JP3387680B2 - Developing device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device, and more particularly to a developing device for directly developing a recording medium using a solid or semi-solid ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 (a) is a schematic view of a main part of a conventional developing device, that is, a developing device using a liquid developer (hereinafter referred to as ink). Reference numeral 2 is a developing roller (developing member), 3 is an ink supply member (sponge roller impregnated with liquid ink), and the image quality is poor in direct development in which the ink supply member 3 directly develops on a recording medium. Ink is supplied to the developing member 2 having a smooth surface, and development is performed via the developing member 2.

[0003]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, since the liquid ink is used, the handling thereof is troublesome. For example, when replenishing the ink, it is disposed in contact with the developing roller using a pump. Ink must be replenished to the porous ink supply roller, which makes the device larger and
Further, there is a problem that noise is generated due to contact rotation between the ink supply roller and the developing roller during driving.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in particular, as shown in FIG. 10B, a solid or semi-solid ink 10 is used, which facilitates handling of the ink. The purpose of this is to improve the efficiency and simplify the device.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, (1) when a surface is heated in contact with a liquid, a solid, or a solid (contact member) which becomes a liquid by heating. A developing device that applies a recording material containing a coloring agent to the surface of the recording material, the recording material including a member having a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature,
Or, in the developing device the contact member and the recording material is integrally, solid or semi-solid recording agent using the roller-shaped member formed by molding, low viscosity means that low viscosity of the recording agent as the current image member And a means for keeping the distance to the roller-shaped member constant against changes in the diameter of the roller-shaped member, and ( 2 ) the surface is a liquid, a solid, or a solid that becomes a liquid by heating. When a contact member is heated while being in contact, a recording material composed of a member having a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature is used, and a recording material containing a coloring agent on the surface according to the receding contact angle is used. In a developing device for applying a developing agent or a developing device in which the contact member and the recording agent are integrated, a roller-shaped member formed by molding a solid or semi-solid recording agent is used as the developing member, and the recording body and the roller are used. Of the contact part of the member Means to keep the force constant for the change in diameter of the roller member, and that prior to development with a lower viscosity means for lowering the viscosity of the surface of the recording agent, and further, (3)
When a surface is heated with a liquid, a solid, or a solid (a contact member) that becomes a liquid by heating, a recording body composed of a member that exhibits a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature is used. In a developing device that applies a recording agent containing a coloring agent according to the size of the receding contact angle, or in a developing apparatus in which the contact member and the recording agent are integrated, a solid or semi-solid recording agent is used as the developing member. Using a molded roller-shaped member, it has means for smoothing the surface of the solid or semi-solid recording agent layer and means for lowering the viscosity of the recording agent before development, using means for contact with the roller member as a means, and this with a means for keeping the size of the pressure of said smoothing means to said roller member constant with a change in diameter of the roller member It is characterized by.

[0006]

