KR20010042030A - Method and apparatus for deinking paper - Google Patents

Abstract

Deinking the ink from the paper by separating the toner from the paper is moistening the paper to expand the fibers of the paper and then rinsing it with a non-toxic water-based ink removal liquid containing water. Water-soluble surfactant to reduce the surface tension of the paper surface and water surface by water and promote the wetting of the paper surface by water, and two kinds of softening the toner without decomposing the toner. To remove the soft toner from the paper surface, generate toner particles, and evaporate the heated ink removal solution to remove the solution from the paper surface to reuse the toner and paper surface. In order to reduce the set size to include a smoothing the paper surface for reducing.

Description

Method and device for removing ink from paper {METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEINKING PAPER}

1 is a perspective view of a paper recycling apparatus for removing ink of paper according to the present invention;

2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of FIG. 1;

3 is a top view of FIG. 2;

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the ink removal method of the present invention.

Related invention

The present invention is part of a continuing application of US Patent Serial No. 08 / 652,146 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Removing Ink from Paper," filed May 13, 1996.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing ink from paper, in particular comprising a water-soluble, non-toxic, harmless ink removal solution.

In the United States, abolition is by weight, making up half of all residential and commercial waste by 31%. Office abolition from laser printers, photocopiers, and facsimiles comprises a significant portion of the total abolition in the United States. Of all household and industrial waste in the US, laser ink waste accounts for 24% by weight and about 40% by volume.

Printing on paper is done using one of two types of ink, namely impact ink and non impact ink. Impact inks are for example those used for typography and lithography. Impact ink is composed of graphite or dye and is generally water soluble. Non-impact ink or "laser" inks are, for example, those used in laser printers, photocopying and facsimile.

Impact printing can be easily removed from the paper by not adhering the ink to the paper. Paper printed by the impact method is well erased with ink over the years. However, non-impact ink such as a toner is difficult to remove because ink particles are fused to paper and fused together.

Currently, non-impact paper is recycled in large quantities in a paper mill environment that uses toxic chemicals. These toxic chemicals pose a threat to the environment as well as to those working with or adjacent to chemicals. Non-impact ink is composed of graphite, pigment, synthetic resin and iron oxide. Generally, the paper is placed in a chemical tank to soften the toner. The paper is then pulp again and separated into a toner. Printing with such inks is done in the range of 160 ° C and 204 ° C. Similarly, removing these inks generally requires such a temperature range. This process is expensive and does not produce high quality recycled paper. Moreover, recycling paper for transporting it to a remote recycling site is costly for each.

Moreover, most of the research aiming to recycle these papers focuses on the design of new and better pulp recycling plants, while focusing on the development of new and better chemical compositions. Combined mechanical / chemical processes are currently under development testing. However, there is still a problem in separating the toner particles from the paper sludge. As a result, a large amount of toxic and alkaline compounds are used, while the fiber yield is only about 70%. These compounds are caustic soda for fiber expansion, toner break and diffusion, sodium silicate for stabilization, alkalinity and peroxide stabilization, sodium carbonate for alkalinity, buffering and softening, alkalinity, decomposition, toner dispersion and metal ions Sodium phosphate for promotion, solvent for dissolution and softening, surfactant for flocculation, dispersion, wetting, emulsification, solubilization and decomposition, polymer dispersion for dispersion, semi-rewetting and promotion, hydrogen peroxide for hypobleaching, bleaching Sodium sulfite. This is just a partial list of chemicals used. These chemicals are used in various types of mixtures at various stages of regeneration and ink removal. As mentioned above, most of these chemicals are harmful, toxic and corrosive, which poses a serious threat to health for those who come into contact with them or their vapors.

Small individual recycling apparatuses have been developed to remove the toner and to reproduce paper printed by non-impact ink. One such device is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,463, 447 issued to Kurotori et al. Which discloses the removal of the toner from the paper surface printed by the copier. However, the apparatus allows the developer used in the copier to be continuously removed from the paper on which the toner image is formed due to insufficient adhesion of the toner. The apparatus of the present invention therefore does not provide adequate ink removal of the paper unless it is first printed with a constant toner with sufficiently weak adhesion.

