JP2003145883A - Regenerating container for reversible thermal recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stack reversible thermal recording media while sorting for each size after erasing the image part and the handwriting part. SOLUTION: Rewritable sheets P (hereinafter referred to a sheet) on which an image and a handwriting are recorded are stacked in each tray 8. Image part on the sheet P fed from the tray 8 into an apparatus is erased by an image erasing means 2 and the size of the sheet P is detected by a size detecting means 17. Handwriting part of the sheet P being carried through the apparatus by means of a suction unit 12 is then erased by a handwriting erasing means 3. Furthermore, the sheets P being carried are contained in a containing means 5 while being sorted for each size by a sorting means 4. At the containing means 5, a containing amount detecting means detects the containing amount which is then displayed by the display means on an operating panel 36.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reversible thermosensitive recording medium capable of erasing characters and images by controlling heat, and an image in the reversible thermosensitive recording medium,
The present invention relates to a reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating device that erases a separately-corrected writing portion and stores the writing portion separately for each size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, in mechanical design, C
A design using AD (computer-aided design) software is performed. In addition, CAE (computer-aided enginee
ring) Due to the progress of simulation software, it becomes possible to perform testing and analysis by arithmetic processing on a personal computer based on the data designed by CAD without making prototypes, which shortens product development time and reduces development costs. Has been realized. In the final stage of development, prototypes will be actually made and various tests will be conducted, but CAD data will be provided as is, and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) will be provided.
By using a system, paperless is rapidly progressing, such as directly connecting a machine tool and CAD. In this way, it is no longer necessary to transmit or store design items in a paper medium, and with the spread of the Internet, it is changing to handling as digital data.

However, in the actual design process, it is common to print on a paper medium and perform various checks at the time of design review at each stage, at the time of making a prototype, or at the time of drawing out. is there. This is because a paper medium is overwhelmingly easier to see than a personal computer monitor due to its wide viewing angle, high contrast, habituation, etc., and mistakes can be easily confirmed. In particular, in the case of a design review, since several people perform the check, a paper medium on which a plurality of drawings can be arranged at once and information can be transmitted and confirmed by adding the drawings is more suitable. In this way, the demand for paper media will not disappear even if digitalization advances. And since the above drawings are particularly confidential,
When disposing, it takes time to shred and incinerate. In addition to the above design, for example, conference materials,
It is desirable to distribute circulars and reports as paper media in the same way as in the case above, from the viewpoint of information transmission, and since they are stored as digital data, most of them are currently discarded. is there.

As described above, while digital data has been developed and the need for paper media has arisen, in recent years, reversible thermosensitive recording media with good visibility have been put to practical use due to technological development of leuco dyes and color developing materials. Has been converted. A reversible thermosensitive recording medium can erase characters and images by controlling heat. The conventional printer technology using a thermal head can be applied to the printer. In this way, by displaying digital information temporarily and then being able to erase it freely, by reusing a reversible thermosensitive recording medium instead of a paper medium to be discarded,
It is possible to reduce the environmental burden. Paper media is a material that can be recycled and recycled, and a recycling system has been built, but there are problems such as the destruction of confidential materials that cannot be erased, and the problem that it takes a lot of effort to collect and reproduce them. Therefore, it can be said that the reuse of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium is advantageous in various aspects.

[0005]

However, when the reversible thermosensitive recording medium described above is used, it is necessary to store used and erased recording media. Usually, when storing used and erased reversible thermosensitive recording media, they are placed around the printer in different sizes and stacked, which is not convenient and looks bad. is there.

The above-mentioned design review, drawing inspection,
It is necessary to add corrections when making corrections and various checks at meetings and other occasions. When adding to the reversible thermosensitive recording medium,
In order to reuse this, there is also a problem that it takes time and effort to erase the added part separately.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, used and erased reversible thermosensitive recording media can be sorted and stored for each size, and the writing portion can also be erased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / storing device that can be used.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing and accommodating apparatus according to claim 1 according to the present invention has a plurality of reversible thermosensitive recording media mounted and individually conveyed. Means, an image erasing means for erasing an image portion of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium by a temperature controlled heat source, and a reversible means for reversing the image. Size detecting means for detecting the size of the heat-sensitive recording medium; species separating means provided in the conveying path of the conveying means for dividing the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium into respective sizes; It is characterized by further comprising storage means for storing the heat-sensitive recording medium for each size, and control means for controlling the classification means based on a detection signal from the size detection means.

A reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to claim 2 is the reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording medium is accommodated in the accommodating means. Storage amount detection means for detecting the amount,
Display means for displaying the storage amount, wherein the control means displays the storage amount of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium for each size in the storage means based on a detection signal from the storage amount detecting means. It is characterized in that it is displayed on the means.

A reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to a third aspect is the reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the conveying means conveys the reversible thermosensitive recording medium before erasing. A supply unit for mounting a plurality of units and individually conveying them into the apparatus is provided, and the control unit displays the fact that the storage amount of the storage unit is full based on a detection signal from the storage amount detection unit. And the conveyance of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium from the supply unit is stopped.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproducing / housing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording medium according to the third aspect, wherein the supplying section has the reversible thermosensitive recording medium for each size. A plurality of trays on which the storage means is mounted, and the control means displays on the display means that the storage amount for each size in the storage means is full based on the detection signal from the storage amount detection means. At the same time, the conveyance of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium from each of the trays according to the size in which the storage amount is full is stopped.

A reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the image erasing means moves in accordance with the position of each tray. It is characterized by being possible.

A reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to claim 6 is the reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conveying means has a conveying path. And a writing / erasing means for erasing a writing portion added to the reversible thermosensitive recording medium.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproducing / housing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording medium according to the sixth aspect, wherein the rewriting / removing device for the reversible thermosensitive recording medium is for the reversible thermosensitive recording medium. The control means is movable.
It is characterized in that the additional writing erasing means is moved according to the size of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium based on the detection signal from the size detecting means.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a reproducing / storing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording medium of the present invention.

First, the reversible thermosensitive recording medium (rewritable paper) is mainly composed of a thin thin paper material or a synthetic resin material as a base, a colorless or white leuco dye and a developer having a long chain alkyl group. And are applied, and a protective layer is applied thereon. This reversible thermosensitive recording medium utilizes the reversible color development and decolorization reaction of a leuco dye and a color developer.
When heated, the leuco dye reacts with the color developer to develop color,
If it is rapidly cooled as it is, the coloring state is maintained. When heated again and cooled slowly, phase separation occurs due to the self-aggregation effect of the long-chain alkyl group of the color developer, and the leuco dye and the color developer are physically separated and decolored.

There is also a transparent cloudy rewritable paper. In this case, fine particles of fatty acid are dispersed in a polymer thin film, and when heated to 110 ° C. or higher, the resin expands due to melting of the fatty acid. Then, when cooled, the fatty acid becomes supercooled and remains as a liquid, and the expanded resin solidifies. Then, the fatty acid solidifies and shrinks to become polycrystalline fine particles, and spaces are created between the resin and the fine particles. Light is scattered by this space and appears white. Next, when it is heated in the erasing temperature range of 80 to 110 degrees, it becomes transparent and the image is erased.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to the present embodiment is mainly composed of the conveying means 1.
The image erasing unit 2, the additional writing erasing unit 3, the type classifying unit 4, and the storing unit 5.

First, the transport means 1 has a supply section 7. The supply unit 7 supplies the rewritable paper P on which the above-described image is formed into the inside of the apparatus. The supply unit 7 includes a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) trays 8 (8 in which stacked rewritable paper sheets P are stacked for each size (for example, A4, A3, B4, etc.).
a, 8b, 8c). Each tray 8 is provided with presence / absence detecting means 9 including, for example, a reflection type sensor. Each presence / absence detection unit 9 detects the presence / absence of the rewritable paper P in the tray 8.

A paper feed mechanism 10 is provided corresponding to each tray 8. The paper feed mechanism 10 is composed of a pickup roll 10a that is driven to rotate, and a separating member 10b that is elastically biased so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the pickup roll 10a. Further, an abutting plate 11 is provided upright in front of the paper feeding mechanism 10. The tray 8 is inclined toward the paper feed mechanism 10 side, and each rewritable paper P stacked and placed.
The leading end of the rewritable paper P is brought into contact with the abutting plate 11, and the lowermost rewritable paper P is guided between the pickup roll 10a and the separating member 10b. Pickup roll 10a
Rewritable paper P led between the separating member 10b and the separating member 10b.
Rotates the pickup roll 10a and separates the separating member 10
It is sent out inside the device one by one by the urging force of b.

