JP2002293035A - Self-color developing full color recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a full color recording medium capable of obtaining a full color image without microcapsulating another color material by microcapsulating a monochromatic or dichroic materials of three primary colors. SOLUTION: The full color recording medium 10 comprises a sheet 12, a transparent pressure-sensitive heat-sensitive color developing layer 14 formed on one surface of the sheet 12, and a heat-sensitive color developing layer 16 formed on another surface of the sheet 12. The developing layer 14 contains a first leuco dye, a developer, and a pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20, and seals a second leuco dye. The layer 14 is imparted by characteristics for color developing the second leuco dye by breaking the capsule under a predetermined pressure at a first temperature range, and by characteristics for color developing the first leuco dye in a first to second temperature range included in the first temperature range. The layer 16 contains a third leuco dye and a developer component, and has characteristics for color developing the third leuco dye at a predetermined temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-coloring full-color recording medium capable of performing full-color printing from three primary colors of cyan, magenta and yellow.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a full-color recording medium as described above, there has been already known a recording medium in which color materials of three subtractive primary colors are microencapsulated and uniformly applied on sheet paper to form a color-forming layer. The microcapsules of the three primary colors in such a color-forming layer are provided with the property of being selectively destroyed or permeated under different printing conditions,
Thus, a full-color image is formed on the color forming layer by subtractive color mixture. For example, a TA (thermo auto chrome) method and a cycolor method correspond to this. In such a full-color recording medium, all of the three primary colors or at least two color materials must be microencapsulated. Therefore, the cost of the microencapsulation increases, so that the cost of the recording medium becomes relatively high. There is a problem of sticking. Further, since both use light as one of the parameters for setting the printing conditions, it is necessary to pay close attention to the handling of the recording medium, and there is also a problem that the printing apparatus itself becomes complicated and expensive.

Further, in the above-described full-color recording medium, black can be obtained in principle when all three primary colors are mixed, but such black becomes dull and sharp by subtractive color mixing. Obtaining black is generally considered impossible. Therefore, in order to obtain clear black in a full-color image, it is necessary to use a black colorant in addition to the three primary colorants, and in this case, the microcapsules up to the black colorant in addition to the three primary colorants And the cost of the full-color recording medium becomes higher.

On the other hand, an add-on type multi-color thermal paper capable of developing two or more colors is already known. For example, when two colors are to be formed with such a colored heat-sensitive paper, a heat-sensitive coloring layer is formed on a sheet of paper, and when the heat-sensitive coloring layer has a single-layer structure, two types of leuco dyes ( That is, when the first leuco dye and the second leuco dye) and the color developer are uniformly distributed and the thermosensitive coloring layer has a multilayer structure (two-layer structure), each layer has one type. The leuco dye and the developer are evenly distributed. The color developer is appropriately selected so that the color development temperature of the first leuco dye is lower than the color development temperature of the second leuco dye. Sensitizers are added to the layers as appropriate.

[0005] As is well known, the leuco dye itself is usually a milky white or translucent powder, and such a leuco dye develops a color by a chemical color reaction with a color developer to exhibit a predetermined color. In order for the leuco dye and the developer to cause a chemical color reaction to produce a sufficient concentration of color, the condition is that the leuco dye and the developer are both in a heat-melted state. .

Therefore, when the heat melting temperature of the first leuco dye is applied to the thermosensitive coloring layer, the first leuco dye develops a color and exhibits a first color, and the heat of the second leuco dye is applied to the thermosensitive coloring layer. When the melting temperature is applied, both the first and second leuco dyes each develop a color mixture of the first and second colors. In short, by selectively applying a low temperature and a high temperature to the heat-sensitive coloring layer, color formation by the first leuco dye and color mixing by the color formation of the first and second leuco dyes can be obtained. For example, if the first and second leuco dyes are selected to produce magenta and cyan, respectively, a magenta color is obtained at a low temperature, and a mixed color of magenta and cyan, that is, a blue color is obtained at a high temperature. .

In the color-added multicolor thermal recording medium as described above, the first and second leuco dyes can be applied directly onto sheet paper without microencapsulation, and the unit cost is relatively low. Although it can be suppressed, it is impossible to form both the first and second leuco dyes independently, so that a full-color image cannot be obtained.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to form a full-color image by microencapsulating only one or two color materials of the three primary colors without microencapsulating the other color materials. It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-coloring type full-color recording medium configured to be obtained.

[0009]

A self-coloring full-color recording medium according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a transparent support, a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer formed on one surface of the transparent support,
A heat-sensitive coloring layer formed on the other surface of the transparent support. The pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer is composed of a first leuco dye component capable of developing one of the three primary colors, a developer component, and a number of pressure-sensitive microcapsules. And a second leuco dye component adapted to emit one of the other colors. The pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer has a structure in which the pressure-sensitive microcapsules are broken under a predetermined pressure and within the first temperature range to release the second leuco dye component and to form the second leuco dye component. , The first temperature included in the first temperature range
And a temperature color-forming property for causing the leuco dye component of the first pressure-temperature color-forming property 1 to be colored in a second temperature range equal to or higher than the temperature. The thermosensitive coloring layer is the remaining one of the three primary colors.
It is composed of a third leuco dye capable of developing a color and a developer component, and the thermosensitive coloring layer is provided with a temperature color developing characteristic of causing the third leuco dye to develop a color at a predetermined temperature.

The transparent support not only functions as a support substrate for forming the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer and the heat-sensitive coloring layer, but also serves as a heat insulating material for thermally insulating the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer from the heat-sensitive coloring layer. Also functions as a layer.

Preferably, when a reflective film layer is provided on the surface of the thermosensitive coloring layer and a full-color image is formed on a self-coloring type full-color recording medium, the full-color image is formed on the side of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer due to the presence of the reflecting coating layer. Can be observed from

The transparent support is formed as a porous transparent support, and the porous transparent support functions as an image receiving layer for a full-color image. In this case, the above-mentioned reflective coating layer is not required. Further, instead of forming the transparent support as a porous support, a developer image receiving layer may be interposed between the transparent support and the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer. No layers are required.

Preferably, the thermosensitive coloring layer further contains a leuco dye component for black coloring, and the coloring temperature of the leuco dye for black coloring is set higher than the coloring temperature of the third leuco dye component. The heat-sensitive coloring layer comprises a first heat-sensitive coloring layer portion composed of a black leuco dye component and a developer component, and a second heat-sensitive coloring layer portion composed of a third leuco dye and a developer component. It may have a two-layer structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a self-coloring full-color recording medium comprises a transparent support, a first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer formed on one surface of the transparent support, and a transparent support. A second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer formed on the other side of the body. The first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer is composed of a first leuco dye component adapted to emit one of the three primary colors, a developer component, and a number of first pressure-sensitive microcapsules. The first pressure-sensitive microcapsule encapsulates a second leuco dye component that emits another one of the three primary colors, and the first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer contains the first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer. A first pressure-temperature coloring, wherein the microcapsules are broken under a predetermined pressure and within a first temperature range to release said second leuco dye component and to color said second leuco dye component; A characteristic and a temperature coloring characteristic for causing the first leuco dye component to develop a color in a second temperature range equal to or higher than the first temperature included in the first temperature range are provided. The second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer comprises a leuco dye component for black coloring, a developer component, and a large number of second pressure-sensitive microcapsules. A third leuco dye component that emits the remaining one color is encapsulated, and the second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer contains a second pressure-sensitive microcapsule under a predetermined pressure and at a third temperature. A second pressure-temperature coloring characteristic that is destroyed within the range and releases the third leuco dye component to color the third leuco dye component;
And a temperature-developing characteristic for causing the leuco dye component for black coloring to develop in a fourth temperature range equal to or higher than the second temperature included in the above-mentioned temperature range.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the transparent support not only functions as a support base for forming the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer and the thermosensitive coloring layer, but also functions as a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer and a thermosensitive coloring layer. It also functions as a heat insulating layer for thermally blocking the heat.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the transparent support may be formed as a porous transparent support, and in this case, the porous transparent support functions as a full-color image receiving layer. Instead of forming the transparent support as a porous transparent support, a first developer image-receiving layer is interposed between the transparent support and the first pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer, and the transparent support and the second A second developer image-receiving layer may be interposed between the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer.

[0017]

Next, a first embodiment of a self-coloring type full-color recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a self-coloring full-color recording medium according to the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The full-color recording medium 10 includes an appropriate transparent support 12, a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 applied to one surface of the support 12, and a thermosensitive coloring layer 16 applied to the other surface of the support 12. And a reflective coating layer 18 formed on the thermosensitive coloring layer 16. The support 12 is made of, for example, a transparent polyethylene terephthalate resin (P
ET) and has a thickness of 5
It is about 0 to 100 μm. The sheet 12 not only functions as a support base for forming the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 and the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16, but also, as described later, the two coloring layers 1.
It also functions as a heat insulating layer for thermally insulating 4 and 16. In the present embodiment, the reflection coating layer 18 is formed of a 6 μm thick film sheet made of polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET), and this film sheet is preferably colored white.

The pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 is formed by uniformly distributing a large number of pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 in a thermosensitive coloring layer composed of a leuco dye component for cyan coloring and a developer component. , The leuco dye component for cyan coloring is indicated by “□”, and the developer component is indicated by “x” for convenience. As for the leuco dye for cyan coloring, for example, it is available as NC-Blue-3 from Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.
The heat melting temperature of NC-Blue-3, that is, the color development temperature, is about 190 ° C.
It is. The developer component is, for example, K-
Available as 5, this K-5 has a hot melt temperature of about 145 ° C
Is shown. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 1
In 4, a low-melting-point stearic acid amide is appropriately added as a sensitizer component. The leuco dye for cyan coloring (NC-Blue-3), the developer component (K-5), and the sensitizer component
(Low-melting-point stearamide) is a white powder, but all of the above materials are translucent to transparent in a dry state due to their refractive index characteristics due to the water-soluble polyester added as a binder during layer formation. Thus, the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 on the sheet 12 cannot be directly viewed.

The pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 are filled with, for example, a magenta coloring material.
A solution in which a leuco dye for magenta coloring is dissolved in an appropriate vehicle is used. In the present embodiment, a suitable transparent oil is used as a vehicle, and such a transparent oil is available, for example, as RMC (Rutgers Kureha Solvents GmbH) as KMC-113 (2,7 diisopropylnaphthalene). As the leuco dye for magenta coloring, for example, Red-3 manufactured by Yamamoto Kasei Co., Ltd. can be used. That is, in the present embodiment, KMC-11 is used as a magenta color material to be encapsulated in the pressure-sensitive
3 in which Red-3 is dissolved is used. In FIG. 1, the magenta-based coloring material enclosed in the pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20 is indicated by “M” representing magenta. The magenta coloring leuco dye itself is a translucent powder, but when dissolved in a transparent oil (KMC-113), the magenta coloring material itself becomes transparent.

The wall film of the pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20 is formed of a suitable melamine resin, which is transparent or translucent. Such a pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20 can be prepared by a known microcapsule manufacturing method, for example, in situ (in situ).
u) It can be produced by a polymerization method or the like, and its average particle size is about 3 μm to 4 μm. It can be broken under pressure, and its heat-resistant temperature is about 300 ° C. under no load.

A pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20 capable of being broken under a pressure of 0.5 MPa or more accompanied by a shearing force will be described below.
An example for the production of (average particle size of about 3 μm to about 4 μm) is shown. 1) First, the following three solutions are prepared. (A) Magenta color material solution KMC-113 (2,7 diisopropyl naphthalene) ... 100 g Red-3 ... 4 g (B) Protective colloid aqueous solution Partial sodium salt of polyvinylbenzene sulfonic acid ... 5 g Purified water ... 95 g (C) Melamine- Formalin prepolymer aqueous solution Melamine… 14g Formalin… 36g Purified water… 50g (Note that formalin is a 2% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.
37% formaldehyde prepared in H9 is used. This formalin (36 g) and melamine (14 g) were mixed and heated to 70 ° C., and after melamine was dissolved, purified water (50 g) was added and stirred to obtain (C) a melamine-formalin prepolymer aqueous solution.)

2) Next, (A) a magenta coloring material solution and (B) a protective colloid aqueous solution are mixed, and this mixture is stirred with a homogenizer to prepare (D) an emulsified dispersion (O / W emulsion). . At this time, the emulsified dispersion was dispersed by adjusting the rotation speed and the stirring time of the homogenizer so that the magenta color material solution (A) became droplets having an average particle size of about 2.5 μm.

3) Next, (C) melamine-formalin prepolymer aqueous solution is added to the above emulsified dispersion and mixed, and the mixture is stirred slowly while maintaining the temperature at 30 ° C.
The mixture is adjusted to pH 3 to pH 6 by appropriately adding an aqueous acetic acid solution. Subsequently, the temperature of the mixed solution is kept at 60 in this state.
C. and a polycondensation reaction was allowed to proceed with stirring for about 1 hour to obtain pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 having an average particle size of about 3 μm.

The thickness of the wall film of the pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20 thus obtained is such that it can be broken under a pressure of 0.5 MPa or more accompanied by a shearing force. The thickness of the wall film of the pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20 mainly depends on the amount of melamine in the melamine-formalin prepolymer aqueous solution, and the greater the amount, the greater the thickness.

The thermosensitive coloring layer 16 is composed of a leuco dye component and a developer component. In FIG. 1, the leuco dye component is represented by a symbol “○”, and the developer component is represented by a symbol “x”. As the leuco dye component “○”, a leuco dye for yellow coloring is used, and such a leuco dye for yellow coloring is available as, for example, I-3R (Pergascript Yellow) from Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Its heat melting temperature is about 170 ° C. As the developer component “X”, the same K-5 as the developer component in the case of the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 is used. Although not shown in FIG. 1, stearic acid amide is appropriately added to the thermosensitive coloring layer 16 as a sensitizer. The yellow color leuco dye (I-3R) is a white powder.

Next, a production example of the sheet of the present invention will be described below. To form the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14, a composition liquid A having the composition shown in the following table is prepared. Composition parts by weight (1) Aqueous dispersion of 25W% microcapsules… 1.0 (2) Aqueous dispersion of 17W% NC-Blue-3… 0.5 (3) Aqueous dispersion of 16W% K-5… 1.5 (4) 16W % Low-melting-point stearic acid amide aqueous dispersion liquid ... 0.5 (5) 20W% binder aqueous solution ... 0.5 Here, the composition (1) is obtained by adding pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 to purified water.
Was added and dispersed (suspended) by 25% by weight. Composition (2) is obtained by adding 17% by weight of NC-Blue-3 (leuco dye for cyan coloring) to purified water and dispersing (suspending) the leuco dye as a powder having an average particle diameter of 1 μm or less. is there. Composition (3) is obtained by adding and dispersing (suspending) 17% by weight of K-5 (developer) in purified water, and this developer is a powder having an average particle diameter of 1 μm or less. The composition (4) is obtained by adding 16% by weight of a low-melting-point stearamide (sensitizer) to purified water and dispersing (suspending) the sensitizer. The sensitizer is a powder having an average particle size of 1 μm or less. . Composition (5) is obtained by adding purified water to Gabsen ES-901A (water-soluble polyester) as a binder material to make up 20% by weight. Especially, after drying, all the materials become transparent and cannot be directly viewed on the sheet 12. Used to make Gabsen
ES-901A is available from Teikoku Chemical.

The above composition liquid A is applied to one surface of a sheet (PET) 12 with a Meyer bar No. 8 and dried to obtain a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 as shown in FIG. . When the above composition liquid A is applied using the Meyer bar No. 8, about 4 to 5 per square meter
A gram coverage is obtained. The pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14
Exhibits a transparent state, and when a full-color image is formed on the full-color recording medium 10 as described later, the full-color image is observed and viewed from the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 side.

Since the thus obtained transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 contains a low-melting-point stearamide as a sensitizer, the heat-melting temperature of the color developer (K-5) is about 14%.
Reduced from 5 ° C to about 90 ° C.

To form the thermosensitive coloring layer 16, a composition B having the composition shown in the following table is prepared. Composition parts by weight (1) 17W% I-3R aqueous dispersion ... 0.5 (2) 16W% K-5 aqueous dispersion ... 1.0 (3) 16W% stearic amide aqueous dispersion ... 0.5 (4) 10W% Aqueous solution of binder… 0.5 Here, composition (1) is obtained by adding 17% by weight of I-3R (leuco dye for yellow coloring) to purified water and dispersing (suspending) the same, and I-3R itself is an average particle. It is a white powder having a diameter of 1 μm or less. Composition (2) is obtained by adding 16% by weight of K-5 (a color developer) to purified water and dispersing (suspending) the powder, and the color developer is a powder having an average particle diameter of 1 μm or less. Composition (3) is obtained by adding 16% by weight of stearic acid amide (sensitizer) to purified water and dispersing (suspending) the same, and the sensitizer itself is a powder having an average particle size of 1 μm or less. Composition (4) is obtained by adding 10% by weight of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) having a polymerization degree of 500 as a binder material to purified water.

By coating the above composition B on the other surface of the sheet (PET) 12 with a Meyer bar No. 6 and drying it, a thermosensitive coloring layer 16 as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. When the above composition liquid B is applied using the Meyer bar No. 6, an application amount of about 3 to 5 grams per square meter is obtained.

