall of the crushing chamber facing the collision surface and the collision member. It is shorter than the closest distance to the edge, and the first classification means machine is forced It is classification means utilizing a toner production apparatus according to claim.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example of a flow chart showing an outline of the manufacturing method of the present invention. In the present invention, a predetermined amount of pulverized raw material is supplied to the first classifying means and classified into coarse powder and fine powder in the first classifying means.

The coarse powder is introduced into a pulverizing means, pulverized,
After pulverization, it is introduced again into the first classifying means. A predetermined amount of fine powder is supplied to the second classifying means and classified into at least fine powder, medium powder and coarse powder. A predetermined amount of coarse powder is introduced into the pulverizing means or the first classifying means. The classified intermediate powder is used as a toner as it is, or after being mixed with an additive such as hydrophobic colloidal silica, it is used as a toner later. The classified fine powder is generally supplied to a melt-kneading process for producing a pulverized raw material and reused or discarded.

In the production method of the present invention, by controlling the classification and pulverization conditions, it is possible to efficiently obtain a toner having a sharp particle size distribution with a weight average particle size of 10 μm or less (particularly 8 μm or less). Can be generated.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the apparatus system of the present invention.

In this device system, the pulverized raw material as the toner powder raw material is introduced into the first classifier 22 through the first fixed amount feeder 21, and the classified fine powder is passed through the collection cyclone 23 and 2 is fed to the fixed amount feeder 24, and then the fine powder feeding nozzle 148,
It is introduced into the multi-division classifier 27 via 149. First
The coarse powder classified by the classifier 22 is sent to the crusher 28, crushed, and then introduced again into the first classifier 22 together with the newly added crushing raw material.

The fine powder introduced into the multi-division classifier 27 is classified into fine powder, medium powder and coarse powder, and the coarse powder is collected by the collecting cyclone 29, and then the crusher 28 (or It is introduced into the first classifier 22). The fine powder and the medium powder are collected by the collecting cyclones 30 and 31, respectively.

An example of the crushing means used in the present invention is a collision type air flow crusher of the type shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 4, the material to be ground 42 supplied from the material to be ground supply pipe 41 is formed between the inner wall of the acceleration pipe throat portion 44 of the acceleration pipe 43 and the outer wall of the high pressure gas jet nozzle 45. The material to be crushed is supplied to the acceleration pipe 43 from the supply port 46 (which is also the throat portion).

It is preferable that the central axis of the high pressure gas jet nozzle 45 and the central axis of the acceleration tube 43 are substantially coaxial.

On the other hand, the high-pressure gas is introduced from the high-pressure gas supply port 47, passes through the high-pressure gas chamber 48, and preferably through a plurality of high-pressure gas introduction pipes 49, from the high-pressure gas ejection nozzle 45 toward the acceleration pipe outlet 50. Ejects while rapidly expanding toward. At this time, due to the ejector effect generated in the vicinity of the accelerating tube throat portion 44, the crushed object 42
While being entrained in the gas coexisting with the object to be crushed 42, it is rapidly accelerated from the object to be crushed supply port 46 toward the accelerating tube outlet 50 in the accelerating tube throat portion 44 while being uniformly mixed with the high pressure gas. The collision surface 52 of the collision member 51 facing the accelerating pipe outlet 50 collides in a state of a uniform gas-solid mixture flow with no uneven dust concentration. Since the impact force generated at the time of collision is given to the sufficiently dispersed individual particles (the object 42 to be crushed), the crushing can be performed very efficiently.

The crushed material crushed on the collision surface 52 of the collision member 51 further collides with the side wall 54 of the crushing chamber 53 in a secondary collision (or tertiary collision), and is crushed in the rear of the collision member 51. The material is discharged from the material discharge port 55.

The collision surface 52 of the collision member 51 has a cone shape as shown in FIG. 4 or a collision surface having a conical projection as shown in FIG. Is evenly distributed and high-order collision with the side wall 54 is efficiently performed. Furthermore, when the crushed material discharge port 55 is located behind the collision member 51, the crushed material can be discharged smoothly.

By providing a cone-shaped projection having a central portion protruding on the raw material collision surface as shown in FIG. 5, the solid-gas mixture flow of the pulverized raw material and compressed air ejected from the acceleration tube collides with the projection surface. The surface 52 is subjected to primary crushing, the peripheral collision surface 52 ′ is subjected to secondary crushing, and then the crushing chamber side wall 54 is subjected to tertiary crushing.
At this time, the apex angle α formed by the collision surface 52 on the projection surface of the collision member
(°) and the inclination angle β (°) of the outer peripheral collision surface 52 ′ and the vertical plane of the central axis of the accelerating tube satisfy 0 <α <90, β> 0 30 ≦ α + 2β ≦ 90, the efficiency is very high. It is well ground.

When α ≧ 90, the reflected flow of the pulverized material primarily pulverized on the projection surface disturbs the flow of the solid-gas mixture flow ejected from the accelerating tube, which is not preferable.

When β = 0, the outer peripheral collision surface is close to a right angle to the solid-gas mixed flow, and the reflected flow at the outer peripheral collision surface flows toward the solid-gas mixed flow, so that the turbulence of the solid-gas mixed flow is disturbed. It is not preferred.

When β = 0, the powder concentration becomes large on the outer peripheral collision surface, and when the powder of the thermoplastic resin or the powder containing the thermoplastic resin as the main component is used as the raw material, the melting on the outer peripheral collision surface occurs. Kimono and aggregates are likely to occur. When such a fusion product is generated, stable operation of the device becomes difficult.

When α and β are α + 2β <30, the impact force of the primary pulverization on the surface of the protrusions is weakened, which leads to a reduction in pulverization efficiency, which is not preferable.

When α and β are α + 2β> 90, the reflected flow on the outer peripheral collision surface flows downstream of the solid-gas mixture flow, so that the impact force of the tertiary pulverization on the side wall of the pulverization chamber is weakened and the pulverization efficiency is reduced. cause.

As described above, when α and β satisfy 0 <α <90 and β> 0 30 ≦ α + 2β ≦ 90, the primary, secondary and tertiary pulverizations are efficiently performed to improve the pulverization efficiency. You can

More preferable α and β are 0 <α <805 5 <β <40.

Compared with the conventional crusher, the number of collisions is increased,
And, it is one of the features of the present invention to more effectively collide, it is possible to improve the pulverization efficiency, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a fusion material during pulverization, it is possible to perform a stable operation .

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the crushing chamber 53 in the collision type airflow crusher of FIG. In FIG. 6, the collision member 5
The closest distance L ₁ between the edge portion 61 of No. 1 and the side wall 54 is shorter than the closest distance L ₂ between the front wall 62 of the crushing chamber facing the collision surface 52 and the edge portion 61 of the collision member 51. However, it is important not to increase the powder concentration in the crushing chamber near the acceleration tube outlet 50. Further, since the closest distance L ₁ is shorter than the closest distance L ₂ , the secondary collision of the pulverized material on the side wall can be efficiently performed. Further, in the case of not having the conical projection as described above, the collision surface 52 of the collision member 51 has an inclination angle θ ₁ with respect to the long axis of the acceleration tube smaller than 90 ° (more preferably 55 ° to 87). 0.5 °, and more preferably 60 ° to 85 °) to disperse the pulverized material uniformly,
This is preferable in order to efficiently perform the secondary pulverization on the side wall 54. In the crusher having the inclined collision surface as described above, the collision surface 166 is 90 degrees with respect to the acceleration tube 162 as shown in FIG.
Compared with a crusher having a flat collision member 164 of 0 °, when crushing a resin or an adhesive substance, fusion, aggregation, and coarsening of the crushed object are less likely to occur, and a high dust concentration Grinding becomes possible. Further, the wear is not locally concentrated, the life is extended, and stable operation is possible.

