JP2007226015A - Photographic printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic printing device which is equipped with: a scanning exposure part for performing line exposure in a main scanning direction while conveying photosensitive material in a subscanning direction; a photosensitive material supply mechanism for pulling out the long-length photosensitive material from a magazine and feeding it to the scanning exposure part; a cutter for cutting the long-length photosensitive material to length corresponding to image size; and a loop forming part for forming the loop of the photosensitive material between the scanning exposure part and the cutter, and which can restrain a defect in a banding state formed on an image not only during the cutting of the photosensitive material but also after cutting the photosensitive material. <P>SOLUTION: The photographic printing device is provided with frictional resistance reducing means 80a, 80b and 81 reducing frictional resistance on photosensitive material guiding members 45, 46, 48 and 49 installed in the loop forming part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, a photosensitive material is drawn from a scanning exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive material in a line in the main scanning direction intersecting the sub-scanning direction while conveying the photosensitive material in the sub-scanning direction, and a magazine in which long photosensitive materials are accumulated. A photosensitive material supply mechanism that sends the photosensitive material to the scanning exposure unit, a cutter that cuts the photosensitive material drawn from the magazine into a length corresponding to an image size formed by the scanning exposure unit, the scanning exposure unit, and the cutter A loop forming portion capable of forming a loop made of a photosensitive material loosened between and a guide member for supporting and guiding the photosensitive material from at least one side of the photosensitive surface and the substrate surface to the loop forming portion. The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus provided with.

  As this type of photographic printing apparatus, there is Patent Document 1 shown below as prior art document information related to the present invention. That is, in such a photographic printing apparatus, it is necessary to temporarily stop at least the local portion of the photosensitive material in order to cut the photosensitive material P at right angles. Moreover, as can be understood from FIG. 13A showing a configuration example of a photographic printing apparatus according to the prior art, the appropriate length of the photosensitive material P corresponding to the image size is determined from the cutter 42 to the exposure point EP of the scanning exposure unit G. If the length L exceeds the length L, the cutter 42 needs to be cut during the exposure in the scanning exposure unit G, so that the photosensitive material P is linearly extended from the cutter 42 to the scanning exposure unit G. If the cutting is performed in this state, the stopping operation at the time of cutting may cause a streak defect called banding in the image formed by the scanning exposure unit G. However, in the photographic printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a loop in which the photosensitive material P is loosened can be formed between the scanning exposure unit G and the cutter 42 as shown in FIG. The stop operation near the cutter 42 is less likely to affect the image. Furthermore, in the photographic printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, as a means for loosening the photosensitive material P to either the photosensitive surface side or the substrate surface side at the time of loop formation, a loop forming portion is used. Since the guide member 48 for supporting and guiding the photosensitive material P from at least one side of the photosensitive surface and the substrate surface is provided, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive material P from being inadvertently contacted with parts in the apparatus and being damaged. Has been.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-103806 (paragraph numbers 0042 and 0049, FIG. 2)

  However, in the photographic printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the photosensitive material having an appropriate length is cut with a cutter as described above, the loop forming portion is provided. There was a case where a banding-like defect occurred in the image portion formed at the timing.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned drawbacks of the photographic printing apparatus according to the prior art exemplified above, but is not only limited to the banding-like defects that occur during the cutting operation, but is still cut even if a loop forming portion is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic printing apparatus capable of suppressing banding-like defects occurring in an image portion formed at a timing after completion.

In the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, the photosensitive material is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and a scanning exposure unit that performs exposure in a line shape in the main scanning direction intersecting the sub-scanning direction, and a long photosensitive material are accumulated. A supply mechanism that draws a photosensitive material from the magazine and sends it to the scanning exposure unit; a cutter that cuts the photosensitive material drawn from the magazine into a length corresponding to the image size formed by the scanning exposure unit; and the scanning exposure A loop forming portion capable of forming a loop made of a photosensitive material loosened between the portion and the cutter, and supporting and guiding the photosensitive material to at least one side of the photosensitive surface and the substrate surface in the loop forming portion. A photo printing apparatus provided with a guide member for
The guide member is provided with a frictional resistance reducing means for reducing the frictional resistance against the photosensitive material.

  That is, the applicant generally considers that the photosensitive material P drawn from the magazine M is formed by a difference in characteristics between the photosensitive surface side and the base material surface side or when it is accumulated in a roll shape over a long period of time. In addition to the tendency to curl based on wrinkles or the like, as shown in FIG. 13B, the loop located in the loop forming portion gradually becomes smaller with the progress of exposure in the scanning exposure portion G after completion of cutting. In the end, attention was paid to the fact that the loop disappears when the downstream end of the photosensitive material P finally touches the guide member 48 especially with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material P based on the curl tendency. Further, as a result of tests under various conditions, it has also been found that such banded defects tend to become more prominent as the environment in which the photographic printing apparatus is used becomes hot and humid. In the photographic printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the photosensitive material P having an appropriate length is cut with a cutter as described above, the vicinity of the downstream end portion P ′ of the cut photosensitive material P is obtained. Is pressed against the guide member 48 or the like based on the curl ridge, and the portion of the photosensitive material P located in the scanning exposure portion G is pulled with a slight force on the upstream side by the frictional resistance generated by the pressing, so that a loop is formed. In spite of the provision of the portion, it was estimated that the image formed in the scanning exposure portion G would cause a banding-like defect. In particular, when the environment in which the photographic printing apparatus is used becomes hot and humid, the gelatin component contained in the photosensitive surface absorbs moisture, and the substantial friction coefficient of the photosensitive surface is increased. . In other words, in the photographic printing apparatus described in claim 1 of the present invention, since the guide member is provided with frictional resistance reducing means for reducing the frictional resistance against the photosensitive material, the curled tendency tends to occur. Even if the photosensitive material is pressed against the guide member on the basis, it is difficult to generate frictional resistance against the photosensitive material in the exposure process after cutting the photosensitive material, and as a result, the effect of eliminating the banding defect is obtained. Is.

