JP2000343764A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recorder capable of stably and quickly recording a good halftone dot image. SOLUTION: An image recorder has an optical section having a plurality of channels by each of one or more colors for emitting a light on exposing points of different positions on a photosensitive material by each channel and records a halftone dot image having an image recording density of 600 dpi by exposing the photosensitive material by the optical section in accordance with a digital image signal. A distance between centers of the adjacent exposing points exposed at the same time by the optical section is not less than 1 μm and not greater than 1,000 μm. A driving frequency of a light source of the optical section is not less than 0.5 MHz and not greater than 100 MHz. The number of channels of each color in the optical section is not greater than 100. The number of light sources per one channel in the optical section is not less than 0.01 and not greater than 100. The number of recording pixels per one second by each color in the optical section is not less than 3 million pixels/ second.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of Desk Top Publishing and the like, the work of image editing and page imposition of images input from a scanner on a CPU has become common, and full digital editing has become commonplace. In such a process, with the aim of further increasing efficiency, an image setter output that directly outputs image data that has been page-edited to film, or a CTP (Computer to Platform) that directly records images on a printing plate
e) CTC (Computer to Cylinder), which performs image recording directly on the output and further on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing press, is performed. In this case, performing one-sided film output or printing plate output only for proofreading confirmation, and performing print proofing or proofreading with other proofing materials has the problem that waste of film and printing plate and extra work are increased. . Therefore, especially in the process of creating and editing a full digital image by such a CPU, a system for direct color image output called DDCP (Direct Digital Color Proof or DCP (Digital Color Proof)) is required. I have.

[0003] Such a DDCP is a final printing operation in which digital image data processed on a computer is recorded on a film for plate making using an imagesetter or the like, or a printing plate is directly produced by CTP (computer to plate). Before performing the image recording directly on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing press by CTC, etc.
A color proof that reproduces an output target indicated by a digital image processed on a computer is created, and its picture, color tone, text, and the like are confirmed.

[0004] Further, in such a proofing process in the printing process, 1) confirmation of a mistake inside the work site, that is, an inner school, 2) an outer school submitted for confirmation of the finish to an orderer and a designer, and 3) For the captain of the printing press, the print sample provided as a sample of the final printed matter, mainly 3
Proofs are created and used for three purposes. At this time, for internal confirmation and for some outside school applications,
Due to needs for cost reduction, etc., there are cases where calibration materials that cannot reproduce halftone images, that is, calibration using the sublimation transfer method, and output products such as inkjet and electrophotography are mainly used as proofs for appearance confirmation. In order to check the reproducibility of parts, check fine details, and check for improper interference fringes in halftone images called moiré during printing,
In fact, there is a strong demand for a proof that faithfully reproduces a printed halftone dot.

[0005] In response to such needs, sublimation transfer recording materials,
DDCP, a type that exposes thermal recording material to an image and transfers it to the actual printing paper, has begun to spread.However, these systems have a high laser head cost, expensive equipment, and a large number of color image forming sheets. The problem is that it is expensive to use, and that the process of image exposure → transfer requires only the number of colors and takes a long time. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to make a large number of copies in terms of cost and time.

Therefore, as an apparatus for producing such a color proof, there is provided a drum provided with a plurality of holes penetrating from the outer peripheral surface to the inside, and a rotation drive mechanism for rotating the drum. An image forming apparatus has been proposed in which, while holding the photosensitive material, the drum is rotated by the rotation drive mechanism and exposed according to a digital image signal to form a halftone image.

[0007]

However, conventionally,
It has been difficult for the proposed apparatus to stably record a good halftone image at high speed.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to stably record a good halftone image at high speed.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) A plurality of channels are provided for each of one or more colors, and each channel has an optical unit for irradiating light to an exposure point at a different position on the photosensitive material. An image recording apparatus for exposing a photosensitive material by the optical unit according to a digital image signal to record a halftone image having a pixel recording density of 600 dpi or more, wherein adjacent optical points of the optical unit which are simultaneously exposed. Is 1μ
m to 1000 μm, and the driving frequency of the light source of the optical unit is 0.5 MHz to 100 MHz,
The number of channels of each color of the optical unit is 100 or less;
The number of light sources (channels) per channel of the optical unit is set to 0.
01 or more and 100 or less, and 1 of each color of the optical unit.
An image recording apparatus in which the number of recording pixels per second is 3,000,000 pixels / second or more. (2) The image recording apparatus according to (1), wherein the number of exposure colors of the optical unit is 3 or more. (3) The size of the photosensitive material to be exposed is 0.06 square m.
The image recording apparatus according to (1) or (2) above. (4) The image recording apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a recording pixel density of the halftone image is 10,000 dpi or less.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In the following description, the meanings of the terms are explained. However, the meanings of the terms in the embodiments are only described, and the meanings of the terms of the present invention are not limited to this description. Embodiment An image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that obtains a color proof for obtaining a proof to confirm the finish of a printed matter in advance from a digital image signal. Specifically, in producing a color print, before producing a printing plate from a digital image signal, a color proof for simulating an image obtained by printing from a digital image signal on a printing plate produced from the digital image signal is obtained. A device for creating a color proof in order to check whether the image indicated by the digital image signal has an error such as a layout, a color, a character or the like, and to confirm a finish of a printed matter in advance. It is.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, a roll-shaped silver halide color photographic material is set as a photosensitive material, cut into a sheet at an exposure section, and then responded to the aforementioned digital image signal. Then, the substrate is exposed to a laser beam, and then developed in a developing section to create a color proof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus with a (paper) cover opened. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an exposure unit 3 for exposing an image on a photosensitive material and a processing unit 4 for developing the exposed photosensitive material.

The exposure unit 3 has an openable and closable top panel 5 and a front panel 6 on the outside. Maintenance is performed by opening these panels.

The roll setting section 7 is a section for loading a magazine 8 containing a roll of + photosensitive material P (see FIG. 3) in the form of a roll, and is provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body. Also,
The magazine is loaded by opening and closing the paper feed cover 9. The roll setting section 7 of the present embodiment is a section for loading a magazine 8 containing a roll of the photosensitive material P (see FIG. 3), but may be a section that can directly set the roll of the photosensitive material.

The magazine 8 set in the roll setting section 7 is a magazine containing rolls wound with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P facing outward. When the roll setting unit 7 can directly set a roll of photosensitive material, it is preferable to set a roll wound with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P facing outward.

A touch panel 12 and a liquid crystal panel 11 are provided on the outer surface of the device 1. The touch panel 12 is provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 11. The touch panel 12 and the liquid crystal panel 11 are provided on the front side of the roll set unit 7. The liquid crystal panel 11 includes a control unit 100
Display means for displaying various information such as input instruction information for asking the operator for input and device status information indicating the status of the device. The touch panel 12 is an input unit for the operator to input various information.
Touch panel 1 according to the input instruction screen displayed on
2 is input.

The display means is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, but may be, for example, a display means such as an LED, or an input means such as an input key. The input means is not limited to the touch panel, but may be a keyboard, a mouse, an operation stick, a pointer, or the like. Then, when an operator makes an input from the touch panel 12, R
The information corresponding to the input is stored in the AM 102.

The developing section 4 has an openable and closable upper panel 13 and a replenishing panel 14 on the outside. Normal maintenance is performed by opening the upper panel, and replenishment of the processing liquid is performed by opening the replenishing panel.

The paper discharge section 15 stocks the photosensitive material after the development processing.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. The inside of the exposure unit 3 has the following configuration. Roll set unit 7 for magazine for storing photosensitive material P
A roller pair 21 composed of rollers 21a and 21b and a cutter 2 for cutting the photosensitive material into a predetermined length.
2 are provided. One roller 2 of the roller pair 21
1a, the position of the rotating shaft is fixed, and the other roller 2a
1b is provided such that the position of the rotating shaft is movable. Further, the roller pair 21 is disposed at a position close to the outlet 80 of the loaded magazine 8 when the magazine is loaded.

The squeeze roller 23 is provided vertically below the roller pair 21, and can be brought into contact with and separated from a drum 31 provided in the main scanning unit 30. The conveyance path of the photosensitive material from the outlet 80 of the magazine 8 to the squeeze roller 23 extends substantially vertically downward. The drum 31 in the main scanning section 30 is rotatable, sucks the photosensitive material P on the outer peripheral surface, and rotates at a high speed while holding the photosensitive material P on the outer peripheral surface so as to perform main scanning during recording. When the squeeze roller 23 supplies the photosensitive material P cut into a sheet shape by the cutter 22 to the drum 31, the squeeze roller 23 is pressed against the drum 31 to bring the supplied photosensitive material P into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31.

The optical section 32 is arranged to face the drum 31, and the drum 3 is driven by the sub-scanning mechanism of the sub-scanning section 40.
Move parallel to one axis. The optical unit 32 receives a digital signal and writes an image on a photosensitive material on the drum 31 by a laser beam.

Then, while rotating the drum 31, the photosensitive material P is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31 by being in close contact with the squeeze roller 23, and the photosensitive material P is held on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31. Drum 3 by rotation drive mechanism
1 is exposed according to a digital image signal while rotating at a rotation speed higher than the rotation speed at the time of the close contact operation, and a latent image of a halftone dot image is formed on the photosensitive material P.

The paper discharge section 50 includes a peeling guide 51 having a variable position.
The photosensitive material P on which image writing has been completed is
1 and is sent to the development processing unit 4 side. The accumulator unit 60 is located between the exposure unit 30 and the paper discharge unit 50,
The conveying speed of the photosensitive material in the exposure unit 30 is set to be higher than the conveyance speed in the developing unit 4 so that the photosensitive material P can be quickly retracted from the exposure unit 30 and the next exposure of the photosensitive material P can be started. In order to prevent the inconvenience that the transport speed of the photosensitive material in the exposure unit 30 is higher than the transport speed in the development processing unit 4, a place for temporarily storing the photosensitive material P It is.

The development processing section 4 includes a color development processing section 4.
2, a bleach-fix processing section 43, a stabilization processing section 44, and a drying section 45. When a chemical fog type direct positive photosensitive material is used, the color developing process, the bleach-fixing process, the stabilizing process, and the drying process are performed in this order.

A second exposure unit 41 is provided for uniformly exposing the photosensitive material sent from the exposure unit 3 after completion of image writing, and is provided when an internal latent image type direct positive photosensitive material is used. The second exposure section 41 is for exposing in the state where the photosensitive material P is present in the color developing solution, and the second exposure section 41 and the color developing section 42 in FIG. The portion of the shallow processing tank is a second exposure unit 41.

Each section will be described with reference to FIG. 4 which is a side view showing the sections from the roll setting section 7 to the paper discharge section 50.

As described above, the cover 9 is provided on the roll set section 7 provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable.
Is set. At this time, an appropriate amount of the photosensitive material is drawn out of the magazine 8 and prepared in advance so that the photosensitive material can be held between the roller pairs 21a and 21b. The roller 21b has a high friction material such as rubber on the surface, while the surface of the roller 21a located on the emulsion side of the photosensitive material is made of a low friction material such as bakelite which is a smooth surface.

With the magazine 8 set, the cover 9 is closed and locked by the lock mechanism 71. Lock mechanism 71
Is operated by the cover lock motor M1.

The cover 9 has a magazine presence / absence detection sensor S1.
The cover 70 is provided at the loading port 70.
And a cover lock detection sensor S3.

A transmission type end detection sensor S4 is provided on the transport path between the roller pair 21 and the magazine 8, and the end detection sensor S4 detects the photosensitive material P stored in the magazine 8 in a roll form. Detect the end. The transmission type sensor has the convenience of being able to reliably detect the end of the photosensitive material even in the roll set section 7 having a large degree of freedom in the position of the photosensitive material. In other words, detection means such as a reflective sensor or a microswitch may malfunction if the distance between the sensor and the photosensitive material fluctuates. However, such inconvenience does not occur with the transmission type detection means.

By arranging the end detection sensor S4 upstream of the roller pair 21 when viewed from the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, it is not necessary to drop a small photosensitive material into an appropriate space as in the conventional apparatus. Since the conveying means can be stopped while the conveying means is holding the photosensitive material), there is no need to provide a dedicated take-out port, which is advantageous in terms of operability and compactness.

In the above configuration, the opening for the photosensitive material setting (insertion) provided in the roll setting section 7 also functions as a small-sized photosensitive material take-out port.

One of the rollers (hereinafter, referred to as a transport roller) 21a is fixed in position, and the other roller (hereinafter, referred to as a transport roller) 21b is a roller moving mechanism 2a.
The transport roller 21b is kept at a standby position (indicated by a two-dot chain line) in order to prevent wrinkles due to roller pressing except during the operation of transporting the photosensitive material.

The roller moving mechanism 24 is operated by a conveying means (conveying roller) pressure release motor M2.

The detection of the position of the transport roller 21b is performed by a transport roller pressing position detecting sensor S5 and a transport roller releasing position detecting sensor S6.

The driving of the roller pair is performed by the transport rollers 21a.
The transfer is performed by the transfer motor M3 via.

When the end detection sensor S4 detects the end of the photosensitive material while the photosensitive material is being conveyed by the roller pair, at least the driving of the roller pair is stopped based on the information. .

At this time, the interval between the sensor and the roller, the conveying speed, and the like are determined so that the roller pair sandwiches the photosensitive material.

At the same time, since the photosensitive material P has run out or the small photosensitive material P is sandwiched between the roller pair 21, a display prompting the processing is performed on the liquid crystal panel 11.

In the above arrangement, the present invention is not limited to stopping the driving of the roller pair, but after stopping, the roller pair may be rotated reversely for a predetermined time to return the photosensitive material upward in the drawing. After the cover 9 is opened, the reverse rotation of the roller pair and / or the release of the pressure bonding can be performed via the manual operation means, or a combination of the two can be used, and the degree of freedom of the configuration is wide.

The cutter 22 is a disk cutter, which is normally located at one side edge of the conveying path of the photosensitive material P, and is located at an initial position retracted. The cutter 22 can be reciprocated by the cutter motor M20 in the width direction of the photosensitive material P (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 4).

An encoder roller 25 and a guide 26 are provided between the cutter 22 and the squeeze roller 23. The encoder roller 25 is rotated by the photosensitive material P being conveyed, and measures the length of the photosensitive material. .

The surface substrate of the squeeze roller 23 is made of rubber in the apparatus of the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and is preferably an elastic material from the viewpoint of the adhesion of the photosensitive material P to the drum 31. Thereby, the photosensitive material P sufficiently adheres to the drum by the elastic deformation of the surface substrate of the squeeze roller 23.

The squeeze roller 23 can be moved by a roller moving mechanism 27 between a pressure bonding position (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4) and a pressure release position (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4). It is rotationally driven by the motor M4. The squeeze roller pressure contact position detection sensor S7 and the squeeze roller release position detection sensor S8 detect the position of the squeeze roller 23. The roller moving mechanism 27 is operated by a squeeze roller pressure release motor M5.

An appropriate guide member can be provided between each of the roller pair 21, the cutter 22, and the encoder roller 25. Further, another roller for clamping and transporting the photosensitive material by pressing against the encoder roller is provided. , And another guide can be provided to face the guide 26.

Next, the main scanning section 30 and the sub-scanning section 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 5, which is a plan view showing the main scanning section 30 and the sub-scanning section 40.

The drum 31 of the main scanning unit 30 is provided with shaft portions 31a and 31b at both ends of its rotating shaft. The shaft portions 31a and 31b of the drum 31 are provided with bearings 33a and 33b.
Are rotatably supported on the support bases 34a and 34b through the shaft. The rotation drive mechanism for rotating the drum 31 about the rotation shaft is composed of a drive pulley 35 a provided on one shaft portion 31 a of the drum 31, and an output pulley motively connected to the drive pulley 35 a via a belt 36. 35b, a drum rotation motor M6 for rotating an output pulley, and a belt 36
And the drum rotation motor M6 is connected to the output pulley 35b.
The driving force for rotating the drive pulley 3
5a to rotate the drum 31. Also,
The drum rotation motor M6 is a motor that can release the excitation. Since the motor is normally excited, there is resistance when trying to rotate the motor shaft by another mechanism. However, by canceling the excitation, the drum rotation motor M6 can prevent the resistance when the drum 31 is rotated by another mechanism.

