JP2012242558A - Modification device, post-processing device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a modification device for modifying a to-be-processed surface of a workpiece formed through image formation by an image formation device such as a copier, a facsimile and a printer through making the to-be-processed surface have contact with plasma, the modification device enabling modification in plural locations without providing plural sets of modification configurations such as discharge electrodes, and an image formation device or a post-processing device for an image formation device equipped with the modification device.SOLUTION: A modification device comprises: a modification unit 80 comprising conveyance means 11 for conveying a workpiece S, and a discharge electrode 51 arranged countering the conveyance means 11 and generating plasma toward the to-be-processed surface, the plasma for making contact with a to-be-processed surface of the workpiece S to modify the to-be-processed surface; and positioning means 45 for positioning the modification unit 80 in plural positions and enabling the modification in plural positions of the to-be-processed surface by the modification unit 80.

Description

  The present invention is a modification in which plasma is brought into contact with a processed surface of a workpiece formed by image formation in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer, and the surface is modified. The present invention relates to an apparatus, such an image forming apparatus, or a post-processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus, which includes the reforming apparatus.

  Formed on the work surface of a work piece such as a sheet on which image formation has been performed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer (for example, see [Patent Document 1] and [Patent Document 2]). There has been proposed a reforming device for bringing the modified plasma into contact with each other and reforming the same surface, and such an image forming apparatus or an after-treatment device of the image forming apparatus provided with the reforming device (for example, [Patent Documents] 3] to [Patent Document 6]).

  As such an image forming apparatus, a double-sided image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on both sides of a sheet is known. In the double-sided image forming apparatus, the sheet on which the image has been formed is discharged either by so-called face-up with the image forming surface up or face-down with the image forming surface down. Therefore, in the discharge path of the paper on which the image is formed, which direction the image forming surface faces depends on the case.

  For this reason, when the sheet transported through the discharge path is used as a workpiece and the image forming surface is used as a processing surface, discharge electrodes and the like must be placed on both sides of the discharge path.

  Therefore, in the case where a configuration for modifying, such as a discharge electrode, is provided in the discharge path in the double-sided image forming apparatus, two sets of such configurations are provided. In addition, when such a configuration is provided in the discharge path in the post-processing apparatus of the double-sided image forming apparatus, similarly, two sets of the same discharge path are provided, or for face-up and face-down. Either one of two types of post-processing devices is prepared.

However, when a plurality of sets of structures for modifying the discharge electrode and the like are provided as described above, there is a problem in that the cost increases and the size of the apparatus increases.
In addition, the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus may have a plurality of discharge paths, such as when the discharge path is branched, but the position to be modified depends on the use status of the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus. It can be different. In such a case, if such a configuration is provided at all positions, such a problem still occurs.

  The present invention is a modification in which plasma is brought into contact with a processed surface of a workpiece formed by image formation in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer, and the surface is modified. A reformer that enables reforming at a plurality of positions without providing a plurality of sets of configurations for reforming, such as a discharge electrode, and the reformer, An object of the present invention is to provide such an image forming apparatus or a post-processing apparatus of such an image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a conveying means for conveying a workpiece, and the conveying surface arranged opposite to the conveying means and contacting the workpiece surface of the workpiece. A reforming unit having a discharge electrode for forming a plasma for reforming the workpiece toward the surface to be processed, and positioning the reforming unit at a plurality of positions. And a positioning device for enabling the processing surface to be modified at a position.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport means includes a belt that moves to transport the workpiece, and two support members that support the belt, In the belt, the discharge electrode is disposed so as to face a plane portion that is stretched between the two support members. Of the two support members, an upstream side of the plane portion in the moving direction of the belt. The support member is a tension applying member that applies tension to the belt, and the support member on the downstream side of the planar portion in the moving direction of the belt is rotationally driven to move the belt in the moving direction. A driving roller having driving means connected to the downstream support member for rotationally driving the belt in order to move the belt in the moving direction; The support member on the downstream side, characterized in that it comprises a positioning member for positioning the connecting position to be connected to the drive means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the reformer according to the second aspect, the two support members are both the tension applying members, and the reforming unit is positioned by the positioning means. One of the two support members is positioned at the connection position by the positioning member, and is connected to the drive means to form the drive roller.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the reforming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the positioning means includes the reforming unit so that the workpieces on the planar portion occupy the same position. It is characterized in that the reforming unit can be positioned at each position where the angle is reversed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the reforming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the workpiece conveying direction by the conveying means is reversed at the respective positions so that the workpiece in the reforming unit is conveyed. The conveyance direction is maintained.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the reformer according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the reformer is dependent on the reformer according to the second aspect, and is parallel to the drive roller. A rotating shaft that rotatably supports the reforming unit, and the positioning member contacts the downstream support member when the reforming unit is rotated about the rotating shaft. Thus, the rotation of the reforming unit is restricted.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the reformer according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the reforming unit discharges ozone generated by forming the plasma by the discharge electrode. And a plurality of suction ports for sucking the ozone selectively connected to the discharge port according to the position where the reforming unit is positioned by the positioning means. To do.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the reformer according to the seventh aspect, the reforming unit is a cap for closing a suction port different from the suction port connected to the discharge port among the plurality of suction ports. It has the part.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the reformer according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the reforming apparatus further includes a detecting unit that detects a positioning state of the reforming unit by the positioning unit.

  A tenth aspect of the invention includes the reforming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the workpiece is detachable from the image forming apparatus, and the image has been formed in the image forming apparatus. A post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing, wherein the post-processing apparatus modifies a processing surface of the workpiece on which the image has been formed in the reforming apparatus.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention is an image having the reforming device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the processing surface of the workpiece on which an image has been formed is reformed by the reforming device. In the forming device.

  The present invention provides a transfer means for transferring a workpiece, and a plasma disposed opposite to the transfer means for contacting the workpiece surface of the workpiece to modify the workpiece surface. A reforming unit having a discharge electrode for forming toward the work surface, and the reforming unit can be positioned at a plurality of positions, and the work surface can be reformed at a plurality of positions by the reforming unit. Therefore, a plurality of reforming units can be positioned at a plurality of positions without providing a plurality of sets of reforming devices such as a transport unit and a discharge electrode. Therefore, it is possible to provide a reforming apparatus that can be reduced in price.

  The conveying means includes a belt that moves to convey a workpiece and two support members that support the belt, and the belt is a plane that is stretched between the two support members. The discharge electrode is opposed to the portion, and the support member on the upstream side of the planar portion in the moving direction of the belt among the two support members is a tension applying member that applies tension to the belt, The support member on the downstream side of the planar portion in the moving direction of the belt is a driving roller that is rotationally driven to move the belt in the moving direction, and the downstream side in order to move the belt in the moving direction. Drive means connected to the support member on the side and rotationally driving the support member, wherein the positioning means is connected to the downstream support member connected to the drive means. If a positioning member for positioning is provided, the reforming unit can be positioned at a plurality of positions by positioning the reforming unit at a plurality of positions without providing a plurality of sets of reforming units such as a conveying means and a discharge electrode. It is possible to reduce the cost, and the flat part of the belt facing the discharge electrode can be moved smoothly to improve the work piece. An apparatus can be provided.

  The two support members are both the tension applying members, and according to the position where the reforming unit is positioned by the positioning means, either one of the two support members is connected to the connecting position by the positioning member. If the driving unit is connected to the driving unit to form the driving roller, the reforming unit can be arranged at a plurality of positions without providing a plurality of sets of reforming units such as a conveying unit and a discharge electrode. It is possible to perform reforming at a plurality of positions by positioning with a low cost, and the movement of the flat portion of the belt facing the discharge electrode regardless of the position of the reforming unit is smoothly performed. A reforming apparatus capable of satisfactorily modifying a workpiece can be provided.

  The positioning means is configured to be able to position the reforming unit at each position where the reforming unit is inverted so that the workpieces on the plane portion occupy the same position. Without providing multiple sets of electrodes, the configuration for reforming, the reforming unit is positioned at the inverted position, and the reforming of each surface of the workpiece is performed in the state where the workpiece occupies the same position. Therefore, it is possible to provide a reforming apparatus that can be reduced in price and size.

  In each of the above positions, if the conveyance direction of the workpiece by the conveyance means is reversed so that the conveyance direction of the workpiece in the reforming unit is maintained, a reforming unit called a conveyance unit and a discharge electrode is provided. Without providing multiple sets of configurations, it is possible to position the reforming unit at the inverted position and perform reforming of each surface of the workpiece on the same transport path. A possible reformer can be provided.

  The rotating shaft is provided in parallel with the drive roller and rotatably supports the reforming unit, and the positioning member is arranged on the downstream side when the reforming unit is rotated around the rotating shaft. If the rotation of the reforming unit is restricted by abutting on the support member, a plurality of reforming units can be provided without providing a plurality of reforming configurations such as a conveying means and a discharge electrode. It is possible to perform reforming at multiple positions and reduce the cost, and the flat surface of the belt facing the discharge electrode can be moved smoothly, and the work can be modified. In addition, the downstream support member can be positioned at the connection position with a simple configuration and the reforming unit can be positioned at a position where the reforming can be performed. Miniaturization possible It is possible to provide a device.

  The reforming unit includes a discharge port for discharging ozone generated by forming the plasma by the discharge electrode, and the reforming unit is positioned according to a position where the reforming unit is positioned by the positioning unit. If there are a plurality of suction ports that are selectively connected to the discharge port and suck the ozone, the reforming unit can be formed without providing a plurality of sets of reforming means such as transport means and discharge electrodes. Can be reformed at multiple positions and reformed at multiple positions, so that the cost can be reduced and ozone can be sucked regardless of the position where the reforming unit is positioned for reforming. It is possible to provide a reformer capable of satisfying the requirements.

  If the reforming unit includes a cap portion for closing a suction port different from the suction port connected to the discharge port among the plurality of suction ports, the reforming unit is referred to as a transport unit or a discharge electrode. It is possible to position the reforming unit at a plurality of positions and perform the reforming at a plurality of positions without providing a plurality of sets for quality control. It is possible to provide a reforming apparatus capable of efficiently sucking ozone regardless of the position where reforming is performed.

