JPH0241617Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to an automatic photographic paper loading mechanism for a printer that performs exposure printing on a long photographic paper.

Conventionally, automatic loading mechanisms for printers that use long photographic paper, especially those that have an opening/closing mechanism with an easel mask using a rigid plate in the exposure/printing section, require movement of the mask when opening the easel mask. In order to secure space, the entire mechanism tended to be large. However, recently, as the number of small automatic photo processing devices (so-called minilabs) for in-house processing has increased in small shops, there has been a demand for small photo processing devices that can fit into the small spaces of small shops. Similarly, miniaturization has been desired.

In order to meet these demands, the present invention uses a bendable flexible material for the easel mask and provides an automatic photographic paper loading mechanism for downsizing printers.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a printer incorporating an automatic loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes photographic paper, which is stored in a long roll in a photographic paper supply section of the printer, and is appropriately fed into the printer by a drive roller 2, which will be described later. Reference numeral 2 denotes a driving roller which feeds the photographic paper 1 while coming into contact with a releasable driven roller 3. Reference numeral 4 denotes a tension roller, which is movable up and down together with a guide 5, is locked at the upper limit when photographic paper is loaded, and thereafter forms a loop within a certain range necessary for paper feeding. Reference numeral 6 denotes guide rollers, and 7a and 7b guide the photographic paper 1 after forming a loop with the guides so that it is smoothly sent to the printing section. Easel masks 8 and 8 are detachable from the printer and regulate the print size on the photographic paper 1 in the width direction. Reference numerals 9 and 9' denote sliding masks A and B, which are arranged in pairs on the upstream and downstream sides in the paper feeding direction of photographic paper, and are guided by the guide 8a of the easel mask 8. It slides open and close to regulate the length of the printing size in the paper feeding direction.
10 and 10' are stands A and B, and sliding masks A9 and B
9' is provided with a recessed part on the upper surface that fits with pins 9a and 9'a, and the end part is slidably opened and closed in the paper feeding direction by a drive motor 14 and wire 14a, which will be described later, and at the same time sliding masks A9 and B9 are provided. ’ is activated. 11,1
Reference numerals 1' denote flexible masks A and B, which are made of a bendable and highly light-shielding material, and have a size in the width direction that sufficiently covers the width of the photographic paper 1 that can be used by the printer. , has a length that sufficiently blocks light even when the sliding masks A9 and B9' are closed, and one end is connected to the stand A1.
0, B10' by a well-known method,
Balancers A12 and B12' are arranged at the other end, and have tension in the opening direction of the sliding masks A9 and B9'. Note that a spring may also be used instead of the balancer. 13, 13' are guide rollers A,
At B, the direction of the flexible masks A11, B11' is changed so as not to increase the external size of the printed portion. Reference numeral 14 denotes a drive motor, which is connected to the tables A10 and B10' via wires 14a, and slides the sliding masks A9 and B9' to perform opening and closing movements for automatic loading and to adjust the length of the burned size. Control the horizontal direction. A guide 15 feeds the photographic paper 1 between a feed roller 16 and a driven roller 17 after printing is completed.

Although not shown, a pressure bonding plate that sufficiently covers the printing size on the photographic paper 1 is provided on the easel mask, and presses and fixes the photographic paper during printing, and separates when the paper is fed.

Next, the operation will be explained.

First, the leading end 1a of the long-rolled photographic paper 1 is pulled out to prepare for automatic loading. Photographic paper 1 is passed between a driving roller 2 and a driven roller 3. At this time, the pressure of the driven roller 3 is released in order to make it easier to pass the photographic paper through. Furthermore, it is passed under the tension roller 4 for forming a loop along the guide 5. The pressure bonding plate (not shown) is released from the pressure bonding and separated, and the photographic paper 1 is ready to be received.

Next, the drive motor 14 rotates, and the sliding mask A is moved through the wire 14a and the bases A10 and B10'.
9, A9' are opened to the maximum and are in the state shown.

Then, the driving roller 2 rotates together with the driven roller 3, and the photographic paper 1 is sent out by a predetermined length, so that the leading edge 1a of the photographic paper reaches the center of the sliding mask A9.

