JPH11109598A - Photosensitive material discharge mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a photosensitive material discharge mechanism for improving the alignment of prints discharged from a discharge section of a photographic processing apparatus. SOLUTION: A cutter unit that conveys a band-shaped photographic paper along a conveyance path, performs a predetermined process, cuts the print into individual prints, and discharges the print. A loop forming unit that is provided to absorb a difference between the processing speed and a processing speed in a processing unit disposed upstream of the cutter unit, and forms a loop of the photographic paper. A cutter for cutting, a carry-in roller provided on the upstream side of the transport path of the cutter, and a discharge roller provided on the downstream side, wherein the speed of the carry-in roller and the discharge roller is set according to the amount of loop formation in the loop forming unit. A speed control means for changing the speed is provided, and the speed at which the print cut from the discharge roller is discharged is controlled to be the same regardless of the amount of loop formation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cutter for transporting a belt-shaped photosensitive material along a transport path, performing predetermined processing, and cutting and discharging the belt-shaped photosensitive material into individual prints. And a loop provided to absorb the difference between the cutting processing speed in the cutter unit and the processing speed in the processing unit disposed upstream of the cutter unit, and capable of forming a loop of the photosensitive material. And a photosensitive material discharging mechanism having a forming unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Before describing the prior art, the basic configuration of a loop forming section will be described first. In FIG. 9, the first
When the long photographic photosensitive material 120 is transported along the transport path from the processing unit 100 to the second processing unit 110, the processing speed V1 in the first processing unit 100 and the second processing unit 11
There is no problem if the processing speed V2 at 0 is the same (the processing amount is the same). In this case, the long photographic photosensitive material 120 extends straight along the transport path. However, the processing speed V1 of the first processing unit 100 is
When the processing speed V2 is higher than the processing speed V2 of 10, the speed difference needs to be absorbed. Therefore, both processing units 100, 1
A loop R of the photographic light-sensitive material 120 is formed in the intermediate transport path 10 as shown in the figure to absorb a difference in processing speed (difference in processing amount). Such a place where the loop R is formed is called a loop forming unit 17.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of a photographic processing apparatus provided with a loop forming section 17. In FIG. 2, the photographic paper 3 (an example of a photographic photosensitive material) that has been printed and exposed in the print exposure unit 7 is subjected to a development process in a development processing unit 14, a drying process in a drying unit 15, and a cutter unit 16. Is cut into individual prints 18 and discharged.
Here, the developing process and the drying process are continuously performed,
In the cutter section 16, the photographic paper 3 must be temporarily stopped in order to perform cutting. Therefore, the processing speed of the developing unit 14 and the drying unit 15 (first processing unit) is faster than the processing speed of the cutter unit 16 (second processing unit), and therefore, the loop forming unit 17 is provided. The loop forming unit 17 is provided with a loop amount detection sensor 22 for detecting the amount of the loop R formed, and includes a light emitting unit 22a and a light receiving unit 22b.

FIG. 3 shows a loop forming section 17 and a cutter section 1.
The operation of No. 6 will be described, and the problems of the prior art will be clarified. FIG. 3A shows a state where the loop R is not formed. The carry-in roller 24 and the discharge roller 25 are both pulse motor 2
Control is performed so that the peripheral speed becomes the same with 0. The sensor 29 is provided for stopping the printing paper 3 at a predetermined position. Further, the printing paper 3 is moved in the direction in which the loop R is formed.
Is provided, and a roller 32 is rotatably attached to the tip of the loop guide 31. In FIG. 3B, a loop R is formed but not detected by the sensor 22, and both the rollers 24 and 25 are driven at a low speed. As shown in FIG.
Becomes larger and is detected by the sensor 22, the pulse motor 20 is controlled so that the rollers 24 and 25 become faster. As a result, the loop R operates in the direction of decreasing, and when the loop R is no longer detected by the sensor 22, the rollers 24 and 25 are switched to low speed again. In this way, the speed of the rollers 24 and 25 is switched and controlled according to the size of the loop R.

[0005]

However, when the print 18 is loaded on the conveyor 26 as described above, the following problems occur when the speed of the discharge roller 25 is switched. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, at low speed, the print 18 is at a distance from the center of the discharge roller 25.
As shown in FIG. 7B, at a high speed, it falls at a distance L2, and there is a relationship of L2> L1.
Therefore, when the speed change occurs in the middle of loading the prints 18 for one order on the conveyor 26,
As shown in FIG. 8A, the edges of the print 18 are not aligned, and the alignment is poor. In this state, the tray 28 shown in FIG.
When the print 18 is sent to the printer, the load collapses, and there is a problem that the conveyance becomes difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material discharging mechanism for improving alignment of prints discharged from a discharging section of a photographic processing apparatus. .

