JP2001033889A - Plural-line image exposure device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a plural-line image exposure device equipped with a distributing device for distributing cut photographic paper to plural exposure carrying lines at high speed. SOLUTION: Each of carrying-in areas arranged in plural lines of the exposure carrying line 8B for exposing the cut photographic paper 2 arranged in plural lines by a digital printing part is equipped with the distributing device 4 for distributing the cut photographic paper. The device 4 is equipped with 1st and 2nd chucker parts 60A and 60B for moving and placing the cut photographic paper fed from a photographic paper supply line to one of the carrying-in areas of the exposure carrying line, a 1st vertically and horizontally moving mechanism for moving the part 60A in a longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper and a 2nd vertically and horizontally moving mechanism for moving the part 60B in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper. Then, the parts 60A and 60B can respectively independently move and the vertically and horizontally moving patterns of the parts 60A and 60B are changed in accordance with size of the distributed cut photographic paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic paper supply line for cutting photographic paper drawn from a photographic paper magazine in accordance with a print size, and an exposure for exposing a plurality of rows of cut photographic paper by an exposure digital printing unit. The present invention relates to a double-row image exposure apparatus having a transport line and a sorting device for transferring cut photographic paper received from a carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line to each of a plurality of carry-in areas of the exposure transport line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image exposure apparatus, an illuminating light from a light source is irradiated onto a photographic film, and the photographic paper is exposed with the transmitted light transmitted through the photographic film. Photographic prints were obtained by developing the exposed printing paper. Recently, instead of such a projection exposure type image exposure apparatus, print data is generated by performing appropriate image processing on digital image data obtained by photoelectrically converting a film image, and a digital data is generated based on the print data. A so-called digital exposure type image exposure apparatus in which a printing unit exposes photographic paper has appeared.

[0003] Such a digital exposure system has the advantage that the acquired digital image data can be freely processed using image processing techniques, so that operations such as image synthesis and partial correction are easy. In order to obtain a high resolution comparable to the exposure type, a linear exposure method that uses a print head extending in the main scanning direction and completes exposure of the entire film image by relative movement of the print head and photographic paper in the sub scanning direction Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the exposure time for one frame of the film image is longer than that of the projection exposure type.

In order to solve this drawback, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open
As is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 197562, two rows of exposure and conveyance lines leading to a digital printing section are provided, and roll photographic paper is sequentially cut to a print size, and the cut photographic paper is sorted one sheet at a time. By transporting the conveyor in the transverse direction of the transport direction to move it alternately to the entrance of the exposure transport line, and to deliver the cut photographic paper to the exposure transport line. A double-row image exposure apparatus has been proposed in which two cut photographic papers are sent to a digital printing section and two cut photographic papers are simultaneously exposed.

[0005]

However, in such a double-row image exposure apparatus, although the exposure processing speed is improved as compared with a single-row image exposure apparatus, a transport roller conveyor as a sorting apparatus is mounted. Since the cut paper cannot be returned to the home position for receiving the next cut paper until it is passed on to the exposure transport line, the sorting processing capacity is limited, and the demand for increasing the number of exposed sheets per unit time can be sufficiently satisfied. could not. In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a double-row image exposure apparatus provided with a sorting device for sorting cut photographic paper at high speed to a double-row exposure conveyance line.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a photographic paper supply line for cutting photographic paper drawn from a photographic paper magazine in accordance with a print size, and a digital printing unit for cutting a plurality of rows of cut photographic paper. Double-row image exposure, comprising: an exposure transport line to be exposed by an exposure device; and a sorting device for transferring the cut photographic paper received from the unloading area of the photographic paper supply line to each of the loading areas arranged in multiple rows of the exposure transport line. According to the present invention, in the apparatus, the sorting device receives and holds the cut photographic paper sent from the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line, and holds the held cut photographic paper in one of the carry-in areas of the exposure transport line. First and second chuckers to be transferred to one another, and moving the first chucker in the longitudinal and width directions of the cut photographic paper Wherein the first aspect moving mechanism for the second
A second vertical / horizontal movement mechanism for moving the chucker section in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper, wherein the first chucker section and the second chucker section are independently movable, and are cut and distributed. The vertical and horizontal movement patterns of the first and second chuckers are changed according to the size of the first and second chuckers.

In this configuration, a plurality of chuckers are provided for transferring the cut photographic paper received from the photographic paper supply line to a predetermined carry-in area of the exposure conveyance line, and each of the chuckers is independently provided. Since it can be moved, an optimum distribution pattern can be adopted according to the size of the cut photographic paper to be distributed. In addition, the chucker section has only the function of holding the cut photographic paper, and the transport of the cut photographic paper itself can be left to the photographic paper supply line side and the exposure transport line side, so the structure of the chucker section itself is simplified. In addition, stable high-speed vertical and horizontal movement is facilitated. Therefore, the speed of sorting the cut photographic paper is increased, and as a result, it is possible to realize a double-row image exposure apparatus having excellent print processing ability.

