JP2007204195A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device in which a conveying route of paper between a magazine and a pressure-attachment-conveying means is formed by a roller and a guide and even if a conveying distance of the paper in the conveying route is lengthened in relation to arrangement of the magazine, the paper fed from the magazine can be smoothly conveyed to the pressure-attachment-conveying means. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device is provided with two or more of magazines constituted so as to store the roll wound with the paper and constituted so as to feed a sensitive material from the roll in a longitudinal direction; and a common pressure-attachment-conveying means constituted so as to pressure-attachment-convey the paper from the respective magazines to a downstream side. A short conveying route and a long conveying route having different conveying distances of the paper are formed between the respective magazines and the pressure-attachment-conveying means. A relay conveying means for pressure-attachment-conveying the paper fed from the magazine toward the pressure-attachment-conveying means is provided on at least the long conveying route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs exposure / development processing or drawing processing on paper and forms an image on the paper. In particular, two or more magazines configured to be capable of accommodating a roll of long paper wound, and configured to be able to draw the paper from the roll and supply it in the longitudinal direction, and paper from each magazine And a common pressure-conveying means configured to be capable of being conveyed by crimping on the downstream side, and a short conveying path and a long-length conveying path having different paper conveying distances are formed between each magazine and the pressure-bonding conveying means. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper, a photographic processing apparatus for forming an image by performing exposure / development processing on paper (photosensitive material), and forming an image by performing drawing processing on the paper Printers are known. These image forming apparatuses include two or more magazines for storing rolls wound with long paper, and image forming means for forming an image on paper supplied from the magazines (in photo processing apparatuses, Some of them include an exposure unit and a printer head in a printer.

  In such an image forming apparatus, the paper from each magazine can be processed by a common (single) image forming means, and the paper is fed from each magazine to a single pressure conveying means (for example, a roller unit having a pair of rollers). The paper from each magazine can be supplied onto a conveyance path connected to the image forming means (processing area for forming an image) by pressure supply by the pressure supply and conveyance means.

Each magazine is configured so that the roll can be accommodated in a shaft-supported state. A pair of feed rollers that feeds (unpresses and conveys) the unrolled paper from the roll, and a feed roller that receives driving from the apparatus main body side. And a drive transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive. As a result, each magazine can supply the paper to the pressure-conveying means at a substantially constant speed by pressure-conveying (delivery) by the delivery roller. (For example, patent document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 36553651

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus configured as described above, there is an image forming apparatus in which a paper transport path from each magazine to the pressure-carrying transport unit is formed with different transport distances. That is, in an image forming apparatus provided with two or more magazines, a transport path (short transport path) that minimizes the paper transport distance (path length) from the magazine to the pressure-carrying and transporting unit due to the magazine arrangement. ) And a conveyance path (longitudinal conveyance path) in which the conveyance distance of the paper from the magazine to the crimping conveyance means is longer than the short conveyance path.

  In such an image forming apparatus, a guide, a roller, or the like for guiding the paper is arranged on the longitudinal conveyance path so that the paper can be guided to the pressure-conveying means even if the paper conveyance distance is long.

  However, when paper is supplied from the magazine onto the longitudinal conveyance path, the paper (especially, the leading edge of the paper) comes into contact with the guide and the like, and conveyance resistance occurs, and the paper cannot be smoothly conveyed (supplied) to the pressure conveying means. There is. That is, the longitudinal conveyance path has a long paper conveyance distance, and guides and the like are arranged over substantially the entire length, so that the resistance acting on the paper being conveyed is large and the magazine is driven (crimping conveyance force of the delivery roller). However, there is a case where paper is jammed on the path due to insufficient conveyance force for the paper. In particular, due to the layout in the device, if the longitudinal conveyance path has a turn part that changes the paper conveyance direction and is formed to make a detour, the resistance at the turn part is very large, so the paper conveyance There is a problem that the paper is clogged and paper jam occurs remarkably.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in view of such circumstances, the paper conveyance path between the magazine and the pressure-carrying and conveying means is formed by a roller, a guide, or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of smoothly transporting paper supplied from a magazine to a pressure-carrying and transporting means even when the length is long.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured to be capable of accommodating a roll around which a long paper is wound, and two or more magazines configured to be able to pull out the paper from the roll and supply the roll in the longitudinal direction. And a common crimping conveyance means configured to be capable of crimping and conveying paper from each magazine downstream, and a short conveyance path and a longitudinal conveyance with different paper conveyance distances between each magazine and the crimping conveyance means. The image forming apparatus in which the path is formed is characterized in that relay conveyance means for crimping and conveying the paper supplied from the magazine toward the crimp conveyance means is provided at least on the longitudinal conveyance path. Here, the “crimp conveyance” means that the paper is conveyed in a state of being crimped by being driven by a driving source. Further, “common” means a single thing common to each of two or more magazines. In other words, this means that the paper can be received and transported regardless of which magazine is supplied.

  According to the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the relay conveyance unit that crimps and conveys the paper supplied from the magazine toward the crimping conveyance unit is provided at least on the longitudinal conveyance path. A transport force (moving force) can be applied to the paper on the top by pressure transport by the relay transport means, and even if transport resistance occurs in the paper on the longitudinal transport path, the paper is forcibly pressed and transported. Can be conveyed (guided).

  Note that the magazine, the relay transport means, and the crimping transport means may be synchronized to transport the paper at the same transport speed, but the transport speed of the relay transport means is higher than the supply speed (transport speed) of the magazine. Is set at a high speed, and the conveying speed of the crimping conveying means is preferably higher than the conveying speed of the relay conveying means. That is, it is preferable to set the conveyance speed with respect to the paper in order from the magazine located on the upstream side toward the crimping conveyance means on the downstream side. In this way, since the paper is transported in a state where the paper is pulled downstream (a state where the tension is applied), the occurrence of paper jamming (jam) due to excessive paper supply from the upstream side (magazine) is prevented. be able to.

  As one aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal conveyance path has a turn portion that changes the paper conveyance direction, and is formed to make a detour, and the relay conveyance means is provided in the turn portion to convey the paper by pressure. However, it may be configured to change the conveyance direction of the paper. If it does in this way, when the conveyance direction of paper changes (switches), conveyance force can be given to paper at the turn part which is easy to produce conveyance resistance. Therefore, the conveying force applied by the relay conveying means overcomes the resistance accompanying the change in the paper conveying direction, and the paper can be smoothly conveyed toward the downstream pressure conveying means.

  As another aspect of the present invention, the relay conveying means may be configured to release the pressure bonding to the paper in a state where the leading end side of the paper is pressure bonded to the pressure bonding conveying means. In this way, the conveyance of the paper when forming an image is achieved by the operation of the pressure-conveying means and the magazine, and the number of times (location) of pressure-bonding to the unprocessed paper can be reduced. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the crimping | compression trace (what is called a crimping | compression-bonding fog) which adheres to paper by crimping | compression-bonding can be suppressed.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the paper conveyance path between the magazine and the pressure-carrying and conveying means is formed by a roller, a guide, or the like, and the paper conveyance distance in the conveyance path becomes long due to the magazine arrangement. Even so, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect that the paper supplied from the magazine can be smoothly conveyed to the pressure-conveying means.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, as an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper, a printer that forms an image using ink or toner on paper, or a photographic processing apparatus that forms an image by exposing and developing a photosensitive material as paper In this embodiment, a photographic processing apparatus will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a photographic processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an exposure processing unit 2 that performs exposure processing on a photosensitive material P based on image data, and development that performs development processing on the exposed photosensitive material P. A processing unit 3, a drying processing unit 4 for drying the developed photosensitive material P, and a sorting unit 5 for sorting the dried photosensitive material P as a photographic print for each order are provided.

