JP2006162749A - Film carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a film carrier enhancing the flatness of photographic film by surely restraining curl even on the photographic film having large gutter-like curl. <P>SOLUTION: The photographic film F conveyed to the image reading part 14 of the film carrier 10 is set at a reference position by making a pair of masks 24A and 24B approach to a base plate 18 to press both edge parts FA in a conveying direction on the film surface, then making the respective belts 50 of a pair of press-fitting units 40A and 40B approach to the base plate 18 to press-fit to both edge parts FB in a width direction on the film surface, and holding the photographic film F between the respective belts 50 and the projecting parts 22A and 22B of the base plate 18. The gutter-like curl having curvature in a film width direction made on the photographic film F is drastically reduced by pressing both edge parts FA in the film conveying direction by the masks 24A and 24B before both edge parts FB in the film width direction are held between the respective belts 50 and the projecting parts 22A and 22B of the base plate 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a film carrier for conveying a photographic film to an image reading position along a conveyance path in order to irradiate light onto an image frame recorded on the photographic film and read an image.

  A photographic film scanner device (digital scanner device) has a film carrier detachably attached to the main body of the device, and conveys the photographic film to a predetermined image reading position along a conveyance path provided in the film carrier. Some image frames recorded on photographic film at this image reading position are read by a CCD area sensor. In such a scanner device, for example, light (film transmission light) emitted from a light source unit and transmitted through a photographic film is imaged on a light receiving surface of a CCD area sensor by a lens unit, and a film carrying an image by the CCD area sensor. The transmitted light is converted into an electrical image signal. Therefore, at the time of image reading on the photographic film, the photographic film conveyed to the image reading position is directed to the lens unit along the light irradiation direction (optical axis direction). It is necessary to maintain a certain position with high accuracy.

  Therefore, in flattening the image frame of the photographic film (film strip) with respect to the base plate (substrate) arranged at the image reading position, in the vertical direction and the width direction along both edges of the image frame in the film longitudinal direction. Clamping means for flattening an image frame by applying a clamping force and applying a clamping force in the vertical direction along both edges of the image frame in the film width direction has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . Also, in the image frame clamping using this clamping means, with respect to the timing of applying the clamping force, the clamping element in the film width direction is delayed from the clamping element in the film longitudinal direction to contact the photographic film and the clamping force is applied. It is also good.

On the other hand, the above film carrier is provided with a variable mask to accommodate various frame sizes and trimming print ranges such as full size frames, half size frames, panoramic size frames recorded on 135 type photographic film, for example. In order to prevent the flatness of the photographic film from being damaged by the variable mask, a pair of variable feed direction masks that move in opposite directions in the feed direction (conveyance direction) of the photographic film; It has been proposed to arrange a pair of width direction variable masks that move in opposite directions in the width direction of the film on the same plane in sliding contact with the photographic film (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-7-199366 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-5590