Further, if the inclination of the acceleration tube 43 in the long axis direction is preferably in the range of 0 ° to 45 ° with respect to the vertical direction, the crushed object 42 is blocked by the crushed object supply port 46. It can be processed without.

If the material to be crushed does not have a good fluidity, it has a cone-shaped member below the material supply pipe 41 to be crushed,
Although it is a small amount, it tends to stay in the lower part of the cone-shaped member, and the inclination of the acceleration tube 43 is 0 with respect to the vertical direction.
Within the range of 20 ° to 20 ° (more preferably 0 ° to 5 °), the material to be ground can be smoothly supplied to the accelerating tube without any retention of the material to be ground in the lower cone portion.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA 'in FIG. From FIG. 7, it is understood that the material to be ground 42 is smoothly supplied to the acceleration tube 43.

The shortest distance L between the front wall 62 on the surface of the accelerating tube outlet 50 which intersects at right angles with the extension of the central axis of the accelerating tube and the outermost peripheral end portion 61 of the collision surface 52 of the collision member 51 which faces the front wall 62.
_With respect to ₂ , the diameter of the collision member 51 is preferably 0.2 times to 2.5 times in terms of grinding efficiency, and more preferably 0.4 times to 1.0 times. If the distance L ₂ is less than 0.2 times the diameter of the collision member 51, the dust concentration in the vicinity of the collision surface 52 may be abnormally high. If the distance L ₂ exceeds 2.5 times, the impact force is weakened, As a result, the grinding efficiency tends to decrease.

The outermost peripheral end portion 61 of the collision member 51 and the side wall 54
It is preferable that the shortest distance L ₁ between and is 0.1 to 2 times the diameter of the collision member 51. If the distance L ₁ is less than 0.1 times the diameter of the collision member 51, the pressure loss during passage of the high-pressure gas is large, the pulverization efficiency is likely to decrease, and the flow of the pulverized material tends to be difficult to flow, resulting in a double pressure. When it exceeds, the effect of the secondary collision of the object to be crushed on the crushing chamber inner wall 54 decreases, and the crushing efficiency tends to decrease.

More specifically, the length of the acceleration tube 43 is 5
0-500 mm is preferable, and the diameter of the collision member 51 is 30
It is preferable to have ˜300 mm.

Further, it is preferable that the collision surface 52 and the side wall 54 of the collision member 51 are made of ceramic in terms of durability.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line BB 'in FIG. In FIG. 8, the distribution state of the object to be ground in the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction that passes through the object to be ground supply port 46 is shown by the acceleration tube 43.
The larger the inclination with respect to the vertical direction, the more uneven the distribution. Therefore, the inclination of the acceleration tube 43 is 0 ° to 5 °.
Is the best, and is confirmed by an experiment using a transparent acrylic resin internal observation accelerating tube as the accelerating tube 43.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line CC ′ in FIG. In FIG. 9, the crushed material passes through between the collision member support 91 and the side wall 54 and is discharged rearward.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line DD ′ in FIG. In FIG. 10, two high-pressure gas introduction pipes 92 are installed.
The number of books may be three or more.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing another specific example of the collision type airflow crusher used in the present invention.

In FIG. 11, the same numbers as those in FIG. 4 indicate the same members.

In the collision type airflow crusher shown in FIG.
The inclination of the acceleration tube 43 in the long axis direction is preferably 0 ° to 45 ° (more preferably 0 ° to 20) with respect to the vertical line.
(More preferably 0 ° to 5 °), and the crushed object 42 is fed from the crushed object supply port 101 to the acceleration pipe 4
3 is supplied. At this time, compressed gas such as compressed air is introduced into the accelerating pipe 43 from the throat portion 44 through the high pressure gas supply port 102 and the high pressure gas chamber 103, and the object to be pulverized supplied to the accelerating pipe 43 is instantaneously supplied. Accelerated to have high speed. Then, the object to be crushed ejected from the acceleration pipe outlet 50 into the crushing chamber 53 at a high speed collides with the collision surface 52 of the collision member 51 and is crushed.

In this way, the material to be crushed 42 is introduced from the central portion of the throat of the acceleration tube 43, the material to be crushed is dispersed in the accelerating tube 43, and the material to be crushed is uniformly ejected from the outlet 50 of the accelerating tube. By efficiently colliding with the collision surface 52 of the opposing collision member 51, the pulverization efficiency can be improved as compared with the conventional case. Further, when the collision surface 52 of the collision member 51 has a cone shape as shown in FIG. 11 or a shape having a conical projection on the collision surface as shown in FIG. 5, the dispersion after the collision becomes good. It does not cause fusion, agglomeration, or coarsening of the crushed object, and it is possible to crush with a high dust concentration, and in the case of abradable crushed object, it occurs on the inner wall of the acceleration pipe and the collision surface of the collision member. Wear is not locally concentrated and the life is extended and stable operation is possible.

As in the crusher shown in FIG. 4, if the inclination of the acceleration tube 43 in the major axis direction is in the range of 0 ° to 45 °,
The crushed object 42 can be processed without being blocked by the crushed object supply port 101, but if the crushed object 42 does not have good fluidity, it tends to stay in the lower part of the crushed object supply pipe 41, and the acceleration tube If the inclination of 43 is in the range of 0 ° to 20 ° (more preferably 0 ° to 5 °), the object to be crushed 4
No stagnation of 2 and the crushed object 42 smoothly accelerates the acceleration tube 43.
Supplied within.

Further, the sectional view taken along the line CC ′ in FIG.
It is similar to the CC ′ cross-sectional view in FIG. 4 shown in FIG. 9, and the crushed material is discharged rearward through between the collision member support 91 and the side wall 54.

When the crusher shown in FIG. 4 and the crusher shown in FIG. 11 are compared, the crusher shown in FIG. 4 supplies the object to be crushed more uniformly in the accelerating pipe. Good crushing efficiency.

As the first classifying means used in the present invention, an air classifier which classifies by centrifugal force using a forced vortex is used. For example, Hosokawa Micron Teaplex (ATP) classifier, micron separator,
Examples include Dona Selec classifier manufactured by Donaldson Japan, and Turbo Classifier classifier manufactured by Nisshin Seiko.

It is preferable to use an air flow type classifier as shown in FIG. 12 in order to improve the classification accuracy of fine powder and coarse powder.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 121 denotes a cylindrical main body casing. A classification chamber 122 is formed inside the main body casing 121.
There is a guide room 123 at the bottom of the.

The classifier is an individual drive type, and the classifying chamber 1
A forced vortex utilizing centrifugal force is generated in 22 to classify into coarse powder and fine powder. A classifying rotor 124 is provided in the classifying chamber 122, and the powder material and air sent into the guide chamber 123 are swirled into the classifying chamber 122 from between the classifying rotor 124. The pulverized raw material is fed from the raw material feeding port 125, and the air is taken in together with the pulverized raw material from the feeding ports 126, 127 and further the raw material feeding port 125. The pulverized raw material is passed through a rotary valve or together with the inflowing air to the classification chamber 122.
Be carried to. It is preferable that the air and the powder material flowing in the guide chamber 123 via the charging port 125 be uniformly distributed to each classifying rotor 124 for accurate classification. The flow path leading to the classification rotor 124 needs to be shaped so that concentration does not easily occur, and the position of the charging port 125 is not limited to this.

