JPH1138587A - Sorting method for photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a sorting device sorting photosensitive materials sufficiently according as a print is produced at a high speed by short path length so that it is compact, simple and inexpensive by using plural sorting units lifting the photosensitive materials and carrying them in a sorting direction and alternately using the respective sorting units. SOLUTION: By using two sucker units 92 and 94 lifting and carrying the photosensitive materials and alternately using the units 92 and 94, one unit 94 is moved to a home position at the same time that the photosensitive materials are carried by the other unit 92. Since preparation is made for sucking and holding the carried-in photosensitive materials and the photosensitive materials carried in before are lifted so as to be sorted, the photosensitive materials are carried in a belt conveyer 70 without being obstructed. Thus, the photosensitive materials are continuously received, quickly and surely sorted and supplied to a processor without exerting an effect on an upstream side in a scanning and carrying direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for distributing photosensitive materials in a plurality of rows to be supplied to a developing device, which is used in an image recording apparatus for recording a latent image by exposing the photosensitive materials. Belongs to the field.

[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.

Such a digital photo printer basically comprises an input device having a scanner (image reading device) and an image processing device, and an output device having a printing device (image recording device) and a developing device. You. In the scanner, the projection light of the image photographed on the film is photoelectrically read by an image sensor such as a CCD sensor and transmitted to the image processing device as film image data (image data signal). The image processing device performs predetermined image processing on the image data,
The image data is sent to a printing apparatus as output image data (exposure conditions) for image recording. For example, if the printing apparatus uses a light beam scanning exposure, the printing apparatus deflects a light beam modulated in accordance with the supplied image data in the main scanning direction and exposes the light beam in a sub scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. By scanning and transporting the material, the photosensitive material is scanned and exposed by a light beam to form a latent image, and a back print is recorded. 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.

[0006] Not only in such a digital photo printer, but also in a photo printer using ordinary direct exposure, in a printing apparatus, unused photosensitive material is wound into a roll and stored in a light-shielding housing, and is stored in a magazine. 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,
With a normal photo printer, the photosensitive material is not cut off in the middle, and it is exposed as it is long, recording back prints,
After performing development processing, drying, and the like, the photosensitive material is finally cut into a predetermined length to form one print.

However, in such an apparatus for cutting the photosensitive material at the end, before or at the time of exposing the photosensitive material, frame information (punch) for indicating a boundary of each frame (for each print) is formed. There is a need. Therefore, the photosensitive material in the portion where the frame information is formed is wasted, and a means for forming frame information having a punch, a sensor, and the like is required. In digital exposure printing equipment,
In order to record high-quality images without unevenness, it is necessary to perform scanning and transporting of the photosensitive material with high precision and without stopping. Therefore, a deflection (loop) of the photosensitive material is formed upstream and downstream of the exposure position. Therefore, the transport route and transport control of the photosensitive material are complicated. Therefore, in such a photo printer, it is conceivable to perform exposure after cutting a photosensitive material corresponding to one print into a cut sheet, and it is practically used in an analog photo printer.

[0008]

By the way, in a photo printer, development processing generally takes more time than exposure. Therefore, if the exposure (image input) and the development processing are performed continuously in parallel, the development processing cannot catch up, and the exposed photosensitive material gradually accumulates in an undeveloped state. It is necessary to stop the exposure operation. In photo printers that cut photosensitive material last, a reservoir is provided between the exposure unit and the developing device, and the exposed photosensitive material is temporarily stored here, enabling continuous exposure without limiting the development process. In this way, efficient work is realized.

On the other hand, in a photo printer that performs exposure after forming a photosensitive material into a cut sheet, the work efficiency can be improved by storing the exposed photosensitive material in a stocker or the like. In addition, it becomes difficult to manage the exposure order (frame number and sort) and to discharge the photosensitive material from a stocker or the like. Therefore, in a photo printer that performs exposure after forming the photosensitive material into a cut sheet, the exposed photosensitive material to be supplied to the developing device is sorted in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (hereinafter, referred to as a lateral direction), and Can be used as a plurality of overlapping rows to improve the processing capacity of the developing device. For example, two rows can perform about twice the developing processing and three rows can perform about three times the developing processing, and reduce the speed difference between the exposure and the developing processing. Offsetting is being done. However, if a sorting device that performs such sorting is arranged, the length of the conveying path (path length) of the photosensitive material becomes long, so that an increase in the size and cost of the device cannot be avoided.

The distribution needs to be performed so as not to affect the processing such as exposure. For example, the most commonly used L
In the case of an apparatus that requires a printing capacity of 1800 sheets per hour in size printing, it is necessary to create (expose) prints at an interval of one sheet every two seconds. It is necessary to receive and sort the exposed photosensitive material to be carried in, and to prepare for receiving the next exposed photosensitive material. To cope with this, conventionally, the sorting device is divided into three blocks of a high-speed transport unit, a sorting unit, and a speed control unit for supply to the developing device, and the photosensitive material conveyed from the exposure unit in the high-speed transport unit. Is transported at a high speed and supplied to the sorting unit, thereby securing a time for sorting by opening an interval with the next photosensitive material, and in the sorting unit, for example, a method of moving the conveying means in a horizontal direction. The photosensitive material is conveyed to the speed control section while being distributed in the horizontal direction, and the speed control section supplies the photosensitive material to the developing device at a transport speed corresponding to development. For this reason, the path length of the photosensitive material becomes extremely long as compared with a case where no sorting device is provided, which results in an increase in size and cost of the device. In particular, the pass length of the photosensitive material becomes extremely long in order to perform sorting in response to high-speed printing of one sheet every two seconds as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
Preferably, a method for distributing photosensitive material used in an image recording device (printing device) for performing digital scanning exposure and supplying the exposed photosensitive material to a developing device.
The photosensitive material can be sorted sufficiently in response to high-speed printing (image exposure) such as one sheet per second, and the sorting device can be made small, simple, and inexpensive. It is to provide a distribution method.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image recording apparatus for exposing a photosensitive material having a predetermined length to record a latent image and supplying the exposed photosensitive material to a developing device. A method for distributing photosensitive material in a plurality of rows by distributing the photosensitive material in a distribution direction corresponding to a direction orthogonal to the photosensitive material transport direction in the developing device, wherein the photosensitive material is lifted up in the distribution direction. A method for distributing photosensitive material, characterized in that the photosensitive material is distributed in a plurality of rows by using two distributing units to be conveyed and alternately using each distribution unit.

