JPH0882872A - Variable mask mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily change aperture quantity according to the change of picture frame size on a negative film while the light shielding accuracy of luminous flux is secured. CONSTITUTION: Mask pieces 122 and 124 are fitted to the supporting table 120 of a variable mask mechanism 33 along in the longitudinal direction of a first and a second slide materials 126 and 128 so that they can be reciprocatingly moved. The cross sections of the pieces 122 and 124 by viewing from a direction orthogonally crossed to the carrying direction of the negative film within a carrying surface are shaped like a hat projecting toward the negative film side. Since the pieces 122 and 124 are set so as to be stopped only while they are moved in a close direction, they are moved in an open direction once, moved in the close direction and stopped at a stop position when a part to be detected 128C is detected by an optical sensor 152. Thus, even when backlash or the error of a pulse motor are caused by an opening and closing mechanism, the accuracy of the stop positions of the pieces 122 and 124 is more easily secured without being affected by the error of the driving source.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable mask mechanism for adjusting the opening amount of an opening through which an exposure light beam passes when an image on a negative film is printed on a photosensitive material by exposure, for example, a photographic printer or a photographic printer. The present invention relates to a variable mask mechanism adopted in a printer processor or the like in which a printer and a processor are combined.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printer processor is called a minilab and is installed in a DPE store or the like. This printer processor has a printer unit that prints and exposes an image recorded on a negative film onto photographic paper, and a processor unit that develops the photographic paper that has been subjected to the print-exposure process. The printer can be automatically conveyed and processed in the printer unit and the processor unit only by setting the printer in the printer processor. In the printer section of this printer processor, the image on the negative film is enlarged to a predetermined size selected and printed on the photographic paper, and the photographic paper on which the image is printed is sequentially conveyed to the processor section. Developed and finished as a photographic print.

By the way, panoramic size photographic prints having a horizontal length twice as large as the normal size full size photographic prints have become widespread in addition to the full size. It tends to increase.

Further, during the shooting of one negative film, the aspect ratio can be freely switched between a full size image frame for full size and a panorama size frame for panorama size image frame. Such frame size switching cameras are commercially available. When this frame size switching camera is used, a single negative film will include full size frames and panoramic size frames and other screen size frames having different aspect ratios.

[0005]

Therefore, as a result of plural kinds of image frame sizes being mixed in one negative film, a negative mask for fixing the negative film on the negative carrier for positioning the negative film. However, in recent years, the disadvantage that various types of image frame sizes are required and that complicated negative mask replacement work is frequently required has become particularly prominent. Therefore, it has been desired to employ a variable mask mechanism that can change the mask size without replacing the negative mask.

Also in such a variable mask mechanism, it is necessary to secure the light-blocking accuracy of the light beam as in the conventional fixed mask.

In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a variable mask mechanism capable of easily changing the aperture amount in correspondence with the change of the image frame size on the negative film while ensuring the light shielding accuracy of the light flux. To do.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable mask mechanism for moving a mask piece which partially blocks a light beam for printing and exposing a photosensitive material when printing and exposing an image on a negative film to the photosensitive material. Is a variable mask mechanism that can change the opening amount of the opening through which the light beam passes, and the cross-sectional shape of the mask piece viewed from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction in the transport surface of the negative film is directed to the negative film side. It is characterized by having a protruding hat shape.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable mask mechanism in which, when an image on a negative film is printed and exposed on a photosensitive material, a mask piece that partially blocks a light beam for exposing the photosensitive material is moved so that the light beam passes through the mask piece. A variable mask mechanism capable of changing the opening amount of an opening part to open and close, the opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the mask piece, and driving the opening and closing mechanism to move the mask piece toward the stop position and the mask piece And a control means for stopping the mask piece to the stop position only while moving in one of the opening direction and the closing direction.

[0010]

In the variable mask mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the mask piece for partially blocking the light rays when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the transport direction within the transport surface of the negative film is a hat shape protruding toward the negative film. Therefore, the mask piece and the negative film can be brought close to each other, and the opening amount can be easily changed corresponding to the change of the image frame size on the negative film while ensuring the light-shielding accuracy of the light flux.