[0008] When multiple rows of cut photographic paper arrive at the digital print section, the exposure control becomes complicated. Therefore, all of the multiple rows of cut photographic paper must be transported simultaneously on the exposure transport line. On the other hand, in consideration of an optimal cut photographic paper distribution pattern, the arrival of the chuckers in the carry-in area of the exposure transport line often does not coincide. For this reason, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cut photographic paper is sent to the digital printing section at the same time as waiting for the cut photographic paper to line up in a double row in the carry-in area of the exposure conveyance line capable of holding the double row of cut photographic paper. . Since the moving speed of the chucking section is higher than the transport speed of the photographic paper supply line, when the chucker receives and holds the leading end area of the cut photographic paper, the trailing end of the cut photographic paper is carried out of the photographic paper supply line. By moving the cut photographic paper only in the longitudinal direction and moving in the cut photographic paper width direction until the paper exits the area, it is possible to reduce the time required to transfer the cut photographic paper to the chucking section by the photographic paper supply line.

[0009] As a specific movement pattern of the optimal chucker section selected according to the size of the cut photographic paper, when the size of the cut photographic paper is small, the first chucker transfers the cut photographic paper to the exposure conveyance line. While the second
The chubby section receives the cut photographic paper from the photographic paper supply line, or, if the size of the cut photographic paper is large, the first chucker section that has received the preceding cut photographic paper is the second cut photographic paper that has been received by the second chucker section. It is conceivable that the cut photographic papers respectively held by the first and second chuckers are simultaneously transferred to the exposure conveyance line while being temporarily evacuated to a position where they do not interfere with the receiving operation. For this reason, in one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, each of the chuckers can be alternately moved so as to transfer the held cut photographic paper to a predetermined carry-in area. It is also possible that all the chuckers move at the same time so that the cut photographic paper being held is moved to a predetermined carry-in area.

In order to realize such a free movement of the chucker section with a simple configuration, each of the horizontal moving mechanisms in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a vertical moving mechanism that runs on a rail in the longitudinal direction of the cut photographic paper. And a horizontal moving mechanism supported by the vertical moving unit and running on the rail in the width direction of the cut photographic paper. Each of the vertical moving mechanism and the horizontal moving mechanism can run independently. In particular, if each moving mechanism is a monorail type and the monorail for the lateral moving mechanism is cantilevered, the structure is further simplified. Other features and advantages according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a photographic processing apparatus equipped with a double-row image exposure apparatus according to the present invention. This photographic processing apparatus employs a digital exposure system, and a film scanner for acquiring a frame image of a photographic film (hereinafter simply referred to as a film) 1 developed by a film developing machine (not shown) as digital image data. 3 and a controller 7 for processing the acquired digital image data to create print data
A digital printing unit 5 for exposing an image corresponding to a frame image on the photographic paper 2 based on the print data, and a developing processing unit 6 for developing the exposed photographic paper 2. The photographic paper 2 developed by the development processing section 6 is discharged as a finished print through a drying process.

The film scanner 3 includes, as main components, an illumination optical system 31, an imaging optical system 32, and a photoelectric conversion unit 33 using a CCD sensor. Illumination optical system 3
1 includes a halogen lamp 31a as a white light source, a dimming filter 31b, a mirror tunnel 31c, and the like, and irradiates a frame image of the film 1 by adjusting a color distribution and an intensity distribution of a light beam from the light source. The imaging optical system 32 for processing the transmitted light beam from the film 2 includes a mirror 32a for changing the direction of the projected light, a lens unit 32b, and a prism 33c for dispersing the light beam passing through the lens unit in three directions. Have been. When the film 1 is fed at a predetermined scanning speed by the film transport mechanism 9, the frame image of the film 1 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the film.
The photoelectric conversion unit 33 that photoelectrically converts the light beam guided by the imaging optical system 32 includes three CCD sensors 33a to separately receive the three light beams separated by the prism 32c. Indicates that a large number (for example, 5000) of CCD elements are in the main scanning direction,
That is, the line sensors are arranged in the width direction of the film 1, and the charge accumulation operation and the charge accumulation time are controlled during the main scanning by the sensor drive circuit. A color filter that allows only the blue, red, and green components of the light beam to pass through is provided on the imaging surface of each CCD sensor 33a, and photoelectrically converts only the blue, red, and green components, respectively. Each pixel signal output from each CCD sensor is sampled and held, and each pixel signal becomes a continuous image signal. Each pixel signal is converted into a digital signal having a predetermined number of bits (for example, 12 bits).

When the frame image of the film 1 is positioned at a predetermined scanning position, a reading process of the frame image is started. The projected light image of the frame image is sequentially read by the CCD sensor 33a in a form divided into a plurality of slit images by feeding the film 1 by the film transport mechanism 9, and is converted into image signals of R, G, and B color components. The data is converted and sent to the controller 7 as raw digital image data. Such an illumination optical system 3 of the film scanner 3
1. Each control of the imaging optical system 32 and the photoelectric conversion unit 33 is performed by the controller 7.

In this embodiment, the digital printing section 5 employs a PLZT shutter system. That is, a shutter array including a PLZT element is employed as the exposure head 5a. The shutter array composed of this PLZT element is made of a transparent ferroelectric ceramic material obtained by adding lanthanum to lead zirconate titanate, and utilizes the electro-optic effect of the material. Light of each color of R, G, and B is introduced from the light source 5b via many optical fibers. The shutter array extends over the photographic paper 2 in two rows along the width direction of the photographic paper 2, that is, in the transverse direction of the transport direction. When a voltage of a predetermined level is applied to each shutter, the shutter enters a light transmitting state, and when the application of the voltage is stopped, the shutter enters a light blocking state. Therefore, when a drive voltage is applied to the shutter corresponding to each pixel from the controller 7 based on the print data, the shutter is opened and light of the color introduced from the light source is irradiated on the printing paper 2. The light source 5b is provided with a rotation filter composed of optical filters of three colors of R, G, and B. By controlling the rotation phase of the rotation filter, one of the R, G, and B filters is output.
One selectively faces the light source, and light of the selected color is sent to the shutter through an optical fiber through a filter of that color. As a method of the digital print section, this PLZT
In addition to the shutter method, a liquid crystal shutter method, a fluorescent beam method, a FOCRT method, and the like are known, and can be arbitrarily selected according to exposure specifications.

