JP3504764B2 - Sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing method and sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing method and a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing method in which an image is printed on a photosensitive surface of a sheet-shaped photosensitive material in a printing section, and after the printing, the photosensitive material is conveyed and processed in a processing section. The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printer processor, an image of a negative film is printed on a photosensitive surface of a sheet of photographic printing paper in a printing section, and after printing, the photographic printing paper is conveyed to a processing section. Processing such as development and drying is performed, and automatic finishing is possible.

In a printer processor of this type, which is capable of processing wide photographic paper, a sorting means is provided between the printing section and the processing section, and when processing narrow photographic paper, after exposure. It is known that the processing capacity is improved by sorting the photographic printing papers into, for example, two rows, and simultaneously carrying them by the processing section in two rows for processing.

The printing paper discharged from the processing section is arranged and accumulated in order of printing for each order (for example, for each minute corresponding to one negative film). That is, sorting is performed.

Here, in order to align each order and to align the printing papers in the order of printing, for example, a sorting and transporting pattern is set in advance, and the sorting is performed after the processing (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 4).
-106536), or align the leading edge of the photographic paper in advance at the time of sorting (JP-A-5-341398).
It is necessary to devise the allocation such as (see Japanese Patent Publication).

For this reason, the distribution is restricted, and it is not possible to perform the optimum distribution for improving the processing capacity. In particular, when the printing papers of different sizes are included, the sorting is inevitably worse.

Further, although it does not matter whether or not the printing paper is distributed before the processing, especially when the printing paper is distributed,
If jamming occurs during the processing and the photographic printing paper is inspected, there is a possibility that the distinction for each order and the printing order may be unclear.

Further, in the case where the printing paper is processed in a straight line without being sorted before processing, it is necessary to perform processing at intervals between orders in order to recognize the distinction of each order. , This is also inconvenient for improving the processing capacity.

Further, it is desirable that sorts other than the printing order can be performed for each order, but it is not preferable that the processing capability is sacrificed for that reason.

In view of the above facts, the present invention realizes a reliable sort, can perform various sorts, and improves the processing capacity, and in Claims 6 and 7, freedom of sorting It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing method and a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus, which increase the processing power to improve the processing capacity.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet-shaped photographic paper processing method, wherein an image is printed on a photosensitive surface of a sheet-shaped photosensitive material in a printing section, and after the printing, the photosensitive material is printed.
In a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing method in which the photosensitive material is processed by being distributed in a plurality of rows and processed in a processing section, sort information is recorded on the back surface of the photosensitive material before processing, the sort information is read after processing, and the photosensitive material is processed according to the read sort information. It is characterized by sorting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sheet-shaped printing paper processing method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the sort information includes order information indicating a printing order of the photosensitive material, and a vertical direction of an image to be printed. And at least one of size information indicating the size of the photosensitive material is included.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet-shaped photographic paper processing apparatus which prints an image on a photosensitive surface of a sheet-shaped photosensitive material at a printing section, and after printing, sorts the photosensitive material into a plurality of rows.
In a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus that conveys and processes in a processing unit, a recording unit that records sort information on the back surface of the photosensitive material before processing, a reading unit that reads the sort information after processing, and a read sort information Sorting means for sorting the photosensitive material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet-shaped printing paper processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the third aspect, the sorting means feeds the photosensitive material one by one after the processing, and the photosensitive material to be fed. A plurality of buffer passages through which the material is selectively discharged and discharged, a switching means for switching the buffer passages, an operating means for discharging / blocking the photosensitive material from the buffer passage, and a feeding means. A control means for controlling the switching means and the operating means according to the sort information read by the reading means, enabling the discharge order of the photosensitive material to be different from the feed order, and discharging the photosensitive material according to the sort information. It is characterized by being prepared.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet-shaped photographic paper processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect, the photosensitive material has a conveyance path width direction in a processing section thereof as a vertical direction.
It is characterized in that it is sent by a sending means and discharged through a buffer path.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

According to the above construction, the image is printed on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material (for example, photographic paper) in the printing section, the sort information is recorded on the back surface of the photosensitive material after printing, and
It is transported and processed in the processing section (for example, development, bleach-fixing, washing with water, and drying). After the processing, the sort information is read and the photosensitive materials are sorted according to the read sort information.

