U.S. patent number RE33,172 [Application Number 07/045,346] was granted by the patent office on 1990-02-27 for process for magnetic image character recognition.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Xerox Corporation. Invention is credited to Steven B. Bolte, Robert J. Gruber, John F. Knapp.
United States Patent |
RE33,172 |
Gruber , et al. |
February 27, 1990 |
Process for magnetic image character recognition
Abstract
Disclosed is an improved, simple, economical process for
generating documents, such as personal checks, suitable for
magnetic image character recognition, which process comprises
generating such documents with conventional xerographic methods in
a high speed electronic laser printing device, and wherein there is
selected as the developer composition a magnetic toner containing
from about 20 percent by weight to about 70 percent by weight of
magnetite particles, and from about 30 percent by weight to about
80 percent by weight of toner resin particles of styrene
copolymers, such as a styrene butadiene copolymer, a styrene
n-butylmethacrylate copolymer, or polyesters, and wherein the
carrier particles are comprised of ferrite cores, coated with
various polymeric resinous compositions. There can also be included
in the developer composition various additives such as collodial
silica particles, and charge enhancing additives, and further
conductive carbon black or insulating carbon black particles can be
incorporated into the carrier polymeric resinous coating.
Inventors: |
Gruber; Robert J. (Pittsford,
NY), Knapp; John F. (Fairport, NY), Bolte; Steven B.
(Rochester, NY) |
Assignee: |
Xerox Corporation (Stamford,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
26722664 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/045,346 |
Filed: |
May 4, 1987 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
531520 |
Sep 12, 1983 |
04517268 |
May 14, 1985 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
430/123.41;
430/106.2; 430/111.32; 430/123.5; 430/123.58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G
9/083 (20130101); G03G 9/0833 (20130101); G03G
9/08711 (20130101); G03G 9/08755 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G03G
9/083 (20060101); G03G 9/087 (20060101); G03G
009/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;430/39,106.6,108,110,126 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Anser Co. Bulletin, Jun. 1, 1983..
|
Primary Examiner: Goodrow; John L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Palazzo; E. O.
Claims
We claim:
1. An improved process for generating documents which comprises
providing the document desired, imprinting characters thereon by
electrostatographic methods with a high speed electronic printing
device, and developing the characters with a magnetic developer
composition comprised of from about 20 percent by weight to about
70 percent by weight of magnetite, and from about 30 percent by
weight to about 80 percent by weight of toner resin particles,
selected from the group consisting of styrene methacrylate
copolymers, styrene butadiene copolymers, and styrene acrylate
copolymers; and carrier particles comprised of ferrite cores coated
with polymeric compositions.
2. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the documents
generated are personal checks.
3. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the magnetite is
present in an amount of from about 20 percent by weight to about 50
percent by weight and the toner resin particles are present in an
amount of from about 50 percent by weight to about 80 percent by
weight.
4. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the toner resin
particles are comprised of a styrene butadiene copolymer,
containing from about 85 percent to about 90 percent of styrene,
and from about 10 percent to about 15 percent by weight of
butadiene, or a styrene n-butylmethacrylate resin particle, wherein
the styrene is present in an amount of from about 40 percent by
weight to about 90 percent by weight, and the n-butylmethacrylate
is present in an amount of from about 10 percent by weight to about
60 percent by weight.
5. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is further
included in the polymeric coating for the carrier particles
conductive carbon black or insulating carbon black particles.
6. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is further
included in the toner resin particles carbon black particles, or
collidal silica particles.
7. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the polymeric
coating composition for the ferrite core is a methacrylate,
styrene, vinyl triethoxy silane terpolymer.
8. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the magnetite is
comprised of acicular magnetite.
9. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is further
incorporated into the toner composition as a charge enhancing
additive stearyl dimethyl phenethyl ammonium para-toluene
sulfonate.
10. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is added to
the toner composition alkyl pyridinium charge enhancing
additives.
11. A process in accordance with claim 10 wherein the additive is
cetyl pyridinium chloride.
12. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the magnetite is
cubical magnetite. .Iadd.
