JPH04356089A - Recording paper regenerating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the device which enables anyone to regenerate recording paper in a place where the recording paper to be regenerated is obtd.; for example, an office where a recording is installed, etc. CONSTITUTION:This device has a means 2 for feeding the printed recording paper, a regeneration treating means 3 having the stage for erasing the images formed on the printed paper, a means 4A for detecting and discriminating whether the regenerated recording paper is reusable or not, a means 4 for separating the recording paper judged to be reusable and the recording paper judged to be unreusable by the discriminating means 4A, and a means 5 for housing the separated reusable recording paper.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording paper recycling device.
More specifically, the present invention relates to the structure of an apparatus for erasing printed images on recording paper to make it reusable for printing.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Recording paper used for copying, printing, etc. functions as a recording medium by having ink or toner adhered to its surface to carry a visible image.

[0003] Incidentally, such recording paper is made from pulp as a raw material, and in recent years, it has been proposed to reuse it in the sense of resource conservation. In other words, the above-mentioned reuse method involves using deinkable ink in a mixture of recording paper that uses deinkable ink and recording paper that uses non-deinkable ink. There is a method of selecting and collecting the used recording paper and turning it into fibers for recycling.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned method, it is relatively easy to convert only the recording paper on which deinkable ink has been used into fibers; Currently, the paper is not preferred by users as recycled paper because of its dark appearance. Moreover, it is generally not easy to determine whether the ink used on the recording paper after recording can be deinked, and requires the judgment of an expert.

[0005] Therefore, if you want to have someone other than the user determine the type of ink, if the recording paper is printed with information that must be kept confidential, it is necessary to Because of this problem, such recording paper is usually disposed of using a shredder and then recycled.

However, in the recording paper disposed of in this way by a shredder, in addition to the above-mentioned recording paper that can be deinked, there may also be recording paper that cannot be deinked, and among them, fibers are It becomes even more difficult to extract what can be converted into
Since foreign substances such as metal such as clips and tape may also be mixed in, the paper cannot be recycled as recording paper unless these foreign substances are removed. Therefore, at present, recording paper that has been shredded by a shredder is incinerated, and the purpose of resource conservation is often not achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems in conventional recording paper recycling, it is an object of the present invention to make it possible for anyone to recycle recording paper at a place where the recording paper to be recycled is obtained, such as an office where a recording device is installed. The goal is to obtain a device that allows the reproduction of.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a device that can be attached to a printing device, which includes means for feeding printed recording paper obtained by the printing device; A recycling processing means having a process of erasing images formed on printed paper, a means for detecting and determining whether the recycled recording paper is reusable, and a reuse by the above-mentioned determination means. The present invention is characterized by comprising means for separating recording paper determined to be reusable from recording paper determined to be unusable, and means for accommodating the separated reusable recording paper.

The present invention also provides means for separating reusable and non-reusable recording paper from means for detecting and determining whether recycled recording paper is reusable or not. The distance (L) of the recording paper conveyance period during which the recording paper is transported is set to be longer than the maximum length of recording paper that can be recycled (L0), and the detection width (B) of the above-mentioned discrimination means is set to be longer than the maximum recording paper length that can be recycled. It is characterized by being set wider than the maximum recording paper width (B0).

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the regeneration processing means includes a print decomposition processing section, a drying section, and a cleaning section.

[0011]The present invention also provides a means for feeding printed recording paper, a recycling processing means having a step of erasing an image formed on the printed paper, and a means for reusing the recycled recording paper. means for detecting and determining whether reusable paper is reusable; and means for separating recording paper determined to be reusable by the determination means from recording paper determined to be unreusable;
In a recording paper recycling device comprising means for accommodating separated reusable recording paper, at least a print disassembly processing section provided for erasing prints in the recycling processing means is sealed. It is characterized by

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the recycling processing means includes at least a print decomposition processing section and a drying section for drying the recording paper after the print disassembly, and the drying section is sealed. It is said that

[0013]

According to the present invention, the printing on the recording paper is erased in the reproduction processing means, and if the recording paper from which the printing has been erased can be reused, it is made available for reuse.

[0014]

[Embodiment] Details of an embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram showing the overall configuration of a recording paper reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a recording paper reproducing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has, for example, a printing device (not shown) such as a copying machine mounted on the top plate of its housing 1A. It is a device that can be attached, and inside thereof, a paper feeding section 2, a recycling processing section 3, a separating section 4, and a storage section 5 for storing recycled recording paper are provided. The paper feed unit 2 described above is a tray that accommodates recording paper S on which an image has been formed on a printing device.
2A, and a feed roller 2B for feeding out the recording paper S placed on the tray 2A.When an operation start switch (not shown) is activated, the feed roller 2B is activated. Recording paper S that has started to rotate and is placed
It is designed to release.

On the other hand, the recycling processing section 3 is configured to handle the case where the image formed on the recording paper S uses a developing toner made of biodegradable plastic. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a print decomposition processing section 3A, a drying section 3B, and a cleaning section 3C, which are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording paper S (in the direction of the arrow in the figure), It is configured. That is, the print decomposition processing unit 3A uses toner made of biodegradable plastic.
This is a part for removing the characteristics of the toner and eliminating the functions such as fixation and adhesion required for toner. In FIG. 2, openings 3A1, 3A2, and includes a decomposer storage tank 3A3 in which a decomposer containing microorganisms or enzymes for decomposing toner is stored, a decomposer application device 3A4, and a conveyor belt 3A5. ing.

The above-mentioned decomposing agent application device 3A4 is constituted by a felt extending between the decomposing agent storage tank 3A3 and the conveyor belt 3A5, and by coming into contact with the image surface of the recording paper S being conveyed, A decomposing agent is applied. Note that this decomposition agent application device 3A4 may use a brush instead of the above-mentioned felt, and may also have a structure that can move toward and away from the recording paper S.

Further, the conveyor belt 3A5 is connected to the drive pulley 3.
A6 and a driven pulley 3A7, and when the drive pulley 3A6 is driven by a drive motor (not shown), the recording paper S loading surface side can be moved in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. It has become. Further, the conveyance speed of the conveyor belt 3A5 is set to a speed that provides an optimal time for the disassembly process.

Furthermore, a temperature/humidity sensor 3A8 is installed above the introduction side of the recording paper S inside the decomposition processing section 3A, and an ultrasonic humidifier 3A9 is installed behind the sensor 3A8 in the transport direction of the recording paper S. Ceramic heaters 3A10 are arranged between the conveyor belts 3A3 corresponding to the lower surface of the recording paper S, and the disassembly processing section 3
The temperature and humidity inside A are maintained at conditions that promote biodegradation of the toner.

On the other hand, the drying section 3B, like the decomposition processing section, is a closed space with openings formed on the introduction side and the discharge side of the recording paper S, and inside the drying section 3B, the recording paper S is stretched in the transport direction. The conveyor belt 3B1 is equipped with a heater 3B2 and a fan 3B3 located above the conveyor belt 3B1. In the case of this embodiment, a far-infrared lamp heater is used as the heater 3B2, and the decomposing agent applied to the recording paper S is dried and the steam generated by the drying is carried out by the fan 3B2.
3 and is discharged to the outside via the duct 3B4 in which the fan 3B3 is housed. Note that it is also possible to connect a steam processing section to this duct 3B4 as necessary, and when it is connected, components from the decomposition agent can be removed from the outside of the regenerator in which the drying section 3B is built. It is also possible to exhaust only the air that does not contain air.

The cleaning section 3C is a section for removing toner released on the recording paper S due to decomposition and drying, and for example, as shown in FIG. a toner removing member 3C1 that can come into contact with the image surface of the recording paper S in a closed space constituted by a box;
An ultrasonic vibrator 3C2 faces the toner removing member 3C1 with the recording paper S in between, and a creeper such as a blade or scraper contacts the circumferential surface of the toner removing member 3C1.
The toner collecting member 3C3 and the toner collecting member 3C4 are provided.

