JPH08146647A - Image forming device, regenerating device for recording medium and printing material to be used for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily and completely regenerate a recording medium at a low cost by using a printing material suitable for a device consisting of a combination of an image forming device and a regenerating device in which the ink as the printing material is removed by using an ink-removing liquid and the recording medium is discharged in a state to be regenerated. CONSTITUTION: The printing material contains 2-15 pts.wt. hydrophilic fine particles to 100 pts.wt. of a resin used for the printing material and the printing material is suitable for an ink-removing liquid containing water and such a component that dissolves or swells this resin. The printing material consists of at least a coloring agent and a binder resin and includes various kinds of toners or powdery ink used for electrophotographic copying. The ink-removing liquid contains a component which dissolves or swells the resin of the printing material and water as the essential component which swells the fiber of paper as one kind of recording material to render the printing material in such a state that can be easily separated from the paper fiber. As for the component to dissolve or swell the resin of the printing material, for example, bivalent org. acid monoesters, glycol ethers and other org. solvents are used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention makes it possible to reuse a recording medium by deinking a printing material such as toner adhered to a recording medium such as paper by forming an image with a copying machine or a printer. And a printing material suitable for use in the device. More specifically, a printing material that can be used to develop an electrostatic latent image in electrophotography or electrostatic printing, and can be deinked to reuse paper or an OHP sheet, like conventional printing materials. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there is a strong demand for recycling waste paper from the viewpoint of protecting the global environment, and a considerable amount of it has already been recycled. However, it is relatively easy to remove those printed with ink such as newspapers, but those fixed on paper with a printing material containing resin have not yet been completely removed. Since it is not used, it is currently not being recycled so much.

As a conventional removal technique, there is an apparatus in which an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is combined with a reproducing apparatus for removing toner from recording paper on which an image is printed.
No. 86 and JP-A-5-173454. JP-A-4-356086 describes that a toner, which is an image forming material, contains a special material such as biodegradable plastic or photodegradable plastic to reproduce a recording paper printed with such toner. Has been done. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 173454/1993, a method of liquefying a toner by heat and bringing a substance larger than the critical surface energy of the toner into contact to transfer the toner to the substance, or a plastic film laminated with the liquefied toner Is disclosed, and a method of detaching the plastic film from the recording paper is disclosed. However,
With these methods, it is difficult to completely remove the toner from the recording medium in the case of an image having a large amount of adhered toner. Further, in the method using plastic, the cost increases in consideration of heat energy for liquefying the toner and consumption of the laminated film for transfer.

Therefore, we have been researching a better system for removing a printing material represented by toner from a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as "deinking"). Especially, the system using deinking liquid containing water was investigated. By including water in the deinking liquid, when the recording medium is paper, it is possible to obtain the effect of efficiently swelling the pulp fibers of the paper with water and efficiently removing the printing material penetrating into the mesh structure, This is because it has advantages such as higher safety than conventional organic solvent deinking liquids and the least possible occurrence of environmental problems due to waste liquids.

When the deinking solution contains water, the degree of deinking depends on the hydrophilicity of the printing material. That is, the higher the hydrophilicity of the printing material, the easier the deinking liquid penetrates into the printing material, and the more easily the resin constituting the printing material can be dissolved or sufficiently swelled.

However, most of the commonly used printing materials are resins, and other coloring agents, anti-offset agents, charge control agents, magnetic powders, post-treatment agents, etc., are added as desired. Is highly hydrophobic. This is for the following reasons. As a method of charging such a printing material used in the development of an electrostatic latent image, in the two-component development method, a material generally called a carrier is mixed and mixed.
It is known to give an electric charge by stirring. Also in the one-component developing method, it is known that the printing material is charged by contact with a developing sleeve, a toner regulating blade, or the like. In either method, if the chargeability of the printing material is low, problems will occur during development and transfer. This chargeability is closely related to the humidity of the atmosphere around the printing material,
When the humidity is high, the charge amount tends to be low. Therefore, it is considered that the higher the hydrophobicity of the printing material, the more the change in the charge level of the printing material due to the humidity fluctuation can be suppressed.

As described above, the deinking property and the charging property of the printing material require the printing material to have the opposite properties of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. However, we set the amount of hydrophilic fine particles to be added to the printing material. Then, it was found that by imparting hydrophilicity to the printing material, both the deinking property and the chargeability can be satisfied.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for fixing a printing material to a recording medium, a component for dissolving or swelling a resin used in the printing material, and water are used. A device that combines a deinking liquid containing ink and a playback device that discharges the recording medium in a reusable state, and can be easily deinked with a deinking liquid containing water used in the device. Then, it aims at providing the printing material which has the chargeability of the level which does not have a practical problem also with respect to environmental change.

[0009]

The present invention contains 2 to 15 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine particles to 100 parts by weight of a resin used in a printing material, and a component that dissolves or swells the resin and water. The present invention relates to a printing material suitable for a deinking liquid containing the ink.

The present invention further comprises an image forming apparatus using the above-mentioned printing material and provided with an image forming means for fixing the printing material to a recording medium, and a component for dissolving or swelling the resin used in the printing material. The present invention relates to an apparatus in combination with a reproducing apparatus that deinks a printing material from a recording medium using a deinking liquid containing water and discharges the recording medium in a reusable state.

In the present invention, the printing material comprises at least a colorant and a binder resin, and contains various toners used in electrophotographic copying, powder ink and the like.

The deinking liquid used in the present invention contains at least a liquid that dissolves or swells the binder resin used in the printing material and water.

The deinking liquid for deinking the printing surface visualized by the printing material containing at least a binder resin on the recording medium is one of the recording material and a component that dissolves or swells the resin of the printing material. Swell the paper fibers,
Water, which is a component that makes the printing material easily detach from the paper fiber, is an essential component, and the printing material after deinking is aggregated to prevent the deinking printing material from adhering to the paper again if desired. The ink composition may contain a component having an effect of increasing the permeability of the deinking liquid to the printing material and the paper and contributing to shortening the deinking time.

Examples of components that dissolve or swell the resin of the printing material include divalent organic acid monoesters, glycol ethers, and other organic solvents.

The divalent organic acid monoester will be specifically described. Examples of the divalent organic acid of the monoester of the divalent organic acid include saturated or unsaturated fatty acids such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and glutaric acid. Adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid, or aromatic fatty acids such as phthalic acid, isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid can be used. Particularly preferred are saturated fatty acids such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid and sebacic acid.

Examples of alcohol components of monoesters of divalent organic acids include monohydric alcohols (which may be linear or branched) such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerin. , Polyhydric alcohols such as pentaerythritol and sorbitol, diethylene glycol,
Glycols such as dipropylene glycol and polyethylene glycol or cellosolves such as ethyl cellosolve and butyl cellosolve can be used. You may use these alcohol individually or in mixture of 2 or more types.

The monoester of a diorganic acid is provided by an esterification reaction of the divalent organic acid with an alcohol or by a hydrolysis reaction of a diester of the divalent organic acid.

Preferred monoesters of divalent organic acids are represented by the following general formula: HOOC- (CH ₂ ) _n -COOR ₁ (wherein R ₁ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and n is 0 to 8). It represents an integer).

