JP2002090905A - Device for correcting feed length of photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for correcting the feed lengths of photosensitive materials which is capable of suppressing the occurrence of a variation in feed length regardless of the kinds of the photosensitive materials. SOLUTION: This device has a paper cutter 6 which cuts long-sized paper P drawn out of paper magazines 1a and 1b to a prescribed print size, kind detecting sensors 2a and 2b which detect the kinds of the paper P, a feed length control means 25a which controls the feed length of the paper P in order to cut the paper P to the prescribed print size and a feed length correcting means 25b which corrects the feed length in accordance with the detected kinds of the paper P.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive material feed length correction device provided with a cutting means for cutting a long photosensitive material drawn from a photosensitive material storage magazine into a predetermined print size. The present invention relates to a photosensitive material feed length correction device capable of eliminating print size variations.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photographic processing apparatus, a paper such as a long photographic paper (corresponding to a photosensitive material) is drawn out of a photosensitive material accommodating magazine accommodating a roll of paper.
Must be cut to print size. In order to cut the paper, the paper is transported by a feed length corresponding to the print size, and then the paper is stopped and cut by a paper cutter (corresponding to a cutting unit).

In this case, for example, when the length is 100
If you want to cut into mm size prints,
After the paper is transported by a feed length of 100 mm, the paper is stopped and cut by a paper cutter.
For transporting the paper, a transport roller unit including a driving roller and a pressure roller is generally used.

[0004]

However, in the above case, the length of the paper to be cut is always 10
It is not always 0 mm. For example, even if the feed length is set to 100 mm, the actual feed length may be 100.5 mm or 99.8 mm depending on the type of paper such as the thickness of the paper and the surface quality of the paper.
Or variations occur. This is because different types of emulsion surfaces (surface qualities) have different friction coefficients, so that the feed length also changes.

As shown in FIG. 1, when two paper magazines 1a and 1b (corresponding to photosensitive material magazines) are mounted, the paper pulled out from the first paper magazine 1a on the left side is Drive roller 40a
Is sent toward the paper cutter 6 by an advanced roller unit 4a including
The paper pulled out from the second paper magazine 1b on the right side is similarly sent out to the paper cutter 6 by the advance roller unit 4b.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the paper drawn from the first paper magazine 1a is conveyed with the back surface (non-emulsion surface) wound around the outer periphery of the drive roller 40a, but is drawn from the second paper magazine 1b. The paper to be fed is conveyed with the emulsion surface wound around the outer periphery of the drive roller 40b. That is, even if the paper is transported by the same drive roller, the friction coefficient is different between the non-emulsion surface and the emulsion surface. A difference occurs in the transport amount.

Also, when the first paper magazine 1a is replaced with another one, the actual feed length differs because the type of paper is different. In particular, the driving roller 40a
When the thickness of the paper is different, the amount of conveyance by the drive roller 40a is different, and in this respect, the actual feed length of the paper also varies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for correcting a feed length of a photosensitive material capable of suppressing the occurrence of a variation in the feed length regardless of the type of the photosensitive material. To provide.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a photosensitive material feed length correcting apparatus according to the present invention cuts a long photosensitive material drawn from a photosensitive material storage magazine into a predetermined print size. Cutting means, a type detection sensor for detecting the type of photosensitive material, a feed length control means for controlling the feed length of the photosensitive material for cutting the photosensitive material to the print size, and A feed length correcting means for correcting the feed length based on the type of photosensitive material.

The operation and effect of the apparatus for correcting the feed length of the photosensitive material according to this configuration are as follows. First, a type detection sensor for detecting the type of the photosensitive material is provided, and the feed length can be corrected based on the detected type.
Control is performed so that the photosensitive material is conveyed with the corrected feed length. Therefore, it is possible to provide a photosensitive material feed length correction device capable of suppressing the occurrence of variations in the feed length regardless of the type of photosensitive material.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a configuration in which the type of the photosensitive material is detected based on identification information formed in the photosensitive material storage magazine.

