JPH04177344A - Cassette type printing recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure a cassette type printing recorder by having a drawing mobile means for a print recording material and a developing means both built-in a cassette body, while attaching an exposure means to the side of an original mount of this cassette body free of detachment. CONSTITUTION:A drawing mobile means 14 for a recording material 13 and a developing means 18 both are forming into cassettization so as to be attached to the inside of a recorder body 10 free of detachment, while they are constituted so as to have an exposure means 12 detachable attached to the side of an original mount 11 of this cassette body 20. Therefore an original image pattern read can be done by a photosensitive-thermosensible method alone, without requiring any pressure work, when it is transferred. With this constitution, pressing force in the developing means 18 is set to smallness, thus miniaturization and lightweightiness for the recorder are well promotable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a cassette-type printing and recording device that is particularly suitable for reducing size and weight and improving usability.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a photographic printing and recording device using a photosensitive sheet in which a carrier such as paper is coated with a coloring agent, the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-309454 has been known. There is.

This type of printing and recording apparatus has a configuration as shown in FIG. 4, and operates as follows.

First, when a color original (illustrated path) or the like is placed on the transparent original platen 2 provided on the upper surface side of the housing 1 and the apparatus is operated, the original platen 2 rotates at a predetermined constant speed. Move to the center left.

At this time, the moving original is irradiated with visible light emitted from the exposure means 3 provided in the housing 1, and the light irradiated onto the original is reflected from the plane mirror according to the optical density of the original. 4a to 4c, an imaging lens 4d, and the like enter an optical system 4.

On the other hand, a cartridge 5 provided in the housing 1
contains an image sheet G that is formed into a latent image in response to the light emitted from the optical system 4.
is pulled out from the cartridge 5 vertically downward in the figure in synchronization with the movement of the document table 2, and is transferred to the developing section 6 via a buffer 5a, etc., which applies a constant pressure to provide tension.

The image sheet G transferred to the developing section 6 is overlapped with the developing sheet H supplied from the developing sheet supply mechanism 7, and is pressed against each other by pressure rollers 6a, 6a, so that the image sheet G side The latent image pattern is transferred to the developing sheet H side.

After that, the image sheet G and the developing sheet H are each
The image sheet G is taken up by the take-up roller 8, and the developing sheet H is sent to the heater unit 9a via the developing sheet conveyance mechanism 9. A color pattern identical to the image pattern of the document quickly appears on the sheet H.

Note that the image sheet G is configured as follows, for example.

That is, each coloring precursor that develops cyan, magenta, and yellow is included in a sensitive composition that immobilizes each coloring precursor by changing its viscosity etc. in response to a light beam at the visibility wavelength. The transparent sheet 8 serving as the carrier of the image sheet G is coated uniformly with the microcapsules.

The developing sheet H has a structure in which the surface of the sheet serving as a carrier is coated with a developing substance that develops color by reacting with the coloring precursor of the image sheet G.

Therefore, when the optical system 4 irradiates the image sheet G with the reflected light from the original and exposes it, the viscosity of the microcapsules changes, and there is a gap between the exposed capsules and the unexposed capsules due to the pressure applied. This results in differences in the degree of destruction.

For this reason, when the photosensitive image sheet G is stacked together with the developer sheet H and pressure is applied, a difference occurs in the amount of coloring precursor exuded from each capsule, and therefore the developer sheet H has a color that corresponds to the luminous sensitivity wavelength. Thus, a color pattern matching the image pattern of the document appears.

As described above, conventional printing and recording apparatuses of this type are configured as an original moving system and are photosensitive.

It is configured as a pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive method.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, conventional printing and recording apparatuses have the problem of complicating the apparatus because they are configured as document moving systems as described above. A pressure-sensitive method is used to perform the transfer, and the pressure required to destroy the microcapsules is approximately 1 for A4 size paper.
This requires a high pressure force to be applied back and forth.

For this reason, the pressure rollers 6a, 6a, etc. of the developing section 6 must be constructed with strong rigidity that can withstand high pressure, and other high pressure generating sections and their driving and transmitting sections, These support mechanisms must also be constructed with strong high-pressure resistance, which poses the problem that the printing and recording apparatus inevitably becomes larger.

However, in recent years, there has been a demand for the development of a compact printing and recording device that does not require pressure work, and in order to meet these needs, the applicant has developed a system that uses only photosensitive/thermal methods and does not require pressure work. We have developed a recording material that can transfer and develop an image pattern by
No. 9, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 96752/1999).

