JP3788142B2 - Image printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an exposure means for exposing an image on photographic paper, a development processing section for developing the photographic paper exposed by the exposure means, and exposing the photographic paper cut in correspondence with each image. Transport means for transporting to the development processing section through an exposure position by the means, the transport means is a supply transport section for feeding and transporting photographic paper to an exposure position by the exposure means, and in the development processing section, A developing and conveying unit that conveys photographic paper in a plurality of conveyance rows, a distribution device that distributes the photographic paper exposed by the exposure unit so as to be conveyed in each of the plurality of conveyance rows, and the distribution device And an alignment transport unit that receives the sorted photographic paper and sends the photographic paper to the transport rows of the development transport unit in a state where the received photographic paper is aligned in the transport width direction. image On lint apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Such an image printing apparatus is an apparatus for producing a desired print by developing a photographic paper, on which an image is exposed by an exposure unit, in a development processing unit.
In such an apparatus, since the processing capability in the development processing unit is generally slower than the processing in other parts, the development processing unit transports photographic paper in a plurality of transport rows to improve the processing capability. .
Therefore, it is necessary to distribute the photographic paper to each conveyance row of the development conveyance unit constituting the photographic paper conveyance means in the development processing unit, and a distribution device for performing this distribution operation is provided.
[0003]
In addition, the development transport unit transports the photographic paper in a state in which it is aligned in the transport width direction in order to accurately distinguish the photographic paper that has undergone the development processing. In order to realize such a transport mode The alignment conveyance unit sequentially receives the photographic papers sorted by the sorting device, and sends the photographic papers to the respective conveyance rows of the development conveyance unit in a state where the received photographic papers are aligned in the conveyance lateral width direction.
In the case where the transport means adopts the transport form as described above, the exposure means and the sorting device have conventionally been exposed by sequentially exposing the number of photographic papers corresponding to the number of transport rows in the alignment transport unit. The sorter sequentially delivers the photographic paper to the aligning and conveying unit. When the aligning and conveying unit receives the photographic paper in all of its conveying rows and the developing and conveying unit is ready to accept new photographic paper, they are all at once. The photographic paper is fed into the developing conveyance section. Thus, after the photographic paper is not present in the aligning and conveying section, the exposure means resumes the above exposure operation, and the sorting device and the like repeat the above sorting process.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, in the above-described conventional configuration, the operation of each unit is time-consuming due to the necessity of allocating photographic paper to each transport row, such as the time during which the exposure unit is stopped for a relatively long time. There was a great loss.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve processing efficiency in an image printing apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
By providing the configuration according to claim 1, the photographic paper supplied to the exposure position of the exposure unit by the supply conveyance unit is sequentially subjected to the exposure process and then distributed to each conveyance row of the alignment conveyance unit by the distribution device, When the photographic papers are arranged in each conveyance row, the alignment conveyance unit sends the photographic papers to the development conveyance unit all at once.
In performing such an exposure process, the exposure unit is exposed by holding the photographic paper in a state that has been exposed by the exposure unit by the pre-distribution holding unit and before being distributed by the distribution device. The photographic paper can be stocked in the pre-sort holding unit. As a form of photographic paper stock in the pre-sorting holding unit, in addition to temporarily stopping the conveyance of the photographic paper to the downstream side, it is possible to convey the received photographic paper to the downstream side. May be transported.
[0006]
Then, when photographic paper is aligned in each conveyance row of the alignment conveyance unit and the photographic paper is sent all at once to the development conveyance unit, if photographic paper is stocked in the pre-sorting holding unit, the photographic paper is stocked. Since it is possible to immediately distribute the photographic paper to the aligning and conveying unit, it is possible to reduce a time loss from when exposure is started by the exposure unit until the photographic paper is allocated to the aligning and conveying unit.
Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a processing time loss for the photographic paper stocked in the pre-sorting holding unit, and thereby to improve the operating efficiency of the exposure unit, thereby improving the processing efficiency in the image printing apparatus. It came to.
[0007]
Further, by providing the configuration according to claim 2, the pre-sorting holding unit is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the exposure position of the exposure unit, and receives the photographic paper exposed by the exposure unit and also the photographic paper. To the sorting device.
Accordingly, it is possible to hold the photographic paper before being sorted by the sorting device in a state that does not affect the sorting operation of the sorting device, and a series of operations until the photographic paper exposed by the exposure unit is sent to the developing conveyance unit. It is possible to suppress the conveyance control from becoming complicated.
