JP2000185468A - Method and apparatus for thermally recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an adhesion of a foreign matter to a thermal head by indirectly heating a thermal recording medium through a heat resistant film between a heating element and the recording medium. SOLUTION: When a recording material P arrives at a position of an image erasing means 2, the material P is urged (in an N1 direction) to a platen roller 4 by a contacting and separating mechanism through a heat resistance film 7. The roller 4 and a bobbin 6a rotate in directions of arrows B, S. In this case, the film 1 is wound on the bobbin 6a in a length of the material P while the roller 4 is rotated one revolution. A power is supplied to a thermal head 21 during its period, a heating element is heated to heat the material P through the film 7. When a temperature of the layer of the material P becomes an image erasing temperature or higher, an image of the layer is erased. Thereafter, the material P erased by the means 2 is recorded by an image recording means 3. The film 1 is formed of a resin material having excellent slidability and heat resistance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording method and apparatus, and more particularly to an image recording method and apparatus for a thermosensitive recording material capable of performing image recording and / or erasing by a thermal method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A method for forming an image (including characters) is as follows.
It is classified into many types based on its recording principle.

One of them is a thermal recording system. A thermal head is used as a recording means, and a color-forming type thermosensitive recording paper such as a leuco dye or a diazo dye is selectively melted and reacted with the color former and the developer in the thermosensitive recording paper by heat energy from the thermal head. This is a method in which the color is developed and recorded. Since the method is simple in principle and device configuration, it is widely used in facsimile machines and the like. As a disadvantage, it recolors on heating and is not used for permanent storage. Further, since the recording method is based on an irreversible reaction, once the color is generated, the color cannot be erased, and therefore, the thermal recording paper cannot be repeatedly used.

[0004] There is also a thermal recording system which enables color recording by using a color thermal recording material in which a cyan thermosensitive coloring layer, a magenta thermosensitive coloring layer, a yellow thermosensitive coloring layer and a protective layer are provided on a support. In order to record a color image on a color thermosensitive recording material, a thermal head having a plurality of heating elements is brought into direct contact with the surface of the color thermosensitive recording material, and the yellow image is thermally recorded on a yellow thermosensitive coloring layer while being relatively moved. Then, the yellow thermosensitive coloring layer is light-fixed by irradiating near ultraviolet rays of 420 nm. Next, after the magenta image was thermally recorded on the magenta thermosensitive coloring layer, 36
The magenta heat-sensitive coloring layer is light-fixed by irradiating ultraviolet rays of 5 nm. Finally, the cyan image is thermally recorded on the cyan thermosensitive coloring layer.

[0005] This method has an advantage that it is difficult to re-color because it is fixed by light after recording, but it is an irreversible recording method.

On the other hand, in recent years, from the viewpoint of resource saving, a reversible thermosensitive recording material capable of repeatedly recording and erasing an image and a new image recording apparatus using the same have been proposed.

For example, an image is formed and erased by a physical change utilizing a change in transparency due to an organic low-molecular substance dispersed in a resin base material. This thermoreversible material reversibly changes between a transparent state and a cloudy state by heat, and can maintain the two forms even at room temperature.

[0008] Further, an image is formed and erased by a chemical change utilizing a color change caused by opening and closing of the lactone ring of the leuco dye. This thermoreversible material reversibly changes between a colored state and a decolored state by heat.

[0009] To record an image on such a reversible thermosensitive recording medium, the thermal head is formed on the thermal head in a state where the thermal head is brought into pressure contact with the recording medium in the same manner as in the irreversible recording method described above. The heating is performed by selectively heating the plurality of heating elements according to an image signal. Further, to erase an image formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording medium, all the plurality of heating elements formed on the thermal head are heated while the thermal head is in pressure contact with the recording medium. I was going.

As another recording method, there is a thermal transfer recording method. This image recording method is currently used in video printers and the like because it can provide high-quality recording comparable to silver halide photography, and a sheet-like film coated with ink, a so-called ink sheet, is recorded on the ink-coated surface. Arranged so as to face the paper, press the thermal head from the side opposite to the ink application surface, and selectively heat the plurality of heating elements of the thermal head to melt or sublime the ink on the ink sheet. A recording method and apparatus for transferring to recording paper.

The apparatus configuration in which a thermal head is used as a recording means belongs to a technology very similar to the above-described thermal recording method. However, as described above, the recording principle is completely different, and the recording paper does not produce any heat-sensitive action, but transfers the ink to the recording paper after melting or sublimating the ink on the ink sheet. is there. The role of the film in this system is to carry a thin layer / solid ink, and is an essential component in the recording principle.

As described above, in the recording method using a thermal head, when recording or erasing, the thermal head comes into contact with the heat-sensitive recording medium. Scrap and the like of the contact member generated due to friction between the head and the recording medium tended to accumulate, resulting in a decrease in recording quality and poor recording.

In order to solve these problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
-47989, JP-A-8-175041,
JP-A-9-14039, JP-A-10-1517
No. 78 is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-47989 uses a blade for removing foreign matters adhering and depositing on a thermal recording medium.