Specifically, oxalic acid monoester (HOOC-COOR ₁ ) malonic acid monoester (HOOC-CH ₂ -COOR ₁ ) succinic acid monoester (HOOC- (CH ₂ ) ₂ -COOR
₁₎ glutaric acid monomethyl ester (HOOC- (CH _{2) 3} -COO
R ₁ ) adipic acid monoester (HOOC- (CH ₂ ) _4- COO
R ₁ ) pimelic acid monoester (HOOC- (CH ₂ ) _5- COO
R ₁ ) Suberic acid monoester (HOOC- (CH ₂ ) _6- COO
R ₁₎ azelaic acid monomethyl ester (HOOC- (CH _{2) 7} -CO
OR ₁₎ sebacic acid monoester (HOOC- (CH _{2) 8} -COO
R ₁ ) and the like can be mentioned. Of course, the divalent organic acid monoester may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

The divalent organic acid monoester is a material which swells the fibers of the recording material, paper, due to the presence of the carboxylic acid group, and makes the printing material easily leave a leaving group from the paper fibers. It is considered that it is compatible with, and has an excellent penetrating power to the printing material, and the presence of the ester group ensures the swelling and the dissolving power to the printing material.

The amount of the divalent organic acid monoester added is preferably in the range of 5 to 60% by weight, and more preferably 20 to 40% by weight, based on the deinking solution. When it is less than 5% by weight, the swelling property and the solubility in the printing material are poor and the deinking effect is not obtained,
When it is more than 60% by weight, the dissolving power to the printing material is too high and the redeposition on the paper becomes easy.

Next, the glycol ether will be specifically described. For example, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisoamyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether. Ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, tripropylene monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl acetate Ether, acetic acid diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and the like, may be used alone or in combination.

Glycol ether has a swelling power for a printing material and a dissolving power, and also has a penetrability into paper.

It is desirable that the amount of glycol ether added is in the range of 5 to 95% by weight, preferably 10 to 80% by weight, based on the deinking solution. If the amount is less than 5% by weight, the expandability and solubility in the printing material are poor, and the deinking effect is not obtained, and
If it is more than wt%, the dissolving power to the printing material will increase too much,
Easy to reattach to paper.

Specific examples of the other organic solvents include benzene, toluene, xylene, dichloromethane, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, propyl ether, butyl ether, isobutyl ketone, butyl acetate, ethyl butyl acetate, Methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the like can be mentioned. You may use these organic solvents individually or in mixture of 2 or more types.

The amount of these organic solvents added is preferably 10 to 70% by weight, and more preferably 20 to 60% by weight, based on the deinking solution. If the amount is less than 10% by weight, the swelling property and the solubility in the printing material are poor, and the deinking effect is not obtained.
When it is more than 0% by weight, the dissolving power for the printing material is too high and the redeposition on the paper is easy.

The water in the deinking solution has the effect of increasing the contact efficiency between the printing material and the components that dissolve or swell the printing material. It also has the effect of swelling the fibers of paper, which is one of the recording materials, so that the printing material is likely to separate from the paper fibers. The amount of water added is 1 to 9 relative to the deinking solution.
It is desired to be 0% by weight, preferably 30 to 80% by weight. If the water content exceeds 90% by weight, the fibers of the paper will be destroyed, and it will take too long to dry after deinking, which is not preferable. If the amount of water used is less than 1% by weight, the effect of increasing the contact efficiency between the printing material and the component that dissolves or swells the printing material and the effect of spreading the fibers of the paper cannot be obtained, and the deinking solution will not be removed inside the paper. It becomes difficult to penetrate into.

The appropriate amount of water varies depending on the type of liquid that dissolves or swells the resin and the property of the deinking liquid, that is, whether it is a heterogeneous system or a homogeneous system. Generally, the content of water is 50 to 50 when the deinking liquid is a heterogeneous system.
It is preferably 80% by weight, and 30 to 40% by weight in the case of a homogeneous system.

In order to prevent the deinked printing material from adhering to the paper again, a component having an action of aggregating the printing material such as toner after deinking may be added. As such a component, Examples thereof include surfactants, higher fatty acids, and higher fatty acid esters.

As the surface active agent, an anionic surface active agent, a nonionic surface active agent, a cationic surface active agent and an amphoteric surface active agent may be used. Conventionally, a surfactant has been used as a deinking agent for pulped waste paper, but when the printing material is a resin, the deinking action is very effective even if the surfactant alone is directly applied to the recording medium. Because it's weak
In the present invention, a component that dissolves or swells the above resin is used.

As the anionic surfactant, fatty acid salts, alkyl sulfate ester salts, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates,
Alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl diphenyl ether disulphonates, naphthalene sulfonic acid formalin condensates, polycarboxylic acid polymer surfactants and the like can be preferably used.

As the nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ether, oxyethylene-oxypropylene copolymer, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene alkylamine and the like are preferable. Can be used for.

As the cationic surfactant or amphoteric surfactant, alkylamine salts, quaternary ammonium salts,
Alkyl betaine, amine oxide and the like are preferable.

The above surfactants may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

A particularly preferred surfactant has the chemical formula: RO (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _n H (wherein R is a C ₂₁ -C ₂₂ alkyl group or an alkylphenyl group, and n is an integer of 1-10). ) Is an ethylene oxide addition type nonionic surfactant.

The surfactant has the effect of enclosing the deinked printing material and preventing it from reattaching to the recording medium. Furthermore,
When the recording medium is a paper such as plain paper, it has an effect of entering the mesh structure of the paper to surround the printing material and facilitating the deinking of the printing material penetrating deep into the fiber. Furthermore,
No need for water to dissolve or swell printing materials,
In addition, when water is included in the deinking solution and they are not completely dissolved and mixed, it also has the effect of forming a stable deinking solution of an O / W type emulsion.

The amount of surfactant added to the deinking solution is
It is desirable that the range is 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight. If it is less than 0.1% by weight, the above-mentioned effects cannot be obtained, and if it is more than 10% by weight, bubbles and the like increase, and it is difficult to handle.

Examples of higher fatty acids include caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, eleostearic acid, arachidic acid and arachidonic acid. , Behenic acid, erucic acid, abietic acid, rosin acid, coconut oil, linseed oil, beef oil, tall fatty acid, phytic acid and the like.

Examples of the higher fatty acid ester include higher fatty acids and hydroxy compounds such as alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol and butyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, diethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol. Ester compounds with polyhydric alcohols are preferred.

The higher fatty acid and / or higher fatty acid ester has the effect of aggregating the deinked printing material and preventing it from reattaching to the recording medium.

The amount of higher fatty acid and / or higher fatty acid ester added is preferably in the range of 5 to 95% by weight, preferably 20 to 80% by weight, based on the deinking solution.
If it is less than 5% by weight, the aggregating effect becomes low, and 95% by weight
When the amount is larger, the effect of the component that dissolves or swells the printing material is reduced.

Organic acids containing higher fatty acids having the above-mentioned effects are mentioned as components that enhance the penetrability of the deinking liquid into printing materials and papers and contribute to shortening the deinking time. Specifically, saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, pivalic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, unsaturated. Aliphatic carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, propiolic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, erucic acid,
Ricinoleic acid, abietic acid, rosin acid, or aromatic carboxylic acids such as benzoic acid, toluic acid, naphthoic acid, cinnamic acid, 2-furic acid, nicotinic acid, and isonicotinic acid may be used. You may use these organic acids individually or in mixture of 2 or more types. Among these, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid,
Higher fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, erucic acid, ricinoleic acid, abietic acid and rosin acid are particularly preferred. Coconut oil, linseed oil, containing those fatty acids,
You may use beef tallow, whale oil and the like.

The amount of organic acid added is 1 to 1 with respect to the deinking solution.
It is preferably in the range of 0% by weight. The function of the organic acid used in the present invention in the deinking action is not necessarily clear, but the deinking solution of the present invention is well penetrated into printing materials and papers to shorten the deinking time and improve the deinking efficiency. It is thought to have the effect of enhancing the effect.