  In this photographic processing apparatus 1, a separate control device 6 is electrically connected, and overall control is performed by the control device 6, and exposure is performed based on image data read by the control device 6 or edited image data. Processing is performed. The control device 6 will be briefly described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control device 6 displays a processing status of each process, operation guidance, and the like, and performs an input operation based on the display of the monitor 60. An input unit 61 for performing image reading, a reading unit 62 for reading image data for performing exposure processing on the photosensitive material P in the exposure processing unit 2, various processes such as image editing, and substantial control of the entire photographic processing apparatus 1. And an arithmetic processing unit 63 that performs the processing.

  As the monitor 60, a cathode ray tube monitor or a liquid crystal monitor can be adopted. In this embodiment, a cathode ray tube monitor is adopted. As the input means 61, a keyboard 61a and a mouse 61b are employed. The reading means 62 includes a flatbed scanner 62a for reading an image from a photo print or the like, a film scanner 62b for reading a plurality of frame images formed on the belt-like film F, and various media such as a CD-R / RW and a memory card. A media drive 62c for reading data (for example, image data) is employed. The reading means 62 (flatbed scanner 62a, film scanner 62b, media drive 62c) is electrically connected to the arithmetic processing device 63, and transmits the read image data to the arithmetic processing device 63. . The arithmetic processing unit 63 includes a CPU 63a that performs substantial arithmetic operations, a RAM 63b that stores software for causing the CPU 63a to perform arithmetic operations, a ROM 63c, and the like, and an I / O interface (not shown). In addition to the reading means 62, a monitor 60 and an input means 61 are electrically connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure processing unit 2 is supplied from magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, and magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d for accommodating a roll R around which a long photosensitive material P is wound. A cutting device 21 that cuts the photosensitive material P to a cut sheet by a predetermined length, an exposure unit 22 that exposes the photosensitive material P that has been cut by the cutting device 21, and the magazines 20a, 20b, and 20c. , 20d is provided with an exposure processing part transport system 23 for transporting the photosensitive material P supplied downstream (development processing part 3).

  The magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are formed in a box shape so that the roll R can be accommodated in a pivoted state, and are arranged at predetermined positions (a main housing 10 and a sub housing described later) in the photographic processing apparatus 1. 11, the photosensitive material P can be supplied from the roll R in the longitudinal direction while rotating the roll R about the axis.

  More specifically, the magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are configured so that the core body 200 on which the roll R is extrapolated can be mounted, and the roll R can be accommodated in a pivotally supported state via the core body 200. It has become. Further, each of the magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d has a supply port (not shown) for feeding the unwound photosensitive material P from the roll R to the outside, and corresponds to the supply port. A pair of delivery rollers 201 and 201 for pressure-conveying the photosensitive material P is disposed.

  The magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d according to the present embodiment are driven from a drive source provided outside (a main housing 10 or a sub-housing 11 described later) while being loaded in the photo processing apparatus 1. A drive transmission mechanism (not shown) for transmitting to the core body 200 (roll R) and the pair of delivery rollers 201, 201 and rotating them around the axis is provided. As a result, the magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d configured as described above are driven by the external drive source to drive the core body 200 (roll R) and the pair of delivery rollers 201 and 201, and the roll R The photosensitive material P is sent out (supplied) from the supply port to the downstream side by the pressure-conveying conveyance of the pair of delivery rollers 201, 201 while unwinding.

  In the photographic processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the magazine 20a having the above-described configuration is provided for the main housing 10 (exposure processing unit 2) in which the exposure processing unit 2, the development processing unit 3 and the drying processing unit 4 are integrally accommodated. , 20b are loaded as standard equipment, and the same (same) magazines 20c, 20d as the standard equipment can be added as options, and the number of magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d loaded in the entire apparatus can be increased. ing.

  More specifically, the photo processing apparatus 1 can connect a sub-housing 11 configured to be loaded with the magazines 20 c and 20 d having the above-described configuration to the main housing 10, and the magazine in the sub-housing 11. The photosensitive material P can be supplied from 20c and 20d in the same manner as the standard magazines 20a and 20b. That is, each configuration in the sub-casing 11 connected to the main housing 10 (optional magazines 20c, 20d, a relay transport unit 24 to be described later, etc.) is linked with each configuration in the main housing 10 and is optional. The magazines 20c and 20d function as a part of the exposure processing unit 2 (paper supply means) in the same manner as the magazines 20a and 20b provided as standard equipment.

  In this embodiment, two magazines 20a and 20b as standard equipment are provided in the main housing 10 (hereinafter, the magazines in the main housing 10 are referred to as a first magazine 20a and a second magazine 20b), and optional magazines are provided. Two magazines 20c and 20d are provided in the sub-housing 11 (hereinafter, the magazines in the sub-housing 11 are referred to as a third magazine 20c and a fourth magazine 20d). Then, the conveyance path of the photosensitive material P supplied from the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d merges with the conveyance path of the photosensitive material P supplied from the first and second magazines 20a and 20b. The photosensitive material P can be supplied from any one of the magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d.

  The photographic processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the first and second magazines 20a and 20b each have a supply port facing a first roller unit 230 (first advance roller 230a (see FIG. 4)) described later. The first magazine 20a is loaded in the main housing 10 so that the photosensitive material P can be supplied vertically downward with the supply port facing downward. The second magazine 20b is loaded into the main housing 10 so that the photosensitive material P can be supplied in the horizontal direction with its supply port facing sideways above the second magazine 20b, and from each supply port to the first roller unit 230. The transport distances of the photosensitive material P are substantially equal.

  On the other hand, the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d supply the photosensitive material P in the horizontal direction in the sub-casing 11 in the vertical direction, with their supply ports facing sideways (toward the main housing 10 side). It is loaded in the sub-housing 11 so that it can be done. Due to this arrangement, the secondary housing 11 has two systems of transport paths TL1, TL2 with different transport distances of the photosensitive material P, and third and fourth magazines 20c, 20d and a second roller unit 231 described later. (Crimp-conveying means). Note that the two systems of transport paths TL1 and TL2 and the configurations for configuring the transport paths TL1 and TL2 will be described in detail later together with the description of the exposure processing section transport system 23.

  The exposure unit 22 includes an exposure engine 221 that exposes the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material P transported by the exposure processing unit transport system 23. The exposure engine 221 includes a laser light source (not shown) and an optical system (for example, a polygon mirror and a lens: not shown) that guides the laser light from the laser light source to an exposure point (image formation processing area) A. A so-called laser engine is used. The exposure engine 221 may be another so-called digital exposure engine such as a light source composed of a halogen lamp or the like and an optical shutter (PLZT) connected to the light source via an optical fiber bundle. Good.

  The exposure processing unit transport system 23 is disposed at various positions with respect to the transport path in the exposure processing unit 2, and a plurality of roller pairs 232... A main transport path for transporting the photosensitive material P in the main housing 10 in combination with the slide transport bodies 233 and 234 configured to be capable of gripping) and reciprocating along the transport path. TM is formed (referred to as main transport path). The main transport path TM is connected to an area (exposure point) A for forming an image on the photosensitive material P from the most upstream (downstream of the first and second roller units 230 and 231), and further, an exposure point. A is formed so as to be connected from A to the development processing unit 3. The slide transport bodies 233 and 234 are disposed between the roller pairs 232 and 232 (in the present embodiment, on the main transport path TM formed in a substantially vertical direction on the downstream side of the cutting device 21 and the exposure unit 22 (exposure point A). ) On the main transport path TM formed in a substantially horizontal direction on the downstream side)), and receives the photosensitive material P sent from the upstream roller pair 232, and sends the photosensitive material P to the downstream side. The roller pair 232 is fed out.