13. An improved process for generating documents which comprises
providing the document desired, imprinting characters thereon by
electrostatographic methods with a high speed electronic printing
device, and developing the characters with a magnetic developer
composition comprised of from about 20 percent by weight to about
70 percent by weight of magnetite, and from about 30 percent by
weight to about 80 percent by weight of toner resin particles
selected from the group consisting of styrene methacrylate
copolymers, styrene butadiene copolymers, and styrene acrylate
copolymers; and carrier particles. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
14. A process in accordance with claim 13 wherein the carrier
particles consist of a core with a polymeric coating thereover.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A process in accordance with claim 14 wherein
there is selected as the core a component selected from the group
consisting of steel, iron, nickel and ferrites. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16.
A process in accordance with claim 14 wherein the polymeric coating
is a terpolymer of styrene, methylmethacrylate, and an organo
silane. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A process in accordance with claim 14
wherein the polymeric coating for the carrier particles includes
conductive carbon black or insulating carbon black particles.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A process in accordance with claim 15 wherein
the coating includes conductive carbon black or insulating carbon
black particles. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. An improved aerographic
process which comprises forming a latent image on an imaging
member; thereafter developing this image with a magnetic developer
composition comprised of from about 20 percent to about 70 percent
by weight of magnetite, and from about 30 percent by weight to
about 80 percent by weight of toner resin particles selected from
the group consisting of styrene methacrylate copolymers, styrene
butadiene copolymers and styrene acrylate copolymers, and
polyesters; and carrier particles; subsequently transferring the
developed image to a supporting substrate; and affixing the image
thereto. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A process in accordance with claim 19
wherein the carrier particles are comprised of a core selected from
the group
consisting of iron, nickel and ferrites. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A
process in accordance with claim 19 wherein the carrier particles
include a polymeric coating. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A process in
accordance with claim 21 wherein the coating is a styrene
methacrylate organo silane terpolymer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A
process in accordance with claim 21 wherein there is included in
the polymeric coating conductive carbon black or insulating carbon
black particles. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A process in accordance with
claim 19 wherein there are further included in the toner
composition charge enhancing additives selected from the group
consisting of stearyl dimethyl phenethyl ammonium paratoluene
sulfonate, and alkyl pyridinium halides. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A
process in accordance with claim 19 wherein the supporting
substrates are personal checks. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A process in
accordance with claim 19 wherein the latent image is formulated by
a high speed electronic printing device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A
process in accordance with claim 19 wherein the magnetite is
present in an amount of from about 20 percent by weight to about 50
percent by weight, and the toner resin particles are present in an
amount of from about 50 percent by
weight to about 80 percent by weight. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A process
in accordance with claim 19 wherein the toner resin particles are
comprised of a styrene butadiene copolymer containing from about 85
percent to about 90 percent of styrene, and from about 10 percent
to about 15 percent by weight of butadiene, or a styrene
n-butylmethacrylate resin particle, wherein the styrene is present
in an amount of from about 40 percent by weight to about 90 percent
by weight, and the n-butylmethacrylate is present in an amount of
from about 10 percent by weight to about 60 percent by weight.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A process in accordance with claim 19 wherein
there are further included in the developer colloidal silica
particles. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A process in accordance with claim
19 wherein the imaging member is comprised of a component selected
from the group consisting of selenium and selenium alloys.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A process in accordance with claim 19 wherein
the images are permanently affixed by heat. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to processes for generating
documents, and more specifically the present invention is directed
to electrostatographic processes for generating documents suitable
for magnetic image character recognition, which processes involve
the use of certain magnetic toner compositions. In one important
embodiment of the present invention, personal checks can be
prepared and printed in a very simple and economical manner by
conventional xerography with certain magnetic dry toner
compositions. In a further aspect of the present invention, the
entire personal check document can be printed with known duplicator
devices, including those containing lasers therein such as the
commercially available Xerox Corporation 9700.RTM. printing
machine.
.Iadd.The formation and development of images on the surface of
photoconductive materials by electrostatic means is well known. The
basic xerographic process, as taught by C. F. Carlson in U.S. Pat.