Since the thermosensitive coloring layer 16 thus obtained contains stearic acid amide as a sensitizer, the color-forming start temperature of the yellow coloring leuco dye (I-3R) is about 140 ° C. due to the eutectic action. To be lowered. Unlike the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14, the thermosensitive coloring layer 16 does not need to be particularly transparent for the hue recognition in the present invention, so that the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16 was formed using PVA as a binder.

After the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16 is completely dried,
A white film sheet (polyethylene terephthalate) having a thickness of 6 μm is adhered thereon to form a reflective film layer 18. Thus, a full-color recording medium as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. In addition, about the sticking of the white film sheet to the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16, preferably, the surface of the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16 to 80 ° C to 100 ° C which is lower than the color development start temperature of the leuco dye for yellow coloring (I-3R). This is carried out by heating to melt the developer component (K-5) of the thermosensitive coloring layer 16 and then pressing a white film sheet thereon. Of course, as another attaching method, a white film sheet may be attached to the surface of the thermosensitive coloring layer 16 using a water-soluble adhesive such as a PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) aqueous solution. Further, instead of the white film sheet, a fine powder such as titanium oxide or silica may be further coated on the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16 together with a binder to form a white reflective coating layer.

As will be described in detail later, a magenta image and a cyan image are formed on the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 of the full-color recording medium 10 in dot pixel units based on the magenta image data and the cyan image data, respectively.
Further, a yellow image is formed in the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16 on a dot pixel basis based on the yellow image data. Here, the light incident from the transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 is reflected by the reflective coating layer 18 and is emitted again from the transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer. It will be observed as a full-color image. That is, the area where the magenta image and the cyan image overlap is observed as a blue image, the area where the cyan image and the yellow image overlap is observed as a green image, and the area where the yellow image and the magenta image overlap is red. The region observed as a color image and the three primary color images overlapping each other is observed as a black image.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is schematically shown an image recording apparatus for performing full-color image recording on the full-color recording medium 10 configured as described above. This image recording apparatus is configured as a thermal line printer. Is done.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer includes a housing 22 having a substantially rectangular shape, and an inlet 24 for introducing the full-color recording medium 10 is formed on an upper wall of the housing 22. An outlet 26 for discharging the full-color recording medium 10 is provided on one of the side walls of the housing 22.
Is formed. In FIG. 2, the movement path of the full-color recording medium 10 is indicated by a dashed-dotted line 28. Is discharged.
A guide plate 30 for guiding the movement of the full-color recording medium 10 is provided in the housing 22, and a part of the movement path 28 is defined by the guide plate 30.

[0037] The guide plate 30 first long hole 32 ₁ that extends in a direction perpendicular to the movement path 28 is formed a long hole 32 ₁ of the first in its cross-section as shown in FIG. 2 It expands in a tapered shape upward. First slot 3
The first platen roller 34 ₁ is arranged along the upper opening surface of 2 _1, the platen roller 34 ₁ of the first is rotatably appropriately supported by the frame structure within the housing 22 (not shown). Further, the first long hole 32 in _one are resiliently brought into pressure contact with the first axial center of the platen roller 34 ₁ is allowed to penetrate from below the first thermal head 36 ₁ is. That is, the first thermal head 36
₁ is combined with the _first pressure spring applying means 38 _1, and the first pressure spring applying means 38 ₁
The are with a pressing force is constantly pressed against the first platen roller 34 _1.

The first platen roller 34₁Is shown
In FIG. 2, the counterclockwise
And the first platen roller
34 ₁And the first thermal head 36₁Full color between
When the recording medium 10 is introduced, the full-color recording medium 10
Is the first platen roller 34₁Along the travel route 28 from
Receives transport force.

The guide plate 30 has a first elongated hole 32 _1.
A second elongated hole 32 ₂ extending in a direction perpendicular to the movement path 28 is formed on the downstream side of the first elongated hole 32 ₂ .
As in the case of the long hole, as shown in FIG. The second long holes 32 in the _two second platen roller 34 ₂ is accommodated from below,
In addition, it is appropriately rotatably supported by a frame structure in the housing 22. The second thermal head 36 ₂ is disposed along a second upper opening surface of the slot 32 _2, elastic with respect to the second thermal head 36 ₂ and the second axial center of the platen roller 34 ₂ It is pressed into contact. That is, the second thermal head 36 ₂ in combination with the second pressure spring applying means 38 _2, the second platen roller with the pressing force of the appropriate pressure for example 0.2MPa by the second pressure spring applying means 38 ₂ 34 ₂ to be brought into pressure contact at all times.

[0040] Incidentally, contrary to the case of the first platen roller 34 _1, the second platen roller 34 ₂ is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, Thus the second platen roller 34 ₁ and the second When full-color recording medium 10 is introduced between the thermal head 36 _2, full-color recording medium 10 and the second platen roller 34 ₂ to the movement path 28
Receiving the transfer force along the line.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 40 denotes a control circuit board for controlling the operation of the printer.
It represents a power supply, this power supply device 42, power supply to the first and second thermal heads 36 ₁ and 36 _2, first and second platen roller 34 ₁ and 34 ₂ of the drive motor and the control circuit board 40, etc. Is performed.

Referring to Figure 3, a portion of the n heating elements included in the first thermal head 36 ₁ is indicated by reference numeral R _11, R ₁₂ and R _13, and the second thermal head 36 ₂ A part of the n heating elements included in
_21, represented by R ₂₂ and R _23. First thermal head 3
6 ₁ of n heating elements _{R 11, R 12, R 13} , ... R 1n and second
N number of heating elements R ₂₁ of the thermal head 36 _2, R _22,
R ₂₃ ,... R _2n are aligned with each other along the movement path 28. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit and the printer controller 44 composed of a microcomputer in the substrate 40, the first thermal head 36 ₁ of n heating elements _{R 11, R 12, R 13} , ... R the first and the drive circuit 46 _1, the second thermal head 36 ₂ of n heating elements _{R 21, R 22, R 23} , ... second driving circuit for driving the R _2n for driving _1n 46 ₂ and is provided. Selectively in accordance with the first and second color pixel data for one line by the drive circuit 46 ₁ and 46 ₂ under the control of the first and second thermal heads 36 ₁ and 36 respectively ₂ of the heat generating element printer controller 44 Electricity is applied to generate heat. Color pixel data of one line consists of n pieces of color pixel data corresponding to each of the n heating elements of the first and second of each of the thermal head 36 ₁ and 36 _2, each color pixel data is magenta , blue, cyan, yellow, red, green, black and depending on whether there are any white, the first and second thermal heads 36 ₁ and 36 ₂ of the respective heat generating elements correspond to the color pixel data The energization is controlled in a manner described below.

In order to record a color image on the full-color recording medium 10, the first and second thermal heads 3 are used.
Each of 6 ₁ and 36 ₂ of the heating element comprises a size and shape corresponding to the pixel or dot of the color image, in this embodiment, from about 50μm not for the dot size 100
μm.

As described above, when recording a color image, the full-color recording medium 10 is introduced into the inlet 24. At this time, the direction of the full-color recording medium 10 is such that the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 side is the first thermal recording layer. heating element R ₁₁ of the head _{36 1, R 12, R 13} , ... is an oriented to contact the R _1n, heating elements R ₂₁ in this case the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16 is of course the second thermal head 36 _2, R ₂₂ , R ₂₃ ,... R _2n .

Next, a description will be given of a coloring process when a color image is recorded on the full-color recording medium 10 using the above-described printer.

When the color pixel data is magenta pixel data, the first pixel data corresponding to the magenta pixel data
Of the thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements (R _11, R _12,
R ₁₃ ,... R _1n ) are energized and heated to about 100 ° C. At this time, the developer component “x” in the transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 is thermally softened due to the eutectic action with the sensitizer component (low-melting-point stearamide). And enters the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 as schematically shown in FIG. Thus, a pressure of about 1.4 MPa, which greatly exceeds the breaking pressure of 0.5 MPa, is applied to the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 by the heating element, whereby the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 are broken, from which the magenta-based coloring material is formed. Released.

As described above, the magenta coloring leuco dye released from the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 is dissolved in the transparent oil (KMC-113), and thus immediately becomes the developer component “x”. A magenta color is formed by a color-forming reaction, so that magenta dots are formed in the transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14. Incidentally, when the heating temperature of the first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating element is about 100 ° C., the temperature is cyan color-forming leuco dye component of transparency pressure-sensitive heat in the color layer 14 "□" coloring initiation temperature (increasing The temperature is lowered to about 140 ° C. due to the sensitizer), so that cyan coloring is not caused. In short, the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 in the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 are
A pressure-temperature coloring property (pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring property) based on the pressure destruction property of the wall film of No. 0 and the temperature properties of the developer component and the sensitizer component in the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 is provided. .

