JP3134892B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel recording device,
Specifically, a region showing a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature is selectively and reversibly formed on the surface of the recording medium having a specific property, and a coloring agent is applied to this region (latent image). The present invention relates to an apparatus useful for a recording system in which a contained recording agent is supplied to visualize the image, and the image is transferred to a medium to be transferred such as plain paper in a good condition.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical example of means for dividing a surface into a liquid-adhesive region and a non-liquid-adhesive region for image formation is an offset printing method using a planographic printing plate. . However, in this offset printing method, incorporation of a plate making process from an original plate and a printing process from a printing plate (printing plate) in one device inevitably increases the size of the device. For example, even in a relatively small office offset plate making and printing machine, in many cases, the plate making device and the printing device are usually separate.

In order to eliminate such a defect of the offset printing method, a liquid-adhesive area and a non-liquid-adhesive area corresponding to image information can be formed and can be used repeatedly (having reversibility). 2.) Recording methods or devices have been proposed. Some of them are as follows. (1) Aqueous development method After a charge is applied to the hydrophobic photoconductor layer from the outside, exposure is performed to form a pattern having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion on the surface of the photoconductor layer, and only the hydrophilic portion is formed. An aqueous developer is adhered and transferred onto paper or the like (Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-18992, Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-18993, Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-9512, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-264392). (2) Method using photochemical reaction of photochromic material A layer containing a material such as spiropyran or an azo dye is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and these photochromic compounds are hydrophilized by the photochemical reaction [for example, “Polymer Papers” No. 37.
Vol. 4, p. 287 (1980)]. (3) A method using the action of an internal bias force An amorphous state and a crystalline state are formed by physical change,
Constructing the area where liquid ink adheres / non-adheres
-41902).

According to the method (1), after the aqueous ink is transferred to paper or the like, the hydrophilic portion is erased by static elimination,
Recording of other image information becomes possible. That is, it is possible to repeatedly use one master (photoconductor). However, since this method is based on an electrophotographic process,
It requires a long process of exposure → development → transfer → discharge, and has drawbacks in that it is difficult to reduce the size and cost of the apparatus and make it maintenance-free. The above (2)
According to the method described above, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity can be freely and reversibly controlled by selectively changing the irradiation of ultraviolet light and visible light, but the reaction time is extremely long due to poor quantum efficiency and the recording speed is low. However, it is slow and lacks stability, and has not yet reached a practical level. Furthermore, according to the method (3), the information recording member used there is stable after recording, but may have a physical structure change due to temperature change before recording. Therefore, there remains a problem in storage stability. In addition to this, since a means for applying a heat pulse and then quenching for erasing the recorded information pattern is employed, there is a disadvantage that repetitive image formation cannot be avoided.

The inventors of the present invention have conducted research and studies for solving the conventional disadvantages and disadvantages. as a result,
A specific recording medium (A) (a recording medium having a surface whose receding contact angle decreases when it is heated and brought into contact with a liquid) and a contact material (B) [a liquid, a vapor, or a receding in a recording medium (A)] Or a liquid or a solid that generates vapor at or below the temperature at which the contact angle begins to decrease], and selectively heating the recording material (A) in a state where the surface is in contact with the contact material (B). Alternatively, by contacting the surface of the recording medium (A) with the contact material (B) while selectively heating the surface, a latent image having a receding contact angle corresponding to the heating temperature is formed on the surface of the recording medium (A). In the meantime, after the latent image was visualized with a recording material, a method of transferring the obtained visible image to an object to be transferred and an apparatus related thereto were proposed (West German Patent No. 401).
0275).

According to the method proposed here, it is extremely easy to form a latent image and a visible image on a recording medium, transfer the visible image to a transfer medium such as plain paper, and erase the latent image. And reversibly, it is possible not only to easily obtain a large number of copied images, but also to continuously obtain different copied images.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a recording process using a recording medium (A) having such a specific surface function, including a configuration example of a recording apparatus. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the latent image forming liquid and the recording agent are independent, and the recording agent is a liquid in which a colorant is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent.

