JPH08142368A - Thermal recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Whether a high-quality sublimable dye image can be output not only on special paper but also on plain paper, and whether the dyeing layer was formed on the intermediate transfer medium. There is provided a thermal recording device for preventing the sublimable dye image from being directly recorded on the intermediate transfer medium by detecting the frictional force detection means. [Structure] A dyeing layer 6 is formed on an intermediate transfer medium 2, a sublimable dye image 24 is formed on the dyeing layer 6, and then the dyeing layer on which the sublimable dye image 24 is formed by a pressing roller 18 is formed. 6
Is thermally transferred to the recording paper 21. Further, by detecting a difference in frictional force between the friction roller 12 and the intermediate transfer medium 2 or the dyeing layer 6 depending on whether the dyeing layer 6 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 or not. It is detected whether the dyeing layer 6 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal recording apparatus which is used in a copying machine, a fax machine, a printer or the like, and which outputs a desired image or characters on a recording paper according to an electric signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a recording system used in printers and the like, a sublimation type thermal recording system using a thermal head and an ink sheet holding a sublimable dye, as disclosed in JP-A-1-275163, has been proposed. It has been put to practical use.

An example of a conventional thermal recording apparatus using this thermal recording system will be described below. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a thermal recording apparatus using a conventional sublimable dye. In FIG.
Reference numeral 121 is a recording paper in which a dyeing layer is provided on a thick base material such as synthetic paper, and 108 is a thermal head having a large number of heating elements 109 arranged in a row in the width direction of the recording paper 121. . 103 is an ink sheet, and a dye layer 107 containing a sublimable dye is applied on a film-shaped substrate 104. The thermal head 108 presses the dye layer 107 of the ink sheet 103 together with the recording paper 121 against the platen 125.

In this state, the platen 125 and the recording paper 12
1 and the ink sheet 103 are respectively moved in the direction of the arrow to heat the heating element 109 in accordance with the recording signal, and the sublimable dye of the dye layer 107 in the portion facing the heating element 109 is heated, and the dyeing layer of the recording paper 121. Move to. By this operation, the sublimable dye image 124 can be obtained on the recording paper 121. Furthermore, by using the dye layer 107 containing sublimable dyes of three colors of Y, M, and C, a high-definition full-color image can be obtained.

[0005]

However, in the conventional recording apparatus using the sublimable dye, it is necessary to use the special paper as the recording paper, and it is impossible to output the desired recording paper. Further, since this special paper is expensive, it has a drawback of high running cost.

Further, an intermediate transfer medium, a dyeing layer sheet supporting a dyeing layer, a dye layer sheet supporting a dye layer, a thermal head, and a transfer means are used to temporarily dye the intermediate transfer medium. A dyeing layer is formed, a sublimation dye image is formed on this dyeing layer, and then the recording paper is pressed against an intermediate transfer medium to thermally transfer the dyeing layer on which the sublimation dye image is formed and output. The method of getting With this method, it is not necessary to use special paper, and a sublimable dye image can be obtained even on plain paper. However, a dyeing layer may not be formed on the intermediate transfer medium due to a device trouble or the like. In this case, the sublimable dye image is directly recorded on the intermediate transfer medium. After that, when the image is output again, a part of the sublimable dye that has moved to the intermediate transfer medium at the time of trouble moves to the dyeing layer formed on the intermediate transfer medium, and an afterimage of the previous image is formed. In addition, this afterimage occurs in a considerable number of sheets, which is a serious problem.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides not only a full-color image using a sublimable dye on special paper, but also
The present invention provides a thermal recording device capable of outputting even on plain paper. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stable thermal recording apparatus which does not affect the next output even when the dyeing layer is not formed on the intermediate transfer medium due to a trouble or the like.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a thermal recording apparatus of the present invention comprises an intermediate transfer medium, a dyeing layer sheet having a dyeing layer on a film-shaped substrate, and a film-shaped dyeing layer sheet. A dye layer sheet having a dye layer containing a sublimable dye on a substrate, a dyeing layer forming means for forming the dyeing layer of the dyeing layer sheet on an intermediate transfer medium, and a dyeing layer of the intermediate transfer medium are formed. Force detecting means for detecting the frictional force of the surface of the dye and a thermal image forming means for selectively heating the dye layer of the dye layer sheet to form a sublimable dye image on the dyeing layer formed on the intermediate transfer medium. And a transfer means for thermally transferring the dyeing layer formed on the intermediate transfer medium to the recording paper together with the sublimable dye image formed thereon.

