JP2007202060A - Film processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film processing unit capable of surely feeding a photo film loop to a loop formation space even when the entrance size of the loop formation space is not sufficient. <P>SOLUTION: This film processing unit comprises a chucker C for receiving a photo film from an upstream transportation roller pair 32b at a receiving position, a pinch roller pair 40 positioned in the chucker C to hold the tip division of the received photo film, a loop box 50 for accommodating a loop of photo film to be formed during transportation from a receiving position to a transfer position, and a loop formation controller for stopping the chucker C and driving only the upstream transportation roller 32b for loop formation. Both vector V2 corresponding to the direction of transportation by the pinch roller pair pair 40 at the chucker C stop position, and vector V1 corresponding to the direction of transportation by the upstream transportation roller pair 32b, are set for orientation towards the loop box 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a film transfer unit that receives a photographic film from a pair of upstream conveying rollers at a receiving position, and transfers the photographic film at a transfer position, and a holding unit that holds the leading end side of the received photographic film. The roller pair, the loop forming space for accommodating the loop of the photographic film formed while moving from the receiving position to the transferring position, and the film transferring unit are stopped to drive the loop by driving only the upstream conveying roller pair. The present invention relates to a film processing apparatus including a loop formation control unit to be formed.

  As an example of such a film processing apparatus, a photographic photosensitive material processing apparatus disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 is known, and this apparatus includes a film processor for developing an undeveloped photographic film, and a frame image of the developed photographic film. Is integrated with a film scanner for acquiring digital image data as digital image data. When a photographic film is developed in the film processor, a guide member called a film reader is attached to the leading end of the photographic film, and the photographic film moves through the film processor by the film reader. When the development process and the drying process of the photographic film are completed, the photographic film is discharged from the film processor and sent to the transport unit. First, the front end of the photographic film is cut to separate the photographic film from the film reader. The film reader is collected at a predetermined location, and the developed photographic film is delivered to a film scanner by a chucker (corresponding to a film delivery unit), and each frame image is scanned.

  Also, the processing speed of photographic film in a film processor and the processing speed of photographic film in a film scanner are different, and it is necessary to absorb the difference in speed. Therefore, before delivering the photographic film to the film scanner, it is necessary to form a loop (sag) of the photographic film so that the difference in processing speed does not affect the scanning. For this purpose, a loop forming space for accommodating the loop is provided.

JP 11-234476 A

  In the case of a film processing device that integrates a film processor and a film scanner, it is necessary to place a transport unit to transport the developed photographic film from the film processor to the film scanner, and the photographic film scanned by the film scanner is discharged. Since there is also a need to secure a discharge path for this, the place where the loop forming space is arranged may be limited, and it is necessary to ensure that the loop of the photographic film is guided to the loop forming space. is there. In particular, some base members of photographic film are strong, and if the loop is formed in an unplanned direction, the photographic film may be scratched due to rubbing against internal mechanisms.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem is that the loop of the photographic film is surely directed to the loop forming space even when there is no room in the size of the entrance of the loop forming space. It is providing the film processing apparatus which can be performed.

In order to solve the above problems, a film processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
A film delivery unit that receives the photographic film from the upstream conveying roller pair at the receiving position and delivers the photographic film at the delivery position;
A pair of clamping rollers provided in the film delivery unit, for clamping the leading end side of the received photographic film,
A loop forming space for accommodating a loop of photographic film formed while moving from the receiving position to the delivery position;
A film processing apparatus comprising a loop formation control unit that forms a loop by stopping the film delivery unit and driving only the upstream conveying roller pair,
The combined vector of the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the sandwiching roller pair at the position where the film delivery unit is stopped and the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction by the upstream conveyance roller pair is set so as to be directed toward the loop forming space. It is characterized by that.

  The operation and effect of the film processing apparatus having this configuration will be described. The film delivery unit has a function of receiving a photographic film at an upstream receiving position and delivering the photographic film at a downstream delivery position. For example, a photographic film developed by a film processor is conveyed from the upstream side. A film scanner for scanning the frame image of the photographic film is disposed on the downstream side. Therefore, the film transfer unit plays a role as a bridge between the two. The film delivery unit includes a pair of sandwiching rollers, and is configured to be movable from the receiving position to the delivery position in a state where the leading end side of the photographic film is sandwiched. A loop forming space is arranged to form and accommodate a loop of photographic film while the film delivery unit performs the above movement. When forming a loop, the film delivery unit is stopped and only the upstream conveying roller pair is driven. As a result, the photographic film is fed only from the upstream side, and the loop of the photographic film can be formed.

  Further, when performing loop formation, when performing loop formation, a combined vector of a vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the sandwiching roller pair of the film delivery unit and a vector corresponding to the conveyance direction by the upstream conveyance roller pair is the loop formation space. Set to go in the direction. This ensures that the loop of the photographic film can be directed in the direction of the loop formation space. As a result, it is possible to provide a film processing apparatus capable of reliably directing the loop of the photographic film to the loop forming space even when there is no room for the entrance portion of the loop forming space.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the vector corresponding to the conveying direction of the pair of sandwiching rollers and the vector corresponding to the conveying direction of the upstream conveying roller pair are both set to be directed toward the loop forming space.

  According to this configuration, a vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the pair of sandwiching rollers and a vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the upstream conveyance roller pair are set so as to be directed in the direction of the loop forming space. Thereby, the loop of the photographic film can be surely directed toward the loop forming space.

  In the present invention, a combined vector of the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the pair of sandwiching rollers and the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the upstream conveyance roller pair is set to be horizontal or upward from the horizontal direction. Preferably it is.