When the magazine containing the photosensitive material is exchanged for another type, if the identification information is formed in the magazine, the type of the photosensitive material can be automatically detected with the exchange of the magazine. Thereby, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided one having a correction mode setting means for obtaining a correction value of the feed length.

The correction value of the feed length can be obtained for each type of photosensitive material by the correction mode by the correction mode setting means.

[0015] In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
A transport path from the photosensitive material containing magazine to the cutting means after the photosensitive material is pulled out is provided with a leading edge detection sensor for detecting the leading edge of the photosensitive material.In the correction mode, the leading edge of the photosensitive material is After the detection, the photosensitive material is transported by a first feed length, and then the photosensitive material is cut to a first print size. Subsequently, after the photosensitive material is transported by a second feed length, And a print size of 2 for cutting the photosensitive material.

The procedure from when the photosensitive material is pulled out of the magazine for accommodating the photosensitive material to when the photosensitive material is cut into print sizes will be briefly described. The pulled-out photosensitive material is conveyed by a driving roller, and then, the leading end of the pulled-out photosensitive material is detected by a leading end detection sensor. The cutting means is arranged downstream of the leading end detection sensor in the transport path. Here, the distance along the transport path between the cutting means and the tip detection sensor is an individual difference depending on the device (hereinafter, when referred to as an individual difference in the present specification, a difference based on an arrangement error between the cutting means and the sensor is used. Say)). Therefore, it is necessary to determine a correction value in consideration of this individual difference.

According to the correction mode, the photosensitive material is transported by a first feed length after the leading end of the photosensitive material is detected, and thereafter, the photosensitive material is cut into a first print size. The dimensions of the cut photosensitive material are measured, and the difference between the set first feed length and the actual feed length is obtained. This measured value includes the above-described individual differences as well as the effects of the type of the photosensitive material such as the thickness and surface quality.

After cutting the first print size,
Subsequently, the photosensitive material is transported by the second feed length, and thereafter, the photosensitive material is cut into a second print size. Then, a difference between the set second feed length and the actual feed length is obtained. In this case, there is no influence of the individual difference, but only the type of the photosensitive material. Therefore, by obtaining photosensitive materials of two types of print sizes, that is, the first print size and the second print size, it is possible to obtain the influence of only individual differences. This makes it possible to obtain a highly accurate correction value in consideration of individual differences.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of an image exposure apparatus provided with a photosensitive material feed length correcting apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image exposure apparatus.

<Structure of Image Exposure Apparatus> In FIG. 1, a paper (corresponding to a photosensitive material) is configured to be conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path, and a drawer conveyance section A, a pre-sorting conveyance section B, Sorting transport section C, intermediate transport section D,
It comprises an exposure transport section E and a post-exposure transport section F.
These transport units are provided with transport means for transporting the paper along a predetermined path.

In the drawer transport section A, two paper magazines (corresponding to photosensitive material magazines) 1a, 1
b is detachable, and long paper is stored in a roll shape. The paper P is pulled out from one of the paper magazines 1a and 1b and transported. Further, type detection sensors 2a and 2b are provided, and detect the type (width, surface quality, manufacturer, etc.) of the paper contained in the mounted paper magazines 1a and 1b. As a detection method, for example, a method in which the presence or absence of a several-bit hole formed in the paper magazines 1a and 1b is detected by an optical sensor is exemplified. Alternatively, a configuration for detecting barcode information may be employed, and any detection method can be adopted. These hole information and barcode information correspond to identification information.

An end detecting sensor 3 is provided at a position immediately after the paper P is pulled out from each of the paper magazines 1a and 1b.
a and 3b are provided to detect the rear end of the paper P when all the long papers P are pulled out. The pulled out paper P is advanced roller unit 4
By a and 4b, they are sent out to a common transport path. The leading edge detection sensor 5 detects the leading edge of the paper P.

