JP3888566B2 - Photographic processing apparatus and photosensitive material conveying method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus capable of transporting an exposed photosensitive material from an exposure section to a development processing section and a method for transporting the photosensitive material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various types of photographic processing apparatuses have been proposed. As a photographic processing apparatus having a general configuration, for example, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-123032 is known.
[0003]
In the photographic processing apparatus described in this publication, as shown in FIG. 9, a magazine 52 for storing the photosensitive material P ′ in a roll shape is disposed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 50, and below the magazine 52 is an exposure unit 53. Is arranged. In the exposure unit 53, the film carrier 56 is passed through the lens unit 55 by the uniform light from the light source unit 54 on the emulsion surface (surface on the triangle mark side in the figure) of the photosensitive material P ′ drawn out from the magazine 52. The image of the photographic film F ′ set in (1) is printed (hereinafter referred to as exposure processing).
[0004]
The photosensitive material P ′ that has undergone the exposure processing is conveyed from the exposure unit 53 to the development processing unit 58 via the loop unit 57, and after the development processing is completed, is guided to the drying unit 59. Then, the photosensitive material P ′ that has been subjected to the drying process in the drying unit 59 is cut for each frame and discharged from the apparatus main body 50 to form a completed photograph.
[0005]
The loop portion 57 is provided to absorb a difference in processing speed between the exposure portion 53 and the development processing portion 58, and the photosensitive material P ′ is looped in the loop portion 57. Is temporarily retained.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional photographic processing apparatus, the photosensitive material transport direction from the magazine to the completion of the photo is linear in plan view, so that the magazine is arranged above the apparatus main body in order to keep the machine size short. In addition, since this magazine is heavy, there has been a problem of placing a burden on the operator when replacing the magazine.
[0007]
Further, if the magazine is arranged in the lower direction of the apparatus main body in order to solve such a problem, the machine size becomes long, which may cause a problem in installing the photo processing apparatus. There is a risk that the operation efficiency may be reduced. Furthermore, when another person replaces the magazine while the operator is operating the photo processing apparatus, the operator and the replacement operator may interfere with each other and smooth replacement work may be hindered.
[0008]
Furthermore, in a processing solution tank that stores processing solutions such as a color developing solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution in the development processing section, it is desirable from the viewpoint of photographic finish to convey the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material outward. As is generally known, conventional photographic processing apparatuses often have a mechanism for turning the photosensitive material upside down before reaching the development processing section, and this mechanism is complicated. In addition, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is deteriorated. Therefore, there is a demand for a simple and inexpensive reversing mechanism regardless of the conventional reversing mechanism.
[0009]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a photographic processing apparatus that can easily replace a magazine for storing photosensitive materials and that can reduce machine dimensions. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for transporting a photosensitive material that makes it easy to reverse the front and back of the photosensitive material during the photosensitive material transport process.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a photosensitive material P between an exposure unit 3 that performs exposure processing on the photosensitive material P and a development processing unit 40 that performs development processing on the photosensitive material P. In the photographic processing apparatus in which the loop portion 20 for retaining the material in a loop shape is provided, the loop portion 20 is provided with a loop tank 22 for containing the photosensitive material P, and the loop tank 22 is composed of the photosensitive material. In order to change the conveyance direction of P, it is comprised so that rotation is possible.
[0011]
According to the photographic processing apparatus having the above configuration, since the processing speed of the development processing unit 40 is slower than the processing speed of the exposure unit 3, the loop unit 20 is provided between the exposure unit 3 and the development processing unit 40. The photosensitive material P is retained in a loop shape in the loop portion 20.
[0012]
Therefore, the photosensitive material P that has been subjected to the exposure processing is accommodated in a loop shape in the loop tank 22 of the loop portion 20, and thereafter, the loop tank 22 rotates and the photosensitive material P in the loop tank 22 rotates. The photosensitive material P is transported from the loop unit 20 to the development processing unit 40 in a state where the longitudinal direction and the transport direction of the development processing unit 40 coincide.
[0013]
Accordingly, the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material P in the exposure unit 3 and the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material P in the development processing unit 40 are not necessarily coincident, that is, the exposure unit 3, the loop unit 20, and the development processing unit 40 are linearly arranged. For example, it can be arranged in an L shape.
[0014]
Further, the photosensitive material transport method according to the present invention is a photosensitive material transport method in which the photosensitive material P subjected to the exposure processing in the exposure unit 3 is transported to the development processing unit 40 via the loop unit 20. The photosensitive material P is accommodated in a loop tank 22 provided in the inside 20, and the loop tank 22 is rotated so that the rear end side of the photosensitive material P approaches the development processing unit 40. To the development processing unit 40.
