JP3892506B2 - Image removal method, recording material reproducing method and reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

【００１２】
【表２】

【００１３】
また、水または水を含む有機溶媒に溶解する性質を持ち且つ常温で固体状である有機物質の代表例としては以下に示すものが挙げられる。なお、括弧内は融点を示す。
すなわち、カンホル酸（１０６〜１０７℃）、９，１０−ジヒドロキシステアリン酸（９９〜１００℃）、β，β−ジメチルアクリル酸（６９〜７０℃）、α，β−ｃｉｓ−ジメチルアクリル酸（４５℃）、α，β−ｔｒａｎｓ−ジメチルアクリル酸（６４〜６５℃）、ギ酸ナトリウム塩（１２４℃）、グリコール酸（７８〜８１℃）、グリオキシル酸（９８℃）、２−ヒドロキシ酪酸（４１℃）、３−ヒドロキシ酪酸（４９℃）、α−ヒドロキシ−ｉｓｏ−吉草酸（８６℃）、モノメチルシュウ酸（３７℃）、スルホ酢酸２水和物（８４〜８６℃）、２−ブチン酸（７８℃）、ピバル酸（４１℃）、メトキシ酢酸（７７℃）、アセト酢酸（３７℃）、クロトン酸（７１．５〜７１．７℃）などのモノカルボン酸およびその塩、ブチルマロン酸（１０１．５℃）、２，２−ジメチルコハク酸（１４４℃）、α−エチルグルタル酸（６０．５℃）、β−エチルグルタル酸（７３℃）、エチルマロン酸（１１５℃）、エチルコハク酸（９８℃）、グルタル酸（９８〜９９℃）、３−ヒドロキシグルタル酸（９５℃）、マロン酸（１３５℃）、クエン酸１水和物（１００〜１３２℃）、α−メチルアジピン酸（６４℃）、β−メチルアジピン酸（９３〜９４．５℃）、α−メチルグルタル酸（７８〜８０℃）、
【００１４】
β−メチルグルタル酸（８６〜８７℃）、ｎ−プロピルマロン酸（９６℃）、ｉｓｏ−プロピルマロン酸（８７℃）、ｎ−プロピルコハク酸（９２〜９３℃）、メチルコハク酸（１１１〜１１２℃）、サッカリック酸（１２５〜１２６℃）、メトキシコハク酸（８８〜９０℃）、ｌ−リンゴ酸（１００℃）、α−ケトグルタル酸（１１５．５℃）、シトラコン酸（９２．８〜９３．８℃）、メソキサル酸（１１９〜１２０℃）などのジカルボン酸またはトリカルボン酸、トロピン（６３℃）、１，１０−デカンジオール（７２〜７３℃）、２，３−ヘキサンジオール（６０℃）、ピナコール（４１〜４３）、２，３−ブタンジオール（３４．４℃）、２−ブテン−１，４−ジオール（５８℃）、１，６−ヘキサンジオール（４２．８℃）、１，８−オクタンジオール（５９〜６１℃）、α−ソルビトール（１１０〜１１２℃）などのアルコール、グリセロールジアセテート（４０℃）、グリコリド（８６〜８７℃）などのエステル、ジアセチルアセトン（４９℃）、ジヒドロキシアセトン（８３℃）、Ｎ，Ｎ′−ジメチルチオ尿素（５６〜５８℃）、Ｎ，Ｎ′−ジメチル尿素（１０８℃）、Ｎ−エチルチオ尿素（１１４℃）、Ｎ−エチル尿素（９２℃）、ヒドロキシイミノアセトン（６９℃）、Ｎ−メチルチオ尿素（１２０．５〜１２１℃）、Ｎ−メチル尿素（１０１〜１０２℃）、Ｎ−ｎ−プロピル尿素（１０７℃）、Ｎ，Ｎ，Ｎ′−トリメチル尿素（７５．５℃）、
【００１５】
ｔｒａｎｓ−チオアセトアルデヒド三量体（８１℃）、ｃｉｓ−チオアセトアルデヒド三量体（１２６℃）、ラクトアルデヒド三量体（１０５℃）などのケトン、チオケトンまたはアルデヒド、ホルミルヒドラジン（５４℃）、グリセロールジアミン（４２℃）、グリシンアミド（６５〜６７℃）、グリコールアミド（１２０℃）、ヘプタノイックアミド（９５〜９６℃）、１，６−ヘキサンジアミン（４５〜４６℃）、イミノ−ジアセト−ジニトリル（７８℃）、ラクトアミド（７９℃）、メチル−ｉｓｏ−プロピルケトンセミカルバゾン（１１０〜１１４℃）、オキサミン酸エチル（１１４〜１１５℃）、プロピオニックアルデヒドセミカルバゾン（８８〜８９℃）、プロピオンアミド（７９〜８０℃）、ｎ−プロピルカルバメート（６０〜６１℃）、ピルボアミド（１２４〜１２５℃）、セミカルバジド（９６℃）、チオアセトアミド（１１５〜１１６℃）、ウレタン（４９〜５０℃）、アセトアミド（８２℃）、３−アミノピリジン（６５℃）、２−アミノピリジン（５８℃）、ジアセトアミド（７８〜７９℃）、グアニジン（５０℃）、カプロンアミド（１０１．５℃）、カルバミン酸メチル（５８〜５６℃）、カプロラクタン（６９．２℃）、エチルアミン塩酸塩（１０７〜１０８℃）、ホルムアミドオキシム（１１４℃）などのアミンまたはアミド、或いはグリコール酸無水物（１２８〜１３０℃）、メチルエチルスルホン（３６℃）、ピラジン（５７℃）、ピラゾール（７０℃）、ピリジン塩酸塩（８２℃）またはイミダゾール（９０℃）などが挙げられ、単独または数種類を混合して使用することができる。
【００１６】
上記ヒドロキシアルキルカルボン酸類、アルキルジオール類、水または水を含む有機溶媒に溶解する性質を持ち且つ常温で固体状である有機物質、あるいは、これら数種の混合体の画像除去促進物質における含有量としては、１〜９９重量％が好ましい。１重量％よりも少ないと界面活性剤に対する溶媒としての作用がほとんど生じない。また９９重量％を越えると界面活性剤の含有量が少なすぎて画像除去促進物質の疎水性画像と被記録材との界面への浸透が不十分となり、疎水性画像の剥離部材への転写が不十分となる。
【００１７】
また、本発明の画像除去促進物質において用いる界面活性剤としては、アニオン系、カチオン系、ノニオン系、両性型の界面活性剤のいずれでもよく、その具体的な例としては、例えばポリオキシエチレンアルキルエーテル類、ポリオキシエチレンアルキルフェニルエーテル類、ポリオキシエチレンアルキルエステル類、ポリオキシエチレンアルキルソルビタンエステル類、ポリオキシエチレンアルキルアミン類、グリセリン脂肪酸エステル類、デカグリセリン脂肪酸エステル類、ポリグリセリン脂肪酸エステル類、ソルビタン脂肪酸エステル類、プロピレングリコール脂肪酸エステル類、ポリエチレングリコール脂肪酸エステル類、ポリオキシエチレンポリオキシプロピレンアルキルエーテル類、ポリオキシエチレンポリオキシプロピレンブロックポリマー類、パーフルオロアルキル燐酸エステル類、ポリオキシエチレン変性ポリジメチルシロキサン類等のノニオン系界面活性剤、
【００１８】
高級脂肪酸塩、Ｎ−アシルアミノ酸塩、ポリオキシエチレンアルキルエーテルカルボン酸塩、アシル化ペプチド、アルキルスルホン酸塩、アルキルベンゼンスルホン酸塩、アルキルナフタレンスルホン酸塩、モノあるいはジアルキルスルホ琥珀酸塩、α−オレフィンスルホン酸塩、Ｎ−アシルスルホン酸塩、アルキル硫酸塩、ポリオキシエチレンアルキルエーテル硫酸塩、ポリオキシエチレンアルキルアリールエーテル硫酸塩、アルキルアミド硫酸塩、モノアルキル燐酸塩、ジアルキル燐酸塩、トリアルキル燐酸塩、モノポリオキシエチレンアルキルエーテル燐酸塩、ビスポリオキシエチレンアルキルエーテル燐酸塩、トリスポリオキシエチレンアルキルエーテル燐酸塩、ポリオキシエチレンアルキルアリールエーテル燐酸塩、パーフルオロアルキルカルボン酸塩、パーフルオロアルキルスルホン酸塩、
【００１９】
パーフルオロアルケニルアリールスルホン酸塩、Ｎ−パーフルオロオクタンスルホニルグルタミン酸塩、パーフルオロアルキル−Ｎ−エチルスルホニルグリシン塩、３−（ω−フルオロアルカノイル−Ｎ−エチルアミノ）−１−プロパンスルホン酸塩、パーフルオロアルキルエチル燐酸エステル塩、カルボン酸変性ポリジメチルシロヘキサン、スルホン酸変性ポリジメチルシロキサン等のアニオン型界面活性剤、高級アルキルアミン塩、高級アルキル第４級アンモニウム塩、アルキルベンゼンアミン塩、アルキルベンゼン第４級アンモニウム塩、アルキル複素環第４級アンモニウム塩等のカチオン型界面活性剤、ベタイン、アミノカルボン酸等の両性界面活性剤などを挙げることができる。
【００２０】
これらのうち、スルホコハク酸アルキルエステル構造を有する化合物は被記録材から疎水性画像を剥離除去するのに特に優れており、特に好ましい。このような化合物としては、例えばモノまたはジアルキルスルホコハク酸アルキルエステル塩構造を有する界面活性剤、あるいはこれら界面活性剤のカウンターイオンの交換により酸として単離したスルホコハク酸アルキルエステル構造を有する化合物などを挙げることができる。
【００２１】
その具体例としては、例えばスルホコハク酸ジトリデシルエステルナトリウム塩および酸、スルホコハク酸ジオクチルエステルナトリウム塩および酸、スルホコハク酸ジヘキシルエステルナトリウム塩および酸、スルホコハク酸ジシクロヘキシルエステルナトリウム塩および酸、スルホコハク酸ジアミルエステルナトリウム塩および酸、スルホコハク酸ジブチルエステルナトリウム塩および酸、スルホコハク酸イソデカノールエステルナトリウム塩および酸、スルホコハク酸エトキシアルキルエステルナトリウム塩および酸などが挙げられ、特にスルホコハク酸ジオクチルエステルナトリウム塩および酸、スルホコハク酸ジヘキシルエステルナトリウム塩および酸またはスルホコハク酸ジアミルエステルナトリウム塩および酸が好ましい。
【００２２】
画像除去促進物質における界面活性剤の含有量としては、１〜７０重量％が好ましく、特に５〜６０重量％が好ましい。界面活性剤の含有量が少ない場合には疎水性画像の剥離が不十分となり、また多い場合には、疎水性画像と剥離部材とを加熱・加圧下で接触させて常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を溶融させる際に、界面活性剤が完全に溶解せず、疎水性画像が剥離除去され再生された被記録材上に残存する界面活性剤の量が多くなり、その結果、再生された被記録材を複写や記録などの画像形成に再利用した場合、形成された画像の定着性に悪影響を与えるようになる。
【００２３】
本発明の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質は次ぎのようにして容易に製造することができる。すなわち、常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質、好ましくは常温で固体状のヒドロキシアルキルカルボン酸類、常温で固体状のアルキルジオール類および水または水を含む有機溶媒に溶解する性質を持ち且つ常温で固体状である有機物質から選ばれた少なくとも１種と界面活性剤との混合体を加熱溶融させて均一溶融液としたのち冷却することによって容易に得ることができる。常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質の形状は、画像除去促進物質を被記録材に付与ときの付与方法や付与装置に沿った形状、例えばローラ状、ステック状またはシート状、あるいは微粉末状などとすることができる。
【００２４】
本発明の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質の融点は、４０℃〜１５０℃であることが好ましい。融点が４０℃よりも低い場合は室温において液状化しやすく、固体状の画像除去促進物質としての効果が発揮されなくなり、融点が１５０℃よりも高い場合は、被記録材の疎水性画像面に剥離部材を加熱・加圧下で接触させて画像除去促進物質を溶融させ、該溶融した画像除去促進物質を疎水性画像面を通して内部に浸透させると共に疎水性画像を剥離部材に転写させる際に、疎水性画像の成分樹脂の流動化が発生し、疎水性画像の剥離部材への転写が不十分となり疎水性画像を被記録材から充分に剥離除去することが困難となる。
【００２５】
次に本発明の被記録材の再生方法について説明する。
本発明の被記録材の再生方法は、熱可撓性あるいは熱軟化性の画像形成物質により形成された疎水性画像を有する被記録材から疎水性画像を剥離部材に転写して除去する被記録材の再生方法において、常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質に界面活性剤を含有せしめてなる常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を被記録材の疎水性画像面に付与し、疎水性画像面に剥離部材を加熱・加圧下で接触させて画像除去促進物質を溶融させ、該画像除去促進物質を疎水性画像面を通して内部に浸透させると共に疎水性画像を剥離部材に転写させることにより被記録材から疎水性画像を剥離除去することを特徴とする被記録材の再生方法、あるいは常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質に界面活性剤を含有せしめてなる常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を剥離部材に付与し、被記録材の疎水性画像面に剥離部材を加熱・加圧下で接触させて画像除去促進物質を溶融させ、該画像除去促進物質を疎水性画像面を通して内部に浸透させると共に疎水性画像を剥離部材に転写させることにより被記録材から疎水性画像を剥離除去することを特徴とする被記録材の再生方法である。
【００２６】
常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質に界面活性剤を含有せしめてなる常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質としては、前記において詳述した画像除去促進物質が用いられる。
【００２７】
被記録材の疎水性画像面、あるいは剥離部材に画像除去促進物質を付与する方法としては、１）画像除去促進物質を加圧および／または加熱状態で被記録材あるいは剥離部材に接触させて付与する方法、２）画像除去促進物質を溶融状態で被記録材あるいは剥離部材に接触させて付与する方法、３）画像除去促進物質を溶融状態にしたのち液滴として射出し、剥離除去すべき疎水性画像に選択的に付与する方法、４）微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を用いて被記録材あるいは剥離部材に接触させて付与する方法などが挙げられる。
【００２８】
上記１）の像除去促進物質を加圧および／または加熱状態で被記録材あるいは剥離部材に接触させて付与する方法は、更に具体的には、例えば被記録材の疎水性画像面、あるいは剥離部材の疎水性画像と接触する面に画像除去促進物質を室温で押しつけながら擦り付けることにより付与する方法である。画像除去促進物質が非常に固く擦り付けが困難なときには、画像除去促進物質を流動しない程度の温度に加熱することにより軟化させて被記録材あるいは剥離部材に擦り付けるようにすればよい。
【００２９】
被記録材の疎水性画像面、特に最も普及している電子写真法により形成された疎水性画像のように被記録材表面から突き出ている疎水性画像面に、画像除去促進物質を押しつけながら擦り付けると、図１に示す如く、疎水性画像０２のいわゆるエッジ部分で画像除去促進物質０３の付着量が特に多くなる。
このように画像除去促進物質が付着した疎水性画像面に剥離部材を加熱・加圧下で接触させて画像除去促進物質０３を溶融させると、液状化した画像除去促進物質０４が疎水性画像０２と被記録材０１との界面に浸透し、その結果、疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力が弱くなり疎水性画像が剥離部材に転写され、疎水性画像は被記録材から剥離除去される。これらの様子を経時的に（ａ）（ｂ）（ｃ）として図１に表わした。
【００３０】
さらに、画像除去促進物質を被記録材の疎水性画像に擦り付けるときに、予め疎水性画像部を加熱しておくことにより、画像除去促進物質を加熱されている疎水性画像部のみに付与することもできる。予め疎水性画像部を加熱する方法としては、例えば赤外線発生ヒータを用いることができる。赤外線発生ヒータで加熱すると、例えば着色剤としてカーボン等が多く含まれている黒色の疎水性画像部は被記録材の地肌部よりも温度上昇が大きく、疎水性画像部が加熱された状態で画像除去促進物質を押しつけながら擦り付けることにより、加熱されている疎水性画像部のみに画像除去促進物質を付与することができる。
この画像除去促進物質が付着した疎水性画像面に剥離部材を加熱・加圧下で接触させて画像除去促進物質を溶融させると、画像除去促進物質が液状化して疎水性画像と被記録材との界面に浸透し、疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力が弱くなり疎水性画像が剥離部材に転写され、効率的に疎水性画像の剥離除去を行うことができる。
【００３１】
また、図２（ａ）（ｂ）に示すように、常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質０３が付与された剥離部材０５を被記録材０１上の疎水性画像０２の面に加熱・加圧下で接触させると、画像除去促進物質を被記録材の地肌部には付着させずに疎水性画像面のみに付与することができ、そして加熱により溶融して液状化した画像除去促進物質０４は疎水性画像０２と被記録材０１との界面に浸透する。その結果、疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力が弱くなり疎水性画像が剥離部材に転写され、疎水性画像は被記録材から剥離除去される。
【００３２】
上記２）の画像除去促進物質を溶融状態で被記録材あるいは剥離部材に接触させて付与する方法は、更に具体的には、例えば画像除去促進物質を予め溶融させ、液状化した画像除去促進物質を被記録材の疎水性画像面、あるいは剥離部材の疎水性画像と接触する面に塗り付ける方法である。
この方法によれば、画像除去促進物質は塗り付ける直前には液状化しているが、塗り付けられた直後には温度が急激に低下するため固体状となる。従って、塗り付けに際して、画像除去促進物質が被記録材の内部に浸透することがなく、また疎水性画像の周囲に浸透やにじみを発生させることがないため、特に剥離除去したい疎水性画像部のみに画像除去促進物質を精度良く付与することができる。
【００３３】
上記３）の画像除去促進物質を溶融状態にしたのち液滴として射出し、剥離除去すべき疎水性画像に選択的に付与する方法は、更に具体的には、例えば画像除去促進物質を予め溶融させ、液状化した画像除去促進物質をインクジェット方式による液滴として射出することにより付与する方法であり、この方法により、被記録材または剥離部材の全面に、あるいは剥離除去したい疎水性画像部のみに画像除去促進物質を付与することができる。
【００３４】
また、上記４）の微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を用いて被記録材あるいは剥離部材に接触させて付与する方法は、更に具体的には、例えば画像除去促進物質が軟化または溶融する温度に加熱されている疎水性画像部あるいは剥離部材に微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を接触させることにより、被記録材の疎水性画像面あるいは剥離部材に画像除去促進物質を付着させる方法である。
