JP2002055398A - Sheet-like photosensitive material transporting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet-like photosensitive material transporting mechanism which suppresses the possibility that the sheet-like photosensitive material in transporting receives damage by contact with another member in the sheet-like photosensitive material transporting mechanism having a grasping device capable of grasping the prescribed point of the sheet-like photosensitive material and a transporting mechanism for moving the grasping device back and forth between a first position on an upstream side for receiving the sheet-like photosensitive material and a second potion for handing the sheet-like photosensitive material over to a second processing section on a downstream side. SOLUTION: This mechanism is provided with a supporting member 60 for abutting and supporting the end on the upstream side of the sheet-like photosensitive material P grasped by the grasping device 40 near the moving locus at the prescribed point of the sheet-like photosensitive material P.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet-like photosensitive material transport mechanism for transporting a sheet-like photosensitive material such as photographic printing paper along a fixed transport path, and more specifically, to a cut-to-print size. A holding unit capable of holding the sheet-shaped photosensitive material, and a first position for receiving the sheet-shaped photosensitive material from the first processing unit on the upstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material; A conveying mechanism for reciprocating the sheet-shaped photosensitive material between second positions for delivering the sheet-shaped photosensitive material to a second processing section on the downstream side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of the above-mentioned sheet-like photosensitive material conveying mechanism, there is a conveying mechanism described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-352662 filed by the same applicant as the present application. In the above-described conventional transport mechanism, the holding means includes a pair of rollers capable of holding the sheet-shaped photosensitive material provided from the exposure table as the first processing unit by mutual pressure bonding. Then, the holding means holding the sheet-like photosensitive material is transported by a transport mechanism including a timing belt on a transport path extending vertically upward to an entrance of a developing processing unit as a second processing unit. It has become. Therefore, in the sheet-type photosensitive material transport mechanism according to the related art, compared to another mode in which the sheet-type photosensitive material is transported to the second processing unit by a number of roller pairs arranged in the transport direction, the sheet-type photosensitive material is transported during the transport. Advantages are obtained in that meandering is unlikely to occur, and that it is possible to flexibly cope with a design change in the distance from the first processing unit to the second processing unit.

[0003]

However, in the above-described prior art sheet-type photosensitive material conveying mechanism, a part of the sheet-like photosensitive material being conveyed is partially replaced by another member of the sheet-like photosensitive material conveying mechanism (for example, the conveying mechanism). The sheet-shaped photosensitive material may be damaged by contact with other members such as a part of a frame of a unit constituting the image forming apparatus) or a photographic processing apparatus having a sheet-shaped photosensitive material transport mechanism.

[0004] The possibility of contact with other members is that the photosensitive material before being cut into a sheet is stored in the form of a roll with the emulsion side facing out, so that the sheet-like photosensitive material also has the emulsion side. This is due to the fact that there are many cases in which there is a tendency to be curved in an arc shape excluding. That is, according to the above-described conventional example, even if the holding means holds the sheet-shaped photosensitive material so that the leading end (that is, the downstream end) of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material extends substantially vertically, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material can be used. This is because the leading end of the material (that is, the downstream end) protrudes laterally from the transport path.

[0005] The possibility of contact with other members is as follows.
The length of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material along the transport path is particularly increased when processing the sheet-shaped photosensitive material having an increased length, and the sandwiching means moves the sheet-shaped photosensitive material to the leading end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material (that is, the downstream end portion). ) Are extended so as to extend substantially horizontally, and when the transport path extends horizontally. This is because, in the case of such a configuration, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material has a tendency to be curved in an arc shape with the emulsion side out, and the trailing end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material sandwiched by the sandwiching means. (Ie, the upstream end) tends to hang down due to gravity.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the above-described prior art sheet-like photosensitive material transport mechanism, in which a part of the sheet-like photosensitive material being transported is
Sheet-shaped photosensitive material in which the risk of damage to the sheet-shaped photosensitive material due to contact with other members of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material transport mechanism or other members such as a photographic processing apparatus having the sheet-shaped photosensitive material transport mechanism is reduced. It is to provide a transport mechanism.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a sheet-like photosensitive material conveying mechanism according to the present invention has the features described in claims 1 to 8 in the claims. I have. That is, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material transport mechanism according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a holding unit capable of holding a sheet-shaped photosensitive material cut to a print size, and the holding unit being located upstream in a transport direction of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material. A transport mechanism for reciprocating between a first position for receiving the sheet-shaped photosensitive material from the first processing unit on the side and a second position for delivering the sheet-shaped photosensitive material to the second processing unit on the downstream side; Wherein the upstream end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material sandwiched by the sandwiching means is abutted and supported near a movement locus of the predetermined position of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material. And a supporting member is provided.

[0008] In order to have such a characteristic configuration,
In the sheet-shaped photosensitive material conveying mechanism according to claim 1 of the present invention, the upstream end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material being conveyed (that is, the rear end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material) is supported by the supporting member. Since the photosensitive material is supported in contact with the vicinity of the movement trajectory of the nip portion of the photosensitive material, a part of the sheet-like photosensitive material being transported may be another member of the sheet-like photosensitive material transport mechanism, or
The possibility that the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is damaged due to contact with other members such as a photographic processing apparatus having a sheet-shaped photosensitive material transport mechanism is suppressed.

[0009] More specifically, the support member has a guide surface between the first processing section and the second processing section, the guide surface extending in parallel with the direction of conveyance of the holding means by the conveyance mechanism. can do.