In FIG. 11, the recording medium 1 is rotating in the direction of the arrow. First, in response to an image signal, heat from the thermal element 4 of the thermal head 2 is transmitted to the recording medium 1 via the latent image forming liquid (water) 3, where a latent image 7 is formed.
After that, the recording agent (ink) 9 held in the dish 8 adheres to the latent image 7 to perform visualization (development). continue,
In the transfer section, the attached ink 9 a on the recording medium 1 is directly transferred onto a transfer target (recording paper) 10 by a transfer roller 11. After the transfer, the latent image 7 on the recording medium 1 is erased by the infrared lamp 12 when the transfer of one piece of image information is completed.

[0009]

However, in the recording apparatus used in such a recording method, as shown in FIG.
[Contact material (B) ... latent image forming liquid] is applied. However, when bubbles 5 enter the liquid 3 for some reason, the bubbles 5 are easily trapped by the thermal head 2 as shown in FIG. In particular, if bubbles 5 enter the front side of the thermal head 2 (the upstream side of the recording medium transporting... See FIG. 10), it is difficult for the thermal head 2 to move to the rear side of the thermal head (the downstream side of the recording medium transporting). Therefore, bubbles are easily trapped. (The bubbles on the rear side of the thermal head are difficult to be trapped because they move with the movement of the recording medium.) When the thermal head is driven with the bubbles trapped at the tip of the thermal head, the portion where the bubbles are trapped is in the air. The state becomes the same as the heating, and no latent image is formed. Therefore, the image in that portion becomes white and the image quality is degraded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which prevents bubbles from being trapped in a thermal head and does not degrade image quality.

[0011]

According to the present invention, by selectively heating the surface of the following recording medium (A) in contact with the following contact material (B), the recording medium (A) The surface of the recording medium (A) is heated at a high temperature by bringing the surface of the recording material (A) into contact with the contact material (B) while the surface of the recording material is selectively heated.
Means for supplying a contact material (B) for forming a latent image having a reduced receding contact angle to the surface of the recording medium (A), and converting the surface of the recording medium (A) into an image signal for forming the latent image Means for selectively heating the recording medium, a recording agent applying means for supplying a recording agent containing a colorant to the surface of the recording medium (A) and attaching the recording medium to the latent image to visualize the latent image, and a recording medium (A A) a recording device comprising: means for transferring the recording agent adhered to the surface onto a transfer-receiving member, wherein the recording apparatus is provided with means for removing bubbles mixed in the contact material (B). . (A) A recording medium having a surface in which the receding contact angle is reduced when heated and in contact with a liquid. (B) Liquid, vapor, or solid that becomes liquid or generates liquid or vapor at a temperature equal to or lower than the temperature at which the receding contact angle on the surface of the recording medium (A) starts to decrease.

That is, since the recording apparatus of the present invention is provided with means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B), the recording device is mixed in the contact material (B) and trapped by the thermal head. Air bubbles are removed, and as a result, white spots do not occur in the image, and a high-quality image can always be provided.

In such an apparatus of the present invention, if a recording material such as a liquid ink is used, the supply means for the contact material (B) can be omitted, and the contact material (B) can be used as the recording material. If a liquid ink is used, the image is visualized at the same time as the formation of the latent image, so that the recording agent applying means can be omitted. In the apparatus of the present invention, the latent image can be erased by heating the surface of the recording medium (A) on which the latent image is formed in the absence of the contact material (B), and the image is formed reversibly. Can be done.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail. When the recording medium (A) used in the apparatus of the present invention is heated in contact with a liquid, the receding contact angle is reduced even after cooling, and the receding contact angle is increased by heating in the absence of liquid. A member having a function, at least a surface of which is formed. The recording medium (A) having such a function has a surface (1) a member containing an organic compound having a surface self-orientation function of a hydrophobic group, or (2) an organic compound having a hydrophobic group and having a hydrophobic property. This is a member having a group oriented on the surface.

The “surface self-orientation function” referred to in (1) is:
When a solid formed by forming a certain compound on a support or a solid formed by a certain compound itself is heated in air, it means that the hydrophobic group is oriented on the surface toward the air side (free surface side). This can be similarly applied to (2). Generally, in an organic compound, a hydrophobic group has a property of easily moving toward a hydrophobic atmosphere. This is a phenomenon that occurs because the surface energy of the solid-gas interface decreases. This phenomenon is more likely to occur as the molecular length of the hydrophobic group becomes longer. This is because the longer the molecular length, the higher the mobility of molecules during heating.