Further, the frictional force of the surface having the dyeing layer of the dyeing layer sheet after passing through the dyeing layer forming position where the dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the dyeing layer forming means is measured. It is provided with a frictional force detecting means for detecting.

Preferably, the dyeing layer sheet and the dyeing layer sheet are those in which a dye layer and the dyeing layer are applied face-sequentially to a film-shaped substrate, and the thermal image forming means is a thermal head. This thermal head is also used as a dyeing layer forming means. The dyeing layer forming portion uses an intermediate transfer medium containing at least silicone rubber. In addition, the dyeing layer formed on the intermediate transfer medium is thermally transferred onto the recording paper by pressing the heated contact roller and the intermediate transfer medium through the recording paper.

[0011]

As described above, the present invention forms a dyeing layer on an intermediate transfer medium, records a sublimable dye image on the dyeing layer, and further forms a dyeing layer on which the sublimable dye image is recorded. Since it is a method of thermal transfer to recording paper, it is possible to output a high-definition full-color image not only on special paper but also on plain paper.

Since the intermediate transfer medium is provided with the frictional force detecting means for detecting the frictional force of the surface on which the dyeing layer is formed, the case where the dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium and the case where it is not formed By detecting the difference in frictional force between and, it is possible to determine whether or not the dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sublimable dye image from being directly recorded on the intermediate transfer medium, and it is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus having a stable process that does not affect the next output.

Further, the frictional force of the surface having the dyeing layer of the dyeing layer sheet after passing through the dyeing layer forming position where the dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the dyeing layer forming means is measured. Since it has a frictional force detecting means for detecting, a dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by detecting a difference in frictional force between the case where the dyeing layer sheet has the dyeing layer and the case where the dyeing layer does not have the dyeing layer. You can judge whether it was done. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sublimable dye image from being directly recorded on the intermediate transfer medium, and it is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus having a stable process that does not affect the next output. Further, since the frictional force of the dyeing layer sheet after the formation of the dyeing layer on the intermediate transfer medium is detected, no matter what the detection method of the frictional force detecting means is, the output image is completely It is possible to provide a thermal recording device that does not affect.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A thermal recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an intermediate transfer drum made of metal, on the surface of which an intermediate transfer medium 2 made of silicone rubber having a proper releasability is provided, and a driving means (not shown). ) To rotate at a desired speed. Silicone rubber has a hardness of 20 to 70 degrees and a film thickness of 0.1 m
The thickness of m to 2 mm is preferably used, but in the present embodiment, a hardness of 50 degrees and a film thickness of 0.4 mm is used.

In the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer medium 2 is formed of silicone rubber having a proper releasability, but it may be a silicone rubber holding an adhesive material, and has a proper releasability. As long as it is held, for example, a fluorine-based polymer material, a silicone-based polymer material,
PET or polyimide resin may be used.