Meanwhile, the first thermal head 36 magenta dots color position which is allowed to develop by _one of the heating element is a second platen roller 34 ₂ and the second thermal head 3
When forced through between the 6 _2, the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heat generating elements corresponding to a magenta dot color development position by the first thermal head 36 ₁ is then energized on the basis of the magenta pixel data is energized Thus, only the magenta dots based on the magenta pixel data are observed from the transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive layer 14 side of the full-color recording medium 10.

[0049] The second platen roller 34 ₂ and the second
During the passage between the thermal head 36 ₂ of and, by the pressure applying spring means 38 ₂ of the second is a full-color recording medium 10 approximately 0.2
However, this pressure gives the full-color recording medium 10 a conveying force along the moving path 28 by the rotational driving force of the _second platen roller 342, and adheres to the _second thermal head 362. And is not directly involved in the color forming process of a full-color recording medium.

[0050] When the color pixel data is blue pixel data, the first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements (R ₁₁ corresponding to the blue pixel data, R _12, R _13, ...
R _1n ) is energized and heated to about 150 ° C., at which time the developer component “X” of the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 is thermally melted. The heating temperature of the heating element at about 150 ° C. is 140 ° C. or higher of the leuco dye component for cyan coloring “□”. In this case, the leuco dye component for cyan coloring “□” is the developer component “×”. And a sensitizer component (low-melting-point stearic acid amide) so as to cause a eutectic action, whereby a cyan color is formed by a color-forming reaction with the developer component “x”.
At the same time, a pressure of about 1.4 MPa, which greatly exceeds the destruction pressure of 0.5 MPa, is also directly applied to the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 by the heating element, so that the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 are broken, and as a result, the magenta Magenta coloring by the system coloring material is obtained. Thus, blue dots are formed in the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 by mixing colors of cyan and magenta.

Meanwhile, the first blue dot color position which is allowed to develop by the thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating element is a ₂ second platen roller 34 and the second thermal head 36 ₂
When forced through between the second thermal head corresponding to the blue dot color development position by the first thermal head 36 ₁ is then energized on the basis of the blue pixel data 3
6 ₂ of the heat generating element is not being energized, thus resulting in only the blue dots based on blue pixel data are observed from the sensitive pressure sensitive hot layer 14 side of the full-color recording medium 10.

Next, as a characteristic coloring control of the present invention,
When the color pixel data is cyan pixel data,
A first thermal head corresponding to the cyan pixel data
36 ₁Heating element (R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, ... R_1n) Is energized
And heated to about 170 ° C.
The developer component “x” of the color forming layer 14 is melted by heat. Departure
The exothermic temperature of about 170 ° C of the thermal element is a leuco dye for cyan coloring.
In this case, since the color development temperature of component “□” is 140 ° C or higher
The leuco dye component “□” for cyan coloring is a developer component
“×” and sensitizer component (low melting point stearamide)
The developer component is melted by heat for eutectic action.
Cyan is developed by a color development reaction with “x”. Same as this
Sometimes the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 also have a burst pressure of 0.5M
A pressure of about 1.4MPa, which greatly exceeds Pa, is applied by the heating element.
As a result, the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 are destroyed.
Should be. However, surprisingly, the first server
Mulhead 36₁Temperature of the heating element exceeds the specified temperature
(In this case, about 160 ° C)
Pressure microcapsule 20 has a pressure of about 1.4 MPa
Escaped from destruction despite being
Experiments have shown that the color is no longer visible (details
Will be described later). Thus, the first thermal head 36₁of
When the heating element is heated to 170 ° C, pressure-sensitive heat
Only cyan dots are formed on the color layer 14.

Meanwhile, the first cyan dot color position which is allowed to develop by the thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating element and the second platen roller 34 ₂ second thermal head 36 ₂
When forced through between the second thermal head 3 corresponding to the cyan dots coloring position by the first thermal head 36 ₁ is then energized on the basis of the cyan pixel data
6 ₂ of the heat generating element not to be energized, thus resulting in only cyan dots based on the cyan pixel data is observed from transparency pressure-sensitive thermal layer 14 side of the full-color recording medium 10.

[0054] For reasons why the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 may escape from the destroyed under a pressure of about 1.4MPa when the first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating element is heated to about 170 ° C., the present inventors The following can be inferred from the experiment. That is, the heat generating element is relatively For low propagation by heat is mostly heat conduction to clarity pressure sensitive thermal coloring layer 14, the first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating element to a transparent feeling pressure sensitive thermal coloring layer 14 When a high temperature is instantaneously applied, the form of heat transmission to the color-forming layer 14 by the heating element is such that the ratio of heat radiation is higher than heat conduction, and the sensitizer component, the developer component, and the leuco dye for cyan coloring are Each of the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 sandwiched between the sheet 12 and the heating element is applied with a sufficient pressure because each of the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 is instantaneously brought into a high heat melting state and has a high fluidity around the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20. However, it is considered that the microcapsules 20 slipped out of the microcapsules 20 without being destroyed, or sunk into the fluidized color developing layer, and a sufficient breaking shear pressure did not work.

When the color pixel data is red pixel data, it is necessary to express a mixed color by superimposing magenta coloring dots and yellow coloring dots. Therefore First, a first heating element of the thermal head _{36 1 (R 11, R 12} , R 13, ... R 1n) corresponding to the red pixel data is then heated to about 100 ° C. is energized. That is, the first heat generating elements of the thermal head 36 ₁ corresponding to the red pixel data is the magenta color temperature, thereby at the same coloring process in the case described above the transparency pressure-sensitive heat-coloring layer 14 of the full-color recording medium 10 Magenta dots are formed.

Meanwhile, the first thermal head 36 magenta dots color position which is allowed to develop by _one of the heating element is a second platen roller 34 ₂ and the second thermal head 3
When forced through between the 6 _2, the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heat generating elements corresponding to a magenta dot color development position by the first thermal head 36 ₁ is then energized on the basis of the red pixel data (R _21, R ₂₂ , R ₂₃ ,... R _2n ) are energized and heated to about 160 ° C. At this time, the developer component “x” of the thermosensitive coloring layer 16 is thermally melted. Since the heating temperature of the heating element at about 160 ° C is 140 ° C or higher for the leuco dye component for yellow coloring “○”, the leuco dye component for yellow coloring “○” is the developer component “x” and the sensitizer It is heated and melted due to the eutectic action with the component (stearic acid amide), and develops yellow by the color development reaction with the developer component “x”, and yellow dots are formed on the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16. You. Thus, the full-color recording medium 1
From the side of the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 of 0, mixed color dots of magenta dots and yellow dots, that is, red dots based on red pixel data are observed. In addition,
The heat generated by the heating elements of the _second thermal head 362 is insulated by the sheet 12, so that the cyan color leuco dye component “□” in the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 is not colored.

When the color pixel data is green pixel data, it is necessary to express a mixed color by superimposing cyan coloring dots and yellow coloring dots. Therefore First, the first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements corresponding to the green pixel data _{(R 1 1, R 12,} R 13, ... R 1n)
Is heated and heated to about 170 ° C. That is, the first thermal head 36 ₁ corresponding to the green pixel data
Are set to the cyan coloring temperature, whereby cyan dots are formed on the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 of the full-color recording medium 10 by the same coloring process as described above.

Meanwhile, the first cyan dot color position which is allowed to develop by the thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating element and the second platen roller 34 ₂ second thermal head 36 ₂
When forced through between the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heat generating elements corresponding to the cyan dots coloring position by the first thermal head 36 ₁ is then energized on the basis of the green pixel data (R _21, R ₂₂ , R ₂₃ ,... R _2n ) are energized and heated to about 160 ° C., whereby yellow dots are formed on the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16. Thus, mixed color dots of cyan dots and yellow dots, that is, green dots based on green pixel data, are observed from the transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive layer 14 side of the full-color recording medium 10.

When the color pixel data is yellow pixel data, the first pixel data corresponding to the yellow pixel data
Of the thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements (R _11, R _12,
R ₁₃ ,... R _1n ) are not energized, and the dot area corresponding to the heating element is a blank (transparent dot) area in which neither magenta nor cyan is colored. That is, the first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements R _11, R _12, R ₁₃ for the pressure applying spring means 38 ₁ is sensitive pressure-sensitive heat-coloring layer 14 first full-color recording medium 10, from ... R _1n About with shearing force
A pressure of 1.4 MPa is applied, but when the individual heating elements are not energized, that is, when each heating element is at room temperature, the pressure of about 1.4 MPa is a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive color that exhibits a solid phase. The pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 are not directly affected by the heat-sensitive microcapsules 20 hampered by the layer 14, and the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 are not destroyed and magenta does not develop color.
In addition, the leuco dye for cyan coloring does not cause a coloring reaction because the heating element remains at room temperature.

