JP3700483B2 - Photo printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is arranged in an exposure unit that exposes an image to a photosensitive material cut to a print size, a development processing unit that develops the photosensitive material, and a conveyance path between the exposure unit and the development processing unit. In addition, the present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus provided with a stock section for stocking the photosensitive material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a photographic printing apparatus, an image of a developed negative film is exposed to paper (corresponding to a photosensitive material), and the exposed paper is developed and dried, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus. In this case, there are roughly the following two types of processing procedures. First, the image is exposed in the state of a long paper fed from a paper magazine, developed and dried, cut into a print size at the final stage of the processing process, and discharged to the outside of the apparatus. is there. The other is a method in which a long paper fed from a paper magazine is cut into a print size in front of the exposure unit and then subjected to exposure processing, development processing, and the like.
[0003]
The former is convenient when processing a specific print size continuously, but if the processing operation is interrupted, the paper is wasted over a long conveyance section from the exposure section to the development processing section. This is a problem and is not suitable for processing various print sizes. In the latter case, the paper is cut into a print size immediately after it is sent out from the paper magazine, and then the exposure process and development process are performed. There is an advantage that it is possible to cope with various print sizes. The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus for performing the latter process.
[0004]
By the way, when the processing speed in the exposure unit is compared with the processing speed in the development processing unit, there is a situation that the latter is several times to ten times slower. Then, if the processing speed in the exposure section is not matched with the processing speed of the slow development processing section, the number of papers exceeding the processing capability will be successively sent to the development processing section. However, matching the processing speed of the development processing unit is not preferable because the processing capability of the entire photographic printing apparatus is lowered.
[0005]
There is a photographic printing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-133351 as a photographic printing apparatus that addresses such a problem. In this photographic printing apparatus, a transport device that transports paper from the exposure unit to the development processing unit is configured by first, second, and third transport units, and a predetermined amount of paper is stocked in the third transport unit for development processing. Send to department. In the meantime, stock is sequentially stored in the first and second transport units, and processing in the exposure unit is made possible without being affected by the processing speed of the development processing unit.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above prior art, paper is stocked in a single row to stock the paper. Therefore, if it is attempted to secure the necessary stock amount, the conveyance path in the stock section becomes long, and the entire photographic printing apparatus is There was a problem that the size would increase.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a photographic printing apparatus capable of ensuring a sufficient amount of photosensitive material stock while suppressing an increase in size of the entire apparatus. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention includes an exposure unit that exposes an image to a photosensitive material cut into a print size, a development processing unit that develops the photosensitive material, the exposure unit, and the development. And a stock unit for stocking the photosensitive material. The stock unit distributes the photosensitive material transported in one row into multiple rows. , A leading edge aligning device for aligning the leading ends of the photosensitive materials sorted by the sorting device, and a plurality of photosensitive materials arranged in a plurality of rows along the conveying direction are stocked. together and a plurality of stock devices, in order from the upstream side of the transport path, the distributing device, the tip aligning device, the plurality of collecting assembly is arranged for And it is characterized in that the transport path after the distributing device is formed in a state of meandering up and down.
[0008]
The operation of the photographic printing apparatus according to this configuration is as follows.
(1) The photosensitive material is cut into a print size before exposing the image to the photosensitive material.
(2) An image is exposed on the photosensitive material.
(3) The exposed photosensitive material is sent to a sorting device provided in the stock section.
(4) The photosensitive material is distributed from one row to multiple rows (two or more rows) by a sorting device.
(5) The distributed photosensitive material is sent to a leading edge aligning device so that the leading edges of the photosensitive materials distributed in multiple rows are aligned.
(6) A multi-row photosensitive material with aligned tips is fed into a stock apparatus.
[0009]
A plurality of stock apparatuses are provided, and when stocking, the stock apparatus is stocked in the stock apparatus at the top of the transport path. Then, a plurality of rows of photosensitive materials are arranged and stocked in the transport direction in order from the top. Since a plurality of stock devices are provided, when the photosensitive material can be sent to the development processing unit, only the photosensitive material of the stock device at the top is sent to the development processing unit and sent from the exposure unit. Photosensitive materials can be stocked in sequence in a stock device on the upstream side. As described above, by providing a plurality of stock apparatuses, it is possible to absorb the difference in processing speed between the development processing unit and the exposure unit.