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a photosensitive material cutting apparatus according to the present invention transports a strip-shaped photosensitive material along a transport path, performs a predetermined process, and then performs a process on the strip-shaped photosensitive material. In order to absorb a difference between a cutter unit for cutting and discharging the photosensitive material into prints one by one and a cutting processing speed in the cutter unit and a processing speed in a processing unit disposed upstream of the cutter unit. A photosensitive material discharging mechanism provided with a loop forming portion capable of forming a loop of the photosensitive material, wherein the cutter portion is provided on a cutter for cutting the photosensitive material, and on a transport path upstream side of the cutter. And a discharge roller provided downstream of the cutter. The feed speed of the carry-in roller and the discharge roller is changed according to a loop formation amount in the loop forming unit. Speed control means for controlling the speed at which the cut photosensitive material is discharged from the discharge roller irrespective of the loop formation amount. It is.

According to this configuration, the feed speed of the carry-in roller and the discharge roller controlled by the speed control means is changed depending on the loop forming amount. However, when the cut photosensitive material is actually discharged from the discharge roller, It is controlled so as to have the same speed. Therefore, since the photosensitive material is dropped from the discharge roller to a predetermined position, it is possible to provide a photosensitive material discharge mechanism that improves alignment of the photosensitive material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carry-in roller and the discharge roller are driven by a common drive source so as to have the same feed speed, and the speed control means is configured to control the speed when the loop formation amount is larger than a predetermined amount. The roller is driven at a speed of 1; when the loop formation amount is smaller than the predetermined amount, the roller is driven at a second speed lower than the first speed; and when the photosensitive material is discharged, the roller is driven at the second speed. It is preferable that the roller be driven at a third speed intermediate between the first speed and the second speed. In order to keep the discharge speed constant, it is necessary not to adversely affect the loop forming state in the loop forming section. In other words, it is necessary to prevent the loop from suddenly disappearing or becoming larger, but if the control is performed at medium speed, the photosensitive material can be discharged without adversely affecting the loop formation state. It is. This point will be described in detail in the embodiment.

[0010] As an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the switching control to the third speed is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the cutter. In order to prevent the switching to the third speed from adversely affecting the loop forming section, it is preferable that the time for switching to the third speed be short. As long as the control is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the cutter, a special member is not required. It is also possible to provide a sensor for detecting that the rear end of the photosensitive material has reached a predetermined position. In this case, photosensitive materials of different sizes in one order (for example, standard size and panoramic size)
Even if there is, it is possible to cope.

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

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Overall Configuration of Photographic Processing Apparatus] FIG. 1 shows an overall appearance of a photographic processing apparatus 100 employing an example of a photosensitive material discharging mechanism according to the present invention. When a negative film is supplied from the negative film supply unit 30, the photographic paper 3
The printing is performed on the photographic printing paper 3 which has been printed by the processor unit 2. When the predetermined processing is completed, the prints 18 cut one by one
Is discharged and mounted on the horizontal conveyor 26. When the prints 18 for one order are loaded on the conveyor 26,
It is transferred to the tray 28. The print 18 is bagged and returned to the customer. FIG. 2 shows a photographic processing apparatus 100.
The transport path of the photographic paper 3 transported along the inside in accordance with various processes is schematically shown. The configuration of this photographic processing apparatus is roughly divided into photographic paper 3 which is an example of a photographic photosensitive material.
And a processor unit 2 for performing processing such as development on the photographic paper 3 on which printing has been completed.

More specifically, the printer unit 1 supplies a photographic paper 3 drawn from a photographic paper magazine 4 along a transport path, and transports the photographic paper 3 to a printing exposure unit 7 described later. A printing unit 6, a printing exposure unit 7 for printing and exposing an image of a negative film (not shown) on the printing paper 3, an advance unit 8 for accurately transporting the printing paper 3 by a certain length, and an illustration. A character printing unit 9 for printing characters, characters, etc., a photographic paper transporting unit 10 for forming a loop 11 for adjusting the speed of the photographic paper 3 sent to the processor unit 2, and a photographic paper 3 Part 2
And an outlet unit 13 for sending the air to the outlet.

The processor section 2 includes a development processing section 14 for performing processing such as color development and fixing on the photographic paper 3, a drying section 15 for drying the photographic paper 3 after the development processing, and a photographic paper 3. A cutting section 16 for cutting each frame, and a loop forming section 17 for absorbing a difference in processing speed between the drying section 15 and the cutter section 16. The cutter unit 16 includes a cutter 23 for cutting the photographic paper 3 into individual prints 18, a carry-in roller 24, and a discharge roller 25. The print 18 is a horizontal feed conveyor 26
Mounted on top of.

