JPH0768805A - Recording material and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve transfer sensitivity by facilitating volatilization of a recording material, by a method wherein at least two kinds of recording materials (transfer dyes) are allowed to mixe up with each other at a fixed mole fraction and when steam pressure is specific at a fixed temperature, a specific formula is satisfied in a specific temperature sphere. CONSTITUTION:In a head part (recording part) 10, solid sublimating dyes 12 within a holding tank 11 is melted by a heater 16, the liquid sublimating dyes 12' are supplied to glass beads 22 of an evaporation part 17 by making use of a capillarity of a liquid dye holding tank 15. Laser beams L generated by semiconductor laser chip 18 is converted into heat by a beam and heat converting body 21, the liquid sublimating dyes 12' are evaporated and transferred to an image receiving layer 50a of the recorded paper 50. On this occasion, at least two kinds of recording material (transfer dyes) are allowed to mix up with each other at a fixed mole fraction and when steam pressure is Pmix at a temperature T, the following formula is satisfied within a temperature sphere of 25-500 deg.C. Namely, the formula is: Pmix>SIGMAPK.xK. Wherein PK, xK are respectively the steam pressure and mole fraction of the Kth recording material at the temperature T.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording material and a recording method, and more particularly to a thermal recording dye and a thermal recording method using the dye.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as colorization of image recording in video cameras, televisions, computer graphics, etc. has progressed, the need for colorization of hard copy has been rapidly increasing. In response to this, various types of color printers have been developed and are being developed in various fields.

Among these recording methods, an ink sheet (or an ink ribbon) in which an ink layer in which a high-concentration transfer dye is dispersed is applied in a suitable binder resin, and a dyeing resin which receives the transferred dye The transfer material such as photographic printing paper coated with was adhered at a constant pressure, and heat was applied from the thermal recording head located on the ink sheet according to the image information, and then applied from the ink sheet to the image receiving layer. There is a method of thermally transferring a transfer dye according to the amount of heat.

The above operation is repeated for each of the image signals decomposed into the subtractive color printing three primary colors, that is, yellow, magenta and cyan, thereby obtaining a full-color image having continuous gradation. The so-called thermal transfer method has been attracting attention as an excellent technology for obtaining a high-quality image comparable to a silver salt color photograph, because it has a small size, is easy to maintain, and has immediacy.

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of the main part of such a thermal transfer type printer.

A thermal recording head (hereinafter referred to as a thermal head) 61 and a platen roller 63 face each other, and an ink sheet 62 having an ink layer 62a provided on a base film 62b and a paper 70b are provided between them. The recording paper (transferred material) 70 provided with the dyeing resin layer 70a is sandwiched, and these are pressed against the thermal head 61 by the rotating platen roller 63 and run.

The ink (transfer dye) in the ink layer 62a selectively heated by the thermal head 61 is
The thermal transfer recording is performed by transferring the dots to the dyeing resin layer 70a of the transfer target 70. For such thermal transfer recording, a line system in which a long thermal head is fixed and arranged at right angles to the recording paper running direction is generally used.

However, this method has the following drawbacks.

The ink sheet, which is the ink supplier, is a one-time disposable, and this becomes a large amount of waste generated at the time of printing, which poses a problem of resource saving and environmental protection.

A means for obtaining a full-color image by using an ink sheet multiple times for the purpose of reducing waste has been proposed. However, since the transfer dye layer and the transfer target are in contact with each other, when the transfer dye A is first transferred to the transfer target and then the transfer dye B is superimposed and transferred, the transfer dye on the transfer target is reversely transferred. A is reversely transferred to the transfer dye B layer of the ink sheet to contaminate the transfer dye B. Therefore, the print quality of the second and subsequent sheets deteriorates.

Since the ink sheet occupies a large volume, there is a limit to reducing the size and weight of the printer device.

The so-called thermal transfer system is actually a transfer mechanism utilizing the thermal transfer phenomenon of dyes. Therefore, in order for the dye to diffuse into the image receiving layer of the transferred material, the image receiving layer also needs to be sufficiently heated, resulting in poor thermal efficiency.

In order to transfer efficiently, it is necessary to press the ink sheet and the transferred material with a high pressure. Therefore, the printer needs to have a strong structure, and there is a limit to the size and weight reduction of the printer device.

As described above, the so-called thermal transfer system has a number of drawbacks. Therefore, there has been a strong demand for a technology for reducing the size of the printer and reducing the amount of waste and transfer energy without losing the above advantages.

[0015]

According to the above requirements, a transfer body (recording portion) having a heat-meltable transfer dye layer (recording material layer) is provided between a recording body having an image receiving layer for receiving a dye. A minute air gap is provided, and the dye in the transfer body (recording portion) is selectively vaporized or sublimated by an appropriate heating means such as a thermal head or a laser to move or move the void to continuously transfer the dye onto the recording medium. A thermal recording method for obtaining an image with gradation has been proposed. In this system, full-colorization can be achieved by repeating the above-described transition operation for each of the image signals decomposed into the three primary colors of printing, that is, yellow, magenta, and cyan.

This method will be described schematically with reference to FIG. 13. The semiconductor laser 18 is located above the photothermal conversion layer 21, and the recording paper 50 is located below the same. The recording paper 50 has a dyeing resin layer (image receiving layer) 50a formed on the upper surface of the base paper 50b. The photothermal conversion portion 21 and the image receiving layer 50a are opposed to each other with a gap d therebetween, and the gap d has a size of 10 to 100.
μm, for example, 60 μm.

The dye 12 or the molten dye 12 'is supplied to the lower side of the photothermal conversion layer 21, and the laser light L from the semiconductor laser 18 is converted into heat energy by the photothermal conversion layer 21.
Alternatively, 12 'is vaporized (or sublimated), and this is transferred to the image receiving layer 50a through the gap d, and is fixed and recording is performed.

In this system, since the transfer dye lost during transfer hardly contains the binder resin, only the lost part is flowed from the dye reservoir to the transfer part in a molten state, or continuously on an appropriate substrate. It is possible to continuously supply to the transfer portion by applying the same and moving the substrate to the transfer portion. Therefore, since the transfer body can be used many times in principle, the above-mentioned drawbacks are solved.

