JP2592331B2 - Heat development device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heating and developing apparatus that heats and develops a photosensitive material by bringing the photosensitive material into contact with a peripheral surface of a heating drum that is driven to rotate.

[Conventional technology]

Various types of photosensitive materials are known in which a latent image formed on the photosensitive material is colored by heat development.

As a heating and developing apparatus, for example, there is a method in which a photosensitive material is wound around a peripheral surface of a heating drum that is driven to rotate, and the photosensitive material is brought into contact with the heating drum for a predetermined time while being transported, thereby performing heating and developing.

In order to convey the photosensitive material along the peripheral surface of the heating drum, for example, a plurality of nip rollers that contact the peripheral surface of the heating drum are provided, and the heating drum and the nip roller are driven to rotate. A guide member is provided between the nip rollers around the heating drum so that the photosensitive material is in contact with the peripheral surface of the heating drum between the nip rollers, and the guide member guides the photosensitive material along the peripheral surface of the heating drum.

The guide member provided around the heating drum is provided with a gap in which the photosensitive material can move between the heating drum and the guide member, and is configured such that the photosensitive material is favorably conveyed along the drum peripheral surface. is there.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, since there is a predetermined gap between the heating drum and the guide member, the photosensitive material may be separated from the peripheral surface of the heating drum when the photosensitive material is being guided by the guide member.
Then, the photosensitive material is not sufficiently heated, and good heat development is not performed.

On the other hand, when the support of the photosensitive material is made of a hygroscopic material such as paper, it absorbs a predetermined amount of moisture in the air, and absorbs a large amount of moisture in a high-humidity atmosphere.

When the photosensitive material containing such moisture is subjected to heat treatment by a heating and developing device, the moisture in the photosensitive material evaporates,
In the photosensitive material containing a large amount of water, the water that has not evaporated remains. Further, the photosensitive material is not uniformly heated due to the remaining moisture, so that the density of an image obtained by development is not constant, and wrinkles occur in the photosensitive material.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and it is possible to satisfactorily heat a photosensitive material by a heating drum,
An object of the present invention is to provide a heating and developing apparatus capable of obtaining a good image.

[Means and actions for solving the problem]

An object of the present invention is to provide a heating and developing apparatus for heating and developing a photosensitive material by bringing a photothermographic material into contact with a peripheral surface of a rotatingly driven heating drum. An elastic material having a curved surface along the peripheral surface of the heating drum, a support member for supporting the elastic material, and a curved surface side of the elastic material that is covered and overlaps the elastic material. This is achieved by a heating and developing device including a photosensitive material guiding means including a fluorine-based resin sheet having a photosensitive material carrying-side end fixed to a support member, and an elastic material for urging the sheet against a heating drum.

That is, the photosensitive material is sandwiched between the heating drum and the fluororesin sheet, and the elastic material having a curved surface along the peripheral surface of the heating drum urges the fluororesin sheet to the heating drum. While being guided by
Ensure close contact with the heating drum. In addition, since the fluororesin sheet has low frictional resistance, even if the photosensitive material is in close contact with the sheet, it can be slidably contacted without hindering conveyance. In addition, since the photosensitive material carrying-side end of the fluororesin sheet is fixed to the elastic material supporting member and the carrying-out side end is movable, the sheet does not slack when guiding the photosensitive material, and the sheet is made of a uniform photosensitive material. The photosensitive material can be reliably brought into close contact with the heating drum.

Therefore, the photosensitive material is reliably heated and developed by the heating drum, and a good image can be obtained on the photosensitive material.

Further, the object of the present invention is to provide a heating and developing apparatus for heating and developing a photosensitive material by bringing a photothermographic material into contact with a peripheral surface of a heating drum that is driven to rotate. And a photosensitive material guiding means curved along the peripheral surface of the heating drum. Achieved.