[0060] On the other hand, when the above-mentioned blank (transparent dots) region is caused to pass between the ₂ second platen roller 34 ₂ and the second thermal head 36, first that has not been energized for the yellow pixel data Thermal head 36 ₁
By blank (transparent dots) the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heat generating element corresponding to the position _{(R 21, R 22, R} 23, ...
R _2n ) is energized and heated to about 160 ° C., whereby yellow dots are formed on the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16. Thus, only the yellow dots based on the yellow pixel data are observed from the transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive layer 14 side of the full-color recording medium 10.

When the color pixel data is black pixel data, the first pixel data corresponding to the black pixel data
Of the thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements (R _11, R _12,
R ₁₃ ,... R _1n ) are energized and heated to about 150 ° C. That is, the first heat generating elements of the thermal head 36 ₁ corresponding to the black pixel data is the blue color temperature, thereby at the same coloring process in the case described above the transparency pressure-sensitive heat-coloring layer 14 of the full-color recording medium 10 Blue dots are formed.

[0062] On the other hand, the first blue dot color position which is allowed to develop by the thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating element is a ₂ second platen roller 34 and the second thermal head 36 ₂
When forced through between the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heat generating elements corresponding to the blue dot color development position by the first thermal head 36 ₁ is then energized on the basis of the black pixel data (R _21, R ₂₂ , R ₂₃ ,... R _2n ) are energized and heated to about 160 ° C., whereby yellow dots are formed on the white thermosensitive coloring layer 16. Thus, mixed color dots of magenta, cyan, and yellow, that is, black dots based on black pixel data, are observed from the transparent pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive layer 14 side of the full-color recording medium 10.

When the color pixel data is white pixel data, the first pixel data corresponding to the white pixel data
Of the thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements (R _11, R _12,
R ₁₃ ... R _1n ) are not energized, and the dot area corresponding to the heating element is a blank (transparent dot) area in which neither magenta nor cyan is colored.

[0064] On the other hand, when the above-mentioned blank (transparent dots) position is caused to pass between the ₂ second platen roller 34 ₂ and the second thermal head 36, first that has not been energized for white pixel data Thermal head 36 ₁
By blank (transparent dots) the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heat generating element corresponding to the position _{(R 21, R 22, R} 23, ...
R _2n ) is also not energized, and the dot area corresponding to the heating element is a blank (white dot) area in which yellow is not generated. Thus, the full-color recording medium 1
From the side of the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive layer 14 of 0, white (white) dots of the white thermosensitive layer 16 and white reflection from the white reflective layer 18 are observed as white dots based on white pixel data.

Here, the results of experiments conducted by the present inventor on the above-described characteristic capsule destruction phenomenon according to the present invention will be described.

The results of the above experiment are shown in the graph of FIG. In this experiment, the first pressure applying spring means 38 ₁ of the set first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements with varying between 0.35MPa and 2.8MPa pressure R of the above printer
_{11, R 12, R 13,} ... 55 ℃ individual heat generation temperature of the R _1n and 200
The color of the coloring dots obtained on the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 when the temperature was changed between the temperature and the temperature was examined.

In the graph shown in FIG. 5, a hatched area indicated by "MA" indicates a magenta coloring area, a hatched area indicated by "CY" indicates a cyan coloring area, and a magenta coloring area "MA" and a cyan coloring area. An intersection area “MA / CY” overlapping with “CY” indicates a blue coloring area. As is clear from the graph, the first pressure applying spring means 3
8 when the _first set pressure is 1.4 MPa, i.e. sensitive pressure sensitive thermal color-forming layer by the first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements 14
Is 1.4 MPa, the temperature range in which magenta dots are obtained is defined as the temperature range between temperature T ₁ and temperature T _2, and the temperature range in which cyan dots are obtained is temperature t ₁ The above temperature range is defined. At this time, the temperature range in which blue dots can be obtained is defined as a temperature range between the temperature t ₁ and the temperature T ₂ . Here, T ₁ and T ₂ are about 90 ° C. and about 160 ° C., respectively.
° C, and t ₁ corresponds to about 140 ° C.

[0068] As apparent from the graph of FIG. 5, the heating temperature of the first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating element is greater than about 160 ° C., even by increasing much the pressure exerted sensitive pressure sensitive thermal coloring layer 14 It can be seen that the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 are less likely to break. It can be seen that under lower pressure, the phenomenon occurs gradually at lower temperatures.
Thus, as the mode of heat transmission to the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 by the heating element becomes higher, the ratio of heat radiation increases more than heat conduction, and the sensitizer, the developer and the leuco dye for cyan coloring each instantaneously increase. When the fluidity becomes high and the fluidity increases, it acts like a lubricant, and as a result, is sandwiched between the sheet 12 and the heating elements (R ₁₁ , R ₁₂ , R ₁₃ ,... R _1n ). Sufficient pressure is not applied to the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20, and the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 slide out or fluidize therefrom without breaking, and enter the color forming layer 14, and a sufficient breaking shear pressure is applied. It is presumed that there is not.

[0069] those for the temperature parameters of the first thermal head first thermal head 36 ₁ of the heating elements in the above printer which is determined based on the graph of FIG. That is, the set temperature 100 for magenta coloring
The set temperature of 150 ° C. for blue color development and the set temperature of 170 ° C. for cyan color development are based on the graph of FIG.

As described above, the sheet 12 not only functions as a support base for forming the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 and the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16 but also forms the two coloring layers 14 and 1.
6 also functions as a heat insulating layer for thermally shutting off 6, so that both coloring layers are not thermally affected by each other. That is, the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 is provided with the above-described pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring properties, and the
A simple temperature coloring property that yellow color is generated at a temperature of 140 ° C. or more is provided, and both of these coloring properties are independent of each other.

In the first embodiment described above,
Needless to say, the yellow image is formed as a mirror image from the side of the thermosensitive coloring layer 16 in terms of data, whereby the yellow image is formed when viewed from the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 side. And the cyan image.

In the first embodiment, if necessary, the reflection coating layer 18 may be omitted. In addition, the whiteness of the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16 itself is increased, and then the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16 can be observed from the transparent pressure-sensitive heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 side.

Further, the binder of the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16 is PVA
In place of Gabsen ES-901A, the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16 can be made transparent so that full-color images can be observed from both sides through transmitted light, and can be used, for example, for OHP.

Referring to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of a full color recording medium according to the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 48. The full-color recording medium 48 includes an appropriate transparent support 50, a developer image receiving layer 52 coated on one surface of the support 50, a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 54 formed on the image receiving layer 52, And a heat-sensitive coloring layer 56 applied to the other surface of the support 50. The support 50 is formed as a sheet having a thickness of about 100 μm and made of transparent polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET), similarly to the support 12 of the first embodiment. Of course, the sheet 50 is also made of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 5.
In addition to functioning as a support base for forming the heat-sensitive coloring layer 56 and the heat-sensitive coloring layer 56, it also functions as a heat insulating layer for thermally blocking both coloring layers 54 and 56.

For forming the developer image receiving layer 52, a composition liquid having the composition shown in the following table is prepared. Composition parts by weight (1) Aqueous dispersion of 40 W% K-5 ... 1.0 (2) Aqueous solution of 20 W% binder ... 0.5 Here, the composition (1) is used as the developer used in the first embodiment in purified water ( Disperse (suspension) by adding 40% by weight of K-5)
It was made. Composition (2) is obtained by adding 20% by weight of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) having a polymerization degree of 500 as a binder material to purified water.

The above composition is applied to one side of a sheet (PET) 50 with a Meyer bar No. 10 and dried to form a white developer image receiving layer 52 as shown in FIG.
Is obtained. When the above composition is applied using Meyer bar No. 10, about 5 to 9 per square meter
A gram coverage is obtained. In FIG. 6, the developer component in the developer image receiving layer 52 is indicated by a symbol “x” for convenience.

The pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 54 is substantially the same as the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 of the first embodiment. That is, the composition liquid A used in the first embodiment was applied to the Meyer bar No. 8
The pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 54 as shown in FIG. 6 is formed by applying a coating amount of about 4 to 5 grams per square meter on the developer image receiving layer 52 and drying it. In short, the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 54 is also formed by uniformly distributing a large number of the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 in the thermosensitive coloring layer composed of the leuco dye component for cyan coloring and the developer component. However, in the first embodiment, the layer after drying was formed using water-soluble polyester as a binder of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14, but in this example, it is not necessary to make the layer transparent as described later. Instead, it may be formed in white using PVA or the like. As in the case of FIG. 1, “ロ イ” is used for the leuco dye component for cyan coloring (NC-Blue-3).
And the developer component (K-5) is conveniently indicated by the symbol “x”. Thus, the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 54 is also provided with the pressure-temperature coloring property as shown in FIG. 5, similarly to the case of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 of the first embodiment.

