Patent ID: 6402402
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B41J,B41M,Y10T

Abstract:
An image transfer apparatus that records an image through selective heat and pressure application, comprising:an ink transfer unit that includes a layer of micro-capsules containing dye, each micro-capsule disposed in said layer of micro-capsules exhibiting a temperature/pressure characteristic such that, when said each micro-capsule is squashed under a corresponding predetermined pressure at a corresponding predetermined temperature, said dye seeps from said squashed micro-capsule and transfers to a surface of a recording sheet; a pressure application unit that locally applies said corresponding predetermined pressure to said micro-capsule layer; a heat application unit that selectively and locally heats said micro-capsule layer to said corresponding predetermined temperature; a pre-coating unit that pre-coats a material on said surface of said recording sheet prior to said transfer of said dye; an ink transfer storage unit that stores said ink transfer unit and said pre-coating unit; and a holder that holds said ink transfer storage unit; wherein a degree of roughness of said surface of said recording sheet is diminished due to said material such that said transferred dye is accurately fixed to said surface as said image.