  The photographic film curls depending on the humidity and the leaving environment, but as described in Patent Document 1, the frame is flattened by applying a clamping force to the photographic film not only in the vertical direction but also in the width direction. The clamping means is useful for eliminating the influence of curl of the photographic film and suppressing the accuracy of screen reading. However, since the curl of the photographic film generally becomes a bowl-shaped curl having a curvature in the film width direction in a flat conveyance path, as described in Patent Document 1, the curl of the clamp means When the clamping element is brought into contact with the photographic film at the same time as the longitudinal clamping element or later than the longitudinal clamping element and the clamping force is applied, the hook-shaped curl is large (the curvature of the curl is large). In this case, the curling may not be sufficiently suppressed by the clamp element in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, the photographic film targeted by the device of Patent Document 1 has a fixed image frame size, and has the same film width but a format having different sizes in the film transport direction, for example, 135 film full / Switching between half-size, 6 × 4.5, 6 × 6, 6 × 7, 6 × 8, 6 × 9, etc. of Broni film cannot be supported.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, the change in image frame size in the film conveyance direction as described above can be handled by the feed direction variable mask, but the feed direction variable mask is in sliding contact with the photographic film. Risk of damage to photographic film. Further, when the photographic film has a large curl in one-frame film conveyance, the mask may be caught by the photographic film by the operation of the feed direction variable mask, and the film may not be conveyed.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention can cope with the change of the image frame size in the conveying direction without damaging the photographic film, and can surely suppress the curl even in the case of a photographic film having a large bowl-shaped curl. It is an object of the present invention to provide a film carrier that can improve the film quality.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is configured to convey the photographic film to the image reading position along the conveying path in order to irradiate the image frames recorded on the photographic film with light. A reference plate for setting the photographic film at a reference position along the light irradiation direction by contacting a back surface of the photographic film provided at the image reading position and transported to the image reading position; It is arranged upstream and downstream of the image reading position in the film transport direction, and can be moved toward and away from the reference plate, and at least one of them can be moved along the transport direction. A pair of mask members that press and release both edges in the transport direction on the surface of the photographic film transported to a position, and the pair of mask members against the reference plate A mask member moving means for moving the guide member in the width direction of the photographic film, and a mask member moving means for moving at least one of the pair of mask members along the conveying direction according to the size of the image frame. In addition, the photographic film is sandwiched between the reference plate by being crimped to both edges in the width direction on the surface of the photographic film that is provided so as to be able to contact and separate from the reference plate and conveyed to the image reading position. And a pair of pressure-bonding members that release the pressure-bonding and release the photographic film, and a pressure-bonding member moving unit that moves the pair of pressure-bonding members toward and away from the reference plate, and is conveyed to the image reading position. The pair of pressure-bonding members are pressure-bonded to the photographic film after the photographic film is pressed against the photographic film by the pair of mask members.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the photographic film transported to the image reading position along the transport path of the film carrier is the film surface by the pair of mask members that are moved in the direction approaching the reference plate by the mask member moving means. The pair of pressure-bonding members moved in the direction approaching the reference plate by the pressure-bonding member moving means are pressed against both edges in the width direction on the film surface. And is set at a reference position along the light irradiation direction. In this state, the recorded image frame is irradiated with light to read the image.

  Further, at least one of the pair of mask members is moved along the film transport direction according to the size of the image frame by the mask member moving means in a state in which the photographic film is released from being separated from the reference plate. Therefore, the displacement of the mask member can cope with the change of the image frame size in the transport direction without damaging the photographic film.

  Here, the saddle-shaped curl having a curvature in the film width direction generated in the photographic film is the film transport direction before both edges in the film width direction are sandwiched between the pair of crimping members and the reference plate. The two edge portions are greatly reduced by being pressed by the pair of mask members. Therefore, even a large curl can be reliably suppressed, and the flatness of the photographic film can be improved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the film carrier according to the first aspect, the reference plate is provided with a recess along the conveying direction at a portion corresponding to the image frame, and the photographic film is pressed by the pair of mask members. Then, a pair of mask members are caused to enter the recess and stop at a position where the mask member does not contact the recess.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, a pair of mask members that press both edges in the film conveyance direction are moved to a reference position along the light irradiation direction, for example, on a photographic film in which a large bowl-shaped curl is generated. If it is only done, curl exceeding the allowable range may remain in the center of the photographic film. Also, if both edges in the film transport direction are pressed against the reference plate by pressing with the pair of mask members, an air pocket is formed between the photographic film and the reference plate, and the curl is not easily crushed. The problem will end up.

  Therefore, a recess is provided in the part corresponding to the image frame of the reference plate along the film transport direction, and the pair of mask members are moved until they enter the recess of the reference plate. Press. As a result, both edges in the conveyance direction of the photographic film are pushed further than the reference position along the light irradiation direction, and curling remaining in the center of the photographic film can be suppressed to an allowable range. . Further, by stopping the pair of mask members that have entered the recesses at positions where they do not come into contact with the recesses, both edges in the transport direction of the photographic film are pressed against the reference plate so that air is interposed between the photographic film and the reference plate. The pool is not formed, and the curling can be prevented from being easily crushed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the film carrier according to the first and second aspects, the pressure-bonding member has an endless belt member that is rotatably movable along the transport direction. It is said.

  In the invention described in claim 3, the photographic film conveyed to the image reading position along the conveying path is conveyed by an endless belt member provided so as to be rotatable along the conveying direction of the crimping member. Therefore, even a short photographic film cut every frame or every plurality of frames can be automatically conveyed.

