JPH11231423A - Photograph printing processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photograph printing processor provided with a mechanism forming the loop part of a photographic sensitive material on the upstream side from an exposure part and in which the number of parts and assembling man-hour are comparatively small and the carrying path of the photographic sensitive material is comparatively short, in the photograph printing processor provided with an exposure part and a supply mechanism drawing out the photographic sensitive material from a housing means and loading it on the exposure part. SOLUTION: A supply mechanism 20 is provided with a path switching guide 24 which can rock between a loading posture for guiding a photographic sensitive material fed-in by a feeding-in roller 22 which can supply the photographic sensitive material to an exposure part 40 and a looping posture for forming the loop part of the photographic sensitive material to the upstream side of the exposure part 40 by the fed-in photographic sensitive material in addition to the roller 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus, and more particularly, to a photographic printing apparatus having an exposure unit and a supply mechanism for extracting the photographic material from a storage unit for the photographic material and loading the material into the exposure unit. A photo printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When it is necessary to form a loop portion of a photographic light-sensitive material upstream of an exposure portion in such a photographic printing apparatus, conventionally, a photographic light-sensitive material fed by a feed roller of a supply mechanism is used. In addition to the loading mechanism that guides to the exposure unit, a loop forming mechanism that forms a loop portion of the photographic photosensitive material upstream of the exposure unit by the photographic material fed by the feed roller is independent of the loading mechanism. It was provided as a mechanism.

[0003]

Therefore, in the above-described conventional photographic printing apparatus, since the independent mechanisms of the loop forming mechanism and the loading mechanism are installed, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are large. This has caused an increase in the cost of the entire apparatus. In addition, one of the above two types of mechanisms is located on the upstream side along the photographic photosensitive material transport path,
On the other hand, since the other side is juxtaposed with the downstream side, there is a problem that the conveying path of the photographic material becomes longer, which causes an increase in the size of the apparatus and a reduction in processing capacity, and there is room for improvement.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for forming a loop portion of a photographic light-sensitive material upstream of an exposure portion in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the above-described prior art photographic printing apparatus, In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus in which the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are relatively small, and the conveying path of the photographic material is relatively short.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a photographic printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein the supply mechanism includes a feed roller capable of supplying a photographic photosensitive material, and further includes a supply mechanism. The loading posture for guiding the photographic photosensitive material fed by the feed roller to the exposure unit, and the loop posture for forming a loop portion of the photographic photosensitive material upstream of the exposure unit by the photographic photosensitive material fed by the feed roller. And a path switching guide that can swing between the two.

[0006] In order to have such a characteristic configuration,
In the photographic printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the supply mechanism for loading the photographic photosensitive material into the exposure unit includes:
By simply providing one path switching guide that can switch between the loading posture and the loop posture, this supply mechanism can perform the functions of two mechanisms, a loop forming mechanism and a loading mechanism. In addition to reducing both, the conveying path of the photographic light-sensitive material can be shortened, and as a result, the effect of reducing the size of the apparatus and improving the processing ability can be obtained.

A fixed guide surface for guiding the photographic material to the exposure unit and a loop box formed opposite to the fixed guide surface for accommodating the loop unit are provided upstream of the exposure unit. The path switching guide includes a loading guide surface that cooperates with a fixed guide surface to form a loading path for guiding the photographic photosensitive material to the exposure unit side in the loading posture, and a photo that enters the loading path in the loop posture. A loop guide for guiding the photosensitive material to the loop box may be provided. With this configuration, by setting the path switching guide to the loading posture, the photographic photosensitive material can be smoothly exposed along the loading path formed by the loading guide surface of the path switching guide cooperating with the fixed guide surface. The photographic photosensitive material is smoothly guided to the loop box by the loop guide inserted into the loading path by guiding the path switching guide to the loop position.

Further, the loading guide surface prevents the photosensitive material from entering the loop box in the loading position of the path switching guide, and provides a closing means for allowing the photosensitive material to enter the loop box in the loop position. With this configuration, the photographic photosensitive material to be loaded into the exposure section in the loading position of the path switching guide is prevented from entering the loop box by the loading guide surface as the closing means.

In the path switching guide, the photographic photosensitive material is pressed against the feed roller in the loading position to guide the photographic material to the loading path, and is separated from the feed roller in the loop position to transfer the photographic material to the loop box. If the pressure roller to be guided is rotatably supported, the operation of guiding the photographic material can be performed more smoothly than a guide mechanism that depends only on the loading guide surface.

There is a pair of transport rollers between the supply mechanism and the exposing section which can transport the photographic photosensitive material by pressing, and the loop section is a feeding roller in a state where the photographic photosensitive material is prevented from moving by the transport roller. It may be formed by pulling out the photographic material from the storage means, or by returning the photographic material from the exposure unit to the path switching guide side by the conveying roller. With this configuration, as a preparatory step for accurately performing an operation of once feeding an unexposed photographic photosensitive material to a predetermined position downstream of the exposure unit, an operation of forming a loop of the photographic photosensitive material upstream of the exposure unit is performed. The operation of returning the part of the photographic material exposed in the exposure unit to the upstream side in accordance with the exposure measurement is also performed smoothly in an environment free from concerns such as jamming of the photographic material. You.

If the loop guide is provided with an auxiliary loop guide for guiding the photographic photosensitive material returned from the exposure section toward the path switching guide by the transport roller to the loop box, the photographic photosensitive material exposed in the exposure section is provided. The operation of returning the part to the upstream side in accordance with the exposure is performed more smoothly.

The path switching guide is swingably supported by the main body of the photo printing apparatus, and an urging means for urging the path switching guide toward the loading position is provided between the main body and the path switching guide. The loop guide and the auxiliary loop guide are rotatable rollers supported by an arm member that is swingably supported with respect to the path switching guide, and are provided between the path switching guide and the arm member. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which an urging means for urging the arm member toward the loop box is provided. With this configuration, if the photographic material jams in the loading path while the path switching guide is in the loading position, the path switching guide swings toward the loop position against the urging means. So that
The photographic light-sensitive material or the present photographic printing apparatus is hardly damaged. If the photographic material jams on the loop box side while the path switching guide is in the loop position, the arm member may be swung toward the photographic photosensitive material storage means against the urging means. Therefore, the photographic material or the photographic printing apparatus is hardly damaged.

