JP2012108390A - Image removal device and image formation removal system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image removal device capable of reducing environmental load and an image formation removal system having the image removal device.SOLUTION: An image removal device 100 comprises: first peeling means for thermally transferring a thermoplastic image forming substance to a peeling roller 102 from a re-usable recorded material R while rotating the peeling roller 102, thereby peeling the substance; second peeling means for thermally transferring the thermoplastic image forming substance remaining on the re-usable recorded material R, to which the thermoplastic image forming substance has been thermally transferred, to a peeling roller 102' while rotating the peeling roller 102'; and cleaning means for sliding the peeling rollers 102 and 102' while heating and rotating a cleaning roller 105, thereby transferring the thermoplastic image formation substance thermally transferred to the peeling rollers 102 and 102' to the cleaning roller 105.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image removal apparatus and an image formation removal system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as printers, analog copying machines, digital copying machines, and printing machines using electrophotographic methods, ink jet recording methods, and thermal transfer recording methods have become widespread. As a recording material on which an image is formed using such an image forming apparatus, generally used paper is made from recyclable wood pulp.

  However, in order to produce paper, much energy is consumed in the process of extracting pulp from wood and the process of drying paper. In some of the paper manufacturing processes, fuel derived from biomass such as black liquor, which is a residue extracted from wood, is used, but a large amount of fossil fuel is used in all processes. is the current situation.

  Carbon dioxide generated from the use of fossil fuels is considered to be a causative substance that causes global warming, and it is also desirable to reduce the amount of paper used to prevent depletion of fossil fuels. ing. It is also an important social issue to protect forests, maintain ecosystems and prevent deterioration of the global environment by reducing paper consumption. Further, since inorganic components that do not burn or decay are generally added to paper, when the paper is discarded, waste that needs to be landfilled is generated at a certain rate.

  For this reason, after forming an image on a reusable recording material using a thermoplastic image forming material, the image is removed by thermally transferring the thermoplastic image forming material to a peeling member and peeling it, thereby making the reusable recording material A method of repeatedly using is known.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a means for heating a thermoplastic image forming material formed on a recording material to a temperature at which the material exhibits plasticity, a peeling member for transferring an image on the recording material, a peeling member and the recording material Means for overlapping so that the surface on which the image is recorded comes into contact, means for pressing the recording material abutted in a state where the image forming substance on the recording material is heated and exhibits plasticity, and superposition The image forming substance on the recording material is transferred to the peeling member by means for separating the recorded material and the peeling member, and the cleaning means for removing the image forming material transferred from the recording material on the peeling member. An image removing apparatus for removing an image forming substance on a recording material is disclosed. At this time, the image removing apparatus has a plurality of means for separating the peeling member and the peeling member from the recording material, and the most upstream peeling member in the conveyance path of the recording material is a peeling roller. In addition, a cleaning unit that removes the image forming material transferred from the recording material from the separation roller contacts the surface of the separation roller while the image forming material transferred to the separation roller is heated above its softening point. A cleaning member on the surface of which a pattern for bringing the image forming substance on the peeling roller toward the axial end of the peeling roller is formed, or sliding with the peeling roller at a peripheral speed faster than the peripheral speed of the peeling roller. It is a rotating member that rotates, and is a cleaning member that transfers the image forming substance on the peeling roller.

  However, when a plurality of cleaning means are used, the power consumption when heating the cleaning member increases, which increases the environmental load.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image removal apparatus and an image formation removal system having the image removal apparatus that can reduce the environmental load in view of the problems of the conventional techniques.

  The invention described in claim 1 is an apparatus for removing an image made of a thermoplastic image forming material formed on a recording material, wherein the thermoplastic image forming material is removed while rotating a first peeling member. The thermoplastic image forming material is thermally transferred to the first peeling member while rotating the second peeling member with a first peeling means for peeling by thermal transfer from the recording material to the first peeling member. A second peeling means for peeling the thermoplastic image forming substance remaining on the recorded recording material by thermal transfer to the second peeling member, and the first peeling while heating and rotating the cleaning member. A cleaning member for transferring the thermoplastic image forming material thermally transferred to the first peeling member and the second peeling member to the cleaning member by sliding with the member and the second peeling member. And means, said first separating member, the second release member and the cleaning member are each independently, characterized in that it is a roller or an endless belt.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing an image made of a thermoplastic image forming material formed on a recording material, wherein the thermoplastic image forming material is removed while rotating a first peeling member. While rotating the second peeling member on which the thermoplastic composition layer is formed on the first peeling means for peeling by thermal transfer from the recording material to the first peeling member, the thermoplastic A second peeling means for peeling off the thermoplastic image-forming substance remaining on the recording material on which the image-forming substance is thermally transferred to the first peeling member by thermally transferring to the second peeling member; and a cleaning member. While being heated and rotated, the thermoplastic image forming material thermally transferred to the first peeling member or the second peeling member is slid with the first peeling member or the second peeling member. heat Cleaning means for transferring the copied thermoplastic image-forming substance and the thermoplastic composition layer to the cleaning member, and movement for moving the cleaning member to contact the first peeling member or the second peeling member Means, a thermoplastic image forming material thermally transferred to the second release member, and a thermoplastic composition forming the thermoplastic composition layer on the second release member having the thermoplastic composition layer transferred to the cleaning member There is a physical layer forming means, wherein the first peeling member and the second peeling member are each independently a roller or an endless belt, and the cleaning member is a roller.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming and removing system, the image removing apparatus according to the first or second aspect and the image forming apparatus that forms the image on the recording material are provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming / removing system according to the third aspect, the recording material is given identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing device, and the image forming device Includes first detection means for detecting the identification information, the image removal device further includes second detection means for detecting the identification information, and the first detection means detects the identification information. Only when it is detected, the image forming apparatus is controlled to form the image on the recording material, and the image is formed only when the second detecting means detects the identification information. The image processing apparatus further includes control means for controlling the image removing apparatus so as to remove the image from the recording material.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming and removing system according to the third aspect, the recording material is provided with first identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing device, The image forming apparatus includes a first detection unit that detects the first identification information, forms the image on the recording material, and gives second identification information. A second detection unit configured to detect the second identification information; and forming the image on the recording material only when the first detection unit detects the first identification information. The image removal apparatus controls the image forming apparatus and removes the image from the recording material on which the image is formed only when the second detection unit detects the second identification information. Control means to control the device Characterized in that it has a.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image removal apparatus capable of reducing an environmental load and an image formation removal system having the image removal apparatus.

