JPH05212955A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record a high-quality image even if rough paper is used, by a method wherein a device transferring a recording agent stuck to the surface of a recording body to a transferred body and a means performing smoothening treatment of the transferred body prior to transfer are provided. CONSTITUTION:A position where a calender roll 12 of smoothening device of a transferred body 9 is provided anywhere, if it is before the place where the transferred body 9 enters a transfer part. For example, the title device may be in constitution having a image-removing device or constitution in which a latent image forming device and developing device are integrated. Since the device is made into a constitution like this, even if paper having bad smoothness is used, transfer properties of dots of the transferred body 9' calenderling treatment of which is performed becomes favorable and a quality of an image is improved. A transparent or opaque resin film or ordinary paper or synthetic paper may be mentioned as examples of the transferred body (recording paper). Writing ink or printing ink or ink-jet recording ink or toner for an electronic photograph is available as a recording agent.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel recording device,
More specifically, the surface of the recording medium having a specific property is selectively and reversibly formed so that a region having a receding contact angle corresponding to the heating temperature is formed, and a colorant is applied to this region (latent image). The present invention relates to an apparatus useful for a recording system in which a recording agent contained therein is supplied to make the image visible, and the image is transferred to a transfer target such as plain paper in a good state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An offset printing method using a lithographic printing plate can be given as a typical means for dividing a surface into a liquid adhesive area and a non-liquid adhesive area for image formation. .. However, in this offset printing method, it is inevitable that the apparatus becomes large in size by incorporating the plate making process from the original plate and the printing process from the printing plate (printing plate) into one device. For example, even in a relatively small office offset plate-making printing machine, in many cases, the plate-making apparatus and the printing apparatus are usually separate.

With the intention of eliminating such a defect of the offset printing method, a liquid adhesive area and a non-liquid adhesive area can be formed according to image information and can be repeatedly used (having reversibility. ) Recording methods and devices are being proposed. Some of them are as follows. (1) Aqueous development method After a charge is applied to the hydrophobic photoconductor layer from the outside, it is exposed to form a pattern having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion on the surface of the photoconductor layer, and only the hydrophilic portion is formed. A water-based developer is attached and transferred to paper or the like (Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-18992, Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-18993, Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-9512, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-264392). (2) Method utilizing photochemical reaction of photochromic material A layer containing a material such as spiropyran and an azo dye is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to hydrophilize these photochromic compounds by a photochemical reaction [for example, "Polymer Papers", No. 37
Volume 4, page 287 (1980)]. (3) Method utilizing the action of internal biasing force An amorphous state and a crystalline state are formed by physical change,
Forming areas where liquid ink is attached / not attached (Japanese Patent Publication No.
-41902).

According to the above method (1), after transferring the water-based ink to paper or the like, the hydrophilic portion is erased by static elimination,
It is possible to record other image information. That is, one original plate (photoconductor) can be repeatedly used. However, since this method is based on the electrophotographic process, charging →
It requires a long process of exposure->development->transfer-> static elimination, and has the drawbacks that downsizing of the device, cost reduction, and maintenance-free are difficult. (2)
According to this method, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity can be freely and reversibly controlled by selectively changing the irradiation of ultraviolet rays and visible light, but the reaction time is very long due to poor quantum efficiency and the recording speed is high. However, it has the drawback of being slow and lacking in stability, and it is the fact that it has not reached the practical level yet. Further, according to the method of (3), the information recording member used there is stable after recording, but before recording, the physical structure may change due to temperature change. Therefore, there is a problem in storage stability. In addition to this, since a means for applying a heat pulse and then quenching is adopted for erasing the recorded information pattern, there is a disadvantage that repeated image formation cannot avoid complexity.

