U.S. patent application number 11/033262 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for feeding device for sheet material and image recording apparatus for recording an image thereon.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Konagaya, Tatsuya.
Application Number | 20050156373 11/033262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34747229 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050156373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Konagaya, Tatsuya |
July 21, 2005 |
Feeding device for sheet material and image recording apparatus for
recording an image thereon
Abstract
A photographic printer carries paper sheets in two rows. A skew
correcting unit is disposed at a passage of the paper sheets. The
skew correcting unit comprises a pre-resist roller pair, a resist
roller pair, carrying guides, and pressing mechanisms for moving
the carrying guides in an approaching direction to the paper sheet
and in a separating direction there from. When correcting the skew
of the paper sheet, the pressing mechanism is actuated to move the
carrying guide toward a deflection portion of the deflected paper
sheet. In virtue of this, an anterior end of the paper sheet is
pressed against the resist roller pair. Even if the paper sheet has
stiffness, the skew thereof is quickly and accurately
corrected.
Inventors: |
Konagaya, Tatsuya;
(Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
34747229 |
Appl. No.: |
11/033262 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/226 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 9/103 20130101;
B65H 9/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/226 |
International
Class: |
B65H 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 2004 |
JP |
2004-009755 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A feeding device for a sheet material, comprising: a carrier for
carrying said sheet material; an abutting member disposed at a
downstream side of said carrier in a carrying direction of said
sheet material, a deflection portion of said sheet material being
formed between said carrier and said abutting member by further
carrying said sheet material after an anterior end of said sheet
material has butted against said abutting member; and a pressing
mechanism for pushing said deflection portion of said sheet
material, said pressing mechanism pressing the whole of said
anterior end against said abutting member to correct a skew of said
sheet material.
2. A feeding device according to claim 1, wherein said abutting
member is a feed roller pair for nipping and feeding said sheet
material, and said anterior end of said sheet material butts
against said feed roller pair of a stop state.
3. A feeding device according to claim 2, wherein said pressing
mechanism includes at least one pushing member for abutting on and
pushing said deflection portion.
4. A feeding device according to claim 3, wherein said carrier and
said feed roller pair carry a plurality of said sheet materials in
parallel, and said pushing members are disposed so as to correspond
to the respective sheet materials carried in parallel.
5. A feeding device according to claim 3, wherein said pressing
mechanism pushes the sole sheet material by using a plurality of
said pushing members when said sheet materials are carried in a
single row so as to overlap with the pushing members.
6. A feeding device according to claim 3, wherein said carrier and
said abutting member are disposed at a curved passage of said sheet
material, and a carrying guide for guiding said sheet material,
which is carried by said carrier, to said abutting member is used
as said pushing member.
7. A feeding device according to claim 6, wherein a surface of said
carrying guide confronting said sheet material is formed with a
plurality of ribs for reducing a contact area of said carrying
guide and said sheet material.
8. A feeding device according to claim 1, wherein said abutting
member is an abutting guide removably disposed at a passage of said
sheet material.
9. A feeding device according to claim 8, further comprising: a
feed roller pair disposed between said carrier and said abutting
guide to nip and feed said sheet material, said feed roller pair
being switchable between a nip state for nipping and feeding said
sheet material, and a release state for releasing a nip of said
sheet material, wherein said feed roller pair is changed from said
nip state to said release state when said anterior end of said
sheet material butts against said abutting guide.
10. A feeding device according to claim 9, wherein said pressing
mechanism includes at least one pushing member for abutting on and
pushing said deflection portion.
11. A feeding device according to claim 10, wherein said carrier
and said feed roller pair carry a plurality of said sheet materials
in parallel, and said pushing members are disposed so as to
correspond to the respective sheet materials carried in
parallel.
12. A feeding device according to claim 10, wherein said pressing
mechanism pushes the sole sheet material by using a plurality of
said pushing members when said sheet materials are carried in a
single row so as to overlap with the pushing members.
13. A feeding device according to claim 10, wherein said carrier
and said abutting member are disposed at a curved passage of said
sheet material, and a carrying guide for guiding said sheet
material, which is carried by said carrier, to said abutting member
is used as said pushing member.
14. A feeding device according to claim 13, wherein a surface of
said carrying guide confronting said sheet material is formed with
a plurality of ribs for reducing a contact area of said carrying
guide and said sheet material.
15. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a
sheet-shaped recording material, said image recording apparatus
comprising: a carrier for carrying said recording material; an
abutting member disposed at a downstream side of said carrier in a
carrying direction of said recording material, a deflection portion
of said recording material being formed between said carrier and
said abutting member by further carrying said recording material
after an anterior end of said recording material has butted against
said abutting member; and a pressing mechanism for pushing said
deflection portion of said recording material, said pressing
mechanism pressing the whole of said anterior end against said
abutting member to correct a skew of said recording material.
