JPH0193378A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a used transfer recording medium illegible, by providing a heating means for heating the transfer recording medium taken up by a take-up means after passing through a transferring part. CONSTITUTION:A transfer recording medium 1 comprises a transfer recording layer 1b capable of forming an image when being supplied with both thermal energy and optical energy. A core 1c and a core 1d for forming a magenta color and a blue color, respectively, at the time of forming an image are enclosed in shells 1e, which are adhered to a base 1a by an adhesive 1f to constitute the recording layer 1b. A recording part 3 comprises a recording head 3a, a heat generating element array 3b and fluorescent lamps 3c, 3d. The images on the recording medium 1 are transferred as magenta and blue images onto a recording paper 8 at a transferring part 4. The recording medium 1 released by a releasing roller 5 is taken up on a roll 6. At this moment, the medium 1 is heated by a heated roller 14a, whereby the adhesive 1f is softened to adhere firmly to the base 1a. Therefore, even when the used transfer recording medium 1 is discarded, there is no possibility of leakage of recorded information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to a recording device that can be used in printers, copying machines, facsimile machines, and the like.

<Background Art> In recent years, with the rapid development of the information industry, various information processing systems have been developed, and recording devices suitable for each information processing system have also been developed.

A thermal transfer recording device is one of the recording devices mentioned above. In this method, recording is performed on a recording paper using an ink ribbon made by coating a ribbon-shaped support with a heat-melt ink made by dispersing a colorant in a heat-melt binder.

That is, the ink ribbons are stacked so that their heat-melting ink layers are in contact with the recording paper, and the ink ribbon and the recording paper are conveyed between a thermal head and a platen, and the ink ribbon is transferred from the support side of the ink ribbon to the thermal head. By applying pulse-shaped heat according to the image signal and pressing the two together and transferring the molten ink to the recording paper, an ink image corresponding to the heat application is recorded on the recording paper. .

The above recording apparatus has been widely used in recent years because it is small and lightweight, makes no noise, and can record on plain paper.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, conventional thermal transfer recording devices are not without problems.

The reason is that in conventional thermal transfer recording devices, the transfer recording performance, that is, the image quality, is greatly affected by the surface smoothness of the recording paper.
Although good image recording is performed on recording paper with high smoothness, there is a possibility that the quality of image recording will deteriorate when recording paper with low smoothness is used.

Furthermore, when attempting to obtain a multicolor image with a conventional thermal transfer recording device, it is necessary to repeat transfer to overlap the colors. To do this, it is necessary to install multiple heat nozzles or make complicated movements such as stopping and reversing the recording paper, which not only makes color misalignment unavoidable, but also makes the entire device large and complicated. There are other problems.

<Means for solving the problem> Therefore, the present applicant uses a photothermal sensitive material, and when thermal energy and light energy are applied, the reaction of the material proceeds rapidly and the transfer characteristics change irreversibly. proposed a technology for forming an image based on the difference in characteristics according to the image signal and transferring it to a recording medium (Japanese Patent Application No. 1200-1983).
No. 80, No. 60-120081, No. 60-13141
No. 1, No. 60-134831, No. 61150597, No. 60-199926, etc.).

According to this technology, it is possible to record high-quality images even on recording media with low surface smoothness, and when applied to multicolor recording, it is possible to make complex movements on the recording medium. It is possible to obtain multi-colored images without any problems.

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned technology, and aims to provide a recording apparatus that can perform processing to make recorded information illegible from a used transfer recording medium.

For this purpose, the means of the embodiment described below is a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change by applying a first energy and a second energy different from the first energy. and a first energy applying means for applying the first energy to the transfer recording medium, which is provided along the conveyance path of the transfer recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means. and a second for applying the second energy.
a recording section having an energy imparting means; a transfer section for transferring an image formed on the transfer recording medium in the recording section onto a recording medium; and a winder for winding up the transfer recording medium that has passed through the transfer section. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a take-up means and a heating means for heating the transfer recording medium wound up by the take-up means.

<Operation> According to the above means, when the transfer recording medium and the recording medium are set in the apparatus and recording is performed, multiple types of energy are applied to the transfer recording medium in the recording section to form an image. The image is transferred to the recording medium in the transfer section.

Further, when the transfer recording medium being wound up by the winding means is heated, the transfer recording layer is softened and adhered in the wound state. Therefore, even if there is a transfer afterimage on a used transfer recording medium, it becomes unreadable.

<Example> Next, an embodiment of the present invention to which the above means is applied will be described.

FIG. 1(A) is a cross-sectional schematic explanatory diagram of the recording device, and the first
Figure (B) is a perspective explanatory view.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a transfer recording medium in the form of a long sheet, which is wound into a roll and used as a supply roll 2 in the apparatus main body M.
It is removably incorporated into the.