At the same time, the drive motor 14 starts rotating and causes the sliding masks A9, B9' to perform a closing operation in accordance with the feeding speed of the photographic paper 1. In other words, the sliding mask A9 on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction of photographic paper
moves at a speed that does not allow the leading edge 1a of the photographic paper 1 to be overtaken by preventing the leading edge 1a of the photographic paper 1 from falling into the opening, and moves the two sliding masks A9, B9'. The closing operation is performed until the matching point (fully closed position) is reached. When the closing operation is completed, the drive motor 14 is temporarily stopped.

The photographic paper 1 continues to be fed by the driving roller 2, and the leading end 1a is moved from above the sliding mask A9 to which the closed ends 9b, 9'b are connected, to the sliding mask B.
Move up to 9'.

When the leading edge 1a of the photographic paper advances to the center of the sliding mask B9', the drive motor 14 starts rotating again and moves the sliding masks A9, B9' onto the photographic paper 1 via the wire 14a and the bases A10, B10'. Opening operation is performed according to the feed speed. In other words, the sliding mask B9' on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction of the photographic paper is located at the leading edge 1 of the photographic paper 1.
While keeping the mask a placed on it, it moves at a speed that does not overtake the leading edge 1a of the photographic paper 1 so as not to fall into the opening, until it reaches the maximum opening, and the edges 9c and 9' of the sliding masks A and B are moved. c are guides 7a and 7, respectively.
Continue the opening operation until it comes into contact with b, 15.

When the sliding masks A9 and B9' reach their maximum openings,
Although the drive motor 14 stops rotating, the photographic paper 1 continues to be fed and passes over the guide 15.
It is fed until it is caught between the feed roller 16 and the driven roller 17.

When it senses that it has been bitten, the tension roller 4 is unlocked and begins to descend to form a loop, and when a loop of a predetermined size is formed, the descent stops, and at the same time, the drive roller 2
The rotation of the printing paper 1 also stops, and the feeding of the photographic paper 1 stops. The size of this loop may be detected by calculating the feed amount based on the number of rotations of the drive roller 2, or by providing a detector at the lowering position of the loop.

Next, the drive motor 14 rotates, and the sliding mask A
9, B9' slides again to a position that matches the predetermined printing size and stops, completing loading.

As described above, by using the present invention, the storage space conventionally required to open and move the sliding mask from side to side can be omitted, and the external size of the easel mask section, especially in the paper feeding direction, can be prevented from increasing. In addition, by opening and closing the sliding mask in accordance with the feeding speed of the photographic paper, it is possible to eliminate the need for a separate member for closing the easel mask section, and as a result, there is no need for any complication in the mechanism. A compact automatic photographic paper loading mechanism is obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic photographic paper loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a printer incorporating the automatic photographic paper loading mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1... Photographic paper, 2... Drive roller, 3... Followed roller, 4... Tension roller, 8... Easel mask, 9, 9'... Sliding mask A, B, 10, 10'...
Stands A, B, 11, 11'...Flexible mask A,
B, 14... Drive motor, 14a... Wire, 16...
feed roller.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A printer that performs exposure printing on a long strip of photographic paper, comprising a rotary drive member that force-feeds the long photographic paper, and a loop formed within a certain range necessary for feeding the photographic paper. a guide member that guides the photographic paper; a fixed easel mask that is removable and that regulates the print size in the width direction; a pair of easel members comprising sliding easel masks disposed upstream and downstream so as to regulate the length of the printable size in the paper feeding direction; and a pair of easel members that can be fitted with the sliding easel masks;
The end of a flexible curtain for light shielding that can slide in the paper feeding direction and has tension in the opening direction is attached, and at one end is a driven member that obtains the driving force for sliding. a pair of moving members disposed thereon, a driving member that drives the moving members, and a feeding member that feeds the photographic paper from the printing section, the leading end of the photographic paper reaching above the sliding easel mask on the upstream side. When this occurs, the operation of the driving member causes
Through the moving member, the sliding easel mask performs a closing operation and moves to a fully closed position at a speed that does not allow the mask on the upstream side to overtake the leading edge of the photographic paper, and When reaching the moving easel mask, the sliding easel mask performs an opening operation and moves the leading edge of the photographic paper at a speed that does not overtake the downstream mask until it reaches an opening position suitable for a predetermined length in the paper feeding direction. Automatic photographic paper loading mechanism.