JP2007030204A - Image eraser and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image eraser suitable for indoor use. <P>SOLUTION: Since a heating source 5 for heating inside of a heating chamber 7 is provided, an image formed on a printed matter 2 can be erased with heat inside of the heating chamber 7. Since an image eraser 1 can be used without considering the handling of a solvent, the image eraser 1 can be used in safety in the room of an office, or the like. Furthermore, an inlet/outlet 8 is provided in the front face of the heating chamber 7. Since a sheet tray 3 can be fed in or fed out from the heating chamber 7 on the front side thereof, a marginal space is created above the body case 4 as compared with a case where the sheet tray 3 is fed in or fed out from the heating chamber 7 from above. Consequently, the image eraser 1 can be used while installed on a shelf having a small height dimension or it can be used while mounting other apparatus thereon, and thereby restriction on space can be relaxed when the image eraser 1 is used in the room of an office, or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image erasing apparatus that erases an image formed on a medium by heating the medium, and a printing machine equipped with the image erasing apparatus.

An image erasing apparatus is an apparatus that erases an image printed on a medium. Some image erasing apparatuses have a configuration in which an image is brought into contact with a solvent based on dipping the paper in a solvent, and the image is erased based on a chemical reaction with the solvent.
JP 11-316527 A JP 2002-38039 A

In the case of the above image erasing apparatus, since it is necessary to handle the solvent with care, it is difficult to use it in a room such as an office.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image erasing apparatus suitable for use in a room such as an office.

  An image erasing apparatus according to the present invention is for erasing an image formed on a medium based on heating the medium, a medium container in which the medium is accommodated, a main body case having a spatial heating chamber, A heating source for heating the heating chamber, and the medium container provided on the front surface of the heating chamber is inserted into the heating chamber from the outside of the heating chamber or from the inside of the heating chamber to the outside of the heating chamber. It is characterized in that it has a doorway for taking out and a lid that opens and closes the doorway.

  When the heating source generates heat, the medium in the medium container is heated in the heating chamber, and the image formed on the medium is erased by heat. For this reason, since it is not necessary to consider the handling of the solvent when using the image erasing apparatus, the image erasing apparatus can be safely used in a room such as an office. In addition, an entrance is provided in front of the heating chamber. For this reason, since the medium container can be taken in and out from the front with respect to the heating chamber, there is a space margin above the main body case as compared with the case where the medium container is taken in and out from the heating chamber. Generated. Therefore, the image erasing device can be used by installing it on a shelf with a small height, or another device can be placed on the image erasing device and used, or the image erasing device can be stacked in multiple stages. Therefore, the space restriction when the image erasing apparatus is used indoors is eased.

<Example 1>
The image erasing apparatus 1 is for erasing an image from a printed material 2 such as paper, and includes a paper tray 3, a main body case 4, a heating source 5, and a lid case 6 as shown in FIG. The paper tray 3 corresponds to a medium container, and the printed material 2 is put into a bundle in the paper tray 3. This printed matter 2 corresponds to a medium, and an image is formed using an image forming material. This image forming material refers to a material that can be erased by heating, and is colored by the action of a color former and a developer. When this image forming material is heated, the binder resin and the color developing compound in the image forming material are preferentially compatible, and when the color erasing agent is used, the color developer and the color erasing agent react with each other. And decolorize.

  The main body case 4 has a spatial heating chamber 7. An entrance / exit 8 is provided in front of the heating chamber 7, and the paper tray 3 is inserted into the heating chamber 7 from the outside of the heating chamber 7 through the entrance / exit 8, and from the inside of the heating chamber 7 through the entrance / exit 8. Drawn outside. The heating source 5 heats the inside of the heating chamber 7. When the heating source 5 generates heat, the printed material 2 is heated inside the heating chamber 7, and the image is erased from the printed material 2 by heat. The lid case 6 corresponds to a lid that opens and closes the entrance / exit 8, and the lid case 6 is closed in a vertically closed state, and the entrance / exit 8 is closed, and the lid case 6 is rotated in an open state that falls forward. Based on the above, the entrance 8 is opened. Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the image erasing apparatus 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body case 4 is constituted by joining a plurality of metal plates in a rectangular box shape. The bottom plate of the main body case 4 is detachably mounted with rubber legs 10 positioned at the four corners. The main body case 4 has an installation surface based on the four legs 10 placed on the installation surface. Are installed in a separated state. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of case supports 11 are accommodated in the main body case 4. Each of the case supports 11 is made of ceramic and is fixed to the bottom plate of the main body case 4.

  A metal heat insulating case 12 is fixed inside the main body case 4. The heat insulating case 12 is supported by a plurality of case supports 11 and has a rectangular box shape with an upper surface opened. A heat insulating cover 13 made of a metal plate is fixed to the heat insulating case 12. The heat insulating cover 13 closes the upper surface of the heat insulating case 12, and a space formed between the heat insulating case 12 and the heat insulating cover 13 is referred to as a heating chamber 7. A heat insulating material 14 is interposed between the heat insulating cover 13 and the ceiling surface of the main body case 4, and the heat insulating material 14 prevents heat in the heating chamber 7 from being transmitted to the ceiling surface of the main body case 14.

