JPH10282848A - Image forming substance removal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely remove image forming substances sticking to a stripping belt, without degrading the ability of the stripping belt to strip the image forming substances from an image holder. SOLUTION: A splitting part 4 applies tension F2 to the stripping belt 2 by means of a carrying roller 42 and a deceleration roller 44 in order to make it easy for a cleaner 3 to remove the image forming substances 1 sticking to the surface of the stripping belt carried from a stripping device. The stripping belt 2 splits an agglomeration of the image forming substances 1, sticking to the surface, or strips it from the sticking face by being shortened and lengthened by the application of the tension F2 from the splitting part 4. Then, the brush roller 31 of the cleaner 3 hooks its brush end round the splitting face of the image forming substances 1 and strips the image forming substances 1, which have been split, from the stripping belt 2, thereby removing them.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing an image-forming substance which adheres to and removes an image-forming substance recorded on an image carrier, and more particularly, to efficiently remove an image-forming substance attached to a peeling belt. The purpose is to improve the quality of the reproduced image carrier and the durability of the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image formed by an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile machine and an image formed by thermal transfer and hot-melt ink-jet are removed from a recording material to reproduce the recording material. Have been. For example, in an apparatus for removing an image forming substance from a recording sheet described in JP-A-6-324601, an aqueous solution containing a surfactant or the like is applied to a recording sheet holding an image formed of the image forming substance, and the aqueous solution is applied. A transfer roller, which is an image exfoliating body, is adhered to the transfer roller, which is an image exfoliating body, by heat or pressure to adhere to the transfer roller, thereby reproducing the recording sheet as a blank sheet. Then, in order to clean the image forming substance adhered to the transfer roller, the image forming material is cut off by a peeling sword or a rotary peeling sword that is in contact with the transfer roller and stored in a collection container. However, when the adhesion surface between the transfer roller surface and the image forming substance is large, the adhesive force becomes strong, so that the image forming substance cannot be sufficiently removed.

Therefore, in an apparatus for removing an image forming substance from an image carrier disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-262937 or the like, as shown in a sectional view of the peeling belt shown in FIG. The adhesive surface of the image forming substance 1 is reduced by uniformly dispersing and providing the low adhesive section 2b based on the high adhesive section 2a on the surface, and the image forming substance 1 is rotated by a rotating brush roller, a cleaning roller, a peeling knife or the like. When the toner is scraped off, the end 1a of the image forming substance adhered to the low adhesive portion 2b becomes a starting point to be removed by contacting the brush end of the cleaning roller or the blade end of the peeling sword, and the other parts are easily pulled and peeled off. As a result, the ability to remove the image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2 is improved.

[0004]

However, in the above-described apparatus for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member, the image forming substance is sufficiently separated from the image holding member because a low adhesion portion is present on the adhesive surface of the peeling belt. There were times when I could not do that.

Further, since the thickness of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt is about 10 microns, it is difficult to properly set conditions such as a contact pressure or a cutting depth with respect to the peeling belt such as a rotating brush or a peeling knife. In some cases, it was very difficult to maintain the ability to remove the imaging substance adhered to the release belt. In addition, when using a peeling knife or rotating peeling knife,
Depending on the conditions such as the cutting depth, the peeling belt may be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, and can reliably remove an image forming substance adhered to a peeling belt without deteriorating the ability of the peeling belt to peel off the image forming substance from an image carrier. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an image forming substance removing apparatus which maintains a peeling ability by removing the same and improves the quality of a reproduced image carrier.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing an image-forming substance, wherein a peeling belt is adhered to a surface of the image-holding member having the image-forming substance by heating or pressure bonding. An image forming substance removing apparatus comprising: a peeling device for peeling off and attaching to a peeling belt; and a cleaning device for removing an image forming material adhered to the peeling belt. A separating section for applying tension to the peeling belt before removing the image forming substance adhered to the sheet, the peeling belt extends by applying tension from the separating section, and separates or peels off the adhered image forming substance. It is characterized by the following.

Further, it is preferable that a tension having a stronger force than the bonding force of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt is applied to the dividing portion.

Further, it is desirable that tension is applied to the section of the peeling belt including a portion where the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt by the cleaning device is removed.

Further, the peeling belt has a lattice or a line pattern slit on the adhesion surface of the image forming substance, and the tension is applied by the dividing portion to open the slit portion when the belt is extended, so that the adhered image forming material is formed. The material may be separated or separated.

The separating section has a transport roller and a deceleration roller. The transport roller is located downstream of the cleaning device in the direction of movement of the peeling belt and transports the peeling belt. It is preferable to add tension to the peeling belt by reducing the transport speed of the peeling belt located upstream in the direction.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming substance removing apparatus according to the present invention is an image carrier for transferring an image formed by an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile machine, an image formed by thermal transfer, hot melt ink jet, or the like. For example, in order to remove from PPC paper or the like and reproduce it as blank paper,
For example, heat-bonding or pressure-bonding a belt-shaped peeling belt to the toner-adhering surface of the image carrier, for example, an image forming substance,
A peeling device that peels off the image forming substance of the image carrier and adheres to the peeling belt; a cleaning device that removes the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt, such as a brush roller or a rotary peeling knife; It has a belt and, for example, a dividing portion provided upstream of the cleaning device in the direction of movement of the peeling belt.

The separating section applies tension to the peeling belt before removing the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt by the cleaning device. The peeling belt separates or separates the lump of the adhered image forming substance that is stretched and adhered by applying tension from the separating section. For example, the cleaning device removes the image forming substance which has been cut off by hooking the brush end of a brush roller or the blade end of a rotary peeling knife to the cross section of the image forming substance, thereby removing the image forming substance from the peeling belt.

Before the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt is removed by the cleaning device, the stretchable peeling belt is stretched by the tension applied from the dividing portion and the image forming substance adhered to the belt surface is stretched. Since the lump is separated or separated, the cleaning device can efficiently remove the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt using the separated image forming substance as a starting point of removal.

Further, the separating section applies a tension to the peeling belt having a stronger force than the bonding force of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt, so that the lump of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt is surely divided or peeled. can do.

Further, the separating section applies tension to a section of the peeling belt including a portion where the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt by the cleaning device is removed,
In order for the cleaning device to convey the peeling belt in a state where the peeling belt is stretched, that is, in a state where the interval between the separated image forming materials is widened, for example, the brush end or the blade end of the cleaning device is easily caught on the cross section of the image forming material. In addition, the separated image forming substance can be reliably removed from the peeling belt.

Further, a slit in the form of a lattice or a line pattern is provided on the adhesive surface of the peeling belt to which the image forming substance is bonded, and the tension is applied by the dividing section to open the slit portion when the image forming substance is extended, so that the separated image forming substance is removed. Since the clearance can be increased and the surface where the brush end or blade end of the cleaning device is caught can be taken deeper than the thickness of the cross section of the image forming material, the separated image forming material can be reliably removed from the peeling belt. . Further, even if the tension applied from the dividing portion is small, a sufficient amount of elongation of the peeling belt can be obtained, and the lump of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt can be reliably divided or peeled.

Further, the separating section includes a transport roller and a deceleration roller. The transport roller is located downstream of the cleaning device in the direction of movement of the peeling belt, and transports the peeling belt. The tension is added to the peeling belt by reducing the transport speed of the peeling belt located upstream. As described above, since the lump of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt can be reliably separated or peeled with a simple configuration, for example, the lump of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt besides the brush roller of the cleaning device, for example, The image-forming substance adhered to the peeling belt can be efficiently removed without providing a special rotary peeling knife or the like for separating or peeling off.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, an image forming substance removing apparatus is an image carrier such as a PPC, which is capable of transferring an image formed by an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile machine and an image formed by thermal transfer and hot melt inkjet or the like. In order to remove the image forming material from the paper or the like and regenerate it into blank paper, the peeling belt 2 is heated or pressed to the toner adhering surface of the image carrier, for example, and the image forming material 1 of the image carrier is peeled. The cleaning device 3 includes a peeling device (not shown) that adheres to the peeling belt 2 and a separating unit 4 provided, for example, upstream of the cleaning device 3 in the peeling belt moving direction.

The peeling belt 2 comprises, for example, a belt formed of a silicone rubber-based material and a polyethylene terephthalate-based adhesive layer formed on the belt surface, and is sufficient for separating or peeling the image forming substance 1 adhered to the adhesive layer. It has excellent elasticity. The cleaning device 3 includes, for example, a brush roller 31 in which a brush is formed in a roller shape, and a brush roller 3.
1 and a pressing roller 32 for bringing the peeling belt 2 into contact with the brush roller 31 with an appropriate pressure. The rotating brush is brought into contact with the peeling belt 2 moved from the peeling device, so that the surface of the peeling belt is The adhered image forming substance 1 is removed. The separating section 4 is, for example, a transport roller 42 that transports the transport belt 2 in the direction A by rotating the peel belt 2 between pressure rollers 41, and is located upstream of the transport roller 42 in the peel belt moving direction. 2 comprises a deceleration roller 44 for applying a pressing force F1 by sandwiching the pressure roller 43 with a pressure roller 43. The transport speed of the peeling belt 2 is reduced to apply a tension F2 to the peeling belt 2.