Further, since the transfer dye layer and the transferred material do not come into contact with each other, the transfer dye already transferred to the transferred material is reversely transferred to a different transfer dye layer to impair the image, and the above-mentioned drawbacks are eliminated. At the same time, a small volume dye reservoir can be used to supply the transfer dye, and since the ink sheet (or ink ribbon) is not used, the printer device can be made smaller and lighter,
The drawbacks mentioned above can be solved.

Further, since this transfer method is a transfer mechanism utilizing the vaporization or sublimation phenomenon of the transfer dye, it is not necessary to heat the image receiving layer of the transfer target, and the ink sheet (or ink ribbon) and transfer target are transferred. There is no need to press it against the body with high pressure. Therefore, the above-mentioned drawbacks are solved. Further, since the transfer body and the transfer body do not come into direct contact with each other, heat fusion between the transfer body and the transfer body cannot occur, and even if the compatibility between the transfer dye and the image receiving layer resin is small, the transfer is performed. It is possible. Therefore, the range of design and selection of the transfer dye and the image-receiving layer resin is remarkably expanded.

As the heating means of this system, laser light and
A combination with a material (photothermal converter) that has absorption in a region including a wavelength region of laser light and converts light energy into heat energy is used.

In this case, since laser light is used,
The resolution is remarkably improved, and by increasing the laser light density in the optical system, intensive heating becomes possible, the temperature reached is increased, and as a result, the thermal efficiency is improved. In particular,
The use of a small multi-semiconductor laser with high energy efficiency can realize miniaturization, reliability, stability, low cost, long life, high speed, energy saving, and high image quality by easy modulation. However, as the heating means, a thermal head may be used instead of the laser, but in this case, a base film as a heat transfer medium can be used instead of the photothermal conversion layer 21.

Any transfer dye that can be used in the recording (transfer) method as shown in FIG. 13 can be used as long as it has a vapor pressure of 1 Pascal or more in a vacuum in the range from room temperature to the decomposition temperature. As such dyes, disperse dyes, oil-soluble dyes, leuco dyes, cationic dyes, oil-solubilized acid dyes,
It can be arbitrarily selected from dyes represented by oil-solubilized cationic dyes.

As the recording medium which can be used in this system, any recording medium capable of receiving and fixing a recording dye can be used, but as the image-receiving layer resin, it has good compatibility with dyes having a high vapor pressure, Polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, cellulose esters, polycarbonate, etc. can be used. However, in this method, the recording sensitivity is not governed by the compatibility between the dye and the image-receiving layer resin because there is a gap d between the dye supply body and the recording medium. Therefore, by using some kind of dye fixing means,
It is also possible to use plain paper, metal, glass, wood, ceramics, etc. that are completely incompatible with ordinary recording dyes.

Generally, the yellow, magenta, or cyan dye does not have an ideal hue for obtaining a full-color image. Therefore, usually, two or more kinds of dyes are mixed to obtain a desired hue. In addition, as one of the means for supplying the transfer dye to the transfer section by the above method, a method has been proposed in which the transfer dye is melted and then sent to the transfer section.

However, since a single transfer dye has a high melting point, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the transfer part considerably in order to supply it as described above, but this causes a problem in heat resistance of the transfer dye and the structure of the transfer part. Occurs. In order to solve this, a method of mixing two or more kinds of dyes and using them as a transfer dye can be considered.

However, since the transfer mechanism of the above-mentioned system uses the vaporization or sublimation phenomenon of the transfer dye, generally, when two or more kinds of transfer dyes are mixed, the vapor pressure of each dye is lowered, The transfer sensitivity is reduced.

[0028]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a combination of recording materials such as transfer dyes which does not lower the sensitivity even when two or more kinds of dyes are mixed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for effectively recording using such a recording material.

[0030]

The present inventor has found that two or more kinds of dyes sometimes form a minimum boiling point-azeotrope, and in that case, the boiling point is lowered, and the present invention has been completed. That is, when two or more kinds of dyes are mixed, the vapor pressure of each dye always decreases, but when two or more kinds of dyes form a minimum boiling point-azeotrope mixture in a specific combination, the vapor pressure of each dye Will fall. However, it has been found that the vapor pressure of the mixed dye as a whole is higher than the sum of the vapor pressures of the individual dyes. As a result, the mixed dye is easily volatilized, so that the transfer sensitivity is improved.

In order to set the combination of dyes which form the minimum boiling point-azeotrope mixture, the vapor pressures of the single dye and the mixed dye may be measured by a known means and the vapor pressures may be compared. The vapor pressure measuring method and the number of associations measuring method are “coloring material” by Kenzo Nishida 59 [10] 607-617 (1986) and “coloring material” by Teruo Hori 64 [2] 83-91 (1991). For more details.

According to the present invention, based on the above findings, at least two kinds of recording materials (provided that these recording materials do not associate with each other in the gas phase) are mixed in a predetermined mole fraction. (Especially by measuring the vapor pressure of a mixed dye in which two or more kinds of dyes are mixed at an appropriate mole fraction), and when the vapor pressure of this mixed recording material is Pmix at a temperature T, it is in the range of 25 to 500 ° C. At least one medium temperature range (this temperature range is a practical range for recording, and varies within the range depending on the type of dye, etc.). A recording material satisfying Pmix> ΣPK · χK (where PK and χK are the vapor pressure at the temperature T of the Kth recording material and the mole fraction thereof in the mixed recording material, respectively). is there.

In particular, when the recording materials are associated in the gas phase,
The association contribution may be added to the general formula (1) to find a combination and a mixing ratio that satisfy the following general formula (2) in at least one temperature range of 25 to 500 ° C. In this case, even if Pmix is small, if amix is large, general formula (2) can be satisfied.

General formula (2): Pmix · amix> ΣPk · χK · aK (where PK, χK, and aK are the vapor pressure at the temperature T of the K-th recording material and its mole fraction in the mixed recording material, respectively). Rate, the degree of association of the recording material in the gas phase at temperature T,
amix is the degree of association in the gas phase at the temperature T of the mixed recording material. )

More simply, the boiling point T of each recording material is measured with a thermobalance.
bK and the boiling point Tbmix of the mixed recording material having an appropriate mixing ratio are measured, and the boiling point of the mixed recording material is lower than the weighted average of the boiling points of the respective recording materials. (3)
It suffices to find a combination and a mixing ratio that satisfy. In this case, comparison of the weight reduction rate at the time of temperature increase by a thermobalance is also a reference for searching the recording material.