Further, the exposure is performed with reference to the center of the photosensitive material, and the two sorting units transport the photosensitive material in opposite directions, and the transported photosensitive material is alternated by the sorting unit. It is preferable that the photosensitive material is sorted into two rows by being conveyed, and is alternately sorted into three rows by alternately conveying the conveyed photosensitive material by the sorting unit and passing through without distributing the sorting unit.

Further, the exposure of the photosensitive material is performed by scanning exposure performed while the photosensitive material is conveyed by the scanning and conveying means, and the photosensitive material is sorted by a belt conveyor disposed immediately downstream of the scanning and conveying means. It is preferable to perform the above.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a method for sorting light-sensitive materials of the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
This will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image recording apparatus utilizing the method for sorting photosensitive materials of the present invention. The image recording device 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a recording device 10) illustrated in FIG.
A device used as a printing device of the above-described digital photo printer, which cuts a predetermined length corresponding to a print for producing a long photosensitive material into a cut sheet, and records back print (back print) and digital print. This is a device that performs scanning exposure of the above, divides the exposed photosensitive material A into a plurality of rows as necessary by using the method of the present invention, and supplies it to a processor (developing device) 50.

Such a recording apparatus 10 includes a photosensitive material supply unit 12, a printer 14 for recording back prints,
Using the image recording unit 16 for exposing the photosensitive material A at the recording (exposure) position X and the method for distributing the photosensitive material according to the fourth aspect,
And a sorting device 18 for sorting the exposed photosensitive material A into a plurality of rows as necessary. The recording device 1
At 0, various members such as a conveying means of the photosensitive material A such as a conveying roller, a conveying guide, and a sensor are arranged as necessary in addition to the illustrated members.

In the recording apparatus 10, the photosensitive material supply unit 1
2 (hereinafter, referred to as a supply unit 12) includes loading units 20 and 2
2, a pair of pull-out rollers 24 and 26, and a cutter 28
And 30.

The loading sections 20 and 22 are sections into which a magazine 32 in which a long photosensitive material A wound in a roll shape with the recording surface outside is housed in a light-shielding housing is loaded. Magazine 32 loaded in both loading sections 20 and 22
Normally, photosensitive materials A of different types such as size (width), surface type (silk or mat), specification (thickness, type of base, etc.) are stored. Note that the number of magazines 32 that can be loaded may be one or three or more, depending on the size, configuration, and the like of the recording device 10.

The draw-out roller pairs 24 and 26 draw out and transport the photosensitive material A stored in the magazine 32 loaded in the loading units 20 and 22. This conveyance is stopped when the photosensitive material A conveyed downstream from the corresponding cutters 28 and 30 has a length corresponding to the print to be produced, and then the cutters 28 and 30 are activated to operate the photosensitive material A. Is cut into a cut sheet of a predetermined length. In addition,
One cutter may be shared by a plurality of loading units.

The photosensitive material A pulled out of the magazine 32 of the loading section 22 and cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 30
The photosensitive material A pulled out of the magazine 32 of the loading unit 20 and cut by the cutter 28 on the other hand is transported by the first transport unit 34 and the second transport unit 36 composed of a number of transport roller pairs. By 36, both are conveyed upward, then conveyed rightward, and conveyed to the image recording unit 16 (scanning conveyance unit 42) with the recording surface facing up.

In the middle of the second transport section 36, the printer 14
Is arranged. The printer 14 includes, on the non-recording side (non-emulsion side = back side) of the photosensitive material A, the photographing date, print printing date, frame number, film ID number (sign), camera ID number used for photographing, photo printer Record various information such as the ID number, so-called back print (back print)
The photosensitive material A is back-printed by the printer 14 while being transported by the second transport unit 36. As the printer 14 for recording the back print, a back print printer used for a known photo printer, such as an ink jet printer, a dot impact printer, and a thermal transfer printer, is exemplified. The printer 14 is a so-called new photo system (Advanced Phot
o), it is preferable to be able to print two or more lines.

A loop forming section 38 is provided between the pair of conveying rollers 36a and the pair of conveying rollers 36b downstream of the printer 14 in the second conveying section 36. That is, the transport speed of the photosensitive material A in the second transport unit 36 is the same as that of the image recording unit 1 after the transport roller pair 36b downstream of the loop forming unit 38.
6 (scanning conveying means 42), the speed is set higher than that before the conveying roller pair 36a upstream of the loop forming section 38 at the same speed as the scanning conveying speed in the scanning conveying means 42, and the photosensitive material A conveyed through the second conveying section 36 In the loop forming section 38, a loop corresponding to the size is formed by the difference between the upstream and downstream transport speeds, as indicated by the dotted line in the figure. In the recording apparatus 10 in the illustrated example, the printer 14 and the image recording section 16 are separated from each other with a short path length, and high-precision scanning and transport of the photosensitive material A during exposure is realized.

The image recording section 16 comprises an exposure unit 40 and a scanning and conveying means 42. The scanning and conveying means 42 holds the photosensitive material A at a predetermined recording position X and scans and conveys the photosensitive material A in the direction of the arrow y. The exposure unit 40 emits the recording light L modulated in accordance with data (recorded image) and deflected in a main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper of FIGS. 1 and 2 and a direction of an arrow x in FIG. 3) orthogonal to the scanning and conveying direction. Then, by entering the recording position X, the photosensitive material A is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed to record a latent image. In the image recording unit 16 in the illustrated example, side registration (edge position regulation) is performed so that the center of the photosensitive material A in the main scanning direction is a predetermined position, and exposure is performed with reference to the center.