16. An image recording apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
said abutting member is a feed roller pair for nipping and feeding
said recording material, and said anterior end of said recording
material butts against said feed roller pair of a stop state.
17. An image recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
said pressing mechanism includes at least one pushing member for
abutting on and pushing said deflection portion.
18. An image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
said carrier and said feed roller pair carry a plurality of said
recording materials in parallel, and said pushing members are
disposed so as to correspond to the respective recording materials
carried in parallel.
19. An image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
said pressing mechanism pushes the sole recording material by using
a plurality of said pushing members when said recording materials
are carried in a single row so as to overlap with the pushing
members.
20. An image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
said carrier and said abutting member are disposed at a curved
passage of said recording material, and a carrying guide for
guiding said recording material, which is carried by said carrier,
to said abutting member is used as said pushing member.
21. An image recording apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a
surface of said carrying guide confronting said recording material
is formed with a plurality of ribs for reducing a contact area of
said carrying guide and said recording material.
22. An image recording apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
said abutting member is an abutting guide removably disposed at a
passage of said recording material.
23. An image recording apparatus according to claim 22, further
comprising: a feed roller pair disposed between said carrier and
said abutting guide to nip and feed said recording material, said
feed roller pair being switchable between a nip state for nipping
and feeding said recording material, and a release state for
releasing a nip of said recording material, wherein said feed
roller pair is changed from said nip state to said release state
when said anterior end of said recording material butts against
said abutting guide.
24. An image recording apparatus according to claim 23, wherein
said pressing mechanism includes at least one pushing member for
abutting on and pushing said deflection portion.
25. An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
said carrier and said feed roller pair carry a plurality of said
recording materials in parallel, and said pushing members are
disposed so as to correspond to the respective recording materials
carried in parallel.
26. An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
said pressing mechanism pushes the sole recording material by using
a plurality of said pushing members when said recording materials
are carried in a single row so as to overlap with the pushing
members.
27. An image recoding apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said
carrier and said abutting member are disposed at a curved passage
of said recording material, and a carrying guide for guiding said
recording material, which is carried by said carrier, to said
abutting member is used as said pushing member.
28. An image recording apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a
surface of said carrying guide confronting said recording material
is formed with a plurality of ribs for reducing a contact area of
said carrying guide and said recording material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a feeding device for
feeding a sheet material and for correcting a skew thereof, and
further relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an
image on the sheet material (recording material) of which the skew
is corrected by the feeding device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] For example, in a photographic printer, feed roller pairs
disposed at a passage nip a photosensitive material having a
cut-sheet shape to feed it in a sub-scanning direction. While the
photosensitive material is fed, recording light is scanned in a
scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction to
record an image by means of scanning exposure. In many photographic
printers, the photosensitive materials are carried in parallel and
are simultaneously exposed in the scanning direction for the
purpose of improving processing ability (amount) of unit time.
[0005] In order to obtain a high-quality photo print, it is
necessary that the photosensitive material is exposed at a proper
position and in a proper direction. However, the photosensitive
material of the cut-sheet shape often inclines while carried. This
means the photosensitive material is often in a skew state. If the
photosensitive material is exposed in the skew state, an image is
slantingly recorded on the photosensitive material. Thus, quality
of the photo print remarkably deteriorates. In view of this,
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-174927 describes a
skew correcting method for the photosensitive material. In this
method, anterior ends of the photosensitive materials, which are
carried in parallel, abut on a feed roller pair of a stop state,
and in this state, the photosensitive material is deflected so as
to have flexure. In virtue of this, the whole of the anterior end
of the respective photosensitive materials becomes parallel
relative to an axial direction of the feed roller pair (the
scanning direction). The skew of the photosensitive material is
corrected by performing so-called top resist.
[0006] In many photographic printers, a photographic paper is used
as the photosensitive material. However, the photographic paper has
stiffness. Thus, when the method described in the above-noted
Publication No. 2001-174927 is used for correcting the skew of the
photographic paper, this paper is not deflected so as to make the
whole of the anterior end thereof abut on the feed roller pair.
There is a possibility that the skew is prevented from perfectly
corrected. In view of this, in the photographic printer using the
photosensitive material having stiffness, the feed roller pair on
which the anterior end of the photosensitive material abuts is
reversed in a state that the photosensitive material is deflected,
such as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
2003-195424. In virtue of this, the whole of the anterior end is
adapted to abut on the feed roller pair, and the skew is accurately
corrected.
