JP2006126684A - Print processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print processing apparatus capable of maintaining the lifetime of a print transport device for long, even when prints are carried out in a zigzag form in a plurality of columns from carry-out port, and surely sending the prints into a print container. <P>SOLUTION: The print processing apparatus, constituted to transport the prints carried out of the carry-out port in the zigzag form in the two paths of the carry-out columns to the print container via the print transport device, is so constituted that the transport direction of the print transport device is a direction nearly orthogonal to the carry-out direction of the prints from the carry-out port; the prints of odd numbers successively undergoing the print processing are made to flow to the carry-out column near the print container; and the prints of even numbers successively undergoing the print processing are made to flow to the carry-out column distant from the print container. A main controller for controlling the transport operation of the print processing apparatus performs control, in such a manner that the print processing apparatus is made to perform the transport operation at a stage where the prints of the carry-out column apart from the print container are carried out to the print-transport section, after the prints of the carry-out column near the print container have been carried out to the print transport section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print processing apparatus in which prints that are carried out in a staggered manner in a plurality of rows from a print carry-out port of a print processing apparatus are conveyed to a print storage unit such as a sorting apparatus via a conveyance device.

  For example, a print processing apparatus for printing an image on photographic paper includes a printer for printing the image on the photographic paper and a processor for mainly developing the photographic paper on which the image is printed by the printer. In the above photographic processing apparatus, first, an image is printed on a photographic paper by a printer, and then the photographic paper is sent to a processor by a transport mechanism. In the processor, the fed photographic paper is sent by a transport mechanism on the processor side. After the development process while being conveyed, the print is finished by drying.

  In the print processing apparatus described above, the carry-out device for carrying out the print finished by the processor from the carry-out port to the outside of the apparatus and the print carried out from the carry-out port are substantially orthogonal to the carry-out direction by the carry-out device. A print transport device including a conveyor for transporting in a direction and a print sorting device as a print storage unit for storing prints transported by the print transport device are provided.

In the print processing apparatus described above, the print that has been dried after the development processing is carried out from the carry-out port by the carry-out device, placed on the conveyor of the print conveyance device, and stored in the tray of the sorting device via the print conveyance device. To be. (See Patent Document 1)
By the way, in the above print processing apparatus, the processing speed of the processor is generally slower than the processing speed of the printer. Therefore, in order to improve the processing capacity of the print processing apparatus, it is necessary to increase the processing capacity of the processor. .

  Therefore, conventionally, the printing paper baked by the printer is conveyed in the conveyance path in, for example, two rows on the left and right sides in a zigzag manner to increase the processing capacity of the processor, and two rows by the unloading device. It is made to carry out on the belt of a print conveyance apparatus from a carrying-out exit in zigzag form.

However, in the above-described conventional print processing apparatus, when the carry-out device carries out two rows in a zigzag form from the carry-out port onto the belt of the print conveyance device, each print is carried out from the carry-out port to the print carry-out device. In addition, since the print transport device is driven and transported to the print storage unit one by one, the drive in the print transport device is frequently turned on and off, and the life of the transport device is shortened. There is a defect that shortens that much.
JP-A-7-5671

  The present invention has been developed in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the number of operations of the print conveyance device even when carrying out the zigzag pattern in a plurality of rows from the carry-out port. An object of the present invention is to provide a print processing apparatus that can maintain a long life and can reliably send a print carried out from a carry-out port to a print accommodating portion.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a print storage unit via a print transport device that intermittently transports prints that are transported in a staggered manner in a plurality of transport rows. In the print processing apparatus that is configured to be conveyed, a control unit is provided for controlling the conveyance operation of the print conveyance apparatus. It is characterized in that the print conveying device is controlled to be conveyed at the time of unloading.

  In the print processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print transport apparatus performs a transport operation when one print is transported from each of the plurality of transport lines to the transport apparatus under the control of the control device, The plurality of papers carried out are collectively sent to the print storage unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print carry-out row is two rows, and the transport direction of the print transport device is substantially perpendicular to the print carry-out direction from the carry-out port. The odd numbered prints that are sequentially printed are sent to the carry-out row close to the print storage unit, and the even-numbered prints that are sequentially printed are sent to the carry-out row far from the print storage unit. And the control means includes a print conveying device at a stage where the prints in the carry-out row near the print storage unit are carried out to the print conveyance unit and then the prints in the carry-out row separated from the print storage unit are carried out to the print conveyance unit. Is controlled so as to be transported.

  In the print processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of prints are accommodated in the print accommodating portion in the order of the print processing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the print transport device performs a transport operation when one print is transported from each of the unload rows to the transport device under the control of the control unit. The life of the print processing apparatus can be extended as compared with the case where the transport operation of the print transport apparatus is performed each time one print is transported from the transport exit to the print transport apparatus.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the prints can be stored in the print storage unit in the order in which the print processing is performed.

