Image-forming method and image-forming apparatus on recording medium including microcapsules
First Claim
1. An image-forming method for forming an image on a recording medium including microcapsules containing chargeable particles dispersed in a dispersion medium, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying, to the recording medium, energy to freely electrophorese the chargeable particles for dispersing the chargeable particles in the dispersion medium in the mircocapsules before forming the image; and
applying, to the recording medium, a control electric field having a polarity corresponding to recording information to electrophorese the chargeable particles in a predetermined direction in the microcapsules so that the image is formed thereby.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image-forming apparatus forms an image by applying a control electric field having a polarity corresponding to recording information, to a recording medium having microcapsules including chargeable particles dispersed in a dispersion medium. The image-forming apparatus includes an alternating electric field-applying unit for applying an alternating electric field to the microcapsules. The alternating electric field is applied to the microcapsules of the recording medium before the image formed on the recording medium is rewritten. Accordingly, the chargeable particles are separated from the wall surfaces of the microcapsules and from the other chargeable particles, making it possible for the chargeable particles to perform free electrophoresis. The recording medium is initialized to improve the response performance with respect to the control electric field for forming a new image. The recording density is increased, and the blur is reduced.
117 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An image-forming method for forming an image on a recording medium including microcapsules containing chargeable particles dispersed in a dispersion medium, the method comprising the steps of:
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applying, to the recording medium, energy to freely electrophorese the chargeable particles for dispersing the chargeable particles in the dispersion medium in the mircocapsules before forming the image; and
applying, to the recording medium, a control electric field having a polarity corresponding to recording information to electrophorese the chargeable particles in a predetermined direction in the microcapsules so that the image is formed thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An image-forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium including microcapsules containing chargeable particles dispersed in a dispersion medium in the microcapsules, the apparatus comprising:
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an alternating electric field-applying unit for applying an alternating electric field to the microcapsules to freely electrophorese the chargeable particles; and
a control electric filed-applying unit for applying, to the microcapsules, a control electric field having a polarity corresponding to recording information. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An image-forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium including microcapsules containing chargeable particles dispersed in a dispersion medium in the microcapsules, the apparatus comprising:
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a transport unit for transporting the recording medium with respect to the control electric field-applying unit; and
a plurality of electric field-applying element pairs, to freely electrophorese the chargeable particles, arranged opposingly so that the recording medium is interposed therebetween, the electric field-applying element pairs being arranged such that the electric filed-applying element applies the electric field having a polarity which is different from a polarity of the electric field applied by the electric field-applying element disposed mutually adjacently in a transport direction. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An image-forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium including microcapsules containing chargeable particles dispersed in a dispersion medium in the microcapsules, the apparatus comprising:
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a means for applying, to the recording medium, energy to freely electrophorese the chargeable particles for dispersing the chargeable particles in the dispersion medium in the microcapsules before forming the image; and
a means for applying, to the recording medium, a control electric field having a polarity corresponding to recording information to electrophorese the chargeable particles in a predetermined direction in the microcapsules so that the image is formed thereby.
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19. An image-forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium including microcapsules containing chargeable particles dispersed in a dispersion medium in the microcapsules, the apparatus comprising:
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an energy-applying unit for applying energy to the microcapsules of the recording medium; and
a control electric field-applying unit for applying, to the recording medium, a control electric field having a polarity corresponding to recording information, wherein;
the chargeable particles are electrophoresed in a predetermined direction in the microcapsules to form the image on the recording medium in accordance with the control electric filed applied by the control electric field-applying unit, and the energy is applied from the energy-applying unit to the microcapsules to freely electrophorese the chargeable particles and randomly disperse the chargeable particles in the dispersion medium in the microcapsules before the image on the recording medium is rewritten. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification