JP2908961B2 - Multicolor proofing 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 multicolor proofing device,
The present invention relates to a multicolor proofing apparatus for transferring a color material from a donor sheet to a receiver sheet according to image information to obtain a multicolor printing sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, when performing color proofing of a multicolor printed matter, a proofing machine having the same configuration as a printing machine is used.
In this case, accurate color proofing can be performed, but the proofing machine itself is large and the work time is long. For this reason, recently scanners and CEPS (Color El
electronic Prepress System:
A simple multicolor proofing apparatus for directly obtaining a multicolor printing sample based on image information created by a color electronic plate making system has been developed (such as the Kodak Approval Digital Color Proofing System).

In this multicolor proofing apparatus, a donor sheet serving as a color material is superimposed on a receiver sheet, the donor sheet is exposed to a laser beam corresponding to image information, and the color material of the donor sheet is transferred to the receiver sheet. This is to obtain a proof (multicolor printing sample). This device includes a revolver section for storing a roll-shaped donor sheet and a receiver sheet, a rotating drum for overlapping and winding the donor sheet and the receiver sheet, and modulating the donor sheet on the rotating drum according to image information. An exposure unit for exposing with a laser beam, a supply unit for supplying a donor sheet and a receiver sheet from the revolver unit to the rotating drum, and a discharge unit for discharging the exposed donor sheet and the receiver sheet on which an image is formed. I have.

[0004] The revolver section has a rotatable rotating frame and a storage section main body divided in the circumferential direction in the rotary frame. The storage section main body includes a roll-shaped donor sheet and a receiver. The seat is stored. In the above-described apparatus, a total of seven rolls of a donor sheet roll of six colors (four basic colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black and two special colors such as gold and silver) and a roll of a receiver sheet receiving color materials therefrom are provided. Can be loaded in the revolver section.

[0005] At the side of the revolver, an insertion opening is provided for inserting a roll along its axial direction. For this reason, the roll is attached to and removed from the revolver from the side of the revolver.
In this multicolor proofing apparatus, an operator loads a roll-shaped receiver sheet and a donor sheet from the side of the revolver before starting the operation. At this time, the roll is set with the tip of the roll sandwiched between nip rollers. When the setting is completed and the operator instructs to start the operation, the apparatus starts the operation. First, a receiver sheet is supplied to a rotating drum and wound. Subsequently, the revolver section is rotated to supply the first color (for example, black) donor sheet to the rotating drum, and wind the donor sheet on the receiver sheet. In this state, the exposure unit irradiates the donor sheet with laser light modulated according to the first color image information. As a result, the color material on the exposed portion of the donor sheet is transferred to the receiver sheet. When the transfer is completed, the donor sheet is discharged by the discharge unit. Subsequently, similarly, the revolver section is rotated to wind the donor sheet of the second color on the receiver sheet, and exposure is performed. When the final exposure is completed, the receiver sheet is discharged after discharging the donor sheet.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional configuration,
The roll must be mounted and removed in the direction of the rotation axis of the revolver, and the roll must be set with the tip of the roll sandwiched between the nip rollers, making it difficult to set the roll into the revolver. In particular, when the length of the roll in the axial direction is long, it is difficult to reach the inner side of the revolver, so that it is difficult to pinch the tip of the roll between the nip rollers.

[0007] Further, since the roll supply direction and the sheet discharge direction are different, the operator must move forward and to the side of the apparatus to perform the work, and the workability is poor. In addition, since the revolver is a rotary type, when the revolver rotates, the stored rolls slightly move or idle. If the roll is fixed to prevent this, the roll becomes difficult to rotate during supply to the rotating drum, and the supply of the roll to the rotating drum cannot be performed smoothly.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate handling of a roll-shaped sheet. Another object of the present invention is to improve workability during operation. Still another object of the present invention is to make it possible to supply rolls smoothly while preventing the stored rolls from running idle.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multicolor proofing apparatus for transferring a color material from a plurality of donor sheets to a receiver sheet in accordance with image information to obtain a multicolor printing sample. The apparatus includes a forming unit, a sheet storage unit, and a sheet supply unit. The image forming unit forms a multicolor printing sample from the donor sheet and the receiver sheet. The sheet storage unit has a sheet insertion port for inserting a roll-shaped donor sheet and a receiver sheet in the radial direction thereof, and stores the sheet inserted from the sheet insertion port. The sheet supply unit supplies the donor sheet and the receiver sheet stored in the sheet storage unit to the image forming unit while developing the donor sheet and the receiver sheet.

A multicolor proofing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an image forming section, a sheet storage section, a sheet supply section, and a discharge section. The image forming unit forms a multicolor printing sample from the donor sheet and the receiver sheet. The sheet storage unit has a sheet insertion port for inserting a donor sheet and a receiver sheet in the front of the apparatus, and stores a sheet inserted from the sheet insertion port. The sheet supply unit supplies the donor sheet and the receiver sheet stored in the sheet storage unit to the image forming unit. The discharge unit discharges the multicolor printing sample formed by the image forming unit toward the front of the apparatus.

[0011] The sheet storage section may have a rotatable frame and a storage section main body divided in the circumferential direction in the rotary frame. A roll sheet supply device according to a third aspect is a device for supplying a roll sheet to an image forming unit. This device includes a sheet storage unit and a sheet supply unit. The sheet storage unit can take a storage position for storing the roll sheet and a supply position for supplying the roll sheet to the image forming unit, and supports the roll sheet with a rotatable rotation support unit and a non-rotatable fixed support unit. Is what you do. The sheet supply unit supplies the roll sheet whose sheet storage unit is in the supply position to the image forming unit. The rotation support portion and the fixed support portion of the sheet storage portion are arranged so that at least the fixed support portion supports the roll sheet when in the storage position, and the rotation support portion supports the roll sheet when in the supply position. I have.

