JP2585043B2 - Thermal development image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat development image forming apparatus provided with an apparatus for cooling a superimposed heat development transfer material immediately after development transfer.

[Background of the Invention]

A diffusion transfer type thermal development method has been proposed in which a diffusible dye is released by heat development and the dye is transferred to an image receiving element to separate a silver image and a dye to obtain a color image. Further, a number of techniques have been disclosed for a sensitivity element, an image receiving element, a heat development method and an apparatus in the heat development.

As an apparatus utilizing such a thermal development method, for example, a dry-type color hard copy apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-201433 has been proposed. The outline of this device is that a photosensitive element applied to a photosensitive sheet is image-exposed to form a latent image, superimposed on an image receiving sheet, and sandwiched between a rotating drum and an endless belt pressed to the rotating drum. After heating and pressurizing to release the diffusible dye in the image portion from the photosensitive sheet and transferring the image to the image receiving sheet, the two sheets are peeled off to form a color image on the image receiving sheet.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the temperature of the superposed sheets sent from the rotating drum is high, and at that temperature, the reaction of development continues, so that there is a possibility that harmful effects such as deterioration and quality of the transferred image may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances,
An object of the present invention is to provide a heat development image forming apparatus which aims to improve the quality of a transferred image by promptly stopping the reaction of development of a superposed sheet immediately after being sent from a rotating drum.

[Means for solving the problem]

For this purpose, the photothermographic image forming apparatus of the present invention superimposes a photosensitive material on which a latent image has been formed by image exposure onto an image receiving material, winds it around a rotating drum, and heat-presses it to form a latent image of the photosensitive material. In a heat development image forming apparatus including a developing and transferring means for developing and transferring to the image receiving material in a cabinet, a light shielding structure air suction part is provided in the cabinet in the vicinity of a material delivery part of the rotating drum, and another suitable part is provided. The cabinet at the position is provided with an air outlet of a light-shielding structure, so that the intake air from the air intake section is blown onto a conveying line for the two materials sent from the rotary drum to forcibly cool the material. did.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, a heat development image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire heat development image forming apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral A denotes a photothermographic element supply section, which is a photosensitive sheet as a photothermographic element (Japanese Patent Application No. 62-16 / 1987).
(Used as photosensitive element (1) in Example 1 of No. 0385)
N ₃ is stored and supplied from the supply port 10. The external vicinity of the supply port 10, the photosensitive sheet pair of first conveying rollers 11 for conveying the N _3, conveyed came photosensitive sheet N ₃ predetermined directions photosensor PS1 and the photosensitive sheet N ₃ senses the A first guide 12 and the like for guiding the user are provided.

B in the exposed portion which is arranged on the upper side of the photothermographic element supply unit, the photosensitive sheet N ₃ of passing through the first guide 12 by FOT or the like which is internally provided to scan the modulated beam by the image signals Image exposure. The light source for the exposure may be a CRT, a laser, an LED, or a combination of a liquid crystal shutter and a light source. Also, the exposure method may be a method of recording on a light-sensitive material by illuminating the entire surface in addition to the beam scanning.

20 The second conveying roller, 21 is a second guide, which are guides for conveying the photosensitive sheet N ₃ after an image has been exposed to a predetermined position.

C is an image receiving element supply section, and an image receiving sheet (Japanese Patent Application No. 62-1808)
(Used as image receiving member (1) of Example 1 of No. 56)
Accommodating the P _3, it is to automatically supplied from the supply port 30. The external vicinity of the supply port 30, the image-receiving sheet on the third guide 32, the guide 32 for guiding the third conveying roller 31 of the pair of conveying the image-receiving sheet P _3, the image receiving sheet P ₃ in a predetermined direction A photo sensor PS 2 for detecting P ₃ and the like are provided.

D is the thermal development transfer section for transferring the image developed to the photosensitive sheet N ₃ on which an image has been exposed to the image receiving sheet P _3,
Reference numeral 400 denotes a rotating drum device rotatably disposed at the center thereof, and reference numeral 40 denotes an endless belt which presses and wraps substantially half of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum device 400 and rotates at the same speed as the rotating drum device 400 rotates. .