A rotary encoder 37 is provided on one shaft of the drum 31 and further outside the position where the pulley is provided, and a rotation pulse output from the rotary encoder 37 is synchronized with the rotation of the drum. Used for controlling the pixel clock. The other shaft 31 b of the drum is connected to the suction blower 371.

The drum 31 is formed of a hollow aluminum body and has a large number of suction holes 31 c penetrating from the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31 to the inside. Is reduced, and the photosensitive material P can be adsorbed and held on the surface. The shaft portions 31a and 31b of the drum 31 are made of stainless steel, and are integrated with a hollow body made of aluminum by shrink fitting.

The diameter of the drum 31 is 29 cm in the apparatus of the present embodiment, but is not limited to this. From the viewpoint of the usefulness of the color proof to be produced, curl, exposure accuracy, etc.
It is preferably 0 cm or more, and is preferably 1 m or less (especially 50 cm or less, more preferably 40 cm or less) from the viewpoints of equipment cost, apparatus size, manufacturability for obtaining required exposure accuracy, and a small adverse effect of thermal expansion.

The width of the drum 31 (the length in the direction of the rotation axis of the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31 capable of holding the photosensitive material P) is about 60 cm in the apparatus of the present embodiment, but is not limited to this, and the drum 31 is formed. It is preferably 30 cm or more (especially 50 cm or more) from the viewpoint of the usefulness of the color proof, etc., and 2 m or less (especially 1.5 m or less) from the viewpoint of equipment cost, equipment size, and manufacturability to obtain the required exposure accuracy. , More preferably 1 m or less). This eliminates the need for special mechanical strength, resulting in low cost. In addition, since the machine weight is not large and the installation place is not particularly limited, it can be installed at a highly convenient position.

The sheet width of the photosensitive material P to be exposed (the length of the photosensitive material P in the rotation axis direction of the drum 31) and the sheet length (the length of the photosensitive material P in the rotation direction of the drum 31)
In the apparatus of the present embodiment, 57 cm × 35 cm, 57 cm
cm × 70 cm, corresponding to a size of 57 cm × 85 cm, and in the case of a size of 57 cm × 35 cm, an effective image area which is an area where an image is to be formed is 55.5 cm × 3.
A3 size image can be reproduced at 3.7cm, 57cm ×
In the case of 70 cm, the effective image area is 55.5 cm × 6
A2 size image can be reproduced at 7.4cm, 57cm ×
In the case of the size of 85 cm, the effective image area is 55.5c.
mx 82.8cm can reproduce B2 size image,
The size can be changed and selected in various ways.

However, the sheet width of the photosensitive material P to be exposed is not limited to the above, and is at most 2 m or less (especially 1.5 m or less) from the viewpoints of apparatus cost, apparatus size, and manufacturability for obtaining necessary exposure accuracy. ) Is preferable, so that the size in the drum axis direction can be small, and the structural accuracy required for the drum itself, the drum mounting portion, and the optical scanning portion can be reduced.
The weight for obtaining strength can be reduced, and the installation location can be eliminated. Further, from the viewpoint of the usefulness of the color proof to be created, the minimum is 25 cm or more (particularly,
cm or more).

Further, the sheet length of the photosensitive material P to be exposed may be up to 2.5 m or less (particularly 2 m) from the viewpoints of apparatus cost, apparatus size, and manufacturability for obtaining necessary exposure accuracy.
In the following, the size is preferably 1.5 m or less. Accordingly, the size in the radial direction of the drum may be small, the influence of the thermal expansion of the drum is small, the processing accuracy is easily obtained, and the necessary structural accuracy and strength are obtained. Weight can be reduced, and it is not necessary to select an installation location. In addition, from the viewpoint of the usefulness of the color proof to be created, a minimum of 25 cm
It is preferable that it is above.

The sheet size of the photosensitive material P to be exposed is preferably 0.06 square m or more (particularly 0.12 square m or more) from the viewpoint of the usefulness of the produced color proof. Further, the size is preferably 3 m 2 or less (especially 2 m 2 or less), whereby the size of the device can be reduced and the weight for obtaining the required structural strength can be reduced to any location.

The eccentricity of the drum 31
Is the deviation between the center axis of the cylindrical surface and the rotation axis.
It is preferably 100 μm or less (particularly 30 μm or less) from the viewpoints of vibration prevention and durability, whereby rotation eccentricity unevenness can be suppressed, high-speed rotation is possible, and light is emitted from the optical unit 32 even in high-definition exposure. Variations in the beam diameter of the beam can be reduced, and high-definition exposure can be performed. And
Further, when the eccentricity of the drum 31 is set to 10 μm or less, it becomes easy to realize high-definition exposure. The eccentricity of the drum 31 of the apparatus of the present embodiment is about 5 μm.

The coefficient of linear expansion R (/ K) of the drum 31 preferably satisfies the following formula with the diameter Dcm of the drum. Thus, it is possible to suppress a change in resolution, sharpness, density, and the like of an image to be exposed due to a change in temperature.

R × D ≦ 0.01 It is particularly preferable to satisfy the following expression.

R × D ≦ 0.001 The drum 31 of the apparatus of the present embodiment is made of aluminum, has a linear expansion coefficient of about 0.00002 / K, and has a diameter of about 29 cm. × D is about 0.00
06.

Next, the arrangement of a number of suction holes 31c provided in the drum 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
5 is a development view of the peripheral surface of the drum 31. FIG. Drum 31 at the tip of photosensitive material P held on the outer peripheral surface of drum 31
The upper position is always a fixed position. Then, regardless of the size of the photosensitive material, the suction hole 37c (see FIG. 14) is formed on a linear area AA extending in the rotation axis direction where the front end of the photosensitive material P held on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31 is located. Are also shown on the right side of the image.) Are provided more than other areas. Accordingly, the tip of the photosensitive material P that is easily peeled off by the high-speed rotation of the drum 31 is hardly peeled off, and stable exposure can be performed.

The suction holes 37c of the drum 31 are also provided at a position corresponding to the rear end of each of a plurality of photosensitive materials having different sizes. A linear region BB extending in the direction of the rotation axis corresponding to the rear end of the size, and a linear region extending in the direction of the rotation axis corresponding to the rear end of the A2 size when held on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31. In the area CC, a linear area DD extending in the rotation axis direction corresponding to the rear end of the B2 size when held on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31 has an outer periphery of the drum 31 common to photosensitive materials of a plurality of sizes. Like the linear area AA extending in the rotation axis direction corresponding to the tip when held on the surface, more is provided. Further, a suction hole 31c is provided at the intersection of the plurality of grooves Y extending in the rotation axis direction and the plurality of grooves X extending in the rotation direction (circumferential direction). Such a suction hole 31
Due to the distribution of the grooves c and the suction grooves, the respective photosensitive materials can be adhered well even if the size changes.

As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of peeling grooves Z are provided over the entire circumference in the rotation direction (circumferential direction) indicated by the thick line in FIG. This peeling groove Z is provided in FIG.
Are formed wider and deeper than the groove X for air suction so that the claw portion 51a for peeling off the photosensitive material shown in FIG.

For the purpose of the following description, a range within which a photosensitive material of any size can be held on the surface of the drum 31 is defined as a holding area. The ratio of the area occupied by the suction holes in the holding region is 0.01% or more (particularly 0.02%).
% Or more) is preferable because loss of suction pressure is small, retention by suction is improved, and floating of some areas can be prevented. Further, the ratio of the area occupied by the suction holes in the holding area on the surface of the drum 31 is preferably 5% or less (particularly 1% or less), so that the rigidity of the drum is not adversely affected and the holding property by suction is sufficient. In particular, in the case of a multi-size sheet, air is less likely to escape from a region other than the small-size sheet, and the small-size sheet can be sufficiently held even when rotated at a high speed, which is preferable. In the apparatus of the present embodiment, about 300 suction holes having a diameter of about 1.4 mm are provided in the holding area on the surface of the drum 31. Therefore, the ratio of the area occupied by the suction holes in the holding area on the surface of the drum 31 in the apparatus of the present embodiment is about 0.03%.

The density of the suction holes in the holding area on the surface of the drum 31 is the number of suction holes per unit area in the holding area on the surface of the drum 31. From the viewpoint of smooth suction and the like, the number is preferably 50 pieces / square m or more (particularly 100 pieces / square m or more),
Further, from the viewpoint of the manufacturing cost of the drum 31, the suction force per suction hole, and the like, the number is preferably 100,000 pieces / square m or less (particularly, 10,000 pieces / square m or less). In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the density of suction holes in the holding area on the surface of the drum 31 is about 200 holes / square m.

The drum 31 has a cylindrical shape in which the surface on the shaft 31a side is closed, and the other cylindrical inner surface is rotatably held by a disk-shaped holding plate 31d, and penetrates from the peripheral surface to the inside. Except for the holes, the structure is such that outside air does not leak into the inside of the drum 31. And this holding plate 31
A suction blower 371 as a decompression pump for decompressing the inside of the drum 31 is connected through a hole provided in d through a pipe. Then, the inside of the drum 31 is depressurized by the operation of the suction blower 371. Also, the holding plate 31
As shown in FIG. 5, a pressure detector 31e is provided at d, and the pressure detector 31e detects the pressure inside the drum 31.

Further, the pressure detector 31e is connected to the drum 31
The pressure inside the drum 31 before and after the photosensitive material is wound is detected. Then, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a jam of the photosensitive material has occurred during the supply of the photosensitive material based on the detected pressures, and causes the liquid crystal panel 11 to display the occurrence of the jam.

The optical section 32 includes a blue laser light source (LD) 3
20, a red laser light source (LD) 321 and an infrared laser light source (LD) 322. Specifically, each light source of the blue laser light source (LD) 320, the red laser light source (LD) 321, and the infrared laser light source (LD) 322 has a wavelength of 400 nm.
, A red R laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm, and an infrared IR laser beam having a wavelength of 780 nm, respectively, and a cyan coloring layer (C layer) and a magenta coloring layer of the photosensitive material P, respectively. (M layer) and a yellow coloring layer (Y layer). Note that the number of colors of the optical unit 32 is not limited to three. For example, a blue laser diode, a red laser diode, a first infrared laser diode (oscillation wavelength 760 to 880 nm),
Far-infrared laser diode (oscillation wavelength 900nm or more)
Or four colors. The light source is not limited to a laser diode but may be another type of light source, such as an LED, as long as it has an oscillation wavelength suitable for exposing the photosensitive layer of the sensitive material. Further, the light amount modulation method is not limited to the direct modulation described here,
Modulation may be performed indirectly using an element such as an OM.

The blue laser light source 320 and the red laser light source 3
21, the infrared laser light source 322 is configured to be modulated in light amount by direct modulation according to a modulation signal.

The laser light source is a laser diode (L
In the case of D), a bias (bias current or bias voltage) is always applied during the period when the image recording area of the photosensitive material P is located at the laser beam irradiation position, or a data value emitted by the laser diode is always input. It is preferable that the laser diode always emits light, because the signal response is improved and the reproducibility of fine points and fine lines is improved. In addition, it is also possible to prevent a character with a fine color background from being reproduced or from being colored. The reason that the laser diode always emits light to improve the signal responsiveness is that even if a voltage or current is suddenly applied to a laser diode that does not emit light, the LE
This is because it takes time to transition from the D emission state to the desired laser emission state.

Conversely, during the period when the photosensitive material P is not present at the laser beam irradiation position, it is necessary to prevent the light from irradiating the drum 31 from the optical unit 32 by exposing the pseudo image by the reflected light from the drum 31. It is preferable because it can be prevented. It is preferable that the laser light source does not emit light during the period when the photosensitive material P is not present at the laser beam irradiation position, since it is not necessary to provide a special member such as a shutter.

In the case where the laser light source is a laser diode, the application of the bias is switched between the application and non-application of the bias depending on whether or not the image recording area of the photosensitive material P is located at the laser beam irradiation position by the configuration described later. It enjoys two benefits.

The optical system of the optical section 32 will be described with reference to FIG. 16 showing a part of the optical system of the optical section 32.

The red laser light source (LD) 321 is provided with ten red laser diodes 351 to 360 whose emission surfaces are arranged in an arc. Then, each of the red laser diodes 351 to 360 emits a laser beam whose light amount is modulated according to the image signal. The emitted laser beam is transmitted to a lens group 361 and a cylindrical lens group 3 including two cylindrical lenses.
62 is incident on the incident optical system 324 having the
61 makes the ten beams parallel to each other, and the cylindrical lens group 362
The beam shape of each of the ten parallel beams is adjusted, and the beam is emitted to the dichroic reflection mirror 326. That is, since the beam shape of the laser beam from the semiconductor laser (LD) is elliptical, the cylindrical lens group 362 shapes the elliptical laser beam into a perfect circle.

The blue laser light source 320 and the infrared laser light source 322 have the same structure as the red laser light source 321 and are provided with incident optical systems 323 and 327 similar to the incident optical system 324 of the red laser light source 321. Then, the ten blue lasers and ten infrared lasers emitted from the respective incident optical systems 323 and 327 are reflected by the reflection mirrors 325 and 328, respectively.

The dichroic reflection mirror 326 is a mirror that transmits blue light and reflects red light.
The ten blue lasers reflected by 25 are transmitted, and the ten red lasers emitted from the incident optical system 324 are reflected and guided to the dichroic reflection mirror 330.

The dichroic reflection mirror 330 transmits blue light and red light and reflects infrared light. The dichroic reflection mirror 330 transmits the ten blue lasers and ten red lasers from the dichroic reflection mirror 326, and 328
The ten infrared lasers emitted from the incident optical system 327 and reflected by the above are reflected and guided to the reduction optical system 331.

The reduction optical system 331 reduces the beam interval of each of the ten blue lasers, red lasers and infrared lasers,
The image forming lens 334 is guided to the image forming lens 334. The beam interval of the image forming lens 334 is reduced by the reduction optical system 331. An image is formed substantially on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material adhered thereon.

By using such an imaging lens 334, even if the distance between the imaging lens 334 and the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P changes due to the deflection of the drum 31, the laser beam exposed to the photosensitive material P The diameter can be kept from changing.

The laser beam exposed on the photosensitive material P is applied to the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P within a range of ± 30 μm, and the variation of the beam diameter with respect to the beam diameter of the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P is within ± 50%. Preferably, there is. In the device according to the present embodiment, it is suppressed to within ± 30%. The beam diameter is a half width.

The imaging lens 334 collectively reduces the laser beams for each wavelength aligned at the same beam interval at the same time to the same beam interval, and converts each laser beam into a parallel beam to the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P. To be projected.

The laser beam for each wavelength projected onto the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P is shown on the basis of FIG. 17 showing the arrangement and shape of the laser beam. Thus, the laser beam is projected on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P. The arrangement and shape of the laser beam for each wavelength will be described. Ten laser beams of three wavelengths are projected on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P, respectively.

If the light projected onto the photosensitive material P at different positions for each color and the light emission of which is controlled independently is called a channel, the device of this embodiment is a blue, red, infrared Are provided with 10 laser diodes whose emission is controlled independently for each of the three colors
Since the laser beams emitted from the zero laser diodes are projected onto the photosensitive material P at different positions, the apparatus of this embodiment has ten channels for each color.

The concept of the channel will be further described based on a modification of the exposure optical system of the present embodiment. In a first modification, as shown in FIG. 18, a gas laser 901 such as a He-Ne laser that emits one laser beam L1 and five laser beams L10 emitted from the gas laser 901 are used. , L20, L30, L40, L50, a beam splitter 902 and a laser beam splitter 9
02 laser light L10, L20, L3
0, L40, and L50 are respectively input to the corresponding input signals S1, S
The laser beams L11, L21, L31, and L4 whose intensities are adjusted in Steps S2, S3, S4, and S5 are adjusted.
1, an optical modulation element 90 such as an acousto-optic element that emits L51
3 and laser light L11, L21, L3 whose intensity has been adjusted.
An exposure optical system including a lens optical system 904 for reducing and forming an image of L1, L41, and L51 on the photosensitive material P held on the drum 31. In the first modified example, five laser beams whose emission is controlled independently of each other are projected on the photosensitive material P at different positions from each other, so that the number of channels is five.

