Decolorizing device

Abstract

The present invention decolorizes an object to be decolorized without imposing a burden on the user.　A solvent application unit 30 of a decolorizing device 100 applies, to an object 200 to be decolorized including fibers colorized by a dye, a solvent 400 capable of dissociating the dye from the fibers. A hot press unit 60 applies pressure while applying heat to the object 200 to be decolorized to which the solvent 400 has been applied, and to an absorbing body 300 that is overlaid on the object 200 to be decolorized to absorb, from the object 200 to be decolorized, the solvent 400 containing the dye. Object transport units 40AA, 40AB transport the object 200 to be decolorized to which the solvent 400 has not been applied to a solvent application position, and transport the object 200 to be decolorized to which the solvent 400 has been applied to a hot press position. An absorbing body transport unit 50 transports the absorbing body 300 to the hot press position in coordination with the transport of the object 200 to be decolorized.

Description

Decolorization device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bleaching device.

[0002] Currently, a technique for printing on fabric using transfer printing is known. Transfer printing is a printing method in which an image is drawn on a transfer sheet with transfer ink and then transferred to fabric. Furthermore, a technique for bleaching fabric to remove the image from the fabric on which the image was drawn is known for fabric recycling.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for discharging dyed fabric by printing a discharging agent onto the fabric using an inkjet method, and also describes an inkjet printing device that ejects discharging ink for such discharging.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-224128

[0005] However, bleaching a target object generally requires processes such as applying a solvent to the target object, heat pressing the target object and an absorbent that absorbs the solvent, supplying the absorbent to the target object, and transporting the target object. It is desirable that this series of processes required for bleaching a target object be performed automatically, minimizing the user's efforts. The inkjet printing device described in Patent Document 1 is not a device that can automatically perform this series of processes required for bleaching. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can bleach a target object without burdening the user.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a bleaching device that bleaches an object to be bleached without imposing a burden on the user.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the bleaching device according to the present disclosure comprises: a solvent applying means for applying a solvent capable of removing the dye from a fiber to a bleaching object containing fibers colored with a dye; a heat pressing means for applying heat and pressure to the bleaching object to which the solvent has been applied and an absorbent placed on the bleaching object and absorbing the solvent containing the dye from the bleaching object; an object transport means for transporting the bleaching object to which the solvent has not been applied to a solvent application position and transporting the bleaching object to which the solvent has been applied to a heat pressing position; and an absorbent transport means for transporting the absorbent to the heat pressing position in accordance with the transport of the bleaching object.

[0008] The apparatus may further include a control means for controlling the object transport means and the absorbent body transport means so that the same location of either the object to be bleached or the absorbent body is not subjected to multiple heat presses.

[0009] The object transport means may include a first transport belt that transports the bleaching object to which the solvent has not been applied to the solvent application position, and a second transport belt that transports the bleaching object to which the solvent has been applied to the heat press position.

[0010] The object transport means may include a first payout roller that pays out the bleaching object wound in a roll, and a first winding roller that winds up the bleaching object paid out by the first payout roller.

[0011] The solvent applying means may include a solvent reservoir tank for storing the solvent, and the object transporting means may transport the object to be bleached along a transport path that passes through the solvent stored in the solvent reservoir tank.

[0012] The solvent applying means may include a discharge head that discharges the solvent toward the surface of the object to be bleached.

[0013] The absorbent body transport means may include a second pay-out roller that pays out the absorbent body wound in a roll, and a second take-up roller that takes up the absorbent body paid out by the second pay-out roller.

[0014] The absorbent transport means may include a supply tray that stores the absorbent formed in a sheet shape, and a supply roller that feeds the absorbent stored in the supply tray toward the heat press position.

[0015] The absorbent body transporting means may include peeling means for peeling the absorbent body, which has been in close contact with the object to be bleached by the pressure applied by the heat press means, from the object to be bleached.

[0016] According to the present disclosure, an object to be bleached can be bleached without imposing a burden on the user.

[0017] External view of a decolorizing device according to embodiment 1. Side view of a decolorizing device according to embodiment 1. Illustrative diagram of the function of the decolorizing device according to embodiment 1. External view of a decolorizing device according to embodiment 2. Side view of a decolorizing device according to embodiment 2. Illustrative diagram of the function of the decolorizing device according to embodiment 2. Side view of a decolorizing device according to embodiment 3. Illustrative diagram of the function of the decolorizing device according to embodiment 3.

[0018] (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, the configuration of a bleaching device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and the function of the bleaching device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3, non-characteristic components of the bleaching device 100 are appropriately omitted from illustrations, reference numerals, etc. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the bleaching device 100. Fig. 2 is a side view of the bleaching device 100. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the function of the bleaching device 100.

[0019] 1 and 2, the Z axis extends vertically, the X axis is perpendicular to the Z axis, and the Y axis is perpendicular to both the X and Z axes. The direction in which the X axis arrow extends is the positive X axis direction, and the opposite direction to the X axis arrow is the negative X axis direction. The direction in which the Y axis arrow extends is the positive Y axis direction, and the opposite direction to the Y axis arrow is the negative Y axis direction. The direction in which the Z axis arrow extends is the positive Z axis direction, and the opposite direction to the Z axis arrow is the negative Z axis direction. Hereinafter, the positive X axis direction will be referred to as the back direction, the negative X axis direction as the front direction, the positive Y axis direction as the left direction, the negative Y axis direction as the right direction, the positive Z axis direction as the up direction, and the negative Z axis direction as the down direction, as appropriate.

[0020] The bleaching device 100 is a device that bleaches a bleaching target 200 and removes pigments from the bleaching target 200. The bleaching device 100 executes a series of processes, such as applying a solvent 400 to the bleaching target 200, heat pressing the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent body 300, transporting the bleaching target 200, and supplying the absorbent body 300 to the bleaching target 200.

[0021] The bleaching target 200 is an object to be bleached, and is an object colored with ink or dye containing a dye or pigment. The bleaching target 200 includes fibers colored with a dye. For example, the bleaching target 200 is a fabric on which an image is drawn by transfer printing. In this embodiment, the bleaching target 200 is formed into a thin, flat sheet shape overall. Possible examples of the bleaching target 200 include towels, T-shirts, flags, banners, and the like.

