JPH05100400A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the loss of time at a reverse rotation time and to provide a high-speed image forming device by pressure-developing a photosensitive and pressure sensitive paper at the same time when it is reversely rotated after the exposure process of the successive feeding direction of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive paper is finished and carrying a color developing paper in the reverse rotating direction when the slit-exposure is executed in the image forming device such as a copying machine using the photosensitive and pressure sensitive paper. CONSTITUTION:Since the paper supply device 30 of the color developing paper 28 is arranged on an opposite side to the feeding roller 19 side of the photosensitive and pressure sensitive paper 12 with respect to a pressure developing device 22 and the take-up shaft 24 of the paper 12 and the supply device 30 of the paper 28 are arranged on an identical side, the supply device 30 and a thermal fixing device 32 can be arranged so as to be extremely closely brought into contact with the developing device 22. Therefore, the path of the paper 28 from the developing device 22 to the fixing device 32 can be extremely shortened and the loss of the process can be more reduced. Besides, since the paper 12 and the paper 28 can be separated by utilizing the roller 19 in the reverse rotation case the need of a separation roller can be eliminated and the constitution of the device can be simplified. Moreover, an advantage for the cost of the device can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using a light and pressure sensitive recording medium and transfer paper, and more particularly to a copying machine and the like using light and pressure sensitive microcapsule paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a copying machine using light and pressure sensitive microcapsule paper has been put into practical use. The general internal structure will be described with reference to FIG. The light- and pressure-sensitive microcapsule paper 12 (hereinafter referred to as the microcapsule paper 12) is stored in a cartridge 15 having a light-shielding property, and the copying machine 40 is used.
Be attached to. The microcapsule paper 12 is used as the exposure device 3
5, a latent image is formed on the exposure table 11. The latent image is formed by slit exposure, but microcapsule paper 1
No. 2 has a low sensitivity and therefore is transported at a relatively low speed during the exposure process. The transfer paper 28 is set in the copying machine 40 in a state in which it is contained in the cassette 29. The transfer sheet 28 is conveyed and supplied to the pressure developing device 22 by the transfer sheet conveying rollers 44 and 45. The microcapsule paper 12 and the transfer paper 28 are supplied to the pressure developing device 22 from the same side.

Since the pressure developing device 22 is conveyed at a relatively high speed, the exposure of the microcapsule paper 12 and the pressure developing process cannot be matched as they are. Therefore, after the microcapsule paper 12 is conveyed in the forward feeding direction to end the exposure process, the microcapsule paper 12 is conveyed in the reverse direction so that the latent image front end position returns to the pressure roller portion of the pressure developing device 22. In the state of rewinding and superposing on the transfer paper 28, it was conveyed again in the forward direction to perform the pressure developing process. Alternatively, a microcapsule paper 12 (not shown) is provided between the exposure table 11 and the pressure developing device 22.
Was provided to adjust the speed between the exposure process and the pressure development process. The transfer paper 28 on which the image is formed by the pressure developing device 22 is transferred to the heat fixing device 41.
Is heated by the above, a chemical reaction for image formation is promoted, a protective layer is formed on the surface, and the sheet is discharged from the copying machine 40.

[0004]

However, after the microcapsule paper 12 is conveyed in the forward direction and the exposure process is completed, the microcapsule paper 12 is conveyed in the reverse direction and the leading end of the latent image is the pressure developing device 22. When the pressure roller is rewound so as to return to the pressure roller unit, and is conveyed in the forward direction again while being superposed on the transfer paper 28, and the pressure development process is performed, the time required for reverse rotation is wasted during copying, and for copying. Could not speed up the process speed of.
Therefore, the cycle time of copying becomes long and the product value is low. Further, the provision of the buffer device requires extra cost and extra space, which is contrary to downsizing and cost reduction.

Further, when the process is advanced in the forward feeding direction, the whole apparatus is compactly assembled. Therefore, in the internal layout, the cartridge 15 for accommodating the microcapsule paper 12 is inevitably arranged on the same side of the pressure developing device 22 as the heat developing device 22. There was no choice but to arrange the fixing device 41 adjacently. However, since the photosensitivity of the microcapsule paper 12 changes due to high temperature, the heat shield wall 42 is required. Further, because of this arrangement, the path of the transfer paper 28 from the pressure developing device 22 to the heat fixing device 41 becomes redundant, and the process time is wasted. Further, lengthening the path of the transfer paper 28 has been a cause of paper jam.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to perform a pressure development process when the microcapsule paper 12 is conveyed in the reverse direction after the exposure process in the forward feed direction is completed. In addition, with a simple configuration in which the transfer paper 28 is conveyed from the direction opposite to the pressure developing device 22, it is possible to eliminate the waste of time required to convey the microcapsule paper 12 and provide a high-speed image forming apparatus. is there.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises an exposing means for exposing an image on a photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium to form a latent image, and an exposing means for forming the latent image. A pressure-developing means for forming an image on the transfer paper by superposing and pressing the light-sensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium and the transfer paper,
A pressure-sensitive recording medium conveying means for conveying the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium from the exposing means to the pressure developing means, and a transfer paper conveying means for conveying and supplying the transfer paper to the pressing means, The transfer paper feeding means feeds the transfer paper from the side opposite to the side on which the light and pressure sensitive recording medium feeding means feeds the light and pressure sensitive recording medium.