The rotating drum 400A, which is the base of the rotating drum device 400,
A heat-resistant and smooth surface is used, and it is formed of a cylindrical aluminum having an outer surface coated with Teflon, another metal such as iron or stainless steel, or a heat-resistant plastic. In the case of aluminum, the thickness is set to 5 mm or more to have a heat capacity. Both sides of the rotary drum 400A are formed in a heat insulating structure by sticking silicone rubber. As a heat insulating material, asbestos, bake or other materials are effective if they have a large heat capacity. As shown in FIG. 2, a heater (800 W) 400B is mounted inside the heater so that the heater can be heated from room temperature to about 200 ° C. There are various types of the heater 400B,
For example, a sheet heater (a heating element pattern formed in silicon rubber) may be used. The heating of the heater 400B is preferably performed so that the temperature distribution of the part of the rotary drum 400A actually used is constant. Further, a temperature sensor 400C is attached to the inside, so that servo control of the internal temperature is possible.

400D is two wires to supply power to heater 400B, 400E
Are two wires for transmitting the signal of the temperature sensor 400C.
These wirings 400D and 400E are respectively connected to two rotating electrodes 400G and two rotating electrodes 400H attached to a shaft 400F that rotatably supports the rotating drum 400A, and each of the two rotating electrodes 400G and 400H rubs against the rotating electrodes 400G and 400H. They are connected to two external wirings 400K and 400L via brushes 400I and 400J, respectively.

The endless belt 401 is formed of nomex fiber and Kevlar fiber (manufactured by DuPont) having heat resistance and tensile strength, and silicon rubber or the like is adhered to the surface to increase the friction coefficient. Alternatively, it is formed of a material having a predetermined coefficient of friction such as carbon-containing silicon rubber or fluorine rubber having heat-resistant fiber as a core material. A heating device 402 for heating the belt 401 is provided at an appropriate position on the line on which the belt 401 rotates, and the belt 401 is heated so that the temperature rapidly decreases and the developing conditions are not varied. It is supposed to be.

Reference numeral 403 denotes a roller group that rotatably holds the endless belt 401, and includes an inlet roller 403A provided at a position of an inlet 400a of the rotary drum 400A, an outlet roller 403B provided at a position of a delivery unit 400b of the rotary drum 400A, and a drum 400A. And a holding roller 403C and a tension adjusting roller 403D provided at a position distant from the camera.

A drive motor 404 is attached to the exit roller 403B,
The outlet roller 403B serves as a drive source to rotate or rotate the belt 401, the group of rollers 403, and the rotating drum 400A.

The outlet roller 403B and the entire drive motor 404 are pressed against the rotating drum 400A by the pressing mechanism 405, and the outlet roller 403B is pressed against the rotating drum 400A via the belt 401. The pressing force can be adjusted.

The tension adjusting roller 403D adjusts the tension of the belt 401 by changing its position to a certain range. In order to prevent the belt 401 from meandering due to thermal expansion or the like of the belt 401, it is effective to use a type roller as the tension adjusting roller 403D and the holding roller 404C.

Each of these roller groups 403 requires a large friction coefficient, and has a surface formed of silicon rubber, neoprene rubber, or the like.

Reference numeral 406 denotes a laminating roller mounted on the outer periphery of the rotating drum 400A, which can be repositioned within a range between the vicinity of the drawing part 400a of the rotating drum 400A and the vicinity of an intermediate point between the drawing part 400a and the sending part 400b. The setting is set to an optimal position according to the humidity and temperature in the air. This can be done automatically by sensing the humidity. The belt 401 is sandwiched at the set position and pressed against the rotating drum 400A.

The laminating roller 406 is also formed of silicon rubber, neoprene rubber, or the like in order to increase the coefficient of friction with the belt 401 and to provide appropriate elasticity.

