JP3617696B2 - Printing device for photo printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention prints an image recorded on photographic film onto photographic paper or the like.Printing device for photo printerIn connection withPrinting device provided in particularly miniaturized photo printerAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Photo printing apparatuses (photo printers) that print images recorded on photographic film by photographing and developing processing onto photographic paper include those integrated with a processor that processes the photographic paper on which the image is printed with a processing liquid. Some of these photographic printers include a printing device for recording various information on the back surface of the photographic paper on which the image is printed.
[0003]
A printing apparatus provided in such a photographic printer is used to record information relating to processing at a developing station such as a frame number of an image on the surface and exposure conditions on a photographic print. Here, for example, when it is desired to change the finished hue of the photographic print, the exposure condition can be determined from the printing on the back side of the photographic print, and correction can be performed from the determined exposure condition.
[0004]
By the way, a small lab (So-called minilabThe photo printer used in the photo printer is miniaturized, and the installation space of the printing device in the photo printer is limited. For example, when replacing the ribbon of the printing device, the space in the photo printer is limited. Must be done. In order to prevent a decrease in processing performance (processing speed) of the photographic printer, the photographic printer prints characters and the like on a back surface of the photographic print by a printing device.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when only one line is printed on the back of a photographic print, the amount of information that can be recorded is limited, and it is difficult to record desired information regarding the finish of the photographic print. Further, in a photographic printer used in a minilab or the like, a printing apparatus must be assembled in a narrow space, and improvement in maintainability is desired.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and can record a large amount of character information on photographic paper without reducing the processing performance in a miniaturized photo printer used in a minilab or the like.For photo printersAn object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that can be easily maintained even in a narrow space.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1A printing device used in a photographic printer that prints an image recorded on a photographic film by printing it onto a photographic paper, and prints on one side of the photographic paper, on the printing surface of the photographic paper fed through the photographic printer The two print heads which are arranged side by side in the direction orthogonal to the feeding direction and print on the photographic paper by the print ribbon, and the cartridges which are provided and attached to the respective print heads are accommodated therein. The print ribbon is held at a predetermined position facing the print head, and the holder in which the cartridge can be mounted by tilting the mounting port of the cartridge in a predetermined direction, one holder and the other holder Interlocking means for connecting to tilt substantially in parallel and interlocking with the tilt of one holder and tilting the other holder.It is characterized by that.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking unit further tilts the holder integrally in a direction in which the printing ribbon is separated from the photographic paper.It is characterized by that.
[0009]
[Action]
In the invention according to claim 1,By mounting the cartridge in the holder, the print ribbon can be made to face each print head. Further, by tilting one of the holders, the other holder is tilted so that the cartridge mounting opening to each holder is directed in substantially the same direction. Accordingly, the cartridges corresponding to the respective print heads can be exchanged from the same direction even in a narrow space.
[0010]
In the second aspect of the invention, the print ribbon is further tilted in a direction away from the conveyance path of the photographic paper. When printing using the print ribbon, the print ribbon is placed between the print head and the photographic paper, and simply removing the unit print ribbon from the print head will bring the print ribbon closer to the photographic paper transport path. However, by separating the printing ribbon from the photographic paper transport path, the cartridge mounting / demounting space is not narrowed by the parts forming the photographic paper transport path, and the cartridge can be replaced more easily.
[0011]
【Example】
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
1 and 2 show a printer processor 10 applied to this embodiment. The printer processor 10 includes a printer unit 14 and a processor unit 16 inside a casing 12.
[0013]
1 and 2 of the printer processor 10 includes a work table 18 protruding from the casing 12, and a film carrier on which photographic film is set on the upper surface of the work table 18. 20 is placed.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 2, below the work table 18 (on the lower side in FIG. 2), there is a light source section 30 including a diffusion tube 22, a filter 24, a driver 26 for adjusting the filter 24, and a light source 28. Is provided. In addition, a printing lens 34 and a black shutter 36 are disposed in the optical unit 32 provided above the work table 18.