That is, this supply roll 2 is removably loaded onto a rotatable shaft 2a provided in the main body M of the apparatus.

Therefore, first, the leading edge of this transfer recording medium 1 is placed on the supply roll 2.
．． The peeling roller 5. It is directed by the guide roller 12c and brought to the take-up roll 6, and its tip is locked to the take-up roll 6 by means such as a gripper (not shown). Thereafter, the winding roll 6 is driven by a known drive means.
By rotating the transfer roller 4a while applying torque in the direction of arrow C, the transfer recording medium 1 is fed out in the direction of arrow a, and is sequentially wound around the circumferential surface of the take-up roll 6.

Incidentally, during the winding, a certain bank tension is applied to the supply roll 2 by, for example, a hysteresis brake (not shown), and this tension and the guide rollers 12a, 12b cause the transfer recording medium 1 to move toward the recording head 3a. It is configured to be conveyed while being pressed against the object at a certain pressure and at a certain angle.

Next, the configuration of each of the above sections will be explained in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer recording medium 1 has a transfer recording layer 1 having the property of forming an image when both thermal energy and light energy are applied on a sheet-like support la.
It is formed by attaching b.

To explain an example thereof, as shown in FIG. 2, the transfer recording layer 1b uses the components shown in Tables 1 and 2 as cores lc and ld, and microcapsule-shaped image forming elements are formed by the following method. It forms.

Table 2: First, the component Log shown in Tables 1 and 2 was mixed with 20 parts by weight of methylene chloride, and then a cationic or nonionic surfactant having an HLB value of at least 10 and 1 g of gelatin were dissolved in water. 8,000~10, OOOr
Emulsify by stirring at pm to obtain oil droplets with an average particle size of 26-.

Stirring is further continued at 60° C. for 30 minutes, and the methylene chloride is distilled off to give an average particle size of about 10 fm.

To this, add 20 m of water in which 1 g of gum arabic is dissolved, cool slowly, and then add NH40H (ammonia) water to make it 9811 or more to obtain a microcapsule slurry, and add 20% glutaraldehyde aqueous solution 1,
Slowly add 0 ml to harden the capsule wall.

After that, solid-liquid separation is performed using a Nunche filter, and 3 times using a vacuum dryer.
It is dried for 210 hours at 5°C to obtain a microcapsule-shaped image forming element.

This image forming element has cores lc and l shown in Tables 1 and 2.
d is a microcapsule covered with a shell 1e, which is formed to have a particle size of 7 to 15n and an average particle size of 10-. The image forming element thus formed is adhered onto a support la using an adhesive to form a transfer recording medium 1.

To explain this in more detail, adhesive 1r, which is made by dissolving polyester adhesive Polyester-LP-022 (solid content 50%) manufactured by Nippon Gosei Kagaku Kogyo (solid content 50%) in ice at a rate of 3 cc of toluene, is applied to a thickness of 6 nm. The mixture is coated on a support la made of a polyethylene terephthalate film. Thereafter, the solvent was removed by drying, and the thickness was measured and found to be approximately 1-. Since this adhesive 1f has a glass transition point of 115°C, a slight tack remains even at room temperature, making it possible to easily adhere the image forming element formed as described above to the support 1a. .

Next, a microcapsule-shaped image forming element using the materials shown in Tables 1 and 2 obtained as above as a core material was prepared.
They were mixed at a ratio of 1:1, and this was sprinkled to adhere. Thereafter, when the excess image forming element was brushed off, the image forming element was disposed on the adhesive layer in approximately one layer and at a ratio of 90%.

Thereafter, the image forming element is firmly fixed on the support la by applying a pressure of about 1 kg/cd and thermal energy of about 80° C. to form the transfer recording medium 1.

The photoinitiator in the image forming element shown in Table 1 absorbs light in the band of graph A in the light absorption characteristics shown in FIG. The photoinitiator in the image-forming element shown in Table 2 absorbs light in the band shown in graph B in FIG. 3 to start a reaction, and the color becomes blue during image formation.

Next, the recording section 3 will be explained. The recording unit 3 includes a heating means for applying thermal energy as a first energy to the transfer recording medium 1, and a light unit for applying optical energy as a second energy to the transfer recording medium 1. It consists of an irradiation means.

The heating means is composed of a line-type heating element row 3b arranged on the surface of the recording head 3a for A-4 size with a width of 0.2M and 8 dots/mu, which generates heat according to both signals. As described above, the support la side of the transfer recording medium 1 is configured to be pressed against the heating element array 3b with a predetermined pressure due to back tension during conveyance. The image signal is generated from a control unit of a facsimile, an image scanner, an electronic blackboard, or the like, depending on the purpose.