As described above, the digital printing section 5 can simultaneously expose each of the cut photographic paper 2 in multiple rows, in this embodiment, two rows. For this reason, the photographic paper transport mechanism 8 is divided into a photographic paper supply line 8A for transporting the cut photographic paper 2 in a single row, an exposure transport line 8B for transporting the cut photographic paper 2 in two rows, and a development transport line 8C. Photographic paper supply line 8A and exposure transport line 8B
A sorting device 4 for sorting the printing paper 2 sequentially sent from the printing paper supply line 8A to each row of the exposure conveyance line 8B is provided.

As apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the photographic paper supply line 8A is connected to one of the two photographic paper magazines 10 containing the photographic paper 2 in a roll shape with the emulsion surface facing outward. It comprises a drawer / conveying unit 8a composed of a group of drawer rollers for selectively drawing out the printing paper 2, and a pre-sorting conveying unit 8b for transferring the printing paper 2 to the sorting device 4.

At the upstream end of the pre-sorting transport section 8b, there is provided a paper cutter 11 for cutting the photographic paper 2 drawn from the photographic paper magazine 10 in accordance with the print size. A back print unit 12 is provided. The back print unit 12 prints a film ID, a frame number, correction information indicating image processing performed at the time of creating print data, and the like on the back surface (non-emulsion surface) of the photographic paper 2. Printers are used.

The pre-distribution transport section 8b has two pairs of transport roller units arranged so as to sandwich the back print section 12, and the transport roller unit on the downstream side particularly carries out the photographic paper discharge in the photographic paper supply line 8A. The drive roller 81 contacts the non-emulsion surface of the photographic paper 2 and a pressure roller 82 that contacts the emulsion surface. Thus, the printing paper 2 can be pressed or released between the driving roller 81 and the pressing roller 82.

The exposure transport line 8B is arranged in the transport direction
Intermediate transport section 8c, exposure transport section 8d, and post-exposure transport section 8
e. All of these transport units are provided with a wide transport roller unit so that the cut photographic paper 2 can be transported simultaneously in two rows in a row, and guide members corresponding to each row. However, in the intermediate transport section 8c, the intermediate drive roller 83 is a wide roller that covers two rows, but the intermediate pressure rollers are divided into right and left rows. That is, the intermediate transport section 8c is configured as a transport roller unit that constitutes a two-row loading area of the exposure transport line 8B, and the intermediate drive roller 83 that contacts the non-emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2 and the intermediate drive roller 83 First intermediate pressure roller 8 that can be displaced in perspective with respect to drive roller 83
4a and a second intermediate roller 84b. The first intermediate pressure roller 84a presses the cut photographic paper 2 conveyed on the right column of the exposure conveyance line 8B, and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b presses the cut photographic paper 2 conveyed on the left column of the exposure conveyance line 8B.
The crimping and releasing operations can be performed independently of each other. That is, the two cut printing papers 2 can be sequentially received and held by the first intermediate pressure roller 84a and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b, and the two cut printing papers 2 can be simultaneously sent to the exposure transport unit 8d.

The exposure and transport section 8d includes a digital print section 5
A first exposure / conveyance roller unit on the entrance side and a second exposure / conveyance roller unit on the exit side which are arranged so as to sandwich the exposure head 5a. A first exposure drive roller 85 in contact with the surface side; a first exposure pressure roller 86 capable of being displaced in a distance direction with respect to the first exposure drive roller 85; A second exposure drive roller 87 in contact with the surface side, and a second exposure pressure roller 8 displaceable in a distance direction with respect to the second exposure drive roller 87
Eight. First and second exposure drive rollers 85 and 87
Are driven synchronously by a belt transmission mechanism from one drive source, but the first and second exposure pressure bonding rollers 86 and 88 can be independently displaced toward and away from the opposing exposure drive rollers. Therefore, the cut photographic paper 2 can be conveyed only by the first exposure and conveyance roller unit, only by the second exposure and conveyance roller unit, or by both the first and second exposure and conveyance roller units.

The post-exposure transport section 8e includes a first turn transport roller unit, a second turn transport roller unit, a normal transport roller group 95, and a turn guide 90. The first turn transport roller unit is a cut photographic paper 2
The first turn drive roller 91 in contact with the emulsion surface side of the first turn drive roller and the first turn drive roller 91
The second turn transport roller unit is provided with a second turn drive roller 93 in contact with the emulsion surface side of the cut photographic paper 2 and a second turn transport roller unit mounted opposite to the second turn drive roller 93. It has a turn pressure roller 94. The turn guide 90 disposed between the first and second turn transport roller units includes an inner turn guide 90a on the emulsion side and an outer turn guide 90 on the non-emulsion side.
b, the outer turn guide 90b is swingable outward around a swing fulcrum provided on the downstream side of the conveyance, and inflates the cut photographic paper 2 passing through the turn guide 90 as necessary. Can be.

