JP2002350995A - Mount storage box and film scanner having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the inadequate transportation of a mount from a mount storage box caused by the mount not pressed. SOLUTION: The mount storage box 12 is provided with an opening/closing door 70 for carrying in or carrying out a mount 8, and a pressure mechanism 90 for pressing downward the mount 8 placed on the undersurface of the opening/closing door 70. When the opening/closing door 70 is maintained in a closing state after carrying the mount 8 in the mount storage box 12, the pressure mechanism 90 is automatically set in the state of pressing the mount 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a mount storage box for storing a mount holding a film and a film scanner provided with the mount storage box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photographic processing apparatus capable of automatically performing processes such as exposure, development, bleach-fixing, and stabilization on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper is known. When exposing a photosensitive material by such a photographic processing apparatus, direct (analog) exposure for exposing the photosensitive material with light transmitted through a photographic film is widely performed. On the other hand, in recent years, so-called digital exposure, in which a photosensitive material is exposed to light controlled based on a digital image signal obtained by imaging a film with a film scanner having an image sensor such as a CCD, has been put to practical use. ing. By adopting the digital exposure method, various image processing such as color correction, density correction, and sharpening can be performed with a high degree of freedom, rapid reprinting is possible, and color and density reproducibility It is possible to obtain a good print with high image quality and excellent resolution.

In the above-described film scanner, the mount is film-scanned in order to accurately and efficiently read an image recorded on one frame of film (usually a positive film) held on a paper or plastic mount. There is a case where a mount carrier unit for transporting to a position is attached. Some mount carrier units have mount storage boxes (stockers) on both sides of the carrier main body, and the mounts stacked and stored in the mount storage box on the discharge side are fed onto the movable base of the carrier main body. Then, while being held between the pair of rollers in the carrier body, the movable table is transported to the receiving-side mount storage box via the scanning position, and is stored therein.

[0004] Here, the mount storage box on the discharge side is provided with an opening / closing door for loading or unloading the mount, and a pressing mechanism for pressing the mount stored therein in the stacking direction. Some are properly conveyed sequentially from the lowermost one by being pushed out by an insertion arm inserted from near the lower end of the mount storage box. Further, in this mount storage box, the mount can be pressed in the stacking direction by the pressing mechanism, so that the mount is hardly conveyed appropriately.

[0005]

However, after the mount is stored in the mount storage box, there is a possibility that the opening / closing door is kept closed without pressing the mount. In this way, when the opening / closing door is maintained in the closed state without confirming that the mount has been pressed by the pressing mechanism, the feeding of the mount is started in a state in which the mount is not pressed by the pressing mechanism, and the mount storage box is opened. If the pressing force of the insertion arm is divided in the stacking direction of the mount when the mount is fed, or if there is a step between the mounting table and the mounting table when the mount storage box is mounted, the mount moves above the insertion arm. As a result, the mount may not be properly transported from the mount storage box. In such a case, there is a problem that the processing capability of the mount carrier unit is significantly reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mount storage box and a mount storage box which can prevent the mount from being appropriately transported from the mount storage box due to forgetting to press the mount by the pressing mechanism. It is to provide a film scanner.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, a mount storage box according to claim 1 is a mount storage box capable of storing a mount for holding a film on which an image is recorded. A stack of an opening / closing door that can be opened and closed so as to rotate around a support shaft parallel to one end of the mount when carrying in or out of the mount storage box, and a mount stored in the mount storage box. A pressing mechanism capable of selectively taking a state of pressing in a direction and a state of not pressing, wherein the pressing mechanism automatically presses the mount when the opening / closing door is closed. It is a feature.

According to the first aspect, when the opening / closing door is closed, the pressing mechanism automatically presses the mount, and if it is confirmed that the opening / closing door is maintained in the closed state, the pressing mechanism is pressed. This eliminates the need to visually confirm that the mount is being pressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the mount from being not properly transported from the mount storage box due to forgetting to press the mount by the pressing mechanism.

Further, the mount storage box according to claim 2 is characterized in that it can store only one mount. According to the second aspect, since the height of the mount storage box is reduced, the space above the portion where the mount storage box is mounted can be effectively used.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the open / close door is automatically opened when there is no mount in the mount / storage box. According to the third aspect, when the mount is carried into the mount storage box, the procedure for opening the opening / closing door is omitted, so that the operation can be performed efficiently.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a film scanner including the above-described mount storage box. According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to suppress a situation where the mount is not properly conveyed from the mount storage box due to forgetting to press the mount by the pressing mechanism, and the processing capability of the film scanner is reduced.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a film scanner provided with a mount storage box according to the present embodiment.

First, a film scanner having a mount carrier unit having a mount storage box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. A mount carrier unit 2 is detachably attached to the film scanner 1 shown in FIG. The mount carrier unit 2 includes a main body 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and two mount storage boxes 12 and 13 attached near both ends of the main body 11, respectively. Of the two mount storage boxes 12 and 13, one (right) mount storage box 12 is a mount discharge side, and the other (left) mount storage box 13 is a mount receiving side. That is, the mounts stored in the mount storage box 12 are sequentially transported one by one from here, and are sequentially stored in the mount storage box 13 after scanning.

