JP3310769B2 - Image forming substance removal device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copier, a facsimile, a printer, an image form by the image forming apparatus of a printing machine or the like
From the surface of the image carrier on which the material is stably attached,
The present invention relates to an image forming substance removing apparatus for removing the image forming substance .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods and apparatuses for removing an image forming substance such as toner from a sheet as a recorded image holding member are known. For example, a method using a solvent is disclosed in
No. 1576 discloses that a sheet with toner attached thereto is immersed in a soluble solvent of a toner resin, and ultrasonic vibration is applied thereto.
There is disclosed a method for removing an image forming substance that releases toner dissolved in a solvent from the paper surface.

On the other hand, as a method without using a solvent, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-55195 discloses a heat-meltable ink or an electrophotographic method in which a release agent is coated on a support and printed on an electrophotographic or thermal transfer system. Toner, the ink peeled body is overlaid on the printed body and passed between the heating roller and the pressure roller,
There is disclosed an image forming substance removing method in which the ink peeling member is peeled off after cooling and adhered to the ink peeling member to be removed.

By the way, a method and an apparatus which do not use the above-mentioned solvent can be used, for example, to remove an image-forming substance from a recorded image carrier on which an image is recorded on ordinary paper having paper fibers exposed on the surface. In the fixing step of the electrophotographic method, the image forming substance is firmly fixed to the fibers on the surface of the image holding member, for example, by fusing the image forming substance mainly composed of the heat-fusible resin to the image holding member. When the imaging substance is removed, the paper fibers on the surface are peeled off together with the imaging substance, thereby damaging the paper quality.
In particular, when heat or pressure is applied to the ink exfoliated body, the endless sheet or the roller in order to enhance the removability of the image forming substance, depending on various conditions, conversely, the fixing between the image forming substance and the image holding body may be performed. In some cases, the removal properties were increased, making removal difficult.

[0005] Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has previously reported that a recorded image carrier contains water as a destabilizing agent, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polymer, and a mixture of a surfactant and a water-soluble polymer. Holding at least one kind of water or an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions containing, and interposing a peeling member, and peeling the image forming substance from the image holding member by heat bonding or pressure bonding to the peeling member. A method for removing an image forming substance has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 4-255).
No. 916). According to this, only the image forming substance can be removed without relatively damaging the paper quality of the image holding member.

[0006]

However, in an image forming substance removing apparatus using an image forming substance removing method as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-55195, for example, ten to ten and several times The image carrier subjected to the image-forming substance removal treatment has a problem that the paper quality is deteriorated and the surface of the image carrier becomes noticeable, so that it becomes difficult to remove the image-forming substance from the image carrier in a satisfactory manner. .

Further, even if the image forming substance removing process is performed by an image forming substance removing apparatus using another image forming substance removing method, the life of the image carrier itself due to the repeated image forming substance removing process is maintained. Therefore, it is considered that the same problem as described above occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform an unnecessary image forming substance removing process by previously discriminating an image carrier having a deteriorated surface. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming substance removing apparatus which can prevent the occurrence of an image forming substance.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an image forming substance is stably adhered.
An image forming substance removing apparatus for removing the image forming material from the image holding member , wherein a detecting means for detecting a state of deterioration of the surface of the image holding member before the image forming material removing process, and the detecting means And a comparison unit that compares a detection result of the above with a reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state, and an image holder that has not reached the deterioration state according to the reference value based on the comparison result of the comparison unit. And a control unit for performing only the image forming substance removing process. Claim 2
Of the invention is an image carrier in which the image forming substance is stably adhered.
In the image forming material removing apparatus for removing the image forming material, a detecting means for detecting a deterioration state of the surface of the image carrier after the image forming material removing process, a detection result of the detecting means, Comparing means for comparing a reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state; and determination means for determining whether or not the image carrier has reached a deterioration state according to the reference value based on a comparison result of the comparison means. The detection result that does not satisfy the reference value is obtained.
To the effect that it is impossible to remove the image forming substance
And an identification mark providing means for providing the identification mark shown . According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming substance removing apparatus according to the first aspect, the image carrier having the detection result that does not satisfy the reference value is obtained.
On the other hand, there is provided an identification mark attaching means for attaching an identification mark indicating that the image forming substance removal processing is impossible. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming substance removing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the detection result satisfies the reference value, and the image result satisfies the reference value. Is provided with a separation means for separating

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the deterioration state of the surface of the image carrier before the image forming substance removal processing is detected by the detection means, and the detection result is a reference indicating the predetermined deterioration state preset by the comparison means. Is compared to the value. Then, the control means causes the image forming substance removal processing to be performed only on the image carrier that has not reached the deteriorated state according to the reference value based on the comparison result of the comparison means.