In the variable mask mechanism according to the second aspect, when the mask piece is positioned, the opening / closing mechanism is driven by the control means so that the mask piece moves toward the stop position, but the mask piece stops at the stop position. , Stops at the stop position only while moving in either the opening direction or the closing direction. That is, when the mask piece is set to stop only while moving in the closing direction, the mask piece moving in the opening direction once passes through the stop position and then moves in the closing direction when reaching a predetermined position. Then it reaches the stop position and stops. As a result, even if there is a backlash due to the opening / closing mechanism or an error in the pulse motor,
Since the accuracy of the mask position can be more easily ensured without being affected by the error of the drive source, while securing the light shielding accuracy of the light flux,
The opening amount can be easily changed to correspond to the change of the image frame size on the negative film.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printer processor in which an embodiment of a variable mask mechanism according to the present invention is implemented is shown in FIGS.
The present embodiment will be described based on these figures.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a printer processor 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A photo printing unit 12 constituting a printer unit of this printer processor 10.
Has a structure in which the paper magazine 14 accommodating the printing paper P can be loaded.

On the upper left side of FIG. 1 of the paper magazine 14, a drive roller 16 around which the vicinity of the leading end of the photographic printing paper P is wound is rotatably supported. The driving roller 16 receives the driving force and rotates. Further, a pair of nip rollers 18 is arranged at a position facing the drive roller 16 with the printing paper P interposed therebetween. Therefore, the drive roller 16 holds the photographic printing paper P between the nip rollers 18 and sends the photographic printing paper P into the photographic printing section 12.

On the other hand, inside the photographic printing section 12, there is installed a cutter 22 which is composed of a pair of upper and lower blades and whose blades are moved by the motor 20. The photographic paper P coming out of the paper magazine 14 is The cutter 22 will immediately cut.

In FIG. 1, the upper surface is horizontal (see FIG. 1) on the downstream side in the transport direction of the printing paper P which is the right side of the cutter 22.
A support base 46 formed along the upper and left and right directions is arranged. A winding roller 52 around which the endless belt 44 is wound is arranged between the support base 46 and the cutter 22 in the horizontal direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1). Further, a nip roller 54 that holds the endless belt 44 between the winding roller 52 and the winding roller 52 is arranged above the winding roller 52.

A guide roller 56 around which the endless belt 44 is wound is located on the downstream side of the support base 46 in the conveyance direction of the printing paper P. A pressing roller 58 is disposed adjacent to the guide roller 56 so that the lower surface thereof has substantially the same height as the upper surface of the winding roller 52. The pressing roller 58 presses the outer circumference of the endless belt 44. ing.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the endless belt 44 in this portion is S-shaped. Further, the endless belt 44 is provided below the guide roller 56 with the tension roller 6
It is wound around 2 to form an inverted triangular movement locus. The guide roller 56 is driven and rotated by the driving force of a motor (not shown), and the endless belt 44 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
Rotate upward, clockwise.

On the other hand, a large number of small holes (not shown) are formed in the endless belt 44 over the entire area thereof, and the upper surface of the support base 46 on which a part of the endless belt 44 is placed is
A large number of holes (not shown) are formed corresponding to the small holes of the endless belt 44. Further, the inside of the support base 46 is formed in a hollow shape, and a pair of communication ducts 66 (corresponding to the drawing, formed on the widthwise ends of the endless belt 44).
(Only one is shown) is connected to the support base 46. These communication ducts 66 bypass the portion of the endless belt 44 that passes under the support base 46, reach below the endless belt 44, and are connected to a fan box 70 provided with a suction fan 68. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the easel device 6 is provided above the endless belt 44 moving on the support base 46.
4 is provided so that when printing the bordered image on the photographic printing paper P, the periphery of the photographic printing paper P is covered with a movable piece (not shown) in the easel device 64.

A diffusing box 28 for diffusing light is arranged outside the casing 10A constituting the outer frame of the printer processor 10 and directly above the easel device 64. The diffusing box 28 is arranged to the right of each of the diffusing boxes 28. A CC filter 24 composed of three sets of filters of C, M, and Y, which can be moved so as to change the amount of filter to be inserted into, is arranged. Therefore, after the light beam emitted from the light source 26 located adjacent to the CC filter 24 passes through the CC filter 24, it is bent while being diffused by the diffusion box 28 and sent directly below. Then, the light rays pass through the negative film N on the negative carrier 30 placed on the upper surface of the casing 10A.