[0015]
According to the above method, for example, when the photosensitive material P is stored in the loop tank 22 with the emulsion surface facing inward as a result of being conveyed to the loop unit 20 with the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material P facing upward, The loop tank 22 is rotated so that the rear end side of the material P approaches the development processing unit 40, and the photosensitive material P is transported from the front end side, so that the emulsion surface faces downward and is transported to the development processing unit 40. Thus, the front and back of the photosensitive material is reversed.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a magazine 2 for storing a photosensitive material P in a roll shape, an exposure unit 3 for subjecting the photosensitive material P to exposure processing, a development processing unit 40 for subjecting the photosensitive material P to development processing, and an exposure. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photographic processing apparatus showing an arrangement state of a loop unit 20 disposed between a unit 2 and a development processing unit 30, and a conveyance direction A of the photosensitive material P from the exposure unit 3 to the loop unit 20; Unlike the conveyance direction B of the photosensitive material from the loop unit 20 to the development processing unit 40, the L-shaped arrangement intersects at about 90 degrees.
[0017]
The present embodiment is a so-called “double magazine system” equipped with two magazines 2, 2, and the magazines 2, 2 are partly exposed and vertically placed on the side of the apparatus main body 1. The photosensitive material P arranged and pulled out from any one of the magazines 2 is subjected to photographic processing.
[0018]
Then, the long photosensitive material P drawn out from the magazine 2 is then conveyed to the exposure unit 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure unit 3 includes a film carrier having a gate 4 that is opened in a substantially square shape, and a roller pair 5 that feeds the film F and positions each frame of the film F on the gate 4. 6 is provided.
[0019]
Further, a light source 7 is arranged in one direction perpendicular to the film F of the gate 4, while a lens unit 8 is arranged in the other direction, and the image data of the film F of the gate 4 is read. An appropriate exposure condition is determined from the read data of the scanner unit 9, and an image of the film F positioned on the gate 4 based on the exposure condition is obtained from the light from the light source 7. Then, it is baked onto the photosensitive material P through the lens unit 8 or the like.
[0020]
Further, on the conveyance path of the photosensitive material P, an advance roller 10 is provided at each of the front and rear positions of the exposure unit 3, and the roller pair 5 when an exposure process for any one frame of the film F is completed. The photosensitive material P is conveyed by one frame in response to the film F being fed by one frame.
[0021]
Next, the photosensitive material P that has been subjected to the exposure processing of a plurality of frames in the exposure unit 3 is conveyed to the downstream loop unit 20 in a continuous length as shown in FIG. In the loop unit 20, the photosensitive material P that has been subjected to the exposure process is retained in a loop shape in the loop unit 20, so that the development processing unit 40 on the downstream side whose processing speed is lower than that of the exposure unit 3. To deal with.
[0022]
In the loop portion 20, the loop tank 22 for accommodating the photosensitive material P and the photosensitive material P conveyed in the A direction from the exposure portion 3 are turned downward by changing the course by about 90 degrees, and the loop tank The first folding roller 23 for carrying in the inside 22 and the photosensitive material P in the loop tank 22 are turned about 90 degrees, folded back in the lateral direction, and carried out in the direction B of the development processing unit 40. A loop mechanism 21 including a second folding roller 24 and a third folding roller 25 is provided.
[0023]
The loop tank 22 is a box-like body having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view that is open at the top and is rotatable on a horizontal plane and is supported by the apparatus main body 1. A first folding roller 23, a second folding roller 24, and a third folding roller 25 are arranged in a U-shape.
[0024]
The first folding roller 23, the second folding roller 24, and the third folding roller 25 are supported by the apparatus main body 1 so that the relative position of the rotating loop tank 22 and the rollers 23, 24, and 25 is changed. Even if the loop tank 22 is rotated every 90 degrees, the rollers 23, 24, and 25 are always located at the opening edge of the loop tank 22.
[0025]
Further, in the loop tank 22, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, a feeding roller 26 that can be driven in synchronization with the advance roller 10, and a downstream side having a predetermined distance from the feeding roller 26. And a guide roller 28 that swings so as to be able to communicate between the feed roller 26 and the feed roller 27.
[0026]
The feeding roller 26 and the feeding roller 27 are each composed of a pair of rollers, and are arranged horizontally so that the conveying path is in the vertical direction, and the loop tank 21 is rotated to any position. The rollers 23, 24, and 25 are arranged so that the directions of the conveyance paths coincide with each other.
