JP2000122330A - Recording material and regenerating method of recording material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent production of a dyed afterimage due to a coloring component in an image forming material in a recording material which can be reused by removing the image forming material, by controlling the surface pH to an acidic value. SOLUTION: In this recording material, an image is formed by using an image forming material comprising a thermoplastic or hot-melt resin containing an anionic coloring component, and the recording material can be reused by removing the image forming material. In this material, the surface pH is controlled to an acidic value. In order to control the surface pH to an acidic value, an acidic material is added to, at least, the surface. In the recording material used, a surfactant and acidic material are held on the surface of the recording material where at least an image is to be formed so as to change the surface into hydrophilic and to decrease the adhesiveness. The surfactant used is selected from among fluorine-based surfactant, silicone-based surfactants and anionic surfactants. Thus, good quality of the regenerated product can be obtd. without causing a failures in removal of the image forming material.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a thermal transfer printer, a hot-melt ink-jet printer, or the like, which is used to form an image. The present invention relates to a recording material suitable for forming and using an image, and a method for reproducing a recording material using the recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent OA (Office Automated)
Information has been recorded on recording paper by a printer, a copying machine, or the like. In offices, a large amount of paper, such as printer paper and copy paper, on which this information is recorded is generated, but at present, most of the paper is wasted. Disposal of paper on which this information is recorded can be very costly, and can lead to the deterioration of the local environment due to disposal, and thus to the global environmental degradation caused by deforestation to produce paper. .

Heretofore, in order to solve this problem and to recycle paper, measures have been taken to remove used ink on the paper once used, soak and re-use the paper, and use it as recycled paper. In this case, a large-scale waste paper recycling facility is required, and a number of processes have to be taken to obtain recycled paper, such as sorting, collecting, and transporting used paper.

In order to solve this problem and to recycle paper, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-13383 discloses that at least a part of a paper layer mainly composed of cellulose fibers is used. A recording material on which a hydrophobic image composed of a heat-flexible ink (toner) is formed is impregnated with water or an image removal accelerating liquid such as an aqueous solution of a surfactant and / or a water-soluble polymer, and the hydrophobic image is formed. There is disclosed a method of reproducing a recording material that removes a hydrophobic image from a paper layer by transferring the image to an image peeling member.

[0005] This reproducing method is a very effective method for reproducing a recording material because a hydrophobic image can be removed without damaging the recording material. Elongation, wrinkles, undulations, curls, and the like may occur in the recorded recording material.

As a method for solving such a problem,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-281566 discloses an image removal promoting liquid comprising an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of a surfactant, and reducing the amount of the image removal promoting liquid applied to a recording material on which an image is formed. , Stretches, wrinkles,
It is disclosed that an image forming substance is peeled off from a recording material without causing waving or curling.

[0007] As another method, the adhesive force between the surface of the copy sheet and the image forming substance is reduced in advance so that the fixability of the image when forming the image on the copy sheet is not hindered, and the image is formed. Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 8-269367 proposes a copy paper holding a surfactant capable of reducing the re-fixing property of the peeled image forming substance when the image is peeled off and reproduced from the copy paper. issue). By using this copy sheet, it is possible to remove the image-forming substance without applying an image removal accelerating liquid containing water, and the regenerated sheet is not stretched, wrinkled, wavy or curled. In this manner, the inventor of the present application has provided a method of reproducing a recording material without causing elongation, wrinkling, waving, curling, and the like, and a recording material suitable for the reproducing method.

[0008]

However, since some image forming substances contain a coloring component in addition to the resin component, the coloring component is eluted in the step of removing the image, and the resin component in the image forming substance is removed. There is a problem that the recording material reproduced by the removal remains as a dyeing residual image. The tendency was that the higher the amount of the above-mentioned image removal accelerating liquid applied, the higher the density, and the higher the surfactant concentration in the image removal accelerating liquid, the higher the density. Further, the adhesive strength between the surface of the copy sheet and the image forming substance is reduced in advance so long as the fixability of the image when forming the image on the copy sheet is not hindered, and the image is formed from the copy sheet on which the image is formed. Even if the copy paper holds a surfactant capable of lowering the re-fixing property of the peeled image forming substance when peeling off and regenerating the image forming material, it is heated and pressurized at the time of regenerating, so that the dyeing residual image is generated. There has occurred. In one example,
The optical density (OD) of the dyeing residual image is 0.2 to 0.15.
(Measured by a densitometer manufactured by GRETAG), and when an image is formed again by using the reproduced recording material, a disadvantage occurs in that the reading of the image is obstructed.

As a method of solving such a problem,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-287491 proposes a regeneration method using an image removal accelerating liquid characterized by containing an enzyme for decomposing or modifying a coloring residual substance from a toner. No effect has been obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording material and a recording material which can prevent the occurrence of a residual image due to a coloring component contained in an image forming substance. Is to provide a reproduction method.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to an image forming apparatus comprising an image-forming substance formed of a thermoplastic or heat-meltable resin containing an anionic coloring component. The recording material which can be reused by removing the forming substance is characterized in that the surface pH is acidic.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recording material according to the first aspect, a surfactant and an acidic substance are held at least on a surface on which an image is formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording material of the second aspect, the surfactant is at least one selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-based surfactant, a silicone-based surfactant, and an anionic surfactant. Characterized in that it is a surfactant.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording material of the first aspect, a water-soluble resin and an acidic substance are held at least on a surface on which an image is formed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recording material of the fourth aspect, at least a surface on which an image is to be formed is made of polyvinyl alcohol, a polyacrylic acid-based polymer salt or an acid-based copolymer salt, or an alginate. Characterized in that at least one or more water-soluble resins selected from the group and an acidic substance are retained.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recording material according to the fourth aspect, at least a surface on which an image is formed is formed of an acid-type polyacrylic acid-based polymer, an acid-based copolymer, or alginic acid. It is characterized by holding at least one or more selected water-soluble resins.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the recording material of the first aspect, at least one or more resins selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-based resin and a silicone-based resin are provided on at least a surface on which an image is formed. And a substance.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the recording material of the first aspect, an alkyl ketene dimer and an acidic substance are held on at least a surface on which an image is formed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an image is formed by an image forming substance comprising a thermoplastic or heat-fusible resin containing an anionic coloring component, and the image forming substance is removed by applying an image removal accelerating liquid. The recording material that can be reused is characterized in that the recording material is mainly composed of cellulose fibers and contains an acidic substance.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording material according to the ninth aspect, there is provided a recording material containing an alkyl ketene dimer, which is formed by a conventional method, wherein at least a surface on which an image is formed is coated with an acidic substance. It is characterized by having been given.

[0021] The invention of claim 11 is the invention of claims 1, 2, 3,
After forming an image on 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 recording materials with an image forming substance made of a thermoplastic or heat-fusible resin containing an anionic coloring component,
After contacting the image forming substance with a release member having a property of adhering to the image formation substance, the image formation substance is transferred from the recording material to the release member by heating and / or pressurizing to thereby transfer the recording material. It is characterized by being removed from above.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a recording material on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine and which can be reused by removing the image forming substance will be described. The form will be described.

In the recording material according to the present embodiment, an image is formed by an image-forming substance made of a thermoplastic or heat-fusible resin containing an anionic coloring component, and can be reused by removing the image-forming substance. It is what becomes.

The above-mentioned anionic coloring component means a dye component which tends to be negatively charged. These components are usually added to the image forming substance in order to adjust various physical properties and color tone of the image forming substance. Examples thereof include a charge control agent contained in the toner, a dye that is added as an auxiliary to adjust the color tone of the toner, and a coloring agent for hot melt ink.

These anionic coloring components are dissolved by components in the image removal accelerating liquid applied in the recording material reproducing step or components previously applied to the surface of the recording material before image formation. Further, when heated in the reproducing step, it is expected to elute from the image forming substance together with the image removal accelerating liquid, diffuse and dye the recording material. At this time, even when the image removal accelerating liquid is not used, a similar phenomenon occurs, albeit relatively slightly, due to a trace amount of water contained in the paper.

The present inventors have paid attention to the fact that the density of the residual dye image after the removal of the image-forming substance changes depending on the type of the recording material. As a result of examining the difference from the recording material, it was found that the difference was related to the surface pH of the recording material, and the present invention was reached.
The recording material according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the surface pH is acidic. Thus, the surface p of the recording material
When H is acidic, no afterimage is generated. This is considered to be because the supply of hydrogen ions from the recording material side during the reproduction process makes the recording medium acidic, and under such acidic conditions, the solubility of the coloring component is significantly reduced.

The acidification of the surface pH can be achieved by applying at least an acidic substance to the surface. Here, acidic substances include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, benzoic acid, uric acid, lactic acid, aspartic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, propionic acid, etc. Organic acids, or high molecular acids such as acrylic acid. According to the effect of the present invention, it is only necessary to show acidity in the presence of moisture or the like at the time of the regeneration treatment. Specific examples include aluminum sulfate, copper sulfate, ammonium sulfate, iron chloride, ammonium chloride, and ammonium nitrate. The above acidic substances can be used alone or as a mixture. In addition to the above-mentioned exemplified compounds, all compounds that make the surface pH acidic are included.

Here, the measurement of the surface pH is described in J. Org. Tapp
i-No. Page p as defined in 6-75 etc.
Follow the measurement method for H. That is, a predetermined reagent is dropped, and the pH is determined from the color change of the reagent. The surface is acidic when the pH
Is smaller than 7. The acid must be acidic enough to suppress the elution of the coloring component by the mechanism described above. The pH is preferably in the range of 2 to less than 7. When the pH is less than 2, problems occur in durability and safety of the recording material, and p
If H is 7 or more, it is not possible to sufficiently prevent the occurrence of a dyeing residual image, and the reproduction quality is degraded.

The image-forming substance comprises at least a thermoplastic or hot-melt resin in addition to the anionic coloring component. Thermoplastic or hot-melt imaging materials include:
Specifically, polystyrene, polyalkyl acrylate,
Polyalkyl methacrylate, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-acryl copolymer, styrene-
Containing at least one of butadiene copolymer, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, alkyd resin, epoxy resin, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), unsaturated polyester, polyvinyl chloride, silicone resin, etc. Can be used.

