JP2007155908A - Photosensitive material drying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a photosensitive material drying apparatus capable of vertically conveying a photosensitive material upward without rubbing a photosensitive surface. <P>SOLUTION: A mesh belt 52 vertically conveys cut recording paper P upward by circulative movement while an outer peripheral surface 52R faces the reverse surface P2 of the photosensitive surface P1 of the cut recording paper P, and a drying mechanism 70 blows dry air from a blowing slit 76S to the mesh belt 52 to dry the cut recording paper P. Here, the blowing slit 76S is formed at an opposition position of a distance L=10(mm) from the outer peripheral surface 52R of the conveyance portion of the mesh belt 52, and the velocity V(m/s) of the dry air is V=6(m/s). Further, the coefficient μ of stationary friction of the mesh belt 52 is μ=1.0. Consequently, the cut recording paper P can vertically be conveyed upward without rubbing the photosensitive surface P1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photosensitive material drying apparatus for drying a photosensitive material.

  In the photosensitive material drying apparatus, in order to reduce the installation area, an apparatus is known in which the conveyor belt is inclined and the photosensitive material is sent obliquely upward (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an apparatus, in order to prevent a conveyance failure, the conveyance belt is in a state in which an anti-slip process is performed.

However, in this conventional photosensitive material drying apparatus, if the inclination angle of the conveyor belt is increased, a conveyance failure or a situation where the photosensitive surface is rubbed may occur, so that the photosensitive material cannot be vertically conveyed in a good state.
JP 2000-3019 A

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material drying apparatus capable of vertically transporting a photosensitive material without rubbing the photosensitive surface.

The photosensitive material drying apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1 has an endless conveying belt whose outer peripheral surface faces the back surface of the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material and vertically conveys the photosensitive material by circulation movement, and the conveying belt A blowing slit is formed at a facing position where the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral surface of the conveying unit is 6 (mm) ≦ L ≦ 10 (mm), and dry air is blown from the blowing slit toward the conveying belt. A drying mechanism for drying the photosensitive material, wherein the wind speed V (m / s) of the drying wind is V ≧ 6 (m / s), and the wind speed V (m / s) of the drying wind is The relationship with the static friction coefficient μ of the conveying belt is μ ≧ 0.0082V ² −0.1968V + 1.3 (when 6 ≦ V ≦ 12), μ ≧ 0.10 (when V> 12). Features.

According to the photosensitive material drying apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, the endless transport belt vertically transports the photosensitive material upward by circulation while the outer peripheral surface faces the back surface of the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material. The drying mechanism blows dry air from the blow slit toward the transport belt to dry the photosensitive material. Here, the blowout slit is formed at a facing position where the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral surface of the transporting portion of the transport belt is 6 (mm) ≦ L ≦ 10 (mm), and the wind speed V (m / S) is V ≧ 6 (m / s), so that a large air pressure of the dry air creates a gap between the blowout portion where the blow slit is formed and the photosensitive surface, and the photosensitive surface can be rubbed. Absent. Further, the wind velocity V (m / s) of the drying air is V ≧ 6 (m / s), and the relationship between the air velocity V (m / s) of the drying air and the static friction coefficient μ of the conveying belt is μ ≧ 0.0082V. ^Since 2-0.1968V + 1.3 (when 6 ≦ V ≦ 12) and μ ≧ 0.10 (when V> 12), the photosensitive material can be vertically conveyed by the conveying belt.

  As described above, the photosensitive material drying apparatus of the present invention has an excellent effect that the photosensitive material can be vertically conveyed upward without rubbing the photosensitive surface.

  An embodiment of a photosensitive material drying apparatus in the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a printer processor 10 as an image forming apparatus to which a photosensitive material drying apparatus is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer processor 10 as an image forming apparatus includes an image input device 12, an image processing device 14, a printer 16, and a processor 18. Each unit constituting the printer processor 10 is connected to the control unit 20, and the operation of the entire printer processor 10 is controlled by the control unit 20.