[0027]
Further, the guide plate 28 is curved into a shape that is continuous with the respective conveying paths of the feeding roller 26 and the feeding roller 27 in order to reliably transfer the photosensitive material P from the feeding roller 26 to the feeding roller 27. ing.
[0028]
Further, sensors 29 and 30 capable of detecting passage of the front end of the photosensitive material P using light blocking and transmission are arranged on the upstream side of the feeding roller 16 and the downstream side of the feeding roller 27. When the sensor 29 detects the leading edge of the photosensitive material P, the guide plate 28 swings to a position X where the feeding roller 26 and the feeding roller 27 communicate with each other, and the sensor 30 moves to the leading edge of the photosensitive material P. Is detected, it swings to a position Y that retracts from between the feed roller 26 and the feed roller 27.
[0029]
A cutter 31 for cutting the photosensitive material P is provided between the advance roller 10 and the first folding roller 23. The cutter 31 is controlled to perform a cutting process when the exposure process for one film F is finished and the driving of the advance roller 10, the first folding roller 23, and the feeding roller 26 is stopped. Yes. Further, when the cutting process is completed, the first folding roller 23 and the feeding roller 26 are also driven until the rear end of the cut photosensitive material P is detected by the sensor 29.
[0030]
Next, the photosensitive material P which is looped by the loop unit 20 and cut to a predetermined length is conveyed to the downstream development processing unit 40 as shown in FIG.
In the development processing unit 40, various processing tanks such as a color processing tank 41, a fixing processing tank 42, and a stabilization processing tank 43 are sequentially arranged side by side, and a plurality of transport rollers 45 are provided to perform this series of transport. It is arranged at a predetermined position. Therefore, the photosensitive material P is conveyed while being sequentially immersed in the processing liquid in these processing tanks, and development processing of the photosensitive material P is performed.
[0031]
The photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration. Hereinafter, a method for conveying a photosensitive material from the exposure unit 3 to the development processing unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.
First, referring to FIG. While the exposure unit 3 performs the exposure process for each frame of the film F, the photosensitive material P, which is sequentially exposed and conveyed by the advance roller 10 while being long, is fed to the first folding roller 23 and the subsequent feeding. It is passed to the feed roller 26, and delivered to the feed roller 27 along the guide plate 28 that has swung to the horizontal position (position X) by the detection of the sensor 29. When the leading edge of the photosensitive material P reaches the sensor 30, the guide plate 28 swings to the vertical position (position Y), and only the feed roller 27 stops driving. On the other hand, since the exposure processing is sequentially continued, the advance roller 10, the first folding roller 23, and the feeding roller 26 continue to be driven, and a loop of the photosensitive material P is created in the loop portion 20.
[0032]
Thereafter, when the exposure process for one film is finished and the driving of the advance roller 10, the first folding roller 23, and the feeding roller 26 is stopped, the cutter 31 performs the cutting process of the photosensitive material P. When the cutting process is finished, the first folding roller 23 and the feeding roller 26 are driven until the rear end of the cut photosensitive material P is detected by the sensor 29. Therefore, by performing a series of controls, the photosensitive material P that has been subjected to the exposure process and has been cut is positioned in the sensors 29 and 30 and held by the feeding roller 26 and the feeding roller 27 at both ends. It will be accommodated in the loop tank 22.
[0033]
At this time, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, since the image of the film F is printed from the upper position, the photosensitive material P is the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material P in the exposure unit 3 (the triangle mark side in the figure). Therefore, in the loop portion 20, the emulsion surface is inward.
[0034]
As described above, when the photosensitive material P is accommodated in the loop portion 20, it is transported to the development processing portion 40 by the following two methods.
[0035]
That is, in the first method, as shown in FIG. 6, the loop tank 22 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise (270 degrees counterclockwise) in plan view, and the leading end side of the photosensitive material P is developed. In this method, the photosensitive material P is conveyed to the development processing unit 40 in a state of being close to the unit 40.
[0036]
That is, when the loop tank 22 rotates to the above position, a sensor (not shown) transmits a seating signal, and at the same time, the feeding roller 26, the feeding roller 27, and the second folding roller 24 are driven, and the photosensitive material P is moved to the loop tank. 22 is carried out.
[0037]
Then, the photosensitive material P is folded back from the top by the second folding roller 24 and leveled, and then conveyed to the development processing unit 40.
[0038]
Further, by this transport method, the photosensitive material P is subjected to development processing in each processing tank of the development processing unit 40 with its emulsion surface facing inward.
[0039]
Next, in the second method, as shown in FIG. 7, the loop tank 22 is rotated 270 degrees clockwise (90 degrees counterclockwise) in plan view, and the rear end side of the photosensitive material P is moved. In this method, the photosensitive material P is transported to the development processing unit 40 while being close to the development processing unit 40.