The advance roller unit 4a includes a driving roller 40a and a pressure roller 41a, and the driving roller 40a is driven by a pulse motor Ma. The paper P pulled out from the first paper magazine 1a shown on the left side of FIG. 1 is drawn out with its non-emulsion surface side wound 90 degrees around the outer periphery of the drive roller 40a.

Similarly, the advance roller unit 4b
Has a driving roller 40b and a pressure roller 41b, and the driving roller 40b is driven by a pulse motor Mb. The paper P drawn out from the second paper magazine 1b shown on the right side of FIG. 1 is drawn out with its emulsion side wound around the outer periphery of the drive roller 40b by 90 degrees or more. The reason why the paper P is wound around the outer periphery of each of the drive rollers 40a and 40b is that a transport force is required to pull out the paper P from each of the paper magazines 1a and 1b.

At the upstream end of the pre-sorting transport section B, a paper cutter 6 for cutting the paper P drawn from the paper magazines 1a and 1b according to the print size.
(Corresponding to a cutting unit), and a back print unit 7 located downstream of the paper cutter 6.
Is provided. The back print unit 7 includes a film ID, a frame number,
Further, correction information indicating image processing performed at the time of print data creation is printed, and a dot impact printer is usually used.

The tip detection sensor 5 and the paper cutter 6 described above are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. After the leading end of the paper P pulled out from the paper magazines 1a and 1b and conveyed is detected, the paper P is conveyed by a length obtained by adding the predetermined distance to the feed length corresponding to the print size. P is temporarily stopped and cut by the paper cutter 6. After that,
The operation of being transported and cut by the feed length corresponding to the print size is repeated.

The pre-distribution transport section B has two transport roller units arranged so as to sandwich the back print section 7, and the downstream transport roller unit particularly constitutes a paper discharge area. , A driving roller 8a in contact with the non-emulsion surface side of the paper P, and a pressure roller 8b in contact with the emulsion surface side. The pressure roller 8b can be displaced in near and far directions with respect to the driving roller 8a. 8b can be crimped or released. The drive roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b, which are the upstream transport roller units, have the same configuration.

Pull-out conveyance section A and pre-sorting conveyance section B
(These correspond to a paper supply line.) In this case, the paper P is transported in a single line, and the intermediate transport sections D,
In the exposure conveyance section E and the post-exposure conveyance section F (these correspond to the exposure conveyance line), the paper P is in one row or two rows.
Conveyed simultaneously in rows. In order to enable conveyance in two rows, a wide conveyance roller unit and a guide member corresponding to each row are provided. However, in the intermediate conveyance section D, the intermediate drive roller 22 is a wide roller covering two rows, but the intermediate pressure roller 23 is divided into a right row and a left row.

The sorting and transporting section C has a mechanism for sorting and transporting the paper P transported in one row into two rows on the left and right. Since the size in the width direction of the digital print unit 11 is set in accordance with the size of the print having the maximum width that can be exposed, a paper having a small width (for example,
In the case of processing (service size print), it is preferable to convey the paper in two rows and expose two sheets at the same time from the viewpoint of processing efficiency. In such a case, the paper is carried in two rows. In the case of paper P having a large width, it is not necessary to sort the paper P, so that the paper P is continuously conveyed in a row.

Although not described in detail, two chuckers 60 are provided along the transport width direction, and each chucker 60 is configured to be movable in both the transport direction and the transport width direction. As a result, the paper can be sorted.

The intermediate conveying section D is provided with the cut paper P
And a first intermediate pressure roller and a second intermediate pressure roller that can be displaced in the distance direction with respect to the intermediate drive roller 22 (not shown).
When the paper P is conveyed in two rows, the first intermediate pressure roller presses the paper P conveyed in the right row, and the second intermediate pressure roller presses the paper P conveyed in the left row. The crimping and releasing operations can be performed independently of each other.

