JP2831207B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for transferring an image recorded on one image recording material to the other image recording material in the presence of an image forming solvent using two types of image recording materials. It relates to an image recording device to be obtained.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image recording apparatus for obtaining a color image,
Using a photothermographic material and an image receiving material, an image is exposed on the photothermographic material and then sent to a heat developing section, and the image receiving material is brought into close contact with the exposed photosensitive material to obtain an image on the image receiving material by a heat development transfer process. An image recording apparatus configured as described above is known.

Before the photothermographic material or the image receiving material processed in such an image recording apparatus is sent to the thermal development transfer section, a transfer aid such as water is used in advance to improve the thermal development transfer efficiency. Solvent) is applied.

For this reason, in a conventional image recording apparatus, an application tank filled with water as a solvent for image formation and a guide plate fixed on the upper portion of the application tank are provided. And a guide conveying path for the material. Further, a water supply channel to which a water supply pipe is connected is formed on the guide plate, whereby water is filled into the application tank from the water supply channel and the photothermographic material or the photothermographic material is supplied into the application tank (guide conveyance path). The image receiving material is directly immersed while being conveyed, and water is applied.

Further, such a conventional image recording apparatus is provided with a heater for raising the temperature of water in order to increase the amount of permeation (infiltration) of water applied to the photothermographic material or the image receiving material. ing. This heater is fixed to the bottom of the coating tank or to the guide plate, and heats the water filled in the coating tank as a whole or raises the temperature of the water flowing through the water supply passage of the guide plate into the coating tank. It is a configuration for feeding.

As a result, the amount of permeation (infiltration) of water into the photothermographic material or the like passing through the coating tank increases, and the amount of water surely reaches the saturation.

[0007]

However, in the conventional image recording apparatus, as described above, the heater for raising the temperature of the water is simply fixed to the bottom of the coating tank, and after the water is filled in the coating tank, the heater is entirely removed. The disadvantages are that the heater is heated to a low temperature or the water flowing through the water supply passage of the guide plate is simply heated and supplied to the coating tank, so that it takes a long time to raise the temperature, and above all, it is difficult to accurately control the water temperature. there were.

In particular, when the water flowing through the water supply passage of the guide plate is fed into the coating tank while raising the temperature, the water temperature at the inlet side of the water supply passage is low and gradually rises toward the outlet side. Therefore, the water filled in the application tank has a high temperature at the outlet side of the water supply passage, and has a low temperature at a position apart from the water supply (a so-called large temperature gradient occurs in the water in the application tank). That is, it is difficult to make the water temperature uniform over the entire area of the coating tank. The same applies to the case where the heater is fixed to the bottom of the coating tank. The temperature is high at the bottom of the tank near the heater and low at the position apart from the heater.

Therefore, when the water temperature in the coating tank is non-uniform, the amount of penetration (infiltration) of water into the photothermographic material or the like passing through the coating tank becomes non-uniform, so that the heat development transfer is performed. This causes the quality of the image formed to deteriorate.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention makes it possible to apply an image forming solvent to an image recording material while keeping the temperature of the image forming solvent uniform over the entire area of the solvent application area. It is an object to obtain an image recording device that can.

[0011]

An image recording apparatus according to the present invention uses two different types of image recording materials, applies an image forming solvent to one of the image recording materials, and then applies an image forming solvent to the other. In an image recording apparatus for obtaining an image on the other image recording material by superimposing the material in close contact with the one image recording material and performing heat development transfer processing, the image forming apparatus is formed in a dish shape and filled with an image forming solvent. A solvent-filled dish member for immersing the one image recording material in the filled image-forming solvent and applying the same, and an opposing gap between the solvent-filled dish member disposed opposite to the solvent-filled dish member is provided. A guide member that serves as a path for the image recording material and guides the one image recording material; one opening communicates with the solvent-filled dish member and intersects the guide conveyance direction of the one image recording material by the guide member; A plurality of water supply paths provided in the guide member along the direction of the supply of water and supplying the image forming solvent to the solvent-filled dish member, and adjacent water supply directions are opposite to each other, and near the plurality of water supply paths. And a temperature raising means for raising the temperature of the image forming solvent flowing through the plurality of water supply passages.

[0012]

In the above-described image recording apparatus, the passage of the image recording material is formed by the opposed gap between the solvent-filled dish member and the guide member.

When the image forming solvent is applied, the image forming solvent is supplied to a plurality of water supply passages provided in the guide member, and the image forming solvent flowing through the plurality of water supply passages is heated by a temperature raising means. It is heated and in this state is supplied to and filled in the solvent filling dish member. Further, the image recording material is transported and moved between the solvent-filled dish member and the guide member, and the image recording material is directly immersed in the solvent for image formation filled in the solvent-filled dish member and applied.

