Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording images on a heat-sensitive sheet, including an image-erasing device which thermally erases images recorded on a first heat-sensitive sheet which is a recyclable heat-sensitive sheet, thereby recycling the first sheet; an image-recording device which thermally records images on each of (a) the first sheet which has been recycled by the image-erasing device and (b) (b1) a second heat-sensitive sheet which is a recyclable heat-sensitive sheet and which has not been recycled by the image-erasing device and/or (b2) a third heat-sensitive sheet which is an unrecyclable heat-sensitive sheet; and a control device which controls the image-recording device according to a first recording condition when the image-recording device records images on the first sheet recycled by the image-erasing device, controls the image-recording device according to a second recording condition different from the first recording condition when the image-recording device records images on the second shee

Abstract: A photocopying system without using an intermediate film is disclosed. In this system, the photo-pressure sensitive sheet and an original are tightly overlapped on a photocopying stage. Scratching scars generated by friction therebetween can be avoided by drive means for changing a distance therebetween. Images on the reverse side of the original can be protected from being duplicated by changing a direction of a light beam. Figure/character images, as well as image trimming, can be arbitrarily photocopied by exposing to a light through display on liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: In an optical printing system for printing an image on a recording sheet, adopted as the recording sheet is a sheet coated with microcapsules on one surface thereon. Each microcapsule envelopes a first component which changes color when reacts with a second component. The second component may be coated on the recording sheet or may be coated on a separate developing sheet. The microcapsule further envelopes a third component which varies the mechanical strength of microcapsule when light is projected thereto. An image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively exposing a light thereto in accordance with the image to be printed thereon, and the microcapsules on the recording sheet whose mechanical strength is low are then ruptured by rupturing means. Thereby, the visible image is developed. The exposing is carried out by repeating a predetermined-period exposure at a predetermined interval against the same portion of the recording sheet.

Abstract: In a cassette for accommodating therein a photo-sensitive recording medium, a pair of cassette halves formed of synthetic resin are united together to form a cassette body having defined therein an accommodating chamber for the recording medium. A drawing opening is formed in an outer surface of the cassette body. The recording medium is drawn out of the accommodating chamber through the drawing opening. An optically inert feed passage is defined by cooperation of a wall section of one of the pair of cassette halves with a wall section of the other cassette half when the one and other cassette halves are united together. The feed passage has one end thereof communicating with the accommodating chamber and the other end communicating with the drawing opening such that the recording medium passes through the feed passage when the recording medium is drawn out of the accommodating chamber through the drawing opening.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of exposing a photosensitive medium for forming thereon a latent image which corresponds to an original image to be reproduced and which is developed into a visible image. The photosensitive medium has a basic minimum amount of exposure to a radiation, below which a density of the visible image remains constant and above which the density varies with an amount of exposure to the radiation. An entire recording surface of the photosensitive medium is evenly exposed to a first radiation by a predetermined first exposure amount determined by the basic minimum amount, and each label area of the recording surface is exposed to a second radiation by a second exposure amount which corresponds to a density in a corresponding local area of the original image, so that the first and second exposure amounts cooperate to form the latent image.

Abstract: An exposure unit for exposing a photosensitive image recording medium with light for forming an image corresponding to an original. The exposure unit comprises a light source; an original mounting table for mounting the original thereon, the original mounting table being disposed above the light source and extending over a light path zone so as to maintain the original at the light path zone, the photosensitive image recording medium being travelled over the original; contact means disposed above the photosensitive image recording medium for providing an intimate contact between the original and the photosensitive image recording medium when the original is brought into the light path zone for allowing a light to pass through the original and to reach to the photosensitive image recording medium; and, means for guiding travel of one of the original and the photosensitive image recording medium.

Abstract: An exposure system for use in an image recording apparatus includes a photosensitive and pressure-sensitive recording sheet which is sensitive to light in a certain wavelength range. The exposure system also includes a light source disposed on one side of the photosensitive and pressure-sensitive recording medium for applying the light in the predetermined wavelength range to the photosensive and pressure-sensitive recording medium through a first original, and a space region disposed on said one side for accommodating therein an optional exposure unit for optionally exposing the photosensitive and pressure-sensitive recording medium through a second original. The light source is movable while applying the light to the photosensitive and pressure-sensitive recording medium through the first original.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a medium supporting device for supporting a roll of a photosensitive recording medium in the form of a web, such that an active length of the web supplied from the roll extends along an exposing path. The apparatus further includes an exposing device for imagewise exposing the active length of the web of the photosensitive recording medium to an image radiation representative of an original image to be reproduced, while the active length is placed in the exposing path. The apparatus has an upper section disposed above the exposing path and including the medium supporting device, and a lower section disposed below the exposing path and including the exposing device. The upper and lower sections are separable from each other at the exposing path.

Abstract: A process and system for forming images on a recording sheet, according to source image information as provided on an original, wherein a pressure-sensitive photosensitive sheet is image-wise exposed to a radiation, to form thereon latent images corresponding to the source image information, and a pressure is applied to the image-wise exposed photosensitive sheet, to cause a chemical reaction and thereby develop the latent images into visible images on the recording sheet. The thus pressurized recording sheet is heated so that the chemical reaction is promoted to thereby increase a density of the visible images.