The carrying means 1 also has a suction unit 12. The suction unit 12 conveys the rewritable paper P inside the apparatus. The suction unit 12 includes an endless conveyor belt 14 around the suction section 13.
It is made by winding. The suction unit 13 is equipped with a suction fan or the like (not shown) inside the frame to suck the rewritable paper P.
The conveyor belt 14 is driven to circulate around the suction unit 13 by a pair of rollers 14a. In addition, the conveyor belt 14
Are provided side by side with the roller 14a, and a plurality of ventilation holes (not shown) are formed in each. The rewritable paper P is attracted to the conveyor belt 14 by the suction force of the suction unit 13 through the ventilation hole, and is transported around the suction unit 13 by the circulation of the conveyor belt 14.

Next, the image erasing means 2 is
It is arranged between the paper feed mechanism 10 and the suction unit 12. The image erasing unit 2 is rotatably supported by the heat roll 16a, and is provided in parallel with the heat roll 16a. The image erasing unit 2 is elastically biased so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the heat roll 16a and is driven to rotate. Roll 1
6b and an image erasing unit 16 provided with 6b. The heat roll 16a is provided with a heat source, and its surface is set to a temperature at which the image formed on the rewritable paper P can be erased.
Further, the heat roll 16a sends the rewritable paper P to the suction unit 12 between the heat roll 16a and the counter roll 16b by the urging force of the counter roll 16b and the rotational drive. The heat roll 16a may be formed in a rotatable roll shape, or may be formed in a fixed plate shape, but the roll shape can obtain higher transportability.

The image erasing unit 16 has a size detecting means 17 for detecting the size of the rewritable paper P to be sent out.
Are provided at positions corresponding to each width size of the rewritable paper P. The size detection unit 17 is composed of, for example, a reflection type sensor, detects the length of the rewritable paper P according to the feed speed sent out between the heat roll 16a and the counter roll 16b, and also the rewritable paper P.
Detect the width of.

The image erasing means 2 also has a moving mechanism 18 for moving the image erasing unit 16 to the position of each paper feeding mechanism 10 of the supply section 7. The moving mechanism 18 includes a conveyor belt 18b wound around a pair of rollers 18a. Both ends of the conveyor belt 18b are connected to the image erasing unit 16. Then, the image erasing unit 16 is moved to the position of each paper feed mechanism 10 as the conveyance belt 18b circulates due to the rotation of the roller 18a. The image erasing unit 16 is preferably held in its movement by a guide rail (not shown).

Each paper feed mechanism 10 is provided with a position detecting means 19. The position detecting means 19 is composed of, for example, a light emitting / receiving sensor, and detects which paper feed mechanism 10 the image erasing unit 16 corresponds to by the shielding by the shielding plate 16 c provided in the image erasing unit 16. The position at which the image erasing unit 16 corresponds to the paper feed mechanism 10 means that the rewritable paper P sent by the paper feed mechanism 10 is
It is a suitable position to be guided between the heat roll 16a and the opposing roll 16b.

Next, the retouching / erasing means 3 is for erasing the retouched portion on the rewritable paper P. In the present embodiment, the writing on the rewritable paper P is performed with a dedicated ink pen. A volatile ink such as a ketone-based, ester-based, or alcohol-based ink is used for the dedicated ink pen, which can be freely added to the rewritable paper P, and can be dried immediately and does not damage the protective layer of the rewritable paper P. There is no limitation as long as it is one.

The addition unit 3 is a suction unit 1.
It is arranged in the vicinity of 2. The writing / erasing means 3 has a writing / erasing unit 21 provided with a wiping member 21a made of non-woven fabric or the like. In the present embodiment, the wiping member 21a is made of non-woven fabric in the form of a long strip, and each end is fixed to the pair of rollers 21b. Then, the roller 21b is rotationally driven to wind the strip-shaped nonwoven fabric from one side to the other side. The wiping member 21a is removable and replaceable.

The handwriting erasing unit 21 is rotatable with respect to the guide shaft 22. Then, the writing / erasing unit 21 is rotated around the guide shaft 22 by the pressing portion 23 such as a solenoid, and the wiping member 21 a is pressed against the transport belt 14 of the suction unit 12. That is, the rewritable paper P conveyed by the suction unit 12 is wiped with the wiping member 21a.
Will be pressed. The pressing member 23
An elastic member 24 such as a spring is interposed between the retouchable writing unit 21 and the erasing unit 21, and a predetermined pressing force for pressing the wiping member 21a against the rewritable paper P is applied.

