Method and apparatus for removing image forming substance from image holding member forming processing situation mark

Abstract

In a method and an apparatus for removing an image forming substance such as toner from an image holding member such as a sheet of transfer paper, an unstabilizing agent is provided to the image holding member. An attaching state between the image forming substance and the image holding member stably attaching the image forming substance on a surface thereof is changed to an unstable state by the unstabilizing agent. The image forming substance is separated and removed from the image holding member by making a separating member come in close contact with the image forming substance on the image holding member having the provided unstabilizing agent. A processing situation mark showing a processing situation of removal of the image forming substance is formed in the image holding member. The processing situation mark can be removed from the image holding member by the image forming substance removing processing.

What is claimed:  
     
       1. A method for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member, comprising the steps of: 
       a process for providing an unstabilizing agent to the image holding member;  
       the unstabilizing agent being constructed such that an attaching state between the image forming substance and the image holding member stably attaching the image forming substance on a surface thereof is changed to an unstable state by the unstabilizing agent;  
       a process for separating and removing the image forming substance from the image holding member by making a separating member come in close contact with the image forming substance on the image holding member having the provided unstabilizing agent; and  
       a process for forming on the image holding member at least a processing situation mark based on a result of an executed removal of the image forming substance by said unstabilizing agent providing process and said image forming substance separating and removing process, said processing situation mark showing a processing situation of the executed removal of the image forming substance.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member, comprising: 
       unstabilizing agent providing means for providing an unstabilizing agent to the image holding member;  
       the unstabilizing agent being constructed such that an attaching state between the image forming substance and the image holding member stably attaching the image forming substance on a surface thereof is changed to an unstable state by the unstabilizing agent;  
       separating means for separating and removing the image forming substance from the image holding member by making a separating member come in close contact with the image forming substance on the image holding member having the provided unstabilizing agent; and  
       processing situation mark forming means for forming on the image holding member at least a processing situation mark based on a result of an executed removal of the image forming substance by said unstabilizing agent providing process and said image forming substance separating and removing process, said processing situation mark showing a processing situation of the executed removal of the image forming substance.  
     
     
       3. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said processing situation mark can be removed from the image holding member by said image forming substance removing processing. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member, comprising: 
       removing means for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member; and  
       processing situation mark forming means for forming in the image holding member at least a processing situation mark based on a result of an executed removing process by said removing means, said processing situation mark showing a processing situation of the executed removal of the image forming substance.  
     
     
       5. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said processing situation mark forming means forms the processing situation mark after the removing process by said removing means. 
     
     
       6. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed on a face opposite to an image forming face of the image holding member. 
     
     
       7. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed along a feeding direction of the image holding member at every removing process. 
     
     
       8. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said processing situation mark is additionally formed on a downstream side of the previously formed processing situation mark along the feeding direction of the image holding member. 
     
     
       9. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said processing situation mark indicates a number of removals executed to the image holding member. 
     
     
       10. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said processing situation mark indicates a surface state of the image holding member after the removing process by the removing means. 
     
     
       11. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said processing situation mark indicates a condition of the executed removing process by the removing means. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member, comprising: 
       removing means for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member;  
       processing situation mark forming means for forming on the image holding member at least a processing situation mark based on a result of an executed removing process by said removing means, said processing situation mark showing a processing situation of the executed removal of the image forming substance;  
       detecting means for detecting the processing situation mark on the image holding member prior to the removing process by the removing means in a case that the image holding member, from which the image forming substance is removed by the removing means and on which an image by the image forming substance is formed again, is treated again by the removing means; and  
       control means for controlling the removing means in accordance with a detection result of the detecting means.  
     
     
       13. An image forming substance removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said control means comprises judging means for judging whether the image holding means is reusable in accordance with the detection result of the detecting means, and wherein said control means controls the removing means in such a manner that the removing process is not performed with respect to an unreusable image holding means. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus for removing toner from a sheet of paper, comprising: 
       removing means for removing toner from a sheet of paper;  
       a feed roller for feeding to the removing means the sheet of paper set in feed base;  
       a mark forming unit for forming on the sheet of paper at least a processing situation mark based on a result of an executed removing process by said removing means;  
       a sensor disposed between the feed roller and the removing means for detecting the processing situation mark on the sheet of paper, thereby to obtain a result of the previously executed removing process from the processing situation mark, in a case that the sheet of paper, from which the toner is removed by the removing means and on which a toner image is formed again, is treated again by the removing means; and  
       a control section for controlling the removing means in accordance with the obtained result.  
     