特に、疎水性画像を有する被記録材の疎水性画像面側から、赤外線発生ヒータなどで加熱すると疎水性画像、例えばカーボン等が多く含まれているトナー画像は赤外線を強く吸収し温度が上昇し、一方被記録材の地肌部は一般的にセルロース繊維から構成されているため赤外線の吸収は弱く温度の上昇は小さいため、疎水性画像を有する被記録材を赤外線発生ヒータで加熱し、疎水性画像部の温度が地肌部の温度よりも高い状態で微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を被記録材に接触させることにより、疎水性画像面のみに画像除去促進物質を付着させることができる。
【００３５】
また、疎水性画像を有する被記録材の疎水性画像面に静電気的に帯電させることにより、疎水性画像部と地肌部とに帯電量の差異を発生させ、このような帯電状態の被記録材に微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を接触させることにより、疎水性画像面のみに画像除去促進物質を付着させることができる。
さらに、疎水性画像のみが膨潤する液によって予め疎水性画像のみを軟化させておき、そのような状態の被記録材に微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を接触させることにより、疎水性画像面のみに画像除去促進物質を付着させることができる。これらの方法によれば、少量の画像除去促進物質を効率よく被記録材に付与することができる。
【００３６】
この様にして疎水性画像面に付着した画像除去促進物質は加熱下で溶融して液状化し、その画像除去促進物質が疎水性画像と被記録材との界面に浸透する。これにより、疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力が弱くなり疎水性画像が剥離部材に転写され、被記録材からの疎水性画像の剥離除去を容易に行うことができる。
【００３７】
本発明の被記録材の再生方法によれば、画像除去促進物質は常温で固体状であるため付与時点で画像除去促進物質が被記録材に滲み込むことがなく、また画像除去促進物質を疎水性画像面のみに付与し、被記録材の地肌部には付与しないようにすることができるため、疎水性画像の剥離除去に必要な画像除去促進物質の付与量を少なくすることができる。これにより、再生された被記録材に残存する画像除去促進物質が少なくなり、再生された被記録材を複写や記録などの画像形成に再利用した場合に、被記録材に定着性の良好な疎水性画像を形成することができる。
【００３８】
なお、再生された被記録材に定着性の良好な疎水性画像を形成するには、再生された被記録材表面に残存する画像除去促進物質成分が少なければ少ないほどよく、画像除去促進物質成分が存在しない状態とすることが最も好ましい。
本発明の画像除去促進物質における各成分、すなわち常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質、例えばヒドロキシアルキルカルボン酸類、アルキルジオール類、水または水を含む有機溶媒に溶解する性質を持ち且つ常温で固体状である有機物質および界面活性剤などは水または水溶液に溶解するものであるため、再生された被記録材に水または水溶液を付与することにより、被記録材表面に残存する画像除去促進物質成分を溶し出し、または被記録材の内部に浸透させて画像除去促進物質を被記録材表面から除去することができる。
【００３９】
水溶液としては、例えば、メチルアルコール、エチルアルコール、イソプロピルアルコール等のアルコール類、エチレングリコール、ジエチレングリコール等のグリコール類などを２０重量％以下含有する水溶液を用いることができる。
また、水または水溶液には、安息香酸ナトリウム、ソルビン酸及びその塩、パラオキシ安息香酸エステル類、デヒドロ酢酸、プロピオン酸、それらの塩類およびジフェニル、オルト−フェニルフェノール、チアベンダゾール類、イマザリル等の防腐剤を添加してもよい。
水または水溶液の付与量としては、水分量が０．０５〜０．２ｇ／Ａ４となる量が好ましい。この範囲であれば、被記録材に伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等を発生させることなく、残留した画像除去促進物質成分を除去することができる。
【００４０】
再生された被記録材に水または水溶液を付与するには、例えば、水または水溶液を含浸させたスポンジ、布、フェルトなどを被記録材の画像除去促進物質成分が残存している面に接触させて回転、移動などをさせればよく、これにより水または水溶液で画像除去促進物質成分を溶解させて被記録材表面から除去するようにすればよい。また、ゴム、金属、プラスチックなどの塗布ローラを用いて水または水溶液を被記録材に付与し、残存している画像除去促進物質成分を溶解させて除去するようにしてもよい。
【００４１】
さらに、再生された被記録材に水または水溶液を付与することにより、画像除去促進物質を被記録材表面から除去したのち、被記録材に乾燥仕上げ処理を施してもよい。
また、再生された被記録材を加熱することにより被記録材表面に残存している画像除去促進物質成分を溶融させて被記録材の内部に浸透させることによって被記録材表面から除去することができる。
再生された被記録材にこのような後処理を施すことにより、再生された被記録材を複写や記録による画像形成に再利用した場合に、未使用の被記録材に画像を形成した場合と同等の定着性、画像品質を有する疎水性画像を形成することができる。
【００４２】
本発明の再生方法に用いる被記録材としては、少なくとも疎水性画像と被記録材との界面に加熱により溶融した画像除去促進物質が浸透し、疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力を弱めることができる被記録材が好ましく、このような被記録材としては、少なくとも疎水性画像形成面がセルロース繊維を主成分とする紙質層からなる被記録材が挙げられる。
さらに具体的には、セルロース繊維を主成分とする一般の複写用紙や記録用紙などの市販の紙、プラスチックフィルムおよびその少なくとも疎水性画像形成面にセルロース繊維を主成分とする紙質層を積層したものなどを挙げることができる。
【００４３】
また、本発明の被記録材の再生方法により剥離除去するのに適した疎水性画像としては、通常の電子写真法、熱転写方法、ホットメルトインクを用いるインクジェット法または印刷法などのように熱可撓性あるいは熱軟化性の画像形成物（静電潜像現像用乾式トナーや湿式トナー、熱溶融性インクシート、ホットメルトインクなど）を用いて形成される疎水性画像が挙げられる。
【００４４】
このような疎水性画像を有する被記録材に前記画像除去促進物質を付与し、その画像除去促進物質を加熱により溶融させると、画像除去促進物質中に高濃度で溶解含有されている界面活性剤の作用により、加熱により溶融した画像除去促進物質が、例えばセルロース繊維を主成分とした紙質層である被記録材と疎水性画像との界面に速やかに且つ十分に浸透する。その結果、疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力が低下し、疎水性画像は被記録材から剥離除去されやすい状態となり、しかも画像除去促進物質が水分を含んでいないため被記録材に伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等を発生させることなく、被記録材から疎水性画像を十分に剥離除去することができる。
【００４５】
本発明の被記録材の再生方法に用いられる剥離部材としては、疎水性画像とある程度以上の接着性や耐熱性を示すものが好ましく、その材料としては、例えばイソプレンゴム、ネオプレンゴム、クロロプレンゴム、シリコーンゴム、ブタジエンゴム、フッ素ゴムなどの合成ゴム、天然のゴム、ビスフェノール・エピクロルヒドリン縮合物などのエポキシ樹脂、アルキド樹脂、尿素ホルムアルデヒド樹脂、ブチル尿素ホルムアルデヒド樹脂、ブチル化メラミンホルムアルデヒド樹脂、ベンゾグアナミンホルムアルデヒド樹脂などのアミノ樹脂、テルペンフェノール樹脂、フェノールエーテル樹脂、フェノール樹脂などのフェノール系熱硬化樹脂、ポリ塩化ビニル、ポリ塩化ビニリデン、塩化ビニリデン−アクリロニトリル共重合体、塩化ビニル−酢酸ビニル共重合体、エチレン−酢酸ビニル共重合体、エチレン−テトラフルオロエチレン共重合体、ポリフッ化ビニリデン等のビニル共重合体、ポリビニルブチラール、ポリビニルホルマール、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレンなどのビニル系重合体、ポリブチルアクリレート、ポリメタクリル酸、ポリメチルメタクリレートなどのアクリル樹脂、ポリイミド、６，６−ナイロン、６−ナイロンなどのポリアミド、ポリカーボネート、ポリエーテルスルホン、ポリエーテルエーテルケトン、ポリエチレンテレフタレート、ポリエチレンナフタレート、芳香族ポリエステルなどのポリエステル、ポリフェニレンサルファイド、ポリパラバラン酸、ポリエーテルニトリル、アラミドなどの熱可塑性或いは熱硬化性の合成樹脂、ニッケル、ステンレススチール、アルミニウムなどの金属およびその酸化物、セラミックス材料などが挙げられる。
【００４６】
剥離部材は繰り返し使用することが再生コストを下げるなど種々の点で有利であり、その場合には、比較的高い耐熱性や表面の安定性が要求される。画像の除去特性及び耐久性から特に好ましい剥離部材の例としては、ポリエチレンテレフタレート、ポリエチレンナフタレート、ポリエーテルエーテルケトン、ポリフェニレンサルファイド、ポリパラバラン酸、ポリエーテルニトリル、アラミド、ポリイミド、ポリエーテルイミド、ステンレススチール、ニッケル、アルマイト等が挙げられる。
これらの材料は単独でも用いられるが、積層したり、アロイ化したり、グラスファイバー、ウイスカー、カーボン、シリカ、酸化チタン等の他の添加剤を加えるなどにより複合して用いることもできる。
【００４７】
上記のような本発明の被記録材の再生方法により再生するのに特に適した疎水性画像を有する被記録材は、電子写真法によりトナーを用いて形成された疎水性画像を有する被記録材である。
トナーは従来公知のように主として樹脂成分、着色剤、極性制御剤などから構成されているものである。
樹脂成分は、例えば、スチレン系樹脂、アクリル系樹脂、メタクリル系樹脂、スチレン−アクリル系共重合体樹脂、スチレン−ブチルアクリル系共重合体樹脂、スチレン−メタクリル系共重合体樹脂、スチレン−ブタジエン系共重合体樹脂、ポリエステル系樹脂、エポキシ系樹脂の熱可塑性樹脂や熱硬化性樹脂、あるいはこれらの樹脂の２種類以上の混合体から成っている。これらの樹脂はガラス転移点が５５〜７０℃、軟化点が８０〜１４０℃であり、一般に水に不溶性の疎水性を示すものである。
【００４８】
着色剤としては各種顔料や染料が使用され、例えば、黒色着色剤としてはカーボンブラック、酸化銅、二酸化マンガン、アニリンブラック、活性炭、フェライト、マグネタイト等が、黄色着色剤としてはカドミウムイエロー、黄鉛、亜鉛黄、ミネラルファストイエロー、ネーブルイエロー、バンザーイエローＧ、バンザーイエロー１０Ｇ、キノリンイエローレーキ、黄色酸化鉄、ニッケルチタンイエロー、ナフトールイエローＳ、ベンジジンイエローＧ、ベンジジンイエローＧＲ、パーマネントイエローＮＣＧ、タートラジンレーキ等が、赤色着色剤としては赤色黄鉛、モリブデンオレンジ、パーマネントオレンジＧＴＲ、ピラゾロオレンジ、バルカンオレンジ、インダンスレンブリリアントオレンジＲＫ、ベンジジンオレンジＧ、インダンスレンブリリアントオレンジＧＫ、ベンガラ、カドミウムレッド、鉛丹、パーマネントレッド４Ｒ、リソールレッド、ピラゾロンレッド、ウォッチングレッド、レーキレッドＣ、レーキレッドＤ、ブリリアントカーミン６Ｂ、エオシンレーキ、ローダミンレーキＢ、アリザリンレーキ、ブリリアントカーミン３Ｂ、パーマネントオレンジＧＴＲ、バルカンファストオレンジＧＧ、パーマネントレッドＦ４ＲＨ、パーマネントカーミンＦＢ等が、また青色着色剤としては紺青、コバルトブルー、アルカリブルーレーキ、ビクトリアブルーレーキ、フタロシアニンブルー等が用いられる。
【００４９】
極性制御材としては正荷電性制御剤および負荷電性制御剤があり、正荷電性制御剤としてはニグロシンベースＥＸ、第４級アンモニウム塩、ポリアミン化合物、イミダゾール化合物が、また負荷電性制御剤としてはクロム錯塩型アゾ染料、銅フタロシアニン系染料、クロム錯塩、亜鉛錯塩、アルミニウム錯塩、カリックスアレン化合物等が知られている。
【００５０】
トナーにより形成された疎水性画像を本発明における画像除去促進物質を用いて被記録材から剥離除去した場合、画像除去促進物質の付与量が少なくても、被記録材から疎水性画像を十分に剥離除去することができ、且つ被記録材に伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等を発生させることがない。また再生された被記録材を用いて再び複写や記録などによりトナー画像を形成した場合には、トナー画像の定着性が良く、新しい未使用の被記録材を用いた場合と同様な品質のトナー画像を得ることができる。
【００５１】
次に、本発明の被記録材の再生装置について、図面により説明する。
図３は被記録材の再生装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。図３において、熱可撓性あるいは熱軟化性の画像形成物質により形成された疎水性画像を有する被記録材は、給紙トレー１から給紙ローラ２によりガイド板３を通って、画像除去促進物質付与ユニット（常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を付与する手段）４に送られ、常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質４ａが付与される。画像除去促進物質付与ユニット４は、外側に画像除去促進物質を流動化しない程度に軟化させるためのヒータ５が設けられた容器６の内側のスプリング７によって、常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質４ａを押え板８によって押えられた被記録材の疎水性画像形成面に圧接させる構造となっており、画像除去促進物質４ａは画像除去促進物質付与ユニット４により被記録材の疎水性画像形成面に擦り付けて付与される。
【００５２】
画像除去促進物質が付与された被記録材は、密着化ローラ９、連続接触させジグザグ状に配設された複数個の加熱ローラ１３〜１７と回転体１８〜２１、および分離ローラ２５に接して回動するベルト状剥離部材１１と、密着化ローラ１０、上記加熱ローラと回転体、および分離ローラ２４に接して回動するベルト状剥離部材１２との間に挟持されて搬送される。
【００５３】
被記録材は、ベルト状剥離部材１１と１２との間に密着挟持されて複数個の加熱ローラ１３〜１７および回転体１８〜２１に巻き付けられながら搬送されるため、ベルト状剥離部材の張力によって自然に加圧され、また複数個の加熱ローラにより加熱され、加熱・加圧下で搬送される。加熱によって常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質は溶融し、この液状化した画像除去促進物質が疎水性画像を浸透して被記録材と疎水性画像との界面に達し疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力を低下させ、それにより疎水性画像が剥離部材に転写される。
なお、加熱はヒータ２２、２３によって雰囲気加熱で行うこともできる。
【００５４】
疎水性画像が剥離部材に転写された被記録材は、分離ローラ２４、２５および分離爪２６、２７によりベルト状剥離部材１１および１２から分離される。
転写された疎水性画像が付着しているベルト状剥離部材１２はクリーニングブレード３７でクリーニングされ、再び疎水性画像の剥離に利用される。
クリーニングにより剥離部材から剥離された疎水性画像形成物質は容器３８に蓄積される。
【００５５】
一方、分離ローラ２４、２５および分離爪２６、２７で分離された被記録材の表面にはもはや疎水性画像はない状態となっている。このようにして再生された被記録材は搬送ローラ２８で後処理ユニットに搬送され、後処理液容器２９内の後処理液３０が、汲み上げローラ３１、塗布ローラ３２によって、再生された被記録材に付与される。これにより再生された被記録材表面に付着・残存している画像除去促進物質成分が被記録材表面から除去される。次いで被記録材は搬送ローラ３３によって、必要ならば乾燥ベルト３４で乾燥させ（通常は乾燥させる必要は無い）、排紙ローラ３５で排紙トレー３６に排紙される。
【００５６】
このようにして、疎水性画像が十分に剥離除去され、且つ伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等がなく、且つ複写や記録などに再利用した場合に定着性の良い画像を形成することのできる被記録材が再生される。
【００５７】
以下に、図４〜図１２により、被記録材の疎水性画像面、あるいは剥離部材に常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の例について説明する。
図４は、ステック状の画像除去促進物質を用いて片面に疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
図４において、容器４５には内側にスプリング４６が設けられ、外側に画像除去促進物質を流動化しない程度に軟化させるためのヒータ４４が設けられている。
容器４５に入れられたステック状の画像除去促進物質４７は、押さえ板４８で支えられている被記録材４２に、スプリング４６によって圧接される。熱可撓性あるいは熱軟化性の画像形成物質により形成された疎水性画像４１を有する被記録材４２を、ステック状の画像除去促進物質４７を圧接させながら矢印４３の方向に搬送させることによって、画像除去促進物質４７は被記録材の疎水性画像面に擦り付けられて付与される。過剰に付与された画像除去促進物質はブレード４９により適当量に調節される。
【００５８】
図５は、ステック状の画像除去促進物質を用いて両面に疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
図５においては、両面に疎水性画像５１ａおよび５１ｂを有する被記録材５２の表裏両面に、図４に示した画像除去促進物質の付与装置５０Ａ、５０Ｂが同時に圧接されており、被記録材５２を矢印の方向に搬送させることによって、画像除去促進物質５３ａ、５３ｂは被記録材の両面に擦り付けられて付与される。
過剰に付与された画像除去促進物質はブレード５４ａおよび５４ｂにより適当量に調節される。
【００５９】
図６は、疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質をペースト状で付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
図６において、流動はしない程度に軟化したペースト状の画像除去促進物質６３はブレード６４と６５との間に保持されている。疎水性画像６１を有する被記録材６２を画像除去促進物質６３に接触させながら矢印の方向に搬送させることによって、ペースト状の画像除去促進物質は疎水性画像面に付与される。画像除去促進物質の付与量はブレード６５により適当量に調節することができる。
