EP0723199A2 - Sorting apparatus for photographic printer - Google Patents
Sorting apparatus for photographic printer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0723199A2 EP0723199A2 EP96100533A EP96100533A EP0723199A2 EP 0723199 A2 EP0723199 A2 EP 0723199A2 EP 96100533 A EP96100533 A EP 96100533A EP 96100533 A EP96100533 A EP 96100533A EP 0723199 A2 EP0723199 A2 EP 0723199A2
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- movable
- stopper
- prints
- gear
- rotary element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03D—APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03D15/00—Apparatus for treating processed material
- G03D15/001—Counting; Classifying; Marking
- G03D15/005—Order systems, e.g. printsorter
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a sorting apparatus for use in combination with e.g. an automatic photographic printer for sorting prints generated from the printer.
- FIG. 11 A typical conventional sorting apparatus of the above-noted type is shown in Fig. 11.
- prints 40 discharged one after another from a discharge opening of a photographic printer not shown are received on an upper surface of a fixed receiver table 30.
- a plurality of movable members 31 protruding upward from the receiver table 30 are translated to one side of the table 30 as illustrated in Fig. 11(b) to move the prints 40 to cause them to drop on to a belt conveyer 39 disposed on this side.
- the apparatus effects a sorting operation of the prints.
- the prints 40 are caused to drop on to the belt conveyer 29 from an obliquely upper position by using the movable member 31.
- the movable members 31 are driven too fast, this will result in irregularity in the location on the belt conveyer 29 onto which the prints 40 are dropped.
- the prints 40 tend to be scattered about.
- the movable members 31 are driven slowly, this will incline the prints 40 obliquely downwards from the receiver table 30, so that these prints 40 will 'collapse' from the receiver table 30, as illustrated in Fig. 11(b). Then, in this case too, the prints 40 when dropped will be scattered about as illustrated in Fig. 11(c).
- the movable members 31 need to move prints 40 of various numbers and sizes. Then, even the scattering pattern of the dropped prints 40 may be irregular. Accordingly, such irregularity in the sorted or un-sorted conditions of the dropped prints would invite a problem in the subsequent process of the prints.
- the present invention attends to the above-described drawbacks of the prior art and its primary object is to provide an improved sorting apparatus which always can neatly sort out prints discharged from a printer regardless of the number and/or size of the prints.
- a sorting apparatus for use with a printer comprises: a movable table for mounting prints thereon; a stopper member disposed on an upper surface of the movable table for coming into contact with the prints mounted on the movable table; the movable table being projectable and retractable relative to the stopper member; wherein with a retracting movement of the movable table relative to the stopper member, the prints mounted on the movable table are caused to come into contact with the stopper member and to be dropped off the table to be sorted.
- edges of the respective prints can be neatly aligned as these prints mounted on the movable table come into contact with the stopper member. Then, with being maintained in this contact with the stopper member, the movable member is moved in the retracting direction to cause the prints to be dropped off the table to be sorted. As the prints are allowed to be dropped substantially perpendicularly with their edges aligned, the prints can be sorted neatly.
- the stopper member is rendered movable together with the movable table, such that the movable table is retracted after the stopper member and the movable table are moved together.
- the prints discharged from the discharge opening of the printer may be transported e.g. laterally to be neatly sorted while the prints are kept mounted on the movable table.
- this construction allows greater freedom in the assembly of the sorting apparatus with the printer. Further, through setting of a stop position of the stopper member, the dropping or sorting position of the prints may be freely selected, or the edges of any prints may be neatly aligned regardless of the size of the prints.
- the prints may be sorted with the edges thereof being aligned with the forward side of the printer. So that, the subsequent handling of the prints can be facilitated.
- the stopper member is rendered movable relative to the movable table, such that the movable table is retracted relative to the stopper after the stopper member is moved relative to the movable table.
- the dropping or sorting position of the prints may be freely selected, or the edges of any prints may be neatly aligned regardless of the size of the prints. And, the prints may be sorted to a position which advantageously facilitates the subsequent handling thereof.
- an upper surface of the movable table has a step for allowing the prints to ride thereon in an overhanging manner, the upper surface having a downward inclination as extending toward a discharge opening of the prints from the printer.
- the prints discharged from the discharge opening on to the movable table may reliably be allowed to ride on the step along the inclined surface in the overhanging manner.
- the movable table is moved in the retracting direction relative to the stopper member, there occurs no jamming of the prints into the gap formed between the upper surface of this movable table and the bottom surface of the stopper member. Accordingly, the gravity sorting operation of the prints may be effected more reliably.
- the sorting apparatus further comprising first driving means for driving the movable table, second driving means for driving the stopper member, and a drive source for driving both first and second driving means.
- the entire apparatus may be formed more compact.
- the apparatus further comprising a movable-table support block for supporting the movable table, a stopper support block for supporting the stopper member, and a slide shaft on which the movable-table support block and the stopper support block are slidably mounted, said first drive means including a first rotary element (e.g. a sprocket) and a first connecting member (e.g.
- said second drive means including a second rotary element and a second connecting member operatively associated with said second rotary element, said movable-table support block being engaged with said first connecting member, said stopper support block being engaged with said second connecting member, said first rotary element and said second rotary element being disposed coaxially.
- the above-described rather complicated relative movements between the movable table and the stopper member may be reliably provided by using those components such as the movable-table support block, chain, sprocket and the stopper support block, chain, sprocket and so on.
- the entire construction may be formed compact and its assembly with the printer may be further facilitated.
- the first rotary element and the second rotary element are mounted on a single drive shaft to be rotatable relative to each other.
- This drive shaft and the first rotary element are operatively coupled with each other via a friction mechanism.
- the drive shaft and the second rotary element are operatively coupled with each other via a one-way clutch mechanism.
- the drive shaft and the second rotary element are operatively coupled with each other also via a clutch mechanism.
- a stopper is provided for coming into contact with the movable-table support block for regulating movement of the movable-table support block.
- the drive shaft is operatively coupled with a reversible motor.
- said clutch mechanism includes a first gear formed integral with the second rotary element, a second gear fixed to the drive shaft, and a free gear mounted to the movable-table support block, rotation of the second gear being transmitted via the free gear to the first gear.
- Rotation in one direction of the motor may be transmitted to the second rotary element via the drive shaft and the one-way clutch mechanism, while rotation in the other direction may not.
- the rotation in the other direction of the motor may be transmitted via the second gear, the free gear and the first gear to the second rotary element. Further, this transmission of the rotation in the other direction of the motor is allowed only then the free gear meshes both the first gear and the second gear.
- the clutch mechanism having the above construction is simple as being comprised mainly of the gears.
- At least one of the first gear and second gear includes a mechanism for absorbing a difference between the tooth phases of these first and second gears.
