JPH01193742A - Heat-developing image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate an irregularity in transfer by arranging rollers for further pressing both a photosensitive material and an image receiving material against a rotary drum between a drawing-in part and a sending-out part for both materials so that their positions are adjustable in the conveyance direction of both materials. CONSTITUTION:The rollers 403 and 403b for further pressing both the photosensitive material N3 and image receiving material P3 which are heated and fixed one over the other against the rotary drum 400A are arranged between the drawing-in part 400a and sending-in part 400b of the rotary drum 400A for both materials so that their positions are adjustable in the conveyance direction of both materials. The press-contacting position by the rollers 403 and 403b is set to the best position according to the conditions of the temperature and humidity. Consequently, the transfer irregularity is eliminated and an excellent transfer image is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a thermal development image forming apparatus that prevents transfer unevenness during development of overlapping thermal development transfer materials.

[Background of the invention]

A diffusion transfer type heat development method has already been proposed in which a diffusible dye is released by heat development and the dye is transferred to an image receiving element to separate the silver image and the dye to obtain a color image. Furthermore, many techniques have been disclosed regarding photosensitive elements, image receiving elements, thermal development methods, and apparatuses for thermal development.

As an apparatus using such a heat development method, for example, a dry color hard copy apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-201433 has been proposed. The outline of this device is that a photosensitive element coated on a photosensitive sheet is imagewise exposed to form a latent image, the latent image is superimposed on an image receiving sheet, and the image is sandwiched between a rotating drum and an endless belt pressed onto the rotating drum. The photosensitive sheet is heated and pressurized to release the diffusible dye in the image area from the photosensitive sheet and transferred to the image-receiving sheet, and then both sheets are peeled off to form a color image on the image-receiving sheet.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, it is desirable for the photosensitive sheet and image receiving sheet to be wrapped around a rotating drum and developed and transferred to adhere strongly and uniformly. When a portion with poor adhesion occurs, a problem arises in that the straining force accumulated between the mating tiles of the defective portion cannot escape anywhere and reaches the exit, leaving uneven transfer. It has also been found that temperature, humidity, etc. also affect transfer.

The present invention was made in view of these circumstances, and even if poor adhesion occurs at the start of overlaying, it can be resolved during the transportation process, and furthermore, development and development can be carried out in optimal conditions depending on temperature, humidity, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal development image forming apparatus capable of performing transfer.

[Means to solve the problem]

For this purpose, the thermal development image forming apparatus of the present invention overlaps a photosensitive material on which a latent image has been formed by image exposure and an image-receiving material, wraps them around a rotating drum, and heats and presses them to develop the latent image on the photosensitive material. In a thermal development image forming apparatus comprising a development transfer means for transferring an image to the image receiving material, the two materials are overlapped and bonded under heat and pressure between an inlet part and a delivery part of the rotating drum. A roller for further press-contacting both materials to the rotating drum was arranged so that its position could be adjusted with respect to the above-mentioned transport direction of both materials.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, a thermal development image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire thermal development image forming apparatus. Between the nuclei, A is a heat-developable photosensitive element supplying section, which is a photosensitive sheet as a heat-developable photosensitive element (Japanese Patent Application No. 62-1).
60385 (used as the photosensitive element (1) in Example 1) is housed therein, and is supplied from the supply port 10. A pair of first conveying rollers 11 for conveying the photosensitive sheet N3, a photosensor Psi for sensing the conveyed photosensitive sheet N3, and the photosensitive sheet N's are predetermined near the outside of the supply port 10. A first guide 12 etc. for guiding in the direction is provided.

B is an exposure unit disposed above the heat-developable photosensitive element supply unit, which scans the photosensitive sheet (N3) passing through the first guide 12 with a beam modulated by an image signal using an internally installed FOT or the like. The image is exposed using the image. The light source for exposure may be a CRT, laser, LED, or a combination of a liquid crystal shutter and a light source, and the exposure method may be not only the beam scanning described above but also a method of illuminating the entire surface to record on the sensitive material.

20 is a second conveyance roller, 21 is a second guide, and these are the photosensitive sheet N after image exposure.

This is a guide for conveying the material to a predetermined position.