  In the present embodiment, the first and second magazines 20a and 20b are loaded in the main casing 10, and the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d are loaded in the sub casing 11, so that exposure is performed. In addition to the above configuration, the processing unit transport system 23 includes a first roller unit 230 for guiding the photosensitive material P from the first and second magazines 20a and 20b to the main transport path TM, and the third and fourth magazines 20c, 20c, And a second roller unit 231 as a pressure-conveying means for guiding the photosensitive material P from 20d to the main conveying path TM. The exposure processing unit transport system 23 according to this embodiment is driven synchronously with the core body 200 and the delivery roller 201 of the magazines 20a to 20d while having its own drive source different from the magazines 20a to 20d. It is controlled as follows.

  The first roller unit 230 is for changing the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material P supplied through the different paths from the first and second magazines 10a and 10b and leading it to the main conveyance path TM. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive material P from the third and fourth magazines 20c, 20d conveyed vertically upward from the second roller unit 231 is joined to the main conveyance path TM in the same posture. In order to secure the path, the transport direction of the photosensitive material P from the first and second magazines 20a and 20b is changed, and the first and second magazines are arranged with respect to the main transport path TM extending in the vertical direction on the downstream side. The photosensitive material P from 20a and 20b is entered obliquely from below (inclined with respect to the main transport path TM).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the first roller unit 230 is configured to be able to contact with and separate from the first advance roller 230a that is rotationally driven and the first advance roller 230a. First press rollers 230b and 230b that perform press-bonding and release thereof are provided.

  The first advance roller 230 a is rotated by receiving a drive from a drive source provided in the main housing 10. The first roller unit 230 can convey the photosensitive material P downstream (pressure-conveyed) by the first pressure rollers 230b and 230b being in pressure contact with the first advance roller 230a via the photosensitive material P. ing. The first roller unit 230 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of first press rollers 230b and 230b (two in the drawing) around the outer periphery of the first advance roller 230a, and the first press rollers 230b, A turn guide 230d for guiding the photosensitive material P is provided between 230b. As a result, the photosensitive material P that is pressure-conveyed and conveyed by the first advance roller 230a and the upstream first pressure roller 230b is guided by the turn guide 230d, and the first advance roller 230a and the downstream first pressure roller 230b. As a result, the photosensitive material P is wound around the first advance roller 230a (change in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material P). The first roller unit 230 is configured to send the photosensitive material P whose transport direction has been changed toward the main transport path TM (the uppermost roller pair 232) located obliquely above, and the uppermost roller pair. The photosensitive material P that has reached 232 is wound around one roller 232a of the pair of rollers 232, whereby the transport direction is changed to the vertical direction and guided to the main transport path TM.

  In the first roller unit 230, two first pressure rollers 230b and 230b are pivotally supported by a single frame 230c, and the frame 230c is brought into contact with and separated from the first advance roller 230a. The first pressing rollers 230b and 230b of the book are brought into contact with and separated from the first advance roller 230a at the same time so that the pressing and releasing of the photosensitive material P can be switched.

  The second roller unit 231 is for changing the transport direction of the photosensitive material P supplied from the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d through different paths and guiding the photosensitive material P to the main transport path TM. The second roller unit 231 according to the present embodiment is provided below the first roller unit 230, and is transported while changing the transport direction of the photosensitive material P transported from the sub-housing 11 side upward in the vertical direction. It is supposed to be.

  Specifically, the second roller unit 231 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the second advance roller 231a that is rotationally driven and the second advance roller 231a, and performs pressure bonding to the photosensitive material P and release thereof. The second pressure roller 231b, 231b and the photosensitive material P from the third and fourth magazines 20c, 20d are placed on the outer periphery of the second advance roller 231a (actually, the second advance roller 231a and the second pressure roller 231b, 231b Guide means 235a and 235b for guiding the air gap between them.

  The second advance roller 231 a is rotated by receiving a drive from a drive source provided in the main housing 10. The second roller unit 231 can convey the photosensitive material P to the downstream side (crimp conveyance) by the second pressure rollers 231b and 231b being in pressure contact with the second advance roller 231a via the photosensitive material P. ing. The second roller unit 231 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of (two in the drawing) second pressure rollers 231b and 231b around the outer periphery of the second advance roller 231a, and the second pressure roller 231b. , 231b, a turn guide 231c for guiding the photosensitive material P is provided. Thus, the photosensitive material P that is pressure-conveyed and conveyed by the second advance roller 231a and the upstream second pressure roller 231b is guided by the turn guide 231c, and the second advance roller 231a and the downstream second pressure roller 231b. As a result, the photosensitive material P can be reliably wound around the second advance roller 231a (change in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material P). The second roller unit 231 feeds the photosensitive material P whose transport direction has been changed toward the main transport path TM (uppermost roller pair 232) located in the upper vertical direction. Are guided to the main transport path TM (between the uppermost roller pair 232) without changing the posture.

  In the present embodiment, the two second pressure rollers 231b and 231b are pivotally supported by a single frame 236, and the two 236b are brought into contact with and separated from the second advance roller 231a. The second pressure rollers 231b and 231b are simultaneously brought into contact with and separated from the second advance roller 231a, so that the pressure bonding to the photosensitive material P and the release thereof can be switched simultaneously.

  The guide means 235a and 235b guide the photosensitive material P from the third magazine 20c onto the second advance roller 231a (first guide means 235a) and the second photosensitive material P from the fourth magazine 20d. A guide for guiding onto the advance roller 231a (second guide means 235b) is provided. The first guide means 235a and the second guide means 235b are each composed of a pair of plate materials (not numbered) that guide the photosensitive material P from both sides. The first guide means 235a forms a substantially horizontal path from the sub housing 11 side to the second advance roller 231a, and the second guide means 235b is the second advance roller 231a obliquely from above the sub housing 11 side. The photosensitive material P can be guided to the outer peripheral surface of the second advance roller 231a (on the outer peripheral surface facing downward). As a result, the transport paths TL1 and TL2 of the photosensitive material P supplied from the sub-housing 11 side merge on the second advance roller 231a. The second pressure rollers 231b and 231b can be brought into contact with and separated from the second advance roller 231a on the downstream side of the joining portion of the transport paths TL1 and TL2, and the photosensitive material from each of the transport paths TL1 and TL2. P can be conveyed by pressure bonding downstream.

  Next, the above-described two-system transport paths TL1 and TL2 formed inside the sub-housing 11 will be described. Along with the description of the transport paths TL1 and TL2, the sub-housing 11 and its internal structure will also be described.

  The sub-housing 11 has an internal space divided into two spaces (chambers) by a partition wall 113 extending in the vertical direction, a magazine housing chamber 11a for housing the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d, and a third housing And a transport system accommodation chamber 11b for housing a transport system (various guides 114a, 114b, 115, 116 and relay transport unit 24) for guiding the photosensitive material P from the fourth magazines 20c, 20d to the second roller unit 231. Are formed side by side.

