JP2001341428A - Document rewritable recording medium and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To use a double-sided rewritable recording medium for a general document, and to set a print direction when printing a multi-page document that is a problem using both sides. An object of the present invention is to provide a rewritable recording medium for a document that solves difficulties and is easy to handle and a reliable and easy recording method. A rewritable recording medium for a document, in which a rewritable recording layer is provided on both sides of a substrate, characterized in that the medium has a mark indicating a recording direction of an image. Type recording medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rewritable recording medium for documents capable of repeatedly rewriting and recording information and having the same easiness and convenience as paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development and spread of computer and network technologies, the amount of paper used in offices has been increasing as large amounts of information and high-speed processing have become possible. Despite the fact that most information is now being digitized and processed electronically,
Since the digital information is not enough for human thinking just by looking at the display, the digital information is often printed on paper using a printer or the like. Paper is indispensable as a thinking environment because it is easy to see without tired eyes, easy to handle and can be seen anywhere without power supply, and has a list that allows you to see a lot of necessary information side by side. There is nothing. However, on the other hand, mass consumption of paper has created environmental problems such as depletion of forest resources and social problems such as the generation of large amounts of paper waste. Recycling to collect and recycle used paper is being promoted, but even with recycled paper, the power and water required during manufacturing are not significantly different from paper made from new pulp, and this alone cannot solve the problem .

On the other hand, reversible recording media have been developed which can rewrite images many times and use them repeatedly. First, a recording medium was developed which had a recording layer in which particles of a low molecular compound such as a fatty acid were dispersed in a polymer film, and were reversibly in two states, transparent and cloudy. However, since this is a change in light scattering, white characters are printed on colored background, and cannot be handled as ordinary documents. As a result, it is practically used as an information display section for cards such as magnetic cards. Just stayed there.

Next, a reversible recording medium utilizing a reversible reaction of a leuco dye used in thermosensitive recording paper was developed. This includes disclosure of a reversible recording medium using an amphoteric compound having an acidic group for forming a leuco dye and a basic group for decoloring, or a salt formed by an acidic compound and a basic compound together with a leuco dye (for example, JP-A-2-188293). Publication). Subsequently, a reversible recording medium using a compound having a group such as phenol, carboxylic acid or phosphonic acid and a long-chain aliphatic group as a developer for developing a leuco dye has been proposed (for example, JP-A-5-124360). Such). In particular, the latter is superior to the former in that it can be easily colored and decolored by selecting heating conditions, and both the coloring state and the decoloring state are stable in a normal environment, and the coloration and decoloring can be repeated stably. Therefore, it was a highly practical reversible recording medium. Also in terms of the visibility of characters, it is superior to the recording medium using the above-mentioned light scattering change, so that it has already been put to practical use and spread as an information display section of a card. However, despite the fact that such a reversible recording / erasing recording medium can also display black characters with high contrast on a white background, the problem for general documents has not been solved.
It has not yet been put to practical use as a rewritable recording medium for documents.