Other features and advantages of the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Overall Configuration of Photosensitive Material Processing Apparatus) The photosensitive material processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a digital printing section 1 for exposing an image based on digital data to a roll paper RP (photographic paper), and an exposed paper. Transport section 105 for transporting the sheet after cutting the sheet into a sheet of paper SP, a developing section 300 for receiving the exposed sheet of paper SP in a plurality of tanks and developing with a developer, and a sheet after development. It has a finishing unit 400 for drying the paper SP and aligning it on a tray. A control unit 20 for mainly controlling the operation of the digital exposure unit 1 is provided on the left side of the developing unit 300 when viewed from the front of the photosensitive material processing apparatus.
0, transmitted light printing unit 1 for exposing an image obtained as transmitted light from a negative film or the like to roll paper RP
50, a paper magazine PM1 for the digital print unit 1 is provided above the sheet transport unit 105, and a paper magazine PM2 for the transmitted light print unit 150 is provided below the digital print unit 1. Is detachably provided. The digital printing unit 1 stores the image of the film provided to the transmitted light printing unit 150 in the CC.
Digital image data obtained by reading with an image sensor such as D,
Alternatively, a CRT engine 2 for exposing the roll paper RP on the basis of digital image data directly provided by a customer through a data storage medium such as a floppy disk, MO, or personal computer communication is mounted.

(Schematic Configuration of Entire Digital Printing Unit) As shown in FIG. 3, the digital printing unit 1 is a paper loading unit capable of extracting a roll paper RP from a paper magazine PM1 and sending the roll paper RP to the digital printing unit 1. 20 (an example of a supply mechanism), an exposure operation unit 40 located near the center of the digital printing unit 1, and a paper conveyance direction switching unit 70. The paper loading section 20 near the upper end includes a first feeding roller 22 and a first loading roller 22 formed above the CRT engine 2.
There is a first path switching guide 24 for forming a paper loop (basic loop) in the loop box RB1. The paper transport direction switching unit 70 provided downstream of the exposure operation unit 40 is disposed at the same level as the cutter unit 80, in addition to the second feed roller 72 capable of supplying the roll paper RP to the cutter unit 80 side. A second path switching guide 74 for forming a paper loop (optional loop) as needed in the second loop box RB2. A tube surface 42 provided at the tip of the CRT engine 2 belongs to the exposure operation unit 40. Since the tube surface 42 is illuminated by an electron beam emitted from an electron gun in the CRT engine 2, the roll paper RP is The roll paper RP can be exposed by pressing it against the tube surface 42. The exposure operation unit 40 further includes an exposure operation roller 44 and a pressure roller 46 that can press and hold the roll paper RP against the exposure operation roller 44. The roll paper RP once conveyed to the cutter unit 80 side or the second loop box RB2 side is synchronized with the movement of the exposure operation roller 44 while the front surface of the tube surface 42 is pulled up at an accurate step speed by the exposure operation roller 44. Exposure processing is performed by the CRT engine 2 driven by the motor. Further, immediately before and immediately after the exposure operation unit 40, a paper centering mechanism 100 for centering the roll paper RP in the width direction with respect to the tube surface 42 of the CRT engine 2 is provided.

The digital print section 1 is housed in a light-shielding box 3 for holding the roll paper RP drawn out of the paper magazine PM1 for exposure processing in a dark room state. It has a drawer mechanism for easily pulling out the print unit 1 from the light-shielding box 3 and performing inspection and maintenance in a light room. Further, a sheet transport unit 105 disposed adjacent to the downstream of the digital print unit 1
Transports the sheet SP cut in a sheet shape while sandwiching the paper SP between two transport belts arranged to face each other.

(Structure of Paper Loading Unit) As shown in FIG. 4, the paper loading unit 20 mainly includes
First feed roller 22 and first path switching guide 24
Consists of The first feed roller 22 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) around an axis parallel to the axis of the roll paper RP in the paper magazine PM1. First
The path switching guide 24 includes a swing arm 25 that can swing up and down around an axis X1 parallel to the first feed roller 22.
The swing arm 25 supports a first roller 26 near its upper end and a loop roller 28a and an auxiliary loop roller 28b near its lower end so as to be freely rotatable.
The swing arm 25 has a linearly extending loading guide surface 25a and, at the same time, an actuator such as a rotary solenoid or the like.
The loading posture in which 5a is in a substantially vertical posture (FIG. 4-
a) and the loading guide surface 25a is swung between a loop posture in which the loading guide surface 25a is flipped up (see FIG. 4-b), while the swing arm 25 is lower than the operating force of the actuator. Coil spring 25b with elastic restoring force
(One end is fixed to the main body of the photosensitive material processing apparatus, and the other end is fixed to the swing arm 25). When the swing arm 25 is in the loading position, the loading guide surface 25a forms a vertically extending paper loading path with the fixed guide surface 30, and at the same time, the first rollers 26 The rollers are pressed in the direction of the peripheral surface of the roller 22, and the tangent between these two rollers is substantially perpendicular (along the loading guide surface 25a).
Is facing. Therefore, when the first feed roller 22 is rotated forward in this state, the roll paper RP
By being sandwiched between the feed roller 22 and the pressing roller 27, the sheet is pulled out of the paper magazine PM1 and guided along the paper loading path formed by the loading guide surface 25a to be loaded on the exposure operation unit 40 side (loading). Is done.