The exposure unit 40 is a known light beam scanning device that uses a light beam such as a laser beam as the recording light L. The exposure unit 40 exposes the photosensitive material A to red (R), green (G), and blue (G). B) A light source that emits a light beam corresponding to each exposure, a modulating unit such as an AOM (acousto-optic modulator) that modulates the light beam emitted from the light source according to digital image data, a modulated light beam An optical deflector such as a polygon mirror that deflects the light beam in the main scanning direction, and an fθ (scanning) lens for adjusting the optical path of a fθ (scanning) lens that forms a light beam deflected in the main scanning direction at a predetermined position on the recording position X with a predetermined beam diameter. It has a mirror and the like. Or PD
P (plasma display) array, ELD (electroluminescent display) array, LED (light emitting diode) array, LCD (liquid crystal display) array, DMD (digital micromirror device) array, laser array, etc. Digital exposure means using various light emitting arrays or spatial modulation element arrays extending in the direction may be used.

On the other hand, the scanning and conveying means 42
A pair of transport rollers 44 arranged with the (scanning line) interposed therebetween
And 46, and an exposure guide 52 (see FIG. 2) for more accurately holding the photosensitive material A at the recording position X, and orthogonal to the main scanning direction while holding the photosensitive material A at the recording position X. The photosensitive material A is scanned and transported in the sub-scanning direction. Here, since the light beam as the recording light L is deflected in the main scanning direction, the photosensitive material A is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the recording light L modulated according to the image data, and the latent image is formed. Be recorded. Incidentally, as the scanning and conveying means, an exposure drum for conveying the photosensitive material A while holding it at the recording position X;
A scanning conveyance unit using two nip rollers that contact the exposure drum with the recording position X interposed therebetween is also exemplified.

Downstream of the image recording unit 16 is a distribution device 18
Is arranged. The distribution device 18 implements the method for distributing photosensitive material of the present invention, and receives the photosensitive material A discharged from the scanning and transporting means 42 of the image recording unit 16 and adjusts the same in the scanning and transporting direction (the direction of arrow y). The first sucker unit 92 and the second
The sucker units 94 are alternately operated to sort the photosensitive material A in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (corresponding to the transport direction in the processor 50), that is, in the main scanning direction (hereinafter, referred to as a horizontal direction) to form a plurality of rows. The photosensitive material A is transported to the transport roller pair 48 that supplies (processor entry) the photosensitive material A to the processor 50. As described above, in the exposure and the development processing,
Generally, development processing takes longer, but the sorting device 18
Is to sort the photosensitive material A in the horizontal direction and to arrange the photosensitive material A to be processed by the processor 50 in a plurality of rows that overlap in the transport direction (hereinafter, referred to as overlap), so that the processing capacity of the processor 50 is two rows. In this case, the speed difference between the exposure and the development processing is set to about two times and three times for three rows to cancel the difference in speed.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the distribution device 18, and FIG. 3 shows a plan view (partially omitted) of the same. Sorting device 18
Is basically configured to include a belt conveyor 70 on which the photosensitive material A is placed and transported, and a lift transport device 72 having a first suction unit 92 and a second suction unit 94. The photosensitive material A exposed by the image recording unit 16 is discharged and placed on a belt conveyor 70 and conveyed. When the photosensitive material A is conveyed to a predetermined position, the first suction unit 92 or the second suction unit 94 of the lift conveyance device 72 is moved. , And are conveyed and sorted in the oblique downstream direction on the downstream side, placed again on the belt conveyor 70, conveyed as it is, and supplied to the conveying roller pair 48. Such a distributing device 18 includes an image recording unit 16 that performs exposure on the basis of a center.
The center (hereinafter simply referred to as the center) in the horizontal (main scanning) direction is disposed immediately downstream of the (scanning and conveying means 42).

The belt conveyor 70 has two rollers 74
, 76, an endless belt 78 stretched between both rollers, and a drive source (not shown). In the recording apparatus 10, the scanning and conveying means 42 (conveying roller pair 46) and the conveying roller pair 4
The interval between the photosensitive material 8 and the photosensitive material between the recording material 10 and the recording material 10 needs to be longer than the interval between the two. The position and the transport length are set so that the exchange of A can be performed stably. If the distance between the scanning and conveying means 42 and the pair of conveying rollers 48 is too long, the cost and size of the apparatus are increased due to the extension of the path length. Therefore, it is preferable to determine the distance between them. The size (width) of the belt conveyor 70 in the horizontal direction may be set to a width that allows the photosensitive material A to be stably and reliably conveyed in accordance with the maximum size in the width direction of the print, the number of rows of the photosensitive material, and the like.

In the distribution device 18 in the illustrated example, as a preferred embodiment, the belt conveyor 70 is inclined so as to descend toward the downstream. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive material A from being caught by a curl (curl habit) which the photosensitive material A usually has, to prevent the photosensitive material A from buckling, etc. The supply of the photosensitive material A to the processor 50 can be performed more smoothly and stably. The angle is not particularly limited. However, if the angle is too large, the photosensitive material A placed on the belt conveyor 70 slides down.
The angle is preferably about 30 °.

The transport speed of the belt conveyer 70 may be appropriately determined according to the processing capability of the recording apparatus 10 and the scanning transport speed, but is preferably slightly higher than the scanning transport speed. As a result, the photosensitive material A is transferred to the belt conveyor 70.
It is possible to more reliably eliminate the influence on the scanning and transporting when placed (contacted) on the sheet. Specifically, it is preferable to increase the scanning conveyance speed by about 2% to 10% in consideration of the variation of the scanning conveyance speed, the stability of conveyance by the belt conveyor 70, and the like.

In the sorting device 18 in the illustrated example, a thin auxiliary belt conveyor 80 is arranged on the center line above the belt conveyor 70. The auxiliary belt conveyor 80 includes rollers 82 and 84 and an endless belt 86 stretched between both rollers, and is driven at the same speed as the belt conveyor 70. The auxiliary belt conveyor 80 does not pinch and convey the photosensitive material A together with the belt conveyor 70, and is arranged with a slight gap from the belt conveyor 70. That is, the auxiliary belt conveyor 80 holds down the curl of the photosensitive material A, conveys by the belt conveyor 70 and the lift conveying device 72
In addition to assisting the adsorption and holding of the photosensitive material A, the stability of the processor entry of the photosensitive material A is improved. The interval between the belt conveyor 70 and the auxiliary belt conveyor 80 is not particularly limited. However, if the interval between them is too small, it affects the scanning and transport of the photosensitive material A during exposure, and causes skew of the photosensitive material. Conversely, if the width is too wide, there is no point in arranging the auxiliary belt conveyor 80, and the effect of improving the stability of the processor entry will not be obtained. Therefore, it is preferable that the distance between the two is set to about 4 mm to 20 mm.