Above the mount carrier unit 2,
A light source unit 3 including a halogen lamp is disposed, and an image pickup unit 4 including a CCD line sensor 108 (see FIG. 21) is disposed below the mount carrier unit 2. The film scanner 1 is provided with a personal computer 5 for performing various processes and a display 6 and a keyboard 7 connected to the personal computer 5. The film scanner 1 includes a print head 109 (see FIG. 21) for digitally exposing photographic paper, a processor for performing development and the like, a sorter 110 (see FIG. 21) for sorting developed prints, and the like. A processor (not shown) is connected.

Next, a detailed structure of the mount carrier unit 2 will be described in the order of the mount storage box and the main body. First, mount storage boxes 12 and 13
Will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view and a side perspective view when the opening / closing door of the mount storage box 12 on the mount discharge side is in a closed state. FIG. 3 shows the mount storage box 1 on the mount discharge side.
It is a perspective view when the 2nd opening / closing door is in a door open state. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a lock mechanism of an opening / closing door of a mount storage box 12 on a mount discharge side. FIG. 5 is a front view of the mount storage box 13 on the mount receiving side. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the lower end of the mount storage box 13 on the mount receiving side. FIG.
It is a top view of a mount and a dummy mount.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, only one mount 8 holding a positive film on which an image is recorded can be stored in a mount storage box 12 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Also, the mount storage box 12
Is detachable from the mount carrier unit 2. The mount 8 has a substantially square outer shape,
At the center of the mount 8, as shown in FIG. 7A, a rectangular opening 8a having substantially the same size as the size of the image on the positive film is provided.

A mount 8 for performing scanning is carried into the mount storage box 12 as appropriate. Although the lower end of the mount storage box 12 is closed, a mount outlet 12d is provided in a portion adjacent to the lower end of the side wall 12a on the mount storage box 13 side. The mount outlet 12d has a height slightly larger than the height of one mount.

Side wall 1 provided with mount outlet 12d
A hole 12e is provided in a portion adjacent to the lower end of the side wall 12b opposite to 2a so that an insertion arm 23 (see FIG. 8) provided in the main body 11 can enter and exit the inside of the mount storage box 12. ing. Thus, the mount 8 stored in the mount storage box 12 is
It is pushed out by the insertion arm 23 and transported.

The mount storage box 12 includes a mount 8
Is provided with an opening / closing door 70 for loading or unloading.
One end of the opening / closing door 70 is rotatably supported on an upper end of a side wall 12 c perpendicular to the side wall 12 a of the mount storage box 12, and the other end is stepped outwardly of the mount storage box 12. A portion 70a is formed. The step portion 70a is for facilitating the operation of the door 70. The open / close door 70 selects one of a state in which the mount storage box 12 is closed as shown in FIG. 2 (closed state) and a state in which the mount storage box 12 is opened as shown in FIG. 3 (door open state). Can be obtained. Here, the door 70 and the side wall 12
A torsion coil spring 71 is disposed between the mount storage box 12 and the opening / closing door 70.

A lock mechanism 80 is provided outside the side wall 12b of the mount storage box 12. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lock mechanism 80
Inside, hook 81, hook 82, push button 83
And a spring member 84. The hook 81 is a flat plate-like member having a substantially “U” shape, and is rotatable around a shaft member 85 provided near one end (hereinafter, referred to as a distal end portion 81a). The shaft member 86 is provided at the other end. When the door 70 is in the closed state, the tip 81 of the hook 81 is closed.
a is disposed so as to protrude downward from the upper end of the mount outlet 12d. On the other hand, the hook 82 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member, and has one end (hereinafter referred to as a tip 8).
2a) has a key shape, is disposed near the inside of the side wall 12b, and a shaft member 86 is provided at the other end. When the door 70 is in the closed state, the distal end portion 82a of the hook 82 is arranged above the door 70 so as to protrude inward from one end thereof. Here, since the hook 81 and the hook 82 are connected via the shaft member 86, the two are integrally rotated around the shaft member 86.

The push button 83 is a substantially rod-shaped member.
The upper end protrudes upward from the upper end of the housing 84, and the lower end is arranged to abut on the end of the hook 81 opposite to the end 81 a. Further, the push button 83 is arranged so as to be able to reciprocate up and down in the housing 88. The spring member 84 includes the hook 81 and the housing 8.
8, and urges the hook 81, the hook 82, and the push button 83 upward.

Accordingly, when the push button 83 is not pressed (no external force is applied to the push button 83), the hook 82 is substantially horizontal as shown in FIG. The tip 82a of the hook 82 is located on the side wall 12b.
By being hooked on the end of the opening / closing door 70 close to
The closed state is maintained. The push button 8 is used to carry the mount 8 into or out of the mount storage box 12.
When the button 3 is pressed (a downward force is applied to the push button 83 from the outside), as shown in FIG. 4B, the end of the hook 81 on the side opposite to the distal end 81a is pushed down, As the hook 81 rotates around the shaft member 85 clockwise in the figure, the hook 82 is inclined at a predetermined angle, and
When the hook 82 is hooked to the end of the hook 82 at the end of the hook 82, the door 70 is urged in the direction from the inside of the mount storage box 12 to the outside as described above. The door is opened. After the door 70 is opened, the hook 81, the hook 82, and the push button 83 return to the original state.

A pressing mechanism 90 for pressing the stored mount 8 downward is provided on the lower surface of the door 70 (the inner surface of the mount storage box 12).
The pressing mechanism 90 includes two pressing members 91 disposed in parallel with the opening / closing door 70 and a coil spring 92 disposed between the opening / closing door 70 by two for each pressing member 91.
And The pressing members 91 are substantially rod-shaped flat plates, respectively, and are arranged so as to be parallel to the upper end of the side wall 12c. The pressing member 91 is provided with a coil spring 92.
By expanding and contracting, it is possible to move in a direction away from or close to the door 70. Therefore, the door 70
Is in a closed state, the pressing member 91 can press the mount 8 downward by contacting the upper surface of the mount 8 stored in the mount storage box 12.

Here, a lever portion 23b is formed at an end opposite to the end 23a of the insertion arm 23 which is inserted into the mount storage box 12 to push out the mount 8 and which is in contact with the mount 8. (See FIG. 10).
Therefore, almost simultaneously with the mount 8 stored in the mount storage box 12 being pushed out by the insertion arm 23, the lever portion 23b of the insertion arm 23 comes into contact with the distal end portion 81a of the hook 81, so that the hook 81 is It rotates clockwise (see FIG. 4B). Then, together with the rotation of the hook 81, the hook 82 also rotates in the same manner, and the end portion 82a of the hook 82 is not caught by the end of the door 70, and the door 70 is automatically opened. As described above, in the mount storage box 12 capable of storing one mount 8, when the mount 8 is transported from the mount storage box 12, that is, when there is no mount 8 in the mount storage box 12, the opening / closing door 70 opens. The door is automatically opened.

The mount storage box according to the present embodiment may be a mount storage box 12 that can store one mount as described above or a mount storage box that can store a plurality of mounts. Good. Also,
The mount storage box 12 according to the present embodiment, which can store one mount, can be attached to and detached from the mount carrier unit 2 as described above, so that the mount storage box 12 can store a plurality of mounts. It can be replaced with a box as appropriate. Here, the mount storage box capable of storing a plurality of mounts is the one in which the height of the mount storage box 12 of the present embodiment is increased, and other configurations are the same as those of the present embodiment. It is almost the same. However, the mount storage box that can store multiple mounts is equipped with a detection device for detecting that the mount has been lost inside, and the lock mechanism is controlled based on the detection result,
It is preferable to open the door.

When a mount storage box capable of storing a plurality of mounts is used, for example, a mount 8 in which a positive film on which an image is recorded is held in a mount storage box formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape. And a dummy mount 9 that does not hold a positive film may be housed in a stacked manner. In the case of such a mount storage box, the stored mount 8 and dummy mount 9 are pushed out by the insertion arm 23 in order from the lowest one and conveyed.

Here, the dummy mounts 9 are arranged one by one at the break positions of the mounts 8 for one order, which are collectively stacked for each order. The dummy mount 9 has a substantially square outer shape, the same size and thickness as the mount, and a circular opening near the center of the dummy mount 9 as shown in FIG. 9b is provided. Dummy mount 9
A notch 9a is provided near the center of each side of the outer periphery between the corners 9c. The four notches 9a are provided in the dummy mount 9 because the dummy mount 9 can be mounted in the mount storage box 12
The lever 53 described later (see FIG. 14)
This is to make it possible to detect the notch 9a.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a mount storage box 13 formed in a substantially
And the dummy mount 9 can be stored such that they are stacked on each other. Also, mount storage box 1
3 includes an opening / closing door 75 for loading or unloading the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9. Door 75
Is rotatably supported above the side wall 13c with the end of the side wall 13a on the mount storage box 12 side as a support shaft. Here, a torsion coil spring 86 is arranged between the door 75 and the side wall 13a, and the door 75 is urged in a direction from the outside to the inside of the mount storage box 13 (a direction to close). . Therefore,
When no force acts on the door 75, the door 75 is kept closed.

Therefore, when carrying out the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 from the mount storage box 13,
With the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9,
When the door 75 is pulled out toward the outside of the mount storage box 13 while being in contact with the door 5, the opening / closing door 75 is gradually opened,
The mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 can be carried out. After the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 are carried out, the door 75 is automatically returned to the closed state.
In this way, the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 can be carried out without going through another procedure of opening the door 75. This simplifies the procedure for unloading the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 from the mount storage box 13.

At the lower end of the mount storage box 13, a mount receiving port 13d for receiving the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 is provided at a portion adjacent to the lower end of the side wall 13a on the mount storage box 12 side. I have. The mount receiving port 13d has a height of substantially one mount.

As shown in FIG. 6, the side walls 13b, 1b, 1b,
At the lower end of 3c, a mount holding piece (stopper) 16,
17 is supported at one end side so as to be swingably opposed about support shafts 16a and 17a at the lower end portions of the side walls 13b and 13c. Further, spring plates 18 and 19 are mounted to regulate the swing angles of the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 so that the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 do not protrude outside the side walls 13b and 13c.

On the other hand, the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 and the side wall 1
3b, 13c, the mount holding piece 16,
The spring plates 18 and 19 have an angle of one of the surfaces 16b and 17b with respect to the horizontal plane exceeding a predetermined angle (almost 0 degree).
So that it does not swing away from it. That is, when no external force is applied, the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 are at their inner positions (holding positions) corresponding to the above-described predetermined angle due to their own weights (the force from above is applied to the surface 1).
6b, 17b), surface 16
When a force from below is applied to the surfaces 16c and 17c opposed to the surfaces b and 17b, they are at outer positions (passing positions) where they come into contact with the spring plates 18 and 19. When the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 are at the outer positions, the thickness of the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 is substantially absorbed by the thickness of the side walls 13a and 13c. Therefore, in this state, the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 hardly protrude from the inner surfaces of the side walls 13a and 13c.

