JPH075672A - Method and device for classifying printed photograph - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily take out even a narrow printed photograph, to increase the number of sheets which can be stored in a tray and to decreas the number of cases of classification. CONSTITUTION:A lever 34 is rotatably attached to the inside wall surface of a side board 31. A motor 38 is driven based on information on the width of the printed photograph 24, and the lever 34 goes in the inside of the tray 14 through a notch 40 formed on a partition board part 14b. An endless chain is rotated and each tray 14 is moved in the direction shown by an arrow A, and the end of the printed photograph 24 is abutted on the lever 34 in accordance with the movement of the tray 14, and then, the printed photograph 24 is moved to the right side in the figure. And also, in the case the number of printed sheets per order is large, a bottom board part 14a provided with the partition board part 14b is alternately thinned out, and another bottom board part 14a provided with no partition board part 14b is substitutively attached.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sorting print photographs for use in printer processors and the like, for sorting print photographs for each order.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In printer processors and cutter sorters,
A sorting device (sorter) is used to sort the print photographs for each order. This sorting device
For example, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-26662, a print photo receiving portion is provided below the print photo output port, and the print image for one order is stored after the print image for one order is stored in the receiving portion. The photograph is sent out to the oblique conveying device set at the loading position, and the print photograph for each order is inserted into the tray (shelf). Each tray is formed by providing a large number of partition plates at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of an endless belt or the like. Further, a side plate for preventing the printed photographs from falling is provided beside the endless belt so that the printed photographs stored in the tray do not accidentally fall from the side surface of the tray.

[0003]

By the way, the print photographs stored in the tray of the sorting apparatus include the general L print (89 mm × 127 mm) and the cabinet (120).
mm x 165 mm) or cut into six (203 mm x 254 m)
m) etc. Therefore, the width size of the sorting device is
The size is set to be larger according to the width of the large print photo. The one-order print photograph accumulated in the receiving portion is sent to the tray of the sorting apparatus by pressing the end portion of the print photograph by the sending member of the sending apparatus. At this time, even in the case of a large-sized print photo, the end of the print photo receiving side should be on the tray at the minimum so that the sent print photo does not come into contact with the side plate for preventing the print photo from being damaged. Print photos are sent to the tray by the sending amount. Therefore, when viewed from the side where the print photo is taken out, the print photo is stored in a recessed part of the tray, and it becomes difficult to take out the print photo having a small width size.

On the other hand, the number of printed photographs for each order is mainly 24 sheets or 36 sheets, so that the intervals between the partition plates are determined accordingly. However, sometimes there is an extremely large number of sheets per order due to a large amount of additional printing. In such a case, there is an inconvenience that all print pictures for one order cannot be sorted in one tray and sorting cannot be performed. In order to solve this, the interval between the partition plates may be set large in advance in accordance with the case where the number of sheets is large, but there is a disadvantage that the number of cases of sorting and stacking is reduced and the efficiency is lowered.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and print photographs with a small width can be easily taken out, and the number of print photographs per order is increased or decreased. Another object of the present invention is to provide a print photograph sorting device that can handle this.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a sorting apparatus for printed photographs according to a first aspect of the present invention is configured such that a part of a side edge of a partition plate portion is in a width direction perpendicular to a rotation direction of an endless member. It is provided with a notch part cut out in the tray, and a print photo moving means for entering the tray according to the width size of the print photo through the notch part and pressing the edge of the print photo to one side of the tray. is there.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a partitioning device for the print photographs, wherein the partition plate portion has a shape in which an upper corner portion on the side where the print photographs stored in the tray are taken out is largely cut out.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for sorting printed photographs, which comprises a base portion fixed to a rotating endless member at a constant pitch, a bottom plate portion and a partition plate erected on the base portion. The tray includes a tray attached to the base at a constant pitch so as to be movable in the width direction perpendicular to the rotation direction, and a biasing means for biasing the tray in the direction opposite to the print photograph takeout direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print photograph sorting apparatus, in which trays are thinned out, and a bottom plate is attached to the thinned-out position to change the distance between adjacent partition plate portions to change the stackable number of trays. It is a thing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print photograph sorting apparatus in which a bottom plate portion and a partition plate portion are detachably attached, and the partition plate portions are thinned to change the distance between adjacent partition plates to collect trays. The number of possible sheets is changed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting apparatus for printed photographs, wherein the partition plate member is detachably attached via the clip means at a desired pitch in the rotational direction of the rotating endless belt, and two adjacent partition plates are attached. The tray is formed by parts, the print pictures for one order are stored in the tray at the insertion position, and then the endless belt is rotated by one tray to sort the print pictures for each order. It is a thing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for sorting print photographs, wherein the position of the endless member is changed with respect to the discharge port in accordance with the width of the print photograph so that the print photograph is shifted to one side of the tray. It is designed to be stored in.