[0012]

In the multicolor proofing apparatus according to the first invention, when the donor sheet and the receiver sheet are inserted in the radial direction from the sheet insertion opening, the inserted roll-shaped sheet is stored in the sheet storage section. You. The sheets stored in the sheet storage unit are supplied to the image forming unit while being developed by the sheet supply unit. The image forming unit forms a multicolor printing sample from the supplied donor sheet and receiver sheet.

In this case, since the roll-shaped donor sheet and the receiver sheet are inserted into the sheet storage portion in the radial direction, the handling of the roll-shaped sheet is easier as compared with the conventional configuration inserted from the axial direction. is there. In the multicolor proofing apparatus according to the second aspect, the donor sheet and the receiver sheet are inserted into the sheet storage unit from the front of the apparatus via the sheet insertion port. The stored sheets are supplied to the image forming unit by the sheet supply unit. The image forming unit forms a multicolor printing sample from the supplied donor sheet and receiver sheet. The formed multicolor printing sample is discharged toward the front of the apparatus by the discharging means.

In this case, since the insertion of the donor sheet and the receiver sheet and the discharge of the multicolor sample are on the same front side of the apparatus, the workability is improved. In addition, the seat storage unit,
When a rotating frame and a storage unit main body are provided, a sheet storage unit in which a large number of donor sheets can be arranged can be realized with a simple configuration. In the roll sheet supply device according to the third aspect of the invention, the sheet storage unit is in the storage position when storing the roll sheet in the sheet storage unit, and is in the supply position when supplying the roll sheet to the image forming unit. When in the storage position, at least the fixed support unit supports the roll sheet, and when in the supply position, the rotation support unit supports the roll sheet. Then, the roll sheet in the supply position is supplied to the image forming unit by the sheet supply unit.

In this case, the rotation support section supports the roll sheet when in the supply position, so that the roll sheet can be easily rotated. In addition, the fixed support section supports the roll sheet when in the storage position, so that the roll sheet is less idle. For this reason, the roll sheet can be smoothly supplied while preventing the roll sheet from running idle.

[0016]

EXAMPLES In diagram 1 and 2, digital multicolor proofing system that employs an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-color calibration device 1,
Laminating device 2 arranged on the back side of multicolor proofing device 1
It is mainly composed of The multicolor proofing apparatus 1 transfers a color material of a donor sheet, which is a color material, onto a receiver sheet according to image information. The laminating apparatus 2 forms an image on printing paper by thermally transferring the image of the receiver sheet to which the image has been transferred, and obtains a color proof (multicolor printing sample). Between the multicolor proofing device 1 and the laminating device 2, a donor sheet collection box 3 for collecting unnecessary donor sheets is arranged.

The donor sheet handled here is a thermal transfer type thermal transfer sheet, and uses a pigment of the same quality as printing ink as a coloring material. Further, both sheets are stored in the multicolor proofing apparatus 1 in a roll state having flange portions at both ends, and the donor sheet is larger in size than the receiver sheet.
The multicolor proofing apparatus 1 includes a main body base 4, a revolver unit 5 disposed on the left side of the main body base 4 in FIG. 2 (front side of the apparatus), for storing a roll-shaped receiver sheet and a roll-shaped donor sheet, and a main body base. 2, an image forming unit 6 disposed on the right side of FIG. 2 (rear side of the apparatus), a supply unit 7 for supplying the receiver sheet or the donor sheet stored in the revolver unit 5 to the image forming unit 6, and an image forming unit And a discharge unit 8 for discharging the receiver sheet or the transferred donor sheet for which the transfer has been completed. Each of these parts is the main body case 9
Covered by

An insertion port 15 for inserting a roll-shaped receiver sheet or donor sheet into the revolver unit 5 is formed on the front side of the apparatus of the main body case 9. Insertion port 1
5 can be closed by an opening / closing door 16 whose lower part is supported by the main body case 9 so as to be able to open and close. Above the insertion slot 15,
An operation panel 10 (FIG. 1) is provided. On the operation panel 10, an input key group 11 for inputting various commands and numerical values, and a display unit 12 for displaying command results and various displays are arranged side by side. On an upper surface of the main body case 9, a receiver tray 13 for receiving a receiver sheet discharged from the discharge unit 8 and a donor tray 14 for receiving a transferred donor sheet are arranged vertically.

As shown in FIG. 3, the revolver unit 5 has a rotating frame 20 rotatably supported by the main body base 4. The rotating frame 20 is composed of a pair of disk-shaped side plates 21 arranged at an interval in the depth direction of the apparatus, and a plate-shaped connecting member 2 radially arranged to connect the side plates 21.
And 2. The connecting members 22 are arranged at six positions at equal angular intervals. As a result, six storage spaces 23a to 23f are formed between the side plates 21.

In each of the storage spaces 23a to 23f, a fixed support 24, a rotary support 25, and a turning support 26 are arranged. These support portions 24-26 support both end flange portions 32 (FIG. 5) of the roll-shaped receiver sheet or donor sheet. Further, a delivery roller pair 27 for nipping and delivering the tip of the roll stored in each of the storage spaces 23a to 23f is disposed outside the connecting member 22. A gear 28 is attached to one of the delivery roller pairs 27.