  As the loop of the photographic film is formed, the loop gradually increases while the lower surface of the loop rubs the lower wall surface constituting the loop formation space by its own weight. By setting the direction of the composite vector as described above, it is possible to set so that the frictional force at the time of loop formation becomes small. As a result, the load at the time of loop formation can be reduced, and damage to the photographic film can be reduced.

  In the present invention, the receiving position is positioned relatively lower than the delivery position, the film delivery unit is configured to be rotatable around an axis that is set at an intermediate height between the receiving position and the delivery position, It is preferable that the stop position of the film delivery unit is set at a position that is a predetermined angle before the delivery position.

  When the receiving position and the transfer position are arranged vertically, the film transfer unit is driven to rotate around an axis set at an intermediate height between the receiving position and the transfer position (but not necessarily in the middle). Configure. The stop position of the film transfer unit is set a predetermined angle before the transfer position, and when forming a loop, the film transfer unit is stopped at this position. When the space on the upper side of the loop forming space is limited, the vector corresponding to the conveying direction by the pair of sandwiching rollers can be surely directed in the direction of the loop forming space by stopping the front side. Further, since the film delivery unit is driven to rotate, the pair of nipping rollers for nipping the photographic film moves so as to draw an arc. Therefore, by arranging the loop forming space on the projecting side of the arc, the loop can be easily directed in the direction of the loop forming space.

  In the present invention, the rotation axis of the film delivery unit is arranged on one side with respect to a straight line connecting a point at which the photographic film is discharged into the space from the upstream side and a point at which the photographic film is sandwiched at the stop position. It is preferable that a loop forming space is arranged on the other side.

  By setting the points as described above, the vectors corresponding to the transport directions on the upstream side and the lower end side can be reliably directed in the direction of the loop forming space.

  The loop forming space according to the present invention has an entrance portion that receives a photographic film in which a loop is formed, and a first space that extends in a horizontal direction from the entrance portion to the back portion. It is preferable to include a second space that extends downward.

  The photographic film developed by the film processor has a long shape. For example, in the case of a photographic film capable of taking 36 frames, the length is considerably long. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the volume of the loop forming space in consideration of the maximum length of the photographic film. Therefore, as described above, the first space extending in the horizontal direction and the second space extending in the vertical direction are provided (a substantially L-shaped space portion is formed in a side view), thereby suppressing the size of the entire apparatus. However, a space volume for forming a loop can be secured.

  A preferred embodiment of a film processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a print processing system 1 having a film processing apparatus FA including a film processor FP and a film scanner FS, and a print creation apparatus PA. Note that the print processing system 1 may include other devices (for example, an orderer accepting terminal, a recording medium writing / reading device, and a PC terminal capable of accepting the Internet).

<Overall system configuration>
In FIG. 1, a film processing apparatus FA acquires a film processor FP for developing an undeveloped photographic film and a frame image of the developed photographic film developed by the film processor FP as digital image data by photoelectric conversion. And a film scanner FS are arranged in the vertical position. The film processing apparatus FA includes a transport unit FC for transporting the developed photographic film discharged from the discharge section of the film processor FP to the supply section of the film scanner FS.

  The film processing apparatus FA is connected to the print creating apparatus PA via a communication line. The print creation device PA has a communication function, an order management / control function, an image processing function, and a print creation function, and includes a display means such as a computer and a display, and an interface such as a keyboard and a mouse. With this configuration, the image data acquired by the film processing apparatus FA is transmitted to the print creation apparatus PA via the communication line, and the print creation apparatus PA prints an image on a print medium such as photographic paper. The order management / control is configured so that image data can be managed in units of orders and the order of print creation can be set.

  The print creation apparatus PA is not limited to the one using silver salt type photographic paper, and an ink jet type or sublimation type print creation apparatus may be used.

  In the present invention, a photographic film before being developed by the film processor FP (frame image in a latent image state) is particularly called an undeveloped photographic film, and a photographic film after being developed by the film processor FP (frame image). In particular) is sometimes referred to as a developed photographic film.

<Film processor>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film processor FP includes a film insertion unit 11 disposed at the front of the processor body, and includes a development processing unit 12 and a drying processing unit 13 inside the processor body. A discharge unit 14 is disposed, and a transport mechanism 15 is formed from the film insertion unit 11 to the discharge unit 14. A liquid crystal display 16a for displaying various information and a control panel 16 having a plurality of operation buttons 16b are provided at a front position of the processor main body, and a control unit 17 for controlling the entire film processor FP is provided inside the processor main body. A film stocker 18 for receiving the developed photographic film fed from the discharge unit 14 is formed on the upper surface of the processor body.

  The film insertion section 11 is provided with a lid 11a that can be opened and closed. An unrolled photographic film accommodated in a film cartridge Ca (or cartridge) is set and transferred to the transport mechanism 15 (film drive mechanism). 11e) and a cutting unit 11b for cutting the rear end of the photographic film.

  In addition, in order to obtain information on the length of the photographic film, a loading sensor 11c (corresponding to a film position detection sensor) that detects passage of the front and rear ends of the photographic film conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 15 is provided. The loading sensor 11c can be composed of, for example, a pair of optical sensors (light receiving type, light projecting type), a reflection type sensor, a laser sensor, other proximity sensors, an image sensor, etc., but a pair of optical sensors (light receiving type, Projection type) is preferable. The loading sensor 11c can detect the film leading edge position (or the film leader leading edge position) and the film trailing edge position. Based on the detected leading edge position and trailing edge position information, the length information of the photographic film can be calculated (described later).