[0014] In the second aspect of the present invention, the deterioration state of the surface of the image carrier after the image forming substance removal process is detected by the detection means, the detection result is indicative of a predetermined deterioration state of being pre-set by the comparison means Reference values are compared. Then, the determining means determines whether or not the image carrier has reached a deteriorated state according to the reference value based on the comparison result of the comparing means. When it is determined that the battery has reached the deteriorated state,
That is, when the detection result does not satisfy the reference value,
To the effect that the next image forming substance removal treatment is not possible for the image carrier
Is attached. So the user
An image carrier that cannot be removed by two times is easily identified.
Can be different.

In the invention according to claim 3, the reference value is
For the image carrier for which the above detection result was not satisfied,
Identification mark indicating that image forming substance removal processing is not possible
The user cannot perform the image forming substance removal process.
A suitable image carrier can be easily identified .

In the invention according to the fourth aspect, there is provided a separation means for separating an image carrier whose detection result does not satisfy the reference value and an image carrier whose detection result satisfies the reference value. An image holder whose detection result does not satisfy the reference value and has deteriorated to a predetermined deterioration state or more and an image holder whose detection result satisfies the reference value and has not yet deteriorated to the predetermined deterioration state are automatically separated. .

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention is applied to an image holding apparatus for removing a heat-fusible toner (hereinafter, referred to as a toner) as an image forming substance from a transfer paper as an image holding body on which an image is formed by a transfer type electrophotographic copying machine. An embodiment applied to an apparatus for removing an image forming substance from a body (hereinafter, referred to as a toner removing apparatus) will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a toner removing device to which the present invention can be applied. First, an outline of the whole will be described. This toner removing device includes a sheet feeding unit 1 that separates and feeds, one by one, transfer papers 10 on which toner images formed in a stacked state are formed; A liquid destabilizing agent (hereinafter referred to as a processing liquid) that makes the state of adhesion between the transferred transfer paper 10 and the toner to the transferred transfer paper 10 unstable.
And a toner removing unit 3 for removing toner from the transfer paper 10 to which the liquid has been supplied.
Drying unit 4 for drying transfer paper 10 from which toner has been removed, and transfer paper 10 discharged from drying unit 4
And a paper receiving unit 5 for receiving the paper.

Here, the treatment liquid 20 includes water, an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polymer, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant,
And at least one kind of water or an aqueous solution selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polymer and a surfactant. In addition, the water or the aqueous solution may contain a predetermined organic solvent. Further, as the treatment liquid 20, only an organic solvent can be used.

Examples of the water-soluble polymer include starchy substances such as potato starch, mannans such as konjac, seaweeds such as sea blossoms, and plant viscous substances such as trolloa mallow.
Viscous substances by microorganisms such as dextran, natural polymers of proteins such as glue, cellulose-based polymers such as viscose, starch-based semi-synthetic polymers such as soluble starch, and synthetic polymers, but are not limited thereto. is not.

Further, as the above-mentioned surfactant, for example,
Anionics such as carboxylate, cationics such as amine salts, amphoterics such as amino acids, and nonionic ordinary surfactants such as ether-type surfactants and fluorine-based surfactants are exemplified. It is not limited.

Examples of the organic solvent to be contained in the water or the aqueous solution include, but are not limited to, turpentine and dipentene.

Examples of the organic solvent used alone include hexane, heptane, and octane, which are hydrocarbon solvents. Further, Fluorinert FC40, 43, 70, 77 (a trade name of Sumitomo 3M), which is a fluorine-based solvent, and Shin-Etsu Silicone KF, which is a silicone-based solvent
96 (trade name) and the like, but are not limited thereto.

Next, each of the units 1, 2, 3, and 3 in the illustrated example will be described.
4 and 5 will be described. The paper feed unit 1 feeds the transfer paper 10 stacked on the bottom plate 101 from the lowermost one by a paper feed roller 102, separates the multi-fed paper by a separation mechanism (not shown), and forms one transfer paper 10 Is sent out by the registration roller pair 104 for timing adjustment and skew correction. Since the specific configuration and operation are the same as those of the paper feeding mechanism in the electrophotographic copying machine, detailed description is omitted.