JP-A-8-175041 discloses that after a cleaning sheet provided with an adhesive is conveyed to a thermal head position, the thermal head is pressed against the adhesive of the cleaning sheet while the cleaning sheet is stationary. This is a method for removing surface dirt.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-142039 discloses a thermosensitive recording medium having a recording area and a printing area, wherein the surface roughness of the printing area is formed coarser than the surface roughness of the recording area. Then, by contacting the thermal head from the print area before the recording area, dust and dirt attached to the thermal head are removed in the print area.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-151778 discloses a method of scraping dirt and dirt attached to a thermal head by using a belt-like mechanism having a projection on a part of the belt for removing dirt from the thermal head.

[0018]

Any of the above methods is
Dust attached to the thermal recording medium or thermal head,
It relates to a method for removing dust and the like, and is not a method for preventing it at all.

Particularly, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-47989, there is a possibility that the surface of the heat-sensitive recording medium may be damaged when foreign matter is removed by the blade.

In particular, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-175041, there is a problem that the cleaning performance is greatly changed by the change of the environmental temperature because the property of the adhesive changes by the change of the environmental temperature. Further, when the characteristics of the adhesive are deteriorated at a high temperature, there is a problem that the adhesive adheres to the thermal head, and the recording or erasing characteristics of the thermal head are rather deteriorated.

In particular, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-142039, since a processing step of a cleaning function is provided on the medium itself, there are problems that the number of steps is increased and that a product image is damaged. There is also a problem that the effect can be obtained only with a specific medium having a cleaning function.

Further, when a recording medium recorded with a pencil or water / oil-based magic or the like on the recording medium is used, the pencil powder or the like adheres to the surface of the heating element of the thermal head. May adhere to the surface of the heating element due to the heat of the thermal head, which may cause deterioration of performance and damage of the thermal head. Pencil powder can be removed by the conventional method described above.

However, since magic is not generally considered in terms of heat resistance, when heated at a high temperature of about 200 ° C. by a thermal head, the components are altered, and this is fixed in the heating element portion of the thermal head. It cannot be removed, and it has become clear that this is a cause of lowering the reliability of the device. In addition, the components in the magic enter the heating element of the thermal head, which reacts with the composition of the thermal head to cause deterioration. These problems could not be solved by the above-mentioned conventional method.

In particular, in the case of a reversible thermosensitive recording medium, since it is used repeatedly, the type of the foreign substance cannot be specified, and various foreign substances may be attached. Therefore, it has become clear that it is necessary to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the thermal head.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent foreign substances from adhering to a thermal head.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal recording method and a recording apparatus excellent in recording quality and durability.

[0026]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording method for forming an image on a heat-sensitive recording medium using a heat-sensitive recording medium which causes a visual change by applying thermal energy. In the method, an image is formed by indirectly heating the heat-sensitive recording medium via a heat-resistant film between the heating body and the heat-sensitive recording medium, or
The image recording method according to claim 2, wherein the recording medium is a reversible thermosensitive recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for heating and heating a heat-sensitive recording medium, a pressing means for pressing the heat-sensitive recording medium between the heating means, and A heat-sensitive recording device provided with a conveying means for conveying the heat-resistant film, wherein a heat-resistant film disposed between the heating element and the heat-sensitive recording medium, and a contact surface of the heat-resistant film with the heating element or the heat-sensitive recording medium are changed. And a film moving means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the film is:
One surface is a film which slides with the heating means, and the other surface is a film which moves together while being in contact with the thermosensitive recording medium.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the film is
The film is characterized in that the film slides on the heat-sensitive recording medium while maintaining the same contact position with the heating means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the film is particularly endless, and has a pair of bobbins on which the film is stretched, and the entire film is wound on a first bobbin on which the film is wound. When taken, the film is rewound on the other second bobbin.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the film and the pair of bobbins are housed in a detachable cartridge.

In the apparatus according to the present invention, the film comprises a resin base layer and a sliding layer formed on the resin base layer, and at least the sliding layer is formed outside the recording area in the main scanning direction. It is characterized in that an area not provided is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the driving roller for driving the film drives the film from a surface on which the sliding layer is not formed.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of an image recording apparatus having a function of recording an image on a reversible thermosensitive recording medium 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as a recording material) and erasing an image recorded on a recording medium P. In this configuration, two heating units, that is, the erasing unit 2 and the recording unit 3 are arranged on the periphery of the platen roller 4.

In this embodiment, the erasing means 2 is provided for erasing an image recorded on a reversible thermosensitive recording medium. However, an image recording apparatus having only a function of recording on an irreversible thermosensitive recording medium may be used. If so, the erasing means 2 can be omitted. In the configuration of FIG. 1, an irreversible thermosensitive recording medium can be used. The same applies to the following embodiments.

The platen roller 4 is made of resin and has a cylindrical shape of φ50, and is connected to a drive source (not shown) so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow B. Further, the recording material P can be wound along the cylindrical surface of the platen roller 4.
In addition, since one end of the recording material P is clamped to the U portion of the drum 4, the displacement of the recording material P with respect to the drum 4 is prevented, and high image quality is achieved.

As described above, in this embodiment, the platen roller 4 has a function of conveying the recording material P in addition to the function of the pressing means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As will be described later, a unit for conveying the recording material P is separately provided, and the pressing unit may be a fixed member such as a flat plate or a semi-cylindrical shape.

