JPH08187894A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform developing work with a simple structure wherein ink supply is ensured. CONSTITUTION: On a surface of a recording body, a member whose sweepback and contact angle to a liquid on a contact face changes when the member is heated and cooled in a state that it is in contact with liquid, steam or a solid body which supplies liquid when it is heated is provided. A latent image generated by heating is developed on a substrate 15 by an ink supply member 14 consisting of an ink holding member 16 and a fluid controlling member 17 and by controlling flow of an ink for making the thickness of the ink to be a fixed thin layer, so as to eliminate scumming to be generated at the time of development. In the relation between the recording body 3 and the ink supply member 14, the following three basic structures are provided: the recording body 3 moves and the ink supply member 14 is fixed, the recording body 3 and the ink supply member 14 move, the ink supply member 14 and a rotating position are fixed and the recording body 3 moves.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly, a recording medium having a recording layer on the surface of which the receding contact angle with respect to a liquid reversibly changes depending on the heating temperature. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus of a system in which a latent image is formed by heating to a changing temperature and a recording material attached to the latent image is transferred onto a recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image recording system, there is a system in which a surface is divided into a liquid adhesion region and a non-liquid adhesion region for image formation. As a typical example of this, there is an offset printing method using a lithographic printing plate without water (wet water). The steps of this offset printing method include the plate making process from the original plate and the printing obtained in the plate making process. There is a printing process of printing using a plate. However, it is difficult to reduce the size of the device because it is difficult to incorporate the plate making process and the printing process into one device, and even in a relatively small office offset plate making printing machine, in many cases, Usually, the plate-making device and the printing device are separate. There has been proposed an image recording method which eliminates such a defect of the offset printing method and has reversibility capable of repeatedly using the liquid adhesion area and the non-liquid adhesion area according to the formed image information. Such recording methods include (1) aqueous development method, (2) method utilizing photochemical reaction of photochromic material, and (3) method utilizing effect of internal biasing force.

(1) In the aqueous development method, after a charge is applied to the hydrophobic photoconductor layer from the outside, the photoconductor layer is exposed to light to form a pattern having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion on the surface of the photoconductive layer. The aqueous developer is attached only to the characteristic portion and transferred to paper or the like. However, the hydrophilic portion is erased by static elimination and can be used repeatedly, but it has a drawback that it is difficult to downsize the device because it is basically an electrophotographic process.

(2) In the method utilizing the photochemical reaction of photochromic materials, a layer containing a material such as spinpyran or an azo dye is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and these photochromic materials are rendered hydrophilic by a photochemical reaction. However, since the quantum efficiency is poor, the reaction time is long, high-speed recording cannot be performed, and the stability is lacking.

(3) In the method utilizing the action of the internal biasing force, an unstable state and a crystalline state are formed by physical changes to form liquid ink adhesion and non-adhesion regions. However, although the recording member used is stable after recording, it has a drawback in that before recording, there is a possibility that a change in physical structure may occur due to a temperature change and there is a problem in storage stability.

In order to solve this problem, the inventors of the present invention have disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 3-178478 that a recording material (in a heated state, having a surface with a receding contact angle reduced when brought into contact with a liquid). A) and a contact material (B) that is a liquid, a vapor, or a solid that generates a liquid or a vapor at a temperature below the receding contact angle reduction start temperature referred to in the recording body (A), or a recording material (B). Surface of (A) and contact material (B)
And the contact member (B) with the surface of the recording medium (A) selectively heated.
By contacting with the recording medium (A), a latent image area having a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature is formed on the surface of the recording medium (A), and a recording agent containing a developer is supplied to the latent image area to develop the latent image area. A recording method to image is proposed. Further, the inventors of the present invention have proposed a "recording method" according to JP-A-5-16515 and a "recording apparatus" according to JP-A-6-48010, which utilize this recording method. The recording method according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-16515 is a method in which a porous material impregnated with a recording agent is brought into direct contact with the recording material to perform development, which will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a conventional recording method. In the figure, 1 is a recording layer, 2 is a substrate, 3 is a recording body, 4 is a roller, 5 is a porous body, and 6 is thin. Ink layer of the layer (illustrated in thick layers for clarity in the figure). The recording body 3 is formed by forming a recording layer 1 having the same action as the recording body (A) on the surface of a substrate 2 made of resin or the like, and the recording layer 1 retreats with respect to the liquid when brought into contact with the liquid in a heated state. It is a substance whose contact angle decreases. The thin ink layer 6 becomes a liquid at the temperature below which the receding contact angle of the liquid, vapor or recording layer 2 begins to decrease, or a solid color of the contact material (B) generating a liquid or vapor is used as a developer. A mixture of the recording agent contained in the roller 4 with the roller 4 as an axis.
Is impregnated in the porous body 5 wound on the outer side of.