Here, a plurality of water supply paths for supplying the solvent for image formation to the solvent-filled dish member are provided along a direction intersecting with the guide conveyance direction of the image recording material by the guide member, and water supply is made adjacent to each other. Since the direction is set to the opposite direction, when the temperature of the image forming solvent is raised by the temperature raising means, the temperature of the inlet side of the single water supply path is gradually increased toward the outlet side and gradually increased toward the outlet side. However, since the temperature gradient in the water supply channel is opposite between adjacent water channels, the temperature is transmitted to each other, and the whole is made uniform. Therefore,
The image forming solvent filled in the solvent filling dish member from the plurality of water supply channels is filled in a uniform temperature state, so that a large temperature gradient does not occur in the image forming solvent in the solvent filling dish member.

Thus, the amount of water permeated (infiltrated) into the image recording material passing through the solvent-filled dish member becomes uniform, and the quality of an image formed by thermal development transfer is improved.

As described above, when the image forming solvent is applied to the image recording material, the temperature of the image forming solvent can be made uniform over the entire area of the solvent application area, and the image forming solvent can be surely applied.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall construction of an image recording apparatus 10 according to the present invention, and FIG.
0 is an external perspective view.

The image recording apparatus 10 has a box shape as a whole, and a machine door 12 is provided with a front door 13, a side door 15, and the like. By opening each door, the inside of the machine base 12 can be exposed. Each door is provided with a safety device using a so-called interlock mechanism (not shown) so that the power of a predetermined portion is turned off at the same time when the door is opened.

A photosensitive material magazine 14 is disposed in a machine base 12 of the image recording apparatus 10, and a photosensitive material 16 is stored in a roll shape. The width dimension of the photosensitive material 16 is, for example, 224 mm. Further, the photosensitive material 16 is provided on a support with photosensitive silver halide, a binder,
It has a dye-providing substance and a reducing agent, and its photosensitive (exposed) surface is wound up toward the lower part of the apparatus.

The photosensitive material magazine 14 is composed of a body (not shown) formed to have a length corresponding to the width of the photosensitive material 16 and a pair of side frames fixed to both ends of the body. And is housed in a housing section provided in the machine base 12.

An inner door (not shown) is disposed at a portion where the photosensitive material magazine 14 is drawn out of the housing portion. When the photosensitive material magazine 14 is housed in the housing portion, the machine base 1 is closed.
Even when the front door 13 is opened, external light does not enter the storage section, and the stored photosensitive material 16 is not carelessly exposed.

A nip roller 18 is arranged near the photosensitive material outlet of the photosensitive material magazine 14 so that the photosensitive material 16 can be pulled out of the photosensitive material magazine 14 and conveyed. The speed at which the photosensitive material 16 is pulled out by the nip roller 18 is, for example, 50 mm / sec.

A cutter 20 is provided beside the nip roller 18.
The photosensitive material 16 pulled out from the photosensitive material magazine 14 by a predetermined length by the nip roller 18 can be cut. The cutter 20 is, for example, a cutter including a fixed blade and a movable blade. The movable blade can be moved up and down by a rotating cam or the like to cut the photosensitive material 16 by meshing with the fixed blade. The cutter 20
After the operation, the nip roller 18 rotates in the reverse direction, and the nip roller 18 is rewound to such an extent that the tip of the photosensitive material 16 is slightly nipped.

The transport roller 1 is located above the cutter 20.
9, a transport roller 21 and a guide plate 27 are arranged, and the photosensitive material 16 cut to a predetermined length can be transported to the exposure unit 22. The transport roller 19 and the transport roller 21 have a transport speed of, for example, 50 mm / sec or 11
The photosensitive material 16 can be transported by switching to mm / sec.

The exposing section 22 is located between the conveying rollers 23 and 24, and an area between these conveying rollers is defined as an exposing section (exposure point) through which the photosensitive material 16 passes. Note that the transport speed of the photosensitive material 16 by the transport rollers 23 and 24 (the passing speed of the exposure unit) is
For example, it is 11 mm / sec.

An exposure device 38 is provided directly above the exposure unit 22. The exposure device 38 includes three types of LDs, a lens unit, a polygon mirror, and a mirror unit (all are not shown).

The switchback unit 4 is located beside the exposure unit 22.
0 is provided, and a water application unit 62 is provided below the exposure unit 22. The photosensitive material 16 that has risen to the side of the photosensitive material magazine 14 and has been exposed in the exposure unit 22 is once sent to the switchback unit 40 and is provided below the exposure unit 22 by the reverse rotation of the transport roller 26. In this configuration, the water is supplied to the water application section 62 via the transport path.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water application section 62, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the water application section 62.

In the water application section 62, an application tank 64 as a solvent filling dish member is disposed. The application tank 64 is formed in a dish shape, and is filled with water as a solvent for image formation. The bottom wall of the coating tank 64 is slidably supported on the rail 65 of the machine base 12, and is detachable by sliding toward the front side of the machine base 12 with the front door 13 opened. I have.