C is an image-receiving element supplying section, which is an image-receiving element supplying section,
P3 (used as the image receiving member +11 in Example-1 of No. 0856) is stored and automatically supplied from the supply port 30. An image receiving sheet P is provided near the outside of the supply port 30.
a pair of third conveying rollers 31 that convey the image receiving sheet P3, a third guide 32 that guides the image receiving sheet P3 in a predetermined direction, and a photosensor PS that senses the image receiving sheet P on the guide 32.
2nd class is placed.

D is a thermal development transfer section that develops the image-exposed photosensitive sheet N3 and transfers the image to the image receiving sheet P3; 400 is a rotary drum device rotatably disposed at the center; It is an endless belt that is wrapped approximately half the circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum device 400 by pressure, and rotates at the same speed as the rotating drum device 400 rotates.

Rotating drum 400A that is the base of rotating drum device 400
is heat-resistant and has a smooth surface, and is made of cylindrical aluminum with a Teflon coating on its outer surface, other metals such as iron or stainless steel, or heat-resistant plastic. In the case of aluminum, the wall thickness should be 5 mm or more to ensure heat capacity. Further, both sides of the rotating drum 400A are formed with silicone rubber to form a heat insulating structure. Asbestos, beta, or other materials with high heat capacity are also effective as insulation materials. Inside, there is a heater (8) as shown in Figure 2.
00W) 400B is attached and is configured to be able to heat from room temperature to about 200°C. There are various types of heaters 400B, and for example, an EVA sheet heater (in which a heating element pattern is formed in silicone rubber) may be used. In addition, the heater 400B is heated by the rotating drum 4.
It is preferable to perform this so that the temperature distribution of the part of 00A that is actually used is constant. Additionally, a temperature sensor 40 is installed inside the unit.
0C is attached to enable servo control of internal temperature.

400D is two wires that supply power to the heater 400B, and 400E is two wires that transmit signals from the temperature sensor 400C. These arrangements 400D and 400E are two rotating electrodes 400G and two rotating electrodes 400 attached to a shaft 400F that rotationally supports a rotating drum 400A.
H, and are connected to two external wirings 400 and 400L through two brushes 4QOi 400J that rub against the rotating electrodes 400G and 400H, respectively.

The endless belt 401 is made of heat-resistant and tension-resistant Nomex fibers and Kevlar fibers (manufactured by DuPont), and silicone rubber or the like is adhered to the surface to increase the coefficient of friction. Alternatively, it is formed of a material having a predetermined coefficient of friction, such as carbon-containing silicone rubber or fluororubber, which uses heat-resistant fiber as a core material. and the belt 401
A heating device 402 for heating the belt 401 is disposed at a continuous section on the line where the belt rotates, and the belt 401 is heated so that the temperature of the belt 401 drops rapidly and the developing conditions do not vary. It has become.

Reference numeral 403 denotes a group of rollers that rotatably hold the endless belt 401, and an entrance roller 403A is provided at a position of the lead-in portion 400a of the rotating drum 400A.

An exit roller 403B provided at the position of the sending section 400b of the rotating drum 400A, a holding roller 403C and a tension adjustment roller 4 provided at a position away from the drum 400A.
03D etc.

A drive motor 404 is attached to the exit roller 403B, and the exit roller 403B serves as a driving source to drive the belt 40.
1. The roller group 403 and the rotary drum 400A are rotated or rotated.

The exit roller 403B and the entire drive motor 404 are pressed toward the rotating drum 400A by a pressing mechanism 405, so that the exit roller 403B comes into pressure contact with the rotating drum 40OA via the belt 401. In addition,
Its pressing force is adjustable.

Further, the tension adjustment roller 403D adjusts the tension of the belt 401 by changing its position within a certain range. Note that the belt 4 due to thermal expansion of the belt 401, etc.
Tension adjustment roller 40 to prevent meandering of 01
It is effective to use a tie roller as the type of 3D or holding roller 404C.

Further, each of these roller groups 403 requires a large coefficient of friction, and the surface thereof is formed of silicone rubber, neoprene rubber, or the like.

