IMAGE DECOLORING DEVICE

• US 20160114610A1
• Filed: 12/11/2015
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: IGUCHI, Ken, YAHATA, Isao, KAWAGUCHI, Takahiro, TAGUCHI, Hiroyuki, TSUCHIHASHI, Hiroyuki, TAKI, Hiroyuki
• Granted Patent: US 10,112,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/4753 using thermosensitive substrates, e.g. paper
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 7/0009 Obliterating the printed matter; Non-destructive removal of the ink pattern, e.g. for repetitive use of the support
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/00 Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge

Abstract

An image decoloring device operates in a power-saving mode and in a normal mode. The image decoloring device includes a decoloring processing unit which removes a color of a decolorable colorant that forms an image on a sheet by applying heat to the sheet. A sheet carrying unit conveys the sheet through the decoloring processing unit. A processor controls the sheet carrying unit. If the image decoloring device is operating in the power-saving mode, a conveyance speed of the sheet through the decoloring processing unit is a first speed. If the image decoloring carrying unit is operating in the normal mode, the conveyance speed of the sheet through the decoloring processing unit is a second speed greater than the first speed.

Claims

1. An image decoloring device which operates in a power-saving mode and in a normal mode comprising:

a decoloring processing unit configured to remove a color of a decolorable colorant that forms an image on a sheet by applying heat to the sheet;

a sheet carrying unit configured to convey the sheet through the decoloring processing unit; and

a processor configured to control the sheet carrying unit so that;

if the image decoloring device is operating in the power-saving mode, a conveyance speed of the sheet through the decoloring processing unit is a first speed, and

if the image decoloring carrying unit is operating in the normal mode, the conveyance speed of the sheet through the decoloring processing unit is a second speed greater than the first speed.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the processor controls an erasing temperature of the decoloring processing unit so that:

if the image decoloring device is operating in the power-saving mode, the erasing temperature is a first temperature, and

if the image decoloring device is operating in the normal mode, the erasing temperature is a second temperature greater than the first temperature.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising:

an operational unit configured to receive an input for setting an operation mode of the image decoloring device as one of the power-saving mode and the normal mode.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the processor determines the operation mode of the image decoloring device to be one of the power-saving mode and the normal mode based on the received input, and controls the image decoloring device to operate in the determined operation mode.

5. A method of controlling an image decoloring device which operates in a power-saving mode and in a normal mode, the method comprising the steps of:

conveying a sheet through a decoloring processing unit;

decoloring, with the decoloring processing unit, a color of a decolorable colorant that forms an image on the sheet by applying heat to the sheet; and

controlling a speed of conveyance of the sheet through the decoloring processing unit so that;

if the image decoloring device is operating in the power saving mode, the speed of conveyance is a first speed, and

if the image decoloring devise is operating in the normal mode, the speed of conveyance is a second speed greater than the first speed.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

controlling an erasing temperature of the decoloring processing unit so that;

if the image decoloring device is operating in the power-saving mode, the erasing temperature is a first temperature, and

if the image decoloring device is operating in the normal mode, the erasing temperature is a second temperature greater than the first temperature.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:

receiving an input for setting an operation mode of the image decoloring device as one of the power-saving mode and the normal mode.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

determining the operation mode of the image decoloring device to be one of the power-saving mode and the normal mode based on the received input; and

controlling the image decoloring device to operate in the determined operation mode.