To the deinking agent of the present invention, for example, methanol, ethanol, n-butanol, isopropanol, ethoxyethanol and the like may be added within the range that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

As a compounding form of each component for performing deinking easily and efficiently, (divalent organic acid monoester, organic acid, surfactant, water), (glycol ether solvent, higher fatty acid and / Or higher fatty acid ester, surfactant, water), (glycol ether solvent,
Examples include organic solvents, surfactants, water), (organic solvents, surfactants, water).

The form of the deinking liquid may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

In addition to the deinking solution, an enzyme having a role of making the deinking action effective may be added. Enzymes include hydrolases, oxidoreductases, transferases, leaving enzymes and isomerases.

Examples of hydrolyzable enzymes are lipase enzymes, protease enzymes, amylase enzymes, cellulase enzymes, phosphodiesterase enzymes, hemicellulase enzymes, pectinase enzymes, invertase enzymes, melibiase enzymes, and olindinase enzymes. Examples include enzymes, hespirinase enzymes, lysozyme enzymes, acylase enzymes, and milk-clotting enzymes. Examples of redox enzymes include glucose oxidase-based enzymes, catalase-based enzymes, D-amino acid oxidase-based enzymes, and cytochrome C.
Examples include system enzymes. Examples of transferases include nucleoside phosphotransferase-based enzymes. Examples of the leaving enzymes include aspartase enzymes, fumarase enzymes and the like. Examples of the isomerases include glucose / isomerase enzymes, D-amino acid lamase enzymes and the like.

These enzymes can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more kinds. Among the above-mentioned enzymes, a hydrolyzable enzyme is preferable from the viewpoint of the decomposition action of the resin component of the gel-like polymerized image forming material. As the hydrolyzing enzyme, lipase-based enzyme, protease-based enzyme,
Amylase-based enzymes and cellulase-based enzymes are preferable. From the viewpoint of the cleaning property of the polyester resin component, a mixture of a lipase enzyme and a protease enzyme, or a mixture of a protease enzyme and an amylase enzyme or a cellulase enzyme is preferable.

Hereinafter, preferred hydrolyzing enzymes are lipase enzymes, protease enzymes, amylase enzymes,
Specific examples of cellulase-based enzymes will be illustrated.

As the lipase enzyme, lipase AY
(Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Lipase M (Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Lipase A (Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Lipase AP (Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Lipase M-AP (Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Lipase (Saiken) ( Nagase & Co., Ltd.) and the like.

Examples of protease-based enzymes include Bakupro (manufactured by Ueda Kasei), Acid Protease (manufactured by Kyowa Hakko), Bioprase (manufactured by Nagase & Co.), Bioprase PN-4 (manufactured by Nagase & Co.) and Bioprase conc. (Manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), biopulase FG (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), biopulase SA-10 (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), biopulase L
(Manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), biopulase green W (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), biopulase AL-15 (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), biopulase SP-4 (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), bioprase S
N-10 (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), bioprase F (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), biopulase 092 (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), bioplon (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), denapsin (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.),
Microbial Rennet (Meito Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Morshin (Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Nagase P (Nagase Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Neulase (Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Orientase (Ueda Kasei Co., Ltd.), Panprosin (All Japan Raw) Chemical Co., Ltd., Papain (Nagase Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Pepsin (Mikuni Chemical Co., Ltd.), PERFEC (Ajinomoto Co., Inc.), Proctase (Meiji Seika Co., Ltd.), Prolysine (Ueda Kasei Co., Ltd.), Pronase (Kaken Kagaku Co., Ltd.) , Promen (manufactured by Daiwa Kasei), Protin-P
(Manufactured by Daiwa Kasei Co., Ltd.), Sunprose (manufactured by Hankyu Kyoei Bussan Co., Ltd.), Santeam (manufactured by Sankyo Co., Ltd.), Tashinase A-20-
30 (Kyowa Hakko Co., Ltd.), Tashinase N-11-100
(Made by Kyowa Hakko Co., Ltd.), thermose (made by Daiwa Kasei), thermolysin (made by Daiwa Kasei), etc. can be illustrated.

As the amylase-based enzyme, α-amylase (manufactured by Daiwa Kasei), amylolysin (manufactured by Ueda Kasei),
Biotamylase (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), Bio Diastase (manufactured by Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Biocrestase (manufactured by Daiwa Kasei Co., Ltd.), Biotex (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), Diasmen SS
(Manufactured by Daiwa Kasei Co., Ltd.), Fuctase (manufactured by Ueda Kasei Co.), Glucozyme (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), Glucteam (manufactured by Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Glutase (manufactured by Daiwa Kasei Co., Ltd.), Liquefaction enzyme (manufactured by Ueda Kasei Co., Ltd.), Matsurase (Matsuya Chemical Co., Ltd.), Revo Team A
-10-2500 (Kyowa Hakko Co., Ltd.), Revoteam N-1
0-2000 (Kyowa Hakko Co., Ltd.), Revoteam N-20-
1000 (manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Co., Ltd.), Sanactase (manufactured by Meiji Seika Co., Ltd.), Spitase K & G (manufactured by Nagase Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Spitase PN & SP (manufactured by Nagase Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Spitase R (manufactured by Nagase Sangyo Co., Ltd.), Spitase FN, SF, P ( Nagase & Co., Ltd.),
Examples include spitase S (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), Sumizyme (manufactured by Shin Nippon Chemical Co., Ltd.), neospitase (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), Santeam (manufactured by Sankyo Co., Ltd.) and XP-200 (manufactured by Nagase Sangyo Co., Ltd.).

Cellulase A includes cellulase A
P (manufactured by Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), cellulosin (manufactured by Ueda Kasei Co., Ltd.), cell team (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), panrase (manufactured by All Japan Biochemical Co., Ltd.) and the like can be exemplified.

The amount of enzyme added was 0.00 with respect to the deinking solution.
It is desirable that the amount is 1 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 10% by weight.

Since the action of the enzyme depends on the pH and temperature of the liquid, it is preferable to adjust it to an optimum value depending on the enzyme used. Further, the gelling action of the resin in the printing material by the gelling agent and the peeling action also depend on the pH and temperature of the liquid.
Therefore, the pH and temperature of the liquid should be determined by combining these, but the pH is 3.0 to 11.0 and the liquid temperature is 20 ° C to
It is preferable to adjust the temperature in the range of 60 ° C. In order to obtain a stable deinking effect, it is more desirable to keep the pH at an optimum constant value using McIlvaine buffer, phosphate buffer or the like. Under strongly acidic conditions of pH 3.0 or less and strong alkaline conditions of 11.0 or more, not only the enzymatic action is lowered, but also the gelling action and peeling action of the resin in the printing material by the gelling agent are lowered. . Further, when the liquid temperature is 20 ° C. or lower, the decomposition action of the enzyme and the gelation action of the gelling agent also decrease in speed, and it is difficult to obtain sufficiently practical deinking efficiency.

Further, when the liquid temperature is 60 ° C. or higher, the thermal stability of the enzyme is often lowered, and it becomes difficult to obtain a stable deinking effect for a long time.

Although the deinking solution is preferably a neutral solution, it can be used usually in the range of pH 2 to 12, preferably pH 3 to 10. Lower than pH 2 or pH 1
When it is higher than 2, the stability of the deinking solution becomes poor and the pH is constant.
Becomes difficult to hold. In addition, a strongly acidic or strongly basic liquid adversely affects the device or recording medium and requires careful handling.

