Reusable Printing Medium and Apparatus and Method Employing the Same

Abstract

An erasable and/or reusable image receiving medium ( 62 ) is disclosed along with a system ( 10 ) and/or method for using the same, including a unit ( 60 ) and/or method for erasing the reusable medium ( 62 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for processing an erasable media, the device comprising:
 an erasing station for applying an erasing operation to an erasable media, the erasing operation removing from the erasable media at least a portion of a marking agent forming an image on a surface of the erasable media, the erasing station including:
 a support for holding the erasable media; and, 
 an eraser for removing at least a portion of the marking agent from the erasable media,
 wherein the eraser comprises at least one blade that contacts the surface of the erasable media and mechanically removes the marking agent therefrom, 
 wherein upon engaging the surface of the erasable media, the blade applies a desired pressure to the media, 
 wherein at least one of the eraser, the support and the erasable media are moved relative to one another so that the eraser is drawn over the surface of the erasable media while contacting the same to thereby remove the marking agent from the erasable media, 
 
   the erasing station further including collection means that collect the marking agent removed from the erasable media, wherein the recovered dust and/or marking agent is deposited in a collection receptacle from which the recovered dust and/or marking agent can be selectively recycled or otherwise disposed of.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the blade has rounded or turned-up corners along an edge thereof which makes contact with the surface of the erasable media. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the eraser contacts the surface of the media with a controlled pressure, wherein the pressure can be adjusted via either mechanically or electronically. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein pressure is applied to the eraser by means of at least one of a motor, a cam, a roller, a lever, a weight, or a solenoid. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the eraser can be moved away from the support. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a marking unit that applies marking agent on the media. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the eraser further includes a guard to protect against damage to at least one blade by environmental dust or other objects on the surface of the media. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a vibratory motion is applied to at least one of the media and the eraser. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the marking agent comprises a release agent at a weight percent concentration greater than about 1%, wherein the release agent includes at least one of silicone, fluoro-carbon, organic pre-crosslinked particles or organic thermal plastic particles with a melting temperature greater than 200° C. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least one of the following (i) a pressure sensor that provides feedback control for adjusting the controlled pressure, (ii) the blade being spring loaded, and (iii) the blade being sufficiently soft so that the blade will not damage the media.