On the other hand, when the swing arm 25 is in the loop posture, as shown in FIG. 4B, the loading guide surface 25a and the first roller 26 are flipped up and the first The wide opening of the loop box RB1 is opened, and the first roller 26 is also
2, the roll paper RP is directed to the first loop box RB1 side by the remaining pressing rollers 27, 27 which are always kept pressed against the first feed roller 22, and further in the loading posture. Loop roller 28a retracted to paper magazine PM1 side so as not to interfere with roll paper RP
Interrupts the paper loading path and enters the first loop box RB1. Therefore, after a part of the roll paper RP loaded vertically to the exposure operation unit 40 side by the above-described process is gripped by the exposure operation roller 44 and the pressure roller 46, the first feed roller 22 is moved in the loop posture. When the paper is again rotated forward, the roll paper RP newly supplied from the paper magazine PM1 is guided into the first loop box RB1 by the loop roller 28a, the first feed roller 22, and the pressing roller 27, and is introduced into the box. Stored in a loop. Here, the operation of storing the roll paper RP in a loop shape in the first loop box RB1 is referred to as "forming a basic loop". Also,
Once the basic loop is formed in this manner, the swing arm 25 is maintained in the loop posture, and the first feed roller 2
When the exposure operation roller 44 is rotated in the reverse direction while the roller 2 is stopped, the roll paper RP is guided into the first loop box RB1 by the loop roller 28a and the auxiliary loop roller 28b of the swing arm 25, and the roll paper RP is stored in the box. (See the exposure operation described later for details). One of the purposes of forming the basic loop in this manner is to continue the “preparation of the roll paper RP for the length required for the exposure,
This is because the operation of “feeding in advance before 0” is accurately performed in a state where the sheet is released from the rewind resistance received from the paper magazine PM1. Another purpose of preparing the first loop box RB1 and forming a basic loop here is to provide a space for receiving the roll paper RP returned from the exposure operation unit 40 to the upstream side while performing the exposure operation. The purpose is to make the paper pulling operation in the exposure operation unit 40 proceed smoothly without giving unnecessary resistance, and to protect the paper that has been exposed at this time from being damaged. Note that the loop roller 28a and the auxiliary loop roller 28b are rotatably supported by an arm member 29 that is supported to be able to swing back and forth around the axis X1 with respect to the swing arm 25 itself. A coil spring 29 for urging the arm member 29 toward the first loop box RB1 is provided between the moving arm 25 and the arm member 29.
a is attached. Therefore, the loop roller 2
Even when the swing arm 25 is in the above-described loop position, the loop roller 28a is moved from the first loop box RB1 side (from the jammed paper or the like) even when the swing arm 25 is in the loop posture in order to make the 8a enter the first loop box RB1. When a large stress is applied, the loop roller 28a together with the arm member 29 can be retracted to the paper magazine PM1 side from the fixed guide surface 30. However, when the swing arm 25 is in the loading posture, the swing arm 25 is provided with an arm so that the loop roller 28a maintains the posture retracted from the paper loading path regardless of the biasing force of the coil spring 29a. A projection 25c for stopping the swing of the member 29 at a predetermined angle is formed. The shaft of the first roller 26 provided on the arm member 29 may be used as a substitute for the protrusion. Further, the swing arm 25 is
If the roll paper is jammed in the loading path in the state where the first path switching guide 24 is in the loading state, the swing arm 25 is moved by the coil spring 25b. It can be swung toward the loop posture side against the urging force of the coil spring 25b.

(Structure of Exposure Operation Unit) As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the exposure operation unit 40 is made of NBR made of NBR driven by a tube surface 42 of the CRT engine 2 and a step motor M1 (not shown). In addition to the exposure operation roller 44 and the metal (aluminum or the like) pressure roller 46, a paper bypass mechanism 48 (shown in FIG. 11) for keeping the roll paper RP apart from the tube surface 42 except during the exposure operation. At the time of the exposure operation, the roll paper RP is
And a pressing pad 50a for pressing the pressing pad 50a. The pressing roller 46 is pressed against the exposure operation roller 44 to hold the roll paper RP (see FIGS. 9 and 1).
0-a) and a release position (FIG. 10-b) for separating the roll paper RP from the exposure operation roller 44 and releasing the roll paper RP. Crimping posture (Fig. 9-
b) and the release posture (FIGS. 9A and 10). Crimping roller 46 and pressing pad 50
The posture a is collectively operated by a first posture control cam mechanism 52 provided in the exposure operation unit 40 as described below.

<< First Attitude Control Cam Mechanism >> As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first attitude control cam mechanism 52 is
Box-shaped body 5 supporting exposure operation roller 44 at both ends
2a, a pair of left and right first swinging pieces 60 supported on the main body 52a while rotatably supporting both ends of the pressure roller 46;
60, a pair of rocking plates 54a, 54a 'that can rock around the axis X2 located near the lower end of the main body 52a, and D
It has a bearing 55 rotatably provided at a position extending in a crank shape from the rotation shaft of the C motor M2. The first swinging pieces 60 are swingably supported around an axis X3 provided on the main body 52a, and each swinging plate 54a, 54a 'and each first swinging piece 60 are individually linked. They are linked and connected via a mechanism 53. Further, a pair of rocking plates 54a, 5
4a 'are fixed by a common horizontal rod 56 that is rotatable on the axis X2 so as to swing together.
The bearing 55 is slidable in a long hole 54b formed in one swing plate 54a. In addition, the long hole 54b
Are an arcuate cam portion 54c having the same curvature as the outermost circumference circle drawn by the revolving bearing 55, a first linear cam extending upward from the arcuate cam portion 54c and having substantially the same width as the outer diameter of the bearing 55 itself. Part 54d, the first from the arc-shaped cam part 54c.
It has a second linear cam portion 54e extending in the opposite direction to the linear cam portion 54d. Further, the link mechanism 53 is configured to
In addition to the swinging piece 60, a second swinging piece 62 that can swing around the axis X4 located between the axis X2 and the axis X3,
One end 60a of the swinging piece 60 and one end 6 of the second swinging piece 62
2a.

By the swinging of the first swinging pieces 60, the pressing position and the releasing position of the pressure roller 46 are alternatively created, but each of the first swinging pieces 60 is individually connected. The pressure roller 46 is always biased to the pressure position by the left and right coil springs 60c and 60d. In addition, as shown in FIG.
Is separate from the pivoting piece 52b and the pivoting plate 54a.
While being supported by the swing member 50b that can swing around two directions, the spring member 66b is urged by a spring hinge 66c to a release position that is separated from the tube surface 42. On the other hand, from above the left and right ends of the swing member 50b, above the pressing pad 50a. The engagement pin 50c extending to
The pair of rocking plates 54a, 54a 'are configured to be able to engage with one surfaces of the engaged portions 54p, 54p formed by bending a part thereof. Then, when the DC motor M2 is rotated forward,
In response to the orbital motion of the bearing 55, the first attitude control cam mechanism 52 sequentially performs the following motion from the first state in FIG. 9A to the fourth state in FIG. 10B (from FIG. 9A to FIG. 10
In the four figures up to -b, for the sake of convenience, the working relationship between the rocking plate 54a and the pressing pad 50a is shown in the figure on the left,
The working relationship between the rocking plate 54a and the pressure roller 46 is shown in the diagram on the right.