[0008]
In addition, by providing the configuration according to the third aspect, the exposure unit is configured so that the image to be printed is in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper with respect to the photographic paper conveyed by the exposure conveyance unit. Sequential exposure for each predetermined width Take the form.
When adopting such an exposure format, the exposure means continues exposure of the photographic paper simultaneously. In The photographic paper is sent to the pre-sorting holding unit, and it is particularly effective to provide the pre-sorting holding unit as a transport buffer in front of the sorting device.
[0009]
In addition, with the configuration according to the fourth aspect, the sorting device sorts the photographic paper by moving and driving a conveyor unit having a plurality of carrying rows in the carrying width direction.
Since the arrangement interval of the conveyance rows of the conveyor unit is the same as the arrangement interval of the plurality of conveyance rows on the photographic paper receiving side of the alignment conveyance unit, the plurality of conveyance rows of the sorting unit are used as the conveyance row of the alignment conveyance unit. By positioning it at any of the photographic paper delivery positions along, it is possible to feed the photographic paper to the alignment conveyance unit from any conveyance row of each conveyance row in the sorting apparatus.
In addition, photographic paper can be temporarily stocked by providing a plurality of transport rows of the conveyor unit with the same function as the pre-sort holding unit.
Therefore, it is possible to distribute the photographic paper in various forms from the distribution device to the alignment conveyance unit, and it is possible to configure an efficient distribution operation.
[0010]
In addition, by providing the configuration according to claim 5, even when the conveyor unit of the sorting device is located at any of the photographic paper delivery positions, the transport row of the pre-sorting holding unit is any of the transport rows of the conveyor unit. Therefore, the operation of feeding the photographic paper to the aligning and conveying unit for sorting and the operation of receiving the photographic paper from the pre-sorting holding unit can be performed in parallel.
Accordingly, it is possible to quickly distribute the photographic paper from the distribution device to the alignment conveyance unit in various forms, and it is possible to configure an efficient distribution operation.
[0011]
In addition, with the configuration according to claim 6, the supply transport unit, the exposure transport unit, and the pre-sorting holding unit transport the photographic paper in a single row, and the sorting device transports the photographic paper in two rows, and the aligned transport. And the developing and conveying unit convey photographic paper in three rows.
When the number of transport rows in each transport unit or the like is configured as described above, the conveyor unit of the sorting device is configured so that the two transport rows of the conveyor unit are one of the three transport rows of the alignment transport unit. The photographic paper is distributed by being driven so as to be selectively switched to two positions along the two rows. Therefore, the amount of movement of the conveyor unit at this time can be only an amount corresponding to one pitch of the arrangement of the conveyance rows.
On the other hand, even when the two positions of the conveyor unit are switched, the conveyance row of the pre-sorting holding unit is along one of the two conveyance rows of the conveyor unit.
[0012]
When the transport row of each part is configured as described above, the photographic paper that has been exposed by the exposure unit is, for example, one sheet in the pre-sorting holding unit and the pre-sorting holding unit in the two transporting rows of the sorting device. Two photographic papers, one in total, are stocked in the conveyance line on the side that is not located along the conveyance line, and one sheet of pre-exposure photographic paper is kept on standby in the supply conveyance unit, and is aligned and conveyed. When the conveyance of the three rows of photographic paper is started, the photographic paper of the sorting device is sent to the aligning and conveying portion, and the photographic paper of the holding portion before sorting is passed through the conveying row of the sorting device to the aligning and conveying portion. Then, the exposure of the photographic paper waiting in the supply conveyance unit is started, and the photographic paper is transferred to the alignment conveyance unit very quickly by sending it to the alignment conveyance unit via the pre-sorting holding unit and the distribution device. Can be aligned.
Accordingly, it has become possible to improve the processing efficiency of the image printing apparatus while simplifying the apparatus configuration by suppressing the movement amount of the conveyor unit as much as possible.
[0013]
In addition, by providing the configuration according to the seventh aspect, the transport path length in the pre-sorting holding unit and the sorting device is a length that can hold the maximum length in the transport direction of the photographic paper handled by the image printing apparatus. Therefore, since the form of the sorting and transport control can be unified regardless of the size of the photographic paper in the transport direction, the control configuration of the apparatus can be simplified.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image printing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The image printing apparatus IP shown in FIG. 1 automatically exposes photographic paper that has been cut to a print size corresponding to each image, develops the exposed photographic paper, and automatically sends it out after drying. Do it.
