JP2013011864A - Decolorizing apparatus and decolorizing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a decolorizing apparatus capable of efficiently transmitting heat from heat sources that apply heat to a sheet, and to provide a decolorizing method.SOLUTION: A decolorizing apparatus comprises: a sheet supplying section 10 for supplying a recording medium on which an image has been recorded; pressing rollers 21 and 22; heat sources 23 and 24 that have shapes along outer circumferences of the pressing rollers 21 and 22; a decolorizing section 15 disposed at abutting portions between the pressing rollers 21 and 22 and the heat sources 23 and 24 for decolorizing the image formed on the recording medium supplied from the sheet supplying section 10; a temperature detecting section for detecting temperatures of the heat sources 23 and 24; a controlling section for controlling the heat sources 23 and 24 according to the temperatures detected by the temperature detecting section; and sheet ejecting sections 19 and 20 for ejecting the recording medium on which the image is decolorized by the decolorizing section 15.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a decoloring apparatus and a decoloring method.

  2. Description of the Related Art A decoloring apparatus that erases the color of an image by performing a decoloring process on paper by heat is known. This erasing apparatus is provided with a pair of erasing units each provided with a roller and a heat source across a conveyance path. However, there is a problem that the nip width between the heat source for applying heat to the paper and the roller is small, and heat cannot be transferred efficiently.

JP-A-6-175538

  The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a color erasing apparatus and a color erasing method capable of efficiently transferring heat from a heat source that applies heat to paper.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an erasing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a paper feeding unit that supplies a recording medium on which an image has been recorded, a pressure roller, and a heat source having a shape along the outer periphery of the pressure roller. A color erasing unit that erases an image formed on the recording medium supplied from the paper feeding unit to a contact portion between the pressing roller and the heat source, a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the heat source, and the temperature detection A control unit that controls the heat source according to the temperature detected by the printing unit, and a paper discharge unit that discharges the recording medium from which the image has been erased by the decoloring unit.

It is a system configuration figure in a first embodiment. It is a block diagram of the decoloring apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram of a decoloring apparatus, a client PC, and a server in the first embodiment. It is an enlarged view of a decoloring part in a first embodiment. It is a flowchart of temperature control of the heat source in 1st embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view at the time of open | release of the decoloring part in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the separation state of a press roller and a heat source in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a press roller and a heat source in 2nd embodiment.

An erasing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)

  The erasing apparatus of the first embodiment erases an image formed on a sheet by a heat source having a shape along the pressing roller.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment. For example, the system configuration includes a plurality of erasing apparatuses 100, a plurality of client PCs (Personal Computers) 101, and a server 102. Each component of the system is connected via a network 103.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the erasing apparatus. The erasing apparatus 100 erases an image on a sheet (recording medium) on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus (not shown), and allows the sheet to be reused. The decoloring apparatus 100 includes a paper feeding unit 10, a first conveyance path 11, a second conveyance path 12, a first reading unit 13A, a second reading unit 13B, a decoloring unit 15, a conveyance roller 16, and a path change. Unit (switching unit) 17, first paper discharge unit 19, and second paper discharge unit 20.

  The paper feeding unit 10 feeds the image on the paper P to be reused into the erasing apparatus 100 in order to erase the image. The paper feed unit 10 includes a paper feed tray 22 and a pickup roller 18. The paper feed tray 10 is loaded with paper P for reuse. The pickup roller 18 takes out the paper P one by one from the paper feed tray 10 and sends it out to the first transport path 11.

  The 1st conveyance path 11 and the 2nd conveyance path 12 have a plurality of conveyance rollers 16, and conveyance roller 16 comprises a pair of a drive roller and a driven roller. In the first transport path 11, a pair of first reading unit 13 </ b> A and second reading unit 13 </ b> B are alternately arranged with the first transport path 11 interposed therebetween. The first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B have basically the same configuration, and each has a two-dimensional CCD scanner. The first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B are not limited to the two-dimensional CCD scanner, and may be CMOS sensors. The first reading unit 13A reads one side of the sheet conveyed from the paper feeding unit 10, and the second reading unit 13B reads the surface opposite to the reading surface of the first reading unit 13A. The images read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B are stored in the storage unit 202 shown in FIG. The storage unit 202, which is a storage destination of images read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B, is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like. It is a semiconductor or mechanical (magnetic) memory.