<First State> When the bearing 55 is located at the point A of the orbit, the bearing 55 is located near the entrance of the second linear cam portion 54e in the elongated hole 54b. 54a keeps a substantially vertical posture. In this first state, since no acting force acts on the link mechanism 53 and the first swinging small piece 60 from the swinging plate 54a, the pressure roller 46 is pressed against the exposure operation roller 44 by the coil springs 60c and 60d. On the other hand, the pressing pad 50a is separated from the tube surface 42 by the urging force of the spring hinge 66c because the engagement pin 50c is released from the engagement state with the swing plate 54a. (Fig. 9-
a)

<Second State> When the bearing 55 rotates slightly forward (counterclockwise) from point A and is at point B on the orbit, the bearing 55 enters the arc-shaped cam portion 54c of the elongated hole 54b, As a result, the oscillating plate 54a maintains a posture that is greatly inclined toward the tube surface 42 side. In the second state, there is still no acting force from the swinging plate 54a to the link mechanism 53 and the first swinging small piece 60, so that the pressing roller 46 maintains the pressing position, while the pressing pad 50a is not pressed. , The engagement pin 50c is engaged with the engaged portion 5 of the swing plate 54a.
4p (see FIG. 8), the tube surface 42
Is pressed against. Roll paper RP is placed on tube surface 42
The exposure operation to be performed by pressing on the second state is performed in this second state. (FIG. 9-b)

<Third State> When the bearing 55 further rotates forward from the point B and is at the point C on the orbit, the bearing 55 enters the first linear cam portion 54d in the elongated hole 54b,
As a result, the oscillating plate 54a maintains a posture slightly inclined to the tube surface 42 side. In the third state, the situation is substantially the same as in the first state. That is, the pressure roller 4
6 is still in the crimping position, but the pressing pad 50
As for a, since the engaging pin 50c is pulled back to the opposite side to the tube surface 42 while being engaged with the engaged portion 54p, the pressing pad 50a is recovered to be separated from the tube surface 42. (FIG. 10-a)

<Fourth State> When the bearing 55 is slightly rotated forward from the point C and is at the point D on the orbit, the bearing 55 enters the arcuate cam portion 54c in the elongated hole 54b, and as a result, The oscillating plate 54a maintains a posture slightly inclined to the opposite side to the tube surface 42. In the fourth state, the pressing pad 50a maintains the state of being separated from the tube surface 42 as before, but the pressure roller 46 assumes the position separated from the exposure operation roller 44. That is, the fourth
In the state, the other surface of the engaged portion 54p of the rocking plate 54a (the surface having a front and rear relationship with the surface of the pressing pad 50a acting on the engaging pin 50c) is formed on the second rocking small piece 62. Acting on the action point 62b, the second swinging small piece 62 is tilted downward around the axis X2. Since the one end 62a of the second swinging small piece 62 is displaced downward by the tilting of the second swinging small piece 62, the link arm 64 to which the lower end of the second swinging small piece 62 is connected with the lower end of the second swinging small piece 62 also slightly. Displaces downward while tilting. Due to the downward displacement of the link arm 64, the one end 60a of the first swinging small piece 60 is displaced downward around the axis X3.
Numeral 6 assumes a posture separated from the exposure operation roller 44 against the urging force of the coil springs 52c and 52d. (FIG. 10
-B) The sensors PS1 and PS2 can detect that the pressing roller 46 is in the pressing position with respect to the exposure operation roller 44, and the sensor PS3 can detect that the pressing roller 46 is released from the pressing position. It has become. Preparation of Exposure Operation First, the operation of loading the roll paper RP into the exposure operation unit 40 is performed in the fourth operation.
It is possible in a state.

The arc-shaped cam portion 54c with which the bearing 55 contacts in the second state and the fourth state has the same curvature as the outermost circle drawn by the revolving bearing 55 as described above. Even if the DC motor M2 and the bearing 55 stop at a position slightly overrun from the originally set position, this does not affect the attitude of the swing plate 54a.

{About the paper detour mechanism} As shown in FIG. 11, the pressure roller 46 and the exposure operation roller 4
A pair of guide members 65 and 66 for guiding the roll paper RP to the front surface of the tube surface 42 are provided directly below 4. One of them is a fixed guide 65 that does not move, while the other is a movable guide 66 that can swing around an axis 66a. The movable guide 66 cooperates with the fixed guide 65 to guide the roll paper RP to a path where the roll paper RP can come into contact with the tube surface 42. The posture (FIG. 11-a) and the bypass posture (FIG. 11-b) in which the lower end portion 66b protrudes forward from the tube surface 42 in order to make the roll paper RP bypass the tube surface 42 so as not to contact it. ). That is, in the detour posture, the roll paper RP
From the gap between the pressure roller 46 and the exposure operation roller 44 to the paper transport direction switching unit 70 downstream of the exposure operation unit 40, and further to the cutter unit 80 side further downstream (to the tube surface 42). High-speed feeding (without fear of contact damage). Movable guide 66
Is normally held in the bypass position by a spring hinge 66c, and is switched to the exposure position as needed. That is, at the time of the exposure operation, first, the first attitude control cam mechanism 52 switches from the fourth state to the first state, so that the pressure roller 46 presses the roll paper RP against the exposure operation roller 44, and then the first attitude control When the cam mechanism 52 is switched to the second state, the swinging member 50b is tilted toward the tube surface 42, and the pressing pad 50a presses the roll paper RP against the tube surface 42 (FIG. 9B).
When the swinging member 50b is tilted, the interlocking pin 51 provided near the upper end of the swinging member 50b pushes the lower end 66b of the movable guide 66 toward the CRT engine 2 main body.
The movable guide 66 is switched to the above exposure posture against the urging force of the spring hinge 66c (FIG. 11B).

