JP2004205746A - Apparatus and method for heat developing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for heat developing which can suppress an electrostatic quantity and stably carry a heat developable photosensitive film when a heat drum which heats and develops the heat developable photosensitive film while carrying it has a smooth layer like fluorocarbon resin, etc., on its surface. <P>SOLUTION: This heat developing apparatus is equipped with the heat drum 14 which has a cylindrical base body 36 wherein a heater 32 is provided to heat a film, an elastic layer 38 provided around the base body, and the smooth layer 39 formed on the outer surface of the elastic layer, a plurality of counter rollers 16 which are arranged opposite the heat drum, a motor which drives the heat drum to rotate, and a controller which controls the motor. The heat drum can be driven to rotate slower than when the film is energized against the heat drum with a coil spring by driving the heat drum to rotate and developed while clamped and conveyed between the heat drum and counter rollers and when the film is not conveyed for a specified period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a heat development apparatus and a heat development method for heating and developing a photothermographic material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a heat development process of heating and developing a photothermographic film (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a “film”), as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a heating layer for heating a film is used as a heating means for heating the film. Which are coated with a heat-resistant and high-conductivity elastic body (silicon rubber) have been put to practical use.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10-500977
In addition, especially in the heat developing section for developing a silver salt photothermographic film using an organic solvent, when the film is developed, a surfactant on the surface layer of the film or an organic solvent or an organic acid from the emulsion layer is removed. Is released from the surface and attacks the elastic body (silicon rubber) on the surface layer of the heating drum, which degrades the elastic body (silicon rubber), causing swelling and abrasion of the elastic body (silicon rubber), resulting in a stable finish. There was a problem that image quality could not be obtained.
[0005]
In order to solve such a problem, the present applicant disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-208438 that a high-conductivity elastic body (silicon) surface layer is coated with a fluororesin such as Teflon (trade name) so that the film is developed. It was proposed that the high conductivity elastic body (silicone rubber) be prevented from being attacked by a surfactant in the film surface layer or an organic solvent or organic acid from the emulsion layer. As a result, it is possible to prevent the elastic body such as silicon rubber from deteriorating over time, and to obtain a stable finished image quality.
[0006]
However, by applying a fluororesin coating to the surface of the elastic layer, it is possible to achieve a longer service life of the heating drum and an extension of the maintenance cycle of the heating drum cleaning, but there are problems specific to the fluororesin.
[0007]
(1) Insufficient conveying force due to low friction coefficient (2) Inactivation of development due to decrease in thermal conductivity (3) Increase in residual charge amount due to increase in volume specific resistance
(1) of the above-mentioned problems will be described below. Teflon (trade name) is a material having a low coefficient of friction enough to be used for well-known sliding parts. Therefore, if the nip pressure of the opposing roller disposed around the heating drum is the same as that of the heating drum having the elastic body made of silicon rubber, the transport force during thermal development is extremely reduced, and the film slips. May occur. Slip of the film substantially extends the overall development time, causing a change in density, wrinkles and scratches on the film surface.
[0009]
Since the development progress of the photothermographic film is determined by the heating temperature × the heating time, the density unevenness occurs unless the heating time from the beginning to the rear end of the film is constant, that is, the conveying speed is not constant. For this reason, in a conventional heat developing device having a heating drum having a surface layer formed of an elastic body made of silicon rubber, in order to prevent density unevenness and wrinkle unevenness, a heat developing unit and an upstream and downstream side of the heat developing unit are used. Regarding the transport speed, it is assumed that the upstream transport speed <the thermal developing unit transport speed <the downstream transport speed.
[0010]
The problem (2) will be described below. A thermal developing device that efficiently supplies thermal energy to the heat-developable photosensitive film and suppresses fogging of the film with the desired density finish is developed while applying pressure to the surface of the high-conductivity elastic body (silicon rubber) with an opposing roller. This has been achieved by transport. However, Teflon (trade name) has a conductivity that is about 1/3 that of a conventionally used high conductivity elastic material. Therefore, if the thickness is too large, development becomes inactive and a desired concentration cannot be obtained.
[0011]
Also, at the time of film nip between the heating drum having the silicon rubber layer on the surface and the opposing roller, even if the parallelism between the heating drum in the axial direction of the heating drum (general line direction) and the opposing roller is slightly shifted, the rubber elastic layer is used. The heating drum, the film and the opposing roller can evenly adhere to each other. On the other hand, when the surface coat layer of Teflon (trade name) is present, if the nip pressure and the bus parallelism of the opposing rollers are the same as those of the heating drum made of silicon rubber, there is a possibility that they do not adhere uniformly to each other. Therefore, it is important to optimize the urging force and the alignment of the opposing roller and the heating drum in combination with the above-mentioned problem (1) so that the adhesion to the heating surface is emphasized more than before.
[0012]
Regarding the above-mentioned problem (3), since the fluororesin has a lower dielectric constant than silicon rubber or the like, the amount of induced peeling charge is not so large, but the volume resistivity is extremely large, such as 10 ¹⁸ Ω · cm or more. Therefore, the half-life of the induced charge amount becomes extremely long. In addition, since it is located farthest from the charging line, electric charges are easily generated. Therefore, the amount of electric charges accumulated on the surface of the Teflon substantially increases as compared with the case of the surface of the elastic body (silicon rubber). It turned out to take.
[0013]
A film for photothermographic exposure generally contains an emulsion layer, has a thickness of about 200 μm, and is heated to a high temperature when it passes the final opposing roller. The experiment by the present inventors has found that the ratio is hardly affected, and the peeling path is determined depending on the charge amount on the drum surface.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention can suppress the amount of static electricity and stably transport the photothermographic material when the heating drum for heating and developing the photothermographic material while transporting the photothermographic material has a smooth surface layer such as a fluororesin on its surface. An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal developing device and a thermal developing method.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a thermal developing apparatus according to the present invention includes a cylindrical substrate provided with a heater for heating the photothermographic material, an elastic layer provided around the substrate, A heating drum having a smooth surface layer formed on an outer surface of the elastic layer, a plurality of opposed rollers arranged to face the heating drum, and attaching each of the opposed rollers toward the heating drum. Biasing means for urging, a driving means for driving the heating drum to rotate, and a control means for controlling the driving means, wherein the photothermographic material is rotated by driving the heating drum with the driving means. A heat developing device that urges the heating drum by the urging means and develops while nipping and transporting between the heating drum and the opposed roller, wherein the control means controls the photothermographic material by a predetermined amount; Period transport Itoki, and controls to rotate the drive at a low speed compared with the heating drum during transport of the photothermographic material.