In the case of this embodiment, the above-mentioned toner removing member 3C1 uses a rotating brush to remove the toner on the recording paper S.
Further, the cleaning member 3C3 comes into contact with the tip of the brush of the toner removing member 3C1 to wipe off the toner adhering to the brush. Further, in this embodiment, the toner collecting member 3C4 is constituted by a paddle wheel, and is adapted to transport the fallen toner from the falling position to another position. Note that this toner collection member 3C4 is not limited to the paddle wheel.
For example, it may be configured with a screw body to transport the toner.

In the regeneration processing section 3 having the above-described structure, the recording paper S introduced into the print disassembly processing section 3A is supplied with a decomposition agent by the decomposition agent coating device 3A2.
The toner is biodegraded, and at the end of the decomposition, the drying section 3
In step B, the toner which is dried, decomposed and released from the surface of the recording paper is removed by the cleaning section 3C.

On the other hand, the separation unit 4 is a part for determining and classifying whether the recording paper S disassembled in the recycling processing unit 3 can be reused or not, as shown in FIG. It is configured to include a reflective photosensor 4A and a separation device 4B.

The above-mentioned photosensor 4A is located near the recording paper ejection section in the recycling processing section 3, and detects the density of the image surface of the recording paper S, in other words, the surface on which the toner has been decomposed. It is connected to a control section 6, which will be described later. Further, this photosensor 4A is connected to the recording paper S.
The detection width (B) along the width direction of the recording paper S is arranged so as to be wider than the maximum width (B0) of the recording paper S to be recycled. There is.

The above-mentioned separating device 4B includes a conveyor belt 4B1 for conveying the recording paper S that has passed the photosensor 4A, and a swingable conveyance path switching claw located at the end of the conveyance path by the conveyance belt 4B1. 4B2 and a solenoid 4B3 for swingingly displacing the conveyance path switching claw 4B2.

The conveyance belt 4B1 described above has a distance (L) from the upstream side in the conveyance direction corresponding to the photosensor 4A side to the end of the conveyance path located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction corresponding to the opposite side.
) is the maximum length (L0) of the recording paper that can be recycled.
(L>L0).

The transport path switching claw 4B2 is located at a branching position between the first ejection path 5A for feeding reusable recording paper and the second ejection path 5B for feeding non-reusable recording paper. Normally, it is set in a position in which the recycled recording paper S can be transferred toward the first discharge path 5A.

[0030] Furthermore, the above-mentioned first and second discharge passages 5
Stock trays 5A1 and 5B1 for storing recording paper S are provided at the end portions of A and 5B.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned control section 6 has a microcomputer 6A as its main part, and is connected to external equipment via an I/O interface 6B. There is.

The above-mentioned photo sensor 4A is connected to the input section of the above-mentioned I/O interface 6B, and the solenoid 4B attached to the above-mentioned separation device 4B is connected to the output section of the above-mentioned I/O interface 6B.
3 are connected to each other via a drive circuit 4B4. In this control section 6, the amount of light reflected from the recording paper S shown in FIG.
Based on the relationship of the output from A, the amount of residual toner on the recording paper S is detected, and the state of erasure of toner on the recording paper S is determined. In addition, when the detection of the erasure status of the recording paper S is completed, the detection output suddenly changes, specifically, the output corresponding to the amount of reflected light from the non-image area, or the predetermined output that is set in consideration of dirt on this output. It is also designed to detect the point in time when . This detection is performed by the print processing section 3.
This is used to set the timing for sealing and opening the inside of A. The above-described determination is, for example, whether the detected output from the reproduced recording paper S is within a predetermined ratio to the output from the photosensor corresponding to the amount of reflected light in the non-image area.
Alternatively, it is determined whether the voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage regardless of the amount of reflected light in the non-image area.

In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the remaining amount of toner, and the vertical axis represents the detection output obtained from the amount of reflected light that is affected by the remaining amount of toner. In this case, the amount of reflected light is small.

On the other hand, the recording paper S used in the above-mentioned recycling processing apparatus uses a developer having the following biodegradable components.

First, the material used as the toner, which is the main component of the developer, is required to satisfy the following characteristics.

[0036] As for electrical characteristics, the amount of charge (Q/M) is stable.

■Resistance and dielectric constant are stable as electrical characteristics.

(2) Good fluidity in order to improve toner replenishment performance.

(2) As for thermal characteristics, it is difficult to adhere to the fixing roller and easy to adhere to paper.

[0040] Thermal properties are stable during storage.

[0041] As for safety, there should be no toxicity.

[0042] etc.

The toner on the print recording paper used in the recycling treatment apparatus of this embodiment satisfies the above-mentioned conditions, and plastics classified as polysaccharides are selected as satisfying these conditions. , specifically Ecostar
, Ecostar Plus (all product names manufactured by Ogihara Industries) are used.

Next, the structure of the toner will be described.

(1) Toner composition (1) Binder resin examples Polystyrene, chloropolystyrene, poly-α-methylstyrene, styrene-chlorostyrene copolymer, styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, Styrene-vinyl chloride copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer (styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer) , styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-
acrylphenyl copolymer), styrene-methacrylate copolymer, styrene-methacrylate copolymer (styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-phenyl methacrylate copolymer) styrenic resins (unipolymers or copolymers containing styrene or styrene substitutes) such as styrene-α-methyl chloroacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid nitrile-acrylic ester copolymer, chloride Vinyl resin, rosin modified maleic acid resin,
Selections include phenolic resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight polypropylene, ionomer resin, polyurethane resin, ketone resin, ethylene-ethylene acrylate copolymer, xylene resin, and polyvinyl butyral. Among them, styrene resin is particularly preferred.

(2) Carbon black, spit black, aniline black for coloring material black (C.Ipigment Black1)

00
47]

[Table 1]

The coloring material is selected in an amount of 0.5 to 40 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 30 parts by weight, based on 100 parts of the binder resin.

(3) Charge control agent Negative polarity - metal complex dye, metal salt of salicylic acid or metal salt of salicylic acid derivative, positive polarity - nigrosine dye, quaternary ammonium salt, resin containing amino acid The above-mentioned charge control agent The amount is 0.05 to 25 parts per 100 parts of binder resin.
Selected within the range of parts by weight, preferably 0.1 to 2
It is said to be 0 parts by weight.

(4) Biodegradable plastic Materials that are decomposed into polysaccharides This plastic is used in a proportion of 1 to 7 parts per 100 parts of the binder resin.
0 parts by weight, preferably 1.5 to 50 parts by weight.

The particle size of the toner is approximately 30 μm or less, preferably 3 to 20 μm. In order to improve the fluidity of the toner, TiO2, SiO2, S
Other external additives such as nO2 or Al2O2 may also be added.

(2) Carrier iron oxide powder, Ni-Zn ferrite, Cu-Zn ferrite, Be ferrite, Sr ferrite, ZnO ferrite, glass beads, iron powder, Ni powder, Cu powder, resin beads, etc. are used. .

[0053] The carrier particle size mentioned above is 10 to 300μ.
m, preferably 15 to 150 μm
In addition, a covering layer such as an oxide film is provided as necessary. Further, when a one-component magnetic toner is used as the above-mentioned toner, magnetic powder is contained in the toner.

[0054] As such magnetic powder, one is selected that is easily magnetized when placed in a magnetic field, and specifically, powder of ferromagnetic metals such as iron, cobalt, and nickel, or magnetite and hematite. Furthermore, alloys and compounds such as ferrite are selected. The content of this magnetic powder is 15 to 70 parts by weight based on the weight of the toner.

On the other hand, when the above-mentioned biodegradable plastic is used, lipase or a lipase agent is used as the enzyme to decompose the toner.