[0015]
The light beam irradiated from the light source unit 30 and transmitted through the photographic film mounted on the film carrier 20 passes through the printing lens 34 and is deflected toward the variable print mask 40 by the reflection mirror 38 (the optical axis is about 90). Degrees).
[0016]
On the other hand, on the upper part of the casing 12, a paper magazine 46 is mounted in which photographic paper 42 is wound around a reel 44 in layers. The printer unit 14 is provided with a plurality of rollers 48, and the photographic printing paper 42 drawn from the paper magazine 46 is pulled down substantially downward in the vertical direction and guided to the variable print mask 40. Yes.
[0017]
On the photographic paper 42 drawn from the paper magazine 46 and disposed on the variable print mask 40, a light beam that has passed through the photographic film is imaged, and is recorded on the photographic film. The image is printed on the photographic paper 42 with a predetermined size.
[0018]
The photographic paper 42 onto which the image has been printed is conveyed to the processor unit 16 by a roller 48, and a color developer in the color developer tank 50, a bleach-fix solution in the bleach-fix tank 52, a rinse solution in the plurality of rinse tanks 54, and the like. The film is sequentially immersed in the processing solution and developed. The processor unit 16 is provided with a drying unit 56 on the downstream side of the rinsing tank 54. The photographic printing paper 42 after the development processing is dried by a drying air generated by a fan and a heater (not shown). Is sprayed and dried.
[0019]
The photographic printing paper 42 that has been dried is conveyed to a cutter unit 58 disposed above the drying unit 56. The cutter unit 58 cuts the photographic paper 42 for each image frame, and discharges it to the outside of the casing 12 of the printer processor 10.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic paper 42 which is cut and discharged from the cutter unit 58 is sorted by the sorter unit 60 for each photographic film as a finished print (photo print).
[0021]
Incidentally, the printer unit 14 of the printer processor 10 is provided with a printing device 70. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 72 of the printing apparatus 70 has a surface (hereinafter referred to as “surface or photosensitive surface”) on which the image of the printing paper 42 is printed substantially below the vicinity of the variable print mask 40 of the printer unit 14. Is provided opposite to the opposite surface (hereinafter referred to as “back surface 42A”).
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 70 includes a printing unit 76 including two printing heads 72 (72R and 72L, hereinafter collectively referred to as “printing head 72”) and a ribbon travel unit 74, and The printing controller 78 is configured to control the operation of the printing unit 76. The two printing units 72L and 72R are attached to the base 72A side by side along the conveyance width direction of the photographic paper 42. The base 72A is attached to a frame (not shown) between the print heads 72L and 72R.
[0023]
In the printing unit 76, a printing ribbon 84 accommodated in a ribbon cartridge 82 is disposed between the photographic paper 42 conveyed in the printer unit 14 and each printing head 72. The ribbon traveling unit 74 includes a motor (not shown), and rotates a rotating shaft 74A by a driving force from the motor, and a pulley (not shown) is provided in the ribbon cartridge 82 that engages with the rotating shaft 74A. Rotate. When the pulley (not shown) rotates, the print ribbon 84 wound around the pulley is fed and taken up, and the intermediate portion of the print ribbon 84 facing the print head 72 moves along the longitudinal direction. It is supposed to be.
[0024]
The print controller 78 includes a memory (not shown) that stores character fonts formed on the back surface 42A of the photographic paper 42 by the print head 72. For example, the print controller 78 is provided with a print speed of the photographic paper 42 that is conveyed at a constant speed. In accordance with the movement, characters or the like corresponding to a print signal input from the control unit 80 (see FIG. 2) of the printer processor 10 can be printed on the back surface of the photographic paper 42. Thereby, in this printing apparatus 70, two character strings can be recorded in parallel on the back surface 14B of the photographic paper 42 by the two print heads 72L and 72R.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, a cover 62 is provided on one side surface (front side surface in FIG. 1) of the casing 12 that accommodates the print unit 14 of the printer processor 10. On the other hand, the printing unit 76 is located, and when replacing the ribbon cartridge 82 attached to the printing unit 76, the cover 62 is opened.
