JP2005284121A - Film conveying unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film conveying unit which can simplify the structure and which can draw a film smoothly, in forming an accommodation space part to take-up and accommodate a film. <P>SOLUTION: A film conveying unit has a conveying mechanism which conveys a belt photograph film F along a conveying path; a processing part which is provided on the way of the conveying path, to conduct processing for the photograph film F; an accommodation space part S which takes up and accommodates the photograph film F conveyed along the conveying path. The accommodation space part S forms a ring-shaped inner periphery on which the face of the photograph film F inserted slides and touches to be guided. Also near an upper insertion opening 810, a convex-shaped part T is provided, which the photograph film F contacts at one part or the whole part in the cross direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention winds a transport mechanism for transporting a strip-shaped photographic film (hereinafter referred to as “film”) along a transport path, a processing unit for processing the film, and a film transported along the transport path. The present invention relates to a film transport unit provided with a storage space for receiving and storing.

  Such a film transport unit is provided for reading a frame image formed on a developed film. It is also used to project and expose a frame image of a developed film onto a photographic photosensitive material. Here, an example of an operation when reading a frame image of an APS film will be described. The developed film is accommodated in a film container called a cartridge, and this cartridge is loaded into the cartridge loading section of the film transport unit. Next, when the belt-like film is sequentially pulled out from the cartridge and transported, the film is transported along a predetermined transport path. An opening is provided in the middle of the conveyance path, and an image of the film is read through the opening. Reading in the forward conveyance path is called press canning, and an image is read with a rough number of pixels. The image data read at this time is displayed on a monitor screen and used to perform an image processing operation by an operator. Therefore, the reading resolution may not be high. While the film is conveyed at a constant speed, press canning is performed, and the film is accommodated in a roll shape in a take-up accommodating space provided on the downstream side of the conveying path.

  As described above, the film is wound around the accommodation space while being press-canned. When the press canning is completed, the film is transported in the reverse direction along the transport path. This time, the image of the film is read through the opening, but reading in this return path is the main scanning, and unlike the press scanning, the image data with high resolution is acquired. Photo prints are created using the high-resolution image data. In creating a photo print, the color and density input in the image processing operation are also corrected, and a photo print with an appropriate image quality is created. The film for which the main scanning has been completed is accommodated in the cartridge again.

  As described above, the film transport unit is provided with the accommodation space portion, and in order to accommodate the belt-like film, a configuration that can smoothly accommodate the film is required. In the case of winding and accommodating, a configuration in which winding force is forcibly accommodated by applying a driving force for winding is general, but the driving mechanism for that is complicated and the cost is increased. Therefore, there is also known an accommodation method in which the film is pushed into the accommodation space using the conveyance force of the film conveyed along the conveyance path.

  For example, a film conveyance device disclosed below is known. This forms a cylindrical space in the film take-up portion, and feeds the film into the accommodation space portion by its conveying force. There is no spool in the winding unit, and the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. On the other hand, if you try to push the film into the cylindrical space with just the conveying force, depending on the length of the film in the longitudinal direction and the state of curl, it may require a pushing force and smoothly wind up in the accommodation space Can be difficult. In view of this, a configuration in which a load is reduced by arranging a roller on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation space is also considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, the film accommodating part disclosed below is also known. This film accommodating part accommodates in the state which wound the film with the winding hook of the film. The film accommodating part has a horizontally long oval shape, and has an oval shape such that the length along the direction in which the film is conveyed becomes long. Thereby, it is comprised so that a film may be wound up smoothly, without arrange | positioning a roller to an internal peripheral surface (for example, refer patent document 3).
JP-A-7-209683 JP 2001-261200 A JP 2002-189259 A

However, there are some problems in the film container as described above.
That is, if a large number of rollers are arranged, the number of parts increases, resulting in an increase in the size and complexity of the apparatus and an increase in product cost, resulting in a new problem.

  As for the method of using the curl of film, since the film curls in one direction (hereinafter referred to as “forward curl”), the film F can be smoothly accommodated as illustrated in FIG. Although it can be stored in the part S, when there is no curl or when the film F is conveyed opposite to the forward curl (hereinafter referred to as “reverse curl”), as illustrated in FIG. (A) The front end of the film F warps outward and faces the insertion port as it is, (B) the films F inserted in order are stored in a spell-folded state, and (C) when the film F starts to be drawn, There may be a problem that the leading end near the insertion opening is taken out together with the film F to be discharged (hereinafter referred to as “rolling”), resulting in damage to the film F or the apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to simplify the structure and draw out the film smoothly in forming a housing space that functions to wind up, house and redraw the film. It is to provide a film transport unit that can.

In order to solve the above problems, a film transport unit according to the present invention is:
A transport mechanism for transporting a strip-shaped photographic film along the transport path;
A processing unit that is provided in the middle of the transport path and performs processing on the photographic film;
An accommodating space for winding and accommodating the photographic film conveyed along the conveying path;
A film transport unit comprising:
The accommodation space portion forms an annular inner peripheral surface that is guided in sliding contact with the surface of the inserted photographic film,
In the vicinity of the upper insertion port, a convex portion is provided in which the photographic film abuts against part or all of the width direction.