[0056] The above-mentioned lipase is a lipase used in enzymatic decomposition.
In addition to enzymes, esterases, phospholipases, lysophoslipases, etc. that decompose esters may be used. Furthermore, lipase-acting substances act in the same way as lipase, and specifically include crude lipase, lipase-containing substances, lipase-producing bacteria, and lipase-producing cultures. be.

[0057] In addition, in order to promote the decomposition instinct, a buffer to maintain the pH during decomposition and a surfactant to increase the contact area with the degrading enzyme may be used. In this method, a primary phosphate, a secondary phosphate, and a nonionic surfactant as a surfactant are used.

Since this embodiment has the above configuration,
The decomposition of toner will be explained below. That is, the developer used for the recording paper S to be introduced into the recycling processing apparatus is manufactured by the following process.

In other words, this process is for a two-component developer in which toner and carrier are mixed, and the mixture of the following formulation is mixed under heating on two rolls, and after cooling, it is pulverized and classified. The particles are finished to a particle size of 5 to 20 μm.

Polystyrene (manufactured by Esso: trade name D-125)
) 100 copies
Metal-containing dye (manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name Spiron Black BH) 5 parts Carbon black (manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei Co., Ltd.: trade name #44)
10 parts Biodegradable plastic (manufactured by Ogihara Kogyo Co., Ltd.: trade name Ecostar)
13 parts As a two-component developer carrier, steel beads with an average grain size of about 100 μm (manufactured by Shinto Plater Co., Ltd., trade name: Macroshot SF-100) are used.
) to mix 3 parts by weight of toner with 100 parts by weight of carrier. The toner charge amount (Q/M) of this developer by the blow-off method was -16 μC/g.

Ordinary electrophotographic copying is performed using the developer processed as described above, and a visible image corresponding to the original image is formed on the recording paper S by the ordinary electrophotographic copying process.

Then, the recording paper S carrying the toner in the developer on its surface is introduced into the print disassembly section 3A, and the processing components used in the print disassembly section 3A are as follows:
In the case of this example, a pH buffer for promoting the decomposition of the degrading enzyme Resobabus telemer lipase (manufactured by Seikagaku Corporation, trade name: Resobuspirase) and phosphate buffer water are used.

Print decomposition processing section 3A in the reproduction processing device
In order to promote the biodegradation process, the temperature is set using a ceramic heater 3A10.
The temperature is adjusted to about 30.degree. C., and the humidity is set using the ultrasonic humidifier 3A9 in order to prevent the surface of the recording paper from drying out due to this temperature. The temperature and humidity are managed by the temperature and humidity sensor 3A8. Furthermore, the above-mentioned temperature does not necessarily need to be set for biodegradation; room temperature is also possible, but rather it can be set to a predetermined value for the purpose of facilitating control of the decomposition rate and decomposition time. It is better to do so.

[0064] When the recording paper S is introduced into the print processing unit 3A that has been configured in this manner, the openings on the recording paper introduction side and the output side of the print disassembly processing unit 3A are closed to seal the interior. After that, the decomposing enzyme is applied onto the recording paper S via the decomposing agent application device 3A4, and then the decomposing enzyme is applied onto the recording paper S.
The toner is decomposed by setting the conveyance time at a speed of 5.

Further, the recording paper S, on which the toner on the surface has been decomposed by the above-mentioned transport time, is discharged from the opening on the recording paper discharge side of the print disassembly processing section 3A, and is conveyed to the drying section 3B.

In the drying section 3B, after the recording paper S is introduced, the openings on the introduction side and the discharge side are closed to seal the inside.
Drying is performed by turning on the printer 3B2 and determining the transport time by the transport belt 3B1, and by opening the discharge side opening, the recording paper S is transported toward the cleaning section 3C. In the cleaning section 3C described above, the decomposed toner remaining on the recording paper is liberated by the ultrasonic vibrator 3C2, and the toner in this state is swept away by the toner removing member 3C1 and removed from the recording paper S. removed from above.

On the other hand, the toner adhering to the toner removing member 3C2 is scraped off from the removing member 3C1 by the cleaning member 3C3 and collected by the toner collecting member 3C4. The recording paper S that has been conveyed through the above-mentioned print decomposition processing section 3A, drying section 3B, and cleaning section 3C is erased by the photosensor 4A located on the conveyance path when it is discharged from the cleaning section 3C. The density of the image surface is detected.

Then, the density detection output from the photosensor 4A is taken into the microcomputer 6A of the control unit 6, and it is determined whether or not this detection output is, for example, a predetermined value or more in FIG. If it is determined that the solenoid 4B3 has been disassembled into a possible state, the drive circuit 4B4 of the solenoid 4B3 in the separating section 4 is maintained in the normal state, and the solenoid 4B3 is set to the normal position. Therefore, the recording paper S determined to be reusable is stored in the storage tray 5A1 via the first ejection path 5A.

On the other hand, when the detection output from the photosensor 4A described above is less than the predetermined output, the solenoid 4B3 is energized via the drive circuit 4B4, and the recording paper S is placed in a state where it can be transported toward the second discharge path 5B. The position is set. In other words,
Possible cases where the above-mentioned detection output is less than the predetermined value are when the decomposition process is not sufficient or when a developer using a component that cannot be decomposed is used. Therefore, in such a case, the recording paper S is
Storage tray 5 located at the end of the second discharge path via B2
It is stored in B1.

Note that a shredder, for example, is connected to the end of the second discharge path 5B as a waste bank instead of a storage tray, and the shredder is operated as the solenoid 4B2 swings. If activated, confidential documents, etc. can be disposed of without being seen by others.

Furthermore, if the end of the first ejection path described above is connected to the paper feed section of the printing device instead of the storage tray, it is possible to feed reusable recording paper to the printing device again. It becomes convenient.

According to this embodiment, instead of performing decomposition processing at room temperature in the print decomposition processing unit, the environment settings are made, so that the speed and time required for decomposition and the management of the conditions can be made constant. be able to.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to use a color toner as the above-mentioned two-component diameter developer, and in this case, as in the case described above, a mixture of the following formulation can be used. The mixture is heated and mixed on two rolls, cooled, and then crushed and classified to produce a developer having a particle size of 5 to 20 μm.

Polystyrene (manufactured by Esso: trade name D-125)
) 100 copies
Quaternary ammonium salt

Part 2 Colorant Yellow Toner Symuler F
ast Yellow GH (manufactured by Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.)
Part 4.5 Magenta Toner Symu
ler Rhodamine Y Toner
F (same as above) 4.0 parts Cyan toner Fastogen Blue
GS (same as above)
2.0 parts Biodegradable plastic Ecostar (manufactured by Ogihara Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
13 parts Two-component developer A ferrite carrier coated with silicone resin was used as the carrier, and 3 parts of each toner was mixed with 100 parts of the carrier to prepare a two-component developer. Note that the toner charge amount (Q/M) of this developer by the blow-off method is -16 μC/g.
Met.

Furthermore, in this example, the above-mentioned 2
It is also possible to use a one-component developer instead of a component-based developer. In this case, a mixture of the following formulation is mixed under heating on two rolls, and after cooling, it is pulverized and classified. and particle size 5
A one-component developer having a thickness of 20 μm to 20 μm was produced.

Polystyrene (manufactured by Esso: trade name D-125)
) 100 copies
Dye (manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name Special Black SB) 5 parts Biodegradable plastic Ecostar (manufactured by Ogihara Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
Part 13 Magnetic material


50 copies On the other hand, the recycling processing means in this embodiment is not limited to toners that use the above-mentioned biodegradable plastics as components of toners; It is also possible to use this toner as a component and erase it from the recording paper by photolysis in a recycling processing means.

This case will be explained below.