なお、画像除去促進物質をペースト状とするには、画像除去促進物質の各成分として比較的融点の低い物質を選択すればよい。また、ヒータ６６により画像除去促進物質がペースト状になる程度の温度に被記録材を加熱しながら画像除去促進物質６３に接触させることによっても、画像除去促進物質をペースト状で被記録材に付与することができる。
【００６０】
図７および図８は、ローラ状の画像除去促進物質を用いて疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
図７において、ローラ状の画像除去促進物質７４は、押さえ板７５で支えられている被記録材７２に圧接し回転する。疎水性画像形成面からの赤外線発生ヒータ７３の照射で加熱された疎水性画像７１を有する被記録材７２を、ローラ状の画像除去促進物質７４が圧接されている状態で、矢印の方向に搬送することによって、画像除去促進物質７４は被記録材の疎水性画像面に付与される。
【００６１】
疎水性画像が最も普通に用いられているトナー画像のようにカーボンブラックなどを含有する黒色疎水性画像である場合には、疎水性画像形成面から赤外線発生ヒータ７３を照射することによって、疎水性画像は赤外線を吸収し紙などからなる被記録材の地肌部よりも高温となる。このように地肌部よりも高温となっている疎水性画像を有する被記録材を、画像除去促進物質が圧接されている状態で、搬送させることによって、画像除去促進物質を疎水性画像面にのみ融着させて付与することができる。
ローラ状の画像除去促進物質の回転方向は、被記録材の搬送方向と同じ方向、あるいは被記録材の搬送方向と逆方向のいずれでもよい。また、ローラ状の画像除去促進物質の回転速度を被記録材の搬送速度と一致させたり、遅くしたり、或いは速くしたりすることにより画像除去促進物質の付与量を効率的に調節することができる。
【００６２】
図８においては、両面に疎水性画像８１ａおよび８１ｂを有する被記録材８２の表裏両面に、図７に示したローラ状の画像除去促進物質８３ａおよび８３ｂが同時に圧接されており、被記録材８２を矢印の方向に搬送させることによって、画像除去促進物質は被記録材の両面に付与される。
被記録材８２の表裏両面を赤外線発生ヒータ８４ａおよび８４ｂで照射して加熱してもよい。
【００６３】
図９は、疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を溶融状態で付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
図９において、容器９６にはヒータ９５が設けられており、画像除去促進物質９３が液状化して容器９６内に保持されている。容器９６の底部には電極９７で挟持されたピエゾ素子９８が載持されており、印加電圧の変動によるピエゾ素子９８の伸縮作動によって画像除去促進物質の液滴９４がノズル９９から間欠的に噴射され、疎水性画像９１を有する被記録材９２に画像除去促進物質が付与される。
また、疎水性画像９１を有する被記録材９２を搬送しながら、図示しない検知手段により剥離除去が必要な疎水性画像部を検知し、その検知情報に応じて印加電圧を変動させピエゾ素子９８の伸縮作動を発生させて液状化した画像除去促進物質の液滴を噴射させることによって、剥離除去が必要な疎水性画像部のみに画像除去促進物質を付与することもできる。
【００６４】
図１０、１１、１２は、微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を用いて、疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
図１０において、疎水性画像１０１を有する被記録材１０２の疎水性画像面に赤外線発生ヒータ１０３を照射して加熱し、疎水性画像面の温度を上昇させ、ついで容器１０４内の微粉末状の画像除去促進物質１０５を被記録材１０２に付与すると、被記録材における画像のない地肌部よりも疎水性画像面の方が高温となっているため、疎水性画像面には微粉末状の画像除去促進物質が融着状態で付着するが、地肌部には微粉末状の画像除去促進物質が融着せず単に乗っている状態になる。この状態の被記録材を柔らかいブラシローラ１０６で弱くクリーニングすると、地肌部の画像除去促進物質は被記録材表面から除去されるが、疎水性画像表面に融着した画像除去促進物質は除去されずに残り、疎水性画像表面のみに画像除去促進物質が付与される。
【００６５】
図１１において、疎水性画像１１１を有する被記録材１１２の疎水性画像面に赤外線発生ヒータ１１３を照射し、被記録材の地肌部と疎水性画像面とに温度差を発生させた後、その被記録材を微粉末状の画像除去促進物質１１４の中を通して搬送させ、微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を疎水性画像１１１に選択的に融着させる。ついで、その被記録材の疎水性画像形成面を柔らかいブラシローラ１１５で弱くクリーニングすると地肌部の画像除去促進物質は被記録材表面から除去されるが、疎水性画像表面に融着した画像除去促進物質は除去されずに残り、疎水性画像表面のみに画像除去促進物質が付与される。また、疎水性画像のない被記録材の裏面に付着している微粉末状の画像除去促進物質はブラシローラ１１５のクリーニング操作に伴う振動により自然に落下し除去される。
【００６６】
また、図１２において、疎水性画像１２１を有する被記録材１２２の疎水性画像面にコロナ放電器１２３により静電気放電を行い、疎水性画像面と被記録材の地肌部とに静電気帯電量の差異を発生させ、その被記録材を微粉末状の画像除去促進物質１２４の中を通して搬送させることにより、微粉末状の画像除去促進物質が疎水性画像面により強く付着する。なお、微粉末状の画像除去促進物質には、図示していない帯電手段により疎水性画像の帯電極性とは逆極性の帯電を与えておくことが好ましい。
【００６７】
ついで、微粉末状の画像除去促進物質が付着している被記録材にギヤローラ１２５で弱く振動を与えると地肌部の画像除去促進物質は被記録材表面から落下して除去されるが、疎水性画像表面に強く付着している画像除去促進物質は除去されずに残り、疎水性画像表面のみに画像除去促進物質が付与される。また、被記録材の裏面に付着している微粉末状の画像除去促進物質もギヤローラ１２５による振動によって裏面から落下して除去される。
疎水性画像面に静電的に付着している微粉末状の画像除去促進物質をそのまま放置すると空気中で放電して脱落することがあるため、赤外線発生ヒータ１２６で加熱し疎水性画像面に画像除去促進物質を融着させることが好ましい。
【００６８】
【作用】
本発明によれば、常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質に界面活性剤を含有せしめてなる常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を、熱可撓性あるいは熱軟化性の画像形成物質により形成された疎水性画像を有する被記録材に付与し、疎水性画像面に剥離部材を加熱・加圧下で接触させ、画像除去促進物質を溶融させると共に疎水性画像を剥離部材に転写させることによって、疎水性画像が十分に剥離除去され、且つ伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等がない被記録材を再生することができる。
そして、この再生された被記録材を複写や記録などの画像形成に再利用した場合には、複写装置や記録装置においてジャムなどを発生させることなく、定着性の良好な疎水性画像を形成することができる。
【００６９】
本発明によって、疎水性画像を十分に剥離除去することができ、且つ伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等がない被記録材を再生することができるのは、次のような理由によるものと考えられる。
すなわち、疎水性画像を有する被記録材に付与された常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質は、疎水性画像面に剥離部材を加熱・加圧下で接触させた際に溶融して液体状になり、それが疎水性画像の表面から浸透して、疎水性画像と被記録材との界面に到達し、その結果、疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力は弱められて、疎水性画像は容易に剥離部材に転写され、疎水性画像は被記録材から十分に剥離される。また、疎水性画像が剥離除去されて再生された被記録材が常温に冷却された場合、常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質が水を含んでいないため、再生された被記録材に伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等を発生させることがない。
【００７０】
本発明の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質は、常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質、好ましくは常温で固体状のヒドロキシアルキルカルボン酸類、常温で固体状のアルキルジオール類および水または水を含む有機溶媒に溶解する性質を持ち且つ常温で固体状である有機物質から選ばれた少なくとも１種と界面活性剤との混合体を加熱溶融させて液状化させ均一溶融液としたのち冷却することによって得られるが、液状化状態における界面活性剤は、水溶液中における界面活性剤と同じような挙動を示し、例えばヒドロキシアルキルカルボン酸類、アルキルジオール類、水または水を含む有機溶媒に溶解する性質を持ち且つ常温で固体状である有機物質などは水素結合を生じる官能基を持っているため界面活性剤に対して、いわゆる溶媒和が形成され界面活性剤を高濃度に溶解することができる。
【００７１】
このように界面活性剤を高濃度に溶解含有する常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質は、被記録材に付与された時点では、例えば代表的な被記録材である紙の内部には浸透せず紙や疎水性画像表面に留まっている。この状態で加熱すると常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質は溶融し液状化状態となる。また、常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質に含有されている界面活性剤は親水性基と疎水性基とをもっているが、常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質には水は含まれておらず、常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質（例えば常温で固体状のヒドロキシアルキルカルボン酸類、常温で固体状のアルキルジオール類、及び水または水を含む有機溶媒に溶解する性質を持ち且つ常温で固体状である有機物質から選ばれた少なくとも１種）の溶融状態の中では界面活性剤は疎水的となる。即ち上記有機化合物が溶融した液状化状態中の界面活性剤の雰囲気は疎水性である有機化合物であるため、界面活性剤や有機化合物の親水性基同士が近づき、その結果疎水性基が表面に現れ界面活性剤はむしろ疎水性を示すことになる。
一方、代表的な被記録材である紙の主成分は、セルロース分子から形成されており、このセルロース分子は水酸基が多く含まれていることから一般に親水性であり、被記録材上に形成された疎水性画像はポリスチレンやポリエステルなどの樹脂成分から構成されているため一般に疎水性である。
【００７２】
従って、溶融し液状化した上記画像除去促進物質、特に界面活性剤を高濃度に溶解含有する上記画像除去促進物質は、親水性である紙表面にはあまり浸透せず、疎水性画像部分にはよく浸透することになる。その結果、液状化した上記画像除去促進物質は疎水性画像内部をよく浸透し、疎水性画像と被記録材との界面に浸入して疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力を低下させる。疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力が低下した状態で、剥離部材と疎水性画像面とを加熱・加圧下で密着させると、疎水性画像と剥離部材との接着力の方が相対的に強くなるため疎水性画像は剥離部材に転写され、疎水性画像は被記録材から剥離除去される。特に、剥離部材と疎水性画像面とを加熱・加圧下で密着させ、それをジグザグ状態で加熱・加圧ローラを回動させると、疎水性画像と被記録材との接着力がますます弱くなり、疎水性画像は剥離部材に転写され、疎水性画像は被記録材から剥離除去される。
本発明によれば、このようにして、再生された被記録材に伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等を発生させることなく、疎水性画像は被記録材から十分に剥離される。
【００７３】
さらに、本発明の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質には次のような特徴がある。
すなわち、画像除去促進物質が固体状であるため、疎水性画像を形成している被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与した後、または剥離部材に画像除去促進物質を付与した後、剥離部材と被記録材とを加熱・加圧下で接触させ、疎水性画像を剥離部材に転写して被記録材から除去することができる。画像除去促進物質を剥離部材に付与した場合、疎水性画像面に剥離部材を密着させ加熱したときに画像除去促進物質は液状化により疎水性画像内部に浸透するので、疎水性画像と剥離部材は直接接触するようになり疎水性画像と剥離部材との接着力が強くなり疎水性画像を剥離部材に転写して被記録材から除去することができる。
【００７４】
また、本発明の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を被記録材、例えばその代表例である紙に付与した場合、常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質は紙内部には滲み込むことがなく、にじみという現象が発生しない。また、剥離除去したい疎水性画像のみに画像除去促進物質を付与し、疎水性画像のない所謂被記録材の地肌には付与しないようにすることができるため画像除去促進物質の付与量を極めて少量とすることができる。
例えば、０．２ｇ／Ａ４（Ａ４版あたりの付与量）以下、好ましくは０．１ｇ／Ａ４以下とすることができる。
このように、画像除去促進物質の付与量を極めて少量とすることができることにより、再生された被記録材を複写や記録などの画像形成に再利用した場合に、定着性の良好な疎水性画像を形成することができる。
【００７５】
【実施例】
以下に本発明を実施例により説明するが、本発明はこれにより限定されるものではない。
【００７６】
実施例１
ＰＰＣ複写用紙（タイプ６２００、リコー社製）に電子写真複写機（ＲＩＣＯＰＹ ＦＴ−２２００、リコー社製）によりトナー画像を形成した。
また、図３に示した再生装置において、ベルト状剥離部材１１および１２にポリエーテルエーテルケトンからなるベルトを用い、加熱ローラ１３の温度を１３０℃、加熱ローラ１４の温度を８８℃、加熱ローラ１５〜１７の温度を７５℃に設定した。
ついで、上記のトナー画像が形成されたＰＰＣ複写用紙のトナー画像を有する面にジアルキルスルホコハク酸エステル塩界面活性剤（商品名エアロゾルＯＴ−１００、三井サイテック社製）を擦り付けて０．６ｇ（Ａ４版当り）付与し、さらに、エアロゾルＯＴ−１００を付与した面の一部分に１，６−ヘキサンジオールの小さな結晶片を数個乗せ、それを図３に示した再生装置のベルト状剥離部材１１とベルト状剥離部材１２との間に挟持させて１１ｍｍ／ｓｅｃの速度で搬送させ、分離ローラ２４、２５及び分離爪２６、２７によりＰＰＣ複写用紙をベルト状剥離部材１１と１２から分離したところ、エアロゾルＯＴ−１００と１，６−ヘキサンジオールとが付与された部分のトナー画像は剥離部材に転写されてＰＰＣ複写用紙から完全に剥離除去されたが、エアロゾルＯＴ−１００のみが付与された部分のトナー画像は剥離部材に転写されずＰＰＣ複写用紙から剥離除去されなかった。
【００７７】
実施例２
実施例１と同様な条件に設定した図３の再生装置を用い、エアロゾルＯＴ−１００をベルト状剥離部材１１に擦り付けて０．６ｇ（Ａ４版当り）付与し、実施例１と同様にしてトナー画像が形成されたＰＰＣ複写用紙のトナー画像を有する面の一部分に１，６−ヘキサンジオールの小さな結晶片を数個乗せ、それを図３に示した再生装置のベルト状剥離部材１１とベルト状剥離部材１２との間に、トナー画像を有する面がベルト状剥離部材１１に密着するように挟持させて、１１ｍｍ／ｓｅｃの速度で搬送させ、分離ローラ２４、２５及び分離爪２６、２７によりＰＰＣ複写用紙をベルト状剥離部材１１と１２から分離したところ、ベルト状剥離部材１１上のエアロゾルＯＴ−１００と１，６−ヘキサンジオールとが接触している部分のトナー画像は剥離部材に転写されてＰＰＣ複写用紙から完全に剥離除去されたが、エアロゾルＯＴ−１００のみで１，６−ヘキサンジオールとが存在しない部分のトナー画像は剥離部材に転写されずＰＰＣ複写用紙から剥離除去されなかった。
【００７８】
実施例３
ジアルキルスルホコハク酸エステル塩界面活性剤（商品名エアロゾルＯＴ−１００、三井サイテック社製）２６重量％、１，８−オクタンジオール４８重量％および１，６−ヘキサンジオール２６重量％を加熱溶融させて均一溶融液とし、ついで室温に冷却して常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を得た。
この画像除去促進物質を、実施例１と同様にしてトナー画像が形成されたＰＰＣ複写用紙のトナー画像を有する面に擦り付けて０．６ｇ（Ａ４版当り）付与し、それを実施例１と同様な条件に設定した図３の再生装置のベルト状剥離部材１１とベルト状剥離部材１２との間に挟持させて１１ｍｍ／ｓｅｃの速度で搬送させ、分離ローラ２４、２５及び分離爪２６、２７によりＰＰＣ複写用紙をベルト状剥離部材１１と１２から分離し、塗布ローラ３２によって、水を用いた後処理液を０．１ｇ（Ａ４版当り）付与して後処理を行なったところ、トナー画像が剥離部材に転写された無地で、且つ紙伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等のないＰＰＣ複写用紙が得られた。
【００７９】
再生されたＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて前記電子写真複写機により再びトナー画像を形成したところ、新しい未使用のＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いた場合と同様に定着性の良好なトナー画像が得られた。