[0007] By using the photographic printer described in the
above-noted Publication No. 2003-195424, it is possible to
accurately correct the skew even if the photosensitive material
having stiffness is used. However, it is necessary at the time of
correcting the skew to reverse the feed roller pair after
deflecting the photosensitive material. Thus, it takes time for
correcting the skew. As a result, processing ability of unit time
deteriorates. Accordingly, there arises a problem in that it is
unfavorable to adopt this kind of the photographic printer relative
to a minilab apparatus and so forth requiring high processing
ability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the
present invention to provide a feeding device in which a skew of a
sheet material is quickly and accurately corrected even if the
sheet material has stiffness.
[0009] It is a second object of the present invention to provide an
image recording apparatus comprising the above-mentioned feeding
device.
[0010] In order to achieve the above and other objects, the feeding
device according to the present invention comprises a carrier for
carrying a sheet material, and an abutting member disposed at a
downstream side of the carrier in a carrying direction of the sheet
material. After an anterior end of the sheet material has butted
against the abutting member, the sheet material is further carried
to form a deflection portion thereof between the carrier and the
abutting member. The feeding device further comprises a pressing
mechanism for pushing the deflection portion of the sheet material.
The pressing mechanism presses the entire anterior end of the sheet
material against the abutting member to correct a skew of the sheet
material. In a preferred embodiment, the abutting member is a feed
roller pair for nipping and feeding the sheet material, and the
anterior end of the sheet material butts against the feed roller
pair of a stop state. The carrier and the feed roller pair are
disposed at a curved passage of the sheet material. A carrying
guide for guiding the sheet material to the feed roller pair is
used to push the deflection portion of the sheet material. The
carrying guide is formed with ribs for reducing a contact area of
the carrying guide and the sheet material.
[0011] In another embodiment, the abutting member is an abutting
guide removably disposed at a passage of the sheet material. A feed
roller pair for nipping and feeding the sheet material is disposed
between the carrier and the abutting guide. The feed roller pair is
changed between a nip state for nipping/feeding the sheet material,
and a release state for releasing the nip of the sheet material.
When the anterior end of the sheet material butts against the
abutting guide, the feed roller pair is changed from the nip state
to the release state.
[0012] The image recording apparatus according to the present
invention comprises a carrier for carrying a recording material,
and an abutting member disposed at a downstream side of the carrier
in a carrying direction of the recording material. After an
anterior end of the recording material has butted against the
abutting member, the recording material is further carried to form
a deflection portion thereof between the carrier and the abutting
member. The image recording apparatus further comprises a pressing
mechanism for pushing the deflection portion of the recording
material. The pressing mechanism presses the entire anterior end of
the recording material against the abutting member to correct a
skew of the recording material. In a preferred embodiment, the
abutting member is a feed roller pair for nipping and feeding the
recording material, and the anterior end of the recording material
butts against the feed roller pair of a stop state. The carrier and
the feed roller pair are disposed at a curved passage of the
recording material. A carrying guide for guiding the recording
material to the feed roller pair is used to push the deflection
portion of the recording material. The carrying guide is formed
with ribs for reducing a contact area of the carrying guide and the
recording material.
[0013] In another embodiment, the abutting member is an abutting
guide removably disposed at a passage of the recording material. A
feed roller pair for nipping and feeding the recording material is
disposed between the carrier and the abutting guide. The feed
roller pair is changed between a nip state for nipping/feeding the
recording material, and a release state for releasing the nip of
the recording material. When the anterior end of the recording
material butts against the abutting guide, the feed roller pair is
changed from the nip state to the release state.
[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to
quickly and accurately correct the skew of the sheet material and
the recording material, even if these materials have stiffness. As
a result, processing ability of unit time is improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a photographic
printer using a feeding device according to the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a
structure of the feeding device of the photographic printer;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the feeding device shown in FIG.
2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in that a carrying
guide is moved to an evacuation position so as to deflect a
recording-paper sheet at the time of skew correction;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in that the carrying
guide is moved to a press position so as to push the deflected
recording-paper sheet and so as to press an anterior end thereof
against a resist roller pair;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in that the
recording-paper sheet is fed by the register roller pair after
correcting the skew;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the feeding device of
another embodiment in which the recording-paper sheet is fed in a
single row; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is a side view of the feeding device of the other
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a photographic
printer 10 using a feeding device according to the present
invention. The photographic printer 10 carries photosensitive
materials of a cut-sheet shape in two rows. The photosensitive
materials of two rows are simultaneously exposed and are outputted
as photo prints. Such as shown in FIG. 1, the photographic printer
10 is constituted of magazines 12 and 13, cutters 15 and 16, a
back-printing unit 18, a skew correcting unit 19, an exposing unit
21, a processing unit 22, and so forth.