The present inventors have conducted research and studies for solving the conventional drawbacks and inconveniences. as a result,
Specific recording material (A) (recording material having a surface whose receding contact angle decreases when heated and brought into contact with a liquid) and contact material (B) [liquid, vapor or receding referred to as recording material (A)] The liquid becomes solid at a temperature below the temperature at which the contact angle decreases or a liquid or a solid that generates vapor] is used to selectively heat the surface of the recording material (A) in contact with the contact material (B). Alternatively, a latent image showing a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature is formed on the surface of the recording material (A) by bringing the surface of the recording material (A) into contact with the contact material (B) while being selectively heated. After the latent image is visualized with a recording material, a method of transferring the obtained visible image to a transfer target and an apparatus related thereto have been proposed (West German Patent Publication No. 401).
No. 0275).

According to the method proposed here, it is extremely easy to form a latent image and a visible image on a recording medium, transfer the visible image to a transfer medium such as plain paper, and erase the latent image. Since it can be reversibly performed, a large number of copied images can be easily obtained, and also different copied images can be continuously obtained.

A state of performing a recording process using such a recording medium (A) having a specific surface function is shown in, for example, FIG. 8 including a configuration example of a recording apparatus. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the latent image forming liquid and the recording agent are independent, and the recording agent is a liquid in which a colorant is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent.

In FIG. 8, the recording body 3 including the recording layer 1 and the substrate 2 is rotating in the arrow direction. First, according to an image signal, heat from the thermal head 4 is transferred to the recording layer 1 via the latent image forming liquid (water) 5, and the latent image 6 is formed there. After that, the recording material (ink) 8 held in the dish 7 adheres to the latent image 6 to make it noticeable (development). Subsequently, in the transfer section, the attached ink 8a on the recording layer 1 is directly transferred onto the transfer target (recording paper) 9 by the transfer roller 10. After the transfer, the latent image 6 on the recording layer 1 is
When the transfer of one image information is completed, it is erased by the infrared lamp 11.

[0009]

However, in the recording apparatus used for such a recording method, when the height of the dots formed on the recording medium (A) is low, transfer may be successful depending on the recording paper. There was no place. This is due to the poor smoothness of the recording paper surface. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to use recording paper with good smoothness. However, in this case, the recording paper will be specified.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such problems and to provide a recording apparatus capable of recording a high-quality image even when paper having poor smoothness is used.

[0011]

According to the present invention, by selectively heating the surface of the following recording material (A) in contact with the following contact material (B), or by recording material (A) A contact material (B) capable of forming a latent image having a receding contact angle corresponding to the heating temperature on the surface of the recording material (A) by bringing the surface of the recording material into contact with the contact material (B) in a selectively heated state.
To the surface of the recording material (A), a means for selectively heating the surface of the recording material (A) according to an image signal for latent image formation, and a recording material containing a coloring agent ( A) Recording provided with a recording agent applying unit that supplies the latent image to the surface by supplying it to the latent image, and a transfer unit that transfers the recording agent adhered on the surface of the recording medium (A) to the transfer target. There is provided a recording apparatus, characterized in that the apparatus is provided with means for smoothing a transfer target before transfer. (A) A recording body having a surface that has a receding contact angle that decreases when it is heated and brought into contact with a liquid. (B) Liquid, vapor, or solid that becomes a liquid or generates a liquid or vapor at a temperature at which the receding contact angle on the surface of the recording material (A) starts to decrease.

According to the present invention, the following recording material (A)
By selectively heating the surface of the recording material (B) in contact with the following contact material (B) or by contacting the surface of the recording material (A) with the contact material (B) in the selectively heated state, A means for supplying a contact material (B) for forming a latent image showing a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature on the surface of the recording material (A), and a recording material (B) for forming the latent image. A means for selectively heating the surface of A) according to an image signal, and a recording agent for supplying a recording agent containing a colorant to the surface of the recording material (A) to adhere to the latent image to visualize the latent image. The image forming apparatus includes an applying unit, a transfer unit that transfers the recording material adhered on the surface of the recording medium (A) to a transfer target, and an image removing unit that heats the surface of the recording medium (A) to erase the latent image after transfer. In the recording apparatus described above, a means for smoothing a transfer target before transfer is provided. Location is provided. (A) A recording body having a surface that has a receding contact angle that decreases when it is heated and brought into contact with a liquid. (B) Liquid, vapor, or solid that becomes a liquid or generates a liquid or vapor at a temperature at which the receding contact angle on the surface of the recording material (A) starts to decrease.

