JP3189920B2 - Image printer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic paper transporting means for carrying a sheet of photographic paper to an exposure location and carrying it out of the exposure location as the exposure is completed, and a photographic paper at the exposure location. The present invention relates to an image printer provided with an exposing means for exposing image information of a film and a developing means for developing the exposed photographic paper with conveyance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In such an image printer, image information of a film is exposed by an exposing means on a sheet-like photographic paper conveyed to an exposure portion, and the exposed photographic paper is carried out by a photographic paper conveying means. Then, in a processing step of developing the conveyed photographic paper by the developing means, a printing process of the image information of the film onto the photographic paper is performed. Usually, the film to be subjected to the exposure processing is a series of a plurality of frames,
The above processing is sequentially repeated for the image information of each frame of the film. Here, the time required for exposing the photographic paper by the exposure means varies depending on changes in the type of film, image information, and the like, but on average, after the developing means starts accepting the photographic paper, it accepts the next photographic paper. It is shorter than the time until it becomes possible. Conventional image printers have a configuration in which an exposure unit and a developing unit are directly connected via a photographic paper conveying unit, and the photographic paper conveying unit is a new photographic paper conveying unit until the developing unit can receive a new photographic paper. The photographic paper could not be fed into the developing means. Therefore, the exposing means also waits until the developing means is ready to accept new photographic paper.

[0003]

For this reason, the utilization efficiency of the exposure means during the operation time of the image printer is low. On the other hand, if the processing capacity of the exposure unit is simply reduced, the exposure unit needs to wait when exposing a frame having a long exposure time, and in any case, the exposure unit or the exposure unit during the operation time of the apparatus is required. This reduces the efficiency of use of the developing means. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of use of an exposure unit or a development unit during operation of the apparatus.

[0004]

An image printer according to the present invention comprises a photographic paper transporting means for carrying a sheet-shaped photographic paper to an exposure location, and carrying out the photographic paper from the exposure location as the exposure is completed. Exposure means for exposing the image information of the film to the photographic paper of the exposure location, and developing means for developing the photographic paper after exposure is carried along with the transport,
The first characteristic configuration is provided with photographic paper holding means capable of accumulating photographic paper discharged from the photographic paper transporting means, and discharging the accumulated photographic paper to the developing means in the order of accumulation first. Wherein the photographic paper holding means is
As the set number of photographic papers discharged from the conveyance
So that the accumulated photographic paper is discharged to the developing means.
The point is that it is composed .

That is, the first feature of the present invention is provided.
In the image printer, the sheet-shaped mark
Image information for one frame of film on exposure paper by exposure means
Is exposed, and the exposed photographic paper is
It is carried out. Photographic paper discharged from photographic paper transporting means
Are stored in the photographic paper holding unit up to the set number. Photographic paper
The number of photographic papers stored in the holding means reaches the set number
And stored first from the photographic paper holding means toward the developing means.
It is discharged in order from the thing. On the other hand, in the developing means, photographic paper
The photographic paper discharged from the holding means is sequentially received and developed.
To finish printing the image information of the film onto photographic paper.
I do. In other words, the photographic paper transport means is equivalent to one frame of the film.
When the exposure of
Exposure is completed regardless of the state of
The photographic paper can be carried out toward the photographic paper holding means.
Therefore, the exposure means immediately starts exposing the image information of the next frame.
You can start. In addition, as the set number of sheets,
Types of image printers expose one film to one exposure
Because it is often treated as a quantity, one piece of film
It is appropriate to use a number of
The number of frames connected to the chair and the number of frames less than one film
The settings can be changed as appropriate.