FIG. 6 shows a case in which the recycling processing section 3 of the recording paper recycling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is modified for use in erasing toner containing photodegradable plastic as a component. Regarding this, the configuration is similar to that shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 6, the print processing section 13A and the cleaning section 13 are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording paper S (arrow direction in the figure).
It is composed of B. That is, the print decomposition processing section 13
A is a part that removes the characteristics of toner made of photodegradable plastic and eliminates the so-called fixing properties and other functions required of toner. Openings 13A1, 1 at the inlet and outlet of S
3A2, and is equipped with a light irradiation device 13A3 and a conveyor belt 13A4 inside.

The light irradiation device 13A3 described above uses a light source including a short wavelength such as a xenon lamp, a mercury lamp, a lamp using an LED, and a laser beam. The light irradiation device 13A3 starts to turn on when a detection member (not shown) detects that the feeding of the recording paper S has started, and the light irradiation device 13A3 starts lighting up when a detection member (not shown) detects that the feeding of the recording paper S has started, and the It is designed to illuminate the entire surface.

The conveyor belt 13A4 is wound around a drive pulley 13A5 and a driven pulley 13A6, and the drive pulley 13A5 is driven by a drive motor (not shown), so that the recording paper S The mounting surface side of the recording paper S can be moved in the transport direction of the recording paper S, and
While the light irradiation from the light irradiation device 13A3 described above is being performed, it can be stopped. In addition, when the entire surface cannot be irradiated by the light irradiation device 13A3 mentioned above or when partial decomposition is performed, the conveyor belt 13A4 may be moved intermittently at time intervals necessary for decomposition, or It is also possible to move at a lower speed. Therefore, the recording paper S introduced into the print disassembly processing section 13A is moved by the setting of the moving speed or moving state of the conveyor belt 3A4, and is moved by the light irradiation device 13A.
It can be subjected to photolysis treatment according to No. 3.

On the other hand, the cleaning section 13B is a section for removing toner liberated on the recording paper S by photolysis, and for example, as shown in FIG. Recording paper S in a closed space made up of a box.
A toner removing member 13B1 that can make contact with the image surface of the toner removing member 13B1, an ultrasonic transducer 13B2 that faces the toner removing member 13B1 with the recording paper S in between, and an ultrasonic transducer 13B2 that is in contact with the circumferential surface of the toner removing member 13B1. A cleaning member 13B3 such as a blade or scraper, and a toner collecting member 13B4 are provided. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned toner removing member 13B1 uses a rotating brush to sweep off the toner on the recording paper S, and the cleaning member 13B3 is the same as the toner removing member 13B1. It comes into contact with the tip of the brush and brushes off toner adhering to the brush. Further, in this embodiment, the toner collecting member 13B4 is composed of a paddle wheel, and is used to collect fallen toner.
It is designed to transport the material from the falling position to another position. Note that this toner collecting member 13B4 is not limited to a paddle wheel, but may be constructed of, for example, a screw body to transport the toner.

In the cleaning section 13B, in order to arrange the ultrasonic transducer 13B2, the conveyor belt on which the recording paper S is placed and conveyed is divided into two parts in the conveying direction with the ultrasonic vibrator 13B2 in between. There is.

In the regeneration processing section 3 having the above-described structure, the recording paper S introduced into the print disassembly processing section 13A is photodecomposed to clean the toner released from the surface of the recording paper S. removed by the cleaning portion 13B.

Regarding the composition of the toner containing the above-mentioned photodegradable plastic as a component, (1) binder resin example, (2) coloring material, and (3) in the above-mentioned (1) toner composition section. The charge control agent is the same as the above example, but the material related to photodegradability is as follows.

(4-1) Photodegradable plastic A plastic containing a polymer of a vinyl ketone monomer is used, and specifically includes the following components.

Methyl vinyl ketone, methyl isopropenyl ketone, t-butyl vinyl ketone, ethyl vinyl ketone, phenyl vinyl ketone, divinyl ketone, acetoxymethol ketone, chloromethyl ketone, α-acetoxymethyl vinyl ketone, β-chlorvinyl methyl ketone ,
α-Chloromethyl vinyl ketone.

[0088] The polymer of these vinyl monomers may be a homopolymer or a copolymer, and the partner monomer of the copolymer is specifically the vinyl monomer ethylene, Styrene, methyl methacrylate,
Examples include α-butyl methacrylate, α-ethylenehexyl methacrylate, vinyl chloride, α-methylstyrene, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, and propylene.

The amount of this plastic is 1 to 70 parts by weight, preferably 1.5 to 50 parts by weight, based on 100 parts of the binder resin.

(5-1) Photodegradation promoter aldol-α-naphthylamine condensate, acetylacetone, iron metal diethyl-dithiocarbamate, salicylaldehyde, α-methylcaptobenzothiazole, metal stearate, Thiodipropionic acid, iron acetylacetonate, p-benzonequinone, α-naphthoquinone, anthraquinone and derivatives thereof.

The decomposition accelerator described above can be added to the binder resin in an amount of 1 to 7 parts per 100 parts of the binder.
0 parts by weight is selected, preferably 1.5 to 50 parts by weight. In addition, the decomposition accelerator may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The toner particle size is about 30 μm or less, preferably 3 to 20 μm. Furthermore, in order to improve the fluidity of the toner, T
Other additives such as iO2, SiO2, SnO2, Al2O3 may also be added.

Regarding the above-mentioned (2) carrier, the same applies when a photodegradable plastic is used as a component of the toner.

[0093] The above-mentioned photodegradable plastic is suitable for toner
When a toner is constituted, the ketone group therein efficiently absorbs light energy upon irradiation with light and cleaves the -C-C bond, thereby eliminating functions such as fixing and adhesion properties as a toner. Therefore, the light source used for light irradiation is preferably short-wavelength light with good absorption properties, and for this reason, it is preferable to use a lighting device such as a xenon lamp or a mercury lamp that contains a large amount of ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, short wavelength lasers may be used instead of these illumination light sources. Furthermore, the short wavelength light mentioned above is
A light source using this kind of short wavelength light is advantageous because it also effectively acts on the decomposition accelerator added to the binder resin.

[0094] The decomposition of toner when using a toner containing the above-mentioned photodegradable plastic as a component will be explained below. That is, the developer used for the recording paper S to be introduced into the recycling processing apparatus is manufactured by the following process.

In other words, this process is for a two-component developer in which toner and carrier are mixed, and the mixture of the following formulation is mixed under heating on two rolls, and after cooling, it is pulverized and classified. The particles are finished to a particle size of 5 to 20 μm.

Polystyrene (manufactured by Esso: trade name D-125)
) 100 copies
Metal-containing dye (manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name Spiron Black BH) 5 parts Carbon black (manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei Co., Ltd.: trade name #44)
10 parts Photodegradable plastic polymethyl vinyl ketone
10 parts and as a two-component developer carrier, steel beads with an average grain size of about 100 μm (manufactured by Shinto Plater Co., Ltd., trade name: Macroshot SF-1)
00) and toner 3 to 100 parts by weight of carrier.
Mix parts by weight. The amount of charge (Q/M) of the toner in this developer by the blow-off method is -14 μC/g.
Met.

Ordinary electrophotographic copying is performed using the developer processed as described above, and a visible image corresponding to the original image is formed on the recording paper S by the ordinary electrophotographic copying process. Then, the recording paper S carrying the toner in the developer on its surface is introduced into the print decomposition processing section 13A, where a mercury lamp is used as the light irradiation device 13A3. It is designed to irradiate short wavelength light.

In addition, in the print decomposition processing section 13A, photodecomposition is carried out at room temperature, but since the reaction rate is dependent on temperature, the recording paper on the conveyor belt 13A4 is For example, a ceramic heater may be placed on the back side of the mounting side to control the temperature, thereby making it easier to stabilize the decomposition rate and control the decomposition time.

Therefore, when the recording paper S is introduced into the print disassembly processing section 13A in which such environment settings have been made, the openings on the recording paper introduction side and the discharge side of the print disassembly processing section 13A are closed, and the interior of the print disassembly processing section 13A is closed. Light irradiation device 13A3 after sealing
At the same time, the conveyor belt 1 is irradiated with short wavelength light.
The toner is decomposed by setting the conveyance time at a speed of 3A5.

