JP2003287866A - Drying equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the presence or absence of a photosensitive material in a transporting path, in a non-contact state. <P>SOLUTION: A flapper 51 is freely turnably attached through an attachment shaft 52. A signal plate 53 in which a signal section consisting of a light shielding section is arranged is positioned at the tip of the attachment shaft 52. The signal plate 53 is placed at the outside of a dryer section 13. A PI 56 for photoelectric detection is positioned at the outside of the dryer section 13. When the photosensitive material 10a is transported in the dryer section 13, the flapper 51 is not rotated. When no photosensitive material 10a is transported in the dryer section 13, the flapper 51 is rotated until reaching a position where the signal plate is caught by the PI 56. A controller 37 discriminates the presence or absence of the photosensitive material 10a in the dryer section 13 on the basis of a difference in a photoelectric detection value of the PI 56 caused by the presence or absence of the signal plate 53. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drying apparatus for drying a wet image recording medium. In a printer processor used in a photographic processing laboratory, a photosensitive material such as photographic paper is set in a magazine and cut by a cutter according to the print size to form a cut sheet-like photosensitive material. The image is printed as a latent image. The exposed photosensitive material is sorted into a single row or a plurality of rows by the sorting unit, and is conveyed to the processor unit. In general, the processor section is provided with a transport roller for transporting the photosensitive material and a plurality of processing tanks containing processing solutions for color development, bleach-fixing, washing with water and stability, and the photosensitive material is processed by the transport roller. The developing process is performed by transporting to a tank and sequentially passing through each processing solution. The photosensitive material after the development processing is wet and has a wet state. For this reason, the photosensitive material after the development processing is transported to the drying section after removing water droplets in the squeeze section, and is subjected to the drying process. The drying unit is provided with a transport rack for transporting the photosensitive material, a blower, a heater, and the like, and air heated by the heater is blown by the blower to dry the photosensitive material. However, since the presence or absence of the photosensitive material actually transported and dried in the drying section is not detected, when troubles such as jamming occur in the drying section, If it is not noticed, the photosensitive material is left in the drying section for a long time, and there is a problem that overheating causes overdrying. Further, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of safety that the photosensitive material is stopped for a long time at a high temperature. Therefore, it is required to detect the presence or absence of the photosensitive material in the drying unit. However, when a sensor such as a light emitting / receiving type is provided in the drying section to detect the presence / absence of a photosensitive material, a commonly used sensor is a temperature in the drying section (60
There was a problem that it could not endure (˜90 ° C.). Although use of a heat-resistant sensor is also conceivable, it is expensive. Also, when detecting by contacting the photosensitive material using a lever, etc., there is a concern of damaging the photosensitive material, and further, since the photosensitive material is transported in a state blown up by dry air, There is also a problem that is disturbed. An object of the present invention is to provide a drying apparatus that can detect the presence or absence of a photosensitive material in a conveyance path in a non-contact manner. In order to achieve the above object, a drying apparatus according to the present invention is for drying by blowing dry air while conveying a wet recording medium in a conveying path. A guide member provided along the conveying path at a position facing the recording medium and having a blowing hole for blowing dry air to the recording medium; and the guide member separated from the guide member by the drying air from the blowing hole of the guide member A conveying member that supports the recording medium and conveys the recording medium along the conveying path, a displacement member that is displaced according to the drying air from the blowing hole of the guide member, and a displacement of the recording medium based on the displacement of the displacement member Determination means for determining presence or absence. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 schematically shows the internal structure of a printer processor 2 embodying the present invention. The printer processor 2 includes a printer unit 3 and a processor unit 4. The printer unit 3 includes a magazine 5, a cutter 6,
The back printing unit 7, the exposure unit 8, and the sorting unit 9 are configured.