Therefore, the first feature of the present invention is provided.
In the image printer described above, the exposure means
Take out the paper toward the photographic paper holding means and immediately print the next piece.
The exposure operation of the image information can be started, while the developing means
The photographic paper discharged from the paper holding means is sequentially developed.
The exposure means and the development means are actuated by each other.
The waiting time for adjusting
To improve the efficiency of use of the exposure means or developing means
I can do it. Furthermore, for example, it is stored in the photographic paper holding means.
Treats the set number of photographic papers as one exposure processing amount
Set to the number of frames for one film that is often
And the exposing means, the photographic paper stored in the photographic paper holding means,
After the number of sheets reaches the set number, there is no need to perform exposure.
Do not place the light means in a dormant state, for example, by turning off the power.
Door or the like also becomes possible, it is possible to reduce the operating costs of the facility.

The second feature of the present invention is the first feature.
Wherein the photographic paper holding means comprises:
A photographic paper receiver of the developing means located below the end of the step;
Equipped with a photographic paper tray that swings up and down around the entrance
The photographic paper discharged from the photographic paper transporting means is stacked.
In the photographic paper accumulation state, the tray
Is swung downwards, and the front
The point that is configured to swing the cradle upward
is there.

That is, the second feature of the present invention is provided.
In the image printer, the photographic paper holding means
In some cases, the photographic paper tray is the photographic paper receiving part of the developing means.
To the end of the photographic paper transport means.
When it is located below the edge,
The photographic paper is sequentially discharged from the photographic paper transporting means to the photographic paper holding means.
Is stored in a stack on the photographic paper tray.
You. Then, the number of photographic papers stored in the photographic paper
When the set number of sheets is reached, the printing paper tray
Print paper is discharged by swinging upwards around the paper receiving section.
State, and prints in the
Discharge the drawing paper.

Therefore, the second feature of the present invention is provided.
In the image printer, the printing paper holding means
Photographic paper in a small space to accumulate
Can be stored in the photographic paper holding means.
When the photographic paper tray is in the photographic paper storage state,
In the swayed position, and in the photographic paper discharge state,
The photographic paper holding means is occupied by
For example, while swinging upward,
Storing and discharging photographic paper in a fixed position
Compared to a configuration that performs
The set number of sheets that can be stored can be increased.

[0010] A third characteristic configuration of the present invention is the photographic paper transport.
The photographic paper discharged from the means can be stored and stored.
Discharged to the developing means in the order in which the photographic papers are stored first.
Indicia image paper holding means is provided that, the paper holding means
From the upstream side to the downstream side of the photographic paper transport path.
A photographic paper tray with a forwardly inclined posture, and the photographic paper
Transfers the photographic paper on the mounting surface of the cradle toward the developing means
Photographic paper having a roller for feeding and a feeding guide
Between the placing surface of the cradle and the delivery guide
Is provided with a gap that allows the passage of only one sheet of photographic paper
On the point.

That is, the third feature of the present invention is provided.
In an image printer, the gap is made of photographic paper conveyed earlier.
In the closed state, the printing paper tray has a plurality of marks.
The paper can be stored, and the photographic paper conveyed earlier is
When you complete the passage between, it is accumulated in a stacked state
The lowermost printing paper of the plurality of printing papers is the gap
Rush into. In other words, the third feature of the present invention is provided.
In an image printer, the exposed photographic paper is printed
When the paper is sequentially discharged from the step to the photographic paper holding means, the photographic paper is held.
Means that the developing means can accept new photographic paper
If the photographic paper can be supplied to the developing means,
The photographic paper is discharged toward the developing means, and the developing means
The photographic paper is not ready to be received.
If supply is not possible, stack the photographic paper in a stacked state
Then, as the photographic paper can be supplied to the developing means,
It is discharged in the order of the accumulation first toward the developing means.

Therefore, the third feature of the present invention is provided.
In the image printer, since the developing means is not in a state capable of receiving new photographic paper and the supply of the photographic paper to the developing means is impossible, the photographic paper is stored in the photographic paper holding means. For example, even if the processing capacity of the exposure means is reduced, if the exposure time is short and the processing capacity of the exposure means exceeds the processing capacity of the developing means, printing is performed on the photographic paper holding means by an amount exceeding the processing capacity of the developing means. When the paper is accumulated and the processing capacity of the exposure means falls below the processing capacity of the developing means due to the increase of the film having a long exposure time, the developing processing can be performed while destroying the photographic paper already stored in the photographic paper holding means. Equipment costs can be reduced without lowering the processing capacity of the entire image printer .

