JPH08146648A - 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 a binder resin having 80-160 OHV+AV and 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, due to the deinking property and the chargeability of the printing material, the printing material is required to have the opposite property of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. It has been found that the performance of both deinkability and chargeability can be satisfied by prescribing hydrophilicity to the printing material.

JP-A-4-359038 discloses that the content of amino groups or carboxyl groups is 0.5 mq / g or more.
It is disclosed that a printing material made of a thermoplastic resin of 5.0 mq / g and the printing material can be deinked by being dissolved in water under acidic or alkaline conditions. However, this method requires the use of an acid or alkaline solution, which has a large effect on the recording medium, and it is difficult to reuse the recording medium as it is after deinking, and there is a safety problem. Moreover, the speed and level of deinking are not always satisfactory.

[0009]

In view of the above problems, in the present invention, an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for fixing a printing material to a recording medium and a resin used in the printing material are dissolved. Alternatively, an apparatus in which a printing material is deinked with a deinking solution containing a swelling component and water and a recording medium is discharged in a reusable state, and a dewatering apparatus used in the apparatus are used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing material which can be easily deinked with a black ink and which has a level of chargeability that poses no practical problem even with environmental changes.

[0010]

The present invention provides OHV + AV
Relates to a printing material suitable for a deinking liquid containing a binder resin having a ratio of 80 to 160, and a component that dissolves or swells the resin and water.

Further, the present invention 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 is composed of 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 on the recording medium by the printing material containing at least a binder resin 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 a 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 that swells the fibers of the recording material, paper, due to the presence of carboxylic acid groups, 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 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.

The glycol ether will be specifically described below. 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 and dissolving power for a printing material and also a penetrating property for paper.

The amount of glycol ether added is preferably 5 to 95% by weight, more 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 solvent 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 liquid 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 get 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 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 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 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, arachidonic 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 higher fatty acid and / or higher fatty acid ester is preferably added in an amount 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, which have 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.

The deinking agent of the present invention may contain, for example, methanol, ethanol, n-butanol, isopropanol, ethoxyethanol, etc. within a range not impairing 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 include 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 type 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., Ltd.), Bioprase PN-4 (manufactured by Nagase & Co., Ltd.), 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 Co.), amylolysin (manufactured by Ueda Kasei Co.),
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 the 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 printing material resin 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 60 ° C.
It is preferable to adjust the temperature within the range of ° 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. p
When H is 3.0 or less in strong acidity or 11.0 or more in strong alkalinity, not only the enzyme action is lowered, but also the gelling action and peeling action of the printing material resin 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.

The deinking solution is preferably a neutral solution, but 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 defined 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. 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 the contact between the printing material and the liquid that dissolves or swells the resin used as the binder of the printing material, the adhesive force 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 hydrophilicity of the printing material depends on the OHV and AV of the binder resin contained in the printing material.
It can be improved by defining the value of.

The AV (acid value) referred to here is the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize the free fatty acids contained in 1 g of the resin, and represents the carboxyl group (-COOH) content in the resin. You may think that. Also OHV
The (hydroxyl value) is the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize the acetic acid necessary for acetylating the free hydroxyl group contained in 1 g of the resin, and here, the hydroxyl group (-OH in the resin ) It may be considered to indicate the content.

That is, the larger the value of OHV or AV, the more unreacted --COOH groups and --OH groups are present in the binder resin. Since these groups have hydrophilicity, it can be considered that the resin is more excellent in hydrophilicity as the value of OHV or AV increases. Therefore, in the present invention, by using a resin having a total value of OHV and AV in the range of 80 to 160 as a binder resin of a printing material, hydrophilicity is enhanced and a printing material excellent in deinking property is obtained. Will be obtained.

When OHV + AV is smaller than 80,
The affinity between the deinking liquid and the printing material deteriorates, and OHV + AV
When the value is larger than 160, the environmental property at the time of charging the printing material is deteriorated.

Adjustment of these AV and OHV is performed by -COO
This is possible by changing the ratio of the monomers containing H and -OH. For example, in the case of styrene-acrylic resin, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid (-COO
H), 2-hydroxymethacrylate (-OH), and styrene by varying the ratio of the polymer,
If it is a polyester resin, AV and OHV can be appropriately adjusted by polymerizing while changing the ratio of the diol (—OH) and the dicarboxylic acid (—COOH). Also,
By adjusting the reaction time of the monomer, AV,
The OHV can be adjusted.

Examples of the method for producing the monomer having R-COOH include oxidation of primary alcohol, oxidation of alkylbenzene, carbonation of Grignard reagent, hydrolysis of nitrile and the like.

Examples of the method for producing an R-OH-containing monomer include oxymercuration-demercury reaction, hydroboration-oxidation reaction, Grineer synthesis, alkyl halide hydrolysis, aldol condensation, carbonyl compound reduction, acid and Examples include ester reduction and alkene hydroxylation.