  In the case of APS film development processing, a film leader L is attached to the leading end of the photographic film drawn out from the cartridge Ca, the lid 11a is opened, and the cartridge Ca is set in the film insertion portion 11 so that the film leader L precedes. To do. A state in which the photographic film F and the film reader L are connected is shown in FIG. The film leader L is a sheet-like member having the same degree of flexibility as a resin film, and has a larger width dimension than the photographic film F. A large number of perforations La are formed in the film leader L, and the photographic film F is conveyed through the film processor FP by a sprocket that meshes with the perforations La. By providing such perforation La, it is possible to reliably guide the photographic film without slipping in the film processor FP.

  The perforation La is preferably formed at one end (see FIG. 3) in the width direction of the film leader L as shown, but may be formed at both ends. The photographic film F and the film leader L can be connected by inserting engaging protrusions formed on the film leader L into holes formed on the photographic film F as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, the leading end of the photographic film F and the film leader L may be connected by an adhesive tape T. The shape and size of the film leader L to be used are determined in advance. In addition, since the film leader L and the photographic film F are connected using a jig, the connecting position (pasting position) of the photographic film F with respect to the film leader L is also determined in advance.

  After the photographic film F with the film reader L is set and the lid 11a is closed, film transport (loading) is started under the control of the control unit 17 by operating a predetermined operation button 16b of the control panel 16, After the development processing in the development processing unit 12 and the drying processing in the drying processing unit 13, the photographic film is discharged from the discharge unit 14 with the film reader L at the head. In this case, when the cartridge detecting means 11d detects the cartridge Ca and then closes the lid 11a, loading is started and conveyance of the photographic film F is started.

  The control unit 17 controls each element of the film processor FP so as to start loading. When the film driving mechanism 11e conveys the film reader L and the photographic film F to the developing processing unit 12 while sandwiching the film reader L and the photographic film F with the pressure roller, and the loading sensor 11c detects the leading edge of the film leader L and the photographic film that has been conveyed, The transport mechanism 15 of the processing unit 12 and the drying processing unit 13 is driven, and the film reader L and the photographic film are sandwiched between pressure rollers and transported to the development processing unit side. Here, the film drive mechanism 11e and the transport mechanism 15 operate by separate driving. Note that “loading” in the film processor FP means an operation in which a photographic film is drawn from the film cartridge Ca by the film driving mechanism 11 e and conveyed to the development processing unit 12.

  The development processing unit 12 includes a color development tank, a bleaching tank, a fixing tank, and a stabilization tank. Inside the development processing unit 12, the transport mechanism 15 includes a film reader L and a perforation La of the film reader L to transport the photographic film. A plurality of sprocket mechanisms to be engaged and a pressure roller mechanism 15a are provided. Further, the drying processing unit 13 includes a blower 13a for drying the photographic film conveyed from the development processing unit 12. Similarly, the drying processing unit 13 is also provided with the sprocket mechanism and the pressure roller mechanism. The transport mechanism 15 includes a sprocket mechanism, a pressure roller mechanism 15a, and a drive system that drives these synchronously with an electric motor (not shown).

  The discharge unit 14 is provided with a discharge roller 15b for discharging the developed photographic film from the film processor FP. The photographic film discharged by the discharge roller 15b is delivered to the transport unit FC and transported to the film scanner FS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film scanner FS has a film carrier 21 arranged at the lower part of the scanner body, a light source unit 22 below the film carrier 21, and a zoom lens 23 and a photoelectric sensor above the film carrier 21. A conversion unit 24 is arranged. A scanner control unit 25 (control unit) is arranged inside the scanner body. The film scanner FS is fixed to the film processor FP, and is disposed at the upper position of the discharge block of the discharge unit 14.

  The film carrier 21 is configured to form a developed photographic film supply part 21a in the same direction as the front part of the film processor FP, and to perform scanning while conveying the film from the supply part 21a to the rear side. Note that before the photographic film is sent to the film carrier 21, a process of separating the film reader L from the photographic film is performed in the transport unit FC. Further, the film carrier 21 includes a transport motor (not shown) that drives the transport roller 21b.

  The light source unit 22 has light emitting diodes (not shown) of three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). The zoom lens 23 adjusts the focal length to provide information on the frames of the photographic film. Is imaged on the photoelectric conversion surface of the photoelectric conversion unit 24 at the set magnification. The photoelectric conversion unit 24 includes three line sensors (not shown) made of photoelectric conversion elements such as a CCD corresponding to the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue).

<Configuration of transport unit>
Next, the configuration of the transport unit FC for transporting the developed photographic film discharged from the film processor FP to the film scanner FS will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a discharge roller 15b is provided in the discharge unit 14 of the film processor FP.

  The transport unit FC includes a transport block B fixed to a frame, and a chucker C attached so as to be rotatable around a predetermined axis. A film guide 30 is provided at the upstream end portion of the lower block portion of the transport block B, and is rotatably supported around the axis 30a. The film guide 30 is provided with a guide portion corresponding to the width dimension of the photographic film to be conveyed, and any one of the first position shown in FIG. Switch to position. When set in the first position, the photographic film can be guided in the direction of the film scanner FS. When set to the second position, the photographic film is discharged to the film stocker 18.

  A roller transport mechanism 32 including an upstream transport roller pair 32a and a downstream transport roller pair 32b is provided along the transport path. Each of the conveying roller pairs 32a and 32b includes a driving roller and a pressure roller, and is synchronously driven by the first driving motor M1. A first film sensor 33 and a reader sensor 34 are provided in the vicinity of the upstream side of the downstream conveying roller pair 32b. These sensors are optical sensors composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. When a photographic film or a film reader passes the sensor position, detection is performed by switching from a light transmitting state to a light shielding state. The first film sensor 33 and the reader sensor 34 are arranged at the same position when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 4, but are arranged at different positions in the width direction, and the photographic film and the film reader are separately provided. Can be detected.

  A cutter 35 for separating the photographic film and the film reader is provided further downstream of the pair of downstream conveying rollers 32b, and is driven by a cut motor 36. The cut film leader is collected by the leader stocker 19. A second film sensor 37 is provided immediately downstream of the cutter 35, and detects the tip of the film reader or the tip of the photographic film. The second film sensor 37 can also be composed of the same optical sensor as the first film sensor 33.

  The chucker C sandwiches the leading end portion of the photographic film from which the film reader has been separated by the sandwiching roller pair 40, and conveys it to the supply unit 21a of the film scanner FS. The chucker C is provided so as to be rotatable around the axis 41 by a chucker drive motor. The chucker C can rotate between a receiving position for receiving a photographic film as shown in FIG. 4 and a transferring position where the photographic film can be transferred to the film scanner FS, and further, a loop is formed in the loop box 50. It is possible to make an intermediate stop at the loop forming position.

  A space on the right side of the transport unit FC is a loop box 50, in which a space for forming a loop of the photographic film is formed. A first guide part 60 and a second guide part 61 are provided above the transport unit FC, and transport paths 60a and 61a for transporting the photographic film are formed. When the chucker C rotates to the delivery position, the second guide portion 61 moves so as to retract from the path, and the photographic film is delivered to the conveyance path 60a of the first guide portion 60.

  A first discharge path 51 and a second discharge path 52 are provided above the loop box 50. The photographic film for which the frame image has been read by the film scanner FS is conveyed in the reverse direction through the first guide portion 60 and the second guide portion 61 and guided to the first discharge path 51. The end of the first discharge path 51 is connected to the film stocker 18, and the photographic film that has been scanned is collected by the film stocker 18. The first discharge path 51 is provided with a transport roller 54 for transporting the photographic film, which is driven by a third drive motor M3 (see FIG. 5). The third drive motor M3 and the transport roller 54 are connected by an appropriate speed reduction mechanism or belt mechanism. The third drive motor M3 also has a function of driving the chucking roller pair 40 of the chucker C as will be described later.

  The photographic film developed by the film processor FP is automatically sent to the film scanner FS via the transport unit FC. However, the photographic film can be manually supplied to the film scanner FS. In this case, the second guide mechanism 61 is opened, and the photographic film is manually supplied from the supply unit 21a via the first guide mechanism 60. For example, when the photographic film is not developed due to the request for reprinting, the photographic film is manually supplied to the film scanner FS. The manually inserted photographic film is configured to be discharged from the second discharge path 52.

  In the film scanner FS, a conveyance roller 21b is arranged along the conveyance path, and an opening 21c for reading is provided in the middle thereof. The reading optical axis SL is set at the position of the opening 21c. The supply unit 21a is provided with a loading sensor 26, which detects that the leading edge of the photographic film has been conveyed. Based on this detection, the drive motor for rotating each conveyance roller 21b is driven. In addition to the loading sensor 26, a ready sensor 27 is provided, and the start of image scanning of the photographic film is controlled based on the detection timing of the ready sensor 27.

<About loop formation>
Next, loop formation in the loop box 50 will be described. In the case of a system in which the film processor FP and the film scanner FS are integrated, the photographic film discharged from the film processor FP is subsequently transported by the transport unit and delivered to the film scanner FS, from development processing to reading of the frame image. Can be processed continuously. In this case, the processing speed when performing the developing process is determined in advance, and the driving speed of the discharge roller 15b is also set based on the capability of the processor. In order to smoothly transport the photographic film, the driving speed of the roller transport mechanism 32 of the transport unit FC must basically match the discharge roller 15b.

  On the other hand, the processing speed (photographic film transport speed) in the film scanner FS is different from that in the film processor FP, and the film scanner FS is usually faster. Accordingly, when the photographic film is driven by both the conveyance system of the roller conveyance mechanism 32 and the conveyance system of the film scanner FS, the photographic film is stretched. Therefore, before the photographic film is fed into the film scanner FS, a loop of the photographic film is formed so that the difference in processing speed can be absorbed.

  The configuration of the loop box 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the loop box 50 is composed of a pair of box cases 53a and 53b, and these box cases 53a and 53b have the width dimension of the photographic film. They are spaced a corresponding distance apart. FIG. 8 shows only one box case 53a, and a groove for forming the first discharge path 51 is formed in the box case 53a. A similar groove is formed in the other box case 53b. Further, in order to form the second discharge path 52, a stepped portion is formed on the top of one box case 53a, and a similar stepped portion is formed on the other box case 53b. The pair of left and right step portions can guide the width direction of the photographic film.

  As described above, the transport roller pair 54 is disposed at two locations on the first discharge path 51 of the loop box 50, and the photographic film that has been scanned is transported along the first discharge path 51, and the discharge section 51b. To the film stocker 18. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the first discharge path 51 is formed along the outer periphery of the loop box 50, and a space for forming a loop is formed inside the first discharge path 51. A second discharge path 52 is disposed at the top of the loop box 50.

