JPH08118691A - Erasing device for reversible thermal recording material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To uniformly and stably erase a data-bearing part by bringing a ceramic heater into close contact with a reversible thermal recording material to be heated, and erasing the data-bearing part of the recording material. CONSTITUTION: A rotary support member 6 is rotated to fall down a protrusion 6a (in the direction indicated by arrow (r)), and hence a ceramic heater 20 is pressed to a guide roll 1. The member 6 is interlocked with the temperature controller of the heater 20 and the driver of the driving means of the roll 1. When the heater 20 is pressed to the roll 1, the circuits are operated. When the heater 20 reaches the erasing temperature, the recorded reversibly thermal recording material P is conveyed by the roll 11 rotatably driven by the driving means. Heat is supplied by the heater 20, and naturally cooled after the heater 20 is passed, thereby erasing data recorded on the part of the material P.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an erasing device for reversible thermosensitive recording materials, and more specifically, it applies heat in the erasing temperature range to recorded reversible thermosensitive recording materials to erase recorded portions of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording materials. The present invention relates to an erasing device for reversible thermosensitive recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a reversible thermosensitive recording material has been proposed which can be re-recorded after erasing a recorded portion. This reversible thermosensitive recording material can be repeatedly used by recording and erasing, the recording means is performed by the same heating method as that of the conventional thermosensitive recording material, and the erasing means is the heating temperature at the time of recording. By applying heat to a reversible thermosensitive recording material that has already been recorded, in a specific temperature range different from the above.

Examples of this reversible thermosensitive recording material include:
JP-A-54-119377, JP-A-63-393
No. 77, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-41186 discloses a heat-sensitive recording material composed of a resin base material and organic low-molecular-weight molecules dispersed in the resin base material. A reversible thermosensitive recording material utilizing the change, JP-A-2-188293, JP-A-2-
No. 188294, a reversible thermosensitive recording medium composed of a dye precursor and a color-developing / decoloring agent for coloring and decoloring the dye precursor by heat, such as transparent / white turbid or color-developing
It is possible to use a material capable of visually recording and erasing an image by utilizing a thermal change of erasing.

These reversible thermosensitive recording materials are basically constituted by providing a reversible thermosensitive recording layer on a support. As this support, paper, various non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, synthetic resin films such as polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene, paper laminated with synthetic resin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic paper, metal foil, glass and the like are used.

When the recorded portion of the reversible thermosensitive recording material is to be erased, heat is applied to the reversible thermosensitive recording material within an erasable temperature range determined by the characteristics of the reversible thermosensitive recording material (hereinafter referred to as an erasing temperature range). There is a need. At this time, if heat outside the erasing temperature range is given, not only the erasing cannot be performed, but also if the heat is too high, the thermal expansion of the support causes adverse effects such as wrinkles. May occur.

Therefore, in order to erase the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material, development of an erasing dedicated device capable of stably supplying heat in the erasing temperature range to the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material. Was waiting.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides uniform recording on a reversible thermosensitive recording material so that the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material can be erased uniformly and stably. In addition, it is an erasing device that stably supplies heat in the erasing temperature range, and an element that can rapidly perform the erasing process of the reversible thermosensitive recording material, such as downsizing of the device and erasing time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an erasing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording material, which also considers shortening of recording time, shortening of warm-up, and the like.

[0008]

The present invention is an erasing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording material characterized by the following constitutions.

(1) A reversible heat-sensitive recording material that has been recorded is conveyed and moved by a guide roll which also faces a ceramic heater and also serves as a conveying roll, and a ceramic heater having a pressing means for the guide roll is used as the recording material. And the heat in the erasing temperature range is supplied to erase the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material.

(2) Further, in the invention of the above (1), a plurality of ceramic heaters and guide rolls arranged so as to face the ceramic heaters are arranged in the conveying direction of the reversible thermosensitive recording material. There is.

(3) A reversible thermosensitive recording material having been recorded is conveyed and moved by a guide roll which is arranged so as to face the panel heater and also serves as a conveying roll, and a panel heater having a pressing means for the guide roll is used as the recording material. And the heat in the erasing temperature range is supplied to erase the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material.

(4) Further, in the invention of the above (3), a temperature sensor for controlling the temperature of the panel heater is provided in the panel on the order of 1/2 of the passage length of the panel heater or on the downstream side in the transport direction. It is characterized by having.

