JPH07239641A - Image holding body reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control for omitting an image forming material removing process by preliminary deciding the image property instead of once allowing it to pass through the image forming material removing process part, regarding an image holding body provided with the image of improper for removing such as the inerasable image, the image with a possibility of the evil use and the image to be reserved. CONSTITUTION:The image holding body reproducing device 2 is provided with an image forming material removing process part 4 for reproducing the image holding body by applying the removing process for making the sticking state between the holding body and the image forming material unstable state, with regard to the recorded image holding body on which the image forming material is stably stuck, and provided with an image property decision means 61 for detecting the removal improper image or the presence or absence of the stuck material on the image holding body transported to the image forming material removing process part 4 and an operation control means for controlling execution/non-execution of removing process by the image forming material removing process part 4 with respect to the image holding body corresponding to the decision result by the image property decision means 61.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image carrier (for example, transfer paper) on which an image forming substance (for example, black toner) is stably adhered and recorded by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer or the like. The present invention relates to an image carrier regenerating apparatus in which an adhesion state with a forming substance is made unstable so that the image forming substance is removed from a recorded image carrier so that it can be reused as recycled paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a sheet used for copying or printing has a visible image carried by adhering an image forming substance such as a toner on the surface thereof and exhibits a function as an image carrier. Such paper is usually made from pulp, but in recent years, from the perspective of resource conservation, it has been sought to treat unnecessary paper and reuse it as recycled paper. Various possible reproduction methods or devices have been proposed. As an example,
For example, a toner removing device for an office, which removes toner from a waste paper (document) which has been recorded by an electrophotographic method using a developer containing a deinkable toner There is. More specifically, it is composed of water as a destabilizing agent on the image carrier recorded with toner, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polymer, and an aqueous solution containing a surfactant and a water-soluble polymer. While holding at least one kind of water or aqueous solution selected from the group, interposing a peeling member, the toner on the image carrier is heat-bonded or pressure-bonded to the peeling member,
A toner removing device that is peeled off from the image carrier has been proposed by the present applicant (for example, Japanese Patent Application No.
-255916). According to this method, only the toner can be removed without relatively impairing the paper quality of the image carrier.

The paper from which the toner has been removed by such a toner removing device is set as recycled paper in the paper feeding section of the image forming apparatus and is again used for copying, printing, and the like.

[0004]

However, when considering a document that can be used for toner removal processing by this type of toner removal device, there are various miscellaneous matters and appropriate measures are required. For example, even if it is a document on which a toner image is formed by copying, it may be stamped with a seal / stamp, a signature is written with ink, a memo is written with a pen / pencil, etc. Many of them have been removed, and even if such a document is subjected to the toner removal processing, these images cannot be removed, and the image is not completely white, which makes it unsuitable as recycled paper. In particular, since the seal stamp image and the signature image in the certificate and the like cannot be removed by the toner removing device, conversely, by performing the toner removal processing in a state where only these seal stamp image and signature image remain, Since there is a possibility that a sheet in a state where a seal or signature can be abused may be obtained, measures against abuse are necessary for such a document. Also, depending on the document, there are many problems in deleting the contents of the document. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the toner image from being erased unnecessarily. In particular, it can be said that it is necessary to secure measures to erase confidential documents.

In this respect, for example, after the document to be processed is subjected to the toner removal processing, the presence or absence of the unremoved image is detected, so that the erasure leakage image, the seal stamp image, the signature image, etc. remain and the recycled paper. Is unsuitable as
The applicant of the present invention has proposed that the stamp imprint portion has a punch hole or an overcoat to prevent reuse. In this case, it is also devised to sort the stocked seal stamped images and stock them. Further, it has been proposed to reprocess a sheet having an image left by handwriting with ink or the like so as to make recycled paper under different conditions.

However, in the case of such a proposed example, the document is once processed through the toner removal processing section and then appropriately processed based on the removal result, which is efficient in terms of cost and time. It's a bad thing. Further, a document having an image that is inconvenient if it is erased is once passed through the toner removal processing unit, so that it may be inadvertently erased.