The classifying rotor 124 is movable, and the spacing between the classifying rotors can be adjusted. The speed control of the classification rotor is performed through the frequency converter 128.

The fine powder discharge pipe 129 is connected to a suction fan 131 via a fine powder collecting means 130 such as a cyclone or a dust collector, and the classification chamber 122 is connected by the suction fan 131.
The suction force is applied to.

The air stream type classifier preferably used as the first classifying means has the above-mentioned structure, and the powder material pulverized by the above-mentioned collision type air stream pulverizer, the air used for the pulverization and the new supply. When the air containing the pulverized raw material is supplied into the guide chamber 123 through the charging port 125, the air containing the powder material flows from the guide chamber 123 between the classification rotors 124.

The powder material that has flowed into the classification chamber 122 is dispersed by a classification rotor that rotates at high speed, and is centrifugally separated into coarse powder and fine powder by the centrifugal force acting on each particle. Passes through the hopper 132 for discharging coarse particles connected to the lower part of the main body casing, and the rotary valve 1
It is supplied to the crushed object supply pipe 41 of the aforementioned collision type airflow crusher via 33. The fine powder is discharged to the fine powder collecting means 130 by the fine powder discharge pipe 129 and then introduced into the second classifying means.

By using the airflow classifier shown in FIG. 12 in combination with the above-mentioned collision type airflow crusher, fine powder is satisfactorily suppressed or prevented from mixing into the crusher, and overcrushing of the crushed material is prevented. Moreover, the classified coarse powder is smoothly supplied to the crusher, further uniformly dispersed in the accelerating tube, and satisfactorily crushed in the crushing chamber, so that the yield of the crushed product and the energy efficiency per unit weight are improved. Can be increased.

In the rotary classifier, the classification point is determined by the number of rotations of the classification rotor. However, since the efficiency of the pulverizing means has not been good conventionally, it is difficult and difficult to obtain a toner having a small diameter. But it took a lot of work.
However, in the present invention, the performance of the pulverizing means is improved so that the powder is further made into fine particles efficiently, so that classification can be performed in the fine particle region. Further, in the case of the rotary classifier, the classification point can be easily changed only by changing the rotation speed of the rotor, and therefore the operability is excellent.

As the second classification means for providing a multi-division classification area of at least a coarse powder area, a medium powder area and a fine powder area,
For example, the multi-division classifier of the system shown in FIG. 14 (cross-sectional view) can be exemplified as one of the specific examples. The classification chamber is mainly composed of side walls 141 and 142, a lower wall 143 and a lower wall 143 having the shapes shown in the drawing.
144 and a Coanda block 145. The lower walls 143, 144 are provided with knife edge type classification edges 146, 147, respectively.
47, the classification zone is divided into three. Side wall 14
In the lower part of 1, there are raw material supply pipes 148, 14 open to the classification chamber.
9 is provided and is bent downward with respect to the extension direction of the tangent to the bottom of the supply pipe to form an elliptic arc.
45 are provided. The upper wall 150 of the classification chamber is provided with a knife-edge type air intake edge 151 in the lower direction of the classification chamber, and the upper part of the classification chamber has an intake pipe 15 opening to the classification chamber.
2, 153 are provided. In addition, the intake pipes 152, 153
The gas introduction control means 154 and 155 such as dampers
And static pressure gauges 156 and 157 are provided. Classification edge 1
The positions of 46 and 147 and the inlet edge 151 differ depending on the type of the raw material to be classified and the desired particle size. Further, discharge ports 158, 159, 160 that open into the classification chamber are provided on the bottom of the classification chamber so as to correspond to the respective fractionation areas. The outlets 158, 159 and 160 may be provided with opening / closing means such as valve means.

In the raw material supply pipe, a cylindrical supply pipe 1
The ratio of the inner diameter of 48 to the inner diameter of the narrowest part of the pyramidal cylindrical supply pipe 149 is 20: 1 to 1: 1 and preferably 1
Setting from 0: 1 to 2: 1 gives good insertion speed.

As means for introducing the powder into the supply pipe together with the air flow, a method of sending by applying a pressure of 0.1 to 3 kg / cm ² and a blower on the downstream side of the classification zone are increased in size to make the negative of the classification zone. A method to suck the outside air and the raw material powder naturally by increasing the pressure, or an injection feeder is attached to the raw material powder input port to suck the raw material powder and the outside air and to the classification zone via the supply pipe. There are ways to send it, etc.

In the present invention, when a method of increasing the negative pressure in the classification zone to naturally suck the outside air and the raw material powder or a method using an injection feeder among the above-mentioned charging means, in terms of equipment and operating conditions, preferable. Further, it is possible to more effectively classify the toner for developing an electrostatic charge image, which requires highly accurate classification, and further, it is possible to obtain a preferable effect in classifying a toner having a weight average particle diameter of 10 μm or less. In particular, in the classification of toner having a weight average particle diameter of 8 μm or less, a further effect can be obtained.

The classification operation in the multi-division classification area configured as described above is performed as follows, for example. That is, the inside of the classification area is decompressed through at least one of the outlets 158, 159 and 160, and the raw material powder is fed through the raw material supply pipes 148 and 149 at a flow velocity of 50 m / sec to 300 m / sec by the air stream flowing by the decompression. Supply to the classification area via.

When the fine powder is supplied to the classification area at a flow rate of less than 50 m / sec, it is difficult to sufficiently loosen the agglomeration of the fine powder, and the classification yield and the classification accuracy are likely to decrease. When the fine powder is supplied to the classification area at a flow rate of more than 300 m / sec, the particles tend to be crushed due to collision of the particles with each other, and fine particles are easily generated, so that the classification yield tends to decrease.

The raw material powder supplied by the above means is
The Coanda effect by the action of the Coanda block 145,
At that time, it moves along a curved line due to the action of gas such as inflowing air, and large particles (particles exceeding the standard particle diameter) are outside the air stream, that is, outside the classification edge 147, depending on the size of each particle. , The intermediate particles (particles with a size within the standard) are fractionated between the classification edges 146 and 147, and the small particles (particles with a size smaller than the standard size) are divided into fractions inside the classification edge 146, Larger particles are discharged through the outlet 158, intermediate particles are discharged through the outlet 159, and smaller particles are discharged through the outlet 160.
To be discharged respectively.

In order to carry out the above-mentioned method, it is usual to use an integrated device system as shown in FIG. 2 by connecting mutual equipments by a communication means such as a pipe.
That is, in the integrated device shown in FIG. 2, the three-division classifier 2
Reference numeral 7 is the one as shown in FIG. 14, to which the vibration feeder 25 and the collecting cyclones 29, 30, 31 are connected by a communication means.