The photographic paper 1 is stored in a roll form in a photographic paper magazine 1M loaded in the upper part of the casing of the image printing apparatus IP, and is drawn out into the main body of the image printing apparatus IP by a number of nipping and conveying conveyance rollers 2. .
[0015]
In the casing of the image printing apparatus IP, a cutter 3 for cutting the photographic paper 1 drawn from the photographic paper magazine 1M into a print size corresponding to each image, and an exposure means EM for exposing the photographic paper 1 to an image. An exposure head 12, a plurality of development processing rods for developing the photographic paper 1 exposed by the exposure head 12, and a drying unit dr for drying the photographic paper 1 developed by a drying heater or blower. A development processing unit de provided, and a transport unit TM for transporting the cut photographic paper 1 to the development processing unit de through an exposure position EP by the exposure unit EM are provided.
The photographic paper 1 discharged out of the housing from the discharge port 4 of the drying unit dr falls on the transverse feed conveyor 5, is conveyed to the sorter 6, and is sorted for each order.
[0016]
The exposure head 12 employs a so-called PLZT print head in which minute light shutters are arranged in a line using the polarization characteristics of PLZT, and prints an image to be printed on the photographic paper 1 having the exposure position EP conveyed. An image portion of a part of the width in the paper conveyance direction (specifically, a width corresponding to one pixel) is sequentially switched and exposed. In addition to the PLZT system described above, the exposure means EM is driven in such a manner that a number of micromirrors are driven to swing for each mirror, and the light beam is irradiated on the photographic paper 1 for each pixel and the irradiation is stopped. A so-called DMD system in which an image is exposed on the photographic paper 1 by switching to a state in which it is to be performed, or a fluorescence printing system in which minute fluorescent elements are arranged in a line may be used.
The image exposed by the exposure head 12 is an image of a photographic film mainly read by a film scanner (not shown). Based on image information input from the film scanner, a main body control unit of the image printing apparatus IP The MC sets an exposure time for each pixel of the exposure head 12, and causes the exposure head 12 to perform an exposure operation on the photographic paper 1 under the set conditions. In addition to the image information from the film scanner described above, the image printing apparatus IP of the present embodiment can also take an image photographed by a so-called digital camera and expose it to the photographic paper 1.
[0017]
As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the transport means TM develops the transport path and supplies and transports the photographic paper 1 to the exposure position EP by the exposure head 12 and the photographic paper 1 at the exposure position EP. An exposure conveyance unit B that conveys, a pre-sorting holding unit C that temporarily holds the photographic paper 1 that has been exposed by the exposure head 12, and a distribution that sorts the photographic paper 1 that has been conveyed in a single row into a plurality of conveyance rows. An apparatus D, an alignment conveyance unit E that conveys the photographic paper 1 in a plurality of conveyance rows in the conveyance lateral width direction and conveys all at once, and a development conveyance unit F that conveys the photographic paper 1 in the development processing unit de are provided. It is configured. The transport path length in the pre-sort holding unit C, sorter D, and alignment transport unit E is the longest in the transport direction among the photographic papers 1 handled by the image printing apparatus IP, that is, in this embodiment, so-called panorama. The length is set so as to hold the photographic paper 1 having the size.
[0018]
The supply / conveying section A supplies and conveys the photographic paper 1 selectively drawn out from one of the two photographic paper magazines 1M as described above to the exposure position EP. An electric motor M1 for driving the transport roller 2 is provided, and transports the photographic paper 1 in a single row. The supply conveyance section A is provided with an upstream end sensor 19a near the conveyance upstream end and a downstream end sensor 19b near the conveyance downstream end, and detects the presence or absence of the photographic paper 1, respectively.
[0019]
In the exposure conveyance section B, an upstream conveyance roller 10 and a downstream conveyance roller 11 are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the photographic paper conveyance path with the exposure position EP by the exposure head 12 interposed therebetween. And the downstream conveyance roller 11 is driven in conjunction by a single electric motor M2. An upstream sensor 16a for detecting the presence or absence of the photographic paper 1 is provided slightly downstream of the installation position of the upstream conveyance roller 10 in the conveyance direction, and slightly downstream of the installation position of the downstream conveyance roller 11 in the conveyance direction. A downstream sensor 16b that detects the presence or absence of the photographic paper 1 is provided.