Next, the structure of the main body 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the main body 11 of the mount carrier unit 2. FIG. 9 is a front view of the mount carrier unit 2. FIG. 10 is a front view for explaining a mount transport mechanism included in the main body 11 of the mount carrier unit 2. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG.
It is a perspective view of the part drawn in. FIG. 13 shows the BB of FIG.
It is sectional drawing in a line. FIG. 14 is a side view for explaining a mechanism for raising and lowering a transport roller included in the main body 11 of the mount carrier unit 2. FIG. 15 is a side view for explaining the lifting mechanism of the transport roller as viewed from a direction orthogonal to FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view for explaining a lifting mechanism and a rotation mechanism of the transport roller. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining an elevating mechanism of a mount base included in the main body 11 of the mount carrier unit 2. FIG. 18 is a perspective view thereof.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main body 11 is provided with a moving plate 25 holding a moving table 24 having an opening 24a formed in a portion other than the edge. The mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 transported from the mount storage box 12 is placed on the movable table 24. The mount 8 placed on the moving table 24 is pressed down from above by two mount pressing rollers 26a, 26b attached to the tips of a pair of arms 29a, 29b supported by the moving plate 25, and is mounted on the moving table 24. It does not move easily. In FIG. 8, the arms 29b
Are not shown at the base of the drawing.

When the ball screw 28 is driven to rotate by the pulse motor 27, the moving plate 25
It is movable horizontally along the rails 20a, 20b. Assembling adjustment is performed using an assembling jig so that the movable table 24 moves in a direction (sub-scanning direction) perpendicular to the main scanning direction of scanning by the imaging unit 4.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, when the moving plate 25 is at the rightmost position,
A flat insertion stocker mounting plate 21 on which the mount storage box 12 is mounted is provided at a position adjacent to and slightly higher than the movable table 24. A motor 2 as a drive source is provided on the side of the insertion stocker mounting plate 21.
2a and a pair of pulleys 22 connected to the motor 22a
b, 22c, a belt 22d stretched over the pulleys 22b, 22c, and an insertion arm holding member 22e supported by the belt 22d.
Is arranged.

The insertion arm drive mechanism 22 holds an insertion arm 23 disposed on the insertion stocker mounting plate 21 by an insertion arm holding member 22e. Thereby, the insertion arm 23 is placed on the insertion stocker placement plate 21.
The movable plate 25 can reciprocate along the moving direction. Here, a slide rail 22f is arranged below the insertion stocker mounting plate 21, and the insertion arm holding member 22e moves along the slide rail 22f. A stopper screw is provided between the insertion stocker mounting plate 21 and the belt 22d to determine a position when the insertion arm 23 moves in a direction toward the inside of the mount storage box 12 (to the left in the figure). 22g are arranged. Therefore, the insertion arm 23
The insertion arm holding member 22e can only move to a position where it comes into contact with the stopper screw 22g.

Here, the end 23a of the insertion arm 23 on the side in contact with the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, it is formed so as to bulge in the stacking direction of the mount. The corner (particularly, the corner on the upper surface) of the end 23a of the insertion arm 23 is formed at a substantially right angle (sharp edge) so that the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 that come into contact with each other do not escape.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12,
The light emitting unit 5 is located at a position adjacent to the insertion stocker mounting plate 21.
A photocoupler 54, which is a sensor in which the light receiving portion 4a and the light receiving portion 54b are arranged to face each other, and a lever 53 that can rotate around a shaft 52 are arranged. The top 53a at one end of the lever 53 is located at a position corresponding to the hole 21a provided in the insertion stocker mounting plate 21. The hole 21a is
The dummy mount 9 stored in the mount storage box 12 is provided at a position corresponding to the notch 9a. The lever 53 is urged by a coil spring (not shown) supported by the shaft 52 in a direction in which the top 53a moves upward. Also, a portion 53b on the other end side of the lever 53 is
The lever 53 extends in the same direction as the shaft 52 so as to pass between the light emitting unit 54a and the light receiving unit 54b of the photocoupler 54 when the top 53a of the lever 53 projects from the hole 21a.

Therefore, when the dummy mount 9 is mounted on the insertion stocker mounting plate 21 or when neither the mount 8 nor the dummy mount 9 is mounted (that is, the dummy mount 9 is mounted in the mount storage box 12). Of the lever 53 or the notch 9 of the dummy mount 9).
a, the top 53a of the lever 53 protrudes from the hole 21a, and the light emitting portion 54a and the light receiving portion 54
b is shielded from light by the portion 53b of the lever 53. On the other hand, when the mount 8 is mounted on the insertion stocker mounting plate 21 (that is, when the mount storage box 12 is mounted).
In the case where the mount 8 is at the lowest position in the inside), the top 53a of the lever 53 is pressed down by the mount 8 so that the top 53a of the lever 53 does not protrude from the hole 21a, and the light emitting portion 54a
The light is not blocked by the portion 53b of the lever 53 between the light receiving portion 54b and the light receiving portion 54b. As described above, in the mount carrier unit 2, based on the output signal of the light receiving unit 54 b, the case where the mount 8 is on the insertion stocker mounting plate 21 and the case where the dummy mount 9 is provided or which mount 8, 9
It is possible to distinguish between the case and the case without.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A photocoupler 59, which is a sensor in which a light-emitting unit 59a and a light-receiving unit 59b are arranged to face each other,
A lever 58 rotatable about a shaft 57 is disposed. The top 58a at one end of the lever 58 is located at a position corresponding to the hole 24a provided in the movable base 24. The hole 24a is provided in the mount 8 mounted on the moving table 24.
And at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the corner of the dummy mount 9. The lever 58 is urged by a coil spring (not shown) supported by the shaft 57 so that the top 58a moves upward. When the top 58a of the lever 58 does not protrude from the hole 24a, the light emitting portion 59 of the photocoupler 59 is turned on.
a and extends in the same direction as the shaft 57 so as to pass between the light receiving portion 59a and the light receiving portion 59b.