In many cases, the image forming substance needs to be colored, and the above resin is mixed with inorganic and organic pigments such as carbon black, quinacridone derivatives, phthalocyanine derivatives, and benzidine yellow. Since these pigments are insoluble, no residual image is formed by the recording material regenerating process, and it can be removed together with the resin component.

In order to form an image, an image forming substance made of resin and a recording material are adhered. The “recording material that can be reused by removing the image forming material” means that the adhesion between the image forming material and the recording material is originally moderately weak. It is considered that the recording material belongs to at least one of the two types, that is, a recording material whose adhesion to the image forming substance is reduced by some mechanism during the reproduction process.

As in the former case, a surface chemistry approach is appropriate in order to make the adhesion to the image forming substance moderately weak. In general, the closer the surface energy of each surface to be bonded is, the stronger the bonding is. Therefore, if the surface energy of the surface of the recording material is adjusted so as to have a large difference from the surface energy of the image forming substance, the desired adhesiveness can be obtained. The recording material having the above is obtained. Further, two types, one in which the surface energy of the recording material is controlled to be larger than the surface energy of the image forming substance and the other in which the surface energy is controlled so as to be smaller, are possible.

Here, there are various methods for experimentally obtaining the surface energy of a solid. The most classic way is
This is a method in which the contact angle when several liquids having different surface tensions are dropped onto a solid to be measured is measured, and the critical surface tension of the solid is determined by ZismanPlot. In recent years, Kaelble et al. And Hata et al. Determine the solid surface energy from similar contact angle data using an analysis method using the extended Fowkes equation. The measurement of the contact angle is also various, but the SessileDrop method, the WettingForce method and the like are often used. Alternatively, a film wetting test (JIS K
It is also possible to know the approximate value by a method according to 6768). It is also effective to calculate an SP value or the like on a desk to grasp the tendency.

As described above, the image forming substance often contains a relatively hydrophobic resin as a main component. Therefore, by making the recording material hydrophilic (increase the surface energy of the recording material), it is possible to reduce the adhesiveness. Specifically, there is a recording material in which a surfactant and an acidic substance are held on at least a surface of the recording material on which an image is formed. The acidic substance is used for adjusting the surface pH as described above. Originally, a recording material having good fixability (that is, adhesiveness) of a hydrophobic image forming substance exhibits hydrophobicity. Therefore, on such a recording material, the hydrophobic group of the surfactant tends to be oriented toward the recording material and the hydrophilic group tends to be oriented in the gas phase, and the surface is hydrophilized. The amount of surfactant provided is
The adhesiveness between the surface of the recording material and the image forming substance is adjusted so as to have a predetermined size. Examples of the surfactant used include various surfactants such as anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactants, fluorine surfactants, and silicone surfactants. No. In particular, a recording material containing at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-based surfactant, a silicone-based surfactant, and an anionic surfactant is free from defective removal of an image-forming substance, and is excellent. This is preferable because reproduction quality can be obtained.

Fluorinated surfactants include, as surfactants containing fluorine, anionics such as fluoroalkyl carboxylate, fluoroalkyl sulfonate and fluoroalkyl phosphate, and amphoteric surfactants such as fluoroalkyl-introduced betaine. And nonionics such as fluoroalkylethylene oxide adducts, fluoroalkyl oligomers and fluoroalkylamine oxides, and cations such as fluoroalkyltrimethylammonium salts.

As the silicone surfactant, a polyoxyalkylene modified siloxane, a carboxylated polyoxyalkylene modified siloxane, or the like can be used.

Specific examples of the anionic surfactant include:
Carboxylate such as soap, N-acyl amino acid salt, alkyl ether acetate, acylated peptide, alkyl sulfonate, alkyl benzene sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sulfosuccinate, alkyl sulfosuccinate, α -Sulfonates such as olefin sulfonates and N-acyl sulfonates, sulfated oils, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl ether sulfates, sulfate salts such as alkyl amide sulfates,
Alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, phosphate salts such as alkyl aryl phosphates, fluoroalkyl carboxylate, fluoroalkyl sulfonate,
Examples thereof include fluoroalkyl phosphoric acid esters, carboxylic acid-modified polydimethylsiloxane, and sulfonic acid-modified polydimethylsiloxane. The above surfactants can be used alone, or different types of surfactants can be mixed and used.

Another configuration in which the surface energy of the recording material is increased is a recording material in which a water-soluble resin and an acidic substance are held on at least the surface of the recording material on which an image is formed. By applying a water-soluble resin in the same manner as the above-mentioned surfactant, the surface of the recording material becomes hydrophilic, and the adhesive strength with the image forming substance can be controlled to a desired value. Acidic substances are used to adjust the surface pH. Here, specific examples of the water-soluble resin include polyvinyl alcohol, poly (meth) acrylic acid and its salt, acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymer and its salt, acrylic acid / (meth) acrylic acid copolymer and its Salts, acrylic acid / sulfonic acid monomer copolymers and salts thereof, polycarboxylic acids, polyacrylamides, alginic acids and salts thereof, and the like. Especially polyacrylic acid (co)
When an acid type polymer or alginic acid is used as the polymer, the surface pH can be adjusted only with the water-soluble resin, and it may not be necessary to add another acidic substance.

