JPH0277061A - Solvent applicator for image formation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable coloring while stabilizing a transfer image by providing an image forming solvent supplying means which supplies an image forming solvent to a water tank and a heating means for the image forming solvent. CONSTITUTION:A pipe 193 is coupled with a supply port 183 as a supply path for supplying water as the image forming solvent and linked with a water feeding tank 91 through a storage pump 192 and a pipe type heater 185 in the path of the pipe 193. Therefore, the water is heated to a certain extent by the pipe type heater 185 in front of the supply port 183, so the time of heating by the heater 180 up to specific temperature is shortened extremely. Consequently, an image recording time becomes short, the swelling of the image forming solvent to a photosensitive material is performed uniformly, and an image recorder performs the image transfer and coloring excellently.

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]

Examples of image recording materials include photothermographic materials. Regarding this heat-developable photosensitive material and its process, please refer to the Basic Non-Silver Salt Photography Edition of Photographic Engineering (published by Corona Publishing, 1982).
Pages 242-255 of , published in April 1978, Video Information 4
0 pages, Neblet's Handbook of Photography (Neblet, -t's Handbook o
f Photography and Reprogr
aphy) 7th Edition (7thEd,) Van Nostrand Reinhold Campa = - (Van Nostrand
5trand Reinhold Company), pages 32-33.

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. Pat. No. 4,463.079, U.S. Pat. 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.

As a coating device for coating the image forming solvent, for example,
The photothermographic material is conveyed while being immersed in an image forming solvent contained in a water tank, and the photothermographic material is held between a pair of squeeze rollers to scrape off excess image forming solvent from the swollen photothermographic material. There are configurations that can be taken.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Swelling of the above-mentioned image forming solvent into the above-mentioned photosensitive material is for promoting image transfer and good color development. The amount of swelling of the photosensitive material is greatly influenced by the temperature of the image forming solvent.

Conventionally, a heater in the form of a flat plate, for example, was provided in the water tank to control the temperature of the image forming solvent to a desired temperature, thereby stabilizing the amount of swelling of the photosensitive material.

On the other hand, if the image recording operation continues, in other words, if the sheet-like recording material is repeatedly immersed, the image forming solvent will gradually decrease, and furthermore, since the image forming solvent is kept at a relatively high temperature, it will evaporate. It also decreases.

For this reason, the necessary amount is replenished in response to the decrease in image forming solvent.

Further, when the image recording operation is not performed for a long time, the image forming solvent is drained from the water tank, and the image forming solvent is pumped into the water tank before starting the image recording operation.

The above-mentioned replenishment or pumping of the image forming solvent is performed by pumping the solvent from the replenishment tank into the water tank using a water pump, and the replenishment port is usually formed at one end of the tank, for example, at the bottom corner.

Therefore, although the image forming solvent that is pumped up is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater in the water tank, the temperature near the replenishment port is lower than in other parts.

Therefore, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4, the temperature distribution in the water tank and the image forming solvent becomes unstable, and the amount of swelling in the sheet-like recording material is uneven, resulting in unevenness in the transferred image.

In addition, especially when the temperature of the image forming solvent in the replenishment tank is low, it takes a long time for the pumped up image forming solvent to be heated to a predetermined temperature, and it takes time to heat up before the image can be recorded. Must be set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a coating device that stably colors a transferred image and does not require heat-up time.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The above object of the present invention is to transport a recording material while immersing it in an image forming solvent controlled at a desired temperature by a heater in a water tank,
An image forming solvent application device that scrapes off excess image forming solvent by sandwiching the swollen recording material between a pair of squeeze rollers, the image forming solvent supply means supplying the image forming solvent into the water tank; This is achieved by an image forming solvent coating apparatus which is configured to include a heating means which is located in the solvent supply path of the image forming solvent supply means and which heats the image forming solvent.

That is, by providing the heating means for heating the image forming solvent in the solvent supply path of the image forming solvent supply means as described above, the image forming solvent entering the water tank can be heated to a temperature close to a predetermined temperature. The temperature distribution of the forming solvent is stable, and there is no need for additional heat-up time when pumping the image forming solvent into the water tank before starting image recording.

Further, the image forming solvent includes, for example, water, and this water is not limited to so-called pure water, but includes water in a widely customary sense, and furthermore, pure water, methanol, D
A mixed solvent with a low boiling point solvent such as MF, acetone, or diisobutyl ketone may 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 coating apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail 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 this embodiment, the photosensitive material is of a type that requires a heat development step and in which an image is transferred to an image-receiving material having an image-receiving layer in the presence of an image-forming solvent such as water.