General formula (3): Tbmix <ΣTbKχK (where TbK and χK are the boiling point of the Kth recording material and its mole fraction in the mixed recording material, respectively).

The above-mentioned recording material according to the present invention is suitable for an ink film (or ink ribbon) less thermal recording method of the type as described with reference to FIG. That is, in this recording method, the layer of the heat-meltable recording material formed in the recording portion faces the recording material with a gap, and the recording material is selectively heated to vaporize or sublimate and pass through the gap. The recording material is transferred to the recording medium and the recording material is represented by the general formula (1).
The mixed recording material satisfying at least one of (3) to (3) is continuously supplied to the recording section.

[0038]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below.

The recording method according to the present embodiment basically employs the method described with reference to FIG.
A recording device as shown in FIG. 3 can be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a recording section (transfer section), FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a recording apparatus (thermal recording apparatus), and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the recording section for explaining a recording mechanism according to this example. Is.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a laser sublimation type color video printer (laser sublimation type printer), and a housing 2
On the frame chassis 2 covered with a, there are a cassette 3 for receiving the recording paper 50 and a flat base 4 for recording.

On the recording paper discharge port 2b side in the housing 2a,
A paper feed drive roller 6a that is driven by the motor 5 and the like is provided, and a pressure contact driven roller 6b that sandwiches the recording paper 50 with the paper feed drive roller 6a with a light pressure is provided. A head drive circuit board 7 on which a drive IC 80 is mounted and a DC power source 8 are provided above the cassette 3 in the housing 2a. The head drive circuit board 7 and the head portion (recording portion) 10 arranged on the plane base 4 are connected via a flexible harness 7a.

The head portion 10 is a sublimable dye 12 in the form of solid powder of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C).
Y, 12M, and 12C (collectively indicated by reference numeral 12) solid dye storage tanks 11Y, 11M, and 11C (collectively indicated by reference numeral 11); and wear resistance made of a high-strength material located below Of the sublimable dye 12 in the form of solid powder in each of the solid dye storage tanks 11 is formed between the protective layer 13 and the head base 14 made of glass or transparent ceramics located on the upper side.
Narrow-path liquid dye storage tanks 15 that are heated and liquefied by a heater (heating element) 16 made of an electric resistor attached to the 14 side; liquefied sublimable dyes led from the respective liquid dye storage tanks 15 (Liquefied disperse dye) 12 'Each vaporizer 17 for vaporizing
Each semiconductor laser chip (laser light source) 18 that is attached to the head base 14 via a support board 19 and irradiates each vaporization section 17 with the laser light L is provided.

Inside the vaporizing holes 17a of each vaporizing section 17, a transparent heat insulating layer 20 attached to the head base 14 is arranged in this order from the upper side;
A photothermal conversion layer 21 that is laminated on the transparent heat insulating layer 20 and absorbs the laser light L and converts it into heat; an adhesive layer 23; and this adhesive layer 23.
Glass beads 22 'as a holding layer for holding the liquefied liquefied sublimable dye 12' laminated on the photothermal conversion layer 21 via
And; are placed.

The transparent heat insulating layer 20 is made of transparent PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin. The photothermal conversion layer 21 is formed by applying a mixture of a binder and carbon fine particles to the transparent heat insulating layer 20.

The glass beads 22 'have a diameter of 5 to 10 μm. The heater 16 is for diffusing and transferring the solid powdery sublimable dye 12 to the glass beads 22 'while heating and liquefying it.

Then, the recording paper 50 in the cassette 3 of the laser sublimation type color video printer 1 is separated one by one and supplied between the flat base 4 and the head portion 10 and sent to the paper feed drive roller 6a. To be

The head portion 10 includes a pair of light load applying springs 9,
9 and the recording paper 50 is sandwiched between the flat base 4 and the light load (about
It is pressed with 50g). Also, the head unit 10 has 3
A large number of semiconductor laser chips 18 for colors (Y, M, C) are juxtaposed in three columns by three pixels. The dyes of the respective colors are heated and liquefied from the liquid dye storage tanks 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C) and supplied to the vaporization units 17 in a fixed amount.

That is, the sublimable dye 12 in the form of solid powder in each solid dye storage tank 11 comprises a mixture of a plurality of dyes according to the present invention, and at least one of the above-mentioned general formulas (1) to (3). It meets one. And this mixed dye
The heater 12 is heated to the melting point by the heater 16 to be melted (liquefied), and each liquid sublimable dye 12 ′ thus obtained
Is due to the capillary phenomenon of each liquid dye storage tank 15
The glass beads 22 'in the vaporization holes 17a of 17 are supplied in a fixed amount.

In this state, when one recording paper 50 is sandwiched between the paper feed drive roller 6a and the pressure contact driven roller 6b, a dot signal is sent to the head section 10 for each color line by line. Laser light L generated by the semiconductor laser chip 18 is converted into heat by each photothermal conversion layer 21.

As a result, each liquefied sublimable dye 12 'held on each glass bead 22' is vaporized to generate Y, M,
The image receiving layer 50 in which the sublimable dye vapor 12 ″ of C is applied to the surface of the recording paper 50 which is sent between the flat base 4 and the protective layer 13.
A is sequentially transferred from Y to M to C, and color printing is performed.

The principle of this printing mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. When the laser light L is sharply irradiated from each semiconductor laser chip 18, the laser light L passes through the head base 14 made of glass or the like and the heat-resistant light-transmissive resin material 20, and the photothermal converter.
It reaches 21 and is converted into heat corresponding to the light distribution.

Due to this heat, the heat-resistant light-transmitting resin material 20 is
As shown exaggeratedly in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), thermal expansion abruptly occurs, and as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the recording paper 50 is applied to the liquefied sublimable dye 12 'adhered to the light heat exchanger 21. The kinetic energy that flies toward the image receiving layer 50a is applied. As a result, FIG. 4 (d)
As shown in the above, the amount of the vaporizing sublimable dye 1 proportional to the above heat
2 "will adhere to the image receiving layer 50a of the recording paper 50,
The density gradation will be obtained.

