JPH10239822A - Guide mechanism for automatic developing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a guide mechanism for an automatic developing equipment where plural photosensitive materials having different widths are carried in a guided state along a single carrying path and which is provided with a guiding part having a simple structure. SOLUTION: The guiding part is provided with at least a first guiding part for guiding film having a set width by being brought into a slidable contact with it, second guiding parts 40, 43, 44 and 45 for guiding the film having a narrower width than that, and the second guiding parts 40, 43, 44 and 45 are provided with a first abutting part abutting when the film having the set width passes, a second abutting part guiding the film having a narrow width by being brought into the slidable contact with it and an elastic part elastically deforming so as to displace the second abutting part from the carrying path of the film having the set width for permitting the film to pass by making the first abutting part abut on the film having the set width.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a guide mechanism for an automatic developing apparatus having a guide section for transporting a photographic material along a transport path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic developing apparatus, for example, a developing tank, a bleaching tank, a fixing tank and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as a processing tank) for sequentially performing a developing process are provided. , A developing solution (hereinafter, generally referred to as a processing solution) such as a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution. A photosensitive material such as a film is subjected to development processing by sequentially passing through each processing tank, then dried by a drying device and discharged. The photosensitive material is transported over a plurality of processing tanks by a structure generally called a rack having an edge guide for guiding both edges of a film or the like.

[0003]

Since the width of the edge guide of the rack of the conventional automatic processing apparatus is set to the width of a photosensitive material such as a general film, a photosensitive material having a width smaller than this width will be processed. In this case, since there is no regulation in the width direction, there is a problem that the meandering of the film is severe, the film is broken, and scratches are generated. As one of the methods for solving this problem, there is a method of adjusting the width of the edge guide according to the width of the photosensitive material as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-64326, for example.

However, this method requires a complicated gear mechanism because it is necessary to simultaneously and accurately adjust the widths of many edge guides provided in one rack. However, for example, when the photosensitive material is a photographic film, in reality, a small number of types of films are generally subjected to most development processing, and a rack having a width capable of processing these small numbers of films is actually used. I just want it. Therefore,
A conventional automatic processing apparatus capable of processing a plurality of photosensitive materials has room for improvement in terms of simplification of the structure, effective use of space, and reduction in cost. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a guide for an automatic developing apparatus having a guide portion capable of guiding a plurality of photosensitive materials along a single transport path while having a simple structure in consideration of the above problems. It is to provide a mechanism.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the guide portion of the automatic developing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with:
At least a first conveyed object having a first width;
A second guide having a second width smaller than the width and capable of guiding two types of transported objects, a first guide unit for guiding the first transported object, and the second transported object; A second guide unit for guiding a body, wherein the second guide unit is configured to contact the first conveyed body when the first conveyed body passes therethrough; A second contact portion that guides the transported object; and a second contact portion that guides the first transported object by allowing the first contact portion to contact the first transported object. An elastic portion that elastically deforms to displace the contact portion from the transport path of the first transported object is provided.

With such a configuration of the guide section, when the first conveyed object having the set first width passes through one conveyance path, the first guide means guides the first conveyed body and is smaller than the first width. A second width for guiding a second transferred object having a second width.
The guide means is elastically deformed by the contact with the first transported object, and is displaced so as not to obstruct the transport path of the first transported object. Further, when the second transported object having the second width passes, it is guided by the second guide means.