[0016]
According to this heat developing device, when the heating drum rotates while being in contact with a plurality of opposing rollers, if the surface has a smooth surface layer such as a fluororesin which is nearly electrically insulating, it faces the photothermographic material. The roller is repeatedly peeled and charged by the number of rollers, and the higher the rotation speed of the heating drum, the more the amount of charge is accumulated, so that the photothermographic material is not transported as in the case where there is no print request to the apparatus for a predetermined period. At times, the amount of charge can be suppressed by rotating at a low speed. Thereby, the amount of static electricity can be suppressed and the photothermographic material can be stably conveyed.
[0017]
In this case, it is preferable that the opposed roller is made of metal and grounded. As a result, static electricity can be released from the opposing roller to the ground, and the amount of charge on the heating drum and the opposing roller can be reduced.
[0018]
Further, it is preferable to rotate the opposing roller in a forced drive system for stable conveyance of the photothermographic material. However, even when the heating drum and the plurality of opposing rollers rotate, the photothermographic material is not conveyed. By rotating the photothermographic material at a low speed to suppress the amount of charge, the amount of static electricity can be suppressed and the photothermographic material can be stably transported.
[0019]
Further, it is preferable that the smooth surface layer of the heating drum is formed of a fluororesin. Thus, it is possible to prevent the gas generated from the photothermographic material during development from deteriorating the elastic layer such as silicon rubber.
[0020]
Another thermal developing apparatus according to the present invention includes a cylindrical substrate provided with a heater for heating the photothermographic material, an elastic layer provided around the substrate, and an outer surface of the elastic layer. A heating drum having a smooth surface layer formed thereon, a plurality of opposed rollers arranged to face the heating drum, and urging means for urging each of the opposed rollers toward the heating drum. A driving unit that rotationally drives the heating drum, and a control unit that controls the driving unit, wherein the photothermographic material is driven by the urging unit by rotating the heating drum with the driving unit. A thermal developing device which urges a heating drum and develops while transporting the heating drum between the heating drum and the opposing roller, wherein the control unit controls the heating drum while the device is warming up. Thermal development And controls to rotate the drive at a low speed than when transporting light materials.
[0021]
According to this heat developing device, when the heating drum rotates while being in contact with a plurality of opposing rollers, if the surface has a smooth surface layer such as a fluororesin which is nearly electrically insulating, it faces the photothermographic material. The roller is repeatedly peeled and charged by the number of rollers.The higher the rotating speed of the heating drum, the more the charged amount is accumulated.Therefore, during warm-up such as when the power is turned on, the charged amount is reduced by rotating at a low speed. Can be suppressed. Thereby, the amount of static electricity can be suppressed and the photothermographic material can be stably conveyed.
[0022]
In this case, it is preferable that the opposed roller is made of metal and grounded. As a result, static electricity can be released from the opposing roller to the ground, and the amount of charge on the heating drum and the opposing roller can be reduced.
[0023]
Further, it is preferable to rotate the opposing roller in a forced drive system for stable conveyance of the photothermographic material. However, even when the heating drum and the plurality of opposing rollers rotate, the photothermographic material is not conveyed. By rotating the photothermographic material at a low speed to suppress the amount of charge, the amount of static electricity can be suppressed and the photothermographic material can be stably transported.
[0024]
Further, it is preferable that the smooth surface layer of the heating drum is formed of a fluororesin. Thus, it is possible to prevent the gas generated from the photothermographic material during development from deteriorating the elastic layer such as silicon rubber.
[0025]
The heat development method according to the present invention heats and develops a photothermographic material while transporting the photothermographic material between a heating drum having a smooth surface layer and being rotationally driven and a plurality of opposed rollers urged by the heating drum. In the thermal developing method, when the photothermographic material is not transported for a predetermined period, the heating drum is rotated at a lower speed than when the photothermographic material is transported.
[0026]
According to this heat development method, when the heating drum rotates while being in contact with a plurality of opposing rollers, if the heat drum has a smooth surface layer such as a fluororesin which is almost electrically insulative, it faces the photothermographic material. Repeated peeling and charging by the number of rollers is repeated, and the higher the rotation speed of the heating drum, the greater the number of peeling and charging, resulting in the accumulation of the charge amount, so that there is no print request to the apparatus for a predetermined period of time. When the photothermographic material is not conveyed, the charge amount can be suppressed by rotating the photothermographic material at a low speed. Thereby, the amount of static electricity can be suppressed and the photothermographic material can be stably conveyed.
[0027]
Another heat development method according to the present invention comprises heating a photothermographic material while transporting the photothermographic material between a heating drum having a smooth surface layer and being driven to rotate and a plurality of opposed rollers biased by the heating drum. A heat development method for developing, wherein the heating drum is driven to rotate at a lower speed during warm-up of the apparatus than at the time of transporting the photothermographic material.
[0028]
According to this heat development method, when the heating drum rotates while being in contact with a plurality of opposing rollers, if the heat drum has a smooth surface layer such as a fluororesin which is almost electrically insulative, it faces the photothermographic material. The roller is repeatedly peeled and charged by the number of rollers.The higher the rotating speed of the heating drum, the more the charged amount is accumulated.Therefore, during warm-up such as when the power is turned on, the charged amount is reduced by rotating at a low speed. Can be suppressed. Thereby, the amount of static electricity can be suppressed and the photothermographic material can be stably conveyed.