As the erasing means 2, for example, a thermal head used in a facsimile, a video printer or the like can be used. However, unlike erasing, it is not necessary to have a heating element structure corresponding to the recording resolution at the time of erasing. As shown in FIG. 2A, a single and linear heating element having at least a recording width or more is required. The body 211 may be used. At this time, the material and the like of the heating element may be basically the same as those used in the above-described thermal head, and Ru, T
There are carbides such as i, Mo, W, V, Nb, Zr, and Hf, nitrides, oxides, and binary heating elements of silicon and boron. For example, when performing A6 size image recording, the width is 120 mm, the thickness is 2 mm, and the length in the transport direction is 10 mm.
A heating resistor layer made of silver palladium or the like is formed by screen printing with a thickness of 5 to 30 μm and a size of 100 mm × 2 mm on the ceramic substrate. Further, a protective film made of crystallized glass is provided on the surface for the purpose of preventing friction and oxidation. Further, a structure in which a glaze film made of crystallized glass is provided below the heating resistor layer in order to improve the thermal response.

Alternatively, a ruthenium oxide-based heating resistor (thick strip film resistor) having a width of 45 to 55 μm is formed on a partial glaze alumina substrate by a lift-off method.
Further, a thick silver layer, a first overglaze layer (abrasion resistant layer), and a second overglaze layer (flat layer) may be formed by printing and baking.

Alternatively, a film having a thickness of 800
(Angstrom) tantalum-silicon dioxide (Ta-
It may be a thin film formed by sputtering with SiO2).

In order to control the temperature of the heating element 211, a temperature detecting element such as a thermistor is disposed on the ceramic substrate. The substrate temperature can be electrically detected and controlled by a method such as converting a change in resistance value due to the temperature of the thermistor into a change in voltage value, and comparing the voltage with a reference voltage.

The temperature detecting element is not limited to a thermistor, but may be a temperature measuring resistor such as a Pt film, an infrared sensor, or the like.

In the thermal head 21 having such a structure, one end of the head holder 22 is rotatably held.
The other end of the head holder 22 is rotatably supported. By rotating the thermal head 21 in the arrow N1 direction about the other end as the center of rotation, the thermal head 21 held at one end can press the platen roller 4. At this time, the thermal head 21 and the platen roller 4 are pressed via the heat resistant film 7 and the recording material P.

The heat resistant film 7 is formed of a resin material having excellent slidability and heat resistance.
It is a thick polyester film. When the thickness is too small, wrinkles are generated. When the thickness is too large, heat of the thermal head is not effectively transmitted to the recording material.
It has been confirmed that about 100 μm or so is preferable. The width is determined by the width of the recording material. For example, the width is about 100 mm in the short side direction of the A6 size. The film 7 is configured to have a predetermined tension by a pair of bobbins 6a and 6b. That is, one bobbin 6
b, a heat-resistant film 7 is wound around the bobbin 6
a is arranged to wind up the heat-resistant film 7. The other bobbin 6a is connected to the film moving means 6 so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow S.

The film moving means 6 is specifically a motor, and the motor and the bobbin 6a are connected directly or via a gear.

Next, the recording means 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2B, the recording means 3 is a thermal head used in, for example, a facsimile or a video printer, and has a heating element pitch corresponding to a required recording resolution. Here, 5.5dos made by Kyocera
t / mm was used, but is not limited to this.
300 DPI (d for 11.8 dot / mm)
ot / inch).

Such a thermal head 31 is rotatably held at one end of a head holder 32. Also,
The other end of the head holder 32 is rotatably supported. When the thermal head 31 rotates in the direction of the arrow M <b> 1 around the other end in the direction of the arrow M <b> 1, the thermal head 31 held at one end can press the platen roller 4. At this time, the thermal head 31
Is pressed directly.

The recording material P is, as shown in FIG.
It has a structure in which a recording layer Pb made of a reversible thermosensitive recording material is provided thereon, and may have an overcoat layer as needed to protect the recording layer. Support P
a is a polyester film, for example, and the recording layer Pb
Is prepared by applying a solution obtained by melting a resin and an organic low-molecular substance in a solvent onto a support Pa, and drying by heating.

Alternatively, if a leuco dye, for example, a complex composed of a polyhydric phenol carboxylic acid and its ester and an organic amine is used as the thermoreversible material used for the recording layer Pb, it is possible to perform image recording by color change and decoloration change. it can.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present image recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. When a printing operation signal is input from an operator or another control device, the recording material P is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by the paper conveying means 5 and wound around the platen roller 4. The platen roller 4 rotates at a constant speed in the direction of arrow B in the figure, and the transport speed at this time is determined by the time required for image erasing or image recording, and is, for example, 30 mm / s. When the recording material P reaches the position where the image erasing means 2 is disposed, the image erasing means 2 presses the recording material P against the platen roller 4 via the film 7 by a separating mechanism (not shown) (N1 direction), State. In this pressed state, the platen roller 4 and the bobbin 6a rotate in the directions of arrows B and S, respectively.

At this time, while the platen roller 4 makes one rotation, the film 7 is moved by the length of the recording material P (about 150 mm in the longitudinal direction of the A6 size) by the bobbin 6.
a. During this time, power is supplied to the thermal head 21 from a power supply unit (not shown), and the heating element 211 generates heat, thereby heating the recording material P via the film 7. When the temperature of the recording layer Pb of the recording material P becomes equal to or higher than the image erasing temperature, the image formed on the recording layer Pb is erased. When the image erasure on the recording material P is completed, the head holder 22 rotates in the direction of the arrow N2 in the drawing, and the thermal head 21 held at one end of the head holder 22 releases the pressure contact with the platen roller 4.