The liquid temperature of the deinking liquid cannot be unconditionally specified depending on the deinking property or the type of printing material, but is generally 5 to 60.
It is desirable to set the temperature to about 15 ° C, preferably about 15 to 35 ° C. When the liquid temperature is lower than 5 ° C, the penetrability into the printing material, especially the resin is deteriorated and the deinking efficiency is lowered, and when the liquid temperature is higher than 60 ° C, the evaporation amount of the liquid cannot be ignored, so the characteristics of the deinking liquid Becomes difficult to keep constant. When an enzyme is used, the pH is 3.0 to 11.0 and the liquid temperature is 20 to 6 as described above.
It is preferable to adjust the temperature in the range of 0 ° C.

When the printing material dissolves or swells due to contact between the printing material and a liquid that dissolves or swells the resin used as the binder of the printing material, the adhesive strength between the printing material and the recording medium is The adhesive force between the printing materials and the cohesive force of the printing materials themselves increase. In this state, a mechanical external force is applied as necessary to detach the printing material from the recording medium to perform deinking. Water enhances the contact between the printing material and the deinking liquid to facilitate the detachment of the printing material from the recording medium, and holds the detached printing material in the form of emulsion or suspension to the recording medium. It has the effect of preventing redeposition and is essential in the deinking process.

The deinking property depends on the degree of hydrophilicity of the printing material. The higher the hydrophilicity of the printing material, the higher the contact between the printing material and the deinking liquid, and the resin in the printing material is sufficiently swollen or dissolved. The degree of hydrophilicity of the printing material can be improved by adding a predetermined amount of hydrophilic fine particles to the printing material.

The hydrophilic fine particles added to the printing material are
Here, the relative humidity is 80% from the water adsorption isotherm at 30 ° C.
Means that the water adsorption is 1.5% or more.

Examples of the hydrophilic fine particles include silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, hafnium carbide, vanadium carbide, tantalum carbide, niobium carbide, tungsten carbide, chromium carbide, molybdenum carbide,
Various carbides such as calcium carbide and diamond carbon random, various nitrides such as boron nitride, titanium nitride and zirconium nitride, various borides such as zirconium boride, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, calcium oxide, oxidation Various oxides such as magnesium, zinc oxide, copper oxide and silica, sulfides such as molybdenum disulfide, fluorides such as magnesium fluoride and fluorocarbon,
Examples thereof include talc, bentonite, talc, kaolin, activated carbon and the like which satisfy the above conditions.

More specifically, for example, AEROSIL130, AEROSI
L150, AEROSIL200, AEROSIL300, AEROSILR805, Alumini
um Oxide C, Titanium Oxide P25 (Japan Aerosil Co., Ltd.
Manufactured by the company) and the like.

The particle size of these hydrophilic fine particles is about 0.0.
It is preferably 1 to 1 μm. If it is smaller than 0.01 μm, the fine particles are aggregated with each other, and the effect of imparting hydrophilicity to the printing material cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if it is larger than 1 μm, there arises a problem in charging uniformity of the printing material.

The hydrophilic fine particles may be added externally or internally, and may be used in combination, but from the viewpoint of ease of deinking, the surface of the printing material tends to be compatible with the deinking liquid. Therefore, it is preferable to add it externally to the surface of the printing material.

The internal addition is to add the components so that the constitutional components have the same form in any part of the printing material. As a manufacturing method, for example, a method in which hydrophilic fine particles are added together with other printing material constituent components at the time of manufacturing a printing material, that is, a resin, a coloring material, a wax, a hydrophilic fine particle is mixed with printing material constituent components such as a charge control agent, Examples of the method include kneading, pulverizing, classifying, or compounding and emulsifying and dispersing and granulating. Further, hydrophilic fine particles may be added when the resin is synthesized by the suspension polymerization method. Further, a method may be used in which hydrophilic fine particles together with the thermoplastic resin are subjected to a surface modification machine such as hybridization or angmill to be included in the surface resin.

The external addition is a method of adhering or fixing hydrophilic fine particles on the surface of the printing material particles. As a manufacturing method, for example, a method of attaching or fixing hydrophilic fine particles to the particles after manufacturing the printing material, that is, using a surface modifier such as hybridization or Ongmill on the surface of the printing material, or a mixer such as a Henschel mixer or Hi-X is used. A method of attaching or fixing the hydrophilic fine particles may be mentioned.

In the present invention, the amount of the hydrophilic fine particles added to the printing material varies depending on the method of addition, but is 2 to 5 parts by weight in the case of external addition with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin used in the printing material. In the case of internal addition, it is preferably 5 to 15 parts by weight. If the amount of external addition is less than 2 parts by weight and the amount of internal addition is less than 5 parts by weight, the affinity with the deinking liquid becomes poor, and if it is more than 5 parts by weight of external addition and more than 15 parts by weight of internal addition, the hydrophilicity is too high. Since it becomes easier to adsorb moisture, the environmental stability when the printing material is charged becomes worse. The external addition is preferably 2 to 4 parts by weight and the internal addition is 6 to 12 parts by weight.

The toner for developing an electrostatic charge image, which represents the printing material of the present invention, contains the above-mentioned hydrophilic fine particles, components that are usually used in toners, that is, a thermoplastic binder resin and a colorant, and, if desired, charge control. Other toner property improving agents such as agents and release agents. When finally obtaining a magnetic toner, magnetic powder may be added. Further, the toner surface may be treated with a post-treatment agent for the purpose of improving fluidity and the like.

As the thermoplastic binder resin constituting the toner, those usually used in toner may be used. For example, styrene acrylic resin, styrene resin, (meth) acrylic resin, olefin resin,
Polyester resin, amide resin, polycarbonate resin, polyether resin, polysulfone resin,
Thermoplastic resins such as epoxy resins, urea resins, urethane resins, and copolymers and blended products thereof can be used.

The molecular weight is Mn 6,000 to 20,000.
Those of about 0 are generally used. Mw / Mn is 2
It is about 100. However, it is not always necessary to pay attention to these numerical values, as long as the performance required as the toner is satisfied.

As the colorant constituting the toner,
The toner is not particularly limited as long as it is used in a normal toner, and various organic or inorganic pigments and dyes of various colors as described below can be used.

Examples of black pigments include carbon black, copper oxide, manganese dioxide, aniline black, activated carbon, non-magnetic ferrite, magnetic ferrite and magnetite.

Examples of yellow pigments include yellow lead, zinc yellow, cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, mineral fast yellow, nickel titanium yellow, navels yellow, naphthol yellow S, hunter yellow G, hunter yellow 10G, and benzidine yellow G. , Benzidine yellow GR, quinoline yellow lake, permanent yellow NCG, tartrazine lake and the like.

Examples of orange pigments include red yellow lead, molybdenum orange, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, vulcan orange, induslen brilliant orange RK, benzidine orange G and induslen brilliant orange GK.

Examples of red pigments include red iron oxide, cadmium red, red lead, mercury sulfide, cadmium, permanent red 4R, resole red, pyrazolone red, watching red, calcium salt, lake red C, lake red D, brilliant carmine 6B, and eoxy lake. , Rhodamine Rake B, Alizarin Rake, Brilliant Carmine 3B and the like.

Examples of purple pigments include manganese purple, fast violet R, methyl violet lake and the like.

The blue pigments include navy blue, cobalt blue, alkali blue lake, Victoria blue lake,
Phthalocyanine blue, metal-free phthalocyanine blue,
Examples include phthalocyanine blue partially chlorinated compounds, fast sky blue, induslen blue BC, and the like.

Examples of green pigments include chrome green, chrome oxide, pigment green B, malachite green lake, and final yellow green G.

As white pigments, zinc white, titanium oxide,
Examples thereof include antimony white and zinc sulfide.