[0019] For example, after the image sticking, the photosensitive material is distributed in a plurality of rows, when the state of a photosensitive material sorted as to be processed by the processing unit is transported, sorted, regardless of the manner of distribution This makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom of sorting and improve the processing capability, and even if a situation occurs where sorting is disturbed, reliable sorting is realized without being affected by it. In particular, it is effective when it contains photosensitive materials of different sizes.

For example, according to the sorting means as claimed in claims 4 and 5, after the processing, the photosensitive material is fed one by one,
At that time, the sort information is read. If the sort is, for example, a baking sequence, then one photosensitive material sent is out of sequence and one photosensitive material to be followed by another photosensitive material that is sent in sequence, then one photosensitive material is transferred from there in one buffer path. Is blocked and stopped. For other photosensitive materials, the buffer path is switched to another buffer material, and if the other photosensitive material is in order, the other photosensitive material is discharged through the other buffer material. After that, if the one photosensitive material retained in the one buffer path is in proper order, the one photosensitive material is discharged from the one buffer path. That is, one photosensitive material is temporarily retained in the one buffer path, while another photosensitive material is discharged. In this way, the photosensitive materials can be arranged in the correct printing order.

As sort information, for example, various sorts other than those listed in claim 2 are possible, and various sorts are possible based on the sort sort information. For example, various sorts are possible, such as aligning photosensitive materials in the order of printing, aligning each of the top and bottom orientations of images to be printed, or aligning the top and bottom orientations of images in the same manner, or aligning each size of photosensitive material. And all of these sorts are accomplished without sacrificing processing power.

As described above, according to the configurations of claims 1 to 5 , reliable sorting can be realized, various sorts can be performed, and the processing capacity can be improved.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a sheet-shaped photographic paper processing method and sheet-shaped photographic paper processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a printer processor 10 which is a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus includes a printer section 12 as a printing section and a processor section 14 as a processing section, and the left side in FIG. A printer unit 12 is provided, and a processor unit 14 is provided on the right side.

In the printer unit 12, a light source 18 is provided above the printing table 16 (direction shown by an arrow UP), and light is emitted downward from the light source 18 toward the printing table 16.
On the emission optical axis 20, a negative carrier 22, a lens system 24, and a shutter 26 are arranged in this order from the light source 18 toward the printing table 16.
Are provided respectively.

A photographic printing paper 30, which is a sheet-shaped photosensitive material, is placed on the printing table 16. The photographic printing paper 30 is rolled into the paper magazine 28, accommodated in a long state, and cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 32 when supplied to the printing table 16. The negative film 34 is attached to the negative carrier 22.
And the image on the negative film 34 is exposed on the printing paper 30 on the printing table 16 by the light source 18.
It can be printed on the photosensitive surface of each frame.

The printing table 16 is composed of an endless belt, and the printing paper 30 after printing is discharged from the printing table 16 by the running of the endless belt, and is directed toward the processor section 14 by a plurality of pairs of rollers 34 (arrows). (The direction indicated by A) is conveyed (the conveyance path 36 is indicated by a chain line). When the printing paper is a wide printing paper corresponding to the width dimension of the transport path 36 (for example, when the width of the printing paper stored in the magazine 28 in a long size is 178 mm), after printing 2 is conveyed as it is, but as shown in FIG. 2, when the photographic paper 30 is a narrow photographic paper (for example, the width of the photographic paper 30 when accommodated in the magazine 28 in a long size is (When it is 89 mm), it is sorted and conveyed in two rows. Since the time required for the processor unit 14 is longer than the time required for the printer unit 12, the printing after printing is performed rather than the printing paper 30 after printing is conveyed in one row as it is and processed by the processor unit 14. It is preferable in terms of processing efficiency that the paper 30 is simultaneously conveyed in two rows and processed by the processor unit 14.

In order to divide into two rows, a sorting means is provided between the printing table 30 and the processor section 14. The sorting means includes a moving portion 38 that is movable in the width direction of the transport path (the direction shown by the arrow W), and a run-up portion 40 located on the downstream side of the moving portion 38.
By moving in the width direction of the transport path with 0 loaded,
The photographic printing paper 30 can be arranged in two rows in the run-up section 40. In the run-up section 40, the speed of the printing paper 30 subsequent to the preceding printing paper 30 is increased so that the distance between the preceding printing paper 30 and the succeeding printing paper 30 is set to be an appropriate distance in each row. To follow. As a result, the photographic printing paper 30 sorted into two rows can be sorted in an optimum pattern for improving the processing efficiency. In FIG. 2, when two different sizes of printing paper are mixed,
For example, a case is shown in which a normal size (L) of 89 × 130 mm and a panoramic size (P) of 89 × 254 mm are mixed. The distribution is not limited to two rows, and a plurality of two or more rows is possible. Further, in FIG. 2, both the normal size (L) and the panoramic size (P) have the longitudinal direction as the transport direction, but when the width dimension of the transport path 36 is larger,
For the panoramic size (P), the longitudinal direction is conveyed in one row as the conveying path width direction, and for the normal size (L), the longitudinal direction is conveyed as the conveying path width direction in two rows, A pattern in which they are mixed is also possible. To set the longitudinal direction of the panoramic size (P) and normal size (L) photographic paper 30 to the width direction of the transport path 36, the photographic paper 30 may be rotated 90 ° after printing.

As the distributing means, the moving section 38 is used.
The present invention is not limited to the configuration including the above and the runner 40, and various means are possible.

A print head 42 is provided between the moving section 38 and the printing table 16 so as to face the transport path 36. As the print head 42 passes the printing paper 30, the print head 42 is printed on the rear surface of the printing paper 30 in the area 48 in the frame No. Prints general visible information such as type of negative film, date, correction data, sort number, serial number, and user-registered characters. A write magnetic head 44 as a recording unit is provided between the moving unit 38 and the printing table 16 so as to face the transport path 36. As shown in FIG. 14, the magnetic portion 46 is formed in advance on the back surface of the photographic printing paper 30, and the writing magnetic head 4
4 passes through the magnetic paper 46 as the photographic paper 30 passes,
Sort information such as the printing order can be magnetically recorded.

In the processor section 14, a developing tank 50, a bleach-fixing tank 52, a water washing tank 54, and a drying section 56 are arranged in this order from the printer section 12 side in the direction of arrow A.
0 is divided into two rows, and each treatment tank 50, 5
In the processing solution of 2, 54, it is conveyed in a U shape, and the development processing,
A bleach-fixing process and a water washing process are performed, and then the drying unit 56 conveys the U-shape to dry with hot air. The distribution pattern of the photographic printing paper 30 shown in FIG. 2 is shown in a state where the U-shaped conveyance path is unfolded straight.

A stacking unit is provided below the pair of rollers 58 on the outlet side of the drying unit 56. As shown in FIG. 3, the stacking unit is
The photographic printing paper 30 is provided with an endless belt 62 that travels in the direction of the arrow W and a stacking concave portion 64 that is formed with a step at the front end of the endless belt 62 in the running direction. The endless belt 6 drops onto the endless belt 62.
By the traveling of 2, the sheet is conveyed to the accumulating concave portion 64, and the photographic printing paper 30 is accumulated in the accumulating concave portion 64 with the width direction of the conveying path in the processor section 14 being the vertical direction.