[0007]

An image carrier reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier and the image forming material are adhered to a recorded image carrier on which the image forming material is stably adhered. In an image carrier regenerating apparatus including an image forming substance removal processing unit that regenerates an image carrier by performing a removing process that makes the state unstable, the image forming substance removal processing unit is provided on the image carrier. An image characteristic determination unit that detects the presence or absence of an image unsuitable for removal, and the execution / non-execution of the removal process performed by the image forming substance removal processing unit on the image carrier according to the determination result of the image characteristic determination unit. And an operation control means for performing the operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier reproducing apparatus in which the unsuitable removal image or adhered object to be detected by the image characteristic discriminating means of the image carrier reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect is an image or adherent other than black. It is what

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier reproducing apparatus in which an image of improper removal or an adhering object to be detected by the image characteristic discriminating means of the image supporting apparatus according to the first aspect is a red image or an adhering object. It is what

An image carrier reproducing apparatus according to a fourth aspect is provided with a non-removable image or an adhering substance as a detection target of the image characteristic judging means of the image carrier reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect, in order to indicate that the image cannot be removed. The predetermined identification image or the adhered matter.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier regenerating apparatus, which is characterized in that a non-removable image or an adhering substance to be detected by the image characteristic discriminating means of the image carrier regenerating apparatus has a characteristic of a normal image toner. The toner image is a special toner image or an adhering substance that is different.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the constitution of the image carrier reproducing apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the image forming material removing processing unit executes a removing process. A sheet discharging unit that sorts and discharges the image holding member and the image holding member that is not subjected to the removal processing are provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the image carrier reproducing apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the image forming material removing processing unit executes a removing process. A storage means for storing the image holding body not protected, a regulating means for regulating the taking out of the image holding body from the storing means, and a releasing means for canceling the taking-out regulation by the regulating means are provided.

[0014]

In the image carrier reproducing apparatus according to claim 1,
Prior to the processing by the image forming substance removing unit, the image characteristic determining unit detects and determines whether or not the image carrier has an image unsuitable for removal or an adhered substance, and the operation controlling unit removes the image forming substance by the image forming substance removing unit. Since it is controlled whether or not to execute, it is possible to eliminate unsuitable removal before passing through the image forming substance removal processing section once, and it is not necessary to perform extra removal processing that causes removal leakage, which is suitable for removal. Only the material is subjected to the removal treatment, which results in efficient production of recycled paper. In particular, since a normal copy image or the like is often based on a black toner image, if the image or adhered matter that is not suitable for removal is an image or adhered matter other than black as claimed in claim 2, it is mainly a seal imprinted image with red ink, It is possible to prevent erasure leakage by applying a removal process to an image holding member including a signature image with red or blue ink or the like, a writing image with a red pen or red pencil, or an adhered matter such as dirt, It is also possible to prevent misuse of the seal stamp image or the like. Furthermore, if such an image unsuitable for removal or an adhering substance is specified as a red image or an adhering substance other than black, the image forming material for an image carrier having a seal stamp image or the like can be specified. Abuse caused by passing through the removal processing unit can be reliably prevented. Further, when the unsuitable image for removal or the adhering matter is a predetermined identification image or adhering matter provided to indicate that the image cannot be removed as described in claim 4, a predetermined identification image is provided in advance for an image which is not desired to be erased. It is possible to prevent the processing of the image forming substance removal processing unit from being performed simply by adding the above, and it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of erasing the image carelessly. Further, if the unsuitable image for removal or the adhering matter is a special toner image or adhering matter whose characteristics are different from those of the toner for the normal image as described in claim 5, the secret document is formed with the special toner image. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the trouble that the image is erased in the image forming substance removal processing section and the misuse of the secret document.

In the image carrier reproducing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the image carrier is passed through the paper ejecting means to sort and eject the image carrier passing through the image forming substance removing processing section and the image carrier not passing through. The image carrier that is removed and reused as recycled paper can be clearly distinguished from the image carrier that does not undergo the reprocessing process due to the image unsuitable for removal or the adhered matter, and the sorting by the manual operation of the operator can be performed. It will not be necessary.

Further, in the image carrier regenerating apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the image carrier which has an image unsuitable for removal or an adhering substance and which is not subjected to the removal processing by the image forming substance removal processing section is stored in the storage means, It cannot be taken out unless the taking-out restriction of the restricting means is canceled by the canceling means, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent misuse or unauthorized use of an image carrier having a seal stamp image or requiring confidentiality by anyone other than a specific person.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, for example, a heat-melting toner (hereinafter, simply referred to as toner) as an image forming substance is transferred from a transfer paper 1 as an image holding member on which an image is formed by a transfer type electrophotographic copying machine or a laser printer. It is applied to a toner removing device (image carrier regenerating device) 2 that is designed to be removed.

First, an outline of the basic structure of a toner removing apparatus 2 of the already proposed system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The toner removing device 2 is roughly classified into a sheet feeding unit 3 for feeding a transfer sheet 1 having a toner image which is no longer needed and is a target for producing recycled paper, and a toner removing unit for the transfer sheet 1 actually. A toner removal processing unit (image forming substance removal processing unit) 4 for executing processing and a paper ejection unit (paper ejection unit) 5 for receiving the ejection of the transfer paper 1 which has become a recycled paper by removing the toner. ing. The paper feeding unit 3 separates and feeds the transfer papers 1 on which the toner images are formed, which are accommodated in a stacked state, one by one toward the toner removal processing unit 4 side. Further, the toner removal processing unit 4 includes a liquid applying unit 6 that supplies liquid to the transfer paper 1 fed from the paper feeding unit 3, and a toner peeling unit 7 that removes toner from the transfer paper 1 that has been supplied with liquid.
And a drying unit 8 for drying the transfer paper 1 from which the toner has been removed.