[0005] In the case of a card, it is common to have a reversible recording layer on one of the front and back sides and to provide a rewrite display section. Therefore, a rewritable recording medium for a document also needs to have a reversible recording layer on both sides and be able to use both sides. In order to use the rewritable recording medium for documents on both sides in this way, the following new problems arise. When printing document information covering a plurality of pages on both sides of a recording medium, for example, the first page is printed on the first side, and then the second page is printed on the opposite second side. When printing on both sides, the direction of the document on the first side and the direction of the document on the second side must be the same when turning over a plurality of recording media in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the recording medium and / or recording method is required to print the first surface and the second surface in the same direction. Also,
When printing on a plurality of recording media on both sides and turning over in the vertical direction, it is necessary to reverse the printing direction on the first surface and the second surface, contrary to the above case. As described above, the relationship between the printing directions of the first side and the second side when printing on both sides must be appropriately selected depending on how to handle a document of a plurality of pages. Such a problem does not exist in the application of the conventional reversible recording medium to a card, and no means for solving the problem is disclosed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, when a rewritable recording medium using both sides as described above is used for a general document, a document having a plurality of pages, which is a problem, is printed using both sides. It is an object of the present invention to solve the difficulty of setting the printing direction in the case where the printing is performed, and to provide a rewritable recording medium for documents which is easy to handle and a reliable and easy recording method.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there are provided means for solving the following problems. A first aspect of the present invention is a reversible recording medium having reversible recording layers for repeatedly rewriting and displaying document information on both sides of a support, and a rewritable recording medium for documents having a mark indicating the image forming direction on both sides. And a document rewritable recording medium having an area for recording the marker at the time of recording or rewriting and an area for document recording. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rewritable recording medium for a document which detects a mark for designating a printing direction of the first rewritable recording medium for a document and aligns an image with the designated direction for printing. In a recording method and a recording method for a rewritable recording medium for a document having reversible recording layers for repeatedly rewriting and displaying document information on both sides of a support, printing is performed on a first surface of the recording medium. When printing a sign indicating the direction of the image to be formed, and detecting the sign formed on the first surface when printing on the second surface, determining the direction of the image and printing the document This is a recording method for a rewritable recording medium. A third aspect of the present invention is a document rewritable recording medium that can be used as a rewritable recording medium for a document and can be recorded on both sides, and the recording direction is not limited on either side. Recording apparatus for detecting presence / absence of a sign displayed or processed on a rewritable recording medium for a document, and issuing a sign presence / absence signal for operating a second detection mechanism when the sign is present. A signal detection mechanism, a second signal detection mechanism that operates when the marker presence / absence signal is input, identifies the direction of the marker, and emits two types of marker direction signals, and a signal detection mechanism of the two types of marker direction signals. When one of the signals is input, the first transport path leading to the printing unit is opened, and when the other signal is input, the first transport path is closed, and the other signal is input. Sometimes shut off the power supply circuit to the printing means A recording apparatus of the document for rewriting type recording medium; and a stage.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A rewritable recording medium for a document according to the present invention is a recording medium having a reversible recording layer as described above on both sides, and a mark indicating the image forming direction is provided on both sides. I have. FIG. 3 is an example of a recording medium provided with a sign indicating an image forming direction. Marks indicating the same direction are provided on both surfaces of the recording medium, that is, on the first surface and the second surface. The marker can be formed by printing on the surface of the recording medium or under the protective layer. The sign may be any kind of mark or character as long as it indicates the direction. Further, it is also possible to process the outer shape of the recording medium and provide a sign indicating the printing direction by the shape. When printing a document or rewriting a document, the document can be printed in a desired direction by setting the rewriting recording device in accordance with these indicators when the document is rewritten. If the sign is placed on both sides of the recording medium so as to indicate the same direction, the first page of the document is printed on the first side of the recording medium according to the sign, and then the second page is also printed on the second side. Similarly, by printing in accordance with the sign, the directions of the images on the first surface and the second surface match, and the printing can be performed with each page of the multi-page document aligned. The sign may be a sign fixed on one medium or an image itself recorded on a reversible recording medium. As a result of detecting the sign, if the correct surface and the correct direction are used, the recording is performed as it is. If the correct surface and the correct direction are not used, the surface is turned over by a device not described, and the direction is reversed and recorded. Alternatively, printing is performed according to the direction of the medium.

In the recording method for a rewritable recording medium for a document according to the present invention, the rewriting recording apparatus detects a mark indicating the printing direction installed on both sides of the recording medium, and the recording apparatus changes the printing direction accordingly. This is to determine and print the document. Further, the document rewritable recording device of the present invention can use a rewritable recording medium for a document that is a rewritable recording medium for a document and can be recorded on both sides, and the recording direction is not limited on either side. A recording device for detecting presence / absence of a marker displayed or processed on a rewritable recording medium for document, and issuing a marker presence / absence signal for operating a second detection mechanism when the marker is present. A signal detection mechanism, a second signal detection mechanism that operates when the marker presence / absence signal is input, identifies the direction of the marker, and emits two types of marker direction signals, and a second signal detection mechanism of the two marker direction signals A path switching means for opening the first transport path leading to the printing means when one of the signals is input, and closing the first transport path when the other signal is input; Cut off the current supply circuit to the printing means And having a stage.