No. 2,297,691, involves placing a uniform electrostatic charge on a
photoconductive insulating layer, exposing the layer to a light and
shadow image to dissipate the charge on the areas of the layer
exposed to the light and developing the resulting latent
electrostatic image by depositing on the image a finely - divided
electroscopic material referred to in the art as "toner". The toner
will normally be attracted to those areas of the layer which retain
a charge, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the latent
electrostatic image. This powder image may then be transferred to a
support surface such as paper. The transferred image may
subsequently be permanently affixed to the support surface as by
heat. Instead of latent image formation by uniformly charging the
photoconductive layer and then exposing the layer to a light and
shadow image, one may form the latent image by directly charging
the layer in image configuration. Thereafter, the powder image may
be fixed to the photoconductive layer is elimination of the powder
image transfer step is desired. Other suitable fixing means such as
solvent or overcoating treatment may be substituted for the
foregoing heat fixing step. .Iaddend.
Magnetic ink printing methods with inks containing magnetic
particles are known. For example, there is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,998,160 that various magnetic inks have been used in printing
digits, characters, or artistic designs, on checks or bank notes.
The magnetic ink used for these processes consists of acicular
magnetic particles, such as magnetite in a fluid medium, and a
magnetic coating of ferric oxide, chromium dioxide, or similar
materials dispersed in a vehicle comprising binders, and
plasticizers, according to the disclosure of the '160 patent. It is
further disclosed in this patent that there is provided a method of
printing on a surface with an ink including acicular magnetic
particles in order that the authenticity of the printing can be
verified, wherein a pattern is formed on a carrier with the ink in
the wet state, and wherein the particles are subjected to a
magnetic aligning process while the ink is on the carrier.
Subsequently, the wet ink is transferred to the surface, which
transfer is accomplished with substantially aligned particles
according to the teachings of this patent.
British Pat. No. 1,183,479 discloses a method of orienting magnetic
particles in a liquid prior to the deposition of the liquid on a
tape media, while British Pat. No. 1,331,604 relates to the
recording of information, especially security information, onto
cards having magnetic layers thereon. The cards according to the
'604 patent, are provided with a magnetic water mark by orienting
preselected areas of a coating consisting of acicular magnetic
particles in a binder, while the coating is in a liquid state,
followed by causing the coating to solidify.
Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,202 is a device for transporting a
document that has been mutilated or erroneously encoded wherein
there is provided a predetermined area for the receipt of correctly
encoded magnetic image character recognition information (MICR). As
indicated in this patent, the information involved is referred to
as MICR characters, which characters appear, for example, at the
bottom of personal checks as printed numbers and symbols. These
checks have been printed in an ink containing magnetizable
particles therein, and when the information contained on the
document is to be read, the document is passed through a
sorter/reader which first magnetizes the magnetizable particles,
and subsequently detects a magnetic field of the symbols resulting
from the magnetic retentivity of the ink. The characters and
symbols involved, according to the '202 patent are generally
segregated into three separate field, the first field being termed
a transient field, which contains the appropriate symbols and
characters to identify the bank, bank branch, or the issuing
source. The second field contains the account affected by the
transactions, and the third field, which cannot be pre-recorded
indicates the amount of the check. Typically, the first two fields
are preencoded, that is they can be placed on the check document
prior to the bank or issuing source sending the checks to the
customer for use. However, after the check has been presented to
the bank for payment, and is processed through various data
processing systems, the amount of the check must be encoded at the
appropriate location, this latter step being referred to as post
encoding. Post encoding is typically accomplished with special
encoding machines having a keyboard operated by an individual who
generally observes the amount written on the check, and encodes the
amount in MICR characters in the amount field of a clear band for
example.
Additional, there is disclosed in an Anser Company Bulletin,
published about June 1, 1983, a printer for checks and forms based
on ion deposition imaging. According to the description contained
in this publication, the Anser I printing technology allows for the
printing of checks by generating a cloud of free ions in a charging
chamber by means of a high frequency electric field, and
subsequently introducing a second field for the purpose of
accelerating a small portion of these ions through a very small
hole into the dielectric surface of an imaging cylinder.
Development is then apparently accomplished by applying toner to
the charged image, followed by transfer and fixing to a substrate
such as paper. Apparently, fixing is accomplished by cold pressure
fusing, thus single component toner particles are selected.
