Decoloring device and function management method

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/191,142, filed Jul. 26, 2011, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from: U.S. provisional application No. 61/368614, filed on Jul. 28, 2010; U.S. provisional application No. 61/368616, filed on Jul. 28, 2010; U.S. provisional application No. 61/368618, filed on Jul. 28, 2010; and U.S. provisional application No. 61/372435, filed on Aug. 10, 2010; the entire contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a decoloring device that decolors an image that is image formed on a sheet by a decolorable colorant that is color erasable by applying predetermined decoloring.

In the related art, a decoloring device that includes a decoloring section that decolors an image that is formed on a sheet of paper and a determination section such as a scanner that determines whether or not the decoloring is applied properly and that determines whether or not the sheet is reusable is known.

In the decoloring device of the related art described above, there is a problem that, when the decoloring section is able to operate normally but the above-described determination section is malfunctioning, the device as a whole is determined to be unable to operate, and even the decoloring section that is able to operate normally is not able to be used.

FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional diagram of an outline configuration of a decoloring device E of a First Embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of functions that the decoloring device E of the First Embodiment includes.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart for describing the flow of processing (function management method) in the decoloring device E.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a state of switching a flapper f 1 .

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of another state of switching the flapper f 1 .

FIG. 6 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional diagram of an outline configuration of a decoloring device Eb according to a Second Embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of a configuration in which a third unit is further equipped between a first unit and a second unit.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of a state of equipping a unit U 5 on which a large amount of sheet loading is possible, instead of a unit U 3 .

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of a state of equipping the unit U 5 on which a large amount of sheet loading is possible, between the unit U 3 and a unit U 1 and a unit U 2 .

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram of a state of further equipping another unit U 3 between the unit U 3 and the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 .

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of a state of equipping a unit U 6 between the unit U 3 and the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 .

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of a state of equipping a unit U 7 that includes a high-capacity tray 701 between the unit U 3 and the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 .

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram of a state in which a display section 302 is equipped.

FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram of a state in which the display section 302 is removed.

FIG. 15 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional diagram of an outline configuration of a decoloring device Ed of a Fourth Embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a diagram of other equipping states of each unit TU 1 to TU 3 .

Generally, according to an embodiment, a decoloring device includes a first sheet carrying path, a decoloring section, a second sheet carrying path, a scanner, a flapper, a route control section, a malfunction determination section, and a function management section.

The first sheet carrying path leads a sheet that is supplied from a supply opening to a discharge opening.

The decoloring section decolors the color of an image that is formed by a decolorable colorant on the sheet that is carried on the first sheet carrying path.

The second sheet carrying path is a carrying path that diverges from the first sheet carrying path, and leads the sheet that the decoloring section decolors to a separation device that separates and discharges the sheet to one of a plurality of discharge destinations.

The flapper switches a carrying destination of the sheet that the decoloring section decolors to the discharge opening on the first sheet carrying path or the separation device.

The route control section switches, by switching the flapper, the carrying destination of the sheet that passes through the decoloring section to either the discharge opening or the separation device.

The malfunction determination section determines the presence or absence of a malfunction in each of the decoloring section and the separation device.

The function management section causes, when the malfunction determination section determines that one of the decoloring section and the separation device is malfunctioning, only the other to be executable.

(First Embodiment) P1B105017-1 Function Separation When Malfunctioning

First, a First Embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional diagram of an outline configuration of a decoloring device E of the First Embodiment.

The decoloring device E includes three units of a unit U 1 , a unit U 2 , and a unit U 3 . The unit U 1 has a role of being a main body of the decoloring device, and includes basic functions of performing decoloring on a sheet.

The unit U 2 is able to be attached on or detached from a back side of the unit U 1 (side on which a discharge tray is not provided), and the unit U 3 is able to be attached on or detached from upper portions of the units U 1 and U 2 . Various known mechanisms are able to be used as a mechanism that couples the units to be detachablely attached.