- the mechanism capable of absorbing a difference between the tooth phases of the two gears, the simultaneous meshing engagements between the free gear and the first and second gears may be effected smoothly. And, the durability of the clutch mechanism may be improved.
- the apparatus further comprises a position detector for detecting a position of the stopper support block for controlling a change in the stop position of the stopper member.
- the drop-sorting position of the prints may be selected. Or, any prints, regardless of size thereof, may be neatly aligned at their edges.
- the apparatus further comprises a belt conveyer disposed at the drop position of the prints downwardly of the movable table.
- the sorted prints may be automatically transported to a desired position. Hence, this will contribute to improvement of the convenience of the printer.
- a sorting apparatus for use with a photographic printer will be described in details with reference to Figs. 1 through 7.
- Fig. 1 shows, in its entirety, an automatic photographic printer for producing color prints from a negative film.
- images of the negative film are printed on to a color print paper by a printing device accommodated inside the printer.
- various processes such as development, water-washing and so on are effected on this print paper, and the paper is dried by a drying unit and then cut into color prints 40 of a predetermined size, which are discharged one after another through a discharge opening 1 to be supplied on to a sorting apparatus which is disposed downwardly of the discharge opening 1.
- This sorting apparatus includes a movable table 2 for mounting thereon the color prints 40 discharged one after another from the discharge opening 1 of the printer and a stopper member 3 disposed on the upper surface of the movable table 2 for coming into contact with the color prints 40 as mounted on the movable table 2. And, the movable table 2 and the stopper member 3 are both movable relative to a casing 4 of the sorting apparatus.
- the upper surface of the movable table 2 comprises an inclined surface having a generally upward inclination as extending away from the discharge opening 1 of the printer. Further, this upper surface has a sawtoothed configuration formed of a plurality of steps 2a, with an upper surface of each step 2a having a downward inclination as extending toward the discharge opening 1. With these arrangements, the color prints 40 discharged from the discharge opening 1, irrespectively of their sizes, may ride over the step 2a in an overhanging manner. Further, a corresponding bottom surface of the stopper 3 has a matching sawtoothed configuration having a plurality of steps 3a.
- slide shafts 5 extending along the length of the casing 4 are fixedly disposed. These slide shafts 5 slidably mount thereon a movable-table support block 6 and a stopper support block 7 via slide bearings 6a, 7a respectively, with the stopper support block 7 being disposed on the forward side of the printer.
- the movable-table block 6 fixedly supports the movable table 2 via its plate-like joints 6b.
- the stopper support block 7 fixedly supports the stopper member 3 via its plate-like joints 7b.
- the upper surface of the casing 4 defines a pair of slits 8 through which the joints 6b of the movable-table support block 6 extend and also defines a further pair of slits 9 through which the joints 7b of the stopper support block 7 extend.
- the movable table 2 defines a pair of slits 10, through which the joints 7b of the stopper support block 7 extend.
- a drive shaft 11 extending normal to the slide shafts 5.
- This drive shaft 11 mounts a movable-table drive sprocket 12 adjacent one end thereof, a stopper drive sprocket 13 adjacent the other end thereof and further mounts a clutch member 14 at an intermediate portion thereof, respectively.
- the clutch member 14 which is fixed to the drive shaft 11, integrally includes a clutch gear 14a (hereinafter 'a second gear 14a' ), which is disposed adjacent a clutch gear 13a (hereinafter 'a first gear 13a') integrally of the stopper drive sprocket 13.
- a movable-table drive chain 18 is entrained between the movable-table drive sprocket 12 and a free sprocket 17.
- a stopper drive chain 20 is entrained between the stopper drive sprocket 13 and a free sprocket 19.
- the latter free sprocket 19, on which the stopper drive chain 20 is entrained, is mounted on a fixed shaft 21 fixed to the casing 4. Further, between this fixed shaft 21 and the free sprocket 19, there is interposed a friction mechanism 19 having a substantially same construction as the afore-described friction mechanism 15, so that the free sprocket 19 is not rotated unless the stopper drive chain 20 receives a driving force beyond a predetermined magnitude.
- the movable-table drive chain 18 and the stopper drive chain 20 are operatively coupled with the movable-table support block 6 and the stopper support block 7, respectively.
- a toothed belt 23 is entrained between a pulley 11a fixed to the drive shaft 11 and a shaft of a reversible DC motor 22 having a reduction mechanism.
- the movable-table support block 6 rotatably mounts a free gear 24 which can mesh with the first gear 13a and the second gear 14a for operatively coupling the drive shaft 11 and the stopper drive sprocket 13 to each other.
- These first and second gears 13a, 14a and the free gear 24 together constitute a clutch mechanism 25.
- the stopper support block 7 includes a position detecting plate 25 extending downwards there from.
- a position detector 27 comprised of a light emitter 27a and a light receiver 27b, for the purpose of controlling a change in the stop position of the stopper member 3.
- a stopper 28a for contacting the movable-table support block 6 so as to restrict movement of this block 6 toward the forward side of the printer and a further stopper 28b for also contacting the movable-table support block 6 so as to restrict opposite movement of this block 6 toward a rear side of the printer.
- a belt conveyer 29 is disposed for receiving and transporting one after another the color prints 40 dropped off the movable table 2.
- the operations of this sorting apparatus will be described.
- the movable-table support block 6 and the stopper support block 7 are located on the rear side of the printer, namely, on the side of the drive shaft 11, the color prints 40 are discharged from the discharge opening 1.
- the movable table 2 is disposed downwardly of the discharge opening 1 and also the stopper member 3 is disposed more rearwardly of the printer than the discharge opening 1, so that the color prints 40 are discharged on to the movable table 2 under this condition.
- the movable-table drive sprocket 12 and the stopper drive sprocket 13 both effect forward rotations to drive the movable-table drive chain 18 and the stopper drive chain 20, respectively. Accordingly, the movable-table support block 6 and the stopper support block 7 are slided along the slide shafts 5, whereby the movable table 2 and the stopper member 3 are together moved toward the forward side of the printer.
- the movable-table support block 6 After being moved by a predetermined distance, the movable-table support block 6 comes into contact with the stopper 28a, whereby the block 6 is prevented from being moved farther. In this condition, a slippage is caused by the function of the friction mechanism 15, so that the movable-table drive sprocket 12 stops its rotation in spite of the continued forward rotation of the drive shaft 11.
- the movable-table support block 6 is moved toward the rear side of the printer. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 5(a), while the stopper member 3 is maintained still, the movable table 2 is retracted away from this stopper member 3, such that the color prints 40 on the movable table 2 with the positions thereof regulated through the contact with the stopper member 3 are allowed, in this condition, to be dropped on to the belt conveyer 29 disposed downwardly. This completes a sorting operation of the prints.