{Adjusting Force Adjusting Mechanism} At the time of the exposure operation in which the first attitude control cam mechanism 52 is in the second state, the pressure roller 46 is driven by the pair of swinging pieces 60 as described above.
The roll paper RP is pressed onto the peripheral surface of the exposure operation roller 44 based on the urging force of a total of two (ie, left and right) coil springs 60c and 60d connected to each of the left and right coil springs. If there is a difference in the urging force (that is, the elastic restoring force) between 60c and 60d, an urging force adjusting mechanism is provided to correct the difference and make the same. In the present embodiment, this urging force adjustment mechanism is provided only in the coil spring 60c located on the front side when standing in front of the photosensitive material processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, the urging force adjusting mechanism includes a fixing plate 57 that can be fixed to the box-shaped main body 52a of the first attitude control cam mechanism 52,
The movable plate 58 is movably supported with respect to the fixed plate 57 along the extension direction of the coil spring 60c. The moving direction of the movable plate 58 with respect to the fixed plate 57 includes two screws 120a and 120b that penetrate the fixed plate 57 from two places of the fixed plate 57 and protrude toward the main body 52a, and these screws 120
The direction of extension of the coil spring 60c is limited by the elongated holes 58a and 58b formed in the movable plate 58 to receive the a and 120b. In addition, the movable plate 5
8, the relative movement of the movable plate 58 with respect to the fixed plate 57 is restricted (specifically, for example, the fixed screw 121 is fixed to the fixed plate 5).
7 is screwed through a long hole formed in the movable plate 58, and when the screw is tightened, the head of the fixing screw 121 connects the movable plate 58 to the fixed plate 5.
7). In addition, the movable plate 5
8, a contact piece 58 c is provided upright, and an adjustment screw 122 that can contact the contact piece 58 c is screwed to the fixed plate 57. One end of the coil spring 60c is connected to the movable plate 58, and the movable plate 58 is constantly urged toward the pressure roller 46 by the coil spring 60c.
The relative position of the movable plate 58 with respect to the fixed plate 57 is determined by the amount of protrusion of the tip of the 22 toward the contact piece 58a. Therefore, after the fixing screw 121 is loosened, the adjusting screw 122 is screwed on the fixing plate 57 to increase the amount of protrusion of the tip of the adjusting screw 122 from the fixing plate 57.
Is displaced in a direction away from the pressure roller 46,
The elastic restoring force of the coil spring 60c can be substantially increased, and if the adjusting screw 122 is screwed in the opposite direction, the movable plate 58 is moved toward the pressure roller 46 by the urging force of the coil spring 60c. Displaced, substantially the coil spring 6
The elastic restoring force of 0c can be set low again.

{Construction of CRT Engine} As shown in FIG. 2, the CRT engine 2 has an engine main body 2a that projects largely horizontally to the left side of the box-shaped main body 52a of the first attitude control cam mechanism 52 from the tube surface 42. And the tube surface 42
Is F with fiber optic sheet
It is OW (fiber optic window). The FOW has a configuration in which a large number of optical fibers extending at right angles to the tube surface 42 are bundled, so that light emitted from the phosphor applied to the back surface of the tube surface 42 is exposed to the photosensitive material pressed against the tube surface 42. Directly on the material (with no distance between)
Can be transmitted. Here, the tube surface 42 has a shape extending horizontally in the front-rear direction of the photosensitive material processing apparatus, and the length in the horizontal direction can sufficiently cover the width of the roll paper RP. Based on the image data sent from the control unit 200, an electron beam corresponding to each of the RGB colors is transmitted from an electron gun (not shown) provided in the engine body 2a.
The phosphor is emitted substantially horizontally toward each of the phosphors corresponding to RGB formed on the tube surface 42 to cause the phosphors to emit light. Tube face 4
2 is provided with a correction filter corresponding to each of RGB to correct the color characteristics of light emitted from each phosphor. Further, the roll paper RP is in close contact with the tube surface 42 during the exposure operation so as to receive the light emitted from the phosphor without leaving a distance and to be exposed. In the exposure operation, the operation of horizontally sweeping the phosphor on the back surface of the tube surface 42 with the electron beam emitted from the electron gun is performed continuously. At this time, the roll paper RP is adjusted according to the beam sweep period. The rotation of the exposure operation roller 44 at the correct speed causes the tube surface 42 to rotate.
I'm being raised in front. By this continuous linear exposure operation, a horizontal line having a vertical width of 1 dot is drawn (exposed) on the paper at a speed of 1 line / 500 microseconds.

In the digital printing section 1 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, since the exposure operation is performed while pulling up the roll paper RP once fed before the tube surface 42, the roll paper RP is It can be used effectively up to the vicinity of the tip. If the exposure operation is to be performed while the roll paper RP is being fed to the tube surface 42, “the roll paper RP, which is a stiff paper material, is directed toward the tube surface 42 at an accurate speed and at the same time as the tube surface 4.
It is difficult to feed the paper arbitrarily while keeping it in close contact with the roll paper RP. "From the essential characteristic of the roll paper RP, the roller for the exposure operation disposed downstream of the tube surface 42 at an accurate speed. I need to withdraw. Therefore, a considerable amount of gripping margin for the roller for the exposure operation is generated at the leading end of the roll paper RP, and the paper portion having the gripping margin is not used for image formation and must be discarded. .

(Structure of Paper Transport Direction Switching Unit) The paper transport direction switching unit 70 is configured such that the leading end of the roll paper RP fed further downstream from the exposure operation unit 40 has a cutter unit 80 and a second loop box RB2.
Of the second route switching guide 74
In addition to being able to sort the paper by the second feed roller 72, the paper is cut by the cutter unit 8.
It has a function to assist the operation of feeding the paper to the zero side, a function to adjust the cut length of the paper, and the like. As shown in FIG. 12, the paper transport direction switching unit 70 and the cutter unit 80 are connected by a fixed guide 73 extending toward the peripheral surface of the second feed roller 72. Paper transport direction switching unit 70 and second loop box RB2
Are connected by a loop guide 76 and a fixed guide 79. The second path switching guide 74 includes a control arm 75 that can swing vertically about the fixed axis X5, and a cutter guide 75a that swings integrally with the control arm 75. The two rollers 75 c are rotatably fitted on a shaft 75 b indirectly fixed to the control arm 75. Here, the loop guide 76
It can be seen as a movable part of the fixed guide 79. The loop guide 76 has an elongated hole 76a extending linearly. The relative movement of the shaft 75b of the control arm 75 with respect to the loop guide 76 is limited to the inside of the elongated hole 76a. The shaft 75b is moved to the axis X based on the swing.
When the loop guide 76 is moved in an arc shape around 5, the loop guide 76 is forcibly swung about the axis X6 based on this, and as a result, the approach path of the leading end of the roll paper RP is sorted. The swing operation of the control arm 75 is performed in the second
This is realized by the attitude control cam mechanism 77. The second attitude control cam mechanism 77 has an action portion 75e provided at the free end of the control arm 75, and a cam body 78 that is rotated in steps around the axis X7 at 90 ° intervals. Working part 75e
Is formed by using a ball bearing so as to have a rotatable outer peripheral portion. The control arm 75 is configured such that the action portion 75e is always fixed to the axis X7 of the cam body 78 by a torsion coil spring provided around the axis X5. It is urged to approach. The cam body 78 has four cam surfaces that are substantially 90 ° out of phase with each other, that is, a first cam surface 78a, a second cam surface 78b, a third cam surface 78c, and a fourth cam surface 78d.
Having. The first cam surface 78a is provided farthest from the axis X7, and the second cam surface 78b and the fourth cam surface 78d are provided.
Is located closer to the axis X7 than the first cam surface 78a. The third cam surface 78c has a linear surface located closer to the axis X7 than the second cam surface 78b and the fourth cam surface 78d, and is referred to as a cam surface for convenience. The third cam surface 78c does not come into contact with the action portion 75e. Therefore, the cam body 7 is driven by a DC motor (not shown).
When the rotating members 8 are sequentially rotated by 90 °, the second path switching guide 74 shows the following movement according to the vertical movement of the action portion 75e (see FIGS. 12A to 13B).

<First State> This is a state in which the cam body 78 faces upward and the action portion 75e of the control arm 75 is supported by the first cam surface 78a. In this first state, FIG.
As shown in 2-a, at the same time when the second roller 75c is sufficiently separated from the second feed roller 72, the loop guide 76 is raised upward, and the loop guide 76 is raised.
Is located higher than the distal end 73a of the fixed guide 73 leading to the cutter unit 80, and as a result,
A tangent line connecting the peripheral surface of the second feed roller 72 and the fixed guide 73 is interrupted, and is close to the second feed roller 72 side. In this state, the roll paper RP is
When sent from the side, the tip of the roll paper RP
The user slides down on the loop guide 76 and proceeds from the fixed guide 79 to the second loop box RB2, where a loop is formed.

<Second State> The cam body 78 faces the left side of the drawing, and the action portion 75e of the control arm 75 is moved to the second cam surface 78b.
It is a state supported by. In the second state, as shown in FIG. 12-b, the second roller 75c is still separated from the second feed roller 72, but the loop guide 76 is slightly inclined and the leading end of the loop guide 76 ends. The portion 76b is retracted downward from a tangent connecting the peripheral surface of the second feed roller 72 and the fixed guide 73. When the roll paper RP is fed from the exposure operation unit 40 side in this state, the leading end of the roll paper RP is guided to the fixed guide 73 by the cutter guide 75a. Incidentally, as described above, in order to allow the loop guide 76 to temporarily intersect and relatively move with respect to the fixed guide 73, the distal end portion 76b of the loop guide 76 and the fixed guide 7 are fixed.
The third tip 73a has the shape of a comb tooth extending so as to supplement the gap. Such a structure that extends so as to compensate for the gap for relative movement with temporary intersection is also used between the peripheral surface of the second roller 75c and the tip 73a of the fixed guide 73. I have.

<Third State> The cam body 78 faces downward in the drawing, and the action portion 75e of the control arm 75 is moved to the third cam surface 78c.
It has been lowered to the vicinity. The third cam surface 78c is
In the third state, the control arm 75 is in a position in which the control arm 75 has swung down to the lowest position, as shown in FIG. 13A, since the control arm 75 is sufficiently close to the axis X7.
5 c is pushed up and pressed against the second feed roller 72. However, the relative positional relationship between the cutter guide 75a and the loop guide 76 is not much different from the second state. In the second state, the roll paper RP is
When the roll paper RP is switched to the third state after being guided to the third roller 75c, the second paper 75c
And the second feed roller 72, the roll paper RP is continuously fed to the cutter unit 80 by rotating the second feed roller 72, or pulled back by a predetermined amount from the cutter unit 80 side. Becomes possible.

<Fourth state> The cam body 78 is swung to the right in the drawing, and the action portion 75e of the control arm 75 is moved to the fourth cam surface 78d.
It is a state supported by. This fourth state is
As shown in FIG. 13B, the second roller 75c is separated from the second feed roller 72 again, and the loop guide 76 is slightly tilted, so that the loop guide 7
The distal end portion 76b of 6 is retracted below the distal end 73a of the fixed guide 73. In this state, the roll paper RP once sent to the cutter unit 80 side is
The exposure operation roller of the exposure operation unit 40 can easily be pulled back toward the exposure operation unit 40.

It should be noted that even if the DC motor for rotating the cam body 78 slightly overruns from a predetermined angular position, the position of the action portion 75e and, consequently, the angle of the control arm 75 are not affected. 1 cam surface 78a, 2nd cam surface 78b
The three positions of the third cam surface 78d and the fourth cam surface 78d are all arc-shaped surfaces having different radii from each other with the axis X7 as the center. Further, by switching the second path switching guide 74 to the first state, the second loop box RB
Forming a paper loop (optional loop) in 2 is for exposing a large number of prints of the same image continuously or exposing a long print such as 6 inches (152.4 mm). For example. That is, the length of the roll paper RP that can be continuously exposed at one time while pulling back the front of the tube surface 42 by the exposure operation roller 44, in other words, the length to be fed in advance downstream from the tube surface 42 is a cutter. Units 80 to 10
mm from the position before this to the tube surface 42 (152 mm)
If this is not enough, a necessary length of roll paper RP is fed into the second loop box RB2.
By the way, in this second loop box RB2, about 50
The roll paper RP having a length of 0 mm can be stored.