Further, a support plate 34 is supported by a guide rail 32 installed in the photo printing unit 12 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1), and A prism 36 and a zoom lens 38 are attached to the support plate 34 so as to be respectively arranged on the optical axis S.

Therefore, the light beam which has passed through the negative film N and becomes the exposure light beam, after passing through the prism 36, further passes through the zoom lens 38 capable of changing the enlargement magnification and is positioned below the easel device 64. An image of the negative film N is formed on the paper P.

A density measuring device 40, which is composed of, for example, a color filter and an optical sensor such as a CCD, which measures the density of the negative film N, is arranged in the photographic printing section 12. The bent light beam is sent to the densitometer 40. The concentration measuring device 40 is connected to a controller (not shown), and the data measured by the concentration measuring device 40 and
An exposure correction value for printing exposure is set based on the data keyed in by the operator.

A black shutter 41 is provided in the optical path between the zoom lens 38 and the easel device 64 for exposing the light whose color and intensity have been adjusted by the CC filter 24 and which has passed through the negative film N for printing for a predetermined time.

Since the photographic printing section 12 is structured as described above, the photographic printing paper P sent out from the paper magazine 14 is cut to a desired length by the cutter 22 and then placed on the endless belt 44. It is conveyed to an image printing position, which is a position on the optical axis S of the exposure light beam. Then, the exposure light beam from the light source 26 side reaches the photographic printing paper P via the prism 36, the zoom lens 38, etc., and the black shutter 41 is opened for a predetermined time, so that the image recorded on the negative film N is printed on the photographic printing paper P. The portion where the image is printed is the image portion.

At this time, the air in the support base 46 escapes from the inside of the loop of the endless belt 44 to both ends in the width direction through the communication duct 66, and is sucked by the suction fan 68 and blown to the outside. The inside becomes negative pressure. This negative pressure is transmitted to the printing paper P on the endless belt 44 through the holes of the support base 46 and the small holes of the endless belt 44, and the printing paper P is sucked to the endless belt 44 as indicated by arrow A. It Therefore, the printing paper P is not only placed on the endless belt 44 but also sucked toward the endless belt 44 side.
However, the sheet is reliably conveyed by the endless belt 44 and is horizontally arranged at the image printing position.

Further, the photographic printing paper P on which the image printing has been completed
Is sandwiched between the guide roller 56 and the pressing roller 58, and the conveying direction is changed from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction and is sent out in the vertical direction. After that, as indicated by a path K that represents the transport path of the photographic paper P, the photographic paper P is subjected to each processing of development, bleach-fixing, washing and drying via a transport path 60 constituted by a plurality of pairs of rollers. It is conveyed to the processor unit 72 which performs

This completes the printing exposure process for one frame of the negative film N. By repeating this, the printing papers P that have been subjected to the printing exposure process are sequentially conveyed to the processor unit 72 one by one.

A developing solution is stored in the developing tank 74 in the processor section 72, and the photographic printing paper P is dipped in the developing solution to perform the developing process. The developed printing paper P is conveyed to the bleach-fixing tank 76 adjacent to the developing tank 74. The bleach-fixing tank 76 stores a bleach-fixing solution, and the photographic printing paper P is dipped in the bleach-fixing solution to perform a bleaching process and a fixing process. The photographic printing paper P that has been subjected to the fixing treatment is conveyed to a rinsing section 78 that is adjacent to the bleach-fixing tank 76 and that is composed of a plurality of rinsing tanks, and the photographic printing paper P is dipped in the rinsing water in the rinsing tank. Wash with water. The developing tank 74, the bleach-fixing tank 76 and the washing tank are supplied with a developing replenishing solution, a bleach-fixing replenishing solution and a washing replenishing water from a plurality of replenishing tanks 90 installed in the processor section 72, respectively. Will be replenished.

The photographic printing paper P that has been washed with water is conveyed to the drying section 80 located above the water washing section 78. The drying unit 80 is
The printing paper P is dried by exposing the printing paper P to hot air blown in the direction of the arrow B from the chamber 82 side arranged below the conveyance path of the printing paper P.

