Patents by Inventor Eiji Shirai

Eiji Shirai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100139013
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin for use in a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which is excellent in dyeability with dyes and releasability of the sheet, a resin dispersion using the resin, and a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet. The resin for a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet is obtained by addition polymerizing and condensation polymerizing (a) raw monomers of a polyester, (b) a raw monomer of an addition polymer-based resin containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of styrene and styrene derivatives and (c) at least one dually reactive monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and derivatives of these acids, wherein the raw monomers (a) of a polyester include an alcohol component containing 80 mol % or more of an alkyleneoxide adduct of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ban, Eiji Shirai, Nobumichi Kamiyoshi, Yuuta Matsumoto, Takashi Mukai
  • Publication number: 20100136469
    Abstract: A toner containing a resin binder containing two kinds of polyesters having softening points that differ by 10° C. or more, a colorant and a charge control agent, wherein the two kinds of polyesters contain a polyester A having a softening point of from 105° to 140° C. and a glass transition temperature of from 30° to 55° C., and a polyester B having a softening point of from 140° to 170° C. and a glass transition temperature of exceeding 55° C. and 80° C. or lower. The toner of the present invention is usable in, for example, development of latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisakazu TAJIMA, Kohei Katayama, Eiji Shirai, Akihiro Eida
  • Patent number: 7718754
    Abstract: A promoter for a polycondensation reaction used together with a catalyst in a polycondensation reaction, the promoter for a polycondensation reaction comprising a pyrogallol compound having a benzene ring of which three hydrogen atoms adjacent to each other are substituted by hydroxyl groups; and a polycondensation resin obtained by polycondensing raw material monomers using the promoter as defined above and the catalyst. A polycondensation resin can be produced using the promoter of the present invention together with a catalyst in a polycondensation reaction, and the polycondensation resin can be used in various applications including, for example, films, sheets, fibers, toner materials for electrophotography, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Yoshitomo Kimura, Yasunori Inagaki, Takashi Kubo, Naoki Morita, Ryo Koike, Hiromi Iida
  • Publication number: 20100055595
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner for electrophotography including a polyester obtained by subjecting a crystalline polyester-containing aqueous dispersion and a non-crystalline polyester-containing aqueous dispersion to aggregation and coalescence, as a resin binder, wherein the crystalline polyester is produced by polycondensing an alcohol component containing 70 mol % or more of an aliphatic diol having 2 to 8 carbon atoms with a carboxylic acid component containing 50 mol % or more of terephthalic acid. The toner is excellent in low-temperature fusing ability and pressure storage stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Takashi Kubo, Hiroshi Mizuhata, Shoichi Murata
  • Publication number: 20090117482
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner for electrophotography containing a resin binder, a colorant, and a clay-organic complex obtained by intercalating into a smectite clay a quaternary ammonium salt represented by the formula (A): [(R1)3(R2)N]+.X???(A) wherein R1 and R2 are not identical; R1 is an alkyl group, alkenyl group, or alkynyl group, each having 4 to 24 carbon atoms; R2 is an alkyl group, alkenyl group, or alkynyl group, each having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and X? is an anion. The toner for electrophotography of the present invention is suitably used for, for example, developing a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Satoshi Kunii
  • Patent number: 7528218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester for a toner, obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component containing an alkylsuccinic acid having 10 or more carbon atoms, an alkenylsuccinic acid having 10 or more carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof, in an amount of from 0.5 to 50% by mole, wherein each of 6-methyl-2-heptanone and 5-methyl-2-heptanone is detected in an amount of 0.5 ppm or less as determined by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The polyester for a toner of the present invention is used as a resin binder, or the like, for a toner used, for example, for developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Tetsuya Ueno
  • Publication number: 20090036635
    Abstract: A promoter for a polycondensation reaction used together with a catalyst in a polycondensation reaction, the promoter for a polycondensation reaction comprising a pyrogallol compound having a benzene ring of which three hydrogen atoms adjacent to each other are substituted by hydroxyl groups; and a polycondensation resin obtained by polycondensing raw material monomers using the promoter as defined above and the catalyst. A polycondensation resin can be produced using the promoter of the present invention together with a catalyst in a polycondensation reaction, and the polycondensation resin can be used in various applications including, for example, films, sheets, fibers, toner materials for electrophotography, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji SHIRAI, Yoshitomo Kimura, Yasunori Inagaki, Takashi Kubo, Naoki Morita, Ryo Koike, Hiromi Iida