Further, the writing brush erasing unit 21 is slidable with respect to the guide shaft 22. Then, the writing-erasing unit 21 is reciprocally moved in the width direction of the rewritable paper P conveyed by the suction unit 12 along the guide shaft 22 by a conveying mechanism (not shown).

Next, the sorting means 4 sorts the rewritable paper P conveyed by the suction unit 12 into storage means 5 described later for each size. The sorting means 4 moves the separation claw 26 by a movable portion 27 such as a solenoid. Separation claw 26 is movable part 2
Suction unit 1 by moving by 7
The state in which the rewritable paper P adsorbed to the conveyance belt 14 is peeled off by advancing between the two conveyance belts 14 and the state in which the rewritable paper P adsorbed to the conveyance belt 14 is separated from between the conveyance belts 14 and passed as it is. obtain. The sorting unit 4 in the present embodiment sorts the rewritable paper P into three sizes (A4, A3, B4), and therefore the moving unit 2
7 is provided at one upstream position, and the separation claw 26 is always provided at one downstream position where the separation claw 26 is inserted between the conveyor belts 14 without the movable portion 27.

Next, the storage means 5 stores the rewritable paper P of each size classified by the classification means 4. In the present embodiment, the storage means 5 stores storage portions 29 (29a, 29b, 29) that store rewritable paper P of three sizes (A4, A3, B4), respectively.
c). Each storage unit 29 can be pulled out of the device. Further, each storage unit 29 is provided with a small window (not shown), and the storage amount of the rewritable paper P stored can be visually confirmed from the outside of the apparatus. In addition, each storage unit 29 is provided with a side guide plate (not shown) that can reciprocate slightly in the conveying direction or the width direction of the rewritable paper P, and it is possible to obtain good paper alignment.

In this embodiment, each storage unit 29 has an A3 size.
It has a capacity capable of storing a rewritable paper P of a size. The storage part 29a for storing the A4 size rewritable paper P has a capacity capable of storing the A3 size and has a movable partition plate 30 which can be separated at the center thereof. The movable partition plate 30 is connected to the pinion gear 30b that meshes with the fixed rack teeth 30a, and moves to the inside of the storage portion 29a by moving the pinion gear 30b by the motor 30c and to the outside of the storage portion 29a. Get the position to do. Further, the storage section 29a has a feed mechanism 31 on the bottom thereof. The feeding mechanism 31 is formed by winding an endless belt 31b around a pair of rollers 31a, and the upper surface of the belt 31b forms the bottom surface of the storage portion 29a.
The feed mechanism 31 stacks and stores the A4 size rewritable paper P on the front side that is partitioned when the movable partition plate 30 is moving into the storage portion 29a. After that, the rewritable paper P stored by raising the movable partition plate 30 is moved to the back side, and if the movable partition plate 30 is lowered, the rewritable paper P of A4 size can be stored in the front side again. Further, the partition plate 3 is provided in the storage portion 29c for storing the B4 size rewritable paper P.
2 are provided.

Further, each of the storage sections 29 is provided with a storage amount detecting means 33 comprising an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the storage amount of the stored rewritable paper P. The storage unit 29
Regarding a, the storage amount detection means 33 is provided on the front side.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration relating to the operation of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / storing device. On the input side of the control means 35, the presence / absence detection means 9, the size detection means 17, the position detection means 19, the storage amount detection means 33, and the operation panel 36 (each button 38, 39, 40, 41) are connected. Further, on the output side of the control means 35, the conveying means 1 (supply section 7, suction unit 12), image erasing means 2, retouching erasing means 3, classification means 4, storing means 5, operation panel 36 (display means 37). ) Is connected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 36 has a display means 37, a mode selection button 38, a tray selection button 39, a start button 40, and a clear / stop button 41. The display unit 37 displays the storage amount of each storage unit 29 and "full" or "usable" according to the storage amount. The mode selection button 38 is used to select the automatic mode or the manual mode. The tray selection button 39 is used to select a tray to be used in the manual mode. The start button 40 is used to start the device after each of the above selections. Clear / Cancel button 41
, The above selections are cleared or the device is stopped.

Next, the operation control of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating device according to the control means 35 will be described. FIG. 4 is a control flow chart of the entire apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a control flow chart of fullness determination processing.