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the image printer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the image printer 1 has a printing paper 2 pulled out of a printing paper magazine 4 containing a printing paper 2 in a roll shape and exposing one frame of image information of a film 3. Cutter 5, a projection exposure unit P as exposure means for exposing the image information of the film 3 to the photographic paper 2, a photographic paper stock unit S for storing the exposed photographic paper 2, and an exposure completed. Developing section D as developing means for developing photographic paper 2
And a control device C for controlling the operation of the entire image printer, such as the exposure operation of the projection exposure section P and the operation of the transport system of the photographic paper 2.

Hereinafter, each component will be described. Cutter 5
Is composed of a lower blade 5a fixed to the apparatus main body side and an upper blade 5b slid up and down by a solenoid (not shown) or the like, and the photographic paper 2 positioned between the upper blade 5b and the lower blade 5a.
Is cut to a predetermined size. On the upstream side of the photographic paper 2 transport path of the cutter 5, a roller 10 and a motor M1 for driving the roller 10 to rotate are provided for transporting the photographic paper 2 from the photographic paper magazine 4 to the cutter 5. The roller 10 pulls out the printing paper 2 from the printing paper magazine 4 by the rotation drive.

The projection exposure section P has a light source 20, a light control filter 21 for correcting the color balance of the light emitted from the light source 20 according to the color density information of the film 3, and a uniform color mixture of the light passing through the light control filter 21. Mirror tunnel 22, film 3
, A printing lens 24 for forming image information of the film 3 on the photographic paper 2, a shutter 25, and an exposure table 26 which is an exposure portion where the photographic paper 2 is located when exposing the image information of the film 3 is the same. It is provided on the optical axis. The exposure table 26 includes rollers 26a, 26b, 26c, 2
The printing paper 2 on the belt 26e is conveyed by driving a motor M2 connected to a roller 26a. Although not shown, holes are provided in the belt 26e at appropriate intervals, and the photographic paper 2 is sucked by the fan (not shown) through the holes and is attracted to the belt 26e.

In the photographic paper stock section S, a photographic paper tray 30 for receiving the photographic paper 2 discharged after the exposure on the exposure table 26 is completed, and the photographic paper 2 discharged from the exposure table 26 is securely received in the photographic paper tray. A dropping guide 35 and a dropping roller 36 for dropping into the table 30, a pressure roller 34 to be pressed against the photographic paper receiving table 30, and an upper guide 3 for guiding the photographic paper 2 to the developing section D in cooperation with the photographic paper receiving table 30.
3 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic paper tray 30 is
The photographic paper 2 is fixed in a posture inclined forward and downward from the upstream side to the downstream side of the photographic paper 2 transport path. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a feeding guide 30 a is attached to a mounting surface 30 b of the photographic paper receiving table 30 on which the photographic paper 2 is mounted, and a lower surface of the photographic paper receiving table 30 is Rollers 31, 32
Is attached. Placement surface 30 of photographic paper tray 30
A gap 30c is provided between b and the feeding guide 30a so that the gap 30c can pass through by one photographic paper. Each of the rollers 31 and 32 has its upper end slightly projecting toward the mounting surface 30b, and the roller 31 is connected to a motor M3 as shown in FIG. The pressure roller 34 has a pair of swing arms 3 at both ends of the rotation shaft 34c.
4a is rotatably supported at one end of the swing arm 34a.
The other end of the support shaft 34b fixed to the body frame side
Is rotatably supported. The swing arm 34a is urged clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2 around the support shaft 34b by a spring (not shown), and the urging force causes the pressure roller 34 to lay on the mounting surface of the printing paper receiving table 30. 30b
Is crimped.