Although the detailed description is omitted, the upstream-side transport roller 10 and the downstream-side transport roller 11 can be individually switched between a state in which the photographic paper 1 is sandwiched and transported by pressure, and a state in which the sandwiching is released. A state in which the photographic paper 1 is transported and driven only by the upstream side transport roller 10, a state in which the photographic paper 1 is transported by both the upstream side transport roller 10 and the downstream side transport roller 11, and a print by only the downstream side transport roller 11 The printing paper 1 is conveyed while the image is exposed by the exposure head 12 by sequentially switching to the state of conveying the paper 1. The exposure transport unit B transports the photographic paper 1 in a single row.
[0020]
The pre-distribution holding unit C is configured such that a nipping / conveying belt 14 that nipping and conveying the photographic paper 1 with a pair of endless belts arranged on both sides across the conveyance path of the photographic paper 1 is left and right as viewed in the photographic paper conveying direction. An electric motor M3 that is arranged side by side and that integrally drives the two sandwich conveying belts 14 is provided, and a conveyance roller 13 is provided at a bent portion of the conveyance path of the photographic paper 1. Further, an upstream end sensor 15a is installed near the upstream conveyance end of the pre-sorting holding unit C, and a downstream end sensor 15b is installed near the downstream downstream end of the conveyance to detect the presence or absence of the photographic paper 1.
The pre-sort holding unit C also transports the photographic paper 1 in a single row.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, the sorting device D includes a conveyor unit CU and a slide drive device SD that moves and drives the conveyor unit CU in the conveyance lateral width direction.
In the conveyor unit CU, nipping and conveying belts 18 in which endless belts wound around pulleys 18p on the upper and lower sides of the conveyance are arranged on both sides of the conveyance path of the photographic paper 1 are arranged in three in the conveyance width direction. An electric motor M4 that integrally drives the three nipping and conveying belts 18 is provided.
The slide drive device SD is provided with a screw shaft 21 that feeds the support frame 20 of the conveyor unit CU in the conveyance lateral width direction, and a slide motor M5 that drives the screw shaft 21. In FIG. 3, the position is changed to a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line.
The conveyor unit CU is configured to convey the photographic paper 1 in two conveyance rows. Near the conveyance downstream end of each conveyance row in the conveyor unit CU, printing in the right conveyance row as viewed in the photographic paper conveyance direction. A first downstream end sensor 22a for detecting the presence / absence of the paper 1 and a second downstream end sensor 22b for detecting the presence / absence of the photographic paper 1 in the left conveyance row as viewed in the photographic paper conveyance direction are installed. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the two transport rows in the conveyor unit CU are referred to as the P row and the left transport row as the Q row as viewed in the transport direction of the photographic paper 1. .
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3, the aligning and conveying unit E includes five first to fifth articles that sandwich and convey the photographic paper 1 with a pair of endless belts arranged on both sides of the conveyance path of the photographic paper 1. The nipping and conveying belts 23a to 23e are arranged side by side in the photographic paper conveying width direction.
Among the first to fifth sandwiching and transporting belts 23a to 23e, the first and second sandwiching and transporting belts 23a and 23b are driven by the first transporting motor M6, and the central third sandwiching and transporting belt 23c is for the second transporting. Driven by the motor M7, the fourth and fifth nipping and conveying belts 23d and 23e are driven by the third conveying motor M8. A shaft 24 that is rotationally driven by the second transport motor M7 in order for the second transport motor M7 disposed on the side of the fifth sandwich transport belt 23e to transmit the driving force to the third sandwich transport belt 23c in the center. Passes through the drive pulley 25 of the first and second sandwiching and conveying belts 23a and 23b and the driving pulley 26 of the fourth and fifth sandwiching and conveying belts 23d and 23e so as to be rotatable relative to each other. In FIG. 3, the driving pulley 27 of the third nip conveyance belt 23c is fixed. The first to third transfer motors M6, M7, and M8 are all configured by electric motors.
[0023]
The alignment transport unit E includes a transport row composed of the first and second sandwich transport belts 23a and 23b, a transport train composed of the third sandwich transport belt 23c, and the fourth and fifth sandwich transport belts 23d. , 23e, three conveyance rows. Since the first to third transport motors M6, M7, and M8 described above are provided corresponding to each of these transport rows, the photographic paper 1 can be transported independently in each transport row. . Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, these three transport rows are referred to as X row, Y row, and Z row from the right as viewed in the photographic paper transport direction as shown in FIG.