In FIG. 4C, φ ₁ represents the irradiation spot diameter of the laser beam L (for example, φ ₁ = 100 μm).
In (d), φ ₂ represents the diameter of one dot (pixel) (for example, φ ₂ = 60 to 80 μm). In this way, the Y, M, and C vaporizing sublimable dyes of the vaporizing sublimable disperse dyes 12 ″ are sent to the image receiving layer 50a of the recording paper 50 which is sent between the flat base 4 and the protective layer 13 from Y → Color printing is performed in the order of M → C.

When an aromatic polyamide is used for the heat-resistant light-transmitting resin material 20, the heat resistance of the heat-resistant light-transmitting resin material 20 can be further improved and it can withstand continuous use.

In the head section 50, each solid dye storage tank 11
A check valve 24 is provided at each connection port 28 between the liquid dye storage tank 15 and the liquid dye storage tank 15. Furthermore, the vaporization section in each liquid dye storage tank 15
Liquefaction sublimable dye 1 on the side of the vaporizing section 17 at the position facing 17
Dye pressurizing and supplying means (for example, vibrating body) 25 for efficiently pressurizing and supplying 2 ′ are provided respectively.

The dye pressurizing and supplying means 25 is composed of, for example, a bimorph or a piezo element, and continuously supplies the dye 12 'in the direction of the arrow by its vibration, but it is not always necessary to provide the dye 12'. 'Can be continuously supplied. The check valve 24 closes the connection port 28 when the dye pressurizing and supplying means 25 is pressurized and opens the connection port 28 when the pressure is reduced and when no pressure is applied.

The sublimable dye 12 in the form of solid powder in each solid dye storage tank 11 is heated and liquefied by the heater 16 when the check valve 24 is opened to become a liquefied sublimable dye 12 '.
It will be stored within 15.

At the center of the vaporization hole 17a of each vaporization section 17, a heat-resistant, light-transmissive base material 20 attached to the head base 14 and having both heat resistance, light transmission and heat insulation, is provided. A photothermal converter 21 that is laminated on the heat-resistant light-transmissive base material 20 and absorbs the laser light L to convert it into heat, and a liquid dye holder 22 that holds the liquefied sublimable dye 12 ′ that has been heated and liquefied by a capillary phenomenon. Beads 22 'are built in) and are arranged respectively.

The heat-resistant, light-transmitting base material 20 is, for example, 180
Made of transparent film material with heat resistance above ℃, thermal conductivity below 1W / m ° C, near infrared light transmittance above 85% (thickness 10μm), specific heat below 2J / g ℃, density below 3g / cm ^3. And
It is formed by being applied to the head base 14.

The photothermal converter 21 is made of, for example, a polyimide film, and a Ni-Co vapor deposition film may be formed on this film. Liquid dye holder 22
May be formed by directly forming a metal thin film on the photothermal conversion body 21 and processing the metal thin film into a mesh shape by etching or the like.

According to the laser sublimation color video printer 1 described above, the sublimable dye 12 in the form of solid powder in each solid dye storage tank 11 is heated to the melting point by the heater 16 and melted (liquefied). The liquefied sublimable dyes 12 'are transferred by the dye pressurizing supply means 25 in the liquid dye storage tanks 15 and the capillarity causes the heat-resistant, light-transmissive base material 20 in the vaporization holes 17a of the vaporization parts 17, and the photothermal conversion. It is supplied to the body 21 and the liquid dye holder 22 at a constant rate at high speed.

When one sheet of recording paper 50 is color printed, the dot signal is applied to the head portion for each color line by line.
The laser light L sent to the semiconductor laser chip 18 and converted to heat is converted into heat by each photothermal converter 21. As a result, each of the liquefied sublimable dyes 12 ′ held in each of the liquid dye holding bodies 22 is vaporized, and the vaporized disperse dyes 12 ″ of Y, M and C are thereby sent between the flat base 4 and the protective layer 13. The transferred image is transferred to the image receiving layer 50a of the recording paper 50 in the order of Y → M → C, and color printing is performed.

When the vibrating body 25 is provided in each liquid dye storage tank 15, an appropriate light pressure is applied to the liquefied disperse dye 12 ′ in each liquid dye storage tank 15 to cause the photothermal converter 21 and the liquid dye holder 22. A fixed amount of the liquefied disperse dye 12 'can be sent out and supplied at high speed. Also, liquid dye storage tank 15 and solid dye storage tank 11
By providing the check valve 24 at the connection port 28, it is possible to reliably prevent the liquefied disperse dye 12 ′ in the liquid dye storage tank 15 from returning to the solid dye storage tank 11.

Further, by providing the heater 16 in the liquid dye storage tank 15, the liquefied disperse dye 12 'can be heated and kept in a liquefied state at all times.

Further, the heat-resistant, light-transmissive base material 20 having an increased heat resistance makes it possible to obtain a structure which can withstand continuous use. Further, by stacking the photothermal converter 21 on the heat-resistant light-transmitting base material 20, while a structure that can withstand continuous use is possible,
The thermal conductivity can be increased, and even if the light energy distribution of the laser light L is non-uniform, such as a Gaussian distribution, thermal diffusion is quickly performed in the area direction, and a uniform temperature distribution can be realized, resulting in a uniform temperature distribution. Dye transfer can be performed.

Furthermore, the light-to-heat converter 21 is provided with a liquid dye holder.
22 is laminated, in particular, this liquid dye holder 22 is formed by a metal thin film processed into a mesh shape, and by adjusting the depth and pitch thereof, an appropriate amount of liquefied disperse dye required for recording is formed.
The liquid dye holder 22 can always hold the liquid dye 12 'reliably, and the photothermal converter 21 can always vaporize an appropriate amount of the liquefied disperse dye 12' necessary for recording. An adhesive layer is formed by directly forming the liquefied dye holder 22 on the photothermal converter 21.
23 can be omitted. As a result, the excess heat capacity can be eliminated and the thermal efficiency can be improved.