According to this structure, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material slides on the guide surface when being conveyed by the conveying mechanism, whereby contact with other members is more reliably suppressed. At this time, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material slides so that at least one of both surfaces thereof is along the guide surface. Therefore, if the smoothness of the guide surface is sufficiently increased, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material can be obtained. Is prevented from being damaged by the guide surface. According to this structure, when the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is provided downstream from the first processing unit, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is provided in a state where the leading end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is already supported by the guide surface. Accordingly, the leading end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material provided in this way can smoothly enter the holding means for receiving the sheet-shaped photosensitive material from the second processing section to the first processing section.

Further, the guide surface includes a first guide surface facing the first surface of the sheet-like photosensitive material and a second guide surface facing the second surface of the sheet-like photosensitive material. The predetermined portion of the photosensitive material may be arranged between the first guide surface and the second guide surface.

With this configuration, even when the sheet-shaped photosensitive material has a tendency to be curved in an arc shape with one of the first surface and the second surface removed, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism. The material slides in the two guide surfaces, whereby contact with other members is more reliably suppressed. At this time, since the sheet-shaped photosensitive material slides so that both surfaces thereof are along the two guide surfaces,
If the smoothness of the two guide surfaces is sufficiently high, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is prevented from being damaged by the guide surfaces. According to this structure, when the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is provided downstream from the first processing unit, the leading end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is already abutted and supported between the two guide surfaces. Since the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is provided in a state where the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is provided, the leading end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material provided in this manner is further smoothly inserted into the holding means for receiving the sheet-shaped photosensitive material from the second processing unit to the first processing unit. You can enter.

The guide surface includes the first processing unit and the second processing unit.
It may be configured to extend substantially horizontally between the processing units.

According to this structure, in addition to the tendency of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material to be curved in an arc shape with the emulsion surface side out,
The rear end (that is, the upstream end) of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material sandwiched by the sandwiching means generally has a tendency to hang down due to gravity, and a part of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material being conveyed is transported. Other members of the mechanism, or
The possibility of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material being damaged by contact with other members such as a photographic processing apparatus having a sheet-shaped photosensitive material transport mechanism is increased, but the rear end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material being transported is supported by a support member. Since the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is abutted and supported in the vicinity of the movement locus of the sandwiching portion, there is a possibility that a part of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material being conveyed contacts the other member and the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is damaged. Is suppressed.

Further, the sandwiching means is arranged so that the sheet-shaped photosensitive material intersects the transport direction along the sheet-shaped photosensitive material so as to sandwich the sheet-shaped photosensitive material at two predetermined positions from both sides thereof. There may be provided a pair of chuck means arranged apart from each other along the width direction of the material, and the support member may be configured to extend between the pair of chuck means.

According to this structure, since the pair of chucking means of the holding means hold the sheet-shaped photosensitive material at two predetermined locations, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is placed on the holding means with one predetermined location serving as the axis. Without being swung, and is stably held on the holding means. Therefore, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material can be delivered to the second processing unit, for example, while maintaining the posture provided from the first processing unit. In addition, according to this structure, since the support member extends between the pair of chuck means, no matter what width the sheet-shaped photosensitive material provided from the first processing section has. The support member abuts and supports the central portion of the width of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material, in other words, the vicinity of the center of gravity of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material. Accordingly, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is gradually displaced laterally by cooperation of a pair of chuck means for holding the sheet-shaped photosensitive material at two predetermined locations and a support member supporting the vicinity of the center of gravity of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material. Therefore, it is easy to be transported to the second processing unit while maintaining a stable posture.

Further, when the holding means moves the sheet-shaped photosensitive material provided from the first processing section from the second processing section to the first processing section,
It is possible to have a configuration having a guide member for guiding the pair of chuck means. According to this structure, the leading end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material provided downstream from the first processing unit is guided by the guide member provided in the holding unit, so that the second processing unit performs the first processing. It is possible to smoothly enter the pair of chuck means of the holding means moving to the part.

Further, the guide member is provided along the width direction to guide a portion of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material in the first processing section which is not contacted and supported by the support member to the holding means. A configuration having a guide inclined surface extending to the outside of the pair of chuck means can be adopted. With this configuration, the sheet-shaped photosensitive material to be processed is a large-sized sheet having a large dimension in the width direction.
Based on the tendency of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material to bend in an arc shape with the emulsion surface side out, and the end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material tending to hang down due to gravity, both ends of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material in the width direction are sheet-shaped. Even when the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is largely separated from the vicinity of the movement locus of the predetermined position, the leading end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material includes both ends in the width direction due to the action of the guide inclined surface formed on the guide member of the holding means. Thus, it is possible to smoothly enter the pair of chuck means.

More specifically, the second processing section includes an exposure transport mechanism for transporting the sheet-shaped photosensitive material in a sub-scanning direction along the transport direction, and the sheet-shaped photosensitive material transported by the exposure transport mechanism. The digital exposure apparatus includes a light emitting unit that performs line exposure of the photosensitive material along a main scanning direction that intersects the sub-scanning direction, and a control unit that drives the light emitting unit based on supplied print data. It can be configured.

Other features and advantages of the present invention include:
The description will become apparent from the description of the embodiment using the drawings.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a printer processor provided with a sheet-like photosensitive material transport mechanism according to the present invention.