The recording medium 3 is in contact with the thin ink layer 6 and is heated according to an image signal before or at the time of contact to form a lyophilic image pattern having a receding contact angle. A recording agent is attached to the image pattern, and the recording agent is transferred to recording paper (not shown). JP-A-6-480
In the recording apparatus according to the publication No. 10, when the developing unit is moved by using the recording body 3 similar to the above, the ink is not attracted and the ink between the continuously formed latent image portions is not separated, and the background stain is generated. In order to prevent the occurrence of the occurrence, the developing device is configured to be developed twice including the primary developing process using the thin layer ink, and the recording apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 14 is a partial view for explaining a conventional recording apparatus. In the figure, 7 is a skin layer, and the skin layer 7 is a cylindrical porous body 5 impregnated with a recording agent. The porous body 5 is integrally joined to the outer periphery thereof, and many small-diameter holes (not shown) are provided in contact with the recording body 3. In addition, in this case, the pore diameter inside the porous body 5 is set to be large to some extent so that the recording agent (ink) impregnated inside is easily moved, and the ink supplied from the skin layer 7 having a small pore diameter. In order to reduce the number of layers, a thin layer of ink is supplied to the latent image on the recording medium 3 to prevent background stains caused by the ink remaining unseparated between successive latent image portions.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a stamp base for stamping, in which 8 is an ink-impregnated felt material, 9 is a cloth, and 10 is a base. The stamp base for stamps shown in FIG. 15 is a known product and is generally commercially available. In this structure, the surface of the ink-impregnated felt material 8 is covered with the cloth 9 and placed on the base 10. When stamping is performed, the letterpress plate, which is a recording medium, is pressed in while the stamp base does not move. King is held.

[0011]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The inventors of the present invention have made an extremely thin layer in which the thickness of the ink layer on the recording body 3 is 500 μm or less (desirably 100 μm or less) at the contact portion with the recording body 3 during development. Although it has been confirmed that the background stain is likely to occur if the ink layer is not supplied, the condition of the recording method according to Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-16515 is that the ink layer has a thickness of 500 μm or less. If you try to meet
It is impossible to satisfy the condition unless the pore diameter of the porous body 5 is reduced. However, if the pore diameter is made smaller, the fluid resistance becomes larger, so that the ink inside the porous body 5 is less likely to move to the surface, which causes a problem that the ink supply becomes insufficient.

Further, in the recording apparatus according to Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-48010, the porous body 5 having the skin layer 7 has a structure in which the skin layer 7 and the internal porous portion 5 are integrally formed, and a material such as urethane foam is used. It can be produced only by molding process. For this reason, there are processing restrictions on the combination of the pore size inside the porous body 5 and the pore size of the skin layer 7, and it is often difficult to optimize each pore size. In addition, the manufacturing cost is high. Further, since the skin layer 7 has a large fluid resistance, it is difficult to fill high viscosity ink. Furthermore, in the stamp base shown in FIG. 15, inscription is performed by pressing a letterpress plate in a stationary state, and either or both of the flat plate recording body 3 and the developing member are not driven. .

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides
(1) To provide a recording device capable of developing with reliable ink supply with a simple structure, (2) In (1), to realize the recording device with the simplest structure,
(3) Stable development against changes in the external environment,
(4) To widen the range of use of the ink material compared to (3), (5) to further stabilize the development by stabilizing the ink supply, (6) in (5), the ink extraction means The purpose is to make maintenance free and (7) prevent background stains during development.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides (1) a recording body having on its surface a recording layer whose receding contact angle with respect to a fluid changes when heated and cooled in contact with the liquid. A liquid or vapor, or a solid contact member that becomes liquid or vapor when heated, and the recording member and the contact member are in contact with each other, and selectively heated according to image information. A recording device having a heating means for heating and a developing means for bringing a recording material containing a coloring material into contact with the surface of the recording material, or the contact member and the recording material are integrated and selectively heated according to image information. In the recording apparatus having a developing unit that simultaneously develops, the developing unit is configured to be separably and integrally formed with a recording agent holding member that holds the recording agent and a fluid control member that controls the flow rate of the recording agent, And the record And the developing means are in contact with each other, and the relative speed at the contact point when developing on the recording medium is zero, and (2) in (1), the fluid control member is set to the recording agent. And a recording material contained in the fluid control member in the fluid control member in (1) or (2). (4) In the above (1) or (2), in the fluid control member, the recording when the recording agent passes through the fluid control member. A recording medium having a flow path shape changing means for changing the flow path length or the flow path cross section of the agent; and (5) in the above (1), the recording medium in the moving direction in which the recording medium moves toward the developing position. In front of the developing position of the Recording agent holding member from the provision of the recording agent extraction means for extracting the recording agent to the fluid control member surface, and further, (6) the (5)
The recording agent extracting means is a heating means for heating the developing means in a non-contact manner, and (7) in (5) above, the recording agent extracting means is provided between the recording agent extracting means and the developing means. A recording agent smoothing means for smoothing the recording agent on the surface of the developing means is provided.

[0015]

First, a recording medium having a surface whose receding contact angle decreases when it comes into contact with a liquid in a heated state is heated at a temperature at which the receding contact angle decreases according to an image to form an image pattern by a latent image. At the same time when the image pattern is formed by the latent image, development is performed by the ink supply member (developing member). The ink supply member includes an ink holding member (recording agent holding member) and an ink flow rate control member that controls the flow of ink fluid.
Even if the ink viscosity changes, the ink layer thickness is 500 μm or less and the image quality is sharp and the background stain is less likely to occur.
Desirably, the ink is made a thin layer by controlling the ink so that the ink has a thin layer of 100 μm or less, and performing the development with the relative speed at the contact position between the recording medium and the ink supply member being substantially zero. Along with this, an image with a sharp image is obtained.

[0016]

【Example】

Embodiment 1 (corresponding to claim 1) The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a simplified developing section and improved reliability as described in the first object. A recording material (a member containing a coloring material, which will be referred to as an ink hereinafter) is always held at a predetermined thin thickness for recording. Regarding the thickness of the ink, as a result of the evaluation by the present inventors, it has been found that the image thickness is sharper and the background stain is less likely to occur as the thickness of the ink contacting the recording material on the developing member is extremely thin. .

