JPH04165351A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a following undeveloped latent image face from being damaged by controlling supply operation so that the foremost end of coloring agent sheet may not be arranged at a developing position of a developing means while the latent image part of photosensitive recording medium delivered passes the inside of the developing means while it is not being developed. CONSTITUTION:Supply of a coloring agent sheet 48 is carried out for the following development by a supply means 49 so that the foremost end of the coloring agent sheet 48 may not be positioned at the developing position of the developing means 41 while the latent image part of a photosensitive recording medium 38 passes the inside of the developing means 41 without being developed, and returning operation of the medium 38 is terminated. Then, the foremost end of the sheet 48 is prevented from being in sliding contact with the medium 38 during the returning operation thereof. It is thus possible to prevent the following undeveloped latent image face from being damaged.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention involves exposing a photosensitive recording medium to form a latent image, and supplying a color developer sheet on the exposed latent image to develop it. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that obtains an output image.

[Prior Art] In a conventional image recording apparatus of this type, a buffer means for storing two latent images on a photosensitive recording medium after exposure is provided between an exposing means and a developing means. After once storing two latent images on the photosensitive recording medium, a color developer sheet is supplied onto the latent image on the photosensitive recording medium fed out from the buffer means, and simultaneously developed by the developing means,
The exposure means is configured to perform the next exposure on the next exposure area on the photosensitive recording medium, thereby making it possible to shorten the time required for image formation.

In addition, in this conventional image recording apparatus, among the two latent images of the exposed photosensitive recording medium stored in the buffer 7 means, the development of the preceding first latent image is completed and the color developer sheet is is peeled off from the photosensitive recording medium, the photosensitive recording medium is returned by a predetermined amount by the buffer means, and the second latent image of the exposed photosensitive recording medium that is being conveyed through the developing means is removed. The leading edge of the second latent image was arranged to face the developing position of the developing means.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this conventional image recording device, of the two latent images of the exposed photosensitive recording medium stored in the buffer means, the first latent image that precedes When the development is completed, the developer sheet is supplied onto the photosensitive recording medium by the supplying means in preparation for the next development, so that the second latent image following the exposed photosensitive recording medium is then transferred by the buffering means. There is a problem in that when the leading end of the developer sheet is returned to the developing position of the developing means, the leading end of the color developer sheet slides against the photosensitive recording medium and damages the undeveloped second latent image surface.

The present invention has been made by focusing on the problems existing in the conventional technology as described above, and its object is to store at least two latent images of an exposed photosensitive recording medium stored in a buffer means. After the development of the preceding latent image within the image area is completed, when the leading edge of the trailing latent image on the exposed photosensitive recording medium is returned to the development position of the development means by the buffer means, the next development is performed. It is possible to prevent the leading edge of the color developer sheet supplied in advance from sliding into contact with the photosensitive recording medium.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording device that can reliably prevent the risk of damaging a subsequent undeveloped latent image surface.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes at least an exposure means for exposing a photosensitive recording medium to form a latent image, and at least a photosensitive recording medium exposed by the exposure means. a buffer means for storing two latent images; a supply means for supplying a developer sheet onto the photosensitive recording medium; and a supply means for developing the latent image on the photosensitive recording medium fed from the buffer means onto the developer sheet. In an image recording apparatus equipped with a developing means, while the latent image portion of the photosensitive recording medium fed out from the buffer means passes through the developing means without being developed, the leading edge of the color developer sheet is exposed to the developing means. A control means is provided for controlling the feeding operation of the color developer sheet by the feeding means so that the developer sheet is not placed at the developing position.

[Function] In the image recording apparatus configured as described above, the development of the preceding latent image of at least two latent images stored in the buffer means on the exposed photosensitive recording medium is completed and When the colorant sheet is peeled off from the photosensitive recording medium, the buffer means returns the photosensitive recording medium by a predetermined amount, and at least two latent images of the exposed photosensitive recording medium that is being conveyed through the developing means are removed. , the leading edge of the trailing latent image is disposed opposite to the developing position of the developing means.