In the present invention, an example of an integrated device system in which the injection 32 is attached to the raw material powder supply nozzle of the multi-division classifier is shown in FIG. As the multi-division classifier 27 which is the second classifying means, there is a classifying means utilizing a Coanda effect, which has a Coanda block such as Elbow Jet manufactured by Nippon Steel Mining Co., Ltd. In this device system, the pulverized raw material of the toner is introduced into the first classifier 22 through the first constant amount feeder 21, and the classified fine powder is passed through the collection cyclone 23 to the second constant amount feeder 24. It is fed and then introduced into the multi-division classifier 27 through the vibrating feeder 25 and the fine powder supply nozzles 148 and 149. The coarse powder classified by the first classifier 22 is sent to the crusher 28, crushed, and then introduced into the first classifier 22 again together with the newly added pulverization raw material. When introducing into the multi-division classifier 27, 50 m / sec to 300 m / sec
The pulverized material is introduced into the three-division classifier 27 at a flow rate of 2 seconds. The size of the classification area of the multi-division classifier 27 is usually [10
.About.50 cm] × [10 to 50 cm], the pulverized product can be classified into three or more kinds of particle groups in an instant of 0.1 to 0.01 seconds or less. Then, by the three-division classifier 27, it is divided into large (particles having a particle size exceeding the standard particle size), medium (particles having a specified particle size) and small (particles having a particle size smaller than the specified particle size). The large particles are then sent through the exhaust conduit 158 to the collection cyclone 29 and back to the grinder 28. The intermediate particles are discharged to the outside of the system through the discharge conduit 159, collected by the collection cyclone 31, and collected as much as the product 33. The small particles are discharged to the outside of the system via the discharge conduit 160 and are collected by the collecting cyclone 30, and then are collected as fine powder 34 having a non-regulated particle diameter. The collection cyclones 29, 30, 31 function as suction decompression means for sucking and introducing the pulverized raw material into the classification area through the nozzles 148, 149.

The coarse powder may be returned to the first classifier 22 or the first fixed amount feeder 21. In order to reduce the load on the first classifier 22 and ensure the crushing by the crusher 28,
It is more preferable to directly return the coarse powder to the crusher 28.

In the present invention, the first classifying step and the crushing step shown in the flow chart of FIG. 1 are not limited to this. For example, one crushing means to two first classifying means or crushing means. There may be two or more means and each first classification means. What kind of combination constitutes the crushing step may be appropriately set depending on the desired particle diameter, the constituent material of the toner particles, and the like. In this case, where to return the coarse powder to be returned to the crushing step may be set appropriately. Second
The multi-division classifier as a classifying means is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 14, and if the optimum shape is adopted depending on the particle size of the pulverized raw material, the desired medium powder, the true specific gravity of the powder, etc. Good.

The crushing raw material introduced into the first classifying means is 2 m.
m or less, preferably 1 mm or less. The pulverized raw material may be introduced into the medium pulverization step and pulverized to about 10 to 100 μm to be used as the raw material in the present invention.

In the conventional crushing-classifying method using the classifier for removing only the fine particle group as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 15 as the second classifying means, the particle size of the powder at the end of crushing is regulated to a certain level. It has been required that the coarse particles having a particle size or more be completely removed. Therefore, the pulverization process requires an excessive pulverization capacity, resulting in over-pulverization and a reduction in pulverization efficiency. This phenomenon becomes more remarkable as the particle size of the powder becomes smaller, and the efficiency is remarkably reduced particularly when a medium powder having a weight average particle size of 3 to 10 μm is obtained.

In the method of the present invention, the coarse powder particle group and the fine powder particle group are simultaneously removed by the multi-division classification means. Therefore, even if the particle size of the powder at the end of crushing contains a certain proportion of coarse particles exceeding a certain specified particle size, it will be removed well by the multi-division classification means in the next step, so there is a restriction in the crushing step. It is possible to increase the capacity of the crusher to the maximum, the crushing efficiency is improved, and there is little tendency to cause over-crushing. Therefore, the fine powder can be removed very efficiently, and the classification yield can be improved satisfactorily.

Further, in the conventional classification method for classifying the medium powder and the fine powder, since the residence time at the time of classification is long, agglomerates of fine particles, which cause fog in the developed image, are easily generated.
When agglomerates are formed, it is generally difficult to remove the agglomerates from the intermediate powder, but according to the method of the present invention, even if the agglomerates are mixed in the pulverized material, the Coanda effect and / or the high-speed movement are not caused. Due to the accompanying impact, the agglomerates are disintegrated and removed as fine powder, and even if there are agglomerates that have escaped disintegration, they can be removed simultaneously to the coarse powder area, so it is possible to remove the agglomerates efficiently. .

The manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the present invention can be preferably used for producing toner particles used for developing an electrostatic image.

To prepare a toner for developing an electrostatic image, a colorant or magnetic powder and a vinyl-based or non-vinyl-based thermoplastic resin, a charge control agent, if necessary, other additives are added to a Henschel mixer or a ball mill. After thoroughly mixing with a mixer such as the above, use a heat kneader such as a roll, kneader, or extruder to melt, knead, and knead the meat to make the resins compatible with each other, and then disperse or dissolve the pigment or dye. After cooling and solidification, pulverization and classification can be performed to obtain a toner. The manufacturing method and apparatus of the present invention are used in the crushing step and the classification step.

Next, the constituent materials of the toner will be described.

As the binder resin used for the toner, when a heating / pressurizing fixing device having an oil applying device or a heating / pressurizing roller fixing device is used, the following binder resin for toner can be used. is there.

For example, polystyrene, homopolymers of styrene such as polystyrene, poly-p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyltoluene and the like, and substitution products thereof; styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymers, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymers, styrene-vinylnaphthalene. Copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-α-chloromethacryl copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene- Vinyl ethyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-indene copolymer styrene-based copolymer; polyvinyl chloride, phenol Resin, natural modified Fe Resin, natural resin modified maleic acid resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyvinyl acetate, silicone resin, polyester resin, polyurethane, polyamide resin, furan resin, epoxy resin, xylene resin, polyvinyl butyral, terpene resin, coumaroindene resin, Petroleum resin or the like can be used.

In the heating / pressurizing fixing method in which little or no oil is applied, or in the heating / pressurizing roller fixing method, a so-called offset phenomenon in which a part of the toner image on the toner image support member is transferred to the roller, Also, the adhesion of the toner to the toner image supporting member is an important issue.
Toners that fix with less heat energy usually have a property of easily blocking or caking during storage or in a developing device, so these problems must be taken into consideration at the same time. The physical properties of the binder resin in the toner are most involved in these phenomena. However, according to the research conducted by the present inventors, when the content of the magnetic material in the toner is reduced, the toner image is supported at the time of fixing. Adhesion of the toner to the body is improved, but offset is likely to occur, and blocking or caking is likely to occur. Therefore, the selection of the binder resin is more important when using the heating and pressure roller fixing method in which the oil is hardly applied. Preferred binder resins include cross-linked styrenic copolymers or cross-linked polyesters.

Examples of the comonomer for the styrene monomer of the styrene type copolymer include acrylic acid, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate,
Duplex such as dodecyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, acrylamide etc. A monocarboxylic acid having a bond or a substituted product thereof; for example, a dicarboxylic acid having a double bond such as maleic acid, butyl maleate, methyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, etc. and a substituted product thereof: for example, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, Vinyl esters such as vinyl benzoate; vinyl ketones such as vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl hexyl ketone and the like; vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether, etc. ; Vinyl monomers such as may be used alone or two or more.

As the cross-linking agent, a compound having two or more polymerizable double bonds is mainly used. For example, an aromatic divinyl compound such as divinylbenzene, divinylnaphthalene, etc .; for example, ethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene. Glycol dimethacrylate,
Carboxylic acid esters having two double bonds such as 1,3-butanediol-dimethacrylate; divinyl compounds such as divinylaniline, divinyl ether, divinyl sulfide, divinyl sulfone; and compounds having three or more vinyl groups; Are used alone or as a mixture.

