Method and apparatus for removing image from recording material, and image peeling member for peeling image from recording material

An image removing method, comprising:

• heating a recording material having thereon an image including a thermoplastic material to a temperature at which the thermoplastic material has a plasticity;
• pressure-contacting a first outermost layer of an uppermost stream peeling member with a surface of the recording material, on which the image is formed, while the thermoplastic material in the image maintains a plasticity;
• separating the uppermost stream peeling member from the recording material to transfer at least a portion of the image to the uppermost stream peeling member;
• and
• repeating the heating, pressure-contacting and separating steps at least one more time using at least one downstream peeling member,
• wherein the first outermost layer of the uppermost stream peeling member does not have a plasticity when being pressure-contacted with the recording material, and at least one of the at least one downstream peeling member has a second outermost layer which has a plasticity when being pressure-contacted with the recording material, and
• wherein the recording material comprises a material, which decreases adhesiveness of the image to the recording material, in the recording material or in a layer located on the recording material.