Each of the storage spaces 23a to 23f is
Storage position for storing the roll inserted from
, The position of the storage space 23f) and the supply position for supplying the stored rolls to the supply unit 7.
When positioned at the supply position, the gear 28
It can mesh with a drive gear 41 arranged in the supply unit 7.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the fixed support portion 24 includes a fixed shaft 30 whose both ends are non-rotatably supported by the side plate 21.
And a pair of flanged rollers 31 fixed to the fixed shaft 30
And The flanged roller 31 includes a flange 31a.
And the boss 31b, and the flange 32 of the roll R can be supported by the boss 31b. Further, both sides of the flange portion 32 are held by the flange portion 31a. The fixed shaft 30 is provided with a lock for screwing the roller 31 with a flange at a position for supporting the roll of the B2 size receiver sheet and the donor sheet and a position for supporting the roll of the A2 size receiver sheet and the donor sheet. A portion 30a is formed. In FIG. 5, a flanged roller 31 is screwed to a locking portion 30a for supporting a B2 size donor sheet.

The rotation support section 25 has a rotation shaft 33 whose both ends are rotatably supported by the side plate 21, and a pair of flanged rollers 31 fixed to the rotation shaft 33. The flanged roller 31 can be fixed at four positions on the rotating shaft 33 according to the size and type of the roll. The swivel support 26 includes a swivel shaft 38 serving as a swivel center, a swivel arm 34 rotatably supported by the swivel shaft 38, a rotatable shaft 35 rotatably supported at the tip of the swivel arm 34,
And a pair of flanged rollers 31 fixed to the rotating shaft 35. The pivot arm 34 is pivotable between a support position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4 and a retracted position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. When the turning arm 34 is in the retracted position, the rotating shaft 35 and the roller 31 can be used as a guide for the roll R when the roll R is inserted from the insertion opening 15. The flanged roller 31 can be fixed at four positions on the rotating shaft 35 according to the size and type of the roll. A latch 36 is attached to the tip of the swing arm 34. The latch 36 is engaged with a latch receiving portion 37 attached to the side plate 21, and can fix the turning arm portion 34 at the supporting position.

The support portions 24 to 26 are arranged such that the diameter of a circle inscribed in the brim roller 31 is slightly larger than the diameter of the flange portion 32 of the roll R. Therefore, when the storage spaces 23a to 23f are located at the supply position, as shown in FIG.
Collared roller 31 and rotation support 2 of rotation support 26
5 is supported only by the flanged roller 31. Therefore, a gap Ga is formed between the roll R and the flanged roller 31 of the fixed support portion 24. In this case, since the roll R is supported only by the rotatable flanged roller 31, it can be easily rotated.

On the other hand, when the roll R is at a position other than the supply position, the roll R is also supported by the fixed support portion 24 and the turning support portion 26 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, a gap Ga is formed between the roll R and the flanged roller 31 of the rotation support portion 25. In this case, since the roll R is supported by the non-rotatable flanged roller 31 of the fixed support portion 24, the roll R is prevented from rotating or shifting.

As shown in FIG. 2, the supply unit 7 includes four supply roller pairs 40a to 40 formed of a pair of upper and lower rollers disposed at substantially equal intervals between the revolver unit 5 and the image forming unit 6.
d, a drive gear 41 arranged on the upstream side of the supply unit 7,
The cutter 42 is disposed between the revolver unit 5 and the upstream supply roller pair 40a. The drive gear 41 and the supply roller pairs 40a to 40d are driven by a pulse motor PM1. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive gear 41 can be turned by a solenoid (not shown) between a retracted position indicated by a solid line and a meshing position closer to the revolver unit 5 side. The drive gear 41 is engaged with the gear 28 as described above, and takes out the roll housed in the revolver unit 5 to the supply unit 7. The supply roller pair 40 on the most downstream side of the supply unit 7
As shown in FIG. 11, a leading edge detection sensor PH1 composed of a photoelectric sensor for detecting the leading edge of the supplied sheet is arranged on the front side of d, as shown in FIG.

The image forming section 6, as shown in FIG. 9, transfers a color material of the donor sheet to the receiver sheet by a laser beam and a rotating drum 51 for holding the receiver sheet and the donor sheet on the outer peripheral surface. And an exposure unit 52. The rotating drum 51 is rotatably supported by a mounting base 55 mounted on the main body base 4. The rotating drum 51 is driven to rotate by a motor M4 (FIG. 2). On the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 51, as shown in FIG. 10, a large number of donor grooves 53 for separating the donor sheet DS and receiver grooves 54 for separating the receiver sheet RF are spaced apart in the axial direction. Is formed. These grooves 5
3, 54 have a width and a length into which a peeling claw (FIG. 11) described later can be inserted. Further, a large number of suction holes 57 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 51. Suction hole 5
Reference numeral 7 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via a rotating shaft of the rotating drum 51. Thereby, the rotating drum 51
Can adsorb and hold the receiver sheet RF and the donor sheet DS on the outer peripheral surface. Since the donor sheet DS has a larger size than the receiver sheet RF, the donor sheet DS can be sucked around the receiver sheet RF after the receiver sheet RF is sucked.

The exposure section 52 exposes the donor sheet DS wound around the rotating drum 51 with laser light modulated in accordance with image information, and is movably supported by a mounting base 55. The exposure unit 52 includes a pulse motor PM
5 and a driving mechanism 58 including a screw shaft 56 driven to rotate by a pulse motor PM5, and is driven by the driving mechanism 58 in the left-right direction of the apparatus (vertical direction in FIG. 10).

The rotary drum 51 is driven such that the reference position RP set in the donor groove 53 is positioned at twelve rotational positions DP1 to DP12 as shown in FIG. Here, the rotation position DP1 is a winding start position and a cutting position of the B2 size receiver sheet. The rotation position DP2 is a synchronization start position of the B2 size donor sheet. The rotation position DP3 is a cutting position of the B2 size donor sheet. The rotation position DP4 is a winding start position of the A2 size receiver sheet. The rotation position DP5 is a cutting position of the A2 size receiver sheet. The rotation position DP6 is a synchronization start position of the A2 size donor sheet. The rotation position DP7 is a cutting position of the A2 size donor sheet. Rotation position DP8
Is the peeling start position of the donor sheet. Rotational position DP
9 is a peeling start position of the receiver sheet. The rotation position DP10 is a B2 size exposure start position. The rotation position DP11 is an A2 size exposure start position.