It is a figure which shows an example of the image removal apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the method of isolate | separating a reusable recording material from a peeling roller. It is the elements on larger scale of the image removal apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the cleaning blade of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the image removal apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the peeling roller of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the moving apparatus which moves the cleaning roller of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the image formation removal system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the image formation removal system of this invention.

  Next, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated with drawing.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an image removing apparatus of the present invention. The image removing apparatus 100 is provided with a heat and pressure roller 101 and a peeling roller 102 and a guide plate 103 that face the heat and pressure roller 101. The heat and pressure roller 101 is biased by the peeling roller 102 by applying a pressing force of 20 to 200 N per side to both ends by using a biasing means (not shown) such as a spring, and the nip is Is formed. At this time, both ends of the peeling roller 102 are held by bearings (not shown), and the driving force from a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to a gear provided on one side of the bearing, thereby rotating. can do. Instead of the peeling roller 102, an endless belt may be used as the peeling member. Further, instead of installing the guide plate 103 and the separation plate 104, the separation plate or the separation claw may be brought into contact with the peeling roller 102 by using an urging means such as a spring.

  Further, in the image removing apparatus 100, similarly to the heat and pressure roller 101, the peeling roller 102, the guide plate 103, and the separation plate 104, the heat and pressure roller 101 ′, the separation roller 102 ′, the guide plate 103 ′, and the separation plate are used. 104 'is provided. At this time, the rotation axis of the peeling roller 102 ′ is parallel to the rotation axis of the peeling roller 102.

  When the reusable recording material R on which an image made of a thermoplastic image forming material is formed is conveyed to the nip, it is heated and pressed by the heat and pressure roller 101 and is peeled off via the softened thermoplastic image forming material. Adhere to the roller 102. Next, the reusable recording material R bonded to the peeling roller 102 is separated by the separation plate 104 after the angle of both sides is changed at the position A where the peeling roller 102 and the guide plate 103 intersect (see FIG. 2). The guide plate 103 is provided so as to overlap both sides of the reusable recording material R, and the separation plate 104 is provided so that the angle at which the reusable recording material R is separated is 30 ° to 180 °. . As a result, the thermoplastic image forming material formed on the reusable recording material R can be peeled off by thermal transfer to the peeling roller 102.

  Next, in the same manner as described above, reusable recording in which the thermoplastic image forming material is thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102 using the heat and pressure roller 101 ′, the peeling roller 102 ′, the guide plate 103 ′, and the separation plate 104 ′. The thermoplastic image forming material remaining on the material R is peeled off by thermal transfer to the peeling roller 102 '.

  Therefore, a reusable recording material having a large difference in image height, such as a color image formed by an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image using dry toner, or a paper base. As described above, even when an image is formed on a reusable recording material having a relatively low surface smoothness, the thermoplastic image forming substance can be completely removed.

  In addition, the image removing apparatus 100 is slid with the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′ to which the thermoplastic image forming material is thermally transferred, and transferred to the cleaning roller 105 and the cleaning roller 105 to which the thermoplastic image forming material is transferred. A cleaning blade 106 that scrapes off the thermoplastic image forming material and a recovery container 107 that collects the thermoplastic image forming material scraped off by the cleaning blade 106 are provided. At this time, the cleaning roller 105 is biased by the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′ by applying a pressing force of 5 to 50 N per side to both ends using a biasing means (not shown) such as a spring. And a nip is formed. Further, both ends of the cleaning roller 105 are held by bearings (not shown), and rotate when a driving force from a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to a gear provided on one side of the bearing. be able to. Further, the rotation axis of the cleaning roller 105 is parallel to the rotation axes of the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′.

  On the other hand, the image removal apparatus 100 includes a tray 108R in which the reusable recording material R is stored, a roller 109R for supplying the reusable recording material R stored in the tray 108R one by one, and a reusable recording material supplied by the roller 109R. A roller pair 110R for conveying the recording material R is provided.

  In addition, the image removing apparatus 100 is provided with a sensor 111 that detects identification information of a reusable recording material R, which will be described later.

  When the sensor 111 detects the identification information of the reusable recording material R, the sensor 111 transmits a signal to control means (not shown) having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Next, when the control unit receives the signal, the control unit conveys the reusable recording material R between the heat and pressure roller 101 and the peeling roller 102. On the other hand, if the sensor 111 does not detect the identification information of the reusable recording material R, the sensor 111 does not transmit a signal to the control means, and the control means controls to convey the recording material to the tray 112.

  Further, the image removing apparatus 100 is provided with a roller pair 113 for discharging the reusable recording material R from which the thermoplastic image forming substance has been peeled off and a tray 114 for discharging the reusable recording material R.

  The thermoplastic image forming material is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include image forming materials used in electrophotography, thermal transfer recording, ink jet recording, and the like. Such an image forming substance preferably contains 50 to 98% by mass of a thermoplastic resin, 1 to 15% by mass of a colorant, and 1 to 10% by mass of a release agent. Moreover, it is preferable that melting | fusing point is 60-110 degreeC of a mold release agent.

  The reusable recording material R is a recording material in which a material for reducing fixability with a thermoplastic image forming material is applied to the surface of a substrate.

  Examples of the substrate include paper, synthetic paper, resin film, and the like, but paper is preferable because of its high heat resistance.