Furthermore, the recording paper S, on which the toner on the surface has been decomposed by the above-mentioned conveyance time, is discharged from the opening on the recording paper discharge side of the print disassembly processing section 13A and conveyed to the cleaning 13B.

In the cleaning section 13B described above, the decomposed toner remaining on the recording paper is transferred to the ultrasonic vibrator 13.
The toner in this state is swept away by the toner removing member 13B1 and removed from the recording paper S.

On the other hand, the toner attached to the toner removing member 13B2 is removed by the cleaning member 13B3.
The toner is scraped off from B1 and collected by the toner collecting member 13B4.

[0103] The recording paper S conveyed through the print disassembly processing section 13A and the cleaning section 13B described above is on its conveyance path as shown in FIG. The density of the erased image surface is detected by the located photosensor 4A.

Then, the concentration detection output from the photosensor 4A is taken into the microcomputer 6A of the control section 6, and it is determined whether or not this detection output is, for example, a predetermined value or more in FIG. If it is determined that the solenoid 4B3 has been disassembled into a possible state, the drive circuit 4B4 of the solenoid 4B3 in the separating section 4 is maintained in the normal state, and the solenoid 4B3 is set to the normal position. Therefore, the recording paper S determined to be reusable is stored in the storage tray 5A1 via the first ejection path 5A.

On the other hand, when the detection output from the photosensor 4A described above is less than the predetermined output, the solenoid 4B3 is energized via the drive circuit 4B4, and the recording paper S can be transported toward the second discharge path 5B. The position is set. In other words,
Possible cases where the above-mentioned detection output is less than the predetermined value are when the decomposition process is not sufficient or when a developer using a component that cannot be decomposed is used. Therefore, in such a case, the recording paper S is
The recording paper is stored in the storage tray 5B1 located at the end of the second ejection path in the recording paper storage section 5 via B2.

[0106] Furthermore, at the end of the second discharge path 5B mentioned above, there is a waste bank, for example, instead of a storage tray.
By connecting a shredder and activating the shredder in accordance with the swinging movement of the solenoid 4B2, confidential documents and the like can be disposed of without being seen by others.

Furthermore, if the end of the first ejection path described above is connected to the paper feed section of the printing device instead of the storage tray, it is possible to feed reusable recording paper to the printing device again. It becomes convenient.

[0108] According to this processing process, instead of performing decomposition processing at room temperature in the print decomposition section, the environment is set, so that the speed and time required for decomposition, as well as the management of the conditions, can be kept constant. can do.

[0109] An example in which other components are mixed in place of the developer components described above is shown below, and in this case as well, two bottles of the mixture of the following formulation are rolled in the same way as in the above case. −
The mixture is mixed under heating on a mold, cooled, and then pulverized and classified to produce a developer having a particle size of 5 to 20 μm.

Polystyrene (manufactured by Esso: trade name D-125)
) 100 copies
Metal-containing dye (manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name Spiron Black BH) 5 parts Carbon black (manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei Co., Ltd.: trade name #44)
10 parts Photodegradable plastic Aldol-α-naphthylamine condensate 10 parts
acetylacetone
6 parts A two-component developer was prepared in the same manner as described above. The toner charge amount (Q/M) of this developer by the blow-off method was -16 μC/g.

[0111] Then, the recording paper S, on which the toner in the developer made of the above-mentioned mixed components was adhered, was irradiated with short wavelength light from a xenon lamp.

Furthermore, in this example, the above-mentioned 2
It is also possible to use a one-component developer instead of a component-based developer. In this case, a mixture of the following formulation is mixed under heating on two rolls, and after cooling, it is pulverized and classified. and particle size 5
A one-component developer having a thickness of 20 μm to 20 μm was produced.

Polystyrene (manufactured by Esso: trade name D-125)
) 100 copies
Dye (manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name Special Black SB) 5 parts Photodegradable plastic polymethyl vinyl ketone
Part 13 Magnetic material


50 parts In addition, the recycling treatment means in the above-mentioned embodiments not only erase toners containing biodegradable or photodegradable plastics, but also erasing toners containing electron-accepting color-forming organic compounds or Using a toner composed of an electron-donating color-forming organic compound and a color developer,
This toner may be erased using a decoloring agent. In this case, the recycling processing section 3 uses a developing toner in which the image formed on the recording paper S is composed of an electron-accepting color-forming organic compound or an electron-donating color-forming organic compound and a color developer containing the dye. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the color eraser is arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording paper S (in the direction of the arrow in the figure). It is composed of a processing section 23A and a drying section 23B.

That is, the decoloring processing section 23A is a part for decoloring a toner composed of an electron-accepting color-forming organic compound or an electron-donating color-forming organic compound and a color developer containing the dye. In FIG. 7, a decoloring agent container 23A1 containing a toner decoloring agent therein and a decoloring agent application device 2 are shown.
3A2 and a decoloring agent recovery device 23A3.

The decoloring agent application device 23A2 described above has a structure for supplying the decoloring agent having the composition described later to the entire printing surface of the recording paper. A coating roller 23 made of a rigid body such as metal or an elastic body such as rubber is located between the coating felt 23A4 built in and the transport path of the recording paper S and is rotatable.
The decoloring agent application device 23A4 receives the decoloring agent via the coating felt 23A4 built in the decoloring agent container 23A3, and comes into contact with the image surface of the recording paper S being conveyed. By doing this, a decolorizing agent is applied. The above-mentioned applicator roller 23A5 is driven by a drive motor 23.
By being integrated with the output shaft of A5a, it can be rotated by receiving driving force.

Further, the decoloring agent recovery device 23A5 is configured to be able to come into contact with the decoloring agent application device 23A2 while sandwiching the recording paper S.
A driven roller made of a rigid body such as metal or an elastic body such as rubber.
A collection container 23A in which the roller 23A6, the scraper 23A7 that is in contact with the peripheral surface of the driven roller 23A6, the driven roller 23A6, and the scraper 23A7 are arranged inside.
8, and the decoloring agent remaining on the circumferential surface of the decoloring agent application device 23A2 is collected when the recording paper does not pass through.

On the other hand, the drying section 23B has a conveyor belt 23B.
1 and heaters 23B2 and 23B3 that face each other vertically across the recording paper loading surface of the conveyor belt 23B1, and dry the recording paper S that has been supplied with the decoloring agent in the printing disassembly section 23A. It is designed to do this. Of these heaters, the heater 23B2 located below the recording paper S
is set to have a function of drying the recording paper S, and for this reason, the conveyor belt 23B1 is made of a material with good heat conduction. In addition to this heater, the heater located above the recording paper S, together with the one below, accelerates the drying of the recording paper S, prevents curling, etc., and makes it reusable. It is intended to bring about the state.

[0118] Since the recycling processing section 3 for the toner composed of the above-mentioned components has the above-mentioned structure, in a printing device such as a copying machine, an electron-accepting color-forming organic compound or an electron-donating color-forming organic compound is used. A recording paper having a printed portion formed of an electrophotographic toner containing a compound and the dye is conveyed from a paper feed section 2 to a recycling processing section 3. In the reproduction processing section 3, a decoloring agent is applied by a decoloring agent application device 23A2 in the decoloring processing section 23A, thereby causing a decoloring reaction in the printed portion. This decoloring reaction ends almost immediately after the decoloring agent is applied, and the printed surface of the recording paper S becomes white. Then, in this state, the recording paper S is conveyed to the drying section 23B, the remaining decoloring agent is evaporated, and the recording paper S is discharged.

[0119] With such a configuration, since the decoloring reaction ends after the decoloring agent is applied, a large amount of printed surface can be decolored and regenerated in a short time. Since reproduction is completed in approximately the same time as the copying or printing speed, it is possible to quickly respond to the occurrence of a shortage of recording paper on the printing device side.

