JPH10133286A - Picture recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily execute connection, separation and exchange between units with less labor by specifying the constitution of casters and a bottom plate. SOLUTION: A 1st unit 4 is provided with at least three casters 182, 184 formed on its bottom and at least two vertically movable supporting means 186 for supporting the 1st unit 4 so as to be extended at the time of connecting the 1st unit 4 to a 2nd unit 6. The 2nd unit 6 is provided with at least three casters 192 formed on its bottom and at least two vertically movable supporting means 194 for supporting the unit 6 so as to be extended at the time of connecting the unit 6 to the 1st unit 4. A bottom plate 190 is projected from the bottom of the unit 6 in parallel with the bottom, and at the time of connecting the unit 6 to the unit 4, the plate 190 is inserted into the botton of the unit 4 to set up and fix the bottom of the unit 4. At least one caster 182 formed on the bottom of the unit 4 on the connection side of the unit 6 is constituted of a large caster.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus comprising a plurality of units which can be separated, connected or exchanged, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus which continuously performs image exposure on a long photosensitive material to record an image. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter, referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film is recorded on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper (printing exposure) and developed to produce a finished print. In a device that
Image recording and development processing are performed using a long photosensitive material wound in a roll shape, and finally, each sheet is cut to produce a finished print. As an apparatus for performing such processing, Conventionally, two types of modes are known. One is an integrated device that performs recording, development processing, cutting / sorting, and the like of a film image on a photosensitive material with a single device to produce a final finished print. This is an apparatus corresponding to a large-scale developing laboratory or the like for performing production, and is a separation type system in which image recording on a photosensitive material, development processing, cutting, and sorting are performed by separate apparatuses.

In general, image recording on a photosensitive material requires manual inspection of a film and setting of exposure conditions, and it is preferable to perform automatic inspection of a film and automatic setting of exposure conditions. It is necessary to manually adjust the color density depending on the application and the application, but it can be performed at a higher speed than the processing of the exposed photosensitive material, whereas the processing of the exposed photosensitive material is faster than the exposure printing. This is because the processing can be automatically and continuously performed at night even if the user is not attached to the developing-dedicated apparatus even if the processing speed is low. In other words, in the separation type system, exposure printing to photosensitive material is performed by a dedicated machine as much as possible, and the exposed photosensitive material is used by a plurality of dedicated automatic development equipment, or these are automatically operated continuously at night. By doing so, a large amount of prints can be finally produced.

Recently, there has been a demand for an apparatus (system) that can selectively use such an integrated apparatus and a separated system as required. The integrated type apparatus is extremely convenient because the steps from exposure printing to development, cutting, and sorting can be continuously and integrally performed. However, for example, when the integrated device is used for recording an image on a postcard such as a New Year's card, the amount of prints produced varies significantly depending on the season,
For example, at the end of the year, print production must be performed for a large number of New Year's cards, and in an integrated apparatus, the photosensitive material processing is rate-limiting, and it may not be possible to cope with it. In such a case, it is possible to efficiently use the image recording apparatus throughout the year by temporarily reassembling the system to a separation type system and coping with the production of a large number of prints. By the way, since the printing apparatus used in such an integrated apparatus or a separation type system has the same basic exposure means configuration, the exposure apparatus, which is a common part, and the developing machine or the winding machine are simply used. The separation and exchangeable reconnection, or simply connecting the separated exposure apparatus to a dedicated automatic development machine, are both large and heavy. There is a problem that a great deal of labor and time are required for connection, disconnection and replacement of the data.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus composed of two units, which can easily connect, separate and replace the units with a small amount of labor. By having an apparatus, in particular, a developing unit and a take-up unit that share a common connection system with an exposure unit using a roll-shaped photosensitive material,
Either an integrated device that continuously performs from exposure and development to print production, or a separation type system that winds the photosensitive material undeveloped, easily and reliably reciprocally according to the user's workload and purpose It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus capable of performing the above.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a first unit and a second unit exchangeably connected to the first unit. And an exposure unit for exposing the photosensitive material to one of the second unit and the second unit, wherein the first unit has at least three movably supporting the first unit on a bottom surface thereof. And at least two vertically movable support means extending when connected to the caster and the second unit to support the first unit, wherein the second unit has the At least three casters movably supporting the second unit, and at least two vertically movable casters extending at the time of connection with the first unit and supporting the second unit.
Support means, and projecting from the bottom surface of the second unit in parallel with the bottom surface, inserted into the bottom surface of the first unit, and mounted on the bottom surface of the first unit when connected to the first unit. A bottom plate to be placed and fixed, and further comprising means for fixing the first unit and the second unit when the first unit and the second unit are connected, Among at least three casters of a unit and at least three casters of the second unit, at least one caster provided on a bottom surface of the first unit on a side to which the second unit is connected. The first and second units, which are constituted by large-diameter casters and fixed by fixing means while being mounted on the first unit on the bottom plate of the second unit, are connected to the first unit. It is supported by at least two support means of at least two support means and said second unit of Tsu bets, there is provided an image recording apparatus characterized by being configured so as to be installed in a predetermined position.

Here, the at least three casters of the first unit are a pair of large-diameter casters provided on the connection side and a pair of casters provided on the side opposite to the connection side. The at least three casters are a pair of casters provided at the tip of the bottom plate and a pair of casters provided on a connection side of a bottom surface of the second unit and a pair of casters provided on the opposite side thereof, respectively. The two support means are a pair of support means provided on the side opposite to the connection side, and at least two support means of the second unit are provided with a pair of support means provided at a tip of the bottom plate and the second support means. Preferably, a pair of support means are provided on each of the connection side and the opposite side of the bottom surface of the two units.

[0008] Further, the support means is provided with an anchor bolt which can move up and down, and is disposed below the anchor bolt.
It is preferable to have a cup for supporting the anchor bolt. It is preferable that the image recording apparatus further includes a detachable connector for electrically connecting the first unit and the second unit. Further, the first unit includes a photosensitive material supply unit for loading the unexposed photosensitive material wound in a roll shape, a transport unit for transporting the photosensitive material along a predetermined path, and an imagewise exposure of the photosensitive material. Exposure means for performing
It is preferable that the exposure unit has means for recording image position information in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive material, and a discharge unit for discharging the exposed photosensitive material.

A developing unit having a developing unit for developing the exposed photosensitive material, a drying unit for drying the photosensitive material, and a discharge unit for discharging the developed photosensitive material; It is preferred that Further, it is preferable that the second unit is a winding unit having a winding unit that winds the exposed photosensitive material in a roll shape. Further, as the second unit, it is preferable that the developing unit and the winding unit are connected to the exposure unit as the first unit so as to be exchangeable with each other.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

Image recording apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5
Reference numerals 0 and 12 denote a photographic printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, an image recorded on a film is photoelectrically read and converted into a digital signal. Thereafter, image processing is performed to determine exposure conditions to determine image information for recording. An image recording device corresponding to a digital photo printer that scans and exposes a photosensitive material with recording light modulated in accordance with the image information and records an image, and is read and read by an image reading device such as a film scanner. According to the exposure condition (image recording condition) determined by the setup apparatus according to the image thus formed, the photosensitive material A is scanned and exposed by light beam scanning exposure to form an image. Compared to conventional direct exposure devices, digital photo printers do not require the operator to determine exposure conditions, adjust filters, etc., have a shorter exposure time per image, and the exposure time depends on the size. Edit layout such as image composition, color /
Image processing such as density adjustment and magnification can be freely performed.
It has various advantages, such as being able to output a print reproduced at 00%. Such a digital photo printer is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 6-217091 and 6
Nos. 233302 and 6-245062.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention,
The exposure method is not limited to such digital exposure (light beam scanning exposure), and it is possible to use analog exposure (direct exposure) in which projection light of a film or reflected light of a document is irradiated onto the photosensitive material A to expose the same. Of course it is good.

An image recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 4 is an integrated photographic printing and developing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an integrated type) that performs image recording (printing exposure) on a photosensitive material A, development processing, and cutting / sorting by a single apparatus. Device corresponding to the device)
It comprises an exposure unit 4 and a developing unit 6.
The exposure unit 4 basically includes, as shown in FIG.
The printing unit 22, the light beam scanning unit 24, the electrical unit 20 in which the control board and the power supply unit are stored, and the first discharge unit 7
0 and a connecting mechanism 178 that enables easy exchange between the integrated photo-printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the "winding apparatus") of the integrated apparatus-separated type system. As shown in FIG. 4, the exposure unit 4 is combined with a developing unit 14 (see FIG. 2) having a developing device 14, a drying device 16, a discharging device 18, and a connecting mechanism 188 for developing the photosensitive material A. To form one integrated apparatus, that is, the image recording apparatus 10, and produce a finished print.

