Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method for forming an image includes a recording material which changes its adhesiveness in response to the polarity of the voltage applied thereto. Such a recording material can include negatively or positively changeable or inorganic particles, gas-generating solvents, a substance having a gel or sol state, and a dissociative electrolyte. The recording material is positioned between a pair of electrodes. At least one of the electrodes includes an electroconductive member and a pattern comprising an insulating material disposed on the electroconductive member. A voltage is then applied between the pair of electrodes to attach the recording material to one of the electrodes. Also provided is a pressure applicator for transferring to a transfer-receiving medium the recording material attached to the electrode.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording images on a recording medium has ink transport means for transporting fluid ink energy applying means for selectively applying to the ink transported by the ink transport means, transfer means for transferring to the recording medium the ink whose transfer characteristics has been changed in conformity with the selective application of the energy, coating means disposed upstream of the energy applying means with respect to the direction of transport of the ink by the ink transport means for supplying the ink onto the ink transport means, and biasing means for biasing the energy applying means against the ink transported by the ink transport means.

Abstract: A fluid ink which is substantially nonadhesive but can be imparted with an adhesiveness on application of an energy such as electrochemical energy or heat energy, is obtained by impregnating a crosslinked substance such as guar gum or polyvinyl alcohol compound with a liquid dispersion medium such as water. The fluid ink, preferably formed into a layer in advance, is supplied with a pattern of energy to be provided with an adhesive pattern, which is then transferred to a recording medium, such as plain paper, directly or by the medium of an intermediate transfer medium to form an ink pattern corresponding to the energy pattern applied.

Abstract: An image recording method and an image recording apparatus using an ink which is substantially non-adhesive but can be imparted with an adhesiveness when subjected to a pH change. In the image recording method, the ink is subjected to a pattern of pH change to be provided with an adhesive pattern, which is then transferred to a recording medium, such as plain paper, directly or by the medium of an intermediate transfer medium to form an ink pattern corresponding to the pH change pattern.

Abstract: A process of recording using fluid ink which is substantially non-adhesive but can be imparted with an adhesiveness on application of an energy such as electrochemical energy or heat energy. The ink is obtained by impregnating a crosslinked substance such as guar gum or polyvinyl alcohol compound with a liquid dispersion medium such as water. The fluid ink, preferably formed into a layer in advance, is supplied with a pattern of energy to be provided with an adhesive pattern, which is then transferred to a recording medium, such as plain paper, directly or by the medium of an intermediate transfer medium to form an ink pattern corresponding to the energy pattern applied.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium comprises ink transporting roll for transporting a fluid ink, energy applying element for selectively applying energy to the ink transported by the ink transporting roll, transfer member for transferring to the recording medium the ink whose transfer characteristics are changed upon selectively application of the energy and coating member disposed in an upstream of the energy applying element with respect to a transporting direction of the ink transporting roll so as to oppose the ink transporting roll, for supplying the ink having a predetermined thickness to the ink transporting roll. A distance between the ink transporting roll and the coating member is gradually reduced from the upstream to a downstream.

Abstract: A copier capable of producing both color images and monochrome images is disclosed, which comprises a platen for mounting thereon a manuscript, a scanner unit adapted to reciprocate relative to the platen and generate image signals divided in three primary colors by reading the manuscript for each line or for each set of a plurality of lines, four thermal heads for receiving image signals and, in response thereto, selectively actuating heat generation elements, means for supplying the thermal heads with ink donor films of four colors including black, and means for effecting thermal transfer printing on record paper.

Abstract: A thermo-sensitive recording apparatus individually controls the energization level of each of a plurality of heater elements formed on a substrate and constituting a thermal print head. In generating each energization level, the present and previous status of an individual heater element and selected neighboring elements are taken into consideration. Other factors combined in a selectively weighted manner include the latent heat of the individual heater element and its neighboring heater elements, the resistance of the heater element, the percentage of heater elements to be activated during the printing of a line, and the temperature of the substrate.