  As a more specific configuration of the frictional resistance reducing means, a planar friction coefficient reducing member provided on the surface of a plate-like guide constituting the guide member can be used.

  With this configuration, a guide member provided in a conventional photographic printing apparatus is used as it is, and a planar friction coefficient reducing member is simply attached to the guide member using a method such as application, adhesion, welding, or fixing with a screw. Thus, friction resistance reducing means can be obtained.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the friction coefficient reducing member is formed of a low friction coating layer formed on the surface of a plate-like guide constituting the guide member.

  With this configuration, even if the portion of the photosensitive material that is curled and protruded is conveyed to the downstream side while being pressed against the guide member, the portion of the photosensitive material exerts a large frictional resistance on the surface of the low friction coating layer. Since it slides without occurring, the banding-like defects are effectively eliminated. In addition, the frictional resistance reducing means can be formed by applying a thin layer such as a fluororesin as a low friction coating layer on the surface of the plate-shaped guide so as not to require special maintenance and increase the cost. can get.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the friction coefficient reducing member is composed of a large number of hairy supports provided on the surface of a plate-shaped guide constituting the guide member.

  In this configuration, even if the photosensitive material portion that is curled and projected in the curved shape is conveyed to the downstream side while being pressed against the guide member, the photosensitive material portion is supported by a large number of hairy supports. Since it slides on the pseudo guide surface with a remarkably small surface area without causing a large frictional resistance, the banding-like defects are effectively eliminated. Further, for example, the frictional resistance reducing means can be obtained by a simple and less costly method in which a cloth having a large number of hairy supports provided on the surface thereof is adhered to the plate guide with an adhesive or the like.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the friction coefficient reducing member is composed of a plurality of curved ridges juxtaposed along the conveying direction of the supply mechanism as the guide member.

  With this configuration, even if a portion of the photosensitive material curled and protruded in the curved shape is conveyed downstream while being pressed against the guide member, the curved portion of the photosensitive material cooperates with a plurality of curved ridges. Since it slides on a pseudo guide surface having a relatively small surface area to be formed without generating a large frictional resistance, a banding-like defect is effectively suppressed. In addition, it does not require simple and relatively special maintenance, such as bonding, welding, or fixing a metal plate having a plurality of curved raised portions formed by pressing or the like to the guide member with a screw. Friction resistance reducing means can be obtained by a method that does not easily increase.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the frictional resistance reducing means comprises a roller-shaped rotation guide supported as a guide member so as to be freely rotatable around an axis parallel to the width direction of the photosensitive material. .

  With this configuration, even if the photosensitive material portion that is curled and protruded in the curved shape is conveyed to the downstream side while being pressed against the guide member, the roller-shaped rotation guide can be easily performed according to the movement of the photosensitive material portion. Since the generation of frictional resistance is prevented by rolling to the band, the banding-like defects are particularly effectively eliminated.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a back print head capable of printing image-related information on the back surface of the photosensitive material, and a platen disposed opposite to the back print head to support the photosensitive material from the photosensitive surface side. Is provided on the upstream side of the loop forming portion, and the frictional resistance reducing means is composed of the roller-like platen supported so as to be freely rotatable around an axis parallel to the width direction of the photosensitive material. is there.

  That is, in the case where the platen is constituted by a generally fixed surface member that is used, the platen and the photosensitive material are curled when the portion of the photosensitive material curled and protruded is conveyed downstream while being pressed against the platen. Since the frictional resistance is likely to be generated between them, banding-like defects are likely to occur in the image formed in the scanning exposure unit. The roller-shaped platen rolls easily in response to the movement of the photosensitive material part even if it is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive material. Is effectively suppressed.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The photo printing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a housing 10 having a dark box structure. Inside the housing 10 is an exposure processing unit Ex that exposes a photographic paper P (an example of a photosensitive material), and The image forming apparatus includes a development processing unit De that performs development processing on the exposed photographic paper P, and a drying processing unit Dr that dries the photographic paper P from the development processing unit De, and the photographic paper P that has been dried by the drying processing unit Dr. Is discharged from the discharge portion 11 at the end of the housing 10, is received by the transfer belt 12 and transferred in the horizontal direction, and a sorter 13 that can be collected in units of orders is provided in any of the plurality of trays 13A. Between the exposure processing unit Ex and the development processing unit De, there is provided a vertical transport unit CV that is handed over to the development processing unit De in a state in which the photographic paper P sent out from the exposure processing unit Ex is reversed to replace the front and back. ing. In addition, an operating unit A that functions as an operation terminal for an operator to acquire image data and perform operations necessary for print processing is installed outside the housing 10.