  The operation and effect of the film transport unit having this configuration will be described. This unit includes a transport mechanism for transporting the film along the transport path, and a processing unit is provided in the middle of the transport path. Accordingly, processing (film image reading and image printing exposure) is performed while the film is conveyed along the conveyance path. The film that has passed through the processing section is inserted into an accommodation space provided on the downstream side of the transport path, wound along the inner peripheral surface, and hangs down to the bottom due to its own weight. Therefore, the film is pushed in smoothly. Next, when the film is pulled out, the film is conveyed in the reverse flow from the insertion port provided in the upper portion of the accommodation space. At this time, even if the film has a reverse curl, a part or the whole of the film leading end is brought into contact with the convex portion provided in the vicinity of the insertion port, so that no entanglement occurs. In other words, the film can be pulled out smoothly without arranging rollers on the inner peripheral surface. As a result, it is possible to provide a film transport unit that can smoothly draw out a film with a simple configuration when forming an accommodation space that functions to wind up, accommodate, and redraw the film.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the convex portion abuts at a portion other than the image recording portion of the photographic film.

  While the installation of the convex portion is very effective for preventing entrainment as described above, in the case where the convex portion is provided in a part of the width direction, at the portion where the convex portion is in contact, the front end of the film There is a risk of distortion. In the present invention, such an influence on the image of the film can be prevented beforehand by contacting the convex portion at a portion other than the image recording portion of the film. Further, when pulling out the film, such a configuration is preferable because the force for pressing the film front end portion against the convex portion is weak, and functions sufficiently when a part of the film front end portion is locked by the convex portion.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the direction in which the photographic film is inserted into the housing space is set to be a tangential direction at the upper vertex of the housing space.

  By setting in this direction, the film can be smoothly inserted, and useless resistance is not generated. Further, when the film is pulled out, the film tip can be easily locked to the convex portion, and the film can be pulled out smoothly with a simple configuration.

  In this invention, it is preferable that at least one part of the said convex-shaped part has the height more than the thickness of a photographic film with respect to the said cyclic | annular internal peripheral surface.

  With such a configuration, the film tip can be smoothly locked to the convex portion, and the influence on the film can be prevented by the minimum locking structure.

  In the present invention, in the transport path of the photographic film from the insertion opening of the housing space to the inside of the housing space, a gap of not less than twice the thickness of the photographic film is formed, and the upper surface of the gap is formed by the convex portion. It is preferable to comprise by these.

  With such a configuration, the film can be smoothly inserted into the accommodating space, and the film tip can be appropriately prevented from being caught by the engagement with the convex portion disposed on the upper surface of the gap. . Therefore, the film can be drawn out smoothly with a simple configuration.

  In the present invention, the housing space includes an annular inner peripheral surface guided by sliding the surface of the inserted photographic film, and a pair of openings formed on both sides of the inner peripheral surface in the photographic film width direction. It is preferable that a door body for opening the accommodation space portion is provided on one closed surface side of the pair of closed surfaces while being surrounded by the closed pair of closed surfaces.

  With such a structure, the film inserted into the accommodating space can be easily wound around the inner peripheral surface and suspended from the bottom by its own weight. In addition, by providing the door, maintenance can be easily performed when a winding failure such as a film jam occurs in the accommodation space. For example, the film can be easily taken out from the housing space, and the film can be prevented from being inadvertently damaged. Further, by providing an urging means for urging the door body in the closing direction, it is possible to prevent the door body from being forgotten to be closed and the jamming or breakage of the film caused thereby.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a dust discharge hole is formed at the bottom of the accommodation space.

  In order to ensure the film accommodation in the accommodation space, it is necessary to form the accommodation space in a sealed state. On the other hand, dust may adhere to the film, and dust floating in the air accumulates in the accommodation space while the film is repeatedly housed and discharged. If such dust adheres to the film again, it causes deterioration of the quality of the scanned image. Also, the dust and the film are rubbed, and the film is damaged. Therefore, by providing a dust discharge hole at the bottom of the storage space, dust can be easily discharged out of the storage space. At this time, by making the width dimension of the dust discharge hole smaller than the width dimension of the film, it is not necessary to disturb the operation when the film is wound. Further, by forming the dust discharge hole in a mortar shape, it is possible to easily discharge the dust in the accommodation space.

  With the configuration as described above, operations in the accommodation space such as winding, accommodation, and drawing of the film can be performed smoothly without damaging the film. In particular, it is possible to provide a film transport unit capable of smooth operation by simplifying the configuration without requiring special components such as the arrangement of rollers even for reverse curling.

A preferred embodiment of a film transport unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a photographic processing system in which a film transport unit is used.

<Photo processing system configuration>
FIG. 1 is a photographic processing system that reads a frame image formed on a developed film, converts it into digital data, and prints and exposes the image on paper P (photosensitive material) by a digital exposure operation method. An image reading apparatus 1 (film scanner) and a printer processor PR are provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading apparatus 1 includes an illumination optical system 2, an imaging optical system 3, and a film carrier 4 (film transport unit).

  The illumination optical system 2 is provided in order to irradiate the film F (negative film or positive film) conveyed along the conveyance path in the film carrier 4. The illumination optical system 2 includes a light source unit 5, a light control filter 6, and a mirror tunnel 7. The light source unit 5 is, for example, a halogen lamp, and includes light in a wavelength region corresponding to each of the three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The light control filter 6 is for adjusting the color distribution of the radiated light from the light source part 5 as needed. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source unit 5 is applied to the film F after its color distribution and intensity distribution are adjusted by the light control filter 6 and the mirror tunnel 7.