On the other hand, the image recording apparatus 12 shown in FIG.
Is a device corresponding to a take-up device of a separation type system for taking up the exposed photosensitive material A without developing, and comprises an exposure unit 4 and a take-up unit 8. The exposure unit 4 has basically the same configuration as described above, as shown in FIG.
4 is loaded. As shown in FIG. 5, such an exposure unit 4 is usually combined with a winding unit 8 having a winding machine 72 and a coupling mechanism 196 to form a single winding type apparatus, that is, an image recording apparatus 12. Configured and used as

The image recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises an exposure unit 4
Has a connecting mechanism 178 at the bottom of the developing unit 6 and connecting mechanisms 188 and 196 at the bottom of the developing unit 6 connected to the exposing unit 4 and the winding unit 8, respectively. , Fixation, separation and movement, connection, fixation, separation and movement of the winding unit 8 with respect to the exposure unit 4 are easily and reliably performed. This makes it possible to easily and surely perform the re-arrangement between the two.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged schematic view of the image recording apparatus 10, and FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic view of the image recording apparatus 12, respectively. The apparatus main body 11 of the exposure unit 4 includes a printing / conveying device 22, a light beam scanning device 24,
It is composed of In addition, since the exposure unit 4 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 and the exposure unit 4 shown in FIGS.
The following description is made with the image recording apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 as a representative example.

The printing / conveying device 22 is a device that performs recording of image position information, image exposure (printing), back printing, etc. while pulling out the photosensitive material A wound in a roll shape and conveying the photosensitive material A along a predetermined path. Photosensitive material supply section 26, image position information forming section 28 for recording image position information, exposure section 30, back print section 32, reservoir 34, and photosensitive material A
Transport means for transporting the paper through a predetermined path passing through these portions. Further, the discharge unit 7 of the printing and conveying device 22
6 is a first discharge unit 70 and a second discharge unit 7
4 is configured to be freely attachable, and one of them is attached.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, which is the printing and conveying device 22 of the integrated image recording device 10, a first discharge unit 70 is mounted.

The photosensitive material supply section 26 is for loading a photosensitive material magazine 27 in which the photosensitive material A wound in a roll is housed in a light-shielding housing. As an aspect, at the upper part of the printing and conveying device 22,
It is located on the side of the exposing means including the exposing unit 30 and the light beam scanning device 24. The configuration of the photosensitive material supply unit 26 is not particularly limited, and various configurations in a known image recording apparatus using the photosensitive material A wound in a roll shape can be used.

Downstream of the photosensitive material supply section 26 in the direction of transport of the photosensitive material A (hereinafter, referred to as downstream), a draw-out roller pair 36, a sensor 38, and a guide 40 are arranged in the downstream direction. A loop forming unit 42 is provided.
The pull-out roller pair 36 pulls out the photosensitive material A from the photosensitive material magazine 27 loaded in the photosensitive material supply unit 26. The draw-out roller pair 36 is configured to be able to pinch and open the photosensitive material A by being brought into contact with or separated by a solenoid or the like, thereby facilitating removal of the magazine and passage of the photosensitive material A when the photosensitive material magazine 27 is replaced. . The sensor 38 is used for loading (passing of the photosensitive material A) and rewinding (for the photosensitive material magazine 27 of the photosensitive material A).
This is for detecting the presence or absence of the photosensitive material A at the time of (winding around). The sensor used in the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, including the sensor 38, is not particularly limited, and is a known sensor used for detecting a sheet-like object such as an optical sensor or a mechanical sensor. Are all available. The guide 40 adjusts the width according to the size (width) of the photosensitive material A of the photosensitive material magazine 27 loaded in the photosensitive material supply unit 26. In this connection, the guide 52
The same applies to a, 52b, 90, 104, 122 and 152.

The first loop forming section 42 is a section for forming a loop (slack) of the photosensitive material A to absorb the transport and stop of the photosensitive material A by the image position information forming section 28 disposed downstream. And the transport roller 44,
Guide rollers 46 and 48 for guiding the photosensitive material A from the guide 40 to the image position information forming section 28;
9 and a sensor 52.

The guide 49 is configured to be movable by a motor 49M, and is positioned (closed) to guide the photosensitive material A from the guide roller 46 to the guide roller 48 when the photosensitive material A is passed. Normally, as shown in FIG. 6, it is arranged at a position retracted from the loop (open). The guide 49 has a driven roller (not shown) that comes into contact with the transport roller 44 when the photosensitive material A is located at a position where the photosensitive material A is guided from the guide roller 46 to the guide roller 48. The photosensitive material A is nipped and transported by the roller 44 and the driven roller. The sensor 52 is
This is to detect that a loop of a predetermined size is formed in the loop forming section 42. The drawer roller pair 36 detects the loop by the sensor 52 according to the loop detection result by the sensor 52. When it is exhausted, a predetermined amount of the photosensitive material A is sent out from the photosensitive material magazine 27.

An image position information forming unit 28 is arranged downstream of the first loop forming unit 42. In the image forming apparatus 10 (12) corresponding to the digital photo printer, the photosensitive material A is not cut off in the middle of the processing, and the image recording and the developing processing are continuously performed in a belt shape, and finally the cutting is performed. The print is finished. Therefore, in order to position the photosensitive material A to be cut and exposed or backprinted later, position information (so-called frame information) for each print, and appropriate setting of, for example, one film such as 24 or 36 sheets, etc. are set. It is necessary to form image position information such as position information (so-called sort information) for each unit number of sheets. The image position information forming unit 28 is a part for forming the frame information and / or the sort information.

The illustrated image recording apparatus 10 forms, for example, frame information and sort information by punching a square hole. , Guides 52 a and 52 b disposed upstream and downstream of the punch 50, and a sensor 54 for detecting the presence or absence of the photosensitive material A. The punch 50 is activated when a pair of conveying rollers 56 of a second loop forming section 58, which will be described later, conveys one print of the photosensitive material A, pierces the photosensitive material A into a predetermined shape, and forms a frame corresponding to one print. Form information. After forming the frame information for the set number of prints, the punch 50 forms the sort information.

In the illustrated apparatus, frame information and the like are formed by piercing the photosensitive material A using a punch 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and thermal transfer using an ink ribbon or the like is performed. The frame information or the like may be formed by recording a mark such as a line or a dot using the various recording means. In this case, the back print unit 32 described later is placed at the position of the image position information forming unit 28.
May be arranged, and this may have a function of forming frame information or the like.

In the illustrated apparatus, the image position information forming section 28 is disposed upstream of the exposure section 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. The forming part 28 may be arranged. However, as shown in the figure, by arranging the image position information forming unit 28 upstream of the exposure unit 30, the previously formed frame information is detected and the exposure start position by the light beam L, that is, the conveyance of the photosensitive material A, is detected. Since the image recording position in the direction can be determined, the image position of the print can be controlled with higher precision, and the exposure unit 30 can be controlled as compared with the case where the image position information forming unit 28 is arranged downstream of the exposure unit. Up to this point, the conveyance control of the photosensitive material A can be simplified, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

Downstream of the image position information forming section 28, a second
The exposure unit 30 including the loop forming unit 58, the sub-scanning conveyance system 60, and the third loop forming unit 62 is arranged. In the apparatus of the illustrated example, an exposing unit is constituted by the exposing unit 30 and the light beam scanning device 24 disposed on the left side of the drawing, and the light beam L is exposed to light by the light beam scanning device 24 (recording image). And deflects and scans in the main scanning direction (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in the figure), while holding the photosensitive material A at a predetermined exposure position by the sub-scanning conveyance system 60, and substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. By transporting the photosensitive material A in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow b in the drawing), the photosensitive material A is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam L, and a latent image is recorded.

The light beam scanning device 24 emits light beams corresponding to red (R) exposure, green (G) exposure, and blue (B) exposure of the photosensitive material A, and an AOM (acousto-optic modulator).
, A light deflector such as a polygon mirror (rotating polygon mirror), an fθ lens, etc.
A known light beam scanning device, which deflects and scans a light beam A modulated in accordance with exposure conditions in a main scanning direction, and enters a photosensitive material A held at a predetermined exposure position by a sub-scanning conveyance system 60. .