The recording material P erased by the image erasing means 2 is recorded by the image recording means 3 according to the image information. Specifically, when the recording material P reaches the position where the image recording means 3 is arranged, the presence of the recording material P is detected by a sheet detecting means (not shown), for example, a transmission type photo interrupter. The thermal head 31 that has been separated from the platen roller 4 presses the platen roller 4 via the recording material P.

Then, an image is formed on the recording layer of the recording material P by selectively driving the individual heating elements 311 of the thermal head in the printing area of the recording material P. The operation of the thermal head at this time is basically the same as the method used in a sublimation type video printer or the like.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the image is erased by the erasing means 2 and, at the same time, the image is recorded by the recording means 3 on the recording portion of the recording material P on which the image has been erased.

After recording the image, the head holder 32 is moved to the arrow M2.
The thermal head 31 is released from the pressure contact state with the recording material P.

The recording material P on which the image has been recorded is discharged by the paper transport means 5 to a discharge tray (not shown) or the like. Alternatively, the sheet is discharged to the sheet feeding unit by the reverse rotation of the platen 4 and the conveying unit 5.

In the above embodiment, the operation in the case where the recording material P has a single color is described. However, the operation may be performed in the case of multi-color recording. do it.

When the film 7 in the erasing means is completely wound on the bobbin 6a, the bobbin 6a, 6b, 6a, 6b, 6b, 6b,
A method is conceivable in which b and the film 7 are configured in a cassette shape shown in FIG. 4 and a new film is used by replacing the cassette 9. FIG. 3A shows the case where the film is endless, and FIG. 3B shows the case where the film is endless.

Alternatively, a method is also conceivable in which a driving device that rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the bobbin 6a is attached to the bobbin 6b, the film is rewound to the bobbin 6b side by driving the device, and the same film is used again. In this case, as compared with the former method using a film cassette, there are effects such as downsizing and lowering the running cost because the cassette is not replaced. However, since heat and pressure are applied to the film, heat resistance, abrasion resistance and the like are deteriorated, and the desired effect may not be obtained after long-term use.
In this case, by combining the former method,
For example, a method of replacing after use five times is also conceivable.

As described above, in the present invention, since the erasing means 2 does not directly contact the recording material P, the heating element 2 of the erasing means 2
11 can be prevented from adhering to the recording material P, and can be prevented from deteriorating due to erosion, reaction, or the like caused by foreign substances adhering to the recording material P adhering to the erasing means 2. As a result, the image can be reliably erased without causing an erasing failure.

Therefore, even when an image is erased and recorded a plurality of times, an old image cannot be erased and does not mix with a new image, so that a high-quality image recording apparatus can be provided.

In the above description, a reversible thermosensitive recording medium has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a recording apparatus for forming an image on an irreversible thermosensitive recording medium.

(First Modification) FIG. 5 is a side view of a main part showing a modification of the image recording apparatus for recording an image on the recording material P, and a description of the same parts as in the previous embodiment will be omitted. In the previous embodiment, only the erasing means 2 is configured to pass through a film. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the recording means 3 may be configured to pass through a film.

That is, the thermal head 3 of the recording means 3
1 is composed of a plurality of heating elements 311 corresponding to the image recording resolution. Therefore, if dust or dust adheres to a part of the heating element, the heating of the recording material by that part is reduced compared to a desired amount. Therefore, an image having insufficient recording density is obtained, and density variation occurs. Further, if the amount of dust and dirt is large, recording cannot be performed at all. This is shown in FIG. The recording condition is that, in the case of solid recording, an area a where the density is reduced occurs in a portion where a small amount of dust and dust adheres, and recording is not performed in a portion b where a large amount of dust and dust adheres. .

In order to solve this, in the present embodiment, the recording means 3 has the same configuration as the erasing means 2. That is, the recording unit 3 can use a thermal head used in, for example, a facsimile or a video printer.

In the thermal head 31 having such a structure, one end of the head holder 32 is rotatably held.
The other end of the head holder 32 is rotatably supported. When the thermal head 31 rotates in the direction of the arrow M <b> 1 around the other end in the direction of the arrow M <b> 1, the thermal head 31 held at one end can press the platen roller 4. At this time, the recording thermal head 31 and the platen roller 4 are pressed via the heat-resistant film 73 and the recording material P.

The film 73 may be the same as the film used in the erasing means 2, but is not necessarily limited to the same film. If the material and the thickness of the film 73 are different due to heat resistance caused by a difference in heating temperature between the two. You may let it. The film 73 is configured to have a predetermined tension by a pair of bobbins 63a and 63b. That is, the heat-resistant film 73 is wound around one bobbin 63b,
The other bobbin 63a is arranged to wind up the heat-resistant film 73. The other bobbin 63a is connected to a drive source (not shown) so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow T.

The operation will be briefly described. The recording material P, which has been completely erased by the erasing means 2, is conveyed to a position where the recording means 3 is disposed while being wound around the platen roller 4. Thereafter, at a predetermined timing, the image recording means 3
The recording material P is transferred to the film 73 by a detaching mechanism (not shown).
And presses against the platen roller 4 to be in a pressed state.
In this pressed state, the platen roller 4 and the bobbin 63a rotate in the directions of arrows P and T, respectively.

