JPH10312047A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute development after a latent image formed on exposed photosensitive material is sufficiently stabilized without complicating the constitution of the device by providing an auxiliary tank having a casing in which a heat insulating means and a carrying means are housed on the upstream side of a developing tank. SOLUTION: The auxiliary tank 134, the developing tank 136, a fixing tank 138, washing tanks 140a, 140b, 140c and 140d are successively provided in a photosensitive material processing device 130. After the latent image is stabilized by sensitizing the latent image in the tank 134, the photosensitive material which is color-developed, bleach-fixed and washed by processing solution with which each tank is filled is fed to a drying part 142 and ejected to a sorter 144. In the tank 134, a specified time required to sensitize and stabilize the latent image from exposure till charging developer is secured for the exposed photosensitive material, and the temperature of the photosensitive material is held to temperature suitable for the prevention of sensitizing the latent image, the stabilization of the latent image and developing processing in a next stage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention belongs to the technical field of digital image forming apparatuses and image forming methods.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter, referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film is printed on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper by projecting light of the film onto the photosensitive material. The exposure is performed by so-called direct (analog) exposure in which the photosensitive material is surface-exposed with the projection light.

On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, an image recorded on a film is photoelectrically read, the read image is converted into a digital signal, and then various image processing is performed. 2. Description of the Related Art A digital photo printer that scans and exposes a photosensitive material with recording light modulated according to the image data, records an image (latent image), develops the image, and outputs it as a print (photograph) is used as image data for recording. It was put to practical use.

[0004] In a digital photo printer, a film is read photoelectrically, gradation correction is performed by image (signal) processing, and exposure conditions are determined. Therefore, it is possible to freely perform editing of a print image such as synthesis of a plurality of images by image processing and image division, and various image processing such as color / density adjustment and contour enhancement. Can be output. Further, the image data of the print image can be supplied to a computer or the like, and can be stored in a recording medium such as a floppy disk. Further, according to the digital photo printer, it is possible to output a print with better image quality, which is excellent in resolution, color / density reproducibility, etc., as compared with the conventional direct exposure print.

[0005] Such a digital photo printer basically includes an input device having a scanner (image reading device) and an image processing device, and an output device having a printing device and a developing device. In a scanner, reading light emitted from a light source is incident on a film to obtain projection light carrying an image photographed on the film, and this projection light is imaged on an image sensor such as a CCD sensor by an imaging lens. The image is read by photoelectric conversion, and is sent to an image processing device as film image data (image data signal). The image processing apparatus performs predetermined image processing on the image data sent from the scanner, and sends the image data to the printing apparatus as output image data (exposure conditions) for image recording. For example, if the printing apparatus uses light beam scanning exposure, the printing apparatus modulates the light beam according to image data sent from the image processing apparatus, deflects the light beam in the main scanning direction, and By transporting the photosensitive material (printing paper) in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, the photosensitive material is scanned and exposed (printed) by a light beam to form a latent image, and then back printing is performed. In the developing machine, the exposed photosensitive material is subjected to a predetermined developing process and the like, so that an image photographed on a film is reproduced.

By the way, not only such a digital photo printer, but also a printing device of a photo printer by ordinary direct exposure, an unused photosensitive material is wound in a roll shape and stored in a light-shielding housing, and a magazine is used. The magazine is loaded into a printing apparatus together with the magazine, pulled out of the magazine, transported, and subjected to exposure and the like. Here, in a normal photo printer, the photosensitive material is not cut in the middle, and after exposing, backprinting, developing, drying, etc. in a long length, the photosensitive material is finally cut to a predetermined length. One print.

On the other hand, in a digital photo printer, a long photosensitive material is cut corresponding to one print to form a cut sheet, and then exposure is performed.
It is desired to realize a printing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a cut sheet type image recording apparatus) that can reduce the size of the apparatus and greatly reduce the apparatus cost and the running cost. However, at present, such a cut sheet type image recording apparatus has not been realized yet.