According to the invention of claim 1, the solid or semi-solid ink is used to directly develop the recording material,
The ease of handling the ink is increased and the system is simplified. According to the second aspect of the invention, when the ink layer surface of the ink roller is developed, the ink is removed according to the image (thickness is 10 to 100 μm). Therefore, when the next image is output as it is, it is changed to the previous image. Ink will not come into contact with the recording body at the corresponding portion, and ink will not be deposited on the latent image portion. Therefore, in the invention of claim 2, after development,
The unevenness of the ink layer is smoothed so that a high-quality image can always be obtained. According to the third aspect of the invention, the position of the smoothing means for the ink layer is specified to improve the smoothing efficiency. In the invention of claim 4, since the roller-shaped member formed by molding the solid or semi-solid ink member consumes ink by development, the diameter becomes smaller each time it is used. Low viscosity means and ink roller
The distance from the surface is kept constant, and the effect of lowering the viscosity of the ink is kept constant. According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the diameter of the ink roller becomes smaller each time it is used. Therefore, the contact pressure between the recording medium and the ink roller is kept constant and the developing pressure is kept constant against the change in the diameter. I try to keep it. In the invention of claim 6, since the diameter of the ink roller becomes smaller each time it is used, the contact pressure between the smoothing means and the ink roller is kept constant against the change of the diameter, and the pressure at the time of smoothing is kept constant. I try to keep it constant.
In the invention of claim 7, the viscosity reducing means and the smoothing means are integrated to simplify the apparatus. In the invention of claim 8, the unevenness of the thickness of the ink layer affects the developing speed and deteriorates the quality of the image. Therefore, the member having the recording medium is used as a driving system or a conveying system, so that the unevenness of speed at the time of developing is caused. To improve the stability of the output image.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1A to 1D are schematic views of the essential parts for explaining an embodiment of the present invention described in claim 1, in which 10 is a solid ink roller and 10a is a solid ink roller. Ink sheet, 11 is a recording body roller, 11a is a recording body belt,
Reference numeral 12 is a means for reducing the viscosity of the ink, and 13
Is a thermal head, and 14 is a liquid (water). As is well known, when the surface of the recording body roller 11 or the recording body belt 11a is in contact with water (FIGS. 1 (a), (b), (d)) The recording body 11 or 1 which is selectively heated by using the thermal head 13 (heating by light may be used instead of the thermal head)
A latent image is formed on 1a (however, in the case of FIG. 1C, the ink roller 10 itself is not the water but the contact member), and this latent image is formed using the solid ink roller 10 or the ink sheet 10a. Well developed, known transfer not shown,
The fixing device transfers and fixes the recording paper.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (d), the latent image forming means and the developing means are carried out non-simultaneously in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b) and 1 (d). In the example of (c), it is performed at the same time. Of course, the configuration shown in FIG. 1D can be performed simultaneously. Here, the recording medium may be wound around a roller-like one (FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b)),
It may be configured in a belt shape (Fig. 1 (c),
(D)). Alternatively, a solid or semi-solid ink molded in a roller shape may be used (FIGS. 1A and 1C).
It may be used by coating it on a film (Fig. 1
(B), (d)). 1 (b) and 1 (d) are configured such that a film-shaped ink sheet is wound from one roller to the other roller. When the ink sheet is repeatedly used, it is wound after use. Need to bring back.

In each of the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, the ink used has a property (for example, thermoplasticity, solubility, etc.) of lowering its viscosity by some action (for example, heating, humidification, etc.). Melting (Aqueous-PVA, etc.
Polyolefin type) and sol-gel transition can be used.
Further, as the soluble polymer, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, etc. (above,
Water-soluble), polystyrene, polycarbonate, etc. (above,
Oiliness) is available. Further, as the viscosity lowering means 12, a method of heating the ink (for example, using an infrared heater), vapor of a liquid capable of dissolving the ink (these liquids are not limited to the solvent of the ink itself) There is a method of spraying (for example, using a humidifier). Using these inks, it acts on the ink on the roller or on the film before development, 500 μm from the ink layer surface.
Depth (more desirably about 100 μm)
Viscosity of ink up to 10 ¹ to 10 ⁴ P during development
(Poise) (more preferably 10 ² to 10 ⁴ P)
So that For the viscosity setting, the optimum value is selected according to the developing speed. With this configuration, a good image can be output on the recording medium.

<Experimental Example 1> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. Developing member: Ink film (base film: PET, ink layer thickness 100 μm) Ink: Thermoplastic ink (oily, solid) Composition Carbon black (average viscosity 1 μm) 10% Low melting point polyethylene oligomer (melting point 60 ° C.) 90% Recording material Roller: Stainless steel roller to which recording material is attached (diameter 8 cm) Low viscosity means: Ceramic heater (width 10 mm, heater surface temperature 50 ° C.) Ceramic heater position: Distance 5 m from ink roller
m, 3 cm in circumference from the development point Recording speed: 10 mm / sec

Evaluation method: In Examples 1 to 3, 7 and 8, the image quality of the image output on the recording medium (background stain condition, ink placement condition) was evaluated. In Examples 4 to 5, the state of the apparatus is checked by changing the diameter of the ink roller. Pressure measurements were made using both force gauges and pressure sensitive paper. Recording material: Fluorine-containing acrylate material TG-702 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) was diluted with Freon 113, and this was coated on a roughened polyimide film (thickness 20 μm). Latent image forming method: In the case of FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b), and 1 (d), the latent image is formed by selectively heating the recording medium with a thermal head while the recording surface of the recording medium is in contact with water. Form an image. However, in the case of FIG. 1C, not the water but the ink roller itself is the contact member. Further, in each of the embodiments, the latent image is formed by the thermal head, but it may be heated by light.

Evaluation result: An image with no background stain is formed on the recording medium although the image density is low.

