Peeling device and peeling method

Abstract

To suppress dents in a substrate from being generated when hit by peeled coating film pieces, as compared with the case where the flow of a gas around the substrate is generated only by the rotation of the substrate and a jetted liquid.SOLUTION: A peeling device according to the present invention comprises: a rotating unit that rotates, around an axis, a substrate having a circular cross section and having a coating film formed on a surface thereof; a nozzle that ejects a liquid toward a surface to peel the coating film from the surface; and a generating unit that generates a flow of gas so as to separate peeled coating film pieces from the substrate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a peeling device and a peeling method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a method for peeling a coating layer of a rubber roll, in which an injection fluid from a nozzle is sprayed onto the coating layer on the surface of a cylindrical rubber roll having a coating layer formed by coating a paint on the surface, thereby peeling the coating layer.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, there has been a peeling device that sprays a liquid from a nozzle toward the surface of a rotating substrate in order to peel a coating film from a substrate having a circular cross-section with a coating film formed on its surface. Here, the gas flow around the substrate is generated only by the rotation of the substrate and the injected liquid. In such a configuration, the coating film pieces peeled off from the surface of the substrate and floating may hit the substrate due to the gas flow generated only by the rotation of the substrate and the injected liquid, and the substrate may be scratched.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress the occurrence of scratches on the substrate caused by the peeled coating film pieces hitting the substrate as compared with the case where the gas flow around the substrate is generated only by the rotation of the substrate and the injected liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The peeling device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a rotating part that rotates a cross-sectionally circular substrate having a coating film formed on its surface around an axis, a nozzle that injects a liquid toward the surface and peels the coating film from the surface, and a generating part that generates a gas flow so as to separate the peeled coating film pieces from the substrate.

[0007] The peeling device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is the peeling device according to the first aspect, wherein the generating part generates a gas flow so as to separate the peeled coating film pieces from the substrate by sucking the gas around the substrate.

[0008] The peeling device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is the peeling device according to the second aspect, wherein, when viewed from the axial direction of the substrate, the nozzle and the suction port of the generating part are arranged on the same side along the injection direction in which the liquid is injected from the nozzle and along a virtual straight line passing through the axis of the substrate.

[0009] The peeling device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the peeling device according to the first aspect, and includes a gripping part provided on the rotating part for gripping the substrate with the axis of the substrate facing in the vertical direction, a forming part that extends in the vertical direction and has a space inside which the substrate is arranged, and a flowing part that flows another liquid on a side surface forming the space.

[0010] The peeling device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the peeling device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the flowing part is provided on the ceiling forming the space and ejects another liquid toward a portion above the upper end of the substrate on the side surface.

[0011] The peeling method according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure peels the coating film from the surface of a cross-sectionally circular substrate having a coating film formed on its surface by the peeling device according to the first aspect.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the peeling device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dents on the substrate due to the peeled coating film pieces hitting the substrate, as compared with the case where the gas flow around the substrate is generated only by the rotation of the substrate and the injected liquid.

[0013] According to the peeling device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily generate a gas flow that separates the peeled coating film pieces from the substrate, as compared with the case of blowing gas around the substrate.

[0014] According to the peeling device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily generate a gas flow that separates the peeled coating film pieces from the substrate, as compared with the case where the nozzle is arranged on the opposite side of the suction port of the generating portion with respect to the virtual straight line when viewed from the axial direction of the substrate.

[0015] According to the peeling device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the re-floating of the coating film pieces in contact with the side surface, as compared with the case where the side surface is dry.

[0016] According to the peeling device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the coating film pieces from contacting the ceiling, as compared with the case where the flowing portion is provided on the side surface.

[0017] According to the peeling method according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dents on the substrate due to the peeled coating film pieces hitting the substrate, as compared with the case where the gas flow around the substrate is generated only by the rotation of the substrate and the injected liquid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] An example of a peeling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. The arrow H shown in each figure indicates the vertical direction, which is the up-and-down direction of the peeling device and the reproducing device equipped with the peeling device. The arrow W shown in each figure represents the width direction of the peeling device and the reproducing device, which is orthogonal to the arrow H and indicates the horizontal direction. The arrow D shown in each figure is the depth direction of the peeling device and the reproducing device, which is orthogonal to the arrows H and W and indicates the horizontal direction. In addition, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships of the respective elements and the ratios of the respective elements shown in the drawings do not necessarily match the actual ones.

[0020] The reproducing device equipped with the peeling device according to the present embodiment is a device that reproduces a cylindrical substrate constituting a photoreceptor drum of an image forming device and manufactures a reusable reproduced substrate. When a used photoreceptor drum recovered during maintenance or the like of the image forming device is input into the reproducing device, the substrate of the photoreceptor drum is reproduced, and when the reproduced substrate is input into the manufacturing line of the photoreceptor drum, a new photoreceptor drum is manufactured. And the peeling device according to the present embodiment is a device that peels a coating film from the substrate of the recovered used photoreceptor drum.