As a result, the transfer sheet 1 conveyed from the sheet feeding section 3 is roughly destabilized by the liquid applying unit 6 to make the adhesion state of the transfer sheet 1 and the toner unstable (hereinafter, referred to as a destabilizing agent).
A “treatment liquid” 9 is applied, and the treatment liquid 9 permeates at least the interface between the transfer paper 1 and the toner. Then, by the peeling roller 10 of the toner peeling unit 7,
The toner is transferred onto the transfer paper 1 at the interface where the treatment liquid 9 has permeated.
After being peeled off from the transfer paper 1, the transfer paper 1 is dried by the drying roller 11 of the drying unit 8 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 5.

Here, the treatment liquid 9 is at least one selected from the group consisting of water, an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polymer, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, and an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble polymer and a surfactant. Water or an aqueous solution can be used. Further, these water or aqueous solution may contain a predetermined organic solvent. Furthermore, the processing liquid 9
Alternatively, only the organic solvent may be used.

Examples of the water-soluble polymer include starchy substances such as starch starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, wheat starch, cornstarch, mannan (konjac, etc.), seaweed (funari, agar, sodium alginate, etc.). ), Plant mucilage (troloois, tragacanth, acacia, etc.), microbial mucilage (dextran, levan, etc.), protein (such as glue, gelatin, casein, collagen, etc.) natural polymers, and cellulosic (viscose, methylcellulose, Ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,
Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, semi-synthetic polymers of starch type (soluble starch, carboxymethyl starch, dialdehyde starch, etc.) and synthetic polymers.

Examples of the surfactant include, for example,
Anionic (carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate ester, phosphate ester, phosphonate, etc.), cationic (amine salt, quaternary ammonium salt, benzalkonium salt, benzethonium chloride salt, pyrivinium) Salt, imidazolinium salt, sulfonium salt, polyethylene polyamine, etc.), amphoteric system (amino acid, carbocybetaine, sulfobetaine, aminosulfate ester, aminocarboxylic acid salt,
(Imidazoline derivative, etc.), non-ionic type (ether type, ether ester type, ester type, nitrogen-containing type, polyhydric alcohol, amino alcohol, polyethylene glycol, etc.)
However, the present invention is not limited to these.

Further, as the organic solvent contained in water or an aqueous solution, for example, terbentine, dibenten,
Butyl acetate, carbon tetrachloride, cellosolve acetate, xylene, toluene, ethyl acetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl cellosolve acetate, benzene, methyl etiketone, methyl acetate, methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, cyclohexane, cellosolve, dioxane, acetone, methyl cellosolve , Cyclohexanol, butanol and the like, but are not limited thereto.

On the other hand, as the organic solvent which can be used alone, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, spirit, naphtha Nos. 1 to 6 (trade name of Shell Petroleum Co.), Isopar E, L and K, which are carbon-hydrogen type solvents, can be used. , V (trade name of Exxon Co.), IP Solvent (trade name of Idemitsu Oil Co., Ltd.), Shell-sol 70, 71, Solvesso 100,
150 (trade name of Shell Oil), Ascom OMS,
460 (trade name of Spirits), Vegasol 103
0,2130,3040 (trade name of Mobil Oil Co., Ltd.) and the like. Furthermore, Fluorinert FC40, 43, 70, 77 (trade name of Sumitomo 3M), Aflude E10, 16, 18 etc. which are fluorine-based solvents, Shin-Etsu Silicone KF96 (trade name) which is a silicone solvent, Toray Silicone SH200, 344 (trade name), TOSHIBA SILICONE TSF431 (trade name) and the like can be cited, but the present invention is not limited to these.

Next, each part will be described in more detail. First, the paper feeding unit 3 is a transfer paper 1 stacked on the bottom plate 12.
Paper is fed by the paper feed roller 13 from the topmost paper side, and the multi-feeding paper is separated by a separation mechanism (not shown), and only one sheet is registered as a pair of registration rollers 14 for timing adjustment and skew correction.
It will be sent out in. The specific configuration and operation are
Since it is similar to the paper feed mechanism in an electrophotographic copying machine,
The description is omitted.

The liquid applying unit 6 has a liquid container 15 filled with a predetermined amount of the processing liquid 9 and one surface of the transfer paper 1 (here, the upper surface).
The submerged conveying roller 16 that conveys the submerged conveying roller 16 so as to guide it into the treatment liquid 9 of the liquid container 15, the driving unit (not shown) of the submerged conveying roller 16, and the other surface of the transfer paper 1 (here Then, the lower surface) is guided in the processing liquid 9 of the liquid container 15, a submerged guide plate 17, a pair of squeezing rollers 18 also functioning as a holding and conveying means, and a squeezing roller arranged to bite into the lower squeezing roller 18. The bar 19 and the like are provided.
In the liquid applying unit 6, the transfer paper 1 fed from the paper feed unit 3 is fed by the submerged conveying roller 16 and the submerged guide plate 17.
Is guided to the treatment liquid 9 in the liquid container 15 and immersed in the treatment liquid 9, and then the excess treatment liquid 9 is removed by the squeeze roller 18 and is conveyed to the toner peeling unit 7.

The toner peeling unit has a heating lamp 20 which functions as a toner softening means, and has a pair of peeling rollers 10 arranged in pressure contact with each other, and the surface of the peeling roller 10 near the pressure contact portion on the transfer paper discharge side. The separation claw 21 disposed so as to come into contact with the peeling roller 10, a cleaning device 22 for cleaning the surface of the peeling roller 10, a drive unit (not shown), and the like. The peeling roller 10
The surface of (1) is configured to have an adhesive force that is larger than the adhesive force between the transfer paper 1 and the toner with respect to at least the softened toner. Specifically, a toner component resin that is the same as or similar to the above toner, a component resin of an adhesive, or the like can be used, and a metal material such as an aluminum-based or copper-based nickel-based material can also be used. It is not limited to. Further, these resins may be water-soluble or water-insoluble.

Examples of the toner component resin include polystyrene resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, styrene-butyl acrylic copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, polyester resin, epoxy resin, and the like. It is not limited.

As the component resin of the adhesive, protein adhesives such as glue, gelatin, albumin and casein, and carbohydrate adhesives such as starch, cellulose and complex polysaccharides (eg gum arabic, tragacanth etc.) Agents, vinyl acetate polymers and copolymers, acrylics,
Thermoplastic adhesives such as ethylene-based co-aggregates, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polychloroprene-based, nitrile rubber-based, regenerated rubber-based, SBR-based, rubber-based adhesives such as natural rubber-based, rubber-based, acrylic-based Polyethylene terephthalate (P
ET) and the like, but not limited thereto.

When these resins are used, it is desirable to have a multi-layer structure of at least two layers of the support and the surface layer from the viewpoints of preventing elongation due to tension and heat, durability and the like, that is, FIG. In the case of using a roller-shaped peeling member as shown in (4), it is desirable to form a peeling member by forming a surface layer made of these resins on a base roller as a support. As the support for supporting such a resin, for example, a rubber roller, a sheet, a cellophane tape, a kraft paper adhesive tape, a polyvinyl chloride tape, an acetone tape, a tape such as a filament reinforcing tape, or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto. Not something.

Further, the heating lamps 20 of the upper and lower peeling rollers 10 are in close contact with the front and back of the transfer paper 1 to heat and soften the toner adhered to the transfer paper 1, thereby softening the toner of the transfer paper 1. It is easy to peel from the fiber. It is desirable to perform this heating to such an extent that the toner on the transfer paper 1 does not melt at the pressure contact portion. This is because if the toner melts, it becomes difficult to transfer the toner on the transfer paper 1 to the peeling roller 10 side without dividing the toner on the paper side and the peeling roller 10 side. Further, if the heating is excessively performed, the transfer paper 1 is excessively dried while passing through the pressure contact portions of the pair of peeling rollers 10, and the fixing force of the toner to the transfer paper 1 becomes stronger than that when the transfer paper 1 is wet, There is a possibility that it may stick to the peeling roller 10 via the transfer paper 1 and may not be separated by the separation claw 21. Therefore, it is desirable to heat the transfer paper 1 after passing through the heating unit to such an extent that a small amount of damp air remains and toner re-adhesion can be prevented.

The cleaning device 22 is a cleaning roller 2 for removing toner on the surface of the peeling roller 10.
3, scraper blade 24 for scraping off the toner on cleaning roller 23, scraper blade 2
The toner receiver 25, which stores the toner scraped off in 4, is provided.

A belt having the same surface characteristics as the peeling roller 10 may be used in place of the peeling roller 10, a cleaning blade directly contacting the surface of the peeling roller 10 in place of the cleaning roller 23 of the cleaning device 22, A scraper or the like may be used.