When the pressure fixing method or the light heat pressure fixing method is used, a binder resin for pressure fixing toner can be used. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene,
Polymethylene, polyurethane elastomer, ethylene-
There are ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ionomer resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, linear saturated polyester, paraffin and the like.

Further, it is preferable that a charge control agent is blended (added internally) to the toner particles and used in the toner. By the charge control agent, it is possible to control the optimum charge amount according to the phenomenon system, and particularly in the present invention, it is possible to further stabilize the balance between the particle size distribution and the charge,
By using the charge control agent, it is possible to further clarify the function separation and the mutual complementarity for improving the image quality depending on the particle size range as described above. As the positive charge control agent, a modified product of nigrosine and a fatty acid metal salt or the like; a quaternary ammonium salt such as tributylbenzylammonium-1-hydroxy-4-naphthosulfonate or tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate; alone or in combination with 2
A combination of more than one type can be used. Among these, charge control agents such as nigrosine compounds and quaternary ammonium salts are particularly preferably used.

In addition, the general formula

[0107]

[Chemical 1]

R1: H, CH ₃ R2, R3: a homopolymer of a monomer represented by a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group (preferably C1 to C4): or a styrene, an acrylate, or a methacryl as described above. A copolymer with a polymerizable monomer such as an acid ester can be used as a positive charge control agent. In this case, these charge control agents are
It also has a function as (all or part of) a binder resin.

As the negative charge control agent, for example, an organometallic complex and a chelate compound are effective, and examples thereof include aluminum acetylacetonate, iron (II) acetylacetonate, and chromium 3,5-di-sali-butylsalicylate. Alternatively, zinc or the like is preferable, and an acetylacetone metal complex, a salicylic acid metal complex or a salt is particularly preferable, and a salicylic acid metal complex or a salicylic acid metal salt is particularly preferable.

The charge control agent (which does not act as a binder resin) described above is preferably used in the form of fine particles. In this case, the number average diameter of the charge control agent is specifically preferably 4 μm or less (further, 3 μm or less).

When internally added to the toner, such a charge control agent is preferably used in an amount of 0.1 to 20 parts by weight (further 0.2 to 10 parts by weight) per 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

When the toner is a magnetic toner, the magnetic materials contained in the magnetic toner include magnetite, γ-iron oxide, ferrite, iron oxide such as iron-excessive ferrite, and the like.
Metals such as iron, cobalt, nickel or these metals and aluminum, cobalt, copper, lead, magnesium, tin, zinc, antimony, beryllium, bismuth,
Cadmium, calcium, manganese, selenium, titanium,
Examples thereof include alloys with metals such as tungsten and vanadium, and mixtures thereof.

These ferromagnetic materials have an average particle size of 0.1 to 1
μm, preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 μm, and the resin component 1 is contained in the magnetic toner.
60 to 110 parts by weight with respect to 00 parts by weight, and preferably 65 to 100 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component.

As the colorant used in the toner, conventionally known dyes and / or pigments can be used. For example, carbon black, phthalocyanine blue, peacock blue, permanent red, lake red, rhodamine lake, hanzer yellow, permanent yellow, benzidine yellow and the like can be used. Its content is 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, based on 100 parts of the binder resin, and 12 parts by weight in order to improve the transparency of the OHP film on which the toner image is fixed. It is preferably not more than 10 parts by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 9 parts by weight.

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to obtain a toner having a sharp particle size distribution from a toner raw material having a weight average diameter of 10 μm or less, and particularly a toner raw material having a weight average diameter of 8 μm or less. It is possible to obtain a fine particle size distribution.

[0116]

Embodiments will be described below in more detail based on embodiments.

Example 1 Styrene-butyl acrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer 100 parts by weight (monomer polymerization weight ratio 80.0 / 19.0 / 1.0, weight average molecular weight (Mw) 350,000) Magnetic iron oxide (Average particle size 0.18 μm) 100 parts by weight Nigrosine 2 parts by weight Low molecular weight ethylene-propylene copolymer 4 parts by weight

After thoroughly mixing the ingredients of the above formulation with a Henschel mixer (FM-75 type, manufactured by Mitsui Miike Kakoki Co., Ltd.), a twin-screw kneader (PCM-
It was kneaded with a 30-type, manufactured by Ikegai Tekko Co., Ltd. The obtained kneaded product was cooled and coarsely pulverized to 1 mm or less with a hammer mill to obtain a coarsely pulverized product for toner production.

The obtained toner raw material was pulverized and classified by the apparatus system shown in FIG.

The collision type airflow pulverizer 28 uses the device having the structure shown in FIG. 4, and the inclination of the acceleration tube in the long axis direction (hereinafter referred to as the acceleration tube inclination) with respect to the vertical line is about 0 ° (that is, It is installed substantially vertically), and the collision member 51 uses a conical surface with a vertical angle of 160 ° and a conical shape with an outer diameter (diameter) of 100 mm, and is perpendicular to the central axis of the accelerating tube shown in FIG. The shortest distance L ₂ between the surface of the accelerating pipe outlet 50 that intersects with and the outermost peripheral end of the collision surface 52 of the collision member 51 facing this is 50 mm
As the shape of the crushing chamber 53, a cylindrical crushing chamber having an inner diameter of 150 mm was used. Therefore, the shortest distance L ₁ is 25 mm. The first classifier 22 uses the classifier having the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the diameter of the rotor 124 is 200 mm, and the rotation speed of the rotor is 3000 rpm. p. m. I drove in.

In the table-type first constant quantity feeder 21, the pulverized raw material was injected at a rate of 25.0 kg / h by the injection feeder 35, and the air flow classifier 22 was fed through the supply pipe 125.
The coarse powder that has been supplied to and classified in the above is passed through the coarse powder discharge hopper 132, and the crushed object supply pipe 41 of the collision type airflow crusher 108 is supplied.
Supplied by a pressure of 6.0 kg / cm ² (G), 6.0
After being crushed by using compressed air of Nm ³ / min, while being mixed with the toner crushing raw material supplied in the raw material introduction part, it is circulated through the airflow classifier again, closed circuit pulverization is performed, and classification is performed. The fine powder is collected by the cyclone 23 while being entrained by the suction air from the exhaust fan 131,
It was introduced into the constant quantity feeder 24. The fine powder had a weight average diameter of 7.1 μm and had a sharp particle size distribution substantially free of particles of 12.7 μm or more.

The particle size distribution of the toner can be measured by various methods, but in this example, it was measured using a Coulter counter.

As a measuring device, a Coulter counter T
An interface (made by Nikkaki) and a CX that outputs number distribution and volume distribution using A-II type (made by Coulter)
-1 Connect a personal computer (made by Canon),
As the electrolytic solution, a 1% NaCl aqueous solution is prepared using first grade sodium chloride. As a measuring method, the electrolytic aqueous solution 100 to
To 150 ml, 0.1 to 5 ml of a surfactant, preferably an alkylbenzene sulfonate, is added as a dispersant, and 2 to 20 mg of a measurement sample is further added. The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment for about 1 to 3 minutes by an ultrasonic disperser, and the Coulter counter TA-II type is used to form a 100 μm aperture as an aperture, and particles of 2 to 40 μm based on the number are used. The particle size distribution was measured, and the values such as the weight average particle diameter and the number average particle diameter were obtained from the measurement.

The fine powder thus obtained was passed through the second constant amount feeder 24, through the vibrating feeder 25 and the nozzles 148 and 149 at a rate of 32.0 kg / h to obtain a coarse powder using the Coanda effect. It was introduced into a multi-division classifier 27 shown in FIG. 14 in order to classify into three types of powder and fine powder.