On the other hand, the sub-scanning transport system 60 of the exposure unit 30
An exposure drum 80 that transports the photosensitive material A in a sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow b) substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction while holding the photosensitive material A at a predetermined exposure position, and an exposure drum 80 that sandwiches the exposure position in the sub-scanning transport direction. It has two nip rollers 82 and 84 to be pressed, a sensor 86 for detecting the above-mentioned frame information and detecting an image recording position, and a guide 90. The photosensitive material A is composed of an exposure drum 80 and a nip roller 82
And 84 are conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. The nip rollers 82 and 84 are configured to be able to contact and separate from the exposure drum 80, and to facilitate the passage of the photosensitive material A to the sub-scanning conveyance system 60.

As will be described in detail later, if the amount of the photosensitive material A in the second loop forming section 58 exceeds the predetermined amount x, the photosensitive material A is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning conveyance system 60, and the image position is The frame information formed by the information forming unit 28 is
As a result, the image recording position is detected, and further, when the recording start position of the photosensitive material A is conveyed to the exposure position (main scanning line), the light modulated according to the recorded image as described above. The scanning exposure of the photosensitive material A by the beam L is started. Here, the light beam L is deflected in the main scanning direction, and the photosensitive material A is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.
Are scanned two-dimensionally, and the entire surface is exposed.

By the way, the error in the sub-scanning conveyance at the time of exposure directly leads to the deterioration of image quality such as uneven streaks of the image.
Therefore, in order to obtain a print on which a high-quality image is recorded, it is necessary to transport the photosensitive material A by the sub-scanning transport system 60 with high accuracy. Further, the speed and timing of the determination of the recorded image and the formation of the frame information and the like, the exposure of the photosensitive material A, and the back print described later are different from each other. Therefore, in the image recording apparatus 10 of the illustrated example, the second loop forming section 58 is provided upstream of the sub-scanning conveyance system 60.
However, a third loop forming unit 62 is disposed on the downstream side, and the photosensitive material A is disposed between the sub-scanning conveyance system 60 and the conveying means (conveying roller pairs 56 and 98) upstream and downstream of the sub-scanning conveyance system 60. To form a loop. By having this loop forming unit, the adverse effect of the transporting means disposed upstream and downstream on the sub-scanning conveyance of the photosensitive material A in the sub-scanning conveyance system 60, that is, the so-called back tension and pulling, is eliminated, so that high-precision photosensitive The material A can be transported in the sub-scanning direction, and the formation of frame information, the scanning exposure of the photosensitive material A, the back printing, and the like can be performed as independent operations.

The second loop forming section 58 has a pair of conveying rollers 56 arranged downstream of the image position information forming section 28, a guide 88 and a sensor 92. The conveying roller pair 56 is driven by a pulse motor. When the size of the image to be recorded is determined after the previous frame information is formed, the photosensitive material A is transported by one print of the determined image. As described above, the punch 50 operates after this conveyance, and the frame information corresponding to one print is formed. The guide 88 is configured to be rotatable about the motor 88M. When the paper is passed, the right end in the figure is located near the guide 90, that is, so as to guide the photosensitive material A to the guide 90 ( (Closing), and when the leading-end paper passing is completed, the sheet is rotated by the motor 88M to be in the normal state shown in FIG. 6, that is, a position retracted from the loop of the photosensitive material A (open). The sensor 92 is connected to the second loop forming unit 5.
8 is a sensor for detecting that a loop is formed. If the loop of the photosensitive material A is not detected by the sensor 92 during normal operation, it is determined that some error has occurred.

In the illustrated apparatus, the size of the loop formed in the second loop forming section 58, that is, the amount (length) of the photosensitive material A is determined by the photosensitive material A by the transport roller pair 56 and the sub-scanning transport system 60. (For example,
And the sub-scanning conveyance system 6 in accordance with the amount of the photosensitive material A in the second loop forming section 58.
0 is controlled. That is, when the amount of the photosensitive material A in the second loop forming section 58 is less than the predetermined amount x, the transport of the photosensitive material A by the sub-scanning transport system 60 is stopped, and the transport roller corresponding to the determination of the recorded image is stopped. Vs. 5
When the amount of the photosensitive material A in the second loop forming section 58 exceeds a predetermined amount x, the photosensitive material A is transported by the sub-scanning transport system 60, that is, image exposure is performed. In addition,
The present invention is not limited to this, and the conveyance of the photosensitive material A by the sub-scanning conveyance system 60 and the conveyance roller pair 56 depends on the speed of the image confirmation and the image exposure. The amount may be controlled so as to be a predetermined amount (range).

On the other hand, the third loop forming section 62 is provided with a sensor 94, a guide 96, and a conveying roller pair 9 in the downstream direction.
8. It has a sensor 100. Guide 96 is a motor 96M
When the paper is passed, the right end in the drawing is located near the transport roller pair 98, that is, positioned so as to guide the photosensitive material A to the transport roller pair 98 (closed). When the leading-edge paper passing is completed, the paper is rotated by the motor 96M to be in the normal state shown in FIG. 6 (open). The sensor 94 is connected to the third loop forming unit 62
This is a sensor for detecting that a loop is formed in the photosensitive material A. If a loop of the photosensitive material A is not detected by the sensor 94 during normal operation, it is determined that some error has occurred.

The conveying roller pair 98 is a conveying roller driven by a pulse motor. When the amount of the photosensitive material A in the third loop forming section 62 exceeds a predetermined amount y, the photosensitive material A is intermittently printed one by one. Is transported. In the illustrated example, the third loop forming section 62 is similar to the second loop forming section 58 described above.
The amount of the photosensitive material A is detected (for example, detected by a pulse) from the amount of the photosensitive material A transported by the sub-scanning transport system 60 and the transport roller pair 98 (bent transport unit 107 described later). Photosensitive material A of third loop forming section 62
The conveyance of the photosensitive material A by the conveyance roller pair 98 is controlled in accordance with the amount of the photosensitive material A. That is, when the amount of the photosensitive material A in the third loop forming section 62 is less than the predetermined amount y, the photosensitive material A is not transported by the transport roller pair 98, and only the transport of the photosensitive material A by the sub-scanning transport system 60 is performed. When the photosensitive material A in the third loop forming section 62 exceeds the predetermined amount y, the conveyance is performed by the conveyance roller pair 98. The conveyance of the photosensitive material A by the sub-scanning conveyance system 60 and the conveyance roller pair 98 is not limited to this, and may be appropriately determined according to the image exposure speed and the back print speed. This is the same as the part 58.

In the illustrated apparatus, in a normal state, the transport of the photosensitive material A is stopped at a position where the frame information is detected by the sensor 100 or at a predetermined position from the detected position, and the transport roller pair 98 (bent transport) The transport of the photosensitive material A by the unit 107) is performed intermittently one by one according to the detection result of the frame information by the sensor 100.

Hereinafter, the sheet passing and the initial formation of the loop from the first loop forming section 42 to the third loop forming section 62 will be described. When the photosensitive material magazine 27 is attached to the photosensitive material supply unit 26, first, the drawer roller pair 36
The photosensitive material A is conveyed until the leading end is detected by 8. At this time, the width of the guides 40, 52a,... Is adjusted, and the guides 49, 88, and 96 of each loop forming section (and the guides 114 and 130 of the reservoir 34 and the fifth loop forming section 125, which will be described later). ) Is closed. The nip rollers 82 and 84 of the sub-scanning transport system 60 are located at positions away from the exposure drum 80.

When the above operation is confirmed, the pull-out roller pair 36, the transport roller pairs 56 and 98, etc. are driven,
The photosensitive material A is transported to a position where the leading end is detected by the sensor 100. Here, since the guides of each loop forming section are all closed, the first loop forming section 42 to the third loop forming section
The loop of the photosensitive material A is not formed in the loop forming section 62, and is conveyed linearly. The conveyance of the photosensitive material A at each site is confirmed by the sensors 54 and 86.

When the photosensitive material A is transported so far, the nip rollers 82 and 84 of the sub-scanning transport system 60 abut the exposure drum 80 to sandwich the photosensitive material A, and the guide 49 of the first loop forming section 42 Open. Next, the drawer roller pair 36 and the transport roller 44 are driven to form a loop of the photosensitive material A in the first loop forming section 42, and when the loop is detected by the sensor 52, the loop formation ends. Subsequent conveyance of the photosensitive material A to the first loop forming section 42 (drawer roller pair 36) is as described above.