  If there is a detecting means for detecting the positioning state of the reforming unit by the positioning means, a plurality of reforming units can be provided without providing a plurality of sets of reforming means such as a transport means and a discharge electrode. It is possible to perform reforming at multiple positions and perform reforming at a plurality of positions, and it is possible to reduce the cost, and a reforming apparatus that can notify the user of such a state by detecting such a positioning state Can be provided.

  The present invention is a post-processing apparatus that has such a reforming apparatus, is detachable from the image forming apparatus, and performs post-processing of the workpiece on which image formation has been performed in the image forming apparatus. In the post-processing apparatus for modifying the processed surface of the workpiece on which the image has been formed, a reforming unit can be provided without providing a plurality of sets of reforming means such as a conveying means and a discharge electrode. It is possible to obtain an output product that has been modified as post-processing at a plurality of positions, and to provide a post-processing device that can be reduced in cost.

  The present invention is an image forming apparatus that has such a reforming device and modifies the processed surface of the image-formed workpiece in the reforming device. Even without providing multiple sets of configurations, it is possible to position the reforming units at multiple positions and obtain output products that have been reformed together with image formation at multiple positions. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving the above.

It is a schematic front view of one Example of the reformer to which the present invention is applied. It is the schematic front view which showed a mode that the conveyance means with which the reformer shown in FIG. 1 was equipped reverse | reversed centering on a rotating shaft. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the front side of the reformer showing a state where the reforming unit provided in the reformer shown in FIG. 1 is pulled out from the reformer main body. FIG. 1 is a front view of a reforming apparatus in which the reforming unit provided in the reforming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is pulled out from the reforming apparatus body and the posture of the reforming unit is different from the state shown in FIG. It is a schematic exploded perspective view of the side. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view on the rear side of the reformer showing a state where the reforming unit provided in the reformer shown in FIG. 1 is pulled out from the reformer main body. It is a schematic block diagram of the drive means for moving the belt for conveying the to-be-processed object with which the reformer shown in FIG. 1 is equipped. It is a schematic block diagram of the detection means with which the reforming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is equipped and which detects the positioning state of the reforming unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view for explaining that even if the belt provided in the conveying means shown in FIG. 2 is bent, it does not affect the conveyance of the workpiece. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged front view showing a state in which plasma by creeping discharge comes into contact with a workpiece from each discharge electrode provided in the reforming apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram. Each of a plurality of suction ports for absorbing ozone, provided in the reformer shown in FIG. 1, and an ozone discharge port and a cap unit provided in a reforming unit provided in the reformer. It is the schematic sectional side view which showed the one aspect | mode which was connected. It is the schematic block diagram which showed the hollow shape of the rotating shaft with which the reforming apparatus shown in FIG. Each of a plurality of suction ports for absorbing ozone, provided in the reformer shown in FIG. 1, and an ozone discharge port and a cap unit provided in a reforming unit provided in the reformer. It is a schematic block diagram for demonstrating that is connected. It is a schematic front view of the drive means shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of an image forming apparatus that is an example of an apparatus that outputs a workpiece to be modified in the reforming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 15 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the workpiece output from the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14 is modified by the modifying apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 15 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 14 and a post-processing apparatus equipped with the reforming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, which is attached to the image forming apparatus. 1 is a schematic front view illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus including a reforming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is the schematic front view which expanded a part of reforming device provided with the processing means which performs processing which became possible by modification. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a part of a reformer having a configuration different from that shown in FIG. 1.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of a stand-alone reformer to which the present invention is applied. The reformer 100 is generally used for copying, printing, etc. In addition to plain paper, a resin film including an OHP sheet, a card, a postcard or other thick paper, an envelope or the like is a sheet-like work piece. S can be used to modify the surface to be processed.

  At least a part of the work surface to be modified in the reformer 100 is hydrophobic, and the modification of the reformer 100 is to make the hydrophobic work surface hydrophilic by modification. It is aimed. Further, the reforming apparatus 100 performs reforming so that the modified workpiece S is subjected to processing that has been made possible by reforming, such as varnish coating. Do.

  The reformer 100 includes a reforming unit 10 that performs such reforming, a main body 99 that houses the reforming unit 10, and an exhaust unit that is provided in the main body 99 and discharges air in the main body 99 to the outside of the main body 99. An exhaust unit 20 that is an exhaust device, a feeding unit 30 that is a feeding unit that feeds the workpiece S from the outside of the main body 99 toward the reforming unit 10, and a modification provided outside the main body 99. A loading unit 40 which is a loading device as a loading unit for loading the workpiece S modified in the mass unit 10, a control unit 91 including a CPU, a memory and the like for controlling the overall operation of the reforming device 100, and a main body 99, an input unit (not shown) for giving an instruction to supply the workpiece S from the feeding unit 30 to the reforming unit 10 and start reforming, and a predetermined display described later. Operation panel 93 having a display unit (not shown) for There.

  The reforming unit 10 includes a reforming unit 80 as a surface treatment unit that transports the workpiece S fed from the feeding unit 30 toward the stacking unit 40 while reforming the surface of the workpiece S, and a reforming unit 80. 2 to 5 and the reforming unit 80 in the first position, which is the state shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, Positioning means 45 for positioning at any one of the reverse positions as the second state as shown in FIG. 4 and enabling the reforming by the reforming unit 80 at these plural positions. Yes.

  The reforming unit 10 also includes a drive unit 17 shown in FIG. 6 as a drive system for driving and moving a conveyor belt 12 provided in the reforming unit 80 as described later in a rotationally driven manner, and FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a high voltage power source 56 is provided as a power source unit as a high voltage supply power source unit that is supported by the support means 85 and supplies the reforming unit 80 with power for reforming in the reforming unit 80. doing.

  The reforming unit 10 also includes a guide unit 95 that integrally guides the reforming unit 80, the support unit 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. As shown in the figure, it has a sensor 33 which is disposed integrally with the positioning means 45 and detects the positioning state of the reforming unit 80 by the positioning means 45.

  The reforming unit 80 is disposed opposite to the transport unit 11 for transporting the workpiece S and the transport unit 11 so as to modify the workpiece surface of the workpiece S being transported by the transport unit 11. The reforming means 50 is provided.

  The conveying means 11 moves in a manner that rotates counterclockwise or clockwise in FIG. 1 in order to convey the workpiece S fed from the feeding unit 30 toward the stacking unit 40 while reforming. A conveyor belt 12 as an endless belt as a workpiece conveying member as a workpiece conveying member, rollers 13 and 14 as belt conveying rollers adjacent to each other around which the conveyor belt 12 is wound and supported; And a roller support 47 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 which rotatably support the rollers 13 and 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the conveying means 11 is a tension applying roller that urges the rollers 13 and 14 in directions away from each other to apply tension to the conveying belt 12, and both the rollers 13 and 14 are tension rollers. It has springs 15 and 16 that are compression springs as urging members for functioning as a tension applying member, and a closing member 36 connected to a duct connecting member 35 shown in FIG.

The conveyance belt 12 has a width direction orthogonal to the moving direction thereof aligned with a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Hereinafter, this direction is referred to as the width direction. Although not shown, the transport belt 12 is formed of a conductive endless base material in which metal particles or the like are dispersed in a base material such as a metal such as aluminum or silicon rubber, and a coating or the like on the outer peripheral surface side of the base body. It has a dielectric surface layer made of silicon to form a dielectric belt. The surface layer has a substantially insulating resistance value.
A pair of roller supports 47 are provided on the front side and the back side of the main body 99 so that both ends of the shafts of the rollers 13 and 14 are rotatably indicated.

  Regardless of whether the reforming unit 80 is positioned at the normal position or at the reverse position, the conveyor belt 12 is stretched between the roller 13 and the roller 14 and stretched as shown in FIG. As indicated by the thick line arrow, the plane portion 12a as the conveyance surface, which is the sheet conveyance surface for conveying the workpiece S, is directed substantially in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 2, the conveying means 11 is shown by a solid line when the reforming unit 80 is in the normal position, and is shown by a solid line when the reforming unit 80 is in the reverse position. It is shown.

  When the reforming unit 80 is in the normal position, of the rollers 13 and 14, the roller 13 is rotationally driven by the driving means 17 as described later and functions as a driving roller. The roller 14 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2 so that the roller 14 is driven to function as a driven roller. At this time, since the roller 13 is positioned at a fixed position against the biasing force of the spring 15 by the positioning means 45, the roller 14 substantially functions as a tension applying member.

  When the reforming unit 80 is in the reverse position, of the rollers 13 and 14, the roller 14 is rotationally driven by the driving means 17 as described later and functions as a driving roller. 1 and 2, the roller 13 is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction so that the roller 13 is driven to function as a driven roller. At this time, the roller 14 is positioned at a fixed position by the positioning means 45 against the urging force of the spring 16, so that the roller 13 substantially functions as a tension applying member.

  In this way, the transport belt 12 is given a predetermined tension suitable for transporting the workpiece S regardless of whether the reforming unit 80 is in the normal position or the reverse position. Of the rollers 13 and 14, the roller on the upstream side of the flat surface portion 12a serves as a tension applying member and the roller on the downstream side serves as a driving roller in the moving direction of the conveyor belt 12. As shown, even if the conveyor belt 12 is deflected, the deflection does not occur in the planar portion 12a that transports the workpiece S. Therefore, the workpiece S is smoothly conveyed by the planar portion 12a. Thus, the modification performed as described below is performed satisfactorily without unevenness. Note that the rollers on the downstream side of the flat surface portion 12a may simultaneously function as a tension applying member, for example, by using the springs 15 and 16 as an integral member.

  The conveyor belt 12 and the rollers 13 and 14 around which the conveyor belt 12 is wound are grounded so that discharge occurs in the reforming means 50 and plasma is formed as described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reforming means 50 is disposed so as to face the plane portion 12 a so as to face the workpiece surface of the workpiece S being conveyed by the conveyor belt 12. Plasma for contact and modification of the work surface is applied between the discharge electrode roller 51 and the discharge electrode roller 51 which is a roller-shaped discharge electrode for forming the work surface toward the work surface. And a counter electrode portion 53 having a counter electrode 52 as a counter electrode for generating plasma.