The development processing section D includes five processing tanks 4
0, a roller 41 for transporting the photographic paper 2 over each of the processing tanks 40 and a guide (not shown) for supporting and guiding both sides of the photographic paper 2 are provided. The photographic paper 2 received by the photographic paper receiving section 42 is conveyed to the rollers 41 and sequentially passes through five processing tanks 40, where the developing processing is performed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image printer having the above configuration will be schematically described. The control of the operation of each part is performed by the control device C as described above. The photographic paper 2 stored in the photographic paper magazine 4 is pulled out by the roller 10 by the rotation of the motor M 1, and the leading end of the photographic paper 2 is
When the photographic paper 2 is sent to the downstream side of the transport path by a distance corresponding to a size for exposing one frame of the image information of the film 3,
Is stopped, and the cutter 5 operates to cut the photographic paper 2 into a sheet. The cut sheet of photographic paper 2 is conveyed to the exposure position by a belt 26e driven by the operation of the motor M2, and the operations of the light control filter 21 and the shutter 25 are controlled based on the density information of the film 3 and the like. It is exposed in a state.

The photographic paper 2 that has been exposed is a belt 26e.
And is discharged from the end of the exposure table 26 corresponding to the position of the roller 26c. The discharged photographic paper 2 is
It is guided by the dropping guide 35 and the dropping roller 36 and falls on the photographic paper receiving table 30. At this time, the gap 30c between the mounting surface 30b of the photographic paper receiving tray 30 and the feeding guide 30a is closed by the photographic paper 2 that has been transported earlier, and is dropped into the photographic paper receiving tray 30 later. Photographic paper 2
Is impossible to supply to the development processing section D, the photographic paper 2 that has fallen on the photographic paper receiving tray 30 later is accumulated as it is,
When the subsequent exposed photographic paper 2 is discharged from the exposure table 26, the photographic paper 2 is accumulated in a stacked state on the photographic paper 2 already accumulated.

When the photographic paper 2 conveyed earlier has completed the passage through the gap 30c, the photographic paper 2 located at the lowermost position of the photographic paper 2 accumulated in a stacked state enters the gap 30c,
At the initial stage, the roller 31 is conveyed by the roller 31 driven by the motor M3 while being pressed by the pressing roller 34 and the roller 31 and further pressed by the pressing roller 34 and the rollers 31 and 32 as it is further conveyed. The photographic paper enters the developing section D from the photographic paper receiving section 42 and is developed. In other words, the images are sent to the development processing unit D in the order of accumulation. Here, the speed at which the photographic paper 2 is conveyed by the rollers 31 matches the speed at which the photographic paper 2 is conveyed in the developing section D.

Accordingly, the roller 10, the motor M1, and the rollers 26a, 26b, 26c,
6d, the belt 26e, and the motor M2 function as photographic paper transporting means T for carrying the photographic paper 2 into and out of the exposure location, and carry out the photographic paper 2 from the exposure location.
Functions as a photographic paper holding unit that can freely accumulate the photographic paper 2 discharged from the photographic paper transporting means T and discharges the accumulated photographic paper 2 to the development processing unit D in the order in which the photographic paper 2 is stored first.

[Another Embodiment] Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described. (1) In the above embodiment, the photographic paper holding means S is configured to accumulate the photographic paper 2 only when the supply of the photographic paper 2 to the development processing unit D is not possible. As described above, the photographic paper receiving table 30 is configured to be swingable around the rotation shaft 32 a of the roller 32, and the photographic paper receiving table 3 is controlled by the solenoid 100.
The photographic paper holding means S
As the set number of photographic papers 2 discharged from the exposure table 26 are accumulated, the accumulated photographic papers 2 may be discharged to the development processing unit D.

In this case, the operation of the photographic paper holding means S under the control of the control device C is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the exposure is completed when the photographic paper receiving table 30 is swung downward. The set number of photographic papers 2 discharged from the exposure table 26 is accumulated.
Although the number of frames for one film 3 is appropriate for the set number, the setting can be changed. When the set number of photographic papers 2 is accumulated in the photographic paper receiving tray 30, the operation of the solenoid 100 causes the posture of the photographic paper receiving tray 30 to swing upward as shown in FIG. 3B. The photographic paper 2 on the mounting surface 30b is conveyed to the developing section D in order from the lowest photographic paper 2, that is, in the order in which the photographic paper 2 is stored first, and is subjected to the development processing. At this time, the swing arm 3 supporting the pressure roller 34
4a is a stopper pin 34 fixed to the body frame side.
The excessive swing is prevented by d.