2 (a) and 2 (b) respectively show claims 2 and 3.
FIG. 4 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of the invention described in
The present invention is characterized in that the smoothing means 15 is placed after the development. Since the ink layer after development has unevenness as the ink is consumed, the unevenness is formed by using the contact-type smoothing means 15 such as a roller or a blade or the same non-contact-type method as the above-mentioned viscosity reducing means. Smooth it. However, members having ink repellency are used for the surfaces of the rollers and blades (for example, silicone resin or the like for water-based ink, fluorine resin or the like for oil-based ink). In that case, it is more effective to smooth the ink at the timing when the viscosity of the ink reduced by the viscosity reducing means does not return to the original. The contact pressure between the roller or blade and the ink layer surface and the nip width are set according to the developing speed and the type of ink. Further, the method of smoothing by using the viscosity lowering means is to greatly reduce the viscosity of the surface of the ink layer (10 P or less) and smooth the ink itself by fluidization. At this time, if a non-contact pressurizing means such as an air knife is used, smoothing can be performed more effectively.

<Experimental Example 2> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as that of FIG. 2 (a). Developing member: Ink roller (outer diameter 8 cm, ink layer thickness 2)
cm) Ink: Gel-like ink (water-based, semi-solid) Blue No. 1 (coloring agent, blue direct dye) 20% Polyvinyl alcohol 30% Ethylene glycol 50% Recording body roller: A recording body attached to a stainless steel roller ( Diameter 8 cm) Low viscosity means: Ceramic heater (width 10 mm, heater surface temperature 60 ° C.) Smoothing means: Silicon rubber roller (diameter 3 cm, rubber hardness 80 °) Pressure applied to ink roller: linear pressure 128.6 g / cm The rotation direction of the roller is set to follow the ink roller. Position of ceramic heater: 5m distance from ink roller
m, 3 cm in circumference from development point Position of silicone rubber roller before: 3 cm in circumference from development point
Post-recording speed: 10 mm / sec Evaluation result An image without scumming is formed on the recording material.
Further, no image loss occurred even after 100 times of repeated development.

<Experimental Example 3> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as that of FIG. Developing member: Ink roller (outer diameter 8 cm, ink layer thickness 2)
cm) Ink: Soluble ink (semisolid) Red No. 106 (coloring agent, red direct dye) 20% Polyvinylpyrrolidone (molecular weight 24000) 70% Ethylene glycol 10% Recording body roller: A recording body attached to a stainless steel roller ( Solvent used as vapor: Since the ink must return to the original viscosity during one rotation of the ethanol ink roller, a volatile solvent was used. Viscosity reducing means: Ultrasonic humidifier (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, SH502
-H) Steam generation amount'weak scale 'Position of ultrasonic humidifier: Steam was blown to the ink roller by a pipe. The position of the blowout port of the pipe is 5 mm from the developing point and 3 cm in circumference from the development point. Recording speed: 10 mm / sec Evaluation result: An image without scumming is formed on the recording medium.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a main part for explaining an embodiment of the invention described in claim 3. In this embodiment, the smoothing means 15 is used after the viscosity of the ink is reduced and before the development. 3A, the ink roller 10 is shown in FIG.
3B shows the case of the ink sheet 10a. Thus, in the present invention, since the smoothing means 15 is placed immediately after the viscosity lowering means 12, the ink can be smoothed while its viscosity is lower, and the efficiency is good. Smoothing means 1
A contact type means such as a roller or a blade is preferably used as 5. The contact pressure and the nip width are set according to the developing speed and the type of ink. Further, the member needs to be ink repellent (for example, silicone resin or the like in the case of water-based ink, fluorine resin or the like in the case of oil-based ink).

<Experimental Example 4> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as that of FIG. Developing member: Ink roller (outer diameter 8 cm, ink layer thickness 2)
cm) Ink: thermoplastic ink (oil-based, solid) composition carbon black (average particle size 1 μm) 10% low melting point polyethylene oligomer (melting point 60 ° C.) 90% recording body roller: a recording body attached to a stainless steel roller ( Diameter 8 cm) Low viscosity means: Ceramic heater (width 10 mm, heater surface temperature 50 ° C.) Smoothing means: Fluorine resin counter blade (width 3 m
m, length 5 mm) Set upward at an angle of 10 ° with respect to the tangent to the ink roller. Position of ceramic heater: 5m distance from ink roller
m, 3 cm in circumference from the development point Position of the front fluororesin blade: 3 cm in circumference from the development point
Pre-recording speed: 10 mm / sec Evaluation result Although the image density is low, an image without background stain is formed on the recording material. Further, no image loss occurred even after 100 times of repeated development.