Abstract: A pressure developing device having a pair of pressure developing rollers in an image recording apparatus. A pressure-sensitive recording sheet can be fed to pass between the pressure developing rollers, and has a pressure-sensitive image bearing layer on one surface thereof. A developer sheet can selectively be fed to pass between the pressure developing rollers in superposed relation to the pressure-sensitive image bearing layer. The pressure developing rollers are spaced from each other by a gap which is greater than the thickness of the pressure-sensitive sheet and smaller than the combined thickness of the pressure-sensitive sheet and the developer sheet. The pressure developing device also includes a friction roller held against a surface of the pressure-sensitive recording sheet opposite to the image bearing layer and rotatable for frictionally feeding the pressure-sensitive recording sheet.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus, a housing is provided in its wall with an external insertion opening. A pair of heat-treatment rollers are arranged within the housing. A first predetermined transport path extends through a nip between the heat-treatment rollers. The developing sheet having carried thereon an image is transported along the first transport path and is heat-treated by the heat-treatment rollers. A second predetermined transport path different from the first transport path extends through the nip between the heat-treatment rollers. An article inserted through the external insertion opening can travel along the second transport path so that the article is heat-treated by the heat-treatment rollers. Preferably, the heat-treatment rollers are arranged at an upper location within the housing, and the wall provided therein with the external insertion opening is a top wall of the housing.

Abstract: An image recording sheet, such as a developer sheet, is fed so as to overlap a light-exposed sheet, such as a photosensitive pressure-sensitive sheet which carries an image recorded thereon. The image is transferred from the exposed sheet to the image recording sheet at a pressure developing unit. The image recording sheet is delivered to cause a leading end thereof to abut the exposed sheet, while being fed into the developing unit at a position near an inlet of the developing unit for allowing the image recording sheet to move along and with the exposed sheet into the developing unit. A device for feeding an image recording sheet is an image recording apparatus, said image recording apparatus including an exposure unit for light-exposure to said sheet for forming the latent image, and a pressure developing unit disposed at downstream side of the exposed unit at which the light-exposed sheet and the image recording sheet are overlappingly pressed.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus, a developing sheet is fed by a feeder substantially horizontally along a predetermined transport path. A pair of pressurizing and developing rollers are arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the developing sheet fed by the feeder. A guide arrangement is arranged in the predetermined transport path for changing a course of the developing sheet fed by the feeder and for guiding the developing sheet to a nip defined between the pair of pressurizing and developing rollers. A pressure-sensitive recording medium having carried thereon a latent image and the developing sheet are caused to pass through the nip, with the pressure-sensitive recording medium and the developing sheet superposed upon each other. The pressurizing and developing rollers cooperate with each other to apply pressure to the pressure-sensitive recording medium and the developing sheet to develop the latent image on the pressure-sensitive recording medium, onto the developing sheet.

Abstract: In a thermal fixing device for use in a recording apparatus, an image on a recording medium is thermally fixed while passing through a nip between a pair of rollers. In order to prevent the recording medium from being wound around one of the rollers disposed to contact with the image formed surface of the recording medium, a diameter of that roller is made smaller than a diameter of the remainder, whereby a resilient force of the recording medium produced when the latter is curved along the surface of the smaller diameter roller overcomes an adhesion force that the image formed surface of the recording medium adheres to the smaller diameter roller.

Abstract: In an exposure device in an image recording apparatus, a photosensitive recording medium is exposed with light containing an image of an original to thereby form a latent image corresponding to the original. In view of the fact that photosensitivity of the recording medium changes depending upon some factors, such as a temperature of the recording medium per se, an intensity of light irradiated onto the recording medium, the temperature of the recording medium is controlled so that an optimum photosensitivity is obtained. The change of the light intensity is compensated for by changing the temperature of the recording medium. To this effect, the temperature of the recording medium and the light intensity of a light source are sensed and the recording medium is heated by a heater element so as to indicate an optimum photosensitivity.

Abstract: In an optical printing system for printing an image on a recording sheet, adopted as the recording sheet is a sheet coated with microcapsules on one surface thereon. Each microcapsule envelopes a first component which changes color when reacts with a second component. The second component may be coated on the recording sheet or may be coated on a separate developing sheet. The microcapsule further envelopes a third component which varies the mechanical strength of microcapsule when light is projected thereto. An image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively exposing a light thereto in accordance with the image to be printed thereon, and the microcapsules on the recording sheet whose mechanical strength is low are then ruptured by rupturing means. Thereby, the color is developed or the recording sheet on the first component with the second component. The printing operation of the printing system is executed by control means in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: In an optical printing system for printing an image on a recording sheet, adopted as the recording sheet is a sheet coated with microcapsules on one surface thereof. Each microcapsule envelopes a first component which changes color when reacts with a second component. The second component may be coated on the recording sheet or may be coated on a separate developing sheet. The microcapsule further envelopes a third component which varies the mechanical strength of microcapsule when light is projected thereto. An image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively exposing a light thereto in accordance with the image to be printed thereon, and the microcapsules on the recording sheet whose mechanical strength is low are then ruptured by rupturing means. Thereby, the color is developed or the recording sheet on the separate developing sheet by the reaction of the first component with the second component.