(Operating part A)
In the operating part A, image data is obtained from an image processing device 21 composed of a general-purpose computer installed on the operation table 20, a display 22 installed on the upper surface of the image processing device 21, and a frame image of the photographic film F after development processing. A film scanner 23 for acquiring the image data, two keyboards 24, and one mouse 25. On the front surface of the image processing apparatus 21, various semiconductor storage media (not shown) such as compact flash (registered trademark), or magnetic or optical storage media (not shown) such as CD-ROM, DVD, and MO. A plurality of media drives 26 for acquiring image data from the above.

(Vertical transport unit CV)
As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical conveyance unit CV receives the photographic paper P exposed by the exposure processing unit Ex by the pressure-bonding roller pair 15, replaces the front and back by changing the posture of the pressure-bonding roller pair, and guide rails. 16 is conveyed upward along the line 16 and sent to the development processing unit De.

(Development processing unit De / Dry processing unit Dr)
The development processing unit De includes a development processing tank 30 in which a plurality of processing tanks including a color developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a stabilization tank are integrally formed of a resin, and each of the photographic papers P supplied from the exposure processing unit Ex is provided. A transport mechanism 31 having a plurality of pressure-bonding type roller pairs is provided so as to be transported to the developing tank. The drying processing unit Dr also has a plurality of pressure roller pairs 32 that convey the photographic paper P sent out from the development processing unit De, and dry air heated to the photographic paper P conveyed by the pressure roller pairs 32. And a blower 33 for supplying the air.

(Exposure processor Ex)
The exposure processing unit Ex pulls out the photographic paper P from the photographic paper magazine M containing the photographic paper P wound up in a roll shape, and feeds it in a horizontal direction. Chucker C as a nipping and conveying means that receives paper P and moves horizontally while holding the vicinity of the front end of photographic paper P, and an exposure unit that receives photographic paper P and performs an exposure operation by moving chucker C in the horizontal direction. G (an example of a scanning exposure unit). Between the supply conveyance roller 41 and the chucker C, the discharge roller pair 43 that delivers the photographic paper P sent out by the supply conveyance roller 41 to the chucker C and the image size that the photographic paper P is formed by the exposure unit G. A cutter unit 42 for cutting to a corresponding length is provided. The exposure unit G is configured to perform line exposure along the main scanning direction by the exposure head Gh while transporting the photographic paper P in the horizontal direction (sub-scanning direction) by the exposure transport mechanism Gc.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, a frame-like frame 35 is arranged at a portion where the photographic paper is conveyed from the supply conveyance roller 41 to the exposure unit G in the exposure processing unit Ex. The operation system of the roller 41, the cutter unit 42, chucker C, and the like are supported by the frame 35. The exposure processing unit Ex includes a control unit 36 as an exposure control means having a microprocessor for controlling the conveyance of the photographic paper P in the exposure processing unit Ex and the exposure by the exposure unit G. (See FIG. 2).

  The photographic paper magazine M includes a winding core 6 that supports the roll-shaped photographic paper P inside the case 5, and a crimp-type feed roller pair 7 that applies a conveying force to the photographic paper P. Although not shown in the drawing, the case 5 is provided with a transmission system having a plurality of gears so that the core 6 and the feed roller pair 7 are driven and rotated in conjunction with each other. Outside, a magazine motor 8 is provided that transmits power to the drive shaft of the feed roller pair 7 to feed and rewind the photographic paper P (see FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of driven rollers 41 </ b> A spaced apart from each other are pressed against the supply transport roller 41 by an urging means and driven by a supply transport motor M <b> 41. The cutter unit 42 includes a fixed blade 42A and a movable blade 42B, and the movable blade 42B is driven by a cutter motor M42. The discharge roller pair 43 has a structure in which the driven roller 43A is pressure-bonded and is driven by the discharge motor M43 (see FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, in the vicinity of the discharge roller pair 43, the photographic paper P fed from the supply conveyance roller 41 is guided to the discharge roller pair 43, and the photographic paper fed from the discharge roller pair 43. A pair of left and right upper guide plates 45 (an example of a guide member) and a lower guide plate 46 (an example of a guide member) for guiding P to a chucker C at a standby position Q1 closest to the discharge roller pair 43, which will be described later, are provided. It has been. The upper guide plate 45 and the lower guide plate 46 have a width that exceeds the widest photographic paper P that can be processed, and is somewhat wider than the thickness of the photographic paper P so as to allow passage of the photographic paper P. It is arranged in a positional relationship with a distance, and has a function of guiding the position of the photographic paper P sent out from the discharge roller pair 43 from above and below to the chucker C.

  In a region sandwiched between the cutter unit 42 and the exposure unit G, one guide rod 47 that guides the chucker C in the horizontal direction extends. Further, below the guide rod 47, an upper guide frame 48 (an example of a guide member) having a U-shaped cross section that is disposed in a horizontal and parallel posture with the guide rod 47 and opened upward, A lower guide frame 49 (an example of a guide member) is provided below the upper guide frame 48 and has a horizontally extending plate-like cross section. Since the upper guide frame 48 and the lower guide frame 49 have a width that is smaller than the narrowest photographic paper P that is normally processed, especially when processing a wide photographic paper P, the vicinity of the center portion thereof is provided. Guide only limited places. In the vicinity of the upstream end of the lower guide frame 49, a back print head 44 for printing image-related information such as correction data is provided on the back side of the photographic paper P sent out from the discharge roller pair 43. .