  The imaging optical system 3 includes a lens unit 8 including a zoom lens and a CCD line sensor 9 (hereinafter abbreviated as a CCD sensor) that receives light that has passed through the film F. The lens unit 8 is provided to form an image of the light that has passed through the film F on the CCD sensor 9. In FIG. 1, only one lens is shown as the lens unit 8, but it may be composed of a plurality of lenses.

  The CCD sensor 9 is a linear sensor disposed along a direction (corresponding to the main scanning direction) orthogonal to the film F transport direction (arrow direction in FIG. 1 and corresponding to the sub-scanning direction). Here, the CCD sensor 9 has a large number of pixels arranged in parallel with the main scanning direction, that is, the width direction of the film F. The CCD sensor 9 includes three line sensors 9a, 9b, and 9c that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance from the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction to the downstream side in order to acquire color image data.

  One of R, G, and B color separation filters is attached to each imaging surface of each line sensor 9a, 9b, and 9c, and is assigned to correspond to each of R, G, and B colors. . That is, a color filter that allows only the red component of the light transmitted through the film F to pass through the imaging surface of the line sensor 9a corresponding to red, and similarly, a green component is applied to the imaging surface of the line sensor 9b corresponding to green. A color filter that passes only the blue component is attached to the imaging surface of the line sensor 9c corresponding to blue.

  The data processing unit 10 samples and holds the pixel signals output from the pixels of the line sensors 9a, 9b, and 9c, thereby converting the pixel signals into continuous image signals and converting the pixel signals to predetermined bits. After being converted into a number of digital signals, it is sent to the image processing unit 11. The image processing unit 11 has a function of executing image processing based on color / density correction data input by an operator and various image correction processing required for creating a photo print. The image data of the frame image that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 11 is transferred to the exposure engine 13.

  Next, the configuration of the printer processor PR will be described. Paper magazines M1 and M2 contain paper, which is a photographic photosensitive material, in the form of a roll. One of the paper magazines M1. A long paper is pulled out from M2, and is cut into a print size by a paper cutter 14 provided on the conveyance path. The sorting conveyance mechanism 15 switches the conveyance state of the paper from one row to multiple rows.

  The exposure engine 13 prints and exposes an image on paper based on the image data transferred from the image processing unit 11. The exposure engine 13 can employ various structures such as a laser engine and a PLZT engine. The paper on which the image is printed and exposed is transported by the transport mechanism 16 and sent to the development processing unit 17. After the development processing is performed in the development processing unit 17 and the drying processing is performed in the drying processing unit 18, the finished photographic print is discharged from the paper discharge unit 19 to the outside of the apparatus.

<Configuration of film carrier (film transport unit)>
Next, the configuration of the film carrier 4 will be described. The image reading device 1 is provided to read a frame image formed on a developed film, and the film carrier 4 has a function of conveying the film for that purpose. The film carrier 4 can handle both a so-called 135 type film (also called a 35 mm film roll, hereinafter referred to as “135 film”) and a so-called APS film (hereinafter referred to as “240 film”). The configuration of the film carrier 4 is shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2 and the plan view of FIG. 2 and 3 show a state in which the upper body 32 is closed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first transport path R1 (transport lane) for transporting 240 films and a second transport path R2 for transporting 135 films are arranged side by side in parallel. Since 240 film is accommodated in a cartridge, a loading unit 20 for loading the cartridge is provided. Since the 135 film is not accommodated in the container, a film insertion portion 21 for inserting the strip-shaped 135 film as it is is provided.

  The loading unit 20 includes a holder unit 22 that holds a 240 film cartridge, a drive unit 30 that rotates a spool shaft of the cartridge held by the holder unit 22, and a 240 film spool shaft that is held by the holder unit 22. It is comprised with the support part 23 to support. The holder portion 22 includes a holder main body 22 a into which a 240 film cartridge is inserted, and an attachment member 22 b for attaching the holder main body 22 a to the film transport portion 24.

  The holder body 22a has a base portion 220 that is formed in a donut shape with an outer peripheral diameter set to a shape substantially similar to the end face shape of a 240 film cartridge, and a predetermined interval in the outer peripheral direction of the base portion 220. A plurality of holding pieces 221 projecting from the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 220 in the center line direction. The plurality of holding pieces 221 form a loading port 25 for loading a 240 film cartridge on the leading end side, and the 240 film cartridge can be inserted in the axial direction into an area surrounded by the holding piece 221. Yes. The plurality of holding pieces 221 are arranged so that the shutter portion (drawing port for drawing out the film) of the cartridge is located between the plurality of holding pieces 221 in a state where a 240 film cartridge is loaded. It is arranged to be possible.

  The attachment member 22b is configured to be attachable to and detachable from a lower main body 31 described later, and a base portion 220 of the holder main body 22a is hinged. A torsion coil spring (not shown) is attached to the shaft body 26 in which the holder main body 22a and the attachment member 22b are hinged, and the holder main body 22a is biased around the shaft body 26.