[0026]
Here, the printing unit 76 of the printing apparatus 70, particularly the holder unit 86 to which the ribbon cartridge 82 is mounted, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
Note that the arrow X direction in the drawing indicates the inward direction of the casing 12 from the cover 62 side, and the arrow Y direction is the direction above the printer processor 10, that is, the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 42 along the back surface 42A of the photographic paper 42. The direction of the arrow Z indicates the direction of the photographic paper 42 from the printing unit 76.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 4, the holder portion 86 of the printing portion 76 includes a frame 88 in which components of the tape traveling unit 74 are accommodated, and one print head 72 </ b> L (on the cover 62 side) sandwiching the frame 88. And a cartridge holder 92 provided to face the other print head 72R.
[0029]
The frame 88 is attached to the tip of an arm 96 through which a shaft 94 spanned over a frame (not shown) in the printer processor 10 is inserted, and is rotatable around the shaft 94. The cartridge holders 90 and 92 are attached to the frame 88 and supported by the shaft 94 via the frame 88. A torsion coil spring (not shown) is provided between the shaft 94 and the arm 96, and the arm 96 is urged in the direction of arrow A about the shaft 94.
[0030]
Each of the cartridge holders 90 and 92 has a photographic paper 42 side and an upper side when the ribbon cartridge 82 is mounted at a predetermined position (a state where the print ribbon 84 is disposed between the print head 72 and the photographic paper 42). The two sides are substantially box-shaped.
[0031]
Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the holder portion 86, the print head 72 is interposed between the pair of arms 82 </ b> A protruding from the ribbon cartridge 82 when the ribbon cartridge 82 is mounted at the predetermined position. The print ribbon 84 exposed between the tips of the pair of arms 82A enters between the print head 72 and the photographic paper 42. In this state, when the photographic paper 42 passes through a position facing the print head 72, the print head 72 is operated, whereby desired characters can be recorded on the back surface 42A of the photographic paper 42. Yes.
[0032]
The other open surface of the cartridge holders 90 and 92 serves as a mounting opening for the cartridge ribbon 82 in which the periphery is widened outward to form the guide portions 98A and 98B. 5 is a schematic side view of one cartridge holder 90 as viewed from the inner side of the holder portion 86, and FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the other cartridge holder 92 as viewed from the inner side of the holder portion 86. FIG.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 4, a U-shaped bracket 100 is provided at the lower end of the frame 88 so as to face the cartridge holder 90, and the shaft 102 is inserted through the bracket 100. The shaft 102 is spanned between a pair of brackets 104 and 106 provided at the lower end of the cartridge holder 90, and the cartridge holder 90 is connected to a frame 88 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 90. Yes. The shaft 102 is provided with a torsion coil spring 108, and the urging force of the torsion coil spring 108 urges the cartridge holder 90 to rotate in the arrow B direction (see also FIGS. 7 and 8). ).
[0034]
Further, a pin 110 protrudes from the cartridge holder 90 on the arm 96 side. The pin 110 is inserted into a long hole 112A formed in the longitudinal end portion of the long connecting arm 112, and the pin 110 can be relatively moved in the long hole 112A along the longitudinal direction of the connecting arm 112. It has become.
[0035]
The connecting arm 112 is formed with a bracket 114 that is bent and extended at a substantially right angle from the connecting arm 112 at the end opposite to the long hole 112 </ b> A, and the shaft 116 is inserted into the bracket 114. . The intermediate portion of the shaft 116 is stretched between substantially U-shaped brackets 118 attached to the frame 88, and the arm 96 side (the side opposite to the print head 72) of the shaft 116 is a connecting piece. 119 is inserted.
[0036]
A bracket 120 is attached to the frame 88 adjacent to the bracket 118. The print head 72 side (arrow Z direction side) of the bracket 120 rotatably supports one end of the lock lever 122. The other end of the lock lever 122 faces the cartridge holder 90, and a notch 124 is formed at the tip. A pin 126 protrudes in parallel with the shaft 116 on the cartridge holder 90 so as to face the lock lever 122.