  A loop forming space S () in which the photographic paper P is accommodated in a state where the photographic paper P is slackened downward, at a position intermediate between the cutter unit 42 and the exposure unit G on the lower side of the conveyance path for conveying the photographic paper P by the chucker C. An example of a loop forming part) is arranged. The loop forming space S is formed by deepening the bottom wall 35A of the frame 35 and bending the central position 49S of the lower guide frame 49 into a shape that exhibits an inverted trapezoidal shape in a side view along the bottom of the loop forming space S. Yes, the bottom wall 35A at the central portion of the loop forming space S is the lowest level in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P, and the bottom wall 35A at a position close to the cutter unit 42 side and the exposure unit side is described later. The shape is set to a level that is equal to the height level of the conveyance path of the photographic paper P at the exposure point EP of the exposure unit G to be performed.

  Wide auxiliary guide plates 51 (an example of a guide member) are arranged on both sides of a region sandwiching a portion close to the cutter unit 42 in the lower guide frame 49. The auxiliary guide plate 51 has one end (upstream end in the conveying direction of the photographic paper P) of an elastically deformable plate-like material such as a stainless plate or a resin plate directed toward the cutter unit 42. Thus, the upstream end in the conveying direction of the photographic paper P is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the lower guide plate 46 by an elastic biasing force, and the other end is fixed to the bottom wall 35A of the frame 35. It has a structure.

  Unlike the upper guide frame 48 and the lower guide frame 49, the auxiliary guide plate 51 has a width that exceeds the widest photographic paper P that can be processed, and smoothly widens from the lower guide plate 46 to the bottom of the loop forming space S. An inclined guide surface is formed to guide both the left and right ends of the rear end of the photographic paper P. When the chucker C moves to the cutter unit 42 side (a standby position Q1 described later), the bottom surface of the chucker C contacts the auxiliary guide plate 51 and pushes down the vicinity of the upstream end portion of the auxiliary guide plate 51. By elastically deforming the chucker C, the chucker C is allowed to move to a standby position Q1 described later.

(Friction resistance reduction means)
According to the present invention, the above-described guide members, that is, the upper guide plate 45, the lower guide plate 46, the upper guide frame 48, the lower guide frame 49, and the auxiliary guide plate 51 have a reduced frictional resistance against the photographic paper P. Friction resistance reducing means is provided.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the frictional resistance reducing means includes a large number of rollers supported on the upper guide plate 45 and the upper guide frame 48 so as to be freely rotatable around a horizontal axis parallel to the width direction of the photographic paper P. It consists of the rotation guide member 80 of a shape. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the frictional resistance reducing means includes a low friction coating layer 81 formed on the upper surfaces of the lower guide plate 46, the lower guide frame 49, and the auxiliary guide plate 51. Become.

  More specifically, on the upper guide plate 45, five left and right rotation guide members 80a are arranged in a line along the width direction of the photographic paper P, as shown in FIG. Further, the upper guide frame 48 includes a larger number of rotation guide members 80b arranged vertically and horizontally in a plan view, that is, adjacent to the left and right with a slight distance of about several centimeters along the width direction of the photographic paper P. Three of them are arranged in a row, and such rows are arranged in 10 rows or more with a slight distance of about several centimeters along the transport direction. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 8 and the like, even if the photosensitive surface side of the photographic paper P to be processed has a curled ridge having a convex portion on the upper side, the fixed plate-shaped guides 45 and 48 are not fixed. Without being directly touched, it is guided in a form with a small frictional resistance by a rotating guide member 80 having a freely rotatable outer diameter of about 5 to 15 mm. The rotating guide member 80 is composed of a sleeve-like member made of engineering plastics such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) having a small surface friction coefficient, and is formed in a rectangular window formed through the upper guide plate 45. It is housed and externally fitted and supported on a horizontal shaft such as a metal that is fixed in the window.

In addition, as a specific configuration of the low friction coating layer 81, polytetrafluoroethylene or the like formed on the surface of a metal plate constituting the lower guide plate 46, the lower guide frame 49, and the auxiliary guide plate 51, or the like Made of fluororesin.
As shown in FIG. 10, the rotation guide member 80 arranged at the center of the left and right of the three rotation guide members 80 on the most upstream side of the upper guide frame 48 is a back print arranged on the lower guide plate 46. The platen roller 80p functions as a platen that supports the photographic paper P from the substrate surface side when the head 44 performs printing. In other words, the platen for supporting the photographic paper P from the back side is usually constituted by a fixed planar member, whereas here the fixed planar platen has a frictional resistance. In order to eliminate the phenomenon that occurs, the platen roller 80p is supported so as to be freely rotatable. The rotation guide member 80 constituting the platen roller 80p is not made of resin, but is made of stainless steel or the like in consideration of the impact and heat action received from the thermal type back print head 44.