Therefore, when either the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 is placed on the movable base 24, the top 58a of the lever 58 and the corner 9c of the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 face each other. So lever 5
8 is pushed down by the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9, and the top 58a of the lever 58 is opened from the hole 24a.
a does not protrude, and the portion between the light emitting portion 59a and the light receiving portion 59b is shielded by the portion 58b of the lever 58. On the other hand, when neither the mount 8 nor the dummy mount 9 is mounted on the movable base 24, the top 58a of the lever 58 protrudes from the hole 24a, and a portion of the lever 58 is provided between the light emitting portion 59a and the light receiving portion 59b. No light is blocked by 58b. As described above, in the mount carrier unit 2, based on the output signal of the light receiving portion 59b, the case where the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 is mounted on the movable base 24 and the case where neither of them is mounted It is possible to distinguish between Therefore, by judging by combining the output signal of the light receiving unit 54b and the output signal of the light receiving unit 59b, the case where the mount 8 is mounted on the movable base 24 and the case where the dummy mount 9 is mounted And the case where none of these are placed.

As described above, the mount carrier unit 2
According to the above, since the dummy mount 9 can be distinguished from the mount 8 by the output signals of the light receiving portions 54b and 59b, the mounts 8 according to a plurality of orders are stacked and stored in the mount storage box 12, and these are continuously scanned. Even in such a case, simply placing the dummy mount 9 between the order breaks allows the printer processor connected to the film scanner 1 to create index prints and sort prints for each order. It becomes possible. In addition, since the same number of mounts 8 as the storable number or the number of mounts 8 can be stored in the mount storage box 12, the number of mount storage operations in the mount storage box 12 can be reduced. In addition, the complexity involved in these operations can be reduced, and the time required for completing the scanning can be greatly reduced. Therefore, when performing the automatic processing, it is not necessary for the operator to work clearly on the film scanner 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the lower surface of the main body 11 and on the moving path of the movable base 24, light emitted from the light source 3 and transmitted through the film is picked up by the imaging unit 4.
Is provided with a slit 30 for supplying the liquid. The slit 30 is oriented in the element arrangement direction (main scanning direction) in accordance with the position of the CCD line sensor 108 (see FIG. 19) arranged in the imaging unit 4.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14 to 16, when the movable plate 25 is at the leftmost position on the opposite side of the insertion stocker mounting plate 21 with the slit 30 interposed therebetween, At an adjacent position, a flat mount base 31 on which the mount storage box 13 is placed is arranged. Between the right end of the mount table 31 and the slit 30, a pair of transport rollers 33a and 33b, the surfaces of which have been subjected to ceramic coating to prevent slippage, are arranged. The transport rollers 33a and 33b extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving plate 25 and are fixed to a shaft 32 that can move up and down.

Both ends of the shaft 32 are connected to a substantially U-shaped arm 40 near its open end. The arm 40 is rotatably supported on a shaft 42 parallel to the shaft 32 on the left side of the open end. Further, a hole 40a is provided in the left end surface of the arm 40, and one end of the link member 44 is inserted into the hole 40a. The link member 44 is connected to the shaft 4
2 is rotatably supported by a shaft 37 extending parallel to the left side of the second member 2, and the other end is placed on one end of the link member 43. The link member 43 is rotatably supported by a shaft 46 extending perpendicularly to the shafts 37 and 42, and has the other end located below the solenoid 45. The other end of the link member 43 is pushed down by a pin 45a projecting downward from the lower end when the switch of the solenoid 45 is turned on.

Therefore, when the switch of the solenoid 45 is turned on, the link member 43 rotates around the shaft 46 and raises the other end of the link member 44, whereby the link member 44 rotates around the shaft 37. Then, the left end of the arm 40 is pushed down, whereby the arm 40 rotates around the shaft 42 to lift the shaft 32 and the transport rollers 33a and 33b. That is, in the mount carrier unit 2, the shaft 32 and the transport rollers 33a and 33b are connected to the arm 40 and the link members 43 and 44.
Since the solenoid 45 is connected to the solenoid 45 through the
The shaft 32 and the transport rollers 33a, 33b can be moved up and down via the arm 40.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 16, the shaft 42 supports a gear 42a and a pulley 49 at one end. The gear 42a is connected to the shaft 32
With the gear 32a supported by the gear. A round belt 51 is stretched over the pulley 49. Further, the round belt 51 is stretched around a pulley 47 supported by the ball screw 28 and pulleys 48 and 50 for compensating for a difference in height between the two pulleys 47 and 49. Therefore, when the ball screw 28 is turned to move the moving plate 25, the turning is performed by the pulleys 47, 48,
The transport rollers 33a and 33b are transmitted from the shafts 49 and 50 to the shaft 42 and the shaft 32, and rotate.