While the latent image portion of the photosensitive recording medium is passing through the developing means without being developed, the feeding means is used to prevent the leading edge of the color developer sheet from being placed in the developing position of the developing means. In preparation for this, a developer sheet is supplied, and after the return operation of the photosensitive recording medium is completed, the leading end of the developer sheet is bonded to the photosensitive recording medium. Therefore, during the return operation of the photosensitive recording medium, the leading edge of the color developer sheet does not come into sliding contact with the photosensitive recording medium, thereby preventing the risk of damaging the undeveloped latent image surface that follows.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a color image recording apparatus embodying the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 1 is formed into a substantially box shape, and a monochrome laser printer 2 is mounted on the upper part thereof. In the laser printer 2, a polygon scanner 3 irradiates a charged photoreceptor 4 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image. The photoreceptor 4 on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed is developed by the developing device 5, and the toner image is transferred onto plain paper or OHP sheets fed from the paper feed cassette 6, and then the toner image is transferred to the fixing device 7. It will be established. Note that this laser printer 2 records data normally transmitted from a host computer.

A monochrome paper output tray 8 is provided on the laser printer 2, and if a monochrome image is required, a paper path switching unit 9 is provided.
By switching, the output paper from the laser printer 2 is delivered onto the monochrome paper output tray 8. An automatic document feeder tray (ADF tray) 10 is provided on the main body l of the apparatus, and when a color image is required, the output paper from the laser printer 2 is transferred to the ADF tray 10 by switching the paper path switching unit 9. sent upwards. And A
The output paper sent onto the DF tray 10 is taken into the main body 1 one by one by the paper feed roller 11, and a set of three monochrome printed papers output from the laser printer 2 is formed into a color print. It is used as a mask original 12 (12R, 12G, 12B) of an image recording device.

Next, regarding the internal structure of the apparatus main body 1, the alignment device 15 is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 1, and between the alignment device 15 and the ADF tray 10, a mask original transport path 16 is provided. and respective pairs of rollers 17, 18 are provided. The alignment device 15 includes a glass plate 19 and a pair of rollers 20 and 21 disposed close to each other on both sides of the glass plate 19.
It is composed of sensors and the like (not shown). A pair of recurler rollers 22 are provided in the middle of the mask original transport path 16, and the recurler rollers 22 remove curls from the mask original 12 sent out from the laser printer 2.

The mask original storage section 23 is arranged parallel to the mask original transport path 16, and a pair of rollers 24 and a gate 25 are provided between the mask original storage section 23 and the alignment device 15.
is provided. A mask original discharge tray 26 for discharging used mask originals 12 is disposed outside the apparatus main body 1, and a pair of rollers is provided between the mask original discharge tray 26 and the alignment device 15. 27, 28.29
and a gate 30 are provided. The rotation direction of each of the rollers 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27°28.29 can be reversed.

The exposure device 33 as an exposure means is connected to the alignment device 15.
It is disposed below the glass plate 19 so as to be able to move laterally along the lower surface of the glass plate 19. This exposure device 33 is composed of a rod-shaped white light source (lamp) 34, a reflecting plate 35 that reflects light from the lamp 34, and a filter unit 36, and the filter unit 36 includes a red filter 3.
6R, green filter 36G, and blue filter 36B
and is provided.

The cartridge 37 is removably attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 1, and a long photosensitive recording medium 38 is housed therein so as not to be exposed to light. This photosensitive recording medium 38 is a cartridge 37
After being pulled out from the glass plate 19 of the alignment device 15
and the exposure table 39, and a buffer device 40,
Pressure developing device 41, separation roller 42 and drive roller 43
The film is then routed onto a take-up roller 44 through the winding roller 44.

Note that the photosensitive recording medium 38 is, for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-1
Similar to the well-known structure shown in Publication No. 43044, the main material is a photocurable resin using a photopolymerization initiator.
Microcapsules containing a photocurable resin that hardens when exposed to light of green and blue wavelengths and cyan, magenta, and yellow dye precursors are coated onto a base sheet.