The unit U 1 includes a sheet carrying path Path 1 , a sheet carrying path Path 2 , a sheet carrying path Path 5 , a sheet carrying path Path 6 , a flapper f 1 , a sheet supply tray 101 , a discharge tray 102 , and a decoloring section 103 . The unit U 1 is able to act as the decoloring device by the unit U 1 alone.

A sheet that is a carrying object is supplied from the sheet supply tray 101 to the sheet carrying path Path 1 , and the sheet carrying path Path 1 diverges into the sheet carrying path Path 2 and the sheet carrying path Path 5 . The flapper f 1 switches to whichever of the sheet carrying path Path 2 and the sheet carrying path Path 5 the sheet that is carried on the sheet carrying path Path 1 is led. Further, the sheet that is carried on the sheet carrying path Path 5 merges with the sheet carrying path Path 6 . Sheets that pass through the sheet carrying path Path 6 are discharged and sequentially loaded onto the discharge tray 102 .

The sheet carrying path Path 1 and the sheet carrying path Path 2 are straight passes that are consecutive. The decoloring section 103 is arranged to the further downstream side of the sheet supply tray 101 in the sheet carrying direction of the sheet carrying path Path 1 and on the further upstream side from a separation point of the sheet carrying paths.

The decoloring section 103 decolors, by heating a transported sheet at a predetermined decoloring temperature, an image that is image formed on the sheet by a decolorable colorant.

The unit U 2 includes a sheet carrying path Path 3 , a sheet carrying path Path 7 , a sheet carrying path Path 8 , a sheet carrying path Path 9 , a scanner 201 , and a flapper f 2 .

The sheet that is led to the sheet carrying path Path 2 by the flapper f 1 in the unit U 1 enters the sheet carrying path Path 3 of the unit U 2 .

The sheet carrying path Path 3 connects to the sheet carrying path Path 7 that is a perpendicular path.

The sheet carrying path Path 1 , the sheet carrying path Path 2 , the sheet carrying path Path 5 , and the sheet carrying path Path 6 correspond to “the first sheet carrying path” that leads a sheet that is supplied from the sheet supply tray 101 to the supply opening to the discharge opening. Further, the sheet carrying path Path 2 is equivalent to “the second sheet carrying path”.

The sheet carrying path Path 7 diverges into the sheet carrying path Path 8 and the sheet carrying path Path 9 at the separation point, and is able to carry a sheet in two directions. The flapper f 2 switches to whichever direction out of the sheet carrying path Path 8 and the sheet carrying path Path 9 a sheet is led.

The sheet that is led to the sheet carrying path Path 8 enters a sheet carrying path Path 10 of the unit U 3 , the sheet that is led to the sheet carrying path Path 9 enters the sheet carrying path Path 6 of the unit U 1 , and the sheets are discharged onto the discharge tray 102 .

The scanner 201 is arranged on the further downstream side of a sheet entry opening from the unit U 1 in the sheet carrying direction of the sheet carrying path Path 3 (further downstream side from the decoloring section) and on the further upstream side from the separation point of the sheet carrying path Path 3 .

In such a manner, a PROCESSOR 801 is able to determine the outcome of decoloring by the scanner 201 (image reading section) reading a left-over image (decoloring state) on a sheet that the decoloring section 103 decolors, or the like.

The unit U 3 includes the sheet carrying path Path 10 , a discharge tray 301 , and a display section 302 . The display section 302 is, for example, able to be configured by a touch panel display that is able to perform operation inputs such as button operations and screen display.

A sheet that is led to the sheet carrying path Path 8 by the flapper f 2 (second flapper) in the unit U 2 enters the sheet carrying path Path 10 of the unit U 3 . Here, the flapper f 2 switches the sheet carrying destination to any of a plurality of carrying destinations of a sheet that is led from the unit U 1 . That is, the unit U 2 includes a function of “the separation device” that separates and discharges a sheet to any of a plurality of discharge destinations.

A sheet that enters the sheet carrying path Path 10 is discharged and loaded onto the discharge tray 301 .

The display section 302 is a touch panel display that includes, as well as displaying information relating to a processing content in the decoloring device, a function of receiving control inputs by the user. Of course, there is no need for the screen display function and the control input receiving function to be integrally provided on the display section 302 , and the display section 302 may have a configuration of including, for example, buttons for operation inputs and a display only for displaying.