Conversely, by setting the surface energy of the recording material low, the adhesive force with the image forming substance can be reduced. As a specific configuration of the recording material, at least one or more resins selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-based resin and a silicone-based resin and an acidic substance are formed on at least a surface of the recording material on which an image is formed. The held recording material can be used. In these, the surface energy of the recording material is significantly reduced by the fluorine-based resin or the silicone-based resin, and it is difficult to adhere to the image forming substance. Acidic substances are used to adjust the surface pH. Specific examples of the fluororesin include polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene. Further, specific examples of the silicone resin include polysilanes and polysiloxanes of methylsilanes and phenylsilanes, and organically modified polysiloxanes.

Further, even if an alkyl ketene dimer is applied to the recording material, the surface energy can be reduced. A specific configuration of the recording material is a recording material in which an alkyl ketene dimer and an acidic substance are held on at least a surface of the recording material on which an image is formed. Acidic substances are used to adjust the surface pH.

Since the recording material described above forms an image by using an ordinary printer or copier and is used, the shape must be a sheet. Its composition is
It is essential that at least the image forming surface (surface layer) contains the above-mentioned substances. The image forming surface does not need to be composed only of the substance, and the substance may be dispersed. Further, for the base material other than the surface layer, a material different from the surface layer portion can be used. That is, for example, it can be produced by coating a predetermined material in a solution or dispersion state on a normal paper, a resin film or a metal sheet or the like. As the coating method, various commonly used coating methods such as dipping, spray coating, roller coating, brush coating, screen printing, electrostatic coating and the like can be applied, and are appropriately selected depending on a substance to be coated. In the case of a recording material made of a resin component, the recording material can be manufactured by film formation. Also in this case, various film forming methods such as a casting method, a melt extrusion method, a stretching method, and a dispersion method can be applied, and are appropriately selected depending on the type of the resin. When the recording material is paper-based, a method of adding a desired compound in a usual papermaking process is also useful.

As the recording material corresponding to the above-mentioned (a recording material whose adhesive strength to an image forming substance is reduced by some mechanism during the reproduction process), ordinary paper can be used. Paper, which is the most common recording material, is made of cellulose fiber, so its adhesiveness with an image-forming substance mainly composed of a hydrophobic resin is originally poor, but it cannot be removed by a slight friction. It has been established to the extent. Therefore, when an image removal accelerating liquid is applied to a recording material on which an image is formed, the adhesive force between the image forming substance and the recording material is reduced, and the removal is facilitated, so that the recording material can be reproduced. become. As the mechanism of the decrease in the adhesive strength, swelling of the paper fiber by the image removal accelerating liquid and a change in interfacial energy of the adhesive surface are considered.

By providing such an image removal accelerating liquid, the image forming substance can be removed and the recording material can be reused. The recording material contains cellulose fibers as a main component and contains an acidic substance. Thus, it is possible to prevent the afterimage of dyeing due to the anionic colorant, which is an object of the present invention, and to remove the image forming substance. More specifically, a material provided with aluminum sulfate as an acidic substance is preferable. The reason for this is that the paper with the above configuration was produced and consumed in large quantities as acidic paper before the production of neutral paper became popular, and its properties such as ordinary printing and copying were good. , And also have established production technology,
This is because paper can be easily formed.

At present, an extremely large number of printing papers or copy papers contain an alkyl ketene dimer as a sizing agent. Even if an alkyl ketene dimer is provided as described above, the surface energy can be reduced. Therefore, the same effect can be obtained even with a recording material in which an acidic substance is added to at least the surface of the paper containing an alkyl ketene dimer on which an image is formed. Such a recording material is not only suitable for reuse, but also has the advantage that it can be obtained by a very simple method of acidifying the surface of printing paper or copying paper which has been widely used in the past.

Next, a method of reproducing a recording material according to the present embodiment will be described. The recording material can be reproduced in a reusable state as follows. That is, first, an image is formed on the recording material using an image-forming substance made of a thermoplastic or heat-meltable resin containing an anionic coloring component. In the case of reusing, after contacting the image forming substance with a member (peeling member) having a property of adhering to the image forming substance, heating and / or pressurizing are performed. Thereby, the image forming substance is transferred from the recording material to the peeling member, and can be removed from the recording material. Before or at the time of contact with the peeling member, an image removal accelerating liquid for the purpose of reducing the adhesive force between the image forming substance and the recording material can be applied to the recording material. As the image removal accelerating solution, a solution obtained by adding a surfactant having high dispersion or dissolution stability to water to water can be used. As the surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant,
An amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a silicone-based surfactant, a fluorine-based surfactant, or the like can be used.