Next, the structure of the sorting device 4 for sorting the cut photographic paper 2 sequentially sent from the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line 8A to the carry-in area of each row of the exposure carrying line 8B will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be explained. FIG.
At the center of the unloading area of the photographic paper supply line 8A,
That is, the center line of the cut photographic paper 2 to be carried out is indicated by 80a, the center line of the cut photographic paper 2 carried to the right of the carry-in area of the exposure conveyance line 8B, that is, the right side is 80b, and The center line of the cut photographic paper 2 carried in the center of the left column of the area, that is, the left side is indicated by 80c.

The sorting device 4 receives the photographic paper 2 cut by the paper cutter 11, and receives the photographic paper 2 as a first chucker section 60A which is moved by the first vertical and horizontal moving mechanism 4A to one row position of the carry-in area. Cut the photographic paper 2 to the other row position of the loading area
A second chucker section 60B that is moved by the vertical and horizontal moving mechanism 4B. The first vertical and horizontal movement mechanism 4A
A first chucker 60A is moved in a direction transverse to the photographic paper transport direction (hereinafter also referred to as the X direction).
It comprises a horizontal moving mechanism 50A and a first vertical moving mechanism 50A for moving the first horizontal moving mechanism 50A including the first chucker section 60A in the photographic paper transport direction (hereinafter, this direction is also referred to as the Y direction). I have. Similarly, the second vertical and horizontal moving mechanism 4B also moves the second horizontal moving mechanism 50B in the Y direction including the second horizontal moving mechanism 50B that moves the second chucker section 60B in the X direction and the second chucker section 60B. And a second vertical moving mechanism 50B. Since the first and second chuckers 60A and 60B and the first and second vertical and horizontal movement mechanisms 4A and 4B each have a substantially mirrored structure, here, the second vertical and horizontal movement mechanisms 4B and 4B are used. The second chucker section 60B will be described, but the first vertical and horizontal movement mechanism 4A and the first chucker section 6 will be easily described from the description.
You should understand 0A.

The second vertical moving mechanism 40B is provided with a traveling rail 42 attached to a rail base 41 fixed to the main body frame of the photographic processing apparatus at a distance from the carry-out area center line 80a along the photographic paper transport direction. And a vertical traveling platform 4 traveling on the traveling rail 42 by a ball spline system.
3 is provided. A bracket 44 extending outward from the traveling platform 43 in the X direction is attached to the upper surface of the traveling platform 43. The bracket 44 is provided with a belt 4 wound by a sprocket and extending parallel to the running rail 42.
5 is connected, and the vertical traveling platform 43 can reciprocate in the Y direction by forward / reverse driving of the belt 45 by the motor 46. Reference numeral 47 denotes a photo-interrupter provided at a plurality of locations along the Y direction for detecting the position of the vertical traveling platform.

The second horizontal moving mechanism 50B has a traveling rail 51 extending in the X direction and having a left end cantilevered by a bracket 44 of the second vertical moving mechanism 40B.
There is provided a lateral traveling platform 52 that travels on the traveling rail 51 in a ball spline system. A bracket 53 is attached to the lateral traveling platform 52, and a belt 54 that is wound by a sprocket and extends parallel to the traveling rail 51 is connected to the bracket 53. The bracket 53 of the first vertical movement mechanism 40A Motor 5 fixed to 44
5, the horizontal traveling platform 52 can reciprocate in the Y direction. Although not shown, a plurality of photo-interrupters for detecting the position of the lateral traveling platform 52 are also provided.

A paper guide 61 constituting a second chucker 60B is attached to the bracket 53 of the second lateral movement mechanism 50B. This paper guide part 6
1, a slit 61a is formed to allow passage of the photographic paper 2 sent by the pre-sorting transport unit 8b.
The slit 61a has an open side facing the first chucker section 60A. In order to press and hold the photographic paper 2 that has entered the slit 61a, two chuck pins 62 are provided in the width direction of the photographic paper 2 so as to slide in and out of the photographic paper 2. As shown in FIG.
2 is urged by a spring 63a in the direction of pressing the printing paper, but a link member 63 operated by a cam 64 rotated by a motor 65 presses the chuck pin 62 against the printing paper 2 and a pressing position of the chuck pin 62. Is selectively switched to a release position for releasing. From the left end of the sorting device 4 with respect to FIG. 4 to the position where the chucker holding center line 80d at which the center of the photographic paper 2 held by the second chucker unit 60B is located coincides with the carry-out area center line 80a, the second chucker unit 60B It is possible to move in the direction. Similarly, the first chucker section 60A also has its chucker holding center line 80d with respect to FIG.
Is movable in the X direction from the right end to a position coinciding with the carry-out area center line 80a.

Accordingly, when the photographic printing paper 2 that has entered the slits 61a is held by the chuck pins 62, the chucker holding center line 80d of the first chucker section 60A coincides with the center line 80b of the loading area in the right column of the exposure transport line 8B. The first chucker unit 60A can move X_Y so that the chucker holding center line 80d of the second chucker unit 60B coincides with the center line 80c of the carry-in area in the left column of the exposure transport line 8B. Chucker part 6
The first chucker unit 60A moves the right side area of the sorting device 4 and the second chucker unit 60B moves the left side area of the sorting device 4 according to the size of the cut photographic paper 2 held. It moves with the movement pattern determined by the above.