     
       15. A toner removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed on a downstream side of the previously formed processing situation mark along a feeding direction of the sheet of paper at every removing process. 
     
     
       16. A toner removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said processing situation mark indicates a number of removals executed to the sheet of paper. 
     
     
       17. A toner removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said mark forming unit is a mark printer. 
     
     
       18. A toner removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said mark forming unit is a punch member. 
     
     
       19. A toner removing apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed on a face opposite to an image forming face of the sheet of paper. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member, comprising: 
       removing means for removing an image forming substance from an image holding member;  
       processing situation mark forming means for forming on the image holding member at least a processing situation mark based on a result of an executed removing process by said removing means, said processing situation mark showing a processing situation of the executed removal of the image forming substance;  
       detecting means for detecting the processing situation mark on the image holding member prior to the removing process by the removing means, thereby to obtain a result of the previously executed removing process from the processing situation mark; and  
       control means for controlling the removing means in accordance with a detection result of the detecting means.  
     
     
       21. An apparatus for reusing a sheet comprising: 
       
         a reuser, which removes toner formed on the sheet from the sheet;  
       
       
         a feeder, which feeds the sheet in a feed base to said reuser;  
       
       
         a marker, which is disposed on a downstream side of said reuser in a sheet feeding direction, and forms on the sheet at least a processing situation mark based on a result of the executed toner removing process by said reuser;  
       
       
         a sensor, which is disposed between said feeder and said reuser, for detecting the processing situation mark on the sheet, thereby to obtain a result of the previously executed removing process from the processing situation mark, in a case that the sheet, from which the toner is removed by the toner removing process and on which a toner image formed again, is treated again the toner removing process by said reuser; and  
       
       
         a controller, which controls said reuser in accordance with the result detected by said sensor. 
       
     
     
       22. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed on a face opposite to a toner image forming face of the sheet. 
     
     
       23. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said processing situation mark indicates a number of removals executed to the sheet. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said reuser removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said reuser provides a unstabilizing liquid for changing an attaching state between the toner and the toner image forming face of the sheet to an unstable state, and removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       26. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed by a printer or a punch. 
     
     
       27. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed along the sheet feeding direction at every toner removing process. 
     
     
       28. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said processing situation mark is additionally formed on a downstream side of the previously formed processing situation mark along the sheet feeding direction. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus for removing toner formed on a sheet from the sheet, comprising: 
       
         removing means for removing the toner from the sheet;  
       
       
         feeding means for feeding the sheet to the removing means; detecting means for detecting a processing situation mark formed on the sheet, thereby to obtain a result of a previously executed toner removing process by said removing means from the processing situation mark; and  
       
       
         a controlling means for controlling the removing process to said sheet by said removing means in accordance with the result detected by said detecting means. 
       
     
     
       30. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed on a face opposite to a toner image forming face of the sheet. 
     
     
       31. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said processing situation mark indicates a number of removals executed to the sheet. 
     
     
       32. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said removing means removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       33. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said removing means provides a unstabilizing liquid for changing an attaching state between the toner and the toner image forming face of the sheet to an unstable state, and removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       34. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed by a printer or a punch. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed along the sheet feeding direction at every toner removing process. 
     
     
       36. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said processing situation mark is additionally formed on a downstream side of the previously formed processing situation mark along the sheet feeding direction. 
     
     
       37. An apparatus for changing a sheet from a toner image formed state to a reusable state, comprising a reuser, a feed roller, a sensor and a controller; characterized in that 
       
         said reuser executes a toner image removing process to the sheet, on which the toner image is formed, for changing the sheet to the reusable state;  
       
       
         said feed roller is disposed on an upstream side of said reuser in a sheet moving direction, and feeds the sheet in a feed base to said reuser one by one;  
       
       
         said sensor is disposed between said reuser and said feed base, and detects a processing situation mark, which indicates a processing situation of the sheet processed by said reuser, formed on said sheet fed by said feed roller; and  
       
       
         said controller has an input connected to said sensor and an output connected to said reuser, and controls said reuser in accordance with a result of said processing situation mark formed on said sheet detected by said sensor, for changing the sheet, on which said processing situation mark is formed, to the reusable state by said reuser. 
       