Further, the leading end of the sheet conveyed by the supply unit 7 can be positioned at five positions based on the detection result of the leading end detection sensor PH1. Tip position FP1
Are the winding start position and the cutting position of the B2 size receiver sheet. The leading end position FP3 is a cutting position of the B2 size donor sheet. The tip position FP4 is A2
This is the winding start position of the receiver sheet of the size. The leading end position FP5 is a cutting position of the A2 size receiver sheet. The leading end position FP7 is a cutting position of the A2 size donor sheet.

As shown in FIG. 11, above the rotary drum 51, a peeling claw 60 and a pair of press-contact rollers 61, which are movable between a position where the rotary drum 51 is pressed and a position where it is separated from the rotary drum 51, are disposed. The peeling claw 60 is provided with the grooves 53 and 54 described above.
The donor sheet and the receiver sheet held by the rotating drum 51 can be separated from the rotating drum 51 by inserting the leading ends thereof. At the tip of the peeling claw 60, a peeling portion 62a for peeling the sheet and a curved portion 62b connected to the peeling portion 62a are formed. The bending portion 62b
This is for guiding the peeled donor sheet or receiver sheet radially outward of the rotating drum 51. At a position for receiving the sheet guided by the curved portion 62b,
The nip position of the pressing roller pair 61 is arranged. Further, the base of the peeling claw 60 is attached to the swing frame 67. The oscillating frame 67 can be oscillated by a solenoid (not shown) around a oscillating shaft 68 supported by the discharge unit frame 63 between a press-contact position shown by a solid line and a retracted position shown by a two-dot chain line.

The pressing roller pair 61 has a first roller 61a capable of pressing against the rotating drum 51, and a second roller 61b pressing against the first roller 61a. Second roller 61
The driving force of the pulse motor PM2 for driving the discharge unit 8 can be transmitted to b through a pressure roller clutch (FIG. 16). The first roller 61a and the second roller 61b are rotatably supported at the tip of the turning frame 64. The revolving frame 64 is rotatably supported by the discharge unit frame 63, and is provided between a pressure contact position shown by a solid line and a retreat position shown by a two-dot chain line about a rotation shaft 66 of the second roller 61b. Is driven to turn up and down.

The discharge unit frame 63 of the discharge unit 8 includes
As shown in FIG. 2, five discharge roller pairs 70a to 70e are vertically arranged. The discharge roller pair 70a is disposed above the pressing roller pair 61, and the discharge roller pair 70b is disposed above the discharge roller pair 70b. On the upper part of the discharge unit frame 63, a pair of discharge rollers 70c corresponding to the trays 13 and 14,
70d are arranged vertically. The upper discharge roller pair 70c is for discharging the receiver sheet on which an image is formed. Lower ejection roller pair 70d
Is for discharging the transferred donor sheet. A discharge roller pair 7 used for automatically processing the receiver sheet or discharging only the donor sheet to the rear side is provided on the rear side of the discharge unit frame 63.
0e is arranged. The discharge roller pairs 70a to 70d and the pressing roller 61 are driven to rotate by a pulse motor PM2 (FIG. 1). A guide member 71 formed of a flat plate member is arranged between each pair of discharge rollers 70a to 70e.

The discharge roller pair 70a and the discharge roller pair 70
A front / rear discharge claw 72 for switching the sheet discharge direction back and forth is disposed between b and 70e. Between the discharge roller pair 70b and the discharge roller pairs 70c and 70d,
An up / down switching claw 73 for switching the sheet discharging direction up and down is arranged. Further, an up-down switching claw 74 for switching the sheet discharging direction up and down is disposed on the further back side of the back discharge roller pair 70e.
These switching claws 72 to 74 are driven by a solenoid (not shown).

The multi-color proofing apparatus 1 has a control unit 8 shown in FIG.
0 is provided. The control unit 80 includes a CPU, ROM, RA
A microcomputer including M and the like is provided. The control unit 80 is connected to the operation panel 10, various sensors including the tip detection sensor PH1, a timer 81, and other input / output units. The control unit 80 includes a pulse motor PM
1 drive unit 82, pulse motor PM2 drive unit 83, pulse motor PM3 drive unit 84, motor M4 drive unit 85, pulse motor PM5 drive unit 86, drive gear drive unit 87, peeling claw drive unit 88, pressure contact roller clutch 89, pressure contact The roller contact / separation driving unit 90, the up / down switching claw driving unit 91, the front / back switching claw driving unit 92, and the exposure driving unit 93 are connected. Operation Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the control flowcharts shown in FIGS.

In step S1 of FIG. 17, initialization is performed. Here, the revolver unit 5, the rotating drum 51, and the exposure unit 52 are set at the origins, respectively. The color order is initially set in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. In step S2, it is determined whether or not various settings such as changing the color order and adding a special color have been made by the key input unit 11. In step S3, it is determined whether the start key has been operated. In step S4, it is determined whether another key has been operated. When various settings are made, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S5. In step S5, a setting by a key operation is received. When the start key is operated, the process moves from step S3 to step S6. Step S6
Then, print processing (described later) is executed. When another key is operated, the process moves from step S4 to step S7.
In step S7, processing corresponding to the pressed key is performed.