When the moving plate 25 approaches the left position after the scanning is completed, the conveying rollers 33a and 33b move upward by controlling the solenoid 45 as described above. And the transport roller 33
a and 33b contact the lower surface of the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 pressed from above by the mount holding rollers 26a and 26b, and send and output the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 on the moving table 24 by its own rotation. To send to the left. As a result, the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 for which scanning has been completed is placed on the mount table 31.

In the mount carrier unit 2,
As shown in FIG. 9, the mount table 31 is disposed below the mount storage box 13 with a gap for at least one mount provided from the lower end of the mount storage box 13. Therefore, the transport rollers 33a, 33b
In this case, even when the surface is slippery, the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 can be sent out onto the mount base 31 with a relatively small feeding force. The mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 placed on the mount base 31 is configured such that the end of the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 on the upstream side in the transport direction (the right side in FIG. 9) protrudes from the mount storage box 13. Are located.

As described above, the mount carrier unit 2
Then, the transport rollers 33a and 33b can be moved up and down so that the transport rollers 33a and 33b can be moved until scanning is completed.
Can be shortened while keeping the scanning rollers, which are the slits 30, from being in contact with the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9, and the transport rollers 33a, 33b. Therefore, mount carrier unit 2
In particular, the mount 8 has a small size in the feeding direction (left-right direction), and is small in size. In addition, a high-quality image can be obtained without causing adverse effects due to the contact of the transport rollers 33a and 33b with the mount 8 during scanning. Data can be obtained.

In the mount carrier unit 2,
A drive source for the transport rollers 33a and 33b to feed the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 to the mount table 31 is:
One pulse motor 2 which is the same as a driving source for transporting the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 to the scanning position
7 Therefore, the mechanism for rotating the transport rollers 33a and 33b is greatly simplified.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 17 and 18, the mount base 31 is normally positioned on the upper surface of the mount base 31 with respect to the shaft 34 which is parallel to and to the left of the shaft 37. Are rotatably supported so as to be horizontal. Also, on both sides of the mount table 31,
Push-up levers 35a and 35b are arranged. The push-up levers 35a and 35b are rotatably supported on the shaft 37 so that the push-up levers 35a and 35b extend in the horizontal direction at normal times. The shaft 37 has a motor 38 disposed on the side of the mount table 31 and the eccentric pin 3.
6, are connected via a link member 39 and an arm 41. The gear 34a disposed at one end of the shaft 34 is a gear 37a disposed at one end of the shaft 37.
a.

Therefore, when the motor 38 is rotated, the shaft 34 is rotated via the eccentric pin 36, the link member and the arm 41, and at the same time, the shaft 37 is rotated via the gears 34a and 37a. Accordingly, the mount base 31 and the push-up levers 35a and 35b supported by the shafts 34 and 37 are changed from the horizontal state to the inclined state. With this inclination, the mount table 31 and the lifting lever 35
The mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 supported from below by a and 35b is lifted upward.

At this time, as described above, the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 are pushed up from below by the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 to be at the outer positions (passing positions) where they come into contact with the spring plates 18 and 19. Therefore, the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 lifted from below by the mount table 31 and the push-up levers 35a and 35b passes through the mount holding pieces 16 and 17 and moves upward. Then, the mounting holding pieces 16 and 17 are
The elastic force from 19 returns to the inner position.

At a position adjacent to the motor 38, a mount 8 or a dummy mount 9 lifted upward is provided.
Lever 62 which can reciprocate on the same horizontal plane as
A support member 63 for supporting the lever 62;
And a mount push-out member 64 fixedly mounted. A rack gear 62a is formed on the upper surface of the end of the lever 62 on the side close to the motor 38. Also, lever 6
2 is supported by a support member 63 so as to be able to reciprocate in the horizontal direction. The motor 38 is provided with a gear 60 on a part of the circumferential surface thereof so as to be able to mesh with the rack gear 62 a of the lever 62. Mount push-out member 6
4 can reciprocate with the lever 62 while abutting on the end of the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 that has been lifted upward.

Therefore, as described above, the motor 38 is rotated so that the mount table 31 and the push-up levers 35a, 35a,
When the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 is lifted upward by 5b, the gear 6 of the motor 38 is subsequently
When the rack gear 62a of the lever 62 and the rack gear 62a mesh with each other, the lever 62 and the mount push-out member 64 move horizontally leftward while abutting against the end of the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 which is lifted up. In this manner, the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 for which scanning has been completed is stored in the mount storage box 13.

Thereafter, the motor 38 rotates in the reverse direction to return the mount table 31 and the push-up levers 35a and 35b to the horizontal position.
Moves horizontally rightward and returns to its original position. Then, the mounts 8 and the dummy mounts 9 stored in the mount storage box 13 are returned to the inner positions.
The lower end is supported by 6 and 17, and is held inside the mount storage box 13.