The second modification is a modification of the laser diode 91 which emits one laser beam as shown in FIGS.
1,912,913,921,922,923,93
1,932,933 and laser diodes 911,91
Half mirrors 914 and 915 for multiplexing the laser beams emitted by the light sources 2 and 913, and laser diodes 921 and 92
Half mirrors 924 and 925 for multiplexing the laser beams emitted by the laser diodes 2 and 923, and laser diodes 931 and 93
Half mirrors 934 and 935 for multiplexing the laser beams emitted by the light sources 2 and 933, and three multiplexed laser beams L1
5, a lens optical system 909 for reducing and forming an image of L25 and L35 on the photosensitive material P held on the drum 31, a first emission control unit 910 for controlling the emission of the laser diodes 911, 912 and 913 by the input signal S1, Exposure optics having a second emission control unit 920 that controls emission of the laser diodes 921, 922, and 923 according to the input signal S2, and a third emission control unit 930 that controls emission of the laser diodes 931, 923, and 933 according to the input signal S3. System.
In the second modification, light emission is controlled independently of each other.
Since three laser beams are projected onto the photosensitive material P at different positions, the number of channels is three.

However, the number of channels for each color is not limited to these, and is preferably two or more (particularly five or more) from the viewpoint of image recording speed (exposure speed). From the viewpoint of suitability, simplicity and stability of exposure control, etc., it is preferable to use 100 channels or less (especially 40 channels or less, more preferably 32 channels or less) for each color.

The number of colors of the exposure light is not limited to three in the apparatus of the present embodiment, but is preferably three or more from the viewpoint of producing a color proof. From the viewpoint of equipment cost and simplification of control, 10
It is preferable that the number is not more than 4 (especially not more than 4). When the number of colors of the exposure light is four, the Y, M, and C printing plates are used.
It is particularly preferable to correspond to a plate and a black plate, respectively.

In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the number of light sources per channel is one, but is not limited thereto.
A single light source may be shared by multiple channels, such as splitting the light from multiple light sources into multiple light beams by a beam splitter and controlling each light source. Conversely, one channel may be irradiated with light from multiple LEDs. One channel may have a plurality of light sources, but from the viewpoint of simplicity of the spectral optical system, ease of exposure speed and exposure control, etc.
The number is preferably at least 01 (especially at least 0.1), and is preferably at most 100 (especially at most 10) from the viewpoints of simplicity and manufacturability of the multiplexing optical system.

In the apparatus according to the present embodiment, the center positions of the beams are substantially the same for all three wavelengths.
In this case, the deviation of the center position of the beam due to the wavelength is 0.2 times or less of the beam center distance between adjacent channels, and is preferably 0.1 times or less for particularly good image recording.

It is preferable that the distance between the centers of the irradiation light of the adjacent channels simultaneously exposed on the photosensitive material is 1 μm or more (particularly 5 μm or more). As a result, the cost of the optical system, mechanism system, and drive circuit can be reduced, and image recording can be performed at high speed with a simple configuration. Further, it is preferably 1 mm or less (particularly 100 μm or less, more preferably 20 μm or less). This enables high-definition and high-speed image recording. In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the irradiation images of the laser beams of the respective colors on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material around the drum 31 are arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 31, and the center of the beam is The distance between them is 10.6 μm. (See FIG. 17) Linear expansion coefficient R2 of the base of the optical unit 32
(/ K) preferably satisfies the following formula, with the size of the optical substrate (the distance from the longest corner to the corner in the combination of all corners) Lcm.

R2 × L ≦ 0.01 It is particularly preferable to satisfy the following expression.

R2.times.L.ltoreq.0.001 By doing so, it is possible to prevent the resolution and sharpness of the exposed image from deteriorating due to a change in temperature and to prevent the exposure amount from fluctuating.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, the base of the optical section 32 is made of aluminum, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the base of the optical section 32 is about 0.0002 / K, and the size of the optical base (combination of all corners) Is about 40 cm, and R2 × L is about 0.008.

The maximum power consumption per light source is preferably 10 W or less (especially 3 W or less, more preferably 1 W or less). Accordingly, the maximum power consumption is easily reduced, the amount of heat generation is low, the temperature of each light source is easily constant, and the emission wavelength and the amount of emitted light are easily constant. In addition, since the calorific value is low, fluctuations in the irradiation position, irradiation light amount, beam shape, focus position, etc. on the photosensitive material due to fluctuations in the positional relationship between the optical elements due to heat generation of the light source can be suppressed, and image blur and exposure amount can be suppressed. Fluctuations and the like can be suppressed, and fluctuations in emission wavelength and emission intensity due to temperature fluctuations of the light source can be suppressed. Light source 1
The maximum power consumption per unit is 10 μW or more (particularly 20 μW).
W or more). Thereby, a sufficient exposure amount can be obtained. The maximum power consumption per light source in the device of the present embodiment is 100 mW.

The maximum rated light output per light source is preferably 150 mW or less (particularly 50 mW or less, more preferably 5 mW or less). Thereby, the maximum power consumption can be reduced. In particular, at 50 mW or less, the safety is high and preferable. The maximum rated light output per light source is
It is preferably 1 μW or more (particularly 0.5 mW or more). This makes it easy to increase the amount of light for exposing the photosensitive material. The maximum rated light output per light source in the device of the present embodiment is 3 mW.

Further, the driving frequency (MHz) of each light source is
From the viewpoint of the exposure speed, etc., 0.5 MHz or more (especially 1 M
Hz or more, and is preferably 100 MHz or less (especially 50 MHz) from the viewpoints of the stability of the exposure light amount and the exposure position due to the stability and heat generation of the exposure driving circuit and the circuit cost.
MHz or less, more preferably 20 MHz or less). In the device of the present embodiment, the frequency is 2.8 MHz.

The number of recording pixels per second of each color of the exposure light is 3,000,000 pixels / second or more (particularly, 10,000,000 pixels / second).
Second or more). This makes it possible to achieve both high-speed image recording and high-definition image recording. The number of recording pixels per second of each color of the exposure light is preferably 4 billion pixels or less (particularly 500 million pixels or less). Thereby, the drive circuit is stabilized, the image recording is stabilized, the exposure intensity and the exposure position are stable, the cost is low, and the adjustment is easy. The number of recording pixels per second of each color of the exposure light of the apparatus of the present embodiment is about 30 million pixels / second. As described above, a laser diode is used as a light source here.

Next, means for moving the optical section 32 will be described with reference to FIG. The optical section 32 includes a metal belt 34.
0, and can be guided in parallel by a pair of guide rails 341 and 342 provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the drum 31 and can move in parallel with the rotation axis of the drum 31. Metal belt 34
0 is bridged between a pair of pulleys 343 and 344, and one pulley 344 is directly connected to the rotation shaft 345 of the drive motor M7. When the drive motor M7 rotates the rotation shaft 345, the pulley 344 fixed to the rotation shaft 345 rotates,
The metal belt 340 stretched between the pulleys 343 and 344 rotates. Then, the light source unit 32 moves on the metal belt 340 in parallel with the rotation axis of the drum 31.

The metal belt 340 is a flat belt made of metal.
02 stainless steel, titanium, beryllium copper and the like are preferred. Further, the thickness of the metal belt is preferably about 0.025 mm to 0.5 mm. In addition, the strength of the material is 20kg
/ Square mm or more (especially 50 kg / square mm or more) is preferable because it can be easily bent and is not easily plastically deformed. In addition, the metal belt 34 of the apparatus of the present embodiment is used.
0 is stainless steel (SUS301HY) whose proof stress is 180 kg / square mm. Since the metal belt is lightweight and thin, high-precision positioning control can be easily performed.
The driving method using a metal belt is compared to the screw driving method.
Since there are no sliding parts, the initial dimensions can be maintained for a long period of time, and no lubricating oil is required, and it is clean. Further, since the metal belt is not driven by a gear, it is possible to guide the straight running with high accuracy without causing rotation unevenness.

The optical section 32 is supported by cylindrical guide shafts 341 and 342 fixed to the main body of the apparatus, and slides on the guide shafts 341 and 342.

The drive motor M7 is driven to rotate slowly to expose the photosensitive material P when moving the optical section 32 forward, and to rotate faster than when moving forward when moving the optical section 32 backward. As a result, high-speed rotation driving is performed in order to return at a moving speed faster than that at the time of forward movement.

A sub-scanning reference position detecting sensor S11, a sub-scanning writing position detecting sensor S12 and a sub-scanning overrun position detecting sensor S13 are provided in the drum axis direction of the optical section 32.

The optical section 32 has a sub-scanning reference position detection sensor S
The sub-scanning is stopped at the detection position 11, and the sub-scanning is started from this position. When the sub-scanning is completed with a moving amount corresponding to the image size, the sub-scanning is returned to the sub-scanning reference position.

As shown in FIG. 5, an encoder 37 for detecting the rotation position of the drum 31 is mounted coaxially with the rotation shaft 90 of the drum 31. The encoder 37 has a reference phase, an A phase, and a B phase, and a pulse signal is output from each phase, and these are sent to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 also receives the tip position information of the photosensitive material P from a tip position sensor S9 that detects the tip position of the photosensitive material P. Based on the information from the tip position sensor S9 and the encoder 37, the control unit 100 The writing control of the main scanning unit 30 and the sub-scanning unit 40 and the rotation control of the drum rotation motor M6 are performed. The drum rotation motor M6 rotates the drum 31 at high speed using a servomotor.

The control section 100 sets a reference phase (reference rotation angle) of the encoder 37 at the front end position of the photosensitive material P. Specifically, the control unit 100 counts a pulse signal output by the encoder 37 at every fixed rotation angle with reference to the tip position detection signal from the tip position sensor S9, and sets the encoder 37 at the tip position of the photosensitive material P. Set 37 reference phases.

The control section 100 detects the feed amount in the drum rotation direction starting from the reference phase of the encoder 37, and controls the image writing position based on the feed amount. A pulse signal is detected in the direction of rotation of the drum starting from the reference phase of the encoder 37, the image writing position is determined by a prescribed pulse count, and the image is written.

Further, the control section 100 detects the length of the photosensitive material P based on the number of pulse signals counted from the reference phase of the encoder 37 as a starting point, and drives the cutter motor M20, so that the cutter 22 controls the desired length. Sani photosensitive material P
Disconnect.

The image recording density of the image recorded on the photosensitive material P is 600 dpi or more (especially 1000 dpi or more, further 1200 dpi or more) in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction from the viewpoint of the reproducibility of gradation by a halftone dot image. )
In addition, from the viewpoints of saturation of gradation reproducibility by a halftone image, image recording speed, and apparatus cost, 10,000 dpi or less (especially 5000 dpi) in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.
i or less) is preferred. The image recording density of the image recorded on the photosensitive material in the apparatus of this embodiment is 2000 dpi in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Needless to say, the image recording densities in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction indicate how many pixels to be image-recorded are arranged within one inch in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction. It is indicated in units of dpi.

One halftone dot is 100 or more (especially 2 dots).
(00 or more) is preferable because the reproduction is close to the halftone dots of the actual printing. In addition, it is preferable that one halftone dot is formed of 5000 or less (especially, 2000 or less) pixels because image data can be easily handled and image data can be processed at high speed.

Next, the paper discharge unit 50 and the accumulator unit 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 6, which is a side view showing the paper discharge unit 50 and the accumulator unit 60. The paper discharge unit 50
A pair of transport rollers 52 driven by the unloading motor M8, a pair of transport rollers 53 similarly driven, and an eccentric shaft 513 provided eccentrically from the rotation axis of the peeling guide vertical motor M9.
A crank shaft 514 that rotatably supports the other end of the crank 512 whose one end is rotatably supported by the motor M
9 includes a peeling guide 51 which is turned up and down around a support shaft 511 by the rotation of 9, a transport guide 54 composed of a pair of guide plates G1 and G2, and an exit shutter 55 driven by an exit shutter motor M10. Become.

The peeling guide 51 is shown by a solid line in FIG.
It is provided so as to be rotatable between an upper position and a lower position (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6). In the upper position, the claw portion 51a at the end of the peeling guide 51 peels off the photosensitive material on the drum, and In the position, the accumulation section 60 is opened, and the rear half of the photosensitive material P can be accommodated.

The peeling guide open detecting sensor S14 detects the opening of the peeling guide 51 and outputs the peeling guide closing detecting sensor S15.
Detects that the peeling guide 51 is closed.

The transport guide 54 is peeled off from the drum 31 by the peeling guide 51, and holds the photosensitive material that moves along a guide portion (not shown in the figure) provided at the center of the peeling guide. A transport roller pair 52 for transporting the photosensitive material forward, and a roller pair 5 for nipping and transporting the photosensitive material sent by the rotation of the roller pair 52 similarly
3 and is arranged.

The transport guide 54 includes a transport roller pair 5
A substantially L-shaped conveyance path is formed, which extends substantially vertically upward from a portion facing 2 and turns in the horizontal direction via a curved portion. Guide plate G constituting transport guide 54
1 and G2 are made of stainless steel, and the surface provided for the transport path is a smooth surface.

Although the portion that enters the roller pair 52 from the peeling guide 51 is also a curved transport path, the photosensitive material is guided in the horizontal direction and then suddenly changes its transport direction vertically upward. Further, the transport path is sharp and sharply changed in the horizontal direction.

This is to achieve a reduction in the size of the apparatus, and if it is not necessary, it is possible to use a more gentle transport path.

The guide plate G1 is rotatable (possibly movable) by a predetermined angle with an upper part as a fulcrum in the drawing, and integrally has a light receiving element S500 composed of a photodiode on the roller pair 52 side. I have.

When the guide plates G2 are opposed to each other at regular positions as shown in the figure, an LED that emits infrared light of a wavelength at which the photosensitive material P is not exposed is provided at a position opposed to the light receiving element S500. , A light emitting element 501 composed of

The light emitting element 501 and the light receiving element 500 constitute a transport state detecting sensor S50.

The transport state detection sensor S50 detects (detects) whether or not the photosensitive material has passed that location during a predetermined time within a series of image recording operation times in the exposure unit 3, for example. Detecting the state of conveyance of the photosensitive material, and determining whether or not both guide plates G1 and G2 are at their proper positions during the time period before the photosensitive material is conveyed (before the start of a series of image recording operations). Position) is detected (detected).

The output information is used together with timing information of a separately provided timer to determine whether or not a recording paper jam has occurred.

When the CPU determines that a jam has occurred (see FIG. 7), the excitation of the drum rotation motor M6 is released, the drive of the drive system including the unloading motor M8 on the side of the exposure unit 3 is stopped, and a warning message is displayed. The operation is performed by the liquid crystal panel 11. Also, when it is determined that the two guide members G1 and G2 are not at the regular positions, a similar warning display or the like is performed.

The opening and closing of the exit shutter 55 is detected by an exit shutter open detection sensor S16. Exit shutter 5
Reference numeral 5 determines the timing at which the photosensitive material is sent to the development processing unit 4 side. The exit sensor S31 detects that the photosensitive material is sent to the development processing unit 4.

The accumulator unit 60 is provided at a position below the sheet discharging unit 50, and the peeling guide 51 moves downward to
A space is provided to allow the photosensitive material to hang down.

The combination of the light emitting element and the light receiving element provided integrally with each guide plate (guide means) may be reversed, and both guides may be configured to be movable. Instead of providing the light emitting element or the light receiving element on the guide plate fixed in position, another member on the apparatus side can be used. Further, the form of the position movement does not necessarily have to be a rotation, but may be a horizontal movement.

As shown in FIG. 7, which is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration, the control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 10
2 and ROM 103, and I / O ports 104, 1
The actuator group is connected to sensors and actuators via the controller 05 and controls the actuators based on information from the sensors.

The sensors include a magazine presence / absence detection sensor S1, a cover close detection sensor S2, a cover lock detection sensor S3, an end detection sensor S4, a conveyance roller pressing position detection sensor S5, a conveyance roller release position detection sensor S6,
Squeeze roller pressure contact position detection sensor S7, squeeze roller release position detection sensor S8, photosensitive material P tip position sensor S9, feed amount detection sensor S10, rotary encoder 37, sub-scan reference position detection sensor S11, sub-scan write position detection sensor S12, Sub-scanning overrun position detection sensor S13, peeling guide open detection sensor S14, peeling guide close detection sensor S15, exit shutter open detection sensor S1
6. A peeling jam detection sensor S30, a photosensitive material P conveyance state detection sensor S50, and an exit sensor S31 not shown in this figure are connected.