  A plurality of spacers 15 are fixed to the bottom plate of the heat insulating case 12, and a metal lower heating plate 16 is supported by the plurality of spacers 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower heating plate 16 has a frame shape in which a front surface, a rear surface, and an upper surface are opened. A lower heater 17 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower heating plate 16. The lower heater 17 has a rectangular plate shape in surface contact with the lower surface of the lower heating plate 16, and the lower heating plate 16 is heated on the basis of heat generated by the lower heater 17. The lower heating plate 16 and the lower heater 17 constitute a lower heater 18 corresponding to the first heater, and are accommodated in the heat insulating case 12. A lower temperature sensor 100 (see FIG. 8) made of a thermistor is fixed to the lower heater 17, and the lower temperature sensor 100 outputs an electric signal having a level corresponding to the surface temperature of the lower heater 17.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a metal paper tray 3 is accommodated in the heating chamber 7, and the paper tray 3 is placed on the upper surface of the lower heating plate 16 in a surface contact state. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper tray 3 has a rectangular dish shape whose upper surface is open. In the paper tray 3, the printed products 2 are stored in a bundle as shown in FIG. . On the upper surface of the printed matter 2, a heat conductive presser plate 19 corresponding to a presser member is placed. The presser plate 19 is made of metal, and the printed material 2 is pressed from above by the presser plate 19. A plurality of openings 20 are formed in the bottom plate of the paper tray 3 as shown in FIG. Each of these openings 20 is for inserting a finger into the inside of the paper tray 3, and when the printed material 2 is taken out from the paper tray 3, the finger is inserted into the opening 20 to push up the printed material 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 21 is formed in the front plate of the main body case 4, and an opening 22 is formed in the front plate of the heat insulating case 12. Between the opening 21 and the opening 22, A square cylindrical doorway 8 is interposed. The entrance / exit 8 is fixed to the front plate of the heat insulating case 12, and the paper tray 3 is inserted into the heating chamber 7 from the front through the entrance / exit 8, and pulled out from the inside of the heating chamber 7 through the entrance / exit 8. An L-shaped handle portion 23 is formed at the front end portion of the paper tray 3, and the paper tray 3 is put in and out by placing a finger on the handle portion 23.

  As shown in FIG. 3, brackets 24 are fixed to the rear end portion of the paper tray 3 so as to be positioned on the left side portion and the right side portion. A roller 25 is mounted on each bracket 24 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal shaft 26, and each roller 25 is inserted into a U-shaped rail portion 27 as shown in FIG. The left rail portion 27 is formed on the left side plate of the lower heat insulating plate 16, and the right rail portion 27 is formed on the right side plate of the lower heat insulating plate 16, and the paper tray 3 is heated in the heating chamber. Each roller 25 rolls along the bottom surface of the rail portion 27 when being moved in and out of the inner space 7, and the lower surface of the paper tray 3 is held in a state of being separated from the upper surface of the lower heating plate 16.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each rail portion 27 is formed with an inclined portion 28 located at the rear end portion. Each of these inclined portions 28 is inclined downward toward the rear. When the paper tray 3 is inserted into the heating chamber 7, the paper tray 3 is moved based on the fact that each roller 25 rolls along the inclined portion 28. The operation of inserting the paper tray 3 is completed when the lower surface of the paper tray 3 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lower heating plate 16. When the paper tray 3 is taken out from the heating chamber 7, the paper tray 3 is lifted based on each roller 25 rolling along the inclined portion 28, and the lower surface of the paper tray 3 is separated from the upper surface of the lower heating plate 16. To do.

  A lid case 6 is attached to the main body case 4. The lid case 6 is configured to be rotatable around a shaft 29 between a vertically standing closed state (see FIG. 6) and an open state tilted forward (see FIG. 5). 8, the lid case 6 is closed when the lid case 6 is turned to the closed state as shown in FIG. 6, and the lid case 6 is turned to the opened state as shown in FIG. Open and close based on. The lid case 6 is formed with an operation portion 30 that protrudes rearward. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation portion 30 enters the entrance 8 when the lid case 6 is closed, as shown in FIG. In the open state of the lid case 6, it escapes from the inside of the entrance / exit 8. The lid case 6 is formed with a concave handle portion 6a, and the lid case 6 is opened and closed by placing a finger on the handle portion 6a.

  A lock mechanism is housed inside the main body case 4. This lock mechanism has a lock pin and a lock motor 101 (see FIG. 8). The lock pin is provided so as to be movable between a forward movement state and a reverse movement state, and the lock motor 101 moves the lock pin forward and backward. Move and move between states. The lock pin engages in the lock ring based on the forward movement in the closed state of the lid case 6 and escapes from the lock ring based on the backward movement in the closed state of the lid case 6. This lock ring is fixed to the lid case 6, and the lid case 6 is locked in a closed state by an engagement force between the lock ring and the lock pin.

  As shown in FIG. 4, two bearing portions 31 are formed on the left side plate of the lower heat insulating plate 16, and two bearing portions 31 are formed on the right side plate of the lower heat insulating plate 16. Each of these bearing portions 31 protrudes upward from the rail portion 27 of the lower heat insulating plate 16, and a link 32 is attached to each bearing portion 31 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 33 as shown in FIG. Has been. Each of the links 32 has a shape in which two arms are combined in a “<” shape, and the left side plate of the lower heat insulating plate 16 has two links 32 located inside the heating chamber 7. Two links 32 are rotatably mounted on the right side plate of the lower heat insulating plate 16 so as to be positioned inside the heating chamber 7.

  As shown in FIG. 5, both the links 32 on the right side of the lower heat insulating plate 16 are rotatably attached to a common connecting plate 34 via a shaft 35, and both the links 32 on the left side of the lower heat insulating plate 16 are A common connecting plate 34 is rotatably mounted via a shaft 35. Both right links 32 are connected via right connecting plates 34, and both left links 32 are connected left. They are connected via a plate 34. Each connecting plate 34 is formed with a projecting spring receiving portion 36, and a rear end portion of a link spring 37 formed of a tension coil spring is hooked on each spring receiving portion 36. The front end portions of these link springs 37 are hooked on the spring receiving portions 38 of the main body case 4, and both the right links 32 are urged in the clockwise direction of FIG. 5 via the right connection plates 34. The left links 32 are urged clockwise in FIG. 5 via the left connecting plate 34.