According to the printer 1 described above, since the dye lost during recording contains almost no binder resin, only the lost amount is flowed from the dye reservoir to the transfer section (recording section) in a molten state. Alternatively, it can be continuously applied to an appropriate substrate, and the substrate can be continuously supplied to the recording unit by moving to the recording unit. Therefore, in principle, the recording unit can be used many times, so that the above-mentioned drawbacks can be solved.

Further, since the dye layer and the recording medium do not come into contact with each other, the recording dye already transferred to the recording medium is reversely transferred to a different recording dye layer and the image is damaged. At the same time, a small volume dye reservoir is used for dye supply,
Since the ink sheet is not used, the printer device can be made smaller and lighter, and the above-mentioned drawbacks can be solved.

Furthermore, since this recording system is a recording mechanism utilizing the vaporization or sublimation phenomenon of the dye, it is not necessary to heat the image receiving layer of the recording medium, and the ink sheet and the recording medium can be applied under high pressure. There is no need to press it. Therefore, the above-mentioned drawbacks can be solved. Since the recording medium and the recording medium do not come into direct contact, thermal fusion between the recording unit and the recording medium cannot occur in principle, and even if the compatibility between the dye and the image receiving layer resin is small. It can be recorded. Therefore,
The range of design and selection of dye and image-receiving layer resin is significantly expanded.

As a heating means of this system, a method of combining a laser beam and a material (photothermal converter) having an absorption ability in a region including a wavelength region of the laser beam and converting light energy into heat energy is effective. In this case, since the laser beam is used, the resolution is remarkably improved, and by increasing the laser beam density in the optical system, it becomes possible to perform intensive heating and the ultimate temperature is increased. As a result, the thermal efficiency is improved. In particular, by using a multi-semiconductor laser that is small and has high energy efficiency, miniaturization, reliability, stability, low cost, long life, high speed, energy saving, and high image quality by easy modulation can be realized.

Here, the above-mentioned photothermal converter 21 must have the ability to absorb laser light and at the same time have to satisfy heat resistance.
Therefore, as the photothermal converter of the type located outside the dye layer, a metal such as cobalt or nickel-cobalt alloy,
Carbon black, polyimide, pigments such as phthalocyanine, vapor-deposited film having high heat resistance and strength such as aramid vapor-deposited on a base film, a coating film obtained by dispersing these fine particles in a high heat-resistant binder resin and coating the above base film. is there.

Any recording dye that can be used in the method according to the present invention can be used as long as it has a vapor pressure of 1 Pascal or more in a vacuum in the range from room temperature to the decomposition temperature. Such dyes can be arbitrarily selected from dyes represented by disperse dyes, oil-soluble dyes, leuco dyes, cationic dyes, oil-solubilized acidic dyes, oil-solubilized cationic dyes and the like.

As the image-receiving layer substance usable in this method, any substance can be used as long as it can receive and fix a recording dye, but polyester and polyvinyl chloride which have good compatibility with dyes having a high vapor pressure. , Polystyrene, cellulose esters, polycarbonate and the like can be used. However, in this method, the recording sensitivity is not governed by the compatibility between the dye and the image-receiving layer resin because there is a gap between the dye supplier (recording portion) and the recording medium. Therefore, if there is any means for fixing the dye, plain paper, metal, glass,
It is also possible to use materials that are completely incompatible with ordinary recording dyes such as wood and ceramics.

In this method, since a molten dye containing almost no binder resin is used as a recording dye, the recording dye lost during recording flows from the dye reservoir to the recording portion in a molten state, or a suitable substrate is used. It is possible to continuously supply to the recording unit by continuously coating the above and moving the substrate to the recording unit. Therefore, the recording system is new.

Further, for holding the dye, a sufficient space can be secured by using a metal film or a plastic film having slits or holes with a width of several mm, other than beads.

The recording apparatus may have the structure shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 in addition to the structure shown in FIG. In these examples as well, recording can be performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned examples.

FIG. 5 shows a head section 90 used in a laser sublimation color video printer. This head part 90
The configuration is the same as in the example of FIG. 1, but the aromatic polyamide (aramid) is attached to the head base 14 at the center of the vaporization hole 17a of each vaporization part 17 and has both heat insulation and light transmission properties. A light-heat converter 31 made of a polyimide resin is laminated on the heat-resistant light-transmitting resin material 30.

FIG. 6 shows another head unit 100 used in a laser sublimation color video printer. This head part
100 is also configured similarly to the example of FIG. 1, but an optical fiber that penetrates the head base 14 and extends to the vaporization hole 17a to guide the laser light L at the center of the vaporization hole 17a of each vaporization part 17. 40
And a photothermal converter 41 that absorbs the light of the laser light L guided from the optical fiber 40 and converts it into heat.

The optical fiber 40 is for reliably guiding the laser light L to the photothermal converter 41 without leaking it to the outside. The photothermal converter 41 may be made of a polyimide film. Further, the vaporizing holes 17a of each vaporizing section 17 are liquefied sublimable dyes.
It has a structure that supplies 12 ', and the surrounding area is heat insulating material 42
It is surrounded by.

As described above, the photothermal converter 41 is connected to the optical fiber 40.
By being laminated on the lower surface of the photothermal converter 41, it is possible to improve the heat resistance of the photothermal converter 41 for continuous use and to increase the thermal conductivity, and the light energy distribution of the laser light L is, for example, a Gaussian distribution. Even if it is non-uniform, thermal diffusion is performed quickly in the area direction, a uniform temperature distribution can be realized, and uniform transfer of dye can be performed.

The lower part of the optical fiber 40 and the photothermal converter
By covering the vaporization holes 17a of the vaporization unit 17 surrounding 41 with the heat insulating material 42, the periphery of the photothermal conversion body 41 is insulated so that heat is not released and the liquefied sublimable dye 12 'is vaporized by the photothermal conversion body 41. The rate can be improved.

In all of the above examples, laser light is irradiated from above the head portion to perform recording on the recording paper located on the lower side. However, the upper and lower sides of these examples can be reversed. it can. FIG. 7 shows such a head portion.