At the time of introduction, outlets 158, 159, 1
The suction force derived from the pressure reduction in the system by the suction pressure reduction of the collection cyclones 29, 30, 31 communicating with 60 and the compressed air from the injection 32 attached to the raw material supply nozzle 148 were used.

The fine powder introduced was instantly classified for 0.1 second or less.

The classified coarse powder was collected by a collection cyclone 29 and then introduced into a crusher 28.

The weight average particle diameter of the classified medium powder was 6.9.
μm (containing 25% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less,
It has a sharp distribution of 1.3% by volume of particles having a particle size of 10.08 μm or more), and has excellent performance as a toner.

At this time, the ratio of the finally obtained intermediate powder to the total amount of the pulverized raw material charged (that is, the classification yield)
Was 82%. When the obtained intermediate powder was observed with an electron microscope, substantially no aggregates of 4 μm or more in which ultrafine particles were aggregated were found.

Example 2 The same toner raw material as in Example 1 was used to perform pulverization and classification in the same apparatus system.

The collision type airflow crusher having the structure shown in FIG. 4 was used, and crushing was performed under the same apparatus conditions as in Example 1.
As the multi-division classifier, the same one as in Example 1 was used. The first classifier uses the same device as in Example 1, and the rotation speed of the rotor is 3100 rpm. p. m. I chose

The pulverized raw material was supplied at a rate of 22.0 kg / h to obtain fine powder having a weight average diameter of 6.4 μm.
It was introduced into a multi-division classifier at a rate of 5.0 kg / h and contained a weight average diameter of 6.1 μm (containing 32% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less and 0.5 particles having a particle size of 10.08 μm or more). A medium powder having a sharp distribution of (containing by volume) was obtained with a classification yield of 72%.

Example 3 The same toner material as in Example 1 was used to carry out pulverization and classification in the same apparatus system.

The collision type airflow crusher used had the structure shown in FIG. 4, and the collision member used had the structure shown in FIG. The collision member has α = 55 ° and β = 10 °. As the multi-division classifier, the same one as in Example 1 was used. Further, as the first classifier, the same device as in Example 1 was used.

The pulverized raw material was supplied at a rate of 32.0 kg / h to obtain fine powder having a weight average diameter of 7.0 μm.
Introduced into a multi-division classifier at a rate of 0.0 kg / h, containing a weight average particle diameter of 6.9 μm (containing 24% by number of particles having a particle diameter of 4.0 μm or less and 1.0 particles having a particle diameter of 10.08 μm or more). A medium powder having a sharp distribution of (volume% contained) was obtained with a classification yield of 83%.

Example 4 100 parts by weight of unsaturated polyester resin 4.5 parts by weight of copper phthalocyanine pigment (CI Pigment Blue 15) Charge control agent (chromic salicylate complex) 4.0 parts by weight

After thoroughly mixing the materials of the above formulation with a Henschel mixer (FM-75 type, manufactured by Mitsui Miike Kakoki Co., Ltd.), a twin-screw kneader (PCM-set at a temperature of 100 ° C.) was used.
It was kneaded with a 30-type, manufactured by Ikegai Tekko Co., Ltd. The obtained kneaded product was cooled and coarsely pulverized to 1 mm or less with a hammer mill to obtain a coarsely pulverized product for toner production.

The collision type airflow crusher used the apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 4, and crushed under the same apparatus conditions as in Example 1. As the multi-division classifier, the same one as in Example 1 was used. Also,
As the first classifier, the same device as in Example 1 was used, the diameter of the rotor was 200 mm, and the rotation speed of the rotor was 3500 rpm. p. m.
It was used.

In the table-type first constant quantity feeder 21, the pulverized raw material was injected into the injection feeder 35 at a rate of 23.0 kg / h, and the air flow classifier 22 was fed through the supply pipe 125.
The coarse powder that has been supplied to and classified in the above is passed through the coarse powder discharge hopper 132, and the crushed object supply pipe 41 of the collision type airflow crusher 108 is supplied.
Supplied by a pressure of 6.0 kg / cm ² (G), 6.0
After being crushed by using compressed air of Nm ³ / min, while being mixed with the toner crushing raw material supplied in the raw material introduction part, it is circulated through the airflow classifier again, closed circuit pulverization is performed, and classification is performed. The fine powder is collected by the cyclone 23 while being entrained by the suction air from the exhaust fan 131,
It was introduced into the constant quantity feeder 24. The weight average diameter of the fine powder at this time was 7.0 μm.

The fine powder thus obtained was passed through the second constant quantity feeder 24, through the vibrating feeder 25 and the nozzles 148 and 149 at a rate of 27.0 kg / h to obtain a coarse powder using the Coanda effect. It was introduced into a multi-division classifier 27 shown in FIG. 14 in order to classify into three types of powder and fine powder.

At the time of introduction, outlets 158, 159, 1
The decompression of the system by suction decompression of the collection cyclones 29, 30, 31 communicating with 60 utilized the derived suction force and the compressed air from the ink injection 32 attached to the raw material supply nozzle 148.

The fine powder introduced was instantly classified for 0.1 second or less.

The classified coarse powder was collected by a collection cyclone 29 and then introduced into a crusher 28.

The classified intermediate powder has a weight average particle diameter of 6.5.
μm (contains 27% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less,
It has a sharp distribution of particles having a particle size of 10.08 μm or more (contains 1.4% by volume), and has excellent performance for toner.

At this time, the ratio of the finally obtained intermediate powder to the total amount of the pulverized raw material charged (that is, the classification yield)
Was 78%.

Example 5 Using the same toner raw material as in Example 4, pulverization and classification were carried out in the same apparatus system.

The collision type airflow crusher used had the structure shown in FIG. 4, and the collision member used had the structure shown in FIG. The collision member has α = 55 ° and β = 10 °. As the multi-division classifier, the same one as in Example 1 was used. As the first classifier, the same device as in Example 1 was used, and the rotation speed was 3500 rpm.
p. m. I went there.

The pulverized raw material was supplied at a rate of 30.0 kg / h to obtain fine powder having a weight average diameter of 6.9 μm.
It was introduced into a multi-division classifier at a rate of 4.0 kg / h and contained a weight average diameter of 6.4 μm (containing 24% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less and 1.0% of particles having a particle size of 10.08 μm or more). A medium powder having a sharp distribution of (containing by volume%) was obtained with a classification yield of 80%.

Comparative Example 1 Materials having the same formulation as in Examples 1 to 3 were thoroughly mixed with a Henschel mixer (FM-75 type, manufactured by Mitsui Miike Kakoki Co., Ltd.), and then twin-screw kneading set at a temperature of 150 ° C. (PCM-3
It was kneaded with a 0-type, manufactured by Ikegai Tekko Co., Ltd. The obtained kneaded product is cooled and roughly crushed to 1 mm or less with a hammer mill,
A coarsely pulverized product for toner production was obtained.

The obtained toner raw material was pulverized and classified by the apparatus system shown in FIG.

However, the collision type air flow crusher used was the crusher shown in FIG. 16, and the first classifying means had the structure shown in FIG.

In FIG. 13, 201 indicates a cylindrical main body casing, 202 indicates a lower casing, and a hopper 203 for discharging coarse powder is connected to the lower portion thereof. A classifying chamber 204 is formed inside the main body casing 201, and is closed by an annular guide chamber 205 attached to the upper part of the classifying chamber 204 and a conical (umbrella) upper cover 206 having a high central portion. There is.