  The holder portion 22 has an attachment member 22b attached to the film transport portion 24 so that the shutter portion of the loaded cartridge is on the first transport path R1 side. In this state, the holder main body 22a is a spool in the loaded cartridge. The posture can be changed between a film drawing posture in which the shaft is in a lying state and a loading posture in which the loading port 25 faces upward. In the film drawing posture, the holder portion 22 faces the first conveyance insertion port of the first conveyance path R1 and the shutter portion of the cartridge so that the 240 film can be pulled out from the cartridge and inserted into the first conveyance path R1. Yes. On the other hand, in the loading posture, the loading port 25 faces upward, and a 240 film cartridge can be loaded and unloaded.

  The drive unit 30 includes a base body 30a connected to the film transport unit 24, an electric motor 30c that is a drive source, and a speed reduction mechanism 30b that decelerates the rotation of the drive motor 30c. The base body 30a is attached to the lower surface of the film transport unit 24, and the electric motor 30c and the speed reduction mechanism 30b are attached to the base body 30a. The output shaft (not shown) of the speed reduction mechanism 30b is provided so that one end protrudes toward the holder body 22a, and the film is drawn from the loading posture through the hole of the base portion 220 of the holder body 22a. The drive of the electric motor 30c is transmitted to the spool shaft by engaging with one end portion of the spool shaft in the cartridge in the posture. The electric motor 30c is also responsible for driving the film transport unit 24 via the speed reduction mechanism 30b.

  The support portion 23 includes a rotatable support shaft 23a that supports the other end of the spool shaft. Specifically, the support portion 23 includes an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes a shutter portion of a cartridge in 240 film. The opening / closing mechanism includes an electric motor 23b and a transmission mechanism 23c that transmits the drive of the electric motor 23b to the shutter portion of the cartridge. The support shaft 23a is rotatably supported by the transmission mechanism 23c. The opening / closing mechanism is supported by the base 23d and is provided so as to be able to advance and retract in the axial direction of the spool shaft in the cartridge in the film drawing posture.

  The support shaft 23a is configured to be engageable with the other end portion of the spool shaft of 240 film, and the support portion 23a advances toward the cartridge so as to engage with the other end portion of the spool shaft. It is configured. On the other hand, the support portion 23 is retracted away from the cartridge, so that the engagement between the spool shaft and the output shaft is released.

  The film transport unit 24 includes a lower main body 31 and an upper main body 32 that are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. The lower main body 31 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the bottom, and one corner on one end side in the longitudinal direction is cut out into a substantially rectangular shape when seen in a plan view to form an arrangement space for placing the loading portion 20. .

  As shown in FIG. 4 (the upper main body 32 is opened), FIG. 5 (AA cross-sectional view in FIG. 3), and FIG. 6 (BB cross-sectional view in FIG. 3), A first lower groove 41 for forming the first transport path R1 and a second lower groove 50 for forming the second transport path R2 are formed on the opposing surfaces. The first lower groove 41 is set to a width corresponding to the width of the 240 film, and the longitudinal direction of the lower main body 31 so as to correspond to the formation position of the placement space of the loading portion 20 (location position of the shutter portion of the cartridge). Is formed over the entire length. A plurality of recesses 42 are formed on the bottom surface of the first lower groove 41 with a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction (film transport direction). A driving roller 43 that is rotationally driven is provided in the recess 42. Has been. The drive roller 43 is provided so as to partially protrude from the bottom surface of the first lower groove 41, and is configured to contact the driven roller 63 of the upper body 32.

  A slit-shaped first lower slit opening 44 (corresponding to a processing portion) extending in the groove width direction (film width direction) and penetrating in the vertical direction is formed at a predetermined position on the bottom surface of the first lower groove 41. 1 The information of the frame image formed on the film can be read through the lower slit opening 44. A rotatable head roller 45 for pressing a 240 film against a magnetic head 65 provided in the upper main body 32 is embedded on the upstream side of the slit opening 44 in the conveyance. Further, a brush 46 for cleaning the film surface is embedded upstream of the first lower groove 41.

  The second lower groove 50 is set to a width corresponding to the film width of the 135 film, and is formed over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the lower body 31 so as to be in parallel with the first lower groove 41 in the film width direction. Yes. Similarly, a plurality of recesses 51 are formed in the second lower groove 50, and a driving roller 52 that is rotationally driven by the recesses 51 is internally provided. The driving roller 52 contacts the driven roller 72 of the upper main body 32. A slit-like second lower slit opening 53 extending in the groove width direction (film width direction) and penetrating in the vertical direction is formed on the bottom surface of the second lower groove 50. The second slit opening 53 is formed on an extension line of the first slit opening 44.

  The upper body 32 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, the longitudinal direction is set to a length corresponding to the entire length of the first transport path R1, and the short direction corresponds to the length of the lower body 31 in the short direction. The length is set. The upper body 32 is disposed opposite the lower body 31 so as to avoid the loading unit 20, and one end portion in the short direction is hinged to one end portion in the short direction of the lower body 31. Thereby, the upper main body 32 can be opened and closed with respect to the lower main body 31, and the posture can be changed between a state in which the facing surfaces of the upper main body 32 and the lower main body 31 are in close contact with each other and a state in which they are separated from each other. .

  On the surface of the upper body 32 facing the lower body 31, a first upper groove 61 for forming the first transport path R <b> 1 together with the first lower groove 41 and a second transport path R <b> 2 for forming the second transport path R <b> 2 together with the second lower groove 50 are formed. A second upper groove 70 is formed.