A plurality of rows of ribs 76 are formed on the bottom surface of the coating tank 64, that is, the surface through which the photosensitive material 16 passes, so as to be inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 16. In addition to reducing the frictional resistance when passing through the coating tank 64, it is possible to prevent a given position of the photosensitive material 16 from being damaged.

A pair of squeeze rollers 68 are disposed at the downstream end of the coating tank 64 in the direction in which the photosensitive material 16 is conveyed. The squeeze roller 68 has, for example, an outer diameter of 2
It is a silicone rubber roller having a rubber hardness of 0 ± 5 mm and a rubber hardness of 40 ± 5, and a predetermined pressing force (for example, 1 kg) is applied to both ends in the longitudinal direction. The squeeze roller 68 is supported and covered by a cover 69 fixed to the application tank 64. This prevents evaporation of water from the squeeze roller 68, and the squeeze roller 68 is configured integrally with the application tank 64 as a unit.

Further, the application tank 64 is formed with a drainage port 90 communicating with the accommodating portion of the squeeze roller 68, and has an overflow tank 92 and an overflow port 94 communicating with the overflow tank 92 at the end.

On the other hand, a supply roller 66 is disposed at an end of the coating tank 64 on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 16. The supply roller 66 is, for example, a silicon rubber roller having an outer diameter of 20 mm and a rubber hardness of 60 ± 5, and has a predetermined pressing force (for example, 1 k) at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
g) has been added. The supply roller 66 is mounted on the machine 1
Therefore, when the application tank 64 is slid along the rails 65 and removed, the application tank 64 is separated from the application tank 64. Also,
The supply roller 66 also serves as a registration roller for correcting so-called skew of the photosensitive material 16 transported from the switchback unit 40 described above.

Above the coating tank 64, the coating tank 6
A guide plate 70 serving as a guide member is attached to face 4. The guide plate 70 is formed of a metal material such as aluminum, and is rotatably supported by a shaft 71 coaxially with the supply roller 66, whereby the guide plate 70 can move toward and away from the application tank 64.

When the guide plate 70 is close to the coating tank 64, the gap between the guide plate 70 and the coating tank 64 forms a passage portion for the photosensitive material 16. Therefore, when the coating tank 64 is filled with water in this state, the photosensitive material 16 whose skew has been corrected by the supply roller 66 is fed between the guide plate 70 and the coating tank 64 to be coated with water. In this configuration, excess water is removed by being nipped and conveyed by the squeeze roller 68. In this case, the length of water application of the photosensitive material 16 between the guide plate 70 and the application tank 64 (the length of the photosensitive material 16 passing through the water) is, for example, 100 mm, and the immersion time is For example, it is 2.5 seconds. Further, the photosensitive material 16 after the water application processing (that is, after passing through the squeeze roller 68) has 11 ± 1 gr / m
² water is applied.

On the other hand, when the guide plate 70 is separated from the coating tank 64, the guide plate 70 is separated and independent from the coating tank 64.
Is configured to be able to slide along.

At the center of the guide plate 70, a plurality of water supply passages 72 are formed as water supply passages. The plurality of water supply passages 72 are provided in parallel with each other along a direction (longitudinal direction of the guide plate 70) which is tolerant of the guide conveyance direction of the photosensitive material 16 passing through the application tank 64, and one opening is provided for each. The application tank 6 communicates with the application tank 64
4 can be supplied with water. Further, here, the water supply paths 72 are adjacent to each other, and the water supply directions are opposite to each other. That is, supply pipes 78 for supplying water to the water supply channel 72, which will be described later, are alternately connected to one end of the water supply channel 72. This is a configuration in which one end of the plate 70 is provided alternately.

A ceramic heater 102 is mounted on the guide plate 70 as a temperature raising means. The ceramic heater 102 is connected to the water supply passage 72 described above.
The water passing through the water supply channel is heated (for example,
40 ± 2 ° C.).

An auxiliary overflow tank 103 is disposed in the machine base 12 below the coating tank 64, and an overflow port 95 is formed in the auxiliary overflow tank 103.

A plurality of pipes are connected to the water application section 62 configured as described above to supply water. Here, a water supply system diagram of the water application section 62 is shown in FIG.

The water supply channel 72 of the guide plate 70 of the water application section 62
Is connected to a supply pipe 78. As described above, the water supply pipe 78 is alternately connected to one end of each of the plurality of water supply paths 72 adjacent to each other, whereby the flow direction of the water flowing through the water supply path 72 is opposite to the adjacent ones. Has become.

A pump 80 is provided at an intermediate portion of the supply pipe 78.
And a filter 82. Further, the other end of the supply pipe 78 is located in a replenishing tank 86 filled with water as a solvent for image formation.

The pump 80 is controlled by a control unit (not shown), and is activated after a predetermined time has elapsed after the above-described ceramic heater 102 has been activated (ie, after the temperature around the water supply passage 72 has been raised to some extent). , Then
It is operated intermittently at regular intervals. When the pump 80 operates, the water in the replenishment tank 86 is supplied to the guide plate 70 (the water supply path 7).
The coating tank 64 can be filled (replenished) via 2). In addition, the integrated operation (energization) time of the operation of the pump 80 (energization to the drive motor) is recorded by the control unit. Further, when the integration operation (energization) time reaches a predetermined value, this is displayed.