In this apparatus, it is preferable that the apparatus is provided with a means for taking out the recording medium from the inside of the apparatus without contacting the printing means when the recording medium is inserted in a wrong direction. The conveyance path switching means is provided at a branch point between the first conveyance path leading to the printing means and the second conveyance path for carrying out the rewritable recording medium for documents outside the apparatus, bypassing the printing means. Have been. Second
The transfer end of the transfer path may be connected to the first discharge port of the first transfer path, or a second discharge port different from the first discharge port.
May be provided. The second transport path may be provided with means for reversely feeding the rewritable recording medium for documents transported here in the direction of the carry-in port, in which case a second carry-out port must be provided. There is no. Furthermore, in the case where the rewritable recording medium for a document is guided in the second transport path due to being inserted in an incorrect direction, for the purpose of power saving and not being affected by the residual heat in the apparatus, The power supply circuit to the printing means can be automatically shut off.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a rewritable recording medium for a document can record on both sides, and neither side has a fixed directionality (recording can be performed in either direction).
In the case, when printing a document on the first surface of the recording medium, a mark indicating the direction of the image is printed on a part of the first surface of the recording medium, and when rewriting the second surface, the rewriting recording device There is provided a method of detecting a mark printed on a surface, determining the image direction of the second surface according to the image forming direction indicated by the mark, and printing. The mark on the first surface is preferably printed on a portion of the recording medium that is not used for a document image. Also in this case, it is preferable to print on both the upper end and the lower end of the recording medium as shown in FIG. The point in which the sign is detected and the printing direction on the second surface is determined is the same as the example shown in FIG. 4 using the recording medium in which the sign is previously set. Since the surfaces are different, a recording device that detects a sign on the surface opposite to the recording surface is used as the recording device.

In the above description, the sign is printed at the time of printing on the first surface. However, it is more preferable that the mark is printed at the time of printing on the second surface. That is, if the printing direction of the document image is always printed, and the other printing direction is determined by detecting the marker, the image can always be formed in the same direction when rewriting either side.

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a rewritable recording medium for a document according to the present invention. Reversible recording layer (12) on a support (11) made of polymer film, synthetic paper, paper, etc.
And a protective layer (13) for preventing the recording layer from deteriorating due to rewrite recording. In addition,
For example, a subbing layer for improving the adhesion between the support and the recording layer, preventing penetration when coating the recording layer, and a heat insulating layer for effectively utilizing the heat of printing / erasing can be provided. Further, an intermediate layer may be provided between the recording layer and the protective layer in order to absorb ultraviolet rays and improve adhesiveness. On the protective layer, a printing ink layer for indicating the image forming direction at the time of document rewriting recording, which is the object of the present invention, may be provided.
Further, a printing ink layer for other purposes may be provided partially or entirely. Then, for the purpose of protecting the ink layer, a print protection layer may be provided on at least a part including or over the ink layer. As the layers constituting these recording media, those known as conventional reversible recording media can be used.

The reversible recording layer used in the present invention comprises heat, light,
Any layer that can form a visible image reversibly by using energy such as electricity and magnetism may be used, and rewriting, that is, erasing and printing of an image may use two or more types of energy even if only one type of energy is used. Energy may be used in combination. Hereinafter, typical reversible recording layers and materials will be exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the reversible recording layer, a reversible coloring reaction of a leuco dye can be used. The leuco dye is a known dye precursor such as a phthalide compound, an azaphthalide compound and a fluoran compound. The reversible recording layer contains at least a leuco dye and a developer, and reversibility appears by the action of these developers. Typical examples thereof include, for example, JP-A-5-124360 and JP-A-6-2109.
No. 54, JP-A-10-95175, and the like. The developer used here is a structure having a color developing ability to develop a leuco dye in a molecule, for example, a phenolic hydroxyl group, a carboxylic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, and a structure for controlling the cohesive force between molecules, for example, A compound having one or more structures in which long-chain hydrocarbon groups are linked. The linking moiety may be via a divalent or higher linking group containing a hetero atom, and the same linking group and / or aromatic group may be contained in the long-chain hydrocarbon group. Specific examples of such a reversible developer are described in, for example, JP-A-9-290563 and JP-A-11-188969.