[0029]
Further, it is preferable that the smooth surface layer of the heating drum is formed of a fluororesin. Thus, it is possible to prevent the gas generated from the photothermographic material during development from deteriorating the elastic layer such as silicon rubber under the smooth surface layer.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a heat developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a left side view of the heat developing device of FIG.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermal developing apparatus 100 includes a feeding unit 110 that feeds a film F that is a sheet-shaped photothermographic material one by one, and an exposure unit that exposes the fed film F. And a thermal developing unit 130 for developing the exposed film F. The thermal developing device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0032]
In FIG. 2, the feeding units 110 are provided in two upper and lower stages, and store the film F (see FIGS. 3 and 4) stored in the case C together with the case C. The film F is taken out of the case C by a take-out device (not shown) and pulled out in the direction (horizontal direction) shown by the arrow (1) in the figure. Further, the film F pulled out of the case C is transported in the direction (downward) shown by the arrow (2) in the figure by the transport device 141 composed of a pair of rollers.
[0033]
The film F conveyed below the heat developing device 100 is further conveyed to a conveying direction changing unit 145 below the heat developing device 100, and the conveying direction changing unit 145 changes the conveying direction (arrow in FIG. 2). (3) and the arrow (4) in FIG. 1), the process proceeds to the exposure preparation stage. Further, the film F is conveyed from the left side surface of the heat developing device 100 in the direction (upward) indicated by the arrow (5) in FIG. 1 by a conveying device 142 composed of a pair of rollers. Scanning and exposure are performed with a laser beam L within a range of ８860 nm.
[0034]
The film F forms a latent image by receiving the laser beam L. Thereafter, the film F is transported in the direction (upward) shown by the arrow (6) in FIG. 1 and is supplied to the heating drum 14 as it is when the film F reaches the supply roller pair 143. That is, they are supplied at random timing. Alternatively, the vehicle may be temporarily stopped at the time when the arrival has been reached. In this case, the supply roller pair 143 has a function of determining the timing of supplying the film F to the heating drum 14 of the heat developing unit 130 rotating at a constant rotation speed. When rotating to the supply position, the film F may be supplied onto the outer periphery of the heating drum 14 by the rotation of the supply roller pair 143 starting. The supply roller pair 143 is driven to rotate by a motor 151 while being controlled by the control device 150.
[0035]
Further, the heating drum 14 rotates in the direction shown by the arrow (7) in FIG. 1 while holding the film F on the outer periphery of the heating drum 14. In this state, the heating drum 14 heats and thermally develops the film F to form a visible image from a latent image. Thereafter, when rotating to the right of the heating drum in FIG. 1, the film F is detached from the heating drum 14, transported to the cooling transport unit 150A in the direction indicated by the arrow (8) in FIG. By the roller pairs 144a (FIG. 5) and 144, the sheet is conveyed in the directions indicated by arrows (9) and (10) in FIG.
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the exposure unit 120. The exposing unit 120 deflects the laser light L, the intensity of which has been modulated based on the image signal S, by the rotary polygon mirror 113 to perform main scanning on the film F, and also moves the film F in the main scanning direction with respect to the laser light L. The sub-scanning is performed by relatively moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the above, and a latent image is formed on the film F using the laser light L.
[0037]
A more specific configuration of the exposure unit 120 will be described below. In FIG. 3, an image signal S which is a digital signal output from an image signal output device 121 is converted into an analog signal by a D / A converter 122 and input to a modulation circuit 123. The modulation circuit 123 controls the driver 124 of the laser light source unit 110a based on the analog signal so that the modulated laser light L is emitted from the laser light source unit 110a.
[0038]
The laser light L emitted from the laser light source 110a passes through the lens 112, is converged only in the vertical direction by the cylindrical lens 115, and is applied to the rotating polygon mirror 113 rotating in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The light is incident as a vertical line image. The rotating polygon mirror 113 reflects and deflects the laser light L in the main scanning direction, and the deflected laser light L passes through an fθ lens 114 including a cylindrical lens formed by combining two lenses, and then is placed on an optical path. The light is reflected by a mirror 116 provided extending in the main scanning direction, and is conveyed (sub-scanned) by the conveying device 142 in the arrow Y direction on the scanned surface 117 of the film F in the arrow X direction. The main scanning is repeated. That is, the laser beam L scans the entire surface to be scanned 117 on the film F.
[0039]
The lens of the fθ lens 114 converges the incident laser light L on the surface to be scanned 117 of the film F only in the sub-scanning direction, and the distance from the fθ lens 114 to the surface to be scanned Is equal to the focal length of the entire fθ lens 114. As described above, in the exposure unit 120, the fθ lens 114 including the cylindrical lens and the mirror 116 are provided, and the laser beam L is once converged on the rotary polygon mirror 113 only in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, even if the rotary polygon mirror 113 is tilted or deviated, the scanning position of the laser beam L on the surface to be scanned 117 of the film F does not shift in the sub-scanning direction. It can be formed. The rotating polygon mirror 113 has an advantage that it is superior in scanning stability to other optical polarizers such as a galvanometer mirror. As described above, a latent image based on the image signal S is formed on the film F.
[0040]
The specific chemical reaction for forming a latent image as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a film F made of a heat developing material, and is a diagram schematically showing a chemical reaction in the film F during exposure.
[0041]
In the film F, a photosensitive layer mainly composed of a heat-resistant binder is formed on a support (base layer) made of PET, and a protective layer mainly composed of a heat-resistant binder is further formed thereon. The photosensitive layer contains silver halide grains, silver behenate (Beh. Ag), which is a kind of organic acid silver, and a reducing agent and a toning agent. Also, a back surface layer mainly composed of a heat resistant binder is provided on the back surface of the support.
[0042]
When the film F is irradiated with the laser beam L from the exposure unit 120 during the exposure, as shown in FIG. 7, the silver halide particles are exposed to the region irradiated with the laser beam L, and a latent image is formed. Is done.
[0043]
4 to 6 are views showing the configuration of the heat development unit 130 for heating the film F. More specifically, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heat development unit 130, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of FIG. 4 taken along the line IV-IV and viewed in the direction of the arrow, and FIG. 6 is a view of the configuration of FIG. 4 as viewed from the front. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a control system of a motor for rotating and driving the heating drum of FIG.