The liquid application unit 2 contacts the liquid container 201 filled with a predetermined amount of the processing liquid 20 and one surface (upper surface in the drawing) of the transfer paper 10 while holding the processing liquid 20 in the liquid container 201.
The submerged transport roller 202 that transports the paper so as to be guided inside, a drive unit (not shown) of the submerged transport roller 202, and the other surface (the lower surface in the figure) of the transfer paper 10 are placed in the processing liquid 20 of the liquid container 201. A guide plate 203 for guiding the liquid, a pair of squeezing rollers 204 also functioning as a holding and conveying means, a squeezing rod 205 biting into the lower squeezing roller 204, and the like are provided.
In this unit 2, the transfer paper 10 fed from the paper supply unit 1 is guided into the processing liquid 20 in the liquid container 201 by the submerged conveying roller 202 and the submerged guide plate 203, and is immersed in the processing liquid 20. After that, the squeezing roller pair 204
As a result, the excess processing liquid 20 is removed, and is conveyed to the next toner peeling unit 3. Instead of applying the processing liquid to the transfer paper 10 by directly passing the transfer paper 10 through the processing liquid as in this example, the processing liquid is applied to the surface of the transfer paper 10 by an application roller, or the transfer is performed by a sprayer. The treatment liquid in the form of a mist may be applied to the surface of the paper 10 by being attached thereto. Other arbitrary methods can be used.

The toner peeling unit 3 has a built-in heating lamp 301 as a means for softening the toner T, and a pair of peeling rollers 302 as a pair of peeling members which are disposed in pressure contact with each other, and near a pressure contact portion on the transfer paper discharge side. Separation claw 30 arranged to be in contact with the surface of the peeling roller 302 of FIG.
3, a cleaning device 304 for cleaning the surface of the peeling roller 302, a driving unit (not shown), and the like.

The surface of the peeling roller 302 is made of a material having an adhesive force greater than the adhesive force between the transfer paper 10 and the toner, at least with respect to the softened toner. Specifically, a toner component resin that is the same as or similar to the toner such as the above-described polystyrene resin, or a component resin of an adhesive such as a glue such as a protein-based adhesive can be used, and a metal material such as an aluminum-based resin is used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Further, the resin may be a water-soluble resin or a water-insoluble resin.

When the above resin is used, it is desirable to form a multilayer structure of at least two layers of a support and a surface layer from the viewpoints of prevention of elongation due to tension and heat, durability and the like. That is, in the case of a roller-shaped peeling member as in the illustrated example, it is desirable to form the peeling member by forming a surface layer made of the above resin or the like on a base roller as a support. As a support for supporting the above resin, etc.,
For example, a rubber roller, a sheet, or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto.

The heating lamp 301 of the upper and lower peeling rollers 302 heats and softens the toner adhered to the transfer paper 10 in close contact with the front and back surfaces of the transfer paper 10.
This is to make the toner easy to peel off from the fibers of the transfer paper 10. This heating is desirably performed to such an extent that the toner on the transfer paper 10 does not melt at the pressure contact portion.

The cleaning device 304 includes a cleaning roller 305 for removing the toner T on the surface of the peeling roller 302, a scraper blade 306 for scraping off the toner T on the cleaning roller 305, and a toner T scraped off by the scraper blade 306 with the scraper blade. A toner receiver (toner container) 307 to be stored is provided.

A belt having the same surface characteristics is used in place of the peeling roller 302, or a cleaning blade or a scraper directly in contact with the surface of the peeling roller 302 instead of the cleaning roller 305 of the cleaning device 304. Or the like may be used.

The drying unit 4 is for drying the transfer paper 10 and is composed of an upper drying roller 402 made of, for example, aluminum and having a built-in heating lamp 401, and a lower drying roller 404 pressed from below against the roller. . The lower drying roller 404 has a surface layer made of a liquid-supplying member, and is in contact with an aperture blade 405 that squeezes the liquid on the surface layer. Instead of or in addition to such a pair of drying rollers 404, a belt-shaped member, a hot-air fan, an infrared lamp, or the like may be used.