  A key portion 39 is formed at the front end of each connecting plate 34. As shown in FIG. 5, each of these key portions 39 is an elongated one that enters the inside of the entrance / exit 8 when the lid case 6 is opened. When the lid case 6 is operated from the opened state to the closed state, the lid case 6 is opened. 6 operation unit 30 pushes the key unit 39 backward. Then, each connecting plate 34 moves backward against the spring force of the link spring 37, and each link 32 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 against the spring force of the link spring 37. A long hole 40 is formed in the upper arm portion of each link 32, and each long hole 40 is inclined in a large amount with respect to the vertical line in the opened state of the lid case 6, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the amount of inclination with respect to the vertical line is small when the lid case 6 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an upper heating plate 41 is accommodated in the heating chamber 7. The upper heating plate 41 is composed of a rectangular metal plate, and is disposed above the bottom plate of the lower heating plate 16. A plate-like upper heater 42 is fixed to the upper surface of the upper heating plate 41 in a surface contact state. The upper heating plate 41 and the upper heater 42 constitute an upper heater 43 corresponding to a second heater, and the upper heating plate 41 is heated based on the heat generated by the upper heater 42. An upper temperature sensor 102 (see FIG. 8) made of a thermistor is fixed to the upper heater 42, and the upper temperature sensor 102 outputs an electric signal having a level corresponding to the surface temperature of the upper heater 42. The heating source 5 is a general term for the lower heater 18 and the upper heater 43.

  As shown in FIG. 4, two shaft support portions 44 are formed on the right side portion of the upper heating plate 41, and two shaft support portions 44 are formed on the left side portion of the upper heating plate 41, A shaft 45 is fixed to each shaft support portion 44. As shown in FIG. 5, these shafts 45 are rotatably and slidably inserted into the long holes 40 of the link 32, and both connecting plates 34 are springs of the link spring 37 when the lid case 6 is opened. The four links 37 rotate in the clockwise direction in conjunction with the forward movement by the force, and the upper heating plate 41 and the upper heater 42 are held in the raised state by the spring force of both link springs 37.

  When the lid case 6 is operated from the open state to the closed state, as shown in FIG. 6, the four links 37 are interlocked with the two connecting plates 34 retreating against the spring force of the link springs 37. It rotates counterclockwise and contacts the presser plate 19 in the paper tray 2 from above based on the lowering of the upper heating plate 41 and the upper heater 42. That is, the four links 32, the two connecting plates 34, and the two link springs 37 constitute an operation mechanism 46 that moves and operates the upper heater 43. The upper heater 43 is brought close to the lower heater 18 mechanically in conjunction with closing the door, and the upper heater 43 is moved from the lower heater 18 mechanically in conjunction with the lid case 6 opening the entrance 8. keep away.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a presser spring 47 corresponding to a spring member is interposed between each link 32 and the upper heater 42. Each of the presser springs 47 is composed of a compression coil spring that urges the upper heater 42 downward with respect to the link 32. When the lid case 6 is closed, the upper heating plate 41 is pressed by the spring force of the presser spring 47. The presser plate 19 is pressed against the printed matter 2 in the paper tray 3 by the presser force of the upper heating plate 41.

  As shown in FIG. 3, horizontal guide portions 48 are formed on the left side and the right side of the paper tray 3, and when the paper tray 3 is put in and out of the heating chamber 7, each guide portion 48 is The paper tray 3 is positioned in the height direction based on contact with the ceiling surface of the rail portion 27 of the lower heat insulating plate 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the height position of the ceiling surface of each rail portion 27 is set lower than the lower surface of the upper heating plate 41 in the ascending state of the upper heating plate 41 with the lid case 6 opened. When the paper tray 3 is put into and out of the heating chamber 7 with the door case 6 opened, the paper tray 3 is attached to the upper heating plate 41 based on the fact that each guide portion 48 contacts the ceiling surface of the rail portion 27. Contact is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a duct 49 is fixed to the heat insulating case 12, and a cylindrical fan casing 50 is fixed to the duct 49. A cooling fan motor 51 is fixed to the fan casing 50, and an axial flow type cooling fan 52 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the cooling fan motor 51. The cooling fan 52 is housed in the fan casing 50, and an air inlet 53 is formed on the bottom plate of the main body case 4 so as to be positioned below the cooling fan 52. The intake port 53 is composed of a plurality of through holes. The cooling fan 52 draws outside air from the intake port 53 into the fan casing 50 based on the driving of the cooling fan motor 51, and from the duct 49 to the main body case 4. The air is blown into the heating chamber 7 through the opening 4a. That is, the cooling fan motor 51 and the cooling fan 52 constitute a blower 54 that blows cooling air of the printed matter 2 into the heating chamber 7.

  A cylindrical exhaust passage 55 is formed at the rear end of the heat insulating case 12. The exhaust passage 55 connects the internal space of the heating chamber 7 to the outside of the apparatus, and an exhaust port 56 is disposed opposite to the outlet of the exhaust passage 55. The exhaust port 56 refers to an aggregate of a plurality of through holes formed in the rear plate of the main body case 4, and a deodorizer 57 is fixed inside the exhaust passage 55. The deodorizer 57 includes a pre-filter 58, a photocatalytic filter 59, an ozone filter 60, and a fan device 61. The fan device 61 is configured by fixing a deodorizing fan to the rotating shaft of the deodorizing fan motor 103 (see FIG. 8), and the cooling air blown from the blower 54 into the heating chamber 7 is discharged into the exhaust passage 55. Exhaust outside through the machine.