U.S. Patent No. 5,528,788 to Yamamoto et al. Discloses one ink remover, which uses an ink removal liquid containing a list of various chemicals. While the exact chemical composition is not defined, it discloses one liquid containing at least eight components and twenty four components.

Moreover, although the exact formula is not published, it is clear that the published content is not water soluble due to the solvent used. An additional list of chemicals provided by Yamamoto will not produce an ink removal solution of pH 6.5-7.5.

Finally, Yamamoto teaches that no surfactant is needed. Therefore, Yamamoto does not consider HBL (Hydrophilic-Lipopilic Balance) (hydrophilic organic equilibrium) of a surfactant which is important for the wettability of the ink removal liquid.

Another device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,353,108 issued by Tsukamoto is used to wash paper. However, the paper to be washed must be an erased paper consisting of a substrate and a release agent. The paper is supplied between the adhesive roller and the platen. There is a heat-soluble synthetic resin in the molten state on the adhesive roller surface, and the heat applied to the heat-soluble synthetic resin by the heat source causes the heat-soluble ink to be wrapped in the paper to be removed so as to be removed from the paper surface. Such devices are limited in application and generally cannot be used for any piece of paper that contains non-impact ink. That is, they can be used only on special paper, that is, paper to be erased, or paper with a special toner having low adhesion.

In addition to the needs and benefits of recycled paper, it is also necessary to maintain the security of secrets and information that are not presented and distributed outside of the business, dealers, or persons in charge of such organizations. Business methods and implementations are often trade secrets and are not to be accessed by those employed by the company and, inter alia, by delegated persons. The same applies to government agencies and professional organizations with obligations of confidentiality and confidentiality to protect customers and state secrets. These requirements severely limit what can be done with documents that are sensitive, private or contain confidential information. Obviously such documents should not be leaked and reproduced. Moreover, the sedan of such a document returns to its destruction upon reassembly. Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for removing ink that allows reproduction of such documents without impairing the confidentiality of the information contained in these documents.

The general cost of sedan and reclamation can be as little as 2 cents per piece, and his recovery is still low. Similarly, typical regeneration could be 1 cent per piece with a yield of 70%. It does not even consider the cost of transporting the paper to the recycling site.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for ink removal of any type of paper printed thereon by a non-impact printing method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for ink removal of paper carried by a small built-in hermetic device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for ink removal of paper that is nontoxic to the user and the environment, harmless and can be used in an office environment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for ink removal of paper that improves the quality of recycled paper and also allows for immediate reuse of recycled paper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for ink removal of paper which is cheaper than the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for ink removal of paper regardless of the life of the paper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for ink removal of paper which is very economical compared to new paper purchased.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for ink removal of paper that does not need to dissolve the toner to be removed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for incorporating a removed toner for recycling to remove ink from paper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method of collecting the evaporated ink removal solution for condensation and regeneration.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus for ink removal of paper that improves security by preventing the detection of information previously printed on recycled paper.

The present invention is an effective, safe, and economical device for removing ink from paper, and the water wets the paper, expands the paper fibers and softens the toner on the paper by including a water-soluble surfactant and only two water-soluble solvents. By breaking the adhesion between the toner and the paper without disassembling the toner, the user can collect, condense and regenerate the ink removal solution without being exposed to toxic chemicals and gases such as easy removal, accumulation and regeneration of the toner. Produce improved quality paper for immediate reuse and prevent the detection of previously printed information.

The present invention is characterized by a method of removing ink from a paper surface by removing the toner on the paper by wetting the paper with water containing a non-toxic, water-soluble ink removing solution to expand the sheet of paper fibers. The solution softens without decomposing the toner and paper sheet by dissolving the toner and the water-soluble surfactant which lowers the surface tension of the water to increase the paper sheet's wetness with water to wet the paper sheet and water to expand the fiber on the paper surface. It contains only two soluble solvents that can be isolated. The softened toner is removed from the paper surface and when the paper surface is heated to form toner particles, the ink removal solution is evaporated, the ink removal solution is removed from the paper surface and the paper surface is calendered (smooth and Gloss).