[0008]

The exposing means of the image forming apparatus of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure exposes the image on the light and pressure sensitive recording medium to form a latent image. The pressure developing means forms an image on the transfer paper by superimposing and pressing the light and pressure sensitive recording medium on which the latent image is formed and the transfer paper. The photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium conveying means conveys the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium from the exposing means to the pressure developing means. The transfer paper conveying means conveys and supplies the transfer paper to the pressing means. At this time, the transfer paper conveying means supplies the transfer paper to the pressure means from the side opposite to the side on which the light and pressure sensitive recording medium conveying means conveys the light and pressure sensitive recording medium.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the copying machine 1 using the light and pressure sensitive microcapsule paper 12 (hereinafter referred to as microcapsule paper) of this embodiment, the microcapsule paper 12 and the transfer paper 28 are used as shown in FIG. The microcapsule paper 12 used in this example is composed of PET as a support and photo-curable microcapsules containing a dye or dye precursor coated on the surface thereof. When the light- and pressure-sensitive microcapsules contain a dye, plain paper is used as the transfer paper 28. When the light- and pressure-sensitive microcapsules contain the dye precursor, the surface of the support of the transfer paper 28 is coated with a developer that reacts with the dye precursor to develop a color. Details thereof are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,209, etc., and will not be described here in detail.

An exposure device 35 for forming a latent image on the microcapsule paper 12 is arranged above the copying machine 1. The exposure device 35 includes a document table glass 2 located on the upper side,
The platen cover 3 includes a light source unit 5 arranged on the platen glass 2, a mirror unit 9, a zoom lens 7, a filter 6, and the like. A desired original is placed on the original platen glass 2 and the original platen cover 3 is closed. Below the platen glass 2, a light source unit 5 including a halogen lamp 5a, a reflector 5b, a reflecting mirror 8, a cooling fan 5c, and a sub-exposure plate 5d is provided at a position where the platen glass 2 is linearly irradiated with light. Are arranged so as to be reciprocally movable along an axis (not shown) installed in parallel with the platen glass 2. The light source unit 5 irradiates the platen glass 2 with linear light in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. The radiated light passes through the transparent platen glass 2 and is radiated to the image surface of the document 4 placed thereon, and the light having image information is reflected downward.

A mirror portion 9 is arranged below the original table glass 2. The mirror unit 9 includes reflection mirrors 9a and 9a.
It is composed of b and is movable as a unit with respect to the platen glass 2. The light reflected from the document 4 is reflected in the order of the reflection mirrors 8, 9a, 9b and guided so as to be parallel to the moving direction of the light source unit 5. Below the platen glass 2, a zoom lens 7 which is normally fixed and a filter 6 for adjusting the color tone of a color copy image are arranged, and the light reflected by the reflection mirror 9b is used as the zoom lens 7. Incident on. The light projected by the zoom lens 7 is reflected by the reflection mirror 10 and forms an image on the microcapsule paper 12 on the exposure table 11.

On the other hand, in the center of the copying machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a cartridge 15 which is removable from the machine body is attached. Long microcapsule paper 12
Is housed in a light-shielded state while being wound around a cartridge shaft 14 rotatably supported in a cartridge 15. Cartridge 15 is a rotatable winding shaft 2
Holds 4 The take-up shaft 24 is for taking up the used microcapsule paper 12. An exposure table 11 is arranged on the right side of the cartridge 15. Below the exposure table 11, a microcapsule paper transport roller 19 is provided.
Are arranged. Microcapsule paper transport roller 19
From the exposure unit to the pressure developing device 4
Transport to 4.

A large diameter roller 22a and a backup roller 22b are provided on the left side of the microcapsule paper conveying roller 19.
A pressure developing device 22 including a small diameter roller 22c supported by the pressure developing device 22 is provided. The large diameter roller 22a, the small diameter roller 22c, and the backup roller 22b of the pressure developing device 22 are rotatably supported. Also, the small diameter roller 22c and the backup roller 22b
And can move together while contacting each other,
By the movement, the small diameter roller 22c and the large diameter roller 22a
And can be separated from each other.

