IMAGE RECORDING BODY AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE USING THE IMAGE RECORDING BODY

Abstract: There is provided improvement of a light-heat conversion in a light-stimulated writing method. An image recording body includes an element, which absorbs light (electromagnetic wave), provided in a surface of a recording body 10, or in a recording layer formed on uppermost layer of the recording body having a material exhibiting thermal changeable character of wettability, or in a substrate or an intermediate layer of the recording body. After a liquid is on the recording body 10 by a liquid forming means 3, light-stimulated writing is carried out. When the light-stimulated writing is carried out with light (electromagnetic wave) from a light (electromagnetic wave) source according to image information, an efficiency of light-heat conversion can be enhanced by a light(electromagnetic wave)-absorbing element.

Description: Technical Field The present invention relates generally to an image recording body and an image forming apparatus comprising the image recording body, and more particularly to a structure of the image recording body in order to form a latent image by means of a light (or heat)-stimulated writing method, and improvement of a light-to-heat conversion efficiency during a light-stimulated writing operation, for removing an ink remaining on the image recording body and a method for forming the latent image thereon. Background Art Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an essential part of an image forming apparatus of an embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus comprises a heating source 1, a recording roller 2, an inking unit 3, an intermediate transfer roller 4, a recording paper 5, a pressure roller 6, an infrared heater 7, a cleaning unit 8, a liquid layer-forming roller 9 and an image recording body 10. Examples of the heating source 1 (preferably light source having a wavelength from 300 nm to 1300 nm) include a light-emitting diode array (which is hereinafter referred to as LED array), a semiconductor laser, a solid laser or the like. The image recording body 10 has surface characteristics that a receding contact angle decreases when a surface of the image recording body in a heated state is brought into contact with a liquid (hereinafter referred to as a liquid-attracting state), and the receding contact angle increases when the image recording body is heated in a state where the image recording body is not contact with the liquid (hereinafter referred to as a liquid-repelling state). When the surface of the image recording body 10 is treated to become the liquid-attracting state, a liquid layer is formed on the surface of the image recording body 10 before the surface of the image recording body 10 is heated, or a liquid is come into contact with the surface of the image recording body 10 during a heating operation, or the liquid is come into contact with the surface of the image recording body 10 right after the surface is heated. As shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to form the liquid layer on the image recording body 10 by means of the liquid layer-forming roller 9. However, it is not necessary to use the liquid layer-forming roller 9 for formation of the liquid layer. For example, it is possible for the image recording body 10 to remove from the recording roller 2 or for the recording roller 2 to dip in the liquid, or for the liquid layer to form on the surface of the image recording body 10 by means of the cleaning unit 8. As mentioned above, after the surface of the recording body becomes the liquid-attracting state, writing of an image can be carried out thereon. This image writing can be performed by scanning the heating source 1 with separation of the image recording body 10 from the inking unit 3, the intermediate transfer roller 4, the cleaning unit 8 or the like. As a scanning method, writing can be carried out by moving the heating source 1 in a main scanning direction by a linear motor or the like while rotating the recording roller 2, or a raster scanning can be applied for writing by means of polygon mirror or galvano mirror. The image is then formed on the image recording body 10 and at this image forming period the recording paper 5 is fed while pressing the image recording body 10 with the intermediate transfer roller 4 and the inking unit 3. As the inking unit 3, a plurality of inking rollers can be used in order to control a thickness of an ink layer by means of a blade or the like 3b. An ink can be supplied from an upper portion of the blade 3b by dropping an ink from an ink supply container 3a. After printing a desired press run, it is possible to reuse the image recording body 10 by forming another image thereon newly. At this time, that is to say, at the end of printing, the intermediate transfer roller 4 and the inking roller 3 are separated from the image recording body 10 and the cleaning unit 8 is brought into contact with the image recording body 10 so that the ink remaining thereon can be removed.. After. removal of the ink remaining on the image recording body 10, another liquid layer is formed on the surface of the image recording body 10 and the image recording body 10 is heated by means of the infrared heater 7 to treat the surface of the image recording body 10 so as to become the liquid-attracting state, while erasing the latent image of the previous image. However, in addition to the above method, as a method for treat the surface of the image recording body 10 so as to become the liquid-attracting state, it is possible to heat in a state where the liquid is come into contact with the surface of the image recording body 10 or for the surface of the image recording body 10 to bring into contact with the liquid right after heating the surface. In other words, as mentioned above, after printing a predetermined press run on the recording paper 5, the ink remaining on the image recording body 10 is removed and the latent image (a liquid-repelling region) formed on the image recording body 10 is erased, and the surface of the image recording body is then treated so as to become the liquid-attracting state. In this way, a new image (a latent image) can be formed on the image recording body 10 so that the image recording body 10 can be reused. That is to say, reuse of the image recording body 10 can be achieved by the following steps of: removing the ink remaining on the image recording body 10; forming the liquid layer on the surface of the image recording body by means of the liquid layer-forming roller 9; and heating the surface of the image recording body 10 by means of the infrared heater 7 to perform the liquid attracting treatment of the image recording body 10. As the cleaning unit 8, it is possible to use a waste 8b soaked with a cleaning liquid from the cleaning supply container 8a. The surface of the image recording body 10 is washed by pressing it with this waste 8b. In writing of the image into the image recording body, there are positive writing and negative writing. As negative writing, by heating the image recording body 10 in a state where the body 10 is come into contact with an element selected from the liquid and/or a solid, or brought into contact with the element selected from the liquid and/or the solid right after the surface of the image recording body 10 is heated, the receding contact angle of an image region of the image recording body decreases so as to subject the surface of the image recording body 10 to the liquid-attracting treatment. By selectively heating a non-image region of the image recording body in the absence of the above contacting element, the receding contact angle of the non-image region of the image recording body increases so as to subject the surface of the image recording body to the liquid-repelling treatment. On the other hand, as positive writing, by selectively heating only the image region of the image recording body 10 in a state where the body is come into contact with the element selected from the liquid and/or the solid, or selectively brought into contact with the element selected from the liquid and/or the solid right after selectively heating the surface of the body, the image region of the image recording body 10 is subjected to the liquid-attracting treatment. As stated above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the liquid-attracting treatment is performed on the image recording body 10 according to image information. The ink is attached to portions of the image recording body 10 subjected to the liquid-attracting treatment and the ink attached to the body 10 can be directly transferred to the recording paper 5 through the intermediate transfer roller 4 so as to achieve transfer and printing steps. As described above, the image recording body 10 can be reused by the following steps of: printing the predetermined press run onto the recording paper 5; erasing the latent image (the liquid-attracting region) formed on the body 10 and removing the ink remaining thereon; and forming a new image (the latent image) on the body 10. That is to say, reuse of the image recording body 10 can be carried out by removing the ink remaining on the body 10 by use of the cleaning unit 8 or other means and then heating the image recording body 10 by means of the infrared heater 7 to provide the liquid-attracting state for the surface of the image recording body 10. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 3-178478 describes a recording method by use of a thermosensitive material having changeable character of wettability. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 8-276663 describes a recording method by negative writing. However, the invention of the above patent application No. 3-178478 mainly relates to the recording method by means of a thermal head in which there may be occasions that a recording layer is mechanically damaged due to contact recording between the thermal head and a recording body having the recording layer. Also, for the recording method by negative writing described in the above patent application No. 8-276663, an efficiency of light-heat conversion of a light source is not enough high because of continuous oscillation of the light source. There are problems that writing for the above method is time-consuming and is required to employ an expensive device as the light source. Further, in the recording method disclosed in the above patent application No. 8-276663, there are disadvantages that a lifetime of the light source is shorter as compared to positive writing. Moreover, in a case where the above recording body having a light-heat converting layer, for example in a case of writing by means of laser light, when incident light from a surface of the recording layer is reflected at a surface of a substrate through the recording layer and the light-heat converting layer, regular reflecting component is strong and this component reaches a boundary surface between the light-heat converting layer and the recording layer or the surface of the recording layer, thereby leading to multi-reflections within the above layers. This results in spreading of exposed areas and a recording irregularity, such as a moire. In addition, in order to reuse the recording body used once, a clear printing can not be performed with a recording paper fouled by the remaining ink unless the ink remaining on the recording body is removed completely. Furthermore, in a case of writing to the recording body by use of a plurality of heating means, if only one of the heating means is broken, a non-image region which is not heated is produced, thereby giving rise to a line of scumming. In a case where negative writing is also carried out, an irregularity in heating and cumulative heat of an image forming means during negative writing operation cause the image to be degraded. In a case where negative writing is also performed through a rotating multi-face mirror, if sensitivity of the recording body is low, a rotation rate of the rotating multi-face mirror must be low, so that the rotation rate is unstable because of the absence of an action of inertia induced by the rotation. This result in an irregularity of the light-heat conversion, thus producing irregularities relating to an image density, dot size and dot line. The present invention provides an image recording body in accordance with claim 1 and an image forming apparatus according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiment are defined in the claims. Advantages of Invention Advantageously, an image recording body comprises an element, which absorbs light (which includes an electromagnetic wave) in response to image information to achieve recording, provided in a recording layer of the image recording body formed on an uppermost layer thereof comprising a material having thermal changeable character of wettability, or in a substrate of said image recording body or an intermediate layer thereof, thereby improving a light-heat conversion efficiency in the light-stimulated writing. The present invention provides the recording body having the highest efficiency of the light-heat conversion, in which the material having the thermal changeable character of wettability includes an organic material comprising an element having the changeable character of wettability and an element which absorbs the light (which includes the electromagnetic wave) in response to image information to achieve recording. Advantageously, by providing a reflecting layer which reflects light (which includes the electromagnetic wave) placed between the recording layer comprising the material having the changeable character of wettability and the substrate, a number of reflections takes place at the recording body so that a optical path length in the redording layer extends, thereby increasing the efficiency of the light-heat conversion. Advantageously, a rough surface of the reflecting layer results in a scattering of the light, so that an even penetration of the light can be carried out. The present invention further provides a recording apparatus according to claim 9 in which scannable light can be used as an image writing source and a long lifetime of the writing source can be realized as a positive light-stimulated writing by providing a liquid layer forming means for forming a liquid layer on a surface irradiated by the light of the recording body during the light-stimulated writing. According to a preferred embodiment, when the liquid layer forming means is means for forming a gel-like element, both of an easy holding of the liquid layer and a liquid supply can be realized simultaneously. According to a preferred embodiment, when the liquid layer forming means is means for forming a layer comprising a microcapsule-like fine particle element containing a liquid, stability both for the liquid supply and the liquid storage can be ensured. According to a preferred embodiment, by providing a light (which includes the electromagnetic wave) transmissible film for the liquid layer forming means in order to keep the liquid layer between the liquid forming means and the surface of the recording body so as to form the film on the surface of the recording body in a state where the liquid is placed between the liquid layer forming means and the recording body, a High speed writing can by obtained easily. The recording body has a surface having a roughness of preferably less than 20 µm. The recording body has the recording layer having preferably a Young's modulus of less than 1.0 x 10 7 N/m 2 and a thickness of more than 2 µm. The recording body has the substrate having preferably a Young's modulus of less than 5.0 x 10 8 N/m 2 and a thickness of more than 25 µm. The recording body comprises the cushion layer having preferably a Young's modulus of less than 8.0 x 10 7 N/m 2 and a thickness of more than 5 µm. Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 shows an essential structural view to explain one example of an image forming apparatus which is applicable to the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates an essential cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a recording body according to the present invention; FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view showing a structural example in accordance with the present invention, the structure having light-(which includes an electromagnetic wave) absorbing ability within the recording body; FIG. 4 shows a fundamental and specific structure of a polymeric dye; FIG. 5 illustrates an essential structural view showing one example in a case where a reflecting layer is provided within the recording body; FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing one example in a case where a rough face is formed on a surface of the reflecting layer, the surface being adjacent to a recording layer; FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a recording body used in a prior art, the example using a liquid; FIG. 8 illustrates an essential structural view of a recording body to explain an embodiment according to the present invention in a case of using a gel layer; FIG. 9 illustrates an essential structural view of a recording body to explain an embodiment according to the present invention in a case of using a microcapsule layer; FIG. 10 illustrates an essential structural view to explain other embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 11 illustrates an essential structural view to explain one example of a recording body according to the present invention; FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view to explain other example of the recording body according to the present invention; FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view to explain other example of the recording body according to the present invention; FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view to explain other example of the recording body according to the present invention; FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view to explain other example of the recording body according to the present invention; FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view to explain one example of the recording body according to the present invention; In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates an essential cross-sectional structural view showing an embodiment of a recording body 10 according to the present invention. FIG. 2(A) shows an example in a case where the recording body 10 comprises a substrate and a recording layer 12 provided on the substrate, the recording layer itself being a light-absorbing element. FIG. 2(B) shows an example in a case where the light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing element contained within a recording layer so as to form the recording layer 13 comprising a light-absorbing element therein. FIG. 2(C) shows an example in a case where a light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing layer 15 comprising the light-absorbing element is placed between the substrate 11 and the recording layer 14. Examples of such light-absorbing elements contained in the recording layer includes those as listed in Table 1 and 2. It is possible to use a dye and/or a pigment as the light-absorbing element. As a light (electromagnetic wave) generating source 1, it is suitable to use a solid laser such as YAG laser, a semiconductor laser and a LED array. As a method for scanning light to the surface of the recording body, use is preferably made of the method based on a raster scanning with a polygon mirror and a galvano mirror, and the scanning method with rotating the recording body. It is preferable to use a shorter wavelength of the light (electromagnetic wave), so that a spot size irradiated by the source 1 becomes smaller to obtain a high resolution. [Example] not according to the claimed invention Functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability : Acrylate-based polymer containing a fluorine atom Substrate : Polyester film Light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing material : Cyanine-based dye Layer structure : A content of 1 wt% to 10 wt% of the cyanine dye was added in the recording layer. Light (electromagnetic wave) source : Semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 800 nm. Result: An image recording could be accomplished with one-tenth of an irradiation energy, as compared to a conventional material system. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view showing a structural example of the recording body 10 having light-absorbing ability shown in FIG. 1. In this figure, A part is a site having the thermal changeable character of wettability and B part is a site having the light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing ability. As shown in FIG. 3, as the recording body itself having the electromagnetic wave absorbing ability, it is preferable to use a copolymer comprising a monomer having the changeable character of wettability such as the polymer disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 3-178478, and a monomer having a skeleton structure of the dye as a side chain, so-called a polymeric dye. FIG. 4 shows examples of the polymeric dyes described above. Basically, as shown in FIG. 4(A), a structure of the polymeric dye is based on a vinyl monomer, that is to say, the vinyl monomer having the dye as the side chain. More specifically, it is possible to use the monomer having the structure as shown in FIG. 4(A), 4(B) and 4(C). [Example] Functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability : Copolymer comprising an acrylate-based polymer containing the fluorine atom Substrate : Polyimide film Light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing material : Monomer having a phthalocyanine-based dye as a pendant group. Layer structure : Copolymer comprising the acrylate-based monomer containing the fluorine atom and the above monomer. Light (electromagnetic wave) source : Semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 800 nm. Result: An image recording could be accomplished with one-twentieth of the irradiation energy, as compared to the conventional material system. Further, a reflection layer is provided between the substrate and the recording layer containing the material having the changeable character of wettability so that multiple reflections tales place within the recording layer. This allows an optical path length of light to lengthen, thereby improving an efficiency of the light-heat conversion. Referring to FIG. 5, as stated above, the reflection layer 16 reflects light (electromagnetic wave) L repeatedly so that the length of the optical path can be increased. This results in improvement of the light-heat conversion efficiency. As the reflecting layer, it is desirable to use the substrate 11 deposited with aluminum and the substrate 11 coated or deposited with a white oxide, for example titanium oxide and aluminum oxide or the like. Alternatively, it is possible to use a primer provided on a surface of the reflecting layer 16 in order to avoid that a contact strength may be deteriorated between the recording layer 17 and the primer. [Example] only with respect to the provision of the reflection layer Functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability : Acrylate-based polymer containing the fluorine atom. Substrate : Polyester film Light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing material : Cyanine-based dye. Layer structure : A content of 1 wt% to 10 wt% of the cyanine-based dye was contained in the recording layer. Light (electromagnetic wave) source : Semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 800 nm. Reflection layer : Aluminum was deposited on the substrate with a thickness of 1000 Å. Result: An image recording could be accomplished with one-twentieth of the irradiation energy, as compared to the conventional material system. Referring to FIG. 6, a rough surface 16A is formed on a surface of the reflecting layer, the surface being adjacent to the recording layer, so that light is scattered at the rough surface 16A. An even penetration of light can be improved by the light scattering at the rough surface. It should be noted that a roughness of the surface of the reflecting layer 16 is from 0.1 µm to 10 µm, this value being defined as Rz. [Example] only with respect to the provision of the reflection layer Functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability : Acrylate-based polymer containing the fluorine atom. Substrate : Polyester film Light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing material : Cyanine-based dye. Layer structure : A content of 1 wt% to 10 wt% of the cyanine-based dye was contained in the recording layer. Light (electromagnetic wave) source : Semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 800 nm. Reflection layer : Aluminum was deposited on the substrate having the roughness of 0.1 µm defined as Rz with the thickness of 1000 Å. Result: An image recording could be accomplished with one-twentieth of the irradiation energy, as compared to the conventional material system. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 8-276663 discloses a method for negative writing in which there are the drawbacks that a lifetime of a light source tends to shorten as compared to positive writing, since the light source is operated continuously. Because of this, it is necessary to lengthen the lifetime of the light source, to cope with easiness of holding the liquid layer and supply of the liquid, to ensure stability of supply and storage of the liquid, and to facilitate high rate writing, as positive writing. As shown in FIG. 7, the recording body comprises the substrate 11 and the recording layer 12. The liquid layer W is formed on the recording layer 12 by a liquid layer forming means 9. The recording body 10 has surface characteristics in which when a surface of the recording body 10 is brought into contact with the liquid, a receding contact angle decreases (a liquid-attracting state), or when the surface of the recording body 10 is heated in a non-contact state with the liquid, the receding contact angle increases (a liquid-repelling state). An only image region is heated in a contact state with an element selected from the liquid and/or a solid, or right after the surface of the recording body is heated, the surface is selectively brought into contact with the element selected from the liquid and/or the solid, so as to form a latent image on the recording body. The latent image is developed by means of an inking unit 3 to form an image, and the image is then transferred through a transfer roller 4 or is recorded directly into a recording paper 5. The light (electromagnetic wave) generating apparatus is used as heating means 1 and heating is carried out in the non-contact state with the recording body. As a method for forming the liquid layer W on the recording body, it is possible to coat the liquid or to attach a film containing the liquid or the like. As the liquid for use in the liquid layer W, it is possible to use a liquid having a non-repelling property on the recording body 10, for example a liquid having a surface energy near that of the recording body 10, an ink solvent (this solvent has the advantages that it is unnecessary to remove the liquid layer after writing), a viscous liquid containing water and a water-soluble resin (polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or the like) or the like. Formation of the liquid layer W and irradiation of light (electromagnetic wave) L are carried out by pre-forming the liquid layer W on the surface of the recording body 10 followed by irradiating the light (electromagnetic wave) L, or pre-irradiating the light (electromagentric wave) followed by forming the liquid layer W on the surface of the recording body 10 while using a residual heat. Alternatively, Formation of the liquid layer W and irradiation of the light (electromagnetic wave) L are carried out simultaneously. [Example] The following examples illustrate the formation of the liquid layer Substrate : Polyester film Functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability : Acrylate-based polymer containing the fluorine atom. Light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing material : Cyanine-based dye. Layer structure : A content of 1 wt% to 10 wt% of the cyanine-based dye was contained in the recording layer. Light (electromagnetic wave) source : Semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 800 nm. Means for supplying the liquid layer : Coating on the surface of the recording body by means of a porous elastic roller impregnated with an involatile solvent of the ink. Result: A positive image recording could be accomplished at a high rate. FIG. 8 illustrates an essential structural view of the recording body to explain other embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a gel layer 18 is formed on the surface of the recording layer 12 of the recording body 10 and recording can be carried out by irradiating the light (electromagnetic wave) L onto the gel layer 18. More specifically, by using a gel-like element having a sol-gel transition property, once the gel-like element makes sol to have liquidity and the sol is then coated on the recording body 10, so that the sol is again subjected to gelation treatment to achieve recording. [Example] Substrate : Polyester film Functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability : Acrylate-based polymer containing the fluorine atom. Light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing material : Cyanine-based dye. Layer structure : A content of 1 wt% to 10 wt% of the cyanine-based dye was contained in the recording layer. Light (electromagnetic wave) source : Semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 800 nm. Means for supplying the liquid layer : Contact of the gel, such as gelatin and the like with the recording body followed by removal after heating. Result: The liquid layer was easily held on the recording body. FIG. 9 illustrates an essential structural view of the recording body to explain other embodiment according to the present invention. In this figure, a microcapsule layer is designated 19. In this embodiment, as a functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability, the microcapsule layer 19 is included in the liquid and a microcapsule contained in the microcapsule layer 19 is broken down by means of thermal energy at the time of irradiation of light (electromagnetic wave) so as to form the liquid layer on the surface of the recording body 10. It should be noted that in this case, it is desirable to contain the light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing agent on the surface of or inside the microcapsule. [Example] Substrate : Polyester film Functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability : Acrylate-based polymer containing the fluorine atom. Light (electromagnetic wave)-absorbing material : Cyanine-based pigment (the particle size is 0.1 µm). Layer structure : A content of 10 wt% to 50 wt% of the cyanine-based pigment was dispersed in the recording layer. Light (electromagnetic wave) source : Semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 800 nm. Means for supplying the liquid layer A microcapsule particulate based on polyethylene contained in the involatile solvent of the ink. Result: Supply of the liquid and stability for storage of the liquid could be ensured. FIG. 10 illustrates en essential structural view to explain other embodiment according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus comprises a light (electromagnetic wave)-generating device 1, a rotating drum 2, a film 21, means for supplying the liquid 22 and a film cutter 23. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the film 21 is wound around the rotating drum 2 while placing the liquid on the film 21 by means 22 so as to form the liquid layer on the recording body 10 on the rotating drum 2. It should be noted that use is made of the film 21 having the light (electromagnetic wave) transmissible property. An uniform thin layer of the liquid phase can be formed by placing the liquid between the films, so that uneven heating can be avoided to achieve the image formation without an irregularity. [Example] Substrate : Polyester film Functional material having the thermal changeable character of wettability : Acrylate-based polymer containing the fluorine atom. Light-(electromagnetic wave) absorbing material : Cyanine-based base. Layer structure : A content of 1 wt% to 10 wt% of the cyanine-based dye was contained in the recording layer. Light (electromagnetic wave) source : Semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 800 nm. Means for supplying the liquid layer : Inclusion of the recording body by a polyester film while supplying the involatile solvent of the ink at the time of recording. Result: Writing could be accomplished at the high rate and the image formation could also be performed without the irregularity. However, as shown in FIG. 11(A), a recording body 30 comprises a recording layer 31, a light-heat converting layer 32 and a base body 33. It should be noted in the following description that the light-absorbing element is not necessarily contained in the recording body 30. As heating means, for example in a case of writing by means of a laser, when incident light passes through the recording layer 31 and the light-heat converting layer 32 from a surface of the recording layer 31 the recording so as to reflect the light at a surface of the substrate body 33, a regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at a boundary face between the light-heat converting layer 32 and the recording layer 31 or the surface of the recording layer 31. This reflected light is again reflected at each boundary face and the surface and the like, so that multi-reflection takes place within each layer, thereby giving rise to problems relating to spreading of an exposed region and the irregular recording, such as a moire. In a method for exposing an image region, that is to say, a positive writing method, by spreading of the exposed region is meant spreading of the image region, while in a method for exposing a non-image region, that is to say, a negative writing method, by spreading of the exposed region is meant narrowing of the image region. Since increasing the number of the layer result in an increased cost, problems to be solved in the present invention is to provide the recording body having the number of the layer as limited as possible. Also, as shown in FIG. 12(A), the recording body 30 comprises a recording layer 34 having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein and a base body 33. As heating