The electrostatic image developing toner of the present invention, which represents a printing material, contains the above-mentioned thermoplastic binder resin and colorant, and optionally other toner property improving agents such as a charge control agent and a release agent. 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.

The thermoplastic binder resin constituting the toner is R-COOH or R-O as a constituent monomer.
A resin containing a monomer having H, for example, a styrene acrylic resin, a (meth) acrylic resin, a polyester resin, an epoxy resin, or the like can be used. Also, AV,
If the OHV regulations are met, a copolymer or blend of the above resin and a thermoplastic resin such as an amide resin, a polycarbonate resin, a polyether resin, a polysulfone resin, a urea resin, and a urethane resin is used. You may.

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 a 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 the orange pigment include red yellow lead, molybdenum orange, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, vulcan orange, induslen brilliant orange RK, benzidine orange G, induslen brilliant orange GK and the like.

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 the white pigment, 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, acidic 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-transmissive color toner, various color pigments and dyes 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, even when the binder resin of the present invention also serves as a charge control agent, the charge control agent used in a normal toner is used. Good. Examples of the negative charge control agent that can be used include chromium complex salt type azo dye S-
32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 40 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), Eisenspiron Black TRH,
BHH (Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), Kayaset Black T-2
2,004 (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), copper phthalocyanine dye S-39 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), chromium complex salt E-
81, (Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.), zinc complex salt E-84
(Manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), aluminum complex salt E-8
6 (manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), and calixarene compounds. Examples of the positive charge control agent 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 diameter are preferably used after being subjected to a treatment such as crushing in advance to have a desired particle diameter.

As the post-treatment agent added to the toner surface, any post-treatment agent used in ordinary toners 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.

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 toner of the present invention 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. The toner particle size is 3 to 20 μm,
Preferably 4 to 15 μm, more preferably 6 to 12 μm
Is desirable. 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. In the present invention, OHV + AV is 80 to 16
A method of fixing a printing material to a recording medium, which comprises using a printing material suitable for a deinking liquid containing water and a component which dissolves or swells the binder resin in the range of 0. The printing material is deinked from the recording medium using an image forming apparatus equipped with an image means, and a deinking solution containing water and a component that dissolves or swells the resin used in the printing material, and the recording medium is re-inked. It is intended to provide a device in combination with a reproducing device for discharging in a usable 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 unit 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 is provided with a plurality of supply units 315, 316, 317, 318 arranged vertically, and the recording medium M1, contained 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.

Further, 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, the 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, like the image forming apparatus of the present invention, if the reproducing apparatus 400 is detachable, maintenance is easy, and 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 provided 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 reconstructed recording medium and the deinking apparatus 20 which reproduces the recording medium to which the printing material is attached so as to be reusable by removing the printing material from the recording medium. 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.

Further, the supply unit 28 for accommodating the recording medium M to which the printing material is already adhered, which is the material to be processed, is 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 transport device 29 is for transporting the recording medium M supplied from the supply unit 28 by immersing it in the deinking liquid W, and the rollers 30, 31, 32, 33, and the rollers 30, 3 ,.
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. 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 transporting device 43 is composed of a conveyor in which a belt is wound around a plurality of rollers, and the transporting 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, there 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 using 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 strength increasing device 54 between the pressing roller 44 and the heating roller 45 so as 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.

[0124]

[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-described embodiment, they may be of non-detachable design in order to achieve the object of the present invention.

As a 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 liquid, and recording is performed by an offset effect by physical force or heat. It can be considered to be removed from the medium.

[0127]

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.

[0128] As the binder resin used in Preparation Example 1 toner of Example 1 Binder resin was prepared according to the following method a polyester resin (OHV = 80, AV = 0 ).

A 5-liter 4-necked flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, a water separator, a nitrogen gas introduction tube, a thermometer and a stirrer, 35 mol of bisphenol / propylene oxide adduct, 20 mol of neopentyl glycol, trimethylol. Charge 10 mol of propane and 35 mol of isophthalic acid, and while introducing nitrogen into the flask,
Dehydration condensation was performed at 250 ° C.

When the OHV of the reaction product reached 80, the reaction product was taken out from the flask, cooled and pulverized to obtain a polyester resin used in the toner of the present invention.
This polyester resin has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 34
00, weight average molecular weight (Mw) = 108,000, glass transition point (Tg) = 58 ° C.

Toner Production Example 1 Using the above polyester resin, a toner was produced in the following blending ratio: Polyester resin 100 parts by weight Carbon black 8 parts by weight (Mogul L: manufactured by Cavalac Co., Ltd.) Offset prevention Agent 3 parts by weight (Viscol TS200: Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) Charge control agent 3 parts by weight (E-89: Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.)