On the other hand, one end of a discharge pipe 96 is connected to a drain port 90 of the application tank 64. Discharge pipe 96
The other end is connected to a replenishing tank 86, and an electromagnetic valve 98 is arranged at an intermediate portion of the discharge pipe 96. The electromagnetic valve 98 is configured such that the guide plate 70
When the guide plate 70 is turned around the shaft 71 and separated from the coating tank 64, the shutter is opened when the guide plate 70 is closed and the passage portion of the photosensitive material 16 is formed (normal state). State. Therefore, when the guide plate 70 is rotated to slide and remove the application tank 64, the water in the application tank 64 can be discharged to the replenishment tank 86 via the discharge pipe 96.

The opening and closing of the solenoid valve 98 is linked to the detection of a jam when the photosensitive material 16 is conveyed or the power ON / OFF of the apparatus.
8 may be opened to discharge the water in the application tank 64 to the replenishment tank 86.

The overflow port 94 of the application tank 64 is connected to one end of a discharge pipe 100.
The other end of the drain pipe 100 is connected to a check valve 88 attached to the refill tank 86. This check valve 88
Is opened in a normal state to communicate the drainage pipe 100 with the refill tank 86, and is closed when the front door 13 of the machine base 12 is opened, and the drainage pipe 100 and the refill tank 86 are closed. It is a configuration to shut off.

Further, one end of a drain pipe 101 is connected to the overflow port 95, and the drain pipe 101
Is connected to a check valve 88 similarly to the drain pipe 100.

The heat development transfer unit 10 is located beside the water application unit 62.
4 are disposed and are coated with water (squeeze roller 6
The photosensitive material 16 (after 8 passes) is fed.

On the other hand, the machine base 12 on the side of the photosensitive material magazine 14
Is provided with a receiving material magazine 106, and the image receiving material 1
08 is stored in a roll shape. The dimension of the image receiving material 108 in the width direction is smaller than the photosensitive material 16 (for example, 210 mm). Further, the image receiving material 108
A dye fixing material having a mordant is applied to the image forming surface, and the image forming surface is wound up toward the upper side of the apparatus.

The receiving material magazine 106 includes the photosensitive material magazine 14.
In the same manner as described above, the frame 12 is composed of a body and a pair of side frames fixed to both ends of the body, and the front side of the machine base 12 (the front side in FIG. direction)
Can be withdrawn to

A nip roller 110 is disposed in the vicinity of the image receiving material take-out port of the material receiving magazine 106 so that the image receiving material 108 can be pulled out from the material receiving magazine 106 and the nip can be released.

The cutter 11 is provided beside the nip roller 110.
2 are arranged. The cutter 112 is, for example, a cutter comprising a fixed blade and a movable blade, like the photosensitive material cutter 20 described above. The movable blade is moved up and down by a rotating cam or the like to engage with the fixed blade. Receiving material 10 pulled out of receiving material magazine 106
8 is cut to a length shorter than the photosensitive material 16.

At the side of the cutter 112, there is a photosensitive material magazine 1
4, an image receiving material transport unit 180 is provided. The image receiving material conveying section 180 includes conveying rollers 186,
190 and 114 and a guide plate 182 are arranged, and the image receiving material 108 cut to a predetermined length can be transported to the thermal development transfer unit 104. The transport roller 114 also serves as a registration roller for correcting a so-called skew of the image receiving material 108 transported from the image receiving material transport unit 180. For this reason, the skew of the image receiving material 108 is corrected by the conveying roller 114 and the heat development transfer unit 10
It is sent to 4.

The thermal development transfer section 104 is constituted by a heating drum 116 and an endless pressure contact belt 118. Further, a bonding roller 120 is arranged on the outer periphery of the heating drum 116 on the water application section 62 side.

The laminating roller 120 is a roller having an outer diameter of, for example, 22 mm at the center in the axial direction, and its outer peripheral surface is coated with silicon rubber (for example, having a thickness of 2.35 mm).
Further, its rubber hardness is set to approximately 40 degrees. Also,
The bonding roller 120 is pressed against the outer periphery of the heating drum 116 by applying a predetermined pressing force (for example, 9 kg) at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The laminating roller 120 is connected to the drum motor 200 via a drive system (not shown), so that the driving force of the drum motor 200 is transmitted and rotated. Here, the squeeze roller 68 has a speed that is higher than the speed at which the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 are conveyed by the bonding roller 120.
The conveying speed of the photosensitive material 16 or the image receiving material 108 by the conveying roller 114 is set to be slightly lower (for example, about 2%), whereby the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 are attached to the laminating roller 120. When it is sent to the, a back tension is applied.