[0013]

After the one-order print photograph discharged from the printer processor or the like is loaded on the tray, the endless member is rotated and the next one-order print photograph is loaded on the next tray. Depending on the width size of the print photograph, the print photograph moving means is projected into the tray from the cutout portion of the partition plate and presses the end portion of the print photograph. While the endless member is rotated, the print photograph is moved to the take-out side, so that the print photograph having a narrow width can be taken out easily. In addition, thinning out a tray having a partition plate part,
If only the bottom is attached instead of this, even if the number of prints per order is large, it can be stored.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 2, a printer processor 10 prints a photographic film on a color paper by exposure, develops the photographic film, cuts each frame, and outputs a finished printed photo from an outlet 12 in FIG. Discharge. Below the discharge port 12, there is provided a sending device 15 that collects the discharged print photographs one by one and sends them to the sorting device 13 and inserts them into the tray 14 set at the loading position.

The sorting device 13 is a printer processor 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of chain sprockets 16 and 17 are attached to the side portions of the main body portion 10a and are arranged in different stages, and the chain sprockets 1
The endless chain 18 hangs around 6 and 17, and the tray 14 is mounted in large numbers at a predetermined pitch in the rotation direction of the endless chain 18.

The tray 14 includes a bottom plate portion 14a and a partition plate portion 14 which is vertically provided upright on the upper edge of the bottom plate portion 14a.
b, and as shown in FIG. 4, the base 1 fixed at a predetermined pitch in the rotation direction of the endless chain 18.
It is detachably attached via 9. This tray 14 is thinned out and replaced with only the bottom plate portion 14a in which the partition plate portion 14b is omitted, so that the space between the adjacent partition plate portions 14b is doubled as shown in FIG. The number of storable sheets can be increased.

As shown in FIG. 5, two strip-shaped notches 21 that are long in the rotational direction of the endless chain 18 are formed on the partition plate connecting side of the bottom plate 14a.
Further, two strip-shaped notches 23 are formed on the partition plate portion 14b side in a continuous manner with the strip-shaped notches 21 (see FIG. 4). Further, two protrusions 22 are formed on the side of the bottom plate portion 14a opposite to the side where the partition plate portion is connected so as to enter the strip-shaped notch portion 21 of the front bottom plate portion 14a. Therefore, the protrusion 22 is formed in the notch 21 of the bottom plate 14a.
Since the bottoms of the trays 14 are formed in the state that the trays are inserted, the bottom plate portion 14a and the protrusions 22 support the lower edge of the print photograph 24. The width size D of the bottom plate portion 14a is, for example, the short side size (20
It is set to 230 mm corresponding to 3 mm).

