JPH1184546A - Negative mask unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a negative mask unit which easily executes and exposure processing for both reference film and new format film by changing the inserting direction of negative film. SOLUTION: A first carrying path 14, a second carrying path 15 and a third carrying path 16 are provided as the film carrying path of the negative film F between a substrate 11 and an upper plate 12 in the negative mask unit 3, and a negative mask 20 is freely exchangeably provided between the first and third carrying paths, and mask related members such as a film port, a feeding means and the various kinds of sensors required for the processing of the reference film(135 film) and the new format film are respectively provided on one side and the other side of the negative mask 20. Then, either of the mask related members is selected, and film is inserted from the film port of a selected direction, so that exposure processing is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a negative mask unit capable of performing photographic printing processing from both a new type of negative film stored in a cartridge and handled and a conventional negative film such as 135 film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a new type of film has become available in which a film fed from a cartridge is developed, a photographic printing process is performed from the negative film, and then the film is rewound and stored again in the original cartridge. I have.
Compared with the conventional film, this new style film is small and easy to handle, suitable for automating the development and printing processes, and has excellent characteristics in various respects, such as rewinding and storing it in the original cartridge. Having.

The width of the new type negative film having such excellent characteristics is different from that of the conventional 135 type negative film or 110 type negative film. Therefore, the negative type negative film is provided at an exposure position in a conventional type of photographic printing apparatus. With a negative mask, exposure processing cannot be performed because the screen comes off the exposure window.

Further, a new style negative film is provided with a magnetic information section made of a transparent magnetic material for recording information such as photographing conditions at the time of photographing. Therefore, a photographic printing apparatus for processing a new style negative film. Then, a reading means for reading such magnetic information must be provided.

[0005] For the above reasons, a photographic printing apparatus for processing a new type of negative film, for example, sends a cartridge to a scanner unit or a printing exposure unit by a turntable method as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-36120 and the like. A new type of negative film dedicated to a new-style negative film which is fed out and printed is proposed. In such a dedicated machine, a negative mask unit including a negative mask at an exposure position is also used exclusively for a new-type negative film. .

[0006]

However, since the film of the new style described above has not been used for a large number of ordinary people since it has been used for a short time since the adoption of the new style film, it is still difficult to use it.
35 films are currently mainstream. However, with the widespread use of cameras for film of the new style, it is expected that the amount of processing for printing from the negative film of the new style will increase.

On the other hand, it is considered that the conventional 135 film will continue to be used in parallel with the new style film, and in that case, each lab will own both models for the conventional film and the new style film. Therefore, purchasing both models is a heavy burden for each lab.

[0008] As a method other than coping with both models, it is actually practiced to replace main components of a photographic printing apparatus such as a negative mask unit and a film guide with a new style film and to process them. I have. In this method, the cost burden is reduced since a new model is not newly purchased. However, since the main components are replaced each time, if the films are processed in the order of the printing request, for example, the main components are frequently replaced, leading to a reduction in work efficiency.

At present, since the processing amount of the new style film is still small, the processing is performed by a separate process, such as processing once at a time after the requested number of processed films is collected separately from the mainstream 135 film. However, the processing of new style films is expected to increase, so the main components, especially the negative mask unit, which has a major effect on the exposure processing and requires complicated replacement work, are as simple as possible and have an impact on processing efficiency. A new type of negative mask unit with less impact is desired.

In the present invention, the negative mask in the negative mask unit can be exchanged between the reference film and the new style film, and the insertion direction of the negative film can be simply selected, taking into account the various problems of the conventional photographic printing apparatus described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a negative mask unit which can easily perform exposure processing from any film, has a simple structure, is inexpensive, and can process photographic printing exposure with extremely high efficiency.

[0011]

According to the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a negative mask is provided so as to be exchangeable or movable in the middle of a film transport path provided in a negative mask unit main body. The mask-related members including the film insertion port, feeding means, and various sensors required for the exposure processing are arranged on one side of the negative mask for the reference film and on the other side for the new style film, respectively, and inserted into the negative mask unit body. According to the size of the negative film, a mask-related member on any one of the above-mentioned sides is selected, and the negative film is inserted into the negative film from the selected direction to enable exposure processing.