  The images read by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B are not only stored in the storage unit 202 of the erasing apparatus 100, but also stored in the storage unit 302 (see FIG. 3) of the client PC 101 or the server 102. You may make it preserve | save in the part 402 (refer FIG. 3). Further, when the erasing apparatus 100 has a login and logout function for personal authentication of the user, the image data stored in the storage unit 202 of the erasing apparatus 100 is stored in the client PC 101 when the erasing apparatus 100 logs out. The data may be transmitted to the storage unit 302 or the storage unit 402 of the server 102 and stored.

  The user can read the data read and saved by the reading unit 13 from the storage unit 202, 302, or 402 and browse the data. When the user selects data to be browsed, the control unit 200 of the erasing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 described later displays the selected data on the display unit 209 of the erasing apparatus 100. The data display is not limited to the display on the display unit 209 of the erasing apparatus 100, but may be displayed on the display unit 304 of the client PC 102 shown in FIG.

  Further, the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B read the surface in order to determine whether or not the paper P is usable and whether or not the printing on the paper has been erased.

  Accordingly, reading by the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B is performed twice. The first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B digitize the read image and store it in the storage unit in the first reading. The first reading is performed before erasing, and the second reading is performed after erasing. The first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B determine whether or not the paper P can be reused after the decoloring process in the second reading.

  The image may be stored in the first reading, and it may be determined whether or not the image is unusable due to wrinkles, stapling, folding, memo writing that cannot be erased, or the like. In this case, if it is determined that the reusable state is obtained by the first reading, a decoloring process is performed, and it is determined whether the image of the paper P is decolored by the second reading, Paper is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. If it is determined that the state cannot be reused by the first reading, the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20 is performed without performing the second time reading. Paper is discharged. Further, if it is determined in the first reading that the state cannot be reused, the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit is performed without performing the decoloring process and the second reading. The paper may be discharged to 20. These settings can be selected and set in advance.

  Further, in the reading after erasing, it may be determined whether or not the paper P is not reusable by wrinkles, stapling, folding, memo writing that cannot be erased, or the like. Reading after erasing facilitates detection of wrinkles, stapling, folding, memos that cannot be erased, and the like. For example, the control unit 200 determines whether or not it is not reusable due to wrinkles, stapling, folding, non-erasable memo writing, etc. in reading after erasing, and according to the determination result, the first The paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. These settings can be selected and set in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first transport path 11 is connected from the paper supply unit 10 to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. The second transport path 12 branches from a branch point downstream of the first reading unit 13A and the second reading unit 13B of the first transport path 11, and the first reading unit 13A of the first transport path 11 is branched. And merge at the junction point upstream of the second reading unit 13B. A route changing unit 17 is arranged at the branch point. Accordingly, the paper P drawn from the paper supply unit 10 reaches the first conveyance path 11 again via the first conveyance path 11, the path changing unit 17, and the second conveyance path 12.

  In the second conveyance path 12, a decoloring unit 15 is disposed in the conveyance path. The decoloring unit 15 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge unit 23 includes the first paper discharge unit 19 and the second paper discharge unit 20 described above. The paper P subjected to various processes is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. The user may be selectable so that the paper P can be discharged to either the first paper discharge unit 19 or the second paper discharge unit 20. For example, the first paper discharge unit 19 may be set to store reusable paper, and the second paper discharge unit 20 may be set to store non-reusable paper.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the erasing apparatus 100, the client PC 101, and the server 102. The decoloring apparatus 100 includes a control unit 200, a storage unit 202, a reading unit 13, heat sources 23 and 24, a temperature detection unit 203, a communication I / F (interface) 204, and a path change unit drive control unit that controls the path change unit 17. 205, a sheet conveyance motor drive control unit 206 that controls a sheet conveyance motor 207 that drives the conveyance roller, an operation unit 208, and a display unit 209. The control unit 200 is connected to the storage unit 202, the reading unit 13, the heat sources 23 and 24, the temperature detection unit 203, the communication I / F 204, the path change unit drive control unit 205, and the paper transport motor drive control unit 206 via the system bus 201. The operation unit 208 and the display unit 209 are connected. The control unit 200 further communicates with the client PC 101 and the server 102 via the network 103 by the communication I / F 204 connected via the system bus 201.

  The control unit 200 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM, and a RAM. The ROM stores a program for operating the control unit 200, a sheet printing rate for use as a reusability guideline, and a density threshold for determining whether an image has been decolored. Further, when determining the wrinkle depth and the like in the first image reading, a density threshold value used for determining the wrinkle depth and the like is stored. The RAM stores an image obtained when the image of the paper P is read. The reading unit 13 is a CCD sensor, for example, and is arranged as a line sensor of the line, and detects the density of the paper P. The heat sources 23 and 24 use a planar heater or the like, and apply heat to the paper P while the paper P passes through the decoloring section 15 to make the color material colorless.

  The control unit 200 controls the route changing unit drive control unit 205 to drive the route changing unit 17 so as to distribute the paper P from the first conveying path 11 to the second conveying path 12. Sorting is performed so that the paper P is transported from the first transport path 11 to the first paper discharge unit 19 and the second paper discharge unit 20. Further, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the color erasing is normally performed after the image erasing, that is, whether or not the paper P is reusable. Further, the control unit 200 detects the temperature of the heat sources 23 and 24 via the temperature detection unit 203 and controls the temperature of the heat sources 23 and 24 to a predetermined value.

  The operation unit 208 includes a touch panel type display unit 209 and various keys, and is disposed, for example, at the top of the main body of the erasing apparatus 100. The various keys include, for example, a numeric keypad, a stop key, and a start key. The display unit 209 displays setting information including various processing modes of the erasing apparatus 100, operation status, log information, or a message to the user. The user can select a processing mode displayed on the display unit 209 of the erasing apparatus 100 such as starting the erasing process or reading an image of the paper P to be erased via the operation unit 208. Note that the operation unit 208 is not limited to that disposed on the main body of the erasing apparatus 100. For example, a configuration that can be operated from an operation unit of an external device connected to the erasing apparatus 100 via a network may be used. Alternatively, the operation unit 208 is independent from the main body of the erasing apparatus 100 and may be configured to operate the erasing apparatus 100 by wired or wireless communication. The operation unit of this embodiment may be any unit that can instruct the erasing apparatus 100 to perform processing, browse information, and the like. In the following description, the display unit 209 is described as a touch panel.

  The client PC 101 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a control unit 300, a storage unit 302, an operation unit 303, a display unit 304, and a communication I / F 305. The control unit 300 of the client PC 101 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the storage unit 302, the operation unit 303, the display unit 304, and the communication I / F 305 via the system bus 301.

  The server 102 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a control unit 400, a storage unit 402, and a communication I / F 403. The control unit 400 of the server 102 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the storage unit 402 and the communication I / F 403 via the system bus 401.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the erasing unit 15. The erasing unit 15 includes a first erasing unit 15A and a second erasing unit 15B for erasing the images on both sides of the paper P. In FIG. 4, the transport direction of the paper P is from the bottom to the top as shown by the arrows. The second decoloring unit 15B is located downstream of the first decoloring unit 15A in the transport direction of the paper P.

  The first decoloring unit 15A includes the first pressing roller 21, the first heat source 23, and the temperature detection unit 203A. The 1st heat source 23 is arrange | positioned in the position facing the 1st press roller 21 on both sides of a conveyance path. The first heat source 23 has a shape along the outer periphery of the first pressing roller 21. That is, the first heat source 23 has a concave shape and covers a part of the outer periphery of the first pressing roller 21. The first pressing roller 21 has a higher hardness than the first heat source 23. When the paper P passes between the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 in the direction of the arrow, the paper P is pressed against the heat source 23 by the first pressing roller 21. That is, the paper P is pressed by the first pressing roller 21 and heated by the first heat source 23. At this time, heat is transmitted to the paper P, and the image formed on the paper P is erased. The control unit 200 applies an image forming material that can be erased by applying pressure and heat of a certain level or more to the paper P via the first pressing roller 21 and the heat source 23. Heat to discolor the colorant.

  The temperature detector 203 </ b> A detects the heat (temperature) of the first heat source 23. It is preferable that the temperature detection unit 203 </ b> A detects the temperature at the position where the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 form the nip r.