After the user sets the cartridge 15 at a predetermined position inside the machine body, and presses an automatic paper feed button (not shown), the leading end of the microcapsule paper 12 is automatically pulled out toward the exposure table 11, After passing through the exposure table 11, the feed roller 19, and the pressure developing device 22, the film is taken up by the take-up shaft 24. The microcapsule paper 12
The light-shielding state is held by a light-shielding cover (not shown) so that fogging does not occur. Because of this automatic paper passing,
A pull-out roller 17 is movably mounted between the roller 19 and the cartridge 15 for pulling out the leader film portion 18 attached to the front end portion of the microcapsule paper 12, and for guiding to the winding shaft 24. A sheet passing chute 27 is movably attached as the.
A winding guide upper part 25 and a winding guide lower part 26 for winding the leader film portion 18 on the winding shaft 24 are arranged around the winding shaft 24.

On the lower left side of the pressure developing device 22, the transfer paper 2
A detachable paper feed cassette 29 accommodating 8 is mounted. A suction cup type paper feed mechanism 30 that attracts paper by using negative pressure suction is disposed in the upper right of the paper feed cassette 29.
The transfer paper 28 is taken out one by one by the paper feeding mechanism 30. A pair of transfer paper transport rollers 31 is disposed between the paper feed mechanism 30 and the pressure developing device 22, and the transfer paper 28
Are separated one by one by a suction type paper feeding mechanism 30 and are conveyed by a transfer sheet conveying roller 31 to generate a pressure developing device 22.
Be delivered to.

On the right side of the pressure developing device 22, a heat fixing device 3 is provided.
2 is disposed, and on the right side of the thermal fixing device 32, a sheet discharge tray 33 that accommodates the transfer sheet 28 on which an image is formed is disposed. The heat fixing device 32 is a rod-shaped halogen lamp 3.
It is composed of a pair of rollers using 2a as a heat source. Since the pressure developing device 44 is a wall between the heat fixing device 32 and the cartridge 15, the heat radiated by the heat fixing device 32 does not reach the cartridge 15. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to provide a heat shield wall. Also,
Since the pressure developing device 44 and the heat fixing device 32 are arranged close to each other, the path of the transfer paper 28 can be shortened and paper jam can be reduced.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 1 will be described.
When the cartridge 15 is set in the copying machine 1 and the automatic paper feed button is pressed, automatic paper feed is started. As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2, the pull-out roller 17 moves downward until it comes into contact with the leader film portion 18 above the cartridge 15 only during automatic sheet feeding, and rotates in the transport direction to move the leader film portion 18 upward. Microcapsule paper transport roller 19
Send out. After that, it moves upward and separates from the leader film portion 18, and the subsequent transportation is performed by driving the microcapsule paper transportation roller 19. When the copying operation is not performed, the large diameter roller 22a of the pressure developing device 22 is used.
A gap is formed between the small-diameter roller 22c and the small-diameter roller 22c. Further, the upper take-up guide 25, the lower take-up guide 26, and the paper passing chute 27 are moved to the positions shown by the alternate long and short dash line, and the leader film portion 18 attached to the leading end portion of the microcapsule paper 12 has these guides. Is guided to the take-up shaft 24. Leader film section 1
When the paper 8 is completely wound around the take-up shaft 24 and the paper passing is completed, the take-up guide upper part 25, the take-up guide lower part 26, and the paper passing chute 27 are returned to the positions shown by the solid line, and the automatic paper passing is completed.

When a copy start key (not shown) is pressed, the halogen lamp 5a is turned on and the light source unit 5 moves in parallel with the original 4 while irradiating the original 4 with light to illuminate the entire original. Further, the reflection mirror 9 also moves synchronously. The moving speed at this time is (1 / m) * V, where V is the conveying speed of the microcapsule paper 12 on the platen 19 and the projection magnification is m, and the speed of the reflecting mirror 9 is (1 / 2m) *.
It is V. As a result, a latent image of a predetermined line of the original 4 is sequentially formed on the microcapsule paper 12 when passing through the exposure table 11. The transport direction of the microcapsule paper 12 during the exposure will be referred to as the forward direction, and the reverse direction will be referred to as the reverse direction.

The exposed microcapsule paper 12 has a large-diameter roller 22a and a small-diameter roller 22a at the rear end of the latent image.
It is transported in the forward direction until it comes to the vicinity of the contact point, and then it stops.
At this time, the portion of the microcapsule paper 12 on which the latent image is formed is between the position near the contact point between the large diameter roller 22a and the small diameter roller 22a and the vicinity of the winding shaft 24. The top transfer paper 28 of the paper feed cassette 29 is the paper feed mechanism 3
0, the transfer paper transport roller 31 transports the front end of the microcapsule paper 12 to a position matching the rear end of the latent image.

