JPH04503244A - drying - Google Patents

Abstract

It is known to dry photographic paper using radiant heat and air streams passing over the surface of the paper. However, it is important that the paper is not over- or under-dried. Described herein is a method and apparatus which dries photographic paper without the risk of over- or under-drying it. This is achieved by sensing the moisture remaining in the paper after it has passed through an initial heating stage, and using the sensed moisture content to control the power supplied to heaters and other devices in subsequent heating stages which assist in the removal of moisture from the paper.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] drying The present invention relates to the drying of materials, particularly sheets or films such as photographic paper and film. or web materials, but are not necessarily limited thereto.

Regarding drying of photographic paper, for example, British Patent Specification GB-A 1561897 A number of methods are known, such as those shown in . In this method, the photographic paper passes through a drying chamber. Sometimes radiant heat is applied only to the non-screen side of the photo paper, and airflow is applied to the screen side of the photo paper at the same time. This is a method of spraying.

When drying photo paper, it is important to ensure that the photo paper does not dry out too much. It is important to avoid over-drying. British Patent Specification GB-A No. 15 The disclosure in No. 61897 indicates that this is a factor to consider. I can't find the facts.

Therefore, it is important to avoid over-drying or under-drying the material to be dried. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus.

According to one aspect of the invention, applying heat to at least one side of the material; and Detects the moisture content remaining in the material after it has been heated. A method for drying a material is provided comprising: determining whether drying is required; Ru.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the material is small (and heater means for applying heat on one side). In an apparatus for drying materials containing materials, after the materials have received heat from heating means, to determine whether further drying is required. A device for drying materials, characterized in that it is provided with at least one sensor for A location is also provided.

the heater means includes at least two heating stages, and the at least one sensor is connected to an adjacent stage; Advantageously, it is arranged between.

Each sensor is connected to control means for controlling the power provided to the heater means.

The apparatus further includes blower means for blowing air onto at least one side of the material. 2. Each sensor is also connected to a control means for controlling the power supplied to the blower means. is also connected.

Determination of the moisture content remaining in the material may be performed by any conventional method. one In the method, at least one of the sensors may be a capacitive sensor. alternative method Alternatively, a contact conduction resistance sensor may be used.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings described. Let's decide. here: 1 is a side view of a drying device according to the invention; and FIG. 2 is a side view of a drying device according to the invention; and FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the circuit used; FIG.

The following instructions relate to drying photographic paper, but this applies specifically to drying sheets or webs. Applicable to drying any material of any shape.

FIG. 1 shows a drying apparatus in which sheets or webs of photographic paper 2 are dried. Paper 2 is that Pass through the device with the emulsion side facing up.

Infrared heaters 4, 4' are arranged below the travel path of the photographic paper 2, and the infrared heaters 4.4' are arranged in two stages. These heaters 4.4' Conducting the emulsion layer from the side of the base on which the emulsion layer is applied used for heating. A reflector plate 18 is arranged around each heater 4.4' As a result, most of the heat generated by the heater is directed toward the base of photo paper 2. be guided upwards.

At the same time heat is applied to paper 2 through its base, the emulsion side of paper 2 On the other hand, unheated air is blown by the fan 6. this is sent out This makes it possible to release water vapor from the surface of the paper 2.

A squeeze roller 8 is provided at the entrance of the device, and the paper 2 passes between these rollers. Enter the device from Roller 8 removes surface water, which then passes through drain outlet 10. I go outside.

A transport roller 12 is provided at the exit of the device. These rollers 12 are The dry paper 2 is fed to the next stage, such as a cutting device that cuts the paper into individual prints. .

The squeeze roller 8 and the conveyance roller 12 are used to put one sheet of paper 2 into the drying chamber or (by means not shown).

The sensor 14 is located midway through the path of the paper 2 through the drying chamber, i.e. the heater means 4 and 4. It is located between '. The paper 2 passes through the sensor (after passing through the heater 4). The sensor 14 detects the moisture content remaining in the paper 2 when the paper 2 has passed. sensor 14 uses the proportional volume method to quantify the moisture content remaining in a piece of paper. .

From the measurements made by sensor 14, downstream of said sensor 14 (in the direction of paper travel) The power supplied to the side heater 4' is controlled so that the Controls the amount of drying that occurs.

Although only one sensor 14 is shown after the first two heaters 4 .

Other sensors may be provided at that location if required.