(Overall Configuration of Printer Processor) The printer processor 1 generates and outputs print data. The image processor A generates a print data and outputs a latent image on a photographic paper based on the print data sent from the image processor A. An exposure processing section B for performing an exposure processing for forming; and a development processing section C for developing the photographic paper sent from the exposure processing section B with a developing solution, further performing a drying process, and discharging the photographic paper to the outside. Consists of

The image processing section A includes a scanner 2 for optically reading an image of a provided photographic film and converting the image into digital image information, and a digital image from a floppy (registered trademark) disk, MO, or other medium other than the photographic film. A reading unit 4 for directly reading image information and a control unit (not shown) for creating print data based on digital image information obtained via the scanner 2 or the reading unit 4 are provided. The control unit includes a monitor display 6 for visualizing digital image information for an operator,
In addition to the keyboard 8 for the operator to input various correction data, the keyboard includes a data storage device (not shown) that can temporarily store the obtained digital image information.

The exposure processing section B includes a long roll-shaped photographic paper R
A photographic paper magazine 10 rotatably supporting a roll of
The photographic paper is pulled out from the photographic paper magazine 10, and cut off from the roll-shaped photographic paper R as a sheet-like photographic paper P (an example of a sheet-like photosensitive material) having a length corresponding to a print size by a cutter 14, and is subsequently conveyed horizontally. A photographic paper supply unit 12 and an exposure unit 18 (an example of a second processing unit) for performing scanning exposure while continuously transporting the sheet-like photographic paper P received from the photographic paper supply unit 12 in the sub-scanning direction are provided. . As the digital exposure engine constituting the exposure unit 18, here, R, G,
A laser-type exposure engine 20 (an example of light emitting means) that sweeps a laser beam having a wavelength corresponding to each color B in the main scanning direction via a polygon mirror is used. Further, the control unit has a function of controlling the intensity of each wavelength light included in the beam based on the print data supplied from the image processing unit A.

The exposure unit 18 includes a total of two pairs of exposure rollers 20a and 20b (an example of an exposure transport mechanism) disposed on the upstream and downstream sides of the exposure point of the laser type exposure engine 20, and a photographic paper. It has a pair of receiving rollers 20R, 20R for receiving from the upstream side and delivering it to the pair of exposure rollers 20a, 20b. Two pairs of exposure rollers 20
a and 20b and the pair of receiving rollers 20R and 20R are both in a holding position in which the printing paper is held and in a releasing position in which the holding state is released by slightly moving in a direction in which the printing paper is slightly separated from each other. Is configured to be switchable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure unit 18 is attached to the main body frame 1A of the printer processor 1 to which the photographic paper supply unit 12 is directly fixed via anti-vibration rubbers 21 and 21. Have been.

Returning to FIG. 1, the developing section C comprises a plurality of developing solution tanks 22 and a drying section 24 for drying the sheet-like photographic paper discharged from the last developing solution tank 22 with hot air or the like. Become. The sheet-shaped photographic paper P that has passed through the drying unit 24 is discharged as a print onto the tray 26 or the like. In each of the developing solution tanks 22 adjacent to each other, a cassette type transport rack for transporting the sheet-shaped photographic paper P in the developing solution and transferring it to the next tank is inserted.

Further, between the exposure processing section B and the development processing section C, the sheet-like photographic paper P is transported in the developing solution tank 22 with the emulsion surface facing outward in the development processing section C. As described above, the switchback transport mechanism 28 which can supply the sheet-shaped photographic paper P discharged from the exposure processing unit B while holding it in a posture in which the emulsion surface faces downward and then supply the photographic paper P to the entrance of the development processing unit C is provided. Is equipped. Switchback transport mechanism 28
Can be provided with a sorting function in which the sheet-shaped photographic paper P discharged from the exposure processing section B in a single row is divided into two rows and transferred to the development processing section C.

(Specific Structure of the Printing Paper Supply Unit) The printing paper supply unit 12 pulls out the printing paper vertically upward from the printing paper magazine 10, turns it by 90 °, and horizontally feeds it out. Example of processing unit)
The sheet-like photographic paper P discharged from the drawer 30 in a substantially horizontal position is pinched (chucked) from above and below while keeping the horizontal position, and is horizontally moved toward the exposure unit 18 located on the downstream side. And a transfer device 16 for transferring in the direction. The drawer device 30 and the transport device 16
Are supported on a highly rigid unit frame 12a.

As shown in FIG.
The first drive roller 32 has a length sufficiently exceeding the width of the photographic paper, two pressure rollers 36 a and 36 b constantly pressed against the peripheral surface of the first drive roller 32, and the first drive roller 32. Drive roller pair 3 laterally separated from
4,34. The first drive roller 32 and the second drive roller pair 34, 34 are rotatably supported around a horizontal axis, and are rotated at peripheral speeds synchronized with each other by a driving force of a common motor M1. The second drive roller pair 34, 34 is provided with a one-way clutch (not shown) that allows the sheet-shaped photographic paper P sandwiched between the second drive roller pairs 34, 34 to be removed only in the downstream direction. (Shown). 2 pressed against the peripheral surface of the first drive roller 32
The tangent line formed by the downstream pressure roller 36b of the three pressure rollers 36a, 36b in cooperation with the peripheral surface at the upper end of the first drive roller 32 extends horizontally. This tangent is
The tangent line is substantially coincident with the tangent line formed in the nip between the second drive roller pairs 34, 34. The second drive roller pair 34,
Numeral 34 is configured so as to be separated in the vertical direction at a necessary timing to perform a pressure release operation. The upstream pressure roller 36 a is pressed against the peripheral surface on the obliquely upper side of the first drive roller 32.