Reference numeral 3 is an ink sheet which is a combination of a dyeing layer sheet and a dye layer sheet. Details of the ink sheet 3 are shown in FIG. The ink sheet 3 has a film thickness of 3 to
A release layer 5, a dyeing layer 6, and a dye layer 7 are applied on a substrate 4 made of a PET film having a thickness of about 9 μm. The release layer 5 is made of a silicone-based polymer material and is thinly formed on the base material 4, and the dyeing layer 6 is laminated on the release layer 5. The release layer 5 is not always necessary, but if the release layer 5 is present, the adhesive force between the release layer 5 and the dyeing layer 6 is small, so that the dyeing layer 6 is stably formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2. can do. Polyvinyl butyral resin is used for the dyeing layer 6. The ink sheet 3 has a dyeing layer 6 and Y, M, and C dye layers 7 formed in a surface-sequential manner. The dye layer 7 is composed of at least a sublimable dye and a binder. As the sublimable dye, disperse dyes, oil-soluble dyes, basic dyes and the like are used. Polyester, acrylic styrene resin, or the like is used as the binder. In addition, the back surface of the base material 4 is subjected to heat-resistant lubricity treatment.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a thermal head, which serves both as a dyeing layer forming means and a thermal image forming means, and at the tip portion thereof, heating elements 9 which generate heat when energized are formed in rows. Reference numeral 10 denotes a thermal head separating / contacting lever, which supports the thermal head 8 so as to be capable of separating / contacting the intermediate transfer medium 2. Reference numeral 11 is a spring for pressing the thermal head 8 against the intermediate transfer medium 2.

Reference numeral 12 is a friction roll, which is rotatably supported by a lever 13 and is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 2 by a spring 14 with a desired pressing force. The surface of the friction roll 12 in contact with the intermediate transfer medium 2 is made of fluororesin. Reference numeral 15 is a friction roll rotation detection pin attached to the friction roll 12. 16 is a friction roll 12
Is a spring that suppresses the rotation of the. Reference numeral 17 denotes a switch for detecting the rotation of the friction roll 12, which is turned on / off by the friction roll rotation detection pin 15. The friction roll 12, the lever 13, the spring 14, the friction roll rotation detection pin 15, the spring 16 and the switch 17 constitute a friction force detecting means.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a transfer roll, which is rotatably supported by a lever 19 and a spring 20 and can be pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 2 via a recording paper 21 at a desired pressure. 22 is a halogen lamp, and the transfer roll 18
It is for heating and keeping heat. 23 is a transfer roll 18
Is a thermistor for detecting the surface temperature of the halogen lamp 22 and is connected to a temperature control means (not shown). The halogen lamp 22 is turned on and off according to the temperature detected by the thermistor 23.
Then, the transfer roll 18 is controlled to a desired temperature.

Further, in FIG. 3, reference numeral 24 is a sublimable dye image formed on the dyeing layer 6 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2.

Next, the operation of the thermal recording apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, in FIG. 1, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, the halogen lamp 22 emits light. After that, the halogen lamp 22 is repeatedly turned on and off according to the temperature detected by the thermistor 23, so that the transfer roll 1
8 can be heated and kept at the set temperature. The set temperature of the transfer roll 18 differs depending on the material of the intermediate transfer medium 2, the material of the dyeing layer 6, the pressure contact force of the transfer roll 18 with respect to the intermediate transfer medium 2, etc., but is set to 150 ° C. in this embodiment.

Next, the thermal head 8 is attached to the ink sheet 3
The intermediate transfer drum 1 is pressed against the intermediate transfer drum 1 via the intermediate transfer drum 1 and is held at a position where the dyeing layer 6 of the ink sheet 3 contacts the intermediate transfer medium 2. In this state, the intermediate transfer drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown, and the ink sheet 3 is run in the direction of the arrow shown so that the relative speed to the intermediate transfer medium 2 becomes zero. The peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer drum 1 is 10 mm / se
It is set to c. At this time, a control unit (not shown) gives a drive signal to the thermal head 8 to heat the heating element 9 at the tip of the thermal head 8. Due to this heat, the adhesive force between the intermediate transfer medium 2 and the dyeing layer 6 is increased.
Can be made larger than the adhesive force between the release layer 5 and the release layer 5. Therefore, the dyeing layer 6 of the ink sheet 3 can be formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2. In the present embodiment, the thermal head 8 was caused to generate heat when the dyeing layer 6 was formed.
When the adhesive force between the dyeing layer 6 and the dyeing layer 6 is sufficient at room temperature, it is not always necessary to generate heat.