[0008]

In the process of forming a latent image in a generally used silver halide photosensitive material, after the photoelectrons generated in the silver halide emulsion grains by exposure are trapped in the photosensitive nucleus, interstitial silver ions are formed. Reacts with to form silver atoms. Further, silver nuclei grow by repeating the reaction between the trapping of photoelectrons and the subsequent interstitial silver ions in the photosensitive nuclei. When the silver nuclei grow to a certain size or larger (latent image), the particles become developable. However, in the above-described digital photo printer, since exposure is performed using a light beam of high illuminance and a short time (on the order of 10 ⁻⁵ seconds) such as a laser beam, a silver halide photosensitive material for a conventional surface exposure uses a silver halide photosensitive material. Many photoelectrons are generated on the material in a short time,
Since the supply of interstitial silver ions cannot keep up with the growth of silver nuclei, the silver nuclei cannot grow to a size that can be developed. .

For this reason, in a silver salt photosensitive material for laser beam exposure, photoelectrons generated in a high concentration in a short time on silver halide emulsion grains are temporarily trapped, and the trapped photoelectrons are adjusted to the supply speed of interstitial silver ions. The emulsion is incorporated into the emulsion grains to enhance the growth of silver nuclei and improve the efficiency of latent image formation. This makes it possible for the silver halide photosensitive material subjected to laser beam exposure to stably reproduce rich gradations from highlights to shadows.

However, in order to form a stable latent image by exposure in such a photosensitive material for laser beam exposure, it is necessary to secure an ambient temperature of at least a certain value and a time of at least a certain period from the exposure to the supply of the developing solution. Need to be done. That is, the photosensitive material for laser beam exposure tends to have a large latent image desensitization at a low temperature after the exposure, making it difficult to obtain a stable latent image as compared with a general photosensitive material for surface exposure. Further, if the time from the exposure to the supply of the developing solution is too short, there is a problem that the latent image is not sufficiently sensitized and a stable latent image is hardly obtained. Unless such a stable latent image is obtained, there is a possibility that image quality may deteriorate, and there is a problem that a sufficiently high quality finished print cannot be obtained.

In order to solve such a problem, in an image recording apparatus using the above-mentioned roll-shaped photosensitive material as it is, by providing a reservoir for temporarily storing the photosensitive material in a loop, an exposed recording material in which development processing is not immediately started is provided. In order to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, the photosensitive material is temporarily stayed to secure a time suitable for development. On the other hand, when realizing a cut sheet type image recording apparatus, since the sheet-shaped photosensitive material is cut into a predetermined length, the photosensitive material is loosened and temporarily stored in a loop shape so as to temporarily house the photosensitive material. It is difficult to take. For this reason, there is a problem of how to secure the time from the exposure to the input of the developing solution without complicating the apparatus configuration of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material. In addition, it is preferable that a stable latent image can be obtained even in a low-temperature atmosphere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that performs digital exposure on a photosensitive material and is used for a digital photo printer or the like, and has a complicated structure. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of performing development after sufficiently stabilizing a latent image formed on an exposed photosensitive material.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method of exposing a photosensitive material scanned and conveyed by a recording light beam modulated according to digital image data of an image to be recorded. An image recording apparatus, a developing tank for performing a developing process on the exposed photosensitive material, a fixing tank for performing a fixing process on the developed photosensitive material, and a washing tank for washing the fixed photosensitive material with water An image forming apparatus comprising a photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein a heat retaining means for maintaining the exposed photosensitive material at a predetermined temperature, a transport means for transporting the exposed photosensitive material over a predetermined time, and the thermal keeping means And an auxiliary tank having a casing accommodating the conveying means is provided in the photosensitive material processing apparatus at an upstream side of the developing tank.

Here, the predetermined temperature is preferably in the range of -10 to 0 ° C. with respect to the temperature in the developing tank. Preferably, the auxiliary tank is filled with neutral water. Preferably, the recording light beam is a laser beam. Further, it is preferable that the photosensitive material is a sheet-shaped photosensitive material cut into a predetermined length from a long roll-shaped photosensitive material before exposure in the image recording apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, after a roll-shaped long photosensitive material is cut into a predetermined length, the photosensitive material cut into the predetermined length is scanned and conveyed to digital image data of an image to be recorded. After performing the exposure with the recording light modulated in accordance with the above, the developing process, the fixing process, and the washing process are sequentially performed, and in producing a print, after the exposure, the photosensitive material is brought to a predetermined temperature before the developing process. An image forming method is provided in which the sheet is conveyed for a predetermined time or more while keeping the temperature.

Here, it is preferable that the predetermined temperature is in the range of -10 to 0 ° C. with respect to the developing temperature. Preferably, the recording light beam is a laser beam.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 8 shown in FIG.
After cutting into a cut sheet by cutting into a predetermined length according to the print for producing a long photosensitive material, a series of processes such as development, fixing, and washing are performed after performing back printing (back printing) and digital exposure. The image forming apparatus includes an image recording device 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a recording device 10) and a photosensitive material processing device 130.