  The pre-filter 58 is disposed at the most upstream part in the exhaust passage 55 and captures foreign matters such as dust and dust from the cooling air flowing in the exhaust passage 55. The photocatalytic filter 59 is disposed on the downstream side of the pre-filter 58 and removes odor components from the cooling air flowing in the exhaust passage 55. The ozone filter 60 is disposed on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 59 and removes ozone generated based on removal of odorous components by the photocatalytic filter 59. That is, the deodorizer 57 removes foreign matters, odors, and ozone from the cooling air, and cleans and discharges the cooling air to the outside of the heating chamber 7.

  A control board 62 is housed inside the main body case 4 so as to be positioned below the heat insulating case 12, and a control circuit 63 mainly composed of a microcomputer is mounted on the control board 62. As shown in FIG. 8, a lower temperature sensor 100 and an upper temperature sensor 102 are connected to the control circuit 63, and the control circuit 63 determines the surface temperature of the lower heater 17 based on an output signal from the lower temperature sensor 100. And the surface temperature of the upper heater 42 is detected based on the output signal from the upper temperature sensor 102.

  A lid switch 104 is connected to the control circuit 63. The lid switch 104 is mechanically interlocked with the opening / closing of the lid case 6 and the electrical state is switched. The control circuit 63 detects the opening / closing of the lid case 6 based on the electrical state of the lid switch 104. To do. The lower heater 17, the upper heater 42, the cooling fan motor 51, the lock motor 101, and the deodorizing fan motor 103 are connected to the control circuit 63, and the control circuit 63 drives and controls the lower heater 17 to the deodorizing fan motor 103. The erase operation is executed based on the above. This erasing operation has an erasing process for erasing an image based on heating the printed material 2 and a cooling process for cooling the printed material 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a front frame 64 is fixed to the upper end portion of the main body case 4, and an operation panel 65 is formed on the front frame 64. An operation sheet 66 is affixed to the operation panel 65, and an on mark 67, a cut mark 68, and a start mark 69 are formed on the operation sheet 66 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, an operation board 70 is accommodated between the operation panel 65 and the front plate of the main body case 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation board 70 is equipped with an on switch 71, an off switch 72, and a start switch 73. The on switch 71 is operated from the front via an on mark 67, and the off switch 72 is The start switch 73 is operated from the front through the start mark 69, and the start switch 73 is operated from the front. The on switch 71 and the off switch 72 are interposed in the power supply path of the main power source. The main power source is turned on when the on switch 71 is operated, and is shut off when the off switch 72 is operated. Is done. As shown in FIG. 8, the start switch 73 is connected to the control circuit 63, and the control circuit 63 starts the erase operation based on detecting the operation of the start switch 73.

  On the operation board 70, a power LED 74, an erasing LED 75, a cooling LED 76, and a lock LED 77 are mounted. These power LED 74 to lock LED 77 are visually recognizable from the front via the operation sheet 66 and the operation panel 65, and are connected to the control circuit 63 as shown in FIG. The power LED 74 to the lock LED 77 constitute an operation indicator for notifying the progress of the erasure operation, and the control circuit 63 controls the progress of the erasure operation to the user based on the lighting control of the power LED 74 to the lock LED 77. Is notified.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
When the main power is turned on, the control circuit 63 notifies the user that the main power is turned on based on turning on the power LED 74. When it is detected that the start switch 73 is operated in this state, the erasing LED 75 and the cooling LED 76 are turned on, and the opening / closing of the lid case 6 is determined based on the output signal from the lid switch 104. Here, when it is detected that the lid case 6 is closed, the lock pin is moved to the forward state based on driving the lock motor 101, and the lid case 6 is locked in the closed state. Then, the lock LED 77 is blinked to notify the user that the lid case 6 is locked in the closed state.

  When the lock LED 77 blinks, the control circuit 63 starts the erase process based on starting the drive control of the lower heater 17 and the drive control of the upper heater 42, and switching the erase LED 75 from the lighting state to the blinking state. The user is notified that the erasing process has started. FIG. 9 shows the control content of the lower heater 17 and the control content of the upper heater 41, and the control circuit 63 turns off the control mode at the beginning of the erasing process. In the OFF state of the control mode, the temperature in the heating chamber 7 is continuously increased based on the lower heater 17 and the upper heater 41 being continuously turned on.

  When the control circuit 63 detects that both the detected temperature of the lower heater 17 and the detected temperature of the upper heater 41 are predetermined and rise to the same erasing temperature (for example, 120 ° C.), the control circuit 63 turns on the control mode. In the ON state of the control mode, the lower heater 17 and the upper heater 41 are controlled to be turned on / off, respectively, so that the detected temperature of the lower heater 17 and the detected temperature of the upper heater 41 are converged to the same erasing temperature.