[0025] The magazines 12 and 13 are disposed at predetermined
positions in the photographic printer 10 to respectively contain a
recording-paper roll 25 formed by winding a strip-shaped
photosensitive recording paper 24 in a roll form. The
photosensitive recording paper 24 is regarded as a photosensitive
material. A roller pair 27 is disposed near a paper mouth of the
respective magazines 12 and 13. Upon rotating the roller pair 27 by
a motor, which is not shown, the photosensitive recording paper 24
is drawn out of the recording-paper roll 25 and is forwarded to the
corresponding cutter 15 or 16.
[0026] The cutters 15 and 16 are respectively disposed so as to nip
a passage of the photosensitive recording paper 24. When an
anterior end of the recording paper 24 is advanced from the cutter
by a predetermined length, a cutter driving mechanism, which is not
shown, is actuated to cut the recording paper 24 into a paper sheet
28 having the predetermined length (see FIGS. 2 and 3). By the way,
instead of providing the two cutters, a single cutter may be
disposed near the back-printing unit 18.
[0027] The paper sheets 28 cut by the cutters 15 and 16 are carried
by carrying roller pairs 30 and 31 disposed at the passages. The
paper sheets 28 are carried along the passages shown by dotted
lines in the drawing to pass through the back-printing unit 18, the
skew correcting unit 19, the exposing unit 21 and the processing
unit 22 in order. In this case, timing for advancing the paper
sheets 28 from the respective magazines 12 and 13 to the passages
is previously adjusted. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the
magazines 12 and 13 are vertically disposed in the drawing. Instead
of this, the magazines may be disposed in parallel in a width
direction of the paper sheet 28. Further, instead of disposing two
magazines, the recording-paper rolls 25 may be set in the same
magazine. Furthermore, the paper sheets 28 may be arranged in
parallel by using a sorting unit (not shown), which moves the paper
sheets 28 in the width direction thereof. The back-printing unit 18
prints film ID, a frame number and so forth on a rear surface
(opposite surface to a recording surface) of the respective paper
sheets 28 carried in parallel (in two rows).
[0028] The paper sheet 28 on which back-printing has been performed
is forwarded to the skew correcting unit 19 by the carrying roller
pair 31. The skew correcting unit 19, which is described later in
detail, corresponds to the feeding device of the present invention.
The skew correcting unit 19 simultaneously corrects skews of the
paper sheets 28 of two rows. The paper sheet 28 of which the skew
has been corrected is fed to the exposing unit 21.
[0029] The exposing unit 21 comprises a laser printer and an image
memory, which are well known. The image memory stores image data
read by a film scanner, which is not shown. Alternatively, the
image data is transferred from a recording medium of a memory card
and so forth, which is also not shown. The laser printer
simultaneously exposes the paper sheets 28 of two rows such that
laser beams are scanned in a scanning direction perpendicular to a
feed direction (sub-scanning direction). Intensity of the laser
beam is modulated in accordance with an image to be recorded. The
exposed paper sheet 28 is forwarded to the processing unit 22
wherein processes of coloring/developing, fixing and washing are
executed. After that, the paper sheet 28 is dried and forwarded to
the outside of the photographic printer 10 as a photo print.
[0030] Next, the skew correcting unit 19 is described below,
referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view
schematically showing a structure of the skew correcting unit 19.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the skew correcting unit 19. Such as shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3, the skew correcting unit 19 is provided with a
pre-resist roller pair 35 and a resist roller pair 36, which are
well known, and carrying guides 37 and 38. The pre-resist roller
pair 35 and the resist roller pair 36 correct the skews of the
paper sheets 28 carried in two rows. The carrying guides 37 and 38
guide an anterior end of the respective paper sheets 28, which are
carried by the pre-resist roller pair 35, to the resist roller pair
36. In addition, the skew correcting unit 19 is provided with a
pressing mechanism 40 described later in detail. The pressing
mechanism 40 presses the anterior end of the partially deflected
paper sheet 28 by using the carrying guide 37. Incidentally, the
pressing mechanism 40 and the respective roller pairs 35 and 36 are
controlled by a controller 41 (see FIG. 1) controlling the whole
operation of the photographic printer 10.
[0031] The pre-resist roller pair 35 and the resist roller pair 36
are disposed at the curved passage to carry the paper sheet 28 by
means of a motor, which is not shown. These roller pairs 35 and 36
carry the paper sheet 28 in a vertical direction and in a
horizontal direction respectively (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The
pre-resist roller pair 35 is provided with a release mechanism (not
shown) for releasing a nip state of the roller pair. The resist
roller pair 36 is rotatable in forward and backward directions. The
carrying directions of the respective roller pairs 35 and 36 are
perpendicular to each other so that the carrying guides 37 and 38
form the arc-shaped passage wherein the carrying direction of the
paper sheet 28 is turned at about 90 degrees. Incidentally, the
release mechanism is also controlled by the controller 41.
[0032] When the skew of the paper sheet 28 is corrected, a
deflection portion is formed on the paper sheet 28 as well known.