A reversible recording layer using these leuco dyes and a developer develops and decolors in the process shown in FIG. Heating the initial colorless state (A) the temperature above T ₁ in leuco dye and the developer are colored by mixing and melting (B), the colored state is fixed to quench this state. Heating the color-developed state (C), and decolored at a lower temperature T ₂ than the coloring temperature, the initial and the same decolored state if cooled. Thus, recording and erasing of the recording layer can be performed by controlling the heating temperature and the cooling rate after heating. Printing with this recording layer provides high contrast and excellent image quality. Further, it has excellent storage stability and durability against repeated printing and erasure, and is particularly suitable as the rewritable recording medium for documents of the present invention. Printing on a reversible recording medium using this recording layer can be performed with a thermal head in the same manner as ordinary thermal recording, and erasing can be performed with a temperature-controlled heat roller, a heating element such as a ceramic heater, or a thermal head. Therefore, it can be used in a small and simple rewriting recording device.

The reversible recording layer using a leuco dye contains an amphoteric compound or an acidic compound having both an acidic group for coloring the leuco dye as a color reversible developer and a basic group for decoloring. And a recording layer using a salt or a complex salt formed by a basic compound. In this case, the developer may be referred to as a developer. Specific examples of these recording layers are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-4-50289 and JP-A-4-50290. Some reversible recording layers using leuco dyes exhibit reversibility in the color development reaction between the leuco dye and the developer by the action of the third component. Specific examples of such a recording layer are described in, for example, JP-A-8-132737 and JP-A-9-710.
No. 52 discloses this.

As a recording layer on which rewriting is performed using heat, the following recording layers can be mentioned in addition to the above. For example, a recording layer using a reversible change in light scattering of a composite film in which crystal particles of a low molecular compound are dispersed in a polymer, and a recording layer using a reversible change in light scattering of a polymer liquid crystal layer are used. is there. In the former case, the recording layer is usually made cloudy by heating above the melting point of the low molecular weight compound, and printing is performed. By heating to a temperature lower than this, the recording layer is returned to transparent and erased.
In the latter case, the recording layer is transparentized by heating and quenching to a temperature higher than the isotropic point, and printing is performed. In addition, there is a recording layer that uses a liquid crystal material or a polymer material alone or in combination and performs recording and erasing according to a difference in a heating temperature or a cooling rate after heating.

The preferred recording layer of the rewritable recording medium for a document according to the present invention includes a recording layer having a memory property, which can be formed electrically and does not require electric power for holding an image. Among them, a recording layer that can be printed / erased by an electric field is particularly preferable because it can reduce power consumption. Some of such recording layers use a liquid crystal material. For example, a layer of a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal has stable memory properties and is preferable as a rewritable recording layer. Also, a smectic liquid crystal material having a memory property can be used. These liquid crystal materials can form an image utilizing the change in the polarization characteristics of the recording layer, but can also form a colored image reversibly by including a dichroic dye. These recording layers generally form an image reversibly by an electric field. However, not only the electric field but also the rewriting of an image in combination with other energy, such as heat, and the image holding property are possible. There is a method to improve

In addition, an electrophoretic material can be used for the recording layer which can be electrically rewritten and recorded. This is, for example, to disperse white fine particles such as titanium oxide in a colored solvent,
The particles are moved by an electric field to form an image reversibly. In particular, a recording layer in which the electrophoretic system is encapsulated in a microcapsule and held on a support such as a polymer film is suitable as a rewritable reversible recording medium for documents. Furthermore, hemispheres are colored spherical particles, hemispheres enclose white particles in a microcapsule together with a medium, hold the microcapsules on a support, and rotate the spheres by an electric field to form an image reversibly. The recording layer is also a preferred recording layer of the present invention.