Examples of extender pigments include barite powder, barium carbonate, clay, silica, white carbon, talc, and alumina white.

Examples of various dyes such as basic dyes, acid dyes, dispersion dyes and direct dyes include nigrosine, methylene blue, rose bengal, quinoline yellow and ultramarine blue.

These colorants may be used alone or in combination. Further, the addition amount of these colorants is preferably 1 to 20 parts by weight, and more preferably 2 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. If it is more than 20 parts by weight, the fixing property of the toner will be deteriorated, and if it is less than 1 part by weight, a desired image density cannot be obtained.

When used as a light-transmitting color toner, pigments and dyes of various colors as described below may be used as the colorant.

For example, as yellow pigments, CI10316 (naphthol yellow S), CI11710 (hansa yellow 1)
0G), CI11660 (Hanza Yellow 5G), CI11670
(Hansa Yellow 3G), CI11680 (Hansa Yellow G), CI11730 (Hansa Yellow GR), CI11735
(Hansa Yellow A), CI11740 (Hansa Yellow R)
N), CI12710 (Hansa Yellow R), CI12720 (Pigment Yellow L), CI21090 (Benzisine Yellow), CI21095 (Benzisine Yellow G), CI21100
(Benzisine Yellow GR), CI20040 (Permanent Yellow NC), CI21220 (Vulcan Fast Yellow 5), CI21135 (Vulcan Fast Yellow R)
Etc.

As the red pigment, CI12055 (Stalin I), CI12075 (Permanent orange), CI121
75 (Resor Fast Orange 3GL), CI12305
(Permanent Orange GTR), CI11725 (Hansa Yellow 3R), CI21165 (Vulcan Fast Orange GG), CI21110 (Benzidine Orange G), CI1
2120 (Permanent Red 4R), CI1270 (Para Red), CI12085 (Fire Red), CI12315 (Brilliant Fast Scarlet), CI12310 (Permanent Red F2R), CI12335 (Permanent Red F4R), CI12440 (Permanent Red FRL), CI12460 (Permanent) Red FRL
L), CI12420 (Permanent Red F4RH), C.
I.12450 (Light Fast Red Toner B), CI12490
(Permanent Carmine FB), CI15850 (Brilliant Carmine 6B) and the like.

Examples of blue pigments include CI74100 (metal-free phthalocyanine blue), CI74160 (phthalocyanine blue) and CI74180 (fast sky blue).

These colorants may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of these colorants added is preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, more preferably 2 to 5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin contained in the toner particles. This is because if the amount is more than 10 parts by weight, the fixing property and translucency of the toner are deteriorated, and if it is less than 1 part by weight, a desired image density may not be obtained.

Further, the releasing agent (offset preventing agent) constituting the toner is not particularly limited as long as it is used in a normal toner. For example, low molecular weight polyethylene wax, low molecular weight oxidized polyethylene wax, low molecular weight polypropylene wax, low molecular weight oxidized polypropylene wax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, rice wax, montan wax (derivative), paraffin wax (derivative), microcrystalline Examples thereof include wax (derivative), (oxidized) sazol wax, hydrogenated castor oil (derivative), 12-hydroxystearic acid, higher fatty acid wax, and higher fatty acid ester wax.

These release agents may be used alone or in combination. The amount of these releasing agents added is 1 to 10 parts by weight, and more preferably 2 to 5 parts by weight, in the case of an oilless heat roll fixing device, relative to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin contained in the toner particles. Is desirable. This is because if it is more than 10 parts by weight, the fixability and chargeability of the toner will be deteriorated, and if it is less than 1 part by weight, the fixability of the toner will be deteriorated. In addition, if it is a fixing device other than the oilless heat roll fixing device, it is not necessary to pay attention to the amount.

Further, the magnetic powder constituting the toner is not particularly limited as long as it is used in a normal toner. For example, aluminum, cobalt,
Iron, lead, magnesium, nickel, zinc, antimony,
Examples thereof include metals such as beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, manganese, selenium, titanium, tungsten, and vanadium, alloys thereof, mixtures thereof, oxides, fired bodies (ferrite), and the like.

These magnetic materials may be used alone or in combination. Further, the addition amount of the magnetic substance is preferably 1 to 80 parts by weight, more preferably 5 to 60 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin contained in the toner particles. This is because if it is less than 1 part by weight, the effect of the magnetic powder cannot be obtained, and if it is more than 80 parts by weight, the charging property is lowered.

As the charge control agent constituting the toner, the charge control agent used in ordinary toner may be used. As the negative charge control agent that can be used,
For example, chromium complex salt type azo dyes S-32, 33, 34,
35, 37, 38, 40 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.),
Aizen spirone black TRH, BHH (Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), Kayaset Black T-22,004 (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), copper phthalocyanine dye S-39 (Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.), chromium complex salt E- 81 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), zinc complex salt E-84 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), aluminum complex salt E-86 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), and calixarene compounds. Examples of positive charge control agents that can be used include Bontron N-01, Bontron P-51 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), and imidazole compounds.

Among the above charge control agents, those having a large particle size are preferably used after being subjected to a treatment such as crushing in advance to have a desired particle size.

As the post-treatment agent added to the toner surface, any post-treatment agent used in ordinary toner may be used without particular limitation. For example, silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, hafnium carbide, vanadium carbide, tantalum carbide, niobium carbide, tungsten carbide, chromium carbide, molybdenum carbide,
Hydrophobic compounds of various carbides such as calcium carbide and diamond carbon random, various nitrides of boron nitride, titanium nitride, zirconium nitride, etc., hydrophobic compounds of various boride compounds such as zirconium boride, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, oxidation Hydrophobic compounds of various oxides such as chromium, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, copper oxide and silica, sulfides such as molybdenum disulfide, hydrophobates of fluorides such as magnesium fluoride and carbon fluoride, aluminum stearate , Various metal soaps such as calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate,
Talc, bentonite, cobalt, iron, nickel, aluminum, lead, magnesium, zinc, antimony, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium,
Various inorganic fine particles such as various metals such as manganese, selenium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium or alloys thereof,
Alternatively, wet polymerization methods such as emulsion polymerization method, soap-free emulsion polymerization method, non-aqueous dispersion polymerization method, and styrene-based (meth) acrylic-based, olefin-based, fluorine-containing (meth) acrylic-based granulated by a gas phase method or the like. , Nitrogen-containing (meth) acrylic, epoxy, silicon, benzoguanamine, melamine, and various organic fine particles such as copolymers thereof. These may be used alone or in combination.

These post-treatment agents include those similar to the above-mentioned hydrophilic fine particles, but when these are used as post-treatment agents, those treated with a silane coupling agent or the like to make them hydrophobic. To use.

The amount of these post-treatment agents added is such that the toner 10
It is 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 3 parts by weight, relative to 0 parts by weight. This is because if it is less than 0.01 part by weight, the effect of addition is not obtained, and if it is more than 5 parts by weight, the fluidity and the like are adversely affected.

The above-mentioned toner can be manufactured by a conventionally known method for manufacturing toner particles. Examples thereof include pulverization method, granulation polymerization method such as emulsion polymerization and suspension polymerization, emulsion dispersion granulation method, wet granulation method such as spray drying method, and microencapsulation method. Further, it is desirable that the particle diameter of the toner is 3 to 20 μm, preferably 4 to 15 μm, and more preferably 6 to 12 μm. When it is smaller than 3 μm, the charging property and fluidity are adversely affected, and when it is larger than 20 μm, a high quality image cannot be obtained.