The lift transfer device 72 basically includes a lower substrate 88, an upper substrate 90 (omitted in FIGS. 3 to 6), a center line, that is, a transfer direction (an arrow y direction) disposed across the auxiliary belt conveyor 80. The first suction unit 92 on the right side (hereinafter referred to as the right side), the second suction unit 94 on the left side, the first paddle 96 engaging with the first suction unit 92, and the first engagement with the second suction unit 94 2 paddles 9
8 and driving means 100 for rotating both paddles (FIG. 3
To FIG. 6). In the distribution device 18, the photosensitive material A is sucked and held and lifted by each suction unit of the lift transfer device 72, and the first suction unit 92 on the right side is moved obliquely outward rightward on the downstream side. The second suction unit 94 is moved obliquely outward leftward on the downstream side to convey the photosensitive material in the horizontal direction and sort the photosensitive material A into a plurality of rows of two or three rows.

The lower substrate 88 and the upper substrate 90 are the first substrate
It serves as a moving substrate for the suction unit 92 and the second suction unit 94, and has basically the same plane shape,
They are held and fixed parallel to each other at a predetermined interval by a known means using a spacer, a stay, or the like. Lower substrate 8
8 and the upper substrate 90, elongated guide holes 102a and 10 extend in the transport direction of the photosensitive material A by the lift transport device 72 and guide the first sucker unit 92 on the right side.
2b, and long guide holes 104a and 104b for guiding the second suction cup unit 94 on the left side are formed.

As will be described later, both suction cup units have two suction cups arranged in the conveying direction by the belt conveyor 70, and each guide hole corresponds to each suction cup.
Therefore, the guide holes 102a and 102b and the guide holes 10
4a and 104b are formed in parallel with each other at the same position in the horizontal direction and separated in the transport direction by the belt conveyor 70. In the illustrated example, the guide hole 102 and the guide hole 104 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line.

The first sucker unit 92 which lifts the photosensitive material A, conveys it diagonally to the right and diagonally downstream, and distributes it in the horizontal direction has suction cups 106a and 106b, holding shafts 108a and 108b, and a connecting member 110. .
On the other hand, the second sucker unit 94 that lifts the photosensitive material A, transports the photosensitive material A diagonally downstream to the left, and distributes the photosensitive material A in the horizontal direction is the sucker 11.
2a and 112b, holding shafts 114a and 114
b and the connecting member 116. The two suction cup units that adsorb and hold the photosensitive material A and transport the photosensitive material A to the left and right are:
It is arranged with the above-mentioned auxiliary belt conveyor 80 interposed therebetween, and moves while being guided by the guide holes 102 and 104. Therefore, the width of the auxiliary belt conveyor 80 and the guide holes 10
2 and the position in the horizontal direction on the upstream side of the guide hole 104 are set so that the suction cups of the suction cup units can adsorb the photosensitive material A of the minimum size to be sorted. Further, since the exposure is performed on the basis of the center, the first suction unit 92 sucks and holds the right side of the photosensitive material A, and the second suction unit 94 sucks and holds the left side. The two suction units have basically the same configuration except that the arrangement positions are different. Therefore, the following description will be made using the first suction unit 92 as a representative example.

The holding shaft 108a (112a) is
8 and guide holes 102a (104a) of upper substrate 90
On the other hand, the other holding shaft 108b (114b)
b (104b) are provided in the guide holes 1 by a known method, respectively.
02 is held movably in the direction of extension. That is, each suction unit is guided by the corresponding guide hole and moves in the transport direction of the photosensitive material A. The sucker 106a (112a) is held at the lower end of the holding shaft 108a, and the sucker 108b (112b) is held at the lower end of the holding shaft 108b so as to be movable up and down. A suction hose (not shown) connected to a vacuum pump or the like for sucking and holding the photosensitive material A by each suction cup 106 is connected to the upper end of the holding shaft 108. Further, the suction cups 106a and 106b are connected by a connection member 110 (116) to
The first sucker unit 92 is configured to be fixed to each other in a state of being arranged in the transport direction by the first suction unit 92.

In the first sucker unit 92, means for lifting and lowering the suckers 106a and 106b for sucking and lifting the photosensitive material A is arranged. Sucker 106
There is no particular limitation on the elevating means. For example, both suction cups 106 are urged upward using a spring or the like and held on the holding shaft 108, and the connecting member 110 has a shape in which the central portion is concave downward. An air cylinder or the like that presses the lower surface of the lower substrate 88 is disposed thereon, and the lower substrate 8
8 means for raising and lowering the suction cup 106 by pressing / non-pressing the lower surface is exemplified. The means for raising and lowering the suction cup is not limited to this. For example, a method of fixing the suction cup to the support shaft and moving the support shaft up and down, or the lower substrate 88 or the lower substrate 88 and the upper substrate 9
For example, a method of raising and lowering both 0s is exemplified. Further, the lift drive source may be performed by using a cam or a link mechanism other than the cylinder.

On the upper surface of the lower substrate 88, a first paddle 96
And a second paddle 98 are arranged. Both paddles are rotatably supported independently of each other on a support shaft 118 having a center Z at the center in the horizontal direction (on the center line of conveyance), and are attached in directions approaching each other by a spring 132 described later. It is a plate material being urged. As shown in FIG.
An elongated hole 120 is formed near the end of the first paddle 96 opposite to the end opposite to the second paddle 98. The holding shaft 108b is inserted into the long hole 120 and movably engages in the longitudinal direction, so that the right first sucker unit 92 and the first paddle 96
Are engaged. A rod-shaped stopper 122 is fixed near the end of the upper surface of the first paddle 96 on the side of the second paddle 98, and an engaging member 124 is fixed outside the stopper 122, respectively. Further, a bar-shaped pin 96 a is fixed perpendicularly to the first paddle 96 at a position near the support shaft 118 so as not to overlap the second paddle 98.

