JP2804831B2 - Image forming method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Industrial application field" The present invention relates to an exposure and heat developing apparatus for producing color or black and white proofs, slides, overhead projectors, second original drawings, copiers, and faxes, and is particularly unnecessary. Forming a color image simply by performing heat development after exposure without using a simple sheet. About the method.

"Prior Art" Hereinafter, a conventional technique will be described by taking a color proof as an example for convenience, but the same thing can be said in other fields only for a different purpose of use.

There are various types of color proofs, but each has its own drawbacks.

One of the typical methods of color proof is an overlay method. In this method, a multi-color image is reproduced by superimposing films having images of respective colors, and it is inevitable to see the image through the film, and the image quality deteriorates.

In addition, there is a surprint method as a method for obtaining a multicolor image on one sheet. In this method, a multicolor image is obtained by sequentially superimposing images of each color on one support. For example, Chromalin (Dupont), Match Print (3M
Inc., color art (Fuji Photo Film), etc. are known, but all require four photosensitive films corresponding to each color, and waste is generated.

Further, a color paper method is known as a method of forming a color image on one photosensitive sheet. In this method, a film original is brought into close contact with color paper, exposed using each color filter, and wet developed to obtain a color image. Fine checkers (Fuji Photo Film) and consensus (Konica) are known. I have. In this method, since the photosensitive area of the color paper is in the visible area, a dark room or an exposure apparatus having a dark room is required for handling, and maintenance management of the developer is required.

These methods require multiple sheets, transfer sheets,
There are some drawbacks, such as generation of waste such as toner, difficulty in handling in a bright room, and the need for a developing system using a developing solution.

The following method has been proposed as a method that does not have these disadvantages. That is, a latent image is formed on the photocurable composition by exposure, and a component related to coloring or decoloring is diffused in the photosensitive material according to the latent image by heating to form a color image. Using a development-type photosensitive recording medium, exposing the photosensitive recording medium through an image original, causing photo-curing in an exposed portion to form a latent image, and then heating the photosensitive recording medium to thereby form an uncured portion. By using a color image forming method characterized by forming a visible image by diffusing a part relating to color development or decoloring, a complete dry system free of waste can be realized.

There are several types of optical recording media specifically used for this method, and although there is a characteristic method as a black and white image recording method, it is particularly useful when used as a color recording medium.

As a specific recording medium, for example, JP-A-52-8991
The medium disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5 is known. This is a method in which two components of a two-component thermosensitive coloring medium, for example, an electron-accepting compound and an electron-donating colorless dye are separately disposed inside and / or outside or on both sides of a microcapsule containing a photocurable composition. Media. However, in the case of this medium, even when the photocurable composition in the microcapsules is sufficiently cured, the coloration of the cured portion cannot be sufficiently suppressed, so that the non-image portion is slightly colored, and the contrast tends to be poor. is there.

As a more preferable medium without coloring of the non-image portion, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-61-123838, a photopolymerizable composition comprising a vinyl monomer having an acidic group and a photopolymerization initiator There is known a recording medium in which a layer containing, a separating layer, and a layer composed of an electron-donating colorless dye are laminated. In the case of this medium, the non-image portion, that is, the heat-diffusing property of the acidic group in the portion cured by the photopolymerization portion is almost eliminated, so that the non-image portion is not colored, but the coloring density is slightly low.

As a method for obtaining a negative image by the same method, for example, there is a method disclosed in JP-A-60-119552. This method uses a photopolymerizable composition comprising a monomer or prepolymer for bleaching a dye and a photopolymerization initiator and a recording medium in which a dye bleached by the monomer or the prepolymer is present in isolation. This medium also has the same disadvantages as the previously described medium.

The most preferable medium which overcomes the coloring of the non-image portion and the non-image density is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-222 filed by the present applicant.
There is a medium described in 4930. In this medium, one of the two components of the two-component thermosensitive coloring medium is encapsulated in a microcapsule, and the other component is used as a curable compound of the photocurable composition, or the other component is microencapsulated together with the photocurable composition. This is a medium placed outside the capsule.