A controller 7 to which a monitor 7a for displaying various processing information and an operation console 7b for inputting various processing instructions are connected includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / F.
A microcomputer system composed of circuits and the like is configured as a core member, and various functions necessary for controlling the photographic processing apparatus as described above are realized by hardware and / or software. The main functional elements realized here are, as shown in FIG. 9, a scanner control unit 71 for controlling the film transport mechanism 9 and the film scanner 4, and a white balance and a negative / positive for the image data acquired by the film scanner 3. An image processing unit 72 that generates print data by performing various image processing such as inversion and contour emphasis, and a video processing unit 73 that generates a video signal for displaying the image data processed by the image processing unit 72 on the monitor 7a. A digital print control section 74 for driving the digital print section 5 based on the print data; a back print control section 75 for driving the back print section 12; a photographic paper transport control section 76 for controlling the photographic paper transport mechanism 8; Is a distribution control unit 77 that controls the Further, the controller 7 includes a CD
An external image input unit 7c for receiving image data from an image data recording medium such as a ROM, MO, or FD, or receiving digital image data transmitted via a communication line; The provision of the external image input unit 7c allows the photographic processing apparatus to input not only a photographic film but also an image captured by a digital camera and an image read by an external film scanner. And CG images created by computer graphic software or the like.

In the present invention, the distribution control unit 77 has a plurality of moving patterns that differ according to the photographic paper size. Here, first, here, for the relatively small photographic paper size of about 100 mm in width and 89 mm in length. Moving pattern A is shown in FIG.
0 and FIG. 11; the first cut photographic paper is photographic paper I, the second cut photographic paper is photographic paper II,
The third cut photographic paper will be referred to as photographic paper III.

(1) FIG. 10 (a) A long printing paper 2 which is drawn out from the cutting line of the paper cutter 11 by a length corresponding to the print size and cut.
Is photographic paper I. (2) FIG. 10 (b) The photographic paper I is the first chucker section 60A
And is held by the chuck pin 62. (3) FIG. 10 (c) The first chucker section 60A is made of photographic paper.
It rises in the Y direction until the rear end of I comes out of the drawer / conveyance section 8a, and then skews to the upper right. Accordingly, the second chucker unit 60B moves to the unloading area of the pre-sorting transport unit 8b that has become empty. (4) FIG. 10 (d) The first chucker section 60A is photographic paper I
Is transferred to the carry-in area in the right column of the intermediate conveyance section 8d, the photographic paper I is pressed and held by the first intermediate pressure roller 84a. Meanwhile, the next cut printing paper II is held by the second chucker unit 60B. (5) FIG. 11 (e) The second chucker section 60B is a photographic paper.
II rises in the Y direction until the rear end exits the drawer / conveyance section 8a, and then skews to the upper left. (6) FIG. 11 (f) The second chucker section 60B is photographic paper II
Is transferred to the carry-in area in the left column of the intermediate transport section 8c, the photographic paper II is pressed and held by the second intermediate pressure roller 84b. Meanwhile, the first chucker unit 60A returns to the unloading area of the pre-sorting transport unit 8b to receive the next photographic paper. (7) FIG. 11 (g) First and second intermediate pressure rollers 84a,
The printing papers I and II held at 84b are simultaneously conveyed to the exposure head 5a. (8) FIG. 11 (H) The first chucker 84a is photographic paper III
Is held and goes to the conveyance area in the right column of the intermediate conveyance section 8c, and the second chucker section 60B returns to the unloading area of the pre-sorting conveyance section 8b to receive the next photographic paper.

Next, a series of operations of the photographic processing apparatus from the cutting of the photographic paper to the end of the exposure through the sorting and transport in the moving pattern A, centering on the photographic paper transport mechanism 8, will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to flowcharts up to 18. As shown in FIG. 12, the main routine of the control relating to the transport and exposure of the photographic paper 2 is a feed transport routine for controlling the pull-out transport section 8a and the transport section 8a before sorting, and a first routine for controlling the movement of the first chucker section 60A.
A chucker routine, a second chucker routine for controlling the movement of the second chucker section 60B, an intermediate transport routine for controlling the intermediate transport section 8c, an exposure transport routine for controlling the exposure transport section 8d, and particularly a turn guide 90 for the post-exposure transport section 8e. And the like, and a post-exposure transport routine for controlling the movement of the camera. These various control routines are started when predetermined conditions are satisfied, perform predetermined processing, end, and repeat the processing for the sequentially sent cut photographic paper 2.

In the feed transport routine for pulling out the photographic paper 2 from the paper magazine 10 and sending it to the sorting device 4, the drawer transport unit 8a and the pre-distribution transport unit 8b are sequentially driven (# 11) to transfer the photographic paper 2 to the paper cutter 1.
Length corresponding to the print size from 1 (89m here)
m) (# 12), and the corresponding transport roller unit stops (# 13). When the photographic paper 2 is cut by the paper cutter 11 (# 14), the first chucker unit 60A waiting for the cut photographic paper 2
Under the drive of the drive roller 81 in a state where the corresponding transport roller unit, and finally the pressure roller 82 is pressed against the cut photographic paper 2, the first chucker section 60 </ b> A (# 15). When the cut photographic paper 2 that has entered the slit 61a reaches the operation area of the chuck pin 62 (# 16), the drive roller 81 stops (# 17). The permission for the next photographic paper 2 feeding and conveying routine and the permission for the first chucker routine are given (# 18), and the processing for feeding the cut photographic paper 2 is completed. Here, the description has been given as the feeding of the cut photographic paper 2 to the first chucker unit 60A, but the same applies to the feed of the cut photographic paper 2 to the second chucker unit 60B.