The peeling member is a member for peeling and transferring the image forming material from the recording material by adhering to the image forming material on the recording material. It is necessary to have a certain degree of adhesiveness and heat resistance when heating. As the release member, for example, isoprene rubber, neoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, butadiene rubber, synthetic rubber such as fluoro rubber, natural rubber, epoxy resin such as bisphenol / epichlorohydrin condensate, alkyd resin, urea formaldehyde resin, butyl Urea formaldehyde resin, butylated melamine formaldehyde resin,
Amino resins such as benzoguanamine formaldehyde resin, phenolic thermosetting resins such as tempen phenol resin, phenol ether resin and phenol resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer , Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, vinyl copolymer polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polypropylene, vinyl copolymers such as polyethylene, polybutyl acrylate, polymethacrylic acid ,
Acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyimide, polyamide such as 6,6-nylon, 6-nylon, polycarbonate, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone, polyethylene terephthalate,
Polyethylene naphthalate, polyesters such as aromatic polyesters, thermoplastic or thermosetting synthetic resins such as polyphenylene sulfide, polyparabaranic acid, polyether nitrile, aramid, metals such as nickel, iron, aluminum and their oxides, Ni copper, Stainless steel,
A metal alloy such as an Fe-Ni alloy, a Co-Al alloy, Monel, Inconel, and duralumin can be used.

The above-mentioned organic polymer compound may be used alone or may contain additives such as titanium oxide particles, silica particles and carbon particles, and examples thereof include ceramic materials.

Each of the above materials can be used alone. However, in order to improve the durability and peeling characteristics, the materials may be laminated, alloyed, or made of glass fiber, whisker, carbon, silica, titanium oxide, or the like. It can be used in combination by adding other additives.

The optimum material for the release material should be selected according to the type of the image-forming substance to be peeled, the conditions for the process of removing the image-forming substance, and the like. It is advantageous in various points, in which case relatively high heat resistance and surface stability are required. Examples of preferred release members from the image removal characteristics and durability include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyether ether ketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyparabaranic acid, polyether nitrile, aramid, polyimide, polyether imide, stainless steel, nickel And alumite.

Next, a description will be given of a recording material reproducing apparatus that embodies the recording material reproducing method. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the recording material reproducing apparatus. The paper feed unit 1 supplies the recording material 10 accumulated on the bottom plate 101 from the uppermost one by a supply roller 102, separates the multi-feed recording material by a separation mechanism (not shown), and forms one recording material. Only 10 is sent out by a pair of registration rollers 104 for timing adjustment and skew correction.

The image forming substance peeling unit 3 includes a plurality of peeling rollers 302 each having a built-in heating lamp 301 as a means for softening the image forming substance T, and two belts 303 made of a peeling member are provided around the periphery thereof. The configuration is adopted. When the recording material 10 is introduced between the belts 303, the peeling member 303
A shear force is generated between the recording material 10 and the recording medium 10. With this force, the image forming substance can be removed without damaging the surface of the recording material 10.

The heating lamp 301 incorporated in the peeling roller 302 heats and softens the image forming material adhered to the surface of the recording material 10 and adhered to the recording material, thereby covering the image forming material. This is to make it easy to peel off from the fibers of the recording material 10. This heating is desirably performed to such an extent that the image forming substance on the recording material 10 does not melt at the pressure contact portion. When the image forming substance is melted, the recording material 10
This is because it becomes difficult to transfer the upper image forming substance to the peeling belt side without separating the recording material side and the peeling belt 303 side. On the other hand, if the recording material 10 is excessively heated, the recording material 10 may adhere to the peeling belt via the image forming substance while passing through the image removing unit, and may not be separated.

The cleaning device includes a spiral roller 3 for removing the image forming substance T on the surface of the peeling belt 303.
04 is used. The lower part is provided with an image forming substance receiver (image forming substance container) 305 for containing the scraped image forming substance 30.

The recording material receiving unit 5 includes a discharge tray 501 for receiving the recording material 10 discharged from the peeling unit 3.

Although not shown in the drawing, the image removing apparatus has a detecting means for detecting whether or not the recording material 10 is present on the supply table, a means for detecting a double feed of the recording material 10 by the supply unit 1, Jam detection means in the apparatus for recording material 10, lighting control means for each heating lamp, and image forming material receiving container 305
There is provided an inner full detecting means and the like.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another recording material reproducing apparatus. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, an image removal promoting liquid supply unit (hereinafter, referred to as a liquid supply unit) 2 for applying an image removal promoting liquid to a recording material before coming into contact with a peeling member.
And a drying unit 4 for drying and shaping the recording material. The liquid supply unit 2 includes a liquid container 20.
1. Means for detecting remaining amount of liquid in liquid container 201 and liquid container 20
1. Automatic liquid replenishing means 202, liquid pumping roller 20
7. The image removing accelerating liquid 20, which is composed of the liquid applying roller 208 and the pressing roller 209, is drawn from the liquid container 201 by the pumping roller 207, is squeezed by pressure from the upper roller, and a small amount of the image accelerating liquid is recorded. It can be applied to the material 10. In addition, two-stage application is possible by combining two application roller units or by using a non-contact type liquid applying means. Also, the number of stages can be arbitrarily set according to the purpose. In this unit 2, the recording material 10 fed from the paper feeding unit 1 is provided with an image removal accelerating liquid necessary for a reproduction process, and is conveyed to the next image removal unit 3.