  Since the film carrier of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it can cope with the change of the image frame size in the transport direction without damaging the photographic film, and can reliably suppress the curl even in a photographic film having a large bowl-shaped curl. The flatness can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a film carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The film carrier 10 of this embodiment is shown by FIGS. 1-3. The film carrier 10 is a film carrier for a brownie film and can be attached to and detached from the scanner device. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film carrier 10 has a base 12 attached to the scanner device. Is provided. The light emitted from the light source unit of the scanner device is irradiated to the image frame P recorded on the photographic film (Browney film) F at the substantially central portion of the base 12, and the light transmitted through the photographic film F (film transmitted light) ) Is imaged on the light receiving surface of an image sensor such as a CCD area sensor by the lens unit of the scanner device, thereby converting the film transmitted light into an electrical image signal by the image sensor and reading the image. 14 is provided. Further, a film transport path R for transporting the photographic film F to the image reading section 14 is formed on the upper surface of the base 12 so as to extend along the width direction of the apparatus (the direction of the arrow W). The film transport path is schematically indicated by an arrow R in the figure.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 14 is formed with a rectangular window 16 having the longitudinal direction in the apparatus width direction, and the photographic film F conveyed to the image reading unit 14 is formed in the window 16. A base plate 18 for setting the photographic film F is fitted at a reference position along the light irradiation direction (see the optical axis L in FIG. 4B).

  The base plate 18 is formed of a transparent glass plate. As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the base plate 18, there is a film transport direction (in the direction of arrow A) at a portion corresponding to the image frame P of the photographic film F. ), And a pair of convex portions 22A and 22B that form the concave portion 20 are extended at both side edge portions in a direction (film width direction) orthogonal to the film conveying direction. The reference position along the light irradiation direction is constituted by the upper surfaces of the pair of convex portions 22A and 22B (image reading reference surface S). Further, the groove width dimension L1 in the direction orthogonal to the film conveyance direction of the recess 20 is set to be slightly larger than the width dimension L2 of the image frame P.

  A pair of masks 24 </ b> A and 24 </ b> B extending along a direction orthogonal to the film conveyance direction is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the image reading unit 14 in the film conveyance path R. The pair of masks 24A and 24B has a length dimension in a direction orthogonal to the film conveying direction slightly smaller than the groove width dimension L1 of the recess 20 of the base plate 18 (see FIG. 3). It can be moved up and down by a support mechanism (not shown) and can be moved along the film conveyance direction (in the direction of arrow W) and is attached to and held by mask holding members 26A and 26B supported so as to approach and separate from each other.

  Thereby, the masks 24A and 24B approach and separate from the base plate 18 as the mask holding members 26A and 26B move up and down (in the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 3). The masks 24A and 24B are arranged at a predetermined distance from the base plate 18 when the mask holding members 26A and 26B are raised, and when the mask holding members 26A and 26B are lowered to a predetermined position, the image reading reference plane It is configured to stop at a predetermined position substantially coincident with S.

  A rack 30 extending along the film conveying direction is connected to one end of the mask holding members 26A and 26B, and the rack gear 32 of the rack 30 is driven by a mask moving motor 34 comprising a stepping motor. The gear 36 is engaged. As a result, when the mask moving motor 34 rotates the drive gear 36, the rack 30 moves along the film conveyance direction, and the mask holding members 26A and 26B move along the film conveyance direction as the rack 30 moves. While approaching and separating from each other, the mask position by the masks 24A and 24B is changed. The displacement of the masks 24A and 24B can cope with the change of the image frame size in the transport direction of the photographic film F.

  A pair of pressure bonding units 40A and 40B are provided on both sides of the image reading unit 14 in a direction orthogonal to the film transport direction. The pair of pressure bonding units 40A and 40B includes a pressure bonding base 42 extending along the film conveying direction. The pressure bonding base 42 is supported on the base table 12 by a support mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable up and down, and holds a mask. As the members 26A and 26B move up and down, they approach and separate from the base plate 18 (in the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a driving pulley 44, four idler pulleys 46, and a driven pulley 48 arranged along the film conveying direction are rotatably provided on the inner side surface of the crimping base 42. . An endless belt 50 is wound around the drive pulley 44, idler pulley 46, and driven pulley 48, and each belt 50 extends along the film conveyance direction, and as shown in FIG. The projections 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B provided on the upper surface of the base plate 18 are arranged to face each other. Each belt 50 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the convex portions 22A and 22B when the mask holding members 26A and 26B are raised, and when the mask holding members 26A and 26B are lowered to a predetermined position, the above-described masks are provided. After stopping at a predetermined position of 24A, 24B, it crimps | bonds to convex part 22A, 22B.