First drive roller 32 and second drive roller pair 3
A cutter 14 for cutting the roll-shaped photographic paper R drawn out by the draw-out mechanism 30 into a length corresponding to the print size to form a sheet-shaped photographic paper P is disposed between the print papers R.

The transport device 16 is provided with the photographic paper supply unit 12.
Device (an example of a holding unit) capable of holding the sheet-shaped photographic paper P discharged from the printer. Further, the transport device 16 includes a first position for receiving the chuck device 40 for receiving the sheet-shaped photographic paper P from the upstream drawing mechanism 30;
A transport mechanism 70 that reciprocates substantially horizontally between the second positions for delivering the sheet-like photographic paper P to the exposure unit 18 on the downstream side is provided.

(Chuck Apparatus) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the chuck apparatus 40 includes a highly rigid support arm 42 which extends for a length sufficiently exceeding the width of the sheet-like photographic paper P;
A chuck mechanism 44 supported on the support arm 42.

On the other hand, the transport mechanism 70 has a pair of endless timing belts 54, 54 that extend in parallel with the transport direction of the sheet-like photographic paper P inside the both sides of the unit frame 12a. Inner teeth at the downstream ends of the two timing belts 54, 54 are separated by separate motors M2R, M2 fixed to the unit frame 12a.
L is meshed on each timing pulley fixed to the rotation shaft. The inner teeth of the upstream ends of the two timing belts 54, 54 are mounted on the respective timing pulleys supported so as to run idle on a shaft 12b extending between both side surfaces of the unit frame 12a. Has been engaged. Therefore, the two timing belts 54, 54 can be driven to rotate independently of each other according to the driving operation state of the motors M2R, M2L, or can be driven at the same time, so that they appear apparently integrally. It can also be driven.

As shown in FIG. 4, rollers 42a, 42a made of resin are rotatably supported on the lower surfaces at both ends of the support arm 42.
Rollers 42a, 42a
Receiving flat rail means 12r, 12r. The combined weight of the chuck mechanism 44 and the support arm 42 is mainly received by the rail means 12r, 12r via the rollers 42a, 42a.

Extending plates 42b, 42b extend horizontally from the upper surfaces of both ends of the support arm 42, and each of the extending plates 42b, 42b is attached to a portion below the timing belt 54 on the corresponding side. I have. Therefore, if the two timing belts 54, 54 are simultaneously driven at the same speed in accordance with the driving operation state of the motors M2R, M2L, the support arm 42 can move the rail means 12r, Moving on 12r,
For example, if only one of the two timing belts 54, 54 is driven, or if one of the two timing belts 54, 54 is driven at a higher speed than the other, the support arm 42
Will change in the plan view.

Next, one guide rod 1 extending horizontally and linearly from the downstream end of the drawer mechanism 30 to the vicinity of the upstream of the exposure unit 18 is provided on the unit frame 12a.
2G is extended. The guide rod 12G has a circular cross-sectional shape, and is disposed at the center in the width direction of the unit frame 12a. And in the center of the support arm 42,
A sleeve-shaped support piece 43 is swingably supported around a vertical axis X1. The sleeve-shaped support piece 43 is fitted around the peripheral surface of the guide rod 12G without any gap, but can be slid smoothly on the guide rod 12G. The guide rod 12 </ b> G and the support piece 43 slid in a state of being fitted to the guide rod 12 </ b> G always serve to hold the center of the support arm 42 substantially at the center in the width direction of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P.

The guide rod 12G has some flexibility, and the guide rod 12G is attached to the unit frame 12a only at both ends in the longitudinal direction, in other words, only at the upstream end and the downstream end in the transport direction. Because it is fixed,
Near the center in the longitudinal direction, the guide rod 12G can be displaced up, down, left and right by an external force. However, since it is hard to be displaced by external force near both ends fixed to the unit frame 12a, a sufficient center maintaining function is exerted near these both ends.

(About the Chuck Mechanism) As shown in FIG. 4, the chuck device 40 has a lower arm 46 that temporarily extends downward from both ends of the support arm 42 and subsequently extends to the center in the main scanning direction. The support arm 42 and the lower arm 46 are formed with opposing surfaces 42h and 46h that face each other and extend horizontally. A predetermined position near the center of the opposing surface 46h of the lower arm 46 in the main scanning direction is a pair of support projections 4 separated from each other in the main scanning direction.
6a and 46a are slightly projected. Further, the chuck mechanism 44 on the chuck device 40 includes a pair of chuck pins 48, 48 (an example of a pair of chuck means) that extend in the vertical direction and are arranged coaxially with the support protrusions 46a, 46a. The chuck pins 48, 48
They are spaced apart along the width direction of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P, in other words, in a direction crossing the transport direction. Each of the chuck pins 48 is provided so as to be vertically displaceable in a cylindrical hole, and is compressed by a compression spring 49 installed above the hole into a pair of support protrusions 46a. It is always biased towards. And the chuck mechanism 4
4 is the chuck pin 4 against the urging force of the compression spring 49.
A release mechanism 50 is provided for separating the pair of support projections 8, 48 from the pair of support projections 46a, 46a. The release mechanism 50 is turned on, and the chuck pins 48, 48 are connected to the pair of support protrusions 46a,
When the sheet-like photographic paper P is separated from the sheet 46a, a sufficient space is formed therebetween, and the sheet-like printing paper P can be received therebetween. On the other hand, when the release mechanism 50 is turned off, the two predetermined portions located on the sheet-like photographic paper P
8, 48 and a pair of support protrusions 46a, 46a.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the release mechanism 50 has an operation angle 52 supported so as to be swingable around a horizontal axis X2. Operation angle 5
The other end 52a of the operation angle 52 is locked at a middle portion of the chuck pins 48, 48 in the longitudinal direction.
Abuts on a non-circular cam plate 56 that is rotated by the motor M3. The cam plate 56 has one large diameter portion 54a.
When the rotation position of the cam plate 56 is brought to the state shown in FIG. 5A based on the control of the rotation angle of the motor M3, the large-diameter portion 54a of the cam plate 56 becomes the other end of the operation angle 52. 5
The operation angle 52 is swung and inclined so that 2b is tilted toward the upstream side in the photographic paper transport direction. by this,
The chuck pins 48, 48 are separated upward from the pair of support protrusions 46a, 46a against the urging force of the compression spring 49. Further, the rotation position of the motor M3 changes, and the cam plate 5
When the rotation position of FIG. 6 is in the state shown in FIG. 5B, the operation angle 52 is released from the action of the large-diameter portion 54 a of the cam plate 56, and is brought into the upright posture based on the urging force of the compression spring 49. Are switched, and at the same time, the chuck pins 48, 48
Is pressed against the pair of support protrusions 46a, 46a, and the sheet-shaped photographic paper P inserted here is sandwiched between two places (that is, the support protrusions 46a, 46a).