さらに、再生されたＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて、前記電子写真複写機によりトナー画像を形成したのち、これに上記の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を擦り付けて付与し、上記と同様な方法によりトナー画像の剥離除去を行い、このトナー画像の形成およびトナー画像の剥離除去の操作を同一のＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて５回繰り返し行なったところ、常にトナー画像が十分に除去され、紙伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等の発生がない無地のＰＰＣ複写用紙が再生され、また新しい未使用の複写用紙を用いた場合と同様な品質のトナー画像が得られた。
【００８０】
実施例４
ジアルキルスルホコハク酸エステル塩界面活性剤（商品名エアロゾルＯＴ−１００、三井サイテック社製）５０重量％およびグリコール酸５０重量％を加熱溶融させて均一溶融液とし、ついで室温に冷却して常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を得た。
この画像除去促進物質を用いた以外は実施例３と同様にしてトナー画像の形成およびトナー画像の剥離除去の操作を行ったところ、トナー画像が剥離部材に転写された無地で、且つ紙伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等のないＰＰＣ複写用紙が得られた。
再生されたＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて前記電子写真複写機により再びトナー画像を形成したところ、新しい未使用のＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いた場合と同様に定着性の良好なトナー画像が得られた。
さらに、再生されたＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて、前記電子写真複写機によりトナー画像を形成したのち、これに上記の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を擦り付けて付与し、上記と同様な方法によりトナー画像の剥離除去を行い、このトナー画像の形成およびトナー画像の剥離除去の操作を同一のＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて５回繰り返し行なったところ、常にトナー画像が十分に除去され、紙伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等の発生がない無地のＰＰＣ複写用紙が再生され、また新しい未使用の複写用紙を用いた場合と同様な品質のトナー画像が得られた。
【００８１】
実施例５
ジアルキルスルホコハク酸エステル塩界面活性剤（商品名エアロゾルＯＴ−１００、三井サイテック社製）４０重量％、グリコール酸２０重量％、１，６−ヘキサンジオール１０重量％および１，８−オクタンジオール３０重量％を加熱溶融させて均一溶融液とし、ついで室温に冷却して常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を得た。
この画像除去促進物質を用いた以外は実施例３と同様にしてトナー画像の形成およびトナー画像の剥離除去の操作を行ったところ、トナー画像が剥離部材に転写された無地で、且つ紙伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等のないＰＰＣ複写用紙が得られた。
再生されたＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて前記電子写真複写機により再びトナー画像を形成したところ、新しい未使用のＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いた場合と同様に定着性の良好なトナー画像が得られた。
さらに、再生されたＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて、前記電子写真複写機によりトナー画像を形成したのち、これに上記の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を擦り付けて付与し、上記と同様な方法によりトナー画像の剥離除去を行い、このトナー画像の形成およびトナー画像の剥離除去の操作を同一のＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて５回繰り返し行なったところ、常にトナー画像が十分に除去され、紙伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等の発生がない無地のＰＰＣ複写用紙が再生され、また新しい未使用の複写用紙を用いた場合と同様な品質のトナー画像が得られた。
【００８２】
実施例６
ジアルキルスルホコハク酸エステル塩界面活性剤（商品名エアロゾルＯＴ−１００、三井サイテック社製）３０重量％、グリコール酸３０重量％および１，６−ヘキサンジオール４０重量％を加熱溶融させて均一溶融液とし、ついで室温に冷却して常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を得た。
この画像除去促進物質を用いた以外は実施例３と同様にしてトナー画像の形成およびトナー画像の剥離除去の操作を行ったところ、トナー画像が剥離部材に転写された無地で、且つ紙伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等のないＰＰＣ複写用紙が得られた。
再生されたＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて前記電子写真複写機により再びトナー画像を形成したところ、新しい未使用のＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いた場合と同様に定着性の良好なトナー画像が得られた。
さらに、再生されたＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて、前記電子写真複写機によりトナー画像を形成したのち、これに上記の常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を擦り付けて付与し、上記と同様な方法によりトナー画像の剥離除去を行い、このトナー画像の形成およびトナー画像の剥離除去の操作を同一のＰＰＣ複写用紙を用いて５回繰り返し行なったところ、常にトナー画像が十分に除去され、紙伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等の発生がない無地のＰＰＣ複写用紙が再生され、また新しい未使用の複写用紙を用いた場合と同様な品質のトナー画像が得られた。
【００８３】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、常温で固体状であり加熱により溶融する有機物質に界面活性剤を含有せしめてなる常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質を、熱可撓性あるいは熱軟化性の画像形成物質により形成された疎水性画像を有する被記録材に付与し、疎水性画像面に剥離部材を加熱・加圧下で接触させて画像除去促進物質を溶融させ、該溶融した画像除去促進物質を疎水性画像面を通して内部に浸透させると共に疎水性画像を剥離部材に転写させることによって、疎水性画像が十分に剥離除去され、且つ伸び、シワ、波打ち、カール等がない被記録材を再生することができる。
そして、この再生された被記録材を複写や記録などの画像形成に再利用した場合には、複写装置や記録装置においてジャムなどを発生させることなく、定着性の良好な疎水性画像を形成することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】疎水性画像面に画像除去促進物質を擦り付けて付与する様子を模式的に示す説明図である。
【図２】画像除去促進物質が付与された剥離部材を被記録材の疎水性画像の面に加熱・加圧下で接触させた様子を模式的に示す説明図である。
【図３】本発明の被記録材の再生装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図４】ステック状の画像除去促進物質を用いて片面に疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図５】ステック状の画像除去促進物質を用いて両面に疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図６】疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質をペースト状で付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図７】ローラ状の画像除去促進物質を用いて疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図８】ローラ状の画像除去促進物質を用いて疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図９】疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を溶融状態で付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図１０】微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を用いて、疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図１１】微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を用いて、疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の他の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【図１２】微粉末状の画像除去促進物質を用いて、疎水性画像を有する被記録材に画像除去促進物質を付与する装置の別の一例を示す概略断面図である。
【符号の説明】
０１ 被記録材
０２ 疎水性画像
０３、０４ 画像除去促進物質
０５ 剥離部材
４ 画像除去促進物質付与ユニット
４ａ常温で固体状の画像除去促進物質
５ ヒータ
６ 容器
７ スプリング
８ 押え板
９ 密着化ローラ
１０ 密着化ローラ
１１ ベルト状部材
１２ ベルト状剥離部材
１３ 加熱ローラ
１８ 回転体
２４ 分離ローラ
２６ 分離爪
３０ 後処理液
３１ 汲み上げローラ
３２ 塗布ローラ
６３ ペースト状の画像除去促進物質
６５ ブレード
６６ ヒータ
７３ 赤外線発生ヒータ
７４ ローラ状の画像除去促進物質
９２ 被記録材
９４ 画像除去促進物質の液滴
９８ ピエゾ素子
１０２ 被記録材
１０３ 赤外線発生ヒータ
１０４ 容器
１０５ 微粉末状の画像除去促進物質
１０６ ブラシローラ
１１４ 微粉末状の画像除去促進物質
１２３ コロナ放電器
１２５ ギヤローラ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image removal accelerating substance used in a method for reproducing a recording material by peeling off and removing a hydrophobic image from a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed by a heat-flexible or heat-softening image-forming material. The present invention relates to a reproducing method and a reproducing apparatus for a recording material using the image removal promoting substance.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With recent OA, printer paper and copy paper have been used in large quantities, and in order to produce a large amount of paper, the global environmental degradation has become a problem due to forest cutting. In addition, a large amount of waste paper is generated from the office, and many of them are wasted.
In order to solve this problem and to recycle paper, it has been practiced to remove ink and toner from paper used for printing and copying, make paper again, and use it as recycled waste paper. Recently, it has been proposed to remove an image on a sheet used for image formation by a copier or printer by cleaning or the like and reuse the sheet for image formation by a copier or printer.
[0003]
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-13383, a hydrophobic image made of a heat-flexible ink (toner) is formed on at least a part of a paper layer composed mainly of cellulose fibers. Hydrophobic images are removed from the paper layer by impregnating the recording material with water or an image removal accelerating solution such as an aqueous solution of a surfactant and / or water-soluble polymer, and transferring the hydrophobic image to the image peeling member. A method for reproducing a recording material is disclosed.
[0004]
This reproduction method can remove a hydrophobic image without damaging the recording material. Therefore, this reproducing method is a very effective method for reproducing the recording material. However, since a large amount of image removal accelerating liquid is used, the reproduced recording material is reproduced. The material may be stretched and wrinkled, wavy or curled.
As a method for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-281666 uses an image removal accelerating liquid composed of an aqueous solution containing a high concentration surfactant, and a hydrophobic image is formed on the image removal accelerating liquid. The recording material is impregnated in a small amount, and the hydrophobic image is transferred to the image peeling member, so that the regenerated recording material is stretched, and the hydrophobic image is removed from the recording material without causing wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc. It is disclosed that it can be peeled off.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the image removal accelerating liquid composed of an aqueous solution containing a high concentration surfactant contains moisture, it is sufficiently stretched and wrinkled, wavy, curled, etc. are generated on the reproduced recording material. When the reproduced recording material is reused for image formation such as copying or recording, jamming may occur in the copying apparatus or recording apparatus.