FIG. 4 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of the invention described in claim 4. As an example, as shown in the figure, between the ink roller 10 and the viscosity lowering means 12, One space roller 16 is provided so that the distance between the ink roller 10 and the viscosity lowering means 12 is kept constant. The spacer 16 need not be a roller. That is, since a roller-shaped member formed by molding a solid or semi-solid ink member consumes ink by development, its diameter becomes smaller each time it is used. The distance from the roller is kept constant and the effect of lowering the viscosity of the ink is kept constant. As another example, first, the viscosity lowering means 12 and the ink roller 10 are configured such that, for example, the fixing member 17 fixing the viscosity lowering means 12 is separated by a spring or the like,
On the other hand, a solenoid is used to press the two together, and in this configuration, a roller diameter detection means is provided, and the current applied to the solenoid is determined based on the signal obtained from this and the change in spring attraction due to the change in spring length. By changing the suction force, the viscosity lowering means 12 and the ink roller 1 can be changed.
There is also a method of keeping the distance of 0 constant.

<Experimental Example 5> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as in FIG. Developing member: Ink roller (outer diameter 8 cm, ink layer thickness 2)
cm) Ink: thermoplastic ink (oil-based, solid) composition carbon black (average particle size 1 μm) 10% low melting point polyethylene oligomer (melting point 60 ° C.) 90% recording body roller: a recording body attached to a stainless steel roller ( Diameter 8 cm) Viscosity reducing means: Ceramic heater (width 10 mm, heater surface temperature 50 ° C.) Position of ceramic heater: Distance 5 m from ink roller
m, 3 cm in circumference from the developing point Front roller diameter of spacer: 5 mm, width 5 mm Concerning stabilizing means: See Fig. 3 Recording speed: 10 mm / sec Evaluation result Distance between ceramic heater and ink roller even if roller diameter is changed Is kept constant.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an essential part for explaining an embodiment of the invention described in claim 5, in which the ink roller 10 and the recording body roller 11 (however, the vertical relationship between the recording body roller and the ink roller is a problem). However, the upper roller is in contact with the lower roller only by its own weight, and the upper roller is in contact with the lower roller. Even if the diameter of the roller changes, the contact pressure between the two does not change. Also,
As another example, in FIG. 5, the lower side of the fixing member 18 is opened and the lower roller 10 is lifted by a solenoid,
A method of pressing it against the upper roller can be considered. In this method, the current flowing through the solenoid is always constant.

<Experimental Example 6> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as in FIG. Developing member: Ink roller (outer diameter 8 cm, ink layer thickness 2)
cm) Ink: Gel ink (water-based, semi-solid) I.J Black (colorant, Daiwa Kasei) 20% Polyvinyl alcohol 30% Ethylene glycol 50% Recording roller: A stainless steel roller with a recording material attached ( Diameter 8 cm) Means for lowering viscosity: Ceramic heater (width 10 mm, heater surface temperature 60 ° C.) Position of ceramic heater: Distance 5 m from ink roller
m, 3 cm in circumference from the development point Pre-fixing means: Upper roller self-weight 1300 g, upper roller width 14 cm Linear pressure 92.9 g / cm Recording speed: 10 mm / sec Evaluation result Recording was performed even if the roller diameter was changed. The pressure between the body roller and the ink roller is kept constant.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a main part for explaining an embodiment of the invention described in claim 6. In this embodiment, the ink roller 10 and the smoothing roller 15 are fixed so that they can rotate together. The upper roller (preferably the smoothing roller 1) is set on the member 20 (however, it can move in the vertical direction).
5 is preferably above the ink roller 10) is in contact with the lower roller only by its own weight so that the contact pressure between the two does not change even if the diameter of the ink roller changes.
As another example, first, the smoothing means and the ink roller are separated from each other by, for example, a spring, and the both are pressed by using a solenoid. Provided, based on the signal obtained from this and the change in spring attraction due to spring length change,
There is a method in which the attraction force is changed by changing the current applied to the solenoid so that the contact pressure between the smoothing means and the ink roller is constant. Note that a weight 19 is provided when the weight of the smoothing means is insufficient.