In the printing process, step S1 in FIG.
1, the rolls according to the color order are stored in the respective storage spaces 23a to 23f.
It is determined whether or not it has already been stored in the. This decision
For example, the detection is performed by sensors (not shown) arranged in the storage spaces 23a to 23f. If the roll set in each storage space is set, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, each of the storage spaces 23a to 23
It is determined whether or not the cueing of the roll stored in f (cutting the leading end of the roll that may be broken or dirty by a predetermined amount and trimming the leading end) is OK. This determination is made based on whether the leading end of the roll is nipped by the feed roller 27 or not. If the cueing is OK, step S13
Move to In step S13, a receiver sheet loading process (described later) is performed. Here, the receiver sheet is supplied from the revolver unit 5 to the rotating drum 51 and wound around the rotating drum 51.

In step S14, a donor sheet loading process (described later) is performed. Here, the donor sheet is supplied from the revolver unit 5 to the rotating drum 51, and the donor sheet is wound around the receiver sheet. Step S1
In step 5, an exposure process (described later) is performed to expose the donor sheet with image information on the color of the wound donor sheet. Here, the color material on the donor sheet is transferred to the receiver sheet, and an image is formed on the receiver sheet.
In step S16, an unload process (described later) for discharging the transferred donor sheet is executed.

In step S17, it is determined whether or not exposure for all colors has been completed. For example, when exposure is performed in the order of black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and a special color, it is determined whether or not the exposure of the special color has been completed. If the exposure for all the colors has not been completed, the process returns to step S14 to load the donor sheet of the next color material. When the exposure of all the color materials is completed, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, an unload process (discussed below) for discharging the receiver sheet is performed.

When it is determined that the roll is not stored in the storage spaces 23a to 23f, the process shifts to step S19. In step S19, a roll set process (described later) is performed. If it is determined that the cue has not been performed, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S20. Step S20
Then, a cueing process is performed for a roll for which cueing has not been performed.

In the roll set process of step S19,
In step S21 in FIG. 19, a check before rotation is performed.
Here, it is determined whether the drive gear 41 is connected to the gear 28 or not. If the drive gear 41 is connected to the gear 28, it is released. In step S22, it is determined whether or not the rotating frame 20 of the revolver unit 5 has returned to the origin. If the home position has not been returned, step S
Then, the process returns to step 23, where the rotating frame 20 is returned to the origin position. In step S24, the storage space where no roll is set is positioned at the insertion position. In step S25, it is determined whether a roll has been inserted from the insertion slot 15 by the operator and all rolls have been set. Until all the rolls are set, the process returns to step S24,
The next storage space is positioned at the storage position. When all the rolls have been set, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the process waits until the door 16 is closed. When the door 16 is closed, the process returns to the main routine.

In the receiver loading process in step S13, a check before rotation is performed in step S31 in FIG. In step S32, it is determined whether or not the revolver unit 5 has returned to the origin. If the origin has not been returned, the process proceeds to step S33, and the rotating frame 20 of the revolver unit 5 is returned to the origin position. In step S34,
The storage space for storing the roll of the receiver sheet of the revolver unit 5 is positioned at the supply position. In step S35,
The drive gear 41 is connected to and meshed with the gear 28. Step S
At 36, the forward rotation of the pulse motor PM1 for driving the transport unit 7 is started. In step S37, the tip detection sensor P
Wait for H1 to turn on. When the leading edge detection sensor PH1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S38, and the pulse motor PM1 is stopped. Thus, the leading end of the receiver sheet sent from the revolver unit 5 stops below the leading end detection sensor PH1.

In step S39, the pulse motor PM1
Then, the normal rotation of the driving motor M4 of the rotating drum 51 is started. In step S40, it is determined whether the fed sheet is an A2 size receiver sheet. In the case of the A2 size receiver sheet, step S4 in FIG.
Move to 1. In step S41, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet has reached the leading edge position FP4 (FIG. 13). This determination is made based on the number of pulses given to the pulse motor PM1 from the start of the forward rotation of the pulse motor PM1 in step S39 until the leading edge of the sheet reaches the leading edge position FP4. In step S42, it is determined whether the reference position RP of the rotating drum 51 has reached the rotating position DP4. Then, in step S43, the pulse motor PM1
And whether the motor M4 is stopped. Until both stop, the process returns to step S41.

If it is determined in step S41 that the leading edge of the sheet has reached the leading edge position FP4, the flow shifts to step S44. In step S44, the pulse motor PM1 is stopped. If it is determined in step S42 that the reference position RP of the rotary drum 51 has reached the rotation position DP4, the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the motor M4 is stopped. As a result, the leading end of the sheet is moved to the leading end position FP4.
And the reference position RP of the rotary drum 51 is
It matches P4.

If both the motors PM1 and M4 stop,
The process moves from step S43 to step S46. In step S46, the vacuum is turned ON. As a result, the front end of the receiver sheet is suction-held on the rotating drum 51. In the step S47 waits for the lapse of the time T _1. This time T ₁
Is the time sufficient for the leading end of the sheet to be sufficiently absorbed by the vacuum.

In step S48, the motors PM1, M4
Start the forward rotation together. In step S49, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet has reached the leading edge position FP5. This determination is also made based on the number of pulses given to the pulse motor PM1. In step S50, it is determined whether or not the rotating drum 51 has reached the rotating position DP5. In step S51, it is determined whether both the motors PM1 and M4 are stopped. If not stopped, the process returns to step S49.

When it is determined that the leading edge of the sheet has reached the leading edge position FP5, the flow shifts to step S52. Step S5
In step 2, the motor PM1 is stopped. If it is determined that the reference position RP has reached the rotation position DP5, step S53 is performed.
Move to In step S53, the motor M4 is stopped. If both the motors PM1 and M4 stop, the process moves from step S51 to step S54 in FIG. In step S54, the receiver sheet is cut by the cutter 42. As a result, the A2 size receiver sheet becomes width 2
It is cut into 2 inches by 26 inches in length. Step S5
At 5, the meshing of the drive gear 41 is released. Then, in step S56, normal rotation of the motors M4 and PM1 is started.