  The image input device 12 generates or acquires image data, and the image processing device 14 performs image processing by correcting the image data. The image data on which image processing has been performed is sent to the printer 16 and used for image recording.

  The printer 16 uses the exposure unit 24 with recording light whose intensity is modulated on the basis of image data while conveying the cut recording paper as the photosensitive material cut to a predetermined length along the conveyance path 22 as the recording paper path. The apparatus performs image recording, and includes a supply unit 26, a back printing unit 28, a registration unit 30, an image recording unit 32, a sub-scanning receiving unit 34, and a carry-out unit 36 from the upstream side in the transport direction. Each part is provided with a plurality of conveying roller pairs including a driving roller and a nip roller (driven roller) along the conveying path of the cut recording paper.

  The processor 18 performs development, fixing, and washing processes on the cut recording paper conveyed from the printer 16, and then performs squeeze processing and drying processing to discharge the cut recording paper. Unit 42, a drying processing unit (drying device 44 as a photosensitive material drying device), a carry-out unit 46 and a sorter 48.

  Here, the cut recording paper as the photosensitive material of the present embodiment includes, for example, general-purpose types of glossy (trade name), the highest rigidity Supreme paper (trade name), mat / raster surface types, postcards, and the like. Recording paper such as medium thick paper for use can be applied.

  The print size is, for example, L (89 mm × 127 mm), panorama (89 mm × 254 mm), 2L (127 mm × 178 mm), 8 cuts (165 mm × 216 mm), 6 cuts (203 mm × 254 mm), 4 cuts (254 mm) In this embodiment, in addition to being able to handle all of the above print sizes, for example, a cut recording sheet having a length in the transport direction of 82.5 mm and a width in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of 89 mm, etc. Can also respond. In addition, a recording paper having a thickness of 0.2 to 0.3 mm can be applied to the cut recording paper.

  2 and 3 show a schematic configuration of the drying device 44. The drying device 44 includes a rotating belt mechanism 50 for transporting the cut recording paper P (see FIG. 2) and a drying mechanism 70 for drying the cut recording paper P.

  The rotating belt mechanism 50 includes a mesh belt 52 as an endless conveying belt. As shown in FIG. 2, the mesh-like mesh belt 52 has an outer peripheral surface 52R facing the back surface P2 of the photosensitive surface P1 of the cut recording paper P, and the cut recording paper P is moved upward (in the direction of arrow M) by circulation. Used for vertical conveyance.

  The mesh belt 52 is supported from the inner peripheral side by three rollers, a belt driving roller 54 and driven rollers 58 and 62, and is stretched over these rollers with a predetermined tension. 46 (refer to FIG. 1) (in the direction of arrow M) is conveyed.

  A belt driving roller 54 around which the mesh belt 52 is wound around the drying device 44 receives a driving force of a driving unit such as a motor (not shown) via a transmission unit such as a drive transmission gear. As a result, the belt driving roller 54 rotates in the clockwise direction (arrow K direction) in FIG. 2 to circulate and move the mesh belt 52.

  A counter nip roller 55 is disposed at a position opposed to the belt drive roller 54, and the belt drive roller 54 and the counter nip roller 55 constitute a drive roller pair 56 that conveys the mesh belt 52 therebetween.

  The tension roller 64 disposed below the belt drive roller 54 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 52R on the loose side of the mesh belt 52, and is biased from the outer peripheral surface 52R of the mesh belt 52 to the inner peripheral surface 52I by a biasing means (not shown). The mesh belt 52 is tensioned by being biased toward (in the direction of arrow T).

  The driven roller 62 below the tension roller 64 abuts on the inner peripheral surface 52I of the mesh belt 52 and follows the circulating movement of the mesh belt 52.