The exposure transport section E includes a digital print section 11
(Corresponding to a scanning exposure section). The first exposure transport roller unit on the entrance side and the second exposure conveyance roller unit on the
An exposure / conveyance roller unit, wherein the first exposure / conveyance roller unit comprises: a first exposure / conveyance roller 12 in contact with the non-emulsion side of the paper P;
2 has a first exposure pressure bonding roller 13 that can be displaced in near and far directions. The second exposure / conveyance roller unit includes a second exposure / conveyance roller 1 that contacts the non-emulsion side of the paper P.
4 and a second exposure pressure roller 15 that can be displaced in distance from the second exposure transport roller 14. First and second
The exposure transport rollers 12 and 14 are synchronously driven by a belt transmission mechanism from one drive source, but the first and second exposure pressure bonding rollers 13 and 15 are independently driven by the opposed exposure transport rollers 12 and 14, respectively. On the other hand, it can be displaced.

In the present embodiment, the digital print section 11 employs a PLZT shutter type engine. That is, a shutter array including a PLZT element is used as the exposure head. The shutter array is provided along the width direction (main scanning direction) of the paper P, that is, along 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, by applying a drive voltage corresponding to the image data to each shutter, exposure corresponding to the image data is performed. By exposing and forming an image line by line while transporting the paper P at a constant speed along the transport path (sub-scanning direction), a two-dimensional image can be printed on the paper P.

The digital print section 11 includes:
In addition to the PLZT shutter method, the liquid crystal shutter method,
Appropriate methods such as a fluorescent beam method, a FOCRT method, and a DMD method can be adopted.

The post-exposure transport section F includes a first turn transport roller unit, a second turn transport roller unit, a normal transport roller group 16, and a turn guide 17.
The first-turn transport roller unit has a first-turn drive roller 18 in contact with the emulsion surface side of the paper P, and a first-turn pressure roller 19 that can be displaced in a distance from the first-turn drive roller 18. . Similarly, the second-turn transport roller unit has a second-turn drive roller 20 and a second-turn pressure roller 21. The turn guide 17 disposed between the first and second turn transport roller units includes an inner turn guide 17a on the emulsion surface side and an outer turn guide 17b on the non-emulsion surface side. The paper P that can swing outward around a swing fulcrum provided on the downstream side can inflate the paper P passing through the turn guide to the outside as needed.

<Structure of Controller> Returning to FIG. 1, the controller 25 controls the operation of each part of the image exposure apparatus. Here, only typical functions will be described. The controller 25 includes hardware such as a CPU and an input / output interface and software such as a control program.

The feed length control means 25a controls the feed length of the paper P by the pulse motors Ma and Mb. By supplying a predetermined drive pulse to the pulse motors Ma and Mb, the drive rollers 40a and 40b corresponding to the number of drive pulses are driven to rotate. Thus, the paper P can be transported by a feed length corresponding to the number of drive pulses. In other words, the feed length control unit 25a controls the conveyance for cutting the long paper P into a predetermined print size.

<Regarding Correction Operation> Feed length correction means 2
5b sends correction value data to the feed length control means 25a to correct the feed length of the paper P. This correction will be described below. For example, if you want to cut into prints with a length of 100 mm,
After being conveyed by a feed length of 00 mm, the paper is stopped and cut by a cutter.

However, in the above case, the length of the paper to be cut is not always 100 mm. For example, depending on the type of paper, such as the thickness of the paper and the surface quality of the paper surface, the feed length may be 10
Even if it is set to 0 mm, it will be 100.5 mm, 99.8 mm, or a variation. this is,
This is because different types of emulsion surfaces have different friction coefficients, so that the feed length also changes.