Reference numeral 407 denotes a cleaning roller disposed above the entrance roller 403A. The cleaning roller 407 has an adhesive material, fluff or a brush attached to the surface thereof, rotates in contact with the belt 401, and remains on the belt 401 with fine sheet pieces or dust remaining. Etc. are to be cleaned.

409 is the third guide 32 and the entrance 400a of the rotary drum 400A
In a fourth guide disposed between, which is intended for feeding the image receiving sheet P ₃ to the inlet portion 400a of the rotating drum 400A.

Similarly, reference numeral 410 denotes a fifth transport roller disposed on the outlet side of the second guide 21, and reference numeral 411 denotes the transport roller 410 and the rotating drum 40.
In the fifth guide disposed between 0A of the inlet portion 400a, they are devices for feeding the photosensitive sheet N ₃ to the inlet portion 400a of the rotating drum 400A.

Therefore, the tip ends of the fourth guide 409 and the fifth guide 411 meet each other at a predetermined angle with respect to the entrance 400a.

A heating device (not shown) for preheating the image receiving sheet P ₃ and the photosensitive sheet N ₃ being conveyed is provided at an appropriate portion of the fourth guide 409 and the fifth guide 411. There is also.

On the other hand, the scraper 41 is attached to the delivery section 400b of the rotating drum 400A.
Two are arranged. The scraper 412 is formed of Teflon, and its sharp part is oriented to the delivery part 400b so that the rotating drum 40
Sheet that comes in contact with 0A and is superimposed and conveyed
P ₃ and N ₃ are separated from the rotating drum 400A.

413 is a curl straightening guide arranged on the side of the sending section 400b of the rotating drum 400A.
It is close to the delivery section 400b of 400A, and is formed in a spiral shape as a whole. The bending direction is the endless belt
The bending of the contact portion between 401 and rotating drum 400A is reversed. The direction of the inlet 413a is set so as to be along the surface of the rotary drum 400A in the sending section 400b of the rotary drum 400A.

Therefore, the superimposed sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are smoothly transferred from the drum 400A to the curl correction guide 413, and pass through the curl correction guide 413 to form the overlapped sheets P ₃ and N ₃ formed in the rotary drum 400A. The winding habit is corrected. A sixth conveyance roller 414 is provided in the middle of the curl correction guide 413. The roller 414 has a one-way clutch so that it can follow the sheets P ₃ and N ₃ even if the sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are pulled at a high speed in the feed direction.

Reference numeral 415 denotes a dark box-shaped light-shielding roller unit disposed at the exit of the curl straightening guide 413. The left and right wall surfaces in the drawing have slits through which the overlapped sheets P ₃ and N ₃ pass, and the inside has the inside. A slit plate 415a that separates left and right is attached. The slit plate 415a also has a sheet P _{3 at} its center,
A slit through which N ₃ passes is formed. Further, a pair of sliding rollers 415b, 415c and the like are provided in both rooms of the slit plate 415a in the light shielding roller unit 415, respectively.

Since the arrangement direction lines a and b of the mounting of each pair of the sliding rollers 415b and 415c are not parallel to each other and are set at a certain angle, it is possible to prevent light from directly passing through. The surfaces of the sliding rollers 415b and 415c are provided with a velvety material such as velvet. Also, a light-blocking roller unit
A sixth guide 416 is provided on the exit side of 415.

Reference numeral 417 denotes an air suction unit provided below the casing of the thermal development transfer unit D, and a light shielding plate 41b is provided so as to cover the air inlet 417a. As a result, only air is sucked in from the outside, and external light is prevented from entering the casing. Further, an air outlet 418 provided with a fan is provided in an upper portion of the casing. The air outlet 418 is also an air inlet.
Like the 417, the structure is such that external light does not enter the casing.

At least the portion from the photosensitive element supply section A to the exposure section B and the heat development transfer section D must be completely shielded from external light. Therefore, in order to effectively block external light, it is desirable to integrate them with each other.