  In the side view, the space for accommodating the loop is constituted by the first space S1 and the second space S2. The size of the entrance portion SE of the space is limited due to the necessity of arranging the first and second discharge paths 51 and 52 described above. The first space S1 extends in the horizontal direction from the entrance part SE to the back side. Further, on the back side of the first space S1, a second space S2 that extends vertically downward is provided. The shape of the space portion is a substantially inverted L shape as a whole. By forming the space portion in this way, it is possible to secure a sufficient space volume to form a long photographic film loop. The direction in which the loop is formed is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which the chucker C is stopped at the intermediate position when the loop is formed. Here, the vector V1 corresponding to the conveyance direction of the photographic film by the roller conveyance mechanism 32 is directed in the direction shown in the figure, and is the same as the conveyance direction in the conveyance block B. Further, the direction of the vector V2 corresponding to the conveyance direction of the pair of clamping rollers 40 at the intermediate position is the direction as shown in the figure. Although the chucker C and the pair of sandwiching rollers 40 are stopped at the intermediate position, the direction of the vector corresponding to the transport direction is the direction V2, and is orthogonal to the line connecting the rotation axes of the pair of rollers of the pair of sandwiching rollers 40. Direction. As described above, the vectors V1 and V2 corresponding to the two transport directions face the direction of the entrance portion SE of the loop box 50. Therefore, when forming a loop, the loop can be surely formed in the direction of the loop box 50.

  As described above, since each of the vector V1 and the vector V2 faces the entrance SE of the loop box 50, the direction of these combined vectors also faces the entrance SE. Even when both the vector V1 and the vector V2 are not directed toward the entrance part SE of the loop box 50, the direction of the loop box 50 is ensured if the direction of the combined vector is directed to the entrance part SE. Loops can be formed, and this is also included in the configuration of the present invention.

  Further, the direction of the composite vector is preferably set in the horizontal direction or upward from the horizontal direction. When the loop is formed, the lower portion of the loop rubs against the inner wall surface of the loop box 50. However, the rubbing state with the inner wall surface can be eased by making the composite vector upward. As a result, the load at the time of loop formation can be reduced, and damage to the photographic film can be reduced.

  Further, considering the line y connecting the point y1 where the photographic film is discharged from the transport block B into the space and the point y2 where the nip roller pair 40 holds the photographic film at the intermediate position, the rotation of the chucker C The shaft core 41 is disposed on one side of the straight line y (left side in FIG. 8), and the loop box 50 is disposed on the other side of the straight line y (right side in FIG. 8). Thus, when the chucker C moves from the receiving position to the intermediate position, the clamping point y2 moves while drawing an arc protruding toward the loop box 50 side. As a result, the loop can be formed more reliably toward the loop box 50. The operation when the loop is formed will be described later.

  The box cases 53a and 53b constituting the loop box 50 can be preferably manufactured by resin molding, and in order to reduce the frictional resistance with the photographic film, the inner surface is made glossy or coated. Is preferred.

<Control block configuration>
Next, the control function of the film processing apparatus FA will be described with reference to the control block diagram of FIG. First, main functions of the control unit 17 of the film processor FP will be described. The film end detection unit 17a detects the front end position and the rear end position of the photographic film (film reader) based on the detection signal from the loading sensor 11c. The film length calculation unit 17b calculates the length of the photographic film based on the information on the front end position and the rear end position detected by the film end detection unit 17a. What is actually detected by the loading sensor 11c is the tip of the film reader. Since the size of the film reader is known in advance, the length of the photographic film can be calculated by subtracting that amount. The communication control unit 17c has a function of performing communication with the transport unit FC and the film scanner FS.

  The film position calculation unit 17d calculates the timing at which the developed photographic film is sent into the transport unit FC based on the tip position information of the photographic film. Specifically, it is detected that the leading edge of the photographic film has reached a position at a predetermined distance from the discharge roller 15b. The counting unit 17e counts a predetermined time set in advance from the time when the tip is detected by the loading sensor 11c. When the predetermined time has been counted, the leading edge of the photographic film has reached a position at a predetermined distance from the discharge roller 15b. Instead of counting time, the conveyance amount by the conveyance mechanism 15 may be counted.

  The conveyance control unit 70 performs overall drive control including conveyance / stop of the photographic film conveyed in the conveyance unit FC. In addition, communication is performed with the control unit 17 of the film processor FS and the scanner control unit 25 of the film scanner FS. The position information and length information of the photographic film can be received by communication from the control unit 17. Further, the conveyance control unit 70 controls the driving of the chucker C and the roller conveyance mechanism 32 so that a loop is formed in the loop box 50, and functions as a loop formation control unit.

  The carry amount calculating unit 71 calculates the carry amount of the photographic film. In order to control conveyance / stop of the photographic film in the conveyance unit FC, it is necessary to monitor the conveyance amount of the photographic film. The conveyance amount can be calculated based on the number of drive pulses supplied to drive each motor (pulse motor) and a signal from an encoder that rotates in conjunction with the conveyance roller. . Alternatively, the conveyance amount may be calculated by counting time with a timer. Further, the carry amount calculation unit 71 has functions of a first film length count unit 71a and a second film length count unit 71b, and has a function of counting the length of the photographic film to be conveyed.

  The conveyance control unit 70 performs drive control on the guide switching solenoid 31, the first drive motor M1, the second drive motor M2, the third drive motor M3, the chucker motor CM, and the cut motor 36. The first drive motor M1 drives the roller transport mechanism 32, and the second drive motor M2 and the third drive motor M3 drive the pinching roller pair 40 of the chucker C. The chucker C itself is not mounted with a drive source. When the chucker C is in the receiving position, the second drive motor M2 and the sandwiching roller pair 40 are mechanically connected, and the chucker C is in the transfer position. The third drive motor M3 and the sandwiching roller pair 40 are configured to be mechanically connectable. The second drive motor M2 and the third drive motor M3 are fixed with respect to the frame of the transport unit FC.