That is, the recording apparatus of the present invention is provided with means for smoothing the transferred material before transfer, so that the recording material (A) can be used even when paper with poor smoothness is used as the transferred material. From (1) to (7), the transferability of dots to the transfer target is good, and a high-quality image can always be obtained.

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

The present invention will be described in more detail below. The recording body (A) used in the apparatus of the present invention has a low receding contact angle even after cooling when heated in a state of being in contact with a liquid, and has a high receding contact angle due to heating in the absence of the liquid. A member having a function, at least the surface of which is formed. The surface of the recording material (A) having such a function is (1) a member containing an organic compound having a surface self-orienting function of a hydrophobic group, or (2) an organic compound having a hydrophobic group and being hydrophobic. It is a member having a base oriented on the surface.

The "surface self-orientation function" mentioned in (1) means
When a solid formed by supporting a certain compound on a support or a solid obtained by the certain compound itself is heated in air, it means that the hydrophobic group on the surface has the property of being oriented toward the air side (free surface side). This also applies to (2). Generally, in an organic compound, the hydrophobic group has a property of being easily oriented toward the hydrophobic atmosphere. This is a phenomenon that occurs because the interfacial energy at the solid-gas interface tends to decrease. Further, this phenomenon tends to occur as the molecular length of the hydrophobic group becomes longer, but this is because the mobility of the molecule upon heating increases as the molecular length becomes longer.

More specifically, when the molecule has a hydrophobic group at the end (that is, the surface energy is lowered), the surface is easily oriented toward the air side (free surface side). Similarly (-CH ₂ -) in the linear molecule containing n (-CH ₂ CH ₂
The part (-) has a planar structure, and the molecular chains are easily aligned with each other. Further, the molecule containing (-Ph-) n also has a planar structure in the -Ph- portion, and the molecular chains are easily aligned with each other. In addition, -Ph- is a p-phenylene group (the same applies hereinafter). In particular, a linear molecule containing an element having a high electronegativity such as fluorine has a high self-aggregating property, and the molecular chains are easily oriented.

To summarize the results of these studies, it is more preferable to use a linear molecule having a molecule having a high self-aggregation property or a molecule having a planar structure and having a hydrophobic group at the terminal, or such a linear molecule. It can be said that the compound containing the compound has a high surface self-alignment function.

As is clear from the above description, there is a relation between the surface self-orientation state and the receding contact angle, and also between the receding contact angle and the liquid adhesion. That is, the adhesion of the liquid on the solid surface occurs mainly by the tacking of the liquid on the solid surface. This tacking can be regarded as a kind of frictional force when a liquid slides on a solid surface. Therefore, cos θr = γ (γs−γse−πe + γf) / γev (where γ: surface tension of solid in vacuum γse: solid-liquid interfacial tension γev: liquid is defined as “receding contact angle” θr in the present invention. Surface tension when in contact with the saturated vapor πe: Equilibrium surface tension γf: Friction tension γs: Surface tension of solid without adsorption layer) is established (Saito, Kitazaki et al., "Journal of the Japan Adhesion Society"). Vol. 22, No. 12, 1986).

Therefore, the γf value increases as the value of θr decreases. That is, the liquid becomes hard to slip on the solid surface,
As a result, the liquid becomes attached to the solid surface. As can be inferred from these mutual relationships, the liquid adhesion depends on the degree of the receding contact angle θr, and the receding contact angle θr is determined by how the member having the surface self-orienting function on the surface. Therefore, in the recording medium (A) of the present invention, a member having a surface self-alignment function is inevitably formed because of the necessity of forming a desired pattern area on the surface and / or visualizing with a recording agent. Must be selected.