[0010]
Further, in the stock section, a plurality of photosensitive materials can be arranged and stocked along the transport direction in a multi-row state. This makes it possible to dramatically increase the amount of stock compared to a structure that stocks in one row. As a result, it was possible to provide a photographic printing apparatus capable of securing a sufficient amount of photosensitive material stock while suppressing an increase in the size of the entire apparatus. Moreover, by forming the conveyance path after the sorting device so as to meander up and down, a sufficient amount of stock can be secured while suppressing the size of the photographic printing apparatus.
[0011]
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stock device closest to the development processing unit among the plurality of stock devices has a speed corresponding to a processing speed in the development processing unit at a speed at which the photosensitive material is conveyed. And a speed switchable to a speed corresponding to the processing speed in the exposure unit.
[0012]
According to this configuration, when the photosensitive material is sent to the stock apparatus located closest to the development processing unit and is stocked, the photosensitive material is conveyed at a processing speed (high speed) in the exposure unit. Further, when the photosensitive material is sent from the stock apparatus to the development processing unit, the photosensitive material is conveyed at a processing speed (low speed) in the development processing unit. Thereby, the photosensitive material can be quickly stocked in the stock portion.
[0013]
As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tip aligning device is configured to forcibly send the photosensitive material to the stock device after a predetermined time has elapsed.
The leading edge aligning device basically sends out the photosensitive material to the stock device when the multiple rows of photosensitive materials are aligned. However, it may happen that the multiple rows are not aligned due to breaks in the order or some trouble. In that case, holding the photosensitive material in the leading edge aligning device for a long time adversely affects the color development or the like, so that the photosensitive material is forcibly sent to the stock device after a predetermined time. Thereby, it is possible to prevent adverse effects on the color development of the photosensitive material.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the photographic printing apparatus 100. The photographic printing apparatus 100 includes a paper supply unit 1 that supplies paper (corresponding to a photosensitive material) P, an exposure unit 2 that exposes an image on the paper P, and a stock that stocks the paper P that has been cut into a print size. Unit 3, a development processing unit 4 for developing the exposed paper P, and a drying processing unit 5 for drying the developed paper P.
[0016]
<Configuration of each part>
The paper supply unit 1 includes a paper magazine 6 that stores the paper 1 in a roll shape, a roller mechanism 7 that transports the paper P drawn from the paper magazine 6, and a cutter 8 that cuts the paper P into a print size. It has.
[0017]
In the exposure unit 2, an exposure light source 10, a negative carrier 11 for setting the negative film F, and an imaging lens 12 are arranged along the optical axis. An exposure stage 13 is provided for exposing the image to the paper P cut to the print size. The exposure stage 13 is provided with a conveyance roller 13a and a conveyance belt 13b, and an image is exposed in a state where the paper P is adsorbed to the conveyance belt 13b by a mechanism (not shown) and directed toward the stock unit 3. Be transported.
[0018]
The stock unit 3 is arranged in order from the upstream side of the transport path to switch back device 14 for reversing the front and back of paper P, and to distribute paper P from one row state to two rows (corresponding to multiple rows). The sorting device 15, the leading edge aligning device 16 for aligning the leading ends of the sorted two rows of paper P, the third stock device 17 for stocking the paper P in two rows, and the second stock device 18 And a first stock device 19. Details of the stock unit 3 will be described later.
[0019]
The development processing unit 4 includes an introduction roller group 20 that receives the paper P fed from the stock unit 3 and a known development processing tank 21. The development processing tank 21 includes a color developing tank, a bleaching tank, a fixing tank, and the like, and the paper P is developed while being conveyed by a number of conveying rollers.
Also in the drying processing section 5, the paper P is dried while being conveyed by a large number of rollers 22.
[0020]
<Composition of stock section>
Details of the stock unit 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the stock unit 3, and FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the stock unit 3.
[0021]
The switchback device 14 is provided to reverse the front and back of the paper P. This is because when the paper P is turned in the development processing tank 21, it is preferable to turn the paper P so that the emulsion surface is on the outside in terms of color development. The switchback device 14 includes a large diameter roller 25 and small diameter rollers 26 and 27. A guide 28 is provided above the large-diameter roller 25 to guide the paper P to the sorting device 15.
[0022]
Explaining the operation of the switchback device 14, the paper P that has been exposed is first fed clockwise (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2) around the center of the large-diameter roller 25. When the rear end of the paper P is sandwiched between the large diameter roller 25 and the small diameter roller 27, the large diameter roller 25 is rotated counterclockwise. As a result, the paper P is transported toward the sorting device 15.
