JPH02195350A - Device for applying image forming solvent - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To completely prevent current leakage without allowing a heater and an image forming solvent to come into contact with each other and to save space by disposing the heater on the outside of a container for the image forming solvent and controlling the solvent temp. CONSTITUTION:A heater 194 is disposed under an aluminum sheet 190 and at least a 1st bottom part 174a and a guide member 172 are formed of a material, such as resin, having a low thermal conductivity. The regulation of the water temp. is eventually executed in the position where the heater 194 exists on the outside of the container 174 and does not contact with water at all. Namely, the heater 194 and the image forming solvent can be completely separated by installing the heater 194 on the outside of a water tank 174 and the need for perfecting the waterproofing of the heater 194 is eliminated. Further, the inside 174 of the water tank is used only as the space for transportation of a recording material and the formation of the water tank 174 to the smaller size is possible. The applying device which has no danger of current leakage and constitutes the water tank of the smaller space is obtd. in this way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image-forming solvent coating device (hereinafter referred to as a coating device) for coating a recording material with an image-forming solvent.

[Conventional technology]

As an image recording material, for example, there is a heat-developable photosensitive material.For information about this photothermally-developable photosensitive material and its process, for example, Basics of Photographic Engineering Non-Silver Salt Photographers (published by Corona Publishing, 1982)
Pages 242-255, 40 pages of video information published in April 1978, Neblett's Handbook of Photography
Photography and Reprograp
hy) 7th Edition (7thEd,) Van Nostrand Reinhold Company (Van No5tr
and Re1nhold Company) 32~
It is described on page 33.

Furthermore, many methods have been proposed for obtaining color images by heat development.

For example, releasing a mobile dye in an image-like manner by heating,
A method of transferring this mobile dye to a dye fixing material with a mordant using a solvent such as water, a method of transferring it to a dye fixing material using a high boiling point organic solvent, a method of transferring this mobile dye to a dye fixing material using a hydrophilic thermal solvent incorporated in the dye fixing material A method in which the mobile dye is heat-diffusible or sublimable and is transferred to a dye-receiving material such as a support has been proposed. (U.S. Patent No. 4.463.079, U.S. Patent No. 4.474°867
No. 4,478.927, No. 4゜507.38
No. 0, JP-A-58-149046, JP-A No. 58-1490
No. 47, No. 59-152440, No. 59-15444
No. 5, No. 59=165054, No. 59-180548
No. 59-168439, No. 59-174832, No. 59-174833, No. 59-174834,
59-174835, etc.) As an apparatus for carrying out this type of image forming method, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 59-75247, an exposure head is used in an exposure section to produce a thermally developable photosensitive image. After exposing a color image to the material, an image forming solvent such as water is applied to the photothermographic material, and the material is sent to a heat development section.
An image recording apparatus has been proposed in which an image-receiving material is brought into close contact with a heat-developable photosensitive material after heat development, and the image is sent to a transfer section, where the image is thermally transferred to the image-receiving material.

Then, as a coating device for applying the image forming solvent, for example, the recording material is conveyed while being immersed in the image forming solvent stored in a water tank, the recording material is held between a pair of squeeze rollers, and the recording material is swollen. Some devices are designed to scrape off excess image forming solvent.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Swelling of the image forming solvent into the recording material is for promoting image transfer and good color development. Since the amount of swelling of the recording material greatly depends on the temperature of the image forming solvent, conventionally, a heater (underwater heater) is provided in the water tank to control the image forming solvent to a desired temperature, and the temperature of the recording material is The amount of swelling is stabilized.

When using a submersible heater in this way, the wiring that supplies power to the heater is weaker than other parts, so the waterproofing may break and electrical leakage may occur, so even if you handle the submersible heater carefully, there is always a danger. It is in a state of being

In addition, since an underwater heater is installed in the water tank, it is necessary to provide space for the ice heater in addition to the space for the conveyance path of the recording material. As the amount of image forming solvent increases, the amount of image forming solvent inevitably increases, and uneven temperature distribution causes uneven swelling of the image forming solvent.

It is an object of the present invention to solve this problem, and to provide a coating device that is free from the risk of electrical leakage and that also provides a space-saving water tank.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The above object of the present invention is to convey a recording material while immersing it in an image forming solvent controlled at a desired temperature by a heater, and transfer the swollen recording material to a pair of images. An image forming solvent applicator that scrapes off excess image forming solvent by being held between squeeze rollers, wherein a part of the bottom of the water tank is a high heat conductive part made of a material with higher thermal conductivity than the other part, and This is achieved by an image-forming solvent coating device having a configuration in which a heater is installed in the high heat conduction section outside the water tank.