[0021] First, the photoreceptor drum 100 having a substrate reproduced by the reproducing device will be described, and then the reproducing device equipped with the peeling device according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0022] (Photoreceptor drum 100) As shown in FIG. 1(A), the photoreceptor drum 100 is a member used in an electrophotographic image forming device. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the photoreceptor drum 100 includes a cylindrical substrate 102, a coating film 104, a silencer 106, a pair of flanges 108, and a bonding material 110. Note that the photoreceptor drum 100 will be described in a state where the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum 100 is taken as the width direction.

[0023] The base body 102 is made of metal and is a cylindrical member extending in the width direction as shown in FIG. 1(B). The base body 102 is formed of a conductive metal such as an aluminum alloy as an example.

[0024] The coating film 104 is an organic photoreceptor layer mainly composed of a thermosetting resin and is formed on the surface 102a of the base body 102 as shown in FIG. 1(B). The coating film 104 is formed of a plurality (three) of layers including, for example, an undercoat layer formed on the surface of the base body 102, a charge generation layer formed on the surface of the undercoat layer, and a charge transport layer formed on the surface of the charge generation layer. Since the coating film 104 mainly contains a thermosetting resin, it cures when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than the crosslinking temperature T1. The crosslinking temperature T1 of the coating film 104 is set higher than the softening point T2 of the bonding material 110 described later.

[0025] The silencer 106 is a resin cylindrical member having a substantially C-shaped cross section inserted into the base body 102 as shown in FIG. 1(B), and the outer peripheral surface of the silencer 106 is in contact with the back surface 102c of the base body 102. The silencer 106 is a member that suppresses the vibration of the photoreceptor drum 100 used in the image forming apparatus.

[0026] The flange 108 is integrally formed using a material mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin (for example, polycarbonate), and is respectively disposed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base body 102 and attached to the ends of the base body 102 as shown in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B).

[0027] The flange 108 has a columnar main body portion 108a and a columnar protruding portion 108b protruding inward (toward the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the base body 102) with respect to the main body portion 108a. The outer diameter dimension of the main body portion 108a is the same as the outer diameter dimension of the base body 102 on which the coating film 104 is formed, and the outer diameter dimension of the protruding portion 108b is made smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the base body 102.

[0028] Further, a stepped surface 108c facing the width direction is formed between the main body portion 108a and the protruding portion 108b. And in a state where the flange 108 is attached to the base body 102, this stepped surface 108c contacts the end surface 102b of the base body 102, and the protruding portion 108b is arranged inside the base body 102.

[0029] The bonding material 110 is a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive, and as shown in FIG. 1(B), it is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 108b and the back surface 102c of the base body 102, and is configured to bond the flange 108 to the base body 102.

[0030] (Recycling device 10) As shown in FIG. 2, the recycling device 10 includes a separating device 20, a removing device 40 arranged on one side in the width direction (the right side in the figure) of the separating device 20, a peeling device 60 arranged on one side in the width direction of the removing device 40, an inspection device 90 arranged on one side in the width direction of the peeling device 60, and a control unit 58 that controls each device.

[0031] 〔Separating device 20〕 The separating device 20 is a device that separates and removes the flange 108 and the silencer 106 from the recovered photosensitive drum 100, and as shown in FIG. 3, includes a gripping portion 22, a heating portion 24, a separating portion 26, and an extrusion portion 28.

[0032] The gripping portion 22 includes a gripping part 22a that grips the photosensitive drum 100 so as to extend in the width direction, and a rotating part 22b whose axial direction is the vertical direction and that rotates the photosensitive drum 100 gripped by the gripping part 22a around the axis.

[0033] The heating portion 24 is arranged to heat the end portion in the width direction of the base body 102 of the photosensitive drum 100 gripped by the gripping portion 22.

[0034] The separation unit 26 is disposed on the other side in the width direction (the left side in the figure) with respect to the photosensitive drum 100 held by the gripping unit 22. The separation unit 26 includes a chuck portion 26a that grips the flange 108 of the photosensitive drum 100 held by the gripping unit 22, and a rotating portion 26b that rotates the flange 108 gripped by the chuck portion 26a about the axis with the axial direction being the width direction. Further, the separation unit 26 includes a moving portion 26c that moves the chuck portion 26a and the rotating portion 26b in the width direction.

[0035] The extrusion unit 28 is disposed on the opposite side of the separation unit 26 with the photosensitive drum 100 therebetween, and includes a main body portion 28a extending in the width direction, a rod supported by the main body portion 28a so as to be movable in the width direction and extending in the width direction, and an extrusion portion 28b fixed to the other side in the width direction of the rod and protruding from the main body portion 28a to the other side in the width direction and moving along with the movement of the rod toward the photosensitive drum 100 held by the gripping unit 22. Specifically, the main body portion 28a and the rod can be exemplified by an air cylinder configured such that the rod can advance and retract (protrude and retract) with respect to the main body portion 28a.