On the other hand, on the transfer recording Nib side facing the recording head 3a, two fluorescent lamps 3c and 3d, which are 20W type light irradiation means having spectral characteristics as shown in FIG. They are located approximately 15 to 35 meters apart.

Furthermore, a transfer recording medium l is in pressure contact with the recording head 3a.
The slit plate 3e is kept at a distance of about 0.5 ws from the transfer recording medium 1, and the opening width is 1.2 so that the direct light from the fluorescent lamps 3c and 3d is irradiated only on the area directly above the row of heating elements.
fi.

In this embodiment, as one of the fluorescent lamps 3C having the spectral characteristics shown in graph A in FIG. As the other fluorescent lamp 3d having the spectral characteristics shown in (1), a 20W fluorescent lamp 11LIOA70E39 manufactured by Toshiba is used.

Next, the transfer section 4 will be explained. The transfer section 4 is disposed downstream of the recording section 3 in the conveyance direction of the transfer recording medium 1, and is in pressure contact with a transfer roller 4a that rotates in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. and a pressure roller 4b.

The transfer roller 4a is composed of an aluminum roller whose surface is coated with silicone rubber having a thickness of 1 fl and a hardness of 70 degrees, and the surface is maintained at 110 to 120 degrees Celsius by a built-in 800W halogen heater 4C. It is configured.

The pressure roller 4b is made of an aluminum roller coated with silicone rubber having a hardness of 70 degrees to a thickness of 11 mm, and the pressing force with the transfer roller 4a is 6 to 7 kgf/( It is set to n.

Furthermore, recording paper 8 as a recording medium loaded in the cassette 7
is the feed roller 9. The LED 26a and the phototransistor 2 are fed by a pair of registration rollers 10a and 1ob.
By detecting the leading edge of the recording paper 8 by a registration sensor 26 consisting of 6b and controlling the feeding timing, the recording paper 8 is fed to the transfer section 4 synchronously so as to overlap the image area of the transfer recording medium 1. has been done.

Further, the transfer recording medium 1 separated from the recording paper 8 by the peeling roller 5 is configured to be heated by the heating means 14. In this embodiment, a heating roller 14a serving as the heating means 14 is configured to contact the take-up roll 6 with a constant pressing force.

Specifically, the heating roller 14a is an aluminum roller coated with silicone rubber having a hardness of 20 degrees to a thickness of 2n, and the surface of the aluminum roller coated with silicone rubber having a hardness of 40 degrees to a thickness of 1 inch. A 500W halogen heater 14b is built into the heating roller 14a, and the surface of the heating roller 14a is
The temperature is maintained at 0 to 60°C.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the heating roller 14a contacts the transfer recording medium 1 wound around the take-up roll 6 with a pressing force of about 1 to 5 kg/- by the tension spring 14c, and the take-up roll 6 The structure is such that the rotation is driven by the rotation of.

Next, a recording method using the recording apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

Note that this embodiment shows an example in which heat is applied in accordance with an image signal and light is applied uniformly.

An image is formed by driving the motor to sequentially feed out the transfer recording medium 1 from the supply roll 2, and applying light and heat to the transfer recording layer 1b of the transfer recording medium 1 in the recording section 3 according to the image signal. . The transfer record Fllb has a property that when light and heat of a predetermined wavelength are applied, the softening point temperature increases, that is, the transfer characteristics change irreversibly, and the transfer record Fllb is no longer transferred to the recording paper 8. Therefore, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 5, when recording magenta color, the heating element of the heating element array 3b corresponding to the magenta image signal is not energized, and the image signal is white (the recording paper 8 is white). ) is energized for 25 m5, and the fluorescent lamp 3C is uniformly irradiated with a delay of 5 ms. The irradiation time at this time was 45
Let it be m5.

Next, when recording blue color, after 50m5 has passed after the end of the light irradiation, that is, 100IIIs from the start time of the energization.
Later, in the heating element row 3b, the heating element corresponding to the blue of the image signal is not energized, but the portion corresponding to the white of both signals is energized for 25 m5, and after 5 ma, the fluorescent lamps 3d are uniformly turned on. irradiate. The irradiation time at this time was also 45 m as above.
It is 5.

In the manner described above, the recording head 3a is controlled according to the blue, magenta, and white image signals to form a negative image on the transfer recording layer 1b, and the transfer recording medium 1 is synchronously transferred at a repetition period of 200m5/1ine. transport.