A plurality of louvers 207 arranged in the circumferential direction are provided on the partition wall between the classifying chamber 204 and the guide chamber 205, and the powder material and air sent into the guide chamber 205 are classified between the respective louvers 207. Swirl to 204 for inflow.

The upper part of the guide chamber 205 is a space between the conical upper casing 213 and the conical upper cover 206.

A classification louver 209 arranged in the circumferential direction is provided in the lower part of the main body casing 201, and classification air for generating a swirling flow from the outside to the classification chamber 204 is classified louver 20.
Incorporated through 9.

At the bottom of the classifying chamber 204, a conical (umbrella) classifying plate 210 having a high central portion is provided.
A coarse powder discharge port 211 is formed around the outer periphery of the. In addition, a fine powder discharge chute 212 is connected to the center of the classifying plate 210,
The lower end of the chute 212 is bent into an L shape, and the bent end is located outside the side wall of the lower casing 202. Further, the chute is connected to a suction fan via a fine powder collecting means such as a cyclone or a dust collector, and a suction force is exerted on the classification chamber 204 by the suction fan, so that suction is made between the louvers 209 and into the classification chamber 204. The swirling flow required for classification is generated by air.

The airflow classifier has the above structure, and when the air containing the above-mentioned coarsely pulverized product for toner production is supplied from the supply cylinder 208 into the guide chamber 205, the air containing the coarsely pulverized product is supplied from the guide chamber 205. After passing between the louvers 207, the particles flow into the classification chamber 204 while being swirled while being dispersed at a uniform concentration.

The coarsely crushed material that swirled into the classifying chamber 204 swirls along with the suction air flow that flows from between the classification louvers 209 at the lower part of the classifying chamber, which is generated by the suction fan connected to the fine powder discharge chute 212. The centrifugal force acting on each particle centrifuges into coarse powder and fine powder, and the coarse powder swirling around the outer periphery of the classification chamber 204 is discharged from the coarse powder discharge port 211 and discharged from the lower hopper 203. It

Further, the fine powder that moves to the central portion along the upper inclined surface of the classifying plate 210 is discharged by the fine powder discharging chute 212.

The pulverized raw material was fed at a rate of 13.0 kg / h by the table-type first fixed amount feeder 21 to the air flow classifier shown in FIG. The generated coarse powder is supplied through the coarse powder discharge hopper 203 from the pulverized material supply port 165 of the collision type air flow pulverizer shown in FIG. 16, and the pressure is 6.0 kg /
After being crushed using compressed air of cm ² (G), 6.0 Nm ³ / min, it is circulated to the airflow classifier again while being mixed with the toner crushing raw material supplied in the raw material introduction section, The fine powder that was subjected to the closed circuit crushing and was classified was collected by the cyclone 23 while being entrained by the suction air from the exhaust fan, and was introduced into the second constant quantity feeder 24. The weight average diameter of the fine powder at this time was 7.1 μm.

The fine powder thus obtained was passed through the second constant quantity feeder 24, through the vibration feeder 25 and the nozzles 148 and 149 at a rate of 15.0 kg / h to obtain a coarse powder utilizing the Coanda effect. In order to classify into three kinds, that is, a medium powder and a fine powder, the multi-division classifier 27 shown in FIG. 14 was introduced.

At the time of introduction, discharge ports 158, 159, 1
The suction force derived from the pressure reduction in the system by the suction pressure reduction of the collection cyclones 29, 30, 31 communicating with 60 and the compressed air from the injection 32 attached to the raw material supply nozzle 148 were used.

As a result, the weight average particle diameter was 6.9 μm (containing 27% by number of particles having a particle diameter of 4.0 μm or less, and a particle diameter of 10.
It contains 1.5 vol% of particles of 08 μm or more. (3) was obtained with a classification yield of 81%. As described above, both the grinding efficiency and the classification yield were inferior to those of Examples 1 and 3.

Comparative Example 2 Using the same toner raw material as in Examples 1 to 3, pulverization and classification were performed in the same apparatus system.

However, crushing was carried out under the same apparatus conditions as in Comparative Example 1 using the collision type airflow crusher having the structure shown in FIG. 16 and the first classifying means having the structure shown in FIG.

The pulverized raw material was supplied at a rate of 10.0 kg / h to obtain fine powder having a weight average diameter of 6.3 μm.
It was introduced into a multi-division classifier at a rate of 2.0 kg / h and contained a weight average diameter of 6.1 μm (containing 33% by number of particles having a particle size of 4.0 μm or less and 0.5 particles having a particle size of 10.08 μm or more). (Containing by volume%) an intermediate powder was obtained with a classification yield of 70%. As described above, both the pulverization efficiency and the classification yield were inferior to those of Example 2.

Comparative Example 3 Materials having the same formulation as in Examples 4 and 5 were well mixed with a Henschel mixer (FM-75 type, manufactured by Mitsui Miike Kakoki Co., Ltd.), and then twin-screw kneading at a temperature of 100 ° C. Machine (PCM
-30 type, Ikegai Tekko Co., Ltd. kneaded. The obtained kneaded product was cooled and coarsely pulverized to 1 mm or less with a hammer mill to obtain a coarsely pulverized product for toner production.

The obtained toner raw material was pulverized and classified by the apparatus system shown in FIG.

However, the collision type air flow crusher used was the crusher shown in FIG. 16, and the first classification means had the structure shown in FIG.

The pulverized raw material is supplied at a rate of 12.0 kg / h by the table-type first constant quantity feeder 21 to the air flow classifier shown in FIG. The generated coarse powder is supplied through the coarse powder discharge hopper 203 from the pulverized material supply port 165 of the collision type air flow pulverizer shown in FIG. 16, and the pressure is 6.0 kg /
After being crushed using compressed air of cm ² (G), 6.0 Nm ³ / min, it is circulated to the airflow classifier again while being mixed with the toner crushing raw material supplied in the raw material introduction section, The fine powder that was subjected to the closed circuit crushing and was classified was collected by the cyclone 23 while being entrained by the suction air from the exhaust fan, and was introduced into the second constant quantity feeder 24. The weight average diameter of the fine powder at this time was 7.0 μm.

The fine powder thus obtained was passed through the second constant quantity feeder 24, through the vibrating feeder 25 and the nozzles 148 and 149 at a rate of 14.0 kg / h to obtain a coarse powder using the Coanda effect. It was introduced into a multi-division classifier 27 shown in FIG. 14 in order to classify into three types of powder and fine powder.

At the time of introduction, outlets 158, 159, 1
The suction force derived from the pressure reduction in the system by the suction pressure reduction of the collection cyclones 29, 30, 31 communicating with 60 and the compressed air from the injection 32 attached to the raw material supply nozzle 148 were used.

As a result, the weight average particle diameter was 6.5 μm (containing 28% by number of particles having a particle diameter of 4.0 μm or less, and a particle diameter of 10.
A medium powder containing 1.6 vol% of particles having a size of 08 μm or more was obtained with a classification yield of 76%. Thus, Examples 4 and 5
The grinding efficiency and the classification yield were inferior to those of No.

[0174]

According to the method for producing a toner of the present invention, a toner having a sharp particle size distribution can be obtained with high pulverization efficiency and high classification yield, and further, fusion of toner, aggregation, and coarsening of toner can be prevented. There is an advantage that abrasion due to the device due to the toner component is prevented and continuous and stable production is possible. Further, by using the toner manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the image density is stable and high, the durability is good, and the fog,
An electrostatic charge image developing toner having an excellent predetermined particle size without image defects such as cleaning failure can be obtained at low cost.