(Chucker)
As shown in FIG. 6, the chucker C is supported so as to be swingable around a swing shaft 55 that is supported in a longitudinal direction with respect to the slider 54 and is slidably supported in the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 47. Support arm 56. In addition, a pair of left and right upper arms 57 that are connected to the lower portion of the support arm 56 and located on the upper surface (photosensitive surface) of the photographic paper P, and both ends of the support arm 56, are located on the lower surface of the photographic paper P. A pair of left and right lower arms 58 is provided, and a slit-like photographic paper introduction space T for introducing the photographic paper P is formed between the upper arm 57 and the lower arm 58. Of the upper arm 57 and the lower arm 58, on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photographic paper P, there are provided guide surfaces 57A and 58A in an inclined posture for guiding the photographic paper P into the photographic paper introduction space T (FIG. 10). See).

  The upper arm 57 includes a pair of chuck pins 60 that are projected and biased downward by a spring 59, and the lower arm 58 includes a contact pin 61 at a position facing the chuck pin 60. In addition, a clamping release motor 62 that transmits an operating force in the clamping release direction to the operation pin 60 </ b> A formed at the upper end of the chuck pin 60 is provided on the upper surface of the support arm 56. When the chuck pin 60 is pressed against the contact pin 61 by the urging force of the spring 59, a clamping mechanism for clamping the photographic paper P functions.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, guide rails 65 are formed on both side walls of the frame 35 so as to be in a posture along the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P, and are in contact with the upper surfaces of the respective guide rails 65. Guide rollers 63 are provided at both ends of the support arm 56. A drive pulley 66 driven by a stepping motor type drive motor M66 and a drive belt 68 wound around an idler pulley 67 are arranged on the inner surface side of both sides of the frame 35. Both ends of the support arm 56 are fixed to a part of the drive belt 68 (see FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the chucker C receives the photographic paper P from the standby position Q1 for receiving the photographic paper P from the discharge roller pair 43 and the exposure transport mechanism Gc based on the rotational drive of the drive pulley 66. It is configured to be able to reciprocate between the discharge position Q2 for delivery. At the standby position Q1, part of the edge of the upper guide plate 45 and part of the edge of the lower guide plate 46 enter the guide surfaces 57A and 58A, and at the discharge position Q2, as shown in FIG. The downstream side in the conveyance direction of the C photographic paper P is adjacent to the exposure unit G. As shown in FIG. 4, the frame 35 is provided with position detection sensors 69 that independently detect both end positions of the support arm 56 when the chucker C is set at the discharge position Q2.

  The support arm 56, the upper arm 57, and the lower arm 58 of the chucker C are slidable along the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 47, and at the same time, can be rocked integrally around the axis of the rocking shaft 55. It is configured. That is, the posture of the photographic paper P in a plan view tends to be inappropriate when the photographic paper P is delivered from the discharge roller pair 43 to the chucker C due to the problem of the assembling accuracy between the units constituting the exposure processing unit Ex. Alternatively, the posture of the photographic paper P delivered from the chucker C to the exposure unit G in a plan view may be inappropriate. In such a case, a slight difference is created in the drive amount of the left and right drive belts 68, and the chucker C is swung around the swing shaft 55, so that the above-described inappropriate posture is corrected. A process of changing the posture of P and delivering it to the exposure unit G is realized.

(Exposure unit)
As shown in FIG. 3, the exposure unit G includes an exposure head Gh that performs line exposure along the main scanning direction of the photographic paper P, and an exposure transport mechanism Gc that transports the photographic paper P at an exposure position below the exposure head Gh. It consists of and.
Here, the exposure head Gh guides three types of laser beams corresponding to the three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) from an acousto-optic modulator to a polygon mirror that rotates. The laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror is further guided by a laser exposure engine that performs line exposure by guiding the laser beam to the photosensitive surface of the photographic paper through an optical system such as a mirror.

In the exposure transport mechanism Gc, the first drive roller 71, the second drive roller 72, and the third drive roller 73 are arranged in this order along the transport direction of the photographic paper P. The first drive roller 71 is disposed at a position where the photographic paper P from the chucker C is delivered, and the second drive roller 72 is disposed upstream of the exposure position in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P. The third drive roller 73 Are arranged downstream of the exposure position in the transport direction of the photographic paper P.
The first drive roller 71 includes a driven roller 71A that can be switched between a pressure-bonded state and a pressure-released state. The first drive roller 71 is connected to the first drive roller 71 via an endless belt V1 wound around a pulley at the end of the first drive roller 71. A first motor M <b> 1 for driving 71 is provided.

  The driven roller 71A is switchable between a crimping state and a crimping release state by being supported at both ends by a swingable support 71B, and is biased by a spring (not shown) in the crimping direction. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a cam follower 71C is provided at one end of the driven roller 71A, and the driven roller 71A is in a pressure-bonded state by contacting the cam follower 71C at a position near the driven roller 71A. And a rotation cam 74 that switches between the pressure release state and a cam motor M74 that drives the rotation cam 74.