The paper receiving unit 5 has a paper discharge tray 501 for receiving the transfer paper discharged from the drying unit 4.

Although not shown, the toner removing device includes a detecting unit for detecting whether or not the transfer sheet 10 is present on the sheet supply table, a unit for detecting a double feed of the transfer sheet 10 by the sheet supply unit 1, Liquid remaining amount detecting means in liquid container 201, liquid container 201
Means for automatically replenishing liquid to the paper, means for detecting jam in the apparatus of the transfer paper 10, lighting control means for each heating lamp, and toner receiving container 3.
There is provided a means for filling the inside of the box.

In the above configuration, the transfer paper 10 sent from the paper supply unit 1 is supplied uniformly to the toner image surface thereof by the liquid application unit 2, and the liquid is supplied at least to the transfer paper 1.
The toner is permeated into the interface between the toner and the toner and sent to the toner peeling unit 3. In the toner peeling unit 3, the toner adhered to the paper is softened by heating from the peeling roller 302 and adheres to the surface of the peeling roller 302. Then, when the paper is separated from the peeling roller 302, the toner adhered to the surface of the peeling roller 302 peels off the paper, thereby removing the toner from the paper. The paper from which the toner has been removed is dried in the drying unit 4 and discharged to the paper receiving unit 5.

As described above, according to this toner removing apparatus, the liquid is supplied to the paper on which the toner has adhered, and the toner is peeled off while the liquid permeates the interface between the paper and the toner. And toner can be removed.

Further, since the paper surface is brought into contact with the peeling roller 302 while being wet with the liquid, and the paper is heated to such a degree that the paper can be kept moist even when it is separated from the peeling roller 302, so that the surface of the peeling roller 302 is toner Even when the paper surface is formed of a material having adhesiveness, the paper surface itself may be
Adhesion to the surface can be prevented to cause separation failure, and toner retransfer due to the separated paper portion re-contacting the peeling roller 302 can be prevented.

Further, in this toner removing device, the transfer paper 10 is sandwiched between the two peeling rollers 302 and the toner is removed from both sides of the transfer paper 10, so that the toner is placed on the bottom plate 101 of the paper feed unit 1. When setting the transfer paper 10 to be removed, it is not necessary to consider the front and back. Also, when it is desired to remove the toner on both sides of the transfer paper used on both sides, it is only necessary to pass through the apparatus once.

As described above, the transfer paper 10 is wetted with the liquid during the toner removal processing in the toner removal apparatus having the above-described configuration, and the transfer paper 10 is slightly pressed when the toner is peeled off by the two peeling rollers 302. Therefore, there is no particular problem if the toner removal processing is performed only a few times, but the transfer paper 1 that has been subjected to the toner removal processing for example from ten to several tens times is
In the case of “0”, the fluffing becomes noticeable, and the toner may not be easily removed. Also, the deterioration of the transfer paper 10 due to the number of reuses varies from transfer paper to transfer paper,
It cannot be said that it deteriorates constantly. Then, the transfer paper 10 from which the toner is hardly removed due to the deterioration as described above.
However, even if the toner removal processing is performed, the toner cannot be completely removed, so that the toner removal processing may be useless.

Further, for example, the peeling roller 302 has a limited life and its usable period is limited. Therefore, when the useless toner removal processing as described above is performed, the separation roller 3
02 cannot be effectively used.

Therefore, the toner removing apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a detecting means for detecting the state of deterioration of the transfer paper 10, and based on the detection result of this detecting means, the toner removing processing is performed on the deteriorated transfer paper 10. Not to do. Specifically, detecting means for detecting the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 before the toner removal processing, comparing means for comparing the detection result of the detecting means with a preset reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state, There is provided control means for performing the image forming substance removal processing only on the image carrier capable of performing the image forming substance removal processing based on the comparison result of the comparison means.

Hereinafter, the operation of the toner removing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 before the toner removal processing is detected using the detection means (step 1). Thereafter, the detection result by the detection means is compared with a reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state set in advance by using a comparison means, and it is determined whether or not the detection result is within the reference value range (step 2). ). here,
If it is determined that the detection result is within the range of the reference value, the toner removal processing is performed on the transfer paper 10 as it is (step 3). When it is determined that the detection result is not within the range of the reference value, for example, the pair of peeling rollers 302 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction in advance, and the pair of peeling rollers 302 is The transfer paper 10 is moved so as not to apply pressure so that the toner removal processing is not performed on the transfer paper 10 (step 4). In addition,
The transfer paper 10 subjected to the toner removal processing in the above step 3 is reused thereafter (step 5).