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the relationship among a recording medium, a developing member and an ink layer, in which 11 is an ink layer. Note that, in order to avoid complication, in the drawings after FIG. 1, the parts having the same operations as those shown in the drawings after FIG. 13 and the drawings after FIG. Reference numbers are attached. The recording body 3 has on its surface a recording layer 1 whose receding contact angle decreases when heated and in contact with a liquid, and the recording layer 1 has a temperature at which the receding contact angle decreases according to an image signal. When heated, a latent image having the lyophilicity of the image pattern is formed. The developing roller 4 contains liquid ink and is in contact with the recording body 3 through the ink layer 11, and the ink layer 11 is the recording layer 1.
The latent image having the image pattern formed thereon is adhered to and developed.

The ink is a liquid, a vapor, or a mixture of a coloring material with a contact material which is a liquid or vapor that generates liquid at a temperature below which the receding contact angle starts to decrease.
Examples of the liquid include an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte in addition to water, a polar liquid such as ethanol, and a nonpolar liquid such as n-alkane.
As the vapor, in addition to water vapor, liquid vapor of a contact material or the like can be used, and as the solid, higher fatty acid, low molecular weight polyethylene, polymer gel, silica gel or the like can be mentioned. The contact materials for these liquids, vapors, and solids include the above contact materials and the invention of the present inventors' prior application (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-1784).
The same materials described in Japanese Patent No. 78) can be applied.

The thickness of the ink layer 11 is preferably 500 μm or less, and more preferably 100 μm or less. Further, as a suitable viscosity, it is effective in a wide range of 10 centipoise to 10 ⁴ poise, but from the viewpoint of reliability, it is 1 poise to 1 poise.
A high viscosity of 0 ⁴ poise is desirable.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the basic configuration of the recording apparatus according to the present invention.
(B) and (c) show the basic configuration of the recording apparatus in each embodiment. In the figure, 12 is a thermal head, 13 is a recording material roller, 14 is an ink supply member (developing member), 15 is a substrate, 16 Is an ink holding member, 17 is a fluid control unit, 18
Is a semiconductor laser.

The recording apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the ink supply member 14 directly performs the development. The ink supply member 14 is a substrate 15 and a developing member provided on the substrate 15, and holds the ink. It comprises a member 16 and a fluid control member for controlling the flow of the ink fluid. At this time, the dimensions of the recording body 3 and the ink supply member 14, the thickness of the substrate 15, the ink holding member 16, the fluid control member 1
The thickness of 5 does not matter. Next, FIG. 2 (a), (b),
Three basic configurations shown in (c) will be described.

The structure of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2A is an example in which a latent image is formed by another apparatus, and the recording material is wound around a support such as a roller and developed, and the ink supply member 14 is fixed. Then, only the recording body 3 is made movable during development. Recording body 3, as shown in FIG. 2 (a) _1, in a different device, the film-like recording medium 3 is brought into contact with the thermal head 12, formed on the surface of the recording body 3 by driving the thermal head After the recording layer (not shown) is heated to form a latent image pattern having a receding contact angle according to the image signal, the recording medium 3
It is wound on the recording body roller 13 as shown in FIG. ₂ (a) 2. The recording body 3 wound around the recording body roller 13 is rotated in the arrow R direction while being in contact with the fluid control member 17 provided on the upper surface of the ink supply member 14, and is moved on the ink supply member 14 in the arrow F direction. It is developed.
Since the ink flow rate of the ink in the ink holding member 16 is controlled by the fluid control member 17, the ink thickness does not exceed the predetermined value shown above. Therefore, the recording body 3 can obtain a recorded image which is sharp and has no color stain due to the thin ink layer.

The recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2B is an example in which latent image formation and development are performed independently in the same apparatus, and both the recording body 3 and the ink supply member 14 are movable. In the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2B, the recording body 3 is
It is wound around the recording body roller 13 and near the recording body 3,
A thermal head 12 that contacts the recording body 3 is provided. The ink supply member 14 has a cylindrical shape in which the fluid control member 16 is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the ink holding member 14 wound on the roller 4, and the ink supply member 14 and the recording body 3 rotate in the directions of the arrows ± R. A latent image pattern is formed on the recording body 3 by driving and heating the thermal head 12 that is driven and is in contact with the cylindrical recording body 3, and the ink of the ink holding member 16 is thinned by the fluid control member 17 with respect to this latent image pattern. It is controlled and developed to be a layer.

The recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2C is the same as that shown in FIG.
Similar to the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2, this is an example in which latent image formation and development are integrally performed in the same apparatus, but the recording body 3 is rotated at a fixed position and only the ink supply member 14 is movable. The recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2C has a cylindrical ink supply member 14 in which a fluid control member 17 similar to that shown in FIG. The plate-shaped recording body 3 is linearly driven in the direction of arrow F while rotating in the direction of the arrow and in contact with the ink supply member 14, and at the same time,
The semiconductor laser 18 is heated and developed by a laser beam 18b formed by a lens 18a.

The relative speed between the recording body 3 and the ink supply body 14 is set to be zero in any of the recording apparatuses shown in FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b) and 2 (c). However, the relative speed is not always zero, and in the moving direction of the recording body 3 or the ink supply member 14, both of them may rub against each other on the joint surface at a distance of ± 500 μm at any speed. It means that the relative velocity is almost zero. As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2 </ b> B, and 2 </ b> C, the recording device has a structure in which the ink supply member 14 fulfills the functions of the recording medium 3 in the order of the ink flow rate control member 17 and the ink holding material 16. It is desirable that the flow rate control member 17 and the ink holding member 16 can be separated independently. This is because by filling the ink holding member 16 and then joining the flow rate control member 17, ink filling can be performed quickly and easily.