Fan 16 circulates air within space 40, thereby causing sensor 14 and reflector Provide a small amount of cooling air to the rear side of 18.

To ensure that the paper 2 is transported across the heaters 4, 4' to the transport rollers 12.

A wire guide 20 is provided.

A sensor 22 is disposed downstream of the conveyance roller 12, which causes the paper 2 to leave the device. A final check of the moisture content in the paper 2 is performed when the paper 2 is removed.

The circuitry used to control the apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. The circuit is in the center It consists of a logic controller 24, which controls the sensors 14 and 22 ( inputs 26 and 28 from fans 6, 16 . transportation connected to each of the rollers 12 and heaters 4.4' (also not shown). It has outputs 30, 32, 34 and 36.

The invention has the advantage that power consumption is minimized and the risk of overheating the paper is avoided. has. Similarly, it is independent of the temperature or humidity of the air used to dry the material. The amount of drying is controlled accordingly.

The invention can be used in dryers operated using infrared radiation and unheated air. When used, it greatly speeds up the drying process. Especially in the first stage, high level Power is supplied to the bell, and then the required power for further drying is determined as described above. be done.

The present invention is a process machine for drying applied, exposed and treated materials. Available for use. This device also. For example, any wafer in a coating operation. chemical solids or other materials that come out of solution; It can also be used to dry.

A non-contact heater is used in the above equipment, but if appropriate, a hot A contact heater with a flat surface may also be used. For example, a piece of paper that comes into contact with a paper base. The ear guide 20 may be heated directly. Furthermore, even if recycled hot air is used good.

The sensor may be a contact conduction resistive sensor, but a capacitive sensor is preferred. .

Other heating devices, such as heating devices using infrared or microwave radiation, A thermal device may also be used.

As mentioned above, a device that heats the material from one side and blows air from the other side is used. provided that the material is heated from at least one side. It is emphasized that any suitable equipment may be used. For example, the material can be processed from the same side. Both heat and air blowing may be used. The material is not only from one side but from both sides. May be heated. Similarly, air may be blown from both sides instead of only from one side.

The paper is passed through two heating stages as described above, but any suitable number of stages can be added if desired. It is emphasized that a thermal stage may also be used.

Additionally, as an alternative to heating stages provided by physically continuous heaters.

Avoid exposing paper to the same heater multiple times by recirculating it to the same heater. A heating stage may therefore be provided.

The device described above can be used under any climatic conditions without the need for other adjustments. has the added advantage of being Adjustment to accommodate materials with varying physical properties Of course, it is necessary to do so.

Translation proposal for amendment (Article 184-8 of the Patent Act) August 1991

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. applying heat to at least one side of the material (2); and the material (2) After being heated, the moisture content remaining in the material (2) is detected and further processed. A method of drying a material (2) comprising: determining whether drying is required. 2. Claim further comprising the step of blowing air onto at least one side of the material (2). Method of item 1. 3. The detected moisture content is used to control the amount of air blown. Method for request 2. 4. The detected moisture content is then used to control the amount of heat applied. Method for request 1. 5. 5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the heat applied is infrared radiation. 6. Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the material (2) is in the form of a sheet or web. the method of. 7. heater means (4, 4') for applying heat to at least one side of the material (2); In an apparatus for drying material (2) comprising: material (2) receiving heat from heater means (4); After drying, the moisture content remaining in the material (2) is measured and further dried. At least one sensor (14) is provided for determining whether the A material drying device characterized by: 8. Heater means connect at least two heating stages (4,4') and an adjacent stage (4,4'). and at least one sensor (14) located between the at least one sensor (14) located between the . 9. Each sensor (14, 22) controls the power supplied to the heater means (4, 4') 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the device is connected to control means (24) for: 10. Blower means (6) for blowing air onto at least one side of the material (2) 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: 11. Each sensor (14, 22) controls the power supplied to the blower means (6) 11. Device according to claim 10, connected to control means (24). 12. of the preceding claims, wherein at least one sensor (14, 22) is a capacitive sensor. any device. 13. Claim in which at least one sensor (14, 22) is a contact conductive resistance sensor The device according to any one of Items 7 to 11. 14. 12. The heater means (4, 4') according to claims 7 to 11, wherein the heater means (4, 4') emit infrared radiation. Any device. 15. Any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the material (2) is in the form of a sheet or web. Reka's device.