Next, a copying apparatus for forming a copy image of the printing material of the present invention and an apparatus for deinking a copied image with a deinking solution containing water and a component that dissolves or swells the resin will be described. Here, the present invention is a deinking method that contains 2 to 15 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine particles to 100 parts by weight of a binder resin used in a printing material, and contains water and a component that dissolves or swells the resin. An image forming apparatus equipped with an image forming unit for fixing a printing material to a recording medium, characterized by using a printing material suitable for a liquid, and a component and water for dissolving or swelling a resin used in the printing material. The present invention provides an apparatus in combination with a reproducing apparatus that deinks a printing material from a recording medium using a deinking liquid containing and and discharges the recording medium in a reusable state. An embodiment of such an apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a copying machine 1 which is one mode of the image forming apparatus. The copying machine 1 generally includes an image forming unit 2 for forming an image by attaching toner as a printing material to a recording medium such as paper or OHP film, and recording media M1 to M4 for the image forming unit 2. The recording medium supply unit 300 supplies the recording medium.

The image forming section 2 is a device necessary for forming an image by electrophotography, that is, a photoconductor 3, a charging device 4 for charging the outer peripheral photoconductor layer of the photoconductor 3, an original on the charged photoconductor layer. From an optical device 5 for irradiating an image to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing device 6 for visualizing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image by bringing a developer containing toner into contact with the photoconductor layer, and a recording medium supply unit 8. A transfer device 7 for transferring the toner image onto the recording medium supplied through the conveying device 9, a separating device 10 for separating the recording medium on which the toner image is attached from the photoconductor 3, and a recording medium separated from the photoconductor 3. Conveyance device 11 that conveys to the discharge side, fixing device 12 that fixes the toner image on the recording medium supplied from conveyance device 11, discharge device 13 that discharges the recording medium that passed fixing device 12, and transfer to the recording medium. Without photoconductor Toner cleaning device 14 for removing residual toner and the like, and a eraser 15 for removing charges remaining on the photoreceptor 3 after the residual toner is removed. The general construction and operation of these devices are well known.

The recording medium supply unit 300 includes a plurality of supply units 315, 316, 317, 318 arranged vertically, and the recording medium M1, which is housed in each of the supply units 315, 316, 317, 318. M2, M3, and M4 are supplied to the recording medium conveyance path of the image forming unit 2 by the conveyance device 19, respectively. These supply parts 315-31
Each of the units 8 can be attached to and detached from the copying machine 1, and after the lower three stages of the supply units 316, 317 and 318 are removed, the reproducing device 400 can be attached as shown in FIG.

Regarding this point, in addition to FIGS.
Will be explained. As shown in FIGS.
5 to 318 are guide rails 10 fixed to the copying machine 1.
0a to 100d and movable sliders 101a to 10d
It can be moved in the directions of arrows a and b (FIG. 3) between a position where it is stored inside the copying machine 1 and a position where it projects from inside by 1d.

The supply portions 315 to 318 are provided with protrusions 10 having an L-shaped cross section, which engage with the sliders 101a to 101d.
2a (FIG. 3) are provided respectively. FIG. 3 illustrates the engagement between the slider 101a and the protrusion 102a in the supply unit 315. As can be seen from FIG.
After pulling out the supply unit 315 from the copying machine 1 to the most projecting position, by lifting it in the direction of arrow c,
The supply unit 315 is configured to be removable from the main body of the copying machine 1. Further, such a configuration is also provided for the supply units 316 to 318.

The copying machine 1 can be used as a conventionally known image forming apparatus as shown in FIGS. If a reproducing function is required, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the reproducing device 400 can be mounted. That is, the reproducing device 40
When 0 is mounted, the supply units 316 to 318 are removed from the copying machine 1, and the reproducing device 400 is mounted in this part.

Also, as shown in FIG.
The slider 10 used in the supply units 316 to 318.
Protrusions 102b that engage with 1b to 101d are provided,
The playback device 400 is slightly lifted in the direction c, and the playback device 4
It is possible to remove it from the copying machine 1 by pulling it out from the back side of 00 to the front side and then lifting it again in the c direction. As described above, by configuring the reproducing apparatus 400, if only the performance as a copying machine is required, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
It is possible to replace with 8 and install.

Further, since the reproducing apparatus 400 is not fixed to the main body of the copying machine 1 but is detachable, maintenance is very easy. That is,
Due to the function of the reproducing apparatus 400, accumulation and stain of deinked toner, and deterioration of the cleaner 40 with time, which will be described later, are unavoidable. For this reason, deinking and replacement of the elements such as the cleaner 40 are necessary, but if the reproducing device 400 is fixed, quick maintenance is difficult.

However, when the reproducing apparatus 400 is detachable like the image forming apparatus of the present invention, not only maintenance is easy, but also the reproducing apparatus 400 requiring maintenance is replaced with a new reproducing apparatus. There is also an advantage that the maintenance time is substantially eliminated if the playback device 400 removed while the new playback device is used is maintained and the new playback device and the playback device 400 are replaced again after the maintenance is completed.

In the above example, the supplying units 316 to 318 and the reproducing apparatus 400 are replaceable, but the copying machine 1
The configuration in which the reproducing device 400 is detachably attached to the main body is not limited to this. That is, the reproduction unit 400 may be replaced by a single supply unit, for example, the supply unit 316, or the reproduction unit 400 may be mounted separately from the supply units 316 to 318. It may be provided in. Further, when the reproducing apparatus 400 is not attached to the copying machine 1, a portion where the reproducing apparatus 400 should be received becomes a dead space, but the original function of the copying machine is not restricted at all. Furthermore, as for the detachable mechanism, the sliders 101b to 101d are also provided as in the above-described embodiment.
It is not limited to the protrusion 102a.

For example, the sliders 101b to 101d may be omitted and only the concave and convex portions that engage with each other on the copying machine 1 side and the reproducing apparatus 400 side may be provided. In short, the reproducing apparatus 400 is not fixed to the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine, but the copying machine 1 and the reproducing apparatus 400 are detachable.
It is important that each of the is configured.

The reproducing apparatus 400 generally stores the regenerated recording medium and the deinking apparatus 20 that reproduces the recording medium to which the printing material is attached from the recording medium by removing the printing material from the recording medium and reusing it. A re-feeding device 49 that supplies the image forming unit 2 as needed is housed. That is, when the operator selects the reproduction mode by the operation panel (not shown), the recycled paper is automatically conveyed from the re-feeding device 49 to the image forming unit 2 and the normal copy operation is performed.

In the deinking device 20, the container 21
Is a deinking liquid W that swells the printing material such as the toner described above.
And a heater 22 for holding the deinking liquid W at an appropriate temperature (specifically, 30 ° C.) at the bottom. The deinking liquid circulation device 23 is a transport pipe 24 whose both ends are respectively connected to the container 21, a first filter 25, a second filter 26, and a liquid circulation means, which are connected in series to the transport pipe 24 as desired. And a pump 27. The first filter 25 removes particles of the printing material, such as toner particles, suspended in the deinking liquid W.
Glass wool, filter paper, polyester cloth, etc. are filled,
The second filter 26 removes the dye contained in the printing material, and is filled with activated carbon, molecular lube, or the like.

The supply unit 28 for accommodating the recording medium M to which the printing material is already attached, which is the material to be processed, is located on the right side of the drawing, that is, in the ejecting device 13 for ejecting the recording medium in the image forming unit 2. It is provided below. Therefore, the operator can immediately supply the miscopy created by the copying machine 1 to the reproducing apparatus 400.