In the head portion 110 of FIG. 7, the head base 14
Place a heater 16 on top and energize this to each solid dye storage tank
The solid dye 12 supplied from 11 is heated and melted to form a liquefied sublimable dye 12 '. A heat-resistant translucent base material 20, a photothermal conversion body 21, and a liquid dye holding body 22 are laminated on the head base 14 in this order from bottom to top.

A semiconductor laser chip 18 is located below the head base 14 so that the laser light L is applied to the liquid dye holder 22.
The liquid dye retained on the recording medium 50 is condensed and irradiated to vaporize the liquid dye, and the vapor passes through the vaporization section 17, and the dye receiving layer 50a of the recording paper 50 above.
Move to.

Others are the same as in the head portion 10 of FIG. In addition, the structure of the head unit is shown in FIG.
It goes without saying that the same structure as above (however, upside down) may be used.

The light-heat converters 21 (FIG. 1), 31 (FIG. 5), 41 (FIG. 6) are not made of polyimide, and the heat-resistant, light-transmitting base materials 20 (FIG. 1), 30 (FIG. 5), Thin film of nickel-cobalt alloy on 40 (Fig. 6) (near infrared light transmittance 0.9 or more, thickness 1 μm or less, specific heat 0.5 J / g ° C or more, thermal conductivity
20 W / m ° C. or more and a density of 20 g / cm ³ or less) is preferably formed and provided by vapor deposition or sputtering.

In this case, the area of this thin film may be limited to the recording area S of the vaporizing dye (see FIGS. 1, 5 and 6). In this way, the heat resistance of the light-heat conversion means can be improved to enable continuous use, the thickness can be reduced and the heat capacity can be suppressed to a small level, and the periphery of the light-heat conversion body can be insulated with the liquid dye. The thermal efficiency can be increased.

Further, the solid dye may be once made into a liquid state and vaporized to perform recording, or the solid dye may be heated by laser light to be directly vaporized, that is, sublimated to perform recording.

When recording on a transfer medium using the sublimation printer 1 described above, at least one of the conditions of the above-mentioned general formulas (1), (2) and (3) according to the present invention is used. It is essential that one condition be met.

That is, first, since two or more kinds of recording materials (dye) 12 are mixed, the melting point of this mixed recording material can be made lower than that of each recording material, and the temperature of the transfer portion can be reduced. Continuous supply is possible without raising. Therefore, since the temperature of the transfer portion can be lowered, the heat resistance of the transfer dye and the transfer portion structure can be maintained.

In this case, when two or more kinds of transfer dyes are mixed, the vapor pressure of each dye tends to decrease and the transfer sensitivity tends to decrease, which is caused by the above-mentioned general formulas (1), (2),
It was found that (3) could be solved more than enough.

That is, when two or more kinds of dyes are mixed, the vapor pressure of each dye always decreases, but when two or more kinds of dyes form a minimum boiling point-azeotrope mixture in a specific combination, each dye The vapor pressure of will decrease. However, the vapor pressure of the mixed dye as a whole is at least 1 at 25-500 ° C.
It was found that the sum was higher than the sum of the vapor pressures of the individual dyes in one temperature range (general formula (1)). As a result, the mixed dye is easily volatilized, so that the transfer sensitivity is improved.

Then, particularly when the recording material associates in the gas phase, the contribution of the association is added to the general formula (1), and
In at least one temperature range in the range of ° C, the general formula (2)
It suffices to find a combination and a mixing ratio that satisfy the conditions.

More simply, the boiling point of each recording material and the boiling point of the mixed recording material having an appropriate mixing ratio are measured with a thermobalance, and the boiling point of the mixed recording material is calculated from the weighted average of the boiling points of the recording materials. It is only necessary to find a combination and a mixing ratio that satisfy the general formula (3) such that In this case, comparison of the weight reduction rate at the time of temperature increase by a thermobalance is also a reference for searching the recording material.

Next, in order to examine the quality of the recording result according to this example, the following experiment was conducted. 8 is a schematic front view of the experimental recording device, FIG. 9 is a front view of the recording chip 32, and FIG.
Is a plan view of the same.

A pillar 44 is provided on the base plate 43.
Brackets 45A, 45B, 45C and 45D are fixed to the brackets, and the recording (transfer) chip 32, the lenses 37a and 37b, and the semiconductor laser chip (SLD203) 38 share the optical axis on these brackets 45A, 45B, 45C and 45D, respectively. It has been fixed. A focusing lens system 37 is composed of the lenses 37a and 37b. Below the recording unit (recording chip) 32 is an X
The Y stage 39 is fixed on the base plate 43, and the recording paper 50 is placed on the XY stage 39.

A transparent conductive film 33B made of indium tin oxide (ITO) is formed on the lower main surface of the glass plate 33A by vapor deposition, and the spacer 3 is formed on the transparent conductive film 33B.
A polyimide film 35A (trade name: Kapton manufactured by DuPont) having a thickness of 4 .mu.m and having a thickness of 4 .mu.m is fixed with a gap between 4 and 34. As shown in FIG.

Under this polyimide film 35A, a nickel-cobalt thin film 35B having a thickness of 0.2 μm is vapor-deposited to store heat to form a photothermal conversion portion 35C. A stainless steel cover 36 having a thickness of 10 μm is attached to the lower side of the cover 36, and a dye supporting hole 36a having a diameter of 1 mm is provided at the center of the cover 36.
Are provided so as to penetrate therethrough. The distance between the cover 36 and the recording paper 50 is 10 μm.

Dye 12 as a recording material is placed in the dye support hole 36a.
And a pair of electrodes 33C, 33 provided on the transparent conductive film 33B.
A voltage is applied to C, and the dye 12 is heated to 150 ° C. to melt it. Then, the recording paper 50 is moved at a relative speed of 10 cm / sec, the laser beam L is condensed and irradiated from the semiconductor laser chip 38 to the molten dye to vaporize the dye, and the dye is transferred to the image receiving layer on the recording paper 50. Let

For example, the wavelength of the laser beam L is 800 nm, the laser beam irradiation area for the molten dye is 20 μm × 30 μm, and the output on the surface of the recording chip 32 is 30 mW. The recording paper 50
Is a 180 μm thick synthetic paper coated with a 6 μm thick polyester image-receiving layer.