In the image formation of such a recording layer by an electric field, an electrostatic stylus, writing by a head in which these are arranged in a line, writing by an ion flow, or an electrophotographic photosensitive member is used to form an electrostatic latent image. A known writing method such as a method of transferring the data onto a recording medium can be used.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The recording method of a rewritable recording medium for a document according to the present invention is characterized in that the rewriting recording apparatus detects a mark indicating the printing direction installed on both sides of the recording medium, and the recording apparatus accordingly. Determines the printing direction and prints the document. Further, the document rewritable recording device of the present invention can use a rewritable recording medium for a document that is a rewritable recording medium for a document and can be recorded on both sides, and the recording direction is not limited on either side. A recording device,
A first signal detection mechanism for detecting presence / absence of a marker displayed or processed on the rewritable recording medium for a document, and issuing a signal indicating presence / absence of a marker for activating a second detection mechanism when present; A second signal detection mechanism that operates when a sign presence signal is input to identify the direction of the sign and emits two kinds of sign direction signals; and one of the two sign direction signals is a signal Transport path switching means for opening the first transport path leading to the printing means when input, and closing when the other signal is input, and energizing the printing means when the other signal is input Means for interrupting the circuit.

That is, in the document rewriting device shown in FIG. 4, the reversible thermosensitive recording medium (51) inserted from the insertion slot (50) is transported by the transport belt (53) to the first transport path (52). Or returned along the first transport path (52) or (65) in the device in the reverse direction. A thermal head (68) as a printing unit is provided in the middle of the first transport path (65). First, the reversible thermosensitive recording medium (5) inserted from the insertion port (50) is inserted.
1) a conveyor belt (53) and a guide roller (54)
When the magnetic recording device reaches the predetermined position of the first transport path (52) by the control means (55), the magnetic recording device for magnetic recording on the magnetic recording layer area portion which may be omitted via the control means (55). The magnetic head (56) and the platen roller (5
The magnetic recording or recording is performed on the magnetic recording layer during the period 7), and the recording medium is further conveyed along the first conveying path (65) by the conveying belt (58). At a predetermined position, presence / absence of the presence of the marker is detected via a first sensor (59) as a first signal detection mechanism having a control means (60). A marker presence / absence signal for operating the second sensor (61) is issued. The presence of the sign means that the document information and the sign are already printed on the first surface of the recording medium (51). This beacon presence signal is
Is input to the second sensor (61) as a signal detection mechanism, whereby the second sensor (61) operates to identify the direction of the sign, and as a result, emits two kinds of sign direction signals. One of the sign direction signals indicating that the direction of the recording medium (51) is the correct direction is the conveyance path switching means (6).
4) is operated by an operating means (not shown) to open a first conveying path (65) leading to a thermal head (68) as a printing means which operates via a control means (67) to perform a second conveying. Road (72) is closed. In addition, the recording medium (5
The other sign direction signal indicating that the direction of 1) is the wrong direction closes the first transport path (52) and opens the second transport path (72). Further, the other sign direction signal is
It is input to a switch of a not-shown energizing circuit to a thermal head (68) as a printing means, and cuts off the energizing circuit. The recording medium (5) conveyed to the first conveyance path (65)
1) A thermal head (68) and a platen roller (69) which are transported by a transport belt (66) and operate at predetermined positions via a thermal head control means (67).
An image is formed between them, and is conveyed out of the apparatus via the first outlet (71) by the conveyor belt (70). On the other hand, the reversible thermosensitive recording medium (51) which has been inserted in the wrong direction as a result of the monitoring of the sign and has been conveyed to the second conveying path (72) and on which the document information and the sign have already been printed on the first surface is reversible. Switch (7) input by pressing the thermosensitive recording medium (51)
The transport belt (74), which moves in the reverse direction by the operation of 3) and whose rotation speed and direction is controlled by control means (not shown), is transported in the second transport path (72) in the reverse direction. A transport belt (58), which passes through the path switching means (64) and whose rotation speed and direction is controlled by control means (not shown), is transported in the opposite direction by a similar transport belt (53), and is inserted in the insertion port (50). It is further carried out of the apparatus (returned). Thus, the thermal head (68)
Only when it is determined that the reversible thermosensitive recording medium (51) is a non-recording medium, or when it is determined that the information recording surface and the insertion direction are correct, the control means (not shown) supplies power. Controlled and heated.