By doing so, the toner removal processing is performed only on the transfer paper 10 that can be subjected to the toner removal processing based on the comparison result of the comparison means, so that the wasteful toner removal processing can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent a problem such as a jam occurring in the toner removing device due to the deterioration of the paper quality of the transfer paper 10. Further, by preventing useless toner removal processing, deterioration of the toner removal device itself and components such as the peeling roller 302 in the device can be prevented.

In the case where the above control example is adopted, the detecting means only needs to detect the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 before the toner removing process. Specifically, for example, the paper feed roller 102 of the paper feed unit 1 and the registration roller 10
4 may be provided.

In the above configuration example, even when the pair of peeling rollers 302 is not configured to be movable in the vertical direction, the detection result by the detection means in step 2 of FIG. 2 is not in the range of the reference value. If it is determined that the operation of the toner removing device is stopped, a warning is displayed to the user, and the user can easily remove the transfer paper 10 from the toner removing device. It is possible to prevent a trouble such as a jam occurring in the toner removing device during the toner removing process due to the deterioration.

For example, if it is determined in step 2 of FIG. 2 that the result of the detection by the detection means is not within the range of the reference value, it is determined that the next toner removal process on the transfer paper 10 is impossible. By providing an identification mark providing means for providing the identification mark shown, the user can easily determine that the transfer paper 10 is one for which toner removal processing is not possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent the user from setting the deteriorated transfer paper 10 in the toner removing device and performing wasteful toner removal processing on the transfer paper 10. The identification mark providing means can be constituted by a simple device such as a stamper. (Hereinafter, margin)

The transfer paper 10 is used as the detecting means.
When a device that detects the state of deterioration of the transfer paper 10 by irradiating light to the surface is used, if there is toner on the transfer paper 10, the light is blocked by the toner and the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 cannot be accurately detected. Sometimes.

Therefore, when the detecting means for detecting the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 using the light is used, it is necessary to detect the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 after the toner removal processing. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the toner removal processing is performed on the transfer paper 10 (step 1). Then, the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 from which the toner has been removed and from which the toner has been removed is detected using the detection means (step 2). Thereafter, the detection result by the detection means is compared with a preset reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state using the comparison means, and it is determined whether or not the detection result is within the range of the reference value (step 3). Here, if it is determined that the detection result is within the range of the reference value, the transfer paper 10 is reused thereafter (step 4). If it is determined that the detection result is not within the range of the reference value, the transfer paper 10 will not be reused thereafter (step 4).

By doing so, even if, for example, a detecting means that irradiates light to the surface of the transfer paper 10 to detect the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 is used, the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 can be detected with high accuracy. become.

In the case of employing the above control example, the detecting means only needs to be able to detect the state of deterioration of the transfer paper 10 after the toner removal processing. Otherwise, for example, it may be provided between the toner peeling unit 3 and the drying unit 4.

In the control example shown in FIG.
If it is determined in step 3 of FIG. 3 that the detection result by the detection means is not in the range of the reference value, an identification mark indicating that the next toner removal process cannot be performed on the transfer paper 10 is identified. By providing the mark providing means, the user can easily determine the transfer paper 10 on which the next toner removal processing is impossible. Thus, it is possible to prevent the user from setting the deteriorated transfer paper 10 in the toner removing device and performing wasteful toner removal processing on the transfer paper 10.

In the toner removing device, aside from the normal toner removal processing path from the paper feeding unit 1 to the paper receiving unit 5 via the liquid applying unit 2, the toner peeling unit 3 and the drying unit 4, A bypass route from the paper feeding unit 1 to the paper receiving unit 5 is provided without passing through the liquid application unit 2, the toner peeling unit 3 and the drying unit 4, and a paper output tray is separately provided at the end of each route. Alternatively, the transfer paper 10 conveyed through each path may be separately stocked in the paper discharge tray.