  As shown in FIG. 2, rotary drive shafts 52A and 52B are connected to the drive pulleys 44 of the crimping units 40A and 40B. The belts 50 of the crimping units 40A and 40B are rotated by the drive pulleys 44 and rotated in a predetermined direction by the rotation drive shafts 52A and 52B being rotated in synchronization by a belt drive motor (not shown). Moving.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of eccentric cams 54 </ b> A and 54 </ b> B are arranged on the outer sides of the crimping units 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B in a direction orthogonal to the film transport direction. Both ends of the pair of eccentric cams 54A and 54B are rotatably supported by the pair of bearing portions 56A and 56B. As shown in FIG. 3, the cam portions 58A and 58B are connected to the mask holding member 26A, It abuts against pressing surface portions 60 formed on both sides of the upper surface of 26B.

  Timing pulleys 62A and 62B are attached to the tip ends of the eccentric cams 54A and 54B. A single endless timing belt 64 is wound between the timing pulleys 62A and 62B and a driving pulley 67 of a crimping motor 66 formed of a stepping motor. As a result, when the crimping motor 66 is actuated to rotationally drive the drive pulley 67, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the timing pulleys 62A and 62B via the timing belt 64, and the eccentric cams 54A and 54B rotate in synchronization. Then, the cam surfaces of the cam portions 58A and 58B are moved up and down. The mask holding members 26A and 26B are lowered when the pressing surface portion 60 is pressed by the cam portions 58A and 58B of the eccentric cams 54A and 54B, and approach the base plate 18, and also by the cam portions 58A and 58B. When the pressure is released, the pressure is raised by a spring force of a spring member (not shown) provided in the support mechanism and separated from the base plate 18.

  Next, an image reading operation for reading an image from the image frame P recorded on the photographic film F by the film carrier 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above and its operation will be described.

  In the film carrier 10 of this embodiment, the photographic film F is conveyed along the film conveyance path R provided in the upper surface part of the base stand 12 by rotational movement of each belt 50 of the crimping units 40A and 40B. When the image reading unit 14 is stopped as shown in A), the pressure-bonding motor 66 is driven and the mask holding members 26A and 26B are lowered.

  As the mask holding members 26A and 26B are lowered, both edges FA (see FIG. 1) in the transport direction on the film surface are pressed by the pair of masks 24A and 24B moved in the direction approaching the base plate 18, and image reading is performed. It is pushed to the reference plane S. Further, after pressing by the masks 24A and 24B, the belts 50 of the pair of pressure bonding units 40A and 40B moved in the direction approaching the base plate 18 as the mask holding members 26A and 26B descend, As shown in FIG. 4B, the photographic film F is sandwiched between the belts 50 and the convex portions 22A and 22B of the base plate 18, as shown in FIG. It is set in the reading unit 14.

  In this state, the image frame P recorded on the photographic film F is irradiated with light (arrow LT in FIG. 4B) emitted from the light source unit of the scanner device through the base plate 18, and this image frame is irradiated. Light that has passed through P (transmitted light) is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor by the lens unit of the scanner device. Thereby, the film transmitted light is converted into an electrical image signal by the image pickup device and read as an image.

  Here, the curl-like curl having a curvature in the film width direction generated in the photographic film F has both edge portions FB in the film width direction of the belts 50 of the pressure bonding units 40A and 40B and the convex portions 22A of the base plate 18. Before being sandwiched between 22B and 22B, both edge portions FA in the film transport direction are pressed down by the masks 24A and 24B, so that the size is greatly reduced. Therefore, even a large curl can be reliably suppressed, and the flatness of the photographic film F can be improved.

  Further, the masks 24A and 24B are separated from the base plate 18 and released from the pressing of the photographic film F, and the mask holding members 26A and 26B are driven by the mask moving motor 34 to move according to the size of the image frame P. Are moved toward and away from each other along the film conveyance direction, and are arranged at predetermined mask positions. The displacement of the masks 24A and 24B can cope with the change of the image frame size in the transport direction without damaging the photographic film F.