Inside the housing 12 constituting the image recording device, there is a photosensitive material supply section 13 that houses a photosensitive material, an image reading section 15 that reads image information carried on the document S, and a latent image on the photosensitive material. a water application section 17 that applies water to the photosensitive material Δ, an image receiving paper supply section 41 that stores the image receiving paper C, and an overlapping section that superimposes the image receiving paper C on the photosensitive material. 19, a heat development transfer section 21 that heat-processes the photosensitive material A and the image receiving paper C, and a peeling section 23 that separates the image receiving paper C from the photosensitive material A are provided, respectively.

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

That is, the image reading section 15 includes a light source 18 and a mirror 20a that integrally scan the entire surface of the original support glass plate 14.

and an imaging lens/filter unit assembly 30, mirrors 26b, 20c that move in the same direction by the scanning distance of the light source 18, etc., and fixed mirrors 20d, 2.
0e and 2Of, which are surrounded by the partition wall 22 and optically isolated from other parts. However, in this case, an exposure opening 34 for the exposure section 16 for the photosensitive material is defined in the partition wall 22 at a portion through which the optical axis 32 of the image reading section 15 reflected by the fixed mirror 2Of passes.
A shutter device 35 and a shutter control device 36 are arranged in the exposure opening 34 .

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 section 13 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 wound with photosensitive material.

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

A cutter 58 for cutting the photosensitive material into predetermined lengths is disposed between the sections 56b. Lola vs. 56c.

The exposure table 60 disposed between 56d and 56d is connected to the exposure opening 3 defined at the bottom of the partition wall 22 surrounding the image reading section 15.
4.

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 subjects the photosensitive material to imagewise exposure 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 application section 17 is for facilitating the transfer of the latent image formed on the photosensitive material A, and the water application section 17 will be described later in FIG.
Squeeze roller pair 176, guide plate 172 and water tank 17
Consists of 1 etc. Then, fill the water tank 174 with water,
The photosensitive material A is immersed in the water and transported.

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, on the right side of the housing 12, a receiving paper supply section 41 for supplying the receiving paper C is provided. 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 layer 1iB19 by a pair of rollers 561.

In front of the overlapping part 19, the overlapping photosensitive materials A
A heating development transfer section 21 is provided which heats the 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 includes a hollow cylindrical heating drum 74 containing a halogen lamp 74, and a heating drum 74 wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 74 at an angle of about 270°. , an endless belt 84 supported by four belt support rollers 76, 77, 78°80, and heats the photosensitive material Δ and the image receiving paper C in a superposed state. By this heating, the latent image on the photosensitive material IIA 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 A peeled from the image receiving paper C by the peeling claw 232, and a roller pair 56k for supplying the photosensitive material into the waste tray 118. will be 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, there is a take-out tray 120 that accommodates the heated image receiving paper C, and a pair of rollers 56L56m, 5 that conveys the heated image-receiving paper C to the take-out tray 120.
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 image receiving paper C is arranged between the pair of rollers 56m and 56n. The color density detection unit 124 includes an illumination device 126 that illuminates the image surface of the image receiving paper C, and a color 7 optical sensor 128 that receives reflected light from the image receiving paper C due to this illumination.

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.

Next, the water application portion I7 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

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

The water application unit 17 includes a water tank 174 containing water, a pair of upper and lower guide members 172 that guide the photosensitive material into the water, a pair of rollers 56f that transports the photosensitive material along the guide members 172, and a water tank 174 that contains water. It consists of a pair of squeeze rollers 176 for scraping off excess water from the swollen photosensitive material A that has been coated with water, and a flat heater 180.

The heating device 180 is a heating element formed into a flat plate and packaged with a glass epoxy resin or the like, and a temperature heel or thermistor 182 for temperature detection is incorporated in a convex portion 181 at one end. Note that illustration of external lead wires is omitted.

The heater 180 is mounted on pedestals 184a at the four corners of the bottom of the water tank 174.
It is positioned and fixed by 184b, and covers the entire bottom of the water tank 174 with a slight gap. Also, this convex portion 1
A supply port 183 for supplying water is formed at a position of the water tank 174 corresponding to 81.

As a supply route for supplying water, which is an image forming solvent, a pipe 193 is connected to the supply port 183, and a water pump 192 and a pipe-type heater 185 are provided in the route of this pipe 193.
It is connected to the water supply tank 191 via.

The water supply tank 191 is filled with water for supply, and before starting image recording or when replenishing water, the water pump 192 is used to supply water W! Water is pumped to 174.