[0044]
The heat developing section 130 has a heating drum 14 as a heating member capable of heating while holding the film F almost in close contact with the outer periphery. The heating drum 14 has a function of forming a latent image formed on the film F as a visible image by maintaining the film F at a predetermined minimum heat development temperature or higher for a predetermined heat development time. Here, the minimum thermal development temperature is the minimum temperature at which the latent image formed on the film F starts to be thermally developed, and is 80 ° C. or higher in the film of the present embodiment. On the other hand, the term "thermal development time" refers to the time during which the latent image on the film F must be maintained at the minimum thermal development temperature or higher in order to develop it into desired development characteristics. In addition, it is preferable that the film F is not substantially thermally developed at 40 ° C. or lower.
[0045]
The details of the specific chemical reaction for visualizing the latent image by the above-described heating will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, schematically showing a chemical reaction in the film F during heating.
[0046]
When the film F is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the minimum thermal development temperature, as shown in FIG. 8, silver ions (Ag +) are released from the silver behenate, and the behenic acid releasing the silver ions forms a complex with the toning agent. I do. Thereafter, silver ions are diffused, the reducing agent acts with the exposed silver halide grains as nuclei, and it is considered that a silver image is formed by a chemical reaction. As described above, the film F contains the photosensitive silver halide particles, the organic silver salt, and the silver ion reducing agent, and is not substantially thermally developed at a temperature of 40 ° C. or less, and is not substantially developed at a temperature of 80 ° C. or more. Thermal development is performed at a temperature higher than the temperature.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, the heat developing section 130 is incorporated in the heat developing apparatus 100 together with the exposure section 120, but may be an apparatus independent of the exposure section 120. In such a case, it is preferable that there is a transport unit that transports the film F from the exposure unit 120 to the thermal development unit 130.
[0048]
A plurality of small-diameter rotatable opposing rollers 16 are provided outside the heating drum 14 as guide members and opposing members, and are opposed to the heating drum 14 in parallel and in the circumferential direction of the heating drum 14. It is arranged at intervals. As the opposed roller 16, an aluminum tube having an outer diameter of 1 to 2 cm and a thickness of 2 mm is used.
[0049]
At both ends of the heating drum 14, three guide brackets 21 supported on the frame 18 are provided on one side. By combining the guide brackets 21, opposed C-shaped shapes are formed at both ends of the heating drum 14.
[0050]
Each guide bracket 21 has nine elongated holes 42 extending in the radial direction. The shafts 40 provided at both ends of the opposing roller 16 protrude from the long holes 42. One end of each coil spring 28 is attached to the shaft 40, and the other end of each coil spring 28 is attached near the inner edge of the guide bracket 21. Therefore, each opposing roller 16 is urged to the outer periphery of the heating drum 14 with a predetermined force based on the urging force of each coil spring 28. When the film F enters between the outer periphery of the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16, the film F is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 14 by such a predetermined force, thereby uniformly heating the film F over the entire surface. I do.
[0051]
A shaft 22 coaxially connected to the heating drum 14 extends outward from the end member 20 of the frame 18 and is rotatably supported by the end member 20 by a shaft bearing 24. A gear (not shown) is formed on the rotating shaft 23 of the micro step motor 27 (FIG. 15) which is arranged below the shaft 22 and attached to the end member 20. On the other hand, a gear is also formed on the shaft 22. The power of the micro-step motor is transmitted to the shaft 22 via a timing belt (belt on which the gear is cut) 25 connecting the two gears, whereby the heating drum 14 rotates. The transmission of power from the rotating shaft 23 to the shaft 22 may be performed via a chain or a gear train instead of the timing belt.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the opposing roller 16 is provided around the heating drum 14, and two reinforcing members 30 (FIG. 6) They are connected to additionally support the end members 20. Each opposing roller 16 is grounded via a guide bracket 21 and the like.
[0053]
A plate-shaped heater 32 is attached to the entire inner circumference of the heating drum 14, and heats the outer circumference of the heating drum 14 under the control of a control electronic device 34 shown in FIG. 6. I have. Power is supplied to the heater 32 via a slip ring assembly 35 connected to an electronic device 34.
[0054]
The heater 32 is attached to the inner periphery of the heating drum 14 to heat the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 14. As the heater 32 for heating the heating drum 14, for example, an etched resistive foil heater can be used.
[0055]
The heater control electronic device 34 rotates together with the heating drum 14 so that the power supplied to the heater 32 can be adjusted according to the temperature information sensed by the temperature detecting means disposed on the heating drum 14. It has become. By controlling the heater 32, the control electronic device 34 adjusts the outer surface temperature of the heating drum 14 so that the temperature becomes suitable for the development of the specific film F. In the present embodiment, the heating drum 14 can be heated to a temperature of 60C to 160C.
[0056]
Here, it is preferable that the temperature in the width direction of the heating drum 14 be maintained within 2.0 ° C. (in particular, within 1.0 ° C.) by the heater 32 and the control electronic device 34. In the present embodiment, the temperature is maintained within 0.5 ° C.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 15, the heat developing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a micro step motor 27 for driving the heating drum 14 via the rotating shaft 23, the timing belt 25, the shaft 22 and the like as described above, And a control device 26 for controlling the motor 27, the device power supply 29, and the like. The control device 26 receives the image signal S from the image signal output device 121 as shown in FIG. 3 and forms a latent image on the film and heat-develops the motor 27 so that the heating drum 14 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed. When the control is performed and the print request is not received without receiving the image signal S, the control is performed so that the heating drum 14 is rotated at a lower speed. Further, the apparatus power supply 29 is turned on to control the heating drum 14 to rotate at a lower speed even during warm-up in which development is not yet performed.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 5, the heating drum 14 includes a rotatable cylindrical aluminum support tube 36, a flexible elastic layer 38 made of silicon rubber or the like attached to the outside of the support tube 36, and an elastic layer 38. And a smooth surface layer 39 formed as the outermost peripheral surface by coating a fluororesin on the outer periphery of the outer peripheral surface by coating or the like.
[0059]
The thickness and thermal conductivity of the elastic layer 38 are selected so that the continuous processing of the plurality of films F can be efficiently performed. The elastic layer 38 may be indirectly attached to the support tube 36.
[0060]
Examples of the fluororesin applied to form the smooth surface layer 39 include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), tetrafluoroethylene and herfluoroalkoxy. Compounds such as a copolymer of ethylene (PFA), a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluorobrovilene (FEP) are used.