Each of the sheet carrying paths Path 1 to Path 10 includes a plurality of carrying rollers for nipping and carrying a sheet. Here, a carrying roller group that is provided to the unit U 1 is r 1 , a carrying roller group that is provided to the unit U 2 is r 2 , and a carrying roller group that is provided to the unit U 3 is r 3 .

Furthermore, the decoloring device E includes the PROCESSOR 801 , an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 802 , a MEMORY 803 , and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 804 .

The PROCESSOR 801 controls various types of processing that are performed in the decoloring device E such as controlling ON and OFF states or carrying speed of each of the plurality of carrying rollers r 1 , r 2 , and r 3 that is provided respectively to each of the sheet carrying paths Path 1 to Path 10 , driving of each of the flappers f 1 and f 2 , sheet carrying speed or temperature control in the decoloring section 103 , control of image reading by scanners 202 and 203 , and the like.

In the decoloring device E of the present embodiment, the PROCESSOR 801 also includes a role of realizing various functions by executing a program that is stored in the MEMORY 803 , the HDD 804 , or the like. Here, needless to say, the PROCESSOR 801 is able to be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that is able to execute the same calculations. Further, in the same way, a memory device such as, for example, a flash memory, is able to substitute the HDD 804 .

The MEMORY 803 is able, for example, to be configured by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a VRAM (Video RAM), a flash memory, or the like, and includes a role of storing various pieces of information and programs that are used in the decoloring device E.

The HDD 804 (memory section) stores image data that the scanner 202 or the scanner 203 reads from a sheet.

By such a configuration, it is possible to perform, according to results of the decoloring in the decoloring section 103 , separation discharge such as, for example, discharging a sheet that is not adequately decolored to the discharge tray 102 , discharging a sheet that is adequately decolored to the discharge tray 301 , and the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of the functions that the decoloring device E of the First Embodiment includes.

The decoloring device E of the First Embodiment includes a route control section 101 , a malfunction determination section 102 , a function management section 103 , and a display control section 104 .

The route control section 101 switches, by switching the flapper f 1 , the carrying destination of a sheet that the decoloring section decolors to either the discharge opening or the unit U 2 (separation device).

The malfunction determination section 102 determines the presence or absence of a malfunction in each of the decoloring section 103 and the unit U 2 (separation device).

The malfunction determination section 102 determines, when communication that is usually established between the units is not able to be established, when an error code that is transmitted from a malfunctioning unit is received, when a fact that there is a malfunction is recorded as a login the HDD 804 , or the like, that a specific unit or a specific function is malfunctioning.

The function management section 103 causes, when the malfunction determination section 102 determines that one of the decoloring section 103 and the unit U 2 (separation device) is malfunctioning, only the other to be executable.

When the malfunction determination section 102 determines that the separation device is malfunctioning, the route control section 101 switches the flapper f 1 such that a sheet that the decoloring section 103 decolors is carried toward the discharge opening and prohibits entry of the sheet into the second sheet carrying path (unit U 2 ).

The route control section 101 switches the flapper f 1 , when the malfunction determination section 102 determines that the decoloring section 103 is malfunctioning, such that a sheet that is carried within the first sheet carrying path is carried toward the unit U 2 (separation device).

The display control section 104 causes, when the malfunction determination section 102 determines that one of the decoloring section 103 and the unit U 2 (separation device) is malfunctioning, at least one function that is executable without receiving the influence of the malfunction of the malfunction location to be displayed on the display section 302 .

The function management section 103 causes, when an operation input to select any of the one or more executable functions that the display control section 104 causes to be displayed on the display section 302 is received, only the selected function to be executed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart for describing the flow of processing (function management method) in the decoloring device E.

The PROCESSOR 801 determines the presence or absence of a malfunction in each of the decoloring section 103 , the unit U 1 , the unit U 2 (separation device), and the unit U 3 (ACT 101 )

When the malfunction determination section 102 determines that the unit U 2 (separation device) is malfunctioning (ACT 101 , separation device is malfunctioning), the PROCESSOR 801 switches the flapper f 1 such that a sheet that the decoloring section 103 decolors is carried toward the discharge opening (refer to FIG. 4 ) and prohibits entry of the sheet into the second sheet carrying path (unit U 2 ) (ACT 102 ).

On the other hand, when the malfunction determination section 102 determines that the decoloring section 103 is malfunctioning (is not heatable, or the like) (ACT 101 , decoloring section is malfunctioning), the PROCESSOR 801 switches the flapper f 1 such that a sheet that is carried within the first sheet carrying path is carried toward the unit U 2 (separation device) (ACT 103 ). In this case, the sheet is not decolored but separated at the unit U 2 (see FIG. 5 ). This is a process that is effective when, for example, a bundle of sheets that are decolored are loaded onto the sheet supply tray 101 , and only scanning (saving an image data) and/or separation based on the decoloring state of each of such sheets is to be performed.

In addition, although it is conceivable that sheets are separated and discharged to the sheet discharge tray 102 depending on result of the separation by the unit U 2 , for example, when there is a malfunction in the driving of the carrying rollers r 1 of the unit U 1 , even sheets that would ordinarily be separated and discharged to the sheet discharge tray 102 are discharged to the sheet discharge tray 301 . In such a case, although separating and discharging are not in reality possible, determination of the outcome of the decoloring on each sheet is able to be executed. The PROCESSOR 801 is able to screen display result of such an outcome determination on the display section 302 .

In such a manner, when the malfunction determination section 102 determines that one of the decoloring section 103 and the unit U 2 (separation device) is malfunctioning, the PROCESSOR 801 causes only the other to be executable. Here, if neither is malfunctioning, the PROCESSOR 801 causes a sheet that is decolored to enter the unit U 2 as an ordinary operation, and causes separation to be executed in the unit U 2 (ACT 104 ).

The PROCESSOR 801 causes, when the malfunction determination section 102 determines that one of the decoloring section 103 and the unit U 2 (separation device) is malfunctioning, at least one function that is executable without receiving the influence of the malfunction of the malfunctioning location to be displayed on the display section 302 (ACT 105 ).

The PROCESSOR 801 causes, when an operation input to select any of the one or more executable functions that the display control section 104 causes to be displayed on the display section 302 is received, only the selected function to be executed (ACT 106 ).

Each operation of the processing in the decoloring device E described above is realized by the processor 801 executing a program that is stored in the MEMORY 803 .

Furthermore, a computer that configures the decoloring device is able to include a program to cause each of the operations described above to be executed. Although a case when the program for realizing the functions of the exemplary embodiments is recorded in a memory region provided in the device in advance is exemplified in the present embodiment, without limiting thereto, a similar program may be downloaded from a network onto the device, or a similar program that is stored on a computer-readable memory medium may be installed on the device. The memory medium may be of any form as long as the memory medium is able to store a program and is able to be read by a computer. Specifically, an internal memory device that is built into a computer such as a ROM or a RAM, a transportable memory medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk, a DVD disc, a magnetic optical disc, or an IC card, a database that retains computer programs, other computers and the databases thereof, a transmission medium on a line, or the like may be the memory medium. Further, functions that are obtained by installing or downloading in advance in such a manner may be functions that are realized by cooperating with an OS (Operating System) within the device.

Here, a program may be an execution module in which a portion or the whole thereof is dynamically generated.

Furthermore, needless to say, at least a portion of the various types of processing that are realized by causing the processor to execute a program in each of the embodiments described above are able to be executed as a circuit by the ASIC 802 .

In addition, in the present embodiment, although a configuration in which the unit U 1 includes all of the PROCESSOR 801 , the ASIC 802 , the MEMORY 803 , and the HDD 804 is exemplified, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, as long as the functions that are included in the decoloring device E are able to be realized by the decoloring device E as a whole, the functions may be arranged on any unit, and the units U 2 and U 3 may include the same processing functions as the unit U 1 .

In such a manner, in the decoloring device E of the First Embodiment, even when, for example, there arises a malfunction in the determination function of the scanner 201 or the like in the unit U 2 or in the carrying function of the flapper f 2 or the like, since the unit U 1 is able to realize the functions of the decoloring device independently, the functions of the decoloring device are able to be continuously executed.

(Second Embodiment) P1B105016-1 Additional Discharge Tray Mechanism

Next, a Second Embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The Second Embodiment is a modification example of the First Embodiment, and the basic device configurations thereof are the same. Below, parts that have the same functions as described in the First Embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the related art, a decoloring device that includes a decoloring section that decolors an image that is formed on a sheet of paper and a determination section such as a scanner that determines whether or not the decoloring is applied properly and that determines whether or not the sheet is reusable is known.

However, there is a problem that, when a greater number of sheets are decolored and a large number of the decolored sheets are to be loaded on a discharge tray, an additional purchase of a large device is necessary.

FIG. 6 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional diagram of an outline configuration of a decoloring device Eb according to the Second Embodiment.

The basic configuration of the decoloring device Eb of the Second Embodiment is the same as the decoloring device E of the First Embodiment.

In the Second Embodiment, the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 correspond to “the first unit” and the unit U 3 corresponds to “the second unit”.

The first unit includes “the first sheet carrying path” that leads a sheet that is supplied from the sheet supply tray 101 to the sheet discharge tray 102 , and “the second sheet carrying path” that is a carrying path that diverges from the first sheet carrying path and that leads a sheet that the decoloring section 103 decolors to the unit U 2 (separation section).

The second unit is a unit that is attachable to and detachable from the first unit as one of a plurality of discharge destinations of a sheet that is separated and discharged in the unit U 2 (separation section), and includes the second sheet discharge tray 301 that discharges the separated and discharged sheets.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6 , a state in which the second unit is removed from the first unit is illustrated.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of a configuration in which a third unit is further equipped between the first unit and the second unit. In FIG. 7 , a unit U 4 corresponds to “the second unit” and the unit U 3 corresponds to “the third unit”.

The unit U 4 as “the second unit” includes divergent carrying paths that separate and carry a sheet that enters from “the first unit” to the plurality of discharge destinations.

In addition, “the third unit” includes a carrying path that receives a sheet that is discharged from one of the plurality of divergent carrying paths of “the second unit”, and is attachable to and detachable from “the second unit”

Furthermore, an arrangement interval J between carrying rollers r 4 in the sheet carrying direction in the unit U 4 as “the second unit” is narrower than an arrangement interval Q between each of a carrying roller group in the sheet carrying direction in the third unit.

Generally, when a sheet that is already decolored is separated and discharged by a separation section, it is determined in advance to whichever of any of the sheet discharge trays 102 , 301 , and 401 a sheet that is not reusable in which the decoloring is unsuccessful is discharged and a sheet that is reusable in which the decoloring is successful is discharged.

Further, ordinarily, from a viewpoint of convenience of operation and a viewpoint of shortening the carrying route, a sheet that is determined to be not reusable is often set to be discharged to a lower discharge tray that is harder to see.

Therefore, the arrangement interval J of the sheet carrying rollers in the unit U 4 that includes the sheet discharge tray 401 which often discharges the sheet that is determined to be not reusable is set to be narrower than the arrangement interval in the unit U 3 or the like. In so doing, it is possible to improve the sheet carrying ability in the unit U 4 which is expected to carry, in particular, sheets that are in a state of being more prone to jamming or the like.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of a state of equipping a unit U 5 on which a large amount of sheet loading is possible, instead of the unit U 3 .

As illustrated in the drawing, the unit U 5 is able to be equipped instead of the unit U 3 .

The unit U 5 is able to load a large number of sheets compared to the unit U 3 , and a sheet loading tray 501 is movable upward and downward by an ascending and descending mechanism K.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of a state of equipping the unit U 5 on which a large amount of sheet loading is possible, between the unit U 3 and the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 .

Here, in the example illustrated in FIG. 9 , the arrangement interval between carrying rollers r 5 is set to be narrower than the arrangement interval in the unit U 3 or the like.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram of a state of further equipping another unit U 3 between the unit U 3 and the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 .

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of a state of equipping a unit U 6 between the unit U 3 and the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 .

The unit U 6 (the second unit) includes the divergent carrying paths that separate and carry a sheet that enters from the unit U 2 to a plurality of discharge destinations, and a plurality of sheet discharge trays 601 to 603 , each of which receives sheets that are respectively discharged from the divergent carrying paths.

FIG. 12 illustrates a diagram of a state of equipping a unit U 7 that includes a high-capacity tray 701 between the unit U 3 and the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 .

In such a manner, by the units that include desired functions having an attachable and detachable configuration, the convenience of the separation process after decoloring is able to be improved.

According to the Second Embodiment as described above, techniques such as, for example, (1) to (5) below are able to be provided.

(1) A Decoloring Device including:

a first unit that includes a sheet supply tray, a sheet discharge tray, a first sheet carrying path that leads a sheet that is supplied from the sheet supply tray to the sheet discharge tray, a decoloring section that decolors an image that is formed by a decolorable colorant on the sheet that is carried on the first sheet carrying path, a separation section that separates and discharges the sheet that the decoloring section decolors to any of a plurality of discharge destinations, a second sheet carrying path that is a carrying path that diverges from the first sheet carrying path and that leads the sheet that the decoloring section decolors to the separation section, and a flapper that switches a carrying destination of the sheet that passes through the decoloring section to a discharge opening on the first sheet carrying path or to the separation section; and

a second unit that is attachable to and detachable from the first unit as one of the plurality of discharge destinations to which the separation section separates and discharges the sheet, and that includes a second sheet discharge tray that discharges the sheet that is separated and discharged.

(2) The Device According to (1),

wherein the second unit includes divergent carrying paths that separate and carry a sheet that enters from the first unit to a plurality of discharge destinations and a plurality of sheet discharge trays, each of which receives sheets that are respectively discharged from the divergent carrying paths.

(3) The Device According to (1),

wherein the second unit includes divergent carrying paths that separate and carry a sheet that enters from the first unit into a plurality of discharge destinations, and on which a third unit that includes a carrying path that receives a sheet that is discharged from any one of the plurality of divergent carrying paths is attachable and detachable.

(4) The Device According to (3),

wherein the second unit and the third unit have the same configuration.

(5) The Device According to (3),

wherein an arrangement interval between carrying roller groups in the sheet carrying direction of the second unit is narrower than the arrangement interval between carrying roller groups in the sheet carrying direction of the third unit.

(Third Embodiment) P1B105018-1 Deletion and Separation Device

Next, a Third Embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The Third Embodiment is a modification example of each of the embodiments described above, and the basic device configurations thereof are the same. Below, parts that have the same functions as described in the embodiments above are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the related art, an integrated machine that decolors an image on a sheet that is image formed by a decolorable colorant and that determines the outcome of the decoloring by scanning the image of the sheet after decoloring is proposed.

However, in the integrated machine described above, the size of the device is increased, and in addition, unnecessary functional portions are provided together to a user that only desires a decoloring function.

Therefore, as shown in the embodiments described above, in the decoloring device according to the Third Embodiment, the unit U 1 that is able to perform decoloring independently and the unit U 2 that separates and carries a sheet that receives decoloring by the unit U 1 to any of a plurality of predetermined carrying destinations are separately attachable and detachable.

Furthermore, in the Third Embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the First Embodiment, the display section 302 is attachable to and detachable from the unit U 3 . FIG. 13 illustrates a state in which the display section 302 is equipped, and FIG. 14 illustrates a state in which the display section 302 is removed.

Here, the unit U 1 of FIG. 1 corresponds to “the decoloring unit”. Further, the unit U 2 of FIG. 1 corresponds to “the separation unit”.

Furthermore, the carrying path that merges with the sheet carrying path PATH 6 of the unit U 2 in FIG. 1 corresponds to “a merging path”.

In addition, in the Third Embodiment, the unit U 1 (decoloring unit) and the unit U 2 (separation unit) are able to operate mutually independently. Here, it is desirable that “able to operate independently” denote not only that the unit U 1 and the unit U 2 are able to operate independently when coupled, but also that each unit is able to operate independently when the unit U 2 is removed from the unit U 1 . In such a case, each unit U 1 to U 3 respectively includes a PROCESSOR, an ASIC, a MEMORY, and an HDD.

According to the Third Embodiment as described above, techniques such as, for example, (1) to (4) below are able to be provided.

(1) A Decoloring Device including:

a separation unit that includes a separation section that separates and discharges a sheet that is decolored to any of a plurality of discharge destinations; and

a decoloring unit that includes a sheet supply tray, a sheet discharge tray, a first sheet carrying path that leads a sheet that is supplied from the sheet supply tray to the sheet discharge tray, a decoloring section that decolors an image that is formed by a decolorable colorant on the sheet that is carried on the first sheet carrying path, a second sheet carrying path that is a carrying path that diverges from the first sheet carrying path and that leads the sheet that the decoloring section decolors to the separation unit, and a flapper that switches a carrying destination of the sheet that passes through the decoloring section to a discharge opening on the first sheet carrying path or to the separation unit.

(2) The Device According to (1), further including:

a display section that is attachable to and detachable from the decoloring device, and that performs screen display that shows processing contents of the decoloring device.

(3) The Device According to (1),

wherein the decoloring unit further includes a merging path that merges a sheet that is brought in from a supply opening on the separation unit side to the first sheet carrying path, and

the separation device includes divergent paths for separating and carrying a sheet to the merging path as one of the plurality of discharge destinations.

(4) The Device According to (1),

wherein the decoloring unit and the separation unit are able to operate mutually independently.

(Fourth Embodiment) P1B107034-1 Deletion and Separation Device

Next, a Fourth Embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The Fourth Embodiment is a modification example of each of the embodiments described above, and the basic device configurations thereof are the same. Below, parts that have the same functions as described in the embodiments above are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the related art, a decoloring device that includes a decoloring section that decolors an image formed on a sheet of paper and a determination section such as a scanner that determines whether or not decoloring is applied normally and determines whether reuse is possible is known.

In the decoloring device of the related art described above, sheet supply positions and sheet discharge positions in the device are decided in advance, and it is not possible to adjust the sheet supply positions or the sheet discharge positions according to height positions that are set, such as when the device is installed at a high position on a desk or when the device is placed on the floor.

FIG. 15 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional diagram of an outline configuration of a decoloring device Ed of the Fourth Embodiment.

The decoloring device Ed according to the Fourth Embodiment has a configuration that is different to each of the embodiments described above, for example, on the following points.

(a) A sheet supply unit TU 1 , a sheet discharge unit TU 2 , and a sheet discharge unit TU 3 are mutually exchangeable.

(b) The decoloring section, the carrying rollers, and a pickup roller are forwardly and reversely rotatable, and sheet carrying in both directions is possible in the sheet carrying paths.

(c) A flapper f 3 is provided at a diverging point where no flapper is provided in each of the embodiments described above, as the diverging point is a merging point of the sheet carrying paths.

In the state illustrated in FIG. 15 , the sheet discharge unit TU 3 , the sheet discharge unit TU 2 , and the sheet supply unit TU 1 are equipped in that order from the top, on a decoloring device main body.

The sheet discharge unit TU 3 includes, for example, the sheet discharge tray 301 , a discharge roller rh 3 , and the like to be integrally attachable to and detachable from the decoloring device.

The sheet discharge unit TU 2 includes, for example, the sheet discharge tray 102 , a discharge roller rh 2 , and the like to be integrally attachable to and detachable from the decoloring device.

The sheet supply unit TU 1 includes, for example, the sheet supply tray 101 , a pickup roller rp, and the like to be integrally attachable to and detachable from the decoloring device.

On a side surface of the main body of the decoloring device Ed on which each of the units TU 1 to TU 3 is attached and detached includes an attachment mechanism that is able to attach and detach such units. Here, various known mechanisms are able to be adopted as the attachment mechanism that couples each of the units TU 1 to TU 3 to the decoloring device main body.

In addition, the PROCESSOR 801 performs driving control of the carrying rollers r 1 to r 3 , the discharge roller rh 2 , the discharge roller rh 3 , the pickup roller rp, and the like of each of the units U 1 to U 3 .

The PROCESSOR 801 performs, according to a equipping state of each of the units TU 1 to TU 3 to the decoloring device main body, control of the rotation direction of the carrying rollers r 1 to r 3 , and of the operations of each of the flappers f 1 to f 3 , of each of the units U 1 to U 3 .

The decoloring device main body includes attachment detection sensors D 1 to D 3 , whereby what sort of unit is respectively equipped on attachment portions is detectable. The PROCESSOR 801 automatically recognizes the units that are actually equipped on the decoloring device main body based on detection results by the attachment detection sensors D 1 to D 3 .

When each of the units TU 1 to TU 3 is in an equipping state as illustrated in FIG. 15 , the PROCESSOR 801 causes each carrying roller to be driven to perform carrying of a sheet in the direction of arrows as illustrated in FIG. 15 .

On the other hand, when each of the units TU 1 to TU 3 is in an equipping state as illustrated in FIG. 16 , the PROCESSOR 801 causes each carrying roller to be driven to perform carrying of a sheet in the direction of arrows as illustrated in FIG. 16 which is the opposite direction to the direction illustrated in FIG. 15 .

Here, in the present embodiment, although a configuration in which the sheet discharge unit TU 3 integrally includes the discharge roller rh 3 , the sheet discharge unit TU 2 integrally includes the discharge roller rh 2 , and the sheet supply unit TU 1 integrally includes the pickup roller rp is exemplified, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the discharge roller rh 3 , the discharge roller rh 2 , and the pickup roller rp may respectively be removable independently from each of the units. In such a case, the trays have a configuration of being usable for discharging sheets or for supplying sheets.

Here, although a configuration in which the decoloring section 103 is arranged on the sheet carrying path Path 1 is exemplified in FIGS. 15 and 16 , without limiting thereto, the decoloring device may be arranged on the sheet carrying path Path 5 as illustrated by a broken line B in FIG. 15 .

According to the Fourth Embodiment, it is possible to switch equipping positions of the sheet supply tray and the sheet discharge trays according to the location at which the decoloring device is arranged or the way that the decoloring device is used, contributing to an improvement in the convenience of the device.

According to the Fourth Embodiment as described above, techniques such as, for example, (1) to (3) below are able to be provided.

(1) A Decoloring Device including:

a sheet carrying path that leads a sheet that is supplied from a first opening to a second opening;

a plurality of carrying rollers, each of which is arranged in a line along a sheet carrying direction of the sheet carrying path;

a decoloring section that decolors an image that is formed by a decolorable colorant on the sheet that is carried on the first sheet carrying path;

a sheet supply tray that is attachable to and detachable from both the first opening and the second opening and that provides a sheet to the sheet carrying path;

a sheet discharge tray that is attachable to and detachable from both the first opening and the second opening and that receives a sheet that is discharged from the sheet carrying path; and

a driving control section that is able to rotate the carrying rollers forwards and backwards.

(2) The Device According to (1),

further including an attachment detection sensor that detects whether any tray is equipped on the first and second openings,

wherein the driving control section drives the plurality of carrying rollers such that a sheet is carried from an opening, out of the first and second openings, that is detected to have

the sheet supply tray equipped by the attachment detection sensor toward an opening that is detected to have the sheet discharge tray equipped by the attachment detection sensor.

(3) The Device According to (1),

wherein the sheet supply tray further includes a pickup roller for providing a sheet to the sheet carrying path to be integrally attachable to and detachable from a decoloring device main body,

the sheet discharge tray includes a discharge roller for discharging a sheet from the sheet carrying path onto the sheet discharge tray to be integrally attachable to and detachable from the decoloring device main body.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of invention. Indeed, the novel apparatus and methods described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the apparatus and methods described herein may be made without departing from the sprit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.