More specifically, if the molecule has a hydrophobic group at the terminal (that is, lowers the surface energy), the surface is easily oriented toward the air side (free surface side). Similarly (-CH ₂ -) in the linear molecule containing n (-CH ₂ CH ₂
The portion-) has a planar structure, and the molecular chains are easily oriented. In addition, the molecule containing (-Ph-) n also has a planar structure in the -Ph- portion, and the molecular chains are easily oriented. Note that -Ph- is a p-phenylene group (the same applies hereinafter). In particular, a linear molecule containing an element having a high electronegativity such as fluorine has a high self-aggregation property, and the molecular chains are easily oriented.

Summarizing the results of these studies, more preferably, a linear molecule having a molecule having a high self-aggregating property or a molecule having a planar structure and having a hydrophobic group at a terminal, or such a linear molecule is used. The compound containing the compound can be said to be a compound having a high surface self-alignment function.

As is apparent from the above description, there is a relationship between the surface self-orientation state and the receding contact angle, and also between the receding contact angle and the liquid adhesion. That is, the adhesion of the liquid on the solid surface occurs mainly by tacking of the liquid on the solid surface. This tacking can be considered as a kind of frictional force when a liquid slides on a solid surface. Therefore, the “receding contact angle” θr in the present invention is given by: cos θr = γ (γs−γse−πe + γf) / γev (where γ: surface tension of solid in vacuum γse: solid-liquid interfacial tension γev: liquid (E: equilibrium surface tension γf: frictional tension γs: surface tension of a solid without an adsorbent layer) (Saito, Kitazaki et al., “Journal of the Adhesion Society of Japan”) Vol.22, No.12, 1986).

Therefore, the value of γf increases as the value of θr decreases. That is, the liquid is less likely to slide on the solid surface,
As a result, the liquid will adhere to the solid surface. As can be inferred from these mutual relations, the liquid adhesion depends on the receding contact angle θr, and the receding contact angle θr is determined by any member having a surface self-orienting function on the surface. Therefore, in the apparatus of the present invention, since the recording medium (A) needs to form a desired pattern area on its surface and / or visualize with a recording agent, a member having a surface self-orientation function on the surface is inevitable. Must be selected.

The relationship between the receding contact angle and the liquid adhesion has been described in detail so far, but these matters are described in detail in the above-mentioned German Patent Publication No. 401,275.

The structure of the recording medium is roughly classified into a structure formed by the surface member itself and a structure formed by forming the surface member on a support (preferably a heat-resistant support). In the embodiment, the surface member itself is formed into a film shape, a plate shape, or a column shape. In the embodiment, the shape of the support may be any of a belt shape, a plate shape, and a drum shape, and is selected according to the use application of the device. In particular, the drum shape is excellent in that dimensional accuracy in the device can be obtained. As the heat-resistant support, resins such as tetrafluoroethylene, silicone, polyimide, polycarbonate, epoxy, melamine, phenol, polyester, polyacetal, urea, and polyethylene terephthalate, as well as Ni, Al, Cu, Cr,
Metals such as Pt and metal oxides are preferred. These supports may be smooth, rough or porous.

The contact material (B) is, in short, a liquid or a vapor from the beginning, or a solid that eventually generates a liquid at a temperature below the temperature at which the receding contact angle θr of the recording medium (A) starts to decrease. It is. At least a part of the vapor condenses on or near the surface of the recording medium (A) to generate a liquid, and the vapor can wet the surface of the recording medium (A). Is enough. On the other hand, the solid here becomes a liquid, generates a liquid, or generates a vapor below the temperature at which the receding contact angle θr starts decreasing. The vapor generated from the solid is recorded (A)
Is condensed on or near the surface of the liquid to form a liquid, as in the case described above.

More specifically, these contact materials (B) are as follows. That is, as the liquid which is one of the contact materials (B), in addition to water, an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte, an alcohol such as ethanol and n-butanol, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and ethylene glycol, and a ketone such as methyl ethyl ketone. Polar liquid, n-nonane,
Non-polar liquids such as linear hydrocarbons such as n-octane, cyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane, and aromatic hydrocarbons such as m-xylene and benzene. Further, a mixture of these may be used, and various dispersion liquids and liquid inks may be used. More desirably, polar liquids are better.