In the negative mask unit having such a configuration, printing exposure is performed by selecting the insertion direction of the negative film. The negative film may be either a reference film or a new-type film. When either of them is selected, a negative mask having a size suitable for the negative film is replaced or moved in advance to be mounted.

When the reference film is selected, the reference film is inserted from the insertion opening on one side of the negative mask, and the film is fed to the negative mask by the feeding means. Various sensors are provided as mask-related members on the side where the film is inserted, and necessary information regarding the film is read by these sensors, and printing exposure is performed.

When a new style film is selected, the new style film is inserted from the insertion port on the other side of the negative mask, and the film is fed to the negative mask by the feeding means. The mask-related members are provided on the insertion side of the selected film, and necessary information on the film is read by these members, and printing exposure is performed.

A photographic printing apparatus is generally provided with a scanner processing section and a printing exposure section, and there are a case where both processing sections are separately and independently provided and a case where both processing sections are separately provided. The negative mask unit can be used in common.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The photographic printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a printing exposure unit A and a development processing unit B integrally connected. In the printing exposure unit A, irradiation light from the light source unit 1 is guided to the negative mask unit 3 through the mirror tunnel 2, and light passing therethrough is guided to the exposure table 5 via the lens unit 4. The photosensitive material supplied from the paper magazine 6 is sent to the exposure table 5 by the transport means 7. When the photosensitive material is stopped for each image frame and printing exposure is performed, the photosensitive material is transported by the transport means 7. It is sent to the development processing unit B.

The negative mask unit 3 is provided at a predetermined position outside the case of the printing exposure unit A as shown in the figure, and the mirror tunnel 2 is connected during use.
As will be described later, when processing negative films of different sizes, it is only necessary to rotate the light source unit 1 and the mirror tunnel 2 to disconnect them and replace only the negative mask included in the negative mask unit 3.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the main body 10 of the negative mask unit 3 with the substrate 11 opened, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the body 10 with the upper plate 12 closed. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper plate 12 is provided with a spring incorporated from the substrate 11 to the hinge 13 so as to be freely openable on one side.
A transport path for the negative film is provided across the inside of the main body 10 at the boundary between the substrate 2 and the substrate 11.

This transport path is a reference film 135
A first transport path 14 for the film, a second transport path 15 for the new style film (APS) narrower than the reference film,
It comprises a short third transport path 16 provided between the first transport path 14 and the second transport path 15. In the middle of the first transport path 14, any of negative masks 20 of different sizes is provided so as to be exchangeable, and an insertion port 31 for inserting a reference film along the first transport path, and a reference film of the negative mask 20. The feed roller 32 is a feed means for feeding the negative mask 20 and a mask-related member 30 comprising various sensors.
It is arranged on one side of.

Similarly to the first transport path 14, the second transport path 15 is provided with an insertion port 31 'for inserting a new style film, a feeding means, and a mask-related member 30' comprising various sensors on the other side of the negative mask 20. It is arranged. Note that the third transport path 16 has the same width as the first transport path 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper plate 12 is provided with a negative exposure window 17 at a position corresponding to the negative mask 20 when the upper plate 12 is closed, and discharges or inserts the reference film as described later. A reference film discharge path 18 is provided corresponding to a connection position of the third transfer path 16 with the second transfer path 15. The discharge path 18 is provided so as to extend obliquely through the upper plate 12 upward from the connection position in a direction different from that of the second transport path 15. Reference numeral 19 denotes a transport motor unit.

The mask-related member 30 is provided at one end of the first transport path 14 with an insertion port 31 for a reference film,
As the means for feeding the reference film inserted from step 1,
It comprises a feed roller 32 provided at a predetermined position at an appropriate interval along the transport path 14, and a sensor group including a screen detection sensor 33, a perforation sensor 34, and a DX sensor 35.