Here, a control system according to this embodiment for performing the above recording operation will be specifically explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12. In addition, Fig. 6 is a block diagram of the control system, Figs. 7 and 8 are timing charts of recording operation, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between each member, and Fig. 10 is a sequence for sending out each signal. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the recording operation, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the temperature control system for the transfer roller 4a.

As shown in FIG. 6, this control system is CP U3O.

It consists of an interface 21, an operation panel 22, an image forming timing generator 23, a feeding motor driver 24, a transport motor driver 25, a registration sensor 26, and respective fluorescent lamp lighting devices 27 and 28.

The CPU 20 receives various information (for example, recording density, number of recording sheets,
(recorded size, etc.), a signal from the registration sensor 26, and a magenta synchronization signal generated by the image forming timing generator 23. Further, the CPU 20 generates a motor ON signal for the feeding motor 30, a motor ON signal for the transport motor 31, and a page signal via the interface 21.

The image forming timing generator 23 divides the frequency of the internal crystal oscillator (black and 2) and generates various signals (magenta line synchronization signal,
Blue line sync signal, page sync signal, video clock,
enable signal, strobe signal, fluorescent lamp ON signal, etc.)
occurs.

As shown in FIG. 7, the magenta line synchronization signal and the blue line synchronization signal have a duty ratio of 50 at synchronization of 200a+s.
%, and is a signal with a phase shift of 180'.

Then, a page signal sent from the CPU 20 via the interface 21 is latched at the rising edge of the magenta line synchronization signal to generate a page synchronization signal.

The video clock generates a 25KH2 clock from the rising edge of the magenta and blue line synchronization signals, and 1728
(approximately 69+u) clocks and then pauses (note that the recording head 3a of this embodiment has 1728 pixels per line).

Further, an external image signal generator (for example, a facsimile, an image scanner, an electronic whiteboard, etc.) 32 receives a page synchronization signal, magenta and blue line synchronization signals, and a video clock from the image forming timing generator 23, and generates a page synchronization signal. From the time when the magenta line synchronization signal becomes "high 1", the magenta image signal is synchronized with the video clock, and when the blue line synchronization signal is "r high", the blue image signal is synchronized with the video clock, 1728 times each. Send one by one.

Furthermore, the period of r high J of the magenta and blue line synchronization signals, and the period when the deo clock is inactive is r.
Generates a strobe signal that goes high.

The enable signal repeats "high 1" 25 times from the rising edge of the magenta and blue line synchronization signals, and repeats "high 1" for 25 times from the rising edge of the magenta and blue line synchronization signals, and repeats "high 1" for 25 times within the period of r high j of the first magenta line synchronization signal when the page synchronization signal becomes "low 1." The process ends with the occurrence of j. This enable signal corresponds to the energization signal to the heating element 3b corresponding to the image signal shown in FIG.

Further, the image forming timing generator 23 generates a fluorescent lamp ON signal. The ON signal of the fluorescent lamp 3c becomes "high 1" with a delay of 5 ms from the rise of the first enable signal, and then
This signal becomes "r low" after 5 pastes, and this occurs repeatedly for every other enable signal. Also, turn on the fluorescent light 3d.
The signal is generated in the same way with a delay of 100 degrees relative to the ON signal of the fluorescent lamp 3C.

The recording head 3a and fluorescent lamp 3c are activated by the above signal.

3d, the recording head 3a takes in an image signal from an external image signal generator 32 into a shift register inside the head using a video clock from an image forming timing generator 23. The captured image signal is latched in a latch register in the head by a strobe signal from the image forming timing generator 23, and then is latched by the image forming timing and an enable signal from the generator 23 according to both signals in the latch register. The heating element 3b is energized, and at the same time, the next image signal is taken into the shift register by the video clock.

In addition, the lighting devices 27 and 28 for the fluorescent lamps 3c and 3d receive the ○N signals for the fluorescent lamps 3c and 3d from the image forming timing generator 23, and the ON signals for the respective fluorescent lamps 3c and 3d are r high. Compatible with fluorescent lamp 3c.

Turn on 3d.

An image is formed on the transfer recording medium 1 by the above control.

Next, conveyance control of the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 for transferring the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 to the recording paper 8 will be explained.

The feed motor driver 24 is connected to the interface 21
When the feed motor ○N signal from the CPU 20 is high, the feed motor 30 is driven to rotate the feed roller 9 and the pair of registration rollers 10a and 10b to feed the recording paper 8.
is transported at a constant speed.

Further, the transport motor driver 25 is configured to turn on the transport motor from the CPU 20 via the interface 21.
When the signal is "high 1", the conveyance motor 31 is driven to rotate the transfer roller 4a, and the pressure roller 4 rotates as a result of this.
The transfer recording medium 1 and recording paper 8 are conveyed at a constant speed by the cooperative action with b.

