Method for manufacturing toner, toner, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A toner having high mechanical strength and being capable of exhibiting a sufficient fixing property in a wide temperature range, and a method for manufacturing such a toner are provided. Further, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus in which such a toner can be suitably used are also provided. The method for manufacturing a toner comprises a step of spreading a dispersion liquid, in which a dispersoid containing polyester-based resin is dispersed in a dispersion medium, into a laminar flow by pressing it against a smooth surface using a gas flow and then jetting the dispersion liquid in the form of fine particles and a step of solidifying the fine particles of the dispersion liquid while they are being conveyed in a solidifying section. The polyester-based resin includes block polyester mainly composed of a block copolymer, and amorphous polyester having crystallinity lower than that of the block polyester. The block polyester has a crystalline block obtained by condensation of a diol component with a dicarboxylic acid component, and an amorphous block having crystallinity lower than that of the crystalline block.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.