The feed roller 32 wraps a belt 36 over a pulley provided at one end of the roller shaft, and rotates from the motor 19 _M of the transport motor unit 19 to the feed roller 32 via a plurality of sets of pulleys and the belt 36. They are provided so as to be transmitted in synchronization with each other. Details are not shown,
The upper plate 12 and the substrate 1 along the first and third transport paths 14 and 16
It is needless to say that a film guide is provided between the film guide 1 and the film guide 1.

The mask-related member 30 ′ is
New style film insertion opening 31 'provided at the other end of the
A feed roller 32 'provided at a predetermined position along the second transport path 15 as a means for feeding a film inserted from the insertion port 31'; and a film leading end detection sensor 33 '.
, A perforation sensor 34 ', a barcode sensor 35', and a sensor group including a magnetic head 33X '.

The feed roller 32 'is connected to the other feed rollers 32.
Similarly to the above, the motor _19M is connected via a pulley and a belt 36, and is synchronously driven. Similarly, a film guide is provided between the upper plate 12 and the substrate 11 along the second transport path 15. In front of the insertion opening 31 ', there is provided an insertion space 37 for a cartridge X for a new style film, and a cartridge holder 37a is provided on both sides of this space 37. 37b is a cartridge base plate.

One of the cartridge holders 37a is
As shown in the figure, the cartridge X is provided so as to be movable from the two-dot chain line position to the solid line position, and the cartridge X is moved by the solenoid 19s to the solid line position.
Can be pinched. Reference numeral 38a denotes a protruding shaft for rotating the spool shaft of the cartridge, and 38b denotes a protruding shaft for opening and closing the opening / closing door of the cartridge. Projecting shaft 38a spool, the motor 19 through the pulley 36 _M
, And the protruding shaft 38 b is connected to the solenoid 39.

On the outside of the cartridge base plate 37b, a strip film insertion guide 40 when a new style film is formed as a strip film is provided so as to be turnable via a hinge. In principle, the new style film is handled in the cartridge X, but the whole length of the negative film is taken out of the cartridge X and processed for convenience of the printing exposure process.

In the vicinity of the boundary between the second transport path 15 and the third transport path 16, there is provided switching means 41 for switching the running direction of the negative film when discharging the reference film. One of the rotating shafts provided at both ends of the switching plate is rotatable by a solenoid 42.
Reference numeral 43 denotes an inclined guide, which is fixedly provided at an end of the third transport path 16.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first transport path 14
Near the intermediate position of the winder 44 for the new style negative film
Is provided. The winder 44 is the rotation axis of the spool is driven synchronously by the motor 19 _M in the pulley 36. A film guide 45 for guiding the leading end of the film when inserting the film is provided around the winder 44, and is driven by a solenoid 46. A film presser 47 for pressing the film against the spool is provided, and is urged by a spring 47a.

The operation of the negative mask unit 3 of the embodiment having the above configuration is as follows. The illustrated negative mask unit 3 is capable of processing both the 135 standard film and the new style film, and the following three processing methods are possible. 1) Processing of a reference film 2) Processing of a new style film in a cartridge 3) Processing of a new style film on a strip film Note that the above processing is abbreviated as processing 1 to 3 below.

In processing 1, in order to process 135 film as a reference film, the negative mask 20 having a width for 135 film is mounted as shown in FIGS.
Although not shown, the light source unit 1, the mirror tunnel 2, and the negative mask unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 are also used as a scanner unit, and the lens unit 4 is rotated or moved to retract from the optical path position. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a reflecting mirror is inserted and image light is guided to scanner means to read image information.

Assuming that the above-mentioned scanner unit is used, first, as a process in the scanner unit, when the 135 film F is inserted from the insertion port 31 on the side of the first transport path 14, the film insertion sensor 31s detects the leading end and feeds. The rotation of the roller 32 (motor 19 _M ) is started to feed the film F in the forward direction along the first transport path 14. The feed amount is detected by the perforation sensor 34, each frame image area is detected by the screen detection sensor 33, and the DX sensor 3
In step 5, information such as the film type is detected.

After detecting the above various information, each image frame of the 135 film F is temporarily stopped at a position corresponding to the mask opening 21 of the negative mask 20, and the image information is read by the scanner means at that position. When the image information of each image frame is read, the film F is fed little by little for each frame, and when the leading end of the film reaches the position of the discharge path 18, the switching means 41
Is guided to the discharge path 18. At this time, the switching means 41
Are switched upward as shown in FIG. 7, whereby the negative film F of 135 is fed upward.

