Abstract: A thermally printable thermoplastic media includes a thermoplastic material having a thermally activated composition incorporated therein. The thermally activated composition includes a leuco-dye, a color developer, and a reaction promoter. The printable media preferably has a thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1.5 mils to provide a roll with a longer length than a conventional paper roll, thereby increasing the amount of printable media which can be contained on a roll. The thermally printable thermoplastic media is manufactured by combining a thermoplastic material and a thermally activated composition, melting the combined thermoplastic material and thermally activated composition and forming a film from the combined thermoplastic material and thermally activated composition, typically by extrusion. To prevent pre-imaging or initiation of a thermo-chromogenic reaction from the heat involved in extrusion, the extrusion is preferably carried out in an oxygen-free environment.

Abstract: A process for using a substantially light-insensitive mono sheet direct thermal imaging material for producing a non-retro-reflective readable object attachable to a second object for information purposes, the imaging material including a support, a thermosensitive element and an attaching layer, wherein the thermosensitive element contains a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent therefore in thermal working relationship therewith, a binder and does not contain a di- or triarylmethane dye precursor compound possessing within its di- or triarylmethane structure an aryl group substituted in the ortho position to the meso carbon atom with an S-containing moiety ring-closed on the meso carbon atom selected from a thiolactone, dithiolactone and thioether moiety.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material is provided which has an excellent head matching performance and a surface which is coated well without any coating defects. A method for producing the heat-sensitive material is also provided. The heat-sensitive recording material includes a substrate, and a heat-sensitive recording layer and a protective layer disposed on the substrate in that order. The protective layer is formed by applying a coating solution for the protective layer containing a pigment, a binder, and an emulsion of silicone oil dispersed so that an average particle diameter of silicone oil is 0.15 &mgr;m or less. It is preferable that the silicone oil is at least one type of silicone oil selected from the group consisting of ether modified silicone oil, carboxy modified silicone oil and amino modified silicone oil. Further, it is preferable that the silicone oil has a viscosity within a range from 400 to 100,000 cps.

Abstract: A recording material having a resin layer which contains a high concentration of a water-soluble resin such as polyvinyl alcohol, and which has excellent gas blocking property and flatness. Image defects such as non-uniform color and the like do not arise at the recording material. The recording material has, on a support, a recording layer which can form color due to application of heat and/or pressure thereto. At least one resin layer is provided between the support and the recording layer. The resin layer is formed by coating a low viscosity coating solution, and easily forms a flat surface by leveling.

Abstract: A combination release coating and barrier coating for use on linerless thermal labels is provided in which the release coating includes an epoxy-silicone copolymer, a release modifier, and a cationic photoinitiator. The release coating provides an improved surface for direct thermal printing and good release properties from pressure sensitive adhesives. The barrier coating is preferably provided on the first and second surfaces of the label substrate to provide moisture and abrasion resistance to the substrate and to prevent adhesive failure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reversible heat-sensitive recording medium capable of manufacturing a reversible heat-sensitive recording medium invulnerable toward scratches, etc. even when printing/erasing is repeated under situation where dirt and dust tend to attach to the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium, thus providing increase durability of the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium against repeated printing/erasing. In the method of manufacturing the reversible heat-sensitive recording medium containing a reversible heat-sensitive recording layer and a substrate sheet, a reversible heat-sensitive recording sheet or a reversible heat-sensitive recording transfer sheet having the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer applied to the substrate sheet through welding, after which a protective layer is formed on the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to microcapsules having walls obtained by polyaddition of polyisocyanates and polyamines in an aqueous emulsion comprising protein hydrolysate emulsifier.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material, comprising: a support, and a heat-sensitive recording layer and a protective layer which are provided on the support, wherein the protective layer contains at least a silicon denatured polymer and inorganic ultra-fine grains whose mean primary particle diameter is less than or equal to 0.1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An image bearing medium which has a flexible substrate and an image bearing layer disposed on the substrate. The image bearing layer contains a low molecular compound which selectively exhibits a solid phase and a thermosensible cholesteric liquid crystal phase. The low molecular compound, when changing its temperature rapidly, changes from the thermosensible cholesteric liquid crystal phase to the solid phase keeping the state in the thermosensible cholesteric phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermosensitive recording material of heat fixing type. The thermosensitive recording material comprises, on a sheet substrate, a subbing layer and a thermosensitive color image-forming layer in this order, the thermosensitive color image-forming layer comprising a colorless or light-colored dye precursor and a color-developer which reacts with the dye precursor to color the precursor when the color-developer is heated, the color-developer being selected such that the color image formed has a high solvent resistance after the coloring, and the subbing layer comprising a color developability reducing substance capable of reducing the color-developing function of the color-developer and having a melting point of 40° C. or higher. According to the present invention, a thermosensitive recording material is provided, which has a good fixing property and particularly an excellent legibility of colored images even after accidental heating.