At this time, the film 73 is wound around the bobbin 63a by the length of the recording material 1 (about 150 mm in the longitudinal direction of A6 size) while the platen roller 4 makes one rotation. Meanwhile, the thermal head 31
Is supplied with power from a power supply unit (not shown), a plurality of heating elements 311 selectively generate heat according to image information, and heat the recording material P via a film. When the temperature of the recording layer of the recording material P exceeds the image recording temperature, an image is formed on the recording layer. When the image recording on the recording material P is completed, the head holder 32 rotates in the direction of the arrow M2 in the drawing, so that the thermal head 31 held at one end thereof releases the pressure contact with the platen roller 4.

The recording material P on which the image has been recorded is discharged by the paper transport means 5 to a discharge tray (not shown) or the like.

Also in this embodiment, if the film 73 and the bobbins 63a and 63b in the recording means are formed in a state housed in a cassette, a new film can be used by exchanging the cassette. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of recording failure even in long-term use.

As described above, since the thermal head presses the recording material 1 and the platen roller 4 via the film in the recording means in addition to the erasing means, the recording means is used not only in the erasing means but also in the recording means. This has the effect of preventing erasure and recording failure due to the attachment of dust and dust.

(Second Modification) FIG. 7 is a side view of a principal part showing another modification of the image recording apparatus for recording an image on the recording material 1, and the description of the same parts as those in the previous embodiment is omitted. I do. In the first embodiment, only the erasing means 2 is interposed with a film. In the second embodiment, both the erasing means and the recording means are interposed with a film. However, as shown in FIG. A configuration in which a film is interposed only in 3 may be used.

That is, even in the case of the heat roller type in which the erasing means 2 has a built-in heat source 27, by attaching a film-related member to the recording means 3, it is possible to prevent dust and dirt from adhering to the image recording section.

As a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a structure using a thermal head for both image erasing and recording may be used, or a film-related member may be added only to the recording means 3. That is, since the erasing means 2 only needs to be able to erase the entire surface of the image and collectively, even if dust and dirt adhere to the heating member 211, only the amount of heat transmitted to the recording material P is reduced. Therefore, if it is possible to set the heating temperature of the heating element to a higher temperature in consideration of that amount from the beginning, the film 71 and the bobbin 61 will be used to some extent.
a and 61b can be used without having to be added. In this case, if more dust or dust adheres than expected, the worker removes the dust or dust from the heating element with a cotton swab impregnated with alcohol or the like. On the other hand, if dirt or dust adheres to the recording means, as described in the second embodiment, it causes a decrease in recording quality, and is an essential component. Although the above-mentioned method of removing dust and dust by the operator is conceivable, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of maintenance-free operation. Further, when the film or the like is provided in both the erasing and recording means, the cost increases and additional members such as driving members increase, the structure becomes complicated, and the failure rate increases. In addition, the installation area and volume are greatly increased, which is an obstacle to downsizing.

For these reasons, if the film, bobbin and the like can be provided only in one of the erasing means and the recording means, the recording means 3 as shown in FIG.
It can be said that it is better to use in.

Further, in the above description, the fulcrum when the image recording means 3 is separated and connected is located on the upstream side in the platen rotation direction. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the fulcrum is located on the downstream side. Is also good. With this configuration, the distance between the image erasing unit 2 and the image recording unit 3 can be reduced, which is advantageous in reducing the size of the entire apparatus.

(Third Modification) FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part showing another modification of the image recording apparatus for recording an image on the recording material P, and the description of the same parts as those of the previous embodiment is omitted. I do.
In the second embodiment, the erasing means 2 and the recording means 3 are individually arranged via a film. However, in this embodiment, the same film 74 and bobbins 74a and 74b are provided. That is, the film 74 is configured to have a predetermined tension by the pair of bobbins 74a and 74b. That is, the heat-resistant film 74 is wound around one bobbin 74b, and the other bobbin 74a is arranged so as to wind up the heat-resistant film 74. The other bobbin 74a is connected to a driving source (not shown) so as to be rotatable in the arrow Q direction. And
The erasing means 2 and the recording means 3 are arranged between the bobbins 74a and 74b.

As described above, since the same member is used for the film and the bobbin in the erasing and recording means, the installation space can be reduced as compared with the case where the film and the bobbin are individually provided, and the number of driving units and the like can be reduced. can do. In addition, since the film 74 can be easily replaced by housing each member in a cassette state, it is possible to take a form such as "single-use", and the durability of the film is lower than when the film is repeatedly used. Restrictions can be relaxed. In addition, since a single exchange cassette can be used, it is effective in reducing costs.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a side view of an essential part showing another embodiment of an image recording apparatus for recording an image on the recording material 1, and a description of the same parts as the previous embodiment will be omitted. I do.

In each of the above embodiments, the erasing means 2 and the recording means 3 are arranged around the platen roller 4, and the recording material P is wound around the platen roller.

In this method, as the size of the recording material P increases, the diameter of the platen roller increases, which is a factor that hinders downsizing. For example, A5 size, A
In the case of the four sizes, the required platen roller diameters are required to be about φ70 and 100, respectively. Therefore, there is a problem that the size in the height direction of the apparatus becomes large.