In one embodiment, the water and the surfactant may be 10: 1 in the ink removal solution. The surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of triton X-155, triton X-305, triton X-405 and BRD 2311. The ink removal solution may comprise a solvent with water to surfactant of 3:10. The solvent may be C12-C14 aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon. The solvent may be an ether. The solvent may be diethylene glycol n-butyl ether (Diethylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether).

Toner particles are collected and recyclable. Steam generated by heating can be collected. The collection of steam returns to the liquid ink removal solution by condensation of the collection steam and includes the regeneration of the condensation ink removal solution. Removal includes the removal of toner particles by wiping (or stealing) the paper surface. Wiping involves combing with a rotary coil brush to remove toner particles from the paper surface. Combing involves placing the toner particles in the recovery compartment. Heating involves blowing hot air onto the paper surface to dry the paper. The temperature range of hot air is 60 to 70 degreeC. Calendering involves feeding paper between heated rollers. The temperature range of the roller is 20 ℃ to 60 ℃. The water may comprise 75% to 87% of the ink removal solution. The surfactant may comprise 1% to 3% of the ink removal solution. The solvent may comprise 15% to 20% of the ink removal solution. The ink removal solution may have a pH of 6.5-7.5. Solvents may include glycol ethers and aromatic hydrocarbons. Glycol ethers may be selected from the group of ethylene glycol n-butyl acetate, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl acetate and diethylene glycol n-butyl acetate. Aromatic hydrocarbons can be chosen from ethyl 4-methoxybenzoate, ethyl 3-methoxybenzoate and 2-methoxybenzoate ethyl ether group.

The present invention also has a feature of removing the ink on the paper surface by removing the toner on the non-toxic water-containing ink removal solution containing water, the means including the means for wetting the paper surface. Water that wets the paper surface for cycles, water-soluble surfactant that lowers the surface tension of water to improve the wetness of the paper surface with water, and softens the toner without decomposing the toner, and breaks the adhesion between the toner and the paper surface. Contains only water-soluble solvents. Means for generating toner particles to remove the softened toner from the paper surface, heating the paper to evaporate the ink removal solution, removing the solution from the paper surface, and calendering the paper surface for immediate use. There is a means.

In one embodiment, the water and the surfactant may be 10: 1 in the ink removal solution. The surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of Triton X-155, Triton X-305, Triton X-405 and BRD2311. The ink removal solution may include a solvent having a water to surfactant ratio of 3:10. The solvent may be C12-C14 aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon. The solvent may be an ether. The solvent may be diethylene glycol n-butyl ether.

There may be a collecting means of toner particles. There may be a regeneration means of the toner particles. There may be a means for collecting steam generated by heating. The vapor collecting means may comprise means for condensing the collected vapor and returning it to the liquid ink removal solution and means for regenerating the condensation ink removal solution. The removing means may include means for stealing the paper surface and removing the toner particles. The stealing means may comprise a rotating coil brush for removing toner particles from the paper surface. The stealing means may comprise means for collecting the toner particles from the coil brush. The means for collecting the toner particles may comprise means for combing the coil brush to remove the toner particles from the brush. Means for combing may include the accumulation of toner particles in the recovery compartment. The heating means may comprise heated air blown onto the paper surface to dry the paper. The temperature range of heated air is 60 to 70 degreeC. The calendering means may comprise a heating roller. The temperature range of the rollers is 20 ° C to 60 ° C. The water may comprise 75% to 87% of the ink removal solution. The surfactant may comprise 1% to 3% of the ink removal solution. The solvent may comprise 15% to 20% of the ink removal solution. The ink removal solution may have a pH of 6.5-7.5. Solvents may include glycol ethers and aromatic hydrocarbons. The glycol ether may be selected from the group of ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl acetate and diethylene glycol n-butyl acetate. Aromatic hydrocarbons can be selected from ethyl 4-methoxy benzoate, ethyl 3-methoxy benzoate and 2-methoxy benzoate.

Other objects, features, and advantages will be understood by those skilled in the art in view of the specification and accompanying drafting of one embodiment.