[0037]
Therefore, when the cartridge holder 90 is close to the frame 88 (see FIG. 7), the pin 126 enters the notch 124 of the lock lever 122 and rotates in the arrow B direction around the shaft 102 of the cartridge holder 90. The print ribbon 84 of the ribbon cartridge 82 mounted on the cartridge holder 90 can be locked against the print head 72 (72A) (see FIGS. 5 and 7). When the pin 126 is removed from the notch 124 of the lock lever 122 and the locked state of the cartridge holder 90 is released, the cartridge holder 90 is rotated in the arrow B direction by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 108. At this time, the pin 110 of the cartridge holder 90 prevents the cartridge holder 90 from rotating in the direction of arrow B at the position where the pin 110 of the connecting arm 112 has moved to the end of the long hole 112A. The side is held at a position inclined to the cover 62 side (opposite to the arrow X direction) (see FIG. 8).
[0038]
A pair of brackets 128 are provided on the upper portion of the frame 88, and a shaft 130 is rotatably spanned between the brackets 128. At both ends of the shaft 130, a lock release lever 132 and a lock release piece 134 facing the connecting piece 119 are attached. The shaft 130 is rotationally biased in the direction of arrow C with respect to the bracket 128 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 136, and is held at a predetermined rotational position by a stopper (not shown).
[0039]
The lock release lever 132 is provided with a claw 140 that engages with a pin 138 provided on the lock lever 122. The lock release lever 132 is twisted to resist the urging force of the coil spring 136 in the direction of arrow C. By rotating in the opposite direction, the claw 140 pulls up the notch 124 of the lock lever 122 together with the pin 138, and the engagement between the notch 124 of the lock lever 122 and the pin 126 of the cartridge holder 90 can be released. (See FIG. 8).
[0040]
On the other hand, a pair of brackets 142 project toward the frame 88 on the upper side of the cartridge holder 92 on the frame 88 side. A bracket 146 connected via a shaft 144 is attached to the bracket 118 of the frame 88. A shaft 148 is rotatably inserted into each of the bracket 146 of the frame 88 and the bracket 142 of the cartridge holder 92.
[0041]
Further, a U-shaped bracket 150 is provided at the lower end of the frame 88 on the cartridge holder 92 side, and a shaft 152 is inserted through the bracket 150 and spanned.
[0042]
The shaft 152 extends from the lower end of a long connecting arm 154 disposed along the vertical direction of the cartridge holder 92 to the lower end of a bracket 156 bent substantially at a right angle. Are coupled to the shaft 152 so as to rotate integrally therewith. Further, the tip end portion of the shaft 152 protruding from the bracket 150 of the frame 88 toward the arm 96 is inserted into an intermediate portion of a substantially L-shaped stopper 158 so that the stopper 158 can rotate integrally with the shaft 152. ing. A torsion coil spring 160 is provided between the stopper 158 and the bracket 150, and the stopper 118 is urged to rotate in the direction of arrow D by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 160.
[0043]
On the other hand, a pin 162 protrudes from an intermediate portion of the surface of the cartridge holder 92 on the arm 96 side, and this pin 162 is inserted into a long hole 154A formed in the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the connecting arm 154. The connecting arm 154 and the cartridge holder 92 are connected. Further, a notch 166 that engages with the pin 164 provided on the connection piece 119 is formed at the end of the connection arm 154 opposite to the shaft 152.
[0044]
The connecting piece 119 is provided with a pin 168 that faces the claw 134A of the connecting piece 134, and the connecting piece 134 is rotated by the rotation of the lock release lever 132 in the direction opposite to the arrow C direction. By pressing the pin 138 downward by this, the pin 164 comes out of the notch 166 of the connecting arm 154 and is disengaged from the connecting arm 154.
[0045]
As a result, the cartridge holder 92 rotates in the direction of arrow D due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 160 when the pin 164 of the connection piece 119 enters the notch 166 of the connection arm 154 at a predetermined position close to the frame 88. Is held in a blocked state (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Further, when the pin 164 of the connection piece 119 comes out of the notch 166 by the rotation of the lock release lever 132 in the direction opposite to the arrow C direction, the locked state of the cartridge holder 92 is released, and the connection arm 154 is twisted by the coil spring. It is rotated in the direction of arrow D by the urging force of 160.