When the loop formation of the first loop forming section 42 is completed, the guide 88 of the second loop forming section 58 and the guide 96 of the third loop forming section 62 are opened. When the first image to be recorded is determined, the punch 50 operates to form frame information indicating the leading edge of the image, and the transport roller pair 56 transports the photosensitive material A by one print of the determined image. Thereafter, as the image is determined, the formation of frame information by the punch 50 and the conveyance of one print by the conveyance roller pair 56 are performed, and a loop is formed in the second loop forming unit 58. In this way, when the loop formed in the second loop forming section 58 has a size detected by the sensor 92, the sub-scanning conveyance system 60 is driven and the position where the first frame information is detected by the sensor 86 is detected. The photosensitive material A is transported up to this point. Subsequent conveyance of the photosensitive material A in the second loop forming section 58 is as described above.

On the other hand, when the scanning exposure of the photosensitive material A (the transport of the photosensitive material A by the sub-scanning transport system 60) is started, the third exposure is performed.
A loop is also formed in the loop forming section 62. When the size of this loop is detected by the sensor 94, the conveying roller pair 98 is driven to convey the photosensitive material A to a position where the first formed frame information is detected by the sensor 100.
Subsequent conveyance of the photosensitive material A in the third loop forming section 62 is as described above.

The back print section 32 is disposed downstream of the exposure section 30 (third loop forming section 62), and the bent transport section 107 is disposed downstream of the back print section 32. In an image recording apparatus 10 used for a digital photo printer, various types of print data such as a photographing date of an original film and a recording date on a photosensitive material A are recorded on the back side of the print. In the illustrated example, the back print unit 32 performs this.

The back print unit 32 includes a printing device 102
And a guide 104 for supporting the photosensitive material A at a predetermined position at the time of back printing. The illustrated device performs back printing by, for example, thermal transfer using an ink ribbon cassette. Perform the back print. As the printing apparatus 102, all known recording means such as pressure-sensitive transfer and ink-jet can be used in addition to thermal transfer using an ink ribbon cassette. On the other hand, the bending conveyance section 107
Is composed of a conveying roller 106 and an endless belt 108 which is stretched over rollers 108a, 108b and 108c and pressed by the conveying roller 106, and is synchronized with the conveying roller pair 98 of the third loop forming section 62 described above. To transport the photosensitive material A.

As described above, when the photosensitive material A in the third loop forming portion 62 exceeds the predetermined amount y, the photosensitive material A is intermittently discharged one print at a time by the transport roller pair 98 and the bent transport portion 107. Conveyed. The back print unit 32
Back printing is performed on the back surface of the photosensitive material A in synchronization with the conveyance. Here, the conveyance of the photosensitive material A usually stops once at the position where the frame information is detected by the sensor 100, and the position of the back print by the printing device 102 is set accordingly.

In the illustrated example, the back print section 32 is disposed downstream of the exposure section 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the back print section 32 is disposed upstream of the exposure section 30. You may. However, the aforementioned exposure unit 3
0, the back print section 32 is exposed to the exposure section 30.
However, even if it is arranged upstream, it is preferable that it is arranged downstream from the image position information forming unit 28.

The sensor 11 is located downstream of the bent conveyance section 107.
0 and the first cutter 112 are arranged, and downstream thereof,
A reservoir 34 is arranged. The first cutter 112 is not used in a normal operation state. For example, after the exposure operation is completed, the photosensitive material A is cut when discharging all the exposed photosensitive material A stored in a reservoir 34 described later. The sort information and the frame information are detected by the sensor 110, and the photosensitive material A is cut by operating the first cutter 112 at the rear end of the print on which the image is recorded.

The reservoir 3 is located downstream of the first cutter 112.
4 (fourth loop forming part) is arranged. This reservoir 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes a case where the present invention is applied to an integrated apparatus in which the developing device 14 is integrated, that is, an important portion in the image recording apparatus 10 to which the first discharge unit 70 is attached, and the exposed photosensitive material A is By accommodating, the image recording device 10
This is where the difference in processing speed between the developing device 14 and the developing device 14 is absorbed.
By having the reservoir 34, high-quality prints can be efficiently produced.

In the photo printer, since the photosensitive material A is cut at the end to form a print, the processing is performed in the form of a band from the exposure to the end of the development processing. In 10,
Exposure conditions are determined in advance by the setup device,
Since the correction according to the photographing state of the film has already been performed by the image signal processing in the set-up device, it is not necessary to perform this correction in the actual exposure of the photosensitive material A, and the exposure time per image is also reduced by the image size. , The exposure processing time is faster than that of the developing device 14. In addition, since the amount of exposure light is higher in digital exposure as in the illustrated example than in surface exposure, if development processing is performed immediately after exposure, there is a problem that a so-called latent image regression occurs in which color / density balance is lost.

Therefore, by providing such a reservoir 34, the photosensitive material A
Can be stored here, and it is not necessary to stop the exposure operation in response to the development delay with respect to the exposure, and the operation can be performed continuously. In addition, for example, by storing a certain amount of the exposed photosensitive material A here, the printing work can be continued even during the unmanned period, and highly efficient print manufacturing can be performed. In addition, by keeping the exposed photosensitive material A in the reservoir 34 for a predetermined time or more, the regression of the latent image can be prevented, and a high-quality image can be obtained.

Here, in the illustrated example, as a preferred embodiment, a photosensitive material supply section 26 is provided above the printing and conveying device 22.
And an exposure unit (the exposure unit 30 and the light beam scanning device 24), a reservoir 34 is disposed below the photosensitive material supply unit 26 and the exposure unit, and an electrical unit 20 is disposed beside the reservoir 34. Having a configuration. That is, in the illustrated image recording apparatus 10, the exposure means can be made smaller by using digital exposure, and the operation space for the operator such as determination of exposure conditions is basically unnecessary. By arranging the photosensitive material supply unit 26 and the exposing means at the top and arranging the electrical unit 20 beside the reservoir 34, a large space is formed below the printing and conveying device 22 and all of the space is formed in the reservoir. 3
4 so that the capacity of the reservoir can be maximized without wasting space.

In the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, the reservoir 34 may be a normal box capable of storing the photosensitive material A, and has a guide for preventing the photosensitive material A from being twisted. Is also good. Further, in order to more suitably prevent the photosensitive material A from being twisted, the width of the reservoir 34 may be adjustable according to the size of the photosensitive material A in the width direction.

The reservoir 34 has a guide 114 movable by a motor 114M, and a sensor 116 for detecting the photosensitive material A in the reservoir 34. Guide 1
14 is a conveyance means 118 at the right end in the drawing when the paper is passed.
Side, that is, positioned so as to guide the photosensitive material A to the conveying means 118 (closed), and when the leading end paper feeding is completed, the photosensitive material A is moved by the motor 114M to be in the normal state shown in FIG. 6 (open). . The sensor 116 detects that a predetermined amount or more of the photosensitive material A is stored in the reservoir 34 (that a predetermined loop or more is formed in the reservoir 34). When the loop of the photosensitive material A is not detected by the sensor 116, a second cutter 124 described later operates to cut the photosensitive material A.

Downstream of the reservoir 34, there is disposed a conveying means 118 having a roller 120 and a guide 122. The transporting unit 118 transports the photosensitive material A out of the reservoir 34 and transports the photosensitive material A to the discharge unit 76. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
On the other hand, according to the detection result of the sensor 128 of the loop forming unit 125, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
The photosensitive material A is conveyed from the reservoir 34 according to the detection result of the sensor 173 of FIG. The transport speed of the photosensitive material A by the transport unit 118 is set to be higher than the transport speed of the developing device 14 (the transport unit 132 of the fifth loop forming unit 125). In the illustrated image recording apparatus,
A first discharge unit 70 (the image recording device 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6) corresponding to the developing device 14 that develops the exposed photosensitive material A is provided at a discharge portion 76 downstream of the conveying means 118.
Or a winding machine 7 for winding the exposed photosensitive material A without developing it
The second discharge unit 74 (the image recording device 12 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7) corresponding to the second discharge unit 74 is loaded.