That is, the photosensitive material is conveyed to the peripheral surface of the heating drum by the hygroscopic heating roller provided with the heating means, so that the photosensitive material is heated by the hygroscopic heating roller before being heated by the heating drum. Part of the moisture contained in the photosensitive material evaporates and is absorbed by the hygroscopic heating roller, and the remaining moisture evaporates when heated by the heating drum, so that the photosensitive material is uniform without being affected by the moisture. Heated.

Therefore, the photosensitive material is reliably heated and developed by the heating drum without wrinkling, and a good image can be obtained on the photosensitive material.

The photothermographic material of the present invention may be any recording method such as exposure and fixing as long as it requires a heat treatment.

As the photothermographic material, for example, JP-A-59-190886
There is a diazo photosensitive material having a genus containing a microcapsule containing a diazonium salt on a support, a coupler, and a base described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-209,036. These form a latent image corresponding to the document by exposure, and are developed by heating.

(Embodiment)

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying apparatus using a diazo photosensitive material. This copying apparatus has a configuration in which an image on a photosensitive material is colored by dry development.

The copying apparatus carries in and discharges the document C,
A document transport unit 32 for repeatedly circulating the same document C in the apparatus, an exposure unit 34 for exposing an image on a photosensitive material A superposed on the document C, and a developing unit 36 for heating and developing the document C after exposure; It has.

The document transport unit 32 includes a plurality of transport belts 40 wound around the hollow guide drum 38 in parallel, and further includes a belt.
With another belt 42 stretched opposite to 40, both belts 4
The document C is nipped and conveyed by rotating and driving 0 and 42.

A cassette 2 containing a photosensitive material A is loaded below the document conveying section 32. The photosensitive material A in the cassette 2 is
The paper feed roller 30 is synchronized with the original C to be conveyed.
Are supplied one by one to the superimposing section 44 and superimposed on the original C.

The photosensitive material A superimposed on the document C is transported to the exposure section 34 by the transport roller 30.

The exposure unit 34 includes an exposure lamp 48 including a fluorescent lamp 46.
And an exposure lamp 48 and a belt 52 supported by four belt supporting rollers 50 and wound around substantially three quarters of the peripheral surface of the exposure lamp 48. Then, the exposure lamp 48 and the belt 52 are driven to rotate, and while the document C and the photosensitive material A superposed between the exposure lamp 48 and the belt 52 are held and conveyed, the light from the exposure lamp 48 A document image is projected on the photosensitive material A to form a latent image.

The original C and the photosensitive material A after the exposure are separated and sucked in opposite directions by a suction unit (not shown) in the separation unit 54. The photosensitive material A is placed on the original C
Is transported to the developing unit 36.

The developing unit 36 includes a hollow cylindrical heating drum 58 having a halogen lamp 56 therein, and three transport rollers 60 abutting on the peripheral surface of the heating drum 58. Guide means 62 for guiding the photosensitive material A in contact with the peripheral surface of the heating drum 58 is provided between the transport rollers 60. The photosensitive material A is heated and developed while being nipped and transported by the heating drum 58 and the transport roller 60, and the latent image on the photosensitive material A is visualized.

In the developing section 36, the photosensitive material A can be transported by an endless belt wound around the peripheral surface of the heating drum 58 instead of the transport roller 60.

The photosensitive material A after the development is discharged from the discharge port 64 and slides on the discharge tray 66.

On the other hand, the original C separated from the photosensitive material A is
, Or circulates along the guide drum 38, and is used again for copying in the same process as described above.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the heating and developing unit 36 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Three transport rollers 60a to 60c are in contact with the peripheral surface of the heating drum 58, and the first transport rollers 60a to 60c
The transport roller 60a is a hygroscopic roller such as a sponge, and has a heater 90 inside. Also, the second transport roller 60b
The third transport roller 60c is made of hard rubber.