As shown in FIG. 1, when two paper magazines 1a and 1b are mounted, the paper P pulled out from the first paper magazine 1a has a non-emulsion surface (back surface) of the drive roller 40a. Although the paper is wound around the outer periphery and conveyed, the paper pulled out from the second paper magazine 1b is conveyed with the emulsion surface wound around the outer periphery of the drive roller 40b. That is, even if the paper P is conveyed by the same drive roller, since the coefficient of friction is different between the non-emulsion surface and the emulsion surface, the paper P is conveyed by the same feed length in the first paper magazine 1a and the second paper magazine 1b. However, a difference occurs in the actual transport amount.

Also, when the first paper magazine 1a (the same applies to the second paper magazine 1b) is replaced with another one, the actual feed length is different because the type of paper is different. In particular, the paper is wound around the outer periphery of the drive roller 40a, but if the thickness of the paper is different, the transport amount by the drive roller 40a is different. For example, paper that is attached to the back of the New Year's card is thinner than normal paper. Also in the above points, the actual feed length of the paper varies. Such variations degrade the quality of the photographic print, and it is necessary to eliminate the variations.

Therefore, a feed length correcting means 25b is provided to correct the feed length so that the feed length does not vary regardless of the type of paper. The feed length correction means 25b uses the type detection sensors 2a and 2b to detect the type of paper (currently either paper magazine 1a or 1).
(including information indicating whether or not b has been selected), and reads a correction value corresponding to the detected type from the storage device 27 (database). Then, the read correction value data is transmitted to the feed length control means 25a. The feed length correction means 25a drives the pulse motors Ma and Mb according to the corrected number of drive pulses. Thereby, the feed length of the paper P is corrected.

The correction values of various papers are registered in the storage device 27. This procedure will be described. In order to register the correction value of the paper, the correction mode is set by the correction mode setting means 25c for obtaining the correction value. In the correction mode, various papers are actually conveyed, and a set (reference) feed length is compared with an actual feed length. A correction value is obtained from the comparison result.

<Contents of Correction Mode> Next, the processing procedure in the correction mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the first paper magazine 1a (the same applies to the second paper magazine 1b) is mounted, and the paper P is pulled out (# 10). The paper P is drawn out and transported by the advance roller unit 4a, and the leading end thereof is detected by the leading end detection sensor 5 (# 11). After the leading edge is detected, the paper P is set so that the length of the print size along the transport direction (corresponding to the feed length) becomes 150 mm (corresponding to the first print size and the first feed length). Is transported (# 12). When the paper P is conveyed by the first feed length, the paper P is cut into a first print size (#
13).

Subsequently, the paper P is transported so that the length of the print size along the transport direction is 200 mm (corresponding to the second print size and the second feed length) (# 14). When transported by the second feed length,
Cut the paper P to the second print size (# 1
5). Then, the actual feed length of each cut print size is measured.

Here, the paper cutter 6 is arranged downstream of the leading edge detection sensor 5 in the transport path, but the distance between the paper cutter 6 and the leading edge detection sensor 5 along the transport path depends on the image exposure device. There are individual differences (variations). Therefore, it is necessary to determine a correction value in consideration of this individual difference.

That is, when the paper P is first pulled out from the paper magazine 1a and started to be conveyed, it is necessary to control the conveyance in consideration of the individual difference in addition to the thickness and surface quality of the paper. Further, when conveying the paper whose tip has been cut by the paper cutter 6, only the thickness and surface quality of the paper (including the error of the diameter of the conveying roller and the rotation error of the conveying roller) are considered. Transport control. Also, the image processing apparatus may be in a standby state for a long time,
When the paper is stopped, the paper is once rewound into the paper magazine 1a and stored. Therefore, when the paper is drawn out and transported again, it is necessary to newly perform transport control including the individual difference.

According to the correction mode, first, the paper is cut to a first print size. The dimensions of the cut paper are measured, and the difference between the set first feed length and the actual feed length is determined. The measured values include the above-described individual differences, in addition to the types of paper such as thickness and surface quality.