[0120] Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the decoloring agent is supplied to the entire printed surface of the recording paper S, but in consideration of shortening the drying time, etc. The decoloring agent may be supplied only to the portion where - is attached.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration in the case described above, and in this configuration, the decoloring agent is supplied by jet injection of the decoloring agent.

That is, the structure shown in FIG.
6 and a decoloring section 27.

The above-mentioned position detection section 26 mainly includes a charge coupled device (CCD) 26A extending in the width direction corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper S is transported. The position of the toner adhering to the printing surface of the printer is used as the coordinate position, and the amount of adhering toner is detected as the density. Note that the detection by the charge-coupled device 26A is started in response to the detection of the leading edge of the recording paper S by the reflective photosensor 26B located upstream in the conveyance direction of the recording paper S. Furthermore, the recording paper S that has passed through this position detection section 26 is
Its conveyance path is changed from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction, and the paper faces the erasing section 27 at this vertical position.

That is, the erasing section 27 includes an ejection head 27A that is movable in the width direction of the recording paper S. For example, the ejection head 27A is slidably supported on two rods 27A1 that are parallel to each other along the width direction of the recording paper S, and the ejection head 27A is slidably supported on two rods 27A1 that are parallel to each other along the width direction of the recording paper S. An endless belt 27A3 having a folded part formed by a pulley 27A2 whose ends are fixed to both ends of the jet head 27A in the width direction, and a driving pulley located at one of the folded parts of the endless belt 27A3. This is performed by a drive motor 27A4 integrated with the output shaft. Drive control of this drive motor 27A4 is performed by signals from a control section, which will be described later.

The ejection head 27A has an ejection opening facing the printing surface of the recording paper S whose conveyance direction has been changed vertically, and ejects ink by changing the pressure inside the ink chamber using a vibrator, for example. Well-known structures include those that use the mechanical principle of jetting, or those that use the physical principle that uses a grid to eject ink by a vibrator and further draw out the ink by electrostatic force. This inkjet device has the same structure as the inkjet device, but can eject a decoloring agent instead of ink. In addition, in the figure, numerals 26C and 27C indicate pinch rollers, respectively. Further, the reference numeral 27A5 indicates, for example, a decoloring agent storage tank having a built-in pump for filling the decoloring agent.

The timing of ejecting the decoloring agent from the ejection head 27A is determined by the drive signal from the control section 28 shown in FIG. 9 based on the position information detected by the charge coupled device 26A in the position detection section 26 described above. It is now set. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in the control unit 28, from the time when the photo sensor 26B in the position detection unit 26 detects the leading edge of the recording paper, the charge coupled device 26A detects the toner adhesion position on the coordinates. and the amount of adhesion of toner, and imports this detection information into the storage section.Based on this information, and taking into account the conveyance speed of the recording paper S in the erasing section 27, the tip of the recording paper is detected by the photosensor 27B. Determine the injection timing from the time when the detection is performed, and send a drive command to inject the color erasing material at the time when it faces the toner on the printing surface of the recording paper, and drive the color erasing agent filling device, such as a pump, etc. It is supposed to be done.

A guide plate 29 is provided at the position where the recording paper S passes through the above-mentioned jet head 27A to change the conveyance path of the recording paper S from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. The recording paper S whose direction has been changed is placed on the conveyor belt 30 and conveyed, and is discharged toward the aforementioned separating section 4.

[0128] In such a configuration, it is possible to control the supply state of the decoloring agent, and for example, by determining the state of toner adhering to the print surface of the recording paper, the supply state of the decoloring agent can be controlled. It is now possible to set the amount of agent to be used, and the maximum decolorizing effect can be obtained with the minimum necessary amount. This also leads to cost reduction when obtaining recycled recording paper.

[0129] Although the above-described structure is for the case where the opposing jet heads are provided on one side of the recording paper S, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to install the jet heads on both sides of the recording paper as required. It is also possible to configure the recording paper on which printing is performed to erase the color.

[0130] Here, the toner and decoloring agent composed of the above-mentioned organic compounds will be described below.

[0131] As described above, the recording paper recycled by the recording paper recycling apparatus having the above-described configuration contains an electron-accepting color-forming organic compound or an electron-donating color-forming organic compound and the dye. Phthaleons and fluoresceins are colorless or light-colored organic compounds, and specific examples include the following.

Thymol-phthalein, phenolphthalein, 0-cresol-phthalein, 1,4-dimethyl-
5-hydroxybenzenesulfophthalein, m-cresolsulfophthalein, α-naphtholphthalein, 0-cresolsulfophthalein, phenolsulfophthalein, fluorescein, sulfofluorescein, tetrabromo These include fluorescein, tetrachlorophofluorescein, and the like. In addition, as a color developer for an electron-accepting color-forming organic compound, octylamine, laurylamine, stearylamine, dibutylamine, tripropyliamine, dimethylaniline, P-toluidine, β-
Amines such as naphthylamine, viridine, picoline, lutidine, quinoline, piperidine, imidazole, triazine, morpholine, quaternary ammonium salts such as tetraethylammonium salt, amino acids such as glycine and alanine, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide There are inorganic salts such as Further, as the binder resin, known resins for toners can be used, and specifically, the following resins can be used.

Monopolymers of styrene and its substituted products such as polystyrene, poly-p-styrene, and polyvinyltoluene, styrene-p-chlorostyrene polymers, styrene-
Propylene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-
Ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-α-methyl chloromethacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer Polymers, styrenic copolymers such as styrene-butadiene copolymers, styrene-isobrene copolymers, styrene-maleic acid copolymers, styrene-maleic acid ester copolymers, polyethyl methacrylate,
Polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane,
Polyamide, polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, phenolic resin, aliphatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic petroleum resin, chlorinated paraffin , paraffin wax, etc. are used alone or in combination.

[0134] Furthermore, in order to obtain more efficient charging, the above-mentioned toner may contain a small amount of a polarity control agent, for example,
Dyes and pigments, charge control agents, etc. may be contained, but those that do not impair the colorless or light-colored function should be used.Specific polarity control agents include, for example, metal complex salts of monoazo dyes, nitrofumines, etc. Acids and their salts, salicyl, naphthoic acids, dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives, metal complexes such as Co, Cr, Fe, etc., sulfonated copper phthalocyanine pigments, nitro groups, styrene oligomers with halogens introduced, chlorinated paraffins, There are melamine resins, etc.

[0135] Furthermore, if necessary, a fluidizing agent such as a metal oxide fine powder such as colloidal silica, titanium oxide, or aluminum oxide, an abrasive such as silicon carbide, a lubricant such as a fatty acid metal salt, etc. may be contained. .

[0136] The above-mentioned toner can be used either as a one-component developer or as a two-component developer when mixed with a carrier. A well-known carrier is used, specifically, a carrier with a particle size of 20 to 200 μm.
Iron powder, nickel powder, ferrite powder, magnetite powder, glass beads, etc., or using these as core materials, resins such as fluorine resin, silicone resin, styrene resin, acrylic resin, etc. are applied to the bare surface. A coated one is used.

On the other hand, examples of the decoloring agent include the following.

[0138] n-octyl alcohol, n-nonyl alcohol, n-lauryl alcohol, n-stearyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, ethylene glycol , diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylpropane, pentaerythritol,
Alcohols such as sorbitol and mannitol, esters such as octyl acetate, butyl propionate, ethyl laurate, ethyl benzoate, dimethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, benzophenone,
Ketones such as methylcyclohexanone, acetonylacetone, diacetone alcohol, diphenyl ether, dioxane, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, ethylene glycol
These include ethers such as diethyl ether and diethylene glycol diethyl ether, acid amides such as acetamide and propionic acid amide, compounds having a phenolic hydroxyl group and their derivatives, and compounds having a carboxyl group and their derivatives.