Accordingly, the guide portion having the above-mentioned structure has a simple structure and an automatic developing process having a guide portion for guiding a photosensitive material having a different width and a conveyed object such as a film leader. A device can be provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic portion is formed so as to extend in a first direction corresponding to a traveling direction of the first and second transported objects, and the first contact portion is formed of the elastic portion. It is preferable that the first contact portion be provided at a free end and be displaced in a second direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first transferred object when the first contact portion comes into contact with the first transferred object. With such a configuration, the first contact portion is
The elastic portion can be efficiently elastically deformed by contact with the first transported object, and the second contact portion can be moved so as not to obstruct the passage of the first transported object.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second contact portion extends in parallel with the transport direction of the first and second transported objects, faces each other, and has a second width. It is desirable to form as a pair of contact surfaces provided at substantially the same intervals as in FIG. With this configuration,
When the second transported object is transported by the pair of contact surfaces formed as parallel surfaces facing each other, the second transported object can be reliably guided by the opposed surfaces. Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the first contact portion is formed as a pair of edges which are provided continuously with the pair of contact surfaces and face the transport path. With this configuration, the first contact portion having a simple shape and having a pair of edges contacting the first transported object, and the pair of contact surfaces having a guiding action for the second transported object. The second with
An abutment can be provided. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An automatic developing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an automatic developing apparatus which is set up to develop a conventional type of film generally referred to as a 135 type film, and which particularly performs processing without a leader, will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic developing apparatus 100 includes a film loading unit 2, a film developing unit 3 that develops a film 1 fed from the film loading unit 2,
A film drying unit 4 for heating the film 1 after the development processing by the drying heater and drying it by the warm air sent out by the drying fan 10, a discharge unit 5 for discharging the film 1 after drying, and temporarily discharging the discharged film 1 And a film receiving section 6 for temporarily storing.

[0010] The film 1 loaded in the film loading section 2
Is sent to the film developing unit 3, and an optical sensor 7 is provided near the entrance of the film developing unit 3. The length of the film to be obtained can be determined. In the film developing section 3, development, bleaching,
A developing processing area in which seven processing tanks 21 to 27 each separately filled with a developing solution such as a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution for sequentially performing a developing process such as fixing;
Rack units 11 to 17 having different lengths for transporting the film 1 in the processing area of the developing unit are provided. The seven processing tanks 21 to 27 are arranged in order in the transport direction of the film 1, and the first deep tank is the processing tank 2 for a developer.
1, the next is a bleaching solution processing tank 22, the next two are fixing solution processing tanks 23 and 24, and the next two are washing tanks 25 and 2
6 and the last one is a stabilizing solution treatment tank 27. Each processing tank has a substantially similar structure even if the depth is different.

FIG. 2 shows a part (rack 11 to 14) of racks 11 to 17 provided with a guide portion according to the present invention. When the 135 type film 1 as an example of the first conveyed object is loaded in the film loading device 2, the film 1 is guided to the developing solution processing tank 21 by a pair of introduction rollers 31 arranged vertically. Next, film 1 is shown in FIG.
Is pulled downward while being sandwiched between the straight roller 33 and the pressure roller 32 which are driven and rotated counterclockwise, and sent to the next straight roller 35 and transport roller 34 while being guided by first guide means described in detail later. Can be As described above, the film 1 is guided by the turn roller 39 and the transport roller 38 at the lower end of the rack 11 while being guided one by one by the rollers, turned upward, and transported to the upper end of the processing tank 21 for developer. Then, it passes through the upper turn rack 18 having three guide rollers 33 and is conveyed to the next processing tank 22. Next processing tank 2
The second rack 12 is provided with a straight roller 85 and pressure rollers 84 on both sides thereof, a turn roller 87, and a pair of transport rollers 86, by which the film 1 is transported along a transport path and processed.

At this time, for example, the straight roller 33
Is driven and rotated counterclockwise in FIG.
Then, a portion of the film 1 which is conveyed downward is brought into contact with the pressing roller 32 located on the left side while being sandwiched, and a portion of the film 1 which is conveyed upward is rightward. The contact portion is sandwiched between the pressure rollers 32 arranged so that the portion conveyed downward in the film 1 and the portion conveyed upward are conveyed at the same speed. Next, the rack 11 of the processing tank 21 for developer is
3 includes first and second rack frames 51 and 52 as shown in FIG. Each of these rack frames 51 and 52 has a plate-shaped main body, which is arranged so as to be parallel to each other, and forms a transport path for the transported object. These rack frames 51 and 52 are fixed to each other by a connecting post 11a (see FIG. 2) extending therebetween. The width Wa shown in FIG. 3 is the width of the transport path, which is set to be substantially the same as or slightly wider than the 135 type film width.