Next, the operation of forming a sublimable dye image on the dyeing layer 6 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, Y of the dye layer 7 of the ink sheet 3
The color portion is arranged at a position where it comes into contact with the dyeing layer 6 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, and the intermediate transfer medium 2 and the ink sheet 3 are run in the same manner as when forming the dyeing layer 6. At this time, a control unit (not shown) gives a drive signal to the thermal head 8 to cause the heating element 9 of the thermal head 8 to generate heat according to the image pattern. As a result, the dye layer 7 is heated, the sublimable dye of the dye layer 7 is thermally diffused and transferred to the dyeing layer 6 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, and the Y-color sublimable dye image 24 is transferred to the dyeing layer 6. Is obtained. Further, the same operation is performed on the dye layers 7 of M and C colors, so that the dye layer 6 has Y, M, and C colors.
It is possible to obtain the three-color sublimable dye image 24.

Next, the operation of the frictional force detecting means will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, since the dyeing layer 6 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, the friction roll 12 is
It is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 2 via the dyeing layer 6. The force applied to the friction roll 12 in this state is
The frictional force with the upper dyeing layer 6 and the force by the spring 16. The material of the dyeing layer 6 is polyvinyl butyral having high lubricity, and the surface of the friction roll 12 is also formed of fluororesin having high lubricity. Therefore, the friction coefficient between the friction roll 12 and the dyeing layer 6 is very small, and when the friction roll 12 is pressed by the dyeing layer 6 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, the friction roll 12 is located at the position shown in the figure. Is retained. That is, when the dyeing layer 6 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, the switch 17 is open. Next, the description will be continued with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the dyeing layer 6 could not be formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 due to a trouble or the like. When the dyeing layer 6 is not formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, the sublimable dye image is directly recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 2. After that, when the image is output again, a part of the sublimable dye that has transferred to the intermediate transfer medium at the time of trouble transfers to the dyeing layer 6 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 and an afterimage of the previous image is formed. In addition, this afterimage occurs in a considerable number of sheets, which is a serious problem. Therefore, when the dyeing layer 6 is not formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, it is very possible to detect that the dyeing layer 6 is not formed and prevent the sublimable dye image from being directly recorded on the intermediate transfer medium 2. is important. When the dyeing layer 6 cannot be formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, the friction roll 12 is directly pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 2. The intermediate transfer medium 2 is made of silicone rubber, and has a very low lubricity. When the friction roll 12 is directly pressed against this silicone rubber, the friction roll 12
The frictional force applied to is very large. Therefore, when the friction roll 12 and the intermediate transfer medium 2 are directly pressed, the friction roll 12 is held at the position shown in FIG. That is, when the dyeing layer 6 is not formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, the switch 17 is closed. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the dyeing layer 6 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 depending on whether the switch 17 is closed or open, thereby recording the sublimable dye image directly on the intermediate transfer medium 2. Can be prevented. In addition, when the dyeing layer 6 cannot be formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, the dyeing layer 6 is again formed.
It goes without saying that it is necessary to start from the forming operation of. Further, in order to satisfactorily detect the presence or absence of the dyeing layer 6, the spring forces of the springs 14 and 16 must be set sufficiently.

Next, the transfer operation of the dyeing layer 6 having the sublimable dye image 24 formed thereon to the recording paper 21 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the recording paper 21 is conveyed by the paper feeding means (not shown). In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the transfer roll 18 heated and kept in heat is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 2 via the recording paper 21, whereby the sublimation dye image 24 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 is dyed. The layer 6 can be thermally transferred to the recording paper 21. At this time, the pressing force of the transfer roll 18 to the intermediate transfer medium 2 is configured to have a linear pressure of 2 kgf / cm. With this pressure contact force, the intermediate transfer drum 1
When the peripheral speed is 10 mm / sec, the heating temperature of the transfer roll 18 is 150 ° C., Beck smoothness is 3 seconds, and thickness is 150 μm.
The dyeing layer 6 could be satisfactorily transferred onto the m recording paper 21. At this time, since the intermediate transfer medium 2 is made of flexible silicone rubber, the silicone rubber can be made to follow the irregularities on the surface of the recording paper 21. As a result, the dyeing layer 6
Was sufficiently imitated by the irregularities of the recording paper 21, and an output with good fixability could be obtained.