The above-mentioned compounds having a phenolic hydroxyl group and their derivatives include monophenols to polyphenols and metal salts thereof, and further substituents thereof include alkyl groups, aryl groups, Examples include acyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, and halogen groups.

These compounds include nonylphenol, styrenetide phenols, α-naphthol, β-naphthol, hydroquinone, butyl p-oxybenzoate, 4,4-methylenediphenyl, bisphenol. −
A, bisphenol S, octyl gallate, phenol
The metal salts include sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, zinc, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, iron, titanium, lead, molybdenum, etc. of the compounds having phenolic hydroxyl groups. be.

Compounds having a carboxyl group and derivatives thereof include monocarboxylic acids to polycarboxylic acids, substituted derivatives thereof, and metal salts thereof.

These compounds include acetic acid, propionic acid, cabroic acid, cabric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, valmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid,
These include 12-hydroxystearic acid, benzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, phthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, sebacic acid, naphthenic acid, citric acid, etc., and their metal salts include sodium, potassium, and lithium of the carboxylic acids. , calcium, zinc, aluminum, iron,
These include metal salts such as nickel, cobalt, titanium, lead, and molybdenum, and inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.

When the above-mentioned decoloring agent is used as a liquid, it can be whitened by applying it onto the recording paper using the decoloring agent coating device 23A4 shown in FIG.

[0144] When used in liquid form, water-soluble ones can be used in water, and solvent-soluble ones can be used in alcohol, acetone,
It is used after being diluted with an organic solvent such as toluene at an arbitrary ratio. In addition, polyvinylpyrrolidone, ethylene glycol, glycerin, etc. may be mixed as necessary in order to obtain a desired viscosity for the liquid.

[0145] An example using the above-mentioned component configuration will be explained below. (1) Styrene/n-butyl methacrylate copolymer 100 parts by weight
(Weight average molecular weight 190,000 Softening point 125 degrees C) Tetrachlortetrabromofluorescein
3 parts by weight 2-aminobenzothiazole
6 parts by weight Bontron E-
84 (charge control agent = manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name)
3 parts by weight of the above raw materials were mixed in a Henschel mixer, then kneaded in a three-roll mill and cooled. Thereafter, the kneaded material was coarsely pulverized, further pulverized with a jet pulverizer, and a toner having an average particle size of 10.8 μm was obtained with an air classifier.

To 100 parts by weight of this toner, 1 part by weight of hydrophobic silica fine particles (R972, trade name, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added and mixed in a Henshall mixer. Furthermore, it is mixed with a silicone resin coated carrier to create a two-component developer and an image is formed by a normal electrophotographic copying process. 6
When passed through the decoloring agent coating device 23A4 shown in
Almost completely erased. In addition, when the recording paper was left for 20 days after passing through the erasing agent coating device, the paper was left undisturbed for 20 days.
Most of the image has been erased, and it now appears white before printing.

(2) Styrene/n-butyl methacrylate copolymer 100 parts by weight
(Weight average molecular weight 190,000 Softening point 125 degrees C) 3,3-dimethoxyphenolphthalein
4 parts by weight di-0-tolylguanidine
8 parts by weight Bontron E-84 (charge control agent manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name) 4 parts by weight A toner was prepared by kneading the above materials in the same manner as in (1), and an image was formed. When the image was passed through the decoloring agent coating device 3A4 shown in FIG. 1, which is supplied with a 1.5% aqueous solution of citric acid, it was almost completely erased. In addition, the recording paper after passing through the erasing agent coating device is
When the paper was left for 0 days, the image completely disappeared due to the effects of carbon dioxide in the air or acidic substances in the paper.

On the other hand, the following example shows the results when the inventor performed a similar decoloring process on an image using a conventional pigment toner.

[0149] Styrene/n-butyl methacrylate copolymer 100 parts by weight
(Weight average molecular weight 190,000 Softening point 125 degrees C) Carbon black

5 parts by weight Bontron E-84 (charge control agent manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name) 2 parts by weight The above raw materials were kneaded in the same manner as in (1) to prepare a toner, and an image was formed. When the image was passed through the decoloring agent coating device 23A4 shown in FIG. 7, which is supplied with a 1.5% aqueous solution of citric acid, no change occurred in the image and the image remained as it was. Further, when this image was left for 20 days, no change was observed in the image.

Next, as the electron-donating color-forming organic compounds, diarylphthalides, arylphthalides, indolylphthalides, leukoolamines, rhodamine lactimes, spiropyrans, fluorans, These include phenothiazines, triphenylmethanes, and arylfurans. These compounds are as follows.

Crystal violet lactone, malachite green lactone, leukoolamine, rhodamine B lactam, N-3,3-trimethylindolylnobenzospiropyran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7
-chlorofluorane, 3,6-di-p-toluidino-4,
5-dimethylfluorane, 3,3-bis(1-ethyl-
Examples include 2-methyl-indol-3-yl) phthalide and benzoylleucomethylene blue.

[0152] Also, as a color developer for this organic compound,
There are compounds having a phenolic hydroxyl group and their derivatives, and compounds having a carboxyl group and their derivatives.

The above-mentioned compounds having a phenolic hydroxyl group and their derivatives include monophenols to polyphenols and metal salts thereof, and further substituents thereof include alkyl groups, aryl groups, Examples include acyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, and halogen groups.

These compounds include nonylphenol, styrenetide phenols, α-naphthol, β-naphthol, hydroquinone, butyl p-oxybenzoate, 4,4-methylenediphenyl, bisphenol. −
A, bisphenol S, octyl gallate, phenol
The metal salts include sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, zinc, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, iron, titanium, lead, molybdenum, etc. of the compounds having phenolic hydroxyl groups. be.

Compounds having a carboxyl group and derivatives thereof include monocarboxylic acids to polycarboxylic acids, substituted derivatives thereof, and metal salts thereof.

These compounds include cabroic acid,
Cabric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, valmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid, benzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, gallic acid,
There are phthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, sebacic acid, naphthenic acid, etc., and their metal salts include sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, zinc, aluminum, iron, nickel, cobalt, titanium, lead, molybdenum, etc. of the carboxylic acids. There are metal salts.

Further, as the binder resin, known resins for toners can be used, and specifically, the following resins can be used.

Monopolymers of styrene and its substituted products such as polystyrene, poly-p-styrene and polyvinyltoluene, styrene-p-chlorostyrene polymers, styrene-
Propylene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-
Ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-α-methyl chloromethacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer Polymers, styrenic copolymers such as styrene-butadiene copolymers, styrene-isobrene copolymers, styrene-maleic acid copolymers, styrene-maleic acid ester copolymers, polyethyl methacrylate,
Polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane,
Polyamide, polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, phenolic resin, aliphatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic petroleum resin, chlorinated paraffin , paraffin wax, etc. are used alone or in combination.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned toner can be added with a small amount of polarity control agent, for example, in order to obtain more efficient charging.
Dyes and pigments, charge control agents, etc. may be contained, but those that do not impair the colorless or light-colored function should be used.Specific polarity control agents include, for example, metal complex salts of monoazo dyes, nitrofumines, etc. C of acids and their salts, salicylic acid, naphthoic acid, dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives
Examples include metal complex salts such as O, Cr, and Fe, sulfonated copper phthalocyanine pigments, styrene oligomers with nitro groups and halogens introduced, chlorinated paraffins, and melamine resins.

[0160] If necessary, colloidal silica,
A fluidizing agent such as a metal oxide fine powder such as titanium oxide or aluminum oxide, an abrasive such as silicon carbide, a lubricant such as a fatty acid metal salt, etc. may be contained.

[0161] Furthermore, the above-mentioned toner can be used either as a one-component developer or as a two-component developer by mixing it with a carrier; when used as a two-component developer, A well-known carrier is used, specifically, iron powder, nickel powder, ferrite powder, magnetite powder, glass beads having a particle size of about 20 to 200 μm, or using these as a core material, A material whose surface is coated with a resin such as a fluororesin, a silicone resin, a styrene resin, or an acrylic resin is used.