  Similarly to the first lower groove 41, the first upper groove 61 is set to a width corresponding to the width of the 240 film, and is formed over the entire length in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the position where the first lower groove 41 is formed. A plurality of recesses 62 are formed on the top surface of the first upper groove 61 with a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction (240 film transport direction) corresponding to the formation position of the recess 42 of the first lower groove 41, In this recess 62, a freely driven roller 63 is housed. The driven roller 63 is provided so that a part protrudes downward from the top surface of the first upper groove 61, and can hold the 240 film together with the driving roller 43 of the lower body 31.

  The first upper groove 61 corresponds to the position where the first lower slit opening 44 of the first lower groove 41 is formed, and is a slit-shaped first upper slit opening 64 (processing portion) extending in the groove width direction and penetrating in the vertical direction. Is formed at a predetermined position on the top surface. In the first upper groove 61, the head surface of the magnetic head 65 is disposed toward the bottom surface of the first lower groove 41, adjacent to the first upper slit opening 64, so as to contact the head roller 45. It has become. Further, a brush for cleaning the other surface of the 240 film is embedded so as to correspond to the brush 46 of the lower main body 31.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a 135 film transport path, which includes a transport mechanism similar to FIG. A second upper groove 70 is provided corresponding to the second lower groove 50 and has a width dimension corresponding to the width of the 135 film. A plurality of recesses 71 are also formed on the top surface of the second upper groove 70, and a driven roller 72 is provided. The 135 film is nipped and conveyed by the driven roller 72 and the driving roller 52. A slit-shaped second upper slit opening 73 is formed corresponding to the position where the second lower slit opening 53 is formed.

  In the film transport unit 24 having the above-described configuration, the upper body 32 is brought into close contact with the lower body 31 so that the first lower groove 41 and the first upper groove 61 are integrated, and the cross section as the first transport path R1. A substantially rectangular hole is formed over the entire length in the longitudinal direction. Further, the driving roller 43 of the lower main body 31 and the driven roller 63 of the upper main body 32 are brought into contact with each other, and the magnetic head 65 and the head roller 45 are brought into contact with each other, thereby forming the first transport path R1.

  In this state, the first transport path R1 can transport the 240 film drawn from the 240 film cartridge loaded in the loading unit 20. In addition, the first lower slit opening 44 and the first upper slit opening 64 communicate with each other to form a first transmission portion that can be transmitted in the vertical direction, and a frame image of 240 films can be read.

  Similarly, in the film transport unit 24, the second lower groove 50 and the second upper groove 70 are integrated to form a second transport path R2 arranged in parallel with the first transport path R1. In the second transport path R2, the driving roller 52 of the lower body 31 and the driven roller 72 of the upper body 32 are in contact with each other. Further, the second lower slit opening 53 and the second upper slit opening 73 communicate with each other to form a second transmission portion that can transmit in the vertical direction, and a frame image of 135 film can be read through the second transmission portion. Become.

<Configuration of winding unit>
Next, the winding unit 80 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the winding unit 80 includes a first winding unit 81 that temporarily winds and stores the 240 film transported through the first transport path R1, and a second transport path R2. A second winding unit 82 that temporarily winds and collects the 135 film being transported and a frame unit 83 that unitizes the first and second winding units 81 and 82 and attaches them to the film transport unit 24. Has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first winding unit 81 includes a slit-shaped first insertion port 810 that is an insertion port into which the 240 film conveyed from the first conveyance path R1 is inserted, and the first winding unit 81. The accommodation space portion S communicates with one insertion port 810 and accommodates 240 films, and the accommodation space portion S has an annular inner peripheral surface and both ends in the film width direction formed by the inner peripheral surface. It is formed to be surrounded by a pair of closing surfaces that close the opening.

  The first winding portion 81 will be specifically described. The first winding portion 81 includes an annular body portion 811 having an inner peripheral surface, and one closed surface by closing one end opening of the body portion 811. And a door body 813 that closes the other end opening of the body portion 811 to form the other closed surface.

  The body portion 811 is an annular first divided body 811a that is a divided body divided (two-divided) in the central axis direction (film width direction), and a divided body that forms the other end opening of the body portion 811. An annular second divided cylinder 811b is configured to be connected. The first divided cylinder 811 a is formed integrally with the closing plate 812, and one end opening of the first divided cylinder 811 a serving as one end opening of the body portion 811 is closed by the closing plate 812. .

  An inner peripheral surface of a body portion 811 formed by connecting the first divided cylinder 811a and the second divided cylinder 811b has a pair of arcuate surfaces 814a and 814b that form a concave shape facing each other in the vertical direction, and these arcuate surfaces 814a, 814b is composed of a pair of standing (vertical) standing surfaces 815a and 815b that form a substantially oval opening (inner hole) (see FIGS. 5 and 7), and an arc surface A convex portion T is provided in the vicinity of the insertion port 810 of 814a (see FIGS. 10 and 11 described later).

  Further, the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 811 is set so that the width in the central axis direction is equal to or slightly wider than the width of the 240 film, and a groove 816 is formed on the entire circumference of the central portion. Thereby, the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 811 is formed so that the inner diameter of the other end opening portion and the opening portion on the side of the closing plate 812 (both side portions in the width direction of the inner peripheral surface) is smaller than the central portion. Both ends of the 240 film that has entered the accommodation space S (regions where no frame images are formed) are configured to move in sliding contact with only both sides of the inner peripheral surface of the body 811.