(About the guide surface) The support arm 42 and the lower arm 46 have guide inclined surfaces 42g and 46g for guiding the sheet photographic paper P between the opposed surfaces 42h and 46h at the upstream end. (An example of a guide member). FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG.
42g has an inclination of about 45 ° that gradually rises toward the upstream side in side view, while the guide slope 46g of the lower arm 46 gradually descends toward the upstream side in side view. It has a slope of about 45 °. That is, the guide inclined surface 42g of the support arm 42 and the guide inclined surface 46g of the lower arm 46 cooperate to form a guide inclined surface that is opened by about 90 ° toward the upstream side. The guide inclined surfaces 42g, 46g extend outside the pair of chuck pins 48, 48 along the width direction of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide inclined surface 42g of the support arm 42 and the guide inclined surface 46g of the lower arm 46 are, when viewed in plan, from the center in the width direction of the sheet photographic paper P in the width direction. It has a slope of about 10 °, which is gradually displaced downstream toward the outside.

(About the guide plate)
Is the exposure unit 1 from the downstream end of the drawer mechanism 30.
A guide plate 60 (an example of a support member) that extends horizontally and linearly in parallel with the conveyance direction of the chuck device 40 up to near the upstream side of 8 is provided. The guide plate 60 is an upper guide plate 60.
a and a lower guide plate 60b, and both the upper guide plate 60a and the lower guide plate 60b
The width fixed to the unit frame 12a is approximately 50 to 7
It is a flat linearly extending metal plate of 0 mm, and is disposed at the center in the width direction of the transport path. More specifically, the upper guide plate 60a and the lower guide plate 60b extend between the pair of chuck pins 48,48. In other words, the chuck pins 48 of the chuck mechanism 44 are provided at positions adjacent to both sides of the upper guide plate 60a and the lower guide plate 60b.

Therefore, the upper guide plate 60a and the lower guide plate 60b are fixed to at least the drawer 30. The lower surface of the upper guide plate 60a is a first guide surface 61a facing an emulsion surface (an example of a first surface) which is the upper surface of the sheet-like photographic paper P, and the lower guide plate 6
The upper surface of Ob is a second guide surface 61b facing a base material surface (an example of a second surface) which is a lower surface of the sheet-like photographic paper P. The vertical gap formed between the first guide surface 61a and the second guide surface 61b is approximately 5 to 7 mm over the entire length of the guide plate 60.

That is, in the vicinity of the center in the width direction of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P held by the chuck device 40, the first guide surfaces 61 are consistently provided from the first position to the second position.
a and the second guide surface 61b. Further, two predetermined locations on the sheet-like photographic paper P chucked between the chuck pins 48, 48 and the support protrusions 46a, 46a are also disposed between the first guide surface 61a and the second guide surface 61b. I have. As a result, the guide plate 60 is
0, the upstream and downstream ends of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P are positioned at least in the vicinity of the center in the width direction of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P, in the vicinity of the movement locus of two predetermined locations on the sheet-shaped photographic paper P. Can be abutted and supported.

Further, the sheet-like photographic paper P sandwiched between the second drive roller pairs 34, 34 of the drawing device 30
Is supported by the guide plate 60 at least at a central portion in the width direction of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P. The central portion of the sheet photographic paper P conveyed from the drawer 30 to the exposure unit 18 in the main scanning direction while being held by the chuck device 40 is related to the position of the sheet photographic paper P based on the conveyance. Photographic paper P
Is supported by the guide plate 60 over the entire length from the upstream end to the downstream end of the photographic paper supply unit 12. The sheet-shaped photographic paper P is prevented from touching a member or the like that is located.

In particular, the lower guide plate 60b supports the central portion of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P from below, and prevents this portion from hanging down by gravity. That is,
In particular, the lower guide plate 60b functions as a support member that abuts and supports an upstream end (in the transport direction) of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P held by the chuck device 40.

The upper guide plate 60a is connected to the chuck mechanism 4
4, the sheet-shaped photographic paper P has an upstream end, a downstream end, or an exceptional curl such that both ends are lifted upward. The downstream end of P is
And a guide surface formed between the lower arm 46 and these ends abuts on other members of the paper supply unit 12 and other members above the paper supply unit 12. It works to prevent that.