  Examples of substances that lower the fixing property with thermoplastic image forming substances include silicone resins, silane coupling agents, fluororesins, olefin resins, surfactants, sizing agents, release agents, and the like. An acid copolymer is preferred. At this time, since the migration of the olefin-maleic anhydride copolymer peeling member and the recording material can be prevented and the recording material can be used repeatedly, the olefin is doubled in the α-position of 10 to 20 carbon atoms. Olefin having a bond is preferred.

  The reusable recording material R is not particularly limited, but is a recording material to which a silicone compound is applied on the surface (see JP-A-9-204060 and JP-A-9-24061), and a surfactant is applied to the surface. Recorded material (see JP-A-10-74025), linearly or branched alkyl group or compound having an alkenyl group (JP-A-2005-234162), olefin- Examples thereof include a recording material (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-78618) having a maleic anhydride copolymer applied to the surface.

  In addition, when using paper as a base material, it is preferable that the smoothness by a Beck smoothness meter shall be 90 seconds or more. In order to reduce the unevenness of the surface of the reusable recording material R, a sealing layer containing a white pigment and a resin may be formed on the surface of the substrate. Examples of white pigments include calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and barium sulfate. Examples of the resin include styrene-butadiene polymer, acrylic resin, polyvinyl alcohol, starch, polyvinyl acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginic acid, and gum arabic. The sealing layer may further contain a substance that reduces the fixing property with the thermoplastic image forming substance.

  Note that the reusable recording material R is provided with an image such as a notch, a hole shape, a barcode, or the like as identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removal apparatus 100. It is not erased by 100.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heat and pressure roller 101 (101 ′) has a release layer 101b (101b ′) formed on a base material 101a (101a ′), so that the thermoplastic image forming substance adheres thereto. Can be suppressed. In addition, a heater 101c (101c ′) is built in the heat and pressure roller 101 (101 ′). Further, the heat and pressure roller 101 (101 ′) is provided with a contact-type or non-contact-type temperature sensor (not shown), and the surface temperature is controlled. Although depending on the thermal characteristics of the thermoplastic image forming substance, the temperature of the surface of the heat and pressure roller 101 (101 ′) is usually 80 to 180 ° C., preferably 90 to 150 ° C. This allows the thermoplastic imaging material to be heated to 65-130 ° C.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a material which comprises the base material 101a (101a '), Metals, such as aluminum and stainless steel, are mentioned.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a material which comprises mold release layer 101b (101b '), Fluororesin, such as PTFE and PFA, is mentioned.

  Although it does not specifically limit as heater 101c (101c '), A halogen lamp, an infrared lamp, an IH heater, etc. are mentioned.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the peeling roller 102 (102 ′), an elastic body layer 102b (102b ′) and a resin layer 102c (102c ′) are sequentially laminated on a base material 102a (102a ′).

  Although it does not specifically limit as a material which comprises the base material 102a (102a '), Metals, such as aluminum and stainless steel, are mentioned.

  The material constituting the elastic layer 102b (102b ′) is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include heat-resistant rubbers such as silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 20 ° to 60 ° and a foam of silicone rubber.

  The elastic layer 102b (102b ′) preferably has a thickness of 0.1 to 10 mm. Thereby, a 2-20 mm nip can be formed.

  The material constituting the resin layer 102c (102c ′) is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a heat-resistant resin having adhesion to a thermoplastic image forming substance such as polyimide and polyetheretherketone. For this reason, the resin layer 102c (102c ′) can adhere the thermoplastic image forming material when the thermoplastic image forming material formed on the reusable recording material R is thermally transferred.

  The resin layer 102c (102c ′) preferably has a thickness of 20 to 100 μm.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning roller 105 has a heater 105b built in a base material 105a. The cleaning roller 105 is provided with a contact type or non-contact type temperature sensor (not shown) to control the surface temperature. Although depending on the thermal characteristics of the thermoplastic image forming substance, the surface of the cleaning roller 105 is preferably 10 to 40 ° C. higher than the surfaces of the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′. Accordingly, the thermoplastic image forming material thermally transferred to the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′ is easily transferred to the cleaning roller 105.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a material which comprises the base material 105a, Metals, such as aluminum and stainless steel, are mentioned. At this time, it is preferable that the aluminum is subjected to a surface treatment such as a hard alumite treatment in order to improve durability.

  Although it does not specifically limit as the heater 105b, A halogen lamp, an infrared lamp, an IH heater, etc. are mentioned.

  The peripheral speed of the cleaning roller 105 is usually larger than the peripheral speed of the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ', but is preferably 2 to 10 times the peripheral speed of the peeling rollers 102 and 102'. As a result, the speed at which the thermoplastic image forming material is transferred from the peeling roller 102 can be increased, and the amount of the thermoplastic image forming material transferred to the cleaning roller 105 can be increased. In order to suppress the occurrence of the stringing phenomenon, the direction in which the cleaning roller 105 rotates is preferably opposite to the direction in which the peeling roller 102 rotates.

  At this time, since the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′ are heated by the heater 105b of the cleaning roller 105, the heaters 101c and 101c ′ of the heat and pressure rollers 101 and 101 ′ may be omitted. Thereby, the power consumption of the image removal apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

  FIG. 4 shows the cleaning blade 106. The angle α of the tip B of the cleaning blade 106 is 30 ° to 90 °. If α is an obtuse angle, the thermoplastic image forming material transferred to the cleaning roller 105 may not be sufficiently blocked unless the linear pressure of the cleaning blade 106 against the cleaning roller 105 is increased. Therefore, α is preferably an acute angle, but if α is too small, the strength of the cleaning blade 106 may be insufficient.

  Further, an angle β formed by the plane C including the rotation axis of the cleaning roller 105 and the tip B of the cleaning blade 106 and the surface of the cleaning blade 106 on the side where the thermoplastic image forming material is scraped is determined by the direction in which the cleaning roller 105 rotates. If it is positive, it is usually −45 ° to 45 °. If β is too small, that is, if the negative absolute value is too large, it may be difficult to scrape the thermoplastic imaging material, and if it is too large, that is, if the positive absolute value is too large, α will be small. Therefore, the strength of the cleaning blade 106 may be insufficient.