1 shows a paper recycling apparatus 10 for removing ink from paper. Such an apparatus is also suitable for removing paper ink containing impact ink, while originally intended to remove ink from paper containing non-impact ink. Non-impact ink is a toner applied to paper by, for example, a laser printer, a photocopier and a facsimile. Device 10 is a general size, 38 inches long, 23.5 inches wide and 38 inches high tightly built sealed device that does not require any external connection other than the power cord is very suitable and safe in the office environment. The device 10 includes a used paper tray 12, a new paper tray 14, and a defective paper tray for picking up bad paper that cannot be reproduced by the device. An electronic sensor, not shown, examines each piece of paper to find out whether the toner is still on the paper. If present, the paper is sent to the bad paper tray 16. The device 10 is operated by the control of the control device 18, which may include a control panel 19, and the control panel includes general indication lamps such as power connection, preparation, check of paper, addition of ink removal liquid, and roller cleaning and power opening and closing. The start and stop switches of the process and sensitivity slides are used to indicate whether a sheet of paper has been completely cleaned or erased or has to pass through the device 10 for further cleaning.

Wetting, wiping, and drying stations, shown in FIG. 2, with ink removal in accordance with the present invention are incorporated within compartment 20. As shown in FIG. Supply chamber 22 with doors 23 and 24 can be used for chemical storage. The device 10 is mounted on a wheel 25 in which only two wheels are visible.

Compartment 20, shown in detail in FIG. 2, picks up paper at entrance 30 from a paper tray 12 (not shown) used. The heating plate 29 heats the paper in a temperature range between 25 ° C. and 60 ° C. to soften the toner before guiding it into the compartment 20. Paper is supplied to the compartment 20 by nip rollers 31 and 32, which are used in the ink removal solution spraying station 34 under the control of the control device 19 of FIG. Each paper sheet or paper 33 is supplied. In the adjacent ink removal solution spraying station 34, the paper 33 meets the driven carrier belt 36, which is passed through the compartment 20 until the used paper is loaded into the cleaned paper tray 14. Carry used paper. The driven carrier belt 36 is moved by a main roller drive 38 comprising a motor 40 which turns the main roller 42 in a clockwise direction. The belt 36 is guided by the idler rollers 44-50 and turned counterclockwise by the main roller 42. The idler roller 46-50 includes a spring tension adjustment 46a-50a for adjusting the tension of the drive carrier belt 36.

The station 34 includes a primary roller 52 which is also driven by the main roller 38 and rotates clockwise. The roller 52 rotates the ink removal solution roller 56 in association with the intermediate roller 54. The roller 56 is disposed in the trough 58 for holding a certain amount of the ink removing solution supplied from the storage chamber 60. The storage chamber 60 is preferably a removable cartridge, for example, almost like a toner cartridge in a photocopier, which gradually dispenses the ink removal solution into the trough 58. As the roller 56 rotates, it carries the ink removal solution from the trough 58 to the intermediate roller 54, which in turn transfers the solution to the primary roller 52. When the paper surface is moved along the driven carrier belt 36, the solution is applied to each paper from the primary roller 52.

Alternatively, the ink removal solution may be sprayed onto the paper surface 33 by the spray nozzle 57. The spray nozzle 57 sprays a uniform amount of the ink removing solution to sufficiently wet the paper 33. It was found that the toner at 60 ° C. could be easily removed after 3-4 seconds. This time necessarily increases with decreasing temperature.

The ink removal liquid is composed of water and two water-soluble solvents. Surfactants may be included for improved performance. The pH range of the ink removal liquid is known to be 6.5 to 7.5 and its density and boiling point are similar to water at about 1.0 and 100 캜, respectively. Therefore, it is harmless to users and environment. Moreover, the components evaporate with water and do not need to be rinsed.

The amount of water in the total liquid should be in the range of 75% and 87% by volume. When the liquid comes into contact with the solid, the molecules on the contact surface attach to the solid. The molecules spread over the solid phase and the surface of the liquid increases. This phenomenon is called wetting. Good wetting serves to quickly infiltrate chemicals into the fibrous mesh of paper. This serves to disconnect and release the toner from the fiber. If the proportion of water in the total liquid exceeds 87%, the liquid becomes excessive aqueous. This makes the paper too flexible to break down under slight mechanical pressure, such as the pressure of the coil brush. If the proportion of water drops significantly below 75%, the paper fibers can be cured due to the physical adhesion formation. Hydrocarbon solvents make strong physical bonds with certain cellulose materials to increase their strength. But the paper will not get wet enough, so the toner is not very flexible. In this state, detachment of the toner by the brush becomes more difficult.