This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a compact cassette-type printing and recording device that can print and record only by photosensitive and thermal methods without using the conventional pressure-sensitive method. The purpose is to provide the following.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention, as set forth in claim 1, reduces the necessary amount of color-forming substance exuding from inside the porous capsule due to photosensitive and heat-sensitive conditions. A recording material made by coating controlled microcapsules on one side of a carrier, and the recording material is wound into a roll between a winding neck roller and a take-up roller, and is driven to draw out the required amount. a means for pulling out and moving a recording material; an exposure means for emitting document reading light and irradiating a necessary amount of the reflected light onto the pulled-out recording material to form an image pattern of the document into a latent image on the recording material; and an apparatus main body. an image-receiving paper that is pulled out from a paper storage section in the paper storage unit by a take-out means and superimposed on the recording material after being formed into a latent image; and a heating element that heats the recording material and the image-receiving paper that are superimposed on each other. , a developing means for transferring, developing and fixing an image pattern formed on the recording material into a latent image onto the image-receiving paper by heating from a heating element; The developing means is built in a cassette body which is detachably attached to the apparatus body, and the exposing means is detachably attached to the document table side of the cassette body.

In addition, as described in claim 2, the exposure means converts the image data of the document, which has been created in advance on a computer or whose optical signal is converted into an electrical signal using a scanner or the like, into a laser beam or an L.
It is characterized by forming a latent image using an ED array or an optical shutter composed of a light source and a liquid crystal.

(Function) According to the printing and recording apparatus according to the present invention, the recording material drawing and moving means and the developing means are formed into a cassette so as to be removably attached within the apparatus body, and the document table of the cassette body Since the exposure means is configured to be removably attached to the side, there is no need for pressure work as in the past when transferring the image pattern of the read document, and this can be done using photosensitive or thermal methods. In particular, the pressing force in the developing means can be set to be significantly smaller than in conventional printing and recording devices, making the device smaller and lighter in weight.Furthermore, the cassette system makes it easier to use. It can be used as a printing and recording device.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing and recording apparatus according to the present invention, and numeral 10 in the figure is a housing constituting the main body of the apparatus.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a document table, which is fixedly provided on the upper surface side of the housing 10 and is made of a transparent member such as a glass plate.A document to be printed and recorded is placed on the top surface of the document table 11.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a cassette body which is detachably attached to the apparatus main body of the housing 10. Inside the cassette body 20, there are built-in a means 14 for pulling out and moving a recording material 13 and a developing means 18, which will be described later.

The exposure means 12 is configured such that its lower end surface is removably attached to the document table 11 side of the cassette body 20, and is moved while emitting document reading light.
1. The original placed on 1 is irradiated.

As a concrete configuration of the exposure means 12, for example, as shown in the figure, a pair of light sources 12b, 12b are disposed within a moving frame 12a forming an outer frame of the exposure means 12,
The light beam emitted from this light source 12b is transmitted to the support frame 12.
The original is irradiated through the transparent window 12c of a, and the light that has irradiated the original is input into the lens forming the light collecting member 12d of the exposure means 12 as direct reflected light corresponding to the optical density of the original, and The light is emitted toward the lower side of the light collecting member 12d in the drawing.

Furthermore, as another embodiment of the exposure means 12, although not shown, the image data of the document, which is created in advance by a computer or whose optical signals are converted into electrical signals by a scanner or the like, is transmitted to the image data using a laser beam, an LED array, or a light source and a liquid crystal display. The system is configured to form a latent image using an optical shutter or the like configured with the following.

Further, 12e and 12e are parts for attachment to the cassette main body 20.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a recording material stretched on the lower surface side of the exposure means 12, and this recording material 13 is supported by a pull-out moving means 14.

Thus, the drawer moving means 14 includes a winding roller 14a, a winding roller 14b, and a guide roller 14 for the recording material 13.
c and these rotating means (not shown), and the recording material 13 is wound around the neck roller 14a.
is stretched on the lower surface side of the exposure means 12 and is pulled out or rewound in the left and right directions in the figure.

On the other hand, 15 is image receiving paper, and this image receiving paper 15 is stored in a stacked manner in a paper storage section 16 which is a paper feed unit provided on the lower surface side of the cassette main body 20, and is stored in a paper storage section 16 such as a pull-out roller 16a, etc. The paper is pulled out one by one through the paper guide 16b and conveyed to the end of the exposure means 12.