(5) Further, in the invention of (1) or (3) above, the guide roll is coated with a material having a rubber hardness of 30 ° or less, and the friction coefficient between the guide roll surface and the reversible thermosensitive recording material is μr, When the coefficient of friction between the ceramic heater or the panel heater and the reversible thermosensitive recording material is μh, the relationship between these friction coefficients is such that μr> μh.

[0014]

In an erasing device that uses a ceramic heater as a heat supply member for a recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material, a ceramic heater having a pressing means is pressed against a guide roll arranged opposite to the ceramic heater to interlock. The temperature control circuit of the ceramic heater and the drive circuit of the guide roll are activated. After the ceramic heater reaches a preset erasing temperature for erasing the recorded portion of the reversible thermosensitive recording material, the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material is conveyed and moved by a guide roll which also serves as a conveying roll. Heat is supplied by a ceramic heater that is in close contact with the substrate, and after passing through the ceramic heater, the recording portion is erased by natural cooling.

By using a ceramic heater having a good thermal response as a heat supply member for the reversible thermosensitive recording material, it is possible to shorten the time required for the ceramic heater to reach the erasing temperature, that is, the warm-up time.

In order to erase the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material, it is necessary to apply a certain amount of heat energy to the recording material, and the ceramic heater as described above and the guide roll arranged opposite thereto. By arranging two or more pairs in the transport direction of the reversible thermosensitive recording material, the contact area between the heat supply member and the reversible thermosensitive recording material can be widened, and the transport speed can be improved, that is, the erasing time can be shortened. .

Further, when the holding member of the ceramic heater is structured to come into contact with the reversible thermosensitive recording material, the holding member is made of a material having good thermal conductivity and hardly deformed by heat, for example, machinable ceramic. , The holding member conducts heat from the ceramic heater and has a temperature close to that of the ceramic heater. Therefore, the holding member functions as a heat supply member, and as a result, the contact area between the heat supply member and the reversible thermosensitive recording material is increased, and the transport speed is improved. That is, the erase time can be shortened.

As a member for supplying heat to the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material, a panel made of a material having a good thermal conductivity, such as a sheet heater, for example, a silicon rubber heater, is used.
In an erasing device using a so-called panel heater attached to copper, aluminum, stainless steel, etc., a panel heater having a pressing means is interlocked by pressing it against a guide roll arranged opposite to the panel heater. The temperature control circuit of the heater and the drive circuit of the guide roll are activated. After the panel heater reaches the preset erasing temperature for erasing the recorded portion of the reversible thermosensitive recording material, the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material is conveyed and moved by the guide roll also serving as a conveying roll, Heat is supplied through the panel from the planar heater of the panel heater that is closely contacted, and after passing through the panel heater, it is naturally cooled,
The recorded area is erased.

When heat is applied to the reversible thermosensitive recording material from the panel heater, the panel of the panel heater is deprived of the heat by the recording material, and the temperature of the panel is lowered. The temperature drop of the panel is detected by a temperature sensor for controlling the temperature of the panel heater, for example, a thermistor, and is fed back to the temperature control circuit of the panel heater, the planar heater generates heat and the panel reaches the erasing temperature again. At this time, set the temperature sensor of the panel heater to approximately 1/2 of the passage length of the panel heater.
When mounted in the panel on the upstream side in the transport direction, the temperature sensor is rapidly cooled by the reversible thermosensitive recording material inserted at a temperature close to room temperature, and the planar heater generates more heat. When the thermosensitive recording material is inserted, the temperature of the panel heater becomes higher than the erasing temperature, so that not only the recorded portion of the reversible thermosensitive recording material cannot be erased but also the unrecorded portion may be covered. Therefore, it is preferable that the temperature sensor for controlling the temperature of the panel heater is installed in a panel which is approximately ½ of the passage length of the panel heater or is downstream from the panel heater. The reversible thermosensitive recording material is a temperature sensor. By the time the panel heater reaches the mounting position, heat is applied by the panel heater, and the temperature of the recording material rises somewhat. Therefore, the temperature sensor detects a more accurate temperature change of the panel and stabilizes the reversible thermosensitive recording material. It becomes possible to erase the recorded portion.

Further, by increasing the passage length of the panel heater, the contact area between the reversible thermosensitive recording material and the panel heater is expanded, and the conveying speed can be improved, that is, the erasing time can be shortened.

By attaching a heat insulating material, for example, GA board (trade name of heat insulating material manufactured by Mitsubishi Paper Mills, Ltd.) or the like to the other surface (opposite side of the panel) of the sheet heater constituting the panel heater, It is possible to efficiently transfer heat from the heater to the panel.