[0046]
By rotating the connecting arm 154, the pin 162 of the cartridge holder 92 is relatively moved along the long hole 154 </ b> A of the connecting arm 154 so that the lower end portion of the cartridge holder 92 is separated from the frame 88. At this time, the pin 162 of the cartridge holder 92 abuts one end of the elongated hole 154A of the connecting arm 154, so that the lower end of the cartridge holder 92 is prevented from moving along with the rotation of the connecting arm 154. The upper guide portion 98A side is held in a direction opposite to the arrow X direction, that is, tilted toward the cover 62 side in the same manner as the cartridge holder 90 described above (see FIG. 8). At this time, the bracket 146 rotates with respect to the shafts 144 and 148 so that the upper portion of the bracket 146 moves in the arrow X direction, and the upper portion of the cartridge holder 92 is separated from the frame 88 (FIG. 8). reference).
[0047]
Thus, since the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are respectively connected by the connecting arms 112 and 154 via the frame 88, the cartridge holder 92 also tilts as the cartridge holder 90 tilts, The mounted ribbon cartridge 82 moves together. By such tilting of the cartridge holders 90 and 92, the print head 72 comes out from between the pair of arms 82A of the ribbon cartridge 82, and the rotating shaft 74A (feeding and winding up the print ribbon 84 protruding from the frame 88) ( 3) comes out of the ribbon cartridge 82, and the cartridge 82 can be taken out from each of the cartridge holders 90 and 92. (End of stage 1)
As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, one end of the substantially L-shaped stopper 158 is directed to the cartridge holder 90, and a notch 170 is formed at the tip. A pin 172 protruding from the tip of the bracket 104 of the cartridge holder 90 enters the notch 170 of the stopper 158 to engage the cartridge holder 90 and the stopper 158. For this reason, the torsion coil spring 160 provided on the shaft 152 and the torsion coil spring 108 provided on the shaft 102 at the lower end of the cartridge holder 90 assist each other to move the cartridge holders 90 and 92. Yes.
[0048]
Further, by pressing the cartridge holder 90 along the arrow X direction from the cover 62 side, the cartridge holder 90 twists about the shaft 102 and rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow B direction against the urging force of the coil spring 108. When the cartridge holder 90 is moved, the connecting arm 154 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow D direction together with the stopper 158 in accordance with the rotation of the cartridge holder 90. As a result, the cartridge holders 90 and 92 each move to a predetermined position close to the frame 88, the pin 126 of the cartridge holder 90 enters into the notch 124 of the lock lever 122, and the connecting piece into the notch 166 of the connecting arm 154. The pin 164 of 119 enters, and the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are respectively locked. The cartridge holder 90 is provided with a handle portion 99 extending upward to facilitate the pushing of the cartridge holder 90.
[0049]
4 to 11, a widened portion 174 is formed at the end of the stopper 158 opposite to the notch 170, and the widened portion 174 includes the printer processor 10 ( Lock metal fittings 178 provided on a base 176 that is mounted on a frame (not shown) in the print unit 14) are opposed to each other. The lock fitting 178 is formed with a slit-shaped notch 180. Normally, the widened portion 174 of the stopper 158 enters into the notch 180 and abuts the periphery of the notch 180, and the arm 96 has a shaft 94 around it. The rotation (rotation in the direction of arrow A) due to the urging force is prevented.
[0050]
Here, when the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are unlocked and the stopper 158 rotates in the direction of arrow D, the widened portion 174 of the stopper 158 comes out of the notch 180 of the lock fitting 178. As a result, the holder portion 86 is integrally rotated about the shaft 96 in the direction of arrow A, and the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are tilted in the direction opposite to the arrow Z direction (FIGS. 9 and 9). 10 and FIG. 11). (Second stage)
That is, in the holder portion 86, the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are unlocked to move the cartridge holders 90 and 92 stepwise so that the openings of the guide portions 98A and 98B of the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are moved to the cover 62 side. The cartridge 82 is easily attached to and detached from the cartridge holders 90 and 92 (withdrawal along the direction of arrow E in FIGS. 9 to 11). The holder portion 86 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction around the shaft 96, and the widened portion 174 of the stopper 158 is opposed to the notch 180 of the lock fitting 178, thereby locking the cartridge holders 90 and 92. It can be returned to the state.