Near the conveyance downstream end of each conveyance column in the alignment conveyance unit E, first to third downstream end sensors 28a (X column), 28b (Y column), 28c (detecting the presence or absence of the photographic paper 1 in each conveyance column) Z column).
[0024]
The arrangement interval of the three conveyance rows on the photographic paper receiving side in the alignment conveyance unit E and the arrangement interval of the two conveyance rows in the conveyor unit CU coincide with each other. The photographic paper 1 is arranged by positioning it at one of two photographic paper delivery positions, ie, a photographic paper delivery position along the X row of E and a P row of the photographic paper delivery position along the Y row of the alignment transport unit E. Are sorted into one of the conveyance rows of the alignment conveyance unit E.
In addition, when the conveyor unit CU is positioned at any one of the two photographic paper delivery positions, the transport row in the pre-sorting holding unit C is configured to follow any of the transport rows of the conveyor unit CU.
As shown in FIG. 1, the development conveyance unit F conveys the photographic printing paper 1 by the conveyance roller 36, and includes three conveyance rows like the alignment conveyance unit E.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 4, the supply transport unit A, the exposure transport unit B, the pre-distribution holding unit C, the sorting device D, and the alignment transport unit E are for the supply transport control unit C1, the exposure transport control unit C2, and the holding unit, respectively. The conveyance control is performed by the conveyance control unit C3, the sorting device control unit C4, and the alignment conveyance control unit C5. A control signal from the main body control unit MC of the image printing apparatus IP is input to each control unit.
The supply conveyance control unit C1 performs the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 to start the process when the upstream end sensor 19a detects the front end of the photographic paper 1 being conveyed, and the exposure conveyance control unit C2 receives from the main body control unit MC. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started when the image exposure start is instructed, and the holding portion transport control unit C3 detects the front end of the photographic paper 1 transported by the upstream end sensor 15a. Then, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 for starting the process is performed, and the distribution device control unit C4 performs the process when the front end of the photographic paper 1 to which the first downstream end sensor 22a or the second downstream end sensor 22b is conveyed is detected. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 to be started is performed, and the alignment conveyance control unit C5 of the photographic paper 1 to which the first downstream end sensor 28a of the right X row is conveyed as viewed in the photographic paper conveyance direction. It performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 to start the processing for detecting the edge.
[0026]
In the following, a process of exposing an image on the photographic paper 1 and transporting the photographic paper 1 in the image printing apparatus IP configured by the control of each control unit will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10A shows a state in which the photographic papers (1) to (3) are aligned in three conveyance rows of the alignment conveyance unit E and are going to be sent to the development conveyance unit F.
In this state, the P row of the conveyor unit CU in the sorting apparatus D is in a posture along the X row of the alignment transport unit E, and one photographic paper 1 is waiting in this P row. One sheet of photographic paper 1 is also waiting in the holding unit C and the supply conveyance unit A.
[0027]
In this state, when the developing conveyance section F is ready to accept the photographic paper 1 (step # 47 in FIG. 9), as shown in FIG. 10 (b), all of the X, Y, and Z rows are displayed. The conveyance of the photographic paper 1 is started all at once from the conveyance row (step # 48), and the conveyance of the photographic paper 1 of (4) is started from the distribution device D so as to follow the photographic paper 1 before the distribution. The conveyance of the photographic paper 1 of (5) from the holding unit C is started, and further, the exposure processing for the photographic paper 1 of (6) waiting in the supply conveyance unit A is started.
Describing this series of operations in detail for each control unit, the alignment conveyance control unit C5 transmits a conveyance start command to the sorting device control unit C4 and the holding unit conveyance control unit C3 when the simultaneous conveyance starts. At the same time, the fact that the simultaneous transport has been started is also transmitted to the main body control unit MC (step # 49).
When the sorting apparatus D receives the transport start command from the aligned transport control unit C5 (step # 34 in FIG. 8), the photographic paper 1 of (4) held in the P row is placed in the X row of the aligned transport unit E. Transport (step # 35). The sorter control unit C4 counts the number of conveyed photographic papers 1 with the photographic paper 1 of (4) as the first, and counts the fourth photographic paper 1 as the first. continue.