In the step S57, it is determined whether or not the leading end of the receiver sheet has reached the full circumference winding position. In step S58, the reference position RP of the rotating drum 51 is set to 2
It is determined whether or not it has rotated. In a step S59, the control waits until both the motors M4 and PM1 stop. When the leading end of the sheet reaches the full-wrap position, the process proceeds from step S57 to step S60. In step S60, the pulse motor PM1 is stopped. When it is determined that the drum has rotated twice, the process proceeds from step S58 to step S61. In step S61, the motor M4 is stopped.

If it is determined in step S59 that the motors M4 and PM1 have stopped, the flow shifts to step S62. In step S62, the drive gear 41 is connected to the gear.
In step S63, the reverse rotation of the pulse motor PM1 is started. In step S64, the process waits for the leading end of the cut sheet to be rewound by 60 mm. This determination is made based on the number of pulses given to the pulse motor PM1. As a result, the leading end of the roll cut by the cutter 42 is positioned before the delivery roller pair 27. Step S65
Then, the pulse motor PM1 is stopped. In step S66, the drive gear 41 is disengaged from the gear 28, and the process returns to the main routine.

If it is determined in step S40 in FIG. 20 that the size is not the A2 size, the flow shifts to step S70 in FIG. In step S70, it is determined whether the leading end of the B2 size receiver sheet has reached the leading end position FP1. In step S71, the reference position RP of the rotating drum 51 is set.
Is determined to have reached the rotational position DP1. In step S72, it is determined whether both the motors PM1 and M4 are stopped. If it is not stopped, the process returns to step S70.

When the leading end of the receiver sheet reaches the leading end position FP1, the process moves from step S70 to step S73. In step S73, the pulse motor PM1 is stopped. When the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP1, the process moves from step S71 to step S74. Step S7
At 4, the motor M4 is stopped. If both the motors PM1 and M4 stop, the process proceeds from step S72 to step S75. In step S75, the vacuum is turned on. As a result, the leading end of the B2 size receiver sheet is held by suction on the rotating drum 51. In step S76, time T
Wait for ₁ to elapse. This time is the same as the time in step S47. Step S5 in FIG. 22 when the time T ₁ is passed
Then, the process proceeds to steps S54 to S66.

Here, as shown in FIG. 14, the A2 size receiver sheet RF has its rear end located in the groove 54 and its leading end located on the left side of FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the B2 size receiver sheet RF is cut to a length of 22 inches, and similarly, the rear end is positioned in the groove 54 and the front end is positioned at about 70 ° upstream of the rotation direction. I do. In the donor loading process of step S14 in FIG.
In step S81, in the revolver unit 5, the storage space in which the roll of the donor sheet of the color to be supplied is stored is positioned at the supply position. In step S82, the drive gear 41 is engaged with and connected to the gear 28. In step S83, the normal rotation of the pulse motor PM1 and the motor M4 is started.

In step S84, the tip detection sensor PH
It is determined whether or not 1 is turned on. Step S86
Then, it is determined whether or not the supplied donor sheet is an A2 size donor sheet. If it is an A2 size donor sheet, the process shifts to step S87 to determine whether the reference position RP of the rotating drum 51 has reached the rotating position DP6. On the other hand, if it is not the A2 size donor sheet, the process proceeds from step S86 to step S90,
It is determined whether the reference position RP of the rotating drum 51 has reached the rotating position DP2. Further, in step S88, the process waits until both the motors PM1 and M4 stop.

When the leading edge detection sensor PH1 is turned on, the process proceeds from step S84 to step S85, where the pulse motor P
Stop M1 once. When the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP6, the process proceeds from step S87 to step S89 in the case of an A2 size donor sheet. Step S
At 89, the motor M4 is stopped. Accordingly, the reference position RP is located at the rotation position DP6 in FIG. 13, and the leading end of the sheet is located below the leading end detection sensor PH1. A
When the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP2 when the donor sheet is not a two-size donor sheet, the process proceeds from step S90 to step S91. In step S91, the motor M4 is stopped. As a result, the reference position RP is located at the rotation position DP2.

If it is determined in step S88 that both the motors PM1 and M4 have stopped, the flow shifts to step S92.
In step S92, the first roller 6 of the pressing roller pair 61
1 a is pressed against the rotating drum 51. In the step S93, waits for the lapse of the time T _2. The time T ₂ are, first roller 61a is sufficient time to descend. Step S
At 94, the motors PM1 and M4 start normal rotation. As a result, the donor sheet is pressed onto the receiver sheet by the pressing roller pair 61 in a state where the donor sheet stopped below the leading edge detection sensor PH1 and the receiver sheet wound around the rotary drum 51 are accurately aligned. While being wound.

In step S95 of FIG. 24, it is determined whether or not the supplied donor sheet is A2 size. A
If it is a two-size donor sheet, the process proceeds to step S96. In step S96, it is determined whether the leading edge of the sheet has reached the leading edge position FP7. In step S97, it is determined whether or not the reference position RP of the rotating drum 51 has reached the rotating position DP7. In step S98, the motor P
It is determined whether M1 and motor M4 are stopped.
If not stopped, the process returns to step S95.

When the leading edge of the sheet has reached the leading edge position FP7, the process moves from step S96 to step S99. In step S99, the motor PM1 is stopped. Rotating drum 51
When the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP7, the process moves from step S97 to step S100. Step S1
At 00, the motor M4 is stopped. Thus, the A2 size donor sheet is located at the cutting position. At this time, since the vacuum sheet is in the vacuum operating state, the donor sheet is pressed against the receiver sheet by the pressing roller pair 61 and is simultaneously attracted to the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 51.