FIG. 2 shows a basic configuration of the recording apparatus 10.
The recording device 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a device that supplies the exposed photosensitive material Z to a photosensitive material processing device 130 (processor), and includes a photosensitive material supply unit 12, a back print unit 14, a recording unit 52, and a sorting unit 18. It is configured to have. Although not shown in order to clarify the basic configuration of the apparatus, the recording apparatus 10 includes a conveyance unit such as a conveyance roller, a conveyance guide for the photosensitive material Z, a sensor for detecting the photosensitive material, and the like. Various members arranged in a known image recording apparatus are arranged as necessary. Here, the interval between the conveying rollers provided as the conveying means is set smaller than the minimum length of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material Z after cutting so as not to hinder the conveyance of the photosensitive material Z.

The photosensitive material supply section 12 has magazines 20 and 2 in which a long photosensitive material Z wound in a roll shape with the emulsion surface (photosensitive surface) outside is housed in a light-shielding housing.
The loading unit 54 is loaded with the drawer roller pair 24, the loading unit 56 is loaded with the drawer roller pair 26, and the loading unit 54 is loaded with the cutter 28a. The cutter 28b corresponding to the part 56
Are disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the pull-out roller pairs 24 and 26, respectively.

The recording apparatus 10 in the illustrated example is an apparatus capable of loading two magazines 20 and 22. Both of them usually have a size (width), a surface type (silk or mat, etc.), and a specification (thickness, base type, etc.). ), Etc., are stored. In the recording device 10 of the present invention, the number of magazines that can be loaded is not limited to two in the illustrated example, and may be one, or three or more magazines may be loaded. Is also good. In addition, as the photosensitive material Z,
A photosensitive material for laser beam exposure is used. In particular,
A preferred example is Fuji Color Laser Paper (LGL, LBU) manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.

In such a photosensitive material supply section 12, the corresponding roll of photosensitive material Z of the magazine is pulled out by the draw-out roller pairs 24 and 26 and transported downstream. This conveyance stops when the photosensitive material Z conveyed downstream of the cutters 28a and 28b has a length corresponding to the size of the image to be recorded.
8a and 28b are operated to turn the photosensitive material Z into a cut sheet having a predetermined length.

In the recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2, cutters 28a and 28b are provided for each of the two magazines 20 and 22, and the photosensitive material Z drawn from these magazines is separated by separate cutters 28a and 28b, respectively. Although the cutting is performed, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cutting may be performed by one common cutter.
The sheet-shaped photosensitive material Z pulled out from the photosensitive material supply unit 12 in this manner and cut is supplied to the back print unit 14.
Transported to

The back print unit 14 includes a photographing date, a print printing date, a frame number, a film ID number (sign), and an ID of a camera used for photographing, on the back surface (non-emulsion surface) of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material Z. It is a part for performing various kinds of information such as a number and a photo printer ID number, so-called back print (back print). Such a back print unit 14
For example, as a contact-type printing apparatus, a dot impact printer 58 is used to record a back print on a photosensitive material Z guided and conveyed by a guide 60. The back print recording method (printer) is as follows. The present invention is not limited to this, and various back print recording methods used in known photo printers such as an ink jet printer and a thermal transfer printer can be used. Also, the back print unit 14 is provided with a new standard new photo system (Advanced Photo System).
It is preferable that two or more lines can be printed in accordance with (System).

The back print unit 14 can be placed at any position in the transport path, and is not particularly limited. However, if it is placed downstream of the sorting unit 18 in the transport direction,
Since it is necessary to provide a plurality of back printers, it is preferable to arrange them on the upstream side in the transport direction of the sorting means 18. Further, it is preferable to arrange the back print unit 14 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording unit 52. In this case, the back print unit 14 is formed by the photosensitive material supply unit 12, the cutters 28a and 28b, the recording unit 52, and the transport path interposing these. The used empty space can be used effectively, the transport path on the downstream side of the recording unit 52 can be simplified, and the space can be saved. The photosensitive material Z cut to a predetermined length and back-printed in this manner is then transported to the recording unit 52 (sub-scan transport unit 62).