  The material constituting the cleaning blade 106 is not particularly limited as long as it is a heat resistant material; however, metals such as aluminum and stainless steel; polyimide, polyamideimide, polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polybutylene terephthalate, fluororesin, phenol Examples thereof include heat-resistant resins such as resins and urea resins. At this time, when glass fiber is added to the heat resistant resin, the thermal expansion coefficient can be reduced. Thereby, thermal expansion of the cleaning blade 106 that contacts the cleaning roller 105 can be suppressed.

  The thickness of the cleaning blade 106 is usually 0.1 to 2 mm. If the cleaning blade 106 is too thin, the strength may be insufficient or processing may be difficult. If the cleaning blade 106 is too thick, the thermoplastic image forming material transferred to the cleaning roller 105 cannot be sufficiently blocked. Sometimes.

  The cleaning blade 106 preferably has a release layer formed in a region including the tip B. Thereby, sticking of the thermoplastic image forming substance can be suppressed.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a material which comprises a mold release layer, Fluororesin, such as PTFE and PFA, is mentioned.

  The cleaning blade 106 is biased by the cleaning roller 105 by applying a linear pressure of about 0.1 to 1.0 N / mm using an elastic body such as a spring or rubber.

  The number of release rollers is not particularly limited as long as the release roller can be brought into contact with the cleaning roller 105, but is usually 2 to 4.

  Further, instead of the cleaning roller 105, an endless belt may be used as a cleaning member. Thereby, it becomes easy to make it contact with many peeling rollers.

  Further, instead of the heat and pressure rollers 101 and 101 ′, a heat and pressure roller biased by the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′ may be provided.

  FIG. 5 shows a modification of the image removing apparatus of the present invention. The image removing apparatus 100 ′ uses a peeling roller 102 ″ (see FIG. 6) instead of the peeling roller 102 ′, and the cleaning roller 105 comes into contact with the peeling roller 102 or 102 ″ and is made of a thermoplastic image forming material. A tray 108M for storing the medium M on which the solid image is formed, a roller 109M for supplying the medium M stored in the tray 108M one by one, and a roller pair 110M for conveying the medium M supplied by the roller 109M are further provided. The image removing apparatus 100 is the same as the image removing apparatus 100 except that it is provided. At this time, the peeling roller 102 ″ is further laminated with the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′, and the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is regenerated at a predetermined timing. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ softens when heated and pressed using the heating and pressure roller 101 ′. For this reason, even when the surface of the reusable recording material R has unevenness or when an image having a difference in height is formed on the reusable recording material R, the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ and the thermoplastic image forming substance are The thermoplastic imaging material can be thermally transferred by bonding.

  The thickness of the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is usually 5 to 200 μm, and preferably 20 to 100 μm. If the thickness of the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is less than 5 μm, the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ may be difficult to adhere to the thermoplastic image-forming substance, and if it exceeds 200 μm, the thermoplastic composition layer 102d. 'May be difficult to separate from the reusable recording material R.

  The thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ preferably contains a thermoplastic resin having an SP value close to that of the thermoplastic resin contained in the thermoplastic image forming material because it easily adheres to the thermoplastic image forming material.

  The thermoplastic resin contained in the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is not particularly limited, but is polyester; styrene such as polystyrene, poly (p-chlorostyrene), and polyvinyltoluene; and polymers of substituted products thereof; styrene-p—. Chlorostyrene copolymer, styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-vinylnaphthalene copolymer, styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylic Butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer Styrene-dimethyl methacrylate Copolymer, styrene-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-diethylaminopropyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethylene glycol methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, Styrene copolymers such as styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-indene copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-maleic acid ester copolymer; polymethacrylic acid Methyl, polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid, rosin, modified logistic , Terpene resins, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic petroleum resins and the like, may be used in combination.

  Carboxylic acids used in the synthesis of polyesters include terephthalic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, brassic acid, pyromellitic acid, citracone Acid, glutaconic acid, mesaconic acid, itaconic acid, teraconic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, hemimellitic acid, merophanic acid, trimesic acid, planitic acid, trimellitic acid and the like may be used, and two or more may be used in combination.

  Examples of the alcohol used for synthesizing the polyester include bisphenol A, hydrogenated bisphenol A, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, neopentyldiol, hexamethylenediol, heptanediol, octanediol, pentaglycerol, pentaerythritol, and cyclohexanediol. , Cyclopentanediol, pinacol, glycerin, etherified diphenol, catechol, resorcinol, pyrogallol, benzenetriol, phloroglucinol, benzenetetraol and the like, and two or more of them may be used in combination.

  Since the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is easily separated from the reusable recording material R, the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ preferably contains a release agent.

  The release agent is not particularly limited, but fluororesin, silicone resin, resin having a long chain alkyl group in the side chain, carnauba wax, montan wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, higher alkyl alcohols, higher grades Fatty acids, higher fatty acid esters, higher alkylamides and the like may be mentioned, and two or more kinds may be used in combination.

  The mold release agent preferably has a melting point of 60 to 110 ° C.

  The composition of the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is preferably substantially the same as the composition of the thermoplastic image forming material. This makes it easier for the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ to adhere to the thermoplastic imaging substance. Further, when the thermoplastic image forming material formed on the reusable recording material R is thermally transferred, the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is mixed with the thermoplastic image forming material, but the composition hardly changes.

  The medium M can be manufactured by forming a solid image made of a thermoplastic image forming substance on the reusable recording material R using a known image forming apparatus. At this time, by setting the length of the solid image formed on the medium M to an integral multiple of the circumferential length of the peeling roller 102 ″ from which the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ has been removed, a uniform thickness can be obtained. A thermoplastic composition layer 102d 'can be formed.

  Next, a method for removing an image using the image removing apparatus 100 ′ and a method for regenerating the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ of the peeling roller 102 ″ will be described.