- the color prints 40 are riding in an overhanging manner on the plural steps 2a formed on the upper surface of the movable table 2, the color prints 40 are prevented from being jammed between this upper surface of the movable table 2 and the bottom surface of the stopper member 3.
- the color prints 40 overhangingly ride on more than two steps 2a, the jamming trouble of the prints 40 may be prevented more reliably.
- the frictional force can reliably maintain the stopper member 3 at the predetermined stop position against such urging force. Consequently, a positioning error of the color prints 40 may be reliably prevented.
- this new size can be designated with an operation of the control unit 5 of the printer.
- the stop position of the stopper 3 is changed. More specifically, in the foregoing description of the operations, the motor 22 stops its forward rotation to stop the stopper member 3 simultaneously with the position detecting plate 26 extending downwardly from the stopper support block 7 transversing the position detector 27. Instead, with such designation of a new size by the control unit 5, the stop position of the stopper member 3 will be changed as the motor 22 will be stopped not simultaneously but with lapse of one second or two seconds after the position detecting plate 26 has transversed the position detector 27, for instance.
- the front edges of the stacked color prints 40 can always be brought into neat alignment with the frontal edge of the belt conveyer 29.
- the operational processes for this sorting operation are illustrated in Fig. 5(b) and Figs. 6(a) and (b).
- a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 8 through 10.
- This embodiment relates to improvement of the clutch mechanism 25 described hereinbefore.
- the other constructions than this clutch mechanism 25 remain the same and will therefore not be described to avoid redandancy.
- the free gear 24 is to come into meshing with the first gear 13a and the second gear 14a simultaneously. So, for facilitating these meshing engagements between the free gear 24 and the first and second gears 13a, 14a, the free gear 24 is mounted to be freely rotatable relative to the movable-table support block 6.
- the clutch mechanism 25 be constructed with taking this respect into consideration.
- Fig. 8 is a perspective exploded view of such clutch mechanism 25 improved in the above-described respect.
- the construction of the second 14a remains the same as that of the foregoing embodiment.
- the first gear 13a is comprised now of two parts, namely, a first rotary element 131 and a second rotary element 132.
- the first rotary element 131 includes a toothed portion 131a for meshing the teeth of the free gear 24, a projecting portion 131b extending along the axial direction of the drive shaft 11, an end face portion 131c formed in the projecting portion 131b, and a hole 131d defined in the projecting portion 131b.
- the second rotary element 132 includes a recess portion 132a for defining a space for allowing movement of the projecting portion 131b of the first rotary element 131, an end face portion 132b for contacting the end face portion 131c of the projecting portion 131b, and a hole 132c.
- a spring 132 includes a hook 133a engageable with the hole 131d and a further hook 133b engageable with the hole 132c. This spring 132 urges the first rotary element 131 to rotate it about the axis X of the drive shaft 11 in a direction of an arrow A in Figs. 8 and 10. In this urged state, the end face portion 131c and the end face portion 132b are placed in contact with each other.
- the second gear 14a includes a toothed portion 14b meshable with the teeth of the free gear 24.
- the first rotary element 131, the second rotary element 132 and the spring 133 together constituting this first gear 13a be provided as one integral unit.
- Figs. 10 show the first gear 13a and the second gear 14a in planar developments so as to facilitate understanding of their positional relationship.
- Fig. 10(a) shows a condition before the free gear 24 come into meshing engagements with the first gear 13a and the second gear 14a.
- the first gear 13a and the second gear 14a have a same pitch of ⁇ .
- this end face portion 131c of the projecting portion 131b is in the direction of the arrow A by the spring 133, this end face portion 131c of the first rotary element 131 and the end face portion 132b of the second rotary element 132 are placed in contact with each other.
- this projecting portion 131b is movable by an angle ⁇ within the space defined by the recess portion 132a.
- the angle ⁇ is set to be at least greater than the angle corresponding to one tooth pitch.
- the free gear 24 mounted to the movable-table support block 6 comes into meshing engagements with both the first gear 13a and the second gear 14a.
- the first rotary element 131 is rotated counterclockwise as illustrated in Fig. 10(b), so as to bring the tooth phase of the first gear 13a into exact registration with that of the second gear 14a.
- the projecting portion 131b has been moved against the urging force of the spring 133, so that the end face 131c and the end face 132c are located away from each other.
- the free gear 24 mounted to the movable-table support mount 6 comes into meshing engagements with the first gear 13a of the stopper drive sprocket 13 and the second gear 14a of the clutch member 14, thereby to integrally couple the drive shaft 11 and the stopper drive sprocket 13 with each other.
- the stopper drive sprocket 13 is reversely rotated to drive the stopper drive chain 20, whereby the stopper member 3 too is moved towards the rear side of the printer, the motor 22 is stopped, and the belt conveyer 29 is moved the predetermined distance to be set to the initial condition.
- the stop position of the stopper member 3 is varied in association with the lapse of time period after the position detecting plate 26 has transversed the position detector 27.
- a plurality of such position detectors 27 may be arranged along the movable path of the position detecting plate 26, so that these position detectors 27 are activated selectively.
- a single position detector 27 may be rendered adjustable in position along the movable path of the position detecting plate 26, so that the motor 22 may be stopped when this position detector 22 has transversed the position detecting plate 26.
- the movable table 2 and the stopper member 3 are moved together and then the stopper member 3 is moved further to the predetermined position corresponding to a designated size of the color prints 40 while the movable table 2 being maintained still.
- the stopper member 3 may be moved to the position corresponding to the designated size of the prints 40 and then this stopper member 3 will be moved together with the movable table 2.
- the movable table 2 and the stopper member 3 may be moved simultaneously at different speeds.
- the movable table 2 and the stopper member 3 are driven by the combination of the sprockets and chains.
- the driving construction is not limited thereto.
- rollers and springs 13 and belts 13 may be employed.
- a movable-table drive roller and a stopper drive roller will be employed in place of the movable-table drive sprocket 13 and the stopper drive sprocket 13, respectively.
- a movable-table drive belt and a stopper drive belt will be employed in place of the movable-table drive chain 18 and the stopper drive chain 20, respectively.
- a train of gears may be used as the driving construction.
- the first rotary element 131 includes the projecting portion 13a while the second rotary element 132 includes the recess portion 132a.
- the first rotary element 131 may include a recess portion and the second rotary element 132 may include a projecting portion.
- the first gear 13a is comprised of the two parts of the first rotary element 131 and the second rotary element 132.
- the second gear 14a may be comprised of two separate parts. In these manners, the mechanism for absorbing the phase difference may be provided to either one or both of the first gear 13a and the second gear 14a.