  As described above, the first and second film sensors 33 and 37 detect the leading and trailing edges of a photographic film (film reader). The home limit switch 35a detects whether or not the cutter 35 is at the home position. The home limit switch 35a mechanically detects the cutter 35, but other types of sensors such as an optical sensor may be used.

  The home sensor 38 is a sensor for detecting that the chucker C is at the receiving position (home position). The guide detection sensor 62 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the first guide unit 60 is closed. When the first guide portion 60 is closed, the photographic film can be delivered to the film scanner FS by the chucker C. Each of the above sensor signals is transmitted to the conveyance control unit 70, and drive control of the solenoid and the motor is performed based on the detection results.

<Film transport operation>
Next, the operation until the developed photographic film discharged from the film processor FP is conveyed to the film scanner FS will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the operation diagram of FIG.

  When the leading edge of the undeveloped photographic film (film reader) is detected by the loading sensor 11c in the film processor FP, the counting unit 17e starts counting (S1, S2). It is determined whether or not the count value has reached a predetermined value set in advance (S3). If the count value reaches the predetermined value, a film leading edge discharge notification signal is transmitted from the control unit 17 to the transport control unit 70. At this time, the tip of the photographic film (film reader) has reached a position a predetermined distance from the discharge roller 15b. That is, this signal recognizes that an undeveloped photographic film has been inserted into the transport unit FC from the film processor FP.

  The conveyance control unit 70 transmits a processing start signal to the scanner control unit 25 and transmits a response signal to the processing start signal from the scanner control unit 25 to the conveyance control unit 70. Based on this signal, it is determined whether scanning is permitted (S5). If not permitted, the guide switching solenoid 31 remains in the second position. Accordingly, the photographic film is discharged to the film stocker 18 and is not conveyed to the film scanner FS. The reason why the scanning permission is not issued is that the film scanner FS is currently in use (for example, a state where a photographic film is manually inserted and processed).

  If it is in the scanning permission state, the guide switching solenoid 31 is turned ON, and the film guide 30 is switched from the second position to the first position as shown in FIG. 7A. Next, the first drive motor M1 and the second drive motor M2 are driven. As a result, the photographic film F is continuously conveyed along the conveyance path with the film reader L at the top. The rotational speeds of the first and second drive motors M1 and M2 are synchronized with the rotational speed of the discharge roller 15b (S7). While the film processor FP is driven, the discharge roller 15b is always rotating at a predetermined speed.

  When the photographic film F with the film reader L is conveyed, the first film sensor 33 and the reader sensor 34 change from translucent to light-shielded state (S8). The counting of the leading position of the film reader L is started from the time when both of these sensors are in the light shielding state (S9). This is performed based on the function of the carry amount calculation unit 71.

  When the photographic film F is continuously conveyed, the second film sensor 37 is switched from the light transmitting state to the light shielding state (S10). The first and second drive motors M1 and M2 are both stopped when a predetermined amount of photographic film is conveyed from the light shielding (S11). The state at this time is shown in FIG. 7B. In this case, since the discharge roller 15b is still driven, the loop R of the photographic film F is placed in the space (corresponding to the loop forming portion) between the discharge roller 15b and the upstream conveying roller pair 32a as shown in FIG. 7C. Is formed (S12). In order to form a predetermined amount of loop R, the first and second drive motors M1, M2 are stopped for a predetermined time. Whether or not the predetermined amount of the loop R has been formed is determined by the motor drive stop time as described above, and therefore a dedicated sensor for detecting the size of the loop R is not necessary.

  After the predetermined amount of the loop R is created, the guide switching solenoid 31 is turned OFF and switched from the first position to the second position (S14). As a result, the film guide 30 can guide the width of the photographic film F, and the meandering of the photographic film F can be corrected. At this time, the film leader L is completely passing the position of the film guide 30.

  Next, the first and second drive motors M1 and M2 are driven again in synchronization with the discharge roller 15b (S15). The conveyance of the photographic film F is started again with the film leader L at the top. When the rear end of the film reader L passes through the position of the reader sensor 34, the reader sensor 34 switches from light shielding to a light transmitting state (S16). Then, the first drive motor M1 is first stopped first when transported for a predetermined distance after switching to this light-transmitting state, and immediately after that, the second drive motor M2 is stopped (S17, 18). This state is shown in FIG. 7D. Note that the chucker C stands by at the receiving position, and the pair of clamping rollers 40 and the second drive motor M2 are mechanically connected.

  The film leader L is nipped by the chucking roller pair 40 of the chucker C, and the leading end is hung from the chucker C. Further, the rear end of the film leader L passes through a cutting position by the cutter 35. Therefore, this state shows the stage where the film leader L and the photographic film F are ready to be separated. The sagging of the photographic film F at the cutting position can be eliminated by stopping the first driving motor M1 immediately before the second driving motor M2. The cutting position is at a predetermined distance (for example, about 20 mm) from the rear end of the film leader L.

  Next, the cutter motor 36 is driven to separate the film leader L and the photographic film F (S19). The operation of the cutter 35 is checked based on the detection result of the home limit switch 35a. By driving the second drive motor M <b> 2 after the cutting process is completed, the separated film reader L is conveyed and collected to the reader stocker 19. When the film reader L is conveyed, the second film sensor 37 is switched from the light shielding state to the light transmitting state (S21).

