PURPOSE: To embody gradation recording at a low running cost at a low price with the simple constitution by using an ink holding body constituted of a temperature-sensitive liquid absorbing resins of a plurality of kinds having the different transition temperatures.
CONSTITUTION: Plural kinds of temperature-sensitive liquid absorbing resins 1b, 1c and 1d having the different transition temperatures are laminated on a base film 1a of an ink holding body 1. The ink holding body 1 is hooked between a transfer part A and an ink feeding part B in the hooking state with the layer of the temperature-sensitive liquid absorbing resin being outside. In the ink feeding part, a part of the ink holding body 1 is submerged into ink 7 in an ink feeder 6 with a guide roll 3b. The ink 7 is absorbed with the temperature- sensitive liquid absorbing resins 1b-1d at room temperature lower than the transition temperature. In the transfer part A, a platen 4 and a thermal head 2 face to each other through a recording medium 5 and the ink holding body 1. The heating temperature with the thermal head 2 is selected in response to the transfer temperatures of the temperature-sensitive liquid absorbing resins 1b-1d, and heating is performed. The intended temperature-sensitive liquid absorbing resin is made to be the liquid draining state, and the draining amount of the ink is adjusted. Thus, the recording in many gradations having the different densities is performed.
TAKAHASHI KAZUNAGA
KONDO YOSHIHIRO
TAKAHASHI TOMOAKI
KANDA YASUNARI
HIRAYAMA IWAO