The heating drum 116 is made of a thin aluminum pipe. In this embodiment, the heating drum 116 has a thickness of 3 mm.
mm, the outer diameter is 166 mm, and the effective width in the axial direction is 300 mm. Both the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the heating drum 116 are subjected to black alumite treatment.

The photosensitive material 16 conveyed to the thermal development transfer unit 104 is sent between the bonding roller 120 and the heating drum 116, and the image receiving material 108 is the photosensitive material 1
6, the laminating roller 1 is moved in a state in which the photosensitive material 16 is advanced by a predetermined length (20 mm in this embodiment).
20 and the heating drum 116 so as to be superposed. In this case, the image receiving material 108
Since the width dimension and the longitudinal dimension are both smaller than the photosensitive material 16, the periphery of the photosensitive material 16 is overlapped with all four sides protruding from the periphery of the image receiving material 108. .

Further, a cam 130 and a filler 131 are fixed to the side wall of the heating drum 116. The cam 130 is provided with a peeling claw 154 and a peeling claw 176 described later.
, And the peeling claw 154 and the peeling claw 176 are rotated with the rotation of the heating drum 116. On the other hand, the filler 131
6 is used for detecting the alignment between the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108.

Inside the heating drum 116, a pair of halogen lamps 132A and 132B are arranged. The halogen lamps 132A and 132B are, for example, 400
The output is W and 450 W, and the surface of the heating drum 116 can be heated (for example, about 82 ° C.). In this case, at the start of heating, two halogen lamps 1
32A and 132B are used together, and during normal operation thereafter, only one halogen lamp 132A is used.

The endless pressure contact belt 118 which presses against the outer periphery of the heating drum 116 has a structure in which a woven fabric material is covered with rubber, and has a width of 224 mm in this embodiment. The woven material is made of an aromatic polyamide fiber (for example, Kevlar or Nomex;
ont's registered trademark) or the like. The coating rubber is silicon rubber containing carbon and has conductivity.

The endless pressure contact belt 118 is wound around five winding rollers 134, 135, 136, 138 and 140, and the endless outer side between the winding roller 134 and the winding roller 140 is heated. It is pressed against the outer periphery of the drum 116.

The winding rollers 134, 135, 136,
138 are each made of stainless steel. Further, the winding roller 136 is formed in a tapered shape in which both ends in the axial direction are outwardly expanded, and each end portion in the longitudinal direction is 2.0 kg (a practical range is 1.0 to 3.0 k).
g) is applied in a direction away from the heating drum 116. Thus, the endless pressure contact belt 118 is maintained at a predetermined tension and is prevented from being shifted.

On the other hand, the winding roller 140 is a rubber roller, and is further connected to the drum motor 200 via a drive system (not shown).
0 is transmitted to rotate the winding roller 140. When the wrapping roller 140 is rotated, the endless pressure contact belt 118 wrapped around the wrapping roller 140 is rotated. Accordingly, the rotational force of the endless pressure contact belt 118 causes friction between the endless pressure contact belt 118 and the heating drum 116. The configuration is such that the power is transmitted to the heating drum 116 by a force and the heating drum 116 is driven to rotate. In this case, the rotation peripheral speed of the heating drum 116 is 40 mm / sec.

The drum motor 200 includes a plurality of driving units, that is, a winding roller 140, a bonding roller 120, a squeeze roller 68, and a bending guide roller 142, a peeling roller 174, and a photosensitive material discharging roller 1 described later.
58, 160, peeling roller 174, receiving material discharging roller 17
2, 173 and 175 are driven together.

The photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 superimposed by the laminating roller 120 remain on the heating drum 116 and the endless pressure contact belt 11 while being superposed.
The heating drum 116 is pinched and conveyed over approximately two-thirds of the circumference of the heating drum 116 (between the winding roller 134 and the winding roller 140). Further, when the superposed photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 108 completely fit between the heating drum 116 and the endless pressure contact belt 118,
The heating drum 116 temporarily stops rotating (for example, 5 to 1).
For 5 seconds, the sandwiched photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 108 are heated. When the photosensitive material 16 is heated during the nipping conveyance and the stop, the movable dye is released, and at the same time, the dye is transferred to the dye fixing layer of the image receiving material 108 to obtain an image.

A bending guide roller 142 is provided below the heating drum 116 on the downstream side of the endless pressure contact belt 118 in the material supply direction.
Is arranged. The bending guide roller 142 is a rubber roller made of silicone rubber, and the drum motor 200
The driving force is transmitted to rotate. Further, the bending guide roller 142 is pressed against the outer periphery of the heating drum 116 with a predetermined pressure (for example, 800 g). Therefore, the photosensitive material 16 or the image receiving material 108 conveyed by the heating drum 116 and the endless pressure contact belt 118. Can be further nipped and conveyed.

A peeling claw 154 is rotatably supported below the heating drum 116 on the downstream side of the bending guide roller 142 in the material supply direction, and a pinch roller 157 is further disposed.