  After the second film sensor 37 is in a translucent state, the second driving motor M2 is stopped after driving the nipping roller pair 40 by a predetermined amount (S22). A state when the film reader L is discharged is shown in FIG. 7E. The driving speed of the second drive motor M2 when discharging the film reader L is set at a speed set for the film reader L, and is preferably faster than the driving speed of the discharge roller 15b.

  Next, the first and second drive motors M1 and M2 are driven again at a speed synchronized with the discharge roller 15b (S23). When the leading edge of the cut photographic film F passes through the second film sensor 37, the second film sensor 37 switches from translucent to light-shielded state (S24). At the time of switching, the first film length counting unit 71a starts counting the film length. After the photographic film F is further conveyed by a predetermined amount after switching to the light shielding state, the first and second drive motors M1, M2 are both stopped (S25). At this point, the leading edge of the photographic film F is slightly protruding from the pair of clamping rollers 40.

  By stopping the first and second drive motors M1 and M2, only the discharge roller 15b is driven, and a loop of the photographic film F is formed in the loop forming portion (S26), which is shown in FIG. 7F. . In order to form a predetermined amount of loop R, it waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S27).

  When the predetermined time elapses, the chucker motor CM is driven and rotation of the chucker C is started (S28). As a result, chucker C starts to rotate counterclockwise around the axis 41. Simultaneously with the start of driving of the chucker motor CM, the first drive motor M1 is driven at a speed synchronized with the rotation speed of the chucker C (S29).

  The chucker motor CM is driven by a predetermined amount, and when the chucker C reaches the loop formation position (intermediate position), the chucker motor CM is stopped (S30). At the same time, the first drive motor M1 is also stopped (S31). This state is shown in FIG. 7G. The intermediate position is set, for example, at a position about 30 ° before the delivery position. Next, the first drive motor M1 is driven in synchronism with the discharge roller 15b (S32). By this operation, a loop of the photographic film F is formed in the loop box 50 (S33). The reason why the chucker C is stopped at the illustrated intermediate position is to facilitate the formation of this loop. The state in which the loop is formed is shown in FIG. 7H. When the chucker C reaches the loop forming position, the second guide portion 61 is flipped up by the chucker C.

  The photographic film F is continuously fed by the discharge roller 15b, and its rear end escapes from the discharge roller 15b. It is detected that the rear end of the film has escaped from the discharge roller 15b and has reached a position of a predetermined distance Lx (for example, 30 mm) (S34). This is detected based on the function of the film position calculation unit 17d, and is calculated based on the following equation.

Film length-L1-L2 + L3 ≦ film length count value (A)
Here, as the film length information, data calculated by the function of the film length calculation unit 17b on the film processor FP side is used. L1 is the length of the film cut when the film leader L and the photographic film F are cut (in the above example, 20 mm). L2 is a film length between the position of the second film sensor 37 and a position at a predetermined distance from the discharge roller 15b (see FIG. 7H). L3 is a loop amount (for example, 50 mm) formed in the loop forming portion. For L1, L2 and L3, preset values are used. The film length count value is a count value (corresponding to the length of the conveyed photographic film) counted after the second film sensor 37 detects the leading edge of the photographic film in step S24. When the above equation is established, the rear end of the photographic film F is completely discharged from the film processor FP and is in the transport unit FC. The counting by the first film length counting unit 71a is continued thereafter.

  After the detection in step S34, the driving of the first drive motor M1 is stopped (S35). Next, the first drive motor M1 is driven at the maximum speed (S36). When the rear end of the photographic film F passes the position of the first film sensor 33, the first film sensor 33 is switched from the light shielding state to the translucent state (S37). After conveying the photographic film F for a predetermined distance, the first drive motor M1 is stopped (S38). The state at this time is shown in FIG. 7I. The rear end of the photographic film F is in a state of being sandwiched between the conveyance roller pair 32b. Moreover, the film length count by the 1st film length count part 71a is complete | finished at this time.

  Next, the chucker motor CM is driven to rotate the chucker C again in the counterclockwise direction (S39). Next, the third drive motor M3 starts to be driven at a low speed (S40). This is to smoothly engage the drive system by the third drive motor M3 and the chucking roller pair 40 of the chucker C. When rotated by a predetermined angle from the loop formation position, the chucker C moves to the delivery position and stops the chucker motor CM (S41). Next, the third drive motor M3 is also stopped (S42). This state is shown in FIG. 7J.

  Next, the scanner motor SM and the third drive motor M3 in the film carrier 21 are driven at the maximum speed (S43). The second film length counting unit 71b starts counting the film length (count value (2)). Thus, the photographic film F is discharged from the chucker C, inserted into the transport path 60a of the first guide portion 60, and supplied into the film scanner FS. When the leading edge of the photographic film F is detected by the loading sensor 26 of the film scanner FS, the loading sensor 26 switches from the light transmitting state to the light shielding state (S44). After a predetermined amount of photographic film is transported after the light shielding state, both the scanner motor SM and the third drive motor M3 are stopped (S45). At this point, the leading edge of the photographic film F is slightly protruding from the conveying roller pair 21b located at the most upstream. This is shown in FIG. 7K.

  The conveyance control unit 70 notifies the scanner control unit 25 that the photographic film F has been inserted (S46). If there is a response signal “scanning OK” from the scanner control section 25 (S47), the scanner motor SM and the third drive motor M3 are driven at the maximum speed (S49). If scanning permission is not issued, the process waits until permission is obtained (S48).