  The second decoloring unit 15B includes a second pressing roller 22, a second heat source 24, and a temperature detection unit 203B. The second heat source 24 is disposed at a position facing the pressing roller 22 across the conveyance path. The second heat source 24 has a shape along the outer periphery of the second pressing roller 22. That is, the second heat source 24 has a shape that covers a part of the outer periphery of the second pressing roller 22. The second pressing roller 22 has a higher hardness than the second heat source 24. When the paper P passes between the second pressing roller 22 and the second heat source 24, the paper P is pressed against the second heat source 24 by the second pressing roller 22. That is, the paper P is pressed by the second pressing roller 22 and heated by the second heat source 24. At this time, heat is transmitted to the paper P, and the image formed on the paper P is erased. The control unit 200 applies a temperature or heat of a certain level or higher to the paper P via the second pressing roller 22 and the second heat source 24 to thereby form the paper P formed using a decolorable image forming material. The image is heated to make the color material colorless. As shown in FIG. 4, the second decoloring unit 15B decolors the image on the surface opposite to the surface decolored by the first decoloring unit 15A.

  By forming the first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24 along the first pressing roller 21 and the second pressing roller 22, the first heat source 23 and the second heat source 23 that apply heat to the paper P. The nip width between the heat source 24, the first pressing roller 21 and the second pressing roller 22 can be made wide or long. By securing the nip width between the first heat source 23, the second heat source 24, the first pressing roller 21, and the second pressing roller 22, heat can be efficiently transmitted to the paper P, and power saving is possible. And

  The temperature detector 203B detects the heat of the heat source 24. The temperature detector 203B preferably detects the temperature of the position where the nip s is formed by the pressing roller 22 and the heat source 24.

  Since the 1st heat source 23 and the 2nd heat source 24 are the shapes along the 1st press roller 21 and the 2nd press roller 22 to respectively correspond, the heater which moves flexibly is preferable. The first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24 are, for example, planar heaters using a resin film or natural mica. Moreover, as long as the heater moves flexibly, a heater formed by braiding the ceramic insulator through a heating wire may be used. The first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24 do not directly contact the first pressing roller 21, the second pressing roller 22, or the paper P, and sandwich a heat transfer member such as an aluminum plate therebetween. By transferring heat from the first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24 to the paper P through the aluminum plate, the paper P can be heated uniformly.

  The decoloring unit 15 includes a first decoloring unit 15A configured by the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23, and the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source of the first decoloring unit 15A. The second color erasing unit 15 </ b> B configured by the second pressing roller 22 and the second heat source 24 is provided. Thus, by disposing the pressing rollers 21 and 22 and the heat sources 23 and 24, the images on both sides of the paper P are erased by one paper conveyance.

  The first heat source 23 has a shape along the first pressing roller 21, and the second heat source 24 has a shape along the second pressing roller 22. Therefore, the first decoloring part 15A and the second decoloring part 15B are arranged so that the paper P passing between the pressing rollers 21 and 22 and the heat sources 23 and 24 is conveyed while drawing an S-shaped curve (dashed line). The pressing rollers 21 and 22 and the heat sources 23 and 24 are arranged with their positions shifted in the horizontal direction. In other words, the lead-out direction of the paper P from the first erasing portion 15A is matched with the entry direction of the paper P into the second erasing portion 15B. That is, the paper P conveyed downstream from the first decoloring portion 15A in the conveyance direction first enters the nip portion between the first heat source 23 and the pressing roller 22, and is further guided by the first heat source 23 and vertically. It is derived from the first decoloring section 15A with an angle from the direction. Next, the sheet P enters the nip portion between the second heat source 24 of the second color erasing unit 15B and the pressing roller 22 with the posture as it is, and is guided by the second heat source 24 to make an angle from the vertical direction. In the attached state, the sheet is transported downstream from the second decoloring portion 15B in the transport direction. By setting the positions of the pressing rollers 21 and 22 and the heat sources 23 and 24 as described above, the width of the nip portion between the heat sources 23 and 24 and the pressing rollers 21 and 22 for applying heat to the sheet P is secured, and the sheet P is loaded. It can be transported smoothly.

  In FIG. 4, the left side of the first decoloring part 15A is the first pressing roller 21, the right side is the first heat source 23, the left side of the second decoloring part 15B is the second heat source 24, and the right side is the second heat source 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The right side of the first decoloring part 15A is the first pressing roller 21, the left side is the first heat source 23, the right side of the second decoloring part 15B is the second heat source 24, and the left side is the second pressing roller 22. It is also good.