Although the relationship between the receding contact angle and the liquid adhesion property has been described so far, these matters are described in detail in the above-mentioned West German Laid-Open Patent No. 4010275.

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

The contact material (B) is, to put it simply, a liquid or a vapor from the beginning, or a solid which eventually produces a liquid at a temperature below the temperature at which the receding contact angle θr of the recording medium (A) is lowered. Is. The vapor here is at least partly condensed on the surface of the recording body (A) or near the surface to produce a liquid, and the liquid can wet the surface of the recording body (A). Is enough. On the other hand, the solid here is a liquid, a liquid is generated, or a vapor is generated at a temperature at which the receding contact angle θr is reduced or lower. The vapor generated from the solid is recorded (A)
Condensation of the liquid at or near the surface of to produce a liquid is similar to the above case.

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

As the vapor which is another one of the contact materials (B), in addition to water vapor, any liquid vapor of the contact material (B) can be used. In particular, ethanol vapor and m-xylene vapor can be used. Organic compound vapors (including those in atomized form)
Is mentioned. The temperature of the organic compound vapor needs to be lower than the melting point or softening point of the compound forming the surface of the recording material (A).

Other solids as the contact material (B) are higher fatty acids, low molecular weight polyethylene, polymer gels (polyacrylamide gel, polyvinyl alcohol gel), silica gel, compounds containing water of crystallization and the like. Can be mentioned.

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

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

A recording agent-applying means (developing means) for supplying and adhering a recording agent containing a colorant to the latent image formed by the above means to visualize the latent image is a sponge impregnated with the recording agent. A configuration in which a roll having a porous body or a dish filled with a recording material is arranged in the traveling direction of the recording material (A) and the recording material is always in contact with the recording material (A) is simple. If the liquid used for forming the latent image also serves as the recording material, it can be configured by one dish, and the latent image formation and the visualization can be integrated, so that the apparatus can be downsized.

As the recording agent, a solution or dispersion containing a coloring agent is used, and for example, recording used in conventional print recording methods such as writing ink, ink jet recording ink, printing ink, and electrophotographic toner. From the agents, those compatible with the device of the present invention can be selected and used.

More specifically, examples of preferable ones are as follows.
For example, as the water-based ink, water, a wetting agent, a water-soluble ink mainly composed of a dye, water, a pigment, a polymer compound for dispersion, a water-based pigment-dispersed ink mainly composed of a wetting agent, and a pigment or dye using a surfactant are used. Examples thereof include emulsion inks and the like dispersed in water, and examples of the oil-based inks include those in which an oil-soluble dye is dispersed in an organic solvent and those in which a pigment or a dye is emulsified in an oil-based base.

After the latent image is formed and visualized (development), the adhered recording agent on the recording medium (A) is provided with a means for directly contacting the transferred medium (recording paper), so that the transferred recording medium is caused by the capillary action. ,
It is transferred to the transfer target (transfer means). The transfer position may be any position on the recording medium (A) as long as it is after development, but it is desirable that the transfer is performed immediately after development.

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

When a large number of copies of the same image information are to be made after the transfer, a developing process for further supplying and adhering the recording material onto the latent image after the transfer and a process for transferring the obtained visible image to the transfer target are performed. It is achieved by repeating.

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

As a heating source for erasing the latent image, a contact heating source such as a heater or a thermal head or a non-contact heating source by electromagnetic waves such as a laser or an infrared lamp is desirable. Heating may be performed only on the latent image portion, but the recording medium (A)
You may do it all over. Rather, it is more preferable to heat the entire surface because the device structure can be simplified.

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

The apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that means for smoothing the transferred material before transfer is provided. Hereinafter, the device of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

The basic configuration of the present invention is shown in FIG. The position for providing the smoothing treatment for the transferred material 9 (for example, the calender roll 12) may be provided at any position before the transferred material 9 enters the transfer portion. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, of course, a configuration having an image removing unit or a configuration in which the latent image forming unit and the developing unit are integrated may be used. With the above configuration, even the paper with poor smoothness can be improved in smoothness and the transferability of dots can be improved.
The image quality is improved. In the figure, 9'indicates a transfer object having a calendar.