[0040]
That is, when the loop tank 22 is rotated to the position, the feeding roller 26, the feeding roller 27, the second folding roller 24, and the third folding roller 25 are driven at the same time as the sensor transmits a seating signal. At this time, the photosensitive material P is folded back from the upper side by the third folding roller 25, leveled, and then conveyed to the development processing unit 40 through the second folding roller 24.
[0041]
Further, by this transport method, the photosensitive material P is subjected to development processing in each processing tank of the development processing unit 40 with its emulsion surface facing outward.
[0042]
As described above, according to the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the loop unit 20 interposed between the exposure unit 3 and the development processing unit 40 is configured to be rotatable, and thus the exposure unit 3 and the development processing unit 40. It is possible to construct a photographic processing apparatus arranged in a substantially L shape in a plan view by crossing, and therefore, compared with a conventional photographic processing apparatus in which the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material is linear in a plan view. Thus, the length dimension of the photographic processing apparatus can be reduced, and there is an advantage that it can be suitably arranged even in a narrow room.
[0043]
Further, by arranging the photosensitive material magazine on the side of the apparatus main body 1, there is an advantage that the magazine does not interfere with the operator and a comfortable operating environment for the operator can be realized.
[0044]
In addition, unlike the conventional photo processing apparatus, since the heavy magazine is not arranged above the apparatus main body, there is an advantage that the burden on the operator in the magazine replacement work can be reduced.
[0045]
Further, only when the loop tank 22 is rotated, the photosensitive material emulsion surface is transported in each processing tank of the development processing unit 40, and the photosensitive material emulsion surface is transported outward. Since there is no need to provide a special reversing mechanism, the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0046]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
That is, in the above-described embodiment, from the viewpoint of preventing the conveyance efficiency from being lowered, a control method using the time when the exposure processing of all the frames of one film is completed is adopted as the timing of the photosensitive material cutting processing. However, the present invention does not matter about the timing of the photosensitive material cutting process. In short, when the photosensitive material thus cut is completely accommodated in the loop tank 22 and the loop tank 22 rotates, It is sufficient that the photosensitive material does not interfere with the apparatus main body 1 side.
[0047]
Therefore, in order to achieve a good finish of the photograph, the scanner unit 9 is provided and controlled so that the photosensitive material P is cut while the operator performs the work necessary for the scanning process (when the exposure process is idling). In addition to the above-described embodiment, when the scanning unit 9 is not provided, control for cutting the photosensitive material P using the second film replacement operation (exposure processing is stopped), It is also possible to employ a control for detecting the loop amount of the photosensitive material P using a sensor provided in the loop tank 22 and cutting the photosensitive material P completely independently of the exposure process.
[0048]
Further, as mentioned above, the loop tank 22 is referred to a box-shaped body, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is intended to employ a loop tank of any specifications known in the art. . Therefore, for example, a two-plate body having a structure in which the photosensitive material is simply sandwiched from the side can be employed as the loop tank.
[0049]
Another embodiment of the loop mechanism 21 is shown in FIG.
In this loop mechanism, the first folding roller 23 of the above embodiment provided between the exposure unit 3 and the loop unit 20 is abolished, and the feeding roller 26 and the feeding roller 27 are moved in the direction of the conveying path. In this configuration, the sensors 29 and 30 are vertically placed while being rotated so as to change.
According to this, as shown in FIG. 8A, the photosensitive material P transported horizontally from the exposure unit 3 passes through the sensor 29 and is transported by the feeding roller 26 rotated to the vertical position. Is delivered to the feed roller 27 rotated to the vertical position along the flat guide plate 28 swinging to the horizontal position. When the leading edge of the photosensitive material P reaches the sensor 30, the guide plate 28 swings to the vertical position, forms a loop, and is cut by the cutter 31. Thereafter, the feeding roller 26 and the feeding roller 27 rotate to the horizontal position, and both ends of the cut photosensitive material P face upward.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 8B, the loop tank 22 is rotated, and thereafter, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the second folding roller 24 and the third folding roller 25 are used to make the developing processing unit 40 use the second folding roller 24 and the third folding roller 25. It is to be carried out.
[0050]
Further, the shape, arrangement mode, and operation mode of the guide plate 28 are not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately changed as long as a loop of a photosensitive material can be created in the loop portion 20.
[0051]
Further, the rotation angle of the loop tank 22 is not limited to a unit of 90 degrees, and the conveyance direction A of the photosensitive material P from the exposure unit 3 to the loop unit 20 and the photosensitive material P from the loop unit 20 to the development processing unit 40. It can be arbitrarily changed according to the crossing angle in the conveyance direction B.