  Next, temperature control of the heat sources 23 and 24 of the first and second decoloring sections 15A and 15B will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of temperature control of the heat sources 23 and 24. In 500, the control unit 200 turns on the first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24. In 501, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the temperature of the first heat source 23 is higher than the threshold value T1. When the control unit 200 determines that the temperature of the first heat source 23 is lower than the threshold T1 (No in 501), the control unit 200 maintains the first heat source 23 in 502 and proceeds to 504. On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature of the first heat source 23 is higher than the threshold value T1 (Yes in 501), the first heat source 23 is turned off in 503, and the process proceeds to 504.

  In 504, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the temperature of the second heat source 24 is higher than the threshold value T2. When the control unit 200 determines that the temperature of the second heat source 24 is lower than the threshold T2 (No in 504), the control unit 200 maintains the second heat source 24 in 505 and proceeds to 507. On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature of the second heat source 24 is higher than the threshold value T2 (Yes in 504), the second heat source 24 is turned off in 506, and the process proceeds to 507.

  In 507, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the paper P has passed through the first erasing unit 15A and the second erasing unit 15B. If the control unit 200 determines that the paper P has not passed through the first erasing unit 15A and the second erasing unit 15B (No in 507), the process returns to 501 and the processing is continued. When the control unit 200 determines that the paper P has passed through the first erasing unit 15A and the second erasing unit 15B (Yes in 507), the process proceeds to 508, and the first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24 is turned OFF, and the decoloring process is terminated.

  In the above description, the first erasing unit 15A and the second erasing unit 15B are configured to erase the images on both sides of the paper P. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pair of erasing parts with a pair of pressure roller and heat source erases one side of the paper P, then reverses the paper P and erases the other side that has not been erased. You may make it do.

By ensuring the width of the nip portion between the heat sources 23 and 24 and the pressing rollers 21 and 22 by the decoloring apparatus and the decoloring method according to the first embodiment as described above, heat can be efficiently transmitted to the paper P. This enables power saving.
(Second embodiment)

  In the decoloring device of the second embodiment, the shape of the heat source changes when the pressing roller and the heat source are brought into contact with and separated from each other. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the decoloring unit 15 when opened. The decoloring unit 15 includes a fixed unit 40 and a rotation unit 50, and the rotation unit 50 rotates about the rotation shaft 30. When the paper erasing unit 15 releases the jam of the paper P, the erasing unit 15 is opened by rotating the rotating unit 50 in the direction of the arrow t. As shown in FIG. 6, the paper P on which a jam has occurred can be removed by opening the erasing unit 15. After the jam release of the paper P, the user rotates the rotation unit 50 in the direction opposite to the arrow t direction, and the first pressure roller 21, the first heat source 23, the second pressure roller 22, and the second pressure roller. The heat source 24 is brought into contact.

  The fixed unit 40 includes a first pressing roller 21, a second heat source 24, and a temperature detection unit 203B. The rotation unit 41 includes a first heat source 23, a temperature detection unit 203 </ b> A, and a second pressing roller 22. When the erasing unit 15 is opened, the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 are separated from each other, and the second pressing roller 22 and the second heat source 24 are also separated from each other. During the decoloring process, the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 are in contact with each other, and the second pressing roller 22 and the second heat source 24 are also in contact with each other.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a separated state between the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a contact state between the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23. . Since the 2nd press roller 22 and the 2nd heat source 24 are the same shapes as the 1st press roller 21 and the 1st heat source 23, the 1st press roller 21 and the 1st heat source 23 are explained, The description of the second pressing roller 22 and the second heat source 24 is omitted.

  The first heat source 23 is a heater that moves flexibly with a heat transfer member such as an aluminum plate interposed therebetween. The shape of the first heat source 23 changes when the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 are brought into contact with and separated from each other. When the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 come into contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 8, the first heat source 23 has a concave shape and covers a part of the outer periphery of the first pressing roller 21. When the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 are separated from each other, the first heat source 21 has a convex shape toward the first pressing roller 21 as shown in FIG. Regardless of the above, when the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 come into contact with each other, the first heat source 23 has a concave shape, and the first heat source 23 covers the first pressing roller 21. The first heat source 23 may have a flat shape when the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 are separated from each other.

  The first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24 have lower hardness than the first pressure roller 21 and the second pressure roller 22, and when the first pressure roller 21 and the first heat source 23 are in contact with each other, The first heat source 23 has a concave shape and covers the first pressing roller 21. The first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24 are not limited to heaters that move flexibly with a heat transfer member such as an aluminum plate interposed therebetween. For example, the first heat source 23 and the second heat source 24 may be a roller having a heater inside, or a belt to which heat is applied by the heater.