  The magazine storage chamber 11a can store the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d in two upper and lower stages. Specifically, two sets of two rails 112, 112 are attached to the magazine housing chamber 11a at intervals in the vertical direction. A base 111 on which the magazines 20 c and 20 d are placed is slidably provided on each set of rails 112 and 112, and the third and fourth magazines 20 c and 20 d placed on the base 111 are removed from the sub-housing 11. The photosensitive material P can be pulled out in and removed from the width direction (the front side cover of the sub-housing 11 is opened). Although not shown, the first and second magazines 20a and 20b are also placed on a base that is slidable with respect to a rail attached in the main housing 10, and the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d. In the same manner as described above, the photosensitive material P can be pulled out in the width direction (opening the front cover of the main housing 10 and the front side) and can be detached.

  In the sub-housing 11 (mainly the transport system accommodation chamber 11b), the two transport paths TL1 and TL2 having different transport distances of the photosensitive material P, that is, the lower side in the magazine storage chamber 11a are loaded. A magazine (the third magazine 20c) and the second roller unit 231 (hereinafter, this conveyance route is referred to as a short conveyance route) TL1 and a magazine (the first magazine loaded in the magazine storage chamber 11a) A transport path (hereinafter referred to as a longitudinal transport path) TL2 connecting the four magazines 20d) and the second roller unit 231 is formed.

  The short transport path TL1 is formed so that the transport distance for transporting the photosensitive material P is the shortest in consideration of the arrangement of other configurations (for example, a relay transport unit described later). That is, the supply port of the third magazine 20c is located on the tangent line in the horizontal direction with respect to the lower outer periphery of the second advance roller 231a, and the short transport path TL1 is connected to the magazine storage chamber 11a via the transport system storage chamber 11b. It is formed in a straight line in the horizontal direction across the main housing 10.

  The short conveying path TL1 is provided so as to straddle the magazine accommodating chamber 11a and the conveying system accommodating chamber 11b, and a pair of first auxiliary guide plates 114a adjacent to the supply port of the third magazine 20c in the magazine accommodating chamber 11a. 114a and between the pair of first auxiliary guide plates 114a and 114a and the second roller unit 231 (first guide means 235a). A pair of guide plates 115 and 115 are provided.

  Each of the pair of first auxiliary guide plates 114a and 114a and the pair of guide plates 115 and 115 is vertically opposed to each other with a predetermined interval, and is continuous in the gap between the guide plates 114a, 114a, 115, and 115. A straight path (short transport path TL1) is formed to guide the photosensitive material P from both sides.

  The pair of first auxiliary guide plates 114a and 114a according to the present embodiment is provided so as to penetrate the partition wall 113 in the sub-housing 11, and end portions located on the third magazine 20c side are separated from each other. A tapered guide portion (not numbered) is formed which is bent and allows the photosensitive material P to enter from the third magazine 20c (supply port). On the other hand, the pair of guide plates 115, 115 according to the present embodiment are provided so as to penetrate through the wall portions of the connected sub-housing 11 and main housing 10, and the third magazine 20 c side (a pair of first auxiliary guides). End portions located on the plates 114a and 114a side are bent so as to be separated from each other, and tapered guide portions that allow entry of the photosensitive material P (transfer from the auxiliary guide plates 114a and 114a) (not numbered). ) Is formed.

  The short conveying path TL1 does not include any drive system, and drives the third magazine 20c (rotates and drives the feed roller 201 and the core body 200), thereby feeding the photosensitive material P from the third magazine 20c. It is guided to the second roller unit 231. That is, since the short conveyance path TL1 is linear and formed so that the conveyance distance of the photosensitive material P is as short as possible, since the resistance is small when supplying the photosensitive material P, the short magazine conveyance path TL1 The photosensitive material P is transported to the second roller unit 231 only by driving (crimp conveyance by the delivery roller 201).

  In the longitudinal conveyance path TL2, the conveyance distance of the photosensitive material P is significantly longer than the short conveyance path TL1 due to the arrangement of the fourth magazine 20d (the arrangement of the fourth magazine 20d and the second roller unit 231). Yes. The longitudinal conveyance path TL2 is formed to have a turn portion U at a plurality of places (two places in the present embodiment) to make a detour, and ensures the conveyance stability of the photosensitive material P, and then the photosensitive material P. Can be guided to the second roller unit 231. Specifically, the longitudinal transport path TL2 includes a first path TL2a extending in the horizontal direction from the fourth magazine 20d, a second path TL2b extending vertically downward from the first path TL2a via the turn part U, and a turn part. The third path TL2c extends obliquely downward from the second path TL2b toward the second roller unit 231 (second guide means 235b) via U.

  The longitudinal transport path TL2 (first to third paths TL2a to TL2c) is guided by a pair of second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b and second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b adjacent to the supply port of the fourth magazine 20d. Receiving the photosensitive material P to be transferred, transporting the photosensitive material P downward in the vertical direction, and then changing the direction obliquely downward, the relay transport unit 24 and the second roller unit 231 (second guide means 235b). And a pair of inclined guide plates 116 and 116 that guide the photosensitive material P from the relay conveyance unit 24 to the second roller unit 231, and include a magazine accommodation chamber 11a, a conveyance system accommodation chamber 11b, and It is formed so as to straddle the main housing 10.

  The pair of second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b are vertically opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and a part of the horizontal first path TL2a is formed in the gap between the pair of second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b. The photosensitive material P is guided from both sides. The pair of second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b according to the present embodiment are provided so as to penetrate the partition wall 113 in the sub-housing 11, and the end portions located on the fourth magazine 20d side are separated from each other. A tapered guide portion (not numbered) that allows the photosensitive material P to enter from the fourth magazine 20d (supply port) is formed.

  The relay transport unit 24 adds a supply force (transport force) to the photosensitive material P on the longitudinal transport path TL2 so that the photosensitive material P can be smoothly supplied to the second roller unit 231. The intermediate transfer means 240 is provided.

  More specifically, the relay conveyance unit 24 receives the photosensitive material P guided by the second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b, and first guide means 241 for guiding the photosensitive material P downstream, Relay conveying means 240 that auxiliaryly conveys the paper guided by one guiding means 241 and second guiding means that guides the photosensitive material P that is conveyed downstream by the conveying force applied by the relay conveying means 240. 242, direction changing means 243 for changing the conveying direction of the photosensitive material P guided by the second guiding means 242, and third guidance for guiding the photosensitive material P from the second guiding means 242 to the direction changing means 243. Means 244, and fourth guide means 245 for guiding the photosensitive material P changed in direction by the direction changing means 243 between the pair of inclined guide plates 116, 116. These are mounted on a common frame 246 are integrally unitized.

  The relay conveyance unit 24 is accommodated in the conveyance system accommodation chamber 11b and can be pulled out in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material P, like the magazines 20c and 20d in the magazine accommodation chamber 11a. . Thus, maintenance can be performed on the relay conveyance unit 24, the drive system in the sub-housing 11, and the like.

  Similar to the pair of second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b, the first guide means 241 is composed of a pair of plate members that are vertically opposed to each other at a predetermined interval. A horizontal first path TL2a is formed together with a gap between the two auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b. As a result, the first guiding means 241 guides the photosensitive material P from both sides with each plate material, and can guide the photosensitive material P to the relay conveying means 240 (on the outer periphery of the main roller 240a described later). The first guide means 241 (a pair of plate members) is bent so that both end portions are fixed to the common frame 246 and the end portions located on the pair of second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b are separated from each other. A tapered guide portion (not numbered) that allows entry of the photosensitive material P is formed.

  The relay conveying means 240 according to the present embodiment is provided in a turn portion U (upstream turn portion U) that changes the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material P on the longitudinal conveyance path TL2, and is connected to the fourth via the first path TL2a. The photosensitive material P is conveyed while changing the conveying direction of the photosensitive material P supplied from the magazine 20d downward in the vertical direction, and sent out to the second path TL2b extending in the vertical direction.