Here, the timing of each signal sent by the CPU 3O via the interface 21 is as shown in FIG.

Note that the times T and -T in FIG. 8 correspond to the times when the transfer recording medium 1 or the recording paper 8 is conveyed as shown below, assuming that the distance between each member is L1 to L3 as shown in FIG. It takes time.

L, F Conveyance distance of the transfer recording medium 1 from the recording head 3a to the pressure contact portion between the transfer roller 4a and the pressure roller 4b.

L2: Conveyance distance of the transfer recording medium 1 from the pressure contact portion to the peeling roller 5.

L3: Conveyance distance of the recording paper 8 from the Ni-registration sensor 26 to the pressure contact portion.

TI = time required to convey the transfer recording medium 1 a distance of Ll-L.

T2: Time required to convey the recording paper 8 a distance of .

T3: Length of recording paper 8 (for example, 2 for A4 size)
The time required to convey the transfer recording medium 1 by 97ts).

T4 = Time required to transport the transfer recording medium 1 a distance of +L.

That is, when the operator presses the start button on the operation panel 22, the feeding motor 30 is driven, feeds the recording paper 8, and stops driving when the leading edge of the recording paper 8 touches the registration sensor 26. At the same time as this drive body stops, the conveyance motor 31 is driven to convey the transfer recording medium 1 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. A forming step is performed.

The conveyance motor 31 stops after the image forming time T has elapsed and further after a time T4 has elapsed.

The feed motor 30 is driven for a time T2 after the time T has elapsed since the transfer recording medium 1 started to be conveyed, and the feeding motor 30 conveys the recording paper 8 at the same speed as the transfer recording medium 1, and then stops. As a result, the leading edge of the recording paper 8 matches the leading edge of the transfer image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 in the transfer section 4, and is conveyed by the drive of the conveyance motor 31 while being in close contact with the transfer recording medium 1.

Here, the CPU 2 sends out each signal as shown in FIG.
To explain the operation of 0, the CPU 20 inputs a magenta line synchronization signal via the interface 21,
The number of pieces is counted by a software counter. That is, the magenta line synchronization signal is 2 as described above.
Since the cycle is 00, the CPU 20 can manage the time by counting the signals.

The CPU 20 has a sequence table as shown in FIG. 10 inside, and when the registration sensor signal is high
Then, while counting magenta line synchronization signals, sequentially refer to the sequence table
Sends N signal, transport motor ON signal, page signal,
The drive of each member is controlled by each signal.

In this embodiment, the sequence table has a 3-bit configuration as shown in FIG. 10, and consists of a total of 2417 words from the 0th to the 2416th word. 1 is the transport motor ON signal,
Bit 2 corresponds to a page signal, respectively.

In addition, the numbers in parentheses at the top of Figure 8 indicate the magenta line synchronization signal at the time when the registration sensor signal becomes "r high" as number 0, and the number of the magenta line synchronization signal at each time point (signal number). number).

Next, a series of operations of the CPU 20 having the above-mentioned functions will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG.
1) If pressed, sends a feed motor ON signal (S2). Next, the resist sensor signal is r high j
Wait until the Rask number is reached (S3), and then assign 0 to R indicating the rask number in the sequence table (S4). Next, wait until the magenta line synchronization signal is “low j” (35), and
After that, wait for r high j (S6). This detects the rising edge of the magenta line synchronization signal. When the edge is detected, the Rth position of the sequence table is referred to, and bits 0 to 2 are sent out as a feed motor ON signal, a transport motor ON signal, and a page signal, respectively (S7). Next, add 1 to the value of R (S
8) Determine whether the value of R is greater than 2416.3
9) If the value of R is smaller than or equal to 2416, the process returns to step S5 to continue recording, and if it is larger, the recording ends.

The image formed as described above is thermally transferred to the recording paper 8 in the transfer section 4, and the temperature control of the transfer roller 4a is configured as shown in FIG.

The thermistor 33 in FIG. 12 is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the transfer roller 4a, and its resistance value changes depending on the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a. and is compared with the reference voltage E0 by the comparator 35. The comparison output is connected to the power supply E via the relay driver 36 and by the relay 37.
3 controls the energization of the halogen heater 4c.

Here, the driving principle of the temperature control configuration will be described. The thermistor 33 has a property that the resistance value decreases as the temperature rises. Therefore, if the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a rises, the resistance value of the thermistor 33 decreases, and the voltage E! goes down. Conversely, if the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a decreases, the thermistor 33
The resistance value of E8 increases and the voltage E8 also increases.

