Patents by Inventor Tatsuhiko Chiba

Tatsuhiko Chiba 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).

  • Patent number: 7560212
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic toner which is hardly influenced by an environment, and with which an image with high quality and excellent resolution can be stably even under low humidity. In the magnetic toner of present invention: I) a ratio of an iron element content to a carbon element content present on the toner particle surface is less than 0.0010; II) 50 number % or more of toner particles satisfy a relationship of D/C?0.02 (C: projected area diameter of toner particles, D: minimum value for a distance between a magnetic iron oxide fine particle and the toner particle surface); and III) 40-95 number % of toner particles satisfy a structure where 70 number % or more of the magnetic iron oxide fine particles in the respective toner particles are present up to a depth of 0.2 time as far as C from the toner particle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Eriko Yanase, Takeshi Kaburagi
  • Publication number: 20080171277
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic toner which is hardly influenced by an environment, and with which an image with high quality and excellent resolution can be stably even under low humidity. In the magnetic toner of present invention: I) a ratio of an iron element content to a carbon element content present on the toner particle surface is less than 0.0010; II) 50 number % or more of toner particles satisfy a relationship of D/C?0.02 (C: projected area diameter of toner particles, D: minimum value for a distance between a magnetic iron oxide fine particle and the toner particle surface); and III) 40-95 number % of toner particles satisfy a structure where 70 number % or more of the magnetic iron oxide fine particles in the respective toner particles are present up to a depth of 0.2 time as far as C from the toner particle surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Eriko Yanase, Takeshi Kaburagi
  • Patent number: 7371494
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic toner which is hardly influenced by an environment, and with which an image with high quality and excellent resolution can be stably even under low humidity. In the magnetic toner of present invention: I) a ratio of an iron element content to a carbon element content present on the toner particle surface is less than 0.0010; II) 50 number % or more of toner particles satisfy a relationship of D/C?0.02 (C: projected area diameter of toner particles, D: minimum value for a distance between a magnetic iron oxide fine particle and the toner particle surface); and III) 40-95 number % of toner particles satisfy a structure where 70 number % or more of the magnetic iron oxide fine particles in the respective toner particles are present up to a depth of 0.2 time as far as C from the toner particle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Eriko Yanase, Takeshi Kaburagi
  • Patent number: 7043175
    Abstract: In an image forming system, an image-bearing member having a photoconductor layer comprising an Si-based non-single crystal material is charged at a relatively low potential of 250 to 600 volts by a contact charging member in the presence of electroconductive fine powder. An electrostatic latent image formed on the image-bearing member is developed with a magnetic toner which includes magnetic toner particles comprising at least a binder resin and a magnetic iron oxide, and inorganic fine powder and electroconductive fine powder present at the surface of the magnetic toner particles. The magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3-10 ?m and an average circularity of 0.950 to 0.995, and contains 0.05 to 3.00% of isolated iron-containing particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Akira Hashimoto, Takeshi Kaburagi
  • Publication number: 20050089785
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic toner which is hardly influenced by an environment, and with which an image with high quality and excellent resolution can be stably even under low humidity. In the magnetic toner of present invention: I) a ratio of an iron element content to a carbon element content present on the toner particle surface is less than 0.0010; II) 50 number % or more of toner particles satisfy a relationship of D/C?0.02 (C: projected area diameter of toner particles, D: minimum value for a distance between a magnetic iron oxide fine particle and the toner particle surface); and III) 40-95 number % of toner particles satisfy a structure where 70 number % or more of the magnetic iron oxide fine particles in the respective toner particles are present up to a depth of 0.2 time as far as C from the toner particle surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Eriko Yanase, Takeshi Kaburagi
  • Patent number: 6879793