As described above, by providing a gap for at least one mount between the lower end of the mount storage box 13 and the main body 11, the feeding force of the transport rollers 33a and 33b can be reduced. , Transport roller 33
As described above, a simple mechanism composed of members such as the pulse motor 27 and the pulleys 47 to 50 which are shared with the movable plate 25 can be used as a mechanism for driving the a and 33b to rotate. That is, the mount carrier unit 2 is small because the mechanism for rotating and driving the transport rollers 33a and 33b is simplified.

Next, the control system of the film scanner 1 including the mount carrier unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a main part of the film scanner 1 and a printer processor connected thereto. In FIG. 19, a controller 101 is a CP controlled by appropriate software.
It has hardware such as U, ROM, and RAM.
The controller 101 includes light receiving portions 54b and 59b of the photocouplers 54 and 59, the motor 22a, the pulse motor 27,
Drivers 103, 1 for motor 38 and solenoid 45
04, 105, 106, the timing generator 102 of the CCD line sensor 108, the print head 109 of the printer processor, and the sorter 110.

The controller 101 includes a photocoupler 5
Signals output from the light receiving sections 54b and 59b of the fourth and 59 light receiving sections are provided. The controller 101 includes a driver 103,
Driving signals for the motor 22a, the pulse motor 27, the motor 38, and the solenoid 45 are supplied to 104, 105, and 106, respectively. Further, the controller 101 gives a command to the timing generator 102 in synchronization with these drive signals to generate various timing signals to be supplied to the CCD line sensor 108. The light emitted from the light source unit 3 and transmitted through the film held by the mount is CC
The light enters the D line sensor 108. The signal output from the CCD line sensor 108 is given to the controller 101 as an image signal after being subjected to predetermined processing. After this image signal is appropriately processed by the controller 101, it is given to the print head 109 at a predetermined timing. Further, the controller 101 issues a command for sorting the developed photographic paper for each order to the sorter 110.
To supply.

Next, a schematic operation of the film scanner 1 including the mount carrier unit 2 will be described.
When the operation of the mount carrier unit 2 is started, first, an output signal from the light receiving unit 54b is sent to the controller 101.
To the mount 8 on the insertion stocker mounting plate 21.
It is determined whether there is. Next, the controller 10
The drive signal of the motor 22a is given to the driver 103 from the first and the insertion storage box 1 by the insertion arm 23.
The lowermost mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 in 2 is pushed out onto the movable base 24 one by one.

Then, an output signal from the light receiving section 59b is given to the controller 101, and it is determined whether or not the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 is on the movable base 24. As a result, when neither the mount 8 nor the dummy mount 9 is present on the movable base 24, the operation of the mount carrier unit 2 is stopped. When either the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 is on the movable base 24, a drive signal is given to the driver 104 of the pulse motor 27, and the movable base 24 starts to move rightward. When the moving table 24 reaches the slit 30, the moving speed of the moving table 24 is changed to a speed suitable for scanning (usually lower than the speed before and after the slit 30).
From 1 a predetermined command is given to the timing generator 102.

When it is detected from the output signals from the light receiving portions 54b and 59b that the dummy mount 9 is mounted on the movable base 24, it is not necessary to perform scanning. It is preferable to move the movable table 24 without changing the speed. Thereby, the processing capability of the mount carrier unit 2 can be increased.

When the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 reaches the vicinity of the left end after passing the scanning position, the driver 105 of the motor 38 sends the controller 10
1 supplies a drive signal. As a result, the transport rollers 33a and 33b move upward and come into contact with the lower surface of the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9. Transport rollers 33a, 3
3b is rotated by the pulse motor 27 via the pulleys 47 to 50 and the ball screw 28,
The mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 is a transport roller 33
The sheet is fed onto the mount table 31 by a and 33b.

Then, after the conveying rollers 33a and 33b are rotated by a predetermined angle, the driver 106 of the solenoid 45 is rotated.
Is supplied with a drive signal from the controller 101. As a result, the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 is lifted over the mount holding pieces 16 and 17, moved in the horizontal direction, and stored in the mount storage box 13. The operation timing of the motor 38 and the solenoid 45 is determined by the number of pulses given to the pulse motor 27.

When it is detected by the output signals from the light receiving sections 54b and 59b that the mount 8 is mounted on the movable base 24, the output is outputted from the CCD line sensor 108 and processed by the controller 101. The image signal is supplied to the print head 109, and the printing paper is exposed based on the image recorded on the film of the mount 8.
On the other hand, when it is detected by the output signals from the light receiving units 54b and 59b that the dummy mount 9 is mounted on the movable base 24, the order of one order before the dummy mount 9 is detected is detected. An image signal for creating an index print relating to the mount 8 is transmitted to the controller 101.
To the print head 109. Then, a signal is supplied from the controller 101 to the sorter 110 so that a print for one order including the index print is arranged on a sorting plate different from other prints.

As described above, according to the mount storage box 12 according to the present embodiment, when the door 70 is closed, the pressing mechanism 90 automatically presses the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9. If it is confirmed that the door 70 is maintained in the closed state, it is not necessary to visually confirm that the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 is being pressed by the pressing mechanism 90. Thus, it is possible to prevent the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 from being appropriately conveyed from the mount storage box due to forgetting to press the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 by the pressing mechanism 90.

When the mount storage box 12 is capable of storing only one mount 8, the height of the mount storage box 12 is reduced, so that the height of the mount storage box 12 is increased. Space can be used effectively.