  The reforming means 50 also includes a support member 54 that rotatably supports the discharge electrode roller 51, and a spring that is a pressing spring as a biasing member that biases the counter electrode 51 toward the transport belt 12 and the counter electrode portion 53. 55 and a discharge unit 34 for discharging ozone or the like generated with the generation of the plasma toward the exhaust unit 20.

  A plurality of, specifically two, discharge electrode rollers 51 are arranged along the moving direction of the conveyor belt 12. These discharge electrode rollers 51 are metal rollers having the same diameter. Each discharge electrode roller 51 extends in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction, which coincides with the width direction, and is disposed in parallel to each other. Each discharge electrode roller 51 is arranged so as to coincide with the arrangement area of the conveyor belt 12 in the width direction of the conveyor belt 12. Although the metal portion of the discharge electrode roller 51 is exposed, it may be covered with a dielectric or an insulator.

  In addition to the counter electrode 52, the counter electrode portion 53 is disposed so as to cover the upper surface of the counter electrode 52 and support the lower surface of the transport belt 12, a glass plate 57 that functions as an insulating layer of the counter electrode 52, and a counter It has the flat insulator 58 which supported the electrode 52 and the glass plate 57 from the downward direction.

  The counter electrode 52 is a flat plate made of aluminum and is grounded. The counter electrode 52 is disposed so as to include a region where the plurality of discharge electrode rollers 51 are disposed in the moving direction and the width direction of the transport belt 12.

  The support member 54 includes a conductive bearing (not shown) that is provided in each discharge electrode roller 51 and rotatably supports a shaft portion that forms the rotation center of the discharge electrode roller 51, and each bearing in the vertical direction, that is, the conveyor belt 12, the counter electrode And a conductive bearing support member (not shown) having a long hole (not shown) extending in the same direction and slidably supported in a direction contacting and separating from the portion 53. Conductive grease is applied between the bearing and the bearing support member, and even if the bearing slides with respect to the bearing support member through the long hole, the bearing support member and the discharge electrode roller 51 are electrically connected via the bearing. It is designed to keep good.

  A plurality of springs 55 are provided so as to urge each discharge electrode roller 51 toward the conveying belt 12 and the counter electrode portion 53 via the bearing, and each discharge electrode roller 51 is conveyed by the conveying belt 12 or by this. It is made to contact with the processed surface of the processed workpiece S. Therefore, each discharge electrode roller 51 is rotated along with the movement of the work belt 12 or the work surface of the work S conveyed by the same. By this rotation, the uneven wear due to the discharge of each discharge electrode roller 51 is reduced.

  The high-voltage power supply 56 discharges a voltage for forming a plasma for contacting the workpiece surface of the workpiece S sandwiched between the discharge electrode roller 51 and the flat surface portion 12a and modifying the workpiece surface. This is a power supply for applying to the electrode roller 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the high-voltage power source 56 is located on the front side of the main body 99, and is positioned on the rear side of the main body 99 and a harness 56 a constituted by a power feeding cable that performs output, that is, a high-voltage cable for discharge. 5 is connected to a connector 59 which is an electrical contact shown in FIG. 5 connected to an AC power supply (not shown) provided on the main body 99 side, and is a drawer connector 56b which is an electrical contact receiving power supply from the main body 99 side. And have.

The high voltage power source 56 boosts a pulse from the AC power source with a transformer and outputs a high voltage pulse. Therefore, the harness 56a, which is on the high voltage side on the secondary side of the inverter, is electrically connected to the bearing support member, and has a pulse shape corresponding to a total output of 1 kW to each discharge electrode roller 51 via the bearing support member and each bearing. A high voltage can be applied. Each spring 55 is also kept at the same potential as each bearing support member, each bearing, and each discharge electrode roller 51.
The connector 59 is fixed at a fixed position on the back side of the main body 99, and is a low voltage side on the primary side of the inverter.

  In the reforming means 50 having such a configuration, when a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode roller 51 by the high voltage power source 56, discharge occurs between the counter electrode 52 and plasma is formed toward the counter electrode 52. The Such discharge is called atmospheric pressure plasma discharge or dielectric barrier discharge. When such discharge is performed and such plasma is formed, the conductive substrate of the conveyor belt 12 also functions as a counter electrode, in other words, a counter electrode. In this respect, it can be said that the conveyor belt 12 also constitutes the counter electrode portion 53.

  Thus, the conveyance belt 12 also functions as a counter electrode, so that plasma due to creeping discharge is generated from the discharge electrode roller 51 toward the conveyance belt 12 or the workpiece S conveyed by the discharge electrode roller 51 as shown in FIG. It is formed. Since the plasma generated by the creeping discharge has a large contact area with the workpiece surface of the workpiece S, unevenness in the modification of the workpiece surface is suppressed, and the uniformity of the modification of the workpiece surface is ensured with high accuracy. The function of the transport belt 12 as a counter electrode is advantageous in that creeping discharge is favorably generated, energy loss is reduced because the distance between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is reduced, and such discharge and plasma are easily generated. There are advantages. These advantages, particularly the former advantage, are particularly remarkable when the counter electrode has a roller shape (see FIG. 19), as will be described later. When the counter electrode is flat like the counter electrode 52, it is not essential that the transport belt 12 functions as the counter electrode, and the base material of the transport belt 12 may be made of polyimide or the like. In order to generate such discharge and plasma, it is necessary that one of the discharge electrode side and the counter electrode side is covered with a dielectric or an insulator. From this point, the discharge electrode roller 51 is covered as described above. Also good.

  A plurality of discharge electrode rollers 51 are arranged along the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 12, and each discharge electrode roller 51 is rotated along the conveyor belt 12 or the workpiece surface of the workpiece S being conveyed thereby. This also improves the uniformity of the modification of the surface to be processed because the surface discharge and the part where the plasma is formed are changed. Note that the number of the discharge electrode rollers 51 is not limited to two as in the present embodiment, and is appropriately set so as to suppress energy loss while ensuring uniformity of the modification of the work surface. . Further, the length in the moving direction of the conveyor belt 12 in the plane portion 12a is a region in which the creeping discharge from the discharge electrode roller 51 and the reforming action by the plasma work regardless of the length of the workpiece S in the same direction. It may be longer than the length in the same direction.

  The voltage applied to each discharge electrode roller 51 by the high-voltage power source 56 is controlled by the control means 91. When such creeping discharge is generated and plasma is generated, the applied voltage is sufficiently large. The density of energy given to the work surface by the plasma generated by the applied voltage is such that the work S is transported by the transport belt 12 and the work surface is opposed to all the discharge electrode rollers 51, that is, by creeping discharge. The size is such that the modification of the surface to be processed is completed when passing through the range affected by the plasma and does not become larger than the size necessary for the modification.

  When the workpiece S passes through the modifying means 50, the discharge and plasma cause various hydrophilic functional groups formed by components in the air and components contained in the workpiece S itself. The base is formed on the surface to be processed, and the surface energy is increased. For example, when the surface to be processed includes a hydrophobic portion, the surface to be processed is modified by hydrophilization. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, or FIG. 10, the discharge unit 34 opens on the conveying belt 12 side, and discharges the discharge electrode roller 51, the support member 54 and the spring 55 from the opposite side of the conveying belt 12. A duct 34a serving as an ozone exhaust duct that suppresses leakage of gas products such as ozone and heat generated by the creeping discharge or plasma to the outside other than the exhaust part 20, and a rear upper part of the duct 34a. The exhaust port 34b is an ozone exhaust port that is connected to a duct connecting member 35 provided in the exhaust unit 20 and is an exhaust port for discharging heat.

  The support means 85 can rotate the reforming unit 80 supported by being fixed to the frame 37 as a support body, which is a unit support body that is substantially U-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction in FIG. And a rotation shaft 38 whose axial direction is the width direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the frame 37 includes a flat plate portion 37 a having a flat plate shape in the width direction, and bending toward the reforming unit 80 at the front end and the rear end of the flat plate portion 37 a in the width direction. It has the standing part 37b and 37c which were formed and fixedly supported the rotating shaft 38. As shown in FIG.

The flat plate portion 37a fixedly supports the high-voltage power source 56 on the side opposite to the side where the standing portions 37b and 37c are formed.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the standing portion 37 b is inserted through the harness 56 a.
As shown in FIG. 5, the standing portion 37 c has a hole 37 d that is positioned linearly with the closing member 36 in the width direction when the reforming unit 80 is in the reverse position.

  The rotating shaft 38 is divided into a portion supported by the standing portion 37b and a portion supported by the standing portion 37c. One end of each of these portions is fixed to the standing portion 37b and the standing portion 37c, and the other end rotatably supports each roller support 47. Therefore, the rotating shaft 38 rotatably supports the front side and the back side of the reforming unit 80 at these portions, respectively. Each of these portions is located on a straight line in the width direction. A portion of the rotating shaft 38 supported by the standing portion 37b has a hollow shape, and a portion supported by the standing portion 37c has a solid shape.

As shown in FIG. 11, the portion of the rotating shaft 38 supported by the upright portion 37b has a hollow pipe portion 38a and a flange portion 38b that is fastened and integrated with the pipe portion 38a by caulking. Yes. The method of integrating the flange portion 38b with the pipe portion 38a may be another method.
The portion of the rotating shaft 38 supported by the standing portion 37b is fixed to the standing portion 37b in the flange portion 38b, and the harness 56a passes through the pipe portion 38a.

  With such a configuration, the support unit 85 supports the reforming unit 80 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 38. Thereby, the reforming unit 80 can occupy the normal position and the reverse position. Since the harness 56a passes through the rotation shaft 38, even if the reforming unit 80 rotates, the harness 56a does not get tangled, prevents disconnection, and ensures high durability and safety.

  The support unit 85 supports the reforming unit 80 by the rotation shaft 38 so that the rotation center of the reforming unit 80 by the rotation shaft 38 coincides with the outer surface position of the flat surface portion 12a. Therefore, even when the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position and the reverse position, the outer surface position occupies the same position and is supported by the workpiece S on the plane portion 12a, that is, the plane portion 12a. The processed workpiece S is configured to occupy the same position. Therefore, the conveyance position of the workpiece S by the conveyance belt 12 occupies the same position when the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position and the reverse position.

