Method, system, and apparatus for detaching and collecting an ic tag from a paper sheet to which it is attached

Abstract

In order to efficiently detach and collect an IC tag ( 1 ) from a paper sheet ( 2 ) to which the IC tag ( 1 ) is attached, the IC tag ( 1 ) is detached from the paper sheet ( 2 ) by applying external force to the adhesive surface between the paper sheet ( 2 ) and the IC tag ( 1 ) (detachment step). Next, the detached IC tag ( 1 ) is fractionated from other substances (fractionation step).

1 . An apparatus for detaching and collecting an IC tag from a paper sheet to which said IC tag is attached, comprising:
 a detaching container for storing a liquid;   a solid type screen, which is provided within said detaching container and functions as a filter, for holding said paper sheet to which said IC tag is attached;   an agitator for generating a flow of said liquid within said detaching container by agitating said liquid; and   discharge ports, formed in side and/or bottom surfaces of said detaching container, for discharging paper components, passed through said solid type screen, of the paper components of said paper sheet fragmented within said solid type screen by said flow generated by said agitator.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a paper-component processing container for holding a suspension that contains paper components passed through said solid type screen, and separating said suspension into said paper components and a liquid;   a suspension flow path for supplying said suspension from the discharge ports of said detaching container to said paper-component processing container;   a return flow path for returning to said detaching container said liquid separated by said paper-component processing container; and   a pump for circulating said liquid between said detaching container and said paper-component processing container, through said suspension flow path and said return flow path.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said agitator comprises an impeller and a drive unit for driving said impeller. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein
 said agitator operates between a first operating state in which a swirl flow of said liquid is generated within said detaching container in a direction of positive rotation and a second operating state in which said swirl flow is generated in a direction of reverse rotation; and when agitating said liquid, said first operating state and said second operating state are switched in predetermined cycles.