The peeling claw 154 corresponds to the outer periphery of the heating drum 116, and can be brought into and away from the heating drum 116 by the operation of the cam 130 described above. When the peeling claw 154 is in contact with the heating drum 116, the endless pressing belt 1
Of the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 sandwiched and conveyed between the photosensitive material 16 and the heating drum 116, only the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 superimposed in a state in which the photosensitive material 16 is advanced by a predetermined length is engaged,
This tip can be separated from the outer periphery of the heating drum 116. On the other hand, the pinch roller 157 is
4, the peeling claw 154 is connected to the heating drum 11
6 is pressed against the bending guide roller 142 at a predetermined pressure (for example, 600 g). Therefore, the photosensitive material 16 peeled by the peeling claw 154 is
It is wound around the bending guide roller 142 while being pressed by the pinch roller 157, and is moved downward.

The photosensitive material discharge rollers 158 and 160 and a plurality of guide rollers 162 are disposed below the bending guide roller 142 and the peeling claw 154.
Photosensitive material 1 which is moved downward while being wound around 42
6 can be further transported and accumulated in the waste photosensitive material storage box 178. The photosensitive material discharge rollers 158 and 160 rotate by receiving the driving force of the drum motor 200 for driving the thermal development transfer unit 104 as described above. The rotation speed of the photosensitive material discharge rollers 158 and 160 is set to be 1 to 3% lower than the rotation peripheral speed of the heating drum 116, thereby preventing the photosensitive material 16 from being tensioned.

A drying fan 165 is provided near the guide roller 162 to promote the drying of the photosensitive material 16.

In the vicinity of the heating drum 116 on the side of the bending guide roller 142, a peeling roller 174 and a peeling claw 176 are arranged. The peeling roller 174 is a rubber roller made of silicone rubber and has a surface roughness of 25S or more, and is rotated by receiving the driving force of the drum motor 200 as described above. Further, the peeling roller 174 applies a predetermined pressure (for example, 800 g) to the outer periphery of the heating drum 116.
Is pressed in. For this reason, the peeling roller 174 can work with the peeling claw 176 to peel off the image receiving material 108 that moves with the heating drum 116 from the outer periphery of the heating drum 116 and guide it in a bent manner.

A receiving material guide 170 is disposed below the peeling roller 174 and the peeling claw 176, and receiving material discharge rollers 172, 173, and 175 are disposed. The heating drum 1 is moved by the peeling roller 174 and the peeling claw 176.
The image receiving material 108 peeled off from the sheet 16 can be guided and conveyed. Each receiving material discharge roller 172, 173, 175
Has a clamping force (nip force) of 100 g to 300 g (pressure of 50 g to 150 g at both ends in the longitudinal direction).

In the vicinity of the peeling roller 174, a drum fan 168 as a drying means is disposed. For this reason, the image receiving material 108 moving along the heating drum 116
Is dried not only by the heat of the heating drum 116 but also by the drum fan 168. The drum fan 168 operates when necessary according to the atmospheric conditions. This is to maintain a uniform temperature distribution of the heating drum 116. Further, the receiving material guide 170 has a ceramic heater 2 as a drying means.
Numeral 10 is provided to further promote drying of the image receiving material 108 to be conveyed. The ceramic heater 210
Is set to 70 ° C.

The image receiving material 108 peeled off from the outer periphery of the heating drum 116 by the peeling claw 176 while the drying is promoted by the drum fan 168 is transferred to these receiving guides 1.
70 and the receiving material discharge rollers 172, 173, and 175, and are discharged to the tray 177.

The thermal development transfer unit 10 having the above-described configuration
Numeral 4 is configured as one unit as a whole, and is rotatable with respect to the machine base 12 in a direction opposite to the position where the water application unit 62 is provided (on the opposite side to the photosensitive material magazine 14 and the receiving material magazine 106). I have. For this reason, the side door 1 of the machine base 12
By opening and moving the thermal development transfer unit 104 after opening the 5A, even if the photosensitive material 16 or the image receiving material 108 becomes jammed (so-called jam) during the conveyance, it can be easily repaired. ing.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the image recording apparatus 10 having the above configuration, after the photosensitive material magazine 14 is set, the photosensitive material 16 accommodated in the photosensitive material magazine 14 is pulled out by the nip roller 18 and the cutter 2
After being cut by 0, the sheet is conveyed by the conveying rollers 19 and 21.

Thereafter, the transport roller 19 and the transport roller 2
The photosensitive material 16 conveyed by 1 is further conveyed by conveying rollers 23, 24 and 26 and conveyed to the exposure unit 22, and the exposure unit 22 is moved at a predetermined speed (for example, 11 mm / sec).
Pass by. The exposure device 38 is operated at the same time as the photosensitive material 16 is conveyed (passes through the exposure unit 22), and the photosensitive material 16 located at the exposure unit 22 is scanned and exposed. After the exposure is started, the light-sensitive material 16 after the exposure is temporarily
After having been fed to 0, it is fed to the water application section 62 by the reverse rotation of the transport roller 26.