A conveying path 84 formed by a plurality of pairs of rollers is provided downstream of the drying section 80 in the conveying direction of the printing paper P.
The photographic printing paper P discharged from the drying unit 80 after the drying process is completed is sandwiched between the plural pairs of rollers, discharged to the outside of the printer processor 10, and stacked.

If the photographic printing paper P that has undergone each processing such as development, bleach-fixing and washing with water is a special photographic printing paper for testing the deterioration of the developing solution, the density set at the upper part of the conveying path 84. The density of the photographic printing paper P is measured by the density meter 92.

Further, upon printing exposure, the photographic printing section 12
When a special enlargement magnification that cannot be accommodated by the zoom lens 38 in the inside is required, the support plate 34 is moved horizontally (see FIG. 1).
Up, in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface), and move to the optical axis S
The prism 36 and the zoom lens 38 will be removed from above. Then, a lens (not shown) is installed on the optical axis S, and the photometric mirror 42 installed in the photo printing unit 12 is moved on the optical axis S.

Next, the variable mask mechanism mounted on the negative carrier 30 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG.
A cover 112 that can be opened and closed is attached to the negative carrier 30 on the casing 10A. This cover 11
When 2 is opened as shown in FIG. 3, a negative film passing portion 30A formed in a groove shape and allowing the negative film N to pass through appears. An arrow C is attached to a holder 114, which is rotatably attached to the negative carrier 30, at a lower portion of the cover 112.
A crimping plate (also referred to as an upper negative mask) 116 that is inserted and mounted along the direction, and a negative film passing portion 30.
A mask (also referred to as an under negative mask) 118 installed on A is located. And this mask 11
8 and the pressure-bonding plate 116 each have a full-size image frame N1 (FIG. 1) which is the maximum screen size of the negative film N.
(Shown in FIG. 2), a window portion 119A and a window portion 119B having an area slightly larger than that of the window portion 119B are formed.

At the position of the negative carrier 30 to which the mask 118 is attached, the opening 3 having a rectangular shape larger than the windows 119A and 119B of the mask 118 and the pressure plate 116 is formed.
0B is formed. Therefore, in the direction of the arrow D, the holder 1
When 14 is rotated to bring the pressure-bonding plate 116 into contact with the mask 118, the light beam emitted from the light source 26 side causes the window portion 119A of the mask 118 and the window portion 119 of the pressure-bonding plate 116.
The negative film N located between B and B can be passed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the negative carrier 3
At 0, a support base 120 of a variable mask mechanism 33 having a rectangular window 121 larger than the opening 30B is screwed by a bolt not shown so as not to block light from the light source 26 side. . As shown in FIG. 6, a first slide member 126 and a second slide member 128 are arranged on the support base 120 with the window 121 interposed therebetween.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first slide member 126, in which the base end side of the mask piece 122 formed of an elongated plate member is screwed to the tip end side thereof with the bolt 123, The slide member 126 has a pair of long holes 126A formed along the longitudinal direction, and a pair of pins 120A planted on the support 120 penetrates the pair of long holes 126A. Therefore, the first
The slide member 126 and the mask piece 122 can reciprocate along the longitudinal direction of the first slide member 126.

On the other hand, the base end side of the mask piece 124, which is formed of an elongated plate material like the mask piece 122, is attached to the bolt 12.
Second slide member 128 screwed to the middle with 5
Has a pair of elongated holes 128A formed along the longitudinal direction of the second slide member 128, and a pair of pins 120B planted in the support base 120 form the pair of elongated holes 128A. Penetrates. Therefore, the second slide member 128 and the mask piece 124 can reciprocate along the longitudinal direction of the second slide member 128.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mask piece 12
The cross-sectional shape of the negative film N of No. 2,124 seen from the direction (direction of arrow W in FIG. 6) orthogonal to the transport direction in the transport surface is:
It has a hat shape protruding toward the negative film side (upper side in FIG. 6).

On the base end sides of the slide members 126 and 128,
Racks 126 as opening and closing mechanisms facing each other
B and 128B are formed. Further, the mask piece 122 screwed to the first slide material 126 extends up to the second slide material 128, and this mask piece 1
The tip end side of 22 is in contact with and guided by the second slide member 128. Further, the mask piece 124 screwed to the second slide member 128 extends to above the first slide member 126, and the tip end side of the mask piece 124 abuts on the first slide member 126 and is guided. There is. In addition, between the mask pieces 122 and 124 and the negative film N, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, since the mask 118 is sandwiched between them, there is a predetermined gap.