  The print processing apparatus schematically shown in FIG. 1 basically stores a photo processing unit 1 for printing an image on photographic paper, which is an example of print paper, and a print 10 finished by the photo processing unit 1. And a print accommodating portion 6 for performing the above.

The photographic processing unit 1 reads a film mask unit 21 for setting a developed film, a scanner 22 for reading a frame image of the developed film set in the film mask unit 21, and image data recorded on a recording medium. An image processor 2 equipped with an image processing unit 24 for mainly performing various image processing on the image data read by the reading device 23, the scanner 22 or the reading device 23,
A printer 3 for printing an image on photographic paper P, which is an example of print paper, using image data processed by the image processor 2;
It comprises a processor 4 for developing photographic paper on which an image is printed by the printer 3.

  The scanner 22 mounted on the image processor 2 sets the developed film on the film mask unit 21 to irradiate the developed film set on the film mask unit 21 with the light from the light source unit 20. The images of each frame are sequentially read and output to the image processing unit 24, and the image processing unit 24 performs various image processing on the image data read by the scanner 22 or the reading device 23.

  The image processing unit 24 includes a main controller 25 including a computer in which image processing software or the like is installed, a keyboard 26a and a mouse 26b for inputting various information to the main controller 25, and a monitor 27 for displaying various information. It consists of and.

  The image data read by the scanner 22 or the reading device 23 is appropriately processed by the main controller 25 based on a predetermined processing program and various information such as a print size input by the keyboard 26a or the mouse 26b, and then sequentially printed. The data is output as data to a sub controller 30 described later mounted on the printer 3.

  The printer 3 is for printing the print data created by the image processing unit 24 of the image processor 2 on photographic paper, and a sub-controller 30 for inputting the print data output from the image processing unit 24. The paper magazines 31a and 31b filled with rolls of photographic paper, the transport mechanism 32 for transporting the photographic paper P delivered from the paper magazines 31a and 31b, and the photographic paper P transported by the transport mechanism 32 Further, an exposure mechanism 33 for exposing the image data via the sub-controller 30 and a distribution mechanism 34 for distributing the exposed photographic paper into two rows are mounted.

  In the printer 3, as the print data output from the main controller 25 is input to the sub-controller 30, the sub-controller 30 generates exposure data based on the input print data, and the exposure mechanism 33. To be output.

  As a method of the exposure mechanism 33, a PLZT shutter method, a laser beam method, a liquid crystal shutter method, a fluorescent beam method, and the like are known, and any method can be adopted according to the specification.

  The processor 4 develops the photographic paper distributed in two rows by the distribution mechanism 34 and conveyed in a staggered manner, and dries the photographic paper developed by the development processing mechanism 41. The print processing mechanism 42, the unloading mechanism 44 for unloading a print completed by drying the photographic paper from the unloading port 43, and the print P unloaded from the unloading port 43 via the unloading mechanism 44. A print transport device 5 for transporting toward the section 6 is provided.

  The development processing mechanism 41 includes a plurality of processing tanks, and various processing liquids such as a developing solution, a bleaching / fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution are individually stored in these processing tanks.

  The drying processing mechanism 42 includes a heater for drying the photographic paper, and is configured to appropriately dry the photographic paper P by the heater while the photographic paper P is transported by a transport mechanism (not shown). The print P that has been dried at 42 is carried out from the carry-out port 33 to the print carry-out device 5 by the carry-out mechanism 44.

  The carry-out mechanism 44 carries out the prints P distributed to the two rows of paths by the distribution mechanism 34 from the carry-out port 43, and is carried out to positions corresponding to the carry-out rows L1 and L2 at the carry-out port 43. Detectors 45 a and 45 b for detecting the print P are provided, and these detectors 45 a and 45 b are connected to the main controller 25 and output detection signals to the main controller 25.

  In the above print processing apparatus, for example, when processing the print P for one order, the print P in which the order of the print processing is an odd number is caused to flow to the carry-out row L1 closer to the print accommodating unit 6, and the even number The print P is caused to flow to the carry-out row L2 far from the print storage unit 6.

  On the other hand, the print conveying device 5 that is intermittently driven is composed of a conveying conveyor, and is basically a composite that is stretched between a pair of front and rear driving rollers (not shown) that are rotationally driven by a driving device 51. A rubber conveyor belt 52 and a support frame 53 that rotatably supports both drive rollers are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the print accommodating portion 6 is provided with a large number of trays 61, and, for example, one order of prints P is conveyed to the tray 61 positioned at the top by the control of the main controller 25 described above. At that stage, the tray 61 is conveyed downward via the drive device 62, and the print P that is subsequently conveyed is accommodated in the next tray 61.

  In the above-described print processing apparatus, the main controller 25 serving as a control unit causes the print transport apparatus 5 to be moved when one print is transported to the print transport apparatus 5 from each of the two paths of the transport lines L1 and L2. The driving of the driving device 51 is controlled so as to perform the transport operation.

  Specifically, a drive control function 25a for controlling the drive operation of the drive device 51 in the print transport device 5 based on the detection results from the detectors 45a and 45b on the computer program constituting the main controller 25. Has been built.