[0036] 〔Removing device 40〕 The removing device 40 is a device that removes the bonding material 110 from the substrate 102 on which the coating film 104 shown in FIG. 4 is formed (hereinafter may be referred to as "the substrate 102 with the coating film 104"), and as shown in FIG. 5, includes a gripping unit 42 and a pair of removing units 46, 56.

[0037] - Gripping unit 42 - The gripping unit 42 is configured to grip the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 from the outer peripheral surface side of the substrate 102 so as to extend in the width direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the gripping unit 42 includes a pair of driving rolls 44a having the axial direction as the width direction, contacting the lower portion of the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 to support the substrate 102, and spaced apart in the depth direction. Further, the gripping unit 42 includes a pair of driven rolls 44b having the axial direction as the width direction, contacting the upper portion of the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 to stabilize the posture of the substrate 102, and spaced apart in the depth direction.

[0038] - Removing parts 46, 56 - As shown in FIG. 5, the removing part 46 is arranged on the other side in the width direction with respect to the gripping part 42, and includes a nozzle 46a through which water is sprayed, a pump 46b for spraying water from the nozzle 46a, and a moving part 46c which is a three-dimensional robot (three-axis robot) for moving the nozzle 46a in the width direction.

[0039] Specifically, the nozzle 46a is spaced apart from the base body 102 in the width direction and is arranged in an inclined state with respect to the axial direction of the base body 102. Then, the water sprayed from the nozzle 46a in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction hits the end portion of the back surface 102c of the base body 102.

[0040] Also, the removing part 56 is arranged on one side in the width direction with respect to the gripping part 42 and is symmetric in the width direction with respect to the removing part 46. And the removing part 56 includes a nozzle 56a through which water is sprayed, a pump 56b for spraying water from the nozzle 56a, and a moving part 56c which is a three-dimensional robot for moving the nozzle 56a in the width direction.

[0041] Specifically, the nozzle 56a is spaced apart from the base body 102 in the width direction and is arranged in an inclined state with respect to the axial direction of the base body 102. Then, the water sprayed from the nozzle 56a in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction hits the end portion of the back surface 102c of the base body 102.

[0042] 〔Peeling device 60〕 The peeling device 60 is a device for peeling and removing the coating film 104 from the base body 102 with the coating film 104, and as shown in FIG. 9, includes a housing 62, a suction part 68, a rotating part 72, a water spraying part 78, and a peeling part 80. Details of the peeling device 60 will be described later.

[0043] 〔Inspection device 90〕 The inspection device 90 shown in FIG. 2 inspects the substrate 102 from which the coating film 104 has been peeled off by the peeling device 60 for the presence or absence of scratches or the like, and determines whether the substrate 102 is a good product or a defective product.

[0044] 〔Control unit 58〕 The control unit 58 shown in FIG. 2 controls the separation device 20, the removal device 40, the peeling device 60, and the inspection device 90. The control of each part by the control unit 58 will be described together with the actions described later.

[0045] (Main part configuration) Next, the peeling device 60 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. As described above, the peeling device 60 includes a housing 62, a suction unit 68, a rotating unit 72, a water spraying unit 78, and a peeling unit 80.

[0046] 〔Housing 62〕 As shown in FIG. 9, the housing 62 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the vertical direction, and a peeling space 62a in which the substrate 102 is disposed is formed inside. The housing 62 is an example of a forming part, and the peeling space 62a is an example of a space.

[0047] On the front side side plate 62b of the housing 62 in the depth direction, a rectangular opening 64 extending in the vertical direction is formed. Specifically, the opening 64 is formed in a portion on the other side (left side in the figure) in the width direction with respect to the central portion in the width direction of the side plate 62b (see FIG. 11). Further, an end of a drain pipe 66 provided outside the housing 62 is connected to the bottom plate 62c of the housing 62, and the water in the peeling space 62a is discharged from the drain pipe 66 to the outside of the housing 62.

[0048] Also, one end of the suction pipe 68a of the suction unit 68 is connected to the rear side of the housing 62 in the depth direction, and the periphery of the portion where one end of the suction pipe 68a is connected in the rear side portion of the housing 62 in the depth direction is funnel-shaped.

[0049] Specifically, in the housing 62, the rear portion in the depth direction includes a mounting plate 62d to which the suction pipe 68a is attached, and inclined plates 62e, 62f, 62g, and 62h. The mounting plate 62d is disposed at a portion on one side in the width direction (the right side in the drawing) with respect to the central portion in the width direction of the housing 62 (see FIG. 11). The inclined plate 62e is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the width direction above the mounting plate 62d, and the inclined plate 62f is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the width direction below the mounting plate 62d. The inclined plate 62g is provided on the other side in the width direction of the mounting plate 62d and is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the vertical direction, and the inclined plate 62h is provided on one side in the width direction of the mounting plate 62d and is inclined with respect to the depth direction when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0050] 〔Suction unit 68〕 As shown in FIG. 9, the suction unit 68 includes a suction pipe 68a having one end connected to a through hole formed in the mounting plate 62d of the housing 62, and a suction pump 68b connected to the other end of the suction pipe 68a. Further, the suction unit 68 includes a filter 68c that is disposed in the middle of the suction pipe 68a and collects the coating film piece Pi peeled off from the substrate 102. The suction unit 68 is an example of a generating unit.