Downstream of the conveying means 118, a first discharge unit 70 corresponding to the developing device 14 for developing the exposed photosensitive material A or a winding machine 72 for winding the exposed photosensitive material A without developing. A second discharge unit 74 is provided, and each discharge unit is configured to be freely mountable in the discharge unit 76 of the apparatus main body 11, so that the exposure unit of the image recording apparatus for the integrated apparatus and the separation type system has the following advantages.
The apparatus main body 11 including the printing / conveying apparatus 22, the light beam scanning apparatus 24, and the electrical unit 20 can be shared.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first discharge unit 70 is loaded when the developing apparatus 14 is connected to the apparatus main body 22 to make the present invention an image recording apparatus 10 for an integrated apparatus. And the sensor 119 and the second cutter 124
And a fifth loop forming portion 125 downstream thereof are integrated and unitized, and are configured to be freely loaded in the discharge portion 76 of the apparatus main body 22 by a known means. The sensor 119 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of photosensitive material and frame information. The second cutter 124 is a cutter for cutting the photosensitive material A at the time of trouble or the like.
6, the loop cannot be detected, or the developing device 14
When a trouble occurs due to, for example, the photosensitive material A is cut by the second cutter 124, the exposed photosensitive material A stored in the reservoir 34 is adversely affected, and the developing device 14
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive material A from being unnecessarily pulled and damage to each transporting means of the printing and transporting device 22.

A fifth loop forming section 125 is arranged downstream of the second cutter 124. Fifth loop forming unit 125
Is the processing speed of the printing and conveying device 22 and the developing device 14
Where the processing speed difference and the transport / stop of the photosensitive material A by the transport means 118 are finally absorbed, and a loop for preventing the photosensitive material A from being unnecessarily pulled and damaged by the developing device 14 is formed. The guide roll 126, the sensor 128, the guide 130, the conveying means 132 for sending the photosensitive material A to the developing device 14 toward the downstream, the sensor 1
And transports the photosensitive material A to the developing device 14.

The guide 130 is rotatable about a motor 130M. When the photosensitive material A is passed, the left end in the figure is near the guide roll 126, that is, the photosensitive material A is guided through the guide roll 126 ( It is positioned so as to be guided from the conveying means 118) to the conveying means 132 (closed), and when the leading end paper feeding is completed, it is rotated by the motor 130M and brought into the normal state shown in FIG. 6 (opened).

The sensor 128 includes a fifth loop forming section 125
The conveying means 118 does not operate in a state where the loop is detected by the sensor 128 according to the detection result of the sensor 128, and the loop is detected by the sensor 128. Is not detected, a predetermined amount (for example, one print) of the photosensitive material A is conveyed to the fifth loop forming unit 125. The transport amount is controlled by detecting the frame information by the sensor 119.
The photosensitive material A transported to the fifth loop forming unit 125 is transported to the developing device 14 by the transport unit 132. Here, in a state where the loop is no longer detected by the sensor 128, there is no photosensitive material A in the reservoir 34 (when a loop is not detected by the sensor 116), and in the case where the image carried out of the reservoir 34 is If the standby time is shorter than the predetermined time,
8 does not operate, and the cutter 124 operates to cut the photosensitive material A.

Hereinafter, the paper passing from the reservoir 34 to the first discharge unit 70 and the formation of the loop will be described. As described earlier in the loop formation up to the third loop forming unit 62, the photosensitive material A is waiting at the position where the tip is detected by the sensor 100, and the amount of the photosensitive material A in the third loop forming unit 62 Is larger than a predetermined amount, the conveying roller pair 98
In addition, the bending conveyance section 107 operates to convey the photosensitive material A while performing back printing. Here, guide 11
4 is closed, the leading end of the photosensitive material A is
18. In addition, the conveyance unit 118 is driven in synchronization with the conveyance of the photosensitive material A by the bent conveyance unit 107 and the like, and the conveyance of the photosensitive material A by the conveyance unit 118 is stopped when the tip of the photosensitive material A is detected by the sensor 119. And also
The guide 114 is opened by operating the motor 114M, and the photosensitive material A is stored in the reservoir 34.

The waiting time of the leading image of the photosensitive material A stored in the reservoir 34 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time set in accordance with the prevention of the regression of the latent image, and the amount of the photosensitive material A stored in the reservoir 34 (image When the number exceeds the amount corresponding to the developing device 14 from the reservoir 34, the transporting unit 118 is driven to transport the photosensitive material A to the fifth loop forming unit 125. As described above, the guide 1 of the fifth loop forming unit 125
Since 30 is closed, the leading end of the photosensitive material A is transported by the transporting means 132 and is loaded into the developing device 14. Also,
When the leading end is detected by the sensor 134, the motor 130M operates to open the guide 130. In addition, the conveying means 11
Since the transport speed by 8 is higher than the transport speed of the developing device 14, a loop is formed in the fifth loop forming section 125, and the photosensitive material A is not pulled by the developing device 14. Subsequent conveyance of the photosensitive material A by the conveyance means 118 is as described above.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the second discharging unit 74 connects the winding machine 72 to the apparatus main body 22, and
This is loaded when the present invention is used as the image recording apparatus 12 for a separation type system (winding type apparatus), and the rolled-up undeveloped photosensitive material A is later loaded into an automatic developing machine and developed. Thereafter, when cutting and sorting are performed, a unit is provided having a second image position information recording unit 150 that records second image position information that can be detected by a sensor provided. The unit 76 is configured to be freely loaded.

The second image position information forming section 150 includes a guide 152 and a sensor 1 for detecting frame information formed earlier.
54, a punch 156 for forming second frame information and the like,
It has a conveying means 162 having a guide 158 and a conveying roller 160, and a sensor 159 for detecting the photosensitive material A. And a second position is set at a predetermined position from the end with respect to the end of the photosensitive material A.
Of frame information and sort information.

The punch 156 is for punching a square hole to form second frame information and the like, similar to the punch 50 described above. The punching position is adjusted according to the size of the photosensitive material A so that the formation position of the frame information can be adjusted. The formation position of the second frame information or the like by the punch 156 may be appropriately determined according to the sensor detection position set in the width direction of the developing machine as a reference. of course,
If the position of the image position information detected by the position information detection sensor of the developing device is the same as the position of the image position information formed by the image position information forming unit 28 of the exposure unit 4, the second
Needless to say, the image position information recording section 150 need not be provided. The adjustment of the punching position by the punch 156 may be performed by a known method. The perforation position may be automatically adjusted according to the size of the photosensitive material A, or may be adjusted by an operator. The size of the photosensitive material A may be input by an operator, or may be automatically detected when the photosensitive material magazine 27 is loaded.

In the image recording device 12 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 in which the second discharge unit 74 is mounted,
When the loop is detected by the sensor 116 of the reservoir 34, and the arm 174 of the winder 72 described later is rotated upward and detected by the sensor 173, the transport unit 118 is driven, and the transport unit 162 is driven at the same time. Conveying means 11
8 is conveyed upward in the figure while being guided by the guide 152, and the image position information forming unit 2
The frame information and the like formed in 8 are detected by the sensor 154. The conveyance of the photosensitive material A is performed by a sensor 15 such as frame information.
When the frame information is conveyed by a predetermined amount (time) corresponding to the position corresponding to the punch 156 after the detection by 4, the punch stops and the punch 156 is driven to form the second frame information corresponding to the developing machine. You. When the second frame information and the like are formed, the conveyance units 118 and 162 start driving again, and
The photosensitive material A is transported by the transport roller 1 while being guided by the guide 158.
It is conveyed by 60 and carried into the winder 72. Note that the conveyance of the photosensitive material A by the conveyance unit 118 or the like stops when the sensor 175 detects the arm 174.

In the illustrated example, the image position information may be formed at the same position by the image position information forming section 28 and the second image position information forming section 150 depending on the size of the photosensitive material A, etc. In this case, the formation of the image position information in the second image position information forming unit 150 may be stopped. Further, in the illustrated apparatus, the second frame information and the like are formed by punching the photosensitive material A using the punch 156. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Frame information or the like may be formed by recording marks such as dots or dots. That is, in the present invention, the second frame information and the like may be formed by various methods according to the method of detecting the frame information and the like installed in the developing machine.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when the developing unit 6 and the take-up unit 8 are exchanged, the first ejection unit 70 and the second ejection unit 74 are exchanged and loaded into the ejection unit 76. Although the image recording apparatuses are used for an integrated apparatus and a separate system, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first discharge unit 70 and the second discharge unit
4 is loaded, and the unit to be operated and the transport path of the photosensitive material A are switched according to the application, that is, according to the device connected downstream (the developing device 14 or the winding machine 72). Is also good. The first discharging unit 70
When the discharge unit is to be replaced with the second discharge unit 74, it is preferable to have a shutter or the like that shields the transport path from light to prevent the photosensitive material A from fogging when the discharge unit is removed. In addition, when it is assumed that the discharge unit is to be replaced, if a photosensitive material remains in the discharge unit to be removed, or if a device connected downstream does not correspond to the discharge unit, an alarm or the like may be issued. Preferably, it is configured to generate a warning. Further, a discharge unit having both functions of the first discharge unit 70 and the second discharge unit 74 is manufactured, and the discharge unit 76 can be loaded or fixed to the discharge unit 76, and the functions of both are switched according to the application. Is also good.