The conveying device 29 is for dipping and conveying the recording medium M supplied from the supplying section 28 in the deinking liquid W. The rollers 30, 31, 32, 33 and these rollers 30, 3 are used.
A belt 34 supported by 1, 32, 33, rollers 35, 36, 37 for guiding the recording medium M from the supply unit 28 into the deinking liquid W in cooperation with the belt 34, and a recording medium between the rollers 35, 31. The guide plate 38 guides the M. The cleaner 40 is composed of, for example, a pair of brush rollers 41 and 42 facing each other in the vertical direction as shown in the drawing, and the brush rollers are provided on the front surface and the back surface of the recording medium M introduced into the deinking liquid W by the transport device 29, respectively. The bristles 41 and 42 come into contact with each other, and the physical contact thereof removes the swollen printing material from the recording medium M.

The second carrying device 43 is composed of a conveyor in which a belt is wound around a plurality of rollers, and the carrying device 43 takes out the recording medium M passing through the cleaner 40 from the deinking liquid W. Above the second transport device 43, a pressing roller pair 44 that presses the recording medium M taken out from the deinking liquid W to squeeze out the deinking liquid W, and a humidity at which the recording medium M in a wet state can be reused. Heating roller pair 45 for heating and drying to a state, a calender roll 46 for polishing the recording medium M, a guide plate 47 for guiding the recording medium M passing through the calender roll 46, and the recording medium M in cooperation with the guide plate 47. A roller 48 that conveys to the re-feeding device 49 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the re-feeding device 49 can be pulled out by the guide 103, and recycled paper can be taken out if necessary.

The re-feeding device 49 has a recording medium container 50, and at the bottom of this container 50 is provided a lift plate 51 which swings about one end (the right end in the figure) as a fulcrum. Above the other end side (left side in the drawing) of the container 50, a supply roller 52 for ejecting the recording medium lifted by the lift plate 51.
And the recording medium M sent from the container 50 to the image forming unit 2
An opening 53 for guiding the transport device 19 is provided.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the reproducing apparatus 400 corresponds to only one kind of paper size, but as shown in FIG. 5, it may be configured to correspond to a plurality of paper sizes.

FIG. 5 shows another modification of the re-feeding device 49. That is, in this modification, the sensor S1 is provided near the supply unit 28 (see FIG. 2), and the sheet size is determined by detecting the passage time of this portion. Based on the detection result, the paper feed distribution claws 490a and 490b are configured to be movable between the solid line position and the dotted line position by a moving device (not shown). For example, the detection result of the sensor S1 causes the container 503 to reproduce. When the paper is to be stored, both the paper feed distribution claws 490a and 490b are retracted to the positions indicated by the solid lines. If the detection result of the sensor S1 means accommodation in the container 502, the paper feed distribution claw 490a is retracted to the solid line position,
The paper feed distribution claw 490b is moved to the dotted line position. And
When the recycled paper is stored in the container 501, the paper feed distribution claw 4
90a is moved to the dotted line position.

Then, as in the above embodiment, the operator gives an instruction for copying in the reproduction mode through an operation panel (not shown). In this case, not only the instruction for the reproduction mode but also the size of the recycled paper can be instructed. After instructed by the operator, the recycled paper is automatically conveyed to the image forming unit 2 by the rotation of the roller 52. Note that, in the above-described modification, for example, the containers 501 to 503 may be configured to support vertical feeding of A3 size sheets, vertical feeding of B4 size sheets, and horizontal feeding of A4 size sheets.

However, in practice, postcards and sheets of irregular size may also be fed from the supply unit 28. Therefore, it is practical to prepare a container for an irregular size and store all the above-mentioned sheets when the sensor S1 detects a sheet other than the preset sheet size. In this case, the paper feeding from the container for the irregular size to the image forming unit 2 complicates the mechanism of the container. Therefore, the operation panel
The mode for instructing automatic paper feeding from the irregular size container is not set. Therefore, the recycled paper accumulated in the irregular size container is properly taken out by the operator, and even such irregular paper can be reused by using a plurality of manual feed trays.

In the reproducing apparatus 400, the recording medium M to be reproduced is mounted on the supply section 28. The recording medium M sent out from the supply unit 28 is fed to the rollers 3 in the conveying device 29.
On the basis of the operations of 0 to 37 and the belt 34, the guide plate 38 guides it to be immersed in the deinking liquid W, and the deinking liquid W is conveyed to the left side in the drawing. During the transportation, the printing material such as toner attached to the recording medium M comes into contact with the deinking liquid W and swells to a state where it can be easily removed by applying a physical force. Next, when the recording medium M passes between the brush rollers 41 and 42 of the cleaner 40, the recording medium M comes into contact with the brush rollers 41 and 42, and the swollen printing material on the front surface and the back surface is scraped off. Then, the recording medium M is transferred to the second transport device 4
3, the deinking liquid W is extracted from the deinking liquid W, squeezed by the pressing roller pair 44, heated and dried to a reusable humidity state by the heating roller pair 45, and further wrinkled by the calendar roll 46. It is polished and sent to the container 50 of the refeed device 49 by the guide plate 47 and the roller 48.

The deinking liquid circulating device 23 circulates the deinking liquid W contained in the container 21 through the transport pipe 24 based on the driving of the pump 27. Filter 2 as needed
5, 26 may be provided to purify the deinking liquid W transported through the transport pipe 24. First, the first filter 25 removes particles of the printing material such as toner, and then the second filter 26 removes the dye of the printing material. Therefore, the deinking liquid W in the container 21 is always kept clean. For example, when the toner is completely dissolved in the deinking liquid, or when the swelled and released toner has little stickiness and does not re-adhere, these filters need not be provided.

In the re-feeding device 50, when the recording medium M is loaded, the lift plate 51 is in the lowered position as shown by the solid line,
The loaded recording medium M is deposited on the lift plate 51. When the recording medium M is supplied from the re-feeding device 50 and an image is printed on the recording medium M, the lift plate 51 rises and the recording medium M placed thereon is pressed against the roller 52. Then, the recording medium M is opened based on the rotation of the roller 52.
The sheet is supplied to the conveying device 19 of the image forming unit 2 via 3 and the image is printed according to the above-described image forming operation.

In the recycling apparatus 400, as shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable to provide a paper strengthening device 54 between the pressing roller 44 and the heating roller 45 to give strength to the recycled paper. The paper-strengthening device 54 is housed in containers 59 and 60, which are in contact with the pair of transfer rollers 55 and 56 facing the front surface and the back surface of the recording medium M and the transfer rollers 55 and 56, respectively. Application rollers 57 and 58 for supplying the paper strength enhancer 61 to the respective transfer rollers 55 and 56 are provided. Therefore, the container 5
The paper-strengthening agents 61 and 61 accommodated in the sheets 9 and 60 are applied to the coating rollers 57 and 58 and the transfer roller 5 that is driven and rotated by them.
Based on the rotation of 5, 56, the toner is supplied to the transfer rollers 55, 56 via the coating rollers 57, 58, respectively, and then coated on the front surface and the back surface of the recording medium M, respectively.

Table 1 below shows a prescription example of the paper strengthening agent 61.

[0126]

[Table 1] ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Composition ingredients Composition amount (% by weight) ────────────── ──────────── Synthetic polymer type surface sizing agent 0.1 Starch 5.0 Others (fluorescent materials, defoaming agents, etc.) Small amount of water balance ──────────── ────────────── Total 100 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Although the image forming apparatus and the reproducing apparatus are detachable in the above embodiment, they may be of non-detachable design in order to achieve the object of the present invention.

In the second embodiment of the deinking method, the recording medium to be deinked is wetted with a roller or the like impregnated with or applied with the deinking solution, and recording is performed by an offset effect by physical force or heat. It can be considered to be removed from the medium.