As a medium for a negative image using the same concept, there is a medium described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-19710 of the present applicant. An electron-accepting compound, a photopolymerizable composition containing a polymerizable vinyl monomer and a photopolymerization initiator are arranged outside the microcapsules, and a layer containing a microcapsule containing an electron-donating colorless dye is provided. This is a recording medium.

In order to perform color recording with these photosensitive recording media, basically, a recording medium having a plurality of photosensitive layers having different photosensitive wavelengths and different coloring hues may be used. Examples of more preferred multicolor recording media are Japanese Patent Application Nos. 1-2224930 and 2-19.
No. 710 can be mentioned. For example, it has a plurality of photosensitive layers that are sensitive to light of different wavelengths and develop colors of different hues, and as a layer configuration from the exposure light source side to the support side of the recording medium, the second photosensitive layer is sensitive to light of the center wavelength λ1. 1, a photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer that absorbs light having a center wavelength λ1, a second photosensitive layer that is sensitive to light having a center wavelength λ2 and develops a color different from that of the first photosensitive layer, ‥‥, a center wavelength λi−1 At least two layers in the order of an intermediate layer that absorbs light, and an i-th photosensitive layer that is sensitive to light having a center wavelength λi and develops a color different from the first, second,. Are laminated on a support, and the center wavelength λ1 <λ
.. <Λi. Here, i is an integer of 2 or more.

After exposure of these photosensitive recording media, thermal development is required to stabilize the image. However, an image forming method using an exposure / thermal developing device that is designed to easily perform this thermal development is desired. I was

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] An object of the present invention is to provide a completely dry black-and-white or color heat-developable photosensitive recording medium that does not generate unnecessary waste and does not require the use of a developer or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method using a developing device. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an image forming method using an exposure / heat developing apparatus in which heat development can be easily performed after exposure.

"Means for Solving the Problems" It is an object of the present invention to form a latent image on a photocurable composition by exposure, and to move components relating to color development or decoloration in a photosensitive material according to the latent image by heating. In the exposure / heat developing device for performing image exposure by superimposing an image original on the photosensitive recording medium using a heat development type photosensitive recording medium for forming a color image by This has been achieved by an image forming method using an exposure / heat developing apparatus, which is characterized by being installed adjacently.

Hereinafter, an image forming method using the exposure / heat developing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, as a heating method used for the heat developing portion 90 which can be preferably used in the present invention, a non-contact heating method such as heating by hot air or heating by radiant heat, or a contact heating method using a hot plate or a hot roller is used. In the electrophotography, various methods known in the art such as a method known as a thermal fixing method of toner and a method known as a thermal developing method of dry silver can be used.

The most preferable method among them is a heating method using a heat roller 93. To heat this heat roller, apply electric current to nichrome acid to heat it, cook a burner inside the roller, put a heating element such as a halogen lamp inside the roller,
For example, a method in which an electric current is caused to flow by using the roller surface as a surface heating element may be used.

The material of the heat roller 93 is preferably a metal such as iron, aluminum, or stainless steel, and the surface thereof may be mirror-finished, coated with Teflon, or planted with cilia.

Further, it is desirable that the temperature of the heat roller surface is controlled to be constant, and it is preferable that one or a plurality of temperature sensors be provided on the surface or inside so that the temperature distribution is made as uniform as possible.

Further, it is preferable that the setting of the temperature of the heat roller and the rotation speed of the heat roller can be changed according to the purpose of use and the use environment.

In the image forming method of the present invention, a latent image is formed on a photocurable composition by exposure to an image original, and components related to color development or decoloration are moved by heating in the photosensitive material in accordance with the latent image, thereby causing a color change. The heat-developable photosensitive recording medium that forms an image is overlaid, exposed using an exposure device, the monomer is polymerized by a photopolymerization initiator in an exposed part, and the uncured part is heated by heating the exposed recording medium. Is moved to form a visible image.