[0028]
When the pre-sorting holding unit C receives a conveyance start command from the alignment conveyance control unit C5 (step # 27 in FIG. 7), the photographic paper 1 of (5) is conveyed to the Q row of the conveyor unit CU (step # 28). ). The pre-sorting holding unit C is configured to transport the photographic paper 1 at two speeds, a high speed and a low speed. In this case, the transport speed is “high speed”, which is the same speed as the transport speed of the conveyor unit CU. The photographic paper 1 is conveyed. Also, in the holding unit transport control unit C3, the number of transported photographic papers 1 is counted with the photographic paper 1 of (4) as the first sheet as in the sorting device control unit C4. The counting is continued with the first photographic paper 1 as the first sheet. Therefore, the printing paper 1 of (5) is counted as the second sheet.
Thus, when the photographic paper 1 of (5) is conveyed and the downstream end sensor 15b detects the completion of the passage of the photographic paper 1 of (5), the conveyance of the photographic paper 1 in the pre-sort holding unit C is stopped (FIG. 7 steps # 29, # 30).
[0029]
Further, the main body control unit MC that has received the signal indicating the start of the simultaneous conveyance from the alignment conveyance control unit C5 instructs the exposure conveyance control unit C2 to start exposure. In response to this instruction, the exposure / conveyance control unit C2 starts the process of the flowchart of FIG. 6, and instructs the supply / conveyance control unit C1 to start the conveyance of the photographic paper 1 of (6) (step # 11 of FIG. 6). ).
The supply conveyance control unit C1 that has received this conveyance start command from the exposure conveyance control unit C2 (step # 4 in FIG. 5) starts conveyance of the photographic paper 1 in step (6) (step # 5). When the upstream sensor 16a of the exposure transport unit B detects the front end of the photographic paper 1 of (6) (Step # 12 in FIG. 6), the upstream transport roller 10 starts the pressure transport of the photographic paper 1 and supplies it. A crimping signal is transmitted to the transport control unit C1 (steps # 13 and # 14), and the upstream transport roller 10 and the downstream transport roller 11 are switched between the press and release according to the transport distance of the photographic paper 1 and transported as described above. (Steps # 15 to # 18). During this transport, the exposure head 12 exposes an image to the photographic paper 1 transported with the exposed EP under the control of the main body control unit MC.
During this time, the supply conveyance control unit C1 that has received the signal that the upstream conveyance roller 10 has crimped the photographic paper 1 releases the crimping of the photographic paper 1 of (6) by the conveyance roller 2 (step # 7 in FIG. 5). 5) When the next photographic paper 1 of (7) is conveyed and the upstream end sensor 19a detects the front end, the processing of FIG. 5 is resumed.
[0030]
As described above, (4), (5), and (6) photographic paper 1 starts to be conveyed simultaneously so as to follow the preceding photographic paper 1 (1), (2), and (3). After that, as shown in FIG. 11C, the photographic paper 1 of (4) stops at the X row of the aligning and conveying unit E, and the photographic paper 1 of (5) passes through the Q row of the conveyor unit CU as it is. The photographic printing paper 1 of (6) passes through the pre-sorting holding unit C and stops at the Q row of the conveyor unit CU. Further, exposure of the photographic paper 1 of (7) following the photographic paper 1 of (6) is started.
This series of operations will be described in detail.
First, for the photographic paper 1 of (4), when the front end of the photographic paper 1 of (4) is detected by the first downstream end sensor 28a of the X row, the aligning and conveying unit E performs the flow chart of FIG. The processing is resumed. First, counting by the timer 30 is started and the first transport motor M6 is stopped (steps # 41 and # 42 in FIG. 9). In principle, the aligning / conveying section E sends the photographic paper 1 to the developing / conveying section F after the photographic papers 1 are arranged in three rows. However, even if the time counted by the timer 30 exceeds the set time, printing is performed in all three rows. When the papers 1 are not aligned, the photographic paper 1 existing in the alignment transport unit E is transported to the development processing unit F so that the development processing is not delayed too much.
More specifically, when the timer 30 finishes counting the set time, the photographic paper 1 of the alignment transport unit E by the interrupt process is forcibly transported to the development processing unit F.
[0031]
For the photographic paper 1 of (5), when the second downstream end sensor 22b in the Q row of the conveyor unit CU detects the front end of the photographic paper 1 of (5), the processing of FIG. 8 is resumed. Since the count when the photographic paper 1 of (5) is conveyed is the second sheet as described above (step # 36 in FIG. 8), the conveyance in the Q row is continued as it is, and the photographic paper 1 of (5) is continued. The front end is detected by the second downstream end sensor 28b in the Y row of the alignment transport unit E (step # 43 in FIG. 9), the second transport motor M7 is stopped (step # 44), and the printing of (5) is performed. Paper 1 is stopped in the Y row.