The actuator group includes a cover lock motor M1, a transport roller pressure release motor M2, a transport motor M3, a cutter motor M20, a drum feed / discharge motor M4, a squeeze roller pressure release motor M5, a drum rotation motor M6, Scanning motor M7, exposure shutter solenoid 333, unloading motor M8, peeling guide vertical motor M
9. The exit shutter motor M10 is connected, and these are driven via drivers D1 to D11 and D333.

The operation unit 10 controls the liquid crystal panel 11 by the driver D20 and displays the operation state of the image forming apparatus.

A command by operating the touch panel 12 is converted into digital information by the A / D converter 120 as a CP.
Send it to U101.

The RIP 200, which is provided outside the apparatus 1 and connected to the apparatus 1, converts Y, M, C, and K digital raster dots in raster image format from image data for electronic plate making which is the basis of electronic plate making. Generate image data.

It is preferable that the image data for electronic plate making is reproduced by a set of halftone dots having the same screen ruling as that of the printed matter, and the pixel gain is approximated to that of the printed matter. As a result, not only can the printed halftone image be faithfully reproduced, but also tone jumps, moirés, and image defects, which are common problems in electronic plate making image data, can be accurately reproduced and calibrated. of course,
The approximate calibration does not require faithful reproduction up to that point, and the approximate calibration is possible with a halftone image.

Then, the RIP 200 sends the generated digital halftone image data to the image data I / F unit 201. The image data I / F unit 201 exposes halftone dot image data of each color (Y, M, C, BK) created by the RIP 200 for each of ten scanning lines of each color (for each channel of each color 10). The data is converted into a format for use and stored in the data buffer 204. The conversion of the format of the image data is performed by rearranging the image data of the bitmap data in the raster image format and reading 10 lines in parallel when simultaneously scanning 10 scanning lines for each color.

After one-dot digital halftone image data is stored in the data buffer 204, all-color simultaneous exposure is performed as follows.

The pixel clock generation unit 203 generates a PLL based on photosensitive material feed information from the rotary encoder 37.
A pixel clock is generated in synchronization with the output of the pixel 202. The digital halftone image data is sent from the data buffer 204 to the LUT unit 205 using the pixel clock generated by the pixel clock generation unit 203.

The LUT unit 205 has a reference color for printing, ie, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and BK.
LUT (look-up table) data that defines the correspondence between (black) and the intensity composition of the light source that exposes these reference colors to the photosensitive material, ie, B (blue), R (red), and IR (infrared). I remember. Then, the Y, M, C, and K digital halftone image data of the transmitted exposure format is converted into B, R, and IR exposure intensity data.

At this time, Y, M, C, and
The BK halftone image data is converted into a combination of B, R, and IR (infrared) laser intensities.
The PU 101 records an image of the photosensitive material P at the irradiation position of the laser beam emitted from the optical unit 32 based on the information on the tip position of the photosensitive material P from the tip position sensor S9 and the count of the pulse signal from the rotary encoder 37. It is determined whether an area exists. Then, the control unit 100
Based on this determination, the LUT unit 205 determines whether the image recording area of the photosensitive material P exists at the laser beam irradiation position.
And laser light sources 320, 321, 3 of a laser diode.
D320, D321, and D322 that drive the MPU 22
Is controlled so that LUT data that is converted to an exposure intensity data value equal to or greater than an exposure intensity data value sufficient to always emit a laser diode is set. Accordingly, during a period in which the image recording area of the photosensitive material P is located at the laser beam irradiation position, the laser light sources 320, 321,
The 322 laser diode always emits light and has good responsiveness.

The CPU 101 of the control unit 100 determines whether the photosensitive material P is not present at the laser beam irradiation position in accordance with the information on the tip position of the photosensitive material P from the tip position sensor S9.
The LUT unit 205 includes laser light sources 320, 321, 322
For all, drivers D320, D that drive them
Exposure intensity data input to 321 and D322 is controlled to always output an exposure intensity data value that does not cause the laser light sources 320, 321 and 322 to emit light at all.
Accordingly, since the laser light sources 320, 321, and 322 do not emit light during the period when the photosensitive material P is not present at the laser light irradiation position, exposure of the pseudo image of the photosensitive material P due to stray light due to the laser light hitting the drum 31 can be prevented. Instead of always controlling the laser light sources 320, 321, and 322 to output an exposure intensity data value that does not emit any light, merely setting the exposure intensity data value to a light emission level lower than the normal light emission level simply results in a pseudo image. It has the effect of reducing exposure. In this case, it is preferable to set the exposure intensity data value to an exposure amount that does not substantially cover the photosensitive material.

Then, the LUT unit 205 stores B, R, IR
The respective exposure intensity data are respectively converted into D / A converters 206 to 20.
8, and the D / A conversion units 206 to 208 perform analog conversion, and provide the resulting signals to the driver D320, the driver D321, and the driver D322, which drive the laser light sources 320 to 322, respectively.

As described above, while the photosensitive material on which the halftone image is recorded is held on the drum 31, the optical unit 3
Due to 2, light is not substantially irradiated to the area on the drum 31 where the photosensitive material is not held. In the present embodiment, the CPU 101 of the control unit 100 controls the LUT unit 205 in accordance with the information on the front end position of the photosensitive material P from the front end position sensor S9, but instead, the driver D320 and the AOM driver D321 , Driver D3
22 may be controlled.

The RAM 102 is a means for storing various information input from the touch panel 12, programs, and the like, and is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile memory. The information stored in the RAM 102 includes the suction blower 3
If the blower reference pressure value Vb should be obtained by the pressure gauge 31e if the predetermined performance is exhibited by the pressure gauge 71 and the photosensitive material P is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the drum 31 when the drum 31 is not rotating. A first reference pressure value Vb1 that should be obtained by the pressure gauge 31e (in other words, a reference value for determining whether the photosensitive material P is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the drum 31 when the drum 31 is not rotating) ), The second reference pressure value Vb2 that should be obtained by the pressure gauge 31e if the photosensitive material P is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the drum 31 while the drum 31 is rotating (in other words, the drum 31 This is a reference value for determining whether or not the photosensitive material P is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the drum 31 while rotating. The blower reference pressure value Vb, the first reference pressure value Vb1, and the second
The reference pressure value Vb2 can be changed from the touch panel 12. Further, the first reference pressure value Vb1 is equal to the second reference pressure value Vb1.
The pressure value is set so as to be higher than the reference pressure value Vb2 (that is, closer to the atmospheric pressure). Note that the first reference pressure value Vb1 and the second reference pressure value Vb2 are set for each size of the photosensitive material P, and the first reference pressure value Vb1 and the second reference pressure value Vb1 corresponding to the size of the photosensitive material P for image recording.
Preferably, the reference pressure value Vb2 is stored in the RAM 102.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 9 to 11, and the like.

FIG. 13 is a main flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the paper feeding process, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the printing process, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the paper discharging process, and FIG. .

First, the main flow of the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described. In FIG. 13, when the main switch is turned on in step a1, initial processing of an electrical device of the apparatus is performed in step b1. Here, loading of a program and data into the RAM 102 and the like are executed. When the initial processing in step b1 is completed, the front panel 6 is locked by the lock mechanism 29 in step c1. Then, when the lock of the lock mechanism 29 is confirmed, the initial processing of each mechanism is performed in step d1. In the initial processing in step d1, the drum 31 is returned to the initial position, the optical unit 32 is returned to the sub-scanning reference position, and the processing liquid in the processing unit 4 is rehydrated and heated to the processing temperature. And so on. If an error (err1) occurs in the initial processing of each mechanism in step d1, the function is stopped.

When the initial processing d1 is completed, the idling operation of the apparatus 1 is performed in step e1 described later. Note that an output image from the RIP is received during the idling operation.

When the operator operates the menu key on the touch panel 12 of the operation unit 8 during the idling operation in step e1, the condition is set in step f1 according to the operation of the menu key on the touch panel 12 by the operator. Is done.

Next, the writing operation following the idling operation in step e1 will be described. In the writing operation, a sheet feeding process (step h1), a printing process (step i1), and a sheet discharging process (step j1) are sequentially performed in this order. When this writing process is completed, in step k1,
The user selects whether or not to feed the next photosensitive material. If the user selects to feed the next photosensitive material, the process returns to the sheet feeding process (step h1). A state is entered in which operation of the twelve stop buttons is accepted. Then, in a state where the operation of the stop button is received, when the next print command is received, the sheet feeding process (step h)
Return to 1). When the stop button is operated in a state in which the operation of the stop button is received, the operation of each mechanism in step m1 ends.

At the end of the operation of each mechanism in step m1, the sheet feeding unit 20, the main scanning unit 30, the sub-scanning unit 40, the first sheet discharging unit 50, the accumulating unit 60, the feeding path 80, and the developing unit 4
2. The operations of the mechanical units of the fixing unit 43, the stabilizing unit 44, the drying unit 45, and the second sheet discharging unit 15 are completed. Then, the main power is turned off at step n1, and the front panel lock solenoid 29a (step o1). The lock of the lock mechanism 29 is released by the operation described below.

Next, the main flow of the idling operation in step e1 in the main flow of the operation shown in FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 12 which is a main flowchart of the idling operation. First, the pressure (degree of vacuum) inside the drum 31 is read from the pressure gauge 38 (S4). That is, the pressure when the blower 371 is OFF (not driven) is read, and the read pressure value V1 is stored in the RAM.
Stored in 102. Next, the blower 371 is turned on (driven) (S5), and after waiting for a predetermined time to stabilize the drive of the blower 371 (S6), the pressure (degree of vacuum) inside the drum 31 is read from the pressure gauge 38 (S7). ). That is, the pressure in a state where the blower 371 is ON (driven) is read, and the read pressure value V2 is stored in the RAM 10.
3 is stored.

At S8, the read pressure values V1 and V2 are compared to determine whether or not the pressure value has changed (specifically, the pressure value V2 is smaller than the pressure value V1 (closer to vacuum). Is determined, and the read pressure value V2 is compared with the blower reference pressure value Vb stored in the RAM 102 to determine whether or not a predetermined degree of vacuum is reached (specifically, whether the pressure value V2 is Is smaller than the blower reference pressure value Vb). That is, the pressure values V1 and V
If the pressure values V1 and V2 do not change between the state where the blower 371 is driven and the state where the blower 371 is not driven, the air suction means that sucks air from the suction hole 31c of the drum 31 by the blower 371 is abnormal. Can be detected.

The abnormality of the air suction means is as follows.
For example, the failure of the blower 371, the clogging or twisting of the hose, and particularly, in the present embodiment, the blower 371
Since the power supply of the blower 371 is provided separately from the power supply of the apparatus 1, the blower 3
For example, the user may forget to turn on the power of the power supply 71.

The pressure value V2 and the blower reference pressure value Vb
If the blower 371 exhibits the desired performance, the degree of vacuum V2 in a state where the blower 371 is driven is changed to the predetermined value (the blower reference pressure value Vb) by utilizing the fact that the blower 371 is driven. If Vb has not been reached, it is determined that the blower 371 is not exhibiting the desired capability, and the blower 371 can detect an abnormality in the air suction means for sucking air from the suction hole 31c of the drum 31.

If it is determined in S8 that there is no abnormality in the air suction means, the flow advances to S9, in which the blower 371 is turned off.
F. On the other hand, if it is determined in S8 that there is an abnormality in the air suction unit, the process proceeds to S10, and a display indicating that the air suction unit is abnormal is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11.

Then, after the blower is turned off in S9, S
At 12, it is determined whether a recording start instruction has been received from the touch panel 12 or the RIP 200. When the instruction to start recording is received in S12, the idling process (step e1) ends. When the idling process (step e1) is completed, the sheet feeding process (step h1)
Go to 1).

Next, the paper feeding process of the image forming apparatus in step h1 in the main flow of the operation shown in FIG. 13 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8 which is a flowchart of the paper feeding process. When the flow of the sheet feeding process is started, the presence or absence of the magazine 8 is determined in step a2. If the magazine 8 is not present, an error process is performed in step b2.
If the magazine 8 is present, the end of the photosensitive material P (detection of presence / absence) is detected in step c2. Since the magazine is loaded with the photosensitive material pulled out, if the magazine is loaded correctly, the end detection sensor S4 confirms the presence of the photosensitive material.

In step c2, if the end detection sensor S4 detects that there is no photosensitive material, step b
In step 2, error processing is performed, and a warning that the photosensitive material has run out is displayed. In step c2, if the end detection sensor S4 detects that a photosensitive material is present, step d
In step 2, the paper feed cover 9 is locked.

When the paper feed cover 9 is locked in step d2, the paper feed roller 21b is pressed in step e2, and the squeeze roller 23 is pressed in step f2.
Is crimped. Then, in step g2, the excitation of the drum rotation motor M6 is turned off to make the drum 31 rotatable. In step a3, the suction blower 371 is turned on, and in step b3, the suction blower 371 waits for stability. As a mode of waiting until the suction blower 371 is stabilized, a mode of waiting until a predetermined time longer than a time normally required for stabilization is simple, but in addition, a mode of waiting until the degree of vacuum by the suction blower 371 reaches a predetermined value. And the suction blower 371
And the like, until the noise level emitted by the camera falls below a predetermined value. When the suction blower 371 is stabilized, the feed motor M3 is rotated in step h2 to feed the photosensitive material by the feed rollers 21a and 21b, and the reference pressure data to be compared with the pressure data measured by the vacuum degree measuring means 711. Set the value.

Then, at step i2, the leading end of the photosensitive material is detected by the leading end position sensor S9, and when the leading end of the photosensitive material is detected, the drum feeding motor M4 is turned off at step c3.
Simultaneously with N, the pressure contact of the transport roller 21b is released, and the measurement of the length of the photosensitive material is started by the output pulse of the encoder roller 37 with reference to the leading end of the photosensitive material detected in step d3. As a result, the photosensitive material P is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the drum 31 while being brought into close contact with the photosensitive material P while being suctioned.

The peripheral speed of the drum 31 during paper feeding, that is, when the photosensitive material is being wound, is preferably 2 m / sec or less (particularly 1 m / sec or less). As a result, the toner can be stably fed to the drum 31, the adhesion to the drum 31 is increased, and the retention by suction is improved. Further, the peripheral speed of the drum 31 during paper feeding is preferably 2 cm / sec or more (particularly 5 cm / sec or more). Thereby, the feeding time can be reduced, and the image recording time and the image recording time interval can be reduced. If it is less than 2 cm / sec, the effect of adhesion to the drum is saturated. In the device of the present embodiment, the speed is 0.1 m / sec.

In step e3, the length of the photosensitive material is counted from the count of the output pulses of the encoder roller 37. As a result, when a predetermined length of photosensitive material is drawn out, in step f3, the sheet feeding motor M3 and the drum are rotated. The supply / discharge motor M4 is turned off, and the rotation of the drum 31 is stopped.

At step g3, the conveying roller 21b is pressed, and at step h3, the photosensitive material is cut to a predetermined length. In this paper cutting, the cutter 22 at the initial position is rotated by the cutter motor M20, and is moved forward in the width direction of the photosensitive material to cut the photosensitive material from one side edge. To stop the rotation and running of the cutter.

If the cutter 22 is moved back as it is, the cut surface of the cut photosensitive material on the upstream side in the transport direction comes into contact with the cutter 22, thereby slightly generating chips. This tendency is also observed in other types of cutters such as guillotine cutters. Then, in step i3, the drum feeding / discharging motor M4 is turned ON, and the roller pair 21 is rotated in the direction opposite to the rotation direction for a predetermined time after the end of cutting, whereby the sheet is held by the transporting means. The free end side of the photosensitive material P is returned by a predetermined amount to the side having the storage container. At this time, the end of the paper is held between the transport rollers 21a and 21b. Then, the cutter 22 is moved back in the width direction of the photosensitive material while the rotation of the cutter 22 is stopped by the cutter motor M20 to return the cutter 22 to the initial position. Thereafter, the roller pair 21 is rotated forward again,
The photosensitive material is fed out by a predetermined amount in the transport direction.

Thus, when the cutter 22 moves forward, the rotation of the cutter 22 is stopped as it is after the photosensitive material is cut, while the photosensitive material is cut stably and satisfactorily by the optimum contact angle of the cutter 22 with the photosensitive material. Even if the cutter 22 is returned to the initial position in a state where the cutter 22 is moved, it is possible to prevent chips from being generated from the cut surface of the photosensitive material when the cutter 22 is moved back.

