JP2005306598A - Photosensitive material processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a tray easily attached/detached by a simple structure in a photosensitive material processing device for sorting photosensitive materials discharged after photographic printing and accumulating the materials on the tray. <P>SOLUTION: The photosensitive material processing device is equipped with a sorting device 40 for conveying the photosensitive materials discharged after photographic printing and storing the materials in the attachable/detachable tray 33. The sorting device 40 comprises a first support member 306 for supporting a vertical force acting on the tray 33, a second support member 304 inserted into a U-shaped groove part 305 notched downward in the vertical direction of the tray 33 when the tray 33 is mounted to the sorting device 40, and a third support member for giving a reaction force to the tray 33 for canceling out rotation moment acting on a position of the center of gravity of the tray 33 when the second support member 304 is the central point in the state of the second support member 304 inserted into the U-shaped groove part 305. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus.

  Photosensitive material processing equipment is a processing tank that contains processing liquids for development, bleaching, and washing after exposure and printing on the emulsion surface of photographic paper (hereinafter referred to as paper) that has been cut into a predetermined size. The apparatus is configured to be transported so as to pass sequentially, and then dried and discharged to the outside.

  In general, such a photosensitive material processing apparatus transports a paper obtained by cutting a long roll paper into a predetermined size in advance, exposes the paper in a dark room, sequentially passes through a processing liquid tank, and externally prints the paper formed after drying. It is configured to discharge. Recently, an apparatus having a function of separating discharged paper and storing it in a predetermined tray has been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the transfer speed when the discharged paper is transported toward the tray is set lower than the speed at which the discharged paper is placed on the tray without reducing the processing capacity of the separation process. Disclosure function that can stack paper neatly is disclosed.

  Further, Patent Document 2 adjusts the circulating tray and the transfer timing when separating and transferring the discharged paper to each of a plurality of trays attached to the endless chain for conveyance and circulated. , A separation function capable of separating without damaging the paper is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, in an apparatus that can separate and stack discharged paper into a plurality of trays, the plurality of trays do not interfere with maintenance so that the apparatus can be efficiently maintained. A mechanism for retracting to a position is disclosed.

Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a transport device that stacks neatly by providing a restricting means when sorting discharged paper.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-083683 JP 2000-356847 A JP 2001-005162 A JP 2001-002301 A

  However, none of the above-described apparatuses has a structure that can be easily performed even if a tray for separation is fixed to the apparatus in advance or is removable. On the other hand, the tray on which the paper is stacked is generally arranged at a position where the operator can easily take out the paper, and such a position often interferes with maintenance work during maintenance.

  For this reason, it is conceivable to solve the problem by providing a mechanism for retracting the tray as in Patent Document 3, but in the case of such a method, there is a problem that the mechanism becomes complicated. However, if the tray can be easily attached and detached, the workability during maintenance can be improved and the apparatus can be simplified.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize an easily detachable tray with a simple structure in a photosensitive material processing apparatus that separates and collects printed and discharged photosensitive materials on a tray. And

In order to achieve the above object, a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A photosensitive material processing apparatus including a separation device that conveys a photosensitive material formed and discharged and stores it in a detachable tray,
The separation device is:
A first support member for supporting a vertical force acting on the tray;
A second support member that is inserted into a U-shaped groove cut out in the vertical downward direction of the tray when the tray is attached to the sorting device;
In the state in which the second support member is inserted into the U-shaped groove, a reaction force that counteracts the rotational moment acting on the center of gravity of the tray when the second support member is the center point is applied to the tray. And a third support member.

  The first support member is slidably arranged with respect to the sorting device, and the second support member is slid while being inserted into the U-shaped groove. The lower surface of the tray is supported.

  According to the present invention, in a photosensitive material processing apparatus that separates and collects photosensitive materials that have been printed and discharged, a tray that can be easily attached and detached can be realized with a simple structure.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Photosensitive material processing equipment>
FIG. 1 is a front view of the photosensitive material processing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as the apparatus 1) with all covers detachably provided on the casing 2 removed.