Therefore, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13(A),
The value of the reference voltage E0 is transferred to the transfer roller 4. By setting the voltage Ex to a value corresponding to 95°C, when the power switch is on (Sll) and the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a is lower than 95°C, the comparison output will be r high j , the halogen heater 4c becomes energized (312,
313) The surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a increases. Conversely, if the temperature is higher than 95°C, the comparison output becomes "r low" and the halogen heater 4c is not energized (312, 314).
, the surface temperature decreases.

Due to the above control, the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a is 90 to 10
The control system is kept at 0"C. This control system is constantly operating when the power switch of the device is on, and the surface temperature of the transfer roller 4a reaches 90 to 100 degrees before the start button on the operation panel is pressed. It is controlled to become C.

An image is formed on the transfer recording medium 1 as described above, and the cough image is transferred to the recording paper 8 in the transfer section 4 as a two-color image of magenta and blue.

Thereafter, the transfer recording medium 1 and the recording paper 8 are separated by the peeling roller 5, and the recording paper 8 on which the image of the desired color has been recorded is
The ejection tray 11 is moved by the ejection roller pair 13a, 13b.
to be discharged. On the other hand, the transfer recording medium 1 separated from the recording paper 8 is sequentially wound around the take-up roll 6, and at this time is heated by the heating roller 14a. heating roller 14a
As mentioned above, the surface temperature is controlled to be 50 to 60°C, and this temperature control circuit is similar to the temperature control circuit of the transfer roller 4a shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature of the surface of the heating roller 14a is detected by the thermistor 14e provided near the surface of the heating roller 14a, and as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13(B),
When the power switch of the device is turned on, the surface temperature of the heating roller 14a is maintained at 50 to 60°C by operating the heater 14b in response to the comparison output of the control circuit (321 to 524).

When the transfer recording medium 1 wound around the take-up roll 6 as described above is heated, the adhesive if forming the transfer recording layer 1b is softened because it has thermoplasticity. The state of the transfer recording medium 1 during this heating is such that the portion where the image forming element is transferred onto the recording paper 8 at the time of transfer is only the adhesive 1f, and when this is wound up on the winding roll 6, The adhesive 1f is in contact with the support 1a. Therefore,
When the adhesive 1f is softened by the heating, this adhesive 1
f firmly adheres to the support 1a. Therefore, it is difficult to peel off the rolled transfer recording medium 1, and if you try to forcefully peel it off, the support 1a will tear. Thereby, even if the wound-up used transfer recording medium 1 is discarded as it is, there is no risk of recorded information leaking from the transfer recording medium 1.

As described above, two-color recording can be obtained in one shot, and leakage of confidential information from the transfer recording medium 1 can be prevented.

<Other Embodiments> Next, other embodiments of each part of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

(1) Transfer recording medium In the above embodiments, two-color recording was explained, but as disclosed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-128814, the colorant and light that constitute the image forming element are By appropriately selecting the type of initiator, selecting a light source with a wavelength that causes the photoinitiator to react, and using the process related to the above application, monochromatic, multicolor or full-color recorded images of three or more colors can be created. You can also get it.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the transfer recording layer 1 of a polymeric material containing a colorant is transferred by light energy and thermal energy.
Although an example has been shown in which the image is transferred and recorded onto the recording paper 8 by changing the softening point temperature of b, the image may be transferred and recorded depending on the difference in adhesive properties or sublimation properties to the recording paper 8. Alternatively, the recording paper 8 may be made to have color development properties.
The transfer recording medium 1 may be provided with a layer that changes the color development characteristics of the transfer recording medium 1, and the image formed on the transfer recording medium 1 may be transferred to the recording paper 8 to obtain an image.

Further, the first energy and second energy applied to the transfer record 11b are not limited to the above-mentioned heat and light energy, and an image may be formed using, for example, ground energy such as pressure energy.

In addition to the above-mentioned polyethylene terephthalate, for example, polyamide, polyimide, capacitor paper, cellophane paper, etc. can also be used as the material for the support 1a.

Further, as the transfer recording layer N1b, any transfer recording layer can be used as long as the physical properties can be changed by a plurality of types of energy to form a transferred image. For example, a transfer image can be formed by using a transfer recording layer whose physical properties such as melting temperature, softening point, glass transition point, and viscosity change by applying multiple types of energy.

The image forming element constituting the transfer recording layer 1b contains a sensitive component and a coloring component, and the sensitive component exhibits changes in physical properties when multiple energies such as light and heat energy are applied. It is preferable to use a material that starts to react or a material that exhibits a rapid change in the reaction rate of changes in physical properties.

The polymerization component contained in the sensitive component is a component that causes a polymerization reaction or a crosslinking reaction, such as Natsumar,
Oligomers or polymers may be mentioned.