A feed roller 66 is provided in the accumulating recess 64, and the photographic paper 30 is sent out from the accumulating recess 64 in the direction of arrow A one by one by the feed roller 66, and then a plurality of pairs of rollers 68 are provided. It is conveyed through the feed path 69. Feeding path 69
A plurality of buffer paths 72, 74, and 76 are arranged in parallel on the downstream side of the second buffer path 72, the second buffer path 74 is located on an extension of the feed path 69, and the first buffer path 72 and the second buffer path 76 are provided.
Are located parallel to the left and right sides of the second buffer path 74 when viewed from above. The buffer paths 72, 7 in the feed path 69
The pair of rollers 78 on the front side of 4, 76
When the rollers 80 and 82 are rotatable at mutually different speeds and both rollers 80 and 82 rotate at the same speed, the photographic printing paper 30 goes straight to the second buffer path 74 as shown in FIG. However, when the rotation speed of the roller 82 is higher than the rotation speed of the roller 80, the photographic printing paper 30 moves toward the first buffer path 72 as shown in FIG. 6, and conversely, the rotation speed of the roller 80 changes to that of the roller 82. If it is larger, the photographic printing paper 30 is directed toward the third buffer path 76, as shown in FIG. Each buffer path 72,
74 and 76, the pair of rollers 84 on the outlet side can be stopped from rotating, and when the rotation of the pair of rollers 84 is stopped, as shown in FIG.
The discharge from the buffer paths 72, 74 and 76 is blocked in a manner of being sandwiched by 4. When the pair of rollers 84 is rotated, the photographic printing paper 30 is moved to the buffer paths 72, 7 as shown in FIG.
It is discharged from 4,76. Buffer paths 72, 74, 76
The printing paper 30 discharged from the sheet is collected in the tray 70. A plurality of trays 70 are provided on the rotary traveling belt 86.

Between the accumulating recess 64 and the pair of rollers 78,
A reading magnetic head 88 as a reading unit is provided facing the feeding path 69, and the reading magnetic head 88 can read the sort information as the photographic printing paper 30 passes. The read magnetic head 88 is connected to a control unit (not shown) and controls the pair of rollers 78 and the pair of rollers 84 based on the read sort information.

This control will be described, for example, when the sorting is the burning order. First, one of the printing papers 30 (shown in FIG. 4) stacked in the stacking recess 64 is sent out from the stacking recess 64 (shown in FIG. 5) and the sort information is read by the read magnetic head 88. When it is determined that the one printing paper 30 should follow the other printing paper 30 to be sent later by the read sort information, the speed of the roller 82 with respect to the roller 78 is the speed of the roller 80. It is made faster and the rotation of the pair of rollers 84 in the first buffer path 72 is stopped.
As a result, the one photographic printing paper 30 moves toward the first buffer path 72 (shown in FIG. 6) and is retained in the first buffer path 72 (shown in FIG. 7). In this state, the other printing paper 30 is sent out from the accumulating concave portion 64, the sort information is read by the reading magnetic head 88, and if it is determined that the other printing paper 30 is in the proper order based on the read sort information. With respect to the pair of rollers 78, the velocities of the rollers 80 and 82 are equalized, and the pair of rollers 84 of the second buffer path 74 is rotated so that the other printing paper 30 is directed to the second buffer path 74 (shown in FIG. 8). As it is, it passes through the second buffer path 74 (shown in FIG. 9) and is discharged to the tray 70 (shown in FIG. 10). If the other printing paper 30 is not in the proper order, the speed of the roller 80 with respect to the roller 78 is made higher than the speed of the roller 82, and the rotation of the roller 84 with respect to the first buffer path 72 is stopped. Of the photographic paper 30 is directed toward the third buffer path 76 (shown in FIG. 13),
Be locked in.

If one photographic paper 30 retained in the first buffer path 72 follows another photographic paper 30 that has already been ejected, the pair of rollers 84 in the first buffer path 72 will rotate and Printing paper is discharged from the first buffer path 72 (shown in FIG. 11), and is placed next to the printing paper 30 previously discharged in the tray 70 (shown in FIG. 12). When one photographic paper 30 retained in the first buffer path 72 does not follow another photographic paper 30 already ejected, the one photographic paper 30 is retained in the first buffer path 72 until the photographic paper 30 is in the proper order. To be

The same applies to the printing paper 30 retained in the third buffer path 76, and when it is in the proper order, it is discharged to the tray 70.