  The first insertion port 810 is formed in the peripheral wall of the body portion 811, and the length (slit length) is substantially equal to or slightly more than the width of the 240 film so that the length (slit length) corresponds to the width of the 240 film. It is set long.

  The first insertion port 810 will be described in detail. The first insertion port 810 is formed by connecting insertion port forming grooves 810a and 810b formed in the first divided cylinder 811a and the second divided cylinder 811b, respectively. Is. The insertion port forming grooves 810a and 810b are formed on the peripheral walls of the divided cylinders 811a and 811b by passing through the connecting surfaces of the first divided cylinder 811a and the second divided cylinder 811b. This prevents the side end portion of the 240 film inserted from the first insertion port 810 from being sandwiched between the first divided cylinder 811a and the second divided cylinder 811b (between connecting surfaces) and hindering the insertion operation. Like to do.

  The first insertion port 810 having the above-described configuration forms a surface that is orthogonal to the upright surface 815a that forms the accommodation space S and faces the upper circular arc surface 814a vertically in the tangential direction. Of the upper and lower surfaces forming the first insertion port 810, the upper surface is formed by a continuous portion (tangential state) with the upper arc surface 814a and a convex portion. In addition, one surface of the 240 film inserted from the first insertion port 810 is smoothly guided by the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 811, and the leading end portion is not caught when the film is pulled out.

  A mounting portion 817 on which the support frame 84 (see FIG. 2) of the second winding portion 82 can be mounted is formed on the upper outer surface on one end side (the closing plate 812 side) of the body portion 811. . The mounting portion 817 is formed with a positioning convex portion 818 that is inserted into a positioning hole 84 b formed in the mounting piece 84 a of the support frame 84. Further, on the outer surface of the upper portion of the body portion 811, a restricting claw 819 that restricts the upward movement of the support frame 84 placed on the placement portion 817 protrudes upward.

  A connecting portion 820 is provided on the outer surface of the closing plate 812 that closes one end opening of the body portion 811 so as to protrude outward from the peripheral wall in which the first insertion port 810 is formed. The connecting unit 820 is configured such that the winding unit 80 can be attached to and detached from the film transport unit 24 via a screw member, and the 240 film that has been transported through the first transport path R1 when connected to the film transport unit 24. Is arranged to be inserted into the first insertion port 810.

  The door body 813 is attached to the body portion 811 so that the accommodation space portion S can be closed and opened. Specifically, the door body 813 is formed in a plate shape, one end of which is hinged to the edge of the body 811 on the first insertion port 810 side, and the other end of the body 811 is opened. It can be opened and closed. Thereby, when the door body 813 is closed, the closed surface is formed on one surface to close the storage space portion S, while when the door body 813 is opened, the storage space portion S is opened. And it is comprised so that the condition in this accommodation space part S can be confirmed.

  As described above, since the width of the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 811 is set corresponding to the film width of 240 films and the door body 813 can maintain the closed state of the first winding portion 81 having the above-described configuration. When one surface of the 240 film inserted into the housing space S is guided to the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 811, one end of the 240 film is guided to the inner surface (blocking surface) of the door body 813. 240 prevents the film from meandering greatly.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the second winding unit 82 presses the winding drum 840 for winding the 135 film and the winding drum 840 to wind the 135 film on the winding drum 840. And a plurality of pressure rollers 841 for guiding in the direction of travel. The pressure roller is urged radially inward of the winding drum 840 by a spring (not shown).

<Constitution of accommodation space>
As already described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the accommodation space S of the first winding portion 81 is formed by the first insertion port 810, the pair of arcuate surfaces 814 a and 814 b, and the pair of standing surfaces 815 a and 815 b. Has been. The present invention is further characterized in that a convex portion T is provided in the vicinity of the first insertion port 810 of the circular arc surface 814a to prevent the film leading end from being caught when the film is pulled out.

  Here, the cross-sectional shape of the accommodating space S is not particularly limited, such as an arc shape, but is preferably formed in a vertically long oval shape as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. That is, the vertical dimension Y is set to be longer than the horizontal dimension X. As a dimensional ratio, for example, it can be set to about X: Y = 40 mm: 60 mm (2: 3). When the 240 film is accommodated in the accommodation space S, the 240 film is accommodated so as to be pushed in by using the conveyance force (film stiffness) of the 240 film. In this case, if the accommodation space S is circular, the film is wound in a state of being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface, so that the slidability is poor. Therefore, the load when 240 films are inserted is increased and the capacity is lowered. In particular, this problem becomes more noticeable as the length of the 240 film becomes longer. In the oval accommodation space S, the inserted 240 film is wound along the inner peripheral surface and hangs down to the bottom due to its own weight. Therefore, 240 films can be inserted smoothly. Further, even when the winding is in progress, the space K is always formed in the upper part of the accommodation space S. Accordingly, the 240 film does not adhere to the inner peripheral surface, so even when a 240 film having a long length is inserted, the load for insertion can be suppressed and the insertion can be easily performed. Can be made. In the case of an arc shape, such a space K is not formed, so that the accommodation property is not good. In addition, since the shape of the accommodation space part S concerning this invention should just be an ellipse shape by the width direction view of a film, it is comprised only by an arc surface and a standing surface (perpendicular straight line) like this embodiment. It is not limited to things. The arc surface does not have to be a strict arc shape. You may comprise by the curved surface shape of the shape close | similar to a circular arc. The standing surface may also be constituted by a gentle curved surface. Moreover, you may form in the shape of a vertically long ellipse as a whole, and this is also included in the shape of a vertically long oval.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the function of the convex portion T when the film F conveyed by the driving roller 43 and the driven roller 63 is inserted into the accommodation space portion S through the first insertion port 810. One of the embodiments will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the convex portion T is provided in the vicinity of the first insertion port 810 of the circular arc surface 814a.