The photosensitive layer of the recording medium is composed of, for example, a binder, an electron-donating colorless dye contained in microcapsules, and droplets arranged outside the microcapsules. This droplet is composed of a compound having an electron-accepting portion and a polymerizable vinyl monomer portion in the same molecule and a photopolymerization initiator. In the exposed portion of the photosensitive layer, the polymerizable electron by the photopolymerization initiator is exposed. Photopolymerization of the acceptor compound occurs. As a result, the electron-accepting compound is hardened by photocuring, and this portion of the photosensitive layer is not colored even if heated, because the electron-accepting compound and the electron-donating colorless dye cannot come into contact with each other. On the other hand, in the unexposed area, the electron-accepting compound is considered to pass through the microcapsule wall when heated and come into contact with the electron-donating colorless dye to develop the electron-donating colorless dye to give a positive image. .

A recording medium having a negative photosensitive layer may be used. In the case of this negative recording medium, the photosensitive layer is composed of a binder, a colorless electron-donating dye contained in microcapsules, and droplets placed outside the microcapsules. The droplets consisted of a polymerizable vinyl monomer and a photopolymerization initiator having the property of decolorizing a dye formed by the reaction between an electron-accepting compound and an electron-donating colorless dye, and the photosensitive layer was exposed to light. In some parts, the photopolymerization initiator causes photopolymerization of the decolorizable vinyl monomer and becomes immobile. This portion in the photosensitive layer is heated and the electron-accepting compound and the electron-donating colorless dye come into contact with each other to develop color. On the other hand, in the unexposed portion, the decolorizable vinyl monomer passes through the microcapsule wall when heated, and decolorizes the dye formed by contact between the electron-donating colorless dye and the electron-accepting compound,
It is believed to give a negative image.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a positive photosensitive layer. The layer comprises a binder 210, a colorless electron-donating dye 206 contained in a microcapsule 204, and a droplet 209 disposed outside the microcapsule 204. The droplet 209 is a compound 208 having an electron-accepting portion and a polymerizable vinyl monomer portion in the same molecule.
And a photopolymerization initiator. In the exposed portion of the photosensitive medium, the photopolymerization initiator causes photopolymerization of the polymerizable electron-accepting compound 208, and the electron-accepting compound 208 is hardened by photocuring. As a result, this portion of the recording medium is heated. Even so, the electron accepting compound 208 and the electron donating colorless dye 206 cannot come into contact with each other, so that coloring cannot be performed. On the other hand, in the unexposed area, the electron-accepting compound 208 permeates the microcapsule wall when heated, comes into contact with the electron-donating colorless dye 206, and develops the electron-donating colorless dye 206 to give a positive image. .

Thus, the λ3 photosensitive layer 112, λ2 photosensitive layer 116, λ1
The photosensitive layer 120 emits each color component, and a full-color image is obtained.

Further, instead of the recording medium for providing the positive image, the above-described recording medium having negative recording properties may be used.

In the case of the negative photosensitive layer, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 8, the electron-donating colorless dye 306 contained in the binder 310 and the microcapsule 304 and the droplet 309 disposed outside the microcapsule 304 are used. Consists of The droplet 309 is composed of an electron accepting compound 308, an electron donating colorless dye 306, and an electron accepting compound.
308 is composed of a polymerizable vinyl monomer 311 having the property of decoloring the dye formed by the reaction with 308 and a photopolymerization initiator. In the exposed portion of the recording medium, the decolorization property is caused by the photopolymerization initiator. Photopolymerization of the vinyl monomer 311 occurs, and the vinyl monomer 311 becomes immobile. When heated, this portion of the recording medium contacts the electron-accepting compound 308 and the electron-donating colorless dye 306, and develops a color. On the other hand, in the unexposed area, the decolorizable vinyl monomer 311 permeates the microcapsule wall when heated, and produces an electron-donating colorless dye.
It is considered that the dye formed by contact of the electron-accepting compound 308 with the electron-accepting compound 308 is decolorized to give a negative image.

