Patent ID: 8260188

Claim:
An image erasing apparatus for erasing an image on a sheet, comprising: a sheet supplying unit configured to supply a sheet having an image formed with an erasable material that is erased when heated to a temperature that is equal to or higher than an erasing temperature of the erasable material; a sheet conveying unit configured to convey the sheet from the sheet supplying unit; a heater configured to heat the sheet to a temperature equal to or higher than the erasing temperature; a storage portion configured to store the sheet; a longitudinal aligning portion configured to contact a leading end of the sheet conveyed to the storage portion; a first lateral aligning portion and a second lateral aligning portion configured to align the sheet by receiving the sheet therebetween; a driving unit configured to drive at least one of the first lateral aligning portion and the second lateral aligning portion in a lateral width direction of the sheet to align the sheet laterally; and a controller configured to control the driving unit when the sheet is conveyed to the storage portion.