As a means for smoothing the transferred material, FIG.
A roller shape as shown in (4) is preferable. The material of the roller is preferably metal such as aluminum or stainless steel or cotton. The pressure applied to the paper depends on the size of the roller, but when the roller length (d ₁ in FIG. 2) is 300 mm, it is preferable to apply a linear pressure of 1 kg / cm ² or more. In the figure, 12 represents a calendar roller.

If the material to be transferred (recording paper) is moistened with water before the calendar is applied, the paper swells and the calendar can be applied efficiently. Therefore, it is very preferable to provide a means for impregnating the recording paper before the smoothing treatment with water as the calender assisting means. As a specific method of impregnating water, for example, as shown in FIG.
Water may be applied in the shape of a brush, or a porous body containing water may be used as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, water may be wiped, or they may be combined. 3 to 5, 13 is water, 14 is a brush-like member containing water, 15 is a porous body containing water, and 16 is a water supply tank. The water may be impregnated on either side of the recording paper, but preferably on both sides.

The recording paper that has been subjected to the water impregnation treatment can be heated during or after the calendering to rapidly vaporize and remove the water in the paper. The heating in this case may be performed by providing a plate heater 17 as shown in FIG. 6 or by warming the calender rolls 12. If the recording paper is not dried, the ink may bleed at the time of transfer. However, the heat treatment makes it possible to immediately supply the calendered recording paper to the transfer section.

The above has described the configuration in which the calendered recording paper is directly supplied to the transfer portion, but only the calender portion may move independently (see FIG. 7). Therefore, in this configuration, since the recording paper 9'which has been calendared can be stocked, it is possible to increase the recording speed when continuously outputting images.

[0044]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. All the percentages shown below are based on weight.

Example 1 A recording material was prepared using the following materials, and a recording apparatus was assembled using the recording material and recording was performed. (I) Recording material: Fluorine-containing acrylate material TG70
2 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.). (Ii) Recording medium substrate: Polyimide film (manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation, thickness 20 μm). (Iii) Latent image forming means: thermal head (200 dp
i). (Iv) Latent image forming liquid: water. (V) Configuration: The configuration of FIG. (Vi) Ink: Water-based black ink. (Vii) Recording paper: 6200 manufactured by Ricoh Company. (Viii) Calendar roller: length 300 mm, diameter 2
5 mm, linear pressure 1 kg / cm ² .

(Results of Execution) Almost all of the ink on the recording medium was transferred onto the recording paper, and the image quality was almost the same as when the paper with good smoothness was used.

Comparative Example In Example 1, recording was performed under the same conditions as in Example 1, using the recording apparatus having the same structure as in Example 1 except that the calender roller was not installed.

(Results of Implementation) About 20% of the ink on the recording medium
Remained on the recording medium without being transferred to the recording paper, resulting in a faint image quality.

Example 2 Recording was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the recording apparatus having the configuration of (FIG. 1 + FIG. 3) was used in Example 1.

(Results of Execution) As compared with Example 1, the smoothness of the paper after calendering was slightly improved. Almost all the ink on the recording medium was transferred to the recording paper, and a good image was obtained.

Example 3 Recording was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the recording apparatus having the configuration of (FIG. 1 + FIG. 6) was used in Example 1.

(Results of Implementation) The smoothness of the paper can be further improved as compared with Example 2, and the calendar can be performed more quickly. The image obtained was clear.

Example 4 Recording was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the recording apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 7 was used in Example 1.

(Results of Execution) Even with paper which was previously calendered and stocked, smoothness was hardly impaired, and good images were obtained.

[0055]

As described above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention forms a latent image showing a receding contact angle corresponding to the heating temperature on the surface of the recording body, and the recording medium before transfer is Since the smoothing means is provided, the transferability of dots from the recording material to the transferred material is good even when paper with poor smoothness is used as the transferred material.
You can always get high quality images.