Incidentally, FIG. 4 shows the operation relating to the automatic mode. Further, in FIG. 4, each of the three trays 8a in FIG.
8b and 8c are A4 size, A3 size and B4 respectively
It is a tray dedicated to size. In this case, each tray 8
It is advisable to provide a movable guide plate (not shown) to regulate the lengths of the rewritable paper P to be placed in the feed direction and the width direction. In addition, each storage unit 29a, 29b, 2
9c, A4 size, A3 size, B
A storage unit dedicated to 4 sizes. Further, FIG. 5 shows an example of the fullness determination processing in one storage unit.

First, when the automatic mode is selected by the mode selection button 38 of the operation panel 36 and the start button 40 is further pressed, the start of the apparatus is started and the heat roll 16a is heated to an appropriate temperature. Next, a full discriminating process is performed.

In the full discriminating process, as shown in FIG. 5, when it is judged that the A4 storage portion is full by the signal of the storage amount detecting means 33 (ST1-Yes), the sheet feeding in the A4 tray is stopped (ST2). ), "Full" of the A4 tray is displayed on the display means 37 (ST3). When it is determined that the A4 storage section is not full (ST1-No), the A4 tray can be fed (ST4), and the display unit 37 displays "A4 tray is available" (ST5). Then, this operation is repeated. Further, the A3 storage section and the B4 storage section are similarly subjected to fullness determination processing.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not there is rewritable paper P (paper) in each tray 8. In this embodiment, the priorities are set in the order of A4 tray, A3 tray, and B4 tray. That is, when it is determined that there is paper in the A4 tray (ST10-Yes), the image erasing unit 2 (image erasing unit 16) is moved to the position of the sheet feeding mechanism 10 of the A4 tray (ST11). Then, in accordance with the signal from the position detecting means 19, the image erasing unit 16
When it is determined that the sheet is at the position of the A4 tray paper feed mechanism 10, the A4 tray paper feed mechanism 10 is drive-controlled to feed the rewritable paper P of the A4 tray into the apparatus (ST1).
2).

Then, the opposing roll 16b of the image erasing unit 16 is rotationally driven to erase the image portion of the rewritable paper P sent from the A4 tray by the heat roll 16a, and the rewritable paper P is sent to the suction unit 12 side. (ST13). At this time, the suction unit 12 is driven.

Then, the size detecting means 17 detects the paper size (ST14). As a result, the size of the rewritable paper P is confirmed and the rewritable paper P is
Recognize that the image has passed through the image erasing unit 16. When the passage of the rewritable paper P cannot be confirmed (the size is not detected), the device is stopped as a paper jam and the fact is displayed on the display means 37.

Next, based on the information in the size detection, the pressing unit 23 of the retouchable erasing means 3 is driven by the length of the rewritable paper P being conveyed by the suction unit 12 in the conveying direction, and the rewritable paper P is also driven.
The retouchable erasing unit 21 is reciprocated by the length in the width direction of the rewritable paper P to erase the retouchable paper P (ST1).
5). At this time, the wiping member 21a is wound around one of the rollers 21b to the other at the time of wiping or periodically.

Then, the releasable paper P conveyed by the suction unit 12 is guided to the A4 storage section by moving the separation claw 26 of the sorter 4 based on the information in the size detection (ST16).

Next, the storage amount of the rewritable paper P in the A4 storage portion is detected by the signal from the storage amount detecting means 33 and displayed on the display means 37 (ST17).

Next, the full discriminating process is performed again, and ST1
After reaching 0, the image portion and the retouched portion of the rewritable paper P on the A4 tray are erased and stored in the A4 storage portion.

If it is determined that there is no paper in the A4 tray (ST10-No), it is determined whether there is paper in the A3 tray, and if there is (ST18-Yes), the image erasing means 2 (image erasing unit 16). ) Is moved to the position of the sheet feeding mechanism 10 of the A3 tray (ST19). Then, in accordance with the signal from the position detecting means 19, the image erasing unit 1
When it is determined that the sheet feeding mechanism 10 is located at the position of the sheet feeding mechanism 10 of the A3 tray, the sheet feeding mechanism 10 of the A3 tray is driven and controlled.
The rewritable paper P on the tray is fed into the apparatus (ST2
0). After that, the operations of ST13 to ST17 are performed, and A3
The rewritable paper P on the tray is erased from the image portion and the added portion and stored in the A3 storage portion. Next, the full discriminating process is performed again, and the process proceeds to ST18. Subsequently, the image portion and the retouched portion of the rewritable paper P in the A3 tray are erased and A3
Store in the storage section.