In the above, the dimensions of the recording body 3, the dimensions of the ink supply member 14, the thickness of the substrate 15, and the thicknesses of the ink holding member 16 and the fluid control member 17 are the same, and
The recording layer material is the same as that of the above-mentioned prior invention (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-178478).
The same material as No. 1) can be applied. The ink as a recording agent may be either water-based or oil-based, and for example, the materials described in JP-A-3-178478 are suitable. By the way, the ink holding member 16 used in the present invention refers to the ink and its supporting substrate (not shown) in the case of the ink having extremely high viscosity and almost no fluidity. In the case of fluid ink, a member that can be in a state in which the ink is not dripping from the ink holding member 16 unless an external force works even if the ink is left in the ink holding member 16 is used as the holding member. Next, with the fluid control member 17 that controls the flow of the ink fluid used in the present invention, when an external force is applied to the ink supply member 17, the flow rate per time when the ink is extracted to the surface of the member becomes a constant flow rate. A member that is controlled as described above.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the fluid control member 17, in which 19 is a magnet and 20 is a cloth, and a magnetic fluid is used as the ink contained in the ink holding member 16. belongs to. The fluid control member 17 is composed of a magnet 19 and a cloth 20, and the magnet 19 and the cloth 20 are laminated on the ink holding member 16 in this order, and are configured integrally with the ink holding member 16. To control the ink flow rate. Further, as another ink flow rate control means, there is a method of controlling the ink flow rate by an electric field utilizing an electroosmosis phenomenon. Next, the configuration of the ink holding member 16 will be described.

The shape of the ink holding member 16 is preferably a flat surface or a gentle curved surface when only the recording body 3 is movable, and is preferably a roller shape or a belt shape when the ink holding member 16 is movable. The movable driving source may be either the recording body 3 or the ink holding member 16 side. As mentioned above, with the ink itself,
When the substrate 15 is the ink holding member 16, it is desirable that the ink exhibits almost no fluidity and the viscosity is 10 or less.
⁵ poise or more is suitable. In addition, a gel state is also included in this. For viscosities lower than that, those having the constitution shown in the following figures are suitable.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining an example of the form of the ink holding member for low viscosity ink, and FIG.
Is a porous material such as a sponge, FIG. 4 (b) is a mixture of spherical particles and ink, and FIG. 4 (c) is a groove member.
In the figure, 21 is an ink, 22 is a porous body, 23 is a spherical particle, and 24 is a groove. The ink holding member 16 shown in FIG. 4A is one in which the ink 21 is contained in the pores of a porous body 22 such as a sponge, and a fluid control member 17 is provided on the surface. Ink holding member 1 shown in FIG.
6 is a mixture of spherical particles 23 and ink 21,
A fluid control member 17 is provided on the surface. FIG.
The ink holding member 16 shown in (c) is a groove 24a formed in a substrate such as the groove 24, the ink 21 is contained between the grooves 24a, and the fluid control member 17 is provided on the surface. In addition, the pore diameter of the pores 22a of the porous body 22,
The diameter of the spherical particles 23 and the shape of the groove 24a of the groove 24 are set according to the viscosity of the ink. Further, if these members have elasticity, they can be developed at a low developing pressure, so that the background stain of the image hardly occurs and the reliability is increased. A pressure pump can also be used as a means for supplying ink.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example in which the ink holding member according to the present invention is a hollow roller.
Reference numeral 5 is a hollow roller, and 26 is a pressure pump. The hollow roller 25 shown in FIG. 5 has a fluid control member 17 on the outer peripheral wall thereof, and rotary shafts 25a and 25b provided on the end faces thereof.
The rotary shaft 25b on one side is provided with an ink supply pipe 26a that communicates with a pressure pump 26 for ink and communicates with the inside of the hollow roller 25. The ink 21 in the hollow roller 25 is applied with an appropriate pressure by the pressure pump 26. It is pressurized, flows out from the flow rate control member 17, and is used for development. In the configuration of the recording apparatus according to the above invention, the simpler the configuration of the fluid control member 17 of the ink supply member 14 that controls the flow of ink, the lower the product cost. An example for this purpose will now be described.

Second Embodiment (Corresponding to Claim 2) In the invention corresponding to the second embodiment, in the ink supply member 14, the fluid control member 17 for controlling the ink flow is a fluid matched to the viscosity of the ink to be used. It is characterized by being composed of a layered structure having a resistance value. In order to know the flow rate of the ink of the ink supply member 14 flowing through the fluid control member 17, it is necessary to know the relationship between the fluid resistance and the viscosity with respect to the flow rate. In general, the ink flow rate and the fluid resistance are uniquely defined by the pressure acting on the fluid, the ink viscosity, and the flow channel shape (flow channel length × flow channel cross-sectional area), as in the following equations (1) and (2). Stipulated in. Flow rate = pressure ÷ fluid resistance (1) Fluid resistance = viscosity x flow path length ÷ flow path cross-sectional area (2) To develop the ink in a thin layer, the ink is supplied by the ink supply member (developing section) 14. It is sufficient that a desired fixed amount of flow rate is secured when the pressure is applied. It is possible to set the ink flow rate to a desired constant value by setting the fluid resistance value if the pressure is determined.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the fluid control member according to the present invention. The fluid control member 17 is a plate-like member that serves as a resistance against the ink flow. It has a fluid resistance layer 17a having a layered structure such as a film in which holes 17b in which ink flows or a flow path 17b of an analogue thereof is formed in the direction toward the recording body 3. The fluid resistance of the fluid control member 17 depends on the ink supply unit (developing unit) 14
In accordance with the design-specified pressure and ink viscosity applied to the developing member, the hole diameter of the flow passage 17b (determines the flow passage cross-sectional area) and the layered structure thickness of the fluid resistance layer 17b ( The target fluid control member 17 is obtained by determining (determining the flow path length). As the film in which the holes of the flow channels 17b are formed, a mesh formed by knitting fibers,
There are cloths, flat films with holes such as circles, and porous bodies such as sponges, and these are suitable as the fluid control member 17.