[0051]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0052]
When the printer processor 10 prints the image recorded on the photographic film onto the photographic paper 42, the photographic film is mounted on the film carrier 20 on the work table 18. In the printer processor 10, when a photographic film is loaded on the film carrier 20 and printing is instructed, the photographic paper 42 is pulled out from the paper magazine 46 and sent to the variable print mask 40. In this state, the light irradiated from the light source unit 30 is transmitted through the photographic film mounted on the film carrier 20 and imaged on the photographic paper 42 disposed on the variable print mask 40 by the optical unit 32. As a result, the image recorded on the photographic film is printed on the photographic paper 42 at a predetermined magnification.
[0053]
The printing paper 42 that has been printed is sent out from the variable print mask 40, passes through a position facing the printing unit 76 of the printing device 70, and is sent to the processor unit 16.
[0054]
In the processor unit 16, the photographic printing paper 42 on which the image is printed is dipped in a color developer, a bleach-fixing solution, and a rinse solution in order, dried, and then sent to the cutter unit 58. The cutter unit 58 cuts the photographic paper 42 for each printed image and discharges it as a photographic print.
[0055]
By the way, in the printer processor 10, when the printing paper 42 on which image printing has been completed passes through a position facing the printing unit 76, the printing paper 42 is moved by the two print heads 72 in accordance with the conveyance of the printing paper 42. Is printed on the back surface 42A. Thereby, the character string of two lines is recorded on the back surface (42A) of the photographic print. That is, in the printing apparatus 70, printing is performed in parallel by the two print heads 72. Thereby, a large amount of information can be recorded on the photographic paper 42 without affecting the processing time of the photographic paper 42 in the printer unit 14.
[0056]
When trying to record a character string of a plurality of lines (for example, two lines) on a photographic paper with a single print head, it is necessary to move the print head back and forth relative to the photographic paper, which increases the processing speed of the photographic paper. It will have an effect. On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 70 of the present embodiment, printing is performed on the back surface 42A of the photographic paper 42 in parallel using the two print heads 72, so that a large amount of information can be recorded and the photographic paper 42 can be recorded. There is no need to stop the conveyance or reverse feed, and the smooth processing of the photographic paper 42 is not hindered.
[0057]
The information recorded on the back surface 42A of the photographic paper 42 includes, for example, the frame number of the printed image, the exposure condition at the time of printing, the printer number that can identify the processed printer processor 10, and the lab (development laboratory) that created the photo print There are various types of information relating to photographic print processing, such as identifiable information, and such information can be recorded with a predetermined code such as a character or a barcode.
[0058]
Thus, when the finished photographic print is inspected and reprinting is necessary, the exposure conditions and the like can be easily corrected from the information recorded on the back surface 42A. Further, when performing the reprint processing of the image of the photographic print later, if it is performed based on the information recorded on the back surface (42A) of the photographic print, there is no change in color tone or the like in the reprinted photographic print, It is possible to appropriately manage the finish of photographic prints at the processing laboratory.
[0059]
In addition, since a large amount of information can be recorded on the photographic print, various information relating to the image formed on the photographic film can be recorded. Such information includes, for example, the creation time of the photo print, the shooting time of the image recorded on the photo print, the shooting location of the image recorded on the photo print, etc. If it is recorded on the back surface (42A), it is very effective for organizing the photo prints.
[0060]
On the other hand, the print ribbon 84 used for printing on the back surface 42A of the photographic paper 42 needs to be appropriately replaced. The replacement of the print ribbon 84 is performed by pulling the lock release lever 132 provided on the holder portion 86 of the print unit 76 toward the front side (the cover 62 side) from the opening of the cover 62 provided on the side of the printer processor 10. It becomes possible.