As the vapor which is another one of the contact material (B), not only water vapor but also a liquid vapor of the contact material (B) can be used. In particular, ethanol vapor, m-xylene vapor and the like can be used. Organic compound vapors (including those in atomized form)
Is mentioned. The temperature of the organic compound vapor must be lower than the melting point or softening point of the compound forming the surface of the recording medium (A).

Other solids which are the other of the contact material (B) include higher fatty acids, low molecular weight polyethylene, polymer gels (polyacrylamide gels, polyvinyl alcohol gels), silica gels and compounds containing water of crystallization. No.

As a means for supplying the contact material (B), for example, a dish is provided below the recording body (A) so that the medium is filled with liquid so that the recording body (A) always comes into contact with the liquid in the dish. Alternatively, the simplest configuration is to dispose it in a dish. Instead of a dish, a sponge-like porous body containing a liquid may be used. The latent image forming means using light or an electron beam is basically the same as the above configuration.

As a heating means for forming a latent image, in addition to contact heating using a heater, a thermal head, or the like, non-contact heating using electromagnetic waves (light from a light source such as a laser light source or an infrared lamp is condensed by a lens). There is.

A recording agent containing a colorant is supplied to and adhered to the latent image formed by the above means, and a sponge impregnated with the recording agent is used as a recording agent applying means (developing means) for visualizing the latent image. It is simple to arrange a roll having a porous body or a dish filled with a recording agent in the traveling direction of the recording medium (A), and always keep the recording agent in contact with the recording medium (A). When the liquid used for forming the latent image is also used as a recording agent, the apparatus can be constituted by one dish, and the latent image formation and the visualization can be integrated, so that the apparatus can be downsized.

As the recording agent, a solution or a dispersion containing a colorant is used. For example, recording which has been used in a conventional print recording system such as writing ink, ink jet recording ink, printing ink, and electrophotographic toner. From the agents, those suitable for the device of the present invention can be selected and used.

More specifically, preferred examples are shown below.
For example, as a water-based ink, water, a wetting agent, a water-soluble ink mainly containing a dye, water, a pigment, a polymer compound for dispersion, a water-based pigment-dispersed ink mainly containing a wetting agent, and a surfactant using a pigment or a dye are used. Emulsion inks and the like dispersed in water, and oil-based inks include those in which an oil-soluble dye is dispersed in an organic solvent and those in which a pigment or dye is emulsified in an oil base.

After formation of the latent image and visualization (development), the recording agent adhering to the recording medium (A) is provided with means for directly contacting the recording medium (recording paper), thereby providing the recording medium with a capillary action. ,
The image is transferred to a transfer target (transfer means). The transfer position may be any position on the recording medium (A) as long as it is after the development, but is preferably a position where the transfer is performed immediately after the development.

As the object to be transferred (recording paper), a transparent or opaque resin film, plain paper, synthetic paper, ink jet recording paper, type paper and the like can be used.

When a large number of copies of the same image information are to be made after the transfer, a developing process for supplying and attaching the recording agent to the latent image after the transfer and a process for transferring the obtained visible image to a transfer medium are performed. Achieved by repeating.

When the transfer of one piece of image information is completed, the surface of the recording medium (A) is heated in the absence of liquid or vapor (in air, in a vacuum, or in an inert gas) (heating temperature: 50).
To 300 ° C, desirably 100 to 180 ° C, heating time:
When the latent image is erased for 1 millisecond to 10 seconds, preferably 10 milliseconds to 1 second), the recording medium (A) can be used repeatedly.

As a heating source for erasing a latent image, a contact heating source such as a heater or a thermal head or a non-contact heating source using electromagnetic waves such as a laser or an infrared lamp is desirable. Heating may be performed only on the latent image portion.
It may be performed on the entire surface. Rather, heating over the entire surface is more desirable because the device configuration can be simplified.

