A decoloring apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit, a scanner, a decoloring unit, and a controller. The decoloring unit decolors the image on the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying unit. The decoloring unit is positioned downstream of the scanner in a sheet conveying direction. A distance along the sheet conveying direction between the scanner and the decoloring unit is shorter than a length of a first predetermined sheet size and longer than a length of a second predetermined sheet size. A controller determines whether the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit is the first predetermined sheet size or the second predetermined sheet size. The controller performs a mode limiting process if the sheet size is determined to be the first predetermined sheet size.

Systems and methods for printing a plurality of images on an object include receiving a digital file comprising a plurality of images (removable and/or permanent) to be printed on an object. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of images: determining whether that image is a removable image or a permanent image, identifying, based on the determination, at least one layer to be used for printing that image in addition to a marking material layer, determining a composition of the marking material layer, and determining a composition of the at least one layer. The at least one layer may be a pre-coat layer applied under the marking material layer and/or a post-coat layer applied over the marking material layer. The marking material layer and the at least one layer are then printed on the object.

The disclosure relates to ink compositions for digital printing on an external surface of a plastic article. The ink compositions comprise an ink removal-promoting additive. In some aspects, the ink removal-promoting additive can facilitate the separation or loosening of the image from the external surface of the article when the image is exposed to a liquid-based solution at an elevated temperature. Also disclosed are recyclable plastic articles having an external surface with an image printed thereon using the disclosed ink composition and methods for removing cured ink from a plastic container. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

According to one embodiment, a decoloring device includes a reading unit, a decoloring unit, and a control unit. The reading unit is configured to read control information from a first image formed in a predetermined area of a sheet. The decoloring unit is configured to decolor a portion or entirety of a second image, different from the first image, formed on the sheet using a decolorable recording material. The control unit is configured to control erasing of the data of the second image from a storage device, based on the control information, in a case where the decoloring unit decolors the second image.

A printing process for dosage forms selected from hard or soft capsules, the process comprising the steps of: (i) providing a plurality of said dosage forms, preferably filled with a liquid composition, in a reservoir; (ii) transferring a predetermined number of the dosage forms from said reservoir to a printing station; (iii) printing indicia over each of the dosage forms; (iv) transferring the printed dosage forms to an inspection station arranged to sense a predetermined characteristic of the indicia; (v) sorting the dosage forms based on the sensed predetermined characteristic of the indicia by separating dosage forms that meet the predetermined characteristics from dosage forms that do not meet the predetermined characteristics; wherein the dosage forms that do not meet the predetermined characteristics are collected and further processed through a regenerating unit arranged to remove the indicia from the dosage forms in a regeneration step, and further re-processed according to steps (i) to (v).

A free radical radiation curable liquid includes a) a photoinitiator; and b) a monomer or oligomer including an alkali hydrolyzable group. The alkali hydrolyzable group is an oxalate group located in the atomic chain between two free radical polymerizable groups of the monomer or oligomer including the alkali hydrolyzable group.

An image decoloring apparatus includes a reader configured to read an image on a sheet to acquire image data, a storage section configured to store the image data acquired by the reader, and a first heater configured to heat the sheet. The apparatus further includes a difference extractor configured to extract difference image data based on first image data read from the sheet before it is heated by the first heater and second image data read from the sheet after it is heated by the first heater. The apparatus additionally includes a setting section configured to set a password required to access the difference image data.

A method is provided of generating a pattern image used to form a pattern on a surface of a fabric using laser irradiation. A plurality of parameters associated with laser irradiation units are input into a user interface. The parameters include an area parameter, a laser irradiation unit density parameter, optionally a discontinuity parameter, and a dye removal parameter. A plurality of laser irradiation units arranged in a pattern area of a user interface based on computer processing of the inputted plurality of parameters is received for viewing at the user interface. The laser irradiation units collectively establish the pattern image for viewing by the user.

An optical apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an apparatus that performs one or both of writing and erasing of information with respect to a reversible recording medium. This optical apparatus includes a plurality of laser devices varying in emission wavelength in a near infrared region (700 nm to 2500 nm), an optical system that multiplexes laser beams outputted from the plurality of laser devices, and a scanner unit that scans a multiplexed light beam obtained by multiplexing by the optical system, on the reversible recording medium.

A decoloring apparatus includes a sheet conveying unit, a scanner, a decoloring unit, and a controller. The decoloring unit decolors the image on the sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying unit. The decoloring unit is positioned downstream of the scanner in a sheet conveying direction. A distance along the sheet conveying direction between the scanner and the decoloring unit is shorter than a length of a first predetermined sheet size and longer than a length of a second predetermined sheet size. A controller determines whether the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit is the first predetermined sheet size or the second predetermined sheet size. The controller performs a mode limiting process if the sheet size is determined to be the first predetermined sheet size.