Dye transferred to the polyester image-receiving layer by continuously recording by using the dyes described below as a recording material with the above apparatus, and heating the recording paper with a heater blade at 150 ° C. for 10 msec. Is diffused in the image receiving layer and completely fixed. The average line diameter and the optical density of the thus obtained linearly recorded image were measured.

<Experiment 1> As a transfer dye (recording material), a tricyanostyryl magenta dye HSR2031 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei) having a melting point of 125 ° C. and a boiling point of 380 ° C. measured by a thermobalance, and a melting point of 196 ° C. Anthraquinone magenta dye ESC451 (manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) having a boiling point of 405 ° C. was mixed in the following composition. HSR2031 100 copies ESC451 50 copies

The mixed dye melted completely in one phase at 120 ° C. or higher. The vapor pressure of this mixed dye and each single dye at 180 ° C and the degree of association were measured by the molecular efflux method (RS Bradley, CL
Bird, F. Jones: Trans. Faraday. Soc. 56 , 23 (196
0)), the mixed dye had 4.5 Pascal and the degree of association was 2.2, and the HSR2031 had 4.0 Pascal and the degree of association.
2.4, ESC 451 has 1.8 pascals and degree of association 2.2
Met.

Substituting these values into the above-mentioned general formula (2), Pmix · amix = 9.9 ΣΣPK · χK · aK = 8.0, which satisfies the general formula (2). Also, Pmix =
4.5, ΣPK · χK = 3.27, and the above-mentioned general formula (1) was also satisfied.

Therefore, it was found that by mixing different dyes according to the present invention, the number of dye molecules going to the gas phase was increased and the vapor pressure was increased.

When the boiling point of the mixed dye is measured, it is 378 ° C.
Met. Substituting this value into the above-mentioned general formula (3), Tbmix = 378 ° C ΣTbK · χK = 387 ° C, which is lower than the weight averaged boiling point and may satisfy the general formula (3). Do you get it. Further, it was found from the measurement results of the thermobalance that the weight reduction rate was higher than that of each dye alone.

The viscosity of this mixed dye at 150 ° C. is 25.
It became cps, which was lower than 30 cps of HSR2031 alone. ESC 451 is a solid at 150 ° C.

This mixed dye is put in the transfer portion (hole 36a) of the transfer chip shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 and heated to 150 ° C. by energizing the ITO film on the glass plate, and the mixed dye is Upon melting, the dye became a smooth layer with a thickness of 4 μm. Next, the laser light obtained from the semiconductor laser SLD203 was focused on the nickel-cobalt vapor deposition film which is the photothermal conversion layer of the transfer body by the lens system of FIG. The size of the laser beam on the vapor deposition layer of the transfer body was 20 × 30 μm, and the output on the transfer body surface was 30 mW.

Next, while irradiating the laser beam, the thickness of 6 μm
m polyester image receiving layer coated on 180 μm synthetic paper, the transfer target is moved at a relative speed of 10 cm / sec with a gap of 10 μm with respect to the transfer member, the molten dye is vaporized by laser light, and continuous. Transferred.

The dye on the image-receiving layer of the material to be transferred thus obtained was heated at 150 ° C. for 10 ms with a blade equipped with a heater.
By heating with ec, it diffused into the polyester image-receiving layer and was completely fixed. At this time, the average line width of the magenta dye on the image-receiving layer was 100 μm, and the optical density at that time was 2.1 on a Macbeth densitometer.

On the other hand, the same transfer device and transfer dye were used, and the transfer was carried out under the same conditions using only the HSR2031 dye. As a result, the average line width of the magenta dye on the image receiving layer was 65 μm. Optical density of Macbeth densitometer
It became 1.5.

Further, as a result of performing the transfer under the same conditions using only the ESC451 dye using the same transfer device and transfer dye, the average line width of the magenta dye on the image receiving layer is
It becomes 45 μm, and the optical density at that time is Macbeth
It became 1.1.

From the above results, the mixing of dyes increases the number of dye molecules transferred to the gas phase, and the mixing also lowers the boiling point, so that the vaporization of the dyes is promoted (ie,
The transfer sensitivity is improved) and the optical density of the obtained image is increased.

<Comparative Experiment 1> Melting point: 164 ° C., boiling point: 398
℃ Tricyanostyryl magenta dye (SMD21)
Was synthesized from tetracyanoethylene and N, N-diethylaniline, and mixed with HSR2031 as a transfer dye in the following composition. HSR2031 100 copies SMD21 100 copies

The mixed dye melted completely in one phase at 120 ° C. or higher. When the vapor pressure and the degree of association of this mixed dye and each single dye at 180 ° C were measured, the mixed dye had 3.9 pascals and an association degree of 2.0, the HSR2031 had 4.0 pascals and an association degree of 2.4, and the SMD21 had 3.8 pascals. The degree of association was 2.1.

By substituting these values into the general formula (2), Pmix · amix = 7.8 ΣΣPK · χK · aK = 8.7, which does not satisfy the general formula (2) (and the general formula (1)). Therefore, it was found that by mixing the dyes, the number of dye molecules going to the gas phase was reduced.

When the boiling point of the mixed dye is measured, it is 396 ° C.
Met. Substituting this value into the general formula (3), Tbmix = 396 ° C ΣTbK · χK = 389 ° C, which is higher than the weight average boiling point, and it was also found that the general formula (3) was not satisfied. . Further, from the results of measurement by the thermobalance, it was found that the weight reduction rate was slightly lower than that of each dye alone.

This mixed dye was transferred using the same transfer device as in Experimental Example 1 and under the same transfer conditions. As a result, the average line width of the magenta dye on the image receiving layer was 60 μm, and the optical density at that time was Macbeth. It was 1.4 with a densitometer. This was much smaller than the value in Experimental Example 1.

The sensitivity was decreased as compared with the result (average line width: 65 μm, optical density: 1.5) obtained by transferring under the same conditions using only the HSR2031 dye, and also using only the SMD21 dye. It was found that the sensitivity was slightly improved even when compared with the result of transfer under the conditions (average line width: 55 μm, optical density: 1.2).