The strip-shaped photosensitive material 10 set in the magazine 5 is cut by the cutter 6 according to the print size, and becomes a cut sheet-shaped photosensitive material 10a (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
The photosensitive material 10a is conveyed toward the exposure unit 8 along a conveyance path 15 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, and a frame number, correction data, and the like are printed by the back printing unit 7 on the way. Then, an image based on the image data is exposed and recorded on the light receiving surface of the photosensitive material 10a by the exposure unit 8. Thereafter, the exposed photosensitive material 10a is distributed by the distribution unit 9.
Depending on the print size and print quantity, it is sorted into a single row or a plurality of rows and conveyed to the processor unit 4. The processor unit 4 includes a development processing unit 11, a squeeze unit 12, a drying unit 13, and a sorter unit 14. The development processing unit 11 includes a developing tank 16 and a bleach-fixing tank 1 in order from the upstream side (left side in the drawing) of the photosensitive material 10a in the conveyance direction.
7. First to fourth washing tanks 18 to 21 are provided. A developing solution is stored in the developing tank 16, a bleach-fixing solution is stored in the bleach-fixing tank 17, and a predetermined amount of washing solution is stored in the first to fourth washing tanks 18-21. Inside the developing tank 16 and the bleach-fixing tank 17, there is provided a transport rack 22 composed of a plurality of transport rollers for transporting the photosensitive material 10a in a substantially U shape within the tank. In the washing tanks 18 to 21, a pair of conveyance rollers 23 that convey the photosensitive material 10 a in a substantially U shape in the tank is provided. The photosensitive material 10a is sent into the respective tanks 16 to 21 by the transport rack 22 and the transport roller pair 23 and subjected to development processing. In the washing tanks 18 to 21, the photosensitive material 10a is sent to the next tank through the submerged squeeze portion 24 provided in the partition wall. The submerged squeeze portion 24 includes a blade made of a thin plate that is elastically deformed.
Is allowed to pass, and the washing liquid is prevented from flowing out. The developed photosensitive material 10 a is removed of water droplets adhering at the squeeze portion 12 and sent to the drying portion 13. In addition, instead of using the submerged squeeze part 24, the other processing tanks 16 and 1
In the same manner as in FIG. 7, a transport method using a transport rack may also be used. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drying unit 13 is for drying the photosensitive material 10a after the washing process, and includes a drying chamber 31, a blower duct 32, a heater 34, a blower 35, and a transport rack 40. Consists of The transport rack 40 is composed of a transport belt 43 and first to third transport roller pairs 46 to 48 in order from the feeding direction of the photosensitive material 10a, and forms a photosensitive material transport path. The squeeze roller pair 41, 42 of the squeeze unit 12 sandwiches and conveys the photosensitive material 10 a sent from the development processing unit 11 and sends it to the conveyance belt 43. By this nipping and conveying, moisture adhering to the photosensitive material 10a is squeezed out. The conveyor belt 43 is composed of an endless belt made of mesh, and is wound around the conveyor belt roller 44. Squeeze roller pair 42
The photosensitive material 10a sent from is conveyed while being pressed against the conveying belt 43 by the dry air blown from the nozzles 38 of the guide plate 33 as will be described later, and is sent out to the first conveying roller pair 46. Accordingly, the image recording surface 10b of the photosensitive material 10a is guided by the guide plate 33.
The photosensitive material 1 is conveyed in a state of being separated from the photosensitive material 1.
The image recording surface 10b is moved by sliding between 0a and the guide plate 33.
Will not hurt. The first to third transport roller pairs 46 to 48 transport the photosensitive material 10a dried by blowing dry air from the guide plate 33 toward the sorter unit 14. Then, the photosensitive material 10 a that has passed through the drying device 13 is transferred to the sorter unit 14.