     
     
       38. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed on a face opposite to a toner image forming face of the sheet. 
     
     
       39. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said processing situation mark indicates a number of removals executed to the sheet. 
     
     
       40. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said reuser removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       41. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said reuser provides a unstabilizing liquid for changing an attaching state between the toner and the toner image forming face of the sheet to an unstable state, and removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       42. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed by a printer or a punch. 
     
     
       43. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said processing situation mark is formed along the sheet feeding direction at every toner removing process. 
     
     
       44. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said processing situation mark is additionally formed on a downstream side of the previously formed processing situation mark along the sheet feeding direction. 
     
     
       45. A method for changing a sheet from a toner image formed state to a reusable state, comprising the steps of: 
       
         feeding the sheet, on which the toner image is formed, to a toner removing section for removing the toner from the sheet;  
       
       
         detecting a mark, which indicates a processing situation of the sheet processed by said toner removing section, formed on the sheet during the feeding of the sheet; and  
       
       
         controlling the toner removing process to said sheet by said toner removing section in accordance with a detected result of the mark. 
       
     
     
       46. A method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said mark is formed on a face opposite to a toner image forming face of the sheet. 
     
     
       47. A method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said mark indicates a number of removals executed to the sheet. 
     
     
       48. A method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said toner removing section removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       49. A method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said toner removing section provides a unstabilizing liquid for changing an attaching state between the toner and the toner image forming face of the sheet to an unstable state, and removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       50. A method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said mark is formed by a printer or a punch. 
     
     
       51. A method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said mark is formed along the sheet feeding direction at every toner removing process. 
     
     
       52. A method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said mark is additionally formed on a downstream side of the previously formed mark along the sheet feeding direction. 
     
     
       53. A unit for changing a sheet having a toner image thereon to a reusable state, comprising: 
       
         a reuser constructed to process a sheet by removing toner from the sheet;  
       
       
         a marker positioned to mark the processed sheet; and  
       
       
         a control device configured to cause the marker to mark the processed sheet with a mark indicative of the processing situation of the sheet. 
       
     
     
       54. A unit as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said mark is formed on a face opposite to a toner image forming face of the sheet. 
     
     
       55. A unit as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said mark indicates a number of removals executed to the sheet. 
     
     
       56. A unit as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said reuser removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       57. A unit as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said reuser provides a unstabilizing liquid for changing an attaching state between the toner and the toner image forming face of the sheet to an unstable state, and removes the toner by transferring it from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       58. A unit as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said mark is formed by a printer or a punch. 
     
     
       59. A unit as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said mark is formed along the sheet feeding direction at every toner removing process. 
     
     
       60. A unit as claimed in  claim 53 , wherein said mark is additionally formed on a downstream side of the previously formed mark along the sheet feeding direction. 
     
     
       61. A unit for changing a sheet having a toner image thereon to a reusable state, comprising: 
       
         reuser means for processing a sheet by removing toner from the sheet; and  
       
       
         marker means for marking the processed sheet with a mark indicative of the processing situation of the sheet. 
       
     
     
       62. A unit as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein said mark is formed on a face opposite to a toner image forming face of the sheet. 
     
     
       63. A unit as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein said mark indicates a number of removals executed to the sheet. 
     
     
       64. A unit as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein said reuser means removes the toner by transferring the toner from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       65. A unit as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein said reuser means provides an unstabilizing liquid for changing an attaching state between the toner and the toner image forming face of the sheet to an unstable state, and removes the toner by transferring the toner from the sheet with heating. 
     
     
       66. A unit as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein said mark is formed by a printer or a punch. 
     
     
       67. A unit as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein said mark is formed along the sheet feeding direction at every toner removing process. 
     
     
       68. A unit as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein said mark is additionally formed on a downstream side of the previously formed mark along the sheet feeding direction.