(Position of Cutter Unit) As shown in FIG. 14, a cutter unit 80 capable of cutting the roll paper RP on the transport path is provided downstream of the paper transport direction switching unit 70. The cutter unit 80 is located at the most downstream of the digital printing section 1. An outlet transport unit 90 that can grip the roll paper RP is provided downstream of the cutter unit 80 on the transport path of the roll paper RP. As shown in FIG. 3, the exit transport unit 90 does not belong to the digital print unit 1, but is fixed to a frame of the photosensitive material processing apparatus. A pair of rollers 90a and 90b provided in the outlet transport unit 90 cooperate with a second roller 75c and a second feed roller 72, which can grip the roll paper RP in the paper transport direction switching unit 70, and form a paper tension. Make up the mechanism. That is, the position at which the roll paper RP is to be cut is determined by the stop position of the second feed roller 72, and the cutter unit 80 of the roll paper RP sandwiched between the second roller 75c and the second feed roller 72 is used.
In a state where the pulling force is applied by the rollers 90a and 90b of the downstream exit conveyance unit 90, in other words, the slackness of the paper is reduced so that the true length of the paper is constant irrespective of the paper habit of the roll paper RP. Cut it as it is taken. That is, the second roller 75c has a peripheral surface made of aluminum, but the peripheral surface of the second feed roller 72 is made of an elastomer, and the roll paper RP is wound around the second feed roller 72 over a predetermined circumferential length. Therefore, these roller pairs have a sufficiently high gripping force to accurately control the position of the roll paper RP. In return, the rollers 90a and 90b of the outlet conveyance unit 90 are both hard rollers having a peripheral surface made of a metal (electroless plated, for example, alumite) having a small frictional force, and the papers are rollers 90a and 90b. (A tangential contact), the gripping force on the roll paper RP is lower than that of a pair of rolls including the second feed roller 72 and the second roller 75c. Further, since the peripheral speeds of the rollers 90a and 90b of the outlet transport unit 90 are always set to be 0.5 to 1% higher than the peripheral speed of the second feed roller 72, the outlet transport from the second feed roller 72 is performed. Roller 90 of unit 90
The roll paper RP located between a and 90b always holds the roll paper RP on the upstream side at any given moment, and the second feed roller 72 slides on the roll paper RP on the downstream side while sliding the roll paper RP on the downstream side. The straightened state is maintained by the action of the rollers 90a and 90b. Therefore, also at the time of the cutting, the roll paper RP can be cut in a stretched state by stopping the second feeding roller 72 and the rollers 90a and 90b at the same time.

(Configuration of Paper Centering Mechanism) FIGS. 3 and 1
As shown in FIG. 5, the digital print unit 1 includes a pair of first width regulating guides 10 provided on the upstream side of the tube face 42.
1 and 101 and a pair of second width regulating guides 102 and 102 provided on the downstream side.
Is provided. As shown in FIG. 15, the first width regulating guides 101, 101 are provided with a first posture control cam mechanism 52.
The second width regulating guides 102, 102 are disposed immediately adjacent to the box-shaped main body 52a. As a result, the paper centering mechanism 10
0 is the pressure roller 46 of the exposure unit 40 and the exposure operation roller 4
4 is provided at a position so as to sandwich it from the upstream side and the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 15, the first width regulating guide 10
One end of each of the first and second width regulating guides 102 and 102 is externally screwed onto guide rods 103 and 104, and the other end has grooves 101a and 102a capable of guiding paper in the left and right directions, that is, in the width direction. Is provided. The guide rods 103 and 104 may be provided with ball screws. In this case, the ball screws may be reverse screws around the center of the tube surface 42 in the horizontal direction of the guide rods 103 and 104. In addition, for example, the two guide rods 103 and 104 may be connected by a timing belt. Therefore, when one guide rod 104 is rotated by a stepping motor or the like, a pair of upper and lower width regulating guides (101, 101 and 102,
102) can be changed at the same time, but the center of the left and right width regulating guides always keeps the same state as the center of the tube surface 42. Note that a pair of upper and lower width regulating guides (10
1, 101 and 102, 102) are maintained in a standby state which is sufficiently wider than the width of the paper, except during the paper centering operation described below. The centering operation using the paper centering mechanism 100 is necessary because the actual width dimension of the roll paper RP has a difference or variation (particularly depending on a manufacturer). The centering operation may be performed when the operation of pulling out the roll paper RP from the paper magazine PM1 and sending the roll paper RP to the digital print unit 1 is performed, and is performed in approximately the following procedure.

(Outline of Paper Centering Operation) <1> The first feed roller 22 of the paper loading unit 20 is driven to load the roll paper RP from the paper magazine PM1 to the exposure operation unit 40 side. Is fed to a position 10 mm before the sensor provided in the cutter unit 80, and the paper magazine PM1 is pressed between the exposure operation roller 44 and the pressure roller 46 in a stationary state. <2> The swing arm 25 is caused to take a loop posture, and the opening of the first loop box RB1 is opened. <3> The first feed roller 22 is driven again to draw out the roll paper RP from the paper magazine PM1, thereby forming a basic loop of a predetermined length in the first loop box RB1 (the basic loop has a length of the first loop). It is grasped by the sensor in the loop box RB1). <4> The first feed roller 22 is driven again to feed the paper RP so that the loop in the first loop box RB1 has the print length. <6> The width regulating guide (10
(1, 101 and 102, 102) are adjusted to the width of the roll paper RP (by performing this step, a state where the center in the width direction of the roll paper RP coincides with the center of the tube surface 42 is obtained). <7> Roll paper RP is pressed again by pressure roller 46. <8> The paper centering operation is completed.

(Transport unit) FIGS. 2, 3 and 14
As shown in the figure, downstream of the digital print unit 1,
Sheet transport unit 10 including exit transport unit 90 described above
5, the paper SP cut into a sheet by the cutter unit 80 can be transported to the development processing unit 300. The sheet transport unit 105 includes, in addition to the exit transport unit 90, a horizontal transport unit 105a disposed adjacent to the outlet transport unit 90, and the paper SP from an outlet of the horizontal transport unit 105a to an entrance of the development processing unit 300 positioned vertically downward. Vertical transport unit 10 for transport
5c. Each of these transport units has two endless transport belt mechanisms. The belts of these endless transport belt mechanisms move on a trajectory that extends in the transport direction of the paper SP based on the rotation of pulleys that support the belt at both ends. Since the two endless transport belt mechanisms are arranged so that the two belts face each other and can contact each other, even the short sheet paper SP can be sandwiched between the belts moving in the same direction. , Can be transported reliably. As shown in FIG. 16, the horizontal transport unit 105a includes a drive motor M3, and the outlet transport unit 90 also shares this single drive motor M3 as a drive source.
The rotational force of the drive motor M3 is first transmitted by the drive belt 106a to the pulley on the downstream side of the horizontal transport unit 105a. It is also told to 90. In addition, the horizontal transport unit 105a can be easily attached and detached from the case body of the development processing unit 300. That is, the horizontal transport unit 1
A coupling mechanism C1 connects the pulley on the upstream side of 05a and the output pulley shaft of the drive belt 106b. The coupling mechanism C1 includes the horizontal transport unit 105
a convex coupler 111a and a belt device 106b which are installed to protrude from the upstream pulley shaft in the direction of the belt device 106b.
Coupler 111 attached to the downstream pulley shaft
b. The convex coupler 110a and the concave coupler 110b reliably transmit a driving force through engagement of a deformed (here, rectangular) cross section in the axial direction, and at the same time,
When the operator pulls out the horizontal transport unit 105a to the front side, the convex coupler 110a and the concave coupler 110b
Is disengaged. Horizontal transport unit 105
Protrusions 112a and 112b (at least one of which is elastically displaceable) are provided on the front and rear side plates of the horizontal transfer unit 105a. Since the horizontal transfer unit 105a is tilted about the mounting channel 113b while pressing the elastically displaceable projection 112a, the horizontal transfer is performed. If the unit 105a is pulled out to the front side, the coupling mechanism C
1 is automatically disengaged and the horizontal transport unit 105a
Can be removed from the case body of the development processing unit 300 including the drive motor M3. In this way, even when the horizontal transport unit 105a is removed, the outlet transport unit 90 remains on the case body of the developing unit 300.

(Paper Tension Function of Horizontal Transport Unit) When the sheet paper SP cut from the roll paper RP is longer than a predetermined amount, that is, when the distance from the second feed roller 72 to the leading end of the roll paper RP exceeds 200 mm. , Horizontal transport unit 105a
And rollers 90a, 90 of the exit transport unit 90 described above.
b cooperates to perform the function of the paper tension mechanism. Therefore, the peripheral speed of the transport belt of the horizontal transport unit 105a is
The peripheral speeds are set to be 0.5 to 1% higher than the peripheral speeds a and 90b.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a photographic processing apparatus employing the technology of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photographic processing apparatus according to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a digital print section.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of a paper loading unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an exposure operation unit.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the exposure operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the exposure operation unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a part of an exposure operation unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of a first attitude control cam mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of a first attitude control cam mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the paper bypass mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a paper transport direction switching unit.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a paper transport direction switching unit.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of cutter units.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a paper centering mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a part of an exit transport unit and a horizontal transport unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 RP roll paper (photographic paper) SP sheet paper 20 paper loading section 22 first feed roller 24 first path switching guide 26 first roller 28a loop roller 40 exposure operation section 44 exposure operation roller 46 pressure roller 52 first attitude control cam mechanism 70 paper transport direction switching unit 72 second feed roller 74 second path switching guide 75c second roller 76 loop guide 77 second attitude control cam mechanism 100 paper centering mechanism 101 width regulation guide (upstream side) 102 width regulation guide (downstream) side)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A photographic printing apparatus comprising: an exposure section; and a supply mechanism for drawing out the photographic material from storage means for the photographic material and loading the photographic material into the exposure section. A feeding roller capable of supplying a material, the feeding mechanism further includes a loading attitude for guiding the photographic photosensitive material fed by the feeding roller to the exposure unit, and a photographic photosensitive material fed by the feeding roller. A photographic printing apparatus comprising a path switching guide that can swing between a loop position of a photographic photosensitive material and a loop position formed upstream of the exposure unit. 2. A fixed guide surface for guiding a photographic material to the exposure unit upstream of the exposure unit, and a loop box formed to face the fixed guide surface for accommodating the loop unit. The path switching guide includes a loading guide surface that cooperates with the fixed guide surface to form a loading path for guiding a photographic photosensitive material toward the exposure unit in the loading position, and the loop. 2. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a loop guide that guides the photosensitive material into the loop box by interrupting the loading path in the posture. 3. A closing means for preventing the photosensitive material from entering the loop box in the loading position and allowing the photosensitive material to enter the loop box in the loop position. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 2, which also functions as: 4. The path switching guide, wherein the photographic photosensitive material is pressed onto the feed roller in the loading posture to guide the photographic photosensitive material to the loading path, and is separated from the feed roller in the loop posture. 4. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a pressure roller for guiding a photographic material to the loop box is rotatably supported. 5. A pair of transport rollers capable of pressing and transporting a photographic photosensitive material between the supply mechanism and the exposure unit, and the loop unit prevents movement of the photographic photosensitive material by the transport roller. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive roller is formed by pulling out the photosensitive material from the storage means by the feed roller in the state, or by returning the photosensitive material from the exposure unit to the path switching guide side by the transport roller. The photographic printing processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The loop guide according to claim 5, wherein the loop guide is provided with an auxiliary loop guide for guiding the photographic photosensitive material returned from the exposure section toward the path switching guide by the transport roller to the loop box. A photographic printing apparatus as described in the above. 7. The path switching guide is swingably supported by a main body of the photographic printing apparatus, and the path switching guide is attached to the loading position between the main body and the path switching guide. Biasing means for biasing is provided, and the loop guide and the auxiliary loop guide are rotatable rollers supported by an arm member swingably supported with respect to the path switching guide, 7. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an urging means for urging the arm member toward the loop box is provided between the path switching guide and the arm member.