- the mechanism for absorbing the tooth phase difference when the mechanism for absorbing the tooth phase difference is not used as in the first embodiment, it is preferred that the first and second gears 13a, 14a have smaller module. Or, a roller type friction transmission mechanism may be employed in place of the gear type mechanism disclosed.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus for use in combination with e.g. an automatic photographic printer for sorting prints generated from the printer.
- A typical conventional sorting apparatus of the above-noted type is shown in Fig. 11. To briefly describe this apparatus, prints 40 discharged one after another from a discharge opening of a photographic printer not shown are received on an upper surface of a fixed receiver table 30. Then, when prints 40 of one negative film roll are produced, a plurality of
movable members 31 protruding upward from the receiver table 30 are translated to one side of the table 30 as illustrated in Fig. 11(b) to move theprints 40 to cause them to drop on to a belt conveyer 39 disposed on this side. In this manner, the apparatus effects a sorting operation of the prints. - With the above convention, however, the
prints 40 are caused to drop on to thebelt conveyer 29 from an obliquely upper position by using themovable member 31. Hence, if themovable members 31 are driven too fast, this will result in irregularity in the location on thebelt conveyer 29 onto which theprints 40 are dropped. Further, when dropped on to theconveyer 29, theprints 40 tend to be scattered about. On the other hand, if themovable members 31 are driven slowly, this will incline theprints 40 obliquely downwards from the receiver table 30, so that theseprints 40 will 'collapse' from the receiver table 30, as illustrated in Fig. 11(b). Then, in this case too, theprints 40 when dropped will be scattered about as illustrated in Fig. 11(c). - In addition, in many cases, the
movable members 31 need to moveprints 40 of various numbers and sizes. Then, even the scattering pattern of the droppedprints 40 may be irregular. Accordingly, such irregularity in the sorted or un-sorted conditions of the dropped prints would invite a problem in the subsequent process of the prints. - The present invention attends to the above-described drawbacks of the prior art and its primary object is to provide an improved sorting apparatus which always can neatly sort out prints discharged from a printer regardless of the number and/or size of the prints.
- For fulfilling the above-noted object, a sorting apparatus for use with a printer, according to the present invention, comprises: a movable table for mounting prints thereon; a stopper member disposed on an upper surface of the movable table for coming into contact with the prints mounted on the movable table; the movable table being projectable and retractable relative to the stopper member; wherein with a retracting movement of the movable table relative to the stopper member, the prints mounted on the movable table are caused to come into contact with the stopper member and to be dropped off the table to be sorted.
- With the above-described construction, edges of the respective prints can be neatly aligned as these prints mounted on the movable table come into contact with the stopper member. Then, with being maintained in this contact with the stopper member, the movable member is moved in the retracting direction to cause the prints to be dropped off the table to be sorted. As the prints are allowed to be dropped substantially perpendicularly with their edges aligned, the prints can be sorted neatly.
- As a result, the subsequent process of these prints may be effected smoothly without troubles.
- According to one aspect of the invention, the stopper member is rendered movable together with the movable table, such that the movable table is retracted after the stopper member and the movable table are moved together.
- With this construction, the prints discharged from the discharge opening of the printer may be transported e.g. laterally to be neatly sorted while the prints are kept mounted on the movable table. Hence, this construction allows greater freedom in the assembly of the sorting apparatus with the printer. Further, through setting of a stop position of the stopper member, the dropping or sorting position of the prints may be freely selected, or the edges of any prints may be neatly aligned regardless of the size of the prints.
- Accordingly, even when the printer has a significant height which presents difficulty in handling of the prints after sorting thereof, the prints may be sorted with the edges thereof being aligned with the forward side of the printer. So that, the subsequent handling of the prints can be facilitated.
- According to a still further aspect of the invention, the stopper member is rendered movable relative to the movable table, such that the movable table is retracted relative to the stopper after the stopper member is moved relative to the movable table.
- With this construction, like the above-described construction, through setting of a stop position of the stopper member, the dropping or sorting position of the prints may be freely selected, or the edges of any prints may be neatly aligned regardless of the size of the prints. And, the prints may be sorted to a position which advantageously facilitates the subsequent handling thereof.
- According to a still further aspect of the invention, an upper surface of the movable table has a step for allowing the prints to ride thereon in an overhanging manner, the upper surface having a downward inclination as extending toward a discharge opening of the prints from the printer.
- With this construction, the prints discharged from the discharge opening on to the movable table may reliably be allowed to ride on the step along the inclined surface in the overhanging manner. Thus, when the movable table is moved in the retracting direction relative to the stopper member, there occurs no jamming of the prints into the gap formed between the upper surface of this movable table and the bottom surface of the stopper member. Accordingly, the gravity sorting operation of the prints may be effected more reliably.
- According to a still further aspect of the invention, the sorting apparatus further comprising first driving means for driving the movable table, second driving means for driving the stopper member, and a drive source for driving both first and second driving means.
- With the above, in comparison with a further construction in which the movable table and the stopper member are driven by separate drive sources, the entire apparatus may be formed more compact.
- According to a still further aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprising a movable-table support block for supporting the movable table, a stopper support block for supporting the stopper member, and a slide shaft on which the movable-table support block and the stopper support block are slidably mounted, said first drive means including a first rotary element (e.g. a sprocket) and a first connecting member (e.g. a chain) operatively associated with said first rotary element, said second drive means including a second rotary element and a second connecting member operatively associated with said second rotary element, said movable-table support block being engaged with said first connecting member, said stopper support block being engaged with said second connecting member, said first rotary element and said second rotary element being disposed coaxially.
- With the above construction, the above-described rather complicated relative movements between the movable table and the stopper member may be reliably provided by using those components such as the movable-table support block, chain, sprocket and the stopper support block, chain, sprocket and so on. Moreover, as the movable-table support block and the stopper support block are mounted on the same slide shaft and the first and second rotary elements are disposed coaxially, the entire construction may be formed compact and its assembly with the printer may be further facilitated.
- According to a still further aspect of the invention, the first rotary element and the second rotary element are mounted on a single drive shaft to be rotatable relative to each other. This drive shaft and the first rotary element are operatively coupled with each other via a friction mechanism. And, the drive shaft and the second rotary element are operatively coupled with each other via a one-way clutch mechanism. The drive shaft and the second rotary element are operatively coupled with each other also via a clutch mechanism. A stopper is provided for coming into contact with the movable-table support block for regulating movement of the movable-table support block. The drive shaft is operatively coupled with a reversible motor.
- With the above construction, the complex relative movements between the movable table and the stopper member may be automatically effected by using the single reversible motor. Hence, this construction allows weight reduction of the apparatus as well as cost reduction of the same.
- According to a still further aspect of the invention, said clutch mechanism includes a first gear formed integral with the second rotary element, a second gear fixed to the drive shaft, and a free gear mounted to the movable-table support block, rotation of the second gear being transmitted via the free gear to the first gear.