Next, the small-diameter roller 22c of the pressure developing device 22.
Is pressed together with the backup roller 22b toward the large-diameter roller 22a via a spring (not shown), and sandwiches the microcapsule paper 12 and the transfer paper 28 in a superposed state. After this, the microcapsule paper transport roller 19
And the large diameter roller 22a reverses. Micro capsule paper 1
Transfer paper 2 and the microcapsule surface on which the latent image 2 is formed
The developer application surface of 8 is conveyed in the opposite direction while being pressed integrally while being in contact with the inside. This pressure destroys the unexposed capsule, and an image is formed on the transfer paper 28. The operation of the pressure developing device 22 for sandwiching the microcapsule paper 12 and the transfer paper 28 may be at the same time that the microcapsule paper conveying roller 19 and the large diameter roller 22a start reverse rotation, or for a while after the reverse rotation operation is started. It's good even after doing it.

The microcapsule paper 12 and the transfer paper 28 discharged from the pressure developing device 22 are separated by the microcapsule paper conveying roller 19. After that, the transfer paper 28 is heated by the heat fixing device 32 to promote color development, and the resin is melted to form a protective layer on the surface to form an image.
The sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 33 by the sheet discharge roller 32b. Further, when the transfer paper 28 is completely separated, the microcapsule paper 12 is conveyed in the forward direction while being rewound on the winding shaft 24, and the rear end portion on which the latent image is formed is the exposure slit of the exposure table 11. It will be stopped when it reaches near the end surface. Here, the microcapsule paper 12 is reversed again, but this is done at a time after the end of the copying process. Therefore, if the transfer paper 28 is supplied to the pressure developing device 44 from the opposite direction, the time required for the copying process can be significantly shortened.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. That is, as a method of slit exposure for exposure, a SELFOC lens may be used instead of the zoom lens and the mirror, a laser may be used, a liquid crystal shutter may be used, or a planar exposure may be performed at a time. You may. A belt may be used as the heat fixing device, or a method using non-contact radiant heat may be used. As for the method of separating the color-developing paper and the microcapsule paper, they may be separated not by the feeding roller but by another roller or the like. The transfer paper feeding device may be a roller or the like without using a suction cup. A plain paper may be used instead of the transfer paper coated with the color developer, and the sheet feeding device may be provided with a coating mechanism for coating the absorbent, the color developer, and the like.

Further, as described in detail in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-275742, in the case of using a light-sensitive and pressure-sensitive paper which develops a latent image by heat, instead of the light-sensitive and pressure-sensitive paper,
The above-mentioned problems occur because the process speed of pressure transfer is faster than that of heat development, but the present invention can be similarly applied to this case. That is, a heat developing device and an absorbent coating device may be provided between the exposure table and the pressure developing device of the present invention. In this case, when the color development is sufficient only by the transfer by the pressure developing device, it is not necessary to provide the heat fixing device.

[0024]

As is apparent from the above description, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the pressure-sensitive means is opposite to the side on which the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium conveying means conveys the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium. Since the transfer paper feeding means supplies the transfer paper from the side of, the pressure-sensitive development can be performed simultaneously with the reverse rotation of the light-sensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium after the completion of the forward exposure process. Since it is not necessary to repeat the forward and reverse rotation of the pressure recording medium, the copying process can be speeded up.

Further, in the case where the heat fixing device is provided, because of the internal layout of the device, the take-up shaft for the light and pressure sensitive paper and the heat fixing device are separately arranged on the left and right with respect to the pressure developing device. The fixing device is very close to the pressure developing device, the path of the transfer paper from the pressure developing device to the heat fixing device can be shortened, paper jam can be reduced, and the convective heat of the heat fixing device can be reduced by the pressure developing device. Since the light is blocked, damage to the light and pressure sensitive recording medium due to heat can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a copying machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Micro Capsule Paper 19 Micro Capsule Paper Conveying Roller 22 Pressure Developing Device 28 Transfer Paper 30 Paper Feeding Mechanism 31 Transfer Paper Conveying Roller 35 Exposure Device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An exposure unit that exposes an image on a photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium to form a latent image, and the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording medium on which the latent image is formed and the transfer paper are overlapped and pressed. The pressure developing means for forming an image on the transfer paper, the light and pressure sensitive recording medium conveying means for conveying the light and pressure sensitive recording medium from the exposing means to the pressure and developing means, and the transfer paper A transfer paper conveying means for conveying and supplying the pressure sensitive means to the pressure means, from a side opposite to a side where the light and pressure sensitive recording medium conveying means conveys the light and pressure sensitive recording medium. An image forming apparatus, wherein the transfer sheet conveying unit supplies the transfer sheet.