However, the thinner the layer, the quicker the response to the ink flow and the easier it is to control the fluid. In addition, the larger the area of the flat portion on the film surface, the easier it is for the ink to be thinned in the developing portion. Therefore, with an extremely thin film,
A member having a flat surface and having holes in places is most preferable as the fluid resistance layer 17a. The fluid control member 17 is bonded to the surface of the ink holding member 16 to form the ink supply body 14. At this time, the ink holding member 16 and the fluid control member 17 having the fluid resistance do not need to be fixed at all positions, and may be fixed so as not to separate from the ink holding member 16. However, if it is not fixed properly, the following problems will occur.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a wrinkle which is generated in the fluid resistance member when the fluid resistance member and the ink holding member are not firmly fixed to each other. As shown in FIG. When the holding member 16 is composed of the high-viscosity ink itself having a poise of 10 ⁵ poise or more and the substrate 15, if the fluid control member 17 serving as a fluid resistor is improperly fixed, wrinkles are generated in the fluid control member 17 during development and the image quality is affected. To do. Therefore, the ink holding member 16 for such high viscosity ink
In this case, the fluid resistance layer 17a is preferably a plate-shaped member having four corners fixed and stretched with a large elasticity. Now, the above-mentioned Example 2
In the ink flow rate control by the fluid resistance layer 17a according to the ink viscosity shown in the above, since the ink viscosity changes depending on the external environment of the apparatus, particularly the temperature, the fluid resistance value may change and adversely affect the development. . Next, an embodiment for solving this problem will be described.

Embodiment 3 (corresponding to claim 3) FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an example of means for changing the ink viscosity inside the ink holding member according to the present invention, in which 27 is a viscosity control. It is a means. 8A and 8B, in which the recording medium 3 and the ink holding member 16 move together, in the vicinity of the developing position where the viscosity control means 27 develops on the recording medium 3 by the fluid control member 17, for example, It is provided on the front side or inside the ink holding member 16.
The viscosity control unit 27 is for controlling the ink flow rate by adjusting the ink viscosity according to the change of the external environment. As the unit capable of changing the ink viscosity, a heating unit or a solvent vapor capable of dissolving the ink is used. A means for spraying the ink or an energizing means is suitable when the ink is a gel-like member. Changes in the external environment are detected as temperature, and the ink viscosity is adjusted based on the temperature-viscosity calibration curve to control the flow rate. These control means have better responsiveness and are easier to control when they are as close to the developing portion position as possible. Now, in the above solution means of controlling the ink flow rate by adjusting the ink viscosity according to the change of the external environment, the ink material that can be used is limited in the case of the ink using the soluble vapor or the gel-like ink except the heating means. In some cases, expensive materials are used. Therefore, the configuration of the device that can control the flow rate with respect to changes in the external environment of the device even with ink of an inexpensive material is described.

Embodiment 4 (corresponding to claim 4) FIG. 9 is a view for explaining another embodiment of the fluid control member according to the present invention. FIG. 9 (a) is a flow path of the fluid resistance layer. When the cross-sectional area is changed, FIG. 9B shows an example when the flow path length of the fluid resistance layer is changed. Flow path 17 of FIG. 9 (a)
c is provided in the inner wall of the hole that serves as a flow path and penetrates the film-shaped fluid control member 17, and is a cylindrical body formed of a material whose volume changes by the action of heating or an electric field or a magnetic field, Due to the above action, the cross-sectional area of the flow path 17c is changed and the fluid (ink) flow resistance is controlled based on the equation (1). The flow path 17d in FIG. 9B is the above-mentioned flow path 17d.
c A cylindrical body formed of a material whose flow path length is changed by the action of heating, an electric field or a magnetic field similar to c, and the length of the flow passage 17d is changed by the above action. Flow resistance is controlled.

As shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), means for changing the flow path length or flow path cross-sectional area by a method such as heating is provided near the surface of the fluid control member 17 or inside the ink holding member 16. And control the flow of ink fluid.
As a material used for the means capable of changing the flow path length or the flow path cross-sectional area, a material exhibiting a volume change (expansion / contraction by heat) due to heating can be used. Besides, p like gel
A material that exhibits a volume change due to H change or an electric field, or a material that can be moved by a magnetic field such as a magnetic fluid is also effective. In addition,
As a method of forming the channels 17c and 17d, a method of applying a liquid obtained by dissolving or dispersing these members to the fluid resistance layer 17a and drying it is effective. Furthermore, the fluid resistance layer 17
When a is a fiber such as a mesh, it is also effective to control the cross-sectional area of the flow path by the fluid resistance layer 17a itself by utilizing expansion / contraction of the diameter of the fiber due to heating. In the case of using the heating means, the ink viscosity is reduced by the heat, so it is necessary to control the flow path length and the like in consideration of the viscosity reduction amount.