Specifically, in this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 before the toner removal processing is detected by using the detection means (step 1). Thereafter, the detection result by the detection means is compared with a reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state set in advance by using a comparison means, and it is determined whether or not the detection result is within the reference value range (step 2). ). Here, when it is determined that the detection result is within the range of the reference value, the transfer paper 10 is sent to the normal toner removal processing path (step 3), and is provided at the end of the toner removal processing path. It is stocked in the paper tray for reused paper (step 4). If it is determined that the detection result is not within the range of the reference value, the transfer paper 10 is sent to the bypass route (step 5), and the waste paper discharge tray provided at the end of the bypass route. (Step 6).

By doing so, the toner removing device itself may become slightly larger. However, the toner removing process is performed only on the transfer paper 10 which can be subjected to the toner removing process based on the comparison result of the comparing means. Useless toner removal processing can be prevented. Further, by preventing wasteful toner removal processing, deterioration of the toner removal apparatus itself and components such as the peeling roller 302 in the apparatus can be prevented. It can be used.

In this case, as a mechanism for guiding the transfer paper 10 on which the toner removal processing is possible and the transfer paper 10 on which the toner removal processing is not possible, to a respective path, for example, a conventional copying machine, etc. A separation mechanism provided for separating copy paper for each size in the paper discharge section can be adopted. That is, for example, a mechanism such as a branch claw that can swing around one end can be used.

In the case where the above control example is adopted, the detecting means may detect the deterioration state of the transfer paper 10 before the toner removal processing and up to the branch point between the toner removal processing path and the bypass path. Therefore, for example, when the detour path is formed behind the registration rollers 104 of the paper feeding unit 1, the detecting means may be provided between the paper feeding rollers 102 of the paper feeding unit 1 and the registration rollers 104. .

When a method of detecting the state of deterioration of the transfer paper 10 after the toner removal processing as shown in FIG. 3 is adopted, for example, as shown in FIG. A detecting means 6 for detecting the state of deterioration of the transfer paper 10 is provided immediately after the transfer paper 10, and a branching claw 70 configured to be swingable about one end is provided immediately after the detection means 6 to provide a transfer path for the transfer paper 10. May be branched into two. In the illustrated example, when the branch claw 70 is at the position shown by the broken line, the first transport path 71 for guiding the transfer paper 10 to the upper discharge tray 502 is formed, and when the branch claw 70 is at the position shown by the solid line. A second transport path 72 for guiding the transfer paper 10 to the lower discharge tray 503 is formed.

In this configuration, the branching pawl 70 is displaced based on the detection result of the detecting means 6, and the deteriorated transfer paper and the undegraded transfer paper are separated and stored in the paper discharge tray. Specifically, similarly to FIG. 3, the detection result by the detection unit 6 is compared with a reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state set in advance by the comparison unit, and whether or not the detection result is within the range of the reference value is determined. Is determined. Here, when it is determined that the above detection result is within the range of the reference value, the branch claw 70 is displaced to the position indicated by the broken line and the first
The transfer paper 10 is transferred to the upper discharge tray 502 via the transport path 71.
To be accommodated. If it is determined that the detection result is not within the range of the reference value, the branch pawl 70 is displaced to the position shown by the solid line, and the transfer paper 10 is transferred to the lower discharge tray 503 via the second transport path 72. Let it be accommodated.

In this way, undegraded transfer paper is stored in the upper discharge tray 502 and degraded transfer paper is stored in the lower discharge tray 503, so that the user does not have to separate the paper. be able to.

Further, as described above, the transfer paper 10 which has been subjected to the toner removal process, for example, from ten to several tens of times is deteriorated, and the fluff is noticeable. Then, the transfer paper 10 cannot be satisfactorily removed by the toner removal processing, and the proportion of the toner remaining on the transfer paper 10 increases.

Therefore, the residual image reading means such as a scanner reads the toner image remaining on the transfer paper 10 after the toner removal processing, and when the residual level of the toner image reaches a predetermined level, Alternatively, the transfer paper 10 may be handled as degraded.

More specifically, first, a residual image reading unit reads a toner image remaining on the transfer paper 10 after the toner removal processing, and obtains a residual level of the toner image from information such as the size of the read toner image. Is converted to a value indicating Then, the remaining level value is compared with a reference value indicating a predetermined remaining toner level using a comparing unit, and when it is determined that the remaining level value is not in the range of the reference value,
The transfer paper 10 is provided with an identification mark indicating that the next toner removal process is not possible by the above-described identification mark providing means, or the transfer paper 10 is attached to the transfer paper 10 by using the branch claw 70 shown in FIG. For example, transfer paper that has not deteriorated may be separated and stored in a discharge tray.