  In the case of the forward curled film F, as illustrated in FIG. 13 described above, one surface of the film F is smoothly guided by the inner peripheral surface 814a including the convex portion T and the standing surface 815b, It winds along the surface 814a and the upright surface 815b, hangs down to the bottom by its own weight, and is smoothly pushed in and accommodated. The film leading end is further pushed along the arcuate surface 814b and the standing surface 815a, and is placed inside the wound film F.

  Next, when the film F is pulled out, the driving roller 43 and the driven roller 63 are rotated in the reverse direction, and the stored film F is carried out from the first insertion port 810 in a flow completely opposite to that during storage. The film leading end also moves along the arc surface 814a and the upright surface 815b, and is smoothly carried out from the first insertion port 810.

  On the other hand, in the case of the reverse curled film F, as illustrated in FIG. 14 described above, the film F is stored in a spell-folded state, while the film front end portion is an arcuate surface including the convex portion T. 814a and a part of the standing surface 815b are smoothly guided and remain in the vicinity of the first insertion port 810 of the circular arc surface 814a.

  Next, when pulling out the film F, the driving roller 43 and the driven roller 63 are rotated in the reverse direction, and the accommodated film F is moved in the direction of the first insertion port 810 in a flow completely opposite to that at the time of accommodation. At this time, the film front end portion near the first insertion port 810 of the arc surface 814a also moves along the arc surface 814a so as to come into contact with the moving film F, but eventually the projection provided on the arc surface 814a. It hits the end portion Ta of the shaped portion T and is in a locked state. Accordingly, the accommodated film F is smoothly unloaded in order from the first insertion port 810 in the reverse flow to that of the unfolding, and the film leading end is not caught in the film F and is finally unloaded from the first insertion port 810. Is done. Thus, the film F can be pulled out smoothly with a simple configuration.

  At this time, even when the film F is pulled out, the force for pressing the film front end to the convex portion is weak, and the convex portion T does not need to be locked in the entire film width direction, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. As shown in Fig. 4, the film functions sufficiently when part of the film front end is locked by the convex portion T. Further, from the viewpoint of preventing the influence on the image, it is preferable that the convex portion T abuts at a portion other than the image recording portion, and the convex portion T is formed on the film width as shown in the AA sectional view. It is preferable to arrange at both ends in the direction.

  Here, it is preferable that at least a part of the convex portion T has a height equal to or greater than the thickness t of the film F with respect to the annular inner peripheral surface Tb. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 10 (A), while the arc surface 814a with respect to the forward curled film is sufficiently secured, the film tip is smoothly locked to the convex portion T as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. It has a structure that can be performed.

  In addition, about the 1st insertion port 810, it is orthogonal to the standing surface 815a and the circular arc surface 814a so that the direction where the film F is inserted in the accommodation space part S becomes a tangential direction in the upper vertex of the accommodation space part S. It is preferable that they are set to be continuous with each other. The film F can be inserted smoothly without resistance, and when the film F is pulled out, the film tip can be easily locked to the convex portion T.

  In FIG. 11, another embodiment about the function of the convex part T is illustrated. The convex portion T is formed on the upper surface of the gap portion of the first insertion port 810. The convex portion T is smoothly inserted into the accommodation space portion S, and is smoothly pulled out not only to the forward curled film but also to the reverse curled film. It has a structure that can.

  That is, when pulling out the reverse curled film F, the driving roller 43 and the driven roller 63 rotate in the reverse direction, and the stored film F moves in the direction of the first insertion port 810 in a completely opposite flow to that in the storage. At this time, the film leading end located near the first insertion port 810 of the arc surface 814a also moves along the arc surface 814a so as to come into contact with the moving film F. Eventually, the projection provided on the arc surface 814a. It hits the end portion Ta of the shaped portion T and is in a locked state. Accordingly, the accommodated film F is smoothly unloaded in order from the first insertion port 810 in the reverse flow to that of the unfolding, and the film leading end is not caught in the film F and is finally unloaded from the first insertion port 810. Is done.

  At this time, the distance d of the gap is preferably not less than the thickness t of the film F and not more than 2t. The film F can be smoothly inserted into the accommodation space F, and the film tip can be appropriately prevented from being caught by the engagement with the convex portion T disposed on the upper surface of the gap. . Moreover, it is not necessary to latch the whole film width direction like the said embodiment, Furthermore, it is preferable to contact in parts other than an image recording part, and the convex-shaped part T is made into a film like the said AA sectional drawing. It is preferable to dispose at both ends in the width direction. With such a simple configuration, the film F can be smoothly inserted or pulled out.

<Composition of door>
Next, the opening / closing mechanism of the door body 813 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 11, a torsion spring 830 (corresponding to an urging means) is provided, one action part 830 a contacts the outer surface side of the door body 813, and the other action part 830 b contacts the body part 811. ing. The torsion spring 830 is attached to a shaft portion on which the door body 813 is hinged to the body portion 811, and the door body 813 is urged around the shaft portion in a closing direction. As an opening / closing mechanism of the door body 813, an engagement claw is provided on the door body 813, and an engagement portion that engages with the engagement claw is formed on the body portion 811 so that the door body 813 is locked to the body portion 811. A configuration that closes with is also conceivable.