In any of the above inventions, the ink can be extracted from the ink supply body 14 when the recording body 3 and the ink supply body 14 contact each other at the developing portion. Since the fluid control member 17 on the upper surface is composed of the fluid resistance layer 17a and the like, when the ink is pressurized in the developing portion, the responsiveness that the ink is extracted to the surface is not necessarily good. When the recording speed is slow (100 mm / s
ec or less), the response is sufficient, but when the recording speed is high, there is a possibility that ink supply may not be in time. Next, an invention that solves this point will be described.

Fifth Embodiment (corresponding to claim 5) In the invention of claim 5 according to the fifth embodiment, a means for extracting ink from the ink supply member 14 (developing member) to the surface is provided at a position before development. It is a thing. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the ink extracting means according to the present invention.
Reference numeral 26 is an ink extracting means, and the ink extracting means 26 is provided near the developing position of the ink supply member 14. The most reliable means for extracting the ink in advance as the ink extracting means 26 is a means for pressurizing the surface of the ink supply member 14, as shown in FIG. As the pressurizing method, a spring, an electromagnetic or pneumatic actuator (solenoid, air cylinder, etc.), an ultrasonic vibrating body, etc. are effective. The shape of the pressing member is not particularly limited, and a member having a curvature like a roller or a plate material having elasticity like a blade is effective. Further, it is more desirable that the shape of the ink extracting means 26 does not rub against the ink supply member 14 as in the case of a rotating roller that rotates in the same direction, as it does not burden the drive system. Further, it is desirable that the surface of the ink extracting means 26 has ink repellency. Specifically, when the ink is water-based, silicone resin or fluororesin, and when the ink is oil-based, a member having a fluororesin on its surface is suitable as the pressing member of the ink extracting means 26.

In the method of contacting the ink supply member 14 as a means for extracting the above-mentioned ink, it is unavoidable that the ink adheres to the surface of the ink extracting means 26 during long-time use, and the ink adheres. On the contrary, there is a possibility that the ink extraction means 26 becomes an ink supply member to supply an excessive amount of ink and a desired ink layer cannot be obtained in the developing section. The sixth embodiment is made to avoid this.

Embodiment 6 (corresponding to claim 6) As an ink extracting means for extracting ink in advance, it is desirable that it is not in contact with the ink supply member (developing member) 14. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a means for extracting ink in advance according to the present invention. In the figure, 27 is a means for extracting ink in advance. Means 27 for extracting ink in advance
Is provided in front of the developing position without contacting the ink supply member 14. As shown in FIG. 11, as a method of extracting the ink from the ink supply body 14 to the surface in a non-contact manner, the ink permeation rate in the fluid control member 17 is increased by heating the ink to reduce the ink viscosity and increase the fluidity. It is effective to speed up. At this time, the heating temperature and the heating time are the fluid resistance value of the fluid control member 17 which is the specification of the device,
It is set according to the viscosity of the ink in the ink holding member 14, and is set so that the viscosity of the ink is 100 centipoises or less, more preferably 10 centipoises or less by the heating means. As a heating method, use of long-wavelength radiation such as infrared rays and far infrared rays and electromagnetic induction heating are effective. The position of the heating source is set to a position where the ink is cooled sufficiently after heating so that the viscosity of the ink extracted in the developing unit becomes the specified viscosity. Now, in the above, the ink extracted in advance does not always have a flat surface shape on the surface of the ink supply member 14. The inventors of the present invention have confirmed that if the surface of the extracted ink layer is not flat, the recording medium 3 is liable to have background stains during development. The means for solving this problem will be described below.

Seventh Embodiment (corresponding to claim 7) In the invention according to the seventh embodiment, the ink supply member 14 is provided between the developing device 27 and the means 27 for extracting ink in advance in FIG.
Ink smoothing means for smoothing the ink surface is provided. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the ink smoothing means according to the present invention, in which 28 is an ink smoothing means. As the ink smoothing unit 28, for example, a pressure unit or the like is effective, and is installed between the unit 27 for extracting ink and the developing position in advance. As a member of the ink smoothing means 28, it is desirable that the surface exhibits ink repellency. Specifically, when the ink is water-based, a silicone resin or fluororesin is suitable, and when it is oil-based, a member having a fluororesin on its surface is suitable as a pressing member of the ink smoothing means 28.
The form of the pressurizing member is not particularly limited, but if the surface of the ink supply member 14 is not rubbed like a rotating roller, the driving system will not be overloaded. Furthermore, if the pressure member of the ink smoothing unit 28 has elasticity, the uniformity of the applied pressure becomes higher. The elastic range is not particularly limited, but rubber elasticity of about 30 to 80 degrees is suitable.

Specific examples of the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. Specific Example 1 Recording Material: Base: Polyimide Film (Thickness: 15 μm) Recording Layer: Fluorine-Containing Acrylate Resin (Commercial Product: Daikin Industries TG702, Layer Thickness: 1 μm) Ink: Black Magnetic Pigment 20 wt% + Ethylene Glycol 45 wt% + Moisture + dispersant (ink viscosity: about 100 centipoise) Recording speed: about 10 mm / s Ink supply member (developing member) Ink holding member: Polyurethane foam sheet (6 mm thick) with pore diameter of 60 μm is impregnated with ink Fluid control member of ink: 5m wide on the surface of the ink holding member
Strip-shaped magnets each having a thickness of 1 mm and a thickness of 1 mm were arranged at intervals of 1 mm, and a cotton cloth having a thickness of about 0.3 mm was put on the surface thereof. The recording material film on which a latent image was prepared in advance was wound around a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm, and was manually rolled on the ink supply member for development (configuration of FIG. 2A). As a result, as compared with the case where the ink fluid control member was not provided, the background stain was improved although the image density was low.