[0051] 〔Rotating unit 72〕 The rotating unit 72 is configured to rotate the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 about an axis. As shown in FIG. 9, the rotating unit 72 includes a gripping portion 74 that grips the substrate 102, and a motor 76 that rotates the substrate 102 gripped by the gripping portion 74 about an axis.

[0052] - Gripping portion 74 - As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of gripping portions 74 are provided to grip the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 sandwiched from above and below in the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the substrate 102 and the opening 64 are arranged to face each other in the depth direction.

[0053] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, hammer-shaped conical surfaces 74a are respectively formed on a pair of gripping portions 74, and these conical surfaces 74a are in contact with the corner portions of the base body 102. Here, the corner portions of the base body 102 refer to the ridge line portions formed by the end surface 102b and the back surface 102c of the base body 102. In this way, the pair of gripping portions 74 support the base body 102 in a non-contact state with the back surface 102c of the base body 102. And the pair of gripping portions 74 grip the base body 102 rotatably about the axis of the base body 102.

[0054] -Motor 76- As shown in FIG. 9, the motor 76 is arranged to rotate the gripping portion 74 disposed above. By the motor 76 rotating one (upper) gripping portion 74, the base body 102 gripped by the pair of gripping portions 74 rotates about the axis. Specifically, when viewed from above, the base body 102 rotates in the clockwise direction (see FIG. 11). Note that the other (lower) gripping portion 64 rotates passively as the base body 102 rotates about its axis.

[0055] 〔Water spraying portion 78〕 As shown in FIG. 12, the water spraying portion 78 is attached to the ceiling 62j that forms the peeling space 62a, and is disposed above the upper end of the base body 102 gripped by the gripping portion 74. The water spraying portion 78 is an example of a flowing portion.

[0056] In this configuration, the water spraying portion 78 ejects water in the horizontal direction over the entire circumference toward the upper portion above the upper end of the base body 102 on the side surface 62k that forms the peeling space 62a. Thereby, the water ejected from the water spraying portion 78 flows from above to below along the side surface 62k. And the water that has flowed from above to below along the side surface 62k flows through the drain pipe 66 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 62. Water is an example of other liquids.

[0057] 〔Peeling portion 80〕 As shown in FIG. 9, the peeling part 80 is disposed on the opposite side of the substrate 102 held by the holding part 74 with the opening 64 therebetween, and includes a nozzle 80a through which water is jetted, an injection pump 80b for jetting water from the nozzle 80a, and a moving part 80c for moving the nozzle 80a in the vertical direction. Water is an example of a liquid.

[0058] The nozzle 80a is arranged to jet water toward the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 through the opening 64. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when viewed from above, the nozzle 80a and the suction port 68d of the suction part 68 are arranged on the same side with respect to a virtual straight line (C01 in the figure) passing through the axis of the substrate 102 along the jetting direction (arrow L01 in the figure) of water jetted from the nozzle 80a. In other words, when viewed from the axial direction of the substrate 102, the nozzle 80a and the suction port 68d of the suction part 68 are arranged on one side (right side in the figure) in the width direction with respect to the virtual straight line C01.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 9, the moving part 80c extends in the vertical direction and supports the proximal end portion of the nozzle 80a, and is configured to move the nozzle 80a in the vertical direction. Specifically, the moving part 80c is configured to move the nozzle 80a so as to cover the range in which the substrate 102 is arranged in the vertical direction.

[0060] (Operation) Next, a method for manufacturing a regenerated substrate for regenerating the substrate 102 using the reproducing apparatus 10 will be described. The method for manufacturing a regenerated substrate includes a separating step of separating the flange 108 and the like from the substrate 102, a removing step of removing the bonding material 110 at the end portion of the back surface 102c of the substrate 102, and a peeling step of peeling and removing the coating film 104 on the surface 102a of the substrate 102. The separating step, the removing step, and the peeling step are carried out in this order to manufacture a regenerated substrate.

[0061] In the non-operating state of the separation device 20, the chuck portion 26a shown in FIG. 3 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the flange 108 (the flange 108 on the other side in the width direction) of the photosensitive drum 100 held by the gripping portion 22, and the rotation of the rotating portion 26b is stopped. Further, in the non-operating state of the separation device 20, most of the rod that fixes the extrusion portion 28b on the other side in the width direction is housed in the main body portion 28a, and the extrusion portion 28b is spaced apart from the flange 108 (the flange 108 on one side in the width direction) of the photosensitive drum 100.