If it is determined that there is no paper in the A3 tray (ST18-No), it is determined whether there is paper in the B4 tray, and if there is (ST21-Yes), the image erasing means 2 (image erasing unit 16). ) Is moved to the position of the paper feed mechanism 10 of the B4 tray (ST22). Then, in accordance with the signal from the position detecting means 19, the image erasing unit 1
When it is determined that 6 is located at the position of the paper feed mechanism 10 of the B4 tray, the paper feed mechanism 10 of the B4 tray is driven and controlled to the B4 tray.
The rewritable paper P on the tray is fed into the apparatus (ST2
3). After that, the operations of ST13 to ST17 are performed, and B4
The rewritable paper P on the tray is erased from the image portion and the added portion and stored in the B4 storage portion. Next, the fullness determination process is performed again, and the process proceeds to ST21. Subsequently, the image portion and the retouched portion of the rewritable paper P in the B4 tray are erased and B4 is deleted.
Store in the storage section.

When it is determined that there is no paper in the B4 tray (ST21-No), the rewritable paper P of all the trays has been recycled, and the apparatus is stopped. In addition,
When the rewritable paper P is replenished in the tray during the above-described operation, for example, when the rewritable paper P is replenished in the A4 tray during the reprocessing of the rewritable paper P in the A3 tray, the rewritable paper P is replenished in the A4 tray. Paper P
After all of the rewritable papers are regenerated, the rewritable paper P of the A3 tray is reprocessed in sequence.

During the reproduction process or before the reproduction process,
If it is determined in the fullness determination process that the rewritable paper P is full, the rewritable paper P in the next tray is not fed even if there is paper in the tray on which the full size rewritable paper P is placed. Is fed and the reproduction process is performed. In this way, the reproduction process can be performed until all the storage units 29 are full.

In the automatic mode, the presence / absence detecting means 9 detects that the rewritable paper P is placed on each tray 8 without pressing the start button 40.
After a lapse of a predetermined time in which the heat roll 16a is heated to an appropriate temperature, it is possible to set the automatic supply so that the full determination process is performed and the same operation is performed.

When the manual mode is selected,
After that, the tray 8 that supplies the rewritable paper P is selected, and only the rewritable paper P of the selected tray 8 is recycled. In this case, if the fullness determination process determines that the state is full during the reproduction process or before the reproduction process, the reproduction process is stopped.

In the above-described embodiment, the rewritable paper P that can be placed on each tray 8 has a specific size (A4, A3, B4) only, but the present invention is not limited to this, and each tray has an A4 size. , A3, B4 size rewritable paper P may be mixed and placed. in this case,
For example, when the storage section 29a for storing the A4 size rewritable paper P is full, the A4 size rewritable paper P cannot be stored after the size detection, so that the rewritable paper P of any size can be stored, or the rewritable paper P can be discharged. It is good to make the discharge part easy.

Although the rewritable paper P has a size of A4, A3, and B4 in the above-described embodiment, the reproduction processing is performed by the same configuration in the case of other sizes (a large size such as A1). It is possible to

In the above-described embodiment, the rewritable paper P is preferably formed with arcuate corners in order to reuse and improve transportability.

Accordingly, in the reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / storing apparatus thus constructed, the rewritable paper P of each size on which the image and the addition are made is placed, and the rewritable paper P is supplied one by one and the image portion is supplied. And the part to be retouched is deleted, and each size is stored. As a result, it is possible to store used and erased reversible thermosensitive recording media (rewritable paper) classified by size.

In particular, confidential documents have been shredded and cannot be applied to recycling, but since the contents can be erased and the recording medium can be reused, the above-mentioned confidential document processing problem occurs. It can be resolved.

Further, since the erased rewritable paper P is stored and stored, when it is used later, each storage portion 29 is stored.
Since it is only necessary to take out the necessary size of paper from the paper, it is not necessary to prepare a large amount of printing paper like a conventional paper medium, and it is possible to reduce the amount of printed materials to be discarded.