In the water application section 62, the water in the replenishment tank 86 is supplied to a plurality of water supply paths 72 provided on the guide plate 70 by the drive of the pump 80, and further, the water flowing through the water supply path 72 by the ceramic heater 102. Is supplied to the application tank 64 in this state while being heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, 40 ± 2 ° C.), and is filled in the application tank 64. The passage of the photosensitive material 16 is formed by the opposing gap between the coating tank 64 and the guide plate 70, and the transported photosensitive material 16 is driven by the supply roller 66 to guide the photosensitive material 16.
0 and the coating tank 64, and further nipped and conveyed by a squeeze roller 68. As a result, water is applied to the photosensitive material 16 sent between the guide plate 70 and the application tank 64, and the squeeze roller 68
The water passes through the water application section 62 while excess water is removed.

Here, a plurality of water supply paths 72 for supplying water to the coating tank 64 are provided along a direction which is tolerant to the direction in which the photosensitive material 16 is guided and conveyed by the guide plate 70, and the water supply directions are adjacent to each other. When the temperature is raised by the ceramic heater 102, even if the temperature on the inlet side of the single water supply channel 72 is low and the temperature is gradually raised toward the outlet side and the temperature is raised, these directions are set. Since the temperature gradient in the water supply channel 72 is reversed between adjacent water channels, the temperature is transmitted to each other, and the temperature is uniform as a whole. Therefore, the water filled in the application tank 64 from the plurality of water supply channels 72 is filled in a uniform temperature state,
There is no large temperature gradient in the water inside. Further, the filled water is heated through the guide plate 70 and maintained at a predetermined temperature.

As a result, the amount of permeation (infiltration) of water into the photosensitive material 16 passing through the coating tank 64 becomes uniform and large, and reaches the saturated amount without fail.

As described above, in the water application section 62 of the image recording apparatus 10, when applying water to the photosensitive material 16, it is necessary to make the temperature of the water uniform over the entire application area and to apply the water reliably. Can be.

Further, in the water application section 62, since the squeeze roller 68 is covered by the cover 69, evaporation of water from the squeeze roller 68 is prevented. For this reason, the decrease in the water in the application tank 64 is reduced, and the flow of water vapor into another portion such as the exposure unit 22 located above the water application unit 62 is prevented.

The photosensitive material 16 to which water as a solvent for image formation has been applied in the water application section 62 is applied to the squeeze roller 6.
8, the toner is sent to the thermal development transfer unit 104.

On the other hand, as the scanning exposure of the photosensitive material 16 is started, the image receiving material 108 is also pulled out from the material receiving magazine 106 by the nip roller 110 and transported. When the image receiving material 108 is pulled out by a predetermined length, the cutter 112 operates to cut the image receiving material 108 into a predetermined length. After the operation of the cutter 112, the cut image receiving material 108 is cut.
Is transported by the transport rollers 190, 186, and 114 while being guided by the guide plate 182 of the image receiving material transport unit 180, and is in a standby state immediately before the thermal development transfer unit 104.

In the thermal development transfer section 104, when it is detected that the photosensitive material 16 has been sent between the outer periphery of the heating drum 116 and the bonding roller 120 by the squeeze roller 68, the conveyance of the image receiving material 108 is restarted. While being sent to the bonding roller 120, the heating drum 11
6 is activated. Thereby, the bonding roller 120
Photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 108 superimposed by
Means that the heating drum 11 is sandwiched between the heating drum 116 and the
6 is transported over approximately 2/3 of the circumference (between the winding roller 134 and the winding roller 140). Further, the superposed photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 108 are heated by a heating drum 116. When the photosensitive material 16 is heated during the nipping conveyance and the stop, the movable dye is released, and at the same time, the dye is transferred to the dye fixing layer of the image receiving material 108 to obtain an image.

Thereafter, when the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 are sandwiched and conveyed and reach the lower portion of the heating drum 116, the peeling claw 154 is moved by the cam 130 and the image receiving material 1 is moved.
The peeling claw 154 engages the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 that is transported a predetermined length earlier than the length of the photosensitive material 16 to peel the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 from the outer periphery of the heating drum 116. Further, the pinch roller 157 presses the photosensitive material 16 by the return movement of the peeling claw 154, whereby the photosensitive material 16 is wound around the bending guide roller 142 while being pressed by the pinch roller 157, and is moved downward. The photosensitive material 16 wound around the bending guide roller 142 is further guided by the guide roller 162 while the photosensitive material discharge roller 15
8 and 160, and the drying fan 16
5 and is accumulated in the waste photosensitive material storage box 178.