In particular, it is possible to efficiently obtain a toner having a sharp particle size distribution with a weight average diameter of 10 μm or less, and furthermore, obtain a toner having a sharp particle size distribution with a weight average diameter of 8 μm or less. Is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart for explaining a manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a specific example of an apparatus system for carrying out the manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a specific example of an apparatus system for carrying out the manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a crushing device which is a specific example of the collision type air flow crushing means in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a collision member in the crushing device.

6 is an enlarged view of the crushing chamber in FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ in FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B ′ in FIG.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C ′ in FIG.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D ′ in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a crushing device which is another specific example of the collision type air flow crushing means in the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the first classification means used in the manufacturing method and apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a comparative example of the first classifying means.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a classifying device which is a specific example of the multi-division classifying means in the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a conventional manufacturing method.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional collision type airflow crusher.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 1st fixed quantity feeder 22 1st classifier 23 Collection cyclone 24 2nd fixed quantity feeder 25 Vibratory feeder 27 Multi-division classifier 28 Grinder 29,30,31 Collection cyclone 32 Injection 33 Product 34 Fine powder 41 Grinded Material supply pipe 42 Object to be crushed 43 Acceleration tube 44 Throat part 45 High pressure gas injection nozzle 46 Object to be crushed supply 47 High pressure gas supply port 48 High pressure gas chamber 49 High pressure gas inlet tube 50 Acceleration tube outlet 51 Collision member 52 Collision surface 53 Grinding Chamber 54 Side wall of crushing chamber 55 Discharge port of crushed material 61 Edge part of collision member 62 Front wall of crushing chamber 91 Collision member support 92 High pressure gas introduction pipe 101 Ground material supply port 102 High pressure gas supply port 103 High pressure gas chamber 121 Main body casing 122 Classification room 123 Guide room 124 Classification rotor 125 Raw material inlet 126,127 Air input port 128 Frequency converter 129 Fine powder discharge pipe 130 Fine powder collecting means 131 Suction fan 132 Hopper 133 Rotary valve 141,142 Classification chamber side wall 143,144 Classification chamber lower wall 145 Coanda block 146,147 Classification edge 148,149 Raw material supply pipe 150 Classification chamber upper wall 151 Air inlet edge 152,153 Air inlet pipe 154,155 Gas introduction adjusting means 156,157 Static pressure gauge 158,159,160 Discharge port 161 High pressure gas supply nozzle 162 Acceleration pipe 163 Acceleration pipe outlet 164 Collision Member 165 Powder raw material supply port 166 Collision surface 167 Crushed material discharge port 168 Crushing chamber 201 Main body casing 202 Lower casing 203 Hopper 204 Classification chamber 205 Guide chamber 206 Upper cover 207 Louver 20 The supply cylinder 209 classifying louvers 210 classified plate 211 coarse powder discharge opening 212 fine powder discharge chute 213 upper casing

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location B07B 9/00 Z (72) Inventor Masakichi Kato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Within the corporation

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A mixture containing at least a binder resin and a colorant is melt-kneaded, the kneaded product is cooled, and the cooled product is crushed by a crushing means to obtain a crushed product. The crushed product obtained is subjected to a first classification. The coarse powder and fine powder are classified by means, and the classified coarse powder is finely pulverized by a collision type air flow pulverizing means to produce fine powder,
The produced fine powder is circulated through the first classifying means, the classified fine powder is introduced into the second classifying means, and the toner is developed from medium powder having a predetermined particle size range obtained by classification. In the method for producing, the collision type air flow pulverizing means is an accelerating pipe for conveying and accelerating the supplied coarse powder by a high-pressure gas, and a coarse powder for supplying coarse powder to the inside of the accelerating pipe before the accelerating pipe. It has a powder supply port and a crushing chamber for finely crushing coarse powder, and the crushing chamber has a collision member having a collision surface provided facing the opening surface of the outlet of the acceleration tube, and crushing by the collision member. A side wall is further provided for further crushing the crushed coarse powder by collision, and the closest distance between the side wall and the edge of the collision member is the front wall of the crushing chamber facing the collision surface and the collision member. Shorter than the closest distance to the edge, the crushing and roughing of coarse powder on the collision surface and side wall of the collision member. After further pulverizing the pulverized product of powder, it is circulated to the first classifying means for classifying by centrifugal force using a forced vortex, and the fine powder classified by the first classifying means is the second classifying means of at least 3 The raw material supply pipe having an opening in the multi-division classification area divided into two parts is jetted into the classification area at a flow velocity of 50 m / sec to 300 m / sec, and the inertial force of the particles in the jet stream is generated. And, by the centrifugal force of the curved airflow due to the Coanda effect, at least the coarse powder area, the intermediate powder area and the fine powder area are classified, and the coarse powder mainly composed of the particle group exceeding the predetermined particle diameter is dividedly captured in the first fraction area. Gather, second
In the fractionation area, a medium powder mainly composed of particles having a predetermined particle size range is separately collected, and in the third fraction area, fine powder mainly composed of a particle group having a particle diameter smaller than the predetermined particle size is separately collected. A method for producing a toner, characterized in that the classified coarse powder is circulated to the pulverizing means or the first classifying means. 2. The method for producing a toner according to claim 1, wherein the accelerating tube is installed such that the inclination of the accelerating tube in the major axis direction is 0 ° to 45 ° with respect to the vertical line. 3. The method for producing a toner according to claim 1, wherein the accelerating tube is installed such that the inclination of the accelerating tube in the major axis direction is 0 ° to 20 ° with respect to the vertical line. 4. The method for producing a toner according to claim 1, wherein the accelerating tube is installed such that the inclination of the accelerating tube in the major axis direction is 0 ° to 5 ° with respect to the vertical line. 5. A first classifying means for classifying the pulverized material,
Crushing means for crushing the coarse powder classified by the first classifying means, introducing means for introducing the powder crushed by the crushing means into the first classifying means, and classified by the first classifying means Second division means for classifying fine powder into at least coarse powder, medium powder, and fine powder by Coanda effect, and coarse powder classified by the multi-division classification means, the pulverizing means or In the toner manufacturing apparatus having a supply means for supplying to the first classification means, the crushing means is positioned in front of the accelerating tube for conveying and accelerating the supplied coarse powder by a high-pressure gas. It has a coarse powder supply port for supplying coarse powder into the accelerating pipe and a pulverizing chamber for finely pulverizing the coarse powder, and the crushing chamber is provided with a collision facing the opening surface of the outlet of the accelerating pipe. A collision member having a surface,
A side wall is further provided for further crushing the coarse pulverized material crushed by the collision member by collision, and the closest distance between the side wall and the edge of the collision member is the front wall of the crushing chamber facing the collision surface. And a distance closest to the edge of the collision member, and the first classifying unit is a classifying unit using a forced vortex. 6. The toner manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the accelerating tube is installed such that the inclination of the accelerating tube in the major axis direction is 0 ° to 45 ° with respect to the vertical line. 7. The toner manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the accelerating tube is installed such that the inclination of the accelerating tube in the major axis direction is 0 ° to 20 ° with respect to the vertical line. 8. The toner manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the accelerating tube is installed such that the inclination of the accelerating tube in the major axis direction is 0 ° to 5 ° with respect to the vertical line. 9. The toner manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a crushed material discharge port for discharging the crushed material to be crushed is provided in the subsequent stage of the collision member.