On the other hand, a pulse motor 130 as an opening / closing mechanism is attached to the support 120 by being screwed with a pair of bolts 136 via a spacer 134, and the drive gear 13 is attached to a rotary shaft 130A of the motor 130.
2 is fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pair of first driven gears 142 and 144 composed of large gears 142A and 144A and small gears 142B and 144B, which mesh with the drive gear 132, are rotatably supported. Stand 12
It is supported by 0. Furthermore, these small gears 142B,
Gear wheels 146A and 148A that mesh with 144B, respectively
Also, a pair of second driven gears 146 and 148 composed of small gears 146B and 148B are rotatably mounted on the support base 1 respectively.
Supported by 20.

The small gears 146B and 148B of the second driven gears 146 and 148 are a pair of slide members 1 respectively.
The racks 126B and 128B of 26 and 128 are engaged with each other.

From the above, these slide members 126, 12
8 is reciprocated in the opposite directions along the respective longitudinal directions by the rotation of the motor 130 which is decelerated by the driven gears 142, 144, 146, 148.

Further, a wall portion 120C whose front end side is bent in the horizontal direction is formed at one end of the support base 120 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and the transmission type optical sensor 152 is provided on the bent front end side. Are arranged. And the second
The slide member 128 of the detection part 1 is bent upward.
28C and the detected portion 128C passes through the inside of the optical sensor 152, so that the position of the second slide member 128 can be detected.

Therefore, for example, when the detected portion 128C enters the optical sensor 152 and the motor 130 rotates in the reverse direction so that the transmitted light in the optical sensor 152 is not blocked by the detected portion 128C, the slide member 126 is removed. , 128 and the mask pieces 122, 124, etc., are the positions set as the origin, and the positions of these members are grasped.

Further, the motor 130 is connected to a controller 131 as a control means so as to be driven and rotated by operating a mask adjusting key (not shown). Therefore, when the mask adjustment key is operated and the motor 130 is rotated by the controller 131, the first driven gear 1
42, 144 and the second driven gears 146, 148 rotate. As a result, the pair of slide members 1 having the racks 126B and 128B that mesh with the second driven gears 146 and 148.
When the mask pieces 122 and 124 move in opposite directions, the mask pieces 122 and 124 move in opposite directions along the vertical direction in FIG. 7, and the mask pieces 122 and 124 open and close. Become.

On the other hand, the prism 36 located on the lower side of the negative carrier 30 transmits the exposure light beam passing through the negative film N to the density measuring device 40 side on the left side of the prism 36 in FIGS. And the zoom lens 38 side located below. At this time, the distance between the prism 36 and the incident-side lens 40A (indicated by a straight line in FIGS. 9 and 10) of the density measuring device 40, and the incident-side lens 38A of the prism 36 and the zoom lens 38 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). (Indicated by a straight line at 10) and the distance between.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9 showing the full-size image frame N1 as an example, the image frame N1 having an image on the negative film N is also actually measured and exposed, and the exposure effective area E1 and exposure effective Area E2 is image frame N1
Of the negative film N on the outer side of the image frame N1.
Is transparent.

Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the light rays from the light source 26 side that have passed through the photometric effective area E1 and the exposure effective area E2 enter the density measuring device 40 and the incident side lenses 40A and 38A of the zoom lens 38. There is. On the other hand, it is necessary to prevent light rays from the light source 26 side that have passed through the transparent outer peripheral portion N3 of the negative film N from entering the density measuring device 40 and the incident side lenses 40A and 38A of the zoom lens 38.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the effective area E
1, the ray passing through the inside of E2 is surely incident side lens 40
It is necessary to position the inner ends of the pair of mask pieces 122 and 124 facing each other outside the position during photometry so as to enter A and 38A, and outside the position during exposure. It is necessary to position the inner ends of the pair of mask pieces 122 and 124 at. Also, as shown in FIG.
Light rays that have passed through the outer peripheral portion N3 are incident side lenses 40A, 38
It is necessary to position the inner ends of the pair of mask pieces 122 and 124 inside the position at the time of photometry so as not to enter A, and at the time of exposure, the inner ends of the pair of mask pieces 122 and 124 at the inside of the position. The inner edge must be located.