In the first chucker routine which is started when the cut photographic paper 2 reaches the operation area of the chuck pin 62, first, the chuck pin 62 is operated and the cut photographic paper 2 is started.
Is crimped (# 21). First, the first vertical moving mechanism 40A raises the first chucker unit 60A in the Y direction until the rear end of the cut photographic paper 2 held away from the drive roller 81 (# 22). Then, the first lateral movement mechanism 50A
Is also driven to move the first chucker unit 60A diagonally to the upper right (# 23). In this position, the cut photographic paper 2 being held does not hinder the photographic paper feeding operation to the second chucker section 60B.
Permission of the sorting operation by 0B is given (# 23a).
The first chucker section 60A rises in the Y direction with the chucker holding center line 80d coinciding with the center line 80b in the right column of the intermediate transfer section 8c as the carry-in area of the exposure transfer line 8B (# 24). When the leading end of the cut photographic printing paper 2 reaches the intermediate drive roller 83, the activation of the intermediate conveyance control routine is permitted (24a), and the first intermediate pressure roller 8 is started.
4a is urged to hold the cut photographic paper 2. When the cut photographic paper 2 is held by the first intermediate pressure roller 84a,
The first chucker unit 60A releases the chuck pin 62 and releases the cut photographic paper 2 (# 25). Thereafter, the first chucker unit 60A first descends in the Y direction (# 26),
If the second chucker unit 60B is close to the center line 80c in the left column of the intermediate conveyance unit 8c, it moves in the X_Y direction,
The home position returns to the home position where the chucker holding center line 80d matches the center line 80a of the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line (# 27).

Second chucker section 60 at # 23a in FIG.
When the condition for starting the second chucker routine is satisfied in the main routine including the permission of the sorting operation by B, the second chucker routine starts, and first the second chucker unit 60B moves from the home position in the X direction. In order to accept the cut photographic paper 2, the center line 80a of the unloading area of the photographic paper supply line is made to coincide with the chucker holding center line 80d (# 31). Waiting for the next cut printing paper 2 to reach the operation area of the chuck pins 62, the chuck pins 62 are operated, and the cut printing paper 2 is pressed and held (# 32). The second vertical moving mechanism 40B raises the second chucker section 60B in the Y direction until the rear end of the cut printing paper 2 held away from the drive roller 81 (# 33), and then the second horizontal moving mechanism. 50B is also driven to move the first chucker section 60A diagonally to the upper left (# 34). At this point, since there is no fear of collision with the first chucker unit 60A, the movement of the first chucker unit 60A to the home position is permitted (# 34a). Further, the second chucker section 60B rises in the Y direction in a state where the chucker holding center line 80d coincides with the center line 80c in the left column of the intermediate transfer section 8c as the carry-in area of the exposure transfer line 8B (# 35). When the leading end of the cut printing paper 2 reaches the intermediate drive roller 83, the start of the intermediate conveyance routine is permitted (# 35a), and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b is started.
To hold the cut photographic paper 2. When the cut photographic paper 2 is held by the second intermediate pressure roller 84b, the second
The chucker unit 60B releases the chuck pin 62,
Release the cut photographic paper 2 (# 36). Thereafter, the second chucker section 60B first descends in the Y direction (# 37), and
If the chucker unit 60A has already shifted to the center line 80b in the right column of the intermediate conveyance unit 8c, it moves in the X_Y direction,
The chucker holding center line 80d is matched with the center line 80a of the carry-out area of the photographic paper supply line (# 38). Of course, when there is no cut photographic paper 2 to be sorted, the photographic paper 2 is located at the home position shifted leftward from the center line 80a of the carry-out area.

