Abstract: The disclosure describes an emulsion aggregation toner process wherein aspartic acid derivatives are employed as chelating agents. Also disclosed is a process for preparing toner using aspartic acid derivatives to freeze/stop toner particle growth where coalescence occurs following acidification of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Continuous and semi-continuous emulsion aggregation processes for the production of toner particles are presented.

Abstract: A process for making emulsion aggregation (EA) toners is provided. In embodiments, the process comprises aggregating a mixture comprising a latex resin, and at least one colorant in a reactor to form aggregated toner particles, adding a shell resin to form a shell over the aggregated toner particles, coalescing the aggregated toner particles, and recovering the toner particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes toner comprising a portion of resin comprising a polyethylene terephthalate oligomer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes toner that is composed substantially of biodegradable and recycled materials.

Abstract: A process comprising: contacting at least one bio-based amorphous polyester resin with an optional plasticizer to form a pre-blend mixture; neutralizing the pre-blend mixture with a neutralizing agent; contacting the pre-blend mixture with a surfactant; melt-mixing the pre-blend mixture; contacting the melt-mixed mixture with de-ionized water to form an oil in water emulsion possessing a latex; and recovering the latex.

Abstract: A continuous emulsion aggregation process for the production of particles is presented including a plurality of continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR). The plurality of continuous stirred-tank reactors includes a first reactor and a second reactor for facilitating an aggregation process; a third reactor for facilitating a shell addition process; a fourth reactor for facilitating a freeze process; a fifth reactor for facilitating a chelating process; a sixth reactor for facilitating a ramp-up process; and a seventh reactor for facilitating a coalescence process. The reactors are sequentially assembled in a series configuration, each of the reactors cooperating with an overhead stirrer. In other embodiments, a CSTR system of the present disclosure possesses five reactors sequentially assembled in a series configuration to form toner particles.

Abstract: A continuous emulsion aggregation process for the production of particles is presented including a plurality of continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR). The plurality of continuous stirred-tank reactors includes at least one feed tank of raw materials, at least one reactor for facilitating cold addition, at least two reactors for facilitating an aggregation process, at least one reactor for facilitating a shell addition process; at least one reactor for facilitating a freeze process, at least one reactor for facilitating a chelating process, at least one reactor for facilitating a ramp-up process and at least one reactor for facilitating a coalescence process, wherein the reactors are sequentially assembled in a series configuration and separated by short conduits to produce toner particles that are narrowly distributed.

Abstract: A toner composition including a colorant-polyester polymer having at least one colorant and at least one polyester resin, an optional non-colorant polyester polymer, an optional additional colorant, an optional wax, and an optional additive, where the colorant is covalently linked to some or all of the polyester resin and the polyester resin is obtained by polymerizing a lactone using an enzyme catalyst. Methods for preparing a toner composition including an emulsion aggregation process.

Abstract: A method of making a toner that includes adding pigments into an emulsion aggregation toner without first preparing a pigment dispersion. The method eliminates the pigment dispersion step in the manufacture of emulsion aggregation toilers by surface-treating pigments. Dry surface-treated pigments can be directly incorporated into the toner prior to aggregation in the aggregation coalescence process without the need to first prepare aqueous pigment dispersions.

Abstract: An economical and environmentally friendly method for producing waxes. In particular, the methods use thermolytic degradation concurrently with a distillation process to obtaining distilled waxes from recycled polyethylene. The resulting waxes have desirable properties, such as reduced molecular weight and narrow polydispersity, that makes the waxes useful in various applications.

Abstract: The present teachings describe an apparatus for mixing developer. The apparatus includes a first loader for dispensing a predetermined amount of toner particles into a container and a second loader for dispensing a predetermined amount and carrier particles in the container. A sealer seals the container. An acoustic mixer is provided for mixing the container, toner particles and carrier particles at a resonant frequency. A method of mixing developer is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting at least one amorphous polyester resin with a viscosity reducing additive in the absence of an organic solvent to form a resin mixture either via an extruder or batch process, and adding a surfactant, neutralizing agent, and deionized water to the resin mixture.

Abstract: A screw extruder is presented including a feed hopper for receiving materials and a body member having at least one supply port and at least one outlet port. The screw extruder also includes a screw positioned within the body member and movable along a channel defining a longitudinal axis. The screw extruder further includes a drive shaft for rotatably driving the screw along the channel. The screw extruder may be configured to mix the materials received via the feed hopper with a series of one or more forward, neutral, and reverse kneading elements.

Abstract: Toners are provided, which possess low melt properties capable of producing a low gloss finish. The toners include a core and a shell. The shell includes a crystalline resin. The core may include at least one amorphous resin, an optional crystalline resin, an optional wax, and an optional colorant.

Abstract: A process for making a self-emulsifying granule suitable for use in forming latex emulsions includes contacting a resin with a solid or highly concentrated surfactant, a solid neutralization agent and water in the absence of an organic solvent to form a mixture, melt mixing the mixture, and forming self-emulsifying granules of the melt mixed mixture. Self-emulsifying granules are also provided and configured to form a latex emulsion when added to water, which may then be utilized to form a toner.

Abstract: A custom color toner production system includes a toner delivery system, a cartridge sealing system, a mixing system, and a packaging system. The toner delivery system includes selectively engageable fluid delivery lines for delivering toner of particular color to a cartridge as need for producing a custom color toner in response to an electronically submitted user request. Cartridge containing the unmixed delivered toner may be sealed by a sealing system, and blended using a resonant mixer to produce a custom color toner. The cartridge containing the mixed custom color toner may be packaged using a packaging system.

Abstract: A process for making emulsion aggregation (EA) toners is provided. In embodiments, the process comprises aggregating a mixture comprising a latex resin, and at least one colorant in a reactor to form aggregated toner particles, adding a shell resin to form a shell over the aggregated toner particles, coalescing the aggregated toner particles, and recovering the toner particles.

Abstract: A toner comprising a branched polyester suitable for use in solvent-free emulsification, the branched polyester having a first original weight average molecular weight before undergoing solvent-free emulsification and a second weight average molecular weight after undergoing solvent-free emulsification, wherein the branched polyester has a structure that limits degradation of the polyester during solvent-free emulsification to less than about 20 percent of the first original weight average molecular weight, wherein the branched polyester comprises a compound of the formula described; an optional wax, and an optional colorant.

Abstract: A process comprising: contacting at least one bio-based amorphous polyester resin with an optional plasticizer to form a pre-blend mixture; neutralizing the pre-blend mixture with a neutralizing agent; contacting the pre-blend mixture with a surfactant; melt-mixing the pre-blend mixture; contacting the melt-mixed mixture with de-ionized water to form an oil in water emulsion possessing a latex; and recovering the latex.