While the prior art processes are suitable for their intended
purposes, there remains a need for simple, economical processes for
generating documents. More specifically, there remains a need for
generating documents suitable for magnetic image character
recognitions wherein the documents involved can be entirely printed
in one step thereby eliminating the need to stock numerous
different document blanks. Moreover, there continues to be a need
for improved processes which will print entire documents, such as
personal checks and wherein the format design and customer
information contained on the check, such as name, address, and
check numbers, can be simply and rapidly modified. There also
remains a need for improved processes for generating documents,
especially personal checks, suitable for magnetic image character
recognition, which process utilizes conventional, simple known
electrostatographic imaging methods, and wherein there is selected
certain magnetic dry toner compositions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved
processes for generating documents which overcome the above noted
disadvantages.
In a further object of the present invention there are provided
improved processes for generating documents suitable for magnetic
image character recognition.
In a further object of the present invention there are provided
improved simple, economical processes for generating personal
checks.
In yet a further object of the present invention there are provided
improved, economical, simple processes for generating personal
checks for magnetic image character recognition.
Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of
improved processes for generating documents, including personal
checks, which will be suitable for magnetic image character
recognition, which process involves conventional
electrostatographic methods, wherein certain magnetic dry toners
are selected.
In still a further object of the present invention there are
provided improved processes wherein documents suitable for magnetic
image character recognition are generated by high speed electronic
printing electrostatographic devices, containing suitably selected
laser devices.
These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished
by the provision of improved processes for generating documents
suitable for magnetic image character recognition. More
specifically, the process of the present invention in one
embodiment involves the generation of documents, including personal
checks, which documents are suitable for magnetic image character
recognition and wherein conventional electrostatographic methods
are selected. This process comprises providing a document,
imprinting characters on this document with conventional
electrostatographic methods, which characters are preselected as
desired and stored in the printing device used, and wherein a
magnetic toner composition containing from about 20 percent by
weight to about 70 percent by weight of various magnetites, and 30
to 80 percent of certain toner resin particles are selected.
In one embodiment of the present invention there is thus provided
an improved process for generating documents which comprises
providing the document desired, imprinting characters thereon by
electrostatographic methods with a high speed electronic printing
device, and developing the characters with a magnetic developer
composition comprised of from about 20 percent by weight, to about
70 percent by weight of magnetite, and from about 30 percent by
weight, to about 80 percent by weight of toner resin particles,
containing styrene copolymers, such as styrene butadiene
copolymers, or styrene butylmethacrylate copolymers, styrene
acrylate copolymers or polyesters, and carrier particles comprised
of ferrite cores coated with polymeric compositions.
Accordingly, there is provided in accordance with the present
invention an improved process for generating documents which
comprises providing the document desired, imprinting characters
thereon by known electrostatographic methods, particularly
xerographic methods, with a high speed electronic printing device,
such as those commercially available from Xerox Corporation as the
9700.RTM. Printer, and developing the characters with a magnetic
developer composition comprised of from about 20 percent by weight
to about 70 percent by weight of magnetite particles, and from
about 30 percent by weight to about 80 percent by weight of toner
resin particles selected from the group consisting of styrene
methacrylate copolymers, styrene butdiene copolymers, styrene
acrylate copolymers, and polyesters, and carrier particles
comprised of ferrite cores coated with polymeric compositions.
The process of the present invention has several advantages over
many prior art processes, for example, the document, such as
personal checks are generated by conventional xerography and
further the entire document can be printed, in contrast to many
prior art methods wherein the document is printed in a number of
sequential steps. Additionally the specific two component developer
composition selected provides images of excellent resolution.
By electrostatographic imaging methods in accordance with the
present invention is meant those processes, including xerographic
processes, where images or characters are generated on suitable
substrates, including checks, which images are developed with the
magnetic toner compositions disclosed hereinafter and wherein the
images are permanently affixed thereto by suitable fixing means
such as heat. In one important embodiment of the present invention
the image characters are generated on paper used for personal
checks, in high speed electronic printing devices, such as those
commercially available from Xerox Corporation as the 8700.RTM., and
9700.RTM. printer, and other similar devices.