Next, the connecting mechanism 178 of the exposure unit 4 which is a feature of the image recording apparatus of the present invention will be described. At the bottom of the exposure unit 4 of the image recording apparatuses 10 and 12 of the present invention, a connecting mechanism 178 that is exchangeably connected to the connecting mechanism 188 of the developing unit 6 and the connecting mechanism 196 of the winding unit 8 is provided.

The connecting mechanism 178 has a bottom plate 180, a large-diameter caster 182, a small-diameter caster 184, an anchor bolt 186, and a cup 204. Bottom plate 180
Constitutes a part of the bottom surface of the exposure unit 4 and is provided with a small-diameter caster 184 and an anchor bolt 186. The bottom plate 190 or 198 of the other unit described later
When the projecting portion of the bottom plate 180 is inserted,
And 190 or 198 so as to cover the entire bottom of the exposure unit 4. The bottom plates 180 and 190 or 198 are preferably fixed by fixing means (not shown).

The large-diameter caster 182 is
A pair, that is, two, are provided on both sides of the bottom surface of the casing so as to protrude from the casing in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 (from the depth). On the other hand, the small-diameter casters 184 are connected to the bottom plate 180 on the side opposite to the discharge unit 76 on the bottom surface of the exposure unit 4.
Are provided in pairs. That is, the exposure unit 4
It is configured to be movable by four casters while being inclined to the small-diameter casters 184. Large diameter casters 182
In addition, the size of the small-diameter casters 184 is preferably set to such a height that the projected portions of the bottom plates 190 or 198 of the other units 6 and 8 can be easily inserted into the bottom of the exposure unit 4 at the time of connection.

The anchor bolt 186 is connected to the exposure unit 4
When the exposure unit 4 is connected to the other unit, the exposure unit 4 is lifted up to a level at which the small-diameter casters 184 are separated from the ground plane together with the cup 204, and the exposure unit 4 is adjusted in height and horizontal. Two pairs are provided near the small-diameter casters 186 on the bottom plate 180 on the bottom of the exposure unit 4 opposite to the discharge unit 76 side. The cup 204 is a trapezoidal support having a top that supports the distal end of the anchor bolt 186, and can lift the exposure unit 4 greatly even if the vertical movement of the anchor bolt 186 is small. Note that the large-diameter casters 182 and the small-diameter casters 18 used in the present invention are used.
4. As the anchor bolt 186 and the cup 204, various types of conventionally known casters, anchor bolts and cups can be used, and there is no particular limitation. If the vertical movement of the anchor bolt 186 is large, the cup 204 need not be used.

In the above-described example, the pair of two large-diameter casters 182 are arranged so that the bottom plate 190 of the developing unit 6 and the bottom plate 19 of the winding unit 8 extend over the entire depth of the bottom of the exposure unit 4.
8 so that the projecting portions of the bottom plates 190 and 198 can be inserted into both sides so as to insert the projecting portions of the bottom plates 190 and 198, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The large-diameter caster 182 may be provided inside the casing at the bottom of the exposure unit 4. Large-diameter casters 182, small-diameter casters 1
The position and the number of the 84 and the anchor bolt 186 are not particularly limited. If the movement of the exposure unit 4 and the installation (support) at the time of connection with another unit can be performed stably, anywhere and any number of the units can be used. For example, a large caster and a small caster may have a total of at least 3
I just need The exposure unit 4 used in the present invention is basically configured as described above.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the discharge unit 7
Exposure unit 4 in which first discharge unit 70 is loaded in 6
Is connected to the developing unit 6 to form an integrated apparatus, that is, an image recording apparatus 10 (see FIG. 4). The developing unit 6 includes a developing device 14 for the photosensitive material A and a drying device 16.
And a discharge device 18 and a connection mechanism 188.

The developing device 14 is a wet developing device corresponding to the type of the photosensitive material A to be used. For example, when the photosensitive material A is a silver halide photographic material, as shown in FIG. Developing tank 136, bleach-fix tank 138, washing tank 14
0a, 140b, 140c, and 140d, and the exposed photosensitive material A is transported by a transport roller or the like, sequentially immersed in each processing tank, subjected to predetermined processing in each processing tank, and developed. And the latent image is visualized. The developed photosensitive material A is then dried in a drying device 16 by a known method.
Transported to

The discharge device 18 includes the cutting section 142 and the sorter 1
44. The cutting unit 142 detects the frame information and cuts the photosensitive material A accordingly to obtain a finished print. On the other hand, the sorter 144 is a normal sorter having many shelves, By rotating or sliding according to the result of the detection, the shelf for storing the finished prints is switched to sort and store a predetermined number of finished prints according to the sort information.

The connecting mechanism 188 comprises a bottom plate 190, a small-sized caster 192, an anchor bolt 194 and a cup 204. The bottom plate 190 constitutes the bottom of the developing unit 6 and is a plate-like member provided with the small-diameter casters 184 and the anchor bolts 186. The bottom plate 190 covers the entire bottom of the developing unit 6 and is provided so as to protrude to the side to be connected. . The projecting portion of the bottom plate 190 is inserted into the above-described portion of the exposure unit 4 having no bottom plate 180.

The small-diameter caster 192 is provided on the bottom plate 190 so that the developing device 14 can be movably supported.
Four (two pairs) are provided at the portion corresponding to the bottom of four, and two (one pair) are provided at the end of the protruding portion of the bottom plate 190, for a total of six (three pairs). When connecting the exposure unit 4 together with the cup 204, four anchor bolts 194 (two pairs) are provided at a portion of the bottom plate 190 corresponding to the bottom of the developing device 14 so as to mainly support the weight of the developing device 14. And two (one pair) on the protruding portion of the bottom plate 190 so as to mainly support the weight of the exposure unit 4 together with the two anchor bolts 186 of FIG.
Are provided in total. In addition, six anchor bolts 1
One cup 204 is used for each 94.
In the illustrated example, the small-diameter casters 192 and the anchor bolts 194 are provided in the vicinity of each other, six each. However, the installation positions and numbers thereof are not particularly limited, and the developing unit 6 can be stably moved. Can be supported,
At the time of connection with the exposure unit 4, as long as both connected units can be stably installed (supported), they may be provided anywhere or in any number. For example, at least three small-diameter casters 192 and at least two anchor bolts 194 together with the cup 204 may be used.

On the other hand, the take-up unit 8 is connected to the exposure unit 4 in which the second discharge unit 74 is loaded in the discharge section 76 shown in FIG.
That is, the image recording device 12 is used (see FIG. 5). The winding unit 8 includes a winding machine 72, as shown in FIG.
A connection mechanism 196. The connecting mechanism 1 in the illustrated example
As is clear from FIG. 3, reference numeral 96 denotes a bottom plate 198 having a protruding portion on the connection side, six small-diameter casters 200, six anchor bolts 202, and six cups similarly to the connection mechanism 188 of the developing unit 6 described above. 204, and the configuration and operation thereof are based on the bottom plate 190 of the connecting mechanism 188, the small-diameter casters 192, and the anchor bolt 1
Since it is the same as 94 and cup 204, the description is omitted. The developing unit 6 and the winding unit 8 are interchangeable with respect to the exposure unit 4.

The winding machine 72 includes a winding core 164, a tension roller 166, guide rollers 168 and 170,
It has sensors 173 and 175. As shown in FIG. 5, the tension roller 166 has a shaft 172 at one end.
The arm 174 is rotatably supported by an arm 174, and is weakly urged downward (in the direction of the arrow) by urging means (not shown). By having the tension roller 166, the conveyance of the photosensitive material A in the second discharge unit 74 or the like is stopped or re-conveyed, and the rotation and rotation of the winding core 164 are performed.
The stop can be absorbed, the winding of the photosensitive material A can be stabilized, and the adverse effect on the formation of the second frame information and the like due to the winding can be eliminated. Further, sensors 173 and 175 for detecting the arm 174 are arranged on the winder 72.

The winding core 164 is a core rod for winding the photosensitive material A, is engaged with a rotary drive source (not shown), and is driven and stopped according to the detection result of the arm 174 by the sensors 173 and 175. Then, the photosensitive material A is wound up. Specifically, the conveying means 118 and 162 are driven to convey the photosensitive material A, the loop of the photosensitive material A formed by the tension roller 166 is enlarged, and the arm 174 is rotated downward and detected by the sensor 175. Then, take-up core 1
64 rotates to take up the photosensitive material A. The photosensitive material A is taken up by the take-up core 164, and the tension roller 16
When the loop of the photosensitive material A formed by 6 becomes small and the arm 174 rotates upward and is detected by the sensor 173, the winding core 164 stops rotating.