  Further, the support means 85 supports the high-voltage power supply 56 below the flat plate portion 37a regardless of whether the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position or the reverse position. Therefore, the high voltage power source 56 is disposed below the reforming unit 80 by the frame 37. More specifically, the frame 37 supports the rotating shaft 38 above it and supports the reforming unit 80 so as to be rotatable above it, and also supports the high-voltage power source 56 fixed below it. . Further, as described above, the harness 56a passes through the inside of the rotary shaft 38, so that the route for arranging the harness 56a can be shortened, and the length of the harness 56a can be shortened as much as possible.

  The positioning means 45 is configured to be able to position the reforming units 80 rotated about the rotation shaft 38 and reversed to each other, that is, the normal position and the reverse position, in their respective postures. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the positioning means 45 positions the shaft of the roller 13 so that it does not move at the position where the reforming unit 80 is in the normal position, and the reforming unit 80 is in the reverse position. It has a regulating member 45a as a positioning member for positioning the shaft of the roller 14 so as not to move at the position.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a pair of regulating members 45 a are provided so as to sandwich the conveyor belt 12 in the width direction, and are respectively fixed to the frame 37. When the reforming unit 80 rotates around the rotation shaft 38 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, the restricting member 45 a comes into contact with each end portion of the shaft of the roller 13, thereby further reforming units 80. The reforming unit 80 is positioned in the normal position by restricting the rotation of the roller 14 and abuts against each end of the shaft of the roller 14 when rotating counterclockwise, thereby restricting further rotation of the reforming unit 80. Then, the reforming unit 80 is positioned at the reverse position. In this way, the positioning of the roller 13 and the positioning of the roller 14 is performed by a single member called the regulating member 45a, and functions as a stopper for the rotation of the reforming unit 80 around the rotation shaft 38, so the number of parts is suppressed. Therefore, cost reduction and size reduction are achieved.

  The roller 13 or the roller 14 thus positioned by the restricting member 45a is positioned at a connecting position where it is connected to the driving means 17 as described later. One will function as a drive roller. Accordingly, the reforming unit 80 is positioned at a plurality of, specifically two, positions that are symmetrically inverted about the outer surface position of the plane portion 12a, ie, the normal position and the reverse position, and the workpiece S is face-up, Modification of the non-processed surface is performed at a plurality of the face-inside-inversion, specifically two positions, called face down.

  In the reforming unit 80 positioned in the normal position and the reverse position by the positioning means 45 in this way, the exhaust port 34b and the closing member 36 occupy a symmetric or line symmetric position with respect to the outer surface position of the planar portion 12a. The position occupied by the exhaust port 34b and the position occupied by the closing member 36 are interchanged and become the same position when the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position and the reverse position. It is provided as follows.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 12, the duct connecting member 35 is a hollow connected to the exhaust port 34b in the reforming unit 80 occupying the normal position or the closing member 36 in the reforming unit 80 occupying the reverse position. A connecting portion 35a as a first suction port which is a duct connecting port on the upper side of the shape, and a closing member 36 in the reforming unit 80 occupying the normal position or an exhaust port 34b in the reforming unit 80 occupying the reverse position And a connecting portion 35b as a second suction port which is a lower duct connecting port.

  The duct connecting member 35 also has a hollow shape and suction as an ozone suction port connected to the main body side of the exhaust part 20 in communication with the connecting part 35a and the connecting part 35b in such a manner that the connecting part 35a and the connecting part 35b merge. There is an opening 35c and a flange 35d that is provided inside the main body 99 and on the back side of the main body 99 with respect to the reforming unit 80, and is fixed to a fixed position of a side plate 99a that is a rear side plate located on the back of the main body 99. doing.

  Depending on whether the reforming unit 80 is in the normal position or the reverse position, either one of the two connecting portions 35a and 35b is selectively connected to the exhaust port 34b. The duct connecting member 35 is fixedly provided at a predetermined position on the main body 99 side. And if the exhaust port 34b is connected with the connection part 35a or the connection part 35b, the space inside the duct 34a and the suction port 35c will communicate. As described above, the exhaust port 34b, the connecting portion 35a, and the connecting portion 35b are connected to each other and communicate with each other.

  The closing member 36 is a solid member having a sponge seal 36a at the tip, and when connected to the connecting portion 35b or the connecting portion 35a, the connected connecting portion 35b or the connecting portion 35a is closed and sealed. To do. Therefore, the closing member 36 is provided as a cap portion that closes a connecting portion different from the connecting portion connected to the discharge port 34b among the two connecting portions 35a and 35b.

  Therefore, the duct connecting member 35 has two connecting portions 35a and 35b and is divided into two forks, and has a shape communicating with the suction port 35c inside, but the reforming unit 80 is in either the normal position or the reverse position. Even if it is positioned, only one of them communicates with the suction port 35c and the other is sealed, so that the negative pressure loss formed as described later by the exhaust part 20 does not occur, and the duct The exhaust in 34a is performed satisfactorily.

  Further, in the reforming unit 80 positioned at the normal position and the reverse position by the positioning means 45 as described above, the roller 13 positioned at the coupling position and the roller 14 positioned at the coupling position are planar portions 12a. It occupies a line-symmetric position with respect to the outer surface position.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the driving unit 17 has a structure connected to the roller 13 positioned at the connecting position and the roller 14 positioned at the connecting position.
3 and 4, the illustration of the duct connecting member 35 is omitted. Instead, holes 99b and 99c formed in the side plate 99a and inserted through the connecting portions 35a and 35b are shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, a pair of guide means 95 is provided below the frame 37. Each guide means 95 is a rail member 95a as a slide rail fixed to the main body 99 side, and a guide portion that is supported by the rail member 95a and integrated with the reforming unit 80, the support means 85, and the high-voltage power source 56. FIG. 5 shows that the slide rail 95b is prevented from detaching from the rail member 95a when the slide rail 95b, the reforming unit 80, the support means 85, and the high-voltage power supply 56 are integrally pulled out to the front side of the page in FIG. And a separation preventing portion 95c.

  The guide unit 95 is formed by integrating the reforming unit 80, the support unit 85, and the high-voltage power source 56, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, and pulled out to the outside of the main body 99, and as shown in FIG. The reforming unit 80, the supporting means 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 are guided so as to be slidable integrally with the storage position stored in 99.

  The separation preventing portion 95c is not shown disposed on the rail member 95a that prohibits further drawing of the reforming unit 80, the support means 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 to the near side of the paper surface in FIG. It has an engaging part and an engaged part (not shown) disposed on the slide rail 95b. However, in consideration of maintainability and the like, the slide rail 95b is engaged with the rail member 95a by a release operation that lifts together with the reforming unit 80, the support means 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 on the storage position side from the pull-out position. Is released and can be removed from the rail member 95a.

  When the reforming unit 80, the support means 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 occupy the storage position, the exhaust port 34b and the closing member 36 are connected to the connecting portion 35a and the connecting portion 35b, and the duct 34a can be exhausted. At the same time, the drawer connector 56 b is connected to the connector 59, and power can be supplied from the AC power source to the high voltage power source 56. Further, as will be described later, the roller 13 or the roller 14 is connected to the driving means 17 so that the conveyance belt 12 can be rotationally driven.

  These connections also restrict the rotation of the reforming unit 80 around the rotating shaft 38, so that the duct connecting member is in a state where the reforming unit 80, the support means 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 occupy the storage position. 35, the connector 59, and the driving means 17 also function as the positioning means 45.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reforming unit 80 rotates around the rotation shaft 38 such that the reforming unit 80, the support means 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 are in a drawer position or the like. It becomes possible to perform in the state pulled out outside.

  Therefore, the operation of displacing the reforming unit 80 from one of the normal position and the reverse position to the other is the pulling out of the reforming unit 80 to the outside of the main body 99, rotation about the rotation shaft 38, and pushing into the main body 99. It is completed by a reliable and easy operation with the user's visual inspection of mounting in the storage position.

  Further, as already described, since the high-voltage power source 56 is disposed below the reforming unit 80, the high-voltage power source 56 is unlikely to interfere with the operation, and such an operation is easily performed and generally has a weight. Since the high-voltage power source 56 with a lower position is disposed below the reforming unit 80, the center of gravity is located below and the stability is high, so that the operation, particularly the reforming unit 80 is pulled out of the main body 99. The operability of the rotating operation to be performed is good.

  When the high-voltage power source 56 is fixed by the frame 37 and is positioned below the reforming unit 80, and performing such an operation, if only the reforming unit 80 is rotated without rotating with the rotation of the reforming unit 80, Further, since the displacement between the normal position and the reverse position is performed, this operation is also easy, and in addition to this, the high-voltage power source 56 can easily prevent electromagnetic noise. That is, if the high-voltage power source 56 is configured to move when the reforming unit 80 is rotated, it is necessary to take countermeasures against electromagnetic wave noise of the high-voltage power source 56 within the moving range. Since the high-voltage power supply 56 is configured not to move during the rotation operation of the reforming unit 80, the high-voltage power supply 56 is provided with a countermeasure against electromagnetic noise only at the position located below the frame 37. Therefore, it is easy to take measures against electromagnetic noise.

  Furthermore, when performing such an operation, the removal preventing portion 95c prevents the reforming unit 80 from falling off, so that safety is ensured and the reforming unit 80 is prevented from being damaged. In general, the reforming unit 80 is integrated with a heavy high-voltage power supply 56. However, the high-voltage power supply 56 is prevented from falling off together with the reforming unit 80, so that the high-voltage power supply 56 is also prevented from being damaged. Also, safety is getting higher.

  3 and 4, reference numeral 39 indicates a face plate to be attached to and detached from the housing 99b. When performing such drawing, the face plate 39 is removed from the housing 99b. When the face plate 39 is attached to the housing 99b when the reforming unit 80, the support means 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 are positioned at the storage position, the space inside the housing 99b is closed and the reforming apparatus 100 can be operated. Become.