The predetermined amount relating to the return of the photosensitive material or the feeding in the re-transport direction is not the mode in which the measurement is started here, and may be the same or different. Then, it is preferable to re-convey an amount equal to or greater than the return amount. About the above-mentioned return amount, since it is only necessary to prevent re-contact of the cutter, it is preferable that the return amount is 1 mm or more.
It is preferably 10 mm or less.

Then, at step j3, the transport rollers 21
Release the pressure bonding of a and 21b. When the winding on the drum is completed in step k3, the drum feeding / discharging motor M4 is turned off in step l3, and the pressing of the squeeze roller is released in step m3.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, the photosensitive material P
The time from the start of contact with the drum 31 to the entire contact when the winding on the drum 31 is completed is the length of the photosensitive material LP (unit: m; the length of the photosensitive material wound in the circumferential direction of the drum). For example, about 9.6 seconds for the photosensitive material having the maximum sheet length (the sheet length is about 0.96 m), but from the start of contact of the photosensitive material P with the drum 31. The time until the entire contact when the winding on the drum 31 is completed is not limited to this, and from the viewpoint of the adhesion of the photosensitive material P to the drum 31, the length of the photosensitive material is 0.5 × the length LP (m). It is preferably at least LP seconds (particularly at least 2 × LP seconds), and from the viewpoint of paper feeding efficiency, it is preferably at most 50 × LP seconds with respect to the length LP (m) of the photosensitive material.

At step n3, the pressure (degree of vacuum) inside the drum 31 is read from the pressure gauge 38, and the read pressure value V3 is stored in the RAM 103. And
At step o3, the read pressure value V3 and the RAM 102
Is compared with the first reference pressure value Vb1, which is stored in the storage device, and it is determined whether or not the pressure value V3 has reached the first reference pressure value Vb1.

At step p3, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, and the process returns to step o3 until the predetermined time has elapsed. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step q3. Since the reference pressure value Vb <b> 1 has not been reached, a contact error is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11 as a contact error in which the photosensitive material P does not adhere to the drum 31, and a contact error process for discharging the photosensitive material P is performed. Do. This is because, in such a case, the pressure value V3 read each time does not reach the first reference pressure value Vb1 even after the lapse of the predetermined time, so that it can be estimated that the state is such that the adhesion is hindered for some reason. .

If the read pressure value V3 has reached the first reference pressure value Vb1 at step o3, it is determined that the photosensitive material P is in close contact with the drum 31 and the paper feeding process is terminated. To the print processing step.

Next, the printing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9 which is a flowchart of the printing process. At step a4, the drum rotation motor M6 is turned on,
In step b4, the control waits until the rotation of the drum 31 is stabilized.
As a form for waiting until the rotation of the drum 31 is stabilized, a form for waiting until a predetermined time that is longer than a time required for normal stabilization is simple, but in addition, the rotation speed of the drum 31 is measured and measured. An example of waiting for the fluctuation of the rotation speed to be equal to or less than a predetermined value is given. Then, the pressure detector 32 detects the pressure inside the drum 31 when the photosensitive material is wound around the drum 31.

Then, when the number of rotations reaches a predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the photosensitive material P is in close contact even if the drum 31 is rotating. For this purpose, first, the pressure (degree of vacuum) inside the drum 31 is read from the pressure gauge 38, and the read pressure value V4 is stored in the RAM 103. Then, the read pressure value V4 is compared with the second reference pressure value Vb2 stored in the RAM 102, and it is determined whether the pressure value V4 has reached (is small) the second reference pressure value Vb2. If the pressure value V4 read each time does not reach the second reference pressure value Vb2 even after the elapse of the predetermined time, the error processing is performed as a close contact error in which the photosensitive material P does not adhere to the drum 31. That is, the drum rotation motor M6 is turned off and the blower 371 is turned off.
Then, the close contact of the photosensitive material P is released. This operation not only stops the rotation of the drum 31 but also causes the blower 371 to rotate.
Is stopped, the photosensitive material P is not held by the drum 31 rotated by inertia, damage to surrounding members can be suppressed, and the returning operation can be facilitated. Further, since the release valve 39 is opened to return the inside of the drum 31 to the atmospheric pressure, the drum 31
Can quickly release the held state of the photosensitive material P held therein. Then, a display indicating that there is an adhesion error is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11.

On the other hand, if the read pressure value V4 has reached the second reference pressure value Vb2, the photosensitive material P
The process proceeds to the next recording step, assuming that it is in close contact with the recording medium 1.

Next, the sub-scanning motor M7 is turned on in step c4, the exposure shutter 332 is turned on (closed state) in step d4, and the optical unit 32 moves in a direction parallel to the drum axis (sub-scanning direction). To start. And step e
When the sub-scanning write position is detected in step 4, step f4
To turn off (open) the exposure shutter 332,
The exposure output of the image data is performed.

At this time, the red laser light source 320, the blue laser light source 321 and the infrared laser light source 322 emit light based on the LUT data of the set channel, and the color of ink and / or the color of printing paper during printing. Expose an image having a color corresponding to.

The rotation speed of the drum 31 during the image recording is preferably 300 rpm or more (especially 700 rpm or more, more preferably 1200 rpm or more). Thereby, an image can be recorded at high speed. 5000 rpm
The following (especially, 4000 rpm or less) is preferable. As a result, the rotation of the drum 31 is stabilized, the time until the rotation speed is stabilized can be shortened, the apparatus cost can be reduced, the safety is high, the special mechanical strength is not required, and the cost can be reduced. Since the weight can be reduced and the installation place is not particularly limited, the apparatus can be installed at a convenient position. The rotation speed of the drum 31 during image recording in the apparatus of the present embodiment is 2000 rpm.

The peripheral speed of the drum 31 during image recording is
It is preferably at least 3 m / sec (particularly at least 5 m / sec, more preferably at least 10 m / sec). Thereby, the image recording time can be shortened. Further, the peripheral speed of the drum 31 during image recording is preferably 70 m / sec or less (particularly 50 m / sec or less). Thereby, the peripheral speed of the drum 31 is stabilized,
The time required to stabilize the peripheral speed is shortened, and the cost of the device is reduced, and the device becomes safe. In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the peripheral speed of the drum 31 during image recording is about 30 (m / sec).

When the writing of the image data is completed in step g4, the drum rotation motor M6 is turned off in step h4.
F, the exposure shutter 332 is turned on, the sub-scanning motor M7 is turned off in step i4, and the
Moves the optical unit 32 to the home position.

In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the drum 3
The time from the release of the rotation drive 1 to the stop of the rotation of the drum 31 is 2 seconds to 15 seconds, but the time from the release of the rotation drive of the drum to the stop of the rotation of the drum is The time is not limited to 1 second, and is preferably 1 second or more from the viewpoint of stable deceleration of the drum 31 and suppression of peeling of the photosensitive material P, and 1 minute or less (particularly 30 seconds or less) from the viewpoint of efficiency of peeling. Preferably, there is.

Then, in step k4, the squeeze roller 2
3 is pressed against the drum 31, the excitation of the drum rotation motor M7 is turned off in step 14, and the drum 31 is moved to the home position in step m4 by the rotation of the squeeze roller 23.

Next, the paper discharging process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10 which is a flowchart of the paper discharging process.
In step a5, the peeling guide 51 is closed and set at the peeling position, and in step b5, the exit shutter 5 to the developing unit 4 is opened.
Open 5.

Then, in step d5, the drum feeding motor M4 is turned on to rotate the squeeze roller 23, and the photosensitive material P is peeled off by the peeling guide 51 while rotating the drum 31, and the photosensitive material P is peeled along the peeling guide 51. The photosensitive material P is guided. In step e5, the carry-out motor M8 is turned on to cause the pair of conveying rollers 52 to convey the photosensitive material P at substantially the same peripheral speed as the squeeze roller 23 at high speed.

When the sensor S31 detects the leading end of the photosensitive material P, the unloading motor M8 stops while the leading end of the photosensitive material P is held between the transport rollers 53. Then, the peeling guide 51 is opened so that the photosensitive material P is stored in the accumulation section.

In step f5, the separation jam detection sensor S3
It is determined whether or not the photosensitive material has jammed according to 0. If the jam has not occurred, the drive of the suction blower 371 is stopped in step g5 to cancel the suction of the photosensitive material.

In step h5, the discharge of the photosensitive material is detected by the exit sensor S31, and the carry-out motor M8 is switched to a low speed to match the processing in the developing section 4.

Then, in step j5, the drum 31 is rotated once, and in step k5, the peeling guide 51 is opened.

At step 15, the drum feeding motor M 4 is turned off, at step m 5 the drum rotation motor M 6 is excited to prevent the drum 31 from rotating freely, and at step n 5 the squeeze roller 23 is released from pressure contact. The paper discharge process ends.

As described above, the time from the start of peeling of the photosensitive material P to the complete peeling of the photosensitive material P from the drum 31 is, from the viewpoint of stable peeling and suppression of occurrence of jam, etc., with respect to the length LP (m) of the photosensitive material. 0.5 × LP seconds or more (especially 2 × L
P second or more), and preferably 100 × LP second or less (particularly 50 × LP second or less) from the viewpoint of peeling efficiency or the like. In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the time from the start of peeling of the photosensitive material P to the complete removal from the drum 31 is about 15 to 20 × LP seconds with respect to the length LP (m) of the photosensitive material, and is the maximum It takes about 15 seconds for a photosensitive material having a sheet length (sheet length of 0.96 (m)).

The peripheral speed of the drum 31 when peeling the photosensitive material from the drum 31 is preferably 2 m / sec or less from the viewpoint of stable peeling and prevention of breakage of the tip of the photosensitive material. 0.01m from the viewpoint of the efficiency of
/ Sec or more. In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the drum 3 is used to separate the photosensitive material from the drum 31.
The peripheral speed of 1 is about 0.05 to 0.1 m / sec.

Next, the discharging process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11 which is a flowchart of the discharging process. In step a6, when the discharge of the photosensitive material is detected by the exit sensor S31 and the trailing end of the photosensitive material is detected, step b
Wait for the completion of the discharge of the photosensitive material for a predetermined time in step 6, and step c
At step 6, the unloading motor M8 is turned off, the exit shutter 55 to the developing unit 4 is closed at step d6, and the cover 9 is unlocked at step e6 to end the photosensitive material discharging process.

It is to be noted that, for example, a transmission type sensor similar to the end detection sensor S4 is provided not only on the upstream side of the roller pair 21 but also on the downstream side and in the vicinity of the conveying means when viewed in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material. When both of the sensors detect the absence of the photosensitive material, the pressure of the conveying means can be automatically released based on the information.

In this case, it is detected that the photosensitive material after the end detection is surely removed, and an erroneous operation such as unintentionally releasing the pressure bonding and dropping the photosensitive material piece into the transport path is surely performed. In addition, improvement in operability can be expected such as easy loading of a new photosensitive material.

Next, the photosensitive material used in the present apparatus will be described. The light-sensitive material used in the present invention is preferably a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The silver halide emulsion of such a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material may be a surface latent image type silver halide emulsion which forms a latent image on the surface by image exposure, or the surface of the grain may be previously fogged. Using an internal latent image type silver halide emulsion that has not been subjected to image fogging (nucleation) after image exposure, and then performing surface development, or by performing surface development while performing fog processing after image exposure An internal latent image type silver halide emulsion capable of directly obtaining a positive image may be used. The internal latent image type silver halide emulsion is an emulsion containing silver halide grains having a photosensitive nucleus mainly inside silver halide crystal grains and forming a latent image inside the grains upon exposure. Say.

One preferred form of the silver halide light-sensitive material is a negative-working silver halide emulsion. In particular, a silver halide emulsion comprising 90% by mole or more of silver chloride is preferably used. Silver halide, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodobromide, silver chloroiodide, etc. having any halogen composition may be used as long as they satisfy the above conditions. Silver chlorobromide, especially a silver halide emulsion having a portion containing silver bromide at a high concentration is preferably used, and silver chloroiodide containing 0.05 to 0.5 mol% of silver iodide near the surface is also preferably used. Can be In the silver halide emulsion having a portion containing silver bromide at a high concentration, the portion containing silver bromide at a high concentration may be a so-called core-shell emulsion,
It is also possible to form a so-called epitaxy-bonded region where only a region having a partially different composition exists without forming a complete layer. It is particularly preferable that the portion where silver bromide exists at a high concentration is formed at the top of crystal grains on the surface of silver halide grains. Further, the composition may change continuously or discontinuously.

Further, it is advantageous that a negative silver halide emulsion comprising preferably 90% or more of silver chloride preferably contains heavy metal ions. This is expected to improve so-called reciprocity failure and prevent desensitization in high-illuminance exposure and softening on the shadow side.
Heavy metal ions that can be used for such purposes include iron, iridium, platinum, palladium, nickel,
8th such as rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, cobalt
Group 10 metals, Group 12 transition metals such as cadmium, zinc, mercury, lead, rhenium, molybdenum, tungsten,
Examples include gallium and chromium ions. Among them, metal ions of iron, iridium, platinum, ruthenium, gallium and osmium are preferred. These metal ions can be added to the silver halide emulsion in the form of a salt or a complex salt. When the heavy metal ion forms a complex, examples of the ligand include cyanide ion, thiocyanate ion, cyanate ion, chloride ion, bromide ion, iodide ion, carbonyl, and ammonia. Among them, cyanide ion, thiocyanate ion, isothiocyanate ion, chloride ion, bromide ion and the like are preferable. In order to allow the silver halide emulsion to contain heavy metal ions, the heavy metal compound may be added to any of the steps during physical ripening before formation of silver halide grains, during formation of silver halide grains and during physical ripening after formation of silver halide grains. May be added at the location. In order to obtain a silver halide emulsion satisfying the above conditions, a heavy metal compound can be dissolved together with a halide salt and added continuously over the whole or a part of the grain forming step. Alternatively, it can be prepared by forming silver halide fine particles containing these heavy metal compounds in advance and adding them. When the heavy metal ion is added to the silver halide emulsion, the amount is at least 1 × 10 −9 mol per mol of silver halide,
× 10-2 mol or less, more preferably 1 × 10-8 mol or more 5
× 10-5 mol or less is preferred.

One preferred form of the silver halide emulsion is an internal latent image type silver halide emulsion which has not been previously fogged, and the internal latent image type silver halide grains form most of the photosensitive nuclei. Are silver halide grains which form a latent image mainly inside the grains. The composition of the silver halide grains includes any silver halide, for example, silver bromide, silver chloride, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide, silver iodobromide, silver chloroiodobromide and the like.

Particularly preferably, the coated silver amount is about 1 to 3.5 g.
/ M2, a portion of the sample coated on a transparent support is exposed to the light intensity scale for a defined period of time from about 0.1 second to about 1 second, and substantially silver halide When only the surface image of the particles containing no solvent is developed using the following surface developer A at 20 ° C. for 4 minutes, another part of the same emulsion sample is similarly exposed, and the image inside the particles is removed. Is an emulsion showing a maximum density which is not more than 1/5 of a maximum density obtained when developing at 20 ° C. for 4 minutes with the following internal developing solution B. More preferably, the maximum density obtained with the surface developer A is the maximum density obtained with the internal developer B.
It is not larger than 1/10. (Surface developer A) Methol 2.5 g L-ascorbic acid 10.0 g Sodium metaborate (tetrahydrate) 35.0 g Potassium bromide 1.0 g Add water 1000 cc (Internal developer B) Methol 2.0 g Sodium sulfite (anhydrous) 90.0 g Hydroquinone 8.0 g Sodium carbonate (monohydrate) 52.5 g Potassium bromide 5.0 g Potassium iodide 0.5 g 1000 cc with water added The internally latent image type silver halide emulsion preferably used is prepared by various methods. Things included. For example, conversion type silver halide emulsions described in U.S. Pat.No. 2,592,250, or U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,206,316 and 3,31
Silver halide emulsions having internally chemically sensitized silver halide grains described in 7,322 and 3,367,778,
An emulsion having silver halide grains containing polyvalent metal ions described in U.S. Pat.No. 3,271,157, or a silver halide grain containing a dopant described in U.S. Pat. Weakly chemically sensitized silver halide emulsion, or JP-A-50-8524, 50-38525
Silver halide emulsions comprising grains having a laminated structure described in JP-A Nos.
And silver halide emulsions described in Nos. 6614 and 55-127549.