The recording medium that can be advantageously exposed by the exposure apparatus according to the present invention includes a wide variety of recording media such as monochromatic, two-color, functional color, and full-color recording media. In a multicolor recording medium, a plurality of photosensitive layers which are sensitive to different wavelengths and develop different colors are provided on the same support.

For example, it has a plurality of photosensitive layers that are sensitive to light of different wavelengths and develop colors of different hues, and as a layer configuration from the exposure light source side to the support side of the recording medium, the second photosensitive layer is sensitive to light of the central wavelength λ1. 1, a photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer that absorbs light having a center wavelength λ1, a second photosensitive layer that is sensitive to light having a center wavelength λ2 and develops a color different from that of the first photosensitive layer, ‥‥, a center wavelength λi−
, And an i-th photosensitive layer that is sensitive to light having a center wavelength λi and develops a different color from the first, second,..., And i−1-th photosensitive layers. At least two or more photosensitive layers are laminated on a support, and a multicolor recording medium characterized by a central wavelength λ1 <λ2 <... Here, i is an integer of 2 or more.

 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the recording medium 78.

The λ3 photosensitive layer 112 is a photosensitive layer that is sensitive to light having a center wavelength λ3. Similarly, the λ2 photosensitive layer 116 is a photosensitive layer sensitive to light having a central wavelength λ2, and the λ1 photosensitive layer 120 is a photosensitive layer sensitive to light having a central wavelength λ1.

Reference numerals 114 and 118 denote filter layers that absorb light at the centers λ2 and λ1, respectively.

Since this optical recording medium is a mono-sheet type, when the center wavelength λj is set in the visible region, the recording medium becomes a recording medium that absorbs visible light, and the recording medium is entirely colored. For this reason, the center wavelength is desirably in the ultraviolet region. That is, in the case of a color optical recording medium having cyan, magenta, and yellow coloring layers, it is desirable to have three types of center wavelengths in the ultraviolet region.

That is, even when viewed broadly, there are three types of regions: the lower limit is 330 nm, which is the short-wave limit of light transmitted through the holding glass or squirrel document of the exposure device, and the upper limit is 430 nm, which allows coloring of the recording medium, that is, approximately 100 nm. It is preferable to have a center wavelength of

However, it is not always easy to divide this narrow area into three. In particular, it is difficult to obtain a monochromatic light source light that exposes only each color-forming layer.

If a filter is used for a monochromatic light source and dare to be divided into three, an undesired phenomenon called so-called crosstalk may occur. For example, when image exposure is performed on a region of λ2, λ1 and / or
Alternatively, the component light of λ3 exposes portions other than the λ2 photosensitive layer, and in such a case, when the photosensitive recording medium is developed, an image having a color different from the color expected from the original is obtained.

When exposing the photosensitive layer, it is possible to prepare a plurality of exposure apparatuses having filters adapted to the respective photosensitive wavelengths, and perform the exposure sequentially.However, the apparatus is provided with a plurality of filters, and each time the exposure is performed, It is more preferable to prepare one exposure apparatus having a function of sequentially exchanging the filters.

In the exposure / heat developing apparatus suitably used in the image forming method of the present invention, it is preferable to use a vapor deposition film filter as the filter.

Examples of the vapor-deposited film filter that can be preferably used include a metal interference filter such as a MIF-W type filter (manufactured by Nippon Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.), an all-dielectric interference filter such as a DIF type filter (manufactured by Nippon Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.), and a dichroic. A filter (manufactured by Japan Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.) or the like can be used alone or in combination.

Also, the shape of the filter may take various forms such as a plate shape, a disk shape, a cylindrical shape, a hemispherical shape, and the like. In particular, in the case of an interference filter, the cutoff wavelength changes depending on the angle formed between the transmitted light and the filter surface. Therefore, when a point light source is used, the shape is hemispherical, or the wavelength is determined by the angle with the transmitted light. An interference filter having a curved surface for correcting the displacement is preferable. Further, an interference filter that corrects this wavelength shift by changing the deposition film thickness may be used.