If the size is not the A2 size, the process proceeds from step S95 to step S101. Step S
At 101, it is determined whether or not the leading edge of the donor sheet has reached the leading edge position FP3. In step S102, it is determined whether the reference position RP of the rotating drum 51 has reached the rotating position DP3. When the leading edge of the sheet reaches the leading edge position FP3, the process proceeds from step S101 to step S103. In step S103, the motor PM1 is stopped. When the reference position RP of the rotating drum 51 reaches the rotating position DP3, the process moves from step S102 to step S104. In step S104, the motor M4 is stopped.

If it is determined in step S98 that the motors PM1 and M4 are stopped, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the supplied donor sheet is cut by the cutter. As a result, the sheet is cut to a length of 28 inches in the case of a 24-inch wide A2 size donor sheet, and to a length of 24 inches in the case of a 33-inch wide B2 size donor sheet.

In step S106, the drive gear 41 is disengaged from the gear 28. In step S107, the same processing as in steps S56 to S66 of FIG. 22 is performed, and the donor sheet is wound on the receiver sheet. As a result, A2
In the case of a donor sheet having a size, as shown in FIG. 14, the sheet is wound around substantially the entire circumference of the rotating drum 51. In the case of a B2 size donor sheet, FIG.
As shown in (2), a sheet is wound around substantially ／ of the circumference of the rotating drum 51. In step S108, the pressing roller 6
The first roller 61a is raised. Then, the process returns to the main routine.

In the exposure processing of step S15 in FIG.
In step S111 in FIG. 25, the motor M4 starts normal rotation. In step S112, it is determined whether or not the exposure is A2 size. In the case of A2 size exposure, the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, the process waits until the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP11. Also B2
If the document is a size document, the process proceeds from step S112 to step S114. In step S114, the reference position R
Wait until P reaches the rotation position DP10.

When the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP11 or the rotation position DP10, the flow shifts to step S115. In step S115, the exposure unit 52 is
While moving in synchronization with 1, laser light corresponding to image information is irradiated to transfer the color material of the donor sheet to the receiver sheet. The size of the receiver sheet is larger than the size of the drawn image, and the exposure start position is determined so that an unexposed portion of 10 mm can be formed at the rear end of the receiver sheet. The unexposed portion may be about 5 mm or more. When the exposure is completed, the motor M4 is stopped in step S116, and the exposure unit 52 is returned to the origin position.

In the donor unloading process in step S16 in FIG. 18, the first roller 61a is lowered in step S121 in FIG. In step S122, it is determined whether or not the automatic mode for automatically sending the receiver sheet to the laminating apparatus 2 is set. In the case of the automatic mode, the process proceeds to step S123, and the front / rear switching claw 72 is switched backward. If it is not automatic, step S
The process proceeds to 124, and the front / rear switching claw 72 is switched forward. That is, whether to discharge the receiver sheet and the donor sheet to the front side of the apparatus or to the rear side of the apparatus is determined.

Here, the receiver sheet and the donor sheet are arranged before and after the apparatus between the automatic mode and the manual mode. However, in the manual mode, the receiver sheet and the donor sheet are placed on the front of the apparatus. It is good also as composition which distributes to the back of an apparatus. In step S125, the upper and lower switching claws 73 and 74 are switched to the lower discharge direction. Specifically, the upper and lower switching claws 73 and 74 are switched to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. In step S126, the reverse rotation of the motor M4 is started. In step S127, the process waits until the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP8.
The rotation position DP8 is set between the tip of the peeling claw 60 and the first roller 6
This is a position between the nip position of the rotary drum 51 of FIG. When the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP8, the process proceeds to step S128. In step S128, the motor M4 is set in a free rotation state and stopped. Step S12
In 9, the peeling claw 60 is lowered, and the peeling portion 62 a is arranged in the donor groove 53. In step S130, the normal rotation of the pulse motor PM2 for the discharge unit 8 is started. In step S131, the press roller clutch 89 is turned on. Thus, the first roller 61a and the second roller 61b are driven to rotate in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG.

[0065] In step S132, waits for the lapse of the time T _4. This time T ₄ is a time sufficient for the discharge roller front end (rear end) of the donor sheet to be sandwiched between the first roller 61 a and the second roller 61 b after the separation start from the separation claw 60. At this time, the rear end of the donor sheet is
The first roller 6 is formed by the curved portion 62b formed at the front edge of the first roller 6
The nip is guided to the nip position between the first roller 1a and the second roller 61b.

When the time T ₄ has elapsed, the flow shifts to step S133. In step S133, the peeling claw 60 is raised. In step S134, it waits for the lapse of the time T _5. The time T _5, the pair of discharge rollers 70a on the downstream side of the pressure roller 61 the trailing edge of the donor sheet is sufficient time to pass completed. In step S135, the pressing roller pair 61 is raised to move the first roller 61a away from the rotating drum 51. In step S136, the process waits until the donor sheet is discharged to the donor tray 14 or the donor sheet collection box 3. This determination is made, for example, by a sensor provided in each of them. If it is determined that the donor sheet has been discharged, the process proceeds to step S137. In step S137, the pulse motor PM2 is stopped. In step S138, the press roller clutch 89 is turned off.

Here, a fusion type thermal transfer sheet is used as the donor sheet, and even if the donor sheet and the receiver sheet adhere to each other by melting, the donor sheet can be removed with a uniform peeling angle and peeling strength when unloaded. Since the image can be peeled off from the receiver sheet, the image transferred to the receiver sheet is hardly distorted and hardly damaged. Further, since the length of the rear end portion of 10 mm is set as the unexposed portion, the coloring material of the donor sheet is not transferred to this portion, and the peeling is facilitated. Further, a curved portion 62b is attached to the tip of the peeling claw 60.
Is formed, the donor sheet can be reliably discharged with a compact configuration also serving as a sheet conveyance direction guide. Further, since the first roller 61a also serves as a pressure roller for pressing the donor sheet to the receiver sheet and a discharge roller for discharging the donor sheet, their configurations can be simplified and the leading end of the sheet is nipped. And the extra portion of the donor sheet can be reduced.