  The second drive roller 72 includes a driven roller 72A that can be switched between a pressure-bonded state and a pressure-bonded released state, and the third drive roller 73 includes a driven roller 73A that can be switched between a pressure-bonded state and a pressure-bonded released state. An endless belt V2 is wound around a pulley provided at the ends of the second driving roller 72 and the third driving roller 73 and the intermediate pulley 75, and an endless belt V3 wound around the large diameter portion of the intermediate pulley is further wound. A second motor M <b> 2 that drives the second drive roller 72 and the third drive roller 73 by driving is provided.

  The driven rollers 72A and 73A can be switched between a crimping state and a crimping release state by being supported at both ends by swingable supports 72B and 73B, and are attached by a spring (not shown) in the crimping direction. It is energized. Further, cam followers 72C and 73C are provided at one end of each of the driven rollers 72A and 73A, and the driven rollers 72A are brought into contact with the cam followers 72C and 73C at positions near the driven rollers 72A and 73A. , 73A are provided with rotating cams 75, 76 for switching between the crimping state and the crimping release state, and cam motors M75, M76 for driving the respective rotating cams 75, 76.

  The control unit 36 acquires a length dimension in the transport direction of the photographic paper P to be supplied to the exposure unit G from the image data acquired by the operating unit A, and this length dimension is a preset value, that is, a cutter unit. When the reference distance from the blade edge of 42 to the exposure point EP is less than L, the loopless mode in which the exposure unit G performs the exposure operation without forming the loop of the photographic paper P in the loop formation space S is selected. When the length dimension of the photographic paper P is L or more, the processing mode is selected so that the exposure unit G performs the exposure operation while forming the loop of the photographic paper P in the loop forming space S. Is set. Hereinafter, the processing steps will be described focusing on the latter loop mode.

(Loop mode)
In the loop mode, first, the chuck pin 60 is set to the released state by driving the clamping release motor 62, and the left and right drive motors M66 are synchronously driven to set the chucker C at the standby position Q1. In this state, the photographic paper P is sent out from the photographic paper magazine M by driving the magazine motor 8, and the photographic paper P sent out from the photographic paper magazine M is supplied and conveyed by driving the supply and conveyance motor M41 in conjunction with this delivery. The roller 41 is fed out in the horizontal direction and passes through the portion of the cutter unit 42.

  By conveying the photographic paper P in the horizontal direction in this way, the leading end of the photographic paper P that has passed through the portion of the cutter unit 42 is further discharged by the discharge motor M43 as shown in FIG. The roller pair 43 passes between the upper guide plate 45 and the lower guide plate 46 and enters between the chuck pin 60 and the contact pin 61 of the chucker C set at the standby position Q1.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the control unit 36 clamps the leading end of the photographic paper P between the chuck pin 60 and the contact pin 61 under the control of the clamping release motor 62, and subsequently Thus, the supply conveyance motor M41, the discharge motor M43, and the left and right drive motors M66 are synchronously driven so that the photographic paper P is fed out and simultaneously conveyed by the chucker C in the horizontal direction. Note that image-related information backprinting is performed by the back print head 44 on the substrate surface side of the photographic paper P at a predetermined timing during the horizontal conveyance.

  When the photographic paper P is conveyed in the horizontal direction by the discharge roller pair 43 and the chucker C in this way, the discharge is performed so that no tension acts on the photographic paper P between the discharge roller pair 43 and the chucker C. The discharge speed of the photographic paper P by the roller pair 43 is set slightly higher than the conveyance speed of the photographic paper P by the chucker C.

  At the time of this conveyance, as shown in FIG. 11C, the control unit 36 presses the driven roller 71A of the first driving roller 71 in advance by driving the first motor M1 and controlling the posture of the rotating cam 74. The release state is set, and the movement of the chucker C is stopped at the discharge position Q2 where the leading edge of the photographic paper P enters between the first drive roller 71 and the driven roller 71A.

Next, after the front end of the photographic paper P is pressure-bonded between the first drive roller 71 and the driven roller 71A, the chuck pin 60 of the chucker C is released from the nipping state, and the discharge of the photographic paper P from the discharge roller pair 43 is continued. 10 (a) and 11 (d), the upward curve is regulated by the rotation guide member 80 of the upper guide frame 48, so that the central portion of the photographic paper P is A loop that hangs downward is formed in the loop forming space S.
Further, the conveyance of the photographic paper P is started by the first driving roller 71 driven by the first motor M1. Immediately after the conveyance by the first driving roller 71 is started, the cam motor M75 is driven to control the posture of the rotating cam 75, so that the driven roller 72A of the second driving roller 72 is set in the pressure-release state and printing is performed. Accept the leading edge of the paper P.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11E, immediately after the leading edge of the photographic paper P is received, the driven roller 72A is switched to the pressure-bonding state, and printing is performed by the pressure-bonding force of the first driving roller 71 and the second driving roller 72. The conveyance of the paper P is continued. The control unit 36 grasps the leading edge position and the trailing edge position of the photographic paper P existing on the conveyance path, and the exposure head Gh immediately before the leading edge position of the photographic paper P enters the exposure point EP by this conveyance. Line exposure is started. Further, after the scanning exposure is started, the cam motor M76 is driven to control the posture of the rotating cam 76, whereby the driven roller 73A of the third driving roller 73 is set in a released state in advance to receive the leading edge of the photographic paper P.
Even if the line exposure is started, the feeding of the photographic paper P by the discharge roller pair 43 is continued, and when the length of the photographic paper P sent out by the supply conveyance roller 41 reaches a length corresponding to the image size being exposed, the control is performed. The unit 36 temporarily stops the feeding of the photographic paper P by the supply conveyance roller 41 and the discharge roller pair 43 while continuing the line exposure, and the cutter unit 42 cuts the photographic paper P by the driving force from the cutter motor M42. .