  According to the second embodiment described above, when the first pressing roller 21 and the first heat source 23 come into contact with each other, the first heat source 23 has a concave shape and covers the first pressing roller 21. By using one heat source 23, the width of the nip portion between the heat sources 23 and 24 and the pressure rollers 21 and 22 can be secured, and heat can be efficiently transmitted to the paper P.

  Further, the decoloring portion 15 is opened by releasing the jam of the paper P, and the first pressing roller 21, the first heat source 23, the second pressing roller 22, and the second heat source 24 are brought into contact again, and the nip portion When the is formed, the position of the nip portion may be displaced by the clearance (clearance) of the rotating shaft 30 or the like. However, the width of the nip formed by the first pressing roller 21, the first heat source 23, the second pressing roller 22, and the second heat source 24 is increased by the decoloring portion 15 as described above. Can do. For this reason, even if the position of the nip portion is shifted due to play, the width of the nip portion can be increased and heat can be efficiently transmitted to the paper P. Further, the shape of the heat sources 23 and 24 is changed when the pressure rollers 21 and 22 and the heat sources 23 and 24 come into contact with each other, and the heat sources 23 and 24 cover the pressure rollers 21 and 22 at the time of contact. As a result, the first heat source 23 is easily adapted to the shape of the first pressing roller 21, and the second heat source 24 is easily adapted to the shape of the second pressing roller 22.

  With the decoloring apparatus and decoloring method according to the second embodiment as described above, the width of the nip portion between the heat sources 23 and 24 and the pressing rollers 21 and 22 can be secured, and heat can be efficiently transmitted to the paper P. In addition, the first heat source 23 is easily adapted to the shape of the first pressing roller 21, and the second heat source 24 is easily adapted to the shape of the second pressing roller 22, and more efficiently transfers heat to the paper P. This enables power saving.

  According to the erasing apparatus and the erasing method of at least one embodiment described above, the heat source is shaped along the pressing roller, so that the width of the nip portion between the heat source and the pressing roller is secured and the sheet P is heated. Can communicate efficiently.

  Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the gist of the invention, and in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Paper feed part 11 1st conveyance path 12 2nd conveyance path 13 Reading part 15 Decoloring part 15A 1st decoloring part 15B 2nd decoloring part 16 Conveyance roller 17 Path | route change part 19 1st paper discharge Unit 20 second paper discharge unit 21 first pressure roller 22 second pressure roller 23 first heat source 24 second heat source 100 erasing device 101 client PC
102 Server 200 Control unit 203 Temperature detection unit 208 Operation unit 209 Display unit

Claims (10)

A paper supply unit for supplying a recording medium on which an image has been recorded;
A color erasing unit that includes a pressure roller and a heat source having a shape along the outer periphery of the pressure roller, and erases an image formed on the recording medium supplied from the paper feeding unit to a contact portion between the pressure roller and the heat source. When,
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the heat source;
A control unit for controlling the heat source according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit;
A paper discharge unit for discharging the recording medium from which the image has been erased by the decoloring unit;
An erasing apparatus comprising:   The decoloring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing roller has a higher hardness than the heat source.   The erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat source has a concave shape, and the concave portion covers a part of the outer periphery of the pressing roller.   The color erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the heat source changes when the pressing roller and the heat source are in contact with each other and when the heat source is separated.   The erasing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the heat source has a concave shape and covers the pressure roller when the pressure roller contacts the heat source.   6. The erasing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the pressure roller and the heat source are separated from each other, the heat source has a convex shape toward the pressure roller.   The erasing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the time when the pressing roller and the heat source are separated is when jamming is released.   The decoloring part includes a first decoloring part constituted by the pressing roller and the heat source, and a second decoloring part in which positions of the pressing roller and the heat source of the first decoloring part are switched. The erasing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: erasing the images on both sides of the recording medium.   The erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat source moves flexibly. Decoloring the image formed on the recording medium supplied to the pressing roller and the contact portion of the heat source having a shape along the pressing roller,
Detecting the temperature of the heat source,
Control the heat source according to the detected temperature,
Discharging the erased recording medium,
A decoloring method characterized by that.

Images