[0062] Also, in the non-operating state of the removal device 40, the pumps 46b and 56b and the drive roll 44a (see FIG. 6) shown in FIG. 5 are in a non-operating state, and the nozzles 46a and 56a are disposed at positions most spaced apart in the width direction from the end portion (end face 102b) of the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 held by the gripping portion 42. Specifically, the nozzles 46a and 56a are disposed at positions most spaced apart in the width direction from the end portion of the substrate 102 so that even if water is sprayed from the nozzles 46a and 56a, the sprayed water does not hit the substrate 102.

[0063] Also, in the non-operating state of the peeling device 60, the motor 76, the injection pump 80b, the suction pump 68b, and the water spraying portion 78 shown in FIG. 9 are in a non-operating state, the spraying of water from the nozzle 80a is stopped, and the nozzle 80a is disposed in the lower portion of the moving portion 80c.

[0064] 〔Separation step〕 In the separation step, when the photosensitive drum 100 is gripped by the gripping portion 22a of the gripping portion 22 shown in FIG. 3 so as to extend in the width direction, the separation device 20 operates, and each part is controlled by the control unit 58 (see FIG. 2). Note that the operations of each part described below are under the control of the control unit 58.

[0065] When the separation device 20 is operated, the heating unit 24 heats the portion on the other side in the width direction of the substrate 102 of the photosensitive drum 100. Thereby, the bonding material 110 (see FIG. 1(B)) is softened.

[0066] In a state where the bonding material 110 is softened, the chuck portion 26a and the rotating portion 26b are moved to one side in the width direction (the right side in the figure) by the moving portion 26c, and the flange 108 is gripped by the chuck portion 26a. Further, the chuck portion 26a that has gripped the flange 108 rotates by the rotating portion 26b.

[0067] Furthermore, the moving portion 26c moves the rotating chuck portion 26a to the other side in the width direction (the left side in the figure), and the flange 108 is separated from the photosensitive drum 100. Then, the separated flange 108 is released by the chuck portion 26a and discarded. In this way, one flange 108 is separated from the photosensitive drum 100.

[0068] Furthermore, the photosensitive drum 100 from which one flange 108 has been separated rotates 180 degrees by the rotating portion 22b, and the other flange 108 faces the chuck portion 26a of the separating portion 26 in the width direction. Then, in the same procedure as for one flange 108, the other flange 108 is separated from the photosensitive drum 100.

[0069] Furthermore, when both flanges 108 are separated from the photosensitive drum 100, the extrusion portion 28b of the extrusion portion 28 protrudes (moves) from the main body portion 28a to the other side in the width direction and enters the inside of the base 102. Then, the silencer 106 (see FIG. 1(B)) inside the base 102 is pushed out and separated from the base 102. In this way, the photosensitive drum 100 becomes the base 102 with the coating film 104 with the pair of flanges 108 and the silencer 106 separated from the photosensitive drum 100 (see FIG. 4). In this state, the bonding material 110 used to bond the flange 108 to the base 102 remains at both end portions of the back surface 102c of the base 102 with the coating film 104.

[0070] 〔Removal process〕 In the removal process, when the base 102 with the coating film 104 is gripped by the gripping portion 42 shown in FIG. 5, the removal device 40 operates, and each part is controlled by the control unit 58 (see FIG. 2). Note that the operations of each part described below are under the control of the control unit 58.

[0071] When the removing device 40 is operated, the driving roll 44a shown in FIG. 6 rotates at a constant rotational speed. Due to the rotation of the driving roll 44a, the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 rotates at a constant speed around the axis of the substrate 102. Also, when the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 rotates, the driven roll 44b also rotates.

[0072] Furthermore, the pumps 46b and 56b shown in FIG. 5 operate, and water is sprayed from the nozzles 46a and 56a. Here, while the removing device 40 is operating, water is continuously sprayed from the nozzles 46a and 56a. In other words, while the removing device 40 is operating, the pumps 46b and 56b continuously operate without stopping. Note that the water sprayed from the nozzles 46a and 56a does not hit the substrate 102.