The deflection portion is formed such that the paper sheet 28 is
advanced by a predetermined amount after one corner of the anterior
end of the paper sheet 28, which is carried by the pre-resist
roller pair 35, has abutted on the resist roller pair 35. In a
conventional way, the whole of the anterior end is adapted to abut
on the resist roller pair 36 by utilizing only resilience of the
deflected paper sheet 28. However, the whole of the anterior end is
likely to be prevented from abutting on the resist roller pair 36
when the paper sheet 28 has stiffness. In view of this, in the
present invention, the pressing mechanism 40 is used for pushing
the deflection portion (see FIG. 5) of the paper sheet 28 to press
the anterior end thereof against the resist roller pair 36. In
virtue of this, the anterior end is compulsorily interposed between
the rollers of the resist roller pair 36. Thus, it is possible to
make the whole of the anterior end abut on the resist roller pair
36 even when the paper sheet 28 having the stiffness is used.
[0033] The skew correcting unit 19 is disposed at a corner of the
passage wherein the carrying direction of the paper sheet 28 is
turned at about 90 degrees. When the skew is corrected, the paper
sheet 28 is partially deflected such that the recording surface
(exposure surface) thereof has a convex shape. By disposing the
skew correcting unit 19 at the corner of the passage, the paper
sheet 28 is easily deflected. At the same time, a force for
pressing the anterior end against the resist roller pair 36 is
effectively applied when the deflection portion is pushed. In other
words, pressing effect is improved. Since the recording surface of
the paper sheet 28 is partially deflected so as to have the convex
shape, the carrying guide 37 is used as a press member for pushing
the deflection portion. In the meantime, the photographic printer
10 carries the paper sheets 28 of two rows. In consideration of
this, the carrying guide 37 is divided into a first carrying guide
37a and a second carrying guide 37b, which are disposed in parallel
in the scanning direction, so as to individually push the
respective paper sheets 28. Incidentally, another press member may
be provided instead of using the carrying guide 37.
[0034] As to the carrying guides 37a and 37b, anything may be used
on condition that the paper sheet 28 is prevented from adhering due
to charged static electricity, and further, the recording surface
of the paper sheet 28 is prevented from being damaged at the time
of pushing the paper sheet 28. For instance, isused a Teflon
(registered trademark)-based plastic material on which antistatic
processing is treated. Surfaces of the carrying guides 37a and 37b
confronting the paper sheets 28 are formed with ribs 42, which are
parallel to the carrying direction of the paper sheet 28 and are
arranged in a width direction of the paper sheet 28. In virtue of
the ribs 42, it is possible to prevent scratches and adhesion from
occurring. Instead of forming the ribs 42, the surfaces confronting
the paper sheets 28 may be formed with rollers, wheels or
projections. The roller and the wheel rotate, abutting on the paper
sheet 28. A surface of the projection is smoothly treated. In these
cases, it is possible to reduce an area coming into contact with
the paper sheet 28. Further, it is also possible to reduce friction
to be caused at the time of contacting with the paper sheet 28.
[0035] The pressing mechanism 40 moves the carrying guides 37a and
37b to at least three positions of a guide position, an evacuation
position and a press position. In the guide position, the carrying
guide guides the anterior end of the paper sheet 28 to the resist
roller pair 36 before correcting the skew. In the evacuation
position, the carrying guide is evacuated from the paper sheet 28
so as to partially deflect the paper sheet 28 at the time of
commencing the skew correction. In the press position, the carrying
guide pushes the deflection potion of the deflected paper sheet 28
to press the anterior end thereof against the resist roller pair
36. When skew angles of the paper sheets 28 carried in two rows are
different, deflection amounts of the paper sheets 28 are also
different. Thus, it is necessary to independently adjust the press
positions of the carrying guides 37a and 37b. For this reason, the
pressing mechanism 40 is divided into a first pressing mechanism
40a for moving the carrying guide 37a, and a second pressing
mechanism 40b for moving the carrying guide 37b. Incidentally, the
evacuation position is not especially restricted. The evacuation
position may be optionally determined on condition that the
carrying guide is prevented from coming into contact with the
deflected paper sheet 28.