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments can be variously modified based on the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, the above general formulas (1), (2),
The value of each parameter in (3) can be variously adopted, and the temperature range in which those conditions are satisfied can also be changed in various ways. It does not matter if it is satisfied not only in one temperature region but also in a plurality of temperature regions. .

The general formulas (1), (2) and (3) may be independently satisfied, but a plurality of conditions can be simultaneously satisfied. Of course, three or more dyes may be mixed.

The structure and shape of the recording layer and head are
It may have an appropriate structure and shape other than the above, and other appropriate materials may be used for the material of each part constituting the head portion.

Moreover, full-color recording can be performed by using three recording dyes of magenta, yellow, and cyan, and one-color recording of mono-color or monochrome can be performed.

Further, as the energy for vaporizing or sublimating the heat-fusible recording material such as dye, other energy, for example, a thermal head, another electromagnetic wave, or discharge using a stylus electrode should be used. Is also possible. When a thermal head is used, a base film as a heat transfer medium can be used instead of the above photothermal conversion layer.

[0127]

According to the present invention, as described above, at least two kinds of recording materials are mixed in a predetermined mole fraction, and when the vapor pressure of the mixed recording material is Pmix at the temperature T, 25
Since the recording material satisfies at least one of the following general formulas (1), (2) and (3) in at least one temperature range within the range of up to 500 ° C, this mixed recording material is easily volatilized. Therefore, the transfer sensitivity is improved. General formula (1): Pmix> ΣPK · χK (where PK and χK are the vapor pressure at the temperature T of the Kth recording material and the mole fraction thereof in the mixed recording material) General expression (2) ): Pmix · amix> ΣPk · χK · aK (where PK, χK, and aK are the vapor pressure at the temperature T of the Kth recording material, its mole fraction in the mixed recording material, and the vapor phase at the temperature T, respectively) It is the degree of association of the recording material inside,
amix is the degree of association in the gas phase at the temperature T of the mixed recording material. ) General formula (3): Tbmix <ΣTbKχK (where TbK and χK are the boiling point of the Kth recording material, its mole fraction in the mixed recording material, and Tbmix is the boiling point of the mixed recording material, respectively) .)

Moreover, since two or more kinds of recording materials are mixed, the melting point of this mixed recording material can be made lower than that of each recording material, and continuous recording is possible without raising the temperature of the recording portion. Supply is possible. Therefore, since the temperature of the transfer portion can be lowered, the heat resistance of the recording material and the recording portion structure can be maintained.

Further, recording is performed by vaporizing or sublimating the mixed recording material and transferring the mixed recording material to the recording material having a gap, thereby preventing the recording material from contacting the recording material.
In addition, since it is not necessary to carry the recording material on the carrier and supply it, the recording material that is not used for recording and remains on the carrier does not generate as waste together with the carrier, and only the recording material is used. Since it heats, it is highly energy efficient. Further, a load for contacting the recording material and the recording material is unnecessary, and the recording apparatus can be made compact and lightweight. Further, when a plurality of types of recording materials are overlaid and recorded, the recording material previously recorded does not move to another recording material used for the next recording and contaminate it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a recording unit of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a recording unit for explaining the recording mechanism.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature change of the heat-resistant, light-transmitting resin and a dye transfer relationship with the passage of the laser light irradiation time.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a recording unit of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a recording unit of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a recording unit of a recording apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the experimental recording device.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a recording chip of the experimental recording apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a recording chip of the experimental recording device.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a light-heat conversion unit of the experimental recording device.

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of a main part of a recording apparatus using a conventional thermal recording head.

FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a main part of a laser sublimation printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 32, 90, 100, 110 ・ ・ ・ Recording part (transfer part) 11 ・ ・ ・ Solid dye storage tank 12 ・ ・ ・ Solid dye 12 '・ ・ ・ Liquid dye 12 "・ ・ ・ Vaporized dye 13 ・ ・ ・Protective layer 15 ... Liquid dye storage tank 16 ... Heating element 17 ... Vaporizer 18, 38 ... Semiconductor laser 20, 30, 40 ... Heat-resistant light-transmissive base material 21, 31, 35C, 41・ ・ ・ Photothermal converter 22 ・ ・ ・ Liquid dye holder 22 '・ ・ ・ Glass beads 33B ・ ・ ・ Transparent conductive film 36 ・ ・ ・ Cover 36a ・ ・ ・ Dye holding hole 50 ・ ・ ・ Recording paper 50a ・ ・Image receiving layer L ... Laser light d ... Gap

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location 9121-2H B41M 5/26 J

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. At least two kinds of recording materials (provided that these recording materials do not associate with each other in a gas phase).
When the vapor pressure of the mixed recording material is Pmix at a temperature T, at least one temperature region within the range of 25 to 500 ° C., the general formula (1): Pmix > ΣPK · χK (where PK and χK are the vapor pressure at the temperature T of the Kth recording material and the mole fraction thereof in the mixed recording material, respectively). 2. At least two kinds of recording materials (provided that these recording materials have a gas phase association property) are mixed in a predetermined mole fraction, and the vapor of the mixed recording material is used. When the pressure is Pmix at the temperature T, in at least one temperature range in the range of 25 to 500 ° C., the general formula (2): Pmix · amix> ΣPK · χK · aK (where PK, χK and aK are respectively , The vapor pressure of the Kth recording material at the temperature T, its mole fraction in the mixed recording material, and the degree of association of the recording material in the gas phase at the temperature T,
amix is the degree of association in the gas phase at the temperature T of the mixed recording material. ) Satisfying the recording material. 3. At least two kinds of recording materials are mixed in a predetermined mole fraction, and the boiling point of this mixed recording material is Tbmix.
Then, recording satisfying the general formula (3): Tbmix <ΣTbK · χK (where TbK · χK is the boiling point of the K-th recording material and its mole fraction in the mixed recording material, respectively). Material. 4. A layer of a heat-meltable recording material formed in a recording portion faces a recording material with a gap therebetween, and the recording material is selectively heated to vaporize or sublimate, and the recording material passes through the gap. The recording material as well as being transferred to a recording body,
A recording method of continuously supplying the recording material according to any one of 1 to 3 to the recording unit.