Reference numeral 406 denotes a laminating roller attached to the outer periphery of the rotating drum 400A, which can be repositioned within a range from the vicinity of the inlet part 400E of the rotary drum 400A to the vicinity of the midpoint between the inlet part 400a and the delivery part 400b. The settings are set to the optimal position depending on the humidity and temperature in the air. This can also be done automatically by sensing humidity. and,
The bell 401 is sandwiched at the set position and is pressed against the rotating drum 400A.

The laminating roller 406 is also made of silicone rubber, neoprene rubber, etc. in order to increase the coefficient of friction with the belt 401 and provide appropriate elasticity.

A cleaning roller 407 is disposed above the inlet roller 403A, and has an adhesive material, fluff, brush, etc. attached to its surface, rotates in contact with the belt 401, and cleans fine sheet fragments and dust remaining on the belt 401. It is for cleaning etc.

409 is a fourth guide disposed between the third guide 32 and the artificial part 400a of the rotating drum 400A, and this guide guides the image receiving sheet P3 to the entrance part 400 of the rotating drum 400A.
It is for sending to a.

Similarly, 410 is a fifth conveyance roller disposed on the exit side of the second guide 21, and 411 is a fifth guide disposed between the conveyance roller 410 and the artificial part 400a of the rotating drum 400A. , these are devices for feeding the photosensitive sheet 1-Nt into the entrance portion 400a of the rotating drum 400A.

Therefore, the tips of the fourth guide 409 and the fifth guide 411 are mutually supported at a predetermined angle with respect to the entrance portion 400a.

Note that the image-receiving sheet P3 and the photosensitive sheet N3 that are being conveyed are placed in the continuous portion of the fourth guide 409 and the fifth guide 411.
A heating device (not shown) may be provided for preheating.

On the other hand, a scraper 412 is provided in the delivery section 400b of the rotating drum 400A. The scraper 412 is made of Teflon, and its sharp end is oriented toward the delivery section 400b and comes into contact with the rotating drum 400A to peel off the sheets P3 and N3, which are being conveyed in a stacked manner, from the rotating drum 400A.

Reference numeral 413 denotes a curl correction guide disposed on the side of the delivery section 400b of the rotating drum 400A, the end of which becomes the inlet section 413a is close to the delivery section 400b of the rotating drum 400A, and the entire guide is bent into a spiral shape. There is. The bending direction is opposite to the bending of the contact portion between the endless belt 401 and the rotating drum 400A. In addition, the entrance section 4
The direction of 13a is set along the surface of the rotary drum 400A in the delivery section 400b of the rotary drum 400A.

Therefore, the superimposed sheets P3 and N3 are transferred to the drum 40.
It is smoothly transferred from 0A to the curl correction guide 413,
Overlapping sheets (P3, N) formed in the rotating drum 400A by passing through the curl correction guide 413
3's curl is corrected. A sixth conveyance roller 414 is disposed in the middle of the curl correction guide 413. This roller 414 is equipped with a one-way clutch so that it can follow the sheets P3, N even if they are pulled at high speed in the feeding direction.

Reference numeral 415 denotes a dark box-shaped light-shielding roller unit disposed at the exit portion of the curl correction guide 413, which has slits on the left and right walls in the figure through which the overlapping sheets P3 and N pass, and inside which the sheets P3 and N overlap. Slit plate 415a that partitions left and right
is installed. The slit plate 415a also has a slit formed in its center through which the sheets P3 and N3 pass.

In addition, the slit plate 41 in the light shielding roller unit 415
There are a pair of sliding rollers 415b in each of the rooms 5a,
415C etc. are deployed.

Since the alignment directions a and b of each pair of sliding rollers 415b and 415C are not parallel to each other but are set at a certain angle, direct passage of light can be avoided. Note that a slippery material such as velvet is attached to the surfaces of the sliding rollers 415b and 415c. Further, a sixth guide 41 is provided on the exit side of the light shielding roller unit 415.
There are 6.

Reference numeral 417 denotes an air intake section provided at the lower part of the casing near the heat development transfer section, and a light shielding plate 41 is installed so as to cover the intake port 417a.
b is a provision. This allows only air to be sucked in from the outside and prevents outside light from entering the casing. Furthermore, an air outlet 418 equipped with a fan is provided in the upper part of the casing. The air outlet 418
Similarly to the air suction portion 417, the structure is such that external light does not enter into the casing.