[0073] In this state, by the moving part 46c, as shown in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the nozzle 46a that sprays water moves from the other side in the width direction to one side. Then, the water sprayed by the nozzle 46a passes through the end portion (the end portion on the other side in the width direction) where the bonding material 110 remains on the back surface 102c of the substrate 102. In other words, the moving part 46c moves the nozzle 46a from the outer side to the inner side in the axial direction of the substrate 102 so as to change from the state of FIG. 7(A) to the state of FIG. 7(B). That is, the water sprayed from the nozzle 46a hits the end surface 102b of the substrate 102 on the other side in the width direction and then hits the end portion of the back surface 102c of the substrate 102. Here, the outer side in the axial direction of the substrate 102 is the side away from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 102, and the inner side in the axial direction of the substrate 102 is the side approaching the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 102.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7(B) and 8(A), by the moving part 46c, the nozzle 46a that is ejecting water moves from one side in the width direction to the other side, and the water ejected by the nozzle 46a moves on the back surface 102c past the end portion where the bonding material 110 remains and up to in front of the end surface 102b. In other words, the moving part 46c causes the nozzle 46a to move in the reverse direction so as to change from the state of FIG. 7(B) to the state of FIG. 8(A). Thereby, the bonding material 110 remaining at the end portion in the width direction (the end portion on the other side in the width direction) on the back surface 102c is removed.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), by the moving part 46c, the nozzle 46a that is ejecting water moves from one side in the width direction (the state of FIG. 8(A)) to the other side (the state of FIG. 8(B)), and the water ejected by the nozzle 46a passes through the end surface 102b of the base body 102, and the nozzle 46a stops at the initial position (the state of FIG. 8(B)). Even when the nozzle 46a stops at the initial position, the pump 46b continues to operate, and water continues to be ejected from the nozzle 46a. This water (the water continuously ejected from the nozzle 46a at the initial position) does not hit the end surface 102b of the base body 102 on the other side in the width direction.

[0076] Then, when the nozzle 46a stops at the initial position, the nozzle 56a on one side in the width direction moves by the moving part 56c shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, in the same manner as the control by the control part 58 for the moving part 46c etc., the moving part 56c etc. are controlled by the control part 58, and all of the bonding material 110 remaining at the end portion in the width direction on the back surface 102c is removed.

[0077] 〔Peeling process〕 In the peeling process, when the base body 102 with the coating film 104 that has finished the removal process is gripped by the gripping part 74 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 so as to extend in the vertical direction in a non-contact state with the back surface 102c of the base body 102, the peeling device 60 operates, and each part is controlled by the control part 58 (see FIG. 2). Note that the operations of each part described below are under the control of the control part 58.

[0078] When the peeling device 60 is operated, the motor 76 operates, and by the motor 76, the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 rotates at a constant rotational speed around the axis of the substrate 102. Further, the suction pump 68b operates, and by the suction pump 68b, the air in the peeling space 62a is sucked, thereby generating an air flow such that the coating pieces peeled from the substrate 102 are separated from the substrate 102 (see the arrow shown in FIG. 11). Also, the water spraying unit 78 operates, and as shown in FIG. 12, the water ejected from the water spraying unit 78 flows along the side surface 62k. Then, the water that has flowed along the side surface 62k flows through the drain pipe 66 and is discharged to the outside of the housing 62. Air is an example of a gas.

[0079] Furthermore, the injection pump 80b operates, and water is injected from the nozzle 80a arranged to face the lower end of the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 toward the rotating substrate 102 with the coating film 104. Also, by the moving unit 80c, the nozzle 80a that is injecting water is moved upward. Then, by injecting water toward the rotating substrate 102 with the coating film 104, the coating film 104 is peeled off and removed from the substrate 102 with the coating film 104.

[0080] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the water ejected from the nozzle 80a hits the outer peripheral surface of the rotating substrate 102 with the coating film 104. Thereby, the coating film 104 formed on the substrate 102 is peeled off from the substrate 102 and becomes coating pieces Pi.

[0081] Furthermore, a part of the peeled coating pieces Pi is captured by the filter 68c through the suction port 68d by the air flow generated by the suction pump 68b. Also, another part of the peeled coating pieces Pi forms the peeling space 62a and adheres to the side surface 62k where the water ejected from the water spraying unit 78 flows downward from above. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the coating pieces Pi adhering to the side surface 62k flow downward from above together with the water flowing on the side surface 62k and are discharged to the outside of the housing 62 through the drain pipe 66. This operation is performed from the lower end to the upper end of the substrate 102, and the coating film 14 is peeled off and removed from the substrate 102. In this way, a regenerated substrate is manufactured.

[0082] Regarding the reproduced substrate 102, it is determined whether it is a non-defective product or a defective product by the inspection device 90 described above, and one example of the process is completed.

[0083] (Summary) As described above, in the peeling device 60, an air flow is generated by the suction unit 68 so as to separate the coating film piece Pi peeled from the substrate 102 from the substrate 102. For this reason, compared with the case where the air flow around the substrate is generated only by the rotation of the substrate and the water jetted from the nozzle, the generation of indentations due to the coating film piece Pi peeled from the substrate 102 hitting the substrate 102 is suppressed.

[0084] Also, in the peeling device 60, the suction unit 68 generates an air flow so as to separate the peeled coating film piece Pi from the substrate 102 by sucking air. For this reason, compared with the case of blowing air around the substrate, an air flow that separates the peeled coating film piece Pi from the substrate 102 is easily generated.

[0085] Also, in the peeling device 60, when viewed from the axial direction of the substrate 102, the nozzle 80a and the suction port 68d of the suction unit 68 are arranged on the same side (one side in the width direction) along the injection direction L01 in which water is jetted from the nozzle 80a and along the virtual straight line C01 passing through the axis of the substrate 102. For this reason, compared with the case where the nozzle is arranged on the opposite side of the suction port of the suction unit with respect to the virtual straight line C01 when viewed from the axial direction of the substrate 102, an air flow that separates the peeled coating film piece Pi from the substrate 102 is easily generated.

[0086] Also, in the peeling device 60, the water spraying unit 78 flows water on the side surface 62k that forms the peeling space 62a. Thereby, compared with the case where the side surface is dry, it is suppressed that the coating film piece Pi in contact with the side surface 62k bounces back and floats in the peeling space 62a again.

[0087] Also, in the peeling device 60, the water spraying portion 78 is attached to the ceiling 62j that forms the peeling space 62a, and water is jetted upward from the upper end of the substrate 102 at the side surface 62k. As a result, compared to the case where the water spraying portion is provided on the side surface, contact of the coating film piece Pi with the ceiling 62j is suppressed. That is, it is suppressed that the coating film piece Pi that has contacted the ceiling 62j bounces back or the like and floats in the peeling space 62a again. Specifically, the coating film piece Pi that is peeled from the substrate 102 by the water jetted from the nozzle 80a and floats in the peeling space 62a toward the ceiling 62j is caught by the water jetted from the water spraying portion 78 and is carried with the water to the upper portion of the substrate 102 at the side surface 62k above the upper end. Then, the coating film piece Pi is carried downward from above together with the water flowing downward from above along the side surface 62k.

[0088] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and various other embodiments can be taken within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above embodiment, the substrate 102 was cylindrical, but it may have a circular cross-section. Specifically, it may be a roll member having a cylindrical cross-section. That is, a circular cross-section is a concept that includes both a cylindrical shape and a columnar shape.

[0089] Also, in the above embodiment, the object for peeling the coating film was the substrate 102 of the photoreceptor drum 100, but any cylindrical substrate with a coating film formed on its surface may be used. For example, it may be a substrate provided on a developing roll or a conveyance roll for conveying a recording medium.

[0090] Also, in the above embodiment, water was jetted onto the substrate 102 with the coating film 104 to peel the coating film 104 from the surface 102a of the substrate 102, but a liquid other than water may be jetted to peel the coating film 104 from the surface 102a of the substrate 102.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, the suction unit 68 generates an air flow to separate the peeled coating film piece Pi from the substrate 102. However, a flow may be generated to separate the coating film piece Pi from the substrate 102 with respect to a gas other than air.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the suction unit 68 generates an air flow to separate the peeled coating film piece Pi from the substrate 102 by sucking air. However, an air flow may be generated to separate the peeled coating film piece from the substrate by blowing air toward the substrate. However, in this case, the function achieved by the suction unit 68 sucking air is not achieved.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, when viewed from the axial direction of the substrate 102, the nozzle 80a and the suction port 68d of the suction unit 68 are arranged on the same side with respect to the virtual straight line C01. However, the nozzle 80a and the suction port 68d of the suction unit 68 may be arranged on opposite sides with the virtual straight line C01 therebetween. However, in this case, the function achieved by arranging the nozzle 80a and the suction port 68d of the suction unit 68 on the same side with respect to the virtual straight line C01 is not achieved.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the water spraying unit 78 flows water on the side surface 62k forming the housing 62. However, water may be flowed on a part of the side surface 62k. Specifically, water may be flowed only on the side surface 62k in the portion where the coating film piece Pi contacts.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the moving unit 80c moves the nozzle 80a from below upward, and the water jetted from the nozzle 80a is jetted from the lower end to the upper end of the substrate 102 to peel off and remove the coating film 14 from the substrate 102. However, the nozzle 80a may be moved from above downward, and the water jetted from the nozzle 80a may be jetted from the upper end to the lower end of the substrate 102 to peel off and remove the coating film 14 from the substrate 102. However, when the coating film 104 is composed of a plurality of layers, it is desirable that the start end of the peeling of the coating film 14 (the lower end of the substrate 102 in the former case and the upper end of the substrate 102 in the latter case) aligns the order of the plurality of layers constituting the coating film 104. Specifically, when the upper end portion of the substrate 102 is gripped so that the axial direction of the substrate 102 is the vertical direction, and the substrate 102 is dip-coated in the order of the liquid for forming the undercoat layer, the liquid for forming the charge generation layer, and the liquid for forming the charge transport layer, and then the coating film 104 at the lower end portion of the substrate 102 is removed while maintaining the posture of the substrate 102 by the method described in Patent No. 5257534 or the like, the order of the layers of the coating film 104 on the lower end side of the substrate 102 is aligned. That is, the coating film 104 has the order of three layers, such as an undercoat layer formed on the surface of the substrate 102, a charge generation layer formed on the surface of the undercoat layer, and a charge transport layer formed on the surface of the charge generation layer, aligned. Further, in other words, the coating film 104 on the lower end side of the substrate 102 does not have the charge transport layer directly attached to the substrate 102 or the charge transport layer directly attached to the substrate 102, like the coating film 104 on the upper end side of the substrate 102. Since the adhesiveness (adhesive force) between the substrate 102 and the undercoat layer, the adhesiveness between the substrate 102 and the charge generation layer, and the adhesiveness between the substrate 102 and the charge transport layer are different from each other, when the order of the layers constituting the coating film 104 is aligned (there is no disorder in the order of the layers), by jetting water from the nozzle 80a based on the set value of the conditions (such as water pressure and water volume) for peeling the substrate 102 and the undercoat layer, the undercoat layer can also be peeled off from the substrate 102, and thus the coating film 104 can be stably peeled off.

