Konica Minolta has been granted a patent for an electrostatic charge image developing toner containing a binder resin and a photosensitizer with singlet oxygen generating ability. The toner matrix particles also include metal oxide particles loaded with the photosensitizer. GlobalData’s report on Konica Minolta gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
According to GlobalData’s company profile on Konica Minolta, E-transaction user interfaces was a key innovation area identified from patents. Konica Minolta's grant share as of January 2024 was 24%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Toner with photosensitizer for electrostatic charge image development
Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Konica Minolta Inc
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11886145B2) discloses an innovative electrostatic charge image developing toner designed for use in image forming systems. The toner matrix particles contain a binder resin and are loaded with a photosensitizer capable of generating singlet oxygen. This photosensitizer is either contained within the toner matrix particles or in an external additive attached to them, with metal oxide particles also loaded with the photosensitizer. The patent claims that the photosensitizer is dispersed in the binder resin in a monomolecular state, and its singlet oxygen generating ability is indicated by the coloration derived from its monomolecular absorption spectrum.
Furthermore, the patent details a method for producing this specialized toner, involving the preparation of toner matrix particles containing the photosensitizer-loaded metal oxide particles. An image forming method utilizing this toner is also described, where a dot is formed outside the area of the developed image, with the dot having a diameter of 60 µm or less. Additionally, an image forming system incorporating various devices such as a photoreceptor charging device and a cleaning device, all using the electrostatic charge image developing toner, is outlined in the patent. The patent also mentions the production of an output product using this toner, highlighting the versatility and potential applications of this innovative technology in the field of image forming.