Photosensitive material A wound on winding core 164
Is subjected to development. The image recording device 12 of the present invention
In this configuration, the winding core 164 is housed (supported) in a removable dark box or the like to wind up the photosensitive material A in the dark box. It may be loaded, or the configuration may be such that the entire winding machine 72 is removed from the image recording device 12 and loaded into the developing machine.

Hereinafter, the passage of the photosensitive material A from the reservoir 34 to the second discharge unit 74 and the winding core 164 will be described. In the same manner as the above-described embodiment in which the first discharge unit 72 is mounted, the photosensitive material A whose standby end is positioned at the sensor 100 is conveyed, and the front end is detected by the sensor 154.
At the time when the photosensitive material A
Is stopped, the guide 114 is opened, and the photosensitive material A is stored in the reservoir 34.

When the amount (the number of images) of the photosensitive material A stored in the reservoir 34 exceeds a predetermined amount, the conveying means 118 and 162 are driven until the sensor 159 of the second discharge unit 74 detects the leading end. The photosensitive material A is transported. The photosensitive material A is detected by the sensor 159, and
When it is confirmed by the sensor 116 that a loop equal to or larger than a predetermined loop is formed, the transporting means 118 and 1 again
When the photosensitive material A is transported by 62 and the transport amount becomes a predetermined length, for example, a buzzer is sounded and the operator is instructed to wind the leading end of the photosensitive material A around the winding core 164.

In response to this instruction, the operator opens the cover (not shown) of the winder 72, and removes the photosensitive material A.
The guide roll 168 → the tension roll 138 → the guide roll 170 are wound in this order, and the leading end is wound around the winding core 164 and set. Next, the photosensitive material A is wound by the winding core 164, the arm 174 is detected by the sensor 175, and when the arm 174 is further detected by the sensor 173, the winding is stopped. Will be reported. Note that when the frame information is detected by the sensor 154 during the passing and winding of the photosensitive material A described above, the photosensitive material A is conveyed by a predetermined amount and temporarily stopped as described above, and the second frame information is formed. Is done.

In the image recording apparatuses 10 and 12 of the present invention described above, the first discharging unit 70 and the second discharging unit 74 are both separate from the developing device 14 and the winding machine 72. The present invention is not limited to this, and has a configuration in which the first discharge unit 70 is fixed to the developing device 14,
The second discharge unit 74 may be configured to be fixed to the winder 72, and both may be configured to be freely loaded in the discharge unit 76 of the apparatus main body 11.

The image recording apparatus of the present invention basically has such a configuration, and its operation will be described below. First, the exposure unit 4 and the developing unit 6
And the case where it is used as an integrated device will be described. First, both the exposure unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are moved to the vicinity of the installation location, and the exposure unit 4
And the bottom plate 1 of the developing unit 6
The protruding portion of the bottom plate 190 of the developing unit 6 is inserted into the bottom of the exposure unit 4 with the protruding side of the developing unit 6 facing. Next, the two anchor bolts 1 of the exposure unit 4
The cups 204 are arranged below the six anchor bolts 194 of the bottom plate 190 of the developing unit 6 and 86, respectively. Thereafter, the anchor bolt 186 and the anchor bolt 194 are rotated, for example, manually or using a jig, so that the two large-diameter casters 182 and the two small-diameter casters 184 of the exposure unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are rotated. The exposing unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are lifted until the six small-diameter casters 192 rise from the installation surface. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the anchor bolts 186 and 194 is slightly rotated to finely adjust the height of the exposure unit 4 and the developing unit 6 to make them horizontal.

Finally, electrical connection means such as a connector for transmitting electric power and electric signals (not shown) of both units 4 and 6 are connected to connect both units 4 and 6 electrically. The exposure unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are completely connected by fixing the and the unit 6 with fixing means such as screws, bolts, nuts and the like (not shown),
The integrated image recording device 10 is obtained. In addition, cup 2
The height may be secured only by the anchor bolts 186 and 194 without using the 04, but the use of a cup is simpler because it is not necessary to rotate the anchor bolt a lot.

When the loop is no longer detected by the sensor 52 of the first loop forming section 42 in the image recording apparatus 10 configured as an integrated apparatus as described above, the pull-out roller 36 is driven to discharge a predetermined amount of the photosensitive material A. It is pulled out of the photosensitive material magazine 27 and transported to the first loop forming section 42. Photosensitive material A conveyed to first loop forming section 42
Is then conveyed to the frame information forming unit 28. As described above, in the illustrated device, when the image to be recorded is determined,
Since the transport roller pair 56 of the second loop forming section 58 disposed downstream transports the photosensitive material A by one print of the image, the frame information forming section 28 outputs the photosensitive material A by one print. By driving the punch 50 every time it is transported,
Form frame information (and / or sort information).

The photosensitive material A on which the frame information has been formed is carried into the second loop forming section 58, and when the amount of the photosensitive material A in the second loop forming section 58 exceeds a predetermined amount x, the sub-scanning transport system 60
Is driven to be conveyed to the exposure unit 30, and is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction while being held at a predetermined exposure position by the exposure drum 80. By this conveyance, the sensor 86 detects the frame information, the exposure start position of the photosensitive material A by the light beam scanning device 24 is detected, and when the exposure start position of the photosensitive material A is conveyed to the exposure position, the exposure condition is satisfied. The photosensitive material A conveyed in the sub-scanning direction is scanned and exposed by the light beam L modulated in accordance with the light beam and deflected in the main scanning direction to form a latent image. The photosensitive material A on which the latent image is formed is carried into the third loop forming unit 62,
When the amount of the photosensitive material A in the third loop forming unit 62 becomes equal to or more than the predetermined amount y, the conveying roller pair 98 and the like are driven to be conveyed to the back print unit 32.

The photosensitive material A on which the latent image has been formed passes through the back print unit 32 and is back-printed with information such as the film shooting date by the printing device 102 using an ink ribbon cassette. Here, as described above, the third
The photosensitive material A carried out of the loop forming section 62 temporarily stops at a position where the frame information is detected by the sensor 100, and the third
Since one print is conveyed to the back print unit 32 in accordance with the amount of the photosensitive material A in the loop forming unit 62, the back print position may be appropriately determined according to the distance from the sensor 100 to the printing device 102.

The back-printed photosensitive material A is
It is housed in the reservoir 34 by the bending conveyance section 107 or the like,
After being on standby, it is discharged from the reservoir 34 by the transfer means 118 and transferred to the discharge section 76.

In the embodiment of the image recording apparatus 10 in which the first discharge unit 70 is loaded in the discharge section 76, the loop of the fifth loop forming section 125 is no longer detected by the sensor 128, and the photosensitive material A to be carried out is kept for a predetermined time. When the standby state is detected, the transporting unit 118 is driven, the photosensitive material A is unloaded from the reservoir 34, transported to the fifth loop forming unit 125, and transported to the developing device 14 by the transporting unit 132. Is done.

The photosensitive material A conveyed to the developing device 14 is
While being transported at a predetermined speed, in each tank, color development,
Each process of bleach-fixing and washing with water is sequentially performed, developed, dried by the drying device 16, and cut by the cutting unit 142 of the discharging device 18.
Then, the print is cut for each print in response to the detection of the frame information by the sensor to be a finished print, and stored in the sorter 144 in accordance with the sort information.

Next, a case where the developing unit 6 of the image recording apparatus 10 is replaced with a winding unit 8 and used as a winding type apparatus of a separation type system will be described. First, an electrical connection between the exposure unit 4 and the developing unit 6 of the image recording apparatus 10 by an electrical connection unit (not shown) and a mechanical connection by a fixing unit are disconnected.
Next, since the anchor bolts 186 and 194 are separated from the cup 204 inserted thereunder, the six cups 204 are removed. 6 anchor bolts 186, 1
By rotating and raising the 94, the supporting height of the exposure unit 4 and the developing unit 6 is lowered, and the small-diameter casters 184 and 192, and then the large-diameter casters 182 are grounded.