In the intermediate conveyance routine, the leading end of the cut photographic paper 2 is moved to the intermediate drive roller 8 by the first chucker section 60A.
3 and the first intermediate drive roller 84a (# 24a in FIG. 14), the first intermediate pressure roller 84a is displaced toward the intermediate drive roller 83, and the cut photographic paper 2 is held therebetween (#). 41). In order to simultaneously transport the cut photographic paper 2 in two rows, the apparatus waits in this holding posture until the cut photographic paper 2 comes to the left row (# 42). When the leading end of the cut photographic paper 2 is inserted between the intermediate driving roller 83 and the second intermediate driving roller 84b by the second chucker section 60B (# 35a in FIG. 15), the standby routine exits and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b is released. Is displaced toward the intermediate drive roller 83, and the cut photographic paper 2 is held therebetween (# 43). As a result, the two cut photographic papers 2 are aligned with the intermediate conveyance section 8c, so that the intermediate drive roller 83 is driven to direct the two cut photographic papers 2 toward the exposure conveyance section 8d at a high speed. It is transported (# 44). Cut photographic paper 2
When the leading end of the photographic paper approaches the exposure conveyance section 8d, the conveyance speed is reduced (# 45). When the front end enters between the first exposure drive roller 85 and the first exposure pressure contact roller 86, the photographic paper conveyance by the exposure conveyance section 8d is performed. Permission is given (# 45a). When it is confirmed that the first exposure pressure bonding roller 86 has been pressed (# 46), the first and second intermediate pressure rollers 84a and 84b immediately release the pressure of the photographic paper (# 47) and cut and print two sheets. Paper 2
Is entrusted to the exposure transport section 8d. In the exposure transport routine, the first and second exposure drive rollers 85 and 87 are driven at a predetermined exposure transport speed (# 51), and the leading end of the cut photographic paper 2 is brought into contact with the first exposure drive roller 85 and the first exposure pressure roller. 8
6, the first exposure pressure roller 86 is displaced toward the first exposure drive roller 85 to accept the transport of the cut photographic paper 2 (# 52). When the cut photographic paper 2 reaches the exposure point, the exposure process by the exposure head 5a is started (# 52a). The tip of the cut photographic paper 2 is the second
When reaching between the exposure drive roller 87 and the second exposure pressure roller 88, the second exposure pressure roller 88 is displaced toward the second exposure drive roller 87 (# 53) and cut by the first exposure pressure roller 86. The pressing of the photographic paper 2 is released (# 54), and the second exposure drive roller 87 is moved to the cut photographic paper 2.
Is carried over from the first exposure drive roller 86. When the exposure process is completed and the conveyance of the exposed photographic paper 2 is taken over by the post-exposure conveyance section 8e, the pressure bonding by the second exposure pressure bonding roller 87 is released (# 55).

When the exposure process for the cut photographic paper 2 by the exposure head 5a is completed, the transport of the cut photographic paper 2 is taken over from the exposure transport section 8d to the post-exposure transport section 8e. As shown in FIG. 18, the post-exposure transport control routine is located on the entrance side of the post-exposure transport unit 8e when the rear end of the exposed cut photographic paper 2 passes the exposure head 5a (# 61). The printing paper is pressed by the first turn driving roller 91 and the first turn pressing roller 92 (# 62), and then the release of the printing paper by the second exposure pressure roller 88 is permitted (# 62a). The second turn drive / press roller 9 in which the end of the exposed cut photographic paper 2 is located on the exit side
3 and 94 (# 63), the pressing of the first turn pressing roller 92 is released (# 64), and the transport of the cut photographic paper 2 is taken over by the transport roller group 95, and the developing processing unit 6 is transported in two rows. It is sent to.

The first chucker section 60 of the sorting device 4
The movement patterns of A and 60B are changed according to the size of the cut photographic paper 2. For example, length 15
The movement pattern B for the medium size of about 0 mm is shown in FIG.
And FIG. This moving pattern B is almost the same as the moving pattern A, and the length of the cut photographic paper 2 is long. Therefore, the rising distance in the Y direction required until the rear end of the cut photographic paper 2 comes out of the drawer / conveying section 8A is reduced. After that, as shown in FIG. 20 (e), the later cut photographic paper 2 first moves only in the X direction, avoids the previous cut photographic paper 2, and then rises in the Y direction.

However, the size of the cut photographic paper 2 is further increased. For example, in the moving pattern C for a large size of about 180 mm in length, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, it is difficult to transfer the cut photographic paper 2 alternately to the carry-in area of the intermediate conveyance section due to space limitations. That is,

(1) FIG. 21 (a) A long photographic paper 2 is drawn out from the cutting line of the paper cutter 11 by a length corresponding to the print size and cut.
Is photographic paper I. (2) FIG. 21 (b) The photographic paper I is the first chucker section 60A
And is held by the chuck pin 62. (3) FIG. 21 (c) The first chucker unit 60A is a photographic paper.
It rises in the Y direction until the rear end of I comes out of the pre-sorting transport section 8b, and then moves rightward at right angles. Accordingly, the second chucker unit 60B moves to the unloading area of the pre-sorting transport unit 8b that has become empty. (4) FIG. 21 (d) When the next cut photographic paper II is held by the second chucker unit 60B, the second chucker unit 6
OB rises in the Y direction until the trailing edge of the photographic paper II comes out of the pre-sorting transport section 8b, and is at the same level as the first chucker section 60A. The first chucker unit 60A remains on standby at the right end position. (5) FIG. 22 (e) The first chucker section 60A and the second chucker section 60B rise diagonally to the left and the first chucker section 6
Reference numeral 0A transfers the photographic paper I to the carry-in area in the right column of the intermediate transport unit 8c, and the second chucker unit 60B transfers the photographic paper II to the carry-in area in the left column of the intermediate transport unit 8d. (6) FIG. 22F When the printing papers I and II are pressed and held by the first intermediate pressure roller 84a and the second intermediate pressure roller 84b, respectively, the first chucker section 60A and the second chucker section 60B descend. (7) FIG. 22 (g) First and second intermediate pressure rollers 84a,
The printing papers I and II held at 84b are simultaneously conveyed to the exposure head 5a. The first chucker section 60A and the second chucker section 60B descend diagonally to the left, the first chucker section 60A returns to the carry-out area of the pre-sorting transport section 8b, and the second chucker section 60B returns to the lower left end home position. . (8) FIG. 22 (H) The first chucker 84a is photographic paper III
Is sent. As described above, in the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, the first chucker unit 60A and the second chucker unit 60B according to the size of the cut photographic paper 2, while avoiding interference between the cut photographic paper 2 held by each other and each other, By being moved in a moving pattern that can be sorted at a high speed, the number of prints processed per unit time of this photo processing apparatus has been dramatically improved as compared with the related art.