In addition, since a large amount of surfactant adheres to the reproduced recording material, when the reproduced recording material is reused for image formation such as copying or recording, the hydrophobic image formed on the recording material is fixed. Sexuality sometimes worsened.
[0006]
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to solve such problems and to sufficiently remove and remove a hydrophobic image from a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed of a heat-flexible or heat-softening image-forming substance. The present invention provides an image removal promoting substance, a recording material reproducing method, and a reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the recording material without causing wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc. on the reproduced recording material. It is in.
Another object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of jam in a copying apparatus or a recording apparatus when the reproduced recording material is reused for image formation such as copying or recording, and has good fixability. An object of the present invention is to provide an image removal accelerating substance, a recording material reproducing method and a reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing a recording material capable of forming a hydrophobic image.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object of the present invention is achieved by an image removal accelerating substance that is solid at room temperature, and is characterized by containing a surfactant in an organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melts upon heating.
[0008]
In addition, the above-described problem of the present invention is to provide a recording material for transferring a hydrophobic image to a peeling member from a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed by a heat-flexible or heat-softening image-forming substance. In the reproducing method, the image removal accelerating substance is applied to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material, and the image removal accelerating substance is melted by bringing the release member into contact with the hydrophobic image surface under heating and pressurization. A method for reproducing a recording material, comprising: accelerating a substance inside through a hydrophobic image surface and transferring the hydrophobic image to a peeling member to peel off and remove the hydrophobic image from the recording material; An image removal accelerating substance is applied to the peeling member, and the image removal promoting substance is melted by bringing the peeling member into contact with the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material under heating and pressure, and the image removal promoting substance is passed through the hydrophobic image surface. Inside It is achieved by a method of reproducing a recording medium, characterized by separating and removing the hydrophobic image from the recording material by transferring the peeling member a hydrophobic image causes-tight.
[0009]
In addition, the above-described problem of the present invention is to provide a recording material for transferring a hydrophobic image to a peeling member from a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed by a heat-flexible or heat-softening image-forming substance. In a reproducing apparatus, means for applying a solid image removal accelerating substance at a normal temperature to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material, means for closely attaching the peeling member to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material, and recording target closely contacting the peeling member A recording material reproducing apparatus characterized by having a means for heating the recording material, a means for pressurizing the closely attached recording material and the peeling member, and a means for separating the recording material from the peeling member; Means for applying a solid image removal accelerating substance, means for closely attaching the peeling member to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material, means for heating the recording material closely attached to the peeling member, and the closely attached recording material and peeling member Means for pressurizing And it is achieved by the reproducing apparatus of the recording medium, characterized in that it comprises means for separating the recording material from the peeling member.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melts by heating in the image removal promoting substance of the present invention preferably has a melting point of 30 to 160 ° C., and particularly preferably 40 to 150 ° C. More specifically, it is selected from hydroxyalkylcarboxylic acids that are solid at room temperature, alkyldiols that are solid at room temperature, and organic substances that are soluble in water or organic solvents containing water and that are solid at room temperature. It is preferable to use at least one kind.
Examples of hydroxyalkyl carboxylic acids include those shown in Table 1 below, and examples of alkyl diols include those shown in Table 2 below, but are not limited thereto.
[0011]
[Table 1]

[0012]
[Table 2]

[0013]
Further, typical examples of organic substances that have a property of being dissolved in water or an organic solvent containing water and that are solid at room temperature include the following. The parentheses indicate melting points.
That is, camphoric acid (106-107 ° C.), 9,10-dihydroxystearic acid (99-100 ° C.), β, β-dimethylacrylic acid (69-70 ° C.), α, β-cis-dimethylacrylic acid (45 ° C), α, β-trans-dimethylacrylic acid (64-65 ° C), sodium formate (124 ° C), glycolic acid (78-81 ° C), glyoxylic acid (98 ° C), 2-hydroxybutyric acid (41 ° C) ), 3-hydroxybutyric acid (49 ° C.), α-hydroxy-iso-valeric acid (86 ° C.), monomethyl oxalic acid (37 ° C.), sulfoacetic acid dihydrate (84-86 ° C.), 2-butyric acid ( 78 ° C.), pivalic acid (41 ° C.), methoxyacetic acid (77 ° C.), acetoacetic acid (37 ° C.), crotonic acid (71.5-71.7 ° C.) and other monocarboxylic acids and salts thereof, butylmalonic acid ( 01.5 ° C.), 2,2-dimethyl succinic acid (144 ° C.), α-ethyl glutaric acid (60.5 ° C.), β-ethyl glutaric acid (73 ° C.), ethyl malonic acid (115 ° C.), ethyl succinic acid (98 ° C), glutaric acid (98-99 ° C), 3-hydroxyglutaric acid (95 ° C), malonic acid (135 ° C), citric acid monohydrate (100-132 ° C), α-methyladipic acid ( 64 ° C), β-methyladipic acid (93-94.5 ° C), α-methylglutaric acid (78-80 ° C),
[0014]
β-methylglutaric acid (86 to 87 ° C), n-propylmalonic acid (96 ° C), iso-propylmalonic acid (87 ° C), n-propylsuccinic acid (92 to 93 ° C), methylsuccinic acid (111 to 112) ° C), saccharic acid (125-126 ° C), methoxysuccinic acid (88-90 ° C), l-malic acid (100 ° C), α-ketoglutaric acid (115.5 ° C), citraconic acid (92.8-93) 8 ° C), dicarboxylic acids such as mesoxalic acid (119-120 ° C) or tricarboxylic acids, tropine (63 ° C), 1,10-decanediol (72-73 ° C), 2,3-hexanediol (60 ° C) , Pinacol (41-43), 2,3-butanediol (34.4 ° C.), 2-butene-1,4-diol (58 ° C.), 1,6-hexanediol (42.8 ° C.), 1, Alcohols such as 8-octanediol (59-61 ° C), α-sorbitol (110-112 ° C), esters such as glycerol diacetate (40 ° C), glycolide (86-87 ° C), diacetylacetone (49 ° C), Dihydroxyacetone (83 ° C), N, N'-dimethylthiourea (56-58 ° C), N, N'-dimethylurea (108 ° C), N-ethylthiourea (114 ° C), N-ethylurea (92 ° C) , Hydroxyiminoacetone (69 ° C), N-methylthiourea (120.5 to 121 ° C), N-methylurea (101 to 102 ° C), Nn-propylurea (107 ° C), N, N, N ' -Trimethylurea (75.5 ° C),
[0015]
ketones such as trans-thioacetaldehyde trimer (81 ° C), cis-thioacetaldehyde trimer (126 ° C), lactaldehyde trimer (105 ° C), thioketone or aldehyde, formylhydrazine (54 ° C), glyceroldiamine (42 ° C), glycinamide (65-67 ° C), glycolamide (120 ° C), heptanoic amide (95-96 ° C), 1,6-hexanediamine (45-46 ° C), imino-diacet-dinitrile (78 ° C), lactamide (79 ° C), methyl-iso-propylketone semicarbazone (110-114 ° C), ethyl oxamate (114-115 ° C), propionic aldehyde semicarbazone (88-89 ° C) , Propionamide (79-80 ° C.), n-propyl carbamate (6 ~ 61 ° C), pyruvamide (124-125 ° C), semicarbazide (96 ° C), thioacetamide (115-116 ° C), urethane (49-50 ° C), acetamide (82 ° C), 3-aminopyridine (65 ° C) 2-aminopyridine (58 ° C), diacetamide (78-79 ° C), guanidine (50 ° C), capronamide (101.5 ° C), methyl carbamate (58-56 ° C), caprolactan (69.2 ° C) ), Amines or amides such as ethylamine hydrochloride (107-108 ° C.), formamide oxime (114 ° C.), or glycolic anhydride (128-130 ° C.), methyl ethyl sulfone (36 ° C.), pyrazine (57 ° C.), Examples include pyrazole (70 ° C), pyridine hydrochloride (82 ° C) or imidazole (90 ° C). It can be used as a mixture of several kinds.
[0016]
As the content of the above-mentioned hydroxyalkyl carboxylic acids, alkyl diols, water or an organic substance that is soluble in an organic solvent containing water and solid at room temperature, or a mixture of these several kinds in an image removal accelerating substance Is preferably 1 to 99% by weight. When the amount is less than 1% by weight, the action as a solvent for the surfactant hardly occurs. On the other hand, if it exceeds 99% by weight, the content of the surfactant is too small and the penetration of the hydrophobic image and the recording material into the interface between the hydrophobic image and the recording material becomes insufficient. It becomes insufficient.
[0017]
The surfactant used in the image removal accelerating substance of the present invention may be any of anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants. Specific examples thereof include, for example, polyoxyethylene alkyl Ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl sorbitan esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl amines, glycerin fatty acid esters, decaglycerin fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid esters, Sorbitan fatty acid esters, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene Lock polymers, perfluoroalkyl phosphoric esters, nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene-modified polydimethylsiloxanes,
[0018]
Higher fatty acid salts, N-acyl amino acid salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether carboxylates, acylated peptides, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, mono- or dialkyl sulfosuccinates, α-olefins Sulfonates, N-acylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether sulfates, alkyl amide sulfates, monoalkyl phosphates, dialkyl phosphates, trialkyl phosphates , Monopolyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate, bis polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate, tris polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether phosphate, perfluoro Rukirukarubon salts, perfluoroalkyl sulfonate salts,
[0019]
Perfluoroalkenyl aryl sulfonate, N-perfluorooctanesulfonyl glutamate, perfluoroalkyl-N-ethylsulfonylglycine salt, 3- (ω-fluoroalkanoyl-N-ethylamino) -1-propanesulfonate, per Anionic surfactants such as fluoroalkylethyl phosphate ester salts, carboxylic acid-modified polydimethylsiloxane, and sulfonic acid-modified polydimethylsiloxane, higher alkylamine salts, higher alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, alkylbenzeneamine salts, alkylbenzene quaternary salts Examples thereof include cationic surfactants such as ammonium salts and alkyl heterocyclic quaternary ammonium salts, and amphoteric surfactants such as betaine and aminocarboxylic acid.
[0020]
Of these, compounds having a sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ester structure are particularly excellent in peeling off hydrophobic images from a recording material, and are particularly preferable. Examples of such a compound include a surfactant having a mono- or dialkyl sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ester salt structure, or a compound having a sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ester structure isolated as an acid by exchanging counter ions of these surfactants. be able to.
[0021]
Specific examples thereof include sulfosuccinic acid ditridecyl ester sodium salt and acid, sulfosuccinic acid dioctyl ester sodium salt and acid, sulfosuccinic acid dihexyl ester sodium salt and acid, sulfosuccinic acid dicyclohexyl ester sodium salt and acid, sulfosuccinic acid diamyl ester sodium salt Salts and acids, sulfosuccinic acid dibutyl ester sodium salt and acid, sulfosuccinic acid isodecanol ester sodium salt and acid, sulfosuccinic acid ethoxyalkyl ester sodium salt and acid, etc., especially sulfosuccinic acid dioctyl ester sodium salt and acid, sulfosuccinic acid Dihexyl ester sodium salt and acid or sulfosuccinic acid diamyl ester sodium salt and acid are preferred.
[0022]
The content of the surfactant in the image removal promoting substance is preferably 1 to 70% by weight, particularly preferably 5 to 60% by weight. If the surfactant content is low, the hydrophobic image will be insufficiently peeled. If the surfactant content is high, the hydrophobic image and the peeling member will be brought into contact with each other under heat and pressure to remove the solid image at room temperature. When the accelerator is melted, the surfactant is not completely dissolved, and the hydrophobic image is peeled off and the amount of the surfactant remaining on the regenerated recording material is increased. When the recording material is reused for image formation such as copying and recording, the fixability of the formed image is adversely affected.
[0023]
The image removal accelerating substance which is solid at room temperature according to the present invention can be easily produced as follows. That is, an organic substance that is solid at normal temperature and melts by heating, preferably has a property of being dissolved in a hydroxyalkylcarboxylic acid that is solid at normal temperature, an alkyldiol that is solid at normal temperature, and water or an organic solvent containing water. A mixture of at least one selected from organic substances that are solid at room temperature and a surfactant is heated and melted to obtain a uniform melt and then cooled. The shape of the image removal accelerating substance that is solid at room temperature is a shape according to the application method or application device when applying the image removal accelerating substance to the recording material, such as a roller shape, a stick shape, a sheet shape, or a fine powder shape. It can be.
[0024]
The melting point of the solid image removal promoting substance at room temperature of the present invention is preferably 40 ° C to 150 ° C. When the melting point is lower than 40 ° C., it is liable to be liquefied at room temperature, and the effect as a solid image removal accelerating substance is not exhibited. When the melting point is higher than 150 ° C., it peels off on the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material. When the member is brought into contact under heating and pressure to melt the image removal accelerating substance, the molten image removal accelerating substance penetrates into the inside through the hydrophobic image surface, and the hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member. Fluidization of the component resin of the image occurs, transfer of the hydrophobic image to the peeling member becomes insufficient, and it becomes difficult to sufficiently peel and remove the hydrophobic image from the recording material.
[0025]
Next, the method for reproducing the recording material of the present invention will be described.
The recording material reproducing method of the present invention is a recording material in which a hydrophobic image is transferred from a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed of a heat-flexible or heat-softening image-forming substance to a peeling member and removed. In a material recycling method, an organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melted by heating is made to contain a surfactant, and a solid image removal accelerating substance is imparted to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material. By bringing the release member into contact with the image-forming image surface under heat and pressure to melt the image removal promoting substance, allowing the image removal promoting substance to penetrate into the inside through the hydrophobic image surface and transferring the hydrophobic image to the release member. A method for reproducing a recording material characterized by peeling and removing the hydrophobic image from the recording material, or a solid state at room temperature, which is obtained by adding a surfactant to an organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melts by heating. An image removal accelerating substance is applied to the release member, and the release member is brought into contact with the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material under heat and pressure to melt the image removal acceleration substance, and the image removal acceleration substance is passed through the hydrophobic image surface. A method for reproducing a recording material, wherein the hydrophobic image is peeled and removed from the recording material by penetrating the inside and transferring the hydrophobic image to the peeling member.
[0026]
As the image removal accelerating substance that is solid at room temperature and contains a surfactant in an organic substance that melts by heating, the image removal accelerating substance described in detail above is used.
[0027]
As a method of applying an image removal accelerating substance to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material or the peeling member, 1) The image removal accelerating substance is applied by contacting the recording material or the peeling member in a pressurized and / or heated state. 2) A method of applying an image removal accelerating substance in contact with a recording material or a peeling member in a molten state, 3) A hydrophobic substance to be peeled and removed after the image removal accelerating substance is brought into a molten state and then ejected as droplets. 4) a method of selectively imparting to a color image, and 4) a method of imparting by contacting a recording material or a peeling member using a fine powdery image removal promoting substance.
[0028]
More specifically, the method of applying the image removal accelerating substance of 1) above in contact with a recording material or a peeling member in a pressurized and / or heated state, for example, a hydrophobic image surface of the recording material or peeling. In this method, the image removal accelerating substance is rubbed against the surface of the member that contacts the hydrophobic image while being pressed at room temperature. When the image removal accelerating substance is very hard and difficult to rub, the image removal accelerating substance may be softened by heating to a temperature that does not flow and rub against the recording material or the release member.