  The driven roller 58 disposed at the lower part of the drying device 44 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 52I of the mesh belt 52 and is driven by the circulating movement of the mesh belt 52. A counter roller 59 is disposed at a position opposite to the driven roller 58, and the driven roller 58 and the counter roller 59 constitute a driven roller pair 60 that is driven with the mesh belt 52 interposed therebetween. The counter roller 59 is configured to squeeze and feed out the curl (curl) of the cut recording paper P.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drying mechanism 70 includes a blower 72, a duct 74, an intermediate chamber 75, and a blower case 76. The blower 72 is disposed on the side of the rotary belt mechanism 50 and is used for sucking air. A duct 74 communicates with and is connected to the blower 72 below, and a heater (not shown) is incorporated in the duct 74. When the air from the blower 72 passes through the duct 74, the air becomes high-temperature dry air.

  A hollow intermediate chamber 75 is connected to the duct 74 in communication therewith. The intermediate chamber 75 is disposed so as to protrude below the drying device 44, and extends in the direction in which the rotating belt mechanism 50 and the duct 74 are arranged. A blower case 76 communicates with and is connected to the intermediate chamber 75, and the blower case 76 is provided at a position facing the mesh belt 52. The air sucked from the blower 72 is heated by a duct 74 and sent out to the blower case 76 through an intermediate chamber 75.

  The blower case 76 has a thin box shape, and includes a blower plate 76 </ b> B that is disposed to face the transport portion of the mesh belt 52 (position range portion that transports the cut recording paper P (see FIG. 2)).

  The distance between the blower plate 76B shown in FIG. 2 and the outer peripheral surface 52R in the conveying portion of the mesh belt 52 is preferably 6 (mm) to 10 (mm), and is 10 mm in this embodiment. A blow slit 76S is formed in the blower plate 76B, and the blow slit 76S has a distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral surface 52R in the transport portion of the mesh belt 52 of 6 (mm) ≦ L ≦ 10 (mm). In this embodiment, L = 10 (mm). A plurality of blowing slits 76S are provided along the transport direction (arrow M direction) and extend in the transport width direction (arrow W direction) as shown in FIG.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the drying mechanism 70 blows the drying air toward the outer peripheral surface 52R of the mesh belt 52 from the blowing slit 76S (in the direction of arrow B) so as to dry the cut recording paper P. It has become. By setting 6 (mm) ≦ L ≦ 10 (mm), it is possible to easily ensure the necessary wind pressure on the cut recording paper P by the dry air.

  Here, when the dry air blows through the mesh belt 52, the cut recording paper P is dried while being conveyed while being pressed against the outer peripheral surface 52R of the mesh belt 52. The dry air blown through the mesh belt 52 is again sucked and circulated by the blower 72 (see FIG. 3).

  In the present embodiment, the blow slit 76S has a pitch A in the transport direction (arrow M direction) of 40 mm or less. By setting the pitch A of the blow slits 76S to 40 mm or less, two dry air (air) is always blown even for the minimum size of the cut recording paper P (the length in the transport direction is 82.5 mm). It is like that.

  The air velocity V (m / s) of the drying air blown onto the cut recording paper P by the drying mechanism 70 is preferably V ≧ 6 (m / s). In the present embodiment, the minimum velocity is 6 m / s. Yes. The wind speed V (m / s) of the drying air from the blowing slit 76S formed at the opposing position where the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral surface of the mesh belt 52 is 6 (mm) ≦ L ≦ 10 (mm) is V By setting ≧ 6 (m / s), a gap is formed between the blower plate 76B on which the blowing slit 76S is formed and the photosensitive surface P1 of the cut recording paper P due to a large wind pressure of the dry air. This prevents the photosensitive surface P1 from being rubbed against the blower plate 76B.

Further, the air velocity V (m / s) of the drying air blown onto the cut recording paper P by the drying mechanism 70 is V ≧ 6 (m / s) as described above, and the air velocity V (m / s) of the drying air and the mesh belt. 52 is set such that μ ≧ 0.0082V ² −0.1968V + 1.3 (when 6 ≦ V ≦ 12) and μ ≧ 0.10 (when V> 12). In the embodiment, μ = 1.0. The relationship between the wind velocity V (m / s) of the dry air and the static friction coefficient μ of the cut recording paper P is μ ≧ 0.0082V ² −0.1968V + 1.3 (when 6 ≦ V ≦ 12), μ ≧ 0. 10 (when V> 12), the cut recording paper P can be vertically conveyed by the mesh belt 52 upward.

  Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  In the drying device 44 shown in FIG. 2, the mesh belt 52 is circulated by the belt driving roller 54. At this time, the drying mechanism 70 blows dry air from the blowing slit 76S toward the mesh belt 52, and the blown dry air blows through the mesh belt 52. As a result, the cut recording paper P is pressed in a state where the back surface P2 of the photosensitive surface P1 of the cut recording paper P faces the outer peripheral surface 52R of the mesh belt 52, and is dried while being vertically conveyed upward, and is transported out (46) (See FIG. 1).

  Here, in a setting in which the distance between the blow slit 76S of the blower plate 76B and the outer peripheral surface 52R in the conveying portion of the mesh belt 52 is 10 mm, the air velocity of the dry wind from the blow slit 76S is 6 m / s. Since the static friction coefficient μ = 1.0 of the mesh belt 52 is sufficiently large, the cut recording paper P is vertically conveyed without falling due to gravity.

Further, in a setting where the distance between the blow slit 76S of the blower plate 76B and the outer peripheral surface 52R in the conveying portion of the mesh belt 52 is 10 mm, the wind pressure of the dry air from the blow slit 76S with respect to the curl restoring force of the cut recording paper P Since the (wind pressure of 6 m / s wind speed) is sufficiently large, a gap is formed between the photosensitive surface P1 of the cut recording paper P and the blower plate 76B. As a result, the photosensitive surface P1 of the cut recording paper P can be prevented from being conveyed while being rubbed against the blower plate 76B.
(Test Examples 1 and 2)
In order to confirm the operation of the above embodiment, a test was performed using two types of drying apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as Test Example 1 and Test Example 2).

  Supreme paper (trade name) having a thickness of 0.3 mm was used as the cut recording paper (photosensitive material) to be conveyed, and the paper size was 89 (mm) × 82.5 (mm).

  Test Example 1 is the same as the drying apparatus of the present embodiment except that the speed of the drying air blown toward the mesh belt (conveyor belt) and the static friction coefficient μ of the mesh belt (conveyor belt) are changed. It is a configuration.

  Test Example 2 has the same configuration as Test Example 2 except that the conveyance angle of cut recording paper (photosensitive material) by a mesh belt (conveyance belt) is 75 °.

  For Test Examples 1 and 2, the wind speed and the static friction coefficient μ of the mesh belt (conveyance belt) are changed, and the static friction coefficient μ of the mesh belt (conveyance belt) that can transport the cut recording paper (photosensitive material) at each wind speed. The lowest value was examined.

  The test results are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, Test Example 1 and Test Example 2 are shown by substantially similar curves.

From the graph of FIG. 4, the relationship between the wind velocity V (m / s) of the drying air and the static friction coefficient μ of the mesh belt (conveyor belt) is μ ≧ 0.0082 V ² −0.1968 V + 1.3 (6 ≦ V ≦ 12). When μ ≧ 0.10 (when V> 12), it has been confirmed that the cut recording paper (photosensitive material) can be conveyed vertically and 75 ° upward.

In addition, when the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral surface in the conveyance part of a mesh belt (conveyance belt) to the blowing slit is 6 (mm) ≦ L ≦ 10 (mm) with the same configuration as above, L = 10 The wind pressure on the cut recording paper P becomes larger than in the case of (mm). For this reason, in this case as well, the cut recording paper (photosensitive material) can be conveyed vertically and conveyed 75 ° upward.
(Test Examples 3 to 5)
In order to confirm the operation of the above embodiment, a test was performed using three types of drying apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as Test Examples 3 to 5).