<Experimental Example 7> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as in FIG. Developing member: Ink roller (outer diameter 8 cm, ink layer thickness 2)
cm) Ink: thermoplastic ink (oil-based, solid) composition carbon black (average particle size 1 μm) 10% low melting point polyethylene oligomer (melting point 60 ° C.) 90% recording body roller: a recording body attached to a stainless steel roller ( Diameter 8 cm) Low viscosity means: Ceramic heater (width 10 mm, heater surface temperature 50 ° C.) Smoothing means: Fluororesin roller (diameter 3 cm, rubber hardness 80 °) Pressure applied to ink roller: 128.6 g linear pressure / Cm The rotation direction of the roller follows the ink roller. Position of ceramic heater: 5m distance from ink roller
m, 3 cm in circumference from the development point Position of the front silicone rubber roller: 3 cm in circumference from the development point
After-fixing means: 400g of upper roller weight, 1 weight
400g, upper roller width 14cm, linear pressure 128.6g /
cm 2 Recording speed: 10 mm / sec Evaluation result Even when the roller diameter is changed, the pressure between the silicone rubber roller and the ink roller is kept constant.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a main part for explaining an embodiment of the invention described in claim 7. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned viscosity lowering means 12 and smoothing means 15 are integrated to lower the viscosity. The ink is made of a thermoplastic material and the heating means is used as the viscosity lowering means. The integrated means 22 used has an ink-repellent surface (for example, a silicone resin in the case of water-based ink,
If it is an oil-based ink, it is a fluorine resin or the like) and is a heatable roller-shaped member. That is, the viscosity of the ink is lowered by heating, and at the same time, smoothed by the roller. Also,
As another method, a method of using a counter blade as the smoothing means can be considered. In this method, a soluble ink is used as the ink, and the viscosity of the ink is reduced by steam, and at the same time, it is smoothed by a blade. A unit in which a steam jet nozzle is provided in the front portion of the counter blade is an integrated unit. The blade is preferably ink repellent.

<Experimental Example 8> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as in FIG. Developing member: Ink roller (outer diameter 8 cm, ink layer thickness 2)
cm) Ink: thermoplastic ink (oil-based, solid) composition carbon black (average particle size 1 μm) 10% low melting point polyethylene oligomer (melting point 60 ° C.) 90% recording body roller: a recording body attached to a stainless steel roller ( Diameter 8 cm) Low viscosity and smoothing means: Heatable roller whose surface is made of fluorocarbon resin (diameter 3 cm, rubber hardness 80 °, pressure applied to ink roller) Heater surface temperature 50 ° C. Roller rotates in ink roller On the other hand, it will be accompanied. Position of integral fixing means: 3 cm in circumference from development point Recording speed: 10 mm / sec Evaluation result Although the image density is low, an image without scumming is formed on the recording medium.

FIG. 8 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of the invention described in claim 8. The drive system of the developing mechanism includes:
As shown in FIG. 8A, it is conceivable that the recording body roller 11 is used as a drive system, and as shown in FIG. 8B, an ink roller is used as a drive system. A member having the body 11 is used as a drive system or a transport system (FIG. 8A).
In addition, the member having the ink is made to be a "co-rotating" system. This eliminates the variation in the developing speed due to the uneven thickness of the ink layer. Further, since the member having ink is not a drive system (conveyance system), it can be easily replaced. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the thickness of the ink layer of the ink roller changes and the diameter of the ink roller becomes
Even if it is not a perfect circle as shown in (a), the developing speed does not change because the ink roller 10 rotates together.