[0023]
The sorting device 15 includes a transport belt 31 wound around a pair of rollers 30 and a transport belt 33 wound around a pair of rollers 32. The paper P is transported between the transport belts 31 and 33. Is done. Further, the sorting device 15 can be moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 by a mechanism (not shown). Further, a sensor 39 that detects that the paper P has been fed is provided at the entrance of the sorting device 15.
[0024]
The tip aligning device 16 includes a conveyor belt 35 wound around a pair of rollers 34 and a conveyor belt 37 wound around three rollers 36. As understood from FIG. 3, the leading edge aligning device 16 includes two transport mechanisms along the transport width direction so that the paper P in each row can be transported independently. In FIG. 3, two conveyor belts 37 and 37 ′ are shown. For convenience of explanation, they may be referred to as a lower tip aligning device 16a and an upper tip aligning device 16b. In addition, a sensor 29 that detects that the paper P has been normally conveyed is provided at the outlet of the tip aligning device 16. Further, a guide 38 is provided between the sorting device 15 and the tip aligning device 16.
[0025]
The stock devices 17, 18, and 19 have the same basic configuration. The third stock apparatus 17 includes a conveyor belt 41 wound around a pair of rollers 40, a conveyor belt 43 wound around a pair of rollers 42, and a sensor 45 provided at an outlet portion. A guide 44 is provided between the tip aligning device 16 and the third stock device 17.
[0026]
The second stock device 18 includes a conveyor belt 47 wound around a pair of rollers 46, a conveyor belt 49 wound around three rollers 48, and a sensor 50 provided at the outlet. A guide 51 is provided between the third stock device 17 and the second stock device 18.
[0027]
The first stock device 19 includes a conveyor belt 53 wound around a pair of rollers 52, a conveyor belt 55 wound around a pair of rollers 54, and a sensor 56 provided at an outlet portion. A guide 57 is provided between the second stock device 18 and the first stock device 19. A guide 58 is also provided between the first stock device 19 and the introduction roller group 20.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, a control device 60 is provided, and the devices 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 are driven based on signals input from the sensors 39, 29, 45, 50, 56. Control is configured to be performed.
[0029]
As can be seen from FIG. 2, the transport path of the paper P in the stock section 3 is formed to meander up and down. Thereby, the magnitude | size of the stock part 3 can be suppressed and, as a result, the enlargement of the whole photographic printing apparatus 100 can be suppressed.
[0030]
<Operation description of photo printing device>
Next, the processing procedure of the paper P will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
The paper P drawn from the paper magazine 6 is cut into a print size by the cutter 8 immediately before the exposure unit 2. Next, it is conveyed to the center of the exposure stage 13 and the image of the negative film F is exposed (# 1). The paper P on which the image has been exposed is subsequently conveyed (# 2), and the paper P is turned upside down by the switchback device 14 and sent to the sorting device 15.
[0031]
In the sorting device 15, it is detected by the sensor 39 that the paper P has been sent (# 3). Next, it is determined whether or not the sorting movement should be performed (# 4). That is, if the fed paper P is to be moved toward the lower leading edge aligning device 16a shown in FIG. 3, it is sorted (moved in the A direction). Further, if the paper P is to be moved toward the upper leading edge aligning device 16b shown in FIG. 3, the paper P may be sent directly to the upper leading end aligning device 16b without being sorted (# 7).
[0032]
When the sorting movement is performed, the paper P is sent to the top position (position indicated by the broken line) of the sorting device 15 and the paper P is stopped (# 5). The timing of stopping the paper P can be such that the paper P is stopped at the leading position by stopping the conveying belts 31 and 33 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the paper 39 was detected by the sensor 39. Alternatively, after the paper P is detected by the sensor 39, the stop control at a predetermined position can be performed by supplying a predetermined number of drive pulses to the stepping motor that drives the conveyor belts 31 and 33. Stop control at other portions of the paper P can be performed in the same manner.
[0033]
After stopping the paper P in step # 5, the sorting device 15 is slid in the direction of arrow A (# 6). As a result, the paper P moves to a position facing the lower tip aligning device 16a in FIG. When the slide movement is completed, the paper P is sent out toward the lower tip aligning device 16a (# 7).
[0034]
The sensor 29 provided at the outlet of the tip aligning device 16 detects that the paper P has been fed (# 8), and stops the paper P at the leading position of the tip aligning device 16 (# 9).
[0035]
Next, it is determined whether or not two rows of paper P are aligned (# 10). That is, it is determined whether or not the paper P is in both of the two leading edge aligning devices 16a and 16b. In this case, when the paper P is transported in two rows, the paper P is intended to be transported with the tips aligned. Thereby, the limited stock space can be utilized effectively. If the paper P is sorted each time it is sent from the exposure unit 2, the paper P is transported in two rows in a zigzag state. In this case, a considerable space is left between the paper P and the paper P. Will decrease. Accordingly, since it is possible to convey the paper P in a state in which the intervals between the papers P are reduced, the stock space can be used effectively.