On the other hand, a long hole 126 is formed near the end of the second paddle 98 opposite to the first paddle 96. When the holding shaft 114b is inserted into the elongated hole 126 and movably engages in the longitudinal direction, the left second suction cup unit 94 and the second paddle 98 are engaged. In the vicinity of the end of the second paddle 98 on the first paddle 96 side, an elongated hole 128 is provided.
Is formed, and the stopper 122 and the engaging member 124 of the first paddle 96 are both movably inserted in the longitudinal direction. Further, a bar-shaped pin 98b is fixed vertically to the second paddle 98 at a position near the support shaft 118 and opposite to the pin 96a of the first paddle 96 and the support shaft 118.

Further, the first paddle 96 of the second paddle 98
An engaging member 130 is fixed near the end opposite to the end, and a spring 132 that urges both paddles in a direction approaching the paddles between the engaging member 124 of the first paddle 96 is stretched. . Accordingly, when the driving means 100 rotates the first paddle 96 in the counterclockwise direction, the driving means 100 is pulled through the spring 132 and the second paddle 98 also rotates in the same direction, and the driving means 10 causes the second paddle 98 to rotate. By turning clockwise, the first paddle 96 is also pulled in the same direction by being pulled through the spring 132.

The driving means 100 includes a motor 134 capable of bidirectional rotation as a driving source, a gear 136 fixed to a rotating shaft of the motor 134, and a reduction gear 13 meshed with the gear 136.
8, a gear 140 meshed with the reduction gear 138 and supported by the support shaft 118, and a cylindrical rotating member 142 fixed to the gear 140 and rotatably supported by the support shaft 118. . The upper substrate 90 and the lower substrate 88 are provided with through holes and support shafts for arranging them. In addition,
The rotation transmission from the gear 136 of the motor 134 to the reduction gear 138 may be performed using a timing belt instead of meshing.

On the side surface of the rotating member 142, each paddle is projected to extend the diameter at a height engaging with the pin 96a and the pin 98b.
42b is provided. Accordingly, by driving the motor 134 to rotate the rotating member 142 in the counterclockwise direction, the pin 96a of the first paddle 96 is pushed by the rotating pin 142a to rotate the first paddle 96 in the counterclockwise direction. The first sucker unit 92 engaged with the first sucker unit 92 can be moved along the guide hole 102. Conversely, by rotating the rotating member 142 clockwise, the second paddle is rotated by the rotating pin 142b. 98 by pushing the pin 98b of the second paddle 9
8 can be rotated clockwise, and the second sucker unit 94 engaged with this can be moved along the guide hole 104. Further, the paddle to which the turning power is not given by the turning member 142 also turns in the same direction by the action of the spring 132.

Hereinafter, the movement of the first suction unit 92 and the second suction unit 94 will be described with reference to FIGS. The state shown in FIG.
In one operation of sorting the three suckers, the first suction unit 9
2 is a position where the photosensitive material A is transported, and the second sucker unit 94
Is located at a position where the photosensitive material A is adsorbed and held on the belt conveyor 70 (hereinafter, this position is referred to as a home position). From this state, the motor 134 rotates and the rotating member 14
2 is rotated clockwise, the rotation pin 142a, the pin 96a of the first paddle 96, and the spring 132
The first paddle 96 rotates clockwise by the action of
First sucker unit 9 engaging with elongated hole 120 of paddle 96
2 (the suction cups 106a and 106b) are guided by the guide holes 102 and move in the left-upstream direction to reach the state shown in FIG.

When the state shown in FIG. 4 is reached, the rotating bin 142b engages with the pin 98b of the second paddle 98,
When the rotation member 142 further rotates clockwise, the rotation pin 142b pushes the pin 98b, and the second paddle 98 rotates clockwise. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the second sucker unit 94 (suckers 112a and 112b) engaging with the long hole 126 of the second paddle 98 moves the guide hole 1
Guided by 04, it moves in the left downstream direction. Here, when the rotation bin 142b and the pin 98b are engaged (at the time in FIG. 4), the rotation power of the rotation member 142 is not transmitted to the first paddle 96, but the first paddle 96 is , And is similarly rotated clockwise, so that the first suction unit 92 is
And moves to the left upstream direction to reach the home position as shown in FIG.

When the rotating member 142 further rotates clockwise to rotate the second paddle 98, the second suction unit 94 moves to the most downstream side of the guide hole 104 as shown in FIG. At this point, the motor 134 stops, and the rotation of the rotation member 142 stops. The control of the motor 134 may be performed by a known method such as pulse control. Here, the first sucker unit 9 located at the home position
2 is locked by the guide hole 102, does not move any more, and the spring 132 expands in accordance with the rotation of the second paddle 98.

Further, by rotating the motor 134 of the driving means 100 in the reverse direction from the state shown in FIG. 6, the rotating member 142 rotates counterclockwise. In the order of 6 → FIG. 5 → FIG. 4 → FIG. 3, each paddle rotates counterclockwise to move each suction cup unit to the right. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the second paddle 98 is rotated counterclockwise by the action of the spring 132 or the like, and the second suction cup unit 94 is moved rightward in the upstream direction by the rotation of the rotation member 142 in the counterclockwise direction. Then, the pivot pin 142a and the pin 96a are engaged. Further, the rotating member 1
The rotation of the first paddle 9 as shown in FIG.
6 is rotated to move the first suction unit 92 rightward and downstream, and the second paddle 98 is pulled via the spring 132 to reach the home position. When the rotation member 142 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotation of the first paddle 96 causes the first suction unit 92 to move to the most downstream side, and the motor 134 stops. The second suction unit 94 that has reached the home position is locked by the guide hole 104 and does not move any further.

In the distribution device 18 in the illustrated example,
It is not limited to performing all distribution by moving the first suction unit 92 and the second suction unit 94 to the most downstream position shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. For example, when performing distribution in three rows, 3 and FIG. 6
When moving to the position shown in
The movement of both units may be performed at the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, that is, until the sucker unit that does not hold the photosensitive material A returns to the home position. This allows
Faster sorting is possible. The control and adjustment of the moving amount of the suction cup unit may be performed by driving control of the motor.