[0022] The absorbent body 300 is a member that absorbs the solvent 400. When the absorbent body 300 is pressed against the bleaching target 200 that has been applied with the solvent 400 and heated, it absorbs the dye-containing solvent 400 from the bleaching target 200. As a material for the absorbent body 300, various materials suitable for absorbing the solvent 400 can be used. For example, the material for the absorbent body 300 may be fabric. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 300 is wound in a roll before use, stretched during use, and then wound again into a roll after use. Therefore, in this embodiment, the absorbent body 300 has an elongated shape in which the thickness is sufficiently shorter than the width and the length is sufficiently longer than the width.

[0023] The solvent 400 is a solvent capable of desorbing a pigment from fibers colored with the pigment. The solvent 400 is a liquid solvent capable of extracting ink components containing a pigment applied to the bleaching target 200 from the bleaching target. When the solvent 400 is heated while contained in the bleaching target 200, it extracts the pigment attached to the bleaching target 200. The solvent 400 functions as a bleaching liquid. As the solvent 400, various solvents suitable for extracting the pigment can be used depending on the pigment attached to the bleaching target 200 and the material of the bleaching target 200. For example, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dihexyl ethyl acetate, etc. are suitable as the solvent 400. In this embodiment, the solvent 400 is applied to the bleaching target 200 by an inkjet method.

[0024] The bleaching device 100 includes an operation unit 5, a solvent application unit 30, an object transport unit 40, an absorbent transport unit 50, a heat press unit 60, a recovery box 70, a support 81, a support 82, a support 83, a support 84, a support 85, and a support 86.

[0025] The operation unit 5 is a module for operating each unit such as the solvent applying unit 30, the object transport unit 40, the absorbent transport unit 50, and the heat pressing unit 60. The operation unit 5 includes a control unit 10, a memory unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation receiving unit 23, and a communication unit 24.

[0026] The control unit 10 controls the overall operation of the bleaching device 100. The control unit 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and a real-time clock (RTC). The CPU, also referred to as a central processing unit, processor, microprocessor, microcomputer, or digital signal processor (DSP), functions as a central processing unit that executes processing and calculations related to the control of the bleaching device 100. In the control unit 10, the CPU reads programs and data stored in the ROM and uses the RAM as a work area to perform overall control of the bleaching device 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit with a timekeeping function. The CPU can determine the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC. The control unit 10 is an example of a control means.

[0027] The storage unit 21 includes nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and serves as a so-called secondary storage device or auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 21 stores programs and data used by the control unit 10 to execute various processes. The storage unit 21 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 10 as a result of executing various processes.

[0028] The display unit 22 displays various images under the control of the control unit 10. The display unit 22 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation reception unit 23 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the contents of the received operations to the control unit 10. The operation reception unit 23 includes a touch screen, a button, a lever, etc.

[0029] The communication unit 24 communicates with various devices (not shown) in accordance with various wireless communication standards or various wired communication standards under the control of the control unit 10. Examples of various wireless communication standards include Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark), etc. Examples of various wired communication standards include USB (Universal Serial Bus, registered trademark), Thunderbolt (registered trademark), etc. The communication unit 24 is provided with a communication interface that complies with various communication standards.

[0030] The solvent deposition unit 30 deposits a solvent 400, which extracts pigments contained in the bleaching target 200, onto the bleaching target 200 at a solvent deposition position. In this embodiment, the solvent deposition unit 30 ejects particles of the solvent 400 onto the bleaching target 200 using an inkjet method. The solvent deposition position is a position where the solvent is deposited onto the bleaching target 200. The configuration of the solvent deposition unit 30 may be similar to that of a general inkjet printer. The solvent deposition unit 30 includes a discharge head 31, a motor 32AA, a motor 32AB, a tank 33, a tube 34, a head support unit 35, a moving unit 36, a guide member 37, a guide member support unit 38, and a support base 39. The solvent deposition unit 30 is an example of a solvent deposition means.

[0031] The ejection head 31 ejects the solvent 400 toward the surface of the bleaching target 200 under the control of the control unit 10. The ejection head 31 ejects particles of the solvent 400 by an inkjet method such as a piezo method or a thermal head method. The ejection head 31 is an example of an ejection head.

[0032] The motor 32AA is a motor that moves the ejection head 31 in the main scanning direction under the control of the control unit 10. When the motor 32AA is driven under the control of the control unit 10, a moving unit 36 ​​to which a head support unit 35 that supports the ejection head 31 is fixed moves in the main scanning direction along a guide member 37. The main scanning direction is the X-axis direction.

[0033] The motor 32AB is a motor that moves the ejection head 31 in the sub-scanning direction under the control of the control unit 10. When the motor 32AB is driven under the control of the control unit 10, the guide member support portion 38 that supports the guide member 37 moves in the sub-scanning direction together with the ejection head 31 along a guide rail 39A that extends in the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction is the Y-axis direction.

[0034] The tank 33 stores the solvent 400 to be ejected from the ejection head 31. The tube 34 is a tube for supplying the solvent 400 stored in the tank 33 to the ejection head 31. The head support unit 35 is a member that supports the ejection head 31. The moving unit 36 ​​is a member to which the head support unit 35 is fixed, and is a member that moves in the main scanning direction along a guide member 37.

[0035] The guide member 37 is a member that guides the moving portion 36 in the main scanning direction. The guide member support portion 38 is a member that supports the guide member 37 and is a member that moves in the sub-scanning direction along a guide rail 39A. The support base 39 is a base that supports the guide member support portion 38. The support base 39 has a guide rail 39A that extends in the sub-scanning direction.

[0036] The object transport unit 40 transports the bleaching object 200 to which no solvent has been applied to a solvent application position, and transports the bleaching object 200 to which a solvent has been applied to a heat press position. The heat press position is a position where heat pressing is performed, applying heat and pressure to the bleaching object 200 and the absorber 300. The object transport unit 40 transports the bleaching object 200 using conveyor belts 42AA and 42AB. The object transport unit 40 includes an object transport unit 40AA, an object transport unit 40AB, a plate-shaped member 45, and a plate-shaped member 46. The object transport unit 40 is an example of an object transport means.