[Description of Speed Control] Cutter section 16
Since the configuration of the loop forming unit 17 has already been described with reference to FIG. 3, detailed description will be omitted. The speed control of the carry-in roller 24 and the discharge roller 25 is specifically controlled in three stages, and the feed speed of the photographic paper 3 is as low as 100 mm / sec, 300 m / sec.
The control is performed so as to be either the medium speed of m / sec or the high speed of 700 mm / sec. The reason for setting such a speed will be described below. The speed is a feed speed of the printing paper 3 and is a peripheral speed. First, it is assumed that the amount of loop formation is large and the rollers 24 and 25 are driven at high speed.
This is a state where the size of the loop R is absorbed. When the rollers 24 and 25 are switched from high speed to medium speed in this state, the absorption of the loop R is reduced. However,
The feeding speed of the photographic paper 3 from the developing section 14 and the drying section 15 is set to 180 mm / sec, and the loop R does not increase again even if the absorption of the loop R becomes slow.
Next, it is assumed that the rollers R and 25 are being driven at a low speed while the loop R is being formed. When the rollers 24 and 25 are switched from low speed to medium speed in this state, the loop R is absorbed because the transport speed increases during loop formation. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance between the rear end of the print 18 and the center of the discharge roller 25 is set to be about 10 mm. If this is done, the loop R will not disappear even if it acts in the direction in which the loop R is absorbed.
As described above, the speed setting is set so as not to adversely affect the loop formation.

[Description of Control Block Diagram] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram. The control unit 40 controls the operation of the entire photo processing apparatus 100, and includes a hardware part such as a CPU and a memory and a software part such as a control program. The control unit 40 includes a speed control unit 41 that controls the pulse motor 20 based on an output signal from the loop amount detection sensor 22. Further, a cutter control means 42 for controlling the cutting operation of the cutter 23 based on the output signal of the photographic paper sensor 29 is provided. Timer 3
9 for measuring a predetermined time after the operation of the cutter 23. When the predetermined time is counted, the print 18
FIG. 5 shows the state shown in FIG. 5 in which the distance between the rear end of the print 18 and the center of the discharge roller 25 is set to about 10 mm. Instead of the timer 39, a sensor may be provided downstream of the cutter 23 so that the rear end of the print 18 can be detected.

[Operation Flowchart] Next, the operation of the photosensitive material discharging mechanism according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. First, when the photographic processing apparatus 100 is started, the rollers 24 and 25 rotate at a low speed (100 mm).
/ Sec) (step # 10). Then, it is checked whether the cutter 23 has been operated (step # 1).
2) If not, it is checked whether the loop formation amount is large by the output of the sensor 22 (step # 1).
4). When the amount of loop formation is small, the speed remains low. If it is determined that the loop formation amount is large, the rollers 24 and 25 are driven at a high speed (700 mm / sec) to absorb the loop R (step # 16).
Further, when the cutter 23 has been operated in step # 12, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the cutter 23 (step # 18). Medium speed (300mm / sec)
(Step # 20). The time for switching to the medium speed is a predetermined time, and is set to a time sufficient for the rear end 10 mm of the print 18 to be discharged from the discharge roller 25 as shown in FIG.

According to the above configuration, since the print 18 is always discharged from the discharge roller 25 at a medium speed,
As shown in FIG. 8B, the prints 18 are in the same place, and the ends of the prints 18 are aligned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a photographic processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a transport path of the photo processing device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a cutter unit and a loop forming unit.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining timing of speed switching.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the related art.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a print mounting state.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the principle of a loop forming unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer part 2 Processor part 3 Printing paper 14 Developing part 15 Drying part 16 Cutter part 17 Loop formation part 18 Print 22 Loop amount detection sensor 23 Cutter 24 Carry-in roller 25 Discharge roller 26 Horizontal feed conveyor 40 Control part 41 Speed control means 42 Cutter control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cutter section for transporting a strip-shaped photosensitive material along a transport path, performing predetermined processing, and cutting and discharging the strip-shaped photosensitive material into individual prints. And a loop forming section provided to absorb a difference between the cutting processing speed in the processing section and the processing speed in the processing section disposed upstream of the cutter section and capable of forming a loop of the photosensitive material. In the photosensitive material discharging mechanism, the cutter unit includes a cutter for cutting the photosensitive material, a carry-in roller provided on an upstream side of a conveyance path of the cutter, and a discharge roller provided on a downstream side of the cutter. Speed control means for changing the speeds of the carry-in roller and the discharge roller in accordance with the amount of loop formation in the loop forming section; ,
A photosensitive material discharging mechanism, wherein a speed at which a photosensitive material cut from a discharging roller is discharged can be controlled to be the same. 2. The carrying-in roller and the ejecting roller are driven by a common driving source so as to have the same feed speed, and the speed control means controls the first speed at a first speed when a loop formation amount is larger than a predetermined amount. When the roller is driven and the loop formation amount is smaller than the predetermined amount, the second speed lower than the first speed is used.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roller is driven at a third speed, and when discharging the photosensitive material, the roller is driven at a third speed intermediate between the first speed and the second speed. The photosensitive material discharging mechanism described in the above. 3. The photosensitive material discharging mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the switching control to the third speed is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the cutter. 4. The photosensitive material discharging mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the switching control to the third speed is performed when a rear end of the photosensitive material reaches a predetermined position.