The delivery device 15 comprises an endless chain and a delivery rod 25 provided on the endless chain. The end of the print photograph 24 accumulated in the receiving portion 26 is pushed by the delivery rod 25 to the tray 14 at the receiving position. Close in. Note that reference numeral 27
Is a support arm that supports the upper portion of the print photographs 24 stored in the tray 14 at the receiving position. this is,
Since the partition plate portion 14b of the tray 14 at the receiving position is in an inclined state, when a print photograph 24 having a large long side such as a panoramic print is stored therein, the partition plate portion 14b prints the print photograph 24. This is because there is a risk that they will fall out and this is prevented.

In FIG. 1 showing a part of the sorting device 13, the chain sprockets 16 and 17 and the endless chain 18 are covered on both sides of the sorting device 13, and the print photographs 24 stored in the tray 14 are dropped. Side plates 31 and 32 for preventing the above are provided. A lever 34 is rotatably attached to the inner wall of the side plate 31 by fasteners 35 and 36. The shaft 34a of the lever 34
A fan-shaped gear 37 is fixed to the tip of the pinion, and a pinion gear 39 rotatably driven by a motor 38 is meshed with this.

At the edge of the partition plate portion 14b on the side plate 31 side,
A strip-shaped notch 40 extending long in the width direction of the partition plate portion 14b.
Is provided, and when the lever 34 is rotated counterclockwise, the lever 34 enters the notch 40 at an angle. When the endless chain 18 is rotated and the tray 14 is moved in the direction of arrow A, the left end of the print photograph 24 stored in the tray 14 is brought into contact with the side surface of the lever 34, and the print photograph 24 is moved by the lever 34. As it is pushed, the side plate 32 is moved to a position where it can be easily taken out (see FIG. 6). The amount of rotation of the lever 34 is the same as the print photograph 24.
The width is controlled automatically according to the size. Therefore, a sensor (not shown) for measuring the width size of the print photograph 24 is provided near the discharge port 12. Further, since the paper width data is input by the keyboard, this data may be used.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The printer processor 10 records cut marks at the boundaries of each frame of color paper at the time of printing, and also records sort marks for each order. Then, by detecting these cut marks and sort marks by the respective sensors, the color paper is detected by the cut mark detection signal.
Along with cutting for each frame, a sort signal for sorting the print photographs 24 for each order by the sort mark detection signal is sent and output to the device 15.

In this way, the color paper on which each frame is continuously printed is cut into each frame and discharged one by one from the discharge port 12. This printed photograph 24
Falls into the receiving portion 26 provided below the discharge port 12. Printed photos 24 for one order are all output 12
When it is discharged from the tray and accumulated in the receiving portion 26, the sending rod 25 moves in the direction of the sorting device 13 based on the sort signal, and sends the print photograph 24 for one order into the tray 14 at the receiving position.

In this way, when one set of print photographs 24 for one order is loaded in the tray 14,
The chain sprockets 16 and 17 of the sorting device 13 are rotated, and the endless chain 18 is intermittently rotated by one tray 14. As a result, the partition plate portion 14b of the tray 14 in which the print photograph 24 is loaded is changed from the inclined state to the upright state, and the print photograph 24 is stored between the partition plate portion 14b and the front partition plate portion 14b. Then, by moving the tray 14 one step, a new tray 14 that has not been stored is set at a position facing the receiving portion 26. In this way, a set of print photographs 24 is loaded in each tray 14 for each order.

On the other hand, based on the width size of the print photograph 24 measured by the sensor provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 12, the lever 34 is rotated to the angle corresponding thereto. The width size of the print photograph 24 is, for example, 203 mm
If it is (cut into six), as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the lever 34 is not rotated and is folded along the inner wall of the side plate 31. If the print photograph 24 is, for example, a cabinet, the motor 38 is used in correspondence with the width size of 120 mm.
Is driven, through the pinion gear 39 and the gear 37,
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6A, the lever 34 is rotated. The lever 34 is projected into the tray 14 so as to enter the notch 40. With the intermittent movement of the tray 14 in the direction of the arrow A, the end of the print photograph 24 moves toward the lever 3
The side plate 3 which is brought into contact with the print plate 24 and from which the print photograph 24 can be easily taken out
It is moved to the vicinity of 2. The operator takes out a set of print photographs 24 from each tray 14 and stores them in the delivery bag.