[0036] The first pressing mechanism 40a is constituted of the first
carrying guide 37a, a grip member 44a for gripping a ball screw
43a, a retainer plate 45a for retaining the carrying guide 37a, and
a motor 47a. The grip member 44a is fixed to the carrying guide 37a
to rotatably grip the ball screw 43a along a direction
perpendicular to the recording surface of the paper sheet 28. The
retainer plate 45a is formed with a through hole (internal thread)
to mesh with the ball screw 43a via which the carrying guide 37a is
retained. The motor 47a rotates the ball screw 43a. The
above-mentioned controller 41 (see FIG. 1) controls the rotational
dive of the motor 47a to adjust a distance between the carrying
guide 37a and the recording surface of the paper sheet 28. In other
words, the controller 41 moves the carrying guide 37a to the
respective positions of the guide position, the evacuation position
and the press position. The second pressing mechanism 40b has a
structure being identical to that of the first pressing mechanism
40a. The second pressing mechanism 40b is constituted of a ball
screw 43b, a grip member 44b, a retainer plate and a motor,
although the retainer plate and the motor are not shown in the
drawings. Incidentally, the pressing mechanisms 40a and 40b may be
any mechanism on condition that the distance between the carrying
guide and the recording surface of the paper sheet 28 is
adjustable. For instance, it is possible to adopt an actuator using
an air cylinder, a lead screw and so forth. It is also possible to
adopt a mechanism for rotating the carrying guides 37a and 37b by
using a cam and a link member.
[0037] A deflection amount of the paper sheet 28 deflected at the
time of the skew correction depends on a kind and an inclination
amount of the paper sheet 28. Thus, it is preferable to change the
press positions of the respective carrying guides 37a and 37b in
accordance with the kind and the inclination amount. When the paper
sheet 28 is pushed, the carrying guides 37a and 37b kept in the
evacuation position are moved toward the paper sheets 28. At this
time, a relationship between the inclination amount and the
deflection amount is obtained in advance relative to the respective
kinds of the paper sheets 28. In addition, an inclination sensor
(not shown) for detecting the inclination amount (skew amount) of
the respective paper sheets 28 is disposed in the passage at an
upstream side of the resist roller pair 36. It is possible to
estimate the deflection amount of the respective paper sheets 28 on
the basis of kind information of the paper sheet 28 inputted by a
user in advance, and inclination-amount information detected by the
inclination sensor. Consequently, it is possible to move the
carrying guides 37a and 37b to the press positions where the force
for pressing the anterior end of the paper sheet 28 against the
resist roller pair becomes substantially constant. In other words,
it is possible to move each of the carrying guides 37a and 37b to
the press position corresponding to the estimated deflection
amount. Thus, even if the inclination amount and the kind of the
paper sheet 28 are changed, the anterior end thereof is pressed
against the resist roller pair 36 by the substantially constant
force.
[0038] Meanwhile, a pressure sensor (not shown) may be disposed at
a surface of the carrying guide confronting the paper sheet 28. In
this case, the press position is defined as a position where a
pressure measured by the pressure sensor becomes a predetermined
value. Incidentally, the pressure measured by the pressure sensor
means a force pushing the deflection portion of the paper sheet 28
with the carrying guide. It is needless to say that the pressure
sensor and the rib 42 have the same level when the pressure sensor
is used.
[0039] Next, an operation of the pressing mechanism 40 is described
below with FIGS. 3 through 6, which are side views of the skew
correcting unit 19 shown in FIG. 2. Although the second pressing
mechanism 40b is not shown in the respective drawings, the
structure thereof is identical with that of the first pressing
mechanism 40a, such as mentioned in the foregoing. For this reason,
only the operation of the first pressing mechanism 40a is described
below.
[0040] First of all, the carrying guide 37a is kept in the guide
position such as shown in FIG. 3 to guide the anterior end of the
paper sheet 28, which is carried by the pre-resist roller pair 35,
to the resist roller pair 36 of a stop state. At this time, a
carrying amount is measured after the anterior end of the paper
sheet 28 has passed the pre-resist roller pair 35. Carrying-amount
information of the anterior end of the paper sheet 28 may be easily
obtained by disposing a photo sensor (not shown) or the like near
the pre-resist roller pair 35, for example.
[0041] Such as shown in FIG. 4, carrying the paper sheet 28 with
the pre-resist roller pair 35 is continued by a predetermined
length until the paper sheet 28 is fully deflected. When the paper
sheet 28 skews, one corner of the anterior end thereof abuts on the
resist roller pair 36 of the stop state, and then, the paper sheet
28 is deflected by further carrying the paper sheet 28. At this
time, the pressing mechanism 40a (the motor 47a) is preliminarily
actuated to move the carrying guide 37a from the guide position to
the evacuation position. Moreover, the deflection amount of the
paper sheet 28 is estimated in advance on the basis of the
inclination-amount information, which is obtained from the
above-mentioned sensor (not shown), and the kind information, which
is inputted by the user.
[0042] The controller 41 (see FIG. 1) halts the pre-resist roller
pair 35 from carrying the paper sheet 28 when the carrying amount
of the paper sheet 28 has reached the predetermined amount, such as
shown in FIG. 5. Successively, the pressing mechanism 40a is
actuated to move the carrying guide 37a from the evacuation
position to the press position corresponding to the estimated
deflection amount. Thus, the deflection portion of the deflected
paper sheet 28 is pushed by the carrying guide 37a to press the
anterior end of the paper sheet 28 against the resist roller pair
36. Since the anterior end of the paper sheet 28 is compulsorily
inserted between the rollers of the resist roller pair 36, the
whole of the anterior end abuts on the resist roller pair 36. As a
result, the skew of the anterior end of the paper sheet 28 is
corrected so as to become parallel in an axial direction of the
resist roller pair 36, or in the scanning direction.