Guide grooves 51a and 51b are integrally formed on the surface of the first rack frame 51 facing the second rack frame 52. These guide grooves and the guide grooves 52a, 52b formed on the surface of the second rack frame 52 facing the first rack frame 51 have basically the same shape, and these guide grooves 51a, 51
b, 52a, and 52b constitute first guide means, and are provided along a path along which the film 1 is transported. The guide grooves 51a and 52a are guides for guiding the film conveyed downward, and the guide grooves 51b and 52b
Is a guide for guiding the film conveyed upward. Also, the guide groove 51 of the first rack frame 51
a and the corresponding gap of the guide groove 52a of the second rack frame 52 is 135, which is the first transported object.
The interval is set to be equal to or slightly larger than the width of the film 1 of the type. The cross section of these guide grooves is formed so as to have a V-shape as shown in FIG. 3, and when the film 1 to be conveyed is of the 135 type, it has a component perpendicular to the surface of the film 1. Even if pressure acts, a reaction force acts on the guide groove, and the film 1 is transported without separating from the transport path.

A gear mechanism (not shown) for driving the rollers is attached to the rack frame 51. The gear mechanism is driven by a motor, and the driving force is transmitted to all rollers mounted on the rack 11 by a plurality of gears. These rack frames are preferably made of resin.

Next, a second guide means for guiding an IX240 type film as an example of the second transported object will be described with reference to FIGS. By mounting the second guide means, a rack 11 forming a transport path having a width (35 mm) for a conventional 135 type film is provided.
Thus, it is possible to transport the narrow second type transported body while guiding it in a sliding contact state by using the same. Racks 11 to 17 like IX240 type
Width smaller than the set width of the transfer path (2 for IX240 type)
4 mm), a leader having the same width as the set width of the 135 type (35 mm) is attached to the leading end of the transported object, and the second transported object is pulled by the leader and transported. To do it. This leader also has the function of positioning the leading end of the IX240 type narrow film in the width direction.

In FIG. 2, film 1 is placed on racks 11-17.
Guide means 4 attached to important points along the transport path of
The arrangement state of 0, 43, 44, 45 is shown. As is apparent from the drawing, basically, for example, along the first guide means, between two adjacent straight rollers such as straight rollers 33 and 35, or between the turn roller 39 and the straight roller 37, for example. Second guide means 4
4 are arranged. The second guide means 44 is also provided between the straight roller 85 and the turn roller 87 of the rack 12.
Is arranged. The same applies to the racks 13 to 17.

The specific structure of these second guide means is shown in FIG.
Is shown in As the second guide means, FIG.
Although the four types shown as 3, 44 and 45 are used, the structure is basically the same for the second guide means 40, 43 and 44. It is shown. In this specification, FIG.
In the figure, the traveling direction of the film 1, which is the transported object, is referred to as a first direction A, a direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the surface of the transported object 1 is referred to as a second direction B, and a first direction. A direction perpendicular to both A and the second direction B is referred to as a third direction C.

The first member 41 on one side of the second guide means 40 has, for example, a base 41a attached to the first rack frame 51 of the rack 11 by screws 41b. An extension 41c is provided from the base 41a along the third direction C and in the direction toward the film 1. An elastic portion 41d is attached to an end of the extension 41c facing the film 1. This elastic part 41
d has a plane parallel to the plane defined by the first direction A and the second direction B, that is, a plane parallel to the plane of the film 1,
It is easy to elastically deform along the third direction C. In addition, such a shape makes it difficult to elastically deform in the second direction. That is, the elastic portion 41d has such a shape that the elastic coefficient in the second direction is larger than the elastic coefficient in the third direction.