[0032]
With respect to the photographic paper 1 of (6), when the exposure operation of the photographic paper 1 of (6) proceeds and the upstream end sensor 15a of the pre-sort holding unit C detects the front edge of the photographic paper 1 of (6), the holding is performed. The part conveyance control unit C3 resumes the process shown in FIG. 7 and starts the low-speed conveyance (step # 21 in FIG. 7). At this time, the trailing edge of the photographic paper 1 of (6) has already passed the exposure position EP. Further, the conveyance speed in this low-speed conveyance is matched with the conveyance speed in the exposure conveyance section B.
When the downstream sensor 16b of the exposure conveyance unit B detects the completion of the passage of the photographic paper 1 of (6) (step # 19 in FIG. 6), the exposure conveyance control unit C2 transmits a speed change permission signal (step S19). In step # 20), the conveyance control unit C3 for holding unit that has received it switches the conveyance speed of the photographic paper 1 to the high-speed conveyance described above (steps # 22 and # 23 in FIG. 7).
Since the count of the photographic paper 1 of (6) is the third sheet (step # 25 in FIG. 7), the downstream end sensor 15b of the pre-sort holding unit C detects the completion of the passage of the photographic paper 1 of (6). Then, the conveyance operation is stopped (steps # 24, # 25, # 29, and # 30 in FIG. 7).
When the front end of the photographic paper 1 of {circle around (6)} is detected by the downstream end sensor 22b of the conveyor unit CU, the sorting device control unit C4 restarts the process of FIG. 8, and the count of the photographic paper 1 of {circle around (6)} is three. Therefore, the conveyance of the photographic paper 1 of (6) is stopped (steps # 31, # 36, and # 37 in FIG. 8).
The photographic paper 1 of (7) is transported and exposed in the same manner as each photographic paper 1 described above.
[0033]
Next, from the state shown in FIG. 11 (c), as shown in FIG. 11 (d), the photographic paper 1 of (6) is distributed to the Z row of the alignment transport section E, and the photographic paper 1 of (7). After the exposure process is completed, the exposure process (8) is started.
This process will be described in detail.
In the sorting apparatus D, the conveyor unit CU in which the photographic paper 1 of (6) is present in the Q row is slid from the position along the Y row of the alignment transport unit E to the position along the Z row (see FIG. 8). In step # 38), the photographic paper 1 of (6) is sent to the aligning and conveying section E (step # 39).
In the alignment transport unit E that has received the photographic paper 1 of (6) in the Z row, when the third downstream end sensor 28c detects the front end of the photographic paper 1 of (6) (step # 45 in FIG. 9), The conveyance is stopped (step # 46).
The photographic paper 1 of (7) following the photographic paper 1 of (6) is transported toward the sorting device D (steps # 21 to # 23 in FIG. 7) in the same manner as the photographic paper 1 of (6). The photographic paper 1 of (8) is conveyed in the same manner as the other photographic paper 1 (steps # 1 to # 7 in FIG. 5), and exposure is started.
[0034]
From the state shown in FIG. 11 (d), as shown in FIG. 12 (e), the photographic paper 1 of (7) is transported to the P row of the conveyor unit CU, during which the photographic paper 1 of (8) is exposed. At the same time, the following (9) photographic paper 1 is carried into the supply conveyance section A.
Hereinafter, this process will be described.
Regarding the photographic paper 1 of (7), since the count of the photographic paper 1 of (7) is the first sheet in the pre-sorting holding section C, the same as the photographic paper 1 of (6) which is the third sheet, After passing through the downstream conveyance end of the pre-sorting holding unit C, it is sent to the P row of the conveyor unit CU (steps # 24, # 25, # 29, # 30 in FIG. 7).
When the first downstream end sensor 22a provided in the P row of the conveyor unit CU detects the conveyed photographic paper 1 of (7), the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is started, and the photographic paper 1 of (7) is started. Is stopped (step # 32 in FIG. 8).
[0035]
From the state shown in FIG. 12 (e), the conveyor unit CU is slid from the position along the Y row of the alignment transport unit E to the position along the X row (step # 33 in FIG. 8), and the pre-sorting holding unit The photographic paper 1 of (8) whose count at C is the second sheet is stopped at the pre-sorting holding unit C (steps # 25 and # 26 in FIG. 7), and further, When the conveyance of the photographic paper 1 is stopped (Steps # 1 to # 3 in FIG. 5), one cycle of processing is completed, and the state returns to the state shown in FIG.