On the other hand, the heating drum 1 is separated from the photosensitive material 16.
Image receiving material 108 moving while being in close contact with 16
Is sent to the peeling roller 174. When the leading end of the image receiving material 108 is nipped by the peeling roller 174 (between the heating drum 116), the peeling claw 1 is again actuated by the cam 130.
76 is moved, and the peeling claw 17 is
6 are engaged, and the image receiving material 108 is peeled off from the outer periphery of the heating drum 116.

The image receiving material 108 peeled from the outer periphery of the heating drum 116 by the peeling claw 176 is further moved downward while being wound around the peeling roller 174, and is guided by the material receiving guide 170 while receiving the material discharging rollers 172, 1.
The sheet is conveyed by 73 and 175, and is discharged to the tray 177 while being dried by the drum fan 168 and the ceramic heater 210 at this time.

When performing the image recording processing for a plurality of sheets, the above steps are sequentially and successively performed.

As described above, in the image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of water supply passages 72 for supplying water to the coating tank 64 are in a direction in which the guide plate 70 allows the photosensitive material 16 to be guided and conveyed. And the water supply directions are opposite to each other, so that the water filled in the application tank 64 from the plurality of water supply paths 72 is filled in a uniform temperature state and is filled in the water in the application tank 64. No large temperature gradients occur. Therefore, water can be uniformly and reliably applied over the entire area of the photosensitive material 16 passing through the application tank 64.

In the image recording apparatus 10, the pump 80 for filling the application tank 64 with water is controlled by the control section, and when the integrated operation time reaches a predetermined value, the display is displayed. Can monitor the lifespan.

That is, the filter 82 is used for the photosensitive material 16.
Has a role of removing gelatin and the like mixed in water when immersed in the application tank 64 and circulating in the water supply system.
Its function is reduced by prolonged use. Therefore, in such a case, the filter 82 needs to be replaced. In this case, as described above, since the filter 82 has a configuration in which the filter 80 is provided in the middle of the supply pipe 78 along with the pump 80, the use time of the filter 82 is proportional to the operation time of the pump 80. Therefore, the life of the filter 82 can be monitored by replacing the integrated operating time of the pump 80 with the usable time of the filter 82 and monitoring the filter 82. When the life of the filter 82 reaches the life, the filter 82 is immediately recognized. be able to.

In this embodiment, the guide plate 70
A plurality of water supply paths 72 as water supply paths provided in the configuration are independent of each other, and the water supply directions are respectively opposite to each other, and the inlet and outlet of water are provided alternately at one end of the guide plate 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured such that adjacent ones communicate with each other, or a single water supply channel is formed in a U-shape (in a path where water makes a U-turn in the guide plate 70). 70 may be provided.

Even in these cases, the water supply paths 72 are arranged along the direction intersecting with the guide and conveying direction of the photosensitive material 16 and the water supply directions thereof are made opposite to each other, so that the temperature in these water supply paths 72 is changed. The gradients are reversed and the temperature is transferred to each other adjacent to each other, and the whole is made uniform. Therefore, the water filled in the application tank 64 from these water supply channels 72 is filled in a uniform temperature state, so that a large temperature gradient does not occur. As a result, the amount of water permeated into the photosensitive material 16 passing through the coating tank 64 becomes uniform and large, and reaches the saturated amount without fail.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 are used as image recording materials. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other sheet-like image recording materials can be used. It is.

[0096]

As described above, in the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, when the image forming solvent is applied to the image recording material, the temperature of the image forming solvent is made uniform over the entire area of the solvent application area. It has an excellent effect that it can be applied reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an image recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an application tank, a guide plate, and peripheral components of a water application section.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a normal state in which a guide plate of a water application unit approaches an application tank.

5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 and shows a state in which a guide plate of a water application unit is rotated and separated from an application tank.

FIG. 6 is a water supply system diagram of a water application unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image recording apparatus 16 Photosensitive material (image recording material) 62 Water application part 64 Application tank (solvent filling dish member) 70 Guide plate (guide member) 72 Water supply channel 102 Ceramic heater (heating means) 104 Thermal development transfer part 108 Image reception Materials (image recording materials)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An image forming solvent is applied after one image recording material is exposed to an image using two different image recording materials, and the other image recording material is superimposed on the one image recording material in close contact with the one image recording material. In an image recording apparatus for performing an image forming process on the other image recording material by performing a combined heat development transfer process, the image forming apparatus is formed in a dish shape, and an image forming solvent is filled therein. A solvent-filled dish member to which the image-recording material is applied by dipping, and a facing gap between the solvent-filled dish member and the solvent-filled dish member is set as a path for the image-recording material, and the one image recording is performed. A guide member for guiding the material, one opening communicating with the solvent-filled dish member, and being provided on the guide member along a direction intersecting the guide conveyance direction of the one image recording material by the guide member. ,
A plurality of water supply passages for supplying an image forming solvent to the solvent-filled dish member and having water supply directions opposite to each other, and images provided near the plurality of water supply passages and flowing through the plurality of water supply passages. An image recording apparatus, comprising: a temperature raising unit configured to raise the temperature of a forming solvent.