[0052]
In other words, by arbitrarily setting the rotation angle of the loop tank 22, it is possible to arrange the exposure unit 3 and the development processing unit 40 at an arbitrary crossing angle. It is possible to effectively use a space such as a room to be installed.
[0053]
Further, if two units of the exposure unit 3 and the development processing unit 40 are provided and arranged in a cross shape, and one unit of the loop unit 20 is provided at the intersection, one photographic processing apparatus is provided. Therefore, it is possible to improve the photo processing capability without cost.
[0054]
Further, the support modes of all the rollers 10, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 described above include those naturally adopted in the design, and the conveyance of the photosensitive material is not limited to the roller conveyance. Others, for example, belt conveyance may be used.
[0055]
And the arrangement | positioning aspect of the sensors 29 and 30, the cutter 31, and the rollers 10, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 can be suitably changed according to the specification of a photographic processing apparatus.
[0056]
Further, the roller for conveying the photosensitive material P is not limited to the rollers 10, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 in the above embodiment, and other roller mechanisms may be added.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the photographic processing apparatus of the present invention, the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material can be changed during the conveyance of the photosensitive material, so that the exposure unit and the development processing unit are arranged in an L shape. Compared to a photographic processing apparatus in which the exposure unit, the loop unit, and the development processing unit are linearly arranged as in the prior art, the machine size can be reduced, and therefore suitable for the indoor shape to be installed. Can be dealt with.
[0058]
In addition, since the magazine for storing the photosensitive material can be disposed at a low position and away from the operator, the magazine can be exchanged smoothly, and a suitable working environment for the operator can be provided. Can be realized.
[0059]
Further, in the photosensitive material transport method according to the present invention, the photosensitive material is accommodated in a loop tank provided in the loop portion, and after rotating the loop tank so that the rear end side of the photosensitive material approaches the development processing portion, The photosensitive material can be turned upside down by a very simple method of transporting the photosensitive material from the front end side to the development processing section.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a photographic processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an exposure unit according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view including a partial cross section of a loop portion in a conveyance direction A of the embodiment.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views including a partial cross section of the loop portion in the transport direction B of the embodiment, in which FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view including a partial cross-section showing how the photosensitive material is conveyed from the exposure unit to the loop unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view including a partial cross section showing a first conveyance mode of the photosensitive material from the loop portion to the development processing portion of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic side view including a partial cross section showing a second conveyance mode of the photosensitive material from the loop portion to the development processing portion of the embodiment.
8A and 8B show a loop portion of another embodiment, in which FIG. 8A is a schematic side view including a partial cross section showing a mode of conveying a photosensitive material from an exposure portion to the loop portion, and FIG. 8B is a development from the loop portion. The schematic side view including the partial cross section which shows the 1st conveyance aspect of the photosensitive material to a process part.
FIG. 9 is a schematic side view including a partial cross section of a conventional photographic processing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Apparatus body, 2 ... Magazine, 3 ... Exposure part, 4 ... Gate, 5 ... Roller pair, 6 ... Film carrier, 7 ... Light source, 8 ... Lens unit, 9 ... Scanner unit, 10 ... Advance roller, 20 ... Loop , 21 ... loop mechanism, 22 ... loop tank, 23 ... first folding roller, 24 ... second folding roller, 25 ... third folding roller, 26 ... feeding roller, 27 ... feeding roller, 28 ... guide plate, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29, 30 ... Sensor, 31 ... Cutter, 40 ... Development processing part, 41 ... Color development processing tank, 42 ... Fixing processing tank, 43 ... Stabilization processing tank, 45 ... Conveying roller

Claims (2)

A loop that retains the photosensitive material (P) in a loop between the exposure unit (3) that performs exposure processing on the photosensitive material (P) and the development processing unit (40) that performs development processing on the photosensitive material (P). In the photographic processing apparatus provided with the portion (20), the loop portion (20) is provided with a loop tank (22) for containing the photosensitive material (P), and the loop tank (22) The photographic processing apparatus is configured to be rotatable so as to change the conveying direction of the photosensitive material (P). In the method of transporting a photosensitive material, the photosensitive material (P) exposed in the exposure unit (3) is transported to the development processing unit (40) through the loop unit (20). The photosensitive material (P) is accommodated in the provided loop tank (22), and the loop tank (22) is rotated so that the rear end side of the photosensitive material (P) approaches the development processing section (40). A method for conveying a photosensitive material, comprising conveying the photosensitive material (P) from a front end side to a development processing section (40).

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