Note that at least the portion from the photosensitive element supply section to the exposure section B and the thermal development transfer section must be completely shielded from external light. Therefore, in order to effectively block external light, it is desirable to configure them so that they are integrated with each other.

Reference numeral E designates a sheet peeling section disposed on the exit side of the sixth guide 416, 50 a pair of meandering correction rollers disposed at the exit section of the guide 416, and 51 a sheet peeling section disposed on the sheet discharge side of the correction roller 50. A pair of oscillating rollers arranged on the straightening roller 5
A photosensor PS3 is arranged on the sheet intake side of the correction roller 50, and a photosensor PS3 is arranged on the sheet discharge side of the correction roller 50.
4 (see Figure 3). The correcting roller 50 has a photo sensor PS at the tip of the overlapping sheets P:l, N3.
After reaching the 3rd position and sensing this, a certain period of time (e.g. 8
．． The drive starts after 5 seconds) have elapsed.

Further, the upper swinging roller 51a is configured to be tilted toward the feed side by an angle α about the rotation axis of the lower swinging roller 51b as shown in FIG. 3 in response to a predetermined signal. . This swinging drive is performed by a pulse motor.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a separator disposed on the sheet discharge side of the swinging roller 51, the tip of which is formed in a pattern, and the sharp portion 53 of the tip is formed in a pattern.
a is an overlapping sheet P sent out from the swinging roller 51;
, N3. 54.55
7 and 8 are conveyor rollers provided diagonally above and below behind the separator 53, and these convey the separated image-receiving sheet P1 and photosensitive sheet N3 to the outside of the sheet peeling section E, respectively. . 514 and 515 are guide plates for guiding the sheets separated by the separator 53 to conveyance rollers 54 and 55, respectively. The apparatus of this embodiment is configured so that the separation angle of the two sheets can be adjusted by changing the mounting angle or shape of the guide plate.

The separator 53, conveyance rollers 54, 55, etc. are assembled into an integral frame 56, and the whole is configured to be movable within a predetermined range in the direction of arrow X. Therefore, if a sheet jam occurs on the side of the separator 53, move the frame 56 to the arrow
the tip of the separator 53 and the swinging roller 5
By opening the space between 1 and 1, the jammed sheet can be easily removed. For this purpose, holes for maintenance are formed in the cabinet near this part.

In addition, similar maintenance holes are formed in the cabinet series in order to remove sheet jams on other lines, such as the image receiving sheet P1 and the photosensitive sheet N.

Note that if a ladder type chain is used for each of the above-mentioned drive mechanisms, it is possible to reduce the diameter of nine turns of the chain.

In addition, FIG. 4 is a timing chart diagram of the peeling part E.

The thermal development image forming apparatus of this embodiment is configured as described above.

Now, when you press the start button (not shown) to start copying, the photosensitive material (photosensitive sheet) is supplied from the supply port of the photothermographic photosensitive supply device A.
N3 is unwound and continues to be conveyed along the first guide 12 and the first guide 21.

On the other hand, from the supply port 30 of the image-receiving element supply device C, an image-receiving sheet (P3) is fed out by a third roller 31, and its tip crosses PS2 and waits after a certain period of time. The third roller 31 is provided with a clutch and brake mechanism, and is configured to be driven and stopped by signals from a control section (not shown).

During this time, the photosensitive sheet Ns passing through the first guide 12
is subjected to image exposure by an FOT or the like in the exposure section B, and a latent image is formed. The latent image is a so-called mirror image, which is the opposite of the normal image.

Thereafter, the image-exposed photosensitive sheet N3 is guided and conveyed by the second guide 21 by the second conveyance roller 12, and when the microswitch MSI detects this, the signal is transmitted to the control section and the photosensitive sheet N3, which is in the stopped state, is conveyed. 3 roller 31
The image is received with the clutch and brake in the driving state) P
3 starts to be transported.

As a result, the image-receiving sheet P3 is guided by the fourth guide 408 to the position of the lead-in part 400a of the rotating drum 400A, and the photosensitive sheet N is similarly guided to the fifth guide 411 to the position of the lead-in part 400a of the rotary drum 400A. Both sheets P3 and N3 are superimposed on each other in the core entry section 400a.