Examples of the monomer or oligomer include polyvinyl cinnamate, p-methoxycinnamic acid-succinic acid half ester, etc., or those having a reactive group at the terminal or side chain of epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, etc. It will be done.

Examples of the polymerizable hexamer include ethylene glycol diacrylate and propylene glycol diacrylate.

Further, when using the above polymerizable monomer or oligomer, cellulose acetate succinate, methyl methacrylate-hydroxyethyl methanelylate copolymer, etc. may be included in order to improve layer-forming properties.

A reaction initiator is added as necessary to cause the polymerization component to react. As the reaction initiator, radical initiators such as azo compounds, organic sulfur compounds, carginyl compounds, and halogen compounds are preferable.

In particular, in the structure of the transfer recording layer when a transferred image is formed by receiving both light and thermal energy, the reaction speed is determined by the reaction between the reaction initiator and the polymerization component, which act in response to the above-mentioned light energy. The type of reaction initiator and polymerization component should be selected so that the combination has a large temperature dependence.

For example, polymerizable prepolymers with functional groups such as methacrylic esters or acrylic ester copolymers,
Examples include a combination of a photosensitive crosslinking agent such as tetraethylene glycol diacrylate and a reaction initiator such as benzophenone and Michael's ketone.

The coloring component is a component contained in order to form an optically recognizable image, and various pigments and dyes are used as appropriate. Examples of such pigments and dyes include inorganic pigments such as carbon black and yellow lead, organic pigments such as Victoria Blue Lake and Fast Sky Blue, and colorants such as leuco dyes and phthalocyanine dyes.

In addition, the transfer recording layer 1b may contain stabilizers such as hydroquinone and p-methoxyphenol.

Furthermore, the transfer recording layer may contain a sensitizer such as p-nitroaniline or 1,2-benzoanthraquinone to enhance the activation of the reaction initiator with respect to energy.

Further, in addition to the coloring agent and the sensitive component, a resin, wax, or liquid crystal may be mixed as a binder in the transfer recording layer 1b.

Examples of the resin used as the binder include polyester resins, polyamide resins, and the like, and these resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of wax binders include vegetable waxes such as candelilla wax and carnauba wax;
Animal waxes such as spermaceti wax, mineral waxes such as montan wax, or synthetic waxes made of fatty acids, fatty acid amides, esters, etc. can be used, and one or more of the above waxes may be mixed. May be used.

Further, examples of the liquid crystal used as a binder include cholesterol hexanoate, cholesterol decanoate, and the like.

When microcapsules are used for the image forming element constituting the transfer recording layer 1b, the core portion contains the above-mentioned materials, but the materials used for the wall material of the microcapsules include gelatin and gum arabic. , cellulose-based materials such as nitrocellulose and ethylcellulose, and polymer-based materials such as polyethylene and polystyrene.

Also, an adhesive 1f for fixing the image forming element to the support 1a.
Preferably, those having thermoplasticity are used,
Examples include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, polyurethanes, polychloroprenes, nitrile rubbers, styrene-butadiene rubbers, and waxes.

(2) Recording section In the above embodiment, in the recording section 3, light of a predetermined wavelength corresponding to a desired color is uniformly irradiated from the transfer recording layer 1b side of the transfer recording medium 1, and the support 1a side Although the configuration is such that heat is applied according to the image signal from the beginning, as another embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which heat is applied uniformly and a predetermined light is irradiated according to the image signal.

Furthermore, if the support 1a is made of a translucent material, the support 1a can be made of a transparent material.
A configuration may be adopted in which light is irradiated from the a side and heat is applied from the transfer recording layer 1b side.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, light irradiation and heat application were performed with the support 1a in between, but image formation is also possible by performing both light irradiation and heat application from one side of the support 1a. be.

Further, as the heating means, in addition to the method using the recording head 3a described above, a method of selectively heating using a YAG laser and a polygon mirror, etc. may be used.

Further, as the light irradiation means, the above-mentioned fluorescent lamp 3c is used.

In addition to the method using 3D, for example, a method using an LED array, a method using a xenon lamp and a filter matching the light absorption characteristics of the material, etc. can be used.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, light energy and thermal energy were applied to the transfer recording layer 1b at the same time. However, even if the optical energy and thermal energy are applied separately, the result is that both energies are applied separately. Any configuration that is given is acceptable.

(3) Transfer unit The transfer unit 4 is not limited to a roller-like configuration such as the transfer roller 4a and the pressure roller 4b, but may be configured as long as it can obtain a desired pressure, such as a rotating belt, for example. .