When the cut photographic paper 2 is large,
The cut photographic paper 2 is transported while straddling both the exposure transport section 8d and the post-exposure transport section 8e, and one cut photographic paper 2 is exposed and transported by many drive rollers. Inconsistencies in conveyance at points are likely to occur. For this reason, the post-exposure conveyance control routine for large-size cut photographic paper is changed as shown in FIG.

First, when the leading end of the cut photographic paper 2 being exposed reaches the second turn drive roller 93 of the post-exposure transport section 8e set at a transport speed slightly lower than the exposure transport section 8 (# 161). The outer turn guide 90b opens outward and swings (# 162). In this state, the cut printing paper 2 is conveyed by the second turn driving roller 93 and the second exposure driving roller 83, but the outward swelling of the cut printing paper 2 caused by the speed difference is caused by the outer turn guide 9.
Ob is absorbed by swinging outward. Cut photographic paper 2
When the trailing end passes the exposure head 5a (# 163), the first turn drive roller 91 and the first turn pressure roller 92 of the post-exposure transport unit 8e press the photographic paper (# 164).
Then, the release of the photographic paper pressure bonding by the second exposure pressure bonding roller 88 is permitted (# 164a). When the rear end of the exposed cut photographic paper 2 passes through the exposure conveyance section 8d (# 165), the outer turn guide 90b closes inward and swings (# 16).
6) Then, the pressure of the first turn pressure roller 92 is released (# 167). This makes it possible to receive the next exposed photographic paper 2 into the post-exposure transport section 8e.

When the width of the cut photographic paper 2 is wide, the sorting device 4 divides the right and left sides of one cut photographic paper fed from the photographic paper supply line 8A into first and second chuckers 60A and 60B. Are also held and sent to the exposure transport line 8B. In other words, it is possible to carry out the exposure and transport of the cut photographic paper 2 while keeping one line without performing the sorting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a photographic processing apparatus employing a double-row image exposure apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining photographic paper conveyance around a sorting device and a digital printing unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a sorting device and a photographic paper transport mechanism around a digital printing unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a sorting device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a second chucker unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a sorting device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a second chucker unit of the sorting device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of a chuck pin.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a controller.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement pattern A of the chucker unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement pattern A of the chucker unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating control of a photographic paper transport mechanism and a sorting device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating control of photographic paper feeding conveyance.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating control of a first chucker unit.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating control of a second chucker unit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating control of an intermediate conveyance unit.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating control of an exposure conveyance unit.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating control of a post-exposure conveyance unit.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement pattern B of the chucker unit.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement pattern B of the chucker unit.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement pattern C of the chucker unit.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement pattern C of the chucker unit.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating control of a post-exposure transport unit for large-size cut photographic paper.

[Description of Signs] 1 Film 2 Photographic paper (cut photographic paper) 3 Film scanner 4 Sorting device 4a First vertical and horizontal movement mechanism 4b Second vertical and horizontal movement mechanism 5 Digital printing unit 6 Development processing unit 7 Controller 8 Printing paper transport mechanism 9 Film Transport mechanism 11 Paper cutter 40A First vertical moving mechanism 40B Second vertical moving mechanism 50A First horizontal moving mechanism 50B Second horizontal moving mechanism 60A First chucker section 60B Second chucker section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A photographic paper supply line for cutting photographic paper drawn from a photographic paper magazine in accordance with a print size, an exposure conveyance line for exposing a plurality of rows of cut photographic paper by a digital printing unit, and the photographic paper A double-row image exposure apparatus including a sorting device that transfers a cut photographic paper received from an unloading area of a supply line to each of the loading areas arranged in multiple rows of the exposure transport line, wherein the sorting device includes the photographic paper. First and second chuckers for receiving and holding the cut photographic paper sent from the carry-out area of the supply line and transferring the held cut photographic paper to one of the carry-in areas of the exposure transport line;
A first vertical / horizontal movement mechanism for moving the first chucker in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper; and a second vertical / horizontal movement mechanism for moving the second chucker in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the cut photographic paper. And the first and second chuckers are independently movable,
The first type according to the size of the cut photographic paper to be sorted
A double-row image exposure apparatus, wherein the vertical and horizontal movement patterns of the chucker section and the second chucker section are changed. 2. The double-row image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the double-row cut photographic paper held in the carry-in area of the exposure transport line is simultaneously sent to the digital printing unit. 3. The first and second chuckers hold the leading end area of the cut photographic paper and move only in the longitudinal direction of the cut photographic paper until the rear end of the held photographic paper exits the carry-out area. 3. The double-row image exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further moves in a width direction of the cut photographic paper. 4. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second chuckers alternately transfer the held cut photographic paper to a predetermined carry-in area. Column image exposure device. 5. The first and second chuckers simultaneously,
The double-row image exposure apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the held cut photographic paper is moved to a predetermined carry-in area. 6. The first and second vertical and horizontal moving mechanisms each include a vertical moving mechanism that runs on a rail in the longitudinal direction of the cut photographic paper, and a rail that is supported by the vertical moving unit and that is movable in the width direction of the cut photographic paper. It is composed of a running lateral moving mechanism,
The double-row image exposure apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the vertical movement mechanism and the horizontal movement mechanism can travel independently.