From the above, as shown in FIG. 11, in the photometry for measuring the light quantity by the density measuring device 40, the motor is adjusted so that the inner ends of the mask pieces 122 and 124 fall within the range between the positions. Rotate 130 to rotate the mask pieces 122, 124
Need to move. Further, at the time of exposure for printing an image on the photographic printing paper P, the motor 13 is arranged so that the inner ends of the mask pieces 122 and 124 are located in the range between the positions.
It is necessary to rotate 0 to move the mask pieces 122 and 124.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the operator confirms whether the image frame on the negative film N sent to the negative carrier 30 is the full size image frame N1 or the panorama size image frame N2,
For example, in the case of the image frame N1, the motor 130 is driven and rotated by operating a mask adjustment key (not shown), and the mode corresponding to the image frame N1 is set.

Then, the controller 131 causes the motor 13
Density measurement with the mask pieces 122 and 124 that partially control the light beam from the light source 26 controlled to 0, in a state where the density of the image on the negative film N is in a measurable range or in between. The device 40 measures the density of the image of the image frame N1. After this, the mask pieces 122, 124
Is moved to align the printing paper P located on the image printing position with a position which is a range in which printing exposure is possible.
As a result, the opening amount of the opening 30A is set to the mask piece 122,
124 is substantially changed to the photographic printing paper P arranged on the optical axis S which is an optical path different from the optical path to the density measuring device 40 side.
The image on the negative film N is printed and exposed.

Therefore, the mask piece 12 is used for both photometry and exposure.
Since the positions of 2,124 change, as shown in FIG.
It is sufficient to stop the mask pieces 122 and 124 within the allowable range T1 during photometry and the allowable range T2 during exposure. Therefore, when the opening degree of the mask pieces 122 and 124 is not changed between the time of photometry and the time of exposure, the mask pieces 122 and 124 must be stopped within the allowable range T3 which is the overlapping range of these allowable ranges T1 and T2. Whereas you must
The permissible ranges T1 and T2 of the positions of the mask pieces 122 and 124 at the time of photometry and at the time of exposure become large, respectively, and highly accurate positioning accuracy is not required of the mask pieces 122 and 124, and the stopping accuracy of the mask pieces 122 and 124 is sufficient. Can be secured.

That is, the allowable range T1 is set to 1.6 mm, the allowable range T2 is set to 1.4 mm, and these allowable ranges T1 and T are set.
If the overlapping range of 2 is 0.7 mm, this 0.7 mm is the allowable range T3. Therefore, in the case where the opening of the mask pieces 122 and 124 is not changed, an allowable range of only 0.7 mm can be obtained, whereas according to the present embodiment, 1.
It suffices to stop within a range of 6 mm, and during exposure, stop within a range of 1.4 mm. As a result, it is not necessary to position the mask pieces 122 and 124 with higher precision than necessary, and the manufacturing cost of the variable mask mechanism is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the mask pieces 122, 1
The cross-sectional shape of the 24 negative carrier 30 as viewed from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (direction of arrow W in FIG. 6) in the transport surface is a hat shape protruding toward the negative film side (upper side in FIG. 6). The mask pieces 122 and 124 and the negative film N can be brought close to each other, and the opening amount can be easily changed in correspondence with the change of the image frame size on the negative film while ensuring the light-shielding accuracy of the light flux.

It is also possible to consider a method in which the mask pieces 122 and 124 are once moved to the position set as the origin between the photometry and the exposure, and then the printing exposure is performed.

At this time, when the mask pieces 122 and 124 are stopped at the stop position, the mask pieces 122 and 124 are moved only in one of the opening direction (arrow R1 direction in FIG. 6) and the closing direction (arrow R2 direction in FIG. 6). Stop at the stop position. That is, in the present embodiment, the mask pieces 122 and 124 are set to stop only while moving in the closing direction, the mask pieces 122 and 124 once move in the opening direction, and the detected portion 128C is moved by the optical sensor 152. When detected, it moves in the closing direction and stops at the stop position. As a result, even if there is a backlash due to the opening / closing mechanism or an error in the pulse motor 130, the accuracy of the stop positions of the mask pieces 122 and 124 can be more easily ensured without being affected by the error in the drive source. While securing
The opening amount can be easily changed to correspond to the change of the image frame size on the negative film.

On the other hand, when the image frame size of the negative film N is changed, the negative carrier 30 operates as follows in accordance with the change.

When the image frame size is changed, the operator operates the mask adjustment key. Then, when this key is operated, the controller 131 causes the operation shown in FIG.
The motor 130 shown in FIG.
24 move in opposite directions. Then, with the opening amount of the opening 30B of the negative carrier 30 adjusted, the image on the negative film N is printed and exposed on the printing paper P located at the image printing position in the printer processor 10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the type of image frame on the negative film N changes, and the aperture amount W1 (26 mm) corresponding to the full-size image frame N1 (26 × 36 mm) as shown in FIG. Therefore, when adjusting the aperture amount W2 (13 mm) corresponding to the panorama size image frame N2 (13 × 36 mm) as shown in FIG. 8, the operator operates the mask adjustment key. As a result, the motor 130 is driven and rotated to open and close the mask pieces 122 and 124, and the opening amount W2
Adjusted to.

Therefore, the printing size is changed from the full size print size of 89 × 127 mm to the panorama size print size of 89 × 254 mm, and the printing exposure is performed on the printing paper P. It should be noted that the enlargement ratio of printing exposure is naturally changed at the time of this change. Also in the case of this panorama size image frame N2, the full size image frame N1
In the same manner as in the above case, the mask piece 12 is set between the photometry and the exposure.
The positions of 2,124 are changed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the opening amount is changed by operating the key. However, for example, the mask piece 122 is detected by detecting the image frame size by the sensor and automatically driving and rotating the motor 130. You may make it open and close 124. Furthermore, these mask pieces 1
It is considered that the material of 22 and 124 is most preferably metal such as stainless steel or synthetic resin in view of workability and manufacturing cost.

On the other hand, in the above embodiment, the negative film N has been described on the assumption that there are two types of image frames having different aspect ratios, full size and panoramic size, but three or more types of image frames having different aspect ratios. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied even if there exists. In the above embodiment, the photometric effective area E1 and the exposure effective area E2 have different sizes, but they may have the same size. Further, the structure of the variable mask mechanism and the like is not limited to the structure, shape, etc. of the above embodiment,
For example, instead of the variable mask mechanism of the above embodiment, it is natural that a cam or the like may be used to convert the rotational movement into a linear movement.

[0067]

As described above, the variable mask mechanism according to the present invention is excellent in that the opening amount can be easily changed in correspondence with the change of the image frame size on the negative film while ensuring the light-shielding accuracy of the light flux. Have an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a printer processor used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a negative carrier used in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a negative carrier used in one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a cover is opened.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a negative carrier used in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a variable mask mechanism adopted in a negative carrier used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a variable mask mechanism adopted in a negative carrier used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a variable mask mechanism adopted in a negative carrier used in an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state corresponding to a full-size image frame.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a variable mask mechanism adopted in a negative carrier used in an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state corresponding to a panorama size image frame.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an optical path of an exposure light beam within an effective area that passes through a variable mask mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an optical path of a light ray on an outer peripheral portion of an image frame that passes through a variable mask mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an enlarged optical path of a light beam passing through a variable mask mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the types of image frames of a negative film.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Printer Processor (Device Main Body) 30 Negative Carrier 30B Opening 40 Density Measuring Device 122 Mask Piece 124 Mask Piece N Negative Film P Printing Paper (Photosensitive Material)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. When printing an image on a negative film on a light-sensitive material by exposure, a mask piece that partially blocks a light-beam for exposing the light-sensitive material is moved to adjust the opening amount of the opening through which the light beam passes. A variable mask mechanism that can be changed, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the mask piece as viewed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction in the transport surface of the negative film is a hat shape protruding toward the negative film. mechanism. 2. When exposing an image on a negative film to a light-sensitive material by exposure, a mask piece that partially blocks a light beam for exposure-exposing the light-sensitive material is moved to adjust the opening amount of the opening through which the light beam passes. A variable mask mechanism that can be changed, and an opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the mask piece, and driving the opening / closing mechanism to move the mask piece toward a stop position, and the mask piece can be opened or closed. A variable mask mechanism, comprising: a control unit that stops the mask piece to a stop position only while moving in one direction.