When the reading of the image information of all the image frames on the negative film F is completed, the terminal of the negative film F is sent to a position where it does not come off the feed roller 32 of the third transport path 16 and the feeding is stopped there. When the calculation of the image information is completed,
This time, the negative film F is fed in the reverse direction, each image frame is sent to the position corresponding to the position of the negative mask 20 and stopped while the feed amount is calculated backward, and a light source as printing exposure means is performed based on the read image information. Printing exposure is performed by adjusting conditions such as the amount of light from the unit 1.

As described above, the negative film F is fed back to perform printing exposure for each image frame, and after printing exposure for all image frames is completed, the negative film F is fed back and taken out. However, instead of performing printing exposure at the time of reverse feeding, the entire amount may be returned once and sent in the forward direction again, and printing exposure may be performed by feeding in the forward direction.

In the above description, the description has been made on the assumption that the scanner unit is also used. However, the scanner unit is not used, but the same light source unit 1, mirror tunnel 2,
The negative mask unit 3 may be separately provided, and image information may be read in advance by the dedicated scanner unit before printing exposure.

In this case, since the image information and the like have been read in advance, the negative film F need only be fed in the forward direction. At this time, it is sufficient if there is positional information from the perforation sensor 34, and the screen detection sensor 33 and the DX sensor 35 are unnecessary in that case. However, the above-mentioned various sensors are required in the dedicated scanner unit.

It is to be noted that since a new-style film having a small width can be inserted into the 135-film insertion port 31, there is a possibility that a new-style film is erroneously inserted from the insertion port 31. When a new style film is inserted, two insertion sensors 31s are provided.
The film is fed only when the insertion of the film is detected by both of the sensors 31s and 31s (that is, 135 films).

In the above processing, the 135 film is described as being inserted from the insertion opening 31 and processed. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the 135 film may be inserted from the discharge path 18 and processed. In this case, however, the entire amount of the film is sent to the opposite end, and thereafter, the film is sent in the forward direction in the same manner as in the above-described processing 1 to be processed. In this case, a film detection sensor 18s is provided in the discharge path 18, and when the film insertion is detected by this sensor, the reverse insertion processing as described above is performed.

On the other hand, in the process 2, the new style film can be processed in the cartridge. in this case,
First, the negative mask 20 is replaced with a new-style film size and set, and the cartridge X is inserted into the insertion space 37, and one of the cartridge holders 37a is moved by the solenoid 19s, and the cartridge X is moved between the cartridge holders 37a, 37a. Pinch. Solenoid 39
It opens the door of the cartridge X by driving one of the projecting shaft 38b by, feeding the negative film by rotating the one of the projecting shaft 38a by the motor 19 _M.

The fed negative film F is fed by a feed roller 32 ', the feed amount is detected by a perforation sensor 34', and the bar code sensor 35 'is used to indicate the type of film by bar code display written on the side of the film. The information is detected, and further information such as various conditions at the time of photographing recorded on the new style film is detected by the magnetic head 33X '.

When used as a scanner unit, each image frame is stopped at the position of the negative mask 20 and image information is read by the scanner means. The entire amount of one image frame is wound on the winder 44, and data necessary for determining printing exposure conditions such as the average image density of all image frames is calculated by calculation.

Next, while the negative film F wound up by the winder 44 is unwound, the image of each image frame is printed and exposed on a photosensitive material. When the printing exposure of all the image frames is completed, the negative film F is exposed. Into the cartridge X.
In the printing exposure, after the entire amount of the printing is rewound into the cartridge X, the printing may be performed again and the printing exposure may be performed in order from the top of the film.

Even if the negative film is unwound from the cartridge X during the above-mentioned processing, the film terminal is locked by the cartridge X, and the length of the second and third transport paths 15 and 16 from the terminal to the negative mask 20 is maintained. Is left as a dead space film, so that it can be freely fed and fed back between the cartridge X and the winder 44.

