Patent ID: 6084624
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A color thermal recording method for printing a full-color image on a color thermosensitive recording material, said recording material including a support and first, second and third thermosensitive coloring layers formed on said support in an order listed, said first to third coloring layers being different in colors to be developed and thermal sensitivity, said third coloring layer being farthest from said support and having fixability to electromagnetic rays of a first wavelength range, and said second coloring layer having fixability to electromagnetic rays of a second wavelength range, said color thermal recording method comprising steps of:obtaining a definition of a recording area, a non-recording area adjacent to said recording area, and a border between said recording area and said non-recording area;conveying said recording material along a printing path alternately in first and second directions, said second direction being opposite to said first direction, said recording material being conveyed in said first direction three times;in conveying said recording material along said printing path in said first direction for said three times, recording first, second and third color images respectively to said first to third layers inside said recording area on said recording material by use of a thermal head;applying said electromagnetic rays of said first and said second wavelength ranges to said recording material as said recording material is moved past a ray applying region in said printing path, to fix said second and third color images, respectively; andavoiding fixing of said second and said third coloring layers in said non-recording area by advancing a shutter in synchronism with said border, wherein said shutter blocks said electromagnetic rays from said non-recording area when said non-recording area is conveyed past said ray applying region.