  When the control circuit 63 detects that the set time has elapsed since the control mode was turned on, the lower heater 17 and the upper heater 41 are turned off, and the erasing process is completed based on switching the erasing LED 75 from the blinking state to the unlit state. Is notified to the user. And the cooling process of the printed matter 2 is started based on turning on the cooling fan motor 51 and the deodorizing fan motor 103, and the cooling process is being performed to the user based on switching the cooling LED 76 from the lighting state to the blinking state. Is notified. In this state, when it is detected that both the detected temperature of the lower heater 17 and the detected temperature of the upper heater 41 are lowered to the same cooling temperature (for example, 40 ° C.), the cooling fan motor 51 and the deodorizing fan motor 103 are turned off. The cooling LED 76 is turned off from the blinking state. Next, based on driving the lock motor 101, the lock case 6 is unlocked based on moving the lock pin from the forward state to the backward state, and the lock LED 77 is switched from the blinking state to the unlit state. The user is notified of the unlocking of the lid case 6.

According to the said Example 1, there exists the following effect.
Since the heating source 5 for heating the inside of the heating chamber 7 is provided, when the heating source 5 generates heat, the printed matter 2 in the paper tray 3 is heated in the heating chamber 7, and the image formed on the printed matter 2 is erased by heat. The For this reason, since it is not necessary to consider the handling of the solvent when using the image erasing apparatus 1, the image erasing apparatus 1 can be used safely in a room such as an office. Moreover, an entrance / exit 8 is provided in front of the heating chamber 7. For this reason, since the paper tray 3 can be taken in and out from the front with respect to the inside of the heating chamber 7, compared with the case where the paper tray 3 is taken in and out with respect to the inside of the heating chamber 7, it is above the main body case 4. Space margin is generated. Accordingly, the image erasing apparatus 1 is used by being installed on a shelf having a small height dimension, or the image erasing apparatus 1 is used by placing another device on the image erasing apparatus 1. Since the image erasing apparatus 1 can be used in a plurality of stages, the space restriction when the image erasing apparatus 1 is used in a room such as an office is eased.

  Since the presser plate 19 that presses the printed material 2 in the paper tray 3 from the upper side opposite to the bottom plate of the paper tray 3 is provided, the printed material 2 may float or shift when the paper tray 3 is inserted into the heating chamber 7. Is prevented. Moreover, since the upper heating plate 41 is not pressed against the printed matter 2 while rubbing the printed matter 2 when the paper tray 3 is pushed into the heating chamber 7, the printed matter 2 is prevented from being displaced or floated from this point. Is done.

Since the presser spring 47 that presses the presser plate 19 against the printed product 2 in the paper tray 3 is provided, the printed product 2 can be pressed by the presser plate 19 regardless of the amount of the presser plate.
Since the blower 54 for sending the cooling air into the heating chamber 7 and the exhaust passage 55 for discharging the cooling air from the heating chamber 7 are provided, the cooling air can be forcibly circulated in the heating chamber 7. For this reason, since the time required to lower the temperature of the printed product 2 from the erasing temperature to the cooling temperature is shortened, the operation time is shortened. Moreover, since the cooling air is blown from the blower 54 to the control circuit 63 on the control board 62, the cooling performance of the control circuit 63 and the like is improved.

  Since the deodorizer 57 is provided in the exhaust passage 55, the odor generated when the printed material 2 is heated in the heating chamber 7 can be removed inside the main body case 4. For this reason, since the odor is not discharged from the inside of the heating chamber 7 to the outside of the main body case 4, it is possible to prevent the indoor environment such as an office from being contaminated by the influence of the odor.

  Since the heating source 5 is divided into the lower heater 18 and the upper heater 43, the printed matter 2 in the paper tray 3 can be sandwiched and heated from the lower side and the upper side. For this reason, since the heating efficiency of the printed matter 2 increases, an image can be erased efficiently.

  Since the operation mechanism 46 for moving the upper heater 43 is provided so that the lower heater 18 and the upper heater 43 approach each other or move away from each other, the printed product 2 regardless of the amount of the printed product 2 in the paper tray 3. Can be sandwiched between the lower heater 18 and the upper heater 43. For this reason, since the heat from the lower heater 18 and the heat from the upper heater 43 are efficiently transmitted to the printed matter 2, the image erasing performance is stabilized.

  Since the operation mechanism 46 is configured to bring the upper heater 43 closer to the lower heater 18 in conjunction with the closing of the entrance / exit 8 by the lid case 6, the paper tray 3 is inserted into the heating chamber 7 and the lid case 6 is inserted. The printed matter 2 in the paper tray 3 can be sandwiched between the lower heater 18 and the upper heater 43 simply by closing the. For this reason, since the exclusive operation for pinching the printed matter 2 between the lower heater 18 and the upper heater 43 becomes unnecessary, operativity improves. In addition, since the operation mechanism 46 is configured to move the upper heater 43 away from the lower heater 18 in conjunction with the lid case 6 opening the entrance 8, the lower heater 18 and the The holding of the printed material 2 by the upper heater 43 can be released. This eliminates the need for a dedicated operation for releasing the pinching of the printed matter 2 by the lower heater 18 and the upper heater 43, so that the operability is enhanced from this point.

  Since the lid case 6 is rotatably mounted on the front surface of the main body case 4, the internal space and the external space of the heating chamber 7 can be easily and surely cut off simply by operating the lid case 6. For this reason, since heat hardly leaks from the inside of the heating chamber 7 to the outside, the time required to heat the upper heater 17 and the lower heater 42 from room temperature to the erasing temperature is shortened. Moreover, since the temperature around the main body case 4 can be kept low, safety is improved.

  The roller 25 is provided in the paper tray 3, and the roller 25 is rolled along the rail portion 27 when the paper tray 3 is put in and out of the heating chamber 7. For this reason, since resistance when the paper tray 3 is put in and out is reduced, the paper tray 3 can be smoothly put in and out of the heating chamber 7 with a small operating force.