[0029]
Rubbing while pressing the image removal promoting substance against the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material, especially the hydrophobic image surface protruding from the surface of the recording material, such as the hydrophobic image formed by the most popular electrophotographic method As shown in FIG. 1, the amount of adhesion of the image removal promoting substance 03 is particularly increased at the so-called edge portion of the hydrophobic image 02.
When the peeling member is brought into contact with the hydrophobic image surface to which the image removal accelerating substance is attached in this manner under heating and pressure to melt the image removal accelerating substance 03, the liquefied image removal accelerating substance 04 becomes the hydrophobic image 02. As a result, the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material is weakened, the hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member, and the hydrophobic image is peeled off from the recording material. . These states are shown in FIG. 1 as (a), (b), and (c) over time.
[0030]
Further, when the image removal promoting substance is rubbed against the hydrophobic image of the recording material, the image removal promoting substance is applied only to the heated hydrophobic image part by heating the hydrophobic image part in advance. You can also. As a method of heating the hydrophobic image portion in advance, for example, an infrared ray generating heater can be used. When heated by an infrared ray generating heater, for example, the black hydrophobic image portion containing a large amount of carbon or the like as a colorant has a higher temperature rise than the background portion of the recording material, and the hydrophobic image portion is heated. By rubbing while pressing the removal promoting substance, the image removal promoting substance can be applied only to the heated hydrophobic image portion.
When the peeling member is brought into contact with the hydrophobic image surface to which the image removal accelerating substance is attached under heat and pressure to melt the image removal accelerating substance, the image removal accelerating substance is liquefied and the hydrophobic image and the recording material are separated. It penetrates into the interface, the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material is weakened, the hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member, and the hydrophobic image can be efficiently peeled and removed.
[0031]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the peeling member 05 provided with the solid image removal promoting substance 03 at room temperature is heated and pressurized on the surface of the hydrophobic image 02 on the recording material 01. , The image removal promoting substance 04 can be applied only to the hydrophobic image surface without adhering to the background portion of the recording material, and the image removal promoting substance 04 melted and liquefied by heating is hydrophobic. Penetrates the interface between the recording image 02 and the recording material 01. As a result, the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material is weakened, the hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member, and the hydrophobic image is peeled off from the recording material.
[0032]
More specifically, the method of applying the image removal accelerating substance in 2) by bringing it into contact with the recording material or the peeling member in a molten state is more specifically, for example, the image removal accelerating substance previously melted and liquefied. Is applied to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material or the surface of the peeling member that contacts the hydrophobic image.
According to this method, the image removal accelerating substance is liquefied immediately before being applied, but immediately after being applied, the temperature rapidly decreases, so that the image removal promoting substance becomes solid. Therefore, when painting, the image removal accelerating substance does not penetrate into the recording material and does not cause permeation or blurring around the hydrophobic image. It is possible to accurately apply the image removal promoting substance.
[0033]
More specifically, for example, in the method 3), the image removal accelerating substance is ejected as droplets after being melted and selectively applied to the hydrophobic image to be peeled and removed. For example, the image removal accelerating substance is previously melted. In this method, the liquefied image removal accelerating substance is applied by ejecting the liquefied image removal substance as droplets by the ink jet method. By this method, the entire surface of the recording material or the peeling member or only the hydrophobic image portion to be peeled and removed is applied. An image removal promoting substance can be applied.
[0034]
Further, the method of applying by applying the fine powdery image removal accelerating substance of 4) above to the recording material or the peeling member is more specifically, for example, at a temperature at which the image removal accelerating substance is softened or melted. In this method, the image removal promoting substance is adhered to the hydrophobic image surface or the peeling member of the recording material by bringing the image removal promoting substance in the form of fine powder into contact with the heated hydrophobic image portion or peeling member.
In particular, when a recording material having a hydrophobic image is heated from the hydrophobic image surface side with an infrared ray generating heater or the like, a hydrophobic image, for example, a toner image containing a large amount of carbon or the like, strongly absorbs infrared rays and the temperature rises. On the other hand, since the background portion of the recording material is generally composed of cellulose fibers, the absorption of infrared rays is weak and the temperature rise is small. By bringing the image removal promoting substance in the form of fine powder into contact with the recording material in a state where the temperature of the image part is higher than the temperature of the background part, the image removal promoting substance can be attached only to the hydrophobic image surface.
[0035]
Further, by electrostatically charging the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material having a hydrophobic image, a difference in charge amount occurs between the hydrophobic image portion and the background portion, and the recording material in such a charged state By bringing the image removal accelerating substance in fine powder form into contact therewith, the image removal accelerating substance can be adhered only to the hydrophobic image surface.
Furthermore, only the hydrophobic image surface is softened in advance by a liquid in which only the hydrophobic image is swollen, and the recording material in such a state is brought into contact with a fine powder-like image removal promoting substance so that only the hydrophobic image surface is brought into contact. An image removal accelerating substance can be adhered to the substrate. According to these methods, a small amount of an image removal promoting substance can be efficiently applied to the recording material.
[0036]
The image removal promoting substance adhering to the hydrophobic image surface in this way is melted and liquefied under heating, and the image removal promoting substance penetrates into the interface between the hydrophobic image and the recording material. Thereby, the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material is weakened, and the hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member, so that the hydrophobic image can be easily peeled and removed from the recording material.
[0037]
According to the recording material reproducing method of the present invention, since the image removal promoting substance is solid at room temperature, the image removal promoting substance does not penetrate into the recording material at the time of application, and the image removal promoting substance is hydrophobic. Since it can be applied only to the property image surface and not applied to the background portion of the recording material, the amount of the image removal accelerating substance necessary for peeling and removing the hydrophobic image can be reduced. As a result, the image removal accelerating substance remaining on the reproduced recording material is reduced, and when the reproduced recording material is reused for image formation such as copying and recording, the fixing property to the recording material is good. Hydrophobic images can be formed.
[0038]
In order to form a hydrophobic image with good fixability on the reproduced recording material, the smaller the image removal promoting substance component remaining on the reproduced recording material surface, the better. Most preferably, it is in a state in which no exists.
Each component in the image removal accelerating substance of the present invention, that is, an organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melts by heating, such as hydroxyalkyl carboxylic acids, alkyl diols, water or an organic solvent containing water, Since solid organic substances and surfactants are soluble in water or aqueous solutions, the removal of images remaining on the surface of the recording material is promoted by applying water or an aqueous solution to the regenerated recording material. The material component can be dissolved or penetrated into the recording material to remove the image removal promoting substance from the surface of the recording material.
[0039]
As the aqueous solution, for example, an aqueous solution containing 20% by weight or less of alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol, glycols such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, and the like can be used.
In addition, water or an aqueous solution may contain a preservative such as sodium benzoate, sorbic acid and salts thereof, paraoxybenzoic acid esters, dehydroacetic acid, propionic acid, salts thereof, and diphenyl, ortho-phenylphenol, thiabendazoles, imazalil and the like. It may be added.
The amount of water or aqueous solution applied is preferably such that the amount of water is 0.05 to 0.2 g / A4. Within this range, the remaining image removal accelerating substance component can be removed without causing elongation, wrinkles, waviness, curling, or the like on the recording material.
[0040]
In order to apply water or an aqueous solution to the regenerated recording material, for example, a sponge, cloth, felt or the like impregnated with water or an aqueous solution is brought into contact with the surface of the recording material on which the image removal accelerating substance component remains. The image removal accelerating substance component may be dissolved and removed from the surface of the recording material with water or an aqueous solution. Alternatively, water or an aqueous solution may be applied to the recording material using an application roller such as rubber, metal, or plastic, and the remaining image removal accelerating substance component may be dissolved and removed.
[0041]
Furthermore, after the image removal promoting substance is removed from the surface of the recording material by applying water or an aqueous solution to the reproduced recording material, the recording material may be subjected to a dry finishing process.
Further, by heating the reproduced recording material, the image removal promoting substance component remaining on the surface of the recording material can be melted and permeated into the recording material to be removed from the surface of the recording material. it can.
By applying such post-processing to the regenerated recording material, when the regenerated recording material is reused for image formation by copying or recording, and when an image is formed on an unused recording material Hydrophobic images having equivalent fixability and image quality can be formed.
[0042]
As the recording material used in the reproducing method of the present invention, at least the interface between the hydrophobic image and the recording material penetrates the image removal promoting substance melted by heating, and weakens the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material. A recording material that can be recorded is preferable, and examples of such a recording material include a recording material having at least a hydrophobic image forming surface composed of a paper layer containing cellulose fibers as a main component.
More specifically, a commercially available paper such as general copying paper or recording paper mainly composed of cellulose fibers, a plastic film, and a paper layer composed mainly of cellulose fibers on at least a hydrophobic image forming surface thereof. And so on.
[0043]
In addition, hydrophobic images suitable for peeling and removal by the recording material reproduction method of the present invention include heat transfer such as ordinary electrophotography, thermal transfer method, inkjet method using hot melt ink, or printing method. Examples thereof include hydrophobic images formed using a flexible or heat-softening image-formed product (electrostatic latent image developing dry toner or wet toner, hot-melt ink sheet, hot-melt ink, etc.).
[0044]
When the image removal promoting substance is applied to the recording material having such a hydrophobic image and the image removal promoting substance is melted by heating, the surfactant is dissolved and contained in the image removal promoting substance at a high concentration. As a result, the image removal accelerating substance melted by heating penetrates promptly and sufficiently into the interface between the recording material, which is a paper layer mainly composed of cellulose fibers, and the hydrophobic image. As a result, the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material is reduced, the hydrophobic image is easily peeled off from the recording material, and the image removal accelerating substance does not contain moisture, so it extends to the recording material. The hydrophobic image can be sufficiently peeled and removed from the recording material without causing wrinkles, undulations, curls and the like.
[0045]
As the peeling member used in the method for reproducing a recording material of the present invention, a hydrophobic image and a material exhibiting a certain degree of adhesion and heat resistance are preferable. Examples of the material include isoprene rubber, neoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, Synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber, butadiene rubber, fluoro rubber, natural rubber, epoxy resin such as bisphenol / epichlorohydrin condensate, alkyd resin, urea formaldehyde resin, butyl urea formaldehyde resin, butylated melamine formaldehyde resin, benzoguanamine formaldehyde resin, etc. Amino resin, terpene phenol resin, phenol ether resin, phenolic thermosetting resin such as phenol resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl chloride Vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, vinyl copolymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride, vinyl polymers such as polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polypropylene, polyethylene, poly Acrylic resins such as butyl acrylate, polymethacrylic acid, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamides such as polyimide, 6,6-nylon, 6-nylon, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, aromatic Polyesters such as polyester, polyphenylene sulfide, polyparabalic acid, polyether nitrile, aramid and other thermoplastic or thermosetting synthetic resins, nickel, stainless steel Scan steel, metals and their oxides such as aluminum, and ceramics materials.
[0046]
Repetitive use of the peeling member is advantageous in various respects such as lowering the regeneration cost. In that case, relatively high heat resistance and surface stability are required. Examples of particularly preferable peeling members from the removal characteristics and durability of the image include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyether ether ketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyparabalic acid, polyether nitrile, aramid, polyimide, polyetherimide, stainless steel, Nickel, anodized and the like can be mentioned.
These materials can be used alone, but can also be used in combination by laminating, alloying, adding other additives such as glass fiber, whisker, carbon, silica, titanium oxide and the like.
[0047]
The recording material having a hydrophobic image particularly suitable for reproduction by the above-described recording material reproduction method of the present invention is a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed using toner by electrophotography. It is.
As conventionally known, the toner is mainly composed of a resin component, a colorant, a polarity control agent and the like.
The resin component is, for example, a styrene resin, an acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, a styrene-acrylic copolymer resin, a styrene-butylacrylic copolymer resin, a styrene-methacrylic copolymer resin, or a styrene-butadiene system. It consists of a copolymer resin, a polyester resin, an epoxy resin thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or a mixture of two or more of these resins. These resins have a glass transition point of 55 to 70 ° C. and a softening point of 80 to 140 ° C., and generally exhibit water-insoluble hydrophobicity.
[0048]
Various pigments and dyes are used as the colorant. For example, carbon black, copper oxide, manganese dioxide, aniline black, activated carbon, ferrite, magnetite, etc. are used as the black colorant, and cadmium yellow, yellow lead, Zinc yellow, mineral fast yellow, navel yellow, banza yellow G, banza yellow 10G, quinoline yellow lake, yellow iron oxide, nickel titanium yellow, naphthol yellow S, benzidine yellow G, benzidine yellow GR, permanent yellow NCG, tartrazine lake, etc. However, the red colorants include red chrome yellow, molybdenum orange, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolo orange, Vulcan orange, indanthrene brilliant orange RK, benzidine orange G, indan Rembrilliant Orange GK, Bengala, Cadmium Red, Red Tan, Permanent Red 4R, Risor Red, Pyrazolone Red, Watching Red, Lake Red C, Lake Red D, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Alizarin Lake, Brilliant Carmine 3B, Permanent Orange GTR, Vulcan Fast Orange GG, Permanent Red F4RH, Permanent Carmine FB and the like, and blue colorants such as bitumen, cobalt blue, alkali blue lake, Victoria blue lake, phthalocyanine blue and the like are used.
[0049]
There are positive charge control agents and negative charge control agents as polarity control materials, nigrosine base EX, quaternary ammonium salts, polyamine compounds, imidazole compounds as positive charge control agents, and negative charge control agents. Known are chromium complex salt type azo dyes, copper phthalocyanine dyes, chromium complex salts, zinc complex salts, aluminum complex salts, calixarene compounds and the like.
[0050]
When the hydrophobic image formed by toner is peeled off from the recording material using the image removal accelerating substance in the present invention, the hydrophobic image is sufficiently removed from the recording material even if the amount of the image removal accelerating substance is small. It can be peeled and removed, and does not stretch, wrinkle, wave, curl, etc. on the recording material. In addition, when a toner image is formed again by copying or recording using the regenerated recording material, the toner image has good fixability and has the same quality as when a new unused recording material is used. An image can be obtained.
[0051]
Next, a recording material reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a recording material reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 3, a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed of a heat-flexible or heat-softening image forming material passes through a guide plate 3 from a paper feed tray 1 by a paper feed roller 2 and promotes image removal. It is sent to a substance applying unit (means for applying a solid image removal accelerating substance at room temperature) 4 to give a solid image removal accelerating substance 4a at normal temperature. The image removal accelerating substance applying unit 4 has an image removal accelerating substance 4a that is solid at room temperature by a spring 7 inside the container 6 provided with a heater 5 for softening the image removal accelerating substance to the outside so as not to fluidize. Is pressed against the hydrophobic image forming surface of the recording material pressed by the presser plate 8, and the image removal promoting substance 4a is applied to the hydrophobic image forming surface of the recording material by the image removal promoting substance applying unit 4. It is given by rubbing.
[0052]
The recording material provided with the image removal accelerating substance is in contact with the contact roller 9, the plurality of heating rollers 13 to 17 and the rotating bodies 18 to 21 that are continuously contacted and arranged in a zigzag manner, and the separation roller 25. It is sandwiched and conveyed between the rotating belt-shaped peeling member 11, the contact roller 10, the heating roller and the rotating body, and the belt-shaped peeling member 12 rotating in contact with the separation roller 24.