17 is a clamping means for the image receiving paper 15, and this clamping means 17
grips the starting end of the image-receiving paper 15 conveyed via the paper guide 16b, and feeds the image-receiving paper 15 onto the recording material 13 in the conveyance direction.

For this reason, an example of a specific configuration of the holding means 17 is as follows.
As shown, the support frame 1 on the lower surface side of the exposure means 12
A starting edge measuring placement part 17a for the image receiving paper 15 extending from the lower end side of the image receiving paper 2a, a paper grip roller 17b attached so as to be vertically movable and rotatable, and the above-mentioned placement part 17a.
The attachment is done through an insertion hole 17c provided at the base.

Therefore, when the image-receiving paper 15 is conveyed through the paper guide 16d and its starting end is placed on the mounting section 17a of the clamping means 17, the paper grip roller 17b is lowered and the starting end of the image-receiving paper 15 placed on the mounting section 17a is Press and hold.

When the exposing means 12 moves to read the document, the holding means 17 also moves together with the exposing means 12, so that the image receiving paper 15 also moves at the same time.

Furthermore, when the paper grip roller 17b rotates counterclockwise in the drawing while the image-receiving paper 15 is being held, the image-receiving paper 15 is conveyed into the cassette main body 20 through the insertion opening 17c.

The recording material 13 and the image receiving paper 15 are made of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
-81679 is used.

That is, the recording material 13 is photosensitive and thermally sensitive,
Microcapsules are coated on one side of a carrier to control the required amount of color-forming substance exuded from inside the porous capsules.The color-forming substance encapsulated in the microcapsules is, for example, photocurable resin. A photopolymerization initiator and a color-forming substance containing leuco dye as a main component are used.

The image-receiving paper 15 has a color developer coated on one side of the carrier, which reacts upon heating and contact with the color-forming substance of the recording material 13.

18 is a developing means, and this developing means 18 is provided on the take-up roller 14b side in the cassette main body 20, and
It is composed of a feed roller 18a arranged on the upper side and a heating element 18b which is a heat roller arranged on the lower side,
The recording material 13 and the image receiving paper 15 superposed thereon are inserted between these two 18a and 18b.

Of course, the feed roller 18a and the heating element 18b are driven by a driving means (not shown) to feed the recording material 1 in the normal state.
Although it is spaced apart from the recording material 13 and the image receiving paper 15 by a constant distance, it is driven so as to be joined to the recording material 13 and the image receiving paper 15 during development.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a paper ejecting roller provided on the feeding direction side of the developing means 18, which is used to eject the image receiving paper 1 after the image pattern has been transferred.
5 is sent out from inside the cassette body 20 and out of the housing 10.

Since this printing/recording apparatus is configured as described above, its printing/recording operation is performed as follows.

First, as shown in FIG.
It is located at the reading start end side (left side in the figure).

At this time, the holding means 17 protruding from the exposure means 12
The starting end of the image-receiving paper 15 that has been pulled out from the paper storage unit 16 by the pull-out roller 16a and a support plate (not shown) and conveyed via the paper guide 16b is placed on the loading unit 17a, and the paper It is pressed and held by grip rollers 17b.

Further, within the cassette main body 20, the recording material 13 is pulled out from the winding roller 14a, is wound up by the winding roller 14b via the guide roller 14c, and is stretched on the lower surface side of the exposure means 12.

From this state, as shown in FIG.
When the movement of the exposure means 12 starts, the exposure means 12 is moved to the end of the original reading (to the right in the figure) while emitting the original reading light toward the original table 11.

At this time, the original reading light irradiating the original through the transparent window 12c of the exposure means 12 enters the light collection member 12d of the exposure means 12 as direct reflected light corresponding to the optical density of the original, and the light collection member The recording material 1 is emitted to the lower side of 12d.
3, and the image pattern of the document is made into a latent image on the recording material 13, which is moved toward the rewind roller 14a and is once rewound onto the head roller 14a.

Next, while the exposure means 12 remains stopped at the original reading end side of the original platen 11, the paper grip roller 17
When b rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the image-receiving paper 15 is conveyed from the nipped state into the cassette main body 20 through the insertion opening 17c, and the image-receiving paper 15 is conveyed until it coincides with the starting end of the latent image area of the recording material 13. The starting end side of is conveyed.