 Provided between the first transport roller 60a and the second transport roller 60b
Guide means 62 are curved along the peripheral surface of the heating drum 58
Elastic material support member 92 and curvature along the peripheral surface of heating drum 58
An elastic member 94 having a surface and a sheet 96 are provided. Support member
92, elastic material 94, and sheet 96 are slightly smaller than the width of photosensitive material A.
Formed with a large width. The inner surface of the support member 92
An elastic material 94 such as a belt or soft rubber is fixed. More bullets
Polytetrafluoroethylene covering the inner surface of conductive material 94 (eg
For example, Teflon ) And other fluororesin sheets 96
The loading-side end of the sheet 96 is fixed to the support member 92.
You. The sheet 96 is only fixed at the loading side end,
It is not fixed to the elastic member 94 but is movable with respect to the elastic member 94.
Yes, and the other discharge end is also movable.

The carry-in end of the elastic member 94 is located slightly in the carry-out direction from the sheet fixing end of the support member 92, and the carry-in end of the sheet 96 is inclined. Therefore, the photosensitive material A transported by the transport roller 60a easily enters between the heating drum 58 and the sheet 96 along the inclined surface of the sheet 96.

Further, the same guide means 62 is provided between the second transport roller 60b and the third transport roller 60c.

First, the photosensitive material A supplied to the heating and developing unit 36 is
The sheet is nipped and transported by the transport roller 60a and the heating drum 58. The temperature of the heating drum 58 is set in advance by the halogen lamp 56.
It is maintained at 150 ° C., and the temperature of the first transport roller 60a is
The temperature is maintained at 150 ° C. by the heater 90. The photosensitive material A sandwiched between the first transport roller 60a and the heating drum 58 is heated by the first transport roller 60a, and a part of the water contained in the support evaporates.

The evaporated moisture is absorbed by the first transport roller 60a, which is hygroscopic. The first transport roller 60a dries after the transport of the photosensitive material A and before the subsequent photosensitive material A is supplied.

The photosensitive material A is then transferred to the heating drum 58 by the guiding means 62.
Heat development is performed while being guided along the peripheral surface.

When the photosensitive material A enters the space between the heating drum 58 and the sheet 96, even if the leading end of the photosensitive material A rises from the heating drum 58, the leading end of the photosensitive material A follows the inclined surface of the sheet 96. It is guided to the heating drum 58. When the photosensitive material A is guided by the guiding means 62, the photosensitive material A is brought into close contact with the heating drum 58 by the sheet 96.

The supporting member 92 is fixed in position with respect to the heating drum 58, and the elastic member 94 provided on the supporting member 92 urges the sheet 96 toward the heating drum 58, so that the supporting member 92 is sandwiched between the heating drum 58 and the sheet 96. The photosensitive material A is guided in close contact with the heating drum 58 and is heated and developed. The urging force of the sheet 96 by the elastic member 94 can be adjusted by the material and thickness of the elastic member 94 and the mounting position of the support member 92 to the heating drum 58.

Since the sheet 96 is made of a fluororesin, the heating drum 58
When the photosensitive material A moves together with the heating drum 58 due to the rotation of the transport rollers 60a to 60c, the photosensitive material A
And sliding smoothly. Further, since the discharge-side end of the sheet 96 is not fixed to the support member 92, the sheet 96 is always subjected to a force in the discharge direction when the photosensitive material A is guided. Therefore, the sheet 96 does not loosen, and the elastic material 94
The sheet 96 can bring the photosensitive material A into uniform contact with the heating drum 58 by the elastic force of the sheet 96.

The elastic member 94 only needs to have a curved surface along the heating drum 58, and the shape of the elastic member 94 is not limited to the illustrated one. Similarly, the shape of the elastic member supporting member 92 is not limited to the illustrated one.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a heating and developing unit 36 according to a reference example of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same parts.

The present embodiment differs from the above embodiment in the configuration in which the elastic member 94 is omitted and the configuration in which the sheet 96 is fixed to the support member 92, and the other configurations are the same. Hereinafter, only different portions will be described.