[0061]
When the film F is heated around the heating drum 14 for thermal development, for example, a gas containing a chemical component such as an organic acid is generated, but fluorine which constitutes the smooth surface layer 39 provided on the surface of the elastic layer 38 is used. Since the resin has chemical reaction resistance, it does not react with gas components such as organic acids and does not deteriorate. In addition, the fluororesin blocks such gas components from passing therethrough, and since the elastic layer 38 made of silicon rubber or the like does not come into contact with gas components such as organic acids, it does not deteriorate or deteriorate due to the gas components. . Therefore, the elastic layer 38 hardly changes its shape or physical properties over time, so that the initial elastic force and thermal conductivity can be maintained.
[0062]
Further, the urging force of the coil spring 28 determines the pressing force of the opposing roller 16 so that the film F adheres more securely to the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 14 and is stably conveyed while receiving sufficient heat transfer. Care must be taken when choosing the value. That is, if the urging force of the coil spring 28 is too small, the heat may be unevenly transmitted to the film F, so that the image development may be incomplete and the conveyance of the film may be unstable.
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 5, the film F is conveyed while being sandwiched between the supply roller pair 143, is supplied to the thermal developing unit 130 through the guide unit 201, and has a nip between the heating drum 14 and the most upstream opposed roller 16a. The sheet is transported to the heating drum 14 while being sandwiched by the section 52, and the relationship between the transport force F1 of the film F at the nip 52 and the transport force F2 of the film F by the supply roller pair 143 at this time is shown in FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.
[0064]
FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing the effect of the finished density when the heat development time changes due to slippage or the like while the film is being conveyed around the heating drum. FIG. 11 shows the heating drum 14 and the most upstream side. FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a relationship between a transport force F1 of the film F at a nip 52 between the counter roller 16a and the transport force F2 of the film F by a supply roller pair 143.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 10, the finished density of the film F changes almost in proportion to the heat development time. For example, when the heat development time fluctuates by + 5% with respect to the reference time, the density also increases almost linearly. However, when the fluctuation is -5%, the concentration decreases almost linearly. Such density fluctuations cause image unevenness.
[0066]
As described above, the smooth surface layer 39 made of the fluororesin formed on the outermost periphery of the heating drum 14 has a smaller coefficient of friction with the film F than that of the conventional elastic layer made of silicone rubber. The image fluctuates due to the fact that the film tends to slip during the conveyance and the thermal development time fluctuates. However, according to the study of the present inventors, the state in which the film F is sandwiched between the supply roller pair 143 as shown in FIG. When the leading end of the film is sandwiched between the nip 52 between the outermost smooth surface layer 39 of the heating drum 14 and the most upstream opposing roller 16a, the transport force F1 for the film F at the nip 52 is It was found that when the ratio (F1 / F2) of the transport force F2 of the film F by the supply roller pair 143 was 1 or more, almost no image unevenness occurred.
[0067]
That is, when F1 / F2> 1 (F1> F2... (1)), it is effective to prevent the occurrence of image unevenness. It is considered that this is because the film F hardly slips on the smooth surface layer 39 and is stably sent to the heating drum 14. By satisfying the relationship of Expression (1), the state in which the transport speed of the film in the thermal developing unit 130 is higher than the transport speed of the supply roller pair 143 on the closest upstream side can be maintained. The film F can stably convey the photothermographic material even when the film F easily slips between the fluororesin smooth surface layer 39 on the outermost periphery and the film F.
[0068]
The relationship of the above equation (1) can be realized, for example, by adjusting the coil spring 28 in FIG. 4 that urges the most upstream opposed roller 16a toward the heating drum 14.
[0069]
Next, a preferable biasing force of the opposing roller 16 by the coil spring 28 in order to stably convey the film F between the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0070]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the urging force f of the opposing roller 16 and the film conveyance force F3. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the film F receives the urging force f from the opposing roller 16 and receives the conveyance force F3. FIG. FIG. 12 shows the case where the friction coefficient μ between the smooth layer 39 made of the fluororesin and the film F according to the present embodiment is set to 0.5, and the difference between the elastic layer made of the recon rubber and the film F. Are shown together with the friction coefficient μ of 0.8.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 13, when the film F receives the urging force f from the opposing roller 16, a film transport force F3 is generated for the film F. The film transporting force F3 is obtained from the following formula based on the vertical reaction force N on the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 14 generated by the urging force f and the coefficient of friction μ between the film F and the smooth surface layer 39 as the contact surface. Asked to do so.
[0072]
F3 = μN
[0073]
Here, in order to stably convey the film F, the film conveying force F3 is preferably 100 g or more. Since the coefficient of friction μ between the smooth surface layer 39 made of fluororesin and the film F is about 0.5, the relationship between the urging force f per one of the opposing rollers 16 and the film conveyance force F3 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, it can be seen from FIG. 12 that a biasing force f per one of the opposing rollers 16 needs to be about 0.06 N / cm in order to obtain a film conveyance force F3 of 100 g. Incidentally, when the width of the opposed roller 16 is 14 inches, a force of [0.06 N / cm] × [14 × 2.54 cm] = 2.13 N is required. Adjustment by a biasing coil spring 28 (FIG. 4) acting on both ends of the roller 16 may be used together.
[0074]
Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the coil spring 28 (FIG. 4) for urging each opposing roller 16 to the heating drum 14 and the urging force by its own weight to be 0.06 N / cm or more. On the other hand, the biasing force of the opposing roller 16 is preferably in the range of 0.06 to 1 N / cm in consideration of the fact that the opposing roller 16 needs to be small enough not to cause indentation on the film F. According to further studies by the present inventors, in order to improve the adhesiveness between the smooth surface layer 39 and the film F made of the fluororesin during the above-mentioned urging force, and to efficiently supply heat from the heating drum 14. The biasing force is more preferably 0.1 to 1 N / cm.
[0075]
Since the heating drum 14 can move at substantially the same speed as the film F to be developed, the possibility that the surface of the film F is scratched (damaged or damaged) is reduced, thereby ensuring a high quality image. Can be. After being transported between the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16, the developed film F is located at the most downstream side and is formed by the opposing roller 16b as a guide member immediately before separation and the heating drum 14. It is guided by 50 and pulled out from the heating drum 14 of the heat developing section 130 as described later.