That is, by installing the heater outside the water tank, the heater and the image forming solvent can be completely separated, and there is no need to completely waterproof the heater. Furthermore, the inside of the water tank can be used only as a space for transporting the recording material, so that the water tank can be made smaller.

In addition, examples of the image forming solvent include water,
This water is not limited to so-called pure water, but also includes water in the widely customary sense, and also includes pure water, methanol,
A mixed solvent with a low boiling point solvent such as DMF, acetone, and diisobutyl ketone may also be used. Alternatively, a solution containing an image formation accelerator, an antifoggant, a development stopper, a hydrophilic heat solvent, etc. may be used.

[Embodiment]

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In describing the embodiments, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the structure and operation of the entire image recording apparatus to which the coating device is applied will be explained, and then the main parts will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image recording apparatus equipped with a coating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, this implementation! Example g1 shows the case where the photosensitive material is of a type that requires a heat development step and in which an image is transferred and formed on an image-receiving material having an image-receiving layer in the presence of an image-forming solvent such as water at the bottom right.

Inside the housing 12 constituting the image recording device, there is a photosensitive material supply section 13 that stores the photosensitive material A, an image reading section 15 that reads image information carried on the document S, and a photosensitive material A.
an exposure section 16 that forms a latent image on the photosensitive material A; a water coating section 17 that applies water to the photosensitive material A; an image receiving paper supply section 41 that stores the image receiving paper C; A superimposing section 19 for superimposing the photosensitive material A and the image receiving paper C, a heat development transfer unit 21 for performing heat treatment on the photosensitive material A and the image receiving paper C, and a peeling section 23 for separating the image receiving paper C from the photosensitive material are provided, respectively.

A transparent document support glass plate 14 on which a document S is placed is arranged on the upper surface of the housing 12, and the image reading section 15 is arranged below this document support glass plate 14.

That is, the image reading section 15 includes a light source 18 that integrally scans the entire surface of the original support glass plate 14, a mirror 20a1, and an assembly 30 of an imaging lens/filter unit, and the above-mentioned light [
Mirror 2 moving in the same direction by 4 of the scanning distance of 18 mag.
0b, 20C and fixed mirrors 20d, 20e, 2Of
These are surrounded by a partition wall 22 and optically isolated from other parts. However, in this case, the image reading unit 1 reflected by the fixed mirror 20f is attached to the partition wall 22.
An exposure opening fi! related to the exposure section 16 of the photosensitive material A is provided in a portion through which the optical axis 32 of the photosensitive material A passes. 34 is defined, and the exposure opening 34 is provided with a shutter device 35 and a shutter control device! 236 is placed.

Further, a standard white plate 302 is provided near the original support glass plate 14 so as to be exposed to the light source 18 .

On the other hand, the photosensitive material supply 1i1'1S13 is provided on the left side of the housing 12 and is kept light-tight. This photosensitive material supply section 13 is loaded with a removable photosensitive material magazine 54 in which photosensitive material A is wound.

The photosensitive material supply section 13 has roller pairs 56a to 56d for conveying the photosensitive material A from the magazine 54 to the exposure section 16. In this case, roller pair 56a.

A cutter 58 for cutting the photosensitive material A into predetermined lengths is provided between the cutters 56b. Furthermore, the exposure table 60 disposed between the roller pair 56C956d faces the exposure opening 34 defined on the bottom of the partition wall 22 surrounding the image reading section 15.

In front of the exposure section 16 (hereinafter, "front" refers to the downstream side with respect to the traveling direction of the photosensitive material, etc.) is provided with a conveyance path consisting of a pair of rollers 56e and a guide plate.

The exposure section 16 performs imagewise exposure on the photosensitive material A to form a latent image, and the photosensitive material A on which the latent image is formed is conveyed to the water application section 17 via the conveyance path.

The water coating fl'l 517 is for facilitating the transfer of the latent image formed on the photosensitive material A, and this water coating portion 1
7, which will be described later in FIGS. 2 and onwards, includes a pair of rollers 56f1, a pair of squeeze rollers 176, a guide plate 172, a water tank 174, and the like. Then, the water tank 174 is filled with water, and the photosensitive material A is transported while being immersed in the water.