After the first print size has been cut, the paper is subsequently cut to the second print size. Then, a difference between the set second feed length and the actual feed length is obtained. In this case, there is no effect of the individual difference, and only the type of paper has an effect. Therefore, by obtaining paper of two types of print sizes, the first print size and the second print size,
The effect of only the individual difference can be obtained. This makes it possible to obtain a highly accurate correction value in consideration of the individual difference.

Further, the first print size and the second print size are set to be different sizes. This is because when the operator inputs correction data, which one is the first print or the second print size? This is to make it easy to recognize whether the print is the second print. In the case where a mark for identification is printed on the back surface of the paper by the back print unit 7, a print of the same size may be created.

A monitor 28 is connected to the controller 25, and a correction value can be input while looking at the monitor screen. The input of the correction value is performed using the keyboard 26.
(Corresponding to an input means).
16). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input screen. In this figure, the first display area 28a shows the paper width. The second display area 28b is an area for inputting a correction value. Differences between (1), (2), (3) and (4) indicate differences in surface quality. That is, correction values can be input and registered for four types of surface qualities for one paper width. In the magazine selection area 28c, one of the two mounted paper magazines 1a and 1b can be selected.

<Description of Operation> The operation of the image exposure apparatus according to this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 1, a long paper P is pulled out from one of the paper magazines 1a and 1b, conveyed, and cut into a print size by a paper cutter 6 (# 1, # 2). On the back surface of the cut paper P, predetermined information is printed by the back print unit 7 (# 3). The feed amount of the paper when cutting the paper is corrected by a correction value corresponding to the type detected by the type detection sensors 2a and 2b.

After performing the back print, the paper is sent to the sorting / conveying unit C, and for the paper that needs to be sorted / conveyed, the sorting / conveying is performed (#
4).

The paper transported by the distribution transport section C is transported in the intermediate transport section D (# 5), and is subsequently sent to the exposure transport section E. Here, scanning exposure is performed by the digital print unit 11 (# 6).

The paper on which the latent image has been formed by exposure is
It is transported by the transport section F after exposure, and a developing processing section (not shown)
The developing and drying processes are performed in the drying processing section, and the photographic prints are discharged outside the apparatus (# 7, 8, 9).

<Another Embodiment> (1) In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the photosensitive material feed length correction apparatus is applied to an image exposure apparatus for creating a digital print. The present invention is also applicable. Also, the position of the cutter is not limited to the configuration of the image exposure apparatus according to the present embodiment.

(2) The types of paper in the present invention include differences in paper magazines.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image exposure apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a correction mode.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a correction value input screen;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation of the image exposure apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b Paper magazine 2a, 2b Type detection sensor 4a, 4b Advanced roller unit 5 Tip detection sensor 6 Paper cutter 25a Feed length control means 25b Feed length correction means 25c Correction mode setting means 40a, 40b Drive rollers 41a, 41b Crimping Laura P paper

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03C 3/00 571 G03C 3/00 571E 572 572A G03D 13/00 G03D 13 / 00F

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cutting means for cutting a long photosensitive material drawn out of a photosensitive material storage magazine into a predetermined print size; a type detection sensor for detecting a type of the photosensitive material; A feed length control unit that controls a feed length of the photosensitive material, and a feed length correction unit that corrects the feed length based on the detected type of the photosensitive material. An apparatus for correcting a feed length of a photosensitive material. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of the photosensitive material is detected based on identification information formed in the magazine containing the photosensitive material. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction mode setting means for determining a correction value of the feed length. 4. A transport path from drawing out the photosensitive material from the photosensitive material storage magazine to the cutting means, comprising a leading end detection sensor for detecting a leading end of the photosensitive material, wherein in the correction mode, After the leading edge of the photosensitive material is detected, the photosensitive material is conveyed by a first feed length, and then the photosensitive material is cut to a first print size. Subsequently, the photosensitive material is moved by a second feed length. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photosensitive material is cut into a second print size after being conveyed.