The drying unit 4 includes a drying drum 402 made of, for example, aluminum and having a built-in heating lamp 401.
Finished belt 403 with good air permeability and high surface smoothness
It consists of. Instead of or in addition to such a drying mechanism, a member of a roller pair may be used, or a hot air fan or an infrared lamp may be used.

The structure of the recording material reproducing apparatus is not limited to those shown in FIGS.

[0059]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, more specific examples and comparative examples of the present invention will be described. In the following Examples and Comparative Examples, a digital copying machine Image MF-p150 (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) was used for image formation on a recording material.

[Example 1] Paper source S (PP manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.)
C paper (neutral paper)), 0.3 g /
After applying A4 with a roller, a 5 wt% aqueous solution of aluminum sulfate was spray-coated and dried to prepare a recording material 10a. J. Tappi-No. When the surface pH of the recording material 10a was measured by the measurement method specified in 6-75, it was pH4. <Treatment liquid A> AOT (anionic surfactant manufactured by Mitsui Cyanamid): 5 wt% water: remaining amount

After an image was formed on the recording material 10a, the recording material was subjected to a reproducing process using the recording material reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which the peeling member was made of polyethylene terephthalate resin, and the resin component was removed without damaging the recording material. Was done. Further, the image density of the solid image portion and the background portion was measured with a reflection type color spectrophotometric densitometer manufactured by X-Rite Co., and the residual image density was calculated according to the formula 1.
00.

## EQU1 ## Afterimage density = (image density after reproduction processing of solid image portion)-(image density of recording material background after reproduction processing)

Example 2 After applying 0.5 g / A4 of a treatment liquid B having the following formulation to a paper source S by roller, citric acid 5 wt.
% Aqueous solution is spray coated and dried, and the recording material 10
b was produced. The surface pH of the recording material 10b was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and was found to be 3.5. <Treatment liquid B> S113 (Asahi glass-made fluorinated surfactant): 3w
t% water: remaining amount

After an image was formed on the recording material 10b, a reproduction process was performed by the recording material reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which the peeling member was made of a polyetheretherketone resin. Material removed. The residual image density was 0.00, and reproduction was possible in a reusable state.

Example 3 After applying 0.5 g / A4 of a treatment liquid C having the following formulation to my paper (neutral paper made by NBS Ricoh), a 5 wt% aqueous solution of oxalic acid was spray-coated, dried, and recorded. Material 10c was produced. Example 1
The surface pH of the recording material 10c was measured in the same manner as
pH was 4.5. <Treatment liquid C> S113 (Asahi glass-made fluorinated surfactant): 1w
t% AOT (anionic surfactant manufactured by Mitsui Cyanamid): 3 wt% Water: remaining amount

After an image was formed on the recording material 10c, a reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, the recording material could be reproduced in a reusable state at a peeling rate of 100% without damaging the recording material. Was.

Example 4 A treatment liquid D having the following formulation (0.5 g / A4) was applied to a paper source S by a roller, and then dried to produce a recording material 10d. The recording material 10 as in the first embodiment
When the surface pH of d was measured, it was pH4. <Treatment liquid D> SH3746 (Silicone surfactant made by Dow Corning Toray Silicone): 10 wt% Lactic acid: 5 wt% Water: remaining amount

After an image was formed on the recording material 10d, a reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 2. As a result, the image forming material was removed without damaging the recording material. The residual image density was 0.00, and reproduction was possible in a reusable state.

Example 5 A 100 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate film was treated with a treatment solution E0.
5 g / A4 is applied by a roller and dried, and the recording material 1
0e was produced. The surface pH of the recording material 10e was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and was found to be pH5. <Treatment liquid E> Polyvinyl alcohol (water-soluble polymer, polymerization degree 1900
-2100): 1 wt% ammonium sulfate: 2 wt% water: remaining amount

After an image was formed on the recording material 10e, a reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, the image forming material was removed without damaging the recording material. The residual image density was 0.00, and the image could be reproduced in a reusable state.

Example 6 After applying 0.5 g / A4 of a treatment liquid F having the following formulation to a paper source S by a roller, oxalic acid 5 wt.
% Aqueous solution is spray coated and dried, and the recording material 10
f was produced. The surface pH of the recording material 10f was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and was found to be pH 5. <Treatment liquid F> Aquaric TL-300 (Acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymer salt manufactured by Nippon Shokubai): 3 wt% Water: residual amount

After an image was formed on the recording material 10f, a reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 2. As a result, the image forming material was removed without damaging the recording material. The residual image density was 0.00, and the image could be reproduced in a reusable state.

Example 7 A processing solution G having the following formulation was applied to a paper source S by a roller at a rate of 0.2 g / A4, followed by drying to prepare 10 g of a recording material. The recording material 10 as in the first embodiment
g was measured to have a surface pH of 3. <Treatment liquid G> Aquaric AS-52 (polyacrylic acid manufactured by Nippon Shokubai): 10 wt% water: remaining amount

After an image was formed on 10 g of the recording material, a reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, the image forming substance was removed at a peeling rate of 100% without damaging the recording material. The residual image density was 0.00, and reproduction was possible in a reusable state.