The guide plate 60 does not necessarily extend over the entire length from the drawing device 30 to the exposure unit 18, but at least the photographic paper P when the chuck device 40 receives the sheet photographic paper P from the drawing device 30. And the rear end (upstream end) of the photographic paper P when the chuck device 40 transfers the sheet photographic paper P to the exposure unit 18 at least from the front end (downstream end). It is necessary to extend to the downstream side in the transport direction.

(Basic function of photographic paper supply unit) When processing sheet-like photographic paper P having a general size of 117 mm in the sub-scanning direction and a length of 140 mm in the main scanning direction. The basic operation of the photographic paper supply unit is described below.

First, the drawer 30 draws the photographic paper into 117
mm, and cut by the cutter 14 to provide a sheet-like photographic paper P (the provided sheet-like photographic paper P is shown by a solid line in FIG. 3). At the stage provided, the sheet-shaped photographic paper P is moved to the second drive roller pair 34, 34.
It is still pinched by.

Next, when the chuck device 40 is moved to the first position based on the rotational driving of the timing belts 54 in the reverse direction (the chuck device 40 moved to the first position is shown by a solid line in FIG. 2). ), The sheet-shaped photographic paper P is placed on each of the opposing surfaces 4 of the support arm 42 and the lower arm 46.
2h and 46h, and a predetermined portion of the sheet photographic paper P is
It is chucked (pinched) at 8, 48.

When the chuck device 40 is moved to the first position, at least the front end (that is, the downstream end) of the sheet-like photographic paper P sandwiched by the second drive roller pair 34, 34 Since it is supported by the guide plate 60 at the central portion in the main scanning direction, the guide inclined surfaces 42g, 46g formed between the support arm 42 and the lower arm 46 without drooping downward.
And smoothly guided by the guide inclined surfaces 42g, 46g, and finally between the opposing surfaces 42h, 46h, in other words, the chuck pins 48, 48 and the support protrusions 46a, 46a. Enter between.
Note that, of the downstream end portions of the sheet-shaped photographic paper P sandwiched between the second drive roller pairs 34, 34, both end portions away from the central portion in the main scanning direction are directly supported by the guide plate 60. However, there is a possibility that it may hang down somewhat due to gravity or the curl of the photographic paper, but this portion has a slope of about 10 ° that gradually displaces outward toward the outside in plan view. Guide surface 46g of arm 46
So that it can be scooped from below,
It is possible to smoothly enter between the opposed surfaces 42h and 46h.

Further, in a state where the sheet-like photographic paper P is held between the chuck pins 48, 48, the chuck device 40
Moves to the second position based on the rotation of the timing belts 54 in the normal rotation direction. At the second position, the downstream end of the sheet-like photographic paper P enters between the receiving roller pairs 20R, 20R in the released state. The downstream end of the sheet-like photographic paper P is a pair of receiving rollers 20R, 20R.
When the roller enters between R, the receiving roller pair 20R, 20R is switched to the pressure contact state. After this, the chuck mechanism 4
The fourth chuck pins 48, 48 are pulled up by the motor M3, and the sandwiched state of the sheet-like photographic paper P is released.

As shown in FIG. 3, both the support arm 42 and the lower arm 46 are provided with support plates 42s, 46s protruding downstream, and these support plates 42s, 42s are connected to each other. A gap of about 4 mm, which is smaller than the gap between the upper guide plate 60a and the lower guide plate 60b, is formed between the support plates 46s. The downstream end of the sheet-like photographic paper P held on the chuck mechanism 44 is connected to these support plates 42s,
It is held linearly by 46s. Support plate 42
s and 46s are formed at four places in the main scanning direction. A pair of inner support plates 42s in the main scanning direction,
46s is for standard-size photographic paper, and a pair of outer support plates 42s and 46s are provided for supporting a large-size photographic paper in cooperation with the inner support plates 42s and 46s. I have.

On the other hand, the receiving roller pair 20R, 20R
As shown in FIG. 3, the chuck device 40 at the second position is divided into four roller pairs along the main scanning direction, and the four support plates 42 s and 46 s include the receiving roller pair 20 </ b> R. , 20R, and the downstream end of the sheet-like photographic paper P held on the chuck mechanism 44 enters between the receiving roller pairs 20R, 20R in the released state. Can be approached to the exposure unit 18 until the operation is completed.

(Regarding the attitude control mechanism of the chuck device)
The printer processor 1 is provided with a posture control mechanism for controlling the posture of the chuck device 40 in plan view. The position control mechanism includes: a photographic paper supply unit 12; and a position detection mechanism provided between the photographic paper supply unit 12 and the exposure unit 18 for detecting a position of the chuck device 40 in a plan view. An attitude operating mechanism capable of changing the angular attitude of the chuck device 40 in plan view based on the detection result by the detection mechanism.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the position detecting mechanism includes, on the one hand, upstream detection plates 62R, 62L extending horizontally from both left and right ends of the upstream end of the support arm 42.
And a pair of optical sensors 63R and 63L arranged in the pull-out device 30 so as to independently detect the entry of the upstream detection plates 62R and 62L. The position detection mechanism, on the other hand, independently controls the entry of the downstream detection plates 64R and 64L extending horizontally from the left and right ends of the downstream end of the support arm 42 and the downstream detection plates 64R and 64L. Sensor pair 6 arranged in the exposure unit 18 to detect
5R, 65L. And the posture operation mechanism is
Timing belts 54 for reciprocating the chuck device 40 are provided. That is, by controlling the driving operation of the left and right timing belts 54 and 54 and intentionally driving them in an unbalanced manner, the chuck device 40 can move the vertical axis X1 on the sleeve-shaped support piece 43.
Swing operation is performed around the circumference. Therefore, the timing belts 54, 54 function as means for swinging the chuck device 40 around the axis X1.