[0096] (((1))) A rotating unit that rotates a cross-sectionally circular substrate having a coating film formed on its surface around an axis, A nozzle that jets a liquid toward the surface and peels off the coating film from the surface, A generating unit that generates a gas flow to separate the peeled coating film piece from the substrate, A peeling device comprising the same.

[0097] (((2))) The generating unit generates a gas flow to separate the peeled coating film piece from the substrate by sucking the gas around the substrate. The peeling device according to ((1)).

[0098] (((3))) When viewed from the axial direction of the substrate, the nozzle and the suction port of the generating unit are arranged on the same side with respect to a virtual straight line that passes through the axis of the substrate and extends along the injection direction in which the liquid is injected from the nozzle. The peeling device according to ((2)).

[0099] (((4))) A gripping part provided on the rotating part for gripping the substrate with the axis of the substrate facing the vertical direction; A forming part that extends in the vertical direction and has a space inside where the substrate is arranged; A flowing part for flowing another liquid on the side surface that forms the space; The peeling device according to any one of ((1)) to ((3)).

[0100] (((5))) The flowing part is provided on the ceiling that forms the space, and ejects another liquid toward a portion above the upper end of the substrate on the side surface. The peeling device according to ((4)). (((6))) A peeling method for peeling the coating film from the surface of a substrate having a circular cross-section with a coating film formed on the surface by the peeling device according to any one of ((1)) to ((5)).

[0101] According to the peeling device according to ((1)), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dents on the substrate due to the peeled coating film pieces hitting the substrate, as compared with the case where the gas flow around the substrate is generated only by the rotation of the substrate and the liquid being sprayed.

[0102] According to the peeling device according to ((2)), it is possible to easily generate a gas flow that separates the peeled coating film pieces from the substrate, as compared with the case of blowing gas around the substrate.

[0103] According to the peeling device according to ((3)), it is possible to easily generate a gas flow that separates the peeled coating film pieces from the substrate, as compared with the case where the nozzle is arranged on the opposite side of the suction port of the generating part with respect to the virtual straight line when viewed from the axial direction of the substrate.

[0104] According to the peeling device according to ((4)), it is possible to suppress the re-floating of the coating film pieces in contact with the side surface, as compared with the case where the side surface is dry.

[0105] According to the peeling device according to ((5)), it is possible to suppress the coating film pieces from contacting the ceiling, as compared with the case where the flowing part is provided on the side surface. According to the peeling method according to ((6)), it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dents on the substrate due to the peeled coating film pieces hitting the substrate, as compared with the case where the gas flow around the substrate is generated only by the rotation of the substrate and the liquid being sprayed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0106] 60 Peeling device 62 Housing (an example of a forming part) 62a Peeling space (an example of a space) 62j Ceiling 62k Side surface 68 Suction part (an example of a generating part) 68d Suction port 72 Rotating part 74 Holding part 78 Water spraying part (an example of a flowing part) 80a nozzle 102 substrate 102a surface 104 coating film C01 virtual straight line L01 injection direction Pi coating film piece

Claims

1. A rotating part that rotates a substantially circular cross-section substrate with a coating film formed on its surface around an axis, a nozzle that injects liquid toward the surface to peel off the coating film from the surface, a generating part that generates a gas flow to separate the peeled coating film pieces from the substrate, and a peeling device comprising the same.

2. The generating part generates a gas flow to separate the peeled coating film pieces from the substrate by sucking the gas around the substrate. The peeling device according to Claim 1.

3. When viewed from the axial direction of the substrate, the nozzle and the suction port of the generating part are arranged on the same side with respect to a virtual straight line that passes through the axis of the substrate and extends along the injection direction in which liquid is injected from the nozzle. The peeling device according to Claim 2.

4. A gripping part provided on the rotating part for gripping the substrate with the axis of the substrate oriented in the vertical direction, a forming part that extends in the vertical direction and has a space formed therein where the substrate is disposed, and a flowing part that flows another liquid on the side surface forming the space. The peeling device according to Claim 1, comprising the same.

5. The flowing part is provided on the ceiling forming the space and ejects another liquid toward a portion above the upper end of the substrate on the side surface. The peeling device according to Claim 4.

6. A peeling method for peeling a coating film from the surface of a substantially circular cross-section substrate with a coating film formed on its surface by the peeling device according to Claim 1.

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