  As shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 13, the driving means 17 has a motor 18 as a driving source for rotating the conveyor belt 12 to convey the workpiece S, and a motor 18 fixed to the side plate 99a. It has the support body 19 as a fixed motor support body, and the 1st drive part 28 and the 2nd drive part 29 supported by the support body 19 and the side plate 99a.

  The first drive unit 28 includes a gear 28a meshed with the output gear 18a of the motor 18, a shaft 28b as a drive shaft extending in the width direction, which is a rotation center axis of the gear 28a, and a shaft 28b. 19, bearings 28c and 28d for rotatably supporting the side plate 99a, a coupling 28e as a shaft coupling provided at the tip of the shaft 28b so as to be movable in the width direction, a coupling 28e and a bearing 28d. The spring 28f, which is a compression spring as a biasing member that is wound around the shaft 28b between the two members and urges the coupling 28e away from the side plate 99a, and the coupling 28e is prevented from being detached from the shaft 28b. It has a ring (not shown) as a separation preventing member.

  The second drive unit 29 includes a gear 29a meshed with the gear 28a, a rotation center axis of the gear 29a, a shaft 29b as a drive shaft extending in the width direction, and the shaft 29b as the support 19 and the side plate 99a. Bearings 29c and 29d for rotatably supporting each other, a coupling 29e as a shaft coupling provided at the tip of the shaft 29b so as to be movable in the width direction, and between the coupling 29e and the bearing 29d. A spring 29f that is a compression spring as a biasing member that is wound around the shaft 29b and biases the coupling 29e away from the side plate 99a, and a separation preventing member that prevents the coupling 29e from being detached from the shaft 29b. And a ring (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 13, when the motor 18 is driven and the output gear 18a is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 13, the gear 28a is driven to rotate in the opposite direction to the output gear 18a, that is, clockwise in FIG. The gear 29a is rotationally driven in the opposite direction to the gear 28a, that is, in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Therefore, the coupling 28e and the coupling 29e are rotationally driven in opposite directions.
In FIG. 6, reference numerals 99d and 99e denote holes formed in the side plate 99a and fitted with bearings 28d and 29d, respectively.

  The drive of the motor 18 is controlled by the control means 91. The motor 18 is controlled by the control means 91 so that the rotation speed is variable between the first speed and the fifth speed. Therefore, according to this, the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 12 is also variable between the first speed and the fifth speed. The conveyor belt 12 rotates at a maximum speed of about 90 sheets / minute in A4 horizontal size.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when the reforming unit 80, the support unit 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 are moved in the width direction by the guide unit 95 and positioned in the storage position, when the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position, When the roller 13 is connected to the coupling 29e so as to be rotationally driven integrally with the shaft 29b, the roller 13 can function as a driving roller, and when the reforming unit 80 occupies the opposite position, the roller 13 14 is coupled to the coupling 28e so that it can be rotated together with the shaft 28b, and the roller 14 can function as a driving roller.

  As described above, the rotation of the reforming unit 80 around the rotation shaft 38 is restricted by these connections, so that the first drive unit 28 and the second drive unit 29 are positioned in the drive unit 17. It will function as the means 45.

  Further, when the roller 13 and the coupling 29e are connected, the spring 29f functions as a buffer member that absorbs an impact when the spring 29f is in the state of being positioned at the storage position. When the connection is performed, the spring 28f functions as a buffer member that absorbs an impact when the connection is made, that is, when the spring 28f is positioned at the retracted position.

  With such a configuration, the transport belt 12 is rotationally driven by the driving unit 17 when the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position or the reverse position. Further, since the coupling 28e and the coupling 29e are rotationally driven in directions opposite to each other, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the rotation direction of the conveying belt 12, in other words, the conveying direction of the workpiece S is changed to the reforming unit. The forward and reverse positions of 80 are reversed to each other, and the conveying direction of the workpiece S in the reforming unit 80 is maintained in one direction. As described above, the rotation direction of the conveying belt 12 is opposite to the normal direction when the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position and when the reforming unit 80 occupies the reverse position. Whether the position is occupied or the opposite position is occupied, the workpiece S is conveyed by the conveying belt 12 in the direction from the feeding unit 30 toward the stacking unit 40.

  Therefore, the conveyance path of the workpiece S from the feeding unit 30 toward the stacking unit 40 in the main body 99 is when the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position and when the reforming unit 80 occupies the reverse position. They are consistent, common, invariant, simplified, and are less prone to problems such as jams.

  The transport belt 12 is fed at a maximum speed of about 90 sheets / minute for the A4 horizontal size when the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position or the reverse position. The workpiece S is transported from the feeding unit 30 toward the stacking unit 40.

  Since the rollers 13 and 14 are rotationally driven in this way, as described above with reference to FIG. 8, the planar portion 12a of the rollers 13 and 14 in the moving direction of the conveyor belt 12 is provided. Since the upstream roller serves as a tension applying member and the downstream roller serves as a driving roller, the flat surface portion 12a is not bent, and the workpiece S conveyed by the flat surface portion 12a is smoothly conveyed. Thus, the reforming is performed satisfactorily without unevenness.

  During the conveyance, when the reforming unit occupies the normal position, the workpiece S is conveyed along the upper surface of the planar portion 12a of the conveyor belt 12, and the workpiece surface that is the upper surface is modified. When the reforming unit occupies the opposite position, the reforming unit is transported along the lower surface of the flat surface portion 12a of the transport belt 12, and the work surface which is the lower surface is reformed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 33 is fixed by a screw 46 between a portion of the regulating member 45 a that positions the roller 13 and a portion that positions the roller 14.

  The sensor 33 may be a lead sensor as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, or may be a reflective optical sensor as shown in FIG. Alternatively, other types of sensors may be used.

  The sensor 33 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is a switch that is pressed into contact with the roller 13 when the regulating member 45a positions the roller 13 and the reforming unit 80 is positioned at the normal position. 33a and a switch 33b that is pressed against the roller 14 when the regulating member 45a positions the roller 14 and the reforming unit 80 is positioned at the opposite position.

  The sensor 33 shown in FIG. 5C detects that the roller 13 or the roller 14 is positioned by the regulating member 45a based on the presence or absence of reflected light. Therefore, the sensor 33 is reflected on the upper surface side by the light emitting element 33c that emits light toward the position that the roller 14 should occupy when the roller 14 is positioned by the regulating member 45a, and at this time the light is reflected by the roller 14. A light receiving element 33d for receiving the reflected light on the upper surface side. Similarly to the upper surface side, the sensor 33 has a light emitting element (not shown) that emits light toward a position that the roller 13 should occupy when the roller 13 is positioned by the regulating member 45a on the lower surface side. A light receiving element (not shown) that receives the light reflected by the roller 13 is included.

  With such a configuration, the sensor 33 is in a state where the reforming unit 80 occupies the normal position, a state where it occupies the reverse position, or a state where it occupies a position different from the normal position and the reverse position. In any case, the positioning state of the reforming unit 80 is detected. More specifically, the sensor 33 inputs a detection signal to the control unit 91, and when the control unit 91 positions the reforming unit 80, the support unit 85, and the high-voltage power source 56 at the storage position, It is judged whether it is in a state.

  The control means 91 displays the information obtained by such determination on the display unit. Specifically, it is displayed in which state. Thereby, the state of the reforming unit 80 in the main body 99 is confirmed and recognized by the user.

  When the reforming unit 80 does not occupy either the normal position or the reverse position together with or instead of such a display, that fact or the reforming unit 80 is set to the normal position and the reverse position. It is desirable to issue a warning that the position should be positioned. This is because the warning prompts the user to position in the normal position or the reverse position, and if such positioning is performed, it is possible to prevent a jam in the workpiece S and other problems in the reformer 100. The display unit includes a liquid crystal display device, LEDs, and the like so that such display can be performed.

  As will be described later, when the reforming apparatus 100 is used in a post-processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, such display may be performed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. In such a case, as will be described later, which surface of the workpiece S is covered, such as whether the image forming surface of the workpiece S is face-up or face-down from the image forming apparatus side. Information regarding whether the surface should be processed may be acquired, and when the positioning state of the reforming unit 80 does not match this, a warning may be given by displaying that effect.

  The exhaust unit 20 removes gaseous products such as ozone generated by the above-described creeping discharge and plasma, and exhausts the air in the main body 99 to the outside of the main body 99 to ventilate, and exhausts heat by this ventilation. By doing so, the inside of the main body 99 is kept in a clean state and maintained in a state suitable for reforming.

  The exhaust unit 20 includes an air flow forming unit 22 including a fan 21 as an air flow forming unit that forms an air flow for performing such exhaust, and an air flow in the main body 99 formed by the fan 21 to generate an air flow in the main body 99. A purifying unit 23 that removes components that can be given to the environment when exhausted as it is outside the main body 99, such as ozone in the air that takes until the air reaches the air flow forming unit 22, and a duct connecting member 35, the purifying unit 23 is improved. And a connecting portion 26 that functions as a duct connecting the mass portion 10.

  The air flow forming unit 22 is driven by generating a suction force for sucking air from the opening of the duct 34a by generating negative pressure on the purifying unit 23, the coupling unit 26, and the discharge unit 34 side by driving the fan 21. Create an air flow. A gas product such as ozone generated by the above-described creeping discharge or plasma rides on the air flow and enters the purification unit 23 through the connecting unit 26. As described above, the purifying unit 23 and the connecting unit 26 function as a suction path on the main body 99 side, and the discharge unit 34 functions as a suction path on the reforming unit 80 side.

The purifying unit 23 has a plurality of ozone filters 24 as a first filter using an MgO ₂ catalyst and a plurality of ozones as a second filter using an activated carbon fiber catalyst along an air flow path inside. And a filter 25. The purifying unit 23 may include another filter that removes components other than ozone in accordance with the gas product generated in the main body 99. The air in the main body 99 purified by the purification unit 23 is discharged to the outside of the main body 99 together with heat.

  The feeding unit 30 is disposed outside the main body 99 and feeds a plurality of workpieces S loaded thereon and the workpieces S loaded on the tray 31 toward the reforming unit 10 one by one. A feeding means (not shown).