[0043] After correcting the skew of the anterior end of the paper
sheet 28, the controller 41 (see FIG. 1) rotates only the resist
roller pair 36 such as shown in FIG. 6 to commence feeding the
paper sheet 28. When an amount advanced by the resist roller pair
36 has become a predetermined amount, the pre-resist roller pair 35
is released from the nip state. The skew of the paper sheet 28 is
perfectly corrected and the paper sheet 28 is fed to the exposing
unit 21 (see FIG. 1) in a proper attitude. Incidentally, the second
pressing mechanism 40b similarly corrects the skew of the paper
sheet 28 by pressing the anterior end thereof against the resist
roller pair 36.
[0044] The paper sheet 28 is likely to be shifted in the scanning
direction when the skew is corrected. If the shift is caused in the
scanning direction, an image to be exposure-recorded in the
exposure unit 21 is shifted in the scanning direction. In view of
this, a measurement sensor is provided, for example. This sensor
measures a shift amount in the scanning direction after the skew
has been corrected. Alternatively, in the case that the inclination
amount is detected at the time of the skew correction, the shift
amount in the scanning direction may be calculated by using the
detected inclination amount. On the basis of the calculated shift
amount, a recording position of the exposing unit 21 is shifted in
the scanning direction.
[0045] Next, an operation of the photographic printer 10 having the
above structure is described below. Upon print instruction of the
user, the photosensitive recording papers 24 are advanced from the
recording-paper rolls 25 of the magazines 12 and 13, such as shown
in FIG. 1. The advanced recoding papers 24 are cut by the cutters
15 and 16 into the paper sheets 28 having the predetermined length.
The carrying roller pairs 30 forward the cut paper sheets 28 to the
back-printing unit 18 in parallel. The back-printing unit 18 prints
the necessary information of the film ID, the frame number and so
forth.
[0046] The back-printed paper sheet 28 is forwarded to the skew
correcting unit 19 by the carrying roller pairs 31. The controller
41 keeps the respective carrying guides 37a and 37b in the guide
position such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. At this time, the
controller 41 rotates only the pre-resist roller pair 35 to carry
the paper sheets 28 toward the rollers of the resist roller pair
36. Carrying the paper sheet 28 by the pre-resist roller pair 35 is
continued such as shown in FIG. 4 to fully deflect the paper sheet
28. At this time, the respective pressing mechanisms 40a and 40b
are driven to move the respective carrying guides 37a and 37b to
the evacuation position. Meanwhile, the deflection amount of the
paper sheet 28 is preliminarily estimated on the basis of the
inclination information and the kind information of the paper sheet
28, which are measured and inputted in advance.
[0047] The controller 41 halts the pre-resist roller pair 35 when
the carrying amount of the paper sheet 28 has reached the
predetermined amount. And then, the controller 41 actuates the
pressing mechanisms 40a and 40b to move each of the carrying guides
37a and 37b from the evacuation position to the press position
corresponding to the estimated deflection amount of the paper sheet
28. In virtue of this, the deflection portions of the deflected
paper sheets 28 are pushed by the carrying guides 37a and 37b to
press the anterior ends thereof against the resist roller pair 36.
Since the anterior end of the paper sheet 28 is compulsorily
inserted into the resist roller pair 36, the whole of the anterior
end abuts on the resist roller pair 36. After the skew of the
anterior end of the paper sheet 28 has been corrected, only the
resist roller pair 36 is rotated to commence feeding the paper
sheet 28, such as shown in FIG. 6. When the anterior end of the
paper sheet 28 has been nipped by the resist roller pair 36, the
pre-resist roller pair 35 is released from the nip state. Even if
the paper sheet 28 has stiffness, it is possible to accurately
correct the skews of the parallel two rows at the same time. It is
unnecessary to reverse the resist roller pair 36 such as described
in the previously cited Publication No. 2003-195424, so that
processing ability of unit time is improved.
[0048] The paper sheet 28 of which the skew has been corrected is
fed to the exposing unit 21 by the carrying roller pairs 31. At the
exposure unit 21, image exposures of two rows are performed in
parallel. The exposed paper sheet 28 is forwarded to the processing
unit 22 wherein the respective processes of coloring/developing,
fixing, washing, and drying are executed. After that, the paper
sheet 28 is discharged to the outside of the photographic printer
10 as a photo print.