    Abstract: To provide a method for forming images in which the image bearing member and the toner carrying member are arranged with a gap of 100 ?m to 250 ?m, and the equation (1) and equation (2) are satisfied. (1) 22?(the frequency of the alternating current component of the alternating electric field/the peripheral speed of the toner carrying member)×the maximum electric field intensity at the time of developing?1.20. (2) 8?(the frequency of the alternating current component of the alternating electric field/the peripheral speed of toner carrying member)×(the fluidity index of Carr/the floodability index of Carr)?50. According to the method for forming images of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a high quality image without generating fog and light shielding while attaining a uniform halftone with a high image density even over long-term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Keiji Komoto, Kaori Hiratsuka, Takeshi Kaburagi
  • Publication number: 20040018028
    Abstract: To provide an method for forming image in which the image bearing member and the toner carrying member are arranged with a gap of 100 &mgr;m to 250 &mgr;m; equation (1) and equation (2) are satisfied: (1) 22≦(the frequency of the alternating current component of the alternating electric field/the peripheral speed of the toner carrying member)×the maximum electric field intensity at the time of developing≦120; (2) 8≦(the frequency of the alternating current component of the alternating electric field/the peripheral speed of toner carrying member)×(the fluidity index of Carr/the floodability index of Carr)≦50. According to method for forming image of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a high quality image without generating fog and light shielding while attaining a uniform halftone with a high image density even in a long-term use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Keiji Komoto, Kaori Hiratsuka, Takeshi Kaburagi
  • Patent number: 6653035
    Abstract: A magnetic toner exhibiting stable performances under various environmental conditions is formed of toner particles each comprising at least a binder resin and iron oxide dispersed therein. Relative to the dry specific gravity (A) of the magnetic toner, the magnetic toner is characterized by a specific gravity distribution of toner particle fractions obtainable through wet sedimentation and including: at most 15 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×1.000 and at most (A)×1.025, 0.1-20 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×0.975 and at most (A)×1.000, at least 30 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×0.950 and at most (A)×0.975, 0.1-20 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×0.925 and at most (A)×0.950, and at most 15 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×0.900 and at most (A)×0.925.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Tatsuya Nakamura, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Akira Hashimoto, Takeshi Kaburagi, Eriko Yanase
  • Patent number: 6638674
    Abstract: A magnetic toner is formed of magnetic toner particles each comprising a binder resin, an iron oxide, a sulfur-containing polymer, and inorganic fine powder blended with the magnetic toner particles, the toner having a weight-average particle size (D4) of 3-10 &mgr;m, and either (a) an average circularity of at least 0.970, and a magnetization of 10-50 Am2/kg (emu/g) at a magnetic field of 79.6 kA/m (1000 oersted), or (b) toner particles which retain carbon in an amount of A and iron in an amount of B at surfaces thereof, satisfying: B/A<0.001, and containing at least 50% by number of magnetic toner particles of D/C≦0.02, wherein C represents a particle projection area-equivalent circle diameter and D represents a minimum distance between a surface of the magnetic toner particle and iron oxide particles contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Akira Hashimoto, Takeshi Kaburagi, Eriko Yanase
  • Patent number: 6635398
    Abstract: A dry toner has toner particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant and a wax component and an external additive. The binder resin contains a component derived from a monomer selected from butadiene, isoprene and chloroprene. The toner has a main Tg from 40° C. to 70° C. When specific surface area measured by the BET method in an environment of 23° C. atmospheric temperature and 65% relative humidity is represented by A (m2/g) and specific surface area measured by the BET method in an environment of 50° C. atmospheric temperature and 3% relative humidity is represented by B (m2/g), the toner satisfies the following relationship: 0.8≦A≦4.0, 0.80≦(B/A)≦1.05. The toner has a circle-corresponding number-average particle diameter D1 from 2 to 10 &mgr;m, an average circularity from 0.950 to 0.995 and a circularity standard deviation less than 0.040. The toner has a main-peak molecular weight from 2,000 to 100,000 and contains a THF-insoluble matter from 5 to 60% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Tsutomu Kukimoto, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Akira Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6596452