Specific Example 2 (Specific Example of Claim 2) Recording Body: Base: PET Film (Thickness 10 μm) Recording Layer: Fluorine-Containing Acrylate Resin (Commercial Asahi Glass AG710 Layer Thickness: 1 μm) Ink: Black Direct Dye 20wt% + ethyleneglycol 45wt% + polyvinylpyrrolidone 35wt% (viscosity: about 10 ⁴ poise) Latent image forming means: thermal head (Toshiba 300dpi pulse width 1msec voltage 17V) latent image forming liquid: ink itself recording speed: 10mm / s Structure of ink supply member (developing member) Ink holding member: A brass roller (diameter 100 mm) in which a group (depth: 300 μm pitch 300 μm) is formed is coated with ink Fluid control member: 230 as a film having fluid resistance The mesh sheet of was used. This sheet was attached to the ink holding member with its four corners fixed. The recording material film was wound around a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm, brought into contact with the above-mentioned ink supply member roller, and the recording material was moved by a motor (the developing roller was rotated together) to develop (FIG. 2 (c)). Constitution). As a result, the background stain was significantly improved as compared with the case without the fluid resistance layer.

Specific Example 3 (Specific Example of Claim 3) Recording Body: Base: Seamless Polyimide Film (15 μm) A4 Length Recording Layer: Fluorine-Containing Acrylate Resin (1 μm) Ink: Black Direct Dye 20 wt% + Ethylene Glycol 25 wt% + Polyvinylpyrrolidone 55wt% (The viscosity is set high considering that it is heated. Viscosity is about 10 ⁵ poise) Latent image forming means: Thermal head (Toshiba 300dpi pulse width 1msec voltage 17V) Latent image forming liquid: water recording Speed: 10 mm / s Structure of ink supply member (developing member) Ink holding member: Polyurethane foam material (pore size 60
(μm) impregnated with ink Fluid control member for ink: A filter sheet (Teflon filter pore diameter 5 μm) was used as a film having fluid resistance. This sheet was attached to the ink holding member with its four corners fixed. Member for changing ink viscosity: Silicone rubber roller (diameter 30 mm) with a built-in infrared heater. This roller was rotatably contacted with the surface of the ink supply member as shown in FIG. The temperature inside the apparatus was detected, and the development was performed with the configuration of FIG. 8 while controlling the temperature of the surface of the silicone roller to be about 30 ° C. As a result, in the apparatus temperature range of 5 ° C. to 30 ° C., there was no difference in background dirt with respect to temperature change, and the developing state was stable.

Specific Example 4 (Specific Example of Claim 4) Recording Body: Base: Polyimide Film (Thickness 15 μm) Recording Layer: Fluorine-Containing Acrylate Resin (1 μm) Ink: Black Direct Dye 20% by Weight + Ethylene Glycol 45% by Weight + Polyvinylpyrrolidone Composition of 35 wt% ink supply member (developing member) Ink holding member: Polyurethane foam material (pore size 60
(μm) impregnated with ink Fluid control member for ink: Nickel film with innumerable pores of polyacrylamide gel with an average pore diameter of about 100 μm
(Thickness 20 μm) was coated so as not to block the holes. This nickel film was used as one electrode, and a counter electrode of a single plate was provided at a position immediately before development as shown in FIG. 8 so that an electric field could be applied between the nickel electrode and the counter electrode. When the temperature inside the device was detected and an electric field was applied between the electrodes, the volume change of the polyacrylamide gel was slow.
When the recording speed was within the range of 3 mm / sec or less, the image quality was stable against the external temperature change.

Specific Example 5 (Specific Example of Claim 5) Recording Body: Base: Polyimide Film (15 μm) Recording Layer: Fluorine-Containing Acrylate Resin (1 μm) Ink: Black Direct Dye 20 wt% + Ethylene Glycol 45 wt% + Polyvinylpyrrolidone 35 wt % Latent image forming means: Thermal head (Toshiba 300 dpi pulse width 1 msec, voltage 17 V) Latent image forming liquid: water Recording speed: 50 mm / s Composition of ink supply member (developing member) Ink holding member: Polyurethane foam material (pore diameter 60
A roller (outer diameter 50 mm) having a thickness of 5 mm is impregnated with ink. Fluid control member of ink: No. 230 mesh sheet is used as a film having fluid resistance. This sheet was attached to the ink holding member with its four corners fixed. A member for extracting ink in advance: a rotating roller made of silicone rubber (diameter: 10 mm, rubber elasticity: 30 degrees) A recording material film on which a latent image has been formed in advance is wound around a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm, and as shown in FIG. The silicone roller was placed at a position 20 mm away from the above, and pressed with a linear pressure of 25 gf / cm. As a result, the image density on the recording material was higher than when the silicone roller was not used. Of course, there was almost no dirt.

Specific Example 6 (Specific Example of Claim 6) Recording Body: Base: Polyimide Film (15 μm) Recording Layer: Fluorine-Containing Acrylate Resin (1 μm) Ink: Black Direct Dye 20 wt% + Ethylene Glycol 45 wt% + Polyvinylpyrrolidone 35 wt % Latent image forming means: Thermal head (Toshiba 300dpi, pulse width 1msec, voltage 17V) Latent image forming liquid: water Recording speed: 10mm / s Composition of ink supply member (developing member) Ink holding member: Polyurethane foam material (pore diameter 60
a roller (outer diameter 50 mm) formed to have a thickness of 5 mm and an ink impregnated fluid control member of ink: a mesh sheet No. 230 was used as a film having fluid resistance. This sheet was attached to the ink holding member with its four corners fixed. A member for extracting ink in advance: 10 W rod-shaped infrared lamp Set so that the surface of the ink supply member is at 50 ° C. A recording material film on which a latent image is formed in advance is wound around a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm, and a developing position is set as shown in FIG. The infrared lamp was placed 10 mm away from the ink supply member at a position 20 mm away from the ink supply member. As a result, the image density on the recording material was higher than when the infrared lamp was not used. Further, the stability was high against repeated recording as compared with the contact method. Of course, there was almost no dirt.