  This drive control function 25a is basically used, for example, when processing a print of one order, after the print P in the carry-out row L1 close to the print storage unit 6 has been carried onto the conveyance belt 52 of the print conveyance device 5. When the print P in the carry-out row L2 away from the print storage unit 6 is carried out onto the conveyance belt 52 of the print conveyance device 5, that is, from the point when the detector 45b detects the print P, the print P is printed in the print conveyance device. When the time required for unloading onto the five conveyor belts 52 has elapsed, the two prints P unloaded onto the conveyor belt 52 are printed together and conveyed toward the tray 61 of the print storage unit 6. The driving of the driving device 51 of the transport device 5 is controlled, and when the total number of prints for one order is an odd number, the last odd number When the print P is detected by the detector 45a, when the time required for the print P to be carried onto the conveyance belt 52 of the print conveyance device 5 has elapsed, the last one sheet carried out onto the conveyance belt 52 The driving of the driving device 51 of the print transport device 5 is controlled so that the print P is transported toward the tray 61 of the print storage unit 6.

  In the print processing apparatus described above, the photographic paper P that has been subjected to the exposure printing process in the printer 3 is conveyed to the processor 4 in two rows and in a zigzag manner by the sorting mechanism 34, and the development processing mechanism 41 of the processor 4. Is developed by the drying processing mechanism 42, and is carried out in a zigzag manner in two rows from the carry-out outlet 43 via the carry-out mechanism 44 onto the conveyance belt 52 of the print conveyance device 5. At this time, based on the detection of the prints of the detectors 45a and 45b, the conveyance belt 52 performs an intermittent conveyance operation under the control of the driving device 51 by the main controller 25.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the print P in the carry-out row L <b> 1 close to the print storage unit 6 is carried out from the carry-out port 43, and the detector 45 a detects the print P. At the time of unloading onto the conveying belt 52 (the state shown in FIG. 5A), the driving device 51 is not driven, the conveying belt 63 is stopped, and then the unloading row separated from the print storage unit 6 is performed. When the print P of L2 is carried out from the carry-out port 43, the detector 45b detects the print P, and the print P is carried out onto the transport belt 52 of the print transport device 5 ((( b), that is, when the time required for the print P to be carried out onto the transport belt 52 of the print transport device 5 has elapsed since the detector 45b detected the print P. Operated device 51 is driven, than it is transported toward the pan 61 of the printing receiving section 6 two printed P taken out onto the conveying belt 52 is collectively.

  In the above print processing, when the total number of prints processed for one order is an odd number, when the last odd number print P is detected by the detector 45a, the print P is transferred to the print transport device 5. When the time required for carrying out on the conveyor belt 52 has elapsed, the driving device 51 is driven, and the last print P carried out on the conveyor belt 52 is directed toward the tray 61 of the print storage unit 6. Are transported.

  Thus, in the print processing apparatus described above, the print transport apparatus when one print P is transported to the print transport apparatus 5 from each of the two transport lines L1 and L2 under the control of the main controller 25. 5 is transported, and two prints carried out from the carry-out port 43 can be collectively sent to the print storage unit 6, so that one print is carried out from the carry-out port to the print carry-out device as in the prior art. The life of the print processing apparatus can be extended as compared with the case where the print transport apparatus performs the transport operation every time. For example, the print P for one order is arranged in the order in which the print processing is performed, and is properly aligned. In the state (the order in which the printing process is performed), it can be reliably stored in the print storage unit 6. .

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a print processing apparatus using photographic paper. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applied to a print processing apparatus using print paper other than photographic paper. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the print processing apparatus in which the print P carry-out path is arranged in two rows. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applied to a print processing apparatus in which the print P carry-out path is arranged in three rows. May be.

1 is a perspective view of a print processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the principal part. FIG. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of a print transport device in the print processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Photo processor 2 Image processor 25 Main controller (control means)
3 Printer
4 processor 43a / 43b detector 5 print transport device 6 print accommodating part P print

Claims (2)

In a print processing apparatus configured to convey prints carried out from a carry-out port in a zigzag manner in a plurality of carry-out rows to a print storage unit via a print carrying device that intermittently carries out the operation,
Control means for controlling the transport operation of the print transport apparatus is provided, and this control means transports the print transport apparatus when one print is carried out from each of the plurality of carry-out lines to the transport apparatus. A print processing apparatus characterized by being controlled to perform   The number of print carry-out rows is two, and the conveyance direction of the print carrying device is a direction substantially perpendicular to the print carry-out direction from the carry-out port. Numbered prints are flown, and even numbered prints that are sequentially printed are flown to the carry-out row far from the print storage unit. The control means prints the prints in the carry-out row close to the print storage unit. The print transport apparatus is controlled to perform a transport operation at a stage where the prints in the transport line away from the print storage section are transported to the print transport section after being transported to the print section. The print processing apparatus described.

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