    Abstract: A magnetic toner comprising magnetic toner particles containing at least a binder resin, a magnetic material containing a magnetic iron oxide, and a release agent. The magnetic toner has a weight-average particle diameter of from 3 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m, a magnetization intensity (saturation magnetization) of from 10 Am2/kg to 50 Am2/kg (emu/g) under application of a magnetic field of 79.6 kA/m (1,000 oersteds), an average circularity of 0.970 or more, a ratio of weight-average particle diameter to number-average particle diameter, of 1.40 or less, iron and an iron compound which stand liberated from the magnetic toner particles at a liberation percentage of from 0.05% to 3.00%, and a resin component having a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble matter in an amount of from 3% by weight to 60% by weight. Also disclosed is an image-forming method making use of the magnetic toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michihisa Magome, Tsutomu Kukimoto, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Akira Hashimoto, Keiji Komoto
  • Patent number: 6544708
    Abstract: An image forming method using a dry toner and exhibiting good quick-start and power economization characteristics is provided. The image forming method includes a heat-pressure fixing step using a rotatable electromagnetic induction heat-generation type heating member. The toner used therein is characterized by a moisture content of at most 3.00 wt. %, and viscoelasticities as represented by a storage modulus at 110° C. of G′ (110° C.) and a storage modulus at 140° C. of G′ (140° C.) satisfying: G′ (110° C.)≦1.00×106 dN/m2, and G′ (140° C.)≧7.00×103 dN/m3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Hiroaki Kawakami, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Atsuyoshi Abe, Yuji Moriki, Michihisa Magome, Satoshi Handa, Kiyokazu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030064309
    Abstract: A magnetic toner exhibiting stable performances under various environmental conditions is formed of toner particles each comprising at least a binder resin and iron oxide dispersed therein. Relative to the dry specific gravity (A) of the magnetic toner, the magnetic toner is characterized by a specific gravity distribution of toner particle fractions obtainable through wet sedimentation and including: at most 15 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×1.000 and at most (A)×1.025, 0.1-20 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×0.975 and at most (A)×1.000, at least 30 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×0.950 and at most (A)×0.975, 0.1-20 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×0.925 and at most (A)×0.950, and at most 15 wt. % of a fraction having a specific gravity of above (A)×0.900 and at most (A)×0.925.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Tatsuya Nakamura, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Akira Hashimoto, Takeshi Kaburagi, Eriko Yanase
  • Patent number: 6465144
    Abstract: A magnetic toner includes: magnetic toner particles each comprising at least a binder resin and magnetic toner, and inorganic fine powder. The magnetic toner has an average circularity of at least 0.970, and a magnetization of 10-50 Am2/kg at a magnetic field of 79.6 kA/m. The magnetic powder comprises at least magnetic iron oxide. The magnetic toner particles retain carbon in an amount of A and iron in an amount of B at surfaces thereof as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, satisfying: B/A<0.001. The binder resin comprises a resin formed by polymerization of a monomer comprising at least styrene monomer. The magnetic toner has a residual styrene monomer content of less than 300 ppm, and contains at least 50% by number of toner particles satisfying a relationship of: D/C≦0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Hashimoto, Kenji Okado, Tsutomu Kukimoto, Tatsuya Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Keiji Komoto
  • Patent number: 6447969
    Abstract: A toner is formed of toner particles each comprising a binder resin and iron oxide particles dispersed therein. The toner particles are characterized by uniform but non-surface-exposed dispersion of the iron oxide particles within the toner particles as represented by (i) a carbon content (A) and an iron content (B) giving a ratio B/A<0.001 at surfaces of the toner particles as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, (ii) an average circularity of at least 0.970, and (iii) at least 50% by number of toner particles satisfying D/C≦0.02, wherein C denotes a projection area-equivalent circular diameter of each toner particle and D denotes a minimum distance of iron oxide particles from a surface of the toner particle, based on a sectional view of the toner particle as observed through a transmission electron microscope (TEM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Ito, Tsutomu Kukimoto, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Akira Hashimoto, Keiji Komoto