  The relay transport unit 240 will be described in detail. The relay transport unit 240 is driven by a drive source provided in the sub-housing 11 (transport system storage chamber 11b) and rotates (rotates). 240a and a sub-roller (first sub-roller) 240b configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the main roller 240a, and to press and release the photosensitive material P, and the first sub-roller 240b is main through the photosensitive material P. The photosensitive material P can be conveyed by pressure contact with the roller 240a.

  In the relay conveying means 240 according to this embodiment, a plurality of first sub rollers 240b (two in the drawing) are provided around the outer periphery of the main roller 240a, and the photosensitive material P is guided between the first sub rollers 240b. A guide (first turn guide) 240d is provided. As a result, the photosensitive material P, which is pressure-conveyed and conveyed by the main roller 240a and the upstream first sub-roller 240b, is guided around the main roller 240a as the center by the first turn guide 240d, and the main roller 240a and the downstream first As a result of being guided between the sub-roller 240b, it is wound around the main roller 240a and the transport direction is changed.

  In the present embodiment, the main roller 240 a is pivotally supported by the common frame 246, while the two first sub rollers 240 b are provided on a single support frame 240 c that is movable with respect to the common frame 246. The two first sub rollers 240b are simultaneously brought into contact with and separated from the main roller 240a by bringing the support frame 240c into contact with and separated from the main roller 240a. And can be switched.

  The relay transport means 240 has a speed at which the photosensitive material P is transported faster than the speed at which the photosensitive material P is fed (supplied) by driving the fourth magazine 20d (core body 200). A tension is applied to the photosensitive material P between the magazine 20d (on the first path TL2a) (a pulling force is applied to the downstream side). On the other hand, the relay conveying means 240 is set so that the photosensitive material P is conveyed at a lower speed than the photosensitive material P is conveyed by the second roller unit 231. That is, the conveyance speed of the photosensitive material P in the second roller unit 231 is set to be higher than the conveyance speed of the relay conveyance means 240, and the photosensitive material P straddles the second roller unit 231 and the relay conveyance means 240. In this state, tension is applied to the photosensitive material P during this period (on the second path TL2b to the third path TL2c) (a force pulled downstream).

  As described above, the photosensitive material P is excessively supplied (conveyed) on the upstream side according to the relationship of the supply speed V1 of the fourth magazine 20d <conveyance speed V2 of the relay conveyance means 240 <conveyance speed V3 of the second roller unit 231. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem such as the photosensitive material P being clogged on the longitudinal conveyance path TL2 (each path TL2a to TL2c). The main transport path TM (roller pair 232) on the downstream side with respect to the second roller unit 231 is set at a higher speed than the second roller unit 231 and is in the main casing 10 (exposure processing unit). This prevents the occurrence of paper jams (jams).

  The relay conveying means 240 configured as described above is configured so that the leading end of the photosensitive material P reaches the second roller unit 231, and the second sub roller 240b, 240b is separated from the main roller 240a and the pressure bonding is released, and the photosensitive material P is supplied by driving the second roller unit 231 (second advance roller 231a) and driving the fourth magazine 20d (core body 200). In this way, unnecessary crimping ridges (so-called crimping fogging) are prevented from being attached when the relay conveying means 240 is crimped to the photosensitive material P. Thus, even if the first sub-rollers 240b and 240b are separated from the main roller 240a and the pressure bonding is released, the relationship of the supply speed V1 of the fourth magazine 20d <the transport speed V3 of the second roller unit 231 is satisfied. Tension acts on the photosensitive material P between the magazine 20d and the second roller unit 231 to maintain the photosensitive material P wound around the main roller 240a and to prevent excessive supply of the photosensitive material P, Paper jam is prevented.

  The second guide unit 242 according to the present embodiment is a so-called width regulation guide that prevents conveyance blur (meandering) of the photosensitive material P in the width direction. The second guide means (width regulating guide) 242 is provided in a pair of guide bars 242a and 242a provided at intervals in the width direction of the photosensitive material P (direction orthogonal to the transport direction), and in the sub-housing 11. A ball screw 242b that receives driving from a provided driving source and moves the pair of guide bars 242a and 242a toward and away from each other (adjusts the interval) is provided. Each of the pair of guide bars 242a, 242a is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction (vertical direction), and a guide slit S extending in the vertical direction is formed on the surfaces facing each other. The guide bars 242a and 242a are configured such that both sides of the photosensitive material P enter the guide slits S to restrict the movement blur (meander) of the photosensitive material P in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

  Then, as described above, the second guide means 242 relatively moves (contacts and separates) the pair of guide bars 242a and 242a with the ball screw 242b, so that each guide bar 242a is positioned at a position corresponding to the width of the photosensitive material P. , 242a can be arranged. When the magazines 20c and 20b are set, the width dimension of the photosensitive material P is input to the control device 6, so that information on the width dimension of the photosensitive material P is automatically acquired from the control device 6, Based on the information, the driving source operates the ball screw 242b, and the distance between the pair of guide bars 242a and 242a is adjusted corresponding to the photosensitive material P.

  The direction changing means 243 is provided in a turn section U (downstream turn section) that changes the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material P on the downstream side of the second guide means 242. The direction changing means 243 includes a turn roller 243a around which the photosensitive material P is wound, a plurality (two in the drawing) of sub rollers (second sub rollers) 243b and 243b provided around the outer periphery of the turn roller 243a, A turn guide (second turn guide) 243c is provided between the two sub rollers 243b and 243b and guides the photosensitive material P.

  Both the turn roller 243a and the second sub-roller 243b are constituted by free rollers and are pivotally supported by a common frame 246. And each 2nd sub-roller 243b is arrange | positioned so that a predetermined clearance may be formed between turn rollers 243a. That is, the direction changing means 243 allows the photosensitive material P guided by the second guide means 242 to enter between the turn roller 243a and the upstream second sub-roller 243b without being pressure-bonded, and between the second sub-rollers 243b. The second turn guide 243c is guided around the turn roller 243a. Then, the direction changing means 243 causes the photosensitive material P guided by the second turn guide 243c to enter between the turn roller 243a and the downstream second sub-roller 243b without being pressure-bonded. Is wound around the turn roller 243a (a state along the outer peripheral surface of the turn roller 243a).

  The 3rd guide means 244 is comprised by a pair of board | plate material (not numbered) which mutually opposes at intervals. The third guide unit 244 is provided with a pair of plate members standing in the vertical direction, thereby forming a second path TL2b extending in the vertical direction together with the second guide unit 242 in the gap between the plate members. P is guided from both sides, and the photosensitive material P is guided to the direction changing means 243 (between the turn roller 243a and the second sub rollers 243b and 243b). And the 4th guide means 245 is also comprised by a pair of board | plate material (not numbered) which mutually opposes at intervals. The fourth guide unit 245 is provided so that a pair of plate members descends toward the main housing 10 side, thereby forming a part of the third path TL2c with a gap between the plate members. The direction-changed photosensitive material P (photosensitive material P wound around the turn roller 243a) is guided from both sides to be guided between a pair of inclined guide plates 116 and 116 which are obliquely below.

  The pair of inclined guide plates 116, 116 are arranged to face each other with a space therebetween, and are provided in a state of being inclined forward and downward toward the main housing 10 side, and a gap between the pair of inclined guide plates 116, 116. Thus, a part of the third path TL2c is formed, and the photosensitive material P is guided from both sides to be guided to the second guide means 235b. In other words, the pair of inclined guide plates 116 and 116 are connected to the second roller unit 231 (second advance roller 231a) together with the fourth guide means 245 (gap between plate materials) and the second guide means 235b (gap between plate materials). A third path TL2c is formed that is inclined forward and downward and continues. The pair of inclined guides 116, 116 according to the present embodiment is provided to penetrate the wall portions of the sub-housing 11 and the main housing 10, and the end located on the upstream side (fourth guiding means 245 side) Tapered guide portions (not numbered) are formed which are bent so as to be separated from each other and allow the photosensitive material P to enter (transfer from the fourth guide means 245).