The exposure table 39 is arranged opposite to the glass plate 19 of the alignment device 15, and is moved up and down by a cam 45. Then, by lowering the exposure table 39 to a position where it joins with the glass plate 19, the mask original 12 conveyed onto the glass plate 19 and the photosensitive recording medium 38 are brought into close contact.

The fixed roller 46 is disposed to face one end of the exposure table 39, and when the exposure table 39 is lowered to a predetermined position, it comes into pressure contact with the one end of the exposure table 39, and presses against the one end of the exposure table 39 to prevent the photosensitive recording medium from being exposed during the exposure of the mask original 12. 38 is clamped and fixed between the exposure table 39 and the exposure table 39.

The cassette 47 is removably attached to the outside of the apparatus main body l above the mask original discharge tray 26, and a number of color developer sheets 48 are housed in a stacked state inside the cassette 47. This color developer sheet 48 is, for example, JP-A-58-8
Similar to the well-known structure shown in Japanese Patent No. 8739, it has a structure in which a color developer is coated on a base paper, and is set in the cassette 47 so that the surface coated with the color developer faces downward. A feeding device 49 as a feeding means consisting of a suction cup, a feeding roller, etc. is arranged above and facing the cassette 47.
The developer sheet 48 is delivered to the cassette 4 by this feeding device 49.
The recording medium 7 is fed one by one onto the photosensitive recording medium 38.

The buffer device 40 constitutes a buffer means, and at least two latent images of the photosensitive recording medium 38 exposed by the exposure device 33 are temporarily stored in the buffer device 40. The pressure developing device 41 constitutes a developing means and includes a pair of pressure rollers 50 therein. The latent image forming portion of the photosensitive recording medium 38 stored in the buffer device 40,
The color developer sheet 48 fed from the cassette 47 is overlapped between the pressure rollers 50 of this pressure development device 41 and subjected to pressure development.

The heat fixing device 53 is disposed above the pressure developing device 41, and includes a casing 5 that includes a heater 54 and an impeller 55.
6, a plurality of conveyance rollers 57, 58, 59 arranged below the casing 56, and a conveyance belt 61 installed between the pair of rollers 60. An output sheet discharge tray 62 is provided outside the main body 1 of the apparatus, and after the color developer sheet 48 on which an image is formed is heat-fixed in a thermal fixing device 53, it is discharged onto this discharge tray 62.

Next, a description will be given of a control circuit related to the feeding operation of the color developer sheet 48. As shown in FIG.
A read only memory (ROM) 66 and a random access memory (RAM) 67 are connected to the memory 65 .

Further, from the CPU 65, the feeding device 49 and the exposure device 33
, the cam 45 for the exposure table 39, the buffer device 40, the pressure developing device 41, and the drive row 43, drive and stop signals are outputted via the output interface 68 and drive circuits 69 to 74.

Then, when the development of the preceding first latent image among the two latent images on the exposed photosensitive recording medium 38 stored in the buffer device 40 is completed, the CPU 65 causes the buffer device 40 to
The photosensitive recording medium 38 is returned by a predetermined amount by the pressure developing device 4.
exposed photosensitive recording medium 3 being conveyed past 1;
The leading edge of the trailing second latent image of the two latent images of 8 is arranged opposite to the development position of the pressure development device 41, and then the developer sheet 48 is moved by the feeding device 49 in preparation for the next development. is supplied onto the photosensitive recording medium 38.

That is, while the latent image portion of the photosensitive recording medium 38 fed out from the buffer device 40 passes through the pressure developing device 41 without being developed, the leading edge of the color developer sheet 48 is at the developing position of the pressure developing device 41. The feeding operation of the color developer sheet 48 by the feeding device 49 is controlled so that the developer sheet 48 is not disposed.

