Abstract: A binder obtained by a process having the steps of mixing components (a) to (c): (a) a starting material monomer mixture of two different polymerization reactions, each of the polymerization reactions being carried out in an independent reaction path; (b) a compound which can react with both of the starting material monomers of the two different polymerization reactions; and (c) a releasing agent; and carrying out both of the two different polymerization reactions in one reaction vessel. A toner for developing an electrostatic image including the above binder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an encapsulated toner for heat-and-pressure fixing having a heat-fusible core material containing at least a thermoplastic resin and a coloring agent and a shell formed thereon so as to cover the surface of the core material. An amorphous polyester is used as the main component of the shell, and the amount of the amorphous polyester is normally 3 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the core material. The encapsulated toner of the present invention is excellent in offset resistance, fixable even at a low temperature and excellent in blocking resistance when it is used for heat-and-pressure fixing using a heat roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying a variety of products for effectively processing and carrying plural kinds of works such as semiconductor wafers includes a plurality of processing stations for processing plural kinds of works, a carriage system for carrying plural kinds of works, and a transfer system for delivering works between the carriage system and a processing station. A method for carrying a variety of products is realized in which the carriage system simultaneously carries plural kinds of works between the plurality of processing stations and stops at a predetermined position of the transfer system, whereas the transfer system identifies and delivers the desired kind of work to and from the carriage system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an encapsulated toner for heat-and-pressure fixing having a heat-fusible core material containing at least a thermoplastic resin and a coloring agent and a shell formed thereon so as to cover the surface of the core material. An amorphous polyester is used as the main component of the shell, and the amount of the amorphous polyester is normally 3 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the core material. The encapsulated toner of the present invention is excellent in offset resistance, fixable even at a low temperature and excellent in blocking resistance when it is used for heat-and-pressure fixing using a heat roller.

Abstract: The method of producing a binder resin has the steps of blending in advance (a) a starting material monomer mixture for two polymerization reaction types, (b) a compound which can react with both of starting material monomers for the two polymerization reaction types, and (c) a tricarboxylic or higher polycarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, the two polymerization reaction types having independent reaction paths to each other in one reaction vessel; and concurrently carrying out the two polymerization reactions in one reaction vessel to give the binder resin. According to the present invention, the binder resin which has an excellent environmental stability in the tribo electric charge and the image quality, and also has good pulverizability and transparency can be produced. Moreover, in a fixing method using a heat roller, fixing at a low temperature can be performed without using an offset inhibiting liquid.