[0076]
The thermal developing section 130 is configured to develop a film F coated with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) as a support having a photosensitive thermal developing emulsion containing, for example, infrared photosensitive silver halide having a thickness of 0.178 mm. The heating drum 14 is maintained at a temperature of 115 ° C. to 138 ° C., for example, at 124 ° C., and the heating drum 14 holds the film F in contact with the outer peripheral surface thereof for a predetermined time of about 15 seconds. It is rotated at the rotation speed. At the predetermined time and the temperature, the film F can be raised to a temperature of 124 ° C. The glass transition temperature of PET is about 80 ° C.
[0077]
Next, the effect of controlling the rotation speed of the heating drum 14 by the control device 26 of FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram conceptually showing a charging sequence of various materials used in the present embodiment.
[0078]
The control device 26 in FIG. 15 controls the heating drum 14 to a normal state when the film F is not conveyed for a predetermined period of time, such as when an image signal is not input from the outside, and during warm-up of the device with the device power supply 29 turned on. Control is performed so that the film F is rotated at a lower speed than when the film F is transported.
[0079]
When the heating drum 14 rotates while being in contact with the plurality of opposing rollers 16 by the rotation speed control of the heating drum 14 by the control device 26 as described above, the film is repeatedly peeled and charged by the number of the opposing rollers 16 with respect to the film. Thus, the charge amount increases as the heating drum 14 continues to rotate, and the higher the rotation speed of the heating drum 14, the more the number of times of peeling charging increases, and the more the charge amount is accumulated. In this case, the smooth surface layer 39 made of a fluororesin such as Teflon (trade name) on the outermost periphery of the heating drum 14 is close to the electrical insulation property, and as seen from the charging line shown in FIG. It is most easily charged and is more easily charged than silicon rubber (elastic layer 38) and metal. However, by rotating the heating drum 14 at a lower speed when development is not performed, the amount of charge can be suppressed. In addition, the film can be stably conveyed by suppressing the amount of static electricity in the plurality of opposed rollers 16.
[0080]
Further, since the opposing roller 16 is grounded (grounded), the generated static electricity can be released from the opposing roller 16 to the ground, and the amount of charge on the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16 can be reduced.
[0081]
Next, a guide member for first guiding the film F separated from the heating drum 14 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view of a main part showing a guide member arranged near the heating drum 14 in FIG.
[0082]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, a guide member 210 for separating the developed film F from the heating drum 14 and guiding the film in the transport direction is provided below the heating drum 14 and the transport roller pair 144a below the most downstream guide member 16b. And is located between. That is, the guide member 210 is arranged such that the guide surface 300 first guides the film F after the film F is conveyed between the heating drum 14 and the opposed roller 16 and separated from the outermost smooth surface layer 39. [0083]
As shown in FIG. 9, the guide member 210 is made of a resin material or a nonwoven fabric and has a heat insulating property. The guide member 210 is provided integrally with the lower surface of the first member 220 and made of a metal material such as aluminum. And a second member 230 of the same. The guide surface 300 has a first guide surface 23a formed by the second member 230 to which the film F first comes into contact, and a second guide surface 22a formed by the first member 220 having heat insulating properties, which comes into contact next.
[0084]
The guide member 210 has a first inclined surface 310, a second inclined surface 320, and a third inclined surface 330 on the opposite side of the guide surface 300, and the first inclined surface 310, the second inclined surface 320, and the third inclined surface 330. The inclined surface 330 is formed continuously so that the inclination angle changes from the lower side in the direction of gravity to the oblique direction in order from the heating drum 14 side.
[0085]
The first inclined surface 310 of the guide member 210 is disposed closest to the heating drum 14 on the side opposite to the guide surface 300, and is inclined so as to be separated from the smooth surface layer 39 of the heating drum 14. It is suitable. The second inclined surface 320 faces an oblique direction of the direction of gravity, and the third inclined surface 330 faces a substantially horizontal direction.
[0086]
The right end in FIG. 9 of the third inclined surface 330 is close to the film outlet 30 a of the guide surface 300. The third inclined surface 330 has a groove-shaped liquid reservoir 340 formed in the middle thereof. The surface roughness of the inner surface of the groove of the liquid reservoir 340 is formed so that Ra = 1 μm or more and Rz = 10 μm or more.
[0087]
According to the guide member 210 of FIG. 9, the surface of the guide member 210 disposed in the immediate vicinity of the heating drum 14 on the opposite side to the guide surface 300 is formed of the first to third inclined surfaces 310, 320, and 330, and is entirely formed. With the inclined structure, a gas is generated by heating the film F in the thermal developing unit 130, and the gas approaches the smooth surface layer 39 of the heating drum 14 even if the gas repeatedly aggregates and remelts to form a fixed substance. There is no possibility that the heating drum 14 is damaged. Further, if the gas that repeats coagulation and re-melting becomes liquid, it flows to the second inclined surface 320 and the third inclined surface 330, and the adhered substance is unlikely to grow large, so that the smooth surface layer 39 of the heating drum 14 is damaged. Do not give.
[0088]
In the heat developing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, gases such as higher fatty acids are generated from the film during the development processing of the film. On the other hand, the guide member shown in FIG. At 210, it can be stably guided to the cooling / transporting section 150A of the next step.
[0089]
The guide member formed from the conventional metal material is easy to cool after the development processing is stopped, and when a gas such as a fatty acid is generated from the film or the like, the gas is easily aggregated and fixed, and once the reprocessing starts, the gas is temporarily stopped. The aggregated gas is re-melted to form a large pool, and when this is repeated, it grows large, and eventually comes into contact with the heating drum, possibly damaging the heating drum. For example, since the opposite side of the guide surface 300 has an inclined structure that is inclined away from the smooth surface layer 39 of the heating drum 14, the first inclined surface 310 and the like can be used to remove fatty acids and the like generated in the film developing process. Even if the gas is aggregated and fixed, the heating drum 14 will not be damaged.