- Rotation in one direction of the motor may be transmitted to the second rotary element via the drive shaft and the one-way clutch mechanism, while rotation in the other direction may not. With the above construction, the rotation in the other direction of the motor may be transmitted via the second gear, the free gear and the first gear to the second rotary element. Further, this transmission of the rotation in the other direction of the motor is allowed only then the free gear meshes both the first gear and the second gear.
- The clutch mechanism having the above construction is simple as being comprised mainly of the gears.
- Preferably, at least one of the first gear and second gear includes a mechanism for absorbing a difference between the tooth phases of these first and second gears.
- In transmitting the rotation of the motor to the second rotary element through the clutch mechanism, it is necessary for the free gear mounted to the movable-table support block to mesh both the first gear and the second gear. In this, if a difference is present between the tooth phases of these gears, the simultaneous meshing engagements may not take place smoothly. And, such un-smooth engagements may present a problem in the durability of the mechanism.
- Accordingly, by providing the mechanism capable of absorbing a difference between the tooth phases of the two gears, the simultaneous meshing engagements between the free gear and the first and second gears may be effected smoothly. And, the durability of the clutch mechanism may be improved.
- According to a still further aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a position detector for detecting a position of the stopper support block for controlling a change in the stop position of the stopper member.
- With this construction, with automatic change in the stop position of the stopper member, the drop-sorting position of the prints may be selected. Or, any prints, regardless of size thereof, may be neatly aligned at their edges.
- According to a still further aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a belt conveyer disposed at the drop position of the prints downwardly of the movable table.
- With this construction, the sorted prints may be automatically transported to a desired position. Hence, this will contribute to improvement of the convenience of the printer.
- Further and other objects, features and effects of the invention will become more apparent from the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
- Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of an automatic photographic printer relating to a first embodiment,
- Fig. 2 is a section view of a sorting apparatus of the first embodiment,
- Fig. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the sorting apparatus of the first embodiment,
- Fig. 4 are perspective views illustrating operational conditions of the sorting apparatus of the first embodiment,
- Fig. 5 are perspective views illustrating operational conditions of the sorting apparatus of the first embodiment,
- Fig. 6 are perspective views illustrating operational conditions of the sorting apparatus of the first embodiment,
- Fig. 7 are schematic views illustrating the operational conditions of the sorting apparatus of the first embodiment,
- Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a clutch gear mechanism relating to a second embodiment,
- Fig. 9 is side view of the clutch gear mechanism relating to the second embodiment,
- Fig. 10 are operation views of the clutch gear mechanism of the second embodiment, and
- Fig. 11 are schematic views illustrating operational conditions of a conventional sorting apparatus.
- A sorting apparatus, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, for use with a photographic printer will be described in details with reference to Figs. 1 through 7.
- Fig. 1 shows, in its entirety, an automatic photographic printer for producing color prints from a negative film. Though not described in details, upon designations of the number or size of prints to be produced by operating a
control unit 50, images of the negative film are printed on to a color print paper by a printing device accommodated inside the printer. Then, various processes such as development, water-washing and so on are effected on this print paper, and the paper is dried by a drying unit and then cut intocolor prints 40 of a predetermined size, which are discharged one after another through adischarge opening 1 to be supplied on to a sorting apparatus which is disposed downwardly of thedischarge opening 1. - This sorting apparatus according to the invention, as shown in Figs. 4 through 6, includes a movable table 2 for mounting thereon the color prints 40 discharged one after another from the
discharge opening 1 of the printer and astopper member 3 disposed on the upper surface of the movable table 2 for coming into contact with the color prints 40 as mounted on the movable table 2. And, the movable table 2 and thestopper member 3 are both movable relative to acasing 4 of the sorting apparatus. - As may be apparent from Fig. 2, the upper surface of the movable table 2 comprises an inclined surface having a generally upward inclination as extending away from the
discharge opening 1 of the printer. Further, this upper surface has a sawtoothed configuration formed of a plurality ofsteps 2a, with an upper surface of eachstep 2a having a downward inclination as extending toward thedischarge opening 1. With these arrangements, the color prints 40 discharged from thedischarge opening 1, irrespectively of their sizes, may ride over thestep 2a in an overhanging manner. Further, a corresponding bottom surface of thestopper 3 has a matching sawtoothed configuration having a plurality of steps 3a. - Inside the
casing 4, a pair ofslide shafts 5 extending along the length of thecasing 4 are fixedly disposed. Theseslide shafts 5 slidably mount thereon a movable-table support block 6 and a stopper support block 7 via slide bearings 6a, 7a respectively, with the stopper support block 7 being disposed on the forward side of the printer. - The movable-
table block 6 fixedly supports the movable table 2 via its plate-like joints 6b. Likewise, the stopper support block 7 fixedly supports thestopper member 3 via its plate-like joints 7b. Correspondingly, the upper surface of thecasing 4 defines a pair ofslits 8 through which thejoints 6b of the movable-table support block 6 extend and also defines a further pair ofslits 9 through which thejoints 7b of the stopper support block 7 extend. Further, the movable table 2 defines a pair ofslits 10, through which thejoints 7b of the stopper support block 7 extend. - At a rear region inside the
casing 4 and downwardly of theslide shafts 5, there is rotatably disposed adrive shaft 11 extending normal to theslide shafts 5. Thisdrive shaft 11 mounts a movable-table drive sprocket 12 adjacent one end thereof, astopper drive sprocket 13 adjacent the other end thereof and further mounts aclutch member 14 at an intermediate portion thereof, respectively. - Between the movable-
table drive sprocket 12 and she driveshaft 11, there is interposed afriction mechanism 15 which effects a relative slipping action when the movable-table drive sprocket 12 is subjected to a resistance force exceeding a predetermined magnitude. Between thestopper drive sprocket 13 and thedrive shaft 11, there is interposed a one-way clutch 16. Theclutch member 14, which is fixed to thedrive shaft 11, integrally includes aclutch gear 14a (hereinafter 'asecond gear 14a' ), which is disposed adjacent aclutch gear 13a (hereinafter 'afirst gear 13a') integrally of thestopper drive sprocket 13. - A movable-
table drive chain 18 is entrained between the movable-table drive sprocket 12 and afree sprocket 17. Astopper drive chain 20 is entrained between thestopper drive sprocket 13 and a free sprocket 19. The latter free sprocket 19, on which thestopper drive chain 20 is entrained, is mounted on a fixedshaft 21 fixed to thecasing 4. Further, between this fixedshaft 21 and the free sprocket 19, there is interposed a friction mechanism 19 having a substantially same construction as the afore-describedfriction mechanism 15, so that the free sprocket 19 is not rotated unless thestopper drive chain 20 receives a driving force beyond a predetermined magnitude. - The movable-