The volume of the two solvents usually does not exceed 20% and is less than 10%. There are solvents that can dissolve most printing inks. However, they are expensive and cannot be used for economical regeneration. Another weak point is mixing in water. To be effective, some solvents are thought to be unmixed in water at low concentrations (<1000ppm). Unfortunately, most of these solvents mix in water. EPA regulations furthermore prohibit the use of some good solvents, particularly halogenated hydrocarbons, as environmental concerns. Therefore, the most commonly used solvents are aliphatic hydrocarbons. It was surprisingly found that one form, consisting of water and two water-soluble solvents, could soften and even degrade the toner, depending on their ratio and temperature. However, in one embodiment the toner is only softened and not decomposed. This prevents discoloration of the erased paper and allows for regeneration of the solution.

The two solvents can be glycol ethers or glycol esters and aromatic hydrocarbons. Examples of glycol ethers and glycol esters include ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl acetate and diethylene glycol n-butyl acetate. Aromatic solvents may be selected from aromatic esters and alkylphenols such as ethyl 4-methoxbenzoate, ethyl 3-methoxbenzoate and ethylether 2-methoxbenzoate.

Solvents added to the above solvents may also be C12-C14 aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons or ethers. The solvent is preferably solvent 900, particularly diethylene glycol n-butyl ether. In another form, the same solvent may mix water and surfactant mixtures at 3:10.

The ratio of aliphatic solvent to the ratio of aromatic solvent generally varies within the range of 4: 1 and 5: 1 depending on the inclusion of surfactant. Hydrophilic-Lipopilic Balance (HLB) of a given surfactant can be altered by changing the temperature of the form or by adding a solvent or two methods. The type (s) or amount (s) of solvent (s) used are important in obtaining or maintaining the desired HLB. In the present invention, these solvent ratios are important for maintaining and / or obtaining an HLB of 7-9. If the combination ratio of the two solvents is significantly higher than 20%, there is a tendency to melt and removing the toner by a brush becomes more difficult. Thus, excess solvent will smear when the toner sticks to the paper surface, while the excess will not allow the breaker of the toner-paper adhesion.

In one embodiment, the total amount of surfactant in the ink removal solution cannot exceed 5% and is preferably in the range of 1 to 3%. In the current environment, surfactants generally improve wetting by lowering the surface tension of water, so it generally does not need to exceed 5%. Insufficient surfactants result in insufficient wetting of the paper and excessive toner smears.

Surfactants are surface active agents. Surfactants make the ink removal role by lowering the surface tension of the water, resulting in more effective wetting. Water is also more effective because it also contains solvents. They are therefore absorbed into the surface to promote ink removal, dissolution, dispersion and emulsification. Therefore, surfactants generally increase the speed of ink removal. It is very useful when carefully selecting surfactants and balancing them in any ink removal condition. Some surfactants include those parts of the organism that have an affinity for oil (hydrophobe) and others that have an affinity for water (hydrophile). There are two types of surfactants: nonionic and ionic. In nonionic surfactants, the hydrophilic part is usually a highly polar group, whereas in ionic surfactants it is an ionic group. In both types, the hydrophobic portion is a Gin chain hydrocarbon residue. Surfactant chemistry is complex and little is known yet.

However, one surfactant is effective for special toner and paper grades, but may not be for other papers. The type of solvent used in parallel with the surfactant can modify the HLB of the surfactant and thus affect its ability to lower the surface tension of water. With 4-6 HLB, the surfactant acts like water in an oil emulsion. With HLB of 8-13, the surfactant behaves like water in an oil emulsion. In 13-15 the surfactant acts as a cleaning agent and in 15-18 the solvent. Thus, the HLB of the ink removal solution according to the present invention is 7-9 so that the surfactant can act as a wetting agent. Commonly used surfactants are ethoxyl alkylphenols, ethoxyl linear alcohols and fatty acid soaps. However, because of their low proportion, most surfactants are removed with the toner and do not need to be rinsed.