When the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 in the mount storage box 12 disappears, the opening / closing door 70 is automatically opened. Since the procedure for opening the door 70 is omitted, work can be performed efficiently.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the appended claims. It is. For example, the pressing mechanism 90
Is not limited to the one configured by the pressing member 91 and the spring member 92, and may have any configuration as long as the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 stacked in the mount storage box 12 can be pressed. Is also good.

The lock mechanism 80 is not limited to the one having the hook 81, the hook 82, the push button 83, and the spring member 84. When the mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 in the mount storage box 12 disappears, the lock mechanism 80 is automatically turned off. Any configuration may be used as long as the opening / closing door 70 is opened.

The end 23a of the insertion arm 23 on the side that comes into contact with the mount 8 and the dummy mount 9 is not limited to the one that protrudes in the stacking direction of the mounts. The insertion arm 23 may have any shape and arrangement as long as the lower mount 8 or the dummy mount 9 can be properly transported.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the transport rollers 33a and 33b is not limited to the mechanism using the solenoid 45, the link members 43 and 44, and the arm 40 as described above, and various other mechanisms may be employed. It is possible. Further, the mechanism for feeding the mount 8 onto the mount table 31 may be other than the mechanism using the transport rollers 33a and 33b.

Also, mount holding pieces 16 and 17 for holding the mount 8 in the mount storage box 13.
Is the side wall 1 of the mount storage box 13 as described above.
It is not always necessary to be rotatably supported by 3a, 13b, and may function as described above, for example, by sliding against side walls 13a, 13b.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the mount table 31 includes the motor 38 and the link member 39 as described above.
The invention is not limited to the one using the arm 41, and various other mechanisms can be adopted.

The photocouplers 54 and 5
9, and both the lever 53 and the lever 58 may be provided at positions close to the insertion stocker mounting plate 21. The light receiving portion 59b is shielded from light by the moving table 24.
There may be a case where neither the mount 8 nor the dummy mount 9 is provided above. This is the same for the light receiving unit 54b.

The photocouplers 54 and 5
9, and the lever 53 and the lever 58 may be arranged closer to the mount storage box 13 than the scanning position. However, in this case, since the dummy mount is found after the scanning is completed, the transport speed of the dummy mount cannot be made higher than the transport speed of the mount. Further, as means for distinguishing the mount from the dummy mount, not only a device having a photocoupler and a lever but also any other known device can be used.

[0079]

As described above, according to the first aspect, when the door is closed, the pressing mechanism automatically presses the mount, so that the door is maintained in the closed state. Is confirmed, it is not necessary to separately visually confirm that the mount is being pressed by the pressing mechanism. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the mount from being not properly transported from the mount storage box due to forgetting to press the mount by the pressing mechanism.

According to the second aspect, since the height of the mount storage box is reduced, the space above the portion where the mount storage box is mounted can be effectively used.

According to the third aspect, when the mount is carried into the mount storage box, the procedure for opening the open / close door is omitted, so that the work can be performed efficiently.

According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to prevent the mount from being properly transported from the mount storage box due to the forgetting to press the mount by the pressing mechanism, and to reduce the processing capability of the film scanner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a film scanner portion of a photographic processing apparatus using a mount carrier unit having a mount storage box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram when the open / close door of the mount storage box on the mount discharge side is in a closed state. (A) is a plan view and (b) is a side perspective view.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the open / close door of the mount storage box on the mount discharge side is in an open state;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a lock mechanism of an opening / closing door of a mount storage box on a mount discharge side.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the mount storage box on the mount receiving side.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the lower end of the mount storage box on the mount receiving side.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a mount and a dummy mount stored in a mount storage box.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a main body of the mount carrier unit including the mount storage box according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the mount carrier unit depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view for explaining a mount transport mechanism included in the main body 11 of the mount carrier unit 2.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating a lifting mechanism for a transport roller included in a main body of a mount carrier unit including a mount storage box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view for explaining a transport roller elevating mechanism as viewed from a direction orthogonal to FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a lifting mechanism and a rotation mechanism of a transport roller.

FIG. 17 is a side view for explaining an elevating mechanism of a mount base included in a main body of the mount carrier unit.

18 is a perspective view of the elevating mechanism of the mount table depicted in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of main parts of a film scanner and a printer processor connected thereto.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Film scanner 2 Mount carrier unit 3 Light source part 4 Imaging part 8 Mount 9 Dummy mount 11 Main body part 12 Mount storage box 13 Mount storage box 21 Insertion stocker mounting plate 23 Insertion arm 24 Moving table 25 Moving plate 31 Mounting table 70, 75 Door 80 Lock mechanism 90 Press mechanism

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshinori Yamano 579 Umehara, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama F-term in Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H012 BA02 BA08 BA11 2H106 AB04 AB35 AB45

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A mount storage box capable of storing a mount holding a film on which an image is recorded, wherein the mount is carried into or out of the mount storage box while being parallel to one end of the mount. An opening / closing door that can be opened and closed so as to rotate around a support shaft, and a pressing mechanism that can selectively take a state of pressing the mount stored in the mount storage box in the stacking direction and a state of not pressing the mount. The mounting mechanism box, wherein the pressing mechanism automatically presses the mount when the opening / closing door is closed. 2. The mount storage box according to claim 1, wherein the mount storage box can store only one mount. 3. The mount storage box according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing door is automatically opened when there is no mount in the mount storage box. 4. A film scanner comprising the mount storage box according to claim 1.