[0061]
That is, in the printing unit 76, the lock release lever 132 of the holder unit 86 is pulled in the direction opposite to the arrow C direction, so that the lock release lever 132 pulls up the lock lever 122, so that the cartridge holder 90 is unlocked. In addition, the operation of the lock release lever 132 causes the connection piece 134 connected to the lock release lever 132 to push down the connection piece 119, so that the cartridge holder 92 is also released from the locked state (see FIG. 8).
[0062]
When the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are unlocked, the upper guide portions 98A and 98B are substantially parallel to the cover 62 side by the biasing force of the torsion coil springs 108 and 160 provided on the shafts 102 and 152. When the cover 62 is opened, the insertion port of the ribbon cartridge 82 is directed to the opening formed in the casing 12. Further, the print ribbon 84 of the ribbon cartridge 82 mounted on the cartridge holders 90 and 92 is disengaged from the position facing the print heads 72L and 72R, and the print heads 72L and 72R are pulled out from between the pair of arms 82A. Become.
[0063]
On the other hand, as the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are tilted toward the cover 62, the widened portion 174 of the stopper 158 is detached from the notch 180 of the lock fitting 178, and the arrow A about the shaft 94 of the holder portion 86 by the lock fitting 178. The state in which the rotation in the direction is prevented is released. As a result, the holder portion 86 rotates about the shaft 94 in the direction of arrow A, and the guide portions 98A and 98B on the upper portions of the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are further integrated so as to face in the direction opposite to the conveyance path of the photographic paper 42. Tilt in. As the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are tilted, the leading end of the ribbon cartridge 82 is separated from the conveyance path of the photographic paper 42 (second stage, see FIGS. 9 to 11).
[0064]
In this manner, the cartridge holders 90 and 92 to which the ribbon cartridge 82 is mounted are tilted to separate the ribbon cartridge 82 from the conveyance path of the photographic paper 42 and the ribbon cartridge 82 mounting opening to the cartridge holders 90 and 92 By directing the guide portions 98A and 98B to the cover 62 side, the ribbon cartridge 82 can be easily taken out from the cartridge holders 90 and 92 even in a narrow space. At this time, since the ribbon cartridge 82 is separated from the conveyance path of the photographic paper 42, the leading end portion of the ribbon cartridge 82 does not interfere with the parts constituting the conveyance path of the photographic paper 42, and the ribbon cartridge 82 82 can be easily replaced.
[0065]
After the new ribbon cartridge 82 is mounted in the cartridge holders 90 and 92, the holder 86 is returned to the conveyance path side of the photographic paper 42 by holding the grip 99 of the cartridge holder 90 on the cover 12 side, and then the cartridge holder 90 may be pushed inward (arrow X direction) of the apparatus. As a result, the cartridge holder 90 moves to the frame 88 side, and the connecting arm 154 rotates toward the frame 88 side as the cartridge holder 90 moves, so the cartridge holder 92 also approaches the frame 88. Thereafter, the pin 126 of the cartridge holder 90 is engaged with the lock lever 122, and the notch 166 of the connecting arm of the cartridge holder 92 is engaged with the pin 164 of the connecting piece 119, whereby the cartridge holders 90 and 92 are locked. The print ribbon 84 of the ribbon cartridge 82 attached to each of the cartridge holders 90 and 92 faces the photographic paper 42 conveyance path side of the print heads 72L and 72R, and is ready for printing.
[0066]
In this manner, the guide portions 98A and 98B serving as the mounting openings for the cartridge holders 90 and 92 for holding the ribbon cartridges 82 provided in the two print heads 72L and 72R, respectively, are tilted substantially in parallel so as to face in the same direction. Accordingly, the ribbon cartridge 82 can be easily attached to and detached from the cartridge holders 90 and 92 even in a narrow space. For this reason, even when the printing device 70 that prints two lines of characters in parallel on the downsized printer processor 10 is used, maintenance such as replacement of the print ribbon is extremely easy.