When the leading edge of the photographic paper P reaches the pressure-bonding position of the third drive roller 73, the driven roller 73A is switched to the pressure-bonded state, and the driven roller 72A of the first drive roller 71 is switched to the released state in conjunction with the pressure-bonding.
Immediately after the cutting of the photographic paper P by the cutter unit 42 described above, the discharge motor M43 is driven at a higher speed than the discharge speed before the cutting, so that the loop forming space S is formed as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. The rear end of the photographic paper P is pulled out from the discharge roller pair 43 while the loop of the photographic paper P is held. The rear end of the cut photographic paper P is left between the upper guide plate 45 and the lower guide plate 46.

Subsequently, as the line exposure by the second driving roller 72 and the third driving roller 73 proceeds, the loop of the photographic paper P in the loop forming space S gradually becomes smaller, and finally, FIG. 10B and FIG. 11 (f), the rear end of the cut photographic paper P starts to move downstream by the second drive roller 72 and the third drive roller 73.
When the trailing edge of the photographic paper P exits the chucker C, the chucker C is returned to the standby position Q1 for the next image processing.

  By the way, when the rear end of the photographic paper P starts to move downstream between the upper guide plate 45 and the lower guide plate 46, the vicinity of the downstream end of the photographic paper P is curled in either the vertical direction. Even if the curved portion has a curved portion, the curved portion has a low friction coating between the upper and lower guide members to which the frictional resistance reducing means is applied, that is, the rotating guide member 80a of the upper guide plate 45 and the lower guide plate 46. Since the frictional force supported by the layer 81 exits with a small frictional resistance, the image formed by the line exposure using the second drive roller 72 and the third drive roller 73 is not substantially affected. Further, the scanning exposure further proceeds, the trailing edge of the photographic paper P slips out between the upper guide plate 45 and the lower guide plate 46, and the photographic paper P passes between the upper guide frame 48 and the lower guide frame 49. Even when the rear end moves downstream, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotation guide member 80b (including the platen roller 80p) of the upper guide frame 48 and the lower guide frame 49 (or the auxiliary guide plate 51). The low friction coating layer 81 is supported by the low frictional coating layer 81 and exits with a small frictional resistance, so that the image formed by the line exposure is not substantially affected.

  In the loopless mode that is performed when the length in the transport direction of the photographic paper P to be supplied to the exposure unit G is less than the reference distance = L, the photographic paper P is cut to an appropriate size. Since exposure in the exposure unit G can be started later, basically, the operation for temporarily stopping the conveyance performed for cutting does not affect the formed image.

[Another embodiment]
<1> Generally, in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, photographic paper tends to have higher frictional resistance between the photosensitive surface containing gelatinous components and the guide member than the substrate surface, In the above-described embodiment, the exposure processing unit Ex is configured to convey the photographic paper P with the photosensitive surface facing upward. Therefore, the guide member having the downward guide surface has a frictional resistance reducing unit including a rotating guide. The frictional resistance reducing means comprising the low friction coating layer was applied to the guide member provided with the upward guide surface, but this was reversed as necessary to obtain the guide member provided with the upward guide surface. Friction resistance reducing means comprising a rotating guide may be applied, and friction resistance reducing means comprising a low friction coating layer may be applied to a guide member having a downward guide surface.
In addition, it is possible to apply a frictional resistance reducing means including a rotation guide to both the guide member for guiding the photosensitive surface side of the photographic paper P and the guide member for guiding the base material surface side of the photographic paper P. Conversely, it is also possible to apply a frictional resistance reducing means comprising a low friction coating layer to both the guide member that guides the photosensitive surface side of the photographic paper P and the guide member that guides the base surface side of the photographic paper P. It is.

<2> In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A, the frictional resistance reducing means is composed of a plurality of curved raised portions 48a juxtaposed along the conveying direction on the lower surface of the upper guide frame 48 as a guide member. The individual curved ridges 48a generally have a diamond shape in plan view, and the curved ridges 48a that are closest to each other are juxtaposed in an oblique direction with respect to the transport direction. The curved raised portion 48a is formed by pressing a metal plate material such as stainless steel, and the area per unit area of the upper guide frame 48 is significantly reduced by greatly reducing the contact area with the photographic paper P. It has the effect of reducing frictional resistance.

<3> In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the frictional resistance reducing means also includes a plurality of curved raised portions 48b juxtaposed along the conveying direction on the lower surface of the upper guide frame 48 as a guide member. Here, each curved raised portion 48b has a wave shape in which the cut surface when the central portion in the width direction of the photographic paper P in the upper guide frame 48 is cut along a vertical plane extending in the transport direction is smoothly continuous. It is defined by the expression of presenting. The wavelength of this wave is preferably around 1 cm or less. The curved raised portion 48b is also formed by pressing a metal plate material such as stainless steel, and greatly reduces the contact area with the photographic paper P, so that the per unit area of the upper guide frame 48 is reduced. This has the effect of reducing the frictional resistance.