Such an internal latent image type silver halide emulsion which has not been previously fogged gives a positive image without performing reversal processing by performing surface fogging processing. Alternatively, the treatment may be performed chemically using a fogging agent, a strong developing solution may be used, and heat treatment may be performed.

The whole surface exposure is carried out by immersing or moistening the image-exposed photosensitive material in a developing solution or other aqueous solution, and thereafter performing uniform exposure over the entire surface. The light source used here may be any light source as long as it has light in the photosensitive wavelength range of the photographic photosensitive material,
Further, high illuminance light such as flash light can be applied for a short time, or weak light can be applied for a long time. Further, the time of the entire surface exposure can be varied over a wide range so as to finally obtain the best positive image, depending on the photographic light-sensitive material, development processing conditions, type of light source used and the like. In addition, it is most preferable that the exposure amount of the entire surface exposure be given in a certain fixed range in combination with the photosensitive material. Usually, when the exposure amount is excessively increased, the minimum density increases or desensitization occurs, and the image quality tends to be reduced.

Further, as a technique of a fogging agent which can be used for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, JP-A-6-952831
It is preferable to use the technology described in page 8, right column, line 39 to page 19, left column, line 41.

The shape of the silver halide grains can be arbitrary. One preferred example is (100)
It is a cube having a plane as a crystal surface. Also, U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,183,756 and 4,225,666, JP-A-55-26589,
The octahedron, the tetrahedron, and the like are described in methods such as 55-42737 and the literature such as The Journal of Photographic Science (J. Photogr. Sci.) 21, 39 (1973).
Particles having a shape such as a dodecahedron can be produced and used. Further, particles having a twin plane may be used.

As the silver halide grains, grains having a single shape are preferably used, and it is particularly preferable to add two or more kinds of monodispersed silver halide emulsions to the same layer.

The grain size of the silver halide grains is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 1.2 μm, more preferably 0.2 to 1.0 μm in consideration of other photographic properties such as rapid processing and sensitivity. μm range.

The particle diameter can be measured by using the projected area of the particle or an approximate value of the diameter. If the particles are substantially uniform in shape, the particle size distribution can represent this quite accurately as diameter or projected area.

The particle size distribution of the silver halide grains is preferably a monodisperse silver halide grain having a coefficient of variation of 0.22 or less, more preferably 0.15 or less, and particularly preferably a monodisperse emulsion having a coefficient of variation of 0.15 or less. To the same layer. Here, the coefficient of variation is a coefficient representing the width of the particle size distribution, and is defined by the following equation.

Coefficient of variation = S / R (where, S represents the standard deviation of the grain size distribution, and R represents the average grain size.) Various apparatuses and methods known in the art can be used for preparing silver halide emulsions. A method can be used.

The silver halide emulsion may be obtained by any of an acidic method, a neutral method, and an ammonia method. The particles may be grown at one time or may be grown after seed particles have been made. The method of producing the seed particles and the method of growing them may be the same or different.

The form in which the soluble silver salt and the soluble halide salt are reacted may be any of a forward mixing method, a reverse mixing method, a simultaneous mixing method, a combination thereof, and the like. Is preferred. Further, as one form of the simultaneous mixing method, a pAg controlled double jet method described in JP-A-54-48521 can be used.

Further, a device for supplying an aqueous solution of a water-soluble silver salt and a water-soluble halide salt from an addition device disposed in a reaction mother liquor described in JP-A-57-92523 and JP-A-57-92524, published in Germany An apparatus for continuously changing the concentration of an aqueous solution of a water-soluble silver salt and a water-soluble halide salt described in Japanese Patent No. 2922164, and the reaction mother liquor is taken out of the reactor described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-501776. An apparatus that forms grains while keeping the distance between silver halide grains constant by concentrating by ultrafiltration may be used.

If necessary, a silver halide solvent such as thioether may be used. Further, a compound having a mercapto group, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound or a compound such as a sensitizing dye may be added at the time of forming silver halide grains or after the completion of grain formation.

The negative silver halide emulsion preferably comprising 90% or more of silver chloride can be used in combination with a sensitization method using a gold compound and a sensitization method using a chalcogen sensitizer. As the chalcogen sensitizer, a sulfur sensitizer, a selenium sensitizer, a tellurium sensitizer, or the like can be used, but a sulfur sensitizer is preferable. Examples of the sulfur sensitizer include thiosulfate, allylthiocarbamide thiourea, allylisothiocyanate, cystine, p-toluenethiosulfonate, rhodanine, and inorganic sulfur.

The addition amount of the sulfur sensitizer is preferably changed depending on the type of the silver halide emulsion to be applied, the size of the expected effect, and the like, but is preferably 5 × 10 −10 to 5 × 10 −5 to 5 mol per mol of silver halide. × 10-5 mol range, preferably 5 × 10-8 ~
A range of 3 × 10 −5 mol is preferred. As the gold sensitizer, various gold complexes such as chloroauric acid and gold sulfide can be added. As the ligand compound used, dimethyl rhodanine, thiocyanic acid, mercaptotetrazole,
Mercaptotriazole and the like can be mentioned. The amount of the gold compound used is not uniform depending on the type of silver halide emulsion, the type of compound to be used, the ripening condition, etc., but usually 1 × 10 −4 mol to 1 × 10 −8 per mol of silver halide.
Preferably it is molar. More preferably 1 × 10-5
Mol to 1 x 10-8 mol.

As a chemical sensitization method for a negative silver halide emulsion preferably comprising 90% or more of silver chloride, a reduction sensitization method may be used.

The silver halide emulsion is well-known for the purpose of preventing fog generated during the preparation process of the silver halide light-sensitive material, reducing performance fluctuation during storage, and preventing fog generated during development. Agents and stabilizers can be used. Examples of preferred compounds that can be used for such purposes include compounds represented by the general formula (II) described in the lower column on page 7 of JP-A-2-46036, and more preferred specific compounds are Are (IIa-1) to (IIa-) described on page 8 of the publication.
8), the compounds of (IIb-1) to (IIb-7), 1-
(3-methoxyphenyl) -5-mercaptotetrazole, 1
-(4-ethoxyphenyl) -5-mercaptotetrazole,
Examples thereof include compounds such as 1- (3-phenylacetamidophenyl) -5-mercaptotetrazole. Also,
In an emulsion having a high silver bromide content, a tetrazaindene compound is preferably used. These compounds are added in a step of preparing silver halide emulsion grains, a step of chemical sensitization, at the end of the step of chemical sensitization, a step of preparing a coating solution or the like according to the purpose. When chemical sensitization is carried out in the presence of these compounds, 1 × 10 −5 mol to 5 × 5 mol per mol of silver halide is used.
It is preferably used in an amount of about × 10-4 mol. When added at the end of chemical sensitization, 1 × 1 per mole of silver halide
The amount is preferably about 0-6 mol to 1 × 10 −2 mol, more preferably 1 × 10 −5 mol to 5 × 10 −3 mol. In the coating solution preparation step, when added to the silver halide emulsion layer, the amount is preferably about 1 × 10 −6 mol to 1 × 10 −1 mol, and more preferably about 1 × 10 −5 mol per mol of silver halide. 1 × 10−2 mol is more preferred.
When added to a layer other than the silver halide emulsion layer,
The amount in the coating film is preferably about 1 × 10 −9 mol to 1 × 10 −3 mol per m 2.

In the silver halide photographic material, dyes having absorption in various wavelength ranges can be used for the purpose of preventing irradiation and halation. For this purpose, any of known compounds can be used. In particular, as dyes having absorption in the visible region, JP-A-3-2518
No. 40, page 308, dyes of AI-1 to 11 and dyes described in JP-A-6-3770 are preferably used. As the infrared absorbing dye, compounds represented by the general formulas (I), (II) and (III) described in the lower left column of page 2 of JP-A-1-280750 have preferable spectral characteristics, This is preferable because it does not affect the photographic characteristics and does not stain due to residual color. As a specific example of a preferred compound, see Japanese Patent Publication No.
Exemplary compounds (1) to (45) listed in the lower left column of page 5 to the lower left column of page 5 can be exemplified.

As the inorganic compound, colloidal silver, colloidal manganese and the like are preferred, but colloidal silver is particularly preferred. Since these colloidal metals decolorize in the processing solution, they are also effective for the silver halide photosensitive material used in the present invention. The amount of colloidal silver used depends on the shape and purpose of the silver, but is preferably 0.01 to 0.3 g / m2, and 0.02 g / m2.
An amount of 0.10.1 g / m 2 is more preferably used. If the coating amount is too large, there is a problem that a white background becomes yellowish. From the viewpoint of reproduction of whiteness, it is preferable to use a small amount of yellow and black colloidal silver, and it is preferable not to use it.

The above colloidal silver, for example, gray colloidal silver, is prepared by reducing silver nitrate in gelatin in the presence of a reducing agent such as hydroquinone, phenidone, ascorbic acid, pyrogallol or dextrin while maintaining alkalinity;
After that, neutralize and cool to gelatinize the gelatin,
It is obtained by removing a reducing agent and unnecessary salts by a noodle washing method. When the reduction is performed under alkaline conditions, if the reaction is performed in the presence of an azaindene compound or a mercapto compound, a colloidal silver dispersion of uniform particles can be obtained.

The silver halide photographic material may have at least one colored hydrophilic colloid layer on the side closer to the support than the silver halide emulsion layer closest to the support among the silver halide emulsion layers. Preferably, the layer may contain a white pigment. For example, rutile-type titanium dioxide, anatase-type titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, barium stearate, silica, alumina, zirconium oxide, kaolin, and the like can be used, but among them, titanium dioxide is preferable for various reasons. The white pigment is dispersed in an aqueous binder of a hydrophilic colloid such as gelatin, which allows the processing liquid to penetrate. The coating amount of the white pigment is preferably in the range of 0.1 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, and more preferably in the range of 0.2 g / m2 to 5 g / m2.

The average primary particle size of the white pigment is preferably 0.30 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less. More preferably, it is 0.32 μm or more and 1.0 μm or less. Here, the average primary particle size refers to a particle group of a white pigment observed with an electron microscope, and the cubic root of the particle volume at which the product of the particle volume and the frequency is the maximum is defined as the average particle size here.

This white pigment may be used alone, or a mixture of a plurality of different white pigments may be used. When a plurality of white pigments having different average particle sizes are used in combination, the average primary particle size of the mixed white pigment may be 0.30 μm or more, or the average of any white pigment before mixing. It is sufficient that the primary particle size is 0.30 μm or more. The hydrophilic colloid layer having a white pigment may contain a light absorbing substance having a function of preventing halation by a support or a white pigment such as colloidal silver, a water-soluble dye, a solid dispersion of the dye, and the like. It is preferable from the viewpoint of improving sharpness.

Between the support and the silver halide emulsion layer closest to the support, in addition to the white pigment-containing layer, if necessary, an undercoat layer or a non-photosensitive hydrophilic layer such as an intermediate layer at any position. An aqueous colloid layer can be provided. It is preferable to add a fluorescent whitening agent to the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material since the whiteness can be further improved. The fluorescent whitening agent is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound capable of absorbing ultraviolet light and emitting visible light fluorescence, but one preferred embodiment is a compound having at least one sulfonic acid group in the molecule. And another preferable embodiment is a solid particulate compound having a fluorescent whitening effect.

As a preferable compound among the compounds having a sulfonic acid group in the molecule, a diaminostilbene-based fluorescent whitening agent having four or more sulfonic acid groups in a molecule, an upper right column on page 5 of JP-A-4-1633. And the compounds represented by the general formula II described in the above. Specific examples of such a fluorescent whitening agent include compounds 1 to 23 described in JP-A-4-1633, page 5, lower right column to page 7, upper left column. Such a fluorescent whitening agent may be added to any layer such as a silver halide emulsion layer and a non-photosensitive layer,
More preferably, it is added to the non-photosensitive layer. The addition amount of the fluorescent whitening agent is preferably from 0.01 to 2 g / m2, more preferably from 0.02 to 2 g / m2.
1 g / m2 is more preferred.

The solid fine particle compound having a fluorescent whitening effect is a compound having a fluorescent whitening effect that is substantially insoluble in water, and a compound that is substantially unnecessary in water and has a fluorescent whitening effect at room temperature. Any type of compound can be used. Here, “substantially insoluble in water” means that the solubility in 100 g of pure water at 25 ° C. is 1.0 g or less.

As the compound having a substantially water-insoluble fluorescent whitening effect, a general water-insoluble fluorescent whitening agent can be used.

In the silver halide photographic material, various known sensitizing dyes are used for exposing the silver halide to light of various wavelengths. As the blue-sensitive sensitizing dye used for such a purpose, BS-1 to 8 described on page 28 of JP-A-3-251840 can be preferably used alone or in combination. As the green photosensitive sensitizing dye, GS-1 to GS-5 described on page 28 of the publication are preferably used. As the red-sensitive sensitizing dye, RS-1 to RS-8 described on page 29 of the same publication are preferably used. Further, when performing image exposure with infrared light using a semiconductor laser or the like, it is necessary to use an infrared-sensitive sensitizing dye. The dyes of IRS-1 to IRS-11 described on pages 6 to 8 are preferably used. Further, these infrared, red, green, and blue photosensitive sensitizing dyes may be added to supersensitizers SS-1 to SS-9 described in JP-A-4-285950, pp. 8-9, and JP-A-5-66515. It is preferable to use compounds S-1 to S-17 described in JP-A Nos. 15-17 in combination.

The sensitizing dye may be added at any time from the formation of silver halide grains to the end of chemical sensitization.

The sensitizing dye may be added by dissolving it in a water-miscible organic solvent such as methanol, ethanol, fluorinated alcohol, acetone, dimethylformamide or the like or water, or adding it as a solid dispersion. It may be added.

The silver halide emulsion may contain one kind or a combination of two or more kinds of sensitizing dyes.

The coupler used in the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is any compound capable of forming a coupling product having a spectral absorption maximum wavelength in a wavelength region longer than 340 nm by coupling reaction with an oxidized form of a color developing agent. Although it is also possible to use, particularly typical examples are a yellow dye-forming coupler having a spectral absorption maximum wavelength in a wavelength range of 350 to 500 nm, a magenta dye-forming coupler having a spectral absorption maximum wavelength in a wavelength range of 500 to 600 nm, Typical examples are cyan dye-forming couplers having a spectral absorption maximum wavelength in the wavelength range of 600 to 750 nm.

As the magenta coupler used in the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, a compound represented by the general formula [M-1] described in the right column of page 7 of JP-A-6-95283 is preferable because the spectral absorption characteristics of the coloring dye are good. . Specific examples of preferred compounds include compounds M-1 to M-19 described on pages 8 to 11 of the same publication. Still other specific examples include compounds M-1 to M-61 described in EP-A-0273712 on pages 6 to 21 and compounds 1-223 described in JP-A-0235913 on pages 36 to 92. There are other than the typical examples.

The magenta coupler can be used in combination with another type of magenta coupler, and is usually 1 × 10 −3 mol to 1 mol, preferably 1 × 10 −2 mol to 8 × 10 − mol per mol of silver halide. It can be used in the range of 1 mol. Λmax of the spectral absorption of the magenta image formed in the silver halide photographic material is preferably 530 to 560 nm,
Λ L0.2 is preferably 580 to 635 nm.

Here, λL0.2 and λmax of the spectral absorption of the magenta image formed by the silver halide photographic material.
Is the quantity measured by the following method. (Measurement method of λL0.2 and λmax) When a positive emulsion is used for the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is irradiated with a minimum amount of red light to obtain the minimum density of a cyan image. After uniformly exposing with a minimum amount of blue light to obtain the minimum density of the yellow image, and then subjecting it to white light through an ND filter and developing, the integrating sphere is placed on the spectrophotometer. A magenta image is prepared by adjusting the density of the ND filter so that the maximum value of the absorbance when the spectral absorption at 500 to 700 nm is measured after correcting for zero with a standard white plate of magnesium oxide and mounting at 500 to 700 nm. When a negative emulsion is used for the light-sensitive material, the density of the ND filter is adjusted so that when the magenta image is formed by applying green light through an ND filter and developing to form a magenta image, the same maximum absorbance as the above positive is obtained. I do. λL0.2 refers to a wavelength at which the absorbance of the magenta image is longer than the wavelength at which the maximum absorbance is 1.0 and the absorbance is 0.2 at the spectral absorbance curve.