When the number of prints per order is large due to, for example, additional printing, the tray 14 with the partition plate portion 14b is thinned out, and the partition plate portion 14 is used instead.
Only the bottom plate portion 14a, in which b is omitted, is attached to the base portion 19.
As a result, the width of one section formed between two adjacent partition plate portions 14b is doubled, and the number of print photographs 24 that can be stored therein is doubled. In addition, tray 1
When the tray 14 is placed around the chain sprockets 16 and 17, the strip-shaped notches 21 and 23 are inserted and removed.
Is performed at a position where the engagement between the protrusion 22 and the protrusion 22 is released.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is a printer processor 5.
It is attached to the upper part of 1. (A) is the outlet 52
The tray 54 which can receive the sorting apparatus 50 is arranged directly under the sheet, and corresponds to the sorting of large-sized print photographs 55. Further, (B) is a tray 5 that can receive the sorting device 50 by shifting the sorting device 50 from the position shown in (A).
4 is arranged at a position displaced from the discharge port 52.
As a result, a small-sized print photograph 56 is printed on the tray 5.
The print photograph 56 can be taken out easily because it is stored near the end of 4. Note that reference numerals 58 and 59 denote handles that are held when the sorting device 50 is moved.

The tray 61 shown in FIG. 8 has a partition plate portion 61.
By making a a shape in which the upper corner portion of the print photograph 62 in the take-out direction is largely cut out, it is possible to easily take out the print photograph 62 having a narrow width. Since one side of the partition plate portion 61a remains unchanged, a long print photograph 62 does not fall backward like a panoramic photograph.

The tray 65 shown in FIG. 9 has a base 66 fixed to an endless chain 68 via a mounting bracket 67. In the groove 66a of the base portion 66, a bottom plate portion 70 in which a partition plate portion 69 is erected on the edge portion is movably attached via two wheels 71 and 72. A weight 74 is suspended from the bottom plate portion 70 on the side opposite to the side from which the print photograph is taken out, and the bottom plate portion 70 is biased in the direction opposite to the take-out direction of the print photograph. Further, inside the groove 66a, a stopper 75 that comes into contact with the wheel 71 and restricts the position of the bottom plate portion 70 is provided.

When taking out one order of print photographs stored in the tray 65, the partition plate portion 69 is held by, for example, the right hand and pulled in the direction of arrow B. As a result, the partition plate portion 69 reaches the position where the wheel 72 comes into contact with the end of the groove 66a.
And the bottom plate portion 70 is pulled out. Along with this, the bottom plate 7
The print picture on 0 is moved to a position where it is easy to take out, so take out the print picture with your left hand.
Thereafter, when the right hand is released from the partition plate portion 69, the partition plate portion 69 and the bottom plate portion 70 are returned to their original positions by the urging force of the weight 74.

The tray 80 shown in FIG. 10 has a bottom plate portion 82 movably attached to a base portion 81 fixed to an endless chain 68. The bottom plate portion 82 is biased by a spring 83 in the direction opposite to the take-out direction of the print photograph, and a projection 82a provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 82 is in contact with a stopper 81b. A partition plate portion 84 is erected on the bottom plate portion 82, and a grip 84a also serving as a paper stopper is provided at the edge of the partition plate portion 84 at right angles to this surface. Hold the handle 84a with, for example, the left hand, and hold the arrow B.
When it is pulled in the direction, the bottom plate portion 82 moves and the print photograph comes out to a position where it can be easily taken out. Then, when the hand is released from the handle 84a, the bottom plate portion 82 returns to the original position by the bias of the spring 83.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17, an embodiment of a tray in which the number of storable sheets and the number of sorting cases can be changed will be described. The tray 90 shown in FIG.
A reverse T that is detachably attached to a base 91 fixed to an endless chain and integrally formed on the lower surface of a bottom plate 92.
The V-shaped protrusion 93 is inserted into and removed from the groove 91 a of the base 91. On the lower surface of the protrusion 93, the claw member 9 as shown in FIG.
When the projection 93 is inserted into the groove 91a, the tip of the claw member 94 engages with the hole 95 formed on the lower back side of the groove 91a so that the bottom plate portion is engaged. 92
Is locked to the base 91. A hole 95 is provided below the groove 91a.
When a plate 96 for unlocking is inserted into the groove 91b, a corner of the plate 96 presses the tip of the claw member 94 to move the claw member 94 clockwise against the spring bias. Rotate. As a result, the lock between the bottom plate portion 92 and the base portion 91 is released. An air vent hole 97 is formed in the inner part of the groove 91b.