Further, the elastic portion 41d is separated from the plane defined by connecting the pair of guide grooves 51a, 52a of the first guide means by 1 mm or more in the third direction C. A first plate-shaped body 41e extending parallel to a plane defined by the first direction A and the third direction C is integrally formed in a free end region of the elastic portion 41d. An edge portion 41f of the first plate-shaped body 41e facing the film 1 forms one side of the first contact portion, and forms a contact portion that contacts the film 1. The edge portion 41f as the first contact portion forms a curve, and when the 135-type wide film 1 contacts the edge portion 41f, the elastic force of the elastic portion 41d is efficiently applied. The first plate-like body 41e is shaped to be displaced in the third direction C. In the present embodiment, it has a convex shape.

The surface of the first plate-like body 41e facing the second rack frame 52 is a contact surface 4 serving as a second contact portion on one side for guiding by sliding contact with the second transported object.
1 g is formed. Therefore, the edge portion 41f as the first contact portion is formed continuously with the contact surface 41g. The second member 42 on the other side of the second guide means 40 is in a symmetrical relationship with the first member 41, and is attached to the second rack frame 52 by screws 42b in correspondence with the first member 41. Base portion 42a, extending portion 42c, and elastic portion 4 extending along the first direction A from an end of the extending portion 42c.
2d, a second plate-shaped body 42e formed in a tip region of the elastic portion 42d. An edge 42f of the second plate 42e facing the film 1 forms the other side of the first contact portion. Further, a contact surface 42g as a second contact portion on the other side is formed on a surface of the second plate-shaped member 42e facing the first rack frame 51, by which the second plate-shaped member 42e slides on the second transported member. Have been. Contact surface 4 of the first member 41
The distance between 1 g and the contact surface 42 g of the second member 42 is IX.
The width is set to be equal to or slightly larger than the width of the 240 type film (24 mm). In FIG. 5, 41h is the first member 4.
A pair of connecting members that connect the first member and the second member 42 are provided at an interval in the first direction A, and the interval between the first member 41 and the second member 42 does not spread beyond a set value. It has the effect of doing so.

Next, the actual movement of the second guiding means will be described. FIG. 6A illustrates an example of the first transported object 13.
It is a figure showing a mode when a leader part attached to the tip of 5 types of film or IX240 type film passes through the 2nd guide means. The film 1 is conveyed along the traveling direction A and a pair of edges 41 of the second guide means.
f, 42f. At this time, since the film 1 is supported by the pair of grooves 51a and 52a, which are the first guide means, a reaction force acts on the edges 41f and 42f. As a result, the elastic force of the elastic portions 41d and 42d is reduced. The pair of plate members 41e and 42e are displaced in the third direction C so as to face each other. Thereby, a pair of contact surfaces 41g and 42g as the second contact portion
Film 1 so that it does not obstruct the passage of film 1.
It moves from the conveyance path of.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
The IX240 type film which is an example of the transported object is the second
When passing through the guide means, the film 1 'slides on and is guided by the pair of contact surfaces 41g and 42g as the second contact portion, has the same structure, and is arranged on the lower side in the traveling direction. You will be guided to The second guide means 43 is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 5, but differs only in the length of the elastic portion. The second guide means 44 is different from that shown in FIG. 5 in that the first plate-like body is formed slightly smaller, and the length of the elastic portion is shortened. Thus, the second
The size of the guide means varies depending on where it is located.