The above materials were mixed with a Henschel mixer, then kneaded with a twin-screw extrusion kneader and then 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% of hydrophobic silica as a fluidizing agent was treated with a Henschel mixer.

Examples 2 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 As shown in Table 2, a polyester resin was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the addition amounts of the bisphenol / propylene oxide adduct and isophthalic acid were changed. Prepared. The reaction time was appropriately adjusted so that the OHV and AV of the polyester resin were the values shown in Table 3. Table 3 shows Mn, Mw, and Tg of the obtained polyester resin.

[0134]

[Table 2]

A toner was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 using these resins.

[0136]

[Table 3]

Example 8 Preparation Example of Binder Resin 2 1000 parts by weight of xylene, 650 parts by weight of styrene, 150 parts by weight of butyl acrylate, 200 parts by weight of 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate and azobisisobutyronitrile for the above monomers. After adding 3% by weight and 7% by weight of 2-ethylhexyl peroxybenzoate and reacting at 125 ° C. for 8 hours, xylene was distilled off by a vacuum dryer at 160 ° C. to obtain a resin A1. Next, 150 parts by weight of styrene,
20 parts by weight of butyl acrylate, 180 parts by weight of 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate and 50 parts by weight of acrylic acid, A
The styrene-acryl used in the toner of the present invention was prepared by using the mixture of 1 and the polymerization initiator in the same manner as in the above resin A1 except that the reaction was terminated when the values of AV = 30 and OHV = 50 of the reaction product were reached. A copolymer was obtained. This styrene-acrylic copolymer has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 620.
0, weight average molecular weight (Mw) = 150,000, glass transition point (Tg) = 68 ° C.

Toner Production Example 2 Using the above styrene-acrylic resin, a toner was produced in the following blending ratio: Styrene-acrylic resin 100 parts by weight Colorant: cyan 3 parts by weight (copper phthalocyanine) Anti-offset Agent 3 parts by weight (Viscol TS200: Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) Charge control agent 3 parts by weight (E-89: Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.)

The above materials were put in 500 parts by weight of methylene chloride, 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.

Solution II (500 g) and solution I (350 g) 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. Then, it was treated with 0.3% of hydrophobic silica as a fluidizing agent.

Examples 9 to 11 and Comparative Examples 5 to 8 As shown in Table 4, styrene-acrylic resins were prepared in the same manner as in Example 8 except that the addition amount of each monomer was changed. The reaction time was appropriately adjusted so that the OHV and AV of the styrene-acrylic resin were the values shown in Table 5. Mn, Mw, T of the obtained styrene acrylic resin
g is shown in Table 5. Further, a toner was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 8 using these resins.

[0144]

[Table 4]

[0145]

[Table 5]

Preparation Example of Deinking Solution The deinking solution was prepared by the following formulation. 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 deinking property and the environmental property of the toner prepared by using the above resin were evaluated by the following methods. The results are shown in Tables 6 and 7.

As for the deinking property, 100 cc of deinking solution at 25 ° C. was put in a metal bat having a bottom of 10 cm × 15 cm, and a character image obtained by using each toner was copied into the 3 cm × 3 cm.
The copy paper of No. 2 was immersed so that the copy surface was facing up, and the magnetic stirrer was rotated at about 200 rpm on the paper surface, 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 3 minutes ○: Deinking within 5 minutes Δ: Deinking within 10 minutes ×: Deinking within 10 minutes Or do not deink

Regarding the environmental property, 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, fogging of the photosensitive member during the development of a white solid image was performed. Examine and evaluate.

The following criteria were set for the evaluation of environmental properties: ⊚: No fogging at all ∘: Fogging is slightly present but there is no problem Δ: Lowest level as a product ×: There is a problem

[0152]

[Table 6]

[0153]

[Table 7]

As shown in Table 6, the toner of the present invention is
It has both chargeability and deinking property. Also, FIG.
Even if the recording medium on which the image was formed was reproduced with the reproducing apparatus, there was no problem and the recording medium was completely reproduced. On the other hand, as shown in Table 7, the toners shown in Comparative Examples had problems in either chargeability or deinking property.

[0155]

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.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G03G 21/00 578 G03G 9/08 391

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printing material suitable for a deinking solution, which contains a binder resin having an OHV + AV in the range of 80 to 160, and contains a component that dissolves or swells the resin and water. 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 printing material suitable for a deinking liquid, which contains a binder resin having OHV + AV in the range of 80 to 160, and contains a component that dissolves or swells the resin, and water. An image forming apparatus provided with an image forming means for fixing the printing material to the recording medium, and a printing material from the recording medium using a deinking liquid containing water and a component that dissolves or swells the resin used in the printing material. A device in combination with a reproducing device that deinks the recording medium and ejects the recording medium in a reusable state.