The drying unit 8 is for drying the transfer sheet 1. The drying unit 8 has a heating lamp 26 therein and is made of, for example, aluminum and the like, and a drying roller 27 pressed against the drying roller 11 from below. And so on. The drying roller 27 is provided with a surface layer made of a liquid-supplying member, and a diaphragm blade 28 for squeezing the surface layer liquid is in contact therewith. Instead of or in addition to the pair of drying rollers 11 and 27, a belt-shaped member may be used, or a hot air fan, an infrared lamp, or the like may be used.

The paper discharge section 5 has a paper discharge tray 29 for receiving the processed transfer paper 1 discharged from the drying unit 8.

Although not shown in the figure, in the toner device 2 of the present embodiment, a detecting means for detecting whether or not the transfer paper 1 is present in the paper feed unit 3, and a double feed of the transfer paper 1 by the paper feed unit 3 Detection means, liquid remaining amount detection means in the liquid container 15, automatic liquid replenishment means to the liquid container 15, in-apparatus jam detection means for the transfer paper 1, lighting control means for each heating lamp, toner receiver 25 full detection means, etc. Are provided as appropriate.

In such a structure, the transfer paper 1 sent from the paper supply unit 3 is uniformly supplied with the treatment liquid 9 on the toner image surface by the liquid applying unit 6 and then sent to the toner peeling unit 7. The toner fixed to the transfer paper 1 in the toner peeling unit 7 is softened by heating from the peeling roller 10,
It adheres to the surface of the peeling roller 10. The transfer paper 1 from which the toner has been removed is dried by the drying unit 8 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 5.

According to the toner removing device 2 having such a basic structure, the processing liquid 9 is supplied to the transfer paper 1 to which the toner is attached so that the processing liquid 9 permeates the interface of the transfer paper 1 with the toner. Since the toner is peeled off in this state, the toner can be removed without damaging the paper fiber. Further, the surface of the peeling roller 10 is contacted with the peeling roller 10 while the surface of the paper is wet with the treatment liquid 9 and heated to such an extent that the paper can be kept wet even when the paper is separated from the peeling roller 10. Even when it is made of a material having adhesiveness, it is possible to prevent the paper surface itself from adhering to the surface of the peeling roller 10 to cause separation failure, and the separated paper portion re-contacts with the peeling roller 10 to cause toner. Can prevent the rearrangement of.

Next, the structure of the electrical control system for operating the toner removing device 2 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. When the AC power is supplied from the commercial power supply 31 and the main switch 32 is turned on, the DC power (P
The DC power supply voltage is supplied from SU) 33 to each control IC. The CPU 34 to which power is supplied resets the program counter and the like, and starts control based on the program content written in the ROM 35. The CLK oscillator 36 supplies a reference clock CLK necessary for CPU operation.

First, data for turning on the relay 39 is sent to the parallel interface 38 through the address data bus 37. A driver 40 that drives each load is connected to the output port of the parallel interface 38, and a contact drive coil of a relay is connected to a part of the output port of the parallel interface 38 so that a contact 41 of the relay is closed.

Further, SSR1 41 and SSR2 42
Data to be turned on respectively, driver 4 as in the above case
Sent to 0. The peeling roller 10 is provided at the tip of the SSR1 41.
Resistors 43a, 4 corresponding to the heating lamp 20 for heating the
Two or three 3b are connected and heating of the peeling roller 10 is started. On the other hand, a resistor 44 corresponding to the heating lamp 26 for heating the drying roller 11 is permanently connected to the tip of the SSR2 42, and similarly, heating of the drying roller 11 is started.
The temperatures of the rollers 10 and 11 are thermistors 45 and 4 respectively.
The data is detected at 6, is input to the A / D converter 47, and is converted from analog data to digital data. On the other hand, R
The control temperature of each of the rollers 10 and 11 is written in the AM 48, and the temperature is controlled by comparing with that value. This data can also be written in the RAM 48 from the operation display unit 49 via the serial interface 50.

When the temperature of each of the rollers 10 and 11 reaches a temperature (setting value of the RAM 48) sufficient for peeling or drying, a display indicating that the operation is possible (for example, L
(ED lighting, etc.) is performed. When the operation command data is transmitted from the operation display unit 49, the CPU 34 operates the main drive motor 51, and when the load of the motor 51 can be driven at a constant speed, the paper feed motor 52 is driven to start the paper feed. . Here, the registration motor 53 rotates while timing with the paper feeding motor 52 to prevent the skew, and sends out the transfer paper 1. After that, the treatment liquid impregnation as described above,
It is a process of peeling and drying. The loads other than the paper feed roller 13 and the registration roller 14 are all synchronously driven by the main drive motor 51.