Of course, a film filter or a color glass filter containing a known dye may be combined with the vapor-deposited film filter, or a part of the vapor-deposited film filter may be replaced with this filter.

An example of a film filter containing a dye that can be used as a dye filter is an SC41 filter (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.), and an example of a glass filter containing a dye is an L-42 filter (Toshiba Glass Co., Ltd.) Made).

For color exposure, in particular, for the exposure of the long wave layer, use a sharp cut filter that cuts light in the short wavelength region of λ1 and λ2, for example, SC41 filter (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.). Bandpass filter, eg metal interference filter (manufactured by Nippon Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.)
It is preferable to use

Further, in the exposure apparatus of the present invention, a glass having a large transmittance in an ultraviolet region as a holding glass, particularly, a transmittance of 60% in a wavelength region of 340 nm to 450 nm, in order to facilitate wavelength fractionation.
The above-mentioned oxide glass, for example, quartz glass, Pyrex glass (manufactured by Dow Corning), IWAKI CODE 7740
Glass (made by Iwaki Glass Co., Ltd.), DURAN GLASS (SCHOT
T company), Hario 32 glass (Shibata Scientific Instruments), museum glass (Asahi Glass)
Or a material such as a polyester film is preferably used, but blue plate glass or the like may be used.

Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an exposure / heat developing apparatus according to the present invention, and a full-color recording medium that develops cyan, magenta, and yellow as a recording medium that is advantageously exposed and developed by the exposure / heat developing apparatus Will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of an exposure / heat developing apparatus used in the present invention.

The exposure / heat developing apparatus includes, among four types of so-called color-separated squirrel originals corresponding to C, M, Y, and BK (black), an original 18 in which BK and one sheet of each color original are superimposed, and a filter 18. Exposure to light corresponding to the photosensitive wavelength of each layer that develops C, M, and Y through a filter selected from the group 54, thereby performing color development on the recording medium 78 and then performing thermal development. is there. In the case of the recording medium used in the present invention, a full-color image can be easily obtained by heating and developing the recording medium 78 after such exposure.

Filters F3, F2, and F1 have center wavelengths λ3 and λ, respectively.
2. An interference filter that passes only light of λ1.

When a color image is recorded using such a recording medium 78, first, light having a center wavelength λ1 that has passed through the corresponding filter F1 passes through the glass 77 and the corresponding image original 18, and is exposed to the photosensitive recording medium 78. Is performed. Thereby, the λ1 photosensitive layer 120 is exposed. At this time, since light other than the center wavelength λ1 is cut by the filter F1, the λ2 photosensitive layer 11
The 6 and λ3 photosensitive layers 112 are not exposed. λ1 photosensitive layer 120
In the portion exposed according to the original document image of 18, the photopolymerization of the polymerizable electron-accepting compound 208 occurs by the photopolymerization initiator as described above, whereby the electron-accepting compound 208 is photocured. I get stuck. Even if this portion of the recording medium is heated, the electron-accepting compound 208 and the electron-donating colorless dye 206 cannot come into contact with each other, and coloring cannot be performed. on the other hand,
In the unexposed area, the electron-accepting compound 208 passes through the microcapsule wall when heated, and the electron-donating colorless dye 206
, And the color of the electron-donating colorless dye 206 is developed to give a positive image.

Next, the photosensitive recording medium 78 is exposed through the image original 18 by the light having the center wavelength λ2 that has passed through the filter F2. The λ1 photosensitive layer 120 is not exposed to this light. The light having the center wavelength λ2 exposes the λ2 photosensitive layer 116. At this time, since the light other than the center wavelength λ2 is cut by the filter F2, the λ3 photosensitive layer 112 is not exposed. In the exposed λ2 photosensitive layer 116, the λ1 photosensitive layer 120 is used.
Light curing of the electron-accepting dye 208 occurs as in the case of
Finally, the photosensitive recording medium 78 is exposed through the image original 18 by the light having the center wavelength λ3 that has passed through the filter F3. The λ1 photosensitive layer 120 and the λ2 photosensitive layer 116 are insensitive to this light. The light of the center wavelength λ3 causes the λ3 photosensitive layer 112
Only exposed.