E is a sheet peeling portion disposed on the exit side of the sixth guide 416, 50 is a pair of meandering correction rollers disposed on the exit portion of the guide 416, and 51 is a sheet discharge side of the correction roller 50. With a pair of swing rollers provided, a photosensor PS3 is provided on the sheet drawing side of the correction roller 50, and a photosensor PS4 is provided on the sheet discharge side of the correction roller 50 (third). See figure). The straightening roller 50 overlaps the sheet P ₃ ,
Tip of N ₃ is adapted to the photosensor PS 3 reaches the position, starts driving from the sensing this after a lapse of a predetermined time (e.g., 8.5 seconds).

The upper swing roller 51a is configured to receive a predetermined signal and incline toward the feed side by an angle α around the rotation axis of the lower swing roller 51b as shown in FIG. 3 as a whole. . This swing drive is performed by a pulse motor.

53 is a separator which is disposed on the sheet discharge side of the swing roller 51, the tip is formed in a wedge shape, opposed to the sheet P _3, N ₃ overlapping sharp portion 53a of the distal end is delivered from the oscillating roller 51 It is arranged to be. Numerals 54 and 55 denote seventh and eighth conveying rollers provided on the obliquely upper and lower portions behind the separator 53, respectively. These are the image receiving sheet P ₃ and the photosensitive sheet N ₃ after separation.
Are sent out of the sheet peeling section E. 514, 5
Reference numeral 15 denotes the sheet separated by the separator 53 and the respective conveying rollers.
It is a guide plate for guiding to 54 and 55. In the apparatus of this embodiment, the peel angle of the two sheets can be adjusted by changing the mounting angle or shape of the guide plate.

The separator 53, the transport rollers 54, 55, and the like are incorporated in an integral frame body 56, and the whole is configured to be able to move in a predetermined range in the arrow X direction. Therefore, when a sheet jam occurs in the side of the separator 53, the jammed sheet can be easily removed by moving the frame 56 in the direction of the arrow X to open the space between the leading end of the separator 53 and the swing roller 51. it can. For this purpose, a maintenance hole or the like is formed in a cabinet near the part.

In addition, a maintenance hole is similarly formed in an appropriate portion of the cabinet to remove sheet jams on other lines of the image receiving sheet P ₃ and the photosensitive sheet N ₃ .

If a ladder-type chain is used for each of the above-mentioned drive mechanisms, the winding diameter of the chain can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the peeling section E.

The thermal development image forming apparatus of this embodiment is configured as described above.

Now, pressing the copy start start button (not shown), the photosensitive sheet N ₃ from the supply port of the photothermographic feeder A is fed, continuing along the first guide 12, a first guide 21 Conveyed.

On the other hand, from the supply port 30 of the receiving element supply device C fed image receiving sheet P ₃ by the third roller 31, its tip
Cross PS 2 and wait for a certain time. Third roller
Reference numeral 31 is provided with a clutch and a brake mechanism, and is configured so that driving and stopping can be controlled by a signal from a control unit (not shown).

During this time, the photosensitive sheet N ₃ of passing through the first guide 12 is imagewise exposed by FOT like of the exposed portion B, a latent image is formed. The latent image is a so-called mirror image opposite to the normal image. Thereafter, the photosensitive sheet N ₃ on which the image is exposed to the second conveying rollers 12
When the micro switch MS1 detects this, the signal is transmitted to the control unit, and the clutch and the brake of the third roller 31 in the stopped state are driven and the image receiving sheet P is driven. Start the transfer of ₃ .

Rotary drum 400A is thereby receiving sheet P ₃ to the position of the fourth being guided by the guide 408 rotates the drum 400A pulling-portion 400a, is likewise sensitive sheet N ₃ is guided to a fifth guide 411
The sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are superimposed on each other at the position of the drawing part 400a.

It is important is that the first at the tip of the image receiving sheet P ₃ superposition is superimposed while slightly (e.g. 3 to 10 mm) protruded from the tip of the photosensitive sheet N _3.
To get such timing, micro switch
The position of the MS 1, the feed speed of the transport roller 408 and the transport roller 410, and the distance between the guides 409 and 411 are set in advance.