The magenta image forming layer of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material preferably contains a yellow coupler in addition to the magenta coupler. The pK of these couplers
The difference of a is preferably within 2 and more preferably
1.5 or less. Preferred yellow couplers to be contained in the magenta image-forming layer of the present invention are couplers represented by the general formula [Y-1a] described in JP-A-6-95283, page 12, right column. Particularly preferred couplers among the couplers represented by the general formula [Y-1] in the publication are those combined with the magenta coupler represented by the general formula [M-1] when combined with the coupler represented by [M-1] P
P not less than 3 or less than Ka p not less than 3 or less than Ka
It is a coupler having a Ka value.

Specific examples of the yellow coupler include compounds Y-1 and Y-2 described in pages 12 to 13 of JP-A-6-95283 and pages 13 to 17 of JP-A-2-139542. The compounds (Y-1) to (Y-58) described can be preferably used, but are not limited thereto. As the cyan coupler contained in the cyan image forming layer in the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, a known phenol-based, naphthol-based or imidazole-based coupler can be used. For example, a phenol coupler substituted with an alkyl group, an acylamino group or a ureido group, a naphthol coupler formed from a 5-aminonaphthol skeleton, a bi-equivalent naphthol coupler having an oxygen atom introduced as a leaving group, and the like are representative. Is done. Among them, preferred compounds are described in JP-A-6-95283.
The general formulas [C-I] and [C-II] described on page 13 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-260, pp. 1 to 3 are exemplified.

The cyan coupler is usually used in the silver halide emulsion layer in an amount of 1 × 10 -3 to 1 mol, preferably 1 × 10 -2 to 8 × 10 -1 mol, per mol of silver halide. it can.

As the yellow coupler contained in the yellow image forming layer in the light-sensitive material according to the present invention, known acylacetanilide couplers and the like can be preferably used.

Specific examples of the yellow coupler include compounds described on pages 5 to 9 of JP-A-3-241345,
Compounds represented by I-1 to Y-I-55;
The compounds described on pages 11 to 14 of No. 209466 and the compounds represented by Y-1 to Y-30 can also be preferably used. Further, couplers represented by the general formula [Y-I] described on page 21 of JP-A-6-95283 can also be mentioned.

The spectral absorption λmax of the yellow image formed by the silver halide photographic material is preferably 425 nm or more, and λL0.2 is preferably 515 nm or less.

The λL0.2 of the spectral absorption of the yellow image is a value defined by the contents described in page 21, right column, lines 1 to 24 of JP-A-6-95283, It represents the magnitude of unnecessary absorption on the long wave side in the absorption characteristics.

The yellow coupler is usually used in the silver halide emulsion layer in an amount of 1 × 10 -3 to 1 / mol per mol of silver halide.
Mole, preferably in the range of 1.times.10.sup.-2 to 8.times.10.sup.-1 mol.

In order to adjust the spectral absorption characteristics of the magenta, cyan and yellow images, it is preferable to add a compound having a color tone adjusting effect. As the compound for this purpose, the compounds represented by the general formulas [HBS-I] and [HBS-II] described on page 22 of JP-A-6-95283 are preferable, and the compounds represented by the general formulas described on page 22 of the same publication are more preferable. It is a compound represented by [HBS-II].

In the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the silver halide emulsion layer is laminated and coated on a support, but the order from the support may be any order. In addition, an intermediate layer, a filter layer, a protective layer, and the like can be provided as necessary.

A discoloration inhibitor can be used in combination with each of the magenta, cyan, and yellow couplers to prevent discoloration of the formed dye image due to light, heat, humidity, and the like. Preferred compounds include phenyl ether compounds represented by general formulas I and II described on page 3 of JP-A-2-66541, phenolic compounds represented by general formula IIIB described in JP-A-3-174150, and Amine compounds represented by the general formula A described in JP-A 64-90445, JP-A-62-182
The metal complexes represented by the general formulas XII, XIII, XIV and XV described in JP-A-741 are particularly preferable for magenta dyes. Further, the compound represented by the general formula 1 'described in JP-A-1-96049 and the compound represented by the general formula II described in JP-A-5-11417 are particularly preferable for yellow and cyan dyes.

When an oil-in-water emulsion dispersion method is used to add a coupler or other organic compound used in a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, it is usually added to a water-insoluble high-boiling organic solvent having a boiling point of 150 ° C. or more. , If necessary, low boiling point and / or
Alternatively, they are dissolved together with a water-soluble organic solvent, and emulsified and dispersed in a hydrophilic binder such as an aqueous gelatin solution using a surfactant. As a dispersing means, a stirrer, a homogenizer, a colloid mill, a flow jet mixer, an ultrasonic disperser, or the like can be used. After or simultaneously with the dispersion, a step of removing the low boiling organic solvent may be added.
Examples of high-boiling organic solvents that can be used to dissolve and disperse couplers include phthalic acid esters such as dioctyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, and dibutyl phthalate, and phosphate esters such as tricresyl phosphate and trioctyl phosphate. And phosphine oxides such as trioctylphosphine oxide are preferably used. The dielectric constant of a high boiling organic solvent is
It is preferably 3.5 to 7.0. Further, two or more kinds of high-boiling organic solvents can be used in combination. Preferred compounds as surfactants used for dispersion of photographic additives used in silver halide photographic materials and for adjusting surface tension during coating include hydrophobic groups having 8 to 30 carbon atoms in one molecule and sulfones. Those containing an acid group or a salt thereof are mentioned. Specific examples include A-1 to A-11 described in JP-A-64-26854. Also, a surfactant in which a fluorine atom is substituted for an alkyl group is preferably used. These dispersions are usually added to a coating solution containing a silver halide emulsion, and the time until the addition to the coating solution after the dispersion and the time from the addition to the coating solution to the coating are preferably shorter for 10 hours each. Within 3 hours, more preferably within 20 minutes. In a silver halide photographic material, a compound which reacts with an oxidized developing agent is added to a layer between the photosensitive layers to prevent color turbidity, or added to a silver halide emulsion layer to reduce fog. Improvement is preferred. As the compound for this, a hydroquinone derivative is preferable, and more preferably, 2,5-di-t-
Dialkyl hydroquinone such as octyl hydroquinone. Particularly preferred compounds are compounds represented by the general formula II described in JP-A-4-133056,
Compounds II-1 to II-14 described on page 14 and compound 1 described on page 17 are exemplified. It is preferable to add an ultraviolet absorber to the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material to prevent static fog or improve the light fastness of the dye image. Preferred ultraviolet absorbers include benzotriazoles, and particularly preferred compounds are compounds represented by the general formula III-3 described in JP-A-1-250944 and JP-A-64-66.
No. 646, a compound represented by the general formula III,
No.-187240 JP-1L to UV-27L described, JP-A-4-16
No. 33, a compound represented by the general formula I, JP-A-5-16
Compounds represented by general formulas (I) and (II) described in JP-A-5144 are mentioned. It is preferable that the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material contains an oil-soluble dye or pigment because whiteness is improved.
Typical specific examples of the oil-soluble dyes include compounds 1 to 27 described on pages 8 to 9 of JP-A-2-842.

It is advantageous to use gelatin as a binder in the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material. If necessary, other gelatin, gelatin derivatives, graft polymers of gelatin and other high polymers, proteins other than gelatin, A hydrophilic colloid such as a sugar derivative, a cellulose derivative, or a synthetic hydrophilic polymer such as a homopolymer or a copolymer can also be used. As the hardener of these binders, it is preferable to use a vinyl sulfone hardener or a chlorotriazine hardener alone or in combination. JP 61
It is preferable to use the compounds described in JP-A-249054 and JP-A-61-245153. Further, in order to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria which adversely affect the photographic performance and image preservability, JP-A-3-15
It is preferable to add a preservative and an antifungal agent as described in JP-A-7646. It is preferable to add a slipping agent or matting agent described in JP-A-6-118543 or JP-A-2-73250 to the protective layer in order to improve the physical properties of the surface of the photosensitive material or the processed sample.

As the support used for the light-sensitive material, any material may be used, including paper coated with polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate, a paper support made of natural pulp or synthetic pulp, a vinyl chloride sheet, and a white pigment. For example, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate support, baryta paper, etc. may be used. Among them, a support having a water-resistant resin coating layer on both sides of the base paper is preferable. As the water-resistant resin, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or a copolymer thereof is preferable.

As the support having a water-resistant resin coating layer on the paper surface, a support having a smooth surface having a weight of 50 to 300 g / m 2 is usually used. 130g / m to bring the feeling of printing closer to printing paper
Base paper of 2 or less is preferably used, and base paper of 70 to 120 g / m2 is more preferably used. The support having a water-resistant resin coating layer on the surface of paper used for the photosensitive material preferably has a Taber Stiffness of 0.8 to 4.0. The measurement of Taber stiffness is
Stiffness tester V-5 model 150B Taber V-5
Stiffness tester (TABER I
NSTRUMENT-A TELEDYNE COMP
ANY). It is to be noted that the support generally has different stiffness values in the vertical and horizontal directions, but it is sufficient that at least one of the supports falls within this range. If the Taber stiffness is smaller than 0.8, there is a practical problem such as a transport failure in the automatic processing machine during continuous processing.

As the support used for the light-sensitive material, either a support having random irregularities or a support having a smooth surface can be preferably used. If it is smooth, the unevenness on the surface of the support is continuously measured, and the power spectrum for each spatial frequency obtained by frequency-analyzing the measurement signal by fast Fourier transform is a frequency range of 1 to 12.5 mm. The square root (PY value) of the value obtained by integrating in step 2 is 2.
It is preferably 9 μm or less. More preferably, 1.
The PY value is 8 μm or less, more preferably 1.15 μm or less. The lower limit is zero.

The surface irregularities can be measured using a film thickness continuous measuring device (for example, manufactured by Anritsu Corporation). The obtained measurement signal can be subjected to frequency analysis using a frequency analyzer (for example, VC-2403 manufactured by Hitachi Electronics Co., Ltd.).

As the white pigment used for the support, inorganic and / or organic white pigments can be used, and preferably, inorganic white pigments are used. For example, alkaline earth metal sulfates such as barium sulfate, alkaline earth metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate, finely divided silica, silica such as synthetic silicate, calcium silicate, alumina, alumina hydrate, oxidation Examples include titanium, zinc oxide, talc, and clay. The white pigment is preferably barium sulfate or titanium oxide. The amount of white pigment contained in the water-resistant resin layer on the surface of the support was 13% by weight for improving sharpness.
The above is preferred, and more preferably 15% by weight.

The degree of dispersion of the white pigment in the water-resistant resin layer of the paper support can be measured by the method described in JP-A-2-28640. When measured by this method, the degree of dispersion of the white pigment is preferably 0.20 or less, more preferably 0.15 or less, as the coefficient of variation described in the above publication.

The resin layer of the paper support having a water-resistant resin layer on both sides used for the photosensitive material may be a single layer,
It may be composed of a plurality of layers. It is preferable to form a plurality of layers and to contain a high concentration of a white pigment in contact with the emulsion layer, since sharpness is greatly improved and an image for proofing is formed.

It is more preferable that the value of the center plane average roughness (SRa) of the support is 0.15 μm or less, and more preferably 0.12 μm or less, since the effect of good gloss can be obtained.

The photosensitive material may be subjected to corona discharge, ultraviolet irradiation, flame treatment, etc., if necessary, directly on the undercoat layer (adhesion, antistatic property, dimensional stability of the support surface). Or 2 to improve friction resistance, hardness, antihalation, frictional properties and / or other properties
It may be applied via the above-mentioned undercoat layer).

In coating the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, a thickener may be used in order to improve the coating property. Extrusion coating and curtain coating, in which two or more layers can be applied simultaneously, are particularly useful as a coating method.

In the development processing of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, each step of color development, bleach-fixing, washing or stabilizing processing is sequentially performed, or each step of color developing, bleaching, fixing, washing or stabilizing processing is performed. Are preferably performed sequentially, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and another processing method may be used.

As the aromatic primary amine developing agent used in such color development, known compounds can be used. The following compounds can be mentioned as examples of these compounds. CD-1) N, N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine CD-2) 2-amino-5-diethylaminotoluene CD-3) 2-amino-5- (N-ethyl-N-laurylamino) toluene CD-4) 4 -(N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) amino) aniline CD-5) 2-Methyl-4- (N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) amino) aniline CD-6) 4-amino -3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- (β- (methanesulfonamido) ethyl) -aniline CD-7) N- (2-amino-5-diethylaminophenylethyl) methanesulfonamide CD-8) N, N-dimethyl -p-phenylenediamine CD-9) 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-methoxyethylaniline CD-10) 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- (β-ethoxyethyl) Aniline CD-11) 4-Amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- (γ-hydroxypropyl) aniline The above color developer can be used in any pH range, but from the viewpoint of rapid processing, The pH is preferably in the range of 9.5 to 13.0, more preferably in the range of pH 9.8 to 12.0.

The processing temperature of color development is preferably 35 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less. The higher the temperature, the shorter the processing time is possible, which is preferable. However, from the viewpoint of the stability of the processing solution, the higher the temperature, the more preferable.

Conventionally, the color development time is generally about 3 minutes and 30 seconds, but is preferably within 40 seconds in the present invention.
It is more preferable to carry out within a range of 25 seconds or less.

In the color developing solution, a known developing solution component compound can be added in addition to the above color developing agent. Usually, alkaline agents having a pH buffering action, chloride ions, development inhibitors such as benzotriazoles, preservatives,
A chelating agent or the like is used.

The silver halide photographic material is preferably subjected to bleaching and fixing after color development.
The bleaching process may be performed simultaneously with the fixing process. After the fixing process, a water washing process is usually performed. Further, as an alternative to the water washing treatment, a stabilization treatment may be performed. The developing apparatus used for the development of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention may be a roller transport type in which the light-sensitive material is conveyed between rollers disposed in a processing tank, and the belt may be provided with the light-sensitive material. The processing tank may be formed in a slit shape, and the processing liquid may be supplied to the processing tank and the photosensitive material may be transported, or the processing liquid may be sprayed. A spray method, a web method by contact with a carrier impregnated with a treatment liquid, a method using a viscous treatment liquid, and the like can also be used. When processing in large quantities, it is normal to run using an automatic developing machine, but in this case, the replenishment amount of the replenisher is preferably as small as possible. And the method described in JP-A-94-16935 is most preferable.

[0262]

EXAMPLES Experiments were conducted with the photosensitive materials of the following examples using the apparatus described in the embodiment. However, since it is not the B photosensitive layer but the G photosensitive layer, one He-Ne laser light source and laser light from this He-Ne laser light source are replaced with ten laser beams instead of ten blue laser diodes. The experiment was performed by providing a combination of a beam splitter that splits the beam into beams and an AOM (acousto-optical element) that adjusts the laser intensity of each of the 10 laser beams split by the beam splitter. Example 1 A silver halide light-sensitive material using an internal latent image type direct positive silver halide emulsion which was not fogged in advance was prepared. << Preparation of Emulsion EM-P1 >> An aqueous solution containing ammonia and silver nitrate, potassium bromide and sodium chloride (KBr: NaCl = 95: 5 in molar ratio) while controlling the aqueous solution containing ossein gelatin at 40 ° C. An aqueous solution was added at the same time by the control double jet method to obtain a particle size of 0.1.
A 30 μm cubic silver chlorobromide core emulsion was obtained. At that time, the pH and pAg were controlled so that a cube was obtained as the particle shape.

An aqueous solution containing ammonia and silver nitrate and an aqueous solution containing potassium bromide and sodium chloride (KBr: NaCl = 40: 60 in molar ratio) were simultaneously added to the obtained core emulsion by a control double jet method. The shell was formed until the average particle size became 0.42 μm. At this time, p is set so that a cube is obtained as the particle shape.
H and pAg were controlled.

After washing with water to remove water-soluble salts, gelatin was added to obtain EM-P1. The size distribution of the emulsion EM-P1 was 8%. << Preparation of Emulsion EM-P2 >> An aqueous solution containing ammonia and silver nitrate, and potassium bromide and sodium chloride (KBr: NaCl = 95: 5 in molar ratio) while controlling the aqueous solution containing ossein gelatin at 40 ° C. An aqueous solution was added at the same time by a control double jet method to obtain a particle size of 0.1.
An 18 μm cubic silver chlorobromide core emulsion was obtained. At that time, the pH and pAg were controlled so that a cube was obtained as the particle shape.