[0036]
If two rows of paper P are aligned, the process proceeds to step # 12. If two rows are not aligned, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the paper P was fed (# 11). ). This is an attempt to forcibly feed out the paper P even if two rows are not prepared after a predetermined time has elapsed. This is because if the development process is not performed for a long time after exposure, color development may be deteriorated.
[0037]
When the paper P is ready to be sent out, the third stock device 17 determines whether or not the stock is ready (# 12). If stock is available, the paper P is sent to the third stock device 17 (# 13). When the paper P is fed into the third stock device 17, the second stock device 18 further determines whether or not the stock is ready (# 14). If it is not in a stockable state, the paper P is stopped at a predetermined position in the third stock apparatus 17 (# 15). If the second stock device 18 is in a stockable state, the paper P is sent out to the second stock device 18 (# 16).
[0038]
When the paper P is fed into the second stock device 18, the first stock device 19 further determines whether or not the stock is ready (# 17). If it is not in a stockable state, the paper P is stopped at a predetermined position in the second stock device 18 (# 18). If the first stock device 19 is in a stockable state, the paper P is sent out to the first stock device 19 (# 19). Then, the paper P is stopped at a predetermined position of the first stock device 19 (# 20).
[0039]
As described above, the exposed paper P is stocked in order from the downstream side of the stock unit 3. Next, it is determined whether or not the paper P can be sent out to the development processing unit 4 (# 21). If the paper P can be sent out, the paper P stocked in the first stock device 19 is sent out (# 22). When the paper P is fed into the first stock device 19, the transport speed is set to a speed (high speed) corresponding to the processing speed in the exposure unit 2, and when the first stock device 19 sends out the paper P, the speed at which the paper P is sent out. Is set to a speed (low speed) corresponding to the processing speed in the development processing section 4 so that the transport speed can be switched. The transport speeds in the second and third stock apparatuses 17, 18, the sorting apparatus 15, and the tip aligning apparatus 16 other than the first stock apparatus 19 are set so as to correspond to the processing speed in the exposure unit 2.
[0040]
<Another embodiment>
In this embodiment, the paper P is distributed in two rows, but may be distributed in three or more rows.
In the present embodiment, a belt is used as the paper P transport mechanism in the stock unit 3, but a roller may be used.
In the present embodiment, the stock apparatus is configured by three, but may be configured by two or four or more.
[0041]
In this embodiment, when the paper P is sent to the head of the sorting device 15, the paper P is stopped, and then the sorting operation is performed. Alternatively, the following configuration may be used. That is, the sorting operation may be performed while transporting the paper P with reference to the time when the rear end of the paper P leaves the rollers 25 and 27 of the switchback device 14. Thereby, processing efficiency can be made high.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a photographic printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing the configuration of a stock unit. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of a stock unit. Flow chart (1)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a paper processing procedure (2).
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a paper processing procedure (3).
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Exposure unit 3 Stock unit 4 Development processing unit 15 Sorting device 16 Tip alignment device 17 Third stock device 18 Second stock device 19 First stock device 100 Photo printing device P Paper (printing paper)

Claims (3)

An exposure unit that exposes an image to a photosensitive material cut into a print size;
A development processing unit for developing the photosensitive material;
In a photographic printing apparatus provided with a stock unit that is arranged in a conveyance path between the exposure unit and the development processing unit and stocks the photosensitive material,
The stock part is
A sorting device for sorting the photosensitive materials conveyed in one row into multiple rows, a tip aligning device for aligning the tips of the photosensitive materials sorted by the sorting device, and a plurality of tips aligned. A plurality of stock devices for arranging and stocking a plurality of photosensitive materials in a row along the conveying direction ;
The sorting device, the tip aligning device, and the plurality of stock devices are arranged in this order from the upstream side of the transport route, and the transport route after the sort device is formed to meander up and down. A photographic printing apparatus.   The stock device closest to the development processing unit among the plurality of stock devices has a speed at which the photosensitive material is conveyed to a speed corresponding to a processing speed in the development processing unit and a processing speed in the exposure unit. 2. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographic printing apparatus is configured to be switchable to a corresponding speed. The tip aligning device, photographic printing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is configured to send out forcibly the photosensitive material to a predetermined time elapses to the stock unit.

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