  • Publication number: 20080182194
    Abstract: A polyester for a toner having a softening point of from 70° to 110° C. and a glass transition temperature of from 38° to 60° C., obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component containing a propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A and an ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A in a total amount of 80% by mole or more, with a carboxylic acid component, wherein the propylene oxide adduct has an average number of moles of from 2.0 to 2.4, and the ethylene oxide adduct has an average number of moles of from 2.5 to 4.2. The polyester for a toner of the present invention is suitably used as a resin binder of a toner, or the like, used for, for example, developing a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji SHIRAI, Yoshitomo KIMURA, Yasunori INAGAKI
  • Patent number: 7390605
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin binder for toner, containing a crystalline polyester having a softening point of 80° to 130° C., containing a resin obtained by polycondensation of an alcohol component comprising 70% by mol or more of an aliphatic diol having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and a carboxylic acid component comprising 70% by mol or more of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid compound; and an amorphous polyester-based resin containing a resin containing a polyester component obtained by polycondensation of an alcohol component comprising 70% by mol or more of an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, represented by the formula (I): wherein R is an alkylene group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms; x and y are a positive number; and the sum of x and y is from 1 to 16, and a carboxylic acid component, wherein the weight ratio of the crystalline polyester to the amorphous polyester-based resin is from 5/95 to 50/50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Shirai
  • Patent number: 7387863
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystalline polyester for toner, obtained by polycondensation of an alcohol component comprising 70% by mol or more of 1,6-hexanediol, and a carboxylic acid component comprising 70% by mol or more of an aromatic carboxylic acid compound. The crystalline polyester for toner of the present invention is used as a resin binder for a toner used, for instance, for developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Takashi Kubo, Takashi Okuno
  • Patent number: 7385002
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a resin binder for toner, comprising the steps of (A) carrying out an addition polymerization reaction of addition polymerization resin monomers including styrene in the presence or absence of an organic solvent; and (B) mixing the resulting reaction mixture from the step (A) with water at a rate of 0.002 to 0.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the addition polymerization resin monomers per minute at a temperature of 100° to 300° C. during and/or after the step (A), wherein the amount of water to be mixed in the step (B) is 0.1 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the addition polymerization resin monomers. The resin binder for a toner obtained according to the present invention can be used, for instance, for developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, and the like, and a toner containing the resin binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Tetsuya Ueno
  • Patent number: 7351510
    Abstract: A toner for electrophotography, containing a low-softening point polyester-based resin having a softening point of from 80° to 120° C.; and a high-softening point polyester-based resin having a softening point of higher than 120° C. and 160° C. or lower, wherein the low-softening point polyester-based resin has a viscosity at 160° C. of from 500 to 10000 Pa·s, and a ratio of viscosity at 140° C. to viscosity at 180° C. is 10 or less, and wherein a weight ratio of the low-softening point polyester-based resin to the high-softening point polyester-based resin is from 20/80 to 90/10. The toner for electrophotography of the present invention is used for, for instance, developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Tetsuya Ueno, Yasunori Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20070207401
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a toner including the steps of melt-kneading raw materials containing two or more kinds of polyesters, heat-treating a melt-kneaded product, pulverizing a heat-treated product, and classifying a pulverized product, wherein the two or more kinds of polyesters contain at least one kind of an amorphous polyester, and the heat-treating step is carried out at a temperature t (° C.) and time h (hour) satisfying the following formulas (a) and (b), Tg1?t?Tm?10??(a) h?100/(t?30), with proviso that t>30??(b) wherein Tg1 is a glass transition temperature (° C.) of the melt-kneaded product before the heat-treating step; and Tm is the lowest softening point (° C.) of softening points of the two or more kinds of polyesters, and the toner produced by the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Shirai