  In this figure, the device 1 is configured to be as flat as possible in the front and back direction of the paper surface, so as not to occupy the occupied area after installation, while allowing easy access to the main parts from the front side. Considered. Further, the roll paper RP wound with the color emulsion surface side to be a printing screen of the paper P outward is a continuous long roll having a predetermined width dimension (for example, 89 mm size, 102 mm size, 127 mm size, 152 mm size, etc.). As shown in the figure, the paper magazine 3 is wound around the core and is light-shielded so that the light is completely blocked. The roll paper RP is detachably incorporated by opening a lid (not shown) in the dark room. doing.

  The paper magazine 3 is provided so that it can be pulled out from the front side toward the front side, and is configured to be set at a predetermined position shown in the figure by moving to the back side after loading. The paper magazine 3 is provided with a handle (not shown).

  Further, an automatic opening / closing mechanism (not shown) for automatically opening the communication opening when the built-in roll paper RP is discharged in the direction of the arrow toward the outside of the paper magazine 3 is provided. The three openings can be automatically opened and closed and supplied as shown.

  A cutter unit 4 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening of the paper magazine 3. The cutter unit 4 is provided for cutting the roll paper RP immediately after being fed out from the communication opening of the paper magazine 3 into a desired cut size before exposure. The cutter unit 4 uses the predetermined cut size. The paper P that has been cut into two parts is sequentially sent to the exposure position of the exposure table 5 disposed in the bottom surface portion of the dark box 7.

  For this transport, the exposure table 5 has a built-in suction transport mechanism for transporting the back surface of the cut paper P by sucking the transport surface to the exposure position. This suction conveyance mechanism has a rotation function for rotating the paper P by 90 degrees in addition to the function of temporarily sucking the paper P at the exposure position and holding it in a stationary state.

  As described above, when preparation for exposure is completed, the film F is sequentially fed to the exposure unit 6 and an optical system 9 including a zoom lens is automatically or manually adjusted to form an image of a desired size. An image is formed on the paper P and exposed. Further, the rotation function is configured to perform exposure of a plurality of types of sizes by turning 90 degrees after the paper P is sucked by the suction pad.

  After this exposure, the paper P is transported toward the transport unit 10 in the direction of the arrow D1, and it is transported in the downstream direction after it is determined whether or not it is a large paper at an intermediate position. Here, when the paper size is small (for example, 127 × 89 mm), the paper is distributed left and right by the distribution device 12 and conveyed in two rows, and each processing liquid tank 16 provided in the second chamber 14 on the downstream side. The inside is conveyed in two rows.

  By carrying in two rows in this way, the processing speed can be increased. Further, even in the case of a portrait such as a panoramic photograph (254 × 89 mm), it can be conveyed in two rows in the same manner.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to perform exposure so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction of the film F loaded in the exposure unit 6, the paper P held by suction by the rotation function is rotated 90 degrees for exposure. . In this way, a plurality of types of differently sized papers P can be exposed with the same type of width dimension.

  The dark chamber 7, the exposure table 5, and the transport unit 10 described above are the first chambers formed so that each processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank 16 is not affected by the gas generated by vaporization due to temperature rise or the like. 13 is disposed inside.

  For this purpose, the first chamber 13 is provided with a partition wall 11 between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 14, and is transported by the transport device 15 disposed in the communication opening provided in the partition wall 11. By the operation, the paper P is conveyed in the direction of the arrow D2 in the drawing, and the vaporized gas of the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank 16 is, for example, stored in the processing liquid tank 16 so as to always close the communication opening. It is configured not to enter the first room 13. Furthermore, the internal pressure of the first chamber 13 is maintained at the second chamber 14 or higher so that the vaporized gas does not enter the dark room side and everything is done.

  The cutter unit 4, the exposure table 5, the transport unit 10, and the transport device 15 are configured so that they can be easily pulled out to the front side of the housing 2 without using tools. Inspection work can be done easily.