After performing image exposure three times with light of three wavelengths as described above, heat development is performed. In the unexposed portions of the respective photosensitive layers 112, 116, and 120 due to the heat development, the electron-accepting compound 208 passes through the microcapsule wall and contacts the electron-donating colorless dye 206, and the electron-donating colorless dye 206 Develops color. As described above, the exposed portion does not move due to the photo-curing of the electron-accepting compound 208, so that the electron-accepting compound 208 and the donor colorless dye 206 cannot come into contact with each other, and no color is formed.

Thus, the λ3 photosensitive layer 112, λ2 photosensitive layer 116, λ1
The photosensitive layer 120 emits each color component, and a full-color image is obtained.

Instead of the recording medium giving the positive type, the above-mentioned negative type recording medium may be used.

"Example" Hereinafter, an exposure / heat developing apparatus and an image forming method using the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of an exposure / heat developing apparatus.

The operation button 67 is a filter group 54 composed of F1, F2, and F3.
A function to select a filter corresponding to the photosensitive layer from the original, a vacuum is applied between the glass plate 77 and the holding plate 79, and the
Function to bring the photosensitive recording medium 78 into close contact with the
Is turned on for a predetermined time to expose the recording medium 78. After the exposure is completed, the vacuum is released, and at the same time, the selected filter is removed from the upper portion of the light source to terminate a series of monochromatic exposure operations.

The operation display section 68 displays the type of the selected filter, each operation time, and the like.

Various kinds of operation buttons can be provided as needed. For example, the C button is for exposing a cyan image, the M button is for exposing a magenta image, the Y button is for exposing a yellow image,
The BK button is for BK image exposure in the case of a negative photosensitive recording medium,
The F button is for exposure without a filter.

The operation buttons include selection of an exposure filter, evacuation time for close contact, and power supplied to the light source (light source intensity).
Is preferably stored.

The light source 12 generates visible light in the ultraviolet region including the wavelengths λ1, λ2, and λ3 or in a region close to the ultraviolet region. For example, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a semiconductor laser, a strobe (xenon lamp), a tungsten lamp, an argon laser, a helium cadmium laser, a fluorescent tube, and the like may be used. This is particularly preferable because short-wave light is strong. The light source 12 includes a light source driving circuit 66 under the control of the control circuit 50.
Driven by

There is no particular restriction on the position of the light source, and the light source, filter,
As long as the original and the photosensitive recording medium are arranged in this order, they may be placed above or below the photosensitive recording medium.

Note that three light sources may be provided to generate light including the wavelengths λ1, λ2, and λ3, respectively.

The filter group 54 includes a film filter containing a dye, such as an SC41 filter (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.), a glass filter containing a dye, such as an L-42 filter (manufactured by Toshiba Glass Co., Ltd.), a metal interference filter, such as MIF-W type (manufactured by Nippon Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.), a dielectric interference filter such as a DIF filter (manufactured by Nippon Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.), a dichroic filter (manufactured by Nippon Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.), etc. These can be used alone or in combination.

Also, the shape of the filter may take various forms such as a plate shape, a disk shape, a cylindrical shape, a hemispherical shape, and the like.

The thermal developing portion 90 of the present apparatus has an input port 91 for inputting the photosensitive recording medium and an output port 92 for extracting the photosensitive recording medium. It is preferable that a transport roller or a transport belt is provided between the input port 91 and the take-out port 92 in order to reliably transport the photosensitive recording medium.