The latent image erasing means is provided at a position where the surface of the recording medium (A) is substantially cooled after the heating for erasing and before the latent image is formed again. . The heating temperature required for erasing the latent image is as described above,
It depends on the material of the surface of the recording medium (A). However, in any case, it is desirable that the temperature be equal to or higher than the starting temperature at which the receding contact angle of the material on the surface of the recording medium (A) becomes lower and lower than the decomposition point.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the contact material (B)
A means for removing air bubbles mixed therein is provided. Hereinafter, the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows that the bubbles in the latent image forming liquid 3 are removed by increasing the distance between the recording body 1 and the tip of the thermal head 2 while transporting the recording body 1 periodically or at the time of detection of air bubbles. Here is an example. In FIG. 1, even if bubbles 5 exist in the latent image forming liquid 3 [FIG. 1- (a)], when a non-printing state is reached, the tip of the thermal head 2 and the recording medium 1
Becomes larger [FIGS. 1- (b) to 1- (c)],
The bubbles 5 move with the conveyance of the recording medium 1, and when the thermal head 2 comes into contact with the recording medium 1 again, the bubbles 5 in the latent image forming liquid 3 are removed. The interval between the thermal head 2 and the recording medium 1 may be increased each time the non-printing state is set, or it may be detected whether or not the bubbles 5 have entered the latent image forming liquid 3 and the bubbles 5 may be removed. This may be performed at the time of non-printing immediately after the detection. For example, there is a method of monitoring the resonance frequency of the thermal head by applying mechanical vibration to the thermal head. Since the resonance frequency changes when air bubbles adhere to the thermal head, it can be determined that air bubbles have been mixed in when the resonance frequency is shifted.

FIG. 2 shows a case where bubbles in the latent image forming liquid 3 are removed by circulating the latent image forming liquid 3.
By constantly circulating the latent image forming liquid 3, a flow is generated in the latent image forming liquid 3 in the thermal head portion, and bubbles are removed by the flow. As shown in FIG. 3, a hole or a slit may be provided in the vicinity of the thermal element 4 of the thermal head 2, and the latent image forming liquid 3 may flow out or be sucked from the hole or slit. In this case, bubbles near the thermal element 4 are more easily removed. Both the overall flow of FIG. 2 and the flow near the thermal element of FIG. 3 can be combined.

FIG. 4 shows a case where bubbles in the latent image forming liquid are removed by providing fine grooves 6 on the surface of the recording medium 1 in the recording medium conveyance direction. In this case, the interval between the grooves 6 is equal to the pitch between the thermal elements of the thermal head 4. The groove width is set within the thermal element interval, and the latent image 7 is formed between the grooves (FIG. 5). Even if the bubbles 5 are mixed in the latent image forming liquid 3, the bubbles 5 move to the rear side of the thermal head through the groove 6,
It is removed from the thermal head (FIG. 6). The same effect can be obtained by providing a groove between the thermal elements 4 of the thermal head 2 (FIG. 7). Of course, grooves may be provided on both the recording medium 1 and the thermal head 4.

[0041]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following Examples, but it should not be construed that the present invention is limited thereto. The percentages shown below are all based on weight.

Example 1 A recording device was assembled using a recording material of the following material, and recording was performed. (I) Recording medium: fluorinated acrylate material TG702
(Manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) was diluted three times with Freon TF (manufactured by Mitsui Fluorochemicals) and coated on a seamless polyimide film (manufactured by Toray DuPont: 30 mm in diameter). Then dried at 130 ° C for 30 minutes. (Ii) Latent image forming liquid: pure water (iii) Ink: lauric acid + spiron black MH (manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.). (Iv) Configuration: FIG. 1 (The thermal head is moved up and down every time one sheet is printed).

(Experimental result) Even after recording 1000 sheets of A4 size, no deterioration of image quality such as white spots was observed.

Example 2 A recording apparatus was assembled and recording was performed as follows. (I) Recording medium: Same as in Example 1. (Ii) Latent image forming liquid: same as in Example 1. (Iii) Ink: Same as in Example 1. (Iv) Configuration: FIG. 1 (Always hit the thermal head with the piezoelectric element, and monitor the resonance frequency using the acceleration sensor as vibration pickup. If the resonance frequency shifts,
The thermal head is moved up and down, assuming that air bubbles have adhered to the thermal head. )

(Results) As in Example 1, no deterioration in image quality was observed.

Example 3 A recording apparatus was assembled and recording was performed as follows. (I) Recording medium: Same as in Example 1. (Ii) Latent image forming liquid: same as in Example 1. (Iii) Ink: glycerin 80% aqueous solution + direct black 19 (Iv) Configuration: FIG.

(Results of Implementation) As in Example 1, no deterioration in image quality was observed.