At this stage, the upper feeding roller 18a and the lower heating element 18b of the developing means 18 are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, but the image receiving paper 15 is placed on the starting edge side of the latent image area of the recording material 13. When they are overlapped so that their starting ends are aligned, they are driven so as to sandwich them at 13°15 from above and below.

When the feed roller 18a and the heating element 18b rotate in synchronism, the recording material 13 and the image receiving paper 15 are heated and sent toward the paper discharge roller 19, but at this time, the image receiving paper 15 is heated and the recording material The image pattern formed as a latent image is transferred to 13 and is developed and fixed.

Thereafter, the conveyance direction of the recording material 13 is changed to the take-up roller 14b side by the guide roller 14c, so the recording material 13 and the image receiving paper 15 are separated from each other.
Therefore, the image-receiving paper 15 is ejected from the cassette main body 20 and sent out from the housing 10 from the paper ejection roller 19.

It is convenient to configure the heating element 18b using a suitable heat roller as a rotating body, and in this case, the pressing force can be set as small as about 10 kg per A4 size paper. However, a description of the driving means for moving the cassette body 20 and the like will be omitted.

As described above, in the printing recording apparatus according to the present invention, the drawing and moving means 14 for the recording material 13 and the developing means 18 are formed into a cassette so as to be removably attached to the main body of the apparatus, and the cassette main body 20 The exposure means 12 is configured to be removably attached to the document table 11 side of the document table 11, and when the image pattern of the read document is transferred, pressure work is not required as in the conventional method. Since the printing can be carried out using only the photosensitive/thermal method, the pressing force in the developing means 18 can be significantly reduced compared to conventional printing and recording apparatuses, and the apparatus can be made smaller and lighter.

In addition, the method for reading the image pattern on the original is not a conventional method in which the original table 11 is moved, but the original table 11 is configured as a fixed type, and the exposure means 12 supported by the cassette body 20 is arranged movably. Because of this configuration, the device can be made extremely compact, and because it does not require a heater unit for developing as in conventional systems, it is space-efficient, compact, and easy to use. It can be used as a printing recording device, and by making it into a cassette, the usability can be further improved.

Furthermore, since the paper storage section 16 for the image-receiving paper 15 is arranged on the lower end side of the cassette main body 20, space efficiency can be further improved, and the printing and recording apparatus can be made thinner. It has effects such as being able to.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, in the printing recording apparatus according to the invention as set forth in claims 1 and 2, the recording material pulling and moving means and the developing means are detachably installed in the apparatus main body. In addition to being made into a cassette, the exposure means is removably attached to the top side of the cassette body, so when the image pattern of the scanned document is transferred, pressure is applied as usual. This can be done using only the photosensitive/thermal method without any work required.

Therefore, we provide a cassette-type printing and recording device that can reduce the size and weight of the device and improve its usability, especially by setting the pressing force in the developing means to be significantly smaller than that of conventional printing and recording devices. can do.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing and recording device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a cassette body of the same device, and FIG.
4 is an explanatory diagram showing the general structure of a conventional pressure-sensitive type printing and recording apparatus. 10...Housing 11...Original table 12...Exposing means 13...Recording material 15...Receiving paper 18...Developing section 18a...Feeding roller 18b...Heating element 20...・Cassette body

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A recording material comprising a carrier coated with microcapsules on one side of which are coated with microcapsules whose required exudation amount of a color-forming substance from inside a porous capsule is controlled by photosensitive and thermal conditions; The recording material is wound into a roll between a winding roller and a take-up roller, and is driven to pull out the required amount of recording material. an exposure means for irradiating the pulled-out recording material to form a latent image of the image pattern of the document on the recording material; A heating element is provided for heating the recording material and the image receiving paper that are superimposed on each other, and the image pattern that has been made into a latent image on the recording material is heated by the heating element. A printing recording device comprising a developing means for transferring and developing and fixing the image on paper, and the drawing and moving means for the printing recording material and the developing means are built in a cassette body which is removably attached to the apparatus body. A cassette type printing and recording apparatus characterized in that the exposure means is detachably attached to the document table side of the cassette body. 2. The exposure means uses a laser beam, an LED array, or an optical shutter composed of a light source and a liquid crystal to convert the image data of the document, which has been created in advance on a computer or converted from an optical signal into an electrical signal using a scanner, into a latent image. 2. The printing/recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing/recording apparatus is a printing apparatus for printing.