Patent ID: 6297840
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: B41J,B41M

Abstract:
A thermosensitive color printing method of printing a full-color image in a frame sequential fashion on thermosensitive color recording paper having first, second and third coloring layers formed on atop another on one side of a base material in this order from an obverse surface, the first to third coloring layers developing different colors from each other, and having decreasing heat-sensitivities from the first to the third, the method comprising the steps of:A. pressing the thermosensitive color recording paper onto the thermal head by a platen roller;B. transporting the thermosensitive color recording paper in a first direction;C. driving a thermal head during step B, to record a first color frame on the first coloring layer;D. projecting electromagnetic rays of a specific wavelength range onto the thermosensitive recording paper to fix the first coloring layer after having the first color frame recorded thereon;E. transporting the thermosensitive color recording paper in a second direction reverse to the first direction after the first color frame is completely recorded, till the thermosensitive color recording paper is returned to a print start position where the thermal head started recording the first color frame;F. driving the thermal h e ad during step E, to heat the thermosensitive color recording paper to an extent that the second and third coloring layers do not develop color, thereby to make friction factor between the thermal head and the recording paper as equal as possible in the first and second directions;G. transporting the thermosensitive color recording paper in the first direction after the thermosensitive color recording paper reaches the print start position;H. driving the thermal head during step G, to record a second color frame on the second coloring layer;I. projecting electromagnetic rays of a specific wavelength range onto the thermosensitive recording paper to fix the second coloring layer after having the second color frame recorded thereon;J. transporting the thermosensitive color recording paper in the second direction after the second color frame is completely recorded, till the thermosensitive color recording paper is returned to the print start position;K. driving the thermal head during step J, to heat the thermosensitive color recording paper to an extent that the third coloring layer does not develop color, thereby to make friction factor between the thermal head and the recording paper as equal as possible in steps G and J;L. transporting the thermosensitive color recording paper in the first direction after the thermosensitive color recording paper reaches the print start position; andM. driving the thermal head during step L, to record a third color frame on the third coloring layer.