  Returning to FIG. 2, the development processing unit 3 is for developing the photosensitive material P sent from the exposure processing unit 2, and includes a development processing solution tank 30 in which the development processing solution is stored, and the development processing solution tank. A development processing section transport system 32 that transports the photosensitive material P is provided so as to repeat the operation of immersing and pulling up the photosensitive material P in the development processing solution within 30. The developing solution tank 30 is configured by arranging a plurality of liquid tanks 30a, 30b. Each of the liquid tanks 30a, 30b,... Stores a developing solution for performing a developing process, a bleaching process, a fixing process, and a stabilizing process on the photosensitive material P. That is, in each of the liquid tanks 30a, 30b,..., A developer (CD), a bleaching / fixing solution (BF), a stabilizing solution (STB), and a cleaning solution are stored in order from the upstream side. The development processing unit transport system 32 is a solution for transporting the photosensitive material P in the development processing solution (developing solution, bleaching / fixing solution, stabilizing solution, washing solution) of the developing processing solution tank 30 (each of the solution tanks 30a, 30b. The conveyance system 32a and the external conveyance system 32b that conveys the photosensitive material P pulled up from the respective liquid tanks 30a, 30b... Into the adjacent liquid tank 30b. , 32b is composed of a plurality of roller pairs (not numbered).

  The drying processing unit 4 includes a drying processing unit transport system 40 that transports the photosensitive material P sent from the upstream development processing unit 3, and a drying device 41 that dries the photosensitive material P transported by the drying processing unit transport system 40. And. The drying processing section transport system 40 transports the photosensitive material P sent from the development processing section 3 while changing the transport direction, and the distance necessary for the drying processing on the photosensitive material P (actually necessary for the drying processing). Time).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the photographic processing apparatus 1 includes discharge ports 434 and 435 for discharging the dried photosensitive material P out of the main housing 10 (first discharge ports for discharging small-sized photosensitive material P (photo print)). 434 and a second discharge port 435 for discharging a large-sized photosensitive material P (photo print). The sorting unit 5 includes a conveyor 50 that transports the photo prints discharged from the first discharge port 434 and a sorting mechanism 51 that sorts the photo prints transported by the conveyor 50 for each order. The sorting mechanism 51 includes a plurality of trays 51a, 51b,... For receiving the photo prints conveyed by the conveyor 50, and predetermined (empty) trays 51a, 51b among the plurality of trays 51a, 51b,. Is configured with driving means (not shown) for moving the photo prints from the conveyor 50 to a position where the photo prints can be received. The arrangement of the trays 51a, 51b,. The trays 51a, 51b,... Can be discharged.

  The photographic processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, the operation of the photographic processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.

  First, the drive source corresponding to the selected magazine 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d is activated, and the roll R (core body 200) and the pair of delivery rollers 201, 201 in the magazine 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are driven. Communicated. Then, the roll R extrapolated to the core body 200 rotates, the roll R is unwound, and the photosensitive material P is pressure-fitted and conveyed by the pair of delivery rollers 201 and 201 and sent out from the supply port. When the photosensitive material P is supplied from the first magazine 20a or the second magazine 20b, the photosensitive material P is transferred to the first roller unit 230 only by the rotation of the roll R and the pressure conveyance by the pair of delivery rollers 201 and 201. The photosensitive material P is guided (supplied) onto the main transport path TM by the pressure transport of the first roller unit 230.

  When the photosensitive material P is supplied from the third magazine 20c, the photosensitive material P unwound from the roll R is rotated from the supply port by the rotation of the roll R and the pressure-feed conveyance by the pair of delivery rollers 201 and 201. It is sent out horizontally. Then, the photosensitive material P sent out from the third magazine 20c has a short conveying path while maintaining a substantially horizontal posture by the guide of the pair of first auxiliary guide plates 114a and 114a and the pair of guide plates 115 and 115. It is conveyed on TL1 and supplied to the second roller unit 231. Then, the photosensitive material P that has reached the second roller unit 231 is pressure-bonded and transported downstream by the second roller unit 231, but as described above, the transport speed of the second roller unit 231 is that of the third magazine 20c. Since the speed is set higher than the supply speed, the supply of the photosensitive material P from the third magazine 20c does not become excessive, and the supplied photosensitive material P is being changed from the horizontal direction to the upper direction in the vertical direction. It will be smoothly transported downstream. Then, the photosensitive material P whose transport direction has been changed (switched) to the vertical direction is guided (supplied) onto the main transport path TM by pressure transport of the second roller unit 231.

  On the other hand, when the photosensitive material P is supplied from the fourth magazine 20d, the photosensitive material P unwound from the roll R is removed from the supply port by the rotation of the roll R and the pressure conveyance by the pair of delivery rollers 201 and 201. It is sent out horizontally. Then, the photosensitive material P is guided to the relay conveyance unit 240 by the guidance of the second auxiliary guide plates 114b and 114b and the first guide unit 241, and is pressure-bonded by the main roller 240a and the first sub roller 240b of the relay conveyance unit 240. The Since the relay conveying means 240 operates in synchronism with the fourth magazine 20d (the main roller 240a is rotating), the photosensitive material P is pressure-conveyed and conveyed by the main roller 240a and the first sub-roller 240b. As a result, the belt is wound around the main roller 240a, and the transport direction is changed from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. The photosensitive material P whose transport direction has been changed to the lower side in the vertical direction as described above is transported toward the second guide unit 242 on the downstream side by driving the relay transport unit 240 and the fourth magazine 20d.

  Then, the photosensitive material P that has reached the second guide means 242 enters both sides of the guide slits S of the pair of guide bars 242a and 242a, and is conveyed downstream while preventing conveyance blur (meandering) in the width direction. Then, it is guided to the direction changing means 243 (between the turn roller 243a and the second sub-rollers 243b and 243b) through the third guide means 244. As described above, when the photosensitive material P is guided by the pair of guide bars 242a and 242a and the direction changing means 243, the conveyance resistance increases due to contact and interference with the bars, but the photographic processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is Since the auxiliary conveyance force is added by the relay conveyance means 240, the photosensitive material P is smoothly conveyed downstream without the conveyance force being insufficient.

  Then, as described above, the photosensitive material P guided to the direction changing unit 243 is changed in the conveying direction obliquely downward, and is guided to the second roller unit 231 via the fourth guide unit 245 and the second guide unit 235b. The second roller unit 231 is pressure-bonded and conveyed. When the photosensitive material P can be conveyed by the second roller unit 231 in this way, the relay conveying means 240 releases the pressure bonding to the photosensitive material P by separating the first sub roller 240b from the main roller 240a, It is conveyed only by driving the second roller unit 231 and the fourth magazine 20d. Since the second roller unit 231 operates (drives) in synchronization with the relay transport unit 240 and the fourth magazine 20d, the second roller unit is temporarily used until the press of the relay transport unit 240 is released. 231, the relay conveying means 240, and the fourth magazine 20 d are synchronously driven to convey the photosensitive material P, but the conveying speed is set to be higher toward the downstream side. Thus, the photosensitive material P is not supplied excessively from the upstream side, and stable conveyance is continued.

  As described above, the relationship between the conveyance speed of the second roller unit 231 and the supply speed of the fourth magazine 20d is maintained even if the pressure bonding by the relay conveyance means 240 is released. The supplied photosensitive material P is smoothly transported to the downstream side while the transport direction is changed upward in the vertical direction without excessive supply of the material P. Then, the photosensitive material P whose transport direction has been changed (switched) to the vertical direction is guided (supplied) onto the main transport path TM by pressure transport of the second roller unit 231.

  The photosensitive material P supplied from each magazine 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and having reached the main transport path TM passes through the cutting device 21 and reciprocates in the vertical direction on the main transport path TM. Is further conveyed downstream by the roller pair 232 until reaching. Then, the photosensitive material P that has reached the slide transport body 233 is transported to the downstream side by the slide transport body 233 having its leading end gripped and moving the slide transport body 233 upward in the vertical direction. . When the distance from the leading edge of the photosensitive material P conveyed downstream to the cutting device 21 reaches a length corresponding to a preset size, the cutting device 21 is activated to cut the photosensitive material P into a single sheet. It will be.

  When the photosensitive material P conveyed vertically upward reaches the exposure point A of the exposure unit 22, the photosensitive material P is subjected to exposure processing in order from the front end to the rear end while being conveyed downstream. The exposed photosensitive material P is conveyed by a pair of rollers 232... And then conveyed in the horizontal direction with the tip held by a slide conveyance body 234 that reciprocates in the horizontal direction. It is sent to the development processing unit 3 through the pair of rollers 232.

  The photosensitive material P sent to the development processing unit 3 is transported by the submerged transport system 32a and the external transport system 32b so as to repeat the dipping and pulling up with respect to the development processing liquid W in each liquid tank 30a, 30b. Development processing is performed. The developed photosensitive material P is dried by the drying processing unit 4 and distributed to the first discharge port 434 side when it is a small size, and to the second discharge port 435 side when it is a large size. It is done. After the large size photo print is discharged onto the large tray T through the second discharge port 435, the small size photo print is discharged onto the conveyor 50 through the first discharge port 434. .. Are discharged in a state of being sorted for each order on the trays 51a, 51b... Of the sorting mechanism 51 (see FIG. 1).

  As described above, the photographic processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment directs the photosensitive material P supplied from the fourth magazine 20d on the longitudinal conveyance path TL2 toward the second roller unit (crimp conveyance means) 231. Since the intermediate transfer means 240 is provided for pressure transfer, the transfer force (moving force) is applied to the photosensitive material P supplied from the fourth magazine 20d and on the longitudinal transfer path TL2 by pressure transfer by the intermediate transfer means 240. Even if a conveyance resistance occurs in the photosensitive material P on the longitudinal conveyance path TL2, the photosensitive material P is forcibly conveyed (guided) to the second roller unit (crimp conveyance means) 231. be able to.

  Further, since the relay conveyance means 240 is provided in the turn portion U that changes the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material P on the longitudinal conveyance path TL2, the pressure conveyance (conveyance force) by the relay conveyance means 240 against the conveyance resistance in the turn portion U. ) Can be overcome and smooth conveyance can be performed. The photosensitive material P is disposed between the main roller 240a for rotating the relay conveying means 240, the two first sub rollers 240b arranged around the outer periphery of the main roller 240a, and the first sub rollers 240b and 240b. Since the first turn guide 240d guides the photosensitive material P, the photosensitive material P is conveyed in a pressure-bonded manner (with an auxiliary conveying force applied to the photosensitive material P) while having a simple configuration, and even in the conveying direction. Can be changed. Even if the photosensitive material P supplied from the fourth magazine 20d contacts the main roller 240a or the first sub roller 240b, the photosensitive material P is rotated between the main roller 240a and the first sub roller 240b by the rotation of the main roller 240a. Will be drawn in between. Therefore, the photosensitive material P can be reliably conveyed by pressure without causing contact with the main roller 240a or the like to cause conveyance resistance.

  Then, the photosensitive material P is necessary because the contact of the photosensitive material P by the relay conveying means 240 is released in a state where the front end side of the photosensitive material P is crimped to the second roller unit 231 (a state where the photosensitive material P is crimped and conveyed). Without being crimped as described above, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of crimp marks (so-called crimping fogging) that occur on the photosensitive material by crimping.

  Further, the transfer speed (feed speed) of the relay transfer means 240 is set to be higher than the supply speed (feed speed) of the fourth magazine 20d, and the second roller unit (crimp transfer means) is set higher than the transfer speed of the relay transfer means 240. ) Since the conveyance speed of 231 is set at a high speed, the photosensitive material is not excessively supplied from the upstream side, and the occurrence of clogging (jam) of the photosensitive material on the longitudinal conveyance path TL2 can be prevented. In particular, as described above, when the photosensitive material P can be crimped by the second roller unit 231, the crimping of the relay conveying means 240 is released, but the fourth magazine 20 d and the second roller unit 231 are not connected. Since the relationship of the conveyance speed difference is maintained, the conveyance balance of the photosensitive material P is not lost even when the pressure bonding of the relay conveyance means 240 is released, and smooth conveyance can be realized.

  Note that the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the photographic processing apparatus 1 that performs exposure / development processing on the photosensitive material P as paper to form an image on the photosensitive material P has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A printer that performs drawing on paper with ink or toner may also be used. That is, the apparatus includes two or more magazines for storing paper for forming images, and includes a common pressure-conveying means configured to allow pressure-sensitive conveyance of the paper from each magazine to the downstream side. What is necessary is that a short conveyance path and a long conveyance path having different paper conveyance distances between them are formed.

  In the above embodiment, the four magazines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d can be loaded by connecting the separate sub-housing 11 to the main housing 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sub-housing 11 according to the above-described embodiment may be integrated with the main housing 10, that is, the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d may be standard equipment. Good.

  In the above embodiment, each of the two magazines 20a and 20b loaded in the main housing 10 and the magazine 20a such that the conveyance distance of the paper P to the common first roller unit 230 is substantially equal to the two magazines 20a and 20b. , 20b, the magazines 20a, 20b in the main housing 10 are similar to the two magazines 20c, 20d loaded in the sub-housing 11 as well as the common first roller unit (crimping and conveying means). ) The transport distance of the paper P up to 230 may be different. In this case, the longitudinal conveyance path (longitudinal conveyance path) of the conveyance paths formed between the first and second magazines 20a and 20b and the first roller unit 230 is the same as the longitudinal conveyance path TL2 according to the above embodiment. On the other hand, it is only necessary to provide a relay conveyance means that supplementarily imparts a conveyance force to the paper P.

  In the above embodiment, the two magazines 20c and 20d can be loaded in the sub-housing 11, and the two systems of transport paths with different transport distances of the paper P are formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, three or more conveyance paths with different paper conveyance distances may be formed between each magazine and the common pressure-conveying means so that three or more magazines can be loaded. Good. In this case, the relay conveyance means may be provided at least on a conveyance path other than the conveyance path having a short paper conveyance distance, that is, on each longitudinal conveyance path having a large conveyance resistance.

  If the resistance to transporting the paper (photosensitive material) P is increased even on the short transport path, the transport force is supplementarily applied to the paper on the short transport path in addition to the long transport path. It is also possible to provide a relay conveying means. That is, when a short conveyance path and a long conveyance path having different paper conveyance distances are formed between each magazine and a common crimp conveyance means for these magazines, the magazine is supplied from at least the long conveyance path. What is necessary is just to provide the relay conveyance means which carries out pressure bonding conveyance of paper toward a crimp conveyance means.