To the obtained core emulsion, an aqueous solution containing ammonia and silver nitrate and an aqueous solution containing potassium bromide and sodium chloride (KBr: NaCl = 40: 60 in molar ratio) were simultaneously added by a control double jet method. The shell was formed until the average particle size became 0.25 μm. At this time, p is set so that a cube is obtained as the particle shape.
H and pAg were controlled.

After washing with water to remove water-soluble salts, gelatin was added to obtain EM-P2. The size distribution of the emulsion EM-2 was 8%.

Emulsions EM-P1 and EM-P2 were applied to a transparent cellulose triacetate support so that the amount of silver was 2 g / m 2 as silver. Developing was performed at 20 ° C. for 4 minutes using the developing solution A. A part of another sample was similarly exposed, and then developed at 20 ° C. for 4 minutes using the internal developing solution B. The maximum density of surface development is about the maximum density of internal development.
It was 1/12. It was confirmed that both EM-P1 and EM-P2 were internal latent image type silver halide emulsions. << Preparation of Green-Sensitive Silver Halide Emulsion >> After optimally sensitizing the emulsion EM-P1 by adding a sensitizing dye GS-1, T-1
(4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a, 7-tetrazaindene) was added in an amount of 600 mg per mol of silver to prepare a green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1. << Preparation of Red-Sensitive Silver Halide >> A red-sensitive emulsion Em- was prepared in the same manner as the green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1 except that the sensitizing dyes RS-1 and RS-2 were added to the emulsion EM-P2 for optimal color sensitization. R
1 was produced. << Preparation of Infrared-Sensitive Silver Halide Emulsion >> An infrared-sensitive silver halide emulsion was prepared in the same manner as the green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1 except that the sensitizing dyes IRS-1 and IRS-2 were added to the emulsion EM-P2 for optimal color sensitization. Photosensitive emulsion Em-IFR1 was prepared.

[0268]

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<< Preparation of Multilayer Silver Halide Photosensitive Material Sample >>
Laminated with high-density polyethylene on one side and fused polyethylene containing anatase-type titanium oxide dispersed at a content of 15% by weight on the other side, the weight per square meter
Em-G was placed on a 115 g polyethylene-laminated paper reflective support (Taber stiffness = 3.5, PY value = 2.7 μm).
1, each of the emulsions Em-R1 and Em-IFR1, each layer having the layer constitution shown in Table 1 below was coated on the side of the polyethylene layer containing titanium oxide, and gelatin 6.0 was further formed on the back side.
A multilayer silver halide photosensitive material sample No. 101 coated with 0 g / m 2 and a silica matting agent 0.65 g / m 2 was prepared. Incidentally, H-1 and H-2 were added as hardeners. Surfactants SU-1 and SU-2 as coating aids and dispersion aids
SU-3 was added and prepared.

SU-1: sodium sulfosuccinate di (2-ethylhexyl) ester SU-2: sulfosuccinate di (2,2,3,3,4,4,4)
5,5-octafluoropentyl) ester sodium SU-3: sodium tri-i-propylnaphthalenesulfonate H-1: 2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxy-S-triazine sodium H-2: tetrakis (vinyl) Sulfonylmethyl) methane

[0271]

[Table 1]

[0272]

[Table 2]

[0273]

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SO-1: trioctylphosphine oxide SO-2: di (i-decyl) phthalate HQ-1: 2,5-di (t-butyl) hydroquinone HQ-2: 2,5-di ((1, 1-dimethyl-4-hexyloxycarbonyl) butyl) hydroquinone HQ-3: 2,5-di-sec-dodecylhydroquinone and 2,5-
Di-sec tetradecylhydroquinone and 2-sec-
Mixture of dodecyl-5-sec-tetradecylhydroquinone in a weight ratio of 1: 1: 2 T-2: 1- (3-acetamidophenyl) -5-mercaptotetrazole T-3: N-benzyladenine << Treatment step >> Treatment step Temperature Time Immersion (developer) 37 ° C for 12 seconds Fog exposure -12 seconds Development 37 ° C for 95 seconds Bleaching and fixing 35 ° C for 45 seconds Stabilization treatment 25 to 35 ° C for 90 seconds Drying 50 to 85 ° C for 40 seconds <Color developing solution composition> Benzil Alcohol 15.0ml Ethylene glycol 8.0ml Diethylene glycol 15.0ml Potassium sulfite 2.5g Potassium bromide 1.0g Potassium carbonate 25.0g T-1 0.1g Hydroxylamine sulfate 5.0g Sodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate 2.0g 4 -Amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) aniline sulfate 4 0.5 g Optical brightener (4,4'-diaminostilbene disulfonic acid derivative) 1.0 g Potassium hydroxide 2.0 g Water is added to make the total volume 1000 ml, and the pH is adjusted to 10.15. <Composition of bleach-fixing solution> Ammonium ferric diethylenetriaminepentaacetate 90.0 g Ammonium thiosulfate (70% aqueous solution) 180.0 ml Ammonium sulfite (40% aqueous solution) 27.5 ml 3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole 0.15 g The pH is adjusted to 7.1 with potassium carbonate or glacial acetic acid, and water is added to bring the total volume to 1000 ml. <Stabilizing solution composition> o-phenylphenol 0.1 g 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 4.0 g diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 2.0 g ammonium hydroxide (28% aqueous solution) 0.7 g fluorescent brightener (4 , 4'-diaminostilbene disulfonic acid derivative) 1.0 g Water is added to make the total volume 1000 ml, and the pH is adjusted to 7.5 with ammonium hydroxide or sulfuric acid.

The stabilization treatment was of a three-tank countercurrent type.

The prescription of the replenisher for performing the running process is shown below. <Composition of replenisher for color developing solution> Benzyl alcohol 18.5 ml Ethylene glycol 10.0 ml Diethylene glycol 18.0 ml Potassium sulfite 2.5 g Potassium bromide 0.2 g Potassium carbonate 25.0 g T-1 0.1 g Hydroxylamine sulfate 5. 0 g sodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate 2.0 g 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) aniline sulfate 5.4 g fluorescent whitening agent (4,4′-diaminostilbene disulfonic acid derivative) 1.0 g water Potassium oxide 2.0 g Water is added to adjust the total volume to 1 liter, and the pH is adjusted to 10.35. <Bleach-fix replenisher composition> Same as the bleach-fix solution. <Composition of stabilizer replenisher> Same as the above stabilizer.

The replenishment rate was 320 ml per m2 of the light-sensitive material for the developing solution, the bleach-fixing solution and the stabilizing solution.

[0278]

Example 2 Next, a silver halide photosensitive material using a negative-type silver halide emulsion containing silver chloride at a high concentration was prepared. (Preparation of infrared-sensitive silver halide emulsion) The following (Solution A) and (Solution B) were simultaneously added to 1 liter of a 2% gelatin aqueous solution kept at 40 ° C while controlling the pAg at 7.3 and the pH at 3.0. Further, the following (solution C) and (solution D) were subjected to pAg = 8.0, pH = 5.
It was added simultaneously while controlling to 5. At this time, pAg was controlled by the method described in JP-A-59-45437, and pH was controlled using sulfuric acid or an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. (Solution A) Sodium chloride 3.42 g Potassium bromide 0.03 g Add water 200 ml (Solution B) Add 10 g of silver nitrate water 200 ml (Solution C) Sodium chloride 102.7 g Potassium hexachloroiridium (IV) acid 4 × 10-8 mol Potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) 2 × 10-5 mol Potassium bromide 1.0 g Add water 600 ml (Solution D) 300 g silver nitrate Add water 600 ml After the addition is completed, Kao Atlas 5% aqueous solution of Demol N and sulfuric acid After desalting using a 20% aqueous solution of magnesium, it was mixed with an aqueous gelatin solution to obtain a monodisperse cubic emulsion having an average particle size of 0.40 μm, a coefficient of variation of 0.08, and a silver chloride content of 99.5%.

The following compound was used for the above EMP-201.
Optimum chemical sensitization was performed at ℃ to obtain an infrared-sensitive silver halide emulsion (Em-IR201).

Sodium thiosulfate 1.5 mg / mol AgX chloroauric acid 1.0 mg / mol AgX stabilizer T-2 3 × 10 −4 mol / mol AgX stabilizer T-4 3 × 10 −4 mol / mol AgX stabilizer T -5 3 × 10-4 mol / mol AgX sensitizing dye IRS-2 0.5 × 10-4 mol / mol AgX sensitizing dye IRS-3 0.5 × 10-4 mol / mol AgX Supersensitizer SS 2.0 × 10 -3 mol / mol AgX T-4: 1-phenyl-5-mercaptotetrazole T-5: 1- (4-ethoxyphenyl) -5-mercaptotetrazole (Preparation of green-sensitive silver halide emulsion) In contrast, the following compounds were optimally chemically sensitized at 55 ° C,
A green photosensitive silver halide emulsion (Em-G2101) was obtained.

Sodium thiosulfate 1.5 mg / mol AgX chloroauric acid 1.0 mg / mol AgX stabilizer T-2 3 × 10 −4 mol / mol AgX stabilizer T-4 3 × 10 −4 mol / mol AgX stabilizer T -5 3 × 10-4 mol / mol AgX sensitizing dye GS-1 4 × 10-4 mol / mol AgX (Preparation of red-sensitive silver halide emulsion) To perform optimal chemical sensitization
A red-sensitive silver halide emulsion (Em-R201) was obtained.

Sodium thiosulfate 1.8 mg / mol AgX chloroauric acid 2.0 mg / mol AgX stabilizer T-2 3 × 10 −4 mol / mol AgX stabilizer T-4 3 × 10 −4 mol / mol AgX stabilizer T -5 3 × 10-4 mol / mol AgX sensitizing dye RS-3 1 × 10-4 mol / mol AgX sensitizing dye RS-4 1 × 10-4 mol / mol AgX Supersensitizer SS 2.0 × 10 -3 mol / mol AgX Using the silver halide emulsion thus prepared, a silver halide photosensitive material No. 201 was prepared according to the constitution shown in Tables 4 and 5.

[0284]

[Table 3]

[0285]

[Table 4]

[0286]

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[0287]

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Since a negative silver halide emulsion was used,
The development was changed as follows.

Processing step Processing temperature Time Replenishment amount Color development 38.0 ± 0.3 ° C 45 seconds 80ml Bleaching and fixing 35.0 ± 0.5 ° C 45 seconds 120ml Stabilization 30-34 ° C 60 seconds 150ml Drying 60-80 ° C 30 seconds Development processing The composition of the liquid is shown below. Color developer tank solution and replenisher tank solution Replenisher Pure water 800 ml 800 ml triethylenediamine 2 g 3 g diethylene glycol 10 g 10 g potassium bromide 0.01 g-potassium chloride 3.5 g-potassium sulfite 0.25 g 0.5 g N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxy Ethyl) -4-aminoaniline sulfate 2.9g 4.8g N, N-diethylhydroxylamine 6.8g 6.0g Triethanolamine 10.0g 10.0g Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid sodium salt 2.0g 2.0g Fluorescent brightener (4,4'- Diaminostilbene disulfonic acid derivative) 2.0g 2.5g Potassium carbonate 30g 30g Add water to make the total volume 1 liter, pH = 10.0
The pH of the replenisher is adjusted to 10.6. Bleach-fix solution and replenisher Ferric ammonium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate dihydrate 65 g Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 3 g Ammonium thiosulfate (70% aqueous solution) 100 ml 2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole 2.0 g Ammonium sulfite (40% aqueous solution) 27.5 ml Add water to make the total volume 1 liter, and adjust the pH to 5.0 with potassium carbonate or glacial acetic acid. Stabilizing solution tank solution and replenisher o-phenylphenol 1.0 g 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one 0.02 g 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one 0.02 g diethylene glycol 1.0 g fluorescent brightening Agent (Tinopearl SFP) 2.0 g 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 1.8 g bismuth chloride (45% aqueous solution) 0.65 g magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 0.2 g PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) 1.0 g ammonia water (ammonium hydroxide (25% aqueous solution) 2.5 g Nitrilotriacetic acid / trisodium salt 1.5 g Add water to make the total volume 1 liter, and adjust the pH to 7.5 with sulfuric acid or aqueous ammonia.

In the above two embodiments, the driving frequency of the light source is changed as shown in the following table, and the rotation speed of the drum 31 is changed in proportion to change the constant net pattern data generally called flat netting into A3. The entirety of the image recording area of the photosensitive material P having the size was exposed with a 50% flat screen, and halftone unevenness and stripe unevenness were confirmed.

If the photosensitive material P closely adhered to the surface of the drum 31 has a slight floating or poor adhesion, or a defect or distortion such as positional accuracy or verticality of the light source, the flat screen is replaced by the net of that part. Since the dots are reproduced slightly small, blurred, or distorted and reproduced large, they are recognized as partial density unevenness. Therefore, in many cases, the image is reproduced as a non-uniform density or white spot which can be visually confirmed as density unevenness without performing instrumental measurement such as density measurement. The accuracy is high, and even if there is a floating of about several microns, it can be observed as a detectable unevenness. In particular, a gray screen is observed as if a beam of a certain color causes the color to be discolored, the color is partially shifted from achromatic gray to a certain color, or only a certain color is spotted out. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the uniformity very strictly.

The non-uniform reproduction of halftone dots can also be caused by defects during coating and production of the photosensitive material, non-uniform development and contamination due to roller contamination during development processing, and the like. The defect usually has a certain directionality, and is recognized as a streak-like defect or unevenness. Therefore, the defect can be separated from the so-called halftone dot unevenness caused by the trouble occurring in the above-described exposure and exposure preparation stages. Experimental results Driving frequency Screen unevenness Streak unevenness Example 1 2.8 MHz １．５ 1.5 MHz Example 2 2.8 MHz 1.5 MHz 評 価 Evaluation: No unevenness was found. ：: Unevenness was found, but somehow practical. Δ: Unevenness that is not suitable for practical use may occur. ×: There is unevenness that is not suitable for practical use. XX: Unevenness is noticeable and not suitable for practical use.

[0293]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus capable of stably recording a good halftone image at high speed.

[0294]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus with a cover opened.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a roll setting unit 7 and a paper feeding unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a main scanning unit and a sub-scanning unit.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a paper discharge unit and an accumulator unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a sheet feeding process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a print process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a sheet discharging process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a discharging process.

FIG. 12 is a main flowchart of an idling operation.

FIG. 13 is a main flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus.

14 is a developed view of the peripheral surface of the drum 31 showing an arrangement distribution of suction holes provided in the drum 31 shown in FIG.

15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drum 31 shown in FIG. 5, showing a hole into which a photosensitive material peeling claw enters, a seal portion, and a suction hole.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a part of an optical system of an optical unit 32;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a center-to-center distance of irradiation light of channels simultaneously exposed;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a first modification of the exposure optical system.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a second modification of the exposure optical system.

20 is a block diagram showing a laser diode drive circuit of the exposure optical system shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body 3 Exposure part 4 Developing part 5 Top panel 7 Roll set part 7 8 Storage container 9 Cover 11 Liquid crystal panel 12 Touch panel 20 Feed part 21 Conveying means 30 Main scanning part 31 Drum 40 Sub scanning part 50 Discharge Paper section 60 Accumulator section

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Katsutoshi Sawada 1 Sakuracho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 2C062 RA01 RA03 2C362 AA03 AA10 BA56 CA18 CB71

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An optical unit having a plurality of channels for each of one or more colors, each of the channels having an optical unit for irradiating light on an exposure point at a different position on a photosensitive material, and responding to a digital image signal. An image recording apparatus for exposing a photosensitive material by the optical unit to record a halftone image having a pixel recording density of 600 dpi or more, wherein a distance between centers of adjacent exposure points of the optical unit which are simultaneously exposed is 1 μm. 1000 μm or less, and the driving frequency of the light source of the optical unit is 0.5 MHz.
Not less than 100 MHz, the number of channels of each color of the optical unit is not more than 100, the number of light sources (channels) per channel of the optical unit is not less than 0.01 and not more than 100, and each color of the optical unit is not limited. Wherein the number of recording pixels per second is 3,000,000 pixels / second or more. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of exposure colors of the optical unit is three or more. 3. The size of a photosensitive material to be exposed is 0.06.
The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the image recording device has a square m or more. 4. A recording pixel density of said halftone image is 10,000 dp.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein i is equal to or less than i.