The center of swinging of the printing paper receiving table 30 up and down is not limited to the rotating shaft 32a of the roller 32, but corresponds to the position of the roller 26c. It may be near the photographic paper receiving unit 42 of the developing unit D located below the end of the transport path. For example, the photographic paper tray 30 swings around the downstream end of the photographic paper 2 transport path. You may do it.

(2) In the above embodiment, the photographic paper holding means S
In, the photographic paper 2 is accumulated in a stacked state,
The photographic papers 2 may be stored side by side in a vertical position.

(3) In the above embodiment, the photographic paper 2 is conveyed by the belt 26 e in the projection exposure section P, but a plurality of rollers are arranged close to each other like a so-called roller conveyor, May be conveyed.

In the claims, reference numerals are provided for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 photographic paper 3 film 30 photographic paper receiving table 42 photographic paper receiving section D developing means P exposure means S photographic paper holding means T photographic paper transport means

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A photographic paper transport means (T) for carrying a sheet-shaped photographic paper (2) into an exposure location and carrying it out of the exposure location as the exposure is completed; An image printer provided with an exposure unit (P) for exposing the image information of the film (3) on (2) and a developing unit (D) for developing the exposed photographic paper (2) as it is conveyed. Photographic paper (2) discharged from the photographic paper transport means (T)
Freely storing, and has paper holding means for discharging (S) is provided accumulated printing paper (2) to said developing means in the order that accumulated previously (D), the paper holding means (S ) Is the photographic paper conveying means
The set number of photographic papers (2) discharged from (T) is accumulated.
The photographic paper (2) thus accumulated is transferred to the developing means (D)
An image printer configured to discharge to a printer. 2. The photographic paper holding means (S) is arranged around a photographic paper receiving portion (42) of the developing means (D) located below the end of the photographic paper transport means (T). paper cradle that swings up and down with the (30), the paper transportable
The photographic paper (2) discharged from the feeding means (T) is stacked
In the photographic paper storage state, the tray (3
2. The image printer according to claim 1 , wherein the image printer is configured to swing downwardly and swing the receiving base upward when the printing paper is discharged. 3. A sheet-like photographic paper (2) is conveyed to an exposure position.
And, as the exposure is completed,
Photographic paper transport means (T) to be carried out , and image information of a film (3) on the photographic paper (2) at the exposure position.
Exposure means (P) for exposing the information, and a developing means for developing the photographic paper (2) which has been exposed as it is transported.
An image printer provided with image means (D), wherein the photographic paper (2) discharged from the photographic paper transport means (T)
Can be stored freely, and the stored photographic paper (2) is stored first.
Photographic paper holding to be discharged to the developing means (D) in the order of the
Means (S) is provided, and the photographic paper holding means (S) is provided with a photographic paper (2) transport path.
From the upstream side to the downstream side
Photographic paper tray (30) and the photographic paper tray (30)
Photographic paper (2) on the mounting surface (30b) of
Roller (31) for conveying toward (D), and for sending out
A guide (30a), and the photographic paper receiving table (30).
And the delivery guide (30b).
a) between the photographic paper (2) and the gap that can pass by one sheet
An image printer provided with a space (30c) . 4. The photographic paper receiving stand (30) is a photographic paper.
Upstream of the photographic paper (2) transport path to discharge (2)
From the side to the downstream side.
Take the upper position and the upper position to accumulate photographic paper (2)
Between the lower position and the lower position,
The current position below the end of the drawing paper transport means (T);
The image means (D) swings around the vicinity of the photographic paper receiving section (42).
The image printer according to claim 3, which is movably provided .