Is sorted for each order. The air duct 32 is provided with a guide plate 33 provided along the photosensitive material conveyance path at a position facing the photosensitive material 10a. The guide plate 33 is made of aluminum, and the photosensitive material side surface 33a is painted black. Thereby, the thermal conductivity of the guide plate 33 is also high, and the photosensitive material 10
The emissivity for a is also high (total emissivity of 0.9 or more). Therefore, the amount of radiant heat is increased and the photosensitive material 10a can be effectively dried. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide plate 33 is provided with a large number of nozzle rows 38 arranged side by side in the photosensitive material conveyance direction (X direction). The nozzle row 38 is configured by providing a large number of nozzles 38a at a predetermined pitch in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the photosensitive material conveyance direction. Nozzle 38a has a diameter D
It is composed of a circular hole. Each nozzle 3 in the nozzle row 38
The formation position of 8a is shifted so that it overlaps by (1/4) D between adjacent nozzle rows 38. Thereby, dry air can be sprayed uniformly with respect to the photosensitive material 10a. The shape of the nozzle is not limited to a circle, and may be an ellipse or a slit. Further, the nozzle 38a for the guide plate 33 is provided.
The aperture ratio is 10% or less. This is nozzle 3
By keeping the aperture ratio of 8a low, the nozzle 38a
The blowout speed (wind speed) of the dry air blown to the photosensitive material 10a is set to a predetermined value or more and the guide plate 3
3 to make the entire surface uniform. Since the drying speed of the photosensitive material 10a depends on the speed of wind blown, the drying speed is increased by increasing the blowing speed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, nozzle 38a.
In order to blow dry air from the air, a dry air supply passage 61 is formed in the air duct 32. A heater 34 and a blower 35 are provided in the dry air supply passage 61. The blower 35 circulates the drying air in the drying unit 13. The heater 34 is controlled by the controller 37 so that the drying air becomes 80 ° C., for example. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, on the upper side of the guide plate 33, a mounting shaft 5 having a flapper 51 is attached.
2 is attached in a rotatable state with a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the photosensitive material conveyance direction as a base axis. At the tip of the mounting shaft 52, there is provided a signal plate 53 in which signal portions made up of light-shielding portions are arranged.
3 is arranged outside. Further, a photo interrupter (hereinafter referred to as PI) 56 is provided outside the drying unit 13 and performs photoelectric detection. The dry air blown from the nozzle 38a is
It passes through the conveyor belt 43 formed of mesh and is blown onto the flapper 51. When the blown dry air is equal to or higher than a predetermined wind pressure, the flapper 51 is rotated counterclockwise about the mounting shaft 52 and the position is fixed by the stopper 54. Further, from this state, when the drying air blown to the flapper 51 changes to less than a predetermined wind pressure, the flapper 51 is rotated clockwise around the mounting shaft 52 and the position is fixed by the stopper 55. The PI 56 normally performs photoelectric detection in a state in which nothing is interrupted in between. However, when the dry wind of a predetermined wind pressure or more is blown onto the flapper 51 and the flapper 51 rotates, the signal plate 53 It is rotated to a position where it is sandwiched between PIs 56 provided outside the drying unit 13. Therefore, the PI 56 performs photoelectric detection while sandwiching the signal portion of the signal plate 53 that blocks light. PI56 is the controller 3
7 and PI56 depending on the presence or absence of the signal board 53.
The controller 37 determines the presence / absence of the photosensitive material 10a in the drying unit 13 based on the difference in the photoelectric detection value. For this reason, the presence or absence of the photosensitive material 10a in the drying unit 13 corresponding to the photoelectric detection value is input to the controller 37 in advance. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, when the photosensitive material 10a is conveyed in the drying section 13, the nozzle 3
The dry air blown from 8a is blown to the photosensitive material 10a and is not blown directly to the flapper 51. Accordingly, the dry air blown to the flapper 51 has a low wind pressure and is less than a predetermined wind pressure, and the flapper 51 does not rotate. PI56
Is performing photoelectric detection in a state where there is nothing to block between them, and the controller 37 at this time,
It can be determined that the photosensitive material 10 a is being conveyed in the drying unit 13. As shown in FIG. 5, when the photosensitive material 10a is not conveyed in the drying section 13, the drying air blown from the nozzle 38a is directly blown to the flapper 51. Therefore, the dry air blown to the flapper 51 has a high wind pressure and is equal to or higher than a predetermined wind pressure, the flapper 51 rotates, and the signal plate 53 is also PI56.