Thus, a high-quality full-color image can be obtained even on recording papers other than special papers, which could not be obtained by the conventional thermal recording method using a sublimable dye. Can be reduced. Further, by providing the frictional force detecting means, it is possible to detect whether or not the dyeing layer 6 is formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 and prevent the formation of the sublimable dye image directly on the intermediate transfer medium 2. be able to.

Although the intermediate transfer drum 1 is used in this embodiment, a belt-shaped substrate on which the intermediate transfer medium 2 is formed can also be preferably used.

Further, in this embodiment, the dyeing layer 6 and Y, M and C are used.
Although the ink sheet 3 in which the dye layer 7 of No. 1 and the dye layer 7 of No. 3 are formed in a frame-sequential manner may be used, the dye sheet 6 and the dye layers 7 of Y, M, and C may be formed on different sheets. Furthermore, Y, M,
The C dye layers 7 may be formed on different sheets.

A thermal recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

The difference from the first embodiment is the position of the frictional force detecting means (friction roll 12, lever 13, spring 14, friction roll rotation detection pin 15, spring 16, switch 17), which is the first embodiment. In the example, the friction roll 12 is pressed against the intermediate transfer medium 2, but in the present embodiment, the thermal head 8 is used.
And the surface of the ink sheet 3 after passing through the nip between the intermediate transfer medium 2 and the intermediate transfer medium 2 is pressed. In particular, in this embodiment, the reaction force against the pressing force of the friction roll 12 against the ink sheet 3 can be obtained without any special member,
It is pressed to the position shown in FIG. Others are exactly the same as the first embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. The operation is also the same as that of the first embodiment except the operation of the frictional force detecting means. In FIG. 6, the friction roll 12 is pressed against the ink sheet 3 after the formation of the dyeing layer 6 on the intermediate transfer medium 2, that is, against the release layer 5. The material of the release layer 5 is a silicone-based polymer, which has low lubricity. Therefore, the frictional force between the release layer 5 and the friction roll 12 is large, and the switch 17 is closed. On the other hand, when the dyeing layer 6 cannot be formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2, the friction roll 12 is pressed against the dyeing layer 6. The dyeing layer 6 is made of a material having high lubricity, has a small frictional force with the friction roll 12, and the switch 17 is in an open state. Therefore, by detecting whether the switch 17 is open or closed, it is possible to detect whether the dyeing layer 6 has been formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2.
It is possible to prevent the sublimation dye image from being directly formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2. Further, in this embodiment, since the presence or absence of the dyeing layer 6 formed on the intermediate transfer medium 2 is determined by the used ink sheet 3, the surface property of the friction roll 12 and the friction roll 12 by the spring 14 are determined. It is possible to provide a thermal recording device that does not affect the output image at all regardless of the pressing force of.

[0034]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention forms a dyeing layer on an intermediate transfer medium, records a sublimable dye image on the dyeing layer, and further dyes the sublimable dye image. Since the layers are thermally transferred to the recording paper, it is possible to output a high-definition full-color image not only on special paper but also on plain paper.

Further, since the frictional force detecting means for detecting the frictional force of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium on which the dyeing layer is formed is provided, the case where the dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium and the case where it is not formed By detecting the difference in frictional force between and, it is possible to determine whether or not the dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sublimable dye image from being directly recorded on the intermediate transfer medium, and it is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus having a stable process that does not affect the next output.