Abstract: A method of delivering disinfectant in an absorbent substrate. A first step involves intermixing a first reactant chemical with a first ink. A second step involves intermixing a second reactant chemical with a second ink. A third step involves printing a first pattern on an absorbent substrate with the first ink. A fourth step involves printing a second pattern on the absorbent substrate with the second ink. The second pattern is positioned in close proximity to the first pattern, such that when the first pattern and second pattern are exposed to water an intermixing of the first reactant chemical and the second reactant chemical occurs to produce an aerosol disinfectant.

Abstract: A lamination and method provide for an information displaying label with dual image receiving capabilities. The laminate includes a substrate with a thermally responsive coating in adhesive engagement with an overlying light transmissive protective layer. The thermally responsive coating is adapted to receive an information image upon the selective application of heat at a first temperature. The adhesive layer, which is non-reactive with the coating, bonds the coating and the protective layer together when heated to a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The adhesive layer provides a permanent and stable bond and may include ultraviolet inhibitors. The protective layer permits the transfer of heat to the underlying coating and provides an image receiving surface for additional label printing. The protective layer also protects the coating from environmental elements such as heat, moisture, chemicals and abrasions.

Abstract: An adhesive-backed label useful for security applications. The label comprises a substrate onto which has been coated, in order, at least a thermally-imprintable color producing layer, and an adhesive layer, preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording sheet has A heat-sensitive recording layer containing color formers and color developers formed on one side of a substrate, a backcoat is formed on the side opposite to the recording layer, wherein this backcoat is formed of A mixture containing starch, an acrylate copolymer which does not comprise styrene or vinyl acetate components and has a film-forming temperature of less than 5° C., and an alkaline catalyst.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording medium capable of forming a visible image thereon when subjected to thermal printing, which has a transparent support, a thermosensitive recording layer provided on the transparent support, containing a dye and a color developer capable of inducing a color in the dye upon the application of heat thereto in the course of the thermal printing, and a mat layer, containing a granular thermosensitive recording layer, containing a granular filler and a binder resin, the mat layer having a surface smoothness of 100 to 2000 sec before subjected to the thermal printing, and a portion of the mat layer subjected to the thermal printing having a surface smoothness of 5,000 sec or less at most.

Abstract: A substantially light-insensitive black and white monosheet thermographic recording material comprising a support and a thermosensitive element provided with a protective layer, the thermosensitive element containing a substantially light-insensitive organic silver salt, a 1,2-dihydroxy-benzene derivative in thermal working relationship therewith and a first polymer having active hydrogen atoms at least part of which has reacted with a first polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of: hexamethylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanat, naphthylene diisocyanate and triphenylmethane-p,p′,p″-trityl triisocyanate; and the protective layer being exclusive of fluorine-containing compounds; and a thermographic recording process therefor.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material including a coloring layer which is formed overlying a substrate and which includes a leuco dye and a color developer which can make the leuco dye color upon application of heat, wherein the thermosensitive recording material has a thermal property such that the coloring layer achieves a colored state having an image density (1) not less than about 1.20 when the coloring layer is heated with a thermal printhead upon application of a recording energy of 0.45 mJ/dot, and the coloring layer achieves a colored state having an image density (2) which is not less than about 0.1 lower than the image density (1) when the coloring layer is heated by being brought into contact with a heated block at a temperature of 150° C. for 1 second upon application of a pressure of 2 kg/cm2.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel thermally-responsive record material comprising a support having coated thereon a thermally sensitive color forming composition comprising a chromogenic material, an acidic developer material and a certain carbamate component that does not include dodecyl-N-phenylcarbamate. The novel record material displays enhanced image intensity or improved thermal response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reversible heat-sensitive recording material which is excellent in light resistance and is remarkably free from discoloration caused by exposure to light and erasing failure and which shows a high layer strength and has durability against repeated printing and erasing, the reversible heat-sensitive recording material having a support, a reversible heat-sensitive recording layer formed on the support and at least one protective layer formed thereon, the reversible heat-sensitive recording layer containing a normally colorless or slightly colored dye precursor and a reversible color developer capable of causing a reversible change in color density of the dye precursor on the basis of a difference in cooling rate after heating, wherein at least one of the said layers contains an isocyanate compound and an ultraviolet absorbent capable of reacting with the isocyanate compound to undergo crosslinking.