Examples of magnetic toner compositions useful in the process of
the present invention include those containing from about 20
percent by weight to about 70 percent by weight of magnetite, such
as commercially available acicular magnetites, and commercially
available cubically shaped magnetites. Preferred magnetites useful
in the toner composition of the present invention are acicular
magnetites commercially available from Pfizer as MO4431 and MO
4232, cubical magnetites, MO 7029, commercially available from
Pfizer Corporation, and Mapico Black, commercially available from
Cities Services Company. Other useful magnetites include polyhedral
magnetites, available from Hercules Incorporation as EX 1601, and
XMT 100.
The toner compositions also contains from about 30 percent by
weight to about 80 percent by weight of polyester or polystyrene
resinous particles, such as styrene butadiene resins, commercially
available as Pliolite, styrene butylmethacrylate copolymer resins,
styrene acrylate copolymers, such as styrene butylacrylate
copolymer resins, and the like. Particularly preferred are toner
resin particles containing from about 55 percent by weight of
styrene to about 80 percent by weight of styrene, and from about 20
percent by weight of n-butylmethacrylate to about 45 percent by
weight of n-butylmethacrylate, or styrene butadiene resins
containing from about 85 percent by weight to about 95 percent by
weight of styrene, and from about 5 percent by weight to about 15
percent by weight of butadiene.
There can also be incorporated into the magnetic toner composition
of the present invention carbon black particles, in an amount of
from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, and
from about 0.3 percent by weight to about 0.7 percent by weight of
collodial silica particles, such as commercially available
Aerosils. These additives which are optional ingredients are added
for a number of purposes, thus for example carbon black particles
are added primarily for the purpose of imparting a deep black color
to the toner resin particles. Also it is believed that the addition
of carbon black particles favorably affects the triboelectric
charging properties of the toner particles. The silica particles
are added for the primary purpose of improving the flow of the
toner resin particles, improving blade cleaning of the
photoresponsive imaging surface, reducing the toner blocking
temperature, and assisting in the charging of the toner
particles.
Also in accordance with a further variation of the process of the
present invention, the magnetic toner composition selected can
contain mixtures of acicular and cubic magnetites, that is, a
mixture of hard magnetite and soft magnetite blends, Generally,
from about 20 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the hard
magnetic substance is selected, and from about 10 percent by weight
to about 30 percent by weight of a soft magnetic substance, such as
Mapico Black, is selected. Moreover, there can be incorporated into
the toner composition various highly colored pigments, from about 2
percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, such as red
pigments, green pigments, blue pigments, or mixtures thereof.
The toner composition of the present invention is formulated into a
developer by admixing therewith carrier particles comprised of
ferrite or steel cores coated with various polymers including
terpolymers of styrene, methylmethacrylate, and a silane. The type
of ferrite cores selected are as described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,914,181 the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by
reference, while the terpolymer coatings are described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,467,634; 3,627,522; and 3,526,533, the disclosure of each of
these patents being totally incorporated herein by reference. One
specific preferred carrier composition is comprised of Toniolo
steel or a ferrite core, containing zinc, iron and nickel with a
coating on its entire surface of a sytrene methylmethacrylate,
triethoxysilane terpolymer. Another preferred carrier particle
selected for the developing composition of the present invention is
comprised of a ferrite powder core, reference U.S. Pat. No.
3,914,181, containing a coating thereover of a methylmethyacrylate,
styrene, vinyl triethoxy silane terpolymer, or reclaimed ferrite
powder coated with a terpolymer of methylmethacrylate, styrene, and
vinyl triethoxy silane, which terpolymer contains about 85 percent
by weight of methylmethacrylate, about 15 percent by weight of
styrene, and about 5 percent by weight of the silane.
The carrier particles are generally of a diameter of from about 30
microns to about 200 microns, and preferably have a diameter of
from about 75 microns to about 125 microns. These carrier particles
are generally mixed with the toner particles so as to result in a
toner concentration of from about 1 percent to about 3 percent.