Here, the reading range of the residual image reading means may be the entire surface of the transfer paper 10, but it is not necessarily required to cover the entire surface of the transfer paper 10, and a part of the transfer paper 10 is sufficient.

By reading a part of the transfer paper 10 as described above, the size of the remaining image reading means can be reduced. Here, a configuration example of the small remaining image reading unit will be described with reference to FIG. The remaining image reading means shown in FIG. 3 converts reflected light of the light radiated from the white light source 80 onto the transfer paper 10 to the reduction lens 8.
1, the area CCD 82 reads the information, and sends the read information from the area CCD 82 to the image processing unit 83. In the case of reading a part of the transfer paper 10 like the remaining image reading means, a mirror for guiding the reflected light to the reduction lens 81 and the area CCD 82 and a driving device for driving the mirror are required. And the reflected light is reflected by the reduction lens 81 and area C.
It can be read with CD82.

When light is incident on the transfer paper 10, the reflected light is split into a regular reflection component and a diffuse reflection component. In particular, when a highly directional light, such as a laser beam or an LED, is incident on the transfer paper 10 at almost no angle, the specular reflection component and the irregular reflection component are remarkably separated. In particular, when the transfer paper 10 deteriorates and the fluffing becomes noticeable, the irregular reflection component increases and the regular reflection component decreases.

Then, the transfer paper 10 is irradiated with light such as a laser beam or an LED to measure the intensity of the specular reflection light, and when the intensity of the specular reflection light decreases so that the predetermined reference value is not satisfied. , The transfer paper 10 may be handled as degraded.

Specifically, first, the transfer paper 10 after the toner removal processing is irradiated with light such as laser light or LED, and the intensity of the regular reflection light is measured. Then, the intensity of the regular reflection light is compared with a reference value set in advance by using a comparing means, and when it is determined that the intensity of the regular reflection light is not within the range of the reference value, the transfer paper 10 is The above-described identification mark attaching means attaches an identification mark indicating that the next toner removal process is impossible, or attaches the transfer paper 10 to the branch claw 70 shown in FIG.
For example, the transfer paper that has not deteriorated is separated from the transfer paper and stored in a discharge tray.

Here, the components of this control example are shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The LD unit 90 in which the laser diode and the collimator lens are integrated makes the laser light 91 that has been made into parallel light obliquely enter the transfer paper 10. Then, the intensity of the specular reflection light 92 of the laser light 91 is measured by the optical power meter 93, and the control unit 94 compares the measured value with the range of the reference value.

Further, for example, the transfer paper 10 which has been subjected to the toner removal processing ten to several tens of times is deteriorated as described above, so that the fluff is noticeable and the grain of the paper becomes coarse. Therefore, when the transfer paper 10 is deteriorated, the amount of transmitted light when light is applied to the transfer paper 10 gradually increases.

Therefore, taking advantage of the fact that the amount of transmitted light increases due to the deterioration of the transfer paper 10, for example, laser light or L
The transfer paper 10 may be treated as degraded when the amount of transmitted light is measured by irradiating the light perpendicular to the surface of an optical paper such as an ED and the amount of transmitted light increases and does not satisfy a predetermined value. .

Specifically, first, the transfer paper 10 after the toner removal processing is irradiated with light such as laser light or LED, and the intensity of the transmitted light is measured with an optical power meter or the like. Then, the intensity of the transmitted light is compared with a preset reference value using a comparing means. In this case, similarly to the above, if it is determined that the intensity of the transmitted light is not within the range of the reference value, the next toner removal process cannot be performed on the transfer paper 10 by the above-described identification mark providing unit. The transfer paper 10 may be separated from undegraded transfer paper using the branching pawl 70 or the like shown in FIG. 5 and stored in the paper discharge tray.

By using this method, unlike the method in which the above-described light is made incident on the paper surface of the transfer paper 10 at almost no angle and the deterioration of the transfer paper 10 is detected by reflected light, The deterioration of the transfer paper 10 can be detected without being affected by the direction of the eye.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the transfer paper which is not deteriorated and can remove the toner satisfactorily and the transfer paper 10 which is deteriorated and cannot remove the toner satisfactorily are determined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transfer paper 10 that cannot remove toner satisfactorily due to the deterioration from performing wasteful toner removal processing. Further, by determining the deteriorated transfer paper, it is possible to prevent the user from setting the transfer paper in the toner removing device, thereby preventing the transfer paper 10 from being generated in the toner removing device due to the deterioration of the paper quality of the transfer paper 10. It is possible to prevent a trouble such as a jam. Further, by preventing useless toner removal processing, deterioration of the toner removal device itself and components such as the peeling roller 302 in the device can be prevented.