[0037] The object transport unit 40AA transports the bleaching object 200 provided by the user to the solvent application position, and transports the bleaching object 200 to which the solvent 400 has been applied at the solvent application position to the object transport unit 40AB. The object transport unit 40AA includes a motor 41AA, a transport belt 42AA, a roller 43AA, and a roller 44AA.

[0038] The motor 41AA rotates the roller 43AA under the control of the control unit 10. The control unit 10 controls the motor 41AA so that the roller 43AA rotates counterclockwise. When the roller 43AA rotates counterclockwise, the conveyor belt 42AA also rotates counterclockwise, and the bleaching target 200 placed on the conveyor belt 42AA moves downstream along the conveyor path. The downstream direction of the conveyor path is the left direction in FIG. 2 , which is the positive direction of the Y axis.

[0039] The conveyor belt 42AA is a belt for conveying the bleaching target 200 placed on the conveyor belt 42AA. The conveyor belt 42AA conveys the bleaching target 200 to which the solvent 400 has not been applied to the solvent application position. The conveyor belt 42AA is stretched between rollers 43AA and 44AA, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the roller 43AA. The conveyor belt 42AA is an example of a first conveyor belt.

[0040] Roller 43AA is a roller for rotating conveyor belt 42AA. Roller 43AA has a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction and rotates as driven by motor 41AA. Roller 44AA is a roller paired with roller 43AA. Roller 44AA has a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of conveyor belt 42AA.

[0041] The object transport unit 40AB transports the bleaching object 200 to which the solvent 400 has been applied to the heat press position, and transports the bleaching object 200 that has been heat pressed at the heat press position to the recovery box 70. The object transport unit 40AB includes a motor 41AB, a transport belt 42AB, a roller 43AB, and a roller 44AB.

[0042] The motor 41AB rotates the roller 43AB under the control of the control unit 10. The control unit 10 controls the motor 41AB so that the roller 43AB rotates counterclockwise. When the roller 43AB rotates counterclockwise, the conveyor belt 42AB also rotates counterclockwise, and the bleaching target 200 placed on the conveyor belt 42AB moves downstream along the conveyance path.

[0043] The conveyor belt 42AB is a belt for conveying the bleaching target 200 placed on the conveyor belt 42AB. The conveyor belt 42AB conveys the bleaching target 200 to which the solvent 400 has been applied to the heat press position. The conveyor belt 42AB is stretched between rollers 43AB and 44AB, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of roller 43AB. The conveyor belt 42AB is an example of a second conveyor belt.

[0044] Roller 43AB is a roller for rotating conveyor belt 42AB. Roller 43AB has a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction and rotates as driven by motor 41AB. Roller 44AB is a roller paired with roller 43AB. Roller 44AB has a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of conveyor belt 43AB.

[0045] The plate-shaped member 45 is a flat member. The plate-shaped member 45 is arranged to straddle the conveyor belts 42AA and 42AB. The plate-shaped member 45 sends the bleaching target object 200 that has been conveyed to the left end of the conveyor belt 42AA to the right end of the conveyor belt 42AB. The plate-shaped member 46 is a flat member. The plate-shaped member 46 is arranged to straddle the conveyor belt 42AB and the recovery box 70. The plate-shaped member 46 pours the bleaching target object 200 that has been conveyed to the left end of the conveyor belt 42AB into the recovery box 70.

[0046] The absorbent body transport unit 50 transports the absorbent body 300 to the heat press position in accordance with the transport of the bleaching target object 200. The absorbent body transport unit 50 stretches the absorbent body 300 wound in a roll and supplies it to the heat press position, and then winds up and collects the heat pressed absorbent body 300 in a roll at the heat press position. The absorbent body transport unit 50 includes a motor 51, a roller 52, and a roller 53. The absorbent body transport unit 50 is an example of an absorbent body transport means.

[0047] Motor 51 is a motor that rotates roller 52 under the control of control unit 10. Note that control unit 10 controls motor 51 so that roller 52 rotates counterclockwise. When roller 52 rotates counterclockwise, absorber 300 wound around roller 53 is stretched, and the stretched absorber 300 is taken up by roller 52.

[0048] The roller 52 is a roller that takes up the absorber 300 that has been unwound by the roller 53. The roller 52 takes up the absorber 300 that has absorbed the solvent 400 containing the pigment that was contained in the bleaching target 200. The roller 52 has a rotation shaft (not shown) that extends in the X-axis direction, and rotates as it is driven by the motor 51. The roller 52 is an example of a second take-up roller.

[0049] The roller 53 is a roller that pays out the absorbent body 300 wound in a roll shape. The roller 53 is a roller around which the absorbent body 300 is wound before absorbing the solvent 400. The roller 53 has a rotation axis (not shown) that extends in the X-axis direction, and rotates counterclockwise to pay out the absorbent body 300 as the roller 52 takes up the absorbent body 300. The roller 53 is an example of a second payout roller.

[0050] The heat press unit 60 performs heat pressing at a heat press position, applying heat and pressure to the bleaching target 200 to which the solvent 400 has been applied and the absorber 300 placed on the bleaching target 200. The heat press unit 60 includes a heater 61, a motor 62, and a moving unit 63. The heat press unit 60 is an example of a heat press means.

[0051] Heater 61 is a heater for heating plate-like member 64 provided on moving unit 63 under the control of control unit 10. Motor 62 is a motor for moving moving unit 63 in the up and down direction under the control of control unit 10. When motor 62 is driven under the control of control unit 10, moving unit 63 moves in the up and down direction along guide members (not shown) provided on support columns 85 and 86.

[0052] The moving unit 63 is a member that moves up and down by being driven by the motor 62. The moving unit 63 includes a plate-like member 64. The plate-like member 64 is a flat member. When the moving unit 63 descends, the plate-like member 64 is pressed against the absorber 300. When the moving unit 63 descends further, the absorber 300 pressed by the plate-like member 64 is pressed against the bleaching target 200. At this time, the plate-like member 64, together with the conveyor belt 42AB, sandwiches the bleaching target 200 and the absorber 300, applies pressure to the bleaching target 200 and the absorber 300, and heats the bleaching target 200 and the absorber 300.

[0053] The collection box 70 is a box for collecting the bleaching objects 200. The bleached sheet-like bleaching objects 200 are sequentially supplied to the collection box 70. The supplied bleaching objects 200 are stored in a stack in the collection box 70.