(Specific Example of Posture Control Mechanism) Here, the sheet-like photographic paper P provided from the drawer device 30 is clamped by the chuck device 40 in a correct posture in plan view. It is assumed that the sandwiched sheet photographic paper P is sandwiched such that the downstream end of the sheet photographic paper P exactly coincides with the longitudinal axis of the support arm 42 of the chuck device 40. And
The exposure unit 18 is inclined with respect to the photographic paper supply unit 12 in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 7, due to the mounting accuracy of the anti-vibration rubber 21 or the deterioration of the anti-vibration rubber 21, for example. It is assumed that the receiving roller pair 20R, 20R of the exposure device 18 is inclined with respect to the axis of the second drive roller pair 34, 34 of the drawing device 30. In FIG. 7, for the sake of simplicity, the right side of the exposure device 18 is shown in an extremely inclined state such that the right side of the exposure device 18 is greatly separated from the photographic paper supply unit 12 at a glance. However, in practice, it is considered that the inclination often shows a degree that cannot be seen at a glance. In such a situation, the chuck device 40 reciprocates between the first position and the second position through the following steps, for example.

<First Step> First, as shown by an upward arrow in FIG. 7A, the chuck device 40 is moved with respect to the axis of the second drive roller pair 34 of the pull-out device 30 at the first position. And starts moving toward the second position while maintaining the parallel posture. That is, at this stage, the left and right timing belts 54, 54 are simultaneously driven in the normal rotation direction and are driven at speeds synchronized with each other.

<Second Step> As the movement of the chuck device 40 proceeds (here, the receiving roller pair 20 of the exposure device 18)
R and 20R are the second driving roller pair 3 of the drawer 30.
First, the downstream detection plate 64L on the left side of the chuck device 40 is connected to the optical sensor pair 65L.
The driving of the left timing belt 54 is immediately stopped based on this detection. At this point,
Since the right downstream detection plate 64R of the chuck device 40 has not been detected by the optical sensor pair 65R, the right timing belt 54 continues to be driven, whereby the chuck device 40 assumes an inclined posture in which the right side is gradually raised. start.

<Third Step> Further, as the driving of only the right timing belt 54 proceeds, the right downstream detection plate 64R of the chuck device 40 is detected by the downstream detection plate 65R, and based on this detection, the right downstream detection plate 64R is detected. Timing belt 5
4 is also stopped immediately. As a result, the chuck device 40 is no longer parallel to the second drive roller pair 34 of the pull-out device 30 but is parallel to the receiving roller pair 20R, 20R of the exposure device 18. There are two positions. Therefore, the sheet-shaped photographic paper P on the chuck device 40 is, as shown in FIG.
It enters the exposure device 18 in a strictly correct posture in plan view.

<Fourth Step> Next, when the sheet-shaped photographic paper P is delivered to the exposure device 18, the chuck device 40
As shown by the solid line in FIG. 7 (c), the return to the first posture is started while the posture at the second position remains inclined. That is, also in this case, the left and right timing belts 54, 54 are first started to be driven simultaneously in the normal rotation direction,
In addition, they are driven at speeds synchronized with each other.

<Fifth Step> When the return of the chuck device 40 progresses, the chuck device 40 (the second
First, the upstream detection plate 62L on the left side of the chuck device 40 is detected by the optical sensor pair 63L, and the driving of the left timing belt 54 is performed based on this detection. Stopped immediately.
At this time, the right side upstream detection plate 62R of the chuck device 40 has not been detected yet, so that the right timing belt 54 continues to be driven, whereby the inclined posture in which the right side of the chuck device 40 is raised starts to be eliminated. .

<Sixth Step> Further, as the driving of only the right timing belt 54 proceeds, the right upstream detection plate 62R of the chuck device 40 is detected by the optical sensor pair 63R, and the right timing is detected based on this detection. Belt 54
Is also stopped immediately. As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7C, the chuck device 40 moves the first position in the initial position parallel to the axis of the second drive roller pair 34 of the pull-out device 30. Becomes

[Another Embodiment] <1> In the above first and second steps, after the motor M2R for driving the right timing belt 54 is stopped and the motor M2L for driving the left timing belt 54 is stopped, The number of extra rotations and the number of extra rotations before stopping is stored in the storage means of the control device. In the next fourth step, first, only the motor M2R for driving the right timing belt 54 is supplied with the extra pulses. By driving the chuck device 40 in the reverse direction by the number of times, the chuck device 40 is returned to the initial position parallel to the axis of the second drive roller pair 34, 34 of the drawing device 30, and thereafter, the left and right timing belts 54,
54 may be rotated reversely at a synchronized speed to return to the first position. In this case, the upstream detection plates 62R and 62L of the chuck device 40 and the pair of optical sensors 63R and 63L on the drawing device 30 side are not necessarily required.