Example 4 A recording apparatus was assembled and recording was performed as follows. (I) Recording medium: Same as in Example 1. (Ii) Latent image forming liquid: same as in Example 1. (Iii) Ink: Same as in Example 3. (Iv) Configuration: FIG. 2 + FIG. 3 (the latent image forming liquid flows out of the slit near the thermal element).

(Results of Implementation) As in Example 1, no deterioration in image quality was observed.

Example 5 A recording apparatus was assembled and recording was performed as follows. (I) Recording medium: Same as in Example 1. (Ii) Latent image forming liquid: same as in Example 1. (Iii) Ink: Same as in Example 3. (Iv) Configuration: FIG.

(Results of Implementation) As in Example 1, no deterioration in image quality was observed.

Example 6 A recording apparatus was assembled and recording was performed as follows. (I) Recording medium: Same as in Example 1. (Ii) Latent image forming liquid: same as in Example 1. (Iii) Ink: Same as in Example 3. (Iv) Configuration: FIG.

(Results) As in Example 1, no deterioration in image quality was observed.

[0054]

As described above, according to the recording apparatus of the present invention, the receding contact angle on the surface of the recording medium depends on the heating temperature.
In a recording apparatus for forming a latent image with reduced image density, means for removing bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) is provided. Since the generated bubbles are removed, no white spots occur in the image, and good image quality can always be maintained.

Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention has a structure in which the means for supplying the contact material to the surface of the recording material and the means for applying the recording material are unified by using a material which also functions as a recording material as the contact material. This has the additional effect of reducing the size of the recording device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing one specific example of a means for removing air bubbles mixed in a contact material (B) in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of a means for removing air bubbles mixed in a contact material (B) in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of a means for removing air bubbles mixed in a contact material (B) in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a recording medium, a thermal head, and a contact material (B) when writing a latent image in a conventional apparatus using the recording medium (A).
It is explanatory drawing which shows the contact state.

FIG. 9 shows a recording medium, a thermal head, and a contact material (B) when writing a latent image in a conventional apparatus using the recording medium (A).
It is explanatory drawing which shows the contact state.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a contact state of a recording material, a thermal head, and a contact material (B) when writing a latent image in an apparatus using the recording material (A).

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a conventional apparatus using a recording medium (A) and not having means for removing air bubbles mixed in a contact material (B).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording body 2 Thermal head 3 Latent image forming liquid (water) 4 Thermal element 5 Bubbles 6 Groove 7 Latent image 8 Dish 9 Recording agent (ink) 9a Adhered recording agent (adhesive ink) 10 Transferred object (recording paper) 11 Transfer Roller 12 Infrared lamp for erasing latent images

────────────────────────────────────────────────── (5) References JP-A-3-178479 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41L 19/00-19/16 B41C 1 / 00-1/16 B41M 1/00-5/26

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for selectively heating the surface of a recording medium (A) below in contact with the following contact material (B), or in a state where the surface of the recording medium (A) is selectively heated. The recording material (A) is brought into contact with the contact material (B),
Reduce receding contact angle according to high heating temperature on the surface of
Means for supplying the recording material (A) surface contact material (B) that allowed to form a latent image was, and means for selectively heating corresponding surface of the recording material (A) to the image signals for latent image formation, A recording agent applying means for supplying a recording agent containing a colorant to the surface of the recording medium (A) and attaching the recording agent to the latent image to visualize the latent image; A recording apparatus comprising: means for transferring to a body; and means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B). (A) A recording medium having a surface in which the receding contact angle is reduced when heated and brought into contact with a liquid. (B) Liquid, vapor, or solid that becomes liquid or generates liquid or vapor at a temperature equal to or lower than the temperature at which the receding contact angle on the surface of the recording medium (A) starts to decrease. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) adjusts an interval between the recording medium (A) and the thermal head while transporting the recording medium (A) periodically or when air bubble mixing is detected. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is increased. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) circulates the contact material (B). 4. The recording according to claim 1, wherein the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) comprises providing a groove on the surface of the recording material (A) in the recording material (A) transport direction. apparatus. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for removing air bubbles mixed in the contact material (B) includes providing a groove in the recording medium (A) transport direction on the thermal head. 6. A means for supplying said contact material (B) to the surface of a recording medium (A) by using a liquid recording agent containing a colorant as said contact material (B), and said recording means The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a single agent applying means is provided.