  Supreme paper (trade name) having a thickness of 0.3 mm was used as the cut recording paper (photosensitive material) to be conveyed, and the paper size was 89 (mm) × 82.5 (mm).

  Test Example 3 has substantially the same configuration as that of the drying apparatus of the above embodiment except for the following points. In FIG. 5 schematically illustrating Test Example 3, the same components as those of the above embodiment are described. The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cut recording paper P is curled in advance so that an intermediate portion in the transport direction (arrow M direction) is convex toward the blower plate 76B. It was set as the structure which blows dry wind on the part near the upper and lower both ends (the downstream part and upstream part in a conveyance direction) of P. In other words, assuming a worst state in transportation, a configuration in which dry air is blown to a portion where curling is difficult to correct is adopted.

  Note that, in Test Example 3, as in the above embodiment, the distance from the outer peripheral surface 52R to the blower plate 76B in the transport portion of the mesh belt 52 (transport belt), that is, the distance L (from the outer peripheral surface 52R to the blowing slit 76S) mm) is L = 10 (mm).

  In Test Example 4, the distance from the outer peripheral surface 52R to the blower plate 76B in the conveyance unit of the mesh belt 52 (conveyance belt), that is, the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral surface 52R to the blowing slit 76S is L = 8 (mm). Except for this point, the configuration is the same as that of Test Example 3.

  In Test Example 5, the distance from the outer peripheral surface 52R to the blower plate 76B in the conveyance unit of the mesh belt 52 (conveyance belt), that is, the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral surface 52R to the blowing slit 76S is L = 6 (mm). Except for this point, the configuration is the same as that of Test Example 3.

  In each of the above-described configurations, the speed of the drying air blown toward the mesh belt 52 is changed to 6 m / s, 8 m / s, and 10 m / s, and the shortest distance d (gap) between the blower plate 76B and the cut recording paper P is changed. Was measured at each wind speed.

  The test results are shown in FIG. As shown in the graph of FIG. 6, when the wind speed V (m / s) of the drying air blown toward the mesh belt 52 is V ≧ 6 (m / s), the air blow plate 76B and the cut recording paper P The shortest distance d (gap) is 1.7 mm or more in Test Example 3 (when L = 10 mm), 1.5 mm or more in Test Example 4 (when L = 8 mm), and Test Example 5 (L = 6 mm). In the case), it was confirmed that the thickness was 1.1 mm or more. For this reason, the shortest distance d (gap) between the blower plate 76B and the cut recording paper P can be secured by 1.1 mm or more under the above conditions, so that the photosensitive surface P1 of the cut recording paper P does not contact the blower plate 76B. It was confirmed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printer processor to which a drying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the drying apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which cuts and shows the drying apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention partially. It is a graph which shows the test result of Test Examples 1 and 2. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of Test Example 3. FIG. It is a graph which shows the test result of Test Examples 3-5.

Explanation of symbols

44 Drying equipment (photosensitive material drying equipment)
52 mesh belt (conveyor belt)
52R outer peripheral surface 70 drying mechanism 76S blowout slit L distance from outer peripheral surface P cut recording paper (photosensitive material)
P1 Photosensitive surface P2 Back surface

Claims (1)

An endless conveying belt that has an outer peripheral surface facing the back surface of the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material and vertically conveys the photosensitive material by circulation movement;
A blowing slit is formed at a facing position where the distance L (mm) from the outer peripheral surface of the conveying portion of the conveying belt is 6 (mm) ≦ L ≦ 10 (mm), and drying is performed from the blowing slit toward the conveying belt. A drying mechanism for blowing the air to dry the photosensitive material;
Have
The wind speed V (m / s) of the dry wind is V ≧ 6 (m / s),
The relationship between the wind speed V (m / s) of the drying air and the static friction coefficient μ of the conveying belt is μ ≧ 0.0082V ² −0.1968V + 1.3 (when 6 ≦ V ≦ 12), μ ≧ 0. 10 (when V> 12)
A photosensitive material drying apparatus characterized by the above.

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