Further, by using a material having good heat resistance and heat insulating properties, such as polyether ether ketone, for the holding member of the panel heater, heat transfer from the holding member is reduced, so that the heat distribution of the panel is uniform. As a result, heat is uniformly applied to the reversible thermosensitive recording material, and uniform erasing becomes possible.

The guide roll has a rubber hardness of 30 ° or less,
Preferably, the angle is 3 ° to 20 °, and by using a material having heat resistance, the adhesion between the reversible thermosensitive recording material and the ceramic heater is improved, heat is evenly supplied to the reversible thermosensitive recording material, and uniform erasing is performed. Will be possible. Further, when the friction coefficient between the reversible heat-sensitive recording material and the surface of the guide roll is μr and the friction coefficient between the ceramic heater and the recording material is μh, the guide roll is made of a material having μr> μh. Since there is no need to provide a dedicated transport mechanism for transporting the reversible thermosensitive recording material, the apparatus can be simplified and downsized. Silicon rubber or the like is effective as a material having the above heat resistance and a large friction coefficient.

Further, by providing a slippery layer having a low frictional resistance on the surface of the ceramic heater (and its holding member) which is in contact with the reversible thermosensitive recording material, it is possible to improve the transportability of the reversible thermosensitive recording material as described above. be able to. This slipping layer has an effect of preventing vibration due to contact of the guide roll with high frictional resistance with the ceramic heater when the reversible thermosensitive recording material does not pass between the ceramic heater and the guide roll, such as warming up. There is also. As a means for providing the slipping layer, for example, sticking a tape made of Teflon, applying a fluororesin, or the like is preferable.

The above-mentioned guide roll and the above-mentioned slipping layer bring about the same effect when used in an erasing device in which the heat supply member is a panel heater.

[0026]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Example 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an example of the device of the present invention using a ceramic heater as a heat supply member.

In the figure, 1 is a guide roll which also serves as a transport roll, and 20 is a ceramic heater (AC1 manufactured by Kyocera Corp.).
00V, 20Ω), 30 is a holding member for the ceramic heater 20, 7 is a supporting member for the ceramic heater holding member 30,
2 is a support member for the ceramic heater support member 7, 4 is a spring, 3 is a support member for the spring 4, and 5 is a ceramic heater 20.
Is a screw that adjusts the pressing pressure on the guide roll 1, and 6 is a rotation support member that lifts the ceramic heater 20.

The support member 2 and the rotation support member 6 are supported by a frame of a device (not shown), and one end of the spring 4 is fixed to the frame. The guide roll 1 is supported by the frame via bearings.

During operation of this apparatus, the ceramic heater 20 is pressed against the guide roll 1 by the spring 4 with the support member 2 as a fulcrum. The rotation support member 6 includes a protrusion 6a for raising the ceramic heater 20 and a rotation member 6b.
In order to prevent the ceramic heater 20 from being pressed for a long time and the guide roll 1 from being deformed, the ceramic heater 20 is lifted by the rotation supporting member 6 when not in operation. The pressing mechanism of the ceramic heater 20 composed of the support members 2 and 3 and the spring 4 and the lifting mechanism of the ceramic heater 20 composed of the rotation supporting member 6 have a width of the apparatus in order to uniformly press the ceramic heater 20 against the guide roll 1. It is provided at both ends in the direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction).

The ceramic heater 20 is guided by turning the rotation support member 6 and tilting the protrusion 6a (for example, rotating in the direction of the arrow r in the figure, the drawing shows the state in which the protrusion 6a is tilted). It is pressed against the roll 1. The rotation support member 6 is interlocked with a temperature control circuit of a ceramic heater 20 (not shown) and a drive circuit of a drive unit (not shown) of the guide roll 1, and the ceramic heater 20 is connected to the guide roll 1.
Each circuit operates when it is pressed against.

When the ceramic heater 20 reaches the erasing temperature, the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material P is conveyed and moved by the guide roll 1 which is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown), and heat is supplied by the ceramic heater 20. After passing through the ceramic heater 20, the recording portion of the recording material P is erased by natural cooling.

The guide roll 1 has a steel core 1a, rubber 1b
The rubber 1b is made of foamed silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 10 °. Also, a Teflon tape (manufactured by 3M, product name Scotch brand tape MN55144) is attached to the surface of the ceramic heater 20,
The slippery layer 20a is used. As a result, the coefficient of friction μr between the reversible thermosensitive recording material P and the surface of the guide roll 1 is 0.9,
Friction coefficient μ between the recording material P and the ceramic heater 20
h was set to 0.2. As a result, stable conveyance of the reversible thermosensitive recording material P and uniform heat supply to the recording material P were realized, and the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material P was uniformly erased.