What is important here is that at the beginning of the superimposition, the leading edge of the image receiving sheet P3 is slightly (for example, 3 to 10 squares) protruding from the leading edge of the photosensitive sheet N. In order to obtain such timing, the position of the microswitch MSI, the conveyance roller 40B and the conveyance roller 4 are adjusted.
A feed rate of 10 and a distance between guides 409 and 411 are set in advance.

Both sheets P3 and N3, which have advanced to the drawing-in section 400a of the rotating drum 400A, are drawn between the rotating drum 400A and the endless belt 401 from the drawing-in section 400a, and are conveyed while being sandwiched between them.

At this time, the rotating drum 400A is heated by an internal heater 400B, and the surface temperature is adjusted to about 130 to 155°C. Therefore, both sheets P3 and N3 are tightly attached to the rotating drum 400A and the endless belt 401.
heated from As a result, the latent image on the photosensitive sheet N3 is developed, and the image is transferred to the image receiving sheet P. The image transferred to the image receiving sheet P3 is inverted and becomes a normal image.

In this case, both sheets P, , N, are the endless belt 4
The pressing force received from 01 is gradually increased until the position of laminating roller 406 is reached. Note that the laminating roller 406 is located at an appropriate position depending on the humidity in the air.

The transfer is completed before both sheets P3 and N3 reach the delivery section 400b of the rotating drum 400A, and both sheets P3 and N3 are sent out from the delivery section 400b of the rotating drum 400A.
, N are in close contact and stuck to the rotating drum 400A side. And both sheets P at the core
3, N, the rotating drum 400 is removed by the scraper 412;
It is integrally peeled off from A.

Immediately after the peeling, both sheets P3 and N3 are conveyed to the curl correction guide 413, and the sheets P3 and N3 are conveyed to the curl correction guide 413.
While traveling, the sheet is bent in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the rotary drum 400A, the curl imparted by the rotary drum 400A is corrected, and the sheet is conveyed to the light shielding roller unit 415 by the sixth conveyance roller 414.

During the above operation, outside air is sucked into the thermal development transfer section from the air suction section 417, and the delivery section 40 of the rotating drum 400A
0b and the curl correction guide 413 portion are cooled and sent out from the delivery section 400b, both sheets P3 and N3 are forcedly cooled (to about 120° C. or less), and development is stopped. In addition, the internal air whose temperature has increased is removed from the air outlet 41 by a fan.
It is discharged from 8.

In the light-shielding roller unit 415, both sheets P3 and N3 enter through the slit on the right wall in the figure, are further conveyed by the sliding roller 415C1415b, and are sent out to the sixth guide 416 through the slit on the left wall.

Then, the leading ends of both sheets P1 and N3 are sent out from the guide 416, hit the correction roller 50, and are stopped. However, since the sliding rollers 415b and 415c continue to rotate, they idle slide against both sheets P1 and N while continuing to push both sheets P3 and N3 against the correction roller 50. At this time, if the directions of both sheets P1 and N3 are misaligned, the misalignment is corrected (see FIG. 3('b)).

Further, just before the leading ends of both sheets PI and Nil hit the correction roller 50, both sheets P3 and Nil are sensed by the photosensor PS3, and then for a certain period of time T1 (for example, 8.
5 seconds), the driving of the correction roller 50 starts (see FIG. 4). This corrected the meandering of both seas) P 3
, Ns are resumed to be transported by the AC motor to the swinging roller 51 rotating together with the correction roller 50, and the leading end is let out from the roller 51. Since the top side of the image receiving sheet P3 protrudes from the leading ends of both sheets P3 and N3, the leading ends of the image receiving sheet Ps are placed on the upper side of the separator 53. Also, both seats P
3, N3 is detected by the photosensor PS4 on the way to the swinging roller 51. After a certain period of time T2 has elapsed since the detection, the pulse motor tilts the swinging roller 51 downward at an α angle shown in FIG. 3(a).

The angle is controlled by a microswitch MS2.3. As a result, both sheets P3 and N are pushed downward and bent, but since the leading end of image-receiving sheet P3 is held by separator 53, photosensitive sheet N is peeled off from image-receiving sheet P.