<Experimental Example 9> Setting conditions The configuration is the same as in FIG. 1 (a). Developing member: Ink roller (outer diameter 8 cm, ink layer thickness 2)
cm) Ink: thermoplastic ink (oil-based, solid) composition carbon black (average particle size 1 μm) 10% low melting point polyethylene oligomer (melting point 60 ° C.) 90% recording body roller: a recording body attached to a stainless steel roller ( Diameter 8 cm) Viscosity reducing means: Ceramic heater (width 10 mm, heater surface temperature 50 ° C.) Position of ceramic heater: Distance 5 m from ink roller
m, 3 cm in circumference from the developing point Recording speed: 10 mm / sec Evaluation results First, when developing was performed using an ink roller having a deformed shape, there was unevenness in the placement of the ink on the recording medium. Was confirmed. Next, when development was performed using an ink roller that is considered to be close to a perfect circle, unevenness in ink placement was no longer observed.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. [Effect corresponding to claim 1] Since the recording material is solid or semi-solid and the viscosity of the recording material is reduced before development , the recording material is developed. Therefore, the device can be simplified. [Effect corresponding to claim 2] Since the surface of the solid or semi-solid recording agent layer is smoothed, the stability of the developing process can be improved. [Effect corresponding to claim 3] Since the smoothing means is placed after the viscosity lowering means and before the developing means,
The stability of the development process can be further improved. [Effect corresponding to claim 4] A roller-shaped member formed of a solid or semi-solid recording material is used as the developing member, and the distance between the viscosity lowering means and the surface of the roller-shaped member is determined by Since it is kept constant with respect to the change in the diameter, the device structure can be made economical. [Effect corresponding to claim 5] A roller-shaped member formed of a solid or semi-solid recording material is used as the developing member, and the pressure at the contact point between the recording body and the roller-shaped member is controlled by the diameter of the roller-shaped member. Since it is kept constant with respect to the change of, it is possible to improve the stability of the developing process. [Effect corresponding to claim 6] A roller-shaped member formed by molding a solid or semi-solid recording material is used as the developing member, and a means for contacting the roller-shaped member is used as the smoothing means. Since the magnitude of the pressure applied by the smoothing means to the roller-shaped member is kept constant with respect to the change in the diameter, the stability of the developing process can be improved. [Effect corresponding to claim 7] Since the viscosity lowering means and the smoothing means are integrated, the device configuration can be simplified. [Effect corresponding to claim 8] Since the member having the recording medium is conveyed or driven, the developing speed can be kept constant and the ink can be easily replaced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of a developing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment using an ink smoothing unit.

FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment using an ink smoothing unit.

FIG. 4 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment in a case where a distance between an ink viscosity lowering means and an ink roller is kept constant.

FIG. 5 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment in which the pressures of the ink roller and the recording body roller are made constant.

FIG. 6 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment in which the pressures of the ink roller and the smoothing unit are made constant.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a main part for explaining an embodiment in which the viscosity lowering means and the smoothing means are integrated.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a drive system of the developing device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cross section of an ink roller.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a conventional developing device (a) and an outline of the present invention (b).

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ink roller, 10a ... Ink sheet, 11 ... Recording body roller, 11a ... Recording body belt, 12 ... Viscosity reducing means, 13 ... Thermal head, 14 ... Liquid, 15 ... Smoothing means, 16 ... Spacer, 17 ... Spacer fixing member, 1
8, 20 ... Fixing member, 21 ... Weight, 22 ... Low viscosity and smoothing means.

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-5-169793 (JP, A) JP-A-5-193248 (JP, A) JP-A-4-363288 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/325 B41J 27/00 B41M 1/00 B41M 5/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording medium comprising a member which exhibits a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature when heated with the surface in contact with a liquid, a solid, or a solid (contact member) which becomes a liquid by heating. In a developing device for applying a recording agent containing a coloring agent to the surface according to the receding contact angle, or in a developing apparatus in which the contact member and the recording agent are integrated, a solid or semi-developing member is used. Mold solid recording material
A roller-shaped member is used to reduce the viscosity of the recording material.
The distance between the viscosity increasing means and the surface of the roller-shaped member is set to
It must have a means to keep it constant against changes in the diameter of the lath-shaped member.
And a developing device . 2. A recording body comprising a member that exhibits a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature when heated with the surface in contact with a liquid, a solid, or a solid (contact member) that becomes a liquid by heating. In a developing device for applying a recording agent containing a coloring agent to the surface according to the receding contact angle, or in a developing apparatus in which the contact member and the recording agent are integrated, a solid or semi-developing member is used. A roller-shaped member formed by molding a solid recording material is used, and means for keeping the pressure at the contact portion between the recording member and the roller-shaped member constant against changes in the diameter of the roller-shaped member; A developing device having a viscosity lowering means for lowering the viscosity of the surface of the agent. 3. A recording medium comprising a member which exhibits a receding contact angle according to the heating temperature when heated with its surface in contact with a liquid, a solid, or a solid (contact member) which becomes a liquid by heating. In a developing device for applying a recording agent containing a coloring agent to the surface according to the receding contact angle, or in a developing apparatus in which the contact member and the recording agent are integrated, a solid or semi-developing member is used. Using a roller-shaped member formed by molding a solid recording material, means for smoothing the surface of the solid or semi-solid recording material layer and means for lowering the viscosity of the surface of the recording material before development are provided. A means for contacting the roller-shaped member is used as the smoothing means, and the magnitude of the pressure applied by the smoothing means to the roller-shaped member is kept constant against changes in the diameter of the roller-shaped member. Present characterized by having means Image device.