By using the ceramic heater as the heat supply member, the time (warming up) until the erase temperature is reached is shortened.

At the erasing temperature of 120 ° C., the erasing temperature reaching time of the ceramic heater 20 was 10 seconds, and the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material was uniformly erased by setting the conveying speed to 10 mm / s. When the reversible thermosensitive recording material is A4 size, the erasing time is 30 seconds.

Example 2 FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of an example of the device of the present invention using two ceramic heaters as heat supply members.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a holding member for the ceramic heater 20,
Reference numeral 31 is a guide plate for preventing clogging of the reversible thermosensitive recording material P when the ceramic heater 20 and its holding member 30 pass therethrough.

In this embodiment, by arranging two pairs of the ceramic heater 20 and one pair of guide rolls in the carrying direction,
Since the width w of the ceramic heater 20 which is a heat supply member is apparently doubled, the contact area between the ceramic heater 20 and the reversible thermosensitive recording material P is increased, and the conveying speed is increased as compared with the case of the first embodiment, that is, The erase time could be shortened.

A machinable ceramic (manufactured by Ryoden Kasei Co., Ltd., trade name Mioceram 500) is used for the holding member 30. Since the holding member 30 transfers heat from the ceramic heater 20 and acts as a heat supply member, it has the same effect as widening the width w of the ceramic heater 20, and the transport speed is improved, that is, the erasing time is shortened. .

By attaching a Teflon tape to the surfaces of the ceramic heater 20 and the holding member 30 which come into contact with the reversible thermosensitive recording material P as a heat supply member, the slipping layer 3 is formed.
0a is provided to contribute to the improvement of the transportability of the reversible thermosensitive recording material P.

The passage length acting as a heat supply member, that is, the passage length Wc = 50 in contact with the reversible thermosensitive recording material P.
mm, erasing temperature 120 ° C, transport speed 30 mm
By setting to / s, the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material was uniformly erased. In the case of the A4 size reversible thermosensitive recording material, the erasing time was 10 seconds, and compared with the case of Example 1, the conveying speed was tripled, that is, the erasing time was 1 /
I was able to shorten to 3.

The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 omitting the description in FIG. 2 have the same meanings as in FIG.

Example 3 FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of an example of the device of the present invention using a panel heater as a heat supply member.

40 is a panel heater, 41 is a heat insulating material, 42
Is a holding member for the panel heater 40, 44 is a supporting member for the panel heater holding member 42, and 43 is a temperature sensor for controlling the temperature of the panel heater 40.

The panel heater 40 comprises a panel 40b and a planar heater 40c, and the panel 40b is attached to a holding member 42. Further, the guide rolls 1 also serving as the transport rolls are provided one upstream and one downstream of the transport so that the panel heater 40 uniformly applies heat to the reversible thermosensitive recording material P.
Two are arranged in total.

The guide roll 1 comprises a steel core 1a and a rubber 1
The rubber hardness of the rubber 1b is 20
° foamed silicone rubber is used. Further, a silicon rubber heater (trade name: Samicon Super 340 manufactured by Sakaguchi Denki Co., Ltd.) is used for the planar heater 40c that constitutes the panel heater 40, and SUS304 is used for the panel 40b. Is provided with the Teflon tape to provide the slipping layer 40a. As a result, the coefficient of friction μr between the reversible thermosensitive recording material P and the surface of the guide roll 1 is 0.9, and the recording material P and the panel heater 4 are
The coefficient of friction μh of 0 was 0.2. As a result, the reversible thermosensitive recording material P can be stably conveyed and uniformly supplied with heat, and the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material P can be uniformly erased.

The temperature sensor 43 used for controlling the temperature of the panel heater 40 is embedded in the panel 40b which comes into contact with the reversible thermosensitive recording material P, and the mounting position S is defined as Wp, which is the passage length of the panel heater. At this time, about 1/2 of Wp, or a position downstream from it in the transport direction is preferable, and in this embodiment, it is set to 40 mm.

Panel heater passage length Wp = 50 m
m, erasing temperature 120 ° C., conveying speed 30 mm /
By setting to s, the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material was uniformly erased. In the case of the A4 size reversible thermosensitive recording material, the erasing time was 10 seconds, and the apparatus of this example provided the same effect as that of the example 2. In addition, even when 30 sheets of reversible thermosensitive recording materials that have already been recorded are continuously passed,
It was possible to perform stable and uniform erasing.