On the other hand, examples of the decoloring agent include the following.

n-octyl alcohol, n-nonyl alcohol, n-lauryl alcohol, n-stearyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, ethylene glycol , alcohols such as triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, octyl acetate, butyl propionate, ethyl laurate, ethyl benzoate, dimethyl phthalate, Esters such as dioctyl phthalate and dicyclohexyl phthalate, ketones such as benzophenone, methylcyclohexanone, acetonyl acetone, and diacetone alcohol, diphenyl ether, dioxane, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, diethylene glycol dibutyl ether , ethers such as ethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether,
Acid amides such as acetamide and propionic acid amide, octylamine, laurylamine, stearylamine, dibutylamine, tripropylamine, dimethylaniline, p-toluidine, β-naphthylamine, viridine, vicolin, lutidine, quinoline, piperidine, imidazo-
Examples include amines such as triazine, morpholine, quaternary ammonium salts such as tetraethylammonium salt, amino acids such as glycine and alanine, and inorganic bases such as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.

[0164] If these decoloring agents remain liquid as in the case described above, the decoloring agent coating device 23 shown in FIG.
By being supplied as is to A4 paper, it is applied onto recording paper.

[0165] In particular, when the decoloring agent is used as a liquid, it is often better to use a water-soluble decolorizing agent since the deinking process is generally carried out in water.

An example of a toner using an electron-donating color-forming organic compound will be explained below.

(1) Styrene/n-butyl methacrylate copolymer 100 parts by weight
(Weight average molecular weight 190,000 Softening point 125 degrees C) PSD-150 (Fluorane leuco dye; Nisso Kako product name)
5 parts by weight Bisphenol A zinc salt

12 parts by weight Bontron E-84 (
Charge control agent (manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name) 4 parts by weight The above raw materials were mixed in a Henschel mixer, then kneaded in a three-roll mill and cooled. Thereafter, the kneaded material was coarsely pulverized, further pulverized with a jet pulverizer, and a toner having an average particle size of 10.8 μm was obtained with an air classifier.

To 100 parts by weight of this toner, 1 part by weight of hydrophobic silica fine particles (R972, trade name, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was added and mixed in a Henshall mixer. Furthermore, the mixture was mixed with a silicone resin coated carrier to prepare a two-component developer, and an image was formed by a normal electrophotographic copying process.

[0169] As an image to be decolorized, 1 kg of an image sample with 7% black area, 15 L of water, 8 g of Na(OH) (sodium hydroxide), and 2 g of deinking agent (Tonaclin; trade name manufactured by Nippon Nyukazai Co., Ltd.) were added. The mixture was placed in a disintegrator and disintegrated at 30 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes. After defibration, the mixture was squeezed using an 80-mesh wire mesh, water was added, and flotation was performed using a floatator for 5 minutes.

[0170] This was then squeezed through an 80-mesh wire mesh, water was added thereto, and a pulp sheet was prepared using a sheet machine. The whiteness of this pulp sheet was determined to be 76.8.
%Met.

[0171] When the image sample was passed through a coating roller supplied with a 0.8% aqueous solution of morpholine,
The result was that the image almost disappeared.

(2) Styrene/n-butyl methacrylate copolymer 100 parts by weight
(Weight average molecular weight 190,000 Softening point 125 degrees C) Crystal violet lactone
4 parts by weight 2,3-xylyl acid phosphate
10 parts by weight Bontron E-8
4 (Charge control agent = Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name) 4
Parts by weight A toner was prepared by kneading this raw material in the same manner as in (1), and the image samples obtained were evaluated based on the whiteness of the pulp sheet.The whiteness of the pulp sheet was 78. It was .5%. In addition, when the recording paper carrying the image of the kneaded toner described above was passed through a coating roller supplied with a 0.8% aqueous solution of morpholine,
The image has almost disappeared.

[0173] The following example shows the results when the inventor performed similar decoloring processing on an image using a conventional pigment toner.

[0174] Styrene/n-butyl methacrylate copolymer 100 parts by weight
(Weight average molecular weight 190,000 Softening point 125 degrees C) Carbon black

5 parts by weight Bontron E-84 (charge control agent manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.: trade name) 2 parts by weight A toner was prepared by kneading the above raw materials in the same manner as in (1), and after forming an image, pulp sheeting was performed. When the whiteness of the pulp sheet was evaluated, the whiteness of the pulp sheet was only 52.5%. Also,
When this image sample was passed between rollers coated with a 0.8% aqueous solution of morpholine, no change was observed in the image.

[0175]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when recording paper carrying a developer made of biodegradable plastic is used, it is possible to recycle the toner by decomposing it. As a result, anyone can easily recycle recording paper at a location where an image forming device such as a printing device is installed, making it possible to realize recycling for the purpose of resource conservation.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, only the toner on the recording paper is erased, compared to the conventional recycling process in which once used recording paper is collected and turned into fibers to make it reusable. Since the paper can be made into a reusable state simply by doing so, the cost for recycling, that is, the manufacturing cost when compared to the method of manufacturing new paper, is reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram showing the overall configuration of a recording paper recycling processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing main parts inside the regeneration processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing other main parts of the regeneration processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control section of the reproduction processing device shown in FIG. 1.

5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the detection output of a photosensor used in the control section shown in FIG. 4 and the amount of residual toner; FIG.

6 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a modification of the main parts in the regeneration processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

7 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing another modification of the essential parts in the regeneration processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified example of the main part shown in FIG. 7, in which a part of the structure is modified;

9 is a block diagram for explaining a control structure within the reproduction processing device shown in FIG. 8. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Recording paper recycling processing device 2
Paper feeding section 3 Recycling processing section 3A
Print decomposition processing section 3A1 Decomposition agent storage tank 3A2 Decomposition agent application device 3
B Drying section 3B2 Heater 3C Cleaning section 3C1
Toner compensation member 3C2 Cleaning member 3C Toner collection member 4 Separation section 4A Photo sensor 4B
Separation device 4B1 Conveyance belt 4B2 Conveyance path switching claw 4B3
Solenoid 4B4 Drive circuit 5 Recording paper storage section 5A
First discharge path 5B
Second discharge path 6, 28 control section

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claim 1: A device that can be attached to a printing device, comprising means for feeding printed recording paper obtained by the printing device, and a process for erasing an image formed on the printed paper. a means for detecting and determining whether the recycled recording paper is reusable; and a means for detecting and determining whether the recycled recording paper is reusable; What is claimed is: 1. A recording paper recycling device comprising: means for separating reusable recording paper; and means for accommodating the separated reusable recording paper. 2. The recording paper reproducing device according to claim 1, comprising:
The recording paper conveyance period from the means for detecting and determining whether recycled recording paper is reusable to the means for separating reusable recording paper from non-reusable recording paper. The distance (L) is the maximum length of recording paper that can be recycled (L0
), and the detection width (B) of the discriminating means is set wider than the maximum width (B0) of the recording paper that can be recycled. 3. The recording paper reproducing device according to claim 1, comprising:
The recycling processing means is a recording paper recycling device comprising a print decomposition processing section, a drying section, and a cleaning section. 4. A means for feeding printed recording paper, a recycling processing means having a step of erasing an image formed on the printed paper, and the recycled recording paper is reusable. means for detecting and determining whether there is a reusable record; means for separating recording paper determined to be reusable from recording paper determined to be unreusable by the discriminating means; and separated reusable recording paper. A recording paper recycling device comprising means for accommodating paper, characterized in that at least a print disassembly processing section provided for erasing prints in the recycling processing means is sealed. . 5. The recording paper reproducing device according to claim 1, comprising:
A recording paper recycling device, wherein the recycling processing means includes at least a print decomposition processing section and a drying section for drying the recording paper after the print disassembly, and the drying section is sealed.