The photosensitive material A coated with water is squeezed by a pair of squeeze rollers 176.
It is conveyed to the overlapping section 19 by.

On the other hand, a receiving paper supply 141 for supplying receiving paper C is provided on the right side of the housing 12. The image receiving paper supply section 4
1 is a receiving paper magazine 43 that stores rolled receiving paper C;
is loaded. The image receiving paper C in the magazine 43 is transferred to the roller pair 5.
6h, and cut into a predetermined length by a cutter 44 disposed in front of the pair of rollers 56h.

The cut image-receiving paper C is conveyed to the overlapping section 19 by a pair of rollers 56i.

In front of the overlapping layer 1119, a heat development transfer section 21 is provided which heats the overlapping photosensitive material A and image receiving paper C, develops the latent image on the photosensitive material A, and transfers it onto the image receiving paper C.

The heat development transfer section 21 is surrounded by a heat-insulating partition wall 62, and is wrapped around a hollow cylindrical heating drum 74 containing a halogen lamp 72 at an angle of about 270 degrees around the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 74. It includes an endless belt 84 supported by four belt support rollers 76, 77, 78°80, and heats the photosensitive material A and the image receiving paper C in a superposed state. By this heating, the latent image on the photosensitive material A is developed and transferred onto the image receiving paper C to develop color.

A peeling section 23 is provided within the partition wall 62, and the peeling section 23 includes a first peeling claw 232 for peeling the photosensitive material A from the image receiving paper C, and a first peeling claw 232 for peeling the image receiving paper C from the heating drum 74. It consists of two peeling claws 234 and a roller 56j that discharges the image receiving paper C to the outside of the partition wall 62.

In front of one side of the heat development transfer section 21, there is a waste tray 118 for discarding the heated photosensitive material peeled from the image receiving paper C by a peeling claw 232, and a roller for throwing the photosensitive material A into the waste tray 118. A pair 56k is provided. The waste tray 118 is provided below the heat development transfer section 21 . In addition, in front of the other side of the heat development transfer section 21, a take-out F tray 120 that accommodates the heated image receiving paper C and a roller pair 56L56m, 5 that conveys the taken-out tray 120 are provided.
6n is provided, and the image-receiving paper C on which the image has been transferred is led out to the take-out tray 120.

Further, a color density detection unit 124 for detecting the color density of the image on the receiver paper C is arranged between the roller pair 56m and 56n. The color density detection unit 124 is an illumination device that illuminates the image surface of the image receiving paper C! 126, and a color photosensor 128 that receives reflected light from the image receiving paper C due to this illumination.
It consists of.

The apparatus further includes a color density control unit 1 connected to the imaging lens/filter unit assembly 30 and the photosensor 128 and disposed at a suitable location within the housing 12.
50, the color density control unit 150, the photosensitive material supply section 13, the image reading section 15, the drive system for the image reading section 15 (not shown), the receiving paper supply section 41, the cutter 44, 58, the shutter control device 36, A system control device (not shown) is provided which is connected to the water application section 17, the heat development transfer section 21, and the peeling section 23 and controls the entire apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the water application section 17.

The water application section 17 includes a container 174 that is a water tank containing water, an upper guide member 172 that guides the photosensitive material A into the water,
The guide member 172 and the first bottom part 1 which is part of the container 174
A pair of rollers 56 (
and a pair of squeeze rollers 176 for scraping off excess water from the swollen photosensitive material coated with water.

The guide member 172 has a shape that maintains a predetermined interval from the first bottom portion 174a to form a conveying path for the photosensitive material.

The container 174 has the above-mentioned first bottom 174a and second bottom 174.
It is composed of b.

The photosensitive material A guided to the first bottom part 174a faces the squeeze roller pair 176, and the second bottom flB174b, which is a part of the container 174 below the squeeze roller pair 176, is removed from the photosensitive material by the squeeze roller pair 176. It becomes a saucer for the scraped water.

A water supply pipe 168 is attached to the first bottom portion 174a, and a pump 164 supplies water from the tank 166 to the water supply port 160a as needed.