The stacking unit 40 includes a stacking tray 41 that is disposed outside the main body 99 and can stack a large number of workpieces S modified by the reforming unit 10.
The workpieces S loaded on the stacking tray 41 are subjected to processing made possible by the modification. For example, if the surface to be processed is hydrophobic before modification, even if varnish is applied, the varnish will be repelled and gloss unevenness will occur. When hydrophilized, the varnish conforms to the entire surface to be processed, and uneven gloss is prevented or suppressed, improving the texture and improving the durability.

  The control means 91 functions as a plasma control means for controlling the formation timing and intensity of the plasma formed by the discharge electrode roller 51. This is because, in the technique using plasma, from the viewpoint of saving energy, it is required to reduce the energy for generating plasma as much as possible. From the viewpoint that plasma is generated when the workpiece S does not pass, This is to prevent or suppress the generation of plasma with a larger intensity than the necessary plasma intensity determined by the above, and to prevent or suppress the generation of energy waste.

  Since the responsiveness from the voltage application to each discharge electrode roller 51 by the high-voltage power source 56 to the start of discharge or plasma formation is several msec, which is extremely high, the control means 91 functioning as the plasma control means includes the feeding unit 30. By driving the high-voltage power source 56 so that each discharge electrode roller 51 generates appropriate plasma in accordance with the timing at which the workpiece S is sent out, energy required for reforming is given to the workpiece surface.

  Further, when there is no workpiece S between each discharge electrode roller 51 and the conveyor belt 12 and the conveyor belt 12 is exposed, creeping discharge or plasma acts on the area where the conveyor belt 12 is exposed. In order to prevent this, the application of voltage to each discharge electrode roller 51 by the high-voltage power source 56 is stopped at an appropriate timing, and the contact of the plasma with the transport belt 12 in the exposed range is stopped. It suppresses energy and suppresses deterioration of the conveyor belt 12.

  By modifying the workpiece S by the reforming apparatus 100 configured as described above, the workpiece S is processed satisfactorily, and the value of the workpiece S in the market is improved. The reforming apparatus 100 performs reforming of the workpiece S by preventing or suppressing waste of energy, and a large amount of workpiece S can be formed by reforming while conveying the workpiece S. Since it can be reformed all at once, the feeling of use is extremely high.

  The reforming apparatus 100 described above does not particularly limit the workpiece S to be modified by this, but as the workpiece S, for example, an output product on which image formation has been performed by the image forming apparatus. It is possible to use.

  There are various types of image forming apparatuses. For example, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a composite machine of these, the image forming process is performed by the image forming apparatus. Thus, processing is performed so that the recording medium such as plain paper exhibits hydrophobicity. That is, when the toner is a wax-containing toner containing a wax such as solid paraffin, the wax component in the toner exudes to the surface of the toner image when fixing the toner image formed by the toner to the recording medium, An output product in which the toner image portion exhibits hydrophobicity is formed. Further, even when the toner is not a wax-containing toner, the image forming apparatus is provided with a fixing device for fixing an image on the recording medium. In the fixing device, the recording medium is provided on the fixing device side. When a hydrophobic release agent such as silicone oil is applied to the recording medium or image in order to prevent or alleviate the adhesion of the image or the image, the output material whose surface is also hydrophobic Is formed. In addition, even if it is not an output product of the image forming apparatus, it may have hydrophobicity when it becomes an output product by manufacturing if it is itself made of resin.

  In such an output product, at least a part of the surface exhibits hydrophobicity. Therefore, when processing that requires hydrophilicity is performed, the surface needs to be modified to have hydrophilicity. That is, the output product is a workpiece S having a workpiece surface to be modified by the reformer 100.

An image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14 will be described as an example of an apparatus that uses the workpiece S having such a processed surface as an output.
The image forming apparatus 200 shown in the figure is a complex machine of a color laser copying machine and a printer, but may be other image forming apparatuses such as other types of copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, and these multifunction machines. good. The image forming apparatus 200 performs an image forming process based on image data of a document read by the image forming apparatus 200 or an image signal corresponding to image information received from the outside by a communication unit 192 described later. The image forming apparatus 200 forms an image using a sheet-like recording medium such as a plain paper generally used for copying, an OHP sheet, a thick paper such as a card or a postcard, an envelope, and the like. The recording medium can be an output that can be a workpiece S that requires surface modification.

  The image forming apparatus 200 is a cylindrical photosensitive drum which is a latent image carrier as an image carrier capable of forming an image as an image corresponding to each color separated into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. A tandem structure in which 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK are arranged in parallel, in other words, a tandem system is adopted.

  The photosensitive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK are rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) of the main body 199 of the image forming apparatus 200, and move in the A1 direction, which is the moving direction of the transfer belt 111 as a transfer medium that is an image carrier. They are arranged in this order from the upstream side. Y, M, C, and BK added after the numerals of the respective symbols indicate members for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK is an image forming unit 160Y that is an image forming station for forming yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) images. It is provided in 160M, 160C, and 160BK.

  The photosensitive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK are on the outer peripheral surface side of the transfer belt 111 as an intermediate transfer member that is an endless belt disposed slightly above the central portion inside the main body 199, that is, on the image forming surface side. Is located.

  The transfer belt 111 is movable in the direction of the arrow A1 while facing the photosensitive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK. The visible image, that is, the toner image formed on each of the photoconductive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK is respectively superimposed and transferred onto the transfer belt 111 that moves in the direction of the arrow A1, and then transferred to the recording medium and the transfer medium. It is designed to be batch transferred onto paper. Illustration of the transfer paper is omitted.

  In the superimposing transfer to the transfer belt 111, the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK are transferred to the same position on the transfer belt 111 while the transfer belt 111 moves in the A1 direction. As described above, voltage application by primary transfer rollers 112Y, 112M, 112C, and 112BK disposed at positions facing the respective photoconductive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK across the transfer belt 111 from the upstream side in the A1 direction. The timing is shifted toward the downstream side.

  The image forming apparatus 200 is disposed in the main body 199 so as to face four image forming units 160Y, 160M, 160C, and 160BK and the respective photosensitive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK. A transfer belt unit 110 as an intermediate transfer unit provided, and abutted against the transfer belt 111 disposed opposite to the transfer belt 111 and rotated in the same direction as the transfer belt 111 at an abutting position on the transfer belt 111 to move endlessly. And a secondary transfer unit 176 as a secondary transfer device that includes a secondary transfer belt 105 that is a paper transfer belt as a transfer member and transfers and transfers the toner image on the transfer belt 111 to the transfer paper, and an image forming unit 160Y. , 160M, 160C, and 160BK, exposure as a latent image forming unit disposed to face the upper side And a light scanning unit 108 is a location serving optical writing unit.

  The image forming apparatus 200 also feeds paper in a main body 199 as a paper feed cassette capable of stacking a large number of transfer sheets transported between the photosensitive drums 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70BK and the transfer belt 111. The sheet feeding device 161, which is a mechanism, and the transfer sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device 161 are transferred at a predetermined timing in accordance with the toner image formation timing by the image forming units 160Y, 160M, 160C, and 160BK. And a registration roller 104 that is fed out between 111 and the secondary transfer belt 105.

  The image forming apparatus 200 also includes a fixing device 106 serving as a belt-fixing type fixing unit for fixing the toner image on the transfer paper onto which the toner image is transferred, and a fixed transfer paper in the main body 199. A discharge roller 107 as a pair of discharge rollers to be discharged to the outside, and a discharge tray 117 on which transfer paper discharged to the outside of the main body 199 by the discharge roller 107 is stacked.

  The image forming apparatus 200 is also provided above a main body 199 with a reading device 114 that is a scanner that reads an image of a document, and an automatic document feeding device that is disposed above the reading device 114 and feeds the document to the reading device 114 (so-called so-called “original document feeding device”). ADF) 115.

  The image forming apparatus 200 is also provided in the lowermost part of the main body 199 and is provided with an exhaust unit 120 serving as an exhaust unit that exhausts air in the main body 199 to the outside of the main body 199, and detection results by various detection means. A control unit 191 including a CPU, a memory, and the like that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 200, and a communication unit 192 as a communication unit that receives image information for image formation from the outside.

The image forming apparatus 200 also branches from the transfer paper conveyance path from the fixing device 106 toward the paper discharge roller 107, and reverses the transferred transfer paper to the registration roller 104 again in a state where the transfer paper is switched back and upside down. A device 109 is included.
Therefore, the image forming apparatus 200 is a double-sided image forming apparatus.

The sheet feeding device 161 accommodates a plurality of transfer papers in a state where a plurality of transfer papers are stacked, and is arranged in multiple stages below the main body 199. The sheet feeding device 161 feeds the transfer paper toward the registration roller 104 at a predetermined timing.
The transfer paper sent out from the sheet feeding device 161 reaches the registration roller 104 through the paper feed path and is sandwiched between the rollers of the registration roller 104.

  The fixing device 106 includes a belt unit 162 and a pressure roller 163 pressed against the belt unit 162. The belt unit 162 includes an endless fixing belt 164, a fixing roller 165 that moves the fixing belt 164 endlessly, and a heating roller 166 that has the fixing belt 164 wrapped around the fixing roller 165 and has a heat source (not shown) inside. have

  The fixing device 106 passes the transfer paper carrying the toner image in a state where the transfer paper is sandwiched between the fixing unit, which is a pressure contact portion between the belt unit 162 and the pressure roller 163, so that the carried toner image is caused by the action of heat and pressure. It is fixed on the surface of the transfer paper. The fixing device 106 employs an oilless fixing method that does not use a release agent such as silicon oil.

  The exhaust unit 120 removes gas products such as ozone generated by image formation, and then exhausts the air in the main body 199 to the outside of the main body 199 to ventilate, and exhausts heat by this ventilation. The inside of the main body 199 is kept in a clean state and maintained in a state suitable for reforming. The exhaust unit 120 includes an air flow forming unit 122 including a fan 121 as an air flow forming unit that forms an air flow for performing such exhaust, and an air flow in the main body 199 formed by the fan 121. And a purifying unit 123 that removes components that can be given to the environment when exhausted as it is outside the main body 199, such as ozone in the air that takes the air in 199 to reach the air flow forming unit 122.