In the receiver unloading process in step S18 in FIG. 18, the first roller 61a of the pressure roller 61 is pressed against the rotating drum 51 in step S141 in FIG.
The operations from step S142 to step S155 are almost the same as the operations from step S122 to step S135 in FIG. Here, in step S147, the process waits until the reference position RP reaches the rotation position DP9. The rotation position DP9 is a position where the receiver groove 54 is disposed between the tip of the claw 60 and the nip position of the first roller 61a and the rotating drum 51. Time T ₆ and time T ₇
Is almost the same time as T ₅ each time T ₄ and the time.

When the pressure roller is raised in step S155, the process proceeds to step S156. In step S156, the vacuum is turned off. In step S157, the process waits until the receiver sheet is discharged. This determination is almost the same as the determination in step S136. Step S15
At 8, the discharge pulse motor PM2 is stopped. In step S159, the pressure roller clutch 89 is turned off, and the process returns to the main routine.

[0070]

In the multicolor proofreading apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the roll-shaped donor sheet and the receiver sheet are inserted into the sheet storage section from the radial direction, so that compared to the case where the donor sheet and the receiver sheet are inserted from the axial direction. Handling of rolled sheets is easy. In the multicolor proofing apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the insertion of the donor sheet and the receiver sheet and the discharge of the multicolor printing sample are performed on the same front side of the apparatus, so that the workability is improved. When the sheet storage unit has the rotating frame and the storage unit main body, the configuration of the sheet storage unit is simplified even if a large number of donor sheets are arranged.

In the roll sheet supply device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation support section supports the roll sheet when in the supply position, so that the roll sheet can be easily rotated. Further, when in the storage position, the fixed support portion supports the roll sheet, so that the roll sheet is less likely to be displaced.
For this reason, the roll sheet can be smoothly supplied while preventing the roll sheet from shifting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multicolor proofing system employing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a revolver unit.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a storage space.

FIG. 5 is a partial view taken in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial view taken along the arrow VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a supply attitude.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a storage posture;

FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of an image forming unit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram viewed from the arrow X in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a discharge unit.

FIG. 12 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a discharge unit.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation position of a rotary drum.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an A2 size winding state on a rotary drum.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a winding state of a B2 size on a rotating drum.

FIG. 16 is a control block diagram of the multicolor proofing device.

FIG. 17 is a control flowchart of a control unit.

FIG. 18 is a control flowchart of a control unit.

FIG. 19 is a control flowchart of a control unit.

FIG. 20 is a control flowchart of a control unit.

FIG. 21 is a control flowchart of a control unit.

FIG. 22 is a control flowchart of a control unit.

FIG. 23 is a control flowchart of the control unit.

FIG. 24 is a control flowchart of a control unit.

FIG. 25 is a control flowchart of a control unit.

FIG. 26 is a control flowchart of the control unit.

FIG. 27 is a control flowchart of the control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 multicolor proofing device 5 revolver unit 6 image forming unit 7 supply unit 8 discharge unit 13 receiver tray 14 donor tray 15 insertion port 20 rotating frames 23a to 23f storage space 24 fixed support unit 25 rotation support unit 26 rotation support unit 72 nail

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/32-2/325 B41J 15/04 B41J 35/16 B41M 5/26

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multicolor proofing apparatus for transferring a color material from a plurality of donor sheets to a receiver sheet according to image information to obtain a multicolor printing sample, wherein the multicolor printing sample is formed from the donor sheet and the receiver sheet. An image forming unit, a sheet storage unit that has a sheet insertion port for inserting the roll-shaped donor sheet and the receiver sheet in the radial direction thereof, and stores a sheet inserted from the sheet insertion port; A multicolor proofing apparatus comprising: a sheet supply unit that supplies the donor sheet and the receiver sheet stored in the sheet storage unit to the image forming unit while developing the donor sheet and the receiver sheet. 2. A multicolor proofing apparatus for transferring a color material from a plurality of donor sheets to a receiver sheet according to image information to obtain a multicolor printing sample, wherein the multicolor printing sample is formed from the donor sheet and the receiver sheet. An image forming unit that has a sheet insertion port for inserting the donor sheet and the receiver sheet on a front surface of the apparatus, and a sheet storage unit that stores the sheet inserted from the sheet insertion port; A sheet supply unit that supplies the donor sheet and the receiver sheet stored in the unit to the image forming unit; and a discharge unit that discharges the multicolored sample formed by the image forming unit toward the front of the apparatus. Multicolor proofing device equipped. 3. The multi-colored sheet storage unit according to claim 2, wherein the sheet storage unit includes a rotatable rotating frame and a storage unit main body that is divided and disposed in the rotating frame in a circumferential direction. Calibration device. 4. A roll sheet supply device for supplying a roll sheet to an image forming unit, comprising: a storage position for storing the roll sheet; and a supply position for supplying the roll sheet to the image forming unit. A sheet storage unit that holds the roll sheet with a rotatable rotation support unit and a non-rotatable fixed support unit; and a sheet that supplies the roll sheet with the sheet storage unit in a supply position to the image forming unit. A supply unit, wherein the sheet storage unit is configured such that at least the fixed support unit supports the roll sheet when in the storage position, and the rotation support unit supports the roll sheet when in the supply position. A roll sheet feeding device in which a rotating support and a fixed support are arranged.