[0073]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming substance removal processing is performed only on the image carrier that has not reached the predetermined deterioration state set in advance. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the useless image forming substance removing process from being performed on the image carrier on which the image forming substance cannot be removed satisfactorily. Further, by not performing the image forming substance removing process on the image carrier that has reached the predetermined deterioration state as described above,
It is possible to prevent a problem such as a jam occurring in the image forming substance removing apparatus due to the deterioration of the image holding member. Further, since the useless use of the image forming substance removing process can be prevented as described above, deterioration of the image forming substance removing apparatus itself and components of the apparatus can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the discriminating means determines whether or not the image carrier has reached a predetermined deterioration state set in advance. The image forming substance removal process is performed only on the image carrier that has been determined not to have reached,
Useless image forming substance removal processing can be prevented for the image carrier that has reached the predetermined deterioration state and cannot remove the image forming substance satisfactorily. In addition, since the detection of the deterioration state of the surface of the image holding member is performed after the image forming substance removing process, even if the deterioration state of the surface of the image holding member is detected by irradiating the surface of the image holding member with light, for example, the accuracy can be improved. The deterioration state can be detected without dropping. In addition, the user can perform the next image forming substance removal process.
It is possible to easily determine the image carrier
Then, the unnecessary image forming substance removing process for the image holding member is performed.
Can be prevented.

[0075] According to the invention of claim 3, users Ru can easily determine the image carrier that can not be image-type <br/> forming substance removal process.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an image holder degraded beyond a predetermined deterioration state and an image holder whose detection result satisfies a reference value and has not yet been degraded to a predetermined deterioration state are automatically determined. Therefore, the user does not have to separate each image carrier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner removing device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation control example of the toner removing device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another operation control example of the toner removing device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another operation control example of the toner removing device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner removing device according to a modification.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remaining image reading unit in another operation control example.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of main components in another operation control example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed unit 2 Liquid application unit 3 Toner peeling unit 4 Drying unit 5 Paper receiving unit 6 Detecting means 10 Transfer paper 70 Branch claw 71 First transport path 72 Second transport path 80 White light source 81 Reduction lens 82 Area CCD 83 Image Processing unit 90 LD unit 91 Laser light 92 Regular reflection light 93 Optical power meter 94 Control unit 502 Upper discharge tray 503 Lower discharge tray

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Eiji Nemoto 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-356085 (JP, A) JP-A Heisei 4-356088 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 570-578

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A picture forming image carrier material are attached stably
From the image forming substance removing apparatus for removing said image forming substance, and detecting means for detecting a deteriorated state of the surface of the image forming substance removing process before the image holding member, a detection result of said detecting means, a preset Comparing means for comparing a reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state, and performing an image forming substance removal process only on the image carrier which has not reached the deterioration state according to the reference value based on the comparison result of the comparison means. Control means is provided.
Image forming substance removal device. Wherein image forming image carrier material are attached stably
In the image forming material removing apparatus for removing the image forming material, a detecting means for detecting a state of deterioration of the surface of the image carrier after the image forming material removing processing, a detection result of the detecting means, Comparison means for comparing a reference value indicating a predetermined deterioration state; and determination means for determining whether or not the image carrier has reached a deterioration state according to the reference value based on a comparison result of the comparison means. The image carrier from which the detection result that does not satisfy the reference value is obtained
An identification mark indicating that image forming substance removal processing is not possible
And identification mark attaching means for attaching.
Image forming substance removal device. 3. A image forming substance removing apparatus according to claim 1, the identification mark indicating the detection result does not satisfy the reference value is impossible to image forming substance removal processing for the above image carrier obtained image forming substance removing apparatus you characterized in that a discriminating mark providing means for attaching. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a classification unit configured to classify an image carrier whose detection result does not satisfy the reference value and an image carrier whose detection result satisfies the reference value. 2 of the image forming substance removal removed by device.