<4> In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 (c), the frictional resistance reducing means includes a plurality of curved raised portions 48 c that are juxtaposed on the lower surface of the upper guide frame 48 as a guide member so as to intersect the conveying direction. Each curved raised portion 48c is defined by the expression that the cut surface when the upper guide frame 48 is cut along a vertical plane extending along the width direction of the photographic paper P has a smoothly continuous wave shape. The wavelength of this wave is preferably around 2 cm or less. The curved raised portion 48c is also formed by pressing a metal plate material such as stainless steel, and greatly reduces the contact area with the photographic paper P, so that the per unit area of the upper guide frame 48 is reduced. This has the effect of reducing the frictional resistance.

<5> In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 (d), the frictional resistance reducing means comprises a large number of hairy supports 49 d provided on the lower surface of the upper guide frame 48 as guide members. The hair-like support 49d is made of resin-like hairs planted innumerably on the lower surface of the fabric adhered to the lower surface of the upper guide frame 48, and each hair-like body has no hygroscopicity. It has moderate rigidity and flexibility, and is inclined in a curved shape toward the downstream side in the transport direction from the base end side fixed to the fabric toward the distal end side. The hair-like body can be made of, for example, fibrous nylon or polyester having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. Instead of the hair-like support 49d, a loop tape in which innumerable loop-like fibers extend in the same direction among a pair of tape-like members constituting a commercially available hook-and-loop fastener may be used.

<6> The frictional resistance reducing means shown in each embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D is another guide member, that is, an upper guide plate 45, a lower guide plate 46, and a lower guide frame 49. And the auxiliary guide plate 51 can be applied simultaneously.

<7> Even when the width of the upper guide frame 48 for supporting and guiding the photosensitive material provided in the loop forming portion from the photosensitive surface side is sufficiently narrower than that of the conventional structure, the function as the frictional resistance reducing means described above is achieved. Can fulfill.

Perspective view of photo printing device Longitudinal front view of photo printing device Front view of exposure processing section Plan view showing the photographic paper transport system of the exposure processing section Perspective view showing photographic paper transport system of exposure processing section Side view with part of the chucker cut out A perspective view of a guide member provided in a photographic paper transport system The side view which expanded a part of guide member of FIG. The side view which expanded another part of the guide member of FIG. Longitudinal front view of photographic paper transport system Flowchart of transfer routine in loop mode The perspective view which shows another embodiment of a frictional resistance reduction means. Longitudinal front view of a conventional photographic paper transport system

Explanation of symbols

P Photographic paper (photosensitive material)
M photographic paper magazine Ex exposure processing unit De development processing unit Dr drying processing unit A operating unit G exposure unit (scanning exposure unit)
Gh Exposure head C Chucker EP Exposure point S Loop formation space (loop formation part)
36 Control unit 41 Supply conveyance roller 42 Cutter unit 43 Discharge roller pair 44 Back print head 45 Upper guide plate (guide member)
46 Lower guide plate (guide member)
47 Guide rod 48 Upper guide frame (guide member)
49 Lower guide frame (guide member)
51 Auxiliary guide plate (guide member)
57 Upper arm 58 Lower arm 60 Chuck pin 61 Contact pin 68 Drive belt 80 Rotation guide member (friction resistance reducing means)
80p platen roller (friction resistance reduction means)
81 Low friction coating layer (Friction resistance reduction means)

Claims (7)

A scanning exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive material in a line in the main scanning direction intersecting the sub-scanning direction while conveying the photosensitive material in the sub-scanning direction, and the scanning exposure by pulling out the photosensitive material from a magazine in which long photosensitive materials are accumulated. A photosensitive material supply mechanism that feeds the photosensitive material, a cutter that cuts the photosensitive material drawn from the magazine into a length corresponding to an image size formed by the scanning exposure unit, and a space between the scanning exposure unit and the cutter. A loop forming portion capable of forming a loop of the relaxed photosensitive material, and a guide member for supporting and guiding the photosensitive material from at least one side of the photosensitive surface and the substrate surface. A photo printing device,
A photographic printing apparatus, wherein the guide member is provided with frictional resistance reducing means for reducing the frictional resistance against the photosensitive material.   2. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frictional resistance reducing means comprises a planar friction coefficient reducing member provided on a surface of a plate-like guide constituting the guide member.   The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the friction coefficient reducing member includes a low friction coating layer formed on a surface of a plate-like guide constituting the guide member.   3. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the friction coefficient reducing member includes a plurality of bristle supports provided on a surface of a plate-like guide constituting the guide member.   3. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the friction coefficient reducing member includes a plurality of curved ridges juxtaposed along a conveyance direction by the supply mechanism as the guide member.   2. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frictional resistance reducing means comprises a roller-shaped rotating guide supported as a guide member so as to be freely rotatable around an axis parallel to the width direction of the photosensitive material.   A back print head capable of printing image-related information on the back surface of the photosensitive material, and a platen disposed opposite to the back print head to support the photosensitive material from the photosensitive surface side are upstream of the loop forming portion. 2. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frictional resistance reducing unit includes a roller-like platen supported so as to be freely rotatable around an axis parallel to the width direction of the photosensitive material.

Images