Such a lift transport device 72 is a device for performing the photosensitive material sorting method of the present invention, and repeats the transport of the photosensitive material A in the lateral direction by moving the sucker unit. Alternatively, this may be combined with a transparent material that does not transport the photosensitive material A in the lateral direction, and the photosensitive material A
In two or three rows. Hereinafter, the distribution method of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

7 and 8, the distribution device 18 is an area indicated by an arrow. Therefore, the upstream of the distribution device 18 is the image recording section 16 (scanning / conveying means 42), and the downstream is a conveyance roller pair 48 for performing processor entry. is there. The vertical lines shown in the figure schematically show the transport speeds at the upstream and downstream of the sorting device 18. Specifically, as an example, the upstream side of the distribution device 18 shows an interval of 80 mm corresponding to the scanning conveyance speed of 80 mm / sec, and the downstream side of the distribution device 18 has a conveyance roller pair 48 (processor). The interval between each line is 28.3 mm corresponding to the conveyance speed of 28.3 mm / sec of 50).
Is shown. That is, the photosensitive material A is conveyed by a vertical line interval in one second. In this example, the conveying speed of the belt conveyor 70 of the sorting device 18 is 84 mm / sec.
The length is so-called wide 4 cut (254mm x 381mm)
Is 15 inches corresponding to. That is, the recording device 10
The corresponding maximum size is four wide.

Further, in both figures, the first sucker unit 92 and the second sucker unit 94 are rectangles indicated by dashed lines at the center, the photosensitive material A is indicated by a white rectangle, and the photosensitive material A is sucked and held. The sucker unit is shaded. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the first
Although the home positions of the suction unit 92 and the second suction unit 94 are written at the same position, both suction units are disposed with the center line interposed therebetween, and the home position is located at a target position with respect to the center line. Is as described above.

FIG. 7 shows the photosensitive material A by the sorting device 18.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an operation of distributing the image data into three rows. In the recording apparatus 10 in the illustrated example, for example, when continuously producing an L-size print, the ratio of one sheet per two seconds is shown. That is, the photosensitive material A passes through the exposure point, and the photosensitive material A is divided into three rows and supplied to the processor 50.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, first, the first sucker unit 92 is located at the home position, and the second sucker unit 94 is moved to the left downstream side (FIG. 6).
State). As shown in a, when the first photosensitive material A is conveyed to a position corresponding to the home position of the suction unit (hereinafter, referred to as “conveyed to the home position”), the belt conveyor of the sorting device 18. 70 is stopped, and as shown in b, the elevating means acts to lower the first sucker unit 92 (its suckers 106a and 106b) to adsorb and hold the photosensitive material A, and then the elevating means Acts to raise the first sucker unit 92 to lift the photosensitive material A. Even when the belt conveyor 70 is stopped, the exposure in the image recording unit 16, that is, the scanning and transporting (80 mm / sec) by the scanning and transporting means 42 is continuously performed at an exposure speed of about one sheet every two seconds. Therefore, as shown by b and d, the interval between the photosensitive material A at the home position and the next photosensitive material A is narrowed, and the leading end of the next photosensitive material A reaches the home position (overlaps). However, at that time, since the previous photosensitive material A has already been lifted, the next photosensitive material A is conveyed under the previous photosensitive material A without affecting the scanning conveyance and sorting. Carried in smoothly.

When the first suction unit 92 rises, the belt conveyor 70 is driven, and the motor 134 is driven to rotate the rotating member 142 in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the first paddle 9.
6, the first sucker unit 92 moves rightward and downstream to convey the photosensitive material A, and the second sucker unit 94 moves to the home position, as shown at c. FIG. 3). In the illustrated example, at this time, the second photosensitive material A is being conveyed to the home position, the belt conveyor 70 is stopped, and the lifting / lowering means descends both suction units, and as shown in FIG. The unit 92 opens the first photosensitive material A and places it on the belt conveyor 70. At the same time, the second sucker unit 94 sucks the second photosensitive material A, and then both sucker units rise. Next, the belt conveyor 70 is driven and the motor 134 rotates the rotating member 142 clockwise, and as shown in e, the second suction unit 94 moves to the left downstream direction to convey the photosensitive material A and , The first suction unit 92 moves to the home position. In the illustrated example, during this time, the first photosensitive material A is transported (84 mm / sec) by the belt conveyer 70 and nipped by the transport roller pair 48, and thereafter the transport speed (2
(8.3 mm / sec).

Next, the belt conveyor 70 stops,
The second suction unit 94 descends, and as shown in FIG.
The sheet of photosensitive material A is opened, placed on the belt conveyor 70, and then moved up to drive the belt conveyor 70. Here, when the three sorts are performed by the sorter 18 in the illustrated example, if the two photosensitive materials A are sorted right and left,
The next photosensitive material A is conveyed on the center line by the belt conveyer 70 without any sorting, without passing through.
Accordingly, in the steps e to g, the first suction unit 92 does not perform any operation, and the third photosensitive material A is conveyed by the belt conveyor 70 as it is.

As shown by g, the fourth photosensitive material A
Conveyed to the home position, the belt conveyor 70
Stops. Since the speed by the belt conveyor 70 is faster than the scanning conveyance speed, the third photosensitive material A
Has moved completely from home position. Then
As shown in h, the first sucker unit 92 descends to adsorb the fourth photosensitive material A, rises, the belt conveyor 70 is driven, and the rotating member 142 moves the first paddle 96 counterclockwise. And the first sucker unit 92 conveys the photosensitive material A in the right-downstream direction, as shown in i.
The second suction unit 94 moves to the home position.
Also, between these, the second and third photosensitive materials A
Reaches the transport roller pair 48, and the fifth photosensitive material A is transported to the home position.

Thereafter, as indicated by j to k, similarly, the movement, suction and release of each sucker unit, the photosensitive material A
The sorting to the right, the sorting to the left, and the passing through are performed repeatedly in sequence by carrying in the photosensitive material A.
Sorted into columns.

The belt conveyor 70 is repeatedly stopped / driven, but the belt conveyor 70 and the conveying roller pair 48 are repeated.
(Processor 50), the transport speed difference between the processor 5
The photosensitive material A entered at 0 is overlapped.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of distributing the photosensitive material A into two rows by the distribution device 18. As shown in FIG. In the illustrated recording apparatus 10, for example, 1
For the sizes from 02 to 152, the photosensitive material A is divided into two rows and supplied to the processor 50. In the illustrated example, the interval between the photosensitive materials A is slightly larger than the L size.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first sucker unit 92 is initially at the home position, and the second sucker unit 94 has moved to the left downstream side. In addition, in this example, when sorting in two rows, the movement of each sucker unit is not to the most downstream of the guide holes 102 and 104, but to the position shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. Initially, the state is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the first photosensitive material A is transported to the home position, the belt conveyor 70 of the sorting device 18 stops, and as shown in FIG. The first sucker unit 92 descends to suck and hold the photosensitive material A, and then the first sucker unit 9
2 rises and lifts the photosensitive material A.

When the first suction unit 92 rises, the belt conveyor 70 is driven again, and the motor 134 rotates the rotating member 142 counterclockwise, so that the first suction unit 92 moves rightward as shown in c. While moving in the downstream direction to transport the photosensitive material A, the second sucker unit 94 moves to the home position (the state of FIG. 4). When these movements are completed, the belt conveyor 70 stops, the first suction unit 92 descends, releases the photosensitive material A, and places the photosensitive material A on the belt conveyor 70. Then, the first suction unit 9
2 rises and the belt conveyor 70 is driven.

When the second photosensitive material A is conveyed to the home position, the belt conveyor 70 stops, and the second suction unit 94 descends to adsorb the photosensitive material A, as shown at d, and then, Ascending, the belt conveyor 70 is driven. Next, the motor 134 rotates the rotating member 142 in the clockwise direction, and as shown in e, the second suction unit 94 moves to the left downstream direction to convey the photosensitive material A, and the first suction unit 92 Move to home position. When these movements are completed, the belt conveyor 70 stops, the second suction unit 94 descends, and the photosensitive material A
Is released and placed on the belt conveyor 70, and then moved up to drive the belt conveyor 70, and the third photosensitive material A is carried into the home position as shown by f. When the third photosensitive material A is carried into the home position, the belt conveyor 70 stops, and the first suction unit 92 adsorbs and holds the photosensitive material A and rises as shown by g, and the belt conveyor 70 moves upward. Then, as shown in h, the rotating member 142 rotates counterclockwise, the first suction unit 92 conveys the photosensitive material A to the right downstream direction, and the second suction unit 94 Move to home position.

Hereinafter, as shown by i to k, the photosensitive material A
Of the photosensitive material A is repeated by stopping / re-driving the belt conveyer 70, moving each suction cup unit, and sucking and releasing the belt according to the transfer to the home position. Sorted into columns. Further, similarly to the example of the three rows, the difference in the transport speed between the belt conveyor 70 and the transport roller pair 48 causes the
Are overlapped.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the photosensitive material sorting method of the present invention, the two kinds of sucker units that lift and transport the photosensitive material are used and alternately used for sorting. By this, the other sucker unit can be moved to the home position at the same time as the transfer of the photosensitive material by one sucker unit, and the suction and holding of the photosensitive material that is subsequently carried in can be prepared, and the photosensitive material A that has been carried in earlier can be prepared. Since the photosensitive material A is lifted for distribution, it does not prevent the photosensitive material A from being carried into the belt conveyor 70. In addition, since the photosensitive material A is lifted and conveyed in the lateral direction and distributed, quick distribution (conveyance of the photosensitive material A for distribution) can be performed regardless of the conveying speed of the belt conveyor 70 or the like. Therefore, according to the present invention, even in the case where quick and continuous sorting, such as exposure of one sheet every two seconds, is required, there is no influence on the upstream side such as scanning conveyance. The photosensitive material A is continuously received, and the photosensitive material A can be quickly and surely sorted into two or three rows and supplied to the processor 50.

In addition, in the illustrated example, a belt conveyor is used as the conveying means. The belt conveyor 70 places and transports the photosensitive material A. On the other hand, a pair of transport rollers 48 for supplying the photosensitive material A to the scanning transport unit 42 and the processor 50
(Or conveying means in the processor 50)
It is normal that the sheet is pinched and conveyed. Therefore, even if the photosensitive material A being exposed is discharged from the scanning and conveying means 42 and a part of the photosensitive material A is placed on the belt conveyor 70, the conveying speed of the photosensitive material A is controlled by the scanning and conveying means 42.
Even if the transport speed of 0 is different from the scan transport speed, it does not affect the scan transport speed of the photosensitive material A during exposure. Therefore, the distributing device 18 can be disposed immediately after the scan transport unit 42. it can. On the other hand, when the photosensitive material A is
2, the belt conveyor 70 conveys the photosensitive material A at its own conveying speed and supplies it to the conveying roller pair 48. Here, the transport speed of the transport roller pair 48 for performing the processor entry is the same as the transport speed in the processor 50, and usually, the recording device 10 such as the belt conveyor 70 is used.
Speed is lower than the transport speed in the belt conveyor,
0, the photosensitive material A is transported by the transport roller pair 48.
At this point, the conveying speed is controlled by the conveying roller pair 48, so that the exposed photosensitive material A can be supplied to the processor 50 smoothly and safely.

That is, the sorting device 18 in the illustrated example combines a belt conveyor 70 for placing and transporting the photosensitive material A and a lift transporting device for lifting and distributing the photosensitive material, and the lift transporting device on the belt conveyor 70. The high-speed transport unit and the speed control unit as described above are unnecessary, and the scanning transport and the processor 50 are realized by a small-sized, simple and low-cost apparatus having a linear, short-path transport path. From the recording unit 16 smoothly and stably without affecting the transport of the photosensitive material A
Thus, the photosensitive material A is transported up to this point, and the photosensitive material A is quickly and reliably distributed in a plurality of rows.

In the above example, the belt conveyor 70 is stopped in order to perform more reliable operation when the photosensitive material A is sucked and released by the sucker unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is possible. If present, belt conveyor 7
Suction or the like may be performed while 0 is driven.

As described above, the belt conveyor 70
Is faster than the conveying roller pair 48 for performing processor entry. In the above example, the photosensitive material A in the processor 50 can be sufficiently overlapped by the speed difference. At this point, the photosensitive material A does not overlap. However, as the overlap of the photosensitive material A conveyed in the processor 50 increases, the processing capability of the processor 50 improves. Therefore, when the photosensitive materials A are arranged in a plurality of rows on the belt conveyor 70 of the sorting device 18, the photosensitive materials A may be sorted so as to already overlap. However, in any case, when the photosensitive material A (finished print) that has undergone processing such as development and drying is discharged from the processor 50, the difference between the front and rear photosensitive materials A (the discharging means from the processor 50 is a nip roller or the like) If the difference between the rear ends is too small in the case of nipping and transporting, it may be difficult to accumulate the photosensitive materials A in the order of exposure, depending on the configuration of the accumulating device and the sorting device. The sorting of the photosensitive material A by the device 18 needs to be performed in consideration of this point.

In the present invention, the method of moving the suction cup unit and the like are not limited to those shown in the figures, and any method can be used as long as the photosensitive material A can be lifted, conveyed and sorted.
Various mechanisms are available. For example, an independent moving mechanism may be provided for each of the two suction units to perform the distribution.
Transportation using links, transportation using cams,
Moving means using a guide rail or a pipe, means using a gear, rack and pinion, screw transmission, wrapping transmission, means using a cylinder, or a moving means appropriately combining these may be used.

In the illustrated example, both sucker units convey the photosensitive material in opposite directions to correspond to the center-based exposure. For example, when the exposure is performed based on the end face,
The distribution may be performed by setting the conveyance direction by the two suction units to the same direction.

The sorting device 18 does not sort all of the photosensitive material A, but performs processing in a large size in which processing in a plurality of rows cannot be performed according to the width of the processor 50, or single processing. In this case, the data is supplied to the processor 50 in a single row without being sorted. In addition, in the case where the panorama size and the L size are mixed, control may be performed such that the panorama size is not divided but passed through. Furthermore, various sorts may be performed according to the width of the belt conveyor, the transport distance, the width of the processor, and the like. For example, the sort of the L size may be performed in two rows.
The 152 size may be assigned to three rows, or a larger size may be assigned to a plurality of rows.

The photosensitive material A transported by the distribution device 18 is supplied to the processor 50 by the transport roller pair 48 as described above, subjected to development processing such as color development, bleach-fixing, washing with water, and then dried. Then, it is discharged as a (finished) print.

Although the method for distributing the photosensitive material of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, you may. For example,
In the illustrated example, the exposed photosensitive material is sorted.For example, when the image recording unit is capable of simultaneously exposing a plurality of photosensitive materials, the unexposed photosensitive material is sorted by the sorting method of the present invention. Sorting is also effective.

[0074]

As described above in detail, according to the method for distributing photosensitive material of the present invention, the photosensitive material of the cut sheet is exposed, and the exposed photosensitive material is supplied to the developing device. In the printing apparatus (printing apparatus), the photosensitive material can be sorted into two or three rows, sufficiently corresponding to high-speed printing (image exposure) such as one sheet per two seconds with a short path length. The separating device can be made compact, simple and low-cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an image recording apparatus having an example of a photosensitive material distributing apparatus using the photosensitive material distributing method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the photosensitive material sorting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the photosensitive material sorting device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a lift transport device of the photosensitive material sorting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a lift transport device of the photosensitive material sorting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a lift transport device of the photosensitive material sorting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of distribution of photosensitive materials by the photosensitive material distribution device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another example of sorting photosensitive materials by the photosensitive material sorting device shown in FIG. 2;

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 (image) recording device 12 (photosensitive material) supply unit 14 printer 16 image recording unit 18 distribution device (photosensitive material distribution device) 20, 22 loading unit 24, 26 pull-out roller pair 28, 30 cutter 32 magazine 34 first transport section 36 second transport section 38 loop forming section 40 exposure unit 42 scanning transport means 44, 46, 48 transport roller pair 50 processor 70 belt conveyor 72 lift transport device 74, 76, 82, 84 roller 78, 86 Endless belt 80 Auxiliary belt conveyor 88 Lower substrate 90 Upper substrate 92 First suction unit 94 Second suction unit 96 First paddle 96a, 98b Pin 98 Second paddle 100 Driving means 102 (102a, 102b), 104 (104a, 1)
04b) Guide holes 106 (106a, 106b), 112 (112a, 1)
12b) Sucker 108 (108a, 108b), 114 (114a, 1)
14b) Holding shaft 110, 116 Connecting member 118 Support shaft 120, 126, 128 Slot 122 Stopper 124, 130 Engaging member 132 Spring 134 Motor 136, 140 Gear 138 Reduction gear 142 Rotating member 142a, 142b Rotating pin A Photosensitive material

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for exposing a photosensitive material having a predetermined length to record a latent image thereon and supplying the exposed photosensitive material to a developing device, wherein the photosensitive material is transferred in a direction orthogonal to a photosensitive material conveying direction in the developing device. A method of distributing photosensitive material, which is arranged in a plurality of rows by distributing in the distribution direction corresponding to (a), using two distribution units for lifting the photosensitive material and transporting the photosensitive material in the distribution direction, and alternately using each distribution unit. And distributing the photosensitive material into a plurality of rows. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exposure is performed with reference to a center of the photosensitive material, and the two sorting units transport the photosensitive material in opposite directions to each other. 2. The photosensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive material is sorted into two rows by transporting the photosensitive material, and the photosensitive material is sorted into three rows by alternately transporting the transported photosensitive material by the sorting unit and passing the photosensitive material without operating the sorting unit. Distribution method. 3. A belt conveyor, wherein the exposure of the photosensitive material is performed by scanning exposure performed while the photosensitive material is transported by a scanning transport means, and the photosensitive material is sorted immediately downstream of the scanning transport means. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed in the above step.