table drive chain 18 and thestopper drive chain 20 are operatively coupled with the movable-table support block 6 and the stopper support block 7, respectively. Atoothed belt 23 is entrained between apulley 11a fixed to thedrive shaft 11 and a shaft of areversible DC motor 22 having a reduction mechanism. Also, the movable-table support block 6 rotatably mounts afree gear 24 which can mesh with thefirst gear 13a and thesecond gear 14a for operatively coupling thedrive shaft 11 and thestopper drive sprocket 13 to each other. These first andsecond gears free gear 24 together constitute aclutch mechanism 25. - As shown in Fig. 2, the stopper support block 7 includes a
position detecting plate 25 extending downwards there from. Within a movable range of this position detecting plate 26, there is provided aposition detector 27 comprised of a light emitter 27a and a light receiver 27b, for the purpose of controlling a change in the stop position of thestopper member 3. Within a movable range of the movable-table support block 6, there are provided astopper 28a for contacting the movable-table support block 6 so as to restrict movement of thisblock 6 toward the forward side of the printer and afurther stopper 28b for also contacting the movable-table support block 6 so as to restrict opposite movement of thisblock 6 toward a rear side of the printer. - Toward the more foreward side of the printer than the above-described sorting apparatus, a
belt conveyer 29 is disposed for receiving and transporting one after another the color prints 40 dropped off the movable table 2. - Next, the operations of this sorting apparatus will be described. First, when the movable-
table support block 6 and the stopper support block 7 are located on the rear side of the printer, namely, on the side of thedrive shaft 11, the color prints 40 are discharged from thedischarge opening 1. In this, as illustrated in Fig. 4(a), the movable table 2 is disposed downwardly of thedischarge opening 1 and also thestopper member 3 is disposed more rearwardly of the printer than thedischarge opening 1, so that the color prints 40 are discharged on to the movable table 2 under this condition. - When the accumulated or stacked color prints 40 reaches a predetermined amount, or more specifically, when the color prints 40 of one entire negative film roll are produced, this is detected by an unillustrated sensor. Upon this detection, the
motor 22 is rotated forwardly to forwardly rotate thedrive shaft 11 via thepulley 22a, thetoothed belt 23 and thepulley 11a. - In association with this forward rotation of the
drive shaft 11, the movable-table drive sprocket 12 and thestopper drive sprocket 13 both effect forward rotations to drive the movable-table drive chain 18 and thestopper drive chain 20, respectively. Accordingly, the movable-table support block 6 and the stopper support block 7 are slided along theslide shafts 5, whereby the movable table 2 and thestopper member 3 are together moved toward the forward side of the printer. - After being moved by a predetermined distance, the movable-
table support block 6 comes into contact with thestopper 28a, whereby theblock 6 is prevented from being moved farther. In this condition, a slippage is caused by the function of thefriction mechanism 15, so that the movable-table drive sprocket 12 stops its rotation in spite of the continued forward rotation of thedrive shaft 11. - Thereafter, as illustrated in Fig. 4(b), only the
stopper member 3 is further moved toward the forward side of the printer. Then, when the position detecting plate 26 extending downwardly from the stopper support block 7 traverses theposition detector 27, themotor 22 terminates its forward rotation to stop thestopper member 3, and then themotor 22 effects a reverse rotation. - In association with this reverse rotation of the
motor 22, thedrive shaft 11 too is rotated reversely so as to urge reverse rotations of the movable-table drive sprocket 12 and thestopper drive sprocket 13. However, such reverse rotation of thestopper drive sprocket 13 is prevented by the function of the one-way clutch 16 interposed between thissprocket 13 and thedrive shaft 11, so that the movable-table drive sprocket 12 alone is allowed to rotate reversely. - With the above, the movable-
table support block 6 is moved toward the rear side of the printer. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 5(a), while thestopper member 3 is maintained still, the movable table 2 is retracted away from thisstopper member 3, such that the color prints 40 on the movable table 2 with the positions thereof regulated through the contact with thestopper member 3 are allowed, in this condition, to be dropped on to thebelt conveyer 29 disposed downwardly. This completes a sorting operation of the prints. - In the course of the above-described process, since the color prints 40 are riding in an overhanging manner on the
plural steps 2a formed on the upper surface of the movable table 2, the color prints 40 are prevented from being jammed between this upper surface of the movable table 2 and the bottom surface of thestopper member 3. Especially, in the instant embodiment, thecolor prints 40 overhangingly ride on more than twosteps 2a, the jamming trouble of theprints 40 may be prevented more reliably. - Further, since the free sprocket 19 on which the
stopper drive chain 20 is entrained is subjected to the frictional force from thefriction mechanism 19a, even if thestopper member 3 is subjected to an urging force toward the rear side of the printer via the color prints 40 during the retracting movement of the movable table 2, the frictional force can reliably maintain thestopper member 3 at the predetermined stop position against such urging force. Consequently, a positioning error of the color prints 40 may be reliably prevented. - With completion of the sorting operation of the color prints 40 as described above, and when the movable-
table support block 6 is moved toward the rear side of the printer to come into contact with thestopper 28b, slippage is caused by the function of thefriction mechanism 15. So that, in spite of the continued reverse rotation of thedrive shaft 11, the rotation of the movable-table drive sprocket 12 is stopped, and simultaneously thefree gear 24 mounted to the movable-table support block 6 comes into meshing with thefirst gear 13a of thestopper drive sprocket 13 and thesecond gear 14a of theclutch member 14, thereby to integrally couple thedrive shaft 11 and thestopper drive sprocket 13 to each other. - Then, the
stopper drive sprocket 13 effects reverse rotation to drive thestopper drive chain 20 and thestopper member 3 too is moved toward the rear side of theprinter 3, themotor 22 is stopped, and thebelt conveyer 29 is moved a predetermined distance to be set to the initial condition. The above-described serial processes are schematically illustrated in Figs. 7. - Incidentally, for changing the size of the color prints 40 to a new size, this new size can be designated with an operation of the
control unit 5 of the printer. With this designation, the stop position of thestopper 3 is changed. More specifically, in the foregoing description of the operations, themotor 22 stops its forward rotation to stop thestopper member 3 simultaneously with the position detecting plate 26 extending downwardly from the stopper support block 7 transversing theposition detector 27. Instead, with such designation of a new size by thecontrol unit 5, the stop position of thestopper member 3 will be changed as themotor 22 will be stopped not simultaneously but with lapse of one second or two seconds after the position detecting plate 26 has transversed theposition detector 27, for instance. Accordingly, irrespectively of the size of the color prints 40, the front edges of the stacked color prints 40 can always be brought into neat alignment with the frontal edge of thebelt conveyer 29. The operational processes for this sorting operation are illustrated in Fig. 5(b) and Figs. 6(a) and (b). - A second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 8 through 10. This embodiment relates to improvement of the