Then, the two sheets P ₃ and N _{3 that} have advanced to the draw-in section 400a of the rotary drum 400A are drawn from the draw-in section 400a between the rotary drum 400A and the endless belt 401, and are fed while being sandwiched between them.

At this time, the surface temperature is adjusted to about 130 to 155 ° C. by heating by the heater 400B inside the rotating drum 400A. Therefore, the two sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are in close contact with each other and
Heated from 0A and endless belt 401. As a result, the latent image on the photosensitive sheet N ₃ is developed, the image is transferred to the image receiving sheet P _3. The image transferred to the image receiving sheet P3 is inverted and becomes a normal image.

In this case, the pressing force that both sheets P ₃ and N ₃ receive from the endless belt 401 is gradually increased until the position of the laminating roller 406. The position of the laminating roller 406 is at an appropriate position according to the humidity in the air.

The transfer is performed on both sheets P ₃ and N ₃ by the sending section 400b of the rotating drum 400A.
Is completed before the output reaches
Both sheets P ₃ and N ₃ sent out from 400b are in close contact with each other and adhere to the rotating drum 400A. Then, the sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are integrally separated from the rotating drum 400A by the scraper 412 at this portion.

Immediately after the peeling is performed, the two sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are conveyed to the curl straightening guide 413, and are bent in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the rotary drum 400A while traveling the curl straightening guide 413. The winding habit given at 400A has been corrected
Is transported to the light blocking roller unit 415 by the transport roller 414.

During the above operation, outside air is sucked into the thermal development transfer section D from the air suction section 417, cools the delivery section 400b and the curl straightening guide 413 of the rotary drum 400A, and is delivered from the delivery section 400b. _3. N ₃ is forcibly cooled (about 120 ° C. or less), and development is stopped. Further, the internal air whose temperature has risen is discharged from the air discharge port 418 by the fan.

In the light-blocking roller unit 415, both sheets P ₃ and N ₃ enter from the slit on the right wall surface in the figure and
The conveyance is further taken over by 415c and 415b, and is sent out to the sixth guide 416 from the slit on the left wall surface.

Then, the leading ends of both sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are sent out from the guide 416 and hit the correction roller 50 to stop. However,
Since the sliding rollers 415b and 415c continue to rotate, the two sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are continuously pressed against the straightening roller 50 while the two sheets P ₃ and
To empty the slip to the N _3. At this time, if the directions of the two sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are shifted, the shift is corrected (FIG. 3B).
reference).

Further, the sheets P _3, N ₃ the tip of the correction roller 50 both sheets P just before impinging on _3, N ₃ is sensed in the photo sensor PS 3, the correction roller 50 than after a fixed time T1 (e.g. 8.5 seconds) Driving starts (see FIG. 4). As a result, the conveyance of the sheets P ₃ and N ₃ whose meandering has been corrected is resumed, and the swing roller 51 rotating together with the correction roller 50 by the AC motor is used.
And the leading end is fed out from the roller 51. The leading ends of both the fed sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are the image receiving sheet P _{3 on the} upper surface.
Since the side projects, the distal end portion of the image receiving sheet P ₃ is in a state resting on the upper side of the separator 53. Also, both sheets P ₃ ,
N ₃ is sensed by the photo sensor PS 4 on the way to the swing roller 51. After a lapse of a predetermined time T2 from the detection, the pulse motor tilts the swing roller 51 downward by an angle α shown in FIG. 3 (a). The angle regulation is micro switch MS
This is done in a few steps. As a result, both sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are pushed downward and bent, but the leading end of the image receiving sheet P ₃ is
Because it is held in the 53, the photosensitive sheet N ₃ is peeled from the image receiving sheet P _3.

After that, the sharp portion 53a of the separator 53 separates the sheets P ₃ and N ₃ as the sheets P ₃ and N ₃ progress. The separated photosensitive sheet N ₃ is sent out to the outside by a seventh transport roller 54, and the image receiving sheet P ₃ is discarded by an eighth transport roller 55 in a dust box. FIG. 4 shows a time chart of the above peeling.