The tray 100 shown in FIG. 13 has a T-shaped projection 1 on the upper portion of a base 101 fixed to an endless chain 68.
01a is integrally provided, and a groove 102a for receiving this is provided in the bottom plate portion 102. The protrusion 101a and the groove 102a are fitted with each other with a strength that prevents them from accidentally coming off or shifting. Tray 105 shown in FIG.
The bottom plate portion 106 and the partition plate portion 107 are detachable via a concavo-convex structure 108 that is fitted to each other. In this embodiment, the size of the tray 105 can be changed by removing the partition plate portion 107.

The tray 110 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is
The bottom plate portion 111 is attached and detached from the vertical direction of the base portion 112. An inverted U-shaped fastener 114 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the base 112 via a pair of protrusions 113. When attaching the bottom plate part 111 to the base part 112, the bottom plate part 111 is placed on the base part 112,
The fastener 114 is made to project from a slit 115 formed in the center of the bottom plate portion 111. After this, the slit 115
If you push down the fastener 114 into the groove 111a that is
The bottom plate portion 111 is locked to the base portion 112. Tray 11
To remove 0 from the base 112, the reverse operation may be performed.

In the tray 120 shown in FIG. 17, the partition plate portion 122 is detachably attached to the endless belt 123 via a clip portion 122a formed integrally with the partition plate portion 122. The print photograph for one order is stored in one section composed of two adjacent partition plates 122. By increasing or decreasing the number of partition plates 122 mounted on the endless belt 123 to change the interval between the partition plates 122, 1
The number of storable sheets and the number of sorting cases stored in a section can be arbitrarily changed.

[0035]

As described in detail above, according to the method and apparatus for sorting print photographs of the present invention, the edges of the print photographs are pressed to move the print photographs to the take-out side. Moreover, the shape of the partition plate portion is such that the upper corner portion is largely cut out. Also, the partition plate portion can be moved in the take-out direction. Further, the positions of the discharge port of the print photograph and the endless member set below the discharge port are changed according to the width of the print photograph. Therefore, even a print photograph having a narrow width can be easily taken out from the tray. Further, the tray having the partition plate portion was thinned out, and the bottom plate portion was attached to the thinned position. Further, the bottom plate portion and the partition plate portion have a detachable structure, and the partition plate portion is thinned out. Further, the partition plate member was attached so as to have a desired pitch in the rotation direction of the endless belt. Therefore, even if the number of prints per order increases or decreases, it is possible to deal with it by changing the storable number of trays.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which a part of a partition plate part showing a main part of a sorting device is cut away.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a printer processor provided with the sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing each tray of the sorting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a relationship between a replaceable tray and an endless chain.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a connecting structure of trays.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the action of the lever according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example to which the sorting method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a tray in which a part of a partition plate portion is largely cut out.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a tray that is equipped with a weight and that can be pulled out freely.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a tray that has a spring built therein and is freely drawn out.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of a tray and a base part which are detachable by a claw member and a lock release plate.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing the relationship between the pawl member and the unlocking plate shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure in which a tray and a base can be attached and detached by fitting a T-shaped protrusion and a groove.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a tray in which a partition plate portion is detachably attached to a bottom plate portion.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a tray that is vertically attached to and detached from the base portion.