Specific Example 7 (Specific Example of Claim 7) Recording Body: Base: Polyimide Film (15 μm) Recording Layer: Fluorine-Containing Acrylate Resin (1 μm) Ink: Black Direct Dye 20 wt% + Ethylene Glycol 45 wt% + Polyvinylpyrrolidone 35 wt % Latent image forming means: Thermal head (Toshiba 300 dpi pulse width 1 msec, voltage 17 V) Latent image forming liquid: water Recording speed: 10 mm / s Composition of ink supply member (developing member) Ink holding member: Polyurethane foam material (pore size 60
A roller (outer diameter 50 mm) having a thickness of 5 mm is impregnated with ink. Ink fluid control member: No. 230 mesh sheet is used as a film having fluid resistance. This sheet was attached to the ink holding member with its four corners fixed. Ink extraction member in advance: 10 W rod infrared lamp Ink supply member set so that the surface of the ink supply member is at 50 ° C. Smoothing means for extracted ink: Silicon rubber rotating roller (diameter 10 mm, rubber elasticity 30 °) A latent image is prepared in advance. The above recording film was wound around a rubber roller having a diameter of 50 mm, and as shown in FIG. 12, the infrared lamp was placed 10 mm away from the ink supplying member at a position 20 mm away from the developing position in the circumferential length. Further, a smoothing means for the extracted ink is arranged between the developing section and the infrared lamp. As a result, as compared with the case where only this infrared lamp was used, scumming was less likely to occur.

[0050]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. Effect corresponding to claim 1: Compared with the conventional recording apparatus, the apparatus can be downsized, maintenance can be facilitated, and the number of parts can be reduced. Effect corresponding to claim 2: In the recording apparatus according to claim 1, the lowest cost can be realized. Effect corresponding to claim 3: The reliability can be improved as compared with the recording apparatus according to claim 2. Effect corresponding to claim 4: Compared with the recording apparatus according to claim 3, an inexpensive ink material can be used, and the ink cost can be reduced. Effect corresponding to claim 5: The reliability can be improved as compared with the recording apparatus according to claims 3 and 4. Effect corresponding to claim 6: The reliability can be improved as compared with the recording apparatus according to claim 5. Effect corresponding to claim 7: The image quality is improved as compared with the conventional recording apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a relationship among a recording body, a developing member, and an ink layer.

FIG. 2 is a first embodiment which is the basis of the recording apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a figure for explaining.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a fluid control member.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining an example of the form of an ink holding member for low viscosity ink.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the ink holding member according to the present invention is a hollow roller.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a fluid control member according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining wrinkles that occur in the fluid resistance member that occurs when the fluid resistance member and the ink holding member are not firmly fixed to each other.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an example of means for changing the ink viscosity inside the ink holding member according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the flow rate control member according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an ink extracting unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an ink extracting unit according to the present invention in advance.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an ink smoothing unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a conventional recording method.

FIG. 14 is a partial view for explaining a conventional recording device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a stamp base for stamp marks.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Ink layer, 12 ... Thermal head, 13 ... Recording member roller, 14 ... Ink supply member (developing member), 15 ... Substrate, 16 ... Ink holding member, 17 ... Fluid control member, 19
... magnet, 20 ... cloth, 21 ... ink, 22 ... porous body, 2
3 ... Spherical particles, 24 ... Grooves, 25 ... Hollow rollers, 2
6 ... Pressurizing pump, 27 ... Viscosity control means, 26 ... Ink extracting means, 27 ... Means for extracting ink in advance, 28 ... Ink smoothing means.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location 7416-2H B41M 5/26 Z

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A recording body having a recording layer on the surface of which the receding contact angle with respect to a fluid changes when heated and cooled in contact with a liquid, and a liquid or vapor, or a liquid or vapor when heated. A contact member that is a solid that is generated, a heating unit that selectively heats the recording body and the contact member in contact with each other according to image information, and a recording agent that contains a coloring material on the surface of the recording body A recording device having developing means for
Alternatively, in a recording apparatus having a developing unit that integrally forms the contact member and the recording agent and that simultaneously develops by selectively heating according to image information, the developing unit holds the recording agent. And a fluid control member for controlling the flow rate of the recording agent, which is separably and integrally formed, and the recording body and the developing means are in contact with each other, and relative to each other at a contact point when developing on the recording body. A recording device having a zero speed. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid control member is a layered structure having a fluid resistance value according to the viscosity of the recording agent. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid control member includes a viscosity changing unit that changes the viscosity of the recording agent contained in the fluid control member. 4. The fluid control member has a flow passage shape changing means for changing a flow passage length or a flow passage cross section of the recording agent when the recording agent passes through the fluid control member. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2. 5. The recording agent is extracted from the recording agent holding member of the developing means to the surface of the fluid control member in front of the developing position of the recording body in the moving direction in which the recording body moves toward the developing position. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording agent extraction unit. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording agent extracting unit is a heating unit that heats the developing unit in a non-contact manner. 7. The recording agent smoothing means for smoothing the recording agent on the surface of the developing means is provided between the recording agent extracting means and the developing means. Recording device.