  In the above embodiment, the relay conveying means 240 for applying auxiliary conveying force to the paper P on the longitudinal conveying path TL2 is constituted by the main roller 240a and the first sub roller 240b, and the paper P is conveyed by pressure bonding. For example, the relay conveying means 240 may be composed of a rotatable endless belt and one or two or more rollers pressed against the endless belt, and the paper P may be conveyed by pressure by rotating one of them. Good. Further, the relay conveying means 240 may be constituted by a pair of rotatable endless belts, and these may be in pressure contact with each other to rotate and drive one of the paper P by pressure.

  In the above embodiment, the relay transport unit 240 is provided at one place on the longitudinal transport path TL2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two or more relay transport means 240 are provided on the longitudinal transport path TL2. Of course, it may be provided (for example, for each turn portion U). In this case, it is preferable to set the transport speed of the downstream relay transport unit 240 to be higher than that of the upstream relay transport unit 240 to maintain the supply balance of the paper P. In other words, it is preferable to set the relationship of the conveyance speeds of the pressure-bonding conveyance means 231, the relay conveyance means 240, and the magazine 20 d common to the magazines to be higher at the downstream side to prevent excessive paper supply from the upstream side. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the relay conveyance unit 240 is provided in the turn portion U, and the conveyance force is applied while changing the conveyance direction of the paper P. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the longitudinal conveyance path TL2 May be provided on a straight path (for example, the first path TL2a, the second path TL2b, etc.) so that the paper P can be conveyed by pressure without changing the conveyance direction of the paper P. In this case, since there is no need to change the transport direction of the paper P, when the relay transport means 240 is composed of the main roller 240a and the first sub roller 240b as in the above embodiment, the first sub roller 240b is used as one roller. A pair may be used. However, considering the transport resistance generated in the turn part U, it is preferable to provide the relay transport means 240 in the turn part U as in the above embodiment, and when the turn part U is provided in a plurality of places, the upstream It is preferable to provide in the turn part U of the side.

  In the above-described embodiment, the (second) roller unit composed of the (second) advance roller and the (second) pressure roller is employed as the common pressure-conveying means for the third and fourth magazines 20c and 20d. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as a common pressure-conveying means for two or more magazines, a roller and an endless belt that is in pressure contact with the roller are configured to convey and convey paper. Alternatively, the paper may be configured to be conveyed by pressure with an endless belt that is in pressure contact with each other. Moreover, the common crimping | conveying conveyance means is not limited to what changes the conveyance direction of paper, The structure which only carries out crimping conveyance of the received paper P downstream may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the paper P supplied from the fourth magazine 20d is pressed and conveyed to the second roller unit (crimp conveyance means) 231. However, the pressure of the relay conveyance means 240 is released. Instead, the pressure-conveying may be continued for the relay conveying means 240 in a state where the paper P is pressure-conveyed and conveyed to the second roller unit (crimp-conveying means) 231. However, in this case, the paper P is crimped by the relay conveying means 240 even during the processing on the paper P, and the chance of adhesion of the crimp marks on the unprocessed paper P increases. Therefore, the paper P is image-formed as in the above embodiment. It is preferable to release the crimping of the relay conveyance means 240 in a state where it can be conveyed toward the region.

  In the above embodiment, the short conveyance path TL1 and the long conveyance path TL2 are merged on the second roller unit 231, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the long conveyance path TL2 is short conveyance A part of the short transport path TL1 may be used as a part of the long transport system and TL2 so as to join in the middle of the path TL1. In addition, when the long conveyance path TL2 is merged at a substantially right angle with respect to the short conveyance path TL1 extending straight in the horizontal direction as in the above-described embodiment, resistance due to a change in the conveyance direction of the paper at the merged portion is large. Therefore, it is preferable that the longitudinal conveyance path TL2 has the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment, or a junction conveyance unit configured to change the conveyance direction of the paper is provided at the joining portion.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus (photographic processing apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus (photographic processing apparatus) according to the embodiment. The front view of the control apparatus used with the image forming apparatus (photographic processing apparatus) which concerns on the embodiment is shown. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus (photographic processing apparatus) according to the embodiment. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photo processing apparatus, 2 ... Exposure processing part, 3 ... Development processing part, 4 ... Drying processing part, 5 ... Sorting part, 6 ... Control apparatus, 10 ... Main housing, 11 ... Sub housing, 11a ... Magazine accommodation Chamber, 11b ... conveying system accommodation chamber, 20a ... first magazine (magazine), 20b ... second magazine (magazine), 20c ... third magazine (magazine), 20d ... fourth magazine (magazine), 21 ... cutting device, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Exposure unit, 23 ... Exposure processing part conveyance system, 24 ... Relay conveyance unit, 30 ... Development processing liquid tank, 30a, 30b ... Liquid tank, 32 ... Development processing part conveyance system, 32a ... Submerged conveyance system, 32b ... External conveying system, 40 ... conveying system, 41 ... drying device, 50 ... conveyor, 51 ... sorting mechanism, 51a, 51b ... tray, 60 ... monitor, 61 ... input means, 61a ... keyboard, 61b ... mouse, 62 ... reading means 62 ... Flatbed scanner, 62b ... Film scanner, 62c ... Media drive, 63 ... Arithmetic processing unit, 111 ... Base, 112, 112 ... Rail, 113 ... Partition wall, 114a ... First auxiliary guide plate, 114b ... Second auxiliary guide Plate 115, guide plate 116, inclined guide plate 200, core body 201, delivery roller 221 exposure engine 230, first roller unit 230 a, first advance roller 230 b, first pressure roller 230 c ... turn guide, 231 ... second roller unit, 231a ... second advance roller, 231b ... second press roller, 231c ... turn guide, 232 ... roller pair, 232a ... roller, 233, 234 ... slide carrier, 235a ... first One guide means (guide means), 235b, second guide means (ga 236... Frame, 240. Relay transport means, 240 a. Main roller, 240 b. First sub roller (sub roller), 240 c. Support frame, 240 d. First turn guide (turn guide) 241. 242 ... second guide means, 242a ... guide bar, 242b ... ball screw, 243 ... direction changing means, 243a ... turn roller, 243b ... second sub roller (sub roller), 243c ... second turn guide (turn guide) 244 ... third Guide means, 245 ... fourth guide means, 246 ... common frame, 434 ... first discharge port (discharge port), 435 ... second discharge port (discharge port), A ... exposure point (image formation processing area), F ... Film, P ... photosensitive material (paper), R ... roll, S ... guide slit, T ... tray, TL1 ... short conveyance path (conveyance path) ), TL2 ... longitudinal conveying path (conveying path), TL2a ... first path, TL2b ... second path, TL2c ... third channel, TM ... main conveying path, U ... turn portion, W ... developing solution

Claims (3)

  Two or more magazines configured to be able to accommodate rolls wound with long paper and to be supplied in the longitudinal direction by drawing the paper from the rolls, and papers from each magazine on the downstream side An image forming apparatus in which a short conveyance path and a long conveyance path having different paper conveyance distances are formed between each magazine and the crimp conveyance means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a relay conveying unit that pressure-feeds the paper supplied from the magazine toward the pressure-carrying and conveying unit at least on the longitudinal conveyance path.   The longitudinal conveyance path has a turn portion that changes a paper conveyance direction, and is formed so as to make a detour, and the relay conveyance means is provided in the turn portion to change the paper conveyance direction while crimping and conveying the paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be changed.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relay conveyance unit is configured to release the pressure bonding to the paper in a state where the leading end side of the paper is crimped to the pressure conveyance unit.

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