At this time, in the image recording apparatus 10 of the present invention, the exposure unit 4 is
The bottom surface of the exposure unit 4 on the large-diameter caster 182 side is inclined toward the small-diameter caster 184 side, and the bottom plate 1 of the developing unit 6 is
90 is separated from the projecting portion. Caster 18
2, the exposure unit 4 is moved using the casters 192, or the developing unit 6 is moved using the casters 192, or both are moved to completely separate the exposure unit 4 and the developing unit 6.

After the separated developing unit 6 is moved from the installation location, the winding unit 8 is moved to the installation location. Next, the first discharge unit 70 is removed in the discharge unit 76, and the second discharge unit 74 is loaded,
The large-diameter caster 182 side of the exposure unit 4 faces the protruding side of the bottom plate 198 of the winding unit 8, and the protruding portion of the bottom plate 198 of the winding unit 8 is inserted into the bottom of the exposure unit 4. Thereafter, the two anchor bolts 18 are connected in the same manner as in the case of the connection of the developing unit 6 described above.
6 and 4 anchor bolts 202 and 6 cups 2
By making connection using the optical recording device 04, as shown in FIG. 5, the exposure unit 4 and the winding unit 6 are completely connected to form an integrated image recording apparatus 12. As described above, since the connection method with the exposure unit 4 is shared between the developing unit 6 and the winding unit 8, even the user can easily set the integrated device and the separation type system according to the workload and purpose. Can be replaced with a take-up device.

In the image recording apparatus 12 for such a separation type system, the reservoir 34 is provided by the sensor 116.
When a predetermined loop is confirmed to be formed, and the arm 174 of the winder 72 is detected by the sensor 173, the conveying means 118 and 162 are driven to move the photosensitive material A from the reservoir 34 to the second The sheet is conveyed to the winder 72 via the discharge unit 74. Further, this conveyance stops when the arm 174 is detected by the sensor 175 or when the loop of the reservoir 34 is not detected by the sensor 116. Here, when the photosensitive material A is transported by the transport unit 118 or the like, after the frame information previously formed by the image position information forming unit 28 is detected by the sensor 154 of the second discharge unit 74, the frame information is transmitted to the punch 156. When the sheet is conveyed for a predetermined length at the position shown in FIG.
Is formed.

In the winding machine 72, the arm 174 is rotated downward by the loading of the photosensitive material A from the printing and conveying machine 22, and
When the arm 174 is detected by the sensor 175, the loading of the photosensitive material A stops, and at the same time, the winding core 164 rotates to wind up the photosensitive material A. In addition, arm 1
When the arm 74 is rotated upward and the arm 174 is detected by the sensor 173, the winding is stopped. Further, when it is confirmed by the sensor 116 that a predetermined loop is formed in the reservoir 34, the above-described operation is performed. Thus, the loading of the photosensitive material A into the winding machine 72 is restarted.

When the winding unit 8 of the image recording device 12 is replaced with the developing unit 6 and used as an integrated device (minilab), the same as in the case of the image recording device 10 described above. The replacement of each unit can be easily performed by the above method.

In the above-described example, the exposure unit and the developing unit and the winding unit connected to the exposure unit have been described as representative examples as the first and second units of the image recording apparatus for performing separation, connection and replacement. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any unit may be used as long as one unit includes an exposure unit for recording an image. For example, the cutting unit or the sorting unit may be unitized as the other unit, or a cut sheet feeder unit that stores a large amount of photosensitive material sheets when using a cut sheet-shaped photosensitive material. Is also good.

Although the image recording apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course.

[0101]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the connection, separation and replacement of two units of an image recording apparatus can be performed at a user level with a small amount of work according to the workload and purpose. But it can be done easily. Also, 2
If each of the three units is an exposure unit and a development unit or a take-up unit, connecting the development unit to the exposure unit will allow the development, cutting,
Into an integrated device that performs sorting up to one device,
If the winding unit is connected to the exposure unit, even if the exposed photosensitive material is handled differently, such as a winding type device for a separation type system that winds the photosensitive material undeveloped, it is easy and easy to use. It is possible to reliably cope with both. In addition, according to the present invention, the developing unit and the winding unit have a common connection method with the exposure unit, and can be easily exchanged by a user. It is suitable for applications (eg, image recording on postcards) that need to be properly used depending on the workload, season, or purpose.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of an exposure unit of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example of a developing unit of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example of a winding unit of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

6 is a partially enlarged schematic view of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic view of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 4 Exposure unit 6 Developing unit 8 Winding unit 10, 12 Image recording device 11 Device main body 14 Developing device 16 Drying device 18 Ejection device 20 Electrical unit 22 Printing and conveying device 24 Light beam scanning device 26 Photosensitive material supply unit 27 Photosensitive material magazine 28 Frame information forming unit 30 Exposure unit 32 Back print unit 34 Reservoir 36 Pull-out roller pair 38, 52, 54, 86, 92, 94, 100, 10
5,110,116,128,154,159,17
3,175 sensor 40,50,52a, 52b, 88,90,96,10
4, 114, 122, 130, 152, 158 Guide 42 First loop forming unit 44 Drive roller 46, 48, 82, 84 Nip roller 50, 156 Punch 56, 98 Transport roller pair 58 Second loop forming unit 60 Sub-scanning transport system 62 third loop forming section 70 first discharge unit 72 winder 74 second discharge unit 76 discharge section 80 exposure drum 102 printing device 106, 120, 160 transport roller 107 bent transport section 108 endless belt 112 first cutter 124 cutter 125 Fifth loop forming section 136 Color developing tank 138 Bleaching and fixing tank 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d Washing tank 142 Cutting section 144 Sorter 150 Second image position information forming section 162 Conveying means 164 Take-up core 166 Tension roller 168, 170 Guide roller 17 Shaft 174 arm 178,188,196 coupling mechanism 180,190,198 bottom plate 182 large casters 184,192,200 diameter caster 186,194,202 anchor bolt 204 Cup

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A first unit and a second unit exchangeably connected to the first unit, and one of the first and second units is exposed to a photosensitive material. An image recording apparatus including an exposure unit, wherein the first unit extends on a bottom surface thereof at the time of connection with at least three casters movably supporting the first unit and the second unit. At least two vertically movable support means for supporting the first unit, wherein the second unit has on its bottom surface at least three casters for movably supporting the second unit, and Extends at the time of connection with the first unit and
At least two vertically movable support means for supporting the unit, and projecting from the bottom surface of the second unit in parallel with the bottom surface, being inserted into the bottom surface of the first unit, and connecting with the first unit. A bottom plate on which a bottom surface of the first unit is placed and fixed at the time of connection; and further, when the first unit and the second unit are connected, the first unit and the second unit are connected to each other. Means for fixing, wherein at least three casters of the first unit and at least three casters of the second unit, the second unit on the bottom surface of the first unit is connected. At least one caster provided on the side of the second unit is constituted by a large-diameter caster, and is fixed by fixing means on the bottom plate of the second unit while being mounted on the first unit. At least 2 of the first unit the first and second units
Support means and at least two of said second units
An image recording apparatus, wherein the image recording apparatus is supported by a plurality of support means and is installed at a predetermined position. 2. The at least three casters of the first unit are a pair of large-diameter casters provided on a connection side and a pair of casters provided on a side opposite to the connection side, and at least three casters of the second unit are provided. The three casters
A pair of casters provided at a tip of the bottom plate and a pair of casters provided on a connection side of a bottom surface of the second unit and a pair of casters provided on a side opposite to the connection side, respectively, and at least two support means of the first unit include A pair of support means provided on a side opposite to a connection side, wherein at least two support means of the second unit are connected to a pair of support means provided at a tip of the bottom plate and a bottom surface of the second unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is a pair of support means provided on each of the side and the opposite side. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support means has an anchor bolt which can move up and down, and a cup which is disposed below said anchor bolt and supports said anchor bolt. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable connector for electrically connecting said first unit and said second unit. An image recording apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. A photosensitive material supply unit for loading an unexposed photosensitive material wound in a roll, a transport unit for transporting the photosensitive material through a predetermined path, and a first unit for transporting the photosensitive material. 5. An exposure unit comprising: an exposure unit that performs imagewise exposure; a unit that records image position information in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive material; and a discharge unit that discharges the exposed photosensitive material. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The second unit has a developing unit for developing the exposed photosensitive material, a drying unit for drying the photosensitive material, and a discharge unit for discharging the developed photosensitive material. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the image recording device is a developing unit. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second unit is a winding unit having a winding section for winding said exposed photosensitive material into a roll. 8. The developing unit according to claim 6 and the winding unit according to claim 7 as the second unit and the exposure unit according to claim 5 as the first unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is exchangeably connected.