Next, the operation of the color image recording apparatus configured as described above when forming a plurality of color images from a set of mask originals will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Now, when forming this color image, first, the monochrome laser printer 2 is used to form the red mask original plate 12R.
is created and transmitted onto the ADF ray 10. This mask original plate 12R has toner, which is a light-shielding image, placed on other parts of the mask original plate 12R so as to harden the microcapsules containing a cyan dye precursor in the microcapsules coated on the photosensitive recording medium 38. .

Then, the mask original 12R is fed from the ADF tray 10 into the apparatus main body 1 by the paper feed roller 11, passes through the mask original transport path 16, and is sent to the alignment device 15 by rollers 17 and 18. Also, this mask original version 1
During the transfer of 2R, the curl of the mask original 12R is corrected by the recurler roller 22. At this time, the gate 25 is placed at the position shown by the solid line in FIG.

Furthermore, after the mask original 12R is conveyed to the vicinity of the exposure position by the roller 20 of the alignment device 15, it is moved to a predetermined position and aligned based on the reading of the alignment mark on the mask original 12R by a sensor (not shown). be done. Immediately before this positioning, the exposure table 39 is placed on the cam 45.
The photosensitive recording medium 38 is lowered to a predetermined position by pressing the fixed roller 46 against one end of the exposure table 39, and the photosensitive recording medium 38 is clamped and fixed between the exposure table 39 and the exposure table 39. After the alignment is completed, the exposure table 39 is further lowered by the cam 45, and
It is joined to the glass plate 19 of the alignment device 15, and the mask original 12R and the photosensitive recording medium 38 are brought into close contact.

After that, the lamp 34 of the exposure device 33
6R, the exposure device 33 is run in the direction of arrow A in FIG. be done. When this exposure is completed, the lamp 34 is turned off and the exposure device 33 is returned in the direction of arrow B in the figure. At this time, the filter unit 36 of the exposure device 33 is moved by a drive source (not shown), and the green filter 36G is disposed above the lamp 34 to face it.

Also, during the return movement of the exposure device 33, the exposure table 3
9 is raised to a predetermined position by the cam 45, and the photosensitive recording medium 38 is separated from the glass plate 19 of the alignment device 15 and the mask original 12R.

At this time, tension is applied to the photosensitive recording medium 38 at the center of the take-up roller for the photosensitive recording medium 38 in the cartridge 37, so when the exposure table 39 is lowered prior to exposure, the exposure table 39 When the length of the photosensitive recording medium 38 corresponding to the amount of descent is pulled out from the cartridge 37 and the exposure stage 39 is raised after exposure, the photosensitive recording medium 38 is rewound into the cartridge 37 and the slack is absorbed. Ru.

Note that even after the exposure using the red mask master plate 12R is completed, the exposure table 39 is maintained in a raised state at a predetermined position, and the photosensitive recording medium 38 is pressed against one end of the exposure table 36. It is held in a fixed state relative to the exposure table 39 by a fixed roller 46 .

Next, a green mask original 12G is created by the monochrome laser printer 2, and fed into the apparatus main body 1 through the ADF ray 10 and paper feed roller 11. Then, when the mask original 12G is conveyed through the curler roller 22 and the mask original transport path 16 to just before the roller 17, the rollers 17, 18, 27, 29 and the alignment device 1
The rollers 20 and 21 of No. 5 are rotated in the direction of conveying the mask original to the right, and at the same time the exposed mask original 12R is sent out from the exposure position on the alignment device 15, a new mask original 12G is moved to the exposure position. It is sent and stopped. At this time, the gate 3o is placed at the position shown by the solid line in FIG.
When the roller 29 passes through, the roller 29 is stopped to maintain that state.

The green mask original plate 12G sent to the alignment device 15 is the same as the red mask original plate 12G sent to the alignment device 15.
As in the case of R, after being aligned with the photosensitive recording medium 38, the exposure table 39 is lowered to come into close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 38. In this state, the lamp 34 of the exposure device 33 is turned on, the exposure device 33 is run, and the mask original 1 is exposed to green light that has passed through the green filter 36G.
Exposure is performed via 2G. After the exposure is finished, the exposure table 39 is raised to a predetermined position, the exposure device 33 is moved back, the filter unit 36 is moved, and the blue filter 36B is placed above the lamp 34 to face it.

