Patent ID: 8652747
Filing Date: 2014-02-18
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A continuous chemical toner process for producing a toner particle no greater than about 4 μm in size comprising: (a) mixing one or more latexes, an optional colorant, an optional wax and an optional surfactant to produce a toner reaction mixture comprising particles; (b) adding said mixture to a twin screw extruder, wherein said extruder comprises plural ports along the length of said extruder tar reagent introduction and plural ports along the length of said extruder for reactant monitoring, and wherein movement of said twin screws moves said mixture along the length of said extruder; (c) adjusting pH of said mixture to about 4; (d) adding an aggregating agent to said mixture at a pH of about 4; (e) increasing temperature of said mixture to no more than about 48° C.; (f) transporting said mixture along the length of said extruder to aggregate said particles to form aggregate particles; optional formation of a shell on said aggregated particles; freezing aggregation of said aggregated particles; and coalescence of said aggregated particles to form toner particles within said extruder; (g) expelling the coalesced particles from said extruder and quenching said toner particles; and optionally one or more of (h) sizing said quenched toner particles; (i) washing said quenched or sized toner particles; or (j) drying said quenched, sized or washed toner particles, wherein the resulting toner particles are no greater than about 4 μm in size.