After the main switch is stopped, the operation of each roller and drum is continued for 30 minutes to prevent burning.

In this embodiment, the swing roller 51 is tilted so that both sheets P ₃ and N ₃
However, the swing roller 51 may be fixed and the separator 53 may be moved upward or rotated. Alternatively, both may be used in combination.

When both sheets P ₃ and N ₃ are overlapped, the leading end of the sheet P ₃ is projected from the leading end of the sheet N ₃ .On the contrary, the leading end of the sheet N ₃ is projected from the leading end of the sheet P _3. It is also possible to carry out.

Further, as the photosensitive element used in the present invention,
For example, it can be obtained by coating and drying a material containing a dye-donating polymer and silver halide on a support using a hydrophilic binder as a binder.

Further, as the image receiving element, an image receiving layer containing a polymer for fixing the thermal transferable dye diffused and moved from the photothermographic element is coated on a support such as paper or another synthetic polymer sheet. be able to.

Further, the present invention relates to JP-A-62-253140 and JP-A-62-2491.
The invention can also be applied to a photosensitive and pressure-sensitive thermal developing material as disclosed in JP-A-64-64, or a thermal developing device therefor.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the light-absorbing portion having the light-shielding structure is provided in the cabinet near the sheet feeding portion of the rotary drum, and the air outlet having the light-shielding structure is provided in the cabinet at another appropriate position. While maintaining the light-shielding property of the above, outside air is sucked in from the air suction portion, and the superposed sheets sent out from the rotating drum can be forcibly cooled by the air, and the development reaction of the sheets can be stopped immediately. It is possible to improve the quality of the transferred image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermal development image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a rotary drum, and FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the meandering correction / separation unit, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the meandering correction / separation unit. A: photothermographic element supply section, B: exposure section, C: image receiving element supply section, D: thermal development transfer section, E: sheet peeling section, 10: supply port, 11: first , A first guide, 20... A second guide roller, 21... A first guide, P3... An image receiving sheet, 30... A supply port, 31. 32 Third guide, 400 Rotary drum device, 400a Inlet, 400b Discharge unit, 400A Rotary drum, 400B Heater, 400C Temperature sensor, 400D, 4
00E: Wiring, 400F: Shaft, 400G, 400H: Rotating electrode, 40
0I, 400J …… Brush, 400K, 400L …… External wiring, 401 ……
Endless belt, 402: Heating device, 403: Roller group, 403A: Inlet roller, 403B: Outlet roller, 403C ...
… Holding roller, 403D …… Tension adjustment roller, 404…
, A drive motor, 406, a laminating roller, 407, a cleaning roller, 409, a fourth guide, 410, a fifth transport roller, 411, a fifth guide, 412, a scooper,
413: curl straightening guide, 414: sixth transport roller,
415: Shielding roller unit, 415a: Slit plate, 415
b, 415c: sliding roller, 416: sixth guide, 417 ...
… Air inlet, 417a… Inlet, 417b… Light shield, 418
... air discharge port, E ... sheet peeling section, 50 ... straightening roller, 51 ... swinging roller, 53 ... separator, 53a ... sharp section, 54 ... seventh transport roller, 55 ... 8 transport rollers, 56 ...... frame, PS 1, PS 2, PS 3, PS 4 ...... photosensor, MS 1, MS 2, MS 3 ...... microswitch, N ₃ ...... photosensitive sheet, P ₃ ... ... Image receiving sheet.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A photosensitive material having a latent image formed by image exposure,
A heat developing image forming apparatus including a developing transfer unit in a cabinet, which is superimposed on an image receiving material, wound around a rotating drum, heated and pressed to develop a latent image of the photosensitive material, and transfers the latent image to the image receiving material; The cabinet near the material delivery section of the rotating drum is provided with an air suction section of a light-shielding structure and an air outlet of a light-shielding structure is provided in the cabinet at another appropriate position, and the intake air from the air suction section is provided. A thermal development image forming apparatus characterized in that the material is forcibly cooled by spraying the material onto a conveying line of the two materials delivered from the rotary drum.