In the present embodiment, however, in such a toner removing device 2 having the toner removing processing section 4, the transfer paper 1 which is inconvenient when processed by the toner removing processing section 4 is discriminated in advance. In addition, a reading section (image characteristic determining means) 61 is provided so as to face the sheet feeding and conveying path from the sheet feeding section 3 to the toner removal processing section 4. The reading unit 61 is located on the image surface side of the transfer sheet 1 to be fed.
D, a line CCD with a filter, and the like, and a reading optical system, which has a length equal to or greater than the width of the transfer paper and has an image reading capability within the width of the transfer paper. The reading function of the reading unit 61 is appropriately selected according to the required detection target.

For example, since a toner image suitable for the normal toner removal processing is a black toner image, if a non-black image or an adhered matter is an image unsuitable for removal or an adhered matter,
A 3-line CCD or the like may be used as the reading unit 61 to detect the presence or absence of an image other than black. That is, as an image or the like that cannot be erased by the removal processing of the toner removal processing unit 4, one having a seal stamp image with red ink, one having a signature image with ink such as blue or red, red,
It is possible to discriminate those having a written image by a pen, pencil, or other writing instrument of blue or other colors, and those having an adhered matter such as stains due to ink, etc. from the black image or those having only the adhered matter.

However, in reality, most of the unsuitable images or deposits of this kind are those of red stamps such as red stamps such as red stamps, red pens, and red stamp images. In the case where the range is narrower than the adhered matter and the red image or the adhered matter is an image unsuitable for removal or the adhered matter, a line CCD with a filter is used for the reading unit 61,
It suffices to detect only the presence or absence of a reddish image or the like.

In any case, these 3-line CCDs,
Image reading / identification using a line CCD with filter
It can be easily realized by the technique used in a normal image scanner, a facsimile or the like.

An operation control means (not shown) for controlling the destination of the transfer sheet 1 in response to the result of reading from the reading section 61 is provided. In this operation control means, the transfer paper 1 (document) conveyed in the detection area by the reading unit 61 has only a black image or an adhering material (or
If it is determined that the transfer paper 1 has an image or an adhered substance other than a reddish color, the transfer paper 1 is directly conveyed to the toner removal processing section 4 and the toner removal processing as described above is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined by the reading unit 61 that the transfer paper 1 (document) conveyed in the detection area has an image or an adhering substance other than black (or a red image or an adhering substance). When the transfer claw 62 is switched to pass through the non-processing path 63, the transfer paper 1 is prohibited from being conveyed into the toner removal processing section 4 and is controlled not to be subjected to the toner removal processing.

As described above, for a document having an image or the like which cannot be removed or erased by the toner removal processing section 4,
Since the presence of the toner is detected before the toner removal processing and the toner removal processing unit 4 is controlled so as not to pass through the toner removal processing unit 4, it is possible to avoid a wasteful toner removal processing operation that causes a state in which an erasure leakage image such as an ink image remains. . Further, in the case of a document having a seal stamp image or a signature image, since the toner removal processing is not performed, it is possible to prevent the state in which only the non-erasable image such as the seal stamp image remains, and the certificate etc. Abuse can also be prevented.

By the way, in the paper discharge section 5 of this embodiment, the discharge tray 29a for the transfer paper 1 discharged through the toner removal processing section 4 and the non-processing path 6 without passing through the toner removal processing section 4 are provided.
A discharge tray 29b for the transfer paper 1 that is discharged after 3 is provided separately, and a sorting function for sorting these transfer papers 1 according to the presence or absence of toner removal processing is ensured. Therefore, the toner removal processing is performed on the paper discharge tray 29a and only the transfer paper 1 that can be reused as recycled paper is discharged, while only the unprocessed transfer paper 1 (document) is discharged to the paper discharge tray 29b. Since the sheets are printed, it is possible to clearly distinguish them from each other, and it is possible to reduce post-processing such as sorting work.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet discharging means having the sorting function is constituted by a shift tray 65 having only one sheet discharging tray 64, and the toner removal processing section 4
The position of the paper discharge tray 64 is displaced to the left or right depending on whether the paper is discharged from the non-processing path 63 or from the non-processing path 63. Alternatively, the items may be sorted by making them relatively different.

Further, the transfer paper 1 conveyed through the non-processing path 63 without being subjected to the toner removal processing is not discharged to the outside of the machine, and the toner removal device 2 is used as shown in FIG.
If the paper is ejected inside a keyed container (storage means equipped with a regulation means) 66 and cannot be opened with a key (release means) (not shown) held by a specific person such as a person in charge of management, etc. It may be configured so that it cannot be taken out from the container 66. According to this, for example, with respect to a document having a seal stamp image, or secret information described below, which may be misused when the toner removal process is performed, the toner removal process is prohibited and finally, Since the paper is discharged into the keyed container 66, it cannot be returned even if it is intended to be misused or illegally used, and the handling of subsequent documents can be restricted only to a specific person. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent misuse or unauthorized use.