When drawing water before starting image recording, the supply port 183
Since the water is heated to some extent by the pipe heater 185 before zero, the time required for heating the water to a predetermined temperature by the heater 180 becomes very short. Also, when replenishing water when the water is low, the water replenished from the supply port 183 is heated to some extent as described above, so the water tank 174
Even if it mixes into the water at a predetermined temperature in the tank, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, it has almost no effect on the temperature distribution in the tank compared to the dotted line showing the conventional temperature distribution.

On the other hand, although the amount of water supplied is controlled, there are cases where an excessive amount of water is supplied. For this reason, an overflow discharge structure consisting of an overflow discharge port 194, a pipe 196, and a filter 195 is provided at a predetermined height on one end of the wall of the water tank 174, and the overflow water is returned to the water supply tank 191. It is configured as follows.

In addition, the pipe 197, the solenoid valve 198, and the tank 199 are connected to the water tank 1.
The tank 174 can be emptied by opening the electromagnetic valve 198. The water supply tank 191 and the tank 199 can be the same tank.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same elements as in FIG. 2.

In place of the pipe-type heater 185 in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a rod-shaped heater 187 is arranged within the water tank 174 with its tip facing the supply port 183.

As a result, the water supplied from the supply port 183 is transferred to the water tank 1.
As soon as it enters the water tank 74, it touches the rod-shaped heater 187 and is heated, so even if it mixes with water that has already reached a predetermined temperature in the water tank 174, there is almost no effect on the temperature drop.

FIG. 4 shows a further pond embodiment of the device of the invention.

Note that, like FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements as in FIG. 2.

The pipe heater 185 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 has been removed and an ice heater 186 has been installed in the water tank 191.

The submersible heater 186 brings the water in the water supply tank 191 to a somewhat higher temperature close to the predetermined temperature found in the water tank 174.

Therefore, the time for the water supplied to the water tank 174 to rise to a predetermined temperature can be shortened, and the temperature distribution in the water tank 174 is controlled to a predetermined temperature, resulting in a substantially uniform temperature distribution, as shown by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the heat-up time can be further shortened.

In the water tank 191, in addition to this submersible heater 186, the water tank 1'91 itself may be used as a heating element, or the pipe 193 may be used as a heating element.
It is conceivable to provide a sub-tank equipped with a heater near the top of the water supply tank 191.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be an apparatus that applies an image forming solvent to an image-receiving material.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, as described above, by providing a heating means for heating the image forming solvent (for example, water) in the solvent supply path of the image forming solvent supply means, the image forming solvent supplied into the water tank is heated to a predetermined level. The image forming solvent can be heated to a temperature close to that temperature, the temperature distribution of the image forming solvent in the water tank is stable, and no heat-up time is required other than the time for pumping the image forming solvent into the water tank before starting image recording.

Therefore, the image recording time is shortened, the image forming solvent is uniformly swelled into the photosensitive material, and good image transfer and color development can be obtained in the image recording apparatus.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus equipped with a coating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the coating device, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the coating device. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing still another embodiment of the coating device, and FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the temperature distribution in the cross section of the water tank shown in FIG. Reference numerals in the figure: 10 Image recording device 12 Housing 13 Photosensitive material supply section 14 Document support glass plate 15 Image reading section 17-water application section 18 Light source 19 Overlapping section 21 Heat development transfer section 23/Peeling section 30 Imaging lens/filter Unit assembly 32 Optical axis 36 Shutter control device 41 Receiving paper supply unit 43 Receiving paper magazine 44.58 Cutter 54 Sensitive material magazines 56a to 56n Roller pair 60 Exposure table 72 Halogen lamp 74 Heating drum 76.77.78.
80 Belt support roller 84 Endless belt 118 Waste tray 120/take-out tray 124 Color density detection unit 126 Lighting device 128 Color photo sensor 150 Color density control unit 172 Guide plate 174 Water tank 176
Squeeze roller 180 Heater 182 Thermistor 183 Refill port 134a, b, c,
d Pedestal 185 Pipe type heater 186
Submersible heater 187, rod heater 191, water tank 192, water pump 193,
195.197 pipe 196 filter 198 solenoid valve 19
9 Tank 232.234 Peeling claw 302 White plate A Photosensitive material C/Receiving paper Figure 2 Hole 3 Figure 19 Figure 4 Figure 5 Water tank inner hole 11

Claims (1)

[Claims] The recording material is conveyed while being immersed in an image forming solvent controlled to a desired temperature by a heater in a water tank, and the swollen recording material is held between a pair of squeeze rollers to scrape off excess image forming solvent. An image forming solvent coating device, comprising: an image forming solvent supply means for supplying an image forming solvent into the water tank; and a heating means disposed in a solvent supply path of the image forming solvent supply means and heating the image forming solvent. Solvent coating equipment for image formation.