16 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the fastener shown in FIG. 15 and the bottom plate portion.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a tray in which a partition plate portion is clipped to an endless belt.

[Explanation of symbols]

10,51 Printer processor 12,52 Discharge port 13,50 Sorting device 14,54,61,65,80,90,100,10
5,110,120 trays 14a, 70, 82, 92, 102, 106, 111
Bottom plate part 14b, 61a, 69, 84, 107, 122 Partition plate part 15 Sending device 18, 68 Endless chain 24, 55, 56, 62 Printed photograph 25 Sending rod 26 Receiving part 34 Lever 40 Notch 74 Weight 83 Spring 84a Handle 94 Claw member 96 Lock release plate 114 Fastener 123 Endless belt

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A tray consisting of a bottom plate and a partition plate standing upright on the edge is attached to a rotating endless member at a constant pitch, and a print photograph for one order is placed on the tray at the insertion position. In a print photo sorting apparatus in which the endless member is rotated by one tray after storing and the print photos are sorted for each order, a part of the side edge of the partition plate is an endless member. The notch part cut out in the width direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the, and through this notch part enter the tray according to the width size of the print photo,
An apparatus for sorting print photographs, comprising: a print photograph moving unit that presses an edge portion of the print photograph to one side of the tray. 2. A tray consisting of a bottom plate and a partition plate standing upright at the edge of the endless member that rotates and is attached at a constant pitch, and a print photograph for one order is placed on the tray at the insertion position. In the print photo sorting apparatus, wherein the endless member is rotated by one tray after storing, and the print photos are sorted for each order, the partition plate portion is configured to sort the print photos stored in the tray. A sorting device for printed photographs, which has a shape in which an upper corner portion on the take-out side is largely cut out. 3. A base which is attached to a rotating endless member at a constant pitch, a bottom plate and a partition plate which is erected on the base, and is movable in the width direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the endless member. An apparatus for sorting print photographs, comprising: a tray attached to the base at a constant pitch, and a biasing unit that biases the tray in a direction opposite to the direction in which the print photographs are taken out. 4. A tray consisting of a bottom plate and a partition plate standing upright at this edge is detachably attached to a rotating endless member at a constant pitch, and the tray at the insertion position corresponds to one order. In a print photo sorting device in which print photos are stored and then an endless member is rotated by one tray to sort print photos for each order, the tray is thinned, and the bottom plate is placed at the thinned position. By attaching a sheet, the distance between adjacent partition plates can be changed to change the number of stackable trays. 5. A tray consisting of a bottom plate portion and a partition plate portion provided upright on the edge of the endless member that rotates and is attached at a constant pitch, and a print photograph for one order is placed on the tray at the insertion position. A print photo sorting device in which the endless member is rotated by one tray after storage and the print photos are sorted for each order. The bottom plate part and the partition plate part have a detachable structure. A device for sorting print photographs, characterized in that the distance between adjacent partition plates is changed by thinning the partition plate portions to change the number of stackable trays. 6. A partition plate member is removably attached via a clip means at a desired pitch in the rotation direction of an endless belt that rotates to form a tray formed by two adjacent partition plate portions, A print photo sorting device that sorts print photos for each order by storing one order of print photos in the tray at the insertion position and then rotating the endless belt by one tray. 7. A tray comprising a bottom plate portion and a partition plate portion provided upright on the edge is attached to the endless member that is rotated and moved at a constant pitch, and is attached to a tray set below a discharge port for printed photographs. In a print photo sorting device that stores print photos for one order and then rotates the endless member by one tray to sort print photos for each order, A sorting method characterized in that the arrangement position of the endless member is changed according to the width of the print photograph so that the print photograph is stored in a state of being close to one side of the tray.