Decoloring Device Reversing Sheet Conveyance for Manual Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional decoloring devices face inconvenience in discharging sheets on which decoloring is completed, particularly when dealing with sheets of varying sizes and shapes, leading to complexity and increased cost in device configuration.
Innovation Solution
A decoloring device with a reversing and conveying unit that temporarily brings the decolored sheet back into the first sheet conveying unit, allowing for efficient discharge to a manual discharge tray, which is positioned differently from the manual feed tray, and includes a control unit for determining decolorability and reusability based on image analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the decolored sheet is discharged to a cassette, then the sheet can be collected for reuse, but the device configuration becomes complex and costly when handling sheets of varying sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional discharge approach by introducing a reversing and conveying unit that redirects the decolored sheet back into the first sheet conveying unit. This allows the sheet to be conveyed again to the manual discharge tray, simplifying the device configuration while maintaining adaptability for various sheet sizes and shapes through the existing conveying infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If a manual feed unit is used, then the device can handle different sheet sizes and shapes, but the discharged sheet ends up in the cassette which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The first sheet conveying unit is given multi-functionality by making it handle both the initial sheet feeding and the reversed conveying of decolored sheets. This universal conveying path eliminates the need for separate discharge mechanisms, reducing device complexity while improving operational convenience by directing sheets to the manual discharge tray.
3Productivity
If the sheet is conveyed through the second sheet conveying unit to discharge opening, then the sheet can be discharged, but sheets of varying sizes and shapes cause handling issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the discharge function from the second sheet conveying unit's path and redirects it through the reversing and conveying unit back to the first sheet conveying unit. This extraction simplifies the conveying path by using the already-established first conveying unit, improving discharge efficiency for various sheet sizes while reducing overall path complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration simplifies the device design, reduces costs, and enhances convenience by allowing efficient handling of sheets of different sizes and shapes, preventing misclassification of non-reusable sheets and ensuring secure disposal of confidential documents.
Implementation Method 1
a decoloring unit that decolors an image on a sheet, which is formed by a decolorable coloring agent
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a decoloring device including a decoloring unit, a first sheet conveying unit, a second sheet conveying unit, a reversing and conveying unit, a manual feed tray, and a manual discharge tray. The reversing and conveying unit is disposed adjacent to an outer wall of the decoloring device in relation to the first sheet conveying unit, and conveys once again the sheet, which is temporarily brought into the second sheet conveying unit after being decolored by the decoloring unit and is switch-back conveyed, to the first sheet conveying unit. The manual feed tray is provided at an outer wall side of the decoloring device adjacent to the reversing and conveying unit. The manual discharge tray is provided at a position of the outer wall side of the decoloring device adjacent to the reversing and conveying unit.