  After passing through the transport device 15 in the direction of the arrow D2, the paper P is transported toward the downstream side by the transport rack device 17 so that development processing of the paper P after exposure is performed. Specifically, the developing process is performed in the processing liquid tank 16 while the direction is changed in the direction of arrow D3 and sent. The transport rack device 17 is configured so that it can be individually set in each processing solution tank 16 as shown in the figure after the ceiling member 29 provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the housing 2 is opened upward. Yes. And when performing the cleaning operation | work for removing regularly the solidified component etc. of the process liquid adhering to the conveyance roller of each conveyance rack 17, it can take out outside after moving the conveyance rack 17 upwards. It is configured.

  In addition, each transport rack 17 is driven in synchronism with each transport roller of the transport rack 17 by being transmitted power from a common drive motor 20 shown by a broken line through a power transmission mechanism using a worm gear or a chain. The speed difference is not generated in the conveying roller.

  In the transport operation by the transport rack 17, the leading end of the paper P is guided by the guide device 18 disposed above each processing liquid tank, and the direction is changed in the direction of the arrow D4 to perform bleach-fixing. It is sent to the next treatment liquid tank 16. After that, it is transported as shown in the figure and finally guided out so as to change direction in the direction of arrow D5 after leaving the processing liquid tank 16 for performing the stabilization process, and sent to the drying device 22.

  The drying device 22 performs drying by spraying hot air on the marking screen Pa of the paper P through the nozzle during the conveyance as shown by the broken line, and then conveys the paper upward.

  Above the drying device 22, a direction changing roller 23 which is a discharging means for discharging the paper P to the outside with the marking screen Pa facing down, an idle roller 24 driven by the direction changing roller 23, and a driving roller 25. And an idle roller 24 that is driven by the drive roller 25, and is conveyed at a nip formed between the rollers so that the paper P after drying is discharged with the marking screen Pa facing down. It is configured.

  Through the above steps, the completed paper P is discharged out of the apparatus 1 with the marking screen Pa facing down. The discharged paper P is sorted and arranged in the sorting device 40. Specifically, the paper P discharged with the marking screen Pa facing down is dropped on the first belt conveyor 30 that is continuously driven in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the discharge, and then turned upside down by the reversing device 31. Is reversed and the mark screen Pa is turned up, and then temporarily stacked on a flap (not shown). In the flap, the paper P transferred from the reversing device 31 is stacked in order, and when it reaches the number of sheets for one order, it is sent to the second belt conveyor 32. The second belt conveyor performs so-called intermittent driving, and when the ordered paper P for one order is sent out from the flap, the second belt conveyor is driven by a predetermined amount and stopped. When the paper P for one order conveyed in this way reaches the end of the second belt conveyor 32, the operator takes out the paper P.

  A power supply unit is provided in the housing 2 that occupies the space below the drying device 22. On the power supply unit, the above-described treatment liquid tanks 16 are controlled and separation control described later is performed. A processor control unit 100 is provided, and is configured to control the entire apparatus.

<Configuration and operation of paper P sorting device>
FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line XX in FIG. 1 and shows a detailed configuration of the paper P sorting device 40. The paper P sorting device will be further described with reference to FIG. In addition, in this figure, about the component already demonstrated, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is omitted.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a housing of the paper P sorting device, which surrounds each component constituting the sorting device 40. Reference numeral 201 denotes a flap, which is disposed with a predetermined inclined surface at a dropping position of the paper P which is reversed and discharged by the reversing device 31 and temporarily supports the paper P. The flap 201 has a shaft support 202 and is rotated by a motor (not shown).

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a shifter, which is configured to move in the left-right direction on the paper surface by a shifter belt conveyor 204. The rubber curtain 205 and the stopper plate 206 are members for orderly stacking the paper P discharged from the reversing device 31 on the flap 201.

  Next, the operation of the paper P sorting apparatus 40 will be described. The paper P discharged from the apparatus 1 is dropped onto the first belt conveyor 30 by the driving roller 25 and the idle roller 24. Here, when the discharged paper P has a large size (a size of 152 mm or more), it is dropped onto the first belt conveyor 30 in a single row state, and the back surface Pb of the paper P is placed on the tray. 33 is conveyed to the top. That is, large-sized paper is stacked on the tray 33.