  • Publication number: 20070135615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester for a toner, obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component containing an alkylsuccinic acid having 10 or more carbon atoms, an alkenylsuccinic acid having 10 or more carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof, in an amount of from 0.5 to 50% by mole, wherein each of 6-methyl-2-heptanone and 5-methyl-2-heptanone is detected in an amount of 0.5 ppm or less as determined by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The polyester for a toner of the present invention is used as a resin binder, or the like, for a toner used, for example, for developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Tetsuya Ueno
  • Publication number: 20070093597
    Abstract: A polyester resin composition for a toner comprising a titanium compound in an amount of from 0.005 to 4% by weight, and an inorganic phosphorus compound in an amount of from 0.001 to 5% by weight; a toner comprising the polyester resin composition as defined above; and a process for preparing the polyester resin composition for a toner as defined above, comprising the step of polycondensing the raw material monomers for the polyester in the presence of a titanium compound and an inorganic phosphorus compound. The polyester resin composition for a toner is suitably used as a resin binder for a toner for developing a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like, a process for preparing the same, and a toner comprising the polyester resin composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi KUBO, Katsutoshi Aoki, Eiji Shirai
  • Patent number: 7208563
    Abstract: A crystalline polyester prepared by polycondensing an alcohol component comprising 1,6-hexanediol in an amount of 60% by mol or more, with a carboxylic acid component comprising fumaric acid in an amount of 60% by mol or more, wherein the crystalline polyester has a ratio of a softening point to the maximum peak temperature of heat of fusion is from 0.6 to 1.3, and wherein a tetrahydrofuran-soluble component of the crystalline polyester has a number-average molecular weight of from 1500 to 10000, and the crystalline polyester has a softening point of from 50° to 120° C.; a resin binder for a toner comprising the crystalline polyester; and a toner comprising the resin binder. The crystalline polyester can be used as a resin binder for a toner used, for example, for developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Shirai
  • Patent number: 7205357
    Abstract: A polyester resin composition for a toner comprising a titanium compound in an amount of from 0.005 to 4% by weight, and an inorganic phosphorus compound in an amount of from 0.001 to 5% by weight; a toner comprising the polyester resin composition as defined above; and a process for preparing the polyester resin composition for a toner as defined above, comprising the step of polycondensing the raw material monomers for the polyester in the presence of a titanium compound and an inorganic phosphorus compound. The polyester resin composition for a toner is suitably used as a resin binder for a toner for developing a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like, a process for preparing the same, and a toner comprising the polyester resin composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kubo, Katsutoshi Aoki, Eiji Shirai
  • Publication number: 20060222995
    Abstract: A method of forming fixed images, including the step of applying a two-component developer containing a carrier and a toner containing a wax and a resin binder containing a crystalline polyester to a two-component development device with a linear speed of from 500 to 5,000 mm/sec, to develop the toner, wherein the crystalline polyester is contained in an amount of from 3 to 40% by weight and the wax in an amount of from 2.5 to 10% by weight, of the toner, and wherein the two-component development device comprises at least three magnet rollers which are arranged closely to each other along the perimeter of a photoconductor, wherein one magnet roller arranged on the uppermost side in the rotational direction of the photoconductor rotates in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the photoconductor at the point therebetween, and the other magnet rollers rotate in the same direction as the photoconductor at the point therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Moriyama, Yoshihiro Fukushima, Takashi Kubo, Yutaka Kanamaru, Eiji Shirai
  • Patent number: 7041422
    Abstract: A resin binder for a toner comprising a crystalline polyester having a ratio of a softening point to a maximum peak temperature of heat of fusion (softening point/peak temperature) of from 0.6 to 1.3, wherein the crystalline polyester is prepared by polycondensing a monomer mixture comprising 0.1 to 10% by mol of at least one monovalent aliphatic compound selected from the group consisting of a monovalent aliphatic carboxylic acid compound having 10 to 24 carbon atoms and a monovalent aliphatic alcohol having 10 to 24 carbon atoms; a toner comprising a resin composition comprising the resin binder as defined in above; and a method for fixing a toner, wherein the toner as defined in above is applied to a heat-and-pressure fixing method. The toner comprising the above resin binder is used for developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Hiroyuki Kawaji
  • Patent number: 6998212
    Abstract: A crystalline polyester having a number-average molecular weight of from 5000 to 10000, a weight-average molecular weight of from 150000 to 8000000, a maximum peak temperature of heat of fusion of from 60° to 150° C., and a ratio of a softening point to a maximum peak temperature of heat of fusion (softening point/peak temperature) of from 0.6 to 1.3. The crystalline polyester can be used as a resin binder for a toner used for developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Shirai, Katsutoshi Aoki