[0090]
Further, even if the gas that repeats coagulation and re-melting becomes a liquid and flows to the second inclined surface 320 and the third inclined surface 330, the liquid accumulates in the pool 340 provided on the third inclined surface 330, and there. If it grows beyond a predetermined amount, it falls by its own gravity, so that the cleaning cycle of the guide member 210 can be extended. That is, the need for a maintenance work of cleaning and removing the adhered substance with alcohol or the like to prevent damage to the heating drum due to the aggregated adhered substance is reduced, which is preferable. Further, since the side opposite to the guide surface 300 is inclined by the first to third inclined surfaces 310, 320, 330, even if maintenance is performed, it is easy to clean and perform the work.
[0091]
In addition, since the second guide surface 22a of the guide surface 300 is made of a resin material or a nonwoven fabric of the first member 220 so as to have heat insulation, the heated film F is not rapidly cooled. Therefore, the heated and softened film F does not adhere to the guide surface 300 and hinder the conveyance. After the heat development, the heat conductive second member 230 is rapidly cooled, and the surrounding gas is agglomerated and adhered to the second member 230, so that the location where the gas adheres can be controlled. It is effective in preventing damage.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 9, when the film F comes out from the nip 50 between the opposing roller 16b and the heating drum 14 located at the most downstream side with the rotation of the heating drum 14, as shown by the solid line in FIG. After contacting the first guide surface 23a of the guide member 210, the film F advances while changing its transport direction so that the front end Fa of the film F moves on the second guide surface 22a as shown by the broken line in FIG. Thereafter, when the film F is caught in the nip between the rotating roller pair 144a as shown in FIG. 5, the film F separates from the guide member 210 as shown by a broken line in FIG. Is conveyed.
[0093]
In the process of transporting the film F in FIGS. 5 and 9 described above, the transport speed V1 of the film F in the thermal developing unit 130 and the transport speed V2 of the film F downstream (in the transport cooling unit 150A) of the thermal developing unit 130 are compared. The relationship is preferably V1 <V2, and the film F can be stably transported.
[0094]
Further, in the heat developing unit 130, the conveying force F5 for the film F by the smooth surface layer 39 of the heating drum 14 and the group of the opposing rollers 16 and the conveying force for the film F on the downstream side (in the conveying cooling unit 150A) of the heat developing unit 130. The relationship with F6 is preferably F5> F6. Thereby, the film can be stably conveyed, and the film can be given a certain tension in the step of cooling the film to the glass transition point in the conveyance cooling unit 150A, and a heat development time of a certain time can be secured. It is possible to obtain a stable image and a finished image quality without wrinkles or curls.
[0095]
Further, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, the transport resistance F7 when the guide member 210 is in contact with the first guide surface 23a is preferably smaller than the transport force F5 for the film F in the thermal developing unit 130, and is 100 g. The following is preferred for preventing image unevenness.
[0096]
FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the transport resistance force F7 received from the first guide surface 23a side when the film F contacts the first guide surface 23a of the guide member 210 and the contact angle θ of the film F on the first guide surface 23a. It is a figure showing a relation.
[0097]
As shown in FIG. 9, the film F coming out of the space between the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16b on the most downstream side is located on a tangent t between the outer periphery of the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16b. Due to the difference in the contact angle θ between the tangent t (the front end Fa of the film F) and the first guide surface 23a, the conveyance resistance F7 changes as shown in FIG. Therefore, from FIG. 7, the contact angle θ is preferably equal to or less than 50 degrees at which the transport resistance F7 is equal to or less than 100 g, and more preferably equal to or more than 10 degrees. The length of the first guide surface 23a with which the film F contacts is preferably 5 mm or less. The guide member 210 is disposed with respect to the heating drum 14 such that the contact angle θ is 10 to 50 degrees.
[0098]
When the contact angle θ is equal to or less than 50 degrees, the arrangement of the guide member 210 can contribute to downsizing, and the conveyance resistance does not become too large, so that film peeling at the leading end of the film can be suppressed. . In order to suppress the peeling of the film, when forming a latent image on the film, an unexposed portion is provided at the leading end of the film in the film transport direction by 2 to 3 mm, and the film strength between the emulsion and the substrate (base) is reduced. It is even better to combine raising.
[0099]
As described above, it is possible to stabilize the conveyance of the film on the downstream side of the heat development unit 130, and to stabilize the film conveyance trajectory. Become.
[0100]
The guide member 210 is made of aluminum extrusion and nonwoven fabric, and the leading end of the film separated from the heating drum 14 is first brought into contact with and guided by the first guide surface 23a made of aluminum. Then, the film strength is increased, and thereafter, the film is guided by the second guide surface 22a made of a nonwoven fabric as the heating drum 14 rotates. If the distance for transporting the leading end of the film on the aluminum first guide surface 23a is too long so as to exceed 5 mm, curling of the leading end becomes excessive due to excessive cooling, or film peeling occurs near the film cutting surface, If the film is suddenly guided by a nonwoven fabric, the posture of the high-temperature, softened film peeled off from the heating drum will not be stable, and both ends of the film will not always be in contact with the edges of the nonwoven fabric at the same time. If the point is the first guide surface 23a made of aluminum, it is possible to suppress three-dimensional twisting.
[0101]
In addition, the conveying force of the nip roller described above is such that the leading end of the 14-inch wide film is sandwiched between the nip rollers, a spring is attached to the rear end of the film, the nip roller is driven, and the spring balance when the film starts to slip is measured. You can measure as you read. The conveying force of 100 g means that the value of the spring balance at this time is 100 g. Further, the conveying force by the heating drum and the opposing roller can be measured in the same manner.
[0102]
Regarding the transport resistance of the film, when the rear end of the film is pushed with a spring scale, the film does not move at the beginning of pushing, but the spring load increases, and when it exceeds a certain value, the leading end of the film starts to move. The value of the spring load at this time is defined as the transport resistance.
[0103]
As described above, the present invention has been described with the embodiment, but various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, thermal developing section 130 is incorporated in thermal developing apparatus 100 together with exposing section 120, but may have a configuration separate from exposing section 120. In such a case, a transport unit that transports the film F from the exposure unit 120 to the thermal development unit 130 is required.