The support member 92 has a curved shape, and is made of a fluororesin sheet.
The length of the transfer member 96 in the transfer direction is shorter than the curved length of the support member 92, and both ends in the transfer direction are fixed to the support member 92. Then, when the position of the support member 92 is fixed with respect to the heating drum 58, the sheet 96 comes into contact with the heating drum 58 and becomes taut. Therefore, the sheet 96 is in close contact with the heating drum 58 due to its own tension. The tension of the sheet 96 is adjusted by the fixing position of the support member 92 to the heating drum 58.

While the photosensitive material A is nipped and guided by the heating drum 58 and the sheet 96, the photosensitive drum A is heated by the tension of the sheet 96.
The film is heated and developed uniformly and closely to 58.

Note that the configuration for stretching the sheet 96 is not limited to the above, and any configuration may be used as long as the edges of the sheet 96 can be fixed and fixed at appropriate positions. Therefore, the shape of the support member 92 is not limited to the illustrated one.

In the above embodiment and reference example, the second transport roller 60
By omitting b, the first transport roller 60a to the third transport roller 60a
guiding means 6 for guiding photosensitive material A to c
Two may be provided.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, the photosensitive material is sandwiched between the heating drum and the fluorine-based resin sheet, and the elastic material having a curved surface along the peripheral surface of the heating drum urges the fluorine-based resin sheet against the heating drum. The material is in intimate contact with the heating drum while being guided by the guiding means. In addition, since the fluororesin sheet has low frictional resistance, even if the photosensitive material is in close contact with the sheet, it can be slidably contacted without hindering conveyance. In addition, since the photosensitive material carry-in end of the fluororesin sheet is fixed to the elastic material support member and the carry-out end is movable, the sheet does not slack when guiding the photosensitive material, and the sheet is made of a uniform photosensitive material. The photosensitive material can be reliably brought into close contact with the heating drum.

Therefore, the photosensitive material is reliably heated and developed by the heating drum, and a good image can be obtained on the photosensitive material.

Further, the photosensitive material is conveyed to the peripheral surface of the heating drum by the hygroscopic heating roller provided with the heat generating means, so that the photosensitive material is heated by the hygroscopic heating roller before being heated by the heating drum. Part of the moisture contained in the photosensitive material evaporates and is absorbed by the hygroscopic heating roller, and the remaining moisture evaporates when heated by the heating drum, so that the photosensitive material is uniform without being affected by the moisture. Heated.

Therefore, the photosensitive material is reliably heated and developed by the heating drum without wrinkling, and a good image can be obtained on the photosensitive material.

[Brief description of the drawings]

 1 is a schematic sectional view of a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a reference example of the present invention. Reference numerals in the drawing: 2 ... Paper cassette 30 ... Paper feed roller 32 ... Document transport section 34 ... Exposure section 36 ... Development section 38 ... Guide drum 39 ... Holes 40 and 42 ... Transport Belt 44: Overlapping section, 46: Fluorescent lamp 48: Exposure lamp 50: Belt support roller 52: Conveying belt, 54: Peeling section 56: Halogen lamp 58: Heating drum, 60: Conveying rollers 62 Guide means 64 Output port 66 Output tray 68 Fan 90 Heater 92 Support member 94 Elastic material 96 Sheet A photosensitive material C ... manuscript

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heating and developing apparatus for heating and developing a photosensitive material by bringing a photothermographic material into contact with a peripheral surface of a rotatingly driven heating drum. An elastic material having a curved surface along the peripheral surface of the heating drum, a support member for supporting the elastic material, and a photosensitive material that covers the curved surface side of the elastic material and overlaps the elastic material to carry in the photosensitive material. A heat developing apparatus comprising a photosensitive material guiding means comprising a fluororesin sheet having a side end fixed to a supporting member, and an elastic material for urging the sheet toward a heating drum. 2. A heating and developing apparatus for heating and developing a photosensitive material by bringing a photothermographic material into contact with a peripheral surface of a rotating heating drum, wherein the photosensitive material is sandwiched and conveyed between the photosensitive drum and the peripheral surface of the heating drum. And a photosensitive material guiding means curved along the peripheral surface of the heating drum, and the conveying means in the photosensitive material loading section is a hygroscopic roller provided with a heat generating means.