[0054] Support pillars 81, 82, 83, and 84 are support pillars that support absorber transport unit 50. Support pillars 81 and 82 rotatably support roller 52, and support pillars 83 and 84 rotatably support roller 53. Support pillars 85 and 86 are support pillars that support heat press unit 60. Support pillars 85 and 86 movably support moving unit 63.

[0055] Next, the main functions of the control unit 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 . Functionally, the control unit 10 includes a discharge control unit 11, a movement control unit 12, a first conveyance control unit 13, a second conveyance control unit 14, a heating control unit 15, and a press control unit 16. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the ROM or storage unit 21. The CPU then executes the programs stored in the ROM or storage unit 21 to realize each of these functions.

[0056] The discharge control unit 11 controls the discharge of the solvent 400 by the discharge head 31. The discharge control unit 11 controls the discharge head 31 to cause the discharge head 31 to discharge particles of the solvent 400. For example, the discharge control unit 11 causes the discharge head 31 to continuously discharge the solvent 400 while the discharge head 31 moves over the bleaching target 200 so that the solvent 400 is discharged onto the entire bleaching target 200 placed at the solvent application position.

[0057] The movement control unit 12 controls the movement of the discharge head 31. The movement control unit 12 controls the movement of the discharge head 31 so that the discharge head 31 passes over the entirety of the bleaching target 200 placed at the solvent application position. Specifically, for example, the movement control unit 12 repeats the scanning process and the shifting process until the discharge head 31 moves from one end of the bleaching target 200 in the sub-scanning direction to the other end of the bleaching target 200 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0058] The scanning process is a process of controlling the motor 32AA to move the ejection head 31 from one end of the bleaching target 200 in the main scanning direction to the other end of the bleaching target 200 in the main scanning direction. The shifting process is a process of controlling the motor 32AB to shift the ejection head 31 a certain distance in the sub-scanning direction.

[0059] The first conveyance control unit 13 controls the object conveyance unit 40 to control the conveyance of the bleaching object 200. Specifically, when the user supplies the bleaching object 200 onto the conveyance belt 42AA, the first conveyance control unit 13 controls the motor 41AA to convey the bleaching object 200 before solvent application to the solvent application position. Furthermore, after the solvent is applied to the bleaching object 200 at the solvent application position, the first conveyance control unit 13 controls the motor 41AA to convey the bleaching object 200 after solvent application to the conveyance belt 42AB via the plate-like member 45.

[0060] Furthermore, when the post-solvent bleaching object 200 is supplied onto the conveyor belt 42AB, the first conveyor control unit 13 controls the motor 41AB to convey the post-solvent bleaching object 200 to the heat press position. Furthermore, after the heat press is performed on the bleaching object 200 at the heat press position, the first conveyor control unit 13 controls the motor 41AB to convey the post-heat press bleaching object 200 to the collection box 70 via the plate-like member 46.

[0061] The second conveyance control unit 14 controls the absorbent conveying unit 50 to control the conveyance of the absorbent 300. Specifically, when the bleaching target 200 after solvent application is conveyed to the heat press position, the second conveyance control unit 14 controls the motor 51 to pull out the absorbent 300 before heat pressing from the rollers 53 and convey the pulled-out absorbent 300 to the heat press position. Furthermore, after the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent 300 are heat pressed at the heat press position, the second conveyance control unit 14 controls the motor 51 to cause the rollers 52 to take up the absorbent 300 after heat pressing.

[0062] The heating control unit 15 controls the heating of the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent 300 by the heat press unit 60. Specifically, the heating control unit 15 heats the heater 61 to heat the plate-shaped member 64 when the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent 300 after solvent application are transported to the heat press position. When the absorbent 300 pressed against the plate-shaped member 64 is pressed against the bleaching target 200, the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent 300 are heated. The heating control unit 15 preferably heats the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent 300 to a temperature high enough to sufficiently dissolve the pigment contained in the bleaching target 200 in the solvent 400, but low enough to prevent the solvent 400 from evaporating. For example, the heating control unit 15 preferably heats the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent 300 to a temperature of approximately 120°C to 150°C.

[0063] The press control unit 16 controls the application of pressure to the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent body 300 by the heat press unit 60. Specifically, when the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent body 300 after solvent application are transported to the heat press position, the press control unit 16 controls the motor 62 to lower a moving unit 63 equipped with a plate-like member 64. The press control unit 16 lowers the moving unit 63 until the plate-like member 64 is pressed against the absorbent body 300, and the absorbent body 300 is further pressed against the bleaching target 200. The press control unit 16 applies pressure to the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent body 300 for a certain period of time, and then raises the moving unit 63.

[0064] Here, it is desirable that the control unit 10 controls the object transport unit 40 and the absorbent transport unit 50 so that heat pressing is not performed multiple times at the same location on either the bleaching object 200 or the absorbent 300. In other words, when heat pressing is performed at the heat pressing position, the control unit 10 causes the object transport unit 40 to transport a new bleaching object 200 to the heat pressing position, and causes the absorbent transport unit 50 to transport an unused absorbent 300 to the heat pressing position, before the next heat pressing is performed.

[0065] In this way, the control unit 10 does not perform multiple heat presses on one bleaching target 200 by switching between different parts of the absorbent body 300, in order to conserve the absorbent body 300. Furthermore, in order to achieve appropriate bleaching, the control unit 10 does not perform heat presses on multiple bleaching targets 200 using the same part of the absorbent body 300.

[0066] In this embodiment, the application of the solvent 400 to the bleaching target 200, the heat pressing of the bleaching target 200 and the absorbent body 300, the transportation of the bleaching target 200 to the solvent application position, the transportation of the bleaching target 200 to the heat pressing position, the transportation of the absorbent body 300 to the heat pressing position, etc. are all performed automatically. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the bleaching target 200 can be bleached without imposing any burden on the user.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, control is performed so that the same location on either the bleaching target 200 or the absorber 300 is not subjected to multiple heat presses. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the bleaching target 200 can be appropriately bleached while saving the absorber 300.

[0068] In this embodiment, the conveyor belt 42AA conveys the bleaching target 200 to the solvent application position, and the conveyor belt 42AB conveys the bleaching target 200 to the heat press position. Therefore, according to this embodiment, for example, the bleaching target 200, which is difficult to wind into a roll, can be appropriately conveyed.