Example 2 The glass 77 for holding the original and the photosensitive recording medium was
The museum glass (manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) whose transmission spectrum is shown in the figure was used, and the filter shown in FIG. 4 was used as a filter. Specifically, the center wavelength was 328 nm MIF-W type filter (Nippon Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.) was used as the F1 filter. F2 filter, center wavelength 383nm MIF-W type filter (manufactured by Nippon Vacuum Optical Co., Ltd.), F3 filter SC41 filter (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)
C, M, and Y were exposed using a 6 Kw AEL light source (manufactured by Fusion) as a light source 12 using a positive photosensitive recording medium having the photosensitive characteristics shown in FIG. 6 as an optical recording medium. After the exposure, the photosensitive recording medium was put into the input port 91, subjected to thermal development for 5 seconds by a heat roller 93 at 120 ° C., and taken out from the take-out port 92. As a result, a clear image without crosstalk was obtained.

[Effect of the Invention] By using the image forming method of the present invention, a black-and-white or full-color image can be obtained in a short time by simple thermal development without waste.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of an exposure apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exposure apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing light transmission characteristics of glass used in the exposure apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing light transmission characteristics of an interference filter used in the exposure apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a layer configuration of a photosensitive recording medium used in the image forming method of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing the photosensitive characteristics of each photosensitive layer of the photosensitive recording medium of FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a positive photosensitive layer. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a negative photosensitive layer. 12 Light source 18 Document 50 Control circuit 54 Group of interference filters F1, F2, F3 66 Light source drive circuit 67 Operation buttons 68 Operation display section 76 Power supply 77 Document And a glass for holding the recording medium 78... A recording medium 79... A pressing plate for the original and the recording medium 80... A vacuum pump driving circuit 81... A heat developing section driving circuit 82. … Thermal developing section 91… photosensitive recording medium input port 92… photosensitive recording medium take-out port 93… heat roller 110… support 111… anti-halation layer 112 λ3 photosensitive layer 114 λ2 Absorbing layer 116 λ2 photosensitive layer 118 λ1 light absorbing layer 120 λ1 photosensitive layer 121 Protective layer 204 Microcapsules 206 Electron-donating colorless dye 208 Electron-accepting part Having a polymerizable vinyl monomer part and a polymerizable vinyl monomer part in the same molecule. Droplets composed of a compound having a monomer portion in the same molecule and a photopolymerization initiator 210... Binder 304... Microcapsules 306... Electron-donating colorless dye 308... Electron-accepting compound 309. A droplet composed of a polymerizable vinyl monomer having a property of decoloring a dye formed by the reaction of an electron-accepting compound with an electron-donating colorless dye, and a photopolymerization initiator 310... Binder 311. A polymerizable vinyl monomer that has the property of decoloring a colorant formed by the reaction between a colorless dye and an electron-accepting compound

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03D 13/00 G03F 7/20

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A heat development type wherein a latent image is formed on a photocurable composition by exposure, and a component relating to color development or decoloration is moved by heating in a photosensitive material in accordance with the latent image to form a color image. An image forming method, comprising: using a photosensitive recording medium, superimposing an image original on the photosensitive recording medium, and performing exposure and heat development using an exposure / heat development device in which an exposure unit and a heat development unit are provided adjacent to each other. . 2. An image forming method according to claim 1, wherein said photosensitive recording medium is a multicolor recording medium for obtaining a multicolor image by a plurality of exposures. 3. The photosensitive recording medium according to claim 2, wherein
From the exposure light source side toward the support side of the photosensitive recording medium,
A first photosensitive layer sensitive to light having a center wavelength λ1, a center wavelength λ
An intermediate layer that absorbs light of the first wavelength, a second photosensitive layer that is sensitive to light of the central wavelength λ2 and develops a color different from that of the first photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer that absorbs light of the central wavelength λi−1, and a central wavelength λi. Layer structure in which at least two or more photosensitive layers are laminated on a support in the order of an i-th photosensitive layer which is sensitive to light and develops a color different from the first, second, and (i-1) -th photosensitive layers. Having, and
An image forming method characterized in that a center transition length λ1 <λ2 <... λi. Here, i is an integer of 2 or more. 4. The photosensitive recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the center wavelengths λ1, λ2, and λ3 are 320 nm or more, and λ1 and λ3.
2. A full-color photosensitive recording medium wherein 2 is less than 400 nm and λ3 is 400 nm or more.