Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for decolorization, and image forming apparatus

US5405726A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
3References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 10, 1992
Grant dateApr 11, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 10, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S428/916
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A sheet of paper, plastic or the like on which an image has been formed using a toner that is photochemically decolorizable by absorption of near infrared rays is illuminated with near infrared rays under the state wherein the image is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass-transition temperature of a binding resin of the toner. The color of the toner can thereby be easily and rapidly eliminated. This enables the reuse of the sheet to be realized easily and at a low cost.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.