The storage means provided with the regulation means may be a container in which only the entrance of the paper is opened and the other is hermetically closed. Further, the unlocking means may be a personal identification number or the like.

By the way, in the above description, the reading unit 61
Avoids the adverse effects of non-removable images or deposits other than black or red images or deposits that cannot be removed when toner removal processing is performed. Although it is possible to remove the toner depending on the document, it may be an important document in which it is troublesome to perform the toner removing process to erase the image. In the case of the transfer paper 1 which is such a document, a predetermined identification image indicating that the transfer paper 1 cannot be erased (cannot be removed), for example, a bar code is printed on a part of the corner of the transfer paper 1 or as a seal form. It may be provided by a method such as sticking, and configured by the reading unit 61 that can recognize such an identification image, that is, the pattern recognition unit or the like. Then, when such an identification image is recognized, the operation control unit controls so as not to pass through the toner removal processing unit 4. The identification image is not limited to a bar code, and may be a character (stamp) or the like such as "prohibition of copying" or "confidential". However, a bar code is preferable because recognition is relatively easy and reliable. . According to this, even when an important document or the like which is troublesome if the image is erased is supplied to the toner removing device 2, it is possible to automatically avoid receiving the toner removing process, and the image disappears. Can be avoided.

Furthermore, for important documents with high confidentiality, certificates that need to be imprinted, etc., the image formation itself by the toner image is devised so that it is formed as a special toner image different from the toner for the normal image, As a special toner image which is not suitable for removal, it is recognized by an image characteristic recognition means (not shown) before being conveyed to the toner removal processing section 4, and it is decided whether or not to perform the toner removal processing. May be.
That is, for a document in which the toner image is difficult to be erased (especially, a confidential document of high importance) or a copy document that requires imprinting, when such a document is created by a copying machine or the like, the toner is fluorescent Use a special toner (a toner resin in which a fluorescent paint is melted) mixed with a paint (a material that emits ultraviolet light or a material that emits light). As an image characteristic recognition unit for detecting the presence of such a special toner image, for example, the presence of light that is colored or emitted by irradiating the image surface of the transfer paper 1 fed from the paper feed unit 3 with ultraviolet rays Line C, which has high sensitivity in the ultraviolet range
It may be detected by a CD or the like. More specifically, a shield that covers a part of the transport path before reaching the toner removal processing unit 4 is provided, and a light source that irradiates the transfer paper 1 with ultraviolet rays and a transfer member are provided in a dark room state by the shield. A detection unit including a reading unit such as a line CCD that receives and detects the reflected light from the paper 1 may be arranged to perform the detection operation. In other words, in the case of toner for normal images, the image is not detected by the sensor because it does not develop color even if it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, whereas in the case of special toner images containing fluorescent paint, the image part is irradiated by ultraviolet rays. Develops or emits light and can be detected by a sensor such as a line CCD. Regarding the transfer paper 1 on which such a special toner image is detected, it is possible to avoid receiving the toner removal process by prohibiting the transfer paper 1 from being conveyed to the toner removal processing unit 4. This makes it possible to prevent careless image erasure and abuse of confidential documents and the like. Also in this case, as described above, if the paper is discharged to the keyed container 66 or the like, safer and more reliable abuse or unauthorized use can be prevented.

[0055]

According to the image carrier reproducing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the adhered state of the image forming material and the image forming material on the recorded image forming material to which the image forming material is stably attached is recorded. In an image carrier regenerating apparatus including an image forming substance removal processing unit that performs an instable removal process to regenerate the image carrier, an improper removal on the image carrier conveyed to the image forming substance removal processing unit. An image characteristic discriminating means for detecting the presence or absence of an image or an adhered matter, and an operation for controlling execution / non-execution of the removal processing by the image forming substance removal processing section on the image carrier according to the discrimination result by the image characteristic discriminating means. By providing the control means, prior to the processing by the image-forming substance removing unit, the image characteristic determining means detects and determines whether or not the image carrier has an image unsuitable for removal or an adhered matter, and the operation control means determines the image. Formation Since it is controlled whether or not the removal processing by the removal processing unit is executed, it is possible to eliminate unsuitable removal before passing through the image forming material removal processing unit, and to remove excess removal that may cause removal leakage. Since it is not necessary to perform the treatment, only the material suitable for the removal is subjected to the removal processing, and the recycled paper can be efficiently produced. In particular, since a normal copy image or the like is often based on a black toner image, if the image or adhered matter that is not suitable for removal is an image or adhered matter other than black as claimed in claim 2, it is mainly a seal imprinted image with red ink, It is possible to prevent the leakage of erasure by removing the signature image with red or blue ink, the writing image with a red pen or red pencil, or the image carrier containing the adhered matter such as stains. It is possible to prevent the improper use of the stamped image. Furthermore, if such an image unsuitable for removal or an adhering substance is specified as a red image or an adhering substance other than black, the image forming material for an image carrier having a seal stamp image or the like can be specified. Abuse caused by passing through the removal processing unit can be reliably prevented. Further, when the unsuitable image for removal or the adhering matter is a predetermined identification image or adhering matter provided to indicate that the image cannot be removed as described in claim 4, a predetermined identification image is provided in advance for an image which is not desired to be erased. It is possible to prevent the processing of the image forming substance removal processing unit from being performed simply by adding the above, and it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of erasing the image carelessly. Further, if the unsuitable image for removal or the adhering matter is a special toner image or adhering matter whose characteristics are different from those of the toner for the normal image as described in claim 5, the secret document is formed with the special toner image. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the trouble that the image is erased in the image forming substance removal processing section and the misuse of the secret document.