Abstract: A thermochromatic ink covered article including a substrate, a thermochromatic ink layer disposed on the substrate, a polymer acrylic protective coating over said thermochromatic ink layer, and a design disposed at least partially in said protective coating, the design being transferred to the protective coating via a sublimation ink transfer process.

Abstract: The present invention provides transparent film sheets for use in projection by an OHP which can be used both in dry copying and in the ink-jet printing of characters and/or pictures, can be directly printed with a jet printing ink without the intervention of a layer receptive to the jet printing ink, can be disposed of in a state capable of maintaining secrecy after use without the necessity of being shredded, and can be disposed of as a class of recycling waste like common white paper. Specifically, the present invention provides transparent film sheets formed of a cellulose ether derived from cellulose which is the basic component of common paper.

Abstract: A transparent thermosensitive recording material has a transparent support and a thermosensitive recording layer formed thereon, with a non-image area of the transparent thermosensitive recording material exhibiting an absorbance in a range from 0.5 to 1.2 when irradiated with light with a wavelength of 380 nm, and an absorbance of 0.7 or less when irradiated with light with a wavelength of 420 nm.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material of the present invention comprises: a support, and a heat-sensitive recording layer and a protective layer which are provided on the support, wherein the protective layer is formed by using at least a long chain alkyl ether denatured polyvinyl alcohol. Preferably, the long chain alkyl ether denatured polyvinyl alcohol is an alkyl ether denatured polyvinyl alcohol having 8 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heat-sensitive recording material having a support and provided thereon a heat-sensitive recording layer mainly comprising a heat-sensitive recording component which forms a color by heating, the improvement wherein the heat-sensitive recording component comprises two or more kinds of compounds, and at least one of the compounds constituting the heat-sensitive recording component is contained in the heat-sensitive recording layer in the state of a particle on the surface of which is formed a color-formation controlling layer obtained by polymerizing a compound having an unsaturated carbon bond.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material including a transparent substrate; a thermosensitive recording layer which is formed overlying the substrate and which includes an electron donating coloring agent, an electron accepting color developer and a binder resin; and an overcoat layer which is formed overlying the recording layer and which includes a binder resin which has substantially the same refractive index as the recording material, wherein at least one of the recording layer and a layer adjacent to the recording layer includes a light-heat converting agent and the recording material has transmittance not less than about 10% in a range of from 360 to 420 nm in wavelength. The recording material on which images are recorded is useful for a block copy for flexography, gravure printing, offset printing and screen printing.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material has a support and a thermosensitive coloring layer formed thereon containing a leuco dye and a color developer capable of inducing color formation in the leuco dye upon application of heat thereto, with the color developer including at least one compound (A) having in a molecule thereof at least two aromatic ring moieties with specific structures, selected from the group consisting of an aromatic ring moiety having at least one carboxyl group and electron-attracting functional group, an aromatic ring moiety having at least one carboxyl group and electron-donating functional group, and an aromatic ring moiety having at least one carboxyl group, free of the electron-attracting and electron-donating functional groups. An aromatic carboxylic acid compound serving as the above-mentioned compound (A) and the producing method thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium is provided, comprising a supporting substrate, a reversible thermosensitive recording layer and an overcoat layer, formed in the order recited, in which the recording layer changes transparency or color tone reversibly with temperature. The overcoat layer is formed to have a peak temperature of at most 155° C. in a tan &dgr; vs. temperature curve, wherein tan &dgr; is defined by G′/G″, with dynamic modulus of elasticity represented by G′ and dynamic elastic loss represented by G″.

Abstract: A sticker sheet includes support paper. An obverse and a reverse laminate layers are disposed on respectively surfaces of the support paper. Three thermosensitive coloring layers are disposed on the obverse laminate layer, constitute a recording medium with the support paper, and adapted to direct thermal recording. An adhesive layer is disposed on the reverse laminate layer. Release paper is secured to the recording medium by the adhesive layer in a peelable manner. Cut lines are formed in the recording medium by cutting the reverse laminate layer and the support paper with the coloring layers and the obverse laminate layer kept uncut at least partially, and partition the recording medium into plural sticker chips. After the thermal recording, the coloring layers and the obverse laminate layer are tearable along the cut lines, and the sticker chips are separable with the adhesive layer.

Abstract: Thermal recording media each having as a support or a part thereof, a void-containing polyolefin film with a void volume of from 10 cc to smaller than 40 cc per 100 g of the film. The thermal recording media can attain the excellent advantages that they have high resolving power, they can give high-density and distinct images recorded even with very small printing energy, they have high delamination resistance, i.e., they are not easily delaminated by adhesive tape or others, and they have high opacifying power and high elasticity.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive composition is provided, comprising a matrix resin and at least one kind of low molecular weight organic material dispersed in the matrix resin, the reversible thermosensitive composition changing transparency reversibly with temperature, in which the matrix resin comprises a graft polymer or a graft copolymer, having the following polymerizing unit, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 each is hydrogen or an alkyl group; R.sup.2 is a bond, a dibasic fatty acid group, a divalent aromatic group, or a divalent group of admixed fatty acid and aromatic groups; R.sup.3 is a dibasic fatty acid group, a divalent aromatic group, or a divalent group of admixed fatty acid and aromatic groups; and R.sup.5 is hydrogen, or --CON(R.sup.5)--R.sup.3 --C(R.sup.4).dbd.(CH.sub.2), inclusive of hydrogen at the end of a polymer chain.

Abstract: A thermographic recording material is provided by the present invention comprising on the same side of a support, called the heat-sensitive side, a thermosensitive element and a outermost layer which contains a cured polymer or cured polymer composition and colloidal silica, wherein the colloidal silica is substantially present in its acidified form and the outermost layer further contains a buffer with a pH between 2 and 7 consisting of at least one acid and at least one non-metallic salt of an acid; a method of recording an image therewith and a production process therefor.

Abstract: A new direct thermal printable media includes an optically transmissive film that gives both form and protection to a layer of thermosensitive imaging material on a back surface of the film. Concentrations of heat applied to a front surface of the film form images within the thermosensitive layer that are visible through the film. A substrate is laminated to the thermosensitive layer on the back surface of the film for providing additional support independently of physical and chemical properties required for directly supporting thermosensitive imaging material.

Abstract: A direct image-recording material has a layer of a thermosensitive layer formed on a thin substrate. The substrate comprises an organic polymeric material that is substantially transparent and colorless and has a thickness no greater than about 10 .mu.m. Preferred embodiments of the invention further include a support sheet with an interposed first adhesive layer on the thermosensitive composition layer. Other preferred embodiments further include a second adhesive layer and a backing sheet, which may be releasable, on the support sheet.

Abstract: The improved thermal recording film includes a clear film base, a thermal recording layer formed on one side of the film base and a matted layer formed on the other side of the film base. The improved method of thermal image recording using a thermal recording film having a thermal recording layer on one side of a clear film base, preferably the improved thermal recording film described above includes the steps of processing the image to be recorded in such a way that the correct image will come out when viewed from the side opposite to the thermal recording layer, and recording the thus processed image on the thermal recording layer in the thermal recording film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-sensitive recording material high in sensitivity and whiteness. That is, a heat-sensitive recording material which comprises a support and a recording layer between which an intermediate layer is provided and which is of high sensitivity could be obtained by using a latex having a temperature-sensitive gelling characteristic as a binder of the intermediate layer and by adjusting pH of a coating solution of the intermediate layer to 7.0 or more, and adjusting temperature of the coating solution at the time of preparation and coating to a temperature lower at least 20.degree. C. than the gelling temperature of the temperature-sensitive latex. Furthermore, a heat-sensitive recording material of high whiteness and very high printability could be obtained by adding a non-crosslinking type acrylic alkali thickening agent to the coating solution of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording material including a substrate, a thermosensitive coloring layer which is formed overlying the substrate and which induces color formation upon application of heat, and a protective layer which is formed overlying the thermosensitive coloring layer and which includes a resin, wherein the protective layer is formed by coating with a liquid including a core-shell type emulsion of the resin, and wherein the core-shell type emulsion of the resin is prepared by polymerizing monomers including (d) acrylamide and/or methacrylamide and (e) a vinyl monomer having a hydroxy group in the presence of a seed emulsion which is prepared by polymerizing monomers including (a) acrylamide and/or methacrylamide, (b) acrylonitrile and (c) a vinyl monomer having a hydroxy group.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording material containing a support which is composed of a first film, an adhesive layer formed on the first film and a second film formed on the adhesive layer, with the adhesive strength between the first film and the second film being 0.5 kgf/25 mm or more in terms of the average tensile load at an angle of 180.degree. measured in accordance with JIS K 6854, and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer formed on the support, capable of reversibly assuming a transparent state and a white opaque state depending on the temperature thereof, which recording layer contains a matrix resin and an organic low-molecular-weight mateiral dispersed in the form of finely-divided particles in the matrix resin.

Abstract: Thermosensitive recording materials, such as thermal papers, with near infrared flourescent (NIRF) compounds as a security feature and methods for preparing thermal papers with NIRF compounds as a security measure, wherein the NIRF compounds do not react with the reactive components of the thermosensitive recording materials and are preferably shielded from contact with ambient air.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermographic recording material including on one side of a support, called the heat-sensitive side, a thermosensitive element, the outermost layer on the heat-sensitive side containing a cured polymer or cured polymer composition and silica, comprising the steps of: providing the heat-sensitive side of the support with an outermost layer by coating with a composition produced by mixing ingredients including colloidal silica, a curable polymer and a curing agent therefor; and drying and curing the outermost layer, wherein any acidic groups present in the colloidal silica upon acidification are substantially neutralized with ammonium ions, the curable polymer is a hydrophilic polymer having active hydrogen atoms and the curing agent is selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, aldehydes, titanates, zirconates, sulfone, boric acid and hydrolyzed tetraalkyl orthosilicate; and a method of recording an image therewith.

Abstract: A polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of not less than 15.degree. C. and a reduced viscosity of 0.15-1.5, which comprises a graft polymer comprising a polyester having an unsaturated bond as a main chain, and a radical polymerizable unsaturated monomer as a side chain, and a sublimation transfer image receiver which comprises a dyeable layer mainly comprising a dyeable resin comprising the polyester resin. Inasmuch as the polyester resin can provide highly sensitive images without the use of a plasticizer or an additive, it is suitable as a dyeable resin for a sublimation transfer image receiver. The images obtained by the use of a sublimation transfer image receiver having a dyeable layer containing this resin are superior in durability and preservation stability.

Abstract: A co-winding type thermal transfer sheet is constituted by forming on one surface side of a substrate film a heat-fusible ink layer comprising a pigment and a particulate binder, and causing a tracing paper to be peelably bonded onto the heat-fusible ink layer by the medium of an adhesive layer. The thus constituted co-winding type thermal transfer sheet is capable of providing an original image which can be reproduced by use of a blueprint process so as to provide blueprint images having a high precision and a high contrast.In addition, a co-winding type thermal transfer sheet may also be constituted by forming a heat-fusible ink layer on one surface side of a substrate film and causing a transparent resin sheet to be peelably bonded onto the heat-fusible ink layer by the medium of an adhesive layer containing a cross-linking agent. The thus constituted co-winding type thermal transfer sheet is capable of providing an image excellent in wear resistance on the transparent resin sheet.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording label including a substrate, a thermosensitive coloring layer formed on one side of the substrate, and a thermosensitive adhesive layer which is formed on the opposite side of the substrate and which includes a thermoplastic resin and a tack applying agent and which is usually non-adhesive and becomes adhesive when activated by heat, wherein the thermoplastic resin includes a natural rubber which is graft-copolymerized with a vinyl monomer.

Abstract: A heat sensitive recording material comprising a substrate having sequentially thereon a heat sensitive recording layer and a protective layer, 1) wherein the protective layer contains an aqueous silicone modified polymer.It is desirable this aqueous silicone modified polymer is used together with an aqueous binder, and a crosslinking agent which can cause a crosslinking reaction with them is desirably used. 2) The protective layer contains a silicone modified polymer having a Tg (glass transition point) of 60.degree. C. or more. In the heat sensitive recording materials of 1) and 2), the silicone modified polymer is desirably a silicone graft polymer, silicone block polymer, silicone modified acrylic polymer and the like, and particularly, the silicone graft polymer is desirably a silicone graft acrylic polymer and the like.

Abstract: Recording sheets are disclosed which comprise a support (I) having formed on a surface thereof an image-recording/receiving layer (II) selected from an ink-receiving layer (IIa) for receiving a water-based ink ejected by an ink-jet recording technique, a thermosensitive recording layer (IIb), a coating layer (IIc) for laser printing and a thermal transfer image-receiving layer (IId). The support (I) has a laminated structure comprising a plain weave fabric (A) and, bonded thereto with an adhesive, a water-proof stretched resin film (B) having a machine-direction Clark stiffness (S value) of from 8 to 300, a transverse-direction Clark stiffness of from 8 to 300 and a thickness of from 20 to 300 .mu.m. The image-recording/receiving layer (II) is provided on the support on the side where the stretched resin film layer (B) is present. The inventive recording sheets have a tough surface and have both excellent ink absorption and clarity of developed color.

Abstract: A heat sensitive recording material in which a heat sensitive recording layer containing an electron-donating compound and an electron-accepting compound, and a protective layer containing a binder are provided sequentially on a substrate, the binder in the protective layer being diacetone-modified polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel thermally-responsive record material having coated thereon a thermally sensitive color forming composition comprising a chromogenic material, an acidic developer material and a carbamate of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from alkyl, aryl or aralkyl. The alkyl moiety in each of the preceding is selected to be of from one to eight carbons. The novel record material displays enhanced image intensity or improved thermal response.

Abstract: A thermally imagable business record such as a form, tag, label or the like is provided in which selected areas of the record may be activated to form an image upon exposure to heat. In one embodiment, at least one selected area of a substrate surface contains a thermally imagable coating of initially colorless color formers and color developers while the remaining areas of the substrate are left uncoated. The substrate may be pre-coated to provide a smooth, non-porous base coat for the thermally imagable coating, and may also include a protective coating layer to protect the subsequently printed thermal image.

Abstract: A reversibly changeable heat-sensitive recording medium comprising a heat-sensitive layer which comprises a support, and a resin matrix and a low molecular weight organic material dispersed inside the resin matrix, the transparency of which changes reversibly depending on the temperature and which is formed on a support, and, if necessary, including a protection layer or an intermediate layer prepared above the heat-sensitive layer or on the lower surface of the support layer or between the support layer and any other layer or between any other layers in the reversibly changeable heat-sensitive recording medium, characterized in that a fluorescent body which emits visible light through the excitement by visible light is included in at least a portion of the support body, heat-sensitive layer and, if necessary, any other layer. This medium has excellent visibility and can be used with backgrounds of any of many possible colors.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium has a support, and a reversible thermosensitive recording layer, an intermediate layer and a protective layer which are successively overlaid on the support in this order, the recording layer containing a reversible thermosensitive coloring composition which includes an electron-donating coloring compound and an electron-accepting compound and is capable of assuming a colored state and/or a decolorized state by controlling the thermal energy applied to the coloring composition or the cooling rate of the coloring composition after the application of thermal energy thereto, and the intermediate layer and/or protective layer containing an inorganic pigment material with an average particle diameter of 100 nm or less.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording material is disclosed, which comprises (a) a support, (b) a reversible thermosensitive recording layer formed thereon which comprises as the main components a matrix resin and an organic low-molecular-weight material dispersed in the matrix resin, and has a temperature-dependent transparency, and (c) an overcoat layer comprising as the main component a resin or an ultraviolet-light-setting resin, formed on the reversible thermosensitive recording layer.