  When the image removing device 100 ′ removes the image, the control means determines the temperature of the surfaces of the heat and pressure rollers 101 and 101 ′ and the cleaning roller 105 so that the image formed on the reusable recording material R is the separation roller 102. The cleaning roller 105 is controlled to be in contact with the peeling roller 102 while maintaining the temperature range in which the heat transfer is performed to 102 and 102 ″.

  On the other hand, when regenerating the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ of the peeling roller 102 ″, the control means stops the roller 109R and the roller pair 110R so that the cleaning roller 105 contacts the peeling roller 102 ″. Control. Accordingly, the thermoplastic image forming material and the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102 ″ are transferred to the cleaning roller 105, then scraped off by the cleaning blade 106, and collected by the above-described method. . As a result, the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is removed from the peeling roller 102 ″.

  Next, the control unit brings the cleaning roller 105 into contact with the peeling roller 102, and changes the temperature of the surfaces of the heating and pressure roller 101 and the cleaning roller 105 to a low temperature at which the solid image formed on the medium M is not thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102. The control is performed so that the medium M is conveyed to the nip between the heating and pressing roller 101 and the cleaning roller 105. As a result, the solid image formed on the medium M is thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102 ″ from which the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ has been removed, thereby forming the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′.

  Further, the control means controls the temperatures of the surfaces of the heat and pressure roller 101 and the cleaning roller 105 so as to maintain a temperature region in which an image formed on the reusable recording material R is thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102, Return to the original state.

  Note that the control means does not bring the cleaning roller 105 into contact with the peeling roller 102 when the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ is formed on the peeling roller 102 ″ from which the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ has been removed. The temperature of the surface of the pressure roller 101 may be controlled so as to be maintained in a low temperature region where the solid image formed on the medium M is not thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102. In this case, the control means brings the cleaning roller 105 into contact with the peeling roller 102, and changes the temperature of the surface of the heat and pressure roller 101 to a temperature region in which an image formed on the reusable recording material R is thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102. To maintain the current state, and return to the original state.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a moving device that moves the cleaning roller 105. The moving device 121 is provided with a tension spring 121a whose one end is fixed to the bearing 105c of the cleaning roller 105 and a movable plate 121b whose other end is fixed to one end. The other end of the movable plate 121b is supported by a cam 121c having a D-shaped cross section. The cam 121c rotates when a rotational force is transmitted to a rotating shaft 121d from driving means (not shown) such as a pulse motor.

  Next, a method for moving the bearings 105c on both sides of the cleaning roller 105 to the left and right in the drawing using the moving device 121 will be described. The cam 121c is in the state shown in FIG. 7A when the image removing device 100 ′ removes an image, and a pressing force that brings the cleaning roller 105 into contact with the peeling roller 102 is applied. At this time, when the peeling roller 102 and the cleaning roller 105 are rotated by a drive motor (not shown), the cleaning roller 105 slides on the peeling roller 102. As a result, the thermoplastic image forming material thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102 is transferred to the cleaning roller 105.

  On the other hand, by rotating the cam 121c in the state of FIG. 7A clockwise by 90 ° in the drawing, the movable plate 121b moves to the left in the drawing, and the cleaning roller 105 also moves accordingly. Then, the state shown in FIG. 7B is reached, and a pressing force for bringing the cleaning roller 105 into contact with the peeling roller 102 ″ is applied. At this time, when the peeling roller 102 ″ and the cleaning roller 105 are rotated by a drive motor (not shown), the cleaning roller 105 slides with the peeling roller 102 ″. As a result, the thermoplastic image forming material and the thermoplastic composition layer 102 d ′ thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102 ″ are transferred to the cleaning roller 105.

  Further, by rotating the cam 121c in the state of FIG. 7B by 90 ° counterclockwise in the drawing, the movable plate 121b moves to the right in the drawing, and the cleaning roller 105 is also moved accordingly. It moves and returns to the state of Fig.7 (a).

  Note that a combination of a solenoid, an air cylinder, an electric cylinder, and a lever may be used instead of the moving device 121 as long as the cleaning roller 105 can be brought into contact with the peeling roller 102 or 102 ″.

  Further, a peeling roller on which the thermoplastic composition layer is not formed may be further provided upstream of the peeling roller 102 ″ with respect to the direction in which the reusable recording material R is conveyed. The number of the release rollers on which the thermoplastic composition layer is not formed is not particularly limited as long as the release roller can be brought into contact with the cleaning roller 105, but is usually 1 to 4.

  Furthermore, a peeling roller on which a thermoplastic composition layer is formed may be further provided on the downstream side of the peeling roller 102 ″ with respect to the direction in which the reusable recording material R is conveyed. The number of the release rollers on which the thermoplastic composition layer is formed is not particularly limited as long as the cleaning roller 105 can be moved and brought into contact with the release roller, but is usually 1 to 4.

  Further, instead of the heat and pressure rollers 101 and 101 ′, a heat and pressure roller biased by the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ″ may be provided.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the image formation removal system of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The image forming / removing system shown in FIG. 8 includes an image removing device 100 and an image forming device 200 in a housing.

  First, the image forming apparatus 200 will be described. The image forming apparatus 200 is a tandem digital color electrophotographic apparatus. In the image forming apparatus 200, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201Bk, respectively. Next, the toner images of the respective colors are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 203 by the transfer rollers 202Y, 202M, 202C, and 202Bk to which the bias voltage is applied, and are superimposed. The toner image superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 203 is transferred to the general paper P or the reusable recording material R by the transfer roller 204 to which a bias voltage is applied, and then the heated fixing roller 205 a of the fixing device 205. The toner is transported between the pressure rollers 205b to soften the toner and is fixed to the general paper P or the reusable recording material R. As described above, the general paper P or the reusable recording material R on which the image is formed is discharged onto the tray 207 via the roller pair 206.