Next, the blue mask original 12B created by the monochrome laser printer 2 is fed into the apparatus main body 1 in the same way as in the above case, and when it is conveyed to just before the roller 17, the rollers 17, 18, 27 °28 and alignment device 15
The rollers 20 and 21 are rotated in the direction of conveying the mask original to the right, and the exposed mask original 12G is sent out from the exposure position on the alignment device 15, and at the same time, a new mask original 12B is sent to the exposure position. and stopped. At this time, one gate 25 is placed at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and the other gate 30 is placed at the position shown by the broken line in the same figure.
2G is held between the rollers 28 and held in that state by stopping the rollers 28 when its rear end passes through the gate 30.

Then, the blue mask original 12B sent to the alignment device 15 is transferred to the photosensitive recording medium 3 as in the above case.
8 and are brought into close contact. In this state, the mask original 12B is illuminated by blue light passing through the blue filter 36B.
Exposure is performed through the. Through the above operations, a latent image of a desired color image is formed on the photosensitive recording medium 38 (step S1).

Thereafter, the exposure table 39 is raised to the initial position by the cam 45, the fixed roller 46 is separated from one end of the exposure table 39, and the fixation of the photosensitive recording medium 38 is released. 38 is conveyed, and when the front end of the latent image forming portion reaches just before the pressure roller 50 of the pressure developing device 41, the rotation of the drive roller 43 is stopped (step S2). Further, the buffer device 40 is moved in the direction of arrow C from the Pi position to the P3 position in FIG. 1, and the exposed latent image forming portion of the photosensitive recording medium 38 is stored in the buffer device 40 (Step S3). At this time, due to the operation of the driving roller 43 and the buffer device 40, the unexposed portion of the photosensitive recording medium 38 is transferred to the cartridge 37.
It is pulled out from inside to a position below the exposure table 39.

When the buffer device 40 is moved to position P3 in FIG. By being lowered again, the fixed roller 46 is brought into pressure contact with one end of the exposure table 39, and the photosensitive recording medium 38 is clamped and fixed between the exposure table 39 and the exposure table 39. Further, after the drive roller 43 has stopped, the developer sheet 4 is fed by the feeding device 49.
8 is sent out from the cassette 47, and when the leading edge of the color developer sheet 48 reaches the leading edge of the latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 38, the conveyance of the color developer sheet 48 is stopped (step S4).

In this state, the second color image is exposed onto the photosensitive recording medium 38. That is, rollers 17, 18, 2
7.29 and the rollers 20 and 21 of the alignment device 15 are rotated in the direction of conveying the mask original to the left, and the blue mask original 12B at the exposure position is sent out to the left, and at the same time the position of the roller 29 is changed. The red mask original plate 12R held in is sent to the exposure position. At this time, both gates 25 and 30 are placed at the positions indicated by solid lines in FIG. 1, and the mask original 1 sent out from the exposure position
2B is held between the rollers 17, and when its rear end passes through the gate 25, the rollers 17 are stopped and held in that state.

Then, the red mask original plate 12R sent to the alignment device 15 is placed on the photosensitive recording medium 3 as in the above case.
8 and are brought into close contact. In this state, the mask original 12R is exposed to red light passing through the red filter 36R.
Exposure is performed through the.

Next, the rollers 24, 18, 27, 28 and the rollers 20, 21 of the alignment device 15 are rotated in the direction of conveying the mask original to the left, and the red mask original 12R at the exposure position is sent out to the left. At the same time, the green mask original 12G held at the position of the roller 28 is sent to the exposure position. At this time, both gates 25.30
is arranged at the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. It is held in that state by stopping.

Then, the green mask original 12G sent to the alignment device 15 is aligned and brought into close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 38, and in this state, green light passing through the green filter 36G causes the green mask original 12G to pass through the mask original 12G. Exposure is performed.