  The communication unit 192 can be connected to a communication line such as a PC, a telephone line, the Internet, or a LAN for inputting image information for image formation to the image forming apparatus 100, and can be connected to the image forming apparatus 100 in various ways. When the processing apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100, various information is subsequently exchanged with the processing apparatus.

  Regarding the image forming units 160Y, 160M, 160C, and 160BK, the configuration will be described as a representative of the configuration of the image forming unit 160Y including the photosensitive drum 70Y. Since the configurations of the other image forming units are substantially the same, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, the reference numerals corresponding to the reference numerals assigned to the configuration of the image forming unit 160Y are used as the configurations of the other image forming units. Or omitted, and detailed description will be omitted as appropriate.

  The image forming unit 160Y provided with the photoconductive drum 70Y includes a primary transfer roller 112Y and a drum cleaning device as a cleaning unit around the photoconductive drum 70Y along a moving direction that is counterclockwise in the drawing. It has a certain cleaning device 170Y, a neutralizing device provided with a neutralizing lamp (not shown) as a neutralizing unit, a charging device 190Y as a charging unit, and a developing device 180Y as a developing unit as a developing unit as a developing unit. .

  The optical scanning device 108 modulates light based on light information converted according to image information into a region between a charging region where the charging device 190Y faces the photosensitive drum 70Y and a developing region where the developing device 180Y faces. Then, the deflected laser beam L is irradiated while scanning, the surface to be scanned on the surface of the photosensitive drum 70Y after being charged by the charging device 190Y is exposed by spot irradiation, and can be converted into a yellow toner image by the developing device 180Y. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information to be visualized is written.

  The developing device 180Y agitates the developer, a developing roller 181Y disposed in close proximity to the photosensitive drum 70Y, a doctor blade (not shown) that regulates the developer on the developing roller 181Y to a certain height. A conveying screw (not shown) for supplying developer to the developing roller 181Y, a toner bottle (not shown) containing yellow toner, which is dry and wax-containing toner, a developing case (not shown) containing these, a DC component developing And a bias applying means (not shown) for applying a bias to the developing roller.

  The developer in the developing case is a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and yellow toner. This developer is supplied with yellow toner from a toner bottle and supplied, and the yellow toner supplied by a conveying screw is supplied. The toner and developer are agitated and mixed while being agitated and conveyed, frictionally charged, and supplied to and carried by the developing roller 181Y.

An operation and the like of the image forming apparatus 200 configured as described above will be described.
As the photosensitive drum 70Y rotates, the surface is uniformly negatively charged by the charging device 190Y.
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow color is formed by exposure scanning of the laser beam L from the optical scanning device 108.
This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 180Y with yellow toner in the developer, and the yellow toner image obtained by the development is primarily transferred to the transfer belt 111 that moves in the A1 direction by the primary transfer roller 112Y. The residual toner that has been transferred and remains after the transfer is removed by the cleaning device 170Y.
Next, the residual charge is removed by the static eliminator and used for the next static elimination and charging by the charging device 190Y.

  Similarly, toner images of the respective colors are formed on the other photosensitive drums 70M, 70C, and 70BK, and the formed toner images of the respective colors are transferred to the A1 direction by the primary transfer rollers 112M, 112C, and 112BK. The primary transfer is sequentially performed at the same position on 111. As the transfer belt 111 rotates in the A1 direction, the toner image superimposed on the transfer belt 111 moves to the secondary transfer nip, which is the position facing the secondary transfer belt 105, and adheres closely to the transfer paper. Secondary transfer is performed on the transfer paper by the action of the transfer bias and nip pressure, and a full-color image is formed on the transfer paper.

  The transfer paper conveyed between the transfer belt 111 and the secondary transfer belt 105 is fed out from the sheet feeding device 161 and fed, and the front end of the toner image on the transfer belt 111 is transferred by the registration roller 104. It is sent out at a timing facing the next transfer belt 105.

  When the toner images of all colors are transferred and carried on the transfer paper at once, the transfer paper is conveyed by the secondary transfer unit 176, specifically by the rotation of the secondary transfer belt 105, and enters the fixing device 106, where it is added. When passing through the fixing unit between the pressure roller 163 and the belt unit 162, the carried toner image is fixed by the action of heat and pressure, and the full-color image is fixed on the transfer paper.

  At the time of fixing, the wax contained in the toner particles constituting the toner image oozes out on the surface of the toner image, and the toner image surface is coated with a hydrophobic film having releasability. The adhesion to the fixing belt 164 is prevented or suppressed.

  The fixed transfer paper that has passed through the fixing device 106 passes through the paper discharge roller 107 and is stacked on the paper discharge tray 117 or is guided back to the reversing device 109 and switched back and upside down. It is fed to the roller 104 and passes through the secondary transfer nip. Note that the image can be formed on both sides of the transfer paper S by this refeeding, but the image may be formed on the transfer paper S only at the time of the refeeding.

  In this way, the transfer paper that has been stacked on the paper discharge tray 117 and on which image formation has been performed by the image forming apparatus 200 becomes an output product of the image forming apparatus 200. This output has a hydrophobic surface mainly in a region where a toner image is formed. In order to satisfactorily perform processing that requires hydrophilicity on the output material, it is necessary to perform modification to make the hydrophobic portion hydrophilic by using the surface of the output material as a processing surface.

  Even when the fixing device 106 is an oil application type in which a hydrophobic release agent such as silicone oil is applied to the fixing belt 164, the release agent applied to the fixing belt 164 is transferred to the transfer paper. For this reason, the surface of the output product has hydrophobicity, and it is necessary to perform modification to make the surface to be modified hydrophilic by using the same surface including releasability.

  Therefore, in order to modify the surface of such an output product using the above-described stand-alone type reformer 100, the workpiece S having such a surface including the surface of the toner image as the workpiece surface is used. 15, the output product stacked on the paper discharge tray 117 is set on the feeding unit 30 as the workpiece S, and the operation panel 93 is operated to change the output from the feeding unit 30. The feeding of the workpiece S to the mass part 10 will be started.

  When this reforming is performed, the proper one of the normal position and the reverse position is set in accordance with the orientation of the reforming unit 80 according to the direction of the non-processed surface of the workpiece S loaded on the discharge tray 117. If set to, workability at the time of such setting is improved. In this case, since the image forming apparatus 200 is a double-sided image forming apparatus, the non-processed surface of the workpiece S stacked on the discharge tray 117 is facing upward or downward. Because there is.

  For example, if the workpiece S loaded on the discharge tray 117 is reversed and set in the feeding unit 30 in accordance with the posture of the reforming unit 80, the reversing work itself takes time and effort. If the stacked state of the workpieces S collapses during the reversal, further alignment work of the workpieces S is required. However, since the posture of the reforming unit 80 can be set to either the normal position or the reverse position, the workpiece S loaded on the paper discharge tray 117 is set in the feeding unit 30 in the same direction. This set only needs to be reloaded from the discharge tray 117, and the workability of such a set is good.

As shown in FIG. 16, the reformer 100 is not a stand-alone type, and is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 200 that performs post-processing of the processed object by using the output object on which the image has been formed in the image forming apparatus 200. A possible post-processing device 195 may be provided. The reformer 100 provided in the post-processing device 195 is omitted as a communication unit that communicates with the communication unit 192 while omitting the feeding unit 30 as compared with the reformer 100 described above. A communication unit 92 is provided. Further, in this reformer 100, in the communication unit 92, information regarding which surface should be the processing surface and information regarding the image forming speed of the workpiece, which is an output product of the image forming apparatus 200, are image forming. It is input from the apparatus 200 side.
In the image forming apparatus 200, the paper discharge tray 117 is omitted as compared with the image forming apparatus 200 described above.

  When the post-processing device 195 is attached to the image forming apparatus 200, the communication unit 92 can communicate with the communication unit 192. When the image forming apparatus 200 is started in the image forming apparatus 200, the post-processing apparatus 195 is notified to that effect from the communication unit 192 to the communication unit 92, the reforming unit 10 and the exhaust unit 20 start operating, The output material discharged from the image forming apparatus 200 by the paper roller 107 enters the reforming device 100 as a workpiece, and the reforming is performed.

  At this time, the image forming speed in the image forming apparatus 200 is input from the communication unit 192 to the communication unit 92, and the rotation speed of the motor 18 is adjusted so that the rotation speed of the transport belt 12 matches the image forming speed. As a result, in the post-processing device 195, the workpiece is reformed quickly and without jamming of the workpiece.

  If the positioning state of the reforming unit 80 does not match with the information on which surface of the workpiece S should be the processing surface, the display on the operation panel 93 displays that fact. Warning by doing.

When the image forming apparatus 200 has a display unit that can give such a warning, for example, the display unit similar to the display unit in the operation panel 93, the warning may be displayed on the display unit. In this case, the display unit on the operation panel 93 can be omitted.
Other operations are as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the reformer 100 may be provided in the image forming apparatus 200 itself. In this case, as shown in the figure, the reforming unit 10 is incorporated between the fixing device 106 and the discharge tray 117 and closer to the fixing device 106 than the branching position to the reversing device 109, and the exhaust unit 120 is shared with the exhaust unit 20, the sheet feeding device 161 is shared with the feeding unit 30, and the paper discharge tray 117 is shared with the stacking unit 40. As described above, when the image forming apparatus 200 includes the reforming apparatus 100 and an output product on which an image has been formed is used as a workpiece in the reforming apparatus 100, the reforming apparatus 100 reforms the processing surface. By sharing parts, the number of parts is reduced, and there is an advantage in cost reduction and size reduction. Also in this case, the posture of the reforming unit 80 is set to either the normal position or the reverse position depending on which surface of the workpiece should be the processing surface. In this case, the image forming apparatus 200 has a display unit similar to the display unit on the operation panel 93, for example, and displays a warning on the display unit in the same manner as described above.