Next, the shape of the second guide means 45 attached to the upper turn rack 18 will be described with reference to FIG. The first and second members 46 and 47 of the second guide means 45 are respectively provided with bases 46a and 47a attached to the upper turn rack 18 by attachment screws 46b and 47b, extending portions 46c and 47c extending inwardly from the base. The elastic portions 46d and 47d extend in the tangential direction of the transport path of the film 1 from the installation portions 46c and 47c, respectively, and plate-like bodies 46e and 47e extend in the transport path direction from the elastic portions 46d and 47d, respectively. Plate-like body 46e, 4
Edge 4 as first contact portion facing film 1 of 7e
When 6f and 47f come into contact with a 135 type film as an example of the first conveyed body, they displace the plate-like bodies 46e and 47e in a direction away from the conveyance path in opposition to the elastic force of the elastic portions 46d and 47d. . When an IX240 type film as an example of the second transported object is transported, a pair of opposing contact surfaces 46 as a second contact portion is provided.
g and 47g slide and guide. Reference numeral 46i denotes a connecting body for connecting the pair of plate-like bodies 46e and 47e, and the notches 46h and 47h are for avoiding one rotation shaft of the guide roller 33. [Alternative Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment different from the configuration of the above embodiment will be described. However, the configuration of the above embodiment, the configuration of some of the following alternative embodiments, or the features of the following alternative embodiments are different. Unless inconsistent, the features disclosed may be combined. (1) In the above embodiment, the edge portions 41f and 42f as the first contact portions of the second guide means have a convex shape.
May be formed as a linear edge 91 or a concave edge 92 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
The region 93 that first comes into contact with the transported object may have a concave shape, and the subsequent region 94 may have a convex shape. (2) As shown in the cross-sectional view of the pair of plate-like bodies in FIG. 11, a portion where the interval Wc of the pair of plate-like bodies on the side for receiving the second transported body is increased is formed, and the second transported body is formed. The body 1 'can be easily accepted. At this time, the interval Wc is smaller than the width of the first transported object, and when the first transported object passes, it is displaced in a direction away from the transport path as described in the above embodiment. I have. (3) As shown in FIG. 12, the guide grooves 51a and 52
In addition to the first guide means and the second guide means 40 constituted by a, a third guide means 80 for guiding a narrower conveyed body having the same shape as the second guide means is provided to the second guide means 40. It may be provided in a shifted state. As a result, transported objects having three different widths can be guided in one transport path. (4) In the above embodiment, for example, the first member 41 and the second member 42 of the second guide means 40 are connected by the connecting body 41h, but this is not necessarily required. The same applies to the connecting body 46i of the second guiding means 45. (5) In the above-described embodiment, an independent type of film developing apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to an apparatus having both a film developing apparatus and a printing apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an automatic development processing apparatus having a guide unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement of a guide unit with respect to a rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing a first guide unit of a part of the rack;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing second guide means according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a second guide means according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a side view showing a state of the second guide unit when a conveyed object having a wide width has passed. (B) A state of the second guide unit when a conveyed object having a narrow width has passed. Show side view

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of a second guide having a different shape.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the shape of the second guide means according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the shape of the second guide means according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the shape of the second guide means according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the shape of the second guide means according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing first, second, and third guide means according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 film loading unit 3 film developing unit 21 developing solution processing tank 32 pressure roller 33 straight roller 40 second guide means 43 second guide means 44 second guide means 45 second guide means 51a guide groove 51b guide groove 52a guide groove 52b Guide groove

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A guide mechanism for an automatic developing apparatus having a guide portion for transporting a photographic photosensitive material along a transport path, wherein the guide portion has at least a first cover having a first width. A carrier, and a second member having a width smaller than the first width.
It is capable of guiding two types of transported objects of a second transported object having a width, a first guide means for guiding the first transported object, and a second guiding means for guiding the second transported object. A second contacting means for contacting the first transported object when the first transported object passes therethrough, and a second guide for guiding the second transported object. 2 contact part and the second contact part in order to permit the passage of the first transferred object by allowing the first contact part to contact the first transferred object. A guide mechanism for an automatic developing apparatus, comprising: an elastic portion that elastically deforms to be displaced from a transport path of a transported object. 2. The elastic portion extends in a first direction corresponding to a transport direction of the first and second transported objects, and the first contact portion is provided in a free end region of the elastic portion, 2. The automatic developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first contact portion is displaced in a second direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first transferred object when the first contact portion contacts the first transferred object. 3. Guide mechanism. 3. The second contact portion extends in parallel with the transport direction of the first and second transported objects, is opposed to each other, and is provided at substantially the same interval as the second width. 3. The guide mechanism for an automatic developing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide mechanism is formed as a pair of contact surfaces. 4. The automatic developing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first contact portion is a pair of edges provided continuously on said pair of contact surfaces and opposed to said transport path. Guide mechanism for.