In the document rewriting device of the present invention,
When the recording medium (51) is inserted in the wrong direction,
Preferably, there is provided a means for carrying out this from the inside of the apparatus without bringing it into contact with the printing means (68),
Therefore, the conveyance path switching means (64) is provided with the printing means (6).
This is provided at a branch point between the first transport path (65) leading to 8) and a second transport path (72) for carrying out the recording medium outside the apparatus, bypassing the printing means (68). Second
The transport end of the transport path (72) may be connected to the first transport port (71) of the first transport path (52) or (65), or the first transport port (71). ) May be provided. As described above, the second conveyance path (72) can be provided with a means for reversely feeding the recording medium (51) conveyed here in the direction of the carry-in port (50). Need not provide a second carry-out port. Further, in the case where the recording medium (51) is inserted in a wrong direction and is led to the second transport path (72), for the purpose of power saving and not to be affected by residual heat in the apparatus. The circuit for energizing the printing means (68) can be automatically cut off.

[0025]

Next, the rewritable recording medium for documents of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the following rewritable recording layer by heat is used as a representative of the recording layer, but the recording medium of the present invention can be similarly produced with other electrically rewritable recording layers. First, a white polyester film having a thickness of 125 μm was prepared by using a leuco dye and the following compound as a developer for reversibility, using the following resin and a crosslinking agent for forming a recording layer, and using a coating solution having the following composition. A recording layer was formed by applying, drying, and heating on the top. A rewritable recording medium was obtained by coating a protective layer of an ultraviolet curable resin on the recording layer. Also,
The size of the recording medium was standard A4 as a document. Further, a mark indicating the image forming direction was set by printing on the recording medium.

(Coating solution for recording layer) 1) 2-anilino-3-methyl-6-dibutylaminofluorane 2 parts 2) Color developer having the following structure 8 parts

[0027]

Embedded image 3) 120% of a 15% tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of an acrylic polyol resin The above composition was averaged in a particle size of 0.1 to 3 μm using a ball mill.
m. 10 parts of Colonnade HL (adduct type hexamethylene diisocyanate 75% ethyl acetate solution) manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd. was added to the obtained dispersion, and the mixture was stirred well to prepare a recording layer coating liquid.

Example 1 FIG. 3 shows a white polyester film having a thickness of 125 μm and having the above-mentioned reversible recording layer on both sides and a mark indicating the image forming direction provided on both sides. A recording medium provided with such a sign indicating the image forming direction was prepared. In this example, marks indicating the same direction are provided on both surfaces of the recording medium, that is, on the first surface and the second surface. The produced recording medium was applied to a thermal printer of Okura Electric Co., Ltd., which was modified by providing an optical density sensor with a voltage of 13.3 V and a pulse width of 1.33 V.
Printing was performed at 2 msec. When the density of the printed portion was measured with a Macbeth densitometer RD914, the image density of the sign was 1.
21.

Example 2 In the same manner as in Example 1, a recording medium was prepared using a white polyester film, provided with a reversible recording layer only on one side thereof, and provided with a sign indicating the image forming direction. In this example, a mark indicating the recording direction is provided on only one side of the recording medium. The produced recording medium was applied to a thermal printing device manufactured by Okura Electric Co., Ltd. using a printing device modified by providing an optical density sensor with a voltage of 13.
Printing was performed at 3 V and a pulse width of 1.2 msec.