[0053]
Since the recording material is conveyed while being tightly sandwiched between the belt-like peeling members 11 and 12 and wound around the plurality of heating rollers 13 to 17 and the rotating bodies 18 to 21, the tension of the belt-like peeling member is used. It is naturally pressurized, heated by a plurality of heating rollers, and conveyed under heating and pressure. The solid image removal accelerating substance melts at room temperature by heating, and this liquefied image removal accelerating substance penetrates the hydrophobic image and reaches the interface between the recording material and the hydrophobic image, and the hydrophobic image and the recording material And the hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member.
Heating can also be performed by atmospheric heating with the heaters 22 and 23.
[0054]
The recording material on which the hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member is separated from the belt-like peeling members 11 and 12 by the separation rollers 24 and 25 and the separation claws 26 and 27.
The belt-like peeling member 12 to which the transferred hydrophobic image is attached is cleaned by the cleaning blade 37 and used again for peeling the hydrophobic image.
The hydrophobic image forming material peeled off from the peeling member by cleaning is accumulated in the container 38.
[0055]
On the other hand, the surface of the recording material separated by the separation rollers 24 and 25 and the separation claws 26 and 27 no longer has a hydrophobic image. The recording material regenerated in this way is conveyed to the post-processing unit by the conveyance roller 28, and the post-processing liquid 30 in the post-processing liquid container 29 is regenerated by the pumping roller 31 and the application roller 32. To be granted. As a result, the image removal promoting substance component adhering to or remaining on the reproduced recording material surface is removed from the recording material surface. Next, the recording material is dried by the conveying roller 33 by the drying belt 34 if necessary (normally, it is not necessary to dry), and is discharged to the discharge tray 36 by the discharge roller 35.
[0056]
In this way, the hydrophobic image is sufficiently peeled and removed, free from elongation, wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc., and can be formed with a good fixability when reused for copying or recording. The recording material is played back.
[0057]
Hereinafter, an example of an apparatus for applying a solid image removal accelerating substance to a hydrophobic image surface of a recording material or a peeling member at room temperature will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image on one side using a stick-like image removal accelerating substance.
In FIG. 4, the container 45 is provided with a spring 46 on the inner side and a heater 44 for softening the image removal promoting substance to the extent that it does not fluidize.
The stick-shaped image removal promoting substance 47 placed in the container 45 is pressed against the recording material 42 supported by the pressing plate 48 by a spring 46. By transporting a recording material 42 having a hydrophobic image 41 formed of a heat-flexible or heat-softening image-forming substance in the direction of an arrow 43 while pressing a stick-shaped image removal promoting substance 47, The image removal promoting substance 47 is applied by being rubbed against the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material. The excessively applied image removal promoting substance is adjusted to an appropriate amount by the blade 49.
[0058]
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image on both sides using a stick-like image removal accelerating substance.
In FIG. 5, the image removal promoting substance applying devices 50 </ b> A and 50 </ b> B shown in FIG. 4 are simultaneously pressed on both the front and back surfaces of the recording material 52 having the hydrophobic images 51 a and 51 b on both surfaces. The image removal promoting substances 53a and 53b are rubbed and applied to both surfaces of the recording material.
The excessively applied image removal promoting substance is adjusted to an appropriate amount by the blades 54a and 54b.
[0059]
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance in a paste form to a recording material having a hydrophobic image.
In FIG. 6, the paste-like image removal promoting substance 63 softened to such an extent that it does not flow is held between blades 64 and 65. The recording material 62 having the hydrophobic image 61 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow while being in contact with the image removal promoting substance 63, whereby the paste-like image removal promoting substance is imparted to the hydrophobic image surface. The amount of the image removal promoting substance applied can be adjusted to an appropriate amount by the blade 65.
In order to make the image removal promoting substance into a paste, a substance having a relatively low melting point may be selected as each component of the image removal promoting substance. Also, the image removal promoting substance is applied to the recording material in a paste form by contacting the image removal promoting substance 63 while heating the recording material to a temperature at which the image removal promoting substance becomes pasty by the heater 66. can do.
[0060]
7 and 8 are schematic sectional views showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal promoting substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image using a roller-shaped image removal promoting substance.
In FIG. 7, the roller-shaped image removal accelerating substance 74 is pressed against the recording material 72 supported by the pressing plate 75 and rotates. A recording material 72 having a hydrophobic image 71 heated by irradiation of an infrared ray generating heater 73 from a hydrophobic image forming surface is conveyed in the direction of an arrow in a state where a roller-shaped image removal promoting substance 74 is pressed. As a result, the image removal promoting substance 74 is applied to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material.
[0061]
In the case where the hydrophobic image is a black hydrophobic image containing carbon black or the like like the most commonly used toner image, the hydrophobic image is formed by irradiating the infrared ray generating heater 73 from the hydrophobic image forming surface. The image absorbs infrared rays and has a higher temperature than the background portion of the recording material made of paper or the like. By transporting a recording material having a hydrophobic image having a temperature higher than that of the background portion in a state where the image removal promoting substance is in pressure contact, the image removal promoting substance is applied only to the hydrophobic image surface. It can be given by fusing.
The rotation direction of the roller-shaped image removal accelerating substance may be either the same direction as the recording material conveyance direction or the opposite direction of the recording material conveyance direction. In addition, it is possible to efficiently adjust the application amount of the image removal accelerating substance by making the rotational speed of the roller-shaped image removal accelerating substance coincide with, slowing, or speeding up the conveyance speed of the recording material. it can.
[0062]
In FIG. 8, the roller-shaped image removal promoting substances 83a and 83b shown in FIG. 7 are simultaneously pressed against the front and back surfaces of a recording material 82 having hydrophobic images 81a and 81b on both sides. Is conveyed in the direction of the arrow, whereby the image removal promoting substance is applied to both surfaces of the recording material.
The recording material 82 may be heated by irradiating both front and back surfaces of the recording material 82 with infrared ray generating heaters 84a and 84b.
[0063]
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance in a molten state to a recording material having a hydrophobic image.
In FIG. 9, the container 96 is provided with a heater 95, and the image removal promoting substance 93 is liquefied and held in the container 96. A piezo element 98 sandwiched between electrodes 97 is mounted on the bottom of the container 96, and droplets 94 of the image removal promoting substance are ejected intermittently from the nozzle 99 by the expansion and contraction of the piezo element 98 due to fluctuations in the applied voltage. Then, an image removal promoting substance is applied to the recording material 92 having the hydrophobic image 91.
Further, while conveying the recording material 92 having the hydrophobic image 91, a hydrophobic image portion that needs to be peeled and removed is detected by a detection unit (not shown), and the applied voltage is varied in accordance with the detected information to change the applied voltage of the piezoelectric element 98. By ejecting droplets of the image removal promoting substance that has been liquefied by generating an expansion / contraction operation, the image removal promoting substance can be applied only to the hydrophobic image area that needs to be peeled and removed.
[0064]
10, 11 and 12 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image using a fine powder image removal accelerating substance.
In FIG. 10, the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material 102 having the hydrophobic image 101 is heated by irradiating an infrared ray generating heater 103 to increase the temperature of the hydrophobic image surface, and then the fine powdery form in the container 104 is formed. When the image removal accelerating substance 105 is applied to the recording material 102, the hydrophobic image surface is hotter than the non-imaged background portion of the recording material. Although the removal promoting substance adheres in a fused state, the image removal promoting substance in the form of a fine powder is not fused but is simply put on the background. When the recording material in this state is weakly cleaned with the soft brush roller 106, the image removal promoting substance in the background is removed from the surface of the recording material, but the image removal promoting substance fused to the hydrophobic image surface is not removed. And an image removal promoting substance is applied only to the hydrophobic image surface.
[0065]
In FIG. 11, the infrared image generation heater 113 is irradiated on the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material 112 having the hydrophobic image 111 to generate a temperature difference between the background portion of the recording material and the hydrophobic image surface. The recording material is conveyed through the fine-powder image removal accelerating substance 114 and the fine-powder image removal accelerating substance is selectively fused to the hydrophobic image 111. Next, when the hydrophobic image forming surface of the recording material is weakly cleaned with the soft brush roller 115, the image removal promoting substance in the background portion is removed from the surface of the recording material, but the image removal promotion fused to the hydrophobic image surface is promoted. The substance remains without being removed, and the image removal promoting substance is applied only to the hydrophobic image surface. Further, the fine powdery image removal promoting substance adhering to the back surface of the recording material having no hydrophobic image is naturally dropped and removed by the vibration accompanying the cleaning operation of the brush roller 115.
[0066]
In FIG. 12, electrostatic discharge is performed on the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material 122 having the hydrophobic image 121 by the corona discharger 123, and the difference in electrostatic charge amount between the hydrophobic image surface and the background portion of the recording material. And the recording material is conveyed through the fine powder image removal promoting substance 124, whereby the fine powder image removal promoting substance adheres more strongly to the hydrophobic image surface. Note that it is preferable that the fine-powder image removal promoting substance is charged with a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the hydrophobic image by a charging means (not shown).
[0067]
Next, when the recording material to which the fine-powder image removal accelerating material is attached is weakly vibrated by the gear roller 125, the image removal accelerating material in the background is dropped and removed from the surface of the recording material. The image removal promoting substance that adheres strongly to the image surface remains without being removed, and the image removal promoting substance is applied only to the hydrophobic image surface. Further, the fine powdery image removal promoting substance adhering to the back surface of the recording material is also dropped and removed from the back surface by the vibration of the gear roller 125.
If the fine powder image removal promoting substance electrostatically adhering to the hydrophobic image surface is left as it is, it may be discharged in the air and fall off. It is preferable to fuse the image removal promoting substance.
[0068]
[Action]
According to the present invention, an image removal accelerating substance that is solid at room temperature and that contains a surfactant in an organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melts by heating is used as an image forming substance that is heat-flexible or heat-softening. Is applied to a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed by the above, and the peeling member is brought into contact with the hydrophobic image surface under heat and pressure to melt the image removal promoting substance and transfer the hydrophobic image to the peeling member. Thus, it is possible to reproduce a recording material in which the hydrophobic image is sufficiently peeled and removed and free from elongation, wrinkles, undulations, curls and the like.
When the regenerated recording material is reused for image formation such as copying and recording, a hydrophobic image with good fixability is formed without causing jam or the like in the copying apparatus or recording apparatus. be able to.
[0069]
According to the present invention, the hydrophobic image can be sufficiently peeled and removed, and the recording material free from elongation, wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc. can be reproduced for the following reasons. .
That is, the image removal promoting substance that is solid at room temperature and applied to the recording material having a hydrophobic image melts and becomes liquid when the release member is brought into contact with the hydrophobic image surface under heating and pressure. , It penetrates from the surface of the hydrophobic image and reaches the interface between the hydrophobic image and the recording material. As a result, the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material is weakened, and the hydrophobic image is It is easily transferred to the peeling member, and the hydrophobic image is sufficiently peeled from the recording material. In addition, when the recording material regenerated by removing the hydrophobic image is cooled to room temperature, the solid image removal accelerating substance does not contain water at room temperature, so it extends to the regenerated recording material, Does not generate wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc.
[0070]
The image removal promoting substance that is solid at room temperature of the present invention is an organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melts by heating, preferably hydroxyalkylcarboxylic acids that are solid at room temperature, alkyldiols that are solid at room temperature, and water or A mixture of at least one selected from organic substances that are soluble in organic solvents containing water and solid at room temperature and a surfactant are heated and melted to form a uniform melt and then cooled. The surfactant in the liquefied state exhibits the same behavior as the surfactant in an aqueous solution, and is dissolved in, for example, hydroxyalkyl carboxylic acids, alkyl diols, water or an organic solvent containing water. Organic substances that have properties and are solid at room temperature have functional groups that generate hydrogen bonds. Solvation are formed capable of dissolving the surfactant in a high concentration.
[0071]
As described above, when the solid-state image removal accelerating substance containing the surfactant dissolved in a high concentration at a normal temperature is applied to the recording material, for example, it penetrates into the inside of paper which is a typical recording material. It remains on the surface of the paper or hydrophobic image. When heated in this state, the solid image removal accelerating substance at room temperature is melted and liquefied. In addition, the surfactant contained in the solid image removal accelerating substance at room temperature has a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group, but the solid image removal accelerating substance at room temperature does not contain water. Organic substances that are solid at normal temperature and melt upon heating (for example, hydroxyalkylcarboxylic acids that are solid at normal temperature, alkyl diols that are solid at normal temperature, and water or an organic solvent containing water, In the molten state of at least one selected from organic substances that are solid, the surfactant becomes hydrophobic. That is, since the atmosphere of the surfactant in the liquefied state in which the organic compound is melted is a hydrophobic organic compound, the hydrophilic groups of the surfactant and the organic compound come close to each other, and as a result, the hydrophobic group is on the surface. The appearing surfactant will rather be hydrophobic.
On the other hand, the main component of paper, which is a typical recording material, is formed from cellulose molecules, and since these cellulose molecules are rich in hydroxyl groups, they are generally hydrophilic and formed on the recording material. Since the hydrophobic image is composed of a resin component such as polystyrene or polyester, it is generally hydrophobic.
[0072]
Therefore, the image removal promoting substance melted and liquefied, particularly the image removal promoting substance dissolved and contained in a high concentration of the surfactant does not permeate the hydrophilic paper surface so much, and the hydrophobic image portion does not penetrate. It will penetrate well. As a result, the liquefied image removal accelerating substance permeates the hydrophobic image well and enters the interface between the hydrophobic image and the recording material to reduce the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material. When the peeling member and the hydrophobic image surface are brought into close contact with each other under heat and pressure in a state where the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material is reduced, the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the peeling member is relatively The hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member, and the hydrophobic image is peeled off from the recording material. In particular, when the peeling member and the hydrophobic image surface are brought into close contact with each other under heat and pressure, and the heating and pressure roller is rotated in a zigzag state, the adhesive force between the hydrophobic image and the recording material becomes weaker. Thus, the hydrophobic image is transferred to the peeling member, and the hydrophobic image is peeled off from the recording material.
According to the present invention, the hydrophobic image is sufficiently peeled off from the recording material without stretching, wrinkling, waving, curling, and the like on the reproduced recording material.
[0073]
Furthermore, the image removal promoting substance that is solid at room temperature of the present invention has the following characteristics.
That is, since the image removal accelerating substance is in a solid state, after applying the image removal accelerating substance to the recording material forming the hydrophobic image or after applying the image removal accelerating substance to the peeling member, The recording material can be brought into contact with the recording medium under heating and pressure, and the hydrophobic image can be transferred to the peeling member and removed from the recording material. When the image removal accelerating substance is applied to the peeling member, the image removing accelerating substance penetrates into the hydrophobic image by liquefaction when the peeling member is in close contact with the hydrophobic image surface and heated. The contact between the hydrophobic image and the peeling member is increased, and the hydrophobic image can be transferred to the peeling member and removed from the recording material.
[0074]
Further, when the solid image removal accelerating substance of the present invention is applied to a recording material, for example, paper which is a typical example thereof, the solid image removal accelerating substance does not bleed into the paper at room temperature. The phenomenon of blur does not occur. Further, it is possible to apply an image removal accelerating substance only to the hydrophobic image to be peeled and removed, and not to apply it to the background of a so-called recording material having no hydrophobic image. It can be.
For example, it can be 0.2 g / A4 (applied amount per A4 plate) or less, preferably 0.1 g / A4 or less.