Rotate to the position between. The PI 56 performs photoelectric detection in a state where the signal portion of the signal plate 53 that blocks light is sandwiched, and the controller 37 uses the photoelectric detection value at this time as
It can be determined that the photosensitive material 10a is not conveyed in the drying unit 13. The dry air blown onto the photosensitive material 10a passes through the conveyor belt 43 formed of a mesh and returns to the dry air supply passage 61 through the circulation passage 63.
That is, since the drying air is recirculated by driving the blower 35, the drying air can be efficiently maintained at the predetermined temperature once it reaches the predetermined temperature. Thus, by providing the PI 56 outside the drying unit 13, stable photoelectric detection can be performed without being affected by the heat of the drying air. Further, the controller 37 determined by the photoelectric detection value at PI 56.
By displaying the determination result of the presence or absence of the photosensitive material 10a on the control monitor 65, the determination result can be transmitted to the user. For example, if the drying is supposed to be completed based on the processing quantity and the elapsed time but the photosensitive material is being conveyed on the control monitor 65, troubles such as jamming may occur in the drying unit 13. The trouble can be detected early by telling the user the determination result. In the above embodiment, the presence or absence of the photosensitive material is determined using the flapper, the mounting shaft, and the photo interrupter. However, a sensor is provided in the drying unit, the sensor is covered with a heat-resistant tube, and the sensor is used for drying. Any one of wind speed, air volume, and wind pressure may be detected. Based on the detection result, the presence or absence of the photosensitive material is determined. A pressure gauge covered with a heat-resistant tube is attached at a position close to the nozzle in the air duct to detect the level of pressure caused by the presence or absence of photosensitive material, and the presence or absence of photosensitive material is determined based on the detection result. May be. Further, a part of the guide plate is made transparent, and a light emitting sensor and a light receiving sensor covered with a heat-resistant tube are attached inside and outside the ventilation duct of the transparent part, and the transmitted light is passed through, and the light is detected by the received light value of the transmitted light. The presence or absence of material may be determined. According to the drying apparatus of the present invention, a signal comprising a flapper that rotates in response to the drying air from the blowing hole of the guide plate, a mounting shaft, and a light shielding portion provided at the tip of the mounting shaft. By including a photo interrupter that detects the rotation of the signal plate in which the sections are arranged, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the photosensitive material in the conveyance path in a non-contact manner. In addition, since the photo interrupter is provided outside the drying unit, it can be detected without being affected by the heat of the drying air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a printer processor in which a drying apparatus of the present invention is implemented. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of a drying unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of a drying unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a drying unit. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a configuration when a photosensitive material in a drying section is not conveyed. [Explanation of Symbols] 10a Photosensitive material 32 Blower duct 33 Guide plate 37 Controller 38 Nozzle array 38a Nozzle 43 Conveying belt 44 Conveying belt roller 51 Flapper 52 Mounting shaft 53 Signal plate 56 Photo interrupter

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H098 AA02 CA01 DA01 DA22 DA23                       DA29 GA07 GA09                 3L113 AA02 AB02 AC08 AC31 AC36                       AC49 AC50 AC52 AC67 BA28                       CA06 CA10 CA11 CA20 CB37                       DA02 DA04 DA24 DA25

Claims (1)

1. A drying apparatus that blows dry air while transporting a wet recording medium in a transport path, and is provided along the transport path at a position facing the recording medium. A guide member having blowing holes for blowing dry air to the recording medium; and the recording medium separated from the guide member by the drying air from the blowing holes of the guide member, and conveying the recording medium along the conveying path. A drying member comprising: a transporting member that is displaced; a displacement member that is displaced according to drying air from a blowout hole of the guide member; and a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of a recording medium based on the displacement of the displacement member. apparatus.