  On the other hand, the normal size paper P is guided by a reversing device 31 composed of a belt body that is stretched so as to be driven and driven at one rotating shaft support portion of the first belt conveyor 30, and is printed on the screen. It is dropped onto the flap 201 with Pa on the top. When the paper P for one order is stacked on the flap 201 in a tidy state, the shaft support portion 202 starts to rotate, and the flap 201 moves to a position parallel to the second belt conveyor 32. When the movement of the flap 201 is completed, the shifter belt conveyor 204 starts to drive, and the shifter 203 pushes the paper P toward the second belt conveyor 32. When the paper P is pushed out to the second belt conveyor 32 by the shifter 203, the second belt conveyor is intermittently driven and transports the paper P to a predetermined position. In this way, the normal size paper P is taken out from the second belt conveyor 32.

<Configuration of tray attachment / detachment mechanism>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the paper P sorting device 40 and the structure of the detachable portion of the tray 33. As shown in the figure, the tray 33 includes a bottom surface member 303 that supports the paper P, and side surface members 301 and 302 that are symmetrical to each other.

  The side members 301 and 302 have a shape in which the portion in contact with the sorting device 40 coincides with the outer shape of the housing 200 of the sorting device 40 when the tray 33 is attached to the sorting device 40. Thereby, it attaches with respect to the sorting apparatus 40 without gap. In order to fit the support member 304 of the sorting device 40 when the tray 33 is attached to the sorting device 40, the side members 301, 302 of the tray 33 have U-shaped grooves 305 that are cut vertically downward. Yes. For the sake of space, the support member and the groove are shown only on the side member 301, but the same structure is also formed on the side member 302 side.

  On the other hand, in addition to the support member 304, the separation device 40 is provided with a slidable stopper 306 for supporting the two bottom end portions of the tray (only the stopper located at the front is shown in FIG. 3). The stopper 306 can support the bottom surface of the tray 33 by sliding from the sorting device 40 side toward the tray 33 side when the tray 33 is attached to the sorting device 40.

<Principle of tray installation>
Next, the principle for enabling the tray 33 to be attached to the sorting device without dropping when the tray 33 is attached to the sorting device will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

(1) Balance of force (Fig. 4A)
In order not to drop when the tray 33 is attached to the sorting device, it is necessary to balance the force in the vertical direction. In the case of the tray 33 according to the present embodiment, a force Fa of “tray mass m × gravity acceleration g” is applied downward to the gravity center position 401 of the tray 33 (large-size paper P is stacked on the tray 33. In this case, a force Fa ′ of “the sum of the masses of the paper P and the tray 33 (m ′) × gravity acceleration g” is applied to the center of gravity 401 ′ (not shown) in a state where the paper P is stacked on the tray 33. (Not shown) is applied downward).

  On the other hand, an upward force Fb is applied to the bottom surface of the tray 33 by a stopper 306 slid from the sorting device 40. Accordingly, the tray 33 does not fall due to the balance between the upward force Fb by the stopper 306 and the downward force (Fa or Fa ′) applied to the center of gravity (401 or 401 ′) of the tray 33. That is, the stopper 306 is installed in the separation device with a strength that can withstand at least the force Fa ′ of “the sum of the mass of the paper P and the tray 33 (m ′) × gravity acceleration g”.

(2) Moment balance (Fig. 4B)
In order to prevent the tray 33 from dropping when the tray 33 is attached to the sorting device 40, it is further necessary to balance the moments. Thus, moment balance in the tray 33 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the support member 304 of the sorting apparatus 40 is assumed to be a center point in considering the moment balance. As described above, the force Fa of “tray mass m × gravity acceleration g” is applied vertically downward to the gravity center position 401 of the tray 33, so that the direction orthogonal to the straight line connecting the gravity center position 401 and the center point 400 is applied. In addition, the moment Ma works. The moment Ma at this time is the orthogonal component of the force Fa of “tray mass m × gravity acceleration g” (where the angle between the orthogonal component and Fa is θa, Fa × cos θa. In the case of FIG. 4B, θa = 0) Is the product of the distance la between the center of gravity position 401 and the center point 400.