The heat-sensitive coloring layer 56 also has substantially the same heat-sensitive characteristics as the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16 of the first embodiment.
However, the layer color after drying is white in the first embodiment, but is transparent in the present embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, PVA as a binder used for the composition liquid B of the first embodiment was used.
Was replaced with a water-soluble polyester (Gabsen ES-901A) to prepare a coating solution. This coating solution is applied to the other surface of the sheet (PET) 50 with a Meyer bar No. 6 and dried to form a transparent thermosensitive coloring layer 56 as shown in FIG. That is, the transparent thermosensitive coloring layer 56 is also composed of a leuco dye component and a developer component. In FIG. 6, the symbol “○” indicates the leuco dye component (I-3R) and the developer component (K-5)
Is indicated by the symbol “x”. Thus, the same heat-sensitive coloring characteristics as in the case of the heat-sensitive coloring layer 16 of the first embodiment are also provided to the transparent heat-sensitive coloring layer 56.

A full-color image can be recorded on such a full-color recording medium 48 of the second embodiment in the same manner as in the first embodiment by using the above-described printer (FIGS. 2 and 3). It is. That is, as in the first embodiment, the sensitive pressure-sensitive heat-coloring layer 54 magenta image and the cyan image is formed by the first thermal head 36 ₁ and the heat-sensitive coloring layer 56 second thermal head 36
₂ forms a yellow image.

However, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. First, in the second embodiment, a magenta coloring dye (Red-3) obtained by breaking the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive microcapsules 20 and a cyan coloring dye (NC-NC) obtained by a leuco dye component "□" for cyan coloring. Blue-3) are both penetrated into the developer image receiving layer 52, so that the magenta image and the cyan image among the three primary color images are held in the developer image receiving layer 52. Also, the first
In the embodiment, the full-color image is observed from the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 side of the full-color recording medium 10, but in the second embodiment, the full-color image is viewed from the transparent heat-sensitive coloring layer 56 side of the full-color recording medium 48. Will be observed from Of course, in the second embodiment, the developer image receiving layer 5
The magenta image and the cyan image formed in No. 2 are respectively formed as mirror images from the side of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 54 in terms of data, so that they are aligned with the yellow image when viewed from the transparent thermosensitive coloring layer 56 side. .

Referring to FIG. 7, a third embodiment of a full color recording medium according to the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 58. The full-color recording medium 58 includes an appropriate transparent support 60, a developer image receiving layer 62 coated on one surface of the support 60, a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 64 formed on the image receiving layer 62, And a thermosensitive coloring layer 66 applied to the other surface of the support 60. In this embodiment, the heat-sensitive coloring layer 66 is a two-layer structure consisting of the first thermosensitive coloring layer portion 68 ₁ and second thermosensitive coloring layer portion 68 _2. Support 60
Is formed as a sheet having a thickness of about 100 μm made of a transparent polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET) similarly to the first and second embodiments. Not only does it function as a supporting base for forming, but also functions as a heat insulating layer for thermally insulating the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 64 from the heat-sensitive coloring layer 66.

Developer image-receiving layer 62 and pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 64
About the developer image receiving layer 52 in the second embodiment.
And the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 54. As in the case of FIG. 6, the developer component (K-5) in the developer image receiving layer 62 is conveniently indicated by the symbol “x”. The pressure microcapsules are denoted by reference numeral 20, and the leuco dye component (NC-Blue-3) and the developer component ((K-5)) for cyan coloring are conveniently denoted by the symbols "□" and "X", respectively. Is shown in
In short, the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 64 is given the pressure-temperature coloring property as shown in FIG. 5 similarly to the case of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 of the first embodiment, and the magenta image, the blue image and the cyan color there are provided. The image forming process is the second process shown in FIG.
This is substantially the same as the embodiment.

[0083] For the first formation of the thermosensitive coloring layer portion 68 _1, the composition liquid is prepared having the composition shown in the following table. Composition parts by weight (1) Aqueous dispersion of 17W% ETAC… 0.5 (2) Aqueous dispersion of 16W% K-5… 1.0 (3) Aqueous solution of 10W% binder… 1.0 Here, composition (1) is ETAC (a leuco dye for black coloring produced by Yamada Chemical Co., Ltd.) was added and dispersed (suspended) by 17% by weight, and ETAC itself had an average particle diameter of 1 μm.
The following white powder has a color development start temperature of about 170 ° C. by reaction with K-5 (a color developer). Composition (2)
Is a dispersion obtained by adding 16% by weight of K-5 (a color developer) to purified water. Composition (3) is obtained by adding purified water to Gabsen ES-901A (water-soluble polyester) as a binder material to make up 10% by weight. Used to

The above composition was applied to a Meyer bar No. 6.
It can be applied to the other side of the sheet (PET) 60 and dried.
Thus, the first transparent thermosensitive coloring layer portion as shown in FIG.
68 ₁Is obtained. The above composition using Meyer bar No.6
About 3 per square meter when liquid is applied
A coating weight of 5 grams is obtained. In FIG. 7, the first
Transparent thermosensitive coloring layer part 68₁Leuco for black coloring inside
The dye component (ETAC) is conveniently indicated by the symbol “△”.
Have been.

[0085] The second thermosensitive coloring layer portion 68 ₂ is the same as the heat-sensitive coloring layer 56 in the second embodiment. That is,
Drying the coated first transparent coloring layer portions 68 ₁ on with the coating liquid was replaced with the binder PVA composition solution B used in the first embodiment in Gabusen ES-901A by Meyer bar No.6 it allows the second transparent coloring layer portions 68 _2, as shown in FIG. 7 is formed. Similar to the case of FIGS. 1 and 6, the symbol "○" for yellow color-forming leuco dye component of the second transparent coloring layer portion 68 in ₂ (I-3R), developer component (K -5) is indicated by the symbol "x". Thus, the second transparent thermosensitive coloring layer portion 68 ₂
Also, the same thermosensitive coloring characteristics as those of the thermosensitive coloring layer 16 of the first embodiment are provided.

A full-color image can also be recorded on the full-color recording medium 48 of the third embodiment by using the above-described printer (FIGS. 2 and 3). Only the process of forming a black image is different from those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. That is, the forming process of the magenta image, the cyan image, the yellow image, the blue image, the red image, and the green image of the full-color image is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. , A first transparent thermosensitive coloring layer portion 68 instead of being obtained by subtractive color mixing of the cyan image and the yellow image.
It is formed from the color development of the _first black coloring for leuco dye component (ETAC).

[0087] More specifically, when the color pixel data is black pixel data, the first heat generating elements of the thermal head 36 ₁ corresponding to the black pixel data _{(R 11, R 1 2,} R 13, ... R 1n) Is not energized, and the dot area corresponding to the heating element, that is, the dot area on the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 64 is a blank (white) dot in which neither magenta nor cyan is colored.

[0088] On the other hand, when the above-mentioned blank (white) dot position is caused to pass between the ₂ second platen roller 34 ₂ and the second thermal head 36, the second thermal head 36 corresponding to a black pixel data ₂ heating elements (R
_{21, R 22, R 23,} ... R 2n) is heated to a high of about 180 ° C. than coloring temperature 140 ° C. of the yellow color-forming leuco dye in the second transparent coloring layer portion 68 _2. In this case,
First, the yellow color-forming leuco dye in the second transparent coloring layer portion 68 ₂ is thermally melted colored yellow, followed by the first black color-forming leuco dye in the transparent coloring layer portions 68 in ₁ (ETAC ) Is heat-melted to produce black, but the yellow color is absorbed by the black color and black dots appear there. In short, in the third embodiment, the black image is obtained by the leuco dye component for black color formation (ETAC) without depending on the subtractive color mixing of the three primary colors, and therefore, is more pure and sharper than in the first and second embodiments. A black image can be obtained.

[0089] In the third embodiment, a full color image will be observed from the second transparent coloring layer 68 ₂ side, as in the second embodiment, the developer receiving layer 62 The magenta image, cyan image, and blue image data formed in the image data are respectively mirror images.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable that the second transparent coloring layer portion 68 ₂ of the surface providing a protective transparent film layer 70, a full-color full-color recording medium 58 by such a protective transparent film layer 70 The image observation surface will be protected. Protective transparent film layer 70 is made of a transparent film sheets such as polyethylene terephthalate thickness 6μm made of resin (PET), for adhering the protective film sheet against a second transparent coloring layer portion 68 _2, a first embodiment Reflective layer 18 in
Can be performed in the same manner as in the above case. Of course, such a protective film sheet may be used in the first and second embodiments. In the case of the first embodiment, the protective film sheet is applied to the surface of the transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14,
In the case of the second embodiment, the protective film sheet is applied to the surface of the transparent thermosensitive coloring layer 56. Further, the protective transparent film layer 70 may be formed by coating a high heat resistant material such as casein / nylon.