  Since the presser spring 47 for pressing the upper heater 43 against the presser plate 19 in the paper tray 3 is provided, the presser plate 19 can be pressed against the printed matter 2 by the presser force of the upper heater 43 regardless of the amount. For this reason, since the heat transfer efficiency from the upper heater 43 to the printed matter 2 is increased, the image erasing performance is improved.

The operation panel 65 and the door case 6 are arranged in the upper and lower stages, and the door case 6 is configured to rotate about a horizontal shaft 29 at the lower end. For this reason, since the operation panel 65 is not hidden by the door case 6, the operability of the on switch 71 to the start switch 73 is not lowered by the influence of the door case 6, and the power LED 74 to the lock LED 77 are visually recognized. The recognizability is not lowered by the influence of the door case 6.
<Example 2>
As shown in FIG. 10, two stands 110 are placed on the installation surface of the desk or the like, and each stand 110 is formed with a concave fitting portion 111 as shown in FIG. 11. Yes. The main body case 4 is fitted in the fitting portion 111 of each of the stands 110, and the main body case 4 can be installed on the installation surface in a state where the paper tray 3 and the operation panel 65 are vertically oriented. The posture of the main body case 4 is referred to as a vertical posture. That is, the main body case 4 is installed in a horizontal posture in which the paper tray 3 and the operation panel 65 are in the horizontal direction based on the installation of the leg portions 10 on the installation surface, and the main body case 4 is removed by removing the four leg portions 10. Based on the fitting in the fitting part 111 of both stands 110, it installs with the attitude | position of a vertical orientation. This horizontal posture corresponds to the first posture, and the vertical posture corresponds to the second posture.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a presser frame 113 is connected to the rear end portion of the paper tray 3 via two flat hinges 112. The presser frame 113 is rotatable about the shaft 114 of both flat hinges 112, and is in a closed state (see FIG. 12) in contact with both guide portions 48 of the paper tray 3 and separated from both guide portions 48. It is operated between the open states (see FIG. 13).

  As shown in FIG. 13, an L-shaped handle portion 115 is formed on the presser frame 113. The handle portion 115 is for a user to put his / her finger when the user presses the presser frame 113. When the presser frame 113 is closed, as shown in FIG. It overlaps with the handle portion 23 of the paper tray 3 in a contact state from the front. As shown in FIG. 13, a protruding claw portion 116 corresponding to the engaging portion is formed in the handle portion 115 of the presser frame 113, and the handle portion 23 of the paper tray 3 is connected to the engaged portion. A corresponding notch 117 is formed, and when the presser frame 113 is closed, the presser frame 113 is held in the closed state by the engaging force of both of them based on the engagement of the claw part 116 with the notch 117.

  As shown in FIG. 13, one end of a presser spring 118 corresponding to a spring member is fixed to the four corners of the presser frame 113. Each of the presser springs 118 is composed of a compression coil spring, and a common presser plate 119 is fixed to the other end of each presser spring 118. The presser plate 119 corresponds to a heat-conductive presser member formed of metal as a material. When the presser frame 113 is closed, the presser plate 119 is pressed by the spring force of the presser spring 118 as shown in FIG. Pressed against the printed material 2 in the paper tray 3. FIG. 14 shows the internal configuration of the heating chamber 7 with the lid case 6 open. When the lid case 6 is closed, the upper heater 43 passes through the opening 120 of the presser frame 113 by the spring force of the presser spring 47. The pressing plate 119 is pressed against the printed material 2 by both the pressing force of the upper heater 43 and the spring force of the pressing spring 118.

According to the said Example 2, there exist the following effects.
Since the main body case 4 is configured to be selectively installable on the installation surface in the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation, the image erasing apparatus 1 can be used in a horizontal orientation on a document shelf with a small gap at the top, It can be installed and used vertically between desks with few gaps. For this reason, since the freedom degree of the installation space of the image erasing apparatus 1 increases, it becomes easy to use the image erasing apparatus 1 indoors, such as an office.

  A stand 110 for using the main body case 4 in a vertical orientation is provided. For this reason, since the posture of the main body case 4 is stabilized, the image erasing apparatus 1 is unlikely to fall down when the image erasing apparatus 1 is used in the vertical orientation. Since the press plate 119 is connected to the paper tray 3 via the press spring 118, and the press plate 119 is pressed against the printed matter 2 in the paper tray 3 by the spring force of the press spring 118, the image erasing apparatus 1 is held in the vertical orientation. The printed material 2 is prevented from falling when used.

In the second embodiment, the main body case 4 is provided with the leg portion 10 and the leg portion 10 is placed on the installation surface when the main body case 4 is used in a horizontal posture. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead, for example, the leg 10 may be eliminated. In this case, when the main body case 4 is used in a horizontal posture, the main body case 4 may be used by directly placing it on the installation surface.
<Example 3>
As shown in FIG. 15, a storage tray 130 is fixed on the upper surface of the main body case 4. The storage tray 130 has a rectangular dish shape whose upper surface is open, and the printed matter 2 scheduled to be erased before being stored in the paper tray 3 is stored in a bundle in the storage tray 130. The storage tray 130 stores printed matter of the same size as the paper tray 3 and corresponds to a storage unit.

  A cutout 131 is formed in each of the left and right plates of the storage tray 130, and the printed material 2 is taken out from the storage tray 130 by inserting a finger into both cutouts 131 and lifting the printed material 2. Has been made possible. As shown in FIG. 16, these notches 131 are obtained by notching the left side plate and the right side plate of the storage tray 130 in the height direction, and inserting fingers into both the notch portions 131 from the inside of the storage tray 130. When the printed matter 2 is taken out, the lowermost printed matter 2 can be lifted. Two step portions 132 are formed in each notch 131. Each of the step portions 132 functions as a mark for measuring the amount P of the printed material 2 when the printed material 2 is taken out from the storage tray 130, and the amount P of the printed material 2 indicated by each step portion 132 is the paper tray. 3 is set to an amount that can be stored in the image storage unit 3 and can be reliably erased by one erasing operation.