Furthermore, if necessary, a fixing means for fixing the image on the recording medium onto which the image has been transferred by the transfer section 4 may be provided downstream of the peeling roller 5 in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

(4) Recording medium The recording medium is not limited to the above-mentioned recording paper; for example, an overhead projector (OHP)
Of course, plastic sheets etc. can also be used.

(5) Heating means In the above embodiment, the heating roller 14 is used as the heating means 14.
a is used, but the member need not be limited to a roller-shaped member, for example, it may be a non-rotatable rod-shaped member,
Further, instead of being cylindrical, it may be a square member such as a grade.

Furthermore, the heating means 14 may be constructed so as not to be in contact with the transfer recording medium 1, as shown in FIG. Heating means 1 in Fig. 14
4 is provided with a hot plate 14d that does not contact the roll 6 near the take-up roll 6, and the hot plate 1-1
The surface of 4d is heated and maintained at 90 to 100°C by a circuit similar to the temperature control circuit described above.

In this case as well, the transfer recording medium 1 wound up into a roll is heated, and the adhesive 1 in the area where the image forming element is transferred is heated.
f adheres to the support 1a. In order to ensure the adhesion, the winding torque of the winding roll 6 is preferably set to 2 kg-cm or more using a clutch (not shown) to tightly wind the transfer recording medium 1.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the present invention sequentially performs the formation of an image on a transfer recording medium and the transfer of this image to a recording medium, so that an image can be formed even on a recording medium with a relatively low surface smoothness. Recording can be performed well. Furthermore, when the present invention is applied to multicolor recording, a multicolor image can be obtained without making any complicated movements on the recording medium.

In addition, the heating means heat-bonds the used transfer recording medium and makes the transfer afterimage unreadable, so confidential information and personal information will not be leaked even if the used transfer recording medium is disposed of as is. This has the advantage of simplifying the processing of used transfer recording media.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 (A) and (B) are overall schematic explanatory diagrams of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of a transfer recording medium, and Figure 3 is an optical absorption characteristic of a photoinitiator in the transfer recording medium. The fourth graph is a graph showing the spectral characteristics of the light irradiation means, Figure 5 is a timing chart for applying heat and light, Figure 6 is a block diagram of the control system, and Figures 7 and 8 are recordings. Timing chart of operation, Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between each member, Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of a sequence table for sending out each signal, Figure 11 is a flowchart of recording operation, and Figure 12 is a transfer roller. Explanatory diagram of the temperature control system of 4a, Fig. 13 (A)
(B) is a flowchart of the temperature control operation, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the heating means. 1 is a transfer recording medium, 1a is a support, ■b is a transfer recording layer,
lc and Id are the core, 1e is the shell, If is the adhesive, 2 is the supply roll, 2a is the supply roll axis, 3 is the recording section, 3a is the recording head, 3b is the heating element array, 3c and 3d are fluorescent lamps,
3e is a slit plate, 4 is a transfer section, 4a is a transfer roller, 4
b is a pressure roller, 4c is a heater, 5 is a peeling roller, 6 is a take-up roll, 7 is a cassette, 8 is a recording paper, 9 is a feeding roller, 10a, 10b are registration rollers, 11 is an ejection tray, 12a, 12b and 12c are guide rollers, 13
a, 13b are discharge rollers, 14 is a heating means, 14a is a heating roller, 14b is a heater, 14c is a spring, 14d is a hot plate, 14e is a thermistor, 20 is a CPU, 2
1 is an interface, 22 is an operation panel, 23 is an image forming timing generator, 24 is a feeding motor driver,
25 is a transport motor driver, 26 is a resist sensor, 26a is an LED, 26b is a phototransistor, 2
7 and 28 are fluorescent lamp lighting devices, 30 is a feeding motor, and 31
32 is an external image signal generator, 33 is a thermistor, 34 is a resistor, 35 is a comparator, 36 is a relay driver, and 37 is a relay.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A conveying means for conveying a transfer recording medium having a transfer recording layer whose transfer characteristics change by applying a first energy and a second energy different from the first energy; , a first energy applying means for applying the first energy to the transfer recording medium, which is provided along a conveyance path of the transfer recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means; and a first energy applying means for applying the first energy to the transfer recording medium; a recording section having a second energy applying means for applying energy; a transfer section for transferring an image formed on the transfer recording medium in the recording section to a recording medium; and a transfer recording medium that has passed through the transfer section. A recording apparatus comprising: a winding means for winding up a transfer recording medium; and a heating means for heating a transfer recording medium wound by the winding means. (2) The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the first energy is heat and the second energy is light. (3) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is constituted by a heating roller that comes into contact with the transfer recording medium being wound up by the winding means. (4) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is constituted by a hot plate that does not contact the transfer recording medium.