The recording unit 52 includes an exposure optical unit (hereinafter, referred to as an exposure optical unit).
Exposure unit 16) and sub-scanning conveyance means 62. In the illustrated example, the exposure unit 16
Is recorded in accordance with digital image data while scanning and transporting the sheet-shaped photosensitive material Z, and is scanned in the main scanning direction (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2) perpendicular to the scanning and transporting direction by the sub-scanning and transporting means 62. The light beam deflected to the recording light L
The exposure is performed by so-called digital scanning exposure in which the photosensitive material Z is exposed at a recording (exposure) position X.

The exposure unit 16 is an optical unit for performing such digital exposure.
A light source that emits light beams corresponding to red (R) exposure, green (G) exposure, and blue (B) exposure, and an AOM that modulates the light beam emitted from the light source according to digital image data Modulation means such as an acousto-optic modulator), an optical deflector such as a polygon mirror which deflects the modulated light beam in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the scanning and conveying direction, and a light beam deflected in the main scanning direction at a recording position X. This is a known light beam scanning device that includes an fθ (scanning) lens or the like that forms an image at a predetermined position on a (scanning line) with a predetermined beam system.

The exposure unit 16 is not limited to such a light beam scanning device, but is a digital exposure means using various light emitting arrays or spatial modulation element arrays extending in a direction orthogonal to the scanning and conveying direction. Are available. Specifically, a PDP (plasma display) array, an ELD (electroluminescent display) array, an LED (light emitting diode) array, an LCD (liquid crystal display) array, a DMD (digital micromirror device) array, a digital using a laser array, or the like. Exposure means is exemplified.

The sub-scanning conveying means 62 has a pair of conveying rollers 64 and 66 disposed so as to sandwich the recording position X (scanning line), and an exposure conveying guide 68. While holding the sheet-shaped photosensitive material Z at the recording position X, the photosensitive material Z is transported by the transport roller pairs 64 and 66 in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Here, as described above, since the light beam is deflected in the main scanning direction, the photosensitive material Z is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam to form a latent image.

The scanning and conveying means used in the recording apparatus 10 of the present invention is not particularly limited, and various kinds of conveying means used for known digital scanning exposure are exemplified. Specifically, in addition to the scanning and conveying means using a pair of conveying rollers disposed so as to sandwich the recording position X (scanning line), an exposure drum for conveying the photosensitive material Z while holding it at the recording position X; Scanning and conveying means using two nip rollers abutting on the exposure drum across the recording position X, scanning and conveying means including an endless belt and two nip rollers, and scanning and conveying means including only an endless belt are preferably exemplified. . The photosensitive material exposed in this manner is distributed to the sorting means 1.
8.

The sorting means 18 sorts the sheet-like photosensitive material Z in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction (corresponding to the conveying direction by the photosensitive material processing apparatus 130) (hereinafter, referred to as a lateral direction). At present, in general silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials used for photographic printing, development processing and exposure require more time for development processing. Therefore, if exposure is performed continuously, development processing cannot be completed in time. The sorting means 18
This is arranged to solve this inconvenience. The photosensitive material Z is divided in the horizontal direction and is arranged in a plurality of rows overlapping in the transport direction, so that the processing capacity of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 130 can be improved. If it is a row, it is possible to perform less than twice the processing of a single row, if it is 3 rows, it is possible to perform processing of less than 3 times,
This is to offset the processing time difference between the development processing and the exposure.

As the sorting method in the sorting means 18, various sheet material sorting methods can be used.
For example, there is a method of sorting using a turret rotating about an axis, a method of dividing the photosensitive material Z transport means into a plurality of, for example, three blocks, and moving the middle block in the lateral direction to sort. Is exemplified. Further, a belt conveyor as a transport means in the downstream direction for placing and transporting the photosensitive material Z, and a lift transport means for lifting the photosensitive material Z using a suction cup or the like and transporting the photosensitive material Z in the lateral direction,
A method is also exemplified in which the photosensitive material Z carried into the belt conveyor from the upstream and conveyed to a predetermined position is conveyed in the horizontal or diagonal side (downstream) direction by the lift conveying means and sorted.

In this manner, the photosensitive material Z distributed in a plurality of rows as required is transported downstream, and is transported into the photosensitive material processing apparatus 130 via the transport roller pair 70. The photosensitive material processing apparatus 130 is an apparatus for performing various processes such as color development, bleach-fixing, washing, drying, and sorting on the photosensitive material Z, and transports the photosensitive material Z through an exit near the transport roller pair 70 of the recording apparatus 10. Connected downstream in the direction.