The operation of the apparatus for removing an image-forming substance configured as described above for removing the image-forming substance adhered to the peeling belt 2 will be described with reference to the side view of the dividing portion in FIG.

The separating section 4 is provided in order to make it easier for the cleaning device 3 to remove the image forming substance 1 adhered to the surface of the peeling belt sent from the peeling device shown in FIG.
The tension F2 is applied to the peeling belt 2 by the conveyance roller 42 and the deceleration roller 44 shown in FIG. When the tension F2 is applied to the peeling belt 2 from the separating portion 4 and the belt is stretched, the lump of the adhered image forming substance is separated 1a, 1b or peeled 1c from the bonded surface. Then, the brush roller 31 of the cleaning device 3 hooks the brush end to the cross section of the image forming substance 1 to separate the image forming substance 1 from the peeling belt 2 and removes it.

Before removing the image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2 by the cleaning device 3 as described above, the tension F is applied to the elastic peeling belt 2 from the dividing portion 4.
The cleaning device 3 uses the separated image forming material 1 as a starting point for removing since the separation belt 2 is extended to separate or separate the lump of the image forming material 1 adhered to the belt surface by adding the cleaning material 3. The image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2 can be efficiently removed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the transport roller 42 and the speed reduction roller 44 are used as the dividing section 4 for applying tension to the peeling belt 2, but the bonding force of the image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2 is stronger. The rotational speed of the conveying roller 42 or the pressing force F applied to the peeling belt 2 by the reduction roller 44 so as to apply a force tension to the peeling belt 2.
2 should be set. In this manner, the mass of the image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2 is reliably divided or separated by applying a tension to the peeling belt 2 with a stronger force than the bonding force of the image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2. can do.

Further, in the above embodiment, the separating section 4 is provided upstream of the cleaning device 3 in the moving direction of the peeling belt, and tension is applied to the peeling belt 2. The dividing section 4 may be provided so as to add tension to a section of the peeling belt 2 including a portion where the forming substance 1 is removed.

For example, as shown in the configuration diagram of the second embodiment in FIG. 3, the transport roller 42 of the separating section 4 is located downstream of the cleaning device 3 in the direction of movement of the peeling belt and moves the peeling belt 2 in the direction A. The speed reduction roller 44 is located upstream of the cleaning device 3 in the moving direction of the peeling belt, and reduces the transport speed of the peeling belt 2 to add tension F2 to the peeling belt 2. The peeling belt 2 is conveyed to the cleaning device 3 in a state where the tension F2 is added from the separating section 4 and the peeling belt 2 is extended, that is, in a state where the space between the separated image forming substances 1a and 1b is widened. This allows
The brush end of the brush roller 31 of the cleaning device 3 is easily caught on the cross section of the image forming substance, so that the separated image forming substances 1 a and 1 b can be reliably removed from the peeling belt 2.

The transport roller 42 is located downstream of the cleaning device 3 in the direction of travel of the peeling belt and transports the peeling belt. The transport roller 42 is located upstream of the cleaning device 3 in the direction of travel of the peeling belt, and Since the lump of the image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2 is surely divided or peeled by a simple configuration of the deceleration roller 44 that decelerates, for example, it is adhered to the peeling belt 2 in addition to, for example, the brush roller 31 of the cleaning device 3. The cleaning device 3 can efficiently remove the image forming material 2 adhered to the peeling belt 2 without providing a special rotary peeling knife or the like for separating or separating the lump of the formed image forming material.

In the above embodiment, the peeling belt 2 having sufficient elasticity to divide or peel off the image forming substance 1 adhered to the adhesive layer is used. For example, the peeling belt shown in FIG. As shown in the cross-sectional view, a slit 2S in the form of a lattice or a line pattern may be provided on the surface of the peeling belt 2 where the image forming substance 1 is bonded. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the tension F2 is added by the dividing portion 4 and the peeling belt 2 is extended, the slit 2S is opened to increase the interval h between the divided image forming materials 1a to 1d. At the same time, the catching surface d of the brush end of the brush roller 31 of the cleaning device 3 can be made deeper than the thickness of the cross section of the image forming substance. Thereby, the cleaning device 3 can surely remove the separated image forming substance 1 from the peeling belt 2. In addition, even if the tension F2 applied from the dividing section 4 is small, a sufficient amount of elongation of the peeling belt 2 can be obtained, and the lump of the image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2 can be surely divided or peeled. it can.