Additionally useful as carrier particles are uncoated ferrite
substances, and coated ferrite substances wherein the coating
contains therein conductive or non-conductive carbon black
particles. Accordingly, there results carrier particles wherein the
conductivity is from about 10.sup.-5 (ohm-cm).sup.-1 to about
10.sup.-9 (ohm-cm).sup.-1, or non-conductive carrier particles
wherein the conductivity thereof is from about 10.sup.-11
(ohm-cm).sup.-1 to about 10.sup.-17 (ohm-cm).sup.-1, that is these
carrier particles possess insulating characteristics. Specific
examples of conductive carbon black compositions that may be
selected for incorporation into the carrier particles include those
commercially available as Vulcan XC72, obtained from Cabot
Corporation, while nonconductive carbon black compositions used
include those prepared from commercially available Regal 330 carbon
black particles. Generally, the carbon black particles are present
in the carrier coating in an amount of from about 5 percent by
weight to about 30 percent by weight, and preferably are present in
an amount of from about 15 percent by weight to about 20 percent by
weight.
Various photoconductive imaging members can be selected for
incorporation into the printing devices used, including for
example, amorphous selenium, amorphous selenium alloys, such as
selenium tellurium, selenium arsenic, selenium tellurium arsenic,
halogen doped amorphous selenium compositions, and halogen doped
amorphous selenium alloys, as well as layered photoresponsive
imaging methods containing photogenerating substances, and
transport molecules. Examples of layered photoresponsive devices
include those as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,990, the
disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference.
Specific examples of photogenerating substances that may be
selected include metal phthalocyanines, metal free phthalocyanines,
trigonal selenium, vanadyl phthalocyanine and the like, while
examples of transport molecules include the diamine compositions as
disclosed in the '990 patent. Generally, the photogenerating
pigment, and the amine transport molecules are dispersed in
inactive resinous binder compositions, such as polyvinyl carbazole,
polycarbonates, and the like. A preferred photoconductive imaging
member selected for the printing device is comprised of a selenium
arsenic alloy, containing from about 90 percent by weight to about
99.9 percent by weight of selenium, and from about 10 percent by
weight to about 0.1 percent by weight of arsenic.
One significant advantage in selecting non-impact type printers for
generating the MICR codes for the documents being created in
accordance with the process of the present invention resides in the
flexibility in varying the contents of the fields involved. Also in
non-impact printing the infrequently varying codes, such as the
bank sorting codes, the individual account codes, and the check
number codes are stored in a computerized memory for example.
Printing of the MICR codes on a non-impact printer, such as the
Xerox Corporation 9700.RTM. printing device is accomplished by
replacing the developer composition usually selected with the
magnetic dry ink developer composition described hereinbefore.
Personal checks with varying formats can then be generated
utilizing fonts available to the user. When using these fonts it is
important that the MICR lines and the associate clear bands are
closely scrutinized in order that one will achieve the desired
results. For example, the MICR codes must conform to exacting
specifications relative to character dimensionability and
integrity, and character and field positioning relative to the
edges of the documents, and in this regard MICR fonts have been
generated which will provide printed characters corresponding to
the MICR specifications in non-impact printers. Positioning of the
MICR line is readily achieved by use of standard printing software,
which software is commercially available, from Xerox Corporation,
as the Xerox FDL for the 9700.RTM. printer devices. This software
permits the user to generate checks of a highly flexible format in
appearance containing appropriate MICR encoding lines of a variable
content in an efficient and economical manner. Moreover, the effect
of run lengths on efficiency is minimal and the user needs no
pre-printed forms containing MICR printing codes.
Additionally, the magnetic signal level is of substantial
importance in magnetic image character recognition information
systems since the amount of toner composition which is deposited on
the document being generated will vary in proportion to the signal
level. Thus, for example, at a signal level of from about 50
percent to 200 percent of nominal, value of 100 percent and
preferably at a signal value of from about 80 percent to about 100
percent of nominal, there is deposited on the generated document,
such as personal checks, desirable effective amounts of the toner
particles of the present invention.
The following specific examples are now being provided to
illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, however,
it is not intended to be limited to the process parameters
disclosed. In these examples parts and percentages are by weight
unless otherwise indicated.
EXAMPLE I
There was prepared a toner composition by melt blending in a
Banbury apparatus, followed by mechanical attrition, which
composition contains 67.5 percent by weight of a styrene butadiene
copolymer, containing 90 percent by weight of styrene, and 10
percent by weight of butadiene, available from Goodyear Chemical
Corporation, as Pliolite, and 32.5 percent of acicular magnetite
particles, available from Pfizer Corporation, as magnetite MO4232.
Micronization is accomplished for the resulting toner particles so
as to obtain paricles with a volume average of 10 to 12 microns.