<2> Instead of performing the position detection operation of the chuck device 40 every time a new sheet of photographic paper P is transported, the photographic paper supply of the exposure unit 18 in a plan view is performed at the time of inspection such as factory shipment. The inclination level with respect to the unit 12 may be examined, and during actual operation, the chuck device 40 may be moved and operated based on the data on the inclination obtained at this time. That is, when the chuck device 40 is rotated to the second position by rotating the motors M2R, M2L of the left and right timing belts 54 by an extra number of forward rotations, the chuck device 40 can be moved to the exposure unit 1
It is checked whether the second position is taken in the correct posture with respect to the position 8, and during actual operation, this posture control may be performed every time until the inclination level of the exposure unit 18 with respect to the photographic paper supply unit 12 changes.

<3> The chuck device 40 of the present invention can be effectively used even in an example contrary to the assumption in the above embodiment. That is, the sheet-shaped photographic paper P provided from the drawer device 30 is not sandwiched between the chuck devices 40 in a correct posture in a plan view, in other words, the sheet-shaped photographic paper P sandwiched between the chuck devices 40 is This is a case where the downstream end of the printing paper P is not sandwiched so as to coincide with the longitudinal axis of the support arm 42 of the chuck device 40. In this case, the inclination of the sheet-like photographic paper P provided from the drawer device 30 in the planar view is tended to be investigated in advance, and the tendency is offset. The motors M2R, M2L of the timing belts 54, 54 can be driven so as to control the attitude of the chuck device 40 in plan view.

<4> A supporting member for contacting and supporting the upstream end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material sandwiched by the sandwiching means in the vicinity of a movement locus of a predetermined portion (a sandwiching portion) of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is However, it is not always necessary to use a member fixed to the unit frame 12a of the photographic paper supply unit 12, and the holding means (corresponding to the chuck device 40 in the embodiment) for holding and directly transporting the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is held. It may be a support member that moves integrally with the means. In this case, for example, the support member can be provided as a plate-like support member that extends from the holding means in a substantially linear manner to the upstream side of the upstream end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entirety of a printer processor provided with a sheet-shaped photosensitive material transport mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a photographic paper supply unit and an exposure unit provided in the printer processor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the photographic paper supply unit of FIG. 2;

4 is a partially cutaway front view of the photographic paper supply unit of FIG. 3 as viewed from the drawer side.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a chuck mechanism mounted on the photographic paper supply unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a guide member of a chuck device mounted on the photographic paper supply unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a posture control method of a chuck device mounted on a photographic paper supply unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P Sheet-shaped photosensitive material 12 Photographic paper supply unit 18 Exposure unit (second processing unit) 30 Pull-out device (first processing unit) 40 Nipping device (Nipping means) 42g Guide inclined surface (guide member) 46g Guide inclined surface (guide member) 46a Support projection (chuck means) 48 Chuck pin (chuck means) 54 Timing belt (conveyance mechanism) 60a Upper guide plate (support member) 60b Lower guide plate (support member)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H106 AB45 BA11 3F101 BA01 BB05 BB07 CA02 CB03 CC01 FA00 FC07 FE01 FE11 LA16 LB12

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A holding means capable of holding a predetermined portion of a sheet-shaped photosensitive material cut to a print size, and the holding means being provided from a first processing unit on an upstream side with respect to a conveying direction of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material. Transfer mechanism for reciprocating between a first position for receiving the sheet-shaped photosensitive material and a second position for delivering the sheet-shaped photosensitive material to a downstream second processing unit A support member for contacting and supporting an upstream end of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material sandwiched by the sandwiching means near a movement locus of the predetermined position of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is provided. Sheet-type photosensitive material transport mechanism. 2. The sheet-like sheet according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a guide surface between the first processing unit and the second processing unit, the guide surface extending parallel to a direction in which the holding mechanism is transported by the transport mechanism. Photosensitive material transport mechanism. 3. The sheet-like photosensitive material includes a first guide surface facing a first surface of the sheet-like photosensitive material and a second guide surface facing a second surface of the sheet-like photosensitive material. The predetermined portion of the photosensitive material is located between the first guide surface and the second guide surface.
3. The sheet-like photosensitive material conveying mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the sheet-like photosensitive material conveying mechanism is disposed between the guide surfaces. 4. The guide surface extends substantially horizontally between the first processing unit and the second processing unit.
Sheet-type photosensitive material transport mechanism. 5. The sheet-like photosensitive material intersecting with the transport direction along the sheet-like photosensitive material so as to sandwich the sheet-like photosensitive material at two predetermined locations from both sides thereof. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of chucks disposed apart from each other along a width direction of the material, wherein the support member extends between the pair of chucks. 6. Sheet-shaped photosensitive material transport mechanism. 6. The pair of chucks, when the sheet-like photosensitive material provided from the first processing unit is moved from the second processing unit to the first processing unit by the holding unit. 6. The sheet-like photosensitive material conveying mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising a guide member for guiding the photosensitive material. 7. The sheet-like photosensitive material of the sheet-like photosensitive material in the first processing unit is configured to guide a portion of the sheet-like photosensitive material that is not contacted and supported by the support member to the holding unit. 7. The sheet-shaped photosensitive material conveying mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising a guide inclined surface extending outside the pair of chuck means along the width direction. 8. The exposure apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second processing unit includes: an exposure transport mechanism configured to transport the sheet-shaped photosensitive material in a sub-scanning direction along the transport direction; 2. A digital exposure apparatus comprising: a light emitting unit that performs line exposure along a main scanning direction that intersects a sub-scanning direction; and a control unit that drives the light emitting unit based on supplied print data. 8. The sheet-shaped photosensitive material conveying mechanism according to any one of items 7 to 7.