  On the other hand, the frame portion 403 in contact with the tray 33 in the housing 200 of the sorting apparatus 40 gives a moment Mb to the tray 33 in order to suppress the rotation in the direction of the arrow 402 due to the moment Ma. The following formulas hold for the moment Ma and the moment Mb.

Moment Ma = Moment Mb
Moment Ma = m × g × cos θa × la
Moment Mb = lb × Fb × cos θb
However, Fb: reaction force that the frame portion 403 acts on the tray 33
lb: Distance from the center point 400 to the point of action of the reaction force Fb by the frame portion 403 Solving this for Fb,
Fb = m × g × cos θa / cos θb × la / lb
It becomes. That is, the frame portion 403 is installed in the sorting device 40 with a strength that can withstand at least the reaction force Fb, and the tray 33 has a strength that does not break even when the reaction force Fb is applied to the point of action.

<Tray attach / detach operation>
Next, a method of attaching and detaching the tray 33 in the tray 33 and the sorting apparatus 40 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 5 illustrates a method for attaching and detaching the tray 33. As shown in the figure, when attaching the tray 33, the tray 33 is moved downward (see FIG. 5A), and the support member 304 is inserted into the groove 305 by moving from below to above (see FIG. 5A). (See FIG. 5B). At this time, the tray 33 contacts the sorting device 40 so that the end shape of the side member 301 and the outer shape of the housing 200 of the sorting device 40 coincide with each other, and the rotation of the tray 33 is suppressed by the frame portion 403. Even if it tries to rotate around the member 304, it does not move in the direction of rotation. On the other hand, since it is not supported in the vertical direction at this time, it falls in the vertical direction as it is. Therefore, the stopper 306 is slid toward the tray 33 side. This will support in the vertical direction, and the attachment is completed ((c) of FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, the removal is the opposite, and the stopper 306 is slid toward the sorting device 40 while supporting the bottom surface of the tray 33 ((b) of FIG. 5). At this time, since the rotation is suppressed by the frame portion 403, the tray 33 does not move in the rotation direction around the support member 304, and the groove portion 305 is along the support member 304 so as to face downward in the vertical direction. Fall. This completes the removal ((a) of FIG. 5).

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present embodiment, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus including the separation device that separates the printed and discharged paper and accumulates it on the tray, the tray separation device has a very simple structure. It becomes possible to attach to. Further, since the structure is simple, the attaching / detaching work can be performed very easily.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the sorting apparatus of the paper P of the photosensitive material processing apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the separation apparatus of the paper P of the photosensitive material processing apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention, and the structure of the attachment or detachment part of a tray. It is a figure for demonstrating the balance of the force in a tray. It is a figure for demonstrating the balance of the moment in a tray. It is a figure for demonstrating the attachment or detachment operation | movement of a tray.

Explanation of symbols

33: Tray 40: Sorting device 200: Housing 301: Side member 302: Side member 303: Bottom member 304: Support member 305: Groove 306: Stopper 400: Center point 401: Center of gravity position 402: Direction of rotation 403: Frame portion

Claims (2)

A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising a sorting device that conveys a photosensitive material formed and discharged and stores it in a detachable tray,
The separation device is:
A first support member for supporting a vertical force acting on the tray;
A second support member that is inserted into a U-shaped groove cut out vertically downward of the tray when the tray is attached to the sorting device;
In the state where the second support member is inserted into the U-shaped groove, a reaction force that counteracts the rotational moment acting on the center of gravity of the tray when the second support member is the center point is applied to the tray. A photosensitive material processing apparatus, comprising: a third support member provided on the photosensitive material; The first support member is arranged to be slidable with respect to the sorting device, and the second support member is slid in a state of being inserted into the U-shaped groove, thereby the tray. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the photosensitive material is supported.

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