FIG. 3 shows the basic structure of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 130. The photosensitive material processing apparatus 130 shown in FIG.
Auxiliary tank 134, developing tank 136, fixing tank 138, washing tank 1
40a, 140b, 140c, and 140d are continuously provided. First, after the latent image is stabilized by the latent image sensitization in the auxiliary tank 134, which is a feature of the present invention, the remaining tanks are filled. The photosensitive material Z that has been subjected to color development, bleach-fixing, and washing with a processing solution is sent to the drying unit 142 and discharged to the sorter 144. Auxiliary tank 134
In the exposed photosensitive material Z, while securing a predetermined time from the exposure to the supply of the developing solution necessary for sensitizing and stabilizing the latent image of the exposed photosensitive material Z, the temperature of the photosensitive material Z This is for preventing and stabilizing the latent image and for maintaining the temperature at a temperature suitable for the subsequent development processing.

Here, as described above, in the photosensitive material for laser beam exposure, in order to obtain a stable latent image on the photosensitive material Z after exposure, it is necessary to use an atmosphere temperature of a certain level or more, and from the exposure to the supply of the developing solution. It is necessary to secure a certain time or more. That is, when the image forming apparatus is operated in a low-temperature atmosphere, or when the time from exposure to developer input is too short, it is difficult to obtain a stable latent image,
As a result, there is a possibility that the image quality is degraded, and there is a problem that a sufficiently high-quality finished print cannot be obtained.

However, in the cut sheet type image recording apparatus, since the photosensitive material is handled as a sheet cut to a predetermined length, the photosensitive material is relaxed like an image recording apparatus using a roll of photosensitive material as it is. It is difficult to employ the above-described configuration of the reservoir, which is temporarily stored in a looped shape to secure a time suitable for development. Therefore, there is a problem how to secure the time from the exposure to the supply of the developing solution without complicating the apparatus configuration of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material. Further, it is desirable that a stable latent image can be obtained even in a low-temperature atmosphere.

On the other hand, in the illustrated apparatus according to the present invention, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 130, one more tank is provided as an auxiliary tank 134 on the upstream side of the developing tank 136, and the inside of the auxiliary tank 134 is used to store a latent image. The temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature suitable for stabilization and development processing. By doing so, without changing the device configuration in the image recording device 10 at all,
In addition, it is possible to secure a predetermined time between the exposure and the supply of the developer for the sheet-shaped photosensitive material Z without largely changing the configuration of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 130, and to eliminate the influence even when the outside air is at a low temperature. be able to. Therefore, the latent image on the photosensitive material can be stabilized, and a high-quality print sufficiently colored to a desired density can be produced.

More specifically, the auxiliary tank 134 includes a casing 134a formed of a housing, and a pair of conveying rollers 134b (for example, having a diameter of 20 mm) provided in multiple stages at a predetermined pitch (for example, 60 mm) in the casing 134a. And a heat retaining means 134c for keeping the inside of the casing 134a at a predetermined temperature. The casing 134a is filled with water having a pH of 7.0, and the water temperature is maintained at 38 ° C. ± 0.3 ° C. by the heat retaining means 134c. The size of the casing 134a and the driving speed of the transport roller are set so that the photosensitive material Z can pass through the auxiliary tank 134 in 45 seconds.

Here, the pitch of the transport rollers provided in multiple stages may be set to be shorter than the minimum length of the sheet-shaped photosensitive material Z, and the diameter of the transport rollers is set to a size capable of taking such a pitch. What is necessary is just to do and it does not specifically limit. Further, as the heat retaining means 134c, a conventionally known temperature retaining means such as a thermostat or a panel heater can be used. Further, the time during which the photosensitive material Z passes through the auxiliary tank 134 may be appropriately set to a time capable of stabilizing the latent image in accordance with the type and characteristics of the photosensitive material Z. Note that the structure of the auxiliary tank 134 is as follows.
6. The same structure as that of the fixing tank 138 may be adopted. For this reason, it is sufficient to divert an existing part without newly manufacturing a separate tank as the auxiliary tank 134, so that the auxiliary tank 1
34 can be minimized.