Since the recording apparatus according to the third aspect is configured to have means for impregnating the transfer-receiving member before the smoothing treatment with water, the smoothness of the transfer-receiving member is further enhanced, so that the obtained image is The effect of further improvement is added.

According to the recording apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the means for heating the transferred material impregnated with water is provided during or after the smoothing treatment, the transferred material can be dried more quickly. Therefore, the effect of enabling high-speed recording is added.

Further, in the recording apparatus of claim 5, the contact material (B) also serves as a recording agent,
Since the means for supplying the contact material (B) to the surface of the recording body (A) and the means for applying the recording agent are integrated, the effect of downsizing the recording apparatus is added.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a device of the present invention and a state of implementation thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an implementation state of a smoothing processing unit for a transferred body in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of means for impregnating a transfer-receiving member with water in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of means for impregnating a transfer-receiving member with water in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of means for impregnating a transfer-receiving member with water in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of means for heating the water-impregnated transfer target after the smoothing treatment in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the device of the present invention and a state of implementation thereof.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a conventional apparatus using a recording medium (A) and a mode of its implementation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Recording Layer 2 Recording Body Substrate 3 Recording Body 4 Thermal Head 5 Latent Image Forming Liquid (Water) 6 Latent Image 7 Dish 8 Recording Agent (Ink) 8a Adhesive Recording Agent (Adhesive Ink) 9 Transfer Target (Recording Paper) 9 ' Transferring body having a calender 10 Transfer roller 11 Infrared lamp for removing latent image 12 Calendar roller 13 Water 14 Brush-like member containing water 15 Porous body containing water 16 Water tank 17 Plate heater

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A surface of a recording material (A) is selectively heated while being in contact with the following contact material (B), or a surface of the recording material (A) is selectively heated. The recording material (A) is brought into contact with the contact material (B).
A means for supplying a contact material (B) for forming a latent image showing a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature on the surface of the recording medium (A), and a surface of the recording medium (A) for forming the latent image. A means for selectively heating according to an image signal; a recording agent applying means for supplying a recording agent containing a colorant to the surface of the recording material (A) to adhere to the latent image to visualize the latent image; A recording apparatus comprising: a transfer means for transferring the recording material adhered on the surface of the body (A) to a transferred body, wherein the means for smoothing the transferred body before transfer is provided. (A) A recording body having a surface that has a receding contact angle that decreases when it is heated and brought into contact with a liquid. (B) Liquid, vapor, or solid that becomes a liquid or generates a liquid or vapor at a temperature at which the receding contact angle on the surface of the recording material (A) starts to decrease. 2. The surface of the following recording material (A) is selectively heated while being in contact with the following contact material (B), or the surface of the recording material (A) is selectively heated. The recording material (A) is brought into contact with the contact material (B).
A means for supplying a contact material (B) for forming a latent image showing a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature on the surface of the recording medium (A), and a surface of the recording medium (A) for forming the latent image. A means for selectively heating according to an image signal; a recording agent applying means for supplying a recording agent containing a colorant to the surface of the recording material (A) to adhere to the latent image to visualize the latent image; A recording apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers the recording material adhered on the surface of the body (A) to a transfer target; and an image removing unit that heats the surface of the recording body (A) to erase the latent image after transfer, A recording apparatus provided with means for smoothing a transfer target before transfer. (A) A recording body having a surface that has a receding contact angle that decreases when it is heated and brought into contact with a liquid. (B) Liquid, vapor, or solid that becomes a liquid or generates a liquid or vapor at a temperature at which the receding contact angle on the surface of the recording material (A) starts to decrease. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for impregnating the transfer-receiving member before the smoothing treatment with water. 4. A recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for heating the transferred material during or after the smoothing treatment in order to remove water from the transferred material impregnated with water. apparatus. 5. A means for supplying the contact material (B) to the surface of the recording medium (A) by using a liquid recording agent containing a colorant as the contact material (B), and the recording method described above. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the agent applying unit is integrated.