If the sort information also includes information about the last printed sheet of photographic paper corresponding to one order, for example, one negative film, that information is recorded. After the photographic printing paper 30 is read by the magnetic head 88 and the photographic printing paper 30 is ejected, the rotary traveling belt 86 is moved to change the tray 70 to another tray 70. The printing papers 30 can be collected for each order and arranged in the printing order.

According to the above construction, an image is printed on the photosensitive surface of the printing paper 30 by the printer unit 12, the sort information is recorded on the back surface of the printing paper 30 after printing, and is conveyed and processed by the processor unit 14. To be done. After the processing, the sort information is read, and the photographic printing papers 30 are sorted according to the read sort information, for example, for each order, and are arranged in the printing order.

After printing, the photographic printing paper 30 is sorted into two rows, and the photographic printing paper 30 is conveyed in the sorted state and processed by the processor unit 14. Sorting is performed regardless of the sorting method. This makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom of sorting and improve the processing capability, and even if a situation occurs where sorting is disturbed, reliable sorting is realized without being affected by it. In particular, it is effective when the photographic printing paper 30 having different sizes such as the normal size (L) and the panoramic size (P) is included.

As the sort information, information indicating the printing order is given in the first embodiment, but in addition to this, orientation information indicating the vertical direction of the image to be printed, size information indicating the size of the printing paper 30, and the like. Various information is possible.
Based on the orientation information, the printed images are aligned in each of the upper and lower directions, or the images are all aligned in the same direction, and the photographic paper 30 is aligned in each size based on the size information. Can be sorted. Both of these sorts are accomplished without sacrificing processing power.

As an example of aligning the photographic paper 30 for each image orientation, the photographic paper 30 whose image orientation is the first direction is passed through the second buffer path 74, and the image orientation is different from the first direction. The photographic paper 30 in two directions is passed through the first buffer path 72, and the photographic paper 30 from the second buffer path 74 and the photographic paper 30 from the first buffer path 72 are discharged to different trays 70. It is possible. As an example in which all the images are sorted in the same direction, for the photographic paper 30 whose image orientation is the second direction, the orientation of the photographic paper 30 is changed after passing through the first buffer path 72, and the image orientation is changed. In the first direction and in the second buffer path 7
It is possible to set the same direction as the photographic paper 30 passing through the four sheets and to put them in a common tray 70.

As an example of sorting the photographic paper 30 by size, the photographic paper 30 is passed through the buffer paths 72, 74, 76 which are different for each size, and the buffer paths 72, 74, 76 are passed.
The printing papers 74 and 76 are respectively discharged to separate trays 70, or in the same tray 70, for example, the normal size (L) printing papers 30 are first collected and the combined normal size (L) is collected. It is possible to combine the panoramic size (P) photographic paper 30 next to the photographic paper.

As described above, in the first embodiment, reliable sorting is realized, various sorts are possible, and the processing capability is improved.

In the first embodiment described above, the buffer paths 72, 7
3 and 4 are provided, but the number is not limited to this. For example, when printing a negative film for taking 37 sheets, 36 buffer paths are provided to enable complete freedom of sorting. Becomes

Further, in the first embodiment, in order to switch the buffer paths 72, 74, 76, that is, to distribute the printing paper 30 to the buffer paths 72, 74, 76, the difference in rotational speed between the rollers 80, 82 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it is simply distributed by using a guide for switching the direction, or the feeding path in which the photographic printing paper 30 is fed through each buffer path 72, 74, 76 itself. Means for moving to the position of the path 69 are also possible.

Further, in the first embodiment, the write magnetic head 44 is used to record the sort information and the read magnetic head 88 reads it.
Not limited to this, various recording means and reading means are possible. For example, the second to sixth embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 to 18 are possible.

According to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the sort information is indicated by a bar code, and the bar code 102 is printed on the back surface of the photographic printing paper 30 by the bar code printer, and the bar code is used as the bar code. Read by reader.