The surfactant may be for example TritonX-155, TritonX-305, TritonX-405, but the preferred surfactant is BRD-2311. The chemical composition of these surfactants is as follows:

TritonX-155

Chemical Composition: MethyleneBisdiamyl-Phenoxpolyethoxyethanol / 67906-06-3;

Isopropanol / 67-63; Water / 7732-18-5; Polyethylene

Glycol / 25322-68-3

Manufacturer: Union Carbide

TritonX-305

Chemical Composition: Poly (Oxy-1,1,3,3-Tetrmethylbutyl) Penyl-W-Hydroxy- / 9036-19-5;

Poly (Oxy-1,2-Ethanediyl_, A-Hydro-W-Hydroxy-? 25322-68-3; water

/ 7732-18-5

Manufacturer: Union Carbide

TritonX-405

Chemical Composition: Octoxyphenoxypolyethoxyethanol / 9036-19-5; Water / 7732-18-5;

PolyethleneGlycol / 25322-68-3

Manufacturer: Union Carbide

BRD-2311

Chemical Composition: This surfactant is trade secret but ethoxy based linear alcohol or ethoxy

Group is believed to be alkylphenol or both and contains some {Na} ^ {+}

Doing.

Manufacturer: Buckman Laboratories

Additional forms that can be used include the addition of an enzyme in a ratio of 10: 1 to an enzyme in a ratio of basic form 1:33 comprising water. The enzyme is preferably BUZYME 2522. These enzymes are manufactured at the Berkman Laboratories and are also trade secrets. This form is best heard when the surfactant used is BRD-2311.

After each piece of paper leaves station 34 it reaches the wiping station without stopping continuously. Alternatively, each paper surface may be transferred to the station 62, where the movement of the driven carrier belt 36 is approximately 10- to allow the non-impact ink (toner) to soften by the ink removal solution, depending on the temperature of the device. Stop for 15 seconds.

Additional heat may be applied by the heater 63 to facilitate softening of the toner without having to stop the drive belt.

After the non-impact ink has softened, the paper is also moved to the wiping station 64 which includes a primary roller 66 driven by the main roller drive 38. The primary roller 66 includes a coil brush with brushes 67 on its surface that gently steals the paper surface while passing through the wiping station 64 that removes the toner particles. This brush is usually made of low density polypropylene material. Combing roller 68 may be used to continue to remove toner ink particles from the brush of roller 66. The wiping station 64 includes a recovery station 65. The removed particles are collected by a recovery station 65 that includes a recovery chamber 69, which may be a removable cartridge similar to a standard photocopier cartridge. Soft wiping removes most of the toner without touching the paper fibers. Although the roller 66 is adapted to rotate in the direction of movement of the paper surface through the device 10, the roller 66 will be able to rotate in the opposite direction. In addition, the roller 66 may be oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to the paper 33a so that the toner particles are directed to the recovery chamber 69a according to the coil characteristics of the roller 66 as shown in FIG.

There may be a second wiping station 72 in the same manner as wiping station 64, which is the primary roller 74, the brush 75, the combing roller 76, the scraper 78 and the retrieval Thread 79. This station operates to provide an auxiliary wiping action to remove any debris in the toner.

The drying station 92 includes a blower 94 and a duct 96 which passes from the blower 94 towards the surface of the paper surface as it passes through the drying station 92 to dry the paper. Guide hot air flow. Air impinging on the paper surface is generally heated within a temperature range of 60 ° C and 70 ° C. The ink removal solution is generally 6.8 with a pH of 6.5-7.5 and is water soluble with a boiling point of 100 ° C, so that the solution components do not need to be rinsed out by evaporating any residue.

The liquid recovery station 88 includes a fan 80 that sucks the ink removal solution evaporated through the duct 82. The condensation means 84 includes a condensation coil for condensing vapor into a liquid and the liquid is collected in the liquid recovery chamber 86. The liquid recovery chamber 86 includes an exchange cartridge that can be removed when it is full and replaced with an empty recovery chamber. This prevents the evaporation of the liquid as well as the regeneration of the ink removal solution and the escape of the atmosphere which may cause an unpleasant odor even if it is nontoxic to the user. When the recovery chamber 86 is full, it may be removed and returned to the wet station 34 while the reservoir 60 is replaced, or may be disposed of for disposal or other use after a preset number of times of use.