This embodiment is made to solve the above problem. Referring to FIG. 11, a roller 51 and a pinch roller 52 are used to reciprocate the recording material P in the directions of arrows D3 and D4. Are provided. That is, the recording material P sandwiched between the pinch roller 52 and the roller 51 rotatable in the directions of arrows C3 and C4 by a driving source (not shown) is conveyed in the directions of arrows D3 and D4 by the rotation of the roller 51. You.

The recording material P is the erasing thermal head 2
1 and the platen roller 41. The recording material P is pressed by the thermal head 21 with the film 7 interposed between the platen roller 41 and the thermal head 21.

The film 7 is wound around one bobbin 6b and is wound up by the other bobbin 6a.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. First, the recording material P is transferred between the roller 51 and the pinch roller 5.
2 and is brought into contact with the platen roller 41. Thereafter, the thermal head 21 moves in the direction of the arrow N1. Thereby, the thermal head 21 presses the recording material P between the thermal head 21 and the platen roller 4 with the film 7 interposed therebetween, and the thermal head 21 is brought into a press-fit state.

Thereafter, the roller 51 rotates in the direction of arrow C3, and the recording material P is transported in the direction of arrow D3. At the same time, the bobbin 6a is rotated in the direction of arrow S by a drive source (not shown), and the film 7 is wound.

By heating the recording material P to which the thermal head 21 is conveyed via the film 7 to be wound, the character / image information recorded on the recording material is erased.

The recording material P from which unnecessary image information has been erased is
Recording is started in the recording unit. That is, the recording material P
Reaches a predetermined position, the thermal head 31 that has been separated from the platen roller 4 during non-recording presses the platen roller 4 via the recording material P.

Then, an image is formed on the recording layer of the recording material P by selectively driving the individual heating elements 311 of the thermal head in the printing area of the recording material P.

After recording the image, the thermal head 31
The thermal head 31 is moved in two directions, and the state in which the thermal head 31 is pressed against the recording material P is released.

The recording material P on which the image has been recorded is placed on a roller 5
1 rotates in the reverse direction and rotates in the direction of arrow C4. This roller 5
By the reverse rotation of 1, the recording material P sandwiched between the roller 51 and the pinch roller 52 is transported in the direction of arrow D4. That is, the recording material P is returned. When the recording material P returns, the rotation of the bobbin 6a is stopped, and the winding of the film 7 is stopped. In the case of monochrome recording,
The recording material P is discharged out of the apparatus, and the operation ends. In the case of multi-color printing, the printing material P is returned by a predetermined amount, and the printing operation is repeated.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the recording material P
Even if the size of the recording material becomes large, the size of the apparatus does not increase at all in the height direction. There are benefits.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing an image recording apparatus for recording an image on the recording material 1, particularly showing the structure of a film.

The film 7 is made of a resin having heat resistance,
That is, polyester, polyimide (PI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, or the like is used as a base material 7a, and a sliding layer 7b made of a fluororesin or the like is laminated thereon by coating or the like. It is. The base material 7a is a sheet-like polyimide having a thickness of 15 μm, and after bonding in a cylindrical shape, the bonding surface is polished to have a seamless shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to obtain a seamless film by the conventional casting method.

The sliding layer 71 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having a thickness of 5 μm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a fluororesin such as PFA and FEP which is excellent in sliding property and heat resistance can be used. is there.

Further, the sliding layer 7b is made of P
A dispersion liquid containing TFE particles was laminated by a roll coating method. The method of forming the sliding layer 7b is not limited to the above method, and a spraying method, a dipping method, a method of laminating the sliding layer 7b on a film to the surface of the substrate 7a, or the like can be used.

As still another embodiment, polyimide (PI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK),
A heat-resistant resin such as polyethersulfone or polyetherimide may be used as the base material 70 and a fluororesin powder may be contained therein. For example, PT
FE powder can be obtained by dispersing several weight%, forming a thin layer, and then heating. Thus, the sliding layer 71 can be omitted. However, by providing a sliding layer,
The slidability with respect to the heating element can be further improved, and in this case, the adhesion between the film substrate 7a and the sliding layer 7b can be further improved. Therefore, the durability in the case of a film having such a multilayer structure can be improved.

When the film is electrically insulating, the film substrate 7a and / or the sliding layer 7
By mixing a conductive material such as carbon black, graphite, or conductive whiskers into b, the charging of the film can be prevented, and the effect of eliminating the jam of the film can be obtained.

The belt thus manufactured is used with the sliding layer 7b side inward so as to contact the thermal head.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the image recording apparatus in the case where the belt 7 is used. FIG. 7A shows a side view of the apparatus, in which the belt 7 is stretched by two rollers 81 and 82. The roller 81 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving source (not shown) to convey the belt. The other roller 82 is provided to apply a constant tension to the belt, and is configured to rotate following the rotation of the driving roller 81. Also, FIG.
2 shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the roller 81.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When a printing operation signal is input from an operator or another control device, the recording material P is conveyed in the direction of arrow D3 by the sheet conveying means 5, and the drive roller 81 for driving the endless belt 7 rotates in the direction of arrow. . Recording material P
Reaches the position where the erasing means 2 is located, the erasing thermal head 21 is moved by the platen roller 83 via the belt.
To a crimped state. Then, the heating element 21 of the erasing thermal head 21 is applied to the image recording area of the recording material P.
1 erases the image formed on the recording material P by heating.