Thereafter, the above cycle processing is further repeated.
[0036]
[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the above embodiment, the pre-distribution holding unit C is arranged on the upstream side of the distribution device D separately from the distribution device D. However, the pre-distribution holding unit C in the above embodiment is Without being provided, the photographic paper 1 that has been exposed in both of the two transport rows of the conveyor unit CU of the sorting device D in the above-described embodiment and before the sorting operation to each transport row of the alignment transport unit E is put on standby, The pre-sort holding unit C and the sorter D may be integrated.
[0037]
(2) In the above embodiment, the photographic paper 1 is conveyed in a single row from the supply conveyance unit A to the pre-distribution holding unit C, the distribution device D is conveyed in two conveyance rows, and the alignment conveyance unit E is 3 Although the case where it conveys by the conveyance row of a row is illustrated, the number of conveyance rows in each conveyance part etc. can be changed variously, and the setting of the conveyance row of each conveyance part etc. can be carried out to holding part C before distribution Are arranged in n rows (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1), the conveyance row of the sorting device D is n + 1 rows, and the conveyance row of the alignment conveyance unit E is n + 2 rows, so that the conveyor unit CU can align the conveyance unit E. It can be configured such that the transport row in the pre-sorting holding section C is along any of the transport rows of the conveyor unit CU, regardless of where the photographic paper is delivered.
[0038]
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the pre-sorting holding unit C, the sorting device D, and the aligning and transporting unit E are configured to transport the photographic paper 1 by the nipping and transporting belt. It is good also as a form which conveys the photographic paper 1 with a conveyance roller, and the conveyance form of the conveyance means TM can be variously changed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conveying unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the main part according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 photographic paper
A Supply conveyance section
B Exposure transport section
C Holding part before sorting
CU conveyor unit
D Sorting device
de Development processing section
E Alignment transport unit
EM exposure means
F Development transport section
TM transport means

Claims (7)

An exposure unit that exposes an image on the photographic paper, a development processing unit that develops the photographic paper exposed by the exposure unit, and an exposure position of the photographic paper cut corresponding to each image by the exposure unit And a conveying means for conveying to the development processing section via,
The conveyance means includes a supply conveyance unit that supplies and conveys photographic paper to an exposure position by the exposure unit, a development conveyance unit that conveys the photographic paper in a plurality of conveyance rows in the development processing unit, and the exposure unit. A distribution device that distributes the exposed photographic paper so that it is conveyed in each of the plurality of conveyance rows, and receives the photographic paper distributed by the distribution device, and the received photographic paper in the horizontal direction of conveyance An image printing apparatus configured to include an alignment conveyance unit that sends the photographic paper to each conveyance row of the development conveyance unit in an aligned state,
The transporting unit is provided with a pre-sorting holding unit that holds the photographic paper in a state that has been exposed by the exposure unit and before being sorted into any of the plurality of transported rows by the sorting device. Image printing device. The pre-sorting holding unit is disposed downstream in the transport direction of the exposure position of the exposure unit, and is configured to receive the photographic paper exposed by the exposure unit and send the photographic paper to the sorting device. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1. The transport unit includes an exposure transport unit that transports the photographic paper at an exposure position of the exposure unit;
3. The image print according to claim 2, wherein the exposure unit is configured to sequentially expose the photographic paper conveyed by the exposure conveyance unit for each predetermined width in the photographic paper conveyance direction of the image to be printed. apparatus. The sorting device moves and drives a conveyor unit having a plurality of transport rows arranged at the same interval as the arrangement interval of the plurality of transport rows on the photographic paper receiving side of the aligning and transporting unit, so that the aligned transport is performed. The image printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photographic paper is distributed by being positioned at any one of a plurality of photographic paper delivery positions with respect to the section. 5. The transport row in the pre-sorting holding unit is configured to be along any one of the transport rows of the conveyor unit when the conveyor unit is located at any of the plurality of photographic paper delivery positions. The image printing apparatus described. The supply conveyance unit, the exposure conveyance unit, and the pre-sorting holding unit are configured to convey the photographic paper in a single row,
The sorting device is configured to convey the photographic paper in two rows,
The image printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the alignment conveyance unit and the development conveyance unit are configured to convey the photographic paper in three rows. The conveyance path length in the pre-sorting holding unit and the sorting apparatus is configured to be set to a length capable of holding a photographic paper handled by the image printing apparatus having a maximum length in the transport direction. The image printing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6.

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