[0059]

As described above, in the reproducing / storing apparatus for reversible thermosensitive recording media according to the present invention, a plurality of reversible thermosensitive recording media are individually conveyed, and the image portion thereof is erased to perform reversible thermosensitive recording. By detecting the size of the medium and storing it according to each size, the reversible thermosensitive recording medium from which the image has been erased can be sorted and stored for each size.

Further, the stored reversible thermosensitive recording medium can be managed by detecting and displaying the stored amount of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium stored in the storing means.

Further, the conveying means is provided with a supply section for mounting a plurality of reversible thermosensitive recording media before erasing and individually conveying them into the apparatus, and displays that the storing amount of the storing means is full. By stopping the transportation from the supply unit, the reversible thermosensitive recording medium stored can be managed when it is full.

Further, the supply unit is provided with a plurality of trays for mounting the reversible thermosensitive recording medium for each size, and displays that the storage amount for each size in the storage means is full and the storage amount. By stopping the transportation from each tray according to the full size of the sheet, it is possible to manage the stored amount of the stored reversible thermosensitive recording medium for each size and the full time.

Further, since the image erasing means can be moved according to the position of each tray, it is not necessary to provide the image erasing means for each of the plurality of trays, so that the size and cost of the apparatus can be reduced. Can be achieved.

Further, by providing the writing / erasing means for erasing the portion to be rewritten on the reversible thermosensitive recording medium, it is possible to perform the reproduction processing of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium which has been rewritten. Therefore, for example, design review, drawing inspection,
It is possible to add to the reversible thermosensitive recording medium when making corrections and various checks at a scene such as a meeting.

Further, since the retouching / erasing means is movable according to the size of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium, the retouching / erasing means and the device can be downsized and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a reproducing / storing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording medium of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration relating to the operation of the reproducing / storing device for the reversible thermosensitive recording medium.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the entire apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of fullness determination processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Conveying means, 2 ... Image erasing means, 3 ... Addition erasing means,
4 ... Sorting means, 5 ... Storage means, 7 ... Supply section, 8 (a,
b, c) ... Tray, 17 ... Size detecting means, 33 ... Storage amount detecting means, 35 ... Control means, 37 ... Display means, P ... Rewritable paper (reversible thermosensitive recording medium).

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A transport means for mounting a plurality of reversible thermosensitive recording media and transporting the reversible thermosensitive recording media individually, and an image portion of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium by a temperature source provided in a transport path of the transport means. An image erasing unit for erasing the reversible thermosensitive recording medium, a size detecting unit provided in the conveying path of the conveying unit for detecting the size of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium, and a reversible thermosensitive unit provided in the conveying path of the conveying unit. Specifying means for categorizing the recording medium for each size, accommodating means for accommodating the categorized reversible thermosensitive recording medium for each size, and categorizing based on the detection signal from the size detecting means. A reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing and accommodating apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the unit. 2. A storage amount detection means for detecting the storage amount of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium stored in the storage means, and a display means for displaying the storage amount, wherein the control means is provided with the storage means. 2. The reversible thermosensitive recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays the stored amount of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium for each size in the storing means based on a detection signal from the amount detecting means. Playback storage device. 3. The feeding means comprises a supply part for mounting a plurality of the reversible thermosensitive recording media before erasing and individually feeding the reversible thermosensitive recording media into the apparatus, and the control means detects the amount of the storage amount detection means. 3. The display unit displays that the storage amount of the storage unit is full on the basis of a signal, and the conveyance of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium from the supply unit is stopped. Playback storage device for reversible thermosensitive recording medium. 4. The supply unit includes a plurality of trays for mounting the reversible thermosensitive recording medium for each size, and the control unit includes the storage unit based on a detection signal from the storage amount detection unit. And displaying on the display means that the storage amount for each size is full, and stopping the conveyance of the reversible thermosensitive recording medium from each tray according to the size for which the storage amount is full. The recycle storage device for a reversible thermosensitive recording medium according to claim 3. 5. The reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image erasing means is movable according to the position of each tray. 6. The writing and erasing means for erasing a writing portion written on the reversible thermosensitive recording medium, the writing and erasing means being provided in a feeding path of the feeding means. A reproducing / storing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording medium according to any one of the claims. 7. The retouching erasing means is movable with respect to the reversible thermosensitive recording medium, and the control means controls the retouching erasing means based on a detection signal from the size detecting means. 7. The reversible thermosensitive recording medium reproducing / accommodating device according to claim 6, wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording medium is movable according to the size of the recording medium.