Further, the frictional force of the surface having the dyeing layer of the dyeing layer sheet after passing through the dyeing layer forming position where the dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the dyeing layer forming means is measured. Since it has a frictional force detecting means for detecting, a dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by detecting a difference in frictional force between the case where the dyeing layer sheet has the dyeing layer and the case where the dyeing layer does not have the dyeing layer. You can judge whether it was done. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sublimable dye image from being directly recorded on the intermediate transfer medium, and it is possible to provide a thermal recording apparatus having a stable process that does not affect the next output. Further, since the frictional force of the dyeing layer sheet after the formation of the dyeing layer on the intermediate transfer medium is detected, no matter what the detecting method of the frictional force detecting means, the output image is completely It is possible to provide a thermal recording device that does not affect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an ink sheet in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation of forming a sublimable dye image in the example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the frictional force detection means when a dyeing layer is not formed in the example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation of transferring a dyeing layer onto a recording paper in the example.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a thermal recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional thermal recording device.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 intermediate transfer medium 3 ink sheet (which also serves as a dyeing layer sheet and a dyeing layer sheet) 4 base material 5 release layer 6 dyeing layer 7 dye layer 8 thermal head (sublimation recording means and dyeing layer forming means Combined function) 9 Heat generating element 12 Friction roll (constituting friction force detection means by 12 to 17) 13 Lever 14 Spring 15 Friction roll rotation detection pin 16 Spring 17 Switch 18 Transfer roll 22 Halogen lamp 24 Sublimation dye image

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An intermediate transfer medium, a dyeing layer sheet having a dyeing layer on a film substrate, a dye layer sheet having a dye layer containing a sublimable dye on a film substrate, and the dyeing. Dyeing layer forming means for forming a dyeing layer of a layered sheet on the intermediate transfer medium, and frictional force detection for detecting the frictional force of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium on which the dyeing layer of the dyeing layer sheet is formed Means for forming a sublimable dye image on the dyeing layer formed on the intermediate transfer medium by selectively heating the dye layer of the dye layer sheet; and a thermal image forming means formed on the intermediate transfer medium. A transfer means for thermally transferring the formed dyeing layer to a recording paper together with the sublimable dye image formed on the dyeing layer, and the intermediate transfer medium is dyed on the intermediate transfer medium according to the value of the frictional force detected by the frictional force detecting means. A special feature is to judge whether the dyeing layer of the layering sheet has been formed. Thermal recording apparatus according to. 2. An intermediate transfer medium, a dyeing layer sheet having a dyeing layer on a film substrate, a dye layer sheet having a dye layer containing a sublimable dye on a film substrate, and the dyeing. After passing through a dyeing layer forming means for forming a dyeing layer of the layer sheet on the intermediate transfer medium, and a dyeing layer forming position where the dyeing layer is formed on the intermediate transfer medium by the dyeing layer forming means. Formed on the intermediate transfer medium by selectively heating the dye layer of the dye layer sheet and a frictional force detection means for detecting the frictional force of the surface of the dyeing layer sheet which had the dyeing layer. A thermal image forming means for forming a sublimable dye image on the dyeing layer, and a transfer means for thermally transferring the dyeing layer formed on the intermediate transfer medium to a recording paper together with the sublimable dye image formed thereon. And the intermediate transfer based on the value of the frictional force detected by the frictional force detecting means. Thermal recording apparatus characterized by determining whether the dyeing layer of said dyeing layer sheet body is formed. 3. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal image forming means is a thermal head. 4. The thermal image forming means also serves as a dyeing layer forming means, and the dyeing layer sheet and the dye layer sheet are formed by applying a dyeing layer and a dye layer to a film-shaped substrate in a face-sequential manner. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the thermal recording apparatus is provided. 5. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transfer means comprises a pressure contact roll provided with means for heating and maintaining a desired temperature. 6. The thermal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dyeing layer forming portion is an intermediate transfer medium containing at least silicone rubber.