According to the said Example 3, there exist the following effects.
A storage tray 130 is provided in the main body case 4. For this reason, there is no need to separately prepare a box or the like for temporarily storing the printed matter 2 before storing it in the paper tray 3, so that convenience is enhanced. In addition, since a series of operations for transferring the printed matter 2 from the storage tray 130 to the paper tray 3 and putting it into the heating chamber 7 can be performed immediately before the image erasing apparatus 1, the usability is improved.

Since the notches 131 extending to the bottom surface of the storage tray 130 are formed on both side plates of the storage tray 130, the printed matter 2 can be taken out from the storage tray 130 by inserting fingers into the notches 131. The storage tray 130 is provided with a stepped portion 132 positioned in each notch 131. For this reason, since the amount of printed matter 2 that can be used in one erasing operation can be taken out without counting, usability is improved.
<Example 4>
As shown in FIG. 17, an operation bar 140 is fixed to the rear end portions of both connection plates 34. The operation bar 140 is housed inside the lower heating plate 17. When the paper tray 3 is inserted into the heating chamber 7 through the entrance 8, the rear plate of the paper tray 3 presses the operation bar 140 backward. . In the inserted state of the paper tray 3, as shown in FIG. 18, each connecting plate 34 is retracted against the spring force of the link spring 37, and each link 32 is rotated counterclockwise. The upper heater 43 descends and is pressed against the printed matter 2 in the paper tray 3 by the spring force of the presser spring 47.

  When the paper tray 3 is pulled out from the heating chamber 7 through the entrance / exit 8, the operating force acting on the operation bar 140 from the rear plate of the paper tray 3 disappears, and each connecting plate 34 advances by the spring force of the link spring 37. To do. Then, each link 32 rotates clockwise, and the upper heater 43 rises. That is, the two connecting plates 34, the four links 32, the two link springs 37, and the operation bar 140 constitute an operation mechanism 141 that moves the upper heater 43 relative to the lower heater 18. The operation mechanism 141 is interlocked with the paper tray 3 being taken out of the heating chamber 7 by bringing the upper heater 43 close to the lower heater 18 in conjunction with the insertion of the paper tray 3 into the heating chamber 7. Then, the upper heater 43 is moved away from the lower heater 18.

According to the said Example 4, there exists the following effect.
The operation mechanism 141 is configured to move the upper heater 43 in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the paper tray 3 with respect to the heating chamber 7. This eliminates the need for a dedicated operation for moving the upper heater 43, thus improving operability.

In the said Example 1-the said Example 4, although it was set as the structure which moves the upper heater 43 in the stationary state of the lower heater 18, it is not limited to this, For example, in the stationary state of the upper heater 43 The lower heater 18 may be moved, or both the lower heater 18 and the upper heater 43 may be moved. In short, the upper heater 43 and the lower heater 18 are brought closer to each other when the lid case 6 closes the inlet / outlet 8, and the upper heater 43 and the lower heater 18 are linked together when the lid case 6 opens the inlet / outlet 8. The heaters 18 may be separated from each other.
<Example 5>
As shown in FIG. 19, the lower heater 18 is not fixed to the lower heating plate 17, and the inside of the heating chamber 7 is heated only by the upper heater 43. The upper heater 43 corresponds to a heating source, and the operation mechanism 46 moves the upper heater 43 closer to the paper tray 3 in conjunction with the closure of the lid case 6 so that the lid case 6 is opened. In conjunction with this, the upper heater 43 is moved away from the paper tray 3.

According to the said Example 5, there exist the following effects.
Since the operation mechanism 46 for moving the upper heater 43 is provided so that the upper heater 43 and the paper tray 3 approach each other or move away from each other, the upper heater 43 is printed on the press plate 19 in the paper tray 3. The contact can be made regardless of the amount of 2. For this reason, since heat can be efficiently transmitted from the upper heater 43 to the printed matter 2, the image erasing performance is stabilized. In addition, the operation mechanism 46 moves the upper heater 43 in conjunction with the lid case 6 opening and closing the entrance 8. This eliminates the need for a dedicated operation for moving the upper heater 43, thus improving operability.

  In the fifth embodiment, the operation configuration 46 for moving the upper heater 43 in conjunction with opening and closing of the lid case 6 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a paper tray as in the fourth embodiment. An operation mechanism 141 that operates in conjunction with the movement of 3 is also possible.

  In the fifth embodiment, the upper heater 43 is moved while the paper tray 3 is stationary. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the paper tray 3 is moved while the upper heater 43 is stationary. A configuration in which both the upper heater 43 and the paper tray 3 are moved may be employed. In short, the upper heater 43 and the paper tray 3 are brought closer to each other in conjunction with the lid case 6 closing the entrance 8 and the upper heater 43 and the paper in conjunction with the lid case 6 opening the entrance 8. It is sufficient if the trays 3 are moved away from each other.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the upper heater 43 is pressed against the presser plate 19 by the spring force of the presser spring 47. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper heater 43 is pressed by its own weight. 19 may be pressed.
<Example 6>
The copier 150 in FIG. 20 prints on paper using an image forming material that can be erased by heat. The copier 150 has a plurality of drawer-type paper supply trays 151. The copier 150 is located below the lowermost paper supply tray 151 and is one of the images of the first to fifth embodiments. An erasing device 1 is incorporated. The copier 150 corresponds to a printing machine.

According to the said Example 6, there exist the following effects.
Since the image erasing apparatus 1 is incorporated in the copier 150, printing and erasing can be performed and reused by a single apparatus. In addition, since it is not necessary to install the image erasing apparatus 1 and the copy machine 150 separately, installation space can be reduced. The image erasing apparatus 1 is disposed below the lowermost sheet supply tray 151. For this reason, since the copying machine 150 and the image erasing apparatus 1 are integrated in design, the appearance is improved. In addition, both the paper supply tray 151 of the copying machine 150 and the paper tray 3 of the image erasing apparatus 1 are configured as a drawer type. For this reason, since both can be used with the same feeling, usability increases.

  In the sixth embodiment, the image erasing apparatus 1 is disposed immediately below the lowermost sheet supply tray 151. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image erasing apparatus 1 may be disposed immediately above the uppermost sheet tray 151, or It may be interposed between the supply trays 151.

  In the sixth embodiment, the image erasing apparatus 1 is incorporated in the copying machine 150. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image erasing apparatus 1 may be incorporated in a printer. In short, it may be incorporated into a printing machine that forms an image by printing on a medium such as paper.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment (a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image erasing apparatus). Side view showing internal configuration of image erasing apparatus (cross-sectional view taken along line X2 in FIG. 1) Perspective view showing the appearance of the paper tray Front view showing the internal configuration of the image erasing apparatus (cross-sectional view taken along line X4 in FIG. 1) Side view showing the internal configuration of the image erasing device with the lid case open (cross-sectional view taken along line X5 in FIG. 1) FIG. 5 equivalent view showing the internal configuration of the image erasing apparatus in the closed state of the lid case Front view showing the appearance of the image erasing device with the lid case open Block diagram showing electrical configuration Diagram showing operation details of erase operation The figure which shows Example 2 (sectional drawing which follows the X10 line | wire of FIG. 11). Front view showing the appearance of the image erasing device in a vertical orientation A perspective view showing the appearance of the paper tray with the presser frame closed Perspective view showing the appearance of the paper tray with the presser frame open The figure which shows the internal structure of an image erasing apparatus (sectional drawing which follows the X14 line of FIG. 10). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third embodiment (a perspective view showing an appearance of the image erasing apparatus with a storage tray attached). The figure which shows the internal structure of an image erasing apparatus (sectional drawing which follows the X16 line of FIG. 15) The figure which shows Example 4 (the perspective view which shows an operation mechanism). Side view showing operating mechanism with paper tray inserted FIG. 5 equivalent view showing Example 5 The figure which shows Example 6 (front view which shows the external appearance of a copier)

Explanation of symbols

  1 is an image erasing device, 2 is a printed material (medium), 3 is a paper tray (medium container), 4 is a main body case, 5 is a heating source, 6 is a lid case (lid), 7 is a heating chamber, 8 is an entrance / exit, 18 is a lower heater (first heater), 19 is a presser plate (presser member), 43 is an upper heater (second heater), 46 is an operating mechanism, 47 is a presser spring (spring member), 54 Is a blower, 55 is an exhaust passage, 57 is a deodorizer, 118 is a presser spring (spring member), 119 is a presser plate (presser member), 130 is a storage tray (storage part), 141 is an operation mechanism, and 150 is a copier. (Printing machine).

Claims (12)

In erasing the image formed on the medium based on heating the medium,
A medium container in which the medium is stored;
A body case having a spatial heating chamber;
A heating source for heating the heating chamber;
An entrance for inserting the medium container from the outside of the heating chamber into the heating chamber or taking it out of the heating chamber from the inside of the heating chamber;
An image erasing apparatus comprising: a lid that opens and closes the doorway.   The image erasing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member that presses a medium in the medium container from a side opposite to a bottom plate of the medium container.   The image erasing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a spring member that presses the pressing member against a medium in the medium container. A blower for sending cooling air into the heating chamber;
An exhaust passage for discharging cooling air from the heating chamber;
The image erasing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a deodorizer provided in the exhaust passage and configured to remove odor components from cooling air flowing in the exhaust passage. An operation mechanism for moving the heating source relative to the medium container so that the heating source and the medium container are close to each other or away from each other;
5. The operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the operation mechanism performs a relative movement operation of the heating source in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of the entrance / exit or an entrance / exit operation of the medium container. The image erasing apparatus described in 1.   The heating source is divided into a first heater that heats a medium in the medium container from one side and a second heater that heats the medium from the opposite side of the first heater. The image erasing apparatus according to claim 1.   An operation mechanism for moving the first heater relative to the second heater so that the first heater and the second heater are close to each other or away from each other; The image erasing apparatus according to claim 6.   The operation mechanism mechanically interlocks with the medium container being inserted into the heating chamber to bring the first heater and the second heater close to each other, so that the medium container is heated. 8. The image erasing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first heater and the second heater are moved away from each other mechanically in conjunction with being taken out from the room.   The operation mechanism is mechanically interlocked with the lid closing the entrance / exit, and the first heater and the second heater are brought close to each other so that the lid opens the entrance / exit. The image erasing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first heater and the second heater are moved away from each other in conjunction with each other.   The said main body case can be selectively installed in an installation surface with the 2nd attitude | position different from a 1st attitude | position and a 1st attitude | position, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image erasing device.   The image erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body case is provided with a storage unit capable of storing a medium stored in the medium container. For printing images on media,
A printing machine comprising the image erasing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images