As described above, the amount of the image removal accelerating substance applied can be made extremely small, so that when the regenerated recording material is reused for image formation such as copying and recording, a hydrophobic image having good fixability. Can be formed.
[0075]
【Example】
EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0076]
Example 1
A toner image was formed on PPC copying paper (type 6200, manufactured by Ricoh) using an electrophotographic copying machine (RICOPY FT-2200, manufactured by Ricoh).
In the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, belts made of polyether ether ketone are used as the belt-like peeling members 11 and 12, the temperature of the heating roller 13 is 130 ° C., the temperature of the heating roller 14 is 88 ° C., and the heating roller 15 The temperature of ~ 17 was set to 75 ° C.
Next, a surface of the PPC copying paper on which the above toner image is formed having a toner image is rubbed with a dialkyl sulfosuccinate ester surfactant (trade name Aerosol OT-100, manufactured by Mitsui Cytec Co., Ltd.) to give 0.6 g (A4 version). Further, several small pieces of 1,6-hexanediol are placed on a part of the surface to which the aerosol OT-100 is applied, and this is applied to the belt-like peeling member 11 and the belt of the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. When the PPC copy paper is separated from the belt-like release members 11 and 12 by the separation rollers 24 and 25 and the separation claws 26 and 27, it is held between the belt-like release members 12 and conveyed at a speed of 11 mm / sec. The toner image of the portion to which −100 and 1,6-hexanediol are applied is transferred to the peeling member and completely from the PPC copying paper. Was peeled off, but the toner images of part only aerosol OT-100 was granted was not peeled off from the PPC copying paper without being transferred to the peeling member.
[0077]
Example 2
Using the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 set to the same conditions as in Example 1, 0.6 g (per A4 plate) of the aerosol OT-100 was rubbed against the belt-like release member 11 and the toner was applied in the same manner as in Example 1. Several small pieces of 1,6-hexanediol crystals are placed on a part of the PPC copying paper on which the image is formed, and the belt-like peeling member 11 of the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. The surface having the toner image is sandwiched between the peeling member 12 so as to be in close contact with the belt-like peeling member 11 and conveyed at a speed of 11 mm / sec, and PPC is performed by the separation rollers 24 and 25 and the separation claws 26 and 27. When the copy paper is separated from the belt-like release member 11 and 12, the toner OT-100 and 1,6-hexanediol on the belt-like release member 11 are in contact with each other. The image was transferred to the peeling member and completely peeled and removed from the PPC copying paper. However, the toner image of the portion where only the aerosol OT-100 does not contain 1,6-hexanediol is not transferred to the peeling member and the PPC copying paper. Was not peeled off.
[0078]
Example 3
Dialkylsulfosuccinic acid ester salt surfactant (trade name Aerosol OT-100, manufactured by Mitsui Cytec Co., Ltd.) 26% by weight, 1,8-octanediol 48% by weight and 1,6-hexanediol 26% by weight are heated and melted uniformly. It was made into a melt and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a solid image removal accelerating substance at room temperature.
This image removal accelerating substance is rubbed onto the surface of the PPC copying paper on which the toner image is formed in the same manner as in Example 1 to give 0.6 g (per A4 plate), which is the same as in Example 1. 3 is held between the belt-like peeling member 11 and the belt-like peeling member 12 of the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 and conveyed at a speed of 11 mm / sec. By the separation rollers 24 and 25 and the separation claws 26 and 27. When the PPC copy paper is separated from the belt-like release members 11 and 12 and 0.1 g (per A4 plate) of post-treatment liquid using water is applied by the application roller 32 and the post-treatment is performed, the toner image is peeled off. A plain PPC copy paper transferred to the member and free from paper stretch, wrinkles, waviness, curls, etc. was obtained.
[0079]
When the regenerated PPC copying paper was used to form a toner image again with the electrophotographic copying machine, a toner image with good fixability was obtained as in the case of using a new unused PPC copying paper.
Further, after the toner image is formed by the electrophotographic copying machine using the regenerated PPC copying paper, the solid image removal accelerating substance is rubbed and applied thereto at the normal temperature, and the same method as described above is applied. When the toner image was peeled and removed, and this toner image formation and toner image peeling and removal operation was repeated five times using the same PPC copying paper, the toner image was always sufficiently removed, and the paper stretched and wrinkled. A plain PPC copy paper free from undulation, curling, etc. was regenerated, and a toner image having the same quality as that obtained using a new unused copy paper was obtained.
[0080]
Example 4
Dialkylsulfosuccinic acid ester salt surfactant (trade name Aerosol OT-100, manufactured by Mitsui Cytec Co., Ltd.) 50% by weight and glycolic acid 50% by weight are heated and melted to obtain a uniform melt, then cooled to room temperature and solid at room temperature An image removal promoting substance was obtained.
A toner image was formed and the toner image was peeled and removed in the same manner as in Example 3 except that this image removal accelerating substance was used. PPC copy paper free from wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc. was obtained.
When the regenerated PPC copying paper was used to form a toner image again with the electrophotographic copying machine, a toner image with good fixability was obtained as in the case of using a new unused PPC copying paper.
Further, after the toner image is formed by the electrophotographic copying machine using the regenerated PPC copying paper, the solid image removal accelerating substance is rubbed and applied thereto at the normal temperature, and the same method as described above is applied. When the toner image was peeled and removed, and this toner image formation and toner image peeling and removal operation was repeated five times using the same PPC copying paper, the toner image was always sufficiently removed, and the paper stretched and wrinkled. A plain PPC copy paper free from undulation, curling, etc. was regenerated, and a toner image having the same quality as that obtained using a new unused copy paper was obtained.
[0081]
Example 5
Dialkylsulfosuccinic acid ester salt surfactant (trade name Aerosol OT-100, manufactured by Mitsui Cytec) 40% by weight, glycolic acid 20% by weight, 1,6-hexanediol 10% by weight and 1,8-octanediol 30% by weight Was melted by heating to obtain a uniform melt, and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a solid image removal accelerating substance at room temperature.
A toner image was formed and the toner image was peeled and removed in the same manner as in Example 3 except that this image removal accelerating substance was used. PPC copy paper free from wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc. was obtained.
When the regenerated PPC copying paper was used to form a toner image again with the electrophotographic copying machine, a toner image with good fixability was obtained as in the case of using a new unused PPC copying paper.
Further, after the toner image is formed by the electrophotographic copying machine using the regenerated PPC copying paper, the solid image removal accelerating substance is rubbed and applied thereto at the normal temperature, and the same method as described above is applied. When the toner image was peeled and removed, and this toner image formation and toner image peeling and removal operation was repeated five times using the same PPC copying paper, the toner image was always sufficiently removed, and the paper stretched and wrinkled. A plain PPC copy paper free from undulation, curling, etc. was regenerated, and a toner image having the same quality as that obtained using a new unused copy paper was obtained.
[0082]
Example 6
30% by weight of a dialkylsulfosuccinic acid ester salt surfactant (trade name Aerosol OT-100, manufactured by Mitsui Cytec Co., Ltd.), 30% by weight of glycolic acid and 40% by weight of 1,6-hexanediol were heated and melted to obtain a uniform melt. Subsequently, it was cooled to room temperature to obtain a solid image removal accelerating substance at room temperature.
A toner image was formed and the toner image was peeled and removed in the same manner as in Example 3 except that this image removal accelerating substance was used. PPC copy paper free from wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc. was obtained.
When the regenerated PPC copying paper was used to form a toner image again with the electrophotographic copying machine, a toner image with good fixability was obtained as in the case of using a new unused PPC copying paper.
Further, after the toner image is formed by the electrophotographic copying machine using the regenerated PPC copying paper, the solid image removal accelerating substance is rubbed and applied thereto at the normal temperature, and the same method as described above is applied. When the toner image was peeled and removed, and this toner image formation and toner image peeling and removal operation was repeated five times using the same PPC copying paper, the toner image was always sufficiently removed, and the paper stretched and wrinkled. A plain PPC copy paper free from undulation, curling, etc. was regenerated, and a toner image having the same quality as that obtained using a new unused copy paper was obtained.
[0083]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an image removal accelerating substance that is solid at room temperature and that contains a surfactant in an organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melts by heating is used as an image forming substance that is heat-flexible or heat-softening. Is applied to a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed by the process, and a peeling member is brought into contact with the hydrophobic image surface under heating and pressurization to melt the image removal promoting substance, and the melted image removal promoting substance is made hydrophobic. By penetrating the inside through the image surface and transferring the hydrophobic image to the peeling member, the hydrophobic image is sufficiently peeled and removed, and a recording material free from elongation, wrinkles, undulations, curls, etc. can be reproduced. .
When the regenerated recording material is reused for image formation such as copying and recording, a hydrophobic image with good fixability is formed without causing jam or the like in the copying apparatus or recording apparatus. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which an image removal accelerating substance is rubbed and applied to a hydrophobic image surface.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which a peeling member to which an image removal accelerating substance is applied is brought into contact with the surface of a hydrophobic image of a recording material under heating and pressure.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a recording material reproducing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image on one side using a stick-like image removal accelerating substance.
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image on both sides using a stick-like image removal accelerating substance.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance in a paste form to a recording material having a hydrophobic image.
FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image using a roller-shaped image removal accelerating substance.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image using a roller-shaped image removal accelerating substance.
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance in a molten state to a recording material having a hydrophobic image.
FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image using a fine powder image removal accelerating substance.
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image using a fine powder image removal accelerating substance.
FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of an apparatus for applying an image removal accelerating substance to a recording material having a hydrophobic image using a fine powder image removal accelerating substance.
[Explanation of symbols]
01 Recording material
02 Hydrophobic image
03, 04 Image removal promoting substance
05 Peeling member
4 Image removal promoting substance addition unit
4a Image removal promoting substance that is solid at room temperature
5 Heater
6 containers
7 Spring
8 Presser plate
9 Adhesion roller
10 Adhering roller
11 Belt-shaped member
12 Belt-like release member
13 Heating roller
18 Rotating body
24 Separation roller
26 Separating nails
30 Post-treatment liquid
31 Pumping roller
32 Application roller
63 Paste-like image removal promoting substance
65 blades
66 Heater
73 Infrared heater
74 Roller-like image removal promoting substance
92 Recording material
94 Drops of image removal promoting substance
98 piezo elements
102 Recording material
103 Infrared heater
104 containers
105 Fine powder image removal accelerator
106 Brush roller
114 Fine Powder Image Removal Accelerating Substance
123 corona discharger
125 gear roller

Claims (20)

A state in which at least the image forming substance on the recording material is heated between the recording material on which the image is formed by electrophotography and the peeling member, using a heat-flexible or heat-softening hydrophobic image forming material. The image removal removes the image forming substance on the recording material by transferring the image forming substance on the recording material to the peeling member by applying the pressure in an overlapping manner to separate the recording material and the peeling member. A method,
An organic substance that is solid at room temperature and melted by heating is added with a surfactant, and a solid image removal accelerating composition at room temperature is applied to the recording material or the peeling member, and the recording material and the peeling member are The image removal promoting composition is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the dissolution temperature of the image removal accelerating composition in an overlapped and pressurized state to melt the image removal accelerating composition and to penetrate between the recording material and the image forming substance. An image removing method characterized by facilitating removal of an image forming substance on a recording material by reducing an adhesive force between the recording material and the image forming substance.   2. The image removing method according to claim 1, wherein the organic substance which is solid at room temperature and dissolves by heating has a melting point of 30 to 160 ° C.   The organic substance that is solid at room temperature and dissolves by heating is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkylcarboxylic acids that are solid at room temperature and alkyldiols that are solid at room temperature. 3. The image removal method according to 1 or 2.   The image removing method according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant is a sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ester.   The image removing method according to claim 4, wherein the compound having a sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ester structure is an octyl diester.   The image removal method according to claim 1, wherein the image removal promoting composition has a melting point of 40 to 150 ° C. The image removal method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image removal accelerating composition is applied in contact with a recording material having a hydrophobic image under pressure and / or heating. A method for reproducing the recording material used . 7. A recording material using the image removal method according to claim 1, wherein the image removal accelerating composition is applied in contact with a recording material having a hydrophobic image in a molten state. How to play. The method for reproducing a recording material using the image removal method according to claim 1, wherein the image removal accelerating composition is applied in contact with a peeling member in a molten state. The image removal accelerating composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image removal accelerating composition is ejected as droplets after being brought into a molten state and selectively applied to a hydrophobic image to be peeled and removed. A method for reproducing a recording material using the method. The method for reproducing a recording material using the image removal method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a fine powder image removal accelerating composition is used. After heating the recording material having a hydrophobic image so that the temperature of the hydrophobic image portion is higher than the temperature of the background portion, a solid image removal accelerating composition at room temperature is applied to the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material. A method for reproducing a recording material using the image removing method according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is reproduced. After the recording material having a hydrophobic image is charged to cause a difference in charge amount between the hydrophobic image portion and the background portion, a solid image removal accelerating composition at room temperature is applied to the hydrophobicity of the recording material. A method for reproducing a recording material using the image removing method according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is imparted to a recording image surface.   In a recording material reproducing apparatus for transferring a hydrophobic image to a peeling member and removing it from a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed by an electrophotographic apparatus made of a heat-flexible or heat-softening image forming material, The hydrophobic image surface of the recording material contains an organic substance and a surfactant that are solid at normal temperature and melt by heating, and are solid at normal temperature, and are dissolved by heating at the time of image removal. Means for applying an image removal accelerating composition that penetrates between the image forming substances and has an effect of facilitating the removal of the image forming substances on the recording material. Recording means comprising: means for heating; means for heating the recording material in close contact with the peeling member; means for pressing the recording material in close contact with the peeling member; and means for separating the recording material from the peeling member. Material recycling equipment.   In a recording material reproducing apparatus for transferring a hydrophobic image to a peeling member and removing it from a recording material having a hydrophobic image formed by an electrophotographic apparatus made of a heat-flexible or heat-softening image forming material, The peeling member contains an organic substance and a surfactant that are solid at room temperature and melt by heating, and are solid at room temperature, dissolved by heating at the time of image removal, and between the recording material and the image forming substance. Means for applying an image removal accelerating composition that penetrates and facilitates removal of the image forming substance on the recording material, Means for bringing the peeling member into close contact with the hydrophobic image surface of the recording material, An apparatus for reproducing a recording material, comprising: a means for heating the recorded material, a means for pressurizing the recording material and the peeling member, and a means for separating the recording material from the peeling member.   The means for applying the solid image removal accelerating composition at room temperature is a means for bringing the solid image removal accelerating composition into contact with the hydrophobic image surface under pressure and / or heating at room temperature. The recording material reproducing apparatus according to claim 14.   The means for applying the solid image removal accelerating composition at normal temperature is a means for bringing the solid image removal accelerating composition at normal temperature into contact with the peeling member under pressure and / or heating. The recording material reproducing apparatus according to claim 15.   The means for applying the solid image removal accelerating composition at room temperature is a means for bringing the solid image removal accelerating composition at room temperature into contact with the release member in a molten state. Recording material reproducing apparatus.   The means for applying the solid image removal accelerating composition at room temperature is a means for bringing the solid image removal accelerating composition in fine powder form at room temperature into contact with a peeling member. The recording material reproducing apparatus according to claim.   15. The recording target according to claim 14, wherein the recording material having a hydrophobic image is charged electrostatically before applying the solid image removal accelerating composition at room temperature. Material recycling equipment.

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