Further, according to the image carrier reproducing apparatus of the sixth aspect, in addition to the configuration of the image carrier reproducing apparatus of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, an image forming substance removal processing section is used. By providing a sheet discharging unit that sorts and discharges the image holding member on which the removal processing is performed and the image holding member on which the removal processing is not performed, the image holding member that has passed through the image forming substance removal processing unit and the image holding member that does not pass through Since the paper is sorted and discharged by the paper discharging means, the image holding member in which the image forming substance is removed and reused as recycled paper without the need for manual sorting by the operator, and the image unsuitable for removal or It is possible to clearly distinguish from an image carrier that has an adhered substance and has not been subjected to a reproduction process.

According to the image carrier reproducing apparatus of the seventh aspect, in addition to the configuration of the image carrier reproducing apparatus of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the removal processing by the image forming substance removing processing section is performed. Is not suitable for removal by providing a storage means for storing the image holding body on which the above-mentioned operation is not performed, a regulating means for regulating the taking-out of the image holding body from the storing means, and a releasing means for canceling the taking-out regulation by the regulating means. Since the image holding member which has an image or an adhered substance and is not subjected to the removal processing by the image forming substance removal processing unit is stored in the storage means, and the removal means prevents the removal from the removal of the restriction means, so that the removal cannot be taken out.
It is possible to more reliably prevent misuse or unauthorized use of an image holder having a seal stamp image or requiring confidentiality by anyone other than a specific person.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a principle configuration of a toner removing device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electrical control system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a modified example of a paper discharge unit.

FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing a modified example including a keyed container.

[Description of Reference Signs] 1 image carrier 4 image forming substance removal processing unit 5 paper discharge means 61 image characteristic determination means 65 paper discharge means 66 storage means, regulation means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Ito 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock company Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Hiroshi Masuyama 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Within Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Toshio Uehara 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image carrier is formed by subjecting a recorded image carrier on which an image-forming material is stably adhered to a removal treatment for making the adhered state of the image carrier and the image-forming material unstable. In an image carrier regenerating apparatus having an image forming substance removing processing unit for reproducing, an image characteristic determining unit for detecting the presence or absence of an image unsuitable for removal or an adhering substance on the image carrier conveyed to the image forming substance removing processing unit. And an operation control means for controlling execution / non-execution of the removal processing by the image forming substance removal processing unit on the image carrier according to the discrimination result by the image characteristic discrimination means. Playback device. 2. The image carrier regenerating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inappropriate image for removal or the adhering matter to be detected by the image characteristic judging means is an image or adhering matter other than black. 3. The image carrier regenerating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unsuitable image for removal or the adhering matter to be detected by the image characteristic determining means is a reddish image or adhering matter. 4. The unsuitable image for removal or an adhering object to be detected by the image characteristic determining means is a predetermined identification image or an adhering object provided to indicate that the image cannot be removed. Image carrier reproducing device. 5. A special toner image or adhering matter having a characteristic different from that of the toner for a normal image is used as the removal inappropriate image or adhering matter to be detected by the image characteristic discriminating means. Image carrier reproducing device. 6. The paper ejecting means for sorting and ejecting an image holding member on which the image forming substance removing processing is executed by the image forming material removing processing unit and an image holding member on which the image forming material removal processing is not executed. The image carrier reproducing device described in 2, 3, 4 or 5. 7. A storage unit for storing an image carrier on which the removal processing by the image forming substance removal processing unit is not performed, a restricting unit for restricting the removal of the image carrier from the storage unit, and a removal by the restricting unit. An image carrier reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, further comprising a releasing means for releasing the restriction.