Subsequently there is added to the resulting composition by
blending with a Lodige blender, 0.3 percent of Aerosil 972,
particles.
A developer composition was then prepared by blending together in a
twin cone blender for about 9 minutes, 3 percent by weight of the
aboveprepared toner composition, and 97 percent by weight of
carrier particles consisting of a ferrite carrier core coated with
a terpolymer of methylmethacrylate, styrene, and triethoxy silane.
(85/15/5).
EXAMPLE II
A second developer composition was prepared by blending together 3
percent by weight of the toner composition as prepared in Example
I, and 97 percent by weight of carrier particles containing a
ferrite core coated with 0.6 percent by weight of a polymer coating
consisting of 20 weight percent of Vulcan XC72R carbon black,
available from Pfizer Corporation, and 80 percent by weight of a
terpolymer of methylmethacrylate, styrene, and triethoxy silane.
(85/15/5) The measured carrier conductivity at 200 volts per
millimeter was 5.times.10.sup.-9 (ohm-cm).sup.-1.
EXAMPLE III
A toner composition was prepared by repeating the procedure of
Example I, with the exception that there was selected 65 percent by
weight of the styrene butadiene copolymer resin, 32.5 percent by
weight of acicular magnetic particles, available from Pfizer, as
MO4232, and 2.5 percent by weight of Regal 330 carbon black
commercially available from Cabot Corporation. Subsequently there
was added to the resulting toner composition in a Lodige blender,
0.3 percent by weight of Aerosil.
A developer composition was then prepared by blending together in a
twin cone blender for 9 minutes, 3 percent by weight of the
above-prepared toner composition, and 97 percent by weight of
carrier particles consisting of a ferrite ore coated with a
terpolymer of styrene, methylmethacrylate, and triethoxy silane.
(85/15/5).
A second developer composition was prepared by blending together in
a twin cone blender, 3 percent by weight of the above-prepared
toner composition, and 97 percent by weight of carrier particles
consisting of a ferrite core, with 0.6 weight percent of a polymer
coating containing 20 percent by weight of Vulcan XC72R carbon
black available from Pfizer, and 80 percent by weight of the
terpolymer of styrene, methylmethacrylate, and triethoxy
silane.
EXAMPLE IV
A toner composition was prepared by repeating the procedure of
Example I with the exception that there was selected as the toner
resin particles in place of the styrene butadiene copolymer, a
styrene n-butylmethacrylate copolymer containing about 58 percent
by weight of styrene and 42 percent by weight of
n-butylmethacrylate. A developer composition was then prepared by
repeating the procedure of Example I.
Other toner and developer compositions are prepared by repeating
the procedures of Examples I-IV with the exception that there was
selected as the toner composition, 70 percent by weight of a
styrene butadiene copolymer, 30 percent by weight of acicular
magnetic particles, available form Pfizer as MO4431, and 0.3
percent by weight of Aerosil: 60 percent by weight of a polyester
resin, 40 percent by weight of acicular magnetic particles,
available from Pfizer as MO4431, and 0.5 percent by weight of
Aerosil; 40 percent by weight of a styrene butadiene copolymer, 60
percent by weight of acicular magnetic particles commercially
available as Mapico Black, and 0.3 percent by weight of
Aerosil.
The developer compositions as prepared in Examples I-IV were
incorporated into the Xerox Corporation 9700.RTM. laser printer
wherein the photoconductive imaging member is a selenium arsenic
alloy, and there resulted useful personal check documents, over
100,000 in number, of high resolution.
As a further optional component there can be included in the toner
compositions of the present invention various charge enhancing
additives, such as alkyl pyridinium halides preferably cetyl
pyridinium chloride, reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,672, the
disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference,
and various sulfates and sulfonates, such as stearyl dimethyl
phenethyl ammonium para-toluene sulfonate, reference U.S. Pat. No.
4,338,390, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein
by reference. Generally from about 1 percent to about 10 percent by
weight of charge enhancing additive is incorporated into the toner
composition. This additive assists in imparting a positive charge
to the toner resin particles.
Other modifications of the present invention may occur to those
skilled in the art based upon a reading of the present disclosure
and these are intended to be included within the scope of the
present invention.
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