Next, when the recording material P reaches the portion where the recording means 3 is located, the recording thermal head 31 presses against the platen roller 84 via the belt to be brought into a pressure contact state. Then, a plurality of heating elements 311 of the recording thermal head 31 generate heat in accordance with image information in an image recording area of the recording material P, thereby forming a desired image / character.

In this state, both the erasing thermal head 21 and the image thermal head 31 are pressed against the platen rollers 83 and 84, and erasing and recording are performed simultaneously.

Since the erasing is completed earlier in time, the erasing thermal head 21 is completed when the erasing is completed.
Is released from the platen roller 83, and thereafter, when the recording is completed, the recording thermal head 31 is similarly released from the platen roller 84.

In the case of monochromatic recording, the recording material P is conveyed as it is in the direction of arrow D3 and is discharged to a discharge tray or the like.
Alternatively, as described in the previous embodiment, after the recording is completed, the recording material P is conveyed in a direction (D4 direction) opposite to the direction of the arrow D3, so that the paper can be discharged in the same direction as the paper feeding direction.

In the present embodiment, the belt is formed in the shape of an endless belt. However, as described in the previous embodiment, the belt may be formed in the shape of an endless sheet.

In all the embodiments described above, the image recording method and the apparatus using the reversible thermosensitive recording material have been described. However, the present invention is applicable to the case of the irreversible thermosensitive recording material used in Fax and the like. It goes without saying that you can do it.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 14 is a structural view of the film shown in FIG. 13 viewed from the top of the apparatus and a sectional view thereof.

The film 7 is a multi-layered film composed of two layers, a base material 7a and a sliding layer 7b. In the main scanning direction (left-right direction on the paper), the sliding layer 7b is not the whole surface but a non-recording area. And Y are formed.

That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the driving force for driving the film 7 is a frictional force acting between the driving roller 81 for driving the film 7 and the film 7, so that the slidability with the thermal head 31 is improved. If the sliding layer 71 is formed over the driving force generating portion of the driving roller 81 for the purpose, the slidability of the driving roller 81 for driving the film 7 is also improved. The force may not be transmitted to the film 7 and problems such as slip and idling may occur.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the sliding layer 7b is formed only in the recording area X by the recording thermal head 31, excluding the non-recording areas W and Y of the film 7. Thus, since the sliding layer 7b is formed in the recording area where the thermal head 31 is in contact, the slidability between the film 7 and the thermal head 31 is improved, and the durability of the thermal head 31 is improved as in the previous embodiment. , Can be improved.

On the other hand, the sliding layer 7b is not formed in the non-recording areas W and Y of the film 7, and the driving roller 81 for driving and transporting the film 7 is
1 and the film, the driving force of the drive roller 81 is generated at W and Y where the sliding layer 7b is not formed, and a reliable drive can be obtained.

Although the thickness of the sliding layer 7b is exaggerated in the drawing, it is actually on the order of several microns, so that the step does not adversely affect the film transport.

Further, as a method for obtaining more reliable driving, it is possible to increase the driving force in the above W and Y by making the shape of the driving roller a crown shape. The crown shape is a shape in which the inner roller diameter is smaller than the outer roller diameter, and can improve the contact with the film at the outer peripheral portion of the roller as compared with a conventional cylindrical roller. In this case, as an additional effect, the so-called "deviation" in the main scanning direction of the film can be prevented.

(Fourth Modification) FIG. 15 is a side view of a main part showing another modification of the image recording apparatus for recording an image on the recording material 1, and a description of the same parts as those in the previous embodiment will be omitted. I do.

In FIG. 13, the structure is such that the drive roller 81 for driving the film is disposed inside the endless film, but in the present embodiment, it is disposed outside the film.

The reason will be described below. FIG.
Using the endless film 7 shown in FIG.
In the image recording apparatus having the sliding layer 7b formed on the upper surface,
In order to obtain the driving force for the driving roller 81, it was necessary to prevent the sliding layer from being formed on the film portion that the driving roller contacts. However, such a limitation on the portion where the sliding layer is formed complicates the manufacturing process, and therefore increases the manufacturing cost of the film. In general, the maximum recording paper size that can be recorded for each type of image recording apparatus is determined, for example, A6 size, A4 size, A2 size, and the like. In such a case, the width (length in the main scanning direction) of the film also differs for each model, and accordingly, the portion where the sliding layer is not formed also needs to be changed.

In order to solve the above problem, in this embodiment, the drive roller 85 is provided not on the surface on which the sliding layer is formed but on the surface on which the sliding layer is not formed. 7 was driven. Thereby, the sliding layer 7 is provided on the surface where the image erasing means 2 and the image recording means 3 are in contact.
Even in the case of forming b, it is not necessary to limit the formation portion in position, and a member formed on the entire surface can be used. Therefore, even when the width of the film differs depending on the model, it is only necessary to change the cutting width by using a film having a sliding layer formed on the entire surface, so that the manufacturing process is not complicated and the cost is increased. Can be suppressed.

Further, when the driving roller 8 is out of the recording area and
The frictional force of the film with respect to the drive roller may be improved by roughening the surface with which 5 contacts.