[0129]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, which should not be construed as limiting the invention thereto.

Example 1 AEROSIL R805 (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) was used as hydrophilic fine particles.
A toner was manufactured by internally adding hydrophilic fine particles in the following blending ratio using a polyester resin: 100 parts by weight of polyester resin (Mn: 4300, MW: 138000, Tg: 63 ° C., softening point: 120). ℃) 8 parts by weight of carbon black (Mogul L: manufactured by Cavalac Co., Ltd.) 3 parts by weight of anti-offset agent (Viscor TS200: manufactured by Sanyo Kasei Co., Ltd.) 3 parts by weight of charge control agent (E-89: Orient Chemical Co., Ltd. ) Company) hydrophilic fine particles 5 parts by weight (AEROSILR805: manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.)

The above materials were mixed by a Henschel mixer, then kneaded by a twin-screw extrusion kneader and cooled. Next, coarse pulverization, fine pulverization with a jet fine pulverizer, and classification with an air classifier were performed to obtain a toner having an average particle size of 8.3 μm. Then, 0.3 wt% of hydrophobic silica as a fluidizing agent was mixed with the obtained toner by a Henschel mixer.

Example 2 A toner was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 5 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine particles were not added. A hybridization system (manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.) was used with 2 parts by weight of the same hydrophilic fine particles as in Example 1 for the classified toner.
The hydrophilic fine particles were externally added by treating with. Then, as in Example 1, 0.3 wt% of hydrophobic silica was mixed and treated.

Examples 3 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 Using the same composition and method as in Example 1 or 2, the toner was manufactured by changing the kind and amount of the hydrophilic fine particles as shown in Table 2.

Example 9 Toner was manufactured by using Titanium Oxide P205 as the hydrophilic fine particles and internally adding the hydrophilic fine particles in the following mixing ratio: Styrene-acrylic resin 100 parts by weight (Mn: 5400, MW) : 156000, Tg: 60 ° C, softening point: 120 ° C) Colorant: Cyan 5 parts by weight (copper phthalocyanine) Anti-offset agent 3 parts by weight (Viscor TS200: manufactured by Sanyo Kasei Co., Ltd.) Charge control agent 3 parts by weight ( E-89: manufactured by Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.) 7 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine particles (Titanium Oxide P205)

The above materials were put in 500 parts by weight of methylene chloride and dissolved and dispersed in a bead mill (Eiger motor mill: manufactured by Eiger Japan). This solution is referred to as solution I.

Sodium lauryl sulfate 1 part by weight Metroses 1 part by weight (methyl cellulose: manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

The above materials were dissolved in 100 parts by weight of water.
This solution is referred to as solution II.

500 g of solution II and 350 g of solution I were placed in a 2 liter beaker and stirred with a stirrer (TK Auto Homomixer: manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at 4000 rpm for 15 minutes to prepare an emulsion dispersion. . Then, the dispersion was heated to 50 ° C., the methylene chloride as an organic solvent was evaporated for 8 hours while stirring the dispersion, and the dispersion was filtered, and the obtained particles were treated with 5 liters of distilled water. After washing with water, the particles were dried and adjusted under the conditions of classification treatment to obtain a toner having an average particle size of 7.8 μm. Thereafter, the obtained toner was mixed with 0.3 wt% of hydrophobic silica as a fluidizing agent in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain Example 9.

Example 10 A toner was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 9 except that 7 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine particles were not added. In the same manner as in Example 2, the toner after classification had hydrophilic fine particles (Titanium Oxide P
205) 3 parts by weight of hydrophilic particles were externally added by treating with 3 parts by weight using a hybridization system (manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.). After that, as in Example 1, the hydrophobic silica 0.1.
3 wt% was mixed and treated.

Example 11 and Comparative Examples 3 to 6 Using the same composition and method as in Example 9 or 10, different types and amounts of hydrophilic fine particles were used as shown in Table 2 to produce toners.

Preparation Example of Deinking Solution The deinking solution was prepared with the following composition. Divalent organic acid monoester (succinic acid monopropyl) 50% by weight Organic acid (lauric acid) 10% by weight Surfactant (polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ether) 3% by weight Water 37% by weight

The toners prepared in Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were evaluated for deinking property, environmental property and fogging by the following methods. Table 2 shows the results.

The deinking property was obtained by using the above-described deinking liquid and
Put 100cc of deinking solution at 25 ℃ into a metal bat of cm × 15cm, and put a copy paper of 3cm × 3cm on which the character image obtained by using each toner is copied. The magnetic stirrer was rotated at about 200 rpm on the surface of the paper, and the time until the character image was deinked from the paper was measured.

The following criteria were set for the evaluation of deinking property: ⊚: Deinking within 2 minutes ○: Deinking within 4 minutes Δ: Deinking within 10 minutes ×: Deinking within 10 minutes Or do not deink

Regarding the environmental characteristics, after the trial toner was set in the developing device of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 and left in an environment of 30 ° C. and RH of 85% for 24 hours, the fogging of the photoconductor during the development of a solid white image was performed. Examine and evaluate.

The following criteria were set for the evaluation of environmental properties: ⊚: No fogging ∘: Fogging is slightly present but not problematic Δ: Lowest level as a product ×: Problematic

The fog was evaluated by setting a trial toner in the developing device of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 and examining the fog of the photosensitive member during the development of a solid white image under the environment of 20 ° C. and RH of 60%.

The following criteria were set for the evaluation of fogging: ⊚: There is no fogging ∘: There is some fogging but there is no problem Δ: Lowest level as a product ×: There is a problem

[0149]

[Table 2]

As shown in Table 2, the toner of the present invention is
It has both chargeability and deinking property. Also, FIG.
When the recording medium on which an image was formed was reproduced with the reproducing apparatus shown in, there was no problem and it was reproduced completely. On the other hand, the toners shown in Comparative Examples had problems in either chargeability or deinking property.

[0151]

According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus equipped with an image forming means for fixing a printing material to a recording medium, and a deinking liquid containing water and a component for dissolving or swelling a resin used in the printing material are used. By providing a printing material suitable for use in a device in combination with a reproducing device that deinks the printing material and discharges the recording medium in a reproducible state, recording can be performed without adversely affecting image formation. It has become possible to reproduce the medium simply, at low cost, and completely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a copying machine equipped with a reproducing device.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of a copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of a copying machine equipped with a reproducing device.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the reproducing device.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the paper-strengthening device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copier, 2 ... Image forming part, 300 ... Recording medium supply part, 4
00 ... Reproducing device, M ... Recording medium.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A deinking solution containing water and 2 to 15 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine particles to 100 parts by weight of a binder resin used in a printing material, and a component that dissolves or swells the resin and water. Printing material suitable for 2. An image forming apparatus equipped with an image forming unit for fixing a printing material to a recording medium, and a deinking liquid containing water and a component for dissolving or swelling a resin used in the printing material. The printing material according to claim 1, which is used in an apparatus in combination with a reproducing apparatus that deinks the printing material from the recording medium and discharges the recording medium in a reusable state. 3. A deinking solution containing water and 2 to 15 parts by weight of hydrophilic fine particles to 100 parts by weight of a binder resin used in a printing material, and a component that dissolves or swells the resin and water. An image forming apparatus having an image forming means for fixing the printing material to a recording medium, a component for dissolving or swelling the resin used in the printing material, and water. An apparatus in combination with a reproducing apparatus that deinks a printing material from a recording medium using a deinking liquid containing the ink and discharges the recording medium in a reusable state.