11ii1fl174a and 2nd bottom 1iF [5174b
and are connected by a bypass pipe 160, so that the water level at both bottoms is the same. and second bottom portion 174
bl,: On the opposite side of the first bottom 1174a, there is a partition 165a having the same height as the boundary 175 between the first bottom 174a and the second bottom 174b, and from the overflow pipe 165 attached to this partition 165a. Excess water is drained into tank 166. A discharge pipe 169 is connected from the bypass pipe 160 to an overflow pipe 165 through a solenoid valve 167, and drains water from the container 174.

The first bottom portion 174a has a cylindrical partial surface shape, bulges downward in the direction of gravity, and its axis is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material A. Several ribs 175 are provided on this inner surface along the direction of conveyance to the photosensitive material. First bottom part 174a
An aluminum plate 190 is waterproofed by a gasket 192 and fixed with screws in the center part. Here, as shown in the perspective view of the first bottom part 174a in FIG. 3, in the central part of the first bottom part 174a covered by this aluminum plate 190, a hole 173 is opened in a part other than the rib 175, and water is It is in contact with the aluminum plate 190. Returning to FIG. 2, a heater 194 is disposed below the aluminum plate 190, and the first bottom portion 174a and the guide member 172 are made of a material with low thermal conductivity such as resin. There is.

In other words, the water temperature is adjusted at a position where the heater 194 is outside the container 174 and does not come into contact with the water at all.

In addition, for this adjustment, a temperature fuse is provided in the heater 194 to prevent damage due to overheating of the device, and a temperature detector (thermistor) is installed in the aluminum plate 190 for safety and to measure temperature changes as close as possible to water temperature changes. It is appropriate to prepare.

The optimal connection position of the water supply pipe 168 is to connect it to the center of the aluminum plate 190 in order to make the temperature distribution uniform. Further, the entire aluminum plate 190 including the heater 194 may be covered with a heat insulating material.

Here, as another embodiment, as shown in the top view of the coating part in FIG. It is also possible to replace the entire bottom fls 174a with an aluminum plate 191, and to adhere at least one heater 195 to the aluminum plate 191.

In addition, in the above embodiment B, the squeeze roller 176 may be formed of metal, resin, or the like, for example. Furthermore, since the heater does not need to be waterproof, any heat generating element can be used.

Furthermore, although packing was used to make it waterproof, it is sufficient to completely waterproof it with silicone rubber or sponge adhesive.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
It may also be an apparatus that applies an imaging solvent to an image-receiving material.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the heater is placed outside the container (water tank) of the image forming solvent (for example, water) and the solvent temperature is controlled, so that the heater and the image forming solvent come into contact with each other. Therefore, electrical leakage to the image forming solvent can be completely prevented, and since the inside of the container is only a path for transporting the photosensitive material, space saving can be achieved by reducing the amount of image forming solvent.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording device equipped with a coating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a coating section; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first bottom portion; FIG. 4 is another tq-like sectional view of the application section. Reference numerals in the figure: 10 m image recording device 13 photosensitive material recording section 15 image 1 image reading section 18 light source housing document support glass plate wood coating section overlapping section 21 heat development transfer section 23 peeling section 30 imaging lens/filter unit set 3D 32 Optical axis
36 Shutter control device 41 Receiving paper supply unit 43 Receiving paper magazine 44, 58 - cutter 54 Sensitive material magazine 56a to 56n
Roller pair 60 N tip 72 Halogen lamp 74
Heating drums 76, 77, 78.80 Belt support roller 84 Endless belt 118 Waste W)
Ray 120 Take-out tray 124 Chromaticity detection unit 126 Illumination device 12
8 Color photo sensor 150 Color density control unit 160 Bypass pipe 160a Water supply port 164
Pump 165a Partition 165 Overflow pipe 166 Tank 167 Solenoid valve 163
Supply pipe 169 Discharge pipe 172 Guide plate 173 - Hole 174 Container
174a First bottom! 74b...Second bottom 176 Squeeze roller 192 Packing 232, 234 - Peeling claw A Photosensitive material 175 Ribs 190, 191 Aluminum plates 194, 195 Heater 302 White plate C Receiver paper Fig.

Claims (1)

[Claims] For image formation, a recording material is conveyed while being immersed in an image forming solvent whose temperature is controlled to a desired temperature by a heater, and the swollen recording material is held between a pair of squeeze rollers to scrape off excess image forming solvent. An image of a solvent coating device in which a part of the bottom of the water tank is a high heat conduction part made of a material with higher thermal conductivity than other parts, and the heater is installed outside the water tank in the high heat conduction part. Forming solvent coating equipment.