Thereafter, the sharp portion 53a of the separator 53 separates the sheets P3 and N3 as the sheets P3 and N3 advance. The separated photosensitive sheet) Na is transferred to the seventh conveyance roller 54.
The image-receiving sheet P3 is sent out to the outside, and the image-receiving sheet P3 is discarded into a dust box by the eighth conveyance roller 55. A time chart of the above peeling is shown in FIG.

After the main switch is turned off, each roller and drum continues to operate for 30 minutes to prevent seizure.

In this embodiment, the swinging roller 51 is tilted so that both sheets P3 and
Although N:+ is peeled off, the swinging roller 51 may be kept in a fixed state and the separator 53 may be moved or rotated upward. Alternatively, a method may be used in which both are used together.

Also, when overlapping both sheets P3 and N, sheet P
Although the tip of the sheet Ni is made to protrude from the tip of the sheet Ni, it is also possible to make the tip of the sheet N3 protrude from the tip of the sheet Ni.

Further, the photosensitive element used in the present invention can be obtained by coating and drying a material containing a dye-donating polymer and silver halide on a support using a hydrophilic binder as a binder.

The image-receiving element is manufactured by coating a support such as paper or other synthetic polymer sheet with an image-receiving layer containing a polymer for fixing the heat-transferable dye that diffuses and moves from the heat-developable photosensitive element. be able to.

Further, the present invention is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-253140,
It is also possible to apply the present invention to a photosensitive pressure-sensitive heat developing material or a heat developing device thereof as shown in Japanese Patent No. 2-249164.

〔Effect of the invention〕

From the above, according to the present invention, the position of the roller is adjustable between the sheet intake part and the sheet delivery part of the rotary drum for further pressing the heated and pressed sheets against the rotary drum. The pressure contact position of the roller can be set to the optimum position according to temperature and humidity conditions.
It is possible to prevent uneven transfer from occurring and obtain an extremely good transferred image.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a mock diagram of a thermal development image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a rotating drum, and Fig. 3 (a) (bl
4 is an explanatory diagram of the meandering correction/peeling section, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the meandering correction/peeling section. A: Heat-developable photosensitive element supply section, B: Exposure section, C:
...Image receiving element supply section, D...Thermal development transfer section, E...
Sheet peeling unit, 10... Supply port, 11... First conveyance roller, 12... First guide, 20... Second conveyance roller, 21... First guide, P3 . . . Image receiving sheet, 30 . . . Supply port, 31 . . . Third conveyance roller, 32 .・Sending unit,
400A... Rotating drum, 400B... Heater, 4
00C...Temperature sensor, 400D, 400E...Wiring, 400F...Shaft, 400G. 400H...Rotating electric scraper, 4001.400J...Brush, 400, 400L...External wiring, 401...
・Endless belt, 402...Heating device F, 403
...Roller group, 403A...Entrance roller, 403B
...Exit roller, 403C...Holding roller, 403
D... Tensilan adjustment roller, 404... Drive motor, 406... Laminating roller, 407... Cleaning roller, 409... Fourth guide, 410...
...Fifth conveyance roller, 411...Fifth guide, 4
12...Scooper, 413...Curl correction guide,
414...Sixth conveyance roller, 415...Shading roller unit, 415a...Slit plate, 415b, 4
15c...Sliding roller, 416...Sixth guide,
417...Air intake part, 417a...Intake port, 41
7b... Light shielding plate, 418... Air outlet, E...
Sheet peeling section, 50... Correction roller, 51... Swinging roller, 53... Separator, 53a... Sharp portion,
54... Seventh conveyance roller, 55... Eighth conveyance roller, 56... Frame body, Psi, PS2. PS3゜PS
4... Photo sensor, MSl, MS2. MS3...
Micro switch, N3... Photosensitive sheet, P3...
Image receiving sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) The photosensitive material on which a latent image has been formed by image exposure and the image-receiving material are overlapped and wrapped around a rotating drum, and the latent image on the photosensitive material is developed by heat-pressing and transferred to the image-receiving material. In a thermal development image forming apparatus equipped with a development transfer means, the superimposed and heat-pressed materials are further pressed against the rotating drum between an inlet portion and a delivery portion of the rotating drum for the two materials. A thermal development image forming apparatus, characterized in that a roller is disposed such that its position can be adjusted in both of the material conveyance directions.