(Fifth Modification) In any of the above embodiments, the film is substantially stationary with respect to the recording material and is configured to slide with respect to the thermal head.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to slide on the recording material P while keeping the thermal head almost stationary.

[0122]

According to the method for recording an image on a heat-sensitive recording material according to the first aspect and the image recording apparatus for a heat-sensitive recording material according to the third aspect, heat is applied between the heating body and the recording medium via a heat-resistant film. By doing so, the image is recorded, so that it is possible to prevent dust and dirt from adhering to the heating element for image recording during long-term use. More specifically, even if there is dust on the recording material,
Since the heating element is in contact with the recording material via the film, the dust and dust do not accumulate on the heating element. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the recording quality such as a decrease in the recording density and a recording failure.

Further, it has a specific effect that components contained in the recording material or components generated by applying heat to the recording material and impurities adhered to the recording material can be prevented from deteriorating the heating element. ing.

Further, when the recording medium is fed, the film also functions as a guide member, so that the recording medium does not cause a so-called jam between the thermal head and the platen roller 4. Therefore, it is also possible to use a recording medium that is weaker.

In the method for recording an image of a reversible recording material according to the second aspect, the recording medium coated with the reversible thermosensitive recording material is heated via a heat-resistant film between the recording medium and a heating body for image erasure. The image recording is performed according to the following conditions.
It is possible to prevent dust from adhering. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the deterioration of the erasing performance such as non-uniform erasing and erasing failure.

According to the image recording apparatus of the fourth aspect,
Since the film is a film that slides on one side with the heating means and moves together with the other side while being in contact with the heat-sensitive recording medium, the film transport used in a conventional thermal transfer type video printer is used. The apparatus and the like can be used as they are, the mechanism can be shared, and the cost can be reduced.

In the image recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect,
Since the film is a film that slides on the thermal recording medium while maintaining the same contact position with the heating means,
Compared with the image recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the amount of film used can be reduced.

In the image recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect,
Since the film is particularly end-shaped, it can be replaced with a new film when the film has deteriorated. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the recording and / or erasing performance is deteriorated due to the deterioration of the film, and the recording operation is stopped due to the damage of the film.

Further, when the film is wound on a first bobbin on which the film is wound, the film is wound on a second bobbin on which the film is wound. , The same film can be used repeatedly. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of times of changing the film, to reduce the complexity in changing, and to suppress an increase in running cost due to changing the film.

In the image recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect,
In particular, since the film is configured to be housed in a removable cartridge, the film can be easily replaced, and a user-friendly image recording apparatus can be provided.

According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention,
Since the film includes a resin base layer and a sliding layer formed on the resin base layer, and at least an area where the sliding layer is not formed is provided outside the recording area in the main scanning direction, the drive roller Therefore, the film can be transported reliably without improving the slidability.

In the image recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect,
Since the drive roller for driving the film drives the film from the surface where the sliding layer is not formed,
Even when the film has a multilayer structure including a sliding layer, the film can be transported reliably without reducing the driving force of the driving roller against the film. Further, since the sliding layer forming region on the film is not restricted as described in claim 8, the manufacturing process is not complicated, and therefore, the manufacturing can be performed at lower cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of an image recording apparatus for a reversible recording material according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an erasing and recording means according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of a reversible recording material according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a print sample by a conventional image recording apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a structure of a film according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing another embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording apparatus 11a Base material 11b Sliding layer 2 Image erasing means 9 Film cassette 3 Image recording means 4, 41, 42 Platen roller 6, 61, 62, 63, 64 Film 64a, 64b Bobbin 7, 71, 72, 73 , 74 film P recording material Pa support Pb recording layer

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A thermosensitive recording method for forming an image on a thermosensitive recording medium using a thermosensitive recording medium that produces a visual change by applying thermal energy, wherein a heat resistant medium is provided between a heating body and the thermosensitive recording medium. A method for forming and / or erasing an image by indirectly heating the thermosensitive recording medium via a conductive film. 2. The thermal recording method according to claim 1, wherein said thermal recording medium is a reversible thermal recording medium. 3. Heating means for pressing and heating the heat-sensitive recording medium, pressure means for pressing the heat-sensitive recording medium between the heating means, and conveyance means for conveying the heat-sensitive recording medium to the pressure section. A heat-resistant film provided between the heating element and the heat-sensitive recording medium, and a film moving means for changing a contact surface of the heat-resistant film with the heating element or the heat-sensitive recording medium. A thermal recording device, comprising: 4. The film according to claim 3, wherein one surface of the film slides with the heating means and the other surface moves together with the heat-sensitive recording medium while being in contact therewith.
The thermal recording device as described. 5. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said film is a film that slides on a thermal recording medium while maintaining the same contact position with said heating means. 6. The film is ended and has a pair of bobbins on which the film is stretched, and when the film is entirely wound on a first bobbin for winding the film, the film is no longer wound. 6. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an operation of rewinding the film on one of the second bobbins. 7. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the film and the pair of bobbins are housed in a detachable cartridge. 8. The film according to claim 1, wherein the film comprises a resin base layer and a sliding layer formed on the resin base layer, and at least an area where the sliding layer is not formed is provided outside the recording area in the main scanning direction. The thermal recording apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: 9. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the drive roller for driving the film drives the film from a surface on which a sliding layer is not formed.