Alternatively, the condensate can be returned directly to the reservoir 60. In the ink removal solution of the present invention, the toner is not decomposed, and thus the condensation ink removal solution is not contaminated. Therefore, the ink removal solution can be reused, thereby reducing the operation cost of a decopier (paper regeneration device). Thus, the condensation coil 84a located in the recovery duct 86a allows for immediate reuse of the regeneration solution.

Accordingly, the ink removal apparatus of the present invention is environmentally friendly because it not only provides a non-toxic and non-alkali ink removal solution, but also the toner particles as well as the solution are not recycled and disposed of only.

After the paper surface 33 leaves the drying station 92, it is supplied to a compression roller 98 driven by the main roller drive 38, which can be heated at a temperature in the range of 90 to 100 ° C. It also removes any paper wrinkles that may be drying the paper and returns it to its original size before the paper surface is loaded into the cleaned paper tray 14. Paper can now be reused immediately. Moreover, the quality of the paper was improved in effect as a result of the ink removal solution. This solution increases the strength of the paper fibers and improves the paper quality due to the strong physical adhesion formed by the hydrocarbons to the paper fibers. This also extends the life of the paper, allowing the ink to be removed five times per sheet of paper.

The demand for security measures is to ensure that previously contained information cannot be detected on paper. Infrared test results of a paper surface recycled in accordance with the present invention at the US Army Crime Investigation Institute, Forest Park, Georgia, show no toner remains on the paper surface. The test involved exposing recycled paper to infrared, ultraviolet (UV) -short, polylight and argon laser light.

4, flowchart 100 illustrates an ink removal method according to the present invention. In step 102, the ink removal solution thus formed is applied to the used paper from which the ink is to be separated. The paper is now gently stolen in process 104 to remove the softened toner from the paper without touching the fiber of the paper. Toner particles are removed from the brush and collected for regeneration. In step 106, the ink removal solution is removed by heating the paper within the temperature range of 60 ° C and 70 ° C.

The separated paper is dried in step 108 and the evaporated ink removal solution is collected and condensed for regeneration. The dried paper is compressed in step 110 to be further dried and any slack is removed to allow for immediate reuse in step 112.

The apparatus and method of the present invention are relatively small and improved quality and cost-saving recycled papers of any kind of paper containing non-impact ink printed thereon by any non-impact ink printing method. Is produced. Moreover, the ink removal paper is safe for both the user and the environment, as it does not retain any information on it. The present invention recovers 100% of the recycled material at a cost of 0.3 cents per sheet of paper.

The features of the invention are set forth in some of the drawings, but this is for convenience as each feature may be combined with some or all other features in accordance with the invention.

Other embodiments will be conceived by those skilled in the art and are contained within the following claims:

Claims (53)