Example 8 After applying 0.2 g / A4 of a treatment liquid H having the following formulation to a paper source S by a roller, a 5 wt% aqueous solution of aluminum sulfate was spray-coated and dried to prepare a recording material 10 h. The recording material 10 as in the first embodiment
When the surface pH of h was measured, it was pH4. <Treatment liquid H> Tetrafluoroethylene fine particles (dispersed in the treatment liquid): 1
wt% polyvinyl alcohol (water-soluble polymer, polymerization degree 1900
2100): 1 wt% water: remaining amount

After an image was formed on the recording material 10h, a reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 2. As a result, the image forming material was removed without damaging the recording material. The residual image density was 0.00, and reproduction was possible in a reusable state.

Example 9 As a raw material pulp, C.I. S.
F. LBKP 70 parts and NBKP beaten to 450 ml
30 parts of the mixture was mixed with 10 parts of kaolin, 0.1 part of alkyl ketene dimer, and 2 parts of aluminum sulfate to prepare a recording material 10i weighing 80 g / m ² by a conventional method. The surface pH of the recording material 10i was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and was found to be pH3. After an image is formed on the recording material 10i, an image removal accelerating liquid having the following formulation (amount applied: 0.5 g / A4) is prepared by a recording material reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 using a polyetheretherketone resin as a release member. As a result, the image forming substance was removed without damaging the recording material. The residual image density was 0.00, and reproduction was possible in a reusable state. <Image removal accelerating liquid> MA80 (anionic surfactant manufactured by Mitsui Cyanamid): 3 wt% N-methyl-22-pyrrolidone: 5 wt% Glycerin: 1 wt%

Example 10 C.I. S.
F. 80 parts of LBKP beaten to 430 ml and NBKP2
0 parts of the mixture was mixed with 10 parts of kaolin, 0.1 part of an acidic rosin sizing agent and 2 parts of aluminum sulfate to prepare a recording material 10j weighing 80 g / m ² by a conventional method. The surface pH of the recording material 10j was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and was found to be pH 4. After an image was formed on the recording material 10j, a reproduction process was performed in the recording material reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in the same manner as in Example 9, and a part of the recording material was broken. Therefore, the applied amount of the image removal accelerating liquid is set to 0.8 g / A.
When the reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 9 except that the recording material was changed to 4, the image-forming substance was removed without damaging the recording material. The residual image density was 0.00, and reproduction was possible in a reusable state.

Comparative Example 1 After an image was formed on a paper source S (Ricoh PPC paper (neutral paper) surface pH 7), the recording material was reproduced by the recording material reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which the release member was made of polyethylene terephthalate resin. When the reproduction processing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, the paper was torn along the image portion and could not be reproduced.

Comparative Example 2 After an image was formed on the paper source S, a regenerating process was performed in the same manner as in Example 9 by the recording material reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in which the peeling member was made of polyethylene terephthalate resin. Although the resin component in the inside could be completely removed, a blue-violet dyeing afterimage was uniformly generated in a portion where an image was present. The afterimage density was 0.14.
When different images were formed on the processed paper with the same copying machine, the characters and images were difficult to read due to the residual dye image and were unsuitable for reuse.

Comparative Example 3 After an image was formed on my paper (neutral paper surface pH 7 manufactured by NBS Ricoh, pH 7), the recording material reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. When the regenerating process was performed in the same manner, although the resin component in the toner was completely removed, a blue-violet dyeing residual image was uniformly generated in a portion where an image was present. The afterimage density was 0.13. On the processed paper,
When different images were formed with the same copying machine, characters and images were difficult to read due to the residual dye image, and were not suitable for reuse.

Comparative Example 4 A recording material 10 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the aqueous solution of aluminum sulfate was not applied.
k was produced. The surface pH of the recording material 10k was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and was found to be pH 8. When an image was formed and the reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, although the resin component in the toner was completely removed, a blue-violet dyeing residual image was uniformly generated in the portion where the image was present. The afterimage density is
0.15. When different images were formed on the processed paper with the same copying machine, characters and images were difficult to read due to residual dyeing images, and were unsuitable for reuse.

Comparative Example 5 A recording material 10 l was produced in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the aqueous citric acid solution was not applied. The surface pH of 10 l of the recording material was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and was found to be pH 9. When an image was formed and a reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 2, although the resin component in the toner was completely removed, a blue-violet dyeing residual image was uniformly generated in a portion where the image was present. The afterimage density was 0.15. When different images were formed on the processed paper with the same copying machine, characters and images were difficult to read due to residual dyeing images, and were unsuitable for reuse.

Comparative Example 6 A recording material 10n was produced in the same manner as in Example 5, except that sodium sulfate was used instead of ammonium sulfate. Recording material 1 as in the first embodiment
When the surface pH of 0n was measured, it was pH7. When an image was formed and the reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 5, although the resin component in the toner could be completely removed, a blue-violet residual image was uniformly formed on the portion where the image was present. The afterimage density was 0.14. When different images were formed on the processed paper with the same copying machine, characters and images were difficult to read due to residual dyeing images, and were unsuitable for reuse.

Comparative Example 7 A recording material 10p was produced in the same manner as in Example 7 except that Aqualic DL-453 (sodium polyacrylate manufactured by Nippon Shokubai) was used instead of Aqualic AS-52. Recording material 1 as in the first embodiment
It was pH 8.5 when the surface pH of 0p was measured. After forming an image in the same manner as in Example 7, when a regenerating process was performed, the resin component in the toner was completely removed, but a blue-violet dyeing residual image was uniformly generated in a portion where the image was present. The afterimage density was 0.12. When different images were formed on the processed paper with the same copying machine, characters and images were difficult to read due to residual dyeing images, and were unsuitable for reuse.

Comparative Example 8 A recording material 10q was prepared in the same manner as in Example 9 except that aluminum sulfate was omitted.
The surface pH of the recording material 10q was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and was found to be pH 8. When an image was formed and the reproduction process was performed in the same manner as in Example 9, although the resin component in the toner was completely removed, a blue-violet dyeing residual image was uniformly formed in a portion where the image was present. The afterimage density was 0.22.
When different images were formed on the processed paper with the same copying machine, characters and images were difficult to read due to residual dyeing images, and were unsuitable for reuse.

[0086]

According to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a dyeing afterimage due to the coloring component contained in the image forming substance.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a dyeing residual image and to easily remove the image forming substance from the recording material.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the use of the specific surfactant has an excellent effect that the removal of the image forming substance is facilitated.

According to the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention,
There is an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a dyeing residual image and to easily remove the image forming substance from the recording material.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the use of the specific salt-type water-soluble polymer has an excellent effect that removal of the image-forming substance is facilitated.

According to the invention of claim 6, by using a specific acid-type water-soluble polymer, a simpler recording material prescription can be obtained.
There is an excellent effect that generation of a dyeing residual image can be prevented and the image forming substance can be easily removed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the occurrence of a dyeing residual image can be prevented and the image forming substance can be easily removed from the recording material.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a dyeing residual image and to easily remove the image forming substance from the recording material.

According to the ninth and tenth aspects of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the occurrence of a dyeing afterimage due to the coloring component contained in the image forming substance can be prevented.

According to the tenth aspect, there is an excellent effect that a recording material suitable for reuse can be obtained.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a dyeing residual image due to the coloring component contained in the image forming substance, and thus an excellent effect that the recording material can be reproduced well. is there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a recording material reproducing apparatus suitable for reproducing a recording material according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of another recording material reproducing apparatus suitable for reproducing the recording material according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed unit 2 Liquid supply unit 3 Image forming substance peeling unit 4 Drying unit 5 Recording material receiving unit 10 Recording material 30 Image forming material

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme court ゛ (Reference) G03G 9/087 G03G 9/08 321 (72) Inventor Joji Murakami 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo 6 Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiko Goto 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. (72) Tomoko Sekine 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. Ricoh

Claims (11)

[Claims] An image forming material comprising a thermoplastic or heat-fusible resin containing an anionic coloring component, wherein an image is formed, and the recording material is reused by removing the image forming material. A recording material characterized in that the pH is acidic. 2. A recording material according to claim 1, wherein a surfactant and an acidic substance are held at least on a surface on which an image is formed. 3. The recording material according to claim 2, wherein the surfactant is at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-based surfactant, a silicone-based surfactant, and an anionic surfactant. A recording material characterized in that there is a recording material. 4. The recording material according to claim 1, wherein a water-soluble resin and an acidic substance are held at least on a surface on which an image is formed. 5. The recording material according to claim 4, wherein at least a surface on which an image is formed is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, a polyacrylic acid-based polymer salt or an acid-based copolymer salt, and an alginate. At least one
A recording material characterized by holding at least one kind of water-soluble resin and an acidic substance. 6. The recording material according to claim 4, wherein at least the surface on which an image is formed has at least one selected from the group consisting of an acid-type polyacrylic acid-based polymer, an acid-based copolymer, and alginic acid. A recording material characterized by holding at least one kind of water-soluble resin. 7. The recording material according to claim 1, wherein at least a surface on which an image is formed has at least one selected from the group consisting of a fluororesin and a silicone resin.
A recording material characterized by holding at least one kind of resin and an acidic substance. 8. The recording material according to claim 1, wherein an alkyl ketene dimer and an acidic substance are held on at least a surface on which an image is formed. 9. An image is formed by an image-forming substance comprising a thermoplastic or heat-fusible resin containing an anionic coloring component, and the image-forming substance is removed by applying an image-removing accelerating liquid so that the image-forming substance can be reused. In the recording material that becomes possible,
A recording material comprising a cellulose fiber as a main component and an acidic substance. 10. The recording material according to claim 9, wherein the recording material containing an alkyl ketene dimer, which is formed by a conventional method, is provided with an acidic substance at least on a surface on which an image is formed. To be recorded. 11. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
After forming an image on a recording material of 8, 9, or 10 by using an image forming substance made of a thermoplastic or thermofusible resin containing an anionic coloring component, the image forming substance;
Heating and / or pressurizing after contacting the image forming substance with a peeling member having the property of bonding allows the image forming substance to be transferred from the recording material to the peeling member and removed from the recording material. Characteristic method of reproducing a recording material.