Note that in the above-described third embodiment,
Although the heat-sensitive coloring layer 66 is a two-layer structure consisting of a first transparent coloring layer portions 68 ₁ and the second transparent coloring layer portions 68 _2, for the thermosensitive coloring layer 66, a black color-forming leuco component " A single layer structure in which Δ ”and the leuco dye component for yellow coloring“ “” are mixed in the developer component “X” can also be used.

Further, the above-mentioned transparent protective film sheet was used as a base material, on which a second transparent thermosensitive coloring layer 68 ₂ ,
The transparent thermosensitive coloring layer 68 ₁ , the developer image receiving layer 62 and the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 64 are sequentially coated and molded, and although the fogging phenomenon slightly increases, the transparent support 60 can be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, a fourth embodiment of a full color recording medium according to the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 72. The full-color recording medium 72 is provided on a suitable support 74.
And a first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 76 applied to one surface of the support 74, and a second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 78 applied to the other surface of the support 74. Support 74
Is formed as a sheet having a thickness of about 100 μm made of polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET) in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the sheet (PET) 74 is used.
Has a porous structure. As in the case of the above-described embodiment, the sheet 74 not only functions as a support base for forming the first and second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layers 76 and 78, but also functions as the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 64 and the first thermosensitive coloring layer 64. And functions as a heat insulating layer for thermally isolating the second thermosensitive coloring layers 66 and 68, but in the fourth embodiment the sheet 74 is obtained from its porous properties as further described below. The function as an image receiving layer is also given. Note that the sheet 74 is preferably transparent, but need not necessarily be transparent.

The first pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 76 is the same as the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layers 14, 54 and 6 in the above embodiment.
4 is formed in the same manner as in the case of FIG. 1 and 6
7, the pressure-sensitive microcapsules in the first pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 76 are indicated by reference numeral 20, and the leuco dye component for cyan coloring (NC-Blue-3) and the developer For the component (K-5), the symbols “□” and “×” respectively
For convenience. In short, the first pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 76 is also provided with a pressure-temperature coloring property as shown in FIG. Is the same.

The second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78 is formed by uniformly distributing a large number of pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 'in a heat-sensitive coloring layer comprising a leuco dye component for black coloring and a developer component. In FIG. 8, the leuco dye component for black color formation is conveniently indicated by "△", and the developer component is conveniently indicated by "x". ETAC (manufactured by Yamada Chemical Co., Ltd.) is used as the leuco dye component for black color development in the same manner as in the third embodiment. ° C, but can be lowered to about 150 ° C by the sensitizer component described below. Also,
K-5 is used as a developer component, and its heat melting temperature is about 145 ° C. as described above. Although not shown in FIG. 8, a low-melting-point stearamide as a sensitizer component is appropriately added to the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78.

In the fourth embodiment, a yellow coloring material is encapsulated in the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 '. As the yellow coloring material, a solution in which a leuco dye for yellow coloring is dissolved in an appropriate vehicle is used. . For example, as a vehicle, the same transparent oil KMC-113 (2,7 diisopropyl naphthalene) as in the case of the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 is used, and as the leuco dye for yellow color development, the above-mentioned is used.
I-3R (Pergascript Yellow) is used. FIG.
In FIG. 5, the yellow color material enclosed in the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 'is indicated by "Y" representing yellow. Such a pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20 'can also be manufactured by the in-site polymerization method under the same manufacturing conditions as those of the pressure-sensitive microcapsule 20 described above. As for 100g of KMC-113
Used in which 4 g of I-3R is dissolved. In short, as in the case of the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20, the average particle size of the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 'is about 3 μm to 4 μm.
The thickness of the wall film is such that the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 'can be broken under a pressure of 0.5 MPa or more accompanied by a shearing force.

For forming the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78, a composition having the composition shown in the following table is prepared. Composition parts by weight (1) Aqueous dispersion of 25 W% microcapsules… 1.0 (2) Aqueous dispersion of 17 W% ETAC… 0.5 (3) Aqueous dispersion of 16 W% K-5… 1.5 (4) 16 W% low melting point stearin Aqueous dispersion of acid amide… 0.5 (5) Aqueous solution of 20 W% binder… 0.5 Here, the composition (1) is the pressure-sensitive microcapsule 2 in purified water.
0 'was added and dispersed (suspended) by 25% by weight. Composition (2) is obtained by adding and dispersing (suspending) 17% by weight of ETAC (leuco dye for black coloring) to purified water, and the leuco dye is a powder having an average particle size of 1 μm or less. Composition (3) is obtained by adding 16% by weight of K-5 (developing agent) to purified water and dispersing (suspending) the developing agent. The developing agent is a powder having an average particle diameter of 1 μm or less. The composition (4) is obtained by adding 16% by weight of a low-melting-point stearamide (sensitizer) to purified water and dispersing (suspending) the sensitizer. The sensitizer is a powder having an average particle size of 1 μm or less. . Composition (5) is Gabsen ES-901A (water-soluble polyester) as a binder material
And 20% by weight of purified water, and is used to make all the materials transparent after drying so that they cannot be directly viewed on the sheet 74.

The above composition was applied to the other side of the sheet (PET) 74 with a Meyer bar No. 8 at a coating amount of about 4 to 5 grams per square meter, and dried, as shown in FIG. Second transparent pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 7
8 is obtained.

The second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78 thus obtained contains a low-melting-point stearamide as a sensitizer.
Reduced from 145 ° C to about 90 ° C.

Although it is possible to record a full-color image on such a full-color recording medium 72 of the fourth embodiment by using a printer as shown in FIGS. In order to enable recording of a full-color image, it is necessary to change the set pressure of the _second pressure applying spring means 382.
That is, the second pressure applying spring means 38 ₂ of the set pressure 1.4Mp as in the first pressure applying spring means 38 ₁
is as a, the second thermal head 36 ₂ second thermosensitive feeling pressure color layer 78 when the full-color recording medium 72 passes between the ₂ second platen roller 34 ₂ and the second thermal head 36 On the other hand, a pressure of 1.4 Mpa is applied. Furthermore, the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heating elements (R _21, R
_22, R _23, ... it is necessary to change the settings of the heating temperature for R _2n). That is, the second thermal head 36 ₂
When yellow dots are formed by the individual heating elements (R ₂₁ , R ₂₂ , R ₂₃ ,... R _2n ), it is necessary to energize the corresponding heating elements so that the heating temperature is about 100 ° C. , and the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the individual heating elements _{(R 21, R 22, R} 23, ... R 2n) when forming a black dot by the heat generation temperature of about 170 ° C. for the relevant heating element It is necessary to energize as follows.

The full-color recording medium 72 of the fourth embodiment
But, magenta image and cyan image formation of the first sensitive pressure sensitive thermal color-forming layer 76 is sensitive in the first, second and third embodiments made by the first thermal head 36 _2, the color development process in which the above-mentioned This is the same as the case of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layers 14, 54 and 64. However, in the fourth embodiment, the magenta coloring dye (Red-3) obtained by destruction of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive microcapsules 20 and the cyan coloring dye (NC) obtained by the leuco dye component “□” for cyan coloring.
-Blue-3) are both infiltrated into the porous sheet 74,
Thus, the sheet 74 holds a magenta image and a cyan image of the three primary color images.

On the other hand, the color forming process in the second heat-sensitive color-forming layer 78 is also performed in the case of the first pressure-sensitive color-forming layer 76 (accordingly,
This is similar to the case of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 14 in the first embodiment.

More specifically, the second thermal head 36 ₂
Is 1.4 Mpa with respect to the second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 78.
When the yellow color developing temperature is increased to about 100 ° C. while the pressure is applied, the developer component “X” in the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive color developing layer 78 becomes a sensitizer component (low melting point stearamide).
The heat-generating element penetrates into the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78 due to the eutectic effect of the heat-generating element. Thus,
A pressure of about 1.4 MPa, which is much higher than the destruction pressure of 0.5 MPa, is applied to the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 ′ by the heating element, whereby the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 ′ are destroyed, from which a yellow colorant is formed. Released.

Released from the pressure-sensitive microcapsules 20 '
The leuco dye for yellow coloring of the yellow coloring material is described above.
Is dissolved in transparent oil (KMC-113)
Immediately reacts with the developer component “X” to develop yellow color
Therefore, the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78 has a yellow color.
Is formed. The second thermal head 36 _Two
The heating temperature of the heating element is about 100 ° C.
When the temperature rises, the temperature in the second pressure-
Melting Temperature or Color of Leuco Dye Component "△"
Black color because the temperature is below the starting temperature (150 ° C)
Is not caused.

On the other hand, the second thermal head 36
_{When the second} heating element is heated to a black color development temperature of about 170 ° C., the black color leuco dye component “△” in the second pressure-sensitive heat-sensitive color development layer 78 in the second pressure-sensitive heat-sensitive color development layer 78 is heated. It is melted and reacts with the color developer component “x” to form a black color, thereby forming black dots in the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78. When the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heat generating element is heated to a black color temperature of about 170 ° C., sensitive pressure magenta capsules despite the pressure sensitive microcapsules 20 'pressure of about 1.4MPa are exerted 2
0 'escapes from destruction, and no yellow color is observed. The reason is considered to be the same as in the case of the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 14 of the first embodiment.