[0069] In this embodiment, the ejection head 31 ejects the solvent 400 toward the surface of the bleaching object 200. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the solvent 400 can be appropriately applied to the bleaching object 200 being transported by the transport belt 42AA.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the absorbent body 300 is conveyed by being unwound from the roller 53 and being wound up by the roller 52. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the absorbent body 300 wound in a roll shape can be conveyed with a simple configuration.

[0071] (Embodiment 2) In embodiment 1, an example was described in which an overall thin, flat sheet-like bleaching target 200 was transported by the rotation of conveyor belts 42AA and 42AB. In this embodiment, an example is described in which a rolled bleaching target 200B is transported by being wound up. Hereinafter, descriptions of the same configurations, functions, etc. as in embodiment 1 will be omitted or simplified.

[0072] In this embodiment, the configuration of the bleaching device 100B will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, and the function of the bleaching device 100B will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Note that in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, illustrations and reference numerals have been omitted for non-characteristic components of the bleaching device 100B as appropriate. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the bleaching device 100B. FIG. 5 is a side view of the bleaching device 100B. Note that, for ease of understanding, FIG. 5 omits illustrations of the housing, cover, and other components that are not particularly relevant to the operation of the bleaching device 100B, and indicates the main components related to the operation of the bleaching device 100B with solid lines. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the function of the bleaching device 100B.

[0073] The bleaching apparatus 100B is an apparatus that bleaches the bleaching target 200B and removes pigments from the bleaching target 200B. The bleaching apparatus 100B performs a series of processes, such as applying a solvent 400 to the bleaching target 200B, heat pressing the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300, transporting the bleaching target 200B, and supplying the absorbent 300 to the bleaching target 200B.

[0074] In this embodiment, the bleaching object 200B is wound in a roll before bleaching, stretched during bleaching, and then wound into a roll again after bleaching. That is, in this embodiment, the bleaching object 200B has an elongated shape in which the thickness is sufficiently shorter than the width and the length is sufficiently longer than the width. The bleaching object 200B is formed by connecting a large number of towels, T-shirts, flags, streamers, etc., for example. One possible method of connection is sewing.

[0075] The bleaching apparatus 100B includes an operation unit 5B, a solvent deposition unit 30B, an object transport unit 40B, an absorbent transport unit 50B, and a heat press unit 60B. The operation unit 5B is a module for operating each unit, such as the object transport unit 40B, the absorbent transport unit 50B, and the heat press unit 60B. The operation unit 5B includes a control unit 10B, a memory unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation reception unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 10B has a physical configuration similar to that of the control unit 10. The control unit 10B is an example of a control means.

[0076] The solvent deposition unit 30B deposits a solvent 400 onto the bleaching target 200B at a solvent deposition position, which extracts the pigment contained in the bleaching target 200B. In this embodiment, the solvent deposition unit 30B deposits the solvent 400 onto the bleaching target 200B by immersing the bleaching target 200B in the solvent 400. The solvent deposition unit 30B includes a solvent reservoir 31B. The solvent reservoir 31B is a container that stores the solvent 400. The solvent reservoir 31B is disposed on a transport path for the bleaching target 200B. The solvent deposition unit 30B is an example of a solvent deposition means.

[0077] The object transport unit 40B transports the bleaching object 200B to which no solvent has been applied to the solvent application position and transports the bleaching object 200B to which solvent has been applied to the heat press position. The object transport unit 40B transports the bleaching object 200B by winding it up. The object transport unit 40B includes motors 41BA, 41BB, and 41BC, rollers 42B, 43B, 44B, 45BA, 45BB, 45BC, 45BD, 45BE, 45BF, 45BG, 45BH, 45BI, roller 46B, support units 47BA, 47BB, and a tension bar 48B. The object transport unit 40B is an example of an object transport means.

[0078] Motor 41BA rotates roller 42B under the control of control unit 10B. Control unit 10B controls motor 41BA so that roller 42B rotates counterclockwise. When roller 42B rotates counterclockwise, the bleaching target 200B stretched from roller 43B is wound onto roller 42B.

[0079] Motor 41BB rotates roller 44B under the control of control unit 10B. Control unit 10B controls motor 41BB so that roller 44B rotates clockwise. When roller 44B rotates clockwise, bleaching target 200B wound around roller 43B is stretched.

[0080] The motor 41BC is a motor that moves the roller 46B in the up and down direction under the control of the control unit 10B. When the motor 41BC is driven under the control of the control unit 10B, the support portions 47BA and 47BB that rotatably support the roller 46B move in the up and down direction.

[0081] Roller 42B is a roller that winds up the bleaching target 200B stretched from roller 43B. Roller 42B winds up the bleaching target 200B after bleaching. Roller 42B has a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction and rotates as driven by motor 41BA. Note that roller 42B is not shown in FIG. 4 for ease of understanding. Roller 42B is an example of a first winding roller.

[0082] Roller 43B is a roller that pays out the bleaching target 200B wound in a roll. Roller 43B is a roller around which the bleaching target 200B before bleaching is wound. Roller 43B has a rotation axis (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction, and rotates counterclockwise to pay out the bleaching target 200B as roller 44B stretches the bleaching target 200B. Roller 43B is an example of a first pay-out roller.

[0083] The roller 44B is a roller that stretches the bleaching target 200B from the roller 43B. The roller 44B has a rotation shaft (not shown) that extends in the X-axis direction, and is rotated by being driven by the motor 41BB.

[0084] Rollers 45BA, 45BB, 45BC, 45BD, 45BE, 45BF, 45BG, 45BH, and 45BI are rollers for guiding the transport of the object to be bleached 200B, and have a rotation axis (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction.

[0085] Roller 45BA is a roller provided between tension bar 48B and roller 45BB. Roller 45BB is a roller for immersing bleaching target 200B in solvent 400 in solvent reservoir 31B. Roller 45BC is a roller for sandwiching bleaching target 200B together with roller 44B and sending bleaching target 200B downstream along the conveying path.

[0086] Roller 45BD is a roller provided between roller 45BC and roller 45BE. Roller 45BE is a roller provided between roller 45BD and roller 45BF. Roller 45BF is a roller provided between roller 45BE and roller 45BG. Roller 45BG is a roller provided between roller 45BF and roller 45BH. Roller 45BH is a roller that sandwiches the bleaching target 200B together with roller 42B. Roller 45BI is a roller that comes into contact with the bleaching target 200B wrapped around roller 42B and rotates in accordance with the rotation of roller 42B.

[0087] Roller 46B assists roller 42B in winding up bleaching target 200B. In other words, roller 46B, which is positioned below bleaching target 200B, moves upward and then downward, stretching and loosening bleaching target 200B. The loosened bleaching target 200B is then wound up by roller 42B.

[0088] Support portions 47BA and 47BB are members that rotatably support roller 46B. Support portions 47BA and 47BB are driven by motor 41BC to move up and down. Tension bar 48B is a member that adjusts the tension of bleaching target 200B as it is pulled out from roller 43B. Tension bar 48B has an opening (see FIG. 4) through which bleaching target 200B passes.

[0089] The absorbent body transport unit 50B transports the absorbent body 300 to the heat press position in accordance with the transport of the bleaching target 200B. The absorbent body transport unit 50B stretches the absorbent body 300 wound in a roll and supplies it to the heat press position, and then winds up and collects the heat pressed absorbent body 300 in a roll at the heat press position. The absorbent body transport unit 50B includes a motor 51B, a roller 52B, a roller 53B, a roller 54B, and a roller 55B. The absorbent body transport unit 50B is an example of an absorbent body transport means.

[0090] Motor 51B is a motor that rotates roller 52B under the control of control unit 10B. Note that control unit 10B controls motor 51B so that roller 52B rotates counterclockwise. When roller 52B rotates counterclockwise, absorber 300 wound around roller 53B is stretched, and the stretched absorber 300 is taken up by roller 52B.

[0091] Roller 52B is a roller that takes up the absorber 300 unwound by roller 53B. Roller 52B takes up the absorber 300 after absorbing the solvent 400. Roller 52B has a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction, and is rotated by being driven by motor 51B. Roller 52B is an example of a second take-up roller.

[0092] Roller 53B is a roller that pays out the absorbent body 300 wound in a roll shape. Roller 53B is a roller around which the absorbent body 300 is wound before absorbing the solvent 400. Roller 53B has a rotation axis (not shown) extending in the X-axis direction, and rotates counterclockwise to pay out the absorbent body 300 as roller 52B takes up the absorbent body 300. Roller 53B is an example of a second payout roller.

[0093] Rollers 54B and 55B are rollers that guide the transport of absorber 300. Rollers 54B and 55B have rotation axes (not shown) that extend in the X-axis direction. Roller 54B is provided between rollers 53B and 55B. Roller 55B is provided between rollers 54B and 52B.

[0094] The heat press unit 60B performs heat pressing at a heat press position, applying heat and pressure to the bleaching target 200B to which the solvent 400 has been applied and the absorber 300 placed on the bleaching target 200B. The heat press unit 60B includes a heater 61B, a motor 62B, a moving unit 63B, a roller 64B, a roller 65B, and a plate-shaped member 66B. The heat press unit 60B is an example of a heat press means.

[0095] The heater 61B is a heater for heating the plate-shaped member 66B under the control of the control unit 10B. The motor 62B is a motor for moving the moving unit 63B in the left-right direction under the control of the control unit 10B. When the motor 62B is driven under the control of the control unit 10B, the moving unit 63B moves in the left-right direction along a guide member (not shown).

[0096] The moving unit 63B is a member that moves under the control of the control unit 10B. When performing the heat press, the moving unit 63B moves to the right and sandwiches the bleaching target 200B and the absorber 300 between it and the plate-shaped member 66B. The moving unit 63B presses the rollers 64B and 65B against the bleaching target 200B, thereby sandwiching the bleaching target 200B and the absorber 300 between it and the plate-shaped member 66B in a transportable state. The rollers 64B and 65B are rollers that movably sandwich the bleaching target 200B and the absorber 300 between it and the plate-shaped member 66B. The rollers 64B and 65B are rotatably incorporated into the moving unit 63B.

[0097] The plate-shaped member 66B is a flat plate-shaped member. The plate-shaped member 66B is heated by the heater 61B. The plate-shaped member 66B heats the bleaching target 200B and the absorber 300 in a state in which the bleaching target 200B and the absorber 300 are sandwiched between the plate-shaped member 66B and the moving part 63B.

[0098] Next, the main functions of the control unit 10B will be described in detail with reference to Figure 6. Functionally, the control unit 10B includes a first conveyance control unit 13, a second conveyance control unit 14, a heating control unit 15, and a press control unit 16. In other words, functionally, the control unit 10B has the same configuration as the control unit 10, except that it does not include the discharge control unit 11 and the movement control unit 12.

[0099] The first conveyance control unit 13 controls the object conveyance unit 40B to control the conveyance of the bleaching object 200B. Specifically, the first conveyance control unit 13 controls the motor 41BB to pull the bleaching object 200B from the rollers 43BB, pass the pulled bleaching object 200B through the solvent 400 in the solvent storage tank 31B, and convey the bleaching object 200B after the solvent application to the heat press position.

[0100] In addition, after the thermal pressing is performed on the bleaching object 200B at the thermal pressing position, the first conveying control unit 13 controls the motors 41BA and 41BC to cause the bleaching object 200B after the thermal pressing to be wound around the roller 42B while slackening it.

[0101] The second conveyance control unit 14 controls the absorbent conveying unit 50B to control the conveyance of the absorbent 300. Specifically, when the bleaching target 200B after solvent application is conveyed to the heat press position, the second conveyance control unit 14 controls the motor 51B to pull out the absorbent 300 before heat pressing from the rollers 53B and convey the pulled-out absorbent 300 to the heat press position. Furthermore, after the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300 are heat pressed at the heat press position, the second conveyance control unit 14 controls the motor 51B to cause the absorbent 300 after heat pressing to be taken up by the rollers 52B.

[0102] The heating control unit 15 controls the heating of the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent body 300 by the heat press unit 60B. Specifically, the heating control unit 15 heats the heater 61B to heat the plate-shaped member 66B when the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent body 300 after solvent application are transported to the heat press position. When the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent body 300 are pressed against the plate-shaped member 66B by the moving unit 63B, the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent body 300 are heated. The heating control unit 15 is able to continuously heat the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent body 300 as they are transported.

[0103] The press control unit 16 controls the application of pressure by the heat press unit 60B to the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300. Specifically, when the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300 after solvent application are transported to the heat press position, the press control unit 16 controls the motor 62B to move the moving unit 63B toward the plate-like member 66B until the moving unit 63B presses the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300 against the plate-like member 66B. The press control unit 16 can continuously apply pressure to the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300 being transported.

[0104] Here, it is desirable that the control unit 10B controls the object transport unit 40B and the absorbent transport unit 50B so that the same location of either the bleaching target 200B or the absorbent 300 is not heat-pressed multiple times. For example, it is desirable that the control unit 10B continuously heat-presses the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300 while transporting them at the same speed. In other words, it is desirable that the portion of the bleaching target 200B that has not been heat-pressed and the portion of the absorbent 300 that has not been heat-pressed are continuously overlapped and heat-pressed.

[0105] This embodiment provides the same effects as those of the first embodiment. That is, according to this embodiment, the bleaching target 200B can be bleached without imposing a burden on the user. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the bleaching target 200B can be appropriately bleached while saving the absorber 300. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the absorber 300 wound in a roll shape can be transported with a simple configuration.

[0106] In this embodiment, the bleaching target 200B is transported by winding up the bleaching target 200B wound in a roll. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the bleaching target 200B wound in a roll can be transported with a simple configuration.

[0107] In this embodiment, the bleaching target 200B is transported along a transport path that passes through the solvent 400 stored in the solvent storage tank 31B. Therefore, according to this embodiment, there is no need to control the application of the solvent 400 to the bleaching target 200B.

[0108] (Embodiment 3) In embodiment 2, an example in which an absorbent body 300 wound in a roll shape is used has been described. In the present embodiment, an example in which an absorbent body 300C formed in a sheet shape is used will be described. Hereinafter, explanations of the same configurations, functions, etc. as those in embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted or simplified.

[0109] In this embodiment, the configuration of the decolorizing device 100C will be described with reference to FIG. 7, and the function of the decolorizing device 100C will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Note that in FIGS. 7 and 8, illustrations and reference numerals have been omitted for non-characteristic components of the decolorizing device 100C as appropriate. The appearance of the decolorizing device 100C is basically the same as that of the decolorizing device 100B. FIG. 7 is a side view of the decolorizing device 100C. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the function of the decolorizing device 100C.

[0110] The bleaching apparatus 100C is an apparatus that bleaches the bleaching target 200B and removes pigments from the bleaching target 200B. The bleaching apparatus 100C performs a series of processes, such as applying a solvent 400 to the bleaching target 200B, heat pressing the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300C, transporting the bleaching target 200B, and supplying the absorbent 300C to the bleaching target 200B.

[0111] In this embodiment, the bleaching target 200B is wound in a roll before bleaching, stretched during bleaching, and then wound in a roll again after bleaching. Also, in this embodiment, the absorber 300C is not wound in a roll, but is formed in a sheet shape that is taken out one by one when used.

[0112] The bleaching device 100C includes an operation unit 5B, a solvent application unit 30B, an object transport unit 40B, an absorbent transport unit 50C, and a heat press unit 60B. That is, the bleaching device 100C has the same configuration as the bleaching device 100B, except that it includes an absorbent transport unit 50C instead of the absorbent transport unit 50B.

[0113] The absorbent transport unit 50C transports the absorbent 300C to the heat press position in accordance with the transport of the bleaching target 200B. The absorbent transport unit 50C takes out the absorbent 300C stored in the supply tray 52C one by one and supplies it to the heat press position, and transports the heat pressed absorbent 300C at the heat press position to a collection tray 56C for collection. The absorbent transport unit 50C includes a motor 51C, a supply tray 52C, a roller 53C, a guide member 54C, a roller 55C, and a collection tray 56C. The absorbent transport unit 50C is an example of an absorbent transport means.

[0114] Motor 51C is a motor that rotates roller 53C under the control of control unit 10B. Note that control unit 10B controls motor 51C so that roller 53C rotates clockwise. When roller 53C rotates clockwise, the uppermost absorbent body 300C of the multiple absorbents 300C stored in supply tray 52C is discharged to the outside of supply tray 52C.

[0115] The supply tray 52C is a tray that supplies absorbers 300C formed in a sheet shape. The supply tray 52C stores a plurality of stacked absorbers 300C. The supply tray 52C is an example of a supply tray. The roller 53C is a roller that sends out the absorbers 300 stored in the supply tray 52C toward the heat pressing position. The roller 53C has a rotation shaft (not shown) that extends in the X-axis direction, and rotates as it is driven by the motor 51C. The roller 53C is an example of a supply roller.

[0116] The guide member 54C is a member that guides the absorbent body 300C discharged from the supply tray 52C to the roller 55C. The roller 55C is a roller that guides the transport of the absorbent body 300C. The roller 55C is disposed at the point where the bleaching target object 200B and the absorbent body 300C join together. The roller 55C has a rotation axis (not shown) that extends in the X-axis direction.

[0117] The collection tray 56C is a tray for collecting used absorbents 300C. The collection tray 56C has an inclined portion 56CA that extends diagonally outward from the side of the collection tray 56C. The inclined portion 56CA has the function of peeling the used absorbents 300C, which have been in close contact with the bleaching object 200B by heat pressing, from the bleaching object 200B. The collection tray 56C is preferably positioned so that the tip of the inclined portion 56CA comes into contact with the surface of the bleaching object 200B being transported. The absorbents 300C peeled from the bleaching object 200B by the inclined portion 56CA are stored inside the collection tray 56C. The inclined portion 56CA is an example of a peeling means.

[0118] Next, the function of the control unit 10B, in particular the function of the second conveyance control unit 14, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0119] The second conveyance control unit 14 controls the absorbent conveying unit 50C to control the conveyance of the absorbent 300C. Specifically, when the bleaching target 200B after solvent application is conveyed to the heat press position, the second conveyance control unit 14 controls the motor 51C to pull out one absorbent 300C before heat pressing from the supply tray 52C and convey the pulled-out absorbent 300C to the heat press position. Note that the absorbent 300C that has been heat pressed together with the bleaching target 200B at the heat press position is automatically peeled off from the bleaching target 200B and stored in the collection tray 56C.