Further, in almost the same manner as described above, the green mask original plate 12G at the exposure position is sent to the right, and at the same time, the blue mask original plate 12B held at the position of the roller 17 is sent to the exposure position. It can be done. Then, with this mask original plate 12B in close contact with the photosensitive recording medium 38, blue light passing through the blue filter 36B causes
Exposure is performed through the mask original 12B. Through the above operations, a latent image of the second color image is formed on the photosensitive recording medium 38 (step S5).

Thereafter, the exposure table 39 is raised again to the initial position by the cam 45, the fixed roller 46 is separated from one end of the exposure table 39, and the fixation of the photosensitive recording medium 38 is released.
The buffer device 40 is moved from the P3 position to the P4 position in FIG. 1, and the second latent image forming portion of the exposed photosensitive recording medium 38 is stored in the buffer device 40 (step S
6).

At this time, the unexposed portion of the photosensitive recording medium 38 is again pulled out from inside the cartridge 37 to a position below the exposure table 39. When the buffer device 40 is moved to position P4 in FIG. is lowered again, the fixed roller 46 is brought into pressure contact with one end of the exposure table 39, and the photosensitive recording medium 3
8 is clamped and fixed between the exposure table 39 and the exposure table 39 .

In this state, the pressure roller 50 of the pressure developing device 41 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by a drive device (not shown).
The first latent image forming portion on the photosensitive recording medium 38 is transferred while being pressed while being superimposed on the color developer sheet 48 that has already been supplied. As a result, the photosensitive recording medium 38
The upper uncured microcapsules are destroyed by pressure, and a color image corresponding to the first latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 38 is developed on the color developer sheet 48 (step S7).

Further, when the pressure roller 50 of the pressure developing device 41 rotates, the buffer device 40 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow from the position P4 in FIG. 1' (step S8).

After development, the color developer sheet 48 is peeled off from the photosensitive recording medium 38 by the separation roller 42 and transferred to the heat fixing device 53.
You will be guided in the direction of Further, the buffer device 40 is a first
When the first latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 38 is moved to position P3 in the figure and the development process for the first sheet of latent image is completed, the pressure roller 50 of the pressure developing device 41 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 and separated. (Step S9, 5IO). Furthermore, when the buffer device 40 is moved to the P2 position in FIG.
The leading edge of the second latent image on the undeveloped photosensitive recording medium 38, which has been moved to the third position in the direction of arrow C and is conveyed through the pressure development device 41 and just before the separation roller 42, is moved to the pressure development device. 41 to the position immediately before the pressure roller 50 (
Step Sll, 512).

On the other hand, the developed color developer sheet 48 peeled off from the photosensitive recording medium 38 is heated in a heat fixing device 53 by hot air generated from a heater 54 and circulated within a casing 56 by an impeller 55. Color development of color images is promoted. At the same time, the binder polymer (binder resin) for fixing the color developer to the base paper on the color developer sheet 48 is melted by heat, and the surface becomes smooth, so that the surface of the color developer sheet 48 has a suitable amount. Get a good shine. Then, the color developer sheet 48 that has undergone the color development and gloss treatment is discharged onto the output sheet discharge tray 62.

Further, when the buffer device 40 is moved to the P3 position in FIG. When the leading edge of the developer sheet 48 reaches the leading edge of the latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 38, the conveyance of the developer sheet 48 is stopped (step 81).
3,514). Therefore, during the return movement of the photosensitive recording medium 38, the leading edge of the color developer sheet 48 does not come into sliding contact with the photosensitive recording medium 38, thereby reliably preventing the risk of damaging the undeveloped latent image surface of the second sheet. be able to.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the exposure process for the third latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 38 is to be performed continuously. If the exposure process is not performed, the pressure developing device 41 A developer sheet 48 is superimposed on the latent image of the eye and pressure development is performed, and the developer sheet 48 after pressure development is sent to a heat fixing device 53 and heat-fixed. (Step S15, 516). At the same time that the pressure development of the second latent image is started, the exposure table 39 is raised to the initial position by the cam 45, the fixed roller 46 is separated from one end of the exposure table 39, and the photosensitive recording medium 38 fixation is released.