  • Publication number: 20020115011
    Abstract: In an image forming system, an image-bearing member having a photoconductor layer comprising an Si-based non-single crystal material is charged at a relatively low potential of 250 to 600 volts by a contact charging member in the presence of electroconductive fine powder. An electrostatic latent image formed on the image-bearing member is developed with a magnetic toner which includes magnetic toner particles comprising at least a binder resin and a magnetic iron oxide, and inorganic fine powder and electroconductive fine powder present at the surface of the magnetic toner particles. The magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3-10 &mgr;m and an average circularity of 0.950 to 0.995, and contains 0.05 to 3.00 % of isolated iron-containing particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Akira Hashimoto, Takeshi Kaburagi
  • Publication number: 20020055052
    Abstract: A magnetic toner capable of exhibiting stable chargeability regardless of environmental change is formed of magnetic toner particles each comprising at least a binder resin, an iron oxide and a sulfur-containing polymer, and inorganic fine powder blended with the magnetic toner particles. The magnetic toner is also provided with good developing performance and high transferability by satisfying a weight-average particle size (D4) of 3-10 &mgr;m, an average circularity of at least 0.970, and a magnetization of 10-50 Am2/kg (emu/g) at a magnetic field of 79.6 kA/m (1000 oersted). The magnetic toner is further characterized in that the magnetic toner particles retain carbon in an amount of A and iron in an amount of B at surfaces thereof as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, satisfying: B/A<0.001, and the magnetic toner contains at least 50% by number of magnetic toner particles satisfying a relationship of D/C≦0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Akira Hashimoto, Takeshi Kaburagi, Eriko Yanase
  • Publication number: 20020048713
    Abstract: An image forming method using a dry toner and exhibiting good quick-start and power economization characteristics is provided. The image forming method includes a heat-pressure fixing step using a rotatable electromagnetic induction heat-generation type heating member. The toner used therein is characterized by a moisture content of at most 3.00 wt. %, and viscoelasticities as represented by a storage modulus at 110° C. of G′ (110° C.) and a storage modulus at 140° C. of G′ (140° C.) satisfying: G′ (110° C.)≦1.00×106 dN/m2, and G′ (140° C.)≧7.00×103 dN/m3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Keiji Komoto, Hiroaki Kawakami, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Atsuyoshi Abe, Yuji Moriki, Michihisa Magome, Satoshi Handa, Kiyokazu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020009661
    Abstract: A magnetic toner includes: magnetic toner particles each comprising at least a binder resin and magnetic toner, and inorganic fine powder. The magnetic toner has an average circularity of at least 0.970, and a magnetization of 10-50 Am2/kg at a magnetic field of 79.6 kA/m. The magnetic powder comprises at least magnetic iron oxide. The magnetic toner particles retain carbon in an amount of A and iron in an amount of B at surfaces thereof as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, satisfying: B/A<0.001. The binder resin comprises a resin formed by polymerization of a monomer comprising at least styrene monomer. The magnetic toner has a residual styrene monomer content of less than 300 ppm, and contains at least 50% by number of toner particles satisfying a relationship of: D/C≦0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Akira Hashimoto, Kenji Okado, Tsutomu Kukimoto, Tatsuya Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Michihisa Magome, Keiji Komoto
  • Publication number: 20010028988
    Abstract: A magnetic toner comprising magnetic toner particles containing at least a binder resin, a magnetic material containing a magnetic ion oxide, and a release agent. The magnetic toner has a weight-average particle diameter of from 3 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m, a magnetization intensity (saturation magnetization) of from 10 Am2/kg to 50 Am2/kg (emu/g) under application of a magnetic field of 79.6 kA/m (1,000 oersteds), an average circularity of 0.970 or more, a ratio of weight-average particle diameter to number-average particle diameter, of 1.40 or less, iron and an iron compound which stand liberated from the magnetic toner particles at a liberation percentage of from 0.05% to 3.00%, and a resin component having a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble matter in an amount of from 3% by weight to 60% by weight. Also disclosed is an image-forming method making use of the magnetic toner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Michihisa Magome, Tsutomu Kukimoto, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tatsuhiko Chiba, Akira Hashimoto, Keiji Komoto