  In addition, a pair of masks 24A and 24B that press both edge portions FA in the film transport direction is applied to a photographic film F in which a large bowl-shaped curl is generated, for example, a reference position (image reading reference surface along the light irradiation direction). S) may cause a curl exceeding the allowable range to remain in the central portion of the photographic film F. Further, both edges FA in the film transport direction are pressed by the pair of masks 24A and 24B. If, for example, the base plate 18 is pressure-bonded, an air reservoir is formed between the photographic film F and the base plate 18 and the curl is hardly crushed.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a concave portion 20 is provided along the film conveyance direction in a portion corresponding to the image frame P of the base plate 18, and as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. , 24B are moved until they enter the recess 20 of the base plate 18 by ΔZ, and both edges FA in the conveying direction of the photographic film F are pressed, so that both edges FA are the reference along the light irradiation direction. The curl C remaining in the central portion of the photographic film can be suppressed within an allowable range. In addition, by stopping the masks 24A and 24B that have entered the recess 20 at positions where they do not contact the recess 20, both edges FA in the transport direction of the photographic film F are pressed against the base plate 18 and the photographic film F and the base An air pocket is not formed between the plate 18 and the curl C can be prevented from being easily crushed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the photographic film F conveyed to the image reading part 14 along the film conveyance path R is conveyed by each belt 50 provided in the crimping | compression-bonding unit 40A, 40B so that rotation movement was possible along the conveyance direction. Therefore, even a short photographic film cut for each frame or a plurality of frames can be automatically conveyed.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in detail by specific embodiment mentioned above, this invention is not limited to that embodiment, Various other forms can be implemented within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mask positions are changed by moving the masks 24A and 24B closer to and away from each other, but one of these masks 24A and 24B is moved closer to the other. The mask position may be changed by separating them.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the film carrier which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the state which removed the mask, the mask holding member, and its drive mechanism in the film carrier of FIG. It is the perspective view which shows the external appearance which looked at the principal part of the film carrier which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from the upstream of the film conveyance path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation for suppressing curling of a photographic print by a film carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a state immediately after a photographic film having a hook-shaped curl is conveyed to an image reading unit; (B) shows a state where curling of the photographic film is suppressed.

Explanation of symbols

10 Film carrier 14 Image reading unit (image reading position)
18 Base plate (reference plate)
20 Recess 24A Mask 24B Mask 26A Mask holding member (mask member moving means / crimp member moving means)
26B Mask holding member (mask member moving means / crimp member moving means)
30 racks (mask member moving means)
34. Mask moving motor (mask member moving means)
40A Crimp unit (crimp member)
40B Crimp unit (crimp member)
50 belt (crimp member / belt member)
54A Eccentric cam (mask member moving means / crimp member moving means)
54B Eccentric cam (mask member moving means / crimp member moving means)
62A Timing pulley (mask member moving means / crimp member moving means)
62B Timing pulley (mask member moving means / crimp member moving means)
64 Timing belt (mask member moving means / crimp member moving means)
66 Crimping motor (mask member moving means / crimping member moving means)
C Curl F Photo film FA Both edges FB Both edges L Optical axis P Image frame R Film transport path S Image reading reference plane

Claims (3)

A film carrier for conveying a photographic film to an image reading position along a conveyance path in order to irradiate the image frame recorded on the photographic film with light and read the image,
A reference plate provided at the image reading position, for setting the photographic film at a reference position along the light irradiation direction in contact with the back surface of the photographic film conveyed to the image reading position;
Arranged on the upstream side and downstream side of the image reading position in the conveyance direction of the photographic film, and can be approached and separated from the reference plate, and at least one of them can be moved in the conveyance direction. A pair of mask members that press and release both edges in the transport direction on the surface of the photographic film transported to the reading position;
Mask member moving means for moving the pair of mask members toward and away from the reference plate and moving at least one of the pair of mask members along the conveying direction according to the size of the image frame;
It is disposed on both sides of the image reading position in the width direction of the photographic film and is provided so as to be able to contact with and separate from the reference plate, and on both edges in the width direction on the surface of the photographic film conveyed to the image reading position. A pair of pressure-bonding members that clamp and nip the photographic film between the reference plate and release the pressure-bonded photographic film; and
A crimping member moving means for bringing the pair of crimping members into and out of contact with the reference plate;
Have
A film carrier, wherein the pair of pressure-bonding members are pressed against the photographic film after being pressed against the photographic film conveyed to the image reading position by the pair of mask members.   The reference plate is provided with a recess along the transport direction in a portion corresponding to the image frame. When the photographic film is pressed by the pair of mask members, the pair of mask members enter the recess and do not contact the recess. The film carrier according to claim 1, wherein the film carrier is stopped at a position.   The film carrier according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-bonding member has an endless belt member that is rotatably provided along the transport direction.

Images