Also, during this pressure development, the buffer device 40 moves to P1 in FIG.
After being moved to this position, the photosensitive recording medium 38 is pulled out from the cartridge 37.

On the other hand, in the determination in step S15, if the exposure process on the photosensitive recording medium 38 is continued,
The photosensitive recording medium 38 is exposed to the exposure table 39 and the fixed roller 4 without performing pressure development of the second latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 38.
Step S5
Then, the same exposure process as described above is performed. Thereafter, as described above, while two latent images are stored in the buffer device 40, the preceding latent image is developed.

In this way, three mask original plates 12R and 12G.

By repeatedly performing the exposure operation using 12B, a predetermined number of color images can be continuously output from one set of mask originals 12. After the required number of color images have been output, each mask master plate 12R, 12G, 12
B passes through the rollers 28 or 29 and is discharged onto the mask original discharge tray 26.

Furthermore, if the next mask master plate 12 is output from the monochrome laser printer 2 while a series of color images are being exposed, the mask master plate 12 is transferred to the ADF (ADF) ray 10.
After the exposure of the previous set is completed, the sheets are fed into the main body 1 of the apparatus one by one from the top of the ADF tray 10 by the sheet feed roller 11. Furthermore, if you want to reuse a mask original output from another monochrome laser printer or a previously used mask original, use the ADF) Ray 10.
By setting it to , it is possible to feed it into the main body of the apparatus.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of each of the embodiments described above. For example, in the operations of steps S12 to S14 in FIG. 3, an operation of returning an undeveloped latent image on the photosensitive recording medium 38 is performed. By starting the feeding operation of the color developer sheet 48 before or during the operation and stopping the feeding operation midway, the leading end of the color developer sheet 48 slides into contact with the photosensitive recording medium 38 which is being returned. It is also possible to arbitrarily change and embody the configuration of each part without departing from the spirit of the invention, such as configuring it so that it does not occur.

[Effect of the invention] Since this invention is configured as explained above,
Among at least two latent images on the exposed photosensitive recording medium stored in the buffer means, after the development of the preceding latent image is completed, the tip of the trailing latent image on the exposed photosensitive recording medium is stored by the buffer means. When the color developer sheet is returned to the developing position of the developing means, the leading edge of the color developer sheet supplied in preparation for the next development can be prevented from sliding against the photosensitive recording medium, and the undeveloped latent image surface that follows is prevented from sliding against the photosensitive recording medium. This has the excellent effect of reliably preventing the risk of damaging the product.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a color image recording device embodying the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit related to the feeding operation of a color developer sheet, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the color developer sheet. 3 is a flowchart of operations related to supplying the agent sheet. 33... Exposure device as exposure means, 38... Photosensitive recording medium, 40... Buffer device as buffer means, 41... Pressure developing device as developing means, 48.
. . . Color developer sheet, 49 . . . Feeding device as supply means, 65 . . . CPU constituting control means. Patent applicant Brother Industries Co., Ltd. Agent
Patent attorney On 1) Joint office (1 other person) AR-

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An exposure means (33) for exposing a photosensitive recording medium (38) to form a latent image, and at least two latent images of the photosensitive recording medium (38) exposed by the exposure means (33). buffer means (40) for storing image portions; and the photosensitive recording medium (
38) Supply means (for supplying the developer sheet (48) onto the
49); and a developing means (41) for developing a latent image on a photosensitive recording medium (38) fed out from the buffer means (40) onto a color developer sheet (48), the image recording apparatus comprising: While the latent image portion of the photosensitive recording medium (38) fed out from the buffer means (40) passes through the developing means (41) without being developed, the leading edge of the color developer sheet (48) is exposed to the developing means (41). 41) An image recording apparatus characterized in that a control means (65) is provided for controlling the feeding operation of the color developer sheet (48) by the supply means (49) so that the color developer sheet (48) is not placed at the developing position of the color developer sheet (41).