  In step S49, the speed of the third drive motor M3 is set to be slightly slower than the speed of the scanner motor SM. A slip mechanism is provided in the drive system driven by the third drive motor M3 so that no sag occurs in the photographic film F fed to the film scanner FS.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the loop amount in the loop box 50 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount set in advance (S50). This loop amount is calculated by the following equation.

Loop amount = film length count value (1) − (film length count value (2) + L4) (B)
Here, the value counted by the first film length counting unit 71a is used as the film length count value (1). The film length count value (2) is a film length count value started from the time point of step S43. L4 is the distance from the delivery position to the loading sensor 26 as shown in FIG. 7K.

  When the loop amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the first drive motor M1 is driven at the maximum speed (S51). When the rear end of the photographic film is conveyed by a predetermined distance, the first drive motor M1 is stopped (S52). As a result, the photographic film F is transported only by the scanner motor SM and the third drive motor M3. This is shown in FIG. 7L.

  When the rear end of the photographic film F passes the position of the second film sensor 37, the second film sensor 37 is switched from the light shielding state to the transmissive state (S53). On the other hand, in the film scanner FS, a scanning operation (pre-scan) of the photographic film F is performed. When the trailing edge of the photographic film F passes the position of the loading sensor 26, the loading sensor 26 switches from light shielding to transmissive state (S54), and the pre-scan is also finished after a while (S55).

  Here, the pre-scan and the main scan in the scanning operation of the photographic film F will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 7L and the like, pre-scanning is performed when the photographic film moves from right to left, and main scanning is performed when the pre-scan is completed and the photographic film F is moved backward from left to right. Pre-scanning is to read an image of the entire photographic film at a low resolution, and processing such as specifying the position of a frame image is performed. In the main scan, the frame image specified in the pre-scan is read with high resolution, and only the portion of the frame image is read. Print creation processing is performed using the image data of the read frame image.

  When the delivery of the photographic film F at the delivery position is completed, the chucker C is reversely rotated by the chucker motor CM (S56). When the chucker C returns to the receiving position, the home sensor 38 is switched from the light transmitting state to the light blocking state (S57). After switching to the light shielding state, the chucker motor CM is stopped (S58). When the chucker C returns to the home position, the second guide portion 61 also returns to the original position.

  In the film scanner FS, after the pre-scan is finished and the main scan is started, the leading edge of the photographic film passes through the transport paths 60a and 61a of the first guide portion 60 and the second guide portion 61, and further loop box 50 passes through a first discharge path 51 provided around 50 and is collected into the film stocker 18.

  According to the above configuration, the loop of the photographic film can be surely formed toward the loop box 50, and it is possible to eliminate the trouble that the photographic film is rubbed with a mechanical part or the like when the loop is formed.

<Another embodiment>
The photographic film to be processed in the present invention is not limited to a negative film or a positive film, and can be applied to an appropriate kind of photographic film such as 135 type or APS type.

The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the whole print processing system which has a film processing apparatus. Sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of a film processing apparatus The figure which shows the state which connected the photographic film and the film leader Sectional view showing the configuration of the transport unit Block diagram showing control functions of film processing equipment Flow chart showing the operation in the transport unit Flow chart showing the operation in the transport unit Flow chart showing the operation in the transport unit Flow chart showing the operation in the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram showing the operation of the transport unit Diagram for explaining loop box configuration and loop formation

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print processing system 32 Roller conveyance mechanism 32a, 32b Conveying roller pair 40 Nipping roller pair 41 Axle core 50 Loop box 51 First discharge path 52 Second discharge path 53a Box case 53b Box case 54 Conveyance roller 60 First guide mechanism 60a Conveyance Path 61 second guide mechanism 61a transport path B transport block F photographic film FP film processor FA film processing apparatus FC transport unit FS film scanner C chucker L film reader S1 first space S2 second space V1, V2 corresponding to transport direction Vector y line y1, y2 points

Claims (6)

A film delivery unit that receives the photographic film from the upstream conveying roller pair at the receiving position and delivers the photographic film at the delivery position;
A pair of clamping rollers provided in the film delivery unit, for clamping the leading end side of the received photographic film,
A loop forming space for accommodating a loop of photographic film formed while moving from the receiving position to the delivery position;
A film processing apparatus comprising a loop formation control unit that forms a loop by stopping the film delivery unit and driving only the upstream conveying roller pair,
The combined vector of the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the sandwiching roller pair at the position where the film delivery unit is stopped and the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction by the upstream conveyance roller pair is set so as to be directed toward the loop forming space. A film processing apparatus.   The film processing apparatus, wherein the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the pair of nipping rollers and the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction by the upstream conveyance roller pair are both set in the direction of the loop forming space.   A combined vector of the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the pair of nipping rollers and the vector corresponding to the conveyance direction of the upstream conveyance roller pair is set to be horizontal or upward from the horizontal direction. The film processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The receiving position is positioned relatively lower than the delivery position, and the film delivery unit is configured to be rotatable around an axis that is set at an intermediate height between the receiving position and the delivery position. The film processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stop position of the film delivery unit is set at a position before a predetermined angle.   The rotation axis of the film delivery unit is arranged on one side of the straight line connecting the point where the photographic film is discharged into the space from the upstream side and the point holding the photographic film at the stop position, and on the other side The film processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a loop forming space is arranged.   The loop forming space has an entrance portion that receives a photographic film in which a loop is formed, and a first space that extends in a horizontal direction from the entrance portion to the back portion. The film processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a second space that expands.

Images