means, for example in a case of writing by means of the laser, when incident light from a surface of the recording layer 34 passes through the recording layer 34 and the light is reflected at a surface of the base body 33, a regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the surface of the recording layer 34. This results in multi-reflection within the recording layer 34, thereby presenting the problems regarding spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. In a method for exposing an image region, by spreading of the exposed region is meant spreading of the image region, while in a method for exposing a non-image region, by spreading of the exposed region is meant narrowing of the image region. Since increasing the number of the layer result in an increased cost, problems to be solved in the present invention is to provide the recording body having the number of the layer as limited as possible. Further, in another recording body other than the above structure, for example the recording body may comprise the recording layer, the light-heat converting layer and a transparent base body. When incident light from the surface of the recording body passes through the recording layer, the light-heat converting layer and the transparent base body, and the light is reflected at a back surface of the transparent base body, a regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at a boundary face between the transparent base body and the light-heat converting layer, a boundary face between the light-heat converting layer and the recording layer, or the surface of the recording body. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, as stated above, thereby presenting the problems regarding spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. In addition, there may be arisen the problem to be solved that the recording body is required to produce as cheap as possible. Furthermore, the recording body may comprise a recording layer having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein and the transparent base body. When incident light from the surface of the recording layer passes through the recording layer and the transparent base body and the light is reflected at the back surface of the transparent base body, the regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the boundary face between the transparent base body and the recording layer or the back surface of the recording layer. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, as mentioned above, thereby presenting the problems regarding spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. In addition, there may be arisen the problem to be solved that the recording body is required to produce as cheap as possible. Moreover, a carrier of the recording body carries the recording body comprising the recording layer, the light-heat converting layer and the transparent base body. In this case, when incident light from the surface of the recording layer passes through the recording layer, the light-heat converting layer and the transparent base body and the light is reflected at a surface of the carrier of the recording body, a regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the boundary face between the transparent base body and the light-heat converting layer, the boundary face between the light-heat converting layer and the recording layer, or the surface of the recording layer. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, thereby presenting the problems regarding spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. Similarly, the recording body may comprise the recording layer having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein and the transparent base body. In this case, when incident light from the surface of the recording layer passes through the recording layer and the transparent base body and the light is reflected at the surface of the carrier of the recording body, an regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the boundary face between the transparent base body and the light-heat converting layer, or the surface of the recording layer. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, thereby presenting the problems regarding spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. According to the present invention, spreading of the exposed region can be reduced and widening and narrowing of imaged areas can be compensated with the recording body comprising the recording layer, the light-heat converting layer and the base body, the recording body comprising the recording layer having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein and the base body, the recording body comprising the recording layer, the light-heat converting layer and the transparent base body, the recording body comprising the recording layer having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein and the transparent base body, the recording body comprising the recording layer carried on a carrier of the recording body, the light-heat converting layer and the transparent base body, and also the recording body comprising the recording layer which is carried on the carried of the recording body and has the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein, and the transparent base body. FIG. 11(A) shows a cross-sectional view to explain an embodiment of the recording body which is applicable to the present invention. The recording body 30 comprises the recording layer 31, the light-heat converting layer 32 and the base body 33. As mentioned above, when the incident light from the surface of the recording layer 31 passes through the recording layer 31 and the light-heat converting layer 32 and the light is reflected at the surface of the base body 33, the regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the boundary face between the light-heat converting layer 32 and the recording layer 31, or the surface of the recording layer 31. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, thereby presenting the problems regarding spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. FIG. 11(B) shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the recording body 30 according to the present invention. A layer 35 preventing the regular reflection of the incident light which is used for recording is provided between the base body 33 and the light-heat converting layer 32 of the recording body 30. As the layer 35 preventing the regular reflection, for example a light-diffusing layer is used, which comprises a binder and a fine particle (TiO 2 , MgO) dispersed therein. This allows the regular reflection where the light is reflected at the surface of the base body 33 to be weakened, so that multi-reflection can be eliminated within each layer. This ameliorates the problems relating to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. FIG. 11(C) shows a cross-sectional view to explain other embodiment of the recording body according to the present invention. In this figure, an uneven structure 33a is provided on a surface side of the light-heat converting layer 32 of the base body 33. This structure 33a causes the regular reflection of the incident light which is used for recording to be prevented. However, as shown in FIG. 11(B), increasing the number of layer results in high cost. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11(C), by providing the uneven structure 33a on the surface side of the light-heat converting layer 32 of the base body, the regular reflection can be weakened when the incident light is reflected at the surface of the base body 33, so that multi-reflection can be inhibited within each layer and the problems can be improved with respect to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. In addition, without increase in the number of layers the recording body can be produced inexpensively. It should be noted that a roughness of the even structure is in a range of from 0.1 to 1.0 µm. FIG. 12(A) shows a cross-sectional view to explain an embodiment of the recording body which is applicable to the present invention. In this figure, the recording body 30 comprises the recording layer having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein and the base body 33. As stated above, when the incident light from the surface of the recording layer 34 passes through the recording layer 34 and the light is reflected at the surface of the base body 33, the regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the surface of the recording layer 34. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, so that there may be arisen the problems relating to spreading of the exposed region and the uneven recording, such as the moire. FIG. 12(B) shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the recording body 30 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12(B), the recording body 30 comprises the base body 33, the recording layer 34 having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein and a layer 35 preventing the regular reflection of the incident light which is used for recording are placed between the recording layer 34 and the base body 33. As the layer 35, the light-diffusing layer is used, which comprises the binder and the fine particle (TiO 2 , MgO) dispersed therein. This allows the regular reflection where the light is reflected at the surface of the base body 33 to be weakened, so that multi-reflection can be eliminated within each layer. This ameliorates the problems relating to spreading of the exposed region and the uneven recording, such as the moire. FIG. 12(C) shows a cross-sectional view to explain other embodiment of the recording body according to the present invention. In this figure, an uneven structure 33a is provided on the surface of the light-heat converting layer 34 of the base body 33. This structure 33a causes the regular reflection of the incident light which is used for recording to be prevented. However, as shown in FIG. 12(B), increasing the number of layer results in high cost. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12(C), by providing the uneven structure 33a on the surface of the base body 33, the regular reflection can be weakened when the incident light is reflected at the surface of the base body 33, so that multi-reflection can be inhibited within each layer and the problems can be improved with respect to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. In addition, without increase in the number of layers the recording body can be produced inexpensively. It should be noted that the roughness of the uneven structure is in a range of from 0.1 to 1.0 µ m. FIG. 13(A) shows a cross-sectional view to explain other embodiment of the recording body which is applicable to the present invention. In this figure, the recording body 30 comprises the transparent base body 36, the light-heat converting layer 32 and the recording layer 31. As stated above, when the incident light from the surface of the recording layer 31 passes through the recording body 30, the light-heat converting layer 32 and the transparent base body 36 and the light is reflected at the back surface of the transparent base body 36, the regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the boundary face between the transparent base 36 and the light-heat converting layer 32, the boundary face between the light-heat converting layer and the recording layer 31, or the surface of the recording layer 31. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, so that there may be arisen the problems relating to spreading of the exposed area and the irregular recording, such as the moire. FIG. 13(B) shows a cross-sectional view to explain an embodiment according to the present invention. In this figure, the recording body 30 further comprises a layer 35 preventing the regular reflection of the incident light which is used for recording. As the layer 35, the light-diffusing layer is used, which comprises the binder and the fine particle (TiO 2 , MgO) dispersed therein. This allows the regular reflection where the light is reflected at the surface of the base body 33 to be weakened, so that multi-reflection can be eliminated within each layer. This ameliorates the problems relating to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. FIG. 13(C) shows a cross-sectional view to explain other embodiment according to the present invention. In this figure, an uneven structure 36a is provided on an opposite side surface of the base body 36 to the light-heat converting layer 32. This structure 36a causes the regular reflection of the incident light which is used for recording to be inhibited. However, as shown in FIG. 13(B), increasing the number of layer may result in high cost. According to the present invention, the problems to be solved is to provide the even structure on the opposite side of the base body 36 to the light-heat converting layer 32. The roughness of the uneven structure is in a range of from 0.1 to 1.0 µ m. Thus, the regular reflection can be weakened when the incident light is reflected at the surface of the transparent base body, so-that multi-reflection can be inhibited within each layer and the problems can be improved with respect to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. In addition, without increase in the number of layers the recording body can be produced inexpensively. FIG. 14(A) shows a cross-sectional view to explain other embodiment of the recording body which is applicable to the present invention. In this figure, the recording body 30 comprises the transparent base body 36 and the recording layer 34 having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein. In this structure, when the incident light from the surface of the recording layer 34 passes through the recording layer 34 and the transparent base body 36 and the light is reflected at the back surface of the transparent base body 36, the regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the boundary face between the transparent base body 36 and the recording layer 34 or the recording layer 34. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, so that there may be arisen the problems relating to spreading of the exposed area and the irregular recording, such as the moire. FIG. 14(B) shows a cross-sectional view to explain an embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14(B), the recording body 30 further comprises a layer 35 preventing the regular reflection of the incident light which is used for recording, the layer 35 being arranged in the opposite side of the transparent base body 36 to the recording layer 34. As the layer 35, the light-diffusing layer is used, which comprises the binder and the fine particle (TiO 2 , MgO) dispersed therein. This allows the regular reflection where the light is reflected at the back surface of the transparent base body 36 to be weakened, so that multi-reflection can be eliminated within each layer. This ameliorates the problems relating to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. FIG. 14(C) shows a cross-sectional view to explain other embodiment according to the present invention. In this figure, an uneven structure 36a is provided on the opposite side of the transparent base body 36 to the recording layer 34. This structure 36a causes the regular reflection of the incident light which is used for recording to be inhibited. However, as shown in FIG. 14(B), increasing the number of layer may result in high cost. According to the present invention, the problems to be solved is to provide the even structure on the opposite surface of the recording layer 34 of the transparent base body 36. The roughness of the uneven structure is in a range of from 0.1 to 1.0 µm. Thus, the regular reflection can be weakened when the incident light is reflected at the surface of the transparent base body 36, so that multi-reflection can be inhibited within each layer and the problems can be improved with respect to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. In addition, without increase in the number of layers the recording body can be produced at low cost. FIG. 15(A1) shows an essential cross-sectional structural view of a recording apparatus which is applicable to the present invention. In this figure, the recording body 30 comprises the transparent base body 36, the light-heat converting layer 32 and the recording layer 31. A carrier of the recording body 40 carries the recording body 30. For example, in a case where the recording body 30 is carried on the carrier of the recording body 40 by means of the recording body roller 2 as shown in FIG, 1, when the incident light from the surface of the recording layer 31 passes through the recording layer 31, the light-heat converting layer 32 and the transparent base body 36, and the light is reflected at a surface of the carrier of the recording body 40, the regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the boundary face between the transparent base body 36 and the light-heat converting layer 32, the boundary face between the light-heat converting layer 32 and the recording layer 31, or the surface of the recording layer 31. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, thereby presenting the problems relating to spreading of the exposed area and the irregular recording, such as the moire. By spreading of the exposed area is meant spreading of the image area in the case of the method for exposing the image region, while by spreading of the exposed area is meant narrowing of the image region in the case of the method for exposing the non-image region. FIG. 15(B1) shows an essential cross-sectional structural view to explain other recording apparatus which is applicable to the present invention. A carrier of the recording body 40 carries the recording body 30 comprising the transparent base body 36 and the recording layer 30 having the light-heat converting agent dispersed therein. For example, in a case where the recording body 30 is carried on the carrier of the recording body 40 by means of the recording body roller 2 as shown in FIG, 1, when the incident light from the surface of the recording layer 34 passes through the recording layer 34 and the transparent base body 36 and the light is reflected at a surface of the carrier of the recording body 40, the regular reflection is strong and the reflected light arrives at the boundary face between the transparent base body 36 and the recording layer 34 or the surface of the recording layer 34. This results in multi-reflection within each layer, thereby presenting the problems relating to spreading of the exposed area and the irregular recording, such as the moire. By spreading of the exposed area is meant spreading of the image area in the case of the method for exposing the image region, while by spreading of the exposed area is meant narrowing of the image region in the case of the method for exposing the non-image region. FIG. 15(A2) and FIG. 15(B2) show essential cross-sectional structural views to explain embodiments according to the preset invention, respectively. As shown in these figures, the present invention provides the layer 35 preventing the regular reflection of the incident light into the surface of the carrier of the recording body 40. As the layer 35, the light-diffusing layer is used, which comprises the binder and the fine particle (TiO 2 , MgO) dispersed therein. Thus, the regular reflection can be weakened when the incident light is reflected at the surface of the carrier of the recording body 40, so that multi-reflection can be inhibited within each layer and the problems can be improved with respect to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. FIG. 15(A3) and FIG. 15(B3) show essential cross-sectional structural views to explain embodiments according to the preset invention, respectively. In these figures, the uneven structure 40a is provided on the surface of the carrier of the recording body 40. The roughness of the uneven structure is in a range of from 0.1 to 1.0 µm. Thus, the regular reflection can be weakened when the incident light is reflected at the surface of the carrier of the recording body 40, so that multi-reflection can be inhibited within each layer and the problems can be improved with respect to spreading of the exposed region and the irregular recording, such as the moire. In addition, without increase in the number of layers the recording body can be produced at low cost. As explained above, after pressing a desired run, the recording body 10 or 30 is reused upon removal of the ink remaining on the recording body. If an amount of the ink remaining on the body is small in this case, it is easy to remove the ink. If the recording body has the rough surface in a case where the surface of the recording body is washed, a pigment-based ink is likely to remain on recess portion of the surface. So, by smoothing the surface of the recording body, more specifically, an amount of the remaining pigment can be reduced by making the surface of the recording body having roughness of less than 20 µm, preferably less than 10 µm. Because the recording body according to the present invention has the smooth surface thereof, it is easy to wash the surface of the recording body due to the small amount of the remaining ink on the surface of the recording body. When the surface of the recording body is brought into contact with any members, a scratch is generated on the surface, so that function of the scratched portion of the surface is deteriorated as the recording body, thereby giving rise to problems relating to scumming and an area not to be recorded at the scratched site. Alternatively, in a case where the function of the scratched portion is kept even when scratched, the pigment contained in the ink is likely to remain at the scratched site, so that the scratched site may be causative factor in the scumming. In order to avoid this, the scratch is unlikely to generate by enhancing a hardness of the recording layer. More specifically, it is preferable for the hardness of the recording layer to have more than H hardness as a pencil hardness, more preferably more than 2H hardness, so that the scratch is unlikely to generate on the surface of the recording body. In addition, by providing elasticity for the recording layer of the recording body, the scratch is unlikely to generate on the surface of the recording body because of relaxation of a stress applied on the surface of the recording body. Additionally, when the above recording layer has a thickness of more than predetermined value, the scratch is further unlikely to generate on the surface. More specifically, a Young's modulus of the recording layer is preferably equal to or less than 1.0 x 10 7 N/m 2 , more preferably equal to or less than 0.5 x 10 7 N/m 2 , and the thickness of the recording layer is preferably equal to or more than 2 µ m, more preferably equal to or more than 4 µm. Furthermore, when a substrate of the recording body has elasticity of a predetermined value, the scratch is also unlikely to generate on the surface of the recording body because of relaxation of the stress applied on the surface of the recording body. Additionally, when the above recording layer has the thickness of more than predetermined value, the scratch is further unlikely to generate on the surface. More specifically, the Young's modulus of the substrate 11 is preferably equal to or less than 1.0 x 10 8 N/m 2 , more preferably equal to or less than 1.0 x 10 8 N/m 2 , and the thickness of the substrate 11 is preferably equal to or more than 25 µm, more preferably equal to or more than 50 µm. As shown in FIG. 16, by providing a cushion layer 38 having elasticity between the recording layer 31 (or 34) of the recording body 30 and the base body 33, the scratch is also unlikely to generate on the surface of the recording body because of relaxation of the stress applied on the surface of the recording body. In addition, when the cushion layer 38 has the thickness of more than a predetermined value, the scratch is also unlikely to generate on the surface of the recording body. More specifically, the Young's modulus of the cushion layer 38 is preferably equal to or less than 8.0 x 10 7 N/m 2 , more preferably equal to or less than 2.5 x 10 7 N/m 2 , and the thickness of the cushion layer 38 is preferably equal to or more than 5 µm, more preferably equal to or more than 10 µm. As explained above, after the printing the desired press run by use of the recording body according to the present invention, the image formed on the recording body is removed to form a new image on the recording body, so that the recording body can be reused repeatedly. However, when the recording body used once is reused again, the remaining ink on the recording body must be washed after using previously. If not, the remaining ink prevents the following image from forming on the recording body. As mentioned above, after the printing for the desired press run is carried out with the recording body 10 (or 30), the latent image (liquid-attracting region) produced on the recording body is removed and the ink remaining on the recording body is also removed, so that a new image can be formed on the recording body so as to reuse the recording body. The removal means for removing the remaining ink may be incorporated into the image forming apparatus. The removal means may be detachable from the recording body roller 2, or the removal means may be detachable from the image forming apparatus together with the recording body. According to the present invention, as stated above, after printing the desired press run, the recording body is coated a liquid which is compatible with a resin and the pigment contained in the ink for recording, or the recording body is immersed in the liquid which exhibits compatibility with the resin and the pigment. And then, the pigment-based ink and the resin on the recording body are wiped by means of a waste or the like, together with the above liquid. As the liquid which shows compatibility with the resin and the pigment used for ink, it is possible to use aliphatic hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon, ketones, alcohols, a polar solvent, a non-polar solvent or the like. More specifically, a blanket cleaner which is commercially available is coated on the recording body 10 developed already and the ink is wiped by means the waste or the like to remove the ink. According to other embodiment of the present invention, after the printing is completed, the involatilizable or volatilizable solvent which are contained in the ink is coated on the recording body and the ink is wiped with the waste or the like, so that the pigment-based ink and the resin can be removed effectively. The solvent for coating can be selected according to the solvent contained in the ink to be removed, for example paraffin and olefin solvent. More specifically, solvent No.6 (This is paraffin solvent), which is frequently used for ink solvent, is coated on the recording body developed already and the ink can be wiped with the waste or the like so as to remove the ink. The liquid which exhibits compatibility with the resin and the pigment contained in the ink for recording, or the involatilixable or volatilizable solvent which is contained in the ink for recording is coated on the recording body after printing, or the recording body is immersed in the above liquid or solvent and the recording body is then subjected to supersonic treatment. By means of non-contact means, the surface of the recording body is washed to remove the remaining ink. More specifically, the recording body developed already is immersed in a liquid of the blanket cleaner and the ink remaining on the recording body is removed by means of a supersonic washing machine, so that the ink can be removed without the scratch on the recording body. In addition, after removal of the remaining ink, the surface of the recording body is washed to completely remove the pigment and the solvent for ink and a cleaning liquid, which are remaining on the surface thereof. For example, after removal of the ink, a residual material on the surface of the recording body, such as water and a surfactant or the like, are completely removed and the surface is washed with a liquid which does not remain on the surface of the recording body. More specifically, after removal of the ink by the above method, the surface of the recording body is washed with a 10 wt% solution of the surfactant containing a fluorine atom, such as surfron (Asahi Chemical Co. Ltd). As stated above, after printing the desired press run, the ink remaining on the recording body is removed to reuse the recording body again. In this case, small amount of the remaining ink thereon facilitates removal of the remaining ink. In order to remove the remaining ink after printing, the ink remaining on the surface of the recording body can be easily removed by contacting a adhesive member with the surface of the recording body. As the adhesive member, it is possible to use a single member having adhesiveness itself, or a composite member having a coating of an adhesive tape or an adhesive agent on a NBR rubber. More specifically, a isobutyl rubber roller comes into contact with the surface of the recording body to remove the ink. In another embodiment according to the present invention, when a member having a surface roughness more than that of the recording body is brought into contact with the surface of the recording body developed already, the remaining ink on the surface of the recording body can be easily removed. In this case, it is preferred that the member has the surface roughness more than that of the surface of the recording body. More specifically, in a case where the recording body has the surface roughness of 10 µm, when the member has the surface roughness of 20 µm, the ink can be removed, In other embodiment according to the present invention, a solid film is formed on the surface of the recording body developed already and the solid film is removed together with the ink to easily remove the ink remaining on the surface of recording body. In this case, a liquid is coated, from which the solid film is formed in the absence of water. After drying, the remaining ink can be removed with the film. More specifically, a 2 wt% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (POVAL) is coated on the surface of the recording body. After drying, a film of POVAL can be removed with the ink. In other embodiment according to the present invention, after the residual material is air-dried on the surface of the recording body to cure it completely, removal of the dried ink can be carried out by the above method, so that the ink can be removed easily and effectively. More specifically, after printing, the ink remaining on the surface of the recording body is allowed to stand until the ink is cured completely, for example, standing for 3 to 4 hours, and the isobutyl rubber is then brought into contact with the ink to remove it. Alternatively, after the ink remaining on the surface of the recording body developed already is cured compulsorily, removal of the cured ink is easily accomplished by the above method for a short time. More specifically, after the ink remaining on the recording body is completely cured by a compulsory means, such as heating fixation, silicone fixing method or the like, a silicone rubber is brought into contact with the surface of the recording body developed already. The solution of POVAL is then coated on the surface to form a film of POVAL by drying. The film can be removed with the ink. In the image forming apparatus as stated above, negative writing for the image formation is carried out by heating the non-image region. If the heating element or energy radiation source of the image forming apparatus is broken down, a broken portion of the element or the source does not work to generate a line of scumming, thereby giving rise to problems relating to dramatic image degradation. In order to solve these problems, other heating body or other energy radiation source is compensated for the broken element.

Claims: An image recording body comprising: a recording layer which absorbs light in response to image information so as to achieve recording, said recording layer comprising a copolymer including a first monomer unit with a changeable character of wettability and including a second monomer unit having a skeleton structure of a dye as a side chain. The image recording body as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a reflecting layer which reflects light and are provided between said recording layer comprising the thermal changeable character of wettability and said substrate. The image recording body as claimed in claim 2, wherein said reflecting layer has a rough surface thereof. The image recording body as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reflecting layer has a surface roughness (Rz) from 0.1 µm to 10 µm. The image recording body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recording body has a surface having a roughness of less than 20 µm. The image recording body of claim 1, wherein said recording layer has a Young's modulus of less than 1.0 x 10 7 N/m 2 and a thickness of more than 2 µm. The image recording body of claim 1 wherein said substrate has a Young's modulus of less than 1.0 x 10 8 N/m 2 and a thickness of more than 25 µm. The image recording body of claim 1, wherein said cushion layer has a Young's modulus of less than 8.0 x 10 7 N/m 2 and a thickness of more than 5 µm. An image forming apparatus comprising the recording body of one of claims 1 to 8, said image forming apparatus further comprising: a light source (1) emitting scannable light (including an electromagnetic wave); and liquid forming layer means (9) for forming a liquid layer on a surface of said recording body exposed to light during writing operation. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said liquid layer forming means is means for forming a gel-like element. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said liquid layer forming means is means for forming a layer comprising a microcapsule-like fine particle element containing a liquid. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said liquid layer forming means comprises a light transmissible film to hold said liquid layer between a surface of said recording body and said means so as to form said film on said surface of said recording body in a state where said liquid layer is placed between said means and said recording body.

Inventors: HARA KEI, KATANO YASUO, MORIKAWA MINORU, TOMITA SATORU, HARA, KEI, KATANO, YASUO, MORIKAWA, MINORU, TOMITA, SATORU
Applicants: RICOH KK
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B41C1
IPC codes: B41N3, B41M5, B41J11, B41J2