Pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive image transfer apparatus for recording

An image transfer apparatus for recording an image through selective heat and pressure application, comprising:

• a conveyor unit that moves a recording sheet in a transport direction;
• an ink-transfer ribbon that comprises a base member and a layer of micro-capsules, coated over said base member, that contains a plurality of micro-capsules filled with dye, said plurality of micro-capsules exhibiting a temperature/pressure characteristic such that, when each of said plurality of micro-capsules is squashed under a corresponding predetermined pressure at a corresponding predetermined temperature, said dye discharges from said squashed micro-capsule and transfers as said image to a recording surface of said recording sheet;
• a thermal head unit, performing a printing operation on said base member, that includes a temperature application unit selectively and locally heating said layer of micro-capsules to predetermined temperatures and a pressure application system locally applying predetermined pressures to said layer of micro-capsules, said predetermined temperatures including said corresponding predetermined temperature and said predetermined pressures including said corresponding predetermined pressure;
• a first rotating member having a releasant coated outer surface that resiliently contacts said ink-transfer ribbon as a part of said pressure application system;
• and
• a second rotating member that resiliently contacts said layer of micro-capsules to said recording surface of said recording sheet, said second rotating member moving in synchronization with said movement of said recording sheet such that said transfer of said image to said recording surface of said recording sheet occurs, said second rotating member configured to apply a pressure, which is within a predetermined range, to said recording sheet.