  The photosensitive drum 201 is provided with a photoconductor layer and a protective layer on a conductive substrate such as metal, and is uniformly charged by charging means (not shown) such as a charging roller and a wire charger. Next, the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 201 is exposed by exposure means (not shown) such as a laser, LED, light emitter-liquid crystal light valve, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. Further, the photosensitive drum 201 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is developed with toner containing a release agent by a developing unit (not shown) having a magnetic roller and a toner conveying roller inside, and a toner image is formed. . The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 201 after the toner image is transferred is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown). Further, if necessary, the charge remaining on the photosensitive drum 201 after the toner image is transferred may be removed by a discharging means such as an AC charger or a light irradiator. Further, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 201 may be uniformly charged by a charging means such as a corona discharger before being transferred. In addition, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 201 is kept constant even when there is environmental change or deterioration due to repeated use by means for detecting the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 201 and means for controlling the voltage applied to the charging means. May be. Conversely, when it is not necessary to remove the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 201 after the toner image is transferred, the cleaning means may be omitted.

  The intermediate transfer belt 203 is provided so as to contact the rollers 203a and 203b, and tension is applied by a tension application mechanism (not shown). If necessary, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 203 after the toner image is transferred to the general paper P or the reusable recording material R may be removed by a cleaning means such as a brush or a roller. Further, after the toner image is transferred to the general paper P or the reusable recording material R, the charge remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 203 may be removed by the charge eliminating unit or may be uniformly charged by the charging unit. .

  The image forming apparatus 200 includes a general paper tray 208P and a reusable recording material tray 208R. The general paper tray 208P stores general paper P such as high-quality paper, and the reusable recording material tray 208R. Stores the reusable recording material R. At this time, the general paper P and the reusable recording material R are supplied one by one by rollers 209P and 209R, respectively, and are conveyed between the roller 203a and the transfer roller 204 by roller pairs 210P and 210R. If necessary, general paper or reusable recording materials of different sizes, usable paper types, or general paper or reusable recording materials of different feeding directions (vertical feed, horizontal feed) are accommodated. The number of trays may be increased.

  Next, a method for forming an image using the image formation removal system of FIG. 8 will be described. The image formation removal system forms an image in the first control mode or the second control mode on a user interface displayed on an operation panel (not shown) or a display of a computer connected to the image formation removal system. Control means (not shown) having CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., display means (not shown), control software (not shown), input means (not shown) such as buttons, etc. are provided so that the user can select It has been.

  The first control mode is a control mode in which an image is formed on the reusable recording material R. When the user selects the first control mode, the control unit controls the reusable recording material from the reusable recording material tray 208R. After supplying R and forming an image, control is performed so that the reusable recording material R on which the image is formed is transported to the tray 207. At this time, when the sensor 211 detects identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing apparatus 100, a signal is transmitted to the control means. Next, when the control means receives the signal, it forms an image on the reusable recording material R and, for example, uses the toner used when forming the image to form a second image on the corner of the reusable recording material R. After identifying an image such as a barcode as identification information indicating that an image has been formed in one control mode, control is performed so that the reusable recording material R is conveyed to the tray 207. Note that the identification information indicating that an image has been formed in the first control mode is erased when the image is removed, and thus is rewritten every time an image is formed on the reusable recording material R. However, the identification information indicating that the image has been formed in the first control mode may not be an image. For example, an IC chip is embedded in the reusable recording material R, and the image forming apparatus 200 or the image removing apparatus 100 has an IC. Means for rewriting information recorded on the chip may be provided.

  On the other hand, when no signal is received, the control unit performs control so that the image is not formed on the recording material to which the identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removal apparatus 100 is not formed, and is conveyed to the tray 207. . Further, the control means performs a process of displaying information for notifying the user that a recording material not provided with identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing apparatus 100 is supplied on the operation panel or the display. Control to run. As a result, an image is formed in the first control mode on the recording material that is mixed in the reusable recording material storage container 208R and has not been given identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing apparatus 100; It is possible to prevent identification information indicating that an image has been formed in one control mode.

  The second control mode is a control mode for forming an image on the general paper P. When the user selects the second control mode, the control unit supplies the general paper P from the general paper tray 208P. Then, after the image is formed, control is performed so that the general paper P on which the image is formed is conveyed to the tray 207.

  Next, a method for removing an image using the image formation removal system will be described. The control unit controls the reusable recording material R to be supplied from the tray 108R. At this time, when the sensor 111 detects identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing apparatus 100 and identification information indicating that the image is formed in the first control mode, the sensor 111 transmits a signal to the control means. Next, when receiving the signal, the control unit controls the reusable recording material R from which the image has been removed to be transported to the tray 114 after the image removing apparatus 100 removes the image.

  On the other hand, when the signal is not received, the control unit controls the image removing apparatus 100 to convey the recording material to the tray 112 without removing the image. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image formed on the recording material from which the image cannot be removed by the image removing apparatus 100 and the removal of the image that is not formed in the first control mode. As a result, it is difficult to separate the reusable recording material R from the peeling roller 102 because the image is not easily removed, and it is possible to prevent troubles such as a jam that occurs.

  Note that the sensor 111 may detect only the identification information indicating that the image is formed in the first control mode without detecting the identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing apparatus 100.

  In order to prevent troubles such as jamming due to mixing of a recording material whose image cannot be removed by the image removing apparatus 100, the first process is performed when an image is formed on the reusable recording material R. The identification information indicating that the image is formed in the control mode may not be given. In this case, the sensor 111 detects only identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, the reusable recording material R from which the image has been removed can be conveyed from the tray 114 to the reusable recording material tray 208R by the user to form an image again. At this time, by configuring the tray 114 and the reusable recording material tray 208R to have the same configuration, they can be used interchangeably.

  Further, instead of providing the tray 114, a transport path for transporting the reusable recording material R from which the image has been removed directly to the reusable recording material tray 208R may be provided.

  Further, the general paper tray 208P may not be provided and an image may not be formed in the second control mode.

  FIG. 9 shows another example of the image formation removal system of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same components as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The image forming / removing system shown in FIG. 9A includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 200 provided in separate housings and an image removing apparatus 100 provided in the separate housings. The image forming / removing system shown in FIG. 9B includes an image forming apparatus 200 and an image removing apparatus 100 provided in the same casing, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses provided in different casings. 200. In such an image formation removal system, the reusable recording material R on which an image is formed using a plurality of image forming apparatuses 200 is collected after the image information is used. The collected reusable recording material R is used again after the image is removed using the image removing device 100.

  As described above, the case of using an image forming apparatus that forms an image using electrophotography has been described. However, an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a thermal transfer recording method, an ink jet recording method using solid ink, or the like may be used. .

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific examples, but the present invention is not limited to the conditions mentioned in the examples.

[Production of Reusable Recording Material R]
A coating liquid was obtained by mixing 1 part by mass of a 25% by mass aqueous solution of an olefin-maleic anhydride copolymer hydrolyzate and 10 parts by mass of a 10% by mass aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution.

The obtained coating solution was applied to both sides of copy paper Type 6200 (manufactured by Ricoh) using a wire bar so that the dry coating amount on one side was 2.3 g / m ² and dried at 120 ° C. for 5 minutes. After that, smoothing was performed using a super calender to obtain a reusable recording material R.

[Example 1]
On the reusable recording material R, a color pattern composed of a solid monochrome image was formed using imagio Neo C820 (manufactured by Ricoh). As the toner, an oilless polymerized toner containing 5 to 10% by mass of a wax component and containing polyester as a main component was used.

  In the image removing apparatus 100 (see FIG. 1), the image was removed under the following conditions.

Surface temperature of the heat and pressure rollers 101 and 101 ′: 100 ° C.
Pressing force between the heat and pressure roller 101 and the peeling roller 102: 80 N (per one side)
Pressing force between the heat and pressure roller 101 ′ and the peeling roller 102 ′: 80 N (per one side)
Peripheral speed of peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′: 50 mm / s
Temperature of the surface of the cleaning roller 105: 160 ° C.
Pressing force between the cleaning roller 105 and the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′: 10 N (per one side)
The peripheral speed of the cleaning roller 105: 200 mm / s
Rotation direction of the cleaning roller 105: counter direction with the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′ The heating and pressure roller 101 (101 ′) is an aluminum base material 101a having an outer diameter of 30 mm and a length in the rotation axis direction of 310 mm. A release layer 101b (101b ′) made of PFA is formed on (101a ′), and a halogen heater is incorporated as the heater 101c (101c ′). The peeling roller 102 (102 ′) is made of a silicone rubber foam having a thickness of 2 mm and a rubber hardness of 40 ° on a base material 102a (102a ′) having an outer diameter of 26 mm and a length in the rotation axis direction of 310 mm. An elastic layer 102b (102b ′) and a resin layer 102c (102c ′) made of a polyimide film tube having a thickness of 50 μm are sequentially laminated. The cleaning roller 105 has an aluminum base material 105a having an outer diameter of 30 mm and a length in the rotation axis direction of 310 mm, and a halogen heater is incorporated as the heater 105b. The substrate 105a has a flat surface and is anodized.

  The cleaning blade 106 has a length B of 310 mm and an angle α of the tip B of 45 °, a plane C including the rotation shaft of the cleaning roller 105 and the tip B of the cleaning blade 106, and a thermoplastic image of the cleaning blade 106. The angle β formed by the surface on which the forming substance is scraped off is 30 °.

  As a result, all of the toner thermally transferred to the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′ was transferred to the cleaning roller 105 while the peeling rollers 102 and 102 ′ rotated once. For this reason, it was determined that the cleaning property was high. At this time, the thickness of the toner adhering to the surface of the cleaning roller 105 is 2 μm or less immediately after being scraped by the cleaning blade 105, and 5 to 20 μm at a position immediately before being scraped by the cleaning blade 105. Met.

  Further, the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 106 reached a predetermined amount, dropped by its own weight, and collected in the collection container 107.

  It should be noted that the temperature of the surface of the cleaning roller 105 is high except when the image removing apparatus 100 is activated or warmed up, so that the heater 101c (101c ′) of the heat and pressure roller 101 (101 ′) is not used. It was confirmed that it was good. Further, when the restriction on the warm-up time is as loose as about 1 minute, the heater 101c (101c ′) of the heating and pressure roller 101 (101 ′) can be omitted.

[Example 2]
An image was removed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that an image removing apparatus 100 ′ (see FIG. 5) was used instead of the image removing apparatus 100 and the conditions were changed to the following conditions.

Surface temperature of the heat and pressure rollers 101 and 101 ′: 100 ° C.
Pressing force between the heat and pressure roller 101 and the peeling roller 102: 80 N (per one side)
Pressing force between the heat and pressure roller 101 ′ and the peeling roller 102 ″: 80 N (per one side)
Peripheral speed of peeling rollers 102 and 102 '': 50 mm / s
Temperature of the surface of the cleaning roller 105: 160 ° C.
Pressing force between the cleaning roller 105 and the peeling roller 102: 10 N (per one side)
The peripheral speed of the cleaning roller 105: 200 mm / s
Direction of rotation of cleaning roller 105: counter direction with peeling rollers 102 and 102 '' Distance between cleaning roller 105 and peeling roller 102 '': 1 mm
The peeling roller 102 ″ has the same configuration as the peeling roller 102 ′ except that a thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ having a thickness of 30 μm is further laminated.

  As a result, all of the toner thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102 was transferred to the cleaning roller 105 during one rotation of the peeling roller 102. For this reason, it was determined that the cleaning property was high. At this time, the thickness of the toner adhering to the surface of the cleaning roller 105 is 2 μm or less immediately after being scraped by the cleaning blade 105, and 5 to 20 μm at a position immediately before being scraped by the cleaning blade 105. Met.

  Further, the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 106 reached a predetermined amount, dropped by its own weight, and collected in the collection container 107.

  Next, using the moving device 121, the cleaning roller 105 was brought into contact with the peeling roller 102 ″, and the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ of the peeling roller 102 ″ was removed under the following conditions.