[0049] In the photographic printer 10 of the above embodiment, the
paper sheets 28 of two rows are carried to simultaneously perform
the skew correction thereof and to simultaneously perform the
exposure thereof. However, a number of rows for carrying the paper
sheets in parallel is not exclusive to two, but may be three or
more. In this case, the pre-resist roller pair 35 and the resist
roller pair 36 are adapted to have a sufficient length in the axial
direction so as to carry a few rows. Further, the above-described
pressing mechanisms are disposed in parallel by a number
corresponding to the rows.
[0050] In the photographic printer 10 of the above embodiment, the
carry is performed in two rows and the exposure thereof is
simultaneously performed. However, when a fraction is processed and
when high processing ability is not required, single-row carrying
may be performed as need arises. In this case, the skew may be
corrected by using either of the pressing mechanisms 40a and 40b
shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, for example, the paper sheet 28 may
be moved to a central portion of the passage, such as shown in FIG.
7, by providing a guide rail (not shown) and a shifting mechanism
(not shown), which shifts the paper sheet in a width direction, at
the passage along which the paper sheet 28 is carried to the
pre-resist roller pair 35. When the skew is corrected, the anterior
end of the paper sheet 28 is pressed against the resist roller pair
36 by using both of the carrying guides 37a and 37b.
[0051] When both the carrying guides 37a and 37b are used for
pressing, there is a possibility that the paper sheet 28 is not
pressed by uniform force in a balanced manner. In view of this, the
skew may be corrected by reversing the resist roller pair 36 in a
state that the paper sheet 28 is deflected, such as described in
the previously cited Publication No. 2003-195424. Although
processing ability deteriorates in this case, the photographic
printer 10 may be manufactured at a low cost since it is
unnecessary to balance the carrying guides 37a and 37b.
[0052] In the above embodiment, the resist roller pair 36 is
rotatable in forward and backward directions so that it is
possible, in both cases of the two-row carry and the single-row
carry, to correct the skew by reversing the resist roller pair 36
such as described in the forgoing Publication No. 2003-195424.
Thus, for example, the skew is corrected by using the pressing
mechanisms 40a and 40b when the two-row carry requiring the
processing ability is performed, and the skew is corrected during
the reverse rotation of the resist roller pair 36 when the
single-row carry hardly requiring the processing ability is
performed.
[0053] The pressing mechanism 40 of the above embodiment is
constituted of the ball screws 43a and 43b, the motor 47a and so
force. However, the retainer plate 45a (see FIG. 3) and the
carrying guide 37a (also the carrying guide 37b) may be connected
by means of a spring, and the carrying guides 37a and 37b may push
the deflection portion of the paper sheet 28 by utilizing urging
force of the spring.
[0054] In the above embodiment, the skew correcting unit 19 is
disposed at the corner of the passage where the carrying direction
of the paper sheet 28 is turned at 90 degrees. In other words, the
skew correcting unit 19 is disposed at the curved passage. The
present invention, however, is not exclusive to this. The skew
correcting unit may be disposed at a straight portion of the
passage. Further, instead of carrying the paper sheet 28 with the
pre-resist roller pair 35, the paper sheet 28 may be carried by
using a chucker and so forth being movable in a parallel direction
with the sub-scanning direction.
[0055] In the above embodiment, the paper sheet 28 is deflected so
as to make the recording surface thereof convex. However, the paper
sheet 28 may deflected so as to make the rear surface thereof
convex. In this case, the exposing unit 21 is disposed at an
opposite side relative to the paper sheet 28 in the photographic
printer 10, and at the same time, the paper sheet 28 is carried in
a state that the surfaces thereof are reversed. In this case, since
the rear surface of the paper sheet 28 is pushed, the recording
surface is prevented from being damaged.
[0056] In the present invention, when the skew is corrected, the
paper sheet 28 is deflected so that the anterior end thereof abuts
on the resist roller pair 36 of the stop state. However, as shown
in FIG. 8, an abutting guide 50 may be disposed at a downstream
side of the resist roller pair 36 in the sheet carrying direction.
The abutting guide 50 is removable from the passage. The anterior
end of the paper sheet 28 butts against the abutting guide 50 so
that the paper sheet 28 is partially deflected. In this case, is
provided a changeover mechanism for changing the resist roller pair
36 between a nip state for nipping the paper sheet 28, and a
release state for releasing the nip of the paper sheet 28. When the
anterior end of the paper sheet 28 butts against the abutting guide
50, the changeover mechanism is actuated to change the resist
roller pair 36 to the release state. And then, the abutting guide
50 is removed from the passage after the skew of the anterior end
has been corrected. At the same time, the resist roller pair 36 is
set to the nip state.
[0057] Although the present invention has been fully described by
way of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the
accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be
apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless
otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of
the present invention, they should be construed as included
therein.
* * * * *