Further, the 135-film reference film is too wide to be inserted into the insertion port 31 'for the new-style film, and in this case, no sensor for detecting erroneous insertion of the film is provided. If necessary, insert sensor 31s,
A sensor similar to 31s may be provided.

Processes 1 and 2 described above are the basic operations for inserting and printing a reference film from one side and a new style film from the other side to perform printing exposure. In the negative mask unit 3 of this embodiment, other than the above, Also, processing such as processing 3 can be performed.

In the process 3, as shown in FIG. 9, a new style film can be completely stripped out of the cartridge X and processed as a strip film. In the processing of the new style strip film, as shown in FIG. 9, the film guide 40 is moved down to the insertion space 37 side, the strip film is placed on the guide 40, and the film is manually inserted from the insertion port 31 '. Subsequent processing is the same as in the case of the cartridge.

It is to be noted that the necessity of processing the new style strip film is because there is a demand for performing printing processing using the strip film directly rather than rewinding the film into a cartridge after the development processing of the film due to the arrangement of personnel. .

[0049]

As described in detail above, the negative mask unit of the present invention is provided with a replaceable negative mask in the film transport path, and a mask-related member including a film insertion port, a feeding means, and various sensors is provided on one side of the negative mask. And the other side, respectively, so that the negative mask is replaced with a negative mask corresponding to the size of the negative film to be processed, and the scanner or printing exposure process is performed simply by inserting the film from the insertion direction that matches the negative film. Since the operation is extremely simple, processing can be performed with high efficiency, and since the configuration is simple, various effects such as low cost can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a photographic printing apparatus employing a negative mask unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the negative mask unit of the embodiment (when opened).

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the negative mask unit of the embodiment (when closed).

FIG. 4 is a partially broken plan view of the above.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view (plan view) of 135 film processing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view (cross-sectional view) of 135 film processing.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a 135 film reverse feeding process.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of processing of a new style strip film.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Negative mask unit 11 Substrate 12 Upper plate 14 First transport path 15 Second transport path 16 Third transport path 19 _M motor 20 Negative mask 21 Opening 30, 30 'Mask-related members 31, 31' Film insertion ports 32, 32 'Feed Roller 33 Screen detection sensor 33 'Film detection sensor 34, 34' Perforation sensor 35 DX sensor 35 'Barcode sensor 36 Pulley 37 Insertion space 40 Film guide 41 Switching means 45 Film guide F Film X cartridge

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A mask including a film insertion port, a feeding means, and various sensors required for exposing and processing a negative mask in the course of a film transport path provided in a negative mask unit main body. The related members are arranged on one side of the negative mask for the reference film and on the other side for the new style film, and the mask-related members on any one of the above sides are set according to the size of the negative film inserted into the negative mask unit body. A negative mask unit that can select and insert a negative film from the selected direction to enable exposure processing. 2. A first transport path for a reference film and a third transport path for a reference film on one side and the other side of a negative mask as the film transport path, and a second transport path for a new style film by connecting to a third transport path. Are provided, switching means is provided at a connection position between the third transport path and the second transport path to guide the reference film, and the reference film is discharged to a discharge path provided in a direction different from the second transport path,
2. The negative according to claim 1, wherein the first transport path is provided with a winder for the new style film and a film guide for guiding the film to the winder to wind the new style film. Mask unit. 3. A cartridge drive means for feeding a film from a cartridge insertion space for a new style film and a cartridge on the film insertion port side of the second transport path;
3. The negative mask unit according to claim 2, wherein a guide means for a new style strip film is provided, and any one of the film containing the cartridge and the strip film is selected to be freely inserted from the insertion opening. 4. At least a screen detection sensor, a perforation sensor, and a DX sensor as various sensors of the mask-related member for the reference film, and a perforation sensor, a barcode sensor, and the like as various sensors of the mask-related member for the new style film. The negative mask unit according to claim 1, further comprising at least a magnetic sensor. 5. The negative according to claim 2, wherein an inclined surface for guiding a reference film to a discharge path is provided at a connection position between the second transport path and the third transport path. Mask unit.