clutch mechanism 25 described hereinbefore. The other constructions than thisclutch mechanism 25 remain the same and will therefore not be described to avoid redandancy. - As described supra, when a sorting operation of the color prints 40 is completed and the movable-
table support block 6 is moved toward the rear side of the printer to come into contact with thestopper 28b, a slippage is caused by the function of thefriction mechanism 15. So that, in spite of the continued reverse rotation of thedrive shaft 11, the rotation of the movable-table drive sprocket 12 is stopped, and simultaneously thefree gear 24 mounted to the movable-table support block 6 comes into meshing with thefirst gear 13a of thestopper drive sprocket 13 and thesecond gear 14a of theclutch member 14, thereby to integrally couple thedrive shaft 11 and thestopper drive sprocket 13 to each other. - As described above, the
free gear 24 is to come into meshing with thefirst gear 13a and thesecond gear 14a simultaneously. So, for facilitating these meshing engagements between thefree gear 24 and the first andsecond gears free gear 24 is mounted to be freely rotatable relative to the movable-table support block 6. - However, in order to for the simultaneous meshing engagements between the
free gear 24 and thefirst gear 13a and thesecond gear 14a to take place smoothly, it is necessary that the tooth phase of thefirst gear 13a and that of thesecond gear 14a exactly match each other. Otherwise, i.e. with a difference between the tooth phases, the simultaneous meshing engagements cannot take place smoothly. Or, if such un-smooth engagements are forced, this will lead to a malfunction or even to deterioration in the life of theclutch mechanism 25. Accordingly, it is preferred that theclutch mechanism 25 be constructed with taking this respect into consideration. - Now, Fig. 8 is a perspective exploded view of such
clutch mechanism 25 improved in the above-described respect. In this embodiment, the construction of the second 14a remains the same as that of the foregoing embodiment. Whereas, thefirst gear 13a is comprised now of two parts, namely, a firstrotary element 131 and a secondrotary element 132. The firstrotary element 131 includes atoothed portion 131a for meshing the teeth of thefree gear 24, a projectingportion 131b extending along the axial direction of thedrive shaft 11, anend face portion 131c formed in the projectingportion 131b, and ahole 131d defined in the projectingportion 131b. The secondrotary element 132 includes arecess portion 132a for defining a space for allowing movement of the projectingportion 131b of the firstrotary element 131, anend face portion 132b for contacting theend face portion 131c of the projectingportion 131b, and ahole 132c. Aspring 132 includes ahook 133a engageable with thehole 131d and afurther hook 133b engageable with thehole 132c. Thisspring 132 urges the firstrotary element 131 to rotate it about the axis X of thedrive shaft 11 in a direction of an arrow A in Figs. 8 and 10. In this urged state, theend face portion 131c and theend face portion 132b are placed in contact with each other. - Incidentally, the
second gear 14a includes atoothed portion 14b meshable with the teeth of thefree gear 24. - Preferably, the first
rotary element 131, the secondrotary element 132 and thespring 133 together constituting thisfirst gear 13a be provided as one integral unit. - Figs. 10 show the
first gear 13a and thesecond gear 14a in planar developments so as to facilitate understanding of their positional relationship. - Fig. 10(a) shows a condition before the
free gear 24 come into meshing engagements with thefirst gear 13a and thesecond gear 14a. In this figure, there is an angular difference of θ between the tooth phases of the first andsecond gears first gear 13a and thesecond gear 14a have a same pitch of α. As theend face portion 131c of the projectingportion 131b is in the direction of the arrow A by thespring 133, thisend face portion 131c of the firstrotary element 131 and theend face portion 132b of the secondrotary element 132 are placed in contact with each other. Further, this projectingportion 131b is movable by an angle β within the space defined by therecess portion 132a. The angle β is set to be at least greater than the angle corresponding to one tooth pitch. - Next, the function of this
clutch mechanism 25 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10. - First, as the movable-
table support block 6 is moved towards the rear side of the printer, thefree gear 24 mounted to the movable-table support block 6 comes into meshing engagements with both thefirst gear 13a and thesecond gear 14a. In this process, due to the above-described angular difference between the tooth phase of thefirst gear 13a and that of thesecond gear 14a, when the meshing engagements take place, the firstrotary element 131 is rotated counterclockwise as illustrated in Fig. 10(b), so as to bring the tooth phase of thefirst gear 13a into exact registration with that of thesecond gear 14a. In this state, the projectingportion 131b has been moved against the urging force of thespring 133, so that theend face 131c and theend face 132c are located away from each other. - In the above-described manner, the
free gear 24 mounted to the movable-table support mount 6 comes into meshing engagements with thefirst gear 13a of thestopper drive sprocket 13 and thesecond gear 14a of theclutch member 14, thereby to integrally couple thedrive shaft 11 and thestopper drive sprocket 13 with each other. - With the above, the
stopper drive sprocket 13 is reversely rotated to drive thestopper drive chain 20, whereby thestopper member 3 too is moved towards the rear side of the printer, themotor 22 is stopped, and thebelt conveyer 29 is moved the predetermined distance to be set to the initial condition. - In the foregoing embodiments, the stop position of the
stopper member 3 is varied in association with the lapse of time period after the position detecting plate 26 has transversed theposition detector 27. Instead, a plurality ofsuch position detectors 27 may be arranged along the movable path of the position detecting plate 26, so that theseposition detectors 27 are activated selectively. Or, asingle position detector 27 may be rendered adjustable in position along the movable path of the position detecting plate 26, so that themotor 22 may be stopped when thisposition detector 22 has transversed the position detecting plate 26. In these manners, various modifications will be obvious for one skilled in the art. - Also, in the foregoing, the movable table 2 and the
stopper member 3 are moved together and then thestopper member 3 is moved further to the predetermined position corresponding to a designated size of the color prints 40 while the movable table 2 being maintained still. Conversely, first thestopper member 3 may be moved to the position corresponding to the designated size of theprints 40 and then thisstopper member 3 will be moved together with the movable table 2. Further alternatively, the movable table 2 and thestopper member 3 may be moved simultaneously at different speeds. Hence, in this respect too, various modifications are conceivable. - In the foregoing embodiment, the movable table 2 and the
stopper member 3 are driven by the combination of the sprockets and chains. The driving construction is not limited thereto. For instance, rollers and springs 13 andbelts 13 may be employed. In this case, a movable-table drive roller and a stopper drive roller will be employed in place of the movable-table drive sprocket 13 and thestopper drive sprocket 13, respectively. And, a movable-table drive belt and a stopper drive belt will be employed in place of the movable-table drive chain 18 and thestopper drive chain 20, respectively. Further alternatively, a train of gears may be used as the driving construction. - In the second embodiment described above, the first