[0067]
The present embodiment described above shows an example of the present invention and does not limit the configuration of the present invention. For example, the description has been given using the printing apparatus 70 equipped with the two print heads 72 and the ribbon cartridge 82 of the print ribbon 84 corresponding to each print head 72. However, by providing two or more print heads, more Information can be recorded on the back of the photographic paper.
[0068]
Further, it has been described that the ribbon cartridge 82 that accommodates the print ribbon 84 is attached to each of the two print heads 72, but a plurality of rows are formed using the ribbon that is accommodated in one ribbon cartridge. The printing may be performed in parallel.
[0069]
For example, in the printing unit 200 shown in FIG. 12A, two print heads 72 are connected and attached to the base 202, and a ribbon cartridge 204 containing a print ribbon 84 facing each print head 72 is mounted. Is shown. The print ribbon 84 accommodated in the ribbon cartridge 204 may be provided separately for each print head 72, and one print ribbon 84 is connected in a Mobius strip shape. Then, the same position of the print ribbon 84 may face the other print head 72 after facing the one print head 72. As a result, the print ribbon 84 can be used efficiently.
[0070]
12B shows an example in which a wide print ribbon 84A is accommodated in a ribbon cartridge 208, and two prints are made using one print ribbon 84A. Printing can be performed in parallel by the head 72.
[0071]
Further, the print unit 210 shown in FIG. 12C uses a print head 212 that can print relatively large characters (for example, characters that are twice as large as characters that can be printed by the print head 72). The print ribbon 84 </ b> B accommodated in the ribbon cartridge 214 at this time is wide according to the print head 212. If such a print head 212 is used and the print head 212 is 8 dots, it may be controlled to form characters by dividing the print head into 4 dots. Characters can be printed. At this time, if the print head 72 is used instead of the print head 212, a character that is half the size of characters that are normally printed by the print head 72 can be recorded. This is preferable when printing information related to processing.
[0072]
In this way, by making it possible to record a large amount of information on the back surface 42A of the photographic paper 42 using various configurations, efficient processing and management of photographic prints using such information can be performed.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above,The printing apparatus of the present invention can print a large amount of information on photographic paper, and the replacement of the printing ribbon is extremely easy even in a narrow space.It has an excellent effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a printer processor applied to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the inside of the printer processor shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a holder portion.
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the cartridge holder on the cover side as seen from inside the holder portion.
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the cartridge holder on the side opposite to the cover side from inside the holder portion.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the cartridge holder in a locked state as viewed from the side opposite to the print head.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the holder portion in the first stage moving state when the cartridge holder is unlocked, as viewed from the side opposite to the print head.
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the printing unit in a state where the lock of the cartridge holder is released.
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the cartridge holder on the cover side in a state where the lock of the cartridge holder is released as viewed from inside the holder portion.
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the cartridge holder on the side opposite to the cover side in a state in which the lock of the cartridge holder is released, as viewed from inside the holder portion.
FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration example in which two lines are printed on the back surface of a photographic print, respectively.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Printer processor (photo printer)
14 Printer (Photo Printer)
42 photographic paper
62 Cover
70 Printing device
72 Print head
76 Printing section
82 Ribbon cartridge
84 Printing ribbon
86 Holder
90, 92 Cartridge holder
98A, 98B Guide part
108, 160 Torsion coil spring
112, 154 Connecting arm
158 stopper,
178 Lock fitting

Claims (2)

A printing device used in a photographic printer that prints an image recorded on a photographic film by printing it onto a photographic paper, and prints it on one side of the photographic paper, on the printing surface of the photographic paper fed through the photographic printer Two print heads that are arranged opposite to each other in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction and print on a photographic paper with a print ribbon, and a cartridge that is provided and attached to each of the print heads is housed therein. The print ribbon is held at a predetermined position facing the print head, and the holder in which the cartridge can be mounted by tilting the mounting opening of the cartridge in a predetermined direction, one holder and the other holder are Interlocking means for connecting to tilt substantially parallel and interlocking with the tilt of one holder and tilting the other holder. Printing apparatus according to claim. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking unit further tilts the holder integrally in a direction of separating the printing ribbon from the photographic paper.

Images