As the liquid to be filled in the auxiliary tank 134,
The liquid is not limited to water, and is not particularly limited as long as it does not deteriorate the developing solution of the developing tank 136 and the photosensitive material Z in the next step, and various liquids can be used. Also, the pH of the liquid
Is preferably neutral around 7. Specifically, pH 6.
It is preferably 9 to pH 7.1. Within such a range, since the developing solution is alkaline, the liquid adhering to the photosensitive material Z that has passed through the preliminary tank 134 does not change the pH of the developing solution and deteriorates, and the exposed solution Of the photosensitive material Z in the developing tank 136 can be color-developed sufficiently.

The set temperature of the liquid filled in the auxiliary tank 134 is not particularly limited as long as it is at least a temperature at which the latent image desensitization does not increase.
The temperature is preferably equal to or close to that of the developer in the above (1).
Preferably, the temperature is in the range of ~ 0 ° C. If the set temperature is too low, the latent image desensitization is large, and a stable latent image may not be obtained. On the other hand, if the set temperature is too high, color development to a desired density may not be performed. . Therefore, by keeping the temperature of the photosensitive material Z within the above temperature range, the latent image of the photosensitive material Z conveyed to the developing tank 136 is stabilized, and the developing process is performed at an appropriate processing temperature immediately after the photosensitive material Z is charged into the developing tank 134. Therefore, the color development of the photosensitive material Z on which the latent image is formed can be sufficiently performed to a desired density.

In the illustrated example, the developing tank 1
Since the temperature of the developer in 36 is set to 38 ° C. ± 0.3 ° C., the water temperature in the preliminary tank 134 is also set to the same temperature (38 ° C. ± 0.3 ° C.) This set temperature is used for the photosensitive material Z as Fujicolor laser paper (L
GL, LBU) is used only for this purpose, and the present invention is not limited to this. The value may be appropriately set according to the type and characteristics of the photosensitive material Z used. When the image forming apparatus 6 is not required to be kept warm, for example, when the image forming apparatus 6 is installed in a place where the temperature of outside air is controlled, the spare tank 1 is used.
A configuration may be adopted in which no heat retaining means is provided in 34.

The method for maintaining the inside of the auxiliary tank 134 at a predetermined temperature is not limited to the method in which the liquid is filled and the heat is kept by the heat retaining means as in the above example, but the auxiliary tank 134 is emptied without filling the liquid with the liquid. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the air in the auxiliary tank 134 is kept at a predetermined temperature by using a heating means. For example, the panel heater may be provided on the inner surface of the casing 134a of the auxiliary tank 134. Regardless of which method is adopted, in the present invention, by providing the auxiliary tank 134 kept at a predetermined temperature before the developing tank 136, the exposed photosensitive material can be kept for a predetermined time before the developing process. , And transport at a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, since the latent image can be stabilized and the development process can be performed at a temperature suitable for development, a high-quality print sufficiently colored to a desired density can be produced.

The developing tank 136 is for performing color development processing on the exposed photosensitive material Z, and is basically configured in the same manner as the auxiliary tank 134 except that a developing liquid is filled as a processing liquid. The fixing tank 138 is for performing bleach-fixing processing on the photosensitive material Z that has been subjected to the development processing, and is basically configured in the same manner as the auxiliary tank 134 except that a bleach-fixing solution is filled as a processing solution. . Wash tanks 140a, 140b, 140
Reference numerals c and 140d are used to wash the photosensitive material Z that has been subjected to the bleach-fixing process, and four tanks are connected in series. Wash tank 1
40 is basically the same as the auxiliary tank 134 except that the height of each tank is set short and water is filled as a processing liquid. Further, the temperature of the developing tank 136, the bleach-fix tank 138, and the washing tanks 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d are all set at 38 ° C.

In such a photosensitive material processing apparatus 130, the exposed sheet-like photosensitive material Z is supplied with an auxiliary tank 134, a developing tank 136, a bleach-fixing tank 138, and washing tanks 140a and 140.
b, 140c, 140d, and then the latent image is stabilized (at 38 ° C., 4
5 seconds), development (38 ° C., 45 seconds), fixing (38 ° C.,
After the respective processes of water washing (38 ° C., 90 seconds) are performed, the sheet is conveyed to the drying unit 142 and dried, and is discharged onto the sorter 144 as a finished print. In addition,
The set temperature and the processing time in each of these steps are determined by using Fuji Color Laser Paper (LGL, L
BU) is used as an example, and may be appropriately determined according to the type and material of the photosensitive material Z to be used.

In the present invention, during the period from the exposure of the photosensitive material Z to the introduction of the developing solution, the photosensitive material Z
As long as a predetermined time can be secured while maintaining the entire surface at a predetermined temperature, not only the illustrated example but also various modes can be used. For example, the photosensitive material processing apparatus 130
In this case, a mechanism for maintaining the photosensitive material Z at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time in a transport path from the recording unit 52 to the developing tank 136 may be provided. I just need.

For example, as a mechanism for maintaining the photosensitive material Z at a predetermined temperature, a heat retaining means such as a panel heater is provided at a part of the guide forming the transport path to maintain the temperature of the transport path at a predetermined temperature. A configuration may be adopted, or a configuration may be adopted in which a heater, a fan, and the like are provided outside the transport path and hot air at a predetermined temperature is introduced into the transport path, and various conventionally known temperature control methods may be used. The mechanism for securing a predetermined time from the exposure to the supply of the developing solution may be configured such that the transport speed from the recording unit 52 to the developing tank 136 is reduced, or the exposure speed in the image recording apparatus 10 may be reduced. The following photosensitive material Z may be conveyed downward and then conveyed upward, that is, a conveyance path may be provided in a U-shape to make the conveyance path long. Such a mechanism may be provided in either the image recording apparatus 10 or the photosensitive material processing apparatus 130. Also in these cases, according to the present invention, the latent image is stabilized, and, after the temperature is adjusted to a temperature suitable for development, development processing can be performed. High quality prints can be produced.

The image recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the cut sheet type image recording apparatus shown in FIG. It is also possible to apply to a recording device. In this case, the photosensitive material is exposed in a long length without cutting along the way, and is dried by passing through an auxiliary tank, a developing tank, a fixing tank, and a washing tank sequentially, and finally cut into a predetermined length. In this case, a single print may be used.

Although the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course you can do it.

[0050]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus used for a digital photo printer or the like for performing digital exposure on a photosensitive material without complicating the structure of the apparatus. Development can be performed after the latent image formed on the exposed photosensitive material is sufficiently stabilized. Therefore, it is possible to produce a high-quality print sufficiently colored to a desired density with a simple apparatus configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image recording apparatus in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 8 Image forming apparatus 10 (Image) recording apparatus 12 Photosensitive material supply section 14 Back print section 16 Exposure unit 18 Distributing means 20, 22, Magazine 24, 26 Pull-out roller pair 28a, 28b Cutter 42 (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) Belt Conveyor 44 (44a, 44b, 44c, 44d) Half moon roller pair 52 Recording unit 54, 56 Loading unit 58 Printer 60 Guide 62 Sub-scanning conveyance means 64, 66, 70, 84, 86 Transport roller pair 68 Exposure conveyance guide 130 Photosensitive material Processing device 132 Developing section 134 Auxiliary tank 134a Casing 134b Conveying roller pair 134c Heat retaining means 136 Developing tank 138 Fixing tank 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d Rinse tank 142 Drying section 144 Sorter

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image recording apparatus for exposing a photosensitive material to be scanned and conveyed by a recording light beam modulated according to digital image data of an image to be recorded, and a developing device for performing a developing process on the exposed photosensitive material. An image forming apparatus comprising: a tank, a fixing tank that performs a fixing process on the photosensitive material that has undergone the developing process, and a photosensitive material processing apparatus that has a washing tank that rinses the photosensitive material that has undergone the fixing process. Heat retaining means for maintaining the exposed photosensitive material at a predetermined temperature,
A conveying unit that conveys the exposed photosensitive material over a predetermined period of time, and an auxiliary tank having a casing accommodating the heat retaining unit and the conveying unit, an upstream side of the developing tank in the photosensitive material processing apparatus. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range of -10 to 0 ° C. with respect to a temperature in the developing tank. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive material is a sheet-shaped photosensitive material cut into a predetermined length from a roll-shaped long photosensitive material before exposure in the image recording apparatus. apparatus. 4. A roll-shaped long photosensitive material is cut into a predetermined length, and the photosensitive material cut into the predetermined length is scanned and conveyed while being modulated according to digital image data of an image to be recorded. After performing exposure by the recording light, development processing, fixing processing, and washing processing are sequentially performed, and when producing a print, after the exposure, prior to the development processing, while keeping the photosensitive material at a predetermined temperature, An image forming method, wherein the image is conveyed for a predetermined time or longer.