rotary element 131 includes the projectingportion 13a while the secondrotary element 132 includes therecess portion 132a. Conversely, the firstrotary element 131 may include a recess portion and the secondrotary element 132 may include a projecting portion. - Further, in the second embodiment, the
first gear 13a is comprised of the two parts of the firstrotary element 131 and the secondrotary element 132. Instead, thesecond gear 14a may be comprised of two separate parts. In these manners, the mechanism for absorbing the phase difference may be provided to either one or both of thefirst gear 13a and thesecond gear 14a. - Incidentally, when the mechanism for absorbing the tooth phase difference is not used as in the first embodiment, it is preferred that the first and
second gears - The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
Claims (10)
- A sorting apparatus for sorting a plurality of prints produced by a photographic printer,
characterized by
a movable table 2 for mounting the prints 40 thereon;
a stopper member 3 disposed on an upper surface of the movable table 2 for coming into contact with the prints 40 mounted on the movable table 2;
the movable table 2 being projectable and retractable relative to the stopper member 3;
with a retracting movement of the movable table 2 relative to the stopper member 3, the prints 40 mounted on the movable table 2 being caused to come into contact with the stopper member 3 and to be dropped off the table 2 to be sorted. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that
said stopper member 3 is rendered movable together with the movable table 2, such that the movable table 2 is retracted after the stopper member 3 and the movable table 2 are moved together. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that
said stopper member 3 is rendered movable relative to the movable table 2, such that the movable table 2 is retracted relative to the stopper 3 after the stopper member 3 is moved relative to the movable table 2. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that
an upper surface of the movable table 2 has a step 2a for allowing the prints 40 to ride thereon in an overhanging manner, the upper surface having a downward inclination as extending toward a discharge opening of the prints 40 from the printer. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1,
characterized by
first driving means for driving the movable table 2;
second driving means for driving the stopper member 3; and
a drive source 22 for driving both first and second driving means. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 5,
characterized by
a movable-table support block 6 for supporting the movable table 2;
a stopper support block 7 for supporting the stopper member 3; and
a slide shaft 5 on which the movable-table support block 6 and the stopper support block 7 are slidably mounted;
first drive means including a first rotary element 12 and a first connecting member 18 operatively associated with said first rotary element 12;
said second drive means including a second rotary element 13 and a second connecting member 20 operatively associated with said second rotary element 13;
said movable-table support block 6 being engaged with said first connecting member 18;
said stopper support block 7 being engaged with said second connecting member 20; and
said first rotary element 12 and said second rotary element 13 being disposed coaxially. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 6,
characterized in that
said drive source comprises a reversible motor 22;
the first rotary element 12 and the second rotary element 13 are mounted on a single drive shaft 11 to be rotatable relative to each other;
said drive shaft 11 and the first rotary element 12 are operatively coupled with each other via a friction mechanism 15;
said drive shaft 11 and the second rotary element 13 are operatively coupled with each other via a one-way clutch mechanism 16;
said drive shaft 11 and the second rotary element 13 are operatively coupled with each other also via a clutch mechanism 25;
a stopper 28a, 28b is provided for coming into contact with the movable-table support block 6 for regulating movement of the movable-table support block 6; and
said drive shaft 11 is operatively coupled with said reversible motor 22. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 6,
characterized in that
said clutch mechanism 25 includes a first gear 13a formed integral with the second rotary element 13, a second gear 14a fixed to the drive shaft 11, and a free gear 24 mounted to the movable-table support block 6, rotation of the second gear 14a being transmitted via the free gear 24 to the first gear 13a. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 6,
characterized in that
at least one of the first gear 13a and second gear 14a includes a mechanism for absorbing a difference between the tooth phases of these first and second gears 13a, 14a. - A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 6,
characterized by
a position detector 27 for detecting a position of the stopper support block 7 for controlling a change in the stop position of the stopper member 3.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP575095 | 1995-01-18 | ||
JP5750/95 | 1995-01-18 | ||
JP575095 | 1995-01-18 | ||
JP29288595 | 1995-11-10 | ||
JP292885/95 | 1995-11-10 | ||
JP29288595 | 1995-11-10 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0723199A2 true EP0723199A2 (en) | 1996-07-24 |
EP0723199A3 EP0723199A3 (en) | 1996-07-31 |
EP0723199B1 EP0723199B1 (en) | 2003-01-02 |
Family
ID=26339755
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19960100533 Expired - Lifetime EP0723199B1 (en) | 1995-01-18 | 1996-01-16 | Sorting apparatus for photographic printer |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0723199B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69625530T2 (en) |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2672079A (en) * | 1950-02-25 | 1954-03-16 | James H Chandler | Article handling and stacking machine |
JPH02150843A (en) * | 1988-12-01 | 1990-06-11 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Sorting device for print photograph |
JPH02267552A (en) * | 1989-04-10 | 1990-11-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Sorting device for printed photograph |
JPH02269342A (en) * | 1989-04-11 | 1990-11-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Sorter for printed photograph |
US5052679A (en) * | 1988-12-19 | 1991-10-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Sorting apparatus |
US5274422A (en) * | 1991-07-12 | 1993-12-28 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Print processing method |
-
1996
- 1996-01-16 EP EP19960100533 patent/EP0723199B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-01-16 DE DE1996625530 patent/DE69625530T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2672079A (en) * | 1950-02-25 | 1954-03-16 | James H Chandler | Article handling and stacking machine |
JPH02150843A (en) * | 1988-12-01 | 1990-06-11 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Sorting device for print photograph |
US5052679A (en) * | 1988-12-19 | 1991-10-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Sorting apparatus |
JPH02267552A (en) * | 1989-04-10 | 1990-11-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Sorting device for printed photograph |
JPH02269342A (en) * | 1989-04-11 | 1990-11-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Sorter for printed photograph |
US5274422A (en) * | 1991-07-12 | 1993-12-28 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Print processing method |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 14, no. 398 (P-1097), 28 August 1990 & JP-A-02 150843 (FUJI PHOTO FILM CO.), 11 June 1990, * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 15, no. 23 (P-1155), 18 January 1991 & JP-A-02 267552 (FUJI PHOTO FILM CO. ), 1 November 1990, * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 15, no. 24 (P-1156), 21 January 1991 & JP-A-02 269342 (FUJI PHOTO FILM CO.), 2 November 1990, * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69625530D1 (en) | 2003-02-06 |
EP0723199B1 (en) | 2003-01-02 |
DE69625530T2 (en) | 2003-11-06 |
EP0723199A3 (en) | 1996-07-31 |
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