[0104]
In addition, in the configuration of FIGS. 4 to 6, each opposing roller 16 is configured to rotate following the rotation of the heating drum 14, but may be configured to rotate the opposing roller by a forced driving method. Such a configuration example will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the end portions of the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16, and FIG. 18 is a view of one of the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16 in FIG. Although only five opposing rollers 16 are shown in FIG. 17, all opposing rollers 16 have the same configuration.
[0105]
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, gear teeth 16a are provided at both ends of each opposed roller 16, and gear teeth 14a are provided at both ends of the heating drum 14. These gear teeth 16a and gear teeth 14a mesh with each other. Accordingly, each opposing roller 16 is driven by the drum 14 through the gear teeth, so that the opposing roller 16 is rotated by the driving force of the roller 16 without receiving the driving force from the film F, and the opposing roller 16 is forcibly rotated. Driven. With this configuration, the film F is stably conveyed even when conveyed on the slippery smooth surface layer 39. However, when the heating drum 14 and the plurality of opposed rollers 16 rotate, the amount of charged static electricity increases. As described above, when the film is not conveyed, the film can be stably conveyed while suppressing the amount of static electricity by suppressing the amount of charge by rotating the film at a low speed.
[0106]
【The invention's effect】
According to the heat developing apparatus and the heat developing method of the present invention, the amount of static electricity is suppressed when the heating drum for heating and developing while transporting the photothermographic material has a smooth surface layer such as a fluororesin on its surface. The photothermographic material can be transported stably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a thermal developing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a left side view of the heat developing device of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an exposure unit 120 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat developing unit 130 of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the configuration of FIG. 4 taken along line IV-IV and viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the configuration of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the film in the present embodiment, schematically showing a chemical reaction in the film during exposure with a laser beam.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the film in the present embodiment, schematically showing a chemical reaction in the film when the film on which the latent image is formed as shown in FIG. 7 is heated.
9 is a main part front view showing a guide member and a conveying roller pair arranged near the downstream side of the heating drum 14 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing an influence of a finished density when a heat development time changes due to a slip or the like while a film is transported around a heating drum.
11 is a diagram showing a relationship between a transport force F1 for a film F in a nip portion 52 between a heating drum 14 and an opposing roller 16a on the most upstream side, and a transport force F2 for a film F by a supply roller pair 143. FIG. .
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the urging force f of the opposing roller 16 and the film conveyance force F3 in the heating drum 14.
FIG. 13 is a view schematically showing a state in which a film F receives a conveying force F3 by receiving an urging force f from an opposing roller 16 in a heating drum 14.
FIG. 14 shows a relationship between a conveyance resistance force F7 received from the first guide surface 23a side when the film F contacts the first guide surface 23a of the guide member 210 and a contact angle θ of the film F on the first guide surface 23a. It is a figure showing a relation.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a motor that rotationally drives the heating drum of FIG. 1;
FIG. 16 is a diagram conceptually showing a charging sequence of various materials in the present embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing end portions of a heating drum 14 and an opposing roller 16 in this modified example.
18 is a view of one of the heating drum 14 and the opposing roller 16 in FIG. 17 as viewed in the direction of the arrow X.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 heat developing device 130 heat developing unit 14 heating drum 16 opposed roller 26 control device (control means)
27 ... motor (drive means)
28 Coil spring (biasing means)
29: Device power supply 32: Heater 38: Elastic layer 39: Smooth surface layer 16a: Uppermost opposing roller 16b ... Lowermost opposing roller F: Film ( Photothermographic materials)

Claims (11)

A cylindrical base provided with a heater for heating the photothermographic material, an elastic layer provided around the base, and a smooth surface layer formed on an outer surface of the elastic layer. A heating drum having
A plurality of opposed rollers arranged to face the heating drum,
Urging means for urging each of the opposed rollers toward the heating drum,
Driving means for rotatingly driving the heating drum,
Control means for controlling the driving means,
By rotating the heating drum by the driving unit, the photothermographic material is urged to the heating drum by the urging unit and developed while being conveyed while being sandwiched between the heating drum and the opposed roller. A heat developing device,
The heat developing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heating drum to rotate at a lower speed than when the photothermographic material is conveyed when the photothermographic material is not conveyed for a predetermined period. The heat developing device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing roller is made of metal and grounded. The thermal developing device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing roller is rotated by a forced driving method. 4. The thermal developing device according to claim 1, wherein the smooth surface layer of the heating drum is formed of a fluororesin. A cylindrical base provided with a heater for heating the photothermographic material, an elastic layer provided around the base, and a smooth surface layer formed on an outer surface of the elastic layer. A heating drum having
A plurality of opposed rollers arranged to face the heating drum,
Urging means for urging each of the opposed rollers toward the heating drum,
Driving means for rotatingly driving the heating drum,
Control means for controlling the driving means,
By rotating the heating drum by the driving unit, the photothermographic material is urged to the heating drum by the urging unit and developed while being conveyed while being sandwiched between the heating drum and the opposed roller. A heat developing device,
The heat developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heating drum to be rotated at a lower speed during warm-up of the apparatus than when the photothermographic material is transported. The heat developing device according to claim 5, wherein the opposed roller is made of metal and grounded. 7. The heat developing device according to claim 5, wherein the opposing roller is rotated by a forcible driving method. 8. The heat developing device according to claim 5, wherein the smooth surface layer of the heating drum is formed of a fluororesin. A heat development method for heating and developing while transporting a photothermographic material between a heating drum having a smooth surface layer and a plurality of opposed rollers urged by the heating drum, the method comprising:
The heat developing method, wherein when the photothermographic material is not conveyed for a predetermined period, the heating drum is driven to rotate at a lower speed than when the photothermographic material is conveyed. A heat development method for heating and developing while transporting a photothermographic material between a heating drum having a smooth surface layer and a plurality of opposed rollers urged by the heating drum, the method comprising:
A heat developing method, wherein the heating drum is driven to rotate at a lower speed during warm-up of the apparatus than when the photothermographic material is transported. The thermal development method according to claim 9, wherein the smooth surface layer is formed of a fluororesin.

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