  However, with such a configuration, the door body 813 may be forgotten to be closed after being opened. Opening the door body 813 is for maintenance or the like, but if you forget to close the door body 813, the 240 film inserted in the housing space S will protrude from the opening of the door body 813. This may lead to jamming or breakage of the 240 film. Therefore, by providing the torsion spring 830 that biases the door body 813 in the closing direction as described above, the forgetting to close the door body 813 can be eliminated. The urging means may be constituted by other types of springs instead of the torsion springs. A mechanism other than a spring may be employed.

<Configuration of dust discharge hole>
Next, the dust discharge hole 832 formed in the accommodation space S will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, a dust discharge hole 832 is formed at the bottom of the accommodation space S. The 240 film conveyed into the accommodation space S may have dust or dust attached to its surface, and dust is also brought into the accommodation space S as the 240 film is inserted. If the amount of this dust increases, both of them may be rubbed with the dust sandwiched between the surface of the 240 film and the inner peripheral surface, and the film surface may be damaged. Therefore, a dust discharge hole 832 is provided at the bottom of the accommodation space S as shown in FIG. Since it is provided at the bottom, the dust that has entered the housing space S is naturally discharged to the outside of the housing space S. Thereby, dust does not accumulate in the accommodation space S.

  Further, the dust discharge hole 832 is formed in the groove 816, and the dimensions L1 and L2 in the film width direction are both shorter than the film width dimension of the 240 film. Further, the dust discharge hole 832 is formed in a mortar shape, and an inclined surface 832a is formed. The inclined surface 832a makes it easy for dust to fall from the bottom. Due to the inclined surface 832a, the dimension in the width direction is also L1 <L2.

<Another embodiment>
The film transport unit may be a unit for transporting only the APS film. Further, the 135 type film may have the same winding portion as that of the APS film.

  In addition, the structure of said accommodation space part does not ask | require the kind of film to apply, and it can apply not only to 240 films but also to various films, such as 110, 120, 135.

  The present invention can be applied even when the film transport unit is used to print and expose a frame image formed on a developed film onto a photographic photosensitive material (paper).

  The above film transport unit refers to a photographic film. However, the configuration of each part including the above-described accommodation space can be used for copy paper or synthetic fiber film, and is versatile by a simple configuration. The transport unit can be made high.

Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a photographic processing system in which a film transport unit is used External perspective view showing the configuration of the film transport unit External plan view showing the configuration of the film transport unit External perspective view showing the configuration of the film transport unit with the upper body opened Longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the transport path of the APS film (240 film) Longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of 135 film transport path Perspective view showing the configuration of the film take-up part (with the door opened) The perspective view which shows the structure of a film winding-up part Explanatory drawing which illustrates 1 structure of the accommodation space part which concerns on this invention Explanatory drawing which illustrates other composition of the accommodation space part concerning the present invention Perspective view showing the configuration of the film take-up part (with the door closed) Explanatory drawing illustrating the configuration of the dust discharge hole Explanatory drawing which illustrates the structure of the accommodation space part which concerns on a prior art Explanatory drawing which illustrates operation | movement of the accommodation space part which concerns on a prior art

Explanation of symbols

1 Image reader 4 Film carrier (film transport unit)
43 Drive roller 44 1st lower slit opening 46 1st upper slit opening 63 Driven roller 81 1st winding part 82 2nd winding part 810 Insertion port 812 Closing plate 813 Door body 814a, 814b Arc surface 815a, 815b Standing up Surface 832 Dust discharge hole F Photo film S Storage space T Convex

Claims (7)

A transport mechanism for transporting a strip-shaped photographic film along the transport path;
A processing unit that is provided in the middle of the transport path and performs processing on the photographic film;
An accommodating space for winding and accommodating the photographic film conveyed along the conveying path;
A film transport unit comprising:
The accommodation space portion forms an annular inner peripheral surface that is guided in sliding contact with the surface of the inserted photographic film,
A film transport unit, characterized in that a convex portion is provided in the vicinity of the upper insertion opening so that the photographic film abuts against part or all of the width direction.   The film transport unit according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion abuts at a portion other than the image recording portion of the photographic film.   3. The film transport unit according to claim 1, wherein a direction in which the photographic film is inserted into the storage space is set to be a tangential direction at an upper apex of the storage space.   4. The film transport unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the convex portion has a height equal to or greater than a thickness of a photographic film with respect to the annular inner peripheral surface.   In the conveyance path of the photographic film from the insertion opening of the housing space to the inside of the housing space, a gap that is not less than twice the thickness of the photographic film is formed, and the upper surface of the gap is configured by the convex portion. The film conveyance unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The accommodation space portion is configured to close a pair of openings formed on both sides of the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral surface in the photographic film width direction, and an annular inner peripheral surface guided by sliding the surface of the inserted photographic film. The door body for enabling the accommodation space portion to be opened is provided on one closed surface side of the pair of closed surfaces while being surrounded by the closed surface. 5. The film transport unit according to 5. The film transport unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a dust discharge hole is formed in a bottom portion of the accommodation space portion.

Images