Example 3 An intermediate layer having the following composition was applied on both sides of a polyester film having a thickness of 80 μm to a thickness of 1 μm to form an intermediate layer, and a recording layer was provided thereon. In the same manner as in Example 1, a recording medium of Example 2 was produced. In this example, marks indicating the recording direction are provided on both sides of the recording medium. 1) 5 parts of ultrafine zinc oxide (average particle size: 20 nm) 5 parts 2) 15% methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) solution of acrylic polyol resin 25 parts 3) Coronate HL (manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane) 2 parts 13.3V, pulse width 1.2m
Printed in sec. Macbeth densitometer RD
When measured at 914, the image density of the label was 1.23.
Met.

Example 4 A recording medium was prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 using a polyester film having a thickness of 80 μm, provided with a reversible recording layer on only one side thereof, and provided with a sign indicating the image forming direction. did. In this example, a mark indicating the recording direction is provided on only one side of the recording medium. The produced recording medium was printed at a voltage of 13.3 V and a pulse width of 1.2 msec by a printing apparatus modified by providing an optical density sensor in a thermal printing apparatus manufactured by Okura Electric Co., Ltd.

Example 5 A protective layer solution having the following composition was coated on a reversible recording layer on both sides of a recording medium prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 using a wire bar, and the irradiation energy was 80 W / The film was cured by passing the film under an ultraviolet lamp at a speed of 9 m / min to provide a protective layer having a thickness of 3 μm, thereby producing a recording medium of the present invention. [Protective layer liquid] Urethane acrylate-based UV-curable resin (C7-157, manufactured by Dainippon Ink) 10 parts Ethyl acetate 90 parts The produced recording medium was pulsed at a voltage of 13.3 V with a thermal printing apparatus manufactured by Okura Electric Co., Ltd. Printing was performed with a width of 1.2 msec. When the density of the printed portion was measured with a Macbeth densitometer RD914, the image density of the sign was 1.01 and could be clearly identified visually and with a sensor.

Example 6 On the protective layer on the reversible recording layer on both sides of the recording medium prepared in the same manner as in Example 5, a mark was provided with a commercially available polyethylene printing ink. The produced recording medium was applied to a thermal printing device manufactured by Okura Electric Co., Ltd.
Printing was performed at 3 V and a pulse width of 1.2 msec. When the density of the printed portion was measured with a Macbeth densitometer RD914, the image density of the sign was 2.20, which could be clearly identified visually and with a sensor, and could also be identified from the back.

In the present invention, as described above,
Needless to say, according to the embodiment, it is also possible to process the outer shape of the recording medium and provide a sign indicating the printing direction by the shape,
Alternatively, the sign indicating the printing direction can be provided on the support in Examples 1 and 3, for example, by printing in advance, or by heat when printing, and can be provided on the intermediate layer in Example 3. . Furthermore, when it is inconspicuous visually and can be distinguished only by the thermal printing device, for example, the magnetic layer previously coated on the substrate or the intermediate layer is concealed by, for example, a white ink layer, so that it is not conspicuous at the time of visual observation and installed in the thermal printing device. The discrimination can be made only by the set magnetic head. Further, the outer shape of the recording medium can be processed and a mark indicating the printing direction can be provided by the shape.

When a document is printed or when a document is rewritten, the document can be printed in a desired direction by setting the rewriting recording device in accordance with these indicators. If the sign is placed on both sides of the recording medium so as to indicate the same direction, the first page of the document is printed on the first side of the recording medium according to the sign, and then the second page is also printed on the second side. Similarly, by printing in accordance with the sign, the directions of the images on the first surface and the second surface match, and the printing can be performed with each page of the multi-page document aligned. The sign may be a sign fixed on one medium or an image itself recorded on a reversible recording medium. As a result of detecting the sign, if the right side and the right direction are used, the recording is executed as it is.If the side and the direction are not correct, the energizing circuit to the thermal head is cut off or the recording in the recording device is performed. The medium transporting means rotates in the reverse direction, and the recording medium is fed back to the insertion slot again, or the reverse surface is turned over by a device not described, and the direction is reversed, and recording is performed.