[0120] Here, it is desirable that the control unit 10B controls the object transport unit 40B and the absorbent transport unit 50C so that the same location on either the bleaching target 200B or the absorbent 300C is not heat-pressed multiple times. For example, it is desirable that the control unit 10B transports the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300C at the same speed while continuously heat-pressing the bleaching target 200B and the absorbent 300C. In other words, it is desirable that the absorbent 300C that has not been heat-pressed be overlapped tightly with the portion of the bleaching target 200B that has not been heat-pressed.

[0121] This embodiment provides the same effects as those of the second embodiment. That is, this embodiment allows the bleaching target 200B to be bleached without imposing a burden on the user. Furthermore, this embodiment allows the bleaching target 200B to be appropriately bleached while saving the absorber 300C. Furthermore, this embodiment does not require control over the application of the solvent 400 to the bleaching target 200B.

[0122] In this embodiment, the sheet-like absorbent body 300C stored in the supply tray 52C is sent out toward the heat pressing position. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the sheet-like absorbent body 300C can be used to appropriately bleach the object to be bleached 200B wound in a roll shape.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the absorbent body 300C, which has been brought into close contact with the bleaching object 200B by the pressure applied by the heat press unit 60B, is automatically peeled off from the bleaching object 200B by the inclined portion 56CA. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the used sheet-like absorbent body 300C can be collected with a simple configuration.

[0124] (Modifications) Although the embodiments have been described above, modifications and applications in various forms are possible. It is up to the discretion of which parts of the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments to adopt. Furthermore, in addition to the above-described configurations, functions, and operations, further configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted. Furthermore, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

[0125] For example, in the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the absorber 300 wound in a roll shape is employed. In the first embodiment, a sheet-shaped absorber 300C may be employed as in the third embodiment.

[0126] In the second and third embodiments, an example has been described in which the solvent 400 is applied to the bleaching target 200B by passing the bleaching target 200B through the solvent 400 in the solvent reservoir 31B. In the second and third embodiments, the solvent 400 may be applied to the bleaching target 200B by an inkjet method as in the first embodiment.

[0127] In the third embodiment, the example has been described in which the collection tray 56C includes the inclined portion 56CA that has the function of peeling the absorber 300C from the bleaching target object 200B. The inclined portion 56CA may be provided separately from the collection tray 56C.

[0128] In the embodiments, the control unit 10, 10B functions as each unit shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8 by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 21. However, in the present disclosure, the control unit 10, 10B may be dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. When the control unit 10, 10B is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be realized together by a single piece of hardware. Furthermore, some of the functions of each unit may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other functions may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the control unit 10, 10B can realize each of the above-described functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0129] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0130] 5, 5B Operation unit 10, 10B Control unit 11 Discharge control unit 12 Movement control unit 13 First conveyance control unit 14 Second conveyance control unit 15 Heating control unit 16 Press control unit 21 Memory unit 22 Display unit 23 Operation reception unit 24 Communication unit 30, 30B Solvent deposition unit 31 Discharge head 31B Solvent storage tank 32AA, 32AB, 41AA, 41AB, 41BA, 41BB, 41BC, 51, 51B, 51C, 62, 62B Motor 33 Tank 34 Tube 35 Head support unit 36, 63, 63B Movement unit 37, 54C Guide member 38 Guide member support unit 39 Support table 39A Guide rail 40, 40AA, 40AB, 40B Object transport unit 42AA, 42AB Conveyor belt 42B, 43AA, 43AB, 43B, 44AA, 44AB, 44B, 45BA, 45BB, 45BC, 45BD, 45BE, 45BF, 45BG, 45BH, 45BI, 46B, 52, 52B, 53, 53B, 53C, 54B, 55B, 55C, 64B, 65B Roller 45, 46, 64, 66B Plate-shaped member 47BA, 47BB Support portion 48B Tension bar 50, 50B, 50C Absorber conveying portion 52C Supply tray 56C Collection tray 56CA Inclined portion 60, 60B Heat press portion 61, 61B Heater 70 Collection box 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 Support 100, 100B, 100C Bleaching device 200, 200B Bleaching object 300, 300C Absorber 400 Solvent

Claims

1. A decolorizing device comprising: a solvent applying means for applying a solvent capable of removing the dye from the fibers to a decolorizing object, the solvent being applied to the fibers; a heat pressing means for applying heat and pressure to the decolorizing object to which the solvent has been applied and an absorbent which is placed on the decolorizing object and absorbs the solvent containing the dye from the decolorizing object; an object transport means for transporting the decolorizing object to which the solvent has not been applied to a solvent application position, and for transporting the decolorizing object to which the solvent has been applied to a heat pressing position; and an absorbent transport means for transporting the absorbent to the heat pressing position in accordance with the transport of the decolorizing object.

2. The bleaching device according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for controlling the object transport means and the absorbent transport means so that multiple heat presses are not performed on the same location on either the object to be bleached or the absorbent.

3. A decolorizing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the object transport means comprises a first transport belt that transports the decolorizing object to which the solvent has not been applied to the solvent application position, and a second transport belt that transports the decolorizing object to which the solvent has been applied to the heat press position.

4. A decolorizing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the object transport means comprises: a first pay-out roller that pays out the decolorizing object wound in a roll; and a first wind-up roller that winds up the decolorizing object paid out by the first pay-out roller.

5. The decolorizing device according to claim 4, wherein the solvent application means includes a solvent storage tank for storing the solvent, and the object transport means transports the object to be decolorized along a transport path that passes through the solvent stored in the solvent storage tank.

6. The bleaching device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the solvent application means comprises an ejection head that ejects the solvent toward the surface of the object to be bleached.

7. A decolorizing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent transport means comprises: a second pay-out roller that pays out the absorbent wound in a roll; and a second wind-up roller that winds up the absorbent paid out by the second pay-out roller.

8. The decolorizing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent transport means comprises: a supply tray for storing the absorbent formed into a sheet; and a supply roller for sending out the absorbent stored in the supply tray toward the heat press position.

9. The bleaching device according to claim 8, wherein the absorbent transport means includes a peeling means for peeling off the absorbent, which has been pressed against the object to be bleached by the heat press means, from the object to be bleached.

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