As in the case of the first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 76, the yellow coloring dye (I-3R) obtained by destruction of the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive microcapsules 20 'and the leuco dye component "△" for black coloring are used. Black coloring dye (ET
CA) are both infiltrated into the porous sheet 74, so that the sheet 74 holds a yellow image and a black image.

Thus, also in the full-color recording medium 72 of the fourth embodiment, the second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 78
A full-color image can be observed from the side, and at this time, the magenta image and the cyan image data obtained by the first pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 76 are mirror images. In the full-color recording medium of the fourth embodiment, when forming black dots based on black pixel data, the first thermal head 3
6 ₁ is not energized, and a black dot is formed only by the leuco dye component for black coloring in the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78. -901A (water-soluble polyester) to make it transparent so that a full-color image can be observed as a mirror image from the first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 76 side.

Referring to the graph of FIG. 9, the pressure-temperature coloring characteristics of the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78 are shown. In the graph, the hatched area indicated by “YE” indicates a yellow coloring area, and the hatched area indicated by “BK” indicates a black coloring area. It should be noted that the intersection area “YE / YE” where the yellow coloring area “YE” and the black coloring area “BK” overlap.
In BK ", both yellow and black are colored, but since the yellow color is absorbed by black,
The intersection area “YE / BK” is substantially a black coloring area.

The graph of FIG. 9 is also obtained by the results of an experiment performed by the present inventor. That is, in this experiment, the second pressure applying spring means 38 the _second set pressure with varying between 0.35MPa and 2.8MPa second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heating element R ₂₁ of the above-mentioned printer, R ₂₂ , R
₂₃ ,... The color of the coloring dots obtained on the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 78 when the respective exothermic temperatures of R _2n were changed between 55 ° C. and 200 ° C. was examined.

[0110] As apparent from the graph of FIG. 9, when the second pressure applying spring means 38 ₂ of the set pressure is 1.4 MPa, that is, the second sensitive pressure sensitive heat by the second thermal head 36 ₂ of the heating element The pressure applied to the coloring layer 78 is 1.4 MPa
, The temperature range in which yellow dots are obtained is defined as a temperature range between the temperatures TT ₁ and TT _2, and the temperature range in which black dots are obtained is defined as a temperature range equal to or higher than the temperature tt _1. , the temperature range capable of obtaining both the yellow dots and the black dots at this time is defined as the temperature range between the temperature tt ₁ and the temperature TT _2. Here, TT ₁ and TT ₂ correspond to about 90 ° C. and about 160 ° C., respectively, and tt ₁ corresponds to about 150 ° C.

In the first, second and third embodiments described above, the magenta coloring material is microencapsulated.
Color materials based on other three primary colors, i.e., either cyan or yellow, may be microencapsulated. Of course, in that case, it is possible to appropriately adjust the color development temperature of other leuco dyes that are not microencapsulated. Similarly, in the fourth embodiment, the magenta-based color material and the yellow-based color material are microencapsulated, but it is also possible to microencapsulate any two of the three primary colors. .

In the first, second, third and fourth embodiments described above, the respective features can be combined with each other. For example, in the first embodiment, the sheet 12 may be made porous and used as an image receiving layer for a full-color image, and the developer image receiving layers (52, 62) as shown in FIGS. It may be interposed between the heat-sensitive coloring layer, and in this case, the reflection coating layer 18 is omitted from the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the first and second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layers 76 are used.
6 and 7, a developer image receiving layer (52, 62) as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be interposed. In this case, the sheet 74 is not porous but transparent. Formed as a sheet.

[0113]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a full-color image by microencapsulating only at most two color materials of the three primary colors. Can be kept low.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view schematically showing a part of a first embodiment of a full-color recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of an image recording apparatus for recording a full-color image on the full-color recording medium shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of first and second thermal heads included in the image recording apparatus of FIG. 2;

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a heating element of a thermal head of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 causes a coloring layer of the full-color recording medium of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing pressure-temperature coloring characteristics of a pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer of the full-color recording medium shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view schematically showing a part of a second embodiment of the full-color recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view schematically showing a part of a third embodiment of a full-color recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view schematically showing a part of a fourth embodiment of the full-color recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing pressure-temperature coloring characteristics of a second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer of the full-color recording medium shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Full-color recording medium 12 Support (sheet) 14 Pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer 16 Thermosensitive coloring layer 18 Reflective coating layer 20 Pressure-sensitive microcapsule

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yukio Kubota 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H026 AA07 AA13 BB01 EE05 FF03 FF05 FF11 FF17 FF24 2H085 AA07 AA11 AA13 EE05 FE02 FE05 FE14

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A transparent support, comprising a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer formed on one surface of the transparent support, and a thermosensitive coloring layer formed on the other surface of the transparent support. In a self-coloring full-color recording medium in which at least one of a pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer and the thermosensitive coloring is transparent, the first leuco dye wherein the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer emits one of three primary colors. A second leuco dye component, which is adapted to emit one of the three primary colors, is encapsulated in the pressure-sensitive microcapsules. In the pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer, the pressure-sensitive microcapsules are broken under a predetermined pressure and within a first temperature range, and the pressure-sensitive microcapsules are broken in the second temperature range.
A pressure-temperature color developing characteristic for releasing the leuco dye component and coloring the second leuco dye component, and a second temperature range equal to or higher than a first temperature included in the first temperature range. A third leuco dye, wherein the thermosensitive coloring layer emits the remaining one of the three primary colors; A self-coloring type full color recording medium, characterized in that the thermosensitive coloring layer is provided with a temperature coloring property capable of coloring the third leuco dye at a predetermined temperature. 2. The self-coloring full-color recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said transparent support functions as a heat insulating layer between said pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer and said thermosensitive coloring layer. Coloring type full color recording medium. 3. The self-coloring full-color recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a reflective coating layer is provided on a surface of the thermosensitive coloring layer. 4. The self-coloring full-color recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the transparent support is formed as a porous transparent support, and the porous transparent support functions as an image receiving layer for a full-color image. A self-coloring full-color recording medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The self-color-forming full-color recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a color developer image-receiving layer is interposed between the transparent support and the pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive color-forming layer. Type full color recording medium. 6. The self-coloring full-color recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the thermosensitive coloring layer further contains a leuco dye component for black coloring, and the coloring temperature of the leuco dye for black coloring is set to the third color. A self-coloring full-color recording medium characterized by having a higher coloring temperature than the leuco dye component. 7. The self-coloring type full-color recording medium according to claim 6, wherein said thermosensitive coloring layer comprises a first thermosensitive coloring layer portion comprising said black coloring leuco dye component and a developer component; And a second thermosensitive coloring layer portion comprising a leuco dye and a developer component. 8. A support, a first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer formed on one surface of the support, and a second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer formed on the other surface of the support. A first leuco dye component in which the first pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer emits one of the three primary colors; a color developer component; A first pressure-sensitive microcapsule, and the first pressure-sensitive microcapsule is filled with a second leuco dye component that emits another one of the three primary colors. The first heat-sensitive coloring layer has the first
Wherein the pressure-sensitive microcapsules are destroyed under a predetermined pressure and within a first temperature range to release the second leuco dye component and cause the second leuco dye component to develop color. A pressure-temperature coloring characteristic, and the first temperature range in a second temperature range equal to or higher than a first temperature included in the first temperature range.
And the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer is provided with a black color-forming leuco dye component, a color developer component, and a plurality of second pressure-sensitive components. And the second pressure-sensitive microcapsule is configured to emit the remaining one of the three primary colors.
Of the second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer, the second pressure-sensitive microcapsules are broken under a predetermined pressure and within a third temperature range, and the third leuco dye component is sealed. A second pressure-temperature coloring characteristic for releasing the dye component to form a color of the third leuco dye component, and a fourth temperature range not lower than the second temperature included in the third temperature range A self-coloring type full-color recording medium, wherein the color-forming leuco dye component for coloring black is colored. 9. The self-coloring full-color recording medium according to claim 8, wherein the support functions as a heat insulating layer between the first pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer and the second pressure-sensitive thermosensitive coloring layer. A self-coloring full-color recording medium. 10. The self-coloring full-color recording medium according to claim 8, wherein the support is formed as a porous support, and the porous support functions as an image receiving layer for a full-color image. A self-coloring full-color recording medium. 11. The self-coloring full-color recording medium according to claim 8, wherein a first developer image-receiving layer is interposed between the support and the first pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer. A self-coloring full-color recording medium, wherein a second developer image receiving layer is interposed between the support and the second pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer.