초록 ▼

Using a thermal writing device, an image is drawn on an image-forming sheet that includes a base and a layer of microcapsules, coated over the base, containing microcapsules filled with a dye. The microcapsules are squashed under a predetermined pressure at a temperature falling in a predetermined t

Using a thermal writing device, an image is drawn on an image-forming sheet that includes a base and a layer of microcapsules, coated over the base, containing microcapsules filled with a dye. The microcapsules are squashed under a predetermined pressure at a temperature falling in a predetermined temperature range. The device includes an elongated body, having a tip-end, designed to be grasped by a user's hand, a heater movably provided on the tip-end of the body, and a spring provided in the tip-end of the body. The spring is associated with the heater to be elastically biased such that, when the tip-end of the body is pressed against the sheet, the heater is depressed against an elastic-force of the spring, thereby exerting the predetermined pressure on the sheet. An electrical driver that electrically energizes the heater to heat to a temperature falling in the predetermined temperature range is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A thermal writing device that forms an image on an image-forming substrate including a base member and a layer of microcapsules, coated over the base member, the layer containing microcapsules filled with a dye, the microcapsules exhibiting a pressure/temperature charac

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A thermal writing device that forms an image on an image-forming substrate including a base member and a layer of microcapsules, coated over the base member, the layer containing microcapsules filled with a dye, the microcapsules exhibiting a pressure/temperature characteristic such that the microcapsules are squashed under a predetermined pressure at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, the device comprising:an elongated body, having a tip-end and configured to be handholdable;a heater element movably provided on said tip-end of said elongated body, said heater element being positioned to extend beyond a level defined by an end face of said tip-end, when said heater element does not contact the image-forming substrate;an elastic element, generating an elastic-force, provided in said tip-end of said elongated body and associated with said heater element to be elastically biased such that, when said tip-end of said elongated body is pressed against said image-forming substrate, said heater element is depressed against said elastic-force of said elastic member, thereby exerting said predetermined pressure on said image-forming substrate;an electrical driver that electrically energizes said heater element to said temperature within said predetermined temperature range;a determiner that determines whether said heater element is withdrawn from the extended position, to a level defined by said end face, when said tip-end of said elongated body is pressed against the image-forming substrate; anda controller that controls said electrical driver such that said electrical energization of said heater element is started, when the withdrawal of said heater elements from the extended position is confirmed by said determiner;an indicator that indicates that said pressure, exerted by said heater element on said image-forming substrate, reaches said predetermined pressure, when the withdrawal of said heater elements from the extended position is confirmed by said determiner;wherein a pressure, exerted by said heater element on said image-forming substrate, reaches said predetermined pressure when said heater element is withdrawn from the extended position, when said tip-end of said elongated body is pressed against said image-forming substrate.