In the above embodiment, the cleaning device 3
The operation at the time of removing the image forming substance 1 adhered to the peeling belt 2 by the brush roller 31 has been described as an example.
The image forming substance 1 is cut off by a sliding roller that slides down the image forming substance 1 due to the unevenness of the roller surface in contact with the peeling belt 2 or the blade that comes in contact with the peeling knife or a plurality of rotating blades. A rotary peeling sword that drops may be used.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the tension is applied to the stretchable peeling belt from the dividing portion before the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt is removed by the cleaning device. The cleaning device efficiently removes the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt with the separated image forming substance as a starting point for removing the mass of the image forming substance adhered to the belt surface. By doing so, the ability of the peeling belt to peel off the image forming substance is maintained, and the quality of the reproduced image carrier and the durability of the apparatus are improved.

Also, since the separating section applies a tension to the peeling belt having a stronger force than the bonding force of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt, the mass of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt is surely divided or removed. The cleaning device can remove the image forming material adhered to the peeling belt more efficiently by using the separated image forming material as a starting point of removal.

Further, in the separating section, tension is applied to a section of the peeling belt including a portion where the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt by the cleaning device is removed, and the interval between the separated image forming substances is increased by extending the peeling belt. Since the cleaning device is conveyed to the cleaning device in a state, for example, a brush end or a blade end of the cleaning device easily catches on a cross section of the image forming material, and the separated image forming material can be reliably removed from the peeling belt.

Further, a slit in the form of a lattice or a line pattern is provided on the surface of the peeling belt to which the image forming substance is adhered, and when the tension is applied by the dividing section and the slit is extended, the gap between the divided image forming substances is opened. Of the cleaning device, for example, the catching surface of the brush end or the blade end of the cleaning device is made deeper than the thickness of the cross section of the image forming material, so that the cleaning device reliably removes the separated image forming material from the peeling belt. be able to. In addition, since a sufficient amount of elongation of the peeling belt can be obtained even when the tension added from the dividing portion is small,
It is possible to further improve the durability of the device by reducing the mechanical rigidity of the dividing portion and the like.

A transport roller for transporting the peeling belt with the dividing portion located downstream of the cleaning device in the peeling belt moving direction, and a transporting speed of the peeling belt for transporting the peeling belt upstream of the cleaning device in the peeling belt moving direction. Since it is formed with a simple configuration of the deceleration roller to perform, for example, without providing a special rotating peeling knife or the like for separating or peeling the lump of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt in the cleaning device, the peeling belt The adhered image forming substance can be efficiently removed, and the quality of the reproduced image carrier and the durability of the device can be improved without significantly increasing the cost of the device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a dividing portion showing an operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a peeling belt according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional peeling belt.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming substance 2 Peeling belt 3 Cleaning device 31 Brush roller 32 Press roller 4 Breaking part 42 Transport roller 44 Reduction roller

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A peeling device that heat-bonds or pressure-bonds a peeling belt to a surface of an image holding member having an image forming material, peels off the image forming material of the image holding member, and attaches the peeling belt to the peeling belt. An apparatus for removing an image forming substance having a cleaning device for removing an adhered image forming substance, comprising: an elastic release belt; and a tension applied to the release belt before the cleaning apparatus removes the image forming substance adhered to the release belt. An apparatus for removing an image forming substance, comprising a separating section to be added, wherein the peeling belt is stretched by applying tension from the separating section to separate or peel off the adhered image forming substance. 2. The image forming substance removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dividing section applies a tension having a stronger force than a bonding force of the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt. 3. The image forming substance removing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dividing section applies tension to a section of the peeling belt including a portion where the image forming substance adhered to the peeling belt by the cleaning device is removed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peeling belt has slits in a lattice or line pattern on an adhesive surface of the image forming substance, and the slit portion is opened when tension is applied by a dividing portion and the slit is extended, thereby forming an adhered image forming image. The apparatus for removing an image forming substance according to claim 1, wherein the substance is separated or separated. 5. The separating section has a transport roller and a deceleration roller. The transport roller is located downstream of the cleaning device in the direction of movement of the peeling belt and transports the peeling belt. The deceleration roller moves the peeling belt from the cleaning device. 4. The image forming substance removing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a tension is applied to the peeling belt by reducing the transport speed of the peeling belt positioned upstream in the direction.