To remove the toner on the paper surface and remove the ink on the paper surface, Water to wet the paper to expand the fiber of the paper to be treated, water-soluble surfactant to lower the surface tension of water to increase the water wetting action, softens the toner without decomposing the toner, and between the toner and the paper surface. Wetting of the paper with a non-toxic, water-soluble ink removal solution containing two water-soluble solvents for breaking adhesion; Removing the softened toner from the paper surface and forming toner particles; Removing the solution from the paper by heating the paper to evaporate the ink removal solution; Including calendaring the paper back to its original size for immediate reuse of the paper. The method of claim 1, wherein the water and the surfactant are in a ratio of 10: 1 in the ink removal solution. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the ink removal solution further comprises a solution in a ratio of 3:10 relative to the water and the surfactant. The method of claim 3, wherein the solvent C12-C14 is aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon. The method of claim 3, wherein the solvent is ether. The method of claim 3, wherein the solvent is diethylene glycol n butyl ether. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting toner particles. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising regenerating the toner particles. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a collection of vapor generated by said heating. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the vapor collection comprises condensing the collection vapor back to the liquid ink removal solution and regenerating the condensation ink removal solution. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises stealing the paper surface to remove toner particles. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein stealing comprises rotating a coil brush to remove toner particles from the paper surface. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein stealing also includes collecting toner particles from the coil brush. The method of claim 13 wherein the collecting comprises combing the coil brush to remove toner particles from the brush. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein combing comprises depositing toner particles in the recovery chamber. The method of claim 1 wherein the heating comprises blowing hot air over the paper surface to dry the paper. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hot air removes ink from the paper surface having a temperature in the range of 60 ° C to 70 ° C. The method of claim 1 wherein the calendering comprises feeding paper between heated rollers. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the rollers have a temperature range of 20 ° C to 60 ° C. The method of claim 1, wherein the water removes ink from the paper surface formed of 75% to 87% of the ink removal solution. The method of claim 1 wherein the surfactant removes ink from the paper surface formed from 1% to 3% of the ink removal solution. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent removes the ink from the paper surface formed of 15% to 20% of the ink removal solution. The method of claim 1 wherein the ink removal solution removes ink from a paper surface having a pH in the range of 6.5-7.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent removes the ink from the paper surface containing glycol ether and aromatic hydrocarbon. The paper according to claim 24, wherein the glycol ether is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl acetate and diethylene glycol n-butyl acetate. How to remove ink from cotton. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of ethyl 4-methoxy benzoate, ethyl 3-methoxy benzoate, and 2-methoxy benzoate ethyl ether. The device for removing ink from the paper surface by separating the toner from the paper surface, Water to wet the paper to expand the fiber of the paper to be treated, water-soluble surfactant to lower the surface tension of water to increase the water wetting action, softens the toner without decomposing the toner, and between the toner and the paper surface. A means for wetting paper by a non-toxic, water-soluble ink removal solution containing two water-soluble solvents for breaking adhesion; Means for removing the softened toner from the paper surface and forming toner particles; Means for heating the paper to remove the solution from the paper to evaporate the ink removal solution; Including a means of calendering paper back to its original size for immediate reuse of paper. 29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the water and the surfactant are in a ratio of 10: 1 in the ink removal solution. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the surfactant removes ink from the paper surface selected from the group consisting of TritonX-155, TritonX-305, TritonX-405, and BRD2311. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the ink removal solution further comprises a solvent containing a solvent in a ratio of 3:10 to the water and the surfactant. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the solvent is C12-C14 aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the solvent is an ether. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the solvent is diethylene glycol n-butyl ether. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for collecting toner particles. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising means for regenerating toner particles. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for vapor collection generated by said heating. 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the means for collecting steam comprises means for condensing the collected vapors and returning them to the liquid ink removal solution and means for regenerating the condensation ink removal solution. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the means for removing comprises means for stealing the surface of paper to remove toner particles. 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the stealing means comprises a rotating coil brush for separating toner particles from the paper surface. 40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the stealing means also comprises means for collecting toner particles from the coil brush. 41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said means for collecting toner particles comprises means for combing a coil brush to remove toner particles from a brush. 42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the means for combing comprises means for depositing toner particles in the recovery chamber. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the means for heating comprises means for blowing heated air over the paper surface to dry the paper. 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the heated air removes ink from the paper surface having a temperature range of 60 ° C to 70 ° C. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said means for calendering comprises means for feeding paper between heating rollers. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the rollers remove ink from a paper surface having a temperature range of 20 ° C to 60 ° C. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the water removes ink from the paper surface that forms 75% to 87% of the ink removal solution. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the surfactant removes ink from the paper surface forming from 1% to 3% of the ink removal solution. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the solvent removes ink from the paper surface of 15% to 20% of the ink removal solution. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the ink removal solution removes ink from a paper surface having a pH in the range of 6.5-7.5. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the solvent removes ink from a paper surface comprising glycol ether and aromatic hydrocarbons. The ink of claim 51, wherein the glycol ether is ink on a paper surface selected from the group of ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl acetate and diethylene glycol n-butyl acetate. To remove the device. 53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon removes ink from a paper surface selected from the group consisting of ethyl 4-methoxbenzoate, ethyl 3-methoxbenzoate and ethylether 2-methoxbenzoate.