According to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 16, a pair of marks 104 are printed with magnetic ink on the back surface of the photographic printing paper 30 at the corners that are diagonally opposite to each other, and one of the marks 104 is printed as N.
The other mark is the S pole, which is detected by the Hall element. If the upper and lower directions of the image to be printed are one direction and the other direction and the N and S poles are printed in reverse, the Hall element can recognize the distinction of the directions.

According to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the bar-shaped portion 106 is printed on the back surface of the photographic printing paper 30, and the bar-shaped portion 106 is printed.
Is detected by a photodiode or an optical sensor such as a line sensor. Sort information can be shown by changing the position, direction, width (thickness), and number of the bar-shaped portions 106. The structure detected by the optical sensor is inexpensive and easy in structure. Further, the vertical direction of the photographic printing paper 30 can be detected, and if the bar-shaped portion 106 is printed between orders, the Order units can be detected.

As shown in the fifth embodiment of FIG. 18, the top of the top of the top of the No. No. printed on the area 48 on the back surface of the printing paper 30 by the print head 42 of the first embodiment. It is also possible to read etc. directly by OCR and sort based on it.

[0052]

As described above, according to the sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing method and sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, reliable sorting can be realized and various sorts can be performed. The processing capacity can be improved, and in the sixth and seventh aspects, the degree of freedom of distribution can be increased to improve the processing capacity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a part of an embodiment of a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the first embodiment, in which (A) and (B) are partially overlapped and vertically separated on the paper surface.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of FIG. 1 (B).

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an operating state of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the next operating state of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the next operating state of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the next operating state of FIG. 6;

8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the next operating state of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the next operating state of FIG. 8;

10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the next operating state of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the next operating state of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the next operating state of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing another operating state.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the back surface of the printing paper of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the back surface of the printing paper of the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the back surface of the printing paper of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the back surface of the printing paper of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the back surface of the printing paper of the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Printer section (printing section) 14 Processor Unit (Processing Unit) 30 photographic paper (photosensitive material) 38 Sorting Department 40 approaching section 44 write magnetic head (recording means) 66 feeding roller (feeding means) 72 First Buffer Road (Buffer Road) 74 Second Buffer Road (Buffer Road) 76 Third Buffer Road (Buffer Road) 78 Pair roller (switching means) 84 pair roller (actuator) 88 Read magnetic head (reading means)

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Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image is printed on a photosensitive surface of a sheet-shaped photosensitive material in a printing section, and after the printing, the photosensitive material is distributed into a plurality of rows.
In the sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing method in which the photosensitive material is conveyed and processed by the processing section, the sort information is recorded on the back surface of the photosensitive material before the processing, the sort information is read after the processing, and the photosensitive material is sorted according to the read sort information. A method for processing a sheet-shaped photosensitive material, comprising: 2. The sort information includes at least one of sequence information indicating a printing order of a photosensitive material, orientation information indicating a vertical direction of an image to be printed, and size information indicating a size of the photosensitive material. The method for processing a sheet-shaped photosensitive material according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. An image is printed on a photosensitive surface of a sheet-shaped photosensitive material in a printing section, and after the printing, the photosensitive material is distributed into a plurality of rows.
In a sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus that conveys the sheets to a processing section and processes them in a processing section, a recording unit that records sort information on the back surface of the photosensitive material before processing, a reading unit that reads the sort information after processing, and the read sort information A sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus, comprising: sorting means for sorting photosensitive materials according to the above. 4. The sorting means, after processing, feed means for feeding the photosensitive material one by one, a plurality of buffer paths through which the photosensitive material to be sent is selectively discharged, and switching for switching these buffer paths. Means, an operating means for discharging / blocking discharge of the photosensitive material from the buffer path, and a switching means and an operating means according to sort information read by the reading means when the photosensitive material is sent by the feeding means. The sheet-shaped photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a control unit that enables the discharge order to be different from the feed order and discharges the photosensitive material according to the sort information. 5. The sheet-shaped photosensitive material according to claim 4, wherein the photosensitive material is sent by a feeding means and discharged through a buffer path with a width direction of a transport path in a processing section thereof being a vertical direction. Processing equipment.