Temperature of the surface of the heat and pressure roller 101: 100 ° C.
Temperature of the surface of the heating and pressure roller 101 ′: 100 ° C.
Pressing force between the heat and pressure roller 101 and the peeling roller 102: 80 N (per one side)
Pressing force between the heat and pressure roller 101 ′ and the peeling roller 102 ″: 80 N (per one side)
Peripheral speed of peeling rollers 102 and 102 '': 50 mm / s
Temperature of the surface of the cleaning roller 105: 160 ° C.
Pressing force between the cleaning roller 105 and the peeling roller 102 ″: 10 N (per one side)
The peripheral speed of the cleaning roller 105: 200 mm / s
Direction of rotation of cleaning roller 105: counter direction with peeling rollers 102 and 102 '' Distance between cleaning roller 105 and peeling roller 102: 1 mm
As a result, the toner and the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ thermally transferred to the peeling roller 102 ″ were all transferred to the cleaning roller 105 while the peeling roller 102 was rotated once.

  Further, by using the moving device 121, the cleaning roller 105 is returned to its original position, and the medium M is passed through the peeling roller 102 ″ from which the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ has been removed under the following conditions. A thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ was formed.

Temperature of the surface of the heat and pressure roller 101: 70 ° C.
Temperature of the surface of the heating and pressure roller 101 ′: 100 ° C.
Pressing force between the heat and pressure roller 101 and the peeling roller 102: 80 N (per one side)
Pressing force between the heat and pressure roller 101 ′ and the peeling roller 102 ″: 80 N (per one side)
Peripheral speed of peeling rollers 102 and 102 '': 50 mm / s
Temperature of the surface of the cleaning roller 105: 160 ° C.
Pressing force between the cleaning roller 105 and the peeling roller 102: 10 N (per one side)
The peripheral speed of the cleaning roller 105: 200 mm / s
Direction of rotation of cleaning roller 105: counter direction with peeling rollers 102 and 102 '' Distance between cleaning roller 105 and peeling roller 102 '': 1 mm
The medium M was produced by forming a color pattern composed of a single color solid image on the reusable recording material R using imagio Neo C820 (manufactured by Ricoh). As the toner, an oilless polymerized toner containing 5 to 10% by mass of a wax component and containing polyester as a main component was used.

  As a result, the reproduction frequency of the thermoplastic composition layer 102d ′ of the peeling roller 102 ″ may be high, and may be once for removing several hundred images. Depending on the state of the reusable recording material R, There was no problem even with one removal of 1000 images.

100, 100 'Image removing device 101, 101' Heating and pressing roller 102, 102 ', 102''Peeling roller 102d' Thermoplastic composition layer 103, 103 'Guide plate 104, 104' Separating plate 105 Cleaning roller 105c Bearing 106 Cleaning blade 121 Moving device 121a Tension spring 121b Movable plate 121c Cam 121d Rotating shaft 200 Image forming device M Media R Reusable recording material P General paper

JP 2010-113189 A

Claims (5)

An apparatus for removing an image made of a thermoplastic image forming material formed on a recording material,
A first peeling means for peeling the thermoplastic image forming substance by thermal transfer from the recording material to the first peeling member while rotating the first peeling member;
While the second release member is rotated, the thermoplastic image forming material remaining on the recording material on which the thermoplastic image forming material is thermally transferred to the first release member is thermally transferred to the second release member. A second peeling means for peeling by
While the cleaning member is heated and rotated, the thermoplastic image is thermally transferred to the first peeling member and the second peeling member by sliding with the first peeling member and the second peeling member. A cleaning means for transferring the forming substance to the cleaning member;
The image removing apparatus, wherein the first peeling member, the second peeling member, and the cleaning member are each independently a roller or an endless belt. An apparatus for removing an image made of a thermoplastic image forming material formed on a recording material,
A first peeling means for peeling the thermoplastic image forming substance by thermal transfer from the recording material to the first peeling member while rotating the first peeling member;
The thermoplastic image formation in which the thermoplastic image forming substance remains on the recording material thermally transferred to the first peeling member while rotating the second peeling member having the thermoplastic composition layer formed on the surface thereof. A second peeling means for peeling the substance by thermal transfer to the second peeling member;
While the cleaning member is heated and rotated, the thermoplastic image forming material thermally transferred to the first peeling member or the second peeling member is slid with the first peeling member or the second peeling member while rotating. Cleaning means for transferring the thermoplastic image-forming substance thermally transferred to the peeling member and the thermoplastic composition layer to the cleaning member;
Moving means for moving the cleaning member to contact the first peeling member or the second peeling member;
Thermoplastic image forming material thermally transferred to the second release member and thermoplastic composition layer formation for forming the thermoplastic composition layer on the second release member having the thermoplastic composition layer transferred to the cleaning member Having means,
The first peeling member and the second peeling member are each independently a roller or an endless belt,
The image removing apparatus, wherein the cleaning member is a roller.   An image forming / removing system comprising: the image removing apparatus according to claim 1; and an image forming apparatus that forms the image on the recording material. The recording material is provided with identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing device,
The image forming apparatus includes a first detection unit that detects the identification information,
The image removal apparatus further includes a second detection unit that detects the identification information,
Only when the first detection means detects the identification information, the image forming apparatus is controlled to form the image on the recording material, and the second detection means detects the identification information. 4. The image forming and removing system according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit that controls the image removing device so as to remove the image from the recording material on which the image is formed only when the image is formed. The recording material is provided with first identification information indicating that the image can be removed by the image removing device,
The image forming apparatus includes a first detection unit that detects the first identification information, forms the image on the recording material, and provides second identification information;
The image removal apparatus further includes a second detection unit that detects the second identification information,
Only when the first detection means detects the first identification information, the image forming apparatus is controlled to form the image on the recording material, and the second detection means is the first detection means. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising control means for controlling the image removing apparatus so as to remove the image from the recording material on which the image is formed only when second identification information is detected. Image formation removal system.