  These various reforming apparatuses 100 may have a processing means for performing processing that has been made possible by the modification on the work surface modified by modifying the work. Since the reforming apparatus 100 has a function of modifying the processing surface having hydrophobicity to hydrophilicity, as such processing means, the coating property is low on the hydrophobic surface and coating is performed on the hydrophilic surface. A varnish coater that coats varnish with high properties can be mentioned. As an example in which the reforming apparatus 100 has a varnish coater as the processing means, FIG. 18 shows an example in which the reforming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 or 16 has a varnish coater 60 as a processing apparatus as the processing means. Show.

  The varnish coater 60 includes a storage unit 61 that stores liquid varnish, a first roller 62 that is partially immersed in the storage unit 61, and a varnish applied from the first roller 62 in contact with the first roller 62. The second roller 63, and the varnish applied from the second roller 63 in contact with the second roller 63 and the varnish applied from the second roller 63 being conveyed by the conveying belt 12 It has the 3rd roller 64 apply | coated to a thing, and the fan 65 as a drying means for drying the varnish apply | coated to the to-be-processed object. The third roller 64 is rotated with the conveyance belt 12 or the workpiece conveyed thereby, the second roller 63 is rotated with the third roller, and the first roller 62 is rotated with the second roller 63. To go around.

  According to the reforming apparatus 100 having such a configuration, a series of processes for performing processing enabled by the reforming are continuously performed together with the reforming. Further, by drying the varnish with the fan 65, it is possible to prevent or suppress the varnish from being transferred to the workpieces stacked on the stacking tray 41, and the surface of the workpiece to be polished due to the varnish appears early.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and the present invention described in the claims is not specifically limited by the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the above.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the counter electrode unit 53 has a roller-like counter electrode roller 52 instead of a flat plate as a counter electrode as a counter electrode for generating plasma with the discharge electrode roller 51. You may have. In this case, it can be said that the counter electrode is divided in the conveyance direction of the workpiece. A plurality of counter electrode rollers 52 are provided so as to form a pair with each discharge electrode roller 51. The counter electrode roller 52 is conductive such as aluminum, and the surface thereof is covered with a dielectric or an insulator. The counter electrode roller 52 rotates with the transport belt 12. Therefore, unlike the flat counter electrode 52, the sliding contact of the transport belt 12 does not occur, so the burden on the transport belt 12 is light and the transport belt 12 is maintained in a good state over time. In this case, the counter electrode driving means displaces at least one of the plurality of counter electrode rollers 52 with respect to the discharge electrode roller 51.

  Further, the reforming unit is not limited to upside down depending on the arrangement mode of the conveyance path in the reformer, and may be positioned in, for example, left and right inverted positions. The reforming unit may be configured to perform reforming in different transport paths in each posture, even when the posture is in a plurality of postures by rotation about the rotation axis. This is because a plurality of transport paths are provided in the reforming device, and the rotation shaft is arranged so as to be shifted from the transport position of the workpiece by the transport belt, so that reforming can be performed in different transport paths by rotation. It is a case where it is constituted so that. The same applies to the case where the reforming apparatus is disposed in the post-processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus.

  The reforming unit can be reformed at different positions in the reforming device depending on the arrangement of the transport path in the reforming device, instead of having multiple postures by rotating around the rotation axis. You may be comprised so that it may become a proper attitude | position. For example, when there are a plurality of transport paths branched into the reformer, reforming is performed on each transport path. Further, for example, when the reforming apparatus is a post-processing apparatus having a punch section and a staple section, and each section is provided in a post-processing apparatus provided in a different transport path, it passes through any of the sections. This is a case in which the work is selectively modified. Further, for example, when the reforming device is provided in the image forming apparatus, the workpiece passes through either the position before passing the image forming unit or the position after passing the image forming unit. In this case, the modification is performed.

  The reforming apparatus according to the present invention includes a workpiece type detecting means for detecting the type of workpiece, for example, plain paper, thin paper, thick paper, or an OHP sheet. By using the workpiece type information detected by use, the energy applied to the discharge electrode by the plasma control means may be adjusted to control the intensity of the plasma contacting the workpiece surface. When the reforming apparatus according to the present invention is provided in the post-processing apparatus, the workpiece type information and other various types of information described above may be input by a communication means provided for the reforming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus is equipped with the reforming apparatus according to the present invention, information used for the image forming apparatus may be used as the workpiece type information and other various information described above. The reforming apparatus according to the present invention may be a stand-alone type or provided with a communication means. The communication means can be connected to a communication line such as a PC, the Internet, or a LAN, and the communication means is connected to the communication line. The above-described various information such as workpiece type information may be input.

  In each of the above embodiments, the discharge electrode is configured to contact the workpiece. However, the discharge electrode may be disposed at a position separated from the workpiece by a minute distance of, for example, about 50 μm. . If the discharge electrode is separated from the workpiece, for example, when the workpiece is transfer paper, the paper powder attached to the transfer paper adheres to the discharge electrode, and the performance of the discharge electrode decreases. It is prevented or suppressed that dirt adhering to the workpiece adheres to the discharge electrode and deteriorates the performance of the discharge electrode. However, in the configuration in which the discharge electrode is separated from the work piece, the distance between the discharge electrode and the counter becomes large, so that energy loss occurs and becomes a factor that inhibits creeping discharge. Smaller is preferable. In order to reduce uneven wear due to the discharge of the discharge electrode or to improve the uniformity of the modification of the work surface by changing the surface discharge or plasma formation site, the discharge electrode is separated from the work piece. Even in such a configuration, it is preferable to rotate the discharge electrode.

  An image forming apparatus having a reforming apparatus to which the present invention is applied or an image forming apparatus for forming an output product to be processed by the reforming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is a so-called tandem method as shown in FIG. Instead of the image forming apparatus, a so-called one-drum type image forming apparatus that sequentially forms toner images of the respective colors on one photosensitive drum and sequentially superimposes the color toner images to obtain a color image may be used. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a color image forming apparatus but also to a monochrome image forming apparatus. In any type of image forming apparatus, a toner image of each color may be directly transferred onto a transfer sheet or the like without using an intermediate transfer member. However, in an image forming apparatus using a wax-containing toner, superimposing toner images to obtain a color image or the like becomes more hydrophobic, so that the effect of performing the modification is high.

  The post-processing apparatus having the reforming apparatus to which the present invention is applied may have a function of aligning a workpiece to be reformed and output, a punch function, a staple function, and the like. The stapling function is preferably provided so as to staple the workpiece having the processing means as described above and processed by the processing means.

If the modification is performed in a desired state such as being performed uniformly, the modification may be performed in a state where the conveyance of the workpiece by the belt is stopped or intermittently performed.
The support of the belt is not limited to the above-described two support members. If a flat portion is formed on the belt by the two support members, a support member different from the two support members is added. The belt may be supported. This another support member may be a fixed member instead of a roller.

  The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Conveying means 12 Belt 12a Plane portion 13, 14 Two support members, tension applying member 17 Driving means 33 Detection means 34b Discharge port 35a, 35b Multiple suction ports 36 Cap portion 38 Rotating shaft 45 Positioning means 45a Positioning member 51 Discharge electrode 80 Reforming unit 100 Reforming apparatus 195 Post-processing apparatus 200 Image forming apparatus S Work piece

JP-A-3-204663 JP-A-4-362664 JP 2011-57442 A JP 2011-59639 A JP 2011-60735 A JP 2011-60737 A

Claims (11)

Conveying means for conveying the workpiece, and plasma that is disposed opposite to the conveying means and that contacts the workpiece surface of the workpiece to modify the workpiece surface is applied to the workpiece surface. A reforming unit comprising a discharge electrode for forming
A reforming apparatus comprising positioning means for positioning the reforming unit at a plurality of positions and allowing the reforming unit to modify the work surface at a plurality of positions. The reformer according to claim 1, wherein
The transport means includes a belt that moves to transport the workpiece, and two support members that support the belt,
The belt is arranged so that the discharge electrode is opposed to a plane portion that is stretched between the two support members,
Of the two support members, the support member on the upstream side of the planar portion in the moving direction of the belt is a tension applying member that applies tension to the belt, and the downstream side of the planar portion in the moving direction of the belt. The support member is a drive roller that is rotationally driven to move the belt in the moving direction.
Drive means coupled to the downstream support member for rotationally driving the support member to move the belt in the moving direction;
The said positioning means is provided with the positioning member which positions the said downstream support member in the connection position connected with the said drive means, The reformer characterized by the above-mentioned. The reformer according to claim 2, wherein
The two support members are both the tension applying members,
Depending on the position where the reforming unit is positioned by the positioning means, either one of the two support members is positioned at the connection position by the positioning member, and is connected to the drive means to the drive roller. A reformer characterized by comprising: The reformer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The reforming apparatus characterized in that the positioning means can position the reforming unit at each position where the reforming unit is inverted so that the workpieces on the plane portion occupy the same position. The reformer according to claim 4, wherein
The reforming apparatus characterized in that the transport direction of the workpiece in the reforming unit is maintained by reversing the transport direction of the workpiece by the transport means at the respective positions. The reformer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reformer is dependent on the reformer according to claim 2.
A rotation shaft provided in parallel with the drive roller and rotatably supporting the reforming unit;
The positioning member restricts rotation of the reforming unit by contacting the downstream support member when the reforming unit is rotated about the rotation shaft. apparatus. The reformer according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The reforming unit includes a discharge port for discharging ozone generated by forming the plasma by the discharge electrode,
A reformer having a plurality of suction ports that are selectively connected to the discharge port and suck the ozone according to a position where the reforming unit is positioned by the positioning means. The reformer according to claim 7, wherein
The reforming unit includes a cap unit for closing a suction port different from a suction port connected to the discharge port among the plurality of suction ports. The reformer according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A reforming apparatus comprising a detecting means for detecting a positioning state of the reforming unit by the positioning means.   A post-processing apparatus comprising the reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing apparatus is detachable from the image forming apparatus and performs post-processing of the workpiece on which the image has been formed in the image forming apparatus. A post-processing device that modifies a processing surface of the workpiece on which the image has been formed in the reforming device.   An image forming apparatus comprising the reforming device according to claim 1, wherein the processing surface of the workpiece on which an image has been formed is reformed by the reforming device.

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