Method and apparatus for manufacturing developer, and developer

Abstract

The invention provides a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a developer, which can manufacture a developer having a uniform and fine particle shape in a narrow particle size distribution and having a coloring agent highly dispersed therein at the primary particle level, the method and apparatus at the same time enabling continuous and efficient production without opening and closing a reactor. The method comprises the steps of: dissolving a binding resin component in a supercritical or subcritical fluid so that the binding resin component is blended with a coloring agent component; and reducing the solubility of the binding resin component in the supercritical or subcritical fluid so that the binding resin component is precipitated in the form of particles with the coloring agent component dispersed in the interior thereof. In the aforementioned method and apparatus, the reactor provided with at least a stirring mechanism and a mechanism for discharging dissolved components has a developer material carrier comprising a mesh that prevents the passage of treated materials and allows the passage of the supercritical or subcritical fluid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A developer manufacturing method, comprising the steps of: 
 dissolving a binding resin component in a supercritical or subcritical fluid so that the binding resin component is blended with a coloring agent component; and    reducing the solubility of the binding resin component in the supercritical or subcritical fluid so that the binding resin component is precipitated in the form of particles with the coloring agent component dispersed in the interior of the binding resin component,    wherein a reactor provided with at least a stirring mechanism and a mechanism for discharging the dissolved components has a developer material carrier comprising a mesh that prevents the passage of treated materials and allows the passage of the supercritical or subcritical fluid.    
     
     
         2 . A developer manufacturing apparatus comprising at least a rector, a jet mechanism and a mechanism-connecting therebetween, wherein a developer is manufactured by the steps of: 
 dissolving a binding resin component in a supercritical or subcritical fluid so that the binding resin component is blended with a coloring agent component; and    reducing the solubility of the binding resin component in the supercritical or subcritical fluid so that the binding resin component is precipitated in the form of particles with the coloring agent component dispersed in the interior of the binding resin component,    wherein the reactor provided with at least a stirring mechanism and a mechanism for discharging the dissolved components has a developer material carrier comprising a mesh that prevents the passage of treated materials and allows the passage of the supercritical or subcritical fluid.    
     
     
         3 . The developer manufacturing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the developer material carrier comprises a plurality of meshes.  
     
     
         4 . The developer manufacturing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the developer material carrier has a stirring mechanism incorporated therein.  
     
     
         5 . The developer manufacturing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the developer material carrier rotates together with the stirring mechanism.  
     
     
         6 . The developer manufacturing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the developer material carrier rotates in reverse relative to the rotation direction of the stirring mechanism.  
     
     
         7 . The developer manufacturing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the developer material carrier also functions as a stirring mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . A developer manufactured by the method of  claim 1.