The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 omitting the description in FIG. 3 have the same meanings as in FIG.

Example 4 An example of the device of the present invention using another panel heater and a guide roll as the heat supply member of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The guide roll 1 comprises a steel core 1a and a sponge with double-sided tape having a rubber hardness of 5 ° (manufactured by Nitto Denko KK, trade name SM-L) 1b. In addition, a silicon rubber heater is used for the planar heater 40c that constitutes the panel heater 40, and aluminum is used for the panel 40b. The surface of the panel heater 40 is made of fluororesin (trade name: fluororesin manufactured by Toyo Drylube Co., Ltd.). The dry layer # 815-A) is applied to form the slipping layer 40a having a film thickness of 20 μm. As a result, the coefficient of friction μr between the reversible thermosensitive recording material P and the surface of the guide roll 1 is 0.8,
The friction coefficient μh between the recording material P and the panel heater 40 is set to 0.
185. As a result, the reversible thermosensitive recording material P can be stably conveyed and uniformly supplied with heat,
The recorded portion of the reversible thermosensitive recording material P which has been recorded can be erased uniformly.

The temperature sensor 43 used for controlling the temperature of the panel heater 40 is embedded in the panel 40b which is in contact with the reversible thermosensitive recording material P, and the mounting position S has the passage length of the panel heater as Wp. At this time, about 1/2 of Wp, or a position downstream from it in the transport direction is preferable, and in this embodiment, it is set to 40 mm.

The length of passage of the panel heater Wp = 50 mm,
At the erasing temperature of 120 ° C., the recording speed of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material was uniformly erased by setting the conveying speed to 30 mm / s. With the A4 size reversible thermosensitive recording material, the erasing time is 10 seconds. Further, even when 30 sheets of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material were continuously passed, stable and uniform erasing could be performed. The device of this embodiment has the same effect as that of the device of the third embodiment.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, a ceramic heater having a pressing means as a heat supply member, or a panel heater, and a guide roll also facing the ceramic heater, which also serves as a transport roll, are provided. Regarding the erasing device of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material having the structure, it is of course possible to uniformly and stably erase the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material, and a dedicated conveying mechanism is not required. Therefore, the device can be simplified and downsized. Further, the erasing time can be shortened by increasing the contact area between the heat supply member and the reversible thermosensitive recording material. Further, when a ceramic heater is used as the heat supply member, warming up can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a device of the present invention according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a device of the present invention according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the devices of the present invention according to Examples 3 and 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Guide Roll 2, 3, 7, 44 Supporting Member 4 Spring 5 Pressing Pressure Adjusting Screw 6 Rotating Supporting Member 20 Ceramic Heater 30 Holding Member 31 Guide Plate 40 Panel Heater 41 Insulating Material 42 Holding Member 43 Temperature Sensor 20a, 30a , 40a slipping layer

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location 7416-2H B41M 5/26 102

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A reversible thermosensitive recording device comprising a ceramic heater having pressing means for moving the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material by a guide roll which is arranged so as to face the ceramic heater and also serves as a conveying roll. An erasing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording material, characterized in that the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material is erased by bringing it into close contact with the material and supplying heat. 2. The reversible thermosensitive recording material according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of ceramic heaters and guide rolls arranged opposite to the ceramic heater are arranged in the conveying direction of the reversible thermosensitive recording material. Eraser. 3. A reversible thermosensitive recording device comprising a guide roller arranged opposite to a panel heater, which conveys and moves a recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material by means of a guide roll which also serves as a conveying roll, and which has a pressing means for the guide roll. An erasing device for a reversible thermosensitive recording material, characterized in that the recorded portion of the recorded reversible thermosensitive recording material is erased by bringing it into close contact with the material and supplying heat. 4. The length of passage through the panel heater is approximately 1 /
2. The erasing apparatus for reversible thermosensitive recording material according to claim 3, further comprising a temperature sensor for controlling the temperature of the panel heater in the panel 2 or the downstream side of the panel in the conveying direction. 5. The guide roll is coated with a material having a rubber hardness of 30 ° or less, and the friction coefficient between the guide roll surface and the reversible thermosensitive recording material is μr, a ceramic heater, or a panel heater and a reversible thermosensitive recording material. 4. The eraser for reversible thermosensitive recording material according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the friction coefficient of the above satisfies μr> μh.