[0036]

As is apparent from the detailed and concrete description, when the document over a plurality of pages is printed on both sides by using the rewritable recording medium for document of the present invention, the image forming direction By printing in accordance with the sign indicating, the printing directions on both sides can be easily matched. According to the recording method of the rewritable recording medium for documents of the present invention, since the printing direction is determined according to the sign indicating the image forming direction, even when printing on both sides, the image forming direction is not particularly conscious. In addition, the image directions on both sides can be matched. According to another recording method of the present invention, the image on the other surface is printed in the same direction regardless of the direction of the surface to be printed first.
As a result, no matter which side of the recording medium is rewritten,
This is an extremely excellent effect that the directions of the images on both sides can always be matched.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a rewritable recording medium for documents of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a typical recording / decoloring process of a recording layer used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a rewritable recording medium for documents of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a recording method of a rewritable recording medium for a document according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 support 12 reversible recording layer 13 protective layer 31 rewritable recording medium 32 first recording surface 33 second recording surface 34 mark indicating image forming direction 41 rewritable recording device 42 rewritable recording medium 43 image formation Marker indicating direction 44 Printed recording medium 50 Insertion opening 51 Reversible thermosensitive recording medium 52 First transport path 53 Transport belt 54 Guide roller 55 Control means 56 Magnetic head 57 Platen roller 58 Transport belt 59 First sensor 60 Control means 61 second sensor 62 control means 63 guide roller 64 conveyance path switching means 65 first conveyance path 66 conveyance belt 67 control means 68 thermal head 69 platen roller 70 conveyance belt 72 second conveyance path 71 first outlet 72 second Transport path 73 limit switch 74 transport belt

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masaru Shimada 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H026 AA07 AA09 AA28 BB01 FF17 GG03 GG10

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A rewritable recording medium for a document provided with a rewritable recording layer on both sides of a substrate, characterized in that the medium has a mark indicating a recording direction of an image on the medium. Replaceable recording medium. 2. The rewritable recording medium for a document according to claim 1, wherein the mark indicates a direction. 3. The rewritable recording medium for a document according to claim 1, wherein the marker is an external shape of the medium processed and indicated by a shape. 4. The document rewritable recording medium has a reversible recording layer for reversibly forming a colored image at least by applying heat and rewriting and recording document information. 3. The rewritable recording medium for documents according to any one of 3. 5. A reversible recording layer of the rewritable recording medium for a document, wherein the reversible recording layer has a reversible recording layer for reversibly forming a colored image by applying an electric field and rewriting and recording document information. The rewritable recording medium for documents according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 6. A recording method using a rewritable recording medium for documents having a mark indicating a recording direction of an image on a medium, wherein the mark is detected, corrected in a designated direction, and printed. A recording method for a rewritable recording medium for documents characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. A rewritable recording medium for a document, which can be recorded on both sides, and the recording direction of which is not limited on both sides, is used. When printing on a second surface, a sign indicating the direction of the image to be formed is printed, and when printing on the second surface, the sign formed on the first surface is detected, and the direction of the image is determined and printed. 7. The recording method for a rewritable recording medium for documents according to claim 6, wherein: 8. Recording on a rewritable recording medium for a document, which is a rewritable recording medium for a document and can be recorded on both sides, and a recording direction on any side is not limited. A first signal for detecting presence / absence of a marker displayed or processed on a rewritable recording medium for a document, and issuing a marker presence / absence signal for activating a second detection mechanism when the marker is present A detection mechanism which operates when the signal indicating presence or absence of the marker is inputted to identify the direction of the marker, and
A second signal detection mechanism that emits a sign direction signal of a type, and when the signal of one of the two sign direction signals is input, opens the first conveyance path leading to a printing unit;
A rewriting type for documents, comprising: conveyance path switching means for closing when the other signal is input; and means for cutting off a current supply circuit to the printing means when the other signal is input. A recording device for a recording medium. 9. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the transport path switching unit includes a first transport path that leads to a printing unit, and a second transport path that carries the document rewritable recording medium out of the apparatus by bypassing the printing unit. Recording apparatus for a rewritable recording medium for a document, wherein the recording apparatus is provided at a branch point.